summer...

Summer is in full swing. I have been "summering" for 3 weeks now and I must say it is getting comfortable, normal, and at times, kinda old. I find myself sometimes having to invent new things to do to pass the time. With my job search still not producing much, and sky high gas prices, I have been spending much of my time at home. This time at home has enabled me to re-organize my room (which I completed the second I got home) and catch up on movies. I watched 27 Dresses last night. It was on my movies- to- see list, but I expected it to be typical and predictable. It was, but I ended up liking it just the same. And I have decided that I am a James Marsden fan. He could be a long lost cousin of Tom Welling, and he has good hair. 

The night before I watched Cheaper by the Dozen again. I just love that movie. I enjoy watching Steve Martin, not to mention the original version featured Lucille Ball. Also, Tom Welling and Ashton Kutcher in the same movie- what more can you ask for?

I am also reading an AMAZING book. Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper. The author is what drew me to the book, and after reading the inside cover I was even more drawn to it. Once I finished the first chapter my already strong admiration for this man grew exponentially. The book is half autobiography, half journal entries during his coverage on the worst disasters to hit our county in the past few years. And best of all, I can almost hear his voice inside my head as I read. The book is that personal. I can't wait to finish it, but at the same time I wish it was double in length. 

So for now my summer consists of 9am mornings, movies, pilates, and reading books I actually enjoy, which is ok, but I wouldn't mind a little more excitement.

Picture Perfect

 Yes it is. Pictured here are the two best looking men in the world. Ashton Kutcher and Tom Welling, in the same picture. Although Tom's hair is a little too long for my liking, this picture is perfect. Maybe just as perfect as the fact that the two modeled together before becoming actors, and have remained good friends. Perfect, just perfect.

I watched Atonement for the second time a few days ago. I have to say I love everything about this movie. I love the scenery, the actors, the story-line, but most of all I love the music. There is something about a soundtrack filled with the sounds of a typewriter that keeps your eyes on the screen at all moments.  Definitely worthy of the many nominations and awards it scored. 

I have decided to add reading to my "summer to- do list". I have never been a fan of reading, but I want to be. I read quite a bit this past year, but I want to read books for fun, and learn to love reading. A trip to the library is in my future. ( I prefer not to buy them, that might be just too much of a stretch)

I have recently discovered The Paper. Another silly MTV reality show, but one that I find extremely entertaining. The amount of drama that surrounds a high school newspaper amazes me but yet offers a good way to waste time while internet- surfing.

"Nothing can atone for the lack of modesty; without which beauty is ungraceful and wit detestable" - Richard Steele

I stumbled across this quotation while on one of my google journeys. I fell in love with it the moment I read it, and continued to read it over and over with a smile of appreciation on my face. When I saw the author, it took me back to high school English and the days of studying famous authors. I still remember: Addison and Steele, a duo who frequently wrote together- thank you Mr. Wilson. 

Listen up girls, Steele said it best, modest is hottest. 

In other news, I am quite pleased to see Ashton Kutcher everywhere I turn. It seems he took a hiatus to move to Idaho with his cougar wife, but now he is back and better than ever. Nikon commercials, producing shows, hosting SNL, a Cameron Diaz movie(which I have still yet to see), even an upcoming jean ad campaign. Welcome back Ashton, I always knew you would return.

The third full week of summer is about to begin, and I must say I don't feel like I am completely in the "summer mode". I have been able to watch Regis and Kelly, and catch up on my shows with the help of online TV ( both summer staples), but my mind isn't always on the break that I am in. I find myself checking for open spots in waitlisted classes, thinking of my junior year plans (yes, 2 years in advance), and wondering if I have chosen the right career. But I don't mind it, I like my mind full, and if I can relax at home and entertain thoughts of my future, summer will turn out just fine for me. 

Final Note: On Thursday, Anderson Cooper pronounced "Wii" incorrectly, it made my night.

nola

My summer has had a bit of a "whirlwind"start. I was home for a week, which was spent unpacking my college dorm and ridding my bedroom of things that were just too "high school" to keep around. After the room renuvation, it was time for a trip that would change my view on things forever. I went to New Orleans for a community service with a group of amazing Stetson students. We were only there for 3 days, but in those days my eyes were opened to things one can only imagine unless they are able to experience them with their own eyes.

We stayed in the Lower Ninth Ward in a house made of drywall, no air conditioning, and cots with rips that was a mansion compared to the other houses that were just outside our door. To call these abodes houses is a serious understatement. Our neighboring living spaces were not houses, but abandoned squares with nothing left but steps that once lead into the houses. There was a unheard of silence in the area. Not a calming or peaceful silence, but more of an absence of noise, only to reiterate the fact that the area that received the worst of the hurricane was still not even close to being rebuilt.  There was also a sense of being carefree among the locals. This sense was one that was found all over New Orleans, but in the Ninth Ward, this carefree nature seemed like more of a "I gave up years ago and now I'm just going with the flow" attitude. 

 

Astoundingly, just a 20 minute drive in our rented SUVs were the popular tourist attractions of New Orleans. I bought a t-shirt in the French Quarter, ate in a local restaurant, dodged those who were under the influence on Bourbon Street, and wished that I could spend the night in Jackson Square. But at the same time kept thinking of the devastation that was only a few miles away. The feeling of being in two different worlds had never been so strong. While walking around the popular streets and browsing stores in town gave the feeling of being on a vacation in a big city, the drive back to the Lower Ninth Ward brought on a feeling of depression that was inescapable. Visiting this city brought to reality that when something horrible happens, some things get rebuilt while other things get pushed aside. This may have been the only chance I will ever have to see mansions on one street and houses with boarded windows on the next, but the one chance was enough to keep the picture in my mind forever.

Summer has officially begun and I think it couldn't have had a better start.

"I get so emotional baby, every time I think of you"

Half  of my dorm room is empty, and tomorrow afternoon it will be completely empty. The walls are no longer covered with the Smallville poster and various fashion ads, my "I heart Jim" mug is packed away, and I have thrown away many of my "first draft" papers. My bed is de-lofted and sitting in the middle of the room, my roommate is safely back home, and I am here surrounded by boxes and empty shelves. 

I guess you could say the feeling of moving out of my dorm and ending my freshmen year of college is bittersweet, but I would say what I am feeling is more bitter than sweet...

I am anxious to see what the summer holds.

wouldn't it be nice...

Finals Week. Or should I say weekend is under way. This means the library is suddenly appealing, all nighters are necessary, energy drinks are helpful although still not good for you, facebook is only for "break time", I write until it feels like my hand is about to fall off, the only thoughts in my head are ones from textbooks...

summer seems so far, yet it is only a few days away. Only a few days until I pack all my things, say goodbye to friends that I could have never dreamed of having, and leave my little dorm room that started out as something that seemed as distant as a person passing by me on the street,  something I thought I would see and then leave behind without another thought, but ended up being the place I called home for a year and never want to leave. In a few days I will pack up my new life and return to my old one, but I don't expect it to be the same. I actually hope it is different and I expect it to be... in a good way of course.

none

I cannot believe it took me this long to find a picture as perfect as this one. 

Next week is finals week and I must say it scares me so much. It also brings sad thoughts of leaving, which I will choose to suppress for as long as possible.