"the best thing about a picture is that nothing changes, even if the people in it do" -Andy Warhol

"I hope you realize that all the problems between me and _____ involved you."

Bold. This was said to me the other day by someone I thought would be a lifelong friend. While I cannot go into specifics about the nature of the circumantces that lead to this, I want to make it clear I never intended by what I did or said to hurt anyone. And I have been thinking a lot about what was said to me and I can only come to one conclusion or better one question, why am I to blame for your problems? How can a third party be attacked for your problems? I try to keep my distance from this relationship as much as I possibly can, but it becomes quite difficult when aspects of this relationship are consistently brought to my attention. So, as a friend to the other person in this relationship what do I do? Do I tell them no I will not listen to the dissection of their relationship? Do I tune it out? Do I just have no reaction when certain things happen to cause this person pain? What do I do? And furthermore, all persons involved in this circumstance have been friends for over a decade. How can I remove myself from the tight group of friends just because two people decided to change their relationship? It is unrealistic for me to maintain a friendship like this. It is also not appropriate in the end to blame an outsider for issues on the inside. It is not my fault, I have every right to react to any information that is presented to me-good or bad. I don't think my reactions have an affect on this relationship, and am hurt to be the scape goat for these "problems."

Consider this:

People who hunt deer due to their over population, encroaching on “our” territory (our homes/property), in this situation what is the real problem here? Is it the over population of deer or is it the over population of people in the area?

This may seem like an odd question, but this is the kind of thing we were discussing in my Religious Ethics class today. We were considering the ramifications of unchecked population growth by humans. Is it right that as humans we can grow unchecked? What happens when land and food resources become so absolutely strapped that we just can’t give it to everyone? These are questions that are being faced today and if something doesn’t change it will get worse. Maybe in America it is hard to see these effects everyday, I mean, no one around me is fighting for food or land; however it is paramount to think about third world countries and the poor. The overuse and abuse of resources hits them very hard. Take for example, poor farmers in Brazil who have to chop down hundreds of acres of the rain forest in hopes of having farmland to survive. It is a tragedy that they are pinned between eating for a while and cutting down an invaluable resource that houses literally thousands of unique plants and animals. There are many people sympathetic to both sides, but which is right, where can we find a solution or a compromise? The answer to this question is very difficult.

Do we say that animals and plants are less important than people and therefore who cares, it doesn’t matter? As humans, who are we to decide the value of a creature or a plant both can provide many services that enrich our life. But on the other side, how can we deny people food and farmland, I can’t say if I was in their position I wouldn’t do the same thing. It is a very tight rope to walk and a viable solution that would last longer than a decade or two doesn’t come to mind very easily. Consider the ethics of ways to solve this problem, is it ethically and morally right to limit the number of children people can have? This could make families such as the Duggers illegal. But isn’t it hard to make this illegal when from the perspective of Christian families who value large families due to “be fruitful and multiply” message in Bible it is a command from God to have many children? Also it is ethical to know that some people will die if you limit their food and land accessibility but it could in turn save hundreds in the future. Who are we to place a value on a life? I think it is hard to say when there is so much to do on this issue, what is the right thing? Will we be able to find a solution that makes everyone happy or will some people, animals, and things have to suffer terrible loses? As my professor said, “if the answer to this question were easy, it would be solved already.”

I drew a lot of inspiration (and honestly, fear and a little anger) from the article we had to read for class, “Saving Nature, Feeding People, and the Foundation of Ethics” by Holmes Rolston III. It is a truly inspiring piece and I really do recommend it, it leads to a lot of thinking.

I know this doesn’t offer any solutions, but, I do think this is something important to think about because in the future this issue could turn into a major problem for our world. Just something to think about.

casper the unfriendly ghost.

I wish I could grasp the whole concept of, “who you are is not what you did.” Maybe it shows my immaturity in not being able to forgive and forget. I’d like to be able to forgive without looking for something in return. But when you forgive someone it lately seems it’s more of a silent pardon than a statement that will receive a sorry at the end of it. So I try to say, “it is what it is,” take a few deep breaths and move forward. Sometimes though, like old scars that itch or how the tissue under the scar sometimes hurts, you get reminded of the situation. I’ve been hung up on snide comments from one person for over a week. Instead of realizing that in actuality the comments were made with purely malicious intent it eats at me. I feel so bad sometimes for the people who get close to me. I feel like they have the burden of me not letting things go and letting negative past personal experiences color aspects of my reality. I feel like I can only supply them with so many explanations as to why I get so touchy or angry at things before they just look at me and say- I'm not them,I'm not him. I'm not that experience-buck up and move on.

But, I'm trying not to be a drag by posting this. I think what I'd like to use this more for is a reminder to take a pause and remind myself of the last part of the nursery rhymes sticks and stones, to realize that perhaps the acceptance of silent pardons is a great accomplishments, and to stop before I speak or think and remember the person before me isn't the person who hurt me.

Is it wrong?

