Sunday, July 28, 2013

It's Back-to-School Time

Well, it's almost time for school to start again. Where has the time gone? Why does it always go by fast?

My dad took me to school to pay for my class, which I was happy about. For some reason, they don't do paper billing anymore, and they don't send out grades by regular mail either. I don't get why they did that. But, that's alright I guess. Now, I just have to buy my school books, and some school supplies.

I don't know why, but I love buying school supplies. It gives me a kind of rush to buy the stuff.

I start school on August 26th, and I am actually excited about it. I never really liked school until I got to college.

I guess that's because I have more freedom and leeway with my schedule. I can choose what classes to take, how many to take in a semester, the days, and the times I can take them. Plus, I am learning about something I am really interested in, instead of something I'm not good at, or something I am not interested in.

It is awesome. Since starting my baking/pastry degree, which I actually had to switch over to, as I wasn't doing well in the classes I was taking for the other degree (special education), I have been getting straight A's so far, which I don't remember ever doing.

Getting straight A's has given me the confidence I need in knowing that I can do well when I put my mind to it. It feels great!!

The class I am taking is a food safety and sanitation class, which is on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 pm to 6:50 pm. The teacher for this class is the same teacher I had for my Nutrition class last semester (spring).

She is a really nice person, so I know I can go to her for help if I need to. Also, she lives by me so if I miss the bus, or can't get a ride, then I know I can ask her for a ride.

I also know what to expect from her as a teacher, as well. So that helps as well.

I do plan on trying again for my special education degree, but for now I want to focus on finishing my baking/pastry degree.

I can't wait for the 26th to come, and to have more to do again. I volunteer three days a week for 2 hours each day, but I need more to do outside of the house again. And since I'm loving school now, I an really looking forward to the fall semester.

Well, that's all for now. More to come later.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Special Friendships

I found this blog post through Pinterest, and loved it. It's called 35 Things I Want My Daughter to Know About Girlfriends. It is a wonderful post, and I hope to incorporate it into my life.

I have some friends, but no real close friendships. I am a very shy person, so friendships don't come easily for me, as well as close ones.

But, this post got me thinking about relationships with others, and how they affect me as a person.

I think it is very important to have close friendships with others, as long as they can be trusted, and that they really care about you.

It is important to have close friendships, as long as they can be trusted, and if they truly care about other people.

Friends are like a second family, there needs to be trust, compassion/kindness/caring, understanding, love and happiness.

There should not be gossip, hate, negative criticism, backstabbing, lying, or any other negative actions.

Close friends are rare, so if you have a close friendship with someone, treasure it. Don't let go of that friendship, because it is very good for you to have them in your life.

Well, that's all for now. More to come later.

Friday, July 26, 2013

6 Things


1.// What is one of your silly quirks? Or something silly that you get excited about.
       Something silly I get excited about is buying school supplies. I don't know why, but I love buying school supplies.

2.// Favorite movie, song, or tv show?
      My favorite movie is probably Harry Potter. I guess it's because he's like a hero, and has been through a lot in life, yet he tries to live as best he can. A lot of people can relate to him, and I love relatable characters.

3.// What's a personal trial you had to overcome?
      A personal trial I had to overcome was my mother's death. It was very hard on me, and I still have days where I break down and cry, because she's not here anymore. I miss her very much, and wish she was still alive.

4.// What's a current dream that you are hoping to achieve?
      I hope to get my degree(s) in Hospitality (focusing on baking). I absolutely love to bake, so I hope to be able to get into the baking field as soon as I can. I always bake at home, and it is one of my biggest passions. My favorite thing to bake are brownies, because I love chocolate, and brownies are my favorite form of chocolate.

5.// What's the coolest thing you've made? (food, craft, anything)
      The coolest thing I've made was a shawl, that I am actually still working on. I took crochet classes at my church, and they gave me a pattern to try out. Whenever I would bring the shawl in to work on, the others in the class would always say how beautiful it was, and they were surprised that it looked so good, as I was a novice crocheter.

6.// Who or what inspires you?
      Children going through something major, like a heart problem, an illness like cancer, or any other major health problem. A lot of children go through something that they should never go through, and they somehow stay tough and strong through it all, no matter what. It's amazing the strength, courage, and spirit that they have, and I wonder how they can do it.

Five Minute Friday: Broken

I am linking up with Lisa at Lisa-Jo Baker for this Five Minute Friday. Enjoy!

Broken

Mom died in 2010 and my heart breaks into a million pieces. I realized that she had been my best friend in the world. It broke my heart that she had to go, and that I had to live the rest of my life without her.

