30 November 2011

Do you ever feel like you have way too much on your plate to handle? That's this whole week for me, and it will probably be this way up until Christmas break unfortunately.
I think that a lot of people in this world often take on too many things at once thinking that they can do it all and feel productive. This is often not the case sadly. While we all wish to be superman, I think that it's wise to know when to put some things to rest and when other things need to be emphasized in our lives.
We have a hard time remembering that while life is short, it is really a long time to be living. There will be plenty of time to get everything done if you're patient and are willing to wait a little bit. It's one of the many virtues of life that I think most of us struggle with.

29 November 2011

There are things in all of our lives that are sent to test us and see if we're smarter than what everyone thinks that we are. Some things are bigger than others, but overall we must be observant.
I always have a lot of trouble finding things, and I'm sure that my family can agree with me on this. I misplace things that I borrow, my assignments, clothes, shoes, whatever else you can lose, I've lost it sometime in my life. I"m sure I'm not alone in this though. We all have moments in our lives that can get the better of us.
I think that losing things is just one of the many challenges that we face on a day-to-day basis. Another one that I see more prominently is dealing with other people that you might not be so fond of. I think that these are all good tests of character. You get to see how you will treat others, is it always like the way that you'd want to be treated, or is it differently?
It's a wonder, why we do what we do in our lives. What shapes us into who we are that everyone perceives us as. Finding someplace that we fit into perfectly is one of our lifelong goals, but getting there and clearing the hurdles is half the fun.

28 November 2011

We all have low moments in our lives, you have to hit the bottom before you come back up. It's nice to know that things will always get better with time.
Everyone makes mistakes and falls to scratch their knees. What's life without a few bruises and scars? I think that's one of life's gifts to us all. If we never fall down to hurt ourselves, how are we supposed to learn and get better?
Sometimes people find things that stop them and drag them down, leaving deep impressions on their lives. But when they come out of it, they're able to look back and pull through to something better. I think that we all have moments like these.
I think that when the times get hard, that we just need to remember that someone out there is looking out for us, watching over us, and loves us. So we should keep going and know that things and and will always be better.

27 November 2011

Doing something that you love makes all the difference in how hard you will work for it. When things work out and you see everything fall into place, it's then that you realize that you're doing something right. It's the feeling that drives us all to try and reach perfection.
Sometimes we try crazy things in order to reach for the highest star. We try to out-do even ourselves and we over-criticize what we do in order to be better than we think we can be. It's a curious thing, our determination...it stops at nothing to accomplish what we want most.

26 November 2011

It's funny how when we finally decide to clean something that we can find so many great things. Some are better than others to find and then there are times where what you find halts the cleaning and organizational process...which is highly problematic.
One of my favorite things to come across is old photographs. The next coolest thing would be things that you've saved from a trip or a specific, special moment in your life. I've found maps of historical places, napkins from restaurants, postcards with translations, a playing card I received from a friend from Bulgaria, and much much more. It's so interesting, the items that pique our interests and force us to keep certain things.
During this time of year, we have to lug everything up from the basement that pertains to the holidays. We go through all the frustration of wondering where we left it the year before, and then the lack of space after we place it all in the living room. We carefully place each delicate ornament in place, layer lights and tinsel, on a tiny tree and just smile at it, satisfied with all of the hard work.
I think that this sums up the definition of "cleaning up" something. We just end up rearranging things so that they look better, more organized, and are of more use to us. The idea is to keep the most interesting things that we find on top of everything and let the unimportant remain the way that they are, buried under everything else.

25 November 2011

Some things in our lives are so old that we don't know if they'll ever work again. We don't know how long something will truly last in our lifetime. Everyday, things everywhere look a little differently than they did from the day before.
I remember when the grape field there used to be a corn/bean field, when there used to be a runway for Grandpa's airplane that I was promised a ride in. Things change and people move on, things are never the same again.
Today I was shown this website called www.dearphotograph.com...check it out. I think the whole idea speaks for itself. Us, as humans, never truly want to let go of the special things of the past. We save them and remember the weirdest and most fun parts of our lives so that we can look back and laugh when we need a smile.

