I am very happy right now.
By the way, about a week or so ago, I finished reading the Bible. I have read it all now. It took me a year and 5 summers, but I completed the task. So what now? Read it again. Study it. Read those books that some religions don't accept, but mine does.
I didn't know how to read the Bible 6 years ago. I do now, though.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Well, yesterday was my birthday, in case anyone forgot. It was a good day, one of my favorite birthdays. I really have some good friends here. They even cared enough to throw me into the fountain. My roomate took a camera video of the ordeal. Throughout the video, she's yelling stuff like "If you hurt her, I'll kill you." It's pretty funny.
I've learned not to dare people into forgetting your birthday after they say they are going to throw you in the fountain. "You won't remember!" That makes them remember.
Then at Lost night, Rebecca baked me a cake! Yaaay!
Today is a philharmonia concert! Night on Bald Mountain, Bartok viola concerto, and Dvorak 8.
8:00 Ruby Diamond. Be there or be square, yo.
I've learned not to dare people into forgetting your birthday after they say they are going to throw you in the fountain. "You won't remember!" That makes them remember.
Then at Lost night, Rebecca baked me a cake! Yaaay!
Today is a philharmonia concert! Night on Bald Mountain, Bartok viola concerto, and Dvorak 8.
8:00 Ruby Diamond. Be there or be square, yo.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
I was about five years old, and I was chewing gum. And suddenly I wanted to know what that gum was doing to my health.
So I asked my mom, "Is gum good for you?"
"No," she said.
"Is it bad for you?"
"No..." she said.
Hmmm...I thought, if gum isn't good for you, and it isn't bad for you, then it's neutral. It's in the middle.
I started thinking of the food pyramid. The way I saw it, the foods at the tip of the pyramid, in the "sugar" group, were bad for you, and the foods at the bottom of the pyramid, in the carb group, were good for you. Nobody had bothered to explain to me that the pyramid was based on serving size, not nurtitional content. So I concluded that if gum wasn't good for you, and it wasn't bad for you, then it must be in the middle of the food pyramid. What food group is in the middle of the pyramid? The protein group (or, as I knew it then, the "meat" group).
And I asked my mom, "So is gum in the meat group?"
She laughed. She told my dad what I asked. They laughed together. I didn't understand why they were laughing so much. It seemed so logical to me. I explained it to them, but they didn't understand my reasoning. To this day, I still try to explain my reasoning to them, and to this day, they still laugh at me.
Of course, my primary flaw was my incomplete understanding of the food pyramid. But how was I to know, if nobody ever told me? I was given information, and I came to a conclusion based on that information. And it made me sad to be laughed at for reasoning so well.
Luckily for the future generation, the food pyramid is being revised. Mypyramid, it is called, and food groups, instead of being a large chunk of the pyramid, are small strips on the pyramid. There is even a strip for the newcomer food group, the unsaturated fatty acids. I hope this will prevent future misunderstanding of where gum is to be placed in the pyramid.
So I asked my mom, "Is gum good for you?"
"No," she said.
"Is it bad for you?"
"No..." she said.
Hmmm...I thought, if gum isn't good for you, and it isn't bad for you, then it's neutral. It's in the middle.
I started thinking of the food pyramid. The way I saw it, the foods at the tip of the pyramid, in the "sugar" group, were bad for you, and the foods at the bottom of the pyramid, in the carb group, were good for you. Nobody had bothered to explain to me that the pyramid was based on serving size, not nurtitional content. So I concluded that if gum wasn't good for you, and it wasn't bad for you, then it must be in the middle of the food pyramid. What food group is in the middle of the pyramid? The protein group (or, as I knew it then, the "meat" group).
And I asked my mom, "So is gum in the meat group?"
She laughed. She told my dad what I asked. They laughed together. I didn't understand why they were laughing so much. It seemed so logical to me. I explained it to them, but they didn't understand my reasoning. To this day, I still try to explain my reasoning to them, and to this day, they still laugh at me.
Of course, my primary flaw was my incomplete understanding of the food pyramid. But how was I to know, if nobody ever told me? I was given information, and I came to a conclusion based on that information. And it made me sad to be laughed at for reasoning so well.
Luckily for the future generation, the food pyramid is being revised. Mypyramid, it is called, and food groups, instead of being a large chunk of the pyramid, are small strips on the pyramid. There is even a strip for the newcomer food group, the unsaturated fatty acids. I hope this will prevent future misunderstanding of where gum is to be placed in the pyramid.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Did you ever think that people see colors differently? Like, maybe the color that I call blue looks like the color I call red when seen through your eyes. There's no way to ever know unless we actually become a different person. I mean, we are all taught that a certain color is called "brown" or "yellow," etc, and we are all looking at the same thing, but what if our eyes all see the same thing differently? I mean, we all have different favorite colors, what if we really all have the same favorite color, except we call it something different?
