Thursday, August 30, 2012

Word Play

So today in my Personal History Composition class, we tried out this really cool activity where you generate a random word, list the first 10 images/ideas that come to mind, pick one, and then write about it for an amount of time or until you're all finished with writing. The point it to let your pen/fingers go without interruption and see what you can create. Here's one example from today:


10 Images/Ideas Associated With “Murder”

1. Criminal Minds
2. Blood
3. University Avenue Condos
4. Sleepless Nights
5. Kellee’s Cousin
6. Blankets Covering Eyes
7. Heart Beating Fast
8. Roommate “Sleepovers”
9. My Mom’s Job
10. FBI

Back when I lived in University Avenue Condos, my roommates and I would gather around our old television set with blankets and watch our strange addiction: Criminal Minds. In shock and awe, we’d stare wide-eyed as our old plasma screen television displayed images of handsome men in suits gazing over blood-stained, maimed bodies. We found an odd attachment and thrill following a show which sole purpose was to create mentally disturbing situations for the main character to figure out. I remember one episode in particular which dealt with a man who would kidnap prostitutes and make them traverse a maze covered in glass, barefoot.

(For those of you wondering, my mom isn't a serial killer or anything. She analyzes finger prints at the local Sheriff's office and sometimes has to deal with murder cases)

Have fun sleeping tonight ;)

And that's as far as I got. While it may not seem like a lot to my readers, to me it was incredibly freeing and wonderful! Not only did I get a vivid image in my head of my old apartment, time spent with my roommates, and the exact episode that came to mind, but I also was able to delve into the idea that this odd obsession I had with Criminal Minds was linked to my irrational fear of the dark. Kind of cool, the things you can find out by just letting your mind wander and recording those wanderings down on paper. 

So tonight, I'm going to give this word play another shot. Using a word generator off the internet, I'm going to list 10 things I associate with that word, and the write for approximately 8 or so minutes (or maybe until I feel like stopping!), and display the results here! Wish me luck!

Word: "Boring"

1. Math
2. Science
3. Monotone Voices
4. Watching Paint Dry
5. Waiting in a Waiting Room
6. Colorless Rooms
7. Useless Eating
8. Being Snowed In
9. Talking Only About Yourself
10. Cats

The clock's hands ticked along it's face. In the quiet room, each tick was like a bomb dropping. I began to tap my finger on my cheek in time with the monotonous sound. Soon enough, the constant noise began to drown out everything around me, and I became locked inside my own form of Chinese water torcher. I could feel my mind trying to flit to something other than the ticking that filled my ears, but it was as if the sound was drawing me in. My heart joined my finger. Beat. Beat. Beat. Beat. If asked, I would have stated that an eternity had passed, but my warden, the clock, showed otherwise. Only two minutes had passed. 
Maybe my imprisonment within the sounds of the room would have been bearable, provided my eyes were able to save my mind by getting lost within the colors of the room; however, there was little to see in the stark white walls that stood around me. Not even the magazines place strategically infront of me on the little wooden coffee table could save me. Vogue? That would only lead to imprisonment via ads. With my free hand, I gripped the seat, wondering how long I had to endure through this trial. When would I be granted freedom from the deafening din of the clock.
As my mind began to wander into the dangers world of my conscious, my savior appeared in the door way. Her voice was like an angel, proclaiming the much sought after word of God.
"Ms. Gleason? The doctor will see you now."

The end! I hope that bored you to tears. It sure did that to me. The whole time I felt antsy.



That was the point of it I guess, haha. That was a bit of a tough word for me to get because I didn't want to write about any of the subjects! I hope this post wont scare off my readers! I'm excited to explore my options for writing daily in this class, and I hope you're all strapped in to take this ride with me!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Composition of Personal History

I'm taking this class. Kind of neat-o, right? Right. Actually, I'm really excited for it. One thing in particular that I'm excited for is the assignment of keeping a blog (Hey! I do that now!). She wants us to write in our blog every day for at least 8 minutes or more, which means you're going to be hearing so much from me now...

so. much.
Tonight, I figured I'd try out something cool I saw on my friend's blog the other day. It was this little list of different questions to ask yourself and think about and then answer them on your blog (duh). This leads to y'all getting to know moi better. hooray.

This would be a good idea since I think she's going to share my blog with those in the class, and it will help them to maybe be more comfortable with me and know who that weird girl creepin' in the back of class is. 



So, without further ado, here is "Day 1":

1.     List 20 random facts about yourself.

1. Born and raised in West Palm Beach, FL – moved to Jensen Beach, FL when I was 8
2. Oldest of three children
3. Junior at Brigham Young University
4. English Education Major with a minor in both History Teaching and Business Management
5. I’m awful at anything Math. This includes simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and especially division
6. I’m a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
7. Feet are gross. I paint my toes to make them bearable
8. I won a trip to Spain via a sweepstakes
9. I’m really bad with my lefts and rights
10. I like watching documentaries about almost anything (except Helvetica font)
11. I quote everything. Movies, books, TV shows, myself – if someone said it, I’ll repeat it.
12. I work at the Taco Bell on BYU’s campus
13. I love learning about people's pasts. I think everyone has a story to tell, especially old folks, and they should all get their shot in the spotlight. I hope I can record their adventures for them one day.
14. I’ve recently discovered that I like mangos, pineapple, spinach, jogging and facial hair on men
15. I tell everyone that I really want to get married, but I’m actually a commitment-phobe. This goes for everything – dating, marriage, a major, apartment contracts, etc.
16. I think Vans® are sexy on pretty much anyone. Especially men
17. I have General Anxiety Disorder
18. I sing in the shower, the car, the kitchen, at work...
19. I consider pretty much everyone my friend, but I can only really talk to a handful of people about anything
20. I snort when I laugh and I like that

And this is me:


Sunday, August 5, 2012

Preview of Things to Come

This weekend my really great friend, Trey Mortensen, took my brother Mitchell's senior photos. HOLY COW! It's amazing how time flys! I can't believe that my little Bubbie is all grown up. It seems like only yesterday that he was following me around the house with his blankie.



Now he's getting ready to graduate from High School and (hopefully) join me out her at BYU. Here's a few pictures that we got this weekend with Trey. Before I post, let me just say that Trey has come a LONG way in his photography. He is an amazing and talented photographer and I would recommend him to anyone in search of one.








Wednesday, August 1, 2012

A Flock of Meese

Yesterday, for my friend Lauren's 20th birthday, Caitlin decided to throw a 'Look Like Lauren' party where everyone dressed up like Lauren and came and laughed and ate cake and things. It was SO MUCH FUN. I love Lauren- she's hilarious! Every time I see her I'm guaranteed to laugh out loud at least once.

Here are some great pictures from the party:








All-in-all I love my ward so much and I am so sad to leave them in the fall. I am so grateful for the experiences I've shared with them and the lessons they've taught me. I hope I can remain friends with them throughout my college years.