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because it was important to them: there ought to be as many for love.
I know...I know. I said I would post the photographs from my trip to Colorado weeks ago. Sadly, school causes me to set aside the things in life that are truly important, such as sharing photos via blog. JK
On New Year's Day I jumped in a Toyota Sequoia filled with five guys to make the long drive to Colorado, where we would spend five nights in a condo and six days out on the slopes.
Isn't this beautiful?! As Grant and I were driving into Monarch one evening, I couldn't resist sticking my arm out of the window and taking a photo of these mountains. I think Grant thought I was crazy.
Here is a group of us (Timothy, Wilson, Haley, Jennifer, and me) before we got on the lift. Thankfully our condo was ski in, almost ski out, meaning we only had to walk about a block to catch the lift. I was extremely thankful for the convenience!
This was taken on our first day in Colorado. We left Abilene at 5:30pm on the 1st and got to Monarch at 3:30am on the 2nd. It was about 9am in this photo, and we look surprisingly refreshed. We only stayed in Monarch one day. Looking at the photo, I can almost remember how it was before my view of snowboarding was horribly tainted. Look at me: I look confident. I am loving my board. Who knew that two days later I would be cursing it and saying things like, "Never again!"
The quad lift. During this particular ride to the top of the mountain I remember thinking how ludicrous we must/would seem to people that a) live in tropical regions or b) anyone that lived before the 19th century. We, for some reason, leave our warm houses and our hot chocolate to put on four layers of clothes so that we can ride on a sometimes unstable lift to the top of a mountain, where it's way below freezing, only to ski back down and ride right back up again. We pay quite a bit of money to freeze ourselves to death, and why? Yeah, it's fun. Yeah, it's considered a sport. But don't you think other people look at us and laugh? I bet the first person to ever get rich off of a ski resort did a lot of laughing at our expense, saying things like..."Look at that person with three coats on. Let's see how much he'll pay to ride that rickety lift, and let's see how long it takes him to realize he has the beginning signs of frostbite on his feet."
I like to call this photo, "Before I gave up." This photo was taken during the "honeymoon" stage of my snowboarding experience, but about two hours after it was taken, the honeymoon was over!
This was our condo, the Four O'Clock Run Resort. Many fun times were had here. There were 10 of us in a two bedroom condo, which made for an extremely exciting six days. If you can correctly figure out the sleeping arrangements, you will win a prize. Well, probably not...but maybe.
Haley and I spent many hours throughout the week standing in this exact spot, watching the guys fly down the hill on the sled(s) of death before busting on the "sweet jump". The picnic table behind us, at one point, was used as part of the jump. Figure that one out.
This is what you could find us doing on most nights: lounging around the condo. We sat around the living room and talked, played board games, and watched television. We also ate quite a bit, or at least I did. It's Grant's fault. He brought monster cookies and peanut butter rice crispy treats. You can win my heart with either one...but both?! I didn't stand a chance!
The final photograph ever to be taken of me on a snowboard. I will explain to you why I have washed my hands of snowboarding forever. On the second day Grant and I get off the lift at the top of the mountain and proceed down a blue run. Grant informs me that the run is fairly flat so I need to pick up quite a bit of speed. I say okay. I am doing fine, feeling confident. Grant tells me to switch from toe-side to heel-side. I do. As I continue going I catch an edge that throws me. We did not have any snow the night before, so there was no powder, just this crappy concrete-like ice. I fall hard, first hitting my tailbone, then my head. Grant, because he is a sweetheart, sat with me as I laid there for a few minutes and got my bearings straight. I looked up at him from where I was laying in the snow and said, "Never again", and I mean it. I will never set feet on another snowboard. Grant was kind enough to take me back to Monarch that night so that I could exchange my board for skis. The rest of the trip went without a hitch, no falls...thus preserving my tailbone.
This is the first thing I saw when I got off the lift in Breckenridge: a luau at 13,000 feet. I want to clarify, in case you are confused, that this is still Colorado, not Hawaii. I was tempted to go sit in one of the lawn chairs and ask one of the ski patrol guys if they had any margarita mix, but I pressed on despite the urge.
