1. Handing in a paper feels really good.
2. Doing laundry is a very good thing.
3. Perks of Being a Wallflower is a fantastic book.
4. Sometimes you have to go back to the basics to understand the bigger concept.
Today I printed off an assignment for my writing class. It was an academic article entitled "What Is a Paragraph?" I wasn't sure if I should be slightly offended or simply intrigued. I thought I should be offended because I am 18 and I know what a paragraph is and dang it, I know how to write. But then I thought I should be intrigued because maybe I do need to know what a paragraph is. Maybe I need to go back to the basics.
The past few weeks has been stuffed full of information: first orientation, then the first few days of class that freaked some of us out, and now the first papers and exams. Most of the time, I don't know what to do with all this information. So, the information is stored in the back of my brain or cast to the side.
And the information is not simple. The concepts are getting more complicated and more in-depth than ever before. We don't review past information; we just pick off right where we should have left off. Oftentimes, without realizing it, I am wishing to go back to the basics.
I am currently taking a class on Buddhism and mindfulness. The main concept we are learning about is simplicity and not thinking... basically, going back to the basics. There, we re-learn the basis for everything: how to treat people, how to care for the planet, and even what a paragraph is. We often complicate our minds with difficult concepts, which are fantastic and sometimes they change the world we live in. But that's just it: we complicate it. If we get back to the basics, we understand why we started in the first place. And if we don't understand that, then why are we doing it?
So maybe I should be intrigued on what a paragraph is...
Peace!
-Nicole
PS I just wrote a few paragraphs right there!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Megan Tackles Art and Artistry
1. Don't stay up until 3:15 working on a speech.
2. Don't fall asleep reading a book, it will fall on your roommate in the middle of the night.
3. Boots = blisters.
4. It's okay to be impulsive every once in a while.
Megan here and it's Wednesday. That means you get to listen to me for a bit.
As I'm sure Nicole mentioned, we had our Symposium a few weeks ago which surrounded the topic of "The Role of the Artist in Society" A ton of great speakers came and held amazing sessions and whatnot. As it happened, Melissa forced me into a strange situation in our Psychology class the next day. She raised my hand when our Prof asked if anyone considered themselves an artist. I was uncomfortable with this for two reasons:
1. I've never gone by the descriptor "Artist." Ever.
2. I now had to talk to the class and explain how I felt about an artist's obligation to society, especially focusing on optimism.
It made me think, so here we go...
First off, yes. I do believe it is an artist's job to be optimistic, especially if they intend to reach a mass audience. That isn't to say one cannot produce dark art (I myself am guilty), however the artist must acknowledge that whatever unfortunate circumstance they've encountered is not universal and must provide a glimmer of hope for their audience. Defining art for a second as any form of self-expression, it is my belief that inherent beauty exists in every form and instance of art. Yes, I am aware that beauty exists in death and other things not seen as conducive to what we think of as being optimistic, but I also believe that the majority of art exists to highlight and express the beauty of life, in contrast to death.
To recapitulate this idea, darkness is a part of art. It is a part of human existence, and one would be ill-advised to ignore that. However, art in itself is a form of optimism in that the artist cares enough to capture its image, whether through paint, ink, graphite, dance, song, or what have you. The artist itself must acknowledge that optimism is just as viable as a viewpoint as pessimism and must present this to their audience. As a species, I believe we are generally optimistic. I mean, imagine if Oogruck the caveman thought to himself, "Well, I am entirely incapable to bringing down a mammoth tomorrow. We're all doomed." NO! Long story short, yes, being optimistic is in the job description of an artist, if ever so slightly.
Now (on a less grandiose level of thinking) I'm going to speak as someone who creates art. I caution you, Reader, in how you approach someone's art, whether that be a professional, amateur, peer, etc. Art is self-expression, and thus is created through the lens of the artist and cannot always be taken as empirical fact. Yeah an artist uses art to represent real life, but it's only a representation and well... art. People create art for art's sake, and so I advise you to not take it too literally or seriously (within reason.)
Simply put, do not pass complete judgment on an artist based solely on their art. You can view every single Frida Kahlo painting and still not know her entirely, or listen to every single Michael Jackson song and still not have a complete picture of who he was as a man. An artist will be incredibly intimate with you, but they won't tell you everything. They leave their existence for that.
To drive my point home, I leave you with something from Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty. When he was on MTV Storytellers, he alluded to the fact that fans always asked him why everything on his album was so sad all the time. He response contained something close to the following, "When I'm happy I go do happy things, I'll go hang out and just enjoy being happy. When I'm sad or something's on my mind, I'll sit and write a song about it." So yeah, I think a lot of artists are the same way. That is definitely not to say that there aren't artists out there cranking out nothing but optimism. Google Vladimir Kush, I love that guy.
Peace out, be well. Hugs.
-Megan
2. Don't fall asleep reading a book, it will fall on your roommate in the middle of the night.
3. Boots = blisters.
4. It's okay to be impulsive every once in a while.
Megan here and it's Wednesday. That means you get to listen to me for a bit.
As I'm sure Nicole mentioned, we had our Symposium a few weeks ago which surrounded the topic of "The Role of the Artist in Society" A ton of great speakers came and held amazing sessions and whatnot. As it happened, Melissa forced me into a strange situation in our Psychology class the next day. She raised my hand when our Prof asked if anyone considered themselves an artist. I was uncomfortable with this for two reasons:
1. I've never gone by the descriptor "Artist." Ever.
2. I now had to talk to the class and explain how I felt about an artist's obligation to society, especially focusing on optimism.
It made me think, so here we go...
