"An Unabashed Love Letter to Ginny Weasley"
Monday, November 22, 2010
Haha here is a link to a love letter to Ginny Weasley--that little feminist!
Just try and tell me that she is not looking into the deep dark pit that is your soul.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
"Hamburger Things" by Hilary M. Korabik
Saturday, November 13, 2010
It’s early November, before the delirium of the holiday season begins, but the most wonderful time of the year has already begun for my family. My mom and three of my uncles are cooking up a celebration all their own. The Sammon siblings are in their own kitchens prepping for the annual family competition. A heap of ingredients is spread out along the counters, the family phonebooks are ready and the caller ID is set. Several prank phone calls are to be expected throughout the day. A handmade red cape, a floppy crown, and a broken wand are placed by the back door. This is the day. This is the end-all-be-all of family festivities. This is the Franny Burger Bake-Off.
Fran and Barney Sammon, my grandparents, raised their six kids—Bob, Danny, Marty, Betty, John, and Mary—in the north side Chicago neighborhood of Roger’s Park. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, my mom and her siblings were expected to eat their broccoli and cauliflower, but every once in a while, my grandma would indulge them with a tantalizing treat. Now known as the Franny Burger, these “hamburger things,” filled with ground beef and a selection of spices were a rare delicacy that Fran’s children would savor whenever they were lucky enough to get their hands on one. Although Grandma Fran died in 1981, her memory lives on in the annual Franny Burger Bake-Off.
The first Franny Burger Bake-Off that I can recall was at my house when I was probably about six or seven. I was an extremely picky eater and I didn’t start eating Franny Burgers until several years later. My uncle Bobbo helped me make a hat and a bouquet of flowers out of printer paper for the winner. Uncle Dan and Aunt Sally won that year and I was upset that my mom didn’t win so I wouldn’t give them the prize. I don’t remember when I ate my first Franny Burger but it must have been after Uncle Dan started hosting the bake-off. [The bake-off has moved around throughout the years, starting off at my mom’s house on Highland where the Sammons grew up, then moving with our family to houses on Mango and Kent, but for at least the past ten years it’s been at Uncle Dan’s house on Ottawa.]
My mom started making plain Franny Burgers for my brother Tom and me. She had to force me to try one but before I’d even finished the first bite I was addicted. After I experienced my first taste of bliss—my first bite of a Franny Burger—I started waking up early on the 2nd Saturday in November to help my mom make them. Well, I always pretend that I’m going to help but I usually end up sitting around tasting the food while my mom does all the work. While she’s busy mixing in the spices and cooking the meat, I make prank phone calls. When I was little I remember covering the phone with a towel and making my voice deep. Don’t even bother. Your Franny Burgers stink! The prank phone calls aren’t as fun anymore because everyone in my family has caller ID, but thanks to *67 I can still get by without being singled out.
Now it’s late afternoon and here we are, crammed into a little house on the north side of Chicago where we can hardly move. There’s a small living room, a little kitchen, and a bathroom. Everyone has to fight for chairs and most people stand around, mingling to the best of their ability. A delectable aroma wafts from the oven as Uncle Dan takes out the Franny Burgers. Each contestant’s Franny Burgers are arranged on a paper plate with a number on the bottom. There’s so much variety in the shape, coloring, and even the contents of the Franny Burgers. My cousins Lindsay, Danny, Corrie, and Katie have all started making their own. They’ve added their own flair to the competition and we’ve had taco flavored, vegetarian, and even vegan Franny Burgers. You can always tell when a judge has tasted a vegan Franny Burger by the exclamation of disgust. What is this crap? The traditional Franny Burger always comes out the winner.
The judges are whatever family friends are lucky enough to be invited. When the judging is going on, we’re all packed into the living room because we’re not allowed in the kitchen. The judges taste samplings of the Franny Burgers and rate them, making comments. Let me tell you right now that cozying up to the judges won’t do you any good unless your name is Dan Sammon. The catchphrase “If you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin’” was no doubt coined by him.
Now the judging is over and we all crowd back into the kitchen. The third place winner is… Uncle John—the meat was a little too plain but the dough was perfect. The second place winner is… my mom—the spices were a delicious blend, but the dough was too thin. The first place winner is… Uncle Dan, of course—a flawless combination of flavoring with professionally crafted dough. Uncle Dan is gloating as, crowned and cloaked, he is handed the Franny Burger Bake-Off trophy. Yeah, he gets to brag for the next year but the siblings turned rivals won’t give him much glory because they are all too stubborn to admit defeat.
All the Franny Burgers are thrown into a pile on the counter and we all grab at them until our stomachs are stuffed. There is one more thing you need to know about Franny Burgers. Unlike with sandwiches and other food, which normally tastes better if someone else makes it for you, your Franny Burgers always taste the best. And you make sure everyone knows it.
Fran and Barney Sammon, my grandparents, raised their six kids—Bob, Danny, Marty, Betty, John, and Mary—in the north side Chicago neighborhood of Roger’s Park. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, my mom and her siblings were expected to eat their broccoli and cauliflower, but every once in a while, my grandma would indulge them with a tantalizing treat. Now known as the Franny Burger, these “hamburger things,” filled with ground beef and a selection of spices were a rare delicacy that Fran’s children would savor whenever they were lucky enough to get their hands on one. Although Grandma Fran died in 1981, her memory lives on in the annual Franny Burger Bake-Off.
The first Franny Burger Bake-Off that I can recall was at my house when I was probably about six or seven. I was an extremely picky eater and I didn’t start eating Franny Burgers until several years later. My uncle Bobbo helped me make a hat and a bouquet of flowers out of printer paper for the winner. Uncle Dan and Aunt Sally won that year and I was upset that my mom didn’t win so I wouldn’t give them the prize. I don’t remember when I ate my first Franny Burger but it must have been after Uncle Dan started hosting the bake-off. [The bake-off has moved around throughout the years, starting off at my mom’s house on Highland where the Sammons grew up, then moving with our family to houses on Mango and Kent, but for at least the past ten years it’s been at Uncle Dan’s house on Ottawa.]
My mom started making plain Franny Burgers for my brother Tom and me. She had to force me to try one but before I’d even finished the first bite I was addicted. After I experienced my first taste of bliss—my first bite of a Franny Burger—I started waking up early on the 2nd Saturday in November to help my mom make them. Well, I always pretend that I’m going to help but I usually end up sitting around tasting the food while my mom does all the work. While she’s busy mixing in the spices and cooking the meat, I make prank phone calls. When I was little I remember covering the phone with a towel and making my voice deep. Don’t even bother. Your Franny Burgers stink! The prank phone calls aren’t as fun anymore because everyone in my family has caller ID, but thanks to *67 I can still get by without being singled out.
