nerds are the new cool kids

band nerds always have the most fun.

I write this post with a bit of trepidation, seeing as how I’ve always thought that the “nerds” were the cool ones. For example, looking back at my view of high school, I thought the most popular kids were the artsy, intelligent ones. (Now, they’d probably be called hipsters, but at the time they were just on the fringes of being “emo.” But of course they weren’t emo, because they felt the need to be individuals and therefore couldn’t subscribe to any labels. All right, some of them were jerks.) But walking through my hometown now and seeing the kids that were really popular, and realizing that none of them recognize me or know my name, it makes me very aware of the fact that I have always been a nerd.

Before it was cool. (Which seems like a hipster thing to say, and I’m sorry.)

I don’t know exactly when being a nerd became cool in the media. I like to think it was pushed along by Nerd Fighters. When over a million people follow and watch two nerdy brothers, who advocate charity work and nerdy interests, then it would make sense that a culture of nerds would grow and flourish. To be honest, I’m really not sure. I don’t know when the 80s culture of making fun of the nerds (see Sixteen Candles for a reference point) became the 90s culture of making them best friends with more traditionally “cool” kids (see Boy Meets World or Friends). When did it stop being the goal to reform these outcasts into popular kids (see She’s All That)? When did it stop being a good slapstick joke to make fun of nerds in ridiculous situations (see American Pie series)?

reading a book at a Nerd Fighter gathering

In the last couple of years, it has become apparent that enough people in the world feel “nerdy” to make television shows that stick–like The Big Bang Theory, New Girl, or Glee. (That’s not to mention shows where literary figures show up prominently, like Doctor Who or Sherlock.) I think this is in part a backlash of those times. Those nerds that were made fun of grew up (some while reading Harry Potter), and now they’re writing kickass comedies, starring in movies, writing amazing songs, books, and articles, and creating innovative, original content. They are fixing computers and websites, inventing gadgets and apps, becoming chefs, artists, and entertainers.

Maybe the world is just becoming a better place, media wise, for those that never fit in but never really wanted to. See, the best part about nerds, as can be seen in any episode of The Big Bang Theory, is that they embrace their eccentricities and are unapologetically excited about their interests. In the end, I think maybe we’re all a little nerdy, and that’s probably the best reason for nerds to become popular in the mainstream.

So yes, as this blog post says, I am probably the nerdiest of all those in Nerdom, but I am joined by some pretty fun people. And we’re just beginning to take over your world, Pinky and The Brain style.

Harry Potter, growing up

Don’t worry. This isn’t a post about how my generation is the Harry Potter generation, or how the actors are doing post-Potter (though, for the record, I loved Daniel Radcliffe on SNL), or how I’ve “outgrown” the books that I used to love. None of that.

For Christmas this year I got all the HP movies. I’d never seen the 5-7, mostly because Goblet of Fire skipped all my favorite parts of the book just to make a Hollywood-loved movie. This was before I took a class all about how different the art of storytelling is between narrative and film. I was still in my I-hate-the-Harry-Potter-mania phase. I was too cool to be that nerdy, to read the books more than once. Really, I was scared. I’d already decided to write books for teens, and I knew that there was no way I would write something that caught fire like these books have.

It’s now a goal for my summer to reread these books for the first time. I’m going to LeakyCon in August, and I think it’s probably past time to brush up on a set of books that changed publishing in my chosen genre (Young Adult) forever.

But again, this isn’t what I want this post to be about. See, when I read the books the first time, I had some unpopular opinions: that Harry and Hermione should be together, that Ron should take a nosedive off a cliff, that I still didn’t like Snape (even after he was proven a good guy), that Dumbledore lost some of his goodness when I discovered his past, that Deathly Hallows was written poorly. I read these books as I was growing up, and I was always the type to have a strong opinion and defend it until the end.

I shipped Harry and Hermione because I was so much like Hermione, and I wanted a Harry. Ron annoyed me Order of the Phoenix and onward because he whined so much and focused on himself. I hated the way that Snape treated Harry, how he talked about James Potter. I was so mad at Dumbledore, because I desperately wanted to believe that there were heroes in the world that were all good. I didn’t understand the kind of pressure J.K. Rowling was under to finish a book, the kind of fandom that made her life be under the microscope.

