Surprises

So my roomate Pv is the only one with a mail key so often she comes by and just slide our mail under our doors so we see it. Tonight I was just chilling and looked over to see another postcard!! I felt like I got a present. My bridesmaid dress also was in front of my door earlier today so it was a good mail day. I really do LOVE getting mail!!! It does so excite me :)

Your Spirit Animal

There was this one day in 4th grade when we had Native Americans come into our class and do a presentation about their culture and traditions.The man said "I love the sound of the rain I would rather listen to falling rain then music any day." I was shocked I thought 'I love the sound of rain too' and no adult had ever said something like that to me before. At one point we all went around the circle and picked an Indian name. When it came to me for whatever reason I was stuck he suggested "Sea Otter" which I joyfully agreed to. Between my new name and the rain comment I was enamored with what they were saying. From that day on the Sea Otter always kind of stuck with me. While other kids picked lions or elephants when it came to projects I picked the Sea Otter -River Otters didn't appeal to me half as much. In 6th grade we had one such project on the classification of any animal. I learned that sea otters are one of the only creatures that can eat sea urchins they get one from the ocean bottom then resurface lie on their backs and use a rock to hammer open the urchin = genius. I also love the way they play. They twist, turn, chase, flip and I spent many a summer imitating them when no one was looking in my pool. One site describes the otter spirit animal as "strong family bonds, adaptability, maternal instincts, playfulness, and being good natured. Otters are monogamous creatures who mate for life. although it is the female who raises the offspring almost completely alone. Otters frolic in the water and play, but they are also skillful hunters." I started thinking about my love for otters after watching this video the other day

How precious is that? First off these are River Otters but they are still amazing- look how the play and interact with the baby- they are sooooo smart! At a zoo once I connected with this spider monkey and when I put my hand up to the glass it did too matching right up with mine- it was insane! Kristen Bell recently shared her experience when her boyfriend brought a sloth to their house for her birthday and she really flips if you haven't checked it out it's worth a watch http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2012/01/kristen_bells_sloth_meltdown_0131.php I feel like I would react the exact the same way if for some reason I could interact with a sea otter. Swimming with dolphins was the closest I've got and it's such a surreal experience when your just so close to these amazing animals. 

So want to find out what animal you most embody the spirit of??? Take this test: http://www.jerismithready.com/quiz/ I got swan which looking at the description I think is pretty much me

You are a Swan! (your score: 28)

Characters: Tereus, Kalia in the Aspect of Crow trilogy
Powers: Foretelling future through dreams, dream-walking
Swans are idealistic, open-minded, and passionate. Your good nature often leads people to think they can take advantage of you, but they should be careful—beneath that serenity lies a fighting spirit. Your love is fierce and unconditional, fueled by the certainty that it should last forever.
Best matches: Wolves, Horses, Otters
Watch out for: Cougars, Foxes, Hawks

Have you ever had an interaction with an animal that just blew your mind???

Obsession of the Week

I'm the kind of person who once they find something they like I rarely budge on changing it. Do you know in marketing they rarely market specifically to people over 60 because they feel by that point in life you've pretty much decided what brands you like and don't like. I literally would rather pay a dollar more for a product I like then one that's on sale bad for my wallet good for business?!?!? One a week on facebook I usually proclaim what my obsession of the past week was. Now since I am avoiding that social media at all costs I will on Sundays write it here. Recent obsessions included, edamame,  Depeche mode's Enjoy the Silence, and this past week it was Demetri Martin. Well I finally watched Taking Woodstock starring Demetri the only feature film I've ever been in-the scene I was prominently shoot was cut, of course, but I can still be seen in one scene. I was told by a family friend that they think I would like his comedy and I REALLY do- it's witty. He makes drawings, and sings, and had these word play jokes that make you chuckle not roll over laughing but it's subtle and smart (not a big fan of slapstick comedy in general). After one comedy I special I was like okay I like this and started watching his show. That's when it then hits a small obsession point like goggling in tour dates and Wikipedia searches. Hes 40?!?!?!? wtf he looks 28! When the obsession of the week is food it becomes very dangerous!!!! Then after the initial interest that leads to obsession it evolves into a slow fade of nothingness...therefore becoming the obsession of the week! I have a feeling this week's obsession is going to be Jasmine since I just spent 2 hours trying to identify the smell via google searches because the flowers smelt so nice outside when I was reading! lol ~S~

