Inked

I want a tattoo.
I want a tattoo.
I WANT A TATTOO.


That's more or less all I've been thinking lately. My biggest problem? I have no idea what I want. Something Harry Potter related is definitely at the top of my list, but I'm also torn between other quotes, RENT, hexagons, and something mathematically related. So far, the best idea I've been given was a phoenix feather, but I don't know what I'd put with it, really. I've thought, "Mischief managed," but that's an ending quote. Like, it's the end of the use of the map, it's how I personally ended the series (when I went to the last movie, I texted, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," at the beginning, and "Mischief managed," at the end), and it kind of makes me sad.

I'd prefer something Marauders related, but I'm not sure how that will work (I've been reading Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Lily/James Potter quotes all evening). I'm loving the phoenix feather idea, but I'm not sure how to couple it. "Mischief managed," might be appropriate because of the phoenix's regeneration properties; thus, though the mischief is over for now, it will return. I'm torn.

I know it will be on my foot or ankle. My wrist will come much later. Haha. So, if there are any ideas floating around out there, let me know! Muchas gracias.

Spanish? Challenge Accepted

It's been a few days, huh?
I was trying to get on a schedule, bu life threw me a loop with this research project starting.

So far, it's a bit of a brain break, but I love it. It's a lot of math, a lot of combinatorial-style problems, and a lot of fun. Even if it leaves me wide awake at 2:48 a.m. with my laptop and a folder/notebook full of half-finished combinations. :) I thought about giving a rundown of what we're doing, but I'm not sure that'd be an interesting read, so I'm going to talk about something new I'm working on.

I have the most amazing opportunity I can imagine. One of my best friends is an international student from the Central American country of Honduras, and I have been invited to visit him for a week over the summer. With my research stipend, I have enough to purchase my plane ticket, and I will be staying with his family, so it's beginning to look like it actually may happen.

I have one slight problem. I speak muy poquito espanol (Gosh, I hope that grammar is correct. It's supposed to say very little Spanish), and if you haven't guessed, my grammar is atrocious. So I'm headed the library tomorrow to check out a., Spanish for Dummies, and b., the first three Harry Potter books in Spanish. I'm actually really excited.

One of these days, you'll see one of my Harry Potter rants, and it'll all make sense. I am a Harry Potter fanatic. Like, memorized the Sorting Hat's songs and prophecies fanatic. One of my best friends' little brother and I used to quiz each other all the time; my best friend since I was six sets aside certain times during our hang outs for Harry Potter-related debate (was Peter Pettigrew evil or just misunderstood?; Snily vs. Jily; etc.). I'm a die-hard Potterhead, and actually pretty proud of it. So reading it in a new language? Challenge accepted.

Rights and Freedoms

I am a human. I know a lot of other humans that have needs, wants, hopes and dreams; that feel all of the feels; and that want to meet, fall in love with, and marry other humans. As a human, I very much believe that all of the other humans and I are entitled to pursue these things. I don't understand how labeling these humans "male," "female," "gay," "straight," "bisexual," or "transgender" suddenly makes them less deserving of their HUMAN rights. (Answer: It doesn't.)

The fact that I am a straight Christian girl should have NO bearing on the above. 

Come baaaaaaack...

Warning: Mildly whiny and nostalgic post.

I miss my friends. I miss my friends. I MISS MY FRIENDS.

I'm staying on campus this summer for a research thing, and I'm thrilled about it. I enjoy having freedom and being in the "city" instead of half an hour away from everything... But campus is SUPER empty. I mean, I have a handful of friends/acquaintances around, and Tiff's still in town (which ROCKS because she's one of my really, really close friends), but the vast majority of my on-campus comrades are far away... :(

This was a really, really good semester, made up of Catan and Harry Potter and midnight math and IHOP and late nights and laughter and tears and friendship and love of the friendly variety and... I should probably take a breath. My point is that it was a really, really good year. Probably one of my favorites so far. To be honest, I wasn't entirely ready to see it end, which is partially why I'm pining for last August... And this August, though things are going to be different... We're all going to be in separate buildings doing separate things. One friend is going to Greek housing, another's moving to the suites/apartments. I'm a peer adviser in our freshman dorm, two others are in the International/Honors/Arts hall, and Tiff moved off-campus. We're all over the place, which means that things aren't just going to go back to normal when they come back... It's going to change.

I know change is good, but I'm the person who got frustrated when the "high" and "low" temperatures changed sides of the white board. I don't adapt well sometimes (I'm great at reacting to stimuli, but long term changes that distance me from those I love, well... I'm a bit resistant).

But more to the topic of this post... There's something special about having a close group of friends... About being able to be there for someone that has been there for you. About being accepted when you're on top of the world or when you're broke, stressed, and cranky. I am very, very blessed to have them in my life. This may sound crazy and sappy, but a "love you" or "thank you" from someone in that group (or from a family member) means so much more to me than one from a random stranger.

Family is the most important thing in life. Always. But sometimes you have those friends that blur the barrier a bit and become family... And thank God for them. I love you guys (you know who you are), and I will see you in August!

Culture Envy

I love going to international presentations. Absolutely love it. I have been privileged enough to hear an Indian graduate student talk about her country's marriage ceremonies, to hear a very dear Honduran friend discuss traditional dance garb while his roommate discussed the political setting in their country, and most recently, to listen to K-Pop boy bands and stare at delicious-looking Korean food under the guidance of an amazing Korea artis. They're all amazing- the cultures and the students. I can't fathom doing what they are. (I'm a total home-body, if you will).

Then after the presentations, when I begin to reflect on everything I have heard, I start to ponder American culture, and I come up short. America is the melting pot, the place where cultures blend and mix, and I am beyond thankful for that. I love being in a land where you can find new culture everywhere you look, even within a small city like my college town. But with that said, do we have anything that is actually ours? The "musical" genre began here, but musicals are entirely ignored or abhorred by a good portion of our nation. Our weddings range as widely as our inhabitants do, food changes from region to region [though I must say I love living in the barbecue region of the country ;) ], and movies and music are just as wide spread. I kind of start to ponder who we are as a nation, and I vaguely wonder what I would write if I ever had a presentation of that nature.

It is also weird to think that I don't know how America is viewed in the modern world. I've learned that in some countries, our accents are portrayed as being nasally, and you constantly hear cheeseburger jokes on XBox Live, but what else do you think of? I can't even begin to guess.

To me, America is this eclectic melting pot and a blessing, but wouldn't it be amazing to have something that ties us to BEING American or ties us together? 


Maybe there are things... Talk to me, blogosphere. I'd love to hear from you.