In Between the Clouds and Sea

Someone you're going to want to check out. (Seriously!)

2012-01-07T15:48:00.005-06:00

One of my very best friends has just launched a Facebook page showcasing her amazing photography skills. She has an incredible eye for the beauty in the world that most people overlook. More than anything else she captures the world in a way that no one else does. If you don't believe me, please visit and "Like" Hallie Duesenberg Photography on Facebook to find out. Here's just a small sampling:

Here's to another year!

2012-01-01T20:18:00.003-06:00

I just spent the most wonderful New Year's Eve in Frankenmuth, MI celebrating the marriage of my cousin Ryan to his beautiful wife Alissa. It was definitely the most fun I've had at a wedding thus far.

I've been feeling incredibly nostalgic all day (typical) and I am really looking forward to what 2012 has in store. If it's anything like 2011, it's going to be a great year.

Much love to you and yours!

THIS IS EXCELLENT.

2011-12-13T18:12:00.000-06:00

Listen! Listen!

My feet

2011-12-12T13:08:00.001-06:00

will be cold forever, it feels like. Or at least until April (or whenever it decides to warm up). I really dislike winter!!

Since Pintrest won't send me login info...

2011-10-23T18:09:00.003-05:00

I'll just start bookmarking things like it's my job. Booya!

Like this: http://pinterest.com/pin/327330835/

And this: http://pinterest.com/pin/324326498/

AND THIS!!: http://pinterest.com/pin/343394300/

(Thanks Anne!)

I just found the website thefancy.com

2011-10-09T20:00:00.004-05:00

And I found this beauty:

via fancyDrew)
I want to go to there.

Well, it's been awhile.

2011-10-06T18:00:00.004-05:00

This pretty much sums up the last span of time.

Can't stop listening:

2011-09-05T17:46:00.001-05:00

Ow. I'll tell you what, ow!

2011-08-27T19:47:00.002-05:00

(my feet hurt so badly.)

Hoorayyyyyy!!!

2011-08-13T12:43:00.001-05:00

I get to see my boy today! :)

Obsessed.

2011-08-05T19:04:00.001-05:00

New show addiction:

2011-08-03T19:50:00.001-05:00

Flight of the Conchords.

I seriously love this show. It's so quirky and funny. I'd definitely recommend it!

I'm at my first work conference!!

2011-07-15T18:22:00.004-05:00

Today kicked off my first ever conference experience! Oh boy! I'm in St. Louis for the AVMA conference.

I worked the morning yesterday and then went to the Des Moines airport to catch my flight to St. Louis in the afternoon. After a silly layover in Milwaukee, I finally made it to my hotel. While my view isn't spectacular, Erica (my colleague) has a view of the St. Louis Arch! I am jealous.

Since St. Louis is the home of my college roommate, Bridget, I was lucky enough to grab dinner with her after getting myself settled in my hotel. We went to this Irish pub/restaurant called Flannery's and it sure was delicious. After finishing dinner, I promptly passed out and slept like a baby.

And woke up at 5:45am. Bleh!

This morning I had some oatmeal at the restaurant on the Mezzanine level of my hotel, and then walked over to the convention center with Erica. We checked in, got our ID badges and promptly got lost trying to find the exhibit hall. Once we finally made it, we spent the next 4 hours unpacking books and journals, organizing them based on subject area, and finally making everything as esthetically pleasing as possible. By noon we were finished - my feet hurt after 4 hours in my gym shoes, so I am worried about how my feet will feel tomorrow after a full day in flats. I believe we're there from 8-6:30. Eek! Oh well, I'll just have to buck up.

I'll try to remember to post about tomorrow once its over!

2011-07-05T19:52:00.001-05:00

♥

Another movie everyone should watch:

2011-06-28T21:09:00.003-05:00

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. ESPECIALLY if you love Robert Downey Jr.

Happy Birthday

2011-06-24T23:59:00.001-05:00

to me!!

Summer is here!

2011-06-16T20:26:00.003-05:00

It's been awhile since I posted. I've been keeping myself busy with many things: reading, movies, Joe, visiting home and friends, running/working out, and Town & Gown.

...what's Town & Gown you ask? It is a non-profit chamber music association in Ames that puts on five chamber music concerts a year, does community outreach events, and hosts an annual Musicale, a gala fundraising event featuring esteemed local musicians. I just joined their board of directors as the new secretary, and I couldn't be more excited. We had out first meeting last Thursday and I already feel at home.

I also just read a pair of REALLY excellent books by Chris Cleave: Little Bee and Incendiary. I would highly suggest you pick them up. If you don't believe me, here is a passage I thought was particularly striking from Indendiary:

"Before you bombed my boy Osama I always thought an explosion was such a quick think but now I know better. The flash is over very fast but the fire catches hold inside you and the noise never stops. You can press your hands on your ears but you can never block it out. The fire keeps on roaring with incredible noise and fury. And the strangest thing is people can be sitting right next to you on the Central Line and not hear a sound. I live in an inferno where you could shiver with cold Osama. This life is a deafening roar but listen. You could hear a pin drop."

