Day Twenty-Four: Movie

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Tell us about the last movie you saw in theaters.

The last movie I saw was "Inception" (a theater by my house was still showing it in September!).  I was absolutely blown away (like the other 99.9% of people who saw it. :-p)  I thought the acting was great and the storyline beyond brilliant.  I think it was the best movie I've ever spent money on!  Big plus, it had Marion Cottillard in it, who was mentioned in my crush entry. ;-) 

I really want to watch "Inception" again.  Like right now.

Catch Them If You Can

Recently my thoughts and actions feel like a rubber bouncy ball- as soon as they land on one thing, they're shooting off into something else.  I can't stay focused when I start a task, if I even start in the first place.  I feel dismayed and unproductive.

I shouldn't even be blogging right now.  I have a combined total of six monologues and scenes to prepare and/or memorize for various up-coming projects, and I need to brush up on a song for auditions next week.  I need to sort through and price a bunch of my things for the Lemon.  I have math homework (always).  My room isn't perfectly cleaned-out and or organized yet.  I need to spend more time with my family.

Maybe I'll feel better if give myself a little credit.  I finished a very large extra credit packet for math over break.  I reorganized my closet.  I'm almost done a spreadsheet of editor votes for the literary magazine.  I finished all the tasks I promised to do in preparation for the Alpha Rho Psi induction.  I finished reading a book.  I promised myself I would stay better updated on current events, so I've been downloading podcasts from BBC News and NPR and listening to them everyday.

So, I just need to take my inch of progress and go the mile!

Day Twenty-Three: Lady Gaga

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Your opinions of Lady Gaga.

I have  mixed feelings about Lady Gaga.  I think she is extremely talented, but sometimes the things she does (or wears!) seem like publicity stunts.  When I listen to one of her songs, it usually stays stuck in my head for days.

But yes, I admire her talent.  If she just straight up sang and played like in the video below more often, I would really appreciate it.  Her voice is wonderful!  But I think people have come to know and expect each new single to be not just a song, but an entire production with its own theme, music video, synthesized sounds, outlandish symbolism, and fashion trend.



I also will take the opportunity this post provides for a shameless moment of bragging.  Anderson is an a kick-ass a cappella group at his university called the Cleftomaniacs, and he arranged a medley of Gaga songs.  Every time I see them perform it I smile, laugh, and even get a few chills. (Anderson is in this video, in case you were wondering.  He is the only tall and gorgeous black man in the group. :-p)

Day Twenty-Two: Sports/Hobbies

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Do you play a sport?  Tell us about it.  If not, talk about a different hobby you may have.

I do not play a sport.  In 1999 I was pretty interested in soccer, and that was coincidentally the same year Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, and the rest of the women's U.S. soccer team won the FIFA Women's World Cup.  I was pretty star struck and fired up with girl power that summer. :-)

And now, I don't really have a practice I do enough to consider my hobby, because academics, theatre, and my social life soak up all my time.  Sadly, if surfing Facebook is a hobby, it is probably mine.

*sigh*  This is a pathetic post.

Day Twenty-One: Study

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Your favourite subject to study.

Besides the obvious (my major, theatre), I've always been heavily engaged in any class that falls under liberal arts.  I'm not big on science and math. 

I've taken some fascinating Honors English classes, so I'll go with English.  The written word can be a soothing or stirring tool, and I intend to become a master of it (I want to minor in English).

Giving Thanks For Break!

It's day three of Thanksgiving break, and I'm so content and relaxed!   Today and tomorrow were supposed to be my "homework days" and I've gotten some math done, but I keep getting distracted.  At least it's with productive things I distract myself!  This week I've been giving my room an over-haul.  On Wednesday Boyfriend helped me move furniture, hang pictures, and motivated me to throw out or give away lots of things.  Since then I've been going through corners and boxes a bit at a time, facing the fact that I have a lot of things that were once important and now..aren't.   It's a cleansing feeling.  It's also given me a lot of gift items I can resell at the Lemon.

On Thursday I had a really nice holiday.  Prof Carl and his wife hosted Boyfriend, I, and another student at their house for a lovely turkey dinner.   They are incredible people and were fun hosts!  We had a great time of eating, playing music (we had guitar, autoharp, mandolin, and more going on!, and getting to know their awesome kids.  I truly didn't want to leave.

