This past week I had the pleasure of viewing Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. At least, I think I did. I'm not entirely sure that it was a movie and I wasn't just suffering from a slightly sleep-deprived delusion. 

The film begins with us watching the main character, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey), waking up. Oddly comforting/neutrally happy music plays as Joel sits up, kicks off his sheets, and stares at himself looking absolutely perplexed with his choice of matching green pajamas. At least we're all in the same confused boat, right? 

Other than that, Joel begins what most would consider a rather boring Valentine's Day morning, describing himself as woken up in "a funk" when he spontaneously takes a train to Montauk. He writes about his trip in his journal, his first entry in two years. 

While in Montauk, Joel sees a girl on the beach, and later she sparks a conversation with him on the train. As they keep talking, Joel's general neutral personality seems to clash with this mystery girl's strange, colorful personality mirrored by her hair. As viewers, we automatically assume that this girl, introducing herself as Clementine (Kate Winslet), is the love interest for Joel. Which seems strange at first, since they are obviously very different people, but we are so accustomed to this boy meets girl happily-ever-after trend in movies, we think nothing of their assumed soon-to-be budding romance.

Later, Joel sees Clem and offers to drive her home. After a bit of awkward conversation, Joel joins Clem for a drink in her apartment. The two drink and talk for a while. Before Joel leaves, Clem gives him her number asking him to call. The set up a date for the next night, going out to a frozen lake. They spend the night together, and Clem asks to stay at Joel’s house. When he says yes, she runs inside to grab her toothbrush. A man knocks on Joel’s window asking him a few questions and the scene fades away as Joel waits.

After a nearly 18 minute introduction, the credits start onscreen as we see Joel crying in his car with a sad song playing in the background. The song ends as he pulls the tape from the deck, and the music is replaced with a quizzical-sounding tune that sounds like a combination of Flight of the Bumblebee and the Jeopardy theme.

And so begins the confusion.

From this point on, the film begins to jump around from the day before Valentine’s Day, to three days before. We learn of Joel and Clem’s break up and the infamous Lacuna Inc. At this point, in the film we see Stan (Mark Ruffalo) and Patrick (Elijah Wood) for the second time, but actually meet them for the first. We are also introduced to Mary (Kristen Dunst) and Dr. Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson). At Lacuna, we learn that Clementine had Joel erased from her memory. Joel quickly decides to have Clementine removed from his from memory too.

The scenes begin to flash around and as Joel’s memories are being erased, starting from the most recent. As he progresses though, Joel changes his mind, wanting to save some of the better memories he had of him and Clem.

I have to stop here at serious risk of spoiling the film.

The film really delves into the post-break-up emotions in a way that hasn't really be done before. The idea of erasing the memory of your significant other is an idea that has probably been appealing to a lot of people at one point or another. Eternal Sunshine toys with the question of ‘it is really worth it?’ Which is the best cliffhanger I can give.

Eternal Sunshine is a movie that you either hated, or wanted to watch again. If you're looking for a film to add to your post-break up movie marathon between Dirty Dancing and First Wives Club, this is definitely not the one for you, no matter what Buzzfeed says. 

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for something to challenge the way you think. Eternal Sunshine really makes you question your beliefs, and when you watch it for the second or third time, it makes you question your senses. You begin to pick up on little details you ignored the first time. This is one of those movies that you could watch ten times, and find something new each time.

