it's been real, blogger.

it's actually been pretty fun too, but i'm moving my membership elsewhere. i probably won't delete this blog for a while, but i won't be posting new stuff here. instead it will be posted on my NEW BLOG :) don't fret loves, the content has been imported into my other blog, so if you like reading that one post about that one time i experienced something embarrassing (you know, that ONE time) you can! besides the new one is prettier and stuff. don't desert me oh few and faithful followers! i LOVE you all so so much. see you on the flipside (aka: wordpress.)

the danger zone.

see what they did here?

If you've been a part of this attempt at maintaining sanity silly endeavor of mine for very long you might recall this post from this summer when I had the weirdest day ever, and got hit on by some pretty ridiculous diverse fellas. Some people found it amusing, so I think it's time to share stories from the Danger Zone with you.

I like Target; I go there often, and usually my trips there result in me wandering aimlessly around carrying a latte in one hand and a $3 rug I found on clearance that I'm trying to justify buying at 97% off even though it would probably be making the space under my writing desk its home because I don't really need it. Rarely on these trips, I venture to the electronics section. It's usually rare because the things they sell there are either expensive or impractical in my life, and neither of those things appeal to me. That is previously the reason I abstained from visiting that particular section, but recently, I have had some experiences that I believe provide sufficient justification for my decision to avoid/rename the Target Electronics Section.

Picture it: Sicily 1965 I've decided to be the fun camp friend and make my whole staff a mix cd, so I go to Target (with purpose for once) to buy a million blank cds. As it happens there are 2 brands, similar in detail, one on sale, one better priced pre-sale, and both stocked in the wrong place. I'm confused; I'm reading; my latte sits neglected on the shelf beside me. Kind Sir walks past the top of the aisle, waves and it begins.

(click there. it gets better.)

iheartJane.

If a woman is partial to a man, and
does not endeavour to conceal it,
he must find it out.

Elizabeth, Chapter 6. Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen.

...unless he is stupid.

happy thanksgiving.

feel guilty, carnivores?

You know how when you gather with any group of people around Thanksgiving, everyone always wants to go around and say what it is they're thankful for? Well I'm not thankful for that tradition and here's why:

pressure, panic, and pretentiousness.

You immediately know that what you say has to be sitting comfortably between "gracious and contemplative" and "light-hearted and entertaining," and if what you say doesn't fit in with whatever the theme is at your event, then brace yourself for the hurrumphs and eye-rollings because they'll shoot straight over that green bean casserole and into your heart.

But for the sake of the argument, let's say you are blessed enough to find yourself at the end of the thankful train; you may have realized what kind of thing you need to say, but you still have to think of what you're going to say. I am so bad at thinking of things on the spot, and being on the spot makes me so nervous that I also usually forget whatever it is that I thought of ahead of time to avoid the blank panic, and then there I am, panicking anyways.

And of course anything that comes to mind is going to end up being pretentious sounding when there is so much injustice and hurt in the world. Don't get me wrong, I love (LOVE) Thanksgiving, but I wish that when this sort of thing happened, there were categories.

It should be which member of the Beatles are you most thankful for, or what type of cereal, or whose contribution to classic literature. Narrow it down people; I need boundaries to function!

All of that being said, I am going to tell you some things that I am thankful for, because you didn't ask me at all on the spot and because you'll understand that I have an awful memory couldn't possibly fit everything I'm thankful for in one post. (for real, this is not by any means comprehensive and is mostly just for entertainment.)

i wanted to  live in this show.

1. Gilmore Girls. this show taught me about the great power that obscure references has, helped me cultivate my speed-hearing...and talking skills, and demonstrated to me how to be witty and charming; clearly this show is gold.

2. Eyelashes. Sometimes a piece of dust gets in my eye and it makes me want to cry (hey I rhymed!) and then I think about how without eyelashes, dust would get in my eyes all day long every day and I would cry forever and that would be awful; plus I'd look so weird.

3. Tissues. maybe you've never wondered, but as someone whose allergies crippled them at least 4/12 months a year during her childhood, I have often wondered how people felt about their runny noses and their non-disposable 'tissues'. eek; handkerchiefs are the most disgusting.

pretty sure these weren't the thinkers. sorry boutcha feminism.

4. The Victorian Era. these people were thinkers, arguers, make sense of the world-ers. their world was crazy and smelly and weird, but they did what they could with what they had and I am glad they did, thankful for them if you will.

