In Which I Am Alive

You have no idea how excited I am about this. Han Solo as Colonel Graff? The adorable Abigail Breslin as Valentine? http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/12/21/harrison-ford-abigail-breslin-enders-game/?fb_ref=ewcontent&fb_source=home_multiline Yes, the only thing that could make me happier  would be Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Helena Bonham  Carter starring in a movie version of Les Miserables . Oh wait... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1707386/ Life is so awesome.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite.  Also, I visited the dump today, which I had never done before. And yesterday, I decided that fourth grade is my favorite grade to teach, which is ironic, considering it was my least favorite grade to be in. Also, today will be the first time I've ever listened to more than one Sufjan Stevens song in a row. And I can't decide how I feel about him. I think we're going with, "Bizarre, but in a way that kinda really appeals to me." But I'm not sure. Maybe I just like it because people have been telling me for years how much I would like Sufjan Stevens. That is all.

I'm wearing a happy yellow Threadless shirt, cargo shorts, and no shoes. My feet are happy and bare. The end of my homework is in sight. I just took some delicious bites of a Milka bar (how I missed European chocolate...) I don't have to go to work today! I had Honey Bunches of Oats for breakfast today (that, in and of itself is reason for rejoicing). I had Mac and Cheese for lunch (Can you see the importance of food in my life?) I'm listening to my little sister and her friends make a movie about pirates. It's hilarious. I watched SOOOO much Kid History today. I'm starting to recognize the joyful new opportunities that come from painful life changes. I get to have a girls night with my favorite apartment of friends tonight. I got to sightread Beethoven for a while today...for homework! Yes...life is good.

Guys! Guys. GUYS!!! I just realized something amazing. Listen to this . Now listen to this . Yeah, I know, weird, right?? It's highly possible I will be telling everyone I know about this for a few days. And even more highly possible that they'll look at me and say, "You never realized they were the same? Wow...." I'm still really excited about it though.

There is something magical about a day that begins with playing trains with a two year-old.... and continues with making music on my own for 3 hours..... and then with exploring, playing, climbing and breathing in the mountains.... and then with a concert where I'm torn between standing transfixed listening to the music and dancing like a maniac.... and then with a heaping serving of ice cream.... Yes, this was a good weekend.

Today I was in my kitchen, chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool....when my 8 year-old sister suddenly appeared right in my face and yelled out, "SHOES!!!" After an initial blank pause, I asked, "Um...what about shoes, babe?" "You're wearing them," she stated with a smile. Yep, that kid's definitely related to me.

So...there's this little comic, with these little stick figures. And I've been thinking about it all day. Sometimes it's crass, sometimes it's inappropriate, sometimes it's wayyy too nerdy for me, and sometimes it's a little pretentious. But sometimes it makes me laugh until I cry. Sometimes it makes me think for hours. And sometimes it makes me shiver, because somehow, this weird little stick-figure comic captured one of my deepest, most private thoughts. Here we go, Karissa's thoughts, xkcd style: How I do relationships: http://xkcd.com/513/ What I'm scared of (a series): http://xkcd.com/44/ , http://xkcd.com/310/ (profanity warning on that last one...), and http://xkcd.com/770/ . How I think I'll redecorate my apartment next semester: http://xkcd.com/150/ A fun game that I did before I'd ever even read this comic: http://xkcd.com/525/ Food for thought: http://xkcd.com/610/ Maybe I'll change my career path?: http://xkcd.com...

I was running yesterday through the pretty-old-house neighborhoods near Provo Center Street and I saw the COOLEST. THING. EVER. On 500 East, there was this huge tree with a treehouse in it! But not just any treehouse. It had a...pointy roof thing with window? Gable? Hold on....googling.....I think it's called a gable. Anyways, it had a window inside of the gable too. And it was so high up that I was both terrified and immeasurably excited for whatever children play in that thing. I wished that I'd brought my camera running with me. Also on that run I saw a little brick house with an extension built on the front. The extension was painted--wait for it--bright orange. A thing of beauty to be sure.