Music of the Week #4

Sunday: Strawberry Swing - Coldplay


Monday: You Know My Name - Chris Cornell


Tuesday: Take It Off - Ke$ha


Wednesday: All the Right Moves - OneRepublic


Thursday: Shoot to Thrill - AC/DC


Friday: We're an American Band - Grand Funk Railroad


Saturday: Please Don't Go - Mike Posner


Olivia <3

Fields Friday #3

So it has indeed been a very busy week for me if you weren't able to tell from the obvious lack of blog posts. But now I'm sitting down to take a breather from a very hectic week one.

First off, I would like to say that Arkansas State is soooooo fun. Even though it's only the first week of school I find that I have definitely gotten to the point that I look forward to my Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes the most. Dr. Parker and Dr. Saunders are definitely a couple of my favorite professors.... then again, I only have four of them. Homework this week added up to doing online assignments on Blackboard, printing out syllabi, and reading the whole story of Oedipus the King.

The social life here is amazing! There are a ton of different cultures both from number of international students and even students that have just come from other states. This week, a lot of the religious organizations had their welcome week activities and "icebreakers". Tuesday night, I believe it was, the school held a Freshman Luau beach party deal that offered tropical flavor and up-beat tunes. Unfortunately, everyone just stood around awkwardly looking at each other drinking water. On Wednesday, There was a community fair. At the community fair there were many different vendors and representatives from clubs and groups around campus. Good news is I now know how I can get a job at the AState museum. Hooray, work-study!

I've made a few new friends as well as rekindled relationships with old friends. I can honestly say the cafeteria is definitely a great way to do this. :) Speaking of the "Caf", the food there is fantastic, even if I only ever get pasta or a cheeseburger and later finish it with an ice cream cone. I'm telling you, I've had like 5 or so ice cream cones since I've been here. Comfort food... I'd say so.

On a FANTASTIC note, I am getting $1,617 back from ASU now that my education has been paid for with all that financial aid and scholarship-y goodness.

Oh well.... tomorrow shall end my first week in Jonesboro and I can't wait to see what the rest of the semester will hold. I hope to report back to you guys Sunday. Oh, perhaps I should take the time to tell you all my "on-the-fly" decision I just made. There will no longer be a Saturday post. I figure this'll give me a day to relax and it'll be all good for Sunday and the rest of the week,

Much love and I wish you all the very best of luck in your new future endeavors,
Olivia <3

Music of the Week #3

#3!!!!! WOOO!

Sunday: Teenage Dream - Katy Perry


Monday: Strict Machine - Goldfrapp


Tuesday: Hong Kong Garden - Siouxsie and the Banshees


Wednesday: The Zoo - The Scorpions


Thursday: Stay With Me - Duffy


Friday: Knights of Cydonia - MUSE


Saturday: I Just Love You More - Kate Nash


Olivia <3

RecapDay #2

I'm basically going to take this time to say I positively LOVE college. No music requests this week but nevertheless I shall persevere.

Because much didn't happen last week and it's late I'm going to go ahead to Sunday's post.

Buh-bye now,
Olivia <3

Fields Friday #2

omygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshomygosh!

I move into college tomorrow! and I cannot wait!!!!!!! Almost everything is completely packed in preparation for tomorrow's move. I will be honest in saying that it's really kind of saddening to move away for school but at least I'm not too terribly far away... just about an hour and a half or so.

Pictures of the dorm to be posted tomorrow or a little afterwards!

Olivia <3

A Day of Rant #2

Lately, I've been getting a lot of praise for how responsible and independent I'm being. I mean I went today and set up a bank account in preparation for college and adult life!... and to have somewhere to put my money.

ALSO, I've been looking for a vehicle here lately to get me around. Good news is I've found one and have contacted the owner. Also also, my dad and step-mom say go for it while again praising my responsibility.

My mom on the other hand was not so happy. She called it a piece of shit and told me I could do better.