Obscure things aside, I'm really thankful that I have such a supportive family. I have had friends whose parents have told them that they need to be serious and give up on the career they chose going into college, but I went into college undecided then chose English because I loved it and I was good at it, and my mom just said, "you know, it doesn't really matter. You love it, and God will use you no matter what you've chosen." And now I've got several friends who are each very interested in missions and traveling and their parents are adamantly against it. The parents of these friends have either expressed their disdain outright, or they just aren't encouraging or optimistic about it. My family tells me all the time that they're proud of me and would miss me, but want me to go. And while I have friends upset about being single, or even enduring their parent's comments about their "love life" mine understand me and my desires and...well they're just awesome.

I also have amazing friends. Not only are they all way talented, but I get unique insight from each of them. Most of my friends I have known since junior high. They've seen me learn and grow and be ugly and cry and still they love me; it always amazes me that they still love me. And then there are friends that I've spent a mere 3 months during a summer with who mean just as much to me as my childhood friends, people who love me and love the Lord and have such big servants' hearts. I'm so blessed, I can even call the people I work with friends. They're funny and loud and so, so very smart and they'd do anything for me. ohhhilovethemsomuch!

And mostly I'm just thankful for Christ. I mean without the Holy Spirit, I wouldn't even be able to be thankful. I can't imagine how terrible of a person I'd be if I weren't a Christian, but because of Jesus, I don't have to wonder. Not saying I'm a good person now, but I am grateful and that is because of Him.I could go on for a while here, but I think I'll stop there.

Happy Thanksgiving friends.

innovative thinking.

via weheartit.com

It is my firm belief that everyone is creative, and I will passionately argue that to the death. (ok, that's not true at all because if I tell you what I think and why and you still don't agree, I will not argue with you, it's discouraging and disappointing and I don't like it. However, I will still believe with all my heart that every person alive is a creative being.) Now, recently I read an article about how the Bible says we were created in God's image. I thought it was an interesting article, and certainly one that could be expanded into a much larger and maybe even spirited discussion. The point that I found most interesting though, was when the author pointed out that if we are all made in God's image and likeness, and he is creative (because He created a lot of things out of nothing, and to take it further, the way that he reveals Himself through nature and people and situations is usually quite unique), then logically, we must also be creative. Agreed.

After this article, I read another one: "Art isn't supposed to be safe" by Cole NeSmith. I don't think the focus of this article was intended to be the existence of creativity, but I think it certainly shows the impossibility of its absence. The author writes,

"Creativity is willing to step into the unknown and bring something new into existence.
Creativity is about an unbridled heart that is so free in who it was created to be that it is unstoppable. 
Creativity is central to everything God does. And I’m not just talking about the creative work of the land and seas and animals and you and me. I’m talking about things like redemption, peace, beauty and hope. These things can only exist when we tap into the creative heart of God."

I think this paragraph is just so full of truth and beauty. And then in the very next paragraph, he gives an example that I think expands the traditional definition of creativity. Being creative doesn't just mean that you are capable of making something cool or unique or beautiful. Being creative and possessing creativity means that you realize there are more ways than one to think about and approach any given subject or task. It's realizing that what you now know and see might not be the end all, be all. And when you understand that, the way you see literature and art and other people changes; your limits cease to be; your opportunities are endless.

contemplation.

Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

thanksgiving. mnnnn.

Today I'm attending a mock Thanksgiving dinner with some friends and I'm feeling rather domesticated. I bought a new casserole dish just for the occasion, ok, ok, I bought it because I own all of one pot and one cupcake pan, but either way, it's blue and casseroley and it was on sale (iLOVEworldmarket).

I really wanted to make this Squash Casserole but apparently none of my friends are fans of this lovely vegetable, so I'm making this Corn Casserole. I'm pretty excited about it too; I guess when you don't eat meat, it's normal to get stoked about veggies.

I'm also making Pumpkin Spice Bars, and I'd link you to that recipe, but I'm kind of improvising with that one. Don't tell my friends, or they might not eat them, which would be unfortunate for them because they're going to be delicious. And while I'm tooting my own horn speaking of delicious, I made these Sweet Potato Cupcakes for Clara's bithday last weekend, and they were spectacular. They're extremely easy to make (and probably much easier with a hand mixer which I of course forgot to take to the kitchen where I made them). I used this recipe from this awesome blog, except I cheated and just used Marshmallow Fluff for icing because it was easier and much faster. I'd show you what they looked like, but I forgot to take a picture, shame.

I hope you're making goodies for your friends and family too; people like to be fed.

crafty, like a fox.

