Today is my niece Presley's first birthday and can I just say I am flabbergasted it has been a year since she came into the world. I searched for the post I made last year around this time and I saw the picture attached to it. It's funny to look at myself. In the past year, my hair has been 4 colors, I had two semesters more of school, I spent a summer working, and multiple other things. Life has changed a lot and I along with it.
Although I haven't changed a lot physically in a year, I have in every other way. I am more confident, know a lot more, and have learned a lot more about who I am. But, in turn, I am less sure of my future and am more of a wanderer than ever. Just today I've noticed how much of a wanderer I am. I am constantly moving my place of residency - home, dorm, and this summer, camp. I don't even really what I'm going to do even in the next week, let alone in a year or four.
As you all know, I need a schedule. I need to know what's going on, but being in a theatre production and various other activities makes my schedule hard to predict. I'm becoming more frustrated with my life because of this fact. I need to know what is coming next and what my destination is and what my ultimate goal is. Let's just say I'm wandering all over the place.
But isn't that part of the adventure? The adventure of college - even life in general - is to feel uncomfortable and try new things. George Watsky last Friday told us that this was his last college show because he was moving onto play music instead. "I was getting comfortable with it and I figured I better move on," he said because he said life is about trying new things. Maybe that's what I'm missing - new things. I am certainly uncomfortable enough, but I don't really have anything new going on. I'm wandering around in a desert right now when I could (and should) go wandering in a big city and explore what it has to offer.
So here is to wandering and trying exciting things! Getting lost may happen, but at least I'll figure out a new path and new ideas and new adventures.
Peace!
-Nicole
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Monday, July 9, 2012
How To: Let Someone Surprise You
1. Believe everything people tell you. There's no way they're not telling you the whole truth.
2. Underestimate your friends.
3. Underestimate your parents.
4. Refrain from texting people because you don't want to impose. It will give them time to drive to your town.
5. Tell everyone where you're going and the exact time you leave. It will give them time to call your parents.
In case you didn't hear--but you probably did if you read Nicole's last post--I had quite the birthday. First things first, birthdays are not a big thing in my family. You get a cake if you're lucky. We'll take you out to your favorite restaurant eventually, but they've never been super celebrated. For the record, it's not that we never celebrate, we just do it when it's convenient. I've always celebrated my birthday on July 3rd when my family gets together because the church and town throws a party. Three of us grandkids have birthdays in July so it's nice and convenient. Plus there's a fireworks show. Sometimes I'll have a bonfire in late July or early August if I'm feeling motivated.
I did not expect anything different this year. I really didn't. Every time Nicole would mention my birthday, I told her I wasn't planning anything. She would always get upset and the conversation would end with something like:
Nicole: You're so frustrating. You're driving me crazy.
Me: I'm sorry, I told you I might do something in August.
So the night before my birthday, I was feeling a little weird about turning 20. It's a scary number, especially when you feel like you should be taller or just feel older. I was talking to Nicole when Melissa asked me to come over and watch a movie. I asked Nicole if I should go and she told me I should. Mind you, this was 11:45 at night. I knew Nicole had something to do with it, I thought she put Melissa up to it. I decided to go to get my mind off things and when I walked downstairs, there was a figure in a hoodie just chilling on the couch. I thought it was Melissa's sister, until the figure started laughing. Helloooo Nicole. Surprise #1. At that point I thought that was the extent of the surprise. I had no reason to believe anything else. I was in complete and utter shock. For weeks I had heard her griping about how she was working that weekend. I smiled for the rest of the night--until I went to bed at 4 am.
Melissa and Nicole wanted to take me out for lunch the next day, but I declined, saying I had a grad party to go to. Nicole told me the grad party started at 2...at which point I knew this was a lot deeper than I thought and that my parents knew about this. Surprise #2. So they took me out to lunch the next day and we made plans to hook up with Melissa after she got off work at 9. Meanwhile, Nicole and I headed to that grad party. After that, we went to my place, rented a movie, and I started to wind down for what I thought would be a relaxing night. I decided to check the mail, at which point Nicole told me she told people to write letters to me. Surprise #3.
We took some time to chill before watching the film when all of a sudden my doorbell rang. Nicole ran to go get it and at THAT point, I knew I was in for much, much more. Surprise #4. My friends started showing up and I was treated to my first ever surprise party, which included having packing peanuts poured on me multiple times and one heck of a cake. My parents knew about everything. Everything.