Is it wrong that I enjoy watching Dr.G Medical Examiner while simultaneously listening to Christmas music? I mean it is the day after Thanksgiving so naturally as an American I am obligated to kick off the actual holiday season (forget you Hallmark/Target/Food Lion for pulling out the decorations the day after Halloween. Rude.). Naturally, I must do this by "poppin off" some Christmas Classics like Deck the Halls, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, and Little Drummer Boy.

However, at the same time I would love to just prance around the house to Christmas jams, I spied the tv guide channel. There was a Dr.G Medical Examiner marathon on the Discovery Health Channel. For those who don't know essentially the gist of the show is: there's a woman who cuts up dead people (don't worry it's her job) and then tells you what happens. I love this show it makes me feel like I am learning something about medicine (you know in case I have to preform surgery on the Hokie Express or something). Also, I am nosy. I like knowing everything about everything so this show is perfect because she tells you everything.

I was torn so I did the only reasonable thing: a visual/audio juxtaposition (thanks dictionary.com) mashup of dead people autopsies and deck the halls Christmas songs. If it's wrong, I don't want to be right.

thoughts on thanksgiving dinner.

well i guess this sort of thing happens every year.

to tp from me.

if someone is being crazy to you, and that's making you feel crazy- you're going to treat someone else the way they have been treating you and your thoughts are going to get the best of you.

she just looked at me when I said that and just responded "....really"

like I like to say- you aren't a failure.....yet.

I suppose that statement is what my college career as a liberal arts major can be summed up with at the point. Junior year, more like panic year. More like, shit. Maybe I should have stopped reading books and started to become well aquanted with my science and math textbooks. Or, well damn. If only those three tries at Algebra 2 had paid off or if only I had learned something during Bio AP while cheating off Jordan. Business School? Science Classes? psssh. I'm going to talk about feelings and books people don't read and get pissed when I see someone with a Kindle because they don't appreciate the feeling of the pages of a book or being able to go highlighter crazy and overly passionate about a novel. I suppose I can list my talents as the following: I can read....I can wite.....I can say a few things in a few different languages.....& then a long list of useless talents.SO I've decided at this point in my college career I just need to cultivate as many useless talents as possible in hopes that one helps me break into some industry that will pay me more than $8.25 an hour.

I've decided to come back.

Look, alas Ali Virden has stopped being the deadbeat twin and finally returned to twinscipades. I have some new blogs up my sleeve and have only been waiting for the holiday season to unveil them....duh, so my leave of absence was completely......planned. Just kidding, of course it wasn't! But whatever. Here I am. Here the blog is, Jordan is not funny without me.

thethankfullist

We are working on a new project: the thankful list!

Here is the link to the blog and twitter if you want to follow either, please do:

thethankfullist twitter

thethankfullist blog

This is kind of the mission statement/why but it's a real work in progress!

Out of all the social issues in the world, why thankfulness? I mean afterall, most people I have talked to about this think:

a) it is just a manner learned to live in a polite society

b) a value only important during Thanksgiving

c) has some value but not that important compared to other issues

But, it is so much more than that. I believe being thankful for the simple joys in everyday life, such as a smile from a stranger or a little extra whipped cream on a hot chocolate, can improve one’s life by leaps and bounds. By concentrating on the things, skills, and personal gifts we have we can cultivate them and ultimately see how many enriching things and people are in our lives. It’s amazing how much we have to be thankful for that gets over looked everyday.

I know thankfulness is important because in a way it saved my life. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t going to die or anything but I was in a dark place. A lot of bad things happened to loved ones in my life and myself that made me cynical and callous. By the end of my sophomore year of college I was a vapid person (sounds harsh but, it is true). The concept of looking for the simple joys in my life and being thankful came randomly, I was in a really bad mood and decided I would make a list of all the things in my life I had to be thankful for (this was half sarcastic as I thought the list would have 5 or 6 items) I soon discovered I had put over 100 people, things, and skills I was thankful for. This was where I turned around. Each week I made a new one and each week there were one or two new things to be thankful for. It inspired me to look for the good.

Since my first list, there have been many others and each has given me a new outlook and perspective. I have grown so much from the person I was when I made my first list. I choose to see the good and the blessings in my life. I still have bad days, everyone does, but the reassurance I have that I have so much to be thankful for in my life gets me through them.

This is why I celebrate thankfulness, what are YOU thankful for?

lovelove!

Things.

Every now and then you get a sign that you did the right thing.

Everything is going to be alright.

I made my bed and I slept in it, I'm better for it.

Essentially it boils down to:

1. I love the life I'm currently living.

2. I cut and kept people in my life. Those who are still in it add so much to it and are fabulous. Those who aren't were draining, I can't have that anymore, I won't deal with it again.

3. I know who Jordan is and I embrace it, maybe even love it a little. For better or worse, I cannot change, I can grow as a person but I cannot change who I am.

cheers.

Jordan

Today, in Religious Ethics, the professor said something both profound and common sensical. We were discussing how one needs to observe religions from an academic standpoint as if you were both a member and an outsider.

"I cannot place my own expectations on others because I do not understand their context. We need to look at others from their context and then decide what is moral and ethical in their context."

