Back at BK

So, as you guys know, between my homecoming and return to IC for the summer, I've been putting in some hours at the BK lounge and will be again when I come back from both vacation and orientation. So I thought I would just remark a bit about that.

It is a wonderfully pleasant feeling to be back. I don't know about half of the new crew, but a lot of the people I used to work with are still there, and sometimes we can sink into nostalgia and it is wonderful. Customers are still crappy as ever, it's still busy and gross, but knowing that the managers love me and that I will do anything for them feels great. Even when I have to work until 2 in the morning. The money is good and it is putting me closer to London so I am quite pleased. It's like I never left, which is weird and comforting at the same time, and not the feeling I get everywhere. Sadly, at the dance studio, I feel my time is over there and I probably won't be visiting that often. It's like that part of my life is over and I don't want to let it go, but I feel it slipping away slowly...

On another note, I cannot wait to get married. I've been marathoning Say Yes to the Dress, meaning I've watched about 27 episodes that I recorded while at school or work and have been getting ideas and just admiring the beauty. I cried like 7 times at the stories and just how beautiful they look and I just can't wait to be in their shoes someday.

Also, I'll be on vacation this week and won't have a computer for the most part, so don't expect any updates from me via my blog or my facebook. I'll be on a beach in South Carolina =)

I'll hopefully remember to take lots of pics to show you guys!

Hope everyone's break is wonderful, can't wait be at IC again, but loving home!

Update

So, Cesca and I continued the hunt for my khaki shorts/pants for my OL job this summer. I didn't think it would be that hard, but finding shorts that are both the appropriate length and color proved rather difficult. I have about 3 pairs for the summer, 2 of which are more bermuda style which is alright. And I can't find pants. I would really like some, you know, because Ithaca has a tendency to get cold when you least expect it, and I'd at least like to be prepared. So today's shopping trip wasn't a total fail, I did get a few shorts plus a couple of cute new t shirts.

On another note, which is a bit happier, I went to visit my Grandma on Sunday and she is doing much better. She still doesn't actually recognized anyone, but she sort of responded to 'Grandma' and was actually speaking in full sentences to both the nurse and us, so I can't complain. She even fed herself properly, which is a step up. I don't know what it means, because I can tell she isn't all there anymore, but at least she has a little bit of the spunk I once saw in her every day. It's faint, but it is there, and that's all I need.

In Glee news, OH. MY. GOD. So many awesome things. In no particular order
1.) Jesse admitting he is starting to like Rachel
2.)NEIL PATRICK HARRIS AND MATTHEW MORRISON DUET
3.) Idina Menzel being Rachel's mother, even though we all saw that coming
4.) Their rendition of I Dreamed a Dream. God I love that song, and their version was so heartfelt and emotional that I almost started to cry
5.) The Piano Man cover. Love the song, love MM and NPH.
6.) We finally found out the other asian kid's name: Mike Chang
7.) NEXT WEEK IS A FREAKING LADY GAGA EPISODE.

There were probably others, but I'm too excited to think about them. What a great episode.

Other news, I'm going on vacation!!!! Well, sort of. It involves a lot of driving and travel, but basically I'm going to chill with my cousins on a beach. I don't want to give away too many details because you have to be careful about these things, you know. However, that makes my BK work a bit less horrible, since I start tomorrow, work for 4 days, have a week off, work for another 4ish days and then head back to Ithaca for a summer of fun! Well, and work, but I don't think it will be too bad.

I also started to unpack, which is turning out to be a thorn in my side, seeing as I have to unpack now, pack for vacation, unpack that, repack for Ithaca, unpack that and then repack my whole dorm room for next semester. Ugh.

So Cesca and I have made it through quite a few movies since we've been home: Swan Princess, V for Vendetta, Thumbelina, Leap Year, and The Princess Bride (my brother was annoyed we put it on but was totally watching the whole time, haha)

Anyway, I think that this is one of my favorite parts of The Princess Bride, and I thought you all would enjoy seeing it too!!! Have a good start to summer!

