"Can you please give me a demonstration of a barbaric yawp?"

Oh, dear readers, I must apologize for my ridiculous absence from blogging. It appears that final exams, projects, and papers overwhelmed me to a point where I was unable to consider writing anything other than what was necessary. But, alas! I am alive and well and, thus, have returned.


However, I must say that I really do not have too much to discuss. I am grateful for the lovely (though disturbingly warm) holiday season. I am relishing the time spent with family and friends; after a difficult semester, nothing feels better than the warmth of home.


This evening, I am taking the opportunity to watch my favorite movies. First and foremost, I'm watching Dead Poets' Society, which is, without question, my favorite movie of all time. Whenever I watch this movie, I feel motivated to learn and explore and express and create! It makes me want to run a marathon (which we all know I'm physically incapable of doing) and then paint for days on end (which I am capable of doing). I can only hope that if I'm ever so fortunate to be a teacher, that I maintain the ability to inspire as Professor Keating (hollaback Robin Williams) is able to do in this movie. Hell, he is a fictional character and I'm still inspired.
Side note: This is filmed at St. Andrews' School. B-E-A-UTIFUL!


I really don't have much to share, dear, devoted readers. I hope you're all enjoying a wonderful holiday season. Oh, and do yourself (and society.....and myself) a favor, and be grateful this year. Whatever you have, I guarantee there are so many with so much less. If you're able to read this on a computer, you should be grateful. Remember, if the entire world put their problems in a pile, you'd likely take yours back.


Merry ChristmaChanuKwanzaaEid!

"And the best of your days will all vanish into haze when you're. . . . "

The end of that quote? ".....ON DRUGS." If I could replace the words "you're on drugs" with "it's finals week," then Weezer could officially sing a saga about my life. That, arguably, could be the most exciting part of the saga. . . .but that's okay.


It's no secret to any college student that it's finals time. No student can ignore that constant feeling of exhaustion as days spent within the stacks of the library blend into weeks and sleep becomes optional. Students who were once talkative and well-dressed now walk into class 10 minutes late, donning sweatpants and weary eyes. And, in case that isn't enough of a signal, here's how you know it's finals time:

• More time is spent in the library than in your room
• The length of time you spend sleeping is closer to a nap than a full night's rest
• The petty amount of money left in your bank account is spent on caffeinated beverages
• Working-out for hours on end seems like an excellent means of avoiding your homework
• You become an addict. 

Now, to some of you, the word addict may be a bit confusing, concerning, alarming even. But, if you would, allow me to explain. College finals turn students into addicts. Once-average students will cling to any attractive entity to avoid work. Some students work-out, others eat their feelings, and some spend hours on websites such as Facebook, StumbleUpon, or Pinterest. Some students may stay-up all night playing video games; others might clean their apartments obsessively because "a dirty room distracts me." Personally, I find myself to be a mix of several of these categories. Regardless, I can firmly state that these addictions provide unhealthy yet appealing ways to avoid the overwhelming amount of work assigned by our sadistic professors. 

Random tangent: Speaking of sadistic professors, have you ever considered looking at final exams from their perspective? I can't help but wonder if they feel encouraged or defeated as they look at exams. Do they focus on the group of students that have grasped the material and found new ways to examine a field? Or, do the professors look at all of the subpar grades and wonder if s/he has failed as a teacher? 

So students, as you're studying and writing and drinking questionable amounts of caffeine, I have a few final words of advice: 

1. Don't procrastinate. I know you'll avoid this idea, but I have to mention it anyway.
2. Remember to sleep! If you're tired, you won't be able to think, or perform, well.
3. HYDRATE! 'nuff said.
4. Make sure to take some time for yourself everyday to de-stress. How you de-stress. . . .well, that's up to you.
5. Remember: you owe it to yourself and to your professors to prove that you've learned this material. Don't throw away a semester's work because you've got holiday fever now. 
6. MOST IMPORTANTLY! These papers, projects, and exams. . . .well, they aren't the end of the world. If you don't do as well as you'd like, just remember that it's just one class, or one paper, of your entire college career. Rest assured knowing you tried your best. What more could anyone really ask for?

Well, I'm afraid I need to go continue studying. Good luck on finals, everyone! 

And the students think they have it rough. . . .

I still don't feel old enough for this. . . .

It's been five months.....but, every time I walk into a bar, I still feel like I'm doing something illegal.


It's ridiculous. I am 21. TWENTY-ONE. This is no longer illegal. Why do I feel guilty? This question remains unanswered; however, this weekend, I experienced two really awesome bars in New York. So, I thought I'd share them with you, dear readers!


