Life is good, too good, and sometimes we need to stop and appreciate what we have instead of complaining about what we don't. It's too short and unpredictable to always be looking ahead; revel in the moment!
Just something I've been thinking about a lot lately.
Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
Monday, January 25, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
here comes the sun.
So, a new semester has begun, and as the first week draws to a close, I've come to terms with the fact that my life is amazing. Seriously, I have honestly never been more content with my life than I am right now, for so many different reasons. First of all, 2010 has just been incredible so far...I started it off in the air, on my way to Israel, and it's been one wonderful event after another since then. New York was a great experience, really laid back and fun. I slept a lot (jet lag coming back was AWFUL, I still don't feel recovered), went to the Met, a production of Hair on Broadway (that was god awful, oh man) and went to MOMA. Not that much but it was exactly what I needed, and after the packed itinerary we had in Israel, it was nice to take it easy. The only downside to going to New York was that I wasn't able to go home before the beginning of the semester, but I figured I'd be home eventually (and that is indeed the case, as I just bought my tickets to fly home for President's Day weekend!). In any case, I flew straight from New York back to school, and had only two days to recover before my classes began.
This semester, I'm taking three upper division classes that fill prerequisites for my major, as well as a Decal (for CalTV). I was originally taking four upper divs, but quickly realized that I was definitely biting off more than I would be able to chew, and that I needed to take it easy so that I could succeed in all of my classes, as opposed to just barely managing to stay afloat.
First off, I'm taking Media Studies 103, which is "Understanding Journalism." The class is focused on--take a guess--understanding the role of news and journalists in American society, both past and present. Taught by Professor Tom Goldstein, who happened to have been the past dean of the Journalism schools at Columbia and Berkeley (!!), it's an insightful look at the way the press functions in our daily lives, and how it ought to function. It's really interesting, and though we've only had two lectures so far I really like it. The only downside is that it's an 8am class; luckily, the building it's in is right by my apartment, and it's nice having the whole day ahead of me.
Secondly, I have Media Studies 104A, which is "The First Amendment and the Press," which has quickly become my favorite class. We're learning about how the First Amendment has been defined and redefined by the Supreme Court (as the Framers purposefully left it vague) through the cases they've seen throughout the years. What exactly constitutes "free speech"? Who is "the press," and do they have different rights than the people? So many questions...I love it. It's also my first introduction to law in a formal classroom setting, and it's definitely going to help me decide if law school is something I'm going to be interested in or not. We'll see how I do, but based on the material I am totally engaged. It doesn't hurt that my professor, William B. Turner, practiced law for over forty years and took three (3!) cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. Can you tell why I'm intimidated?!
Lastly, I'm taking American Studies 101, on "The Atomic Age." Pretty self-explanatory, it's a class on the United States during the bombing of Japan and after, from the immediate effects to the Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, the 1970s, the Reagan era, and now. It seems fascinating, and the reading is all novels that are pertinent to the time period and the mentality of the American people at the time. Additionally, we have to watch movies (for homework!) including one of my all-time favorites, Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove. I'm so excited!
Basically, I love ALL of my classes so far...when does that ever happen? I'm actually excited to do the work and the reading and the writing and even though I know I'm going to complain about it (that's just what I do, haha) I know that I'm really going to enjoy this semester as a whole.
Other than that, life has been pretty mellow. I'm enjoying going to work, seeing friends (especially new ones I made on the trip!), sleeping (I seriously have not gone to bed past 10:30pm, it's ridiculous how tired I feel) and catching up on TV. The weather has been RIDICULOUS (so rainy, windy, and cold!) and I'm not used to actually having to dress for the rain...I'm already sick of my rainboots. Oh well. Despite this, I have never been more in love with my life, and I'm so, so happy that this year, and this semester, are off to an amazing start. It's hard to believe that January is almost over, and that it'll be February (and the start of midterms and papers) before I know it. This semester is going to fly by, so I already need to start preparing for the summer...I know I'll be living in Berkeley, but I need to figure out if I want to take classes, get an internship, get a job, or take an LSAT class...ahh! Choices! Growing up! It's an odd feeling. I'm just enjoying life one day at a time, and it's a nice way to live, even if only for a bit before the craziness of being a student kicks in.