As the years go by, all of our perspectives change. Not only do our height changes make them differ, but also how our sight is affected by our age, the taste of what we find appealing to look at, what we enjoy in life, etc. has been changed as well. The twig of a tree that once stood in your front yard is now a hundred feet tall and is bigger around than your arms can reach, the grass is different shades, and sometimes new buildings come around.
We start to wonder as we look back at pictures, what things would be like today, how much different they are from back in "the good old days" and if it will ever be like that again.

24 November 2011
What're you thankful for this holiday season? The pumpkin pie and the turkey, or your friends, family, and the opportunities that you have in your life? Maybe it's all of these and more.

I'm thankful for all of the many wonderful opportunities that I have in my life. Not only am I blessed with a wonderful family, but also great friends nationally and internationally that like me for who I am. I am grateful for everything that I have in my life and for the people who believe in me and support me in whatever I do.
It's always nice to know that tomorrow you're going to have a nice warm house to wake up in, clothes to wear, food to eat, and friends and family there for you. My dad used to tell me "there are starving kids in the world!" when I wouldn't finish something on my plate, and today, I really appreciate everything that is given to me because I know that somewhere in the world, someone doesn't have all of these wonderful things like I do.
So enjoy the turkey and gravy, the mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, and most of all the stuffing and pie, but don't forget how lucky you are to have the things in your life that you do. Give thanks.

23 November 2011
There are things in this life that are inevitable. Like the fact that the weather will change, you will grow old and someday leave this earth, and that perfect things will come and go in time. It's nice to enjoy and appreciate things for what they are and not take anything less. Make sure that when you look back on your life experiences, that you have no regrets...you'll be a lot happier so I'm told.

We often let lots of things pass us by. Whether it be because we were too busy doing something else, too tired, or just didn't get around to it, I don't think that we'll ever get around to experiencing everything that this world has to offer.

Sometimes people wait too long to notice a good thing. By the time you notice it, it has withered away and has become less of what it once was. Beauty is timeless and memories are forever, but I think that keeping traditions and doing all that you can in a lifetime is important. Experiencing the world for what it is is something to be treasured. Not everything in the world will last forever, so doing what you can now will be for a better tomorrow.

22 November 2011
Have you ever seen those Kit Kat commercials, the ones where all it is is the crunching noise and then the catch phrase "take a break"? We all need a break at one point or another, but how long can you go without one?

Going to school is just so much fun, don't even get me started; but eventually, probably sooner than later, we all need to take a break and get away. Not only does my head start to hurt after a while, but I get tired of dealing with the everyday drama and people that I don't much care for day after day after day.
If variety is the spice of life, why do we spend most of our days doing nearly the same thing? I would rather do something different each day so that I can know that when I am older and can't do as many things as I can do now, that I have lived my life to be as full and entertaining as I could make it.
I think that taking a break from the everyday routine is good, but I also think that an everyday routine should be something more than a routine that you can set for "auto-pilot" everyday. Sometimes it's nice to just go with the flow and be at ease with something that you're relaxed at and enjoy doing.

21 November 2011
We all see the people in our lives that get everything handed to them on a silver platter, and their lives are so easy compared to ours. We wish that for just once, we could swap places and see how they feel being on the outside, working hard for something they want, instead of getting it based on who they are.

