It's the Journey

Saying Goodbye

2010-05-11T16:58:00.009-04:00

Well, my time as an undergrad has expired. I am officially done with all of my classes and there are just 12 days left until I graduate from UVA. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions. It feels overwhelming to be entering a new chapter in my life (that is still unclear). Thinking about completing school - something I've been working toward for years - makes me feel happy, nervous, excited, etc. all at once.

Moving forward. Moving on. Moving away. Everything is so open. I've been thinking a lot about the past and it makes me melancholy for how fleeting it all is. It's a very strange sensation to be in this transition. I never thought it would get here. Now that it has arrived, I find myself not quite sure how to react.

(Image of UVA graduation 1947 courtesy of LIFE)

To-Do

2010-05-01T16:36:00.004-04:00

One of my professors recently informed me of the Emily Dickinson's Garden: The Poetry of Flowers exhibit going on at The New York Botanical Garden. Fortunately for me, it runs through June 13, leaving me just enough time to scoot by there once I arrive in New York on June 6.

As an Emily Dickinson fan (I'm currently taking a class called "Emily Dickinson and Contemporary Poets"), I cannot wait to go to the Botanical Garden to see what her garden would have looked like. There are also marathon-readings of Emily's poetry during the exhibit. How cool is that? This is definitely on my to-do list for my time in NYC.

(Photo found here)

Empire State of Mind

2010-04-07T18:02:00.006-04:00

I'm headed to New York!

I just recently found out that I've been accepted to the NYU Summer Publishing Institute. For six weeks, I'll be attending this intensive program to learn everything I possibly can about magazine, book, and digital publishing. I am so excited. I leave in a little less than two months (right after graduation)! It's always been my dream to live in NYC. Even if it's just for six weeks, it will be a complete thrill.

(Images via metroscenes.com)

French Milk

2010-03-15T17:28:00.003-04:00

Sadly, spring break has come to an end. I should be finishing up an Anthro midterm and writing two English papers that are due tomorrow but instead, I find myself here.

Chance and I went to the Green Valley Book Fair this weekend. We came home with about $100 worth of books. He bought mostly Anton Chekhov and Oscar Wilde. I, on the other hand, loaded up on a random assortment including a collection of New York magazine essays and The Color Purple. Among the stash was this little gem:

Although I haven't read too many graphic novels, I picked this one up because of its adorable cover that faintly reminded me of a past post from A Cup of Jo. I started reading it on the way home and was hooked. The illustrations are so fantastic and the story is fun. The book documents Lucy Knisley's trip to Paris with her mom for several weeks in celebration of their birthdays. Lucy was turning twenty-two at the time (which is how old I'll be this year), so I could easily relate to her tone, mood swings, and fear of failure upon approaching graduation from college.

I love the book's journal quality as well as the mixture of illustration and photography. It made me feel like I was listening to my friend recount stories from her trip. Lucy was great company on a dreary day. I was actually disappointed when she was gone until I discovered more of her work here. Hooray for the wonders of the internet!

(Images via comicsreporter.com)

Sprout Film Festival

2010-03-14T21:00:00.000-04:00

Alison and I recently attended the Sprout Film Festival. This traveling film festival is supported by the awesome Sprout, a non-profit organization based in New York. The short films showcased during this event are made by and deal with issues related to people with developmental disabilities. This is one of my favorite films featured at this year's festival in my hometown:

This is a fantastic idea. On the rare occasions that people with developmental disabilities are depicted in film, they are often played by people without developmental disabilities (a la Sean Penn in I Am Sam). The films showcased by the Sprout Film Festival are making huge steps to make people view developmental disabilities in a different light. I so, so enjoyed the films at this year's festival. Please check this website to find out when the Sprout Film Festival will be in your area. If you don't see your home on the list, request it! Until then, I hope you enjoy this fantastic video as much as I do.

Heartburn

2010-03-14T14:54:00.001-04:00

I know I have expressed my love of Nora Ephron before. Nonetheless, I must do it once again. I just recently finished reading her book, Heartburn. I picked it up and could not put it down. I just love Nora's witty, conversational style of writing. Her ability to turn a negative situation into an amusing and entertaining story is a true talent. I found myself literally laughing out loud at the depiction of Rachel Samstat and her deteriorating marriage (which, I know, doesn't sound the least bit funny).

After reading the book, I rented the movie version of Heartburn (1986 Mike Nichols film starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson). Although the movie is worth viewing, I found the book much more entertaining. If you're looking to add a book to your reading list, I would highly recommend it!

(Images via trashionista.com and moviefone.com)

Go See Alice

2010-03-13T22:33:00.006-05:00

Last night, Chance and I went to see Alice in Wonderland with my best friend, Alison. Although I thought the 3D made the price a bit steep, it turned out to be totally worth it. I have never read the Alice books and I did not particularly enjoy the original Disney movie, so I wasn't sure if I would like the movie; I ended up loving it. Johnny Depp is a great Mad Hatter (no surprise there) and I like Mia Wasikowska as Alice. Nonetheless, I find myself most taken with the Cheshire Cat and Bayard, the dog.

If you haven't seen Alice in Wonderland yet, I would most certainly recommend it!

Truman Capote

2010-03-08T23:25:00.006-05:00

I am intrigued by Truman Capote. Did you know Harper Lee based the character of Dill in To Kill A Mockingbird on Capote, who was her childhood friend? TKAM is one of my all-time favorite books and I find myself thinking differently about it knowing that little fun fact.

Anyway - I decided to finally read Breakfast at Tiffany's as one of my fun reads for spring break. It's surprising how much the short story was altered in its transformation to film (SPOILER! for example, the writer-narrator remains nameless and does not have a relationship with a rich, older woman, Holly becomes pregnant and has a miscarriage, they don't get the cat back after Holly pushes him out of a cab, and the story does not end happily ever after with Holly and the narrator in love). Although the portrayal of Yunioshi expresses racist sentiments in the film, the short story also uses some less-than-p.c. language about homosexuals. The short story Holly makes me feel differently than the Holly portrayed by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film. I love comparing books and movies because they are such different mediums - it feels immensely interesting to think of all the differences between them and the varying methods used to express the same message (or, in this case, maybe a different message).

Oscar Night

2010-03-08T21:17:00.018-05:00

Last night, my sister and I had the opportunity to attend Oscar Night America at the Paramount Theater thanks to my lovely boss at the magazine. We dressed up as if we were going to prom and then walked the mini red carpet, took a picture in front of a huge image of an Academy Award, sampled delicious treats, and sipped lots of wine. We got to watch the 82nd Academy Awards on a large HD screen in the ridiculously beautiful Paramount Theater. It was a great way to watch the Oscars and made me feel just a wee bit fancy.

In terms of the Oscars, I thought the ceremony ran a bit long. I adore Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin as a pair but I don't think we saw enough of them as hosts. My favorite ladies of the night were Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock, Carey Mulligan, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Nonetheless, I thought there were more horribly dressed women in attendance than there were divinely dressed ones (hello, Sarah Jessica Parker and Charlize Theron?!). I most enjoyed Sandra Bullock's acceptance speech and the tribute to the beloved John Hughes.

Images via www.oscar.go.com

Hello, March!

2010-03-01T20:34:00.005-05:00

How do you do? Come on in and stay awhile!

I am so glad to see February go and March come rushing in! I hope that the beginning of March means the end of snow (although there is snow in the forecast for tomorrow). I don't know about you but I am ready to see green grass, daffodils, and bright, sunny days.

This month feels more like a starting-over, new-beginning month than January or February did. There are lots of things I'd like to alter or improve about my life this year. I hope to get the ball rolling this month. Among other things, I'd truly like to start eating better. More vegetables and fruits, less starches. I want to try yoga or some other form of relaxing exercise because I feel really lackluster and down-in-the-dumps (I think that's the lack of sunshine and the lack of movement). I'd like to get some of my energy and motivation back. I'd also like to cut back on my bad TV intake and increase my good book levels. First on my list: Breakfast at Tiffany's and Heartburn. That's a rather daunting, general list but I think I'm on my way toward progress. We shall see!

(Image courtesy of www.wallpapersphere.com - I thought I'd share my current wallpaper with you!)

