Saturday, December 31, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Movie to See
This looks good. I'm surprised I didn't hear about it earlier this year, but now I really want to see it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atLg2wQQxvU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atLg2wQQxvU
Friday, December 23, 2011
Education Article
I want to teach. Maybe not forever, but I want to try. Here's an interesting look at what it takes to be a good teacher.
http://www.studentsforedreform.org/2011/10/25/highly-qualified-vs-high-quality-teachers/
http://www.studentsforedreform.org/2011/10/25/highly-qualified-vs-high-quality-teachers/
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Top 10 Fictional Couples
Marcus Flutie and Jessica Darling (Sloppy Firsts)
Macy and Wes (The Truth About Forever)
Lena and Kostos (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants)
Heathcliff and Cathy (Wuthering Heights)
Jane and Kevin (27 Dresses)
Julie Taylor and Matt Saracen (Friday Night Lights)
Henry and Claire (The Time Traveler's Wife)
Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)
Chandler and Monica (Friends)
Holly and Vince (What I Like About You)
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The Jason Mraz of Book Series
Jason Mraz is my favorite singer. But part of the reason I love him is that he's not everyone's favorite. (I'm not trying to say I'm the ONLY one who likes him, because that's obviously not true. He's just a less obvious favorite than, say, Taylor Swift.)
The same goes for the Sloppy Firsts series by Megan McCafferty. Wuthering Heights is my favorite book because it is so beautifully written and is such a unique love story. I've never read anything else like it. And Harry Potter deserves a mention in my "Favorites" pantheon, but how fun is it to say that Harry Potter is your favorite series? EVERYONE says that.
Back to my point. Sloppy Firsts is a series of 5 books that I reread on a fairly regular basis (I'd say at least once a year). I've read plenty of books like this...about a girl falling in love with a boy in high school/college/her twenties. But this one sticks with me.
And at the same time, I've never been able to convince any of my friends of its awesome-ness. And maybe that's a good thing. I kind of love that it's something I feel like I have to myself.
Also, it's just amazing. I wish I could express myself in the same way that Jessica Darling is able to. I wish I could find my Marcus Flutie. I wish I could articulate my thoughts so that they make sense. I read all 5 books in less than 4 days. I literally just didn't stop reading. And for a series that I've read at least six or seven times, I'd say that's pretty impressive.
I still remember crying the first time I finished Fourth Comings because I thought it was the end of the series. And I still think it could have ended there, though I'm glad it didn't. Perfect Fifths was one of the best literary surprises of my life, to be honest. I don't think I've ever been more excited about the release of a book before.
For me, this is one of those series that almost turns me off from reading after I finish it because it's so good that nothing else can even come close to comparing. I will just wallow in borderline depression knowing that I will never read anything new about Jessica and Marcus.
Until next summer, Sloppy Firsts.
The same goes for the Sloppy Firsts series by Megan McCafferty. Wuthering Heights is my favorite book because it is so beautifully written and is such a unique love story. I've never read anything else like it. And Harry Potter deserves a mention in my "Favorites" pantheon, but how fun is it to say that Harry Potter is your favorite series? EVERYONE says that.
Back to my point. Sloppy Firsts is a series of 5 books that I reread on a fairly regular basis (I'd say at least once a year). I've read plenty of books like this...about a girl falling in love with a boy in high school/college/her twenties. But this one sticks with me.
And at the same time, I've never been able to convince any of my friends of its awesome-ness. And maybe that's a good thing. I kind of love that it's something I feel like I have to myself.
Also, it's just amazing. I wish I could express myself in the same way that Jessica Darling is able to. I wish I could find my Marcus Flutie. I wish I could articulate my thoughts so that they make sense. I read all 5 books in less than 4 days. I literally just didn't stop reading. And for a series that I've read at least six or seven times, I'd say that's pretty impressive.