First off, yes. I do believe it is an artist's job to be optimistic, especially if they intend to reach a mass audience. That isn't to say one cannot produce dark art (I myself am guilty), however the artist must acknowledge that whatever unfortunate circumstance they've encountered is not universal and must provide a glimmer of hope for their audience. Defining art for a second as any form of self-expression, it is my belief that inherent beauty exists in every form and instance of art. Yes, I am aware that beauty exists in death and other things not seen as conducive to what we think of as being optimistic, but I also believe that the majority of art exists to highlight and express the beauty of life, in contrast to death.
To recapitulate this idea, darkness is a part of art. It is a part of human existence, and one would be ill-advised to ignore that. However, art in itself is a form of optimism in that the artist cares enough to capture its image, whether through paint, ink, graphite, dance, song, or what have you. The artist itself must acknowledge that optimism is just as viable as a viewpoint as pessimism and must present this to their audience. As a species, I believe we are generally optimistic. I mean, imagine if Oogruck the caveman thought to himself, "Well, I am entirely incapable to bringing down a mammoth tomorrow. We're all doomed." NO! Long story short, yes, being optimistic is in the job description of an artist, if ever so slightly.
Now (on a less grandiose level of thinking) I'm going to speak as someone who creates art. I caution you, Reader, in how you approach someone's art, whether that be a professional, amateur, peer, etc. Art is self-expression, and thus is created through the lens of the artist and cannot always be taken as empirical fact. Yeah an artist uses art to represent real life, but it's only a representation and well... art. People create art for art's sake, and so I advise you to not take it too literally or seriously (within reason.)
Simply put, do not pass complete judgment on an artist based solely on their art. You can view every single Frida Kahlo painting and still not know her entirely, or listen to every single Michael Jackson song and still not have a complete picture of who he was as a man. An artist will be incredibly intimate with you, but they won't tell you everything. They leave their existence for that.
To drive my point home, I leave you with something from Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty. When he was on MTV Storytellers, he alluded to the fact that fans always asked him why everything on his album was so sad all the time. He response contained something close to the following, "When I'm happy I go do happy things, I'll go hang out and just enjoy being happy. When I'm sad or something's on my mind, I'll sit and write a song about it." So yeah, I think a lot of artists are the same way. That is definitely not to say that there aren't artists out there cranking out nothing but optimism. Google Vladimir Kush, I love that guy.
Peace out, be well. Hugs.
-Megan
Monday, September 26, 2011
Change
1. Being sick sucks.
2. Home is the best place to be sick.
3. Personality tests are interesting.
4. Change is interesting to watch.
Sorry for taking so long to post. It was family weekend the past few days and then I became very sick. I ended up going home last night because I didn't even want to think about trying to get out of my loft bed if I needed something. Plus my bed at home is very comfortable.
Last night, when I got home, I couldn't help but think, "This is weird." I have become very accustomed to living at school that going home was very odd. My room is stripped bare of most of its personality because all of it is in my dorm. I had a bag of my clothes and my computer with me. It was like staying in a guest bedroom at a distant family member's house. But it is still my room. Everything in my room has a memory or a reason behind it. My books and dolls are still on the shelf. It is my room, but not really my room.
College is a weird period in anyone's life. I have heard many people talk about how college life has made them feel they don't have a true home. But now I understand. I still have a home, but my life is here at college. It's just a new way of thinking about things; it's not bad, just... different. It's change.
When I got back to school at about five today, Megan gave me a personality quiz to take. 300 questions. After a half hour of answering all those questions, my results came. To my surprise, I came up as an extrovert. When I was younger, I was the polar opposite. I was the quite girl who sat in on my mom's conversations at church. I rarely made my voice heard and rarely was I the center of attention. But now, that's different. I know I have changed, but for something outside myself and my mom to tell me that, it's weird.
I feel like my transition to college and to my extrovert self was like watching a movie of sorts. I am still slightly confused on how I got here, but I'm enjoying it. It's just weird to watch myself change; even weirder to have it happen. Change is quite the adventure.
Peace!
-Nicole
2. Home is the best place to be sick.
3. Personality tests are interesting.
4. Change is interesting to watch.
Sorry for taking so long to post. It was family weekend the past few days and then I became very sick. I ended up going home last night because I didn't even want to think about trying to get out of my loft bed if I needed something. Plus my bed at home is very comfortable.
Last night, when I got home, I couldn't help but think, "This is weird." I have become very accustomed to living at school that going home was very odd. My room is stripped bare of most of its personality because all of it is in my dorm. I had a bag of my clothes and my computer with me. It was like staying in a guest bedroom at a distant family member's house. But it is still my room. Everything in my room has a memory or a reason behind it. My books and dolls are still on the shelf. It is my room, but not really my room.
College is a weird period in anyone's life. I have heard many people talk about how college life has made them feel they don't have a true home. But now I understand. I still have a home, but my life is here at college. It's just a new way of thinking about things; it's not bad, just... different. It's change.
When I got back to school at about five today, Megan gave me a personality quiz to take. 300 questions. After a half hour of answering all those questions, my results came. To my surprise, I came up as an extrovert. When I was younger, I was the polar opposite. I was the quite girl who sat in on my mom's conversations at church. I rarely made my voice heard and rarely was I the center of attention. But now, that's different. I know I have changed, but for something outside myself and my mom to tell me that, it's weird.
I feel like my transition to college and to my extrovert self was like watching a movie of sorts. I am still slightly confused on how I got here, but I'm enjoying it. It's just weird to watch myself change; even weirder to have it happen. Change is quite the adventure.
Peace!
-Nicole
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Defy Gravity
Note from Nicole: Yes, we do seem to like the musical Wicked. It's a good theme to go with.
Melissa here. This is my first official blog post on here, so bear with me. I'm gonna post random stuff, and then elaborate on it all. Make sense? I hope so.
Melissa here. This is my first official blog post on here, so bear with me. I'm gonna post random stuff, and then elaborate on it all. Make sense? I hope so.
1. Study breaks are good. You know it's gone bad when you start reading words for other words that aren't that word... yeah.