She will not be there for my wedding, for my children's births, for all the important things in life.

I will never talk to her in the mornings again, never hear her voice again, and my heart breaks all over again realizing that every time.

A broken, mourning heart will never completely heal from something like this. It has been over 2 1/2 years since her passing, and my heart is still broken.

I miss her dearly, and wish she were still here. She was an amazing woman, having gone through a lot in her life.

I love you and miss you lots Mom!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Responsibilities

Towards the end of April, I decided to apply for more volunteer work at the library, as I wanted more responsibility. I finished school for the semester on May 16th, and the only real responsibility I had was volunteering with the library's home delivery program on Friday mornings.

I was bored the rest of the time, so I decided to take on more work. I am now volunteering three days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), 2 hours each day.

It is nice to be doing more than what I was doing before. I am out of the house a little more, and I'm doing something more productive with my time.

It would be nice to have a regular (paying) job, but for now, having these current volunteering responsibilities is enough for me. I am content with how things are going right now.

This coming fall, I am going back to school (hopefully), so that will be a welcome change. I am taking a food sanitation and safety class on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 pm to 6:50 pm.

I am glad this class is in the evening, because I don't have to wake up early (I am a huge night owl, so waking up before 9 am is hard for me), and I have more time to prepare for class.

I really enjoy volunteering at the library, and I hope to be able to do that for as long as I can. I am fortunate to live as close as I do to the library, and to be able to spend so much time there.

Hopefully I'll have more/other responsibilities in the future, that I will enjoy as much as I do volunteering. And school. I never really liked school all that much until I started college. I think that is because I am doing a lot better, and the classes are more interesting.

And because I have more time to be able to do the homework that is assigned.

I just started the job application process again, and hopefully I'll get a job this time around. It will make me feel more independent, and maybe more confident as well. And responsible, of course.

Well, that's all for now. More to come later.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Live Nice

There's a new commercial on TV, with One Direction talking about ending/stopping bullying. There is a phrase that they say, "Live Nice," that I thought was pretty cool.

I don't get why people think being different is bad. That they don't understand that people are supposed to be different.

If everyone were exactly the same, the world would be very boring. And uninteresting, and not as fun.

People are the way they are for a reason, and they shouldn't change for anyone. For anything. Bullying/making fun of someone for being who they are just makes the bully weak, and vulnerable.

I just wish that people would not look at someone who is different as someone who is beneath them. Get to know someone without judging them, without putting them down.

Words and actions have a much deeper effect on people than some realize. It can stay with someone for the rest of their lives, and affect how they deal from day to day.

Take the time to talk to others, and you may find a friend in someone you would otherwise hurt. Everyone wants to be liked and accepted, so let them show who they really are.

It doesn't hurt to be nice to someone, and to "live nice," as well. Think before you say and act. What you say and do can have a lasting effect on people, whether it's good or bad.

Like the Harry Potter character Sirius Black says, "We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are." A very true statement, in my opinion.

So, in the words of One Direction (and Office Depot, who created the ad), "Live Nice."

Friday, July 19, 2013

The Wizard of Ahhhs by Todrick Hall



My dad had shown me this video, and let me tell you, it is awesome!! If you like/love The Wizard of Oz, you may like this. Enjoy!!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Block Party Fun

Well, today was a fun day. It was our block party, and there was some fun stuff going on. We had a bouncy house, water fight, food (of course!), a movie, salsa/meringue lessons, and a fire pit. I had a good time, and got to meet neighbors I've never actually met before. It was nice.

I didn't get to go to the block party last year, because I was out of town with a friend, for a festival. That was fun, but I kind of wish I was able to go to the block party last year. At least I got to go to this one, though. So, it all works out.

I love block parties, so I was happy to be able to go to this one. Even though I'm not a very talkative person. They're fun, though, and it's nice to be able to meet and talk to people, and to have a good time.

During the water fight, one of the kids squirted me with their water gun, while I was unarmed, so I went to get one of my water guns and got him back. I absolutely LOVE water fights!!! I didn't get my water guns back (I had four of them) until later in the day, and my Frisbee didn't return until sometime after the block party ended. But, I'm glad they did return to me. I rather like those things.

I hope everyone has/had a wonderful weekend!

Dessert

Zombie doll craft

Movie for the kids: The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Zombie Doll

Buffet dinner...yummy!

Bouncy house...I love those things!!!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

My Love of Music

Growing up, I listened to country music, and I still do. Although, my musical tastes have grown to include lite rock and Christian music. And I am so glad I was introduced to those different genres of music.