I was supposed to be getting shorts...

<-- Bootsie wants to help me unpack my stuff. It's been a hectic day at home.
I went to get a haircut and then Cesca and I were on a quest for shorts for the summer, both for fun and for my job...
I couldn't find any that I wanted at Target and they are supposed to be an appropriate length, and I am a terrible judge of that. What is appropriate for me is probably a lot different than what I should be wearing for Orientation... So anyway, Cesca and I didn't have much time to shop, as we had to get home so we could pick people up to see Letters to Juliet, which was adorable and wonderful, btw...

But I ended up with 2 really cute things!!!!
First of all, at Target I found this ADORABLE dress, which I love. And it was on sale!!!!

Second of all, I decided to go the cheap route and get a bathing suit from Old Navy that is not $50, and I'm quite pleased with the result.



Although I put it on to show my parents and the first thing my mom said was "Wow Tina, that's really skimpy..." Thanks mom. I'm freaking 19 and I have a hot bod (sort of... Maybe...). I can't do this forever. I'm young and I'm going to show it. You know what they say, When You Got It, Flaunt It!


Lemme know what you guys think of my new purchases!!!

FINITO

I'm done. I think that's all that needs to be said.

HOME TOMORROW AND I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

I'll update this with more later... I'm just really happy.

Oh wait... I still have to pack. Well, that's going to be a bitch... Meh.

Decisions, Decisions- HELP

So, I've been studying stats since about noon, barring an hour interruption by Legend of the Seeker. I'm not 100% confident, but I feel like the stuff I don't know isn't going to be a huge part of the test, so I feel alright about it.
Anyway, I'm taking a break and looking at dELiAs site at this adorable bathing suit that I really want. Problem is, dELiAs is expensive, and I already have a lot of stuff I'm spending money on this summer: Ren Fest is gonna be like $100, Phantom is at least another $100, Darien Lake, movies, hanging out with friends... And since I'm still jobless for next semester, I really need to be saving my money for London...

Can you guys help me decide? To buy or not to buy, that is the question.


This is it:


But I think I would want this pattern over here with the hearts... would that look cute on me?

And now looking again I'm considering a solid color, I think that might look good too. hmmm. Here's the site so check it out and let me know what you think:

http://store.delias.com/browse.do?categoryID=1500&sidenavTrack=swim.bandeau

I will be here

I will be here...
Why?
I'll be waiting here...
For what?
I'll be waiting... for you,... so... if you come here... you'll find me...
I promise.


And with those beautiful words, the game Final Fantasy VIII began, and a total of 40+ hours played, it has ended.

It was just as wonderful as I remembered it.

I know I won't ever forget how wonderful that game is, but playing it every so often reminds me why I love it so much. Those diehard FFVII fans can have Cloud any day. Give me Squall and Rinoa and I'm set for life. For my friends, Final Fantasy VII is widely regarded as the best in the series, and I tend to disagree, because I think VIII is all around a better game. Just so you know. Not that it matters much. Anywho...

It is a bittersweet feat to accomplish. It is sweet because the ending makes all the hard work and frustration worthwhile. The ending never fails to take my breath away, and it is soooo much better when you have to work your way through the game to see it, rather than looking it up on Youtube. It is bitter, however, because after over 40 hours of time spent listening to and learning about these characters, they become so dear to your heart that to part with them is almost unbearable. I know they have a happy ending, but, as with all FF games, I wish they could go on forever. It's like the Harry Potter series. I know I wasn't the only one who was sad that the series was over and that there would be no more book releases or eager anticipation of what happens next.

So, as the semester draws to a close, I look on to the future, towards Final Fantasy X. This game is almost tied with Final Fantasy VIII for my favorite game, because they are just so magnificent. FFX has the advantage of better graphics and voiceovers, plus a beautiful story, but FFVIII also has a beautiful story, spectacular graphics for its time and a special place in my heart. And I'm so glad I got to share it with Sarah. It's a wonderful, geeky experience to be squealing together after a boss fight is over, and it is a special bond that I don't expect everyone to understand, nor desire. And I don't mind. It's good to have some different interests.