I had no reason to suspect anything. No one made me suspect anything and even if there were hints, I never picked up on them. Nicole has never been dishonest and this has dealt a serious blow to my trust! :P Maybe this is what I get for befriending people with acting experience? After reluctantly kicking people out because we both had horribly early mornings, we went to bed. As I was practically in tears out of pure happiness and awe that someone had put in so much time and effort to throw me a party, Nicole said, "I told you, I just like birthdays." Go figure.
And that is how to let someone surprise you. Needless to say, Melissa and Nicole turned turning 20 into an event I won't soon forget.
With love and hugs,
Megan
2. Underestimate your friends.
3. Underestimate your parents.
4. Refrain from texting people because you don't want to impose. It will give them time to drive to your town.
5. Tell everyone where you're going and the exact time you leave. It will give them time to call your parents.
In case you didn't hear--but you probably did if you read Nicole's last post--I had quite the birthday. First things first, birthdays are not a big thing in my family. You get a cake if you're lucky. We'll take you out to your favorite restaurant eventually, but they've never been super celebrated. For the record, it's not that we never celebrate, we just do it when it's convenient. I've always celebrated my birthday on July 3rd when my family gets together because the church and town throws a party. Three of us grandkids have birthdays in July so it's nice and convenient. Plus there's a fireworks show. Sometimes I'll have a bonfire in late July or early August if I'm feeling motivated.
I did not expect anything different this year. I really didn't. Every time Nicole would mention my birthday, I told her I wasn't planning anything. She would always get upset and the conversation would end with something like:
Nicole: You're so frustrating. You're driving me crazy.
Me: I'm sorry, I told you I might do something in August.
So the night before my birthday, I was feeling a little weird about turning 20. It's a scary number, especially when you feel like you should be taller or just feel older. I was talking to Nicole when Melissa asked me to come over and watch a movie. I asked Nicole if I should go and she told me I should. Mind you, this was 11:45 at night. I knew Nicole had something to do with it, I thought she put Melissa up to it. I decided to go to get my mind off things and when I walked downstairs, there was a figure in a hoodie just chilling on the couch. I thought it was Melissa's sister, until the figure started laughing. Helloooo Nicole. Surprise #1. At that point I thought that was the extent of the surprise. I had no reason to believe anything else. I was in complete and utter shock. For weeks I had heard her griping about how she was working that weekend. I smiled for the rest of the night--until I went to bed at 4 am.
Melissa and Nicole wanted to take me out for lunch the next day, but I declined, saying I had a grad party to go to. Nicole told me the grad party started at 2...at which point I knew this was a lot deeper than I thought and that my parents knew about this. Surprise #2. So they took me out to lunch the next day and we made plans to hook up with Melissa after she got off work at 9. Meanwhile, Nicole and I headed to that grad party. After that, we went to my place, rented a movie, and I started to wind down for what I thought would be a relaxing night. I decided to check the mail, at which point Nicole told me she told people to write letters to me. Surprise #3.
We took some time to chill before watching the film when all of a sudden my doorbell rang. Nicole ran to go get it and at THAT point, I knew I was in for much, much more. Surprise #4. My friends started showing up and I was treated to my first ever surprise party, which included having packing peanuts poured on me multiple times and one heck of a cake. My parents knew about everything. Everything.
I had no reason to suspect anything. No one made me suspect anything and even if there were hints, I never picked up on them. Nicole has never been dishonest and this has dealt a serious blow to my trust! :P Maybe this is what I get for befriending people with acting experience? After reluctantly kicking people out because we both had horribly early mornings, we went to bed. As I was practically in tears out of pure happiness and awe that someone had put in so much time and effort to throw me a party, Nicole said, "I told you, I just like birthdays." Go figure.
And that is how to let someone surprise you. Needless to say, Melissa and Nicole turned turning 20 into an event I won't soon forget.
With love and hugs,
Megan
How To: Surprise Someone
Steps:
1. Fib just a bit. Create an illusion of something, only to break it later.
2. Get other people in on it. The more, the merrier.
3. Let the person find out about the surprise...don't just tell them about it.
4. Don't be to rigid about timing. Be flexible - again, let the person figure things out themselves. It's more of a surprise then.
