reasons why Harry Potter is friggin awesome

Also, reasons why Harry Potter is more than just a book/movie.

Not to get all emotional and super sentimental....

But yeah, I'm going there.

As has been made apparent by the rest of the world, the final Harry Potter movie came out last night. 

Honestly, one of the most incredible, defining events in my life. 

And before you think I'm more of a super-nerd than I am,

(I can admit it!)

here is why there is so much more meaning to the series coming to a proverbial "end" than we may realize.

1. We grew up with these characters. From 4th grade to my senior year of high school, I always had a new book, a new story, to look forward to. Harry, Ron, and Hermione became more than just people on a page. They became my friends. Friends that I could relate to, and love. 

2. Harry Potter has brought millions of people together. 

All united in our obsessive love for the same magical world. 

That is one thing I LOVED about the midnight showings. Everyone was so crazy and passionate. It's things like that that make life worth living. Things that we can put our whole heart and soul into, and then share that with others that we may otherwise have nothing in common with. 

3. Who DOESN'T love a good fantasy-magic-related-tugatyourheartstrings story?!

4. These characters actually teach us something valuable about life. 

Hermione shows us that being a bookworm and having a love of learning, is a wonderful thing. 

Ron shows us the meaning of being a loyal, loving friend. 

And Harry shows us the value of love, bravery, and diligence through difficult times.

Try finding all those lessons in the Twlight series.

(yeah I went there too.....)

5. Finally, Harry Potter has defined this generation. 

The books and movies have literally taken over the world. . Delivered hours of entertainment. Shattered records. And finally, provided a beautiful escape from reality.

Just like Dumbledore so profoundly states:

"Of course it is happening inside your head. 

But why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"

It's moments like last night that make me so thankful for the little things we have been given. 

Little things that deliver so much unadulterated joy.

So thank you Harry Potter. 

Thank you for defining my childhood and changing my life.

UPDATE:
Someone at work (we will refer to her as she-who-must-not-be-named) just informed the office that she has never seen the HP movies, nor read the books.
Also she has never seen Lion King or the Emperor's New Groove.
And to top it all off, not only has she NOT SEEN THEM, she is morally opposed to all of them.


A part of my soul just caught fire and died.

UPDATE 2: 
Remember how I was supposed to see Owl City on Wednesday night?
Yeah well instead I decided to avoid heatstroke and projectile vomiting
(neither of which are something I'm trying to do every day)
and Jenny and I left early. 
Boo, summer heat and overcrowded venues. 
BOOOOO.

postcards from far away

Dear Adam Young,

I have to admit that the last time I saw you in concert, I was a little weirded out.

I adore you.

But I was weirded out nontheless. 

Well here I am 2 years later, and I'm ready to see you again tonight. 

Don't disappoint me.

Dear Harry, Ron, Hermione, and every other bad-ace HP character from my childhood,

I'll see you tomorrow. 

Most epic night of my life? 

PROBABLY

So dapper. ILU bbyz!!!!

Dear bff, 

We will be reunited in 2 weeks. Kill me with joy. 

Dear Arizona, 

I really miss my hot early morning workouts with you. 

What I wouldn't do to ride my bike through the desert right now.....

Dear pool at 24hourfitness, 

I hope you are enjoying my frequent visits. Because I'm sort of addicted right now.

All I want to do is smell like chlorine, all the time. 

Is that too much to ask?!

Dear sleep, 

I'm not going to be seeing much of you until Saturday night. 

I hope you can forgive me.

Also, pretty sure my nickname until then is going to be "walking dead".

Awesome. 

family-palooza and such

Sometimes (aka all the time) it bothers me when people apologize for not blogging. 

I mean, I know my life is interesting *insert sarcasm*, but I seriously doubt that you guys get THAT stressed when I don't blog for a week.

GASP!

So I'm not going to apologize. 

The end. 

So the fam was in town this week. And man alive, it was fun. I spent a few days up in Park City, enjoyed some rain, lots of time with the extended fam, and had a fun-filled (and sweat-drenched) time at Lagoon.
I love my family.
They are too adorable for their own good. 

 Don't mind my cheese ball smile. Apparently I'm one of those over-enthused ferris wheel riders.

 

 Lagoon day was the kind of day I wish I could bottle up and turn into a perfume or something.

 It was as perfect and summery as they come. 

Lots of sun. 

Family. 

Lemonade.

A little rainstorm.

BBQ food.

Amusement park rides.

Sunburn.

Fireworks.

BLISS.

P.S. wanna hear about the kick-ace week ahead of me?
Tomorrow: a.m. bike ride. FINALLY.
Wednesday: Mat Kearny and Owl City. My love affair with Adam Young is about to be taken to a whole new level.
Thursday: HARRYPOTTEROMGI'MGONNADIIIIEEEEEE
Friday: Harry Potter Party. Yes, it's going to be as epic as it sounds.
Saturday: Bridal Shower for bff Nicole. Out of control girl time. My favorite.

I'm out of breath just thinking about it all.
And those are just 5 more reasons (as if you need more!!!) why summer is the best thing on the planet.

scenes from the weekend, via my phone

Sorry I am too lame to use an actual camera. 

Forgive me. 

Friday: free frozen yogurt, show for friends Kyle and Phil, fireworks, and Modern Family midnight marathon.

Saturday: hardest workout of my LIFE, trip to the pool, dinner with the fam (YES they are in Utah!!) and rooftop Stadium of Fire viewing. 

Sunday: Church with the fam, dinner and reunion with aunts, uncles, cousins, g-parents, and the likes

Monday: Quiet and lovely 4th of July afternoon with cousins in Morgan Utah (aka the most beautiful little town you will ever see. Above 2 pictures for deets). 

Also, I can't believe how adorable cousin Aleesha's little baby boy is! 

It's weekends like this that make me a very grateful woman.

 

And you know what else I am really grateful for today? 

Epiphanies.

Specifically the kind where you realize something about yourself. 

Like when you thought you made a terribly foolish mistake. 

But suddenly, you are given a broader perspective, like seeing things from a car verses seeing things from a plane. 

And then everything makes a little more sense. 

And not only are you filled with peace, but the future suddenly looks brighter too. 

Yeah, I'm really thankful for that. 

raise your glass of lemonade

To this beautiful summer month!

Honestly, it's my favorite, next to October of course.

And what a better way to kick off the month than waking up to this?!

Seriously I was pumped for about an hour.

Simple pleasures, right?

Please excuse the cool checker pattern. This was taken from my bedroom window, hence the screen.

Also, I've never noticed all the power lines behind our apartment complex until I took that first picture. 

GROSS.

Also I just have to say something. 

Actually, first just look at this. 

Hey Brooke, when was the last time your room looked like this?

OH WAIT. 

Never!

I'm so embarrassed.

Also, obviously really terrible about unpacking after a trip. Having my own room is a problem, because it apparently makes me the biggest slob on the planet. Don't even worry, my family will be in town tomorrow. Which means guess whose room will be clean?

Oh yeah. 

This girl's.

Finally, if you are looking for a soundtrack to your weekend, LOOK NO FURTHER!
Warning:  Someone's feeling a little hood throwback today.
1. Mo money, Mo problems- Notorious B.I.G.
2. Izzo (H.O.V.A.)- Jay Z
3. Changes- Tupac
4. All My Life: K-Ci and JoJo
Just listen to these on repeat and enjoy!

HEY-OH AND HAPPY FRIDAY PEEPS!