2010: Scandal, Divorce, Death

The year is winding down. Only a couple more days until next year.

2010 came and went. I celebrated the new year at a small party. The moment of truth (12:00 a.m.) passed rapidly and before I knew it, I woke up and it was 12:00 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2010. Twelve hours of the brand new year went by as quick as lightning, now it's Dec. 30.

2010 was filled with scandal, divorce and death.

Scandal:

• Tiger Woods, Jesse James, and Tony Parker infidelity. 
• John Edwards fathers child with mistress.
• Four Loko reformulated. No more caffeine, kiddos. 
• Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen act stupid.
• Katy Perry's boobs on Sesame Street.
• Miley Cyrus and the bong.

Divorce:

• Courteney Cox and David Arquette
• Sandra Bullock and Jesse James
• Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren 
• Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman
• Eva Longoria and Tony Parker

Death:

• Elizabeth Edwards succumbs to cancer.
• 7.0 Haiti earthquake damages equal $7.2 billion to $13.2 billion with a death toll from 200,000 to 250,000 according to the Inter-American Development Bank.   
• Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada and tragic death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the 21-year-old Georgian luge competitor who died in a training crash.
• "Earthquakes, heat waves, floods, volcanoes, super typhoons, blizzards, landslides and droughts killed at least a quarter million people in 2010 - the deadliest year in more than a generation," according to the Washington Post.

Obviously, this isn't everything, but if I'm missing something super important, let me know!

Let us toast to 2011. May this be the year of  love, peace, and positivity (hopefully). 

Hocus Pocus Focus

Summer vacation, winter vacation, sick days, holidays, self-made vacations. You name the vacation, I will like it. It's the nicest feeling ever. During the holiday, I bask in my complete freedom.

It's all a matter of focus.

I dread having to go back home and work all day doing something I don't enjoy. One day that will change. I am on that journey right now. I am starting the transition so I can soon do what I like. Hopefully, it won't be in vain.

The terrible thing is, I don't know if I'm a good writer. Am I? My professors don't seem to think so, I don't get an A on every paper. I even had a professor go on about how journalism students write in a way he didn't like. Um, I thought I was supposed to be able to write better than others. I mean, that is my major. I am learning how to write. It is my expertise.

Focus the camera, focus my life.

In order to get what I want, I must focus on my career, my dream. Nothing is handed out on a silver platter, at least not for me.

 Freelance update:

• Money saving tips article.  Status: unpaid, unpublished.
• Pebbles article.  Status: paid, unpublished.
• Prayer.  Status: unpaid, published.

Very Merry

Merry Christmas. Feliz Navidad. Joyeux Noel. Buone Feste Natalizie. Kerismas Mobarak. Happy holidays.

Here's hoping everyone's Christmas is filled with joy, unlike this gingerbread man. Take in the warmth of love which Christmas brings, this day only lasts so long. In just a few hours the day will turn to night; December 25, 2010 will fly by, then we all must wait 365 days until this time next year.

Turn that frown upside down, little dude.

I always tell myself time flies, but it still surprises me how fast the months seem to pass. I'm surprised December is almost over and I wish I could rewind a few days so it could last longer. In this moment I am free of responsibility. No school. No work.  I sleep in, watch movies, spend time with my friends. This truly is a holiday.

Tis is the season of happiness. The chilly weather freezes my body, but on the inside I bask in the glory of this moment of cold. It never snows. It rarely rains. This is my way if getting in the spirit, and I love it.

Don't be disappointed in your gifts if they weren't exactly what you wanted. If possible, try to hold off bickering with your brother. Let this be a day of festivities, food, games, and gifts. Let's be merry today!

Twas Christmas Eve and 55 Degrees

Twas Christmas Eve and 55 degrees in the lovely state of California

a poem by me (Carmen)

The night was cheerful with smiles of delight,

all the world was happy in unison.

Christmas lights dazzle and shine from rooftops.