Confession: I Have an Obsession

2010-02-15T21:55:00.007-05:00

Do you ever watch DVD extras? I can't get enough of You've Got Mail (it's the movie I watch when I long for spring). I have watched it so many times that I broke down and watched the commentary with Nora Ephron. She is delightful and I can't get enough of her right now - after reading Marta's lovely review of I Feel Bad About My Neck, I am currently listening to the book on CD. I find Nora to be a witty, engaging essayist. I won't wax poetic for you as my review would pale in comparison to the gorgeous valentine that Marta wrote to Nora. Nonetheless, I can say that I know I love her because I can call her Nora. Authors that you can call by their first name are the absolute best kind.

It's the perfect time of year to begin an obsession with Nora Ephron. In winter, I tend to feel extremely uninspired and, well, depressed. I'm sure you know this about me. Nora's book and movie really inspire me. She makes me want to take up a pen and write my own essays about my life and my own dislike of purses. I want to own my own bookstore and lead my own quaint little life with flowers, cardigans, and children's books. I love that. I love that a good book, movie, photograph, whatever can just heal your worn out little soul.

Terrariums

2010-02-06T21:39:00.006-05:00

For Valentine's Day, Chance and I are giving each other these:

Miniature terrariums from Tortoise Loves Donkey on etsy - they're cute, easy to manage, and inexpensive. Instead of wasting money on cut flowers or candy, we decided to go halfsies on a little something that we can both enjoy even after the holiday is over.

(Image via Tortoise Loves Donkey)

Family Trees

2010-01-31T11:53:00.012-05:00

I've seen lots of modern ideas for Family Trees lately. The February Martha Stewart Living showcased Darcy Miller's inventive ways of displaying family mementos and an understated Family Tree that is downloadable here.

I am also taken with the innovative designs at My Tree and Me.

I love all of the different options for honoring your family history. These would make fantastic gifts for family members but I definitely want one for myself too!

(Images courtesy of darcymillerdesigns.com - thanks to marta writes for introducing me to Darcy Miller - and mytreeandme.com)

Lazy Saturday

2010-01-30T18:41:00.007-05:00

Yippee! I finally have internet access at the apartment. Chance and I woke up early this morning and sat on the couch, enjoying the snow falling out the window before the internet-mr.-fix-it arrived. The snow was just enough to make the surroundings gorgeous and give us an excuse to stay in all day.

For the first time in a while, it's been a quiet, relaxed day. No particular place to go, no particular thing to do. We've just been watching movies, eating, and enjoying looking up random stuff on the internet (such as http://www.sketchysantas.com/ - hilarious). I hope to do some homework later but will probably just end up watching Jon Hamm on Saturday Night Live.

I am going to try to be better about blogging now. I've seen lots of inspiring, creative things lately. If nothing else, I want to begin documenting Chance's meals. Fortunately for me, he has become quite the cook; he prepared mouthwatering steaks earlier in the week and is currently trying his hand at burgers and french fries from scratch. We're thinking about taking a cooking class together but I think that would be more for my benefit than his. Any good recipes we should try?

More soon.

Catching Up

2010-01-27T16:51:00.003-05:00

My internet still. isn't. working. Oh, the joys of apartment living. It should be working after Saturday. Until then, I have taken to blogging at work. It feels very unnatural, just to let you know.

Classes are going well. They are all quite homework-heavy, so I am keeping busy. I love my Emily Dickinson and Contemporary Poets professor. She's a published poet, her husband's a musician, and she's an all-around cool, laid back, insightful, interesting woman.

My internship is still lovely. There are fun things in the mix, so I can't wait 'til the the next couple of issues come out! In related news, I'm in the process of applying for the NYU Summer Publishing Institute. Cross your fingers for me! It sounds like a dream.

I've stumbled upon lots of new blogs that I want to share with you. Soon.

The Final Semester Begins

2010-01-21T09:21:00.001-05:00

Classes resume today. I'm starting my last semester as an undergraduate. Ever. It's a weird feeling. It's scary but thrilling. I'm faced with a lot of choices post-graduation and I'm not sure what to choose yet. I have all of these images of how my life could look swimming in my head. I just can't pin anything down yet. I want it all. Is that wrong? I know I'll need to make decisions eventually. Sooner rather than later, as they say. Right now, it's just fun to feel like this.

I'm only taking four classes this semester and just two English classes. Even though English is my major, I feel relieved to be taking two classes (and not three with required discussion) in the subject (Ethnic American Fiction and Emily Dickinson and Contemporary Poets are the courses - for those who have an interest). I'll be continuing my internship and required seminar, which is wonderfully exciting except for the fact that my seminar instructor is completely disorganized. I am still head over heels in love with my internship at albemarle, which makes up for the negatives of the seminar. I am also looking forward to my hopefully-easy-but-interesting Anthropology of Religion course. I'll report back after I've taken all my classes. Wish me luck!

It's the Future

2010-01-20T16:42:00.002-05:00

I found this questionnaire at Happenstance. She found it here and it apparently first came from here. This blog is donating 25 cents to the Red Cross in order to help Haiti for each person who answers the questions below and links back to MannLand5. The time limit for this might have expired, but it's worth a shot, right?

1. Hair color..Au naturale..or not?
I'm not a fan of dyeing. I'm au naturale all the way. Brown forever and always!

2. If somebody has food in their teeth or lipstick on their teeth do you tell them?
Usually, yes.

3. Would you rather have a million dollars or your vision of the perfect body?
A million dollars, for sure. I can work on my body any old time. Plus, who wants "perfection" anyway?

4. Favorite magazine?
How could I choose? Well, albemarle magazine first and foremost. I also like everything from O (the Oprah magazine) to Real Simple to Vogue to Nylon to Vanity Fair and all sorts of magazines in between. The list doesn't end.

5. Bra style..lacey or plain?
Usually plain.

6. If you walked into Victoria's Secret..would you most likely come out with something sexy or comfy?
Comfy.

7. Do you fake and bake?
No.

8. What's your favorite body part on a man?
I really like eyes. In terms of Chance - I love his eyes, his strong arms, his hands, his lips, his everything! I guess it just depends on the man.

She's a Winner

2010-01-19T16:05:00.006-05:00

May I just say congratulations to the lovely Ms. Drew Barrymore for her Golden Globes win. I have a soft spot in my heart for her. I really looked up to her when I was a little girl for her ability to bounce back from difficult times. I just think she seems so genuine and sweet. I loved her adorable, nervous acceptance speech.

I also loved the speeches given by Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock. I love strong, beautiful, and unusual women. Thank God for them.

(Image via cdn.buzznet.com)

When the Going Gets Rough

2010-01-18T15:27:00.006-05:00

Sorry for falling off the face of the earth. Obviously, I didn't get through my 31-day blogging goal. I was so close but I lost internet access at my apartment, which made it impossible for me to blog. I am sad about not being able to complete the 31 days. Maybe I'll just incorporate it more into my routine instead of forcing myself to stick to a plan like that. Nonetheless, I do think one of my flaws is my poor follow-through. I hope to work on that in 2010. I do need to set goals and see to it that I stick to them.

It was rather strange to be without internet. I can't believe how much of my routine involves hopping on the computer to check email, read blogs, etc. I do get a lot of inspiration from reading what other people put out there. At the same time, I think it's easy for me to waste time on the computer. I'd like to work on that too.

I've had a hard time getting adjusted to the apartment. It's finally starting to feel more comfortable but it does not feel like home. I don't know what I was expecting but I was startled when I couldn't just settle in. I'm hoping that things continue to improve. It's just a big change that it is more challenging than I anticipated.

I think this week will be better. Classes resume on Wednesday, which means that I'll go back to being a busy bee. Clearly, I need to be busy in order to feel normal. Things just don't feel right unless I have twenty things on my to-do list.

It's hard to feel bad for yourself when horrible things are happening in the world. Massive tragedies have a way of putting things in perspective. If only disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti did not have to occur. My heart goes out to the people of Haiti. I pray that some sort of relief will come soon to the people suffering from this tragedy.

2010-01-05T23:07:00.000-05:00

Difficult day.

The couch comes tomorrow. I'll be sure to tell more soon.

Moving Day

2010-01-04T22:23:00.002-05:00

Chance has been constructing our new furniture while I've been washing all our dishes, putting things in place, etc. And that's after hours of moving all of our junk. We are both really tired.

More later.

2010-01-03T21:37:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is the big day. Chance and I will be up bright and early for our move.

I'm quite busy with preparations, so this will be a brief post. See you on the other side.

Have a great Monday!

What a day!