This was taken one morning before we left to walk down the three flights of stairs to the lift. That night, during a fleeting spell of craziness and ambivalence, Wilson, Jennifer, Grant and I walked down the same flights of stairs and across a snowy parking lot to get to a hot tub, which we weren't really supposed to be in anyway. It was 102 in the hot tub and 13 outside. My body still hates me a little bit for the crazy shock I put it through, especially on the walk back. At least that morning we had enough sense to wear layers.
By the time we stopped on a run, got our cameras out, and tried to move closer together for a photo, we typically would lose our balance. I am pretty sure as soon as the flash went off we accidentally knocked each other down. Often times, needing the break, we would just lay in the snow laughing. We decided laying in the snow puts much less pressure on your knees, so we spent a lot of time doing just that.
One of the runs that the snowboarders loathed because of its flatness. Thankfully I was on skis by this point so I had quite enough time to stop, take off my gloves, take my camera out, and shoot this picture before there was any sign of them. Another reason why snowboarding sucks. They should give them a pole or something. I mean, I had two of them, so whenever I could I tried to share the love.
Jennifer and me on our daily trek into town to do some window shopping and hot chocolate drinking.
The streets of Breckenridge. Right before I took this photo, snowballs had been thrown at Haley, Jennifer, and me from a second-story window by a group of guys. To these guys I want to say, "We will be revenged!"
Starbucks became a mecca of sorts to me during this trip. I knew, when I saw the yellow house, I could find warmth and hot chocolate through its doors. I think I have a Starbucks-dar because if there is one within a two mile radius, I can lead a group right to it...without a compass or anything! I love this Starbucks! Isn't it great? It's like the owners decided that the Breckenridge location should go incognito. Is it a house? Is it a coffee shop? Who can tell?
When the slopes close you really only have one option: Rock out!
I know, I look like a "Cool Runnings" cast member and Haley looks like a fashionable diva-pimp, but we had fun. I think we tried on every hat/wig in the store. If you saw us out on the street, admit it, you wouldn't want to mess with us. You would merely whisper as we passed by, "My, my those girls do look fabulous!"
When you walked down the street from our condo and turned around, this is the view you got. Amazing, huh?
Grant, Timothy, and Wilson clicking their boots in at the top of the main lift in Keystone. If you ever plan on going night skiing, here's a tip: Buy clear goggles. Colored goggles rob you of all depth perception. Imagine flying down a slope and hitting mogule after mogule that you can't see at full speed. It's quite frightening. Being with these boys was scary enough. At one point they went under the orange ropes to take a path that was not marked, nor was it lit. This was interesting. Girls would have never done this.
When we went to Keystone, several people in the group decided not to go out. They sat around in a restaurant instead. This was a good idea for several reasons: it was warm and it had good pizza. The only downfall was the loud and extremely strange mix of music. Think Abba meets Aretha Franklin with a dash of extreme techno.
The group (minus Wilson and me) before watching the O.C. The guys actually planned our schedule around this show. Watching the show was great, but the commentary during commercial breaks was even better. There were seven guys talking about the characters like they are real people. Discussing their histories, what they think is going to happen in the episodes to come, etc. It was absolutely hilarious! I wish I could watch the O.C. with them every Thursday.
Timothy on the green saucer of death. Later that night Timothy took the "sweet jump" on the sled and ended up face-planting in the hard snow. Only a few minor abrasions...nothing serious. The guys always said, "Try it", but I don't think they understood how entertaining and exponentially less painful it was just to stand and watch. Haley and I decided that the famous last words of the guys on this trip would be: "I was trying to hit the jump!"
First mistake: "Grant, I want to ride on the sled but I don't want to go alone. Can I ride down with you?" Second mistake: Watching Grant fly down the hill with little or no attention to what he was aimed at, and still thinking it was a good idea to go with him. Sure Grant...I will go with you. You'll put your feet down if we pick up too much speed, right? You can kind of steer this thing, right? The answer to both of these questions: no. How we survived, I am not sure. How we didn't run directly into the side of the condo, truly an act of God.