The first bar was called Burp Castle: Temple of Beer Worship. Now, though the name may sound incriminating, don't let it fool you. Located in the East Village, the bar combines intellectual conversation with hipster attire. Let me set the scene for you: the walls are covered in murals of a semi-medieval style. The bar is made of a deep stained wood that has an air of sophistication to it. The indoor seating is made of smaller, two- and three-top tables; there is also a small, outdoor patio that 6 or 7 people can enjoy. But, the coolest thing about this bar is that it's quiet. If the bar gets even remotely loud, the bartender releases a loud but non threatening "shhhhhhhhh," and everyone immediately quiets. It's fantastic to watch and be a part of. The atmosphere is relaxed and exciting all at once. On a side note, their beer options are pretty wonderful, and moderately priced. The two I tried were a Chimay and a Bruxelles Blanche, both of which were wonderful. A girl sitting next to me on the patio suggested the Bruxelles Blanche, claiming the aftertaste was like Trix cereal......she was right [go figure]. So, if you're ever wandering the East Village on a Saturday night, I highly suggest it. If you want to learn more, check out their website/blog at http://burpcastlenyc.wordpress.com/about-2/.

Who doesn't want to be sitting at this bar?

What could be cooler than a bar with murals on the walls and a hint of monk? Only one that celebrates Communist Russia, of course! The KGB Bar reads red - literally. The bar's walls are painted red and adorned with Russian paraphernalia, which is arguably authentic. The beer is strong and cheap and comes in bottles that are larger than any regular-sized American beer I've ever seen. But, the coolest thing about this bar is that is has literary readings 4 nights/week! How cool is that? Beer and books, what more could a girl want? Apparently (and by apparently, I mean according to their website), up-and-coming authors flock to read pieces of their works at this bar. I can't say I blame them. The atmosphere is dark and relaxed; it's clear that people come to KGB to sit back, relax with friends, and enjoy an evening of Russian beer and books. If you really want to learn about the bar I suggest checking out their detailed history on their website: http://www.kgbbar.com/bar/.

Oh, come on, you know this looks fun!

Well, that's all for now, dear reader. I hope you've enjoyed my brief tales of bars in the village!

Yo, Yo, YOGA

So, today, instead of doing my traditional written blog, I've decided to mimic my idol, Jenna Marbles, and create a video blog. To accomplish this goal, I've invited a special guest. This person cannot be adequately described in words; however, if I were to award a few complimentary adjectives, I'd define his highness as intelligent, witty, sarcastic, cynical, and well-dressed. Arguably, these are the five most important qualities in life. So, I hope you enjoy my little discussion about the yoga-pants phenomenon. . ..with Cameron.

Idiotic Insanity

It's time to be extremely honest. And mean. and brutal. Get ready.


It just so happens that in my weekly school newspaper, the editor-in-chief decided to write a straight-forward article about women wearing yoga pants. This article, published today, has caused a royal uproar at my school. So, here are my thoughts:


To all of you claiming the article is invalid because the author is gay, here's what I have to say: (1) THE AUTHOR ISN'T, to my knowledge, GAY. (2) If he were gay, and you believe in sexual stereotypes, don't you think he'd be more qualified to provide fashion advice? (3) Finally, what, I ask you, WHAT DOES A PERSON'S SEXUALITY HAVE TO DO WITH HIS VIEWS ON YOGA PANTS OR THE VALIDITY OF HIS OPINION IN GENERAL? 


To all of you claiming that yoga pants are fashionable: Don't kid yourselves. We all know yoga pants are just extremely comfy and hide your food baby after you've binged on Starbuck's gingerbread lattes and other holiday treats. You can NOT deny that sometimes, people wear yoga pants that are slightly too small for them. You can also not deny that this is not pleasing to see.


To all of you who can talk about nothing else: Don't you realize how many things that are MUCH MORE IMPORTANT are going on in the world today? Sorry I'm not sorry for attacking you; but, when if you can quote the yoga pants article but you can't tell me who Qaddafi is, I can't put any merit to your opinion. Does this make me an intellectual elitist? I SURE AS HELL HOPE SO.


Finally, to all of you who are reading the newspaper for the first time simply because there is an article about yoga pants: Maybe you should start reading newspapers. I have a hunch you probably don't remember that the first amendment of the US Constitution provides for freedom of speech. This guy had the right to write about whatever the hell he wants. This week, he chose yoga pants.


For now, this is all I have to say. But, please, my fellow college comrades, do something in the near future that provides me with some confidence in the student body of the University that I have attended.

You know, maybe this kid has a point. Is this the message you want to send to others?

Weekends are what it's all about . . . whatever IT is

They say that college years are the best years; this weekend confirmed that fun little fact.


