TV/Movies: Friend or Enemy?

So I really wanted to listen to this song I had heard on Grey's Anatomy so I muted the tv. Then I felt like I couldn't really feel/hear the song with the tv's images flashing before my face so I turned off the tv. Then when the song was over I thought I really like listening to music, why don't I do that more often? So I continued to listen to this new artist I found (Bon Iver) and so that is what I am currently doing.

This ignited thoughts I have been having a while about tv and movies. Am I too attached or have I made it habitat that when I am home, the tv is on? All I do when I am home is watch tv which makes me like the laziest person ever. I do enjoy using television to relax but I think after 3 episodes of Grey's I should be pretty relaxed. I don't have a hobby or anything else to do though. Hmmm...dilemma, huh?

Another thought I have is the influence tv and movies have on me. I basically for all my life have wanted my life to be like a tv or movie. Who doesn't? I remember once arguing with my dad I had to do something because thats what they did in the movies and he said the movies isn't real life and it doesn't happen like that. I distinctly remembering telling myself that I will make my life be like a movie. Of course I want the romantic comedy kind, not the violent thriller. It has been said that you create your life with your thoughts and actions, so why not have the scenes of a movie take place in your own life. It would be ideal to have the big romantic gestures, the very attractive and well dressed people, and everyone knowing what to say at the exact right times.

Its true what they say, you can't make plans in life. Who knows what will happen. So my plan right now is not to have a plan and hope that my life could have been a movie :-)

Life moves pretty fast. if you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.

So this week will make it 7 months since graduation. Holy shit, how did that happen? My last blog had similar thoughts but that was like 2 months ago and I am still in shock. My life in the past 7 months has been a blur. No day is like any other day which in a way is good. I can never tell a Saturday from a Wednesday unless I am around television with all the football games on. Its weird not to have really weekends any more. I do still get excited about weekend because all my friends who have normals schedules go out on the weekends. I don't want to sound like I am complaining, I am simply observing my abnormal schedule.

The title of this entry is a quote from the one and only Ferris Bueller. However it is how I feel right now. When I look back at the year 2009, the only thing that really stands out is graduation. I did go to California in October so that broke up my mundane schedule. However nothing else stands out. I have photos to capture good times had with friends but there weren't any real adventures had. When I was in Chile I had an adventure almost every day. Why can't I bring in that same curiosity to my life now? I would love to go to plays, concerts, and day trips right here in North Carolina but its hard to break out of my schedule and find people to accompany me.

I will be bringing in the new year in Denver with two of funnest people I know so 2010 will start off with a bang, hopefully. 2009 was just a bridge to the this new life of a non student and hopefully I have crossed that bridge and in 2010 I will be on the other side.

Again, this blog isn't really for entertaining you, but more entertaining myself. Happy Holidays!

Did that really happen?

So as my 22nd birthday approached, happened, and disappeared like writing in the sand I have done a little reflecting of events in my life...

First off I have to remind myself every day that I am 22 years old. I like the number so I hope its a good year. When I was about 6 years old I went to my cousin's wedding, he was 22 when he got married and I thought that was so old so I said that sounds like a good age to get married. Little did I know how not so old it is and 99% it won't be happening this year.

I often have to remind myself that I have graduated college, like seriously...I have a degree? I suppose my daily events aren't a very good reminder of this accomplishment.

Little things remind me of my days in Chile. Just certain songs, or my ability to carry on full conversations in Spanish, or the great memories I have with the amazing friends I made there who I miss dearly. But again, often I have to be like, seriously...I lived in Chile for 5 months? I got a map for my birthday and put it up on my wall pronto because I just love to look at the map of the world and see all the different places I have been or want to go. I looked at Punta Arenas where I went backpacking in Patagonia and I was like "oh my God, I was so close to Antartica!"


Anyways, So little update on my life:

The International Festival is this coming weekend!!! I hope everything goes well. In case you didn't know, I am interning with them and helping with all the planning. Its like my ideal job except I am not getting paid. I should be at the festival the whole weekend so if you go there you should definitely find me! I have no idea where I will be but should have my cell on me.

Taking Risks

So my life is happening whether I like it or not, whether I am fully participating or not. So I have realized I need to make my life happen the way I want it to. I can't just wait around for something to happen. I need to take risks, do things that scare me, take me out of my comfort zone. This way I will experience life and get to know myself more and more each day.

I am somewhat lacking the motivation and ideas of what types of risks to take. So I ask you, what do you suggest I do? Any ideas to make my life more interesting and fun? Keep in mind I am on a small budget and need to plan for any large scale adventure since my "three jobs" keep me occupied daily.

Hope we can share a risk together ;-)

Addendum

Well I may have spoken too soon in that last post. I now have learned that staying at home with my parents is only so relaxing and blissful for the first 48 hours. After that period of time my parents are reminded of my annoying habits and laziness that occurs when I have nothing to do. I was asked to help out while I am home since they are not my servants. Now I understand this of course but I wanted to take advantage of their kindness as long as possible. I am now an adult and have my own household to keep up with so its nice to not have to worry about things like dishes.

