I arrived in Florence in early January and since then, I have just been taking in the sights, sounds and smells. My god, the smells. Did you think I was going to say the whole city smells of delicious pasta and fresh baked bread? WRONG. It smells of feces and sulfur. The streets are as wide as my pinky and the sidewalks are as crowded as a Regal Cinemas midnight premiere of Country Strong. (What's that? there was no midnight premiere for the movie? How dare they!) Aside from all of that though, I really have really learned to love this place. Even though everyone stares at you for wearing a northface (gasp!) and I am frequently cut in front of in line, there is a certain quality the city has that already makes me feel nostalgic even though I have 2 plus months left here.
Enough about Florence, back to me. I have spewed a lot of bullshit over the years on this blog about how I am going to improve myself, and while I applaud my naive self for having the best of intentions, I have decided that is a smidge unrealistic. Instead of making sure my nails are painted and I am carrying a purse and straightening my hair, I have decided to do me. Repeat after me: "Imma do me." This is a saying I picked up on the streets. It basically means I am going to follow my heart and not care what anyone else thinks. Easier said than done of course, but let me remind everyone (all of my two readers) that those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. I am full of sayings today. Doing me does not mean being completely selfish, it simply means that I am going to put the past in the past and move forward with clear eyes and a full heart. Life is too short to get hung up on certain things that you have no control over. I am going to do what I want when I want. Please don't think I am giving myself a free pass to be an asshole. I am not. I still have my morals and values and will treat others the way I want to be treated. BUT, from now on I am looking out for number one and if anyone stands in my way, I will leave them behind me, a bit worse for the wear. I have never lived my life with reckless abandon and I think now may be a good time to start. So I will let you all know how that goes.
School is still school. Ho hum. I have been to Rome, Austria and Switzerland so far. All really cool places. Next up I will be going to Germany, France, Poland, Finland and Sweden. Yeeeee doggy. Clare and Elaura will be visiting. Shall be a blast. Hopefully they will leave their inhibitions in the States and join me in my new lifestyle.
Selfishly yours,
Martha
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sometimes I think school is the worst thing in the world. It has the ability to make me absolutely exhausted, furious, and depressed all with one homework assignment. To all the children in third world countries longing for an educations. Don't. Just don't. It is awful and will kill your spirit. I know that is an ignorant statement and I encourage you to pick on the sarcasm (kind of.) Most teachers have awful sticks up their ass and have no concern for what may be going on in a person's life OUTSIDE of school. I know it is hard for them to believe we have lives outside of their precious classes, but news flash: WE FUCKING DO. I realize this rant is reminiscent of a whiny myspace blog or whatever they were called, but I have had it with the bitchy teachers. You are not changing the world for the better-you are making your students hate you, your subject, and school in general. I feel it is necessary to state that I have had some good teachers who do care, but they seem to disappear in college. I'll name them. David and Cynth, Sarah, Joan, Ms. Gorman (the best in the west), Ms. Stadler, Dr. B., and Ms. Egland. Actually, all the teachers at SMA were good. Anyway, fuck school, fuck the shitty teachers, and FUCK their homework assignments.
ttfn
ttfn
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Timmy Mc G!
I am listening to Tim on repeat right now. He is such a talent. My friend Meredith and I were talking about what makes us happy in life. For her, it was cleaning, the thought of raising a family, keeping a home, etc. For me, it was country music. Family and friends as well, but country makes me feel a certain way that no person can. Cheesy? Perhaps. Now, if you have been reading this blog, (which, why would you?) this love of twang is nothing new. Oh! Gotta go, Rachel Frank just told me she would do a back rub for a back rub! Seize the opportunity! Bye!
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Right Now and Beyond
I am making no promises this time. In the past, I have failed to be consistent with this blog, so I am taking it day by day. (Month by month?)
Currently, I am listening to "That Ain't No Way To Go" by Brooks and Dunn. In one part, they sing about making a whisky wish on a star. THAT is why I love country. I know most of my blogs revolve around the topic of country music, so I will try to kepp this breif. More and more, I find myself really visualizing myself in Nashville. I do have a back up plan, but I think if I want it badly enough, I will make it. The funny thing is, when I tell people I want to work in Nashville, they all assume I am going to sing. LIES. I would like to sing, yes, but it is not a realistic possibility. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do there, but it will be something lucrative (if you have any suggestions, hit me up.)
