DIY Wall Quote

So lately, I've been trying to revamp my room. I love being in there so I figured I should love the way it looks, too. I thought this cheap, easy, little DIY quote would do the trick. It's quite simple, but here's how I did it.
First, find a quote. I used this perfect quote from the great Macklemore's song Ten Thousand Hours. If you aren't super ambitious or don't have a lot of time, I suggest finding a shorter quote. This one was fine for me because I don't have a life, thus providing me with lots of free time to cut 86 small letters out and tape them to my wall.
Anyway.
Next, get some paper, scissors, a pencil, tape, and a ruler. I cut a bunch of small squares, all the same size, out first so that all of my letters would be even. From there, I drew the letters and cut them out. I did mine freehand but you could probably find some kind of template or stencil if you wanted. Then, find a nice spot on your wall and tape them up.
It's pretty self-explanatory, and you're probably offended that I felt the need to explain the process to you guys. Oh well.
I'd love to see your own masterpiece or hear your favorite quote. Happy crafting!

Breaking Bad Habits

Let's face it: we all have bad habits. I crack my knuckles, mess with my split ends, and stay up too late. And I'd rather not end up with gigantic fingers, gross hair, and bags under my eyes, so I'm trying my best to rid myself of these habits. Whatever your bad habit is, you can stop with a little willpower. I thought of a few tips that I've been using that might help you out.
1) Identify your habits. This might seem obvious, but realizing your habits and their consequences will help motivate you to stop. Take me for example. Lately, I've noticed that my fingers have been kind of stiff and I've attributed it to my near-constant knuckle-cracking, which has become a subconscious habit. Now that I know I have a bad habit and that it has a negative effect, I've decided I need to stop.
2) Set goals. Doing something repeatedly for 21 days makes a habit, so not doing something for 21 days should break the habit. However, quitting cold turkey is a bit intimidating, so set small goals for yourself based on how often you do your habit. For example, instead of trying to goal a whole day without popping my knuckles, I'll try to go an hour. This makes quitting seem more realistic.
3) Reward yourself. If you achieve your goal, give yourself a small reward. This way, when you're tempted to indulge in your habit, you can think of your incentive rather than your habit and look forward to getting it.
4) Find a healthy alternative. If you find something else to do when you're tempted by your bad habit, you can distract yourself so you aren't thinking about the habit. For example, if your habit involves your fingers, such as biting your nails, learn how to roll a coin. This way, the next time you want to bite your nails, just pull out a coin and distract your fingers.
5) Remove temptation. This tip doesn't apply to all habits, but it does work with some. Get rid of the temptation. For instance, since I always pick at my split ends, I could trim my hair so there are no split ends to mess with. Or if you bite your nails, buy some of that gross-tasting nail polish. By removing the problem altogether, you won't allow yourself to be tempted.
That's all I've got. Feel free to comment any tips you have or if you've overcome any bad habits. I'd love to hear!

What to Watch

I consider myself somewhat of an expert in the area of Netflix watching (which helped me develop my expertise of procrastinating and time-wasting), so I'm here to share with you some of my favorite series available on Netflix. These shows are great to watch if you have some down-time this summer or just need something to curb your boredom. I also organized them from absolute favorite, number 1, to not-favorite-but-still-loved-it, number 7, for your convenience.
Here goes:
1) The Office (US)- This is hands-down my favorite show. Ever. The Office is a "mockumentary," or a show in which fictional events are presented in documentary-style, covering the lives of employees working in Dunder Mifflin, a paper company. This show's got everything: humor (lots of it), love triangles, a little bit of drama, and a perfect cast of characters. All 9 seasons are on Netflix, and I recommend you go watch them right now.
2) Parks and Recreation- Parks and Rec is a comedy based on the Parks Department in Pawnee, Indiana. It is also filmed in mockumentary style, and includes a bit of political satire and even some current events. The characters in Parks and Rec are great and every episode is sure to make you laugh. 5 of the 6 seasons are out on Netflix.
3) 30 Rock- 30 Rock is another comedy, based on a fictitious live show supposedly aired on NBC. It follows head writer Liz Lemon's show from start to finish and all of it's twists and turns along the way. All 7 hilarious seasons are on Netflix.
4) Scrubs-Scrubs is a show about a group of doctors who work at Sacred Heart Hospital, practicing "medicine and mischief." I'm currently on the end of season 4 of Scrubs and am loving it. All 9 seasons are on Netflix.
5) How I Met Your Mother-How I Met Your Mother is a series following one guy's journey to find his soulmate, a story told in flashbacks to his current-day kids. This show will make you laugh and even leave you a bit teary-eyed sometimes. You can watch 8 of the 9 seasons on Netflix.
6) Lost- Lost is a science-fictiony series about a plane that crashed on a mysterious, deserted island, and a group of survivors that deal with the supernatural forces of the island. Lost is a very clever, complex show, and every episode is about 45 minutes long. So, I suggest you make sure you have time to invest in this show before getting started. It's certainly worth the time, though. All 6 seasons are on Netflix.
7) Arrested Development- Arrested Development is a show about a once-wealthy, dysfunctional family who are just trying to keep everything together. The series is pretty short but packed with humor and quirky characters. All 4 seasons are available on Netflix.
Well, that's it! I hope you enjoy.
What are your favorite Netflix shows?

The Name of This Post is Secret

I recently re-read The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (fun fact: pseudonymous means bearing a false name...clever) and became enthralled with it all over again. You see, I have grown wary of teen or young adult fiction, what with the cliche love stories and lame plot-lines. Don't get me wrong, there are tons of books for young adults that I love, but I just haven't been able to find any new ones that seem up to my standards. So, The Name of This Book is Secret was a refreshing break from the usual drama-filled, try-hard novels aimed at teens these days. Bosch's novel may have young characters and a delightful lack of any sort of vulgar content, but it will captivate you no matter your age.
The Name of This Book is Secret tells the story of Cassandra, the always-alert survivalist, and Max-Ernest, the talkative logical-thinker, and the discovery that sends them on the adventure of a lifetime. You'll be on the edge of your seat as Cass and Max-Ernest unravel the mystery of a dead magician, come in contact with a chilling couple, and discover a mysterious spa, all the while trying to avoid danger and keep their guardians from finding out.
This book also brings about a topic that really intrigues me: synesthesia. Synesthesia is a neurological happening that causes a confusion of the senses and only affects about 1 out of every 2000 people. For example, the word "computer" might evoke the sensation of the color green for someone with sound-to-color synesthesia. Other forms of synesthesia can link sound and taste or even letters and personalities. It's pretty fascinating.
So, I suggest you make your way to the library or pick up your Kindle and buy The Name of This Book is Secret.  It's a great read and you'll learn something along the way!