A Great Relief

Guys, I did it! I needed 6,667 words to be caught up in NaNo tonight, and I got 6,673 words! That's six more words than I actually needed!

(I did the math on the calculator. I see your mathy-judgy eyes mocking my math skills.)

It's a great relief to be caught up. Naptime!

Cheerleader

I'm three days behind on my novel, and I'm starting to get downtrodden about it. I'm also behind on about two weeks worth of music theory homework (which, at this point, I'm almost ready to just give it up, fail the class, and drop out of college. That's how much I hate this class).

Now taking applications for a NaNo cheerleader.

The Killing Type

Two days behind, and what am I doing? Blogging. And getting ready to go to the store to get some milk so that I can make cornbread tomorrow. It's been weeks since I've had Sunday dinner, and I'm missing it BIG time.

I've been in hard core writer's block all morning. I'm hoping getting out and walking will help my brain decide what to write. After I finish writing/work/music homework, I might treat myself to watching THE BLIND SIDE. Or maybe I'll go see BIELZY AND GOTTFRIED (the fantastically amazing play that my college is putting on) again, dragging fellow NaNo-er and best write-in neighbor Brick.

(Is that her real name? No. But since when have I actually used real names here?)

Last night Brick came over and we had ourselves a nice little write-in, and she showed me a song by Amanda Palmer (wife of Neil Gaiman, one of my heroes) called THE KILLING TYPE. I hadn't realized until that moment just what the main character was like until I heard this song, because this song was someone talking to my main character, and it was revelatory. This is going to be a very interesting story, because it's going to be my main character's story about the other character. Kind of a mix between THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER and THIRTEEN REASONS WHY.

Maybe before I make this comparison, I should actually finish reading THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER.

I've Gone Crazy

Nope, really, I have.

On top of a full load of classes (which I can't even keep up with now), two jobs (in which I am VERY behind), and the buddings of an active social life, I have decided to do Nano. No, not the iPod. The National Novel Writing Month.

Heaven help me.

Clan

Guys, I have a social life!

No, no, really, this is a real-life social life, not me hanging with my roommates on Sunday nights watching GILMORE GIRLS. This is a I-spend-every-weekend-over-at-their-apartment-and-most-weekdays-too social life. It's a group of five of us, loathing at least one of our roommates, and living in Wintry Collegetown together, bemoaning our fate of snow and lack of romantic relationships. And we call ourselves the Clan (a title of my own making, might I add).

Here's my Clan:
Me
Peaches
J
Jossy
Guada

We're very much shipped with each other. Life is good.

If You Had The Chance To Change Your [insert fate here], Would Ya?

Here's a quick lineup of my roommates:
Me (Sassy)
Peaches (my favorite)
Skittles (you met her two posts ago)
Sunshine

About a week and two days ago I took my roommates (plus two members of my Clan) and we went to go see BRAVE for Sunshine's birthday. Now, I had already seen BRAVE over the summer with my mother and most of my younger siblings.

I hadn't liked it.

I don't know why; it was so bland to me. But watching it this second time, I fell in love with it. I'm not going to compare it to TANGLED, because everyone does and I really don't think they're in the same ball park, but it was very good. Extremely good. So good that there is a possibility that I might buy it when it comes out (which I still haven't done for TANGLED. Oops).

Sunshine had a good time, Peaches and I learned to love the movie (she had seen it before and hadn't cared for it, either), and I got popcorn. The dollar theater here in Collegetown is rather amazing.

Snow White And The Huntsman, Pt. 2

This movie made absolutely no sense. WHY DO I LIKE IT.

It must be because it's pretty.

Snow White And The Huntsman, Pt. 1

Roommate (Skittles) and I went to Walmart to get SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN and to eat Subway. It turned out that it was Customer Appreciation Day, and so we got two subs for the price of one. They were amazing, to say the least. We carried them home, and when we got home, I handed Skittles the wrong sub and so she took a gaping bite of mine. She gave me a gaping bite of hers in return.

I've heard that SNOW WHITE is not the best of movies, but I want to watch it anyway. Almost a kind of morbid fascination with terrible movies, I guess. And I want to see the creepy evil queen. Of creep. And evil.

I'll post my verdict here post-movie.

I Love Movies

Guys, I have a lot of movies. And when I say 'a lot', it's more like...

200.

200 movies, guys. And with this next paycheck, I'm going to be getting more (JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, I'm looking at you).

This means wonderful weekends with roommates. I love this.

Brains....

And the return of Zombie Apricot has commenced!

First, let me explain. During the summer (you know, the summer that I was a part-time worker and working about 40 hours a week?) I would come home, change out of my uniform, and plop down on the couch watching CHOPPED and eating whatever my parents* had saved me for dinner. Mother affectionately dubbed me "Zombie". Well, all right, it was less affection some days than utter frustration that I never did my dishes.

(We've already established that dishes are not my strong point)

And it was true. After working for so long during the day, I would come home and join the undead. I'm now joining the undead again. Why? Five classes, two jobs, and not enough time in the day to do everything. May I have naptime now?


*Just on a side note, my parents were AMAZING. They always gave me so much food and made sure that I was taken care of.

I Got My Sprite

First blog from the new apartment! I was here first, so I got to pick the pantry, bathroom drawer, and room that I wanted. Was coming super early and getting up even earlier this morning worth it?

Oh, yes.

Also, on the Sprite topic, I DID get one. I decided to wait and get one on the way up to school, and during the bus's pit stop I went ahead and got one. Much bigger, and cheaper than the airport Sprites, too.

The Results Are In

The Sprite has lost.

Sprite and Airlines

Hey, guys, guess what? I'm traveling!