One more thing: at one point in my childhood, I seriously believed that my parents were robots. I don't know how I got that notion into my head, but I know that I really really believed it. The things television can teach kids these days...
One more thing: at one point in my childhood, I seriously believed that my parents were robots. I don't know how I got that notion into my head, but I know that I really really believed it. The things television can teach kids these days...
Monday, March 27, 2006
I wrote this before, and it is funny:
I was laying in bed last night, trying to go to sleep, minding my own business, when my brain suddenly goes "Ya know what would be hard? Typing underwater. Especially the way you type." I'm like "Shut up brain, I'm trying to go to sleep" and my brain is like "Kay. Sorry. Won't happen again."
I was laying in bed last night, trying to go to sleep, minding my own business, when my brain suddenly goes "Ya know what would be hard? Typing underwater. Especially the way you type." I'm like "Shut up brain, I'm trying to go to sleep" and my brain is like "Kay. Sorry. Won't happen again."
I have so much to do! I have a lot of time to do it all, but it looks very overwhelming right now. It seems like the more work I do in a given day, the more is left undone. But I always wake up the next morning, and everything looks a lot better. I best not worry, because my Father will guide me through.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Today has been great. I woke up and said good morning to nobody in particular.
I went with three friends to the Tallahassee Museum, which was interesting. They were having a jazz and blues festival there, so we got to heard all kinds of awesome musicians while wandering among the exhibits.
Then we went to the mall, and my friend Jessica got her ears pierced for the very first time. She was very scared, but it was not nearly as bad as she thought it would be. She didn't even flinch.
We tried on some pretty dresses, because that is what girls do. Then we tried on some ugly dresses, because they were funny. Then we ate some ice cream.
I came back and watched a concert by Justin Bird, a truly awesome piano player. The concert was amazing. I am better for hearing it. He played the piano concerto (Proko no. 3) that he performed with philharmonia while I was in it, and I realized how much I really liked that piece. It's amazing.
While walking back to my dorm after the concert, I saw a squirrel on the highest branch of a very, very tall tree. It was an odd sight. Squirrels aren't afraid of falling off trees, but they are afraid to be within a three-foot radius of any person. We must be very dangerous beings.
I went with three friends to the Tallahassee Museum, which was interesting. They were having a jazz and blues festival there, so we got to heard all kinds of awesome musicians while wandering among the exhibits.
Then we went to the mall, and my friend Jessica got her ears pierced for the very first time. She was very scared, but it was not nearly as bad as she thought it would be. She didn't even flinch.
We tried on some pretty dresses, because that is what girls do. Then we tried on some ugly dresses, because they were funny. Then we ate some ice cream.
I came back and watched a concert by Justin Bird, a truly awesome piano player. The concert was amazing. I am better for hearing it. He played the piano concerto (Proko no. 3) that he performed with philharmonia while I was in it, and I realized how much I really liked that piece. It's amazing.
While walking back to my dorm after the concert, I saw a squirrel on the highest branch of a very, very tall tree. It was an odd sight. Squirrels aren't afraid of falling off trees, but they are afraid to be within a three-foot radius of any person. We must be very dangerous beings.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
I'm reading this required book for my race/ethnicity class called Warriors Don't Cry. It's a non-fiction, first-person narrative about the integration of African Americans into a particular white school. And it's very, very depressing. I can't imagine going through all that abuse (the abuse that the African Americans went through). Death threats. House bombings. Rape attempts. Constant verbal abuse. So much more.
How could people have done that? How could people think that something so insignificant--the color of skin--matters so much? Why did that make one person better than another person? Why did everyone think that that gave them the right to abuse another person so much?
I am very glad that we are not in that time period anymore. I can't understand the reasoning behind all the prejudice. I can't understand it--not even a little bit. So if I was living then, I don't know what I would do.
I realize that we have not fully rid ourselves (the nation) of racism, but looking back at the way it was before, I am stunned by how much worse it used to be. And nobody even stopped it. It was OKAY to carry a noose around and threaten to hang black people. It was accepted in society.
This book is having a profound effect on me. I'm having a hard time believing that this really happened once, but it did, and it wasn't even that long ago. The woman who wrote the book is now about 40; she was 15 when all this was taking place. Almost four years younger than me. I can't even imagine...
How could people have done that? How could people think that something so insignificant--the color of skin--matters so much? Why did that make one person better than another person? Why did everyone think that that gave them the right to abuse another person so much?
