47. November 14

In the mood to blog, and because this is my blog I think I will. Makes since, right? If you are just here for the promised picture and quote of the day, please scroll down past my ramblings. It's there, I promise.

These ramblings of mine aren't to say, look what a great life I have, but rather a way for me to recognize how good this world is and hopefully to help you see it too. Nor do I claim my writings are particularly interesting. To have these things written out, if only for my own sake, is enough. So, enjoy it or not, it's up to you. And here I go.

Last night, a handsome Mr. H took me to "prom" at a local tavern and music hall with a few of our friends. The crowd varied from teenager to senior citizen, all decked out and wearing everything from freaky to fabulous. The music was great, no schmaltzy love songs, no rap, just music you could really dance to. There were no cliques, no royalty, no limos... It was everything you wished your real prom was. Thank you, Mr. H and friends, for the best prom ever. And thanks to the lovely Mrs. R for photographing the night.

And then today... Today was an Indian summer day--so warm outside if you closed your eyes, you'd swear it was August. I lay on the grass and reveled in the sunshine, lazily reading and doing a little studying. I met two new friends, ate cereal for lunch, and a got a great start on two papers. The day isn't even over yet. And, Pandora loves me today.

In exactly one month, I will be with my dear familia again, though I will hate to leave this beautiful place.

Life can't possibly be this good forever... can it?
_ _ _

Four lists of three:

1. Things I Probably Should Care More Actively About (But Don't): Politics, germs, pollution
2. Blogs I have recently loved: NieNie Dialogues,  Oh Hello Friend: 101 in 1001 (and Other Friends' Lists on the sidebar), Clayton Austin Love Stories
3. Other website of recent amusement: Various blogs of friends and dear readers, Go Fug Yourself (Hilariously snarky commentary on celebrity fashion), Mystery Google 
4. Three of the four books (kind of five) I am currently reading: House of Leaves, Little Women, Jesus the Christ

Please, dear reader, what's on your four lists of three?
_ _ _


And now, I give you what you came for. 
Shoes off, lying on the grass, enjoying the blue...

"And I wonder
When I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again."

 ~ Foo Fighters, "Everlong"

45. November 12

Four Items of No Real Connection

and a Picture That Is Kind of Bland and Unconnected to Any of the Four Items.

In other words, a Thursday.

1. Sunny Skies. Thank goodness it was blue sky day. I didn't want to have to face yet another rainy day. The rain just depresses me.
2. 1982. I found a penny today, face up, year 1982. A little later, I was pulling laundry out of the dryer and a penny tumbled out, year 1982. I thought that was a little odd, because I remember checking my pockets for change before doing the wash. The clothes weren't quite dry, so I put the clothes back in for another ten minutes. When I pulled them out again, I found yet another penny, year 1982. Strange? Yeah, just a little. I now have three pennies, 1982, just chilling on my windowsill.
   
3. Possible career considerations. And rejuvenation in academic pursuits. A rejuvenation in life in general. A feeling like, hey I have the potential to be more than I am! I've known this, I think we all know we could be more. But its not only that, its also that I have the power and the will to live up to this potential! Hooray! Its the strangest and most refreshing of wake up calls.
   
4. The apartment has a new fish. Name? Dimitri. He will be joining the fish already in residence, Damon II. Damon I suffered death. Voltaire also didn't last long. 

"We need to find out what it is we're afraid of, and go beyond. [...]

If you don't go out and do you'll remain forever fearful of the workings of the world."

~ Colette Dowling, The Cinderella Complex: Women's Hidden Fear of Independence

(No Mother I'm not becoming a raging feminist...)

39. November 6

What a beautiful day!

How lucky am I to be living this life I've been given?

Three pleasant occurrences (and bonus photos):

FIRST

After class today, I could help but be tempted by the thick, crisp carpet of November leaves on the grass. I kicked up a huge pile of leaves. Passing students smiled as they watched those leaves. I could practically see the inner child in them eager for a good jump. Despite several personal invitations, no one would give it a jump. I waited until I was relatively on my own and enjoyed a few delicious moments jumping and sinking into the bed of leaves. The crinkling leaves enclosed all around me sounded like the first sparse raindrops of storm. I felt so alive! It seemed a shame to leave this nice big pile of leaves all alone, so I left an invitation next to it.