The massacre that was Cranium. Our last night we played Cranium: guys vs. girls. We, of course, won. The game was awesome and I don't think I have laughed that hard in a really long time. Between Grant trying to spell ibuprofen and Timothy's impersonations, I couldn't stop laughing.
The group the morning before we left, sans Alejandro and me. Check out the snow on the cars; it made for a long trip home. Thankfully Timothy brought his laptop so I was able to watch a few movies with Grant. The drive home, aside from having to drive through New Mexico, was not bad at all. I was thankful for a safe trip and I had such a wonderful time. I made several new friends and got to ski, which is one of my favorite things. This same group may go back next year. If we do, watch out...and whatever you do, don't take the "sweet jump"!
to take all the flavor out of a peanut butter sandwich." -- Charlie Brown
Startling information will be revealed in this blog.
Have all of you seen "Garden State"? Please say yes. I have had the privilege of watching it several times within the last two weeks, but yesterday was the first time that I sat and watched the ending uninterrupted and without my mind wandering. If you have seen it, think about the scene in the bathtub with me. Andrew and Sam are sitting in the bathtub (fully clothed, of course), just talking about life. I am not sure why, but this scene affected me in a different way yesterday than it has in previous viewings. Though they are not physically touching, the language and the connection between them is so intimate. Their conversation is something that all of us twenty-somethings can relate to...the desire to be with someone and feel at home. Andrew says to Sam, "Safe...when I'm with you I feel so safe, like I'm at home." Who didn't want to reach out and touch the screen at this moment? You know you did; don't even pretend. The intimacy was so palpable we all wanted a piece of it, to be in that moment. We want the closeness, the connection, the recognition that though life is difficult at times, having someone beside you that you love and that loves you in return makes it all worthwhile. This is a piece of the conversation they have:
Andrew: F--k, this hurts so much.
Sam: I know it hurts, but it's life and it's real. And sometimes it f---ing hurts, but it's life, and it's pretty much all we got.
I love that conversation because it is so real. Two people, coming together on common ground, and understanding that though there are ups and downs in everything, what they have is good. True companionship. Earlier in the conversation Andrew talks about when he was a kid he remembers crying so hard that snot was running down his face and his mother, who was holding him, offered him her sleeve to blow his nose on. He says that he knew what love was at that moment. Love is simple. Love is selfless. Love is putting yourself out there...putting your heart on the line. Love is found in moments as small as the one Andrew talked about. In holding someone as they cry or simply listening as they talk. Putting another person before yourself. There are many poignant moments in "Garden State", so if you haven't seen it...go buy it right now.
Okay, I promised startling information, so here it goes. I rambled on and on about "Garden State" because it made me realize some things about myself. If you know me at all, you know I tend to be cynical when it comes to relationships. Most of the couples I know gross me out, this is true. Dating has, at times, seemed pointless because all the guys I have gone out with recently are only looking for one thing, and to that one thing I say, yeah right! These guys have tainted my outlook on all men for sometime now. All of the married people I know are fairly dull and isolate themselves in their house, which to me seems extremely boring. I like flying by the seat of my pants. Going on a vacation at the drop of a hat. Keeping busy. Not having to run my plans by anyone. This all translates into: I am selfish and I cannot pick out a decent, respectful guy to save my soul.
