Reflections

It's new years eve.

Much to write about today, the last day of the year. Well let's start off first with a summary of my weekend yes? Ok. 

So I left on Friday for the beach house with a terrible cough, which I still have. But it was seriously the best time I ever had at the beach house, all things considered. Perhaps what I enjoyed the most, apart from being with my cousins was the scenery and nature. On Saturday I 

woke up at 5:30 a.m. with Nathalia and went for a walk on the beach, all the way down to the 

mouth of the river which is about half an hour from where we were. The sun was just coming     up and it was.... well beautiful to say the least. Really a sight. There were only a few other 

people on the beach, but I felt like we were the only two people in the world. Definitely need to do that more often- get up at the crack of dawn and go for a walk. That same day we went to Puntarenas at night and ate some snow cones. SO GOOD. Then we took a walk on the pier, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and there were so many stars...another really cool thing we did. The beach at night here is just like nothing I've ever seen before. It's almost spiritual. Ugh. Anyways.

The rest of the trip consisted of going to the beach, getting a tan, coming back to the pool, beach again, pool again, board games, scary stories, a trip to Jaco, and sweet tunes as always. Amazing trip, considering I was sick the entire time. 

And now I'm here sitting at my computer, my parents are at the house because the container with all of our stuff conveniently decided to come today, and I'm reflecting on everything that's happened in the past year, trying to think of a way to sum up my thoughts and feelings towards 2008. 

Well. 

I wouldn't say 2008 was the best year of my life, but without a doubt the most interesting, the most evolutionary. At the beginning of the year, I was a bumbling senior in high school, eagerly awaiting the next senior munch, taking in every moment that was left of my high school career, I still had my braces on (haha) and was anxiously waiting to graduate in June. If you had told 

me then, that I would be here, in my grandparent's house in Costa Rica, starting college in January, and would be living here for the next several years of my life I would've thought you were crazy. At the beginning of '08, I had every intention of going to Cal State Long Beach and following my dream of becoming a director. Nothing was going to take me away from California and my friends, the only two things I had ever really known. And then in early April, after much coaxing and almost pleading from my parents, I made the decision to move down here, without really knowing what I was getting myself into. But I made the decision in big part to the fact that I had planned out the rest of my life for the longest time. And I looked down the road and there were no more surprises left. I felt like my life was over, and I was 17 years old. So I thought, "For once in your life, do something spontaneous, something you never planned for. Take the chance." So I did. 

I turned 18 in May and almost instantly, I started questioning everything I had ever known, with big thanks to the presidential election. I realized that my entire life I had blindly been following the beliefs and points of view of my parents without questioning why I thought this way. So I sat down and took the time to question every aspect of my life: religion, politics, love, morals etc. And I said, what do I want out of life? What do I believe and why do I believe it? And finally I had an opinion about life and the world I live in. 

Then I left in August. Probably the scariest thing I've ever had to do. I left my home and Chris and Casey behind, the things I loved the most in the entire world. But it was something I had to do. For myself, for my own personal growth. I needed to get out of California (as much as I loved it) and experience new things, meet different people, get to know a different way of living. I still miss home and my friends as much as the day

 I left, but it gets a little better every day. Nevertheless, I'm counting down the days when I see them again. 

And now it's the last day of December. A year ago today, I was getting ready to go to my uncle's 

house for New Year's. Tonight we're going back up to my aunt's house and I'm definitely looking forward to the fireworks. 

God. Goddy God. Haha. It's definitely been quite a year. One for the books. I've definitely never changed as much as I have this year. Looking back at that kid with braces and looking at myself now, ready to start university and living in Costa Rica, I don't feel like the same person. But that is life. If there is one thing I've learned this year, it's that change is inevitable. We are defined as people by how well we handle that change, and how we learn from our mistakes. If anything, I feel like a much more wiser Sarynelli now, at the end of 2008. I mean, go back to 2007 and look at my one entry in December. It seems like everything I wanted then, I pretty much have right now. Completely different person.

So here's to an even more amazing 2009. It's a year that I'm ready to take on with more conviction than ever before. This is where the real change begins, where my life here really starts, and where I hope to continue to grow even more as a person. I hope I never stop growing. 

Song of the day: Skinny Love- Bon Iver

Until next year

Sary

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Sorry I haven't updated in a few days. I really meant to write but I've been super busy. 

So.

Today is Christmas Day!! Although Christmas Day has never really been a big deal for us because we always celebrate on Christmas eve. So last night we went up to Aunt Gloria's house in the mountains. Without trying to sound cheesy, it was such a beautiful night. Not a cloud in the sky, you could see a million stars, and you could see the entire city down below. Plus, (and this was the coolest thing) we could also see people down below setting off fireworks. I mean we were miles away from them and looking out over the city, every once in a while you would see the fireworks shoot off in the distance. Amazing. 

I have to say this is the least I've ever gotten on Christmas, but I am honestly okay with it. I got a few little things here and there, including a Coldplay CD, which of course I already had haha, and a cool jacket from my grandparents. But honestly I've gotten so much already that I really couldn't ask for more, which I'm not. Just the fact that we were able to buy a house, and that my mom could afford to buy me another iPod was enough for me. Plus, my dad bought a whole bunch of blu-rays and got me and my sister a new television each. Seriously I don't need anything else. I am so thankful for the way things have turned out and how lucky we've been in the last few months. 

Not sure what the plan is for today, my cousin came back from the beach where he lives so we might go visit. But tomorrow, actually this whole weekend is going to be tight. Tomorrow we leave for the beach house with my favorite cousins in the entire world and we come back on Monday I think. I've never been too fond of the beach house mostly because I get eaten alive by mosquitoes, but to spend an awesome weekend with my cousins I'll make the sacrifice. We're going to Jaco on Saturday which I've never been and spending the whole day there. Then on Sunday I think we're going to Puntarenas to eat some Churchills which are the best snow cones in the world. Christmas weekend at the beach. Definitely a first. 

So that's the update. New Year's we're going back up to the mountains and hopefully we'll be moved into the house next week! Then it's January and I start school on the 19th....ugh don't even remind me. 

