Today

I feel so weird. Its as if I have been placed in a different body- it was, actually, no, still is like the person who was me was the alter ego of who I really am.
Like, I usually prefer to be put together, but my sweater was half off my shoulder, my legs totally spread apart, and my back slouched. And I kept on staring at random things; intrigued by it. Or how I usually tend to be a bit  reserved- but I touched Megan's hiar, or Kalli's shirt, or Bobby's knee....somewhat fascinated by what was there. And not answering Luke! For a little bit I was scared, but then suddenly it was like oh look at the color of his eyes, or what is that behind him, or hey, paint on the floor! It was as if I couldn't get enough of my surroundings, but not the people- it would be like the people did not exist, just the thing about them that fascinated me.And the reason I think that got me to become like that was being in that character at different phases (from crazy to normal), and walking around/ sitting the way the character wild have- making our minds become one with the characters'.
I would love to be able to do this activity again, maybe not too soon, but soon enough. :] 

This Week

It has been one of my most hectic and stressful weeks of this year, but the  best part about it would have ot be the bake sale. I have learnt so much about computer programs/ technological stuff from watching the flyers/ commercials being put togther- for instance, you need a thumbdrive thingy for memory disks in cameras so that you can transfer it/ convert it. And its posible to dub your voice in commercials and not even notice that while watching it, you can edit a picture on this weird MAC program and cut out shapes, insert things, edit the contrast/ brightness, enlarge it (wihtout ruining the picture's quality). Oh, and sharpie isn't the most effective thing to use- calligraphy pens are (thanks Lizzy- and I know it doesn't have to do with technology, but this is somehting I will NOT forget). Also, good marketing techniques are to put 5-10 flyers on top of eachothers on the walls in the hallways (it catches people's attention), don't put the same commercial up becasue it really bores people, going around saying that the cookies we just ate were amazing :), or hunting down your friends to buy a cookie really does work.  Plus, I learnt a lot about how STAC is percieved from others- some people love us, yet, others think we are the kind of people who are stuck- up and will poison their cookies- that is seriously absurd! But I guess what Mr. DeLalio said was true, as long as I am happy and am leanring/ increasing my knowledge, it does not matter what others think/ feel. STAC has really taught me more about life than I think I can anywhere else (except home).... how to survive in the city, the hidden talent everywhere (like shows that we see that not many people know about), different programs avialable to us that we can use to create what we want to, the symbolism/ depth in many movies, etc. Sometimes it feels weird though because besides the kids in STAC and my parents, nobody undestands what we do/ the art that we learn- and at the same time, I feel proud that I am apart of a group that is unique and uncomprehendible. Anyways, I have to go finish my math research paper, but I would really love to suggest a movie I have (in hindi)- called Taare Zameen Par. For anyone that is interested it is about a child in a situation like the kids in STAC face- its really emotional, and I am not sure how everyone will like it, but I surely loved it :].     

Our Last Day wiht Joy

There was a weird atmosphere on Monday. I felt like it was some kind of closure- taking pictures, doing our own warm-up, videotaping the monologues, positive feedback, etc. I felt so relieved/ fulfilled after reciting my monologue- as if the work we had put in for the past 6 or 7 workshops had come to use; like I had grown from all the constructive criticism. I would really like to do something similar to this because it gives a certain "joy" to work hard and then in the end to smile at it. And based on that, what was also weird was that usually I need someone to be like that was okay, just so I know that it was acceptable- but I didn't this time...I FELT the growth- the pauses, emotions (nervousness), and projection of my voice's growth...I really do believe now that life is way too short to be living it for others- it should be lived for ourselves (and sometimes mayeb our loved ones :]).