I passed that same way later that day and was delighted to find the imprint of someone who had accepted my invitation. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

SECOND

Walking back from my jaunt in the leaves, I was greeted by some terrifically cheering chalk art, signed Liz O'Hare. Ms. O'Hare, I hope you don't mind me posting your beautiful art. I just loved it so.

I  don't know how well you can read it, but written in yellow is the words "live in the moment." I love this reminder. There is a saying that goes something like this: Remember the past, consider the future, but live in the present. So often I get too caught up in what's coming next. I am constantly counting down the days until this or until that. I often spend more time fretting over the coming days than living them. I need to remember to slow down and let each day take care of itself. So, Ms. O'Hare, thank you for the beautiful reminder to live in the moment.

THIRD

I had the opportunity to visit the Columbia temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This is a picture of this beautiful temple that *gasp* was taken in September and not tonight. But what the heck, I'm already breaking all my unwritten blog rules tonight, so what's one more broken rule?

I've been feeling the slightest bit blue lately--a little homesick, but mostly just tired of present circumstances and frustrated with the silliest things. Going to this beautiful temple tonight reminded me of how fortunate I am to be in this time and this place. God has a plan in mind for me and I just need to trust Him that things are as they should be. I also need to remember not to wallow when I am feeling down. I am so grateful to be member of the Mormon faith and for the hope my faith gives me of beautiful days to come.

Quote of the day:

"In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

~ Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stand True and Faithful"

Also, I'm going to try to create links to books, poems, and other works referenced in my quotes of the day, just for you, dear reader.

33. October 31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 

Well... I must say, this has been one of the best Halloween weeks ever.

I particularly loved the costumes. I've got to start thinking of something really good for next year. My favorite costumes this year?

• A pair of docs (A paradox!)
• A s'more: Four people; two graham cracker, one Hershey's bar, and one marshmellow
• A platypus
• Flo, from the Progressive Commercials
• Paul Bunyon and Babe, the blue ox 

And that's just to name a few...

Tonight, I give you, Old Lady (formerly Waldo, before a costume swap), Kudzu (Google that), and a mime.

Happy Halloween, to one and all. 
 

"This is Halloween, everybody make a scene."

~ Tim Burton, "This is Halloween"

31. October 29

To Do List For Fall 2009:

1. Scoop the gooey insides out of a pumpkin

2. Photograph the leaves

3. Eat pumpkin pie

4. Drink hot apple cider

5. Watch a (mildly) scary movie

6. Kick up a big pile of leaves and sink slowly into it

Just one more item I can cross off my list.

What's on yours?

"In the sanctuary of my thoughts, I am a fearless renegade."

~ Mark Dunn, Ella Minnow Pea

One month into this project... Another eleven to go!

29. October 27

Please meet my beautiful suite mate:

• Author of the next great fantasy series
• Survivor of the dreaded H1N1 virus
• Lover of vampires
• Diehard Irish
  

"I just don't think any of us should have to handle being human alone."

~ Barbara Galloway, in today's class discussion

28. October 26

Yes, another shot of the sky.

The purpose of this blog is to take a picture for each day of my twentieth year that:

A. Tells something about my day, as to serve a photographic journal entry

B. Looks pretty

Well, that's the rough gist of it.

The story this picture tells?

Today was pretty uneventful.

But the sky looked cool. And I like autumn.

 "And some days all I do is watch the sky / Today was a good day..."

~Something Corporate, "Watch the Sky"

27. October 25

So today was completely

uneventful.

I didn't think you wanted to see the other pictures I took today of things like:

A. My lunch

B. Still more pictures of trees

C. Pictures of me doing crazy faces

D. Peanut butter and candy corn (aka the contents of my food shelf)

So, I downloaded Picasa 3 and had a little fun with the editing. Picasa 3 earns my vote and will likely now be my editing program of choice.

And so, I now give you, my desk, in all its horrifically messy glory.

This. Is. One. Ugly. Post.

But, the good news is, there is fun things to come from Picasa 3 editing!

 "He was in one of his moods, for the day had been both unprofitable and unsatisfactory, and he was wishing he could live it over again."

~ Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

I am pretty much perpetually reading Little Women and I thoroughly love it.

And, on an unrelated note, thank you, dear readers, for your positive feedback. Glad to hear you like the blog and its been fun to check out your blogs as well.
And just so you know, that should be "Frank" and not "Frink" Sinatra. Ooops.