Home Life

This much time at home has brought out, yet again, the philosopher in me. I always tend to think and reflect too much during me time. Sometimes it's good, essential, cathartic even. Enlightening. But other times it gets tiring. Like why do I have to think so much about these things and not just get a move on! So in and through this entry I shall not "philosophize" more.. and just share about some things I've been up to most lately.

I turned 21 a little over a week ago. My birthday landed on a Thursday, everyone was at work or in school and had to go again the next day, so I just treated the family to some pizza, pasta, and half-baked potato halves. We had cake and mi abuelo got us Magnum ice cream--which my brother and I found really cute and sweet. You know what they say, it's the little things that count. Now I am not complaining.. I love spending time with the family! But I'll admit I had felt a little disappointed and bored and wished my 21st birthday celebration would have been more "special." So I had thought of inviting a few friends over for some drinks on the weekend, like we do every year. Ironically, though, come Saturday I was not really up to it anymore. But I met and caught up with friends from High School whom I have not seen in so long! It was a good night. We talked and had a lot of laughs. Then I met my brother and his love to watch Rock of Ages--which was great, by the way! Would it be weird if I said I kind of found Tom Cruise "hot" as Stacee Jaxx? Ha. I really do have a thing for rockstars. Haha. But really, the movie was great! Any big fan of music(als) would enjoy it. After the weekend I got a (shall we say) significant birthday present. I will blog about it when I can. So all's good. My birthday Thursday might have been ordinary, a little too ordinary for my liking, but hey I'm growing up and experiencing new things. That sounds pretty exciting!

My brother and I have had a lot of time to bond. I've found that there's a myriad of things we can have (sensible) talks about. We are really brother and sister. Our appreciation for John Mayer is at its peak! Together and separately, we listen to nothing/no one else. I speak for both him and myself when I say, we do not care if he is or was a "douche" as most people say. The man's a genius. (read: appreciation for John Mayer at its peak!) His music is great--first and foremost it sounds good, it's sensible and relatable (personal growth and musings on life, love, etc. are reflected in his songs). And he's learning and growing up anyway. He said so in his most recent interviews for hist latest studio album Born and Raised. 

His song Home Life from the album Heavier Things is one of my current favorites. Hence, the title of this post. (I think I'm gonna stay home, have myself a home life. I feel you, John!) I think he and I would get along if we ever met. He enjoys staying home and "philosophizes" on all these things and has all these ideas. Heck, if only I had songwriting chops, too.. I would have written a whole EP after all this time I've spent at home, thinking. Haha.

I've finished the Hunger Games trilogy. Quite a few friends have warned that the third book was a little dragging, but I personally did not find it disappointing at all. It was not as action-packed as the first two, but it was good, too. Those books have increased my momentum for reading. It was a tad difficult for me to find another book to read and enjoy after The Hunger Games. A friend suggested The Fault in our Stars by John Green. I finished it in about a week. It did not have the same effect on me as The Hunger Games, but I generally enjoyed it. I feel "content" about it. Now I'm on Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. I'm finding the first few chapters a little dragging. But the book got great reviews so I'm assuming it gets better.

And lastly, I'm starting to send out my resume to potential employers. I've sent copies to a couple of companies I'm really interested in already. I am actually looking forward to going on interviews again. My fingers and toes are crosses it all goes well.

Cheers!

N

Like it was Yesterday

It was a little.. surprising to see someone else had taken the username techNicoler on twitter (when I accidentally checked the address a couple of days back). Once upon a time, I was techNicoler. And this totally happened.

On June 12, 2011, exactly a year ago today, and 48 hours before my 20th birthday, my favorite band in the world followed me back on twitter. They were the first (and so far the only) twitter-verified band/celebrity to follow me back. And I just love them so much. And they followed me back just in time for my birthday. (I didn't even ask them to..) It was crazy! I saw the notification in my email and couldn't believe it. I mean, how else would you feel, right, if this person/these people you looked up to so much--but seemed so high up there, so distant--cared enough to see/hear whatever you have to say. Such an honor. I just fell in love with them even more after this. They are the absolute best. Friends understand my love for The Script very well. Hahaha

21 Songs

Just a few more days before turning another year older, I find myself thinking about things I want to change and  happen in the next year. I have a lot of resolutions--like learn to play the guitar, originally a new year's resolution that I never really got to work on. As for the others, I won't go into detail anymore. Some are really kind of vague anyway. Only I understand them. Haha.

I've also come up with a playlist! Like I've always done for every occasion or event in my life that I find significant. And like I've always done, putting together all the songs I can't get enough of at a given point in time.  This I will share! The 21 songs I enjoy the most, those that really speak to (almost) 21 year old me:

1. Forever Young - Youth Group / but I've learned to love One Direction's cover

Youth is like diamonds in the sun. Diamonds are forever. // So many adventures couldn't happen today. So many songs we forgot to play. So many dreams swinging out of the blue. We let them come true.  

2. Dakota - Stereophonics

Drinking back, drinking for two. Drinking with you. When drinking was new 

3. Titanium - David Guetta feat. Sia / Sophie Griffin on The Voice UK

Fire away, fire away. You shoot me down, but I won't fall.

4. Higher Love - Tyler James on The Voice UK (originally by Steve Winwood)

Think about it, there must be a higher love. Down in the stars or written in the stars above. Without it, life is wasted time.

5. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay

 I turn the music up, I got my records on. I shut the world outside until the lights come on. Maybe the streets alight, maybe the trees are gone. I feel my heart start beating to my favorite song.

6. Don't Let it Break Your Heart - Coldplay

When you're tired of waiting so you just find that you never had to stop. Come on baby, don't let it break your heart.

