Earthquake in Maryland.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/us/2010yua6/us/index.html

The world's alarm clock?


At around 5:04am Montgomery and Howard County had a 3.7 earthquake. It woke me up, as well as Mom, Norman and Maui. Then about 5 or 6 minutes later, Ricky called me asking if I thought it was an earthquake. It only shook for about 10 seconds, and it felt more like a really bad thunderstorm or a series of 18 wheelers going through the neighborhood. Apparently people in York, PA could feel a little shake as well, but not as much as Gatherburg (where the center was).

Listening to the news, and people calling, everyone thought it was something just going on in their neighborhood, or something wrong with their own home. But then, the realized (like I did) that it must have been an earthquake.

I still can't believe that it just happened, and it was pretty scary, but a neat experience to have experienced and to actually remember it this time.



-Alli

Thunderstorms

At 12:40 in the morning, the rain and thunder woke me up, after I had only been asleep for an hour. It is pouring outside, and all I can think of is "God I hope my car windows are up." I see the lightning flash and slowly count on my hands "one...two...three...four...five...six...sev/BOOM." I have never been very good with thunderstorms. They make me feel unsafe. But for some reason, I feel pretty safe tonight. I have my new Pandora playlist for Mumford and Sons playing, and I had just finished painting a cute little cartoon of two elephants infront of the Colosseum in Rome for a friend of mine, and I can see Maui's (my cat) tail from underneath my bed. She is in hiding as well, I am assuming. The rain is so loud, it is over powering my music. Pretty crazy!

Thank God for all this rain though. Maryland sure does need it, after all we are "in a drought" and some counties are now on a water restraints. Well, in my opinion I think this week of rain will do it. I hope this just doesn't drown my cherry tomato plants! 

Those plants have gotten to be about 7 feet tall, and are starting to grow some tomatoes! I shall add pictures when its not down pouring outside, and I can go around to them. Mmm I can almost taste them in my mouth. Oh how I love cherry tomatoes!

Anywho... the count "one...two...three...fou/BOOM" Jees, its coming closer. I have a feeling this is going to be one sleepless night! 

Keep safe loveys.

-Alli

The Rogues

My uncle loves going to the Renaissance Festival in Maryland, and he usually goes for one reason, the celtic band The Rogues. They are a combination of sounds, bagpipes, violin, piano, guitar, drum, etc. Some of their songs have lyrics, and some are just them totally rocking out! My uncle and his entourage for his birthday, went from show to show for one whole day at the festival. I believe we went to 4 shows. Each one completely awesome! (and it didn't hurt that the bagpiper was totally cute!) 

But anyways, what I am getting at right now, is that this band, is starting to become one of those bands that I go to when I really need to be picked up. Or I just want to listen to some awesome/different music that instantly puts a smile on my face. Some music that really I am into this summer. I find myself rocking out to the bagpipes and drums in my car as I drive into Baltimore for work! 

There is something about the sound of bagpipes that really hit me, they are so intriguing and fascinating to me, and any man that can play the bagpipes... wow! [hello instant attraction props.] haha. 

So my advice, go on to YouTube and look up The Rogues.

Here are some links::

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbo9nMUMCn8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNB_T1F3Umo&feature=related

Once you fall in love with them, go on to itunes and get their album: American Highlander! 

http://www.therogues.com/fr_home.cfm - Their Homepage!!!

And here are some pictures from the MD RenFest 2009. 

My friend Kate and I with the violinist, and the cute bagpiper! =]

Hi cute bagpiper, whats your name?? 

And thats all for now! Please let me know what you think about them!!

-Alli

Mac and Cheese and Apple Juice

Not the best combo!

Although a marathon of some awesome movies, make up for the really bad combination of flavors. 

-Alli

Two recent photographs.

No one puts baby in a corner. 

It's the little things in life that matter. 

-Alli 

Fathers day.

