Every New Day

Dear Future Employers,

2011-04-22T12:09:00.001-07:00

If you have somehow found this blog, first let me say I am impressed. It is certainly not within the first few pages of Google searching me.

As you can tell from the irregularity of posts, I do not use this blog often. I started it my sophomore year of college and that is when most of the posts were written. I have come back to it periodically, but for one reason or another have not kept up with it.

If you peruse the postings, you will also find a variety of topics. Most of the postings are about film -- my passion and what I studied for four years while gaining my BA degree in Cinema and Media Communications. There are also a few small selections of my own writing, which again is many years old now. There are also a number of personal entries. If you choose to read them, please keep in mind their aim was not to be professional, the audience was mainly my family and close friends. They are a good example of my confident, fun personality.

I would also like to note that the lack of posts was in no way due to inefficiency or laziness. Instead of taking a portion of my day to keep up with my blog, I chose to prioritize my school work and relationships. I am in fact very interested in social media. I take the time to use social media for marketing and creating buzz about things I care about such as the band, All Things Shine (myspace, twitter) and my current documentary project, Impossible Love.

My time was also spent working hard. For example, the last semester of college I worked on five films -- four documentaries and one fiction film. I also worked as Station Manager for KFOX Radio, I interned in the Development Office on my school campus as well. I dropped my position as sales associate at a retail store because I wanted to have more time for my school work.

With this in mind, enjoy what you may find. I am glad that you have shown interest an I am always willing to answer questions.

Thank you for your time,

Your future employee

I want my blogg back

2010-08-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

I'm back.

I said I was switching over to Tumblr, but I lied. I really like Tumblr, but....they're just two different creatures. So now I'm back.

And using Tumblr: http://aubfergie.tumblr.com/

And I have a Twitter that I use in pulses: http://twitter.com/aubfergie

Then there's always Facebook too.

I actually decided to come back to Blogger weeks ago....but typical me, I'm finally writing now. I came back because I found myself not writing entries in Tumblr; I just use it to share things. Also, I don't know that many people read this blog (or at least people I know) whereas I have people that I actually communicate with in real life following me on Tumblr. It's just a different feel for each. I also came back because I realized people actually WERE reading my blog! Thanks to a Sweedish Mrs who left comments, I know that at least my page was seen! That said, if you're reading, let me know!

So, I'm back. School has started, my boyfriend is now in the same time zone, state and town as I am, so the world looks pretty good to me right now. There's going to be plenty to write about.

Networking Overload

2010-07-29T21:41:00.000-07:00

I've known about Stumble for quite some time now, but I never joined up. I figured I waisted enough time on the internet, why add something that will make it worse? Well tonight, my friends, that changed. I added it.

I don't know why I didn't do it sooner!!!!

It's so fun! Now I feel like I'm actually accomplishing something when I waist time on the internet because I'm having fun and becoming informed :-D

Tumbler is something I was never interested in. I have this blogg. Why did I need another? I rarely ever share links and when I do, Facebook suffices for that. Now with Stumble though.....I completely see the reasoning. So, I joined up! I'm a bit on networking overload tonight.

In order to streamline a little bit, I've decided that yes, I will be "ending" this blogg. I'm formally switching over to Tumblr, I'm sorry. However, I do believe it will quite easy to follow me there. Just go to:

aubfergie.tumblr.com

There you will be able to find all my posts from now on. Plus fun and interesting links! You will be getting a much more well-rounded view of me. So this is a good thing!

Truth be told, I don't know how this whole Tumblr thing is going to work out. Perhaps I will after all decide I prefer blogger. I'm not abandoning all the people I follow via blogger, and I do still have my Europe trip blogg going on.

This may not be THE END after all.

Meet Aaron Swor

2010-07-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

Meet my friend Aaron Swor.

http://www.society6.com/studio/aaronsworphotography

Amazing.

Check it out.

Bandstand

2010-05-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

So basically I have amazing and talented friends.

One of them is Kacie, and she's just opened up a shop on Etsy! You should check it out.

{ http://www.etsy.com/shop/bandstand }

While you're at it, you should check out her blog too.

She's amazing.

That is all.

North to Alaska

2010-05-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

This makes me laugh every stinkin' time.

My bad...

2010-05-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

I realized for the first time today that the song Under Pressure is a Queen song.

I. Fail.

Now it's even more horrible that the beat for Ice, Ice Baby was stolen. Who steals from Queen!? Who does that!? Mimic, maybe. Pay tribute to, sure. Draw inspiration from, definitely. Seal?! Not. Cool. I mean, it's QUEEN!

