farewell glasses: those that made me see...

It was a sad day yesterday. Let us all take a moment and recall fondly upon my old glasses. Those rectangular plum purple frames with tangerine orange highlights, oh glasses, how I will miss you. *sigh* Please forgive me for accidentally snapping you in half. (nothing that a little tape couldn't fix, however I am fond of going out in public)

But alas, with every passing pair of specs comes anew. I have owned six pairs of glasses in my life all of which link to parts of my life, chapters by frames as I see it. (no pun intended...ok maybe a little bit intended)

So as Maria Von Trapp would say, "Lets start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start..." (no worries, this is not a life story...)

I received my very first pair of glasses at the ripe age of two. I was a rambunctious and graceless child and the fact that I was running into walls and falling all the time, never seemed to register as a problem to my parents, as it was merely a trait in my overly energetic and outgoing personality. But then, one cold winter night as the wood in the fire place crackled and the hum of the furnace echoed throughout the old drafty house of my youth, my parents noticed the dreadful turn of an eye. Ok, this may have happened a little differently than previously stated. I don't even think it was winter, but seeing as I was two I don't remember that day and I was just trying to spice things up a bit for a more enjoyable read. Oh well. All I do know is that my parents really did see that right...or was it the left eye?? turn in towards my nose (unfortunately I still don't know which one of my eyes crosses...I never see it happen) well which ever eye it is, it was crossing and so my parents took me to get my first pair of glasses. Now unfortunately for me I received my first pair of glasses in the late 80's, a time known for it classy and subtle style...oh wait, that's right the 80's liked things BIG: their hair, their shoulder pads, and wouldn't you know it-their glasses. Having big glasses is not a good look on anyone, but on a two year old child with a prescription that would cure Mr. Magoo, this was a disaster. You have to remember this was before the world of Harry Potter and present day Hipsters, so having glasses wasn't cool and I was in no way making a fashion statement. But I will never forget those big red glasses. I could finally see... a miracle. Well, I don't really remember any of this, but I do remember going back a year or so later to get bifocals put into my already inch thick lenses. It was just like the pre-glasses era when I stepped out side, I fell flat on my face because I wasn't acclimated to those damn bifocals.

The next pair of glasses are what I fondly refer to as my party glasses. These too, were red, but amid the fire truck red were different color bits that looked like stringy confetti, hence "party glasses". These glasses stayed with me for most of my daycare and elementary years. They endured the occasional soccer ball in the face, an icy sledding accident, the blacktop of our driveway, a foot or two, and bit of name calling (I am hoping kids have come up with better insults than "four eyes" these days...or you know, no name calling at all would be nice...) But all and all these glasses and I became good friends and well, they helped me see and I made them look good. ( well in my mind at least). It was with my party glasses that I realized your glasses are a great way to bring out your personality, and it was with these glasses that I embraced wearing glasses ... well until high school.

But before high school... I received my first pair of wire frames by the end of elementary school. Believe it or not, this was a huge deal. My frames were considerably smaller, not taking up half of my face. I will still able to get different colored wire frames, but none of my wire frame glasses would ever live up to my party glasses. Throughout the rest of elementary and middle school, I had a few different pairs of wire frames which became mangled over and over again from soccer balls to the face. Apparently, glasses are a magnet for flying soccer balls. So alas, I received my first pair of contacts. It was marvelous. I was just like everyone else, and in high school I guess that is considered a good thing. I could play soccer without fearing the possibility of metal and glass puncturing my eyes and face. All was good, and my eyesight was drastically improving; there was even talk of me not needing glasses in the future. I did have a pair of glasses in high school which were very cute, small, and blue (no more bifocal!!!). I would wear these occasionally when I was tried or sick, but for the most part I wore my contacts.