So, looking ahead, I must complete my paper within the next 2 or 3 days, get my presentation checked for Monday, and study a lot. Then it is goodbye homework, hello freedom!
I can't wait!

^representing freedom ftw

Non ne posso piu (but really I can)

Which translates to "I can't take it anymore." I just want to be home. I love my friends here, and I love Ithaca, but I just wanna be home. I want to see my friends, my family, my cats. I want my own bed, my own house, my A/C, non-dining hall food. I want non-peppery corn and my mom's cooking.

I'm doing well though, despite my numerous freakouts. I'm almost done with my spirtual journeys paper, I am pretty well versed in the Italian vocab, we're reviewing what I need to know for stats and Macro in the next two days, we have our final assignment for spiritual journeys. I think I'm set...

On a happy note, for myself, we are really close to finishing Final Fantasy VIII. It is really inspiration to keep me going. I know this because we just got to my favorite part in the game, where Rinoa is dying in space and Squall thinks about nothing but saving her. <--They're so cute, see!


That's when they first meet at a ball, and Squall doesn't want to dance and Rinoa makes him. They don't know each other, and they meet again and slowly fall in love, with Rinoa finally drawing Squall out of his shell. So. Freaking. Adorable. I cannot wait til Sarah sees the ending. It is epic.


So basically, we don't have that much to do, and right now I am ensuring our victory by side questing and training. It is going well and I am pleased. So, since I'm a video game dork and I'm giddy, I'm going to put a bunch of FF8 pics in here cause I love it so much! Enjoy!






Currently listening to Vivo Per Lei by Andrea Bocelli ft. Giorgia. It's a beautiful song!

I admit it. I'm completely and utterly 100% obsessed.

Final Fantasy = Love =)

Getting down to business...

...To defeat the Huns of course! (I know, Alysia used this in her blog, but I couldn't resist).

So, instead of the weather making me procrastinate, it has motivated and inspired me to get my work done so I can enjoy it. It is also making me less stressed.

My spiritual journey essay is going well. I am well onto 6 pages without an intro or conclusion, and I still need to add quotes. I've done all I can for now, so Sarah and I are probably gonna play some Final Fantasy soon. We are so close to this really awesome part. I'm pumped.

I did my macro homework, mostly, I'll have to go over it again tomorrow or Monday.

Our stats project is going well, and the paper should not be too hard to write, since most of the info is on the powerpoint.

I'm almost done with my tour guide application, and I really want to secure a job for next semester. Hopefully COMP TA comes through, but if not, well, I'll just have to keep trying.

And that's about it, I think. With less than 2 weeks til home, meaning less than 2 weeks till summer, I can't wait to get out of here. That thought is getting me through this last week of classes.

Currently listening to my youtube playlist that consists of a bunch of Disney songs in Italian and English. Just for fun.

More to discuss

Today I got an email from Amazon.com, which actually had the audacity to suggest the Love Never Dies deluxe edition to me. Blech. These people should be able to feel my undying hatred for the show since it radiates from every pore of my being. That's a bit extreme, and I honestly don't blame them for suggesting it, since I look at Phantom stuff all the time. I just had to scowl, then chuckle at the irony.

So I was listening to another LND song today, another which is pretty good but I have a ton of problems with. This song, called Devil Take the Hindmost, is a duet between Raoul and the Phantom, and takes place in a bar. A bar where Raoul has been drinking away his sorrows. Also, prior to the song, Meg, jealous of Christine for being the object of the Phantom's obsession, has given Raoul a letter begging him to take Christine and leave, and she has given him passage back to France for all three. Which leads to the song.

