Only one thing matters...

One thing; to be able to dare! (Fyodor Dotsoevsky - Russian writer, essayist, and philosopher).

Have you ever heard of "The Daily Love," or "TDL?"  If you're active in the Twitter world, you may have heard something about this project, and/or its creator, Mastin Kipp.  I chose to follow @TheDailyLove not just because I love inspirational and motivational quotes as much as the next cheeseball, but also because some of the quotations that are presented actually strike me as important or beautiful.  Here is the first paragraph in the "About" section on the website:

"The Daily Love was created by Mastin Kipp in 2005 under the original name "Thoughts for the Day". Kipp, who is also the CEO of The Love Yourself Company (www.LoveYourself.net), embarked upon a journey in 2004 to find his true purpose and figure out the techniques to best manifest Highest Potential. Along the way he figured there must have been other people who have come before him who've were met with the same challenges he was facing to find true happiness and inner peace."

If you have yet to check out this little gem of a website, click here: LoveMeTender... and while perusing the website, make sure to enter your email address to receive your daily dose of love in email form! =)


Apparently, my last post created quite a buzz with my readers, about which I am extremely excited!  I never thought that my ramblings would so much as make sense, but to have people talking with me about what they liked about and wanted more from me was something that I never even considered.  Dylan, of Something Kinda Wonderful, left me such a thoughtful comment on my actual blog, which is what I try to obtain from each post; it's nice to see that people care about what I have to say, so the "I loved reading your words," part of his comment really made me smile (thanks, Dylan!).  My girlfriend, Tiffany, made it a point to talk to me about my latest post, which was a topic about which we had never spoken.  She really appreciated the fact that I took time to share one of my iTunes playlists with my readers, which can tell a great deal about someone.  Because she has a hard time pin-pointing songs from her library that fit with certain moods or days or events, Tiff suggested I make it a point to provide my readers with more of my playlists, as it can be difficult to make one on your own.  Not only will I have my "Pic of the Day" portion of each post, but now I'll also be able to share another one of my loves with you... music, if you've already forgotten!  Like I said in my last post, the music one listens to can say so much about that person, and I only shared the primarily Indie songs that I listen to; I don't limit myself with the vast array of music that is out there, so sharing with you is a great way for you to learn more about me without me having to say too much. =)

Since I have playlists for just about everything (i.e. "getting ready in the morning," "workout," "partying," "morning drive," and one for driving longer than 3 hours), I thought I'd ask my readers what they'd like for me to share... and keep in mind that I can make one for you based on a mood you might have, what you might be doing while listening to this playlist, etc.  I'm open!  While I wait for your comments, here's a playlist that I made during a darker time in my life that I named "Blah," which I listened to when I was feeling blah (I understand that this may be a downer, but we all feel like this at one point or another, so I thought that one might be able to relate)...

.Down to the River to Pray - Alison Krauss
.Happy Everafter in Your Eyes - Ben Harper
.Ready, Set, Don't Go - Billy Ray Cyrus feat. Miley Cyrus
.The Story - Brandi Carlile (...I told you I loved her!)
.Hands Down (Acoustic) - Dashboard Confessional
.Landslide - Dixie Chicks
.Speeding Cars - Imogen Heap
.The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
.Angel - Jack Johnson
.Comfortable - John Mayer
.Layline - Josh Kelley
.Stay (Acoustic) - Little Big Town
.Angel - Matt Nathanson
.Say It's Possible - Terra Naomi

I'm not extremely proud of this playlist; I was in desperate need of solace on the night I made this, so some of these songs were chosen from the anxious state I was in.  Melancholy... what a cruel trick the world plays on you.

Pic of the Day:

Story: This is my perfect little brother, my mini-me, my fake (but could be actual) son, Maxwell.  This photo was taken the day before his aunt got married in September of 2007.  He was considerably smaller than he is now, but still just as amazingly cute.  I discovered yesterday the amount that I miss this child right now, so I felt compelled to share my fave little guy in the world with the rest of you.  And yes, his eyes are very blue, just like mine! We have such a special bond, and I love him with my whole life. ♥ you buddy!

I Can't Believe How Strange it is to Be Anything at All...

It's been longer than I had hoped since my last post, and for that I apologize. Sorry team!