Cleave's writing style is very different in each novel, but has a beauty to it that makes them hard to put down.

The weather is really beautiful today, which means it is hot in my apartment. I have my fans going, though, because I refuse to put on the a/c just yet. It's not quite that hot.

I am looking forward to seeing Brooke next weekend for my birthday! I know I just saw her last weekend for her graduation party, but I always love having visitors in Ames. It makes things more exciting. AND I am excited for her to finally meet Joe. :)

I guess that's all for now - oh! I've recently been playing my violin with a little regularity! Huge shock, I know! It's been years and I was really rusty when I first picked it up, but it's amazing how quickly things come back. I'm really enjoying it!

Okay, that's really all. Besitos!

The last year in books.

2011-05-24T11:22:00.003-05:00

I wanted to see how many books I could read in the year following graduation, which was also filled with job applications, working at Target, moving to Ames, and starting a new job/life away from home. Here's my list! I'm going to start another list and see how many/what I read from May 24, 2011-May 24, 2012. :)

Without further ado, the list:
-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling*
-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling*
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling*
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling*
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling*
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling*
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling*
-Just Listen by Sarah Dessen*
-The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver*
-Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult*
-The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein*
-The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein*
-The Two Towers by J.R.R.Tolkein*
-The Return on the King by J.R.R. Tolkein*
-The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson*
-Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert*
-He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo
-Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan*
-The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larson*
-Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan*
-Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan's Curse*
-The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
-The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larson*
-Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann*
-Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
-Messenger by Lois Lowry
-Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult*
-Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez*
-Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides*
-Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
-The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie
-The Help by Kathryn Stockett*
-In the Woods by Tana French*

(Books with a * are the books I'd recommend you pick up if you get the chance.)

This is the most amazing

2011-05-15T18:12:00.003-05:00

bookmark I've ever laid my eyes on. I TOTALLY want one! :)

(via The Daily What)

What did I do today you ask?

2011-05-07T19:33:00.002-05:00

I took my car in for a check up and spent 3 hours bumming around at Panera in the process (my car is ok, no worries!). Then, I went to Salvation Army and got a wicked ottoman for $5 (it was half off!). THEN I went to Target and a garage sale and got two cutesy chairs and a wrought iron table for my porch (please see: future posts about enjoying meals/reading outside). Next came a visit to the Ames Public Library. I went crazy and got two books, a movie, and the 2nd season of Six Feet Under.

Then I came home for awhile. And I left again. Where to? Joann Fabrics, of course!

There are got 3 and a half yards of black anti-pill fleece and hoo-boy did I go crazy and cover the freecycle chair I got on Tuesday. Yes I did! Now the chair is covered and I still have to do the ottoman, but I am fresh out of energy and desire to cover it! Plus my knees are magnificently rug burned.

I also spent some time feeling miserable and hungry, which I've sort of taken care of but now that the chair is covered I am really going to ponder what to eat (talk about eating dinner later than normal!).

Breath. This is what happens when I am left to my own devices for 2 week. Thanks, Joe! :)

"And by the time I was wishing I'd washed my hair

2011-05-01T18:28:00.002-05:00

this morning instead of just bathed and was practically doubled over with gratefulness that I'd at least brushed my teeth, out of the blue, he kissed me. Right in the middle of the Robert E. Lee Hotel Restaurant, he kissed me so slowly with an open mouth and every single thing in my body--my skin, my collarbone, the hollow backs of my knees, everything inside of me filled up with light."
-The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This is truly beautiful

2011-04-25T19:40:00.002-05:00

and in 1:21 has made my day a little better. Via Ingrid Michaelson's blog.

GO FOLLOW THAT LINK AND LISTEN NOW!

This has GOT to be

2011-04-25T16:39:00.000-05:00

one of the most frustrating Monday's I've had in awhile. :(

Now watching:

2011-04-24T12:57:00.002-05:00

The General.

Only 8 more AFI movies to go!

Weirdo list of things to do:

2011-04-23T11:58:00.005-05:00

-~~Go to the library to return things/pick up things on hold~~
-~~Grocery shopping~~
-~~Laundry~~
-Run/work out
-Paint my toenails
-Clean/vacuum the apartment
-Read
-Try to figure out when to use the rest of my vacation days (?)
-Figure out if I can swing the 80-35 Festival or if I already have 4th of July plans.
-~~Harvest basil, thyme and rosemary from my plants/water them.~~

EDIT: As of 8:30pm I only got the things crossed off done today. Well played, Saturday. Well played.