7. The Age of Worry - John Mayer

Alive in the age of worry, rage in the age of worry. Sing out in the age of worry, and say worry, why should I care? 

8. Home Life - John Mayer

I think I'm gonna stay home, have myself a home life.

9. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer

I was the one you always dreamed of. You were the one I tried to draw.

10. Good Love is on the Way - John Mayer Trio

I know I'll be ok. Good love is on the way.

11. U.N.I - Ed Sheeran

Everything's great but everything's short.

12. Lego House - Ed Sheeran

Out of all these things I've done, I think I love you better now. 

13. Abracadabra - Jessie J

You got my heart on lock, it's so unreal you know.

14. Domino - Jessie J

Make this dream the best I've ever known.

15. Science & Faith - The Script (my feel good, pick-me-up song any given day)

We're just trying to find some meaning in the things that we believe in.. // You can break everything down to chemicals, but you can't explain a love like ours.

16. Long Gone and Moved On - The Script

From this moment on, I'm changing the way I feel.

17. You Set Me Free - Michelle Branch

I wanted to fly so you gave me your wings.

18. Believe Me - Ellie Goulding

I can't stop this music traveling 'round with me wherever I go. // The world dances to the rhythm of its own heart beating for you.

19. This is Love - will.i.am feat. Eva Simons

Hell yeah!

21. You Found Me - The Fray

Just a little late, you found me.

22. Send It Up - Vertical Horizon

I'm alright, by the way. Everyone saves the day.

Infatuated

This little time off has given me a lot of time to think. And read. In a span of about two weeks I had finished The Hunger Games book--which I had started a while back but had to put aside for a bit, breezed through Catching Fire, and gone through half of Mockingjay. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books. And as for the third one, I have yet to find out what happens to Peeta and Katniss--whether they do end up together/Katniss decides she loves Peeta more than Gale--and how it closes the whole story, to decide whether I enjoyed it as much as the first two. I am a sucker for love stories like that. Ha! But I am also a rather loyal "fan," which makes me say, based on what I've read of it so far, that it is not disappointing. I am usually late with these things. So while the rest of the world has moved on from all the hype, my love for the books, characters, the brand as a whole, is only just reaching its peak. I am also still just itching to see The Hunger Games film. It is unfortunate that I was not able to catch it in cinemas and it has not come out on DVD yet.

This time off has also given me the privilege to follow the events of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebration. It was a good time for an anglophile like myself, watching the Thames Pageant on television right as it was happening, and reading about and seeing photos from the concerts and other events that took place during the Jubilee weekend. That plus The Voice UK finals--my most recent favorite show--has only enhanced my admiration for the United Kingdom and the royal family. And my drive to sing again.

I wanted to take this time off to give myself a chance to think thoroughly about where I want to go and what I want to do next. But how long a break is considered healthy? and how long is just plain lazy? The last thing I want is to let any possible opportunities slip because I took so long deciding.

It's not as simple as I thought it would be, figuring out my next step. I thought I would know as soon as I finished my previous responsibilities. It will take just a little more time, I guess. But what I've had of this time off so far has not been completely futile. I was surprised in a good way by how much self-discovery I was able to accomplish during this time. Those bits about The Hunger Games, the Diamond Jubilee, and The Voice UK were mentioned for a reason. In one way or another, they each have contributed to my self-discovery and have given me a chance to work from that and grow through the examples set by their heroines.

Katniss Everdeen, Queen Elizabeth II, Catherine Middleton, and the coaches and all the artists of The Voice UK season 1 have taught and encouraged me to be braver, to work harder, to be more independent and aggressive (in a good way). I realized that I have not handled some things as best as I could, or done my best in some tasks, and gave up on some things too easily. I will personally say (admit) that I have been mediocre. But I don't want to be that anymore. I'm learning from my experiences, picking up a lot of really valuable lessons and applying them in my next endeavors. Also, I wish to be like the heroines. Like Katniss, who never gives up and does what she knows is right, and does not let her emotions get the best of her. Like Queen Elizabeth, who  for years has kept a level head, carried on despite controversies, and has adapted to changing times. Like Catherine Middleton, who takes everything--all the new, big responsibilities and protocol--in her stride, and stays classy, poised, not to mention happy, while doing so. Like the coaches of The Voice UK who work hard not only for themselves but for the people around them, and believe in the skills and talents of their artists enough to hone them. And the artists, who continually rise above any setbacks and muster the confidence to get out there and share themselves to the world, so now they face a brighter future with the promise of the fulfillment of their dreams.

I wish to be like all of them.

The other day I read this great piece on Thought Catalog called I Need an Infatuation. There the author wrote,

I would be happy with just being in love with a good book, an opera, a philosophy I overheard in another conversation and turn around in my head until it settles like a fine dust over everything I believe.

I want the infatuation of learning something new, of discovering something about myself, the thrill of small joys that don't cost anything and don't require anyone else's presence. I want to be infatuated with myself, to feel like I am enough, and I so rarely do.  

I want that falling feeling, that obsessive interest with all that's around me, with all that I'm capable of.

When I read it, I thought it hit so close to home. I did not know it at the time but after processing it all I think I can say I found my (new) infatuation. And it feels good.. It makes me want to be better in general.

I wish you the same.

Cheerio!

PS
It feels even better to know that the feeling (infatuation) does not have to go away, because like the author said too,

We live in a world with a million and one things to fall in love with, to enjoy, to be totally taken with..

PPS
I know this can sound so cliche. But I really feel like this is such a huge step for me in my personal growth and goals.