I watched the movies all the way through–all 8, from beginning to end. I loved the complexity that she put into her characters, the lessons that she was teaching. Dumbledore had flaws because all people have flaws, that doesn’t mean he wasn’t good, that he didn’t deserve Harry’s trust. Ron had to end up with Hermione because there was no way he was going to end up with Luna, and a series needs romantic entanglements to sustain it. And to be honest with you, somewhere through the seventh book, I became less of a Harry fan, probably because he was pretty stagnant throughout that book in preparation for the big ending; Harry’s big change, post-books, was going to be peace, settling in. Hermione needed to end up with the best possible person, someone who could help her grow; Ron still had some growing to go.

Ron still annoys me a good portion of the time. But I understand Ron more now that I ever did as a teen. I empathize with him much more after years of standing in every one else’s shadow. I adore Neville Longbottom.  Every one likes Neville when the series is starting to end, but I mean, I liked him all the way through. That was a character that really grew, changed, and came into himself. This is probably the same reason why I like Hermione so much, too.

I’ll be honest, I still think Deathly Hallows was the worst written of all the books. I’m still not a big Snape fan. But I sympathize and empathize with Rowling’s characters so much more going back than I ever did as a teen. And I think that’s why the books will become classics, why they transcend YA, and why they are worthy reads no matter where you are in life.

things I learned in 2011

I’m stopping midway through reading John Green’s newest novel The Fault in Our Stars to type this, mostly because I’ve already teared up three times and needed a time-to-eat-dinner break. By the way, if you haven’t gotten a copy of it yet, I suggest you rush out and get one. So far, it’s incredible.

I’ve been internet-quiet lately because I’ve been thinking things through. Well, that and because, for me, Arkansas equals sporadic internet access. 2011 was, for the most part, good for me, and I learned a lot (always a good thing).

1. Things that apply to others do not always apply to me. For example, just because I’ve known people who cut out soda and lost a hundred pounds, that does not mean that when I cut out soda (for the sake of my teeth, really) that I will lose any pounds. In fact, my  body might be contrary and GAIN weight instead.
2. Comparing my success to that of my peers is not healthy. It’s especially unhealthy when I compare my achievements (or lack thereof) with people ten years older than me. Doing so will only lead to depression and a lack of motivation.
3. I am not a terrible writer. I am not a terrible writer. I am not a terrible writer. (Mantras are often best remembered when chanted.)
4. Life is much more fun if you appreciate the ridiculous.
5. Two sinks is essential for optimized hand-washing of dishes.
6. Time is best spent finding the beautiful, positive things in life, rather than focusing on the bad things or dwelling on what you cannot change in the past.
7. Revising isn’t just difficult, it’s painful and fatiguing. Of course, it’s also essential to good writing.
8. My cat is a manx, and that is why she has her partial tail. I am no longer worried about some fight that damaged her physically and psychologically in the past. And yes, I am just sad enough to worry about such things.
9. Making sacrifices for the sake of family is worth it–whether that sacrifice be missing a literary conference, complete exhaustion from lack of sleep, or a summer spent in an isolating sauna. Because, especially in a family like mine, they are always there for you when you need it, too.
10. Sometimes keeping at something, despite the fact that you don’t have a natural knack for it, really does pay off.

I’m sure I learned a lot of other, more valuable things, but I really want to get back to my book now. Here’s to hoping that I learn even more in 2012! Happy New Year, everyone.

procrastination

My ability to put off massive projects until the last possible second is truly jaw dropping. And terrifying. I was under the mistaken impression that I would get better at this as I got older, but it’s getting so much worse. I took the idea for this blog post from some recent live blog posts from Stephanie Perkins. Maybe if I keep a visual track of how, exactly, I’m wasting my time, I might be able to better manage it. I’ll be participating in “National Finish A Revision Of Your Book I Mean Seriously Come On Month, also known by its acronym, NAFAROYBIMSCOM” in November, so I’ve got to start managing my time well NOW.

