"Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop." - LEWIS CARROLL, Alice in Wonderland
Good advice, Mr. Carroll.
So. Ahem. It's been a while. How have ya'll been? Busy I suppose. I know I say this all the time, that I've been busy and bla bla bla. No, this time I'm chalking it up to sheer laziness. I looked at the blog. I said to myself "I should update." Then I decided to do other things.
Admittedly, that other thing would be working on my novel, but that's a different story.
....You see what I did there? I can be punny.
And for that one, I shall be shot.
But I'm exceptionally proud of what I've been doing with this idea. Funnily enough, it started in 2010, when I was chatting with Jim and he asked me "If you were a superhero, what would your power be?"
And thus it began. My friends and I talked and collaborated and characters emerged. I was slow to the game, and by the time I got asked the question, the characters of Aercheia, Alice, Gabriel, and Tychus were formed and developing. I thought it would be easy; I'd created characters before and it wasn't hard.
Then I met Tara. She was a pain in the ass. I had an idea of what she looked like, but no name until a week later. I chatted with Jim and my friend Ashlyn and eventually we all got a better idea of who this mysterious woman in my mind was. My friends spoke of how these people developed in their adventures together - adventures I listened in on and smiled at.
And one day I woke up and asked myself: What would happen if this woman entered their lives? And that was the beginning of a writing frenzy that lasted a few months. Chapters were short and choppy, the characters under developed and the plot sketchy at best. But it was my baby. I loved it. I even started work on a sequel. By the time NaNoWriMo rolled around in 2011, I was looking back at the first one and thinking "This could be better."
Which leads us to now. The original document was a measly 34,000 words, and that's including some small edits and author's notes. The new one? It's already at close to double the word count and nowhere near being done. Characters have life and are so very real to me. The few people who have seen it so far have said that they love the characters and while I admit, these people are biased, but I agree. That's what I think the strength of this book is in a way. I hope that readers can look at these characters and see themselves or a friend or a family member in their words or actions.
I'm still finishing up with a few more chapters (at the very least three more substantial chapters) but then it goes out to some brave volunteers for edits before the final phase. If you want to help me edit, say so. And if you do edit and like it (despite the errors I'm sure are in there), tell your friends. Have them tell their friends. Spread the word. I'll make it available for official purchase.
But I ramble. I get excited when I talk about projects like this.
School is back in swing and I'm already swamped. Taking six 400 level classes was not exactly my brightest move. But I like them, so it's not all work. Sometimes it's fun. Still stressful and maddening and makes me want to kick something into a pit This-is-SPARTAAAA style. You know...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZeYVIWz99I
That one.
Thanks Gerard Butler.
Also getting back to running. I was bad and didn't do a lot over break (it was cold so sue me), but with the half marathon coming up, I have to get back to it. Training starts in a week and a half! I'll be keeping everyone updated on how that's going and other things relating to the half. If you want to support me (no, I'm not asking for your monies...yet.), I've made a facebook event. Check it out and RSVP!
https://www.facebook.com/events/351673041510074/
Soon I'll probably work on a T-shirt design, so that'll be kinda fun to have. The race isn't until April, but keep the calendar clear. Just coming out and supporting me by cheering is amazing. I've never run a half marathon before, but we'll see how this goes. If it's not so bad, I might upgrade and do the Chicago Marathon in the fall. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. I need to start by getting back into running.
I'm doing a few miles at a time, usually two but I think this week or next I'll work up to three. Not much, but it counts. Every bit counts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT50eLLxPco
Yes, it's a lot of videos. Shush you, you signed up for this when you started reading.
In the meantime, finish novel, survive school, knit my heart out, not freeze to death down here, do not lose sanity. Not necessarily in that order.
Oh frick, I've got to get to class soon. Cheers all. See you whenever I decide not to be a lazy person, pull myself away from the novel, and write to ya'll.
Song of the Day - Arms by Christina Perri
<3 Erin
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, December 12, 2011
Winter Song To You
Today I was going to have a quote but then I read this, and it's too incredible for me to pass up in favor of a single line or two. So here it is.
Now usually, this is the point where I tell you about my life; where I say that I haven't been running because I've been under the weather or that I've been knitting and that I won NaNoWriMo for the second year in a row (and still working on it!), but I don't want to do that today.
I read that blog out of a whim when I saw a friend post it on facebook. And to be honest, it made me think.
Sadly, that author got some pretty accurate points in his post. And if you haven't read it by this point, go back and read it. All three pages. No I'm not kidding you. Because to be honest, I somehow understood what he was trying to say. And that's something that always puzzled me...how can people who consider themselves religious turn around and attack someone for being different? The majority of religions that I've seen or heard of all promote tolerance of others and loving those different from yourself.
I guess it hit home because I knew someone like that. We have since had a falling out and I haven't spoken with this person since high school, but I still remember. She was extremely religious (which was amusing when we had science classes together), but she seemed so opposed to those who held different beliefs than her or dressed differently.
I guess what bothered me the most was why people like that feel the need to attack others.
One of my best friends I've ever had is Buddhist.
Another one is atheist.
Still another is agnostic.
Still another is Christian.
Still another is Hindu.
But they're people. And that's what I loved about this guy's post; although he mainly deals with it surrounding homosexuals, the message is the same. It shouldn't matter if you're black, white, gay, straight, bisexual, a jock, a nerd, or polka-spotted. We're people, aren't we?
Just because you're different from me doesn't mean I love you less. My friends are like the world's craziest (and best) salad; everyone brings a different flavor and color to the mix and without them, it's just not the same. A good friend and I were chatting last night and he told me about this great date he had with a guy he knew. And you know what?
I was just as happy for him as if it were any one of my other friends.
And that's what bothered me and what I felt was pointed out in the post. The title really says it all..."I'm a Christian Unless You're Gay". Why should it matter?
Now, I was raised Catholic. I will never admit to being a great Catholic, but I believed in the core teachings. It all boils down to this for me: Be nice to others and accept everyone as they are. "Let he without sin cast the first stone" and all. Because honestly, nobody's perfect. We make mistakes and we learn from them.
