As The World Turns...

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The Office
I guess in the show, Jim ends up with Pam, but in real life, he is with Rashida Jones, who plays Karen.

I feel kind of odd, because while I love Pam's character, something in me is satisfied that John Krasinki is dating this other girl in real life. He and Rashida had wonderful chemistry.

Usually, I'm a movie girl. TV is just something to watch when you're bored or just lazy. There are very few shows I'll watch at the network scheduled time, or uh--during prime time. But with The Office and Project Runway, I wait for them to come on.

Everything else I just catch in passing

Because I'm Family Damnit

Christmas time.

On the surface, you think of Christmas as a time for family to get together and share in the warmth and love of the spirit of the season. Without fail, I look forward to Christmas every single year for this reason. I love the cold weather, the big coats, the smell of the fireplace, the lights, and the family all gathered together.

Or do I simply like the idea of Christmas?

Because cut to the real scenario. You rush around trying to buy gifts that people may or may not like, you rush around to cook, and get dressed and meet family. By the time you get to relax it's time to move on to the next location and before you know it the holiday is over. A house full of people makes for claustrophobia, and an extra warm house filled with people makes for anxiety. Add in a few screaming children darting all over the house, too much food and a little too much eggnog and you've got a family gathering.

No matter what I expect every year, I can usually count on having my appearance and relationship status being critiqued by the older women, being ignored by all the men, and having at least to children attached to my leg.
Family will tell you they only criticize you because They're family, and are the truly honest ones whose opinions matter most. Let me tell you. If I come home for Christmas feeling the best I've ever felt in my life, looking the best I've ever looked, your negative opinion about my appearance doesn't phase me. I'm going to do whatever I want regardless of whether or not you think it matches my skin tone or will attract the right man. But it also gets underneath my skin in a way I can't explain. Relatives do this because they know that you can't argue back and embarrass them and yourself in front of the entire family. So you just take it.

And you will take it, because they're the only family you get. In the end the new year will come and go, and when December comes again, the fiasco of the previous year is forgotten and you look forward to the holiday.

Merry Merry.

Some Christmas

http://www.miniaturebrainwave.com/
This is hilarious!

Too Young

I guess I couldn't live without the things that made my life what it is

It would seem that being home from school always provokes thoughts and wonderment that I never experience while busy at school.

I guess my girlfriends from high school push me to ask questions and think about the most random things.

Last night K and I had a mini argument that got me going. So now I will get some of it down here.

I think that each individual's chosen profession has a lot of ties to their choices in political belief.

I see things one way, my friends see it another.

To an extent I believe that when America accepted its super power role, it incurred several inherent responsibilities as well. One of those responsibilities is maintaining that high status role. To me, it's logical to think that if America were to lessen it's grip on this power and 'soften' its principles, it would be susceptible to the whims of every single country that ever hated us or resented us. We do business. It may not be pretty, and sometimes it isn't right, but its what we bring upon ourselves. Some people think that if we were to relinquish some power and just help everyone and spew rainbows and sunshine, the whole world would be at peace. To think that countries that hate every single aspect of America and its people wouldn't take advantage of an American downfall is ludicrous and naive. I know it's not that simple. Not only that but believing that change comes anything but slow is extremely ignorant and foolish. If you need some sort of example, I'll go ahead and go with the race issue. The 13th, 14th, and 15th were set in the 1800s, and no real, significant progress was made until the 60s. There are still countless problems remaining today. If you can't deduce that change is possible but SLOW, than you need to look back in history all together. I don't say that world peace wouldn't be fabulous, but the probability of it being attained EVER is slim.

My friends that believe these things also think that their style and thought process is original. Excuse me while I broadcast this NEWSFLASH, but as you buy your clothes from some huge chain store, drink coffee from Starbucks, and listen to your 'original' music, there is a team of people sitting in an office figuring out exactly how to advertise products and make all of these things appeal to YOU. You are getting a standard education and are probably the standard college student. You think that your extreme environmentalism and your philanthropy and anti-establishment views make you one-of-a-kind? You're in the midst of this generation of 20-somethings so desperate for an identity in society that they draw concepts from previous generations and think of it as some kind of rebellion. Your art, your music, your clothing style--you didn't just wake up with this BRAND new idea, they all derive from your experiences, influences, and knowledge. You got all that from somewhere. I'm not saying people don't have a distinct style compatible with their personalities.

And on top of all of this, most of what you have was given to you without problem, and the rebellion you promote is allowed because you live here. In a country that tells you you're special. If I'm right, falling for all of that bullshit shows a necessity for some personal examination and some cultural study. Get a grip. Maybe I'm just cynical. Maybe I've just grown more than my girl friends, and in a different direction. Maybe they're right. Maybe hoping for something like world peace and an amicable globe is better. ha. My opinion could change 12 times.

It's not that I don't have a style, ideals, hopes, or dreams myself--I am just trying to be a little realistic.

What sparked this argument? haha

Be a Good Girl, Be Like a Maple Tree

I've finished every final except for my photography final.
Today I turned in my Bones, Beetles, Birds final project. It's not as good as it could have been but I stayed up all night last night completing it.

We were allowed to draw any living organism that interested us. I chose the Maple Tree. My obsession with trees is ever present. I don't know what it is, they just make me feel alive. I chose Maple because my four girlfriends from home and have different trees--I'm Maple, and the others are Olive, Magnolia, and Willow. If you know these girls you'd be able to place the tree with the girl.
Here is the final product; I colored the one I turned in.

I also received my portrait slides back from my photography professor. I did well!

these are the examples I was able to get using my scanner, so they are shitty. but examples nonetheless

Do You Know Where Your Heart Is?

I am finished with my media plan! The advertising project I have spent weeks working on is finally turned in!! It's quite a weight off my shoulders. I spent an entire weekend in the library. Before this semester I had never been to the library on a Saturday before. I was there until close. They kicked me out. This is the most significant thing I've done in college so far, and as difficult and time consuming as it was, I actually enjoyed it!



This day was filled with a whole lot of lazy. Except, my roommates and I decorated the apartment today. My roommate Jo and I went to Big Lots and Hobby Lobby and purchased decorations and crafts for our party this weekend. There are three Christmas trees, lights everywhere, and presents under the tree. It's the most light we've ever had in the living room, it's borderline Griswold. The whole place is warm and lovely.

An aside:
I used to hate the word lovely.
My mother used to used it when she thought I looked terrible by saying "My, you're looking lovely today." I have blocked out her opinion and really enjoy the word lovely. There is something old and beautiful about it.

that's all.

This project has isolated me from a lot of people for a little while, but I really don't mind it. I felt like our group was going to do something epic together this semester. But it just hasn't ended up happening. There have been injuries, and arguments, but mainly--everyone's schedules are too busy. There is always hope for the spring!!! I am not giving up yet, I mean the fall has football season, and that took up a lot of weekend time...maybe injuries will be better and we can bowl and have a grand old time when we're snowed in every weekend next semester. I miss everyone.