I now have both songs stuck in my head.

Good going, Ferguson.

My Weekend

2010-05-25T20:36:00.001-07:00

I have been so fortunate that so far in my life when people ask "What's your most embarrassing moment?" I've never really had an answer. Sure, I've been embarrassed before, but nothing memorable. Thanks to the plane ride down to SoCal this weekend, that has changed. I know, you probably want to know now, but nope! Sorry! Not telling. All I'm going to say is:

Rows 17-25, *you're welcome*

Other than kicking off the weekend with a flushed face, it was SO GOOD! I got home and it was gloriously 70+ degrees outside. I wore shorts and skirts all weekend, even when it dipped down to the 60s. My family was complaining that it was cold.

THEN, the best part EVER...

Watching my mom graduate!!! I was super bummed that they didn't announce that she had already passed the BAR (along with others, I'm sure...) but I suppose they didn't want to make everyone else feel bad.

Whatever.

(*insert beautiful picture of my mother HERE*)

...

(I'm gonna ask her if it's okay first)

We went out to an amazing lunch afterwards where my cousin, sister and I split this ridiculous desert. I mean ridiculous. It was called S'mores Alaska. Basically, it was whipped marshmallow, chocolate, golden grahams, ice cream, and crushed oreos, set on fire.

Yeah.

It was good.

Then that night I got to see my BEST FRIEND EVER! We live about 500 miles apart and it breaks my heart. But we got to spend a little time together at her brother's graduation party. So that was wonderful. She's the one that reminds me that I'm supposed to be exactly who I was made to be. We always love each other, and she always reminds me of why life is good, why people are worth caring about, and is such an amazing example of how to live life.

I love you, Emily.

(Yes, when I leave her messages on the phone it sounds like I'm talking to my boyfriend.)

I had In 'N Out, laundered a whole suitcase of clothes, and just hung out.

AND got to see my step-mom and two little sisters that are ADORABLE! We played school (Quinn, 8, was the teacher, I was a 10th grader, and Piper, 6, was a kindergardener with no arms.) I stayed with them and got to chat on the phone with my dad until I absolutely had to leave so that I could make my plane.

It was a good weekend home.

The rain here in Portland is killing me.

My Evening

2010-05-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

Often I write bloggs in my mind. Yet only a few make there way here. I'm trying to fix that.

So here is the second one for today!

Hooray!

I'm currently packing a suitcase full of dirty laundry (so that I can do it for free at my parent's!) and dancing around in my room to the beautiful sounds of Pomplamoose.

WHAT?!

You haven't heard of Pomplamoose!

Click on their name ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ NOW! They are amazing. I can always listen to them and it takes hours and hours and hours of them before it begins to get a little old. They have original songs and covers that are better than the originals.

You should have a listen.

I might just go make a quesadilla.

Crazy Weather

2010-05-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

The weather today has been completely bi-polar. Part of the time it's sunny, inviting me to go play outside while I'm stuck inside all day at my job. Then part of the time it's pouring rain and I'm glad I have my little space heater at my desk. Then during the left over parts of the day it's a gloomy in between, making me so excited that I'm going to be in Southern California this weekend!!!
But seriously.
This weather needs to make up it's mind. It was raining so hard that I left for lunch ten minutes late waiting for a decent drizzle to walk home through.
Then as I was about to head back to work, it starts pouring again. I waited until it cleared up to walk back in my oh-so-cute heels. Then after it poured some more, yelled at us with a little thunder, the sun broke out! It got so warm so quickly that the streets started steaming.
Yeah.
It was pretty cool. You should have seen it.

Good Day

2010-05-14T20:59:00.001-07:00

Today was a good day.

I got paid.

And made my own coffee.

Best of all, it was WARM! I love the heat. Especially after months and months of rain.

Best of all:

MY MOM PASSED THE B.A.R. EXAM!!!!

Yeah, I know, right? SO excited! When she called me and told me I started jumping and yelling in the middle of the parking lot. We've been waiting for months to find out. I told her she'd pass her first time around. Now she just has to jump through a few little hoops, get sworn in and then she'll be a real lawyer! Go. Mom.

I'm wrapping up my evening by putting a bunch of recipes in my recipe notebook and listening to music. I was going to do laundry, but I was locked out. So be on the look-out for reviews of new recipes I'll be trying...

Summatime

2010-05-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

And the livin' ain't so easy. I'm still well qualified to represent the LBC, but I'm staying up in Oregon. I've also become sick three times in the last month including giving myself food poisoning last night. Good going Ferguson.

