Road Trip Mix: Thanksgiving Break

• Dark Blue- Jack's Mannequin
• Your Guardian Angel- Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
• Uptown Girl- Billy Joel
• Darling Buds of May- Viva Brother
• Back Against the Wall- Cage the Elephant
• Loser- Beck
• My Own Worst Enemy- Lit
• Crystallised- The xx

Let it roll, from California to my home sweet home.

Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to another splendid night of blogging brought to you by yours truly. I am terrible at keeping a constant, consistent string of my thoughts. Translating to I haven't written or thought of anything worth writing about in months. Sorry about that...

Winter. How I've missed you so. Hot chocolate by the fire, mistletoe and trips to the ice skating rink. Every romantic cliche in the books, provided to you by this snuggly, snowy season. Despite the below freezing temperature drop we've been experiencing lately, I adore this time of the year more than words can describe. Everyone can't help but be a little more jollier, a whole lot merrier, and overall, just excited for the snow and the holidays that follow.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I'll be saddling up and going on the painful four hour drive through nothing but wheat fields and one lane roads at six in the morning. Destination? Spokane. My cousins are having our first 'big' thanksgiving get together, and so we thought we'd join the shenanigans. Let the karaoking begin.

I hope everyone has a fabulous 4 day weekend. I'll see you kitty cats back in class bright and early on Monday morning!

Music Mix 10/3

What you'd hear if you put on my headphones this week:

• Every Road- The Maine
• Simple Life- My Favorite Highway
• Mother, Father- Journey
• Why Georgia- John Mayer
• Wasted- Cartel
• Thistle and Weeds- Mumford and Sons
• Back to Black- Amy Winehouse
• Next 2 You- Chris Brown
• Where I Stood- Missy Higgins
• Badfish- Jack Johnson (cover)

Stay tuned for more awesome tunes by awesome people, written about by awesome me.

Young Life; You Were Made For This.

With the coming of the new school year, one of the bigger aspects of my life starts anew as well. Young Life starts. If you're unfamiliar with or haven't grown up around Young Life, it's pretty much just a big high school youth group, but without the direct coralation to God or the Christian faith. So basically it's where all high schoolers from Skyline (or wherever you go) can get together for an hour, play games, win prizes, sing songs and laugh until you're crying hysterically, then wind down for a few minutes and just get real with each other.
Let's be honest here, when do we as random high school students, ever really get asked "HOW ARE YOU?", and someone actually wanting to know our genuine answer? The answer is usually not a lot. But here, the leaders make you feel included. Accepted. It's such an overwhelmingly positive environment that I don't know what I would do without. I started in sixth grade at Wyldlife, the middle school sector of Young Life. And now, 7 years later, I'm in charge of leading a group of middle school girls at Wyldlife, as well as being a student leader at Young Life. I just want to give back as much as I can. Because contrary to what you believe, and I'm not here to shove religion down your throat- but God is so good. I hope you can see that. Unfortunately in our society there are a lot of people with extreme views on controversial topics like that. It's either you're extremely conservative, or extremely atheist. I'm neither. In fact, when it comes to religion, there's a lot of stuff I'd rather not have to deal with. I just can't imagine my God discriminating against people based on their sex, gender, or sexual orientation. He created them that way, and loves us all equally. But if I start talking about this, I might go off on a tangent.

THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS IS TO TELL YOU THAT I'D LOVE IF YOU CAME TO YOUNG LIFE AT SOME POINT. IT'S REALLY AWESOME AND YOU WOULD ALWAYS HAVE AT LEAST ONE FRIEND THERE, ME.

If you want more information, I'd be more than ecstatic to talk to you about any questions you have!

