Life's Craziness

Hey! So I've been pretty M.I.A. lately and I do apologize. The main reason for my relative silence is that I got a second job working weekends at a movie theater! On one hand, it's super exciting to earn extra funds (which will be going towards an exciting adventure in October!) but on the other hand, it's entirely exhausting. The body-aches-sore-muscles-so-tired-you-can't-sleep kind of exhausting. Yea, more exhausting than writing that last sentence even!

So most of my time is spent either at my full-time desk answering emails and phone calls (and on twitter...let's be real) OR I can be found serving popcorn and nachos (which I used to love and now the cheese just melts my flesh as I change it) for anxious moviegoers.

I had been debating getting a second job for a while and when the opportunity came up that the theater was hiring, I felt I should at least apply and see what happens. It's a great gig for me because I get FREE movies (other than opening weekends) and  I'm not working weeknights so it doesn't conflict with my full-time gig. The other reason it works is that it's temporary. It'll end late July and that'll be all. So it's basically like a summer job. Yep, I have a summer job at 26 years old. I'm THAT awesome.

IN OTHER NEWS:
In the past few weeks, some things have happened and I wanted to give a (brief) update:
1.Started (and quickly ended) online dating
2. Got rejected from USC Cinematic Arts
3. Decided to adopt my roommate's cat, like officially
4. Started plans for moving to a new place in August

I know most of those could have posts all to themselves, but I just don't have the time to write them out :(

IN UNRELATED NEWS (to anything in this post): 
My last post dealt with the Veronica Mars kickstarter and since then one of my favorite actors, Zach Braff, began a campagin for his own project. He came under similar criticism about his funding, his "famous" status, and why he used the site for funding. I found this interview in which he explains and answers these critiques in a way that is so perfectly Zach Braff. I haven't supported his project, but I LOVE his vision of what a kickstarter for someone of his status (and anyone really) can be, which is a community. I love that! Check out the video below if you're at all interested.

http://mashable.com/2013/05/08/zach-braff-interview/


<3
Erika

So this happened.

I'm entirely sure how to feel about it either. I mean, I'm glad that it's "over" and I've submitted the application. But I'm also scared of what the future holds. I have placed a LOT on getting back into school and only affording it because of the discount I received by being a staff of the university. I'm not really sure what I'll do if I don't get in...but let's not think about that.

I figure I'll use this time to reflect on my journey towards submitting my application...

Working here has been a learning experience in patience, understand, and finding purpose. In the course of my almost 4 years working here, I've struggled to find my place, struggled to find purpose, and (on a daily basis) struggled  to be nice on the phone when I'm being yelled at for something I didn't do...

While looking for purpose or some direction in life, I found the Critical Studies Department within the School of Cinematic Arts and fell in love! From what I've researched, it's perfection in a program. It combines my true loves of TV-Film and Entertainment culture studies! After looking at other programs the university offers (and frankly being disappointed) I was glad to see the school have some program for people like me...those who like love entertainment but don't necessarily want to be a director or work on the production side of things. Working on a set would be awesome, but not sure that can be my full-time job considering it's frakking hard to do and doesn't get me going as much as lively discussions do!

So...that's it.

Now I wait.

And wait.

And wait more.

The future has a lot in store and I can feel the changes ahead. They're coming. Some I want to avoid (like the stress of work AND school) and some I am ready and open to accept (like getting to write papers again!).

If you are a praying person, I gladly welcome prayers and good vibes!

<3 Erika

WHOA.

Time is flyin' by these days. I feel like I have so much to write about and yet nothing at all. I'm not sure I can actually write out entire paragraphs at this point, but I do want to update some things that have been going on for the past 2 months or so:

• I'm applying to return to school to get my Masters in Cinematic Arts; specifically Critical Studies for the Fall 2013. 
• Taking TOOK the required GRE (which is a graduate school entrance exam) on Thursday, November 8th. 
• Been spending all my free time at coffee houses studying and trying to re-learn my entire high school education. 
• Realized just how awesome I am at algebra
• Realized how awesomely bad I am at all other math.
• Finishing up my actual school application which is due December 1st. 
• Looking forward to being done with this whole process and resting through the holidays. 
• Hopefully not stressing too much about whether I get in or not. 
• I enjoy making lists.
• I also enjoy wearing rings and watches. 
• I believe I'm starting a watch collection. I keep finding new watches that I love! 

One great thing that I've learned/remembered about myself in this process is how much I love academics. Even though I wanted to rip my eyes out studying ratios, exponents, and fractions, I still loved having something to study. I love working long hours on papers, researching topics, discussing viewpoints and discovering new ideas! This whole thing has really motivated me even more to get into grad school and pursue the academic study of media's influence both culturally and emotionally on us as people and as a society. 

I hope to make a new video this weekend and get back into the swing of things here as well!