Long time...

no talk.

It's been mad long. Like... wowsers. The next post (when I have time to actually sit and devote time to it) will be an update.

In the meantime I leave you with this: http://vimeo.com/12838603

Make my day.

Avatar Surfin

If you've seen Avatar watch this video. I don't like the song, but I just HAD to put the two together:

Tall People Surfin from DeeMizzle on Vimeo.

Random musings II

Not gonna lie, I waited until today to post because then it would be exactly a month since my last one. Yeah. That's how my mind works sometimes.

Today I had the illest epiphany during my morning commute. I was thinking about how wonderful it was outside and that got me thinking about how it was all because of global warming which is now known as climate change and is believed to be the result of what was referred to as the greenhouse effect way back when.

So, the following is what I wrote as I got off the train and walked ten minutes to my internship. Thank goodness for the notepad feature of the Crackberry:

*Ahem*

---------

The only thing that makes sense is that nothing makes sense. People go through life trying to name the nameless, explain the unexplainable, and predict the unpredictable.

First it was the greenhouse effect, now it's climate change. First it was trench warfare then it was the never ending threat of nuclear detonation.

We overanalyze, misread, and become cognitive misers only to fall short. Sometimes we get it right, but more often than not we miss a pivotal factor. In this seemingly never-ending choose your own adventure, each step we take leads to another, until we end up in a place with no idea when we chose the road that led there.

In life, contentment is average. Like in school you have your overachievers and those that could care less. Those who go through life planning and those who go with the flow. Those who try to cheat their way through and those who panic if they don't get the result they expected. To some, failure is not an option, for others it's expected. Some want to be the best, and some just want to pass. And in the end, we all get the same result.

Nothing makes sense. Everything that you know is only true for that moment. You're not the same person that you were when you started this. And no I'm not saying that these words are life changing, just that moments have passed by. Your older than you were when you started this. Use these next few moments wisely.

Sixteen counts

Last week I had jury duty.

I got to the court house at 8 AM (read: 5:45 wake up call) on Friday and left at 4:45 PM with a seat in the jury box. At first I was heated. This would mean I'd miss up to two weeks of school/work.

I went back to the court house on Monday morning intent on helping the judge to see my point of view, but alas 'twas not the case; on the trial I had to remain.

Despite my frustration, I have to admit that as the lawyers gave their opening statements, I was immediately captivated by the Law & Order episode playing out in front of me.

The defendant was facing sixteen counts of drug trafficking and various gun charges. As the lawyers went through the witnesses and evidence, I found myself predicting when objections would be called and trying to piece together the pieces that made up this trial.

When it was all said and done, the jury was left to deliberate the case after three days of testimony. After discussing the case, looking at the evidence (over 1.5 kg of cocaine, two machine guns, ammunition, several pistols... dude was locked and loaded) and going through our notes, the group quickly found the defendant guilty of all charges. When it came time to read the verdict we left the room confident that we reached the right decision; there was no doubt, reasonable or otherwise, that the defendant committed the crimes in question.

As the foreman read each verdict, a list of sixteen 'guilty's, tears came to my eyes. I couldn't bring myself to look at anyone in the room, instead choosing to focus my attention on the books behind the judge's seat.

I, along with my peers, sent a man to jail for fifteen years.

Now, as I mentioned before, there was no doubt that the defendant was guilty of all charges against him. Between expert testimony from the detectives both involved in the investigation and not, to chemists and ballistic experts who confirmed the evidence to be what they clearly were, the defense had nothing to go on. The prosecution really did not have to work too hard as seen with the short trial.

But, all this aside, I sent a man to jail for fifteen years.

Yes he was guilty, and yes the judge made the sentencing decision, but I could not help but cry for the man who would miss over a decade of his life.

Think of all the changes that have occurred between 1995 and 2010. Imagine going away fifteen years away and just returning. Hypothetically speaking, a child that was born the day you left would be in high school right now...