"Adrian, imagine everyday is Independence Day

2011-04-20T00:13:00.002-05:00

and save us from traveling the river changed; save us from hitchhiking the long road home. Imagine an escape. Imagine that your own shadow on the wall is the perfect door. Imagine a song stronger than penicillin. Imagine a spring with water that mends broken bones. Imagine a drum which wraps itself around your heart. Imagine a story that puts wood in the fireplace."
-The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, Sherman Alexie

Dearest inbox:

2011-04-12T12:48:00.001-05:00

COOL YOUR JETS. Seriously. This is ridiculous.

What a nice weekend

2011-04-10T16:05:00.003-05:00

full of good food, friends from home, and sunshine! :)

Lexie, Peter and Justin came all the way to Iowa to spend the weekend with me! It was really, really great to see them since I don't think I have since December. I already miss them and hope I'll get to see them again soon (especially with Peter moving to Nicaragua and Lexie leaving her new books here).

It's really warm in my apartment right now and I don't know what to do about it. I can't open the windows because it'll get warmer, AND I refuse to use the air conditioning because it is APRIL.

So it's sun dresses and bearing the heat for me and enjoying it before it turns into an awful storm (hopefully not a tornado like the weather folk are suggesting).

Now Playing:

2011-04-03T17:55:00.002-05:00

And if your strife strikes at your sleep
Remember spring swaps snow for leaves
You'll be happy and wholesome again
When the city clears and sun ascends

And my head told my heart
"Let love grow"
But my heart told my head
"This time no"
-Winter Winds, Mumford and Sons

I just finished

2011-04-03T16:50:00.004-05:00

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Boy, oh boy! Do I love Jimmy Stewart.

Official GRE test date:

2011-03-29T22:18:00.000-05:00

September 24, 2011 and noon in Des Moines. (Gulp!)

Attention Everyone:

2011-03-21T22:29:00.002-05:00

Stop what you're doing and watch Double Indemnity. Now!!

Zooey Deschanel's tips

2011-02-28T11:20:00.001-06:00

for dealing with sad friends (awesome).

I love following her blog. She may not post often, but when she does, they are gems.

"'Well I woke up this morning

2011-02-27T22:50:00.002-06:00

and diagnosed a very early case of happiness.

'Never heard of it,' he says.

'It's a rare disease. I caught it just before the neighbors woke.'

'Is it contagious?'

'Don't you have it yet?'

...I told him that I loved him and that I'd always love him and I felt like a child who throws a centavo into a fountain and then she has to tell someone her most extraordinary wish even though she knows that the wish should be kept secret and that, in telling it, she is quite possibly losing it. He replied that I was not to worry, that the penny could come out of the fountain again and again and again."
-Let the Great World Spin, Colum McCann

"I never wanted

2011-02-26T11:17:00.002-06:00

anything from you
Except everything you had
And what was left after that too, Oh!"
-Florence + the Machine, Dog Days are Over

"Outside, there were two tickets

2011-02-26T11:13:00.001-06:00

in the window of the Pontiac - a parking fine, and one for a smashed headlight. It was enough to almost knock me sideways. Before I drove home to the cabin, I went back to the window of the bar and shaded my eyes against the glass, looked in. Ciaran was at the counter, his arms folded and his chin on his wrist, talking to the bartender. He glanced up in my direction and I froze. Quickly I turned away. There are rocks deep enough in this earth that no matter what the rupture, they will never see the surface.

There is, I think, a fear of love.

There is a fear of love."
-Let the Great World Spin, Colum McCann

"That's one of the advantages of being an adult.

2011-02-22T13:02:00.002-06:00

You get to act like a kid anytime you feel like it."
--Jack Taylor, "One Fine Day"

A pretty great weekend at home

2011-02-21T09:29:00.003-06:00

It's President's Day weekend, and instead of partaking in all of the mattress sales that are happening right now, I decided to drive home to Wheaton for the long weekend. On the whole, things haven't been too exciting, but it was a nice change of pace, and I always like spending time with my family.

I even got to see my grammie, who seems to be doing SO much better now that she's doing dialysis. She's alert and more herself in general - something she hasn't been in a long time.

Otherwise I did this and that all weekend, and now it's time for me to get ready to go back. I got a book on tape (Jodi Picoult's Change of Heart...it's our next book club book) to listen to on my way back. Hopefully that will help pass the time quickly! I also am keeping my fingers crossed that the rain/snow/wintry mix stays away so I can get back to Ames safely!!

"What do you want?

2011-02-18T07:15:00.001-06:00

You-you want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey, that's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon...Well, then you could swallow it. And it'll all dissolve, see. And the moon beams that shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the ends of your hair...Am I talking too much?"

Joe's hints for easy beat boxing:

2011-02-14T21:28:00.000-06:00

Dear Bradley University,

2011-02-14T16:22:00.001-06:00

No I do not plan to donate any sum of money to you this year, or for many years, because all of my money is going toward paying off the four years I spent at your institution. But thanks for the address labels!

Yours sincerely,
Melissa

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-13T15:32:00.002-06:00

a day early, because I will probably forget tomorrow.