Now it’s late afternoon and here we are, crammed into a little house on the north side of Chicago where we can hardly move. There’s a small living room, a little kitchen, and a bathroom. Everyone has to fight for chairs and most people stand around, mingling to the best of their ability. A delectable aroma wafts from the oven as Uncle Dan takes out the Franny Burgers. Each contestant’s Franny Burgers are arranged on a paper plate with a number on the bottom. There’s so much variety in the shape, coloring, and even the contents of the Franny Burgers. My cousins Lindsay, Danny, Corrie, and Katie have all started making their own. They’ve added their own flair to the competition and we’ve had taco flavored, vegetarian, and even vegan Franny Burgers. You can always tell when a judge has tasted a vegan Franny Burger by the exclamation of disgust. What is this crap? The traditional Franny Burger always comes out the winner.
The judges are whatever family friends are lucky enough to be invited. When the judging is going on, we’re all packed into the living room because we’re not allowed in the kitchen. The judges taste samplings of the Franny Burgers and rate them, making comments. Let me tell you right now that cozying up to the judges won’t do you any good unless your name is Dan Sammon. The catchphrase “If you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin’” was no doubt coined by him.
Now the judging is over and we all crowd back into the kitchen. The third place winner is… Uncle John—the meat was a little too plain but the dough was perfect. The second place winner is… my mom—the spices were a delicious blend, but the dough was too thin. The first place winner is… Uncle Dan, of course—a flawless combination of flavoring with professionally crafted dough. Uncle Dan is gloating as, crowned and cloaked, he is handed the Franny Burger Bake-Off trophy. Yeah, he gets to brag for the next year but the siblings turned rivals won’t give him much glory because they are all too stubborn to admit defeat.
All the Franny Burgers are thrown into a pile on the counter and we all grab at them until our stomachs are stuffed. There is one more thing you need to know about Franny Burgers. Unlike with sandwiches and other food, which normally tastes better if someone else makes it for you, your Franny Burgers always taste the best. And you make sure everyone knows it.
Scotland's awesome new campaign
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Hey friends! I have some great music for you! My friend/fraternity big brother, John Donovan just released his first album! You can download it for free here. Check him out!
Love,
Hilary
an end to the -isms?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Remember Ms. Haleas and her obsession with Tony Blair and Putin? Her love for Tony Blair definitely rubbed off on me. So much so, that I wrote a poem about Tony Blair during my free time on my A.P. Comparative exam (they can only give you points for correct information, not take off for incorrect or off topic information). It began: Tony Blair, so handsome and debonair... That is all I can remember. But here's what Tony is up to now.
Whodda thunk I'd end up liking Christian Rock? Listen to International Love Song by Caedmon's Call. Seriously good =] Thanks, Hann.
I really hate uploading pictures to blogger...
but here is a picture of me with some friends when we met Superman at the Loop one night:
Marcel the Shell is the most adorable thing I have ever seen.
Americans don't know about their own religion? Why doesn't that surprise me?
Read the NY Times article here.
Highly Recommended:
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer.
It's really beautifully written, however difficult it may be to follow at some points. It is definitely not a quick read, but it's good to read while reading other things as well!
so much fun.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
sunday night i saw my favorite band at the wicker park fest! the name of the band is fun. fun. haha so much fun.
so anyway, fun. is seriously the best band i have ever heard and their concerts are so much... FUN... because their fans love their music so much. the lead singer, Nate, has an amazing and distinctive voice and writes the most beautiful lyrics.
I went with my friend Ann and her friend Christian and we had so much FUN. Haha, some puns intended.
Me with Ann at the concert!
Me with a creepy looking Nate!
so anyway, fun. is seriously the best band i have ever heard and their concerts are so much... FUN... because their fans love their music so much. the lead singer, Nate, has an amazing and distinctive voice and writes the most beautiful lyrics.
I went with my friend Ann and her friend Christian and we had so much FUN. Haha, some puns intended.
Me with Ann at the concert!
Me with a creepy looking Nate!
hello, harry potter lovers!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
i just finished re-reading hp6. in celebration, here you go:
nasal spray, anyone?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Has anyone used nasal spray before? This is the first time I've used it and I think I did it wrong for the past week... It would run down my throat after I sprayed it... Today I tried aiming it to the back of my head... is that what you're supposed to do? Haha thanks for any help!
"Much to Yankel's dismay, Brod insisted on cutting that thick black hair herself.
It's not ladylike, he said, You look like a little boy when it's so short.
Don't be a fool, she told him.
But doesn't it bother you?
Of course it bothers me when you're a fool.
Your hair, he said.
I think it's very pretty.
Can it be pretty if no one thinks it's pretty?
I think it's pretty.
If you're the only one?
That's pretty pretty.
And what about the boys? Don't you want them to think you're pretty?
I wouldn't want a boy to think I was pretty unless he was the kind of boy who thought I was pretty."
-Everything is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer
"Above all, be the heroine of your life." -Nora Ephron
Many times we look for others for inspiration, for an example, and that is wonderful because we are keeping each other in check. When I know that someone is looking to me for guidance or for advice, I try harder than I normally would. But isn't it even more important that we look to ourselves for inspiration? Shouldn't we work hard every day to be the purest, most loving and genuine people we can be? Shouldn't our lives be full of action that cause reaction? We shouldn't sit around waiting for others to do something so that we can see their success and follow in their footsteps. We all must be our own heroines (or heroes, gentlemen).
Fiction writers, when you sit down, don't you want to write a story where the heroine or hero bears an uncanny resemblance to yourself? Don't you have to force yourself to give the character a different personality, different traits, different flaws, a different appearance, and an entirely different life? We love talking about ourselves, but not everyone is going to love reading about every little thing that happened to us. In Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, she talks about the story that she was writing called "Arnold." She tried for years and years to get it published, and finally her editor sent it back to her with a note telling her that she had made the mistake of "thinking that everything that happened to her was interesting." Isn't that so true? We all think everything that happens to us is interesting because it affects us in a way that it affects no one else. But we cannot spend all our time writing about ourselves because in the end it is not about ourselves but about the human spirit. We have to find material that everyone can relate to because that is what people want to read, that is what people understand. But that is also why we have to be the heroine or hero of our own lives: so that in our own personal story, the story that only we can read, that only we can know fully, everything that happens to us is interesting.
