I Am Not What I Have Done, I Am What I Have Overcome

I saw this quote on Instagram (which you can check out here), and I loved it so much, that I thought I would share it.

I think this quote is absolutely true.

People are always making choices, whether good or bad, but that doesn't define who they are. Who they are is what they have gone through in their life. And that is what makes them beautiful.

No one has the the same experience as anyone else, and that is what makes life worth living. If everything was the same, life would be boring, and not as beautiful.

Don't be ashamed of what you have overcome. It is what makes you unique; it is what makes you, you.

A Journal of My Favorite Bible Verses

I recently watched the movie War Room, a movie I have been wanting to see for quite some time.

War Room is about a woman who works as a real estate agent, and is having a tough time in her marriage. She then meets an older woman, who is selling her home, to move in with her son. The older woman begins asking the agent about her marriage. Once the agent opens up about her problems, the older woman tells her how she can help give her "weapons" to fight for her marriage, and about her "war room," which is an empty room, where she puts prayers up on the walls, for people she prays for.

The agent is hesitant at first, to pray, and to take this up, but after giving it some thought, she gives it a try, and she sees how much good prayer does, and how much changing her attitude towards her husband, and marriage, for her.

It is a very inspiring movie, that I would definitely recommend you watch!

After watching it, I decided to get a journal and write my favorite bible verses in it, like a couple of the characters in the movie did.

                                              The journal I got for my favorite bible verses.

I already have about 20 or so pages filled with verses that speak to me. I am also going to put inspirational quotes and songs in it as well, and read this journal when I am having a tough time.

Being Single

Valentine's Day...that holiday for happy couples.

Well, I am not a part of the "happy couple" equation, so Valentine's Day isn't one of my favorite days, holiday-wise.

I don't have a significant other to love. Plus, I'm not big on the commercialization of the day.

I know that people would say that I could love my family, and myself on this day.

I love my family anyway, and one day devoted to "love" just doesn't cut it for me.

I am learning to love myself, so it's not quite that simple to "love" me on Valentine's Day.

Anyway, back to my singleness, and a holiday that reminds me of that every year.

I have never really had a boyfriend/been in an official relationship with anyone, so Valentine's Day isn't really that special.

For a while, I have been happy with being single, but now, seeing friends in relationships, and getting engage/married, is making me feel like it's never going to happen for me.

I really want to have a meaningful, long, loving relationship with someone who will love me for who I am, who will love all of me. Someone who will not ask me to change anything about myself.

Someone who I will do the same for.

I want to get married, and have a family, someday. Hopefully sooner rather than later (I am not looking for a relationship, just to be in one. I have decided that I am really ready for love, and for to share my life with someone).

Although, it seems like it won't be happening any time soon.

But, I am not giving up hope. I know someone is out there, somewhere, who will be there for me. Who will want to be with me.

People I Would Love to Meet

There are quite a few people I would love to meet.

Although, I would most likely be starstruck, and quiet (as I am a very shy person by nature), so I wouldn't say much, at least at first. But, that won't/doesn't stop me from wanting to meet them.

So, here are the people I would most like to meet:

• Michael Gambon
• Maggie Smith
• Johnny Depp
• Daniel Radcliffe
• Emma Watson
• Rupert Grint
• Andrea Bocelli
• J.K. Rowling
• Jonathan Antoine
• Joni Eareckson Tada
• Whitney Way Thore (from My Big Fat Fabulous Life)
• David Tennant
• Jazz Jennings
• Nick Vujicic
• Camille and Kennerly (The Harp Twins)
• Buddy Valastro (The Cake Boss)
• Jen and Bill (The Little Couple)
• Ian McKellan
• Andre Rieu
• Marlee Matlin
• Katie Leclerc
• Celtic Woman
• Celtic Thunder
• Helena Bonham Carter
• Emma Thompson
• Eddie Redmayne
• Anne Hathaway
• Viola Davis
• James Earl Jones
• Antonio Banderas
• Morgan Freeman
• Donald Sutherland
• Kiefer Sutherland
• Gene Wilder
• Craig Ferguson
• Bindi Irwin
• Pope Benedict XVI
• Liam Hemsworth
• Chris Hemsworth
• Adele
• Tom Felton
• Evanna Lynch
• Ashley Greene
• Peter Facinelli
• Stephenie Meyer

And, just because, here are the people I wish I could have met, before they died:

• Alan Rickman
• Robin Williams
• Ronald Reagan
• Richard Harris
• Philip Seymour Hoffman
• Christopher Reeve
• Maureen O'Hara
• Shirley Temple
• B.B. King
• Luciano Pavarotti
• Andre the Giant
• Nelson Mandela
• Steve Irwin
• Dick Clark
• Pope John Paul II
• Princess Diana
• Rosa Parks
• Mother Teresa

Rest in Peace, Alan Rickamn

Today, one of my favorite actors, Alan Rickman, died at age 69 from cancer.

I was shocked to hear of his passing, and of his cancer diagnosis, as I had no idea he was sick.

