You will find me caught beneath the landslide with a champagne supernova in the sky.

4 words: The. Rainy. Day. Women.

It all started January 4, 2011.
It was snowing. I was curled up in a ball on the couch. Since I had some spare time, I decided I would embark on the greatest journey that I have attempted to conquer thus far in my life.

The O.C.

I'd trashed it, said it was shallow.

I was wrong.

I was hooked from the very start. The first month of 2011 was the best of my life because I could look forward to escaping from my boring world into the ritzy glamour that is the OC. First season: rocked my world. I was in love with Ryan Atwood right from the start. Tortured, sensitive, tough. Just my type right? Kidding.

However, second season has been a bit sub-par. Not to mention gross. I'm just a Ryan and Marisa fan. All the way. Even though Marisa's a bit on the crazy side. Til they are officially back together, I'm gonna have issues. Oh, and I don't really like studious, focused Ryan. I miss the Ryan that threw punches every episode. But tonight, it all changed. With one episode. Number 14. The Rainy Day Women. 


Now, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't reached this point in the OC (or doesn't watch it at all.. which, if that is the case, is a sin.) But let me just say... Best. Episode. Ever. Everything that I personally have ever wanted to happen finally did. But if there is anything that I've learned in my past two months of OC-watching, it is that nothing ever stays perfect for long. But for right now, I'm just reveling in the glory of that last episode. Fantastic.

Feast your eyes on this:

I'm a bit conflicted here.

That's just too much handsomeness for four people.

How did the camera not break?

I'm still rootin for 'em.

They probably couldn't be more adorable.

"I can't deny you, Summer. You're undeniable."

Clumsy.

It's clouds illusions I recall/ I really don't know clouds at all.

"I like to start my notes to you as if we're already in the middle of a conversation. I pretend that we're the oldest and dearest friends -- as opposed to what we actually are, people who don't know each other's names and met in an "Over 30" chat room where we both claimed we'd never been before. What will NY152 say today, I wonder. I turn on my computer, I wait impatiently as it boots up. I go on line, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You've got mail. I hear nothing, not even a sound on the streets of New York, just the beat of my own heart. I have mail. From you."

Ahhh, what a perfect beginning to a perfect movie. I'd love to be Kathleen Kelly. I mean, who wouldn't? She lives in New York City, in the cutest apartment with the cutest clothes that would look absolutely frumpy on anyone else besides her. **Trendsetter alert** She owns a bookstore, shops at farmer's markets, loves Joni Mitchell, and reads Pride and Prejudice every year. Oh, and she totally had a mac before they were cool. Again with the trendsetting. I just wish I had her life. When I log into my AOL account, I expect to have about 5000 obnoxious notifications from facebook, not insightful words from a total stranger, although that would be loads better.

Another thing I love about Kathleen Kelly is her breakup with her long-time boyfriend Frank. I love the reason for their breakup. It's mature and it's realistic. It's simply because they don't love each other, which is ironic because on the surface, they are absolutely perfect for each other. And when Frank asks if there is someone else in her life, Kathleen responds with: "No. But there is the dream of someone else." Sigh.

Now, to the untrained and cynical eye, a couple that falls in love via emails may sound like an extremely shallow plot for talented actors like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan to undertake. I mean, who hasn't scoffed at a couple that met on match.com or turned their nose up to a couple that only exists on facebook? Letters seem to be much more romantic and appealing than emails, but, somehow, this one works. Lord knows I love this movie. I've lost count of how many times I've seen it, and I am not ashamed to admit that I've actually watched it twice in one weekend. It's funny (with Tom Hanks, how could it not be??), romantic, and it just bleeds wisdom.

 

My favorite Kathleen quote... sometimes I really do think we have the same brain.

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, not small, but valuable. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void." 

Timeless.

It was fate.

If you haven't seen this movie, stop what you're doing and see it. Buy it, borrow it, steal it, whatever it takes. Cause it will change your life. Of that I have no doubt.

Clumsy.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.

Well, internet, here it is. The epitome of commercialized holidays, characterized by chocolates, hearts, etc.

Yep, you guessed it.

It's Valentine's day, y'all.

Or as I like to call it, single awareness day.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not bitter.

I love me some good ole-fashioned girl's nights. Watching chic flicks, eating ice cream, talking all night. Now that is a valentine's day for the record books. I am a hopeless romantic. I will admit that I have a problem when it comes to romantic comedies. As well as the old-school Nicolas Sparks tear-jerkers. (Note the use of the word old-school. A Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle, The Notebook... I'm all over that. But as soon as Miley Cyrus and Amanda Seyfried step onto the scene, I'm out.) And despite what others may feel, these movies don't depress me. They just give me even more hope for my epic romance that awaits me in the future. HA.

Some wise words from muh gurl Kina Grannis about Valentine's day...



I hope you all have a GREAT valentine's day, no matter who you're with!

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13

Clumsy.

ATTENTION: The following blog may be unsuitable for younger viewers, displaying dangerous signs of addiction.

My name is Clumsy Kim.

And my strange addiction is Urban Outfitters.

I was there yesterday with my lovely sister and I could not help but drool over the new spring collection. But considering that I am currently broke, I was unable to act upon my desire to grab up every single thing that caught my eye and obnoxiously sprint to the dressing room. Alas, poor wallet; I knew you well. 

Join me as I drool over these fashions. And if you're not really into UO, I'm sorry; I just had to complain somewhere.

Seniors '11- Don't judge me if you see me wearing this exact outfit on senior trip. I make it a point to look this fabulous everywhere I go, even the beach. (Disclaimer: Sarcasm.)

Does anybody know anything about the bham flea market scene? Yeah, I didn't think so.

SUMMER PLEASE COME!!!

Why, yes, this is my college dorm room.

I hope I didn't crush your hopes too badly with this blog post. It's definitely made me feel better. 

Clumsy.

Poison & Wine

As stated by the previous post, I am an Iron and Wine bandwagoner. However, when it comes to The Civil Wars, I am not. As I told the adorable Joy Williams the first time I met her - that's right, I said first.. as in I've met her more than once!! - I've been listening to her music since she was blonde. Which was a long time ago. We used to listen to her cd "By Surprise" in my dad's car every day on the way to school. Great, classic christian stuff. I knew every word, every note. I thought that there could be nothing cuter than that precious blond girl laughing in the sun on the cover of that cd.

And then she dyed her hair brown and teamed up with the incredible John Paul White and created The Civil Wars.

I have never seen a more unlikely pair, but somehow, they make it work. Joy practically lights up the stage with her adorable sways and her laugh. Seriously... girls want to be her, guys want to marry her. And her voice! She has so much control over those pipes it's insane. John Paul's got some mad guitar skills, and his wit and conversation with the audience add so much to the already STELLAR performance (yes, I just said stellar. zetis lapetis.) And they have so much natural chemistry onstage. And their voices compliment each other so well. And their lyrics are so STINKIN poetic! And I know you're not supposed to start sentences with and, but I just can't compliment them enough!

Anyway. I saw the Civil Wars in concert for the third time last night and it was definitely my favorite show that I've seen them perform. I won't deny it, I'm a music snob, and the fact that their new album is number one on itunes right now brought me down. I like to keep good music to myself; sue me. But the crowd was so much more involved last night; moreso than I have ever seen with them before. Everyone knew the lyrics to the songs, which was so cool because the first time that I ever saw Joy and JP in concert, I saw them for free at a Samford coffee house. They have come so far, and, though it pains me to say so, I'm happy for them. I wish that pair the best of luck, because good music is good music and EVERYONE should have the privilege of being introduced to the music of the Civil Wars.

And now, as always, here are a few music videos that you probably won't watch, but should. The first two are just some music videos, and the last one is the civil wars doing what they do best, which is covers.

Enjoy.

kiss each other clean.

I'm not gonna lie, I am a band-wagoner when it comes to Iron and Wine. I had never heard of them until I heard "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" on the Twilight soundtrack. Sad, I know. In the years since, I've become somewhat of an Iron and Wine fan. But the new I&W album sealed the deal for me. Whereas all of his old stuff was almost too easy listening, there is way more variety on this album, especially with the instrumentals. Obviously Sam Beam's lyrics are great. That's a given. And with the different instruments, the album actually sounds like Iron and Wine is an actual band, not just some guy with a guitar. 


Anyway, buy this album. 


And check out these live videos of a couple of my favorite songs from the cd!

**All rights reserved for Joseph Darwin who was so kind to let me borrow his copy of this cd and graciously didn't get mad at me when I forgot to bring it back to him. (That's two shoutouts for you, Joe. You owe me.)


Have a great week and don't forget that it's still January even though it felt like April this weekend. Ugh. Winter needs to end.


Clums.

Honestly, we'll never stop this train.

To begin, I just want to apologize to all of my impatient friends that are so obsessed with me that they beg for me to blog about my extremely interesting life. I hope this will satisfy your hunger for my really fascinating thoughts.

Now, to the meat of this blog post. I spent this past December doing a revue called "Rewind" at my school. Most of you are probably wondering what a revue (and yes, this is the correct spelling) is. It's basically a show choir/solo/dance recital that is put on by the drama department at my school. I've done the revue ever since my freshman year, and it has always been one of my fondest memories of high school. I love it every year because, unlike other plays and musicals, I get to stand on stage and sing under my own name. I love the revue because I get to catch a glimpse into the hearts of my fellow drama nerds when they are not "in character." But I especially loved the revue this year. Not because the set list was any different, or the band was any better (even though it was), but because of the incredible company that I was blessed to have kept all throughout rehearsals and the show. 

Those of you that know me know that I have gotten a little emotional in my seniority. Don't even get me started on Toy Story 3. I was practically in a puddle on the floor after that movie... not my finest moment. After the Saturday night performance of the revue back in December, I was a basket case. The day after, I went into a state of deep depression- I listened to "Stop This Train" at least 20 times. So when I found out that we were going to perform Rewind again in January in front of the whole student body as an assembly during school, I was overjoyed! I was so excited to perform it one last time. 

Now, I had expected to be, once again, a basket case after the final performance of the show, but I surprised myself. I was totally fine. Singing my heart out, dancing with a smile on my face... just being on that stage performing my favorite show for the last time was so fulfilling. And on the final song, which of course had to be something sappy like "Over the Rainbow," I held hands with some of my oldest and best friends, some of whom I shared the stage with for the last time. And I was fine. 

So I guess the point of all this is to say, life goes on. After this week, I am beginning to feel a sense of acceptance. And for the longest time, I haven't been excited or ready to leave for college, but I'm getting there. I know that this is the next step in life, and, whether I am ready or not, I have to take it. So I might as well get used to the idea. And get excited while I am at it. Because, as cliche as it is, we're only young once. And I really do believe that college is going to be an incredible experience. Scary, but incredible. And when I get there, I'll be ready. But for now, I'm content being a high schooler, as lame as that may be.

"Certain things.. they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone. I know that's impossible, but it's too bad anyway."

Holden Caulfield, Catcher in the Rye