Hi Friends!
Wow. Ok. Super busy week. This being the weekend though, I can stop neglecting this! Excellent! Let us begin.
NO WAIT before we (royal we? yes.) begin, I forgot 2 awesome things about Cleveland/Parma in my last post. #1 The Metroparks. Seriously Lakefront Trail and Central park got nuthin' on the untamed wilderness of Cleveland's biking/hiking trails. It's glorious. #2 Sterns Farm (Thanks Aunt Therese!). Because a farm within 5 miles of a major city deserves recognition.
Ok. Good to go.
So last week I was at my cousin's high school graduation party and his mom has this book out for all of us to write advice to him. I tried to come up with a witty quip about going out and partying whenever possible. It wasn't witty. But it got me thinking, I should write a blog about the vast magnitude of knowledge I have acquired in my first 2 years of college. So I think I'm gonna write some actual, thought out advice for high school/college/non students. Or else I'll just brag about how much I think I've grown in the past 2 years. We'll see.
What College Has Taught Me:
How To Poop Anywhere. (Clearly I am mature beyond my years) Anyone who lived in a dorm has hopefully acquired this skill. It's about 30% Tact, 20% Timing, and 50% Lack of Shame. Seriously though, I can take a dump anywhere completely incognito. Libraries during silent study hours, uncomfortably quiet hotel rooms, friends houses (you've been warned). Honestly, I recommend a dorm with community bathrooms solely for this purpose.
Sleeping at Night Feels Awesome. In high school I was lucky if I got 5 hours of sleep a night. And I was always sick, tired, and in a crap ass mood. Went to college, got 7 hours of sleep a night: problems solved. Try it. you'll like it.
It Doesn't Matter What People Think of You. Just do your thing. With the exception of your professors, employers, and maybe your grandparents, just do what you're doing. Shamelessly. Embarrass yourself a little, it won't kill you. Seriously, stop letting the fear of faux pas-ing get in your way. I faux pas all the time. So does everyone else. So lets all just stop kidding ourselves and start making others uncomfortable with our lack of social know how.
How To Relax. In high school I was about 7 times more tightly wound than I am now. And that's saying something. The El has really helped me work this one out. If my train is stuck on the tracks and I'm gonna be late, there is nothing I can do about it. Well I could hop out the window and plunge to certain death. But barring any irrational moves, if I'm late, people will just have to deal. You've got bigger fish to fry. And either way, if your late, you're late. Or if your grades suck, your grades suck. If you got food poisoning from the cafeteria food an hour before your date with that hot guy/doll in your bio class, there is nothing you can do about it. Life is just better when you're not giving yourself an ulcer.
Let People Be Mad at You. This is just something I really tip toed around in high school. It's not so bad. And a lot less frustrating on my end :)
Make Mistakes. College is a good place to figure yourself out. This can mean taking a wrong turn here and there. Don't worry about it. Fix it. Move on. Part II: Try new things. That's cool that you're life's ambition is to become the greatest underwater basket weaver ever, but taking a psychology class won't derail your life plans. Do stuff you didn't do in high school. Don't be afraid to realize that you have varies interests.
Ugghh there's a bigger point that I'm trying to make here, but I don't think this got it across. Aside from the pooping part which is 100% accurate. This will get updated. Hmmmmm think of this one as a thought in process.
Toodle Pip! (Cats. Plan on attending)
Kaitlyn
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Why Cleveland Doesn't Suck THAT Bad.
Aloha!
Wouldn't that be a cool greeting if I was blogging from Hawaii? I'm not.
Being from Cleveland is pretty solid ammunition to win almost any "my hometown sucks worse than your hometown" discussion. Our river was so polluted it caught on fire, we have a higher crime rate than New York, and our sports teams...well... anyway. And being from Parma, might be worse. Clevelander's know what I'm getting at here. If you're unfamiliar, might I suggest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3oTCatzz7A. (Parts of this are filmed mere blocks from my house.)
And I am proud of that shit. All of it. Cleveland's burning rivers, Parma with our lack of contraceptives,
Here's why:
1. Pierogies. It wasn't until recently that I discovered not everyone eats these. My only question: Why God why? Parma is kindof the Mecca of Pierogies. And you haven't lived until you've eaten a Prune one. Don't knock it till you try it...then find a bathroom. quick.
2. This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM&NR=1&feature=endscreen Hilarity.
3. Both Cleveland and Parma have a wicked sense of self deprecating humor (see above). No one is proud of Cleveland. No one brags about their crazy weekend getting robbed at the Rock Hall to out of town relatives. And through that humble shame, we crank out hysterical youtube videos. I like a city that can laugh at itself.
4. The Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival. I did it this year (see facebook for documentation). You dress in Medieval garb and do a mystery play. There is also a sing along of the Hallelujah Chorus. They seriously hand out the score and the whole church just kinda wings it. It. is. awesome. And SO LOUD!