Everyone makes decisions, some better than others, but no matter the end result, there is a starting point that got them there. Yes there are things that are inexcusable, but everyone has their reasons and for them, when it came time to make their decision, it most likely seemed to be the right, or only, one.

So yeah. I had jury duty last week, and while it was interesting to sit there and see the justice system at work, it was horrible to sit there and decide someone's fate.

Neglect

Since I've been back things have been... interesting.

My friendships have remained strong, I am still on top of my work, I have an internship at a PR firm and an on-campus job... everything is going as well as I would hope.

However, content is not the word I would use to describe my mentality the moment.

There's no tangible thing that irks me, just a feeling that I don't fit into the spaces that have been opened for me, a feeling that I'm a square trying to fit into a space meant for a circle.

People change. Things change.

What do you do when you're not too sure where the change happened or when? When the consequences and meaning of these changes have yet to manifest themselves?

I'm not content and I strongly dislike this.

Womp.

It be's like that sometimes.

Closer

'Closer' by Corinne Bailey Rae makes me feel segsi for some reason. Not a 'I wanna have relations with you right now' segsi, but a 'I'm becoming a woman who is on top of my ish, understanding my faults and improving in some shape or form each day' segsi. Like I said, I dunno why. Yzr.

That's right Corrine. You sing your heart out girl.

Random musings

- currently getting sick. I'm supposed to take these homeopathic pills - 2 every 15 minutes for 2 hours and then 1 every hour until my symptoms go away - ... too bad I forget the 15 minute thing

- moved into my new dorm. Almost set off the fire alarm cooking. No big deal. Not only did I have to adjust to my stove at home, I have to adjust to this one at school too. Damnations. I'm still not used to how fast American stoves cook food BUT I didn't burn my food. My salmon, mixed veggies, and rice was wonderful.

- STILL waiting on my package with my clothing. It needs to get here TODAY cuz I have nothing else to wear. Uh oh.

- Have to finish my Jersey Shore marathon.

- Have to start my Entourage: Season One marathon.

- Don't you love when a song comes up on your iPod that you never really gave a chance, and when you finally sit down to listen it's thebomb.com? It's either good cuz you found a new gem or bad because you've been missing out all this time.

- I hope that the UN and everyone who CAN do something for Haiti does.

- Campus is semi-dead. I kinda like it. Can't wait to be abroad this year again aka anti-social.

- My sister cried before I left. She's never done that before. Needless to say that made me cry too. I hope she'll be alright, but she's a trooper so I'm not too worried.

- Last night I watched this video on Illuminati and how it's prevalent in the music industry. I don't believe it cuz I actively don't believe that stuff (ghosts, demons, etc.) HOWEVER, if it is true, wowsers. If it's not, the person who made the video/connections has a FABULOUS imagination.

The end.

No direction

So yeah. There is really nothing in specific that I need to touch on, but so much I need to get out so let's begin shall we?

- I'm home. It's not as weird as I thought it would be, but it's noticeably different. Borderline painfully so.

- As soon as I walked through the front door I cried. Then I sucked it up because I hate seeing my mom cry and we usually set each other off.

- Love Jones is a fabulous movie. The soundtrack is equally official.

- The Young Money album is better than I thought it would be, as is Lil Wayne's rock album. Please note that I said better than I thought. They will need some time getting used to.

- While I speak about music, if you have not done so, please get familiar with Robin Thicke. He is amazing.

- My hair turned brown. I dunno how, but it did. I kinda like it.

- Even though I miss the people I just spent the last three months with, I'm horrible at keeping in touch. I really need to work on that.

- It's cold. That means it's cuddling season. Ha.

- If you have to ask the question, then the answer is most likely no.

- Just because you know the above doesn't mean that you'll be completely satisfied, so go ahead and ask it. Once you get the answer, act accordingly.

- I sometimes get breathe/breath, loose/lose confused. For the latter I just think of baseball.

- Sometimes laughter truly is the best medicine. If that doesn't work, there's always hot cocoa or peppermint tea.

- 2009 is almost over. What have you done with your year? If you're not thoroughly pleased, no worries; there are 14 days left. Get busy.