Anyways, I hope you have an amazing Christmas whoever you are. It's hard to believe that a year ago I was unboxing my guitar hero haha. 

Song of the day: Don't Know Why- Norah Jones

Until next time

Sary 

Moving up country

James Yorkston and the Athletes are my new favorite music discovery. Another great band from the Mister Foe soundtrack. But their music is EXACTLY what I'm into. I love it. 

Anyways I'm leaving soon to go to my cousin's house and I thought I'd squeeze in an entry. Not really much to write about except that I'm in a crappy mood because I'm riding the crimson wave and my mom's being annoying. But I did add an episode of Moonlight onto my iPod...oh yeah. 

I can't believe Christmas is on Tuesday....today is the 20th and I thought it was like the 12th haha. December has gone by so fast. The weather has started to clear up which is great. You can tell summer is starting. It's just been beautiful the past week. Clear skies, great temp. And hopefully it will stay this way till April...then back to the rain ugh. 

I think my cousin is here haha so I'd better go. I'll probably update tomorrow when I get back. Have a pleasant weekend!

Song of the day: Junior Boys- Double Shadow

Until next time

Sary

break

"Games that never amount to more than they're meant will play themselves out".

Glen, you're amazing. Pretty much story of my life right now.

So a few minutes ago, I broke off a bracelet that I bought in Huntington Beach a few days before I left. I've been wearing it ever since. Whether this breaking off is symbolical, or just me taking off a bracelet is up to you. I've been wearing it because every time I looked at it I was reminded of the story behind it, and everything I left back home. And lately, every time I look at it, I don't see anything. I mean, I see flashes, but I don't remember what it meant to me with as much conviction anymore. The actions of my friends, well one in particular, have helped me make the decision that I can't expect anything from anyone anymore, thus, the removal of the bracelet. It just doesn't mean what it did to me before.

I have decided that I won't fight it anymore. Friends come and go, life gets in the way and they grow apart....if two months of not a single "Hello" isn't enough for me to understand that, then I don't know what is. Whatever happens next isn't up to me. If we are meant to speak again and be friends like we used to be, then it will happen. I have to believe that things will work themselves out. I am washing my hands, and am dropping any small glimmer of hope that I had for myself, right here and now. I won't speak of this again unless something happens. 

SO.

I am so into my music right now. I guess getting a new iPod has everything to do with this haha. I made tamales yesterday and the day before....well, helped anyway. They came out sooo good. And with my great-grandma's secret recipe? MMM you would die haha. 

It's finally starting to feel like Christmas here. The tamales definitely helped. But my dad is coming on tuesday, and Christmas is on wednesday (for us anyway) and New years is coming up!!! New years, by the way, is one of my favorite holidays. I love everything, the anticipation, the fireworks, the hats, the drinks haha. This year is going to be AWESOME. The last few years have sucked. Like really sucked....

But anyways, in my free time I have come across this amazing tv show called "Moonlight" which got cancelled after 16 episodes. How does that happen when every single week 8 million people were watching? Well, it got cancelled back in May and someone uploaded all the episodes on youtube. I've only known about it for a few days but it's soooo good! I can't believe they cancelled it. But i guess it's a good thing because if it had continued, that would be my new obsession right there. As soon as Smallville ended I would be all over that. And I swore I would NEVER follow another tv show after Smallville haha. I just get too obsessed over these things.

Anywho, that's what's been going on with me lately! What about you?

The next song that comes up on shuffle will be the song of the day!

......

eh, not one of my favorites haha

Song of the day: So Much Trouble- Matt Pond PA

Until next time

Sary

Mr. iPod

dum dum dum dummm!!!

I got my new iPod today. Once again, another thing I am extremely grateful for lately. I don't know if I mentioned this, but we got it for $220 which is less than we got back back, which is great!....

....but with taxes and fees or whatever, they charged us $138 more! Ugh, so much for getting a great price on it haha. But it's better than nothing :/ 

So I went to the house up in the mountains this weekend again, and saw a KILLER rainbow today. It was the only full one I had ever seen, just like a skittles commercial. And on the way back down, we passed by this little community, where every single tree and house was covered in Christmas lights. Ugh I loved it so much. I felt like even though I wasn't back home, I still got to see a little piece of it. But it's funny because the community looked like some village in Italy haha. But I guess what I was told was that every year that street or neighborhood have a competition to see which house has the most lights are something. So cool.

Anyways, my excitement and joy for today have kind of plateaued and are now going slow downhill because I just got an email from my mom's friend back home. Basically she's filled me in sort of on what's been going on with my friend's life and stuff, and then she wrote, "I'm sure she's told you all about this...."

Um, she hasn't. My best friend can't even bother to tell me something so important, let alone say hi and say, "Hey, I'm here. I'm alive. I miss you." Nothing. Nothing for a month and a half. I am seriously almost to the point where I say screw her, have a nice life, I'm glad I left and saw what a shitty friend you really are.

uh...good night. 

Song of the day: Blue Boy- Orange Juice

Until next time

Sary

There is a slight chance

of evening showers. just kidding.

There is a slight chance that Chris might be coming down next summer!! Oh my gosh, I only just talked to him about this a few minutes ago, and I know I'm already assuming too much and I don't want to get my hopes up, but just the thought of my best friend coming down and being here with me....

...it really just made my entire week. Just the thought. Hopefully everything will work out. That would seriously be the coolest thing ever. OAICJ;AOEWIN. So many things and places to see gaaahhh! I can't even begin to think. 

And I think my girl crush on Sophia Myles is just a little bit too obsessive now? haha. I saw Mister Foe last night, thanks to Simon (!) and I loved it. Now I just gotta find a way to download it haha. Pleasant dreams!!

Song of the day: No I in Threesome- Interpol

Until next time

Sary

Cinematically Deprived

I think the last time I wrote, or even talked about a movie in here was more than a year ago, with The Million Dollar hotel. Living in Costa Rica has definitely deprived me of my cinematic discoveries, which is one of the worst things for me. I no longer have that cool indie movie theater by UCI, and most other mainstream movies don't get here till months after they've been released in the US. Just to give you an idea, "Baby Mama" is listed as a new release at the closest movie theater nearby.....YEAH. haha. 