There is nothing better than when I sit on my couch with my father and my brother and watch golf. How typical this ritual is for a sunday, it justs reminds me that I am home. It is usually silent, and my mother is usually there trying to understand what is going on, who is who, and when people should clap or not. My brother is lying on the couch, taking up as much room as possible, laughing at Phil Mickelson, or Dustin Johnson, whoever is doing bad at that exact moment. My father, silent, except for the occasional snoring coming from the far left of the couch, as his snores wake him up. (I don't know how he does it, I swear this man can not watch a full match, game or whatnot without falling asleep, yet he can restate to you everything that happened if you ask.) And then there is me, sitting usually cross-legged in the middle of my couch (awkwardly) on my computer, or with my cell phone in hand and trying to contribute to the little golf-talk that is going on--attempting to expand my knowledge of the game. There is not much to this sunday tradition, but all I can say, is that for me, its home.  

-Alli

Chapter Two of my un-titled story.

II.

I had never seen anyone so beautiful in my life. And he must have never seen anyone who gives less of a shit about how they looked that day than me.

He looked like he just jumped off the pages of the November issue of J.Crew catalogue. He is a small boy for a football player. His legs covered by a pale green chino pants must be very muscular. I bet he could run for hours. Under his navy pea coat and navy scarf must be a hidden outline of a six-pack accented with a gorgeous natural tan that would make my hands go absolutely ballistic and unintentionally explore every inch of them, guiding my finger along each outline.  His style was abnormal considering the fact that he was a college division-one football player. Usually they are spotted in sweatpants and a sweatshirt that proudly displays “Pittsburgh Football.” No. Ben Clover was different. He dressed preppy. And it drove me crazy.

He was walking out of the south entrance (where I was entering) of Berkin’s hall, and had a limp. He must have been at the Athletic Training floor; some lucky female (or male) trainer got the privilege of massaging Ben’s fabulously shaped hamstring. Its people like him that make me wish I was a trainer, just so I could touch him and it not be completely awkward.

Ben held the door for me as I walked into Berkin’s. I could feel his eyes stare me up and down. Ugg boots, grey sweatpants, a navy “North Hill Rangers” sweatshirt, and a pink umbrella—wow I looked ridiculous. And I felt his eyes look me up and down, and continued away. I was insignificant to him. He did not notice me. My smile instantly dropped to a depressing frown. As I walked through the portal that the future love of my life held for me I gasped out a quiet “Thanks,” hoping he’d respond, and I would be able to hear his voice. But he didn’t. He smiled. He flashed his perfect, abnormally straight white teeth accented by soft lips, accompanied by his gentle dimples, at me. I died.

I am a big fan of details, if you can't already tell. 

Thoughts?

-Alli

the collection of my canvases so far.

This summer I have decided to paint small canvases that I bought at Michaels for $3.99 for a package of 3. Here are some of the painting cartoons I've done!

For my grandparents

For my friend, Ashley.

For my friend, Kari.

For me, obviously... =D

Just another one.

And my twitter inspired one! Over capacity. 

Do ya like them? And Do you have any suggestions for other animals? I am currently working on a pug and a zebra! 

-A very artsy Alli

New Job!

Good news, world... Alli got a job at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore selling boat tours!! You should come and visit me, and of course take a boat tour!! 

Other than that, I just dropped my friend off at the airport for her 7 week trip to Greece and Italy. Crazy, and I am already jealous of her... I want to go back to Italy so bad! 

-Alli 

Afternoon Delight.

Enjoying the nice day out and getting some painting in with my friend Greer.

me in my painting gear--a tye-dye shirt and shades. 

Greer on the porch/in our studio. 

Our set up on the back porch. 

Nothing is better. 

-Alli

Bonfire.

Tonight, I went to a bonfire, and we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. Gosh how I just love the smell. 

The best part-- my sweatshirt will smell like a bonfire for the next two weeks. ((smile))

-Alli

My first Canvas!