So here’s a list of things I need to do before class on Thursday: put up massive pile of clothes, write seven page paper, read Garcia Marquez for class, do dishes, go to work for a couple of hours, film a video, call my dad, print essay and Marquez for class.

Let the live-blogging begin!

12:34 a.m. (10/26): Posting this blog. Gathering materials to write paper and refilling tea glass.

12:40 a.m. — I wrote my name and the word “Title” on a Word document. Stared at blank screen. Head to the kitchen to do dishes.

1:10 a.m. — I did the dishes, hooray! but then I distracted myself by looking at Tardis hats and debating whether I want to be Amy Pond for Halloween. Must get back to the essay.

1:44 a.m. — I have a thesis statement! Of course, I also distracted myself by going online and learning hilarious facts about Halloween and sex at Cosmopolitan. No reasoning for this whatsoever.

1:51 a.m. — *yawns* It is time for me to brush my teeth and go to bed. I’ll be getting up tomorrow to get started on this all over again.

I am a sexy sleeper, let me tell you.

10:00 a.m. – Hit snooze button

11:00 a.m. – Woke up.

11:50 a.m. – Here’s what I’ve done so far: had a cup of coffee, kept cat from drinking coffee, fed cat, emailed mom and stepmom, looked for missing scissors, and began body paragraph of essay.

12:11 p.m. — Made it through the first page of the essay. Calculated how many words a day I’ll have to write during NAFAROYBIMSCOM to achieve the minimum goal of 50,000 words (1,270).

12:29 p.m. — Remembered that Mike Lombardo is playing in my home state today and tomorrow, so I gave another shout out on Twitter and Facebook for people to go see him and MC Frontalot. Got distracted by Twitter. Remembered that my favorite agent and one of my favorite YA authors @replied me last night. Reread them. Got giddy.

1:20 pm — Showered, ate lunch (fettucine alfredo), had a glass of iced tea, took allergy medicine, started thinking about the color contrast that Mudha and I will want in the music video we’re going to do. Got distracted watching this video, and thinking about how much time it took to film it.

1:35 pm – Leaving for work.

5:00 pm – Back from work and light grocery shopping: milk, bread, cat food. Had a weird conversation with my mom. Called my dad. Now, for food and coffee.

5: 42 pm – I drank the cup of coffee while watching new YouTube videos, so now I’m going to listen to John Green play FIFA while I make toast and oatmeal for dinner.

6:05 pm – Watching Hank and Katherine play Super Mario Wii while I eat dinner. Also, I fed the cat.

6:25 pm – Turning off the phone and closing the internet to really focus on this essay. It’s serious business time, mostly because I want to be done with this and my reading by midnight so I can watch the new episode of Criminal Minds. Yeah.

6:30 pm – Glass of tea ready, dishes from dinner rinsed. Time for serious business.

6:38 pm – Updated my tumblr with my post for Original October. Now I really am getting off the internet. I swear.

6:42 pm – RSVPed to a Facebook event. Serious business time?

7:40 pm – Two and a quarter pages in. Score! Sort of want a nap though.

8:12 pm – On the fourth page. Just realized this paper only has to be six full pages. Over halfway through! *throws fist in the air Judd Nelson style*

8:41 pm – Oh, no! I got distracted by Sudoku! Must get back to the essay.

9:05 pm – I am on the fifth page! Huzzah! A glass of chocolate milk to celebrate.

9:30 pm – 4 and 3/4 pages in. I cannot think of anything else to say about this novel. *headdesk*

9:50 pm – I am on the sixth page! *goes happy dance*

9:57 pm – Done with the body of the essay. Time to go back and write an introductory paragraph and the conclusion.

10:10 pm – I am done! And I have a title that doesn’t completely suck! This deserves a snack.

10:40 pm – Watched new Vlogbrothers video and Dr. Noise Trock song. Now, to watch the latest episode of Unforgettable while munching on cheese dip and salsa and chips.

