Zero Tolerance.

I love making lists! They are efficient, to the point, and tell you everything you need to know about me. So, here is another list for you to read and judge me on.

Pet Peeves:

• Having to repeat myself.
• Smacking of gum/food.
• Slurping of liquids.
• The volume being on an odd number on a radio or TV.
• Being asked several questions in one text.
• High pitched voices.
• Humming. Especially when the person isn't even humming a real tune.
• Superiority complexes.
• When things are out of its place.
• When someone expects me (or anyone else!) to do or buy something for them.
• Losing.
• People bailing on plans at the last minute.
• Being told instructions that I already know.
• Being accused.
• Forwards. The stupid ones through text or email that give you an ultimatum to send it.

Hey, what can I say? I'm a complex person. There are actually quite a few more, but I don't want to seem too uptight. ;)

Car Troubles.

I took my car to get new brakes today because my car shakes and I sometimes hear a grinding sound when I put on my brakes. The guy inspected it and told me that I needed new brakes, rotors, and drums.. whatever those are. The estimate that he came up with was $450.. so, including tax and all, it would be 500 freaking dollars. 

Luckily, my friends' dad, Bill, happened to come into the lobby before the mechanic came in (he was getting something done to his car). Bill told me that I should probably get someone else to look at it to make sure what they were saying was legit. So I called my grandpa and he told me that our family friend could do it all, I would just have to buy the parts which would make the whole process A LOT cheaper. I am very thankful that Bill was there to tell me that they were probably ripping me off. Stupid men... preying off of girls who are mechanically ignorant. 

So, now I am still driving around in the death trap. Pray that it holds together until I can get it fixed!

Not only are the brakes messed up, but I need a whole new set of tires. I went about a month ago to get them rotated and the guy told me that the tread was getting so worn off that rotating them would make it more unsafe.

There is also a HUGE crack in my windshield that has been getting bigger and bigger over the past several weeks. I've been holding off on getting one or the other to see which would be more imperative because I know that as soon as I get new tires, my windshield will shatter or if I were to get a new windshield, my tires would blow out. I would be up a creek without a paddle.

But now, the brakes come first. This is so frustrating! I miss living with my dad because he took care of my car and could fix anything that was wrong with it. 

Lord, please help me!

F I F T Y

Random facts about yours truly:

1. I have a collection of over 250 dvds that is continually growing.

2. Locked my keys in the car... while it was running.

3. I competed in a national cheer competition in Disney World.

4. I've gotten pulled over by a cop twice but have only had one ticket.

5. Moved out of my parent's house when I was 18.

6. Got a hole in one during a Putt-Putt game.

7. I was a model for Macy's when I was younger.

8. Read a book in a single day.

9. Someone legitimately told me they wanted to marry me.

10. Stood in Times Square.

11. Discovered "dragon boogers".

12. Saw Twilight in theaters more than 10 times.

13. Sang on stage in church with the PPK.

14. Played piano in a recital.

15. Tripped in front of everyone at school.

16. Memorized the first 19 lines of the Canterbury Tales Prologue.

17. Played the "question game" with someone non-stop (besides sleeping) for several days.

18. I have almost 50 hours of play time on sudoku on my iTouch.

19. I've ridden on the back of a motorcycle.

20. I've been the photography editor of a yearbook.

21. Completed only one year of college before "taking a break".

22. I have skied on both water and snow.

23. Volunteered for a good cause.

24. Marked the wrong answers on my test because I knew someone was cheating off of me. (I changed my answers when they weren't looking.)

25. Passed my drivers test the first time.

26. Made a meal out of a bowl of corn.

27. Pretty much taught myself to put contacts in when I was young.

28. Lasted 10 days on $20.

29. Took a kick boxing class.

30. Watched "A Walk to Remember" everyday for months.

31. I have only kissed two people.

32. Took three years of Spanish.

33. I have watched every single Dawson's Creek episode. More than once.

34. My first concert experience headlined Billy Ray Cyrus.

35. I've had a phone conversation that lasted more than 5 hours.

36. I kept a diary in 10th grade and shredded every page of it last year.

37. Ran into a wall when I had Vertigo.

38. Played percussion in my middle school band.

39. Helped produce and direct a play my neighborhood friends and I put on for the parents.

40. I have moved 9 times.

41. Got stung by a baby jellyfish.

42. I am still working at my first full time job.

43. Walked the halls of the White House.

44. Saw three shooting stars in one night.

45. Went to the movies alone several times.

46. I have sealed away secrets to this very day.

47. Hit a mailbox with a car.

48. Learned to do a back handspring without a spotter.

49. Voted for McCain in the last presidential election.

50. Was taught the "Hoedown Throwdown" by one of my guy friends.

It's the little things.

