recruit like a champ

Back at Butler and on the midst of Recruitment week and all its craziness. Although we have full days and im so tired right now im not even sure if im actually typing words, there has been such amazing sister bonding and ridiculous moments around here. The reason why I am still up is because I am trying these Crest Whitening strips for the first time and have to wait 30 min to take them off. I would totally do this and wait to put them on at midnight... Anyways, I went to catch up on my favorite blogs and found these pics on Yvan Rodic (Facehunter's photo journal). These guys are so... I cant even think of the words right now because im so tired... but cool! I had to share the beauty of these people, lifestyle, ...whatever. My dad's younger twin is totally the 2nd pic. Face, quirkiness, not to mention -im pretty sure he would wear those clothes back then.

I hope you are all enjoying yourselves! Hoping the next time I write, we will have our new Alpha Chi Omega's!!

hope for the best, prepare for the worst

Two more days until I go back to school! Im going back a week early because it is Recruitment week and I am soo excited!! After helping some girls make a split decision yesterday if they should go through recruitment week, answering all their questions made me remember all the reasons why I love my house and how much it has done for me! A week all about sisterhood, alpha chi and henious activities around the house =cant wait!

Since this is a new semester/year, I usually would go on about what I will be doing differently and my goals for this next semester (especially because I went on about how It feels like I was ending a chapter and opening a new one, earlier this break). I really just think I need to soak up what my life is right now and live it because im pretty sure my life will never be like this ever again haha. But of course keeping the focus and working hard aspects of life. I should also add the "not blowing up money for stupid things" and save up, for what is to come after this fake life I am living. And of course, still thinking of dance companies/ jobs/ real life to audition for ...ok just kidding there is a lot to think about here haha. A quote I found that really defines this moment, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst". I mean not that that's not impossible or anything but I felt that this is an appropriate time to think this right now.

Many errands to do before hopping on the plane, such as exchanging all my Christmas money into quarters for laundry. Which I can remember, have 2 weeks worth waiting for me in my room because I ran out after thanksgiving break; causing me to go crazy if I ever saw anything silver, round, and not necessarily shiny on the ground. Gross. I actually never bought myself my Christmas gift, because the plan was to buy myself a new dress for recruitment but my mom got me a really nice dress for Christmas already! So I think Im going to treat myself to a nice massage and an itunes gift card -a new playlist for a new year!

resolutions and an inspirational illustrator

I hope everyone had a fun and great New Years! And you all are super excited to start this new year and its new beginnings! How I am already up here at 10 a.m and ready to go, I have no idea haha.
Resolutions are the talk of the town this time of year and well out of the buzz I hear, Im thinking we are going to start to see a happier and skinnier America! I can totally see a political cartoon that pictures the U.S.A on an eliptical. What joy.
This was a hard one for me this year but i'd have to say, stick with the plans. Meaning, all my short-term goals MUST HAPPEN! Such as, (besides living everyday fabulously) getting a new seasonal job, dancing/exercising more when on breaks, and possibly -a car! Speaking of cars (which will most likely be the last on achieving), I have a slight obsession over Smart Cars. The day that I will get one will probably be never; but hey im still on a holiday, there's no need to think reality right now. Needless to say, check out this video off of Nylontv and the man who illustrates for Smart Cars! Sounds like the coolest job ever

I wonder if he owns a smart car...? Happy New Year!

Here's to a fabulous 2011!

Two thousand Ten

I feel like this day last year was only yesterday and I can remember it perfectly. I remember a quote perfectly that was said, "This year is going to be a good year, I just know it." Boy, was it false and boy, was it ROUGH. I think I learned more about life this year than my whole 19 years of living through all the experiences that was dealt with. In which... I have never been so glad and thankful to have experienced them. Good or bad experiences, I am here, now feeling stronger and wiser than ever and anxiously waiting to get back to reality -but this time, playing by my rules.