This probably means that I'll have to either:

A) Download movies off of Limewire, which I hate because

i. Given the shitty wireless connection I get here, it usually takes a few days

ii. For the most part, I can only get them when they're out on DVD, which is months after 

it's out in theaters anyway.

iii. It takes up space on my computer!

B) Pray that they are at whichever video store we affiliate ourselves with once we move, at which point I will probably be disappointed about 50% of the time because

i. ANY independent film usually doesn't make it over here

ii. Most of them are pirated so image quality is pretty much out the window

OR

C) Suck it up and try my best to wait until I go back to California, and spend a crap load of money on all the movies I haven't seen.

.... yes, the only way I can express my frustration is through an outline haha. 

So there are many movies that I am dying to see at the moment:

-Synecdoche, New York

-Cashback

-Adaptation

-Rachel Getting Married

-MISTER FOE

I say that last one enthusiastically because I've been wanting to watch it since last year, and only recently has it been released in the US (one week after I left). URGHHH. I've been looking everywhere for torrents, but most of them are broken or 4G's.... the latter is DEFINITELY not happening haha. I've heard mixed reviews, but it looks like such a cool story and I've been a fan of Jamie Bell since "Billy Elliot". Plus, I'd be lying if I said if I didn't want to watch it in substantial part to my girl crush on Sophia Myles.

Song of the day: Andvari- Sigur Ros

Until next time 

Sary

72

Today was the most beautiful day I had seen in 3 months. It was just....perfection. Reminded of driving back home with the windows down.

And that's all I'm going to write today.

Song of the day: Gravity Rides Everything- Modest Mouse

Until next time

Sary

Conjunction

Really quick summary of yesterday:

My cousins picked me up at 2:00 and we went to Multi-Plaza, which is a mall nearby. While we were there, we went Christmas shopping for what seemed like forever, and then at this toy store, I ran into one of my cousin's ex-boyfriends...

....awkward!

The thing is, he's pretty  much a psycho and the entire family hates him. I wasn't here when they broke up, but needless to say I was on my family's side. So anyway, we spent another half hour and the freaking toy store and he was there for 25 minutes of that half hour. I spent the entire time avoiding him. Then we went to this store called "Vertigo" which is like...F.Y.E.? But I think they closed...anyways, I bought X&Y: The latin american tour version....what a rip-off! 

I was all excited because it came with a dvd, so I thought it was from their concert or whatever. All it was, was a couple of new songs which I had already heard before (and I had most of them) set to a slideshow haha. Turns out the word "tour" had nothing to do with it. The lies of consumerism! 

Anyways, what I really want to get to today is a little something I did a while ago, and I thought I'd share it with y'all. About a month ago, I made a list. It was a list of all the things I want to accomplish before I get married. Now I say "married" because I have the notion, or understanding rather, that once you're married your life is over....haha your life is over in the sense that, all the things you wanted to do when you were single or younger, are no longer possible, or at least will have to be postponed to some other time later in your life. The only thing that comes to mind when to give you a better example is in "Knocked Up" when Paul Rudd says, "Say when you're single and you want to live in India for a year! When you're single you can do that, not when you're married." (Or something like that). 

I realized, with a big thanks to Mondonation for opening my eyes, that there are so many things that I want to accomplish. Writing them all down on paper somehow made them more tangible, and it made me feel like a had a purpose. So I folded up that little piece of paper and put it in my wallet and vowed never to get rid of it, until I had accomplished all my goals. Being where I am right now, I felt like my dreams of being a filmmaker where gone forever, but I realized this is just...an ellipsis (to rob Garden State :]) until I move back to California. In fact I know that when I go back I'll have learned so much from being here, and be a much more mature person, that it will actually help me a lot. So maybe there is a reason why I'm here after all...

Anyways, just some words of wisdom for you, of the little wisdom I do have. Write down your goals and dreams, or whatever you want to accomplish. I know it made me feel great. Vow to do them and check them off one by one...you'll feel like a much more accomplished human being :)

Song of the day: Gravity- Coldplay

Until next time

Sary

December

is here!!!! A.K.A. my favorite month of the entire year, as I've mentioned a few times before.

I've decided that I won't be a grinch and let the fact that I'm in Costa Rica stop me from being in the Christmas spirit. I've already downloaded a ton of Christmas songs and put them on a Christmas playlist that will probably play non-stop for the entire month. I also just downloaded a crap load of Christmas wallpapers and set them to rotate on my desktop. 

And I've got a ton of Christmas activities to do this month such as: Bake gingerbread cookies, and make another gingerbread house, decorate the Christmas tree, make tamales on the 13th (!!!!!), help my grandma make eggnog, and so on and so forth. 

If that still doesn't help my situation, I'll just lock myself in my room and pretend that I'm back home haha. My room is going to be a winter wonderland, most definitely. Anyways, I'm missing a KILLER sunset right about now, so I'll leave you with a new song, and a new blog interface! 

I thought I'd go old school and put some Judy Garland on here haha. To this day, I still cry when she sings it in "Meet me in St. Louis". Yes I know, I am a geek.

Song of the day: The Christmas Song- Michael Buble

Until next time

Sary

i'm so full

I just realized that it took two Thanksgivings for me to actually sit down and think about what I was thankful for. And recently there's so much to give thanks to in my life. 

Most of all, I am thankful for my family and Andrew, and that they got here safe and sound. I am thankful that we sold our house back home, especially given the circumstances of the economy. It was really a miracle that we sold that thing. I am thankful that within 3 days of my parents arriving, we found a new house at an INCREDIBLY great price, given the fact that houses were super expensive in the areas we were looking at. I am thankful for all of our health and that we are all okay. 

I am thankful that my grandma's knee has gotten better over the last few months and that my parents lived to see another anniversary tomorrow, and my grandparents will be married for 56 years next month. 

