All Quiet on the Blog Front

So I realize that I have been MIA for about ten days now but I have good reasons.

Number one: FINALS, need I say more?
Number two: Chicago. I traveled to the windy city with my aunt, sister, cousins, and mom. We had a good ole' time, and it was a nice little break after torturous finals.

However, I am back now and in my hometown....boo.
I will be here for a month and then it is off to Washington D.C. for the big internship! I cannot wait. To pass the time I plan on relishing this month of no responsibility by reading my days away.

Here are some of the books I plan on reading over break:

-On The Road by Jack Kerouac

-Persuasion by Jane Austen

-Howl by Allen Ginsberg




Oh, and I just picked up this copy of Vanity Fair:






I love Tina Fey, and her impression of Sarah Palin was the best!

With a little help from my friends

Well, after my gloomy post last night I was able to finish the day off on a high note (thanks to my room mates). First of all I need to say that my room mates are the best, and they make me laugh until I cry, which was exactly what I needed to do last night. We hung out, went grocery shopping, and my one room mate taught me how to knit! (more on that later)

I am really grateful to have such wonderful friends, I am realizing this even more now because I am leaving for Washington D.C. in January. This week I am really savoring my last days with them.

So here's to the best room mates and friends ever, Britt and Sara!

Debbie Downer

Have you ever seen this skit on SNL? Well, this is how I feel today. This day just started off on a bad foot, and ended on one as well. Today was not suppose to go like this, it was the last day of classes and I really truly only got to enjoy one class. My other classes were key players in my "Debbie Downer" Day. The day was not bad on behalf of receiving poor grades, I am actually doing quite well, but instead I am just having this overwhelming feeling that I get around finals time. This feeling that my work just isn't good enough, and I am not good enough and so on and so forth.
So I proclaim today as my free pass to be down. After today I am going to shake this feeling.

Factory Girl

Over break I rented Factory Girl, per recommendation from a good friend. It was a great movie, and I learned a lot about Edie Sedgwick, whom I knew almost nothing about. Besides being the "It Girl," of the sixties, and Andy Warhol's muse, I had no idea that Edie had so many problems; I won't give away the movie though. One thing I would like to touch upon is her relationship with Bob Dylan, and how it was portrayed in the film. Hayden Christensen played Bob Dyan and no offense Hayden, I think you are a great actor but you did not do Dylan justice. I am a big Dylan fan, and have read numerous books about him, and I am not saying I know all there is to know, but I do know that he was not all mushy and into Edie as the movie makes it seem. Dylan had numerous relationships in the sixites and his and Edie's was extremely brief, and it was not a life changing relationship for Dylan. However, it might have been for Edie. The film made it seem like Dylan and Edie had this great love and that just didn't really happen.... Sorry that title goes to Suze Rotolo.
So that is my opinion on the film, what did you guys think?

The College Girl's Trek Home

Well, it is that time again. When I pack my car to the brim and head south toward home. I have to say I am glad for the break; two eight page papers in two weeks means I need a couple of days off. Not only that, but tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I love Thanksgiving.

Here are some reasons why:
-It is a holiday that centers around being thankful for what you have, rather than thinking about what you want.
-There are not presents involved, so the focus is solely on spending time with the ones you love.
-Last but not least, there is some pretty amazing food involved, and after a couple months of cafeteria food I am ready for a good home cooked meal.

I hope that if you are away from family you have the opportunity to travel to see them, and if not I hope you have a place to go and share the holiday with others.


Safe Traveling....

Folk Revival

Recently, and by recently I really mean today, I wrote a research paper for my history class on the folk revival of the late fifties and early sixties. I must say that this paper was an absolute blast to do.

First of all I must say that yes, I am a folk fanatic, so this is right up my alley. I spent this past summer reading the newly published "Girls like Us," and "A Freewheelin' Time." "Girls like us," was a biography about Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Carly Simon. "A Freewheelin' Time" was a memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties, by none other then Suze Rotolo, Bob Dylan's first real true love. Both books were great, and they really inspired an increased interest in the folk scene of the sixties.
Flash forward to the fall, when my history professor told us that we could pick any topic we like for research papers (as long as the topic was after 1945). I knew immediately that this would be the perfect opportunity to dig deeper into my interest of folk. So I chose the "folk revival," as my topic.
Well, the paper is now finished and I could not be happier with the outcome.
Not only that but this was more of a fun hobby then a dreaded assignment.