I read an article in the The Lyre, a magazine that all Alpha Chi Omega sister's nationwide get, and there was a story titled, Winter Renewal, by Cheri O'Neill (Ball State University alumni). She wrote how her favorite season is winter, simply because it is like nature is giving you a clean slate. All the color is gone from the trees and the snow blankets the ground. There is a new, blank canvas awaiting for you to write in. Now call it quiencidence but right before I left for home, I kept going on, telling people that I felt like Im ending a chapter of my life for some reason and when everything returns it will be a new adventure and asking everyone if there feeling the same. It's only winter break and I have a whole semester left until Im halfway done with college! (wow scary thought right there). It might have to do with the insane-ness of my last three weeks of school. Or maybe it is because its Recruitment week once we get back and we are going to get our new baby Alpha Chi's! In which I've never been so excited for anything! Well, whatever the reson, Im glad there are signs everywhere that I am thinking in the right path (this includes quotes in Dove chocolate wrappers! I know I am so taking this all literally but hey what can I say). Excited for the new year and I am looking foward to what 2011 has to offer!I hope you are too -Happy New Year! xx

take me here

words cannot describe how much I would love to be here right now, right this second...

black swan

I saw this movie with my AXO sister's as a study break during finals week. After slowly stumbling out of the theater, confused and messed up, I was emotionless and literally no words could come out of my mouth. Now that I think back on it, personally, I really did NOT like it. But I know a ton of people who have been raving about this pyscho thriller that mentally messes you up so I think I should say its a Love or Hate film. The psychological emotions and mental state of being a perfect ballerina turns Nina into being a dancer that I hope I never see in anyone I know. Sadly, I do know there are probably people out there who think the way character Nina does and of course, some aspects of her characteristics I get and can see why she acts the way she does. But I think most dancer's would think the same. So overall, I was not the biggest fan of this movie. But I was a very big fan of the casting and how accurate the character parts were and not to mention -their costumes! Natalie Portman sold me into believing her portrayal of a perfectionist and in that young innocent state of mind of a dancer who wants to be perfect even though she was older than she acted and looked. The mom was a typical stage mom but grown up so now she's psycho "lets baby my daughter and make sure she gets what I, myself wanted but couldn't become" mother.
I could go on about how great each character was but I really wanted to mention how great the costumes were too! I love the scene when Natalie Portman (Nina) wore the light pink yumiko with a white trim and Mila Kunis (Lily) wore the same yumiko but in black and a white trim. And my fav part ...guess who made the ballet costumes? Rodarte! Of course they did because they were absolutely gorgeous and they had beautiful detailing! Here are sketches I found by Kate, one of the designers of Rodarte
Click them to see larger in detail

chocolate gingerbread men

It's an all time tradition for my mom to make homeade gingerbread cookies and for me to make the icing and decorate them for Christmas dessert! This year my mom was a little distracted by the new dishes she wanted to test out for this festive dinner and we forgot to get confectionary sugar aka the main ingredient for icing. So before the guests arrived, my cousin and I searched high and low for anything that would taste good with gingerbread and we found chocolate chips! So we melted the chocolated chips and shook some random green sprinkles to it give some festivness and wahlah!...
Now these were our test decorations and we didn't have much time to think about our chocolate "art" but you can think of so many different ways to decorate and it looks so chic as well as yummy! Actually, I think I prefer with the chocolate than icing now!

Olivia Palermo for Vogue Spain

Still a little on the stiff side to me but way better than her ad for Mango with her delicious boyfriend Johannes. She looks like she's having fun this time

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

Today, in my on-going quest to find a new job around here and struggling with the whole seasonal "Yes I am in college, But ill be back!" line, I heard from a friend that the Paper Source store in our quaint little town center needed seasonal workers. I quickly stopped by and asked a sales associate if they were hiring and if I could fill an application. The lady said that she thinks they have filled all their spots but just in case they might need someone during these next few weeks, she gave one to me. About three-fourths of finishing the 4 page application, writing in the best handwriting I have ever written in, the manager comes out and introduces herself. About 2 seconds after she asks who I was, she goes off about how they don't need anymore people and doesn't know when she wants to "re-organize" her staff again, "But you can finish that application if you want too", she adds. OK great, let me go waste some more tree bark, just so you can feel good about how many people want to apply to your store. I quickly finished the application as my handwriting became less readable throughout the end and said "Thank you, Have a great Christmas."
I walked across the street to a Starbucks just to stand for a couple seconds because I didn't want to walk all the way back to my car in the blistering cold. I guess I looked pretty down and a boy working asked if I was alright and how its Christmas Eve, nobody should be looking blue. Usually I would just say yes Im alright, laugh a little, and then blame it on the weather but instead I told him a short version of the story and how I am in desperate need of just a normal job. He chuckled a little and said, "Guess that's life for us people around here", and then gave me a coffee on the house! It totally made up for what just happened and made me realize its Christmas, go home!
Driving back home drinking my coffee then realizing, if I drink coffee past a certain time of the day, I DONT SLEEP! I got home to my mom in the kitchen yelling throughout the house, when of course everyone was just standing right next to her, that we are going to two churches and going through two masses tonight (because my stepdad is Methodist and we are Catholic). 3 hours of the Nativity story and counting how many Poinsetta Plants are on the altar!? Good thing I drank this coffee! ...MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!