I still remember crying the first time I finished Fourth Comings because I thought it was the end of the series. And I still think it could have ended there, though I'm glad it didn't. Perfect Fifths was one of the best literary surprises of my life, to be honest. I don't think I've ever been more excited about the release of a book before.
For me, this is one of those series that almost turns me off from reading after I finish it because it's so good that nothing else can even come close to comparing. I will just wallow in borderline depression knowing that I will never read anything new about Jessica and Marcus.
Until next summer, Sloppy Firsts.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Home!
I'm home for the rest of my summer! Which is only 3 weeks, but still very exciting for me. Here's what I'm most looking forward to:
- Not cooking and/or cleaning
- Always having someone to talk to
- Iced tea from Dunkin' Donuts
- Access to a car
- Seeing friends from home
- Wearing workout clothes all the time (although I tend to do that regardless of my environment)
I'm sure there's more, but those are what I'm most excited about right now!
Monday, August 1, 2011
The One With the Embryos
Just watched one of my favorite Friends episodes ever. I still remember watching it the first time and practically peeing my pants from some of the one liners.
I also love that it's called "The One With the Embryos" when everyone clearly remembers it as the game show episode where Monica and Rachel faced off against Chandler and Joey.
I think my favorite part is the last question....What is Chandler Bing's job?
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Random Quotes
Here are some quotes that I like. Some of them are kind of dramatic, a lot are from some of my favorite songs, and I don't really know why I like most of them. They just make sense, I guess.
I never understood the point of being sad when I could choose to be happy - from Second Helpings
The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work.
What a grand place this world would be if we forgot about our troubles as easily as we did our blessings.
Relationships are like glass. Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself putting them back together.
If nothing else I'll think the bells inside had finally found you someone else and that's OK - Jason Mraz (You and I Both)
And there's something in the way you laugh and it makes me feel like a child - Jason Mraz (After an Afternoon)
I never understood the point of being sad when I could choose to be happy - from Second Helpings
The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work.
What a grand place this world would be if we forgot about our troubles as easily as we did our blessings.
Relationships are like glass. Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself putting them back together.
If nothing else I'll think the bells inside had finally found you someone else and that's OK - Jason Mraz (You and I Both)
And there's something in the way you laugh and it makes me feel like a child - Jason Mraz (After an Afternoon)
AWESOME Books
I read two amazing books last weekend. They follow the same characters, but from different points of view. The first is If I Stay and the second is Where She Went, both by Gayle Forman.
They're young adult novels, but I still have such a soft spot for those. And these were phenomenal. I read them both in a 24 hour period, finishing both on the train. This ended up being slightly embarrassing because I cried at the end of both.
The first was from the point of view of Mia. She basically is removed from her body while she's in a coma after a car accident. I just loved her and all the characters she interacted with/thought about. It was short, and such a quick read, but it really made me think.
The second was told from Adam's point of view. Adam is Mia's boyfriend. I can't really say anything about this one without giving away the plot of the first, but also so amazing. And I was really impressed that I connected so much with a male narrator in a young adult novel. I don't know if I've ever really read something like that before. Seriously amazing, though. Best YA books I've read this year, hands down.
They're young adult novels, but I still have such a soft spot for those. And these were phenomenal. I read them both in a 24 hour period, finishing both on the train. This ended up being slightly embarrassing because I cried at the end of both.
The first was from the point of view of Mia. She basically is removed from her body while she's in a coma after a car accident. I just loved her and all the characters she interacted with/thought about. It was short, and such a quick read, but it really made me think.
The second was told from Adam's point of view. Adam is Mia's boyfriend. I can't really say anything about this one without giving away the plot of the first, but also so amazing. And I was really impressed that I connected so much with a male narrator in a young adult novel. I don't know if I've ever really read something like that before. Seriously amazing, though. Best YA books I've read this year, hands down.
Looong Weekend
So this weekend I've literally had nothing to do. 3 days off from work should be awesome, but none of my friends are really around and I don't have a car. Bummer. I've basically watched a lot of TV, worked out, and slept. Super exciting, I know.
