Operation: Watch Movies That I Probably Should Have Seen Already

My lovely friend Charmaine is a movie buff. She is also an overachiever, for when I asked her for some movies I should see, she sent me this extensive, categorized list. Who doesn't love a categorized list? So my goal is to have all of these watched by the end of this year. I've crossed out those I've already seen and will continue to do so, along with the date watched! Thanks, Char xoxo

Charmaine’s List of Favorites and Must See Movies

(In no order of importance plus I’m sure I missed a few titles)

Old Musicals (they don’t make them like they used to)

• Singing in the Rain 
• Oklahoma
• Carousel
• The King and I
• My Fair Lady
• Mary Poppins
• Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Brigadoon
• The Sound of Music
• West Side Story
• The Pajama Game
• Sweet Charity 
• Guys and Dolls
• Daddy Longlegs 
• Funny Face
• Funny Girl 
• An American in Paris
• Fiddler on the Roof
• The Wizard of Oz 
• Bye Bye Birdie
• Viva Las Vegas 
• Damn Yankees

More Contemporary Musicals

• Moulin Rouge!
• Grease
• Little Shop of Horrors 
• Hairspray
• The Phantom of the Opera
• Sweeney Todd (Tim Burton)
• Rent (of course)  
• Chicago
• Hair 
• Nine 
• Godspell
• Dreamgirls
• Fame 
• Cinderella 

Shout out to all the Disney Classics plus Enchanted

My Favorite Old Movie Actors

Cary Grant

• Notorious
• North by Northwest
• To Catch a Thief
• Charade
• An Affair to Remember (and then immediately watch Sleepless in Seattle afterwards)
• Houseboat

Audrey Hepburn

• Roman Holiday
• Sabrina
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s
• Charade
• My Fair Lady (Musical)

Katharine Hepburn

• The Philadelphia Story
• Bringing up Baby
• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Other Old Movies

• Casablanca
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks
• Auntie Mame
• Sunday in New York
• Gidget
• When a Man Answers
• Doris Day films (like Lover Come Back or Send Me No Flowers)
• On the Waterfront
• Goodbye Girl
• Barefoot in the Park
• The Man Who Knew Too Much
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Gone with the Wind

Moving into the 70s and 80s

• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (everything John Hughes)
• Dirty Dancing
• Flashdance
• Sixteen Candles (plus Pretty in Pink)
• Breakfast Club
• The Princess Bride
• Risky Business
• Sandlot
• Say Anything…

The 90s

• Sister Act 
• Clueless
• Sleepless in Seattle (the young Meg Ryan)
• Remember the Titans
• Romeo+Juliet (the very young Leonardo di Caprio) 

More Contemporary Films (with an emphasis on romance and comedy)

• Bridesmaids
• Easy A
• Crazy, Stupid, Love
• Bridget Jones’s Diary
• She’s the Man
• Bend it Like Beckham
• Mean Girls
• The Devil Wears Prada
• Slumdog Millionaire 
• Shakespeare in Love *want to see again
• Pride and Prejudice *want to see again
• Shout out to Tim Burton
• Ever After (Drew Barrymore)
• The King’s Speech
• The Harry Potter Series -- need to watch last one

Children’s Films

• Tangled
• Everything Pixar (from Toy Story to Monsters Inc.)
• Disney (Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, The Goofy Movie…)

• Miyazaki Films (Japanese animation with spectacular storylines that are unlike anything in the US)
  • Spirited Away
  • My Neighbor Totoro
  • Princess Mononoke (definitely not a kid’s movie)
  • Kiki’s Delivery Service, THEY’RE ALL GREAT 

Movies in Theaters

• My Week With Marilyn
• Hugo (for artistry if not storyline)
• The Actor (a silent film)
• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

I Think It's Okay. {Happy New Year}

2012 will be a year of releasing stress and pressure, of allowing myself to just be, of not comparing my success to that of anyone else.

I wanted to write a blog post before the end of the year, but I didn't get around to it. About what? I don't know, the norm. The cliché. Reflection, resolutions, gratefulness, holiday recaps. I was stressing about this even last night, until I was in my room with Megan and Aubrey, Dan with his arm around me... and I just stopped. I stopped stressing about the blog post, I stopped stressing about the wildly huge expectation that is New Year's Eve. I just looked around me and was happy. I felt every feeling, thought every thought, and embraced what the night was.

It was dancing strangely to 2010 hits, eating lots of finger foods and constantly going back for more bean dip. It was laughing with my friends and finding solace away from the 50 high schoolers that walked the halls. It was vlogging and it was passing out from 11:15 to 11:45. It was a champagne toast and a midnight kiss with a few people I love and a lot of 15 year-olds I didn't know. It wasn't particularly exciting and I was too tired for my liking, and time slipped away as it is wont to do. But it was good. The most truthful, the most loving, the most real, the most full.

