Start a crusade in your life - to dare to be your best.

Well that's a little scary.
Be the best me that I can be?
Isn't that what I've been doing this whole time?
Sadly, no.
Now, that's not saying that I think I've been the worst me by any means, it means that I haven't lived up to my full potential.

When I started this blog I was lost.
I tried to establish new friendships. I was trying to keep my family from falling to pieces. I was trying to make myself happy in a job I hated. I tried to push my relationship to the next level instead of being in the moment. I was trying to make everything so perfect in my world that I was slowly losing myself.
Now that 2011 is coming to an end I'm realizing that I still have so many unanswered questions.
What do I want in life?
Who do I want to be?
Why the hell haven't I figured it out yet?
No wonder people never want to relive their twenties. There so much uncertainty. So much loss and heartbreak. Realizations and LIFE. Oh gosh, life.
Sometimes I feel like punching life in the face and saying "give me a break".
But even with all of that I'm thankful for all of my trials. Although, they might have changed me, they have also made me stronger.
Which in a way makes me ready to tackle 2012.
Ah, the great unknown of 2012. I have such high hopes for you.
Not because I think that this will be the year where I figure it all out but because of all the greatness I'm going to accomplish. That's right. greatness.
This year I am going to become the best me that I can be.
I am going to live a little less eccentrically and a little more peacefully.
I am going to try to live in the moment instead of worrying about the next best thing and trying to get there as fast as I can.
I am going to do a little less wishing and a lot more doing.
I am going to discover passions I didn't even know existed.
I am going to dare to be my best.
And it's going to be great because I'm going to make it great.

Who says 2012 isn't the year where all of our dreams can't come true? :)

Now for a trip down memory lane...

should be Peterson but oh well

ughhh moving.

life

I've been such a lazy blogger so I've decided to update y'all through pictures.

wooo enjoy. :)

I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite.

My life has just been crazy busy, while being busy is a good thing it's also a stressful thing, especially with the holidays.
We're finally all moved into our new cupboard...oops I mean house.
It is a little, okay, it's a LOT smaller but I'm thankful. I am so thankful that we have a roof over our head and that our entire family, including those cute wittle animals, are healthy and safe and let's not forget: it's Christmas soon!
I am so excited!
I usually wait until last minute to buy gifts but this year I thought what the heck and just went crazy. By crazy I mean I bargain hunted my booty off. Now, I'm bummed that I have to wait until Christmas to give them to everyone.
If I'm being realistic with myself, Christmas isn't about presents, or good food, or in my family's case playing bingo on xmas eve while enjoying some spiked egg nog. Nope. It's about giving thanks to Jesus Christ and being happy for his birth and life lived. A lot of us look past that major detail during this time of the year and I think it's really important not to. I know I'm getting all religious but I think it's important to be thankful for all we've been blessed with.

I get so excited just to hang out with my family and be cheerful while listening to christmas carols.
These past few years have really taught me to appreciate life, not the materialistic things that come with that life. It's like the saying: "The best things in life aren't things." so dang true.
The more I think about Christmas the more excited I get.
Which in turn makes me soo happy.
Merry almost christmas you all!!
xo

No Facebook November

Yes. I am giving up on facebook.
Lately it just seems as though it has brought high school back into the picture.
Not that I didn't love high school but all of the drama that came along with it?
No thank you.

As I progress through my life I notice that life really is one big rollar coaster. I can be at such a high at one point and the next I'm scrambling to pick myself up.
But maybe that's a good thing? I mean if we didn't experience such lows then how would we appreciate all of the great highs?
If we're being honest, my life is increasingly getting tougher and I am constantly going through so many trials but even with all of this happening I find myself being so thankful.
I have a family that loves me. I still have a roof over my head. I still have food to munch on. I have great friends, a boyfriend that makes me so happy, a wonderful career and the power of God to guide me through it all.
I think that this is part of growing up and learning what it is that matters in life.
Not a new car, not buying the latest Mac, or getting the newest fall boots. Even though all of those sound wonderful... it's about appreciating the meaningful things that you are blessed with.

I think the reason why I decided to ditch out on Facebook this month is because I want to enjoy the beauty around me. The smell of Fall. Yes, Arizona finally is cold and fresh. I can enjoy the real laughter being expressed around me rather than reading an "lol". I can get back into my passion of drawing and reading. And above all of that I can tune out the negative chatter that goes on daily via facebook.
I'm so over hearing about how crappy someones day was for the 17th day in a row.
Or how lame school is. If you can be given the gift of education you are lucky. Many don't have that luxury.
I really feel that it's important to be positive and be thankful for all of the GOOD in your life, not frown because of the negative.