So much has happened since I last blogged, it is difficult to know where to begin! The bagel shop has been lovely-the perfect escape from all the chaos going on at school. I am deep into my true crime novel "If You Really Loved Me" by Ann Rule. I'm waiting for the jury to come back with the verdict. Also, my reality tv obsession has reached new heights, though I thought that would be impossible.
As for self-improvement, it is much like this blog-very sporadic. Today I went on a run, and while I'd like to say I will go on one tomorrow, I simply can't. I have been trying to sit up straighter, changing my sheets once a week, and flossing more than normal, but I still don't carry a purse, straightened hair is a rarity, and my teeth are nowhere near as white as they should be.
School is stressing me out, but I got so sick of myself procrastinating that I have actually taken a very small step in the right direction. When it comes to attitude, that is, we'll see if I actually follow through with my plan. This week, I will try and get three papers done, and a project. While these papers are not due until next week, I feel it is important to keep next week clear as that will be the time I am studying for midterms. No one said school was fun though. As T.J., my father would say, "you just gotta put your head down and push through it." He played football in college though, and I get the feeling a lot of (what he thinks are) his inspiring sayings came from those practices.
Soon, Spring break will be upon us, and yours truly will be making the trek to Whittier, California to visit Hannah Cooley and to help celebrate her 20th birthday. After two nights there, I will be headed to Palm Springs with Meredith and Judi Hickman for a little fun in the sun. AFTER THAT, I will be back in the Promised Land (if you don't know what I am talking about, GO TO HELL) enjoying the local DQ, Safeway, City Center 12, and more importantly, the fam. I think Charsy and I will try and find the time to squeeze in a trip to Seaside, and Tom, no doubt, will take me up to the lake to show me the progress that has been made. So much to look forward to! I can hardly wait. I am already saving up my quarters for fascination. Hopefully Tesky won't be opposed to mingling with the townies for a while.
I need to clean. Hot chocolate crust is clinging to the edge of both of my mugs. Ick. Nast.
This post was all over the place, so in keeping with the slap-dashedness of this post, I will leave you with one final, random, thought. Creative writing teachers in Italy will hate me, because all I know how to use is the verb "to be" or "essere" No action verbs for this gal!
Best,
Martha
Currently, I am listening to "That Ain't No Way To Go" by Brooks and Dunn. In one part, they sing about making a whisky wish on a star. THAT is why I love country. I know most of my blogs revolve around the topic of country music, so I will try to kepp this breif. More and more, I find myself really visualizing myself in Nashville. I do have a back up plan, but I think if I want it badly enough, I will make it. The funny thing is, when I tell people I want to work in Nashville, they all assume I am going to sing. LIES. I would like to sing, yes, but it is not a realistic possibility. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do there, but it will be something lucrative (if you have any suggestions, hit me up.)
So much has happened since I last blogged, it is difficult to know where to begin! The bagel shop has been lovely-the perfect escape from all the chaos going on at school. I am deep into my true crime novel "If You Really Loved Me" by Ann Rule. I'm waiting for the jury to come back with the verdict. Also, my reality tv obsession has reached new heights, though I thought that would be impossible.
As for self-improvement, it is much like this blog-very sporadic. Today I went on a run, and while I'd like to say I will go on one tomorrow, I simply can't. I have been trying to sit up straighter, changing my sheets once a week, and flossing more than normal, but I still don't carry a purse, straightened hair is a rarity, and my teeth are nowhere near as white as they should be.
School is stressing me out, but I got so sick of myself procrastinating that I have actually taken a very small step in the right direction. When it comes to attitude, that is, we'll see if I actually follow through with my plan. This week, I will try and get three papers done, and a project. While these papers are not due until next week, I feel it is important to keep next week clear as that will be the time I am studying for midterms. No one said school was fun though. As T.J., my father would say, "you just gotta put your head down and push through it." He played football in college though, and I get the feeling a lot of (what he thinks are) his inspiring sayings came from those practices.
