Hop-along

I have had some knee problems the past 5 years. After playing softball my whole life, then going to college and my activity level dropping, the pains caught up to me. Come to find out, the bone that is right under my knee cap is actually attached slightly off (it is supposed to be aligned with your 2nd toe, mine is aligned with the floor). So, dear Dr. Thomas here in Franklin, TN decided that the only way to fix the problem (problem being constant pain and discomfort for 3 years) was to go in and move that bone. So, Friday morning I go in to have that done. When I came out Dr. Thomas informed me that he didn't have to move the bone, which was great! I was afraid that since he hadn't done what he originally said I would be back in the same place in 3 years. BUT, there was so much scar tissue under my knee cap that is was pushing it way over. When he cleaned out the scar tissue and trimmed the tendons on the outside of my knee, my knee cap slid right back into place. The Doc said my knee cap was beautiful and perfect and would be great from then on. So, now I'm going on day 2 of PT. I have to walk with a straight brace, I'm bruised, swollen and sore, but doing great!! 

Chicago...chicago...the talk of the town...

My friend Anna Parker and I decided last year, after a trip to NY, NY, that we would take a trip in the states every year until we could afford to have a grand trip to Europe or Hawaii or somewhere wonderful. This year we went to Chicago. Neither one of us had ever been so it was a good choice. We decided to drive because we needed a good road trip. We drove up to South Bend, Indiana to tour the Notre Dame campus. It was beautiful!! Good decision to do that. We had to drive through Gary, Indiana...Gary, Indiana...Gary, Indiana..(Music Man anyone?) and arrived in Chicago about 8pm, checked in our lovely Travelodge (which is a great step up from the hostel we stayed at in NY!) and walked around. Chicago is absolutely beautiful at night! While there, we went to the History museum and the museum of Science and Industry, a double decker bus tour, hung out at the 'bean,' went to Navy Pier, went to Second City (which was hilarious!), went to a Cubs game (Go Cubies!) ate a piece of pizza the size of my head (for only $5!) and walked about 10 miles a day. We had an incredible time and I hope it makes it back in the rotation sometime soon. If you haven't been, I highly suggest taking a long weekend trip! 

Be Cool. Stay in School.

I enjoy time alone. Time spent with just myself. It gives me time to reflect on my day, my ideas, my thoughts, my life. Tonight was one of those nights. My roommate scored a free ticket to the Brad Paisley concert, so she enjoyed that. Now, I'm not jealous that she got to go to the concert and I didn't. Frankly, (can I call you Frank?) I'm not a huge country fan. I like some here and there and Brad is great and all, but I was alright not going. Friday night TV really isn't that bad. "Holes" was on, which is a movie I have never seen all the way though and, honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I watched bits and pieces of many other movies, all the while checking email, facebook, changing my myspace layout and song (that takes a lot longer than it should. It just all has to 'go' and i'm picky). While perusing facebook, I stumbled upon some of my old college friends. "Old College Friends," you ask? Well, not as in they're old in age, but that I just don't talk to them anymore. Then again, they don't talk to me either. The phone does go two ways I suppose *wink wink.* I looked at pictures of graduation, dinner parties, random wal-mart runs that are o-so fun and important in college. Though I am still technically in college, it really does not feel like it. Not like it did when I first entered. I don't live in the dorms, I don't have to eat in the Caf (or Gano..thank goodness!), but worst of all, I don't get to see my friends on a regular basis. That is something I truly do miss.

Now, enough of that Downer Debbie! As i was watching wonderful Friday night TV programing I stopped upon my ole faithful...E! ah E! It has gotten me through some tough times. We're BFF! The Daily 10 was on and words such as "Uber," "Girlisious," and "Prego" were mentioned. Now, I'm all for making up silly words that would never exist but are funny to say, but to actually use these words on a regular basis? Really? Come on. Uber, meaning super, just sounds ignorant. The word "Uber" is actually a german word. The fact that English speaking people use this word along side English words just makes them sound ignorant. No reason to mix two languages, especially when the word is used incorrectly. Girlisious, meaning..who in the world knows?!?! Perhaps a play off of Bootylisious. Again, not a word. Fabulous. Gorgeous. These words are acceptable when speaking of Girls. but to make up a word like "Girlisious" then try to act like it is a real word by naming a TV show after it...not acceptable. Prego, meaning pregnant. This is is almost acceptable except for the fact that it is a type of tomato sauce that I usually put on my bow tie pasta. If a word is going to be used for pregnant at least use "preggers." I will admit, I've said it before. Not very intelligent sounding, but sometimes we all just get lazy.

So, in conclusion, take advantage of "you" time. Spend time thinking and reflecting on your day. Also, don't make up stupid words that mean the same thing as words we already have. The English language is hard enough already, even for us natives, so let's not make it even more difficult.

Peace. Love. Education.

Workshop Class Wooden Bear

When I was in 7th grade, I went to lovely Riverton Elementary School. 1997-1998 was an alright school year for me. I had major surgery and missed a lot of school, but all in all I enjoyed that year. When I was hopped up on morphine and strapped up to an at home IV system most would think a little tike like me would be discouraged. But, being the optimist that I am, I found the good in that whole situation. My yearbook picture. Laugh all you want, but my yearbook picture from that year was and will remain my all time favorite yearbook picture of all time! I was wearing my favorite sweater. I wore my favorite khakis. My hair was long and straight. I just came for the picture then went back home for another round of antibiotic with my at home IV. That is one killer picture! If I had it handy I would post it to show that I was a good looking 7th grader even when I was sick!

