kristenfromkansas:

so, im in the middle of writing a personal statement, and it’s…well, it’s not going well. i’m kind of having a breakdown about it. i am a decent writer, but personal statements are just a completely different ball game. i have my idea, and i’m happy with it, but the words and paragraphs just look so…lame. le sigh.

if it weren’t for andrea, i probably would have given up by now. but she is amazing and provides me encouragement like this (via g-chat):

the other route you could go is just use the words of michelle tanner, “but i’m a fun girl.” true, brief and with all of the people writing in cliches and run-on sentences, i think they’re in need of some fun.

please send love. i need it.

I need to get myself some interesting life experiences. I think everything I’ve ever done is such a cliche. If I had to read my own personal statement (that I haven’t written but can only assume I’d write), I’d gag.

thedailywhat:

A wild Joseph Rutherford Walker appears.

[reddit.]

Guuuuuuuuuuuuh.

My favorite show is back for the final season. Not only is it my favorite show because it is so awesome, it is my favorite show because it brings my friends together. Friends, Tacos and Lost, it will not get better than that.

/cheesy

Yesterday I had to pause outside of the Starbucks on Chicago near State.

There’s a small table in the front that sits next to a large window. I sat at that table in August 2008 and frantically filled out my application for the first floor apartment of my dreams at 2009 N. California Avenue. I remember feeling nervous, shaky, hoping I could get the “dream apartment” I toured that afternoon.

During that trip to Chicago (and definitely after) I was scared out of my mind, terrified by the thought of moving. I had decided to quit my job, get rid of my belongings, and move to a huge city without any money. There were times when I wanted to stay in Lawrence, assuming that if I moved to Chicago “the worst” would happen. There were times in Chicago I was sure I had made the wrong decision.

But for those 45 minutes in that Starbucks, I wasn’t scared. I was excited for my future, excited that I had found the perfect apartment. I knew that it was meant to be, that I was supposed to have that perfect apartment and I’d find the perfect job and have the perfect life to match. I saw it as a sign. A sign.

I got the apartment. It was far from perfect. My job and my life weren’t perfect either. But, God, I have no regrets.

I don’t know where this is going. But I stood outside that Starbucks yesterday and wished I believed in myself more. I mean, I do believe in myself. Sometimes. But it took me seeing that dream apartment to convince myself (and that was only temporary) that my decision was the right one. I need to figure out how to pull the trigger without that “sign” and still believe that I can have a happy ending.

thedailywhat:

Helping Haiti: Graphic designer Matt Needle still has a bunch of his gorgeous “Modern Hitchcock” prints available for purchase and has decided to donate 50% of the proceeds to help the people of Haiti.

A complete set of 6 costs $195. Individual prints are $42.

E-mail Matt for more info.

[yayeveryday.]

Hitchcock for Haiti? FUUUUUUUUUUUUUuu……right up my alley. Damn.

Yesterday at the market, one of our new volunteers (Linda) talked to me for an hour about being on a gluten-free diet. Her husband has been on a very strict gluten-free diet for two years. His energy has increased so much and the headaches and stomachaches he was so used to are just gone. He lost nine pounds in the first two weeks.

I’m seriously considering switching to a gluten-free diet. I have been so low energy for my whole life and it has gotten worse in the past few years. I have regular headaches and my stomach is always hurting. I don’t think I have celiac disease (my friend/roommate in college had it and I know that whatever I have is not as serious as celiac disease) but I do think that switching to a gluten-free diet would be worth a shot.

Most of the foods I already eat are gluten-free. I eat wheat pasta and wheat bread so I’d have to get rid of that. Linda suggested switching to rice noodles but didn’t have a good bread substitute. I wouldn’t be able to drink beer and I’d have to be careful about the types of liquor I consume— the good news is that Seagram’s 7 is gluten free. Many candies are not gluten free as they’re often dusted with flour. I’d have to be extra careful while going out to eat, which I think is the biggest factor. I’d also have to be careful about preparing my lunch in the mornings before I leave for work.

I’m thinking that I may switch on February 1st. I want to make sure I have a grasp of all of the gluten-free safe foods and what foods/ingredients to avoid. I also want to make sure I have an arsenal of recipes, etc. before I switch over. But I’m strongly considering it. Has anyone had an experience or any knowledge of a gluten-free diet?

Today I made my grandma’s spaghetti and totally. Effed. It. Up. A waste of an hour and a half and $10-15. Last time I made it, I messed up the pasta which was an easy fix. This time the biggest part was burned and just tasted like crap.

