Do something for yourself!

I LOVE LISTS. I LOVE GOALS. I LOVE PLANNING. End of story. :) haha


I've always been inspired to create a bucket list and after seeing my friend Sam's post about her "100 Things," I figured I'd start my list too.

1. Graduate from college with my education degree.
2. Take self defence classes.
3. Sing The National Anthem in Bartow Arena.
4. Marry a man I'm comfortable with who treats me well, makes me laugh and stimulates me intellectually.
5. Have children.
6. Take Swing Dance classes.
7. See Vatican City, The Pyramids at Giza, The Parthenon, The Pantheon, The Cistene Chapel, Auschwitz, The Dome of the Rock, The Nile, The Colleseum, Etc....
8. In general, spend time in Rome, Athens and many areas in Egypt.
9. Get a second tatoo.
10. Sing for a jazz band again at some point in my life.
11. Do something completely scandalous.
12. Be on a step team.
13. Save a life.
14. Stop biting my nails....again.
15. Write a novel and have it published.
16. Be an incredibly fun and inspiring history teacher.
17. Be fearless when it comes to telling people I love them. Friends, family and beyond.
18. Own a house, a phone and a car for myself. Making payments and all.
19. Give my pets creative names for the rest of my life.
20. Laugh until I cry at least once a month.
21. Learn a new language.
22. Go cliff jumping/diving....again.
23. Investigate further into greek, roman, celtic, atlantean and egyptian mythology.
24. Go skydiving.
25. Become capable of receiving the gift that is full faith.

This is just a few...more to come. Perhaps it will be one hundred; maybe more, maybe less.

All aboard the J Train.

It dawned on me last night that I haven't been alone in a very long time.

I started 'going out' with boys in 2004. haha

I started dating Joseph in June 2005; it ended in June 2007.

I was involved with Justin from around July 2007-August 2009.

Joel and I started dating in September of 2009 and it is now February 2010 - we're still together, but times are tough.

I was 15 the last time I was actually "single"... I'm 20 now. Hell, it's not like I've been married or engaged so I know it's not a huge deal, but I feel that I've come into adulthood with someone always at my side. I'm an advocate for independent women, but can I practice what I believe?

You see - my primary issue is that I'm obsessed with love. I think true happiness is shared and that loving is the key to a life worth living. I nurture people. I want to adore them, help them and appreciate them. I see people for their potential. However, for now, some things just aren't necessary. Are they necessary for anyone? ... I may not want to, but I'm sure I could function without you. I could learn.

I can wake up, brush my teeth and get dressed on my own.

I can make it through the day without texts saying I'm beautiful.

I can sleep in a bed alone.

I can go to church singular.

I'll still chew gum, even if I'm not preparing to kiss someone.

I can call friends on the phone.

I can go to a party alone.

I will put on my mascara for myself, not for anyone else. It's the one makeup product I do enjoy.

I can enjoy new shows and new movies with other people.

I'm smart.

I'm outspoken.

I'm witty.

I'm driven.

I'm passionate and compassionate.

I can be happy.

Mostly, I am fully capapble of looking into the mirror and seeing a girl worth having.

Aaaaahwwwooooooo!

Saturday night I was chased in a UAB parking deck by a complete stranger. It was nine-thirtypm at the corner of 10thAveS and 16thSt. Luckily, I got back into my car and got away in time. The police got involved. It's something I don't think I could ever forget. And I KNOW I'll never forget my friends Jordan and Vinny for being my knights in shining armour.

Tonight I was going to the deck again alone, at night, and unaccompanied. I was really frightened and felt really let down. I don't want to be a victim.

Sigh. Sometimes, no matter how strong you are, all you want and need is someone to lean on and someone who will protect you. Is that so much to ask?

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In other news:

The Wolfman was an awesome movie.

Tradition.
Cliche Plotline.
Gore.
Good cast.

By no means was it the greatest film of our time, but if you love a classic throwback, this movie is for you!!

Go see it. :D

Learn Yourself. Know Yourself.

"Did you ever get the feeling that we started in the middle? Or have you ever had the sense that we were lying just a little? I mean come on…it's not like we knew ourselves that long." – John Mayer

Do you ever consider your own personality characteristics? I mean… think about it. We are so quick to pick out things we love or hate about other individuals but do you consider those things about yourself?

Are you really so kind?

Do you really NEED that makeup?

Am I a hypocrite by accident…or by choice?

Is that girl really worth it?

Am I acting this way to impress someone?

Ask yourself real questions…and if you cannot…maybe just talk to someone about THEIRS because it's natural that you would then discuss your own thoughts. Maybe you'll be talking and BAM! There it is…something you always frown upon but realize you do it too. Maybe you'll change – maybe you won't.