Studying is not a good time. But, when you misread a word for a different word and tell your friends about it, it can be quite the amusing time. Let's just say I'm special. Also, sunflower seeds for me make EVERYTHING better. Especially studying.
2. Friends are awesome.
The friends I've made here are wonderful, and I feel so lucky to have found them. With me is one of my friends from high school, and I'm so glad I have her here with me. She's my safety blanket, and I'd be lost without her. I've managed to make new friends, too, and each and everyone one of them is amazing in their own way. I've managed to meet my twin (HI, NICOLE!), fellow Gleeks, Potterheads, Starkids, choir nerds, etc. It's kinda blowing my mind how awesome people are. I'm so excited to make some life-long friendships with some truly awesome people.
3. Sometimes, it's okay to be in a total state of confusion.
Finishing up my third week of classes, I've come to realize that they're not what I expected them to be, and I'm completely okay with that. My freshman inquiry seminar is called "gendered performance." It makes my brain hurt, it makes me totally confused, and it makes me question everything I know (or thought I knew) about gender, and I LOVE IT. I want to learn more, I want to know about all the different theories, and I want to hear other points of view. It's one of the first times that I really, really, REALLY want to learn. And it's a fabulous feeling. I'm actually excited to write my paper for this class, and it's one of the few times I've felt like this. It's wonderful.
4. Defy gravity.
Last week I was really struggling. I was constantly in a state of unhappiness, and I couldn't figure out exactly why. I just felt numb. I'm not sure how exactly I got myself out of the shlump (probably the amazing friends I talked about earlier), but now I don't want to let myself get back there. I've struggled with bouts of depression all throughout high school, and I want college to be that turning point. The time where I be myself, and I'm happy with myself, and I don't let anything stop me. In high school, I was sometimes afraid to just be myself and not worry about what others thought. I always thought I wasn't good enough, I was hard on myself, and at times, I was my own worst enemy. Now that I'm in college where no one knows who I am, was, or want to be, it's like a fresh slate has been handed to me, and I can do whatever I want. And that's exactly what I'm going to do, and it makes me so excited. It'll be difficult at times, but it's a new opportunity. Life is full of these opportunities and I have finally taken it.
It's my time to defy gravity. (I'm so cliché and cheesy. It doesn't help that "Defying Gravity" is the song Nicole and I will hopefully be singing for the freshman showcase, and the song is stuck in my head).
Yay for being cheesy. It's what I do best. That, and being awkward...
Aww yeah.
-Melissa
For Good
1. Not having class until 1:20 is pretty awesome.
2. Wear a jacket, even if you think you'll be warm enough.
3. Libraries are not such productive places when you are on FB.
4. I have been changed for good.
"Who can say if I've been changed for the better? / But because I knew you / I have been changed for good." - For Good from Wicked
It's been three weeks since I started classes. Three weeks. I don't even know what to think about it. Three weeks ago, I went to class and had my first class of college. Three weeks ago, I met my 'twin' and became closer to everyone around me. Two weeks ago I met someone who changed my life for good. I have had classes already cancelled, started to learn to play guitar, impromptu concerts held in my dorm room, spent too many nights staying up late, and have grown so much in who I am.
Life is a game of imitation. When we are little, we copy our parents and siblings. When we are older and growing into our teen years, we idolize celebrities and mimic what they are doing. When we start middle school and high school, we will do anything to get attention, so we start to 'follow the crowd'. Most of this is not intentional; it is just how we function as humans. We are still individuals; we were born who we are. But we aren't a hard, glazed pot. We are soft clay and different textures, colors, and shapes are put into us; finger prints are left. Life is process, not point A and point B.
We also start to learn little quirks from others around us. Take swearing for an extreme example. When we are thrown into a group that is using profanity left and right, we tend to start to pick up on that habit. It's the same with pretty much everything else. I have begun to notice my new friends' sayings pop up in conversations I have with others. I am noticing some of my mannerisms are a carbon copy of my friends'. And it is happening the other way around too. My little quirks are appearing in my friends and my random saying are becoming a part of the vernacular.
I am not a different person from when I moved into college; I just have a few more colors on my 'vase of life' and a few more finger prints have been created.
And it has only been three weeks. What is my vase going to look like once I am three months, one year, three years into college? I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Peace!
-Nicole
2. Wear a jacket, even if you think you'll be warm enough.
3. Libraries are not such productive places when you are on FB.
4. I have been changed for good.
"Who can say if I've been changed for the better? / But because I knew you / I have been changed for good." - For Good from Wicked
It's been three weeks since I started classes. Three weeks. I don't even know what to think about it. Three weeks ago, I went to class and had my first class of college. Three weeks ago, I met my 'twin' and became closer to everyone around me. Two weeks ago I met someone who changed my life for good. I have had classes already cancelled, started to learn to play guitar, impromptu concerts held in my dorm room, spent too many nights staying up late, and have grown so much in who I am.
Life is a game of imitation. When we are little, we copy our parents and siblings. When we are older and growing into our teen years, we idolize celebrities and mimic what they are doing. When we start middle school and high school, we will do anything to get attention, so we start to 'follow the crowd'. Most of this is not intentional; it is just how we function as humans. We are still individuals; we were born who we are. But we aren't a hard, glazed pot. We are soft clay and different textures, colors, and shapes are put into us; finger prints are left. Life is process, not point A and point B.
We also start to learn little quirks from others around us. Take swearing for an extreme example. When we are thrown into a group that is using profanity left and right, we tend to start to pick up on that habit. It's the same with pretty much everything else. I have begun to notice my new friends' sayings pop up in conversations I have with others. I am noticing some of my mannerisms are a carbon copy of my friends'. And it is happening the other way around too. My little quirks are appearing in my friends and my random saying are becoming a part of the vernacular.
I am not a different person from when I moved into college; I just have a few more colors on my 'vase of life' and a few more finger prints have been created.
