I had a moment of realization today, while working with my classmates from PR Strategies to decide what our group project should be. My realization was that I am up to date with current events. Maybe for some people that would not be such a shocker, but I was pretty surprised.
I mean, through high school and even through my first three semesters at college, I really didn't know much about current events. They bored me. I didn't care what celebrity did something dumb last week, or what was going on in politics. I would know the president's name, and whatever random bit of news that my friends talked about. I suppose my reasoning was that whatever is "current" one day will be old news the next and it would therefore be pointless to try to keep up with everything.
Last semester, sometime in late August, I got a Twitter account (@LydiaClink). I didn't really think about it much, but my awesome roommate tweets pretty frequently, and I figured I might as well join in. I followed my friends and a couple different Texas Tech groups, and left it at that.
Then, I went to the amazing Career Development Conference in Dallas, held by Tech's College of Media and Communication. I heard about the importance of having a Twitter, and the importance of keeping up with social media altogether, from multiple successful PR professionals. I realized that it was probably a good idea to be a little more professional, and to be more active with Twitter.
It hasn't been a full month yet, but I now follow about 300 people on Twitter and actively keep up with news, announcements, and releases. Apparently it is possible to go from being completely clueless about current events to being aware of national and international news within 5 minutes of events occurring, in just about three weeks.
Now I just need to get through my News Writing class this semester, and I think I'm on my way to becoming a decent Public Relations student.
Mainly because I do not have a stove in my current residence hall. Not a single stove for student use. In an upperclassman dorm. I suppose that's my fault for choosing this dorm, instead of the others that do have kitchens, but I wanted to live with my awesome roommates, so here I am. A person who loves to cook and bake, without an outlet.
At least this semester should be better. I got a small crock pot from my parents for Christmas, so I can make chili, meatballs, pasta, random meat things, dips, etc., and I want to try making a cake in my crock pot. I'm not sure if that's a good idea, but that won't stop me from trying it.
Anyhow, I moved back out here to Lubbock last Monday, and have been settling in and starting my classes and all. I still need to go get most of my textbooks, but I think I might do that Tuesday. Until I start filling up my schedule with tutoring hours, I just have aerobics for an hour in the morning, and then have the rest of Tuesday off. Yes, it's pretty sweet. The rest of my days are awful, but let's not focus on that.
So, last Friday, I did my last baking of the Winter break. Now, just to clarify, I never make a single batch of cookies. When I make cookies, I make at least double batches of my main kind of cookies, and usually end up making multiple different kinds. I already have the baking stuff out, have my apron on, and am blasting the music, so why not? This last time I made Egg Nog cookies and M&M cookies.
I have a system for cooling cookies
Both were super yummy. I hadn't ever made Egg Nog cookies before, but there was egg nog in the fridge, and I didn't want to just drink it, because I would drink the whole thing, and that's really not good. I found the recipe on Pinterest, of course, and here's the link to the wonderful recipe -> link
The M&M cookies are just generic, M&M cookies, but then I ran out of M&Ms, so I added semisweet chocolate bits, and just filled the cookies with chocolate goodness. It was a success.
I love baking. Especially cookies, because they're so easy (almost foolproof) and I can turn out multiple batches in one afternoon. But now I must wait until my next break at home before I can bake again. I love the convenience of my residence hall, but I really wish it had a stove/kitchen for student use.
Well, correction, I've been working on this hat all break. Kind've. It's one of those things where I have a project but I only work on it while watching Netflix, and while not also playing computer games or doing anything else.
This afternoon/evening I finally got to the point of lethargy where I went to Netflix and watched Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Avalon High, and some of Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers. I enjoyed the first, although it was a bit unnecessarily bloody. I would not recommend that anyone watch the second. For the third. . . just don't. Unless you are at the point where anything mindless is amusing -- such as a sleepover with your best friends when you've all had way too much sugar and caffeine -- there's not much to gain. But while watching these movies on Netflix, I remembered that I had an almost-finished hat sitting in my knitting bag. I picked it up again and kept knitting.
It's purple.
Now, I learned how to knit last Thanksgiving from my grandmother, because one of my best friends was knitting at school, and I thought it would be cool to pick up. I had crocheted forever ago, but have no current understanding of the process. My grandmother showed me a stitch, and I copied that stitch, somehow doing something completely different from what had been shown to me. Apparently I invented my own stitch, but I thought I was doing what she showed me. I don't know. I'm just special sometimes.
