Happy Belated Independence Day!

"Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better." ~ Albert Camus

So Sunday was the 234th anniversary of this nation, and for me it was quite a memorable one. After a short train ride with a few good friends, we were off to explore Philadelphia - the City of Brotherly Love and my beloved first home. We saw both the good and the bad the city had to offer, but in all the night was a great celebration filled with new memories made under the stars on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway staring up at the beautiful fireworks over the Art Museum. The sight was truly magical and made me hope that one day I might return with someone I love so that we can both stare above us and marvel at the rare sparks setting the sky ablaze with their stunning hues and bright lights. I hope all of you enjoyed the holiday!

On the way to the Parkway...

Lounging on our blanket under the Malaysian flag

A picture will never do it justice, just beautiful.

love,

christina

"All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together." ~ Jack Kerouac

For weeks now I've begun immersing myself into the world of environmental science. I've watched countless specials on National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, most recently the 4 part series entitled 'How the Earth Changed History,' which is a very compelling account of not only the human impact on the earth and its' natural processes, but also a basic overview of earth's basic elements of water, fire, and sky. I've also been reading Oceans, and other magazine articles based on anything and everything from global climate change to oceanic pollution and how it's all affecting the world animal population. Learning more about the physical world around me, has inspired me to not only pursue a degree in Earth Sciences at Syracuse on top of my already dual major in anthropology and magazine journalism, but also to dedicate a good portion of this blog to speak about different eco-friendly and environmentally conscious topics. Hopefully as I begin to learn more about the environment and what we can do to improve its conditions, through this blog you'll also be able to become more conscious of your surroundings and learn how to treat the earth with kindness and what it needs to survive and thrive.

This is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or the Pacific Trash Vortex and it is, as you can see in this image, a highly concentrated area of plastics, chemical sludge, and other debris larger than the size of Texas that is floating in the Pacific Ocean. We've known about this highly polluted area for years now, and nothing has yet to be done to help the situation. While everyone's mind is concentrated on the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, our oceans have been suffering for such a long time now and it is up to our generation to fix the problem.

In addition to speaking more about the environment, I'm also going to start blogging about healthy and organic food. Recently, as I was researching alternative spring break trips at Syracuse I came across an opinion piece written by Angela Hu of The Daily Orange about WWOOF or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. This is an international organization of hosts and volunteers who come together in different locations across the globe to either as the host, teach how to sustain an organic farm and the need for such farms to be increased vastly in number, or as the volunteer, who travels to a host family's location in order to help work the farm and also learn about how to sustain organic crops. Here is the link to the article and also to WWOOF's website for more information: Article and WWOOF . 


I truly believe that it is possible to convince humankind that taking care of the planet is well worth our time, and I know now that I want to and need to dedicate my life to helping spread the word about living a healthy and happy eco-friendly life.


A few words that resonated with me...
"In America today you can murder land for private profit.  You can leave the corpse for all to see, and nobody calls the cops." ~ Paul Brooks, The Pursuit of Wilderness, 1971

We must be the cops,

chris

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. ~ Abraham Lincoln

This last week has been an amazing whirlwind of accomplishment, fun, and love. I couldn't be happier with how life has been going lately. This past Wednesday I finally graduated from high school! It's been a long roller coaster ride these last four years, and I am so excited to begin anew in Syracuse this fall! But before I get ahead of myself, this summer is going to be amazing - my closest friends and I have compiled a 'Summer Bucket List' which we plan to complete by the time summer rolls to a close. The details are still being worked out, but keep reading and you'll hear about our every adventure. 

Just a little taste of life..

Finally!

Do not take life too seriously.  You will never get out of it alive.  ~ Elbert Hubbard

"Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of." - Charles Richards

This past week has been nothing short of amazing, and it seems to just keep getting better and better. Each day there's always something new going on - something new to do or discover. And for the first time in my life I feel like I'm truly seizing the day. I'm no longer sitting at home wishing I would do something; now I'm actually out there, taking a chance, and living my life. It feels so fulfilling. I've loved every moment, even those that are filled with nervous jitters and the unknown.