This semester, I'm taking three upper division classes that fill prerequisites for my major, as well as a Decal (for CalTV). I was originally taking four upper divs, but quickly realized that I was definitely biting off more than I would be able to chew, and that I needed to take it easy so that I could succeed in all of my classes, as opposed to just barely managing to stay afloat.
First off, I'm taking Media Studies 103, which is "Understanding Journalism." The class is focused on--take a guess--understanding the role of news and journalists in American society, both past and present. Taught by Professor Tom Goldstein, who happened to have been the past dean of the Journalism schools at Columbia and Berkeley (!!), it's an insightful look at the way the press functions in our daily lives, and how it ought to function. It's really interesting, and though we've only had two lectures so far I really like it. The only downside is that it's an 8am class; luckily, the building it's in is right by my apartment, and it's nice having the whole day ahead of me.
Secondly, I have Media Studies 104A, which is "The First Amendment and the Press," which has quickly become my favorite class. We're learning about how the First Amendment has been defined and redefined by the Supreme Court (as the Framers purposefully left it vague) through the cases they've seen throughout the years. What exactly constitutes "free speech"? Who is "the press," and do they have different rights than the people? So many questions...I love it. It's also my first introduction to law in a formal classroom setting, and it's definitely going to help me decide if law school is something I'm going to be interested in or not. We'll see how I do, but based on the material I am totally engaged. It doesn't hurt that my professor, William B. Turner, practiced law for over forty years and took three (3!) cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. Can you tell why I'm intimidated?!
Lastly, I'm taking American Studies 101, on "The Atomic Age." Pretty self-explanatory, it's a class on the United States during the bombing of Japan and after, from the immediate effects to the Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, the 1970s, the Reagan era, and now. It seems fascinating, and the reading is all novels that are pertinent to the time period and the mentality of the American people at the time. Additionally, we have to watch movies (for homework!) including one of my all-time favorites, Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove. I'm so excited!
Basically, I love ALL of my classes so far...when does that ever happen? I'm actually excited to do the work and the reading and the writing and even though I know I'm going to complain about it (that's just what I do, haha) I know that I'm really going to enjoy this semester as a whole.
Other than that, life has been pretty mellow. I'm enjoying going to work, seeing friends (especially new ones I made on the trip!), sleeping (I seriously have not gone to bed past 10:30pm, it's ridiculous how tired I feel) and catching up on TV. The weather has been RIDICULOUS (so rainy, windy, and cold!) and I'm not used to actually having to dress for the rain...I'm already sick of my rainboots. Oh well. Despite this, I have never been more in love with my life, and I'm so, so happy that this year, and this semester, are off to an amazing start. It's hard to believe that January is almost over, and that it'll be February (and the start of midterms and papers) before I know it. This semester is going to fly by, so I already need to start preparing for the summer...I know I'll be living in Berkeley, but I need to figure out if I want to take classes, get an internship, get a job, or take an LSAT class...ahh! Choices! Growing up! It's an odd feeling. I'm just enjoying life one day at a time, and it's a nice way to live, even if only for a bit before the craziness of being a student kicks in.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
i could be dreaming.
I can't believe that it is January 14. So much has happened since my last post...Israel was amazing, intense, beautiful, question-inducing, disappointing, surprising, and more, all at the same time. It's really hard to explain if you've never been, but it was definitely a one-of-a-kind experience and I'm so, so glad I went. The best part was the group I went with, all amazing individuals that I cannot wait to see once I get back to school, and the group of Israeli soldiers that traveled with us...truly outstanding human beings. Over the duration of this trip I didn't sleep much, but I swam in the Dead Sea, covered myself in mud, climbed Masada, rode a camel, danced in a tent under the stars, sang, laughed, hugged under the most beautiful sky I've ever seen, explored, ate, cried, wondered, questioned, and above all found a sense of inner peace that I never knew existed.
