January 25, 2014

Who's attending the Grammy's red carpet tomorrow??



I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!

Also, I think from now on, all of my moods will be depicted in gifs from Ben Wyatt/Adam Scott of Parks & Rec, because he's tied as my favorite, along with Leslie Knope/Amy Poehler.

That is all.

Actually, that isn't all at all. I can't stop watching this gif. I always think something will change with them, but they never do, because it is a scene frozen in time, playing the same thing over and over again.

Alright, now I really have to go to bed, because I have to get up incredibly early tomorrow morning. GAH!!!!!! At least it's for something really stinking awesome.

But, oh, how I am dreading Monday morning. It makes me want to cringe already.


And cry. A lot.


Okay. Goodnight everybody. My time here is done.

~Shelby :)

January 24, 2014



Now that the winter quarter of school is in full swing, I have fallen into more of a groove and have a normal routine that I'm pretty happy with. If you know me, you know I have to have it all planned out.

A day for me starts around 7:45. Then again at 8. Then again at 8:15. 8:15 a.m is my final "go time." The other times are just my alarm clock reminding me that, yes, I do have school and responsibilities. And that as much as I would love to, I cannot sleep my life away, and just watch Netflix all day. I also want to punch it each time it goes off.

I groan, then push my cat out of the way, turn on my heater and make my way to the bathroom. I brush my teeth, take a few minutes to wake up and adjust to the light, then put on my makeup. I'm very simple when it comes to getting ready, so it doesn't take me long at all. Just a primer, foundation, blush, powder, eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara. Okay, it sounds like a lot, but I just dab here and there. I'm no makeup wizard. Then, I straighten or curl my hair, depending on the time I have.

Usually, I still have a little extra time before I go to school. So, I'll get on my phone and respond to texts and tweets if there are any and finish getting my things together. I used to be so on top of having everything set to go the night before, but now I just go with the flow. I'm also not a huge breakfast eater, so I just grab a healthy breakfast bar or something quick that I can eat on the go.

My first class is at 10 a.m, which isn't that early...Actually, it's not early at all. But, I'm not used to getting up before 11 most of the time. I normally leave the house around 9:30, but I can sometimes leave later, because traffic doesn't seem to be as bad around the school as it was around the campus last quarter. I don't have a car at the moment, and I don't feel comfortable with driving my parents' SUV, so my mom drops me off and picks me up.

My first class is feature writing, which is probably my favorite, even though there is a lot of work and it's starting to get a bit more challenging. Features are my very favorite thing about magazine and newspaper writing. This class is giving me a chance to learn a lot about the style and technique, as well as letting my creative juices flow a little more for AP style writing. There are a lot of fun and exciting assignments, and is really giving us a chance to stretch outside of our comfort zones. I'm a little intimidated at times and still getting used to the interviewing process, but I'm getting there. Rome wasn't built in a day, you know?

After that class, I have a break for about an hour. I bring my lunch from home, typically a salad, but when I get tired of those, I'll switch to something else. Every once in awhile, I'll still meet up with friends because we have the same breaks, but due to schedules and our busy lives, that doesn't always happen. I don't mind eating alone, though. What a jump from Jr. hi that is. I've always been a wallflower, so I like just observing everyone around me. It inspires me. I used to watch Netflix or catch up on reading for my classes, but I just haven't taken to that this time around. I'm certainly keeping it in mind, though.

My next class is news production. I usually try to get there a few minutes early, since the class tends to pack out and I like to get settled in before everyone else comes in. It really is like an actual newspaper. Last quarter, I was a staff writer and we were turning in a story every week. Sometimes, you have really close deadlines and you have to talk to people within a certain amount of time. You learn to be flexible. This time, I'm an assistant editor for the features section, and wow...It's a lot. There are stories to be assigned, which means you always have to be in the know of what's going on around town or on campus, there are edits to be made, meetings on Fridays to discuss everything, pitch sessions, layout/design on Mondays and we have to write a few stories ourselves. This was our first full week of production, so it was definitely overwhelming trying to learn the system and get used to how they do it all, but I think I'll get used to it the more I do it. Things can be a little crazy on Monday with edits being made from the writers and assigning stories, while starting layout (at least this week anyway), but it was good. And it's cool to see the finished product come out on Wednesday, as people walk around campus reading it. It's giving me experience for the real world, and right now, that's what I need most.