Going back to the town where I spent 4 prominent years of my life is bittersweet. After those 48 hours, not only do the chores start, the memories start coming back. As I drive down Zoo Parkway, the 7 miles that connects my country house and civilization, I am constantly reminded of things from my past. The small town of Asheboro is where I found my first love, my best friends, my faith. However I have changed so much since I last "lived" there and when I return, its like visiting movie sets where my life took place but no longer needed for my life's scenes currently. Along with the sets not being the same, the people are no longer there, so its not even close to being the place I once called home.

Everyone says home is where the heart is but what if you don't know where your heart is?

My Country House

So I came to Asheboro last night for a couple of reasons. The main reason is that I have strep throat and I didn't like sitting in my apartment by myself all day. Also I was planning on coming home this weekend since I had time off from work and just wanted to relax for a few days. So now I am on my parents' couch with my dog and cat to keep me company which makes a lot of difference than being in my bed in Raleigh. And of course since I have been in here I feel 10 times better, the moment I am taken care of, the moment I am all better.

Anyways I have now come to the conclusion that Asheboro isn't so bad. Well at least the house I spent my high school years isn't so bad. I now call it my country house because its once place I can come to and be completely comfortable and worry free. In this house where I used to be yelled at for not picking up my things, doing the dishes, or not cleaning my room, I can now lay on the couch all day and not feel guilty about anything because this is now where I come to relax. I really appreciate this house now. My parents already have to make dinner for themselves so whats one more mouth to feed. And since caller id is conveniently on my phone, I can choose when I want to be bothered.

Now you may say my life isn't crazy/busy enough to need a country house but I believe everyone needs a place where they can just recharge and be worry free for a few days. Its good for you!

What are you doing now?

So I get asked this question pretty much on a daily basis. Since I have a college degree I suppose I am expected to be doing something worth talking about. Also, the bank tellers and my customers just like to have small talk and this is the easiest question to ask when you hear I just graduated. I appreciate the interest people have in my life but I wish I had something great to tell them. So I try to put a big spin on it like this.....

My job consists of running around Cameron Bar and Grill, a locally owned restaurant, from 10am-2pm or 5-10ish. I am definitely not just sitting at a desk wasting my energy. I am either serving or hostessing, once in a while I am expo (making sure the food is the way it was ordered and running it to tables) in the kitchen where I get to speak Spanish with the cooks. I say get to because I don't have many other people to practice my Spanish with in my pursuit of being fluent. I like serving and hostessing because I get to interact with people. I can pretty good money at night serving, so I can still pay my bills and go out on the weekends.

So in theory it sounds pretty good... there just isn't much significance to my job and I am in need of a more purposeful life. Therefore I am meeting with someone on Monday to discuss being an intern for the International Festival here in Raleigh, an event I attend ever year. I really hope I get it!

I also just moved into an apartment with my friend from freshman year, Kelsey! So all you Raleighains (I made that up) will have to come visit me! And all of you other kind folk, come visit too and I will make sure to have freshly baked cookies and some sort of alcohol.

I think I am still allowed to blame the economy for the lack of excitement in my career right now? However Jon and Kate divorcing and Michael Jackson dying have taken the stage as the unemployed sit in their living rooms watching these tragedies unfold.

So thats what I am doing now....

Thank you for your patience

I am on hold right now with Progress Energy. Just another joy of being a responsible adult that is moving in two days. I thought the online system of transferring my cable would be simple and easy. So far I see that idea being false. It said I had to pay a $200 deposit to have my power turned on in the new place. But how do I pay it? Anyone know? So now I am on hold, the estimated time was 6 minutes. Its been about 8 minutes....oh yay a person is talking to me. I am back on hold again while she "looks at my account" The point to this blog entry is solely for my entertainment purpose, not yours.

Ok so I found out I can mail in the deposit. I guess I should invest in some stamps if I am going to be this responsible adult kind of person I am going for...

Choices

So since I have graduated college (May 9,2009 to be exact), I have thought about all the choices I have to make now. For the first time in my life I have real choices to make, real choices that will affect my life and I will have no one else to blame if I make wrong ones. Where will I live? Where will I work? What will I spend all my money on? Its quite overwhelming in this unknown territory.

So far, the majority of my life, most of my significant choices were made for me. I did not have to choose where to live, what to drive, what to do with my daily life. College was a choice made based on eliminating other options. For financial reasons, my choice of college was limited to within the borders of North Carolina. I chose North Carolina State University, the largest university in NC located in Raleigh, the second largest city in NC. I mention those two details because thats a large part of why I chose State. I enjoyed my four years there, I believe I would have enjoyed an out of state university more but hey I am a lot less in debt so I guess it all works out.

Now it seems everyone is interested in what choices I have made lately. Well if I could choose to have my life any way I want it, I would be living in a loft in NYC, helping people every day through my career, and living the life I see on TV. Of course thats not happening. Instead I am moving into my one story apartment building on Wednesday, paying for it by tips of Cameron Bar and Grill customers, and "helping" people every day by serving them food that will clog their arteries and their much needed alcohol. But hey, I made choices that have led me to this life. Lucky for me, I still have time to make more choices to start living the life I've imagined.

I shall share the choices I make via this blog so stay tuned :-)