Moving to Tumblr?

Didn't think I would, but I might.  Look for Day 13 there.

Day 13: Whatever tickles your fancy

Soon, I'll be off to watch the UConn women play FSU in front of a sold-out crowd.  NBD.  However, tonight, day 13's post will be the semester in review that I usually blog about at some point.  

Day 12: Post a self-portrait

Hello out there...<3!

Day 11: Share your favorite recipe

Everybody seems to LOVE this Spinach Artichoke Dip.  Zima gave it to me when I had the trumpet Tostitos party.
Also, the home made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies...I've been told it's like a cross between a cookie and cake, and that it's absolutely delicious. 

Maybe, one day, I'll make them for YOU!

Day 10: A letter to the person you hate most or caused you a lot of pain

Honestly, I can't really pinpoint a person I hate...I don't really hate anybody, but I can say something to anybody who's ever caused me pain:

Dear you, 
Because of you, I'm much happier, much stronger, and learned a whole hell of a lot about what I want out of my life in future.  Though it sucked at the time, in the end, you're the idiot.  Thanks for proving that I don't need people like you to be happy.
-Gill

Day 9: List some of your favorite Tumblrs/Bloggers

This was supposed to be Friday...oops...
Day 10 and an end-of-the-semester rant, coming soon.

Bloggers:
I wish Kristin would update again, I love reading her blog.
I like reading Connor's blog.  He doesn't write about one specific topic, but I like reading about different kinds of stuff.
I read Alysa Auriemma's blog a lot.  Yeah, Auriemma as in Geno's daughter.  The blog started as behind-the-scenes basketball stuff, but she talks about her own day to day adventures too.
Then there's Emily's blog.  (UPDATE, WOULD YOU?!)  She's very passionate about the topic she's chosen for the blog.  It's great to see, and awesome to read.
I also follow the best Tumblrs:
NEMER!!
Karissa <3
The one and only ANNA MILLS.
Sarah!
My football freak out buddy, Thompson. 

Day 8: A photo of you taken recently

I have FOUR MINUTES before day 8 ends.

Don't turn off Party In The U.S.A. on Jeff, Ryan, and I.  We'll be very upset.  This upset, actually.

DAY 7...wait, it's been a week already?

Wait, seriously?

I guess I'm learning that 7 days isn't a really long time. 

ANYWAY. Day 7: A YouTube video I find funny.

With the amount of time people spend on YouTube/the internet in general these days, you've probably seen everything funny...and probably funnier than these.  But, for me, it's a tie between ...

"You know you're only 3 years old, right?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTCm8tdHkfI

and
"I said, I'm going to kick his ask."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk-1mla0LeU

Oh, and My New Haircut.  Just because.

I may not have finals, but there's plenty left to do...

...like, for example, plan about 80% of the bowl trip, (with the rest of UL.)
Bus assignments, I have to remember to do bus assignments...
My last jury EVER is tomorrow.  You would think that after 8 juries, this would get easier.  But it never did for me.  My heart still races, my stomach still feels a little funny, and I usually leave slightly shaky.  Let's make tomorrow's goal be for none of those things to happen.
Babysitting for the evening follows, and one last minute assignment/final/thing is due on Friday.  So what's next?

Oh, you know, just a graduate school application. 
3 letters of reference, the application, (and app fee...boo...) a personal statement...luckily, not due til February 1st.  I'm cutting it a little close though, since I feel like everybody I've heard that applied to grad school did it months ago.  It's half back up plan, half what I want to do next year.  I just don't know what I want.  Strangely, though, I'm providing myself with more options by applying, which means I'll have to make a decision...and we all know how I am with decision-making. 

Stealing Emily's idea...this is what break is going to be, Christmas and Bowl game aside...

1. Starting eating healthier and taking care of myself-student teaching and the 45 minute commute each way is going to take its toll on me.
2. p90x...*gulp*
3...and if I fail at that, at least get back into running, swimming, and working out regularly.
4. Read!! I need to finish Wicked, re-read the Happiness Project, and tackle most of Margaret Atwood's work. 
5. Submit my graduate school application
6. Go to as many basketball games possible :)

I don't have too much in mind yet.  I'm a little overwhelmed just by the thought of a two-year graduate program and what that means.  Plus, as usual, my weight loss/get healthy goal crept back into my life, as it always does this time of year.  Who knows anymore, but I guess I shouldn't stop trying. 

In general?  Life is pretty good.  Christmas will be fun and relaxing, the bowl game and New Years will be absolutely insane.  I've got a great weekend coming up.  Just got to stay positive.

I forgot Day 6 :(

EDIT: So I forgot that I did this day, (actually day 5) at like 1 am, so I didn't forget day 6, I just did 5 and 6 on the same day.  Whatever.  Wednesday 12/15 will be day 7! :)

DAY 6: List of what you ate today  
So here it is-a not so exciting day. 