Yes, currently in the airport, just beginning my layover. Which is two hours. My gosh, I have nothing to do (which is probably why my first response is to drag out my computer and write a blog post). I'm also feeling a tad bit nauseous, and I'm tempted to go buy a Sprite. Unfortunately my craving for Sprite is being countered by SUPERBUDGETME. You know, the side of me that says GOOD GRAVY, APRICOT, SHIPPING ALL YOUR CRAP (read: books) OUT COST YOU $70.00! YOU HAVE NO MONEY! YOU NEED TO SAVE SO YOU CAN BUY YOUR BOOKS AND GET FOOD FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL RECENTLY REMODELED PANTRY. NOW BUCK IT UP AND SUCK A PEPPERMINT.

Admittedly, I did have a peppermint, and it did help. Briefly. Until it was gone.

Sugar always leaves behind a funny aftertaste in my mouth. And a thin film over my teeth that makes me want to brush my teeth over and over again. It never goes away.

Sprite is starting to win the battle. Of course, there are complimentary drinks on the flight (I'm paranoid of hidden fees for beverages on flights, so I've never actually gotten one before). Perhaps I will be brave and get one.

Now for some awesome news. This year I'm flying Southwest Airlines, rather than American Airlines, which is what I usually fly. On AA, there are assigned seats and if you don't get a window seat then TOUGH and hope some people don't show up for their flight so you can move out of the middle of the row. On SA, there are no assigned seats. You get to pick them. Which brings me to a highly competitive and fun race to a good seat.

And guess what seat I got on my last flight?

A window seat.

With the rest of the row all to myself.

So far, I'm liking my plane mojo. Let's keep it going, people!

In Which I Dislike Packing

Packing up all of my stuff gives me so much motivation to do things that normally I don't do. Blog posts being the most obvious example here.

And I really should be packing, because the post office has to close sometime before three in the morning, and I need to get my stuff there to ship out. Which I think I have at least most, if not all, of the stuff I'm shipping out already packed. Right now is mostly small stuff, redoing my clothes suitcase, stuff like that.

My distaste for packing the small stuff is quickly growing.

So Soon

And so the countdown begins! I leave for college again on Sept. 5th, and my last day of work is Aug. 31st. My boss put up next week's schedule (which is my last week), and I saw that I wasn't working on Saturday, and I was all YES, NO SAT 7:30 AM SHIFT!

That quickly turned to ohyeahit'sbecauseI'mLEAVING. And then I almost cried. I've really loved this job.

But then I got happy again because I'm going back to school and I'm going to be a TA this semester, and I have my own room, and I get my frydaddy again! (Affectionately names Small Fry. I've REALLY missed him.)

Right Now I Am Easily Frustrated

Especially because I'm supposed to be an English major and a great writer, but when I try to write something   (like Chapter One of Theoretical Book), my inspiration gets sucked up and I want to tell EVERYTHING and it's a little overwhelming. Maybe I should stop with the background and get straight to the story and add the background as needed. Yes?

Theoretical Book was also supposed to be a humorous story, but it's melted into a drama. How does Terry Pratchett do it, balancing drama with humor? TEACH ME YOUR WAYS!

In case you're wondering, Theoretical Book is a mix between THE WIZARD OF OZ, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

Spiritual Chex Mix

I work really inconvenient shifts at work that start right as I get hungry (because I can't be a normal person and get hungry right when I get up. That would be too easy) and go on until I'm about ready to chomp someone's head off and then my boss sends me on lunch break.

Luckily, I have found a solution to this.

I keep a bag of Chex Mix (the Bold flavored kind) at work, and usually it takes me a week to snack down on it. First I start with those brown chippy things, then the chex, then the breadsticks, and then the pretzels when there is absolutely nothing left to allow me to avoid the pretzels. The brown chippy things are my favorite.

So the other day I was at Walmart buying Chex Mix, and while reaching for a bag I heard choose the right. It took me a little off guard. So, of course, I reach for the left bag, which was the bag I had originally been reaching for. Then that gentle little choose the right turned into CHOOSE THE RIGHT CHOOSE THE RIGHT CHOOSE THE FRIGGIN' RIGHT, DARN YOU! Internal me was all ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT, I'LL CHOOSE THE RIGHT. And so I did. Let me tell you, that bag was the best bag ever, because it was chock full of little brown chippy things.

Moral: Read your scriptures. It'll give you spiritual Chex Mix.

Two for Two

Guys, you know my crap-tastic gimpy knee?

IT CAN TELL THE WEATHER.

No, really, I'm completely serious. Since I figured this out, I'm two for two. My knee can tell me within two days if it's going to storm. With pain. Lots of pain. Pain means rain. Or storm. Or precipitation of some kind. Which suddenly explains why I was a cripple for all of February this year....

Driving and Dentists

It's my day off, and I've spent all morning reading. I plan to spend all afternoon writing. And drawing. And reading some more. Ooh, look, that darn anaphora is back.

I should go driving. I need to get my license in six days. But...it terrifies me. So, like all things that terrify me (namely very long papers about things that I feel I should know but don't, or trying out a new recipe that involves skills that I should know but I don't, or cleaning out that odd-looking bag of pizza that's sitting in the fridge at work that I should probably throw away for someone because I think there's more green than pepperoni), I'm waiting until the last possible moment to do it, when my mother's drive to teach me reaches my drive to learn.

Here's the funny thing about learning to drive, especially when you're over 18: your parents put all the responsibility on you for taking action and learning how to drive, but they don't realize that you are COMPLETELY reliant on them to teach you.

Someone...please...teach me?

The school countdown has begun. Well, it would have if numbers and I had some sort of arrangement where we work together as distant but amiable acquaintances. Instead, it's more like the relationship between dentist and patient, when the patient has five cavities and three root canals, and the dentist just broke up with his girlfriend and wants to punish said girlfriend vicariously through all of his female patients. He takes great satisfaction. You pass out from sheer terror and excruciating pain.

There should be an app for that.

A Very Womanly Blog of Woman Things

Guys, I'm actually happy that it's a new month. This is big. No, really, really, big. Because I haven't been happy for it to be a new month for...at least six months, maybe a few years.

