seniors
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Posted on September 21, 2010
I have been wanting to sit down and make this list for so long! It was bound to happen eventually. These are the albums I can listen to all the way through without skipping a song, and they’re the first albums I go to when I’m on a roadtrip/flight/whatever.
1) The Format
“Dog Problems”
Hands down, favorite album of all time by my favorite band of all time. I’m still not over them breaking up…it was almost 3 years ago and it still makes me want to cry. I seriously LOVE every song on this album.
(Favorites: “Inches and Falling” and “Snails”)
2) Ben Kweller
“Ben Kweller”
If you know me well enough, you know how much I love BK. My favorite concert I’ve ever been to was the first time I saw him play. (I’ve seen him 4 times, I believe.) This is one of his older albums, but I’m constantly relating to the lyrics in his songs. I’m convinced we could be BFFs.
(Favorites: “I Gotta Move” and “Magic”)
3) Needtobreathe
“Daylight”
The album in itself is incredible…Needtobreathe is one of my favorite bands…but the memories this album brings back are the best. I had just met my “big brother” Kyle when he still lived around here (and I had zero friends in the area at the time), and he wore this album out every time I was with him. I can’t listen to any of their music without thinking about sitting in his weird, green kitchen, eating cheese dip, him editing videos, and me editing pictures. It never failed.
(Favorites: “Knew It All” and “More Than”)
4) Whitley
“The Submarine”
I was recently asked which artist on my itunes I would marry if I was given the opportunity…I chose this guy. He’s Australian and lovely. This is my favorite album to listen to while driving. He’s insanely talented.
(Favorites: “A Shot to the Stars” and “The Life I Keep”)
5) Jon Foreman
Seasons EPs
I’m aware this isn’t one album…but I can’t choose one. You can’t just own ONE of these EPs, you must own all of them! This is another “If you know me well enough, you know how I feel about…” kind of things. I’m convinced this man needs to be cloned…we need more Jons in the world.
(Favorites: “House of God, Forever” and “Lord, Save Me From Myself”)
6) Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers
“Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers”
It’s funny…the first time I listened to SK6ers, I wasn’t impressed. And then I saw them live…absolutely incredible! I’ve been a fan ever since, and this is my go-to album.
(Favorites: “Anthem of Our Discovery” and “See You Later, See You Soon”)
7) Bob Schneider
“Lonelyland”
More good memories. My cousin and I used to be concert-going freaks (back in our heyday), and we worked the merch table for Mr. Schneider one night. He was a super nice guy, and I get giddy every time one of the songs on this album comes on my ipod when it’s on shuffle.
(Favorites: “Round and Round” and “Blue Skies for Everyone”)
8 ) Tristan Prettyman
“Twenty Three”
I want to be this girl. I don’t feel like she gets the credit she deserves. Also, random…I remember buying this album when I was 17 and thought “Man, 23 seems so old.” …I will be 23 in a little over a month. That’s how long this album has stuck with me, and it’s always always always been a favorite.
(Favorites: “Simple As It Should Be” and “Song for the Rich”)
9) Rocky Votolato
“Makers”
Another underrated artist, in my opinion. I have this album on vinyl and it’s by far my most played record. I don’t remember the last time I took it out of the player, honestly.
(Favorites: “Goldfield” and “Streetlights”)
10) Sean Hayes
“Big Black Hole and the Little Baby Star”
No one EVER knows who this guy is…not to be confused with the actor who plays Jack on Will & Grace! Ha. He’s definitely a little quirky, and some of his songs aren’t appropriate for young ears…but I do heart him.
(Favorites: “Politics” and “Feel Good”)
Honorable Mention) Andrew Belle
“The Ladder”
This is a recent one, but I couldn’t leave it out…my friend Laura sent me his CD a few months ago and I never got around to listening to it until I got to Ethiopia in July. I absolutely cannot get enough of it. Now I see why she talks about him all. the. time.
(Favorites: “Oh My Stars” and “Add It Up”)
In OKC for the night…we’re about to go wreck havoc on the State Fair! And I have my first shoot of the season tomorrow. And it’s a band shoot with a group of pretty awesome boys. So basically.. I’m pumped.
peace.
-ak
(I missed this little three-legged mutt.)
Posted on September 20, 2010
Well, I’m home. It’s weird knowing that my little adventure time is over…I really need to settle down and get focused on shoots.. Starting Wednesday I have 9 shoots over a span of 11 days!
Ahh, busy season…how you snuck upon me. :)
I just want to take a minute (or several) to say how blessed I am to have spent so much time with some amazing people the last few months…OKC, Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, Mexico, Dallas, Ethiopia…everywhere I was, I was surrounded by some of the most awesome human beings I have ever met. I had so many great conversations and feel like I’ve started to let down this little wall I’ve built over the last few years. (Actually it might give the Great Wall of China a run for its money some days.) I don’t get close to people easily, and I’m a little tough to break. But I feel like I gained so many lifelong friends this summer, and built stronger relationships with the people I already called my friends.
Some highlights from the last 3ish months, in no particular order:
Heartfelt and honest conversations in a dimly lit Ethiopian bar with someone who gets where I’m coming from.
Wading in pond-sized puddles in the pouring rain at the Mayan ruins with the best not-technically-related family that I will ever have.
Obtaining the funniest nickname (“Mata Adi” = white headed) from my favorite street boy in E-country.