I learned a lot about myself in 2009. I'll never know enough, but I'm on the right track.

I love honest people, so don't play games with me. Speak your mind.

I despise rude people. (Yes, there is a difference between rude and honest. Believe me.)

I trust too easily…but I probably won't change.

I love being a section leader. I love marching band. Always have – always will.

I think nature is cruel and beautiful.

I REALLYREALLYREALLY miss singing with a jazz band. Desperately.

I like the feeling right after I get out of the shower.

I choke down a lot of my harsh statements. There's no reason to jade other people.

I'm not really THAT cynical. Ha. Just enough.

It'll never be simple, so stop wishing.

Count your blessings.

I overanalyze. This isn't new, but I'm reminded daily.

I have a very different view about "faith"/"belief"/"spirituality" than I once did. It is still present…just altered.

I think people are intimidated by my drive. I know what I want and I get it. So what.

I care what my parents think.

Apathetic people piss me off beyond belief. Wasted talent. Uhg.

Space and time don't heal all wounds. Sometimes you're just going to love people…no matter what.

I like Alabama. Yep. You've got it.

So I found out that I can be really mean….like…REALLY MEAN. It usually doesn't leave my lips- not the terrible stuff- but my urge to be vindictive after you've hurt me is unsettling.

However, I have great self control. J

Also, I believe hatred and post-action guilt are useless emotions.

I can forgive.

You might think you're strong but someone can rip that from you in a matter of minutes. Someone can take your pride. Another will steal your integrity. One your dignity. And yet again, someone else your trust. You let it happen. You're broken and feel that nothing will be the same.

I have a plan. I like being practical.

But still….. I like surprises. <3

I care what people think even if I try not to… and lucky for me, sometimes trying does make it happen.

It's not the same- but you're better. You learned. You might still hurt but there are people who matter and they do make it okay. The best of those being yourself.

I'm not conservative, but I'm not liberal.

I'm a LOT crasser that I once was. Ask me to speak my mind- I will. Leave a dirty joke untold- I'll tell it. Try and fight with me about religion or politics- I dare you.

Maybe I do like Dr. Pepper.

I'm really snarky.

I'll NEVER be above apologizing. Saying sorry is important.

Your superior attitude isn't even worth my time, so trash it. Seriously.

I love Heroes. I love Jodi Piccoult. I love new phones. I love watching movies. I love my Snuggie. I think texting rocks. I love colored sharpies. I love new shirts. I like when people make me CDs. I like getting dirty – mud on my feet and everything. I enjoy filing my nails. I love that laugh when I throw my head back and my hair shakes everywhere. I love discovering new people. I love discovering me.

People aren't always what you think. Some are worse… but some will surprise you. J

I like my personality even if you don't.

I view so many things with newly opened eyes nowadays and it's enthralling.

I'm not really unique, special or innovative, but I am Julie Renee' Covington…and I do that better than anyone else.

Hello &&& Pet Peeves

There was Xanga. There was Livejournal. There was Myspace. I could make posts regularly there...Currently, there is facebook, but I find that I cannot just write about things there. This is a blog where I'll write stuff about me. Maybe I'll write about you. There might be secrets! I'll probably write about people, movies, shows, books and most importantly-- situations I observe. Hope you enjoy.

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First order of business... A list of my pet peeves/ things I dislike:

1) When people read a book series or watch a film series out of chronological order.
2) Listening to someone drink or chew.
3) Closed-mindedness
4) People who are SO open minded, they are closed minded about their own self righteous open-mindedness.
5) Superior attitudes. ALSO- UNDESERVED superior attitudes/ undeserved sense of entitlement.
6) Affirmative action. (No, I'm not a racist, I just think it's gone far enough.)
7)Um....No means no. Really. No, I'm not kidding. Seriously. Just stop. Not yes. NO.
8) INCORRECT USAGE of your & you're/ their,there, they're/ to, two, too. We were in school forever. Get it right.
9) Bad grammar. In situations such as blogging or texting, incomplete sentences are acceptable. In essays or serious messages or conversations....absolutely not.
10) Shrill women.
11) Teachers who don't teach. They coach. (If they can do both, more power to them!)
12) Opening the Morton's purple salt can. THAT NOISE! Uhhhhg. :[
13) Disrespecting your elder or your educator- whether ther are right or not. Just shut the hell up.
14) People who blindly follow trends...even if the trend is to NOT follow a trend.
15) Gossip & Drama Mongers

These were just a few I suppose. I'm sure there will be more later.

Anyway - WELCOME TO 2010! I'm excited about a new year and a new place to write. Until next time...