Thanks for the Memories

Aaaah! I'm loving this week's project. :)

Looking at your guys' posts makes me so insanely happy. Rachel, I am ridiculously jealous of your John Green encounter, and Shelby, you have some awesome photography skills. Nicole, you were right; I do love the quotes. :)

I'm afraid I'm going to end up with a couple more pictures than I'm supposed to have, but that's only because I feel bad for leaving out my best friend. Haha. (I had my pictures more-or-less picked out, but I realized that my closest friend wasn't in any of them, while almost all of my other friends were.) Most of my pictures are also of groups of people. My family and friends are a HUGE part of my life, so when I was picking pictures, they just kind fell into place. 

I guess to start... This is me. I've had long hair for most of my life (aside from one really bad haircut in fifth grade), so the bob was a total shock to my system in the best way possible. I've only had it for about a week, but I really, really like it so far. Hopefully my longer hair will be in a pic or two so you can see the difference. :)

These are the people that have been with me through it all (friend-wise, at least). I'm on the far left, then Jordie, Lindz, and Kay. This is the photo I almost didn't put in, but it's worth it to me because they've been part of my life for practically forever. I've known Jordan since I was eight, Lindsay since I was ten, and Kayla since I was six... They were literally my childhood (along with playing outside, horses, and Harry Potter. ;D). I love them. During graduation, we walked in pairs, so Lindsay (my best friend) and I walked together; so did Kayla and Jordan.

This grabs a few other close friends into the mix, but I think there's a more interesting story together. This night was the end of my childhood (only half-joking). We were cosplaying and headed to the premier of the final installment of the Harry Potter films... It was also two months after graduation and only a month before we all started university... That night kind of marked the end of the way things had always been... I still love every single one of them, and we're all still close, but we're not together like we used to be. I miss it. But it was one heck of a way to end it, right? :) I'm the one in the red wig (Tonks).

But as time goes on and I've moved to school, I've made some new friends. All three of these people are dear to me, but two of them are much closer. That night, Javier was leaving to go home (in Central America), so we stayed up all night long with him and we made a giant fort by hanging sheets from the ceiling. We used all of the furniture from the second and third floors to build a nice infrastructure. Then we played Catan inside and took it down. It was so much fun.

On the note of fun, this night is definitely high up there. Our residence hall hosted a charity haunted house, and as soon as we tore it down, we all went to IHOP, some still in costume. I'm somewhere in the back (sitting next to Nicole). I finally got to be a creepy clown, which had been a wish of mine for about two years. I hate being scared, but scaring people is a BLAST! The clown in the very front and I did a bit of a skit-scare type thing. We were the last door before the exit, so before anyone went out, she would turn the "handle" on our dilapidated, cardboard jack-in-the-box, singing, "Pop Goes the Weasel," very slowly...  I actually followed the group in quietly, and on the title line, I would get inches away from the least-expecting person's face and shout-sing it in their ear. Totally cracked me up. The other clown in the room was blocking the door as you came in, offering "eyeballs." And you were also followed in by a German-sounding pianist. We were pretty legit. ;)

To close, I got a message on day saying, "I can't explain why, but when I saw this, I just instantly thought of you." So... Just so you know, I am apparently a blue unicorn that barfs rainbows. :)

But anywho, I think that's all I have... This was a fun memory tool, and I really loved learning more about you guys! I'm looking forward to seeing whatever it is we write next week. :) See you tomorrow, Craig!

Craig's make-up day just reminded me... I will not be able to post on August 3. In an ideal world, I will pre-write a blog before I leave (I'm going out of the country and probably won't be online much), so one of you, if you are willing, can post it for me, but if I don't get that done, I just wanted to give you a heads up! Now, I am finally done with this uber-long blog post, so I shall finally let you be. Happy weekend, everyone!

Short and sweet, but full of pretty pictures!

I think that picture pretty much sums up...well, I guess my life. My blog and Instagram  even have "thoughts" and "scatterbrain" in the titles. So naturally, as you can imagine my brain is a little convoluted on some days, but I have actually managed quite well in my 23 years. I saw this on Tumblr and instantly saved it to my computer because it fits me rather well.

 

I am particularly fond of this quote because it actually is pretty relevant to all of us and it makes me feel all of the writing that I have been trying to do lately isn't all for nothing. Even on the days when I really feel like it is. 

Well  tomorrow I'm going to go see the Amazing Spiderman movie with a friend, and I'm super excited because Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone are pretty much amazing. Both in their own rights of course, but together...I can only imagine that this movie is going to be amazing!! 

