“Into The Unknown”, Photo by Swamibu
All the cool kids are doing it, so how could I resist? I think resolutions however are stupid, I’d rather just set some goals! So here are some goals I have for 2009.
1. Learn to use Flash and InDesign (and work super hard in my design classes so I gain more skills).
2. Take more photos.
3. Move into a house with my friends (which will be happening by June!!).
4. Learn 10 (or more!) new things to cook.
5. Learn to play the guitar (I am finally attempting again!) and practice the piano more (as I have been drastically slacking.).
6. Travel at least one new place.
7. Try one new artistic practice or medium that I normally never would out of thinking its weird, or that I am unable.
8. Read 20 (or more!) books. I used to read so much but this past year I haven’t as much and I regret that!
9. Continue to update this blog and my portfolios.
10. Maintain a 3.25 GPA!!!
Obviously as the year progresses more goals with come up, but this is the list for now!
1 comment » | Misc.
Every week I am going to post a list of my top 5 of a particular things (i.e. books, movies, ect.). This week I bring to you my…
Top 5 Books
1. Breakfast at Tiffanys:
Technically a short story or “novella” by Truman Capote, a story about the charming Holly Golightly. I adore the character, as well as Audrey Hepburn’s adaptation of her in the motion picture. She is a charecter that I am able to easily relate to, her flighty tendencies and not wanting anything to own her, not even her cat, and “the mean reds”. The character as well as the overall mood Capote gives to the novella have just always stuck with me, thusly earning the book my #1 spot.
2. The Sun Also Rises
Considered Hemmingway’s best novel aside from “A Farewell to Arms”, the story tells of a group of expats living in France (and traveling through Spain), in the 1920’s. Hemmingway vividly paints the scene, of several expats of the Lost Generation, and their desires and anxieties…as well as their inability to truly change themselves or their situations, by the end of the novel none of the characters have drastically changed. The feeling of truly understanding of why this era was called the Lost Generation comes out so vividly in this classic.
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
A modern novel, that will surely become a classic. The story takes place in the early 90’s, in a typical suburb and we receive the story in a series of letters to an unnamed friend, from Charlie, the main character. I often hate “young adult” novels, but this novel, while perfectly capturing so many aspects of adolescence, manages to transcend that category, it takes place fairy recently but still manages to be relatable to those long past their adolescent years. Everyone can relate to Charlie’s downfalls and moments where he feels “infinite”.
4. Running With Scissors
A memoir of author, Augusten Borroughs, childhood life (consequently he has written several other novels and I also highly recommend ”Dry” which is another memoir that fits in after this one). The memoir details Augustens bizarre childhood, starting at age 12, when Augusten is sent to live with his mother’s psychiatrist. Eventually Augusten is able to break out of the insane family and start a new life in New York. The memoir is hilarious, disturbing and at times almost heart breaking, its very hard to not become invested in the characters and love Augusten by the end.
5. Catcher in the Rye
One of the most controversial yet revered novels of the 20th century. J.D. Salinger’s character, Holden Caulfield, has become one of the biggest icons for teenage defiance and rebellion. The novel is written in the first person and details Holden’s experiences wandering NYC after his expulsion from school. Although referred to in the very first chapter, it does not become fully clear until the end that we are reading Holden’s writing of these events from a mental institution where he has been placed. We eventually get to see Holden realize that there is no way to preserve childhood innocence, that everyone must grow up and make mistakes in life. This novel has become a classic and is now included in the English curriculum for most high schools, it has become an integral part of classic literature and is a must read for anyone who has not yet read it.
1 comment » | Friday Fives