2010-01-02T21:52:00.007-05:00

I left the house this morning intending to go to two furniture stores - one local store and an IKEA that's about two hours away. I came back this evening with a couch, two end tables, a coffee table, a TV stand, and various other random household goods. I thank God for my fantastic mother who is nice enough to help me furnish the apartment. The local store was wonderful (a little old man offered us Coca Cola in a glass bottle, presented me with a free lamp after my couch purchase, and called me "sweet lady"). I must say that IKEA is exhausting. Between all of the people scurrying around in competition for various pieces of furniture and the screaming children who just want to go home, I could hardly get through the store. It is so good to be home and especially good to know that I finally have plenty of stuff for the apartment. Now I face the task of getting it all in there, assembled, and put into place. What an exhausting time! I can't wait until I can just relax. My visit to IKEA reminded me of this scene from (500) Days of Summer:

Just so you know, my experience was nothing like this.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T20:37:00.003-05:00

Well, it's a new year and a new decade. I hope you had a fabulous New Years Eve celebration. Most of my New Years was spent on the road headed back from Alabama. I had a fun time visiting family, eating good food, and doing a little shopping. I also got the opportunity to finally watch Up, which I really enjoyed. I especially loved the "Married Life" montage.

As my father says, it was good to go but it's also good to get home. It is a relief to be home so that I can really tackle my to-do list. Chance and I are moving into our new apartment on Monday, so there's lots to do. We did have a relaxing New Years with fireworks, champagne, and the entertaining Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper before the craziness begins.

I don't generally make resolutions but I do have high hopes for 2010. I'm excited to share an apartment with Chance, finish my last year in college, and hopefully get an enjoyable job. What are your hopes for the year?

Auld Lang Syne

2009-12-31T13:39:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

What are your New Years resolutions? I don't really make any. If I had to choose something, I think I'd like to be more organized (and a bit more fit).

Enjoy the holiday! Don't forget to "drink a cup of kindness yet."

Nine

2009-12-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

Has anyone seen Nine yet? I can't decide if it's worth the $10 to see it in the theater. What do you think?

Niiiice

2009-12-29T15:31:00.000-05:00

Chance and I ended up doing quite well for ourselves this Christmas. Not only did we receive lots of necessities for our apartment (pots and pans, a couch, etc.) but our families were also nice enough to give us fun stuff too (movies, candy, etc.). I am so grateful to have such a generous family and to be so welcomed by Chance's family - and not just because they bestowed a bunch of loot upon us. We're lucky people. I should really say that more often.

What Christmas gifts are you must excited about? Who are you most grateful for?

It's Complicated

2009-12-28T13:28:00.001-05:00

This looks so cute!

And I'm Off

2009-12-27T01:25:00.002-05:00

The Christmas celebration continues! I'm off to Alabama for a few days to visit family. I hope you enjoyed your holiday! I'll leave you with one of my traveling companions, Bailey.

Sex and the City

2009-12-26T01:07:00.000-05:00

The trailer for Sex and the City 2 has been released. What do you think? I'm rather skeptical about this one...

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T09:14:00.000-05:00

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Peace on Earth and good will to men!

(Image courtesy of Joshua Davis)

I Wish It Was Christmas Today

2009-12-24T08:48:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas Eve! Enjoy this adorable video of Julian Casablancas on Jimmy Fallon's show.

I hope you have a happy Christmas Eve! It's my father's birthday today, so a very "happy birthday" to him as well.

My Sister's Keeper

2009-12-23T00:27:00.001-05:00

At the encouragement of a friend, I am finally getting around to reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It is quite sad but definitely worth picking up.

What have you been reading lately?

(Image via http://www.ala.org/)

The Lovers

2009-12-22T12:16:00.002-05:00

Would anyone like to buy me this print of Otto Mueller's The Lovers? It's one of my all-time favorites. It needs to be in my bedroom.

(Image via http://www.art.com/)

Peonies

2009-12-21T10:23:00.003-05:00

On a brighter note, I have turned to googling gorgeous springtime plants to pass the time while I am snowed in. I am particularly taken with peonies. Whenever I see them in my grandmother's yard, I know that spring is in full swing. Unfortunately, it's rather early for me to already be thinking of a warmer season as it is just now officially winter. Not to worry, winter, I cherish you too.

(Images via Oh Joy!, Sweet Fine Day, and Ruby Press respectively)

RIP Brittany Murphy

2009-12-20T15:39:00.005-05:00

I just heard news that Brittany Murphy has died.

(Image courtesy of movies.about.com)

This girl seriously affected my preteen self (hello?! Clueless). I also loved her in Uptown Girls, Sidewalks of New York, and Girl, Interrupted.

My thoughts are with her family. I think it is very sad to hear of young people dying for no good reason.

James Franco

2009-12-19T22:58:00.001-05:00

Can anyone tell me what this fella is doing on General Hospital?

(Image courtesy of hollywire.com)

Survey Time!

2009-12-19T16:56:00.006-05:00

Well, we're officially snowed in with about twenty inches of snow and counting. Chance and I ventured out into the snow to make some snow angels and throw clumps of snow at each other (it's too soft for real snowball fights). For the most part, we've been cooped up inside watching the local meteorologist freak out about "crushing the records" for the most snowfall for a Virginia December and some bad Lifetime movies Christmas style.

Getting snowed-in can make you feel a bit stir crazy. Thus, a survey:

What’s your current obsession?
Christmas. Thinking about the new apartment (did I mention I’m moving at the beginning of January?)

What’s your weirdest obsession?
I suppose my magazine obsession is a little weird – it can be rather costly.

What are you wearing today?
Comfy pajama pants and a sweater. The essential snowed-in outfit.

Why is today special?
Because it breaks the record of total snowfall in Virginia. It’s the first day Chance and I played in the snow together.

What would you like to learn to do?
Cook, knit, and various other domestic activities that I do not do.

What’s the last thing you bought?
Christmas gifts for my mom and Chance.

What are you listening to right now?
Serendipity. An appropriately cheesy movie.

What’s your favorite weather?
I love the first warm days of spring. They’re shockingly refreshing. Snow feels more magical than any other weather though, so I love it too.

What’s your most challenging goal right now?
Finish Christmas shopping, wrapping, cleaning, and packing up all my stuff prior to Christmas

What do you think about the person who tagged you?
I wasn’t tagged. I happened to find this on a gorgeous blog that I just discovered today, Sweet Fine Day.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
I’d either like a farm in the country or a spacious apartment in the NYC’s West Village.

Favorite vacation spot?
My favorite places to go: New York City, Savannah, New Orleans, Munich.

What would you like to have in your hands right now?
A warm cup of hot chocolate and some popcorn.

What would you like to get rid of?
Just a little bit of snow so I can actually get out for some food!

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
London, to see it sparkle at Christmas.

Which language do you want to learn?
I’d like to refresh my German.

What super power would you like to possess?
I’d like to be able to travel and get things done at warp speed.

What’s your favorite thing about the city you live in?
I love seeing the mountains. I love that we have a lot of fun stuff to do but we still have a small town atmosphere.

What’s your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet?
Jean skirt. Simple, comfortable, wearable with anything.

What’s your dream job?
Editor for a great magazine, children’s book writer, and co-owner of a café/bookstore with my best friend.

If you had $150 now what would you spend it on?
House wares.

Do you admire anyone’s style?
Yes - I love Zooey Deschanel, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Drew Barrymore.

Describe your personal style.
Simple. I adhere to the less-is-more philosophy.

Who’s fashion show would you want tickets to?
Stella McCartney.

Who’s closet would you want to raid?
Zooey Deschanel’s for sure.

What are you most proud of?
That I’m actually starting to achieve goals that I’ve set myself (especially the fact that I’m able to write for a magazine right now)

Let It Snow!

2009-12-18T22:22:00.006-05:00

"What a lark! What a plunge!" After staying in all day to wrap presents and clean, Chance and I ventured into the snow because his mom and sisters were stuck in the road. Several hours later, we're finally back home. The snow is now up to my knees! It finally feels like Christmas. I am in love with snow.

Christmas Time in the Country

2009-12-17T18:10:00.017-05:00

A celebration is in order because I officially started my Winter Break at about 3:45 this morning. I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Now, it's Christmas decorating, shopping, and wrapping around the clock.

My lovely friend Alison has already spread the Christmas cheer by bestowing lovely gifts upon me today. Not only does she make the best salad-and-bread combo but she knows exactly what gifts will fill my heart with joy.

