Black Tie Affair, Minus the Ties

Reading: Rabbit, Run (John Updike)

Day #16:

"Your celebrity crush."

Boy howdy.

I admire these men for their acting abilities... and of course their pretty faces.  So sue me.

Anyways, remember how I really like Top Five lists?  Let's make this a Top Ten (again, in no particular order).

1)  James McAvoy

Favorite performance: Atonement

2)  Cary Grant

Favorite performance: An Affair to Remember

3)  Joseph Gordon Levitt

Favorite performance: 500 Days of Summer

4)  Jake Gyllenhaal

Favorite performance: Zodiac, or those dances with Jimmy Fallon

5)  Colin Firth

favorite performance: A Single Man

6)  Bill Hader

Favorite performance:  "Stefan" on Saturday Night Live

7)  Edward Norton

Favorite performance:  Fight Club

8)  Robert Downey Jr

Favorite performance:  Iron Man

9)  Michael C Hall

Favorite performance:  Dexter

10)  Heath Ledger

Favorite performance:  A Knight's Tale

Honorable mentions:  Clark Gable, Justin Timberlake, and Bradley Cooper

Yeah, so the list might seem a little eclectic, but it's pared down from a mighty mighty list full of classic and contemporary, TV and movie, animal, mineral, vegetable... you get the picture.

Can You Let Me In? I Swear I'm Not An Axe Murderer...

Day #15:

"Something you don't leave the house without."

(Again with the prepositions??)

Something without which I don't leave the house, or in this case, my dorm, is my key card.  Not only is it equipped with my student id and a purty picture of myself, it is the only way I can A. eat on campus, or B. get into my building to go home to El Dorm.  So, it's kind of important.

Hello, Dexter Morgan

Listening to: my stomach rumbling

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) 

Day #14:

"A TV show you're currently addicted to."

(Once again, I will let go the grammatical error of this prompt...)

There is a man.  And his name is Dexter.  And his TV show is the one to which I am currently addicted.

For those who don't know, this show isn't for the faint of heart.  Dexter is about a serial killer who works as a blood spatter expert with Miami Metro Homicide police.  He ends up juggling his family, job, and his "dark passenger," his insatiable need to kill.  Living by what he calls The Code of Harry (his foster father who took him in after he witnessed the murder of his mother), he hunts murderers who've gotten away with their crimes.  Dexter apes social norms, as he has no real feelings of his own- at least at first.  In short, he's jacked up- which makes him one of the most interesting characters I have ever seen on television.

And the way Michael C Hall plays him- wow.  Just, wow.  His face carries so much subtext, his emotional breakthroughs are so uncomfortably animalistic... He's an acting dream.

Besides having this amazing character, the story arcs keep getting better every season.  Ice Truck Killer?  Bay Harbor Butcher? The Trinity Killer?  Be still my beating heart!

So-  heart pounding suspense, killer character (forgive me), excellent craft... Dexter is my current addiction.

Tears For Fears Is Not On My List

Listening to: "The Distance" (Cake)

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)- I'm getting to the best part! 

Day #13:

"Your favorite musician and why."

Stupid, tough question.

Let's see... So, there are many answers for this query.  I can never settle on just one favorite musician, movie, actor, etc, so I make Top Five lists.  Here's my Music Top Five (in no particular order):

1) Bob Dylan

What can I say?  The man is a folk music hero!  The best part is that his music, with the exception of a few years in the middle, has stayed fairly consistently good.  My favorites are "Maggie's Farm," "Things Have Changed," and "Not Dark Yet."

2) House of Heroes

Firstly, their lyrics are darn good.  Secondly, so is the rest of any song they do.  Thirdly, their Christmas music is also excellent.  This item actually gives HoH a leg up on Bobby D, as his Christmas album was a sad and blatant money making venture with none of his signature style behind it.  But back to House of Heroes... They're also a Christian band, which I love.  My favorite songs are "Codename Raven" and "Burn Me Down."

3) Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire just makes me happy, plain and simple.  I love the simplicity and weirdness of them.  I first heard them in Where the Wild Things Are, with the song "Wake Up."  The Suburbs is their best release, I think, especially "Sprawl #2."

4) The Beatles and Wings

Ok, I know it's two artists, but they both have Paul McCartney, so I think it's alright.  Now, really, who doesn't like at least one Beatles release?? No one who's friends with me, I can tell you.  It's like a prerequisite for me liking you.  Anyways... So, Paul McCartney is my favorite Beatle.  Therefore, it's guaranteed that I absolutely love Wings.  In fact, Band On the Run is my favorite album from any artist ever.  Just sayin'.

5) Anberlin

Christian rock goodness.  Catchy songs with what I consider (sorry if I'm weird) yummy vocals. It's hard to pick favorite songs, because I like everything they've done... but maybe I'd say "The Resistance" and "Love Song."

This couldn't be a proper Top Five with honorable mentions, so mine go to Billy Joel, Family Force 5,Vampire Weekend, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, My Morning Jacket, Ivoryline, and Muse.

Ontario: Land of Free Willy, Home of the Blowholes

Listening to: Love Is (A Rotterdam November)

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)

Day #12:

"A photograph of the town you live in."

Just so you know... I took a day off for Christmas.  Sadly, I did not receive holiday pay because of it, but it was great anyway.  Nothing like presents, waffles, and True Grit to celebrate the Lord's birth!

Now, the town in which I live (which is how the prompt should have been worded, but I digress...):

I actually live in two towns; one where I go to school, and one where I go to get away from school. Such is my life.

I go to school in Caldwell at a little place called The College of Idaho.

And I go home to the wonderful town of Ontario.

This is the intersection a few blocks away from my house.  And yes... that is a panda on the corner.

There are lots of wonderful places in Ontario- downtown is quite one of my favorite places to be.  It's got Jolts and Juice Company's World Headquarters (the BEST coffee in Oregon), Fiesta Guadalajara (y'all already know my love for that joint), a used bookstore (they gave me free fudge last time I was in-now that's yuletide cheer!) and various historic Ontario locations (like the Train Depot).

Does This Make Me Look Like Gene Simmons?

Day #11:
"What's in your makeup bag?"

This is what's in my makeup bag.  And by makeup bag, I mean scattered on my dresser top.

1 bottle of black mascara
2 eye pencils, 1 brown, 1 black
2 eye shadow palettes 
1 tub of red lip balm
3 shiny lip balms in varying shades of pink

My daily beauty regimen is simply to wash my face and add some mascara and lip balm.  If I feel a little crazy I'll crank out the eye liner and shadow.  I've learned that I can appreciate my face for what it is as I get older.  I may have a big nose, crooked lips, and one eye that's bigger than the other, but they're mine, and God gave them to me, so that's just fine with me.


XMAS-1!!!

Micah 5:2-4

 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
   though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
   one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
   from ancient times.”

 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
   until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
   to join the Israelites.

 He will stand and shepherd his flock
   in the strength of the LORD,
   in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
   will reach to the ends of the earth.

It's Like a Mariachi Band Playing in Your Mouth

Listening to:  The Return of the King

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) 

Day #10:

"A photo of your favorite place to eat."

Fiesta Guadalajara!

This amazing place takes many forms.  My fave is the downtown location in O-Town, the venue for many a sombrero-donned birthday lunch, and the site of my senior prom dinner date.  Yum.  It also takes the form of this awesome catering-cart that can be found at many local functions, such as the county fair. What's better than a fair?  The fair food.  What's better than fair food?  Fair food from Fiesta Guadalajara.

So, not only is Fiesta a major player in my childhood, it's also DARN GOOD.  Best lunch ever- sharing a "fiesta platter" piled with polo asada, carne asada, and camarones especiales with Kelsea.  Typing that sentence just made my mouth water.

If ever my dear readers are in my part of the country and have a hankering for killer comida, Fiesta Guadalajara is the place to be.

