Goodbye, MMX

2010 was overall a fantastic year. I just wanted to reflect for a moment on the great things that have happened in my life during the year.

I completed my art minor! It was always a dream for me to take art classes and science clases at the same time, and what a privilege it was to go to a school where it was possible. Thanks, Ithaca College!

I made it through the biggest academic hurdle ever. The gross anatomy course in Rochester's Strong hospital, complete with a crazy professor and cadaver lab. Living nearby Rochester's 19th ward was quite an experience. I have never before been approached by a man eating bbq wings at a bus stop. And furthermore, asking if a lady likes to text is perhaps the worst pick up line. Especially if you aren't going to offer her a piece of your bbq chicken.

My family and I completed our first great peak! Mt. Colden, you were a treacherous hike. At some points we never thought we would make it and almost called a rescue crew, but it was one of the best experiences ever. As a family we conquered your trap dyke and terrifying rock walls (with no equipment mind you). What a trip!

I turned 21! Now I can finally go dancing at fine establishments such as Moonshadow Tavern and more notably The Pixel Lounge with all my biddies. It's also nice to just order a glass of wine with dinner sometimes or just be able to legally kick back with some Magners.

Living in an amazing apartment and having dinner parties with friends really made this year special for me. I love all of you!! Long live Empress Flat!

Having a wonderful boyfriend. I am a very lucky lady to have found love, and with such a fine specimen. He is pure confection, especially when he comes home smelling like cookies after a shift at work. At times it is difficult to say who is the goofier one, and that is just how I like it. Oh, and go figure, it all started with a cooking club. The best way to the heart is clearly through the stomach.

And last but not least, the Wubbs. This kitty is perhaps the cutest thing in my life. We have been borrowing you since you were a little kitten in the summer, but it was you who stole our hearts.

2010 was a very good year for me, but I am looking forward for the next year to come. I'll be graduating with a BS in Clinical Health Studies in May, and doing my first internship at a private physical therapy practice. Then next fall I'll be living with a great friend of mine who decided to stay in Ithaca after she graduates! I am really so fortunate.

art

I might never take an art class again! Last spring I took a lithography class, and it was probably my last time in a college studio. I loved mixng up my science curriculum with the creativity needed for art. It was great to give my brain a rest from my life of scantrons. I will miss you, Cerache. Here's a celebration of the art classes I have taken.

oil on paper, 5'X3'

charcoal on paper, 28"X 18"

charcoal on paper, 28"X 18"

charcoal on paper, 24"x18"

charcoal on paper, 24"x18"

oil triptych on canvas, 18"x 24"

photo emulsion silkscreen, 7"x 8"

silkscreen, 10" x 12"

photo emulsion of drawn sketches, 10" x 14"

sketched lithograph, 10" x 12"

Sorry about the image quality. I'm not a pro.

Take Action!

Being home for winter break has turned into a massive baking fest in lieu of what seems to be a near constant romcom marathon. Bake a key lime pie... watch Sleepless in Seattle, make some chocolate chip cookies...watch Room With A View. Low point? I dunno, sometimes a gal just feels like watching someone fall in love.

Still, they have their problems and many of them I can't stand. What is the deal with Pride and Prejudice, and why are women so intrigued by Mr. Darcy?

He seems like a pompous ass who barely says anything until they go to fucking Brighton, well he still doesn't say much of anything but I guess it's enough to fall in love or whatever. He even insults her social status in the same breath as his proposal to her. Maybe it's the rain storm or something that has everyone salivating over him. I dunno, I'm not really convinced. Deal breaker, ladies! If you haven't seen it check it out.


Awhile ago a friend and I started talking about how you watch romantic movies based on how you relate with the opposite sex. So, let's say a misogynist bro would be more inclined to watch movies with movies where the men are clearly in control and the women just sort of fall in the background usually being less intelligent or just weak in character. That is sometimes why we enjoy movies, we relate to or see an idealized/fantasy version of our selves in one of the characters.

My favorite movie of all is Amélie. She goes through life helping others, reminding them how beautiful life can be while neglecting her own happiness. Until she becomes tangled in an exciting adventure of stratagems and near missed connections with her soul mate! She almost lets him slip through her fingers until a friend of hers reminds her to just be more adventurous. Here's a translated version of the scene:

So, little Amélie, your bones aren't made of glass. You can take life's knocks. If you let this chance go by, eventually your heart will become as dry and brittle as my skeleton. So... Go and get him, for Pete's sake!

This is what I like to live by. I love to take chances, and I try to advise my friends to do the same. Something I've told them many times is we often regret what we do not do more than the embarrassing things we end up doing. So take some chances! Do something unexpected and it will probably be totally worth it.

In the summer of 2009, I drove over five hours for a first date even though I knew that in the fall I was going to be spending 4 months in London, so the likelihood of anything happening long term was somewhat slim. Turns out it was a wonderful evening (he actually refers to it as the Date Of Legend) and well, fast forward to now we are currently living together! It might have been foolish to drive so far just to go on a date, when we never even spent time alone together before that night but sometimes you just have to take action. So, go get it! Love is out there!