It began with an energetic, and equally concerning, a capella rehearsal where it was revealed that I would be performing a rap solo at a concert. . . .the following evening. After a minor panic attack, I retreated to the apartment where I hosted a team social for my fellow equestrian-inclined peers. Nothing like a few good hours of a 1950s movie and 27 energetic equestrians. The evening was capped-off with a highlighter party at the neighbors. . . who also happen to be the boyfriends (or lack thereof)


Saturday began with a stomachache that was sufficiently cured by a roommate shopping trip and a large Starbucks Peppermint Mocha. After a short powderpuff practice and dance rehearsal, the girls and I were ready for another evening of shenanigans. With the support of my girls and a little bit of liquid courage, I had a successful a capella performance. Proper celebrations ensued!


Sunday had an early start with a University Open House. Despite the early morning and brisk autumn air, I couldn't help but enjoy spending time with my academic associates. The afternoon was accompanied by a slightly-violent powderpuff game - we may not have won, but we were definitely the most feared [and the best-looking, obviously]. When you're playing for charity, and bragging rights, that's what matters. Some Sunday cleaning, a grocery-store trip, and a Sex and the City marathon later, I'm procrastinating on my homework. Why ruin a perfect weekend with a night of homework?


Here's to my girls: to living in a room with 5x the estrogen
                              to the nights we almost remember and the ones we wish we didn't
                              to the ridiculous things we do and the people we do them with
                              to the Sunday-night movie nights and the lack of homework
                              to the stupid boys we date and the ones we wish we didn't
                              to the dysfunctional family we created when we all moved-in
                              to the semester of college that we'll remember forever
                             
                              this one is for you <3

*126*

Ho, Ho, Eskiho?

Let's face it, dear readers. I really just created this blog so I could anonymously vent about people and their actions. So, here's today's rant.


IT'S NOT EVEN THANKSGIVING! Dear American Consumers, stop purchasing Christmas items in October and maybe our corporate giants will stop producing fake trees before Halloween. Does anyone really want to purchase a Christmas tree before a turkey? I THINK NOT.


Side note: can somebody please riddle me this whole "booty shorts and uggs" style? Because I think everyone partaking looks ridiculous and should be banned from the public eye. Santa probably runs through town going "Ho, Ho,. . . . .eskihoes?"


I love the holidays like a fat kid loves cake. So to all of you confused consumers and uninformed ugg-wearers, please step it up. NOW.

Murphy's Law of Horse Shows

You know, dear reader, I've always been an avid fan of Murphy's Laws. I'm quite aware that karma is a bitch; however, since karma and I are both bitches, we tend to get along. I digress.


But, lately, I've come to realize that at college intercollegiate horse shows, Murphy's Law states that the shortest girl on the team must get the largest horse, and the tallest girl on the team must get the smallest pony. Much to the dismay of my team, this Law has been explicit at every show we've attended this fall. Let's just say our consistent 3rd place finishes would be overwhelming 1sts if we could just find a way to dodge this continuous catastrophe. . . .


As sad as it may sound, that really was the most exciting thing that happened this weekend. Aside from one of my roommates doing the dishes for the first time all semester. . . . .or my procrastination on my term papers . . . . . or the party of drunken RAs I stumbled into last night. . . . .or the questionable decisions I saw SO many people making last night . . . . or the Giants beating the Patriots.


Oh, wait, we all know that last one isn't going to happen. Peace-out, my little reading scouts.

Bye, Bye, Bubba

Tonight, we say goodbye to our beloved apartment pet, Bubba the beta fish.


Bubba was a not-so-beloved pet. It so happens that he was acquired through a chain of unforeseen circumstances; nonetheless, we will remember his orange scales and monotonous life every time we look at the table where he swam in his fake-rock-laiden bowl.


We'll miss you, Bubba. We hope you will swim the endless waters of heaven forever, eating something hopefully more appetizing than the smelly fish-pellets you ate for the two years you were on this Earth.

Bubba, you were the most orange fish we ever had.

Break-out the party hats and promiscuity . . . .

It's no secret to anyone in America that it is time for Halloween. So, I'd like to shed some light onto a very dark night.


Halloween is different for every age group. For young children, it is a night to dress-up and eat lots of candy. For middle-schoolers, it's an "uncool" holiday to ignore and pretend like it doesn't exist. For high schoolers, it's an attempt to dress "cool" and attend a party that somebody might "sneak some beer into." For parents, it's a night to spend dishing-out overpriced candy to under-appreciative children.


And, then, there are the college students.