I'm working full time for the first time of my life. Sitting at a desk 8-5 every weekday. Yaaaaayyy...... The nice thing is that I've got time on my hands (at night). Yet my to-do list is piling up and not everything is getting done. But I am blogging! Which is something that's on my mental things to get in the habit of during summer. So hopefully you'll be hearing from me more often.

Other summer hopefuls:

~Trying new recipes (which I will be quite cautious of after last night....many phone calls to my Dad(s) will be taking place)

~Finishing a project I've started for my sweetie (ssshhhh....he doesn't know yet!)

~Making progress with the radio station (Yes, working during summer even though I'm not getting paid. THAT's how much I love my job. kfoxradio.georgefox.edu)

~Working out! My plan is to try different work outs everyday, figuring out which ones I like. Then putting them together for the ultimate workout routine! Yay!

~Getting ready for my EUROPE TRIP!!!! In June I'm going on a three week trip to Italy and France! I'm SO excited. If you'd like to follow me along on that trip, you can do that here: http://aubineurope.blogspot.com/

~Create! Specifically ceramics projects

~Finish a script I started this last semester for class

It's a lot going on...but I have high hopes :-)

a sign of the times

2010-04-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

Sometime last week I got locked out of my apartment.

I was just going out to my car so I grabbed my keys. Not my I.D. card that lets me into the building, or my phone.

I get back to the building from my car and realize I can't get in. This isn't the first time that it's happened, and it certainly won't be the last. I was lucky though. There was a guy in the building already and so he let me in. The problem was, he doesn't live in our building. So he couldn't get into the hallway. Neither of us had our phones, so we couldn't call people to let us in. I remembered that one of my roommates was on Facebook when I left. So I went to one of the computers in the lobby, to log in. The whole time thinking

"What would we do if we didn't have Facebook, or cell phones?"

While my computer was logging me in and connecting to the Internet, the guy stuck with me ran outside to bang on the windows of the people he was seeing. They came out to get us.

We defeated the problem old-school.

Then I realized later that before Facebook and cell phones, we wouldn't have had to slide I.D. cards to get into the building.

Oh this modern age...

2010-03-11T21:27:00.000-08:00

I entered another photo!

Go check it out and vote! Please!

My Favorite Photo (I've Ever Taken) 2
Brickfish

It's been a good night

2010-03-11T21:02:00.001-08:00

I just got to play virtual dress up and enter a contest at the same time.

Time well spent.

Rock the Prom Contest - Round 1

Sponsored by Neiman Marcus

I'm not forcing it

2010-03-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

I give up.

I'm not going to force this blog to be about anything in particular anymore. I don't keep up on it. So it is now up for anything and everything. Most likely without any consistency.

I hope you enjoy, and welcome to my life.

Photography contest!

2010-03-11T20:08:00.000-08:00

So I entered a photography contest. Check it out and vote for me! :-)

My Favorite Photo (I've Ever Taken) 2
Brickfish

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-07T23:54:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Free family history - Free genealogy

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-07T23:49:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family pictures - Family tree diagram

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-07T23:46:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-07T23:43:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Old photos - Family pedigree

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-07T23:38:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2010-02-07T23:30:00.000-08:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

Discovery #11 - Duck tape

2010-01-27T23:54:00.000-08:00

I am becoming a firm believer in duck tape and it's ability to truly fix anything. I have repaired two pairs of shoes. It also helps that it now comes in fun colors. :-)

Lesson #10 - Plan it.

2010-01-23T15:00:00.001-08:00

If I want it to happen, I've got to plan it.

Or do it right when I think about it. That's the option I prefer, but I realize that most of the time that's not possible. I always think of things to do or get done in the car, shower, walking to class, etc. I'm learning to write it down, then plan it to get done. I'm much more productive that way.

Kind of like this blogg...I say I'm going to write a little something every day - or try to. Yet it doesn't happen. Let's see if I can plan a time during the day for it and see if it happens. :-)

Lesson #9

2009-11-08T21:59:00.000-08:00

When one uses a screwdriver that is even slightly larger than the niches in the screw, you strip the screw. Then your screwed.

Discovery #8

2009-11-07T21:43:00.000-08:00

I learned what a BearCat is, and in my opinion they are the ugliest creature I have ever seen.

Discovery #7

2009-11-05T23:59:00.000-08:00

V for Vendetta is an amazing movie.

If you have not seen it, go watch it. Now. Go!

Lesson #6

2009-11-04T00:40:00.001-08:00

Today I learned that when holding auditions it is important to give direction.