On that note, I'll stop my ranting :)
Go and enjoy your night.
I know I will- electronic free with a HB pencil in hand ;)
Happy Tuesday

Happy as a clam.

I might be the only one who doesn't get that saying.
Happy as a clam?
How in the world is a clam happy?
I feel as though they wouldn't be, seeing that they're life consists of being eaten. Hm.
Nonetheless, That is what I am.
Happy.

I know it's been quite a while since my last post, but I do have to admit that it was an amazing post because let's face it..pinterest is such an amazing site. If you're not on board I suggest you get there. pronto.
Anyways, as of late, I have just been so over joyed for no apparent reason.
It could be because of my amazing job, it could be because I am moving into a really nice place soon, Might be because I have such a wonderful family, it could also be because I'm falling more and more in love with my man, every day... I'm not really sure. But I what I do know is that I like it.
I like it a lot.

This week has been sooo long. For the past two weeks, I've been in what Apple calls a "transition" schedule. Basically what that means: I've worked 11 days straight with 2 days off... not two consecutive days either. siiiigh.  Add OverTime to every day that I've worked and you can add another long sigh.
I know what you're thinking... "You just said you were happy. Happy as a clam matterafact." Well don't get me wrong. I still am.. I just had to prepare you all, and inform you of why this week, as long as it was, is also going to be so amazing!
Let's start out with PUMPKIN CARVING. That's right. It is by far,  my favorite thing to do during fall. Seeing that Arizona lacks beauty and it stays ugly all year, I have to fake my brain out by lighting pumpkin spice candles, ordering pumpkin chai lattes and of course I have to engage in pumpkin carving. That is when I feel the warmth and happiness of fall.

So, it's pretty much a given that after my long 12.5 hour work day, I will be picking up candy corn, a sbux chai and then making my way over to the Nielsen's to win the pumpkin carving contest... even though the contest may or may not be made up in my mind.
Tomorrow I really have a lot to do though. I have the unbearable task of getting my nails done. hehe joke. ;) It is a luxury that I can't really afford but after paying off all my bills it is a luxury I'm allowing myself to have. After that, I have to participate in the wretched task we all hate-packing. Bleh. but the good news is that after that I get to start my.. drum roll please... ROAD TRIP. wooo. I get to drive 5.5 hours in a sweet little rental. Some of you may think I'm crazy... I'm really not. I just really love driving. It relaxes me. and plus, driving means that I get closer and closer to seeing My best friend.

Which brings me to my next point. Approximately 24 hours from now I will be reunited with Miss Ali, my kindred spirit.
She is My soulmate friend, so I guess that makes her my soul friend.
and yes I just said that.
It makes sense to us.
She moved away form me, I know, how dare she right?
She woke up one morning and decided to ditch ugly AZ and head off to beautiful California. But, who can blame her really.
 Ever since, we've been trying to keep in touch. We're like a long distance couple. It really is quite tragic that we don't get to hang out every day anymore.. being a grown up really does suck sometimes. however, I have been feeling like a little kid again. I mean ever since Jon and I booked this trip, I can't sleep and I get way too excited for my own good. I think part of it is because we're going to disneyland, and we're going during the halloween festivities. So I mean really..who ISN'T excited for that.

But if I'm honest with myself I think the reason for my excitement is just because everything is really falling together. I'm in a really good place and I get to spend 4 whole days with some of the best people I know. And in reality who needs a "reason" to be happy and excited.
Not me.
Bring on the weekend!
ahh, I can't wait.
Until then!
-me.

My new favorite site ever.

This awesome little picture is just a tiny preview from...
...dun dun dun duuuuun.....

PINTEREST.
The best site ever.
It tis Amazing.
Fortunately, and I say fortunately because it is definitely not an UNfortunate thing, I am addicted to this site. It's like a secret little fun club. When you sign up they send you an email saying- we will send you an invite soon.
And ooooh when you get that invite you feel sooo good.
Like you've just been welcomed into the best girl club ever!
I don't want to say too much because I'm scared I'm going to ruin all the excitement and surprise for you buuut I suggest all of you go there pronto!
Happy Friday :)

Mr. Steve Jobs is a God.

mhmm. That IS the Apple Logo.. why is it on my blog you ask?
Because THAT is where my new job is!
Ahhhh.
After months and months of endless job searching, I'm talking 32 or more emails every business day of every single week...the corporate office in Texas has come to offer me more than a job, BUT...a career!
I really couldn't be any more thankful to God, my family and friends.
and I really can't wait to start my big girl job ;)
woooo.
Happy Tuesday!

