| A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous. |
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[20 Jul 2005|06:15pm] |
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In order to make my journal what it needs to be, I have made it Friends Only. Feel free to comment for an add!
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| The best is yet to come... |
[19 Jul 2005|12:05am] |
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Billie Holiday | "Ain't Nobody's Business" |
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I've taken a hiatus from any sort of blogging for nearly 3 months now, and I must say I've enjoyed it. While the span of time itself is short, much has happened to me, internally anyway, during those months. It may not seem like a weighty part of your life, this journaling/blogging business - but for me, I found out how important it is in my life.
I can't begin to express the deep depression that consumed my being right before I decided to stop journaling. While my entries may not have shown it all that much, it took all my effort to wake up and do the small things each day. I dreaded school and work because I dreaded human interaction - it was so laborious to have to put on a smile and pretend that I was fine to everyone around me. Reading - which was once not only a pleasure but a passion for me - had become a chore, a chore that I could barely commit to even for school. I'm not sure what brought all this on, but it's over for now. I'm really coming into a sense of who I am and what I want, and it's incredibly empowering.
One of the wonderful things that happened to me was Stephen King. Now I know that might sound pretty strange for two reasons: 1. I'm an English major who'd never read Stephen King up until a month ago, and 2. Some people don't really consider him to be of the, uh...inspirational type; but let me tell you something. I read 'It' and it blew me away. Sure, it was completely terrifying and gory and vivid and all of those things of which Stephen King is a master; but it also captured something incredible for me. It made me remember what it was like to be a child - to believe with all of my heart, to be fearlessly loyal, to be in awe of the world around me, and to be authentic. At this time in my life, when the emphasis falls on putting away childish things, it was fulfilling to go back and to remember and to live in that moment, even if it was only vicariously through "The Losers."
So anyway, I'm going to cut this long post short and say thanks for keeping tabs on me. But I'm back in livejournal land as a producer and not just a consumer. And the world makes sense again.
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| I hope you have found a friend.. |
[30 Apr 2005|12:11am] |
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Semisonic | "Closing Time" |
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This might seem sudden, but it's been coming.
The end of May will mark 4 years since I first came on to Livejournal. I was 16 years old, and I was fascinated with the fact that someone would ever want to read and know my thoughts. Who knew that I would meet so many wonderful people?
However, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end, as the song says. I'll still keep my profile active on here so that I can read your journals and comment on them, but I need to take some time away from putting my life on here. Ryan and I have tossed around the idea of creating my very own website, we'll see what develops there. The only community in which I will remain truly active is Facebook. In the mean time, I'd just like to say thank you to all of you for reading my journal, for the friendships that have developed of because of Livejournal, and for being even remotely interested in the life of a girl from Virginia who isn't sure if she'll ever have much to offer but has been richly blessed because you cared. You opened my eyes, you made me think, you were not afraid to challenge me, and I was made better because of your influences.
God bless each and every one of you!
Thanks always,
Rianna
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| There she blows!! or..err...posts! |
[22 Apr 2005|02:11pm] |
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Loretta Lynn | "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin'" |
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This week has been quite busy for me. I've been working, homeworking, and sleeping, all in overly abundant amounts. But here have been the good things:
1. I'm now on Facebook. If you're on there, find me! I go to Liberty.
2. I've changed purses at least 5 different times
3. The Houston Astros won their games on Wednesday AND Thursday.
4. Work hasn't sucked as bad as it usually does.
5. On Tuesday, I found out that instead of going to our usual Spanish class, we're all going out to eat!
6. I found out about Hannity coming here to speak!
7. I got my bellybutton pierced.
I realize that my life sounds almost as exciting as life on the Pequod (see my subject line for your allusion), but please try not to be jealous.
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| For your reading pleasure, an announcement. |
[19 Apr 2005|11:50pm] |
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O'Reilly |
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This year, LU's Commencement Speaker will be none other than Sean Hannity. If you'd like to go, email me or comment here for details.
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| And what an adorable baby! |
[17 Apr 2005|01:41pm] |
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Scissor Sisters | "Filthy Gorgeous" |
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See this beautiful girl pictured below? That's my niece, Kaitlyn. You can't see her face very well, but just take my word for it that she's just gorgeous. My sister-in-law did GOOD on this photo.
