Taylor Swift -- Love Story

Love Story lyrics

We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes and the flashback starts:
I'm standing there on a balcony in summer air.


See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns.
See you make your way through the crowd
and say hello;

Little did I know
That you were Romeo; you were throwing pebbles,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."
And I was crying on the staircase,
begging you, 'Please, don't go.'

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

So I sneak out to the garden to see you.
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew.
So close your eyes; escape this town for a little while.
'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter,
And my daddy said "Stay away from Juliet,"
But you were everything to me; I was begging you, 'Please, don't go,'

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

Romeo save me; they're tryin' to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult, but it's real.
Don't be afraid; we'll make it out of this mess.
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

Oh.

I got tired of waiting,
Wondering if you were ever comin' around.
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town.

And I said,
"Romeo save me - I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you but you never come.
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think-"

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said,
"Marry me, Juliet. you'll never have to be alone.
I love you and that's all I really know.
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress;
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

Oh, oh.

We were both young when I first saw you...

Source: http://www.elyrics.net/read/t/taylor-swift-lyrics/love-story-lyrics.html

Commentary to come later.

A Future -- Where?

I have an active imagination: I can often picture myself doing something, going anywhere, or being with someone (whether it is becoming a writer, living abroad, or even joining the military). I know...right! These pictures, though, are mere illusions in my mind. I entertain these ideas (sometimes far-fetched, sometimes beyond my capabilities) as a direction to my future: Is it foolish, simply wishful thinking?

I think so.

This past Fall, I greatly considered joining the military -- Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, or Air Force. My preferences are now in the Navy or the Coast Guard. I ask myself: is this my future? I can imagine joining for a certain amount of time -- maybe 5 to 10 years -- before returning to academic life and studying conservation biology (anywhere!). And joining the military would lead me into that direction. Is that selfish? Not only would I gain the benefits of becoming a part of an integral community but I would develop a stronger sense of character -- the values of teamwork, commitment, responsibility, and protection -- instilled in every action.

Just check out the Navy and Coast Guard's recruiting websites. Both are filled with inspiring messages to fulfill ones dreams. Both, upon entering the websites, create "Accelerate Your Life" (Navy) and "The Shield of Freedom" (Coast Guard). As a daydreamer I find myself easily attracted to these sites, whether or not it is what I am supposed to do is questionable.

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In my dorm room, my roommate and I have decorated the walls with posters, pictures, and proverbs (thank you Katherine). My side of the room expresses who I am: I have a poster of John Lennon's song "Imagine" and posters of TV shows, like Kyle XY, and movies like Elizabeth: the Golden Age and The Chronicles of Narnia. The bookshelf contains hundreds of books: selections from my favorite author Madeleine L'Engle, books on history, books on Christian living, and books on nature. It's an ambiguous library.

Katherine's corner is less materialistic. She has a select number of books (some required for school and some are not). Photographs of her friends and family dominant the room. On a corner wall close to her bed, she has a poster of the Names of God. Jewlery and an assortment of gifts from friends clutter the desk space. Her space is an excellent example of a dedicated walk with Christ. [I admire you so much! You are an inspiration to me and I need your guidance.]

Since my computer crashed last weekend, I have had to do my work on Katherine's computer. Here, I am not in my circle of comfort (at my desk) but in hers. Beside the mirror, she has posted several biblical proverbs of which I have not heeded until now. I think one is relevant to my problem: Proverbs 19: 20.

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your
life.

Disappointments

As I was trying to write my paper last night, I nearly lost hope in completing it. But then I disappointed myself and completed deleted the progress I made from my roommate's computer. Unknowingly I have had to restart. As I continue to struggle to write this paper, I will know I shouldn't procrastinate as I so often find myself doing. Social interaction and developing relationships have become a priority instead.

I have a paper due tomorrow. It's the not first time I have procrastinated like this before: it's actually very common behavior for me. The paper is for CTRW (Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing). Supposedly the class is a foundation for further studies within any discipline. My first paper is an interpretative analysis on any magazine cover. I chose a cover that meant something to me. For me the Great Outdoors is my escape: I personally enjoy being outside. With my uncanny sense of adventure, I will go places both far and wide.