Candy

Recently I rented the movie Candy with Heath Ledger and Abbie Cornish. I found this gem of a movie at the rinky dink movie shop in town, which has every movie every made (it is the best!). I was not even aware that such a movie existed, it was strictly by chance that I found Candy as I longingly perused the glorious movie store. When I picked this one up what first attracted me, was that Heath Ledger starred and I think he is a superb actor. Ledger always seems to chose roles with depth to them, and I do not think I have ever been disappointed by a movie of his (well, maybe Casanova....). The second aspect of the movie that drew me in was its description:
A poet (Ledger) falls in love with an art student (Cornish) who gravitates to his bohemian lifestyle -- and his love of heroin. Hooked as much on one another as they are on the drug, their relationship alternates between states of oblivion, self-destruction, and despair.

The movie sounded intense, and it seemed like nothing I had ever seen. After watching the movie I was right on both aspects. The movie was intense and I had never seen anything like; it it was brillant. I highly suggest this movie for its acting and storyline. If you are a follower of Ledger's work you know that he gives 110% on all his roles and this role is no different. Cornish is also outstanding, you truly have to be a great actor to play these kind of roles.
Well, enough rambling about how excellent this movie was. Have I made you decide to go out and rent it for yourself?

RoutanBabymaker

There has to be a little silliness involved in life, right?

Well, I found my silliness for the day through a little thing called the RoutanBabymaker.

Have you ever seen the Routan commercials with Brooke Shields? She expresses her disgust at parents having babies so they can buy the new Routan. Well, Volkswagon has taken it a step further on their website by offering a fun little program that allows you to upload a photo of a mom and then a photo of a dad and meld them together to make your very own "Routan Baby." Sure it is utterly ridiculous, but it is also crazy funny.

So here is your free pass to waste 15 minutes and laugh your head off.......
Go forth and create a Routan baby :-P

Here is the link: http://www.vw.com/vwhype/babymaker/en/us/

6 months and we're back?

Yes, yes I understand my last post was six months ago, but something keeps drawing me back to blogging. Maybe it is all the wonderful blogs that have sprung up. I enjoy reading these blogs so I feel like I should/want to contribute.
But wow, a lot has changed in six months.
We have a new President-Elect, Barack Obama!!!!! It is funny because I was reading previous posts, and I came across one I wrote about Hillary Clinton winning the PA primary. I was upset about that. In the end, Barack won PA so there are no complaints here. I am extremely proud that my country chose Barack Obama as the fourty fourth president. Sure, I had some doubts, but I always had this feeling that when November 4th rolled around, the country would make the right decision. And we did.
Also in the past six months, I became extremely involved with Obama's campaign. I decided that I needed to go out and actually do something about getting him elected instead of being a vocal supporter. Working on that campagin was the best experience of my life. I met so many people that I would not have met otherwise, and I felt a fulfillment from working with my neighbors and peers on a common cause for advancement. The campaign has made my future a lot clearer. I know that whatever I do in life is going to be geared toward the bettering of society, and I will never forget where I learned that from.

Until next time!



P.S. The picture was taken on election night as OH was announced in favor of Obama. :-)

The Million Dollar Question

Yesterday, while I was walking my dog I was thinking of a question that I would really like answered. However, I am not going to tell you what the question was, because that is not the point. I was thinking about this particular question and how if I had the answer to it life would be a lot more simple. Everyone has their own "million dollar question," the question that if answered would provide a clear path and a clear conscience. I always think that I would like to sit down with someone older then me, who has lived a full life, and just fire off rounds of question. But then I began to think.........hey, they cleared their own path, so why shouldn't I? If I had the answer to my "million dollar question" then everything would just fall into place? Then I could stop thinking about the many possible answers I had been forming in my head?
No.
Now what fun would that be? We have to make our own answers to out million dollar questions. The range is limitless and we can explore what answer suits us best, because you know that one piece of advice is almost never enough. I think that is what life is about. You began to learn the answers to all your "million dollar questions" by trial and error. Of course your going to make mistakes and not always choose the best answer, but eventually you will get the hang of it. And then you will have answered that mind blogging question yourself, through years of living.
So I challenge you, next time you form a "million dollar question," try and explore it yourself. Ultimately, the answer you will find will be much more gratifying than any answer that could have been provided to you.

Too many thoughts.....?

As I go about each day I always think....hmm this would be something interesting that I could blog about. I probably think that maybe 5-10 times a day....... It is hard to decipher what exactly I think is worthy of being addressed.
Well, I am going to take a different approach.
Here are some topics that have run through my head during the last couple of days:
1. Selfishness
2. Family life
3. Religion
4. College
5. The United States and our present state
6. How much work kids really are....(I babysat for my sister, she has four)
7.How different things are as you grow up
8.How EXTREMELY weird it is to move back home after two years of college
Okay, I am feeling a pull to number eight, lets go. So after two years of college I am home for the summer, to again live under my parents roof and call Trenton my hometown. Now, don't get me wrong there is NOTHING better than being with my family and being home. But I have to say that it is just awkward. I can definitely notice a difference between last summer and this summer. I just feel out of place. I know that this is, and will, always be my home but I feel like I should not be here longer than a weekend. This is very weird for me, considering how homesick I get, but I am beginning to think that I like home in small doses? This is the first "grown up" feeling I have really had while living at home. I think I have finally adjusted to the new phase in my life. Looking back, freshman year seems like somewhat of a transistion period, you like college because it is so new but also miss the home and town that you grew up in for 18 years of your life. Well, I don't know how the second year changes you, or maybe it isn't everyone, maybe it is just me, but I feel like the second year stablizied me in this new phase of my life.
College students, any thoughts?

