March, already?

My boyfriend and I had a fairly constructive debate recently about which month is the best of the twelve. He says March while I think that October brings the most to the table.

Eliot's opening argument consisted of some fairly decent perspectives. (This entire conversation was sent via text, mind you.) Eliot explains that the biggest differences between March and October is that March "has Spring Break and marks the final lap of school" while October only marks the beginning of colder weather as well as the introductory school months. March Madness, he adds, also trumps October football where sporting events are concerned.

Of course, I quickly rebutted by pointing out the fact that in three short months he will no longer be a student, and thus, one third of his argument can already be considered moot. Secondly, the weather in October is not cold (where we live). It is actually perfect, both aesthetically and physically. Do not look at it as the gateway to winter, I suggested, but as the prime of autumn; a much needed break from the scorching summer heat. Thirdly, while I do agree that March Madness is much more entertaining than football, if we are speaking of what the month brings with it in its wake then it is important to keep in mind that October marks the beginning of "Holiday Madness" with the inclusion of Halloween that is shortly followed by Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year all in one brief period.

Upon my rebuttal, Eliot refused to give in. "Yes," he says, "but people start heading to the beach in March; and they bringing out their winter clothes in October."

No, no, I scoffed. Students on Spring Break go to the beach in March, yes. However, we all know that May through August are the prime beach vacationing months (and as I so diligently pointed out before, we are no longer students so the "beach in March" argument is annulled).

Eliot then attempted to convince me that October is always cold, but once I reminded him that I had worn a tank top for at least the past three Halloweens, he quickly switched gears and stated that "weather aside,  I am always excited about March for many reasons...and am rarely excited for the coming of October."

"To each his own," I stated, and the discussion ended there.

Before I go any further with this post, however, I would like to verify that I find beauty in all seasons (with the exception of winter - just go away). And while I am sincerely attracted to the autumn season, Eliot's birthday is in March so we both hold our personal biases.

Please do not misunderstand, I cannot wait for the warmer weather that March will inevitably bring, but I do feel entitled to brag; the first week of March has been nothing but rain and drab in my little niche of the world. 

So this means, Emmy: 1 point; Eliot: 0.

I Surely Hope So.

"I wish you’d see yourself as beautiful as I see you."

Some days I just feel so in love.

(Hey Oh)

Today Eliot and I drove home for the Holidays; the part two of our D.C. trek.

The drive was going along at a relatively normal pace.

Chilly and overcast. Leafless trees, not much to look at.

We put in an old mixed CD, hoping that it played more than it skipped.

(It was a really old CD.)

Well, every song skipped.

Then, Snow by The Red Hot Chili Peppers came on, skip-free.

And this happened.

Out of nowhere!

Then, the song was over, and this happened.

Nashville Zoo, Through the Lens.

Yesterday's zoo extravaganza was incredible- educational and fun.

Eliot and I drove about halfway there until we realized that it would be a lot more fun to bring one of my little siblings along. Thus, my little sister, Sara, and two of her friends joined. It in no way cramped our style as Eliot and Sara get along amazingly well.

The best part of the entire day, however, was that Eliot was able to see the giraffes and elephants in real life. Perhaps now he could produce a more accurate interpretation of said animals the next time we get our Pictionary on.

Moving on to a completely unrelated topic, tomorrow morning I board a plane to D.C. for an interview for an internship that if received would last until the Christmas holidays. I am led to believe that this particular company has many connections with important figures throughout the career realm of which I hope to encounter and succeed in someday. If I can attain the position and work my little butt off then just maybe I could eventually gain a good recommendation and a potential job to boot!

Wish me luck!

Ahahahahaha. Haha. Ha.

Last night I pulled out from the depths of a closet a classic favorite of mine- Pictionary.

I hadn't played it in the longest time and thought that it would be a fun idea to play it with the boyfriend. Upon beginning the game I knew that Eliot wasn't exactly the most creative person in the world, however, nothing could quite prepare me for the events that would follow.

A show of hands from those who can accurately declare what is portrayed in the following photograph:

Anyone?

Come on, take a guess.

My guess, for example, was...a really tall mushroom with protruding roots, a dog, and an armadillo on steroids.

The correct answer, you ask?

As Eliot hung his head in utter shame he explained that the picture actually contained drawings of a giraffe, a dog (score!), and an elephant!
His word that he was so diligently attempting to characterize was "Animals."

?!?!?@#$%!?!?!

Eliot, have you ever actually SEEN these animals before? Because I can assure you that your doodle is in no way reminiscent of their true to life form.

