Proud to be an American

Ya know, sometimes I get annoyed with America because of their hypocrisy in many things. For example, the government condemns torture but does submit to extraordinary rendition along with many other things. However, more often than not, I am PROUD to be an America. I even got into a fight at a bar with my roommate Alexis with these two French guys about how America is awesome. Seriously, who wants to be French?! Today, began very interestingly. I woke to find out that the U.S. military had finally found and killed the man behind the September 11th attacks. What a great day!!!!

Watch President Obama's speech to the American people here.

To take a line from "The Ring"

"Seven days...."

"Blame it on the alcohol"

Wow, this 30 Days of Truth thing is taking WAY longer than thirty days...mostly because when I look at the prompt I'm all like, "Ehhh....I don't want to write about that. I'm gonna go eat something."

Anyway, this prompt is on my thoughts on drugs and alcohol. I don't really know where to begin with this one because it can be all controversial and what not. Who wants to do that..? HA!

I think it's appropriate that I write this post now though because I just visited the lovely city of Amsterdam, and we all know what goes on in that city. And no, I'm not talking about the Red Light district...though I did walk past a brothel and these two women were just sitting inside in front of the doorway in lingerie and I was all like, WHOA! Wasn't expecting that! Because we were NOT in the Red Light District. I ha

d a good time, and yes I was responsible and no I'm not going to say what I did and did not do because that isn't your business :P

So. Drugs. Gernerally DUMB! I mean, if you have fun, as my house mate Milo says, "Blowing some trees" (i.e.-Mary jo) every once in a while, whatever floats your boat. Just be responsible about your fun. I know that these things are bad for your body, but so is eating a butt load of cookie dough. Just don't be stupid. Don't over do it. They are, as you would say, "soft drugs" and I don't really think that they would lead to anything harder. Plus, I also don't think that pot heads are going to be the ones out robbing banks. Have you ever met a pot head? I live with some. All they want to do is eat some pizza and watch a movie. They aren't going anywhere. Relax.

Hard drugs are another issue though. They are the ones that lead to other problems. They create problems for friends and family. Those that abuse drugs are the ones that are often breaking the law and hurting their loved ones the most. Trust me, I know this from experience.

I don't really know what to say about alcohol. I used to be all like, Drinking is stupid, merrrr!! But since I've been in Europe, I've found how much fun it can be. Like with most things in this world, you just need to be responsible. Things to remember:

1. Know your limits

2. Don't drink and drive

3. Have a safe place to stay

4. Don't leave with anyone you don't trust/know

"When are you going to start packing?"

...ummm... Excuse me? What do you mean when am I going to start packing? It isn't time to leave yet!!! We just got here! There's no way it's time to go home already!!!

But it is. It IS time to go home. I have one class, one paper, three finals, fours days of work, and thirteen days left here in Geneva. Ho.Ly.Ca-rap! This is not real...

But it is. It IS real. My life in Geneva is almost over and I can't believe it. It feel like we have only been here a few short weeks. But then again, things from the beginning seem like so long ago. It's really weird. I'm waiting to wake up from my dream.

I am excited to go home though. I miss my family and my friends. I miss my car no matter how crappy it is. I like being able to just get in my car and go somewhere. No bus! I miss good food that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. Though, let me tell you, I've still gained too much weight here...hello diet when I get home! I will miss the bread and the chocolate though...oh! the chocolate! :) For sure taking some of that home...

You know what else is cool?!?! I'll be turning twenty-one in thirteen days!!! I'm getting sooo old! HA! I'm excited for my birthday. I know I'll be feeling a million and one times better than I did last year at that time. I'm a different girl than I was a year ago and I'm glad. Even today, a day I thought would be God AWFUL turned out to be

not bad at all. I've actually not thought about my break up at all. Well, except right now... It's been so great! I made this fabulous dinner for the people I like here and they all loved it. Which always makes me feel good. It's just been really nice. Not thinking...it's nice :)

This is my IneedtodothisbeforeIleave list:

-Write a paper -ICK!

-Study -ICK!

-Find a bag to take all my accumulated stuff ho

me in... -EEK!

-Go to Lausanne... I HATE Lausanne....

-Start packing -Double ICK!

Someone save me please.... BUT!!!!

My mind is a jukebox

Do you ever hear a word or a phrase that just sparks a song in your head? This happens to me ALL THE TIME.

I'm pretty ok with it though because I love music. I'm a pretty music based person. I listen to it as much as possible, I love the radio, I love my iPod, I love singing even though I kill the ears of fish. (Yes, I know they really don't have ears...they probably evolved in knowledge of the day when I would sing and they wouldn't be able to hear it so they wouldn't lose them.)

A lot of my life has been defined by music. Growing up both of my parents were constantly having some sort of music going. I mainly grew up on classic rock- the Stones, the Who*, the Beatles, etc. I heard popular music. Sometimes. Not that my parents sheltered me from it, they just knew what was what. Oldies were where it was at. I still love them. Half of my iTunes are random songs from my childhood that make me go, aww...I remember listening to this when...

*Note: My dad would always love to confuse the crap out of me when I was a littleun when it came to The Who. A song they sing would come on the radio or one of his mix CASSETTES in the car and he would be like, "Hey, El, who is this?" "I don't know, daddy, who?" "Right!" "Huh? No, who?" "Who." "What?!" -starts crying out of frustration- Yeah, thanks, dad...*

Anyway, I know this is kind of random, but I was writing a paper earlier, listening to my music, in the zone, and up pops Steely Dan. Hey memories! How ya doin'!? Right now Somebody to Love by Queen is playing which of course makes me think of karaoke with Denise.

I think it's true that music is a tool for recognition. I can't focus on study-like tasks if it's quite. Must. Have. Music. I tend to do better on tests when I study with music. I also write better papers when I have music on. I don't know why, I just do. You can literally tell in a paper where I was listening to music and where I was not. It's weird.

Music is the way of my life. I love it.

To associate this with Geneva...my roommates and I are always blasting music. We share music. We sing together. We dance around our room sometimes. haha! We have a Geneva playlist which is kick-ass. It has lots-o-Glee on it.

Some songs from our trip:

-What do you know about little secrets - White Panda

-Valerie -Glee Version

-All Summer - Kid Cudi

So. Many. More. LOVE!!!

Sorry for the random...