Bagel for breakfast.
Buckley lunch was awful...so I had macaroni salad and pickles.
Reeses and Hershey Kisses 
Now the good part...dinner at the Hanzlik's for trumpet studio Christmas-baked ziti, Christmas cookies, HOMEMADE PEANUT BRITTLE, (thank you, Louis) 
Wings at Bidwell.
Junior mints.  Surprise surprise.

Day 5-Now that we're alone, all of the world shines.

It's letter day, apparently.  See earlier post with the 50 day challenge list to see the addressee...

Well...I could probably ramble for awhile about this, but since this is Blogger and not real life, I'm not going to be really lame.  Just kind of lame...
I wish I could read you better.  Out of everything I could possibly say to you, that's what I'm choosing to say.  I wish I knew what you were thinking so I could know if you feel the same way I do.  I think you do...but we don't talk about it much, (not that we should.)
Wow, I'm really bad at this...
Whatever it is/was/might be...I like it.  It's fun.  You're a person I like being around, because it's nearly impossible for me not to smile when we hang out.  And somehow, even though you've known me the least amount of time out of everyone, you can read me like a book.
This was a really terrible letter, but, just know-I have a semester of school left, and I want to have fun and enjoy it.  And if you're around for some of that fun and enjoyment...that would be fine with me.
-Gill

DAY 4: A photo of you taken over ten years ago

You've probably seen this one, but I'm not at home where I can find more pictures.  Plus, since it's Christmas time, this is appropriate.  I give you...

 

Maybe to my bio on day one, I should have added: Cowboys fan since age 8 or so.  Asked for an Emmitt Smith jersey for Christmas, never turned back.  

The girl in the plaid pajamas is my sister.  The four boys are my cousins on my mom's side, circa the time when Emily and I were the youngest.  Christmas Eve was still at my house, and we took pictures on the stairs every year.  None of the boys were married.  This was such a long time ago.

Day 3: My favorite movie

If you know me, even a little bit, you've probably heard me talk about this movie at some point.

Most definitely my favorite movie of all time.  I saw it for the first time in high school, and didn't really get it.  My friend told me it would make more sense the more I saw it...so I watched it again.  And again.  And now I'm addicted.

"Please let me keep this memory, just this one..."

 

It kind of messes with your mind the entire time.  If you don't pay attention, you totally miss important elements.  At the same time, even if you watch closely, there is so much going on you pick up something new every time you watch it.  It's a beautiful movie, and makes you really consider your own memories.  One of the quotes floating through Blogger/Tumblr/imgfave/etc, something to the effect of: "Never have any regrets, because at the time, it's what you truly wanted" rings true, especially when Joel starts realizing he doesn't want his entire mind erased.  

Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet are fabulous.  Watching Jim Carrey play a completely different character than he does in most other movies was refreshing. 

"You can get them out of your head.  Getting them out of your heart is another story."

 

The soundtrack is beautiful too.  The movie is sad, romantic, funny, though-provoking...everything.  If you haven't seen it, watch it.  If you have seen it...watch it again, and see what you find.  You might even realize something about yourself.

Day 2!

DAY 2: Make a bulleted list of everything that happened in your day  

• Woke up at 9.ish. More like 9:30.
• Received a text from Link about cookies
• Ate breakfast and watched the office with Liz
• Decided that I'm giving in, and over break, I'm going to start watching the office...meaning I have to catch up on 7 seasons worth, (who wants to have a marathon?)
• Played a Sporcle game with Liz that involved a lot of 80s music...I got about 3 or 4, she got the other 27, (out of 50 total.)
• Warm up with Conor for my lesson.
• Have said lesson...screw up royally on two measure of Kennan.  TWO measures.  We had to rehearse just that several times...buh.
• Marching Band elections...
• Dinner with Anna & Co.
• Start/Finish my paper due at midnight 
• Go to the Falls to see Q AND SOLER!
• ...which snaps me right out of the HORRIBLE mood I was in after band
• Return to my apartment 
• ...where there was a dance party taking place!
• ...that I skipped out on because I started feeling sick again :(
• Bed
  

50 day challenge?

50 DAY CHALLENGE: Stolen from Nemer, who stole it from some one else.  I have myself pretty much convinced that I can't do anything every day-I give up to easily.  But since I'm online so (unhealthily) often, I figured this was a good place to start and stay dedicated to something.  
(I'm making today Day 1, skip the list to see it at the bottom.)



