"the great gatsby" / 24 before 25

after being a bit behind, i finally finished my 4th book while on our honeymoon.

for my 4th book of my 24th year i picked the great gatsby (you can get your own copy here).

my friend carmella and i decided that we want to see the movie when it comes out, so i decided to re-read the book on vacation. i had read the book in early-high school, because the great gatsby is pretty much part of every literature curriculum imaginable. but before reading it again now, i probably couldn't have told you what it was about. when i was really young, i loved reading. i could devour books like nobody's business. but once i was hit with so much required reading (i always took AP english classes), i got bored with reading, probably because it was no longer a pleasure but a requirement. i'll admit i used cliffs notes a time or two.

it was much more fun to read the book this time around without having to always be conscious about metaphors, symbolism, hidden meanings, etc. plus since the movie is coming out, i was always picturing leonardo dicaprio, which ain't a bad way to go :)

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happy birthday!

happy birthday to my stinky baby <3

 

my baby is the big 4 today! or 28 in doggie years.

ps. if you use instagram, you have to download the abeautifulmess app!

gone fishin'

honeymoon time <3

march for babies / 24 before 25

on saturday, i participated in the march for babies walk at exposition park in los angeles!

as you may or may not know, item #21 on my 24 before 25 list is to "participate in some sort of marathon/walk for a good cause."

my coworker veronica (she was also a bridesmaid in my wedding) found this walk and asked if i wanted to walk with her, to which i said "of course!" obviously i would have participated regardless of the charity, but it was a happy coincidence that this walk benefits the March of Dimes charity..

in 2011, randy's cousin delivered her baby at 28 weeks. the doctors were unable to find an explanation for the early labor. the baby was under-developed and ended up not making it. the march of dimes helped randy's cousin and her baby by providing them access to medical care which they might not have received without this wonderful charity.

veronica ended up not being able to participate because of a family thing, but carmella and the baby walked with me, and we had so much fun! it was such a fun day, and to see all these people coming together to help babies was very heart-warming.

this was one of the best things i saw - these triplets were born at 26 weeks. they all weighed under 2 pounds each. thanks to the march of dimes charity, they were able to get medical help and are now happy and healthy.

this is definitely something i can't wait to participate in again next year. carmella and i want to put together a team and get our friends together to walk with us.

you don't need to wait for an event, click here to donate now!

disclaimer: i am not sponsored by march of dimes or any of its affiliates. i have not been asked to blog about their charity.