The Lone Bagpipe Player

It's Memorial Day weekend. As my family and I were driving to mass, we experienced something beautiful. Our route to the church involves driving by a small cemetery, and standing in the middle of it, facing one of the graves, was man dressed up in the full costume of a bagpipe player. His beautiful melody floated across the cemetery, a beautiful thank-you to all the soldiers buried there. It was a touching tribute to all those soldiers who were/are fighting for us.

I want to say thank you to this man. He showed what it means to be an American. It's more than just flying a flag; it's about living the ideals that our country was founded on, and remembering all those who strive to protect us and make our country what it is today.

I have an uncle who is currently stationed in Iraq. God bless our troops.

Weekly Wodehouse #13

He had the look of a frustrated tiger whose personal physician had recommended a strict vegetarian diet....

~P.G. Wodehouse

Bike Ride and British Comedy

Today, to celebrate the first day of summer vacation (for my brother) I decided it would be fun to ride our bikes up to the library. It was a beautiful day; not too hot or too cold and the breeze was just right. We made it there in about half an hour, but we didn't stay for very long. Our problem was that we could only check out what we could carry back, and since I was the only one who brought a backpack (and a small one at that-- more of a purse than a backpack), we could only check out a few items. We ended up with the full collection of episodes from the BBC One series Blackadder, starring Rowen Atkinson.

Neither of us have watched this series before, but for the last few summers, my brother and I have started a tradition of sorts. We watch one movie every weekend, and British comedies during the week. I know it might sound silly, but there is something about the British sense of humor that we just love! So far, we've watched all of A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. We've made a slight dent in the collections of Monty Python and Mr. Bean; Blackadder is untouched as of yet, and we're almost done with Fawlty Towers.

Those are the only series that we know of as of yet, so if anyone knows of another British comedy series that is a must see, then please let me know!

Revisiting Odysseus

The other day, had a dream about Odysseus. It was hard, since my subconscious chose to relieve a day that I preferred not to look at right now. For those of you who don't know, Odysseus had told me that he wasn't interested in dating me...and lots of other things besides (He not trying to be mean; please don't get that impression of him; but just the same, the things he said were hurtful). I'd still prefer not to go into it all right now.

But, in my dream, it was the same situation where he was walking with me and telling me how sorry he was, and how wonderful he thought I was, and just as before, he words seemed false and hollow, even though I know he was trying as hard as he could to be gentle with my emotions. I don't know why I had to experience the whole thing again, and why I was thinking about him...

I found myself getting angry in the dream; not with him, but with myself. Angry that I was crying and that I couldn't control my emotions.

He wouldn't look at me.

How to Kill a Mockingbird

I LOVE Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, but part of me kinda wishes it could be as awesome as this movie ;)

Second Life

It's been the longest time since I've been on my Second Life account, but it was nice to see everything again. Most of my online friends weren't on, but I met this awesome guy named Max while we were in ROMA (one of the places you can explore-- based on Ancient Rome) and we had a great time! :) This picture here is of my avatar, as is my profile picture.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I'm sure most of you have heard of that book already...Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, published by Quirk Classics, made quite a stir when it first came out. Obviously, there were many enraged Jane Austin fans who did not appreciate having their beloved classic torn apart by "unmentionables" with a taste for human flesh. For a while, I refused to read it; I didn't want to see a classic torn apart and besides...I didn't like zombies. However, a trip to the bookstore with my friend Kasper showed me that this whole "epidemic" was spreading into other novels...And, well, I guess I just got bitten, because I went to the library and checked out Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.

So far, I've been reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (hereafter shortened to PP&Z) with my brother. And, we've both been enjoying it! I like it because of Jane Austin, but I also appreciate the somewhat warped sense of humor that Seth Grahame-Smith brings to the novel. The brother likes it because of the ninjas and bone-crunching mayhem, as well as the unique humor of Jane Austin/Seth Grahame-Smith.

