Tuesday, July 27, 2010

End of Ends

Say what you will, but collectively, this has hands down been the best - and only - series I have ever read. Fortunately, as much as adapted films can be, each has proved itself as good, if not better, than the last (with the exception of The Order of the Phoenix). But everyone is entitled a fluke once in awhile, right? Up until my sophomore year of college, I had been adamant not to hop onto (what I had believed to be) a childish bandwagon franchise. Knowing that the series started when Harry was roughly the same age as myself (~13ish, 6th grade), I wouldn't have dared to set aside time to read any of these. As a matter of fact, I didn't really know about it until about my freshman year of high school. So, until that one summer night after my freshman year of college, I had been stubborn enough not to even watch any of the movies. A friend forced me to sit down and stomach through the first movie - The Sorcerer's Stone. Within the first 10 minutes, I had planned in my head when and how I was going to get my hands on the first book of the series. The rest is history. I managed to finish the first six books within about 6 months and asked for the last one as a Christmas present. I wanted to savor the last of the last, so I took my time to digest most of it. That is, until one super rainy day during my first visit to San Diego. I started to read and after each page I started to realize just how fast I was flipping the pages. Needless to say, I only remember bits and pieces of it, but the feeling that it left within me I will not forget - an everlasting bond between myself and an entirely fictional world from the masterminded J.K.Rowling. Ultimately what this post is about, is that when I first watched the trailer for Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, chills ran through my body and before I knew it (yes, I will admit), my eyes welled up with tears. These weren't like those tears of a teeny-bopper's love of Edward Cullen (a whole different story), but tears of my senses and subconscious knowing that this film is half of the end of a series I have come to love. The storyline, characters, etc. is compelling enough to have drawn me in to a world of another's. I just hope I survive until July 2011 to make it to Part II...then my HP experience will be fulfilled. Until November, the trailer will suffice.

Chew on this, Twilight fans:

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Deeper Than You Think

We've always dreamt of taking hold of our dreams or, better yet, making our dreams become reality. But what if the two are switched? What if, at one point, the two become so intermingled that one is chiefly as realistic as the other? After hearing all the hype about Christopher Nolan's Inception, I ventured solo to the theater (this is becoming a recurring Nolan theme after seeing The Dark Knight by my lonesome two summers ago). After walking out of the theater, I noticed that after the ideas instilled in the movie have inclined me to become more conscientious about the division between dreams and realities. My state of awareness is at its peak regarding what dreams I hope become realities. Before making the move to San Diego, I thought it would always be a dream I longed for. Now that I'm here, it doesn't even quite feel real that I am...here. So, in order to set apart dreams from reality, I'm making sure I get my full 8 hours tonight.

Now, if only there was a way to record dreams - both those remembered and those forgotten in the depths of our mind. Mind Heist at its maximum potential.

Goodnight.

Monday, July 19, 2010

There Is Hope

Pictured above is milk chocolate from Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's in itself is absolutely amazing - the choice of organic or not - where there's delicious food waiting around every turn down an aisle. Since organic isn't in my budget, I've opted for what I know best: anything from processed to watered-down to insecticide-ridden...guess I've become immune to non-organic (fake?) foods. Back to the subject at hand - chocolate. For the past few years, I've realized that chocolate (and ice cream) and I are not too close of friends. For all you chocolate lovers, sounds sad, no? It wasn't until my trip to Ireland last year that I found chocolate that didn't tear me up from the inside. Then, as if I were struck by a bolt of ingenuity, it dawned on me: American chocolate (and ice cream for that matter) is so loaded with artificial flavoring and preservatives, that my body couldn't handle the dairy, cocoa, and the additives all at once. In Ireland, though, they don't fuck around with their goods - au natrual chocolate did the trick for me. So this is where my chocolate binge began - and abruptly ended. Until tonight. While standing in the checkout line at Trader Joe's, I was ogling at all the chocolate that I couldn't allow myself to eat. In the fine print at the bottom of a chocolate package (as pictured above) stated "Imported From Belgium"; no artificial flavors, no preservatives. It was a pack of 3 bars for $1.99, so I figured why not just try it. Needless to say, I felt as if I were living Charlie Bucket's childhood pre-golden ticket. I ripped open the package and took an eensy weensy bite of the first bar. Splendiferous. The (non-American) chocolate practically melted in my mouth. Now I know how those chocolate lovers feel. I've finally found my chocolate delight. I wonder if they sell it in bulk...