I am thankful that I have such a tight bond with all of my family members, cousins and aunts and uncles alike. It was funny, but as we were all sitting around the dinner table, everyone was talking at the top of their lungs, even though they were two feet away from each other, and I kinda just sat there and took a good look around me, and I just realized how much I loved every single person at that table. 

I am thankful that for all of my life, we have always had enough to eat, have always had clothes to wear, and we've always had enough money to live a comfortable life. Anything I've ever wanted, my parents have pretty much always been able to buy for me. Since I've been here, I've been in some pretty tough neighborhoods, and it breaks my heart to see the poverty that some people have to live in, not knowing how they're going to make it through another day. It just reminds me how lucky I've been my entire life. 

I am thankful for the friends I've made over the years (even if they are being jerks right now and not writing me). Still whatever happens down the road, even if one day we decide that we despise each other and never speak again, I wouldn't trade any of the memories I have with Casey or Chris,  or even Allie. Despite everything that has happened between us, they really were the best friends I have ever had, and I grew to love them as much as my own family. I thank them for letting me know what having and being a true friend really means.

Basically my life is perfect. I mean, I know I complain about things every day, here on my blog, and pretty much every second in the rest of my life, but all the essentials are here. I have the very building blocks of living a wonderful and perfect life right in front of me. Most of us do. It's how we arrange them and use them that determines how happy we are in life. At the end of the day, all the good in my life outweighs the bad, and even makes it look insignificant compared to all the luck I've been fortunate to receive throughout my life. 

I know this entire post sounds like some after-school Charlie Brown special, but for the first time in my life, I actually mean what I am thankful for on Thanksgiving. In the past, I basically said the same thing every year because I had to, and I didn't really take the time to realize what I had. But this year, I don't know why, I am genuinely thankful, and I thank God every night for helping me be so fortunate. 

I guess that's what happens when you grow up.....jesus.

Song of they day: Ready to Fall- Mark Hildreth

Until next time 

Sary

turkey day

So I broke the updating streak yesterday :/

Sorry, but I just needed some time to myself. I was horrified when I woke up yesterday because I knew I had to tell my mom about my stolen iPod. I thought she was going to kill me. But I told her, sobbing, and she was pissed at first, but was better about it later. She realized that it wasn't my fault. It wasn't anyone's fault really. 

We went with her to the place where it got stolen yesterday and the owner said that he had a good idea of who had taken it and was going to talk with him. If not, he said he would pay for it. Which is great, but I don't really want him to because it's not fair to make him pay for someone else's stupidity. We're supposed to go in about half an hour to see him, to see what's up.

Gosh, yesterday in the morning I was such a mess. Could not stop crying. But I felt a lot better after I told my mom and went to see the guy. Anyways, we all realized that it's just an iPod. And here, there are a lot of other worse things that could've happened to me. In a way, I'm glad that they stole it while it was in the car. Otherwise I would've gotten mugged....that's not fun!

So today marks my first Thanksgiving in Costa Rica. It's so weird. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and one of the reasons is (apart from the fooooood) is the season and weather. Back home, right about now, it would be pretty cold, probably cloudy, but my house would be warm and filled with all my relatives, eating all my favorite foods around the dinner table with the fireplace lit.

Here, it's more like: windy, blue skies, huge clouds, perfect temperature, and well, green all around....it's just not that same Thanksgiving feeling you know? Atleast not the kind I'm used to. I don't even want to think about Christmas. The entire month of December is my favorite of the entire year. And I am literally happy everyday that month. I love the cold, and the Christmas songs, and the eggnog and gingerbread men, and the Christmas movies they play on TV, and lighting the tree, and the Christmas lights on Red Hill, I just simply love everything.....

....I have a feeling none of that will happen here haha. I don't know just the fact that I'm somewhere tropical will be enough for me not to get in the X-mas spirit. I mean, summer starts in December.....that's pretty much a BUST. 

Anyways, I'm starving and I have to leave soon so I'll probably update tomorrow morning as well. If not, then have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and have a great weekend!

Song of the day: It looks like love- Josh Rouse

Until next time

Sary

insult to injury

If I had known this morning that I would end up where I am right now......well I probably wouldn't have even left the house. 

I woke up early, went to the U, took a test, got 100%, got my student ID, payed my tuition until May, blah blah, but nevertheless, things were looking pretty good that morning.

Ugh, to not drag out and repeat a painful experience, my iPod got stolen. 

.....

I had that thing for 3 years, took care of it like no other, not a scratch on it, just so it could be stolen by some ASSHOLE at the carwash. Just to know that it's in some guys hands who probably doesn't even know how to use it, after I got so attached to that stupid thing, it makes me furious. And the worst part is, I haven't even told my mom. 

She is going to KILL ME. I have a feeling she'll be the most furious I've ever seen her. Which is why I'm not even looking forward to getting up tomorrow. 

And to add insult to serious injury, I haven't really talked to either of my best friends in about a month, and not for my lack of trying, but rather because of their apathy. Their inconsideration is just..... frustrating, and depressing. It's like my worst fears are coming true. I guess we are the friends that lose touch over time, which is unfortunate. 

If I'm exaggerating here, I really don't care. I'm in a horrible mood. I think the theme for my life today has been inconsiderate people. Inconsiderate people who STEAL my things out of my car, and inconsiderate people who don't even have the courtesy to write back. 

Song of the day: Don't Take Your Love Away From Me- Visual Audio Sensory Theater

Until next time

Sary

Prospekt's March in Smallville

So I really love this whole, updating daily thing. Makes me feel like I actually accomplished something, which is great, because I did absolutely nothing today. 

I am in SUCH a good mood right now! It's a mixture between excitement, anxiety, amorousness, incredulity, and all those things that make you smile and get little butterflies in your stomach. Unfortunately, this feeling of joy has nothing to do with a boy haha. Well, I guess, it has to do with four men haha, who are in a band called Coldplay. Maybe you've heard of them?

So today I went to the iTunes store. I've been doing this weekly ever since I moved to Costa, because the media here isn't really hip to all the popular and new music back home, so I want to keep myself as informed and updated as possible. And in the "New Releases" section, who should I see, but Coldplay?!

