Today I will chain myself to my desk until I get a solid amount of my Southern Literature paper written. Here are some tunes I’ve had spinning the last couple of days. Hopefully these will help me with the big effort today.
And then this is for when I finish my work:
Falling off the face of the earth (to a little-known land called, Connecticut) was exactly what I needed for the holiday break. I worked my tiny tail-feather off for weeks in advance so I would not have to depress a single key on my keyboard in the name of schoolwork for the last five days (six, including my birthday. Who wants to work on that day?). It took me about three hours yesterday to finally feel like I was back in order and school-mode.
Highlight of today: Turning in my first final paper, Modern British Poetry. I am impossibly happy to have one totally out of the way so I can focus on the other two. Only two and a half weeks left. Me can do it.
Last night I finished Little Bee by Chris Cleave. I began the book last week when I told myself I would spend my birthday reading for pleasure and would not dare let an eyeball stray toward schoolwork. It’s been a while since I’ve jumped into a book and allowed myself to stay in there until it was over. Of course I haven’t had much time to devote myself to leisure reading, what with the fifteen other novels I’ve read since August, countless short stories and nearly 90 poems (those don’t count though, do they?), I just haven’t had the motivation, time, or eye strength to muscle through a novel I chose for fun. And on that point, who really wants to muscle through a book that is supposed to be a treat? In short, I really liked this book and am glad I found the time over the short break to give it the attention it deserves.
If you haven’t read Little Bee run to the nearest bookstore (archaic, much?) and grab it. Not so you can read before you go see the movie (another one bites the dust. Le sigh), but so that you can devour it as soon as possible. The back of the book purposefully does not give away much, so neither will I. Essentially, the story is about two women who are faced with devastating consequences of misunderstandings, inequality, depression, and heartache. Vague enough for you? I love the way Cleave uses the dual narrative to constantly shift perspective and tonality. The text is quite reader-friendly, which makes it a quick read. The story line, at times difficult to digest, also moves a pretty good clip, moving between the past and present, constantly propelling the book forward. Little Bee is a very honest and sincere book, one that will make you ponder your place in the world and help inspire some of that “gratitude attitude” everyone is talking about this time of year.
Photo courtesy of bestsellers.about.com
Today is the day I will treat myself. Here’s what’s on the agenda:
Talk about a pamper day! What’s going on?
Es ist mein Geburtstag. Es mi cumpleaños. C’est mon anniversaire.
It’s my birthday! Lucky number twenty-five, it’s my oldest birthday yet. Any advice for this upcoming year? I mean, I have reached a milestone here with my quarter-century day of birth celebration. I’d love to hear some feedback.
I hope you have a similarly spectacular day! Huzzah!*
Post Script: If you have a couple extra minutes, check out what Mr. Adam has to say here. Major swoon happening.
*It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I could tell you missed it.
These pictures were taken at the beach today. Note the date.
I love living in the South, near the ocean. How will I ever go back to Kansas??
I promised I had a view more pictures up my (now long) sleeve (because it just got chilly here) so let’s get to some more viewing.
One part Washington Square Park + one part people-watching sesh + one part willing boyfriend model =Super Opportunity for taking photos
This was the money-shot of the afternoon. I was taking a bunch of pictures and all the sudden this flock appeared. Bonus points for shutter speed!
Such a good model. Doesn't even mind me snapping photos of him thinking thoughtfully.
I really love this picture. I think I said (admittedly, in a slow, creepy voice), "Turn around and look at me."
And now for the main event: the basketball games. When Adam’s family found out KU would be playing at Madison Square Garden this whole trip started coming together<—Obviously, they are some pretty dedicated fans. While I am not a KU fan (GO CATS!!), nor a Kentucky, Michigan State, or Duke fan, it was so great to be in “The Most Famous Arena in the World,” as well as see a little history (Get it, Coach K!). The evening was a great way to round out a fantastic trip.
Adam and I pregaming before all the hoops.
I didn’t really have a team to cheer for so whenever something really exciting happened and I felt I wanted to celebrate just as hard as all the other fans I would just yell, “Go Sports!!”
Don’t judge, but seeing a celebrity is always a little thrilling, like animals out of their cage (too far?). Adam’s sister spotted Paul Rudd (went to my rival high school in Kansas City, no big deal) and Jason Sudeikis (also a KC resident, major representation here) and I went in for the super-zoom. I split my time pretty equally between watching the sports and watching the dudes. Yes, I just became that girl. Dangit.
What's up, celeb-u-stalking?! Mad props to the serious zooming on my sexy camera.
Probably whispering sweet nothings into each other's ear. Or something like, "I miss Kansas so much."
Post Script: Being Freshly Pressed was totally neat! Thanks for reading!
Four days in New York City and the most significant pictures I took were at the Museum of Modern Art*. What should we make of taking pictures of art? I certainly wasn’t the only one there snapping photos, but when I think about it, it’s kind of silly, right? When did looking at the painting/sculpture/drawing/installation just once become not enough? Now, we feel a need to take artful pictures of art, as if the meaningful experience of strolling through the museum just isn’t enough anymore. Before I give us all a headache from extreme eye-rolling, why don’t we just take a look at some of those fancy photos.
Finally! A stylish way to store all my impressive books. NYC backdrop not included.
Now, where did I put my keys?...
Light Installations are cooler on the diagonal
This is a sculpture by the Swiss artist, Alberto Giacometti. Fun fact: his face is on the 100 Swiss Franc note.
Pollock
Just thinking. Hard. Thinking hard about art.
*I actually did manage to take a few more photos, which I will share with you later.
Things that make the fact that it’s Friday even BETTER:
Yesterday I went for a walk. The day was too good to be true: sunny and 72 degrees. Yes, this is why I moved to the South. The only indicators that it is in fact fall are the rare trees changing colors and the hues of red, orange, and yellow that are sparsely scattered on the ground.
There's somthing about light streaming through the trees that always makes me take pause.
Wouldn't it be nice to receive post in this letter box each day?
"Who goes there?"
Scholars in their natural habitat.
I have this really great JCrew jacket that is going into its second year in my possession. It has seen a lot–literally, it’s been to a couple different countries with me–and I realized that before I break it out this season I needed to make a couple repairs. Most specifically involving the buttons. Two out of the four fell off, you see, and for the last couple months or so that I was wearing it I was walking around in my jacket like a scrub, with buttons missing, trying to wrap it around me like a straight-jacket. Adam and I are heading to New York City this weekend to meet up with his family and since it’s so stinkin’ cold everywhere else in the country (it’s 72 degrees here, by the way. Hee hee hee) I will definitely be bringing my jacket. Cue me not wanting to show up like a fool. Enter Project Runway–Home Edition.
Old button
New Button— I wanted something with a little more pizazz. Something that could really compete with my sparkling personality.
Somehow without the help of Tim Gunn I managed to complete my project. Oh yeah, I got skillz.
Salty, steamy mass of chicken fingers and fries = -10 points
Drinking a Diet Pepsi with the mess of fried foods = +2 points
Wearing exercise clothes while eating chicken and fries goodness = +4 points
Watching TV while scarfing and slurping down lunch= -3 points
Feeling stressed because there is so much (expletive) work I need to do for school, and a huge take-out of chicken fingers and fries with a side of Ranch is a craving that I just need to satisfy = a jillion positive points.
A Broad At Home 