Since coming to college I've made plenty of friends who are homosexual or bisexual. To me, that don't make a lick of difference; I like them for who they are. And when people have a problem with their lifestyle, I get bothered.
Why should love be regulated? It's unfair to say that just because I'm a woman and he's a man our relationship is accepted and tolerated by the majority of the world but because they're both women it's indecent. As far as I recall, nowhere in religious texts does it say that we are to deny love to anyone, nor are we to deny anyone the right to love who they will.
Sure, maybe that makes some people uncomfortable. But is giving two people permission to live their lives together going to hurt anyone else? Most likely not.
And I suppose this should have gone at the beginning of this little rant, I am not trying to offend anyone or push my views down your throats. I'm just trying to think about something that's been (and most likely will continue to be) a big issue for people today. And with that issue will come the strange sort of prejudices we see today.
"I'll be nice to you as long as you're the same as me."
But you know what the problem with that mentality is?
NOBODY IS THE SAME AS YOU. NOBODY. We are all different and beautiful and spectacular and fantastic and brilliant. So if you choose to follow that philosophy that you love people who are the same as you it's either going to be very lonely or you're friends with a bunch of good actors. Everyone has something weird about them. Some people like bad 90's pop music. Some people are secret lovers of anime. Some people are really good at lacrosse but never tell anyone. But nobody's exactly the same.
I write this from a very interesting position. I'm in college (and thusly know everything, right?), come from a nice, middle-class family in the suburbs. I don't know if I've ever been in a minority group that has been the subject of some of these prejudices. But that doesn't give me any sort of right to ignore what they're going through. It doesn't give me the right to ignore it, since ignoring it would be perpetuating the problem. But at the same time, that same position doesn't give me the authority to speak on behalf of these people.
So this whole long freakin' post you've just read is my thoughts. Only my opinion on what I thought was a very compelling and moving blog post.
And considering my last blog post was about food, I feel like I've balanced out the seriousness between the two. So you can disagree with me or agree with me or not give a damn, but you know what? I don't particularly mind.
I like you for who you are. We can agree to disagree.
Song of the Day: Winter Song by Ingrid Michaelson with Sara Bareilles
<3 Erin
Now usually, this is the point where I tell you about my life; where I say that I haven't been running because I've been under the weather or that I've been knitting and that I won NaNoWriMo for the second year in a row (and still working on it!), but I don't want to do that today.
I read that blog out of a whim when I saw a friend post it on facebook. And to be honest, it made me think.
Sadly, that author got some pretty accurate points in his post. And if you haven't read it by this point, go back and read it. All three pages. No I'm not kidding you. Because to be honest, I somehow understood what he was trying to say. And that's something that always puzzled me...how can people who consider themselves religious turn around and attack someone for being different? The majority of religions that I've seen or heard of all promote tolerance of others and loving those different from yourself.
I guess it hit home because I knew someone like that. We have since had a falling out and I haven't spoken with this person since high school, but I still remember. She was extremely religious (which was amusing when we had science classes together), but she seemed so opposed to those who held different beliefs than her or dressed differently.
I guess what bothered me the most was why people like that feel the need to attack others.
One of my best friends I've ever had is Buddhist.
Another one is atheist.
Still another is agnostic.
Still another is Christian.
Still another is Hindu.
But they're people. And that's what I loved about this guy's post; although he mainly deals with it surrounding homosexuals, the message is the same. It shouldn't matter if you're black, white, gay, straight, bisexual, a jock, a nerd, or polka-spotted. We're people, aren't we?
Just because you're different from me doesn't mean I love you less. My friends are like the world's craziest (and best) salad; everyone brings a different flavor and color to the mix and without them, it's just not the same. A good friend and I were chatting last night and he told me about this great date he had with a guy he knew. And you know what?
I was just as happy for him as if it were any one of my other friends.
And that's what bothered me and what I felt was pointed out in the post. The title really says it all..."I'm a Christian Unless You're Gay". Why should it matter?
Now, I was raised Catholic. I will never admit to being a great Catholic, but I believed in the core teachings. It all boils down to this for me: Be nice to others and accept everyone as they are. "Let he without sin cast the first stone" and all. Because honestly, nobody's perfect. We make mistakes and we learn from them.
Since coming to college I've made plenty of friends who are homosexual or bisexual. To me, that don't make a lick of difference; I like them for who they are. And when people have a problem with their lifestyle, I get bothered.
Why should love be regulated? It's unfair to say that just because I'm a woman and he's a man our relationship is accepted and tolerated by the majority of the world but because they're both women it's indecent. As far as I recall, nowhere in religious texts does it say that we are to deny love to anyone, nor are we to deny anyone the right to love who they will.
Sure, maybe that makes some people uncomfortable. But is giving two people permission to live their lives together going to hurt anyone else? Most likely not.
And I suppose this should have gone at the beginning of this little rant, I am not trying to offend anyone or push my views down your throats. I'm just trying to think about something that's been (and most likely will continue to be) a big issue for people today. And with that issue will come the strange sort of prejudices we see today.
"I'll be nice to you as long as you're the same as me."
But you know what the problem with that mentality is?
NOBODY IS THE SAME AS YOU. NOBODY. We are all different and beautiful and spectacular and fantastic and brilliant. So if you choose to follow that philosophy that you love people who are the same as you it's either going to be very lonely or you're friends with a bunch of good actors. Everyone has something weird about them. Some people like bad 90's pop music. Some people are secret lovers of anime. Some people are really good at lacrosse but never tell anyone. But nobody's exactly the same.
I write this from a very interesting position. I'm in college (and thusly know everything, right?), come from a nice, middle-class family in the suburbs. I don't know if I've ever been in a minority group that has been the subject of some of these prejudices. But that doesn't give me any sort of right to ignore what they're going through. It doesn't give me the right to ignore it, since ignoring it would be perpetuating the problem. But at the same time, that same position doesn't give me the authority to speak on behalf of these people.
