I Own a Tree

If you be my star

I'll be your sky

you can hide underneath me and come out at night

when I turn jet black and you show off your light

I live to let you shine

I live to let you shine

But you can skyrocket away from me,

and never come back if you find another galaxy

far from here with more room to fly.

Just leave me your stardust to remember you by.

- Gregory and the Hawk

My roommate's method of compensation for lack of sleep is by taking a nap. My method is a handy dandy beverage called an americano. Okay, so one is probably more healthy than the other, I know. But, I've always been a make-it-through-the-day kind of gal. Usually.

When I woke up for my 8 a.m. class, it was 42 degrees outside, so I planned to spend the afternoon in the library. However, it is now a gorgeous day outside. Perfect for a t-shirt and jeans. You know what that means, Mom? I found my tree, just like Rory. When I made the executive decision that I was going to study outside and get my daily dose of vitamin D, I knew the selection of location was of utmost importance.

This was going to be the day that I picked my tree. This was going to be the moment that I chose the bark I would lean against while reading literature, writing thoughts, and while becoming a little less ignorant towards dozens of subjects.

Okay, so maybe I'm placing a little too much nostalgia on this choice, especially since during 4/5 of my time here, the temperature is too cold to even utilize this particular function of trees... but I didn't want to let my mother down. I'm no where near going to Yale, so having a tree like Rory is the closest she's going to get to having a daughter live her life vicariously through Rory Gilmore.

Anyway, I picked a strong, healthy-looking maple. I think we'll get along. Now to think of a name.

Two guys across from me are tightrope walking between two trees. Props, gentlemen, props. It's fun to see people pass time with activities that don't involve electronics. It's even more fun when they're hipsters. I would go over there and try it for myself if it wasn't for my infamous lack of balance and the fact that I just heard one of them say, "I'm usaully really good with balance, but I feel like a two year old on this thing!"

Book update:

The Late Homecomer = done.

I liked it. A lot. It was a wonderful Hmong memoir told in a very personable manner. I loved learning not only facts, but also feelings about their past and the adversity they faced in both their previous country and America.

Reading this week: Interpreter of Maladies

Randoms:

I almost bought two-toned saddle shoes from UO today for $8.79 total, after using free shipping and 10% off. Alas, I did not. That's how careful I'm being with the ol' pocketbook. Tear.

I was just reading my Sociology book and came across this sentence:

"Applying the scientific method to the social world, a process known as positivism, apparently was first proposed by Auguste Comte."

Notice anything odd? Maybe it's just me, but "apparently?" Apparently to whom? The author? What!? Auguste Comte either did or didn't apply the scientific to the social world. So, author, if you just found this out prior to writing the article, you don't need to let me know that he "apparently" did this. If he did, he did. Goodness sake, that's such an odd word to place before a fact in a textbook. I'm so confused.

Go listen to good music, and I'll be back soon.

:]

Hello, September.

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered.

"Yes, Piglet?"

"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."

Greetings. :]

I am now nearly finished with two weeks of school. It's been a bit stressful, actually, for reasons entirely unrelated to school work. However, it's mostly unimportant. Just one of those unexpected added stressors.

A few of you wanted to know the novels required for my multicultural lit/film class. I am more than willing to share! Many of them are uncommon, but they all are intriguing, in their own way. I will list them in the order we are reading them.

1) My Antonia by Willa Cather

- This book we've already read and discussed. It had some lovely shining moments, but all in all I found it to be way too unnecessarily descriptive, which made it a long, drawn-out read.

"I was something that lay under the sun that felt it, like the pumpkins,

and I did not want to be anything more. I was entirely happy."

- My Antonia

2) The Latehomecomer Kao Kalia Yang

- This is a Hmong family memoir. I'm currently reading this book for next Tuesday's discussion. It's a big one to fit in a week!

3) Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

4) Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

5) When The Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

6) Always Running by Luis Rodriquez

7) Flight by Sherman Alexie

8) Night Flying Woman by Ignatia Broker

So, one novel a week, with the exception of a few weeks when we have to watch a film and respond. I am rather excited about this, as well, because one week the movie is Crash. Have any of you read any of these? Thoughts? I may write a bit about each of them as I finish.

Now, have any of you read any of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays? Oh my! I have recently discovered their brilliance. The first one I read was Friendship, which lead me to reading his others, which lead to me wanting to share so many quotes from them. However, I will just tell you to read a few, so that I will not jip you of context. You can find them all here and here. I love how he takes a topic so many have written on, like friendship, and causes you to explore it in a completely new way. Anyway, have a read.

Today I was hit by a cool breeze that oddly nostalgic. I think I'm excited for fall. Also, I don't think I told you that I purchased tickets for a Mumford and Sons concert. I definitely definitely DID! Also, in the news of exciting events, I also got a Gap $50 giftcard for $25 through Groupon. If you live in a big city, you should definitely check this site out! It's free, and there are amazing daily deals! My best friend goes to college in Chicago, and she introduced it to me.

