New Years Eve Plans

That's what I did for New Years Eve last year. Rock Concert. At the Colosseum. In Rome, ITALY. Fireworks. Champagne everywhere. Thousands of people.

This year I plan on shooting off my leftover fireworks from the 4th of July and watching Dick Clark. So there will still be fireworks. And champagne. Just none of the other stuff ;-)

xoxox Nora

Trip To Milwaukee

Just got back from our annual Winter Break trip to Milwaukee... while the intentions of doing such a trip are good, I haven't enjoyed it as much as my parents think I do in years. Normally we go and stay at the Residence Inn (it is quite nice) and then we sort of just slouch around the "city" for awhile. It used to be fun when staying a hotel was cool and my sister wasn't the same size of me (sharing a bed with her blows).

This year we went to the Public Market, which is actually really cool, for lunch. Its sort of a big open markety type place with a bunch of different places to get rather fancy food, but for sort of cheap. I had a sandwich that reminded me of something I might eat at Eric Keyser in Paris. Delish.

In the evening we sort of shopped around at the Grand Avenue "mall". It's not really a mall anymore though, because about 80% of the stores that were in it are closed up. I did find some cool shoes to fill that, I need more neon in my life void. They're cheap but they bring a nice splash of color.

We ate dinner at Rock Bottom, which is pretty much my favorite. I always get the big nachos and I always want to throw up afterwards, but it is totally worth it. This is the first time I've been there and been of age as well, so I tried a bit of their hand-crafted beer. It wasn't bad ;-)

The plan for the night was to hang in the hotel while my parents went out... but then we all ended up staying in and I went to sleep at 1030. I was feeling a bit ill to be honest, and woke up in the morning with THE WORST sore throat ever. Super annoyed about that. Way to ring in the New Year right? FML. Slept all morning while my fam shopped around, and then came home. Lame trip. But still nice that my parents thought it would be fun. I'm being too PC aren't I?

JLS - Everybody In Love

I think I've mentioned this song in three seperate posts now, and there are only 12 in existence so right about now I better put it up on my blog so you know what I'm talking about...

It's a super catchy song and after a few listens you will love it like I do, trust me. At first I was a bit iffy on it, but now I loooove it.

xoxox Nora

Winter Break Productivity!

Just a quick post to say what up. Spent 8 hours at the Libo today and wanted to cry a bit, but it was all good.

Big news of the day is that I managed to apply for TWO jobs! Wooo! I'm on my way now!! Was sort of stoked about that because I'd planned on being super productive over break and then didn't do anything at all (as is typical of me). But I sat down, shut myself in my room, and churned out two job applications and cover letters! I'm not going to say to where because I don't want to jinx anything or whatever, but they are both legit places. Not like Starbucks or Summer Camp or something, those are super fall-backs ;-)

Also, I found a job/program I really really really want to do. Not saying what it is either, but its definitely something you would not expect from me at all. Working on that application now, but it has essays on it so it's a bit more. But it would so so cool. And maybeee not entirely in the USA, which would be fun ;-)

Check out my favorite songs of the year post.

xoxox Nora

2009 Singles in Review

Recently Entertainment Weekly published a feature highlighting the “Top 10 Singles of the Year.” Upon reading the article I was quite underwhelmed, if not a little annoyed. Is Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” really deserving of a place in the top ten? Is “Empire State of Mind” really the hottest track of the year? Or even the hottest Jay-Z release? Now I normally take anything Entertainment Weekly says with a grain of salt, seeing as their tastes in just about everything are vastly different from mine, but this time I feel so annoyed by their choices that I have taken it upon myself to outline what I feel are the hottest tracks of 2009.

1. “Whatcha Say” – Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo has been influential in the music world for some time, with writing credits on several number one tracks, but it was Whatcha Say that catapulted Derulo to the limelight. I can bet you anything that Derulo’s debut album in February 2010 is going to go straight to the top.

2. “The Fear” – Lily Allen
Entertainment Weekly put “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga at number two, citing its lyrical truthfulness. In my opinion there is no song that has more truth in it that “The Fear,” a critique on the celebrity lifestyle.

3. “Down” – Jay Sean
It’s very difficult for British artists to make a splash in the US, but Jay Sean managed to do so. With two songs currently on the iTunes Top 10, Jay Sean is putting his stamp on R&B with a feel good vibe.

