Remembrance

This post is very belated and especially with the media coverage, probably not something you'd like to read any more about, but I just have to say a few words about the passing of Michael Jackson. 

Despite the controversy surrounding him, Michael Jackson is undeniably the greatest entertainer of all time. His combination of Rock and R&B created an unprecedented genre of music. His music appeals to blacks, whites, hispanics, asians, Christians, Bhuddists, Muslims, atheists, men, women, and children. He is the most famous person in the world currently. His music is not boastful or rude, and isn't loaded with curse words. Some found his movements vulgar or offensive...that's reasonable. As for other allegations against him, I believe he was just a confused child. Even into his adulthood, he was child-like. These are psychological issues that I'd rather not delve in to! But to be an artist with as much influence as he had, I am a fan because of the words in his music. His songs speak about healing the world, looking past racial boundaries, and making changes within yourself to be a better person. Who can argue with that?

For me, Michael's music is a part of who I am. Those who know me well know I was a dancer for many years as a young girl. Though I'm not technically a dancer anymore, when you love something as much as I did it never leaves you. All of those hours in the dance studio were spent learning and creating new dances to Michael Jackson's music. Dancing was my life. The people at the studio, my team mates, my teachers...that was it. It consumed my thoughts all the time. His music ran through my veins. I remember when I learned how to moonwalk and I still can today!  Most of my early memories that have defined who I am would not exist if it weren't for his music. I am deeply saddened that I will never get to experience him perform in person and that we will never have a new album from him. Some people are awestruck by the works of Van Gogh or the compositions of Mozart. For me, Michael was like my Mozart and I respect him because of the art he created - his personal life is not a factor in that. If personal lives were relevant to artistic ability...there would be no art! Van Gogh makes Michael Jackson look like John F. Kennedy. (Who, by the way, also had a questionable personal life)

What makes me so passionate about this is not Michael Jackson just as a person. I don't know him. My day to day life isn't going to change because he has passed. My passion is the binding force of music. When you create something like he has, the world sees past the hate, greed and prejudice of their everyday lives and takes a moment to simply listen. Music crosses all borders and speaks all languages. It reminds us that we as people are one. 

Though his reputation was questionable, his positive impacts are undeniable. I wish people could have just given him a break and  let him create and make beautiful art the world could enjoy. I hope that his legacy is his music and  philanthropy and not his controversy. Rest in Peace, Michael.

"In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with dispair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe." - Michael Jackson

Belated Fathers' Day

Since I didn't get to be home for Father's Day, I thought I'd write a little blog shout-out to my dad: Gary Ronald Duncan. (Lovingly referred to as "Ronnie" by his family) If it weren't for my dad:

- I wouldn't know the first lines of "I've got Spurs that jingle jangle jingle, as I go ridin' merrily along!" But unfortunately, no lines after that. I've never known the rest of the lines and I probably never will. 

- I wouldn't know the importance of pool maintenance. 

- I would have never been to the Jacksonville Air Force Base and gotten a Military ID that I can use for bragging rights that my dad was in 'Nam.

- I wouldn't know that white cars have the best resale value and are also easiest to keep clean.

- I wouldn't have visited the major southern Civil War battle fields OR gone to the Space Museum in Alabama BEFORE my 5th grade class went as a group.

- I would probably let my gas tank slip below 1/4 of a gallon. (Sorry dad, this happens sometimes! But never my gas light!) Also, I wouldn't know the importance of getting my tires rotated and making sure the pressure is right.

- I wouldn't have any general knowledge of outdoor equipment, hunting gear, guns, and turkey calls. 

- Our house would have no exterior illumination and the blinds would always be left open.

- I wouldn't know how to give a firm handshake and I wouldn't know that "idle hands are the devil's workshop."

- I probably would have gotten more speeding tickets (if that's possible) but dad instilled the fear of God in me. 

Basically, thanks dad for being my dad and teaching me how to be a good person on top of all the little things I've picked up from you through the years! Happy Belated Father's Day!

A Fresh Start and Family Visits

So it all started the other day. I made my regular bowl of Kashi Go Lean Crunch, took a bite, and then looked down to realize that the entire bowl was full of ants!!! I could not run to the sink to spit it out fast enough. GROSS!! Upon further observation, there were a few things in the cabinet full of ants. I threw out those things and hoped that hopefully I'd seen the last of them. Wrong. So finally this week I threw out all of my food, sprayed down the cabinet with Raid, and had to restock the cabinet. Even though it was a little inconvenient, I have to admit that it's a nice feeling to have a new start. I bought lots of new, healthy food! 

Last week, my cousin Thomas called and told me that he and his wife, Jenny, would be in town and had a free weekend! Unfortunately, weekends are probably my busiest part of the week, but we still managed to spend some time together. I picked them up from their hotel on Friday and took them around Santa Monica. We also walked down the Santa Monica Pier because they had never seen it. We got a funnel cake and luckily were able to see dolphins and sea lions! We also went to breakfast on Sunday at my favorite beach restaurant, Patrick's. 

This weekend, my mom is coming in to town! She is coming Friday through Tuesday so it will be a nice trip! I'm trying to plan things out for the visit so we get to see everything. I'm also looking forward to taking off of work for a few days! I haven't had two consecutive days off in as long as I can remember! I'll be sure and post pictures of the trip as soon as I can. Have a great afternoon!