So this whole long freakin' post you've just read is my thoughts. Only my opinion on what I thought was a very compelling and moving blog post.
And considering my last blog post was about food, I feel like I've balanced out the seriousness between the two. So you can disagree with me or agree with me or not give a damn, but you know what? I don't particularly mind.
I like you for who you are. We can agree to disagree.
Song of the Day: Winter Song by Ingrid Michaelson with Sara Bareilles
<3 Erin
Monday, October 31, 2011
FOOD
Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all. —--Harriet Van Horne
Well, this weekend has been busy with swing and Halloween and all. I'm currently writing this dressed as the 11th Doctor, played by Matt Smith, from Doctor Who. Yaay British TV!
But yes, I'm taking the time to say hello to ya'll! And as a gift to all of you, I have not candy, but my own recipes that I've concocted. Feel free to try them out and for the ones labeled IN BETA MODE, please let me know what you did different if you did and offer suggestions or other comments.
Heaven help us all.
Garbage Brownies
1 box brownie mix (any will do, I use Ghiardeli’s double chocolate chip)
1 bag caramels
¼- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 bag pretzels
1 bag nuts (any will do, optional)
Prepare brownie mix according to box directions. Pour half the batter into a greased 9x13 pan, bake for half recommended time for full batch. While they are cooking, combine caramels with sweetened condensed milk and melt. Remove brownies; pour half the caramel over brownies. Crush pretzels/nuts over caramel until there is an even coating. Pour rest of brownie mixture, cook for other half of time. When done, pour remaining caramel over the top and garnish with crushed pretzels/nuts. Let cool.
Epic Cookie Time
1 bag mini chocolate chips (I use Toll House since they have a good cookie recipe on the bag)
1 bag mini marshmallows
2 packs almond bark (one white chocolate, the other milk/dark)
Prepare cookie dough according to recipe on bag or your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. When cookie dough is ready, make balls with mini marshmallows at center. This part WILL be messy. Place on cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes. DO NOT LET THESE COOKIES GET CRISPY. Let cool, although I highly recommend putting them into the freezer. While they are cooling, melt the almond bark in separate bowls. Start with only a few squares, you can melt more if you need to. Once cookies are cool, dip them in the chocolate as you see fit. I have found that dipping half the cookies in the chocolate of your choosing works well if you don’t want to overload. If you don’t mind chocolate, try completely immersing the cookie in your favorite chocolate, then drizzling with the other chocolate.
THIS RECEPIE IS IN BETA MODE AND NEEDS TESTING
*** Erin's Reccomendation: Try almond bark instead of chocolate chips? Also, experiment with different doughs.
Ernie
½ gallon favorite ice cream (simple flavors such as vanilla or chocolate work best)
1 pack favorite cookies (I prefer oreos but any can be used)
Assorted toppings
1 stick butter, melted
Place between 28-30 cookies in a plastic bag and crush. If you don’t have enough to cover the bottom of a 9x13 pan, add more. Once cookies are crushed, pour in melted butter and shake until cookies have been coated. Spread this mixture at the bottom of a 9x13 pan, let freeze for 30 min. Remove from freezer and spread ice cream over crust. From here it’s a matter of preference as to what you want to add. I’ve used chocolate sauce, m&m’s, oreo crumbs…but it really depends on what you’re going for. Let freeze for an hour, then serve.
HEYOOOO, MINI TRIFLE!
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter (softened)
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 pack pudding mix (any flavor)
1 pack chocolate chips/chocolate sauce
Berries/fruits of your choice
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Bet the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Fill greased muffin tins with mixture, trying to get the dough into a cup shape. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool. If need be, scoop out a better cup, saving cookie scraps for later. Prepare pudding mix according to package directions and let cool. Once cups are cool, fill with berries, chocolate chips, and pudding as desired. Top with chocolate sauce (optional)
THIS RECEPIE IS IN BETA MODE AND NEEDS TESTING
*** Erin's Recommendation: Maybe try using cake batter instead of cookie batter?
Song of the Day: In One Ear by Cage the Elephant
<3 Erin
Well, this weekend has been busy with swing and Halloween and all. I'm currently writing this dressed as the 11th Doctor, played by Matt Smith, from Doctor Who. Yaay British TV!
But yes, I'm taking the time to say hello to ya'll! And as a gift to all of you, I have not candy, but my own recipes that I've concocted. Feel free to try them out and for the ones labeled IN BETA MODE, please let me know what you did different if you did and offer suggestions or other comments.
Heaven help us all.
Garbage Brownies
1 box brownie mix (any will do, I use Ghiardeli’s double chocolate chip)
1 bag caramels
¼- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 bag pretzels
1 bag nuts (any will do, optional)
Prepare brownie mix according to box directions. Pour half the batter into a greased 9x13 pan, bake for half recommended time for full batch. While they are cooking, combine caramels with sweetened condensed milk and melt. Remove brownies; pour half the caramel over brownies. Crush pretzels/nuts over caramel until there is an even coating. Pour rest of brownie mixture, cook for other half of time. When done, pour remaining caramel over the top and garnish with crushed pretzels/nuts. Let cool.
Epic Cookie Time
1 bag mini chocolate chips (I use Toll House since they have a good cookie recipe on the bag)
1 bag mini marshmallows
2 packs almond bark (one white chocolate, the other milk/dark)
Prepare cookie dough according to recipe on bag or your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. When cookie dough is ready, make balls with mini marshmallows at center. This part WILL be messy. Place on cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes. DO NOT LET THESE COOKIES GET CRISPY. Let cool, although I highly recommend putting them into the freezer. While they are cooling, melt the almond bark in separate bowls. Start with only a few squares, you can melt more if you need to. Once cookies are cool, dip them in the chocolate as you see fit. I have found that dipping half the cookies in the chocolate of your choosing works well if you don’t want to overload. If you don’t mind chocolate, try completely immersing the cookie in your favorite chocolate, then drizzling with the other chocolate.