As for the last week, I've been very busy. Last Friday was Senior Banquet - which I have to say was ten times more fun than prom for reasons which would exceed a reasonable number if I were to ever recount each. I think it will suffice to say that it was an amazing night, followed by an enjoyable weekend during which I went bowling with Vania and Amy and also attended my good friend Natalie's 18th Birthday/Graduation party. [Pictures below]


In addition to that, the last two editions of The Voyager, our school newspaper, finally came out which is very exciting! Also, I got two poems published in my school's Literary Club Magazine :) [Read below]


So in all, it's been a pretty spectacular week and in four days I'll be graduating high school! I can't believe it's finally here! It's so surreal - so bitter sweet, more sweet than bitter of course though. I can't wait to just throw my cap up in the air and know that I've accomplished everything that I set out to do freshman year and then some.


I hope all of you are enjoying life..Carpe Diem!

From Senior Banquet

my outfit for the night..

Me and Natalie :)

Simmi and Me

Amy, me and Vania before the Banquet :)

Everyone <3

Bowling!

Vania, Amy and me

Natalie's 18th/Graduation Party!

Me and Vania

Xin, Jada, Natalie and me :)

With the Birthday Girl! Delicious chocolate strawberries..yum

Me, Xin and Jada just hanging out on the couch

And then here are the two poems which were published in the Lit Magazine:


Untitled

You walked by, with your usual nonchalance –

the airs of a gentlemen.

Goose bumps crept up my spine

As a deep crimson stained my cheeks.

Each glance made me smile

Each moment, a chance to breathe.

For a while you gave me air,

But now you’re just a passing gasp.

Each day is a struggle

Each moment spent near you,

            an unknown emotion.

How to feel around the unrequited?

How should you feel – in the wake of such uncertainty

and fear?

I gave you all of me

            Or so I thought.

Was it me all along – the bearer of such heartbreak?

- the clog in the pipe?

They all said it was you

            Or just time.

But they didn’t understand what we had

            Then again, neither do I.

Fall

Leaves frown upon the end of their time,

Saddening all that notice with their dulling colors

And deforming shapes.

Rotting from base to crest,

Stealing lives from the undefended.

A strong gust of wind,

No saving grace.

A boiling drop of frost,

No shielding hand.

Take notice,

At the injustice of the skies,

And the glimmer through the clouds.

One day fortune may not be so favored,

And life will be left up solely to the divine.

love, christina

I've got a case of the mondays..

Have you ever had one of those days where everything just seemed.. off? Well, that's how today felt for me. At the moment I'm attributing it to a sporadic case of the mondays, and hopefully tomorrow will be a much better day. 

“Your idea of bliss is to wake up on a Monday morning knowing you haven't a single engagement for the entire week. You are cradled in a white paper cocoon tied up with typewriter ribbon.” - Edna Ferber

Love the crisp air of summer...

Helloo, so today was a beautiful summer day - no humidity, just a warm breeze and the wonderful shining sun. And after a very eventful weekend filled with many ups and downs, all I could think about today was trying to enjoy myself and just live life to the fullest. I hadn't a care in the world, and oh did it feel sooo good. I hope all of you are enjoying your summers, whether or not they're jam packed with events try to enjoy each moment of your life. There's no use in waiting for tomorrow, when you could do whatever it is you want to today.

