21.

My 21st birthday is coming up on Sunday (finally), and it's time for me to do one of my favorite things on my blog to celebrate it. That is post 21 facts about myself, because it's a fun way for you all (whoever is reading this), to truly get to know me. I've done this for my 20th Birthday, as well as my 19th and 18th birthdays. So, without further a due, here's 21 facts about me.

1. I own every Madonna album from her early days, to her most recent release "Rebel Heart." Madonna is one of my favorite singers of all time, and she is extremely talented. The last CD I need to complete my collection is "Something to Remember," which has a few unreleased songs. My favorite albums are "Like a Virgin," "Madonna," "True Blue," "Rebel Heart" and "Confessions on a Dance Floor." To make me even more of a super fan, I also own the first four albums on cassette for my car.
2. I enjoy reading the physical books rather than the e-reader. I once had one, and used it quite consistently. However, it just felt weird so I just bought paperbacks. 
3. My favorite food is cookies. My favorite kind of cookies is chocolate chip. 
4. My favorite place in the world is the beach. 
5. My idols are Lauren Conrad, Audrey Hepburn and Zooey Deschanel. 
6. My goal is one day to own a Tiffany and Co. necklace. I'm not sure which one yet, I either want one with the blue in it or just a plain heart. I am obsessed with them, and I really want to get one. I'm honestly considering purchasing one as a present for my 21st birthday, but we'll see. 
7. My favorite television shows are "New Girl," "Sex and the City," "Gilmore Girls" and "Golden Girls." I've seen every episode of "New Girl," "Sex and the City," "Golden Girls" and "Gilmore Girls" and most of "New Girl."
8. I've kept a journal actively since I was a senior in high school. Some of my journal entries have turned into blog posts. I like to journal because it's a good way to get all of your raw feelings out there, and you can choose who you want to see it. Before turning to a journal, I've blogged abut all of my feelings, which can be good to some extend. However, I'm looking back on my old blog entries on my other blog and I'm cringing. Once on the Internet, it will never leave you. 
9. I got my license really late. Like I was twenty when I finally passed my test. I just started driving regularly, which is really weird, but pretty amazing at the same time. 
10. My favorite artists (other than Madonna) are Lana Del Rey, Ozzy Osbourne (and Black Sabbath), Aerosmith and The Pretty Reckless. I am also a fan of Bleachers, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift and Tegan and Sara.
11. When it comes to dating, I am absolutely petrified about making the first move. I'm afraid to take chances, and I'm afraid to tell someone how I feel about them. Why? Mostly because I'm afraid of getting rejected. I'll usually try to feel someone out when I like them, and go from there. Or sometimes, I can be extremely obvious about it. 
12. My favorite decade is the 80's when it comes to music, television shows and movies.
13. I am addicted to buying jewelry. One knows you don't need it, but I honestly can't help myself buying a new piece every so often. My favorites are rings and bracelets. 
14. My favorite animal is elephant. 
15. I have two favorite colors: purple and light (Tiffany) blue.
16. My favorite app is Instagram. 
17. I'm obsessed with Shirley Temples. 
18. I rather buy CDs than download music digitally. My CD collection spans over 200 plus titles and is growing constantly. 
19. I've been to 10 states other than Connecticut: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, California, New Jersey, Florida, Washington D.C., Virginia and Pennsylvania. My goal is to go to Vermont and maybe make that number go up. 
20. My dog is my best friend. I am constantly cuddling with her, and taking pictures of her. 
21. I still don't know what my first drink will be, however, stay tuned to find out more about the happenings of my 21st! 

Hey everyone! So, I'm going to be hella busy for the next few days, so there won't be posts Monday or Tuesday. The next entry will be either Wednesday or Thursday, where I'll begin to update you all on the events of my 21st! 

Cheers to My Teen Years.

 Last Saturday was my 20th birthday. I had an amazing birthday filled with great people, cake, Starbucks, and of course the beach. It was a long day, but it was exciting from start to finish. I got to spend it with Gabriel (naturally), Griffin, and Elisa. We first went to the beach, which is my favorite place on the planet. Then, we went out to eat a local diner. After that, we headed home to do all kinds of birthday stuff, such as open gifts, eat cake, and play a cardgame. (I actually won one!) After we were getting attacked by the bugs, we went to Starbucks, where I had a strawberry frappucino. (Which was so good)
Overall, I had an excellent birthday. I enjoyed spending time with the people who are nearest and dearest to me. It means a lot because once fall hits Gabriel and Griffin will be going off to college, however Elisa will be staying here because her school is actually in my hometown. I am so grateful to have such awesome friends in my life, and I thank all of them for making my birthday as awesome as it was.
Below are some pictures that I've taken through out the day. What is your favorite birthday memory? Let me know!  
Starbucks, yum!
 