Then came college. College, a time when you go from a productive overly-driven high school student, to a student who might roll out of bed to go to class or not, depending on what time they went to bed the night before and what they were learning in class that day. I can't decide if college students are more lazy or more concerned about schooling than appearance, but wearing glasses was easy and made for a quicker morning routine, allowing me to sleep in just a little bit longer. So, it was in college I purchased my purple and orange glasses, regaining the silly (yet now sophisticated hehe ) personality I once had with my party glasses. It was a good thing I relearned to love my glasses again, because my eyesight has taken a turn for the worse. I lived with my purple and orange glasses through a time of growing personally, academically, and humanly (but definitely not height wise). I was growing into the person I am today. I read lots of books and watched many movies with these glasses. I saw Europe, St. Thomas, Myrtle Beach, the West and the East with these glasses. I have seen much and learned much with these glasses. I have experienced new things and met new people in these glasses. These glasses have witnessed lots over the years and that is why it is sad for me to see them be closed up in their case, laid next to my party glasses in my growing glasses graveyard.

Having glasses is a part of me. A part of who I have always been and from the looks of things, they way I will always be. People complain about having to wear glasses, but at least they can see. I have never really hated wearing my glasses because they help me see things I otherwise would not be able to and they keep me safe (I drove home yesterday without my glasses or contacts, and well...that was not the best idea) I have embraced my glasses and now strive to buy fun frames that can represent who I am. Though I will miss my purple and orange frames, I look forward to the new adventures my new glasses and I will embark upon.

I've always wanted a monocle

So long old friends

I'm Just sayin...

A Time to Travel and a Time to Learn

As the leaves have fallen and the blazing colors of autumn change to barren solemnness; the cold begins to settle within our bones, and I fear I begin to turn as restless as the wind. A few long weeks away from the first snow, my mind wanders to places I have been, adventures I have embarked upon, and those I long to seek. I am among the fortunate, and have had the opportunity to travel, seeing things and feeling things I may have not otherwise encountered. So, for this slightly overdue post, I am going to take you to some of those places and share some of those experiences from my favorite travel adventures.

The first place I want to take you to is Los Angeles, CA. Really? I hear all of you asking....the smog capitol of the United States? Yes...Really. The reason as to why I regard this trip as one of my favorites is two-fold. Firstly, it marks my first solo trip and secondly, this trip fulfilled a kind of "classic film pilgrimage". I went to LA my senior year in college to pursue a research project in film. I had a professor who saw an opportunity for me, and encouraged and supported me to try something I never thought of doing before. To that professor, I am eternally grateful. For if it where not for her, I would not have had this once in a lifetime experience. I arrived to LA in the dead of winter. I remember it being a bone-breaking four degrees below zero the day I left Wisconsin, arriving to a balmy 60 degrees in LA. Everyone in LA was wearing warm jackets and jeans while I was wearing shorts and a tank top, I looked like a tourist the moment I got off the plane. I managed to get to my hotel and figured out what buses I needed to take to get to UCLA to go through the archives and gather my "data" for my research. I spent the main portion of my time in LA pursuing my research, but once I was finished, I decided to do a little sight seeing. Usually, I have no problems navigating and taking public transportation, but the layout and the bus system in LA is so vast and confusing, I had trouble figuring out which bus to take where and so forth. Finally, I broke down and decided to use the Hop on Hop Off tour buses to get around. I felt my soul die a little, when I first climbed aboard the colossal red double decker bus, climbing my way to the top. I felt as though I let the travel gods down and succumbed to the most touristy activity a traveler could do, a bus tour. However, I must admit, I enjoyed the bus and learned a lot from the little ditties that would blare throughout the bus. And seeing as I was literally the only person on the bus, the bus driver and I got to know each other a little, and he dropped me off at my hotel instead of the bus stop ten blocks away. Using this ridiculous bus, I saw many great attractions in LA. I saw the Santa Monica Pier, I went in a Warner Brother's Studio tour, I rode down the Sunset Strip, I saw the long LONG line outside of Pinks hot dogs, along with many other infamous LA attractions. I even got to catch up with my cousin who lives in Venice Beach! But out of all the attractions I saw and people I met, the pinnacle moment of the trip was Grauman's Chinese Theater. Being the film geek that I am and seeing that I was in LA doing research on Classic Hollywood films, actresses Barbara Stanwyck, Jean Arthur, and Director Frank Capra, it was fitting. I felt as though everything had come full circle as I placed my hand into the hand prints of Barbara Stanwyck's, the very reason I was there. I saw where many of the greatest actors of all times stood leaving their imprints in front of Grauman's Chinese theater as they left imprints of their work on film. I was standing in the same place as Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Julie Andrews, Gene Kelly, Betty Davis, and Bing Crosby once stood, and even though the Grauman's Chinese theater has become a tourist spectacle, you couldn't help but feel like you were taking a step back in time, witnessing some of the greatest achievements in film history.