I sometimes feel like I'm doing so much more work than I have to be doing...especially when everyone around me is barely trying and ends up passing with flying colors. Not only is it frustrating, but also disheartening.
In my "perfect" world, people aren't judged based on where they come from or what the size of their wallets are. They are judged on how well they can perform something that they care about. Going through life everyday in a place that glorifies people for who they are is sickening and discouraging as well. Kids that know they don't stand a chance against those that are better off and are constantly told who is supposed to be the better person won't even try to usurp them.
I guess that's how the world has to work in order for there to be people that are actually good at something that they care about. You have to be good enough to keep pushing through what everyone says against you and come out on top of everything. Someday you'll look back at those with the silver spoon and smile thinking, "you're still in the same spot while I've moved on to better things on my own."

20 November 2011

Things that make you go "hmm." They make you question your thoughts and what you believe in. Something that turns your mind and thought processes around to contradict everything up until a certain point...then you make that face, the whole "whaaat?" face.
When I talk to someone, I always am listening to every single word that they say, even if it seems that I am disinterested. Sometimes listening to someone is harder than you would think, remembering everything that they say is a different story however.
How often do you listen to the conversations of people around you? Or look at the people inside of the cars that pass by on the interstate? (when you're not the one driving of course). It's interesting to see how they're all so different. You then start to think of how people view you.
I find it funny that people can judge others and stick up their noses thinking that they're so much better than the next person when inside, they're secretly wanting everyone to like them and to think well of them. I can usually spot people like this, and it just makes me wonder...how do you expect someone to give you respect when you don't give it to others?
And cue the confused look that inspires deep thought...

19 November 2011

"Open Happiness." That's Coca-Cola's famous catch phrase, yet...it seems so unconventional. How do you "open" happiness? Happiness isn't contained in a box under the wrapping paper at Christmastime, it's not in a glass bottle filled with carbonated sugar-water, nor is it found with all of the dollar bills and shiny pennies in your bank accounts.
To me, happiness is doing what you love with people that you love...nothing more and nothing less. You shouldn't have to expect anything when it comes to being happy. You should just take something for what it is and be content with it.
Some people are always hoping for the best, wishing for something better, and wondering what their lives would be like if things were different...but I believe that we'd all be a lot better off if we just breathe and take what we have one step at a time.
No one can be truly happy when they spend their lives in sadness, wishing for something better than what they have, and trying to use their money to bring them happiness. Money and wishing will get you nowhere unless you're willing to set those things aside and try to enjoy what you're dealt in this life. When life gives you lemons, make the sweetest lemonade around and you'll always have the best customers.

18 November 2011

Something sweet to make you smile,
Will it last a moment, or linger for a while?
When you close your eyes and think kind thoughts,
It's the frustration of everyday that you seem to have lost.

After a long week of listening and holding out strong,
The things you've been living, you've thought them all wrong.
When it's time to think back and you analyze the time,
How often do you think, "I feel like a mime"?

The sweet are silent and the loud are tart,
Most cards that you read are written straight from the heart.
When you eat something sweet and the sugar sets in,
It's then that the rush of happiness begins.

17 November 2011

Waiting for things and surprises...two things that I don't particularly like. It's not that I don't like surprises or waiting for something, I just don't much care for the suspense of it all.
I'd rather know at the last second if something is a surprise rather than know about something that I can't know the details for. I like to have everything planned out and know what I will be doing. This way I can mentally prepare myself for things and also plan for my OCD of time management. Not knowing things that will happen tend to throw me off of my schedule, which bothers me slightly. If you have a surprise, tell me 5 minutes before I find it out and it will be much more beneficial to us both.
For others, this might be a different story. They might enjoy the suspense and the time up until the moment that they can know the secrets. I however, simply can't stand it...and will spend the entire time trying to figure out what's in store for me.
Whether you were blessed with the virtue of patience or not, surprises are wonderful, and waiting for things can sometimes be aggravating. I imagine that it's like this with anyone. But in the end, the results are always something to be treasured.

