Get Dancin': John Newman

You've probably heard this song by now, but the flatmate and I can't stop dancing along to this Romeo and Juliet inspired [sorry about the ending :/ ] music video from John Newman.

This guy is seriously impressive.  He is bringing back "Northern Soul" and it sounds amaaaaazing!  Plus, the 23-year-old Brit designs all his own clothes and jewelry.

You can read up more about him on buzzfeed
OR...
You can join some friends and I seeing him live in April in Seattle (for under $20!!).

Happy Friday and... darn, I wished people still danced like that!

Brilliant day for music!

Switchfoot's Fading West was released and is now streaming on The Drop.  It's fun.  Their first single, "Who we are" is a blast and the I rather adore the childlike rhymes of "Let it Out."  An underlying theme of the album - "we become what we believe."

 From the day we’re born
We are scarred and torn
We’ve been scared to sing out loud
But we don’t care no more
‘Cause we know life is short
And we don’t care who leaves us now
Breathe it in and let it out

John Mark McMillan's "Future Past" was also released with this music video.  It is simple.  It is beautiful.  I can't wait for the whole album.

And you,
You are my first
You are my last
You are my future and my past

And the one that made me most excited is that Kye Kye's sophomore album is now streaming here a week before it's release.  I've seen this band perform live twice and got to talk to them on both occasions.  They are such authentic artists with a sound I just love!  I've been dancing around my flat to "Honest Affection" and "Dreams (2 am)" since the singles were released, but I am loving this sneak peek at the rest of the album.

A part of me just wanted to know
But the other part was always so wasted
My heart was always made to be still
To wait because you promised you’d save it

Happy listening!

First Lines - 2013

My friend Simon has a tradition of doing a "First Lines" post to capture the year.  In his words, "It's very simply - you copy across the first line of each month's first blog post, and a link to that post, as an intriguing overview of the year..."  Sounds fun.  Here I go:

January - "This year is a sealed envelope / With apprehensive hope / We brace for anything / I swear, I understand that nothing changes that / The past will be the past / But the future is brighter than any flashback."

February - Since I woke up this morning I've been inexplicably excited.

March - This weekend I had one of those great "Wow!  Not everyone thinks everyone thinks the same way I do (thank God!)" moments.

April - This weekend was glorious! Glorious!!

May - Seriously... this book is wrecking me!

June - Ours is NOT a blind faith.

July - I know I've just written about it, but I'm seeing this everywhere - aren't you?  It's a happenin' summer - and it's just begun!

August - August means ... Moving into my own place and starting a new season.

September - "Don't be afraid to change. You may lose something good, but you'll gain something better."

October - Currently listening to... a lot of Lorde.

November - So... the National Theatre of Great Britain celebrated their landmark 50th Anniversary tonight, bringing over 100 performers together for a live evening comprised of some of their most famous productions.

December - Some nights, you just have to stay up late watching Jennifer Lawrence interviews and appreciating all that is quirky and authentic.

August means...

... Moving into my own place and starting a new season.

... Celebrating 1 year at my job.

... Finally getting to Shakespeare in the Park this Summer.

... Family Camp [aka - 5 days of Christmas!]

... Last "hurrah's" before friends and family head back to school.

... Multiple film clubs.

... Taking advantage of summer nights by the lake :)

... Celebrating family birthdays.

... An excursion to Boston to see Kristina - complete with a trip to Fenway and a day at Cape Cod!



August means splendid things.  Have a fantastic August!




[via]

Fireworks - Silver

Say hello to Zinedine:

Zinedine has been my very faithful macbook.

He turned six years old today.

A little background:

Six years ago, I had just graduated high school and was at a national speech competition in Chicago. When I made it to the finals, I asked my dad if he would make a deal with me: if I placed in the top 3 at nationals, he would help [I said the word help!] me buy my first laptop, a little macbook.  He agreed.

I placed 2nd.

He straight out bought me the macbook as a combo high school graduation + congratulations present.

The intro to my speech centered on Zinedine Zidane's World Cup head-butt.  The point was that lack of character in split-second moment of decision caused Mr. Gold Cleats to end his career in red-carded infamy and halted France's momentum, leading to their defeat in the shoot out.

Point of the speech: make good choices.

Point of the story: I named my laptop Zinedine.

You've all heard macs rule...and they do.

They're not without they're issues - I am on my third hard-drive, but the mac-built machine is still kicking.

And last November, I accidentally spilled a full glass of water on the little guy.  I mean I picked it up, turned it over and water streamed out from beneath the keys.  "I finally killed it," I thought :(  But thanks to google and my observations at the genius bar, I knew to take out the battery, pull out the hard-drive and let it air dry for a week.  I did it - and it worked!! Zinedine resurrected!

Call me sentimental, but... I've spent so many late nights hovering over those keys.

I mean, to think of myself unwrapping my shiny, new gift at 17 is to imagine a completely different person.

Each crack and smudge and intermittent key is a story.

And a laptop making it 6 years is like hitting 250,000 miles on your car or 120 "laptop years."

Okay...too sentimental, Samara.

The point of the post is another "new" for 2013.

Meet my new MacBook Air:

She doesn't have a name yet.

Yes, it's a lady this time.  [It's too tiny to be anything but skinny-jean clad hipster dude...]

No name yet... I've only had her since Saturday.  But we're already quite happy together :)

Yes, the Airs are as itty as they look on the commercials.

I can't wait to get an awesome case for it. 

E.g... Kate Spade, Michael Kors "envelope," and the Cole Haan satchel. [Someday I'll have an awesome satchel!]

All that to say...

I'm so grateful for my trusty macbook and all the papers and fun times it got me through.

And I'm super excited to have a new little friend.

We shall have some grand adventures of our own now.

Fireworks - Red

Sorry for the vague-blogging last week.  Let's start to clarify :)


Well, so one of things I was hinting at here and here last week (and dreaming of for a while) was this - I am now a red-head and loving it!

[It's very dynamic and so looks different depending on the light.]

I'd never ever colored my hair before, so this was a big step.  And I'd been warned red is dangerous... but I'm so glad I tackled it.  My stylist is amazing, so I really had nothing to worry about.  But my need for understanding and flare for the dramatic sometimes rage at war conflict - hence being all nervous/excited.

But I am so excited to join the league of red-heads!

 

"I've never been ginger!" - 10th Doctor

Now I have, Doctor.  Now I am :)


[Before and after]



Just have to say...

I am getting SO excited for Valentine's Day this year!!

Last year, I practically missed out on Valentine's Day altogether--and this is worth a story all unto itself...

I had a big presentation on Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse that day.  So I was up late on the 13th into the 14th researching and writing and prepping for this presentation and an annotated bibliography that went with it.
It was practically comical, though, because one of my best friends was up just as late/early as I was - watching Braveheart with her boyfriend.  That's how cool my friends are - they think of Braveheart as the perfect, romantic precursor to Valentines Day [duh!] :)

So anyway... After staying up till 2, sleeping for just a few hours, running around like crazy trying to get things printed, dashing to work for the morning shift, racing to school to set up for the presentation, and giving a presentation which I enjoyed, but my professor thought pretty mediocre........ I wasn't exactly in the mood for a great Valentine's Day.  In all that, I hadn't even been able to write up notes to my family, let alone friends.  If I remember correctly, a few texts were exchanged on the bus.  But I felt awful finding chocolates, flowers, and cards at my spot on the kitchen table, but having nothing to offer in return than a verbal "Thanks... I love you, too!"  After the presentation, waiting around on campus before my evening plans, I did pop on tumblr and found a host of fabulous Sherlock Valentines - which my other mischevious friends received ;)

That night, when I usually would get all dolled up and go out with girl-friends, I took my brother to a friend's "Non-Valentines Valentines Day Party."  It wasn't all single people... it was just a group of friends who didn't want to give into the consumerism and pressure of Valentines Day.  So it was pizza and apples-to-apples rather than dresses, dinner, and a movie.  It was fun... but I missed "going out."

I really don't believe in moping around on Valentine's Day.  Sure I'm looking forward to spending it with my Mister, but I have been blessed with so many people to love on!!  And this year I'm looking forward to making up for last year... because I can!  Instead of worrying about annotated bibliographies, I've got little gifts and cards planned, my brother is going to be receiving a marvelous little care package my sister have been creating, a few ladies at work are doing "Secret Valentine," (there's going to be some LBD drama!), and I have a double-sister date planned with dear friends!  A smashing way to spend Valentine's if you ask me ;)

And it's a perfect picture of the season that I'm in.  I at peace with all the possibilities of the future before me; knowing that they're not quite here and that's ok.  I thoroughly mean to enjoy the here and now, and wait--eagerly leaning--towards all the new things out there.  My life right now is full... so wonderfully, fabulously full.  So this Valentine's Day, there is only reason to celebrate all the people I love now.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

A very nice surprise



[via]

*PS - except not on Saturdays anymore! :(

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

[You can tell life is full when it's thursday and you're finally writing about the weekend =P ]

I was absolutely spoiled this weekend!

I got to attend 2 concerts and be with some of my favorite people =)

Friday night, I took my younger brother, Jerry, on a date.......... to see our favorite band:

Future of Forestry

This was my fourth FOF concert (first and second experience)--and each one has been so worth it.

Obviously I'm a huge fan of their art... but more than just a fan.

They are a group of extremely talented people who have a lot of fun creating together. And that is worth the price of admission.

This year was especially moving... beyond what I can articulate.

But one of the fun parts was that my brother and I were front and center. Eric (the lead singer) kept looking over at us. In between songs, he made a comment about how unusual it was to have people singing along who knew every word.

After the concert I stood in a group, waiting to talk to Eric. But I noticed that Jerry was behind me talking to another member of the band so I turned around to chat with them.

As I did, Eric leapt out of this crowd of people, looked at us and said "Don't leave! Wait just a minute and I'll be done." I laughed, assuring him we weren't going anywhere.

So we chatted with a cool band member who had also just graduated college and then waited a bit longer for Eric. We got to spend several minutes with him, sharing some of the personal significance to his songs, thanking him for his music. But it felt mutually encouraging. He was so grateful to us... just an amazing connection, really.

The next night was also a stellar music experience: my church recorded their first live album.

Our worship leader (also named Eric) has such an incredible as a singer/songwriter. Combine that with some very talented musicians, Katie + Rose (amazing!), an energized crowd, invite the presence of God and you can expect an incredible evening!

So there's a snapshot of my fabulous, musical weekend. Hope yours was equally inspiring!

summer wishes and sunny days

Well, I hope you had a fantastic day--because I sure did!

Finally out of school, I've gotten to spend more time with this amazing lady:

[Vintage graduation party]

Cami and I have dined at my favorite french restaurant, reminisced about our European adventures, seen NT Live's Frankenstein, recommended gazillions of films and books, and shared about cool dreams we have for "someday."

Today we had an all-day date. What fun!

This morning we went and saw Moonrise Kingdom - simply superb, even a second time =)

And then... well, lets just say I had a wish granted.

I haven't been on a [speed] boat in 5 years. Yah. Since my senior class trip to Chelan.

Well, anyway, I've been craving lake-time a lot and today I got just that:

[Couldn't help myself from quoting What About Bob: "AHOY! I'm a Sailor!"]

And despite the forecast, what a lovely day it turned out to be!!

Though, I'm proud to say that after four hours in the sun, I am not lobster red. Yes, Mr. Sun, I'll keep my pasty-white, thank you very much.

Cami's dad - a weathered sailor and sea captain - took the two of us out on his boat and we got to relax and chat and plan movie nights. [Cami - we really need to start a list... haha]

[I even attempted wakeboarding. It wasn't an abysmal failure--but it wasn't exactly successful. We'll call it a tie and hope for a rematch.]

Seattle sun, Wes Anderson, amazing friends, the lake and a boat.

I don't know what more one could ask from a Summer day =)

Well, it's been a wonderful day, but after:

• FIVE fabulous parties
• lots of wonderful conversations
• a ton of good-bad food [my diet starts monday =P ]
• innumerable new acquaintances
• the summer's first tea-party
• a hundred miles on my car
• three costume changes
• facing a few fears
• a game of badminton 
• swing dancing for the first time in years
• and a host of great memories

... I'm going to bed =)

The Romantic’s Survival Guide

Welcome to the age of asperity! 

Watch your tongue and shun sincerity

For you ought to be warned that the natives here

Are especially apt to snark and sneer.

Don’t rouse their vicious hostility

And indulge in romantic temerity

For your heart they will cut, and your soul they will sear

As they skillfully skew’r and gleefully jeer;

So veil yourself in obscurity

To stay safe and avoid their barbarity.

- Erika, a friend from the Notion Club

Love this poem and thought a few of my readers could identify ;)

monday, bun-day

My take on the Keiko Lynn "do"

fun and funky bun! =)

"It's going to be a big, big, big, big day!"

Thank you, Effie Trinket ;)

I'm so excited for today, its ridiculous! 

Well, first off, I finally got some new makeup--makes a girl feel fresh.

But I have some fun adventures in store. After class, I get to take part in some fun, academic activities.

First off is the Gauguin exhibit at the SAM. I'm going with my Comp Lit class and I'm very excited to see the exhibit--let alone have time in a museum.

Afterwards I'll be zooming back over to UW for the monthly gathering of the G. K. Chesterton Society of Seattle. Tomorrow night's topic: Why read Jane Austen

I'm so excited! And hey, I can use some of it as research for my thesis =)

Overall, its going to be a pretty fabulous day!

spring break round-up

The other day I was thinking and didn't feel like I had done a lot over spring break, but as I recounted parts of my spring break, I realized that wasn't true. Here are just a few of the fun things I've done over break:

Finished The Man Who Was Thursday [Gilbert Keith Chesterton]

Read A Severe Mercy [Sheldon Vaunaken] and The Sign of Four [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]

I took my first solo-road trip and went to Portland for a few days, which included a fabulous visit to Powell's. I also got to catch up with my good friend Maia, whom I met studying in Oxford.

Went to the Cinema twice. Once to see The Artist on a date with Charlli:

 and The Hunger Games with Josiah

 Visited IKEA for the first time as an adult. 

Completed a project with the spoils of the IKEA visit:

Got to get all dolled up for both the CCA Auction

 and a wedding.

Plus my trip to the MAC counter with Christine.

[I still absolutely love playing dress up!]

Checked my inbox and mailbox obsessively for news from Oxford

Stayed over with my sister and her family for a night, where I enjoyed Ross's fabulous steak and re-watching the Downton Abbey Christmas special [sigh =].

Sent my good friend Lois off to England with a fabulous double-header of great period dramas.

Had a Packer-Surface girl date in the sun this Saturday. We walked all around Juanita Bay and got to see a bald eagle.

Also went on an amazing Seattle date with my aunt Kristina.

Worked more shifts to make some extra $$

Got to introduce Stephanie H. to Sherlock (BBC).

Phone chats with my friends from far-away, like Beks and Kristina D.

* * * * *

"Let me explain. No there's too much. Let me sum up."

Overall, I had a marvelous time off. I read leisurely, spent lots of time with some of my favorite people, went on a few adventures, tried new things, had my patience stretched (in regards to Oxford), shed a few beautiful tears, laughed more than I cried, wrote a surprising amount, filled my journal with tons of quotes, survived the Ides of March, missed London a lot, sent and received letters, re-focused for the near future, and learned to choose peace + trust even more.

Ahh... goodbye Spring break, hello Spring quarter.

[photo-credit: Sarah]

Had so much fun today!

I got to go with a co-worker to get make-overs at the MAC counter =)

We had such a blast and, of course, now I want to buy a bunch of make-up.

The artist used this fabulous color on my eyes:

Its a pinkish-purpley color with hints of copper that is pretty amazing!

She tried the color on the left first: Nicki Minaj Viva Glam.

Woah! Bright, Barbie, hot-pink. It was fun, but a bit too fun for me.

I opted for something a bit more subtle, i.e. the one on the left (Viva Glam V)

My friend surprised me by buying the lipstick for me! So blessed.

She also introduced me to a new favorite hangout - Munchbar.

This picture doesn't do it justice, because on the other side there were cool, wood ceiling beams and exposed brick. Overall, the space was very fun and modern and very affordable. Plus, I can verify that they have really good garlic fries. I'll be back!

Such a fun date! I'm loving spring break a bit too much... I think I would be fine with this all the time.

[A lie, actually, after a few months I'd be begging to back to class, but it sure is fun to be able to have great, spontaneous dates!]

Leaping for Leap Day!

How to celebrate "Leap Day"--that odd, extra day of the year?

Well, today, a friend and I honored the day by watching one of our favorite movies ever:

These two are just so entertaining!

Ah... favorite.

My friend lives in Kentucky, so she and I watched it "together" by carrying an online conversation on during the film. So fun. I just love her.

And I love this movie...

And it got me really excited for St. Patrick's Day! =)

ok... not the best sound quality... but the editing is well done and its just fun!

David Cook and Adele - Rolling in the Deep "duet" =)

SO excited for my date with some of my favorite people tomorrow!

Including these two - 

Oh gosh! Love these two so much.

I haven't seen them in over a month!

Plus, so excited to chat with their mom (aka, my older sister and pretty much best friend ever)

Yay fridays!

Oh... and "Friday Nights in Seattle" is becoming a pattern =)
Tomorrow night, I'll be attending my cousin's elementary school performance of Seussical the Musical. How fun will that be? I love Dr. Seuss.

Alright, sweet dreams everyone!

Book Idea:

Take all the characters in English novels who have claimed something to the effect of: "I am the unnhappiest of men/women" or "no creature had ever been so miserable as I was" etc... and put those characters on trial. Then we can find out by comparison which fictional character was really the most miserable. We could in fact have 1st place, 2nd place, and honorable mention.

But then the others would need to go away and stop claiming to have the worst life.

Which characters do you know who have claimed that? Off the top of my head:
Caleb Williams
Victor Frankenstein
The Creature [I'm beginning to notice a family pattern ;]
Marianne Dashwood.

Sidenote: Some of the characters who I think may lay the best claim on the title, don't.

But go ahead, tell me who you know thinks they're unhappiest--and who really is??