Word Nerd

Being an English Literature major, I like to think I have a special admiration for words and their power (strangely, I have a unique appreciation for paper as well…don’t judge me). Since my early childhood, I have gravitated towards spelling and writing more so than mathematics and sciences. Also, certain words resonate especially profound with me. I get a prick of interest whenever I come across them or have the opportunity to use them in my own writing. This is a post dedicated solely to that ambition, and the Word of the Day is Myriad.

Dictionary.com defines Myriad as follows:

As you can probably deduce from the title of my blog, I prefer to incorporate euphemisms when other options might be perceived in a negative or disagreeable light. Myriad is a beautiful way of conveying I don’t know the exact amount of the item I’m talking about. But it doesn’t have a negative connotation; in fact it serves to romanticize the concept. Myriad communicates the idea of limitlessness. It brings to mind the potential of endless possibilities, the ability to reach for the sky. To me, the word is inherently optimistic and expresses a feeling of enormity and enthusiasm.

The other meaning for Myriad describes the notion of constant deviation. To some, this might seem like more of a con than pro, but for me it’s quite exciting. The fact that things can be indefinable gives the World of Words more credibility. This allows for a more accurate description of the world around you. You can convey the feeling that things are more than just black and white. Myriad can represent the grey areas of life, not the “either/or”s but the “and/but”s, which are often more complex.

I think I’ve proved my nerdy-ness for the time being, but feel free to add your own thoughts!

Spring Break: Around the World in 7 Days

Okay, the title is a bit exaggerated— I didn’t leave the DC area, but my friends and I tried our hardest to make trips to another place or time. As a local, it’s rare that I see my city as this Great Place worthy of millions of visitors from all around the world. When I encounter the occasional starry-eyed tourist with a camera glued to their face, I think Oh, they’ll get over it in a few days. But my excursions during Spring Break inspired me to develop a newfound appreciation for my city as I discovered new ways to get away without hopping on a plane. Isn’t it true that when you visit a place, you want to be immersed in its culture…but when you’re used to it, you are constantly searching for ways to escape? Here are my top three excursions during Spring Break 2011:

#1—Bus Boys and Poets

This is a trendy restaurant I’ve been meaning to visit for a while. The food is delicious (I had a yummy crab cake sandwich) but what people come here for is the atmosphere. It has a chic, slightly counter-culture vibe and seem to be progressive and world-conscious. We attended the Open Mic segment and were entertained by the spoken word performances from local artists.  

#2—National Gallery of Art

I know, very touristy. However, art history is one of my passions and I unapologetically dragged my friends around for hours, mostly within the Modern and Contemporary Art sections. I’m currently taking a Modern Art class, and it was a different experience looking at the art up close rather than from a projector screen. It was definitely worth looking at my friends’ blank expressions and ignoring their dragging footsteps.

A Roy Lichenstein  

A Henri Matisse

#3— A Taste of India

I’m not one to experiment with food, but this time I was outvoted. I was reluctant to taste anything, but as soon as I took a bite I was converted. The entire meal was exquisite, from the main dish to every single one of the sauces. Not to mention the environment. The restaurant was decorated in textiles and pillows that added character and gave it a very rich feeling.