THIS RECEPIE IS IN BETA MODE AND NEEDS TESTING
*** Erin's Reccomendation: Try almond bark instead of chocolate chips? Also, experiment with different doughs.
Ernie
½ gallon favorite ice cream (simple flavors such as vanilla or chocolate work best)
1 pack favorite cookies (I prefer oreos but any can be used)
Assorted toppings
1 stick butter, melted
Place between 28-30 cookies in a plastic bag and crush. If you don’t have enough to cover the bottom of a 9x13 pan, add more. Once cookies are crushed, pour in melted butter and shake until cookies have been coated. Spread this mixture at the bottom of a 9x13 pan, let freeze for 30 min. Remove from freezer and spread ice cream over crust. From here it’s a matter of preference as to what you want to add. I’ve used chocolate sauce, m&m’s, oreo crumbs…but it really depends on what you’re going for. Let freeze for an hour, then serve.
HEYOOOO, MINI TRIFLE!
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter (softened)
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 pack pudding mix (any flavor)
1 pack chocolate chips/chocolate sauce
Berries/fruits of your choice
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Bet the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Fill greased muffin tins with mixture, trying to get the dough into a cup shape. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool. If need be, scoop out a better cup, saving cookie scraps for later. Prepare pudding mix according to package directions and let cool. Once cups are cool, fill with berries, chocolate chips, and pudding as desired. Top with chocolate sauce (optional)
THIS RECEPIE IS IN BETA MODE AND NEEDS TESTING
*** Erin's Recommendation: Maybe try using cake batter instead of cookie batter?
Song of the Day: In One Ear by Cage the Elephant
<3 Erin
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Moment to Moment
“You breathe in and out; you breathe in and you breathe out, and you live one moment into the next moment, and then time goes by, and you find you’re able to put one foot in front of the other.” ~Gloria Vanderbilt
So once again, I cannot keep an update schedule to save my soul. I'm posting this now before I don't have time again.
It's been a crazy past couple of weeks. For those of you curious, I moved in just fine...
It was the bronchitis the following week that really killed me.
Yeah...that was fun. Took another week and a half off running because hey, I like breathing. JUST got off the various meds they had me on, and just as I'm feeling better, life slaps me in the face and says "Free time? LOL NO" and thus I have not been running.
This weekend is the Illini Swing Society's workshop, Lindypalooza, and I'm in charge of volunteers AND setting up the big Halloween Dance. Plus I've been hunting for apartments for next year, PLUS trying to get all my projects and stuff done before Thanksgiving break....
Needless to say, I'm TIRED.
Which I'm reflecting, is how I've felt pretty much since I've arrived back to school. Tired. Emotionally drained. I don't know how to fully explain it. Physically I know I'm fine, but my mind is worn out. I should know by now this is just how things work. First semester drags on and on because U of I likes to smash all the long weekends into a week-long Thanksgiving extravaganza, so we're all like zombies come November 18th, but Spring semester has a nice break right in the middle, which makes it better.
So I'm in the October slump. Or I have been since...August....
That doesn't seem right.
But I CANNOT wait to get home for Thanksgiving break. Plenty of time off, plenty of time for karate and friends and family and not doing anything but National Novel Writing Month and knitting and whatever I WANT!
But I've got to get there first. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other. I can do this, I just have to make it there.
What I need is a good 24 hours sleep, a massage, a hot bath, and then another 24 hours sleep. Considering that I'm usually only getting 6-7 hours a night (sorry mom and dad, I know you're looking at this, but I've been trying to get work done) I could really use some down time.
Which, you know...maybe I should do that now instead of writing a blog?
But in the future, keep a look out for:
~ More posts! Holy crap!
~ Updates for National Novel Writing Month
~ Progress towards running the Illinois Marathon in April
~ KNITTING. KNITTING EVERYWHERE.
~ Adventures in English Education!
~ And other general madness!
Song of the Day: Broken by Lifehouse
<3 Erin
So once again, I cannot keep an update schedule to save my soul. I'm posting this now before I don't have time again.
It's been a crazy past couple of weeks. For those of you curious, I moved in just fine...
It was the bronchitis the following week that really killed me.
Yeah...that was fun. Took another week and a half off running because hey, I like breathing. JUST got off the various meds they had me on, and just as I'm feeling better, life slaps me in the face and says "Free time? LOL NO" and thus I have not been running.
This weekend is the Illini Swing Society's workshop, Lindypalooza, and I'm in charge of volunteers AND setting up the big Halloween Dance. Plus I've been hunting for apartments for next year, PLUS trying to get all my projects and stuff done before Thanksgiving break....
Needless to say, I'm TIRED.
Which I'm reflecting, is how I've felt pretty much since I've arrived back to school. Tired. Emotionally drained. I don't know how to fully explain it. Physically I know I'm fine, but my mind is worn out. I should know by now this is just how things work. First semester drags on and on because U of I likes to smash all the long weekends into a week-long Thanksgiving extravaganza, so we're all like zombies come November 18th, but Spring semester has a nice break right in the middle, which makes it better.
So I'm in the October slump. Or I have been since...August....
That doesn't seem right.
But I CANNOT wait to get home for Thanksgiving break. Plenty of time off, plenty of time for karate and friends and family and not doing anything but National Novel Writing Month and knitting and whatever I WANT!
But I've got to get there first. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other. I can do this, I just have to make it there.
What I need is a good 24 hours sleep, a massage, a hot bath, and then another 24 hours sleep. Considering that I'm usually only getting 6-7 hours a night (sorry mom and dad, I know you're looking at this, but I've been trying to get work done) I could really use some down time.
Which, you know...maybe I should do that now instead of writing a blog?
But in the future, keep a look out for:
~ More posts! Holy crap!
~ Updates for National Novel Writing Month
~ Progress towards running the Illinois Marathon in April
~ KNITTING. KNITTING EVERYWHERE.
~ Adventures in English Education!
~ And other general madness!