So, now that you have the inside track, you should also know that I have probably been a horrible girlfriend in the past. I never thought of myself as a commitment-phobic, but maybe I was. While getting my undergrad, I dated one great guy, but I was always busy. Rehearsals for plays, stacks of unfinished homework, hanging out with friends, going out with my boyfriend, meetings for my sorority, SING practice, etc. I did not make my relationship with said boyfriend my number one priority because everything else was clouding my view. I used to think that maybe if I had really been in love, love I would have made our relationship my number one priority, but I cannot know that for sure. Anyway, fast forward to present day. I am working on my masters. My classes are not that difficult, and though the workload has increased, I find it is easier to complete. My nights are open, and I would love nothing more than to spend time with someone I love, sitting around the house watching movies or reruns of Seinfeld and Friends or sitting at Starbucks talking over coffee. (Re-reading this I realize it sounds like a personal ad...sad.) It's the little things. The moments where you would love to just have someone beside you to laugh with, even if it's at some stupid Abilene commercial while you're sitting in silence, comfortable, just watching TV. There is a momentary connection there. I want that connection. I feel like maybe I have matured over the past year, and my outlook on relationships is not as negative (emphasis on as). I want a relationship. This is the shocking news. I actually really want to be in a relationship. I have the time to devote to someone I love. I want to be there everyday for someone like I never could before. I have time to catch-up over the phone or meet for a cup of coffee. I can mold my schedule around someone else's. This is new for me, as is the desire to do so. I feel like I cheated not only my ex-boyfriend, but also myself. I understand now what it takes...now all I need is the person I am supposed to be with, and I know this may take years to actually happen, but it is nice to know that I am more open to it happening. I see people in relationships all around me, some functional...others dysfunctional, but I watch and I learn and I am ready to do it up right. This is a big step for me, but I have experienced love before and I now realize I should not have let it go so easily. Next time it comes around I will drop everything...if it's requited, of course.
A few quotes I found and liked:
"A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself -- to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved. Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart."
Leo F. Buscaglia
"To be kind to all, to like many and love a few, to be needed and wanted by those we love, is certainly the nearest we can come to happiness."
Mary Stuart (Scottish queen, 1542-1587)
"I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people"
Vincent van Gogh
"I love a hand that meets my own with a grasp that causes some sensation"
Samuel Osgood
"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are made to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding."
--Jack Kerouac
I think Jack says it best. Passion. Not boredom. Not redundancy. Not stupidity. Not dependency. Not complacency. Daringness. Eccentricity. Brilliance. Boldness. Greatness. A never ending thirst for extraordinary experiences that push you to your limits. This is what I want for myself. This is what I want to surround myself with. Everyone is capable of this "madness". It is like an airborne sickness, brought on by everything I see around me and everything I long for, be it the eclecticness of other cultures or the desire I have for a deep, can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, world series kind of love. I want to burn.
Not much going on this afternoon. Last night I braved Super Walmart with my roommate, which is always an experience. I rewarded myself with what I like to call my "trash" reading, meaning I picked up several magazines such as "People", "US Weekly", "Women's Health", etc. When I am forced to read such heavy material for school, at night before bed I like to read the "trash" lit. Currently, for school I am reading The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I think that's the only novel right now. I am also reading a lot of seventeenth century authors for that class, such as Donne, Jonson, and Herrick. On my own time I am finishing up Smart Women Finish Rich, which I highly recommend to all women, and Emotional Intelligence : Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Both books are extremely interesting, and I hope to be learning from all that I am reading, because if I am not, what's the point?
Well, I am officially off work and headed to the gym. I hope you all have a terrific week.
Taking Back Sunday-"New American Classic"
"We've got to get better," I said, "It's all in your head."
We could live through these letters or forget it all together.
See, the months they don't matter it's the days I can't take,
when the hours move to minutes and I'm seconds away.
Just ask the question, come untie the knot.
Say you won't care. Say you won't care.
Retrace the steps as if we forgot.
Say you won't care. Say you won't care.
Try to avoid it, but there's not a doubt,
and there's one thing I can do nothing about.
When all that we need is just a reaction
it's too much to ask for when there's no attraction anymore.
If chasing our dreams is just a distraction
I want to remember, but I know that I can't go back.
Just ask the question, come untie the knot.
Say you won't care. Say you won't care.
Retrace the steps as if we forgot.
Say you won't care. Say you won't care.
Try to avoid it, but there's not a doubt.
There's one thing I can do nothing...