Most of the time, I have about an hour to kill before my next class, but it depends on if there's a lot to discuss and take care of in the paper. If I have time, I'll get an iced tea from the coffee shop on campus and I'll eat a snack I brought from home in the little garden/quad area. There's a pond, several trees and it's very nice and cool. It's one of my favorite places to go. Last week, I read some blogs on my ipad and responded back to a few texts. The usual.

At 3:00, my next class starts and it's two hours long. It's about Mass Media and Society, so we talk about how the media affects us and all that jazz. We basically just write notes down from a powerpoint, while our professor talks for two hours straight. He's a super nice guy, but that class goes on forever. Yesterday, I was having a rough day and feeling SO tired, so I was reading blogs and checking tweets most of the time, while also being a good girl and taking notes. But, I was seriously about to fall asleep. On the plus side, it's a pretty easy class. If you do the work and do what he asks, you're going to do just fine.

That class ends at 5:05, and I have a few minutes to wake up and get ready for the next class, which starts at 5:15. Luckily, it's in the same building, so I just have to walk down the hall. It's my Theories in Communication class, and I'm actually really enjoying it so far. Half of the students from the Intro to Mass Comm. that I took last quarter are in this class, so it's like a little family of us. We all sit in one section basically, and talking to them seriously makes my day. We laugh at one another and it just really lightens the mood. We usually just take notes and have a little discussion here and there or we have to view a film. It's interesting, and surprisingly, it goes very quickly.

After that class ends at 7:20, my day is officially over and I get to go home. I usually just take a few minutes to let everything from the day soak in, or I'll vent to my mom about what happened in a class or how I wish something would have gone differently. Those are some of my favorite moments. I'm raw and real, and you never know what's going to happen...HAHA! JK (kind of), but I usually do come up with some great and witty lines. After I've calmed down and relaxed or had a few minutes to just sit and be, I'll take a quick shower and get all cozy in a sweatshirt and yoga pants. Yesterday was so exhausting and draining, I was just D-O-N-E by the time I got home. When I got out of the shower, I flopped down on the couch all cozy to watch American Idol.

Usually, when my dad gets home, we'll eat dinner...But, if it's going to be really late before he gets home from work, my mom and I will eat before. Then, we'll spend the rest of the evening watching TV, like American Idol, Parenthood, Parks and Rec, etc. It just depends on what day it is and what's on. Sometimes I'll try to get some homework done, but it's very rare when that happens. I usually just blog or read blogs, chat with friends, work on stories...Whatever.

I never go to bed before 11. It's usually closer to 1 a.m, because I watch the news and The Tonight Show, then head back to my room. I wash my face and brush my teeth, turn on a few episodes of Parks and Rec, then I am out for the night.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, I don't have classes, which is nice. I'm usually just home all day, in my pi's, working on assignments or watching marathons of my favorite shows. Fridays, I only have my feature writing class, which isn't too bad, but I dread Fridays a lot more than I thought it would. After having that little break on Thursday, it doesn't exactly motivate me to go back for just one class. But, I go and it's fine. I have lunch with my mom after that, then have to go back to school a meeting, discussing newspaper stuff and planning for the next issue.

It's not a bad schedule, it's just making sure that I'm keeping up with it all. I'm sure I'll have my moments where I just want to breakdown, but so far so good. I only have 7 weeks of this quarter to go after tomorrow, so WOO…It'll be over before I know it.

January 23, 2014

Roll out the red carpet…Award season is here!

One of my very favorite times of the year is award season, and it's fitting that it comes after my first, which is Christmas. I love the interviews, the celebrity glamour, the gowns, the lights, and depending on who's hosting, the monologues and jokes.