After he said this it honestly made me stop and think. I've never had that happen in a class before (mostly due to the fact that science classes are very black and white). The statement above is so true, how can we place our own expectations, values, and beliefs on others when we have not taken the time to "put ourselves in their shoes." Maybe the key to understanding others is to not look at their actions and judge them because we would or wouldn't do it but rather try to see from their context and understand why they are doing the certain action. I guess the gist of what we talked about today was that one can find clarity in understanding or at the very least being open to something new and gaining a new perspective from the experience.

The example used in class today is extreme but I think it illustrates the point : People in Aztec religions would fight over who would get to be sacrificed because it was the highest religious honor one could attain. If we look at this from a Christian background with Christian expectations, morals, and ethics this seems savage and it is hard to comprehend. However, if we are willing to try to put ourselves in the context of Aztec society and religion we may be able to understand with more clarity the morals and ethics of the sitation.

I think I am going to try this approach in everyday life. Just something to think about.

lovelove.

Jordan

Blaire Says: Moving into College.

Twas the day of move in and the clock the clock struck 11 a.m. A pair of frantic parents sped down 95 in hopes of reaching our destination by 12:15 p.m. Typically, traveling in a car of Virden’s we are two hours late… but Mike drove just like his nick name, and we “smoothly” arrived only thirty minutes late. Mounds of anything you’d want need or couldn’t imagine you’d ever need were piled outside of my coastal Carolina housing area. Mike (the pack mule for the day) ventured up three flights of stairs having more than he could carry. When he came back down stairs a sarcastic grin stretched across his tried face. He leaned in my ear and said your roommate got switched. Before arriving I had been the butt of all jokes seeing as the room mate I’d anticipated on was … well opposite of me. I’ll leave it at that.

I skipped the stair master part and walked my ass to the elevators, not knowing what to expect. A New York happy Italian family welcomed me. My roommate is a former cheerleader too. She was a real cheerleader capable of doing back handsprings not like a Centennial cheerleader who does face plants. We squished all our stuff in bundles of bins and baskets. After complaining after four years of rising to the top only to re-get shit on with that lovely small freshmen housing. As my dad begin shifting things and setting up stuff my mom played Martha Stewart for a few hours. I on the other hand could not stop starring at my open door. This door I would soon realize was something more than just our hallway entrance. It was weird somehow lights lit up on both sides of the rug and raging techno super pop beats began to play. It was like a runway and it also was when I happened to see our neighbors on the other side of the hall. They were meaty and smelled delicious. They also happened to be the freshmen boys. Shortly after setting up Gabby and I had to go to a meeting for “welcome week”.

This week was an exclusive invite. You had to meet all the requirements to be apart of it:

1. Must be clueless as to where you will be attending classes for the next three months.

2. You must be a little awkwardly shy and the babies of the group.

3. Anyone you talk to will be a complete stranger (sorry mom).

As you can tell it was pretty much v.i.p. for all the really cool kids on campus. But anyways when we arrived in the auditorium we were quickly notified of Coastal code of bullshit, I mean conduct. We came back to our dorms and I realized how adorable my mother made my room. Our floor was full of friendly freshmen running around walking into everyone’s new dorms. I extolled a sigh of relief seeing how open everyone was to getting to know new people. I learned a lot of new things. One being a new numbing cream you can use when practicing the art of giving self-inflected piercings. (Sorry mom) Also all these different types of food I can gain my freshmen 15 with.

We then went out. Chaos ensued. This is just the first night of many other new interesting indeviours.

A scientific inquiry of sorts.

*This is all very, very scientific.

Making out: to the Americans.

To the French: French Kissing. To the Canadians: Tonsil Hockey(Eh?). To the British: Snogging.We've all seen it, maybe while watching a movie or perhaps maybe while "watching" a movie. What is it about this coming of age right of passage that makes people so uncomfortable/ awkward/ nervous? Could it be the intense build up of all the years of watching gooey romance movies or listening to overly sappy love songs (I'm about about you Buble and Celine). Maybe you forgot your Chapstick (how dreadful) or the worst, you have absolutely no idea what you're doing.

Romantic movies and songs have made making out to be the end all be all moment where you will most definitely know if that girl/guy you just met at the grocery store / dark alley / coffee shop is your soul mate. False. I was listening to the radio the other day and I hear Miranda Cosgrove's- Kissing U (really U.) and if you listen to the words it just all sounds so ridiculous. Do I think you can be attracted to someone you just met? Yes. Can you fall madly in love with them, negative. Remember this one thing will not cement your future happiness.

Chapstick, some would say it is so necessary. The Chapstick industries success over the years and through the economic downfall can best be attributed to those keen young people who know that the very worst situation is when your special someone moves in for the kill and your lips are desert storm. Tragic. Next time, calm down, relax, and remember to apply that cherry/ vanilla/ tutti frutti Chapstick you just sniped from CVS generously.