I didn't make any resolutions or make any written note of how I feel about 2011 and how I want to feel about 2012. I didn't do an immense amount of reflecting or make the last week of the year incredibly interesting. I decided—last night at 9:30—to forget about holding myself accountable for responsibilities that don't exist, and just embrace what the moment is. Because how it is... is how it should be.

I didn't do everything I thought about doing, or the things I hadn't thought about but knew I could do and maybe should do. But from this point forward, I am eradicating unnecessary expectations and just looking around me for inspiration and satisfaction and love. And I think that's okay.

A very happy new year it is. 

Winter Break Week 1

I don't want to believe that a week of break has passed. Because "a month off" sounds so cushy and wonderful and exactly where I want to stay. Now it's three weeks and that seems SO MUCH SHORTER. Wah. 

But the past six days have been full of busy happiness. Some highlights:

Angela got married on Sunday. My mom did the reception centerpieces/ceremony set-up. She and Denise are a dream team. Exhibit A:

 Reception

Ceremony

Bride&Groom's baby girl, Natalie, and my girls.

I was up early helping my mom, changed and did myself up at the church, then became an attendee of the wedding! It was beauty and class on a budget, and it went off without a hitch. Everyone had a wonderful time. So crazy to see one of my high school friends (though 2 years older) getting married. I remember late night talks at cast parties about our futures. You never know what life will throw at you, but I think it always turns out for the best. She is blessed. 

Monday was my first day back at work! The olive oil store was just how I left it... with the addition of several new products, as always. I've worked every day this week and we have just been slammed. I think there was only 3 or 4 people each day that didn't want gift wrapping. Olive Oil & Balsamic is the bottle of wine as far as gifts are concerned. They're that good, though. I could absolutely live on oil, vinegar and bread. Yes.

Tuesday= more work and the first night of Hanukkah! I actually went to a birthday party with Megan, and met some new people. After living here my whole life and having the same friends for five years now, it's really refreshing to have new people in my life. When I got home my mom gave me a Yoga DVD as a gift. That will come in handy back in the dorms! Maybe. Hopefully. ...we'll see.

Wednesday was our first family dinner since I've been home. It felt amazing to just be spending time with my family around the dinner table. My mom has been very accommodating to my newfound vegetarianism (more on that in my next post); we had quinoa salad, roasted vegetables (with persimmons? I really liked but I've never seen it in full form), and LATKES, of course. My mama makes the best latkes. Dessert was homemade rugelach -- I am spoiled. I also gave my dad his Hanukkah present: One Village coffee, the Nor' Easter roast. Apparently it was delicious! 

Also on this day, I walked home from work after getting a Which Wich sandwich (yumyumyum) and when I approached the house my mom was waiting outside and we did a slow run towards each other. It was so funny and adorable. She had also prepared a caprese sandwich for me...so then I felt bad for getting the which wich but I was still hungry so I ate it and I was SO HAPPY because I have the best mom.

Thursday. My mom made Nutella hot chocolate. That was the highlight of the day. Seriously, so delicious.

Today, work was nonstop. I am a bow expert. Almost. I surprise myself with how much I know about olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I can talk for like 10 minutes. But I don't, because I'm really paranoid that I'm being an overbearing salesperson.

I did Zumba with my sister tonight. It was nice to be active, and it's easier when you shout at the screen. Just sayin'. 

Dinner time is nowwww. Homemade mac and cheese. Seriously... the best mom.

Also, the best cat:

We had a bit of a photo shoot. Model cat.

Oh, and there's also this slice of happiness happening a lot:

Layover

Currently sitting at the Phoenix airport. Gotta love free wi-fi!

I finally finished all of my work yesterday, and am now home free for the next 4 weeks! (still working on the home part, though. Just about 2 hours!) To finish that semester was more of a relief than any other semester of school, ever. I'm not entirely sure why. I believe it was a combination of harder work, a department show, and the tour guide job. It was a LOT that I hadn't had to deal with before this year. And I'm not sure that my work was significantly tougher, but I was definitely more invested in my classes, so I wanted to do better.

As always, this semester flew by while simultaneously dragging. But this morning, when my boyfriend's dad was driving me to the airport, it seemed like that had JUST happened. In reality, it was seven months ago, but man, it's hard to believe it has been that long.

My first flight was about 5.5 hours, and it definitely seemed that long. This one lady in the front was a piece of work. She was wearing a surgical mask and when someone coughed on the plane, she yelled "Please cover your mouth when you cough!" Not to mention that she refused to stow her purse and asked ridiculous favors from the flight attendants the whole time. Some people really, really need to learn how to adapt.

I watched The Kids Are All Right on the plane, which I'd been wanting to do for a while. I didn't realize how much sex was in it, which was awkward considering I had two elderly women sitting next to me. I kept exiting full screen mode so I didn't offend them, especially the one who was writing "Remember the Miracle of Christ" holiday cards to her friends. Whoops! Sorry, ma'am.

