Anyway.  This semester completely bombarded me; this is the first [substantial] blog I’ve written since the end of the last.  A lot has been going on.  I won first place in Judith Stark [again] for another script named PILOT (YAY!).  I got 3 A’s and a B (which dropped my GPA back down to 3.88–*SIGH*) this semester.  Had my first play (The Difference Between) put onstage, ^_^.  Had one of the best birthdays in a REALLY long time with some of my favourite people.  And almost beat the shit out of someone in my family.  Oh, yeah.  It’s been a fun five months.

As a side-note, I don’t think I’ll be continuing with my paper cranes project according to deadline.  I think it’ll wind up being more of a sporadic thing, and that’s okay.  I’ve got a lot of stuff going on–taking my time is something that I think is really important from now on, .

I won’t post any drama on here, as I know where that’s gotten people in the past.  Internet and drama don’t mix well at all.  Not that they’d be smart enough to figure out that I’d told the Cyber World how much they’re such nasty, rotten, c*nt-faced bitches… but hey, I’ll leave it at that.  Who needs more enemies, anyhow?

Anyway–next semester’s agenda:  Society and Mass Communications, Intermediate Algebra (*GAG!*), Fiction Writing, and *TA-DA!* Intro to Lit:  Drama with one of my favourite professors ever, ^_^.  I might be part of a film project, too–actually, two–one over the summer, and one in the fall, .  I don’t think I’ll be continuing with acting after next year; I think I’ll be switching to full general theatre.  Which is okay.  It’s just that the realization that my intense fear of auditions forever cripple me is kind of a hurdle I’d need to overcome if that’s what I truly wanted to pursue.  I love theatre–and I DO love acting–but better just theatre than no theatre at all, <3.

Spent a lovely week at the lake house with a group of my friends as company after the MMRBQ last Sunday.  It was a lovely R&R.  And this Tuesday, I’ll be heading up to NYC with one of my besties–hopefully to see The Addams Family Musical, and if not… Phantom of the Opera!!!  And if not, then, well, just roaming around the city and food, lol.  Still a good day to spend, .  (I sense stagedooring in my future… XD.)

I’ve noticed again lately–my dreams have slowly been filtering into my reality… I keep thinking that the things I’ve dreamt have actually happened.  It’s not exactly a good thing…  But as long as I realize it before making any remarks about them, I think I’m okay, lol.

My phone keeps going off from Facebook alerts (goddamnit).  …  Oh.  People are worried about my status.  Which, incidentally, has to do with what I was just talking about a moment ago.  EH.  I’m over it.  As long as they don’t start shit next time I see them, I’m fine–I won’t be bothered by it.  (I’m sorry, I’m more grownup than you–and more than you think I am.  Kthnxbai.)  But at least SOME people care.  Glad for that.

But I’ve promised myself I’d write just [mostly] happy things from now on in my journals and such…  What’s the point in keeping journals if all you have to write in them is misery?  Am I going to reread them and say, “Wow.  I was really friggin’ depressed then.  I think I’m so depressed, I’m gonna go drown myself in vodka now.”  Yeah, really not worth it.  So, just happy memorable times that I can look back on and go, “Yeah… that was a really great time.  I loved that.”  Oh, and…!

…I celebrated my first one-year anniversary with my wonderful boyfriend back in April, ^_^.  Thank you, darling–I don’t think I could’ve made it through this year without you, <3.

On that note–enjoy your barbecues, everyone!  Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  :)

All that shit seems to disappear when I’m with you…
<3[RAE]<3

Happy New Year!  I hope it’s true… haha.

Ohwell.  Better post later… shouldn’t be dawdling, XP.

Endless entertainment…
<3[RAE]<3

First off, I am ecstatic to announce that I got all A’s this semester (again) and bumped my GPA up to 3.92!  Stakes are high anymore–and getting even one little B is pretty much unacceptable to my standards.  (I NEVER used to care about my grades–and I find it hilarious that I’ve become one of the people I never took seriously, haha.)  Not to mention, I’m officially at sophomore status, .  It’s almost kinda nice to be stalked by a bunch of colleges, haha…  Hell–I’m just glad I’m doing well, .

Secondly, it looks like acting may take a either a small detour or a hiatus right now in my life, as writing seems to be taking a slightly larger precedence in my success.  I recently won first place in the Judith Stark Creative Writing Contest for Scriptwriting at CCP with my script titled, “The Difference Between.”  It’s a 15-minute one-act about two friends–a playwright and director / producer–discussing the writer’s latest play and its effect on his personal life (the gist of it).  Honestly, I didn’t think I’d win at all, so it was a total shock, lol.  I really have to give credit to Gina MacKenzie for helping me edit it a bit, and especially to Kirsten Quinn, who basically gave me the inspiration for its resolution, .  They really are the best, and without them, I definitely probably would NOT have won, haha…

In addition to that, though, Peggy Mecham (my former Acting professor) wants to produce it in a night of one-acts about plays-within-plays sometime within the next year!  It’s been an awesome semester, XD.