16 November 2011

Everyday on the way to school, I can't help but think about how we're all like ants traveling to different mounds. It's quite hysterical if you really start to think about it. Everyone is playing "follow-the-leader" to get to wherever they're going.
My favorite time to watch the traffic is always early in the morning or late at night when all that you can see is the tail-lights and the head-lights on all of the cars whizzing past. Days start to feel more productive and longer if you get up early and make the most of it. I can't stand to sit around and do nothing for a day, I feel so boring and invisible to the world.
People are always telling you to be different from everyone else, but I think that it is hard for young people today to understand and conform to these ideas. With everyone always traveling in the same directions to places, how are the timid supposed to forge new paths and create an identity of their own?

15 November 2011

Do you ever feel like you're some place where you are the "fly on the wall"? Sitting there slowly fading into the wallpaper? I know that I do. At school dances, in the backs of classrooms, sometimes in the hallways at school or even in my living room at home. Why do we even stick around then at these times?
Maybe it's back to that thought of wanting to be loved and included in our lives that makes us stay somewhere even though we're out of the loop of what's happening in the current situation. I like to sit and observe things and keep to my thoughts in a quiet place, but at other times like to have my opinion come through.
We're all like little flames that burn bright into the night...all very different and are burning at different brightnesses. Other people want to be noticed and recognized more often than some others might want to. But we're all scared of the wind that will take our voices away and make the world quiet.

14 November 2011

As the warmer weather starts to slip away into a pleasant memory and the cold weather starts settling in, we reach for the soft, furry clothes of winter. The intricate patterns and bright colors of the scarves, gloves, hats, and also jackets start to become more prominent.
I like to look at the stitches and see how loose or tight they all are, if there's any snags in the patterns, or if you can see through the holes. I remember I went through a phase in my life where I loved to knit. I knitted scarves and blankets; granted, they were small and not so professional looking, but they were all special in many different ways. You can see the different gaps and the tighter knots that are woven in. I think that each scarf, pair of gloves, hat, or jacket made is different; though, homemade stuff is always the best...each one is different. They are all unique and that's what makes them so special...each to be worn, appreciated, cared for, and remembered in a different way. But most importantly...it's made with love.

13 November 2011

Feeling special is what we all strive for in a lifetime. It's what makes us feel whole and happy. We search, I think, in all the wrong places to try and fit in and feel like we are important. We should instead, be more relaxed and let the world come to us as it wishes.
What makes me happiest is doing something that I love with the people in my life that are important to me. I believe that if you continue to live your life surrounded by people who make you unhappy and you continue to do things that make you feel useless, you're in the wrong place!!!! Instead, proceed to go places where you feel happy and positive. Everyone should feel as though they can change the world.

To me...sitting around watching the world and waiting for it to change into something better is a waste of time. The only real change that is done in this world is change that is put into effect by the person that cares the most. People that complain, say that they wish things could be better, or are angry because life isn't going their way...I don't feel bad for you because you have a choice. You have the choice to stand up for what you want in the world. Those who work hard enough will have the chance to live their changes, hopes, and dreams for a happy, fulfilling, and special life.

11 and 12 November 2011

Appreciating things, being nice, as well as being truthful are key to living a happy, friendly, and also productive life. Most people take little things for granted and will judge before they actually know about someone or something, whereas we should all take a few minutes to fully understand the world around us and be able to interpret what we should give back and how to live in harmony. If we take this time, I believe that the world will definitely be a better place to live in.

While the things that I listed don’t seem to mesh very well together when describing each other, I think that they do a perfect job of conveying my message. People around the world seem to have a hard time accepting things that are different, when I think that is where we are all at fault. We need to see people for who they truly are and appreciate every aspect of them. They have so much that they can teach us and that we can grow from, it would be a lost opportunity to judge at a first glance. I like to think of the quote referring to putting yourself in another's shoes...you'd like someone to understand you before they fabricate judgements. In this world, all we really want is to be loved and thought of as special.

