One More...

"For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness!"

This fancy, yet oh-so simple quote comes from a friend via facebook! I like love this one because you can replace "angry" with any emotion (bitter, mad, hostile, etc...). I absolutely LOVE this quote because it is SOOO true! I adore my family, friends and, well, life itself! I have the ability to create my own destiny, so that's what I'm doing. If there is something that you want to accomplish, do it. Find the things that make you happy and get so involved in them that time passes without you knowing it. If there is a goal that you want to reach (whether it be weight loss or earning a master's degree), find supporters, mentors and a team of folks to rally behind you. Don't forget about Jesus! He has the power to feed the hungry, supply clothes for the naked and a way of making us feel comforted and loved each and every second of the day.

So, "Don't worry, by happy!"

Have a great weekend! When life gets you down, find something (or someone) to help you pick it back up.


P.S. While I'm here and thinking about what makes me happy, I will post some song lyrics for you all to read. You should also listen to the song here!! The whole song is awe-inspiring and can be a tear jerker. I know that I have had some jam sessions in my car to this song. It was also my warm-up song when I was competing in college. I knew that I was there for a purpose. I had worked hard. I trusted my coach. Perhaps I had a stumbling block here and there, but I wasn't going to let that override the determination and God given gift that I have as an athlete. There was definitely something inside of me telling me to keep pressing on, and I'm glad that I did!

Keep the dream alive don't let it die 

If something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop 

And never give up, don't ever give up on you 

Don't give up 

Every victory comes in time, work today to change tomorrow 

It gets easier, who’s to say that you can’t fly 

Every step you take you get, closer to your destination 

You can feel it now, don’t you know you're almost there? 

To fulfill divine purpose, you gotta answer when you're called 

So don't be afraid to face the world against all odds

Major Relief ;)

For the past month I have been planning for an event at work. The event was today and it went as well as well can go! Planning a breakfast, 4 presentations at different locations around campus and a bbq lunch for 600 people isn't easy. I am relieved beyond belief and can now switch gears...to thinking about how I start GRAD SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!

Anyways, as I sit here browsing the internet/facebook, I stumbled upon a couple quotes that are fun and motivating, to me :) Here they are!

"Dream of life until life becomes a dream"

Whether you write it down or scream it from the rooftops. We create our own destiny. Dreams can come true!

"Name it and Claim it!"

We use this phrase in my family and I love it because I it can apply to anything in life (goals, relationships, finances, etc). If having your name on a hollywood star will signify "you've made it," then I'm all about it. Go after something, name it (the goal) and claim it (as though you've already conquered/achieved it).

"Another Day, Another A"

My roommate in college taught me this one, and it's a true gem! I'm trying to be like this little guy right here, with some A's on my academic record at the end of the quarter. Wish me luck...I've been out of the classroom for over a year now!

I love school. I love preparing a school bag. I love bringing a lunch (or dinner b/c I'm taking evening classes). I love sitting in class with my friends. I love learning. 

I will most likely want to take back each of these phrases at least a handful of times over the next 9 months. But hey, at the end of it all..I'll have a master's degree!!!

3 Things

When I left work this afternoon, I told myself that there were 3 things that I needed to do before bed.

My list went a little something like this...

1. Assemble Bookshelf
I re-arranged my room about a week ago {post still to come} but needed a small shelving unit to house papers, photo albums, hats, and cool travel decor items that I've been meaning to find a space for. I found the perfect bookshelf at Target for......wait for it........$20!!!! Twenty bucks is all it took to fill my need and make me one happy gal!

                       What I was working with...                                 My new beauty!
                           [Found it for free]                                         [$20 at Target]

I haven't finished decorating the bookshelf and I still need to buy a shadowbox to hang/prop above it, but this will do for now.

2. Go for a Run
This one is simple. I need to exercise.

I have yet to complete this task. Simply because I got home and ate rice krispies cereal with sugar instead. And now I feel too gross to go on a run. I really, really need to get out and move this body of mine. Ughh I will do it today. I will do it today. I will do it today...