By the way, I didn't see the Pound Plus as pictured above. Just added it in as a reference. I'm definitely scoping it out my next Trader Joe's visit, though.

Ready, Set, 3

Since I was tagged, I fulfilled my duty of following up (in a timely manner!).

3 Names I Go By

1. Erica
2. E
3. Foojer

3 Places I Have Been

1. Co. Galway, Western Ireland

2. San Diego, CA

3. Long Beach Island, NJ



3 Favorite Drinks

1. Soda - preferably glass-bottled Coke
2. Homemade Sweet Tea
3. Long Island Ice Tea - biggest bang for your buck (with a splash of soda)


3 TV Shows I Watch

1. COPS
2. True Blood - Yes, I've officially hopped on the bandwagon...but damn, is this show good.
3. America's Funniest Home Videos reruns


3 Places I Would Like to Visit

1. New Zealand
2. New Orleans, LA
3. Greece


3 Favorite Retro TV Shows

1. Fresh Prince of Bel Air
2. Saved By the Bell (the younger years)
3. Home Improvement


3 Favorite Dishes

1. Sauerkraut with kielbasa, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a freshly baked roll
2. Fresh guacamole with the perfect tortilla chips
3. Baked barbecue chicken


3 Things I'm Looking Forward To

1. Hopefully finding a job here in San Diego
2. Getting a haircut soon
3. Making enough money to fly my little brother out to visit me


3 People I'm Tagging

1. Natalie
2. Brooke
3. Katie

Friday, July 16, 2010

Simplicity Is Key

After catching up on John Mayer's blog entries on One Forty Plus, I thought I would repost this one: Simple. I'm looking to pack less than I need, say fewer words that hold more meaning, and enjoy the small pleasures that we take for granted.

Case in point: sunsets. Not even my feeble little BlackBerry camera could capture the beauty of the sinking sun. So many words come to mind to describe it, but what's the use? Soak it in for what it's worth.

Revamped: Gyppsy '10

After being hounded to update my blog on where I am in life, I realized I needed to sit down and think for myself - where am I, how did I get to be here, and what is happening?

A whole hell of a lot has happened in the past couple of weeks. I moved out of what I knew as "home" for the past two years, drove a portion of the east coast, and flew westward. The move-out was nothing more or less than what I expected: bittersweet feelings drowned out by sweat from the humidity and numerous trips up-and-down a flight of stairs. The very same day (Father's Day Sunday if I recall correctly), I had the stamina to drive home to Roanoke and back to Harrisonburg. The three days spent with close friends in Harrisonburg following my mini-journey home are a little muddled...as in, I couldn't tell you have the things that were said or done. Emily and I attempted to recount a list of memories, but I'm positive there's more to unfold. Since my last days "working" as a clubhouse attendant at Sunchase, I've had a lot of spare time on my hands. This, to some, is a blessing; but to others, like myself, it can be hazardous to actually pushing forward and accomplishing what needs to be done. In lieu of doing something progressive, I have achieved an unnatural state of tan (as in, I should lather up with SPF100+ the remainder of the summer). The following week or so I was in good ol' Roanoke. Most of the time was spent with my little bro; spending quality time with family brings a certain sense of realization to one's self - as if you know where the missing pieces of your heart belongs. (A lesson learned along the way: if you ever seem lost, simply let your heart guide you. More often than not, it'll veer you back to the path you've been blindly looking for.) I was able to see a few old high school friends while in town, which was nice; it also further cemented my decision to journey westward. Time and time again I've thought, "Should I really be doing this - living on a limb just for the thrill of something new?" At that moment I realized that yes, this is exactly what I need to be pushing myself through. If not now, when? My last night in Roanoke was spent my brother how to drive a 5-speed. Now GYPPSY's seen some better days, but I thoroughly enjoy letting others use my car to learn how to manhandle a stick shift. (I think the teaching count is up to about 5 now.) That very night, I also managed to pack most of what I would be bringing out to California with me - little did I know what I was in for...

