Monday, September 24, 2012

JGL on SNL. OMG


As if this weekend could have gotten any better, my favorite actor hosted Saturday Night Live. I have the biggest crush on Joseph Gordon-Levitt, so you can imagine my excitement when he tweeted about coming on SNL.

I am not exaggerating when I call this the best SNL monologue of all times. I thought guys couldn't get any better than Channing Tatum in Magic Mike. That was until I saw Joseph-Gordon Levitt give his Magic Mike  performance. As much love as I have for Channing, no one can compare with JGL. In the words of Steve Carrell's character in Crazy. Stupid. Love., he is just the perfect combination of sexy and cute.
I have to admit that Joe sure had his awkward years earlier on. But with any love, you have to overlook certain things. Some people have to forget that the object of their affection had long hair in high school. Or that one of his or her feet is bigger than the other. Or that he/she use the word impactful. Ever. (If you don't know the problem with that, I'll let you off the hook this time. But every grammar nerd who read that sentence cringed a little.)Whoever loves me in the future might have to overlook my obsession  fascination with Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

I have this theory that if we actually have soulmates, they appreciate at least two main things that we do. If my theory is correct, my soulmate owns at least one Jason Mraz CD, and he has seen Inception more than once.


It could easily be this guy.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

If you only learn one thing, learn to live.

It’s amazing the effect other people can have on us. Another human being can change the way we think about everything from a piece of literature to our outlook on life. Our friends can affect the way we dress or talk or tell stories. Our parents help shape our personality, manners, and general views on life. Our teachers show us not only how to make a living, but also how to make a life.

Recently, I interviewed a former teacher for a faculty profile story in journalism. I asked him about things like what affects his teaching, why he tells stories, and even, if there was a teacher that had a particular effect on him either in high school or college. His answers made me even more confident in my decision to interview him. He said “He embodied everything I admired not only in a teacher but in a person” about his 11th grade U.S. History teacher. That is how I feel about him. And every other communications teacher I have had in high school.

He was my teacher for 9th grade honors communications and again, in 10th grade, for American Literature. His classes changed my perspective about life and who I was as an individual. When he told me that one of his reasons for telling stories was to show he was a teenager once too, everything made sense. They really helped us open up and unite as a class.

My 10th grade communications teacher was also my grammar teacher in 11th grade, and as a senior, I have her for world literature. The teacher I interviewed asked how I felt about having a teacher that many times, and I told him the truth. I am overjoyed to have her a third time. Even today after school, I realized how lucky I am to have her as a teacher. After three years together, we have the most amazing teacher-student relationship. I feel that I can ask her anything about school, but I can also share my excitement or fear or anxiety about things other than school.

I feel the same way with my AP Language and Composition teacher from 11th grade. Last Friday, while every other high school student leapt out the door to the weekend, I stayed to catch up with her. After AP Comp I was her teacher’s assistant for a term. It gave me the opportunity to get to know her better. We talked about everything from college to preparing for a career in writing. She encouraged my passion for writing and made me even more exciting about it. For that, I will be forever grateful.

And because writing teachers happen to be the best kind, I have to tell you about my creative writing teacher from last year. At first, I felt a little bit intimidated, and I didn’t really know what to think of her. But as the semester progressed, I realized how much she helped improve my writing and the way I looked it. After AP Comp, I felt so much more prepared. But this was a different type of writing, and there is still so much to learn in fictional writing and non-fiction writing. Most importantly, my creative writing teacher made me stop limiting myself. I would say “Well, I’d love to do this, but—” And she’d say “Why? Why can’t you do that?” She inspired me to go after what I love and not let myself hold myself back.

High school has been such an incredible experience because of these teachers. I wanted to give them the credit, because, after all, without them, where would I be? I wouldn’t have the knowledge. I wouldn’t have the writing skills. I wouldn’t have the courage to go after my dreams.

These people mean the world to me.

Monday, September 17, 2012

If it makes you wanna sing, just sing it.


There is a song for every situation in our lives. If I had to pick any artist to describe my life story, it would be Jason Mraz. He embodies everything I believe in and want to bring to this world. From “Living in the Moment” to “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” I have a song that makes more sense than anything I’ve ever heard. I have similar philosophies about life, and I strive to remember that we only get every day once.

It will never be September 17, 2012 again. Of course we’re trained to look ahead and always plan for the future—and I do. All the time. But sometimes you have to say, “Ok, I won’t get this moment back. So how can I make the most of it?”




