Tiffany. .. and my first spoken word reading

I'm not sure how people get anything done once they start writing. Yesterday, I wrote six poems throughout the day and let my students know that this is probably why their papers haven't been graded, but I'm not sure what to do about it.

I've been waking up everyday with a poem or two on my heart for the last two weeks. And, I will mention that I'm working on four major art projects right now as well, still learning the guitar, and not getting much sleep.

I have a poem that exemplifies how I feel at the moment (this is certainly a sneak peek for this week's Broad St. Mic and a preview of this coming Monday's Mansion 462 Mic):

famous

I like being famous

staying up all night 

is so much better for creativity

I like being famous

I change my hairstyle

once per week so I can stay

in obscurity

I like being famous

because I don't have to see

the same people everyday

I have lots of stuff to give away

I have people to drive

people to keep my plants alive

people take seriously what I say

I have lots of friends but my

phone never rings

people are afraid to call

I like being famous

I can't have pets

I'm never home to take care of them

I never have time to create anymore

And every time I leave my house

paparazzi are at the door

I like being famous

Maybe being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be,

but I must admit I sure

enjoy the money.

Onto the title of my post: Tiffany is phenomenal! I just linked her blog to mine on the right, so check it out!

Two years ago, she came to speak to students in all of my classes and had many poetry prompts ready for them. She inspired me with her teaching techniques, and she shared poetry and prompts for the entire hour and a half of all of my classes. She is ONLY a senior in college at this point (almost done!), so imagine how good she was last night when she was the featured poet. You all have no idea. My favorites were her Ode to Food and a poem, which was probably titled "Five More Minutes" about how she wishes she could sleep a little more (those words were certainly resounding in my head this morning). I was so blown away by her poetry that the one picture I got with her was quite dark, so that's why I included two artsy PICTURES of my experience. The first is of me writing - my journal really looks like this. All of my poems start this way. Second is a shot of a doorway in my apartment: On the left is a card Sarah gave me not long ago as a housewarming gift - it has a woman on it and says "You're fab!," which is always a great reminder. Beside that is a picture Tiffany and I took together several years ago (probably like 5) at a Valentine's Ball. We are holding a sign that says, "Happy Valentine's Day." It was the first time I met her and a good reminder to be joyful on that day no matter what's going on.

The Mansion is a unique spot. Poets of many ethnicities are there; many, many people have dreadlocks (and I got lots of compliments on mine), and the talent of the readers is so beyond mine at this point that I left feeling really inspired as hearing word always makes me feel. 

I will certainly be back next Monday.

blog love

Even better (and so kind!): http://ncpoetlaureate.blogspot.com/2008/11/nicole.html I've been thinking this for a while anyway, but now since I might have a few more visitors, I want to post two definition poems I read at open mic this past wednesday (what a GREAT time that was!, even my hairdressers came!):

Rebound

In basketball
This is a good thing
But in dating
It doesn’t help
Attachment born
Of misery
Is not love

Teens

They are too young
To diet
To dye their hair
To wear short clothes
What habits
That may
Carry them into
Addictive adults

Short poems are definitely great for blogs!

I've received a lot of encouragement lately about a whole lot of things. Monday, I met a woman who is going to help edit my novel (that's a big announcement, for sure - I have about 40 pages (started this about 3 years ago) - but I am really thankful for people who want to trade writing). Wednesday was just amazing: 20 + people came to my open mic and I got to see some new friends' talents in major ways, which really inspired me. Last night, I met a woman who played electric violin in a band called Sugar in the Dirt. She had beautiful locks and taught me more about how to maintain mine on my own. I've been working on them even today (the ends) and they're looking great! (people are stopping me on the street as usual).

Thank you, kind world!

musings

Okay friends, look at My Laureate's Lasso. It's minor publishing for me, but it's still publishing. My English Department chair sent this to me and lo and behold, another Hungary hint hit my heart (scroll down to the post "Autumn in Budapest" and read my comment).

Favorite band of the moment: "Bowerbirds."

Favorite website: justinguitar.com If you're trying to learn guitar, it's so FREE and awesome!

I did some link cleanup - if I deleted you, it's because you don't post often enough. No hard feelings, but you probably won't even notice. . . .

Going back to open mic this week. Lots to share.

family

First, I'll introduce Jaimie, my youngest sister. She's a talented singer first and foremost (yes, surprisingly better than I), a good cook, and knows a lot about pop culture (my guess is that she'd be a good pick for any trivia night at a bar). Not only that, but she is also super attractive and extremely kind. She brings out humor in me like no one else and has a contagious smile.