- I don't believe in letting a calender determine who I am. If I see something that needs to be adjusted, I try my best to do it when it's brought to my attention. In other words, I don't believe in resolutions.

- Tiger Woods was named athlete of the decade with 56 of 142 votes. This makes me extremely happy. Congrats homie. Considering that you single handedly changed a sport, you deserve it. Keep your head up and your pants zipped. And to those fools with their sob stories: Silly rabbit, of course you weren't the only one! If he cheated WITH you of course he cheated ON you.

... ok. I think I' all random-ed out. Hope you have a splendiferous day.

Could it be...

I woke up with this classic playing in my head and 7.5 hours later it's still there; Im not mad at all. Enjoy:

Sidenote: Soul Train used to be THAT show. Don Cornelius held it down like gravity, Shemar Moore, while aesthetically pleasing, was just aiight, and I don't even know who is in charge now/if it still airs. A classic in itself.

The stuff that lasts

As I sit here and attempt to complete one of the many projects standing between me and going home, I came to a realization:

I'm in love.

Now let me tell you, this is a life changing realization cuz from here on out I'll never be the same.

You see, the love between us took a while to mature, but now that it's here it's gonna last forever.

This is the stuff of fairy tales. Actually no. Not fairy tales, because those stories pale in comparison to what this is.

This is so much more.

You see, this wasn't love at first sight or any of that foolishness.

I mean, I've known this person for years, in fact longer than I've known anyone else.

I've seen them around town, they know the same people I do, they would be in the same room as me, and with all these encounters I thought I knew all that there is to know.

But then something happened.

I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it was as I witnessed one of their successes. Or maybe it happened as I watched the way they handled what life threw at them, jumping over hurdles and sprinting along the track as if they were the next Usain Bolt.

See, there are so many memories that it's hard to pinpoint the one that made turned this contentment into full burning adoration.

Now, earlier I said that this love was meant to last, and I'm pretty sure it is. Now that I'm here there's no turning back. I mean yeah there will be off days, but when it's all said and done I know that this person will never ever desert me.

I'm in love and I have been for quite a while.

This is the life changing kind, the kind that brings that twinkle to your eye.

Cuz ladies and gentleman, I'm in love with me.

...

Ok back to work.

Reflections

Note: thank you Don for the idea. This is exactly the break I (didn't) need from my project.

saying no to:

negativity

deception

any thoughts of 'i can't...'

being taken for granted

holding it all in

saying yes to:

me

happiness

what's in store

expanding my horizons

giddy about:

going home

what the future will bring

possibilities

deeply inspired by:

those who can keep on truckin even when it seems like the gas tank is empty

people can string words together in ways that make them jump off a page

trust

kindess

obsessed with:

chocolate peanut m&m's

laughter

happiness

heels

in love with:

happiness

the person I'm becoming

the kindness and wit of the human race

haunted by:

not saying goodbye

saved by:

the knowledge that even if I wasn't able to say it at that exact moment, my dad knows that he helped to mold me into the woman I'm becoming

my mom

friends

myself

Word.

Things I strongly dislike

The word hate. There are very few things that deserve the amount of energy such an emotion requires. Ignorance. Tardiness. CP TIME IS NOT AN EXCUSE. Pettiness. Spicy food. The misuse of they're/there/their, breath/breathe, it's/it. Please. Ask Santa for a grammar lesson. Cockiness. The word 'swag'. Soulja Boy and those like him. The fact that celebrities have to apologize for personal issues. Pulling the race card as an excuse for shortcomings. Tomatoes.

...this list was hard to formulate.

Things I love

lyrics that make my heart sing along. fusions of words and punctuation marks that take my breath away one minute and speed up my heart in the next. love. chocolate peanut m&m's. crispy pad thai. sushi. jamaican food. Greek chocolate. oreo cheesecake. food in general. laughing so hard that my abdominal muscles ache. hugs. awkward situations. 'that's what she said..." smiling. kindness. art. reading. walking. running. driving fast. silence that speaks volumes. that look. people who deserve it. helping others. finding myself. sexy heels. when you find that one nail polish color that you'll never not use again. music. car chase scenes. psychological thrillers. mushy gushy crap. wit. sarcasm. cooking. rings. leather jackets. reciprocity. old school songs. being random. midnight walks with no destination. the museum. he who as of now remains unnamed, unknown, unseen, undiscovered.