Well, since I am currently unemployed for the summer, and hopes are not looking too good. I decided that it would be a good idea to craft all the things that I need to decorate my room. So, for about $2.99 I bought three  5x7in canvases and painted one this afternoon. Of course, I painted an Elephant, because lets be honest, I am slightly obsessed. I found a little cartoon on Google, and decided to attempt to paint the cartoon. 

Thats what I ended up with! Not too bad!! Kinda cute, actually! 

Until my next craft,

-Alli 

Etsy.com

Thanks to my crafty cousin, Tamara Stoddard (and her awesome website:: Brooklyn Craft) I have found this website called Etsy.com. It is a little network that has local and small artists on there trying to sell some of their artwork or other crafts that they have made, and get their name and business known. Things on there are decently priced, and most of it is free shipping! It looks like an amazing way to get some unique items that you know were made with lots of love. So check it out! 

((ETSY WEBSITE))

And make sure you check out my cousin's website as well!

((BROOKLYN CRAFT))

Until later,

-Alli

Youth

So, currently I am at the Virginia Theological Seminary for the Episcopal Church, I am a participant at a Youth Leader Conference-- although I feel more like a youth here. But anyways, here is my thought process throughout one part of the program. I have become uneasy with the word youth. 

It is not the word itself, because honestly I think it is a clever word. But rather, I hate the label attached to it. How it is used as a device, a 'nickname' for a generation that I am in. The age gap continues to grow and become larger, and the next thing I know, I will be 34 and still considered a youth until I turn 35, then the bar is up to 40. It is a never-ending tick on the timeline of my life. 

It is a word that can be an aid but also a limitation. 

With such a movement for 'Youth' involvement in our world, i.e. in the church, voting, etc. the youth are constantly bombarded with the idea that they must be pro-active about absolutely everything. That because we are the 'voice' of the next generation that we must empower our peers to help fight for one cause, and get rid of another. We are the future. If I hear that one more time, I might puke. WHY can't you, adult, be the future now? You always get mad when we make fun of your age, and you say that you aren't that old. Then if you aren't that old, then why can't you be the future as well? That a little lazy contradictory of you. You will be here tomorrow, and possibly in 1, 2, 5, 10 years, I consider that the future. Don't you? 

But being a 'youth' can also be a curse, it seems. We are considered a 'YOUTH'; a grouping of young people. Our minds are made up for us sometimes. For example: "The youth don't believe in anything' [source: my dear friend Stefanie's personal encounter], 'The youth want to be different,' 'The youth need to be nourished because they are just so young.' Or my personal favorite:: ' The youth need to be saved. Like we are some dying, distressed creature that must "find their way" by the guidance of our "superiors" that just know exactly what to do, in every situation, in every aspect of life. That is what we were told, that is what we grew up with, and that is probably what we will tell our youth. 

As a young person (a term I actually prefer better than youth because it actually acknowledges that we are people, and are different persons that share the common age range) I am often told that "I just don't understand this world because I am just a youth." But if I am a youth in your eyes until I am 30. Does that mean you will not listen to me (because I "don't know what I am talking about) until I hit 30, get married and have kids of my own? If so, that is again quite obnoxious of you, fictional 3rd person character labeled adult that I am talking to. 

I am told that I am corrupt from the media that I expose myself to. But then again, I am told that it is not my fault, and it is just the youth culture that I am apart of, and I will grow out of it. Maybe I won't. 

This word youth is a complex noun that has been tossed to young people as a device used to categorize them us, and thus giving the older generation permission to either stress their constant concern for us, or create our thoughts, feelings and needs for us. 

Just a little food for thought, from a youth, herself. 

-Alli 

Spinning Class

So I tried a spinning class out at my gym on Tuesday, and my god--am I in pain today!! It was actually though a great work out! Something that I could see myself doing more and more. But it did hurt a lot, but I stuck it out the whole class (minus the 1 minute I got water) and I am so proud of myself! After the couple months in Italy eating all that pizza and pasta, its nice to finally get some exercise! 