Alright,

this is a fantastic song,

this is a fantastic video,

and I will talk to you all soon.

:]

Summer is dead.

"Like clockwork, summer has begun to hide.

The path of adventure that leads to its capture awaits."

I don't know how I feel about this.

Actually, yes I do. I'm really truly excited. I've just... had a hard time emotionally transitioning to/from everything at a ridiculously fast pace. It's like... graduating from high school and moving to college the next day. Without the "I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!" feeling. These past few weeks have accounted for some wonderful memories, though. I tried to upload a video of the rubber duck race we went to, but it's not working. Sad.

So many people here just light up my life. It's like constantly being surrounded by those cheesy affirmation posters, but here people genuinely mean it. It's such genuine love. And the HUGS. The other day, I was trying to tell a dear friend a story in the dining hall. It took three times as long to get through it because of the numerous peole that came up to her and I to give us hugs, give us backrubs, or tell us we're fantastic. It's humorous, really.

.... I just started to write a list of things I'll miss at camp. It was too long, so I deleted it.

Right now, I think I'm pulling an all-nighter. It seems to be the smartest option as of now. It's 3 am, and I have about an hour left of work to do. I'm passed my body's "Time for sleeeeep!" stage. Now it's "Well, if you're still up, we might as well keep kickin'." Also, I really really want to see the sun rise. I kind of just want to make coffee and go to the lake to watch it, even if it's by myself. Tomorrow for the banquet, I will just look like a zombie. This is okay. Zombies have their perks.

I AM IN LOVE WITH MUMFORD AND SONS. Case closed. No question. Check them out. Start with The Cave. Mostly because that's where I started, but also because I think it's genuinely my favorite. Then, come to their concert with me. Okay thanks.

Tonight, I watched Pelelope (pictured above). For those of you who aren't very familiar, as I wasn't, it's about a girl born with a pig nose. Oh, wow do I stink at summorizing movies. Anyway, many parts made me upset. Because, reguardless of the fact that they (including her family!) thought she was too hideous to go out into public, she was still BEAUTIFUL and no one saw it. This movie also solidified the idea that James McAvoy can just marry me now.

I just ordered eight fictional books for my multi-cultural lit. class. This is exciting to me. However, I am also starting Atlas Shrugged. I just laughed out loud. I'm literally reading Atlas Shrugged for complete fun. I feel like Hermione when she discovers Nicolas Flammel when she picked up a huge, dry book for, "a bit of light reading." I heard Atlas Shrugged was very good, though. It's just so... huge! It started as an inside joke with one of my closest friends. We're going to listen to it on tape together, now. How's that for helping you staying awake at night.

Koodos to Abbie for recongizing my Into the Woods quote. :]

Linkage:

A fantastic ukulele choir covering Kids by MGMT. {clickeh}

A talented talented guy named Alex Goot covering Dynamite. {clickeh}

And Mumford and Sons, The Cave. Just so you don't forget. :] {LINKEH}

Now I'm wondering about you guys. Did you have a great summer? The greatest?! Just mediocre? Why?

See you soon. :]

Favorite.

"Just because someone doesn't love

you the way you want them to,

doesn't mean they don't love you

with everything they have."

It seems silly to me to post a blog about happenings in the past 24 hours, as if I have been updating you quite frequently this summer. Which is very untrue. However, a summary of the summer thusfar would be vague and scatterbrained. Therefore, I'll make it quick.

Here are a few things I've learned:

- Cheering your friends up by being a loving friend does not translate to cars.

- Inception is fantastic. I would even say this is Joseph Gordon-Levitt wasn't in it. I promise.

- I throw my hands up in the air, sometimes.

- Candy cigarettes are still $.15. How they have survived years of inflation is beyond me.

- Hayville, MN has a Hay Fest. I can only imagine the exciting festivities.

- There are Walt Whitman coloring pages. I am so excited about this.

- I enjoy water this summer.

- Silly Bandz are brilliant.

- Zac Efron is just as attractive, admittedly, in person.

- Don't be fooled by the "soothing cherry" flavor. Liquid NyQuil is still as repulsive as it was when we were ten.

Now, I just thought I'd pause to share with you a fantastic poem. This girl, Shawna Howson, writes like a modern Dickinson. However, she's definitely not as creepy and promiscuous as Dickinson. :] This is one of my recent favorites of hers. You can read more of her stuff here.

You turned to me, the vivid green

It lit your eyes, the skies, the trees

You said, "My darling, flee from me

The dark is coming, I am weak."

I stood to ground, you held my eyes

We watched bleak death brew in the skies

The wind, it ripped, and tore, and blew

In shrieks I stood and turned to you.