...

GEE thanks mom!! You could be at least a little bit happy that I'm BUYING MYSELF a car and I'm not expecting any help on getting it! But noooooo! ughhh.. :P
If there is such an issue why don't you buy me a freaking vehicle!

Oh well.. buying an '89 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer. :)

Olivia <3

This Day in History #2

On this day Aug. 18, 1227, the Mongol legend known as Genghis Khan died.

For more information, here's the scoop from history.com:

"Genghis Khan, the Mongol leader who forged an empire stretching from the east coast of China west to the Aral Sea, dies in camp during a campaign against the Chinese kingdom of Xi Xia. The great Khan, who was over 60 and in failing health, may have succumbed to injuries incurred during a fall from a horse in the previous year.

Genghis Khan was born as Temujin around 1162. His father, a minor Mongol chieftain, died when Temujin was in his early teens. Temujin succeeded him, but the tribe would not obey so young a chief. Temporarily abandoned, Temujin's family was left to fend for themselves in the wilderness of the Steppes.

By his late teens, Temujin had grown into a feared warrior and charismatic figure who began gathering followers and forging alliances with other Mongol leaders. After his wife was kidnapped by a rival tribe, Temujin organized a military force to defeat the tribe. Successful, he then turned against other clans and tribes and set out to unite the Mongols by force. Many warriors voluntarily came to his side, but those who did not were defeated and then offered the choice of obedience or death. The nobility of conquered tribes were generally executed. By 1206, Temujin was the leader of a great Mongol confederation and was granted the title Genghis Khan, translated as "Oceanic Ruler" or "Universal Ruler."

Khan promulgated a code of conduct and organized his armies on a system of 10: 10 men to a squad, 10 squads to a company, 10 companies to a regiment, and 10 regiments to a "Tumen," a fearful military unit made up of 10,000 cavalrymen. Because of their nomadic nature, the Mongols were able to breed far more horses than sedentary civilizations, which could not afford to sacrifice farmland for large breeding pastures. All of Khan's warriors were mounted, and half of any given army was made up of armored soldiers wielding swords and lances. Light cavalry archers filled most of the remaining ranks. Khan's family and other trusted clan members led these highly mobile armies, and by 1209 the Mongols were on the move against China.

Using an extensive network of spies and scouts, Khan detected a weakness in his enemies' defenses and then attacked the point with as many as 250,000 cavalrymen at once. When attacking large cities, the Mongols used sophisticated sieging equipment such as catapults and mangonels and even diverted rivers to flood out the enemy. Most armies and cities crumbled under the overwhelming show of force, and the massacres that followed a Mongol victory eliminated thoughts of further resistance. Those who survived--and millions did not--were granted religious freedom and protection within the rapidly growing Mongol empire. By 1227, Khan had conquered much of Central Asia and made incursions into Eastern Europe, Persia, and India. His great empire stretched from central Russia down to the Aral Sea in the west, and from northern China down to Beijing in the east.

On August 18, 1227, while putting down a revolt in the kingdom of Xi Xia, Genghis Khan died. On his deathbed, he ordered that Xi Xia be wiped from the face of the earth. Obedient as always, Khan's successors leveled whole cities and towns, killing or enslaving all their inhabitants. Obeying his order to keep his death secret, Genghis' heirs slaughtered anyone who set eyes on his funeral procession making its way back to Karakorum, the capital of the Mongol empire. Still bringing death as he had in life, many were killed before his corpse was buried in an unmarked grave. His final resting place remains a mystery.

The Mongol empire continued to grow after Genghis Khan's death, eventually encompassing most of inhabitable Eurasia. The empire disintegrated in the 14th century, but the rulers of many Asian states claimed descendant from Genghis Khan and his captains." (Genghis Khan dies, history.com)

Olivia <3

Media Monday #2

Alright.. so for this Media Monday I have a website offering insight into the conversations of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.