Låt den rätte komma in

I SURVIVED! But I am scared out of my skin- I was more scared after the movie, than I was during it. It wasn't that they showed anything gory, but even illusions give me goosebumps. And it's not that I don't like the movie, I just don't think I will be able to handle myself if we watch it once more.
1. The backstory I believe was to portray the boy as a lonely/ depressed child, who is looking for a "friend," which he finds in Eli- and this is shown by using minimal dialogue (he doesn't have anyone to talk to), he plays alone, he is bullied (no one stands up for him) and he doesn't interact with his mother too much, BUT when Eli comes there is more dialogue, he is constantly surrounded by her, he stands up to bullies, he seems to talk with is parents a bit more.
2. There is barely any camera movement. You are shown just enough so that you can see the characters' faces as if you were standing in front of them, or if there is something important in the surroundings.
3. The camera is either very close or very far-  but it does this so that we can see what we need to. And even  though it focuses on one thing, its view is of numerous levels.
4. Actions: They show what they enjoy doing, or how they deal with certain situations.
    Facial Expressions: It shows hoe the people react to certain scenarios/ people.
    Dress: It shows what kind of people they are- bubbly, dperessed, unconcerned, etc.
5. They use sound to create illusions- its somewhat a substitute of a picture in certain scenes. But sound is also used to set a mood/ tone of the scene- to arise certain emotions in you.
6. Hakan is the father of Eli, and even though appears as a creep, he is just doing this for his daughter- he is willing to risk his life for her/ her survival by killing others for their blood.
7.  The puzzles are Oskar's problems (loneliness, bulllies, etc.), which Eli solves. And this therefore symblozies the frienshp/ bond that Eli and Oskar share- in which Eli is kind of like Oskar's "angel."
8.  In my opinion Plot Point One is when the girl's stomach grumbles, she finds her next meal in the man, and then bites him becasue this reveals a huge secret about Eli- she is a vampire.
9. The second Plot Point is when Eli licks Oscar's blood off the floor (but what intrigued me was that their relationship strengthened after this- he seemed to have accpeted who she was).
10. I think it was a "happy" ending becasue not only did Oskar and Eli get to stay together, but their relationship reached new heights, and kind of gave themseles in to eachother.

some general updates :]

So, this week, I finally watched New Moon. BUT I couldn't get into it. All I thought about was Ashely's commentary on suckish camera movements and Kalli's noticing of the characters being played as dull, emo and crazy. It's not that I didn't like it, it was just that, I couldn't help but feel that it could have been better. I mean, in the beginning, Edward's entrance- he looked like he was about to kill someone, him saying "I love you," and what not as if he was reciting an essay, the happiness Bella felt being around Edward/ becoming a vampire was as if she found out she got a C on a report- gloomy and depressing, the papercut's reaction on everyone's face was too still, her falling after Edward leaves her was acting- it didn't look real, her nightmares's affect on her was too dramatic, her being gloomy looked like her normal self, her adrenaline rushes were too mormal, etc. I thought the best part was probably Jacob- he was the one that brought the movie to "life."

I also watched some more movies, but I wanted to know everyone's perspective on the videos listed below; they are hindi songs, but I really liked not only the lyrics, but the way they worked the camera- do tell me if it's okay or not (in your opinion)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AsSfxXuVdQ 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xt9nTn-oIo&feature=related

Monday with Joy!

So today, I don't know how, but Joy sensed a certain hesitancy in me going first in the past couple of sessions, so she made me go first. I thought I was gonna suck; forget all my lines, forget how to act, forget all that she has taught us lately. But, I didn't forget any of them- instead I learnt more from standing up without a paper and talking directly to my audience- somethings I have to work on are subtext, whom I am speaking to, etc. For instance, I realize that its okay to kinda play off of the monologue- you can create a bit before and afterwards to show who, what , when ,where and why- I have some ideas for next week' lets see if they work out or not. But I also I did something today that I never noticed myself doing before- my character, I feel is nervous/ scared (what a coincedence, dontcha think?), and so I fidegeted a lot- I polayed with my hands, id tis thing whith my feet, and took tons of breaths- I'm not sure if anyone noticed, but I felt better about this and portraying my message. Also, I need to decide on whom I am speaking to- its a crowd of my father's family, father's few friends, and our immediate family. BUT the best part was...I DIDN'T FEEL BAD AFTERWARDS- for some reason, afterwards, I felt better about myself/ acting abilities (whatever those are) that I have been during these past few weeks. I felt comfortable in my skin, and ready to absorb all that she would throw my way, and kind of ask questions freely. Like right now, for some reason, I cannot stop smiling in the inside. Joy seriously spread joy in my day!  Can't wait till next week...