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| Gitcha a gun we gon' have us a revolution! |
[15 Apr 2005|12:28pm] |
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 Ready to cat-nap |
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Pixies | "Where Is My Mind?" |
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I LOVE Andy Griffith. My subject title comes from the episode entitled, "Andy Discovers America," in which Andy inspires Opie to be a history buff.
There's a lot of satisfaction when you're tired from cleaning up your living space. I've been doing that for the past 4 hours and even though I could probably do more, I'm not going to.
I wish I could tell you that things are just soooewww exciting for me right now, but they're not. But quite frankly, I'd rather things be uneventful than full of crap. And with that, I take my leave! And by the way, I PITY THE FOOL who doesn't start his sentences with conjunctions, and so does my friend pictured below!
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| People sometimes mistake me for Pollyanna. |
[12 Apr 2005|01:03pm] |
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 fiddle-dee-dee |
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something by The White Stripes |
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I hate school. I hate everything about it. I hate driving to it, parking at it, walking forever to get in it, and this semester, I hate ALL of my classes. Here's an itemized list.
BIOLOGY 101:
I hate this class simply because it's a waste of my time. It's an easy A or B, no challenge, and everyone in there sleeps through it.
AMERICAN RENAISSANCE (ENGL 340):
I hate this class PASSIONATELY, ferverntly, ardently, need I go on? I hate the authors studied therein (Emerson, Thoreau, Melville, etc), and I hate the fact that my teacher plays favorites and actually grades us on HUMOR (Um, sorry that I'm not a new, female version of John Belushi, I didn't know that was a graduation requirement). I'm proud of my sense of humor because I can find in humor in just about anything, but as far as BEING funny? yeah, that's not one of my strong points.
SPANISH 201
The ONLY class that I don't hate.
AMERICAN HISTORY
I hate this class because the professor talks at the pace of a snail walk. He has this EXAGGERATED Georgia drawl that makes him sound like a cross between a male Scarlett O'Hara and Ben Stein. It's HORRENDOUS. Not to mention the fact that I've had American history both in and out of the classroom so many times that this, like biology, is nothing short of redundant.
And yes, I know. "Count your blessings, Rianna. There's lots of people who would LOVE to be in school." I know that getting a free degree is a blessing. I'm not a COMPLETE idiot. I'm just ready to NOT BE THINKING ABOUT SCHOOL EVERY WAKING MOMENT. I'm ready to live my LIFE, find out what I want to do and where I want to live and all of that sort of thing.
*Whew* I'm done.
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[10 Apr 2005|10:08am] |
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 just kinda sick |
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Bill Monroe | "Blue Moon of Kentucky" |
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Well friends, the Ghost of Blogging Rianna has returned to torment you all! Bwahahah!
I'm contemplating switching over to Xanga for the following reasons:
1. I love that little Music/Book/DVD feature. It's so cute!
2. Everyone and their mom is over there.
I'm contemplating NOT switching over for these following reasons:
1. I've been on Livejournal for nearly 4 years.
2. It's the pOsEuR thing to do.
I created a page over there just so I could comment on people's sites (Yeah, they don't allow anonymous posting...losers!). I don't know, we shall see.
This past week was a bear for me. And then I was puking my guts up all day yesterday. I'm ok now, just a little woozy is all.
This post has no point whatsoever. I just wanted to confirm my status as being ALIVE.
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| Shuh-ZAM! |
[04 Apr 2005|01:42pm] |
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Letters to Cleo | "Cruel to be Kind" |
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Apparently, the personal blogs of choice for LU students can be found on Xanga. I've found two very interesting sites that I wanted to link for you.
**Let me preface these links with a little warning: I'm not saying that I agree with everything that these guys are writing, but I will say that you'll 1) Think, and/or 2) Laugh when you visit these sites. There's a lot of internal arguing on campus about some of LU's policies, and these blogs are the ones that highlight them.**
I found the arguments regarding Convcation to be pretty interesting, especially the schmuck that said that Convocation was the command, "assembling with the brethren." That would be CHURCH, darling. And Convocation isn't church. You have some of the radicals who want to abolish everything at LU, the radicals who are so into LU as an institution that it's scary, you have the cynics who make fun of everything, and then you have those who want a balanced change. So if you're the least bit curious about what goes on in my academic world, visit these blogs and comment here on what you think. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I, myself, think there's a lot of great things about the school. But I also think that there are some things about it that don't make any sense whatsoever. I won't post those now, just visit these sites.
LU_Truth
The Liberty Journal.