My tour bus!

The Grauman's Chinese Theater :)

Barbara Stanwyck's hand prints

Venice Beach

The second place that I would like to take you is London, England. The land that provided the world with Shakespeare, Fish and Chips, the wedding of the century(ies?), David Beckham, Harry Potter, and Peter Pan. The City that thrives on art, old architecture, new architecture, and history. A city that is full of prideful people. There are many reasons to love London and those are a just a few of mine. I went to London the winter of 2008 with a good friend of mine. We scoured the vast city in three days time and saw everything we possible could in that time period. Our poor feet and achy bodies were unforgiving for the hours and unremitting weather we made them endure. Apparently January is a raining season for England, and boy did we see a LOT of rain. Our cheap umbrellas were not meant for the harsh rain and wind that ensued throughout our time in London, but we soon adapted to the weather and decided to walk around looking like wet dogs for 85% of the time.

This was my second time to Europe, but first time without the supervision of an adult, which led for some very interesting moments. (No NOT THOSE kind of moments...jeesh what do you take me for?) Let me put it to you this way...Our first day in London my friend and I got locked in a park, accidentally walked through the red light district, and were separated on the tube. It is a miracle that we both survived this trip, but what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, or in our case...wiser travelers. This was one of my favorite cities because it was where I learned a lot about traveling overseas and what not to do in certain situations. But I also love London because it has a such a rich history, one full of memorable characters and events. This history is surrounding you everywhere you go in London, whether it be the cobblestone streets you're walking down or the statue of Peter Pan you drag your friend through the cold rain for hours looking for (I may or may not have done this to my friend and I may or may not be indebted to her for my actions.) London was only one of three stops throughout this particular trip, but was one of my favorite cities because it has a rich history and because my friend and I created some amazing memories in that city.

Parliament from The London EYE

Peter Pan...The boy who never grew up :)

Me, trying to control my umbrella in the wind and rain

Coming back to the United States, the third place I would like to take you to is New Orleans, LA. I went to New Orleans nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina wiped out the city. Even though three years had gone by, many parts of the city looked as if the hurricane had hit the day before. I had the great opportunity to work with an amazing organization and the people of New Orleans. My group was restoring the outside of a home in the 9th ward which bared the everlasting mark of the flood line located above the second floor window and the X of fate, which indicated how many people were in the house and how many people and animals were found dead or alive. For three years, these people had to come home after work and school and seeing those reminders of what had happened. Not that those memories wont stay with these people forever, but it doesn't help to have that constant visual reminder. So we caulked and painted the exterior of the house. We got to meet the family along with other people in the neighborhood. I can tell you this; the flood may have wiped these people of their possessions and tangible memories and in many tragic cases loved-ones, but the hurricane did not remove any of the vigor and hopefulness that exists within these people. The people I had the honor of meeting illustrated to me how to handle adversity in on honorable and realistic way. They showed what it means to survive and how to do it gracefully and eloquently. They were constantly thanking us for the work we were doing, but I think we should have been thanking them for teaching us how to live our lives. When you think of New Orleans you may think of the Jazz scene, Mardi Gras, or the French Quarter; but if you ever have the opportunity to go to New Orleans I encourage you to talk with the people because you wont meet anyone like them around the US. New Orleans has this unique energy that is almost impossible to describe. It is playful and doesn't take itself too seriously all the while being sincere and genuine.