Life is Scary

Life is not perfect, and I think embracing its imperfections is what makes the experience fulfilling. For example, there will be fights, trying times, sadness, and despair. However, there will also be joy, faith, love, and inspiration. We have to enjoy the good with the bad. The good may not always outweigh the bad but with strong and loving people in your life the bad will not only be bearable but it will also broaden your perspectives as a person. People today are all about instant gratification, selfishness, and personal fulfillment no matter what the cost. When we learn that life is hard but beautiful, it puts us one step ahead of the game. This attitude will be mandatory if you want to live an enjoyable life. Remember you cannot depend on other people for your happiness because if you do happiness will never be yours. Find yourself first. Let me say it again, FIND YOURSELF FIRST. At twenty years old, I am just coming into my own skin. I have so many more enjoyable years learning who I am ON MY OWN. This is important!!!! One cannot search for a partner until they know who they are on their own. Too many people rely/identify themselves by their significant other, and this is a problem. Life is a crazy roller coaster ride, but if you learn to enjoy the ride and let go of the handle bar once in awhile you are going to feel so much better. Granted, we all want to find that person who we can share are lives with. However, don't rule out spending time with yourself! And I am NOT saying be selfish. I am saying find out what you like, what your dreams are, what contribution you want to give to society.
Become aware of your surroundings and become aware of your SELF.

Thats all................

Cactus Tree-Joni Mitchell

Theres a man whos been out sailing
In a decade full of dreams
And he takes her to a schooner
And he treats her like a queen
Bearing beads from california
With their amber stones and green
He has called her from the harbor
He has kissed her with his freedom
He has heard her off to starboard
In the breaking and the breathing
Of the water weeds
While she was busy being free

Theres a man whos climbed a mountain
And hes calling out her name
And he hopes her heart can hear three thousand miles
He calls again
He can think her there beside him
He can miss her just the same
He has missed her in the forest
While he showed her all the flowers
And the branches sang the chorus
As he climbed the scaley towers
Of a forest tree
While she was somewhere being free

Theres a man whos sent a letter
And hes waiting for reply
He has asked her of her travels
Since the day they said goodbye
He writes wish you were beside me
We can make it if we try
He has seen her at the office
With her name on all his papers
Thru the sharing of the profits
He will find it hard to shake her
From his memory
And shes so busy being free

Theres a lady in the city
And she thinks she loves them all
Theres the one whos thinking of her
Theres the one who sometimes calls
Theres the one who writes her letters
With his facts and figures scrawl
She has brought them to her senses
They have laughed inside her laughter
Now she rallies her defenses
For she fears that one will ask her
For eternity
And shes so busy being free

Theres a man who sends her medals
He is bleeding from the war
Theres a jouster and a jester and a man who owns a store
Theres a drummer and a dreamer
And you know there may be more
She will love them when she sees them
They will lose her if they follow
And she only means to please them
And her heart is full and hollow
Like a cactus tree
While shes so busy being free




Just read the lyrics

My JFK Presentation

So if you personally know me, or are my facebook friend (trust me all facebook friends do not personally know each other.......) then you would know that I had a presentation on the movie JFK this morning.
For my political science class we were each assigned a movie to view and then we had to pick out certain issues that were discussed in class. We were then to write a paper about our issues, and we had the option of presenting our paper for 15 extra credit points.
Who doesn't like extra credit? I know I do, it is like a safety net.
Anyways, my presentation was today and I was very nervous. My professor is extremely knowledgeable in political science and I thought that he would catch/correct me on something.
However, at the same time I was extremely proud of the presentation I put together and really wanted to show it off.
So I said a prayer and went up there and talked about what I knew. Surprisingly, it was much easier then I had expected. I felt confident about the issues I picked, and even more confident when I found out that I was the only one who had made a power point......
I finished my presentation and was waiting for the strict scrutiny (political science term!) of my professor to kick in. Well, it didn't. All he said was.......that was excellent. I am sorry, come again? Did you say excellent Professor Stewart? No questions? No nit picking?
This is me on cloud nine. Instead he asked me how/where I got my pictures for my power point because it was a great addition to my presentation.
Woah, wait. No questions about my issues? Meaning covered everything!??!? HALLELUJAH
What a wonderful start to the day!