5. Offend the person just a little bit. (But not enough so that they are angry at you.)
6. Overall, make sure the person is enjoying everything.
This past weekend was Megan's 20th birthday. And before I say anything else, let me first say that I love birthdays. I plan for my birthday months in advance and I adore going to other people's birthdays. To me, birthdays are a celebration of life. No matter what the past year entailed, a birthday is a celebration of making it another year and the wish of more birthdays to come. I love birthdays.
To Megan, though, birthdays are nothing special. Being so close to her, this was an issue. So I started to plan. I told her I wouldn't be able to make it down for her birthday because I had to work. Then I contacted a few of her friends from home and got them in on it. Heck, I even talked to her mom. I arrived at Melissa's house, who I was staying with, and there we put our plan into action. The whole weekend went flawlessly. I couldn't have asked for it to go any better.
I hate surprises. I don't like not knowing what's going on. I like being in control, mainly. It seems most of the surprises in my life have had a bad edge to them. April Fools is my enemy. Horror movies? Never going to happen. Suspense movies? Yeah, no. But for some strange reason, I love surprising other people. I love getting reactions out of people. Megan asked me what my favorite part of the weekend was and my first response was "Your reactions." Her reaction was mainly shock and then pure enjoyment.
I think I've learned over the past weekend and even in the past months is that surprises can be good. Like a surprise birthday party. I've also discovered that surprises aren't always revealed all in one moment. Sometimes they take months. I'm surprised at how my relationships with people have developed and I'm surprised at what classes I enjoyed. And getting that surprise reaction out of others is cool too, maybe just because it's a surprise at what their reaction will be.
Surprises are confusing, but often very worth it. You learn a bit more about yourself and others, no matter what the outcome.
Peace!
-Nicole
I hate surprises. I don't like not knowing what's going on. I like being in control, mainly. It seems most of the surprises in my life have had a bad edge to them. April Fools is my enemy. Horror movies? Never going to happen. Suspense movies? Yeah, no. But for some strange reason, I love surprising other people. I love getting reactions out of people. Megan asked me what my favorite part of the weekend was and my first response was "Your reactions." Her reaction was mainly shock and then pure enjoyment.
I think I've learned over the past weekend and even in the past months is that surprises can be good. Like a surprise birthday party. I've also discovered that surprises aren't always revealed all in one moment. Sometimes they take months. I'm surprised at how my relationships with people have developed and I'm surprised at what classes I enjoyed. And getting that surprise reaction out of others is cool too, maybe just because it's a surprise at what their reaction will be.
Surprises are confusing, but often very worth it. You learn a bit more about yourself and others, no matter what the outcome.
Peace!
-Nicole
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Releasing my Inner Child
1. Cut people some slack. No one's perfect.
2. Keep some hummus around.
3. Some people don't like hugs, and that's okay.
4. It's okay to sleep with a teddy bear.
It's Megan. Hope your week is going smoothly. At least it's almost the weekend right?
Woah. I turn 20 in less than three months and I am TOTALLY freaking out about it. It isn't so much added responsibility or massive lifestyle change as it is the number itself. 20. That zero and absence of a one in the ten's place is just way too freaky. At least agree with me that it's a really intimidating number.
I feel like a little kid again, just because I feel like I've regressed to a much younger state of mind. College changes you to be more mature, but also more immature--not in bad ways, but just ways that remind you of when you were a little kid.
For example:
I get really excited over mac and cheese, french toast sticks, and hot cocoa.
I go nuts for candy and cartoons.
Hugs make everything better.
I lapse into random goofy spells
and...
I slept with a teddy bear.
You don't understand! I slept with a teddy bear over break, not because I had to or because one was just there, but because I wanted to and it made me feel better. I never slept with stuffed animals when I was a child, not because I didn't have any, but because I just didn't like to sleep with them. I really didn't see the appeal at all. In my defense, I slept with my dog a lot--but that's more like a living stuffed animal that gets really warm, starts panting, and then moves to another corner of the bed because she wants nothing to do with you... I'm just surprised at how comforting a teddy bear can be, even at my age.
I don't know if this whole regression thing is a product of college or not, but I don't see it as bad, things like being goofy don't hurt anyone or anything. If anything, I'm staying young at heart right? We all adore elderly folks who know how to have a good time or who can understand the mindset of a child and so maybe that's what I'm doing. Heck, I hope I'm still breaking into random accents when I'm 85. I will embarrass my grandkids SO much!
This year has allowed me to grow leaps and bounds as a person, both through personal insights and education. I think it's okay for me (and all of us) to be able to laugh and access our inner children as well.