Look at my hat, not me.
So, I know one stitch, which is apparently a weird stitch, but it works. I've looked at instructions and seen other people doing other stitches, and purling and all that jazz, but it's too complicated. I stick with my one stitch. I've been doing pretty well with it. I can whip out long, fluffy scarves pretty easily while watching the multiple TV shows that I regularly keep up with, and all the other Netflixing, of course.
Oh, side note -- my friends and I started a knitting club at Texas Tech. We meet, knit things, watch movies, eat food, and generally be awesome. We're going to have yarn sales to support our chosen cause, Big Brother Mouse, and will eventually start doing some cool things like knitfitti. Yes, you should be jealous for a moment, and then come join us. Unless you don't attend Texas Tech, in which case you should start your own knitting club.
So yes, I am not a great knitter. I realized this while looking at my hat. It has multiple botches, a very visible seam, weird lumps, etc. Because it was made with a single color of yarn, instead of the colorful blends I prefer, every mistake is quite a bit more obvious. But you know what? I like my hat. Why?
1. It's purple. I love purple.
2. It's comfortable, and fits my head perfectly. Which makes sense, as I sized it around my head.
3. I made it. Somehow that makes all the mistakes okay. Also, it's purple.
4. It will keep my ears warm as I walk around campus in the snow. And yes, I do plan on wearing it out in public. I am proud of my purple hat.
I mean, I've made messes while drinking a smoothie, absolutely, but not while making a smoothie. Then again, I guess I've never really made a smoothie before. That's probably the problem right there.
I asked for kitchen appliances for Christmas this year, and I got them! I got a convection toaster oven, a small crock pot, and a food processor/blender. Pretty exciting stuff. I probably won't use them much until next Fall, as I will still be living in a dorm residence hall this next semester, and will have dining bucks to spend. I can still get in some smoothies and chili and such. I think crock pots are one of the best inventions ever. You can put food in them, go to classes, forget about it, and come back to a wonderfully yummy meal.
But it turns out that it's not quite so easy to make smoothies. Or maybe I'm just pretty bad at it.
First off, I open up the box, and there were all these different pieces. Two different types of blade-contraptions, and lots of cups in plastic bags. Yes, I realize that it would be very difficult to do cool stuff without those things, but I wasn't expecting quite so many different parts.
Why do plastic bags make things smell odd?
But no matter, I washed the components, tried to put them together, found the manual and read it, then put figured out how to put my blender together. I cut up my mangoes and made sure I had all the ingredients. Now I was good to go. Except, I wasn't sure how much each different plastic cup/mixing container thing could hold, so I decided to split the recipe up (after already cutting it down, because I only had one mango), and put equal amounts in three different cups. That was interesting
It's not good to spill gooey liquid.
After pouring the smoothie liquid from cup to cup, adding more ice, water, and then honey, I think they turned out pretty well. I had a healthy lunch and both of my parents had refreshing afternoon snacks, but it was not worth it. I think I need a lot more practice, and preferably not with greek yogurt, coconut milk, and honey all at the same time.
They look so innocent, but don't be deceived.
Here is the original recipe, in case you don't have super vision which would allow you to read the card in the picture. The card said that it was "Compliments of Round Rock Honey Company and Panera Bread Co."
3 mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped (abbout 4 cups)
1 can (14 oz.) light coconut milk
1 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
1 cup ice
1/4 cup Round Rock Honey
1/8 tsp. grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Mint Sprigs (optional) <- I don't understand this part
Anyhow, it said to mix the stuff together and blend it all (except the mint, which you add later as a garnish). Maybe I will come back to this recipe when I'm a pro at blending and smoothie making, but that is not anytime soon.
Admitting Failure In The Realm of Smoothie-Making,
I mean, I was already impressed with how great the English department was, since Texas Tech is mainly known for it's engineering opportunities. Who would have thought it was a great school for English majors, too? Now, I want to share a taste of how wonderful the college of media and communications is.
Yesterday was the third annual TTU Career Development Conference in Dallas. Basically, it was a large group of Texas Tech alumni from the Dallas area, giving up a day to talk to current students in the TTU College of Media and Communications. There were multiple panels that gave incredibly useful tips and advice, as well as casual tabletop discussions with groups of students and alumni, and of course, interviews.
