Jen gave me an award last week on her blog. thank you. thank you.
and I must say, that yes, I quite like my life. I like sorority living and late bedtimes and quite tea in the morning and weekend plans. yes, I quite like. wouldn't trade it. it's kind of fun, and glamorous, and dramatic, and exactly where I should be. so, I'm glad people like reading about it, because I am just as passionate about it.
classiness. so, my very dear friend Lindsay, who I have know for (five years this spring) wrote a lovely post about class, and the desire for it. Lindsay, my dear readers, is class embodied. I don't know many people as beautiful, intelligent, funny, and naturally witty as her. She is classy, and I know she will laugh when she reads this. But this entry of hers got me thinking-
what is classy?
I could write a novel on this, but just pondering tonight I think classiness is many things, and to me it is: one of my mother's amazing parties, a strand of simple pearls, rituals at AOII, a bright and organized home, arriving a few moments early for class, dressing up an outfit with some black heels, antiques and all lovely things vintage, saying "please" and "thank you," keeping on the bright side, and a warmly toned black and white photograph.
and I'm so happy it's free : )
If you're a facebooker, then you know about the "25 random things" that everyone is writing in their notes section, and tagging friends to do the same. Lindsay tagged me, along with a few others, so I decided to write mine here. After all, this truly is my favorite online place, and it's been oh so long since there was a classic blog tag. So here we go. 25 random things:
1- I am a huge tea drinker. Love it. Mostly herbal, and green, too.
2- I am a senior graduating with a bachelors of arts in Communication and History this May 17th!
3- Currently I live with about 30 some other women in a sorority house
4- I wear my Ugg boots nearly every day (I have two pairs)
5- My favorite color is pale pink, but I wear lots of black and gray (hey, it's winter)
6- Growing up, I nicknamed my dad's saab turbo "the bat mobile" : )
7- I think Lilys of the Valley are the most beautiful, sweet smelling flower. I love when I find them randomly around my neighborhood, always tucked in the shade and hiding in their deep green stems.
8- I have lived in MN, NYC, OR, and (for a summer) in UT
9- I didn't really care for OR or UT. NYC was fun, but expensive, and MN... just right!
10- I have more freckles than some Irish people
11- My current roommate is one of my best friends, Kate, who I consider like family
12- Because I'm in the "Greek System" I have both a big and lil sister as well as a big and lil brother!
13- I cook nearly every weekend with my boyfriend, J.
14- I clean my parent's house for extra money. My favorite part is when the house is all clean and organized, my least favorite part is vacuuming.
15- I don't like my smile. Sad.
16- I name my playlists on my ipod/itunes funny names, like "70s Sept"
17- Since I started blogging, I have found friends who also blogged or started a few others in the process... like Karen (already did it), Kate, Lindsay, Dad...
18- I'm glad I no longer attend the Dinkytown Singles Ward, and went back to my Catholic roots.
19- Speaking of roots, I had blond hair for a year and a half in high school (tasteful dark blond, and I died my brows, too)
20- I like window clings, calendars, office supplies, and pasta carbonara
21- My mom gave me flowers this week, and was very kind to throw in some hot chocolate, too.
22- I like sending cards to people. Not letters, but cards to congratulate, celebrate, or say "I miss/Love you"
23- I never need to move, and if I do, I want to go east, the west doesn't really work for me. But it's gorgeous out there!
24- I enjoy reading books about... Dystopian Societies (The Handmaid's Tale, 1984), Women's accounts of the Holocaust, and Photography
25- I want to someday live in a gorgeous, historic home and fill it with amazing pieces that I find for very cheap : )
So there you go. 2-5 randoms. I now tag: Karen, Shannon B, and Becca.
The folks at typepad, great folks they are, have asked me to do a little post about technology and it's role in my life. So here goes:
I'm generation y (I think). Technology has been part of my life since birth. But never in my childhood years of playing with paint on the school macs (yes, we had macs in school) did I ever imagine how central technology would be in my life.
I use my camera(s) almost daily. Having a digital SLR has been life changing. Learning a complicated camera, all by teaching myself, and getting the satisfaction that only comes with seeing that perfect print, inspires me to create more and capture endlessly. It is a passion that I constantly think about.
Then there's my phone that I use. Checking my e-mail in class, sending text messages, and knowing the weather at any second of the day... how did I ever live without it?
Keeping up with people, blog comments, and photography clients is easier than ever. I don't have time to waste- and walking across campus on a gorgeous fall day I can enjoy the foliage, while also knowing how to get to a new, hip restaurant thanks to my phone's GPS system.
When new technology emerges I am immediately drawn in. Blame this on my father, the gadget king. He loves them, and I do, too. I would love to find a fabulous printer that can print giant, borderless prints and still punch out my rhetoric papers. Technology that appeals to the creative in me is what I usually go for.
What are you most looking forward to as technology develops and
evolves?
Ooo. I cannot wait until they come out with (or maybe the world already has created it, but I'm unaware): a photo quality printer-scanner-fax with the creative in mind. This means- larger tray for paper- maybe two trays (one for regular paper, the other for photo paper). Better access to ink, less cartridges, and less mess. Wireless connection to laptop (no one likes cords, and they just irritate me).
Also, technology that "fits" better into life. Size. I don't know about you, but I don't live in a brand new home with tons of space. I need stuff that will "fit" where I live- this means- in a small desk, a closet, or on an antique table.
Style. Technology is slowly getting it, but we can make anything look pretty. I'd love to see a gorgeous printer/phone that I would be proud to display on my desk and not feel like hiding.
Are there any gadgets/electronics that would help you pursue your
passions more fully?
