GoT

I cannot lie... I have never been that much into television shows, but Game of Thrones has turned that around for me. It is only the best thing to ever happen to TV. The combination of war, syfy, love, and passion brings viewers into a new world and drives the ratings through the roof.

The complexity of the characters has lead to serious conversations with friends, which is enlightening compared to most TV. I have never cared so much about a character's motives and feelings, but I just want to continue to dive deeper into their world.

Currently Obsessed: Sheryl Sandberg

Even though I am still in school, I am making it a habit to read more in my everyday routine. When I received an iPad for Christmas the first thing I downloaded was a year subscription to TIME magazine to fulfill this goal. In a issue two weeks ago, the woman Sheryl Sandberg graced the cover with the title "don't hate her because she is successful". I was immediately intrigued by the COO of Facebook.


Thank you TIME on iPad for allowing me to go back into my library and reread older issues because I have reread her articles three times. In the article she talks about her experiences in the business world and when a women succeeds she is a b#*!^.

This message resonated with me because I felt in similar situations. During a time of growth and change for me I took on large roles that challenged me as a student, friend, and leader. It was then I started to realize people perceived me differently because of the positional role I had gained. There was nothing negative directed toward me, but conversations and relationships shifted slightly changed. At this point I was really upset because I didn't want this change, but now looking back on that time it was because individuals were jealous or did not truly understand me. Like Sheryl, success can create haters but I am proud with what I have accomplish and being a woman doing so.

Rock on Sheryl and all successful women everywhere. 

finding interests

In undergrad I had to take x amount of classes and had little time to take in other courses or areas that interested me. When the only cultural classes most students are forced to take is two, students are not having the change to submerse themselves in a topic they find fascinating or a class on folklore just because they like fantasy. Now, I guess I could have stayed in my undergrad for an additional couple of years but my parents would not be too happy that I spent all of my Brightfutures scholarships and instate tuition on random classes to find the areas I find interest in.

Even though I am still in school (and balancing a job with it), I am finding it so easy to take time to find those interests in my life again. In the past year I have picked up:

Cooking (not baking), especially seafood! I have mastered salmon, shrimp, and muscles.
Reading biographies, currently indulging in Steve Jobs
70's Rock
Arrange flowers
Bringing antiques back to life

Personally, I believe finding your interests is all about trial and error. You watch a documentary and wiki on Kony and Sudan, research a couple of nonprofit organizations helping in that aid... and you will either fall in love with the cause or not. The hardest part of pinning down your interests is taking the time to do so.

Upcycling

Sadly, as I am getting older I am realizing who much I consume and toss away products. I have grown up in a recycling household and my parents taught me at a young age what goes in which bin and how to read the symbols on the bottom of products. Living in a sorority house I lost my recycling habits and honestly, got lazy about keeping up with it. Now in my own apartment, I feel I have become more aware of my recycling behaviors and made am oath to become more Eco friendly.

Besides for becoming better about recycling, I have also discovered upcycling. Taking the manufactured product and turning it to something else. First quick project I did was with a wide mouth glass pickle jar turned into flower vase. It was turned over, dried, and painted black on the outside. The finish product is below.

Upcycling has been a good addition to my apartment because it not only helps me become more green but become creative when looking at reusable products.

3 Years Later

Today marks the 3 year anniversary of Joey and I being together. From the beginning of my undergraduate and his graduate career to graduations, moving in together, and adopting a pet we have accomplished many milestones together. Over this time he has become my best friend, my empower, and rock.

While everyone asks will we get married soon? And makes comments like you have been together for so long, you must get bored. I don't care to get married soon and I couldn't imagine getting bored with him. Right now we are 22 and 27, still in graduate school and working on our careers. This brings stress in our lives but we both thrive on working hard. Our actions now will ensure a healthier and thriving future for us. More traveling, splurging on books, and investing in our passions.

Having Joey in my life has empowered me in several of my self-inflicted doubts. He's become my world and cannot wait to see all that life brings us.

Happy 3 years Joey and many more!

Currently Obsessed: Daniel Day-Lewis

So this is a week late from the Oscars, but I have just been so awe of Daniel Day-Lewis for the past 2 weeks. I have been watching his movies nonstop. The man just won 3 Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (even though I think he has been robbed of winning for Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York). 

When people ask me my favorite actor, the answer is simply DDL. The man is amazing! His roles range from a young man with cerebral palsy that could only write with his left foot, to a self-righteous oil man, and to one of the most influential historical figures of our country's history... there is nothing he can't do. 

I get frustrated when people say he is weird for being an intense method actor (he is known for studying his roles intensely). For example, to prepare for his role in Last of the Mohicans he lived in a tent, made his own canoe, and learned to skin animals. He dives deep to understand his characters: their thoughts, feelings, back story. After seeing several of his performances, it's hard for me to say I really like many other actors... their characters don't seem to resonate and come to life the same breath DDL's do. 

          


         


     
His characters are art.

These are my favorite DDL movies in order of preference...
1. There Will Be Blood
2. Lincoln
3. Gangs of New York
4. My Left Foot
5. In the Name of the Father
6. The Last of the Mohicans
7. The Boxer
8. The Crucible

His earlier movies I have not sat down to watch yet. Reviews on Nine and The Ballad of Jack and Rose are keeping me from watching the films but I recently found them on Netflix, so I will do that tomorrow after finishing my midterms.

Rumors

Fleetwood Mac has become my most recent obsession. My parents are not much for playing music, so I learned most music through car rides and nineties radio stations. Finding my own taste in music has been easy because I am slowly realizing most stuff that is mainstream I cannot really stand, unless it has a catchy tune like Psy's Gangnam Style. I can horse dance that tune all day long. And many records I didn't care of for except for a few songs until I listened to the full album version of Rumors by Fleetwood Mac.

It was life changing to listen to the whole track and realize that it is perfect... even the order of songs is perfect. Second Hand News, Dreams, Never Going Back, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, Songbird, The Chain, You Make Loving Fun, I Don't Want to Know, Oh Daddy, and Gold Dust Women. There is not one thing I would change.

And the fact I got it for 8 bucks out if a bin at a thrift store is event better!

Dodge truck commercial 

I think it is save to say the only exciting thing about the Super Bowl was the black out that occurred after the half. I like to think of a certain school that exists to the south of Tallahassee, who played in the Superdome, couldn't sell enough tickets to the Sugar Bowl, hence the electricity bill didn't get paid. But I can always dream. Beyonce's halftime show stole my heart, especially the appearance of Kelly and Michele. Tomorrow at work, my Survivor CD will be blaring all day.

The commercials this year were exceptionally boring. Thank you Budweiser for another tear jerker with the horses, congrats Bud Light on another beer you introduced, and E-trade will must have a Benjamin Button of a baby because it never ages. But this year the minute and half Dodge commercial about the hard working farmer got to me.

The commercial in black and white, gives short snippets on the determination and caring nature of farmers. They are hard working for tending their fields from dusk till dawn, and have a caring nature to work with animals. Then it randomly cuts to a shot of the Dodge Ram truck, saying that it is made for this kind of individual. The truck has helped farmers over the years and lead to the thriving farming community today. If Dodge considers our lack of vegetables on plates, and processed food a thriving farming movement, then I question what the Dodge employees eat.

Well.... Dodge fails to think that it is the industrial revolution that changed the farming culture. Motorized machines, trucks, refrigeration, and advances in sciences have lead to healthier fertilizer and storing methods. Not a Dodge truck. Now there are both positives and negatives to what trucks have done for the farming community, but with the current state of most farmers in America who have a hard time selling their crops... do not care about the brand new Dodge truck.

Best compliment ever received...

Recently in a conversation with a friend the topic of compliments came up, and we began thinking about some silly and awkward ones we have received. Then I wondered what was the best compliment I have received, it was honestly easy to think of because this memory will always stick with me.