...even when I have someone to share Valentine's day with, it's still my least favorit holiday ever.

Can't stop listening:

2011-02-12T19:01:00.002-06:00

Finally. :)

2011-02-12T12:06:00.001-06:00

I'm feeling really great about things. :)

Nicest note ever from one of Hallie's friends in LA:

2011-02-10T21:40:00.003-06:00

"Kimpossible-

It was very nice meeting you. If there was a single quality I wished to instill in all women with beautiful noses, it would be the ability to immediately and appropriately recall previous jokes - you are an expert at what those of us who dabble in whimsical intelligencia call WIT.

That said, your short visit was hysterical and utterly funtastic. Not that you need to hear it from me, but please come back any time. The pleasure would be ALMOST entirely ours, except that I think it's reciprocal. :)

-Harry Doggins"

This made me laugh so hard. Apparently I look like the human version of Kim Possible (the cartoon)

I already miss California and have posted my pictures on Facebook if you want to check them out.

Southern California

2011-02-10T10:56:00.003-06:00

was wonderful and amazing. I will post more about it soon, but I am still recovering. :)

Dear pending snow doom,

2011-02-01T07:11:00.003-06:00

I am worried. There's no snow falling, and there will only be a little that falls between now and noon and then you're set to unleash your wrath on Central Iowa. I would ask that you please reconsider. Like I mentioned to Inclement Weather yesterday, I would also forever be in your debt if you allowed me to get to L.A. in one piece and on time. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours respectfully,
Melissa

Dear inclement weather,

2011-01-31T22:57:00.002-06:00

Cut it out, please. (I said please!) I really want to get to L.A. to visit Hallie because I miss her and the amount of vitamin D my body is screaming out for is astronomical. My (probably) SAD would and I would forever be in your debt.

Your truly and respectfully,
Melissa

"You know that point in your life

2011-01-29T19:56:00.003-06:00

when you realize the house you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of a sudden even though you have some place where you put your shit, that idea of home is gone...You'll see one day when you move out it just sort of happens one day and it's gone. You feel like you can never get it back. It's like you feel homesick for a place that doesn't even exist. Maybe it's like this rite of passage, you know. You won't ever have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for your kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I don't know, but I miss the idea of it, you know. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people that miss the same imaginary place."
[Garden State]

"We like to watch you laughing.

2011-01-29T13:57:00.002-06:00

You pick the insects off plants. No time to think of consequences."
[MGMT, "Kids"]

And now

2011-01-27T22:44:00.001-06:00

I feel less flexible than I was. I also think I pulled something in my back while stretching. How's that for irony. No worries, I am sure it'll go away soon.

Day 2

2011-01-25T20:42:00.002-06:00

of my new stretching routine complete. I am sick of being super non-flexible. It gets in the way more than you'd think! Right now I can reach to about 2 inches from my toes.

"Laugh Curtain old boy!

2011-01-24T20:48:00.003-06:00

It's a great joke played on us by the Lord, or fate, or nature, whatever you prefer. But whoever or whatever played it certainly had a sense of humor! Ha! The gold has gone back to where we found it!... This is worth ten months of suffering and labor - this joke is!"

On deck:

2011-01-21T20:03:00.002-06:00

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and/or reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. :)

I'm about to watch

2011-01-20T20:43:00.003-06:00

a potentially horrible 88 minute movie with Johnny Depp called "Nick of Time."

...I am judging that it will be bad BECAUSE it's 88 minutes. I mean, I saw "Jumper" with Hayden Christiansen and THAT was 88 minutes and was absolutely horrible.

If there's not enough material to make it to at least an hour an a half, then why bother making it a movie at all. [That statement excludes animated children's movie, or actual honest to goodness shorts.]

On second thought, I probably shouldn't talk about the fact that I've seen "Jumper." It's THAT bad.

I'd say

2011-01-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

2011 is starting off rather nicely.

Throwback! Boy bands of the 90s featuring: LFO

2011-01-11T21:10:00.002-06:00

But then I think about the time when we broke up before the prom and you told everyone that I was gay. Okay. Sometimes I walk around the town for hours just to settle down, but I take you back and you kick me down 'cuz that's the way uh huh uh huh I like it.

Spiced Praline.

2011-01-09T20:23:00.004-06:00

Boom. Roasted.

See also: Mary Jane Watson from the Spiderman movies.

It's a two post day.

2011-01-06T21:10:00.004-06:00

Why you ask?

Because I am thinking way too much for my own good, missing my friends and family back in Wheaton, and pondering some of the friendships that I feel drifting away.

Some of those friendships are going faster than others. They seem to be high tailing it out of here and I can't quite figure out why. There are a few in particular that I never in a million years thought would end up like this.

Was it something I said? What it something I did? Or is this one of those "It's not you, it's me" scenarios? Either way, pouring over these things never does me any good, and brings me to tears more often than I'd like to admit. I try to be tough, but let's face it: I'm a softie.

