coffee shop post

Here I sit once more at Tenn Street Coffee. Though today I am drinking White Peony Tea rather than my usual. It's pretty good, little too "grass-like" for my taste, but good overall. Ipod is rocking, laptop is a-typing and brain is wandering.

I'm watching the UPS truck tyr to back up through the foot of snow that is on the ground. Yes that's right, Denver is currently in what the media has been calling "Round 2" It's nice though. This go round is more relaxed. Last time we had over 2 feet of snow literally dumped on the city within 24 hours. It's still snowing right now, but it's a little bit more of a peaceful downfall. I'll take some more pictures and maybe post them. It's pretty.

So with coffee(tea), my music, my laptop, and my brain, I'm now in the mood to both look back and forward. I think the past four years, by the time New Years rolls around, I start getting excited about going back to school. this year not so much. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the fact that there is still a threat that the school will bulldoze our house. Maybe it's the fact that my fall semester ended on not so great of a note with a teacher and I don't want to go back to that. Maybe it's because I'm loving the place where I work and It's hard for me to pull myself away from the amazing people and company. Maybe it's the fact that this is my last semester of college and since I know I'm moving out of the country in July, I just want to spend time with my family. Maybe it's all of this.

I do want to spend time with my friends though and everyone I love in Anderson. I think I have a love/hate relationship with Anderson. The things I love...I love soooo much, my friends, Most of my professors, the opportunities I've had musically and otherwise have been good. But the thing I don't like are enough to keep me away. It's kind of weird. Of course there will be good and bad wherever I am, likes and dislikes, but Anderson just feels different. Maybe it's just because I know that I'm not going to be there for more than 5 months. If you know that you're going to be leaving something soon, you feel differently about it.

So many changes are happening all around me. Friends are getting married, couples are expecting babies, people are gaining opportunities all over the place, and I am going to live in Peru.

So many changes. But that's good.

Denver's Hip Hangout of the Day!

Blah Blah Blah, Gillian Loves Denver, everyone knows this. BUT bear with me, because as most of you know I really love finding little unique things about my city, and today My mom and I went to two of what will quickly become my favorite places in North Denver

The first is The Oriental Theater. It was this theater built in 1927 in Denver that used to be the hip spot to see a movie. Long story short, it went through alot of rough times, closed as a theater but was reopened as a concert venue recently. It's very awesome inside with lots of Mediterranean details. AND On top of that, MELTZ is located inside and serves food during concerts. Meltz is a gourmet grilled cheese restaurant. A what? A gourmet grilled cheese restaurant. They have some pretty awesome things there. You can make your own grilled cheese and choose from all these different types of cheeses and breads and what not, or choose something from their menu. My mom and I split a PBA & B (Peanut Butter, Apple, and Brie Sandwich) It was pretty amazing. It was perhaps the most unique restaurant I've been to. But it was good! And good prices too. So if you ever find yourself in Denver...Call me! And we'll go out for some trendy grilled cheese sandwiches and maybe catch a concert afterwards.






Secondly, We also all know how addicted to coffee I am, so anytime I can find a good new coffee shop, I get excited. So today, after my mom and I split our PBA & B, we found Tenn Street Coffee, a coffee shop/bookstore Here's what's nice about Tenn Street

1) They serve Daz Bog Coffee which is by far my favorite coffee roasting company, and they are (naturally) based out of Denver, though obviously a Russian roasting company. They're amazingAMAZING.
2) They have books. Lots of books. Half the store is dedicated to the Library. Most of the books are used so you can come in and make a trade or buy a used book for about half the cost.
3) As with any good coffee shop, Wi-fi is a must so that I can enjoy my coffee and relax. And rather than just having free wi-fi, they also have computer work stations, so if you don't have a laptop, you can hop on one of their computers for free. I think that's very nice of them.




So that's about it. Those were my two awesome Denver finds of the day. Dare I say it once more? Ok, I will. I love my city!

