As 2007 comes to a close, I'm not sure what to say. This year has been amazing. It's been full of challenges, joys, and sorrows. I can only hope that 2008 exceeds this. See you in the new year, with better entries, crazier adventures, and more love.
XOXO
Hi all, and a very Merry (Late) Christmas. This month is definitely a little tired, and I'm not sure what to say ... it's been a great year, and perhaps, when I'm more articulate, I'll be able to write what I want to say.
This cruise was brought to you by Trader Sam's Cannibal Cafe, where we're always looking for new ways to serve you.
The world won't stop changing, and I can't blame it. I'd rather have it keep moving and keep going, and yeah, I don't want to stop. I desperately wish I could still be in Rome, but if I were, my life would have changed in such different ways. I wouldn't have gotten a job, I wouldn't have gone to New York, I wouldn't have lived with Kimi, and I certainly wouldn't be the same person. All of the challenges that life has put before me have been worth the struggle. Everything I am is a product of who I was. Everything I will become is all part of who I am now. Life is like a game of Jenga -- you keep building upwards with what you've already got and you pray for balance.
I balk, because this major has made me work harder than I ever thought I would. I will say it though. Thus far, it has been worth it.
Timothy Daniel is just unbelievably talented. The way he sings the word "California" strikes me with Wonderment every time. (That's his newest album, if you didn't get the point. It's amazing. :) Check it out!
Watch live video from timothydaniel on Justin.tv
Life is complex. We have our interests, and others have theirs. Sometimes, they work in harmony, and sometimes they conflict like nobody's business. I wonder if I make poor judgments about my own interests as they pertain to others. I'm overzealous, and I don't think things through. It's a fault, really.
I am dealing with far too much right now. All I really want is an even playing field, but all I see right now is an uphill climb.
It's official. I have no desire to be awake this early in the morning. I know I should take the time to be productive, seeing as I've got to haul myself onto a few buses, and I might as well use the time wisely, but all I'd like to do is procrastinate. It's only the tiniest bit ironic. Time is just flying by. Today, Thursday, I've got to finish a lab and study for a quiz (with exam on Monday). I also ought to at least draft up part of a paper for Tuesday. I need to do laundry. I need to pack for Thanksgiving. Frankly, I will give thanks when Tuesday is over, because that means that I can breathe again. I guess I will go to work on Monday afternoon, seeing as I'd like to grovel for Wednesday off to go home early. I have no idea what will happen, but it's getting late, and I need to shove myself out of the house before I'm late. It's a situation that's happened far too ofrwn.
If you rush, you can get a surprising amount me things done. Like getting a Jamba juice and a pretzel in time to catch your bus.
Whoa ... I won this contest over at I AM FUEL, YOU ARE FRIENDS (which is a rockin' music blog, by the way), and I'm getting a copy of the soundtrack for the new Bob Dylan biopic, I'm Not There. Excuse the linking and all, but essentially, I won myself a CD of Dylan covers, and I'm thrilled. Dude ... I never win anything ... right?
Along with that, bare: the album is releasing tomorrow! (See previous posts.) Thrilled yet again. :) It's all well and good ... except I have no idea how much it costs.
And, to top it all off, I'm trying to work on a draft of a paper, to review tomorrow and to turn in on Thursday. I also have a test. So I'm going to see the professor. And I have to plan Bible Study, and I want to check up with people, and I need to study, and, Christ, it feels like there's just no time in the day for all the things I need to do.
Halloween's on Wednesday and I'm leading Bible Study. I have a test and a paper due the next day, so all work and no play makes Amy a dull girl ... but perhaps a smidge more successful. Wish me luck!
Last year, I was in Barcelona, hanging out with Irene.
This year, I was cooped up in San Diego, hoping to God that we weren't going to burn.
Needless to say, I'm very much alive, but due to the fire, we canceled an entire week of class. We're now behind, and it was both a relief and a stress. Now, I've got a ton of stuff due this coming week, so it's just go-go-go for me. Can't win 'em all.
Oh, and if that weren't depressing enough, "American kids, dumber than dirt"?