Immediately I thought, "Whaaaa...?" You see, I haven't been reading the newsletters I get from the band and so I really have no idea what's going on with them, other than the fact that they are playing in Anaheim....tomorrow. You have no idea how pissed off I was, but that's a whole other issue I don't want to get into. So anyways, I click on the little icon and it's an entire new EP that they've released! Which is great, because it would be a whole other 3 years before I got to hear some new Coldplay material. 

I think I said in some earlier entry when "Viva La Vida" came out that it was their best album yet. But this is seriously their best material ever. Unlike "Viva La Vida" I actually like every single song, except for two "remixes" off their last album, which are basically the same songs with some Jay-Z thrown in there. I mean, it's just incredible. These are the songs that I have always wanted them to make. 

And in another area of obsession in my life, Smallville in my opinion, is in its best season to date, and the episode last week was so amazing. It was directed in a style that had never been seen before in the series, and the cliffhanger was just....guuhhhh! Now I have to wait until January 15th to see what happens. I hate the Smallville winter hiatus.

Well, now that I've shamelessly plugged my two favorite things on my blog, I think it's my cue to exit. Entry about feminism will come up soon haha. That'll be interesting. 

Album of the day: Prospekt's March- Coldplay

Until next time

Sary

aha!

i'm in a rather good mood tonight and i don't want to go to bed on a serious note, so i'll write my entry about feminism for another time haha. for a little levity, here's a survey. enjoy :)

Random
Do you have any pets?	Yes, a dog named Andrew
What color shirt are you wearing?	White
Name three things that are physically close to you:	The pillow, the laptop case, and my sleeping great aunt on the floor hahaha
What is the last book you read?	A book about Angels
Are you or were you a good student?	I was a very good student
What's your favorite sport?	Futbol!
Do you enjoy sleeping late?	yesss
What's the weather like right now?	Calm, still, cloudless night
Who tells the best jokes?	Natalia
What was the last thing you dreamed about?	Kelso!
Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?	Yes. No, some jackass crashed into me
Do you believe in karma?	Yes
Do you believe in luck?	Yes
Do you like your eggs scrambled or sunny side up?	Both. Depends on what mood I'm in
Do you collect anything? If so, what?	Um, Superman and Smallville memorabilia
Are you proud of yourself?	To a certain extent
Are you reliable?	Yes
Have you ever given money to a bum?	Yes
What's your favorite food?	Anything Italian
Have you ever had a secret admirer?	Um Yes
Do you like the smell of gasoline?	Yes!
Do like to draw?	Yeah, I'm not very good though :/
What's your favorite invention?	Photo Booth? Or the iPod maybe.
Is your room messy?	Nope. I like it clean.
What do you like better: oranges or apples?	Oranges
Do you give in easily?	Um, yes.
Are you a good guesser?	Yes! I swear I'm psychic.
Can you read other people's expressions?	Very well, most of the time.
Are you a bully?	No!
Do you have a job?	Haha not as of yet.
What time did you wake up this morning?	8:42
What did you eat for breakfast this morning?	Gallopinto with sour cream and a roll of bread
When was the last time you showered?	Today
What do you plan on doing tomorrow?	Going to Rosie's maybe?
What's your favorite day of the week and why?	Friday, because it's the end of the week and I finally feel like I can breathe
Do you have any nicknames?	Sary, Sarines, Sar, Toad, Nelli, Baby Toad, Baby Nelli, the list goes on
Have you ever been scuba diving?	No, I wish, but I don't think I'd have the guts with my fear of the ocean.
What's your least favorite color?	Pink
Is there someone you have been constantly thinking about? If yes, who?	Um there WAS. Not anymore. Oh, and Casey and Chris :/
Would you ever go skydiving?	Yes
What toothpaste do you use?	Colgate
Do you enjoy challenges?	I guess
What's the worst injury you have had?	Um, I scraped my knee in 2nd grade like a MOTHER
What's the last movie you saw?	Does Naruto count? My cousins are geeks.
What do you want to know about the future?	If I'm ever going to make movies or get married
What does your last text message say?	Some message from ICE
Who was the last person you spoke over the phone to?	Mom
What's your favorite school subject?	Psych or history
What's your least favorite school subject?	Mathhhh
Would you rather have money or love?	Love, duh.
What is your dream vacation?	Prague or Provence
What is your favorite animal?	Penguin, Elephant, Dolphin
Do you miss anyone right now?	Enormously
What's the last sporting event you watched?	Costa Rica vs. El Salvador. We won thank you very much!
Do you need to do laundry?	Um, not this week.
Do you listen to the radio?	Not really since I've been here
Where were you when 9/11 happened?	Waking up. It was all over once I got to school.
What do you do when vending machines steal your money?	Curse, in my head.
Have you ever caught a butterfly?	Yes! Butterfly farms are nifty for that
What color are your bed sheets?	White with stripes of all colors of the rainbow
What's your ringtone?	Sweeeeeeeeeet Emooooooooooootion
Who was the last person to make you laugh?	Tia Ginette
Do you have any obsessions right now?	Smallville, what's new.
Do you like things that glow in the dark?	Yes
What's your favorite fruity scent?	Mango?
Do you watch cartoons?	Mmm, only Superman, when it's on.
Have you ever sat on a roof?	NO!
Have you ever been to a different country?	Haha, I think so.
Name three things in the world you dislike:	Global Warming, Murderers, The Yankees
Name three people in the world you dislike:	Aw. Well. Okay, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Osama Bin Laden
Has a rumor even been spread about you?	Um, maybe. I don't remember
Do you like sushi?	NO. EFF SUSHI
Do you believe in magic?	Sure
Do you hold grudges?	Ugh, I try not to, but more times than not I do.
Take this survey or other MySpace Surveys at PimpSurveys.com

God, my arms hurt from playing Wii all day. Believe it or not, it took me an hour and a half to post this stupid entry. Technical difficulties. Anyways, I think I'll go work on my faux-trailer for a little bit. I promise when I finish it I'll post it up. It's gonna be SIIIICK.