It seems like a no-brainer, that it would be obvious. Somewhere in my head where my common sense and film/theater knowledge blend together, I knew this fact. However, being new to auditions in the director's role, it took me a while to be comfortable with putting it into practice. Once I did however, it made a world of difference. You see the actor's talent, ability, adaptability, etc is. I will never again hold auditions without doing so.

Discovery #5

2009-11-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

My new favorite I'm-a-poor-college-student food is Tillamook yogurt with Special K mixed in. Mmmm....

I'm also doing good by buying local. Tillamook is just a few miles from my school. If you live in Portland area, you should check them out. The best cheese and yogurt you've ever had, I promise. Even ice cream! (Oh, butter too)

Discovery #4

2009-10-31T01:06:00.000-07:00

I can't leave somewhere when a guy is playing guitar.

There is currently a guy friend of mine at my apartment playing guitar and singing. Despite the fact that I'm fighting off sleep, I can't get up and go to bed. I just can't miss any small bit of this. The simplicity is beautiful.

Lesson #3

2009-10-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

I do my best drawing when I throw myself at it.

I'm an art minor, and taking a drawing class. I was very hesitant about the class because I've never been strong at drawing. I've been realizing over the past few months though that the less I care, the less detailed I am at the beginning and the more I just do it, the better it is. Though there isn't an "Apple+Z" command (that's "Undo" for all you HP people...), and quite a few things you can't physically erase, there is hardly ever anything you can't fix.

So slather it on! and adjust the details later! At least in drawing...

Discovery #2

2009-10-27T13:02:00.002-07:00

I discovered that Patrick Daughters is one of my favorite music video directors.

I'm normally terrible at remembering names and who did what. I also don't watch as many music videos as I should. I'm getting quite into them and thinking that perhaps that is what I should do for the rest of my life. :-D So for a girl who struggles to remember names and works, knowing a music director and that I like their work, it's a big step in the right direction.

Lesson #1

2009-10-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

Sometime last week: I need to learn that Converse are not good rain shoes.

Today: I learned not to get upset over getting my shoes and feet wet. It's not worth it. Instead, I'm thankful for the fact that I own (multiple pairs of) shoes. I'm thankful that even if I do get my shoes soaked and feet wet, I most likely won't get sick because I have dozens of warm dry shelters at my disposal. Instead of cursing the rain, I should embrace the wonderful nature. I should ponder where it's all kept, where it floods from and whether God will let me swim in that storage once I leave this earth....

In addition to that, I've also realized that if I look out the window in the morning and the ground is wet, I may as well put my rain boots on first thing...

Something New

2009-10-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

As evidenced by the lack of posting on my blogg, I'm good at forgetting to write here. I come up with ideas, think about it, but then never get it up here. In an effort to remedy that, I have come up with an idea (which I came up with weeks ago) that will get me on here everyday.
They say you learn something new everyday. Being a college student, this should be especially true for me. Therefore, I have decided that everyday I am going to account for something I've learned. It may be technical, whimsical, my own opinion, or something we all already knew. In addition to these daily bite-size bits of wisdom, I will hopefully add in longer entries when they occur to me.

Love and hope to you all.

My First Script

2009-01-25T20:46:00.000-08:00

Alright, well it's not formated quite correctly, because it's a total PAIN to do, and it didn't transfer from the program to here very well, buuuuutt......This is my first script!!!

This was a project for my scriptwriting class. We had to create a character by picking a pair of shoes and a hat from a list the prof gave us, and then write a script with dialog and at least one scene change between that character and another that is ourselves. Did that make sense? Oh, ad the first line had to be "Is there a problem?" Anyway, here's mine.
I realize that since this is a blog and not everyone reading this may know me very well, just know that anything that is actually crucial to the storyline is in the script. In other words, you don't really need to know me to get the other character; it should still read fine.
Oh, also, this is only the second or third draft, so it's nowhere near being ACTUALLY finished....but it's sort of finished for now.
Hope you enjoy!

Fade In:

EXT. CITY STREET SIDEWALK - DAY

It's the middle of the day in a large city. There is a WOMAN in her twenty's, wearing a WWI FLYING HELMET, a 1940s style outfit, BRIGHT COLORED HIGH HEELS, and a huge CARPET-BAG type purse. She is alternately rummaging through the purse, using her CELL PHONE, consulting a PIECE OF PAPER and pacing, every so often beginning to hail a taxi, then becoming preoccupied with something else.

AUBREY strolls onto the scene and takes notice of the other woman and the distressed state she is in.