I'm excited that my holiday season is off to a great start.  I'm determined to enjoy Christmas this year, and exude holiday spirit by being a loving, grateful, and joyful person.  Please be patient with me when I fail, and celebrate with me as I grow.  :-)

Day Twenty: Glasses

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Do you wear glasses?  If so, what are they for?

I used to wear reading glasses, but I supposedly outgrew my need for them.  I weakened my eyes for a time by reading for hours with only a little nightlight next to my bed for illumination. 

I hated my glasses.  I wasn't very fashion-savy back then, but I knew enough to know the round, large lenses didn't compliment my face at all. 

Day Nineteen: I Got A Crush

From the Thirty Day Challenge:  The initials of your crush(es).

Boyfriend's initials are N.S.B. 

And I have ever-changing celebrity crushes.  Currently some of them are M. C. and C. H.

Anne On A Saturday Night

I don't watch Saturday Night Live very often, but whenever I do it makes me wish I watched more!

I really enjoyed this episode hosted by Anne Hathaway!  (From last weekend.)  I already love her, but I was so impressed by her impersonations of Judy Garland, Katie Holmes, and more in this ep...they are dead on and hilarious.  Plus, Anne can sing.  And she's gorgeous.  *girl crush alert*



P.S. The skit about "Camel Toe" fully supports the issue I have with wearing leggings as pants.  :-p

Day Eighteen: Soda vs Milk

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Do you drink more soda more often than milk?

Yes, I definitely do.  I really like Coca-cola, and if I don't have coffee that day I've usually had Coke in it's place.

I don't drink milk in terms of dairy, but I drink almond milk on a regular basis.

Lemon Punk

I and my friend (and now boss :-p) Michelle thought it would be fun to feature some of my Lemon Meringue treasures on my blog!

Check out this crazy-fun sleeveless top!  Michelle herself is the former owner, and it was among my thrifted finds yesterday after we moved another load of future merchandise over to the store.   I'm wearing a red beater and black tights with it here, but I'm thinking of pairing it with skinny jeans and my new black leather jacket for a bold night out!

If you live in the Arbutus/Catonsville area you really should check us out! (I have a link in my righthand sidebar).

Day Seventeen: Ugg

From the Thirty Day Challenge: What are your feelings on Ugg boots?

I don't own any and I don't wish to.  I'm not sure I entirely understand how they got so trendy.

Day Sixteen: Disney Princess

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Your favourite Disney princess movie.

Me at Magic Kingdom in 2007

Cinderella. :-)  I had it on VHS and I watched it over, and over, and over....and over again when I was toddler and elementary school age.  I also had a large, full-colour, hard backed story book published by Disney that had pictures from the movie that I would feast my eyes on late at night.  I still occasionally like to buy Cinderella memorabilia.

My love for the Cinderella story goes much deeper than I will admit in casual conversation.  When I was 20 years old I took my first trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  The thing I was excited for most was to see the "Cinderella castle".  I finally arrived at Magic Kingdom, walked through the entrance tunnels and up onto Main St., and there it was.  Big as life, beautiful as a perfect fairy tale, and bathed in sunshine.  No lie ladies and gentleman: tears filled my eyes.  I was overwhelmed with excitement and nostalgia!  And was very thankful for the large sunglasses covering my face at that moment.   I also got to see the fireworks show they put on using the castle as the feature, and it's not an exaggeration to say that it was a magical experience.

Day Fifteen: Junk Food

From the Thirty Day Challenge:  Tell us your favourite junk food.

I like chocolate.  But if we're talking in the category of pre-packaged "junk", I'd have to go with Frito's corn chips or sour gummy worms.  I like salty foods and the Frito's chips don't have anything extra in them; they're just corn, salt, and oil.  Gummy worms I have to careful about because some brands use wheat starch.

I miss Cheetos.  Before my allergy emergence they were definitely a personal favourite.

*Day Fifteen means we're at the halfway point of random Debbie facts!

November Postings

I took down a few theatre things and made some small additions:

1)  A row of birthday cards.

2) a Buddhist quote: "Pain is inevitable.  Suffering is optional."

3) The poster and program from "Accidental Death of An Anarchist", as well as the poem Carl wrote for cast and crew.  He writes a personal message to every person on their copy. :-)

4) A San Francisco scene by Thomas Kinkade.

Day Fourteen: Siblings

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Do you have siblings?  Talk about them, or talk about what it's like to be an only child.

I have a sibling!  For six years I was an only child, and didn't really want to be.  I was old enough to remember when my mom had a miscarriage, so imagine how happy we all were when she was finally pregnant and healthy!   