It was a great networking opportunity, and a time for students to interview with or learn about companies and agencies that Texas Tech alumni either work at, run, or own.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get any interviews, since I am a Sophomore. Apparently seniors and recent graduates need job interviews a little more desperately. But no worries, I plan on coming back for at least the next two years, if just for the networking opportunities.
I enjoyed the panels, which were, "How to Benefit From Today's CDC," "Job Hunting in the Digital Age," "Business Etiquette 101," and "Innovating Your Career Path." All of the panelists had some great advice and statements, all with laughter. It was easy to see that the alumni were at this event because they wanted to be, and that they truly wanted to see us succeed.
I especially appreciated listening to Tony Wright and John Confer, owners of WrightIMC. Tony Wright gave some great tips in the "Digital Age" panel, and I have already made sure to install the Google apps that he recommended. John Confer sat at my table and talked with us about what we wanted to do, and gave us suggestions in reaching those goals. WrightIMC also has a great intern program, which I may definitely look into, and would suggest that you research them if you are interested in online marketing. Their blog is http://wrightimc.com/blog/
My favorite tabletop discussion was with Rich Flora, owner and creative director of Flora Creative. He talked in the panel about career paths, and well, I enjoyed listening to and talking with him because he is a writer and had gone through some interesting job turns and disappointment and challenges but said, "you can build a portfolio in any job, depending on your motivation." I hope that can be my outlook, as I enter the workforce, either through internships, PR jobs, or whatever else; no matter what I do, I can always continue writing and building my portfolio.
Then there was Michelle Bleiberg, an independent consultant, who sat there with a rotating group of students who did not have interviews in whichever time slot. She gave advice on interviews, took the time to look over my resume and help me figure out what to change, and was just fantastic. I really appreciate her spending her time to invest in us MCOM students. It meant quite a lot.
There were many more people and talks and great things that happened, and it can only be better next year, when I can continue networking and have interviews. Texas Tech alumni are the best!
Spreading the Red Raider Spirit,
The Purple Writer
I just couldn't. It was too tempting. Yes, I know it may have been more rewarding to wait until I could watch it with friends, but the first Sherlock episode kept calling to me until I gave in. I couldn't wait until Sherlock aired on Masterpiece. Not after that mini-episode that reawakened the curiosity and excitement. I mean, really, was that fair, Moffat? I don't think so. I would almost rather not have seen the mini-episode for Sherlock's third season.
I did like the mini-episode for the Doctor Who 50th, with Paul McGann. That was great. I really wish the U.S. had known what was going on back in 1996 and liked his movie/pilot more. I mean, ratings in Britain were great, and Doctor Who was so close to having more series but was dropped instead. So many wasted years, due to non-enthusiasm in the U.S.. But, at least McGann could come back in the mini-episode. That was great. . .
Going back to Sherlock, I watched the first episode of season 3 this morning. It was good. I will not spoil anything for those of you who are waiting until the 18th or later to watch it. But that means I won't have very much to write. This will be a short post. Probably.
I've got to say, the too long, two year hiatus between seasons was painful. But it came at a pretty good time. It made us wait in agony for as long as John Watson had to. It also made the references to the two long years in the show be more relevant to us, the audience, most of whom had to physically wait that long. Also, after waiting so long, we are fully invested in the show, and may never leave, regardless of where the show goes.
Also, I do like that Moffat kept the idea of the fall at Reichenbach, from "The Final Problem," by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. To be fair, Doyle was actually planning on ending Sherlock Holmes once and for all, as he was sick and tired of having to write about this character that he didn't particularly care for. Of course, like any person who writes for a living, when offered a large enough amount of money, Doyle gave in and brought Holmes back to life. Now, I don't think BBC were legitimately trying to end the popular show, but with their dramatic cliffhanger and dreadful hiatus, they have not hurt Sherlock's popularity in the least.
I may be annoyed with Moffat multiple times a day, what with his ridiculous 'tying up loose ends' in the Doctor Who Christmas special, his numerous errors that could be caught and fixed with a little polishing and editing, and the mere fact that his episodes were so much better when he was writing under Russell T Davies. However, he does have good ideas, and honestly, if I were head writer of two of the most popular BBC world, I doubt I would be perfect and mistake-free either. The world might hate him at times, but we also love him, so I guess Moffat's shouldn't go anywhere.