It seems to me that college students take any opportunity to drink; Halloween may be the holy grail of drinking and promiscuity. Students across the nation dress in extremely inappropriate outfits, drink excessively, and enjoy their weekend of false identity. While some students may display low levels of wit and humor by displaying a unique costume, most just see what they can make out of the clothes they already have. Because in their mind, nobody will notice their costume after a few beers anyway.


So a word of caution, fellow collegiates: just because you're in costume doesn't mean you're somebody else. Give your decisions a second thought and this weekend will inevitably turn out a bit better than expected. Also? Cover your ass - nobody wants to see that.

Pumpkins are your friends.

Don't Drink & Divulge

It would be oh-so-easy to simply say, "I told you so." Because, well, I did.


It was no secret to my campus community that this homecoming weekend was bound to be full of inebriated idiots making poor decisions. Unfortunately, I became one of those raging dumb asses who decided to partake. So, let me make my advice for the future very clear: Don't drink and divulge.


Now, you may be wondering what I mean by divulge. Too much of any thing can be a bad thing, dear reader; so, when your worst friend, Jose Cuervo, tries to convince you to do something that your other-sober-self wouldn't do, don't divulge. You'll just awake from your drunken coma to a whirlwind of regret (and maybe a few bruises).

Homecoming Extraordinaire. . . .

And as October slowly begins to wind down, another fall homecoming is brought to our beautiful seaside campus. As seniors campaign for the crown, we athletes prep for home competitions amidst the falling leaves and brisk weather.


And the rest of the campus? They're binge-drinking.


Oh, yes, dear reader. College homecomings seem to be just another excuse to get inebriated beyond belief and make compromising decisions. Screaming lax bros will romp around in pinnies, announcing to everyone and their mother that they are, in fact, in "COLLEGE!!!!" Successful teams will host rowdy, sweaty parties in tiny, insufficient apartments; underclassmen students will flock to the upperclassmen dorms in hopes of squirming their way into a party. After all, that's the "cool" thing to do.


I can't help but wonder, and hope, whether or not their is a contingency of students that are spending this weekend with their parents, enjoying all that our idyllic location has to offer. This could be a weekend to celebrate the fall and the midpoint of the semester; it concerns me that so many people find it to be a requirement to drink. . . . can't we be social, scholarly, and mature? Just for a moment?


Wish me luck, friends, as I venture into a weekend of sports games, concerned parents, alcoholic drinks, and beautiful weather. Here's to what my generation has stereotyped as the "college experience."

Morning Monday Madness

It's coming. You can't avoid it. No matter how far you run or where you go, Monday will find you. And as I begin writing this blog 9 minutes before the next Monday enters my life, I can't help but wonder why Mondays have such a stifling stigma. Why can't we celebrate the week? Has our entire society found themselves in weekly patterns they dread? Aren't we supposed to ENJOY what we do?


I hope you've all enjoyed your weekend. Aside from winning a free cruise to the Bahamas, my weekend was pretty boring. Quite frankly, that's the way (uh-huh, uh-huh) I like it.


Here's to Monday!

One Hectic Fall Semester

Hello again, dear reader! I apologize for my lengthy absence. It turns out that junior year of college is just as hectic, if not more so, than junior year of high school. Between 6 classes (two of which are graduate level), a job, an internship, the honors program, varsity Equestrian Team, a capella, and running the student ambassadors, I'm wholly exhausted.


Low and behold, my body didn't take well to my newfound exhaustion. I've spent the past week virtually bedridden with an unidentifiable infection. My throat swelled to the point of deep concern and my head felt as though a herd of rhinos was constantly running over it. It was a sickness unlike any I've ever experienced. Thankfully, it has since ceased.


So, what else has been exciting? Well, the equestrian season is in full swing. Last weekend, I was oh-so-unsuccessful in my fences class; however, here's to hoping that this weekend will prove fruitful. The rest of the team - all 26 of them - is extremely nice and supportive. We all have as much fun as possible while shivering in our boots ringside at day-long collegiate horse shows.


You may be wondering how my roommate situation is progressing. 5 girls. 1 room. Oh-so-many stories. Though we've inevitably had our drama, we get along really well for the most part and always have a blast. Some mornings I wake-up to a roommate singing in the shower or another roommate baking an apple pie. Suffice to say that something new and exciting is always happening in Room ***.


I hope you're all enjoying the lovely, though highly unpredictable, fall weather. I'll do my very best to begin blogging more frequently. Granted, this is assuming that midterms don't kill me this week. . . .no guarantees, folks.

Looks like August was a tad too apathetic. . .

Oh, hello again, dear reader! I must apologize for my extended hiatus from blogging. I've spent the vast majority of August trying to soak-up what I could of my short-lived summer. But alas, summer is over yet again. Within 24 hours I will no longer be sitting on an oversized sofa in my basement; rather, I'll be in my apartment with my four best friends. Can't complain, really. . . .