Soon, Spring break will be upon us, and yours truly will be making the trek to Whittier, California to visit Hannah Cooley and to help celebrate her 20th birthday. After two nights there, I will be headed to Palm Springs with Meredith and Judi Hickman for a little fun in the sun. AFTER THAT, I will be back in the Promised Land (if you don't know what I am talking about, GO TO HELL) enjoying the local DQ, Safeway, City Center 12, and more importantly, the fam. I think Charsy and I will try and find the time to squeeze in a trip to Seaside, and Tom, no doubt, will take me up to the lake to show me the progress that has been made. So much to look forward to! I can hardly wait. I am already saving up my quarters for fascination. Hopefully Tesky won't be opposed to mingling with the townies for a while.
I need to clean. Hot chocolate crust is clinging to the edge of both of my mugs. Ick. Nast.
This post was all over the place, so in keeping with the slap-dashedness of this post, I will leave you with one final, random, thought. Creative writing teachers in Italy will hate me, because all I know how to use is the verb "to be" or "essere" No action verbs for this gal!
Best,
Martha
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Florence For a Year!
Well folks, the decision has been made. I'm studying abroad fora year in Italy! I am nervous (obvi) but also very excited!
I am currently watching The Hannah Montana Movie. It's so good. Anyone who says they don't like it, just hasn't seen it.
Today, Baby Ray and I went for a run, then did the Army Physical Fitness test. There is a timed two mile run (which I can't do. I can run one mile, maybe a bit more, but definitely not in 15 min!) and then you do push-ups for two minutes, and sit-ups for two minutes. If you can do 42 push-ups in two minutes, you get a 100%. I got 50! Sit-ups is 78. I got 50. I look at it as leaving me a lot of room for improvement. So thats about all that is new in my life. Boring I know. I am really only doing this for Megan's sake.
OH! Here is a story for ya-I was at the bagel shop and I love it because when you're at the register, you can flirt shamelessly but no one can call you out on it because you're just being a good, friendly, employee. So there I was, flirting with this boy, who ordered and et/t/pln (can you figure that out?) and that costs 3.25 including tax, and as I was running his card, I asked him how his day was going, and we laughed about how spokane had skipped fall and gone straight to winter. HAHA. Anyway, I look down at his receipt, and he left a TWO DOLLAR TIP! That is a 62% tip! All because of my good looks and charm.
Alright, I have to go because Mere is getting mad about me typing when I should be watching the movie. Ta!
I am currently watching The Hannah Montana Movie. It's so good. Anyone who says they don't like it, just hasn't seen it.
Today, Baby Ray and I went for a run, then did the Army Physical Fitness test. There is a timed two mile run (which I can't do. I can run one mile, maybe a bit more, but definitely not in 15 min!) and then you do push-ups for two minutes, and sit-ups for two minutes. If you can do 42 push-ups in two minutes, you get a 100%. I got 50! Sit-ups is 78. I got 50. I look at it as leaving me a lot of room for improvement. So thats about all that is new in my life. Boring I know. I am really only doing this for Megan's sake.
OH! Here is a story for ya-I was at the bagel shop and I love it because when you're at the register, you can flirt shamelessly but no one can call you out on it because you're just being a good, friendly, employee. So there I was, flirting with this boy, who ordered and et/t/pln (can you figure that out?) and that costs 3.25 including tax, and as I was running his card, I asked him how his day was going, and we laughed about how spokane had skipped fall and gone straight to winter. HAHA. Anyway, I look down at his receipt, and he left a TWO DOLLAR TIP! That is a 62% tip! All because of my good looks and charm.
Alright, I have to go because Mere is getting mad about me typing when I should be watching the movie. Ta!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
I cannot BELIEVE I am blogging again. It has been far too long. So much has changed since my last blog. I am in a new dorm (Couglin Hall,) and do I mean NEW! No one has lived in room 403 except for yours truly and my roomie Baby Ray. Not to mention, I am working at the bagel shop, taking 18 goddamn credits, and living the college student's dream here in Spokane, WA. Oh, I forgot to mention one other thing: I GOT MY LICENSE!!! Yahooooo! It was definitely a long time coming, and worth every penny of the $40 it cost me. So you see, Martha's summer of self-improvement, albeit late, has taken place at last. Now, don't get me wrong-there is still work to be done, but for the most part, I would say that summer 09 has been successful. Let's recap, shall we?
May 8, 2009: Martha is home again, doing nothing with her life, and accepting the fact that she is in for another jobless summer. I am switching back to first person. So what did I do to combat the boredom? I took baths. Lots of them. I averaged two each day. Relaxing? yes. Environmentally harmful? Definitely.