Yesterday was a very slow day at work, meaning a very boring day for Cassie. And, even though I had Bible study to look forward to that night, the day still put me in a "blah" mood. On the way home from work, I got off onto my exit and was behind a random SUV. Two little kids were sitting in the back and just started frantically waving at me (keep in mind, I do not know these kids). I wasn't completely sure they were waving at me, so I ignored them for a minute. When they persisted, I realized they were probably playing a game, so I waved back. They jumped up and down, showing excitement in their success. This instantly put me in a good mood. I smiled as I thought of all the times my siblings and I played the same type of games. Those two little strangers brightened my entire day.

I love it how the smallest thing can have such an impact on a person's day.

New friends.

So, I'm having a little trouble getting started on my challenges... but they're coming! I promise. :)

I feel like things have been so crazy lately.. but not in a bad way. I am just way more busy than I have ever been before. We have been expanding our group of friends I am glad to say. Ash, Em, and I met Nicola and Alyssa at one of the Bible studies we are a part of. These girls are just so sweet and so much fun to be around. We have all gone hiking, played ping pong, went to a movie, played games, and hung out just in this past week. I love our new friends. :D We also have two Bible studies during the week, which are SO good. God really is speaking to me and stepping on my toes, which is something that I've really needed. It's a great thing for Him to put me in my place. My stubbornness keeps me learning the hard way.

There are things that I have been wanting to get done that I just haven't had time for... my silly (but fun!) arts and crafts, reading, writing, etc. ... but I am okay with putting all of that on hold to form new relationships. This summer has been the best ever... and it's not even over yet! I cannot wait to see what happens in the rest of this hot, sticky season.

S10BL: Twilight Saga's: Eclipse

Well, we didn't dress up like we wanted to, but Ashley, Emily, Katie, and I did go to the midnight premier of Eclipse last night.

The movie was amazing! It is the best movie yet of the saga. Eclipse stayed truer to the book then the others did. It also had a smoother flow and feel.

Kristen, Rob, and Taylor did an exceptional job playing their roles. Their love triangle had just the right amount of intensity and the dynamics of the group was dead on. Jackson Rathbone (Jasper) finally came into his own in this sequel. He was adorable; especially the way he was with Ashley Greene (Alice). Nikki Reed (Rosalie) also did a fantastic job. She really is the perfect Rosalie. Both Jasper and Rosalie got to share their past to Bella. The viewers who haven't read the books got to know a little more about these vampires and their stories are quite interesting... even more so in the book, though. (I suggest you read them if you haven't already :D) Dakota Fanning played Jane flawlessly. She was dark, terse, and unforgiving - just as Jane should be.

The movie brought back all the feelings I had when I read the book for the first time. Director David Slade knows how to capture attention and emotion and he was, by far, the best director of this saga.

The last book, Breaking Dawn, will be split into two movies and I cannot wait to see how they portray everything that happens. I won't give anything away for those who have not read it, but you will be thoroughly surprised. The first installment of the final book will not be released until November 2011, so we have to wait about a year and a half - bummer.

The next movie to immensely look forward to is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Part I comes out November 2010; Part II - July 2011. I know we will not be disappointed.

What did you think of Twilight Saga's: Eclipse?

I double dog dare you.

I've decided that I want to start being challenged. I am doing so well these days with opening up and being myself that I would like for you guys to start challenging me to do things that are out of my comfort zone. It can be ANYTHING. You can comment on here with challenges, tell me in person, on Facebook, send it to my email (cbsmartt@yahoo.com), text it to me (if you have my number, of course), or however you want to do it. I will select from the challenges and do the ones that are within reason and will document it whichever way is best (pictures or videos) and post them on here so I can share it with you guys. I may even get one of my friends to select from the list just to make sure I don't go cheat and go with the easiest challenge. And keep the suggestions coming... I want to keep this a regular occurrence. This will be a great way to be interactive with my blog readers and hopefully gain some new ones. :) 

Can't wait to see what challenges come my way!