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!)