Ape-not-tastic.

Tonight I watched an Animal Planet program about preserving the mountain gorilla population in Rwanda, Africa. Natalie Portman was the host, which was kind of funny, but it was quite engaging. Did you know that up until the 20th century, the only people who knew about these gorillas were from the remote jungles of Rwanda/Uganda? Andd, by the 1970s, the population of mountain gorillas had decreased to only a few hundred. This was primarily due to land development. I find this incredibly sad, no joke.

I would love to be some sort of conservationist. It fascinates me how such people dedicate their whole lives to a particular passion, such as gorillas, reap an abundance of personal knowledge on the subject matter, and then attempt to foster that knowledge into the rest of the world's ignorant minds. They are persistant, no matter how little their voice in the grand scope of the world may be...you know, among the "more important" issues such as Britney Spears' next rehab visit. These people have a very specific purpose in life, and to me, represent some of the best qualities a human being can possess. Granted, you occassionally run into the extremists, but don't we have those in all aspects of society (a.k.a angry, pie-throwing PETA members)? The good conservationists are dedicated and driven, culturally tolerant, well-read, curious thinkers, adventurous...the list goes on.

Anyway, just something that came to mind. Let's be like the conservationists! Unless of course there is another "ist" you'd rather side with.

PS- Congrats to my pal Barack who dominated in my homeland today.

Northbound.

Ok, so I guess the video blogging is kind of fun. However, I certainly don't want to disregard the written word.

Something cool I forgot to mention last week. Uncle Jerry (aka my Persuasion prof...don't ask why we call him this) showed us a hidden symbol on the keyboard. If you press ALT 8253 on the number pad, you get what is called an Interobang: Now, the sad thing is that it only seems to work on an actual keyboard, not a laptop, which I know does nothing for us college kids who have left behind what was once known as the desktop computer. Nonetheless, I think it's a cool symbol. It works for people who like to excitedly ask questions.

Oh, and Kristin and I are going on a de-tox diet next week to cleanse ourselves from the evil toxins in our bodies. Why you ask Because Oprah said we should.

We'll See How This Goes...

My sister and I, along with our friends, used to love using the filming device. We made talk shows, makeover shows, news programs, commercials... Looking back on that impressive creative energy, I fear I've lost my touch to engage a similar audience: aka, a few good people who are kind enough to care about what I have to say. This used to be my parents, now it's my friends. Thanks guys.

Oh well, life goes on! Isn't that right Mr. Mellencamp?

Take a Look, It's in a Book.

Today, I reverted back to my sixth-grade self. I brought a book to school and read in between classes. No socializing, just reading and turn-paging.

In sixth-grade I discovered the Harry Potter series. I read the first three books in a month. I was by no means an anti-social child. However, I can detest to the fact that it was this school year and this particular series that turned my already love for books into a temporary, somewhat unhealthy, obsession. These bounded beings consumed some of the most precious social moments a middle schooler has. Bus #417 ride. Homebase (Homeroom). The locker room before P.E. commenced. Lunch (well I multi-tasked during this one...eat, read, talk). Going off an estimate, I continued to read two/three books a month for the remainder of the year. I was enthralled.

The book in hand today: A Walk in the Woods. Billy Bryson
Current Thoughts: engaging, has pathos, logos, and ethos appeal, beautifully written.
Current Irk: Last night, while reading, I was disappointed to discover that Bill Bryson did not, in fact, hike the AT in its entirety. When I began the novel, I thought this to be so. Imagine the bummage that now fills my soul.
Current Hope(s): Bryson and Katz don't get into a car EVER again in an attempt to skip parts of the trail...for my sake. Also, that the book remains wonderful, regardless of the sad truth I uncovered.

Piazza, New York Catcher.

A brief word before I commence with tonight's posting: the Juno soundtrack is making my life right now.

So what else is currently making my life? How about life itself!? I'm currently an adventurous, inquisitive, almost20-year-old girl who is about 80 percent sure she going to uproot herself to a place, a life, whose nature and existence she is currently unsure of, but who is completely content and excited about this potentially scary and frustrating truth (Woah dang, what a run-on!).

I'm tired of adults suggesting that we have a certain time table for when events in our now young lives are supposed to take place. If I were to follow this time table of sorts, I'd be a college graduate by the age of 22, a holder of a Master's by 24, married by 25-27, throw in some sort of career during these fresh-out-of school years, a mom by 28-30, a soccer mom by age 34, and so on and so on...
Who says life follows such a timeline? As far as I'm concerned, I have plenty of time to allow this crazy world to call me forth in new directions. Granted, it's not a grand idea for one to be completely incapable of finding some stability, but why not jet off course if the opportunity beckons? I can find my way back when I'm ready.

For now, I like to think I'm a temporary resident of Clem-diana-chapel-rague-ville...or something of that nature.

Well, it was not my original intention to end this piece of eloquent prose on a tragic note, but I suddenly feel compelled to do so.
I regret to inform the masses of the following: tonight, at exactly 11:54 p.m., I realized that I made a poor judgement call in purchasing Julian Lennon's Valotte vinyl over the late Christmas Break...he's just no John.

Guitar Fingers.

I had to cut the nails on my left hand down to the skin. And my fingertips are simultaneously calloused and peeling. Kind of gross, now that I'm looking at them. I have to be in hard-core practice mode though for the next couple of weeks, so I'll just have to tough it out. In the past 24 hours, I decided that I'm getting excited about the show, so hopeeefullyyy I can feed off that adrenaline for the time being.

Today is a snow day in Clemson! University opens at 10 for 11 a.m. classes. I should still be asleep, but I've had to wake up every couple of hours to check my email in hopes of all my teachers cancelling class. End result: Success!
Looking outside the window, I can see that Chandler had some fun with my car last night. There is a massive snow ball currently chilling on top of it. I can only guess it was Chandler because we already know he is responsible for the snow pile at our door last night.

And finally, Kristin and I are headed to Nashville today! I'm excited, never been! Then we'll head up to Indiana for the rest of the weekend for the retreat. I'm anxious to meet Kristin's friends and get a look at how she spends her summers at camp. Should be a good time!

Happy Snow Day People!

Zoo Pics.

Back to grind. "Break" has technically been over for a weekish now, but considering the fact that I've only been in class for a day thus far, I say break ended today with class day #2.

I got into a journalism class tonight, which at least gives me more of a schedule then the stupid Comm registration is allowing me.

I'm trying so very hard not to be bitter about this whole potential, possible, right now probable, peacin out thing (I love alliteration). It's hard though. And I definitely don't want to be the griper...aka, the emo kid who won't stop complaing about the crappy cards he/she is being dealt. Not my style. So, keep me accountable people.

Whether or not Clemson is fortunate enough to have me back this fall, my journalism teacher from last semester emailed me about a magazine internship in Greenville this summer. Her friend is launching a new publication called G Magazine; and Maya thought of me and another girl from my class as potential interns. While this would mean a summer in Clemson, it may be a good opportunity.

Autre choses dans ma vie: finding a way to tackle six new books, basking in the awesomeness that is my record player, L&O- SVU with the roomates, and writing new music. Cool Beans.