5. I was riding my bike down Broadview the other day and passed a car parts store that literally sings at you as you drive on by. I don't think people notice it (because they're in their cars), but it was awesome enough to distract me into almost getting caught in the death trap canyon between the sidewalk and the grass.
6. Parma is the middle of middle class. It's the only city where the mean household income per street incrementally increases from North to South.
7. We are so middle class in fact, that we set the benchmark of middle class hood. When companies need to find out what the average Joe thinks about anything, they survey Parma. We are the most average of the average. And that makes us first in something! And that, my friends, is pretty fancy.
8. Pink flamingos and chrome balls in people's yards.
9. Our constant effort to be cultural. Parma is pretty homogeneous. So why not celebrate all that light European-ness with Polish and Ukrainian Villiage? And those signs of JP2? Weird. I don't understand.
10. Driving down State Rd: Bowling, Pizza, Bar, Church, Repeat. The only street you'll ever need.
11. My family lives here. And we are a fantastic group of humans. 'nuff said.
12. Our sports teams suck more than industrial strength vacuums, and people still go to games. Maybe it's brainwashing. Maybe Jacob's field has magical powers. I'm seriously leaning towards the latter. Either way, way to go Cleveland fans. A+ for dedication.
13. Living in Cleveland means you're living in a regional inside joke. What I'm trying to get across is that Cleveland has so many gems (Trinity Cathedral, Coventry, Lake Erie) that everyone uses, but no one brags about. I know it sounds weird, but I love how humble Cleveland is. It's cool without knowing it's cool. So it's hipster.
I'm gonna leave you with that.
Aloha, (I wish all greetings were interchangeable the way "aloha" is)
Kaitlyn
Wouldn't that be a cool greeting if I was blogging from Hawaii? I'm not.
Being from Cleveland is pretty solid ammunition to win almost any "my hometown sucks worse than your hometown" discussion. Our river was so polluted it caught on fire, we have a higher crime rate than New York, and our sports teams...well... anyway. And being from Parma, might be worse. Clevelander's know what I'm getting at here. If you're unfamiliar, might I suggest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3oTCatzz7A. (Parts of this are filmed mere blocks from my house.)
And I am proud of that shit. All of it. Cleveland's burning rivers, Parma with our lack of contraceptives,
Here's why:
1. Pierogies. It wasn't until recently that I discovered not everyone eats these. My only question: Why God why? Parma is kindof the Mecca of Pierogies. And you haven't lived until you've eaten a Prune one. Don't knock it till you try it...then find a bathroom. quick.
2. This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM&NR=1&feature=endscreen Hilarity.
3. Both Cleveland and Parma have a wicked sense of self deprecating humor (see above). No one is proud of Cleveland. No one brags about their crazy weekend getting robbed at the Rock Hall to out of town relatives. And through that humble shame, we crank out hysterical youtube videos. I like a city that can laugh at itself.
4. The Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival. I did it this year (see facebook for documentation). You dress in Medieval garb and do a mystery play. There is also a sing along of the Hallelujah Chorus. They seriously hand out the score and the whole church just kinda wings it. It. is. awesome. And SO LOUD!
5. I was riding my bike down Broadview the other day and passed a car parts store that literally sings at you as you drive on by. I don't think people notice it (because they're in their cars), but it was awesome enough to distract me into almost getting caught in the death trap canyon between the sidewalk and the grass.
6. Parma is the middle of middle class. It's the only city where the mean household income per street incrementally increases from North to South.
7. We are so middle class in fact, that we set the benchmark of middle class hood. When companies need to find out what the average Joe thinks about anything, they survey Parma. We are the most average of the average. And that makes us first in something! And that, my friends, is pretty fancy.
8. Pink flamingos and chrome balls in people's yards.
9. Our constant effort to be cultural. Parma is pretty homogeneous. So why not celebrate all that light European-ness with Polish and Ukrainian Villiage? And those signs of JP2? Weird. I don't understand.
10. Driving down State Rd: Bowling, Pizza, Bar, Church, Repeat. The only street you'll ever need.
11. My family lives here. And we are a fantastic group of humans. 'nuff said.
12. Our sports teams suck more than industrial strength vacuums, and people still go to games. Maybe it's brainwashing. Maybe Jacob's field has magical powers. I'm seriously leaning towards the latter. Either way, way to go Cleveland fans. A+ for dedication.
13. Living in Cleveland means you're living in a regional inside joke. What I'm trying to get across is that Cleveland has so many gems (Trinity Cathedral, Coventry, Lake Erie) that everyone uses, but no one brags about. I know it sounds weird, but I love how humble Cleveland is. It's cool without knowing it's cool. So it's hipster.
I'm gonna leave you with that.
Aloha, (I wish all greetings were interchangeable the way "aloha" is)
Kaitlyn
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Hi Friends! I Started This Blog!