Children stare longingly at their presents,

waiting and wishing for tomorrow's day.

Parents drink many glasses of eggnog,

enjoying the warm spirit of Christmas.

Santa and reindeer travel the vast globe,

delivering gifts to every person.

Be merry and love everyone around.

You know what it is:

Red and green. Red and green. Red and green.

Winter Ambiance is Dead

Well, the rain stopped. There is no more winter ambiance. Now it just seems like a regular California winter.

I enjoyed the watery downfall. It was something different than I am used to. It rarely rains here so the past few days of constant rain had me thinking I teleported to Seattle. Maybe I can go out in shorts sometime soon or maybe I'll go on a hike.

 The week is flying by, but thankfully I spend my time in great company. I will have many crazy, hilarious, fantastic memories.

In the future, I will look back and remember these days of rain and friends. I will be happy and smile to myself. I will think of how things change, how young I was, how stupid I was, how great it was.

Maybe it's the seasonal, winter, Christmas spirit in me, but I am basking in the glory of December 2010. Only a few more days until next year.

Cold as Ice, Despite Socks

After taking several modes of transportation to travel home for Christmas (bus, train, car), I finally am here. Usually I am waking up late for class or running to work, but now I can finally have a holiday. I can rest. I can meditate. I can chill out. I will spend the next few days doing absolutely nothing with my favorite people. I will create new memories to tide me over until the next time I see my friends. I will have an amazing time.

It feels like Christmas now, and I'm just soaking it in before it passes. The sky is gray. The trees violently jerk in the wind. Rain splatters on the window.  The rain hasn't stopped, but I have mastered the art of layering. I'm cozy, except my feet are always cold as ice, despite socks. I love the feeling of being warm in cold weather.

A mug of Bengal Spice by Celestial Seasonings with hemp milk is my definition of heaven, minus the curdling. I also tried Sweet Apple Chamomile, which was scrumptious as well. I watched 500 Days of Summer again. I forgot how great this film is, very raw and true. Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are great.

I feel wonderful.

Xmas. Rain. Tron.

I'm in the mood for Christmas. The Christmas spirit is officially in me. Christmas 2010 is around the corner, and it's difficult to come up with unique Christmas gifts. I haven't come up with a Christmas list or anything official, but I have hinted at what I want.

Rainy day in Seattle, WA.

It has been raining all day and it rarely rains where I live. I've got rain on my mind:

• When it rains it pours. Don't rain on my parade. It's raining men.

• "Singing in the Rain." I used to love this movie as a kid. This is truly a great classic with awesome costumes.
• "November Rain" by Guns N Roses. I adore this song. It didn't really rain in November though. 

 "Nothin' lasts forever and we both know hearts can change,

And it's hard to hold a candle in the cold November rain."

Rain puddles in Athens, Greece.

• "Purple Rain" by Prince. Hmm...I prefer "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix.
• "No Rain" by Blind Melon.

"And I start to complain that there's no rain
And all I can do is read a book to stay awake
And it rips my life away, but it's a great escape."

• "A Year Without Rain" by Selena Gomez. Not really my thing, but it wasn't so awful.

Things that are interesting to me:

After the rain in Vienna, Austria.

• Senate has voted to end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. That's kinda progressive. Thank goodness.
• TRON: Legacy. I feel nerdy saying this, but this actually looks really good. After I saw the TRON: Legacy trailer, I couldn't resist. I love Jeff Bridges and the visual effects look spectacular.
• Christmas countdown. This is awesome, maybe it should be my screensaver. Christmas is coming so soon! I can't believe it.
• Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds split. Aw. How sad, I was looking forward to seeing if the Scarnolds kids would be cuter than Brangelina's. However, this is mainly a good thing, because now I can have Ryan all to myself.

Since it's is gloomy, I just want to cozy up with some delicious instant hot chocolate and watch movies from my instant Netflix queue. Sounds like the perfect way to spend my vacation.