So I really don't have much to say right now. I'm sure the fall will bring many stories worth sharing. Until then, enjoy the earthquakes and hurricanes that accompany the depressing end of the summer season. . .

Summer Apathy

Hello again, dear reader. Well, it appears that I've reached that lazy point in my summer that fills me equally with boredom and apathy. I'm enjoying being a noncontributing lazy bum. I spend my days working out and babysitting; but, mostly, sitting. While I feel extremely guilty about my lack of productivity, I can't help but revel in my laziness. For whatever reason, sleeping for absurd amounts of time, watching countless hours of tv, and wearing nothing but gym shorts and tank tops has an appeal to me.


Though I continue to make a to-do list, it is getting significantly longer before it gets shorter. I simply have no motivation (which I only feel a tad guilty about). The fact of the matter is that I spent the first half of my summer working my ass off and I'm about to spend the entire fall semester doing the same thing. I rightfully should have nothing to do. So, why do I feel god-awful about it?


I have roughly one month of summer left. In that time, I'm visiting my best friend at her lake house, teaching a week-long riding camp in Wisconsin, babysitting here and there, and slowly preparing myself for my junior year of college. Time is flying. . .. and I just don't know how I feel about it.

Home Again, Home Again

Hello, dear reader!

I must apologize for the large gap in time that I have failed to blog during. Remember that god-awful job I had up in middle-of-nowhere, Maine? Well, for the first time in my life, I gathered the courage to quit something. So, peace out Readfield.


I finally decided that the job was doing nothing for my resume or my happiness; so, why bother? I'm not back at home. I'm relishing in the luxury of seeing family and friends every day. I will say that this is my first time unemployed since I was legally able to work. .  ..I feel a little anxious about that. New topic.


So, I now have four [ish] weeks with which I may do what I please. I think I'm going to work on expanding my architecture portfolio. Why not use this time to take photographs and draw? Seems like a great way to enjoy the summer. Plus, if I want to get into a good grad school, I seriously need to step it up a notch.


I think I'm also going to spend an insane amount of time working out. . . here's to a summer of self-improvement!


I hope summer is treating you well. Aside from the extreme heat (today is 116 with the heat index!), I can't complain. Now that I have more time, I will undoubtedly have more to discuss soon. In the mean time, dear Sarah Palin: Please please stop being shitty. Thanks.

I was almost killed by a moose. . . .

Well, tonight we FINALLY had an early evening off. So, naturally we drank excessively. We then went to a random field to stargaze and GO FIGURE there was a moose. Enough said. Moose are scary.

Aren't things supposed to be improving. . . ?

Alas, dear reader, I am still stuck in middle-of-nowhere Maine at a camp that should be renamed a prison. I am spending my sleep-deprived days watching over 12 demonic oompa loompas and I'm afraid I still don't like it.

I really am trying, promise! The fact of the matter is that I absolutely hate this godforsaken place and I have a continuous countdown until I get the hell out. When I was offered other jobs right before I left, I should have taken them. WHY DIDN'T I TAKE THEM?

Well, no good is going to come from me sitting here complaining. So, I hope all of you are having wonderful summers. Fortunately, my torture should continue to provide some entertainment.

Today's fun fact: A girl asked me to "fetch her soup." I spit my salad out and then replied, "Not in a million years."

What, What, WHAT are you doing?

Oh dear reader, WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO?

It's official. The children have arrived. I am in a cabin with 12 little girls and 3 other counselors. Now, let me preface the following rant by saying that these girls are generally very sweet, kind, good-hearted girls. They want to have a summer of fun and enjoyment in the beautiful Maine wilderness. But. . . . they are going to be the death of me!

I just don't know what to do. Two of them have lice. Do you know what that means, dear reader? I wake up early to shampoo their hair. I scrub it and then pick the lice eggs out. But, don't worry, because that doesn't wake me up each morning. Oh no, dear reader. I have one girl who misses her mother SO MUCH that she wakes up vomiting from nervousness. Suffice to say that the infirmary and I are on a first-name basis on day 2.

Moving on, one of my cocounselors is SO sick that she is unable to move and has a temperature of 103. The poor dear is stuck in the infirmary. And, while I feel awful for her, that means that my cabin is one-down. The girls never stop screaming. They never stop running and yelling and moving and hitting and, to be honest, I just can't keep up. I'm really wondering whether I made the right choice in coming here this summer. While there are some blissful moments, I feel as though I'm so physically and emotionally exhausted that I'm missing out on the fun parts.