If you have a gym that you belong to and they offer a spinning class, I would definitely recommend it! If I can do it, you can! 

And trust me, they kick your ass! But it feels great walking out of there conquering 60 minutes of cycling! 

Try it out. Why not?

-Alli

I take pictures...

Here are some of my favorite portraits of my friends [and strangers] that I have taken.

Catie- Roma, Italy 2010

Sara- Tarquinia, Italy 2010

Ryan- Maryland 2008

Kaitlyn- Maryland 2008

Taylor- Toledo, Spain 2007

Joey- Capri, Italy 2010

Sam- Roma, Italy 2010

Kate- Pittsburgh 2009

Father & Son- Vatican City 2010

Man- Vatican City 2010

Pie in face- Maryland 2008

Ideas

While on the plane ride, yesterday, I developed more plot points to my story. It is so exciting. But now the tricky part... how to write it out. The hardest place to start is at the beginning... what if I started from the end and worked backwards... maybe I will try this out! 

Tomorrow, I am having an American Barbecue with some spanish friends that I have made in Madrid. We are cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, mac salad, potato salad, corn bread, corn on the cob, fruit salad, and if we are feeling adventurous... apple pie. (mmmm) My two friends and I have come up with an 'American' Playlist... basically just songs that we like, with some titles including America placed in. 

Then includeee:

1. American Pie- Don McLean

2. Jack and Diane- John Mellencamp

3. Meet Virginia- Train

4. American Boy- Estelle

5. American Girl- Tom Petty

6. Party in the USA- Miley Cyrus

7. I love Rock and Roll- (the) Britney Spears (cover)

8. California Girls- The Beach Boys

9. Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond

10. Born in the USA- Bruce Spingsteen

I'm excited. I don't know if the spaniards will like know them. But we will see. 

- ^lli

Tired

Have you ever felt so tired that you just can't... type? 

Today was a long day. Starting at 6am and flying to Santiago, Spain (from Madrid), walking around the whole city, then flying back to Madrid at 8pm... the same day. boh.

-Alli 

Glee!

The amazing show, Glee, was just picked up for their 3rd season!!! How awesome. This show is great, because it is your favorite songs sung by amazing/different voices. And they never disappoint... and can we mention the drama. (great) 

Congratulations, Glee! Now all the Gleeks out there are happy! 

I am proud to say that: I am a big Gleek. 

Love them all!!

-Alli

Yogaaa

Well, one thing you might not know about me, I love yoga. I have been doing yoga for about 4 years (not religiously like i would like to however). A couple months ago, while I was back in the states, I fell in love with 'hot yoga.' With a friend of mine, we went all the time. However, while I spent my semester abroad, I (regretfully) did not keep up with my yoga. [Terrible, I know]. But come two weeks, when I am back in the States, I will get back into the groove and I am really excited to. 

Today, I found an amazing site for yogis alike. 

Check it out. 

They have everything you would want or need if you want to pick up Yoga, or if you are already an amazing yogi. 

Enjoy!

-Alli

(santorini, greece. april 2010)

Eat Pray Love.

I woke up another day in Madrid! I wonder what today has in store for me? Yesterday was awesome working at an Elementary school in a small town right outside of Madrid. The kids were lovely! And their english! Woahh, puts any foreign language that I have studied to shame! 

Today's agenda... Laying out and rereading one of my favorite books, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. This has to be my 4th or 5th time reading it.. It is absolutely amazing. It makes me rethink a lot and it inspires me! She definitely is someone that I would love to meet. She has been through so much, and yet she is so strong now from all the heart break and criticism that she has gone through. More power to her!

And now, Eat Pray Love, is becoming a movie (well everyone already knows that) but check out this trailer for it. I love Julia Roberts, and this book, so hopefully she won't let me down!

I am excited. Who else is? 

-Alli

The story I am trying to write.

Here is the first chapter of the story I am currently writing... let me know what you think. 