In conclusion, today I am taking him to the zoo.

=)

Dear Eliot,

Dear Eliot,

Merely minutes ago I made a very awesome purchase- 2 tickets to see Arcade Fire and Spoon on the 11th of August in good ole' Alpharetta, Georgia.

However, I am going to play a little game with you.

I will not tell you in person.

Think of it as a sort of blog surprise!!

 Presents are so very hard for me to keep secret from you (I'm the girlfriend who gives the boy his birthday gift a month in advance) so hopefully you will read this post soon and find out for yourself.

And when you do,

call me ;)

Love Always, Emmy

U.S.A., not.

I admittedly took off on a spontaneous trip to Knoxville this weekend without any warning, and for that I am sorry. The good news though, is that I had a wonderful time! It was a great mini vacation, one that was much needed.

Nothing too exciting ensued upon our journey- simply time well spent with friends.

However, I leave everyone in the blog-o-sphere with one photo as a summary of our weekend.

This was taken before the U.S.A vs. Ghana World Cup game on Saturday.

Always one for a laugh and unable to come across face paint at this point in time (thank goodness), my boyfriend found the perfect ensemble for the event.

And yes, I had to sit next to him the entire time.

Feel sorry for me.

It's the Magical Mystery Kind.

My boyfriend came over last night and shared some disturbing news with me.

He learned at work during a "conference call" (my boy is so grown up) that studies show that the average person thinks 36 negative thoughts per hour, whether they are subconsciously thought or not!

36!

Let us do the math to this.

36 negative thoughts per hour means 864 negative thoughts per day.

That is 6,048 negative thoughts per week.

THERE ARE 52 WEEKS IN A YEAR.

THAT IS 314,496 NEGATIVE THOUGHTS PER YEAR!

These thoughts include everything from tiny dissatisfactions like "My hair isn't cooperating today" or "That person really gets on my nerves" to negativity on a grander scheme like "I'll never be able to do that..." or "I'm too fat, I'm too ugly, I'm too skinny."

These figures, of course, are based on the average person- so if you feel that you are not at all effected by adversity on a daily basis, I would love for you to give me pointers!

I, however, am admittedly a prime candidate to fulfill this statistic, and I really want to change that.

So much negativity can't be healthy and is bound to take a toll on a person in more ways than one.

Something that Eliot (my boyfriend) suggested to do everyday was to think of three positive things that happened that day. They could be big or small, however seems fit, just as long as they have a positive or beneficial connotation.

Here is what I have come up with for today (as it is only 1 o'clock in the afternoon, I expect much more positivity to ensue):

1. I continued my work out routine on the elliptical machine this morning- 20 minutes.

2. My dad took me out to lunch today, just he and I.

3. I looked in the mirror and noticed that I'm getting sun freckles on my cheeks (I've always been secretly jealous of girls with freckles, I think they are the cutest things.)

And I feel better already!

I invite everyone else to do the same. Whenever negativity is getting the best of you, this exercise really helps!

Complete.

I've finally finished editing all 400+ pictures from the wedding ceremony on Saturday. The entire event was a learning experience for sure. I was so thankful that the bride decided to do a bridal shoot with me beforehand; once the ceremony began there were so many elements that I had no control over (i.e. lighting, timing, movements, etc.) that it became very frustrating. Fortunately, I did manage to get some decent photos despite my lack of proper equipment and experience. I hope that they will suffice and fulfill all of her expectations!
Here is a tiny taste into what the day entailed.

 

 

The bride and groom and party were all so relaxed. I couldn't have asked for a better couple for my first shoot- so understanding and easy going! Thanks to everyone who helped the day go by as smoothly as it did! And a special thanks to Eliot who, out of the goodness of his heart, attended the wedding to not only provide emotional support for yours truly, but he also video recorded the ceremony and reception for the bride and groom.

In addition, if regularly following my blog, one would remember that immediately following this wedding, my stepmom and dad had a ceremony to renew their vows. I was a bridesmaid. I arrived a tad bit late due to the day's events, but got there just in time to see all of my boys dressed up in their suits. I was absolutely smitten! My brothers and dad and boyfriend, oh my, they all looked so handsome!

I'm so proud of them and really felt the need to share the following pictures from the evening.

I'm so lucky to have such beautiful men in my life!

Dad!

 

Little brothers!

Boyfriend!

Surprise!