To the friends that are sticking around and are wonderful: I am so thankful for you. For the ones drifting away: I wish you wouldn't because you're still important to me. Those that are drifting at a quicker pace: I'm sad things have turned out this way. I already miss you and am hoping things will turn around.

Well, I guess that's enough Debbie Downer for one night. Sorry about that...

"Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos."
Charles M. Schulz

This year

2011-01-06T18:06:00.002-06:00

I will actually work out. I am keeping track on my calendar to guilt myself into it until I start to enjoy it.

Aunt Maude's

2011-01-05T21:10:00.004-06:00

is a restaurant in Ames that I've been hearing about from the beginning. I've never been there in the four months I've lived here until tonight.

We had our annual holiday dinner for work at Aunt Maude's this year, and let me tell you: this could be my new favorite place. We had pre-dinner drinks and appetizers (for me a Gin and Tonic and some of the smoked salmon artichoke dip) and mingled and then sat down to dinner.

First came the salad, which had a red wine vinegarette and shredded Parmesan cheese. It wasn't drowning in dressing, but it wasn't too dry either, which was nice.

Then came dinner.

Three words: Main Street Chicken. Holy moley!!

The description on the menu ("Main Street chicken: Tomatoes, Scallions, Mushrooms, Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce, Wild Rice Pilaf, Seasonal Vegetables") doesn't even do it justice. First of all, the Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce with the diced tomatoes, and scallions on top was to die for. The chicken was tender and juicy, and with the sauce it basically melted in your mouth. I don't normally like Wild Rice all that much, but this Wild Rice Pilaf was the perfect light, fluffy grain to go with the chicken. The seasonal vegetable was corn, which was also delightful. I am pretty sure it was cut directly off the cob. So delicious.

After dinner came dessert, of course! While almost everyone else got the peanut butter cup cheesecake, I went for the vanilla creme brulee, which was delightful. Basically, I needed to be rolled out to my car at the end of the evening.

If you're ever in Ames, you better come see me, for one, and if you do, I will take you to Aunt Maude's and we have a jolly good time eating and drinking ourselves into a delicious meal stupor.

Muscle relaxers for my neck

2011-01-04T20:48:00.000-06:00

equal extreme drowsiness and going to bed at 9pm. I'll probably wake up at 1am though when they wear off and need to take another. But sleep is sleep, I can't complain.

Dear body,

2011-01-04T07:34:00.002-06:00

I think you got it wrong. Yesterday wasn't opposite day!! When I said I wanted this neck pain to go away I definitely DID NOT mean I wanted it to get worse.

For that, I am taking you to a doctor. Yes, a doctor. Cry all you want, you did this to yourself.

Yours truly,
Melissa

Dear body,

2011-01-03T16:42:00.002-06:00

This is not how I wanted to start this year. Serious neck pain is unacceptable. Please make it go away so I can resume my exercise regimen.

Please and thank you.

Yours truly,
Melissa

So not ready

2011-01-02T02:11:00.001-06:00

to return to my lonely corner of the world.

Happy New Year everyone!

2011-01-02T01:13:00.003-06:00

In 2010 I:
-Applied for more jobs than I ever imagined I would
-Fell down an entire flight of stairs...TWICE.
-Watched a lot of the AFI top 100 movies
-Performed in the Vagina Monologues
-Interned with the Heart of Illinois United Way
-Published the 2010 edition of Broadside as Editor-in-Chief
-Graduated from college
-Celebrated the finale of Lost
-Saw one of my best friends get married
-Spent the summer working at Target
-Was offered and accepted a job with Wiley-Blackwell
-Moved to Ames, IA
-Started living completely on my own for the first time

I don't normally make new years resolutions, but I do like to think about things to make a general game plan, so here's what I came up with:

-Eat healthier
-Exercise more and shoot for 3+ times a week, but don't beat myself up if I don't (which shouldn't be too hard considering I barely exercised after I graduated from High School)
-Read some excellent books
-Keep in touch with friends

Otherwise, I am just going to keep on keeping on. It's time for bed. I am feeling so grateful for my family and friends. I am thankful for what the past year has brought me and am really looking forward to what the year will bring me.

I never knew much about Pete Seeger

2010-12-26T10:25:00.004-06:00

until I watched the American Masters show about him. I was completely fascinated. He started out with just a love for singing and playing his banjo and turned into one of the most important people in the American folk music revival.

Every moment of his life he based his actions on what he believed in. He wrote songs for peace, criticized wars he thought were wrong, supported the civil rights movement, and was a fervent environmentalist. He was blacklisted during the red scare, but pushed on anyway.

I want to live my life like that - for what I believe in. Definitely check out Pete Seeger, his life AND his music.

Every once in awhile

2010-12-26T00:13:00.005-06:00

I get a glimpse of someone else's life and think to myself

"I wish that could be my life."