Song of the Day: Broken by Lifehouse
<3 Erin
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Departure
"There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go." - Tennessee Williams
Well, this seems like an odd place to say it, but I don't know if there is a good way to say this.
I'm moving out of my apartment.
Unfortunately it's come to my attention that one of my roommates and I are incompatible, and as such it's not fair for us to keep living the way we have been. So I'm going.
In a way, this is a good thing. Both of us will be happy in the end, and that's what really needs to matter.
But on the other hand, it's still a sad thing for me. I'm leaving the place that I've called a sort of home for the past six weeks. All my things are here and to be honest, I feel invested in this place. The landlady is very nice and I did so much work trying to find this place in the first place.
But I can't keep looking around me and moping. I've made my decision, and now I have to live by it. And so that means that I'm going.
In many ways, it still seems surreal. I've got a place to live and even have potential sub-tenants lined up, but I don't think it'll really sink in until I'm in this big, new, empty place.
And I thought moving to a dorm was hard. Now it's really most of my life that I have to re-pack into boxes and bags and move again. Just when I'm sort of comfortable. Perhaps I'm being too sentimental about a place that has been both a source of shelter and pain for me.
But it's all irrelevant. I'm going. I need to keep saying that. I'm going. No matter how crazy my moods about the whole prospect may be, I'm going. And that's all there is to it. It's a good thing, in the end. And in the end, I will be okay.
This Friday, at 3:30 PM, I will be leaving this place. This is my last blog post from here. Next you hear from me, I will be in a different place.
Song of the Day: Bluebird by Sara Bareilles
<3 Erin
Well, this seems like an odd place to say it, but I don't know if there is a good way to say this.
I'm moving out of my apartment.
Unfortunately it's come to my attention that one of my roommates and I are incompatible, and as such it's not fair for us to keep living the way we have been. So I'm going.
In a way, this is a good thing. Both of us will be happy in the end, and that's what really needs to matter.
But on the other hand, it's still a sad thing for me. I'm leaving the place that I've called a sort of home for the past six weeks. All my things are here and to be honest, I feel invested in this place. The landlady is very nice and I did so much work trying to find this place in the first place.
But I can't keep looking around me and moping. I've made my decision, and now I have to live by it. And so that means that I'm going.
In many ways, it still seems surreal. I've got a place to live and even have potential sub-tenants lined up, but I don't think it'll really sink in until I'm in this big, new, empty place.
And I thought moving to a dorm was hard. Now it's really most of my life that I have to re-pack into boxes and bags and move again. Just when I'm sort of comfortable. Perhaps I'm being too sentimental about a place that has been both a source of shelter and pain for me.
But it's all irrelevant. I'm going. I need to keep saying that. I'm going. No matter how crazy my moods about the whole prospect may be, I'm going. And that's all there is to it. It's a good thing, in the end. And in the end, I will be okay.
This Friday, at 3:30 PM, I will be leaving this place. This is my last blog post from here. Next you hear from me, I will be in a different place.
Song of the Day: Bluebird by Sara Bareilles
<3 Erin
Monday, September 19, 2011
Differences
"What a Teacher Makes"
He says the problem with teachers is,
"What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminds the other dinner guests,
"You know, it's true what they say about teachers:
That those who can, do; those who can't, teach."
I decide to bite my tongue instead of his,
And resist the urge to remind the other dinner guests that it's also true what they say about lawyers.
Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite conversation.
"I mean, you're a teacher, Taylor. Be honest. What do you make?"
And I wish he hadn't done that -
Asked me to be honest -
Because, you see, I have a policy about honesty and ass-kicking,
Which is:
If you ask for it, then I have to let you have it.
You want to know what I make?
I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor,
And I can make an A- feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.
You wanna know what I make?
I make kids sit through forty minutes of study hall
in absolute silence.
No, you can not work in groups.
No, you can not ask a question, so put your hand down.
Why won't I let you go to the bathroom?
Because you're bored and you don't really have to go, do you?
You wanna know what I make?
I make parents tremble in fear when I call home at around dinner time:
"Hi, This is Mr. Mali, I hope I haven't called at a bad time.
I just wanted to talk to you about something your son did today.
He said, 'Leave the kid alone! I still cry sometimes, don't you?'
And it was the noblest act of courage that I have ever seen."
I make parents see their children for who they are
and who they can be.
You want to know what I make?
I make kids question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write, write, write,
And then I make them read.
I make them spell, 'definitely beautiful,' 'definitely beautiful,' 'definitely beautiful,'
Over and over again until they will never misspell either one of those words again.
I make them show all their work in math,
And then hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them realize that if you got this [brains],
Then you follow this [heart],
And if somebody tries to judge you based what you make, you give them this [the finger].
Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true:
I make a goddamn difference. What about you?
---Taylor Mali
Usually I don't give ya'll such a long quote to read, but I saw this and was instantly in love with it. As a future teacher, I know the facts.
I will not make a six figure salary. I will be content to scramble around with whatever I get.
My hours will be long and yes, I will get summers off. But those summers will be spent planning for the next class and bettering myself so my students will learn better.
Not every student in my classroom will actually want to learn from me. Some will hate me and I won't understand why. Some will just not want to learn. Others will try and no matter what I do, will not get it. They can't all win, as much as I will try.
Allow me to wax philosophical, if you will. Not that I really control you. I mean, you can stop reading this at any time.
That's nice. Free will. You can stop reading at any time and I won't be mad. I won't even know. Hell, you could think me the most abominable monster of a person you've ever met and I won't know.
See, out there is a whole world of people who have a different opinion than I do. And it's wonderful. I love it. Because some of us will agree on some levels and disagree on others, and we can still be friends. Heck, sometimes my closest, oldest friends and I don't always see eye to eye and it just makes me love them more.
Which is a silly thing in itself. I mean, sometimes we love people we are in constant conflict with. Certainly I know I have friends that I cannot agree with to save my soul, but I love them all the same. Why? Because we are compatible on some level. We have the same values. Sometimes it's the smallest thing that starts a friendship and then it just keeps blooming. Like my knitting group. We united with a love of knitting, continued with a love of theatre, and continue to share a love of various geeky things.