Finally, what if you have no idea what you're doing. It's like a there's a war going on in there and you're losing. Badly. Thanks to the world wide web (and to Al Gore for inventing it, haha.) there is a plethora of information out there! Just typing in "how to" in Google will reveal kissing or making out to be a top choice. If you are looking for more of a visual, You tube has videos for days. Maybe you need a play by play, if this is the case http://www.howdoyoumakeout.com/ is probably your best bet. Study hard, maybe print/ laminate / highlight all your notes or hide these little gems of information in your phone (no one will know you aren't reading a text from your Mom!). If you are wondering if you should feel ashamed for looking these things up online, the answer is yes. However, after you clear your internet's history the only people who will know are you and Google, score!

Relax and have fun high fiving with your tongues!

Sorority + Lilly = lovvee!

I am in love with the new Lilly Pulitzer sorority collection. End of story. The Kappa Kappa Gamma print is so adorable and preppy. Yay Kappa and Lilly!

Kappa Print!

Little Sister's ESPN blog.

My little sister Taylor was invited to play in ESPN's Rise Inaugural Lacrosse game and was asked to write a blog about her experience. Yay Little Jock!

Taylor's blog

Little Italian Grandmother

I love spending afternoons talking to my little italian Nonnie.

Today I learned:

-You will never live long enough to learn everything there is to know about everything.

-The main point of college is to teach you how much you don't know about the world.

-If you wear heels for more than four hours then switch to flats you could rip your hamstring and as a result it will look like "saggy old breasts."

-Her grandmother used to say: Don't tell people your troubles because most will be more than happy to rejoice in them.

-Contrary to popular belief the point of most novels is not that everyone dies. Except that is if you are reading the Bible.

-Siblings have more influence than parents because parents are too removed and out of touch.

-The phrase "around Robin Hood's barn" means that something is out of the way. Though I still think Robin Hood would have a tree house over a barn.

What pearls of wisdom.

lovelove.

Jordan

Nate Henn // 1985-2010

It seems just as I am getting caught up in the everyday inconsequential problems something comes along to knock me off my feet and remember there are things greater. Nate Henn served Invisible Children and died while visiting one of those he mentored in Uganda. He is an incredible testament to the human spirit and the goodness of people in the world. The world lost a great person but I feel as though his impacts will be more long lasting and far reaching than even he could have imagined.

Link to Invisible Children

cheers.

Jordan

How much longer until football season?

Nothing brings a sensitive tear to my eye faster than thinking about the impending Virginia Tech football season. I love it and cannot wait for the Thursday and Saturday games that punctuate fall semester. Ah love Hokie football!

Kurt Halsey.

I have been in love with Kurt Halsey's art since first discovering it my sophomore year of high school. His work is so simple and relatable, it is both beautiful and everyday. I just love it. This piece called "Timeline" is one of my favorites.

lovelove.

Jordan

love.

hrmmm.

Do you ever feel like the you you are needs to be changed but not necessarily because you want it to? That's exactly how I feel, as though I need to change me but not because I see something wrong with it but because I feel as though I will be left behind and deemed naive, not up with everyone else. To be honest, I never really gave this topic much thought until others started making me feel like I wasn't with it.

I am naturally very reserved and conservative when it comes to certain things which leads me to sometimes be perceived as overly innocent and childish. It is this quality which I think may need some tweaking. I thought about how to remedy this issue without going against things that in my mind are set in stone and decided I would try to be more outgoing and maybe more spontaneous. I just want to try new things and not be afraid to put myself out there.

We'll see.

Also, this has nothing to do with the first thing I wrote, but, I hate when you know you are being played second fiddle to someone else. Nothing bothers me more.

cheers.

Jordan

Playlist

Kind of a long one but, I have been listening to these songs on repeat for the past two days.

Barenaked Ladies: Brian Wilson

Barenaked Ladies: Falling for the First Time

Barenaked Ladies: Old Apartment

Dave Matthews Band: Satellite

Dave Matthews Band: American Baby

Fleetwood Mac: The Chain

Fleetwood Mac: Sarah

Goo Goo Dolls: Big Machine

Goo Goo Dolls: Broadway

Jason Mraz: If it Kills Me

Matchbox 20: Superman

New Radicals: You Get What You Give

Peter Gabriel: Solsbury Hill

Rob Thomas: Ever the Same

Rob Thomas: Come on Over

Rob Thomas: Her Diamonds

Spin Doctors: Two Princes

Spin Doctors: Just Go Ahead Now

Third Eye Blind: Summer Town

Third Eye Blind: Water Landing

Third Eye Blind: Nondairy Creamer

Tom Petty: American Girl

Tom Petty: Free Falling

Train: If it's Love

Train: Drops of Jupiter

lovelove.

Jordan

Nerdy Pick Up Line

"I've got my Ion you."

oooohhh yeah watch out for me.

John Says...

"Every night I eat until I feel like I'm going to throw up"

...whatever, skinny binny.

Wow.

I'm pretty sure I just got an ultimatum from my exboyfriend's father. It really hurt my feelings, but I guess he will no longer be my friend.To him (although I did not write this in my brief message back to him)-I'm sorry I am happy with the choices I made and with everything I have (&don't have) now.