The Dining Room

Man, that was one amazing experience! I have learnt so much about acting in general, its kinda scary. For instance....

• talk loudly- you need to project your voice so that people here you,
• become one with the character so you can get the emotions out right/ get scared if you really need to/ talk to the other character,
• enunciate whatever you say,
• doesn't matter what you feel - its only about the character,
• really learn the character/ their surroundings,
• and some more tips.

Plus, the warm-ups that we did really helped in the acting experience- magic oracle, that counting thing, speed runs, trying to count off, story, shaking it out, etc. I loved how Rob made the whole ordeal a fun experience, as well as something to learn from.

I also learnt a lot about plays; everything in a play is said fro a reason and its your job to just identify it. You need to rip it apart bit by bit so that youy can REALLY understand the message the play is trying to bring about it.

I'm gonna miss being busy- I'm the kind of person who needs their schedule to be the way it was these past few months- the kind where I sleep at like 2 or 3- I need more things to do! I used to feel so good seeing all my homework complete at the end of the day, my clothes ready for practice the next day, drinking coffee to stay awake, practing lines at random points of the day- so that people stare at you as if your scary, etc.   This was my first official play and so I want to give a heartfelt thanks to everyone associated with the play in any way.

Friday with Joy :]

With the show in a few hours, I was not ready to do any kind of monologue reading. As it turned out, I never got to go, but I definitely calmed my nerves.  The exercise that we started with released all my bad energy and made me focused and ready for whatever was thrown my way. The quotes by everyone, made me think about what all I have to say to people during this artistic journey, which as many of you might know was
"When you begin a journey of revenge, start by digging two graves- one for your enemy, and one for your yourself." And this wasn't random- my thought process behind it was basically that we should stop ourselves from getting sidetracked from a certain goal because to achieve something, that goal needs to be the one/ only thing that you ever think about. But anyways, I learnt from Joy, that when you are performing, don't care about what others think about because they would all perform something differently therefore follow your heart. And she also made it seem okay if we made a mistake- life was kind of about making mistakes, but its important if you learn from those mistakes. Friday was a kind of a yoga class before the show :).

Tuesday with Joy

It is such a joy to be with Joy! She brings this amazing, vibrant energy to the room that really helps you focus and bring out the best you have inside of you. I was a bit hesitant with the weird exercises that she would do, but I feel that makes you more comfortable with the space and people. And the quotes that she tells us, make us forget all about what had happened that day.

I usually don't like the way I act because I feel as if I am not doing anything right, but when we did the subtext exercise I felt the "right" emotions come out only because I was saying it, not any other person. And I was thankful for Becky because I felt then I could concentrate on getting my point across to her- she became my focal point.  And she gave some extremely helpful tips to all of us, which I felt I could use, and will put them up as a collective piece of work.

STAC Quarter One

Kadambari Suri
STAC Quarter One Overview: Revised
Okay, so for a fresh, new start, I want to write about the journey so far, which unfortunately, I don't think I have done very well in my previous blogs. So here goes...
1. Life is not what you think it is. We perceive it differently than others, but there is something more to it- like trees have purple in it, or orange, or red and when you stop to look at it, the colors seem to jump out at you. Or how when I go down the hallways, things look so much differently- like I pay attention to the small details of someone's hand or their shirt, and these shows a lot about the person; for instance, I started noticing what people do while acting, like I play with my hands or shuffle in my place, and another person (name to be left a secret) slightly moves his/ her leg up and down.
2. Everything has an artistic way to be looked at. You can look at a wall like a wall, or use your imagination to see it as something more than a wall- like a barrier between you and another world, or a black canvas waiting to be colored on. Now I go through life thinking, "Wow that is a scene worth taking a picture of!" and have decided that may just start carrying a camera along with me for documentation purposes.
3. If you keep yourself from putting up a wall between you and another person, you can reach the moon- may this be by keeping yourself from looking at someone's flaws by keeping in mind how imperfect you are, or trusting them with blind faith. When we did the "Be Kind, Rewind Protocol," our little group, became one mind without any assumptions (may they be doubts or statements made to express an awe towards something) about the other person's ability,
4. You need to be confident in yourself to achieve anything- maybe not over-confident, but just enough that you believe in yourself/ your capabilities. For instance, I've seen that the more you convince yourself on your capabilities, the better/ faster your goal will be achieved.
5. I have changed emotionally because of being in an entirely new atmosphere/ class and so changing me as person- I would rather not get into the details :].
Thanks for the wonderful experience!