Ferry Boat on Mississippi River

A home near Lake Pontchartrain

The French Quarter

The amazing people I worked with on the house :)

If you are looking for a relaxing and beautiful place to visit, I highly recommend the US Virgin Islands. The fourth place I am going to take you, is to St. Thomas. My family and our very good family friends went to St. Thomas for a week in the Spring and I am telling you that this place is Paradise in every sense of the word. The water was a mesmerizing turquoise that could make you lose your thoughts in a moment's time. The concept of time was non existent and a simple Pina Colada could take away the problems of your day. The flowers smelled better than a Yankee Candle on a breezy summer day and the giant iguanas made you kind of wish you were alive when dinosaurs roamed the planet.

Often times what makes a trip are the people on it. For this trip, my family went with my dad's best friend's family. The eight of us spent our time mixing with the locals, sipping frozen drinks, snorkeling, jet skiing, and relaxing. It was a great place to catch up with loved ones. Aside from the sunburn that I inevitably received, this trip was perfect. The perfect scenery, company, and I could wear my swimsuit and board shorts at a semi fancy restaurant without people shooting me the stink eye, made for a memorable and relaxing trip...one I often daydream about.

Iguana!

How can you not relax with a view like this?

The fourth place I would like to take you to is Spain. I recently went to Spain with my cousin, to visit her cousin (on the other side of the family), who happens to be a good friend of mine of whom I attended Elementary, High school, and College with. I will give you a minute to figure that all out. Got it? Ok, good. Anyways, when my friend moved to Spain, I told her to leave room on her couch for me to come live with her. I never thought that I would actually ever get to Spain and see her! But, one day my cousin and I talked jokingly about it, and before I knew it my cousin and I were in a plane to Spain without knowing a lick of Spanish. Ok well she knew a little and I knew Hola Commo esta? Needless to say our first day in Spain without our trusty translator was interesting, adding on top of that with our jet lag, we did a lot of pointing and raising our hands to signal, "we don't know, sorry." For me, it was interesting being in a country where I really didn't speak the language. When I went to France and to Belgium, I could at least follow a conversation and in extreme cases I could hold a conversation if I tried really hard. But in Spain, I had nothing. I could figure out little bits here and there because I had a background in French and the languages are a bit similar (but don't tell the French or the Spanish that). This trip was a different experience than any of the trips I had been on prior because I was with someone who was currently living in the country I was visiting, and she wanted my cousin and I to have an authentic Spanish experience, and authentic it was. If I learned one thing about the Spanish, it is that they love to eat and drink. I think I drank more wine and beer on this trip than I did in college (which really isn't saying much).

We went to four different places, each giving us a different view of Spain. First we went to Barcelona. Barcelona was a beautiful European Hub, with a unique Spanish flair. There, we went to many tourist attractions and were introduced to the crazy architecture of Antoine Gaudi. We walked in the Mediterranean and ate yummy paella. After Barcelona we made our way to Santiago De Compestella. Which was the home of a beautiful Cathedral, in which was the end of the El Camino, a Spiritual pilgrimage people walk. It begins in Southern France and ends in Northern Spain. Santiago was a little village with no sidewalks and cobblestone streets. I felt as though I had stepped back in time. Everyone in Santiago was extremely friendly and welcoming, which is to be expected as it does receive heavy foot traffic from the El Camino people. Again, we ate and drank Tapas A LOT in Santiago as we did everywhere else and as always, I enjoyed thoroughly. We then took a train to A Coruna, a Costal town in Western Spain. There we saw beautiful grassy knolls and the ocean and a bit of rain. Of course I got ridiculously sunburnt when we decided to catch some rays on a cool afternoon. We also spend a little more than an hour waiting for a tram that took us probably two miles to the oldest lighthouse in Spain. Unfortunately for us, it was raining and we couldn't go up to the lookout. To warm up after wandering and waiting in the rain, we went and had some Tapas :)

We then took a six hour train ride to Leon, the town where my friend lived. But first, on the train they showed a movie. I listed to the movie in Spanish, trying to learn a little more and trying to figure out the plot. As the last scene of the movie began, I accidentally hit a little button, only to learn that there was another channel, which provided the movie in English. HA! Anyways... Leon was great. We got celebrate a festival and meet many people who became an integral part to my friend's life. We got to show off the Spanish we learned, which consisted mainly of obscenities hehe. One day we went to a little town outside of Leon and ate a delicious meal... which actually had pigs feet and ears in it. (ok that part wasn't very good, but the garbanzo beans and cabbage was AMAZING!!!)