Many times we look for others for inspiration, for an example, and that is wonderful because we are keeping each other in check. When I know that someone is looking to me for guidance or for advice, I try harder than I normally would. But isn't it even more important that we look to ourselves for inspiration? Shouldn't we work hard every day to be the purest, most loving and genuine people we can be? Shouldn't our lives be full of action that cause reaction? We shouldn't sit around waiting for others to do something so that we can see their success and follow in their footsteps. We all must be our own heroines (or heroes, gentlemen).
Fiction writers, when you sit down, don't you want to write a story where the heroine or hero bears an uncanny resemblance to yourself? Don't you have to force yourself to give the character a different personality, different traits, different flaws, a different appearance, and an entirely different life? We love talking about ourselves, but not everyone is going to love reading about every little thing that happened to us. In Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, she talks about the story that she was writing called "Arnold." She tried for years and years to get it published, and finally her editor sent it back to her with a note telling her that she had made the mistake of "thinking that everything that happened to her was interesting." Isn't that so true? We all think everything that happens to us is interesting because it affects us in a way that it affects no one else. But we cannot spend all our time writing about ourselves because in the end it is not about ourselves but about the human spirit. We have to find material that everyone can relate to because that is what people want to read, that is what people understand. But that is also why we have to be the heroine or hero of our own lives: so that in our own personal story, the story that only we can read, that only we can know fully, everything that happens to us is interesting.
operatic brilliance
Kate Miller-Heidke is one of my favorite artists. I first heard of her when she opened for Benjamin Folds at the Pageant in St. Louis last October. Ben didn't play any of my favorite songs, so I would almost say that I enjoyed Kate's performance more. That is definitely saying something since I usually don't like seeing live music unless I know the songs! She is trained as an opera singer, but her music generally falls under the category of singer-songwriter. What makes it so unique is that she hasn't given up her operatic background--she incorporates it into her music. Her cute Australian accent makes her even more enjoyable to listen to! Check her out--Caught in the Crowd, Are you F*cking Kidding Me?, and Politics in Space are some of my favorites!
six impossible thing for this semester
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
1. make st. louis fun.
2. eat healthy and exercise.
3. be organized.
4. meet lots of lovely people.
5. take photographs.
6. save money.
2. eat healthy and exercise.
3. be organized.
4. meet lots of lovely people.
5. take photographs.
6. save money.
like a kid in a candy store...
that's how i am whenever i walk into a book shop.
oh my goodness, i am in love with books! my shelves are exploding and yet i cannot help myself whenever i'm surrounded by all this art.
right now, i'm re-reading all the harry potters. i read somewhere that the best reading is rereading. i'd agree =] there are a lot of books that i want to read... but there are so many more that i want to read for the first time!
today i bought:
the bell jar by sylvia plath--can you believe i haven't read anything by her?
to kill a mockingbird by harper lee--i have read it twice but didn't own it! it's the 50th anniversary and both times i read it were in grammar school so i figure it's the opportune time to read it again!
books i want to read by the end of the summer:
everything is illuminated by jonathan safran foer
i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou
books i want to get:
beloved by toni morrison
the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery
the particular sadness of lemon cake by aimee bender
the happiness project by gretchen rubin
i've had these books recommended to me--has anyone read them?:
infidel by ayaan hirsi ali
the caged virgin by ayaan hirsi ali
"And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure." --Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
oh my goodness, i am in love with books! my shelves are exploding and yet i cannot help myself whenever i'm surrounded by all this art.
right now, i'm re-reading all the harry potters. i read somewhere that the best reading is rereading. i'd agree =] there are a lot of books that i want to read... but there are so many more that i want to read for the first time!
today i bought:
the bell jar by sylvia plath--can you believe i haven't read anything by her?
to kill a mockingbird by harper lee--i have read it twice but didn't own it! it's the 50th anniversary and both times i read it were in grammar school so i figure it's the opportune time to read it again!
books i want to read by the end of the summer:
everything is illuminated by jonathan safran foer
i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou
books i want to get:
beloved by toni morrison
the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery
the particular sadness of lemon cake by aimee bender
the happiness project by gretchen rubin
i've had these books recommended to me--has anyone read them?:
infidel by ayaan hirsi ali
the caged virgin by ayaan hirsi ali
"And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure." --Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
SUMMERRRRRRRRRR
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
So it finally feels like summer since it is in the 80's and yesterday it was 90.
A quote from the 14th Dalai Lama:
"My true religion is kindness."
I planted impatiens, petunias, and begonias yesterday and even though it was so hot out I loved it. I basically got to sit in the dirt and dig. The name "impatien" just makes me think that the person who named them couldn't wait to put the final "t"...
I miss my friends from school so much and I miss having the structure that my unstructured self so very much needs.
We are getting our air conditioning fixed tomorrow!
Tom and Chris are both graduating Thursday night... from different schools... at the same time... we are dividing up the family and friends... But they will have a shared graduation party this weekend!
Hannah Jaye Dussold is kind of cool. But we are not attached at the hip. Please don't think that. Love you, Hannah.
Byeee.
A quote from the 14th Dalai Lama:
"My true religion is kindness."
I planted impatiens, petunias, and begonias yesterday and even though it was so hot out I loved it. I basically got to sit in the dirt and dig. The name "impatien" just makes me think that the person who named them couldn't wait to put the final "t"...
I miss my friends from school so much and I miss having the structure that my unstructured self so very much needs.
We are getting our air conditioning fixed tomorrow!
Tom and Chris are both graduating Thursday night... from different schools... at the same time... we are dividing up the family and friends... But they will have a shared graduation party this weekend!
Hannah Jaye Dussold is kind of cool. But we are not attached at the hip. Please don't think that. Love you, Hannah.
Byeee.
A Brief Review of PostGrad
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Alexis Bledel plays Ryden Malby (loving the name Ryden, I am. right up there with Harper) who has just graduated from college and has the "world at her fingertips and doesn't know it," as the sexy man across the street tells her. Alexis is adorable as always, but her character is virtually identical to that of Rory Gilmore from the ever-loveable television series, Gilmore Girls. No matter how much I love Bledel in the television show, I wish I could see if she is able to act in different roles. Maybe Amy Sherman-Palladino, the writer and director of GG's simply got that role right for her and that was what she was supposed to do in the acting world. Anyway, the clothes and the boy were gorgeous, but it was definitely not worth the FIVE DOLLARS I had to hand over to the Blockbuster clerk. Suffering quite a lot from Netflix and Redbox, I suppose? But FIVE DOLLARS, really? At least the movie is due back on Thursday...? So I can watch the predictable story again? It was cute, but not showstopping and some of the attempts at humor failed. Love love love the little boy that played her brother though! Haha sorry this is a random review. Oh, by the way, Tom is on his way to Prom now... my baby brothaaa. So PostGrad... see it only if you love Alexis Bledel!