I really do need to make more time for blogging. :) I enjoy it so.
San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John the Lateran)
Almost a year ago, I wrote this in my LJ:
All right, so I've been a slack at posting. We still don't have internet at the residence, so I'm using the internet at the study center. Talk about a pain in the butt. To that end, if you call me on Skype, I'll get it on my cell phone? So call away people, but let's keep it short, because my phone credits always run out fast.
Okay, so life has been crazy. Not too much drama, I suppose, but I have found that I tend toward one roommate more than the other. It's natural, I know, and this situation pales in comparison to freshman year at UCSD, so really, I feel like I'm doing well. I haven't been sleeping well, though, and everything that makes me stress out gives me a nervous stomach and I can't eat. Gah, I just need to get over these nerves. Right in the middle of my stay. Honestly!
That brings me to another thing. We have passed the halfway point. It's hard to believe that we have less than two months left, and it's equally hard to believe that over two months have passed. It's more surreal than anything else, and I'll miss Rome when I come home, but I don't think it's the love of my life. It's just not quite me, but hey, I'm working on it. There are days when I wish the world around me would stop ... but that's not going to happen anytime soon.
Anyway, midterms were this week. I had two yesterday, and there's one more tomorrow night. Then it's off to the soup kitchen. Thursday morning, I have a group oral exam in Italian, and then I'm done.
So ... the exciting part! Thursday evening, I depart for Barcelona! I'm staying for three nights with Irene, then on Sunday evening I depart for Budapest. In Budapest, I'm staying through until November 2, then it's off to Berlin for the last leg, then back home to Rome on the 5th. At ... oooh ... 7 in the morning. That will suck. Other than that, I'm relieved to have a break from Rome, as lovely as it is. I'm just so stressed right now, and I feel like I'm doing all right, but I just want to push myself harder, and I feel like I'm at the point of breaking. I know I can't break, and I know I just have to hold on and breathe, but there are those moments when I feel like I'm suffocating. Those moments pass, though, and I'm just back to being me.
Life is crazy. End of story.
- bare: the album (buy it here on October 30)
- being done with the first round of papers/exams
- pie night with my bible study
- ballroom dance on sunday
From this summer, we went out for sangria ... and lollipops, apparently.
So, what have I been up to besides diggin' on that new Andy Samberg/Adam Levine track? I've been in school, that's what. Between work, school, and extracurriculars, I feel like I barely have any time, and for that time, I save my knitting. That said, my classes are pretty challenging, but I can handle them. This quarter (10 weeks, baby!) brings me Distributed Cognition, Neurology/Neuroanatomy, Intro to Int'l Relations, and Nationalism & Ethnic Conflict. A pretty full plate, with some papers, some tests, and a pinch of stress. Hopefully, I can continue to be productive and kick some ass with this stuff, but I guess I'll have to see.
Today, I've got a speed reading & comprehension class back at school. I'm hoping it will improve my skills for that grad school push a year or so from now. By no means will I be able to read all the material in grad school, but the more I can fit in and the more I can understand, the better my chances of success are. Apparently, yes, I am preparing myself for success, or so says my sister.
As for plans for this blog, I'm hoping to put together some thematic mixes ... especially for holidays, but seeing as that is a long way off, I have time to plan. I also have time to eat a good breakfast this morning. What a thought! I suppose I had better jump on that.
I'm taking a bit of a rest at home right now, but tonight, it's back off to school for me. I already had one class today, and this makes two. Not too bad for one day, but it's more mind-boggling than anything else that school had begun anew. I know, for the people on the semester system, school is in full swing, and midterms are fast approaching. However, for the quarter system, school is inching forward, but in 10 weeks, things go quickly. It's scary, really.
On a less stressful note, I was in New York City this weekend. Here's just a snapshot of what went on.
For the rest of the photos, go over to my flickr.
More on this later, and observations about a cultural no-man's land. Because I'm too worried about getting to class on time.
Less than a week 'til departure and my nerves are shot to hell. I don't think I'll be able to eat on the plane if I'm this nervous this early in the game. Pray for me.
