Do I See What I Saw?

When I was little, I wanted to be a supermodel. I also wanted to be a librarian so I could scan books. Um, let's see, also someone who made icees for people at the gas station and an actress. Nothing was impossible. It's still not.

During college, my goal was to not only earn my major, but a minor also. In addition, I wanted to make the honor role. Check.

But on a more personal note, growing up you think about what age you are going to do what - like when you want to be engaged, married, have kids, etc. It's amazing what us girls plan out.

Now I'm older. Things have changed. Sure, have goals, they are necessary! But at the same time, don't have goals because you lose sight of what you REALLY want.


"Sometimes we fight for something only to discover by the time we get it, our goals have changed." - Gossip Girl


Now that I'm out of college and in the "real world," my goals are WAY off of what they used to be. Maybe it's maturity, but happiness is really all that I want. When you are younger, you have a routine. You have the same people around you all the time and you know what is happening in your life. You have the same friends for your whole entire life.

Blink your eyes once, and friends are going every which way in the world for college and jobs and it's inevitable - you lose touch. But that's okay. Sometimes people are only meant to be in your life for a certain amount of time to help you figure out what you want and don't. It's not something to be sad over, but instead to smile about because really, you owe them a thank you. Then comes along new people to help shape the new you. It's a process. And as you grow, people grow with you.

So, don't get too caught up in what your goals are. Know that it's okay to change your goals. Because we change. I know I do. And what I've wanted my whole entire life, what I'm so attached to, I don't necessarily think twice about now.

Take a time out. Figure out where you are, what you wanted and what you want. There's no rule saying that you have to make a plan and stick to it. There's no limit. Look out as far as you possibly can and then further. Admire the view...of life.

Easy's Never Been Good Anyway

Remember the white rabbit? Remember when Alice saw the white rabbit with a clock and no one believed her? It was completely possible in her mind.

Close your eyes and think about something that's made you very happy. Is it perhaps something you have worked really hard for? Is it something that was simply given to you?

When I think about things that I am proud of and something that brings me true happiness, I think about things that I have earned. So whether that's a friend's trust or a good grade on a test, it's something that took practice. Not everybody can just get that.

This past week, I watched a movie that a friend of mine has been raving on and on about. The movie is called "Soul Surfer" which features the real life of Bethany Hamilton, who's arm was bitten off by a shark. The movie tells an absolutely amazing story based on the idea of never giving up. And if there's one thing in life I love, it's people who keep striving!

"I don't need easy. I just need possible." - Soul Surfer

When people make goals for themselves, it's always important to keep in mind that it can be accomplished as long as it's possible. Of course, I am one of the few in life who think ANYTHING is possible. Want to learn to fly - then drive a plane. Want to learn to disappear - then wear Harry Potter's invisibility cloak... or hide behind something.

Just like no questions are silly, no goals are silly either. So as I'm planning my future, I am making goals for myself. Where I want to live and what I want to do with my life. Sure, there are those around me who nod their head but highly disagree, but that doesn't matter. It may make things more difficult for me, but I have enough will and want to turn those goals and dreams into real possibilities. Or at least try.

If your goal is something that has obstacles in the way of it, that just means that it's the right choice. Nothing worth anything is too easy to get to. The smile comes from going after it!

Worries Turned into Laughter

We are gamblers. Whether we are in Vegas losing money faster than we can say hello or not. We gamble with our lives, futures, friends, family, etc.

But with gambling comes worrying. Ever hear of the term "worry-wart?" I'm one of those. I worry all of the time. But when I say what I'm worrying over out loud, it suddenly sounds so silly and I can't help but to laugh at myself for being caught up over something so ridiculous.

Lately, I've been seeing movie previews for the new Nicholas Sparks' book-turned-movie "The Lucky One." I think what really caught my attention was Zac Efron. He's all grown up :) Moving on, Nicholas Sparks always has romantic books/movies and it's basically in the girl handbook that we have to see it/love it. So as the movie looks so alluring, I wanted to read the book first to get a sense of it before it hit theaters (because obviously I'll be there on opening day). While reading the book, the quote that stuck out to me more than any other strings of words was:

"I think you're worrying about the wrong things here." - The Lucky One

So even if you are not a worry-wart, you are still a worrier and you need to stop trying to handle what can't be handled. So to break the stress and turn that frown upside down, do what I do: Say it out loud. You don't have to say it to anyone... maybe just a mirror so you can see and hear how ridiculous your worries actually are.

I realize that some worries are so legitimate that they shouldn't be laughed at, but we stress ourselves out over all the small ones when they are added up. So, STOP IT!

Let me give you one of my silly examples. While I was working at Disney, I found out that Joe Jonas was going to be performing nearby. I was such a Jonas crazy girl that I had to go, however, no one else wanted to. Then I met a new friend at work and she was just as excited. So not knowing each other, we decided to go see Joe! I looked up the ticket prices online (even though it was too late to buy online) and it was a little steep but I was willing to splurge because of how hard I had been working. However, when we arrived at the concert line, we looked at the ticket price and it had gone up substancially! We both stayed in line but in my head, I was freaking out a LOT! I was going to splurge on the tickets when I saw the first price - I talked myself into justifying it. But then suddenly it went up a ton? I really didn't want to spend that much, but I didn't want to disappoint my new friend and ditch her. I made her a promise.

So the funny part, I finally told what I was feeling and she was SO relieved! She had been thinking the same exact thing! We stepped out of line and went to see the movie "Abduction" with Taylor Lautner in it instead.

It's so ridiculous how we torture ourselves over things that don't even matter. So stop gambling with situations, and just say what you feel or get things over with so you can relax!

Talk to the mirror!

Ready. Set. Go!

My birthday. High school. College. When I found my significant other.


These are instances when some people would say their life began. When do you think your life began? The day you were born is technically when your life began, but some people choose to think that it's once you are able to make decisions for yourself. But what constitutes as a decision? On my first day of kindergarten, I picked out my outfit. That's a decision. Or does it only count when you're older?


Now, I listen to music to get happy. Happy music makes me smile. Now that it's spring, one artist in particular comes to mind... Kate Voegele. When I play her music, most people don't know who she is, but I found her from the CW show "One Tree Hill." Her character, Mia, plays music, and I instantly became addicted. Her music is about the words, and less about how easy it is to dance to. There is a particular line her song, "Lift Me Up," that I simply have fallen in love with.



"Somewhere, yeah everybody starts there." - Kate Voegele



Think about it. No matter where people are in life, they had to start somewhere. What needs to happen though, is for all of us to STOP comparing ourselves to others. In our minds, someone will always be more successful, prettier or have a cuter pet. Where does it stop? It starts and stops with you!


I know it's easier to say than do, but we need to look in the mirror and see ourselves, and nothing more. Nothing to change and nothing to improve on because we are perfect as we are. So that's our homework.


Have you decided that your life hasn't started yet? What are you waiting on?


For me, I think life started as soon as I graduated college. I no longer have school as an excuse. It's up to me to enter the professional world and be my own person. College is a preparation for life. Choosing a major helps to put your life on a path, and classes give you a preview of what life in the working world will be like. The people you find in college are from everywhere around the world and it gives you a chance to meet new people and get out of your comfort zone.


So think about Kate Voegele, and tell yourself that you are doing just fine! Everybody starts somewhere, but the key fact that is often overlooked is where you end up.

Take a "YOU" Break

I am obsessed with all things Irish. And no, not because St. Patrick's Day was just a few days ago. For years, I have wanted to visit Ireland... actually, more like MOVE to Ireland. I just love it. There's no reason for it really.

Because St. Patrick's Day was a few days ago, there were several holiday related movies playing on TV. I randomly decided to look at the Hallmark channel one day and hit record on a random Irish movie, "Chasing Leprechauns." I watched it yesterday and FELL IN LOVE. Oh my goodness, it was adorable. It was a Hallmark movie, so basically pretty predictable. But that doesn't matter to me as long as it makes me smile. And it did. In the middle of the movie though, a quote made me pause the movie to think about it.



"When was the last time you went someplace for a couple of hours just to be there?" - Chasing Leprechauns





People now-a-days compared to "back then" are extra busy it seems. With so much technology, most free time is spent listening to an iPod, playing a computer game, checking Facebook, watching Monday night's shows and SO MUCH MORE! It's really sad to think about how much we revolve our lives around technology (yes, I am just as guilty!). But it's today's world. Everybody basically NEEDS to use technology to survive in this world.


Think about the last time you just went somewhere and listened to nature or did some people-watching. No, not while waiting in line somewhere or the walk outside to your car. It rarely happens, right? We are always on a mission to accomplish something.