Pleased by Postcards

Today I received an unexpected postcard from Craig, a friend traveling all over the East, and I was ecstatic. This one came on the coattails of a postcard I received last week from Indonesia... which arrived 2 weeks after my coworker had come back :) I remember asking my mom once on our yearly trip to Hampton Beach why we didn't send our friends postcards (isn't that what you do on vacation??). She told me by the time we we sent them we would already be home- logical yes but I thought "I love getting postcards so I want to send them!" The art of writing postcards is much like writing love letter- mostly lost. For most people years of getting bills in the mail has pretty much trumped the excitement of getting anything fun via post. However not for me I still love it. Ever since I was kid one of my favorite parts of Christmas was hanging all the cards up around our door posts it looked like a little collection of love from everyone we knew. Over the years I have had the immense fortune to have traveled to many exciting places and in turn have met exciting people who also travel to exciting places. I've learned the best way to get something you want is ask even if seems silly. So I began asking will you send me a postcard? If you were to ever see my face when I get them you'd know it would be worth the trouble sending it. I'm like a little kidding opening up a birthday gift- full of excitement and wonder. Of course I love the message and the picture but I also like the stamps and postage marks making each one unique and special. I have been blessed to have been sent some really amazing ones from all over the world including Iceland, Philippines, Korea, Vinius:Lithuania, Marburg: Germany, Bath& Dunster &Whitby:England, Hollywood:USA (from Conor before I ever moved here), Disneyland:USA, Barcelona: Spain and now added Indonesia and Thailand. A whopping gorgeous 15 postcards not to mention 2 more vintage postcards of Monaco and Paris I picked up in a flea market in Nice with actual messages on them!!! When I was in Liverpool they had a display of postcards John Lennon sent his son in this double sided glass so you could see both sides- since then I've always envisioned an interchangeable coffee table or wall divider made up of these treasured postcards. I'm not sure why they still fascinate me I wonder the same about letters??? Maybe it's the nostalgic aspects of them or the idea that you know someone is thinking of you for even 5 minutes of their day. I'm not sure but all I know is if your traveling I would LOVE to get a postcard from you!!! ~S~

Selfishness VS Survival

This is what most people think. I think: what can I do to get my needs met?

I would like to pose a a question: when one is in survival mode are you really being selfish or just doing what is necessary to survive? I like many women have spent a good chunk of my time taking care of others and not always myself. I spent an entire year dedicating all my energy to a little amazing girl as her teacher, friend, and advocate. She really loved me unconditionally in a way that was so pure and truthful. She never asked me to devote myself in that way just like kids don't ask parents to give up their wishes in order to get what they want, a trip to Disney vs a trip to Europe for instance. When I was driving to LA I had A LOT of time to think... when your alone in a car with just your thoughts for 8 hours you learn things. One thought that came to mind was that at some point I knew people would feel I left them. For me it was never a question of coming or not coming here it was just a matter of when, I had decided that when I was 16. I haven't been the best supporter of friends since I've been here I actually feel like maybe I have cut people off. I didn't intend any malice but it's just that I only have so much energy and I need to devote that to succeeding and living here. Since everyday is a constant battle to come out the other side alive and well it leaves no time to focus on anything petty. Yes that is a selfish statement but it also is somewhat about self preservation.
S Size Up The Situation (surroundings, physical condition, equipment, & supplies)
U  Use All Your Sensuous, undue haste makes waste
R  Remember Where You Are
V Vanquish Your Fear and Panic
I   Improvise 
V  Value Living
A  Act Like The Natives
L  Live By Your Wits, But For Now, Learn Basic Skills
I am a humanitarian through and through last month I joined a group solely dedicated to being of service to others so I am in no way advocating egocentricity. However I do believe your 20's is about finding out who you are and what is your purpose on this planet. I believe and have always believed that my purpose is to inspire and engage others through my acting. Whenever someone said "oh don't you want a backup plan?" or "do you know most actors are penniless?" it never swayed me in the least. Sure in 10 years from now I may have changed my mind about the whole thing but for now there is nothing that could persuade me to stop trying to be a film actress. I knew the price would come with many sacrifices- missing holidays, major life events, and even the everyday small things amongst close friends. I am trying to find a balance between selfishness and survival and I'm chanting to find that equilibrium.

