Happy Friday! Although I'm glad it's the end of the week, this weekend is going to be miserable because I have to cram everything for my finals, plus I had to babysit tonight, I have to babysit tomorrow night, and I have to go to a thespian thing on Sunday. Oh yeah, and still no motivation to study. I went through some Latin translations while I was babysitting earlier, but I still have so much to do that this weekend just seems like Mission: Impossible. Also, I just got my work schedule today for the first three weeks of summer, and I'm working all three. I know that I'm very lucky to have a good job, but I just can't help but hate the fact that my friends get to do all these cool things and travel the world while I'm stuck working every single day.
Oh, did I even tell you what my summer job is? I work at my school, which has a summer camp thing and I work as an assistant to the teachers in their classes. It's not so bad for the first couple of weeks, and then you start to get kind of tired of the kids, and then you have another ten weeks and you end up wanting to do something drastic. In fact, during the summer, I miss school. I can't even explain properly why I'm not the biggest fan of my job; maybe it's because the parents kind of treat me like the hired help, and I've never been treated like that before I started working there. If you haven't experienced it, let me tell you: it's not the best feeling.
Wish me luck with studying for finals...
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
Friday, May 17, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The Neigbourhood
Happy Thursday! I still haven't started studying for my finals, which start next Tuesday. I keep feeling like I'm done after tomorrow, which is the last day of classes. I always find excuses to not study, like taking super long showers, shaving (something I rarely do...), and painting my nails. I just can't find the motivation to study! I know I'm going to hate myself so much for not studying come Monday night, but my future self is just going to have to live with it because I don't care one bit about my finals right now (oh how that opinion will change tomorrow night when I have to realize that I have to re-learn five months' worth of material for five different classes).
You know what a great album to procrastinate to is? I Love You by The Neighbourhood. You've probably heard their song "Sweater Weather" on the radio, but their whole album is just on point. I particularly like "How," "Female Robbery," and "Alleyways." I also highly recommend listening to The Neigbourhood Radio on Pandora, which I've been listening to non-stop for about a week now. It plays a lot of Bon Iver, U2, Coldplay, plus a lot of indie stuff that I've never heard of, but I love it.
I hope you enjoy your weekend, I'll be spending mine (hopefully) studying!
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
You know what a great album to procrastinate to is? I Love You by The Neighbourhood. You've probably heard their song "Sweater Weather" on the radio, but their whole album is just on point. I particularly like "How," "Female Robbery," and "Alleyways." I also highly recommend listening to The Neigbourhood Radio on Pandora, which I've been listening to non-stop for about a week now. It plays a lot of Bon Iver, U2, Coldplay, plus a lot of indie stuff that I've never heard of, but I love it.
I hope you enjoy your weekend, I'll be spending mine (hopefully) studying!
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
So Close, Yet So Far
Happy Wednesday! I'm super happy right now because I finished my second and last AP exam today! It was AP U.S. History, and it was brutal, but I'm fairly confident that I passed, which is all that matters to get college credit. Now the end of the school year is so close that I can almost taste it...except that I have to take five finals next week. And I haven't started studying for any of them. Maybe it's just because it's the end of the school year, maybe it's because of the beautiful summer weather, but I can't seem to find the motivation to study. I just don't care anymore.
You know how I always sign my posts "Carpe Diem, Brooke"? Carpe Diem is one of my favorite quotes, not only because I take Latin, but it's so beautiful in its simplicity. It's a nice little reminder that our existence in life is just a millisecond compared to eternity, so we need to take the precious time we have and spend it how we want to, instead of worrying about trivial little things like tests. I actually really resent the government and whoever else is "in charge" because at one point they decided how everyone was going to live their lives, to a certain extent, but I really can't break out of the system if I want to be successful (unfortunately.) I guess I will have to study for my physics test...even though I'd rather be in a Parisian cafe reading beautiful poems and novels and drinking coffee :)
Carpe Diem,
Brooke :)
You know how I always sign my posts "Carpe Diem, Brooke"? Carpe Diem is one of my favorite quotes, not only because I take Latin, but it's so beautiful in its simplicity. It's a nice little reminder that our existence in life is just a millisecond compared to eternity, so we need to take the precious time we have and spend it how we want to, instead of worrying about trivial little things like tests. I actually really resent the government and whoever else is "in charge" because at one point they decided how everyone was going to live their lives, to a certain extent, but I really can't break out of the system if I want to be successful (unfortunately.) I guess I will have to study for my physics test...even though I'd rather be in a Parisian cafe reading beautiful poems and novels and drinking coffee :)
Carpe Diem,
Brooke :)
Friday, May 10, 2013
The Great Gatsby
Happy Friday! Sorry I haven't been posting as regularly; I've been super busy studying for AP exams. Today I had my very first AP ever: AP English Language and Composition. It was miserable. English is definitely my best/favorite subject, but four straight hours of reading and writing for a grade that determines whether you get college credit is not so fun. I'm pretty sure I passed, but I wish I could have done better. Oh, well, what's done is done. Now I have to worry about the AP U.S. History, which is next Wednesday and it's supposed to be one of the hardest APs!