Holiday Mix

Christmas is my favorite time of year because of the cozy, warm, happy mood it puts people in. Drinking hot beverages while walking in the snow or smelling warm cookies in a room filled with festive lights and people is just so magical for me. Whether your at a party, having quality family time, or even by yourself, the music in the background is really what makes all the magic happen. These are my favorites that put me in the best mood whether im all alone drinking my marshmellow filled hot cocoa or in a room filled with warm people :)

-"Let it Snow" -Ella Fitzgerald
-"Last Christmas" -GLEE's version
-"The Christmas Song" -Nat King Cole
-"Happy Holidays" -Andy Williams
-"Santa Baby" -Eartha Kitt
-"Have yourself a merry little Christmas" -Frank Sinatra/ Ella Fitzgerald
-"Jingle Bells" -Ella Fitzgerald
-"Chesnuts roasting in an open fire" -Michael Buble
-"Sleigh Ride" -Boston Pops
-"Silver Bells" -Stevie Wonder
-"All I want for Christmas is you" -Mariah Carey

the adventure

HOME in VIRGINIA! Not really sure if I am extremely happy that I am because I do miss Butler already, but im sure loving no work and no deadlines!

So getting here from Butler was pretty much the most epic life changing learning experience ever, I can't even explain in words how our 16 HOUR ROAD TRIP home was. My friend and I left Butler at 4a.m to beat the snow storm that was going to hit Indy but when we walked outside it had already started. About to leave, we saw a boy coming from his car who just came from the airport, which in quincidence knew where he came from and who he dropped off because he is a friend of a friend of ours, said we should wait till morning because its pretty bad out there. Well the determined and brave people we are (not really we just wanted to go), decided to suck it and leave. We drive through Indiana really well considering the EXTREME SNOW and ICE conditions out there and make it to Ohio!! We do a little victory dance at a rest stop and then keep driving through this very long state, in pitch black darkness.

Were driving through Ohio and wait for daylight to come and we are soo close in reaching Columbus ...WE GET A FLAT TIRE!, right in front of the Columbus 11mile sign. We call AAA to put her spare tire on and drive to the closests tire store. My friend being super upset because she just got a flat tire two days ago and MADE sure all the other tires were good to go for this trip, we wait for 2 hours to get it fixed. While waiting, the positive side is that there was a Target next to the tire store and we went shopping to get our needed extra socks, coffee, and did our Christmas shopping there! We finally get back on the road putting us 3 hours behind. Still driving through Ohio we pass by parts of Cleveland which was really pretty! Looking at the cute houses and neighborhoods from a higher ground while listening to old school Christmas songs, we thought we were in a Christmas story book. Which is a lot better in the fact that, when we were driving thru Indiana's snow storm listening to old school 90's music we thought we were in a movie, kind of like Dumb and Dumber.

We go through Pennsylvania pretty well and then West Virginia which had beautiful mountains. We get a text from our friend and my mom to be careful because the roads are really bad in Maryland and back home. After going through just getting out of Butler, we hoped it wasn't as bad and we thought we were prepared for anything after that. Driving through West Virginia for about an hour or two, there were times when we didn't even know where we were because there was no signs, any life forms, or anyTHING around but somehow we finally got to Maryland!