And it has only been three weeks. What is my vase going to look like once I am three months, one year, three years into college? I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Peace!
-Nicole
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Little Things
1. Writer's block is never fun.
2. Notecards are truly amazing.
3. Harmonizing to "Tonight Tonight" can sound pretty cool.
4. The little things are such a blessing.
Today, I woke up and climbed out of my bed. The first thing I thought was, "Today is going to be a struggle." Now, typically I am a morning person, but today just I wasn't. I couldn't think in my writing class nor could I clear my mind enough to meditate in my Buddhism class. This morning was simply a ride on the 'struggle bus'.
Then afternoon came, which was better. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and put some favorite music on. I got most of my homework finished and I got my head wrapped around a few projects. I went to Spanish tutoring (line of the night: If you eat bacon before you swim, you'll die.) and finally bought some milk. I got a letter from a friend who I see every day, but it still made me smile. I ate dinner with a few friends and ended up laughing most of the time. Then, I ended my night sitting on my floor, back to back with a close friend, talking and attempting to do homework.
Every thing listed made me a bit happier. And everything on it was a little thing, seemingly not too exciting. But everything did make me feel better. Finishing over-due assignments, getting a letter from a person I just saw, talking with someone. I am finding that its the little things that make life...
Well...life.
Peace!
-Nicole
2. Notecards are truly amazing.
3. Harmonizing to "Tonight Tonight" can sound pretty cool.
4. The little things are such a blessing.
Today, I woke up and climbed out of my bed. The first thing I thought was, "Today is going to be a struggle." Now, typically I am a morning person, but today just I wasn't. I couldn't think in my writing class nor could I clear my mind enough to meditate in my Buddhism class. This morning was simply a ride on the 'struggle bus'.
Then afternoon came, which was better. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and put some favorite music on. I got most of my homework finished and I got my head wrapped around a few projects. I went to Spanish tutoring (line of the night: If you eat bacon before you swim, you'll die.) and finally bought some milk. I got a letter from a friend who I see every day, but it still made me smile. I ate dinner with a few friends and ended up laughing most of the time. Then, I ended my night sitting on my floor, back to back with a close friend, talking and attempting to do homework.
Every thing listed made me a bit happier. And everything on it was a little thing, seemingly not too exciting. But everything did make me feel better. Finishing over-due assignments, getting a letter from a person I just saw, talking with someone. I am finding that its the little things that make life...
Well...life.
Peace!
-Nicole
Monday, September 19, 2011
Yay Adventure!
1. Buy some milk if you run out. But if you forget to get some, go have a wonderful breakfast with a friend.
2. Pink hair rules.
3. Sending random letters to people is exciting...especially if you get one in return.
4. College is quite the adventure.
"Ugh" became my mantra over the weekend. I didn't want to get up, I didn't want to babysit, I didn't want to leave my home on Sunday when I went home for a bit, and I didn't want to do homework. "Ugh" definitely became my saying this weekend and it bugged the crap out of me that it did.
I have always considered myself to be an optimist. I like to see the brighter side of things, but something got to me this weekend. It seems the honeymoon stage of college has passed; now its the real deal. I have said that before, but now it has truly hit home.
I could let the daily routine and same-ness get to me but, as it was pointed out to me a while ago, college is an adventure. (Yay adventure!) I have a whole new world to explore. Isn't that what we want when we are younger? To have some place to ourselves to explore? We are out of our parents' house, we have new friends, a new living space, a new...everything to explore. Why am I complaining? Plus, I chose to go to this college, so why shouldn't I enjoy it?
College is an adventure. It might be utterly terrifying (which it is), but mostly it is exciting.
Go explore!
Peace!
-Nicole
2. Pink hair rules.
3. Sending random letters to people is exciting...especially if you get one in return.
4. College is quite the adventure.
"Ugh" became my mantra over the weekend. I didn't want to get up, I didn't want to babysit, I didn't want to leave my home on Sunday when I went home for a bit, and I didn't want to do homework. "Ugh" definitely became my saying this weekend and it bugged the crap out of me that it did.
I have always considered myself to be an optimist. I like to see the brighter side of things, but something got to me this weekend. It seems the honeymoon stage of college has passed; now its the real deal. I have said that before, but now it has truly hit home.
I could let the daily routine and same-ness get to me but, as it was pointed out to me a while ago, college is an adventure. (Yay adventure!) I have a whole new world to explore. Isn't that what we want when we are younger? To have some place to ourselves to explore? We are out of our parents' house, we have new friends, a new living space, a new...everything to explore. Why am I complaining? Plus, I chose to go to this college, so why shouldn't I enjoy it?
College is an adventure. It might be utterly terrifying (which it is), but mostly it is exciting.
Go explore!
Peace!
-Nicole
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Llama Llama Drama Llama
Megan here. Today's Lessons:
1. Listen to your body. There are some things the mother of all first aid kits won't be able to fix.
2. Sleep is good.
3. Talking is good.
4. Don't ask for life to be perfect. Ask for life to be manageable.
Unfortunately, I'm going to tell it the way it is tonight. College is a wonderful opportunity for a new beginning--it truly is, and in some ways it succeeds with flying colors. One has the ability to start fresh and choose who they know, what they say, and when they say it. It is a bit of a rude awakening then to be abruptly pulled back into one's previous life chapters.
The truth is that no matter where you go, or how far away, you cannot escape everything you might have wanted to. Certain friendships will end while you're away, drama will erupt and cover everything in a nasty goo--and if you can't smell it on your own, someone will kindly shove it in your face--and people will ask you to come to the rescue, even when you don't have the ability. It's stressful to be chomping at the bit to get away, only to be held back by the needs of other people. Don't fret, just be prepared. My disappointment is only a reflection of my own naivety.