I managed to give myself the worst blisters yesterday. Now I have to take it easy on my feet, so they'll be up to a New York adventure in a week. Oh, man, I could have seen this coming a mile away, eh?
Do Norms Reduce Torture? (Working Paper)
Trying to figure out what I'm going to do in terms of grad school search when I'm in New York.
Perhaps more to be added later.
Right now, I'm at work, and I feel ... rather void. I can't pinpoint the seat of my distress, but there's just this overwhelming sensation that something is missing. If I knew what it was, I don't think this would be a problem, but here I am ... wondering.
Things are just changing so fast. I think change makes me uneasy. I get into these funks every now and then, after all, and it's usually when something big has happened. We're moving stuff around at the office, so jobs are being redistributed, and I guess I'm just feeling left out. I'm the only student right now. Alas.
Bright spot: I'm going to NYC in two weeks. Master's shopping, yarn, and musical theatre. How could I resist? I really need to do some research, but hopefully I'll figure it out. Who knows? After a rushed double major and five years of school, I could be a crazy person, but I can't see myself in the real world -- not yet. In time, perhaps.
Cool Things:
Ikea Hacker
Mosaic Table
Blog Ideas:
The "i" Generation
Signatures (Things Noticed)
Life, Upcoming
Grad School Search
Book Club
Autumn Approaches
Travel
I can't believe that it has already been a year since I studied abroad in Rome (a Roma). Thinking about it brings back all those feelings, the growing up I faced, all on my own. There was nobody else to guide me, to take me step by step to the finish line. I was on my own. I feel that, in those four months I spent in Europe, I grew up more than I had in the past 20 or so years of my existence. It was time. Nobody else had stopped me before, from getting where I needed to be -- I just wasn't ready yet. Europe was a test, and I think I passed. I slept in a tunnel in Venice, rode on the back of a moped in Rome, explored Florence alone, froze my tail off in Budapest, and experienced snow in Berlin. I got a tasted for wanderlust, and now I can't just give that up. I don't want to stop moving now. I want to see the world, and I will. (It's just going to take a while to earn enough money. Ew.)
I just sent SMS's to friends abroad. I think it's the least I can do. I mean, after all, I was a lonely kid in Italy. (I often ate alone and rarely went out. Blame it on my unwillingness to compromise myself or risk wearing heels on Italian cobblestones.) I mean, every country must be experienced its own way, but every now and then, it's nice to know that someone from home loves you and is thinking about you. When abroad, I don't think I expected the world, but the little things, the sweet things (like gelato! ;)) were what stuck out in my mind. Things fade, but the knowledge that someone cares for you stays with you.
In essence, I don't actually know what I'm trying to say, but maybe it's this: show love wherever and whenever; don't let distance and time hold you back.
It's September. More symbolically, it's Labor Day Weekend in the states, which signifies a change. For many, it's time to go back to school, to return to the daily grind from three glorious months of summer vacation. It's time to reunite with friends, perhaps to slip back into the most familiar rhythm.
For me, school has yet to start. We don't begin until late in this fall month, and that blessing allows me to travel just a little bit more. I've already been home this summer, and I traveled to Orlando, FL for the LCMS National Youth Gathering way back at the end of July/beginning of August. It seems far away now, just as the rest of the summer does. I am looking forward to my NYC excursion right before school starts. Yarn hopping and musical theatre. How does one resist! I know I can't.
Still, after that, school starts. School brings us back, but every year we're changing, every year the young get younger, and the old get older. At least that's how I see about it. I'm going to be in my fourth year of college. This makes me old! Oh my. Thing is, I don't know if I ever saw this coming. In some ways, I still feel like that poor little naive freshman who just left her parents for the first time in 18 years. In 18 years, I hadn't moved too far. In just 3 or 4 more I've grown stronger in so many ways. I've got life experiences under my belt, and I've tested myself and taken on leadership. I still feel lost, though. I suppose it's good that I don't know where I'm headed, but every now and then, I just want to know. We'll see where this year takes me. Hopefully, it's to a place where I can continue to learn, and by that, I don't just mean university. :)
Okay, well, I am, I think. It was a long July, and now that it's August, I am shocked that this summer has slipped by me so quickly. People are coming back, and things are changing. I'm still figuring out who I am, and I'm still trying to give my faith the upper hand. In a world where we are called to be faithful, we are constantly tempted to be simply of this world, rather than above it. That doesn't mean that we are, or that we don't fall, but that does mean that we strive to live as Christ lived, to live in him, with others, in this world of God's creation. We are called to follow Christ. We know where we are going. We have hope.