I'm in New York City right now, and I'll be headed back to Berkeley on Saturday! I'm excited. I'm going to the Met today, and hopefully a show if we can get tickets! To quote a new friend, I'm stoked on life and excited to see what this semester (and this year!) has in store.
I'm in New York City right now, and I'll be headed back to Berkeley on Saturday! I'm excited. I'm going to the Met today, and hopefully a show if we can get tickets! To quote a new friend, I'm stoked on life and excited to see what this semester (and this year!) has in store.
Monday, November 16, 2009
one week!
So thanks to a friend who waited until the last minute to buy her Thanksgiving flight home, I was informed that there were still tickets available for Monday November 23...so, long story short, I switched my flight and instead of flying home the day of Thanksgiving on the 26th I'm flying home the 23rd! Super exciting...I can't wait to see all my loved ones three days sooner than expected. And, I get a week off...hooray!
you make my dreams come true.
Today, as I walking home from work, it was perfect outside. Cold but sunny, just the way I like it. My hair was curly, but it had behaved and looked cute. I was wearing my red flannel shirt and favorite jeans and boots and my wayfarers; total hipster territory, I know, but it's Berkeley, haha. As I was walking I had my iPod on shuffle, and "You Make My Dreams Come True" by Hall & Oates came on for the first time in forever and it felt exactly like that scene in (500) Days of Summer.
You know, that one. ^^ Except without the dancing... Regardless, it was one of the best moments I've had in awhile.
I'm going to a screening of (500) Days of Summer on Thursday for $3, I'm really excited. It's one of the best films I've seen in a long time, and I find it to be really relatable. For those who have seen it, would you say that you're more of a Tom or more of a Summer? Always interesting to see which side you fall on. In any case, what it really does is make me miss Los Angeles with a passion I didn't know I had for the city. Ten days!
You know, that one. ^^ Except without the dancing... Regardless, it was one of the best moments I've had in awhile.
I'm going to a screening of (500) Days of Summer on Thursday for $3, I'm really excited. It's one of the best films I've seen in a long time, and I find it to be really relatable. For those who have seen it, would you say that you're more of a Tom or more of a Summer? Always interesting to see which side you fall on. In any case, what it really does is make me miss Los Angeles with a passion I didn't know I had for the city. Ten days!
Monday, November 2, 2009
save tonight.
My love for 90's music will never die!
In other news, this weekend was EXACTLY what I needed; I feel ready to take on the world.
In other news, this weekend was EXACTLY what I needed; I feel ready to take on the world.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
happiness is a new apartment
So, I'm here, and I've got to say, I'm in love. I don't feel homesick at all, because this place already feels like home. My apartment is amazing (I'm sure I'll get around to posting pictures soon), my roommates (so far) are chill (though I've only met one of three, so far), this city is beautiful, the food is delicious, the campus is gorgeous...love all around. I can't wait to start classes, but at the same time, I'm enjoying having a week to just explore. If you read my joint blog with my best friend Josephine (found here), you'll see my list of top ten things about why I moved to Berkeley, at least so far. I'm so happy to finally be here, it's honestly everything I've ever wanted. I'm so ready to start! Community college was great, and it's so worth it when you end up exactly where you wanted to be. So, so worth it.
Anyways, I'm off to explore campus with my new friend (we're going to go find our classes so we don't get lost the first day, ha!) but I'll post a thorough update soon. Oh, and also, I realized I have emails I haven't responded to yet...I'm SO sorry, between the packing, vacation, more packing, and moving, I haven't been good about getting to emails. I will respond soon!
xo
Anyways, I'm off to explore campus with my new friend (we're going to go find our classes so we don't get lost the first day, ha!) but I'll post a thorough update soon. Oh, and also, I realized I have emails I haven't responded to yet...I'm SO sorry, between the packing, vacation, more packing, and moving, I haven't been good about getting to emails. I will respond soon!
xo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)