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[03 Apr 2005|12:00pm] |
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Green Day | "The Time Of Your Life" |
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Charles Billingsley is LEAVING! :( May 8th is his last day, and there'll be a big concert and reception for him. He's moving out to California to work with Rick Warren. I'm happy for him, but it's still sad. I'm going to miss that voice!
I need to clean, I need to read, I need to do homework, I need to work on a presentation due this Thursday, I need to study for a biology test, I need to stay busy and not just sit here.
I am so.Incredibly.Restless right now.
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| A Note for the Masses. |
[02 Apr 2005|01:09am] |
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The Killers | "Mr. Brightside" (LOVE that song.) |
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For those of you who are interested: Joe Bean's IS hiring as of now. We need somebody available to work all hours of the day to schedule around those of us who are already there, and somebody available to work weekends (including Sundays). If you're interested, go pick up an application! I mean, seriously, who wouldn't want to work with me? *wink*
And on that note, I retire to my warm and cozy bed.
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| Young, Fabulous, and Broke...but well read, darn it! |
[30 Mar 2005|04:34pm] |
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Five for Fighting | "Superman" |
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My mother bought me a book by Suze Orman called, 'The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke.' My mother says that I'm the very definition of young, fabulous, and broke. It's very easy to understand. I like to watch Suze Orman on TV anyway because she makes money so easy to understand and she gives good advice. So if you want a good read, that's my recommendation of the moment.
I've also been going through (still) 'The Winter of our Discontent' by John Steinbeck. I like the story, but more than anything I'm reminded of why John Steinbeck is my favorite author. We were talking in American Renaissance about "The Great American Novel" and my teacher believes that 'Moby Dick' is a "Great American Novel." In some instances, it is. But when I hold it next to 'The Grapes of Wrath' it pales in comparison.
Speaking of arguing about books and being a pretentious bloviator, even though I'm not quite sure about my career path I do know that I would not have spent the last 3 (almost 4) years studying anything but studying literature, what's in it, and how it impacts the culture. It is truly the love of my life (next to Stewart Gilligan Griffin, of course). Do you think there are places where people are locked away to do nothing but read books and fight about them? And if there is, do you think I could go to one and not become some academic fruit loop that has lost her grip on reality?
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| I love to laugh, loud and long and cleearr, I love to laugh, it's getting worse every year! |
[29 Mar 2005|12:23pm] |
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Mary Poppins Soundtrack | "I Love to Laugh" |
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I had to report the following incidents to you. They would be funnier if you knew the parties in question, but they are still quite amusing even if you don't.
1. Dr. Nutter was talking about an English Department field trip to Georgia. The students going will stay in a Best Western down there. Dr. Nutter said, "They even have an indoor POOL. I won't be bringing any trunks...but I won't be rushing to-to-to see you in yours, either!"
2. Nick Shell is one of those people you never forget. He really is! Today, he wanted to say that the Titanic sank in 1917, when it actually sank in 1912. A girl in class corrected him in a very snooty way. Nick, being the mature boy that he is, took a play snake, held it up to his mouth, looked in the girl's direction and said the following: "Hey, Erin...SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!"
It was nothing short of hilarious!
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| The cutest little bunny in town! |
[27 Mar 2005|10:22pm] |
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The Postal Service | "Such Great Heights" |
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I wish I had a picture of what I looked like at work today. I was wearing jeans, my pink Joe Bean's shirt, with my hair up, and a pair of pink bunny ears. I looked ridiculous, but festive. You wouldn't believe what a hit the ears were! I had lots of couples drive up to the window. While the husband sat there with his mouth hanging open and barely managing to mutter, "I like your ears," the women were quite annoyed with me and made their orders quickly in hopes of leaving as soon as possible.
And then it happened. Charles Billingsley is the worship leader at my church, and he's talented beyond belief. I believe with all my heart that he has one of the best voices I've ever heard, and he's one of the best performers I've ever seen, too. He's also SMOLDERING. Well, he decided to grace me with his presence at Joe Bean's today. It went something like this:
Charles: Hey there! *Winks at me* Nice ears, sweetie.
Me: ahah..oh..um.. *breathing heavily*...thanks! What can I get you?
Charles: A hot chocolate, with a little bit of peppermint.
Me: Anything else?
Charles: One of those shortbread cookies.
Me: Ohh yeah, you want one of those huh? Um..yeah..Um. yeah. Your total is 20.5. I I I mean, 5.20. Yeah, that's it. Ok, I'm gonna go now.