Isn't it fun to go back and place when and where a friendship started? Sometimes it's not where you think or it's different for the both of you. Like my friend Ashlyn. I recall meeting her in seventh grade and then our friendship just blossomed. Partly because we loved the same things and partly because we needed each other. But I know that we both remember seventh grade as a starting point. Now my friend Bobert I recall very clearly for the first time in January of 2010, although I get the feeling we've known each other for longer. I'm sure he could tell me when and where we met if we met before. And of course, there's Jim. Niether once of us can remember when we met. I swear it was elementary school, but he thinks it was middle school. All I know is that I don't recall him not hanging around (not that it's a bad thing)
Some people you've just known all your life. My friend Emma (and thus, her sister Julia and brother Jimmy) have been with me so long that for many many years I was convinced that we were actually cousins. They've just always been there.
These are the people (and many, many more who I simply don't have space to mention) that I will have with me as I go on to teach children. These are the people who make a difference in MY life who continue to influce me as I'll make a difference in someone else's life.
End philosophical blog post.
Song of the Day: Time of Your Life by Greenday
<3 Erin
He says the problem with teachers is,
"What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminds the other dinner guests,
"You know, it's true what they say about teachers:
That those who can, do; those who can't, teach."
I decide to bite my tongue instead of his,
And resist the urge to remind the other dinner guests that it's also true what they say about lawyers.
Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite conversation.
"I mean, you're a teacher, Taylor. Be honest. What do you make?"
And I wish he hadn't done that -
Asked me to be honest -
Because, you see, I have a policy about honesty and ass-kicking,
Which is:
If you ask for it, then I have to let you have it.
You want to know what I make?
I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor,
And I can make an A- feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.
You wanna know what I make?
I make kids sit through forty minutes of study hall
in absolute silence.
No, you can not work in groups.
No, you can not ask a question, so put your hand down.
Why won't I let you go to the bathroom?
Because you're bored and you don't really have to go, do you?
You wanna know what I make?
I make parents tremble in fear when I call home at around dinner time:
"Hi, This is Mr. Mali, I hope I haven't called at a bad time.
I just wanted to talk to you about something your son did today.
He said, 'Leave the kid alone! I still cry sometimes, don't you?'
And it was the noblest act of courage that I have ever seen."
I make parents see their children for who they are
and who they can be.
You want to know what I make?
I make kids question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write, write, write,
And then I make them read.
I make them spell, 'definitely beautiful,' 'definitely beautiful,' 'definitely beautiful,'
Over and over again until they will never misspell either one of those words again.
I make them show all their work in math,
And then hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them realize that if you got this [brains],
Then you follow this [heart],
And if somebody tries to judge you based what you make, you give them this [the finger].
Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true:
I make a goddamn difference. What about you?
---Taylor Mali
Usually I don't give ya'll such a long quote to read, but I saw this and was instantly in love with it. As a future teacher, I know the facts.
I will not make a six figure salary. I will be content to scramble around with whatever I get.
My hours will be long and yes, I will get summers off. But those summers will be spent planning for the next class and bettering myself so my students will learn better.
Not every student in my classroom will actually want to learn from me. Some will hate me and I won't understand why. Some will just not want to learn. Others will try and no matter what I do, will not get it. They can't all win, as much as I will try.
Allow me to wax philosophical, if you will. Not that I really control you. I mean, you can stop reading this at any time.
That's nice. Free will. You can stop reading at any time and I won't be mad. I won't even know. Hell, you could think me the most abominable monster of a person you've ever met and I won't know.
See, out there is a whole world of people who have a different opinion than I do. And it's wonderful. I love it. Because some of us will agree on some levels and disagree on others, and we can still be friends. Heck, sometimes my closest, oldest friends and I don't always see eye to eye and it just makes me love them more.
Which is a silly thing in itself. I mean, sometimes we love people we are in constant conflict with. Certainly I know I have friends that I cannot agree with to save my soul, but I love them all the same. Why? Because we are compatible on some level. We have the same values. Sometimes it's the smallest thing that starts a friendship and then it just keeps blooming. Like my knitting group. We united with a love of knitting, continued with a love of theatre, and continue to share a love of various geeky things.
Isn't it fun to go back and place when and where a friendship started? Sometimes it's not where you think or it's different for the both of you. Like my friend Ashlyn. I recall meeting her in seventh grade and then our friendship just blossomed. Partly because we loved the same things and partly because we needed each other. But I know that we both remember seventh grade as a starting point. Now my friend Bobert I recall very clearly for the first time in January of 2010, although I get the feeling we've known each other for longer. I'm sure he could tell me when and where we met if we met before. And of course, there's Jim. Niether once of us can remember when we met. I swear it was elementary school, but he thinks it was middle school. All I know is that I don't recall him not hanging around (not that it's a bad thing)
Some people you've just known all your life. My friend Emma (and thus, her sister Julia and brother Jimmy) have been with me so long that for many many years I was convinced that we were actually cousins. They've just always been there.
These are the people (and many, many more who I simply don't have space to mention) that I will have with me as I go on to teach children. These are the people who make a difference in MY life who continue to influce me as I'll make a difference in someone else's life.
End philosophical blog post.
Song of the Day: Time of Your Life by Greenday
<3 Erin
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Time Warp
"Well, I was on my way to this gay gypsy Bar Mitzvah for the disabled, when I suddenly thought, "Gosh, the Third Reich's a bit rubbish. I think I'll kill the Führer." Who's with me?" - Melody Pond/River Song
Ah. Yes. Well. Ahem. It seems I've been a bit....absent. Since July.
Shush.
I'd like to say that I've been busy and partly that's true. But part of it was pure laziness. I was tired and had a ton to do. So why don't I start at where I left off?