First Raoul declares that he's not afraid of him and that he's 'bested him before,' which I will comment on later because that comment is laughable, really. Anyway, the only really cool part of the song is when the Phantom appears and says "Not afraid of me, you say?" And Raoul's afraid. Because from what I've heard, that's about the only part of the show where the menacing, murdering man we all know and love appears. The rest of the time The Phantom seems to have mellowed out and become a good guy. Right...

Anyway, onto the song. Basically the summary is that the Phantom and Raoul make a bet. If Christine sings tonight, Raoul will leave, but if he convinces her not to sing, they can go back to France and the Phantom will pay off all of Raoul's debts. Raoul agrees because he won her once before. Then the Phantom taunts Raoul, asking who Gustave reminds him of, his 'father' or the Phantom, which gets Raoul thinking, then he's like "Oh, shit... The concert is tonight..."

What I hate about this song:
-The fact that Raoul is a drunk. Terrible characterization, terrible plot device to get the Phantom and Christine together.
-The fact that they make a bet on Christine's 'choice'- she's a professional, she's been contracted to sing, and nobody tells her that this bet is happening so nobody tells her that who she 'chooses' depends on whether or not she performs. Why wouldn't she perform? she's getting paid and because of Raoul's drunk ass they don't have any money. At the end Raoul realizes this is an idiotic thing and says "Oh God, what have I done?" I'm asking the same question Raoul, to ALW, "Oh God, what have you done?"
-The fact that the Phantom uses Gustave being musical as proof that the kid is his. Seriously. Christine AND her father are both very musical, it's possible the kid is Raoul's and inherited the music gene from Christine's side of the family. I mean yeah, I think the kid is the Phantom's, but the fact that they disregard the possibility that it isn't all for the sake of the 'plot' is annoying. The kid shouldn't really exist anyway, cause the Phantom and Christine shouldn't have had sex, Raoul shouldn't have become a drunk, and this whole sequel shouldn't have happened.
-The 'I've bested you before' and 'I won her long ago' crap. Because, if I remember correctly, which I do because I've seen the show, read the book, I know the show, Christine didn't chose Raoul. She accepted the Phantom and with the kiss told him she would stay with him. The Phantom, touched by this act of kindness and love, realizes that if you love someone you have to do what's best for them, and lets her go. So if that's her 'choosing' Raoul, well, then I guess it makes sense. But that wasn't her choosing. I mean yeah, she could have stayed, but at that point she really does love Raoul, and I believe she would be happy with him, which is why I generally disregard the sequel altogether. I also don't remember a point in the show where Raoul actually 'bested' the Phantom in any way...
-Also, Ramin and Joseph have really similar voices, so when they sing together, if you aren't listening closely, it's hard to tell who is who. Their voices aren't really distinct, which bugs me.

Things I like
-I like the beat and the way it's sung. Kind of like they're singing through their teeth because they hate each other. You can feel the intensity, though the intensity doesn't really make sense because none of this really happens. I'm treating this as the Epilogue of Harry Potter. I accept it exists, but I like to think that it's not the real ending. At all.
-I mentioned before, I LOVE the "Not afraid of me, you say?" I already explained that part

That's about it. I think the song is cool, but all the lyrics and the plot points it creates are ridiculous and bring it down.

So, another LND song to uh, 'enjoy,' Devil Take the Hindmost:

I loathe myself for admitting this

I am disappointed in myself. Severely. Like so mad that I disgust myself.

Why these extreme feelings?

...

I have a song from Love Never Dies, the accursed Phantom of the Opera sequel that is rearing it's ugly face at the Adelphi Theatre at this very moment, stuck in my head. Unacceptable.

Granted, when Till I Hear You Sing came out, I had that song stuck in my head. Because really, it is beautiful. It is something the Phantom would sing, in theory, although I find the less than stellar lyrics to be somewhat of a disappointment. It's like, its supposed to be the Phantom singing, but I don't feel that it is... If that song is supposed to be the Music of the Night (arguably one of the BEST songs in The Phantom of the Opera), I shudder to think about the rest of the music.