4. “Breakeven” – The Script
Irish band The Script are everything The Fray should be. Crossing over to the US charts in 2009, Breakeven is heartbreaking and the vocals are spot on.

5. “Knock You Down” – Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Kanye West
This is the only track that I agree with Entertainment Weekly on. Hilson and Ne-Yo have great vocal chemistry and Kanye West only makes the song that much better.

6. “Use Somebody” – Kings of Leon
The ultimate modern rock act, Kings of Leon have been around for ages. This track shot them to the top charting high in the Hot 100. It’s got everything you need in an epic rock sound. I also love “Sex on Fire” if only for the amazing name.

7. “Crawl” – Chris Brown
I know people aren’t supposed to like Chris Brown because of the whole Rihanna drama, but the chorus of this song is straight up: “We’ll crawl/Until we can walk again/Then we’ll run/Until we’re strong enough to jump/Then we’ll fly…” Basically everything Chris Brown needs to do to be back on top. Great track.

8. “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift needs props this year, she made it big. Of all of her singles this is by far the catchiest and created such epic moments as that Kanye West VMA disaster. And it’s actually a well crafted pop song with a cool crossover country twang. It made me sort of like country for like an hour.

9. “Halo” – Beyonce
Although “I am… Sasha Fierce” came out last year, Beyonce continues to churn out singles. Heartfelt and soaring, “Halo” was the cream of the crop. Its just so effortless.

10. “Take Me On The Floor” – The Veronicas
The Veronicas tend to be overlooked in the US, but this track sums up their sound. It’s electric, fun, and the twins’ vocals are out of this world fab.


A lot of my favorite music this year has actually come from the UK Singles Charts rather than the American charts. With a slightly happier disposition UK artists had a big year. The crossover of Jay Sean to the US Charts, and the phenomenon that is Susan Boyle are just two examples of a new British invasion. Watch out for these acts coming stateside in 2010.

1. “Beat Again” / “Everybody in Love” – JLS (I couldn’t pick which one, both are AMAZING. Perhaps JLS will make it socially acceptable to be a boyband in the US again? Regardless, I’m totally obsessed).

2. “Look for Me” – Chipmunk ft. Talay Riley (Watch out Justin Bieber, Chipmunk is a young prodigy too, and waaay more talented).

3."Ego” – The Saturdays (Uber-talented and sexy girl group.)

4. “I Need You” – N-Dubz (A new flavor of urban hip-hop as yet undiscovered stateside. Also check out "Playing With Fire" that's hot as well).

5. “Young Forever” – Jay-Z ft. Mr. Hudson (And they said Empire State of Mind was the best Jay-Z song of the year… check this track and allow your mind to be blown. Mr.Hudson is an amazingly talented UK artist).

6. “Mama Do” – Pixie Lott (This song had one of the biggest chart leaps in the UK this year and is a throwback to the Amy Winehouse soul sound).

7. “Take Me Back” – Tinchy Stryder ft. Taio Cruz (Tinchy had the biggest year of all the UK males, and this track with R&B crooner Taio Cruz is just one sampling of his grime sound).


And of course, a ranking list isn’t complete without a mentioning of the Worst Five tracks of the Year.

1. “Party in the USA” – Miley Cyrus (Computer-enhanced vocals, not in Cyrus’ genre, she didn’t know any Jay-Z music, overly sexual for a 16 year old, Entertainment Weekly you’ve GOT to be kidding me. This song is TERRIBLE).

2. “She Wolf” – Shakira (She howls. Come on.)

3. “Lovegame” – Lady Gaga (I’m sorry but I don’t care what a discostick is. It’s not funny, just weird. I’m also so over Gaga’s attempts to be weird and capitalize off of it. It was cool for like a week, now I just turn the page).

4. “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas (It may have charted at number one, but this song makes no sense and uses waaay too much autotune).

5. “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) – Pitbull (Gahhh, so annoying. I just can’t deal with it.)


Finally, here are the CD releases I’m anticipating the most in 2010:

1. Jason Derulo (His first two singles are epic, can’t wait for the album)
2. Ke$ha (“Tik Tok” was a compelling entry into the music world by Ke$ha, I’m interested to see what else she has to offer)
3. Usher (It’s been awhile, remember Confessions?)
4. Christina Aguliera (Miss her…)
5. JLS (rumored second album in 2010, I need more stat!!!)
6. Sugababes (love them, excited to hear what new member Jade Ewen brings to the group)

N-Dubz - I Need You - Live Lounge

Gahhh I totally love N-Dubz. I feel like I shouldn't because it doesn't sound like something I would like, but I'm obsessed. In a way I feel like they are what the Black Eyed Peas should be... a rap/singing group with good songs. I think the thing that makes this group is Dappy (the short guy). He's got this really unique voice and he sings and raps. Love it. And their music is infectious. Seriously.