Before you watch, I have to tell a short story. I thought I would be proactive and take notes on the film so I would be able to write the review a bit easier. I quickly learned my lesson. The last thing I wrote was "Frodo's eyes upside down??" and at that point I made the executive decision that multitasking during this film just wasn't going to work. So let that be your warning, if you're going to watch this movie, actually watch it. I mean put the phone away, stop writing that report or whatever you're doing. Eternal Sunshine is a film that needs 100% of your attention. If you can dedicate this time, it's definitely worth it the fantastic confusion. 

~~~
Fun Fact, this is pretty much word for word, the paper I just wrote. I know you usually have to get the prof's permission to double dip with some papers, but you think they're going to care about the blog? That'll be some really awkward explaining to the board if they catch me for "plagiarism." Does it count if you plagiarize yourself?
I'm gonna hope not!

Writing to you from M, Personally
On May 25th, after not reading for much of my freshman year, I was fed up and decided to challenge myself to read 101 books in 1001 days. Since then, I've made some pretty good progress, but there's still a ways to go!

Just Finished: Break Your Own Rules by Jill Flynn, Kathryn Heath, and Mary Davis Holt


So I'll be honest, this post has been a long time coming. I finished this book about a week ago, and this is the first time I had time to actually sit and write about it. And I'm glad I waited so I could give an accurate write up because I just cannot say enough about this book! The ladies of Flynn Heath Holt Leadership did a fantastic job of explaining what holds women back in their own minds. We as women have this mindset and these rules in our own heads what we so strictly follow. While not every woman is the same, but a lot are.
Even though it's meant for those in the business field, It can really be applied to anything. The book really helped me in terms of looking at my future political career and even just in my position with groups on campus. It asks questions and explains things in such a simple way, but without tearing you down or making your previous actions seem negative. It's such a fantastic read, I would 100% recommend it to ANYONE, and I already have recommended it to so many other amazing ladies!


Currently Reading: I'm not sure yet! I'm taking a break with Anna Karenina, It's just too big to drag around campus! I'll be sure to pick a new book out by Sunday, and I'll do a mini update then!
But for now, I'm off to the dining hall for dinner!


Writing to you from M, Personally
Today I am making a commitment to being happy. 

Starting with these beautiful flowers I picked up at the local Farmers Market, I am going to have a great day today. First I'm going smile about the ingenuity of my makeshift vase, yes it is indeed my Contigo water bottle.

I am determined to stay positive today because the past 36 hours have just been, honestly, awful. I really just mentally need the next 24 hours to be good-ish. I'm not asking for great, I'm not asking for amazing. I'll be happy with slightly above average at this point. 

I've got another slightly less hectic weekend ahead of me, hopefully filled with focused work, healthy food shopping, and if everything goes well, a rewarding trip to Target.

I really ought to get to sleep soon I guess.

As I sit here burrito-ed in blankets typing ceaselessly into the dark, I'm finishing up for now. I'll post again tomorrow evening to update you all on how my day went. Hopefully queuing up a few more posts for this week to make up for being MIA in my week of hell!

Writing to you from M, Personally
As we all get back into the swing of classes, it's always hard to bend a summer workout schedule AND a summer clean eating plan to fit a new school schedule. And even then it's hard to manage both schedules and not lose your motivation to workout! With my usual motivation currently abroad, lately I've had some trouble getting myself out to my runs, starting my body weight challenge workouts, and I haven't even made it to the gym once! So I figured I'd put together some fitspo for myself and for anyone who needs those extra reminders to get up and moving some days!


Before I start, I want to say that these are pictures that I find inspiring towards my fitness journey. Not everyone finds the same things inspiring! Just take that into account before you get too grumpy about it all :)
















































And on that fittie note, I'm off to do some homework and then go to my meetings for the day. And of course fitting in my run tonight, regardless of how tired I am or how hot it is! Always make your work out work!


Writing to you from M, Personally
You know, sometimes I with I was like a "normal" college student. Tonight is one of those nights.

I spent the Friday of my Labor Day weekend by myself. In my room. Alone. Not even my roommate was here, she has plans in New York all weekend.

I wish I was like the girls I saw when I was opening my window earlier. Dressed up. Wearing shoes that I won't walk home in. Getting into the frat's carpool. Getting drunk. Dancing. Having "the best nigh everr" (yes, with two r's).

I wish I was like my (rather communistic) neighbors across the hall. Casually drinking and debating with a couple friends.

I wish I was like my next door neighbors. Two roommates, close friends, staying up late talking and hanging out all night.

I wish I was like my roommate last year, hanging out with all these really cool foreigners and looking fabulously foreign-stylish all the time.

But at the same time, I'm glad I'm not doing that. Because none of that is me. I don't really enjoy that. Yes, I like to dance. Yes, I like talking about serious topics with friends. Yes, I wish I had a best friend with me at school. Yes, I wish I had a practically star-studded friend group. But I don't. And that's okay! I'm finding my group now. I'm finding my people. My niche on campus.

Right now though, right now I'm not so okay with it all. I think I'm just feeling kind of lonely. My best friend is back home. My good friends here are hanging out with other people. My roommate is away. And the beau is currently out of contact, as per his line of work often leads him to be.

I don't often find myself feeling especially lonely. Most of the time it's by choice. And I'm okay with that, when it is the case. But tonight, not so much. After marathoning most of the first season of The West Wing on Netflix and repainting my nails with a new-ish Julep color, Shari, I realized that I am quite lonely. There's few things worse than having to be alone when all you want is a friend.

Not even a best friend or a good friend. Just another person to share some conversation with occasionally, you know?

Though I'll be honest, I could really use a good hug from a certain boyperson right about now. Not specifying though. Not tonight at least.

I need a hug and a mug of tea. That's on my list for a target trip, a tea pot. Even though it's hot out. it was definitely a tea day today..


And in honor of that, I'll leave you with a stock photo of a sweater and a mug. Can you tell I'm ready for fall already?

Until next time,

Writing to you from M, Personally



Last fall, I was sort of an accidental intern. I sent an email to a company out of curiosity, thinking that no one would hire a first semester freshman with zero experience. Especially not for a paid internship! But lo and behold, there I was, a full course load and a 20 hour a week job! Without going too far into it all, it was a humbling experience to say the least! I am thankful for everything it taught me, and the connections that it has and will lead to in my future!

After that experience, plus a little time to grow, I'm ready to look for an internship for the spring. I need something that's only 2 or 3 days week, or else otherwise paid. Now with a new job sitting for a family, plus a heavy course load, plus a few extracurricular, and occasionally finding time for dinner, I've got more limited time. I also want something political, either a Hillternship or something in my future field, campaign management.

So here is your first bit of insight into the top-secret mission of looking for an internship. Here's how it goes down:

1. You begin to realize that, like, everyone has already had 9 internships, despite being first semester sophomores. The pressure begins, you gotta catch up!!


(Side Note: when I searched for a "panic gif" some how, I found a ton of Brendan Urie images. And it took a while before I realized why...)

2. The search begins.
     (a) You start with all the internship finder websites, but let's be honest, you can never find what you need there. I don't know. Maybe you can, but I certainly can't.


     (b) you just start to look for companies/firms/whatevers who might just have what your looking for.


3. A THOUSAND tabs later, you've got everything open, and three emails from your mom. You don't even remember telling her that you were looking for an internship, but she always know.


4. Before any emails or applications are sent, you gotta brush up that resume and LinkedIn profile.

5. Time to write out your cover letter AKA break out the creative writing skills.

6. Finally, you finish all of the emails. Now it's a hurry up and wait game for responses.


And that's about as far as I've gotten. Well I haven't even sent all my emails yet. That's tomorrows project! Per usual, I'll keep the masses updates! Until next time,

Writing to you from M, Personally