"Everything that can be invented has been invented."
-Charles H. Duell, 1899
Oh, Charlie. If you had only lived to see. My brother is talking to his voice activated laptop.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Drum roll, please...
I'm so excited
I'm changing my major!
I declared it Business, but I knew I really didn't want to do that. I'm just not interested in it. And you know, this english class I'm taking has really got me thinking: I LOVE to write. And I wouldn't mind doing it for a living. So, my new major is...Drum roll, please...
English!
(Like you didn't see that coming.)
with concentration on creative writing.
And a minor in philosophy!
Or music!
Or both!
(Can you do that?)
I haven't decided exactly what I want to do with it. My ideal job would be to write album reviews for a music magazine or something.
Actually, scratch that. My ideal job would be to write music for a living. But, I'm going to write music anyways, regardless of who listens or cares. And I'm going to write smart music. Not the cookie-cutter noise you hear showing up everywhere. I just need to get started on it. Ha
Plans C and D include journalism and, if I absolutley have to, teaching. Well. I would probably enjoy teaching, it's just there are other things I would enjoy more. But we'll see what happens. Majors are predestined to change, it's life.
--Jenn
Ps.
"Before they invented water, they invented coffee."
-Drew, age 5
Also-Camera Can't Lie=good stuff. Check them out!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Go Laminin!
So, I have to ask myself. Why am I not spending all my time with You?
You, the Creator of the Universe.
You, the author and perfecter of our faith.
You, my Father.
It seems like such a simple thing doesn't it? That all it takes is a quick prayer and we are connected to our lifeline. Yet, I'm lying in bed at night, wondering where in the world all my time went.
Well, quite reasonably, a couple of hours here and there. A few hours at class, A couple of hours writing my paper, several hours sitting at the piano, a few hours going out to eat, many hours watching soccer.
I'm wondering why I couldn't have devoted a few of those hours to reading the Bible rather than any of the other WAY less important things I did today.
Why, through all the things I did do, I'm still not praising Him with my talents.
Why I can't seem to find time for the one thing that will make me better in every way...
We're a curious thing, us humans.
We all know what we need. Some of us to a higher degree than others. But either way, it's encoded in our DNA (Go Lamnin!) Some of us flat out reject it, telling THE CREATOR that we're smarter than Him. We know better than to believe in a higher being, that's what Athiesm is for. HAHA. Some of us do it more subtly, like neglecting to spend time, or making big decisions without consulting Him. But, you know, any way you do it, you're still sending the same message. So, while you're stressing that life-altering blemish on your face, (and other news worthy endeavors) He's saying I've got you covered.
You, the Creator of the Universe.
You, the author and perfecter of our faith.
You, my Father.
It seems like such a simple thing doesn't it? That all it takes is a quick prayer and we are connected to our lifeline. Yet, I'm lying in bed at night, wondering where in the world all my time went.
Well, quite reasonably, a couple of hours here and there. A few hours at class, A couple of hours writing my paper, several hours sitting at the piano, a few hours going out to eat, many hours watching soccer.
QUITE REASONABLY?
That's not in the least bit reasonable!
Okay, to you it might be, but in the grand scheme of life, the Universe, and everything..
You're screwed.
Why, through all the things I did do, I'm still not praising Him with my talents.
Why I can't seem to find time for the one thing that will make me better in every way...
We're a curious thing, us humans.
We all know what we need. Some of us to a higher degree than others. But either way, it's encoded in our DNA (Go Lamnin!) Some of us flat out reject it, telling THE CREATOR that we're smarter than Him. We know better than to believe in a higher being, that's what Athiesm is for. HAHA. Some of us do it more subtly, like neglecting to spend time, or making big decisions without consulting Him. But, you know, any way you do it, you're still sending the same message. So, while you're stressing that life-altering blemish on your face, (and other news worthy endeavors) He's saying I've got you covered.
And you can tell them how stupid they are...
I was thinking, why can't we all just be like dogs? Their greatest joy in life is to have their belly rubbed (Okay, among other things... like eating food off the floor, chasing cars, barking at things.) A life so simple. And you can tell them how stupid they are in a nice tone of voice and they'll wag their tail like there's no tomorrow.
--Jenn
--Jenn
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
So, what is the secret to eternal happiness you ask? Coffee.
We just finished watching a movie in class called Waiting for Guffman. It's a good movie, really funny. It's about these small town people who throw a big celebration of their town every year and one year a new, completely insane, flamboyant man from New York moves there and wants to put on a play of the towns history. Now, there's an underlying theme of the sadness that these small town people just can't seem to shake. My english teacher calls it the "silence" but whatever. My deadly sharp point is, I can't help but wonder if there's a little bit of this "silence" in all of our lives. In the movie it's because they aren't happy with the monotony of their day to day, and when the new guy comes in and shakes things up, they get to be on stage and they realize that they can't go back to their old lives, they all move and attempt lives at show biz. Are they really happy after that? I can't say. They seem to be. Are we all happy? From time to time. Under our circumstances. Are celebrities happy? I'm thinking quite obviously not. We think we'd be happy if we just had the fame, just had the clothes, just had all the love in the world but we get those things, or know people who get those things and we're happy for a while but it fades. So what is the secret to eternal happiness you ask? Coffee. Hah, just kidding. Jesus Christ. And a lot of him. To come face to face with the Creator and know your purpose, know that you're loved, and know that he cannot act apart from love.
--Jenn
--Jenn
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
I'm with so-and-so doing such-and-such, text me!
So, let me rant about Facebook a little. I'm an avid Facebook user. I enjoy using it. I think I hate what it's doing to us. "Us" as in the world. It's really a good thing, being able to talk to our friends that we don't get to see on a regular basis. And it's more convenient than talking on the phone (for some reason.) Something about seeing and being seen appeals to us as humans. And it's a little like being a celebrity in your own world. People know and can see what you're doing. I have to admit, that really creeped me out at first. I went to my settings and made it so nothing would ever show up on other people's feeds. And everyone is a creeper! We always know what's going on with the people we have added even if we aren't really friends with them. It's a little unnerving to know that I'm a creeper.
"Did you hear blankety-blank broke up?"
" NO WAY."
"Yeah, yeah, Facebook told me."
We can upload the picture that makes us look best, write out our good qualities (and even some qualities we don't have but wish we did) and tell the world what we're doing at any given moment. You know, not all together bad things. But then there's the people that update their status every five minutes. "I'm with so-and-so doing such-and-such, text me!" "Now so-and-so and I are making an appearance at this place so you should join us!" Does anyone else think that giving people the ability to update their status on their phone was an insanely bad idea? Then there's the quizzers, the application-ers and the chain note-ers that tag you in everything and ask you to join their zombie squad (or whatever those people do) for the 6o billionth time. And don't you just find it utterly annoying, when you see a group of people taking pictures and you just KNOW that the second they get home they're going to post them. People don't take pictures to have memories anymore. They just want to show their friends what they've doing, where they've been doing it, and with whom they have been doing it with. And EVERYONE is a photographer. Don't get me wrong, some people really do have talent with a camera. Maybe it's just me, I don't know. Also, Facebook has really made our generation forget how to socialize normally. Have you heard of people breaking up with each other by changing their relationship status? They don't tell them, just change it and they'll see it when they see it. We can't have normal conversations without a computer screen and miles between us. People chicken out and have important conversations over messages and texts rather than face to face. And meeting people and the rapes.......I'm not even going to go there. It's a changing world, I realize that. Doesn't mean I have to like it or embrace it. But, I suppose, the most I can do is refuse to participate (and blog about it.)
--Jenn
"Did you hear blankety-blank broke up?"
" NO WAY."
"Yeah, yeah, Facebook told me."
We can upload the picture that makes us look best, write out our good qualities (and even some qualities we don't have but wish we did) and tell the world what we're doing at any given moment. You know, not all together bad things. But then there's the people that update their status every five minutes. "I'm with so-and-so doing such-and-such, text me!" "Now so-and-so and I are making an appearance at this place so you should join us!" Does anyone else think that giving people the ability to update their status on their phone was an insanely bad idea? Then there's the quizzers, the application-ers and the chain note-ers that tag you in everything and ask you to join their zombie squad (or whatever those people do) for the 6o billionth time. And don't you just find it utterly annoying, when you see a group of people taking pictures and you just KNOW that the second they get home they're going to post them. People don't take pictures to have memories anymore. They just want to show their friends what they've doing, where they've been doing it, and with whom they have been doing it with. And EVERYONE is a photographer. Don't get me wrong, some people really do have talent with a camera. Maybe it's just me, I don't know. Also, Facebook has really made our generation forget how to socialize normally. Have you heard of people breaking up with each other by changing their relationship status? They don't tell them, just change it and they'll see it when they see it. We can't have normal conversations without a computer screen and miles between us. People chicken out and have important conversations over messages and texts rather than face to face. And meeting people and the rapes.......I'm not even going to go there. It's a changing world, I realize that. Doesn't mean I have to like it or embrace it. But, I suppose, the most I can do is refuse to participate (and blog about it.)
--Jenn
Saturday, June 6, 2009
They liked it! They really liked it!
Not too long ago I was at Six Flags. To keep myself from judging all the people, (something I have been working on for a while) when I found myself starting to do it I would just stop and wonder what their story was. What is the reasoning behind their circumstances? Why are they where they are, doing what they're doing? When you're thinking about their story, it's so much easier to relate to them and so much harder to judge them. I found myself making up things for everyone I passed. I became engrossed in my little game. So much so that my friends were wondering why I was hardly talking.
Yesterday I posted my status on Facebook as 'Tell me your story.' I don't know if I expected a lot of responses to that or not. Of course, you always want people to respond to your status, but it's kind of a loaded question. Someone instant messaged me, relaying a story, then asked me what mine was. It never even occurred to me to answer that question! I told them I didn't know, I would have to get back to them. It literally kept me up half of the night. What's my story? Does it start in my birthplace of Okinawa, Japan? Or is there a defining moment in my life that would make me who I am? Who am I, for that matter? That's a whole other issue! I wish I could start with a neat little "Once upon a time..." and finish with a clean "The end." I know my reasoning behind asking the question, and I still don't have an answer!
I came to the conclusion that it depends on the person. How you want to answer the question. Now I know my answer; it hit me like a ton of bricks and it happened just last week.
I started Composition I on Monday, and it was the first time I've ever had to write a paper and have complete creative freedom. There was kind of a prompt but I wasn't forced to be persuasive for the first time in my school career, I just had to tell whatever story I wanted that had to do with writing. Now, I enjoy writing. Journaling, poetry, whatever, but I don't think I've ever just written a short story. And oh, what a paper it was! I poured my heart into the paper and long story short she read it to the class and... they liked it, they really liked it! Okay, so not that big of a deal, but oh was it a big deal. I didn't realize until I was lying in bed trying to answer the question of my story, but that day really established (in my mind) me as a writer. Afterwards I just thought, 'Man, I have to write things for people to read more often. Maybe I am cut out to do this after all.' I knew I had a love of words and books but no one had ever written what I wrote. I feared (reoccuring theme) judgement. I didn't want them to hate it! I didn't want to suck. I knew in the back of my mind that I didn't, but a lot of times you just need confirmation, you know? That was my confirmation. Thank you, english class. Thank you, english teacher. Thank you, Jesus. That day, I think, will define what I do for the rest of my life.
Yesterday I posted my status on Facebook as 'Tell me your story.' I don't know if I expected a lot of responses to that or not. Of course, you always want people to respond to your status, but it's kind of a loaded question. Someone instant messaged me, relaying a story, then asked me what mine was. It never even occurred to me to answer that question! I told them I didn't know, I would have to get back to them. It literally kept me up half of the night. What's my story? Does it start in my birthplace of Okinawa, Japan? Or is there a defining moment in my life that would make me who I am? Who am I, for that matter? That's a whole other issue! I wish I could start with a neat little "Once upon a time..." and finish with a clean "The end." I know my reasoning behind asking the question, and I still don't have an answer!
I came to the conclusion that it depends on the person. How you want to answer the question. Now I know my answer; it hit me like a ton of bricks and it happened just last week.
I started Composition I on Monday, and it was the first time I've ever had to write a paper and have complete creative freedom. There was kind of a prompt but I wasn't forced to be persuasive for the first time in my school career, I just had to tell whatever story I wanted that had to do with writing. Now, I enjoy writing. Journaling, poetry, whatever, but I don't think I've ever just written a short story. And oh, what a paper it was! I poured my heart into the paper and long story short she read it to the class and... they liked it, they really liked it! Okay, so not that big of a deal, but oh was it a big deal. I didn't realize until I was lying in bed trying to answer the question of my story, but that day really established (in my mind) me as a writer. Afterwards I just thought, 'Man, I have to write things for people to read more often. Maybe I am cut out to do this after all.' I knew I had a love of words and books but no one had ever written what I wrote. I feared (reoccuring theme) judgement. I didn't want them to hate it! I didn't want to suck. I knew in the back of my mind that I didn't, but a lot of times you just need confirmation, you know? That was my confirmation. Thank you, english class. Thank you, english teacher. Thank you, Jesus. That day, I think, will define what I do for the rest of my life.
Friday, June 5, 2009
That is probably a bad thing. I should get that checked out.
So, I'm going to be a good first-timer and admit I don't really know how this works. I hope this is something I keep up with, I journal pretty religiously so maybe it won't be a problem. But maybe so.
Today I see that magazines make me feel inadequate. I got the newest Seventeen in the mail even though I thought they stopped mailing them to me. I don't think I had an actual reason for getting a subscription. I liked to read them, but I wasn't a big fan of the celebrity worship and self-betterment articles. And if you know me, I'm not really a Seventeen kind of person. I like books. Hence, I'm not exactly sure why I subscribed. But I did, and I'm pretty sure this was over a year ago so they should have stopped mailing them to me by now. Anywho, I got the new one and read it front to back, from the "50 Ways To Flirt" article to the Katy Perry interview. As some background, I tend to stay away from media type things (tv, movies, etc.) because I don't like how they make me feel. Most people can watch a heart-warming romance movie and love it, but I will walk away saying 'Well crap, why couldn't that have happened to me?' I would almost call it a self-esteem issue but almost not, I think I have generally good self-esteem. I'm not really sure how to explain it. I think I am bitter about good things happening to other people because I have such high ambitions. That is probably a bad thing. I should get that checked out. Yeah, so I had been having a pretty great first week of summer. I hadn't watched a whole lot of TV or anything, just class, working out, reading, and hanging out. I finished reading the magazine and, I don't know, I wasn't in a good mood. Being with me and only me makes me feel like I am right. Seeing what the world has to say (media) makes me feel different, left out, because I don't like the same types of things they talk about or don't have all the clothes and things. It made me remember that I'm not seeing any guys at the moment, while this week I hardly thought about that, didn't care. On the other hand, I wouldn't mind being completely different if I knew where I stood in the world. I don't know if I believe in fate or whatever. Love at first sight. Things like that. I think I would be happier with where I'm at if I had hard-set convictions about life, the universe, and everything, instead of the ideal life always being shoved down my throat. Also, I fear judgement. I can't be different than who I am now or who they are because they will talk. I know, it's dumb. I shouldn't care, but I do. I'm working on it. Maybe I will avoid magazines from now on.
Today I see that magazines make me feel inadequate. I got the newest Seventeen in the mail even though I thought they stopped mailing them to me. I don't think I had an actual reason for getting a subscription. I liked to read them, but I wasn't a big fan of the celebrity worship and self-betterment articles. And if you know me, I'm not really a Seventeen kind of person. I like books. Hence, I'm not exactly sure why I subscribed. But I did, and I'm pretty sure this was over a year ago so they should have stopped mailing them to me by now. Anywho, I got the new one and read it front to back, from the "50 Ways To Flirt" article to the Katy Perry interview. As some background, I tend to stay away from media type things (tv, movies, etc.) because I don't like how they make me feel. Most people can watch a heart-warming romance movie and love it, but I will walk away saying 'Well crap, why couldn't that have happened to me?' I would almost call it a self-esteem issue but almost not, I think I have generally good self-esteem. I'm not really sure how to explain it. I think I am bitter about good things happening to other people because I have such high ambitions. That is probably a bad thing. I should get that checked out. Yeah, so I had been having a pretty great first week of summer. I hadn't watched a whole lot of TV or anything, just class, working out, reading, and hanging out. I finished reading the magazine and, I don't know, I wasn't in a good mood. Being with me and only me makes me feel like I am right. Seeing what the world has to say (media) makes me feel different, left out, because I don't like the same types of things they talk about or don't have all the clothes and things. It made me remember that I'm not seeing any guys at the moment, while this week I hardly thought about that, didn't care. On the other hand, I wouldn't mind being completely different if I knew where I stood in the world. I don't know if I believe in fate or whatever. Love at first sight. Things like that. I think I would be happier with where I'm at if I had hard-set convictions about life, the universe, and everything, instead of the ideal life always being shoved down my throat. Also, I fear judgement. I can't be different than who I am now or who they are because they will talk. I know, it's dumb. I shouldn't care, but I do. I'm working on it. Maybe I will avoid magazines from now on.
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