11:30 pm – Reading for class. Bring on Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

11:50 pm – Read the first piece. Time to set up a queue for my tumblr again. It’s running dangerously low.

12:10 am (10/27) – Right. Done with that. Now to read the second Marquez piece (and last for class tomorrow), and then hopefully watch Criminal Minds.

12:35 am – Done reading, but CM still isn’t up. Why?!? So, I’m watching NCIS and waiting.

2:14 am – Given up on CM. Maybe I was mistaken about them showing an episode tonight. Did win a couple of games of Sudoku, so now I’m left to debate: sleep or Cradle of Rome.

3:00 am – Cradle of Rome won. I’m going to regret this in the morning. Off to bed!

11:22 am – Phone goes off. Unhappy Jenna. *looks at time* *leaps out of bed* Alarm didn’t go off!

11:42 am – Had one cup of coffee. Time for quick shower. Have Indiana Jones Theme Song stuck in my head.

12:35 pm – Leaving for school/to print off stuff. Have all essentials in hand.

1:25 pm – At school, and everything is printed. Time to kill before class? I’ll post an Original October entry on my tumblr and read City of Bones. Later, I’m going to the graduate reading.

Success! I have achieved success!

ode to a wallet

Yesterday my wallet was stolen. Past the panic and the canceling of cards and worry about identity theft, this made me smad. It made me mad because some idiot decided to take the wallet of a broke graduate student and splurge at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and then the person went and bought a lot of booze and pizza. Which, by the way, sounds like a freaking college kid.

And the reason that they decided my wallet was prime was because I had a Vera Bradley bag on my chair. That was my birthday present, jerkface.

Past the anger, this made me really sad. I had good time with that wallet. I carefully selected it with my old roommate, Jamie. It was green and had white polka dots; it was flat and clicked close. I really liked it. I was complimented on it last week, in fact. It had personality, but it was subdued enough to have class. Sure, I was going to have to replace it by the end of the year, but it was going to be a good run.

And there were stupid, priceless things in that wallet that I’ll never get replaced. There were pictures of my cousins, my siblings, a picture of my dad, brother, and I from when my brother was a baby. There were movie tickets that hadn’t made it into scrap books, note cards with NaNoWriMo tips written on them. My library card.

So, yes, I feel sad and invaded. I don’t know exactly what to do about all of it. I’m mad that the person just took what wasn’t theirs and ran all over Lakeview. I’m even more mad that this happened around my neighborhood, where I feel safe, and in a freaking coffee shop, a place where I previously went to relax and do homework.

But like I was told by a friend yesterday, I am not the first person to have my wallet stolen. Nor will I be the last. But just know, wallet, that in my heart, I will miss you for years to come.

Piano gets this chick

I’ve been listening to Mike Lombardo’s live album lately (you can listen to it for free at that link, or be really awesome and buy the album); he’s such a good live performer. One song really stuck out to me, possibly because he’s singing it to a room full of girls: “Piano don’t get chicks.”

The first time I heard this song, I thought, “No freaking way. Musicians always get chicks. That’s part of why the non-musician guys don’t like them.” And this is true, to an extent. There are women who are just drawn to musical guys; this is because of a few, slightly flawed reasons.

1. Musicians are creative and passionate, which leads women to think that they’ll be sensitive.
2. Musicians often have a group of girls following them, and this leads the woman who is actually attached to said musician to feel more special, like she’s been picked out of a diverse, attractive crowd of women.
3. Having a talent and devoting yourself to it requires confidence, and confidence is always attractive.
4. They always seem to be at some crazy-awesome-lovely gathering. They have all these experiences that seem to make life more lively and enjoyable. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
5. This is going to be slightly off color, kids, but musicians (and artists) are good with their hands. That’s all I’m going to say.

There are other reasons, I’m sure. I am not going to sit here and tell you that any of that is untrue about musicians, or that girls should stay away from all musician boys. It makes more sense to treat them all as individulals.