My planner...

... looks like an extra outta A Nightmare on Elms Street:

Dec. 3 - European Union Quiz

Dec. 4 - Organizational Behavior Quiz

Dec. 7 - Organizational Behavior Case Study Due

Dec. 8 - Advertising Project Due

Dec. 11 - Organization Behavior Quiz, Advertising Final, European Union Final

Dec. 14 - Greek Final, Organizational Behavior Final

Dec. 15 - Go home

...

Shiznit. I'd be jealous too.

An electronic means of communication and capturing visual memories

I had to swoop through for this random though:

Although the video is straight hogwash [someone was a little too excited to play with their new editing tools], 'Video Phone' makes me wanna do a little one two step in the worst way. They were puttin in work too. Go on witcho bad selves.

Beyonce ft. Lady Gaga - Video Phone Official MUSIC Video

Ok I see you Rhi Rhi

Come here rude boy

Webster knows a thing or two after all...

intimacy: the ability to fuse one's identity with that of someone else's without fear of losing your own

Kodak moments

I guess I should throw up a couple of those pics huh. Well seeing as I've taken nearly a thousand thus far (I wish I was kidding), I'd be damned if I sat here uploading them all, so here are a couple that truly highlight the experience.

The American College of Thessaloniki. One of the two buildings that makes up the campus. The other is the library. No chance of getting lost in this bad boy.

It was Halloween. I'm in Greece. So clearly I had to whip out the toga. Don't act like you wouldn't do the same.

Group shot. Yay.

This place is so fricken beautiful it's disgusting.

Chillin on top of an active volcano. Twas an explosive experience.

Sunset in Santorini. This is the stuff postcards are made of.

Went to a professional football (soccer) game this past weekend. The crowd was really wild and reckless. I'm talking about fireworks before the team even scored.

And when they score in overtime? Whew. The place goes wild.

During my fall break I went to Crete and took a tour of the Peloponnese. This is the ancient Amphitheater in Ancient Messene. Twas quite large.

The boardwalk in Thessaloniki. It's really cute and gets awfully live in the evenings.

I get to look at this every night before the sandman comes and takes me away. Pretty schweet.

So now that pics are there, I guess I should add some words in addition to the captions huh? Well... let's see. Greece is awesome. I've been here for about a month and a half now and I have 6 weeks left. Holy goodness. Where does time go?

This experience is shaping out to be exactly what I wanted it to be and so much more. Even though I received some earth shattering news within a week or two of my arrival, I'm glad I decided to stay and see it to the end.

I have midterms coming up soon which means I have to put the 'study' part back into this trip, but eh, we'll see.

Um... what else?

I'm making it my goal to update at least once a week. We'll see how that goes.

The Pearl Chronicles

I've had my phone for about a 18 months (1.5. yrs for those of you who are a little rusty in the math department) and during that time it's only suffered minor damage.  Ya know, an occasion scratch here and there. I could essentially count the number of physical defects on one hand.

Now, in the past three days I have:

*clears throat*

• dropped it out of a window [onto concrete]
• seen it tumble out my pocket as I exit a car [onto concrete]
• slide of aforementioned vehicle [onto concrete]
• fall from my hands [onto a wood floor]

I'm cutting it of tomorrow cuz, well, yeah. I won't be needing it much where I'm going. 

And there you have it. It knew the end was near. It just wanted to be the one calling the shots. 

P.S. Completely unrelated:

Hello $.50. I really like your new song. Did you write it for Kelis?

Ain't no mountain high...

. . . not even Mount Olympus. 

Seriously contemplating going on that field trip.

Which one?

The one where unexperienced college students CLIMB towards the heavens. 

Yeah.