Snow, snow, snow

Well the blizzard of 2006, as it was quickly titled is over. The roads are.....clearing. Decently safe to drive on if you know what you're doing, and of course, there is the small population of out-of-staters and others that do not know how to safely drive in the snow, but like to pretend that safety is no concern in their expensive car. Most of us Coloradans refer to them as "Those idiots in their big dumb SUVs"

Other than that, I had a wonderful time in the snow, as seen in this picture. This is me, having just fallen backwards into 3 feet of champagne powder snow in the middle of my street. With the blizzard, nobody went anywhere, making it perfectly acceptable to play in the middle of the street. I love the snow. I love everything about it. Watching it fall to the ground is so peaceful and once it blankets the city, you just automatically feel good inside. Sure it's cold, but it's refreshing. And even though sometimes getting stuck isn't the greatest, I am a firm believer that during blizzards, people unite and good things happen. I know I probably sound like I believe that man is inherently good (I can't remember which -ism that is), but I promise you, when there anytime there is a big blizzard in Colorado, good works can be found all over the place. Alot of times, it's small things, like helping each other dig someone's car out of a 6 foot snow drift, or helping travelers who are stranded, but it's times like these that just make me happy. People are nicer to each other, maybe because we're all in the same snowy boat, but whatever it is, It's a breath of fresh air. It's interesting to me that people seem to come together the easiest when everyone realizes that they are not in control, I think that's where people's attitudes are different. Once people get over themselves and see that other people need help, people step up. It's nice. Sometimes I wish it would happen more often =)

Merry Christmas Everyone!!! I hope that your holiday is joyful!

I need a riveting title...how will this ever win a grammy for soundtrack of the year???

This little diddy is nothing new. BUT I haven't ever done it, so with thanks to Marie, as well as a few other blogs that I've seen. I now present you with the soundtrack to my life straight from my ipod. The smartmouth comments will however be from me.

SO IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

1. Opening Credits: "You've made me so Very Happy" Blood, Sweat and Tears

2.Waking Up: "Part of Your World" Ariel from the Little Mermaid

3.First Day of School: "Pinball Wizard" The Who

4. Falling in Love: "In the Mood" Glenn Miller

5. Fight Song: "Communication Breakdown" Led Zeppelin

6. Breaking Up: "Love in War" Outkast

7. Prom: "She's a Rainbow" The Rolling Stones

8. Life: "Kung Fu Fighting" Carl Douglas

9. Mental Breakdown: "Under Pressure" -Queen

10. Driving: " Mendelssohn Octet- mvt. 1"

11. Flashback: "Wishing you were somehow here again" Emmy Rossum, from The Phantom of the Opera

12. Getting Back Together: "Keep on the Sunny Side" The Whites from O Brother Where art Thou?

13. Wedding: "Storm Coming" Gnarls Barkley

14. Birth of a Child: "It's a Boy" The Who I'm not even lying about this one.

15. Final Battle: "Hips don't lie" Shakira featuring Wyclef

16. Death Scene: "Weary Blues" Madeline Peyroux

17. Funeral Song: "Somebody Stole my Gal" Fats Waller

20. End Credits: "When the Music's Over" -The Doors



Ok so based on some facts, here's what I've deducted about what the move of my life will be like: First, This is most likely a film given from the perspective of anybody who has ever met me- See Number 1 :) This also is a heartwarming animated film (See 2) about my struggles through a very rigorous pinball school (See 3) or maybe I just ripped off Tommy. Based on Number 4, this movie will probably be rated PG13. 5 and 6 don't need any explanation, but 7 gives me the idea, this movie will be set in the 60s. While 8 leads me to believe that I am an excellent Kung Fu Master. Sweeet. 9-13, enough said, but ok guys, I'm pretty 14 just rings loudly with me and echos my view of marriage (Disclaimer, I'm not against marriage, but I don't know if it is right for me). Ok moving on, 14 was an awesome coincidence and I'd like to point out that this would not be the birth of my child. Good Lord, I'm still in pinball school. And 15 has got to be my favorite song. Apparently this fight scene is actually a dance off.

It's cinematic gold. Who wouldn't pay to see this movie? I will be taking suggestions for titles by the way.

You wish you had this drive...

I realize that just about every fourth word out of my mouth usually has something to do with how much I love Colorado and why I think my state is the greatest. Well, another tidbit about why I think Colorado is the best is coming your way right now.

This is just a little part of what I see everyday on my way to work. Commutes supposedly suck, but mine really isnt bad, 20 minutes of semi-congested traffic and an amazing view. I would be ridiculous to ask for more.