Here's a sample:


So of them are pretty humorous.. and sadly true from the poor person's perspective. :)

Olivia <3

The Combination Lo Mein. RecapDay and Music of the Week #2

RecapDay #1
Well.. it's a late post due to the very very very very busy day I had yesterday. I went from Montgomery, AL to Cabot, AR in one car, timing from around 9:20 in the AM to about 5:30 in the PM. Then upon arrival I went to my BFF's birthday party. A surprise for him as I had this brilliant scheme planned for the past few days. All in all it was a brilliant party.

There was at least one request for this soon to be upcoming Music of the Week #2 from Gavin Woodcock, which is an advertisement from Honda.

Music of the Week #2

See.. I told you it was soon to be upcoming.

Sunday: An advert for Honda requested by Gavin Woodcock.


Monday: Get Ready~Rare Earth


Tuesday: I'm Gonna Take You Higher~Sly and the Family Stone


Wednesday: Soul Bossa Nova~Quincy Jones


Thursday: Glitter in the Air~P!nk


Friday: Colourless Colour~La Roux


Saturday: Dancing in the Street~Martha and the Vandellas (Extremely fitting because I'll be doing this for my last night in Cabot)


Hope you enjoy this week's random assortment. :)

Olivia <3

Fields Friday #1

In theory, I don't have much to say for this first Fields Friday.

So, I suppose a checklist is in order!:
Financial Aid (√)
Housing (√)
Dorm/Roommate/Room Assignment (√)
TV (√)
Computer (√)
Printer (√)
Speakers (√)
DVD/VCR (√)
XBOX 360 (√)
HDMI cable ( )
various games (√)
Bedding (√)
Small lamp (√)
Medi-Kit [because everyone should have a good medical kit] ( )
Amenities ( )
Food stuffs ( )
Drink stuffs ( )

I've got a week to pack and get ready for a fabulous journey into the part of adulthood called college. And I CAN'T WAIT FOR ARKANSAS STATE! :D



Olivia <3

Follow me on Twitter at: oliviafbarry

A Day of Rant #1

Okay, so the inspiration for this rant actually came pretty early this morning while I was watching one of my favorite morning shows.

I was watching What Not to Wear and chillaxing on Facebook. When a RoosterTeeth friend messaged me with a simple "Hey". So in polite banter, I said hey back. In the usual way he replied "What up?". Well I told him I was watching What Not to Wear. Replying with an LOL, I didn't really understand why that was so lol, to be honest. I returned an "ummmmkay??" in an attempt get past the conversation. The rest went a bit like this:

RT friend: :P
Me: o.O
RT friend: :D
Me: o.O
RT friend: So, what's up?

REALLY?! REALLY?! I just told you 2 minutes ago that I was watching What Not to Wear!
Number One: I HATE IT, IT PEEVES ME, WHEN SOMEONE SAYS "WHAT'S UP?" It's kind of like "Hey, what are you doing? Yes I'm prying into your life." Next time some says "what's up?" to me I'm going to say something creative like... making a VERY ELABORATE renaissance costume to wear while I play Assassin's Creed or getting ready for a local meeting of the Baby Seal Saviour club.

So please.. think before you ask me, "What's up?" next time. Especially if you want a decent answer.

Olivia <3

This day in History #1

Yay! My new favorite day of the week! Wednesday! That's right kids, it's the first this day in history day and this one comes from The History Channel.

Let's go with some World War II history to kick this first segment off:
"On this day in 1943, German forces begin a six-day evacuation of the Italian island of Sicily, having been beaten back by the Allies, who invaded the island in July.