Set Fire to the Rain

Living in Washington, you don't get any pity for complaining about the dreary atmosphere that inhabits all of your surroundings for 3/4 of the year. You just don't get it. I won't feel sorry for you; in fact, I'll just laugh at you from behind the safety of my black winter North Face.
I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, or even to change your approach to the situation. I'm just letting you know how I, and most of the people who have lived here for quite some time, will handle our responses. And it goes a little something like this, "Shut up".
Yes, yes, it does get rather blustery around this time of year, and as fall claims top priority, so does the terrential downpour of rain. It's almost as if someone is sitting up on those dark ominous clouds, pouring buckets of water on our tiny disheveled bodies, just for the heck of it. At least it's a nice visual.
Thankfully I got my mom's cold blooded genes (sarcasm much), which means whatever weather, I feel the extreme of it. So when it's freezing out like it is today, there's nothing I want more than to snuggle up in my bed with ten layers of clothes on and hot chocolate. If I were to do that everytime I was cold however, I would never move. The term 'bedhead' would turn literal in my case.
Look at me complaining! I need to stop that. The whole purpose of this entry was to just say bring on the hail, the storms and the wind, I'll be here all year!

My Music Mix 9/20

Looking for some new music? Look no further, look these up and your life shall be complete.

• Skinny- Pegasus Bridge
• This City- Patrick Stump ft. Lupe Fiasco
• Satellites- September
• Toes- Lights
• One in the Same- Cady Groves
• Stomach Tied In Knots- Sleeping With Sirens
• Set Fire to the Rain- Adele
• Loverboy- You Me at Six
• Cough Syrup- Young Body the Giant

Are you a Badfish, too?

Watching September come and go so quickly is a testament to how quickly this year will surely fly by. Senior year, I can't believe you're actually here. 4 years ago, I was a freshman, frantically worrying about being mobbed by the gigantuous upperclassmen. And now I'm one of them. Where did the time go?

 I vividly remember every detail from my first day of 2nd grade. The day my brother was born.  Sophomore orientation; the first day at Skyline High School. Moving to the plateau. The first time I stepped onto the Berkeley campus. Memories I won't soon forget, as time whisks right past. The point is, I need to stop letting time take advantage of me, and live in each moment. Next year, I won't be here. I'll be far away. Guarentees that most of my friends I may never see again. So why don't I start now...and make it count.

Well, it's been a while hasn't it?

Sorry for my leave of absense for the past few months, I completely spaced out on the fact that I even had this. Thankfully, Kaela is back and ready for action. Better yet, back and ready for action as a SENIOR.
Senior power? Overused maybe? Possibly. Incredibly egoboosting to scream in the underclassmen's faces? Without a doubt.

“If for one minute you think you’re better than a sixteen year old girl in a Green Day t-shirt, you are sorely mistaken. Remember the first time you went to a show and saw your favorite band. You wore their shirt, and sang every word. You didn’t know anything about scene politics, haircuts, or what was cool. All you knew was that this music made you feel different from anyone you shared a locker with. Someone finally understood you. This is what music is about.”
-Gerard Way

5. Paramore

There term Parawhore can loosely be translated to just a really, really, big Paramore fan. If you don't know who Paramore is then I am very sorry. I've seen them 3 times, and they never stop short of amazing me.
December 2010,alas my dream came true, and I got to meet them. All of them. I was in shock to say the least, and I will pretty much cherish those 30 seconds for all of my life.
Even though right now Paramore is no longer together, I solemnly swear to keep their legacy alive. 21 year old Hayley Williams heads the group, and you may very well know her as the rocker girl who changes her hair color on a weekly basis. Yeah, that's her. The amount of power that tiny girl has in her voice is astounding. She very well deserves all the recognition she can get.
The hardest thing for me to do would be to pick my favorite album of theirs. Mind you they only released 3, but each of them has it's own unmatched style that will stand the test of time. All We Know Is Falling, Riot!, and Brand New Eyes. I would highly recommend listening to them all. Their is a song for everyone to enjoy, whether you like rock anthems, acoustic songs, power vocals, or just a really good rock song. You'll be sure to find it with them.
People say with my red hair that I look almost exactly like Hayley. While that is the greatest thing anyone could probably EVER say to me, I know that she is far superior. It's still nice to hear though. Long live the gingers.