Xmas-2!

Luke 2:15-20

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Yesterday Once More

Listening to:  Funeral (Arcade Fire)

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)

Day #9:

"A photo of the item you last purchased."

I can't tell you what I last purchased!  It's a secret until Christmas!


Xmas-3!

Luke 1:13-17

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

You Realize Your Sword's Grown Old and Rusty, Right?

Listening to: Contra (Vampire Weekend)

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) 

Day #8:

"A song to match your mood."

"Giving Up The Gun" (Vampire Weekend)

You know, this song is amazing... it's even better now that I've seen the video.  Yeah.  That's Jake Gyllenhaal.  

It's snowy outside, I'm sitting by the light of the Christmas tree- it's the perfect laid back morning.  And this song is so laid back...even if it is in a weird, eclectic way.  That's what makes it even more perfect to describe one of my moods!  

This is the part when I walk off the set singing under my breath... "I see you shine in your way, go on, go on, go on..."

Xmas-4!

Hosea 11:1

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
   and out of Egypt I called my son."

What Should I Do With All the Tissue From Those Wedding Gifts?

Listening to: Regis and Kelly

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) 

Day #7:

"Your dream wedding."

This is a crisp fall wedding.  Kelsea and Sarah Beth are my brides maids.  Aydan flies in from the Middle East to sit in my "sister" pew with Heather and Aimee.  My nieces throw pink flower petals.  My nephew is ring bearer (no diamonds on these rings- just simple gold bands).  Kevin is my minister.  Jacob doesn't know it yet, but he's my groom (OK, maybe I can be flexible on this point... :) ).  Ontario C of C is my venue.  My colors are white and jewel green.  My cake isn't cake- it's a three layer brownie.  That's right.  For wedding singer, it's a close fight between Harry Connick Jr, Dave Matthews Band, and Mumford & Sons.  Oh, and Vera Wang does my dress.

Best.  Wedding.  Ever.

Xmas-5!

Luke 2:1-5

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Sunday Snowy Sunday, Performed By Myself As Well

Listening to: Christmas mix of Family Force 5, Harry Connick Jr, Abandon Kansas, House of Heroes, and Beach Boys.  Did someone say "eclectic?"

STILL reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)- My favorite book EVER, so I have a right to savor it. 

Day #6:

"A photo of an animal you'd love to keep as a pet."

I'm not really a pet person, but I'm DEFINITELY not a cat person.  Everything about them makes me recoil.  I've historically been a dog kind of girl.  My childhood pets were dogs, namely, Bear (think dust mote on wheels), Sam (a sort of Irish setter hybrid), Jessy (a squatty golden retriever/golden lab), and currently Henry (a precocious chocolate lab).   I've been nurtured to enjoy medium sized canines with playful bones and thick coats.  So, bearing that in mind,an animal I'd love to keep as a pet would be...

An Irish Setter.  What can I say-  I love the classics.  He would have an equally classic and classy name... maybe Heathcliff.  Or Pickering.  Perhaps Higgins (Higgy Baby for short).  My mom thinks I need something to care for... Higgy would fit that bill, don't you think?  He would live indoors, to keep me company, since I'm probably going to become a sad little spinster.  Not that I'd go as far as to fix him a place at the table.  I'm not THAT desperate.  But he could watch TCM with me, and bark when delivery people come to the door, and maybe sleep at the end of my bed.

Xmas-6!

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said:

   “My soul glorifies the Lord
 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has been mindful
   of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
   holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful  

to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   just as he promised our ancestors.”

"If Either of Us Invents Time Travel, We Promise Our First Trip Will Be to This Meeting in Precisely Five Seconds."

Listening to: Herman's Hermits

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)

Day #6:

"A photo of yourself two years ago."

This is my high school senior photo, taken in my grandmother's yard, by my sister-in-law, in my favorite shirt, with my favorite hat, with my beautiful buddy Wash (that's the guitar, fyi).  So yeah, there are lots of special things about this picture.