Ali

i'm not exactly someone to get hung up on.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2010/07/lindsay_lohan_sentenced_to_90.html

America, ftw!

My friend Luke, America's golden boy, posted an article entitled, "100 Great Things about America," and I love it. I think America needs some good PR and this list does it. Plus, it's Independence Day, go America!

Here are some of my personal favorites:

2. The Constitution and Bill of Rights

6.Rock and Roll

25. The Super Bowl (I love Football!)

42. Jazz

44. S'mores

46. The 4th of July

48. March Maddness

69. Blue Jeans

80. The Everglades

100 Great Things about America

ps. Twinscipades is also featured in a blog, check it out here!

cheers!

Jordan

Happy Fourth of July!

John Says...

"I like to show a lot of emotion in my texts.

The girls really like it, you'd think they wouldn't but...they do."

He later showed me an example of his "emotional text" which included a :/ face....what a modern day Romeo.

Designer Shoe D.I.Y

Today I was stumbling across Fashion Blogs (I get so many great ideas!) and I came across:

http://missvinylahoy.wordpress.com/2010/06/23/diy-jeffrey-campbell-tick-shoes/

She had done an incredible D.I.Y of the Jeffrey Campbell Tick Shoes (I love Jeffrey Campbell so I was immediately very interested!).

On the post she lays out exactly how to make them, apparently creating these fabulous shoes yourself should cost you under $50.00! How great is that for college students who want to stay fabulous on a budget?

This is the finished product (how great do they look and for under $50.00!):

*click image to enlarge!

The beginning shoe she started with:

The actual Jeffrey Campbell shoe (costs around $160.00):

Photo credits

I think I will be most definitely trying to make these shoes for myself in the very near future, they are fabulous and won't break the bank!

All around if you made the shoe instead of buying it you would save about $100.00 depending on the type of wedge you bought and how many brads you needed! For directions visit her page listed above!

lovelove.

Jordan

couldn't be prouder to be a GAMECOCK!

So interesting.

A woman showed this video at Convention during a Social Media information session. I think it is absolutely fascinating.

lovelove.

Jordan

GENIUS.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/22/warren-buffett-world-cup-bet_n_621322.html

I can't put Convention into words.

But...I do have a Kappa rap to be rapped to the tune of baby got back.

"I like K K G's and I cannot lie

You other girls can't deny

When a girl walks in with that

Classy taste and that golden key

in your face you get

CONVENTION"

Yeah, I think that sums it up pretty well.

love love.

Jordan

Rest in Peace MJ

Best Billy Jean Cover & I think the King of Pop would enjoy it:

Aloe Blacc&The Grand Scheme's youtube vid cover:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DptqlP9PYXc&feature=player_embedded

Haha I got called out: my natural "bitch" sitting face.

Dear everyone who encounters me,

I am sorry for my seemingly rude looks or angry facial expressions as you pass by me, talk to me, sit near me, whatever. I can't help it, it is how my face is during the down time in between laughing,crying (haha, people seem to think that's my second job.), sleeping, eating, gazing. Maybe the woman at A&A Nails waxed my eyebrows perfectly into a "bitch arch" or maybe my post-teenage years angst or maybe it's because subconsciously I have an uber elitist attitude and pride myself on being an intellectual (that last one...is most definatly a joke...well actually it was once suggested to me that that was the way I was by a former TRUE elitist ex-boyfriend....pffffft if I had to hear "harvard of the south" 934869374 more times i'd shoot myself, and that's all I have to say about him.) Anyway, I got called out today for it by a coworker who I love to pieces but when we were sitting chatting and I was listening to her story about her lacrosse coach and trying to set her up with another friend she stopped mid conversation to say: "what why are you looking at me with that bitch stare." and I was like: "wait what? girl I'm just listening to the juicccyyyyy deetssss." and then she was all: "then stop looking at me like that." Well, if I didn't know I was doing it...should I now put a paper bag on my head? I don't know. So if you see me on the streets or are friends with me or family or dating me if I start to look at you like I'm going to eat you, "Z" snap at you, or yell at you and we are talking about nothing please just say-"oh bitch plz" to me. I'll get the hint and turn that snotty sitting face into a most pleasant smile.

Sincerely the H.B.I.C.,

ali.

I just want to say, I love being a Kappa.

"So here's to Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Here's to great women.

May we know them.

May we be them.

May we raise them."

-Denise Rugani

2006-2010 National Fraternity President

Convention is amazing. I don't have the words to put down the feeling it gives me to be here, surrounded by so many Kappas. I have learned and am learning so much and cannot wait to share it with the rest of the Zeta Mu chapter. It's official, I am in love with Kappa Kappa Gamma.

lovelovelove!

Jordan

Funny Moment from Convention.

*I am sorry if in the retelling of this story it loses its hilarity. It was absolutely hilarious.

Maggie, Shannon and, PJ and I were in Maggie and Shannon's room hanging out talking and giggling, you know, girl things. I guess we were pretty loud because after five minutes the phone rings. I answer and on the other end is the woman from the front desk sounding very frantic.