Let me explain. Also, here's my warning: This is a womanly blog post about very womanly things. If you are a man (which I highly doubt, as men have no interest in my blog), or talking about very womanly things makes you uncomfortable, please drop down to the section below the next bolded sentence where I tell you everything is now safe to read.

Beautiful Mother Nature, in all her divine wonder, has blessed me with all the intense blessings of womanhood at the beginning of every month.

And when I say intense blessings, what I really mean is a drop-kick in the vagina.

From the time of junior high I've had intense cramps during my period. At first, over-the-counter pain medications would do the trick for me. Then they got worse. And then I had to use extra-strength Midol. And then it got even worse. And then I had a knee surgery where they gave me Percocet to ease my suffering. Things got better. And then they got so very worse when the Percocet ran out. And the extra-strength Midol stopped working. So I tried Naproxen Sodium (essentially what they use in Midol to kill your pain). And then that stopped working so back to over-the-counter it was. And then my cramps got so bad that they not only lasted for four days and left me curled up on my bed crying and begging for death, they gave me fatigue, nausea, and morning sickness the week before.

Not pleasant. (Just about as pleasant is that paragraph with TWILIGHT-levels of annoying grammar. In my case, non-varying sentence length and the ever-present anaphora).

I decided that enough was enough, and that it was time to go see a lady-doctor (read: gynecologist). Mainly for birth control pills. I had asked around and found that most of my friends already took them, and not only did it help with their cramps, but it also helped with their skin and their mood swings, two things I'm desperately in need of help in fixing.

The gynecologist visit wasn't that bad. Because I'm in Kentucky and I'm not sexually active, my gynecologist (rather, the nurse practitioner that could see me sooner) didn't really have anything to do. So I put the big sheet on, she checked my lady bits, and all was well. I'm not really self conscious about my lady bits, so wasn't that big of a deal to me. I honestly spent more time waiting for her to come back in while she waited for me to dress/undress than anything else. We both knew what I was there for. And she gave it to me: a prescription for a birth control pill and cramping pain reliever.

I have never been so happy.

Also, I think that birth control is a misleading term. It's a hormone pill that women use, honestly, more for non-birth control related things than they use it for birth control. Birth control is just a side effect. This is why politics about it (which include a lot of MEN deciding which medicine a WOMAN should use) irritate me so much. There are no words to express my anger about this issue. Especially now that my well-being is at risk if the legislation of men passes. It means I go back to a week of uncontrollable pain and spending the rest of the month dreading the recurrence of the pain. It seriously takes over my life like that.

But no more, because I have the medicine to fix me! And the insurance to keep getting it! Pain free, blemish free, crazy wacko me free months, here I come!

It is now safe to resume reading this blog. I promise no more discomfort about womanly woman things.


In other words, I go back to school soon! In a month. It actually makes me a little nervous, which is odd because I've been yearning to go back from the moment that I left. I guess it's just taking that plunge of self-reliance in a land that my family is too far away from to really help me if I get into a situation that I need help in.

But I get my own room! And I have a job! And I'm taking a NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE class! And SHAKESPEARE!

Excuse me while I run away to college.

Out of the Mouth of Babes....

[SETTING: APRICOT and LITTLE SISTER cuddle together on the living room couch, watching the Olympics. Currently they are watching the commercials between events.]

VENUS COMMERCIAL: VENUS makes your legs silky smooth! [Cue footage of silky smooth legs]

LITTLE SISTER: [Reaches over and feels APRICOT's leg]

APRICOT: [Alarmed] What are you doing?

LITTLE SISTER: {Referring to razors] Yep, you need that.

BLAME IT ON MY A.D.D., BABY

I am obsessed with "Sail" by AWOLNATION. Obsessed. As in I'm-texting-one-of-my-best-friends-the-song-lyrics-every-three-seconds obsessed.

It is amazing.

And it's scary how much I relate to it at this moment.

Also, I'm growing out my hair. I think I look like I belong in a boy band, but everyone else says it's adorable.  Bobby pins are my best friend! I'm using them to make my hair look like I have an asymmetrical cut when really it isn't.

SAIL.

It Gonna Be What It Gonna Be

Hey, kids. Short message today.

This whole 'I'm going to blog every day!' thing? Yeah, that's off. It's not working out, and just makes me feel guilty and wanting to stay away from the blog. So I'm going to blog when I feel like it, about things that I feel like blogging about. Not that I don't already do that.

Some of you have asked about specific things you would like to see on my blog (sketches, writing, etc.). There's going to be a FAQ coming up about those soon.

Any more questions that you want answered?

Work Hard, My Friends

Let me tell you, folks. Working is not as easy as my friends make it sound.

But I love every minute of it. Except for the creepy old men that keep flirting at me (I work at an auto parts store, it just comes with the territory. But still. It's creepy).

I had this big blog thought out, but as soon as I got on here it all disappeared. I know as soon as I get off of here, it's going to come back to me, but that's going to have to wait for another day (a much later day, as, starting tomorrow, my internet at home will be nonexistent for a bit).

Work hard, live right, and pick up your smile at the door.

Another Day Bites the Dust

Only the second day of my writing challenge, and I missed my deadline. No 1500 words today for it. Tomorrow, though, I will complete my task!

I Will Always Have Cats

It is at this point that I realize that my furniture will always have small holes in it, because I will always have pets (read: cats).

The Night Circus

Guys, I just finished reading The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. This is what I have to say about it:

GO. READ. THIS. BOOK.

NOW.

The Writing Challenge

Remember that whole 1500 word goal that I'd said I was going to do?

I haven't done it.

But, at the request of some very dear readers, I have decided to rededicate this challenge. And, to keep me on track, I'm sharing these daily writings with you. I even made a blog for it. Yes, a blog. Have you noticed that I'm a little obsessed with making new blogs?

Anyway, here it is. My 1500 words-a-day writing challenge.

Disclaimer: These writings will be totally and completely unedited. And while some days are going to be works of art, most of the days will produce works of utter crap. You have been warned.

Take Me to England. Now.