This is one of my favorite pictures on my computer because I'm holding my signed copy of TFiOS that I practically had to beg my now ex-boyfriend to buy for me because, well it's John Green, and no one should ever be denied the possibility of owning a first edition book of one of their favorite author's that they got to see the whole strenuous process of signing EVERY first page of the first printing of played out on the Interwebs. I mean, that's just mean.
On that note, I think that this post is done. Great pictures and stories everyone. I would have added pictures of my family that I really like but computer has hidden them from me at the moment.

DFTBA and have a lovely weekend everyone, and Craig, I can't wait to see your Saturday post! I hope that things are better for you.

Nicole

Photos that I adore...

Hey guys! It's Tuesday! 

I hope everything is/will be all right, Craig. I can't wait to see your special post on Saturday! 

Well, to kick off a week of photos, I'll start by saying this: I used to be an obsessive amateur photographer. I took some photography classes in my homeschool group and loved every moment of them. I still love photography (as can be seen in my addiction to Instagram haha), but I rarely go out an take pictures. I plan on incorporating more than one photo into this post, so if that's annoying, I'm sorry. Some of the photos might be older as well.

My City:

 I live in Las Vegas, NV... "Sin City." But I am more interested in all the lights and neon. Downtown, there's a "junkyard" full of old, decommissioned/discarded signs from the many casinos that were either demolished or renovated. We call it the Neon Graveyard or Neon Bone Yard. 

I think this photo is from 2008 when my photography class went there for a second time. It was raining during the shoot (a very unconventional shoot where we all ran off and explored to find interesting shots). The first time we'd gone to the Bone Yard, I had photographed this sign in almost the same way, but we used disposable cameras that time. I had my digital and Nikon film camera, so I was able to get better quality shots. I love the overcast sky and other signs in the background, as well as the cheerful pink that is obviously fading (unfortunately). The bulbs are all still intact, amazingly, and I just love the composition of this photo. 

I think the Bone Yard reflects the constant change that Vegas is undergoing in order to modernize the city and get rid of all the old. The signs just sit there, rusting and breaking, a sad display of an older Vegas. But, I prefer the old Vegas, and the Bone Yard is a reminder of old-time Vegas.

My Dog:

  This is my mother's favorite dog. We have two...but she adores this dog more than the other. I photographed the dog because he actually stays still long enough for me to get a great shot. You can think he's cute, but he's an absolute menace... He's over protective of my mom, but he's a totally wimp when things move or make a noise suddenly. This was taken early this year...

Obligatory "Artsy" Photo:

So, it doesn't rain often in Vegas, but when it does, I become obsessive with the photographs. This is one such photo. 

I took it outside in my backyard, at one of the trees. I have another shot of the leaves covered with dozens of raindrops, but I like this one more. ;) 

This was taken early this year, I think.  

My Fiance & I: 

 I had provide a recent photograph of myself and my fiance! We were on our way to dinner last week and I decide to take a goofy photo with my phone in the car. 

Really, the only goofy part of the photo is his face... He can't really ever take a serious photo, and that transfers over to his family as well. But, his goofiness is one reason that I love him. <3

But, I really like this photo. We're both looking good...even though I'm wearing terrible bug-eyed glasses. :P

I hope all of those photos were worth posting... the next time we do a photo week, I will actually pick better photos...hopefully. 

As for next week, would anyone like to discuss music? Like, what we're currently listening to, songs we love or simply a post about the genres you prefer? Let me know in the comments. :)

DFTBA everyone! Can't wait to see all of your photos!

-Shelby W.

Zzzzz...

I missed my day by an hour. I'm going to fix the time so it looks like I made it on time. Haha.

We had a show tonight, so I didn't get back until late, and I had some backed up housework to get done. (Mainly laundry. I was down to clothes that don't fit and long sleeves, neither of which are appealing in 110* heat.) So I was finishing that. Then a very tipsy Nicole posted on my Facebook wall joined me in my room for some late night girl talk. She had the drunk hiccups that definitely made me giggle. (I don't drink, so watching other drunk/tipsy makes me laugh.) She has a lot of energy and is super giggly. ("My tongue tastes like rum! *singsong voice*) It's been a good night.

Rachel, I'm really sorry about your girlfriend's granddad. I hope things get easier for you both and for her family.