But then it hits me. No one has that perfect life. In fact, my life isn't half bad. The only one who can stop me from having the life that I want for myself is me.

From PostSecret.

Now watching

2010-12-19T14:57:00.002-06:00

Bonnie and Clyde.

Getting cozy with Gary Cooper.

2010-12-19T13:59:00.002-06:00

It was a Gary Cooper weekend it seemed on TMC. My parents came to visit (which is funny, since I will be home for the holidays on Wednesday) and we ended up watching THREE Gary Cooper movies.

I'd never seen anything he was in (which, my dad, was shocked by), but I did really enjoy Meet John Doe and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (which is WAY better than Adam Sandler's Mr. Deeds). I would definitely recommend each!

Oops.

2010-12-14T21:20:00.006-06:00

I've read only 40% of the books I own, which is 329 books, unless there are others floating around that people have borrowed and haven't returned.

COUGHRYANCOUGH!!!

I think that's okay though, since I've still read 132 of the books I own (again, not including those that are floating in space with those I've lent to).

It's a good thing I have a lot of free time now so I can read the other 197 of them. :)

"But I really loved him."

2010-12-12T13:38:00.002-06:00

"Big deal. So you fell in love with someone. Don't you see what happened? This guy touched a place in your heart deeper than you thought you were capable of reaching. I mean you got zapped, kiddo. But that love you felt, that's just the beginning. You just got a taste of love. That's just limited little rinky-dink mortal love. Wait till you see how much more deeply you can love than that. Heck, Groceries--you have the capacity to someday love the whole world. It's your destiny. Don't laugh."

"I'm not laughing." I was actually crying. "And please don't laugh at me now, but I think the reason it's so hard for me to get over this guy is because I seriously believed David was my soul mate."

"He probably was. Your problem is you don't understand what that word means. People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. It's over, Groceries. David's purpose was to shake you up, drive you out of that marriage that you needed to leave, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light could get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you had to transform your life...That was his job, and he did great, now it's over. You're like a dog at the dump, baby--you're just lickin' at an empty tin can, trying to get some more nutrition out of it. And if you're not careful, that can's gonna get stuck on your snout forever and make your life miserable. So drop it."

"But I love him."

"So love him."

"But I miss him."

"So miss him. Send him some love and light every time you think about him, then drop it. You're just afraid to let go of the last bits of David because then you'll really be alone, and Liz Gilbert is scared to death of what will happen if she's really alone. But here's what you gotta understand, Groceries. If you clear out all that space in your mind that you're using right now to obsess about this guy, you'll have a vacuum there, an open spot--a doorway. And guess what the universe will do with that doorway? It will rush in--God will rush in--and fill you with more love than you ever dreamed. So stop using David to block that door. Let it go."

--Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I just realized something.

2010-12-10T21:58:00.002-06:00

I can't watch Good Morning, Vietnam. I think it's because I associate it with the beginning of a really horrible time in my life.

Huh.

I've decided

2010-12-05T10:49:00.030-06:00

that I am going to leave out the films I'd already seen when I started my AFI endeavor (unless someone out there in cyberspace wants my take on them). For the record, I will give the name of the movie with the 2007 ranking first, and the 1997 ranking next in parentheses. So here is the list of those movies (which made me realize I'd only seen 25 when I started I guess):

#5(10) Singin' in the Rain

#6(4) Gone with the Wind

#10(6) The Wizard of Oz

#13(15) Star Wars

#17(7) The Graduate

#20(11) It's a Wonderful Life

#24(25) E.T The Extra Terrestrial

#34(49) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

#39(26) Dr. Strangelove

#44(51) The Philadelphia Story

#50(-)The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

#51(41) West Side Story

#66(60) Raiders of the Lost Ark

#71(-)Saving Private Ryan

#72(-)The Shawshank Redemption

#73(50) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

#74(65) The Silence of the Lambs

#76(71) Forrest Gump

#83(-)Titanic

#89(-) The Sixth Sense

#99(-)Toy Story

#100(72) Ben Hur

#-(53) Amadeus

#-(58) Fantasia

#-(64)Close Encounters of the Third Kind

That. Was.

2010-12-04T16:29:00.001-06:00

AWESOME.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2010-12-04T00:52:00.007-06:00

Read it. Love it.

I was enthralled by this novel almost from the moment I picked it up. I am such a sucker for mystery novels though - it's probably because I love hearing gossip (though not necessarily passing it around), reading tabloids, etc. purely for the knowledge of whatever the information may be. It could pertain to something that I don't have a care in the world for (please see: anything to do with celebrities) but I just want to know, otherwise just knowing there's something within my grasp to know would drive me crazy.

I digress. (That all makes me sound like a crazy person.)