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. - John Lubbock

much love,

christina

i'm in love

So I am absolutely head over heels in love with...the pixie. This once popular haircut from the 60's has recently made a resurgence, and it is better than ever. After about two weeks of mild obsession, which began while reading VegNews, who's cover model for this month is Ginnifer Goodwin (love her!), I can confidently say I am in love. Then as more confirmation of my feelings, while reading one of my favorite blogs cupcakesandcashmere, I came across yet another amazing blog (which is quickly becoming my new favorite) theglamourai, in which the blogger Kelly, has recently trimmed her hair to a pixie length. It looks so chic, classic and oh so effortless. It reminds me of the effortless beauty and style of Audrey Hepburn, who has always been a style icon of mine. At this moment I would love nothing more than to have this haircut, but I don't know if I have the right face shape or gusto to support it. Maybe once school is out and summer has fully set in, I'll gain enough confidence and courage to just go for it! Until then, I can just dream...

absolutely love Ginnifer Goodwin

Carrie Mulligan, so pretty

Kelly from theglamourai

absolutely stunning. flawless.

-christina

Sweet Sounds of Two Great Men

Today was a lovely day - beautiful weather and at the moment, beautiful music. I'm currently listening to the sweet sounds of Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble, two men's voices who I absolutely adore. Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era - I love classic films, good old music, getting dressed up, dreaming of dancing to Frank Sinatra at some big fancy event...It's all just a pleasant thought, I guess. I just wish more people liked the classics - they're called classics for a reason. Some of the best films and music came from the first 60 years of the last century, and I'm committed to acknowledging that fact.

In order to avoid writing an extremely long post yet again, I'll just end today's thoughts with some of my favorite Sinatra quotes/lyrics:


"I would like to be remembered as a man who had a wonderful time living life, a man who had good friends, fine family - and I don't think I could ask for anything more than that, actually."



"Whatever else has been said about me personally is unimportant. When I sing, I believe. I'm honest."


"With each word, your tenderness grows, tearing my fears apart. And that laugh, that wrinkles your nose touches my foolish heart. Your lovely, with your smile so warm and your cheek so soft, there is nothing for me but to love you." - The Way You Look Tonight

- christina 

It feels so good to be alive.

Helloo there! It's been a busy past few weeks, but nonetheless more amazing than I could have ever hoped for. I finished taking all of my AP exams, experienced an amazing prom and after prom shore weekend, and enjoyed the perks of being a senior (aka barely any work). I've started to find a nice balance in my life, and it feels so good to just be alive. I'm confident in myself, my friendships, and what the future holds for me (whatever that may be haha). 


It seems like it was just September and I was so anxious and excited for my final year of high school. And now...there is one month left until I graduate! I can't believe it's already here! It's so bitter sweet. In the last couple of months I've grown so much closer to all of my friends and made some great new ones as well, which makes it that much harder to believe that the next 31 days is all I have left to spend with a good majority of the people I've shared my life with for the last four years and then some. I just want to soak in every second of it, and take nothing for granted. I don't want to regret not doing the things that I've always wanted to do. One for example is to sit under this gazebo I've passed by every day, multiple times a day, on my way to different classes. It's a quaint little place surrounded by a few attempts at shrubery and such, and I just can't shake this desire to sit under it. Everyone always says to me, "one day," but I think I might just have to make it happen tomorrow. Hopefully it's not taken...we'll just have to see :)


In addition to the craziness surrounding finishing up last minute projects, papers and other assignments for the final marking period, I've finally found some time to delve into the kind of reading I've always wanted to do. Just the other day I stopped by the local Borders and read for hours. I picked up so many random books and magazines that ranged from Chinese Horoscopes to Buddhism for Beginners and Food Inc. to Archaeological discoveries. Of course I bought the majority of the items I pulled off the shelves, and have only found time to read a few of the magazines and excerpts from Oceans (book based on the Disney movie). Just reading about the calamitous effects of global warming in Oceans and the reprehensible and  dishonest food production occuring in the United States in Food, Inc. made me want to make a difference somehow. Since I was a child, I've always dreamed of helping people, and after becoming more politically, socially and environmentally conscious in the last few years, I've learned that I want to make an even greater difference in our world. So this has led me to strive for a few new goals:

1. Short Term: Join the pre-orientation program at Syracuse for Habitat for Humanity, in which I arrive at Syracuse sooner than the rest of my classmates to build a house for the underprivileged of the surrounding city. (Check!)
2. Short Term/Long Term: Become an official vegetarian! (For years, I haven't touched red meat and have only survived off the occassional chicken, deli meat, and breakfast bacon, but now I'm commited to actually become a vegetarian. And to begin the official process, I took the Veg Pledge - a little late, but it still counts!)
3. Long Term: Spend my life traveling the world helping people (possibly through writing journalistic pieces, books, or just lending a hand in some way)

So right now as I'm sitting here on the couch contemplating my next move, I can't help but dream of the wonderful work I can and will do for the rest of my life. It feels so good to have a purpose. 


And just if you were interested here are a few of the highlights of my amazing prom weekend..Enjoy!

From Prom:

Best friends, me & Simmi <3

my crazy friends..Nat, Chris and Kyra :D

The Journalism Crew rocking the 'stache! 

From Left to Right: Jenn, me, Ryan, Amber, Natalie, & Vania

Posing for pictures outside: Vania, Natalie, Alice & me

Gorgeous ladies...Amber & Amy

My friend and impromptu date for the night, Jeff

From Prom Weekend

down the shore <3

best friends, me & Amy <3

Amber & me

Enjoying some delicious funnel cake

Vania & me

Being bored on a bench...Skye, me and Dana <3

An amazing end to an amazing weekend with some amazing friends <3

Brooke, Alice, Xing, Skye, me, Amber, Dominique, Vania & Amy (& Dana not pictured)

Picnic + Humidity = Sweat and Love

Yesterday was the perfect day for a picnic...so after a few words here and there Saturday Night and a quick stop at the local Shoprite Sunday at noon, we were off to the park!


The sun was shining and the bees were buzzing. It was the perfect 5 hours. Vania, Amy, Natalie and I sat on pink tablecloths, sipped organic lemonade, stuffed our faces with potato chips and strawberry shortcake, and swapped stories about life, love and everything in between. We played frisbee, hit some baseballs, juggled a bit, and ended up collapsing on the grass to play some scrabble. The day was amazing, and I have the sunburn to prove it.


You guys make everyday exciting, fulfilling and full of love. Here's a few memories from our picnic in the park. Enjoy!

Amy, me, Vania, Natalie <3

Setting up in the gazebo

Amy, me, Natalie

Laughing a bit under the sun

delicious strawberries.. yum

thinking of that special someone..la la

scrabble!

- christina

I need to be bold, need to jump in the cold...say you want the same thing too...say you feel the way I do

Currently watching...Pretty in Pink.


And at the moment, I'm also listening to way too many songs about hoping with all of your being for the person you like to like you back. It's happened by chance, but oh is it so fitting.


If you're in the same situation and are in need of some good tunes for reflection try pretty much anything by Joshua Radin, Jack Johnson, and Missy Higgins. Their soothing vocals and acoustics will bring a smile to your face and stir up pleasant memories with that special someone.. ;)


So aside from my current bubbly state of infatuation hehe, I'm enjoying my Saturday just sitting around the house, working out, and avoiding homework at all costs. Nothing new, and I know that all too well.


Even though today was a very lazy day, last night was a good time. I went out with my closest friends, Amber and Vania. After a long chat about this and that at the local starbucks we took a trip to Dunkin Donuts to continue our talk. Whenever we hang out, it's always a good time and here's a few pictures from last night as well as last Saturday when we were joined by Amy, another best friend :)

such pretty ladies...from left to right: Amber, me, Amy, and Vania

Amber, me, Vania.

fear of the nonexistent haha...Amber, Vania, me, Amy

from last night...Vania and me

candid: thinking

So after experiencing two amazing weekends, and reflecting back on them I can't help but think: I'm going to miss you guys. Love you.

- christina