Team Trivia

Team Trivia tonight. Highlights were my performance of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" and our steller team name "Susan Boyle's Dream She Dreamed." We got fourth like usual. I blame Matt. He should know about presidents and he failed for us. I mean come on I got the cycling question, the Dancing With The Stars question, and the one about GI Joe.

I actually really like going to pub trivia contests. I'm really terrible at it, but its a great way to hang out with friends and have a good laugh. I mean, like shit I'm going to know the answer to most of the questions, but at least its fun to sort of make stuff up. Totally camp.

Some day we will take first place at Quaker's Trivia Night... but only when I learn about sports (and not just cycling, although I did totally get to do a cycling question tonight when I was all by myself because my teammates are slouches and showed up late).

Seriousness

So let's be serious for a minute, because to be honest this blog has already dissolved into me posting random youtube videos, not that there is anything wrong with that ;-)

In all seriousness though, so that you get to know me and my true essence or whatever, I'm a 21 year old college student at one of America's Top 10 universities... not saying which but I'm sure you'll read about it soon enough. I'm doing joint degrees in Political Science and International Studies, with a bit of French on the side for good measure. I basically vibe on International Relations but we don't have that at our school so I sort of had to make it up for myself.

I'm in my fourth and final year at school which has been fun but is certainly stressful. Course wise this year is pretty chill, I've exhausted all of my core requirements and I'm pretty much done with degree work. The big daddy is my Thesis. Gahhh. Only like a 40 page original research paper... it's fabulous. I'm writing on the failures to reform the Security Council since 1993. I think it's absolutely fascinating, but would rather not engage the theoretical reasons, even though they are sort of the core of the argument. Ask me about it and I'll write more sometime.

In life I work at one of the campus libraries. I've been doing library work all my life, which means I'm rather good at it (or so I'd like to think). My current job is a data-entry-ish gig where I basically make sure all the books in the library have barcodes, and if I don't I enter the new ones. It's a pretty easy gig and I like that I get a desk and whatever. Can't see myself doing this all my life though.

I'm also super involved in Model United Nations. I don't compete anymore, but I work on organizing and hosting Model UN Conferences. This year I'm working on 4 different conferences, in a huge variety of roles (chairing a committee, crisis directing a committee, serving as an under-secretary general for a conference, and serving as the big boss secretary-general for a conference). I love it. If I could do this my whole life I would totally do it. Like I've considered on several occasions, rather seriously, going into teaching so I could run a MUN team. Still considering it actually.

I graduate in June 2010 and from there I plan to enter the REAL WORLD. Scary shit. I sort of blew my chance on taking the GRE and thus applying to graduate school (not that I can afford that anyways) so I'm working on trying to find a job. Something that is hopefully in the IR realm, preferably with a bit of travel involved, and in a cool city. It's a bit of a nightmare trying to find a suitable job in this market though, so I'm doing my best. Mostly I just hope to have something lined up when I graduate, I don't really want to be a great disappointment to the fam or whatever and end up working at like AfterSchool or some shit (although that is always an option, that or library stuff).

For now I'm just rolling with it, trying to get shit done and keep my head above the water. That's where the funny youtube videos come in, and my current obsession with BBC Radio 1. Without the slight distraction I would probably break down and cry a lot. Instead I listen to a little Tinchy and a little JLS and maybe some Lily Allen and I realize things will work themselves out...

xoxox Nora

December 27th, 2009

Today was a bit of a weird one. Normally when I'm at the parents house they make sure that I don't sleep later than like 10:30, which I find a bit cruel. Something about being productive and whatever. But today, woke up at 11:15 confused as hell as to why no one woke me up. No reason. Bit weird really.

The major event of the day was to go watch Sherlock Holmes with some of my bffs from high school (shout out to Catherine, Tony and Matt). I was a bit disappointed at the beginning of the film. I had secret intel that there was going to be a trailer for Hot Tub Time Machine (posted below) at the beginning, and there wasn't. Sorta pissed about that one. Generally I thought the film was really good. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law had excellent chemistry as Holmes and Watson. That was the best bit of the film actually... their banter. I had a hard time following a large portion of the plot (no worries), but the action was fun and the jokes were funny. So thumbs up I say.