I suppose I say all of that to say, I am one heck of a procrastinator! Take now for example: It is 3am, I have a 3 page paper to write by tomorrow morning by 8am about the topic in which I have chosen to write my 20-25 page paper due at the end of the semester. Am I fretting about the fact that I have yet to even choose a specific topic? No. "Why?" you ask. Well, it's really hard to say. It might be because I am so tired that I don't want to write a formal paper. Or, it could be the fact that I do not want to write a complete bogus (thats right 1990s! I stole your word!) paper on an obscure topic that I may or may not even use.

The fact of the matter is, I went to a Nashville Predator's game tonight with my roommate and another friend and sat in $120 seats for FREE! You read that right...F-R-E-E! AND we were on the jumbo-tron! It's tough coming off of a high from such a fun night at the Sommet Center. The only other time I had that much fun there was at a John Mayer concert, and, let's be honest, do the Preds top John Mayer?! I submit that they do not!!

Perhaps next time I will take the time to investigate new up and coming music/artists so that my avid readers will not be disappointed. Thank you for your loyalty through the good and the bad!

My Gift is My Song

As my final "required" entry, I wondered what to write about. I could do a complete over view of what I have discussed over the course of this blog, but that would be boring. I could introduce a brand new artist that would entice all of my avid readers to come back and check up on things. Or perhaps just ramble about life lessons I have learned from being apart of this blog. However, all of those things are boring and not in the least bit interesting.
So, seeing that it is almost December and Christmas is right around the corner, I can't help but think of how Christmas has changed throughout my years. When I was a little girl, as most kids do, could hardly sleep in the anticipation of all the presents Santa would bring me. Although I still enjoy receiving gifts and giving gifts, the older I get, the more I realize how little gifts actually have to do with Christmas. My family is so important to me, and the time I get to spend with them during this holiday season is a time that I cherish and look forward to, even more that the baby doll dentist chair I got when I was four.
My family is very musical and, most of the time, when we get together some form of singing occurs. Even if it is "Happy Birthday" we usually have four part harmony. Music enhances life to its greatest potential. Without it our lives would truly be missing out on life's greatest gifts! I'm reminded of the song "Your Song" from the movie Moulin Rouge. "My gift is my song, and this one's for you." Give a gift of a song this year. Write a song, give a song, or a whole album to someone you love. Spread Christmas cheer and love to all this holiday season!

Girl Power! Peace!

With the come-back tour of the Spice Girls and Posh on every magazine cover, lately I drift back to those middle school days of "girl power" "peace" and "wanna be." Sometimes you just need a little "Girl Power" for a boost in this man-driven world. Sure, we give the guys opportunities to accompany us, but it is only to make them feel better about themselves. Look out fellas...us girls aren't going anywhere and we have voices that will be impossible to ignore!

Taylor Swift "Our Song"

High school senior and country ingenue Taylor Swift has created a lot of buzz this year. Not only because she has had a number one album and two hit singles under her belt before her 18th birthday but also because she wrote or co-wrote every song on her debut album. Third single from the set, "Our Song", finds Taylor getting reassurance from her significant other that they don't need a particular tune to call their own: "...Our song is the way you laugh/The first date..." "man, I didn't kiss her, and I should have..." Heavy on the fiddle and banjo "Our Song" showcases Taylor's ability to bang out country hits with her pen as well as her voice.

Rihanna featuring Ne-Yo "Hate That I Love You"

Sometimes it only takes one spin of a song to know that its destined to be a hit. Such is the case with the third single from Rihanna's stellar album "Good Girl Gone Bad." With the assistance of R & B's singer/songwriter of the moment Ne-Yo, we are given a fun and catchy melody to sing along with. "And I hate how much I love you boy/I can't stand how much I need you/And I hate how much I love you boy/But I just can't let you go/And I hate that I love you so." A chorus that sticks with you long after the song has ended "Hate That I Love You" is mid-tempo ballad of excellence.

Kid A

With the semester coming to a close and stress reaching its all time high, I find comfort in music. When I study I like to have music on in the background. My study mix usually consists of some mild, familiar music then topping off with some instrumental. Here are some options for study music and hopefully will help everyone make the A+ we all strive for.

John Mayer has a smooth, soulful, sultry voice that touches the soul. My top picks for study music: "Gravity" "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" and "Dreaming with a Broken Heart" from his "Continuum" album; "New Deep" and "Kid A" from his "Heavier Things" album; "City Love" and "St. Patrick's Day" from his "Room Full of Squares" album.

Nickel Creek has enormous talent ranging from Chris Thile's unmatched mandolin playing to Sara Watkins amazing fiddle playing and topped off with Sean Watkins incredible guitar strumming. Top picks for study music: "Speak," "This Side," "Sabra Girl," and "Brand New Sidewalk" from their "This Side" album; "Doubting Thomas" from their "Why Should the Fire Die" album.

Noah Jones. If you are not aware of her talent, voice, and incredible way to fill your heart and soul with love then you need to immediately buy her albums- all of them. Top Picks for study music: "One Flight Down," "Nightingale," "The Long Day is Over," and "The Nearness of You" from her "Come Away with Me" album and "Humble Me" from her "Feels Like Home" album.

Now for the instrumental. I have many albums I could choose from that would suffice for the instrumental section of the study music album, but only one would be perfect. The "Finding Neverland" soundtrack is hands down the best album for studying. Not only is it all instrumental, but every track tells a story. If you have not seen the film then you are truly missing out. However, even if you have not seen the movie you will be able to fall into a fairyland world which is perfect for sparking creativity.