I'd like to think of lots of inspirational and exciting things to say here, but I don't really have any. So here it is straight; I made this thing for my friend Allison, and I kind of wanted to keep it.

.

I used:

• Bristol Board (because I use it for lots of things, and I'm all about convenience)
• Box Cutter (because I trust myself more with it than my Exacto knife)
• Patterned Paper (because contact paper is whoa expensive if you're using it on small things)
• Spray Adhesive (because it's quicker and less goopy than glue)
• Writing Utensil, Scissors, Holepunch and Twine (because you need them, ok)

Here's how it goes:

fall.

Here are 10 things that always mean Fall to me.

1. Wild Sweet Orange

2. my house boots

3. my outside boots

4. pumpkin spice lattes from the sbux

5. desiring to run because of the crisp air/making excuses not to

6. pancakes, especially chocolate chip ones

7. scarfs

8. Christmas with the Rat Pack

9. The Devil Wears Prada

10. uncertainty about my life.

(stupidcreations.tumblr.com made this. not me)

Fall makes me so happy because it precedes Winter, and Winter is my favorite.

P.S. ^that girl is just there because I think she's cute.

Life Update.

Maybe you've been thinking "sheesh Jenna, you're awfully silly and that's kind of entertaining when it's either reading your stuff or counting ceiling tiles at               , but I really don't know much about where your life is right now." [[A. if that is really what you've been thinking I shudder to think how your life possibly got that dull. B. if you were really astute you'd be able to see where my life was by analyzing those silly posts/asking me in real life. C. you're right, it just makes me happy to think that you care that much/ i like pretending i have control over people's thoughts.]] ANYways, here's what's up.

Isaiah 40

        28Do you not know? Have you not heard?
         The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
         Does not become weary or tired
         His understanding is inscrutable.
    29He gives strength to the weary,
         And to him who lacks might He increases power.
    30Though youths grow weary and tired,
         And vigorous young men stumble badly,
    31Yet those who wait for the LORD
         Will gain new strength;
         They will mount up with wings like eagles,
         They will run and not get tired,
         They will walk and not become weary.

glitter, not the Mariah Scary Movie.

My favorite movie ever is Peter Pan. I think that's a major influencer of my obsessions with glitter. I know it's like the communicable disease in the craft supply world, but I love it and every November my apartment starts breeding it. (heyyy pretty Christmas decorations hey) Plus it's kind of really magical.

I always wanted to be Wendy Darling.

if I had this, i'd be the envy of 5th graders everywhere.

enchanting.

*photos all from weheartit.com :)

Celebrity[ish] boyfriend round 4

Previously I have shared some of my celebrity boyfriends in the form of a poet, a musician, and an actor. I think the time has come to unveil one of my favorite boyfriends, one that I might even dare to put at the tiptopiest point on my list, and he is a fictional character.

Despite my love of all things Victorian and Jane Austen, it is not Mr. Darcy. (while I am inevitably attracted to and sympathetic for the egotistical, prideful, and narcissistic, there is no one of that kind on my imaginary list of love. No, no Mr. "My good opinion once lost, is lost forever," I could never love you like I love....

Sherlock Holmes.

He is just the most swoon worthy man to never breathe air that I know. Normally I'd put pictures here, but most of them are only of Robert Downey Jr. (not that he isn't on my list too, because he is) and the point of Holmes being my literary crush is because I fell in love with text, not an A-list celebrity. So, here's what I love:

He's so smart. When he figures stuff out, it's never on accident, it's always "Elementary!"
His vocabulary and speech is so legit, I mean eloquent. He says words like "beget" and "abhorrent" and "exceedingly so."
He's logical, yet creative. He believes that "when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth"

plus, he's a little wild, slightly reckless, infinitely inquisitive, and since he exists primarily in my imagination, he's the most handsome.

Happy Birthday Marines.

Sometimes (and by "sometimes" I mean always) my life is weird. I like it; I get to go to weird and fun places and meet talented people and do cool things. This past weekend I went to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball with a complete stranger. I'd cross it off my bucket list, but I don't know whether that qualifies as "be spontaneous" or "lose your mind." I knew this would end up in the blog, so I'll give you some background about what I initially thought. First, I creeped on Facebook.