Peace, love, hugs, and high fives
-Megan
2. Keep some hummus around.
3. Some people don't like hugs, and that's okay.
4. It's okay to sleep with a teddy bear.
It's Megan. Hope your week is going smoothly. At least it's almost the weekend right?
Woah. I turn 20 in less than three months and I am TOTALLY freaking out about it. It isn't so much added responsibility or massive lifestyle change as it is the number itself. 20. That zero and absence of a one in the ten's place is just way too freaky. At least agree with me that it's a really intimidating number.
I feel like a little kid again, just because I feel like I've regressed to a much younger state of mind. College changes you to be more mature, but also more immature--not in bad ways, but just ways that remind you of when you were a little kid.
For example:
I get really excited over mac and cheese, french toast sticks, and hot cocoa.
I go nuts for candy and cartoons.
Hugs make everything better.
I lapse into random goofy spells
and...
I slept with a teddy bear.
You don't understand! I slept with a teddy bear over break, not because I had to or because one was just there, but because I wanted to and it made me feel better. I never slept with stuffed animals when I was a child, not because I didn't have any, but because I just didn't like to sleep with them. I really didn't see the appeal at all. In my defense, I slept with my dog a lot--but that's more like a living stuffed animal that gets really warm, starts panting, and then moves to another corner of the bed because she wants nothing to do with you... I'm just surprised at how comforting a teddy bear can be, even at my age.
I don't know if this whole regression thing is a product of college or not, but I don't see it as bad, things like being goofy don't hurt anyone or anything. If anything, I'm staying young at heart right? We all adore elderly folks who know how to have a good time or who can understand the mindset of a child and so maybe that's what I'm doing. Heck, I hope I'm still breaking into random accents when I'm 85. I will embarrass my grandkids SO much!
This year has allowed me to grow leaps and bounds as a person, both through personal insights and education. I think it's okay for me (and all of us) to be able to laugh and access our inner children as well.
Peace, love, hugs, and high fives
-Megan
Friday, February 24, 2012
Cry
1. Study for a test because then the test might take you half the time allotted.
2. Re-read your favorite book.
3. Packing for a trip is difficult.
4. Crying isn't such a bad thing.
I have cried so much in the past few days - it's slightly insane. It's quite embarrassing, actually.
And I'm not talking about sad tears (we'll get to that later); most of them have been out of pure joy. On Monday, at 5:31pm, my sister Ashly gave birth to my new niece Presley. I wasn't able to be there, but I got plenty of pictures and messages about it. If you don't know my story, let me give you some background: I grew up an only child, but then last summer, shortly after my 18th birthday, my mom told me I had a half sister on my dad's side. She is 9 years older than I am and at that time, had a 2 year old son named Cash. Let's just say it was quite the shock and then it turns out she was pregnant with another. It's been a whirlwind experience.
So then Monday comes along. Shortly after Presley was born, I got a text from Ashly: Presley Kay 9lbs 9oz 21 1/2 inches long along with a picture. I was just about to head to dinner with Megan and the rest of the crew when I got the text; it was instant tears. For me, happy tears is a new thing. I don't believe I have ever felt so overjoyed to hear anything in my life. It's almost like you are joy, not just feeling it. Then my mom sent me a text saying, "Just think, she's got your blood!" Now that sent me into another round of tears. For most of my life, I have never had anything so little share so much of who I am. Not to mention, this meant I would be in her life until the day I died. I'm going to see her grow up, I'll teach her crazy things - I am forever in her life, her little amazing life.
 |
| Presley Kay |
Later on that night, I was chilling in my room, trying to finish a speech. I had pretty much stopped crying (I did cry when I saw a picture of Presley's feet) and was trying to finish what I needed so I could go to bed. I was feeling slightly anxious because a few of my friends were hanging out together and I felt slightly rejected and I had spent part of my night at play rehearsal, which was pretty rough. Megan gave me a quick hug before she headed back to her dorm and as soon as the door shut, I start to cry again - this time with sadness and anger and utter fear. I was so terrified - by everything. I wasn't afraid of something happening, but I was just afraid of it all. It was a feeling of utter drowning and being lost. I was eventually pulled up and found, but for a while, I was a pile of emotion.
I don't think I've cried like that since last summer - both the happy and sad crying. Although I hated some of the feelings, I'm glad. The release of emotions reminded me of who I am - what my joys and fears are and who I want to depend on.