DAY 1: Introduce yourself  
DAY 2: Make a bulleted list of everything that happened in your day  
DAY 3: Your favorite movie  
DAY 4: A photo of you taken over ten years ago  
DAY 5: A letter to your Crush  
DAY 6: List of what you ate today  
DAY 7: A YouTube video you find funny  
Day 8: A photo of you taken recently  
Day 9: List some of your favorite Tumblrs (Bloggers?)
Day 10: A letter to the person you hate most or caused you a lot of pain  
Day 11: Share your favorite recipe  
Day 12: We want to see your teeth today / Post a self-portrait  
Day 13: Whatever tickles your fancy  
Day 14: A song from your childhood  
Day 15: A letter to someone you wish you could meet  
Day 16: Provide pictures of 5 celebrity crushes  
Day 17: A photo that makes you sad  
Day 18: Set or share a goal  
Day 19: Whatever tickles your fancy  
Day 20: A letter to Someone that changed your life  
Day 21: Your favorite television program  
Day 22: A photo that makes you happy  
Day 23 Share one of your current favorite tunes  
Day 24 Time to face morph / http://morph.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk//Transformer/  
Day 25: A letter to someone you judged by their first impression  
Day 26: Favorite books  
Day 27: A talent of yours  
Day 28: Favorite Places to shop   
Day 29: Provide the HEX code of your favorite color /http://www.febooti.com/products/iezoom/online-help/online-color-chart-picker.html  
Day 30: A letter to the friendliest person you knew for only one day  
Day 31: Whatever tickles your fancy  
Day 32: A photo you took  
Day 33: What you’re craving right now  
Day 34: Your favorite quote  
Day 35: A letter to an ex  
Day 36: Some hobbies of yours  
Day 37: A song that you like to dance to  
Day 38: A photo of your parent(s)  
Day 39: Zodiac sign and do you think it fits your personality  
Day 40: A letter to a deceased person you wish you could talk to  
Day 41: Whatever tickles your fancy  
Day 42: Bad habit(s) you have  
Day 43: A picture of your favorite place in the world  
Day 44: Something that fascinates you and why  
Day 45: A letter to yourself a year ago  
Day 46: Photos of personal things in your life (pets, family, house, ect)  
Day 47: Birthday wish list  
Day 48: A photo of you right now  
Day 49: Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days  
Day 50: A letter to your reflection in the mirror

DAY 1-12.9.10-Introduce yourself 

You probably already know all about the loud, Italian, talkative me.  But maybe there's a bit more.

I talk a lot most likely because I'm nervous.  I also HATE silence-more than anything, really.  If people stop talking, I'll bring up anything, just to make some noise.  I actually start getting very uncomfortable in the car if I don't have music on.  When I'm home alone, music is immediately turned on, and I do not walk any amount of distance or work out without my iPod.  

I consider being Catholic an important part of who I am, and I find myself talking about religion more often now, but I also find that I'm very uncomfortable digging really deep into it with anybody.  I think I might be deciding that it's the one thing that I don't really want to talk about with anyone else.  Maybe this is because I've been ridiculed so much in the past for it.

I'm afraid of everything...and that makes me so sad.  And more afraid, really, because I'm worried I will never break out of that fear.

I want everybody to like me, and I want to be friends with everybody.  All I want to do is have fun. 

Give me a pool, a beach, and the ocean, and I'm the happiest girl in the entire world.  I dare you find someone happier than me when I'm swimming in the summer.

I'm doing this to prove I can stay committed to a project that isn't instant gratification.  I'm the type of person that only wants to start a project that I can finish in a day or two.  I'm resisting the urge to post the responses to all 50 of these questions right now, (not literally, because that would be pretty lame) and make myself work on a project that's going to take longer than 24 hours.  Good luck to me.

P.S.  I'm starting p90x soon?  I'm terrified. 

Stream of consciousness...

Might be my favorite literary term.  And here. we. go.

Bowl game bowl game bowl game bowl game!!!  I'm so glad everybody came over tonight, it seriously makes me so happy.  I felt crappy for most of the day, (I think the weather not being able to make up its mind is screwing with my sinuses) but the second everybody got here, I felt completely fine.  (I'm back to feel pretty bad, but I think it's because I know I have to wake up at 6:40 tomorrow morning.)  I need to put more water in the penguin.  Yes, that penguin is a humidifier. 
I still have stuff to put away from going home for Thanksgiving.  Thank gosh I'm stay at school until right before Christmas, staying home for 4 days was almost too much.  That sounds so terrible.  I guess I'm just bored there.  There aren't as many opportunities for...anything...there.  And, crazy as it sounds, I think there is less for me to do in East Haven than there is to do at UConn.  I think that's why I'm so scared to leave school, I'm afraid I'll be stuck in East Haven.  Which is strange, because 4 or even 3 months ago, if you asked me, I would have told you I was high-tailing it out of Storrs forever and settling in East Haven, possibly for a long, long time.  How things change.
I think my current theme song is Jimmy Eat World's Kill. 
I wonder how much work-study money I have left, because I definitely need to earn more.
...I still can't believe we're going to Arizona.  During New Years.
Tomorrow starts Operation Get Hot for Banquet/Arizona.  Don't let me go to Store 24 and buy Junior Mints.  Just tell me no.

I need to go to bed.  NIGHT.