If you have not seen any bit of BBC's Sherlock, and have no clue what I am talking about, go watch it now. It is my favorite adaptation of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. I suppose everybody could claim their own personal favorite Sherlock Holmes movie or series or what have you, but I have read almost all of Doyle's stories of Sherlock Holmes - I even took a class on the rise of the detective novel in fiction, which focused on Sherlock Holmes - and have seen most of the old TV series as well as the new movies and series (all except Elementary. I thought about trying it, but I've heard some not-so-great things, and my friend actually forbade me to watch it, so I'm obeying her orders). So, I might have some small clue of what I'm talking about, looking back and forth from the stories and their numerous interpretations and adaptations, and I love BBC's modern take on the classic stories.
There is just something about this detective who has excellent powers of deduction, which we try to mimic, and yet has some flaws, which make him more relatable. Sherlock Holmes is not the only literary detective, and not necessarily the best, but he has been loved by every generation since he was created back in 1887. So now, in the year 2014, I highly recommend that you watch Sherlock - and read at least some of the original stories and novels. They are well worth it.
Wanting To Spread The Love Of Sherlock,
The Purple Writer
Here is the mini-episode for Season 3, in case you haven't been able to watch it yet.
That metaphor may be inspired by the fact that I am eating a mango right now, but that doesn't make it any less relevant.
Have you ever peeled and cut up a mango? It takes a while and can be very messy, especially if you want to get as much fruit as possible off that annoyingly-shaped seed. But if it is a ripe mango, the result is morsels of light, refreshing, and heavenly perfection. No exaggeration. (Also, as a bonus, mangoes are healthy too, containing large amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and antioxidant. So go eat one today!)
It tastes much better than it looks.
Even if most of the mango is disappointing, a little green, or what have you, if you get one small bite of perfect ripeness, it is all worth it. At least that has been my experience.
The year 2013 has been like a mango for me. Some frustration, a couple bloody cuts, a good amount of mess to be cleaned up, a little depression or despair, numerous ordinary and unmemorable bites, and several perfect chunks that made the year wonderful. Perhaps the perfect chunks were usually smaller than normal, but they were so lovely that one could have made up for an entire year of disappointments.
I won't bore you with listing events that have happened to me in this past year, but I do wonder if you've experienced the same phenomenon of just a few perfect events making all the mess and scrapes of the year worth it.
I'm planning to have an even better mango of a year in 2014. <-quote of the day?
Why is it, that after about a month of being in the holiday season, our culture starts every year with promises to change? All of a sudden, the festivities are over, diets are started again, people go back to school and back to work. People look at their lives and choose one thing to improve for a year, in their "New Year's Resolution."
In order to "finish" such a resolution, one has to purposefully stick with it an entire year. That doesn't work for me.
I've found that when I have a resolution, I forget it. Either I literally forget about it, and have nothing to do with it anymore, or it becomes a habit. That is what I really mean. If I hold to a resolution long enough, it should become a habit and a part of my life. Once it is a habit, I don't have to force myself to hold to it as a resolution, and the resolution is lost.
But really, isn't that resolutions are for? There is a lot of emphasis put on "New Year's Resolutions." Almost everyone finds something about themselves that they want to chance, and make up their mind to change it. But, because these kinds of resolutions are so common, and are just about never kept through an entire year, there can be major discouragement.
I personally come up with new "resolutions" whenever I finally have had enough and decide to change something that needs to be changed. It can happen once a year, or ten times a day, depending on my motivation and situations. I have lots of faults, and I have found it way too easy to get discouraged and decide to never try something again, after failing it too many times. I have to be positive, and continue to work on improving my broken state.
But my resolutions are really all the same: I resolve to lose habits that I shouldn't have, and to develop habits that will help me.
I resolve to make habits. I resolve to lose habits. I don't resolve to "be good" about one thing for one year. That is too hard, and not enough.
But I will share a "New Year's Resolution" with the internet, simply because I wish the same for everyone else out there. This is the habit I hope to form: to start every day with the mindset that it will be the best day of my life.
Planning To Have Some Wonderful Days,
The Purple Writer