Best Place to spend a birthday, is it not?
 
My main girl!
 
The whole Motley Crue! (Elisa; Griffin; Me; Gabriel)
 
Gabriel smiling.
 
Elisa and I getting dinner.
 
Griffin hugging a rock?
 
Gabriel casually wearing my sunglasses...
 
Last, but certainly not least, my cake! 

20/Give Your Blog A Break

Hey everyone! Before I begin this entry, in honor of my birthday Saturday I'm taking a few days off from blogging. That means, I won't be blogging. However, I didn't want you to be disappointed. I have arranged for some lovely guest posters, like Emma and Samantha for you all to enjoy on this lovely blog.
Anyways, something that I like to do around my birthday is to include a bunch of facts in the number of the age that I'm turning. Since I'm turning 20, I will include 20 facts. (I've done it twice! 19 & 18)
So here's my 20 facts about me.

1. Lana Del Rey is my favorite singer. I also am a huge Demi Lovato, Aerosmith, and Ozzy Osbourne fan. My music palette is so insane but I wouldn't have it any other way. 
2. My favorite kind of cake is vanilla or red velvet. However, I do use 
3. My goal is to become a print journalist. (Imagine, you all reading this can say that you knew me back in my blogging days)
4. I will always have a thing for Mr. Big, and I desperately want to meet someone whose like that. However I could kinda pass on all of the love drama.
5. I am a Cancer. That means that I am super sensitive, which is no surprise to anyone. 
6. Snoopy is my favorite cartoon. 
7. My favorite animals are a three way tie- starfish, dogs and owls. 
8. I have a dog as a pet. She's my best friend. 
9. If I wasn't going to be a journalist, then I would go into my own business selling jewelry. 
10. I basically have everything Apple. I have two iPods, an iPhone, an iPad, and a Macbook Pro.
11. I have read every issue of 17 magazine since June 2007. 
12. I currently am binge watching 'Cheers', and 'Pretty Little Liars' on Netflix.
13. My favorite shows are 'Fraiser', 'New Girl', 'Gilmore Girls', and 'Sex and the City'.
14. I am hoping to get a Master's degree. 
15. My favorite bracelet is a Pandora. However, since mine sadly broke recently, I have been getting into the Alex and Ani craze.
16. I am currently single. I however, don't think that it's a bad thing. I do however would like to note that I am down for that changing, because whose not down for a little fun?
17. I have an obsession with claddaugh rings.
18. When I'm sad, I write poems. Actually, I just write a lot of things in general. 
19. I am obsessed with Instagram! 
20. My favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
21. (for good luck) My best friend is my dog. 

Terrible Twos

Once upon a time, in a high school hallway, there were a cast of characters, all with pseydums. There was Charlotte York, my best friend at the time, who was optimisic about love. The way that the show protrays Charlotte. There was Mr. Big, who was the crush that I had that always left me thinking. Then there was countless others, who I can't remember. All were there on Notations. At that time, I claimed that I knew everything, despite the fact that I knew nothing. Let's face it every 16 year old thinks that they know everything about everything on the face on the earth. But, let's be real here. I am almost done with my teenage years and I can barely tell you what I want for dinner tonight.

Two years ago, I started this blog in search for something. For happiness, for inner peace, for who knows what. Ever since then, I am so pleased to watch my little flower bloom. My writing has improved. I've grown to have a bigger part of the blogger community, and have over ten thousand views. I've made some blogging friends, both real and virtual. But most of all, I am able to have a space of my own to write. I have features, and only hope that they get bigger and better as time goes on. I hope that you all stick with me, because you all are apart of this. 

So, I thank all of you for reading. Thank you to my fellow bloggers. Thank you to my Facebook fans, because I know that you enjoy getting notifications. Thank you to my friends who get emails pretty much daily, and not want to kill me. Thank you for actually reading this, which makes me so happy. This is something that I am so exited to say, and I am so grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you guys!

Happy birthday blog! Here's to two more years of insightful blog entries. Or more. I hope to write more. I kind of wish that I could give the blog a presen, but instead I'll buy myself one. Sounds good? I think so. 

Happy birthday to Finding My Voice! Let's make two not so terrible!
Read my first entry ever here!

"They Say It's Your Birthday!"