And I know I shouldn't complain. Once school starts I'll be begging for days like this, but for now, having three of them in a row is melting my brain. I've watched WAAAY too much TV (I've seen the Proposal 3 times this week. It's a great movie, but seriously), been on the computer a lot, and whined to my mom. Here are the highlights:
Yesterday, I walked into Lancaster to get an iced tea from Dunkin Donuts...only to find out it closed at 2. What Dunkin Donuts closes at 2 PM? It basically turned into a very sweaty hour long walk to no where.
I hung out with some KD girls on Friday night. And got invited to hang out with XC boys at the same time. That's probably one of my biggest pet peeves. People only want to hang out after 8, and that's pretty much when I want to go to sleep. But I sucked it up because I didn't want to have no human interaction all weekend. We had fun, and then I tried to force myself to sleep in on Saturday.
Although the only thing THAT did was prevent me from going to yoga. It's weird, because I love yoga, but it's so hard to drag my butt there. I think it's because the classes are an hour and a half. That's just such a big commitment. (I know, I'm pathetic). But I bought the pass, so I'm really gonna try to go this afternoon. I swear.
I watched the end of Marley and Me, and even though I hate dogs, I sobbed. And I only saw the last 20ish minutes. No emotional connection, and it still got me.
Talked to mom a bunch of times. Stacie pity called me but hung up after like 2 minutes because I told her she didn't HAVE to talk to me. Might be a new low.
But today is my last day of nothing! 3 more days of work and then HOME! Yayy!!!
And I know I shouldn't complain. Once school starts I'll be begging for days like this, but for now, having three of them in a row is melting my brain. I've watched WAAAY too much TV (I've seen the Proposal 3 times this week. It's a great movie, but seriously), been on the computer a lot, and whined to my mom. Here are the highlights:
Yesterday, I walked into Lancaster to get an iced tea from Dunkin Donuts...only to find out it closed at 2. What Dunkin Donuts closes at 2 PM? It basically turned into a very sweaty hour long walk to no where.
I hung out with some KD girls on Friday night. And got invited to hang out with XC boys at the same time. That's probably one of my biggest pet peeves. People only want to hang out after 8, and that's pretty much when I want to go to sleep. But I sucked it up because I didn't want to have no human interaction all weekend. We had fun, and then I tried to force myself to sleep in on Saturday.
Although the only thing THAT did was prevent me from going to yoga. It's weird, because I love yoga, but it's so hard to drag my butt there. I think it's because the classes are an hour and a half. That's just such a big commitment. (I know, I'm pathetic). But I bought the pass, so I'm really gonna try to go this afternoon. I swear.
I watched the end of Marley and Me, and even though I hate dogs, I sobbed. And I only saw the last 20ish minutes. No emotional connection, and it still got me.
Talked to mom a bunch of times. Stacie pity called me but hung up after like 2 minutes because I told her she didn't HAVE to talk to me. Might be a new low.
But today is my last day of nothing! 3 more days of work and then HOME! Yayy!!!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Favorite Glee Songs
Here are my favorite Glee songs:
I Feel Pretty/Unpretty
(I've Had) The Time of My Life
Pretending
Light Up The World
Last Christmas
Total Eclipse of the Heart
What I Did For Love
Marry You
Get It Right
Landslide
Need You Now
Baby
Defying Gravity
For Good
I Feel Pretty/Unpretty
(I've Had) The Time of My Life
Pretending
Light Up The World
Last Christmas
Total Eclipse of the Heart
What I Did For Love
Marry You
Get It Right
Landslide
Need You Now
Baby
Defying Gravity
For Good
Books I've Read This Year
Goodreads.com is one of my favorite websites. I love keeping track of all the books I've read. I wish I had it from when I was little. And I wish more of my friends used it. But it's so cool! There's even a challenge that you can set for yourself to see how many books you can read in a year. Originally, my goal was 50, but I upped it to 65 after I was home for a few weeks and pretty much read a book a day. I slow down a lot during the school year, but it's still exciting. Here are the books I've read so far with the rating I gave them at the time and a mini-review (if I remember what it was about)
Water For Elephants (4 stars) - This book was really well written, and I thought the love story was believable. My favorite books have some sort of love plot involved. The movie was really good, too, which I thought was kind of surprising. I didn't know if the language would translate to a movie, but it was definitely worth seeing.