(Image courtesy of http://www.creativelydifferentblinds.com/)

Beatrix Potter never gets old for me. I don't care how old I get or how many books I read, I don't think I'll ever like any author as much as Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Little Pig Robinson is shockingly one I have not read. Illustrations of pigs in proper little outfits. What could be better?

(Image copyright Sharon Montrose)

Sharon Montrose's animal prints are so gorgeous. Alison knows that I have a weird love of cute animal butts, so this could not be more suitable. It will adorn my walls very soon.

I absolutely adore winter days.

Vogue

2009-12-16T23:42:00.003-05:00

I didn't get any farther down my to-do list today. Sorry for the short post, but I'm intending to begin my last exam in a few minutes. I'll leave you with my most recent distraction:

(Image courtesy of nymag.com)

To-Do

2009-12-15T21:12:00.002-05:00

To-Do List:

Haircut for the holidays
Anthropology Exam
Austen and Woolf Exam
Christmas shopping
Present wrapping

I'm slowly working my way through my to-do list. I'll complete my last exam tomorrow and then I'm free to shop 'til I drop. Can't wait.

Countdown

2009-12-14T23:14:00.004-05:00

It's only Monday and I'm already looking forward to the weekend.

The countdown has begun; I'm approaching my last days of fall semester. I completed one exam today and feel exhausted (History of Literature III, for those who are interested). That means three classes down and two to go. I have take-home exams (my favorite kind) in Anthropology and Austen & Woolf. I can't wait to be done! Let's hope I stay good and productive and get them done by Wednesday.

It's been hard to focus on studying when I have Christmas shopping on my mind and carols on the radio. I have been especially distracted by the Charlie Brown Christmas song this year. Any particular song getting you in the Christmas spirit?

Christmas List

2009-12-13T12:55:00.008-05:00

What's on your Christmas list this year? I've just started making mine (I know, late as usual). My wishlist includes:

(Image courtesy of www.amazon.com)

(Image courtesy of listal.com)

(Image courtesy of ikea.com)

I have exams tomorrow, so I'll see you on the other side. Enjoy what's left of the weekend!

Checking In

2009-12-12T19:46:00.007-05:00

It's a busy time for me right now. I have three exams left and a big change has just presented itself. I'll try to share more soon. For right now I can just say that I'll be running around like crazy for the next month.

For a quick break, I keep picking up this:

(Image courtesy of www.rightcelebrity.com)

I freakin' love Natalie Portman. Have you seen Brothers? It's one of the most intense movies I have seen in a long time. If you haven't seen it yet, GO!

The Triumphant Return

2009-12-11T00:17:00.006-05:00

What do you do when you're feeling really uninspired?

I'd love to know, as I've felt that way for the last couple of months (perhaps that's why I've let my regular posting fall by the wayside?). I have felt drained and like I have nothing of significance to say. Do you ever get that way? Maybe it's because the weather is getting colder, the days are shorter, and school just won't end (except that I'm only three exams away from the end of my second to last undergrad semester). I know that it's a selfish kind of sadness, but I just can't help it.

I'd like to kick my butt in gear and knock myself out of this funk by borrowing an idea from someone else (someone in the blogosphere, not sure who): I'm going to try to write something everyday for a month. 31 days.

This counts as one. Just to be clear.

So, I'm back. Again. Good tidings to you are in order. Can you believe it's already December? We're approaching a new month, a new year, a new decade. Already. Time passes way too quickly. In the midst of the Christmas shopping hubbub, I'm hoping to slooooow dooooown and appreciate one of my absolute favorite times of year.

My favorite things about this time of year:
-lights cover things that are generally not covered in lights - trees, bushes, porches, etc.
-snow! (we've had snow BEFORE Christmas for the first time in years)
-my mother breaks out her holiday sweaters and socks and wears them well into January (one of the most endearing things about her)
-gift giving reaches new heights (I find shopping for others more satisfying than shopping for myself)
-I don't seem weird for only ordering hot chocolate at Starbucks
-fun Christmas lists fill the pages of magazines and are featured on blogs (a la A Cup of Jo)
-it's the time of resolutions, new beginnings, showing your appreciation for others, and spending time with the people you love most

See you here tomorrow.

The Concrete Jungle where Dreams are Made of

2009-10-15T17:17:00.006-04:00

Chance and I went to New York City recently. We were fortunate enough to go to two shows, Rock of Ages and Memphis. Memphis is a new musical at the Shubert Theatre; its Opening Night is this Monday, October 19. Anyone planning on being in the New York area sometime soon should definitely go see this show. I loved it! These were my first Broadway shows and they were both awesome. I'm hooked!

We also spent a lot of time in Central Park. We went to Belvedere Castle, the Lake , and the Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. I love that the park is so peaceful even though it's full of people.

We also went to The American Museum of Natural History. On the way there, Chance and I bumped into none other than Dustin Hoffman. Fortunately, I did not embarrass myself by grabbing him and giving him a hug. He just walked on by while my mouth gaped open.

Another great thing we got to do was Top of the Rock. We went up there as the sun was setting, so pictures weren't that good. Nonetheless, it was an absolutely remarkable view. My favorite building, The Chrysler Building, was glittering in the sun. It was magnificent.

We did a bunch of other stuff. It was just an absolutely wonderful time. Over the past couple of trips, I've fallen head over heels for the city. I'm crossing my fingers that I will be there this time next year.

The Big, Bad City

2009-10-14T21:05:00.004-04:00

During my recent fall break, I headed up to good old New York. I did tons of fun stuff, but info and pictures will have to wait. I'll see you on the other side of a paper and my last two midterms. Until then...

(Chance is to thank for the photo)

Hi!

2009-09-24T17:47:00.012-04:00

Hello folks. I apologize for being gone so long. Can you tell things are crazy?

In my absence, it became autumn. I cannot believe how quickly time is passing. Midterm exams are coming up soon, which just completely boggles my mind. There are lots of fun things going on despite all of the chaos. Since I've been gone for a while, I thought I'd give you the rundown regarding what's been going on as of late.

Working on: the October/November issue of albemarle. It will be on newsstands very soon. I am so excited and proud of this issue. I can't wait to hold it in my hands!

Listening to: "Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys. I think this will be my theme song for the next year. "In New York/ concrete jungle where dreams are made of/There's nothing you can't do/Now you're in New York/These streets will make you feel brand new/big lights will inspire you." Love it!

Looking at: Marie Claire featuring Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page. Vogue featuring Michelle Williams. I love all of these beautiful, strong women!

Watching: The Wackness. Chance and I rented this movie over the weekend. It seems like the desired audience is Chance to a 'T.' Even though I'm not Chance, I thought it was a really good movie.

Reading: Emma by Jane Austen and In Our Time by Ernest Hemingway. This is just a small portion of my assigned reading, but they're both interesting and completely different from one another.

Looking forward to: U2 concert. They're coming to my town next week and I can't wait! It's going to be a great show.

Waiting for: Whip It! Drew Barrymore's directorial debut that comes to theaters on October 2. I love, love, love this girl and I am so excited about her movie. It looks awesome!

Welcome to C-Ville

2009-09-05T11:01:00.015-04:00

I recently stumbled upon Kirei Nest, a gorgeous site by Nicole Ossola focusing on 'daily registry and gifting inspiration.' I especially love the site's feature called Locale Lovelies. Special guests from blog-land share lists of what they would include in a welcome basket for people new to their state. I was led to this interesting site through MartaWrites (one of my absolute favorite blogs), as Marta was just featured there with her picks for Idaho.

I was happy to see that the site also has TWO Virginia features (here and here). I loved both of the lists, but it got me thinking of things that I would include in a welcome basket for people just arriving in Charlottesville.

First, I'd have to include some delicious fruits from Carter Mountain Orchard (peaches or apples, depending on the season). Right now, I'd be including some deliciously sweet Gala apples to start the fall season off right.

(Image courtesy of Carter Mountain Orchard)

With Charlottesville's growing wine market (and a few beer microbreweries), I'd have to include an adult beverage or two. With a shout-out to old T.J. (Thomas Jefferson was not only the third president of the United States, but he also lived in Charlottesville and founded UVA), I'd throw in a bottle of wine from Jefferson Vineyards. For the beer lovers, I'd include a seasonal choice from Starr Hill.

I would insist on adding something to satisfy one's sweet tooth. From BreadWorks, I would add a nice loaf of bread, a few Blueberry Streusel muffins, or Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter cookies.