My mom and grandfather (my mom's father) both listened to country music, which is how I came to listen to it as well. My dad is into rock, and he got me into the Beatles, and lite rock soon followed as a favorite genre.

I started listening to Christian music a few years ago, when I was going through a rough time. It has helped me through a lot of bad days, and I am so thankful that I came across this genre of music.

I also love opera/foreign and Celtic music (I guess because I am part Irish!). My favorite artists are Andrea Bocelli, Pavoratti, Celtic Woman, Celtic Thunder and The Three Irish Tenors.

What I listen to at any given time depends on how I am feeling. Right now, I am listening to country. My alarm is set on lite rock, although my boom box radio is set on country.

I have to have music on to concentrate when doing things like homework, or cleaning up. And exercising. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to get things done on time. Music helps me relax, and to concentrate on what I am doing. If I don't have music on, I get distracted pretty easily. Is anyone else like that?

I have many country, lite rock, Christian, and opera/foreign CDs in my collection, although I'm positive I don't have as many CDs as most others. I have the same types of music on my phone as well, so I can listen wherever I go.

My favorite radio stations are K-LOVE, U.S. 99.5, and MY FM 93.9.

I have never been to a music concert before (at least, not of one from someone on this scale of musical notoriety.), but I would absolutely love to someday.

Music is a major part of my life, and I don't know what I would be like if it wasn't. So I have a BIG thank you to all of the artists that make it possible for me to enjoy life every day.

What is/are your favorite type(s) of music? Who are your favorite artists? Do you have any recommendations of artists to check out?

Well, that's all for now. More to come later.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Living Life to the Fullest

For maybe a year or so, I have been following the Bartlinski family through their blog, Our Place Called Home, and after one of their daughters died after a failed heart transplant, it made me think about my life in a new way.

It made me think about all the things that I want to do, and to not wait for the "right time" to do them. Life is too short to wait for things to happen. I need to make them happen.

There are a ton of things I want to do, but a lot of them require money, being more outgoing, or just putting yourself out there. I am a really shy person, so doing some of the things I want to do will put me way out of my comfort zone.

But, I am willing to put myself out there at this point in life. I am an adult, so I need to do things for myself.

No one is guaranteed tomorrow, so we need to live life like today is our last day. Enjoy life, be grateful for what you are given, and don't take anything for granted. Don't keep grudges.

I hope to be able to make some of my dreams come true, as I know I won't be here forever. And I am starting to slowly accept that fact.

The little girl who was a true and brave fighter right to the very end has inspired me to do more with my life, and to go for my dreams. That my dreams are possible, and that I can do anything I want. So, thank you Teresa, and family, for sharing your stories with me and the rest of the world. You are amazing people, and I am so thankful that I got to know you, even if it was through a blog.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy 4th of July!!



Happy 4th of July everyone! Have fun, be safe, and remember the reason for today!!

And yes, those are M&Ms.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Needing to Get Into an Exercise Mindset

For quite a while now, I have been trying to get myself to start exercising more, since I am so out of shape.

But, I tend to procrastinate when it comes to exercising. I don't like it, mainly because I haven't done any "real" exercise in a long time.

Although, I have started getting in the routine of riding my bike three days a week. Last week I was able to do that, and this week, I am 2 for 3 so far. I plan on riding my bike on my volunteer days, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

I have been thinking about also doing Zumba, which is a sort of dance workout. It seems like fun, and I really want to try it.

I'm also planning on taking up yoga and/or Pilates, and some other cardio exercises. I need exercises that are fun, and not boring.

I also really need to eat better. And sleep better. I am a major night owl, and tend to stay up until around 3 am. It takes me a very long time to fall asleep, so I tend to read, listen to music or a book on CD, watch a movie, and do other things to get me tired enough to fall asleep sooner.

I usually skip breakfast most days, and I eat a lot of junk food as well. Hopefully with all the exercise I am starting to do, it'll motivate me to eat better, too.

I don't like sitting around all day, lazing about the house, not doing much. I am really starting to wish I also had a job, so this wouldn't be a problem.

I'm not saying that I want to spend an entire day outside, all the time. I just want to spend less time sitting at home, and more time moving around. I want to be around for a while, and I don't want to get sick.

Hopefully, riding my bike as often as I have so far is a sign that I am going in the right direction, and that I can show myself that I can do it. And that I am able to stick to something if I put my mind to it.

Well, that's all for now. More to come later.