Being a journalism major, I'm fascinated with the red carpet. I love hearing the stories that the celebrities have to tell, whether it's about being nominated or a crazy thing that happened to them while they were getting ready. I love all of the behind the scenes magic that goes into what seems to be a picture perfect kind of night. Also, I really only watch E! for the carpets, so the people I mention are from their network (i.e. Giuliana, Ryan, Kelly, etc) most. However, I also just love a really good show, celebrating some of the most talented in the business and giving credit where credit is due.

Some of my favorite moments so far:

Let's start with People's Choice (hosted by Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs)

*I loved that the monologue included Brad Paisley, and him giving Beth Behrs his hat! Too cute.
*Beth Behrs singing Before He Cheats. Yeah, that was pretty awesome.
*Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder's really awkward speech...It was kinda cute, but mainly just weird, but I liked that they kind of addressed what everyone else was probably thinking.
*Justin Timberlake winning favorite album! AH! (but, that was an obvious one)
*Sandra Bullock winning favorite movie actress! Sandra is the best! My favorite actress, for sure.

I don't think these are as exciting as they used to be, and I never cared for the fact that the celebs know who wins before they announce it, so you can always tell who wins just by who shows up on the carpet. Oh well! It's all for the fun of it and the fans getting the last word, like Taylor Swift.

Let's talk fashion (not really much to say about the carpet, because I wasn't able to watch the live stream of it): 

This is another fun award show, where people can get by wearing just about anything, and most of them do tend to be a bit more bold in their choices. There's usually a lot of pattern and a mix of floor length/cocktail dresses! So, these are my favorites: Lucy Hale, Ian Somerhalder, Kat and Beth, Justin Timberlake and Sandra Bullock!




(Courtesy of: Ontheredcarpet.com)
(courtesy of: Redbookmag.com)

Golden Globes (hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler):
MY FAVORITE! I love the fact that TV and movies are brought together for one night only, so you never know what can happen. 


I liked Tina's dress/hair better for the opening monologue. 
*Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting the Golden Globes, obviously. That wins all of the awards right there. They are my favorite hosts (tied with Carrie and Brad for country shows). I mean, who wouldn't include that as a highlight? They're both incredibly talented and hilarious on their own, but together they are seriously UNSTOPPABLE. I would love to see them do a variety show someday! Maybe they could do a joined show with Carrie and Brad, because I would also like to see them do one. They should all just really talk to me about the plans I have, because it could be epic ;). 
~That joke about George Clooney talking to someone his own age and Sandra Bullock laughing hysterically. 
~The fact that Monica Potter was nominated!!!!!
~Amy Poehler winning for TV actress in a comedy series! AH!!! I seriously cried tears of happiness as I read the announcement at dinner. She has never won before…Like, what?!
~Seeing who was rubbing elbows with who or was seated together at the tables. 

Now, let's talk fashion/the carpet
~Jennifer Lawrence and Taylor Swift having a conversation 
~Seeing Adam Scott in the background while Giuliana was getting ready for another interview. But, I am deeply saddened by the fact that they didn't talk to him.
~So. MANY. GORGEOUS DRESSES.
~Way to go Ryan for making things awkward again (saying he had never met Margot Robbie from The Wolf on Wall Street, and quickly having to cover up! haha).
~Amy and Tina (just because).

Fashion wise, there was a lot of color going on. Some were mixed and matched with colors that don't normally go together, and others were just very bold with the shades of colors they chose. Some were very traditional and classy, while others were a little unconventional, but I really do think everyone pulled it off. So many beautiful people in one place on the same night, so it's hard to choose just one.
















SAG Awards: 

*Honestly, because they were on a Saturday, it kind of threw things off for me and I went to the movies, so I wasn't actually home to watch. Having said that, I still have yet to watch the actual award show (though I know who won everything), but I have to say the carpet was extremely entertaining. The interviews were fantastic and Giuliana was really having fun with it. It seems like everyone else was too. Maybe the celebs are just really warmed up to all of the red carpet buzz and are ready to say whatever comes up. The SAG Awards are honestly not my favorite either, because it's usually most of the stuff that I haven't watched.