I thought I was getting better (now that I’m more attentive when I cook) but the last few things I’ve made have been bad and this was a complete disaster. It’s just discouraging. That’s all I have to say about it.

Anyway, spaghetti try #2— D+.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Cooked spaghetti, did my taxes, watched someone die.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
   
   Um, no. And yes, I have my TGP and I’m going to make it work.
   
   
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My cousin gave birth to a fat baby named Eric.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
   
   Yes. And someone close to me has already died in 2010, so hopefully that will be it for this year.
   
   
5. What countries did you visit?

Zero.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

More money saved up. More dogs in my life.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

March 19 (day I lost my job), March 23 & April 4, August 10 (grandmother’s death)

8. What were your biggest achievements of the year?

New job, paid off my car, getting mentions (and photos) in Crain’s Chicago Business, getting rid of a lot of stuff

9. What was your biggest failure?

No savings.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Recurrent colds.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Red suitcases, a Christmas tree, several plane tickets.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I have no idea.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Mark Mangino.

14. Where did most of your money go?

I have spent a ridiculous amount of money on my relationship (he has too).

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Watchmen. It wasn’t worth the excitement. I was really excited about the Green City Market BBQ, which was worth the excitement.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
    
    I can’t think of anything.
    
17. Compared to this time last year, are you

i. happier or sadder?: both
ii. thinner or fatter? ugh
iii. richer or poorer? richer, sort of.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Relaxing. Kissing and hugging. Learning.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying. Freaking out. Feeling guilty.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Cooking Christmas dinner with my mom in Bryan, Texas.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Yes.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Mad Men, Lost in a close second.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I do not.

24. What was the best book you read?

Forty Million Dollar Slaves

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Didn’t really have any this year.

26. What did you want and get?

A new iPod, a couch, um…a boyfriend who doesn’t think I’m a total freak (maybe?).

27. What did you want and not get?

A Wii? I guess?

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Probably Up.

29. What did you do on your birthday?

Birthday brunch, watched basketball, watched some movies, went to a bar, walked home barefoot.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
    
    A non-long distance relationship (no regrets!). A bazillion dollars.
    
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Um…wearing clothes that keep me from being naked?

32. What kept you sane?
    
    Wine. My cell phone and Google Talk.
    
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Can I count Turner Gill?

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Probably health care.

35. Who did you miss?

My family and my friends who don’t live in Chicago.

36. Who were the best new people you met in 2009?

Kevin. Pete. Green City Market girls.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
    
    Make sure the people you love know you love them before it’s too late.
    

Here is a list of my top 11 movies of the decade (who says I have to do Top 10?). I thought about it long and hard, so I’m not changing anything. I’m no movie expert, but watching movies is one of my favorite hobbies so I feel I have the right to post.

In no particular order:

1. No Country for Old Men

Best adapted screenplay. Best casting (seriously, I had never heard of Javier Bardem and figured they were going to cast some Jack Nicholson freak who would over-exaggerate Chigurh’s every move…he was brilliant). One of my favorite books and they did an awesome job.

2. The Lives of Others

Ulrich Mühe was an extremely talented actor and he was so great in this role. This is probably one of my top ten movies of all time. This story was so real, I can’t remember many other movies where I felt so connected to multiple characters.

3. Up

I cried so hard at the beginning of this movie. I’m not sure I could watch it now. But, what a beautiful movie. I have a difficult time becoming attached to animated characters— not the story with Up.

4. The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger was an incredible Joker. I’m sorry he can’t reprise the role.

5. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (suck it, I’m counting them as one)

Epic. I’ve only seen the movies in an altered state but I’m smart enough (?) to know how epic it is.

6. The Hurt Locker

Not enough people saw this movie. Your loss.

7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

I don’t know what it is about this movie but I just love it. I think people think it’s pretentious but I don’t. It even has Kirsten Dunst in it and I love it, that says something.

8. Pan’s Labyrinth

Freaking depressing, but it takes place during one of my favorite times in history (favorite as in most interested in, not favorite as in I LOVE WAR!) and the costume/makeup/scene design rules.

9. Amelie

Not a huge fan of romantic movies but this one is adorable.

10. Memento

I get the feeling that most people thought this was overrated but I was 15 or 16 when I first saw it and it blew my mind. Plus, I love evil females and this definitely has that.

11. Diving Bell and the Butterfly

One of the few examples of a movie that was better than the book. Visually stunning, incredible story. There’s a scene where the main character shaves his dad’s face and it was very touching. I love, LOVE this movie.

Honorable Mentions: Children of Men, High Fidelity, Mulholland Drive, Royal Tenenbaums, Wet Hot American Summer