Although the book is a translation from Swedish (which can sometimes be hit or miss), I could barely tell the difference. That's what good editorial work should get as a result!! Ahem. I got so engrossed trying to figure out the mystery that I was scribbling notes on scrap paper and cross referencing different things mentioned earlier in the novel. I think I've lost more sleep over this book than any other I've read for a long time. I couldn't put it down last night so I resolved to get only 4 and a half hours of sleep before putting in a full work day. AND THEN I am up til 1am again to finish it! Without a doubt I am sleeping in tomorrow.

In short, it's great. I would very much recommend it be added to your list of things to read.

Up next? The Girl Who Played with Fire, of course!

AFI's two top 100 movies of all time lists

2010-12-03T19:05:00.005-06:00

The American Film Institute (AFI) has been making 100's lists since 1998. The first one they put together was 100 Years, 100 Movies, which is pretty self explanatory.

My freshman year of college, I heard about this list and immediately wanted to see which movies I'd already seen, and then watch any of the movies I hadn't already. If I remember correctly, I'd only seen something like 34 or so of the movies, which kind of surprised me because my family is full of big movie watchers. So Brooke and I decided to start making our way through them.

Then the AFI put out other top 100s lists, and then in 2007 they did their 100 Years, 100 Movies 10th Anniversary Edition. There were quite a few changes to the 1998 list, so I decided to combine the two, which made the list total 123 movies.

Here I am 4 years later (FOUR YEARS?!) and I am still making my way through them. I only have 25 left!

I am going to go through all of the movies I've watched so far and post little reviews/comments of my thoughts. Get ready!!

It's too late now

2010-12-03T00:12:00.002-06:00

but I kind of wish I had written a short review or something of all of the AFI movie's I've watched. Maybe I can go back and do this retroactively in my spare time?

Things to consider, things to consider.

Also: I am losing sleep over The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It's just so good!!

It's been a

2010-12-02T21:20:00.003-06:00

bed by 9:30 kind of week. Finishing the week out strong!!

...I just want to feel better.

It feels like

2010-12-01T16:19:00.002-06:00

I have a billion cotton balls jammed up in my sinuses. That and a small child is sitting on my chest (thanks congestion).

In other news, I went to the dentist today and somehow I magically have two cavities. Maybe my old dentist was just a moron and didn't see them before, so somehow my teeth have gotten attacked in the last 6 months. Blurg. I hate hate HATE dental work (ESPECIALLY Novocaine) so this should be super fun. Something to look forward to next week...

Sick and miserable.

2010-11-29T18:20:00.001-06:00

So this is still my life

2010-11-26T21:13:00.001-06:00

always being a few steps behind and a few minutes too late.

To quote I Love You Man:

2010-11-17T20:02:00.002-06:00

"I gotta get some fucking friends."

I feel ya, dude.

"No, I haven't heard your voice in two week now

2010-11-17T19:19:00.000-06:00

and anticipation's been wearing me thin. And I just can't help but wonderin' baby if somehow we could tear these pages out and begin again."
-Matt Wertz

Migraine meds

2010-11-16T12:48:00.002-06:00

in the middle of the day? Things could get weird.

ESPECIALLY at the Optometrist after work. (especially especially if they dilate my eyes!)

Welcome back

2010-11-12T07:03:00.002-06:00

130s. It's been about 5 years since we last met. :)

I love that Ames

2010-11-11T16:46:00.002-06:00

has a year-round indoor farmer's market. It sure is lovely to stop and chat with the little old ladies who run it after my weekly volunteering at the library. They sell the best coffee ever, so why not stop?

I am giving their spiced chai a go next. It smells wonderful.

Thanks Mom

2010-11-07T20:12:00.001-06:00

for visiting this weekend.

Happy birthday tomorrow. ♥

Remember, remember

2010-11-05T07:36:00.001-05:00

the fifth of November.

When you least expect it

2010-11-04T22:37:00.000-05:00

BAZINGA!

the politics of notebooks

2010-11-04T19:21:00.005-05:00

"at vassar, you take notes. you sit in class and you scribble whatever the professor says, whatever is written on the board, and/or whatever the idiot across the table from you has to say that sounds remotely interesting. for some, note-taking is a way to remember but for others it is merely a way to stave off in-class somnolence. it’s how you take your notes that is most important though… because, let’s be honest, you’ll probably never look at them again. it’s probably a given that whatever you just wrote down will stick if it’s really THAT important (i.e. you think about it when you can’t sleep at night).

here are a few modes of note-taking:
-moleskin: absurdly expensive, kind of “over” when you think about it, and oftentimes too small/not lined. covers easily tear. next please. they are pretty though.

-legal pad: the new moleskin. you don’t give a fuck if your papers end up looking raggedy… writers use legal pads dammit.

-plain notebook in some conservative color: whatever. i’m just here til the teacher says so. maybe i’ll doodle a bit…. woah, look at that cloud. has it been an hour and fifteen minutes yet?

-3 ring binder feat. notebook paper: does anyone use these anymore? hey, 8th grade called… it want’s its trapper keeper back.