Song of the day: From Where You Are- Lifehouse

Until next time

Sary

growing up

Sorry about my useless rants lately; I want to get back into these philosophical discussions ( well, they're not really discussions because no one else discusses them with me haha) but seriously, I want to get back into these important ideas and sharing my thoughts.

So a few minutes ago I got into a fight with my mom. Well, it wasn't really a fight, it kinda went like this:

I was brushing my hair, and she said, " Aren't you going to straighten it for tomorrow?" And I said, "No I'm going to wash it tomorrow." And she said, "Why do you wash your hair so much?" Now mind you, we've had this discussion many times before. She's told me a million times that I wash my hair too much when I reassure her that I don't. So you can imagine my frustration when I semi-yelled, " I only wash it every two days!" in a rather annoyed tone.....why did I even bother?

She, of course, threw a shit-fit and in her rant said something along the lines of " You're so disrespectful, what's the matter with you, you've gotten out of control since you came here...."

Out of control. Give me a break. So now, the fact that I told her that I wash my hair every two days in an annoyed voice means that I'm out of control. I'd hate to think what going out every night, getting drunk and doing drugs would be categorized as. 

The truth is (and I feel horrible about this) a part of me really wanted my parents to come, because I hadn't seen them in two months. But another even bigger part of me, didn't want them to come. I had been perfectly happy for the last two months, with no one telling me what to do, no one yelling at me, no one over my shoulder watching my every move. And I knew for a fact that when they got here, everything would start all over again just like it was back home. 

I've always said that 18 isn't a really big age for me. I mean sure you're an adult in the eyes of the law, but I know a bunch of people who are 18 and are so immature, they don't even deserve the word. 18 is just a number. But I've come to realize that that's the card I'm going to have to play. When this whole thing blows up and my parents and I have a confrontation, I'm going to have to tell them that I'm 18, I can do what I want, and they can't tell me what to do anymore. And that's something that I never wanted to do, and never saw myself doing. Every single day for the last two weeks, it's been: "Make your bed, don't eat that, go to bed, blah blah blah blah blah!!!" 

I am not a baby. And in case you haven't noticed I've been fine for the past two months without you here. And I know that there's no way I can say that without sounding completely stuck up or childish. Ironic, isn't it. I just want to be left alone. 

So my question for today is, at what age are our parents not allowed to tell us what to do anymore? Well a certain part of me knows that we can be 50 years old and our parents will tell us what to do, and we have to follow orders to a certain extent. But how long, what does it take for our parents to realize that we can take care of ourselves, and we can make decisions on our own?

If you know or have any advice, pleeease let me know haha. 

Song of the day: 11/22- Buddy

Until next time

Sary

Dorothy!

There's a twister outside, I swear. These are worse than the Santa Ana's. But it's actually cold wind, so I guess that's the only good part :/

I've been having trouble sleeping lately and I am SO not sleepy so I thought I'd update. I love you blogger, I really do.

I guess the only thing I can really write about tonight is how much I miss home. Yes, I know we've all heard many times, but it's true. I don't remember if I said this here, but I told someone, I forget who. Anyways, the thing is that when I left home, I thought the move would get easier over time. Like, I would be completely depressed at first, but after a few months or weeks, it would get better. Well, it's turned out to be the complete opposite. My nostalgia and desire to move back has increased drastically lately. I miss everything.

I miss the street lights.

I miss Newport Blvd.

I miss driving in a place where people actually follow the rules of the road. 

I miss Jamba Juice.

I miss Starbucks!

I miss everything being 20 minutes away or less.

I miss the radio.

I miss PCH.

I miss the Disneyland fireworks.

I miss my house :(

I miss my friends.

Most of all, I miss Casey and Chris.

Being away from them has been the worst. I miss their faces and their laughs, and joking about the most RANDOM, IDIOTIC stuff. Haha, I miss flopping around on Casey's couch and watching movies, not wanting to get up. I miss Chris's funny parents and George Lopez inside jokes. I miss the secrets, I even miss the fights and the times where they did something so retarded that I would go on a cursing rampage while rolling my eyes :/

God, I'm so pathetic. I wish this entry wasn't so lame, and I know most of my posts lately have been depressing, but it's how I'm feeling. You try moving to a different country where you don't know anyone. 

I guess the only thing left to do is wait it out. I'll start school in two months and meet a whole bunch of new people, make new friends, even maybe (knock on wood) find a significant other finally, and hopefully I can go and visit next Christmas and Chris and Casey can come visit me sooner than that. 

I was just thinking about what picture I should put up (because I've been adding pictures to all my entries recently) and I realized that I don't even have a picture of the three of us. We should've taken one the last night we were all together....

... well, that's the first thing I'm going to do when we're all together again. 

Goodnight.

Song of the day: Eyes- Rogue Wave

Until next time

Sary

thankful

there's an earthquake at this very moment fuckkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!holy shit a;sdlkf

*****

oh my god hahah what are the odds? well that's what happens to me when there's an earthquake hahaha. whew. that was a long one. like 30 seconds! well anyways. that totally got me out of the mood i was in haha. anyways, i'm sorry i haven't updated AGAIN, but I'll try to be the least verbose that i can. basically

we bought a new house in costa! and it's in a totally nice neighborhood with no potholes and the streets actually have names! hahah. basically i have so much to be thankful for lately. my parents and andrew got here safely (bearing gifts) and we found a house for an incredible price within 3 days of getting here. seems like this move is turning out for the better and everything is going according to plan. luck is definitely on our side. 

anyways, i'm going to TRY and get some sleep and hope there's not another earthquake :/  

Song of the day: Love is a Losing Game- Amy Winehouse

Until next time

Sary

Remember, Remember

Wow. 

Tuesday night was amazing. Words cannot describe. There I was watching Wolf on CNN, Obama was leading by A LOT, but I still didn't want to jinx it. McCain still had the slightest chance of winning. But I still felt really hopeful. Then it was the top of the hour, they started a new session, and Wolf said, " It is official, Barack Obama has just been elected the new president of the United States." Or something like that. 