It was all I could do to fill his order. Normally, I'm multi-tasking and doing all kinds of things at once. But not this time. I made his drink. Gave it to him. Found the cookies, gave him one. I took 10 minutes to do what I could normally do in 2. Here he is, pictured below. He's the one on the right.
Lord, help me!
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| Thank you, thank you silence... |
[27 Mar 2005|12:29am] |
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Alanis Morrissette | "Thankful" |
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I'm not thankful for silence tonight. I'm thankful for conversation.
Thank you, Ryan, for the following:
1. the sweet comments on your site
2. the wonderful conversations that we have
3. for inspiring me to be a better person overall, and
4. for being such a good friend to me.
You're the best!
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| Happy Easter! |
[26 Mar 2005|09:07am] |
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Coldplay | "Clocks" |
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I love my Christian holidays. I love their significance, of course, but I also love the insane amount of documentaries that come on TV during these times. The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, and A&E are chock full of one-hour segments talking about historic Christian figures and mysteries within Christianity itself.
One reason that I got my tattoo of Alpha and Omega is because that has always been my favorite name for Christ ever since I was little. I can remember sitting in Sunday School when I was 5 or 6, and singing a song about all the names for Jesus. When I found out that Alpha and Omega meant "The Beginning and the End" I was instantly fascinated. I could not, and still cannot, comprehend something that defines and is the beginning and the end simultaneously. As I grew up and encountered depression and hopelessness, the concept of Alpha and Omega was a great comfort to me. In a world that is contantly changing, there is one Constant that will never change, will never end, and can never be taken from us. In the midst of my own inconsistency and imperfection, He stays the same.
But I think what I learned through His name of Alpha and Omega, more than anything else, is that Christ is definition. What I mean is that Jesus does not just give us love, he IS love. He does not just give us hope, he IS hope. He does not just indicate a beginning and an end, he IS the beginning and the end.
Happy Easter, everyone! And congratulations to Saí on being an uncle for a second time!
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[24 Mar 2005|11:45pm] |
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Ben Folds | "Rockin' the Suburbs" |
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My advisor at LU informed me that during my last semester, it would be all clear for me to take whatever classes I'd like to take aside from two final required English classes.
I have mixed feelings right now. It's exciting to think about college being done with, because I'm ready to live my life and see what is out there for me. But at the same time, it's kind of sad to me. Growing up, I thought it would have been so neat to live in dorms and stay out with my friends all night, get to know all different kinds of people, and I think I would have made such a cute sorority girl. Despite those things though, I'm thankful that I got to go to college for free. That's a huge blessing. And I'm also glad that I got to spend this time with my family. You know, when you're in the midst of teen angst you're convinced that your parents are the enemy. But now I realize that they, more than anyone else, have been my friends. Some kids don't have that privilege to say that about their parents because their parents have serious issues that have complicated their relationships. But my parents are good, decent, hard-working people who help anyone who needs them and have genuine optimism in the midst of widespread hopelessness. I love them for that, and getting to know them as fellow adults has deepened our relationships.
This time next year, I will have just over 5 weeks of school left. And just like all other years, it will fly by. I am both terrified and excited, and I embrace both emotions with great anticipation.
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| I'm leeeeaving on a jet plaaane... |
[19 Mar 2005|04:23pm] |
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Family Guy |
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Do you ever have mini-eras in your life when you have a lot swirling in your head and heart, but you seem to have nothing to say? For the last few months, that has definitely been me. It makes me incredibly self-conscious when I have conversations, no matter what medium I'm using, because I'm afraid that I'm boring. I have that fear even when I DO have a lot to say, so you can imagine how much it's magnified when I don't have much to try and articulate. I'm hoping that I'll have this burst of ideas that'll come spilling out one by one and make me interesting again. *Laughs* But don't bank on that!
I'm working Monday-Saturday now, and the days and weeks are starting to run together. I really don't have much of a life other than school and work. I'm drinking more coffee and more Red Bull just to be able to wake up and function like a normal human being. I love Red Bull, but when I come down off of that energy rush I'm DRAGGING in such a way that even coffee can't touch it.
But it won't be like this for long, thank goodness. We're just very low on help at work so everyone's having to pitch in right now. I don't mind the money, but I do mind being drained of all of my energy. It's zapping me little by little.
I hope you all are doing so great that you can barely stand it. I'll be lurking and commenting more so than posting for a bit.
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