Sunday, October 18, 2015

An Autumnal Outfit //

4:45:00 PM
Hello friends! I went to the zoo (again) today, and I made friends with a little goat. HE IS THE CUTEST THING TO EVER WALK ON THIS PLANET & I TOOK A LOT OF PICS WITH HIM ASDFGHJKL 

LOOK AT HIM 
 



Anyway, during the month of October, the zoo had this thing at night called "Jack O'Lantern Spectacular," which is quite literally a bunch of Jack O'Lanterns that get lit all along a path. I didn't go at night, so I didn't get to see all the lights, but I still walked by all the pumpkins & other spooky decorations and I can fEEL THE HALLOWEEN *internally screams* //




                          



And, since it's October, it is cold here in New England. With that comes cute coats & layered looks (aka my fave.) Today, I went for a cute but casual look, with a paisley dress, maroon (fleece-lined) leggings, brown boots, and a fluffy faux fur vest; perfect for the autumn season! To keep warm, I also brought along a Red Riding Hood-esque jacket. //

                            


           

WHERE TO SHOP THIS LOOK:
Coat: Marshall's
Vest: Kohl's ($17.99)
Dress: Marshall's ($14.99)
Leggings: Kohl's
Boots: Marden's ($6.99)
Neckace: American Eagle ($12.75)
Bag: Marshall's (Nine West Brand)


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Save The Wollaston Theater! //

9:47:00 PM
Last night, I went to my first ever rally. It wasn't for any particularly big issue, like LGBTQIA rights or race relations or free college tuition, but nonetheless, it was a rally for something I am passionate about:

Saving the Wollaston Theater. 

Now, for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about (which is probably a vast majority of you), the Wolly Theater is an old movie theater, dating back to 1926, that is in my neighborhood. The precious theater has switched hands and ownership many times, and it is currently under the possession of a private owner, who has made plans to tear it down. He intends to completely demolish the old building, because, he claims, there is no use for it. Nothing is going on inside of it, what's the point of keeping it open? Well, let me tell you why our town needs a local theater and why we need to put it to good use instead of tearing it down. //

Simply put, theatre saves lives (or at least, it saved mine). If I didn't have the performing arts, I'd probably be a very different person than I am today. I wouldn't be confident. I wouldn't be proud. I wouldn't be able to love myself and appreciate all the beauty in life that I do. See, for me (an extroverted but painfully awkward & socially anxious person), theatre is an outlet. It's a way for me to put myself out there without really doing so. When I put on that makeup and that costume, and stand under the bright lights of the stage, I become a character. I am no longer me, but I am this other unique person, with their own thoughts and opinions. I am this new person, and I have the capacity and freedom to be whoever I want. No longer am I limited by the constraints that society has placed on me, or the reputation that I have to uphold for myself. In those moments, Emily Claire Barker does not exist.

I learn from these characters, and as I take on their life, even if it is temporarily, I get to see things through their perspective. I begin to see the world with new morals and values and opinions in my mind. I learn from these characters' pasts, and I apply those lessons to my future. With each role I take on, I become a better person. 

And there is something so magical and liberating about both of these facts. //

However, you don't necessarily have to be a performer to appreciate the fundamentally human need for the performing arts. Have you ever gone to see a film, and left the theater feeling touched? Have you ever seen a character, and watch them grow over the course of a movie, so that by the end, you're so emotionally invested in them that they feel like a friend? Is there a quote, or scene, that will stick with you for the rest of your life, because it's so relatable? 

My guess is yes, you have. Because performance, whether it be live theatre, or action unfolding on the big screen, is a reflection of life. It connects us all. It teaches us all. And this art form is a necessary, fundamental part of being human. //

To some people, the Wollaston Theater may be a small, run-down, empty building that's ready to be torn down, but it's so much more than that. Take a stand for what you believe in, and always feul your passions. Some things are worth fighting for. //



Monday, October 05, 2015

New Adventures (i.e. Zaragoza, Spain) //

10:26:00 PM
Hello lovelies! I know you all probably hate hearing lame excuses (and I mean, I do too), but I'm going to throw a couple out right now. I know I've been inactive on this blog lately, and that is for 3 main reasons.
1- I couldn't upload any photos to make posts, or let alone open the internet to log on to blogger, because my computer wasn't working properly for quite some time, as the startup disk was full and I had to get an external drive and transfer all my files and stuff. *deep exhale*
2- School started up about a month ago, and that means homework and plays and after school classes and science fairs and other projects and just a whole bunch of busy-ness that finding the time to blog has become quite a struggle.
3- I really just haven't felt the motivation to post on here. I love you guys, and I love this blog, don't get me wrong. It's just that I haven't really been feeling it as of late. //

Anyway, now that I've addressed that, I have some exciting news! On October 9, which is in 4 days from now, I will be having a girl from Zaragoza, Spain, come and stay with me for 10 days as part of an exchange program. She will come to school with me for a few days, and I'll get to show her around Boston and share my life and culture with her. I've already started talking to her via Facebook-- her name is Elena and she is basically me in another body and I am sOSO EXCITED TO MEET HER IN 4 DAYS. I AM SCREAMING. CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAMING?

And, perhaps the best part is that next semester, I'll get to stay with her and her family in Spain for 10 days. Anyone who knows me knows that I love traveling to new places, meeting new people, and exploring new cultures. I am my happiest when I am on an adventure of some kind. And I literally cannot wait until this Spain trip happens. This will be the first second trip where I actually get to live in another place, and not just experience from a tourist's point of view. I will actually be immersed in the culture and experience daily life as if I actually lived there. I hope that this is the second trip of many many more to come in the future.

Although preparing for our guest has been a bit of effort, I am so happy and I cannot wait until this amazing experience gets underway. FOUR DAYS GUYS. FOUR. I AM SO EXCITED! //

And with that,  I end this post. I really have nothing meaningful to share here, because, as stated earlier, I haven't really had motivation to post anything here. I just felt like throwing this post together to let y'all know that I am indeed still living and breathing, and to share my excitement! I hope to be more active here, but if I end up failing, I apologize in advance! xoxo //


~ fashion, food, art, travel, & adventure ~

Contact

milla.barker.99@gmail.com