"Who will love you? Who will fight

Back these demons in the night?

Who will whisper songs of day

To keep the ragged shades at bay?

Who will forge through death and trees

And haunt your lips so you can breathe?

Who will hold your eyes till light?

Who will love you, who will fight?

My love, I'll slay hellhounds and wraiths

I'll grapple time and wind--and chase

The deepest shadows from your face

Till they are far, and you are safe.

For if I leave you in this grass

My only love, I don't dare ask,

Who will dance with you come sunlight?

Who will dance with you come sunlight?"

Now, book talk. Has anyone read Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro? I've recently heard fantastic reviews. This is before I found out that it is coming out on film soon, and Carrie Mulligan (An Education) is starring. AH! So, I assume it has to be fantastic. Anyway, reviews are appreciated. Don't give too much away, though!

Move-in: 22 days!

Adorbz: Russel

Be back soon. :]

Rooted.

"Friend, it's getting late.

We should be going.

We've been sat here beneath these flickering neons for hours.

While I am cracking their code, you are deciphering me

For i am a mystery, I am a locked room in a tall tower."

Your telescope eyes see everything clearly.

My vision is blurred, but i know what i heard echoing all around.

While I am tuning you in, you are deciphering me.

Not such a mystery, not such a faint and far away sound."

I've arrived at my third week of camp. Things are going well. Busy, as always, but so good. Lots and lots of thoughts have entered my brain. This is okay, except for the fact that they have now entangled themselves, making it nearly impossible for me to coherently speak them aloud.

I took this picture last night on the way to campfire. It was so gorgeous outside. The sunset illuminated every living thing and made the Earth golden.

I'm currently reading Mere Christianity, and currently listening to Brooke Fraser. She has such such such amazing lyrics. I love her. Her entire Albertine album is phenomenal. Coincidentally, she has a C.S. Lewis song on that album. Her lyrics are the ones above (but not to the C.S. Lewis song, because I'm not that smart to put two and two together).

Another listen worth taking time to enjoy is the music of Jillian Edwards. I just found her yesterday. I'm sure there are more, but I often forget things.

Last week I had to take mug shots of over a hundred teenagers. It was awkward.
Yesterday I had to clean out a popcorn machine. It was awkward.
Our bathroom just went 5 days without toilet paper. It was awkward.
There is a penny in our shower. Wait, what?

Yes: I have a car now! For good!
No: I wish to see my beeessstt friiend.

Oh hai.

"Can we pretend that airplanes

in the night sky

are like shooting stars?

I could really use a wish right now."

Ho hum, I have nothing to write about. OH wait. I do have things to talk about. So many things. Things such as moving home, the Lost finale, the last few Glee episodes, summer escapades, books, how Miley Cyrus broke my heart and Justin Bieber filled it, etc. For this catch-up blog of sorts, I'll make it all condensed for you folks.

Moving Home: Fun. But let's go back now.

Lost: Liked (loved?) it. I don't question. All I have to say for now is that the writers have said time and time again that they wrote it as a character driven show. Keeping that in mind, the finale wrapped up the characters very well. As for everything else? Eloise said it best to Desmond, "Questions will only lead to more questions."

Glee: Artie can dance, and Idina is making regular appearances. Enough said.

Summer Escapades: Lots of car. Lots of friends. Lots of Brewers.

Books: I'm just starting to yank this into gear. Starting with Before I Fall.

Miley Cyrus: I stood up for her for so long. Now she stood me up by being stupid.

Justin Bieber: Awh, little Bieb's plays the drums. :D

I promise to expand on a few of the aformentioned topics, but for now I just wanted to check in and quiet a few people. :]

Rad: Being back!

Unrad: Being allergic to my house.

Last Lines

Okay, so today I am participating in the Last Line Blogfest, like I said yesterday. The "last line" I chose is from one of the first chapters of my NaNoWriMo novel. So, without further ado:

Dillan diligently followed Sky down the hall and up the stairs to her room, with Ian silently trailing behind. They reached a bedroom door with a large white sign that read "Skylar Mae: Knock Please" with colorful doodles covering the paper in every direction.

She pushed the door open halfway, before pausing to face the boys. “Well… wait here please, actually.”

Dillan and Ian watched Skylar disappear into her room for a few short minutes before she returned with one full suitcase. She closed the door behind her and plopped the suitcase on the ground with a small thud.

“These are the people most important in my life.” Skylar explained, opening the suitcase, “Except for those that don’t fit."

Out of the suitcase emerged dozens of ordinary kitchen tools.

I never edited anything I wrote in November, and reading back has told me this is probably something I should do.

Anyway, that's all for today. Now I shall study.

Rad: This comic, and This comic.

Unrad: Spending your last weekend in the Library.

xx