Meant to Be

There's a difference between preferring books to parties and preferring sixteen cats to seeing the light of day.

Why does everyone think a girl who prefers books to people must be in want of a life? --J

Or maybe Jason's right: there are perfect people, many of them, and it's up to you to grab one when you find each other in the random chaos of life and love.

Why does everyone think a girl who prefers books to people must be in want of a life?

I have my own e-reader, but I hardly ever use it. I need to fold down pages and flag passages with sticky notes. I need to experience books, not just read them. I never go anywhere without a book in my bag, and to travel across the ocean, I'd packed more than my fair share.

Point is, maybe some people wouldn't want to be around me all day, but there are people out there who would. And they're smart and funny. And they like some of the same things I like and hate some of the things I hate, but they also introduce me to all kinds of new things. That's as close to 'meant to be' as I can imagine.

I need to experience books, not just read them.

Someone once told me love isn’t perfect—or predictable.

All I want, oh dear friend of mine, is for you to go out with someone. Do something, even if it's not the magical, wonderful thing you had in mind. Don't sit around for one more second pining away for some fantasy that might never come along, because it might not even exist.

I was just hoping that you'd realize that guys like me, go with girls like you.

When all along... well, what I was hoping you'd realize...' 'My mystery guy was you,' I finish in a whisper. 'Well, yeah,' he says. He reaches out and touches my chin-once, gently. 'I really like you, Julia. A lot. I-I want to be with you.

But things work out, you know? Even if it doesn't feel okay for a long time, or even if it feels lke things will never be okay again, everything works out in the end.

Add children to the list of things I hate.

I don't use airplane bathrooms. As a rule. And I really don't like breaking rules. (It's kind of one of my rules.) I mean, if I'm going to plummet to my death, it's not going to be with my pants around my ankles.

they do have these things called bookstores there. I've heard tell that if you give them money, they let you leave with a book.

... Paris was a city of love for unimaginative folks.

Phoebe doesn't quite believe in fate the way I do. She says you have to chase your destiny, and she always expects life to be like a romantic comedy: all you have to do is dress the part of the heroine, and pretty soon you'll be kissing some hottie while fountains spew and music swells in the background.

Oh God, unattractive and pompous. A winning combination. My inner control panel is screaming ABORT! ABORT!

There are certain things in life that just suck. Pouring a big bowl of Lucky Charms before realizing the milk is expired, the word 'moist,' falling face-first into the salad bar in front of the entire lacrosse team . . .

I mean, I am totally not one of those prudes who believe having sex as a teenager is some kind of mortal sin or social death. I don't have a problem with sex. I just don't happen to be having it. And if I were having sex, I certainly wouldn't be getting it on in an airplane bathroom. Who wants to get down and dirty in a place so . . . cramped and dirty?

Now, I normally do not like it when people sing near me, much less at me. I don't care if they're good, bad, or mediocre. It's all the same. Unless you're signed to a major label with music I can find on iTunes, I don't want to hear your live performance. It's why I can't watch American Idol. I keep worrying the contestants will mess up and be embarrassed, and then I'll be embarrassed for them.

You can't simply turn off love. It's part of life, and it's everywhere. You have to reach out and try to take it.

Maybe he’s MTB,” she says, cutting me off, “but maybe not. And until you figure that out, I’m just saying there are other fish in the sea, Julia. Big fish. Tasty fish. Tuna fish!

I want to roll my eyes, but I'm pretty soon they're going to get stuck in the back of my head, and penis puns are really not worth my permanent facial damage.

But while you’re sitting around pining and waiting and wondering and hoping that this perfect love happens, lots of guys and lots of dates and lots of kisses are passing you by.

It's huge!" "That's what she said!" Cue riotous laughter as our bus rumbles past Big Ben. I want to roll my eyes, but I'm afraid pretty soon they're going to get stuck in the back of my head, and penis puns are really not worth my permanent facial damage. By the time our bus pulls up to the Tower of London, my expectations for the day are somewhere in the basement. Call me a cynic, but since Jason spent the entire time we toured Big Ben talking about how satisfied Mrs Ben must be, my guess is that a landmark famous for its crown jewels is not going to bring out his most charming comments, either.

Jason: Holy crap, is that a bathtub at the foot of your bed? That's awesome! Can I join? Julia: Hilarious.

The Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia hasn't existed for almost twenty years. So unless her parents are visiting 1992, they're in the Czech Republic.

Instead, Jason speaks up. 'But things work out you know. Even if it doesn't feel okay for a long time, or even if it feels like things will never be okay again, everything works out in the end.

Maybe there is no such thing as the perfect person. Or maybe Jason's right: there are perfect people, many of them, and it's up to you to grab one when you find each other in the random chaos of life and love.