I suppose the first thing to cover was the seminar in Boston. Goodness, it seems so long ago...but it was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. The McKeons and I arrived early and so we were hanging around at Brandies University (if you've read the book Tuesdays With Morrie, this is where Morrie taught) and got to do a little bit of setup. Of course, because we were there early we got to meet with the heads of the organization early, Dan and Scott Cohen. Of course, the McKeons already knew them so there was much hand shaking and catching up while I tried to disappear into the wall. Surprise surprise, I can be extremely shy around black belts who I'm terrified will break my spine. But of course, this did me no good when Master Dan got a look at me. He walked over and gave me a great big hug and exclaimed how nice it was to finally meet me in person.
Needless to say, I felt right at home. Everyone was exceedingly friendly and wonderful. The first night we had a 3 hour lesson where I learned a new kata (that I sadly don't recall) and got my first experience with a bo staff! OH, and I found out that it is possible to bruise the bottoms of your feet. But it was nothing compared to the next day. From about 9 in the morning to 12 I was in the dojo, working on my kata. There were about sixty of us all told and that first day we were split; a group handpicked by Master Dan Cohen would stay up in the main dojo and practice there while the rest of the group would go down and work on the mats (falling and throws and such) until eleven, when there would be an hour of open gym before lunch.
Guess where I was? If you said down on the mats, shame on you. No, I was terrified to be put in the main dojo where it was explained that if we were up there Master Cohen either wanted to see how we were doing or we were being tested for our next belt. Strangely enough, that actually helped since beforehand Mr. McKeon had told me that they wouldn't test me at the seminar. So I then spent the next two hours practicing kata and Master Cohen was even kind enough to help me refine some of my moves. But of course, me being stubborn, I stayed the entire hour of open gym working on the same kata until it was just me, Sensei Friedman (my other Sensei. He's a doctor and was so nice the whole time, checking if my bad knee was doing all right), and Master Cohen. We ended up asking Master Cohen about the correct way to execute a technique in the kata, which he showed me and then asked if I would show him the whole thing. Before I even started, he remarked "Oh, and remember, you're always being tested."
That was not nice.
But I showed him the kata to the best of my ability, and so he asked to see another I'd been working on, which I showed off as well. Then he asked for another, higher level kata that I had to admit that I didn't know so I got to scamper off to lunch with Jim, who was kind enough to wait. He lamented that they told him that they'd been testing him and three other brown belts since they'd arrived. But our stay progressed in much the same way; wake up, eat, dojo, eat, dojo, eat,sleep, then repeat. Jim and I calculated that over the three days we were there we did 21 hours of karate on 18 hours of sleep. OW. But it was fun. I made a lot of friends.
On the last night the heads of the organization were handing out certificates of participating (WOOOO) and then they asked all the black belts to come up to the front so they could hand out rank promotions. Masters Scott and Dan would hand the certificate to the sensei of the person who was getting promoted and wouldn't you know it, the first certificate of the night was given to Mr. McKeon. I was poised on the edge of my seat, thinking to myself that this HAD to be Jim's black belt. It had to be!
So imagine my surprise when they called MY name.
I jumped up and was presented with a certificate stating that I had been promoted to the rank of Orange belt. As shocked as I was, the only thought that kept running through my head was that Mr. McKeon said they wouldn't test me! As I found out later, Master Dan Cohen had pulled Mr. McKeon aside after the first lesson to ask where I was at in my training and apparently decided to judge for himself (which apparently resulted in rank promotion?) so Mr. McKeon didn't know I was being tested either. But I sat back down and several more promotions later, one more certificate was passed to Mr. McKeon and Mr. Friedman.
I am very happy to say that as of July, I am dating a black belt. It was an awesome moment for everyone involved. And even more surprising was that when I got back, Mr. McKeon gave me his old orange belt (a huge honor for me, even if he didn't really wear the belt all that much) and Jim was given Master Stephen Dunne's belt, our old teacher.
So the next weekend was supposed to be my half marathon, but unfortunately it was so BALLS HOT that we bailed. When it's like, 90 degrees at 8 in the morning, you don't run. You just don't. Still, I'm going to keep running and in the spring I know there's a half marathon/marathon at U of I, so I'll probably run that.
So knitting. I was kinda lazy over the summer with it. I finished Bobert's Jayne Cobb hat and my sister's graduation gift, so now I've got a few projects going on at once. I'm making Jim a new scarf, since the one I made him a year ago is kinda sad looking, I'm making my sister a hat, Beth wants some gloves, and I'm finally making a hat for myself.
But the rest of my summer was spent working and getting set to move into the apartment. Which I am all moved in and while my room is kinda messy, things have been going well! Of course there have been some bumps in the road as far as roommates go, I'm still on great terms with Audrey, and we're starting to talk about a two bedroom for next year.
Classes are intense. I'm taking seventeen credit hours, so one less than last year. But the nice thing is that out of my six classes, I really like the majority of them. There's a lot of work, but I find that I don't even mind getting up for an 8AM class so much. Later this month I'll actually start going to work in a school, which is going to be AWESOME. I guess the hardest class I've got right now is Spanish because it's been a looong time since I've spoken or had to comprehend Spanish and the whole class is in the language. My first exam is this Tuesday, so let's hope that turns out.
Swing has been awesome so far. The kickoff dance was the best I've ever attended, and since I helped with making it happen, that made me really proud. Jim even showed up to escort me home like the gentleman that he is. It's new having him actually on campus but he seems to like it and we don't spend all our free time together, so we have separate lives here as well. It makes me really happy.
In about a month, Sara Bareilles is coming to the Canopy Club and I HAVE TICKETS!! I know last time I posted I said that I was going to see her at Summerfest but we were way up in the stands so we didn't have a good view. But her voice was awesome and I can't wait to see what it'll be like here!
Not much else going on. The Michigan house is nearing completion (I'm serious this time) so maybe in October I'll go up with friends.
Song of the Day: Toes by Norah Jones
<3 Erin
Ah. Yes. Well. Ahem. It seems I've been a bit....absent. Since July.
Shush.
I'd like to say that I've been busy and partly that's true. But part of it was pure laziness. I was tired and had a ton to do. So why don't I start at where I left off?
