5 Amazing Things I Got to Do in 2013

So the year will be over in exactly four hours and forty minutes, and I'd just like to share some awesome things that have happened this year due to my New Year's resolution from last year:

Say YES more.

I know. I know. I'm a Jim Carey movie. Hear me out, alright?

Last year I decided that being an introvert shouldn't keep me from going out and doing scary/weird/new things. I resolved to say yes to more things (not everything, cuz that just gets Zoey Deschanel mad at you), and as a result, some pretty cool stuff has happened this year. Let's get started.

5. Random Acts Scavenger Hunt of Kindness

So Misha Collins (aka Castiel from the CW's Supernatural) runs this nifty little charity called Random Acts that essentially raises money to spread kindness. On March 10th this year (i.e. the Random Acts Annual Melee of Kindness) my best friend Suzi put together a scavenger hunt in which the goal was to spread as much kindness as possible. Our two teams baked cookies for strangers, left kind notes on random cars, handed out water bottles at the Y, and so much more. And, when I accidentally left my phone on someone's car and thought I had lost it forever, the woman who owned said car drove all the way to Verizon Wireless and turned it in for me.

Karma?

In any event, I was so happy to have been a part of something so fun and special. Thanks Suz!

4. Graduating (Class of 2013!)

Now, I know that graduation wasn't really a 'choice', per say, but saying yes to moving on, to growing up, and to Chapel Hill was a big step for me. This day was incredible, and as much as the weather was predicted to be bad, not once did it rain on our parade :) I got all my last hugs in, gave letters to two incredible teachers that changed my life, and got to spend a week with relatives I hadn't seen in over 7 years. Not bad for the last day of high school.

Suz and I (Photo cred to my dad)

3. Meeting Andrea Gibson

In November I got to see my poetry idol with my suitemate and roommate from Carolina. We hopped on a bus (er . . . two buses) to Durham and stood in a crowd at the Pinhook bar to watch Andrea perform. This is something I never imagined I'd be doing (and loving), but there I was, five feet from this incredible woman and artist, on the verge of tears from how happy I was. After the show she autographed my Yellowbird CD of hers AND we got a picture!

Daww. Yay for crappy iPhone photography!

2. Making New Friends

So this seems like a given, but in college where there are 20,000 other people and lord knows if they're serial killers, making five incredible new besties this semester was huge for me. Max, Alicia, Crystal, Rosie, and Aitza are the absolute best, and I can't wait for many more months of fries and ice cream with these girls.

#turnup #not

1. Poetry Open Mics

This one was HUGE for me. I never thought I'd be reading my own poetry in a completely new format for strangers every month, but that's what I've been doing since September thanks to the UNC Wordsmiths. So far, I've read "Stories", "Breathless" and "Carry On", and I have no words for the incredibly kind feedback in response to my writing. Fantastic young poets and poetry fans alike have told me such nice things, and I have so much gratitude towards Wordsmiths for letting me continue to perform during the open mic portion of their monthly poetry slams. Nothing has helped me improve my confidence and creativity more than this outlet, and I can't wait to start the new year reading at the January slam.

(Photo cred to Will McInerney)

Happy New Year, everyone!

With love,

Laney

My Top Ten YouTube Poems

Andrea Gibson (2013)

So to be honest, I had really no clue what spoken word poetry was before starting school in August. But long story short, after attending the first open mic and slam hosted by UNC Chapel Hill's own Wordsmiths, I was hooked. My suitemate and I spent the next month obsessively looking up poetry on YouTube. This post is here to introduce you lovely people to some of my favorite videos (or to remind those who know what I'm talking about of some really great poetry).

DISCLAIMER: You could be the most avid hater of poetry in the universe, and you will likely still enjoy some of these pieces. If anything, give just one of them a try. You won't be disappointed :)

In any event, I personally like to write about love, so I gravitate most toward these poems, which cover love in almost every form you could imagine. Enjoy!

10. An Origin Story- Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye (Love for your friends)

Sarah and Phil are not brother and sister, but they DO have a crap ton of insane things in common, and this is an expertly written piece about their one-in-a-million friendship. Guaranteed to make you smile and thank the universe for your best friend.

9. OCD- Neil Hilborn (Love that heals)

This is an honest poem about how powerful it is when someone loves everything about you, even the things you hate most, and the heartbreak of losing love like that. You don't have to struggle with compulsion and anxiety for this one to stay with you for a long time.

8. What Teachers Make- Taylor Mali (Love for what you do)

Taylor's repertoire is full of poems about his experience as a teacher, and all I can say is thank goodness for teachers like him. This poem starts off angry and explodes into a genius defense of an underrated profession. This is for everyone who works for the greater good, regardless of the pay grade.

7. When God Happens- Mike Rosen (Love for humanity)

Few poems give me chills like this one does. Mike's trembling account of September 11th manages to explain how God is found not in power clashes but in the love that abounds when humans face disaster. I'm not religious, but somehow this rings true anyway. Most definitely worth hitting play.

6. Love Poem- Rudy Francisco (Love for your lover)

Rudy may be one of the best love poets of all time. This entire poem is for one woman and is full of some of the sweetest, softest, sexiest metaphors I've ever heard. Perfect if you believe in love at first sight, or if you'd really like to.

5. The Last Poem I'll Ever Write- Andrea Gibson (Love for life and the people you spend it with)

If you want something wistful but real, listen to this. Andrea is my favorite poet and this particular piece is something I think about all the time. If a poem could be a bird, this one would be. It takes flight from  her soul. Please watch for yourself :)

4. A Letter to Sarah- Jared Singer (Love for what you've lost)

If you're up for a four minute heartbreak, watch this. Jared's story of his friend's suicide is a raw and terrifying reveal of what strength really is. I apologize in advance for the tears.

3. If I Should Have A Daughter- Sarah Kay (Love for your children)

I could not have come up with a better promise for my possible future daughter if I had tried. Sarah could weave words into blankets for all the ways her poetry keeps you warm. Honestly, check this out and have a smile :)

2. The Nutritionist/The Madness Vase- Andrea Gibson (Love for yourself)

Forget therapy and drugs for depression and watch this. Not literally, but this poem will certainly help. The comments on this video are full of "this saved me" and "she saves my life every day". As someone who struggled with suicidal thoughts herself, Andrea has a unique perspective that offers hope in the face of terrible times. Not to mention that every phrase is a unique token of beauty, as is true with all of her poetry.

1. Scratch and Dent Dreams- Eric Darby (Love that builds everything back up)

This was one of the first poems I found online, and no one writes hope better than this man. I've never heard anyone make a metaphor so solid and tangible, but he does, so if you're ever looking to brighten your day (or life; honestly this brightened mine) have a listen. Here's hoping all of your scratch and dent dreams get enough duct tape to live again.

So there you have it! Some of my favorite poetry and poets. I hope you enjoyed and got a few laughs and tears out along the way.

Happy Holidays and lots of love,

Laney