I have been informed that the arts in England are not nearly as separated as they are here. As in, it's quite common for movie stars to be in plays and the like.

How do I feel about this?

TAKE ME TO ENGLAND. NOW.

Honey, I'm Ho-ome!

Ah, my readers, how I have missed you!

I'm going to pretend there was a collective "I missed you, too, Apricot!" from you, darling readers. Let me pretend. And...end moment.

I know, you're all dying to know what I've being doing.

Other than seeing The Avengers twice? Oh, not much. 


Let me list it out for you:

1. I got me a job. I work at Advance Auto Parts in the city I live in.

2. We're moving to a different house in the city.

3. I've been out going to my singles ward. It's been...interesting. Fun. But interesting.

4. Bemoaning that one of my best friends is in England without me (read all of her adventures here).

5. Deciding what I want to happen in my life (read: BOYS. I DISLIKE DATING. IMMENSELY).

6. Missing my readers, but not knowing what to say.

But my block is over, the first step has been taken, my streak is back on. Watch out, readers, because life is about to get fun.

Dresses!

Dresses to me are like puppies to other people: pretty irresistible.

So what do I do? Get myself hooked on Say Yes to the Dress.

Yay, dresses!

Um, People? The Avengers.

Before I forget, I should let you know that I went to the midnight premiere of The Avengers.

I'm still fangirling over it. Excuse me while I swoon over Loki and Hawkeye.

I Got Bettah

It's been a rough week, you guys.

Our dog, Remy, got sick. Really sick. To the point that we thought he was going to die within a couple of days sick. Goods news: He's going to live! Bad news: He's going to lose an eye. But Fitz and I are currently making a pirate patch for him, so that he can be a fierce pirate pooch.

Any good wishes or general prayers sent in Remy's direction would be greatly appreciated. We're hoping to get his surgery in tomorrow (Monday).

The Help

That's right, my readers, I have (finally) seen The Help. Cue Southern drawl.

Whenever I watch a fabulous movie like this one (read: Steel Magnolias, etc.) I always want to start talking like the characters in it. It helps that I'm actually from the South, and I can pull it off. The problem comes with my dear mother, who hates it when I mimic accents like that. She's used to my unaccented mimic.

I pity the people who room with me during school. They get no reprieve from my accent addiction.

Anyway.

Thought you all should know that the voice in my head is not British. It is that Deep South drawl.

I'm not really sure what the point of this post is. It had one when I was writing it in my head, but I seem to have lost it. Loved The Help. Now I'm thinking/talking in the accents. I know too many people who are going to Britain without me. This should be rectified. That is all.

1,500 Words

All of you who know me know that I am, by nature, a creator of stories. I love molding worlds, and characters, and storylines into greatness. I used to be able to sit down at a computer and crank something out, no matter how terrible it might have been. Lately, though, I am completely stumped the minute I try to write something. 

So here's my summer goal to better myself. Every day (starting tomorrow), I am writing 1,500 words.Per day. Yeah, I went there. No, it's not Camp NaNo yet.

 For now, it's going to be working on a new story. Hopefully, by cranking out these words I'll at least get back into the knack of writing. And it's training for when Camp NaNo comes around.

I'm now taking applications for cheerleaders and potential readers.

This Lady is Working Hard

I'm feeling pretty darn important right now. At the moment, I have two companies to work for (part time); they both have hired me.

I might be dropping one.

At first I was going to work both jobs, which, on top of my other two, would mean four jobs this summer. That's a whole lot of job working. Of the jobs that have hired me, one of them seems pretty dang perfect: it's close, they're willing to give me more hours, and they absolutely no problem with giving me Sundays off. A dream job. The other job, however, is in a clothing store in the mall, a place I've been wanting to work at. So do I give up an amazing job for social hour?

The more I think about it, the more the amazing job feels like the right thing to do.

Wish me luck!

What has been your favorite place to work? Was it because of the company, your coworkers, or your customers?

Seasons of Love (of Shows)

Watch out, Chopped, you've got some competition!

I'm now hooked on a new show called Frozen Planet. I feel like it's the perfect show for days like today: hot, humid, cloudy. In winter, though, I don't know if I'd like it so much. I'm either going to shiver on my couch, watching the obscene amounts of snow flurry past my window, or I'm going to pretend I'm a polar bear as I walk to class.

I'm leaning towards the polar bear. Fitz is not amused.

Do you have shows that you like one season (as in Spring, Fall, etc.), but dislike in a different season?

Movie Night!

Scary movies aren't as fun when people are talking all the time through them.

Normally, I don't like scary movies. Fear = adrenaline = nausea, which does not make for a happy Apricot. I would much prefer a psychological thriller that messes with my head than something that makes me afraid to look in the mirror.

It's ironic that my favorite show is Criminal Minds.

Whenever I watch a scary movie, I always have to watch something afterwards in order to get over any lingering fear. And then I change the music I listen to that night (I always listen to music when I go to sleep) to something that will distract me from my fear. If possible, I make sure not to be the last one to go to sleep.

Now, there are exceptions to every rule:
-The Others
-The Eye
-The Village

Note that none of those are really that scary.

Now for some of the movies that will never, under any circumstances, watch again:
-Insidious 
-Darkness


Your turn. What scary movies (if any) do you like, which ones do you hate, and how do you get over your post-movie fear?

On Chocolate

I don't have a sweet tooth, especially for chocolate. What's the big appeal?

Tell me why you love chocolate in two sentences or less.

Miss Representation

I'm watching Miss Representation, a documentary about the misrepresentation of women in America, especially in the media.

Can I curl up and cry now? Because being a woman in America sucks. A whole lot. Especially if you're trying to do something with your life, like becoming something other than a sex toy.

I remember growing up and learning about the presidents, and asking my mother if girls were allowed to be presidents. Yes. Yes, they are.