I want to start out my post by introducing a new blog on the scene! A friend of mine just recently began his blogging career, and I'm quite excited about it.  Although his posts are much less frequent than mine, what he has to say is worthy of being read.  Austin Francalancia's new blog (Francalancia's Take) is a compilation of all things entertainment; although it currently only consists of two posts, I see the potential in his writings.  =)  If you're ever interested in reading reviews of movies, songs, or anything in the entertainment and media world, be sure to check him out to gain a fresh perspective (and also because he's a really nice guy and he sends me pictures of the beach/cool things in SoCal!).

Lately, and when I say lately, I really just mean over the past week, I've been turning to music more than I really had throughout the majority of my life.  This whole kick with the music began over a conversation I had with a friend about a song which I had written in a status on Facebook, and I think it's been almost healing (the song I'm talking about is "Bloodline" by Matt Morris - if you have yet to listen to it and/or Matt Morris on the whole, you must MUST look into it...).  I never realized how much the music one listens to can say about him or her.  I mean, obviously I'm pretty certain I know who I am, but when you're not close friends with someone (because maybe you only get to talk to him/her when you're at work or something), it's hard to really grasp or understand the deeper parts of him or her.  That being said, I discovered how music is a great way to get inside someone's psyche.

For example, I once dated a guy who only listened to a certain genre of music.  That's fine, except for the fact that it showed me one facet of his persona; I, on the other hand, grew up expressing myself through music and the art of dance, and one genre of music definitely would not have provided me with many options with my creative outlet.  Through dancing, I learned to appreciate and connect with all genres of music, depending on the story of the piece and its choreography.  I find it so impossibly difficult to stay connected to someone who almost refuses to expand his or her musical repertoire because I feel like that person is almost refusing to make an effort to find other ways to connect with me.  Which I'm sure I'm reading into more than I should, but it could be a subconscious defense mechanism to protect for the potential of a broken heart, right?

Anyway, while participating in this music conversation, this friend of mine commented that I was previously perceived as liking only "euro-techno club beats," to which I took great offense.  Not only have I always prided myself on the fact that I am so open to all genres of music, but I instantly became worried: "Is this how everyone sees me?"  I'm not saying it's negative to enjoy techno, as I choose to occasionally "beat up that beat" with the best of them, but how could people think that I'm so one-dimensional as to only appreciate club beats?

Here is a list of the songs and artists (listed alphabetically by song title because I'm anal about that) included in the mix I compiled the other day of some of my most favorite tunes, which I compassionately named "Simplicity." =)
.After Afterall - William Fitzsimmons
.Almost Honest - Josh Kelley
.Almost Lover - A Fine Frenzy
.Been a Long Day - Rosi Golan
.Belated Promise Ring - Iron & Wine
.Bloodline - Matt Morris
.The Blowers Daughter - Damien Rice
.Elizabeth - RuRu (there is an amazing story about this song - ask if you're curious!)
.Free Fallin' - John Mayer*
.Hallelujah - Brandi Carlile**
.House of Cards - RuRu
.In The Aeroplane Over The Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel
.Melody - Kate Earl
.Paperweight - Joshua Radin & Schuyler Fisk
.Passion Play - William Fitzsimmons
.Problem of Pain - William Fitzsimmons
.Set the Fire to the Third Bar - Snow Patrol & Martha Wainwright
.Somewhere Over The Rainbow - IZ
.The Story - Brandi Carlile
.That Year - Brandi Carlile
.This Year's Love - David Gray
.White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes

*I love John Mayer, and his cover of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" is really amazing and I love it so much.
**I have several versions of the ballad "Hallelujah," and I love all three, but for this mix, Brandi Carlile's cover meshed the best with the rest of the songs; I included hers because it kept with and helped to create the vibe for which I was going.

And here is my Pic of the Day for February 20th:

 

Story: Once again in Puerto Rico, I took these photos while walking down the beach.  It was my 22nd birthday, and I was feeling lost, sad, and in need of solace, which, I know, is not the way one should feel on her birthday.  But that's how I was feeling, and to find healing and that solace for which I was longing, I took a walk down the beach, camera in hand.  The first and second photos are just of shells on the beach with the waves lapping over them and receding back into the sea.  The last picture is different.  You may just see a jagged piece of glass on some sand; I see a jagged heart all alone.  My mom collects beach glass, and after living in Hawaii for 7ish years she has quite the collection.  She also collects stones and shells and sometimes beach glass that naturally look like hearts, so that compelled me to take this picture.  Looking back on it, I also feel like it completely captures the way I was feeling at the time.  Plus, I really like the detail of each grain of sand.

