One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain

One Republic and Maroon 5 at the UIC Pavilion last night- one of the better shows I've seen. I would gladly have Adam Levine's children, except he's dating a swimsuit model. booo. 

Tomorrow's Friday!

There is an unnecessary amount of difficult people in the world.

If I am making an effort to assist you in some aspect of your life that is beneficial to your state of being, please don't make it difficult. I don't care if you hate me, if you're socially above me, if you're smarter than me, if you're prettier than me, if I intimidate you, if you don't like the way I dress, if you think I talk too much, if you think I'm super duper mean-there's a common practice known as COURTESY and if I am able to overlook your flaws, you self-righteous, obnoxious, and insecure coward, then I highly suggest you do the same.
That is all.




act a fool and start a riot, r-r-r-riot be a rebeeeeeel.

I like this:

http://lamahkun.blogspot.com/

Also, I would just like to say that some of the most random people have blogs. I've recently become intrigued by this little asian girl's obsessive posts about her wonderful boyfriend that she loves and goes to the mall with every weekend.  She's cute.  

Alex Nesbitt Thinks I'm Too Suburban

and continues to actively reeducate me in the urban fashion, specifically in the art of ebonics.
"lehhgo!" =let's go
"run a train"= well, you can look that one up yourself.

I got accepted at Mizzou today. I suppose joking about not getting into college will have to cease from here on out.  1 down, 9 to go (but probably 7- I think I am dropping Miami and Texas because I don't really want to go to music school and they're both primarily music based as opposed to music business). So yes, officially unofficial list:
1. Syracuse
2. USC
3. NYU
4. Michigan
5. Mizzou
6. UC Boulder
7. Indiana
8. Illinois

However, I really only want to go to my top 3 because 4-8 aren't music business schools so I would have to scratch the whole life plan. And I'm definitely not going to Illinois but mother wanted me to apply.

Doing homework is becoming harder and harder every day.

Omnomnom

thank you Colin Drohan. huGz 'n Kii$es

Flying Purple People Eater

Things I'm Looking Forward To:

Weekend!
Maroon 5
Field of Screams
Say Anything & Motion City Soundtrack
Michael Lenoch's Rave
Sammy Adams
Thanksgiving
Snow
Ignatius Basketball Games
Christmas

Things I'm Not Looking Forward To:


First Quarter Grades
College Rejection Letters
Mid January-Early March
Death

Kainotophobia

I wrote this last year and just found it again. I don't know, give it a read for shits and giggles.

In the midway between broken and defeated

He's lost the spark, his passions depleted.

He looks for anything to fill the void, 

With everyone around him, he's become annoyed.

Alone, abandoned, for no apparent reason 

As one by one, he watches his allies commit treason.

Even raucous crowds make him feel empty

Self destructive humanity, all he can see.

The feeling of belonging, we will all soon miss

Because after all, they say ignorance is bliss.

One more...

Thirsty Thursdays

I have only had one day of school so far this week and with tomorrow already being Friday, focusing tonight is unbelievably difficult. So I figured that if you're in the same boat as me (more likely than not because if you're reading my blog you're clearly procrastinating) why not provide some entertainment.  Enjoy!


Yes, I know. I'm predictable.

October 30th bitcheeez

My friend Evan that I met this summer, sick drummer right?

She sounds like Marketa Irglova from The Swell Season

A Young Sammy Adams?

Stuck in my head.

The Best Weekend in the History of Forever

Fellow Ignatians, we have been waiting for this from the moment we walked through the door on that fateful Wednesday in October- Freshman Retreat Day, or PLAN Day for Sophomores, or PSAT Day for Juniors.  Alas, my fellow five day weekend freaks, this is our time now.  

For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about, this weekend marks the passing of the only true perk of attending good old Saint Ignatius.  No school from Saturday the 9th-Wednesday the 13th.  Life is good my friends.

So I'm getting worse about updating this regularly, 

Friday, my friends Becky and Danielle, my parents, and I went to watch my brother's hockey game (we were 14 hours early thanks to mother, so we detoured to B Dubbs for some good eats)- A Mizzou victory over Loyola after overtime and a shootout- at 1 AM.  John and a couple of his friends came back and spent the night at our house along with Becky and Danielle.  It was great to see him again.  There are few people I respect and love as much as my big brother.