AUBREY
Is there a problem?

The woman (LILY) seems not to notice at first but then sees Aubrey and comprehends she is being spoken to.

Lily
Oh! What? Uh, um, no. I'm...I'm fine.
(Pause)
Well, actually that's not true. Well, I am fine, it's just that there is a problem.

Lily goes back to her pacing and rummaging.

AUBREY
Is there anything I can do to help? Are you meeting someone? Or do you need to be somewhere?

LILY
Both.
(Pause)

LILY Con't
You see, I'm off to rehearsal for this fantastically depressing play, which is why I'm wearing this ridiculous hat, and I have the address right here. I've been to the place before, in fact, just yesterday, but it's disappeared! It should be right where we're standing, but as you can see, it's gone!

AUBREY
Huh. Well, that does seem like a problem... But whole buildings don't just disappear overnight. Are you sure you don't just have the wrong address?

LILY
No, I'm quite sure of it. As I told you, I was here yesterday, and this is the same slip of paper with the address on it, so the address can't very well have gone and changed itself over night. Or could it?

Lily contemplates this thought, but then dismisses it.

AUBREY
Do you mind if I have a look at the address? I don't have anywhere to be today, it's my day off. I don't mind helping you look for it.

Lily hands over the piece of paper.

AUBREY Con't
Well, you're right. This says 517 South 109th Street. If there were such a building it would be right here. How odd...

Aubrey looks around to check the address. She looks at the slip of paper and notices dates and precise times on it.

AUBREY CON'T
Are these times when you have to be at rehearsal?

Lily nods while still looking around searchingly.

AUBREY CON'T
Well then, you still have ten minutes. It must be here somewhere, so I doubt you'll be late.

LILY
Well, I have five minutes really. If you're on time, you're late. If you're early, *then* you are on time. And as it is, I still don't know how to get in, and so I'm going end up being on time - which is late. You see, that's what happened yesterday --

EXT. same city street sidewalk - yesterday - Day

This is a much busier day than the current day. Crowds of people fill the street. Current Lily and Aubrey are still on the sidewalk, though everyone is oblivious to them as if they were not there at all. They get jostled off to the inner edge of the sidewalk.

Lily from the day before is spotted in the crowd by the same hat she is wearing. Her outfit is not the same as the current day's, but very similar. Lily is shoving through everyone as quickly as she can.

LILY (past)
Excuse me...pardon me...ah, please, excuse -- MOVE!

The crowd around her moves slightly from the outburst; it is enough for her to scoot by to get closer to the buildings.

LILY CON'T
Well excuse you!
(to herself)
Eek gads...

Past Lily glances at the slip of paper, scans the building numbers at the top of the doors. She glances at her WATCH --

LILY CON'T
Blast! I only have a two minutes!

She scans the buildings again and a small door that wasn't noticed before a few feet down catches her attention. It blends in and doesn't have an awning or doorman like most of the others. She runs over, clutching her personal effects and dashes through the door.

EXT. City Street Sidewalk - Current - day

Most of the people on the street fade away as Lily speaks

LILY
You see?

AUBREY
No, I'm afraid I don't.

LILY
Well yesterday I nearly didn't make it on time. Well, I was on time --

AUBREY
Which made you late.

LILY
Precisely. Which is why I got here early today, but I can't find it! And now I only have five minutes to get there!

Lily becomes frantic. She rips the paper from Aubrey and begins pacing, looking at the buildings.

She walks up to one, stares at the wall, looks at Aubrey.

LILY CON'T
It was right here!

Somewhat suddenly, the street begins to fill with people, and someone walks right between Lily and Aubrey.

AUBREY
What? But there's no door there!

Aubrey struggles through the increasing crowd towards Lily.

LILY
But it was!

Lily looks back at the wall, and the door is there!

Aubrey is still working against the tide to get to Lily, suddenly sees the door between people, and stops.

Lilly smiles at Aubrey, waves and begins to open the door.

LILY
Thanks for everything dear! It was lovely meeting you!

AUBREY
Nice to meet you too -

LILY
Lily. Ta-ta!

Another couple people pass between them, and once they clear, Aubrey is staring at the place where Lily was. Both the woman and the door gone.

FADE OUT

Well that was quick!