3. Clean my Room
Ever since I re-arranged my room, it hasn't been orderly like I am used to. I have incomplete projects laying around and that, in my mind, gives me an excuse for being lazy and not putting things away. I have a chair full of clothes that need to be ironed. I have a bed that wasn't made this morning. I have multiple pairs of shoes on the ground. I have a laundry hamper that is almost full. I have a lot going on in here.

Basically, I have yet to  clean my room {except for vacuuming the little spot that I just moved the bookshelf to}.

I'm 1 for 3 thus far. But hey, it could be worse. 

This post was my not-so-sneaky way of procrastinating. 

I must get back to working on my to-do list. 

Hopefully, I can report back tomorrow that I finished everything!

Lately..

I've been spending my nights diligently working on my computer to edit, save and organize my pictures from Semester at Sea (that amazing trip I took during the Spring of 2011). 

This is because I am making a photobook through My Publisher. It's an awesome website that comes highly recommended. And, the best  one of the best parts? It's been easy to use thus far!

Did I mention that they always have coupons and promotional deals?!?! This is the other best part :)

I'll keep working until I'm done. 

Then I'll order this fatty book. 

And let you know how it turns out! 

I can hardly wait to see all of my favorite moments from Semester at Sea in one book. 

Now, if I can only figure out why it has taken me a year and a half to get going on this project...

Birthday Blessings

This is a woman of God, true prayer warrior and my grandma! Thank you for volunteering at my school when I was in elementary school, thank you for encouraging my adventurous spirit (watching me skydive and scheme up a plan for my Semester at Sea funds) and thank you for treating birthdays as our "special day". It really is true, your birthday is the one day each year that you get for yourself. You have taken me across the country and taught me about life. To a great role model and fun-family oriented lovely lady...

Nana,
May today bring you joy, love and laughter!

I Love You!!

Nana and I visiting Lady Liberty!

My grandparents and sister!

That's her, the birthday girl!

Family greeting me after I sailed around the world!

Wedding ready!

My grandma and Mom took the train for 36 hours to watch me compete at Nationals!

Nature walk in S-Breezy!

Fam First: Grandparents, Brothers and Cousins

Gorgeous grandparents and their children's children!

Happy Birthday!

Christina may or may not be celebrating another decade of life ;) 

Happy Birthday!! 

We go back to my years in college when I used to sit in her office while I was in between classes or when I didn't want to go to practice. She watched me compete at Nationals. She is my mentor. She is my hiking buddy. She is a master planner. We are members of suppa club. We play bingo together. We karaoke together. We laugh (I often laugh until I cry when we are together). Did I mention that she is loving, caring, kind and all of the qualities that come with a great friend? Well, now I have!

Both Pictures: Suppa Club!

                     
                         

       1. LMFAO Concert. Dressing up was obvious, to us.                2. Winning  big money at Bingo!!!!

1. Buying a beach cruiser at a yard sale in Isla Vista (perfect Sat morning activity) 2. Vegas babyyy

And some Pine Mountain pictures...for old times sake!

Supporting my yet-to-be-discovered music talents!

House Picture from 1991

Pine mountain brought out the best in us!

Roboting in the kitchen. Always classy. 

And for the office..

Tomorrow might be the day that my music talents are discovered. We will sing and be merry. Because Christina deserves all the best!

I made this one of a kind, hand crafted plate...just for you!
*pretend it's not backwards, bad picture

Funfetti Cookies and cream filled vanilla cupcakes

Happy birthday, Christina! You're a great friend with so many talents and a great personality!

My favorite quote is...

So, come on, folks....

Let those you love know how much you love them. Call someone who's been on your mind lately, just to see how they're doing. Stay up late with someone special, and cherish every moment of it. Do something out of the norm, because "you've always wanted to do it".

I'll be making some phone calls and setting up some skype dates tomorrow. We have one chance at this life here on earth. Make the best of it! 