When I touch down in SD, I'm going straight to Aubrey's holiday party. Hopefully I won't be too wiped out. Either way, I'm stoked to see my family and friends. I've really missed them this semester. Just realizing how much I appreciate them.

More reflections on internal changes this semester will come later. I feel like there have been a lot of them.

I also never talked about Skin of Our Teeth. Which—though it was no doubt a great experience—is a fair representation of how big of a deal it was. (not too big). The production was amazing. Sets, acting, absolutely everything. But I didn't really get to break out my acting chops, and it was hard to feel fully satisfied at the end of every show. I like to feel worn out, proud, euphoric. With this one I just felt like I accomplished the tasks I was told to do. Still, very glad I did it. And can't wait for next semester's shows!

OK, time to board.  yayayayay so close to home!

Three Days and Thoughts that are Clouding my Brain

It's Wednesday. I'll be home on Saturday. Literally 72 hours until I'm on a plane.

I cannot do this 8 page paper. My motivation level is in the negatives, which I feel doesn't make sense as it's one of the only things I have to do before I get to leave. But I'm spent. So spent and ready to relax and sleep for days.

(But not really because when I get home it goes like this: holiday party-->wedding-->work!)

So thankful that I get to work over winter break. I haven't taken any money from my parents this semester, and there's a definite pride in that. Though I hate learning how quickly money goes away, I do appreciate having it. And spending it on people that I love. I think this is the first year that I'm buying holiday gifts for everyone on my list. Nothing big, but still, a token of the way my heart beats for these people.

I have to take my Quantitative Analysis requirement next semester, and right now it's looking like Intro to Macroeconomics. Please, excuse me while I go cry. I only hope I can NRO it so I don't have to get a grade. As you can tell, I am not overly confident in the skills of my left brain.

Still, I have high hopes for next semester. Since coming to Vassar, every semester has improved on the last, and I would love that trend to continue. I cannot begin to explain my sadness that the conclusion of next semester marks halfway through this incredible chunk of my life. It goes too fast and I still feel so new.

It's really, really all about being present. Taking in as much as I possibly can.

My room is a construction zone. Already started packing. (that is how much i don't want to write this paper)

It also feels like I still haven't gotten all of the hairspray out of my hair, despite the numerous shampoos since Sunday.

I think I'm going to the dc to do my paper. Maybe if I'm surrounded by food I'll be more calm. And the library is too crowded.
Worth a shot, anyway.

Full.

When I walk through the quad late at night, I am overcome by the insane possibilities and total grandeur of this life. And everything, everything is worth it.

Staying out until two to have girl time is worth it.

Spending in time in the Strong parlor to listen to your friend practice piano, taking breaks to play Beyoncé and sing together is worth it.

Researching prayer books and Greek theater and artists and spending hours in the library and checking out 20 books is worth it.

The struggle of meditation is worth it.

Reading for fun is worth it.

Countless hours of tech leading up to a show is worth it.

Money and time to show appreciation of your friends is worth it.

Hard conversations to make relationships better are worth it.

Waking up early is worth it.

It has been one hell of a semester. A whirlwind, that is for sure. Classes are pretty much over; 2 papers, 2 exams, 1 presentation is all that is between me and my reunion with California.


One week until I go home. And I am feeling so full of gratitude. SO full.

Just the Way I Like It

It's later than I've stayed up in a while, so I don't feel too guilty. My paper isn't done but it will get done. So will the other ones. This I know, and I find comfort in it.

It's peaceful. I love the wee hours. I feel centered, creative, happy, blessed. Life seems grander. Maybe it's delirium.

Many hours were spent in the library. Then the Rose Parlor. I'm back in my room now. It's emptier without him here. But I treasure my alone time.

My sleeve smells faintly of Ralph Lauren Blue, which smells a bit like my first favorite perfume, Missoni Acqua. Takes me back to high school, spritzing it on by my window seat, preparing to face the day. I still miss it, that time in my life. I was different. Not as good as now. The world was so small. But nostalgia is a powerful beast. I keep it at bay when I can. The present is so good.

I love everyone here and sometimes forget there was a time I didn't know them. I've experienced more things with people I've known for a year than some of the people I knew for four.

College transforms. I've never witnessed something so beautiful.

I'm hungry for more, always hungry for more. I want to do everything, make it last. Feel every feeling, love every way there is to love, learn all that is learnable.

I love every moment and every person in the middle of the night. Counterintuitive. Also so wonderful. Let me just be here for awhile. Just breathe, appreciate, listen, feel.

Tick Tick Boom, Last 5 Years, OneRepublic is the soundtrack for the night.
Music fills the soul, even when people don't change and life is passing by and memories are slipping through your fingers and away forever.