Such as a beautiful flower, the world will be more colorful and full with the virtues of understanding, acceptance, and appreciation. Something so beautiful can't ever go unnoticed. The most wonderful aspect about the world is that there are so many different things to offer and take in, that people just pick and choose what they like and don't like. I believe that we should appreciate all things and take into consideration the origin of them to be the best person that we can be. By doing this, I think that we can help the world, as well as others, grow in order to be better and stronger.

10 November 2011

Sleep on it. That phrase is something that people say to you when you should really think about something important in your life. Whether you take the time to take that decision seriously or not...that is up to you.

I like to have some time to sit to myself and just think for a while. I can clear my head of the noise that fills it every single day. It’s like taking a breath of fresh air when you walk outside. You just feel better after you get some time to clear your thoughts.

Some people enjoy the “white-noise” of life and can work better in those conditions. I have a hard time doing so. I am more the sort of person who likes to sit back and observe the situations going on around me. I can then have a better understanding of everything and I can be in my own element in my own home.

It's funny how people can change when they get the time to think to themselves. You are able to see things in a different way than before and come back with something more to offer the world. So maybe the next time someone tells you to "sleep on it," you might actually lose some "z's" or take the time you have by yourself until the next day in order to seriously look at your options. Then think about whether or not the decision that will be made will have a positive impact on your life.

9 November 2011

Getting thrown into a new place isn't always fun, at least for me it isn't. I guess I'm socially awkward. I get nervous about being in large groups and having to meet so many new people. What if they don't like me? How am I supposed to make a good impression? Will I remember everyone's name?
While I love the group of friends that I have and I enjoy meeting new people that are similar to me and are kind-hearted, I have an awful hard time getting out there to even start. I wish I could just moon-walk through a crowd of people and then have everyone love me and be my friend, but life doesn't work like that.
I've learned that you have to just smile and fake it until you make it. Hopefully someone will see that you're alone and that you need someone to talk to, then you won't have to worry about hoping for someone to notice and say hello.

8 November 2011

It's funny how the change in weather changes people's moods. Teachers start being more "tired" so they give lots of homework and more quizzes. People walk around the hallways without a smile, instead just a drained look of "I need to go home." Why do we let the weather control our minds and emotions?
Although I love the rain, I must admit that it gives me a melancholy haze over the rest of my emotions. I just want to sit at home next to the fire, wrapped in a soft blanket, watching a Disney movie with hot cocoa. Somewhere where no one will bother me or disturb my peace.
Sunshine, I think, is made even more special because of this. It's bright, warm, and colorful...it reminds you of summertime. The moments when you have nothing to worry about, when you smile. The sun and the rain sometimes collaborate and you get a cloudless shower. I'm not sure how I feel then...maybe a mixture of both happiness and sadness, or just mainly happiness. It only happens every so often because it's so special...why do we waste the time in our busy lives to remember how we feel about the weather? It's always changing and is completely different everyday, we can't remember it all.

7 November 2011

Which is better, black and white or color?

When things are in just black and white, is there gray-space included or just is it strictly black and white? I guess it's all about who sees things outside of the lines and thinks of life in terms of "what if?" There are so many more opportunities when boundaries aren't so stringent...more creativity to be implemented.
If things are in color, you can see everything for what it truly is. It's vibrance and the different shades help you to see things that you might have missed had it been all black, white, and gray. I think that colors have a downfall though. It's like love. The colors distract you from maybe seeing the truth behind them, whereas black, white, and gray is a "tell it like it is" color scheme. Hiding nothing in the shadows and shadings of bright , flashy colors.
When you dream, is it in black or white or in color...sometimes both? Which ones do you remember the most? Maybe there's the clouded edges or even a silver lining.