Three things that have occurred this week thus far:

1. I formed a legitimate friendship with Paige from Prone to Wander via facebook "religious beliefs" and mewithoutYOU lyrics. She is a wonderfully talented poet whether she chooses to believe it or not. I'm sure anyone who reads my blog already reads hers, but if not, it is worth a look.

(Note: I also learned how to take a screenshot on my new computer this week and have gone a bit crazy with it, I'll admit.)

2. I watched a VHS tape for this first time in years and years- not without, of course, first rewinding the tape to the beginning, forgetting that VHS's have commercials beforehand, fast forwarding through said commercials, and adjusting the tracking. At least the movie was worth it.
Now and Then! And if you're a girl who has lived her entire adolescence without ever setting eyes upon this film, I highly encourage you to do so as soon as possible. It is too cute to boot and a right of passage to girlhood. If anything, at least humor me and buy the soundtrack.

(photo)
3. And lastly, I was paid a surprise visit by my incredible boyfriend (we've been long distance for the past few weeks)! Much time was spent listening to LCD Soundsystem's new album together, watching Scrubs, and having those warm, reassuring conversations about the future.

a sentimental heart.

Today is Eliot and I's 2 year anniversary! I cannot believe how fast the time has flown.

A lot of people are not aware (and may be a bit curious) about how Eliot and I came to be a couple. As kids we didn't necessarily hang around with similar social circles, after all. So I've decided to share how we came to be an item.

Beware, this could get mushy.

 (Our first photo together!)

...Actually...this was our first photo together!
 

I said earlier that Eliot and I didn't hang out with each other "as kids." That wasn't a typo. Yes, Eliot and I have known each other since first grade- since we were 5 years old. In fact, we were "boyfriend/girlfriend" that year too. (You see, Eliot was notorious for having a different girlfriend every year of his elementary school career- I was his first grade choice.)

Needless to say, after first grade we never talked again. We continued to go to the same elementary, middle, and high school. In high school we had classes together and we even had parking spots next to each other, but I had a steady boyfriend and he had his...err...girl...friends.

As he puts it, he started to notice me our senior year. After the year ended I received a facebook message from him explaining that he was also going to UT so we started chatting a little that way, but it was all very innocent and certainly not enough to give either one of us courage to talk in person.

Freshman year then came and went and we had a class together. Eliot had a girlfriend at the time (that lasted about 3 months or so) and I was continuing to be off and on with my high school boyfriend. We would bounce relationship advice back and forth to each other a bit, but again, nothing serious.

That summer before our sophomore year Eliot and I started talking a lot...well, via facebook that is. I think this is the point where he decided that I was legitimately cool. (I can make myself seem VERY witty through the internet.) We would spontaneously show up at each other's work places to eat. However, I was still having trouble at this time letting go of my previous relationship.

Then, sophomore year, Eliot moved into "The Kennel"- party center of The Fort. I wasn't a very outgoing person at this time and I was so paranoid about my prior boyfriend finding out things (it wasn't the healthiest relationship at that point) that I would always turn down his party invites.

However, I finally made an appearance at his Halloween party and Eliot talked to me more than anybody there as well as texting me afterward apologizing for a fight that had broken out.

At this point, my "crush" was official.

I even voiced it aloud to my best friend. In my opinion nothing of this tier is truly legit until it is spoken out loud.

After this we laid low for a little bit and didn't speak much. During this time I was able to get my life together and completely break away from my high school relationship.

One day Eliot invited me to lunch (which normally would not have been a day I could go, but due to fortunate mishappenings I turned out to be available). Once he found out at lunch that I was no longer dating anyone he immediately asked to hang out again later that week.

And now here we are today! I think this has been the happiest two years of my life thanks in large part to Eliot.

Time to celebrate, sushi here we come!

"It's love, it's not Santa Claus."

This year's Valentine's weekend consisted of the following:





Although today is actually the big day, Eliot and I went out last night since I have to work at the radio station tomorrow morning. We started out the night with a bottle of wine and 500 Days Of Summer; the only time Eliot will "allow" us to watch a chick flick. Then we drove to Nashville and ate at The Yellow Porch, which was a quaint, eclectic little place. I think the meal I ordered was one of the best meals I have ever eaten. EVER.
Sorry dad.
Then we met up with Amanda and Kholt in Nashville. Amanda is one of my BEST friends at UT that I met in Spain last summer, and she and her boyfriend are from Memphis and often meet in Nashville to see each other. Eliot and I met up with them and had a blast.

Thanks Eliot for the great weekend =)

This coming week, however, will consist of the following:


Yes, Hodges Library- that's it.
Goodbye world, I'll see you Friday.