Post Thanksgiving Post

I am currently on a post Black Friday shopping buzz and thought I would write a traditional list of things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. So, things I’m thankful for: The mindless shopping I did tonight, and the ability to do said mindless shopping. I got 2 TV seasons, 7 movies (Silver Linings Playbook and Perks were super cheap and I was super happy), an 8 GB microSD card, and 2 long sleeved v-necks (one of them being a stripy McLongsleeves). Some of the DVDs are gifts for my dad and sister and overall I would call the trip a success. I know it is stupid to go out a buy a bunch of stuff right after you are thankful for what you already have, but I can be thankful for all the junk I bought. The lines were surprisingly smooth and it wasn’t as crazy as I expected it to be. My friends. Everyone is thankful for those. It’s pretty cliche but I’m thankful anyway. So shout out to everyone who has made my life better, and definitely more entertaining. Thanks for all your help and awkward hugs. My roommate not dying and such. Not that I really thought she would, but the whole dying in your sleep from a concussion thing had me a bit worried. But, I guess if I’m worried it means I like her alright and all. So I’m thankful for a happy dorm room. We hit the October benchmark where I can officially say the arrangement is a success.

My family. Also a cliche. I’ve appreciated my parents a lot more lately. They were laughing because I came home a couple weekends ago and gave them hugs and thanked them for not being ass-holes. So yeah, I’m thankful my parents aren’t ass-holes. And on the family line, I’m thankful my sister got a job. She’s been searching for a while and I think she’ll enjoy having the extra money.

School. I hate it, and I love it. I’m having a bit of trouble deciding what I want to do with it. I’m trying to decide what I should major in, and I’ve been a bit of a spazz about it. Which takes me back to being thankful for my family and friends, because they have to listen to me talk about it a fair amount. But, I know I’m lucky I get to go at all, and all and all it’s been a really great experience.

Music. Both in general and for some great bands I found lately. You can be thankful for that, right? If anyone is looking for something to listen to, Run River North and the Family Crest are my current band fascinations. I thought that could potentially be relevant. And if not, I thought it was an okay plug anyway.

Food. I had a great thanksgiving dinner. My mom did a really good job, even though she skipped the pumpkin pie this year. My grandma and I were disappointed, but the cake was good too. My neighbors brought good food as well. I could stuff my face with mac & cheese all day.

So, anyway, I hope everyone had a great holiday, and now that thanksgiving is over, it’s the Christmas season! Time to break out the Derpy Christmas Party music playlist! I’ll need something to get me through finals week.

~Noelle

Read More

American Good

Think about the last time you greeted someone. Did you ask them how they were? What did they reply with? Good. Good, that’s what I thought. Were they actually good? Probably not. 

Last semester I got in an elevator with the girl who I now share a dorm room with, and I asked her how she was, the common question to avoid awkward elevator silence. And her answer definitely alleviated the silence. I was told I was just asking to be polite, and that I didn’t really care. I had no defense to this accusation, because it was absolutely true. 

Today I was in the hallway with a friend who is Hungarian and she asked me how I was. I replied with the generic good. She asked was I good or American good? 

We're all American good. We say it to move on. We ask how people are, but we don’t actually care. We make pleasantries, but we’re not actually interested in the answer. I do it, you do it, we all do it. But, if you want to tell me how your day is actually going, I will listen to it. I can’t guarantee I will react the way you want me too, but I’ll listen. 

I’ve been wanting to write a blog post all week, but haven’t really known what to say. This week has not been my week to share. When I think about it, blogs are pretty narcissistic, I’m just sitting here writing about myself. Like my life is interesting enough to warrant writing about myself. That and avoiding studying for a test on a subject of which I am losing interest. It's really hard to like something you're not good at. So here I am, at another biology test that I will try to use to decide my fate, except this time my motivation to do well on it is gone. My most rational friend thinks I should switch majors, maybe that is a sign.

I haven't posted a good Shirali picture in a while. So here it is for your enjoyment. I figure I need to get off my serious blog post kick.

That winter weather.

 Oh and Dominick if he were gay. We really wanted to go steal a viola for him.

~Noelle

Read More