Worry Wart or Realist?

So every morning I wake up, get my breakfast and sit down to enjoy it while watching the news. Lately, I have been waking up to an overwhelming amount of bleak news, aka the economy. Whenever I turn on the news all I ever hear about is the struggling economy, the outrageous gas prices, and food inflation. So I search my brain. Is this bombardment of bleak news a cause of the 24 hour news cycle, and that is why I feel like it is all I ever hear about? Or is this what is to come? A great depression maybe? Truth be told, I am not really sure. One thing that I do know, is that I cannot remember a time in my life where the economy and gas prices have sucked so much, and that scares me. However, my dad says that I feel this way because this is the first "recession," that I have been aware of. He reminds that the year I was born (1987) there was a stock crash, he crassly asks me, "Do you remember that one?" Of course I don't. I do not know a person who can recall news from the year they were born. His point being that things were bad then, and I just didn't know about them. Okay, I can agree with that. But answer me this, as long as I have been watching the news (say about every morning since 7th grade) I have never heard the news condemn the economy so much. That scares me.
Now you tell me, am I letting my imagination get the best of me?
Am I paying too much attention to my history class?
Maybe, maybe not. All I know is that all this talk reminds me of the events leading up to the great depression.

Loquacious?

Alright, after being inspired by "Cereal Daters," witty, amazing blog, I have decided to give this another go.
Maybe you are wondering why I chose loquacious as my title, lets just say its my new favorite word. Loquacious is not my favorite word because of its definition, in fact its definition does not describe me in the least.
Loquacious-

1.	talking or tending to talk much or freely; talkative; chattering; babbling; garrulous: a loquacious dinner guest.

2.	characterized by excessive talk; wordy: easily the most loquacious play of the season.

I am an introvert, and word vomit does not happen to me. However, get a good cup of coffee in me and I might ramble for a good hour.
I chose loquacious as my title simply for its pleasing sound. Did you just say it to yourself? I bet you did..... Loquacious..... Nice right?
My second choice for the title tonight was.... "Hillary Clinton, stop ruining my life." Granted, I am not a "Hill hater,'" I am a Obama supporter and Ms. Clinton just happened to win the PA primary tonight. While, her winning the primary is not defeat for Obama, it still gets under my skin. However, if for some wild and crazy reason Clinton does become the Democratic Candidate, I will support her because I cannot take another ridiculous Republican. Sorry Republicans :-(
On, that note I will be signing off for the night.
Go Obama!

Day is Done

Well, here comes the start of the week.
I am actually looking forward to it, I like classes and I like being busy. But most of all I am going home for a four day weekend this week, so I am anxious for my last class on Thursday.
Today was pretty laid back. Church, and then I fell into some sort of sleep coma for the remainder of the afternoon.....nice one alex......
The highlight of my day was going to the mission trip meeting. In March I will being going on a road trip/mission trip with my church, and tonight I found we would be in the D.C. area for a lot of are trip (which is exciting because I have never been to D.C.). But like Matt (our leader and pastor) said, we shouldn't get caught up in the destination but really prepare ourselves for the work God will do through us! It should be a great experience.
LIGHTS OUT

Up and at em'!

I love getting up early in the morning! However, most people do not share this same love and I seem to have to wait for everyone to wake up to really start my day! Here at college the gym doesn't even open til 10!!! Ugh.......
Anyways, I was checking out the morning news and I found an interesting article on Washington Post. The article was pertaining to Democratic Presidential Candidate John Edwards, and whether or not he will stay in the race (as it is becoming a horse race between Clinton and Obama). The article also mentioned that if he does drop out of the race he is most likely to endorse Obama (which seemed quite obvious if you had seen the NH debate last Sat.).
So if you are reading this post, I am eager to know what your opinions on the presidential race? I understand some people like to keep this information private (which really came as a surprise to me when my mom told me that some people are very secretive about their politics. I guess because I have grown up in such a bare all world where you can find everything about everyone on facebook :) hahah).
Anyways if you feel like sharing, I would love to hear your opinion!

I have succumbed to blogging.....

Hello Blogging World... :)

Blogging is something I have always wanted to try. I read all of the food diary blog's, and I think they are all really interesting but I don't know if I want to turn this blog into a food diary. I think that this blog will be a representation of me as a person. I will talk about my day, things of interest, the 2008 campaign trail (Go Obama!), and of course NEWS! I am a Journalism major and double minor in political science and history. So this blog will hopefully improve my writing and get me used to the new future of journalism, the internet! Feel free to comment on whatever you like.