It is easy to jump into the role of being a hero. Everyone wants to save the day and fly to everyone's rescue, and I'm not saying you shouldn't be that amazing friend that says what needs to be said when everyone else doesn't have the guts to say it, but I am saying that it is perfectly okay to recognize your own limits. Don't burn yourself out at the precise moment when you're meant to add fuel to your fire. You can't always be the hero.
All of this being said, it's still important to remember where you've come from. Maintain friendships that need maintaining. Contact those people who've made positive contributions to your life. Recognize that who you are is not only a product of your success, but of others' successes, and unfortunately, their failures as well. Take all the lessons you've learned and use them to your advantage. Take negative experiences and use them to create positive ones. Take heart in knowing that you have the power and strength to rise above whatever obstacles are placed in front of you. That's the beauty of it all. Walls, no matter how high, can always be overcome.
Jeeze, I'm tired of sounding like a rambling fortune cookie. Be safe, be bold, be beautiful, and be confident that things will work themselves out.
-Megan
1. Listen to your body. There are some things the mother of all first aid kits won't be able to fix.
2. Sleep is good.
3. Talking is good.
4. Don't ask for life to be perfect. Ask for life to be manageable.
Unfortunately, I'm going to tell it the way it is tonight. College is a wonderful opportunity for a new beginning--it truly is, and in some ways it succeeds with flying colors. One has the ability to start fresh and choose who they know, what they say, and when they say it. It is a bit of a rude awakening then to be abruptly pulled back into one's previous life chapters.
The truth is that no matter where you go, or how far away, you cannot escape everything you might have wanted to. Certain friendships will end while you're away, drama will erupt and cover everything in a nasty goo--and if you can't smell it on your own, someone will kindly shove it in your face--and people will ask you to come to the rescue, even when you don't have the ability. It's stressful to be chomping at the bit to get away, only to be held back by the needs of other people. Don't fret, just be prepared. My disappointment is only a reflection of my own naivety.
It is easy to jump into the role of being a hero. Everyone wants to save the day and fly to everyone's rescue, and I'm not saying you shouldn't be that amazing friend that says what needs to be said when everyone else doesn't have the guts to say it, but I am saying that it is perfectly okay to recognize your own limits. Don't burn yourself out at the precise moment when you're meant to add fuel to your fire. You can't always be the hero.
All of this being said, it's still important to remember where you've come from. Maintain friendships that need maintaining. Contact those people who've made positive contributions to your life. Recognize that who you are is not only a product of your success, but of others' successes, and unfortunately, their failures as well. Take all the lessons you've learned and use them to your advantage. Take negative experiences and use them to create positive ones. Take heart in knowing that you have the power and strength to rise above whatever obstacles are placed in front of you. That's the beauty of it all. Walls, no matter how high, can always be overcome.
Jeeze, I'm tired of sounding like a rambling fortune cookie. Be safe, be bold, be beautiful, and be confident that things will work themselves out.
-Megan
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Perfect Medicine
1. Some people have classes on Saturdays.
2. A cappella groups rock!
3. Naps are fantastic, glorious, and wonderful.
4. Spending a night with friends is the perfect medicine.
Yesterday, I had a ton of doubts. They seemed to consume my mind and I couldn't get away from them. Most of them were random and didn't make much sense, but there were still a few that really got to me, like am I in the right place, do I make a difference, and do I truly have a friends?
Well, after being yelled at for being too loud, hitting people with a pillow, eating two bags of popcorn, watching Rent, spending the night with a few friends, and getting up way to early and talking seems to be the perfect medicine for such doubts.
In the past, I haven't had such good luck with making friends. I never could seem to keep a friend for too long and I never could get too close to someone without them backing away a bit. But, it doesn't seem to be happening. Again, college isn't the perfect cure for anything; it is still life and pain still happens. I think what happened was a rare stroke of luck...or just the way it was always supposed to be.
Either way, I discovered everyone craves attention, touch, and acceptance. They are human qualities that every single human contains. We all need it and want it.
I guess it is just can we notice that want and need in others? Because once we do, everything seems to be just a bit better.
Peace!
-Nicole
2. A cappella groups rock!
3. Naps are fantastic, glorious, and wonderful.
4. Spending a night with friends is the perfect medicine.
Yesterday, I had a ton of doubts. They seemed to consume my mind and I couldn't get away from them. Most of them were random and didn't make much sense, but there were still a few that really got to me, like am I in the right place, do I make a difference, and do I truly have a friends?
Well, after being yelled at for being too loud, hitting people with a pillow, eating two bags of popcorn, watching Rent, spending the night with a few friends, and getting up way to early and talking seems to be the perfect medicine for such doubts.
In the past, I haven't had such good luck with making friends. I never could seem to keep a friend for too long and I never could get too close to someone without them backing away a bit. But, it doesn't seem to be happening. Again, college isn't the perfect cure for anything; it is still life and pain still happens. I think what happened was a rare stroke of luck...or just the way it was always supposed to be.
Either way, I discovered everyone craves attention, touch, and acceptance. They are human qualities that every single human contains. We all need it and want it.
I guess it is just can we notice that want and need in others? Because once we do, everything seems to be just a bit better.
Peace!
-Nicole
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Boy, Do I Need Sleep
1. Don't run out of milk. It sucks.
2. Seeing your breath outside in September is never fun.
3. Getting a new book to read after weeks of not reading a book for personal enjoyment is awesome.
3. Getting a new book to read after weeks of not reading a book for personal enjoyment is awesome.
4. Get some sleep. Realize that you will see your friends nearly every day and there will be plenty of time to talk to them.
It has been an off day. A really off day. I have spilt on myself numerous times, confused my mom while on the phone, and been so tired and loopy someone told me I reminded them of someone who is drunk.
It has been quite the off day.