I am very glad that we are not in that time period anymore. I can't understand the reasoning behind all the prejudice. I can't understand it--not even a little bit. So if I was living then, I don't know what I would do.
I realize that we have not fully rid ourselves (the nation) of racism, but looking back at the way it was before, I am stunned by how much worse it used to be. And nobody even stopped it. It was OKAY to carry a noose around and threaten to hang black people. It was accepted in society.
This book is having a profound effect on me. I'm having a hard time believing that this really happened once, but it did, and it wasn't even that long ago. The woman who wrote the book is now about 40; she was 15 when all this was taking place. Almost four years younger than me. I can't even imagine...
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
I finished Craig's dinner today. Weeeird.
IF YOU EVER PLAN TO READ CHARLES DICKEN'S NOVEL, DAVID COPPERFIELD, ANYTIME IN THE FUTURE (which I doubt includes a large number of my readers), DO NOT READ THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH.
Ugh. David, you were supposed to marry Agnes. Or Little Em'ly, even. But not Dora. You just don't marry people who start crying every time you make a reasonable suggestion and refuse to call you anything but "Doadie." And whose puropse in life is to make the dog stand on its hind legs. Stupid Copperfield. I see hard times in your future because of this decision, friend.
IF YOU EVER PLAN TO READ CHARLES DICKEN'S NOVEL, DAVID COPPERFIELD, ANYTIME IN THE FUTURE (which I doubt includes a large number of my readers), DO NOT READ THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH.
Ugh. David, you were supposed to marry Agnes. Or Little Em'ly, even. But not Dora. You just don't marry people who start crying every time you make a reasonable suggestion and refuse to call you anything but "Doadie." And whose puropse in life is to make the dog stand on its hind legs. Stupid Copperfield. I see hard times in your future because of this decision, friend.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Unveiled makes me feel alive! This is just what I needed. Ahh, why didn't I ever go before? I'm so excited now!
The main speaker reminded me so much of Mr. Jarvis. And the atmopsphere as a whole was so inviting. And I saw so much yellow in the auras! Don't laugh--I couldn't help but see them, staring at the speakers, with very dim lights and and a white background. The room exploded with yellow. (Everyone can and does see auras at times like that, even if they don't know it.)
The only bad thing I could identify was the singing of those stupid pop praise songs with such vaugue lyrics and melodies. Sometimes the lyrics don't even make any sense, just so they can rhyme. With the lyrics projected on a screen, so you don't know what notes to sing. But it doesn't matter, because the song is so simple that after the first couple lines or so, you catch on. Ugh. Give me hymns, guys.
Someone told me that I would get used to those kinds of songs. I don't know--it's going to take a lot of getting used to.
The main speaker reminded me so much of Mr. Jarvis. And the atmopsphere as a whole was so inviting. And I saw so much yellow in the auras! Don't laugh--I couldn't help but see them, staring at the speakers, with very dim lights and and a white background. The room exploded with yellow. (Everyone can and does see auras at times like that, even if they don't know it.)
The only bad thing I could identify was the singing of those stupid pop praise songs with such vaugue lyrics and melodies. Sometimes the lyrics don't even make any sense, just so they can rhyme. With the lyrics projected on a screen, so you don't know what notes to sing. But it doesn't matter, because the song is so simple that after the first couple lines or so, you catch on. Ugh. Give me hymns, guys.
Someone told me that I would get used to those kinds of songs. I don't know--it's going to take a lot of getting used to.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Friday, March 17, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
I didn't practice today, but ya know what? I think it was worth it. Friends are really cool. Good for the heart.
My recital this Tuesday is going to be awesome. I'm playing a piece based on the book "The Little Prince" and my teacher suggested that I read some excerpts before each movement. I am incredibly excited to play. What a good piece.
And finally, finally, finally, I think I am going to Unveiled this Sunday! Finally!
My recital this Tuesday is going to be awesome. I'm playing a piece based on the book "The Little Prince" and my teacher suggested that I read some excerpts before each movement. I am incredibly excited to play. What a good piece.
And finally, finally, finally, I think I am going to Unveiled this Sunday! Finally!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
I somehow managed to get 11 hours of sleep last night, but when I woke up I was angry and in pain. And that continued for a couple hours, so I don't think I learned much in my classes today, but it's better now, thanks to the pain relief efforts of ibuprofen.
I enjoy being a girl (except on select days like today).
I enjoy being a girl (except on select days like today).
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
I registered for my fall classes. I wanted to take astrology for my last science credit, but every offered class conflicts with symphonic band, which I will probably be participating in every semester of college. So instead, I'm taking biology. BOO. At least it's an honors class, which means a smaller class size and a slightly higher intelligence level than the norm (which really isn't saying much...I mean, come on, this is FSU we're talking about).
