howdoiputthisgently:

GPOY

Me in about 20 minutes. HURRY UP BOB

As if there haven’t been so many signs in the past month of sentiment and of bittersweet, a family from home has suddenly lost their father to a heart attack. A father who was rigorously healthy and active. These sisters are some of the most intelligent, free-spirited and kind girls I have ever met, and that can be attributed to a father’s influence. They are patient, passionate and beautiful, and I cannot imagine how they must be feeling. I have lost touch these years, but I know where they are. I can only hope they know that we are here thinking of them. RIP.

I’ve watched all 4 seasons of Mad Men in roughly 2.5 weeks so that I could catch up on the current season that premiered about a month ago. Is this completely disgusting or is this just the type of commitment I’m going for these days? I kind of like it.

1. Would you have sex with the last person you text messaged? Currently enrolled 
2. You talked to an ex today, correct? Actually… yes?
3. Have you taken someones virginity? Nope 
4. Is trust a big issue for you? Yes 
5. Did you hang out with the person you like recently? Yes 
6. What are you excited for? Tomorrow to be over
7. What happened tonight? Fell asleep while watching gross amounts of Mad Men 
8. Do you think it’s disgusting when girls get really wasted? Yes… because it’s me? 
9. Is confidence cute? Sexy 
10. What is the last beverage you had? 2 parts hydrogen, 1 part oxygen 
11. How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust? Probably about 5-6 
12. Do you own a pair of skinny jeans? All the skinny jeans! 
13. What are you gonna do Saturday night? No clue 
14. What are you going to spend money on next? Probably a beer… or a sandwich. 
15. Are you going out with the last person you kissed? NOPE 
16. Do you think you’ll change in the next 3 months? Yes 
17. Who do you feel most comfortable talking to about anything? Lizardbreath 
18. The last time you felt broken? Last spring 
19. Have you had sex today? Not yet!!!!!!!!!! 
20. Are you starting to realize anything? I ‘start to realize’ way too often 
21. Are you in a good mood? Content, even with all that needs to be done 
22. Would you ever want to swim with sharks? No 
23. Are your eyes the same color as your dad’s? Baby blues 
24. What do you want right this second? More sleep 
25. What would you say if the person you love/like kissed another girl/boy? Probably a handful of expletives and a harsh physical reaction 
26. Is your current hair color your natural hair color? Yes 
27. Would you be able to date someone who doesn’t make you laugh? Never 
28. What was the last thing that made you laugh? Zach Wahls on campus!
29. Do you really, truly miss someone right now? Yes 
30. Does everyone deserve a second chance? Not everyone 
31. Honestly, do you hate the last boy you were talking to? Nope! 
32. Does the person you have feelings for right now, know you do? Yup 
33. Are you one of those people who never drinks soda? No viva la Coca Cola 
34. Listening to? The Xx 
35. Do you ever write in pencil anymore? Scantron 
36. Do you know where the last person you kissed is? Yes? 
37. Do you believe in love at first sight? Nope 
38. Who did you last call? Carl
39. Who was the last person you danced with? Probably Carl 
40. Why did you kiss the last person you kissed? cUz I LiKe HiMmM 
41. When was the last time you ate a cupcake? NOT RECENTLY ENOUGH 
42. Did you hug/kiss one of your parents today? NJ ————————-> BOS 
43. Ever embarrass yourself in front of a crush? Everyday 
44. Do you tan in the nude? Albino baby 
45. If you could, would you take back your last kiss? Nope 
46. Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night? DON DRAPER 
47. Who was the last person to call you? Zack 
48. Do you sing in the shower? Too loudly 
49. Do you dance in the car? Too violently 
50. Ever used a bow and arrow? I’m a lady 
51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? Senior portraits 
52. Do you think musicals are cheesy? Never - just saw Les Miserables 
53. Is Christmas stressful? YES — too many treats to choose from 
54. Ever eat a pierogi? Obvi 
55. Favorite type of fruit pie? Apple 
56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? Ballerina 
57. Do you believe in ghosts? No 
58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? A lot 
59. Take a vitamin daily? I should 
60. Wear slippers? Slipper SOX 
61. Wear a bath robe? No 
62. What do you wear to bed? Shorts and tee 
63. First concert? OneRepublic? 
64. Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? Tarshhhhhhayyy
65. Nike or Adidas? All Day I Dream About Sex 
66. Cheetos Or Fritos? Cheesy fingers forever 
67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds? Peanuts 
68. Favorite Taylor Swift song? Back to December/Innocent 
69. Ever take dance lessons? 12 years strong 
70. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing? I’m getting married? 
71. Can you curl your tongue? Nope 
72. Ever won a spelling bee? N-o 
73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy? I Am Sam 
74. What is your favorite book? Freedom - Jonathan Franzen 
75. Do you study better with or without music? Without, but must do with 
76. Regularly burn incense? No 
77. Ever been in love? Yes 
78. Who would you like to see in concert? NERO SAW HIM LAST NIGHT 
79. What was the last concert you saw? Joy Formidable & Youth Lagoon 
80. Hot tea or cold tea? TOO TOUGH, depends 
81. Tea or coffee? Depends, probably coffee 
82. Favorite type of cookie? ALL OF THEM 
83. Can you swim well? No 
84. Can you hold your breath without holding your nose? Yes? 
85. Are you patient? Rarely, if needed 
86. DJ or band, at a wedding? Ellie Goulding, please 
87. Ever won a contest? Yes 
88. Ever have plastic surgery? No 
89. Which are better black or green olives? No me gusta 
90. Opinions on sex before marriage? Yes, please 
91. Best room for a fireplace? House fires are terrifying 
92. Do you want to get married? If someone can handle it

