I've been slacking on the posting...but it's my blog so I don't really have to answer to anyone...

I'm honest to a fault.


I have been lazy lately. I've been working ALOT, but being really lazy at the same time. Philip is back home and if I'm not working, I'm spending quality time with him, something that is very important in any healthy relationship. I must say, I have grown immensely in the last 6 months of my life - and it finally feels good! Growing in your life can be painful sometimes, but reaching a new plateau makes the pain so worth it. No pain, no gain, as they say. Who says? I duno.

Phil & I recently saw Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp and we both lurved it. I've always liked Johnny Depp, but I think this movie has made me fall in love with him. Hm, strange. I thought Charlie and the Chocolate Factory woulda done the trick, as borderline pedo as he looked in that flick. He is truly one of the most versatille actors of his time. He can be anyone, or anything, and not only do you believe it, but you want to live it. Maybe that's just me being greatly influenced by almost any movie I see. Is there a name for that? A disorder of some sort? I wish I could watch my life like a movie. I highly recommend you see Public Enemies - an embellished little piece of American gangster history with Mr. Depp as John Dilinger. In other news, I have booked my flight back home (and by home I mean where my mom lives) for the end of August and I am incredibly excited to spend time with my family and friends. Come September, I'm hoping Phil & I will have found a new home, or a car, and then I plan to crank back up in my career. What career you ask? The one I'm going to have. I am in a very good place right now in my life and am looking straight ahead at a destiny that is in my control...and it all starts with a thought. If you would like to know more of what I'm talking about, I ENCOURAGE you to check out a SUPERB book I'm reading right now called, Three Magic Words by U.S. Anderson. Atfer I'm finished reading it, I will most likey post a review, but to get you excited - it is guarenteed (by me) to improve your life, and open your eyes to a power we all have but scarcley know how to use. YAY.

Until next time...toodles.

Oh justine...

My eyes hurt from being on the computer too much. I have to force myself not to go on the computer. Is that a bad thing? My eyes start to hurt from staring at the screen too much and this is why I have not taken the time to blog. I've been living by myself for a week and a half and am anxious for Phil to return on Monday. Nothing too exciting has happened - the weather has been flawless! Sunny and hot every day, great for the beach. Phil and I are planning to have our late honeymoon/one year wedding anniversary celebration in a foreign destination at the end of September! Maybe the Mayan Riviera?! Maybe Tulum, Mexico?! If you have suggestions for all inclusive resorts, I would love them! With this in mind, I've been browsing the internet (of course) for cute dresses for our getaway, that's when I came across these fun sites - ladies, be prepared to fall in love. Fabulous finds for fabulous prices ~

TopShop
Charolette Russe
Adore Vintage
Dear Golden

I am also in love with shoe designer Sam Edelman (not the man himself, just his shoes) I am even considering buying another pair of the exact same sandals I own because I love them so much and want a second pair for when mine wear out. You can find great deals on Ebay & Amazon when it comes to getting Sam's sandals at a discount. Since I don't have any exciting news or radical opinions right now, I'm blogging about fashion. Can you believe we're already half way through July? Eeeeek. I shouldn't say it. But I will. Christmas is 6 months away...

Everyone just needs to slow down and eat some pudding...

Chocolate pudding to be specific.

My dad and I were having a conversation about the nature of war, the drama between places like North Korea, Iran and the US, all the while I was enjoying spoonful after spoonful of Belgian chocolate pudding purchased from Trader Joe's (the best grocery store in LA). We have come to a conclusion. All problems can be solved with pudding. Pudding makes me smile. It would probably make you smile too for those who have never tried pudding. If truck load after truck load delivered pudding to major problem areas around the world, I think people would just shut up and eat their pudding. North Korea wants to start a nuclear war with the US? Someone should go up to North Korean President Kim II-Sung and hand him a thing of pudding. Relax and eat your pudding - enjoy the coolness and sweetness of it. Enjoy how smooth and creamy it is. Who knows maybe he'll have this massive awakening all because he at some great pudding and he'll realize we're all in this together. He'll realize that he really needs to climb out of his ego and start acting like a human being. Maybe he'll begin to understand that with the vastness of the internet, social networks, instant communication, etc. that we are now one community. The whole world. Who knew? That something as simple as pudding could potentially be the solution to any problem to ever exist. 

In other news - does anyone know how to make my blog more beautiful? I want to have tabs and different pages like other bloggers. I'm not as internet savy as I'd like to be so if anyone has any tips or answers to that question, please email me at jusmcknight@gmail.com.

Off to a fun girls night at my apartment tonight...gotta go make my bed.

I heart the internet!!!

Could I be addicted to the internet?

