Quips and Quirks of a Theatre-Bound Word Nerd

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Excuses, Excuses...

Oh, Viewer, please forgive me! I’ve been neglecting you, haven’t I? Well, there’s sort of been “legitimate” reasons why I’ve not been posting very often…
Would you like a peek into my life, Viewer? … … … … (I’m waiting for an answer!) … … ..(You are interested? Okay, here goes!)
Well, okay, as a senior this year, I am overwhelmed with work from my classes! Seriously, Viewer, it’s tough! And with a hard work-load comes lots of other things like a lack of sleep or drive or energy or ideas for my blog.
Plus, I spent this past Thursday-Saturday at a music showcase. And for those three days I was singing, practically all day.
So that’s it. I’m sorry. I seem to complain a lot. But at least this week I don’t have a list. ;)
So, I promise to be more regular about posting. And I promise not to complain or make excuses for myself in the next post. And I promise to include a picture in it, too. :)

Monday, February 6, 2012

What Would You Do With a Million Dollars?

I recently asked myself this question, Viewer, and you know what? I couldn’t think of a good answer. Yeah, I know that’s strange. But, seriously, the first thing that popped in my head was to go out and buy shoes. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have a little bit of an obsesh with my shoes and I would indeed purchase some new pairs of zapatos (Spanish for shoes), but I feel as if there are plenty of other things I could do better…  Which led me to more thinking about what would really, really do if I had 1 million greenbacks.
When you think about it, you could do a million different things with that amount of money. So, after long and ponderous thought, I decided what I’d do with the money. (You know, I don’t even know why I’m figuring out what I’d do with money I’ll prolly never have… A hopeless dreamer am I.)
First I’d tithe to my church (a given). Although, after giving the church the money, I’d no longer have control of how it’s used, but I would secretly hope that it would either be put to a foreign missions fund or a can-we-please-finish-redecorating-the-youth-rooms fund. ($100,000)
Then I’d either buy or build new houses for my parents. Not that either of their homes are nasty or shoddy, but they could be better. ($600,000)
After that (I now have $300,000 if I did my math right… :/ ) I would prolly start a scholarship fund for disabled kids like my brother ($25,000). Similarly I’d donate $25,000 to both my high school and college ($50,000).
Fourthly I would give money to a charity -- maybe Habitat for Humanity, but I’m not sure ($25,000).
And now with the $200,000 I’d have left over, I’d use $10,000 to fund a new wardrobe… Selfish, I know, but I like to consider myself a fashionable girl… *insert sheepish face here*
So, what would I do with the $190,000 left? Hmm… I would take $90,000 and give $10,000 to 9 random, yet deserving, families or individuals – just because.
And finally, I would divide the final $100,000 into savings accounts/bank accounts/trust funds/I-don’t-know-which-I’d-choose-yet  for my future children.

So, Viewer, that’s what I’d do. And if I ever get 1 million dollars and I’m showing signs of being a greedy butt-face, please, kick me in the shins and show me this blog post. I’ll thank you later (prolly). :)
Comment below and let me know what you would do with that insane amount of dough – I’m curious! :)

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Model UN is not for the Weak

So, Viewer, I’ve just recently returned from a weekend-long Model UN conference. In case you aren’t aware, A Model UN conference is basically a gathering of smart students who share interest in politics and other countries pretending to be ambassadors of various countries and solve all the world’s problems. Enticing, no? :) Welp, this one was held at Earlham College in Indiana, and it was my third MUN.
I was representing the delegation of Japan in the Human Rights Council. We discussed issues like the refugee crisis in Western Sahara, Roma minority rights in Europe, the struggle for power in Myanmar. Earlier this school year I represented Italy in a MUN conference in Dayton and won third place in my council. That was very fun and exciting and I couldn’t wait to go to Earlham…
Little did I know that this MUN would be about actually doing, you know, stuff. Previously I could get by with my charm, wit, and great hair (totes being sarcastic here :D), but then, at this one, I actually had to know what country I was delegating (…okay, so that’s a bit of a stretch, but, do you get my point, Viewer? The other participants there were extremely knowledgeable not only in their country but also in everyone else’s.)
However, I did learn a few things (oh boy, another list!)
1. Never trust a guy who introduces himself as “Tom.”
2. You can gain a lot of leeway in sessions if you choose to dress rather provocatively.
3. France is very easily offended, Portugal wants to be your friend, and the UK is crazy.
4. The cafeteria microwaves are by the bagels.
5. When people invite you to a party, they don’t actually have a plan to get a party started.
6. Even if your bus is late, you are not excused.
7. Sneaking out is not always a good idea. Especially if you’re a generally unwise person.
Even though I just listed a butt-load of reasons why MUN isn’t great, I still had an AWE-SOME time. I would go and do that again – in a heartbeat. Model UN, though not for the weak, is definitely for the spirited. If you like to be bossy, manipulative, loud, strong, and a leader, Model UN is for you. Though, politics is not, and I repeat, NOT, in my future, I like MUN because I can release my inner diplomat.
MUN’s fun. You should try it. :)