Kontrol

God, this movie changed my life! I can't look at trains the same way anymore....There is this fear inside me that somebody may just "jump" in front of a train in an effort to take their life. And I seem to be looking at life with the same intensity that I did when watching Kontrol. I seem to notice people's actions towards themselves and others- whether they show signs like Bulscu of suffocation in their enviornment, or how like Sonia, they are comfortabel in their skin and feel free within themselves.
Somethings I noticed about the movie, where that Bulscu and the Pusher look similar in their physical structure, jacket/ sweater, and waking style, and that it can be noticed that while taking the tickets, Bulscu seems to be the only "sane" one among the others, and I realized that Sonia calls Bela an angel in the beginnning of the movie and she looks like an angel at the end, therefore they both are like the saviors of Bulscu and the pusher, becasue he is dressed in black, is the semon-kind of person.
And so based on all of this, I believe that Bulscu is the pusher, but sub-conciously and that is the part he is trying to kill/ run away from so that he can be free from this "hell."

Be Kind Rewind Protocol....

I really enjoyed the be kind rewind protocol- movie making activity that we did on Friday. Even though it was FREEZING outside and we had a fire drill, it was tons of fun. May it be, form running around the school/ gteting weird looks, listening to Jill's hilarious way of portraying a narrator, Nina's crazy facial expressions, Becky's dance moves while watiing to get interviewed, Michelle's interest in falling leaves, or Liz's obsession with trees. Can't wait to do it again :)

Magazine Ideas

I am thinking of doing somthing along the ideas of...

 - a Christmas Musical's Review:

      ~ Radio City Christmas Spectacular

      ~ White Christmas

      ~ Nutcracker 

- Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center or Central Park

- Window Displays at Major Dept. Stores 

- Making Treats for the Winter Time 

- Organizing a Clothes Drive for the Poor

I am FINALLY back!!!

Okay, so I am so, so, so very sorry that I haven't written in like a week, but I have been extremely sick. I would come home everyday, sleep for an hour and then rush through my homework- but when the long weekend rolled around, all I did was SLEEP (literally), I would take a two hour nap and then stay up for an hour and then go back to sleep- it felt amazing! Sooooooooooooooooooo, now I am here at 11:00 at night, the day before school starts, to finish all my assignments (but I wasn't here on Friday as I left early, so I can't do the refelction about the community center ) :]...

Roxy Paine

Roxy Paine was born in New York  during the year of 1966. He studied at the College of Sante Fe, NM from 1986 to 1987 and then Pratt Institute, NY from 1987 to 1989. His artwork depicts the connection nature has with technology. For instance, he uses machines to create realistic pieces from nature like mushrooms, or plants, or trees. Also he states in a interview with João Ribas, "We’re incredibly complicated constructions of nature, and I want this incredible awe of nature to be there when you look at my work." He has created a very thin border between nature, technology, and humans, which has brought up many contreversies/ questions of what the "border" really is. He also believes in making sculptures of what a normal human being may think as repulsive, but when viwed with an unbiased mind, a beautiful piece of work. His work has been displayed at places like the De Pont Museum of Contemporary Art, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Israel Museum, Jerusalem; Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; Wanas Foundation, Knislinge, Sweden;Montenmedio Arte Contemporaneo NMAC, Cadiz, Spain; and many more.                               

Sources:

1. http://store.metmuseum.org/Met-Publications/Roxy-Paine/invt/80003131

2. http://www.jamescohan.com/artists/roxy-paine/bio/

3. http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/9448/roxy-paine/?page=1

4. http://www.artnet.com/artist/697023/roxy-paine.html

A Sweet Surrender

I saw her once, 

in her little red dress.
 Taking her time,
to sway this way and that...