Anyway, today after school my friend and I were so drained from the test and we decided to reward ourselves by seeing The Great Gatsby, which opened today! We read the novel recently in English, so we were super excited to see the movie. I encourage everyone to see it; it's definitely one of my new favorite movies. DiCaprio has to get his long-awaited Oscar for this one! I feel like the film itself was very innovative in that the image was very clear and sharp, but the best part was the acting. Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire as Daisy and Nick were also great. I want to watch it all over again!
Now, I must return to mindlessly reading AP flashcards...
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
Anyway, today after school my friend and I were so drained from the test and we decided to reward ourselves by seeing The Great Gatsby, which opened today! We read the novel recently in English, so we were super excited to see the movie. I encourage everyone to see it; it's definitely one of my new favorite movies. DiCaprio has to get his long-awaited Oscar for this one! I feel like the film itself was very innovative in that the image was very clear and sharp, but the best part was the acting. Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire as Daisy and Nick were also great. I want to watch it all over again!
Now, I must return to mindlessly reading AP flashcards...
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
Monday, May 6, 2013
My Favorite Musicals
Happy Monday! Sorry I haven't posted in the past few days; I've been super busy working on the play, studying for AP exams, and watching TV. Typical. So the thespian group at my school can't stop talking about next year's musical, which is supposed to be announced next Monday. Everyone thinks we'll probably do Fiddler on the Roof (which, unfortunately, I haven't seen) but they want to do Les Mis or Sweeney Todd (both of which, quite frankly, are very far out of range for our school). Musicals are my favorite things; they're a concert, a play, and a grand ole time wrapped up in one. If I had to pick my favorite musicals, this is what they would be:
1. Grease
2. Mamma Mia
4. Les Miserables
5. The Phantom of the Opera
Do you like any of these musicals, or are there any others that you prefer?
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
1. Grease
3. Sweeney Todd
Do you like any of these musicals, or are there any others that you prefer?
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
Friday, May 3, 2013
Miss Representation
Happy Friday! So a club at my school showed an optional viewing of a documentary called Miss Representation, which is about how women are portrayed in the media and how it affects our lives. I always knew that the media portrays most women as either dumb blondes who exist to make babies and put dinner on the table or as evil bitches who nag about everything, but after watching the documentary I saw how much more in-depth it is than I thought. We have been taught things since a very young age about gender stereotypes that we don't even recognize them as sexist; it's just what we perceive as normal, it's how things should be. But it shouldn't.
Did you know that 1 in 4 women have been or will be in an abusive relationship? Did you know that 78% of 17-year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies? Did you know that only 34 women have ever been governors, but 2,319 men have been governors? Did you know that 51% of women are the American population, yet only 17% of Congress is women? This isn't okay! How have humans been around for over a billion years and we're still so delayed in development? The documentary says that all of these statistics are because of the media, where men are taught that if they aren't masculine (or even violent) or if they show emotion, then they aren't being real "men," and if women don't have big boobs and a tiny waist or act like they're stupid, then they are undesirable to men.
Women are shown as sex objects in the media every day and we don't blink an eye. You might think I'm overreacting, but I've never been so furious in my life. How have we put up with this for so long? Eating disorders shouldn't exist. Abusive relationships shouldn't exist. Rape shouldn't exist. And yet they do. They are major components of many people's lives, every single day. If I have any male readers: please know that it's okay to show your feelings. Having emotions is what makes humans, humans. And if you ever see anyone being disrespectful to a woman/women as a whole, please take a stand. Getting men on board is half the battle. To the girls: you are beautiful in every way. I know from personal experience that it's so much easier said than done, but loving yourself is the key to happiness. Never go under the knife. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.