The point of the song, “Piano Don’t Get Chicks,” is that guitarists seem to get more girls. I think this is mostly because the guitar is more portable. It’s sort of hard to take your piano down by the Art Institute and go busking. That just doesn’t seem plausible. The line in the song about Billy Joel and Ben Folds is really telling, I think; it’s not that piano doesn’t get the guy chicks, it’s that it doesn’t help them keep chicks. Neither does the guitar.

In the end, the thing that needs to be remembered about any artist (writer, painter, sculptor, musician, graphic artist, filmmaker, photographer, you name it) is that in order to create art, you’ve got to focus a lot on the world around you and your place in it. And often, the process of creating this art is solitary, while the process of getting this art into the world is time consuming, travel heavy, and very public. That’s probably more why piano/guitar/computer/camera won’t keep you chicks.

For the record, I think piano playing is really attractive. There’s something so moving and simple about a song with just a person singing and playing the piano. It takes talent to write songs on any instrument, and that’s just awe-inspiring.

I really meant for this post to be a funny I’ve-got-a-ridiculously-stupid-crush-on-Mike-Lombardo-right-now piece, but I guess that wasn’t in the cards. But, yeah, the point of the post is this: Piano may not get you “chicks,” but it would sure get this chick.

p.s. this video is actually a piano composition written by Tom Milsom, another great piano playing Youtube guy.

Looking for Alaska project

My closest friend in Chicago has this amazing life, one filled with awesome things because she is really awesome. And I’m not just saying that. She’s lucky, yes, but she’s also talented and hardworking. One of the wonderful things that she started is something that I call the Looking for Alaska project.

See, this awesome friend lost someone very close to her about a year ago. Very soon after, she read Looking for Alaska by John Green. (Click on the picture to go to the link to buy the book, by the way. You will not regret it.) LFA is a novel about loss and guilt and teenagers and school and a boy who is desperately seeking The Great Perhaps, or a more meaningful existence. There are about five dozen reasons that this book deserved to win the Printz award that it was bestowed.

The LFA Project was started by my friend. She went through, on her first time reading the book and just after the death of a really close relative, and highlighted and made marginal notes all throughout her copy of the book. I’m sure she cried into the pages and leaped into the book as a form of escapism. But when she finished, she was touched and deeply moved (not an uncommon reaction to this novel, I’d say) and decided that she wanted to give this copy, with her teary notes and highlighter markings, to John Green. Chicago does have the privlege of seeing him from time to time after all.

But she wanted more than just her perspective for John, so she gave her copy to her friend Andrew and told him to mark things as he read it for the first time. What stuck out to him, which lines affected him the most, that sort of thing. So, he did. When I mentioned that I was going to reread LFA for my thesis (because I need desperate help with structure and Green is brilliant with that), she handed me her copy and said to make my notes in it.

This is, as I’ve said, a wonderful book. The metaphors are straight on, the voice compelling and smart and unfaltering; the descriptions have the right balance of amusement and beauty. The repetition of elements like last words and layers and biographies and religion and the labyrinth and pranks. Everything adds up to book filled with depth and understanding. This is a book that doesn’t just reach teenagers, it meets them. Exactly where they are and exactly as they need to be reached.

This isn’t, however, what made me so moved by the LFA Project. I loved that my friend was making this book into an interactive experience. I liked seeing when lines that I loved were marked by her or Andrew; I noted when it struck all three of us as moving or beautiful or poignant. There is truth, simplicity, and accessibility in those lines.

John will get this copy in a week or so, and I don’t know if he’ll understand all the emotion that went into reading it, just as we’ll never understand all the emotion that went into writing it. And I don’t know if he’ll even pay attention to our notes or find them useful. But this was an amazing experience, one that I hope I get to repeat with a different novel someday. I know that reading it this way changed the way that I will go forward into writing my own novel. And I really hope that someday I get a copy of one of my books that a group of friends has passed around and made notes in because it changed their lives in a meaningful, unexplainable way.

things I bought I shouldn’t have

I’ve been staying away from bookstores lately, because I already have at least thirty books on my bookshelf here that I have yet to read. (However, I did buy Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez when I bought the rest of my books for Latin American Literature.) Somehow that has not stopped my rampant consumerism.