She says:

"Ms. Hinson, is everything alright, I heard screaming coming from your room and I wanted to make sure everything is fine."

I guess girl time got a little too crazy.

Stressed.

I'm going to get a stomach ulcer from being at home. There is so much that is being balanced on a very thin string in this house and that little string is about to snap in half. I hate how much stress I have and how I have to worry about problems that are not in my control.

ali

airports.

I really think an airport is one of the few truly acceptable places to be seen alone in public. I love it, I naturally enjoy being able to do things on my own. In American society if one is alone in most public places (restaurants, movies, bars, theme parks etc.) it is often seen as being kind of sad/pathetic/depressing.I like that I can just sit in the airport alone with other people sitting alone and not have people think I'm a newly initiated member of the old maids club (which I was asked join ... I hope in jest but that's a story for another time.)

cheers!

Jordan

THE OWL, THE KEY, THE FLUER DE LIS

I've officially landed in Phoenix, Arizona for Kappa Kappa Gamma's National Convention! I am so excited to join in all the activities and meet other Kappas from all over the country. I have been looking forward to this all summer and cannot wait for what the next few days will bring!

Tonight's Activities.

Tonight's Activities can best be described as follows:

"Parker brothers doesn't care if a demon possesses you, or if you come under some type of attack from something you know nothing about."

Just saying, Quija boards legitimately freak me out. Let's hope the gates of hell don't open up tonight.

Ice Cream Paint Job.

I just finished painting three frames and two tiny canvases, they look beautiful. I think all recipients will be delighted with them. I'll post some pictures once I put the finishing touches on all of them.

I wish it was yesterday at this time.

Ali

Young Love.

Overheard at little sister's graduation party:

"Wrong! I was in love with her,

she was in love with HORSES!"

Baby Sister's Graduation Party :)

Things

Just a couple things... I feel so scatter brained lately so I think this post will be all over the place.

1. I overheard one of the funniest conversations in the bathroom today as I was cleaning. Three girls, no older than nine, were in the bathroom discussing what they thought Tampons (yikes just used the T-word...groan) were used for. The answer they came up with was:

"I think they are used to put up your butt so you don't poop while you're dancing"

...I'm sorry, what? I had to try so hard not to burst out in laughter. God love little girls.

2. I decided that it is a sad part of life to demote someone from "best friend" status. People change and that's okay. I've made peace with just being friends and keeping them at arms length. Maybe in the future this will change but for now, it's pretty much set in cement. Sad.

3. In my opinion, crew neck sweatshirts are a more formal version of a hooded sweatshirt. I feel like they are a step up. I could just be biased though as I love crew necks.

4. Tonight was Youth Night at the pool where I work. It was fun except for the fact that I saw one to many girls under the age of ten doing "sexy MTV dance moves." It was a little disturbing, Sister Mary Jordan does not approve!

lovelove.

Jordan

playlist #3457

Social Distortion: ball and chain

Sonic Youth: kool thing

Streetlight Manifesto:

-here's to life

-point/counterpoint

-a better place, a better time

(and let's face it, their remake of catch 22's Keasby Nights album is...well pretty boss. I'm not saying it's better BUT it's boss.)

Catch 22:

-wine stained lips

-9mm and a three piece suit

-1234,1234

Less Than Jake:

-plastic cup politics

-the ghost of me and you

-she's gonna break soon

No Doubt:

-spider webs

-just a girl

-sunday morning

Reel Big Fish:

-she has a girlfriend now

-good thing

-sell out

-drunk again

RX Bandits:

-get

-overcome

-sell you beautiful

Rancid:

-dope sick girl

-ruby soho

-fall back down

Pepper:

-sitting on the curb

Mad Caddies:

-drinking for 11

-good intentions

-last breath

Big D and the Kids Table:LAX

& some rebelution, some marley, some sublime, some more pepper.

aaaaaliiii.

Things I love: Baggy Clothing and Jeffery Campbell shoes

I'm just going to put it out there: baggy clothing and Jeffery Campbell shoes are fabulous.

1.Baggy Clothing
Lately I have been obsessed with wearing baggy/oversized clothes.
It's wonderful that the wearing your boyfriends clothes look is "hip" now, making it perfectly acceptable for me to wear baggy jeans and a loose t-shirt.
I don't know what it is about this look that I love so much. I think it is that I must be comfortable in what I am wearing and also be able to move around. I hate hate hate tight clothes to the point where I actually begin to feel annoyed, they are too constricting and often times, unflattering.

*My love of baggy clothing does not mean I think it is acceptable to just wear clothes that don't fit or are overly huge. I think one should try the baggy look within reason choosing making sure every piece has a purpose and is flattering in some way! No jeans that expose your underwear, yikes!

Best Baggy Boyfriend Jean I have found:

American Eagle Boy Fit Crops Jeans

*They are baggy while still being flattering on a girl's body. They truly are the best of both worlds.

2. Jeffery Campbell shoes

I am a shoe girl. I adore them. I truly believe shoes can make or break an outfit; they can pull it together or make it look disjointed.

