Vida Bella--Ketchup in My World

I can't even express the relief that I feel now that my Junior year is *just about* over. In many respects, it was one crazy blur of Chemistry, Shakespeare, Speech, Violin, Teaching, and other such busy business.

I haven't really had any time for creativity. I did make a 1940s style dress over Christmas break, which I managed to forget to get any pictures of over the winter....and there is no way that I am putting on a wool 3/4 sleeve dress at this time of year, retro as it is. However, other than that, I was singularly uninspired this past year. 

I watched Season 2 of "Sherlock"...'twas awesome. (Episodes 2 and 3, I did not see Episode 1, due to...content. Why, writers? Why?)

I am very excited to be going up to the DFW area to participate in the Republican State Convention! I will be a page, and the whole experience is shaping up to be very enjoyable  for my politics-loving self...and crossed fingers, I may even get to meet Rick Santorum.

I have recently discovered that, while physically exhausting, baking is a very rewarding pasttime. I also enjoy ironing. (Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that one of my favorite TV shows is available online, and ironing is a good way to justify taking the time to view it...)

I am currently beginning planning what will be my "graduation ceremony," a senior recital. Trying to figure out what to play...definitely some challenging pieces, Bach, Mendelssohn...but I'm also hoping to collaborate with people and throw and little Gershwin and swing in there (Anyone reading this...any suggestions? What swing era/ jazz/blues songs do you think would sound good on the violin?)

My birthday is one week away...hard to believe that I will be another year older so soon. Good thing I like roadtrips, because that's what I'll be doing! I'll just have to remember to bring my Alison Krauss along. ;)

Well, to end this post, I was going around my computer, looking at all the silly photos and memes I have saved...and found this. Random, but true. I <3 Texas. 

Cheerio! 

Olivia

Paper Airplane

I love taking road trips through the great state of Texas. You head north on the I35 and alternately pass through large desolate stretches of fields, small towns and a large city (Austin). But, after Waco, you are in for about 4-5 hours of just fields, highways and 18-wheelers. I may be insane, but I think that this is charming (minus the 18-wheeler part). 

It has become a sort of tradition for our family to listen to Alison Krauss + Union Station on the way up there, and I've always enjoyed it. However, I especially enjoyed/related to their latest album. It's pretty melancholy, but in a thoughtful way. I like it.

Lay My Burden Down, On the Outside Looking In, and Miles to Go were some of my favorites, but I especially love the lyrics to the title track: 

I've put it all behind me, nothing left to do or doubt 
Some may say 
But every silver lining always seems to have a cloud 
That comes my way 
Anticipated pleasure or unexpected pain 
No choice I feel 
Love is hard to measure, hidden in the rain 
That's why you'll find me 

Here all alone and still wondering why 
Waitin inside for the cold to get colder 
And here where it's clear that I've wasted my time 
Hopin to fly cause it's almost over now 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/alison+krauss/paper+airplane_20907320.html ] 
People come together, people go their own way 
Love conquers few 
And I'll do whatever I'll say what I need to say 
Just not for you 

How many days should I smile with a frown? 
'Cause you're not around with the sun on your shoulders 
And how many nights must I wake up alone 
And know in my soul that it's almost over now? 

Love is like a paper airplane 
Flyin in the folded dent 
Ridin high dippin low 
But innocence is fair again 
I'm hopin I can hold it in 
Our love will die I know...

~Alison Krauss, Paper Airplane

Of Connections and Conversations: A Day in the Life

So today, I made an important discovery.

No, it wasn't that Dvorak is random, unorganized dissonant and remarkably difficult to play due to many accidental sharps, flats and imaginary notes.

I found that out yesterday.

What I found out today will positively astound you. On one condition: you have to be well-versed in unknown Hollywood westerns of the 1940s and/or WWII military heroes. Or have the ability to utilize Google.

Have you ever heard of Audie Murphy? He was a WWII military hero and 1940s Hollywood cowboy. The name is probably remotely familiar. TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is always playing promos for boxed sets of his films. And the name is pretty common sounding.