Perhaps I'm just so overwhelmed because it's only the second night with kids. I'm hoping, praying, and begging for it to get better. I just don't know if I have the patience to deal with 12 children 24/7 for the next 48 days. I'm so worried that I'll flip out and yell at them and get fired. To be honest, sometimes tough love needs to happen. Just because these children pay an absurd amount of money to attend this camp doesn't mean that they can be rude and/or disrespectful.

I apologize for ranting. But, I can't exactly express my views here. While I think that most of the counselors feel the same way, I don't want to become "the complainer." Rather, I'll become the "one who mysteriously disappeared because she couldn't handle summer camp." You know that movie Wet Hot American Summer? The reason that those counselors do drugs and drink excessively is because these children, these crazed children, have driven them to such measures. Now, I understand.

Oh, I'm so so so tired dear reader. I could rant on for hundreds of pages about my current contempt for this beautiful and seemingly utopian place. But, let's "be real" for a moment. Nobody is happy all of the time. Nobody should be allowed to be disrespectful. Not everyone can win at a game. If winning didn't matter, why would they keep score? Honestly.

Goodnight.

An Examination of Values. . . or Lack Thereof

Well, the first day-off for counselors has officially come and past. Little did I know that the entire day would be planned around drinking. While I do enjoy the occasional drink, it boggled my mind to see how highly prioritized alcohol was for my comrades. I, unfortunately, was unable to partake in festivities as I had to complete the barnwork. However, listening to the stories has me wondering if I really DO wish I'd gone.

On a slightly more serious note, I am truly disturbed about how my peers view alcohol. It is no wonder so many accidents occur within my age group, as it seems like the only thing everyone wants to do is get so drunk that they sleep with someone they barely know and spend the following day either vomiting or drinking more.


Drinking really can be fun, and safe. But, if my generation continues to binge drink, it will only bring harm. So stop being shitty twenty-somethings, and grow-up.

A New Level of Exhaustion

Oh dear reader, I do believe that a new level of exhaustion has crossed my path on the highway of life. I am encompassed both physically and emotionally by an exhaustion that overwhelms all other emotions. Yet, the reasons for this phenomenon are blissful.

I've been spending my days in an adventure like no other. Despite the cliches regarding summer camp that are consequences of the Parent Trap and Wet Hot American Summer, the truth of the matter is that camp is a bubble. It is an omnipresent bubble that consumes you heart and soul, thrusting you into a safe, radiant arena of love, happiness, and passion. 

The people I'm surrounded with are nothing if not passionate. In our respective disciplines, we excel. As a team, we excel. Without each other, we are nothing. This is the lesson I've learned in my first two weeks in Maine. 

To be honest, it's only been 9 days. And yet, I feel like I've known these people a lifetime and that they will forever play a role in my life. Certainly, I will not keep in touch with all of them. However, the lessons I've learned from our collectivity will inevitably be applicable in the future. 

I apologize for not writing more - to be honest, I haven't had the time or energy. Plus, if it comes down to playing a game of beach volleyball or going online. . . .the volleyball ALWAYS wins. I hope you're enjoying your summer, dear reader. I hope you are learning, growing, changing, developing, maturing, and smiling, just like I am.

Sights from the Saddle

Well, I've spent the last few days doing absurd amounts of barn work and riding horses left and right. Suffice to say that my muscles are sore and my body sunburnt; however, I'm really beginning to bond with the staff as well as get to know the horses.

We start all staff orientation tomorrow and I'm SO excited. I can't wait to meet new people and learn their stories. It's amazing how easy it is to find common interests in strangers.

Speaking of strangers. . . and the staff. . .  .THERE ARE SO MANY HANDSOME MEN HERE. Thank you lord for blessing me with a summer of beauty.

Hollaback, Maine. HOLLABACK.

It turns out that Maine DOES have technology. . . .

So, who knew that Maine would have wifi? I certainly wasn't expecting it in the middle of the woods. Gotta love the wonders of technology. . . . .

I'm officially at camp in what-can-only-be-described-as-bumblefuck, Maine. It's really quite the place. Despite the absolutely freezing weather the past few days, the facilities are beautiful and are causing me to gain a new appreciation of nature. I completely understand why people send their kids here, as it really is a child's paradise. There is water skiing, sailing, horseback riding, tennis, soccer, photography, dance, gymnastics, the list goes on! Everything is beautifully maintained and there are very qualified people teaching each activity. Speaking of people, most of them are extremely nice! It's been great meeting people from all over the world; plus, it doesn't hurt that some of the guys are very handsome. ;)

So, now that I've realized that I'm able to continue blogging and texting to the outside world, I plan on doing so. I'll be spending this summer working in the equestrian program. As such, I'll be sure to start recording all of my sights from the saddle.