I'd like to share a story with you. When I was around 7 or 8 years old, I have this vivid memory that I was running laps around my backyard. I would run maybe 10 laps, and then run inside and jump on the scale and weigh myself, then go back outside and repeat the process, trying so see if I could lose any weight. At 7 or 8 years old, I was already taught to worry about my weight. I couldn't have weighed more than 45 pounds and I was already weighing myself on the scale. My mom discovered what I was doing, and I remember being so confused as to why she was yelling at me because I thought I was doing something good, something healthy. Later, in third grade I decided I was going to stop eating lunch, so my mom (who works at my school as the alumni director) had to eat lunch with me. This shouldn't happen, but I can assure you that my story is very tame compared to many other girls and boys who obsess over their physical appearance. I could go on for a lot longer, but I'm getting tired and I have to wake up early tomorrow morning. I strongly encourage everyone to watch the documentary; it is truly life-changing.
Did you know that 1 in 4 women have been or will be in an abusive relationship? Did you know that 78% of 17-year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies? Did you know that only 34 women have ever been governors, but 2,319 men have been governors? Did you know that 51% of women are the American population, yet only 17% of Congress is women? This isn't okay! How have humans been around for over a billion years and we're still so delayed in development? The documentary says that all of these statistics are because of the media, where men are taught that if they aren't masculine (or even violent) or if they show emotion, then they aren't being real "men," and if women don't have big boobs and a tiny waist or act like they're stupid, then they are undesirable to men.
Women are shown as sex objects in the media every day and we don't blink an eye. You might think I'm overreacting, but I've never been so furious in my life. How have we put up with this for so long? Eating disorders shouldn't exist. Abusive relationships shouldn't exist. Rape shouldn't exist. And yet they do. They are major components of many people's lives, every single day. If I have any male readers: please know that it's okay to show your feelings. Having emotions is what makes humans, humans. And if you ever see anyone being disrespectful to a woman/women as a whole, please take a stand. Getting men on board is half the battle. To the girls: you are beautiful in every way. I know from personal experience that it's so much easier said than done, but loving yourself is the key to happiness. Never go under the knife. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.
I'd like to share a story with you. When I was around 7 or 8 years old, I have this vivid memory that I was running laps around my backyard. I would run maybe 10 laps, and then run inside and jump on the scale and weigh myself, then go back outside and repeat the process, trying so see if I could lose any weight. At 7 or 8 years old, I was already taught to worry about my weight. I couldn't have weighed more than 45 pounds and I was already weighing myself on the scale. My mom discovered what I was doing, and I remember being so confused as to why she was yelling at me because I thought I was doing something good, something healthy. Later, in third grade I decided I was going to stop eating lunch, so my mom (who works at my school as the alumni director) had to eat lunch with me. This shouldn't happen, but I can assure you that my story is very tame compared to many other girls and boys who obsess over their physical appearance. I could go on for a lot longer, but I'm getting tired and I have to wake up early tomorrow morning. I strongly encourage everyone to watch the documentary; it is truly life-changing.
Be the change that you want to see in the world.
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Where is the Love?
Happy Thursday! Do you ever have one of those days where nothing goes right at all? It seems like I've been having a lot of those days recently. Maybe even some of those weeks. This isn't normal. I'm usually the girl who's in a pretty good mood, the girl who is genuinely smiling. I don't genuinely smile very much any more. And I honestly don't even know why. Maybe it's because it's snowing in May, maybe I've lost faith in humanity.
I listened to a heartbreaking interview on NPR with a father of one of the children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting. I saw a boy flip off a driver in the street. A guy in my grade called me two very mean names. Tonight an old lady was very rude to me. I never see people being nice any more. People (including myself) seem to be more selfish than ever. Is there something wrong with the world, or is it that I have a negative attitude about everything? I find myself thinking pessimistically, and bad things seem to happen to me. I get bad grades on tests, my skin breaks out, I gain weight, and it seems like I'm more alone day by day. Whenever I try to change my attitude, something else happens to bring me down. When does the cycle end?
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
I listened to a heartbreaking interview on NPR with a father of one of the children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting. I saw a boy flip off a driver in the street. A guy in my grade called me two very mean names. Tonight an old lady was very rude to me. I never see people being nice any more. People (including myself) seem to be more selfish than ever. Is there something wrong with the world, or is it that I have a negative attitude about everything? I find myself thinking pessimistically, and bad things seem to happen to me. I get bad grades on tests, my skin breaks out, I gain weight, and it seems like I'm more alone day by day. Whenever I try to change my attitude, something else happens to bring me down. When does the cycle end?
Carpe Diem,
Brooke
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