This is Audie Murphy.

and, according to the genealogy book on our bookshelf, we are related to him distantly (I repeat, distantly) by a common ancestor, so-and-so Lunsford. I am excited, and this was one of the two things that made my day today.

...anyway, other than making such important excavations, I am planning on going to the Majestic Theatre tomorrow to see the matinee of...wait for it..."Mary Poppins on Broadway!" Of course, it's not actually on Broadway, but you get the idea. I am very excited. I shall wear heels. (I'm having a random day.)

I am also working on a quintet that involves the previously mentioned Dvorak. I will say no more.

The good thing about being homeschooled is that your mom has executive power...she decided that I could "rearrange" my Tuesday to be able to study for the PSAT more, and so I spent the day listening to Geometry lectures. Joy and joy! 

Oh, yeah. The PSAT. ahem.

One nice thing to do to blow off some steam/relax/enjoy a little life is talk to your friend in South Dakota! (Unless you don't have a friend in South Dakota, in which case you should look into the nearest asylum.) Anyway, it was a great conversation, and we talked about a lot: they have salsa way up thar, just like in Texas (I was shocked), they don't have Chipotle (I was saddened), and other such various and sundry things.  It was the other event that made my day.

Tomorrow I have to get up. Isn't that sad? I guess it is mostly normal, but still.

It's late and I've started rambling. I'll just shut the computer now, I've become incoherent.

Adios.

(which is Spanish for "Oh, there goes my brain.")

Olivia.

Letter Tag

Comment to this entry/post and I'll give you a letter. List ten things that you love that begin with that letter and then post that list on your journal/blog.

Marian gave me "S"...awesome. :)

Sinatra. Frank.
SHERLOCK
Sisters (the Andrews. And mine.)
Shoes
Singing in the shower (two for one, not bad!)
Scarlett (the name)
San Antonio
Sydney Carton (of A Tale of Two Cities fame)
"Since You Went Away"
Spencer Tracy

Singing in the Rain. (I Wish.)

I wanted, I needed, I felt compelled to post on here right now. I feel that an update is needed, just so that you don't feel like I give up so fast.

You: that Olivia, she can't stick with anything for long, way too distracted. Tsk, tsk.
Me: SQUIRREL!

Anywho.

So here is what I've been up to to date. Well, that's just something I say. Here's what I can remember.

• School started on Monday. On the one hand I'm excited, on the other hand, I'm very nervous. I REFUSE to feel overwhelmed. I can grit my teeth and do this. With the help of God. I think that I'll love all that I'm doing that is speech-related...Chemistry, not so much. On my bucket list is to make an "A" in a difficult class. Maybe this will be it.

• I'm very happy that our governor, Rick Perry, is running for President. This country needs a little of what he embodies: strength, conviction and a good, hearty dose of Texas cowboy. 

• South Texas is almost literally cracking under this heat. With temperatures uniformly in the triple digits and no significant rain since the beginning of time, you just KNOW that that green grass was painted.

• On that note, my imagination is so vivid, and my thinking so wishful, every now-and-again...I can almost feel fall. Ah.

• I am considering how plausible it is for me to get all my homework done by the weekend so that I can sew myself one of the Sense and Sensibility Patterns swing dresses. That would be fun...to wear. 

•  I just completed my latest mission: to find vintage-style shoes. Target, of all places had a wonderful pair, not too 'spensive and very 30's/40's. I am smiling right now.

Well, that's all I can think of right now to post, so I will take my leave for tonight. Rest assured, I have some wonderful (IMHO) ideas for posts that revolve around 1940s-vintage greatness, so I'll try to have those up as soon as I do that Chemistry stuff.

I got a really nice compliment from a friend (you know who you are if you indeed see this) lately on this blog. I feel inspired to post. Thanks so much to everyone who I know either from Lucie Land or real life who has seen this and told me...it makes my day every time. :)

Adios,

Olivia

Actually, I saw one of the weather reporters down here do this once. I think we'd all be doing it if it rained again.

"I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love..."