• First flag: profile picture has some ponytailed man in the forefront of a nascar scene. I am of course trying to be positive though, so I give him the benefit of the doubt and convince myself that he's just cleverly ironic.
• And let me just say that after seeing "Music Interests: Nickleback, George Straight, and 3 Doors Down" I wasn't feeling very confident in my assumption about his cleverness; instead I was slightly abashed. However, since "ACDC and Jack Johnson" were on the list too, I reminded myself that my favorite mix cd has Michael Jackson, The Kooks, Jack Johnson, and Fleetwood Mac on it, and most people who see my itunes collection think I'm schizophrenic, so maybe I shouldn't judge too soon.
• Although, by the time I got to "Television interests" and saw: "Baseball Tonight, Dog the Bounty Hunter, The First 48, Fox News, Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe" I was no longer physically able to suppress the groan that burst forth from the depths of my despair (that's right, despair can groan now).

**I also resent the statement that I was being equally unappealing by creeping on his Facebook profile, and the fact that our lack of connections prevented me from even seeing an actual picture of his face will not, I repeat NOT legitimize that assertion at all.



Fast forward to the trip down to old FL. From the moment that I woke Clara up with my original "wake up Clara I think I got something to say to yooooouuuu" song, I knew that it was going to be a good day. If you follow me on The Twitter you will recall that I tweeted "is it weird that I relish awkward situations for the creative writing opportunities they bring me?" and I meant it. Of course the writer within me was secretly rejoicing because she knew that this event had the potential to be quite the amusing blog post, so for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to try and squeeze my journal into a clutch. Just so we're all on the same page that would have looked a lot like trying to force a grown cat into a fanny pack. Thus was forced to consider resorting to my "handy dandy" notebook (I say this because it, like Steve's from blue's clues, would also have fit into my pocket); the risk here, however, lay in the fact that using this notebook would have kind of created a strong resemblance between me and Daffy Duck as Dick Tracey. Looking back, I probably should've cared but I didn't; at the time I was actually desirous of encountering the weirdest people and things so that I could relay them to you, purely for your enjoyment; you are welcome.

hey there Dreamy McDreamerson

I am and will be infinitely intrigued by this Waterhouse painting

I'm still in a dreamy state, so today I'm going to share with you something else I want to do; although, this thing is not a long-term type of endeavor (however cool that might be).

I adore the Victorians, adore them (and their bows and lace and houses and art and hair and literature). Now before I had Dr. Woodworth, I didn't know a lot about them, nor was I concerned with them (the closest I had gotten to their Age was the 18th Century Comic Novel, and that experience was one of the worst in my life; comic does not mean funny; their humor is not my own), but after delving into some Dickens and Lord Byron [swoon]and all the other fabulous writers of the time, I fell in love. I want to be a Victorian so badly. However, that is not the point of this post; wow, I am such a nerdy English major.

I want to travel in Europe. But I particularly want to visit Great Britain. I've talked before of how magical I think it is to own and use things people have owned and used before me, but it's even more enchanting to imagine walking where my some of my favorite authors have walked and to think about seeing places they saw. Like crazy awesome. I once used this website to research some social themes for a paper I was doing, and I confess, I might have spent the next week reading all the articles they had about everything. (I also might have spent some time swooning on this website, which is dedicated to one of my most favorite authors, and is just as witty and intelligent as I'm sure she would want it to be.)

I daydream about this sort of thing pretty frequently, and in my scheming I happened upon this awesome endeavor. It's called couchsurfing and it's so cool. (if you just just heard a shocked gasp followed by cries of protest, don't worry, it was probably just my mom being appalled after clicking the link and trying to comprehend how I could ever consider staying or traveling with a 'stranger') For the record, I didn't say with certainty I'd do it, but it would undoubtedly be pretty neat. Besides it's much more appealing than my "go-to-Europe-be-an-au pair" idea that I was so keen on my junior year of college. (you're right, I still think that could be fun)

Either way, I would probably die of sheer joy if the opportunity for an excursion presented itself. Oh Victorians, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Big City Dreams

I want to be honest with you dear readers, but honestly, sometimes I find there are things I just can't make myself share. I say this because recently I was asked what I would want to do if I didn't have any limitations at all, and it was one of those questions that I like to hear other people answer, am intrigued by, but kind of end up blinking a lot and stuttering in response to. There is so much, so very much I would love to do. I would never ever be able to say just one thing definitively. I mean, if I had no limitations, I'd do it all. But that's absolutely unreasonable, so until "then" (whenever and whatever "then" ends up being) I will share one of the things my heart desires. This video, idea, and man have intrigued and inspired me and accomplishing something like this would be so amazing. Please watch, enjoy, and gain some insight, and maybe eventually I'll be more comfortable sharing my heart with a faceless and nameless people. (i wouldn't hold my breath though :)