Dawn is good at planning events. I'm going to feel like it's fall until Christmas and probably then still in January. She had spaghetti ready for us on Friday night, pumpkin pancakes Saturday morning, and beef stew Saturday night (and a lot of other snacks and food in between). She talked eight people into going to a corn maze and we competed 4 against 4. Okay, we lost, but it was so awesome. Dawn also had 9 pumpkins ready for carving at her house, and we had a blast carving them! Jaimie's was a monkey, Dawn's was a ghost, Andrea's was a cute kitty, and mine was a guitar.

Andrea is the reason our team lost the corn maze (she was on the opposing team). She's peaking through the corn here, seeing other puzzle pieces and getting young children to hand her puzzle pieces through the corn. Her navigation skills are amazing. I made sure to recount to others the story of her getting us through Dublin, Ireland in one day. I also appreciate that she is certainly a friend that I can cry with, laugh with, and pretty much say whatever I want without losing her respect or friendship. We've been through a lot together. She's my third sister. And, I simply love the fact that she's always up for a trip!

Can't say much more than that! I value these women's perspectives, appreciate their comfort when I'm going through tough times, and couldn't imagine a better family.

hungarians are everywhere

Gearing up for a show tonight at BCHQ (www.bullcityhq.org), I was sitting talking to a group of people who live in Raleigh when a man sat down and started eating hotdogs with piles of onions on top. We start talking, he tells me his name is Zsolt, and I ask, "Where are you from?," hoping Poland because I know about coincidences all too well.

"Hungary," he replied. Yep, the guy used to own a hostel in Hungary - he's definitely Hungarian. Lord, could you be any clearer?

This reminds me of the time I was stood up for my last tutoring appointment with this GRE student a few months ago at Caribou Coffee in Raleigh. A man named Iszti sits down and wants me to help him with song lyrics. After some conversation and my own private concert, I ask him where he's from: Hungary. He later came to open mic with his girlfriend, but we neglected to exchange numbers, so I may never see him again, unless he shows up randomly at open mic. 

Late for a post, but just can't help but realize that these are NOT coincidences!

And, on a completely nonrelated note - we've been experiencing spam in the Wake County School System email. You would think after decades of consistent email contact for professional purposes, people would be more considerate. Everyone in Wake County had about 600 emails over the last few days. Here's a sampling:

The original email was sent to every staff member at every school in Wake Co. When you reply and request that your name be taken off the list, that email is also sent to everyone in Wake Co. If everyone will simply delete all of these emails that they are receiving, this problem will take care of itself.

In other words, STOP REPLYING TO THESE EMAILS!!!!!!

(Just to note that this person also replied to EVERYONE. Shift. Click. Delete. Repeat.)

Szia!

weekend reflections

First, does anyone know what kind of flower this is? So awesome to receive this from friends Saturday night:

So, when you have about three options for every day of your weekend, what do you do? Exactly what you want.

Friday night artwalk (I knew two of the artists' works posted). Saturday night poetry reading, which spurs an hour of writing Saturday night and another hour Sunday morning. And Sunday, I left church and given the option of three different events, chose a day outside, laying in the grass, staring at clouds, listening to music at shakori hills. Started with my favorite local band Midtown Dickens, then moved on to other bands. Ended the night dancing, dancing, dancing to some crazy bluegrass. Speaking of bluegrass with a punk feel (reminiscent of Fiddlefoxx), has anyone heard of Boulder Acoustic Society? I can't find one particular song on iTunes about the Zombie Carnival *sigh.* Good times.

update on upcoming life abroad

The main thing I want to say today is read Justin's Sudan Blog (see link on the right). It is funny! and it makes me want to travel to Budapest today as in, right now.

Okay, so I won't have an African adventure. I'll be in a city, allowed to drink the water, etc., but I am excited even still. I'm currently getting ready for another Hungarian lesson. I met a girl through a language exchange website who currently lives in NY. She's tough. I read dialogues to her, and she tells me she can't understand me.

I will be in Budapest December 23rd - January 1st. I am so thrilled! Spending Christmas day with the Bullocks, meeting people for coffee throughout the week (I have a lot of friends with friends in Budapest and a lot of friends who have lived in Budapest), potentially taking a glance at a Christian school where I might teach part-time, and hanging out with Jen for a few days around new years. She lives in the city centre - no doubt we'll have a great time, and I'll get to hear more about missionary life in Budapest.

Meeting with a friend in human resources tomorrow for all the details about how my job in NC will be affected by my leaving. Counting the cost, but knowing it's worth every penny. No doubt about it, there's much to be excited about here and abroad.