Looking at this picture is a surreal experience.  This photo signals a strange period for me.  High school was just... high school.  It feels like a different lifetime from where I am now.  I'm a better person now.  I think the difference is I thought I knew everything about me back then... now I realize that "me" is a tough thing to figure out.  Friends change, interests evolve, situations resolve and renew. What I can do now that was hard then is roll with the punches of all these changes.  God is more central to my life now than ever before, and when that happens, everything becomes easier, doesn't it?

Matthew 11:29-30: 

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Xmas-7!

Matthew 2:8-12

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

You Know, It's That One Song By Queen

Listening to: The Christmas Classics (House of Heroes)
Still Reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)

Day #4:
“Your favorite photograph of you best friend.”

Some may expect my best friend to be this character:

(See Kelsea's antics unfold here and here)

But…she’s not, by her own admission.  “No, I can't be your best friend.  I don't count-- Oh wait, I might.  I'm close to a spouse, right??”

It's true, Kelsea is closer than a best friend.  She's my sister!  And I love her.

So, if my sister can't be my best friend, this beautiful lady is:

(Check Sarah Beth out here)

Sarah Beth and I met two summers ago at church camp.  She was a counselor and my small group leader, and I was in my last year as a camper.  We hit it off pretty much instantaneously, and have since evolved into Soul Mates, even though we've always lived states away from one another.

I can't believe Sarah puts up with me like she does.  She gives me great advice, she makes me laugh, she listens and comforts... She's a rock.  

And, she rocks.  We share a lot of the same interests- theater, coffee, books, and, most importantly, God!  You know Proverbs 31:30? "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."  Sarah is a great woman of God who lives an example of what a Godly woman looks like, for me and so many others to look up to. 

So, Sarah, this one's for you-  I love you, I will always be here for you, no matter what.  

Love, Kylie

Xmas-8!

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Finals Have Such a... Finality About Them.

Listening to: Sigh No More (Mumford and Sons)

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)

  Day #3:

"A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was."

See my tired eyes?  That's not from studying for finals.  That's from watching too much Dexter too late at night!

I woke up at 9:00 to clear skies and sunshine, feeling rested and ready to go!  After a cup of tea, a chocolate covered donut, and a refreshing shower, I began to finish up packing for the homeward trek this afternoon (Did I forget anything? Pajamas, toothbrush, Shakespeare plushy... I think I'm good).  In two hours I will be declaring a jihad on my Islam final and then delivering some Christmas cards to the mail box.  Oh, and I definitely see a white chocolate mocha somewhere in my future tonight.

Xmas-9:

Matthew 1:19-24

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 

 God bless!

Away in a Manger, No Room for a Toaster...

Listening to: The Effect, online at effectradio.com

Still reading: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)

Day #2:

"A photo of something you ate today."

There's nothing quite like a paper plate of Eggo chocolate chip waffles dowsed in syrup.  This comes real close to winning the award for breakfast of champions.  Best part- they're not strictly a breakfast food.  I can eat these babies anytime!  There's a lot to be said for versatility.  If I was a cheap toaster food, I'd definitely be chocolate chip waffle.

In other news... TEN DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

With this in mind, part the second of my daily postings will include some passages that are all about The Baby.

Starting with...

Luke 2:10-14

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

Keep it real, peristera!

Does the New Year's Resolution Early Bird Catch a More Satisfying Worm?

Listening to: the sounds of the dorm

Reading: Jane Eyre , by Charlotte Bronte 

In an attempt to make myself look more exciting, I'm going to start one of those semi-cliche 30 Day Lists that are a-floating all over the interweb.  So, in addition to my normal musings, my few faithful readers will get a daily, if mostly superficial, glimpse into me.

With that said, here we are at Day #1:

"Your idea of a perfect first date."

As long as there's a Christian boy, coffee, some semblance of theater and possibly a park involved, I'm pretty flexible on this.  It's not what one does, but whom one does it with, I think, that makes a day special.  

So, there it is! Day #1.  Short and sweet.  God bless!