Friday’s Feast No. 3
Appetizer
What are you proud of?
Lots of things… Anything that I create with my own two hands and actually comes out looking decent is a start.
Soup
What is the best thing you’ve ever won as a prize?
I can’t remember. I don’t win things very often!
Salad
Name something you do that is a waste of time.
I watched America’s Top Model for two straight hours today. That was a waste of time.
Main Course
In what year of your life did you change the most?
The year after I graduated high school, which was only last year. I feel like I’ve grown so much and become more…me. In high school, as sad as it sounds, I was often too stifled by others’ opinions to really come into my own. I’ve discovered things that I never knew about myself in the past year, and I’m always honest with myself now.
Dessert
Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?
I had the amazing opportunity to hike through the Alps with my sister and a few friends a couple of years ago, and we stopped to rest next to a bubbling, crystal clear spring of water. The mountain air felt cool on our faces as we just sat there talking, taking everything in, and enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful day. Any worries we had were forgotten. It was definitely tranquil – one of life’s precious moments that I’ll never forget.
I’d imagine that a quiet, deserted beach during sunset would be tranquil, but I haven’t experienced that.
As for an everyday place, I like to go to Borders and relax in the cafe with a good book. It isn’t all that quiet there, but it’s comfortable and I always drown everything out while I’m reading.
Play along at the new site. I promise I’ll post a normal entry really soon!
Lack of sleep leads to memes
I had planned to be asleep by now. Today was a rather long, stressful day and I was worn out by the end of it. I could think of nothing but how good my soft sheets and fluffy pillows would feel when I sank into them and let every muscle in my body relax. When I was finally able to lie down in bed, I started thinking about everything under the sun, and here I am at my computer, wide awake again. 
I tried playing Animal Crossing, but it’s no fun when all the animals are asleep and the shops are closed. I have nothing else to do, so I figured I might as well blog.
Rach tagged me to do an interesting meme. I’m supposed to list seven songs I’m currently enjoying and then tag seven more people. Here’s my list. Yay for music!
- “Magnolia” by The Hush Sound – I’ll go ahead and say that there will be lots of The Hush Sound on this list. I recently bought their Like Vines CD and I have it playing constantly both in my car and on my computer. “Don’t Wake Me Up” and “Wine Red” were the first songs I became addicted to, but now I’m moving on to others.
- “Where We Went Wrong” by The Hush Sound – Bob’s vocals remind me of old classics like Frank Sinatra sometimes. This song definitely sounds like it could have fit in during the 60’s.
- “Out Through The Curtain” by The Hush Sound – I love the lyrics of this song more than the music, but it’s still fantastic overall. My favorite lines are “My heart beats way too fast / To let regret sit in my lap / Won’t let it pass me by again.”
- “Read My Mind” by The Killers – I loved the Killers’ last album but thought “When You Were Young” was weak compared to it. Then “Bones” came out and they were redeemed in my eyes (plus, the video for it was directed by Tim Burton). Now I can’t stop listening to “Read My Mind”. Their new album’s singles keep getting better.
- “Time Stands Still” by The All-American Rejects – This song, along with the rest of their first CD, reminds me of one particular carefree summer during high school. Listening to it now puts me in the mood for warmer weather. Isn’t it weird how you sometimes relate a certain event, person, thing, etc. to a particular song? Or maybe I’m the only one who does that…
- “1000 Miles Per Hour” by OK Go – Fun and carefree, it’s a great song to listen to in the car. Just be sure not to drive as fast as it suggests.
- “American Pie” by Don McLean – I heard this song on the radio recently and was reminded of my love for it. It’s super long, but it’s such a good ol’ classic.
I’m not going to tag anyone, but you’re welcome to participate if you want to!
Monday Madness No. 2
Here’s my Monday Madness for today:
1. What kind of automobile do you drive?
A dark blue 1992 Toyota Camry.
2. What kind of automobile do you WISH you drove?
A silver Audi TT.
3. When is the last time you bought a vehicle (new or used)?
My dad bought my car for me at the beginning of last year, as a birthday present. Before that, I drove his or my sister’s car.
4. What is your color of choice as far as vehicles go?
Silver is my favorite.
5. Do you regularly have your oil changed?
Yeah. My dad taught me how to change it, so I usually do it myself.
