Motivation

It recently occurred to me that there are realistically, probably only a few people I know who take the time to read this blog. I wanted to take the time to say thank you! but only if you're someone other than my Mom or Dad (you 2 would read this no matter what I wrote about).

On that note I wanted to say that I'm going to be doing my best to update more frequently, with posts not just about my life, but also on topics that I find interesting or relevant. Although the purpose of this blog has never been to attract a large source of readers, knowing that there are people out there who want to hear what you have to say is nonetheless encouraging. Writers thrive off of feedback, both positive and negative, and although I may not be a writer in my day-to-day life, that is the role that I have taken on with the creation of this blog. It is a challenge that I welcome with open arms, and an opportunity to improve my skills not only in writing, but communication in general. But I digress.

The original purpose of this blog was to keep my family and friends updated with my life at college. It was also a personal endeavour that I choose to begin in an attempt to catalog my experiences over the next 4 years. Memories are a funny thing. What was once the most important day of your life becomes a meaningless fact of your existence, allowed to slip through the cracks as it is replaced by events greater in magnitude and relevance. But it is the small things in life that count, compiling over time as the history of your life, and it is for that reason that I relay my stories to you here.

The role of the writer is not without its faults. Although he is gifted with the art of expression, he is indebted to the interest of the reader. For although I could very well sit here writing about my life, and express every truth known to man, it is meaningless if I have no one to share it with. Why else would I want to retain these memories over the years, if not for the hope of someday sharing them with another?

Greatness is a socially construed evaluation. Even the greatest writers in history would not have been recognized if no one had read their work. For although the ability of the writer lies within his mind, it is the medium through which he conveys his message that gives weight to his words. I doubt the brilliance of a man even as great as Melville (excuse my biased judgement) would have been acknowledged had he not written down his thoughts. The man's worth is inherent, but it is worthless if it cannot be conveyed. He cannot possibly hope to express the idea of transcendence as explored in Moby Dick in a mere conversation. It requires a medium that allows him to capture all his thoughts in one location, permanently. The oral tradition is not enough.

In short, if you are a reader of this blog and you appreciate the things I write here, do me a solid and register as a follower of my blog. Then take it one step further and leave a comment or two on a post you find interesting, disgusting, horrifying, whatever.

Just give me a reason to write.

2 NEW POSTS IN 1 DAY, KEEP READING!

So far 2009 hasn't been very good to me, as you might have noticed from my infrequent posting. I mean it hasn't been TERRIBLE. No one I know got sick and died, and I'm not suffering from severe bouts of depression. It just hasn't been a great year so far. But it's only March, and I must confess that I retain high hopes for the remainder of the year, both academically and socially.

Here's a few things 2009 has brought to me:

- An amazing New Years experience in Pasadena
- A visit from my friend Matt
- A "romantic fling" (I use these words VERY loosely...) And no Dad, the reason I haven't been calling isn't because I have a boyfriend.
- My R1B Comp. Lit. class studying The Art of Anticlimax

As well as few things I look forward to:

- Returning home for Spring Break!
- A 4 day visit from Arthur :D Hooray!
- Improving in my ESPM 60 class... I have high hopes!
- Performance of Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" in Zellerbach Hall with UC Chorus
- The end of Lent, for which I gave up Cinnamon Toast Crunch... we'll be together soon my love!

And finally, all my trials and tribulations:

- Ridiculous drama resulting from aforementioned New Years in Pasadena
- CALCULUS. I don't want to talk about it. Seriously. This means you Mom and Dad when I'm home next week!
- Getting rejected from dorm housing for next year and looking for a place to live other than People's Park...

I recently changed my Facebook status to read, "Jackie is done waiting for the 2nd chance that isn't coming. I'm living for today." I know it's a bit late for New Year's resolutions, and I'm usually not a fan of them, but I'd have to say this is my goal for the rest of the year. I am so sick of living in the past, complaining about all the mistakes I've made instead of fixing the source of the problems. Everyone has slip-ups on the road to self-improvement, and I don't expect to completeley extinguish all sense of nostalgia and the ocassional twinge of regret that colors my day-to-day life. I'm simply making a concentrated effort to be proactive and take the steps necessary to improve my current situation. Again, I have high hopes.

Two years ago I placed this image from PostSecret on my MySpace page. At the time, I was going through some huge changes in my life, but I truly believed that I could improve my situation.

That was without a doubt, the best year of my life thus far.

High hopes.

My Sincerest Apologies

Hey guys,

So I realized that it's been 7 months since I arrived here in Berkeley and I have yet to show you my living accommodations. I've talked about them on numerous occasions, so I thought it was finally time to take some pictures and walk you through my dorm life. For those of you that are interested, I've posted quite a few pictures like the one below of my room on the slide show with captions explaining what you're seeing. Take a look, leave a message, and then send me some flowers to apologize for my horrid living conditions (I only kid).

But really guys, all the letters and cards you've sent are much appreciated... they brighten up my space and my day! They're great to go back and read when I'm feeling homesick or having a bad day and I love having little reminders of home sprinkled throughout the room. So thank you so much! On that note, if you see a picture in a magazine that reminds you of something we did together or if you see a comic you think I'd find funny, feel free to send it to me! The more creative you get, the more interesting my room decor becomes! I love you guys and hope to see many of you over spring break (March 20-30).

Peace out,

Jackie


P.S. - I know I never really talked about my amazing trip to Tahoe, and I don't know when or if I'll have the chance to talk about it on here. So if you want to know more about my crazy adventure into Nevada and beyond, give me a call! I promise, you're not bugging me! I don't have class on MWF so I have plenty of time to talk on the phone!