PoD - February 8th

Story: Again, taken in my dad's backyard, these photos primarily center around this last picture.  This was the day that Max found that earthworm, the discovery of which he was so proud.  The first photo has been slightly edited, mostly just the coloring of the picture - the "antique-ing" of the flowers really brings out their brilliance, wouldn't you agree?  The second photo is of these same flowers, but this time with a hummingbird fluttering, and suckling their sweet nectar.  The bird may be hard to spot, as they move soooooo freaking fast, but Max and I chased it across the backyard to find it resting so comfortably in his swingset treehouse.  I didn't know that hummingbirds could stop flapping their wings; I thought that they had to always flap them in order to stay alive, but clearly I was wrong!  I can't wait for summer - I need more lazy days in the backyard!

PoD - February 7th

 

Story: These flowers are all over my dad's backyard.  I love them!  In their bud stage, they are still beautiful (see picture 2!).  The third photo in this bunch, which I've so thoughtfully named "Death," even still showcases the beauty of these flowers - I see a general progression of their life, as the one on the left is in full bloom, the one on the right is slowly meeting its demise, and, obviously, the middle flower is pretty much finished.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.  They really are just so lovely. =)

SNOW.MY.GOD!

It's snowing... profusely.  It's like the sky is puking down frozen drops of goodness, except it's really not goodness because I have to be the one to shovel all of this "goodness" away.  Thanks, Mother Nature... not!  I mean, as much as I love snow globes, especially the two that my mom got me when she was trying to start a new tradition each Christmas (which was extremely short-lived, by the way), I'm not trying to live in one today... or any other day for that matter.

I've been sitting on my couch for the past hour and a half trying to decide if I should shovel now, even though I'm going to have to later, or if I should just wait and do it later.  But then I realize that I'm going to have to shower and start getting ready for work in about 2 hours so I shouldn't be sitting here anymore trying to make this decision regarding the clearing of all this snow, yet here I am... still... woops.

I was lacking in my PoD posts over the past few days - I was out of town re-living some college days and put blogging on the back burner.  Hopefully you weren't too disappointed, so I'll upload three PoD's right now, and this one is for Saturday, February 6th:

 

Story: These three pictures were taken at the Garden of the Gods this past September when I went to Colorado with my mom to visit my aunt and cousins.  The Garden of the Gods is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been in my life; it's a park with brilliant scenery: natural rock formations are everywhere; the most brilliant blue sky; sparse, but vibrant, flowers and other greenery; etc.  If you're ever in the Colorado Springs area, I would completely recommend visiting this park, not just for the photos you will get, but mostly because it's almost healing.  I just was taken aback at the beauty of this place, and if I could live near here, I would hop on a plane in a second to begin my new life!

PoD - February 5th

So I'm about an hour late.  My bad.  I worked tonight so I didn't get home until about 11:45, which is why my post is late.  I feel like I let the whole team down! =(

 

Story:  I first saw one of these caterpillars caterpillar-ing around the pool deck on my birthday in Puerto Rico in October 2008.  I was instantly intrigued by this creature because a) I had never seen a caterpillar so large and b) it had such vibrant coloring.  Then, I spotted a whole tree of them that was conveniently located next to my lounge chair, and instead of sitting soaking up some sun, I literally spent the next 40 minutes watching, but not touching, all of these caterpillars.  They have this weird antenna thing on their butts and it moved around, so I was nervous that if I touched one it would poison me and I'd die.  So I was watching them munch on leaves and crawl around on the pool deck and other various surfaces, and obviously I had to capture a few great angles.  My favorite one is the second photo, where the little guy is inching along on the cement block because the angle of his head makes me laugh, and I also like how the details in the background are blurred.  The third one shows the true size of these critters, and that one wasn't even the largest that I saw that day.  Can you imagine if these caterpillars were this big in this stage of their lives, how big they would be as butterflies (or moths, for that matter)?  Like, I can picture such a monstrous butterfly post-chrysalis (or cocoon) stage...

What are your thoughts on these little guys?  I kind of wish I would have brought one home with me!

Ew.

Don't you hate it when you schedule an appointment with a company (i.e. gas) for a representative to come out and check your meter or whatever it is to make a house call, and then you're expected to stay home all day because they'll get to your house "between the hours of 11 and 6" and they always come right at the end of their given time frame?  Well, I do, and I call bullshit.  Obviously I'm unemployed, so it really doesn't matter if I sit around my house all day, but what if I want to go to the gym? Or to get lunch? Or go to yoga? Or go see a movie? Or just go somewhere so I don't have to sit in my house?  Why do these companies get to determine what I get to do or don't get to do during my day because you're too "busy" to give me an exact time at which you will be here?  It's so frustrating.