There goes the sporadic blogging. I chalk it up to a pressing work week. Sometimes I feel like I'm wanted there, and other times I feel like I'm just a burden. I'm sticking with it, but sometimes, work is enough to make me go a little bonkers. It happens, I suppose.
I'm tired. And Kimi is here. Last night, I had my last night in the queen bed ... all to myself. Now I must share. I'm okay with this, but it's just not the same, I'm thinking. Oh well. Now is the time to be with family, no matter how diseased they may be. Or something like that.
Oh yeah. I went to the doctor on Monday. Definitely a thyroid problem. Yay me. Perhaps I'll be able to follow up this time, and we can come to a conclusion. I've been cut down an hour a day at work, too. it's not a big deal, but I'm rambling now, and I think it's time to hit the sack. Not that it'll do anything for my thyroid. Meh.
Well, I must apologize. I kept promising myself a blog entry, but it never emerged from my fingertips. I started a few, I think, but they just didn't materialize. I haven't blogged since school ended. For the record, I didn't fail any classes, but I know I could have done better. In face, for the record, too, I'm considering changing my major. It's not settled yet. On Monday, I'm taking the day off, and I'll be sorting out a few things, including a little bit of medical weirdness and the whole let's-go-talk-to-an-advisor-and-figure-this-out thing. That was a lot of hyphens.
In random, Fourth of July/Independence Day news, the 92nd Annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest went on, and the winner was Joey Chestnut. (Does it blow anyone else's mind that there is an International Federation of Competitive Eating?) It makes me worry about the state of he world ... just a little bit. I mean, I am thoroughly entertained, but a little nagging part of me wonders how much of that food that these folks consume could feed others. Just a thought.
Additionally, in more intriguing and possibly infuriation news (that is admittedly a little old), Scooter Libby's sentence was commuted. We can only hope that this is the end of the road. I have the bare bones of this case, but beyond that, I don't feel like I can pass strong judgment. However, I feel like he seriously put lives in danger, and because of that, he got a punishment that the court thought was suitable for his crime. President Bush did not think so. This I have a hard time comprehending.
Otherwise, not much to report on the Amy-front, other than that I have been working around 80% at my office so far this summer. It's fun, and, though I don't think it's the kind of job I see myself in full-time in the future, it's worthwhile experience, and I appreciate all of my co-workers. In the fall, I'll be working a lot less, as I'll have bigger fish to fry (namely, trying to graduate in 1+ years.)
I'll try to keep updating. Oh, and I read Schindler's List. So good! I highly recommend it.
I'm discovering that, though I thought I was over it, I continue to have unabashedly "fangirl"-esque moments. I thought I was over this, but I guess that I'm wrong. Oh well. Every now and then I'm allowed to be crazy, amidst all this trying to be mature. Heck, I'm 21. Maturity might have to wait.
Disclaimer: please do not watch this video if you are offended by strong language.
On to the video. This song is just ... well, watch it. I'd say that's how I've been feeling lately, albeit for different reasons.
In an appropriate addendum to this post, Mark Morford of the SFGate/the Chronicle has written a piece on the word f**k. Appropriate, indeed.
Timothy Daniel's new CD, Wonderment, is shipping now! I can't wait.
Right now, I just can't get enough of Spring Awakening. It seriously gives me chills.
It's days like these when I wonder if I have the heart, the drive, or the stamina to finish this out. To succeed. To not just be "so close and yet so far." (Sorry Frankie Valli!) I want to be in the home stretch, but I'm scared. Just needed to put this idea somewhere. Maybe it'll light that desperate flame.