(Image courtesy of http://www.joythebaker.com/)

Other Charlottesvillians would probably kill me if I didn't include bagels from Bodo's. My preference is a Cinnamon-Raisin bagel, so I'd add a few of those as well.

(Image courtesy of Bodo's)

Since there is some major UVA pride in Charlottesville, I would include a UVA foam finger or Cavalier Jelly Bellies.

(Image courtesy of UVA Bookstore)

And a welcome basket would never be complete without an issue of albemarle magazine.

(Image courtesy of albemarle magazine)

What a long list! The more I thought about it, the more I realized that there are TONS of great things about Charlottesville. My list could go on forever.

Project Runway

2009-08-30T14:30:00.005-04:00

Has anyone else been watching the sixth season of Project Runway on Lifetime? I had my doubts about the network switch and about the show's move to Los Angeles (it was previously filmed in New York). Although I don't really like the coastal switch, I have been pleased with the show so far. It's been a little heavy on the celebrity appearances with Lindsay Lohan on the premiere episode and Rebecca Romijn on the most recent, but I like a lot of the designers and the challenges have been fun.

My favorite designers this season are:

Shirin Askari

Althea Harper

Louise Black

(Images courtesy of Lifetime)

Of course, this could change weekly! I hope you watch so we can discuss.

Print Will Never Die

2009-08-30T13:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I made it through my first week alive (barely). This semester is going to be insanely difficult, as I have way too much on my plate already. Nonetheless, it's really exciting because it's my last year and I'll be doing a lot of really fun things.

In case you're interested, my readings for this week include:

A Room of One's Own, Virginia Woolf
Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad
Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen
Fantomina, Eliza Haywood
Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan

Along with my English classes, I am also taking an Anthropology course entitled "The World at Play." We'll be discussing humor, laughter, and why people find different jokes funny. It should be really interesting!

As you can tell by my reading list, I probably won't be around much! I am still doing my internship, which is tons of fun. On Friday, I met someone who used to intern at the magazine and is now working in publishing in Moscow. If only I could be so lucky! He discussed the state of the publishing industry with me a bit and, although he believes there is a rocky road ahead, he assured me that I should ignore the recent "get out now!" philosophy. It was really nice to hear some encouraging words, especially after the doubt I've recently had regarding my plans.

Back to School

2009-08-18T00:21:00.007-04:00

It's getting to be that time again. In just a week, I will be returning to Jefferson's University for my final year.

(Image courtesy of UVA)

I'm dreading it a bit. I am worried about juggling work, a full course load, and an internship. I know I'll be ridiculously busy between the papers and the reading and rushing back and forth between tutoring, classes, and the magazine office. It will be a chaotic semester, but I hope it'll be an enjoyable one. I know once I'm walking along the lawn, watching the little squirrels burying their nuts and sitting in my classes listening to professors lecture about Jane Austen or Chinua Achebe, I'll settle in just fine.

Until then: panic. I've got books to buy, tutoring training, internship orientation, and a whole bunch of other time consuming tasks that I must accomplish before next week. Wish me luck! And don't hold a grudge if you don't hear from me for a while.

On a Lighter Note

2009-08-13T14:53:00.007-04:00

Hugh Dancy was on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night.

(Image courtesy of kissfendi.com)

Along with promoting his new film, Adam, Hugh also discussed this strange project he is working on in which he and others photograph the carpeting in various airports across the world. They document their travels (and the carpets) in Carpets for Airports. Check it out! It's interesting to take a look at the strange, often tacky airport carpets around the world.

Wednesday Confessional

2009-08-12T22:11:00.004-04:00

I've had a bit of nothing-to-do time in between my summer internship and the start of my fall semester. It's given me just enough time to freak out about my future. It's frightening to be facing my final year as an undergrad. It's going to be a busy, overwhelming year.

As I'm thinking about life after college, I feel like I have direction, which is actually new for me. It's a nice feeling, but I am also worried that I am headed into a dying industry. I shouldn't say dying. Publishing is a rapidly changing industry. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It could actually be exciting, as I will be part of these changes. At the same time, I am worried for magazines. Many people are saying that the future won't be in print, but that magazines will be transformed into purely digital media. As someone who loves magazines, - loves holding them in my hands, loves filing them away - I fear the prospect of losing the aspects of print media that I cherish. Robert Sacks (www.bosacks.com) says that "It's the publishing model that is dead, not print" (from NYU-SCPS Center for Publishing). I suppose this is comforting. Nonetheless, it's certainly scary to be stepping onto shaky ground and into the unknown.

I've been reading all of this advice from "how to take away as much as possible from your internship" to "how to apply for jobs and pitch stories." It's frightening. Am I here already? It's becoming a little too real for me. It's also showing me that I have a lot of decisions to make. What aspects of publishing do I want to focus on? If I want to be a writer, what sort of publication do I want to write for? What experience do I really need? I'm hoping that the coming academic year will provide insight (and answers) to these questions.

I apologize for the 'heavy' nature of this post. It's certainly not necklaces and headbands.

Happy Monday

2009-08-10T22:30:00.004-04:00

Sorry to continue gushing about Marion Cotillard, but I just had to share this adorable video from The New York Times Style Magazine. I think the small errors she makes when she speaks English are endearing. I just think she's beautiful and sweet and...there's just something special about her. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I do!

If you like this video, it is just one of a series called T Screen Test Films. There's a variety of actors featured, including Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Natalie Portman.

To Die By Your Side

2009-08-08T17:11:00.006-04:00

Chance and I finally got to see (500) Days of Summer. We both thought it was delightful, but a bit melancholy. Zooey Deschanel is so cute and loveable and Joseph Gordon-Levitt has a heartbreakingly sweet face. I was so pleased to find this silly video featuring the two cutie-pies for "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?," a song from Zooey's collaboration with M. Ward, She & Him.

(Video courtesy of YouTube)

Enjoy the rest of this gorgeous Saturday!

Intern Thrills

2009-08-06T17:22:00.004-04:00

My last day of my summer internship was on Wednesday. Fortunately, I extended my internship through the academic year, so basically I just have about a two-week vacation. I guess it's a good thing - I have things I need to do to get ready for school - but I'm going to miss the magazine for the two weeks I'm not there!

I went to the bookstore the other day and got one of the greatest thrills ever! I saw the August-September issue (the first that I've ever worked on) on the shelf with all of the other magazines. It was very exciting.

This is what the issue looks like:

(Image courtesy of albemarle magazine)

It is so wonderful to have a tangible thing to show for all of the work I've done over the summer. I can't wait to get back to the office and work on more issues of the magazine!

Wants: Hair Edition

2009-08-03T20:50:00.010-04:00

Now that I have short hair, I feel the need to accessorize. I did some online shopping and could only find a few headbands that stood out.

Peacock Feather Headband:

(Image courtesy of Urban Outfitters)

Flower Headband:

(Image courtesy of Urban Outfitters)

Any suggestions??

Mad Men

2009-08-03T19:39:00.006-04:00

I was reading The Girls in the Beauty Department (Glamour's daily beauty blog), and I discovered something super fun: MadMenYourself.com. In order to hype up the new season's premiere, Mad Men allows you to create a '60s version of yourself.

This is sort of me:

This is cool '60s me:

and this is a combo between real Chance and '60s Chance:

You should try it! It's strangely fun!

Today, I Like

2009-08-03T16:40:00.006-04:00

Meryl Streep.

I saw Diane Sawyer's interview with Meryl on Good Morning America this morning. She was promoting Julie & Julia, which comes out on Friday - I can't wait!

(Image courtesy of www.wireimage.com)

I am always so impressed by Meryl Streep. I have an immense amount of respect and admiration for her. She has a fantastic view on life, beautiful kids, and a career that anyone would envy. She's one classy lady.

Changes

2009-08-01T12:25:00.005-04:00

So, I had long hair a couple of days ago.

I decided to cut it and donate my hair. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite long enough for Locks of Love. So, I donated it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. Next time I grow it out, I'll make sure Locks of Love gets it.

(Don't mind the Goldfish - just a workday snack)

I definitely encourage other people to do this! There isn't really any reason not to. My long hair really grew on me and I ended up loving it. Nonetheless, I'm glad that my getting-ready time has basically been cut in half! It's a win-win.

Please consider donating your hair too!

Fun Week

2009-07-29T23:21:00.004-04:00

Sorry for my absence this week. I've been ridiculously busy. First, I must tell you what Chance and I did over the weekend. We met my friend for one of the strangest events I have ever seen, CLAW: Charlottesville Ladies Arm Wrestlers.