Seeing that Welcome to Maryland sign was the biggest relief but little did we know it was going to seem the longest ride ever from there on. We drove along the mountains and curvy roads while it started to sleet, snow, i dont even know, from the sky. Although it was really pretty, everytime I took a picture of something pretty I kept on missing and then my PHONE DIED. Then 10 minutes later ...my FRIENDS PHONE DIED!! So now we have no connection with the outside world and hoping that nothing wrong happens because if so, we were screwed. Getting deeper into Maryland, the roads are getting scarier along with the stuff coming from the sky, hitting our really fogged up window. We saw a car in every ditch we saw and a GIGANTIC truck on the other side of the road on its SIDE, facing the other side of traffic, with its front side smashed and going down the mountain, and rangers on the street looking for missing pieces of the truck. We were scared but the brave selves we were, kept driving cautiously and just said, wow you know when your on the east coast when you see all this and people are bitches on the road. It's getting dark and I guess this part of Maryland thought they shouldn't put any highway lights around as we drove in pitch black darkness ...again. During this hour of the trip, the roads were getting really icy and there was fog coming from the ground -kind of like this year in the beginning of Act 2 of our Nutcracker when the angels come out and then when they would slip on stage, every performance. Because we really did not know where we were in the country, it actually looked like we were in outer space. But lo and behold, we see from our front window a huge mountain of LIGHTS -CIVILIZATION! It was a HUGE city of Maryland but it wasn't Baltimore, so we really did not know what it was -maybe it was just an illusion because after that it went back to the outer space thing again.

We finally get onto I-270 and 495, highways that we actually know and see signs for WASHINGTON/ NORTHERN VIRGINIA! We knew we were almost home by the ridiculous construction and the mean drivers that cut you off then drive slower once they are in front of your or tailgate you with their high beams on. THIS IS GREAT! We saw the landmark Tysons Corner and the huge buildings and its distractions it brings to the highway and we SCREAMED alleluia!! We got off on our exit and the rest is history...



Not once did we get lost due to my awesome directional skills or died! It was a pretty great story/ experience to top off my last three weeks of the semester and its ridiculousness of what we had to go through. Now it's time to be fun again and enjoy this holiday!

I have a feeling this will be the last time I write till im free again...

I was soo into my blog again and wanted to keep writing during this break! Anyways, I am back to Butler in my cozy house sitting in my semi holiday decorated room. I actually came back yesterday afternoon with only two other sisters and boy was this house creepy! There was one point in the early night when I was here by myself! So last night we decided to sleep in another dormitory where our other friends live because there was no way we were going to sleep here with just the two of us. Class starts tomorrow and Im working on all the work that I didn't get to do during break. I have a feeling my "downtime" in the theatre this week wont be as "down". Im slowly hearing people coming in and unpacking while Christmas music is already playing in their rooms. It's great. Just cleaned out my mug and our coffee maker, where my expresso beans our waiting, for my 7am wake up call. This is gona be great... here we go!

turkey was great, now lets listen to bing crosby!

Thanksgiving was fabulous just like the company I have been with this week! Although the trips back and forth in the mornings from my dads to moms got quite annoying -it was well worth it! I got happy family time and learned a lot from both sides of my family. Leaving tonight for my dad's to go to the airport tomorrow morning back to Butler, I am fully equipt for the next last 3 weeks of 1st semester. Here's how it goes: Week 1 -Nutcracker! Week 2 -Dance Finals. Week 3 -Academic finals ...then Winter Break! Got my suitcase filled with warm clothes, fully sewn pointe shoes, espresso coffee (gona need this real bad), secret santa gifts, and my half done homework. Of course this is the best time of year with everything going on but its busy, busy, busy! And for those of you who know me, knows how much I LOVE the holiday season! Yay! And what better way to come back to a house of red and green! (alpha chi colors ...i know so ironic and a little henious). But I shouldn't get so ahead of myself since I am still under that turkey's spell and still have a ton of work to do before we start on monday...
Anyways, I had such a great break and im so excited for the holiday season to begin!

couldn't resist this picture

Thanksgiving Break and Im finally home in the 703! I couldn't wait and was so excited I literally threw in 2 t-shirts and 2 pairs of pants in my suitcase and called it a vacation! Well along with my laptop and my homework that probably all weighs 300 pounds in total. They should call it Thanksgiving work not break, but oh well at least im stuffing my face while doing so.