I’m expecting a jam-packed semester coming up, with Shakespeare, Scriptwriting, Descriptive Astronomy, and PC Applications.  Should be interesting–but I’m totally looking forward to it, .

I’m actually writing this blog, not only to update, obviously–but because I really just needed something to do… motivation to write.  I’ve been slacking, and I’m well-aware.  Maybe this’ll kick-start me with writing this next script that I’m supposed to be submitting next week, *twitchcringe…*  I could totally use a slap of inspiration right now, lol.

Hence, watching Shakespeare in Love.  What a great way to be inspired, .   I promise I’ll get back to the cranes sometime soon… ha, that’ll be my New Year’s Resolution, lol.

Anyway–I bid thee all adieu and sweet dreams…

“Oh, I am fortune’s fool.”
<3[RAE]<3

Love you, Mum.

During class on Tuesday, she discussed how, in real life (obviously), people change all the time.  We are not the same people we were at the age of twelve–and I’m certainly no exception.  At the same time, however, you have to think… there’s also the quote:  “People NEVER change.”  And somehow, that’s true, too.  Small parts of people, the parts that make them the people they are everyday, remain constant.  Yet still, somehow, changes are made everyday in who we are.  In essence–both remarks are true.

The past few days, I’ve been thinking–and as I always like to say, that’s always a bad thing–about how much things have changed lately.  I spent about four hours with my brother tonight, and it was honestly the highlight of my day.  I’ll be brutally honest, when I’m around family, that’s usually never the case.  But it’s true–I really had a good time.  For the first time, that I can actually recollect, my brother and I had a real, one-on-one, open conversation.  He told me things I didn’t think he’d ever tell me.  For once, I felt like I had a real brother.

I know that’s kind of sad–but it’s unfortunately true.  But I’ve noticed how much he’s changed since I knew him about two years ago.  Maybe that’s one of the ways I became so bitter, pessimistic, cynical, and harshly sarcastic over the past six-to-eight years–maybe I learned a bit of it from him.  I realize now, it was mainly out of defense and deflection.  (Being angry is so much easier than allowing yourself to be vulnerable.)  But I see now how much he was like that THEN.

After tonight, he seemed much more at ease–even with everything still going on–and definitely more upbeat.  He’s got that silly, kid-like giddiness back again–the joking sarcasm back in his demeanor, that nips instead of snapping at you.  He reminds me a lot like the brother I knew when I was a kid–the dorky pain-in-the-ass I loved hanging out with–and I missed that so dearly.

Plainly put:  he’s happier.  As am I.  In the past year, we’ve both changed a lot.  I think, what it was, we each needed someone to show us that life doesn’t have to be so one-side-tipping-the-scale.  I mean, it’ll never be perfectly balanced, obviously… but to know that there can always be a somewhat medium is hope enough.  I think we both needed the right people to help us see that.

I’m glad it happened.

In other news:  I’m now up to 19 cranes.  I found old Spring Awakening posters from my college’s production last semester–and figured, “Hey.  These would look pretty damn cool as cranes.”  And voila!–a new one to the collection (this was two days ago, mind you… haha).

I just wish it wasn’t bloody PINK yarn I was stringing them all together with, lmao.

Anyway–good night, all.  Love you, Mum.

“Two men look out the same prison bars; one sees mud and the other stars.” –Frederick Langbridge…
<3[RAE]<3

So, this is where I start:  not that anyone really reads my blog, but I figure, why not make a diary / journal out of this mess, XP.  I’m gonna assume no one knows the Japanese legend of making 1000 paper cranes, so I will quickly let WikiPedia explain for me:

“An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years. In Asia, it is commonly said that folding 1000 paper origami cranes makes a person’s wish come true.”

And I am going to indulge my craziness and put all my extra effort into making these paper cranes.  People who know me well know that I make them on-and-off quite often, but I’ve never actually put the effort into counting and specifically making a thousand of them.  I figured, it gives me a goal.  I have tons of goals–a lot of them I never go through with, usually because of time, energy, or memory.  This one is rather simple, in all aspects.  Whether the wish comes true or not (hopefully the Asian heritage thing will increase my chances, ;P)–at least I’ll have accomplished something… out of the ordinary, I suppose, haha.

So, here I am–keeping an online journal-of sorts–to track the progress I make.  People DO pay attention to the craziest things, of course–like that woman who became famous from her blog on making everything from Julia Child’s cookbook.  Who knows?  Maybe this silly stunt will get me somewhere, XP… I doubt it, but hey–it’s a thought, right?  Hahaha.

I don’t really have a deadline–considering, I believe if I DID, I’d slack and never reach it in time.  I’ll set a goal-date, though:  01/01/11.  Hopefully, I’ll be done by the end of next year (figure, about 20 cranes a week–roughly a year) in time for New Year’s ’11.  Something to look forward to, .

With that said, as of yesterday, 11/22/09, I started this mess.  I’ll get through it, just like everything else, lol.  Day 1:  Six cranes have been made… Have just realized:  Where the fuck am I gonna get all that paper???  XP.

Homemade ringtones, overly-strong coffee, uneven square pieces of paper, and much love to my mother–I dedicate this journey to you.
<3[RAE]<3

I loved Kristi Yamaguchi on Dancing with the Stars.  And while this dance wasn’t listed among their best, it’s on my list of favourites.

And, well… hence the title of this entry.  Ok Go’s “Here it Goes Again,” .

Jesus, when it rains, how it pours…
<3[RAE]<3

Yes.  I went there.  Bridget Jones has been one of my favourite girly movies for the longest time now–probably since ’05.  It has Colin Firth–can you honestly blame me???  I’ve been calling myself a “Bridget Jones” because, hey, I can sadly relate in a way, haha.  The idiot who no one takes seriously–who has an intelligence all her own (that pretty much no one can understand but herself and her closest friends), has crazy-ass parents she can’t help but love, and a pathetic history with guys, haha.  But hey–everything works out in the end.  That’s what everyone says, don’t they?  (And in some cases, that’s actually true, XP.)

But overall, this movie is dorky and ridiculously appealing–and as far as romantic-comedies go, it’s one of the Top Five.   Somewhat stereotypical, yes… but charmingly entertaining, nonetheless.  (Isn’t that how life is, anyway?  Haha.)

On the upside, I will never chase after a guy down the street in the freezing cold of winter–in my knickers.  I can assure that to everyone.  (I’d like to think I have a BIT more sense than that, XP.)  The title of this entry couldn’t be more appropriate, ;P…

“It’s only a diary…”
<3[RAE]<3

This week’s movie is:

Away We Go was a movie I wanted to see from the moment I heard about it–mainly because of *AHEM…* John Krasinski, XD.  I had heard it got a lot of mixed reviews, but when I watched it online (SHH), I really thought this was a very wholesome movie.  Albeit, I admit–I was kinda skeptical when I heard the plot.  Unmarried couple having a baby–sounds all too familiar.  But in watching the previews and such, and later the movie itself, I found myself seeing something very unique about it, and I truly admired that.  It’s a very artistic movie–which is something you rarely see anymore.  Too many things pegging to be Summer blockbusters–nothing that’s really made to BE made for the sake of art.  I feel that this movie is one of those few.  It gives that sense of, “Wow, that’s really fucked up” at the same time you’re thinking, “I totally know what they’re going through”–it’s very true to real life, in the sense that, well… life is STRANGE, hahaha.

It was very refreshing to see Maya Rudolph in an overtly dramatic role–and she did a beautiful job.  John Krasinski, always a joy to see on the big screen–I love when he plays the “overall good guys.”  Like he said, it’s not a bad thing to be typecasted as, ;P.  Away We Go is a very heartfelt, charming, and surprisingly hysterical movie.

(I mean, come on–with an opening five minutes like that movie has–how can it NOT be hysterical?  XP.)

Away We Go comes out on DVD and BluRay September 29th–yes, that’s my plug.  Go buy the damn movie.  (Even little Miss Torrent-Downloader-Me is going to BUY this movie.  That’s saying something!)

And FINALLY–this week’s YouTube Vid of the Week is:

I know, I know… last week I posted Susan’s audition performance from Britain’s Got Talent.  Well, after seeing her perform live on America’s Got Talent, I was blown away yet again.  And she warrants this spot in my blog.  I never really cared for this song before–seriously.  I couldn’t stand it.  And when I heard she was performing it that night, I almost–ALMOST!–went back to my iTunes playlist.  BUT she proved me wrong again.  TWICE.  First with Les Miserables, now with “Wild Horses.”  I love ya, Susan Boyle.  This is her beautiful rendition of the popular ‘Stones hit.

And on this note (haha, music term), I must get along with my homework.  I’ll be back Wednesday (I hope!), .

Wild horses couldn’t drag me away…
<3[RAE]<3

Way back when (okay, maybe not that long ago), Wilson had sent me a video of this woman I was completely oblivious to.  Just like little Connie Talbot, this woman made a huge impact on Britain’s Got Talent.  She went from her tiny, quiet life in Scotland to international stardom in a matter of days.  On November 24th this year, her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, will be released.  She really stole my heart when I first heard her sing–here’s Susan Boyle’s audition performance on Britain’s Got Talent, singing Les Miserables‘ “I Dreamed a Dream.”

(NOTE:  This video was slightly edited with dialogue before her performance.  I’ve seen about 4 different full versions–I should know, XP.)

Back, back, back to school…
<3[RAE]<3

In the meantime, I had caught up on a few movies I’ve been meaning to see–one of them being the Movie of the Week:

This was just genuinely a funny-ass movie.  Great (although terribly vulgar, lmao) script, and nice cast.  Then again, I can’t refuse a Gerard Butler movie, lol…  I’ve never seen him in a role like that before–and it was refreshing in a semi-offensive kind of way, haha.  Either way, very enjoyable–it lived up to my expectations from the previews.

And–even though it’s not Sunday–I feel I should make up for missing so many posts.  That, and I thought this video was just too funny when I first saw the clip on TV.  This clip is from a recent Phillies game… the rest is–well–self-explanatory, lol.  Here is your past couple weeks’ YouTube Vid:

Homework… back to that again, *sigh…*
<3[RAE]<3