Florence & the Machine - Howl
Adele - Rumour Has It
Feist - My Moon My Man
The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition
Florence & the Machine - I’m Not Calling You a Liar
Emma Louise - Jungle
Mazzy Star - Fade Into You
Blue Foundation - Eyes on Fire
Florence & the Machine - Heartline
Fun. - We Are Young
Ellie Goulding - Lights
The Cranberries - Linger
Florence & the Machine - Kiss With a Fist
The Xx - Intro
MGMT - Electric Feel
Band of Horses - The Funeral
The Cranberries - Zombie
Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work
Empire of the Sun - Walking on a Dream 
Kate Nash - Foundations 
The Xx - Crystalised 
Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know 
Florence & the Machine - Shake it Out 

Out of nowhere, having a class on diversity today really opened up the first year students to talking about their experiences.  From racial identity to religion to familial background, they were all so eager to share what it is like to be Latina, or Muslim, or to have lost a parent.  For a class so reluctant to speak in general and to discuss previously serious topics, it was a pleasure to see such candid discussion about their home lives and about their view on stereotypes.

Today spoke even deeper on the persistence of assumptions.  Combining my week with Habitat to my friends’ recent losses to my students opening up about themselves demonstrates just how important it is to not only listen to everyone’s stories but also to continuously ask questions and to hear others’ stories.  The toughest guy on the construction crew down in Palm Beach?  He lost a son at age 21 in a motorcycle accident and is a damn good baker; he works with students because we keep the memory of his late son alive.  The co-facilitator I work with?  He is losing his older brother to a battle with cancer; a brother who has been a father-figure to him after he lost his real father at age 9.  The student who is so appreciative to be at Bentley and does not complain among others who do?  His parents not only didn’t go to college, but also didn’t even graduate high school; he feels so fortunate to attend class and to be a part of the college lifestyle.

We think we know so much about the people around us: our neighbors, our classmates, our peers at work; yet, we know so little and will continue to know little unless we are curious and crave understanding.  My perceptions of others has changed greatly over the past few weeks and my breath has been taken away on multiple occasions.  I can’t say I know how I’m going to, but all I know is I want to spend the greater part of my life listening and giving back to others.