Hope you're enjoying your summer! And here's to hoping that I thoroughly enjoy mine. . . .

Change

Tonight, I was truly touched. Moved. Inspired. Motivated.

What moves you, dear reader?

Some moments in life have impressions. It may not be an object or being from the moment; it may be the combination of time and action and senses. Regardless, I am grateful for those moments that make me think. If we are not thinking, we are not living. If only all moments encouraged such thoughts.

Wishful Thinking

Hello again, dear reader! Hope the extreme heat and tornadoes have been treating you well!

So, I'm spending my weekend up at school before shipping off to the Maine wilderness for the summer. It's hard to believe that my short-lived summer is quickly coming to a close before work begins. I'm already nostalgic for my mini-summer. Had I known how much I'd have enjoyed being home, I'd never have signed-up for this position. However, I am anxious to arrive and get to know everyone. And, I'm certainly hoping this summer will get my mind on a more positive track than it's been the past few days.

Tonight, I find myself thinking about friendship. Thus, I find myself asking a lot of rhetorical questions. If you find yourself feeling that a friendship is obligatory, is it really a friendship? Also, is it possible to want to be friends with one part of a person, but not another? I find myself looking to someone who I had previously been very close with; more recently, I've noticed that the friendship is not mutual. I feel like he takes and takes, but never gives anything in return. When we talk, he only talks about himself. How can he claim to "care" but never inquire? How can he claim to "miss" me but never make any attempt to talk to me except when I'm talking to others right in front of him? I apologize for my ranting. I'm just so frustrated.

You're probably thinking something along the lines of: "If you're such good friends, why can't you just tell him what's bothering you?" Here's the thing, dear reader, I DID. Blatantly. Obviously. BLUNTLY. And yet, he ignored it and continued to talk about himself. [Side note: I really am SO happy for him. He is enjoying his life and growing as a person. Sincerely, I'm glad he is happy.] I just don't know what to do. This frustration has been building because I've been ignoring this tendency but I just can't take it anymore. [go listen to "I Wanna Talk About Me" by Toby Keith. You'll understand.]

My rant is over. I'll return to writing when I'm less likely to punch the keys with violent force.

A Week of Apathy

Hello again, dear readers. I must apologize for my week devoid of posts. I'm afraid that my severe sunburn not only left my physically immobile, but mentally as well. To be completely honest, I haven't felt like doing anything over the past week. As such, I've spent my time watching movies, reading books, and spending absurd amounts of time on the internet. [Word of caution: StumbleUpon will result in hours of mindless internet use]

But, with only three days left until my departure, I felt that I must take the opportunity to say a few things about summer. I've spent some time thinking about the different activities that my friends and I will be doing this summer. Whereas some people are traveling Europe, others are working 40-hour weeks at the local supermarket or at a poorly-paid internship. Then, of course, there are some people, like myself, who will be spending their summer at a summer camp in middle-of-nowhere Maine. While my friends are miserable in office cubicles or behind cash registers, I'll be enjoying the lovely outdoors and eloquent simplicity that accompany a lack of technology and society. While I will certainly miss my friends and family, I am excited to spend a summer away from the monotonous drone of 21st century society. Why spend a summer on a laptop when I could spend it on the back of a horse?

So, I challenge each of you to think about what you're doing this summer. If you're stuck with a job you abhor, I advise you to 1] remember that it is fortunate to have a job during the recession, and 2] do something with your spare time that is productive or, at least, enjoyable. While you might not want to spend the summer taking classes, keep your wits about you by reading (or writing) books, taking photographs, taking trips, doing SOMETHING that is worth remembering your summer by. You shouldn't look back at 2011 as the summer you worked at the Piggly Wiggly; you should look back at 2011 as the summer you took thousands of photographs or wrote a book or took random hikes or learned about flowers or began playing the guitar or lost weight or the SUMMER THAT SOMETHING GOOD HAPPENED.

For me, I'm determined to make this the "summer something GREAT happened."I'm not sure what my "great" thing is yet; but, when I figure that out, I'll let you know!

A Weekend of Bliss . . .and Burn

This past weekend, I had the divine pleasure of escaping from the world. My best friend and I traveled up to her lake house and spent the weekend lounging by the lake, exercising, drinking (which really made the exercising ineffective), and catching up with old friends. It was nothing but pure bliss. 

My friend, whose family owns a few homes on the lake, has been going every summer since she was a child. Every time I visit, I can't help but marvel at the sense of community and camaraderie that exists between the families on the mountain. Because most of the homes have been owned by the same families for generations, these people grew-up together and treat each other like family. It's touching to see the genuine care that each person holds for the community. 