With great risk, comes great reward.

Helllllo,

So as of late I haven't been the best blogger. I have kind of been in a whirl of strange emotions and mixed feelings. I guess you could say that I've been in a funk.
Blah. A funk for the past freakin year.
I've felt off and upset. I blame it on all of life's obstacles and the ups and downs of the past.
I used to be this happy, poppy and sometimes a little over excited about life, person. Nothing got me down and nothing got in my way to being the best me that I could be.
But then, of course, my world got rocked, and it got rocked on sooo many different levels. As John Lennon once said: "Life happens when you're busy making other plans". Oh, how wise he was. However, even though things have calmed down I find myself wondering why the negative feelings are still lingering? Why is my past still dragging along behind me?
There's always the possibility that it's because I still have something to learn from it but my gut says that I am the one who is holding on to it.
I've come to the realization that if I let go I will be this new person. Someone that I'm not really familiar with.
I'll be different and changed. I'll lose my baggage.
And that's kind of scary.

BUT. With that, I will also gain peace of mind knowing how strong I have become.
So, I am choosing to forget about what the old me would have done. I want to stop focusing so much on fixing what's already happened.
It's called the past for a reason, right?
I am going to stop moping and encourage myself to find the positive in the negative.
I am going to stop trying to control all of the things in my present. Because in all reality I can't control my job, or if my family is struggling, I can't control what my sister thinks of me, or if my friends move. I can't control if my boyfriend wants the same future as I do or when the heck I will be able to move back out on my own. I can't control any of those and so much more.
I am going to find peace in letting that control go.
I am going to stop worrying and stressing about the things that probably won't matter in 5 years.
I have decided that I am going to stop giving the past so much power and hold my head high to my future.
I am going to be happy because I choose to make it happen.

Thankful Thursdays :)

Since I had no idea what in the world I was going to write about, I decided that I'm going to start this blog off by writing about what I'm thankful for.
So here it goes, some of the things that I am thankful for areeee:
1. Life- I am so thankful that I get to wake up every morning and experience all the great things in this world.
2. My Family- Eesh. I can't even imagine where I would be if I didn't have them. <3
3. Friendships- I have had many people come and go, great friends, acquaintances, etc but each person has impacted me and made me a better person than before. I'm so thankful for all of them.
4. Animals- Sometimes I prefer them over people, enough said.
5. Art- It allows me to be free and expressive, I feel so much more relaxed when I finish whatever piece I am working on.
6. Yoga yoga yoga- need I say more.
7. Food- Mmm, best thing on planet earth.
8. Hand sanitizer- This comes in handy in SO much of my everyday life. Germs are gross.
9. Advice- Now, all i need to do is follow it.
10. Flowers- Honestly, who doesn't like to look at, receive, give, smell them? 
11. Goals- Without goals I feel like I would end up being a bum and I want so much more than that.
12. Love- Whether it's platonic, unconditional, you're in love or you just plain love someone. It is, hands down, thee best feeling in the world.
13. Children- Such a blessing to the world. They make you mad, happy, sad, laugh. I can't wait to have so many of those little buggers!
14. People who are genuinely nice- It makes me so happy to see and experience this happening.
15. Cookies and Milk- Okay Ice cream too. These can put a smile on anyone's face. Sorry Linds, I know you're gluten intolerant buuuuut pretend they're gluten FREE cookies ;)
16. My Job.
17. The Sun- It's always there, no matter what.
18. Rainy Days- These are nice too. Especially living in AZ. I would take a day off of work just to enjoy a rainy day.
19. Being "able"- I can read, write, hear, speak, walk. I am so thankful that I am able to do all of those when so many people have and never will never experience that.
last but not least.... I am thankful for:
20. The little things. Yes. the warm towels out of the dryer, the little "have a good day" notes, finding a dollar on the road, hugs, good morning texts, chocolate, cuddling, inside jokes, back rubs, bubble baths, proving a smart person wrong, getting off work early, kisses, Christmas lights, and laughing.
I am so thankful for all of these and SO much more.