(Image courtesy of CLAW)

Two ladies go head to head in an arm wrestling competition. There are various rounds with different arm wrestlers with names like "Spawn of Bridezilla" and "Pitbull." People have favorite competitors and bet on who they think will win. There are many penalties and do-overs. Best of all, the money raised from this awesome event goes to various charities and organizations, such as Books Behind Bars.

Last night, I stayed over at a local fire station to research a story I am doing. The firefighters were so nice and fun. They are volunteer, so they all have jobs or school work to do on top of this huge commitment. I was surprised how hard they worked even when not doing calls. I definitely have a new respect for the work they do. One of the funniest things I learned about the crew was that they love to watch Rescue Me. Who would have thought?! I love that.

I never thought I would have the opportunity to do so many fun and exciting things as an intern. I feel so lucky! Speaking of which, the new issue of the magazine arrived on Monday. I was so excited to see my first ever issue! I was able to mail copies to friends and family with little cards that had the magazine's logo. It was so much fun! It might sound silly, but the biggest thrill was seeing my name in print. I don't think I could have gotten a better internship!

Likes

2009-07-22T22:19:00.012-04:00

This week, I'm loving:

-the new Sharpie no-bleed pen

(Image courtesy of www.sharpie.com)

-the Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt photo layout in InStyle

(Image courtesy of I Heart You)

-my iPhone - especially the People magazine application

(Image courtesy of iPhoneHelp)

And:

-bright, sunny days (they've been hard to come by this summer)

-extending my internship through the academic year (woohoo!)

-planning for next year (scary but fun)

A Star

2009-07-20T20:50:00.006-04:00

(Image courtesy of marion-media.org)

This is Marion Cotillard. French actress. Oscar winner. My new girl crush.

(Image courtesy of marion-media.org)

I saw Public Enemies over the weekend. Of course, Johnny Depp was fantastic. No matter who/what he plays, he is charismatic and adorable. I also adored Marion in this. Usually Johnny Depp outshines his costars, but they really had fantastic chemistry. It was beautiful.

Away We Go

2009-07-17T21:50:00.010-04:00

Chance and I recently saw Away We Go, one of the many movies on my must-see movie list.

(Image courtesy of Away We Go)

I had heard mixed reviews about the movie, but I loved it. I related to it so much. It was funny and sad and reminded me of so many things. Maya Rudolph is so, so delightful. John Krasinski's character is really quirky and funny. Maggie Gyllenhaal has a minor role, but is completely hilarious. She is one of my favorite people and I thought she was hysterical in this film. It was great! Days after, I'm still thinking about it.

Birthday Best

2009-07-15T23:04:00.006-04:00

Sorry for my lack of posts as of late. It was my 21st birthday on Thursday. I've basically been celebrating since then. Not to worry, I didn't go overboard with the drinks, but I did fall in love with a Cotton Candy Cosmopolitan. Delicious.

I was given lots of really thoughtful gifts and many "happy birthday" wishes. It was a great day.

Among the favorites:

(Image courtesy of www.barnesandnoble.com)

My cousin gave me this moleskine reporter's notebook, which I love. It will come in handy as I start doing interviews more and more. I just love holding it. It's beautiful and sleek. I love journals and books, but I especially love this one. It's gorgeous.

(Image courtesy of happygirlgreetings)

Chance got me calling cards with a little typewriter on them. They're super cute and they make me feel professional. (Just in case, that's not my name and not my information. Please don't try to use that information). He ordered the cards from Etsy - happygirlgreetings.

(Image courtesy of www.apple.com)

My crazy nice parents saw me lusting over the iPhone I gave Chance for his birthday. So, they got me a white one. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival.

(Image courtesy of www.barnesandnoble.com)

My very thoughtful aunt gave me this book, The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb. She knows about my love for children's books and my desire to publish a children's book some day (it's a dying art being taken over by celebrities, but I'll spare you...), so she gifted me with this book full of useful information. (She also gave me gorgeous pearl earrings, not pictured. Images don't do them justice!)

I got lots of other really fun, sweet stuff. In honor of my 21st, my sister bought me Hofbrauhaus beer, which is a really famous biergarten in Munich. We went there a few years ago (on a non-drinking trip), so she tracked down some of their beer for me to sample. Chance's sister handmade me little butterflies (I have a thing for butterflies) that are my favorite colors. She is ridiculously good at making things and I love them. Chance's parents got me John Lennon related items, as he is my idol. It was just a really perfect time!

I apologize for my long absence, but I'm back and better than ever!

Ed's Interns

2009-07-08T22:38:00.006-04:00

I recently stumbled upon a blog that I've been reading obsessively, Ed's Intern Diaries.

Four anonymous NYC magazine interns write about their experiences and provide helpful tips about breaking into the magazine world. Although this is geared more toward other interns working in New York, I've found it to be really helpful (even though I'm just a small town intern). I hope to be in their fancy shoes one day (even better if it's a paying gig!). Here's hoping.

Upcoming Movies

2009-07-07T15:28:00.006-04:00

There are two awesome fashion movies coming out that I cannot wait to see:

The September Issue

(via A Cup of Jo)

Coco before Chanel

(via Lola)

Can't wait!

Gwen on Elle

2009-07-07T11:56:00.011-04:00

I cannot get over the last issue of Elle magazine featuring Gwen Stefani. I've loved Gwen for years. I used to sing "I'm Just a Girl" like it was my theme song. I'd watch the "Don't Speak" and "Sunday Morning" videos over and over again on MTV when I was younger. Tragic Kingdom got me hooked, but I totally loved Return of Saturn with "Simple Kind of Life" and "The Magic's in the Makeup." I even liked Rock Steady, although it was a little too dancehall for me. I loved Gwen. When she went on her solo tangent and did the pop girl thing, I wasn't into it. So, I'm so glad that she's returned to No Doubt. I really hope to see them on their upcoming tour.

Although the article by Aaron Gell starts off rocky, the layout is fantastic. I love how the light looks in each of the photos. It's great. Definitely one I'll be keeping around.

(Image courtesy of www.theinsider.com)

(Image courtesy of www.mtv.com)

(Image courtesy of www.theinsider.com)

(Image courtesy of www.elle.com)

Obviously, images are ultimately courtesy of Elle magazine.

2009-07-04T13:45:00.009-04:00

Happy Independence Day!

I hope you go to a parade, enjoy a barbecue, and "ooooh" and "aaaah" about some beautiful fireworks. I know I will get to do all three!

Happy Birthday, America. I love you.

2009-07-03T19:01:00.008-04:00

Why can't I have tons of money? I am feeling frivolous, but I know that I don't have the money to act like it. So, I'll just online shop and forbid myself to buy. Right now, I can't stop drooling over the unconventional necklaces from Urban Outfitters.

The envelope (with a little note inside)

The pocket watch style clock

The camera

The monacle

2009-07-03T15:29:00.007-04:00

I went to my first ever photo shoot yesterday. I got to informally interview two people. I asked them questions and took notes in my little book. It went by way too quickly, but it was awesome. I cannot wait for this magazine to come out. I'm so excited about it!

Tomorrow, I'll be going to a small town parade for Independence Day. My friend is going to be on a float, which should be really entertaining. Of course, I'm going to see fireworks also. And probably listening to Shooter Jennings "4th of July" a lot. What are you doing for the 4th of July?

Have you seen Bo Obama's downloadable baseball card? I think it's funny that Bo's favorite food is tomatoes. What will they think up next?

(Photo courtesy of the White House Flickr)

2009-07-01T23:24:00.003-04:00

On frustrating days, I like to watch this:

Whenever I watch it, I can't stop laughing. Just look at those little feet!

2009-07-01T21:34:00.004-04:00

IT'S JULY!

I love July, as my birthday is in this month. I will be 21 in eight days. Jeez.

This week is going by fast. Tomorrow, my grandparents are coming in from Alabama. I'm having lunch with a friend and then going to a photo shoot for the magazine. It makes me feel so official.

Today was a rather horrible day. Work was good, but my class was terrible. I am doing a group project with three other people. Of course, none of them want to do anything, so I get stuck with all the work. It's ridiculous and frustrating. I hate group work.

I was complaining about having to do research for an article I'm writing for my internship. My seminar T.A. reminded me that the opportunity to co-write a cover story is insanely awesome and unusual. What was I thinking?! I should really be more appreciative of this wonderful position. I just lost sight of that for a second. Silly me.