But it has all been good. I am now moving into the stage of "This ain't camp; this is college". For the past few weeks, college has felt like summer camp. It has felt like I have a very limited amount of time to get to know everyone and to become friends, only to say goodbye in a few days. But now, after about two week, it is beginning to feel like home and less like camp.
Which also led me to another revelation: I need sleep. Yep, I sure do. I hate having an off day and the only way to repair that is through getting more sleep. I am not blaming anyone but myself for my situation. I was the one who decided to stay up way past the time I should have been in bed and talked for 6 hours with a friend. Somehow, I thought I only have a few days to know them before we say goodbye.
When I was younger, friends never lasted too long. In elementary years, friends were often easy to come by. Middle school, you switch 'groups' so much you always have a new batch of friends. In high school, especially around junior and senior year, everyone knows the end is coming. So, friends never lasted long.
But here, it is different. Not only do I live with them, I learn with them, eat with them. We are family. After we graduate here, the friendship doesn't just end; it continues well into our lives. I am so flippin' happy because of this fact. Finally having the stability of friends is quite comforting.
So since I will be stuck with these people for 6+ years, I might as well get some sleep. There are many more nights, meals, and classes to talk to them and to get to know them.
We have all the time in the world.
Peace!
-Nicole
It has been quite the off day.
But it has all been good. I am now moving into the stage of "This ain't camp; this is college". For the past few weeks, college has felt like summer camp. It has felt like I have a very limited amount of time to get to know everyone and to become friends, only to say goodbye in a few days. But now, after about two week, it is beginning to feel like home and less like camp.
Which also led me to another revelation: I need sleep. Yep, I sure do. I hate having an off day and the only way to repair that is through getting more sleep. I am not blaming anyone but myself for my situation. I was the one who decided to stay up way past the time I should have been in bed and talked for 6 hours with a friend. Somehow, I thought I only have a few days to know them before we say goodbye.
When I was younger, friends never lasted too long. In elementary years, friends were often easy to come by. Middle school, you switch 'groups' so much you always have a new batch of friends. In high school, especially around junior and senior year, everyone knows the end is coming. So, friends never lasted long.
But here, it is different. Not only do I live with them, I learn with them, eat with them. We are family. After we graduate here, the friendship doesn't just end; it continues well into our lives. I am so flippin' happy because of this fact. Finally having the stability of friends is quite comforting.
So since I will be stuck with these people for 6+ years, I might as well get some sleep. There are many more nights, meals, and classes to talk to them and to get to know them.
We have all the time in the world.
Peace!
-Nicole
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Note: Glances
Hmm. Two posts in one day? Yes, it is true. I had two really great ideas for an entry for today but they didn't seem to go together. So I decided to separate them and create a small note. They won't contain a list of lessons (cause I already said them). Instead, it is going to be a random thought or two.
Do you ever have the feeling you are being watched? I seem to be getting that feeling more often now. But more than being watched, I seem to be watching (and sometimes staring at) people. I am constantly intrigued by people. I often can't believe that they would choose to talk to me, sit next to me, or even be in the same room as me. It isn't that I am not deserving of being talked to or looked at, it is that they are just so amazing. Just amazing that I can't help but stare at them in utter awe.
I didn't have much of an opportunity to do so in high school. I did go to school with some pretty funky people but I had also known them for so long that nothing was new to me or awe-inspiring. Plus some people didn't even want to be there, so it put a damper on things.
So here I am, at a college some would die to go to. I have met people who are like-minded and who I can connect to without much effort, which has never really happened. Or if it did, the people didn't want to give me the time of day. It is like the feeling you had when you were younger: you wanted to be friends with that certain person, but they thought you were weird so they ran away. But here, I am suddenly someone to get to know. And it's cool.
I am also finding myself looking for reactions. Again, in high school, people reacted differently to situations than I did. It was a very rare thing to find someone who reacted to a situation in about the same way as I did. So I am looking for reactions. I am still wary of how this will all work out and if I will be suddenly outcasted (which I know logically I won't be).
So next time you catch me staring at you, it's not because I am creepy, but it is because I am looking at you in awe and waiting for your reaction.
Hope you enjoyed my little note.
Peace!
-Nicole
Living Among the Great
1. The symposium is never too fun at 8:30 in the morning.
2. Bring a coat to college, even if it is only the middle of September.
3. When you get a text saying, "My dorm was evacuated and firetrucks are coming" and then you hear sirens outside your window, something must have gone wrong.
4. I am living amongst 'the great'.
Woke up this morning at 7:15. Gross huh? I sat through some super interesting (and sometimes boring) sessions for the symposium. All-in-all it was a fantastic experience and I learned a ton. (I will be posting some interesting facts and quotations soon.)
I realized something: I am living among some of the greatest people ever. And this is true in two ways. One is these people are fantastic. Just fantastic. They make me laugh maybe a little too much to be productive, they make me do crazy, weird things, and they also make me learn. The people here are fantastic and absolutely can be considered 'one of the greats'.
But this also something else. Whenever I meet someone really cool (which seems to be occurring quite often lately) and I learn a bit more about them, I suddenly get the feeling that in 10/15/20 years I will be watching the news or reading the paper when I see their name for doing something amazing. I feel like I am living among future famous or world-changing people.
For example:
- A few months ago, I met an up-and-coming TV star, who also wants to be a political leader someday.
- I met an amazing poet who will definitely do something someday. Not to mention she has an amazing heart for the world, though she might not know it. (Maybe if I can convince her, she might let me post a poem or two on here).
- I met a girl with such a bubbly personality who isn't afraid to tell it like it is. She isn't afraid to show her emotion in a world where emotions are often looked down upon. (Plus we are so alike it is very freaky.) I just know she will end up on my list of 'Oh I knew them when...'
These are just a few people I have met. I have a theory that every single dang person out there is able to change their world. Though I can't tell what is going to happen in the future, I just have a feeling I am among people who will change the world, even if that change is small. No change is a small change.