There's one thing I can do nothing...
There's one thing I can do nothing about.
Just ask the question, come untie the knot.
Say you won't care. Say you won't care.
Retrace the steps as if we forgot.
Say you won't care. Say you won't care.
Try to avoid it (try to avoid it), but there's not a doubt.
And there's one thing I can do nothing...
There's one thing I can do nothing...
There's one thing I can do nothing about.
If you haven't seen "In Good Company", the title of this entry will make no sense to you. If you have seen it, you may second the desire to find the person that is going to be in the foxhole beside you. If you second this "emotion", give me a "here, here."
Last night I went to see "In Good Company" with Eric, and I think it is one of the most brilliant/honest movies I have ever seen. The acting is really raw and real, therefore anyone can understand where the characters are coming from. There is no fluff, no icky sweetness, just life. This is what I, as a moviegoer, want to see more of. How many times a day are things sugarcoated for us in the real world? How often does everything go our way? Hardly ever. Movies don't have to meet all of our expectations. It's sometimes nice if they do, but if it's real it's human and we relate on a true level. To the directors that dare to be raw, real, and in your face...kudos. Continue doing whatever it is you do.
This weekend has been nice. I was supposed to go to Dallas to see April G. in concert, but that didn't pan out and, though I was disappointed at first, it ended up being just what I needed. Friday night I went to dinner with several friends at Texas Roadhouse and then went shopping for myself. I typically never spend money on things I don't really, really need, but I had been wanting to watch a certain movie all week after seeing 20 minutes of it on HBO Family during my lunch break, so I went on a mission to Hastings and immediately bought it. You may be asking, what movie? You will probably laugh. I bought the classic musical "Victor, Victoria" on DVD. I grew up watching Julie Andrews movies, and this used to be one of my favorites. I haven't seen it in about 10 years, but after watching it I love it just as much, if not more. I came home and began watching it, but then made the mistake of laying down under a quilt, which I know never works for me. Within 10 minutes I was asleep. It was only 9:15. It felt great and I finished the movie the next day. I hope Julie and James Garner were not offended by my dozing off.
Yesterday I went to my brother's basketball game at 8:30am. I will never understand why children are forced to play that early on a Saturday morning. On top of that, I am not sure why parents do not revolt. They're always on Saturday mornings...to me that is synonymous with sleep. Later in the afternoon I went over to Rachel's for a few hours and we just sat in her livingroom and talked over drinks from Sonic. I am thinking of joining her Thursday night accountability group, which would be incredible. It's a hodge-podge group of girls from different churches and schools, etc. I think solidarity in that way is extremely important. After leaving Rach's I went to see "In Good Company", which I have already recommended to all of you. Eric and I really enjoyed it and it gave us several ideas to bat around after dinner. If any of you know me, you know I cannot cook. I have always told my mom that if you hold out, you can find men that will cook for you. I am batting three for three right now. Chris used to cook me incredible, extravagant dinners. Grant cooked for me this summer. Last night, Eric made me a wonderful dinner of cheese tortellini and a glass of white wine. Mark my words readers: I will marry someone that cooks for me. Some of you girls may be saying, yeah right...good luck...you want it all. In response to that I say, set high goals for yourself and don't settle for less. If a guy says he will make you dinner, you are in a terrific position. Offer to set the table or clean the dishes, but let him do the cooking. It's wonderful to sit there with your hands on your lap and see how role reversals (in small but substantial ways) can make your life easier. It's a beautiful sight.
Today I went to church and came home to wrap up the editing on several articles. Tonight a few friends are coming over. I am excited that we (students at HSU) finally have Martin Luther King, Jr. Day off! Tomorrow will be spent like the last few days, relaxing and gearing up for Tuesday when we have to jump back into school full-force.
Currently listening to: John Mayer's "Love Song for No One"
Staying home alone on a Friday,
flat on the floor looking back
on old love
or lack thereof.
After all the crushes are faded,
and all my wishful thinking was wrong
I'm jaded. I hate it.