55 Happy Thoughts
Friday, May 14, 2010
1. I just had a lovely lunch with one of my best friends, Natalia.
2. I went to a beautiful May Crowning today and my handsome brother, Christopher, was the escort. Ahhh he's graduating from eighth grade soon! I remember when I used to think the eighth graders were so old and cool...
3. Whipped cream.
4. Tonight I will be reunited with another old friend, Julija.
5. Babies.
6. I've been told that my eyelashes are super long today.
7. I'm getting a haircut next week!
8. My cousin Kate left today to start her journey to Costa Rica where she will teach English for the next year. I know she will have many wonderful experiences.
9. My cousin Lindsay is expecting a baby in August =]
10. French vanilla.
11. I have so many books that I don't know what to do with all of them. And I love it.
12. I watched a whole movie in French the other day and I understood some of it =]
13. Clare and Jared are precious as are Natalia and Francisco. I am so happy for my friends.
14. Theatres.
15. Kate Miller-Heidke.
16. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
17. I've seen many of my old teachers, both from grammar school and high school, in the past few days. I am so grateful to them for everything they have taught me both in and outside the classroom.
18. It is a beautiful day out today, after several rainy days.
19. I might be getting over my facebook addiction. Hopefully. It helps now that people can't write on my wall.
20. Only a few more months until my real life starts up again.
21. Hahaha I got mono. I find it amusing because it is such a college disease and I think it's funny that I ended the year with it. Even though it truly sucks. The idea of it is funny and I can appreciate it.
22. Love.
23. It is summer and people will be going home back to old friends and family. To all: please make sure you open your hearts to the people you love and do not be stubborn or afraid of being happy.
24. Birthdays.
25. Whirled Peas.
26. World Peace.
27. Dancing in the kitchen making brownies.
28. New music.
29. Babysitting for great kids.
30. Being in a real bed.
31. Smelling home.
32. Knowing that you have a life that is so great that you are blessed to be able to miss something or someone no matter where you are.
33. Simple weddings.
34. Daisies.
35. Not picking out corsages for someone else's prom.
36. Idea books.
37. Amazing English teachers.
38. Science. When it is looked upon as an art and not as a subject that I do not understand.
39. Blogging.
40. The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty.
41. Laughter.
42. Genuine Laughter.
43. Genuine People.
44. Knowing who your true friends are.
45. Fiber.
46. Eating an entire apple.
47. Poems written by 3rd graders.
48. Clean rooms.
49. Green rooms with blue trim.
50. Banana Boat Sunscreen.
51. 21st Wedding Anniversaries.
52. The Phantom of the Opera.
53. Cole Porter and George Gershwin.
54. La Vie En Rose.
55. I didn't know you guys were dating?
2. I went to a beautiful May Crowning today and my handsome brother, Christopher, was the escort. Ahhh he's graduating from eighth grade soon! I remember when I used to think the eighth graders were so old and cool...
3. Whipped cream.
4. Tonight I will be reunited with another old friend, Julija.
5. Babies.
6. I've been told that my eyelashes are super long today.
7. I'm getting a haircut next week!
8. My cousin Kate left today to start her journey to Costa Rica where she will teach English for the next year. I know she will have many wonderful experiences.
9. My cousin Lindsay is expecting a baby in August =]
10. French vanilla.
11. I have so many books that I don't know what to do with all of them. And I love it.
12. I watched a whole movie in French the other day and I understood some of it =]
13. Clare and Jared are precious as are Natalia and Francisco. I am so happy for my friends.
14. Theatres.
15. Kate Miller-Heidke.
16. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
17. I've seen many of my old teachers, both from grammar school and high school, in the past few days. I am so grateful to them for everything they have taught me both in and outside the classroom.
18. It is a beautiful day out today, after several rainy days.
19. I might be getting over my facebook addiction. Hopefully. It helps now that people can't write on my wall.
20. Only a few more months until my real life starts up again.
21. Hahaha I got mono. I find it amusing because it is such a college disease and I think it's funny that I ended the year with it. Even though it truly sucks. The idea of it is funny and I can appreciate it.
22. Love.
23. It is summer and people will be going home back to old friends and family. To all: please make sure you open your hearts to the people you love and do not be stubborn or afraid of being happy.
24. Birthdays.
25. Whirled Peas.
26. World Peace.
27. Dancing in the kitchen making brownies.
28. New music.
29. Babysitting for great kids.
30. Being in a real bed.
31. Smelling home.
32. Knowing that you have a life that is so great that you are blessed to be able to miss something or someone no matter where you are.
33. Simple weddings.
34. Daisies.
35. Not picking out corsages for someone else's prom.
36. Idea books.
37. Amazing English teachers.
38. Science. When it is looked upon as an art and not as a subject that I do not understand.
39. Blogging.
40. The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty.
41. Laughter.
42. Genuine Laughter.
43. Genuine People.
44. Knowing who your true friends are.
45. Fiber.
46. Eating an entire apple.
47. Poems written by 3rd graders.
48. Clean rooms.
49. Green rooms with blue trim.
50. Banana Boat Sunscreen.
51. 21st Wedding Anniversaries.
52. The Phantom of the Opera.
53. Cole Porter and George Gershwin.
54. La Vie En Rose.
55. I didn't know you guys were dating?
In the summer, the song sings itself.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
hello.
it's my first summer post...
How do you rate as a girl? (From the February 1960 issue of Seventeen)
1. Do you wait for a boy to open a car door, even though you both know you are quite capable of managing it yourself?
2. Do you listen responsively to a story you have heard before rather than squash the pleasure of the boy who is telling it?
3. If you are going to the movies with another girl, do you look presntable enough to cope with an unexpected encounter?
4. If your bureau drawers or closets were open to view without warning, could you stand the inspection without apologies?
5. In a serious discussion which includes both sexes, can you keep from being overpowering even though you know a great deal on the subject?
6. If a boy forgets his manners, can you restrain yourself from correcting him?
7. Are you able to refuse a kiss without hurting a boy's pride and sending him home in a huff?
8. If that special boy told you he liked your long hair, would you keep it long to please him?
9. Have you the courage to be nice to a boy whom the other girls consider a bore?
10. In stores, are you apt to moon over pretty lingerie and perfume?
Scoring: Seven or more yeses: you are a veritable flower of femininity! Five to seven yeses: there are a few thorns. Under five: ouch!
Thank God for Feminism!
Love,
Hilary
it's my first summer post...