After I did a bit of shopping. I bought myself an incredibly badass watch. You'll just have to wait to see it I guess, but suffice to say it's ballin. I also attempted to do my Mom's grocery shopping but had a slight meltdown in the store because I couldn't find anything. Stupid.

In the evening I worked on some LIFE stuff. Mostly I rewrote my resume and tried to knock out a good cover letter that I could use. My HR queen Mom is going to read over it all tomorrow and let me know if I'm hired or not (lol) and then I'll start maybe APPLYING to things. Shit, life.

Now I'm listening to BBC Radio 1 which is my number one obsession right now. Great radio... Caught up on the station's Christmas party and now I'm listening to my boyband talk about 2009, haha.

Hot Tub Time Machine

OMG MARK YOUR CALENDARS.

It must be some sort of, hot tub time machine.

JLS - Beat Again

This needs to be documented in my blog. haha.

I've always maintained that my favorite genre of music is pop, and in particular I looove a good pop group. When NSYNC disbanded and the Backstreet Boys went to rehab (or one of them at least) pop groups in America sort of went to shit. So I've had to look overseas for amazing music. The past few years I've had a variety of pop groups that I've been vibing on, but none that were current and still making hits... until now.

The story is that once and awhile I go and read the UK Top 40 list to see what is cool over there. It's actually quite different than what is over here in the US, and I actually prefer a lot of the the UK stuff. None of this Nickelback nonsense. Anyways, over the summer I read the list and this group, JLS, were at Number 1 with this song, Beat Again. I sort of "got" the song along with a few others but didn't really listen to it. It just sat in my itunes...

Then in early November I did the same thing, but with a different song, Everybody in Love (will post later). A few days later I was listening to my music on shuffle at work and Beat Again came up. I was like, this is AMAZING. Why do I have this, who is this group, why did I never listen to it before? When I got home I did a little investigating and found the other song on my itunes too. Listened to each about five times and then decided to youtube them to see what they looked like...

Within about ten minutes I was pretty much obsessed, youtubed the hell out of them, learned their story (they were second place on the UK version of American Idol, called X Factor, in 2008).

So yeah, this is what's cool at the moment. I sort of love them... and I love that they are current because that means they will hopefully be putting out more stuff! None of this 5ive nonsense where I start liking the band after they are over, never to get a new track again.

Enjoy! xxxNora

Happy Christmas.

I know its a bit delayed. I was just enjoying my family too much to blog or whatever. But anyways, hope everyone out there had an enjoyable and loving holiday with someone they care about (or at least who cares about them).

I'm not going to go into terribly exciting detail about my holiday. Suffice it to say my two favorite gifts were the SUSAN BOYLE CD (OMG!!!) and a zen fountain thing. OH, and I got a JLS calendar (JLS are my fave boyband). I guess that's a decent haul. No iPods or anything, but I'm old now so I guess its more about the thought than anything else? Or maybe it's always been like that.

The day was nice. My brother was here still so we hung out a bit. Had a nice midday Thanksgiving-ish dinner. Lots of sugar and several hot chocolates. I got my Stepdad a Paul McCartney thing that he basically loves. It includes a DVD and most of the fam was enthralled by that all day. I've been reading a Sophie Kinsella trashy book so I curled up to work on that instead (haha, should have been doing like job applications, whateverrr).

In the late evening (aka at 10pm) I went and met some of my favorite people from High School for a bit of late night Denny's. I saw the "weatherman" from the Libo there. He's this old man who spends literally ever minute in the library except for when he goes outside for two minutes every hour, on the hour. We think he is checking the weather ;-) I waved at him because I think he is alone and was just treating himself to a coffee to get out of the house on Christmas. So yeah, wherever you are weatherman, Happy Xmas.

It was a nice humble Christmas. I got to see my family, relax and have a bit of a Denny's with my bffs.

Happy Christmas everyone! xoxox.