As an English Major, however, I balk to say that this is better than the original. I think its a very interesting book, though, and I can't wait to finish it. Would we recommend it? So far, YES!

Weekly Wodehouse #12

Honoria . . . is one of those robust, dynamic girls with the muscles of a welter-weight and a laugh like a squadron of cavalry charging over a tin bridge.

~P.G. Wodehouse

The Hobbit #4: Gollum

This is going to be my last quote from The Hobbit, I think, because I'm afraid that if I go much further into the book, I'm going to start publishing spoilers, and that is just NOT FAIR to all of you, dear readers. But, our dear friend Javmango asked me to publish pictures by Alan Lee with one of my posts, so I cannot refuse ;) (sorry if the passage is a bit dark...I have always thought that the character of Gollum is really cool. I haven't seen him in the Lord of the Rings books or movies, yet...so that might change my opinion...)

"Deep down here by the dark water lived old Gollum, a small, slimy creature. I don't know where he came from, nor who or what he was. He was Gollum-- as dark as darkness, except for two big round pale eyes in his thin face. He had a little boat, and he rowed about quite quietly on the lake; for lake it was, wide and deep and deadly cold. He paddled it with large feet dangling over the side, but never a ripple did he make. Not he."

~J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit)

One Bloody Thing After Another

Summer reading has continued on into this new book: One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau. It was a weird book, to be honest, but I did enjoy it. It was dark, creepy, and at parts, downright gross, which I did not like, but honestly, I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Would I recommend it? Not sure. This would be one of those books that falls into a grey area. I mean, I enjoyed it, but I don't know if I enjoyed it enough to read it again or pass it on to someone else.

Does this mean that I'm done with The Hobbit? Of course not. One thing I do a lot while reading is that I dip into several different books at the same time. The Hobbit is a familiar one, and an old favorite, so I can easily balance it with another book. And its also very comforting while I'm reading something scary. Yes, this one gets scary, too, but at least I know that everything will work out alright in the end.

So, that's one book down for summer reading:

One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau

Happy Reading!

The Hunt for Summer Jobs

"The time has come," the Walrus said,

"To talk of many things:

Of shoes-- and ships-- and sealing wax--

Of cabbages--and kings--

And why the sea is boiling hot--

And whether pigs have wings."

~Lewis Carroll (Through the Looking-Glass)

And, in my case...also to think of getting a summer job.

Its not that I want to get a summer job, mind you, but money is good as is job experience. And, one must think postivly. This could be a lot of fun.

Does anyone have any suggestions for places I should look at? (Or, at least types of places I should look at? Also, is there anyone who would be hiring a blogger/amatur poet?) Because, that would be the best ;)

The Hobbit #3: Elrond

"He was as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer. He comes into many tales, but his part in the story of Bilbo's great adventure is only a small one, though important, as you will see, if we ever get to the end of it. His house was perfect, whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all. Evil things did not come into that valley."

~J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit)

The Hobbit #2: Good Morning/Smoke Rings

"Good morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.

"What do you mean?" he said. "Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?"

"All of them at once," said Bilbo. "And a very fine morning for a pipe of tobacco out of doors, into the bargain. If you have a pipe about you, sit down and have a fill of mine! There's no hurry, we have all the day before us!" Then Bilbo sat down on a seat by his door, crossed his legs, and blew out a beautiful grey ring of smoke that sailed up into the air without breaking and floated away over The Hill.

~J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit)

The Hobbit #1: What is a Hobbit?

For those of you who have not yet read Tolkien's The Hobbit, here is a quick little description of the race from the book...

"I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us. They are (or were) a little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded Dwarves. Hobbits have no beards. There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which allows them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off. They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colours (chiefly green and yellow); wear no shoes, because their feet grow naturally leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads (which is curly); have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner, which they have twice a day when they can get it). Now you know enough to go on with."

~J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit)

On Second Thought...