2008-12-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

This is in reference to my previous post, so if you haven't read that one, go do that and then come back to this one :-)

Because of the frigged 37 degrees outside it was when I left the house, I was delayed a few minutes in putting on an extra jacket, finding a scarf, as well as gloves. I headed outside just having finished a little more homework (that I admit is late) and am off to get a bagel from the cafeteria despite the fact that it will make me a few minutes late to class. My professor never minds, and I'm not a happy camper when I don't get breakfast.
As I walk in, my professor calls me in (something he usually doesn't) and as I sit down in my seat, my neighbor explains to me that we are being giving a take-home final, and once it's explained we're free to leave....

SCORE!!!!!
:-D
I was SO excited. A take home final means it's open note and book, and I can take my time to do the best I can. On top of that, my professor let us out early which means I now have at least a little extra time to work on homework (or write a blog...) This take home final greatly lessens the stress level; now I can take my time, focus, and figure out how it's all going to get done.

So perhaps my excitement this morning wasn't a practice of anticipation, though I believe that it's still a part of the equation. As I was waiting for my bagel this morning, standing a long with 3-5 of my peers as they were also waiting for their toast one of them turned to me and he simply said "Patience, patience." This is someone I know, but have never had a real conversation with, or formally met. He said it, I'm sure, just to say something and in reference to the bagels. Yet the tone of his voice and the way I gave a half grin and slowly nodded in response hinted at something more.
I don't think my waiting is over. Rather, it has just begun. This morning's blessing from (get this) my Psalms class is a catalyst, something to help me get going, and keep going. From this morning I have hope that good things will happen and continue to happen as long as I accept them. I'm still anticipating, patiently, and now I have hope that my waiting will not be in vain.
I'm done waisting my life complaining and pointing out the negative. I hope you can be too.

I'm waiting...

2008-12-10T08:42:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning in a good mood.
That never happens.
Often I will go to bed giggling and shivering with excitement because I love going to sleep and dreaming. Getting up on the other hand, is my least favorite part of my day.
This morning however, I had a smile on my face. I had the feeling that something is going to happen. Something good. I feel a bit like Tony in West Side Story...I know something's coming, I don't know what it is, but it is gonna be grand (if I let it in, that is).
There was nothing in my inbox this morning; nothing out of the ordinary at least, and there were no notifications on Facebook...I'm planing on checking my mail box later today, but other than that, I'm waiting. I'm going to be patient, keep my eyes, ears, heart and mind open to whatever it may be that's waiting for me.

I think it's interesting, because just in chapel yesterday our campus chaplain was speaking about advent and how the leading up to Christmas is supposed to be like a practice of waiting, or anticipation for Jesus to come. This was something that the Israelites and Jewish people had to do when they were waiting for their Messiah to come. Now, however, in our immediate gratification world (at least here in the U.S.) we have forgotten how to anticipate.
So perhaps today is simply the beginning of my anticipation. Maybe I woke up this morning realizing that I was one day closer to going home, to Christmas, or being done with school. Perhaps I woke up this morning in that realization that God is coming, though He is already with me, and that He is taking care of me, so I don't need to worry about the day, my week, or my future; he's already got me covered.
And maybe there is a surprise in store for me today :-) I'll keep my eyes, ears, heart and mind open to whatever it may be, and welcome it with open arms.

Song Suggestion: Elf's Lament -- Barenaked Ladies
I woke up with this song stuck in my head, and it won't leave! Good thing it's a good song...
(and I recommend the whole Holiday Barenaked Ladies cd to add to your collection. Perfect mix of whit, comedy, holidays, and cheer to add a positive change of pace to your day)

Rain

2008-11-16T23:12:00.000-08:00

This is just a short piece of creative writing I did last year. I thought I would bring it out for you to see. I like it on its own, but it will probably/hopefully be part of a larger work someday.

Rain
It wasn’t raining very hard, but it was enough to be annoying. She pulled her umbrella out of her bag, pressed the silver button that was built into the handle, and the umbrella sprang into form. Clutching her bag close to her body with one hand and holding her umbrella steady with the other she walked on. Most people had only their hoods up – if that. No matter. She wanted her umbrella, and so she was going to use it. Who cares if there was only one other person using one?
She did.
The wind had picked up. She now held her umbrella more in front of herself than above, acting as a shield against the wet that the wind, rolling like waves, pushed against her.

Let me know what you think.

Multitasking

2008-10-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

I am currently in my writing class, listening to a lecture on how to use the library (which I have heard countless times), chatting with my friend who is currently in Scotland, on Facebook, was able to just answer a question from the Librarian and writing this blog. If I could get away with it, I would also be listening to music. All at the same time.
I've always been good at multitasking, but in college, it's ridiculous. You almost have to be able to multitask. It's gotten to the point where a lot of people, I know for at least myself, that it's hard to do almost anything without doing something else. I can't figure out whether this is from our "A.D.D." mentality most people my age have, or whether it's because of our fast-paced lifestyle here in the US. My guess is that it's partly both.

"Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail."
~Henry D. Thoreau

I agree completely with this statement, and think that it would be very beneficial. Yet I can't seem to let myself live that way. I've gotten sucked in and stuck in this world of "MORE MORE MORE!"
"But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." ~ 2 Corinthians 11:3

Now the question is how I get back to that simplicity. How do I go back to something I've never known? How do I change my entire lifestyle, when everyone around me refuses to live simply?

Fall

2008-10-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

I go out of my way to step on crunchy leaves.

2008-10-25T15:47:00.000-07:00

"And if it isn't, and if it isn't
If it ain't ain't, and if it don't
Well, if it can't, then it won't
And that's just way it goes"
~Jason Mraz, Zero

These lyrics were stuck in my head the other day as:
And if it isn't, then it isn't, and if it can't, then it won't, and that's just the way it is…
Over and over they played in my head, and it got me thinking....

Things are going to be the way they are, and it's nothing more than that.
I'm not sure if I agree with that statement, but I like it. It calls to simplicity, which is something I want in my life.
What if we did take things at face value? Just take it as it is and not expect it to be something it's not. No reading into an action or turn of phrase. That also means accepting things as they happen; there would be no getting around something by saying it meant something else.
However, life isn't always simple and some things are meant to be given more value than just what's at the surface.

I don't know the answer, but I know life is a balancing act. Balancing between simplicity, and what means more. Between trivial every-day things that have to get done, and the things that are going to have a more lasting impact.
Who knows if the balance will ever be really found, but I'm willing to try.
Because I want my life to be made up of
"Our friends on the front porch and they telling the jokes and they
Swinging oh-so-swiftly towards happier times
Expending lines and finding more energy for the effort
And getting distance from that front porch spotlight"

Song suggestion: Zero (Percent Intrest) - Jason Mraz
I basically want my life to be a Jason Mraz song :-D

Macaroni and Cheese

2008-10-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

I pour out the neon orange powder that claims to be cheese, mix vigorously with a chunk butter and think that the dinner I am about to eat can't be healthy.

If I have kids, they will extremely rarely eat macaroni and cheese out of a box.
My grandma's recipe is better.

And people wonder why we're an obese nation?
Really???
My excuse is I'm a poor college student...

The Matrix

2008-10-19T00:14:00.000-07:00

I just got done watching The Matrix for the very first time.
I could say that I was slightly let down, but I don't think I really was expecting anything spectacular. It was good, but not anything too extraordinary. Let me explain my reasoning.
The plot: decent enough. Not a strong storyline, but enough to keep the movie moving and interesting. The concept is a very good one; the whole alternate-reality, and conception of life. I have to say, one of my favorite parts of the movie was a scene when they are eating on the ship, and the younger boy is ranting off about how perhaps sweet wheaties tasted isn't really the way they taste, but what he was tasting was tuna, or something else. That maybe chicken is just a sort of default taste, which is why everything tastes like chicken! It reminded me of something my mom has told me; she said that when she was younger she wondered if perhaps the colors she was seeing were possibly different than what other people saw....even though two people would both call a color red, the other person may be really seeing what she saw as blue. Of course, we're pretty sure that can't be possible....but the storyline I think somehow rings truth in at least the smallest measure in all of us. We all question God, and faith, fate, destiny. I think everyone wonders at some point whether we are just a small marble some other being is playing with, or actually just hidden away in some airport locker in some alternate being's world (Men In Black). Or perhaps, as I wondered as a child, that maybe we were just someone else's play-things, or someone else's dream...
The dialog: Besides the short dinner table rant, I found most of the dialog, cheap and cliche. Could definitely have been more original.
The acting: Let me just say....I'm not a fan of Keanu Reeves. The rest of the cast was pretty decent. I couldn't take the "Agent" guys very seriously though....their monotone and seriousness was slightly funny. :-)
Over-all-ness of the movie: I really didn't think it was a bad movie. As I told my friends I watched it with, I'm glad that I've seen it, but I would be perfectly fine never seeing it again.
Also, I have to note that I thought the romance was completely unnecessary. I know, a girl revoking romance! But actually the other two girls watching didn't like it either. I understand that the kiss at the end is not what woke Neo up, but that is what is implied. Really??? It's SO cliche and almost insulting that they find the need to insert that because they think they need to keep the female audience.
Really, tell your story and tell it well; the best way that you possibly can.