June 5, 2009: I decide that just because I am unemployed, it does not mean I can't make money. I briefly considered a foray into the world of suburban drug-dealing, a la Nancy Botwin, but then thought better of it.
June 15, 2009: Am hired as fill in cleaning lady for our house as well as G-ma's. G-ma pays better and has two floors compared to our three. Hmm. Resign myself to the fact that I will just have to endure this life of servitude.
June 18, 2009: Receive call from Mona telling me a license isn't necessary to work at the PUD and that I have a job if I want it. Why this exception you ask? Because I am the CEO's niece. Yes, be jealous. Tell her I'll let my thoughts marinate then call her back. After debating, I decide a summer of orange vests and hardhats is a far greater one than a life of perpetually pruny skin, and constantly smelling of lysol. I tell her yes.
June 23, 2009: First day of work. Thank God Margaret is with me. She shows me the ropes. First day includes; setting up tents, pulling weeds at Felida, and taking down tents. All in all, a pretty good day, considering we were given multiple bags of kettle corn.
June 24-August 27: A great summer. It was as though my life was in fast forward. After a lifetime of fears domintating my my every move, I was finally able to overcome many of them-getting my license, driving high side trucks on the freeway, pulling a trailer, driving a John Deere riding lawn mower, the list goes on and on. Also, I got to hang out with hot boys all summer, which was a plus. After my initial amazement at how many hot boys were living in Vancouver without me knowing it, I was able to calm down and really enjoy their company. The majority were very nice, cool, funny guys. Smart, though not in the conventional sense. They knew a lot about everyday things, handyman type stuff., but if you asked them what the capital of Vietnam was, I doubt they could answer correctly.
ANYWAY, it was a fabulous summer, I had the time of my life, and I am less than pleased to be back at school, but I'm going to try to make the most of it. I will attempt to secure an internship in Nashville in the Summer of 2011. If you have any tips, let me know! Good to be back!
-Mar
May 8, 2009: Martha is home again, doing nothing with her life, and accepting the fact that she is in for another jobless summer. I am switching back to first person. So what did I do to combat the boredom? I took baths. Lots of them. I averaged two each day. Relaxing? yes. Environmentally harmful? Definitely.
June 5, 2009: I decide that just because I am unemployed, it does not mean I can't make money. I briefly considered a foray into the world of suburban drug-dealing, a la Nancy Botwin, but then thought better of it.
June 15, 2009: Am hired as fill in cleaning lady for our house as well as G-ma's. G-ma pays better and has two floors compared to our three. Hmm. Resign myself to the fact that I will just have to endure this life of servitude.
June 18, 2009: Receive call from Mona telling me a license isn't necessary to work at the PUD and that I have a job if I want it. Why this exception you ask? Because I am the CEO's niece. Yes, be jealous. Tell her I'll let my thoughts marinate then call her back. After debating, I decide a summer of orange vests and hardhats is a far greater one than a life of perpetually pruny skin, and constantly smelling of lysol. I tell her yes.
June 23, 2009: First day of work. Thank God Margaret is with me. She shows me the ropes. First day includes; setting up tents, pulling weeds at Felida, and taking down tents. All in all, a pretty good day, considering we were given multiple bags of kettle corn.
June 24-August 27: A great summer. It was as though my life was in fast forward. After a lifetime of fears domintating my my every move, I was finally able to overcome many of them-getting my license, driving high side trucks on the freeway, pulling a trailer, driving a John Deere riding lawn mower, the list goes on and on. Also, I got to hang out with hot boys all summer, which was a plus. After my initial amazement at how many hot boys were living in Vancouver without me knowing it, I was able to calm down and really enjoy their company. The majority were very nice, cool, funny guys. Smart, though not in the conventional sense. They knew a lot about everyday things, handyman type stuff., but if you asked them what the capital of Vietnam was, I doubt they could answer correctly.
ANYWAY, it was a fabulous summer, I had the time of my life, and I am less than pleased to be back at school, but I'm going to try to make the most of it. I will attempt to secure an internship in Nashville in the Summer of 2011. If you have any tips, let me know! Good to be back!
-Mar
Saturday, May 23, 2009
I dare you...
to find a golf intructor who does not have a pot belly, wears a class ring, has some sort of facial hair, and wears cheap cologne. I DARE YOU!
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