Saturday night I had to make musical fusion for the President's Dinner at school-yay, but I was done by 7:30, got dinner at Noodles and Company with Danny and his brother, Seamus, stopped back at the Delaneys, then went over to Caroline's for a bit.  I love Caroline. End of Story.  It's amazing how entertaining an automatic card shuffler can be.  

Sunday was Danny's birthday- the big 1-8 yeeehaw.  A few "bros" ate burgers and smoked cigars around a bonfire in his back yard.  Apparently the term pertains more to lifestyle than gender according to Stephen, gotta love him.  

I haven't left my house all day and I feel wonderful.  I submitted my Syracuse app, did a little work on a couple of other schools, watched 3 movies, the vikings game, and have just embarked upon a CSI: NY marathon.  The best part- I still have two more worry free days of weekend followed by a two day week.  

I just ordered a hella kewl Swatch.

Also, I want to see The Social Network. Any takers? 

Orange

In the words of Brandford Winstonworth: "Yeah, I'm headed up to CUSE for the official visit." 

My plane landed at 4:45 in Buffalo, New York on Thursday, September 30, 2010.  It was pouring rain and rather miserable.  Two and half hours later and I arrived at Syracuse University for my second visit in less than a year (45 minutes late for a Bandier Program lecture David Rezak, the program director, invited my mom and me to attend.)  I was confident after the first visit that this was the school for me, but I kept my mind open to anything else that was out there in hopes to avoid an impulse purchase of sorts .  However, 10 months and a plethora of college visits later, I know that Syracuse is where I belong.

But I'm getting ahead of myself here.

The lecture that I attended (or slipped in the back of near the end) was given by a guest speaker about sampling, copyright law, etc. After the question and answer session, Mr. Rezak stood up, walked over to me, shook my hand and introduced me to the 60 or so students in the auditorium.  I was touched by his effort to make me feel important, however embarrassing it may have been with mother by my side. After the presentation was over, 6 different students walked up to me, introduced themselves, and offered advice from the perspective of a current Bandier student.  And these 6 students weren't the odd over-achiever types trying to replicate their status as high school teachers pets, but genuine, friendly kids who just wanted me to feel welcome.  "It's like one big loving family," one of them told me.  And I believe him.  

Today I had two interviews scheduled. One with David Rezak, who I briefly met on Thursday, and another with a general admissions counselor.  So at 2:30, I stepped into an open classroom with Mr. Rezak, mother, and a curious mind-set.  An hour and a half later, he had answered every question and then some, setting me up perfectly for my interview with the admissions counselor.  I felt a sense of security that Bandier was the answer to chasing a career with passion.  He also confirmed the nerve-racking selectivity of the program.  "We're talking about 25 students a year," he said.  The small size is appealing, considering I get accepted, because it gives me the best of both worlds-a close knit family inside of a 20,000 person school with enormous spirit and enthusiasm. So after hearing an earful from Mr. Rezak, and talking my lungs out to give the admissions conselor a sense of who I am, hitting submit on my application is all that's left. Wish me luck.

Jenn Oetter...and other things that make me happy

taking naps
pictures
sublime
thunderstorms

candles

music
Balcony TV

billie joe armstrong

daisies

concerts

crowd surfing

"Marry Me" by Train
Lemont, IL

anything purple, except bruises

stephen colbert

max

rainy days

glax

alex deleon

mother and father
creativity
ambiguous adjectives

slippers

yoga pants
fresh air

noodies
"Bang Bang" by Dispatch

John Geoffrey Guminski

Cette Annee La

team america
my new lamp
Barrage
the shorts that I am currently wearing (that will never be returned to their owner. muahaha)

hard drugs, mainly LSD (jaykay lolz)

this is getting silly, i'll keep adding as time goes on and more joys come to me.

I'll swim the ocean for you, wooooaahhhh Kelsey.