And immediately I thought, "He did it." We did it. Seeing his picture up there on the screen and thinking that was the next president of the United States, the first African- American president, I really couldn't believe it. And his speech at Grant Park was just incredible. 

He could've really excited the crowd, and reiterated the fact that we had won and made a really big show of it all, but instead he said " We've got a steep climb ahead of us. And it will not be easy" quoting one of my heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King.

Sitting on my bed, with my eyes glued to the television, I had this overwhelming feeling that I was watching history unfold. And yes, I know we've heard it all a million times. But we will also all remember where we were when we first found out he won, when we saw him speak at Grant Park. I've always thought that the best years in American history were the '60's. Yes, despite the Vietnam war and some crazy fashion statements, the '60's was a time of revolution, where people actually cared about this country and this world and weren't afraid to stand up to what they believed in. It was a time of the administration of John F. Kennedy, a time of the civil rights movement, a time of Martin Luther King. And since then, I've felt that America has not had an era of equal importance. Lately, the only thing anyone cares about is who won Dancing with the stars. And I felt ashamed that we as a country didn't fight for anything anymore, especially the things we believed in, because let's face it, we didn't believe in anything. And with the economy in such a bad state, fighting two wars overseas, and millions of people losing their homes, things were looking pretty grim. 

And then a senator from Illinois decided to run for president. Barack Obama winning the presidential election was way more than "the first black president" for me. Yes, the fact that he will be the new president vindicates his ancestors and the millions of countless faces of African-Americans who have been segregated and discriminated for thousands of years. But to me, his winning the election gives people the hope that they have been so desperately searching for in the last few years. Finally! Someone who inspires people, who renews their faith in mankind, who unites people across the country!

I admire him so much for being so courageous in running precisely at this moment, when his tasks as a president will require more from him than any man before him. The obstacles that he has to overcome, that we must overcome, are greater than anything a first-term president has ever had to deal with. He knows the burden he has to carry for all of us, the pressures of being president at this time, the danger of being him right now, and I thank him for his courage and bravery. 

He is not the change that everyone has been talking about, I don't think so anyway. I think he is the first stepping stone, the catalyst to that change we all desperately need and want to "form a more perfect union." He is just the first line of the first chapter of better times ahead. 

The reason why I'm writing so much about him right now is because I simply feel inspired, as I have been recently haha. But he just takes it to a different level. I not only feel inspired for myself, but I feel inspired for the rest of the country, and in turn the rest of the world. 

Again, sitting on my bed watching him speak at Grant Park, I knew that this was a defining moment in our history. I couldn't help but cry, listening to his words, watching everyone come together to witness him as well, and the emotion that he evoked in everyone. It was just a magical moment. I cannot wait to see what the future will bring for us, and for him.

Song of the day: Those Sweet Words- Norah Jones

Until next time

Sary

Inspired

I want everything to do with this project as possible. I love it. It inspires me. I've never been so excited about a website in my life! haha. But it's not just a website. It's a business that advocates compassion and understanding between all groups of people on all walks of life. It's such an amazing and honorable idea. And the fact that I am so inspired by this foundation just proves that it is accomplishing what it set out to do. To inspire people.

Just a few days ago, I was feeling like my life was going nowhere, I didn't know what I was going to do, and I felt apathetic towards everything. But now, I want to get out there, pursue my dreams and accomplish my goals. The funny thing is, I don't want to just accomplish the goals that I've had for some time now. Since last night, I've been thinking of all the other things I could do in my life, and everything that awaits me if I just set my mind to it. So not only do I think I can accomplish what I set out to do, I think I can accomplish everything I have yet to think of. I know I can.

here is the website. check it out. buy a t-shirt. I've already got about 6 lined up! haha. 

MONDONATION

and thanks to my friend Simon for this awesome new music discovery.

Artist of the day: Erik Satie

Until next time

Sary

don't want to go to sleep yet

alas, here i am! gosh, i really am neglecting this thing. which is weird, considering the fact that i basically have no one to talk to here except my cousins, you would think i would write here more often to get all my feelings out. 

today was the second day in a row that it didn't rain! it was so nice to actually see the sun and that actually did cheer me up. but what was even better was the sunset. i've said it before and i'll say it again, Costa Rica has the prettiest sunsets ever. i spent 15 minutes in front of my window just staring at it. it's times like those that are so beautiful that i wish i had a boyfriend, or a friend, just someone to share it with. but i don't think that'll happen until i start school and actually start meeting people and making friends. 

so i'm listening to a really sweet instrumental by Josh Kelley right now. his new album came out, and there's only one good song on it....surprise, surprise haha. if i find it, i'll put it up here so you can listen. but it's amazing how relaxed and optimistic it makes me feel. isn't it amazing how one song can change your mood completely, or take you back to a specific place or time instantly? Gosh I love those kind of songs. For the most part, the songs that remind me of someplace or time all have to do with california. The beach, or my house, or driving up Santa Clara over the bridge. To be honest though, they get me so nostalgic that I've been avoiding them ever since i got here. 

But regardless that's the power of music. To quote the master, Mr. Buckley, " Music in itself is so audacious to me." God that's so true. Can you imagine a world without music? I can't. It's almost like an element, an essential part of life. And it's so universal. I don't know, to me it's like a language that everyone can understand. And making it? Listening to it is one thing, but when you're making it, when you have an instrument in your hand, that's just a completely different experience. It's kind of like after you work out, or when you're with someone you really like haha. It gives you endorphines, and to me, it's almost an out of body thing. I just can't explain the way i feel with my guitar in my hands. It just feels right. 

Ugh, anyways, I'm babbling. Truth be told, I'm feeling pretty lonely tonight and wanted to write. I've come to realize that my blogger is now a dear friend. Well, it's always been, but i'm just now realizing it. It's always here, ready to hear my thoughts :)

On another note, James Morrison FINALLY released a new album, and I have to say I am a little disappointed, but it does have some memorable tracks. Goodnight!