Christmas Eve

A very nondescript sort of Christmas Eve this year. Broke a few traditions because no one could really agree on anything. I mean typically we go see a film for Christmas Eve, but this year no one could agree on a single film. I wanted to see Avatar but we missed the 3D showing. My sister wanted to see Princess and the Frog, which I'm sure is cute, but I knew my ADD would destroy me if I attempted that one. The Blind Side (my mother's choice) was a definite no. Not because it looks bad (even though I don't think I could ever like it) but because I wanted comedy or fighting, which apparently aren't good elements for a Christmas Eve movie. So no movie. I proposed going bowling but was shot down immediately. Probably because I always win.

Instead we just went out to lunch at the Hubbard Ave. Diner. I usually really like it but today it was awful. Our waitress failed to mention that they were doing breakfast all day so I had a terrible sandwich and fries. If only I'd have known I would have had french toast... :(

After we went to rent a movie (because we agreed that it would be the best way to spend the afternoon). It took over 30 minutes to agree on a film, because my mom was being a bit whiny about fighting movies. We ended up with Angels and Demons, which was no ones choice. In the end I fell asleep on the couch.

Right before dinner my bro showed up. He's a bit of a slouch. We had the traditional meal, a boatload of appetizers. My mom usually does up a few different finger foods, a pizza, shrimp, chicken wings (!), etc... and we sort of graze. It's always a yearly highlight. And we do the same meal for New Years Eve too so its sort of a double double deal. I ate almost all of the chicken wings, because hello they are my favorite food, and then felt sort of ill the rest of the evening.

We attempted a game of Monopoly, but I cheated within about 15 mins and then it got stupid. Lesson, never make me the person who looks after the unsold property cards or the bank. I sort of conveniently slip things into my pile. And OK maybe I stole two properties that made me eligible for houses and hotels, but still. My brother wouldn't trade anything and my sister sucks so I was stuck with like Baltic Avenue. Game over.

After that we sort of just did our own things. My brother needed to make a mushy phone call to his GF and my sister had gotten sort of weird. I determined the best bet was just to go to bed so Santa could come instead of sit around with the fam some more. I enjoyed a bit of a Scott Mills podcast (more on that another time) and a hot chocolate.

So yeah, weird Christmas Eve. But fun. This time last year I was vomiting like mad in Paris so I guess its a little better.

xoxox Nora

"Young Forever" Jay-Z ft. Mr. Hudson

I've been quite angry about a piece Entertainment Weekly did this issue on the Best of 2009. They claim that the best single of the year is "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and featuring Alicia Keys. Not only is that song hard to listen to, it does not do justice AT ALL to Alicia Keys' vocal talents. And I think there are two other Jay-Z tracks that rank higher!

Anyways, I've got about a jillion other problems with the EW piece (including the fact that "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus is number eight) and I've been working on my own list, to be posted later...

But, in the meantime I would like to share with you the actual best Jay-Z track of the year, "Young Forever" featuring the amazingly talented Mr. Hudson.

Letter From Nora.

Dear Friends,

I guess it’s been awhile since I properly blogged, and I did so elsewhere. I was going to continue on with my old blog, noralaparisienne.blogspot.com, but I sort of feel like that blog is over. I mean, it was dedicated to my experience before/during/after moving to France for six months. Well, it’s been about nine months since I’ve been back now. It’s time to move on.

Then I thought, I’m at a pretty interesting moment in my life. In a little over six months I’m graduating from college with a joint Bachelor’s in Political Science and International Studies. At that point I’ll be entering the real world. HA! So I figured I might as well document this momentous time in my life. Over the next six months I’ll be finishing my thesis, searching for a job, and preparing for graduation. Might be compelling reading?

At one point the plan was going to be to make a podcast. Tell funny stories about what is going on in my life. One of my secret dreams in life is to be a radio presenter, so I figured having a podcast might be sort of like that. But then I thought a) that’s a lot of work b) I don’t even know how to podcast and c) my roommates will probably think I’m mental if I’m always talking to myself. Then for some reason I remembered I had a blog and figured this would be an equally awesome way to go. And I can link it up to youtube and pictures and whatever.

So yeah, this blog is going to be my place to document the next six plus months. I’ll share stories about what’s going on at school (the stuff about my thesis will be particularly thrilling, not). I’ll show you pictures from my two big trips coming up (Spring Break in COSTA RICA! and a week in NYC in May for a Model United Nations event). I’ll link you to Youtube clips of what I think is cool at the moment. And I’ll update you on the whole job hunt thing.

So here I am, its the 23^rd of December, 2009. I make my entrance in the real world on or around the 13^th of June, 2010. Here’s to an epic six months!

xoxoxo Nora