Carlisle was right.

I arrived home tonight after the MTV awards aired. I promptly checked my e-mails this evening expecting that one of my Twi-hard friends would send me a link to the New Moon trailer. I knew the trailer would be shown for the first time tonight, but missed it. My friend did not disappoint- Smash sent me the link. OME! Over the past several months, I've convinced myself that I wasn't nearly as excited about the release of New Moon, not nearly as excited as I was for Twilight. This is because 1.) Twilight is by far my favorite book, 2.) Edward is missing from over half of New Moon (the reason for my reading the series in the first place), and 3.) the movie Twilight did NOT impress me, so my expectations for New Moon have been seriously lowered. Let me tell you, after watching the trailer for New Moon, my thoughts have taken a complete 360. Really. That feeling I got when watching Edward in Twilight has returned (even despite the utter cheesiness of some of the scenes, special effects, and music in the first movie). The butterflies and breathlessness...back! I'm not sure how this is possible, but Edward seems even more beautiful and irresistible than before. And if that weren't enough, now we have Jacob as eye candy. His bod is smokin' hot in New Moon. Loved that scene with Jasper- very intense, and the expression on Edward's face. The pain. It's palatable. I loved seeing Laurent again. His character is fantastic, and he did so well with him in Twilight. I'm still weary about the transformation scenes. I wasn't impressed with what I saw in the trailer, but I'm also at a loss as to how they could make it any better? After browsing through still shots of Stewart and Pattinson during the filming of their scene in Italy (when Edward is about to expose himself to the sunlight) and watching the trailer, I can already recognize that their is more passion between the two of them. This is something that was lacking in Twilight, and I only hope that this isn't a fluke, and they are more passionate in New Moon. They have to be!

I don't want to jump to too many premature conclusions, but I think I love this new director. I only hope (and pray) that the movie lives up to this less than 2 minute movie trailer. Can't wait to see the next new trailer, but until then, enjoy. 

http://www.myspace.com/trailerpark

I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind...

Since I will be back to living on my own in August, I've been thinking a lot about how I plan to decorate my new place (which I haven't found yet). I've already decided on color schemes. 

Kitchen: Black and white with red as an accent

Bedroom: Black and creme and burgundy as an accent

2nd bedroom (if at all possible/feasible): red, black, and white

Living room: Chocolate brown (and taupe) with aqua and white as my accents

I just purchased my coffee table at Pottery Barn. It's beautiful. I do not yet have a picture- it's not available online and it won't be assembled until I'm in my new place. It's basically a bench, kind of like this one: 

But instead, it's much wider and is dark espresso with only four legs. It's lovely. Now, I need a couch and end tables and a bed and, and, and....

I'll leave when the wind blows.

I arrived home around 12:30 am, too early for me, but late for Ashley. As soon as I walked through the front door I saw mom go and wake dad up. Then, I was met with pink balloons everywhere and pink streamers draped across our family room, just like it was for my 13th birthday party. Mom and dad came out in Rutgers t-shirts (courtesy of Ashley). They looked so proud. On the bar was a box of my absolute favorite cupcakes (and favorite dessert) from a local place up the street. They make a special icing called, Whippy Dip. To. Die. For. I sat down and opened gifts next. Yes, by then, it was almost 1 am. Mom gave me some wonderful things for my future apartment and some things for my kitchen (although I do not foresee spending much time in my kitchen). Dad and mom also got me the Mack Daddy of GPS devices available. Dad picked me out a Garmin with voice activated navigation. This was really important to dad, as now, I won't have to take my hands off the steering wheel to enter in a location. With Bluetooth technology, I can just say the location and wa-lah! Very exciting. On my "To Do" list: read the manual (not a fun part) before I move to Philly. 

Counting on the night for a beautiful day.

Today, I turned 23. What will my 23rd year bring? For one, it brings the start of graduate school, at a new school, and living in a different state. For the first time, I'll live more than two hours from my family.  My new journey beginning this fall will force me to grow up very quickly and gain the ability to live a life separate and independent from my parents. 

My day started with lunch with an old friend from high school. It has been a few years since I saw Laura last and it was great seeing her. I also got to meet her daughter, Madison. She was so cute, and at the age where everything is still new and exciting.  

I had to work on my birthday. Boo. But after, met my sister at Acopolis, a very yummy greek restaurant in Tampa. For my birthday, she and John got me an old, white metal dental cabinet from an antique store in Mount Dora. I pointed it out back in March and made it no secret that I wanted it. She, of course, told me when John went back, it was gone. She's so sneaky. He bought it that day, and I was thrilled when I opened a manila envelope with a picture of the cabinet on it. It's from the 50's and I plan to use it to store my scrapbooking supplies. Perfect! She also gave me some art from this artist.  Love her work, and I plan to buy more and have a wall with several of her pieces. Her artwork is even more vibrant and colorful in person. I was so pleased. Acropolis turned into a night club around 10:30. Very cool with a live DJ. I thought it was great, Ash, on the other hand, wanted to leave. She's an oldie. Some wonderful treats for dessert and for the eyes too. (;

Next post, for the rest of my evening. 

 

She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers...

I've been a bad blogger. Over a month since I blogged last...

Since then, a lot has happened. I've come to a number of realizations. Some, about people in my life- those who have been active or mere passive observers. I was prepared to write more in regards to this, but I've decided it best not to. I will say this, I realize that no one is perfect, and no relationship is perfect. We all have flaws and I can recognize that I have plenty. 

I'm preparing for a new stage in my life. Early this year I applied to several graduate programs in Boston, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. I was accepted to all but one (wait-listed there), and was absolutely elated when I was accepted to my #1 choice! Based on the reactions of Ph.D. students and professors at UCF, it was apparent Rutgers was the best school I had applied to. It has the finest reputation and is known for its Psychology program and efforts in research. I was 1 of about 15 students accepted into the program. The size of the program is one of the reasons I chose Rutgers. The faculty is another- they have fantastic credentials! With such a small number of incoming students, I will be able to receive one on one attention and each student gets to chose a faculty advisor. In addition, the program is centered around your thesis and as will most of my classes. The emphasis on research will prepare me for application to a Ph.D. program and this is Rutgers' Masters program primary purpose- to prime a student for entry into a doctoral program. 

I will be moving in a little over 3 months and for the first time in my life, I will be more than 2 hours away from my family. In August, I will be moving to New Jersey (or Pennsylvania, not sure yet). Several states over (or in this case, several states north), the prospect of living so far from my family is scary. Times when I'm in trouble and need help, I no longer will have the option of hoping in my car and driving to see them and they will not have the option of doing the same. But, it's OK. I need to learn to be independent, even more than I am now. And I need to learn to do (more) things on my own. I did pretty well as an undergraduate, and I'll do fine as a graduate student. It will take some adjusting and learning, but I'm ready. Other than my family and a small group of friends, there's little more that I like about Florida. When applying to graduate schools, I didn't apply to one in state school. I have never considered Florida my home, nor have I ever felt a connection to Florida. The things which define Florida: beaches, the heat, being outside, 10 months of summer, etc. are not things that I like. I like the outdoors...if it's cool out. I prefer nature, if it's on a mountainside, not a beach. I love the city, and Philladelphia is no exception. I visited Philly for the first time last month and loved it. It has entertainment, shopping, and restaurants galore and is one of the most historical places in the United States, which is an added bonus. I am definitely a city girl. 

Ideally, I would like to live in Center City, but with each passing day, it seems less likely. As a graduate student, I don't think it will be feasible, and my dad is not supportive of the idea of me, a girl in her early twenties, living alone in a big city like Philladelphia. Also, parking and the cost to live in the city are also issues. I don't plan to live in Camden, where my program is located, but I'm trying to remain open to other cities in New Jersey. 

Now that applying to graduate schools, writing personal statements, and speaking to people at admissions offices will no longer monopolize my time, I should be able to update my blog more...stay tuned for new developments! 

You'll sit alone forever, if you wait for the right time.

Some pictures from my trip to Philadelphia. What a great city. I truly loved it. I'm thrilled Rutgers is less than 15 minutes from Center City. 

I know what you're thinking...

It is the city of love after all. Perhaps love will find me when I'm there.

There are a lot of streets like this in the city. Great row homes.

Ben Franklin Bridge

A combination of the old and new.