So, girlies, rise up. Don't let yourself be defined by the ways that the world defines a woman, because they suck, and they're ruled by men (honestly, statistically, they are. I'm not making this up). You are beautiful, I am beautiful, and I'm not just saying this because of the generic lies that do not hide the true meaning of the companies that produce trash that throw us through the mud. They may tell us we are beautiful, but they don't mean it. I mean it.

We have to change this world, one girl at a time.

The Very Tired Post (and $30 Bills)

I am very tired, it is very late, and so tonight you get the very tired blog. Which basically consists of me talking about how tired I am.

There was a $30 bill in my dream last night. It took me most of the day to find that odd and realize that they don't exist. Funny how things seem so normal in dreams.Now my life goal is to make a $30 bill.

Also, I have a job interview tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Smiling Profusely

My first time going to Johnny Carino's:

Waiter: Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya.
Friend: I'm sorry, I don't have six fingers.

Nights like this make me smile profusely.

Food Network Loves Me

The caterer's never get very far in Chopped. Still, there's always one in every few episodes that thinks that they can make it.

Yup! The caterer on the episode I'm watching right now was the first to get chopped.

I don't think that I can express how much I love this show. It is my favorite show by far, and one of the shows that has taught me the most about cooking. And it's on all the time on Food Network! Food Network loves me!

Problems Rapunzel Never Had

For the past few months I've been wondering whether or not to cut my hair. I love having my hair this short, but I kind of miss long hair. So I'm growing it out, donating it, and then cutting it this short again. This is a good plan.

Strawberry Poptarts

I am eating a strawberry poptart. Right now. As in at this moment I am chewing and chomping away on sugary deliciousness (I'm so sorry, salt! I had to do it! I promise it's only a phase! ...A monthly phase!)

I would like to take the time to express how wonderful my father is (he is the one that saw my post on Facebook and stopped on his way home from work to surprise me with said poptarts). And I also want people to know how much I love strawberry poptarts. I'm choosing this poptart over salt.* They are sweet sugary-ness that proves that, yes, I am human. And a woman. A very womanly human.

Nom.

*For those of you who were not aware, I love salt more than life itself. I'm addicted to salt like some people are addicted to sugar. It is my dream to get one of those salt wheels and just sit down and lick it. I eat salt straight like that.

What Happens When I Make Plans

Nothing today has gone according to plan. I haven't even written anything! My writer's block cropped up, and now I'm in AZ (Artist Zone)! Which is good for my creative juices begging me to let them loose, bad for those job applications that I can't even fake filling out online when I have my open sketchbook in my lap instead of my computer. And then I played the piano for the first time in months, which made my hands super sore.

Maybe I'll leave the couch sometime tonight.

Creativity!

Morningness!

Good morning, my lovelies!

Today I'm planning on going and applying at a call center that I've heard is bound to hire me. If not, it's back to calling temp agencies and fast food applications (I have nothing against fast food, but my heart is directed more to retail). And I'll be applying to FAFSA and other various scholarships. Wish me luck!

Also, more stories are going to be written, including a flash fiction involving disappearing ink. I have no idea what's going to be happening with that one, but it's flash fic, my forte.

I am completely hooked on Florence + The Machine's song "No Light, No Light". Completely. Florence + The Machine's songs/videos/songs+videos always inspire me to write.

Does this post seem like a mish-mash of too many thoughts, none of them fully developed? Welcome to my brain. It's too early in the day to care about editing for fluidity and coherence.

May the day be always for your pleasure!

Rejuvination

Job hunting is driving me absolutely bonkers.

After this last semester, I didn't want to so much think about writing a word (which is why this poor blog has been neglected). I've been wanting to create new stories, though, and I finally have the inspiration! My good readers, I am writing again! My passion is reignited! My love for the printed word reigning over my fatigue!

If you could send a word of encouragement, whether about the job hunt or the writing, it would be greatly appreciated.

Callooh, Callay!

Yesterday I filled out applications until I couldn't feel my hand anymore. Statistically, someone's bound to hire me.

Today I got a call that a store wants me to come in tomorrow for an interview. Such a sweet blessing! Wish me luck, everyone!

Summah Summah Summah!

Forgive me, dear readers, for not updating. I was on a cross-country journey home. A fantastic journey, I might add.

School is over. I failed a class (and I'm going to be retaking it.) Quite honestly, I'm glad I didn't pass, because I know I wasn't ready to pass that class. And it was HARD. I gave up and died at the end of this semester (I curse you, winter track with no spring break!).

And now I'm home, and I have five months to work my butt off. Going job hunting tomorrow! Mostly because the idea of staying home and lazing about like I did last summer bores me to tears.

And I'm finally in a state that doesn't threaten snow every other day! Victory!

Finals

DEATH TO THE FINAL GODS!

One Excited Chica

I've got plans for summer that I'm looking forward to immensely. Some friends and I are deciding to be roommates next Fall Semester.

I am one excited chica.

The Proposal

I do love this movie.

April Fools

So I've decided to shave my head (getting SO tired of trying to manage my hair). Pics soon!

How My Paper is Coming Along

I curse the English gods!

And also the procrastination gods. Maybe the YouTube gods. Definitely the recipe-blog gods.

My Internal Psyche is Talking To Me Again

Why are you blogging? You have a twelve-page paper to write (due at 2), and you didn't pull an all-nighter as planned! Get back to work, lazy bum! No shower for you if you don't finish!

Alright, maybe a shower before, but only so your spiky hair stops distracting you, and so you can think up new ideas for your paper! Now make up your mind and get to work! Oh, and get some food! Your brain is tired of running on empty!

If at First You Don't Succeed....

....all-nighters may not be for you.

Last night's failed. Trying again tonight!

This paper WILL be written!

Finals Week

The week that I wake up with  my hair sticking up making me look like a chicken. And I don't care.

I'd like to apologize now to anyone who sees me in public.

Oh, the Places You'll Go (to Sleep)

The couch is my favorite place to sleep.

The Hunger Games

Gracious roommate took me to see The Hunger Games on Saturday. 

One word: AMAZING. 