I attended Leadershape the summer of my senior year representing am organization at FSU. While I had been on numerous conferences, summits, and training a before I was not sure how this would be different. I would go share my thoughts and walk away a little enlightened in the world around me. During this conference we are broken into about groups of 10 and we all became so close during this time, not because we had to be stuck together for a week but because we had real conversations. Some that I couldn't dare have with my friends since I knew how they already felt and being open minded was not really an option. Religion, race, society we tackled it all and it was so humbling.

At the end of the ten days we were packing up and saying our goodbyes to our small cluster family. One of my companions came up to me with the biggest hug. She began to tell me of how I originally intimidated her because I was a Greek and a leader of a huge organization on campus. Overtime she heard my thoughts, actions, and worries and knew we were just the same. She expressed that I broke the pompous Greek stereotype for her and I just couldn't help but cry ( and try to smile, it was not a pretty sight).

The two seconds she was brave enough to speak so honestly and candid to me has meant more to me in my undergraduate career more than anything. More than the leader positions, awards, and honors I have had. But for one person I helped turn around a stereotype that has plagued the Greek community.

I was able to make a difference to one person and that is alright with me.
Thanks G!

Broccoli Fritters

These were absolutely yummy. A recipe adapted by smitten kitchen, who I think is a food genius. I made about 12 small fritters and were still good microwaved after a few days. We're easy to store and take for lunch.

Needed:
3 cups chopped broccoli
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 eggs
Salt and pepper

*I have also seen people use chopped garlic, have yet to try it.

Preheat oven to 450. First combine the chopped broccoli, cheese, breadcrumbs and eggs. Mix well.


Then fold in to 1 inch fritters on parchment paper.
Bake and enjoy. These are a new stable in my kitchen.

Magical Mystery Tour

... Bought on vinyl today. Best experience ever. Why could I not live in the late 60s?!?

You say goodbye, I say hello

Lance Armstrong

Watching the Oprah interview with Lance Armstrong, I am feeling torn about my feelings toward him. First, it takes courage to admit your lies but especially as a public figure. Everything you done is under a watchful eye, especially with the Internet. Many celebrities, athletes, and figures will take secrets of theirs to the grave, and Lance could have done the same. He is embarrassed in his actions but does not seem shameful and regret. Lance claims that he did not feel wrong in what he did and it was not an cheat.... It must have all been about winning and fame.

But then all I see is an arrogant prick (and I don't feel as bad typing it since he just called himself that)! The defiance he showed in supporting his innocence is incredible. To live these lies for 13 years is huge. The betrayal he proves to friends, family, and the cycling community is devastating. Lance said he did not know this was a big deal but he has shown that lies can get you somewhere, at least for a while.

The other part I can't wrap my head around is the fact he was suing friends and peers who were telling the truth!

Lance, your Foundation is amazing. Your support for health and building active communities is commendable. Thank Zeus that you stepped down as CEO and Director but you left the organization, it's mission, and employees in shambles.


Shame on you.

normal

Groups define the social norms around you. For most people, being normal is having similar tastes in  designers, bars, and boys. In college, I choose to take on the things others around me enjoyed in order to gain social acceptance and praise. These tangible and superficial things were great for awhile, but I still was not content with myself. I did not feel I was being challenged by others around me, to be a better person, or really advance and build a future career. 

Then I finally told myself, "Who cares what others around me think!" 

Always being a notorious people pleaser, it is hard to break old habits of wanting to please those around you. Being a worrier for those was actually hindering me to thinking for myself and be honest with the things I do and do not like. 

It was not until a year ago, that I began to question myself and others around me more. It was by doing this that I began to realize how happy I am to continue learning about things. I have always stopped and googled everything I did not know what it was, and it is that continuing of education which truly makes me happy, not a pink floral pattern on a shift dress. Thus the title of this blog is Stay Curious, Not Certain.