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