How do you rate as a girl? (From the February 1960 issue of Seventeen)
1. Do you wait for a boy to open a car door, even though you both know you are quite capable of managing it yourself?
2. Do you listen responsively to a story you have heard before rather than squash the pleasure of the boy who is telling it?
3. If you are going to the movies with another girl, do you look presntable enough to cope with an unexpected encounter?
4. If your bureau drawers or closets were open to view without warning, could you stand the inspection without apologies?
5. In a serious discussion which includes both sexes, can you keep from being overpowering even though you know a great deal on the subject?
6. If a boy forgets his manners, can you restrain yourself from correcting him?
7. Are you able to refuse a kiss without hurting a boy's pride and sending him home in a huff?
8. If that special boy told you he liked your long hair, would you keep it long to please him?
9. Have you the courage to be nice to a boy whom the other girls consider a bore?
10. In stores, are you apt to moon over pretty lingerie and perfume?
Scoring: Seven or more yeses: you are a veritable flower of femininity! Five to seven yeses: there are a few thorns. Under five: ouch!
Thank God for Feminism!
Love,
Hilary
Happy Thoughts for Finals Week
Sunday, May 2, 2010
*No eight o'clock classes next semester
*I just checked two things off my To Do List
*I don't have to worry about voice juries? positive for now, not for next semester =]
*I had a lovely weekend with the help of Natalie, Erica, Astha, and pain medication
*My tonsils are almost back to normal!
*Toy Story 3 is coming out soon and I am going to see it with my best friends from home!
*J'aime le français!
*Ethiopian babies.
*My dad sends me the sweetest text messsages
*It's May, the 3rd most wonderful month of the year
*In a few days I will be in my own, real bed in my own green room with the blue trim
*Last French class is today
*I showered today...
*I have sooo many books...
*I just checked two things off my To Do List
*I don't have to worry about voice juries? positive for now, not for next semester =]
*I had a lovely weekend with the help of Natalie, Erica, Astha, and pain medication
*My tonsils are almost back to normal!
*Toy Story 3 is coming out soon and I am going to see it with my best friends from home!
*J'aime le français!
*Ethiopian babies.
*My dad sends me the sweetest text messsages
*It's May, the 3rd most wonderful month of the year
*In a few days I will be in my own, real bed in my own green room with the blue trim
*Last French class is today
*I showered today...
*I have sooo many books...
Vocal Rest
Thursday, April 22, 2010
So in general I take care of my voice, but I always seem to run into trouble right around performance time. I am always sick at auditions, I am always sick during the tech weeks of my musicals, and now I've done it again... I strained my voice. I was at the Ben Folds (my favorite artist) concert on Friday and was screaming, naturally... so here I am a few days before my showcase with my music fraternity and I can't hit the notes that I can normally hit with no problem. So for now I am on vocal rest, trying to cure my self-inflicted problem. I have done this before. When I was a freshman in high school the White Sox won the world series and I screamed and banged pots and pans outside... but of course that week was opening night of Anything Goes and my voice was cracking nonstop. I had to lipsync on stage and when I said my lines audience members laughed because of my squeaking! Ahhhh... of course these events at which I strain my voice always have to happen right before I go onstage... sigh.
Soul Mates
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
As defined by Richard from Texas:
"A soul mate sometimes enters our life as someone to stir us up. To hold up the mirror so that we can see ourselves more clearly and antagonize us and make us so uncomfortable that we have to change because we can't continue to look at the same thing because we're looking at it clearly now. This is the reason a soul mate may not last forever. The encounter is so intense and so clarifying that we burn through those things quickly."
"A soul mate sometimes enters our life as someone to stir us up. To hold up the mirror so that we can see ourselves more clearly and antagonize us and make us so uncomfortable that we have to change because we can't continue to look at the same thing because we're looking at it clearly now. This is the reason a soul mate may not last forever. The encounter is so intense and so clarifying that we burn through those things quickly."
The Morning Song
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
This is a song that I first heard on a retreat last year. We listened to it every morning and it was a beautiful way to start the day. Every once in a while I will still listen to it in the morning and it is a very easy way to fit in a prayer before going off to school or work.
Love,
Hilary
Love,
Hilary
Relay For Life
Monday, April 19, 2010
This past Saturday I participated in my second Relay for Life, an event that signifies the journey of a cancer patient and raises money for the American Cancer Society. When I was ten years old my mom and dad told me that my mom had Breast Cancer. In the year following her diagnosis, she had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. I am both proud and extremely blessed to be able to say that as of this past Valentine's Day, my mom is a NINE YEAR CANCER SURVIVOR. Hearing so many stories about the cancer battles that so many people have faced, are facing, and will continue to face reminded me of my own family's stories. There are a lot of sad ones and a lot of scary ones, but my favorite story of all is this one:
On the days that my mom had chemotherapy, we always had someone come over and take us to do fun activities so that when my mom got home she would be able to rest for a little while. I know I went with so many people, so many good friends and family, but the one day I remember most clearly was a day that my brothers and I spent with my uncle Dan: June 8, 2001, my mom's birthday. We were sitting outside Stella's, the batting cages near our town, eating ice cream and talking. The sun was so bright and was beginning to set and we started talking about it. "The sun always shines on your mom's birthday," said Uncle Dan.
This is a testament to how strong hope is. My mom and my entire family went through cancer treatments and this is the most powerful memory I have of it. Although I do remember some terribly poignant and sad times, this is the memory that will always stay with me. Love and happiness will defeat hatred and despair every time. You know, my Uncle Dan was right. The sun does always shine on my mom's birthday because the world is so blessed and lucky to have her and it joins in her celebration. The year after this story, June 8, 2002, my mom and all her family and friends were able to celebrate her 50th birthday. We were able to rejoice not only in another year, but in the fact that she made it through one of the most difficult years of her life. We continue to celebrate every year, remembering how providence allowed my mom to keep her life.
I am very blessed to be able to tell this story with this ending, and believe me, I thank God for it every day. There is a poem that one of the speakers at Relay read, a poem that was written by a little boy who had cancer:
About Angels
by Mattie Stepanek
Do you know what angels wear?
They wear
Angel-halos and Angel-wings, and
Angel-dresses and Angel-shirts under them, and
Angel-underwear and Angel-shoes and Angel-socks, and
On their heads
They wear
Angel-hair -
Except if they don't have any hair.
Some children and grownups
Don't have any hair because they
Have to take medicine that makes it fall out.
And sometimes,
The medicine makes them all better.
And sometimes,
The medicine doesn't make them all better,
And they die.
And they don't have any Angel-hair.
So do you know what God does then?
He gives them an
Angel-wig.
And that's what Angels wear.