Listening to hilarious wedding speeches being given from the top of a child’s swing set…thank you big brother, for your never-ending entertainment.
Sitting in bed watching videos of Scottish accents for hours on end with the one person who may actually be more obsessed than I am.
Random “spirit drive” for 7 hours around the state, just me and my car and God.
Eating beignets on a rooftop in New Orleans with my favorite little NOLA girl.
Losing track of time having conversations over tea in Ethiopia with a like-minded new friend (and a sweet Ethiopian boy).
Watching baby Larkin take his first steps in America, after a two year wait for him to get here.
And those many many hours in a car or on a plane where I got to just think, and process, and truly understand how lucky I am to be able to go on these little adventures.
There is no way I could ask for anything greater than that. I am a very blessed girl.
And now…to lighten the mood..
As promised: What’s In My Bag? (The Travel Version)
There is no way in hell I am listing all that. ;)
Oh and it all fits nicely in here!
This, ladies and gentlemen, is my Mary Poppins bag. Best $20 Target purchase ever.
Alright. I need to go knock some stuff off my ever-growing to do list…I haven’t slept since yesterday morning. I’m so weird.
I love you all dearly, and thank you if you got through all that…and for dealing with my serious lack of photos and lack of blogging this summer. :)
peace.
-ak
P.S. I love accidental photos that somehow work out.
listen to. –> “watch over me” by hanson. (don’t judge.)
Posted on September 17, 2010
Suuuch a good week! Ahh!!!
I’ve loved watching Shay and Larkin start to settle in together. It’s almost humorous how different he is from the first day. He’s a lot more adventurous, and we’ve actually been able to get him to laugh a few times. We’ve learned he won’t eat unless he gets to feed himself, and he LOVES bath time. I can’t wait to see how he reacts to his new home!
Wednesday night I had the chance to meet up with some of our translators from last month…Surafel, Samson, and Beza…and hung out at a hookah bar/Lebanese restaurant. Meeting up with them was the first time I’ve ventured off into Addis without a group, and it was odd how comfortable I felt. I also realized how much I loved seeing them outside of their “work” element…they were friends, not translators or city guides. It made me feel significantly closer to this place.
My sweet friend Melissa (a team member from last month) is still here in Addis, so she and I had a great talk afterwards. I’ve mentioned several times how restless I’ve felt since I came home, and I’ve realized a lot of that has come from my own struggle with figuring out where I “fit” here and what I should be doing. Talking to Melissa last night really made me realize that I’m not the only one feeling that way. It’s hard to be here this long and know you’re no longer a “forenje” (foreigner) but you’re in no place to call yourself a local. You’re not blind to what’s going on, that culture shock is no longer there, and you know what the core of most issues here are. However, you have no solution…you feel stuck, almost. So you just continue to want to live amongst them in hopes that one day something will click and you’ll have the answer. (All the while knowing there are problems rooted much deeper than anything you could ever have a solution for. But there’s still that hope.) Then there’s that almost unnecessary frustration you feel with Americans…it’s stupid, because realistically you’re still right there with them. But again, that place between foreigner and local is an odd place to be in.
I walked away that night feeling so much calmer, and probably because this was the first time someone saw eye-to-eye with me. I can’t talk about these things I’m feeling with a lot of people, because many don’t get it…not because they don’t try to, it’s just a difficult feeling to understand. So it was a truly great night, and I’m so thankful for Melissa’s friendship and just her honesty in what she’s feeling. I definitely know this last-minute trip across the world was a God thing, because had I not seen Melissa while here, we may have never had that talk. And I would still be a mess. :)
So now my mind is somewhat clear, we head back tonight, and my butt is about to get back to work. I can’t believe I haven’t had a shoot since June! I’m definitely feeling significantly more prepared. Got my game face on.
Shay and Larkin just left with the adoption group to do some sightseeing. I’m off to go meet with Melissa and her friend Geoff for some Island Breeze (my favorite restaurant here), then we may head to Kachene to visit some kiddos. Excited to do some more exploring.
peace.
-ak
listen to. –> “don’t blame yourself” by andrew belle.
(Attempting to attach a video…hilarious…)
Movie 269
Posted on September 14, 2010
I seriously cannot believe I’m back in Ethiopia. We landed Monday evening and I actually had to stop myself from laughing out loud. Oh, the life I lead.
We came straight to the guesthouse Monday night and had a good night’s sleep. (I slept like a rock…Shay loves me and brought Ambien. Thank you, Jesus.) This morning we ate breakfast, the parents filled out paperwork (while I enjoyed free wi-fi), then we went to lunch at Metro Pizza…one of my favorites. After lunch, it was off to the transition home! Larkin is the funniest kid…he is perfectly content just sitting and watching, and he always has this super serious look on his face. I have dubbed it The Larkin and have made it my goal for the week to perfect it…still a work in progress. I’ll keep you updated. Until then…
Don’t you want to pinch those cheeks? He stores raisins in them. Dead serious. We’re going to get along great.
About to attempt our first night with him. (Wish us luck.) Tomorrow I’m hoping to meet up with a team member from last month who is still here, and hopefully see some of my favorite Ethiopians. Miss them already.
peace.
-ak
P.S. A woman asked me today if I was Shay’s “partner”…I totally foresaw this. Awkwaaaard.