For 18 years my brother Josh has blessed my life.  Our family went through a really rough patch for the first five years of his life, but then things settled down and we all got very close.  In the past five years or so he has reached that stage where sometimes we can be friends and not just siblings. He has a huge heart for people and is very talented.  I could go on for awhile about my brother, but I'll just simply say he's one of the most important people in my life.

A Birthday With Theatre and Friends

Sorry that I'm a little behind updating about this!  Last week was my birthday (11-11, baby!) and everyone around me made it a great day!

"Anarchist" had a matinee that day, and everyone thanked me for coming to school on my birthday for the show (but honestly...where else would I be?  When I work on a show, it's my life!)  When I walked into the dressing room that morning I was greeted by a chorus of "Happy Birthday" sung by my beautiful cast, and the large mirror covered in "Happy Birthday Debbie" written in pink and purple marker.  Nathan D. gave me a "birthday Dr Pepper" and Boyfriend made me coffee and gave me presents (a gorgeous black jacket from Aeropostale that I badly wanted and have been wearing almost every day since).  The show that day was good...Carl said they had to do me proud on my birthday. :-p :-)

I left after the show to get ready for the evening.  I was picked up by Boyfriend and taken to Unos where several of my friends had been invited to join us for dinner!  Most of my closest friends were there, and I got to reunite with some "Perfume Counter" people.  Their presents were so thoughtful!  Niki had made me earrings (which I wore on closing night later that weekend) and Michelle gave me a beautiful perfume-themed box that I can fill with all my theatre memories.

My phone was filled with birthday texts and wishes via Facebook all day.  I came home to flowers in my room from my family.  I felt healthy and happy and got to wear exactly what I wanted and do what I wanted without being in pain or worrying about how I looked.  I got lots of other presents not mentioned here, all of which were thoughtful and suited to my tastes.  A day lived with a healthy body and filled with friends, theatre, good food, exciting gifts, pretty clothes, laughter, coffee, and love is a perfect day in my opinion!  Thank you to every one of you who made it possible. :-*

Day Thirteen: Mean Girls

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Your thoughts or opinions about Mean Girls.

Never seen it, and I don't really care to.  However, this topic does bring to my mind Lindsay Lohan. And how cute she was in the "Parent Trap" remake. 

Day Twelve: Harry Potter

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Your thoughts or opinions about Harry Potter.

When the Harry Potter craze first exploded, I wasn't allowed to read the books or watch the movies.  Several years after it came out I watched "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" because my then-boyfriend owned the movie.  I thought it was entertaining and I really enjoyed it!  What struck me in the story was the element of how Harry's deceased mother's love protected him beyond her grave against his deadliest enemies.  I drew a connection between that and my personal beliefs about God's love for me.

I've seen bits and pieces of some of the other movies but I could take or leave really following the series.

Day Eleven: Bands

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Your top three favourite bands.

3) Currently Switchfoot is in my top three.  I have found their lyrics uplifting and stimulating for this current time in my life- a time in which I'm trying to become a stronger, more motivated, and more positive woman.

2) Goo Goo Dolls, if only because "Iris" seems to have mentally played in the background of so many of my significant life events.

1)  Anberlin.  You can read about why they're my number one love here.

From Thespian to Thrifter

"Anarchist" is wrapped (that'll get its own entry).  My birthday has come and gone (that'll get its own mention too).  Here I sit at work on a rainy Tuesday, back in my normal routine, and I'm surprisingly quite content.

I need the work hours so badly.  Thanks to rehearsals, my forthcoming paycheck is horrifyingly small.  I also need to study my butt off for the remainder of the semester, otherwise that math final is going to sneak up and ruin my life. (Actually, ruin my current college career.  So basically the same thing.  No joke.)

Yesterday I spent some time with Michelle working and thrifting.  I'm now sort of an adjunct employee of Lemon Meringue Thrift and Gift...we have a flexible arrangement that allows me to sell items and get free stuff in exchange for helping with pick-ups or organizing the store.  Honestly, at first touching and cleaning other people's used items grossed me out, but upon reflection I think I'll gain an appreciation for it.  Especially since it means having a new hobby, a little extra income, and time with one of my best friends.  Already I made $30 off an old electric keyboard, and picked up some clothes and a bureau organizer!  I'm currently sitting at work in a cute and comfy sweater dress I picked out from the Lemon clothing rack.

I'm getting back into reading and commenting on your blogs.  Is anyone else interested in participating in the Thirty Day Challenge with me?

Day Ten: Pets

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Talk about your pets, or the pets you would like to have.

My family has never had any pets, since everyone seems to have conflicting allergies.  At my aunt's old farm, there was a particular barn cat that followed me around all the time.  I named him Chestnut and pretended he was mine whenever I visited.  I really want a cat, and plan on getting one when I move out.  I recently fell in love with the idea of a munchkin cat.

Nathan says that when we get a cat, we can name it Cat.  And it will be orange.  I was very happy.  And if you don't get that reference, I'm not telling you.

Day Nine: Meme

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Favourite meme at the moment.

I don't think I have one.  I had to google and wikipedia "meme" till I really understood what they are.

Woman versus Tools

The following exchange is taken from one of our many silly IM conversations.

Boyfriend: i love you so much :-*

on a related note

i just got a tool catalog from home depot :-D

 

Me: how is that related? you love tools as much as you love me?

 

Boyfriend: not as much

i love you waaaaaaaaaaaay more

but i do love tools

on a scale of 1-10, tools/looking at tools are a 8

you're a 15

 

Glad to know his priorities are straight. ;-)

Day Eight: Fitness

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Are you a fitness guru or couch potato?  Talk about your exercise habits.

I get most of my exercise from the several times a day I cross around campus, especially the days I'm switching off between theatre, work, and class multiple times in one day.

I was really into yoga for a semester, but lazyness and then trouble with my legs made movement of that kind too uncomfortable.  My best friend keeps telling me I need to get back into yoga to help lower my stress levels.

So yea.  I'm no guru, obviously.

Day Seven: Blogger

From the Thirty Day Challenge: How you came across tumblr blogger, and how your life has changed since joining.

I joined Blogger for the same reason I joined Live Journal many moons ago- people I knew in real life had Blogger, and joining myself made following them easier.  I also made this blog in my freshman year of college, hence its name.  I wanted to break my ties with my Myspace and Live Journal and start fresh.

I enjoy the Blogger format and versatility.  Following blogs has introduced me to many interesting people and fascinating new tidbits of knowledge or cool hobbies.  It has also made me concious of how articulate or expressive I am, and given me an outlet for many things I've gone through in the past two years.

Day Six: Favourite Season

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Your favourite season, and why.

I would hate to give a cop out answer ('cause of course, I never cop out of anything ;-p) but I honestly can't pick a favourite season.  They each have an element about them that I love and wouldn't want to live without.

But if I had to pick, I would choose spring.  I always feel dreary around February or March, as Maryland winter sort of loosens it grips but doesn't quite let go.  Feeling the warm spring days start to whisper around me and seeing leaves and flowers starting to blossom revives every part of me.  Spring give me an unmatchable feeling.

But P.S.- Spring pollen sucks.  *achoo*

Day Five: Favourite Colors

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Tell us your three favourite colors.

Black: I look great in it, it's classy, and theatre people wear it a lot (and yeah yeah, I know that black is the absence of colour...go with me on this one.)

Red:  I am very drawn to red objects.  I think they make me feel subconciously happy and empowered.  I own red t-strap heels, a red phone cover, a [red] iPod (that I ordered online for the sole reason the store didn't carry the [red] ones), a red foldable mushroom chair, and the list of striking objects goes on.

And then there is a tie between blue and pink.  Blue is my original utmost favourite color.  It's calming and comes in many beautiful shades.  Pink, despite the distaste I had for it, seems to be working it's way into various objects in my life.  No clue how that happened.  But it is pretty when not overdone.

Day Four: Closest Friends

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Write about your closest friend[s].

There are three people with whom I share any major crisis or joyful occasion that occurs in my life.  Shannon, my best girl friend and confidant whom I've known since second grade.  My boyfriend Nathan, who will endlessly listen to my tears, whining, or hyper babbling. And Anderson, the director of my first play, who always seems to know just what to say to help me believe in myself.

In the past couple months I would also say I've formed a strong bond with the lovely playwright Michelle.  She's full of moxy, fun, and sweetness and I always feel her personality rubbing off on me and lightening up my day.

"Anarchist" Update V

It's opening night.  We almost didn't arrive at this point, but with a lot of hard work, dedication, and what may quite possibly have been a miracle, we are here.  And I believe I am going to see good things tonight!  I invite you to come watch it with me.  :-)

Day Three: Favourite TV Show

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Your favourite television program.

Most of the "television" I watch is on hulu.com.  There are several shows that I enjoy watching both currently, in syndication, or on DVD.  Gilmore Girls rates pretty high on the favourites list (Boyfriend and I are currently trying to get through season 2). 

But my all-time favourite show, for its acting, its writing, its longevity, etc, is M*A*S*H.  My parents watched it and I came to have an admiration for it as well.  Alan Alda is a genius (he not only acted in every episode but wrote many of them as well).  The show (in case someone doesn't know) is set in Korea during the war and is about the staff of a Mobile Army Sugical Hospital and their patients.  It's a dark comedy and has probably made me laugh out loud and cry more than any other program I've ever watched.  I could say more, but most people already know about this classic, and if you don't it's worth checking out!

Day Two: Piercings and Tattoos

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Talk about your piercings and tattoos, if you have any.

I have pierced ears.  I have one hole in my left ear and two holes in my right ear.  My best friend has a second hole in her right ear so that we have mirror piercings (an idea we stole from her mom and mom's best friend).

I got my ears pierced on my 18th birthday, and a few months later I tried to change the earrings too soon.  The holes had not healed properly (I think they were pierced crooked) and I let them close up.  Last year about this time I got all three current piercings done, and I really enjoy having them.  Shopping for clip earrings all my life has been a bit of a pain!  Now for my birthday and Christmas I've asked various people to gift me nice earrings.

I don't have any tattoos.  Yet. 

Day One: Middle Name

From the Thirty Day Challenge: Your middle name and how you feel about it.

My middle name is Sarai (SUH-rye).  It is the Hebrew for Sarah (like in the book of Genesis in the Bible) and it means "Princess".  My parents felt it was important for me to have a Biblical name, and my father's family has the tradition that the middle name of the first-born girl be the first name of her mother.  However, my parents didn't like how "Deborah" and my mom's name (Sherrie) sounded together, so they settled on a name starting with "S".

When I was younger I did not like my name at all.  I though it was weird (well, I still think it's weird. :-p) But I have grown into my name (just like my nose :-p).  I've been told many times how pretty it is, and nowadays I like that I have a distinctive and full-sounding name.

"Anarchist" Update IV

I'm not sad today.  Thanks for allowing me to vent the other day.  Actually, there's nothing you can do about my venting on my own blog, so instead I thank those of you who commented on that post. My readers (most of whom happen to be my friends in real life) are the best.  :-)

I finished the preshow music for "Anarchist".  Selections include pieces by John Lennon, Leonard Cohen, Rise Against, Switchfoot, and obscure Italian anarchist song writers.  I'm pretty proud of the playlist right now, but we'll be using it for the first time at dress rehearsal on Monday night and I'll be able to tell then if I've made clear and sensible choices.

The rehearsal process in the past week has been frustrating.  I've truly become frightened for the final product of our show.  Today I was left in charge of a specially-scheduled rehearsal and was elated to see some real breakthroughs and progress from the actors.  I'm grateful that Carl trusted me to direct by myself, and I found it to be a very rewarding experience.  I also continue to gratefully learn personal lessons about how directors and actors should interact with the tech crew.

The set is absolutely gorgeous.  Just looking at it makes me wish I was acting in the show, and I sometimes steal little opportunities to go onstage and "play" on the set.  Catonsville's new technical director is incredibly talented, and I truly admire his bold and clear choices for set and scenic design, as well as lights. 

In a few short days we'll be singing our "song of anarchy" at CCBC.  Pray hard we strike the right chord.

I'm Going To Do This

I've been looking to do a survey or meme of some kind, and this one looks interesting without being an overwhelming amount of facts or rambling.  Just a fact per day about little old me. ;-)  Got it from a friend's tumblr, and obviously question 7 will be changed to "blogger". 

Look for Day One tomorrow!

Be Sad

I'm sad.  An insulted, tired, dissappointed, disillusioned, slightly-despairing-kind-of-sad.

It's ok to be sad.

But when you're sad, there's some important things you must do.  You must breathe.  You must drink your favorite beverage.  You must wear your favorite shoes.  You must learn from those you admire most.  You must protect yourself.  You must give someone a hug.  You must squeeze someone special's hand.  You must pray.  You must believe that you won't always be sad.

Maybe you don't have to do those specific things.  But you must have your own "Things To Do When You Are Sad" list. 

That's mine, and I did a pretty good job of doing all those things today.