January Music: The Decemberists

The Decemberists The King Is Dead

I was a tad more daring with my music choice for the month. I tend to stick to safety music and listen to the same styles instead of branching out. However, I hadn't heard any of the songs The Decemberists new album The King Is Dead until I bought it.

Knowing nothing about the album other than it's title and having heard only one song from this band a few years back, I had no idea how country infused it would be. Generally, country music makes me cringe in a way no other genre can. I'm fairly sure this stems from going to Dollywood twice a year from age five to 18. But when done well, country music can be enjoyable.

Ironically the song that has become a favorite, "All Arise!," was one that I wanted to skip the first time I heard it because of the strong country-esque sound. That being said, this album reminds me of the Gin Blossoms. Has anyone else noticed how similar they sound? Or maybe it's just me.

Best songs: "Don't Carry It All," "January Hymn,"* " All Arise!"

*- Thanks to this song and The Avett Brothers' "January Wedding," I now have a sense of urgency to find a boyfriend who wants to marry me in January. Yikes.

This weekend.

This past weekend, I went home for my grandpa's 86th birthday! He's the coolest person I've ever met and has the best sense of humor. He also wears a flannel shirt and suspenders better than any hipster ever will. He also loves playing with my little niece. Gah, she's the cutest!


What did you guys do? Meet any celebs?


P.S. Look at me being famous on Blue Collar Catwalk!

Accidental Artist.

Last Friday, a friend and I went to a paint-your-own pottery place here in Greenville called The Accidental Artist. Despite being paranoid that I was going to drop whatever I was painting, it was a lot of fun! 


I painted a travel mug in my school's colors (blue and gold) in the hopes it would inspire me to wake up early enough to have some caffeine and get to school on time. I really like the way it turned out and already used it to drink my own version of a salted caramel hot chocolate.


Other than that, nothing too interesting has happened in the past week. The past four weekdays have been spent at school getting prepared for the new semester that starts on Thursday. Eeek, I'm getting nervous about teaching!

HATe is a strong word.

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I don't use the word "hate" too often but there's no dancing around the fact that I hate these hats. I work across the hall from a store that sells them and it's painful to watch teenagers spend their parent's money on future fashion regrets. But now celebrities are doing it too! 


If I was a panda, I'd be offended that humans were stealing my style.

Crafternight.

The other night, I put on a movie and went to town writing letters and doing some crafty-type projects. It was all in procrastination of folding the laundry I did before Christmas. Look how productive procrastination can be!

To Sum It All Up.

I meant to do this last week but dropped the ball. It's funny to look back and see everything I did in 2010. So here it goes- the highlights of 2010:

In January,  we got snowed in at Chapel Hill!

February was a big month...I was in the NY Times, turned 22,  enjoyed the Olympics and went to a UNC vs. Duke basketball game.

March was less eventful. I celebrated St. Patrick's day in Winston-Salem with my roommates.

In April, I bid adieu to pants and decided to move to Greenville.

In May, I graduated from UNC!

June was the month I moved to Greenville and began classes.

In July, I went to a local farmers market in Greenville.

I made some Augustutions in August.

In September, I was in my friend Anna's beautiful wedding.

I met Matt & Kim in October.

In November,  I ventured to NYC.

December was jam-packed. I went to Georgia for another beautiful wedding and then got snowed in the day after Christmas.

Hope you had a great New Year's Eve!