So, dear reader, what did I do all weekend? Well, though much of my time was spent intoxicated, most of my fun is presently masked by the painful burn that covers the vast majority of my body. Despite diligent application of Neutrogena 70+ SPF with Helioplex, I burned to a crisp in 4 hours time. I have five witnesses that watched me reapply every hour (and each time I came out of the lake) and yet my skin is started to bubble and it hurts to wear clothing. Part of me wants to sue that damn company. Yes, I may be the epitome of pasty pale Scottish woman; HOWEVER, shouldn't 70+ SPF work?!

Obviously, I'm a little hostile right now. But, I did have the most relaxing weekend I've had since Christmas. I love catching-up with friends and learning about their adventures over the past year. I find it so interesting to see how a group of people who grew-up so similarly can end-up in so many different places.

Well, to be honest, I need to go reapply aloe vera. But, I hope that everyone enjoyed his or her Memorial Day weekend. And now I must go back to the grind. . . .

A Plan to Lose Myself

Clarification: A plan to lose my physical self. Just some of it. Most people would just call it a diet.

Dieting, starving, fasting, "losing a few,"etc. Whatever you call it, I'm on my way to lowering the number I see when I step on a scale. Now, I understand that "you shouldn't focus on the number" and whatnot, but I'm still determined to make that number go down. And why shouldn't it? I'm going to eat a balanced healthy diet and exercise like I'm in a 1980s Jane Fonda video.

So, here's the catch: I only want to lose my physical self. I feel like when many people diet, they lose their personality and become calorie-deprived monsters. This is something I'd like to avoid.

So, to all of you people out there in the virtual blogging world, consider this the start of my dieting blogging. I'll update occasionally, most likely when I have great triumphs and great failures. Here's to swimsuit season!

Cinema Disappointment Galore

Like many people, I occasionally like to relax by watching a good movie. Today, I decided to watch "Country Strong," starring Gwenyth Paltrow and Leighton Meester. Now, the movie has received fantastic reviews and I've heard nothing but marvelous feedback; SO, imagine MY surprise when I spend two hours of my evening watching the film only to feel down and disappointed. I felt as though the acting was half-hearted, the plot line was pathetic, and the singing was mediocre. And people wonder why there aren't more movies about country music. . .. .(though to be honest, I really do enjoy some country now and again.....)

But, the show must go on! Because the movie was atrocious, I decided I needed to watch a BETTER movie. Now, I seemed to be one of the few movie-watchers who hasn't seen the Graduate. Courtesy of Netflix, that was changed this evening. I, to much confusion, saw Rumor Has It a few years ago. As such, I had an idea of what the movie was about. Nevertheless, I was thoroughly disappointed. I felt that while the plot had a great basis, the implementation was poor. Certain parts of the movie dragged while others had a lot of action packed into only a few scenes.

Alas, I am rather frustrated with my cinema interaction this evening. Movies just aren't up to par lately. I suppose it's back to the books for me. . . .

The One with the Reunion

Friends are a funny thing, dear reader. Whilst most people do not undervalue friendships, I still find it necessary to discuss their vitality. In the musical Hairspray, one of the songs features a line that reads: "Without love, life is like a beat that you can't follow." When thinking of friendships, I can't help but think of that lyric. I believe the camaraderie and love that stems from friendships is invaluable. Friendships are necessary to happiness. I believe happiness should be a life goal. Ergo, friendships are necessary to fulfill life goals.

So, why bring this up on a muggy evening in June? Well, coming home from college, I have the pleasure of reuniting with many of my friends. I've spent the past few evenings reminiscing - laughing, smiling, and recalling all of those times we were sure we'd be embarrassed of forever. I love the feeling that fills me up after spending an evening with friends. As I'm driving through the lush fields and forest back to my quaint home, I can't help but smile.

Advice of the day? Measure your friends not by sheer quantity, but by the number of smiles they put on your face.

The First One

Well,  I can honestly say that I am new to the blogging experience. I don't envision my posts being ridiculously insightful or motivating or life-changing; however, I have many opinions and I plan on sharing them.

So, here we go. I've just returned home after completing my second year of college. Am I going to tell you where? Absolutely not. Because though the vast majority of people who read this will likely be normal, my pattern of luck leads me to believe that a crazy sociopath will use that information to track me down and kill me. Or not. But, hey, why not be safe?

So, what now? Well, a new adventure is about to begin. I've been hired to work at a summer camp (for ridiculously wealthy children) in Maine for 8 weeks. I still can't decide if I'm excited or concerned, though I expect it's a little bit of both. Here's to living in a cabin, spending paychecks on bug spray and sunscreen, and sleeping less than any person ever should.