Catching up on all my favorite blogs I came across this picture from The Sartorialist. Taken on the street of Madrid, I think this little boy is ready to be pinched and squeezed at Thanksgiving dinner!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

roomate love

I know it has been way too long -these past 2 months have just been so crazy busy it has felt like a whole lifetime that I have not been on this! But don't worry savvy readers, Im going to try all my keyboarding skills to keep writing on this for now on. haha

Living in Alpha Chi has been a blast and I am so fortunate to have this many loving sisters around -all in walking distance. This Halloween weekend was not so typical because well I am very sick and have no idea what I have. but our house won a fraternity's event and got to get in the biggest party of the year ...EARLY!! So of course I had to go and make my bad life decision once again but in doing so spending some ridiculous quality time with my roomates just minutes before. After changing 30 times of what my costume would be I ended being a pink cat? Yea I dont really know it was quite questionable throughout the night haha. But it didn't matter because I had so much fun with all my sisters and friends it was a pretty epic night. Now the morning after -not so much haha. I thought I was actually dying when I woke up. But again, I have my roomates to thank for being such awesome people and "disinfecting" the room with me -along with reminiscing the night before. Yes, I do feel like a truck just hit me but at least I have some pretty great memories!

Room 14!

Bon Voyage!

Back to Butler tomorrow morning! Sophmore year here I come! It's been great, VA -see you in November!

OMFG

YES YES YES CAN'T WAIT SEPT 13!!

Manage your Manila, then You Will Be at Peace

5 more days until im back to Butler!! Words can't even describe how excited I am! I don't even know what to expect how this year is going to go. It's like I know how life is there but it is still foreign of all the newness this year is bringing! Like living in my sorority house! Oh well, I guess im just going to have to take this unknown anticipation one day at a time this week. Packing is actually going pretty well, suprisingly. I think it has to do with leaving most of my stuff there and then thinking "woah this is going to be intense" as I looked at the piles of clothes in my room this past weekend. So im literally just packing on what I actually need. Im flying anyways so I can't even bring everything I want. But thats all right, thats what sisters are for right?! Hah

Anyways, there are lots of things to cover before I go back to school that I need my family for, in which that is why, it has to be before I go to school. Like my loans and bank stuff. I think after this process is over, if i ever hear the words loan, chase bank, or wow your going to be in so much debt after college, I will shoot myself!! And of course having divorced parents makes it ten times worse especially trying to communicate with both resolving one problem at a time. So many beige folders in my face -im suprised I haven't even touched them with pink sharpie's yet! But it's a good thing that I know everything and what is going on, how much Im going to have to pay when I get out of college and etc. Im also changing banks after I found out that my whole family has too -great thanks for telling me guys! And then getting overdrafted and having delay transactions constantly. Oh goodness

So yesterday my stepdad and I went to the new bank and got everything re-organized and such, so hopefully this account will be in tip-top shape before school starts. Afterwards we went to starbucks and talked about the bank stuff, loans, and just life in general. It was great bonding time since we hardly ever get to. He talked about his work or well said as much as he is allowed too, which lasted about 5 min haha. My stepdad works for the government -that's all I know. As a matter of fact, thats all anyone knows who doesn't work with him, including my mom. Growing up, of course, living around here, a lot of my friends parents had these types of jobs as well and when they said they weren't sure what their parents did, they really didn't know ahaa. He left for a business trip last week and I offered to take him to the airport but we weren't even allowed to know what airport he was flying out of! Crazy stuff. Anways, sitting outside at the starbucks on that very rainy day (just missing the huge storm that hit here) while Billie Holiday playing in the background was very relaxing and comforting. I love these moments where you have a big event going on in your life and you are just waiting for it to happen. Like right now as im pretty much almost packed already, there's nothing left to do but to relax and enjoy your company and what your life is of right now. Kind of like performance season. My favorite time of dancing is the week before the shows. Everyone is together at most during this time, there is so much energy and its so exciting. And you are ready -you are just waiting for it to happen. Although this is weird because sometimes I absolutely hate waiting -actually everytime that doesn't have to do with "the week before"...something i hate so much.

This summer was really eye-opening. It's a bit complicating to explain but making all of these projects and artwork just made myself more myself -if that makes sense. Im here now sitting with my grandparents on this very humid night, absolutely doing nothing. They are both reading the Chinese newspaper and we are eating watermelon . this is the life...