So there's the "My state is awesome" fact of the day. This picture isn't even the full extent of it, but you know. a little glimpse is nice.

Other than that, things are going just swimmingly! I've been back at work for one week and it's been fabulous. I got right back into the game the first day and I still love working there. The people are incredible, I love the company, and everyone is just so encouraging to me! It's been a true privilege to work for Kathey Pear and Citron WorkSpaces, and who knows, maybe after I get back from Peru, there will be a spot for me! It's been a blessing without a doubt. God has led me to the most incredible places, and by led I truly mean, I did just about no work to get there. I have been blessed in all aspects of my life, incredible opportunities have literally been dropped in my lap, and all I can do is thank God. Even though I don't always realize it or show it, one thing that I have been learning throughout my life is just how small I really am, yet how big God is to take care of me, a poor miserable sinner. I will never understand God's infinite grace and love, but it's incredible to know that it is there, and that his mercies are fresh everday.

Homeward bound....I wish I were, Hooomeward bound

Simon and Garfunkel have nothing on me. I am now in Topeka Kansas where I am stationed for the evening. Typing happily on the Holiday Inn Express computer that is in the "business center" The business center coincidentally enough is a room with a table and four chairs and one desktop computer in the corner. Clearly, I have splurged on my hotel stay.

But hey, as long as this computer is working, I am a happy camper. I am about 8 hours from home where I will spending my Christmas vacation working full time at Citron WorkSpaces a dealership/design firm that specializes in offices and commercial spaces. I love it. I love the people, I love the company, I love the work, and I especially love feeling like I have accomplished something with my past four years of schooling. If I were not moving to Peru, I probably would be applying for a real job there. And this of course is a lead- in for my topic du jour:

So...while on the open road, traveling through Kansas or missouri or wherever the heck I was, I was thinking about my past four years at Anderson, and more specifically my decision for my interior design major and music minor. I've gotten feedback from people about these two areas of study (feedback which was not asked for by the way) and usually the people that give me the feedback are the people that are bothered by the fact that I study two seemingly contradicting things. Now, I thought long and hard about some of the criticisms that I've had for having a minor- mainly the "concern" that I would be a better interior designer if I would quit music and focus only on interior design and that music inhibits me from doing well in design. And this is what bothers me the most- I am bothered by the assumption that because I have two passions, one or both are suffering and that I need to only choose one.

To this I say "You're silly."

And here's why-
I truly feel that God called me to Anderson, SC to study interior design as my major and I actually did not even go into college with the intent to get a music minor, but only to play in the orchestra and sing in the choir. As it worked out, I had incredible music opportunities while at Anderson, opportunities that I might not have had anywhere else, and I also feel that I was led to capitalize on these and advance musically. I have never regretted only minoring in music. Music is a passion, but it is not a career calling. Design is. Now, the false stigma is still there that I am injuring my career in design by not giving all my attention to it. I 100% believe that this is completely false. I have given 100% of my attention to design overall and though of course not everday was an overwhelming success, I can still remain dedicated. I know that Ive made mistakes and that I've learned a lot through trial and error, but it is beyond my comprehension why people would discourage me from advancing musically as well as artistically. I have two passions, and I dedicate myself to both. Neither is suffering. I know that not everyone will understand it, but I know that it is possible. Case in Point- My mom. She is about to graduate with her Doctorate of Nursing next week. Doctorate. And she has been playing the piano and organ amazingly for various churches since she was a teenager. She's the best singer I know, I am constantly amazed by her piano and organ talents. She plays for two churches right now while balancing a home, and a very advanced career- she's won many awards also for nursing, including a Nightingale award, which is a huge deal.

I see her and her passion for both and I get all the more motivated to prove I can do it, or realize that so far I have done it. The fact that I have two passions is not a hindrance, it is a chance for me to work harder than others to improve both. I don't want to sound like I'm better than anyone else, or that I think more highly of myself because I enjoy two different things, but God has given me talents in different areas, and I feel like I would be untrue to myself and more importantly, untrue to God if I were to quit either.

Ok...well, um I think I'm going to step down from my soap box now. I just had to get that out of me, it's been on my mind for a few days and the open road only gave me time to mull over it. =)

On a much less serious/frustrated note, I did pass a street called Buttrub That's right...butt-rub. Back to you, Silly Gilly.