I think I'm going to take that bit about WHAT I'M READING out of the sidebar, and just blog about the books in blog postings. I can't find a spot in the sidebar where I like how it fits. And if I don't think its perfect, its going to bother me and I won't be able to concentrate :P

Summer Reading/ What I'm Reading Now

Summer is finally here for me, and I'm finally able to get some reading done :) So, I wanted to announce that, for the summer, I'm going to have a section on the blog sidebar that's dedicated to what I'm reading now. (Just in case you want some ideas for books) and what I think of my current reads.

If you have any reading suggestions, please include them in COMMENTS :) I would love to hear about some new books. I like to read a little of everything, so please don't hesitate to suggest anything. (The only books I ask that you don't recommend is Harry Potter or Twilight). Thanks, guys!

Currently, I'm reading one of my all-time favorite books: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein. I've read this about 10 times now, but every time it gets a little bit better :)

For those of you who are not familiar with this book, The Hobbit is the prelude to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a sweet, quiet sort of fellow (and yes, a Hobbit) who finds himself wrapped up in this crazy quest to help a band of dwarfs reclaim their lost treasure and kingdom from the dragon Smaug. A wonderful, wonderful read. Highly recommended!

Weekly Wodehouse #11

I would like to have called him a pessimist, only I couldn't think of the word.

~P.G. Wodehouse

Done.

Well, that's it. I'm. Done. School is officially over for the year. I can't believe it! I took my Latin final, was okay with how I feel I did, called some friends, almost cried on multiple occasions, and now, I'm sitting alone in the dorm (the Roomie is gone; back to "God's Country," USA) and eating the most yummy salt pretzel bagel I've had. (Thank you so much, Roomie's Dad!)

Its weird being here right now. It feels almost surreal, like no way in hell I'm not going to be in this dorm anymore! No. Way. Next year is going to be fun, but I love my room, I love the view from the window, and I love the people.

*Chomp chomp*...mmm! Really good bagel :)

So many thoughts are running through my head. I'm confused about so many things...relationships, friends, and how am I going to survive the summer without these people that I've grown so close to...

I am looking forward to summer, though. I mean, I have friends to hang out with, people to see, and places to go. Its not going to be all bad, but its going to be really, really weird. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family though. I've missed them a lot over the past couple of weeks. I guess there is good and bad in every situation.

...And ONE MORE...!

I'm almost done! I have two more finals done (Psychology and Classical Mythology) and now I'm down to the "final" final...Latin. That one is going to be a bitch. Right now, my hands are so cramped up that I can barely type; holding a pencil is even harder. I was writing constantly for all those finals, and I'm just ready to be done. The hardest part is that this is my last one and my hardest. I don't want to slip up now; I'm almost finished!

Thank you to Javmango, Steven, and Chess who have been so supportive of me the past week. (Thank you to everyone else who has sent me the encouraging comments, too, but these three have been above and beyond :") I really appreciate it!) I've been stressing about finals, freaking out, and bursting with happiness, and in the end, you guys are always backing me up.

I have another question for all of you...Should I give Professor Thomas the link to this blog? He's actually already asked for it, and I kinda stalled, because I wasn't sure. What do you guys think?

I don't know how much I'm going to be posting over the summer, since I'm not on my compy as much when I'm at home, but I'll try to keep you all up to date. Its going to be hard for me, at least for the first couple of weeks, because I'm not going to have the Roomie and Professor Thomas there every day anymore. (I have a lot of people I'm going to miss over the summer, but these two are like my best friends, and they live too far away to see much over the summer. Kiity, Matt, and Courtney live closer, so that shouldn't be a problem. I have no desire to see Willoughby after some of the things he has said to me lately, and as for Odysseus, even though he lives close to me, I don't know where we stand anymore. He's been avoiding me for a while, and now, out of the blue, he's being nice again, and acknowledging me and talking to me. He even initiated conversation! :-O Shocking! I'm going to ask him to go for a walk once I finish this post, and maybe I can figure some stuff out...

Love you guys!

My Last Wednesday...

So, yesterday, as I told you guys, I had my first final taken care of. Right now, I'm supposed to be studying for the next one, but I just can't concentrate :P I want to tell y'all about my last Wednesday before the end of the school year...

So, we went out for ice cream. That is...me, the Roomie, Professor Thomas, and Courtney. It was really, really fun :) As we were walking back, Professor Thomas and I fell behind Courtney and the Roomie, and he reached out and put his arm around me, drawing me really close to him. Is it bad that I loved it? Is it bad that I loved the warmth and contact with a guy, even if he's just like my best friend, and not a romantic interest? Even if he is a faux professor? I really don't know, but I loved it.

Afterwards, the Roomie and I studied a little, and then headed over to the faux professor's dorm for cards. We played for like two hours before I finally said I had to go and finish studying. Then, it just got silly. I was lying in an arm chair, my legs over one arm, my head at the other, and Professor Thomas used it as a chance to push me across the lobby, and then threatened to pick me up and carry me even further. (I'm small, and he's much taller than I am, so he's always trying to pick me up).

We took pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. It was wonderful and fun and I loved it soo much! I'm going to miss the Roomie and Professor Thomas tons over the summer. I don't know how I'll be able to live without them for three months! (I'll be calling them a lot, that is for certain!)

One Down...Three to Go...

Yes, that's right...I have finished my first final! I am now completely done with Arthurian Literature!!! :D I can't even begin to think about what that means...one of my hardest classes is now over, and my second hardest final is also out of the way. I have three more finals to go, but I'm feeling much better about everything.

Also, I got back my Arthurian Literature essay...the one about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. I GOT AN A- ~!!!!! I can't believe it! I was so certain that I was going to fail, because I started very late, was functioning on very little sleep, and this professor is a beast on grading essays. But no! I did it!!! :D

And, to celebrate this final being done, I'm posting a video version of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It's in the modern idiom, easy to understand, and beautifully presented. I hope you enjoy.

My Arthurian Hero Doesn't Wear Armor; He Wears Glasses!

It really is true that people can be so different from what everyone else thinks of them. For example, this guy from my literature class. Willoughby knew him in high school, and tells me constantly how much of a player and a tool this guy is. And, I guess, just like Elizabeth Bennett, I was inclined to believe Wickham over Darcy. Not saying that the case is as extreme as that, but its a similar story: "I knew this guy and he's bad news, stay away!" and it turns out that he's a pretty nice guy after all. I mean, he's helped me out a heap today, and without me even having to come to him for assistance!

Basically, it was this: I lost some of my notes for one of the books in my literature class, and I need those notes for the stuff that's going to be on the final. So, I sent out a mass email to everyone, saying "Could you please give me a copy of your notes?" No one did. Then, out of nowhere, I run into this guy at the library, and he's like, "Hey, do you still need those notes?" (which of course, I did) and not only did he get me a copy of the notes, but he used his own money for it. I mean, I know it wasn't a lot (like 50 cents) but still, that was really, really nice of him, and I appreciate him trying to help me out like that.

I really wish there were more guys like him out there: just nice guys who are willing to help someone out just because they can. (And I feel as though I've learned an important lesson right now. I mean, I always thought he was a nice guy, and I tried to ignore what Willoughby was saying, but this just cemented in my mind all that I was trying to believe). So, I want to send out a huge thank you to Pete, who will prolly never read this post, but thank you! You are my hero for this class!!! :P

Pavlov's Emmy

Yeah, so as the title might suggest, I've been studying for my Psychology final recently. Also, as the title suggests, I had a embarrassing discovery today. I was at lunch, seated between Kiity and Professor Thomas, and as usual, both were trying to make me extremely uncomfortable and jumpy by poking me in the ribs. (Yes, dear readers, I am a bit ticklish...)