OH. I'm visiting Syracuse (again) tomorrow 

stay tuned for details

OH.OH. Also, Max was attacked by the neighbor's dog yesterday. Again. Very scary experience: I heard my mom sheik, ran outside, max is loose, mom's crying, trip to the vet, emotional distress, all in one near death doggy experience. Good news, he's okay.  Just disoriented and uncomfortable, poor thing =/

Just Kidding

I was working on a list of things that make me happy for the last few days
then realized it was dumb and quit.
I have a wonderful work ethic

Glass Half Full

I think I've been too negative lately, so I'm compiling a list of things that make me happy...stay tuned.

The only thing that we fight about is the Lakers

Tis thunderstorming.  Which is awesome.

I'm sick. Less awesome.

I recorded my audition tapes for NYU and Syracuse today. Moderately awesome.

Funny story- i got 3/4 of the way home (45 minutes) and realized I had left my violin at school because I brought it to audition for the Music Honors Society thing and I'm incredibly forgetful (eek). I knew I would. Typical Sarah.  So i had to turn around, and my pianist spent a half hour at my house before I got there. Shes moving to Lake Tahoe in three weeks, which is incredibly sad for me.  Shes been with me since the beginning, but this will be great for her.  She just ended an ugly divorce. Which scares me.  Shes beautiful, really, inside and out. Not to mention the fact that she has a masters in music and a law degree.  What hope is there for the rest of us if she can't find a decent man? Uggghh

alrightalrightalright

Somehow itunes no longer exists on my computer. cool?

I woke up this morning at 7 AM on my living room couch. Now, some of you might wince in pain at the idea of spending the night in such a place but you clearly have never experienced big bertha in all of her glory.
I don't know why I just called it that.
I have never referred to my couch as big bertha before
I suppose theres a first time for everything.

I guess you could say the rest of my day followed suit.  I was home alone for the majority of the day, which was nice.  Watched the bears game, pounded some natty ice. jaykaylolz no natty ice. my life isn't bro.
No, actually I had a lot to do today and I was having a really productive day until about an hour ago.

I have to record my Syracuse and NYU audition tape in 2 days. Definitely not ready.

I'm sick of school. Everything about it. I want summer back.

"I know too much about life to have any optimism"

Make this go away

and this come back

kaythanxbai.

If There's a Will, There's a Way

"Knowing the why can get you through any how."

The only thing I have learned from my 3 and 1/4 years of religion class in high school.

Today, I ran the Chicago Half Marathon, all 13.1 miles of that sucker.  I finished with a time of 2:25:53 and placed 10,206 out of the roughly 21,000 people who signed up to run. I feel incredibly accomplished for finishing the race without walking a single step along the way.  I saw a lot of inspiring supporters, enthusiastic volunteers, and zealous runners.  Both of my parents were there to cheer me on, and my friend Danny met me at the finish line. I could not possibly thank them enough for being there for me today. I came home and took an ice bath, then slept until 5 pm.  I'm relieved that its over, but also glad that I stuck to the goal that I set for myself.  For the last two miles or so, I kept telling myself  "If you finish this race, you'll get into Syracuse." lolz.
(I'll post the official race pictures as soon as they go up on the website.)


Friday night I actually went to an Ignatius football game.  And we actually won.  It was (actually) unreal. Okay, maybe thats an over exaggeration.  My friend, Alex, who transfered to a different school last year, came to the game to see some of his old friends and cheer on our mediocre football team. It was so great to see him again.  He's one of the most genuine people I have ever been lucky enough to know and I hope I start to see more of him again. 


Saturday night I went to a Mount Carmel hockey game with two of my oldest comrades, Becky and Katie. It was weird to look out on the ice and only recognize a handful of players.  I wanted to yell at the infant sporting number 19 to take off my brother's jersey, but I refrained.  And he wasn't actually an infant.  He's probably like 15 but in comparison to being the little sister all these years that I've been going to John's hockey games, its your turn now kids.  Oh, btw, my family is featured on Carmel's website,  Woooo we're famouuus. 

A Practical Look

"Live every day like its your last"

Everyone's heard it, and to some degree we all look at it and say "Yeah man! Carpe Diam!"
But logically, living each day like there is no tomorrow is impractical and mildly incriminating.