Now that my ranting is over (and thanks for sticking with me), I want to tell you how much prettier I feel when my nails are polished and my skin is tan.  Polished nails give me more confidence because, let's be honest, un-polished nails are ugly (on girls, not on guys - that's just wrong), and it also makes me feel more delicate.  I'm pretty rough on my hands, so the color on my nails reminds me that I need to act more like a lady.  And obviously being tan makes me feel warmer because it reminds me of summer, which is my favorite season.  =)

Lately I've been thinking of things that I want to accomplish before I die, which is strange since I'm only 23.  But it's better to start a bucket list now than remembering all these things I wanted to do throughout my life when it's too late because I'm on my deathbed.  Here are some of the events that I hope to experience in my life:

-go skydiving

-go bungee jumping

-ride in a hot air balloon

-ride in a helicopter

-learn to/become a certified SCUBA diver

-go on an African safari

-get married

-birth a child (or several)

-go whale watching

-go on a cruise

-travel the world (this includes: Europe [UK, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, etc.], Alaska, Central/South America, Africa, Asia, India, Australia (again), New Zealand

-own an SLR camera

-write (and possibly publish) a novel

-star in a movie

-go to the Olympics (as a spectator)

-earn $1,000,000 (legally, of course)

-own multiple properties

-run a marathon (or compete in a triathlon)

...And the list goes on.  I didn't want to share all of my aspirations with you in one post!

Here is the Photo of the Day for Thursday, February 4th:

 

Story:  This is our puppy, Preston.  These pictures were taken this past November when he was only about 4 months old.  The second picture is of him tied to his little leash in the backyard, and he clearly hates it.  I was laughing so hard when I took it because he walked as far as he could and instead of moving so his neck wasn't being pulled, he sat there looking so uncomfortable and sad.  He's such a silly puppy.  Over Christmas he was beginning to lose his puppy teeth, and he actually spit one out onto my hand at one point when we were playing.  I, of course, was disgusted, while he just looked at me, smiling, and wagging his tail.  By next month, the vet said that he's going to be 75 pounds, and probably still as clumsy.  I love him so much, and he literally is the coolest dog I've ever known! I miss you, Preston! =)

My dear friend, Vanessa (Tangentssss!), is a very bad influence on me.  But only when we go shopping.  Not only does she never tell me not to buy anything, she always encourages me to get things that look good on me, no matter the price.  So terrible!  But I still adore her, even though my bank account suffers in her presence.  We went shopping today, is what I was getting at, and I only bought 2 things (at Gap... and 2 other things at Target...) and they were both on final sale clearance (or whatever) at Gap, so I guess that's okay... right? =)

Today, the Comcast man came to my house to determine the causing factor(s) of our faulty Internet connectivity.  Although it was awkward and uncomfortable having a strange man in my house walking around in surgical booties, I was overjoyed at the end of his visit because now our Internet works and it's so perfect and I could die happy now! But I don't want to die right now, so hopefully that won't happen (cross your fingers for me!).

I haven't gotten much more reading accomplished in my Eat, Pray, Love book of the week challenge because instead of sitting and reading, I choose to watch TV... woops.  I promise I'll get it done by the end of next week, so I hope you'll stick around until then to see my final review (which I'm sure will be awesome...).  I mean, I'm already completely in love with it, and wish that I could do what Elizabeth Gilbert has done, and traveled to where she has traveled.  I think I'll also start a bucket list as well so that I can actually have more concrete goals to accomplish in my life.  I did see that there's going to be a movie coming out starring Julia Roberts as Elizabeth Gilbert.  Coincidentally, Ms. Roberts is one of my favorite actresses, and always has been, so I am more than thrilled to see how this project pans out.

I also found who my doppelganger is, as it is Doppelganger week on Facebook and I was feeling left out.  I've been told that I look like Vanessa Williams, and I can really only understand that from our beautiful blue eyes, since, obviously, she is a Black woman.  I mean, I'm flattered, because she is completely beautiful, but our skin tones are just slightly off.  My friend, Tiffany, who has no blog =( , told me that I look like Rachel McAdams, which I could die about because she is my girl crush and so perfect!!  But I did a side-by-side comparison, and although we are both gorgeous (haha, just kidding), I just don't see the resemblance; her lips are much fuller than mine, and her cheekbones are more pronounced.  I'm not bitter that I don't look like her, but I still wish it were more evident.  So, with all that being said, I found a picture of Brittany Snow as a brunette and it was clear to me that we are long-lost sisters (...maybe):

So now, here is my PoD post for today, February 3rd:

Story: I miss my days at Starbucks.  This is just two shots of Espresso being pulled into two shot glasses... clearly. =)  I hope this encourages you to go to Starbucks and get a nice beverage... I know I will!