I swear, I’m normally not this bad. I’m making up for my lack of Christmas gifts (the money went to rent), or so I tell myself.

Some things that I buy are justified, at least in my head, by their use for my radio show. I get a song by Ministry of Magic or the Remus Lupins or the new Mike Lomardo album or the Orla Gartland EP or the soundtrack to Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog, or a handful of songs by Heyhihello. These will all be used on my radio show at one point or another. I mean, they are all artists that write about nerdy things or began on the internet. I’ll let you know more specifics about the radio show soon.

I pre-ordered the complete second season of Glee (which arrived today, in case you were wondering). I own the entire first season, and I was never able to see all the episodes in the second season because of transitions from cable to no-cable. I’m looking forward to seeing Darren Criss in all his non-internet-Harry-Potter glory. I also pre-ordered The Fault in Our Stars, John Green’s newest book, and Stephanie Perkins’ new novel (the sequel to Anna and the French Kiss); she is my favorite new YA author, and I sincerely wish that I could steal her literary agent. And while I was at it, I pre-ordered Maureen Johnson’s new novel.

I blame her hypnotic disco ball during her live show. Plus, I just like Johnson’s style and use of social media. And she has the same literary agent as Perkins.

Past all this pre-ordering, I got a French the Llama poster (yes, that’s Frency off to the left), a Giraffe Love tee shirt that’s too big, and the newest Driftless Pony Club album from DFTBA Records. And I had to buy the only John Green book that I don’t own, Let It Snow (which also has stories by Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle). Movie wise, I got the first part of the sixth season of Doctor Who (another one of those shows that could never catch up on thanks to cable switching). Also, I bought Love Actually, which I had never seen, and loved it. It’s like a collection of intertwined short stories in a film. I also got Garden State, lovely soundtrack and great acting, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (because I own all the books), Little Miss Sunshine, and Definitely Maybe.

All of this is to say that I’ve been distracting myself lately from doing things that I need to, like cleaning, laundry, writing on the novel, doing more homework, marking up Looking for Alaska, finding my costume for the Nerd Fighter gathering (yes, yes, I know), and making videos. Normally my procrastination takes the form of finding a new YouTuber to subscribe to (and then catching up on all their videos); well, that or cooking (and subsequently, eating).

Maybe if I write this down, it’ll stick. Time to stop procrastinating, Jenna. Let’s get this show on the road!

four good things

I rented Love & Drugs on a whim. I like Anne Hathaway, usually; I’m going to go out on a limb and say that she’s a good actress, and I like the transitions she made from Disney to more-adult movies. She just seems to fit in every part she gets, even ones that seem like they wouldn’t fit her at all.

This specific movie, Love & Drugs, is about a woman with Parkinson’s disease (and a fierce independent streak) and a man who sells Viagra for a living. It stars Anne Hathaway (as I mentioned before) and Jake Gyllenhaal, both good actors (and fairly good-looking actors, too). It’s a no-strings-attached relationship with actual depth to it.

However, the first time I watched it, I couldn’t tell you if I liked it or not. I’m a big believer in endings, and this one seemed realistic, until the last couple of minutes, then it tidied up in a nice bow that made me a little queasy.

I put it in the second time because I realized that my sick haziness meant that I missed the cut off time to turn it back in for the night. I put it on the television for background noise while I read. But something stuck out to me in the midst of reading a surreal book set in Mexico (don’t ask).

Anne Hathaway’s character walks over to Jake Gyllenhaal, who is impatiently explaining why he lied to his mom over the amount of prescriptions he’s sold (from a big number to a larger one, so there was absolutely no reason to lie). She looks down at him, and then they have this conversation.

A: Tell me four good things about yourself.
J: Excuse me?
A: You heard me.
J: Okay. Four good things about myself. I can… Why are we doing this? This is just… I don’t…
A: You can’t even think of four good things about yourself.
J: What? I totally can!
A: Do you think that you’re generous? Do you think you’re sweet?
J: Not particularly.
A: Do you think you’re smart? Look at you. You’re this talented, charming, handsome, capable, determined, smart man.
J: I am?
A: Yes, you are.
J: … I can juggle.

