Let's Pick Up Where We Left Off

I realized that it has been three weeks since I've made a blog post and since I had three tests today I have no homework (due tomorrow) so here goes.

To recap the last three weeks of my life:

1. There is now has a vine called Shirali Y Eats. Check it out. Its almost as good as the Shirali pics.

2. The Arctic Monkeys and Grouplove both released new albums that I will be listening to when I get off work tonight. Also the Catching Fire movie soundtrack list is out and it looks really good.

3. I had my first biology test and I can't figure out whether or not I think I did well. I think I spent more time in line to turn the test in than I did actually taking the test. Also the dude in front of me was wearing his shirt backwards. It was a v-neck.

(My evernote just cut out in the middle of this post, and I was very sad)

4. Everyone is a stress monkey this semester because were sophomores and we have more homework. I've been watching to see which Chem-E's will go up in flames. I hope they prove me wrong, and then make me delicious chemically engineered food when they work for Coke. There is only a 10% graduation rate though, so I think my bets are safe.

5. I don't hate my roommate but I can't make a judgement call until October, I guess that's a thing, but I think she'll pass the test. Our room is pretty chill.

6. I started running again and I'm gonna do a 5K with some friends. Well, sorta do it. Our time probably won't be too hot but its the thought that counts...or maybe that only works with unwanted gifts. Eh.

7. I figured out my life with my friend Madison. It involved me taking 12 credits this summer. Bye, bye life and money I hardly knew you. Seriously I hardly did because college is a huge money hole. Hopefully it pays off because seriously so much money, and I go to a public school. I'm sobbing for the people paying 50k a year right now.

8. We are almost done with our fifth week in the semester which is a bit mind blowing. The fall semester seems to go really fast, and then spring just drags on for about 20 years.

9. The new Divergent book, Allegiant is coming out on October 22 and I don't have any tests the next day. Win. Additionally no Org. Chem Test the day Catching Fire comes out. Another win.

10. I went to my first Indians game and they actually won.

I also thought I would explain my obsession with TV shows. When I was in high school I watched TV religiously. I had a schedule every night of the week, and when I came to college I had friends so I stopped doing that. Anyway, this week has been TV premiere week and I am missing Grey's Anatomy right now because I am at work and I am a little salty about that. I did watch last weeks Bones episode today. The writing on that show has just tanked. It used to be my favorite show, but it might have moved its way down to 4th place and now I am going to need to change my security question answers. Parenthood starts tonight too. I channel my inner old person when I watch that show. Whenever I bring it up everyone always tells me their moms watch it. For pilots this year I'm gonna try Blacklist, Trophy Wife, Hostages, The Michael J Fox Show, and Welcome to the Family. It will probably be November before I actually watch them though because there is no time ever to do anything but homework and sleeping.

Well, that was my ramble to kill time at work.

Noelle

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The Line

The social line of appropriateness is a thin and pale line. We're all tiptoeing around it trying to decipher the reaction of others and do what we feel is the best thing for the situation. We spend our whole lives trying to show our best face and make sure that people see what they want to. But, is that really us? We walk around on egg shells trying not to offend people and to make sure we are what they want to see. We go to work and do exactly what they want us to do, even if its not our normal personalities. We lie to people to make them think that we are more impressive than we really are. We bend the truth. We all do it. 

When were in social situations, the personality relaxes. We tell inappropriate jokes and spend less time thinking about who we are supposed to be. They say the more comfortable you are around people, the more you will tease them. The more inappropriate things you will say around them, and the less you will filter. But, there is a gray area between teasing and actually bothering someone. I, personally, have never been very good at reading social cues. Sometimes I can pick on people's feelings, but usually I am pretty in the dark. If it's really obvious I will understand, but if its subtile it goes over my head. I can never tell when people actually want me to stop or when they are joking about wanting me to stop. So, I've discovered that my constant teasing isn't always welcome, and I have to watch for the point where my playful self meets my sarcastic self and filter. I am a green/orange, notorious for being ass-holes. We get inside our own heads and don't pay attention to anyone else's. 

I'm not much for apologizing. I've always thought just saying what you want to say is the best way to live, but I don't want to go around being a jerk.

So, I'm sorry if offended anyone and although I can't change, I can watch myself. 

~Noelle

Just so this post isn't just me venting my problems, here is another pic from the Shirali collection. I hope she doesn't mind these. If she does, I guess I'll apologize for that too. But, still post it, because they are enjoyable.

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Here's to Another, Better Year

“Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia. (...) You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you'll escape it one day, and how awesome it will be, and imagining that future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to escape the present.”

                    

       - John Green, Looking for Alaska

They say when you're a teenager, the best times in your life are yet to come. That is what fuels us. Part of living in the present is imagining a future, and sometimes wishing and working to get to the end point is better than the actual end. We use the future to justify the present, and each year that ends we hope for a better one to start. We use it to keep us going and know that the way things are now aren't how they always will be. Every year is a new start. New classes, the potential for new friends, new routine, and a step closer to whatever end game is in the future. I don't have a specific idea about what I want to do when I finish college, but the thought of having a year of college done and a year to decide what to do next is extremely daunting. When I think about each year, I think about how each year I tell myself things will get better. Not in a sad I want to kill myself way, but in a way that says I have a future, and if I don't like something now, change is always around the corner.

Today was my second day of my second year of college. It is my first year as a biology major and I have a new roommate. I was able to keep the things from last year I liked, and rid myself of the things that I knew weren't making me happy. I've been to all of my classes, and I got a week of college camp helping with Major Events Committee at school, which although I had good times I probably wouldn't do it again. I pretty much sold my soul, (and my body) to them. I did move in early though so I got my part of the deal. 7:45 Organic Chemistry seems to be part of the deal too, well a different deal. I think maybe with the devil. Curse profs who enjoy mornings.

To kick off the new year, here are some new Shirali pictures. 

Also, I've been holding out on this because it was a surprise for friend, but now he has seen it so I can post it. I made it back in July from an idea from my friend Heather (mentioned in a previous biography). I really enjoyed working on it, and am actually pretty proud of it. I come off as a science and logic personality, but I really do like the arts a lot.

So anyway, I hope this is another great year full of Enya naps, family drawings, Shirali dinners, Zee's runs, actual runs, and great people.

Here's to another, better year,

Noelle

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