I just wanted to share with you all part of my story, and I wanted to let you know that I pray for you all every day. God bless all of you who have been affected by cancer in some way, and God continue to bless all of you who have not so that you may never have to experience it. This post is in honor of all those who have survied and in loving memory of all those who have passed away from this terrible disease.
Here are some pictures from this event:
On the days that my mom had chemotherapy, we always had someone come over and take us to do fun activities so that when my mom got home she would be able to rest for a little while. I know I went with so many people, so many good friends and family, but the one day I remember most clearly was a day that my brothers and I spent with my uncle Dan: June 8, 2001, my mom's birthday. We were sitting outside Stella's, the batting cages near our town, eating ice cream and talking. The sun was so bright and was beginning to set and we started talking about it. "The sun always shines on your mom's birthday," said Uncle Dan.
This is a testament to how strong hope is. My mom and my entire family went through cancer treatments and this is the most powerful memory I have of it. Although I do remember some terribly poignant and sad times, this is the memory that will always stay with me. Love and happiness will defeat hatred and despair every time. You know, my Uncle Dan was right. The sun does always shine on my mom's birthday because the world is so blessed and lucky to have her and it joins in her celebration. The year after this story, June 8, 2002, my mom and all her family and friends were able to celebrate her 50th birthday. We were able to rejoice not only in another year, but in the fact that she made it through one of the most difficult years of her life. We continue to celebrate every year, remembering how providence allowed my mom to keep her life.
I am very blessed to be able to tell this story with this ending, and believe me, I thank God for it every day. There is a poem that one of the speakers at Relay read, a poem that was written by a little boy who had cancer:
About Angels
by Mattie Stepanek
Do you know what angels wear?
They wear
Angel-halos and Angel-wings, and
Angel-dresses and Angel-shirts under them, and
Angel-underwear and Angel-shoes and Angel-socks, and
On their heads
They wear
Angel-hair -
Except if they don't have any hair.
Some children and grownups
Don't have any hair because they
Have to take medicine that makes it fall out.
And sometimes,
The medicine makes them all better.
And sometimes,
The medicine doesn't make them all better,
And they die.
And they don't have any Angel-hair.
So do you know what God does then?
He gives them an
Angel-wig.
And that's what Angels wear.
I just wanted to share with you all part of my story, and I wanted to let you know that I pray for you all every day. God bless all of you who have been affected by cancer in some way, and God continue to bless all of you who have not so that you may never have to experience it. This post is in honor of all those who have survied and in loving memory of all those who have passed away from this terrible disease.
Here are some pictures from this event:
My favorite short short story =]
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
To the Point of Breaking, the Rope was Stretched
By Miranda Stock
To the point of breaking, the rope was stretched. At the end of which hung a twitching, whey-faced Arthur, and his pig, Marmite.
By Miranda Stock
To the point of breaking, the rope was stretched. At the end of which hung a twitching, whey-faced Arthur, and his pig, Marmite.
Marmite struggled and squealed as the sky and sea tilted, roller coaster style, the cliff jabbing into his side. A two hundred meter drop. Arthur was having a hard time holding on.
Marmite had been the runt of the litter. Arthur raised him from a half dead scrap to a 250 pound monster. There had been one attempt to load Marmite into the slaughterer's van, but Arthur, fierce and steadfast, blocked the ramp. And on this one thing Arthur's father acquiesced. He had given his son so little, but he saw that Arthur truly loved Marmite. Marmite, however, did not love Arthur.
That morning, when Arthur had taken Marmite breakfast, he found Marmite pensive. Marmite didn't even attempt to charge Arthur, but remained in the corner and absently glanced over, before showing his fat, quivering rump, disappearing into the hut.
Arthur was worried. Marmite off his food? This had never happened before. Was he unwell? No, the vet had checked him over just yesterday. He was in good health. Arthur edged towards the hut, calling Marmite's name. Some fresh air. A walk. That might be just the ticket.
To the furthest field, at the top of the cliffs, Arthur dragged a reluctant Marmite. The view was marvelous, wraparound sky, steely grey sea. Arthur felt they should stay to enjoy it. He tied the rope, which was attached to Marmite's collar, to a nearby bench. They sat down by the edge.
Arthur tried to reason with Marmite. It was a lovely day. The sun was out. The world was a good place.
Marmite did not respond.
Arthur tried a different tack. He and Marmite might go further. They might stroll across to the woods, have a root through the undergrowth. Acorns and everything, Arthur said.
Marmite snorted.
Finally, Arthur reached across to stroke Marmite's wrinkled brow, and that was when Marmite lurched, screaming, at Arthur, knocking them both over the edge. The rope whipped tight, catching Marmite as he fell. Arthur, in his descent, threw out a hand and scrabbled for the rope, his feet bouncing off Marmite's head.
And thus, they hung from the rope. And there was no doubt about it - it was him or the pig. Arthur's fingers reached for Marmite's collar.
men can stop rape.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Hello lovelies!
Here is a wonderful article to read. Please do read it. It is extremely well written, let alone extremely imperative.
Warmly,
Hilary
Here is a wonderful article to read. Please do read it. It is extremely well written, let alone extremely imperative.
Warmly,
Hilary
life. delightful, delicious, and delovely life.
Monday, April 5, 2010
It's almost two in the morning. I am happy because. Because I don't need a reason to be happy.
A best friend...
Saturday, April 3, 2010
... is someone who comes to get you when you are laying face first in the grass in the quad, crashing from three consecutive caffeine binges after your all-nighter. --Hannah Dussold
love, love, love
Hilary
currently reading...