I truly am among the great. I am so dang happy because of it.
As for me and my 'greatness', I guess we will just have to see what comes my way.
Peace!
-Nicole
Being Human
1. Melissa and Megan are amazing blog writers.
2. It is amazing to get a text from someone when you didn't have to text them first.
3. Colum McCann is not only an amazing author, but a fantastic speaker.
4. Everyone has a story.
Today was the start of the symposium at my college, which means a ton of amazing speakers come. Tonight was Colum McCann who wrote Zoli, which the whole freshman class read. McCann was funny, personal, and had amazing insight on what it means to be an artist. I loved nearly every minute of it and tomorrow there will be plenty more speakers to come.
Afterward, I spent nearly 3 hours with a friend, simply talking. It was very different from conversations I have had in recent years. In high school, conversations tend to focus on not-so-stunning and in-depth topics. I am not saying college people are immensely better than high school people because in fact, they tend to be the same. But the fact I had an actually decent conversation (especially at night, because often I don't function well at night), was pretty much a miracle. Plus it was with someone I never really expected to be talking with.
It's pretty dang awesome to have a connection with someone and have that connection grow. My mom and I have always talked about having a 'connection' with someone right away when you meet them. For me, people are constantly popping in and out of my life, which has its ups and downs. For a connection to take root and grow deeper by each word, is something I stand in awe of. Not just because it is happening to me, but because it can happen at all.
I also re-discovered the fact that everyone has a story. In our 3 hour conversation, we talked about how when people go to college, they think they will suddenly be someone totally different. This is possible, but if you want to make a very drastic change to who you are, it isn't so easy. Whenever you change a ton about yourself, you often loose a sense of who you truly are, not just what others see. And when one tries to change a ton, old frustrations, fears, and general emotions appear. Those suppressed emotions sometimes gets the best of them. And when emotions run high, stories spill out. And everyone else discovers, contrary to the person's beliefs, that they are not alone in their scars and fears. Everyone has a story and everyone is connected.
And that makes us human.
Well, I have an early morning session to get to. Hope you are enjoying my college journey and lessons. If not... oh well.
Peace!
-Nicole
2. It is amazing to get a text from someone when you didn't have to text them first.
3. Colum McCann is not only an amazing author, but a fantastic speaker.
4. Everyone has a story.
Today was the start of the symposium at my college, which means a ton of amazing speakers come. Tonight was Colum McCann who wrote Zoli, which the whole freshman class read. McCann was funny, personal, and had amazing insight on what it means to be an artist. I loved nearly every minute of it and tomorrow there will be plenty more speakers to come.
Afterward, I spent nearly 3 hours with a friend, simply talking. It was very different from conversations I have had in recent years. In high school, conversations tend to focus on not-so-stunning and in-depth topics. I am not saying college people are immensely better than high school people because in fact, they tend to be the same. But the fact I had an actually decent conversation (especially at night, because often I don't function well at night), was pretty much a miracle. Plus it was with someone I never really expected to be talking with.
It's pretty dang awesome to have a connection with someone and have that connection grow. My mom and I have always talked about having a 'connection' with someone right away when you meet them. For me, people are constantly popping in and out of my life, which has its ups and downs. For a connection to take root and grow deeper by each word, is something I stand in awe of. Not just because it is happening to me, but because it can happen at all.
I also re-discovered the fact that everyone has a story. In our 3 hour conversation, we talked about how when people go to college, they think they will suddenly be someone totally different. This is possible, but if you want to make a very drastic change to who you are, it isn't so easy. Whenever you change a ton about yourself, you often loose a sense of who you truly are, not just what others see. And when one tries to change a ton, old frustrations, fears, and general emotions appear. Those suppressed emotions sometimes gets the best of them. And when emotions run high, stories spill out. And everyone else discovers, contrary to the person's beliefs, that they are not alone in their scars and fears. Everyone has a story and everyone is connected.
And that makes us human.
Well, I have an early morning session to get to. Hope you are enjoying my college journey and lessons. If not... oh well.
Peace!
-Nicole
Monday, September 12, 2011
Megan Goes On A Rant
1. Don't spill ice cream on self.
2. Dresses on a windy day can be a bad thing.
3. Mondays are awful...and so are allergies.
4. It's possible to make libraries fun.
Ok, my name is Megan, and Nicole asked me to write tonight's blog entry, so I am. I apologize in advance.
Um, I'm going to talk about... meeting new people. You should do it, and do it often--because college can be an extremely lonely experience, even when you're immersed in an extremely busy environment such as a college campus. I myself am about 3 hours away from home, and I guess I can't speak for Nicole, but the last few weeks for me have been a roller coaster--in good ways, in good ways! Relax, I won't freak you out about college. I promise!
All I'm saying is that you ought to make a conscious effort to go out and meet new people, no matter how scary or how far out of the comfort zone that may feel. Everyone needs family, and when you're far from home and stranded in the middle of nowhere without a car (like me!) you need a family aaaaand in college... your friends will be your family. You might think I'm a bit off my rocker when I say that, but think about it--you eat your meals together, you study together, you see a lot of each other in general. You seek each other out for advice and comfort, and you have the awesome ability to crash in each other's dorm rooms when you're too scared to walk back to your own (like me again!) You also, unfortunately, get to see one another go through really times and get very, very stressed out.
Friends make the scary parts of college a lot less intimidating, so go make friends! Be open to new people and new experiences and your college education will be filled with much more than just how to write a research paper, Spanish language tenses, Psychological stage theories, and Greek philosophy.
I know I gave that little rant from the perspective of a college student, but everything I've said holds true for any stage of life, especially high school. Yes. Go meet people. Go have fun. Go take a night and stay up really late and talk and laugh and solve the world's problems. Go affect someone else in a positive way and let them positively affect you.
Ok, I'm done. Take care and all my love!