"My Type" Over Time

One of the first question almost any gathering of new girlfriends brings up is "what's your type?" I've noticed that my type has definitely gone through distinct changes. In middle school I was all about the jocks. It's the typical South Hadley way and I was a cheerleader so it seemed natural. Once I got to high school musicians became my thing. At PVPA the hottest coolest kids would rarely go to class and play guitar on the lawn or steps. In college I was attracted to nerds. The kid at the end of the hall who stuttered and blushed when he talked to girls was my crush. Theater geeks are a whole kind of unique nerd and that covered the rest of college. When I was exploring the world and afterwards I became so intrigued by intellectual types. Guys who are smart, educated, and can hold a conversation about a variety of topics is a super big turn on. Now in LA I found myself rarely getting to even interact with straight men regardless of what type they may be. Most men out here are one of these 3 types: actors aka selfish, writers aka self involved, townies aka no motivation. Is it too much to ask for a little substance?

I think this is funny and only slightly relates to the blog post

Words are Sexy

If your a book lover, literary type, or scrabble champion you are aware of the vast power of using the perfect word. I have always had a fondness for "out of the ordinary" vocabulary. My downfall to using words like behoove is that I have learning disabilities that prevent me from fully being able to write my brilliant thoughts coherently and I can't spell words by sounding them out.Writing this blog has been immensely helpful because I'm writing for pleasure instead of school so I actively am trying to make my writing readable and knowing my common mistakes I am actually finding them. My passion for word play is a direct inherited ability from my father. He is so good at creating little sayings and words games, trust me if he ever challenges you to solve a wheel of fortune puzzle he WILL beat you. A few years back he came up with Carin for Karen (brilliant). I particularly remember this one time I was entering into 2nd grade and was either going to be in classroom 2A or 2B. The day my assignment arrived he asked "2B or not 2B that is the question?" Being only 7 years old I had to be explained why that is funny. Now as a 25 year old actress I can truly appreciate the beauty of the joke. I spent most of my senior year in college making up descriptive alliterations with my friend Draper about our theater department. We would amuse our selves for hours creating these little sayings and repeating key words as a secret little code when we were around people which gave us unending amusement. After college I worked with a little girl who was non-verbal. I then saw the power of body language, facial interpretations, and sounds and how they could replace meaning but not fully expression. When she would say something is had so much power because they were rare and truthful. When she used her communication device to write her choice of words sometimes would be surprising but accurate and showed her personal preferences in word selection. Do you know 80% of what we say is all from a set of "core" words we use all the time and only 20% are fringe words. You can communicate almost anything with core words instead of fringe words "get that" instead of "can I have the spatula". However even thought it is extremely affective it lacks a certain appeal and sexiness. For instance I have an attraction to using British phrases like "quite lovely" and "posh." I feel it adds a little flavor to everyday speech. Anyone who loves literature can tell you the use of one word vs another can make or break a whole idea even a whole book. In scrabble one letter can certainly make you victorious or keep you from a triple letter score. I recently got into Demetri Martin's comedy sketches. He makes little drawing and songs that are usually based on word play and it's subtle genius. When all is said and done words are sexy when you used to enhance an idea and turn something ordinary into something powerful.

Here are some fun words from different languages http://aimdanismanlik.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/awesomely-untranslatable-words/