He was one of the people I wanted to meet at some point in my life, but now, that is not possible.

He was absolutely perfect in Harry Potter as Snape, Hans Gruber in the Die Hard movies, and all his other roles.

From what I have read/heard about him, Alan was very supportive of others, very funny, an all around great guy to be around.

It's impossible not to feel sad about the loss of Alan Rickman, aka Snape/Hans/Harry (from Love Actually).

My condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans (yes, his fans as well).

Rest in peace to a wonderful man. The world has lost an incredible soul, one that will be dearly missed.

A Strong Desire to Be An STM

For some time now, I have been wanting to be an STM (short term missionary) at a Joni and Friends Retreat.

The only thing stopping me from applying: the money. The one I want to go to isn't super expensive, but I am still unable to pay for the retreat.

The registration for this year opened today, but I am hesitant to apply. They do have assistance for people who are unable to pay the entire amount, but I'm not sure if I really want to/can do it this year.

So, I am looking to hopefully go next year.

You can learn more about Joni and Friends here, and about the retreats here.

A friend of mine has gone to a few of these retreats before, and loved them. I read about them on the website, and they sound like so much fun. So, I hope to be able to go to at least on retreat in my life.

Musically Inclined

I was recently chatting with one of the children's librarians at the local library, and we got to talking about music and musical instruments.

She told me she was learning how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the guitar, so she can play it at story time.

I told her that I used to play the violin in my elementary school's orchestra, and took a guitar class my freshman year of high school (yes, they had/have a guitar class!!).

For quite some time, I have been hoping to be able to buy a full size violin for myself, and to start playing again. I seriously miss playing, and would love to get back into it.

I quit playing the violin after fifth grade, because I "got bored with it." I have been regretting that ever since. So, hopefully I can start up again, before it's too late.

I may even start trying to play the guitar again as well. I love music, and actually enjoyed playing instruments. There are other instruments I want to play as well, and hopefully I can maybe take lessons for those too. Although, violin is my instrument of choice, and will be focusing on that.

I can't wait to get back into things, and to play again soon!!!

2016, and My Dreams for the Year

I can't believe today is the last day of 2015, and that tomorrow is 2016. How fast the year went!!

                                                                           Source

My dreams for 2016 are:

• to get my driver's license
• to do well in my classes
• to get a job
• to be in a relationship with a guy who will love all of me; who will love me for who I am
• to be more outgoing/do things out of my comfort zone
• Start and keep a regular exercise routine
• Learn how to cook
• Eat half as much junk food/twice as much healthy food
• Start/work on a book to be published
• Get my room cleaned up and redecorated
• Start and keep up a small garden (fruits, veggies, flowers)
• have regular contact with friends (email, texting, get togethers, etc.)
• volunteer at an animal shelter
• to learn self-defense
• to learn a new language (I want to learn Italian, Spanish, Sign Language, German, and maybe a few other languages)
• Have more self-confidence, more self-love
• Have more adventures

What are your dreams for 2016? I hope everyone has a happy, safe New Year's!!

Merry Christmas!!!

To those who celebrate, I hope you have/had a wonderful Christmas time!!

I celebrated with my sister and her family, dad, and two of my brothers, and it was a very enjoyable time.

I got:

• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
• Baking With the Cake Boss: 100 of Buddy's Best Recipes and Decorating Secrets by Buddy Valastro
• A Kevin Minions plush toy (something not on my list, but I love it all the same!!)
• A package of Grumpy cat stickers and a 2-pack of Grumpy Cat pens (another thing not on my list, but I will definitely be using them; I love Grumpy Cat!!)
• Allegiant by Veronica Roth
• Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb DVD
• Insurgent DVD
• Toy Story 2 DVD
• Toy Story 3 DVD
• A Funko Pop! Harry Potter figurine (this one is of Harry in his Quidditch robes, carrying his broom and a snitch)
• A Funko Pop! Sadness figurine (from the movie Inside Out)
• Sindarin/English & English-Sindarin Dictionary (a language J.R.R. Tolkien made up in the Hobbit/LOTR series)
• 3 Amazon.com gift cards

All in all, a wonderful Christmas celebration. Seeing my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew, opening presents, Christmas dinner...always a wonderful time!!

Winter Fest 2015

The annual Winter Fest in my town was this weekend.

I did go, and this was probably my 4th or 5th time going. It's pretty a pretty neat community event, where you buy a tin (yes, you have to buy it), and then go around to participating shops, who then give you a cookie/treat.

There's also different acitivities (like carolers, musicians, etc.) and, of course Santa Clause.

I always try and get my picture taken with Santa every year.

I may be an adult, but that doesn't mean I have to always be an adult every single day. I love Santa!!!

Here are the few pictures that I took/had taken for me, during the fest:

 

These guys are awesome :) They sing as well as playing their instruments.

 

All the treats from the cookie walk.

 

Santa!!

 

Me and Santa :) He loves to sing "Merry Christmas" when he has his picture taken with kids (and adults).

 

 

I had a great time, and I hope to be able to go again next year.