Safe Haven (4 stars)
The World in Half (3 stars)
Sweethearts (3 stars)
Room (4 stars) - This book definitely stuck with me. The narrator was so believable, which was impressive since it was an adult female author as a 5 year old boy. It was really sad, but worth reading.
The Kitchen House (5 stars) - I'm kind of surprised I gave this 5 stars since I don't remember it too clearly, but I do remember reading it quickly. It was also beautifully written, and that can swing a book for me (oh heyy Tess of the D'Urbervilles). I should read it again at some point.
Left Neglected (5 stars) - Tante recommended this one to me. It really made me think about how quickly things can change, and how complicated the brain is. I think I maybe gave it 5 stars because she loved it so much...it might be more like a 4. But it stuck with me, so that makes a difference.
Her Mother's Hope (4 stars)
Clotel (3 stars) - AMS 100
Ain't No Makin It (4 stars) - SOC 100
Uncle Tom's Cabin (4 stars) - AMS 100. Surprisingly good.
Huck Finn (4 stars) - ENG 208. Another one that I liked more than I thought I would.
Her Daughter's Dream (3 stars) - Not as good as the first one. Too much religion for me.
Amusing the Million (3 stars) - AMS 100
Unequal Childhoods (4 stars) - SOC 100
The Weird Sisters (3 stars)
The Sky is Everywhere (4 stars)
Delirium (4 stars) - Can't wait for the sequel
Bread Givers (3 stars) - AMS 100
Bowling Alone (3 stars) - SOC 100
The American Encounter with Buddhism (3 stars) - AMS/RST 203
Promises I Can Keep (3 stars) - AMS 100
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (3 stars) - ENG 208
Howl (3 stars) - AMS 100
The Namesake (4 stars) - AMS 100
As I Lay Dying (3 stars) - ENG 208. I liked it a lot more than I did in high school.
The Source of the River (3 stars) - SOC 100
Fall for Anything (3 stars)
Something Borrowed (3 stars) - Just as disappointing as the movie.
These Things Hidden (4 stars)
Before I Fall (4 stars)- Really good teen lit.
What Happened to Goodbye (3 stars) - One of my least favorite Sarah Dessen books.
Here, Home, Hope (4 stars)
Secret Daughter (3 stars)
The Other Boleyn Girl (4 stars) - This one was really good. I kind of hope that's how it actually happened.
A Change to Make History (4 stars) - Part of my obsession with Teach For America.
Those Guys Have all the Fun (3 stars) - Eye opening look at ESPN. Doesn't seem as fun to work there as I originally thought. Too long.
Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away (4 stars) - Beautiful language.
Lost at School (4 stars) - A really interesting look at why certain kids misbehave.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen (4 stars) - Another really helpful book for dealing with difficult kids.
Joy For Beginners (5 stars) - Really beautiful, and interesting to think about what my challenge would be. It's cool to think that seemingly little things can change your life.
Sisterhood Everlasting (5 stars) - I had no idea there was going to be a fifth book. SO sad, but it closed out the series really well. A really nice surprise.
Crush (4 stars) - Cute short stories.
Bossypants (4 stars) - Oh, she's funny.
The Violets of March (4 stars) - I liked it, but the love story seemed kind of forced.
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair (4 stars) - A cool memoir. A little repetitive, but it did make me think.