17 credit hours again, for the third semester in a row. No 8:00 classes, and no flute choir. No complaints here.
17 credit hours again, for the third semester in a row. No 8:00 classes, and no flute choir. No complaints here.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Friday, March 10, 2006
I think I did something good today. More than I can say for most days. Although it's much easier to appear confident than to be confident.
Today I am a teacher;
tomorrow I am a princess!
UNRELATED
I got my oil changed today, and the guy was explaining to me what he was going to the do to the car. He told me something that he wasn't going to do, and said, "You can get your boyfriend or your dad to look at it...or even you!" For some reason, I found that very funny.
Today I am a teacher;
tomorrow I am a princess!
UNRELATED
I got my oil changed today, and the guy was explaining to me what he was going to the do to the car. He told me something that he wasn't going to do, and said, "You can get your boyfriend or your dad to look at it...or even you!" For some reason, I found that very funny.
If I look out a window and see a beautiful sunrise, I will probably notice first how beautiful the sunrise is. I will give no notice to the window.
And yet, if the window wasn't there, I would not be able to see the sunrise. The window allows me to see things that I would not know even existed had it not been there (eh?). I think we should notice and thank windows more.
Thank you, window, for letting me see.
And yet, if the window wasn't there, I would not be able to see the sunrise. The window allows me to see things that I would not know even existed had it not been there (eh?). I think we should notice and thank windows more.
Thank you, window, for letting me see.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
The scales of life are leaning towards the good side.
I had a girls night out tonight with my mom. We ate fondue, and maaaaaaaan was it good. I love my mom.
I also saw Schwindt and Zahn today. It wasn't the first time I've seen them since college, but there was still a lot to talk about. Turns out there's a new, GOOD orchestra teacher at Jackson that is making people care again. Thank goodness. And just in time for the theatre, too.
This spring break has certainly been restful so far. I wasn't kidding when I said I'd practice all day and sleep all night. Ya know, if I didn't have something productive to do all day, I think I'd be pretty bored, and I'd waste a whole bunch of time watching tv and surfing the net and stuff. Good thing Sharko and Finn are here to save me.
I have a good life.
I had a girls night out tonight with my mom. We ate fondue, and maaaaaaaan was it good. I love my mom.
I also saw Schwindt and Zahn today. It wasn't the first time I've seen them since college, but there was still a lot to talk about. Turns out there's a new, GOOD orchestra teacher at Jackson that is making people care again. Thank goodness. And just in time for the theatre, too.
This spring break has certainly been restful so far. I wasn't kidding when I said I'd practice all day and sleep all night. Ya know, if I didn't have something productive to do all day, I think I'd be pretty bored, and I'd waste a whole bunch of time watching tv and surfing the net and stuff. Good thing Sharko and Finn are here to save me.
I have a good life.
Monday, March 06, 2006
My last post was stupid, so I erased it.
Sometimes, I just wish I could tell everything. Just let it all out. All my feelings, my stupid feelings. Tell all the stories--I doubt anyone would even believe me. And nobody really cares, anyway. Not really. I'm a human too--I know how much it takes to really care.
But the ability to keep to myself, to guard these feelings, is one of my greatest posessions, and it would be a pity to lose it. A pity indeed.
Maybe things would be easier if I could cry. Then I would at least feel relieved sometimes. But no. My body refuses to do it. Even in my darkest moments, not a drop of water is called to the eye.
Everything happens for a reason. Have faith, Ashley.
Sorry, guys. I'm really okay. Don't worry. Nothing has happened. Really. I just lose faith sometimes, and it makes me sad.
Sometimes, I just wish I could tell everything. Just let it all out. All my feelings, my stupid feelings. Tell all the stories--I doubt anyone would even believe me. And nobody really cares, anyway. Not really. I'm a human too--I know how much it takes to really care.
But the ability to keep to myself, to guard these feelings, is one of my greatest posessions, and it would be a pity to lose it. A pity indeed.
Maybe things would be easier if I could cry. Then I would at least feel relieved sometimes. But no. My body refuses to do it. Even in my darkest moments, not a drop of water is called to the eye.
Everything happens for a reason. Have faith, Ashley.
Sorry, guys. I'm really okay. Don't worry. Nothing has happened. Really. I just lose faith sometimes, and it makes me sad.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Friday, March 03, 2006
Thursday, March 02, 2006
There's this guy in my dorm that I call Kramer (or is it Cramer?), because
1) He really looks a heck of a lot like Kramer, and
2) He has no qualms about randomly coming into any room at any time. Kinda like Kramer.