6. How long do you generally keep a vehicle before thinking about buying a new one?
I’ll probably keep my car until it breaks down or something, or until I can afford a newer model.
7. What kind of automobile will you buy next?
Realistically, I’d like to have a Honda Civic or a newer Camry.
Friday’s Feast No. 2
Appetizer
Name two things that made you smile this week.
1.) Adam staying up with me when I couldn’t fall asleep.
2.) This video. Baby sloths are so cute!
Soup
Fill in the blank: Don’t you hate it when people tailgate you while driving at night with their brights on?
Salad
When you can’t go to sleep, what is your personal remedy to help yourself drift into Lullabyland?
I usually always read before bed until I’m sleepy enough to pass out. Sometimes I’ll put my headphones on and listen to relaxing music, but I often end up falling asleep with them still on.
Main Course
What is something about which you’ve always wondered but have not yet found a good answer?
Why people feel the need to insult others for the things that they like or the kind of music they listen to. Everyone has different tastes. It’s okay to voice your opinion by saying that you personally don’t like something, but insulting someone else for liking it is ridiculous.
Dessert
What is your favorite pasta dish?
Baked spaghetti or baked ziti, Pasta Primavera, and macaroni & cheese. I love pasta in general, though.
Friday’s Feast
This is a day late, but I thought Friday’s Feast looked fun so I decided to try it!
Appetizer
What is your usual bedtime? Do you like that, or would you rather it be different?
It varies. Sometimes I go to bed as early as 10:30 or 11:00 p.m., and sometimes I stay up until the wee hours of the morning. It depends on what I did during the day and how tired I am, and also how early I need to get up in the morning (i. e. on work days, I have to wake up early, so I go to bed early the night before).
Soup
When it comes to advice, do you give more or receive more?
I think I receive more, but that has a lot to do with the fact that I’m younger than most of the people I spend time with. For the most part, they’ve already experienced the things I go through right now, so they can tell me what they did in a certain situation and what worked or didn’t work for them. Whenever people ask for my advice, I’ve discovered that they usually only need a listening ear. I’ve been told by several people that I’m easy to talk to, and I think it’s because I like to listen and only give input when I’m asked for it.
Salad
Describe a memorable meal you’ve had.
When I was in France, one night we had a fancy seven course meal. It was memorable because the food was delicious and I got to try lots of new things, but also because it lasted for hours. Good cuisine is important to the French, so meals like that aren’t uncommon at all. We also had a fondue and raclette dinner in Chamonix, France that was shorter and more laid-back but equally enjoyable.
Main Course
Name a work of fiction that affected the way you think about something.
There are several books that have affected my way of thinking, but one that immediately springs to mind is a young adult book I read recently called Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin. Among other things, it reminded me to appreciate life more, and that we can and do make an impact on other people’s lives.
Dessert
What is your favorite type of fruit juice?
I love sweet pineapple juice.
Monday Madness
My first Monday Madness at this blog! Go here to participate.
1. From beth:
What’s the most unusual hobby you have? How did you get started with it?
Hmm, I’m not sure that I have any unusual hobbies. Playing video games used to be an odd thing for a girl to do, but it doesn’t seem that way anymore. I do like to collect all sorts of random things, some of which are more obscure than others. For example, right now I’m collecting Peek-A-Poohs, which are cute little mini Poohs in costumes. They’re made by a Japanese toy company called Tomy Yujin.
2. From briar:
How many different kinds of music do you listen to? Name a few favorites, if you please.
I listen to various different kinds of music. Lately I’ve been listening to lots of classic rock thanks to a good new radio station I found. A few of my favorites are Muse, My Chemical Romance, The Killers, Tori Amos, Imogen Heap, and Danny Elfman.
3. From iris:
Do you take advantage of the outdoor areas where you live? What’s your favorite thing to do outside? What’s your favorite local bird?
I love to go biking with my sister at this beautiful trail by the lake, and I also enjoy going picnicking in the mountains with my family. It’s a rare sight, but sometimes you can spot herons and kingfishers around here. I love it whenever I see one.
4. From kristy:
Children: Do you have any?
Nope.
5. From amy:
What is your favorite part of spring?
The beautiful flowers in bloom and the fresh feeling everything seems to have.