Sweet Solitary Evening

2008-10-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

This evening started out quite disappointing....I was supposed to go to a friend's show, but the people I was going with ended up accidentally leaving without me. Lame. Since it's a Friday night, no one is around.....and it's wonderful. :-)
In a house of nine girls, you rarely get the living room to yourself, and I am savoring every second of it. I finished watching a movie, ordered more movies, I'm having fun exploring new music, I'm enjoying the silence. I'm planning on putting in another movie, while working on a quilt that I never have time for during the week, and nursing my last Diet Coke :-/ In short, I'm doing no real work, relaxing and finally doing all those little things that I say I'll do, but never get done. It's extremely needed, and I'm enjoying every bit of it. I think I deserve a little time for me too. I had a crazy week, getting only 31/2 hours of sleep two nights ago!!! I had to stay up to finish a paper, which came out pretty well, if you ask me. Last night however, I got a glorious 11 hours of sleep (because I had started to feel sick from lack of sleep). Needless to say, I may be up late tonight... :-D

If only it were noon, and about 80 degrees, I could wash my car, which desperately needs it.....

Movie Suggestion: Spirited Away (Miyazaki) (A wonderful film. Even if you think you don't like animation, you need to watch it.)
Song Suggestion: Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners -- Foo Fighters (A brilliant piece of music. An beautiful instrumental, from an unsuspecting band. The whole album is quite wonderful)

L'art du cinéma

2008-10-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

Today was my first experience ever filming on set.
It was amazing.
Tiring, but wonderful.
True, it's a student film, low budget to the extreme, at best the crew have a few years of experience under their belts...but for what it is, it's brilliant. The movie is set in modern times, but has a defined 1940s style and feel to it. I'm a Production Assistant, which means I do anything and everything the director/producer/art director tells me to. I hold cameras, fix props, take stills, hold cords, etc. Not the most glamorous job, but I am so thankful for it. I also got thrown in as an extra for today's shoot on set. I got to dress 40s-esque, so I wore a skirt that came up to my waist, a button down shirt, my "pearl" necklace, and curled my hair the tightest it would with dark lipstick that would show up, since we're shooting in black and white. (!!!) :-D
Even better than the fact that we are shooting in black and white, is the fact that we are shooting on FILM!!! Real film. The kind that comes on the reels that you have to physically cut yourself. Ah! That is my favorite part of the film. Not only do I think it's more true to the art form, but it will fit the 40s feel so perfectly. The sound of film rolling is now one of my favorite sounds in the world. It's so beautiful... To hear the flick of the switch, "Rolling," and the shutter of the film as it passes through the camera, miraculously recording everything it's aimed towards...it took everything in me to not squeal out of delight whenever the film camera was turned on. I somehow held out until the shot was over, accompanying it with excited jumps if the scene went particularly well. Even our producer said that he was sure his heart palpitated when he first heard it.
Just to be there on set is a wonderful experience...I get to see everyone working together, see how it all falls into place, and I get to be apart of it! The most wonderful part of it all is that it feels so natural to me; it's re-affirming that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. At this point I don't even care what it is I'm doing, as long as I'm involved. I am thrilled to see this film progress, study everyone's relation to each other and the film itself, and learn as much as I possibly can.
I'll most likely keep you posted on what's going on with the film and my thoughts on it. :-)

Recommended movie to watch:
Casablanca
(For the 40s feel, and because it's a classic.)

Really???

2008-10-05T23:22:00.000-07:00

Every day I am astonished...by how incredibly odd people can act, by God's greatness, or at how I act myself. It may be as simple as a comment someone makes, a reaction I get, figuring out I did the wrong homework (after it's already done, of course), an amazing story I hear, or my own stupidity that causes me, almost daily, to say "Really???" - often in a skeptical tone.

I've played with the idea of creating a blog for some months now, and after finding out that some people I know actually do blog, I decided "Why the heck not?" I've yet to decide how private or public to make myself known, but either way, this blog exists to challenge myself. I'm making myself vulnerable, and invite you to read as well as respond. This is going to be my place to let loose. Here I'll be talking about anything that I feel noteworthy -- whether that be some small event from my day, an epiphany, or a bit of fiction. In short, anything that has caused me to question, "Really???"

This is my life, and this is me.
My life, my opinions, my thoughts.
Please, feel free to disagree with me.
Just be ready to support your opinions.
I'm an open-minded person, but not to stupidity.
This is my life, my opinions, and my thoughts.
Your approval is not needed.
But your comments are welcome.