I'm tired of being alone,
so hurry up and get here.
So tired of being alone,
so hurry up and get here, get here.
Searching all my days just to find you,
I'm not sure who I'm looking for.
I'll know it,
when I see you.
Until then, I'll hide in my bedroom.
Staying up all night just to write
a love song for no one.
I'm tired of being alone,
so hurry up and get here.
I'm so tired of being alone,
so hurry up and get here.
You'll be so good.
You'll be so good for me.
"The Room" by Galway Kinnell
The door closes on pain and confusion.
The candle flame wavers from side to side
as though trying to break itself in half
to color the shadows too with living light.
The andante movement plays over and over
its many triplets, like farm dogs yapping
at a melody made of the gratification-cries
of cocks. I will not stay long.
Nothing in experience led me to imagine
having. Having is destroying, said
my version of the vow of impoverishment.
But here, in this brief, waxen light,
I have, and nothing is destroyed. The flute
that guttered those owl's notes into the waste hours
of childhood joins with the piano
and they play, Being is having. Having
may be nothing but the grace of the shell
moving without hesitation, with lively pride,
down the stubborn river of woe. At the far end,
a door no one dares open begins opening.
To go through it will awaken such regret
as only closing it behind can obliterate.
The candle flame's staggering makes the room
wobble and shift-- matter itself, laughing.
I can't come back. I won't change.
I have the usual capacity for wanting
what may not even exist. Don't worry.
That is the dew wetting my face.
You see? Nothing that enters the room
can have only its own meaning ever again.
Caution: The following writing may make no sense, seeing as how I am a bit delirious. I couldn't sleep last night. I just sat at my desk and worked on a poem that I began in December until 3am. I am convinced it will never be complete. Around 3:15 I began picking books off the shelf: Atwood, Nye, Sexton, Hughes, and Kinnell. I am in awe of poets that break down overwhelming ideas so effortlessly, like the aforementioned Kinnell. I vividly recall meeting Kinnell at a reading. I remember, in shaking his hand, feeling as though I had made a connection with a poetic genius. I am sure I hoped that some of his stylistic power would transfer itself from his palm to mine. The same idea came to me as I stood talking to Naomi Shihab Nye again in November. I listened intently to the things they said. I looked for beauty in the way they moved. I paid attention to what their eyes focused on around the room. It seems like true beauty attaches itself to these poets, as if by touching a bystander that person could see into the well of the poet's soul and draw out life altering images and symbols, feeling both the light and the dark of their hearts. It's intriguing to think about. What if by coming into contact with someone, that person could catch glimpses of your heart, your thoughts? I feel, as a reader, that through owning books by these writers I already have a very small amount of insight into their minds. What if by stringing together my previous blogs you could begin constructing a more tangible model of me in your head? What if we could all understand each other on a deeper and more human level, feeling the beauty in the people we brush up against at the grocery store. The art of communication has been lost. Does this mean some form of beauty, in its truest sense, has been lost?
Here are several photographs taken towards the beginning of Christmas break. I know I said I would post snowboarding/skiing pictures, but that is going to have to wait until possibly tomorrow.
This is the Christmas party/going away party we had at our apartment for Danielle and Kim the weekend before graduation. I think Danielle looks out of place without a dog. Maybe we should have "borrowed" the yappy Daschund from downstairs.
Cara and me at the party. This was before the kareoke began and things really started to get wild. Well, not wild but...crazy? Maybe not crazy either. I am kind of dull.
Uh-oh. Even my ex-roommate Sarah made an appearance at this party and she is cool. I guess that means the party was cool. I may call her later and ask her where this party fell on a scale of coolness ranging from 1-10. I think making that phone call would make me a definite loser, no questions asked.
These are the girls that made the party a little wild and crazy. Shannon, Ashley, and Ashley. Look how ghetto fabulous they are. If you will, notice the Smirnoff 40's in Shannon and Ashley's hands. Those will take any dull party to the next level when they are in the hands of these particular girls.