-the fancy “enviro-note” variety they sell in the book store: i mean, i have to take notes anyway… i might as well be able to recycle this shit after the fact… but if i BURN this notebook at the end of the year will it emit less toxic fumes?
that’s all."

via Taylor Self

I am pretty sure that goes for all colleges/universities, though the first option is probably more rampant on campuses with a higher concentration of hipsters.

So homesick.

2010-11-01T21:04:00.000-05:00

"I like you to be exactly the way that you are,

2010-10-31T19:47:00.002-05:00

because in all my experience, I have never known anyone like you."
--A Streetcar Named Desire

My $1.25 costume:

2010-10-29T22:08:00.003-05:00

Minnie Mouse!

...Man, my hands are going to get really hot!

Another day,

2010-10-27T18:52:00.001-05:00

another headache. UGH. At least it's moved from the left side of my head to the right?

...sigh.

Oh, and one more thing

2010-10-26T21:34:00.001-05:00

Stuck in my head. Stuck in yours.

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW "Time Warp"

...You're welcome. :)

For dinner tomorrow:

2010-10-26T21:13:00.002-05:00

Steak. I marinaded the steak and it's sitting in the fridge as we speak, taking the marinade in (I hope). I also hope it's delicious and not horrible (obviously).

It's never much fun to ruin a steak.

In other non-food related items: I went for a 4 mile walk today (and on Sunday)! I love walking so I think this is going to be my new mode of exercise for the time being. Maybe I'll get back into running once it gets nicer out.

Oh, also: WHAT?!

Related (but I can't tell which is worse): DOUBLE WHAT?!

Oh the internet. You harbor so many treasures.

And finally (!!!) I really hope my migraine is completely gone by tomorrow. Two days is quite enough thank you.

The best version of soft kitty yet!

2010-10-18T21:48:00.001-05:00

(Nathan, if you read this, turn back now!!)

:)

2010-10-14T21:45:00.004-05:00

My mom is coming to visit this weekend! Two whole weekends of fun (the first with Brooke)! What more could a lonely girl ask for? I need to start thinking of things for us to do!

I am trying to decide if I should brave the library's used book sale tomorrow night (the first night) when it costs moolah to get in, or wait til the books have been picked over and go on Saturday. I guess that's up to momma. Man, I love used book sales!

In other news, there was a HUGE fiasco with my new laptop purchase. It's a long story involving billing address confusion, many phone calls, and a super nice lady named Jackie, so I will spare you. BUT! It finally got resolved, and it should be on its way to me soon. Hooray! Then I won't need to use a computer without a functioning left-click button OR N key. It's more difficult than you'd think to hit the little key nub that hides under that shiny, plastic key on the keyboard.

Also, I am finally getting better at parking in my garage! That thing is super tiny. At least this way I don't need to defrost/defog my windshield in the morning now that it's getting colder.

I JUST REMEMBERED TOMORROW IS PAY DAY!

I am being a complete and total spaz at the moment. I think it's because I am super tired. I guess this means goodbye for now.

Goodnight moon.

In Between the Clouds and Sea

Someone you're going to want to check out. (Seriously!)

Here's to another year!

THIS IS EXCELLENT.

My feet

Since Pintrest won't send me login info...

Related to the last post

I just found the website thefancy.com

Well, it's been awhile.

Can't stop listening:

Ow. I'll tell you what, ow!

Hoorayyyyyy!!!

Obsessed.

New show addiction:

I'm at my first work conference!!

Another movie everyone should watch:

Happy Birthday

Summer is here!

The last year in books.

This is the most amazing

What did I do today you ask?

"And by the time I was wishing I'd washed my hair

This is truly beautiful

This has GOT to be

Now watching:

Weirdo list of things to do:

"Adrian, imagine everyday is Independence Day

Dearest inbox:

What a nice weekend

Now Playing:

I just finished

Official GRE test date:

Attention Everyone:

Zooey Deschanel's tips

"'Well I woke up this morning

"I never wanted

"Outside, there were two tickets

"That's one of the advantages of being an adult.

A pretty great weekend at home

"What do you want?

Joe's hints for easy beat boxing:

Dear Bradley University,

Happy Valentine's Day

Can't stop listening:

Finally. :)

Nicest note ever from one of Hallie's friends in LA:

Southern California

Dear pending snow doom,

Dear inclement weather,

"You know that point in your life

"We like to watch you laughing.

And now

Day 2

"Laugh Curtain old boy!

On deck:

I'm about to watch

I'd say

Throwback! Boy bands of the 90s featuring: LFO

Spiced Praline.

It's a two post day.

This year

Aunt Maude's

Muscle relaxers for my neck

Dear body,

Dear body,

So not ready

Happy New Year everyone!

I never knew much about Pete Seeger

Every once in awhile

Now watching

Getting cozy with Gary Cooper.

Oops.

"But I really loved him."

I just realized something.

I've decided

That. Was.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

AFI's two top 100 movies of all time lists

It's too late now

It's been a