I should have better things to do, but I'm watching the Tonys. I caught the lead-up, but I have to wait for the rest because I'm on PDT tape delay. Bother.
Spring Awakening and Coast of Utopia took home the greatest amount of Tonys for musical and play, respectively. The show took a risk this year by having no host, but the only thing that could have made it better is Hugh Jackman. I love that guy. I also love the cast of Spring Awakening. They're a huge inspiration, and they deserved all the accolades they received. They probably deserved even more, too, particularly because theirs is a group effort with an amazing ensemble. This only solidifies my desire/need to go to NYC, stat.
First, however, I need to finish this paper that plagues me so. See what I mean about the doom?
Quick update: I need to finish this paper; I am obsessed with Spring Awakening; I need to study; I want to go to New York; I am considering a grad school in Political Science/International Relations; I want to move to NYC; I am excited for this summer; I need to stop doing this and get back to what I need to do.
I have a thing for impending doom. I have no better words.
Ohhh ... but my roommates are teaching me how to ride a bike! (No, I don't really know how yet, but I'm getting the hang of it. Next up, driving a car! I can't do that either.)
Today, I'm taking a break from my unwritten paper. (I procrastinated far too much.) I just wanted to mention this one little thing. Questionably intelligent people. In this case, I find it funny. I mean, it's history after all. My "Crisis Areas in World Politics" class once discussed the value of history. It's indispensable, but it's also often misconstrued as justification for genocide. History is much touchier than we give it credit for.
We had our last class meeting on Tuesday, for that particular class, and I find that notable because a bunch of us got up and personally went up to shake our professor's hand. He's an amazing guy, and his stories most definitely need to be heard -- especially now.
On a lighter note, check out overheardinnewyork.com. The other sites just don't do it for me, but this one is downright hilarious.
That's it. I have to stop missing class. This is getting downright silly.
And you know what else is downright silly? There's a new pill out there, and its intention is to end periods. I just don't think that's natural! Sure, being a girl is a pain in a butt, but there are some things out there which I just don't think should be messed with that much. This is one of them.
I know, I can't believe I'm putting this after menstrual talk, but Apolo Anton Ohno won Dancing with the Stars, Season 4! I think he most definitely deserves it, and I know that it makes me entire family happy. See what happens when my family votes? Good things, people, good things.
Another unbelievable thing: this academic quarter is coming to an end. It's mind-blowing that it's 8th week, but I just want it to go faster. I don't want to say goodbye, but I'm tired of this already. I wish I could do well and we could just be through, because it's frustrating. My classes aren't bad or anything, but there's so much I'd rather do, I guess. On a class related note, my Poli Sci professor was feeling bad today and had to sit down. We were all worried about him, so we called the paramedics. It seemed like he was doing better afterwards, but he gave us a scare. The man is the product of history. Someone once told me that he's like Forrest Gump. He's seen everything: the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Holocaust, Communist China, Communist Russia, Imperial Japan. It's crazy. He's living history.
One of these days, I wonder what legacy I'll leave. I hope it's a good one. I hope people stick around and care. I hope I leave the world better than I came into it.
I couldn't NOT post this video of "Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan ... Abraham (he's Jewish)!"
You'll just have to watch it to see why:
I know I've been posting a lot of videos lately, but I'm having fun with it. I'm sharing stuff that I love, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. A note about this video is that I got to see this particular cast (the original cast) Off-Broadway in May of 2005. They are excellent, and this video showcases that. I mean ... I certainly can't dance like that, much less sing while I dance. It's impressive and funny, all at the same time.
Because I just can't get enough, here's another video for your viewing/listening pleasure. This one I actually shot. It's Brad Wolfe and Megan Slankard playing/debuting their brand spankin' new duet "Hand in Hand" at the Cafe du Nord. It's not the best quality, because this was just taken with my regular camera, but it's a great song, and I highly recommend that you give it a watch/listen.