Well, it'll be a busy, long weekend. If I do not write, Happy 4th of July. Have a very pleasant Independence Day.

2009-06-30T10:55:00.009-04:00

Well, I'm back from New York. I went back to work yesterday, which was so hard. My feet are still sore from all of the walking we did on Saturday. We went to Bloomingdale's, Grand Central Station (and the Chrysler Building - my favorite), Central Park, Bleecker Street Records (a record store in Greenwich Village), Times Square, Books of Wonder (a children's bookstore in Chelsea), Washington Square Park, Tiffany's, the Flatiron Building, etc. etc. etc. We walked almost everywhere, but took a few cabs when it was too far to walk. On Friday night, we went to MoMA (for free, which was awesome). It rained as we walked there, so my feet were good and blistered for the entire trip. Nonetheless, it was really fun. We ate bad, expensive food and stumbled upon two different parades. We sat in Central Park and watched all the people. We hobbled around the hotel room after we did too much walking. It was great. I can't picture living there (yet), but I still have a year...

That's what the sky looked like after all of the rain on Friday. We stood on a street corner and tons of people around us were looking up, pulling out their phones and cameras, and taking pictures of the sky. It was so New York.

As my dad says, it was good to go but good to be home.

2009-06-25T15:52:00.005-04:00

I won't be writing for a while, as I'm headed to the big ole city: New York, New York.

(Image courtesy of www.gothereguide.com)

I can't wait! I'll supply pictures and details upon my return. Have a great weekend!

2009-06-21T12:37:00.010-04:00

We went out to celebrate Chance's birthday last night, which is actually on Wednesday. He thinks the New York trip is our present to each other, which means he doesn't know he's also getting this:

(Photo courtesy of Apple)

He's interested in the new iPhone 3GS, so I'm getting him one for his birthday. He's not a big birthday person, but I am all about freaking out over them.

We're narrowing down our plans for our New York trip next weekend. It looks like we're going to be packing a lot of stuff into a very little bit of time. Still, if there are any suggestions (especially about places to eat), let me know!

2009-06-18T22:24:00.005-04:00

Today was the first sunny day we've had in a while. I went to lunch with Alison and talked about fun things. She gave me a book, Miss Rumphius, that she used to read when she was little. I love it. I used to want to be a children's librarian, which I have recently reconsidered (I'm not very good at being quiet), but I still love love love children's books. I'm always looking for new books to add to my ever growing collection.

After lunch, I was feeling good and decided to take a walk. I watched cardinals sing and listened to a creek babbling along. I came home panting and beet red. It was really hot today. I'm not complaining. I hope this is "goodbye" to rain and "hello" to hot, sunny days.

Oh, and my internship is still going really well. Layout is severely intimidating, so I won't be touching that for a long time. My boss, however, allowed me to go into the official layout so that my first experience with that would be putting my own name into the magazine. My name is now in the masthead (there's some magazine lingo for you), which made me rather giddy.

2009-06-17T22:18:00.005-04:00

Chance and I are trying to work out a wee getaway to New York City next weekend. His birthday is next week and mine is two weeks after that, so we're thinking it'll be a nice birthday celebration for us both. Plus, Chance has some business to take care of and I'd like to check out NYU. We've both been thinking a lot about relocating next year. We'll see!

(Image courtesy of www.tripadvisor.com)

Any suggestions about where to eat/sleep (good places, but inexpensive)?

2009-06-16T14:01:00.005-04:00

Why is Zooey Deschanel so darn cute?

(Image courtesy of www.hollywood-celebrity-pictures.com)

I really feel like she can do no wrong. Even her cotton commercial is cool.

(Found on my TV and K is for Katie)

2009-06-11T20:34:00.007-04:00

As seen on Smitten, there is this website/project/book called "Before I die I want to..." Some folks take polaroids of various people in a bunch of different places and get them to write down their answer to the question "What do you want to do before you die?" on their picture. It's interesting to see how many people want to do the same things. A lot of people say they want to have children or grandchildren, they want to travel, they want to change the world, etc. A lot of people have the same desires as I do, which is comforting. I think this is really cool. It reminds me a little of the "Post Secret" stuff but, obviously, different. Things like this really reveal a lot about people - mostly that we're more similar than we might like to think.

2009-06-11T12:35:00.003-04:00

I considered keeping this bit of information to myself, but I just have to gush. Yesterday was the first official day of my internship. I woke up earlier than needed because I was nervous about the day. What would I be doing? What should I say? I just kept rolling the same thought around in my head, "if you're not getting scared, maybe you're being too safe." I just kept telling myself that the fear was good - it meant I was getting out of my comfort zone and doing something new, something exciting.

So, I arrived there a bit early. I was nervous and giddy. Maybe I laughed a little too much. Maybe I spoke in a high pitched nervous voice. Maybe my face was a bit red with embarrassment. Nonetheless, my boss was great. She showed me around, showed me where I'd be working, showed me how to log onto the computers, etc. I got my own folder on the computer, which may not sound like much to you, but really excited me. She told me all sorts of wonderful things that made me feel at ease. She started me on my first project, which will appear in the next issue of the magazine. I am SO excited. I think I'm still on a high from it all. It was ridiculously awesome. The people seem super nice. My boss (or "sponsor" as the internship people say) is flexible, warm, and fantastic. I can't sing her praises enough. She's just ideal.

The most exciting thing is I never really imagined myself with an opportunity as wonderful as this one. I am an English major and of course, I want to make use of it. I've always loved writing, but I don't know, it was just a dream I had that didn't seem like it could happen. Working at a magazine was too perfect for me to even consider. I just didn't think that was possible. Now, I know I'm just an intern, which really doesn't mean anything, but it still means so much to me. For the first time, I feel like I'm headed into a direction that fits me. It's a nice feeling. I think (I hope) this is the beginning of wonderful things!

Speaking of wonderful things, I can't help but mention this:

(Thanks to martawrites for posting this)

Growing up, I was a huge fan of Saved by the Bell (still am - and I have the DVDs to prove it). So, I seriously hope cute-as-a-button Jimmy Fallon can make this reunion happen!

2009-06-10T21:56:00.000-04:00

A few nights ago, I finished reading Julie Powell's Julie & Julia.

(Image courtesy of www.barnesandnoble.com)

I was intrigued by this book because it springs from a blog (the Julie/Julia Project) that existed before blogs were all the rage. Although I was not one of Julie's "bleaders", I am inspired by the idea and the way in which she captured the hearts of so many readers. If only such a unique, eye catching idea would enter my brain! Unfortunately, I can only record random thoughts with no real direction or purpose. Nonetheless, I like that blogs are submitted into cyberspace, just waiting for someone to reach out and connect with something written there. It's such a strange opportunity - sharing things with who knows who. Anyway, back to the book. Mostly, I like that it encourages one to believe in the possibility of drastically changing one's own life. Julie was 29 when she began this - she was just an unhappy secretary. By starting this journey (cooking through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, writing a daily blog about her experiences, etc.), Julie Powell went from lowly secretary to full time writer. Julia Child herself didn't even attend culinary school until she was 36. I don't know. It's a nice thing to keep in mind. Don't resign yourself to having an unhappy life. (Is it bad that I didn't mention the food? This definitely proves that I'm a picky eater, as all the food described sounds, well, gross).

The book really makes me want to see the movie adaptation, which stars Amy Adams as Julie and Meryl Streep as Julia. It hits theaters August 7, 2009 and I can't wait.

2009-06-08T23:53:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is an Election Day in Virginia. Although many people shy away from voting in primaries (especially for state elections), it is very important. I really think people underestimate the local and state government. Voting in the presidential election is simply not enough. Tomorrow, we decide what democratic candidate will be running for Governor. For any Virginians who might possibly read this, please remember to vote!

Personally, I love voting. When I turned 18, I wasn't excited about buying cigarettes (I'm not a smoker) or lottery tickets (I'm not a big gambler either) - I was excited about voting. I know that sounds geeky and unlikely, but it's true. When the election rolled around that year, I even got my mother to take pictures of me with my "I voted" sticker on. I love waking up a little bit early, grabbing my Voter Registration Card, and heading to my polling place. I like waiting in line, going into the little booth, and pressing the button for the candidate(s) I'm rooting for. It makes me feel like I'm involved, like I'm accomplishing something.