But, later in a sweet surrender,

She would be beyond all...

And would fly out of the small body enclosing her.

A Quick One

Okay, so its almost 12:00, and I just came back from my aunt's house. Unfortunately I have to make this quick and hit the hay cause I have dance from 9 to 12 and got to wake up early to practice. Plus, afterwards, I have to go to my dad's friends birthday party in some state. And so I will be posting my poem up most likely on Sunday...I wouldn't advise any of you to read it, cause I SUCK at writing poems (just ask my eighth grade English teacher), but if you guys chose to, then don't blame me for any of the outcomes.

ANYWAYS, the reason for my post was...I have a question I wanted to propose to whoever reads this:

    When do you know when you have REALLY succeeded in life? 

Well, gtg; am looking forward to your responses...

                Luv,                    

 K                    

P.S.I like 97-year old ponies.

I Am Back!

I am sooo sorry for not writing anything yesterday- I had soccer practice (yet again) and had to do ALL of my homework after practice- so I slept at like 11:00.

But anyways, today went quite good- it was actually my birthday and I was quite pleased with the number of people who remembered :]. I had a math quiz, which I'm not sure how I did on, but tried really hard. Plus, I barely got any homework, so am free to relax for a while. Oh, and I am going to try out for the PLAY! I haven't tried out for anything in over a year- the last one I did was for a voice over for Wonder Pets (which I got :]), so am REALLY excited about it- yet am nervous on whether I will get it or not. Sometimes I want to REALLY do something with acting- once, I even got an offer for a movie, but because it took place during school time, I had to turn it down. I understand that i need to concentrate on my studies, but I feel if I try hard I could do both :]. Let's see, where life takes me! 

You know, to tell you truth, I don't really listen to American music- but now, I have become a HUGE  fan of the Beatles- all their songs had such true and playful meanings. They were just like us, normal people, who thought about everything from love to hatred to friendship. Sometimes, I feel as if there is so much I am missing out on (not the music that comes out now, but the music from before)- I want to be able to go back in time and experience that era- feel what the atmosphere was about. Anyways, gtg!

Luv,            

K              

 

:]

Today went pretty good- for some reason I have been smiling A LOT lately (which may sound odd to you all, but if you knew me you would know that I am always worrying about something or another), and I haven't even gotten a TON of homework yet.

Okay, so I just saw the comments people made on the previous blog...and I know you guys will probably be like here she goes again...but I am a REALLY  confused person...and I was thinking, during the ITS meeting, there are so many people who go through life dreading it; doing things that they don't like...and I wonder, where will we all end up in the end? Will all of us end up successful or even happy? How do we find out where we are "supposed" to head to- is there a name to it or do we just wander around till we find our place? Sometimes (well, actually, a lot of the time, I have these weird thoughts run through my head- and the fact that there isn't an answer makes me wonder even more till my head hurts). What do you think?

But the real reason of my post was to introduce to you my....

(Drum roll)

Nick's Luring Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• A Handful of Lime Green Guitar Picks
• A Handful of Friendship Bracelets
• 2 Sticks of Butter
  
• A Cup of Togetherness
• A Pinch of Zestiness
• A Bit of Allen Ginsberg
• However Many Eggs You Think You Need
• Some white flour
  
• Whatever Amount of Sugar You Want
  
• Pink and White Frosting

 Procedure:

•  Mix the butter, flour, togetherness, zestiness, eggs, friendship bracelets, sugar, and Allen Ginsberg with your hands loosely.
• Put it out in the sun till hardens.
• Then, decorate with the frosting (make sure to create pretty butterflies and flowers), and guitar picks.
• Lastly, make sure you get an aroma of Jack Morrow (otherwise baked wrong).
•  DIG IN (literally)!
  

Love,                       

  K                          

Hola!

Hola!

I love making lists/ splitting things up in categories, so most likely from now on, most of my posts will come in this format :].

