Things I Love

So its been a long time since I've posted but that's because of various things: a combination of work, volunteering at a research lab, extra curriculars and friends. Not that I'm not happy or anything. I actually like being busy and having things to do, to have a sense of purpose to my tasks. Last semester I had too much free time and sorta had no idea what to do with myself LOL. But now with O-Chem, research lab, other classes and life, I have just enough time for myself, which is the way it should be (albeit slightly hectic but never overly stressful). Even despite my busy schedule, I still have time for things that I love.

1. Family

Unfortunately, I don't have a car so I don't get to go back as often as I'd like but they are always a phone call away. Family is my foundation, my parents are fabulous. Last year, when I was thinking about what I would talk about if I had to give a speech at graduation, I realized just how much my parents love me and how much I love them. The luckiest person in the world isn't the one who wins the lottery, or strikes it rich, or is able to "have it all." I think I'm lucky because I was born to such great parents. They have let me become who I am not through ham fisted discipline, but by nurturing and encouraging me. They gave me the right amount of freedom so that I developed into a person who is personally driven. For that, and the unconditional support and affection they unfailingly give me, I am grateful. Some may believe that their life's purpose is to find something they love and which has importance to themselves and/or the world. I believe this too. But I would be nowhere if not for the financial, emotional, and mental support of my parents and my family. If I did not also work towards being able to support my parents and the rest of family later on, as they have supported me, then I am doing something very wrong.

Also, can we talk about how cute my cousin is? He's 8 and he has a voracious curiosity. He absolutely loves school. The day after President's Day, he called me:

"Happy President's Day!"
"Hey kiddo! How was school? Did you get President's Day off?"
"No! But that's a good thing because I get to learn more and I get a good education."

HE IS PRECIOUS.

2. Friends

Where would I be without my friends? Probably living in my room holed up and emerging into the outside world like a mole stunned by sunlight. My friends are my emotional support and foundation. Who else would listen to me bitch, rant, cry, and lament the problems of my rather first world life and still want to be around me? But more than that, my best friends, of which I have several, are the people that I don't have to hide things from. They give me counsel, memories, happiness and also sarcasm and sassy insults (also food. lots of food). In an interview that I had recently, I was asked what my spirit animal was. I thought about it in a subdued, panicked manner and came up with an answer that I think was quite appropriate for describing me: wolf. A wolf by itself can be an independent being, able to provide for itself and to function, to survive. But it actually lives, thrives, in a pack. That's how I am. I'm fine by myself because learning to be one's own company is a good thing to have. But I am happiest with a group of friends to surround myself with; there are times when I find myself descending into a funk when I have not had social contact. Friends buoy me up and the synergistic, exciting, intangible yet infectious attitude of being part of a group that enjoys each other's company is an irreplaceable thing. I need that in my life for me to be happy.

3. Cooking and Reading

I've loved reading since I was a child. I can proudly say that I was, and still am, the person who stays up late to read. By immersing myself into a different world, I learn truths and lessons that I experience through a different lens. I learn from mistakes that I haven't made myself. I'm also able to pick up a bunch of great comebacks and one liners. Sometimes the beauty of words just takes my breath away.

Cooking is a newer passion, developed in high school. One of my dream jobs would be to work in a test kitchen doing things that Alton Brown did in "Good Eats" or to work in the America's Test Kitchen/Bon Appetit magazine's test kitchen. Combining food and chemistry, what could be better? Creating wonderful food from a combination of delicious, unique flavors and textures is one part of why I love cooking and find it fascinating. It's not just sustenance, it can also be a sublime art and science. Being able to make other people happy through the simple act (or not so simple at times) of cooking is another part of why I love it so much.

4. Fencing

Fencing is a recent addition to my life. One of my friends invited me to go to practice with him one night and as one of the best decisions I've made recently, I said yes. Part of why I love it is because in the environment that I'm fencing in, there's no pressure to win or to be good. Honestly, I'm not that great of a fencer but I love it because I enjoy it. I fence as part of my school club, which is a nice mix of older, experienced fencers and beginners like me. I'm still learning about the many intricacies and fantastic idiosyncrasies of this expensive but interesting sport. But what I do know of it just makes me want to know more. Getting a great touch or having a great bout gives me a rush that I don't feel when playing other sports.

5. Delightfully elitist things

My mom and I frequently lament that I have expensive taste LOL. Why is that the tasteful, classic, and well made clothing items, shoes, and accessories that I so love usually cost so much? The world truly is an unjust place. Kate Spade, Fossil, Tory Burch, Banana Republic, Vera Wang, J Crew, Cole Haan, Tommy Hilfiger, Nicole Miller, beautiful, wonderfully designed and tailored gowns, etc. Sigh.

6. Up

The movie. Its beautiful and wonderful and moving and it makes me cry  and hope at the same time.


And that's it for now. Although there are many other things that I love, these are just the main things that I thought of first.

Awkward Valentine's Day Cards

So it's still early for Valentines posts but even if it's the dog days of summer, I can appreciate awkward Valentine's cards. Of course, I may be perpetually single when this day comes around and I do the obligatory mourning but I usually don't enable my self pity. Instead, this year I'm going to take the chance to have as much fun with the Valentine's traditions as possible. And by fun I mean turning the tables and being my usual sarcastic, sorta awkward self. I'll take my inspiration from these following gems:

Now with 1 cup of pudding mix!

LOVE

And my favorite set of Valentine's cards, Ben Kling's historical ones

And my favorite:

Now all I have to do is to go to the Student Computing Center, print them out in color, cut them out, and tape them haphazardly onto my friends' doors when the day comes around.