Let’s admit, for a minute, that this isn’t exactly a stellar conversation. I mean, there isn’t much that’s deep and philosophical about it, unless you watch the movie. Both of these characters are so wrapped up in themselves that this moment is a huge breakthrough. It is the moment when one of them, Anne’s character, finally realizes some serious flaws and insecurities in the other. This when this whole constant-casual-sex-thing becomes a relationship, at least in my opinion. It stops seeming like two people going through the motions. When Jake’s character figures it out, he races to get the girl (and then the movie ties itself into a shiny bow).

A year ago, I couldn’t have answered the question if someone had asked me to name four good things about myself. I’ll attempt to answer it below, but I imagine that every answer will have some sort of Didion-like qualifier on it. Here’s what I want to stress before I do that. If you can’t answer this question at this very moment, start paying more attention to the things that you do automatically. Do you hold the door for people without thinking? Do you put extra whip cream on someone’s coffee when they’re having a bad day? Do you know the exact moment when to smile or hug someone to make them feel better? Be proud of the little things, because those are what end up meaning the most.

I’m not doing this to seem arrogant, or to create a hippie love vibe on my blog. I just think it’s important to love yourself (no sexual puns, please) before you can really have a stable, healthy relationship with someone else. So yeah, name four good things about yourself. If you do so in a blog (or vlog), link me to it and I’ll go read it.

Four Good Things About Jenna:
1. I am a good sister. I suck at the whole communication thing, which tends to make me bad at relationships all around, but when it comes to my siblings, I seem to be the one that everyone can talk to.
2. I really like, and care, about people. I don’t make friends very easily (heh, socially awkward award goes to me!), but when I do, I try to make them stick. I support them.
3. I’m smart. Not Einstein smart. Or common sense smart. More like witty, pop culture, music and literature smart.
4. I’m focused. This is a blessing and a curse, really, but it means that I get things done.

It’s back to homework for me, but I hope that you all have a very lovely end-of-the-week and weekend.

summer conversations

I’m convinced that there are conversations you can have in the summer that are just impossible to have in autumn. The summer is, naturally, more relaxed and filled with only friends and family. Often, the autumn, winter, and spring are filled with a healthy portion of people that you really don’t know, and a handful of people that you never want to know. There’s a freedom in summer conversations; it’s less guarded, less wary than conversations during the “school year.”

With that being said, I thought that I would give you snippets of some of the more witty/interesting conversations that my family, friends, and I participated in this summer.

On a bad hair-day:
Me: Mom! Why didn’t you tell me I had become the human unicorn?
Mom: I tried telling you that I would pin your bangs back for you.
Me: Next time, don’t be subtle. Say, “Jenna, your forehead is developing the strength to save a fallen star and seek out virgins.”
Mom: *looks around nervously* I would never say that.

On dresses:
Me: Aneida, your dress is really cute. I love the belt.
Mom: You’d look cute in that, Jenna.
Me: I’d look like a Walrus.
*Aneida laughs*
Me: Actually, I’m too white for that. I’d be a Snow Leopard walrus. Do those exist?
Aneida: *still laughing* No.
Mom: No, you wouldn’t. The belt hits below the breasts at the smallest part of the waist.
Me: So… I’d look like a breasty Snow Leopard walrus?

On a bad day:
Me: I’m turning into a dwarf.
Mom: I don’t think you’re shrinking, Jenna.
Me: No, I meant Sneezy. And possibly Grumpy, with a dash of Sleepy.

When feeling bad:
Me: Do I look as miserable as I feel?
Mom: Yes. Maybe worse.
Me: Really?
Mom: … Did you want me to lie to you?

While watching Howl’s Moving Castlewith Samantha (and company):
Me: That woman looks like melted candle wax. Just looking at her makes me want to go on a diet.

While watching Skillet:
*man bends over in front of us*
Mom: Look. It’s the great divide.

For some reason,this video and song remind me of summer: