Saturday, October 30, 2010

Day 16- A Song That Makes Me Cry

I've decided to continue on with this challenge... I'll just do it at my own pace : )

Day 16 is a song that makes me cry, or nearly. This one is by Racal Flatts, "I'm Movin' On," and it definitely makes me teary-eyed every time. A specific memory I have of this song is in high school when our guard instructor played this song and had us get in a line and go down the line and hug every person and say something special to them so that we each had a private moment with everyone... I think we did this when the seniors were leaving. It was very emotional, and it's the kind of song that I think a lot of people can relate to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1bxlDAjGCo

"I'm Movin' On"
Rascal Flatts

I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons
Finally content with a past I regret
I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness
For once I'm at peace with myself
I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
I'm movin' on

I've lived in this place and I know all the faces
Each one is different but they're always the same
They mean me no harm but it's time that I face it
They'll never allow me to change
But I never dreamed home would end up where I don't belong
I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on
At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days are gone

I sold what I could and packed what I couldn't
Stopped to fill up on my way out of town
I've loved like I should but lived like I shouldn't
I had to lose everything to find out
Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road
I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on
I'm movin' on

Monday, October 25, 2010

Performance

I also wrote this in Creative Writing... anyone who has ever done colorguard/winterguard should be able to relate to it!

Performance
By Julie Carter

Lips painted crimson, violet-coated eyelids
and hair pulled tightly into buns,
shields of spray securing every strand.

Awaken our muscles, synchronize breathing, match
even the curve of fingers and tilt of heads,
each of us a duplicate of one.

Listen to the instructor’s gruff voice,
steady and commanding but an underlying urgency
willing us to not spoil the crafted choreography.

Cradle the silk flags, wooden rifles and silver sabers
as we enter the blinding arena lights
blanketing the audience’s faces in shadows.

Shuffle on bare feet, calloused with repetition.
Line the pieces along the floor, waiting
to come alive in spins and flourishes.

Toes locked on starting places across the stretched tarp,
smiles pasted on our faces, inhaling deeply
to steady the tremors in them.

Wait for the judge’s signal to begin,
a split second where everything is silent
but the hammering of our hearts.

Set in motion by the first strains of music,
we propel through the precise routine,
every motion a fluid transition into the next.

Equipment rotates easily, powered by adrenaline
stored just for these five minutes, more important
than anything else we will do today.

Extend every movement of limbs,
heads craned upward so that even those
high in the stands can feel our energy.


Sunday, October 24, 2010

First Goodnight

A poem I wrote for my Creative Writing class my last semester. Loosely based on my real life ; ) One of my first attempts at poetry, so it needs work and it's definitely cheesy, but enjoy!

First Goodnight

The soft murmur of re-runs echoes a story of young love
as we nestle together on a seat made for two.
Hands intertwined, the long, flexible fingers
of a musician laced through mine.

I trace the curve of your yellow bracelet,
not wanting words to break the silent anticipation.
Breathless we sit, even swallowing is too loud,
the beats of two nervous hearts fill the room.

And then you speak, our heads draw together,
lips connecting for the first time.
Unknown at first, gently they touch, leaving a print like a memory.
Tingling with a new discovery, yet familiar, not wanting to part.

Then we must say goodnight, but only for now,
out into the evening air, clinging to the last wisps of summer.
So many questions we could ask,
but the hum of possibility fills in the gaps.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

LA Weekend- Trip #2

Last weekend I was able to visit Alex for a longer trip. My boss was wonderful and gave me Friday off, so I flew to LA on Thursday night. I arrived pretty late in the evening, so we made s'mores and watched our favorite movie, I Love You Man. I was so happy to see him after 6 weeks apart. The time went by quickly, fortunately, but it wasn't until I physically saw him that I realized how much I missed him.

Friday morning we slept in, went grocery shopping, and I napped on the futon in the sun while he went to rehearsal. Then it was time for... JACK JOHNSON! My early birthday present from Alex was to see Jack Johnson live at the Hollywood Bowl. It was a really cool venue, and Jack sounded amazing live. He played absolutely everything that I wanted to hear, including "Better Together," my favorite song. I think it's a perfect song for me and Alex, especially given our current living situation. It was a great night and I'm so glad we were able to go!

Saturday was another gorgeous day so we headed to Will Rogers State Beach, which wasn't crowded at all. We spent most of the afternoon at the beach, laying in the sun and relaxing. The weather was perfect. The water was, as expected, very cold, but I still dipped my toes in. We worked on our tans too-- but poor Alex got a little sunburned! After the beach, Alex headed up to USC for a meeting and I showered and relaxed. When he got home, we attempted to make coconut mojitos. They were very good, but came out more like coconut mojito milkshakes/a dessert item. Alex cooked me a delicious stir fry and coconut rice dinner.. mmm. Amazing.

Sunday morning I went to church with Alex. I loved getting to see where he goes to church, and I really liked it there. It was another beautiful day, and I wish I was still there! After church, we spent the rest of my time there relaxing and just enjoying each other's company. I wasn't ready to leave, but I bought Alex his birthday/Christmas present before I left-- a ticket to come home in November! So we were able to part with the knowledge that we will be together again in a month. It's always hard to leave, but I am thankful for Skype and phone calls and texting that enable us to stay connected even when we are many miles apart.

Can't wait for November!