The Germans had maintained a presence in Sicily since the earliest days of the war. But with the arrival of Gen. George S. Patton and his 7th Army and Gen. Bernard Montgomery and his 8th Army, the Germans could no longer hold their position. The race began for the Strait of Messina, the 2-mile wide body of water that separated Sicily from the Italian mainland. The Germans needed to get out of Sicily and onto the Italian peninsula. While Patton had already reached his goal, Palermo, the Sicilian capital, on July 22 (to a hero's welcome, as the Sicilian people were more than happy to see an end to fascist rule), Montgomery, determined to head off the Germans at Messina, didn't make his goal in time. The German 29th Panzergrenadier Division and the 14th Panzer Corps were brought over from Africa for the sole purpose of slowing the Allies' progress and allowing the bulk of the German forces to get off the island. The delaying tactic succeeded. Despite the heavy bombing of railways leading to Messina, the Germans made it to the strait on August 11.

Over six days and seven nights, the Germans led 39,569 soldiers, 47 tanks, 94 heavy guns, 9,605 vehicles, and more than 2,000 tons of ammunition onto the Italian mainland. (Not to mention the 60,000 Italian soldiers who were also evacuated, in order to elude capture by the Allies.) Although the United States and Britain had succeeded in conquering Sicily, the Germans were now reinforced and heavily supplied, making the race for Rome more problematic." (History's This Day in History. history.com)

For additional history bloggage check out:
Cardinal Wolsey's Today in History which is all about "CARDINAL WOLSEY'S MUSINGS ON TUDOR HISTORY, MEDIEVAL HISTORY, EARLY-MODERN HISTORY AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT TAKES HIS FANCY".

I hope you enjoy today's reads. When topics that really strike home to me come around I will be able to write from a more knowledgeable stand point on the topic. I promise. :)

Olivia <3

Culinary Tuesday #1... well sort of.

Sorry for a 48 minute past due Culinary Tuesday. I had a bit of a busy day today.
ANYWAYS. Today.. well, yesterday I had a recipe for you. I have tried this and for the duration they were in my house I was addicted to them.

Maple Shortbread Cookies from allrecipes.com

I ended up making these with a ton of extra salt because I used a flour/salt mixture that was initially meant for a pie crust. However even with all the extra salt, they weren't too bad and were pretty well liked by everyone. Just remember to flatten the dough.

Olivia <3

Media Monday #1: Part Deux

Shortly after I posted the first Media Monday post, I was informed through Twitter about the Assassin's Creed Brotherhood Collector's Edition. Running about $100.00 USD there are two versions being sold. Each Collector's Edition comes with "an exclusive art book, and a bonus disc with a making-of video, preview of the comic, trailers, and the game soundtrack. Other inclusions are more ambitious, like two exclusive single-player maps for use in-game, or an actual hard copy strategy map of Rome" (Steve Watts, 1up.com). Also included with the CE will be a jack-in-the-box. GameStop shoppers who order Ubisoft's new addition to the trilogy will be getting the Harlequin Model.
The Harlequin Exclusive to GameStop
All other retailer's will be selling the Doctor model.
The Doctor exclusive to everywhere else. Personally speaking, I HATE jack-in-the-boxes, BUT for the CE, I would willingly make an exception. The doctor would be my first choice because it just looks so much better... and not as creep I think. Now I know the images above show the PS3 game pictured with the Harlequin and Xbox 360 game pictured with the Doctor, but, the different characters come with either console game, it just depends on where you pre-order it.

I'd say this announcement makes for a better Media Monday, eh?

Olivia <3

Media Monday #1

For Media Monday, I have two youtube videos for you. The first is the original newscast from Huntsville, Alabama. Since I am currently in Montgomery, it wasn't long before we heard about it down here. It's been out for a little while, but with this being the first Media Monday, I found it necessary to share.