Though it took us over 36 hours to get home from Spain, it was an amazing trip and I tried so many new things. I loved traveling with my cousin and friend too, we all got to know each other much better :) This trip was definitely one of the first times I was out of my comfort zone due to the language barrier, but it proved to me that I could make it in a strange place if I need to.

A Coruna

Cathedral in Santiago de Compelstela

A view of the cathedral in Leon from the streets

Barcelona

Plaza Mayor in Madrid (we accidentally stumbled upon this)

The fifth and final place I would like to take you to, is not an actually place at all, but rather a way of traveling. The summer after I graduated from College, my mom and I took a road trip from Wisconsin to Seattle to visit my sister and brother-in-law. This was probably one of the most memorable trips I have ever been on or ever will be on. It took my mom and I two and half days to get to Seattle, driving in my mom's old convertible. We drove through Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Washington. We would drive until we couldn't stay awake and would stay at a random motels along the way (all the while striving to stay away from any horror film like scenarios). Many times throughout the trip we would just sit and ride looking at the scenery as we past ravines, mountains, plains, and forests. We would also talk about life and all that comes with it and we would sing our little hearts out. When we were hungry we would stop, when we needed to pee we would stop, and when we saw an attraction we would like to see, we would stop. It was great, pure freedom. Once we arrived in Seattle, we were so happy to see my sister and brother-in-law and to see Seattle. Of course, there, we covered all the necessaries including Pikes Market, the space needle, and taking a ferry. Then five short days later, my mom and I got back in the convertible and made our way back through the mountains and plains to Wisconsin. Aside from a little sunburn on the left side of my face (didn't think about being in the convertible...oops) this trip was incredible and I highly encourage you to take a road trip without too much of a schedule. Just try and go with the flow of the trip, it will be totally worth it! Once you go on a road trip I am pretty sure you will fall in love with the freedom of possibility and will want to get in your car and drive more often; my mom and I still get the urge to get in the car and drive places.

Stopped by Mount Rushmore

Seattle

Mountain in WA

You never know what you are going to see next!

A cute little town we stumbled upon in the silver mining mountains of Idaho.

There are many other places I could talk about in this post, but I think these five will suffice. I love traveling and opening myself up to new challenges and adventures. I love to test myself and share these experiences with others. Traveling is a way to broaden your horizons and find a little part of yourself you may have not realized existed.... just make sure to bring sunscreen. I leave you with words from a woman who knew adventure and traveling like no one else, Amelia Earhart.

"The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine may be one's appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship." ~ Amelia Earhart.

I'm just saying... (well in this case Amelia is just saying)

I am back!

Well hello there! I suck, I know. You now have the next forty-five seconds to get out all of your anger towards my inability to update this blog starting....now.

Done? great. ok. Moving on.

As you might have gathered from my lack of writing, I find it difficult to find a topic to write about. "Sheesh," I hear all of you muttering under your breath, seeing as in everyday life I never seem to be at a lack of words. More specifically sarcasm (and what I would like to call wit, though I am sure you'll beg to differ.) Anywhoo...I think I've got a good subject to tackle. One that I am very passionate about and those of you who know me will attest, have an unhealthy obsession for: Going to the MOVIES.

Shocker...I know.