Songs you have to hear:
-Misguided Ghosts
-We Are Broken
-Turn It Off
-Hallelujah
-My Heart
-Emergency

"Everything has it's beauty,
but not everyone sees it."
-Andy Warhol

Call me crazy,

But I like to talk to my Beatles glass cups whenever I drink out of them... which means we are all now on a first name basis,
Paul, George, Ringo, John, good afternoon!
Oh, you're currently filled with water?
Don't mind if I do

It's Kind Of A Funny Story

I watched that on the way to New York last week, and I really enjoyed it. The writing was solid, and the charaters each had their own story that didn't get lost in aimless dialogue.
Maybe I liked it alot because I know exactly how the guy in the movie feels. He thinks the world is too much to handle sometimes, and there is no use for him even living. He just doesn't know how to deal with it all, so he checks himself into a mental hospital, only to realize he has it so much better than everyone else around him.
I think everybody should at least see it once. You might just be pleasantly surprised

4. Linkin Park

I wanna runaway, never say goodbye...
Now, bring up Linkin Park around me, and I will probably give a little scream and force you to discuss their greatness for hours. My family is, for lack of a better word, obsessed. My mom and 12 year old brother rap Mike's lines while I belt out Chester's lyrics. And then we switch.
Okay, Hybrid Theory anyone? That CD is genius, absolutely genius. Everything about it continues to amaze me. Meteora was just like another amped up version of Hybrid Theory, so of course I loved it.
I don't think it was until I bought Live In Texas when I was in 3rd grade that I began to really appreciate live music. Best live album to date, and I will argue with anyone over that.
Right about when Minutes to Midnight was released, they started experimenting, doing stuff that most hardcore LP fans were weirded out with. It seemed like every song they released went right onto the Top 40 stations and no one had any idea what to do about it. I think people love Linkin Park becuase they're different. You can always tell a Linkin Park song when you hear it.
I have to admit I haven't been the best fan lately, and I think part of that is due to the fact that their new stuff is well...I don't even know how to put it. I'm trying my best to adapt to their new sound, because I love them to much to give up on them. I mean they practically raised me. I've had a lot of talks with other LP fans about the new stuff, and I think that even though it's different, and we don't like change, it's good that they're trying new things., Maybe. Or I'm just stubborn because I think they need to make a Hybrid Theory 2.0. And I'm sure I have a million people with me on that one. Because they just rock so much. Soooo much.

Songs you have to listen to:
-Faint
-Wretches and Kings
-Hands Held High
-Runaway
-Breaking the Habit
-One Step Closer

3. Journey

Jut a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world...
I'm pretty sure every human being on the planet can recite that song from heart. Journey captivated hearts in the 80's and is still known to this day as one of the greatest classic rock bands of all time.
I was given first very own Journey CD in 7th grade, and it was the Escape album. To this day that is still my favorite, ever.
STEVE PERRY...need I say more?
I could probably leave it at that and it would have been enough. Perry had a way of putting emotion into every syllable he sang. That's hard to find, so Journey better thank the Lord that they found him. My dad I crank them up in the car constantly, we both know all the words to all the songs and we display that loudly and proudly.
Maybe I'm just an egotistical fangirl who thinks she's better than the rest of the world, but the fact that Don't Stop Believin' is the only Journey song that most kids my age know, it makes me hate what the world has become. How can people only know ONE Journey song, but can sing every Justin Bieber song word for word? Listen up teenagers of America: let's start listening to real music, yeah? Yeah. You won't find a better example of that than with this band right here. And if you are one of the rare examples of kids who, like me, appreciate them more than just surface level classics, then I applaud your excellence. We should grab lunch sometime.... or not.