The original video: {Part One}

{Part Two}


A couple of my friends, Michael and Savannah to be exact, found these fabulous remixes of the above video. Think I might just dirpy them. :)
The Song Mixes:




So, special thanks to her. And an additional thank you to the uploader, SherrieLeaLaird. You can currently buy this song off the iTunes Store for $1.29. Don't believe me? Here's a screen capture and a link to the Bed Intruder Song. (<< click for iTunes)



Olivia <3

Music of the Week #1

Music of the Week includes the stylings of Far East Movement, David Guetta (the "inspiration" of the new blog format), Cascada, Katy Perry, Mike Posner, Alex Metric, and The Who.


Sunday: Round Round~Far East Movement


Monday: Gettin' Over You~ David Guetta featuring Fergie, Chris Willis, LMFAO


Tuesday: Evacuate the Dancefloor~Cascada


Wednesday: California Gurls~Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg


Thursday: Cooler than Me~Mike Posner



Friday: What Now~Alex Metric


Saturday: Magic Bus~The Who

The New Plan for the Blog!

For all you followers, new and old... here's how it'll roll.

Sundays shall be: Music of the Week Days.
Sunday posts will have seven, that's right, SEVEN, music videos for the week. They can be seven at random songs or a week dedicated to a certain artist, i.e. David Guetta, The Who, Katy Perry, etc. if you would like to request a song, leave a comment on the Sunday posts and I will definitely play it.

Mondays: Media Mondays
Whether it be a feature film, short film, vlog, Youtube vid, video game, if it's technology, media, whatever, there will be a post here on Mondays. It might be my review of a film (new or old)or video game (mostly new, most likely), a recommendation with a link or information on how to get your eyeballs on it, or just something I think you should see. Bring on the popcorn and coke, and don't forget the controllers!

Tuesdays: Culinary Tuesdays
Tuesday posts will feature recipes, meal ideas, meal reviews, and recommendations. {Sort of like a Food Network day.} If it's food, it's here!

Wednesdays: History Wednesday
As a BIGTIME history buff, history should be a part of my blog, right? So Wednesdays will have a this day in history segment. Sometimes extra things will be included in the "This day in History" post. Links to additional information about the event or person.

Thursdays: A Day of... Rant?
I can't guarantee I'll have something to rant about everyday, but I'll certainly make the effort. I mean, I do have six days to find something.

Fridays: Fields Friday
Fields being a synonym for campus, I am going to talk about what's going on on the Arkansas State campus for my first year of college. This will include campus activities, athletics, and reviews of the cafeteria food. Yum! Anyways, this will also track the progressions through my Freshman year of college. Gotta start over somewhere, eh?

Saturdays: RecapDay
Everything that happened on the blog during the week. The list of requests for "Music of the Week" will be listed. As well as any other suggestions from the readers.

There you go! Olivia's prescription for your daily dose of information, entertainment (more likely), and all around tom-foolery. (:)) Let me know what you think with a comment to this post. In addition, special shout outs to people will be worked into the post for any given day. Shout outs can be for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.

Thus concludes this third PSA.

Love Olivia. <3

This is my sweatpants, hair up, no makeup kind of day.

... Actually, that's everyday and nix the sweatpants. It's 90 degrees out! Wait... that doesn't sound too bad, what's the heat index? 118!? No, thank you!
Anyways.. today seems particularly different because I feel.. girly. Watching What-Not-To-Wear and wanting a pint of ice cream. Girl.

So as I'm watching my female oriented show wanting my delicious pint.. *cough, GALLON, cough* of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, I read a review for my latest story (well, prologue to the story). And it's great!
"Short, but touching despite its brevity. The introduction grabbed me right away. It's so nice to see homage paid to the commander's crew (whether they're OC or not) - a hands-on Shepard would've made many friendships across his/her extensive service record to haunt the corridors, I'm sure! Joker's comment about naming the ship after the deceased doctor really stuck with me. I'd love to see this expanded in future chapters."
~rednightmare

It's those kinds of reviews that push me to write more. But, then the writer's block comes around and I can not think of anything! Hopefully, though, this story will keep going smoothly.

Well... guess it's time to get down to drafting out chapter one. :)

Love, Olivia