humble, me?

( From Katy )

( ... And some of my own! XD )

Okay, so that was MUCH longer than I thought it would be. XD

Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

I think I've gone insane. I signed up for a triple shift for next Thursday... that means I'll be at work from 8:30AM to 6:15PM, and I'm thinking of taking the 6:30-7:30 Yoga class after that. That's an almost 7-hour day, plus an hour for working out. Workaholic, tu penses pas?

Oh, and ew Domino's! An Oreo dessert pizza?! Okay, I love Oreos and I love pizza... but not TOGETHER! That's worse than the turd-brownie. (Wasn't that Domino's too? Or maybe it was Pizza Hut...)

This is the book I shall now swear by. You know what else I love about How To Walk In High Heels? Not only does it tell you how to have good manners (something I sorely miss in society today), it also tells you how to deal with unpleasant situations and with affairs of the heart.

I feel so learned.

Funny how I'm reading this at the same time I'm trying to get through a memoir called Naked, by David Sedaris.

"9/11 showed us what human beings are capable of. The evil, yeah, sure. But it also brought out a goodness we forgot could exist: people taking care of each other for no other reason than it was the right thing to do. It's important for us to talk about that good, to remember; 'cause I saw a lot of it that day." -- Nicholas Cage as John McLoughlin, "World Trade Center".

Close to the 6th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks I can't help but think how important it is that we remember and respect what happened, not just every September but every day. This Anniversary seems a little more special because it's the first time September the 11th has landed on a Tuesday since 2001. It's another one of those almost-unimportant benchmarks I think about for any important date but still, it's not how we remember but that we remember that's important.

Around here people seem to have forgotten how to be nice to each other for no good reason. The other day I was picking up my mom from work and as I was approaching the stoplight to turn right this lady speeds up right behind me and stops really close to my rear bumper. She honks the horn really rudely and keeps doing so until I turn onto the street. Then she speeds up next to me, gives my mom and I a really mean look, and speeds ahead of me to pass me on the right. She then gives me the finger and holds it up for a few seconds. I'm like "what the hell..." and put my hand out, palm up, to express my utter confusion to my mother, who returned the finger to the driver. Then the driver flashes us the finger yet again. This all happens in the span of some one hundred feet or so before I turn left to head home. People have forgotten how to be courteous to one another for no good reason. Even six years ago most of the time it was because it was motivated by the Attacks; it wasn't really genuine on the whole part. People don't trust each other, we no longer live in a society where manners and general respect for one another regardless of where we come from and what we believe in. I'm guilty of it too, despite my best efforts to treat others as I would like to be treated. Sarcasm and cynicism are credos we follow very well. I'm getting a little sentimental, and even though I don't write about it or say it I do think about these people every day. I think about the military who are serving us every day overseas, what they're there for, and how most of the country thinks their efforts are futile even though we appreciate it.

I saw a Robin Williams movie called "Man of the Year" today with my mom, and I loved it. I can only dream, hope, even pray that one day a person like that will step up to the plate and really run an election like that. If you're not familiar with the movie, it's basically a popular comedian with a political satire show who decides to announce his candidacy for the White House as a joke, but then it gets serious. He stirs up a lot of issues that we as a nation consider taboo or personal, or both, and he is eventually elected as President of the United States. On the other side we have a worker for the company that handles all the electrical ballots who finds a glitch in the programming that will compromise the integrity of the entire hyped up, very popular, very lucrative process. She decides to speak out and the CEO and legal counsel decide to shut her up and cover up. She goes to the comedian and tells him everything, so now he's left with the moral obligation of doing the right thing and giving up something he really wants but didn't earn, or keeping his mouth shut and going on with his life. I'll let you watch the movie to see what happens, but you can sort of imagine. A man in such a position of power and influence who is this honest, with such integrity and courage, seems to come only from movies, sadly. Why can't Washington get its shit together and stop being so partisan? It's not about what he said or she said, and how much of a bitch and a psycho that person is so let's not give them power. The government seems to have forgotten that we are a democracy, not an oligarchy, and "for the people, by the people" means just that. It doesn't mean "for the people by the wealthy and special". Our biases and instinct for self-preservation for the sake of it disappeared seven years ago. Did we forget how to be kind to others regardless of differences or likenesses?

Sorry, this went on a lot longer than I meant it to be, but I just had the itch to write after seeing "World Trade Center". This movie is one of my favorites because it just reminds me of so much, and it inspires me to be better than I know I can be, not to secure my place in the afterlife or in the eyes of some god, but because it's the right thing to do.

Agh, damn gnats! I keep getting these annoying little flying bugs in my room, and it's almost like they're related to the hydra: You kill one, and five appear. I would rather have them than the bigger bugs and spiders, though. They're annoying but they don't make me squeal, scream, or reach for a suffocating amount of Raid. XD

The more I read up about marketing and the general CCPA (Corporate Communications and Public Affairs) track the more I fall in love with this career. I'm almost sad that I didn't discover this while I was still in school; I would have stayed an extra semester or two to double minor. Now I'm REALLY hoping I'll get a job at SMU as a full time staff so I can take the classes for free, haha! *sigh* I wish.

I stand by my original decision about the Arts School: Meadows people have all the fun.

I found the company that does the marketing for Northpark Mall and a few other very, very prestigious companies in Dallas. I'm going to ask them for an informational interview so I can get as much information as I can about this career. Things are cooking in the career department. I need to be more assertive about it; I can't stay holed up in my little neck of the woods for very long even if it's just to build up contacts.

Anyone know of a place that sells a nice, tailored leather jacket that will not cost me three months' worth of money for food? XD I tried on the jacket I've been wearing since 10th grade (shut up XD) and while it still looks in style it doesn't fit me anymore. Weird as this sounds, it's too big for me (*dies*) and it makes me look boxy.

( I now have a long list of movies to watch. XD  )

Friday was uneventful, but in a good way. Nice and laid back. Oh, and it's weird that there's a tropical storm in the middle of Texas and it's still alive and Dallas is getting hit with outer bands of the storm. XD How many times can the middle of Texas--almost all desert and about 400 miles inland--say they got hit by a tropical storm? I kept myself busy at work reworking my resume and making some quick emails to myself to remind myself to contact certain people of interest next week, and then I did office hours but didn't really do anything other than talk to the staff member I share an office with. XD It was Fridaaaaaay, haha.

Holy crap. I know it's been a cool summer, but I'm guessing that summer's trying to play catch up. It was 104F, but it officially felt like 112F. Get this: It was so hot that a playground in one of the inner cities spontaneously combusted. IT BLEW UP, WTH!!! O_O

Today when I got to my car I had to wait a few minutes with the doors open to let the heat out because I couldn't breathe in the car. It was 108F inside the car. I can't imagine dying like that; it's got to be one of the most painful deaths ever.

( So You Think You Can Dance results )

Finally, LMAO!! This is a 9-1-1 call made by a four-year-old no one will soon forget. You know this kid is never going to live it down.

Snagged from greydruid

Answer the questions, then look at the psychoanalysis or whatever at the end.

1. You are not alone. You are walking in the woods. With who?
2. You are walking in the woods. You see an animal. What kind?
3. What interaction takes place between you and the animal?
4. You walk deeper in the woods. You enter a clearing and before you is your dream house. (Describe it)
5. Does it have a fence?
6. You enter the house. You walk in to the dining room and see the dining room table. Whats on it?
7. You exit the house and a cup is on the ground, what kind is it?
8. What do you do with the cup?
9. You walk to the edge of the property where you find yourself at a beautiful pond. How big is it?
10. You have to go through the pond. How wet do you get?

( My Q&A )

( What your answers mean )

Okay, back to drawing.

A man who doesn't trust himself can never really trust anyone else.
~ Cardinal De Retz

Trust him not with your secrets, who, when left alone in your room, turns over your papers.
~ Johann Kaspar Lavater

You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you don't trust enough.
~ Frank Crane

To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.
~ George MacDonald

Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'll probably finish the book now. How sad! I almost don't want to finish it now! :( It's so final. This is the last Harry Potter post regarding the books I will ever make! The finality of something like this when it's been with me for almost 8 years is such a sad thing to think about, (I wasn't aware of the books until 1999--two years after the first book was published). Yes, it's a book. Big deal. What is it about fiction that enables it to attach a little bit of itself onto a little bit of you, only to consume a bigger part later on? That's why we have favorite books, artwork, movies, etc.: We can see a bit of ourselves in those pieces. Harry's story, like many others I've read, seems familiar even though I have never ever been in situations as grim as he's been in. But I think that's why I like him so much. I don't know what I would do or where I would be without my parents, or my friends--if I would even have the same friends. His story makes me appreciate what I have. I know I'm getting rather philosophical and thinking things too much. I tend to do that. XD

But to all those people who decide they won't read the story for whatever reason: Too bad, because you're missing a great one. Never in the history of the world has there been a book (or series), with exception to the Bible I suppose, that compels more people to ignore everything in their lives to read. These days it's an extraordinarily rare thing with the dominance of technology in our daily lives. Even then from a real-world, "financial/business" point of view, never has there been a book that has been sold at such a high demand or under such security in such a short amount of time. Each of these books broke a record, and now it's going to be gone. You can't tell me there is going to be another rush to the bookstores like this. If it happens, it's not going to be easy.

Well, I've babbled enough.

( Chapters 27-end )

Aw man, I'm done with Harry Potter. No more Harry Potter ever. ;_; This is such a ridiculously bittersweet moment, and yes I'm being repetitive, but seriously!! Okay, I love the book. LOVE IT!!

( Yes, more spoilers. Up to Chapter 20 now )

Okay, time for a break for dinner, grr. I feel like my whole day has been a break. My mom keeps interrupting me to help her do something "quick" that ends up being between 10-30 minutes long. Now dinner.

Hmm, at the rate I'm posting about the book maybe I should have a tag just for Harry Potter. *dies*

EDIT!! This doesn't feel worthy of a "part four" so I'm adding it on here. XD
( Chapters 24-26 )

Well, it's a rather short entry but I have to get to bed.

I apologize in advance, but my entry will be rather random. My opinions of the book thus far:

( On Chapter 13 now... )

I'm sure I still have a lot more things to say, but it's getting late and I should go to bed.

I was so tempted to come in and write a post saying "I HAVE IT!!" as soon as I got home. However, that would have required me turning on my computer, logging on, and then turning it off. And knowing how I am it wouldn't have been possible: When I get online I can't just do one thing. It expands to several like LJ, email accounts (all four of them), DA, general surfing, and then forcing myself away from the computer hours later. I was exhausted but super excited last night. I was actually about 50 pages from finishing Book 6 and I wanted to finish it before starting the 7th. So last night I read the last 50 pages all while "Deathly Hallows" looked at me from the corner of my eye, sitting on my bed, begging for me to begin reading it. I finished the book and was WAY too tired to stay up so I begrudgingly set Book 7 on my night stand after returning Book 6 to its rightful place on my shelves.

This morning I gave the book a proper opening. I swear I almost didn't want to read it! It's the last one, I can't believe it! After this there will be no more speculation and any further questions about Harry Potter's world shall be left up in the air. I can't stand that JKR won't be writing about it anymore. ;_; I've been reading this book WAY slower than I actually read; many times I've gone back to read something again--especially Chapter 4. So far I love it. Fred and George have made me laugh so much, and I am loving how Ron is with Hermione. I almost don't even want to finish it. Pathetic, I know. It's a book: Fiction. But when you've practically grown up alongside the characters it's hard to let go--even if there are two movies left. XD Book 1 was released in 1997, I think, but I didn't get my hands on it until Christmas of 1998 (9th grade). I love how the tone of the books have grown up and matured alongside its title character.

Well, back to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! I'll probably pop back in once in a while for ranting with spoilers behind a cut. You have no idea how hard it is for me to not click the cuts of all you people who have finished it already. XD

Oh MAN! I LOVE that movie so much! I can't wait for this to come out on DVD! AAAH! XD

FIVE HOURS UNTIL HARRY POTTER!!

This is the best Friday ever. Okay! Back to reading the 6th book!

What can I say? I'm a Potter-head! The following is not necessarily a spoiler, but I'm putting it behind a cut because you never know. XD But yes, GO SEE IT. And ( yes, I know it's only 3AM on the day of the release... )

Last word? I'm sure I'm going to be finding myself adding to this entry because there is so much I want to keep saying about this movie and how much I loved it. Also because it's 4AM now and I need to get to bed. I definitely want to see it again, and not just because it's a good movie--even though it is. I want to see it again because there is so much detail that the director has meticulously put together in a wonderful way that has cemented the view of this magical world Harry Potter lives in. It makes me wish magic and this world were real. I'm proud of the way he has the actors in the back, who aren't dominating the shot, still keeping true to the character--and of course the actors have something to do with that, but unlike stage we only see what the camera captures. There are so many little subtleties that you just can't see at the same time on the first shot. The effects are efficient, and the use of footage from previous movies for Harry's memories are clever. I mean it seems obvious you would use them but you'd be amazed at how people may miss that.

See this movie. Seriously. If you are disappointed that the movie doesn't follow the book word for word, get over it. I think the movie did a great job staying as loyal as possible to the book, and I love that the movies have all had the luxury of having the author on set to look over the production. I promise you the combination of actors, cinematography, soundtrack, and special effects yield a highly satisfying use of an outstanding ticket price. I may have also had the luxury of sitting in one of the best movie audiences ever, but the quality is in the movie.

Okay, this entry is already too long and it's already SO late. NIGHT! I guess I will write about the actual friends bit tomorrow (or later...gah!) I also have a ton of pictures to upload.

More to come soon! GO SEE THE MOVIE.

Happy Birthday, America!!! *waves flag*

When I say, you say...

1. Compulsion :: Foolish


2. Spiritual :: Personal


3. Spray :: Bottle


4. Compatibility :: E-Harmony


5. Pursuit :: (of) Happiness


6. Fake :: Boobies


7. Mobile :: Phone


8. Ceremony :: Graduation


9. Ribbons :: Blue


10. Mozart :: Music

So I went Downtown today, and I cannot believe how much I love it. I couldn't stop thinking about how cool it could be to work there or Uptown. Downtown would be so lovely since it's just a train ride away (well, and a bus from home to the station). I love that on Wednesday and Thursday I'll have a little time to spend there networking and hobnobbing with professionals in PR and real estate. Who knows? Perhaps someone'll bite. I really hope so.

I'm still waiting to hear from SMU (or anyone, really) about an opening. It's been two weeks to the day that I submitted my resume online for five positions in Public Affairs for the University's Department of External Affairs. I'm thinking tomorrow I'll follow up with an email requesting another look at my resume, or at the very least an interview. If someone there doesn't recognize my name I know that when they see me, if they work out, they'll at least know who I am. There's a really good percentage of people who work in that department. Hopefully something will click.