If today were my last day I would, for example, tell everyone I love them, except those that I dislike, in which case I would tell each one in detail why I dislike them. I would then neglect my homework, spend large amounts of money on once-in-a-lifetime experiences and waste no time sleeping.
However, when morning breaks and I realize that I, in fact, had another day to live (whaddyaknow), what would I do?
Well, first there would be a few awkward hellos to those that I professed my undying love for, even more awkward (angry) stares from them bitchez and hoez that I let have it, a stressful day of school that I am unprepared for due to lack of homework completion, no money, and that weird feeling we all know and love that results from pulling an all nighter.
alright, again, jaded. eh.

GOOD NEWS. I lost my wallet exactly a week ago.(not so good news)
Today, I was called into the deans office to find it had been recovered-get this- from the third floor roof.
Think about that for a second...
Somehow, that means, that my wallet was airborne from a window. Most likely the bathroom...

All is well that ends well.
I'm not sure how that relates to anything.

Max is my best friend.

Damage Control

So much to cover, so little time.

Okay school sucks, blahblahblah. 

I went to the Lucky Boys Confusion concert at the House of Blues on Saturday with 8 of my favorite people. Well, I just met Eric but hes really tall so hes cool in my book. Anyways, Facing Forward was one of the opening bands and  they were great. Awesome stage presence, energy, music. Everything. Listen to them, you wont regret it.  Now, Lucky Boys Confusion was ridiculous, as expected.  I crowd surfed. Which was a first for me. Got launched through the air into the middle of the mosh pit. No worries, though, a very large man literally picked me up and pulled me out. All in all, I had an unbelievable time with some unbelievable people.  

Now on to darker matters.

My friends are in a band that played at a block party yesterday (very much fun). However things sort of went downhill from there. 

 First, there was an infidelity scare, so to speak, between two of my recently broken up friends. Naturally, upon receiving word of this, I freaked out in defense of one of the parties involved, accusing the other mercilessly without really consulting the evidence myself.  In hindsight, I realize I was in the wrong and would really like for this messy break up to be put to rest.  Its really hard to watch helplessly as my friends suffer through the emotional stress of teenage relationships. 

Second, there was another break up, if you will, between two of my other friends. Honestly, unless you had hours to understand the relationship, it is pointless for me to attempt to rationalize either side of the spectrum.  One party was clearly in the wrong. Absolutely and unequivocally.  And they by no means can justify the heartless act they committed. But if you step back and look at the situation, the other party should have walked away long before they were put in this position, knowing party a's track record with these types of things.  But we all suffer from party b's blindness of sorts.  We never want to believe what we don't want to hear, but I've learned from personal experience that your hypothetical best friend's warnings about your hypothetical boyfriend aren't just her being a jealous bitch.  She knows what shes talking about, and I know more than one occasion where I wish I had listened.   

This evening of stressful damage control further supported my theory that high school relationships suck. The only thing we can hope to take from them is the knowledge of which aspects we find desirable in a partner, and which aspects we should run from (screaming) if we are to ever encounter such a person in the future. Which sucks. Because as I sit here, pondering the potential desire for a significant other in my life, I have to remind myself that the relationship is destined for painful failure.  I am jaded, I know.

Just Kidding

still wrapped around my little finger.
oh, it is a good feeling indeed.

fuck precalc.

homecoming dress?

tomorrows friday
waaahhhhhoooo

I Can't Sleep

Its 12:45...I'm getting up in 5 hours. Tomorrow is going to be...fun. 

The thing that's bothering me is the fact that I don't know why I can't sleep. I don't know how my thought process started (who ever does?) but I've literally covered every base in terms stress points- from those close at hand like the half marathon I am not prepared to run in two weeks, to others as far off as leaving for college next year (which I suppose is relatively close at hand as well). I'll keep you updated through the college process. Right now I'm thinking early apply to Syracuse. They have absolutely everything I want. The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is curiosity if I could get into some of my reach schools. But its all irrelevant because the average act yadayada for the school as a whole doesn't mean anything really for the programs I'm applying to. Like academically, I think I could get into Syracuse pretty comfortably. However, The Bandier Program? God only knows. Wish me luck.