This is the story of how I fell in love with Ben Clover.

I.

I have always enjoyed the smell of snow. The crisp tingling feeling that hits the tiny hairs inside of my nose, and sends a shiver up my nasal passage and cools my racing brain. It is almost like peppermint. How when you take the first sip of your peppermint mocha, it is painful, but as it travels down your mouth towards your inviting throat, it is calming. You can feel this trail lead through your body, gliding through each organ until it rests in your rewarded stomach. I love the scent of freshness that comes with the first snowflake that lands on Pittsburgh soil. This smoggy town needs a few more of these, to clean up the infectious past this town has of mining.

       I don’t remember how I ended up here--in such a unique town like Pittsburgh. I mean, besides the University, why did I choose to move up north and study in a town full of cloudy days, raining mornings, and depression controlling it all. But the bizarre thing is… I love it here.

       I love the cold--on days that it isn’t so bitter that my tears that keep my eyes moist freeze, creating complications in blinking. I love to bundle up in sweatpants, a sweatshirt and my delicious dark grey pea coat (that my mother insisted on buying for me on my 18^th birthday, even though I would have much rather enjoyed riding in a brand new Silver Volkswagen Beatle), when I know that I am completely covered, and not the slight breeze of the twenty-four degree winds will find a sliver of bare skin.

       But most importantly, I love the people I met here. Each extremely different from the one standing next to them, a different race, gender, ethnicity and outlook on how life should be. I’ve met people from all notches of the diversity scale. Burnt-out potheads, that do nothing but sit on the hill behind the Arts building and smoke a joint as they watch their lives being slowly ripped from under them, to the intensively study-aholic that has a permanent residence at The Oak Library on campus, and whose only means of survival is the buck-fifty crappy coffee that The Oak has in the lobby, and a granola bar.

 I have met the overly enthusiastic African-American girl that feels she must tell you every inch of “her peoples” backgrounds-- even though you have studied it in high school for four years by your again overly enthusiastic African-American woman teacher who only teaches because of Black History Month-- and still you don’t give a shit because there is nothing you can do about the past but you listen to them continue on because you know all they want to hear is their own voice showing up an innocent white girl. (Now don’t get me wrong, I am in no way racist or whatever. Its not because they are black or whatever, more power to ya, but rather that I have hear this speech over and over again since I was 4, so excuse me if I am annoyed with it.) 

I have also met the stereotypical rich daddy’s little girl, who secretly is a sleazy whore but attempts to cover it up with a Burberry scarf and her light blue Northface and Uggs. They all seem to gather by the door to the gym in my dorm building, like the should go in and run .3 miles, but they must finish their venti-sized Caramel Macchiato first.

I have run into the entire football, baseball and soccer team while attempting to walk to my Psychology class that was mistakenly placed in the Athletic Training building. I never understood why someone would want to be an Athletic Trainer. I guess so they can tape up super good-looking football quarterback’s ankles, and rub the backs of the All-star soccer goalie. I guess that is something worth majoring in. But don’t they also have to deal with hyperextensions, broken legs and arms, and questionable rashes. If so, I’ll pass.

It was at this very moment, rushing into the questionably dirty glass doors of Berkin’s Hall that I made eye contact with him. The six-foot blonde, green eyed, European-type twist to his complexion like he has spent all his vacation this summer on the beaches of Italy, and showcased perfectly aligned dark eyebrows that gently outline his brow bone. The captain and wide receiver of our football team, the Homecoming King of 2007 and the winner of Greek Best Bod competition 2007, Ben Clover. 

Thoughts?

-Alli

Songs for the summer.

Thanks to several sources, PerezHilton, my friend Sam and Emily, and of course the loves that I have made in Rome, I have come up with a couple songs that I believe will be hits this summer. Well, they will be for me at least. But, they are definitely worth looking into! 