For at least the past year and a half, every time I have walked into a book store I have seen this book, added it to my stack of possible purchases, and proceeded to put it down when it got down to the wire. You see, when I go into a book store, I basically want to inhale every book I see and as a result my possible purchases end up being around ten books after I have already forbidden myself to pick up many others along the way. I have a thirst for knowledge and a thirst for experiences and reading is my favorite way of learning. Of course I love going out and doing things myself as well. Ever since I was in fourth grade and my doctor told me I couldn't sit around reading all the time I have been aware that living my life by interacting with others is paramount. I do, however, still love the days I get to spend inside with only my current read as company. In the past month or so at school I have been getting antsy. Every time I sat down to read it was for one of my classes and while my English major self does love to read the classics, I was missing getting a high off of reading. (I experience these highs in other ways as well including running and performing, but I as I have been lazy in my working out and have not been on stage in almost a year things were getting grim.) So I went to the bookstore in search of a book that could satisfy my literary appetite. It has been over a year I'd say since I read something that I really loved. I never thought when I picked up Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love that it would curb my craving. But it has! I am reading it right now over Easter break, and I knew from the first page that this would be a book that I would love. Elizabeth Gilbert is an eloquent writer and her story of her "search for everything" is something that I think we can all connect on. It fits in flawlessly with the idea of "traveling" that I wrote about a few posts back. Please read this book! It is deliciously well-written and provides the reader with self-assurance and pure delight.eat, pray, love,
Hilary
Things to Be Happy About
Thursday, April 1, 2010
*I am sitting in my lovely green room
*I already finished one book this break and am working on the second of five
*It is warm enough to have the fan going in my room
*I am not a vegetarian anymore
*My mom and dad and I went visiting churches--a Polish Catholic tradition for Holy Thursday
*Tom had his wisdom teeth out today and was hilariously high
*I understand myself so well and appreciate that it takes time every day to continue learning about one's self
*I am double majoring in women's studies and English =]
*I am talking to one of my very best friends on skype
*Sarah Dessen is fabulous
*Easter is Sunday and I get to see more family
*Audrey Hepburn is hanging on my wall
*Next year I will have my own room
*I have wonderful friends
Love,
Hilary
*I already finished one book this break and am working on the second of five
*It is warm enough to have the fan going in my room
*I am not a vegetarian anymore
*My mom and dad and I went visiting churches--a Polish Catholic tradition for Holy Thursday
*Tom had his wisdom teeth out today and was hilariously high
*I understand myself so well and appreciate that it takes time every day to continue learning about one's self
*I am double majoring in women's studies and English =]
*I am talking to one of my very best friends on skype
*Sarah Dessen is fabulous
*Easter is Sunday and I get to see more family
*Audrey Hepburn is hanging on my wall
*Next year I will have my own room
*I have wonderful friends
Love,
Hilary
Miss Holiday Golightly, Traveling: A Discourse on "Home"
Truman Capote's most widely known character, Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's, has on her mailbox a business card that reads "Miss Holiday Golightly, Traveling." She also has a cat named "Cat" because he doesn't belong to her and she doesn't belong to him so she has no right to give him a name. In the film version of this book she tells Paul Varjak that "If I could find a real-life place that made me feel life Tiffany's then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name." She doesn't want to buy any furniture and she doesn't want to give her cat a name until she can find a place that makes her feel peaceful and at home? That is exactly how I feel. These past few months I have been discovering that we are all just looking for a permanent place.
Since I started college this fall, I've been struggling with an internal conflict: the concept of "home." Where is home? "Home is where the heart is." What if my heart is in two places, three places, even four places at a time? Does that make all of them my home? How can one truly be content with her heart spread in so many different places? My home is in Riverside, Illinois where I grew up with a loving family and more blessings than anyone could wish for. My home is in the choir hallway and the McLaughlin theatre at St. Ignatius where I spent countless hours rehearsing, sleeping, laughing, and crying. My home is on the cross country course and in the tent that we set up before every meet. My home is at St. Louis University where I formed a family of my own and where my life is. My home is the city of Chicago at night where I feel safe and surrounded by peaceful life. I find my home in so many places and it is so difficult because there are some parts of my home that I cannot go back to. Yes, I love my choir hallway and theatre but I would never choose to go backwards in my life rather than forwards. Yes, cross country helped me to grow in so many ways, but I could never allow myself to be so exhausted all the time again. And as much as I love my family, I cannot give up this new independence and freedom of self-expression that I have found by living on my own. So my home is all over the place. Is that okay?
Yes, that's okay, but it's definitely not ideal. Or is it? Everywhere I go I will always be missing someone or something. And that is a sad idea. But, at the same time, that means that anywhere I go, I will always have someone in another city missing me. Is missing someone else worth knowing that they are missing me too? Yes, I'd say it is.
I think we are all traveling. Especially in these early years of our lives. We cannot know everything that we want and we are not ready to settle down, but we are looking forward to the moment when we are because once we have found our permanent place we can buy furniture and give the cat a name. And who doesn't want a place to sit and a furry creature named Roscoe?
Love,
Hilary
Since I started college this fall, I've been struggling with an internal conflict: the concept of "home." Where is home? "Home is where the heart is." What if my heart is in two places, three places, even four places at a time? Does that make all of them my home? How can one truly be content with her heart spread in so many different places? My home is in Riverside, Illinois where I grew up with a loving family and more blessings than anyone could wish for. My home is in the choir hallway and the McLaughlin theatre at St. Ignatius where I spent countless hours rehearsing, sleeping, laughing, and crying. My home is on the cross country course and in the tent that we set up before every meet. My home is at St. Louis University where I formed a family of my own and where my life is. My home is the city of Chicago at night where I feel safe and surrounded by peaceful life. I find my home in so many places and it is so difficult because there are some parts of my home that I cannot go back to. Yes, I love my choir hallway and theatre but I would never choose to go backwards in my life rather than forwards. Yes, cross country helped me to grow in so many ways, but I could never allow myself to be so exhausted all the time again. And as much as I love my family, I cannot give up this new independence and freedom of self-expression that I have found by living on my own. So my home is all over the place. Is that okay?
Yes, that's okay, but it's definitely not ideal. Or is it? Everywhere I go I will always be missing someone or something. And that is a sad idea. But, at the same time, that means that anywhere I go, I will always have someone in another city missing me. Is missing someone else worth knowing that they are missing me too? Yes, I'd say it is.
I think we are all traveling. Especially in these early years of our lives. We cannot know everything that we want and we are not ready to settle down, but we are looking forward to the moment when we are because once we have found our permanent place we can buy furniture and give the cat a name. And who doesn't want a place to sit and a furry creature named Roscoe?
Love,
Hilary
Who is Carolyn Keene?
As an avid reader, I spent the majority of my childhood summer days inside, flipping pages and taking in as much adventure, love, and knowledge as I could. One of my favorite companions was Nancy Drew whose clever mystery-solving tactics always held me in awe and admiration. I remember reading the book and asking my mom what the word "sleuth" meant--it turns out it means "detective"--and thus, Nancy helped my vocabulary to grow. I was always puzzled when, from one book to the next, the physical description of Nancy changed. In one book, Nancy would have red hair, in the next she would be a blonde, and in the one after that the author would compromise between those by giving her titian hair. Finally, after years of curiosity, I solved that mystery... the Nancy Drew books were "ghostwritten." In other words, the creator, Edward Stratemeyer, gave several different authors the outlines of the books and had them write them for him since he didn't have the time. All the authors were published under the pseudonym, Carolyn Keene. How crazy is that? I often wondered how Nancy Drew books were still being published, and out comes the truth. Here is the article that led to this discovery: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-story28a-2010mar28,0,4785469.story.