Were my favorite characters the main characters? Of course not. I was in love with President Snow, Caesar, and Seneca Crane. And Effie. Well, mostly Effie's face. I also really like Clove, the knife-throwing girl. Gale was amazing, Peeta was spectacular, and Katniss...well, I've always thought that Katniss was selfish and manipulative (but I guess the Games make you that way). So I didn't not like Katniss any less than in the books. 

So roommate and I are loving the movie, loving the after-movie-awesomeness feelings, and we start the walk home. On the walk home two very humorous things happen: 

1. We walked past a dog held back by its owner that looked like the mutts in the arena. We walked very carefully around them. 

2. We heard what sounded like a canon shot, and anxiously looked up to see the picture of the fallen tribute. 

Hunger Games. It'll mess with your mind. 

Please Forgive My Inevitable Tardiness

Maybe trying to make up for missed blog posts is too much. Let's try this again....

Tooth Fairies Aren't For Adults

The most popular topic I've been seeing around is The Hunger Games. The second most popular topic has been wisdom teeth.

This strikes me as odd. 

Maybe it's just my internet friends reaching the age where wisdom teeth are starting to become a problem. They've never really been one for me. Here's my wisdom teeth story:

The last time I got my teeth checked out, they took an x-ray of my teeth. My brother (the next sibling after me) was also getting his teeth cleaned/x-rayed. The nurse/attendant/people were pretty excited after looking at my x-ray, and they eagerly showed it to the dentist. He got excited, too. And then they saw my brother's x-rays. They went bonkers. 

My brother and I both have only three wisdom teeth. Having one patient with three wisdom teeth is pretty rare, I guess, and finding a brother-sister duo with that is even more rare. Apparently my mother gave birth to three-wisdom-teeth-babies. Needless to say, I was greatly amused by how excited everyone got. It would have made me giggle, had I not had that annoying sucky-hose in my mouth.

And that's my wisdom teeth story. They're still in my mouth. The dentist said I should wait before getting them pulled. My mom still has hers. Maybe I never will. *Flippant shrug*

Oh, and tooth fairies don't care how many teeth you give them after you start growing up. They still won't give you money for them. For this, I continue to eye them maliciously. 

My Apologies

Each day that passed by without me blogging was a "Oh, dear, now I have to do TWO blogs to make for it!" And it wasn't too bad.

Until it started being more than two.

So now I'm restarting (and crossing my fingers it works this time). I need more interesting things to talk about. Suggestions, anyone?

Today = Success

I ate
-Subway
-Dairy Queen Blizzard

I bought
-2 potatoes
-3 onions
-6 eggs

I also made my roommate laugh. Victory.

Terrible

I really am terrible at writing in this thing every day, aren't I?


At least I write enough blog posts to make up for it!

Oh So Pretty

I went to a Mary Kay party thing tonight. Several good things happened.

1. I found a foundation to match my skin tone. Do you know how hard that is to find? Extremely. And it has been found.

2. My skin looks and feels better than I have ever remembered it feeling. Thank you, moisturizer!

3. The woman leading the demonstration told me that I would have the perfect personality to sell this stuff. Which I am considering doing. Pretty seriously.

And now for something that didn't happen at the Mary Kay party.

I had my second conducting test in my music class today. I conduct the song, go sit down, and my professor says that I "have a kind face" that is "always smiling". That completely made my day.

I feel pretty, I feel happy, and I got to talk to my mother for over two hours. It's been a rather fantastic day.

The Kingdom of Ugggggggh

Sometimes hormones can be wonderful things.

This is not one of those times.

A Little Bit of Sunday Slack

You may have to forgive me if I regularly forget to blog on Sundays. I spend so much time burning my eyes out during the week, I try to look at my computer as little as possible. Instead, I read good books. And go make Key Lime Pies with my friends.

Saturdays

These are the days that I swear I'll do homework.


And then I never do.

Thor

The movie that most assuredly keeps its lady viewers in mind.

Level of Productivity

It doesn't exist after 5 pm. I keep trying to convince myself that I'll do homework after that time, but all I do is watch Chopped on Hulu. Which makes me want to cook. And then I have to eat what I cook. And then I watch Hulu while I eat (probably more Chopped). It's an endless cycle.

I'm an Old Lady

No kidding. I kept slipping and sliding on the ice, and twisted my gimp knee. And my hip hurts when I walk.

Oh, cruel world! Next I'll be seeing the gray hairs!

Fail....

I haven't been blogging for two days! No! So soon is the futility of my endeavors shown!

So I could either write three blogs today to make up for lost information, or I could just keep on going from here. I think I like the three blogs things better.

Alas!

I didn't get accepted into this year's NULC. Sad day. On to better writing so that I can get in next year! Huzzah!

*Starts scribbling furiously for next year's submission*

I am an Impatient Person

About a month ago I sent in my submission for the National Undergraduate Literature Conference (NULC). They said that on Feb. 28 (ooh, look, that's today!) they would send me an email telling me whether I got in or not. Today is that day. There is no email yet.

Fitz is starting to worry about my constant pacing and overly repetitious listening of dubstep.

What No College Kid Should Live Without

A rice cooker. And a 20-lb bag of Jasmine rice.

Poor Roomie

She doesn't realize that I blog-stalk when I'm bored.

Netflix is my Friend

I was going to post today, but thought "I just posted yesterday (multiple times), no one wants to hear me today". And then I remembered that I decided to post every day.

I started watching Firefly with my roommate and our friend. Other than the first episode being the full length as a Sherlock episode, a couple main characters with terrible acting (pfft...men), and a couple awkward moments with a space hooker, it's pretty good. I'm really excited to watch it again tonight.

What else am I watching, you ask?

-Gargoyles. Ah, '90's nostalgia, curled up with amazing growl-y sound effects, fashionable mom-jeans, and tactful wit that modern cartoons lack. And one of my favorite theme songs of all time.

-FullMetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. And here my nerdness comes out. I love the idea of this show, the execution of this show, the theme songs, the animation, the character development...the only thing that I don't like about this show is that it only has three seasons, and then it's done. And I'm on season 3.

-Lie to Me. Even though it's been a while since I've watched this, I'm still watching it. I took a breather from it so that I could it enjoy it for as long as I could. They cut the show off after three seasons (what's with me and shows with only three seasons?).

-Young Justice. Except, oh, right, it's taking forever for that show to air new episodes!

-Dr. Who. Only occasionally. It's one of those shows I can only watch in short spurts. Probably because it's not a casual watch--understanding takes all of my attention.

-Once Upon A Time. I'm really behind on this show, but I love it. At first it was so cheesy, but now it's so dark and twisted and complex that it's like metaphorical candy. I adore Rumplstiltskin.

-Criminal Minds. I'm behind on this show, too. What I love most about this show is its character development. Especially Reid's. Fangirl giggles.

And now for the show that I'm looking the most forward to watching:

-Avatar: The Legend of Korra. Jeez, Louise! I can't wait for this show to finally air! I have high expectations from it, but from what I've glimpsed, this show is going to be so amazing.

Today I Bought "Beetlejuice"

I might have a slight obsession with Winona Ryder. Especially in Tim Burton films.

A Blog Post A Day....

I've had this dream. Always. Always being ever since I saw Julie & Julia for the first time. I've always wanted to be able to post every day and have it be meaningful and entertaining. I was born wanting to entertain people.

My problem?

I have nothing to say. Really. My life is kind of boring. I wake up, I go to school, I procrastinate homework, I watch Netflix, I go grocery shopping every week.

I have no idea what to blog about!

Here's my idea list:
-My dreams
-The current paper I am writing
-Whatever I learn in school that day
-Any movies I've seen recently, or that I really want to see
-More adventures with Fitz the Owl
-Any wacko dreams I have
-My current favorite book/song/artist/movie/TV show
-The books I read in general, especially for my YA Lit class
-Any new recipes I've tried out and liked
-The week's sales at the store
-All of the above

Hmm...maybe I do have something to blog about. But if you have any ideas, please comment them! Anything that you want to read about specifically, because, honestly, I pretty much write this for you, my readers.

What do you want to know about the secret life and times of Apricot?

Julie & Julia

This movie always makes me want to blog. And cook.

Writer at Heart

Sometimes I forget that I'm a writer at heart, and I make things harder than they have to be.

Maybe it just takes me time to get back into the writing gist after a while without having written. And by a while, I mean a couple of days.

One of Those Days

It's time for a shower. A very, very long shower.

And a magic gnome to finish my paper.

FYI

Any quarrels with roommates will probably be because, start with, and result from the dishes.

Friday Night Fitz

I enjoy Friday nights. Fitz and I get to hang out after everyone else has gone to bed (which is surprisingly early). I watch a few shows, he sits on my shoulder and picks off bread crumbs from the heavenly bread I baked with him.

Marathon

I got all three "Lord of the Rings" movies from the library.

Guess what I'm doing this weekend?

Is it Friday? Is it Really, Truly Friday?

I had the BEST dream last night!

In my dream, I was with Sherlock while he was solving one of his crimes. This guy (who looked remarkably like the cab driver from 'A Study in Pink') had friends who were hallucinating, and Sherlock told him that if you're hallucinating, you see something move out of the corner of your eye. And then we all saw something swoosh by out of the corner of our eye. Eventually we saw it. It was a green rabbit. Or rather, someone dressed in a green rabbit costume. Kinda like Donnie Darko...but not trying to warn anyone of the coming apocalypse.

So we end up back at my house and stuff happens and people leave, and Sherlock is still there. And (here's the best part) he starts laughing. He's really good-natured and quite funny. There was that part where he was all like "I know you like me a lot, but you know we can't be together." (While he's hugging me, by the way. His coat is very comfy.)

And I'm all like, "Yeah, because of John."

And he looks surprised and goes "What? No. It's because I don't like anyone that way."

So we were all happy and laugh-y and he offered to do my dishes because it was the polite thing to do. Then something happened outside and we went down and John was investigating a corpse in the street or something so they met up with each other again and none of us ever saw the green rabbit again.

So that's my dream. Or, at least, what I can remember about it.

Time for breakfast on a fantastically beautiful Friday morning!

Do I Have To?

Hey, Fitz. How ya doin'? Oh, you hate my paper, too? Yeah, so do I.

Burn the Essays!

I really love analyzing literary works. I just hate writing essays about them.

I really hate reworking my essays, because nothing ever sounds good when I'm writing "professionally" and want to describe my ideas on paper. And I hate reading my own work. Once it's on paper, I never want to see it again. I'm quite willing to burn it.

I wish I could burn this one. It's due on Monday, and I'm supposed to have a draft done by...well, it was actually supposed to be for last night. But, of course, I got on the computer and wasted my entire day by not actually working on it.

So now I'm scrambling to rework it when I still have no clear idea of what I want to say, and nothing seems coherent, and I wish I didn't have to worry so much about not writing in first person and just spill it on the page like I was supposed to the first time, but kinda half-jobbed that, too. And I have a bajillion books to read, and a bajillion and one other essays that are going to be due soon, and my brain is about to blow.

So here's my proposal - I quit school and become a hermit living in a library. I could work there, I could eat at the cafe there, who needs to be anywhere else? Or I could just save up all my horrendous drafts and BURN them all at the end of the semester! (Ooh, that sounded a bit Azula-ish, didn't it?)

Poor Fitz lost the battle last night. I was going to pull an all-nighter, but finally conked out at 2:30.

Submissions

Nervous, nervous, nervous.

That submit button is there, right there. I should press it. It's due, like, now. I can't procrastinate this any longer.

Push the button!

(Anyone thinking 'Pull the lever, Kronk!'?)

Pushing the button. Simultaneously praying that my piece is good enough to get accepted. Divine intervention would be welcomed.

Sleep Dep, Anyone?

Yes, Fitz, I know that I've been sleeping in, which has given you less time with me. In retaliation, you have been making me stay up later and later. Doesn't that mean I'll just start sleeping in more and more in the mornings?

It seems to me that there could be a better way to do this.

中国新年快乐！

In all of the excitement of imploding zombie-ready brains, I forgot that today was the Chinese New Year!

(Which is a really bad thing to forget, considering my roommate is cooking up a delicious Veggie Chinese New Year feast tonight, in which one of my cucumbers gets to take part.)

We now welcome the Year of the Dragon!

Dead Brain

I've only been through Music 171 (Basic Musicianship (DEADLY THEORY)) and Eng 356 (YA Literature) and my brain is already blown.

Transplants, anyone?

Tumblr

There are a ton of things that I draw digitally these days. Unfortunately, not a lot of people get to see them because they aren't ever "finished" enough for dA (Deviant Art).

I've been considering getting a Tumblr to share such sketchy messes that may or may not ever be finished.

If you guys are interested in following my Tumblr (which has yet to be made), then I'll be sure to post the information for it here.

But you have to let me know if you're interested. Comment, or poll.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

I'm bringin' baldness back
Them other nations don't know how to act
(Yeah)

Sherlock. Again.

I'm still moping.

Probably the Most Serious Post I Ever Want to Post

But it needs to be written.

Last night I dreamed about my Granny (my grandmother on my father's side). She died when I was eight or nine from a brain tumor. She was living with us when she died. That young, I knew that cancer was bad, but I didn't know that it killed people. I didn't realize my grandmother was dying. And then she did. My parents sent my brother and I to spend the night with our other grandmother. All we knew was that we were having a sleepover at Grandma's, and that I couldn't go back to my house to get my stuffed rabbit that I'd forgotten. She died that night.

Last night I dreamed that we were at her house. She was spoiling my siblings and me like crazy (like she always did) and Ben Kingsley was my grandfather (mildly understandable. I've been obsessing over him since "Hugo"). But in my dream, the most important part, was that I got to hug my Granny, and to tell her how much I loved her.

It may sound a bit silly, but I think she had a hand in sending me that dream. I think that, somehow, she got my hug, and that I got one from her. I think that she really was there, that it wasn't just some psychological manipulation by the firing neurons in my brain. It's kinda funny, because I haven't thought about her for a while.

Now I can eat (because everyone knows that if you eat before you tell someone your dream, it won't come true).

A Post of Boredom

I really have nothing to say.

I'm still moping about Sherlock (mostly because a certain someone keeps sending me stuff that sends me on an all-out Sherlock moping trip).

I'm deciding to rewrite a piece for the NULC (National Undergraduate Literature Conference). It's due in five days, so I think this weekend will be a writing-palooza for me. Any editors would be greatly appreciated (comment to volunteer) because my work, as of now, is pretty atrocious. Good beginning, suckish ending, and I could use all the help I could get.

This post is more of a call-to-arms than a post of boredom, isn't it?

Reichenbach Falls

I'm still moping.

Why, Sherlock? WHY?

I love you, John. Keep your chin up!

Mo, how are you going to come back from that? Because you have to?

I've been replaying this, reliving my misery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQyHopjOhGc&feature=related

I keep crying.

I learned not to wear mascara when Sherlock is involved.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

I finally read it! I love it! "Hugo" is in the cheap-o theaters here. I really want to go see it again.

I'm Finally Happy with Fitz

I've heard that you guys can access my blog just fine.

I can't.

This is so weird! My internet is kinda funky up here. I can't get on Yahoo! and I can't get on the main page of this blog...but I can access any other blog just fine. Just not this one. I guess it's because it's my homepage. The internet service's homepage is jealous.

So if I don't update consistently, that's why. It's such a hassle to get to my blog in the first place, some days I just don't feel up to it.

In other news, Fitz and I are getting along splendidly. He lets me get to sleep early (if you consider midnight early), and I give him my mornings (which start between 9:00-9:30 am on sleepy days, 7:30 on any other day). We're both very content.

A Soap Opera Would Be Proud

Fitz and I have spent a lovely break together. He keeps me up until 2 am, and I get to sleep in until 11. I quite like this arrangement.

(Cue overdramatic lighting. Also cue quite dramatic voice)
Now the time has come for him to let me go! I travel on to lands untraveled by intellectual man! I travel on to snowy blizzards and needs for those expensive winter coats! I travel to the land of scarf connoisseurs and suckish Wal-Marts!

I travel without sleep, without companionship, and without snackage! I brave to lengths of space and time zone changes! All for the sake of improving the mind!

So if you're in good ol' Rexxy, let me know. Seriously.

In Which My Mother Turns Me Into A Pre-Packer

For those of you who were readers of my last blog, you probably remember my Panic-Packing-Cycle. Here's a recap anyway:


1. Tell yourself you have a whole day, and that's plenty of time, so don't worry about rushing the packing.
2. Watch a few movies. Or TV. Or read a book. Or play with your cat. Or surf the net. In other words, Procrastinate.
3. Start to think about packing around dinner.
4. Start packing after the kids go to bed and realize you had more to pack than you originally thought.
5. Realize that room in your bag is running out.
6. Panic.
7. Stay up until it's time to go packing. Finish the packing process by the skin of your teeth.
8. Enjoy a well-packed trip!


This is my normal packing habit. I finally accepted my procrastinating packing tendencies, and then what happens! My mother, of all people, turns me into a pre-packer! I don't leave until tomorrow and, with the exception of my clothes that just got done drying, I'm packed. Pretty much completely packed. Sure, I need to zip in my toothbrush and my lipstick, but other than that I'm packed!


Now what am I supposed to do?

'More' Resolutions

I don't really consider these resolutions. I consider them more of a mantra for this next year. Goals, as it were, to keep me happy in life. Which, conveniently, is resolution #1.

Write more                               (Draw more)
Read more                                (Live more)
Love more                                (Laugh more)