Well, after their having done this to me for so long, apparently, I've developed this condition where I will jump and emit an embarrassing, high-pitched squeal before they poke me, just as I would when they poke me. Professor Thomas was quite pleased with this discovery, and then went on to explain to Kiity and the Roomie (as though he were teaching a Psychology course, with me as the test subject) that if you observe, the gesture and threats of poking have now become a conditioned response. Basically, I'll jump and squeal if you poke me; and now, if either of them simply makes the move to poke me, I'll do the same exact thing. Murr...

The only thing that I can say is that this has strengthened my understanding of Classical Conditioning, and if nothing else, I'm sure to ace that portion of the final. Still, this does nothing for my sense of pride :P

Tree Frog

Since I mentioned the poetry reading, a couple people have expressed a desire to see some of my poetry, so here is just a quick one that I wrote about a guy I used to like. I hope you guys like it. Please give me feedback on it! Thanks :)

The last time I saw you,
I saw a frog.
The curve of your lip, so amphibian,
The fishy look in your eye, like a toad
Or halibut; all so froggy, froggish, frog.

I once thought you were handsome
I didn’t see the bug-eyed look on your face,
The way that your voice sounded so much like
Ribbit, ribbit ribbit, croak;
Your large mouth so constantly open
That you could catch flies in that thing.

They say that love is blind,
And I would know; I ignored all the
Warning signs, the funny looks from my
Friends.
That’s the guy? They ask; and I nod
No one bothered to tell me you looked like a frog
(Not until after you broke me apart.)
And I laughed. Ribbit ribbit.

Once, I watched you climb the
Cherry blossom tree
And saw you framed with pearly pink petals
And you were almost angelic; most heroic
Your tan skin flanked by blue sky and
Cherry blossom flowers.

Does this mean that you are a prince?
Or a tree frog?

Weekly Wodehouse #10

Caliban at Sunset

I stood with a man

Watching the sun go down.

The air was full of murmurous summer scents

And a brave breeze sang like a bugle

From a sky that smouldered in the west,

A sky of crimson, amethyst, gold and sepia

And blue as blue were the eyes of Helen

When she sat

Gazing from some high tower in Ilium

Upon the Grecian tents darkling below.

And he,

This man who stood beside me,

Gaped like some dull, half-witted animal

And said,

"I say,

Doesn't that sunset remind you

Of a slice

Of underdone roast beef?"

~P.G. Wodehouse

The Last Weekend (Bittersweet)

As I'm sure you've guessed from the title, this is to be my last weekend on campus. After that, the wonderful Roomie and I are to be separated for three whole months, and the chances of seeing any of my other friends are pretty slim as well, seeing as they all live pretty far away. I'm really, really going to miss them.

This weekend is bittersweet. Part of me wants to take advantage of it as much as I can, enjoying life to the fullest and spending all my time with everyone. Unfortunately, its also Mother's Day weekend, and yes, I miss my family a lot. However, as much as I really want to see them today, I just keep on telling myself that in less than a week, we're going to be together again. Less than a week. I won't see my friends for three months. Still...

Okay, okay, I'll just get it out in the open. My parents want me to come home this weekend. I told them that I wanted to stay and see my friends for the last time. My parents were supposed to come up and have lunch to celebrate Mother's Day. Now, they want me to come home and stay home for the weekend, but that means giving up all my plans for time with my friends. I know I'm being selfish, but I liked it better before they started tampering with a game plan that we had established about a month and a half ago, which was that they come in for lunch, and I stay here for the last time.

I hope everything works out in the end. I don't know what to do.

Poetry Reading Update

So, I'm back! And all in one piece still (even though my head is kind of killing me). No, dear readers, I was not getting drunk; I'm just tired, and it was very loud there. The poetry reading was a lot of fun, though, and really enjoyed all of it! At the end, there was time for open mike, and an estranged friend got up and read a poem about his experiences in the United States (he's from South America). It was a beautiful poem and it made me smile. If he gives me permission, I will post it for you. ;)

No, we did not drink...We're underage; I'm sure you have figured it out by now...but the Roomie had a friend offer to buy her a drink, but she turned it down, because she didn't realize that when he offered to "buy her something to drink," he meant that he wanted to buy her alcohol, not more Pepsi. :P Oh, that silly, silly girl.