-Megan
2. Dresses on a windy day can be a bad thing.
3. Mondays are awful...and so are allergies.
4. It's possible to make libraries fun.
Ok, my name is Megan, and Nicole asked me to write tonight's blog entry, so I am. I apologize in advance.
Um, I'm going to talk about... meeting new people. You should do it, and do it often--because college can be an extremely lonely experience, even when you're immersed in an extremely busy environment such as a college campus. I myself am about 3 hours away from home, and I guess I can't speak for Nicole, but the last few weeks for me have been a roller coaster--in good ways, in good ways! Relax, I won't freak you out about college. I promise!
All I'm saying is that you ought to make a conscious effort to go out and meet new people, no matter how scary or how far out of the comfort zone that may feel. Everyone needs family, and when you're far from home and stranded in the middle of nowhere without a car (like me!) you need a family aaaaand in college... your friends will be your family. You might think I'm a bit off my rocker when I say that, but think about it--you eat your meals together, you study together, you see a lot of each other in general. You seek each other out for advice and comfort, and you have the awesome ability to crash in each other's dorm rooms when you're too scared to walk back to your own (like me again!) You also, unfortunately, get to see one another go through really times and get very, very stressed out.
Friends make the scary parts of college a lot less intimidating, so go make friends! Be open to new people and new experiences and your college education will be filled with much more than just how to write a research paper, Spanish language tenses, Psychological stage theories, and Greek philosophy.
I know I gave that little rant from the perspective of a college student, but everything I've said holds true for any stage of life, especially high school. Yes. Go meet people. Go have fun. Go take a night and stay up really late and talk and laugh and solve the world's problems. Go affect someone else in a positive way and let them positively affect you.
Ok, I'm done. Take care and all my love!
-Megan
Cats (A Post by Melissa)
1. Cookies are delicious.
2. Flamboyant.
3. Milk is a good thing.
4. Melissa says salty olives are gross. Nicole disagrees.
Aww Yeah!
-Melissa
2. Flamboyant.
3. Milk is a good thing.
4. Melissa says salty olives are gross. Nicole disagrees.
Aww Yeah!
-Melissa
(Note: My friend Melissa decided to make an appearance on my blog. I agreed...and I have no idea why I did. Either way, enjoy the randomness.)
Breathe
1. Cookies are delicious and you make friends if you have leftover dough.
2. Laughing is fantastic.
3. Sticky hands are one of the greatest inventions ever.
3. Don't let things get you down.
I was feeling down today. And it sucked. I felt like a pest to my friends and I didn't feel like bugging them. Thankfully, they bugged me. It was fantastic.
We ended up goofing around, playing with some sticky hands someone gave us. Talked with my new-found twin and the girl I tackled (see last post). Spent time Skype-ing someone I have never met, but throughly enjoyed talked to. Enjoyed some Tang and a ton of cookie dough. Talked some more. Roommate came back from a debate tournament...intruded on her Skype conversation with her boyfriend a few times.
Most of the day was spent laughing.
All I have to do is remember to breathe between the laughter. Enjoy life...because it is fantastic.
Peace!
-Nicole
2. Laughing is fantastic.
3. Sticky hands are one of the greatest inventions ever.
3. Don't let things get you down.
I was feeling down today. And it sucked. I felt like a pest to my friends and I didn't feel like bugging them. Thankfully, they bugged me. It was fantastic.
We ended up goofing around, playing with some sticky hands someone gave us. Talked with my new-found twin and the girl I tackled (see last post). Spent time Skype-ing someone I have never met, but throughly enjoyed talked to. Enjoyed some Tang and a ton of cookie dough. Talked some more. Roommate came back from a debate tournament...intruded on her Skype conversation with her boyfriend a few times.
Most of the day was spent laughing.
All I have to do is remember to breathe between the laughter. Enjoy life...because it is fantastic.
Peace!
-Nicole
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Laughing and Tackling
1. Study...it might help.
2. Don't be afraid to be yourself, but try not to tackle people while doing so.
3. Enjoy laughter.
4. You will find some darn amazing friends.
So, over a week since orientation finished. Classes started and I added a ton of stuff to my calendar. I auditioned for a play, but didn't make the cut. Suddenly feeling not so confident about my major, which I am slightly frustrated about, but I'm ok with. And I think I finally found my studying groove.
Mostly, the past week has been full of laughter. There has been so much laughter I think I lost a few pounds from doing so. I have become closer to the people in my orientation group, my roommate, and I found someone amazing on my floor, who in turn has introduced me to someone I am very intrigue by.
Throughout high school, and especially in my senior year, all I wanted was a friend. A friend who I could trust and simply be myself with. High school didn't provide me with that. I have no idea why. It could have been I had previously been friends with everyone and there was no one left to 'try out'. It could have been I was too shy and awkward to find a friend. It also could have been everyone just wanted out of high school so no one tried. It could have been various different things, but either way, all I wanted was a friend who was my 'other half'.
I am not quite sure I found that person yet, but I do know I found someone who I can simply be myself with. Someone who laughs at the same things and someone who is still slightly different from me, so that I can learn and grow. Whenever we are together, I can't help but laugh and be myself. I can't help but talk. For those who didn't know me before college, I was painfully shy. Angry at being so. Frustrated with how people treated me (or didn't).
I don't believe college was the reason I suddenly changed. I was this person all along. I just didn't show her sometimes. Now I am her all the time, which is amazing. I am now running down the hallway and full-on tackling someone I sort of just met. (I truly didn't mean to. It just happened.)
I am full of laughter and I love it. I met someone who I can be myself and I also met someone who I very very very curious about. She isn't someone I have figure out, but someone who I truly want to get to know more.
And it just isn't her I want to know. It is everyone I have met. I feel surrounded by people I want to learn from and laugh with.
I love my life.
Peace!
-Nicole Rae
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