Marjorie's CD release party was in San Antonio the weekend after graduation, so Kris, Kim, and I made the trek to San Antonio and back. At the concert we met up with several HSU grads, which was quite a surprise!
And here are the Cowboys (and girls) flashing their guns. Of course, Cory took it as needing to flash his "guns" because he's just that way.
This is a photo of the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio at Christmas time. Isn't it beautiful?
After the concert we went to a club called Polyesters. This is the bartender, Rod Stewart, and me. Actually, his name is Vincent, but doesn't he bear a striking resemblance to Rod? When I saw him I automatically heard the song "Mandy" in my head. Oh, Mandy...you came and you gave without taking....
And these are photos from what I like to call "The Great Abilene Snowstorm of 2004". I woke up to Mason outside playing and took the opportunity to shoot a roll of film. I mean, how often does it actually snow in Abilene? So, anyway...this is my crazy little brother having a blast in the snow.
Alright, more photographs coming soon. Until then, have a terrific day. It's beautiful outside, so go read at the park. You may pick up some hot guy/girl. You never know....
just like you said it should be.
We'll both forget the breeze
most of the time.
I am back from Colorado sitting in my apartment recovering from the first day back to school. The snowboarding/skiing trip was incredible! Everyone that went was fun to be around and I made a few new friends. While I was in Colorado I realized how much I take warmth for granted. In Texas, when I walk outside and it's 50 degrees I automatically want a jacket of some kind. In Colorado, when I walked outside and it was 12 degrees three layers were not enough and I automatically wanted to seek shelter. Call me weak, but I blame it on the fact that in Texas we do not typically experience harsh winters and crazy snowstorms, so how are we to be prepared? The Starbucks in Breckenridge became my Mecca of sorts; when I saw it in the distance I knew there were warm drinks and a heater on inside and I did everything but sprint down the icy sidewalks to get to it. As for the rest of the trip, I will be posting photographs from the Christmas break sometime in the near future.
Classes this semester seem great so far. I know I will be learning quite a bit of new information in fields I am not well-acquainted with, and for us nerds that is always exciting! Today I had The American Novel and 17th Century Literature. My class times on Mondays are kind of overwhelming right now. I am only taking two lit. classes and I have them back to back from 4:15-5:30 and then from 6:00-8:45. That is a lot of literature to comprehend and keep straight, and a whole lot of reading. I should have spread my lit. classes out more, but I left class tonight excited. I do not just sit down and read 17th century lit. for fun, so I already feel like I am learning a lot and that's the primary goal, right?
Nothing grand to speak of. School, work, everyday chaos and confusion, but it keeps us all on our toes. I figure, as long as I have good music to listen to in my car with the windows down, everything feels (even though it may not be) a-okay.
Currently listening to "Bottom Shelf" by Damien Rice
I take myself from the bottom shelf
and I reel my troubles in,
and I put them up on a higher hill
to a place I've never been.
And I'll wait for you if you want me to.
Am I just wasting my time?
And I'll wait for you if you ask me to.
Am I just losing my mind?
And I'm always hanging on
And I'm always closing doors
And I'm always saying no
No, when I really really want it all.
When I really really want it all.
When I really really want it all.
When I really really want you.
And I'll take myself from the bottom shelf
and I'm on the street again,
but it's the newer town, and the rain comes down
in a place I've never been.
And I'll play for you if you ask me to.
Am I just wasting my time?
Yeah I'll play for you if you want me to.
Am I just losing my mind?
'Cause I'm always hanging on
And I'm always closing doors
And I'm always saying no
When I really really want it all.
When I really really want you.
When I really really want it all.
I really really really want...
Yeah, I really really want it all.
When I really really wanted you.
I take myself from the bottom shelf
and I reel my troubles in,
and I put them up on a higher hill
to a place I've never been.
And I'll play for you if you want me to.
Am I just wasting my time?
And I'll play for you if you ask me to.
Am I just losing my mind?
Am I just losing my mind?
Am I just losing my mind?
Am I just losing?
