July 7

Aim for a few minutes of the day to be positive.


I use to find it extremely hard to be positive for even a couple seconds but I have gotten better at it over the past few months (partly because of this blog:)).  I think that it is not only detrimental to yourself to be negative but it is also annoying to the people around you.  I have also found that if you try to be positive to a negative person, they think you are the most loathsome thing they have ever encountered.  Don't be one of those people!
AMANDA

July 6

Enjoy the world with all its improvements.


This is a constant argument between my brother and me; I once said that I wished I was in the nineties and he nearly died.  I once read that people interested in science should read the latest things (him) and people interested in English should read the oldest things (me).  Since I fall in the latter category (I am also constantly watching old movies and listening to old music) I suppose it is natural for me to have some doubt about what era I would like to live in.  I do know that, rationally, medicine and technology has greatly improved.  Is there some part of me that wishes that I was walking the moors of England in a dress with my drawing master?  Maybe, but I think I am overall grateful for when I live.
AMANDA

July 5

Tell yourself you are perfect and fabulous.


I AM PERFECT AND FABULOUS!  I am going to take this a little further and remind all the women in my life today that they fit the p and f quota.
AMANDA

July 4

Claim one bit of your house as completely your own.  Ban all others.


First of all, happy Independence Day! My family doesn't eat meat so this holiday has always been virtually nonexistent in my life.  I spent last fourth of July in France which was pretty weird but I digress.


I guess for me, this area would be my desk.  My desk is where I write all blog posts.  I also have a bulletin board right in front of me so I have goals, art, and photos to look at.  I am both driven and relaxed when I sit at my desk which for me is the perfect combination.
AMANDA

July 3

Learn how to do something for your car that you don't already know how to do.  It is scary to feel helpless.


I am not exactly car savvy.  Just last week, I got really lost, scratched the car, and subsequently burst into tears.  At other times, though, I can be calm.  Recently my car was doing this weird wheel lock thing where reverse and the steering wheel didn't work (a particular nightmare whenever you are parallel parked).  However, I was able to stay calm and read the manual to figure it out.  I think it is all about keeping a cool head and knowing you will be able to figure it out.  Now to take my own advice...
AMANDA

July 2

Do not buy anything else that you don't absolutely love.


Today I am volunteering at the local library so this post has to be pretty short.  I feel like I should mention that because be surrounded by books always make me happy.  Anyway, Brie is not responding so you will be stuck with me for even longer.


I don't really do this with clothes, but if I go into a book store, I will come out with a pile of books.  The problem with this, of course, is that I haven't read them yet so I don't know if I will like them.  Currently, I have an entire collection of Charles Dickens novels for god knows what reason.  I am going to try to take this advice to heart.
AMANDA

July 1

Think about a goal you have.   Write down all the happy results that will come with achieving this goal.


I really like this one; I think it is a great way to get motivated.


I plan on watching all 1001 movies in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.

• I will have been exposed to different perspectives
• I will be a great movie conversationalist and be able to give advice to people on what they should watch
• I will have stuck with a long term goal all the way to the end
• I will have written 1001 movie reviews which is great practice in writing
• I will have accomplished something off my bucket list

AMANDA