Finales.

So, I watched the Office finale, and if you haven't seen it and don't wanna know, stop reading :) Or the Lost finale, for that matter...



I know that the comedy has gone downhill a bit since the earlier seasons, and they're obviously pandering to their new audience, the majority. And the majority like stupid comedy, hook ups and pregnancies. But honestly, I still love it. I know it's simple and universal, but there's something warming about seeing happy people (even fake happy people.) Because I know that love and life do exist and that they're not fantasies.

Also: OMGLOST. I don't know what it is about that show, but it literally consumed about 1/4th of my thoughts since the finale. I love Jacob and who he turned out to be. I kinda thought he'd be evil, but he's basically the Good Guy. He believes in people and that they're capable of succeeding, not just destroying eachother. He's Jesus. And Ben is the ultimate example of Human Sin and selfishness. What about me? He says. Well... what about you? It's not about you...
I DIED when Juliet fell. And I have no idea what's going to happen. But I suspect that history will have changed and they won't crash on the island, as planned. But if Lost's idea of destiny is true, all the people who are meant to be together, and all the people who are meant to die, will still happen. You know? Like Eternal Sunshine.

Sad that my only post in a month is about tv shows. But this is my life, friends. I go to school, go to work, spend time with people I love, and get absorbed by good stories. The end.

I'm feeling rough, feeling raw, in the time of my life...

We talked about change. He said he felt like he was watching me grow up, and I laughed. But we're all growing up so fast. These are the times of our lives--college, first real jobs, education, life outside your home. I said I was almost afraid to make decisions because I knew... one month, two months later... I'd feel differently. But that doesn't make me cautious. And it doesn't make me remorseful. Because I know that I am me, and it's okay that I change my mind, my style, my self. Because in all that changing I never become something other than Katie. And that brings me comfort and peace. And I've got the feeling that I'm becoming a little more myself every day.

Where the heart is...

I'm absolutely overflowing with emotions right now. This has been an insane couple days. Less than two days ago I was in Jerusalem, walking the city walls, slipping on the limestone, eating falafel, chilling out on the roof with good friends and a bag of sunflower seeds. It was the most glorious time. That city is incredible, and I didn't realize just how much I'd miss it. Getting to wake up every day and see the white limestone skyline of the old city... I was so privileged.

Now I expect to hear Hebrew, to see dark skin and hair, to feel humbled by my alien-ness. Driving back into Lakeland and having lunch at Moe's–which had always felt like home–was strange today. I was almost uncomfortable, in a way. But coming home. That's another story. Being greeted by the happy yips of my dog, smelling my house's smell, the openness and brightness of our Florida home, setting foot in my room again–that was fantastic. I'm so glad I have a home to come to–and I can't imagine anyone loving home more than I do.

Always take the opportunity to travel–getting away from routine changes you. I received more than a tan in Jerusalem. But I hope that you all always have a home to go to, whether it's a house or a person, everyone needs a harbour to come back to.

Live.

Chris just showed me a fantastic Bon Iver video. I love live performances... I get so excited, there's really nothing like a good live show.

So here's a few videos. It's not the same as being there, but these are performances that you really shouldn't miss seeing, even in youtube. The last one I recorded when I saw Manchester Orchestra, who put on a great show.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love


Arcade Fire - Neon Bible and Wake Up


Sufjan Stevens - For the Widows in Paradise, for the Fatherless in Ypsilanti


Manchester Orchestra - just a random hymn

Hello folks.

I miss you, and I miss home. I mean, I'll be sad when we leave, and I'll definitely miss this city, but there's just too much about home that I miss. The people, my lifestyle, my bed, brownies–so much.

Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago was voted best album of the year by a lot of sources I trust. And acclaimed by friends. But I never really got into it, though I tried. I put it in my playlists, listened to it on shuffle, but I never loved it.

But at some point in time, Skinny Love grabbed me and said, "Hey, I'm AWESOME." I'm quite the fan now. I'm slowly creeping through the whole album, finding myself falling in love with all of it. Here's another good track. I have a special kind of appreciation for an album that grows on me.

Have you ever gotten to a place in your life where you feel like you could go in a million directions? I mean, presently, I'll be living in Lakeland until I graduate. Living at home, getting an education, yada yada.

But after that? Anywhere! I could go ANYWHERE. I could literally do anything. And there's so many things to do! I could do the au pair thing, in Europe. I could do the school thing (amazing grad schools everywhere! Portland! Boston! Chicago! North Carolina! San Fransisco!) or I could do the teaching thing and go to Asia or Africa or the Middle East. Or the peace corps, or just take a year off and do whatever I want.

I'm feeling that feeling like the first time you read "Oh, the Places You'll Go." Or the first time you realize that there's a whole WORLD out there. It's a big world. But not so big that I can't take it in. I plan on taking it in.

Besides this glorious, liberating feeling, I'm also crazy excited by the fact that when I come home, it'll only be a few short weeks until summer. Summer means no classes. Shorts and skirts and tank tops. Thrift stores and windows-down-driving-to-the-beach.
I don't know about my job situation, if I'll be able to work at school or if I'll need to work at Barnes and Noble again (if they let me) or something else. But in any case, it's coming soon, and I'm glad.

You are my favorite.

So I was catching up on my blog-following (it's Shabbat, we've got the day off!) and bumped into Lauri's little list of favorite things, and I love lists of favorite things so I thought I'd share too :) but I too have a problem choosing ONE thing, so this is a little revised.

My Favorite Picture Lately
[of myself]

(his name was Jacov)


[just in general]

(this says "Salaam", which means "Peace" in Arabic.)


My Favorite Poem Lately

"Everyday You Play" by Pablo Neruda (one stanza)

You are like nobody since I love you.
Let me spread you out among yellow garlands.
Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south?
Oh let me remember you as you were before you existed.

My Favorite Item of Clothing Lately

A good scarf.

My Favorite Quote Lately

"I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart." - Anne Frank.
That word "everything" encompasses way too much.

My Favorite Place Lately

Chocolate by the Bald Man - a gelato place close by.
You don't know how many sheqels I've spent.

My Favorite Song Lately



My Favorite Disney Princess (lately?)

Jasmine.
She was my favorite when I was little, I used to tell people my name was Jasmine.
She rocks.
but I love Belle too :)