Crying shows us at our highest and lowest moments. It gives us the release we need and it allows us to keep on moving. Sometimes we get so stuck and we need to be freed. And maybe we get stuck in a good place, but here's the catch: we're stuck. We can't move on and experience more.
Sometimes we just need to cry.
Peace!
-Nicole
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
It's Sally's Birthday!
1. Carry out and complete a secret mission.
2. You don't have to know someone to care about them.
3. Go ahead, buy the water bottle.
4. Relax, you are doing some things right.
Hello hello! Megan here and guess what?! It's Sally's birthday!!! Everyone say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY!"
Sally is a HUGE Dr. Who fan and so we cooked up this plot to turn her room into the TARDIS. Well, it was a late night, but we succeeded and Nicole put this up this morning. Thanks to Sally's roommate for the photo. I'll be putting some more emphasis on Sally later in this post--hope she doesn't mind.
A book I'm reading for my Sociology class has introduced the concept of "Everest Psychology" and how it pertains to current American culture. I'll try to explain it as well as I can, but it basically contains the idea that our culture values us always trying to reach the peak: we're always trying to be successful, always trying to get more enjoyment, more possessions, more status, more wealth etc. The problem is that we never reach that peak because we always want more and more even if our needs are satisfied.
Mt. Everest fascinates me, and I studied it quite a bit when I was younger. Well Everest and our culture share a death zone--the point at which the current pace and presence cannot be sustained without serious harm. Too much time in Everest's death zone, and you will die. Too much time at the metaphorical death zone and you might start sacrificing things such as time with your family, leisure, sleep, and overall interpersonal connections--things that truly fulfill us rather than that next promotion or paycheck.
I feel like this is where we're doing pretty well as college students. We're all striving for success, but we also seem to be maintaining a balance between our interpersonal relationships and our respective workloads. This is why I love Sally. Sally lets everyone focus on the living in the current moment. There's something magical about having a few people in a hallway singing a favorite song together while someone *cough* Sally, plays guitar. See, Sally is one of those people who isn't afraid to feel human. Sometimes its easy to let ourselves slip into a state of workaholic robotism, but Sally reminds all of us that sometimes its important to cry over a TV show, sing out loud, be embarrassed, tell a story, dream deeply, obsess a little bit over an actor, and most importantly, do what we love.
So my advice to you is to go all out on someone's birthday and have a good time with it, and also to recognize the value in putting aside the quest for success for a few moments and enjoy where you're at and the people you're with. Oh, and it's okay to cry.
Be well and have an awesome week.
-Megan
2. You don't have to know someone to care about them.
3. Go ahead, buy the water bottle.
4. Relax, you are doing some things right.
Hello hello! Megan here and guess what?! It's Sally's birthday!!! Everyone say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY!"
A book I'm reading for my Sociology class has introduced the concept of "Everest Psychology" and how it pertains to current American culture. I'll try to explain it as well as I can, but it basically contains the idea that our culture values us always trying to reach the peak: we're always trying to be successful, always trying to get more enjoyment, more possessions, more status, more wealth etc. The problem is that we never reach that peak because we always want more and more even if our needs are satisfied.
Mt. Everest fascinates me, and I studied it quite a bit when I was younger. Well Everest and our culture share a death zone--the point at which the current pace and presence cannot be sustained without serious harm. Too much time in Everest's death zone, and you will die. Too much time at the metaphorical death zone and you might start sacrificing things such as time with your family, leisure, sleep, and overall interpersonal connections--things that truly fulfill us rather than that next promotion or paycheck.
I feel like this is where we're doing pretty well as college students. We're all striving for success, but we also seem to be maintaining a balance between our interpersonal relationships and our respective workloads. This is why I love Sally. Sally lets everyone focus on the living in the current moment. There's something magical about having a few people in a hallway singing a favorite song together while someone *cough* Sally, plays guitar. See, Sally is one of those people who isn't afraid to feel human. Sometimes its easy to let ourselves slip into a state of workaholic robotism, but Sally reminds all of us that sometimes its important to cry over a TV show, sing out loud, be embarrassed, tell a story, dream deeply, obsess a little bit over an actor, and most importantly, do what we love.
So my advice to you is to go all out on someone's birthday and have a good time with it, and also to recognize the value in putting aside the quest for success for a few moments and enjoy where you're at and the people you're with. Oh, and it's okay to cry.
Be well and have an awesome week.
-Megan
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