Monday, September 21, 2009

girlcrush series vol. 1: the chronicles of noria.

the other day, i was reading a harper's bazaar article on diane von furstenberg. the writer asked her if she'd always been "a commanding, magnetic presence." i was struck by her answer. she replied, "you know, there's a thing about the woman across the room. you see the woman across the room, you think, 'she's so poised; she's so together. but she looks at you and you are the woman across the room for her."

i think this is the basis of any good girl crush. the feelings of admiration and adoration that one girl has for another. a completely nonsexual attraction, most often based on some level of respect, acclaim, and possibly even jealousy. i've been lucky enough to turn some of my girl crushes into full-fledged friendships, something i'm very proud of and thankful for. there's something to be said about approaching a girl crush, breaking it open, and slowly realizing that although they may possess qualities and talents that you don't, they aren't perfect. they don't have all the answers, and most likely, they are still figuring life out, just like you are.

so, i've decided to interview my girl crushes. not only do i want to get to know them better, and see what makes them tick, but i'd also love to glean some perspective on what inspires them, what their passions are, and how they stay positive. with that said, i'm super excited to present: the girlcrush series.

my first girl crush (not so much as my first in life but the first gc to answer my questions) is someone i "met" on the archaic social sensation that is (was?) myspace. i can't remember who friended who, but it didn't take me long to be completely inspired by cate. she takes amazing photographs and is always sharing the best quotes, and excerpts from books. i also credit her with introducing me to some great music: iron & wine, pinback, and annuals, as well as my favorite decemberists' song, "red right ankle". from afar, cate has always seemed dainty, graceful, and contemplative. it was so lovely to read her answers and find out that she's exactly what i imagined.

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name: noria catherine, named for my grandparents, norman and olivia. cut them in half, stick them together, and tadah.
age: twenty free.
where do you live?: in reality, it's oklahoma, but in my heart, colorado all the way. can't deny the mountains, rivers, wildflowers, and snow that stole my heart as a little girl. it's in my blood to fall asleep under those stars.
what do you do?: bleed words onto paper, slop paint onto canvas, sew buttons back on, throw drinks back with friends, jump into movies, daydream, laugh, cry, and above all, grow. grow grow grow grow and don't stop moving.

website: http://noriacatherine.tumblr.com

signature drink: usually cab sav on the cheap end.

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1.
who/what inspires you?: positivity and optimism. it's all about attitude and perception, and happiness is always a choice you have the option of making. there is no excuse.

2.
have you found your passion?: i have a lot of it in a broad sense, but as far as finding something to love the rest of my life, absolutely not. i've only just moved out of my mom's house, so this is the first time i've really been able to figure things out about who i am and what i want without being protected and sheltered.

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3.
how would others describe you?: it all depends on who you ask, but they'd probably say i'm a mess. nobody can really grasp another person entirely, because the only person that completely understands what they do and why is that person themselves. that's the only way i know to think about that.

4.
what is your biggest insecurity?: the fact that i haven't gone to college yet. it's a promise i made my mom when i was in middle school, but i get so overwhelmed every time i think about trying to choose just one thing to do for the rest of my life. i'm starting to understand that sometimes you have to leap before you look if you're afraid of falling.

5.
what is your most prized possession?: my dad's watch. he died over the summer and left very few things behind. luckily, i was able to snag the watch he'd worn all my life. i wear it every day, and every time i look at it, i'm reminded of him. the time is wrong, and so is the date, but i won't update them for anything, because he did this.

6.
who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?: my aunt julie. she's the epitome of everything a woman should be. she knows how to help me make the right decisions for me -- she never forces her own opinion, but she asks the questions that bring me to my own conclusions. i don't know many people humble enough to put their advice on the back burner and trust that i'll find my own way.

7.
what book(s) have influenced you?: the chronicles of narnia, pride and prejudice, and harry potter. i think it'd be silly to try to explain why, but they've all shown me something i needed to see about life.

8.
what are your goals? which of those have you already accomplished?: well, i've already moved out of my mom's house, so now i suppose the goal is for it to stay that way. i'd like to go to school again, either for architecture or writing. i'd like to write a novel, i'd like to put out a coffee table book. i'd like to travel outside the united states for the first time.

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9.
how do you maintain a positive attitude?: it's the only way i know that life makes sense. i was recently in crested butte, colorado, where my parents met and married and i was born, and i was upset about something until i looked out the window and saw the mountain. i had to ask myself if i seriously thought there was anything in the world that i should waste my time being upset over when there was something that incredible and unexplainable RIGHT OUTSIDE MY DOOR. of course, now that i'm home, i have to remember that even if it's not a mountain, there's something just as marvelous not too far away, and if i'd only recognize it, i'd inevitably also recognize how silly it is to waste even one day being down in the dumps.

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10.
words to live by: "when someone shows you who they are, believe them." - maya angelou; "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - eleanor roosevelt; "you do not have a soul, you are a soul. you have a body." - c.s. lewis

visit noria's collection of inspiration. you can also find her on twitter.

mood music: annuals - the giving tree

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