As someone who is always on the prowl for new and interesting shoes, when I came across Jeffery Campbell shoes I was in love. His shoe designs are practical yet often contain a unique twist. They are also made with good quality materials, making them great to be worn day to day.

Places to Find Jeffery Campbell Shoes:

LuLu

Nasty Gal

Now there is no point to clean my room.

I thought I had lost my bank card ( go figure, I can never manage to keep anything worth keeping. Responsibility is an aspect of learning I seem to have missed.) So I began cleaning my room, and what a horrible task it is- so many clothes, pens, shoes- everywhere. Ugh. But I began with the mission that I would find this bank card so I could buy things for people (you know cards, birthday presents, graduation presents, brownie mix....the list trails on). So I turn on the Law and Order Marathon, pull out the hangers and get ready to hang and then color code my closet when(!) upon turning on my god forsaken television I find it. My stupid bank card had been stupidly placed next to the television. Figures....two worthless things next to each other. Well, one truly worthless (the television) and one not so worthless cause money is what makes a large percent of the world go around. THEREFORE, I need to find a new reason to clean this messy room. Maybe i'll dedicate my cleaning to the blind, or to a shirt that I determined long ago was never going to be seen again, OR maybe i'll clean it so when my boyfriend comes Sunday I don't feel shame when he looks at my room and thinks- ew what a mess. Who knows, but I'll clean it....right this instant.Personally, I find it easier to see things laid out. So if I pull out five dresses to try and figure out whether to wear black or red, a skirt or a dress, ect and then they end up on the floor...eh..oh well.
Merry Cleaning!

I don't understand some friendships. Friendships I thought I would have forever have now changed and as a consequence the friendship is slowly drifting apart. I know this happens and I shouldn't be surprised because somethings just aren't meant to stay forever.

However, this particular friendship surprises me. Part of the reason for the decline is my fault, I wasn't always around or available and I know that, I own that part. The other part belongs to her. There are two huge things that have happened on her part in this friendship for which I have forgiven but I can't forget and as a result I look at her differently. I know I should move past it, but these two things go against the biggest traits I look for in a friend, loyalty and support.

Although this one friendship is drifting slowly out of my reach, other friendships are growing stronger. My relationships in these friendships make me inspired to be a better friend and a better person. I am thankful for them.

cheers.

Jordan

More South Carolina :)

After a 10 hour car ride I am finally home! The trip was wonderful, I loved getting to see Blaire's school (it looks like a resort, it's beautiful) and listen to all of the orientation leaders talk about how much they loved it, I LOVE hearing about school spirit. In my own college search, school spirit was high on my list and if schools were lacking they were crossed off ( at one school I visited the tour guide openly told me there wasn't that much to do and that the school was "okay"..yuck!). I think school spirit was one of the major reasons I chose Tech. School spirit is fanatical at Virginia Tech, you cannot cross the Drillfield or go to class without seeing at least 20 people in something VT. To hear the Coastal Orientation Leaders talk about their school spirit and how much they loved their school made me so happy and excited for Blaire that she gets to start her college adventure there in the fall.

This has nothing to do with what was just talked about above but, I think it's cool. Today as we were checking out I walked to the car to pack my things in the trunk and when I got there I spied a moth, a pink and yellow moth. I had never seen one before and it was so beautiful, I stopped and watched it for a couple of minutes (I like to think I did this because I am a young scientist but I know it's because I'm girly and love pretty things). When I got home I looked up the name and it's scientific name is Dryocampa rubicunda but it's commonly known as the rosy maple moth. How cute!

lovelove.

Jordan

After a serious discussion tonight:

This is the cause of my anger management problem:

Post Beach

I came home at 10pm with the intention of going back out and hanging with everyone, but sadly just woke up at 2:45-only to find my bed very sandy, my face very burnt, and my hair very salty. Haha, all in all a highly successful day at the beach.

While on the drive home though, I think we listened t0 every sad song ever recorded by Brand New, Something Corporate, and Dashboard Confessional.And it was raining. And then I was sensitive, haha story of my life. So I decided i'd make a sensitive playlist & I did and I will post that tomorrow, because this tired little beach babe needs to go back to sleep.

Below the Mason Dixon Line

Today on a spur of the moment decision I decided to join my little sister and mother on a trip to South Carolina for Blaire's orientation at Coastal Carolina. The trip is eight hours from Maryland, but we're finally here!

Things of Note: Day One

-A mustang painted with Iron Man that had the license plate "BIT CHIN." Probably one of the coolest cars I've ever seen.

-We took the back roads instead of 95 and got to see a real country lighting storm. It was beautiful the way the streaks lit up the whole sky is something I miss living in the suburbs close to Baltimore.

-We found a great radio station that played 90's music. I loved it!

-Ten Virginia Tech car bumper stickers, I love when I see Hokie pride up and down the East Coast!

-Blaire, Mom, and I had an intense discussion about the vast difference between the decor of McDonalds that we seen. The bottom line that we reached is that even though some may look nice (the one we drove by today had a 1950's diner theme) they still serve you food that will kill you. I think I summed it up pretty well, "you can put lipstick on a pig but...it's still a pig."

