School, Songs, Pics

School has been absolutely magical this year. It's magical even with the incredible amount of work we have to do all the time. The weather's been amazing, my professors are awesome, and everyone came back way nicer than last year. Here are some things I'm really into right now:

First home football game -- Look at that sky! Perfect weather.

That's right. I just enjoyed an athletic event. If you don't know me personally, I think a girl in my Italian class described me perfectly the other day:

Non è pigra ma non è atletica. E non le piace discutere di sport.

Roughly, "She's not lazy, but she's not athletic. And she doesn't like to discuss sports." 

We're currently working with a lot of vocabulary that has to do with sports, and I think the other people in my class/professors are shocked by the fact I literally do not play anything. Not my cup of tea. But there are only so many times I can say, "Preferisco suonare la chitarra. Seriously."

Translated, "I prefer to play the guitar. For realzies."

When I haven't been "enjoying athletic competition"--a phrase one of my male friends uses to mock my behavior at sporting events--I've been listening to these songs on repeat:

Truth by Alexander
Alexander Ebert, lead singer of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, recorded a great album while on hiatus from the band in 2011. He goes back to his aspiring rapper roots in this song.

The Swimming Song by Loudon Wainwright III
Took note of this song while watching old episodes of Parenthood in preparation for the season premiere, WHICH IS TONIGHT, YAY! That show has a stellar soundtrack through and through, and this is a particularly happy little gem.

Johanna Soderberg of First Aid Kit at Lolla this year
I didn't get many good shots because I only saw the end of the set. It's my biggest regret of the festival.

All of First Aid Kit's album The Lion's Roar, but especially
King of the World
which features Conor Oberst (my all-time favorite) and the lyrics,

I'm nobody's baby /

I'm everybody's girl /

I'm the queen of nothing /

I'm the king of the world.

If that doesn't pump you up before classes, I don't know what will.

and Emmylou which is just beautiful and sounds like very old-timey country music.

And other than listening to awesome music, I'm spending time with extra nuggety people right now. I feel like everyone has each other's back so much that even if we're doing potentially stressful things, there's a lower limit to how upset we can be. I know that people say, "If it seems too good to be true…", but I actually think this school has just created a bubble of people who all want to get along and have fun with regular reminders that we're supposed to be using our gifts to help the world. If I had a dollar for every time I heard a version of "to whom much is given, much is expected," I could afford about a week of tuition (thanks, Mom and Dad!). Also I walk around this beautiful campus all the time, so how could I be upset?

This was not intended to be an advertisement for Notre Dame, I just want to give credit where it's due. And to think I didn't plan to go here…

I'm pretty much perfectly happy with everything and who I am. My only regret is that I can't put on my sunglasses with the fluid motion of a much cooler girl because COME ON HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE?!

Also the new Avett Brothers album comes out today! Go get it!