6 November 2011

Keeping things around is sometimes good and other times can be a hassle.Why do we keep useless items around knowing that we'll probably never use them again?
Speaking of keeping things around, I will admit that today's photo is a stock photo that I took over a year ago in New York. It reminds me of how every time I go to the grocery store, there are so many good things to look at and to buy; yet so many things that we don't need, still we buy them anyways.
Why do we keep things? Is it a matter of the item being a symbol of something that was in your life, or something that will be in your life, a promise of something better for you, a reminder of something intimate? What's its actual purpose if you don't ever use it except to look at and to take up space on your desk? All good questions when you're trying to clean up your room. Some particulars are easier to get rid of than others, it just really depends on how you remember the certain item.
But which is better...the actual item that you have to hold and keep forever, or the memory that takes up no space and can stay forever at no cost?

5 November 2011

Giving back. It's what every college application, job interview, and association will ask you before making a decision. But how do you answer it? There are so many things that come to mind when I am asked that question and I never know how to put it all down in words, but today I finally learned how to do so.

Today, I saw truly how far a simple and sincere "thank you" can go. Knowing that you're appreciated is always something wonderful. Seeing people who risk everything for something that they love gives a new meaning to protection and giving. Looking at the perfectly ironed uniforms, the shiny shoes, the glimmering medals, and the stoic faces of those who serve is truly inspiring.
I'm not sure about everyone else around me, but I know that I like to give back to the community and to the people who care. I only hope that someday someone will say a simple "thank you" so that maybe I, as well as other people who help, can feel as important as those who step in time with each other and do so much more than we could ever ask for.

4 November 2011

Safe keeping is always beneficial. Knowing where everything is and saving stuff for a later date is smart. Most people in this world get something and then go to spend it right away. Wouldn't it be nice to know that you'll always have something leftover for the times where you'd like to do something nice for yourself?
Whether it's something small like popcorn kernels, money, or something big like a snow globe collection (like me), it's always nice to know that you're going to have something at the end of the day.
It always scares me when I go to the mall and I only have a limited amount of cash. I worry about running out if I suddenly need something important. I like to be on the safe sides of things and take extras of everything. It tends to work out better that way.

3 November 2011

Those little things that bother you throughout the day...the rough edges on your notebook paper, the uneven stacks of paper on your desk, or the people who talk and don't know when to honor the rule of "silence is golden."
Maybe it's the tiny OCD in me that makes me notice such things throughout the day, although I hope that's not the case. Sometimes I feel like everyone keeps something that bothers them inside, so no one knows about it. It becomes a thorn in your side. Then finally, you can't take it anymore and it becomes the tiniest thing that's bothersome to you that makes you crack.
Then there are other times where you look at the things that you hate, and just laugh because it's so ridiculous. Maybe you smile because it really isn't too bad for once. It's all relative, just depending on how you look at it.

2 November 2011

Life is full of surprises. That's what makes it so special.
Whether it's a pleasant surprise or a nasty one, it is something to be appreciated nonetheless. Lots of people take these little things for granted, especially if it's something that they don't like. I say to take every surprise and enjoy it, whether it's a lovely gift or cold and slippery snow.

Sitting around waiting for a miracle will most likely not happen. I think that that's where people go wrong in their thinking these days. I believe that you should go out in the world and try to change things for yourself, surprise yourself and others with what you're able to do instead of always sitting around waiting for something to change.

1 November 2011

New beginnings are always beautiful. You see, hear, touch, taste, and smell things all differently. You start thinking about things in a different way and seeing things from a different perspective.
Most of the time when people are given second chances or decide to "turn over a new leaf" they do their best to make-up for everything that was, or is, wrong in their lives. But who can blame them? I would want to make the most of everything and do it all right if I was given a second chance.
If you had the option to do something over again, would you take the opportunity? I've thought about that for a lot of things. What if you had to re-do something that was a bad memory for you, or you had to re-do a great memory and you could either keep it the same, or something could accidentally go wrong.
I believe that some things are better left unsaid. Sunrises, sunsets, and smiles are each unique, only to be seen once. There's always tomorrow to try and make things better, so don't dwell on what's happened...like Walt Disney once said, "Keep moving forward."