-Our hotel is questionable, there are bite marks on the television remote and mirrors as backboards of the beds.....I'm just not going to put to much thought into it as my skin might start to itch.

I'm excited to see Blaire's campus tomorrow and learn about the school. Also, I'm hoping to make it to the ocean tomorrow since Coastal is a mere 9 miles from Myrtle beach!

lovelove.

Jordan

A list for personal use:

Cancelled my lessons for tomorrow for a brief trip to the beach

Things I need to remember for the beach:

-a towel- the orange one with white and pink flowers

-sunglasses- black knockrounds

-my ipod

-coke zero

-money

-beach cover up

-vince's 6 bucks

-my cellphone

-sunscreen

A piece of a advice:

actions speak louder than words, even if you think no one can see them!

So don't take comprising pictures of you "blacked out" in bathrooms with girls or you kissing girls.It just makes people think you're sketchy, especially here is the kicker- if it's a long-distance relationship. Am I right? Sloppiness, Sketchiness and so forth ARE NOT qualities in someone that are respectable. So next time you want to pick up that beer that will get you drunk enough to be carried out from somewhere- put it down and wait an hour. I don't know I thought that this was simple. I try not to ask for too much from anyone. I try not to be controlling or put limits on anything or anyone, but this is something that actually pisses me off is that people can say anything, it's what you do that really counts. So all I can say is grow up, handle yourself, and if you want to act like you're in high school THEN GO FOR IT(!), but I can't say i'll be down.

This is just a general piece of advice....I lyke..don't mean to vent about anyone in particular.

End of the Week

I want to start an end of the week rose of the week and thorn of the week. I think this will continue on with my finding things to be thankful for and things to work on and just observations. I want to work on being positively introspective instead of just forgetting about blessings and getting down about the negative things. Basically, I want to acknowledge the good and be thankful for it and acknowledge the bad and work past it.

Rose of the Week (there are a few!):

-Taylor and Blaire have both successfully completed high school and gotten their diplomas. I really am just so proud of them!

-My knee hasn't acted up all week at the gym

-I'm reading a great book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It is absolutely fantastic it's a mix of modern day applicable philosophy and beautiful imagery of the open road.

-My big came to visit!

Thorn of the Week:

-Well... I'll put it this way I don't exactly have buyers remorse but at the same time I'm not completely happy with my purchase.

-I need to check off more things on my to-do list.

lovelove.

Jordan

Congratulations Little Seesstors!

Both of my little sisters are graduated from high school! Taylor had her graduation today and Blaire's was last week! I am so proud of them, I cannot believe they are so grown up! Love them!

lovelove.

Jordan

Luke Says....

Text from Luke:

"I just found out snooki is repub. Thank God."

Who knew? Thanks, Captain Republican, for alerting me.

C.S Lewis

one more thing before I get on with my day:

I love this quote, it's so true.

Writing is a socially acceptable form of getting naked in public.
-Paulo Coelho

So when you're writing today, just think you're completely naked in Time Square & just go for it. Because you see, if you find yourself naked in Time Square, you're just going to have to go for it-even if at first you're completely aware of that cellulite on the back of your legs or that one awful scar you have or how one boob is slight bigger than the other or whatever insecurity you seem to pick at day in and day out. So just write and write it all and get over the fears you may have about expressing yourself, because if you don't go for it-well, you're just going to end up feeling a little awkward I think.

Ali

I suppose this goes with what I last said

Plus I'm rereading Candid, not that this came from that...but Voltaire...he lyke...wrote it.

OH and I have a joke, from my high school Humanities days:
What is Voltaire's favorite food?
Answer: Candid Yams.
^haha, that still cracks me up.

rocky road.

I hope people think I have a heart of ice cream, because I really do


Don't you hate when you can just feel someone isn't saying something to you? It drives me crazy, it makes me completely out-of-breath over a million less-than-rational scenarios. Maybe things are fine? Maybe things aren't? Maybe when you say you love someone and mean it you say it? Or maybe you don't? Who has the answers to these questions? I know who does, the one who keeps it all to himself (or herself).
And by not giving some sort of comment on how this certain someone feels (& I mean, I'm not saying people need a state of the relationship or state of his/her emotions or state of the friendship address, but sometimes a little reassurance would be nice.) it just puts the other person in the uncomfortable corner of:
well if I don't know how they feel what am I to do?
And they said I love you first....but then never said it...so did they mean it....do I say it?
&a million other questions you could draw out of the giant hat that is your head.
Who knows.
I don't know and as you can see this creates some sort of vicious cycle.
So please, everyone once in a while just say- hey, i love you (if you haven't in awhile because, once you say I love you....you can't take it back. So if you haven't WAIT till you need to say it or else you'll combust and then once you say it you know you won't be able to stop cause you want to say it.) or maybe- hey you're doing a good job, or some other positive statement. Cause there are some people in this world that are insecure.

So thats my advice for the day, Enjoy!
Ali

ps, this picture is not formatting right, ugh. Here is the link:http://www.asofterworld.com/clean/swing.jpg