I am one of those people willing to spend an ungodly amount of money to go to a movie and sit with a group of strangers, who may or may not be loud and annoying, just to have the "movie-going experience". I love the anticipation that runs through my veins as I open the theater doors, hitting the wall of ice cold air and heavenly buttered popcorn. Standing in line waiting to purchase my golden ticket, which may actually be made out of gold for the amount of money I am charged, listening to people talk about the movie they are going to see. Everyone is excited, everyone looking forward to getting lost in a world that is unlike their own. Once I have my ticket, I decide if I really want popcorn which will play grave havoc with my girly figure (feel free to laugh now), but alas I decide to risk it, because the popcorn just smells so damn good. I Proceed through the theater looking at each little marquee trying to find my movie, because in my anticipation and excitement for the movie, I wasn't listening to the young man in a cheesy bow-tie directing me where to go. Finally I find the theater and walk in. My anticipation escalates as I near the end of the entrance aisle and round the corner, to see how many people are already there and where is the best location left. At this point it's all about location, where will my optimum seating be? Once my eyes adjust and I am no longer seeing gray fuzzy images, I find a seat. Somewhere near the back and in the middle. To be fair, I usually have my pick of seats because I hate being late and am always there fifteen minutes too early and I get to see the little "entertainment" slides about six times before the commercials commence. Ahhh at last the movie begins and the general hum of the crowd dissipates as the last of the stragglers find their seats and open their plastic wrapped movie snack. Once the commercials are finished, the hair on my arms beings to rise, because now is my favorite part, the previews. I fear I am not a hard person to sell a movie to. Typically after nine out of ten previews I mutter to myself, oooh that looks soooooo good. I am such a sucker. Well done trailer makers, well done. Once the trailers are finished and the fun little segment telling you not to forget to get food and a drink and not to be an asshole and leave your phone on, the hair on my neck stands because it is time, time for the movie to begin. And then, the ultimate anticipation creator, the production company promo. (in case you were wondering, Dreamworks and Warner Bros are my favorites). Then we see the movie. The story that will make us be believers in a greater world or make us think about our lives or just make are hearts happy. All on a huge-normous (yes, I just made that word up) screen. The way the films are meant to be seen. Imagine seeing Avatar for the first time on a little itty-bitty screen. (ok, so actually I did first watch Avatar on a little screen ....and it sucked!). Trust me, movies are made to be seen on a grand scale...not on the home theater platform (although, this is surely changing because people have stopped going to the movies -because it is so expensive - because people are using other mediums to get those movies. See the viscous cycle)

Throughout the movie, the audience SHOULD react. You should hear people laugh at funny moments and sometimes during inappropriate moments. You SHOULD hear people comment on character's actions and hemming and hawing at little nuances they pick up. Everyone gets something different from a movie. Some people connect with one character more than another. Some people think one joke is funny and others think a different joke is funny. Some people are touched by the young boy's love for his dog and other people are touched that Rose never actually let go. By the end of a film, I want to feel exhausted, whether it be emotionally, physically, or from laughing so damn hard I thought I was going to pee my pants (which, for the record, has never happened). I want to have to really think about the movie, putting things together or reliving a scene. I love leaving the theater in little herds of movie goers, listening to people talk about the movie. Did they like it as much as me? Did they cry like a baby too? For those of you who have gone to movies with me, you know I like to have little deliberation sessions after a movie. I like to hear what other people thought and what other people liked and didn't like.

We are nearing a time, when going to the movie theater is a special occasion like going to a stage play. To me this is a little sad. I love both theater-going experiences very much because they are such communal activities. Sure, there are the jerks who don't know movie etiquette and won't stop texting or talking about that thing that Suzy said to Billy during fifth period (yeah, we can hear you). But all in all, it is a pleasant experience. An experience with a bunch of strangers being brought to gather by sometimes great storytelling and sometimes not so great storytelling. Regardless of the quality of movie, we all live and breath those same moments in the films and all react a little differently. In an age, of netflix and On Demand, going to the theater has become an afterthought, which makes me cry a little inside. So I encourage you to fight the urge to be a hermit and stay at home to watch movies and go out and meet new people, maybe buy some 12 dollar popcorn and plop yourself in front of that big screen and fall deep into the story you are being told.

I mean, I'm just sayin'

Well hello there....to the three people who might be reading this....

I finally figured out my password to my blog and will hopefully update this more often- Because lets face it I have failed in that department.
So let's get back on track- now let's see ... what to write about.....hmmmm?