Sea l Mester

My dear friend Kelly and I met while sailing around the world last spring with Semester at Sea. She couldn't get enough and just had to go abroad again. So she's embarking on another trip! But this time her journey will be a bit different. Kelly is sailing with a program called seamster. She'll be working and learning how to sail (can't wait for the sailing adventures to come)!! There are 24 students and just a couple staff/crew. There is no internet while at sea so she'll be using internet cafes and bumming off free wifi anywhere she can. Join me in following her blog!


Here's to Kelly having a safe, fun and exciting next 4 months of traveling and excursions!!

Me, Kelly and our friend Rolando sleeping on the Great Wall in China!
The best way to describe it? Freezing cold, but fun..in a very unique way :)

Kelly and I at the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, China

Cooling off under a tree in Hawaii after walking on hardened lava from an active volcano

Lilly, myself, Kelly and Jamie having Singapore Slings while in Singapore 

I've logged onto skype (so she can call me when she bums that free internet) and don't plan to log off until she returns! Just in case you are wondering why I'm always on these days ;)

Have a blast, my friend! Have a blast!

Labor Day Weekend!

I love holidays. Any holiday. 

I love having an extra day off of work to do whatever I want. 

I love spending time with my sister and doing things that we love. 

Like...working out, eating, doing our hair, going to church, having lunch with friends, sleeping in (and taking naps) and laughing until we cry because our stories are that funny!

All of the above is what I did this past weekend and I loved every single moment of it all! I flew out to Arizona on Sat morning on a steal-of-a-deal nonstop flight from SBA to PHX!! I had a voucher that I used towards an already low fare so my out of pocket expenses weren't bad at all. Man oh man, I love a good deal!

So Kristen, who is working out in Orange County for a couple months, met me out in Phoenix on Saturday morning and we went rock climbing. A while back I bought a groupon (who would have guessed haha) for a day pass of rock climbing and Cold Stone Ice Cream!! I'm alllll about working out and eating..as stated above..so obviously we enjoyed ourselves.

After rock climbing and ice cream it was nap time. I haven't taken a good long nap like that in a while so you can only imagine how refreshed I felt after that one :)

Then we went out for a late happy hour with one of Kristen's friends and dancing at Sandbar. We called it a night before the crazies were let out {aka when the bar announces last call then closes for the night}, got home and passed out. Phew I was tired!

Me, Annett and Kristen: fun night out!!

Sunday morning was hair time and church. I absolutely LOVE this church that Kristen belongs to! Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church is fabulous. I'll say it again...I just Love going to church there (yes, capital "L"). After church was lunch with friends and a trip to Apache Junction!!!!!!!

Apache Junction is a town that's...well, out of town. We toured the trailer parks and called on a couple that were for sale to see how much it would cost for one of those beauty's. $28,000. Yep, that's it. Best part? It had a new solar roof, double pane windows, double wide trailer, 24x52 (I asked about square footage and was given dimensions), 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, close proximity to community center (who knew that there would be a community center) and...the best part...it was fully furnished!!!!!

As it turns out, this establishment is in a 55+ community. I'll have to get a golf cart and grow some grey hairs before making the move. 

After our trip to AJ we had dinner and wine with Sarah then girl talk. A lot of it. We drove back to Kristen's and, once again, were out like lights when our heads hit those pillows. 

Monday came and we slept in. That is a common theme that I reallllyyyy enjoyed. We got up and went to lunch at a fun cafe in town then I got a pedicure. A much needed pedicure. Then errands and frozen yogurt followed by some window shopping/browsing. We finished the night with dinner and catch up with friends. 

My time in Arizona was just what I needed to finish the summer. A nice 3-day weekend with a vacation where I actually relaxed. Sometimes I go away and don't really rest. I'm busy planning, organizing, worrying and doing as much as possible in the couple days allotted. So, this trip was heavenly. And the best part, my flight landed in Santa Barbara this morning at 9:10am and I went right to work. Made it in by 9:20am. 

Thank you, Kristen and AZ friends, for such a fun-filled weekend. I needed that :)