I'm also going to give my own answer to my question. The more I think about it, the more I realize that America does have a culture. Yes, it is that of the melting pot; it is a unique blend that can't be found elsewhere. But it's more than that. It is the unique freedoms we have, and it is the fact that we measure things in inches and Fahrenheit when the rest of the world has switched to metric. After the Fourth and everything, I kind of started thinking about my military friends, and that's kind of what gave me a change of heart... Our government system and freedoms and flag make us, well, us. The Star-Spangled Banner, the pledge... Everyone in unison. It's kind of awesome, once you think about it.

Also... Rachel, I'm definitely in on the picture thing! :)

Now, all that said, I am going to practice my Spanish for a bit, write out my research questions and hit the hay. Sorry for the shortest post, and Craig, I will see you on Monday!

The 4th, culture and insomnia.

Hello there everyone. I hope everyone's Fourth of July was great, I know mine was* and you know what's better than having one day off for a holiday? Having the rest of the afternoon off the next day because the area's that your group are supposed to clean next aren't ready and your boss is kind of a bad ass.

So what's a girl to do with all of that time? Well I've cleaned my room, made myself lunch, I'm getting ready to start my laundry and take a shower before a friend of mine comes over later this evening so that I can navigate him through the blogosphere and he can set up his own blog. So that's going to be cool.

As far as American culture goes Linnea, I'd have to agree with everyone else. American is essentially a melting pot of the world's cultures and that have somehow turned themselves into "our" cultures as Americans. We're all mutts so we all kind of carry something from another culture that we have to bring to the table..Sorry that's all I've got today. The lack of sleep is catching up to me now, and I'm watching "You've Got Mail" in memory of Nora Ephron.


*I'm also running on four hours of sleep, with no coffee or other stimulants. I woke up this morning with enough energy to run a marathon.

DFTBA & have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Nicole

American culture?

Linnea brought up an interesting topic on Friday... Basically: Does America have its own culture? 

After some thought, I've come to the conclusion that America never had its own culture due to the way it was founded. In the end, America was developed through many different countries with different languages, religions, cuisines and norms. These countries founded settlements in many separate regions, giving each section of America a distinct sub-culture that soon spread to every part of the country. Southern home-cooking can be found in every section of the country, not just the southern states. Lobster can be eaten in pretty much every state, despite its overall fame in Maine. Country music isn't just a backwoods, Appalachian tradition anymore, but a popular industry that has been able to meet all other genres with respect and great collaboration. Most larger cities have sections reflective of different areas of the world, featuring amazing nightlife and culinary opportunities. I'm sure we've all been to some form of "China Town" or been to supermarkets that cater specifically to a particular region's culinary delicacies. 

America doesn't have its own culture, but embraces the cultures of the world, creating the melting pot we've all grown to love. But, with such a melting pot comes grievances and issues that are hard to resolve. World views are challenged and belittled. The "American" side of the equation isn't very tolerant... I guess most citizens have forgotten what led their founding fathers to the new world: intolerance, persecution and a longing for freedom. We need to learn to accept people of all cultures, including religion... Without doing this, our country will remain divided. And frankly, I like the melting pot we have. I like knowing that I can go to a restaurant and order foreign cuisine as well as southern country cooking. I like being able to hear all sorts of genres on the radio. I like knowing that every state has a particular background based on the country that settled in that territory centuries before. Without this, America wouldn't be America anymore. 

Well, on that note, I hope everyone has a spectacular Fourth of July. Also, for those of you on vacations: have loads of fun!

DFTBA!  

-Shelby W.

(I just realized how much I mentioned food in this post... wow!)

Happy birthday Linnea!


So,Dooms day.... There is no real sure fire way to know what I am going to do in any doomsday scenario. I would like to think I would be with my family during the crisis. But I can't for sure say I wouldn't just snap and get all that I couldn't or was too scared to before then. I have thought about the end of the world a lot and the only thing I can say for certain is that I have absolutely no idea.

Rachel, I have no idea how to get your strength up or get better at sports to be honest. I was never the doer I was always the thinker hahaha

Nicole, do not be ashamed of anything you write! And if anyone laughs at your righting based on the premise then muck with them!

Linnea (once more) I am happy to hear you found your Ilene!

On American Culture: I think you pretty much hit it right on the head, Lianna. We are a cumulative culture when it comes to culture. I think a lot of (rich) people need to get the stick out of there butt and give a bit back to the community other than celebrity gossip. Other than that I don't mind being in a melting pot just as long as we don't turn into Moss Eisley.....*holds it in*...... (Space port. You will never find a more retched hive of scum and villainy). We need to all look out for ech other is what it all comes down to. Regardless of how hard that can be at times.


D to the F to the TBA, Y'all! Out!

Craig