~Giuliana pointing out that Oprah had glasses in her hand…HAHAHA!
~Julia Roberts' little incident with the barricade almost crashing down on her-CRAZY! Although, her pant suit was a very interesting choice of wardrobe. 
~Matthew McConaughey not having any idea that he would be nominated! He seemed very humble about that.
~Sandra Bullock and Giuliana talking about the George Clooney joke from the Golden Globes and Sandra denying that she laughed! Haha!








And of course, there are a lot of other awards, like the Critics Choice, etc. But, I didn't get a chance to watch those either. Man, I am really slacking this year.

As for what's next…That would be the Grammy's, this Sunday! AND I WILL BE THERE. Well, at least for the red carpet anyway and it is a dream. come. true. As a little girl, who always thought she would be a singer, that was one of the visions I had for myself. And while I might not be attending as a celebrity, it will still be such a fun experience to have from the other side. Because the more I think about it, I'm starting to doubt that I could have handled the whole fame and stardom thing.

Anywho, I can't wait to see all the dresses and everyone in person! Crossing my fingers to meet a few artists, as well.


  • Carole King
  • Justin Timberlake
  • Katy Perry
  • Keith Urban
  • Taylor Swift (again)
  • Beyonce
Those are just a few I hope to see or meet. We shall see how it all goes down in just two full days now! AHHHHHHHHHHH!

That's all for now,
Shelby 


Saving Mr. Banks Review


I had been looking forward to this movie as soon as I heard Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson were seen filming a few shots at Disneyland, and I was also extremely bummed that I was not there to just happen to see it. I mean, for someone as successful as Walt Disney, I thought it was kind of astonishing that we had never seen him depicted in film to begin with.

I started counting down the days before it was released, and was hoping to see it on Christmas, but of course things happen, and timing was an issue. So, this past weekend, my family and some friends of ours finally saw it. And after my little encounter with Tom Hanks and Colin Farrell, I couldn't wait to see them shine on the big screen.

Everyone had been saying what an incredible movie it was and how you should be sure to bring kleenex, but I wasn't sure what exactly to expect and why I would be crying. And still wasn't totally sure of what to expect from the movie's theme as a whole, I just expected it to be good, because the Disney franchise goes "all out" for everything they do. Well, it was all of that and more. As cliche as it sounds, it really was heartwarming in every way possible, with letting go and forgiveness intertwined in the bigger picture.

Alright, so moving on to the movie itself.

*Emma Thompson for all of the awards as P.L. Travers. Wow! She took on the voice and the mannerisms, and truly embodied this character. She's very harsh and a bit rough around the edges, but there's also this softness and tenderness to her, she just has to warm up to people...Well, kind of.

*Tom Hanks might not have exactly looked just like Walt Disney, but he truly did capture the heart of  WHO Walt Disney was, as I've seen some bloggers and reviewers say. He had the same warmness and tone of voice.

*Colin Farrell looks very good in this movie, for one thing. It's also so precious to see him as a dad, because he isn't usually in movies like this. And for another, he has such a depth as a working father, while struggling with some demons of his own, and the backstory that ties it all together.

*The transitions work SO nicely, as they hop from P.L. Travers' childhood to her present day. Somehow, it all just flows together, like it's one in the same. Many movies can tend to be choppy, jumping around from frame to frame, but this one had no problem. It's all very coherent.

Even though it's more of a tale of how Mary Poppins came to be, you see a lot of what Disney was going for when he went after the rights to her book and just how much the characters meant to the author, but also why. She certainly does have a fascinating story. I love all of the symbolism and the foreshadowing, but due to so many details and backstory, there's not a whole lot to say other than just GO SEE IT. It's not your typical Disney movie, but it absolutely has the touch of the mouse and all of the magic in between.

This is also one movie I can't wait to watch again when it comes out on DVD.

That's all for now,
Shelby