I know that tons and tons of people are addicted to the internet, but I really didn't want to be one of them. It can be such a time sucker! But I. love. it. I've been looking to purchase my own digital camera because the one Phil and I bought a couple years ago has had cranberry juice spilt on it (my doing) and the battery only lasts 10 minutes. I know the proper solution to this would be to have it professionally cleaned and to buy a new battery but since I can't figure out how to work it anyway I think I'll get a fool proof one. Probably a hot pink fool proof one. Here are some pics from my 22nd birthday that are from a disposable camera - the quality just blows me away. So clear and full of color...uhm...

Here are some of the people I love here in La-La Land.

[Sarah, Me, Katie and Kelly in the background]

[Me & Mallory]

[Kelly, Me & Heather]

[Me, being 22]

[Mary, Jason & Sarah]

[this is the only decent one of Phil & I]

I am cleaning our apartment from head to toe. Gutting it. Organizing it. Beautifying it. Then I will take pictures of it to remember what it looks like when it's just the way I like it. My friend Mallory and I are going to try to catch a Demetri Martin (comedian) show tomorrow night at the Upright Citizens Brigade theatre and then most likely end up at Birds - an adorable, quirky little bar in Los Feliz. For those of you who don't know - tomorrow is Michael Jackson's memorial at The Staples Center downtown LA. They could be expecting up to 700,000 fans flooding the streets of downtown to pay their respects. 

RIP Mr. Michael Jackson - your talent and genius was truly a gift to this world.

Happy Fourth...

To Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY AMERICA !!! Since this is a day of celebrating independence and freedom in what was, the most powerful country in the world, I have high hopes for the future of America under President Obama's administration. Why you ask? Because President Obama understands that in order to transform America, the leader in charge must base everything on serving the people. Every political leader should make the people their primary concern, however many nations around the world that claim to do this - don't. What a lot of the world does not realize, is that there is no disconnect between the condition of the lives of the people and the condition of the land in which they live. I just read a great article in Living Buddhism that I find pertains to changing the conditions America is facing today. What I love about this philosophy and the writings of Nichiren Diashonin, is that it relates to any time, past, present and future. Many Buddhist traditions believed in a "pure land" that is somewhere separate from this "impure world". There is no such thing as a separate paradise, we need to create our own paradise here on Earth. What is so great to understand is that Nichiren points out that if there was a profound transformation within the life of each person, it would undoubtedly bring about a transformation of society or the land. A quick excerpt from the article that really struck me...

"To turn one's eyes from the problems of society and the world and remained concerned only with spiritual or religious matters may seem like a holy way to live, but Mahayana Buddhism admonished against such an approach to religion as self-serving...Today, the SGI, based solidly on the principles and spirit of Nichiren Buddhism, is actively working to promote peace, cultural exchange, educational progress and respect for human rights, while contributing to solving the serious problems facing the world." (Living Buddhism, Jul-Aug 2009)

I am so proud to be working so hard on transforming my own life and helping others do the same. We can transform this country, and the world one person at a time. Have a safe and happy weekend everyone!

Jesus is just alright with me...

What's funny about Religion?

I had heard of Bill Maher's recent documentary about religion titled "Religulous" awhile ago and we finally got around to adding it to our Netflix Queue. It arrived sometime last week, and I must say, I hadn't been that excited about a movie in our mailbox for a couple months. I have always been interested in the topic of religion but I've noticed it has turned into more of a passion then an interest. I don't mean to sound like I am passionate about a specific religion or an entity, I'm more passionate about finding out the reason behind how and why people believe what they believe. Bill Maher and I have a lot in common! Bill travels to numerous religious destinations from Jerusalem, to the Vatican, to Mosques interviewing Christians, Jews, Muslims, Catholics, former Mormons, Creationists and others, asking the questions that you'd think most people would ask. He is known for his "political incorrectness" and quick wit on many topics from politics, bureaucracies of many kinds, greed within people of powerful political or social positions, and of course religion. 

Bill does not make fun of anyone's religion in this documentary by any means - he, like myself, is trying to get down to the nitty gritty of why religion takes precedent over common sense and basic mathematics. To lighten the mood of what most people consider a very serious topic, he adds his unique humor by editing in various clips and music from movies and TV shows etc. that should have you howling if you can see where he's coming from. Bill doesn't just focus on religious authorities like priests, rabbis, fathers, etc. he interviews a variety of people from different walks of life - some who believe the same things, some who don't. What amazes me, is how little most people know about the religion they believe, and when challenged on simple concepts, such as Adam, Eve and the talking snake - they have no answers. I'm not an expert on any specific religion, however I do know the difference between believing something out of research and fact and believing something out of fear. The fear involved in many religions usually pertains to fearing what will happen to you after you die - that in itself seems strange to me. If you are in the mood for some great, yet complicatedly simple questions to be raised about the ideas millions upon millions of us believe, then I suggest you check out Religulous(click for trailer!). It might prompt you to look deeper into what you believe and why. Here are a few references I recommend pertaining to religion...

Religulous

The Reason Project

You Won't Believe What Some People Believe!

Enjoy!