1. Stereolove- Edward Maya ft. Vika. [it is love.]

2. Believe- Travis Garland [PerezHilton and Lady GaGa love this one]

3. Magic- B.o.B. (ft. Rivers Cuomo of Weezer) [pretty neat song.]

4. Animal- Neon Trees

5. All the Lovers- Kylie Minogue [just, fabulous.]

Those songs will definitely be on my playlist for this summer!! Let me know what you think about them. Which ones are you favorite? 

And with that, I let you decide. 

-Alli

Attempt at poetry.

I write.

When I don’t know what to do—I write.

When 5 months of being invisible doesn’t seem like enough—I write.

When it seems like everyone around me falls in love—I write.

When I feel like I have nothing going for me—I write.

When I wish you were only a phone call away—I write. 

When I see him in love—I write. 

When I see myself falling apart—I write. 

When I feel inspired—I write.

When I want to make a difference—I write.

When I feel like I haven’t made a difference—I write.

When people tell me to feel better—I write.

When you told me you loved me—I wrote.

But now it seems like I can’t write anymore.

With that attempt, I am gone.

-Alli

Quote

Well, I am a sucker for quotes, I love them, and I try to live by them. I feel like they are a 2 second input on how one should or could view the world. I must admit my nerdyness for a moment, I am one of those people that hover over a quote, staring at it, trying to absorb it as much as I can. I think they are brilliant. 

This quote, my roommate that I had while I was living in Rome found in her textbook, of all places:

"Baths, Wine and Love-making destroy our bodies, yet Love-making, Wine and Baths make life worth living.- Palatine Anthology"

My roommate read me this quote, and I instantly fell in love with it. It remains on my desktop and I must catch myself reading it a couple times a day. It is simple, yet complex at the same time. The things that we love in this world, destroy our bodies, yet with out them, we don't have a body to then destroy, but rather our minds would deteriorate. We live our lives from one material thing to another, one passion to another, but we don't stop to think how these things, catching up to us, can hurt us. How they things we love can also be our kryptonite. How sometimes, the person we love, can also be our kryptonite. 

This quote is not romantic one, it is not Shakespeare, nor is it a Corinthians quote either. But it does have the impact as those do, it is still very very deep. I look at it everyday, trying to see how it applies to my life this day. What am I doing that feels so natural to me is killing me? Yet, what is killing me that feels so natural?

And with that, I sign off.

-Alli

LC or Kristen?

Thank you to my dear friend, Sam, I am currently downloading the entire 1st season of Laguna Beach. Yes, I know, I can already sense your jealousy. Call it s guilty pleasure, a boredom show, what have you, Laguna Beach was (and still is) one of my favorite shows. It incorporates just the right amount of drama and good looking people in a great location, that even if you lived next door, you'd be jealous. 

It has style, it has class, and Stephen has one fine ass. 

Although, in "real life," because I don't count this as real life, I am an LC fan. But honestly, in this show, I couldn't be more of a Kristen fan--mainly because she is the most dramatic, and it makes me feel better about myself. Bad to say, oh well... I'm not talking about "real life" so I can get away with it, right?

Itunes says I have about 15 minutes left, until I can watch this lovely show. So I might find some blankets, a pillow and curl up in my room and pretend I was there. 

And with that, I'm gone. -Alli

Locks of Love.

Thursday, I was in Köln, Germany visiting some family friends when they asked if I would like to walk the bridge. I thought this was a very random question, but I have kept this attitude throughout my whole European travel, my "why not" attitude. So we walked the bridge. And what we saw, what they planned for me to witness, was astonishing. For the length of the whole bridge, along the railing to the train were locks-- lots and lots of locks. 

I vaguely remembered seeing something just like this on the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy, when I was there a few months back. And even there, I was blown away by the simplicity of this little act of love. To place a lock on the bridge, something that can only be opened by the right key, then either tossing the key into the river (promising to love the other person forever) or keeping the key as a reminder that only together can you open the lock of love you placed. 

Simplicity at a time where the world truly needs it. 

And with that, I leave you.

-Alli