If I could, I might spend all of my tomorrows listening to Jason come up with more amazing lyrics. For anyone who isn’t a big Mraz fan, I have a present for you:

  • The Dynamo of Volition
  • Wordplay
  • Geek in the Pink
  • The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)
  • I’m Yours
  • I Won’t Give Up
  • Living in the Moment
  • Everything is Sound
  • Plane
  • 93 Million Miles
  • Lucky (feat. Colbie Caillat)
  • Shy That Way (feat. Tristan Prettyman)
  • Butterfly
  • Live High
  • I’ll Do Anything
  • The World As I See It
  • Frank D. Fixer
  • Be Honest
  • Who’s Thinking About You Now?
  • The Woman I Love
  • The Freedom Song

And so many more. You really need to get into this guy. I wish I could listen to him sing every day all day long. He was the first person that I have ever seen in concert (and I have seen a lot of concerts) that I have ever thought was even better in person than on his CD.

 Jason Mraz’s lyrics have given me so many ideas and changed the way I think about so many things. Music can inspire. Music can change. And music can speak.
His music says “I’m unique. I’m alive. And I’m excited to be me.”
This weekend my stepmom said “I love that you beat to your own drum. I wish all kids were like that.” I am just happy with who I am.

“Well you could say that I’m the one curly fry in the bag of the regular.”—Jason Mraz (Too Much Food)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Never Forget

Today, I feel these images can say more than I could ever put into words about this day. Please don't forget. Take a moment to reflect--whether you were five or fifty-five when this happened.












Photo: Flags outside the SJU Quad mark 9/11.
Today we take a moment to reflect and thank all those who gave their services on 9/11.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

"May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor"

Why am I referencing a book series about fighting to the death in an arena? Because sometimes high school feels like that arena. Sure, you could probably make more than a few Mean Girls references to our school as well. But when the odds are against me lately, I think of the Hunger Games. This may seem melodramatic, but haven’t you ever felt like fate hates you?

 Today, fate smacked me in the face so hard that I swear I could hear “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” playing in the distance. By the end of the day I was more than ready to volunteer as a tribute for the next games.

The Hunger Games

The night has given me some time to think. And while fate is still on my bad list, it still has time to work itself out. Maybe everything will turn out for the best. I know this is all very vague, but sometimes you don’t need all the details to understand a dilemma. My problem isn’t that important.

The important question right now is do you think everything happens for a reason?
 

Monday, September 3, 2012

A Year of Lasts (Seniors! Seniors!)

As we try to reel in those last few moments of summer, we begin to realize all the things we are doing for the last time this year. We have our last s’mores, our last trips around the lake, and our last chance to save our sanity before we go back to the madhouse.


Yesterday life smacked me in the face—literally—and it told me a few things. A football came flying across the beach and knocked me in the side of the head as I sat at the edge of the lake watching the last bit of summer being sucked from under me. Normally, I wouldn’t have been so forgiving of the source of my pain, but as soon as it happened, I realized it scared me more than anything. It didn’t make me mad that the side of my face stung or that my straightened hair was wet with fish infested water. Instead, I smiled and tossed the football back.
It didn’t bother me that the football hit me because I was lightening up. I was accepting anything life had to throw at me—no matter how cheesy that may sound. For now, my life is about the lasts.

That was the last time to go the beach for the summer.

I had my last fun nights out of the summer with my best friends.

And tomorrow, I will start my last year of high school.

Part of me is excited to see my friends and the teachers I love (Yes, I actually think some of my teachers are awesome, and I’m so excited to see them, again.). The rest of me could use another week. Another week to relax. Another week to do my own thing. Another week to sit around and blog because this has become my new favorite pastime.

Unfortunately, I am summoned by law to show up at this big old building at 7:30 tomorrow. So, I will leave you with this:

My goal is to blog at least twice a week this year. Sometimes I will blog more, but I am now a hostess, a high school student, and an executive committee board member of my school’s volunteering club. I have a bit on my plate this year.

My challenge for you: find something that you care about enough to make a goal to commit to it like mine! Good luck.


Saturday, September 1, 2012

What Could You Find on the Big Wide Web?

Taylor Swift has taken a new outlook on relationships. From "You Belong With Me" a song about a boy who's with the wrong girl to "Speak Now" a boy about to marry the wrong girl, Swift is often trying to snag the right guy. But now, she says "We are never ever, ever getting back together." Check out her new video here.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is more than an awkward teen in "10 Things I Hate About You" or a part in the mind-blowing blockbuster "Inception." He's RegularJOE with hitRECord productions. Join the online collaborative production company to make things with creative minds across the country.

If you like food at all: read this blog post. This "Baker Girl" totally understands me. We are on the same page with everything. (Especially the part about brownies. Spot on) And yum! Those treats look delicious.

Hand made gifts anyone? These are adorable. 

Anyone catch Eastwood's speech at the Republican Convention Thursday night? The New York Times made the connection with his talking to a chair and the Simpsons. 

What else could you find on the big wide web?
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