I took the liberty to upload the Altar Boyz medley from the 19th Annual BC/EFA Easter Bonnet in 2005. It's fun, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
I have a problem. I can't wake up on time. I set my alarm clock and promptly hit it every time it makes even the tiniest beep. I don't want to wake up. And because of this lack of ability and lack of desire, I miss my class. My 11 AM class! I enjoy that class! How does this happen? This shouldn't happen! I should be normal, but no, I have a problem. It's time to take drastic waking up measures again. I need to go to bed earlier. Really. And I need to do my homework. And I need to focus ... and ... oh dear. My life needs one of those self-help shows or something.
Squirrels can be kinda vicious. I mean, one bit two adults and a child recently! Pretty much, stop feeding the squirrels. They'll be the world's next seagull ... but at least they won't poop on you. I hope.
I admit it, I am addicted to certain TV shows. By this I mean that I will even sit through the commercials during these shows -- that's how much I want to watch in the moment, if you catch my drift. In particular, I've been obsessing about Dancing With the Stars. I mean, Apolo Anton Ohno! I'm most definitely voting for him ... and he has earned the votes, might I add.
Check it out:
Apolo & Julianne's Paso Doble
Apolo & Julianne's Samba
Both of these dances were really fun and really intense. I like the second one, because the song is "I Like To Move It," which I remember from Madagascar. It's all good fun. I wish I could dance like that ... and yeah. Enough babbling. Time to keep on not sleeping. I'll knit instead.
I adore this man. More specifically I think he is just cute and has a breathtaking voice.
I bring you Michael Bublé and his new single, "Everything." I hope you enjoy!
Poetry, apparently, is dangerous.
It's sad that the first conclusion we come to is the worst-case scenario. It's sad that we automatically assume that a person is up to no good, based on what they look like, not who they are. It's sad that we make such awful first impressions.
Anyway, I was talking with my friends about colorblindness. If a child can't recognize colors, the first assumption that a teacher reaches is that "the child is retarded." Colorblindness usually doesn't even enter into the picture. Perhaps we're as ignorant about children as we are about adults. Perhaps we need to slow down and think it through before we make accusations.
Just my little rant for now.
Happy Easter, all! I know, I really should spend time on the Christian aspect of this holiday, but I am just amused by chocolate bunnies.
So, my mother gave me a Chocolate Easter Bunny to bring down. I get to unwrap him today, and I figured I'd take some pictures and give him the all-around inspection. What I found was intriguing.
He looks like your ordinary, run of the mill bunny.
The nutritional facts state that he is one to be divided into thirds. What can I say? I have a hard time imagining a third of a bunny.
And if you still want more fun:
I got this from Cara, so go visit her!
We're a strange folk, the teens and twentysomethings of today. Our lives are on display on the internet for all to see, and we are frankly unabashed about it. Personal information floats around like it means nothing, and we share a lot about ourselves with people who we don't know. Such is the fearlessness of this generation. At the same time, it makes us rather predictable, and when we reach middle age, perhaps there will be nothing left to tell. I would say more about this, but I find that two articles I've come across say it better than I could.
CELEBRITIES I WOULD SLEEP WITH...
The directions are simple:
1. Bold anyone you would shag voluntarily.
2. Italics anyone you’d shag after a few drinks.
3. If you wouldn’t shag ‘em at all, leave them alone.
1. Stephen Dorff
2. Wesley Snipes
3. Denzel Washington
4. Samuel L Jackson
5. Hayden Christensen
6. Ian Somerdaler
7. James Van Der Beek
8. Ashton Kutcher
9. Sean William Scott
10. The Rock
11. Brendan Fraser
12. Oded Fehr
13. John Hannah
14. Hugh Grant
15. Colin Firth
16. Liam Neeson
17. Daniel Day-Lewis
18. Leonardo DiCaprio
19. Billy Zane
20. Harry Connick Jr
21. Sean Astin
22. Dominic Monaghan
23. Karl Urban
24. Vin Diesel
25. Paul Walker
26. Joshua Jackson
27. James Marsden
28. Shawn Ashmore
29. Hugh Jackman
30. Will Kemp
31. David Wenham
32. Viggo Mortensen
33. Elijah Wood
34. Tobey Maguire
35. James Franco
36. Alfred Molina
37. Harrison Ford
38. Sean Connery
39. Shane West
40. Stuart Townsend
41. Richard Roxburg
42. Ewan McGregor
43. Jonathan Rhys Meyers
44. Christian Bale
45. Jared Leto
46. Colin Farrell
47. Ben Affleck
48. Josh Hartnett
49. Bruce Willis
50. Billy Bob Thornton
51. Dennis Quaid
52. Jake Gyllenhaal
53. Patrick Swayze
54. Keanu Reeves
55. Gary Oldman
56. Tim Roth
57. Steve Buscemi
58. Michael Madsen
59. Rick Yune
60. Pierce Brosnan
61. Robert Carlyle
62. Jonny Lee Miller
63. Jude Law
64. Matt Damon
65. Clive Owen
66. Ryan Phillippe
67. Benicio Del Toro
68. Johnny Depp
69. Orlando Bloom
70. Sean Bean
71. Eric Bana
72. Brad Pitt
73. George Clooney
74. Mark Wahlberg
75. Jason Statham
76. Edward Norton
77. Ben Stiller
78. Owen Wilson
79. Vince Vaughn
80. Joaquin Phoenix
81. Russell Crowe
82. Billy Boyd
83. Paul Bettany
84. Heath Ledger
85. Mel Gibson
86. Jason Isaacs
87. Alan Rickman
88. Kevin Costner
89. Christian Slater
90. Antonio Banderas
91. Tom Cruise
92. Ving Rhames
93. John Cusack
94. John Malkovich
95. Charlie Sheen
96. Kiefer Sutherland
97. Emilio Estevez
98. Rob Lowe
99. Matt Dillon
100. Kevin Bacon
So, last quarter, my friend Lauren did a photoshoot, and she invited a bunch of her friends to model. I agreed, and this is how it turned out.
I rather like it.
Well, I'm back at college. It turns out that my grades for last quarter are better than I could have hoped for. Two A's and a B+. I can easily live with that. In other news, socks are happening at my knitting blog. Other things really should be happening in general, like photographs, job searches, grad school searching and other cool things, but I am a bit of a slacker, and I still need to clean my room tonight. That'll be a nice start. And maybe bleach the kitchen sink.
I was excited that Roomie A had cleaned the apartment. It was so shiny! Now we just need to keep it that shiny. Also, I really need to stay awake for my upcoming class. Oh, who's thrilled about 5-8 PM? We'll see. But hopefully tonight I'll pick up my ballroom shoes, which came in the mail! (Hooray!) Then, I'll try to be productive.
Today, as I walked up Grant Ave. toward Columbus (mind you, I was a ways away), I walked through the "gated" entrance to Chinatown. A bit after I entered, I noticed some boys all wearing matching shirts. I then proceeded to walk past a group of them as one declared loudly, "That's the fourth Asian person I've seen so far!" I blanched and continued walking up the hill. The boy must not have made it to Stockton St. or something. Whatever. Race isn't really evident until you make a big deal about it. It's like getting asked if I was "giapponese" all of the time in Rome. It got even better when I heard "sayonara" or "arigato." I really kinda wanted to punch people, but I restrained myself and moved on with my life. That's what it is ... evidence that people can't move past ethnicity. Not that we shouldn't be proud of who we are; our ethnicity, just like our sexual preference or our gender. We are all these things, but I am Amy, and you are exactly who you are, not just some ... let's say, homosexual white male. Just throwing that out there. Don't worry. I'm a heterosexual Asian female, but I go by the name of Amy, so call me that, not "Asian" or "hey you" or whatever. I kinda like my name.
I realized how much I missed this, this blogging thing. I'm not expecting much this time. If people want to read this, I'm thrilled. If nobody stops by, that's all right, too. This will be my space, I hope. I want to be myself here ... well, sans knitting, which is over at Knits from the City, my knitblog. I figure that this'll be fun, since I haven't used LJ in, well, almost forever.
Anyway, if you're out there, I hope you enjoy!