Though think about it I have. I have listened to the vast majority of the soundtrack, or at least what I could scrounge up from the internet. There's no way in hell ALW will be getting my money from LND. He will however, still be making money, as I frequent the original with some regularity nowadays, so those who say ALW doesn't need my money, you're right, but he's getting it anyway so stop complaining because I don't like your little show. Sorry, pent up rage from all the nasty comments I get on youtube saying I'm a non-fan. Right. Me, with the Phantom tattoo and about 57 different versions of Phantom on my ipod. Right. You got me guys. I'm a fraud.

Alright, so the point of this blog is that the song I have stuck in my head is absolutely atrocious. I mean, the music is actually really pretty, but this particular song develops one of the plot points I find most atrocious: that Gustave is Erik's (The Phantom's) son. This particular song is called Beneath a Moonless Sky, and is the song where Christine and the Phantom first encounter each other after ten years. They recount their passion filled night (coincidentally, it is the night before Christine gets married, so yeah, she's turned into a whore. Great characterization there) where the Phantom admits that after they shagged for hours on end (the lyrics are "again and then again", implying multiple times. Ugh) the Phantom feels guilty about screwing her (because he feels his monstrous face isn't worthy of her), so he leaves because he thinks Christine will regret having sex with a monster.

Yeah dude, because she SOUGHT you out, had sex with you and was going to admit her love (she didn't think to say "I love you" in the throes of passion? WTF is WRONG with these people!?!?!?) and you threw it all away because of your god damn face. Which she already said she was totally over in the original ("This haunted face holds no horror for me now" DO YOU EVEN REMEMBER YOUR ORIGINAL ALW????)

So, things I hate about this song:
The fact that Christine was able to find the Phantom
The fact that they had sex and she didn't even see his face. Like "yeah, we could have been together if I didn't have to look at you" is the implication I get from that
The fact that they had sex
The fact that the Phantom leaves
The fact that Christine, knowing she doesn't (apparently) love Raoul that much, goes and marries him anyway, which apparently introduces the plot point of him becoming an unsatisfied drunk
The fact that them having sex 10 years ago seems to justify the fact that her 10 year old son is the Phantoms- if this took place the night before her wedding, I am guessing Raoul got a little action too, since that's what people do on their wedding nights, so the kid could easily be Raoul's
The fact that The Phantom fucking leaves. God, like after all that love and devotion, he doubts she loves him now, after she chose him TWICE!? (She chose to stay in the original, but he let her go so she could live a happy life with Raoul- the true ending to the ghost's love story). SO OUT OF CHARACTER IT ISN'T EVEN FUNNY.
I also hate the lyrics "I stole to your side to tell you I must go" WTF, she went to tell him she was leaving, again, to marry Raoul. Way to rub salt in the wounds bitch.

On that note though, the lyrics have been changed to "I stole to your side, tormented by my choice" which actually makes sense in the context of both the song and craptastic musical.

Enough with the negativity, things I like about the song
The instrumental part in the beginning. No matter how much I loathe ALW at the moment, the man can write melodies, though he rips many off from his other shows and other people's works without crediting them. But that's beside the point.
The staging is actually cool for this part, from what I've seen on youtube. They kind of circle each other and there's all this sexual tension as they relive their passionate one night of heaven blah blah blah but they never actually touch in the scene. Except when Christine slaps the Phantom. Which he totally deserves.
And honestly, the part of me that knows and truly believes the Phantom and Christine belong together is rejoicing in my heart, because although the rest of the story is a clusterfuck, for that time they got to truly be with the one they loved. Which is beautiful and sad at the same time, because it never happens again. Because Christine dies. In a stupid way.

So yeah, sorry it's so long, just had to comment on one part of the show that isn't completely unbearable in some ways, though I would just be happier if this whole sequel business had never even started.

I would say enjoy, but perhaps I'll stick with endure Beneath a Moonless Sky, sung by Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess:







You may recognize the melody from the 2004 film. It is the song Journey to the Cemetery. FYI.