I'm definitely coming back next year; and I'm going to write some poetry and read it aloud. That would be a lot of fun. What do you guys think?

Poetry Reading

Going to a poetry reading with the wonderful Roomie and Kiity. As an English Major, this begs to be a lot of fun. Cute guys, free food, discount alcohol (but I don't drink), and of course, poetry! I'm really excited!

I've been walking around all day carrying a collection of poems by Paul Muldoon. He's an amazing poet, and I totally recommend his work. He's hard to understand at first, I mean, his poems are very deep, but he's such an wonderful writer, that once you figure it out, its totally worth it!

Wish me luck! I'll post an update later. ;)

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

"Quat schuld I wonde?
Of desinés derf and dere
What may mon do bot fonde?”


~Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Finals Care Package #2 DANCE MIX!

This post idea came from Chess, who asked for a playlist of my favorite dance tunes. Love the idea, but alas, I have a confession to make: I'm not a dancer! :X I know, I know! It's terrible, but I compiled a dance mix as best as I could. I hope you like it and can dance to it :P I know I love all of these songs...so, at least you can tell if I have good taste in music or not, hehe...

Finals Care Package #1 PIRATES!

Arrh! Pirates was brought to you by our wonderful Reader Ash! So, here are a few pirate themed items to help you pass the time whilst studying/taking finals.

This is a strange video, but kinda funny...

And after that, we have a few remixes from Pirates of the Caribbean...



A quick display of infamous pirate flags...And finally...

Finals Week

Finals week is fast approaching for me, and I'm sure that for some of you, its already here. So, I had a silly little idea. I know while I'm studying, I always want a short diversion that will get my mind off things for about half an hour or so. So, I thought I would make a couple little "care packages"...erhrm...sorry... "care posts" that contain videos, pictures, quotes, etc. all revolving around a certain theme. And that's where you come in! I'm going to be doing this for about two weeks, so you're going to have to give me plenty of ideas to work on. (Even if you're no longer a student, please feel free to offer something!) And remember, it can be about anything...

-School topics (ie. Math, English, Spanish)

-Themes (ie. Romance, Comedy)

-Random (ie. Pirates vs. Ninjas, Stupid Criminals, Origami)

So, please let me know as soon as possible so I can start compiling stuff for you guys! Have a great finals week! :)

Weekly Wodehouse #9

Wilfred Allsop was sitting up, his face pale, his eyes glassy, his hair disordered. He looked like the poet Shelley after a big night out with Lord Byron.

~P.G. Wodehouse

Julius Caesar and Sir Gawaine

This weekend is going to be fun, consisting of two projects and the looming threat of finals. First, I have been asked by my brother to help him proofread an essay on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, and then I have to start a 5-6 page essay on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a poem written in Middle English that retells one of Sir Gawain's adventures. Its going to be difficult, since I'm not using a translated version to read the play. I love Old English, Middle English, and of course, our modern idiom, but even so, its not the easiest challenge. The paper is due on Wednesday, but if I need some extra time, my professor said he would let us turn it in on Friday. I want to be done by Wednesday.

While all this is going on, I still find myself struggling with my own issues. First, I'm still not completely over Odysseus, and the more I think about what he's said to me, the more angry I get. He's really hurt me this past week, and I really wish I hadn't even given him those two weeks of my life. I don't honestly know if it was worth it or not. On top of this inner struggle, I have the looming threat of finals on the horizon, and I haven't had a good night's sleep in a week. I'm barely surviving, mostly relying on Moutain Dew to help me make it from day to day. I need the caffeine to function. (And speaking of Moutain Dew, they have three limited time flavors out, and they're actually pretty good :) You should check them out: White Out is citrus flavored, Typhoon is tropical, and Distortion is lime. Typhoon is the best.)