Home and Art

I am so excited for Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday of the year. I love the food and being surrounded by my family and friends.


I also found some great inspiration lately. I found the house that I want to live in. Or, at least, a house kind of like this one.















I can just feel the warmth radiating from the house - truly making it a home. That is a feeling that I try to bring every where I go. Whether it's my apartment in Athens, Beijing, or any other place I am in for an extended period of time, I try and make it feel like home. That sense of security is something that is so important to me.

I also find this home and view spectacular.


I've also rediscovered my love for art history. I have a feeling, had I chosen differently, I would be attending Williams College majoring in Art History.











--Aaron

Meryl Streep and more...

In honor of Ellyn, I am writing a post about Meryl. What an acting goddess. She's been nominated 15 times for an Academy Award and won twice. She won once for "Kramer vs. Kramer" and then again for "Sophie's Choice." Both were stunning performances and left me emotionally drained.





Many movie reviewers consider her the greatest living film actress. It's hard to deny that.

Another great actress: Hilary Swank. She's kind of man-ish and has very prominent facial features. But, she's a wonderful actress and I'm excited to see "Amelia."





I have to write this paper on the legality of wiretapping. I'm not in the mood for it at all.

At least, I have Glee to look forward to!

--Aaron

Helen Mirren, etc.

Can I just say that, if given the chance I would completely choose to be an old British woman. They just seem to have so much fun. They seem to be prudish and demure, yet inappropiate and too witty for their own sake. It's fantastic to watch.

I've recently become addicted to british television. You can simply look at my netflix queue and know that my heart belongs in Southeast London watching DCI Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) solve a murder. So, I know that I'm super late in watching this, but Prime Suspect really is enthralling. The British version of a murder mystery isn't like CSI or NCIS where it's caught up in the minutiae of forensic science. It relies on good-old fashioned detective work - from profiling to knocking on doors and asking neighbors. Of course, there are some forensic details thrown in to add to the drama, but I'm fascinated by this show. I am already on season 4 and have 3 more to go! Not to mention, Helen Mirren is gorgeous in every aspect.



The next series I am moving on to is: State of Play. It has so many good actors in it! It was also directed by David Yates(Harry Potter 6). How can this NOT be good?



So, my blog is definitely going to be more about movies and TV. I have an obsession with movies and I can't satisfy my hunger. Dream Job: write movie reviews for the NY Times. A.O. Scott, I am totally gunning for your job.

There is nothing more exciting for me than Fall's Oscar glow. Early contenders:
George Clooney




This movie looks stunning and plays with my inner english major. John Keats, why couldn't you write poetry for me?!



When will this come to Athens?!I love vignettes. It's like as if a poem and a short story came together and made a baby.



--Aaron

No rest for the weary...

I think I'll be doing schoolwork non-stop until Christmas break. Am I okay with that? Not really, but I don't have any other option. Even fall break will not come as a respite but as a particularly nerve-wracking weekend. *sigh*

Here's to getting work done!

I'm also in love with this song. The melody and rhythm captures what it's like to fall in love (not that I know what that feels like...*bitter*).



I really want to go to Croatia. The Dalmatian Coast looks gorgeous. Someday, someone will take me to Dubrovnik and I can explore this place.







--Aaron

Fall...

October is tomorrow. Where is my Senior year going? I'm drowning under the amount of work that I have to do: GRE studying, scholarship applications, statement of purpose, approaching mid-terms and regular school work.

我也很想中国。 I'm also feeling some serious nostalgia for China. I'm not too sure why. While I was going through my program, I was lonely and had so much work to do. But, some how being back here has made me miss it. I miss the simplicity of my life there. It had a routine and my daily life, while exhausting, was so rewarding. I also miss my friends that I made there. I guess the stress of trying to figure out what I am doing next year isn't that fulfilling.

Who knew that Blair (Leighton Meester) could sing?

Cobra Starship - New Music - More Music Videos

I am in love with this song.

This weather is gorgeous. It makes me want to take long walks and pick apples or collect maple syrup. The leaves are going to start changing soon and it's going to make North Campus even more beautiful. I love fall.



Tonight is another episode of Glee. I am so pumped! At least I have TV to distract me!

Also, can we please talk about how much I love this new Whitney song? This DIVA is back!


--Aaron

Back to High School

I am currently in love with Chinese poetics. It's fascinating, really. The way my Classical Chinese teacher talks about Chinese poetry and describes how the different elements within the poems work is intriguing. It's also remarkable how the grammatical structure of a poem reveals Chinese way of thinking and views of the world. I think I am going to do directed reading next semester.

I have to present to my alma mater on Friday. I'm excited as well as a little nervous. I can't remember what I was like at 14/15 and I'm not too sure how to engage my audience. I'm going to talk about my time in China and give them some words of encouragement. I guess, to some extent, I'd like to inspire them and turn their attention to a region of the world they haven't thought about much. I think it'll be a good presentation. I hope someone gets something out of it.

My mom brought me a new recipe leaflet she got. It has some great ideas. I can't wait to try them out soon!

Maybe a delicious Boston Creme Pie?
Or, for dinner, Stuffed Chicken Marsala?


I am excited for the Roosevelt tailgate this Saturday. It should be a good time!

I'm ignoring my massive amount of homework. But, I'll get to it after tonight's episode of Glee!
--Aaron

Lazy Sundays...

Today seems like a Coldplay kind of day. It's rainy outside and I have an acute case of the sniffles. Well, more like a cold...complete with a smoker's cough, stuffy nose, and aches and pains. I hope it's nothing more serious.

I should study harder for the GRE. I know the math section will be the death of me. Hopefully, I'll pull it together and come away with a score I'm pleased with.

But, I think I am going to start reserving Sundays for baking days. I really do like cooking, baking, etc. It's a great stress reliever and something I can really focus on. I can just shut out the world and focus on making my cake look perfect. I'm thinking I'll start today. What should I bake? I wish I had some bananas, as I would love to bake some delicious banana bread. But, I think I'll save that for our Roosevelt tailgate on Saturday.

Maybe some monkey bread?

I am pretty excited for fall to get here. I love the cooler weather, the changing leaves, and the lovely colors that surround me as I walk around North Campus. Plus, I really want to try and make my own jam or preserves. It seems kind of hard, but doable. I also think they would make great gifts and I could make them look so cute!
I could put them in a basket and decorate the jars. What a great house-warming gift or a gift for someone who's done something nice for you recently! I'm excited about this project.

I am looking forward to Grey's Anatomy starting this week. Even though George has left the show, I think it's going to be a good season.


I also bought Gossip Girl season 1. Maybe, I'll watch that today as I do some homework and make my powerpoint presentation on China.
-Aaron

New Beginnings

I'm really excited to start this new blog. I'll probably be making posts daily, so get ready for them! They'll range from cooking to current events. I hope you all like them.

Right now, I am listening to this Mat Kearney song, "Closer to Love." It's such a beautiful song. It makes me want to drive down the road during sunset. It just evokes such imagery.