I would like to take a moment to say happy birthday to one of my best blogging friends in all of the land. And that is none other than my homegirl, Emma, also known as the girl behind the blog The World According to Emma! She even guest posted for me a few days okay. (You should read this awesome content, even though Blogger is mean.)
Emma and I actually met in real life first. She and I actually go to the same college, and have met through the newfangled way-the internet. Through Twitter, we discovered that we had quite a bit in common. Gilmore Girls, Secret Life, and a bunch of other stuff. Last summer, we were talking about the finale, and she showed me her blog. And then I showed her my blog. Bam. We became bloggy friends. It's that simple, folks. Her blog is a bit more lifestyle than mine, but it's still amazing. I think you should all check her blog out, because it's her birthday and bloggers love it when they get some love. (There's a lot of love in that sentence). But my point is that you should check her out. Cause she's that awesome.
So, today Emma gets a birthday shoutout. Happy 20th birthday Emma! Be grateful that you're not in English class today, and I hope that you have a Gilmore-style birthday. I am so happy to say that you're one of my first college friends, and I'm glad that we both joined that Facebook group. I hope you have a great day filled with Dylan O'Brien, bloggy stuff, and puppies. I'll see you on Monday where we will dread English. (Ugh, I don't want to think about it.) Until then, party it up cause you're no longer a teenager!

(Emma's blog button, since I don't have a picture with her.)
In honor of Emma's birthday, please feel free to check out one of my favorite posts by her (this was hard to pick, but I have to say this reminded me of our friendship) It's a post about Gilmore Girls!

Dear Grandpa

In honor of my grandpa's 87th birthday tomorrow, I wanted to write him a letter. Yes, I know that he will never read it. But I wanted to do something to honor him, because I really miss talking to him about things, especially when it's important in my life. 

Dear Grandpa;
Happy 87th birthday! I wish there was some way for me to celebrate it with you being here in the flesh. You know a trip to Abate's, where you would get two bowls of pasta and Grandma would yell at you. You would flirt with the waitress, and she would bring you the Italian coffee. She loved you, and I remember up until the days after you died she asked about you.
Since the last time I saw you, so much has changed. I finally passed my driving test, and now hold a learner's permit. I got a job at the library. Yes, I get paid to read. I can remember you and Grandma taking me to the local town library, where we would get movies and picture books. When I go there now in the summers, I can still picture you in a chair with your ray-bans on. I have those glasses now, and they don't look quite the same on me as they do on you. The biggest news grandpa is that I've decided that I'm going to be a journalist. Those penny notebooks that you bought for me at ShopRite have paid off. I write for the school paper, and it literally is the best thing that I've ever decided to do. I can't wait until I write articles for money. Of course, it will never be work. It's something that I love. I wonder if you remember me writing my silly stories about my stuffed animals. I guess I've come a lot way from those ShopRite notebooks, and writing about the adventures of Wishbone.
I can still picture you the last time I saw you. You looked so small. I remember when you once looked so big, now you just looked like you were minimized. I remember how your once olive skin now had a gray tint to it. I hope that you are healthier in heaven. I hope that you're eating lots of cookies that you were allowed to eat.
I don't think that I've ever said this enough when you're alive, but I love you Grandpa. I miss you a lot, despite the fact that I know that you are no longer in pain. Everyone does. You were the glue to our family. You made Christmas jolly, and kept Grandma's crazy siblings at bay. You made us laugh, and you never once complained when you were in pain. I remember you when you turned 80, and you got a sweatshirt that said I'm 80 today. I remember the birthday when coffee was spilled all over Melissa, and I remember the time that Joe dropped the noki. They've become family stories told. Now, as we move on, I realize that something is missing every time we get together. That's you. I see it in everyone's face, especially Grandma's. I miss you eating your walnuts, and getting yelled at by Grandma for eating too much. I remember you drinking coffee at all hours, and I remember that soup is your favorite meal. I remember my second to last birthday with you. I turned 16, and it was the first time that I really knew that you were never quite the same. You yelled at me for the first time that day, and I will never forget it. Of course, I knew that you didn't know better.
I wish I can give you a gift, but I give you love. You've given it to me for all 19 years of my life. I can't understand why you had to deal with losing your sanity without control. You did everything right. However, you've given me a father. When I was little, I called you Daddy, because you were everything a father should be. I wish you were there for my prom, and when I graduated. I wish you will be able to walk me down the aisle when some dumb bastard decides to marry me. I wish that you'll be able to meet my kids, who will be named Sonny too.
Happy birthday Grandpa. I love you.
Natalie