Water For Elephants (4 stars) - This book was really well written, and I thought the love story was believable. My favorite books have some sort of love plot involved. The movie was really good, too, which I thought was kind of surprising. I didn't know if the language would translate to a movie, but it was definitely worth seeing.
Safe Haven (4 stars)
The World in Half (3 stars)
Sweethearts (3 stars)
Room (4 stars) - This book definitely stuck with me. The narrator was so believable, which was impressive since it was an adult female author as a 5 year old boy. It was really sad, but worth reading.
The Kitchen House (5 stars) - I'm kind of surprised I gave this 5 stars since I don't remember it too clearly, but I do remember reading it quickly. It was also beautifully written, and that can swing a book for me (oh heyy Tess of the D'Urbervilles). I should read it again at some point.
Left Neglected (5 stars) - Tante recommended this one to me. It really made me think about how quickly things can change, and how complicated the brain is. I think I maybe gave it 5 stars because she loved it so much...it might be more like a 4. But it stuck with me, so that makes a difference.
Her Mother's Hope (4 stars)
Clotel (3 stars) - AMS 100
Ain't No Makin It (4 stars) - SOC 100
Uncle Tom's Cabin (4 stars) - AMS 100. Surprisingly good.
Huck Finn (4 stars) - ENG 208. Another one that I liked more than I thought I would.
Her Daughter's Dream (3 stars) - Not as good as the first one. Too much religion for me.
Amusing the Million (3 stars) - AMS 100
Unequal Childhoods (4 stars) - SOC 100
The Weird Sisters (3 stars)
The Sky is Everywhere (4 stars)
Delirium (4 stars) - Can't wait for the sequel
Bread Givers (3 stars) - AMS 100
Bowling Alone (3 stars) - SOC 100
The American Encounter with Buddhism (3 stars) - AMS/RST 203
Promises I Can Keep (3 stars) - AMS 100
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (3 stars) - ENG 208
Howl (3 stars) - AMS 100
The Namesake (4 stars) - AMS 100
As I Lay Dying (3 stars) - ENG 208. I liked it a lot more than I did in high school.
The Source of the River (3 stars) - SOC 100
Fall for Anything (3 stars)
Something Borrowed (3 stars) - Just as disappointing as the movie.
These Things Hidden (4 stars)
Before I Fall (4 stars)- Really good teen lit.
What Happened to Goodbye (3 stars) - One of my least favorite Sarah Dessen books.
Here, Home, Hope (4 stars)
Secret Daughter (3 stars)
The Other Boleyn Girl (4 stars) - This one was really good. I kind of hope that's how it actually happened.
A Change to Make History (4 stars) - Part of my obsession with Teach For America.
Those Guys Have all the Fun (3 stars) - Eye opening look at ESPN. Doesn't seem as fun to work there as I originally thought. Too long.
Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away (4 stars) - Beautiful language.
Lost at School (4 stars) - A really interesting look at why certain kids misbehave.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen (4 stars) - Another really helpful book for dealing with difficult kids.
Joy For Beginners (5 stars) - Really beautiful, and interesting to think about what my challenge would be. It's cool to think that seemingly little things can change your life.
Sisterhood Everlasting (5 stars) - I had no idea there was going to be a fifth book. SO sad, but it closed out the series really well. A really nice surprise.
Crush (4 stars) - Cute short stories.
Bossypants (4 stars) - Oh, she's funny.
The Violets of March (4 stars) - I liked it, but the love story seemed kind of forced.
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair (4 stars) - A cool memoir. A little repetitive, but it did make me think.
Starting a Blog
I want to start this blog to keep track of what I'm thinking in my last couple years of college. I have a journal, but I feel like I only write in that when I'm feeling particularly melodramatic and emotional, and I want to remember the everyday stuff, too. There's a ton of stuff I want to post now, but I think I should break it up into more posts. I don't even think I want anyone to read this, but it's kind of cool that someone could.
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