I suppose the first thing to cover was the seminar in Boston. Goodness, it seems so long ago...but it was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. The McKeons and I arrived early and so we were hanging around at Brandies University (if you've read the book Tuesdays With Morrie, this is where Morrie taught) and got to do a little bit of setup. Of course, because we were there early we got to meet with the heads of the organization early, Dan and Scott Cohen. Of course, the McKeons already knew them so there was much hand shaking and catching up while I tried to disappear into the wall. Surprise surprise, I can be extremely shy around black belts who I'm terrified will break my spine. But of course, this did me no good when Master Dan got a look at me. He walked over and gave me a great big hug and exclaimed how nice it was to finally meet me in person.
Needless to say, I felt right at home. Everyone was exceedingly friendly and wonderful. The first night we had a 3 hour lesson where I learned a new kata (that I sadly don't recall) and got my first experience with a bo staff! OH, and I found out that it is possible to bruise the bottoms of your feet. But it was nothing compared to the next day. From about 9 in the morning to 12 I was in the dojo, working on my kata. There were about sixty of us all told and that first day we were split; a group handpicked by Master Dan Cohen would stay up in the main dojo and practice there while the rest of the group would go down and work on the mats (falling and throws and such) until eleven, when there would be an hour of open gym before lunch.
Guess where I was? If you said down on the mats, shame on you. No, I was terrified to be put in the main dojo where it was explained that if we were up there Master Cohen either wanted to see how we were doing or we were being tested for our next belt. Strangely enough, that actually helped since beforehand Mr. McKeon had told me that they wouldn't test me at the seminar. So I then spent the next two hours practicing kata and Master Cohen was even kind enough to help me refine some of my moves. But of course, me being stubborn, I stayed the entire hour of open gym working on the same kata until it was just me, Sensei Friedman (my other Sensei. He's a doctor and was so nice the whole time, checking if my bad knee was doing all right), and Master Cohen. We ended up asking Master Cohen about the correct way to execute a technique in the kata, which he showed me and then asked if I would show him the whole thing. Before I even started, he remarked "Oh, and remember, you're always being tested."
That was not nice.
But I showed him the kata to the best of my ability, and so he asked to see another I'd been working on, which I showed off as well. Then he asked for another, higher level kata that I had to admit that I didn't know so I got to scamper off to lunch with Jim, who was kind enough to wait. He lamented that they told him that they'd been testing him and three other brown belts since they'd arrived. But our stay progressed in much the same way; wake up, eat, dojo, eat, dojo, eat,sleep, then repeat. Jim and I calculated that over the three days we were there we did 21 hours of karate on 18 hours of sleep. OW. But it was fun. I made a lot of friends.
On the last night the heads of the organization were handing out certificates of participating (WOOOO) and then they asked all the black belts to come up to the front so they could hand out rank promotions. Masters Scott and Dan would hand the certificate to the sensei of the person who was getting promoted and wouldn't you know it, the first certificate of the night was given to Mr. McKeon. I was poised on the edge of my seat, thinking to myself that this HAD to be Jim's black belt. It had to be!
So imagine my surprise when they called MY name.
I jumped up and was presented with a certificate stating that I had been promoted to the rank of Orange belt. As shocked as I was, the only thought that kept running through my head was that Mr. McKeon said they wouldn't test me! As I found out later, Master Dan Cohen had pulled Mr. McKeon aside after the first lesson to ask where I was at in my training and apparently decided to judge for himself (which apparently resulted in rank promotion?) so Mr. McKeon didn't know I was being tested either. But I sat back down and several more promotions later, one more certificate was passed to Mr. McKeon and Mr. Friedman.
I am very happy to say that as of July, I am dating a black belt. It was an awesome moment for everyone involved. And even more surprising was that when I got back, Mr. McKeon gave me his old orange belt (a huge honor for me, even if he didn't really wear the belt all that much) and Jim was given Master Stephen Dunne's belt, our old teacher.
So the next weekend was supposed to be my half marathon, but unfortunately it was so BALLS HOT that we bailed. When it's like, 90 degrees at 8 in the morning, you don't run. You just don't. Still, I'm going to keep running and in the spring I know there's a half marathon/marathon at U of I, so I'll probably run that.
So knitting. I was kinda lazy over the summer with it. I finished Bobert's Jayne Cobb hat and my sister's graduation gift, so now I've got a few projects going on at once. I'm making Jim a new scarf, since the one I made him a year ago is kinda sad looking, I'm making my sister a hat, Beth wants some gloves, and I'm finally making a hat for myself.
But the rest of my summer was spent working and getting set to move into the apartment. Which I am all moved in and while my room is kinda messy, things have been going well! Of course there have been some bumps in the road as far as roommates go, I'm still on great terms with Audrey, and we're starting to talk about a two bedroom for next year.
Classes are intense. I'm taking seventeen credit hours, so one less than last year. But the nice thing is that out of my six classes, I really like the majority of them. There's a lot of work, but I find that I don't even mind getting up for an 8AM class so much. Later this month I'll actually start going to work in a school, which is going to be AWESOME. I guess the hardest class I've got right now is Spanish because it's been a looong time since I've spoken or had to comprehend Spanish and the whole class is in the language. My first exam is this Tuesday, so let's hope that turns out.
Swing has been awesome so far. The kickoff dance was the best I've ever attended, and since I helped with making it happen, that made me really proud. Jim even showed up to escort me home like the gentleman that he is. It's new having him actually on campus but he seems to like it and we don't spend all our free time together, so we have separate lives here as well. It makes me really happy.
In about a month, Sara Bareilles is coming to the Canopy Club and I HAVE TICKETS!! I know last time I posted I said that I was going to see her at Summerfest but we were way up in the stands so we didn't have a good view. But her voice was awesome and I can't wait to see what it'll be like here!
Not much else going on. The Michigan house is nearing completion (I'm serious this time) so maybe in October I'll go up with friends.
Song of the Day: Toes by Norah Jones
<3 Erin
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