After a week's hiatus in my traveling adventures, I hopped in the car and headed northbound 81 to Jersey. In order to save myself from multiple headaches from traffic and long hours on the road (as well as over usage of my left foot...clutch in traffic=no bueno), I visited friends in the NOVA area. We spent the evening in Georgetown, which is saturated with mostly restaurants, bars, and shops. Most of the night was low-key, other than the fact that Natalie found a staple in her French fries. So, I know that some fries are essential to most meals, but I doubt staples add any vibrant flavoring. I left early the next morning in high hopes that I'd avoid any northern traffic (remember, my 5-speed).

All the while driving along the eastern board, I felt as if this trip was my would-be coda to the east coast.

What a treat I was in for! What would have been a 4 1/2 to 5-hour drive ended up taking over 6 hours. Tolls were an added bonus - I just love slowing my trip down solely to toss money to a person in a confined booth. But, in all this jumbled mess, it was 122% worth the waits, money, pit stops, and long, laborious driving. After what seemed like an eternity of not seeing one of my shortest-known, yet closest friend, the 7-week anticipation had finally come from Ireland. I decided to arrive in Jersey the night before (solely to try and beat traffic), and would be waiting when she pulled up to her house. After countless "I miss you's," frequent gmails, and short phone calls, the wait was over. No words can describe how exhilarating it was just to have each other in company again. Stories, photos, and gifts from Ire were shared. But, throughout my visit, the thought of my leaving to California weighed on my already heavy heart. I've learned that very few things are permanent, and to dwell on things out of one's control only leads to empty heartaches. While in Jersey, I spent almost every day lounging on the beach, which only intensified my darkened complexion (at this point I was pasting on the SPF50 roughly 5 times daily...I wanted to avoid, at all costs, to become a leathered good before heading west). After about a week in the dirty Jers, it was time to bid adieus and I was "home"ward bound. The drive home made me see the reality that lay ahead: t-minus 2 days til my westward departure.

I split up the drive home and made a pit stop in Harrisonburg to see my love doves one last time before I left for a bit. Downtown had a different feel that night, knowing it was my last real night in Harrisonburg (as a graduate visiting fellow peers waiting for that final class to end...gotta get that diploma). Come to think of it, I'm kicking myself now for not indulging in Kline's one last time. Compared to my last visit to Hburg, this one was more subdued (aka no donuts in the Ashby cul-de-sac or snap pops).

I headed home the next morning to make it to lunch with my grandma and brother at Applebee's. Unless you enjoy food spicy enough to make your nose bleed, I wouldn't recommend the Asian platter there. The rest of the day was riddled with mindless errands that just seemed to take up valuable packing time. I made my brother test out his driving skills just to get some driving time in - little did we both know that we would run into semi-hurricane weather. A monsoon reduced visibility to less than 5%. Needless to say, I was impressed. That night, I managed to pack everything into a ginormous bag to check in, only to find it was 27 lbs over the weight limit. So, I sucked it up and packed two check-ins (one of which is missing a rolling wheel). Regardless, I was able to bring more than I first expected.

The day of my departure, a peacock happened to waltz through my front yard. My not being accustomed to common zoo animals in nature, I followed it around the neighborhood to capture a few snapshots. The flight check-in was nothing out of the norm, but the delay at IAD was borderline miserable. A 2-hour wait on the plane meant alcohol drinks were on the house, courtesy of United Airlines. I couldn't have even planned to prepare myself for what I was in for. The man sitting next to me happened to be an appointee of former president Bill Clinton and executive director of an environmental branch of the Humane Society called EarthVoice. He eventually informed me of his specialty in ArcGIS and frequent work with IPCC, which were the 2 main components of my senior research. I indulged him in giving an impromptu version of my senior research presentation. For whatever reason, he was fascinated (mostly that I was even familiar with ArcGIS and IPCC); we exchanged e-mails and he told me he would contact me with possible job opportunities. Now I wait. I've found that the whole job hunt is a waiting game. I continue to revisit the wise words of PLarry: patience, endurance and practical knowledge for everyday living. This search for a job may drive my spirit into the ground, but I've learned to keep confidence and never slow my roll.

After this novella of a blog entry, I'm gonna close by saying that even in these past couple weeks I've learned mini life lessons. Always keep your radar up - never become so tunnel-visioned that you miss out on what's around you - and to hold dear the ones you love. Just keep me where the light is.

Just because. JMay has a way with music that pushes me through times more than any spoken words could ever do. Mucho mucho mucho amor