Side note- I have a new obsession with candles.  Christmas present? I think so. Less than 4 months! get cruuunk

I've got a tight grip on reality but I can't let go

so my aunt Sue took this a few weeks ago and she just sent it to me. awesome right?

anyways, the rest of the phrase actually goes "let go of whats in front of me here" (Paramore- The Only Exception) but the song as a whole doesn't really apply to my life as much as that one line. I'm having difficulty realizing that I'm not the center of one person in particulars life (anymore?). Not that I was ever actually the focal point of everything this person did, but I know I used to have a significant affect on them and I'm afraid they have moved on.  I deserve it, really. I suppose I'm getting a taste of my own medicine, so to speak.

none of that made much sense on account of my ambiguous language choice.  But it was kind of more for me to organize my thoughts than for you to understand what I'm talking about. hahaha...yeah

i wish i would have done some of my homework in the 400 free periods i had today. but i didnt. typical. whatevs, i week closer to graduation i suppose.

also, I have my eyes on a new conquest, if you will.  actually, its more like reinventing an old conquest. game on?

Its that slumdog millionaire bollywood flow

Is it really only Tuesday?

I'm sitting here looking at my psych book with the sad realization that even if I were to fall asleep in the middle of writing this word, I would still be sleep deprived.  Oh the teenage gripes. Productivity comes at a cost. Not that today was particularly productive, because it wasn't.
I went to a high school soccer game today. It was cool because my school played my home town (suburb?)'s school. It made me remember how much I miss going to my brother's hockey games.  Those things had a life above and beyond the sport of hockey, which a handful of people can attest to.
Its weird because we're moving at such a fast pace that the individual moments seem to take forever, but in hindsight so much has happened so quickly. So much has changed so quickly.

"Indeed. She is my friend."

I just got home from school. Yes, it's 5:30. No, I did not have a sport or club or activity. I ran with my friend for maybe a half hour, then got back to school, got in Daisy, and sat on the Stevenson. For an hour and a half. Its day three, and I already hate it.
School itself isnt that bad though. Its awesome being a senior, and I've really missed a lot of people that its great to see again. AP Bio is going to eat me alive. Psychology is awesome. And I really miss my friends who don't go to my school.
Optimism? I made it past the first Monday!

Bonjour, mes amis

Hello. I'm Sarah and I turned seventeen a couple of months ago.  So that means I'm a senior in high school. I go to a relatively small catholic high school in the city that's so full of itself it insists on being referred to as "college prep" instead of "high school." You could sum this institution up in one word: competition. 900 kids applied for 328 spots. To get in you either have to be smart, well connected, or fucking loaded. So that has plagued my life for the last 3 years.  Smart high achievers, social climbers, and over-privileged rich kids.  Now, okay, I'm sorry. I'm being harsh. I have met plenty of well rounded individuals who have had nothing but positive effects on my life, and I have been given opportunities to die for. I feel like high school came and went in the blink of an eye, just as everyone told me it would.

I play the violin and have since I was three. I've picked up some piano and guitar like every typical wanna be musician, but honestly music is the focus of my life.  When the aunts, uncles, and grandparents ask what I'm thinking about for college, the answer "Music Business" sparks an array of reactions.  No one takes me seriously. If I'm talking to a particularly astute acquaintance I'll throw in the idea of law school after undergrad to prevent spontaneous combustion and to ease the look of disapproval on their faces. 

I lax. nuff said. 

My family is absolutely perfect.  Well, okay, nothings perfect. But I'm so unbelievably lucky. All things considered, like the occasional scuffle with mother about curfew or the constant pull for freedom from dad's old fashioned restrictions, I wouldn't trade them for the world.  Now, my lack of a broken home doesn't exactly write a good college essay, but I'm not complaining.  I have a brother too. He's in college studying journalism and being a boss. I think I get a lot of my courage from him. And wit too, although he would beg to differ. 

My friends are inspirational.  This summer was the happiest time in my life and I owe it all to them. To quote one friend in particular, there are some people in your life who you would do anything for to repay them for just being there. Like that somehow just saying thank you isn't enough.  New friends and old friends alike, i love you.

Sunday afternoon, let the homework marathon begin.