How about how much I LOVE SNOW!!!!!
I think snow is one of the most beautiful elements that nature throws at us. I mean think about it, the first snowfall is one of the most magical moments one can come across. These little crystals fall, covering up the dead cold ground, creating a white blanket of collective beauty. This year for the first snow, I took a blanket and cup of hot tea and sat outside on our front porch and just watched the snow fall. It was beautiful. The streets were still and only the gentle brush of snowflakes floating to the surface could be heard. The yellowish glow that covers the night sky is in itself a reason the love snow. A mere reflection of snow clouds and city lights creates a blanket of peace of mind and happiness. (well at least for me)
Not only is snow beautiful, but there are so many fun activities to do in the snow. One can embrace their inner "kid" and go sledding, screaming all the way down the hill....just because they can. There is the always fun snow building activities as well- building snowmen and creating snow angels. You might even build a snow fort, one big enough to protect you from the snowball fight you will have later. Then there is ice skating and hockey...where falling is just part of the game:) And of course, there is skiing and snowboarding, testing your adventurous boundaries and need for speed :) There are so many fun winter activities, too many to list really... but it is sometimes what comes after the snow filled activities that makes the snow so wonderful. Curling up in front of the fireplace with deliciously smooth hot chocolate and talking recounting the day's adventures with great friends.

Sure snow can be cold and icy, but I choose not to look at it in that light. I like that is gets cold and icy out...it slows people down and makes them take their time. Maybe they will see something they would have missed if they were going fast as usual. So the next snow...don't fret the next morning commute to work or school, just be happy and see the beauty that surrounds you, because it is beautiful and magical and I wouldn't want you to miss something so great. ... I mean, I'm just sayin'

what I learned...

So here I am rotting away at my parents house...and it's been only six days since I walked across that stage receiving that piece of fancy paper stating that I am smart in one area of study. In my case... communications. Ironic? Maybe, but that is besides the point. ANYWAYS ... I have spent the last few days unpacking all my crap that I accumulated over the last four years, watching probably a little too much TV-seeing that I haven't moved from the couch in a while, and feeling sorry for myself for having no apparent future. Mostly though, I have been contemplating what I have actually learned these past four years. this is what I came up with:
1. There is no such thing as too much coffee
2. "Dressing up" means putting on a pair of pants that don't have an elastic waistband
3. four movies in one night is my limit
4. I am incapable of using the left side of my brain....but I can analyze the hell out of anything and explaining its significance with ease and eloquence.
5. water color painting is a great way to relieve stress and revert back to your youth
6. The world will end in 2012 my geography professor told me so (or was it geology-I never could figure out which class I was in)
7. I will probably never get a job in my specific field of study
8. If I do get that job...I will inevitably be fired
9. Spellcheck is my god and grammar is the devil
10. cheap wine and taco johns never mix
11. facebook, twitter, and IMDB are extremely useful procrastination tools
12. Sleep is a treasured gift given to those who don't procrastinate.
13. there are no limits to what you can accomplish
14. It's okay that I hate animals because I like children and old people, so I am still a good person (a professor told me this too)
15. Math class....is not a good class to practice my drawing skills in
16. I must learn to think before I speak....something I have been working on my whole life....but after a few altercations with professors....I realize I need to learn to shut the hell up.
17. Story problems are the vain of my existence and the hardest part of my college career
18. you can always count on your friends for moral support
19. you can only eat so much soup in a months time
20. attitude is everything

these are just a few of the many things I learned over the last four years while receiving my higher education. Sure, I learned a little more in my academics than I might have let on...but in reality the biggest lesson I learned from the last four years....

I still have a lot to learn.......I'm just sayin'

waiting

Have you ever noticed how much we wait. We wait in line to buy food. We wait in line to get on the ride. We wait in line to go through security. We even wait for something better to come along. As they say, whoever "they" may be, "We hurry up to wait." It seems to me that universe creates ways to slow us all down to wait, and maybe for good reason. Last night, as I was waiting for another bus to come and pick me up after our other bus broke down, I came to this realization that waiting is not always that bad. I had the opportunity to talk to new and interesting people and learn new perspectives on an array of subjects ranging from books to city lights. So why don't we all take the time and wait, smell those roses, meet new and interesting people, cherish the little things in life, because by the time we get to where we are going we will have missed the most important thing in the world...life. I mean, I'm just sayin'...

Welcome

Welcome to my blog.