Songs you have to listen to:
-Mother Father
-Faithfully
-Open Arms
-Stone In Love
-Seperate Ways
-Who's Crying Now

2. Green Day

Don't wanna be an American Idiot? Well then you should probably listen to 'em.
These 3 middle aged men have transformed what we now know as punk rock. Billy Joe, Tre' Cool, and Mike Dirnt have this bad ass aura surrounding them at all time. Green Day has been around for longer than most bands could ever dream of. Despite the critics and dumb fans still stuck in the early 90's, GD continues to release amazing, in-your-face-i-dont-give-a-(fill in the blank)-what-you-think songs and each one goes on to be a chart topping success. While most hardcore fans complain that they have sold out to the mainstream, even though I have to agree somewhat, at least they are still doing what they know how to do, create good music. And if that means we have to share our best kept secret with the rest of the world...so be it.
Green Day made me want to understand politics. I was in 6th grade when American Idiot was released and I wanted to know what they meant in Holiday and Jesus of Suburbia. They're emotionally raw charged anthems make you get out of your seat and jump around, don't tell me that you don't have anything to do with that. From Dookie to Nimrod, Insomniac to 21st Century Breakdown, every album continues to be a little taste of west coast rebellion.
I've been to more concerts than I can count on 100 fingers, but the Green Day concert two summers ago, still to this day, has got to be the greatest show I've ever seen. I will never ever forget how I felt on that night. I have a feeling Green Day will forever and always be in my opinion, the greatest band of all time. I'm proud to share the bay area with them, and they will always have a spot in my CD player and my heart.

Songs you have to listen to:
-Brainstew
-Basketase
-Are We the Waiting
-Before the Lobotomy

1. Matchbox Twenty

No, they were never the biggest band of their time. Yes, they got categorized under pretty boy rock alot of the time, but Matchbox Twenty has some of, if not the best material in their song catalogue.
Rob Thomas has a way of creating the perfect sequence of words, his lyrics float of the page and off his lips with sheer brilliance. I think M20 is the main reason I still cling onto 90's alternative music.  There is just such a difference between music then and music now. Even though it's only been twenty years, while my generation fumbles around with rap and techno in their clutches, my parents generation got to understand what real, authentic music meant.

Songs you have to listen to:
-3 am
-If You're Gone
-Push
-Bright Lights

My Most Influential Artists Of All Time

Music is my everything. Everything and nothing less than that.
My parents raised me to love and appreciate the classics and learn about the unknown. The stuff my generation listens to utterly disgusts me. Literally every song that comes on the radio has to do with sex, drugs, partying, or just being stupid. Don't forget the excessive amounts of autotune that penetrates the mainstream these days. I honestly think I'm 35 in music years. If only I could have grown up in the 80s/90s and been able to be constantly surrounded by real music all the time. Luckily, I can take it upon myself to do that. I'd like to thank my mom and dad for teaching me everything I know. Even though you guys are 40 now and I tease you, you guys have more influence over me than anyone ever could. And it was your love for these bands that first introduced me to their wonderfulness.
So here is a list of the most influential artists in my life. It's somewhat of an odd collection, but bear with me, they mean more to me than I will ever be able to fully explain.

We are all visitors to this time, this place-
We are just passing through.
Our purpose here is to observe, learn, grow.
And then we return home.

"Did you ever do this, you think back on all the times you've had with someone and you just replay it over and over again and you look for those first signs of trouble?"
- 500 Days Of Summer

Favorite place to be: Concert.

The screaming fans, thrashing and moshing their bodies aimlessly across the floor; no one bothering to check who or what they're colliding into. Their sweat, your sweat, and a mixture of water, saliva, and God knows what reaking all over. The bass speakers thumping as loud as possible as the singer belts into the mic with all their might. The moment they start to play your favorite song that you can scream along to word for word and you think you're going to pass out from excitement. The whole time in the back of your mind you think there is a possibility you could die at some point from heat exhaustion or lack of air. But no one pays to much attention to that because they know the danger is greater than any other feeling in the world.

You can't help but close your eyes, throw your hands in the air, and sing along. Because for that moment, and that moment only...you feel invincible.

Slow down you crazy child,

You're so ambitious for a juvenile.
But then if you're so smart,
tell me why are you still so afraid?

So remember when we were driving,

Driving in your car.
Speeds so fast it felt like I was drunk.
City lights lay out before us,
and your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder.
And I, had a feeling that I belonged.
I, had a feeling I could be someone.
Be someone.

Be someone.