This time around, I'm gunning for Mr. Creigh Deeds. He's a good, experienced man. I have met Mr. Deeds and his patient voice and kind eyes (as well as his positions and plans) convince me that he will make a great Governor.

Whether you vote for Creigh Deeds or not, please get out and vote!

2009-06-08T15:18:00.010-04:00

One of my favorite things:

Driving down a country road on a Sunday evening. Windows down, radio up, enjoying the mountains and gorgeous farms as the sun begins to set. Sometimes, I cannot believe that I got to grow up here.

Summer is my favorite.

2009-06-07T01:33:00.015-04:00

On Friday morning, six of us piled into Chance's Lincoln Town Car headed for Washington, D.C. The day was dreary, but our spirits were high. We stopped at an IHop and had breakfast and then made the rest of our way to D.C. Our destination: The International Spy Museum.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.visitingdc.com/)

The museum was much larger than I anticipated. The layout was interesting - various sections of the museum had different themes. Each section had a great deal of information that catered to adults but also had plenty of hands-on activities to entertain children. Its downfall was that it was just a bit too loud and bright. There was always a lot of noise going on - kids running around screaming and loud videos blaring - and different sections of the museum had bright, flashing lights. Three hours after entering, I left with a headache and a major case of sensory overload. It is a very nice, well put together museum but I think it might be teetering on the edge of too much.

There were definitely certain areas of the museum that I found more interesting than others. I thought the various spy gadgets were fascinating, such as the lipstick gun.

(Image via http://www.gizmag.com/)

I also liked the section about celebrities involved in espionage (like Marlene Dietrich) and was shocked by the WWII posters like this one:

(Image courtesy of http://www.wwii-collectibles.com/)

There was definitely a lot to see. I think there is something for everyone at this museum. Overall, I had a good time, but it was rather exhausting. As far as museums go, I would prefer to explore the (free of charge) Smithsonian instead of paying the $18 for the Spy Museum. Nonetheless, it would be worth the trip for spy fans and more entertaining for kids than much of what the Smithsonian has to offer.

2009-06-04T22:35:00.009-04:00

Hello!

My computer has been down and out, so I've been away from the internet for a few days. Being without internet access really opens one's eyes to one's dependency on the computer. It was nice to have a break, but I'm also glad to be back!

So, summer is the best time for movies, right? I guess so, because there are a few movies coming up that I'd really like to see.

Away We Go

(500) Days of Summer

Post Grad

This weekend brings a trip to D.C. for me. Enjoy your weekend!

2009-06-01T15:12:00.004-04:00

It's the first day of June!

This is my favorite time of year. I absolutely love summer. Mostly, it's because of the food. Strawberries, peaches, corn, blackberries, tomatoes - the list goes on. I crave fresh fruit and vegetables all year, as grocery store produce just doesn't cut it for me. There's nothing like fresh, local produce!

I also like to be outside more. I love walks in the summertime. I also like to visit Maymont Park in Richmond, VA at least once a summer. It's usually unbearably hot, but it's so beautiful there.

Interestingly, the first day of June has been mild. Summer humidity is definitely not in full swing yet. I would be enjoying the unusual cool temperatures, but I've been cooped up inside, trying to clean before my internship starts and I become obsessed with the magazine. I only have one more week! I have an orientation seminar next Monday and my first day of work is Wednesday, June 10th. I am SO excited!

Since it's June 1st, I thought I'd make a list of things I'm looking forward to this month:

-my internship finally starts
-Chance's birthday
-a trip to Washington, D.C.
-a second visit to Stone Soup Books with Alison
-reading more books on my summer reading list (Persuasion, I Capture the Castle, My Sister's Keeper, Revolutionary Road, etc.)
-peaches ripening

Here's to an exciting and busy start to summer!

Summer Sky

2009-05-31T01:44:00.004-04:00

It's the weekend. Enjoy the sunshine and blue sky that's peaking through those clouds.

Mr. President

2009-05-27T23:16:00.000-04:00

I spent hours last night looking at the White House Flickr. It's amazing how the White House utilizes these forms of technology and communication that are cropping up everywhere. President Obama's White House not only has a Flickr, but also a Facebook, a Twitter, a MySpace, etc. etc. Barack is way more hooked up than I am! I actually feel like I'm behind the times looking at that list.

Some pictures that struck me:

Obviously, I'm drawn to candid pictures of the Obama family. I just think it is inspiring and invigorating to see such a young, energetic family in the White House. I know there are so many negative things to dwell on and feel down about right now in this country, but looking at our President gives me confidence and hope. I think it proves to be an intelligent move to allow Americans access to private moments like these. It's definitely a good P.R. move, as it makes one feel as though the President is down to earth, loving, and a generally admirable man.

Magazines

2009-05-26T23:18:00.001-04:00

This week, I bought a few magazines. Among them:

Time with Michelle Obama on the cover:

I thought the article about the First Lady was really interesting. The cover was strong.

W magazine featuring Ginnifer Goodwin:

I was really surprised by this layout. The articles are way too short and the pictures aren't all that great on the inside, but the cover sold me. I love it!

Allure with Jessica Biel:

This was an impulse purchase. It wasn't really worth it.

Photographs courtesy of each magazine's website.

I seriously need to curb my magazine purchasing. It's gotten pretty bad.

2009-05-26T16:18:00.000-04:00

Clearly, I've finally decided on a name for this blog. I'm sure you recognize "it's the journey" as being part of a common expression ("it's the journey, not the destination"). It might be cliche, but it was something my 10th grade English teacher said to me that I really stuck. I appreciate her because she reinvigorated my love for books and writing. She gave me a lot of advice and guidance that I continue to follow. I definitely reserve the right to change it, as I'm sure I'll become sick of it at some point. Nonetheless, it stays for now.

It's been really rainy today. I have been cleaning and doing little things around the house. I got a bit bored, which led me to this little survey that I found randomly on the internet.

8 things i look forward to:
01. my internship
02. starting a paying job and getting money again
03. Chance's birthday
04. my birthday
05. going to Atlantic City sometime this summer
06. my 4th year of college starting
07. seeing No Doubt this summer (I hope)
08. (500) Days of Summer coming out

8 things i did yesterday:
01. snuggled with Chance
02. called Mom
03. checked email
04. showered
05. went to Chance's house
06. ate Riverside with my dad and sister
07. saw the baby mouse my sister rescued
08. watched What Just Happened with Chance (I would NOT recommend it)

8 things i wish i could do:
01. have more patience
02. quilt
03. cook
04. ...other things that I don't have patience for
05. get organized
06. stay organized
07. be cool in every situation
08. have more courage

8 shows i watch:
01. The Big Bang Theory
02. Gilmore Girls (only on DVD now)
03. Saturday Night Live
04. The Soup
05. Jon and Kate Plus Eight
06. Parks and Recreation
07. Ellen
08. Oprah

That's all for now.

2009-05-25T23:53:00.000-04:00

It's been a relatively uneventful weekend. I really like it that way. Chance and I did a little shopping, watched a few movies, and enjoyed each other's company. It was nice.

We watched Marley & Me, which was actually really sad. It had me crying for about 20 minutes at the end. I was expecting a comedy, but it was still much better than I anticipated.

I've been thinking of this William Wordsworth poem often:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed---and gazed---but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

My internship starts soon. I cannot wait to work for a magazine!

2009-03-22T22:10:00.000-04:00

As this is my first post, I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Laura. How do you do?

I am a girlfriend, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I am a third year English major. I am a reader and a writer. I am a lover of books, flowers, music, and sunshine. I am an observer, an idealist, and a firecracker.

Now that I've introduced myself, we can move on.

I intend to keep a record of my experiences and tastes from now until I get bored. We'll see how this goes.

Right now, I'm really liking:

Laughing at the funny things Chance says
Old books found at Stone Soup Books (www.stonesoupbooks.net)
Really nice hangout time with my friend, Alison
Daydreaming about all the different possible directions that my life could go in
Planning my class schedule for Fall 2009
Reading Jane Austen books
W magazine featuring Drew Barrymore on the cover
Buying gifts for the people close to me whose birthdays are quickly approaching
Watching all the trees blossoming around town
Watching little Bails (my dog) run around in the leaves
Seeing all the daffodils around
Painting my toenails springtime-y colors
Earning a 100% on a Literature midterm

I won't go into anything that annoys me right now. Let's keep things positive, shall we?

Now, all I need is a name...