PoD...

I'm about 35 minutes late... Blame it on my craptastic internet connection all day! =(

Story: Photo 1 is of our cone flowers that line part of our driveway.  I love them about as much as the bumblebees! =)  Photo 2 is of the cone flowers in the dead of winter and when they are ugly. =(  In honor of the snow today, I thought it might be appropriate to post this photo, even though I hate all things winter (except for Christmas and New Year's Eve... durrr).
I can't wait until summer comes back so that these flowers once again bloom in all their glory, attracting bumblez and birds alike!

Leave some notes <3

Om Namah Shivaya…

Is the ancient Sanskrit mantra from India, which means: “I honor the divinity that resides within me.”

As I previously wrote, I am starting a, well, I’m really going to put forth a conscious effort to write a “Book of the Week” post (or BoW, for those in favor of acronyms).  I have finally dived into Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, and although I’ve only gotten through pages 1-39, I am so completely in love with it already.  The way she writes is so easy to connect with, as it feels as though she’s having a personal conversation with you, the reader.  Before I even could get to the official first page of the novel, I decided to read all of the praise it has gotten – I mean, these reviews are almost impossible to ignore, and if I didn’t read them first, I definitely would have gone back to read through the page.  Once you appreciate what other people have said about Gilbert and her writing, the excitement you feel to submerge into the novel is at an all-time high.

In addition to that Sanskrit mantra, here are a few other beautiful words I’ve already stumbled across in these first 39 pages (and don't worry, I'm not giving anything away from sharing these passages with you, especially if you have some idea about this novel):

"I want to have a lasting relationship with God.  Sometimes I feel like I understand the divinity of this world, but then I lose it... I want to be with God all the time.  But I don't want to... totally give up worldly pleasures.  I guess what I want to learn is how to live in this world and enjoy its delights, but also to devote myself to God" (p. 26).

"To find the balance you want... you must keep your feet grounded so firmly on the earth that it's like you have four legs, instead of two... You must stop looking at the world through your head.  You must look through your heart, instead.  That way, you will know God" (p. 27).

"'Where did you get the idea that you aren't allowed to petition the universe with prayer?  You are part of this universe, Liz.  You're a constituent - you have every entitlement to participate in the actions of the universe, and to let your feelings be known.  So put your opinion out there.  Make your case.  Believe me - it will at least be taken into consideration'" (p. 32).

"'I recognize that you are busy with wars and tragedies and much larger conflicts than the ongoing dispute of one dysfunctional couple.  But it is my understanding that the health of this planet is affected by the health of every individual on it.  As long as even two souls are locked in conflict, the whole of the world is contaminated by it... It is my most honorable request, then, that you help us end this conflict, so that two more people can have the chance to become free and healthy, and so there will be just a little bit less animosity and bitterness in a world that is already far too troubled by suffering'" (p. 32).

So beautiful and pure and amazing.  I already am feeling differently from reading only this small amount from this novel.  My day two of reading begins later this evening =) and I’m really hoping I’ll get an earlier start so that I can just sit and read and absorb.

And now, the PoD for Monday, February 1st:

 

Story:  I chose three photos for today, as I have an equal amount of love for them all.  And also because they are from the same carriage door I walked past while visiting one of the ancient forts in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, in October 2008.  The detail of the hinges and the locks instantly drew me in, and I couldn't help but imagine the magnificence of the horses that would explode from these doors when leaving for battle.  That may be juvenile, but I've learned to see into objects from the world around me a little more deeply than others might.

Drop me a comment... I'd love to hear what you have to say about this batch! =)

PoD

...Or "Pic of the Day," for those of you who are acronymically challenged.  I'm not sure if "acronymically" is a word, but I'm going with it because I feel the awesomeness of it.  Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday, but our internet has been going through some serious issues; my mom was monopolizing the cable cord for the better half whole day.  So here is my PoD post for yesterday, the last day of January (I still can't believe it's February! OMGZ).

Story: I saw this half-blown-away dandelion in front of this rusty pipe around the corner from my girlfriends' house down at IU (RIP Cottage Grove!).  I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this photo, so I won't go too far into it.
Throw some love my way with any comments you may have - I love feedback! =)