My day:

Today went pretty well. Not that much homework, except studying for Science, and in STAC we painted, with watercolors, a picture without recognizable characteristics (besides shapes and lines), and talked about Dina's magazine.

My feelings:

I feel so confused- I understand what Mr. DeLalio has to say about us finding ur path to navigate this world, but I feel like I'm lost in a new school, with all new people in my classes, new cliques, etc.-so cliche right?

Coming up:

I have soccer practice, more studying/ completing homework, and celebrating my mom's best friend's birthday amidst my cofusion!

Wish me luck!

Love,                            

K                               

First Day of STAC...

So, the first day of STAC we took photos of each other- but it was no normal photo shoot (of course not). There were two chairs set up in the middle of the room, in which one new STAC-ie and one old STAC-ie where supposed to sit and take turns clicking photos of each other. But that's not it, the photographer would have to take the photos while asking questions and the "poser" had to answer the questions. These are my personal favorites of each person...hope you enjoy!

                                                                                    Luv,                     
K                      

P.S. Thanks for the names Liz :]

Leah: Gotta give it to you; you not only look like you're having the time of your life, but also that you're comfortable in your skin and like being where you are :].

Kalliopia (I'm not sure if thats the right spelling or not): You look beautiful in this picture- the camera really loves you!

                    










                                                     

Nikki: I love how it looks like your're in some REALLY deep thought,but smiling at the same time (btw...your hair is really pretty).

Ashley: When you laugh it looks like you literally light up the room (which is a good thing seriously) & you were hialrious during your improv- you were getting worried for no good reason.

My fellow dancer, Becky: Love the smile- its quite contagious.

Moi:I seriously hate pictures, but I like this one the best because I feel like I have this same,  (blank) expression a lot. 

Lizy: First of all, you are not arrogant- I cant believe you draw so well (please teach me :]). And secondly, I love this picture BECAUSE you look like a child (that is a very good thing)!

 

Leah: You look hilarious-there is no doubt in my mind that you did a great job in making a funny face.

Cassie: You are the bubbliest person I have ever met- and this picture definetly represents your personality...

                                                                    

Alex: I have to agree with everyone; you DO look like a surfer :]...but this is the sweetest photo out of your shots.

Doug:This picture has to be my favorite out of all of them because you look kinda different.

Matt: For some reason when I see this, it kinda reminded me of what most of us wanted to say while taking the photos..."Someone please save me!" 

                                                                                                     










Jack: Your smile looks so natural and deep here- it had to be the best out of all of them.

                                                                                          

Jesse: It looks amazing how you look directly at the camera-and you have the most serious face plastered on your face.

Meghan: Not only is your smile pretty, but its really cool how there are two heads on either side of you.

Mariad (I'm sorry if I spell your name wrong too): I like how we can only see you and no one else- it really makes us focus on  only you

 

Juliana: Your best smile:]...plus, it looks like you had a nice summer tanning!

Bobby: Its hilarious how you look like your some kind of mobster :]...

Jess: Just because your smile is gorgeous, I don't think any freshman would mind coming to you for advice. 

Elisa (right?): You can so use this for your picture day photograph!

Nina: You look like the prim-and-proper types, but your so different (in a good way)...and this picture can back me when I say that.

Zach: Dude, you're REALLY tall! But anyways, I really like how your wearing skull earrings, and have this really evil smirk on your face.

Nick: Man, you are hilarious (especially when you and Jill did that imrpov. yesterday)...

Karen: The angle change gives a nice spin to the photo.

Hilary: You look so sweet when you smile....... yet you also look a bit afraid when you bite your lip.

Polly-Molly!!!! Your expression and the tilt of your face, makes you look to serious to be the person who was in that improv. yesterday :]

Michelle:I just really like how the whole picture works out- the smile, hair, and black shirt (making you stand out).

Ilana: This is a bit different than your normal facial expression- it kinda says "Don't mess with me cause in the end its not me whoose going to be hurt."

Jill: you definetly don't need to panic in front of the camera...cause you look your best when you smile openly, unafraid :].

Dina: You don't look like your in high school....you look so elegant and sophisticated.