Alphi Chi is not a sorority

My decision has been made. I found the biggest downfall to living in an all girls dorm. You see, girls get walked to their dorms by boys. .particularly boyfriends. In a normal dorm, this leads to the lobby where the couple has time to talk ("talk") in a space that is at least confined and somewhat avoidable. In an all girls dorm this leads to the walkway in front of the dorm.

Now, I have realized that those couples that linger do it either because things are good or bad.

The good ones are a problem because they are consumed in the world of themselves, which causes some serious PDA that they would be sick of if they weren't in a relationship, but are so they think it's cute, or don't care (I know, I've been there).

The bad ones are a problem because it forces you to walk casually past a very un-casual conversation.

Having this go on wouldn't even be that bad if it was A couple, but the walkway is like a 100 ft breeding ground for couples. It's like walking by a Ricky Martin music video. Just not that awesome.


Anyway. That is my issue with Alpha. Otherwise, great. I mean. . I have a sun-deck on my floor. Couple thing, though, thats the negative.

On another note, we listened to Johnny Cash and Coldplay in my drawing class tonight. And my teacher said my drawing looked good. Granted, it was only stacked blocks, but straight lines are SO much harder than you think.

things i like

My drawing class met for the 2nd time today. Here are the pros and cons of the class.


pro: my teacher puts on really good music, we started the day with radiohead today. i would literally come to class just to listen to the music

con: my dreams of being a closet prodigy have been shattered

pro: i actually was ahead of the game today

con: i used my MagicRub eraser a lot

pro: walking distance from the Talon (insert hand motion like claws), so i can get hot chocolate or pita chips during breaks (its a 7-10pm class, which you think would be the next con, but I really don't mind night classes)


So far, it is good. Maybe I'll even post one my drawings later in the semester. It depends on how embarrassed I feel like being.

I hope whoever and wherever you are (even the random people from other countries who leave me messages), you are having a seriously good day. Maybe add some pita and hummus for flair.

love meg

new places. . .wait. . old places

When I was a freshman at Biola, I had short brown hair. Freedom was new to me, along with roommates, dorm rooms, and lecture classes. Everybody was my new best friend, and I even invited 30 of them to my house for a bbq/sleepover/beach day a month into school without asking my parents (they were fine with it). At that time I never would have guessed that I would in the next three years decide to be a photographer, travel to Thailand, live on Maui and Nepal, fall in love with the city (any), work at Urban Outfitters and Coffee Bean, have my heart broken more than once, live on campus my senior year, see three of my closest friends get married, have a niece (well, my sister had her technically), and make amazing friends in complicated ways.



This is me this summer with the same friend as the other picture, and two amazing other ladies who are my friends after three years. Different. Challenged. Secure. Confused. Ready.

Moving back on campus is strange. I think that I expected to return to my state in the first picture; in awe of my surroundings, hopeful for a million new friends, and desiring everything. Probably, I still desire everything at times. Here, things are more monotonous than new, and expected than exciting. Different than I thought. More difficult than I thought. Ready to see where it goes.

obtrusion?

Have you ever noticed how beautiful the ground is? I love when the random appears organized, and the haphazard intentional.



Also, incase you are one of three people I haven't told. . I bought a bike! It is so great. The frame is a little tall for me, so I look awesomely awkward getting on and off, but it is so fun!




It's pretty much so great.

Dear Security

Thank you for allowing us to shoot after signing a waver. And thank you for kicking us out of two places and off of a table. We understand.

sand through the hourglass

Warm summer nights effortlessly capture my heart. Usually in a setting with stars above and good company close by, it's enchantment is the most soothing I can imagine. Tonight Denison Witmer sang in my car with open window beeze; a moment I didn't easily stop.

When I drove by my old high school I thought of the first time I listened to the Smiths. My friend Danielle liked music as much as me, and we sat in her car one day after school as she introduced me, saying, "I think you'd like them." We liked similar music, and even had a band. One thing we could never agree on, though, was the Beatles. If they ever came up, the topic was usually avoided. She thought they were overrated and poppy; I named my dog after their song "Sexy Sadie."

My other friend Katie wanted to be a rock-star. She was in the band, too, with her bluesy voice leading our way. We always said when she was a famous singer and I a famous rock journalist, we would do an interview like Jack White and Iggy Pop. There's still a chance.

I'd read "The History of Rock and Roll" by Rolling Stone, and felt destined to study rock for my life. One paper written for an English class was even titled, "Drugs, Sex, and Rock n' Roll." Somehow in Catholic school, it came across well. Rock's progression into its current state, evolving from African rhythms brought to the States by slaves, and intermixed with jazz, blues, splashed with innovation, was fascinating. It seemed there was too much to learn. Probably there is, since stacks of interviews, albums, magazines, and even a book or two later, the surface seems only scratched.

Maybe a magical summer night down the road will include the stars, company, and a magazine with my name at the bottom of an interview. We'll have to see.

cutoffs and scraped knees

Camp.
Pine trees
Worn out kayaks
Bunk bed filled cabins
Corn dogs
Malts
Star gazing
Dirty feet
High school romances by the lake


Best of all: Relationships with people and their Maker.




there was a concert










old man accessible











There was so much good stuff. I have so many more pictures!
Here's one to end with:

Of Course

I would be leaving last minute for a final FINAL summer trip. Tomorrow morning I'll be going to camp with either a ton of high schoolers, or a ton of junior highers. It's bound to be a great week either way!

Last night I went to my friend Elijah's 21st birthday party. First we took and audio visual tour of Long Beach/ San Pedro. Elijah made an amazing soundtrack, taking us on a beautiful tour of the cities. Did you know 2nd street is the most common street name in the United States? Now we both do.

Once we arrived in San Pedro we scaled cliffs, and hiked (kind of) along the rocky shores to a disassembled fortress. With available driftwood we reassembled the fortress and sat inside while we shared with each other our favorite literature.

Later we enjoyed good food, a spa, and music videos by Michel Gondry . It was a really great day, to celebrate a really great person.

the dessert of champions

Tonight left me with a sad realization. There are members of my family who do not yet know how to slam a tim tam. Call me obsessed, but I think it is a vital part of life. Empty tim tam shaped slots in the plastic packaging I reached for tonight proved something: there are tim tams being eaten wrongly in my own home. Cold, solid, dry tim tam eating is happening. It must be stopped. Saturday night I have a date with mom and dad, which is planned to end in a lesson on slamming the tim tam. Pictures, of course, will be available soon after. Be ready.

For now, courtesy of Carrie: http://www.toxiccustard.com/australia/tim-tam-slam/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBSjWX-QdL8&mode=related&search=