This quote is really fantastic. Do you take time to go somewhere and get away and just "be?" As simple as it sounds, it's hard to do! Now everybody has a "safe" place, a place they go to be free and be themselves. Of course, we may not know that about ourselves. So think about it, where do you go to think or just to relax? We are so caught up in life about things that don't matter. So take a time-out, take a break. Breathe. Go to your place.



As for my place, this picture of me tells you everything. I got my poker face on and I'm not spilling my secrets! That's what makes my place mine. It's mine. But maybe I'll see ya there!

Starring You

Everyone is essentially the star of their own show, that show being called life. But things don't always go as they are supposed to. If it's your life, you should be the main event, right?!

You know how in movies, the main character always has the best friend who is usually silent and just follows miss popular around? Don't be that person! I know it's hard to avoid sometimes. But it's important to lead your own life and make your own decisions. Don't let someone or something else make those decisions for you.

“You’re a leading lady, I can tell, but for some reason you are acting like the best friend.” - The Holiday

I love watching "The Holiday." And no, not only because Jude Law is in it, of course that doesn't hurt :) But the movie focuses on two women and two men who are trying to find a different path for their lives because something is missing. This quote was said to one of the women and it really stuck out to me because it's so incredibly true!

For me, I've always grown up being the star of my own show. I have always known what I like and what I don't and I was never afraid to just go do it. I was confident and always smiling. As the days pass and high school and college are gone, things become harder. But this isn't just for me. It's for everyone entering the "real world." You can't just make easy peasy decisions anymore because decisions in this foreign world have conquences and can have a huge impact on your life. The days when my problems were finding the time to write a three page report or what to do on Friday night were taken for granted. Sure, adults give us warnings, but it's nothing we can actually hear and understand. It's one of those things we have to experience for ourselves.


So yes, things may be harder now in this "real world" but that is NO EXCUSE to sit back and become the "best friend." I intend to get my stride back and stop letting this world scare me. Because as far as I'm concerned, it should be scared of me!



My advice: Take control of your own life and do what you want. That is the only thing that will truly bring you happiness. Be the star of your own show! That's what I see in this picture anyway. I see someone who is ready to take over!

Life's Superpower, People's Kryptonite

Remember those sweet days on the playground when your crush would push you down in the sandbox and people said that was only because they liked us? True or false? How could anyone actually know whether that was true? They can't. Maybe it's what parents say to children to give them something to smile about or maybe it's just too heartbreaking to tell them the truth. Either way, infatuation with somebody can be destructive or beautiful.

Tonight I watched "Country Strong." I have mixed feelings about this movie. It really follows two love stories, and it mixes one and it's just all messed up. But I only liked watching the parts with the true love in it - Leighton Meester and Garrett Hedlund were absolutely amazing! (And a sidenote: AMAZING SOUNDTRACK). At a tender moment in the story, Gwyneth Paltrow's character is giving Leighton's character advice and says this about love...

"Don't be afraid to fall in love. It's the only thing that matters in life." - Country Strong

No matter what is happening in life, good or bad, is it worth it without love? No. And I agree with this 100%. Whether that love is for family, friends, significant others or pets, letting someone into your heart is a powerful thing. Anything can become possible.

Love is confusing though. What is it really? I don't have an answer for that. I only know what I think is true. Love is often mistaken for infatuation, lust or comfort. I know that I have convinced myself that I am in love with Garrett Hedlund from this movie, but how can that be if we've never met? For me, falling in love with movie stars is so easily accomplished. Falling in love for real, however, presents itself to be a challenge.


I'll be the first to admit that love is scary, just like Gwyneth's character talks about. Love means making yourself vulnerable and I like to be in control of myself. I remember in middle school, a boy passed me a note that said, "Will you go out with me? Check yes or no." Of course I checked yes, he was cute! But I never talked to him face to face. Way too scary! I don't like to let myself get close to anyone.


Over time, luckily, things change. This past year marked love for me. I met some amazing friends and we quickly became best friends. I let them into my heart and was able to be myself with them. So please, open your heart. Opening my heart to gaining three new best friends was the best decision I have ever made! So are you going to let this superpower called love own you? Or are you going to own it?


Oh, and as for Garrett Hedlund, I know his songs were dedicated just to me :) (I wish!)