Bats in the Belfry, Cats in the Attic

I see it's been over a month since I've last posted, which is actually less time than I thought. It's probably no surprise that I've been busier than ever. In fact, I've been in a perpetual state of busyness for as long as I can recall. I thought it'd be considerate to give an update because a lot of things are happening this year. The most exciting are my plans for Summer. For two months, from May through July, I will be visiting Cusco, Peru! This will be my first time abroad and the longest amount of time away from home. I will be studying and doing some service work (probably a teacher's assistant at a primary school). I'm going to take a Spanish literature class and a Quechua class. Both will be taught in Spanish. I'll be staying with a host family too! Hopefully, this will be the push I need to finally gain fluency in Spanish. Fluency is a really ambiguous concept anyway. I've been taking Spanish on and off for about seven years, and onl...

After some dedication to growing out my last haircut, I resolved that it was again time to just "cut it all off" when it started to grow into an unruly mullet. I decided to go with a simple and classic pixie. I really liked the one that Anne Hathaway had after filming Les Miserables ,   so I printed it and took it to the stylist. The results:

After the dawn of the year 2013, I made a resolution to create a spiritual journal. A suggestion from a friend a few months previous had put the idea in my head, but I kept thinking how it was a good idea. Although I had never before been able to keep up with journaling, I made the commitment this time. This past New Year's day was the one year mark for my journal, and I don't plan on stopping.  I recently finished a writing pedagogy class, where I discovered why journaling works. You see, writing isn't just a means for documenting thought; it's also a way of learning (epistemic writing). When we write, our thoughts spin out in a web, which allows us to make certain discoveries. Through journaling, which is personal and less-hindered, we are able to make self-discoveries. I had a professor who once said, "reality is a function of language," which to me means that through a shift of view or expression, the world can appear in many different ways. When journa...

Making resolutions are cliche, but I'm going to make a few regardless: I'd like to cook more, and I want attempt to make vegan and vegetarian meals. I'm not a veggie, but a few vegan or vegetarian meals a week is very heart healthy. I need to get outside more. Fresh air does wonders for anyone. (This also means spending less time on the computer.) I'm going to start a spiritual journal, obviously for my spiritual benefit (by tracking my growth and what not). For The New Year in The South, or for my family at least, we always eat black eyed peas and greens (collard, mustard, turnip, I love 'em all!).  It's supposed to symbolize luck and wealth, but I participate in the tradition because I very much enjoy Southern/Soul food. Does anyone else have any New Years traditions to share? Yum! I hope everyone had a lovely end of the year, and may the new year bring you fulfillment and happiness.

     With the new year, I find myself looking forward to many things. I will be starting a university soon, but I am also worried about how I will pay for it. This passed year, my life became a bit stagnant. I did so much studying, that I had barely any time to myself. This year will be different. I want to do plenty of thrifting, DIYing, cemetery picnicking, paranormal investigating, and concert-going. Now that I am 18, I am hoping to visit a club or two (no trashy dub-step playing clubs). :P I am a quiet and introverted person, but I'm thinking I might enjoy some clubs. I have simple hopes for this year, but for right now I'm still focusing on college applications and my quest for a job. The future is soon, but I don't want to wish away my present. Happy New Year, everyone! P.S. I love this song. I used to sing this when I was in a choir.: