I’m currently studying for my U.S. History exam, and to be honest, it’s a lot of mindless memorization. The kind of memorization that makes my brain mushy and eyes dizzy.
The one thing that keeps the subject mildly interesting are the diary excerpts that sometimes show up in the DBQ section (document-based essay section). I recently read an excerpt from a diary of a Lowell factory girl talking about how awful the other girls at the factory were, and how terrible the conditions were in the summer — this humanized the dates and numbers behind the Industrial Revolution; suddenly, history got a lot more interesting. It’s literally reading someone else’s diary, but in a socially acceptable way.
In this digital age, I’m not penning my thoughts with a quill on parchment, or even scribbling in a fancy-pants moleskine notebook. But the thought of a diary fascinates me.
In a way, my diary is the Notes section on my iPhone. It’s a lot less romantic than a diary, but just as raw.
I used to get super paranoid when my friends would look at pictures on my phone, for fear that they might stumble across my notes page. I’m less paranoid now because A) my notes are hidden deep in the depths of my app folders where no one can find them and B) even if you read my notes you wouldn’t be able to figure them out.
To get totally crazy here are the first five notes in my phone, and what (I think) they mean.
“When I see your name” ~ when I see someone’s name I feel a certain way.
“Plan:” (followed by no plan to do anything) ~ classic.
“Gm cherry get cash not target demographic” ~ this was probably written at a dark moment while studying for some test. I wish I could tell you what this means, but I have no idea. Sounds interesting
“Bunky” ~ an old man who wears wife beaters and takes drop-in advanced adult ballet with me. He wears loafers instead of ballet shoes and, thus can’t point his feet. He has a faded tattoo that spells “bunky” on one of his arms.
“Write about how good it feels to get your scalp massaged at Hair Cuttery” ~ self explanatory
These bits of jibberish are pretty important to me. I am always paranoid about forgetting things — so when some stroke of so-called brilliance hits me, I have to write it down or else I will forget it immediately. Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night, and furiously tap out “boys look cute with visors” (true story). Other times, I’ll write down something a little more constructive like “avocados are the butter of the Earth.” Some of these snippets end up being stories I tell to you all, some of them end up being baked into pound cake, most of them remain in the gigabytes of my phone collecting cyber-dust.
Nonetheless, these shards and memories are the good stuff, like the artichoke hearts of life. When I’m rolled over in bed at 2 a.m. furiously typing a note to myself, you best believe it’s important.
With love,
Erica
Ingredients
1 avocado
1 stick of butter, softened
1 1/4 cup white sugar
4 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line and grease a 9 inch loaf pan.
In a stand mixer, beat the butter, avocado and sugar together. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until smooth, add vanilla extract and beat once more. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour and baking soda. Stir into avocado mixture until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips and spoon into loaf pan. Bake 65 minutes or until golden brown. Cool, slice, and enjoy!
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Whilst studying for my exams, I have been intermittently checking your blog, waiting for your next post…now I can rush out the door (moderately happier) to my exam this afternoon dreaming of avocados. It's looks scrummy, Erica, and I love the crusty top. Avocados are brain food, so I think I can definitely make this at the weekend…with extra chocolate chunks!
Thank you so much! I am so glad that this gave you something nice to think about during those awful exams! Also, thanks for the mention on your blog 🙂
That cake looks soooo good. And I can relate to the mindless memorization thing, I'm always flipping forward in the books looking for documents like the one you described. Can't wait till the school year is over. 🙂
Thank you! Same here!
I love your notes lol! And I loved history-although US history is def. the most boring subject therein. This pound cake looks super tasty and I love the avocado addition!
Hahaha just a little insight on how crazy I am! And I'm glad you agree with me… I should be studying right now, but you all are far more interesting 🙂
Love this! I, too, am an avid notes person, though half the time trying to organize my thoughts afterwards is a battle in itself. I do a lot of scribbling notes though because I can do that anywhere, even in class, which I can't do as easily with a phone. But I wonder who may read our writing centuries from now on an exam and think….wow, those crazy 21st century folk!! Haha
I totally agree with you 🙂 I have crazy notes in the margins of all of my school notebooks! HAHAHA and that cracks me up… you're probably right
This looks so lovely!
Could you check out my blog and follow it on bloglovin? I will follow back! I have a new post everyday!
Stay fancy!
xxx Kelly-Louise
fancysince1992.blogspot.de
Thank you!
This looks amazing! I'm supposed to be studying for the AP US History exam too. However, I'm procrastinating by reading Allegiant, painting, blogging, etc. I'll study tonight… 🙂
Hahaha glad we are in the same boat 🙂 I've done a little painting myself as well… funny how procrastinating gets the creativity flowing…
Oh my goodness. I have SO many random notes written on my iPhone too. I thought I was the only one that does that! I get the most random idea for a post or something and I type it down, sometimes I even do a little intro too. I also have a few where I have nooo idea what they mean, like your "gm cherry get cash" haha! The pound cake looks delish, as usual. I still haven't baked anything with avocado.. gotta get on that!
Oh my goodness. I do the same thing on my phone. I thought I was the only one! I'll get an idea for a post in the most random place and sometimes even write the intro! I also have a few of those ones that I have no idea what I was thinking like your "gm cherry get cash" haha! The pound cake looks delish, as usual. I still haven't tried baking with avocado!
Thank you! Let me know if you try it! And I do the same thing… #bloggerproblems
I am totally on your wavelength with these notes! I always have a pad beside my bed for scribbling down the nighttime thoughts 🙂
And avocado cake? I'm so game for this
x x x
{The Lobster & Me}
That's such a good idea! 🙂 Let me know if you try it out!
U. S. History always seems boring to me… I have the U.S. History teacher right now (I'm in jr. high social studies) and he loves to drone on and on and on… While everyone falls asleep. Nice guy… Not so great of a teacher.
That pound cake looks lovely! Perfect for the week of finals, eh?
So true! Glad you can relate!