He's one of those people that spends all his time going door to door in Cawthon, visiting.
Anyway, this guy knocks on my door today, and I, assuming he is looking for Sarah (they are friends), say, "Sarah is in that room," pointing to my suitemate's room.
"Actually, I was just looking for an inhabitant of this room," he says, "Do you have any juice?"
"Any juice?" I ask.
"Yeah," he says, "Like orange juice, apple juice..."
"No," I say, "I finished my orange juice this morning. Why do you want juice?"
"Because I ran out of juice, and I don't want to drink water."
"So you're just going around and mooching off of everybody else?"
"Yeah."
(I laugh) "Well, I'm sorry, I don't have any juice."
At that time, another girl who lives on my floor walks by. He stops her.
"Hey Lauren, do you have any juice?"
Okay, well, that story wasn't that funny. I guess you had to be there.
We learned about Bossa Nova today in world music cultures, and while we were listening to musical examples, my teacher said "Don't talk unless you have a martinin in your hand."
He also said in the lecture, "I know you're not laughing at me, because I'm not funny."
I'm sorry, guys. This wasn't a very good post.
1) He really looks a heck of a lot like Kramer, and
2) He has no qualms about randomly coming into any room at any time. Kinda like Kramer.
He's one of those people that spends all his time going door to door in Cawthon, visiting.
Anyway, this guy knocks on my door today, and I, assuming he is looking for Sarah (they are friends), say, "Sarah is in that room," pointing to my suitemate's room.
"Actually, I was just looking for an inhabitant of this room," he says, "Do you have any juice?"
"Any juice?" I ask.
"Yeah," he says, "Like orange juice, apple juice..."
"No," I say, "I finished my orange juice this morning. Why do you want juice?"
"Because I ran out of juice, and I don't want to drink water."
"So you're just going around and mooching off of everybody else?"
"Yeah."
(I laugh) "Well, I'm sorry, I don't have any juice."
At that time, another girl who lives on my floor walks by. He stops her.
"Hey Lauren, do you have any juice?"
Okay, well, that story wasn't that funny. I guess you had to be there.
We learned about Bossa Nova today in world music cultures, and while we were listening to musical examples, my teacher said "Don't talk unless you have a martinin in your hand."
He also said in the lecture, "I know you're not laughing at me, because I'm not funny."
I'm sorry, guys. This wasn't a very good post.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
So, I was rushing to get to my band concert. I pushed a door open very forcefully, and it turns out that there was someone on the other side. (I have this habit of thinking doors are heavier then they actually are and using way too much force to open them. The combination of this and my rushed mood made me push this door open very very hard).
I accidentally slammed his hand in the door. He strode through the hallway, shouting the f word. I felt really bad about it at the time, as I stood there, in shock, but it seems he didn't want any help, especially from me, so I just continued on.
The next day, I saw him.
"I'm sorry for slamming your hand in the door..." I said.
I don't remember what he said, but I do remember him holding up his bandaged hand. One of his friends was close by.
"You were the one that did that?" he asked, with a grin on his face. He started laughing. I just sort of sidestepped away.
I saw the guy again today and said that I was sorry again. He said that it was bleeding pretty badly and that I ruined his percussion career. I think I looked shocked, because he said, "Don't feel bad..it's okay. I'm just kidding." But I don't think he was really kidding. I think I ruined his percussion career for a short amount of time. And I do still feel bad. What would I do to someone who slammed my hand in the door so I couldn't play for a while? I think I'd be pretty mad.
What's the moral of this story?
There is no rush. It's okay. Take your time. You never know if someone is on the other side of the door that you push open.
I accidentally slammed his hand in the door. He strode through the hallway, shouting the f word. I felt really bad about it at the time, as I stood there, in shock, but it seems he didn't want any help, especially from me, so I just continued on.
The next day, I saw him.
"I'm sorry for slamming your hand in the door..." I said.
I don't remember what he said, but I do remember him holding up his bandaged hand. One of his friends was close by.
"You were the one that did that?" he asked, with a grin on his face. He started laughing. I just sort of sidestepped away.
I saw the guy again today and said that I was sorry again. He said that it was bleeding pretty badly and that I ruined his percussion career. I think I looked shocked, because he said, "Don't feel bad..it's okay. I'm just kidding." But I don't think he was really kidding. I think I ruined his percussion career for a short amount of time. And I do still feel bad. What would I do to someone who slammed my hand in the door so I couldn't play for a while? I think I'd be pretty mad.
What's the moral of this story?
There is no rush. It's okay. Take your time. You never know if someone is on the other side of the door that you push open.