Song of the day: Broken Strings- James Morrison

Until next time

Sary

******************* AND I TOTALLY FORGOT TO ADD!!!*********************

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOGGER!!! HAHA TWO YEARS ONLINE NOW!!

i look back on the first year i had this thing, and it's like reading about a different person....but at the same time, i'm still exactly the same :)

One fine day

I've been neglecting my poor blogger lately. I'm sorry!

But today is one of those days. You know, the rainy kind, where you want nothing more than to wear your favorite sweater and sweat pants, the lights are low in the house, you snuggle up under the covers, put on a pot of coffee, and watch your favorite movie or listen to your favorite music? Well it's what I'm doing at this moment. I figured I'd be proactive and not complain about the rain so much and take advantage of it. I know I said I'd write about music today, but I have to put it off once again. I feel like writing a lot today, and I have a few things to get off my chest. 

First I want to tell you about my weekend. It was a lot of fun. On Friday, I went out with my cousin Natalia and some of her friends from work. Unfortunately for me, most of the guys were in their 30's haha, so no luck there. But they were all pretty cool. First we went to this bar called Longhorns (how more gringo could you get man?). But it was SUCH a cool bar! I only had one drink while everyone else was getting pretty much wasted. My tolerance level is really low still haha, but honestly I don't care if it gets higher or not. I'm not a big drinker. Anyways, I saw a bunch of very attractive guys there :) I wanted to go and say something to some of them, but I figured I'll sit back and observe for now. Ticos are very different from gringos, and I still haven't figured them out quite yet haha.

After Longhorns we went to this new casino by the airport called Fiesta. Mm-hmm. It was a really nice casino though. It felt like being in Vegas. For the first time ever I played the slots! It's really boring actually but I made about 750 colones, which is about a buck and a half hahah. But I loved the whole ambience of the place. Live band, dance floor, go-go dancers haha. But honestly, after about the first hour I was over it. Unfortunately we stayed for another hour and a half and we ended up getting home at 3. My cousin could barely make it up the stairs haha. What a sight. I've realized that pretty much my entire family is amazing for getting tipsy. They all love to drink! No alcoholics though thankfully. 

Okay, now on to the other stuff. This is something I have trouble with, and am trying to overcome: Initiative. In some aspects of my life I have it, in others I don't. Where do I have it? With my friends. If I ever get in a fight or argument, or if something is bothering the other person I always take the initiative and am the first one to say something. Where do I not have it? In pursuing my goals. They always say the first step is the hardest in realizing your dreams, and it definitely rings true for me. Simply put, I am very lazy. And I hate that about myself. I was supposed to call my college counselor about a month ago and I still haven't. I was supposed to read this book to help my spanish a week ago and I still haven't. I was supposed to shave my legs this morning and I didn't haha. You see what I mean? I have a problem with initiative and procrastination. I know those things I just listed are small, but if I don't take care of this problem now, soon this lack of initiative will cross over into the more important areas of my life. I think the key is passion. If I was as passionate about all these things as I am about my friends and family, then I would be on the right track. I just have to find a way or reason to care about these things. But what scares me is that I SHOULD already care about them. Is apathy taking over my life?

I don't know the answer. But it is definitely something I have to work on. Sorry about the somber atmosphere in here, but on a happier note, Ray Lamontagne's new album is amazing :) And I can't wait for Halloween next weekend. 

Song of the day: Someone Like You- Van Morrison

Until next time

Sary

I love it

          "This was my morning"           

                                               

I had SUCH a good day today! And I honestly have no idea why, because it wasn't anything spectacular. I got up around 9, ate breakfast, took a shower, and headed out with my grandpa to do some errands. We drove around Chepe to the optometrist, the bank, Fischel, etc., and it was a beautiful morning for the most part. It's so weird to see the people drive here. Well, I'm not sure if "weird" is the best word to describe it..."astonishing" is better haha. 

Honest to God, people make their own rules and lanes here. It's crazy. The other day we were at a stoplight and first in line was a moped, a cop, and then us. The light was red of course, and the guy on the moped got frustrated because it was taking a long time, so he just went for it and sped off, right in front of the cop! Do you think he did anything? Nope. Haha. He just looked at the guy next to him in the other lane and just laughed about it. It's little things like that that make me smile and say "Only in Costa Rica". 

So after our errands and stuff, we came back, ate lunch, and had an amazing nap. I've gotten used to that here now. After lunch, EVERYONE goes and takes a little siesta. I usually just lay down and watch TV because I can never fall asleep during the day, but today I actually slept. Anywho, after that I started working on this fake trailer that I'm making for Smallville. Yes, roll your eyes if you want to, but it's freaking tiiiiight. It looks real. And I gotta use Final Cut for something right? Otherwise what's the point? But I love editing. Maybe even more than directing. The whole thing is like a puzzle. And once you get the idea mapped out in your head, you lay all the clips out and play around with them, and then slowly but surely, it all unfolds and starts to make sense, exactly the way you envisioned it. I'm about a minute in right now. I think you can post videos on this thing...maybe when I'm done I'll post it up here.

I guess another reason why I'm in such a good mood is because I have discovered some awesome new music. I LOVE it when that happens. "Fleet Foxes" are my new favorite discovery. Strongly recommend them. And Ray LaMontagne's new single is amazing, as all his music is. His new album comes out in a few days. I love that man. 

I had the weirdest dream last night. Well, all my dreams are weird, but I've been remembering them more and more lately. So now I have a better idea of how my dreams work. I never knew if I dreamt in black and white, or color. I always had the idea it was more technicolor. But my dream last nigh was in full color. And at first, I was having the dream from my point of view, but then I was watching myself. I was on this cliff thing and it was like a helicopter aerial shot and I was looking down at myself....but I could still feel the wind on my face. It was so weird. And then it went back to my point of view. I was with someone ( who shall remain nameless) and then I kissed him, and I could feel everything. IT WAS SO COOL! I love it when that happens too haha. 

Anyways, I'm in an exceedingly good mood, which doesn't really happen often so I'm enjoying this right now. Sorry for the useless ranting about my day, but I felt like retelling what happened to me today. Next post will be about music I promise. Speaking of which...

Song of the day: Ragged Wood- Fleet Foxes

Until next time

Sary