Because I am a student, and funds are not unlimited (oh I wish!) it would be wonderful to have a very nice, quality printer that would produce fabulous prints. I do like the "college girl" printer I own, and stick to the belief that it's mostly about that paper, but... being able to print something giant, or having the option to print hundreds of prints at home without running out of ink quickly would be fantastic.
A remote for the camera would be a dream. There'd be way more self portraits then... oh Lord, and I am vain enough!
Most lenses for my camera... They are pricey too, and it would be fun to have more to dink around with.
The tripod I own is just sad. The thing is weak, and old, and well- it lived in a garage for who knows how long until I rescued it. Girlfriend has seen better days. Having a brand new, durable one would be a dream.
Reflectors are another tool that photographers can never underestimate. You know readers, I had to buy a small one because they are pricey, but having a large one would be fantastic.
And lights. For shooting indoors a good set of lights/flash would be heaven.
I could go on and on...
So friends, I am all settled in, but as I blog here via ethernet cord with the windows open and the breeze blowing I want to really blog prose about being back at my school in my city at the sorority house... but that can wait until later. But alas, I had my very first q&a/a study in narcisissm (haha!) to do-
Keya asks...
•What is your favorite food to eat?
I would say my fall back is pasta, but sushi is my number one choice for going out. I love it!
•What is your dream job?
Wife/Stay at home mom, but for making money- probably a creative editor at a lifestyles magazine/work for Martha
•How many children do you want to have?
4-6
•What state do you eventually want to live in & raise your family in?
I would have to say MN. I love it here, and I grew up here. I want my children to grow up close to their grandparents. But yeah, I'd do the upper east side of manhattan, too ; )
Cat asks...
•What about the church first intrigued you to investigate?
Hands down, the values.
•How much did the first LDS people you met/knew influence you?
They really did. I think that is how a lot of "new" places/things are. The families and individuals I met at the ward I investigated in were fabulous, awesome people.
•What was the BEST part about living in Provo this summer?
Being able to see all the places I had heard of. The "Y," BYU creamery, sundance, St. George…
•What was the worst?
The dating pretty much sucked. And I missed my family, and I had "interesting" roommates. Oh, and socially people act a bit different there.
Low asks...
•Is there anyone's blog that inspires the way you blog?
Yes, and no. I think everyone has their own style. I love Pioneer Woman (her writing is clever, witty), obviously Nie is amazing and missed one helluva career in marketing because she can make anyone want to live in Arizona and raise four adorable children and makes everything look amazing, Shannon for her good ways of depicting dialogue, Princess Lasertron who makes blogging cool for young/childless writers...
•What has been your favorite past Halloween costumes?
My mom was/is a sewing genius, and made all my (albeit extravagant) Halloween dreams come true growing up. Bless her!
My favorites (another should be blog post):
-The wicked witch of the west with metallic stars and moons sewn on (age 3)
-Pebbles from "the Flinstones" with white, felt bone bow (age 7)
-Cat woman with fishnets, pin-on tail, and mask (age 5)
-Pipi longstocking (with wire in my dyed red hair) and drawn on freckles (age 4)
Shannon asks...
•If you could have it all planned out (which I'm sure you do) where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Bwahah. In five years (at age 26) I see myself: married to my lover, 2-3 children, living in a gorgeous old home in a historic neighborhood (harhar). I imagine I am creating things, hopefully healthy, and loving life! I also imagine that I might have a few more cool things on my resume, like jobs/graduate school. I don't really know anymore, things are kind of in the air!
•What is your favorite photoshop trick?
Well, I love using actions. But as far as tricks, having fun with opacity is always good. And the eyedropper tool is very helpful because I can exactly match colors.
•Will you be keeping in contact with anyone you met in Provo this summer?
I sure hope so! New people who I met that I plan to stay in touch with are: Beau, Robbie, Spencer, Anna, Robynn, and Rosie.
Lisa asks...
•Okay, is there anyone who is making your heart skip a beat right now, or are you contendedly single?
No. And I am really happy right now. More than I have been in years. Good era for me.
Mo asks...
•Other than your camera, what is a prized possession you can't be without?
My iphone : )
•How/who introduced you to the world of blogging?
I started blogging after seeing links in people's signature lines at a scrapbooking website. It was Ali Edward's typepad blog though, that got me hooked on blogging and typepad.
•When did you start scrapping?
December-January (winter break) of my Junior year in high school (age 16-17). I was given a scrapbook by my mom and thought, "I need to make these." However, I "scrapbooked" growing up in various ways.
•What is your favorite dish or goodie to bake/make?
Salmon-spinach quiche for savory and cupcakes for sweet (not a big eater, but love making them).
•What is your favorite childhood memory?
Oh man, just one? I should do a post about this. If I had to narrow it down to one it would be going to London when I was eight. I was on cloud nine.
Tia asks...
•Where are you now?
I live in MN. I am midwestern girl who has flirted with PDX (4 years), NYC (1 year + 2 summers), and Provo (1 summer). That's a lot of flirting.
•How does being in a sorority conflict with your newish LDS lifestyle?
It doesn't. Strangly enough, there are a lot of similarities between being Greek and LDS. People love it, there was a girl last year in my house writing a missionary. One of my buddies came and visited me out in Utah. People ask questions, but there's a lot more acceptance on the sorority side then on the others... I think when you're Greek you're used to people judging you for being Greek, so you're more apt to ask questions and inquire then judge. (clearly I could go on and on)
Teresa asks...
•Have you picked your future children's names, if so what are they?
I love the names: Veronica, Malcom, Rosemary, Edward (not for the books), Anthony, Valerie…
So there ya go!