I hope this is not just news to me... it gave a whole new momentum to my Nancy fetish.
Love,
Hilary
one more class...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Hello lovelies,
I have one more class before I go home sweet home for break.
Here is one of my favorite quotes that I have written on my wall at home and that is also the state motto of Oregon:
Alis volat propiis. She flies with her own wings.
-Horace
I have one more class before I go home sweet home for break.
Here is one of my favorite quotes that I have written on my wall at home and that is also the state motto of Oregon:
Alis volat propiis. She flies with her own wings.
-Horace
monday morning inspiration:
Monday, March 29, 2010
"Above all, be the heroine of your life."
-Nora Ephron
Gentlemen, be the hero of your life.
-Nora Ephron
Gentlemen, be the hero of your life.
i carry your heart with me
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
ee cummings
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
ee cummings
J'aime écrire.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The most amazing [nontangible] gift I have ever received is the ability to write. Not the talent to write, that is not something given but acquired, but knowing how to physically put the pen to paper and formulate ideas on a page. Not only do I find stress relief in actually writing, but the fact that I can go back to at least a year and a half ago and read what I wrote then helps me understand who I am now. Here are a few things I've learned about writing from a few wise writers:
1. screw perfectionism. you will get no where with that.
2. be the person that stays in the room. too many writers get up for a walk or to get coffee or to go to the restroom. they are looking for distractions. be the person that stays in the room.
3. if you write every day, you will get better at writing every day.
4. find a place to write. make it special, but don't make it ridiculous. have a small desk in the corner of the room rather than a grand desk in the middle of the room.
5. drink coffee.
6. edit. have your friends edit. don't be afraid to show people your work. edit. edit. edit.
7. go out and live for a while.
8. read read read. pick up on stylistic devices. pick up on how you want to write. pick up on how you don't want to write.
9. again... if you write every day, you will get better at writing every day.
Start writing today. Even if you don't see yourself as a writer. Just write. It doesn't matter, no one else needs to see it. It is just between you and your notebook. Whatever you write is completely confidential. Trust me, once you start writing about whatever you can, it is much easier to write about whatever you thought you couldn't. And seriously, the best thing that I have gotten from writing is the ability to go back and see what I wrote about the summer following junior year of high school. I find out so much about myself that I might have forgotten but that has always been there. It's easy to find yourself when you keep a log of it. And it does not have to be all deep writing. I have a book, an idea book, filled with quotes and random pictures and just... ideas... that someday I might write about... and when I read what I wrote in there last year for creative writing I remember exactly what I was thinking and I remember exactly who I am and I feel safe and I feel at home. Nothing else in this world [save my actual home] can provide me with this feeling and it is a feeling of such optimism. Such happiness. Hoorayyy, I'm home. I'm at home with myself. I'm at home with me.
Write. Every. Day.
Love,
Hilary
1. screw perfectionism. you will get no where with that.
2. be the person that stays in the room. too many writers get up for a walk or to get coffee or to go to the restroom. they are looking for distractions. be the person that stays in the room.
3. if you write every day, you will get better at writing every day.
4. find a place to write. make it special, but don't make it ridiculous. have a small desk in the corner of the room rather than a grand desk in the middle of the room.
5. drink coffee.
6. edit. have your friends edit. don't be afraid to show people your work. edit. edit. edit.
7. go out and live for a while.
8. read read read. pick up on stylistic devices. pick up on how you want to write. pick up on how you don't want to write.
9. again... if you write every day, you will get better at writing every day.
Start writing today. Even if you don't see yourself as a writer. Just write. It doesn't matter, no one else needs to see it. It is just between you and your notebook. Whatever you write is completely confidential. Trust me, once you start writing about whatever you can, it is much easier to write about whatever you thought you couldn't. And seriously, the best thing that I have gotten from writing is the ability to go back and see what I wrote about the summer following junior year of high school. I find out so much about myself that I might have forgotten but that has always been there. It's easy to find yourself when you keep a log of it. And it does not have to be all deep writing. I have a book, an idea book, filled with quotes and random pictures and just... ideas... that someday I might write about... and when I read what I wrote in there last year for creative writing I remember exactly what I was thinking and I remember exactly who I am and I feel safe and I feel at home. Nothing else in this world [save my actual home] can provide me with this feeling and it is a feeling of such optimism. Such happiness. Hoorayyy, I'm home. I'm at home with myself. I'm at home with me.
Write. Every. Day.
Love,
Hilary
Over in Killarney
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
On this Saint Patrick's Day, I find it appropriate to post the Irish lullaby that my mom sang to me when I was little. She didn't know all the words to it because that's just how she is, but she would sing the words that she knew. This is a link that plays the melody: http://www.songofdixie.com/over_in_killarney.htm.
An Irish Lullaby
TOO-RA-LOO-RA-LOO-RA
Over in Killarney,
Many years ago,
Me mother sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
In her good old Irish way,
And I'd give the world if she could sing
That song to me this day.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Hush, now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
That's an Irish lullaby.
Oft, in dreams I wander
To my home again,
I feel her arms around me
As when she held me then.
And I hear her voice a humin'
To me in days of yore,
When she used to rock me fast asleep
Outside the cabin door.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Hush, now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
That's an Irish lullaby.
Have a blessed Saint Paddy's Day!
Hilary
An Irish Lullaby
TOO-RA-LOO-RA-LOO-RA
Over in Killarney,
Many years ago,
Me mother sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
In her good old Irish way,
And I'd give the world if she could sing
That song to me this day.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Hush, now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
That's an Irish lullaby.
Oft, in dreams I wander
To my home again,
I feel her arms around me
As when she held me then.
And I hear her voice a humin'
To me in days of yore,
When she used to rock me fast asleep
Outside the cabin door.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Hush, now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
That's an Irish lullaby.
Have a blessed Saint Paddy's Day!
Hilary
For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Hilary Korabik
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Hello lovelies!
I am beginning a new blog because I am at a new place in my life.
One of my best friends last night told me that I have changed for the better since I went to college. She said I seem a lot more confident and a lot happier. And you know, I am, it's true. So this blog is going to be a collection of my thoughts and of the inspiration I find in this world that reflect this new self.
love, love, love
Hilary
I am beginning a new blog because I am at a new place in my life.
One of my best friends last night told me that I have changed for the better since I went to college. She said I seem a lot more confident and a lot happier. And you know, I am, it's true. So this blog is going to be a collection of my thoughts and of the inspiration I find in this world that reflect this new self.
love, love, love
Hilary
sacredness & storytelling All rights reserved Design by Blog Milk : Blogger