Hi Friends!
I can call you friends because I assume you're reading this cause I told you too. I don't know anyone who randomly reads Blogger profiles just cause they were bored. This is just a sort of starter/tester/format check entry, I'll actually begin recounting my riveting summer in Ohio in a few days. Possibly tonight. We shall see. Anyway, I think the best way to start this would be to introduce myself. Since I'm gonna guess you already know me (see above explanation) I thought I'd share some lesser known facts about myself. Pay attention, there will be a quiz:
1. My favorite beverage is anything diet. I know the carcinogens will eventually kill me, and have no comment on the subject. I just can't justify drinking the same drink (more or less) but for 200 more calories. The day someone figures out how to make zero calorie alcohol, I will be a happy happy girl. I mean, I turn 21 in July. I'll get back to you.
2. When I was little I would rescue all the worms from the sidewalk after it rained so they wouldn't shrivel up and die when the pavement dried. (Sidebar: Before these pre-emptive worm rescue missions, I tried to rehydrate the worms by spitting on them. It didn't work. And the neighbors were none too pleased)
3. I thoroughly enjoy SAT/ACT week, AP tests, finals week, and proficiency testing.
4. I have an obsession with old photographs/letters/historical documents. There's something so relatable about looking at pictures of people who've already done life.
5. My favorite kitchen gadget is the apple cutter that makes your apples into Slinky's.
6. My favorite kitchen activity is eating slinky apples (does that sound dirty? it's not meant to) and rave dancing with my puppy (Stella. She's cuter than your dog probably). Not at the same time.
7. I played trombone in the marching band, wind ensemble, and orchestra in high school.
8. I like organizing my writing by number. Sometimes of the Roman variety.
9. I am fundamentally opposed to smart phones. My cellular device is remedial.
10. I'm not exactly thoughtful, I'm just full of thoughts. This blog will basically be all the thinks in my head spat out onto the interwebs
*11. I refer to the internet as the interweb
10 (Continued). I hope you enjoy! I'm up for suggestions. But mostly I'm just gonna write whatever comes to mind. It would be cool if you could write responses. Can that happen on blogs? I hope so. Let's figure that out. Writing this list has already made me think of about 4 blogs I definitely want to write. Huzzah!
I need to come up with a cool sign off. I'll just test out a few over the next few blogs.
Hasta Luego! (nothing like a legit demonstration that I passed Spanish I)
-Kaitlyn
I can call you friends because I assume you're reading this cause I told you too. I don't know anyone who randomly reads Blogger profiles just cause they were bored. This is just a sort of starter/tester/format check entry, I'll actually begin recounting my riveting summer in Ohio in a few days. Possibly tonight. We shall see. Anyway, I think the best way to start this would be to introduce myself. Since I'm gonna guess you already know me (see above explanation) I thought I'd share some lesser known facts about myself. Pay attention, there will be a quiz:
1. My favorite beverage is anything diet. I know the carcinogens will eventually kill me, and have no comment on the subject. I just can't justify drinking the same drink (more or less) but for 200 more calories. The day someone figures out how to make zero calorie alcohol, I will be a happy happy girl. I mean, I turn 21 in July. I'll get back to you.
2. When I was little I would rescue all the worms from the sidewalk after it rained so they wouldn't shrivel up and die when the pavement dried. (Sidebar: Before these pre-emptive worm rescue missions, I tried to rehydrate the worms by spitting on them. It didn't work. And the neighbors were none too pleased)
3. I thoroughly enjoy SAT/ACT week, AP tests, finals week, and proficiency testing.
4. I have an obsession with old photographs/letters/historical documents. There's something so relatable about looking at pictures of people who've already done life.
5. My favorite kitchen gadget is the apple cutter that makes your apples into Slinky's.
6. My favorite kitchen activity is eating slinky apples (does that sound dirty? it's not meant to) and rave dancing with my puppy (Stella. She's cuter than your dog probably). Not at the same time.
7. I played trombone in the marching band, wind ensemble, and orchestra in high school.
8. I like organizing my writing by number. Sometimes of the Roman variety.
9. I am fundamentally opposed to smart phones. My cellular device is remedial.
10. I'm not exactly thoughtful, I'm just full of thoughts. This blog will basically be all the thinks in my head spat out onto the interwebs
*11. I refer to the internet as the interweb
10 (Continued). I hope you enjoy! I'm up for suggestions. But mostly I'm just gonna write whatever comes to mind. It would be cool if you could write responses. Can that happen on blogs? I hope so. Let's figure that out. Writing this list has already made me think of about 4 blogs I definitely want to write. Huzzah!
I need to come up with a cool sign off. I'll just test out a few over the next few blogs.
Hasta Luego! (nothing like a legit demonstration that I passed Spanish I)
-Kaitlyn
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