I have always loved the mountains and would love to return for an extended visit. My home is in Southern Appalachia, in Asheville. But I have long since escaped it to explore a new community. I am afraid I will abandon Rock Hill after graduating, leaving behind both friends and family. Since last November, I have entertained the idea of joining the Coast Guard. But I have put that opportunity on the backburner while still in school. However, in two years (2011) I plan to reconsider the option.

IAM who I am

In exactly 16 days I leave to go to New York City with friends. We will be going to the IAM Conference and staying in a hostel. Designed to enrich our lives, the IAM Conference is what it is. I don't know what to expect. I have never gone to the conference before.

So why am I going?

...

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Saying and Doing

I have discovered I typically have a "delayed reaction" to everything: I say something, I wait (sometimes a long time), and then do it. It is a cycle I am not willing to continue in the future.

Right now I am in the midst of writing an article of the Johnsonian. It is a difficult one to write, though. I am struggling to find the words to write. As a writer, words are important to any story. They convey the message you want to tell. And they can captivate the audience's attention.

As I am writing I have a delayed reaction to complete the article. But I am thinking of something more important: and I am reminded of Jo March in the book "Little Women." This past Friday my roommate decided to donate her hair (some 12 inches) to the organization Locks for Love. I admire her shear determination and her humble heart. So I have finally decided to do the same thing: in two years. For my 21st birthday I will donate my hair (however long) to Locks for Love. For years I have said I would do this, but have easily become annoyed with long hair. The tangles and the knots. I do not properly care for my hair, I feel I shouldn't have to. (But then again I am free-spirited).

Summer Opportunities

As I await the completion of my Summer Project application, I will wait patiently for the response. Of the many decisions I have had to make, the decisions I made for this summer are probably the hardest. First I will spend about a month in Greece touring it by myself for the last week. (Now that will be a challenge, because I have never travelled outside of North America). Greece, in all its beauty and splendor, will be creatively entertaining. I will be reminded of Madeleine L'Engle's book A House Like a Lotus. I might even decide to bring the book for personal enjoyment and compare my adventure with that of the protagonist, Poly.

My second opportunity is Summer Project. I have chosen a variety of locations, among them Colorado and New Zealand. I do not suspect I will get to go to New Zealand because it is my last choice. Below are my finalized preferences:

1. Colorado Operations (Fort Collins)
2. Vail, Colorado (already stated)
3. Santa Cruz (California)
4. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
5. New Zealand (Wellington)

I suspect I chose the first four because they were stateside projects spanning 7 to 10 weeks. New Zealand, then, becomes the outlier of the group. I chose it because I wanted to be spontaneous. I have always wanted to go to New Zealand; I am sure the beauty would enrapture me. But while I was at Encounter '08 I discovered the obvious need in Operations. I am shy and introverted. I write with inspiration. See my article on endangered species.

I often find myself writing more than I should. But I am an artist at heart (if not in mind). I have toyed with the idea of changing my major over and over again: from Environmental Studies/History to English. It would be a difficult change. But then again Creative Writing has always been interesting. On my blog I have the freedom to escape the objective routine writing of journalism. Its purpose, in its most simplest form, is to be objective. Only in some cases (like writing columns) do articles become a works of art--a masterpieces.

I will be overjoyed to go on Summer Project. It is a great uncertainty right now. I hope to be accepted into any of the programs. Summer Project presents a different kind of challenge for me. A challenge that I would willingly take. It would be a chance of a lifetime.

I have always sought after adventure, even as a child. When I was about three or four years old I supposedly thought it a good idea to climb up the dresser. I don't know or even remember how I climbed the thing, but my goal was to reach the top. I am sure the dresser fell. I was left unhurt only to discover fragments of glass (I think) hit my brother. However, I have never sought authentic relationships and find myself alone time after time. Some fear holds me back and I sit in a corner (like I did tonight) waiting to spark a conversation of interest. I am not always successful in this endeavor of mine.

Good night.