-Emily

Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart

Hi Everyone! So the blog title is the title of a book I just started reading this week called "Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart - Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now" by Gordan Livingston. So far, I've only read to the fourth chapter, but it is a really interesting book that I think anyone could enjoy! The chapters are very short and to the point. My favorite chapter thus far is titled We are What we Do and it discusses judging others by their actions and not their words. I believe everyone has probably had someone in their lives who says one thing and does another. It reminds you to quit listening to words that people feed you when all their actions show is that they cause chaos in your life. Not only do you need to quit putting faith in people that break their promises to you, but to quit breaking promises to yourself. Happiness isn't the absence of despair, but a state of being in which our lives have meaning, pleasure, and something to look forward to. (Hellllooo Jesus!) Anyway, it's a great book so far and if you get the chance to read it, you should!

Today has been a good day because I actually have the day off! Whew!! I have been getting things done around the house and running a few errands that have been on my to-do list for quite some time. I shipped the box of Ikea hangers that has been in my room since I moved to Santa Monica to Mom. Finally. That's just one of those things that's been nagging at me but I haven't deemed it important enough to actually do. When I woke up this morning and saw that box I said "Today is the day!" It's amazing how accomplished I feel not having that box staring at me every morning and night when I go to my room! Ha! I'm also FINALLY printing pictures off of my computer. I haven't printed any pictures since last year!! I've got quite a few other things I've been getting done today, but I don't want to bore you with that.

I'm still waiting on the camera charger that mom is shipping me to get here so I can put more pictures on my blog! Until then, here is the last picture on my camera before it died. It's of mom and I in Vegas eating at the Grand Luxe right when we got in to town! May my little Sony Carl Zeiss digital camera rest in peace. 

Conan

Way to go Conan O'Brian! I love him as the new host of The Tonight Show. Probably because he's got a weird sense of humor just like me! Did you all watch his show last night? I'm looking forward to his next several years as the host!

I especially enjoyed the part with the Universal Studios tour. I'm thinking of applying to be a tour guide there, myself. That would combine my love of two things: history and trams. Wish me luck!

I hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday! I am so far!

-Emily

It's Been a While!

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged...I have been very very busy! Honestly, I feel like I'm spread a little thin these days, but things should slow down some after June. On top of all of that, my camera is broken, so I don't have any pictures to share! Mom let me use her camera for a while, but I don't have the battery charger so it's dead and therefore useless. 

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon here, but this morning it wasn't quite the case. We're getting in to what's known as the "June Gloom." The mornings are usually pretty cloudy and then by the afternoon things clear up. I guess since I've been so busy I'm a little glad the weather is bad...then no one else gets to enjoy it either! Haha I'm not really that selfish...but then again it is a little of a consolation. 

Yesterday was spent in Hollywood at the Second City which is the highlight of my week. We are really developing as a group and getting in to more complicated classes. Instead of just having fun, we are working on developing emotions and following rules that we weren't following before. We focus a lot on the first 90 seconds of a scene which is really the hardest part of a scene. In the first 90 seconds, the exposition needs to be completely developed -- the who, what, when, where, why and relationships should all be clearly defined, so then you can spend the rest of the scene having fun! We are also learning how to create the "moment of truth" in a scene. In the middle of a scene, the attitude should completely change...or else there is nothing to watch! It's a lot to learn, but we're all picking up on it! 

I just got home from work and I think Jennifer and I may go to the beach for a little bit. I would love to take a nap, but I think I may just sleep on the beach so I can work on my tan! 

I have a little trick to share for you when life gets really busy. I always hate the feeling at the end of the day when there's still so many things left on my to-do list, so a teacher I had in college taught me to make an "I did" list of 10 accomplishments you made that day instead of focusing on what you didn't do. It can be any little thing! Today hasn't been too busy so I'll do my 10 things list from Friday:

1) I did a load of laundry

2) I did the dishes

3) I made my bed

4) I cleaned my bathroom

5) I returned some DVD's

6) I worked 

7) I cleaned out my car

8) I worked out

9) I lifted weights

10) I picked up my room

So there you have it! Some things may not be a huge accomplishment, but at least you're focusing on the positive things you did that day instead of stressing out about what you didn't do. Have a great afternoon!!

-Emily

Getting Ready for Swimsuit Season?

Okay so I'm not really attempting to diet, but I always have my eye out for healthy options and I just have to talk about my love for COOL WHIP FREE! It's fat free and only 15 calories per serving and tastes great. Granted, one of its ingredients is high-fructose corn syrup which many people try to avoid. However, anything else unhealthy you'd eat in its place probably also contains HFCS. If you're looking for a quick snack, just dip some strawberries, pineapple, or any fruit you love into the Cool Whip and instantly you feel like you must be cheating! It also tastes great to put a scoop of it over a sugar-free Jell-O chocolate and vanilla pudding pack. You can even freeze it and eat it like ice cream! Be careful though, a serving size is only 2 tbsp...so don't go nuts!! 

Anywho, I know my blog has nothing to do with food or dieting in general, but I just had to share! Happy snacking!