Game Plan Live. So I have this strange feeling of fate, destiny, or just a desire that one day I want to publish a book. I am not saying that I am going to wake up tomorrow and have a novel at Borders. However since the 3rd and 4th grade when my teachers told me I was a writer and I have always wanted to live up to their expectations. Throughout grade school and junior high I would win awards without really striving to win. Which is quite surprising because I usually am quite competitive. I still remember winning the Young Authors award in the 3rd grade and getting to present my story “Candy Land” in Peoria IL. I also remember writing my 8th grade graduation speech and beating out all of my classmates. When I read that speech in front of 200 + people I felt a sense of accomplishment that I actually had found a niche that I enjoyed and was actually good at.  Although these are rather small accomplishments on the larger scale of things these moments have always stuck with me. However my next deli-ma came when I actually entered college. How does one become a writer? It isn’t really a career path they send you down at college. Everyone knows you go into English and one day you are editing materials for a large corporation. Thanks, but no thanks. I love studying literature and reading has always been a passion of mine. Therefore I decided to minor in English for the entire purpose of enjoyment. However you can only study so much. Writing actually takes practice. You have to start throwing your thoughts down on paper. That is why I started this blog over a year ago. Practice for the world to see. It isn’t perfect. I know my grammar isn’t the best. However it is a start. With everything I have accomplished in my short 24 years of life I have learned one important thing; to become good at something it takes a lot  of practice and passion. I believe those two components are the key to success if life. Therefore what is my game plan? Well with every plan you need to focus on your strengths. The two main components that make up my personality is the fact that I love telling a good story and I have a major obsession with planning. I need my meals, weekends, work schedule, birthday’s, and vacations all planed out. As for now my “plan” to accomplish writing my book is to simply live (and of course practice writing). I believe with living life the to fullest and experiencing all life has to offer generates some pretty good stories. Everyone loves a good story…. and so far I have plenty of them to tell.

Game Plan

Live.

So I have this strange feeling of fate, destiny, or just a desire that one day I want to publish a book. I am not saying that I am going to wake up tomorrow and have a novel at Borders. However since the 3rd and 4th grade when my teachers told me I was a writer and I have always wanted to live up to their expectations. Throughout grade school and junior high I would win awards without really striving to win. Which is quite surprising because I usually am quite competitive. I still remember winning the Young Authors award in the 3rd grade and getting to present my story “Candy Land” in Peoria IL. I also remember writing my 8th grade graduation speech and beating out all of my classmates. When I read that speech in front of 200 + people I felt a sense of accomplishment that I actually had found a niche that I enjoyed and was actually good at.  Although these are rather small accomplishments on the larger scale of things these moments have always stuck with me.

However my next deli-ma came when I actually entered college. How does one become a writer? It isn’t really a career path they send you down at college. Everyone knows you go into English and one day you are editing materials for a large corporation. Thanks, but no thanks. I love studying literature and reading has always been a passion of mine. Therefore I decided to minor in English for the entire purpose of enjoyment. However you can only study so much. Writing actually takes practice. You have to start throwing your thoughts down on paper. That is why I started this blog over a year ago. Practice for the world to see. It isn’t perfect. I know my grammar isn’t the best. However it is a start. With everything I have accomplished in my short 24 years of life I have learned one important thing; to become good at something it takes a lot  of practice and passion. I believe those two components are the key to success if life.

Therefore what is my game plan? Well with every plan you need to focus on your strengths. The two main components that make up my personality is the fact that I love telling a good story and I have a major obsession with planning. I need my meals, weekends, work schedule, birthday’s, and vacations all planed out. As for now my “plan” to accomplish writing my book is to simply live (and of course practice writing). I believe with living life the to fullest and experiencing all life has to offer generates some pretty good stories. Everyone loves a good story…. and so far I have plenty of them to tell.

Life and Health I went for a run earlier this morning. You could tell fall has arrived. It wasn’t as sunny as it has previously been. There was that nice fall breeze that isn’t too cold, but just right. You can almost start to see some leaves on the ground. I started to think how the season’s change is somewhat similar to life. Like the four seasons some things in life are very expected. You have a general knowledge of when they will occur. However a lot of unexpected events can occur when it comes to the seasons as well. Some times winter lasts throughout spring, or you get a heat wave a day after it was 30 degrees. That pretty much sums up life. You have your major variables that are very expected with a few random variables thrown into the mix. You can not plan for these random variables… they just happen. And believe me they can happen as fast as that cold front that just hit town. I just found out today that one of my acquaintances mother recently passed away from cancer. My prayers go out to the family. I could not imagine loosing a family member. I had heard her mother was sick but did not know it had gotten that bad. It made me start to think about the unexpected and how you really can not plan for it. As you can tell my mind seems to wander from topic to topic. On my run I was thinking about how it is eventually going to get cold soon and how we can plan for certain events like the four season but other things are just up to mother nature (Oh yea and how the unexpected actually really sucks). My mother is a school nurse and has to see some depressing things daily. She told me something yesterday that really hit home. “If you have your heath you have EVERYTHING.” I thought about that statement this morning while running by Lake Michigan and felt a sense of gratitude. The fact that I was able to wake up and go for a run outside brought a smile to my face. Other people are not that lucky. I am a pretty big advocate of healthy eating and exercise. The problem with society today is that everyone is so caught up on physical appearance and not inner appearance. When you actually stop caring so much about apperience and start looking at it from a perspective of “health” you truly can appreciate your body for what it is made for. Then eventually your appearance will start to match the inside. So this New Year’s or swimsuit season don’t tell yourself you need to lose 20 pounds. You probably will end up failing. Instead tell yourself I want to live a healthier life. I want to be happy and live until I am old and grey. Although some things in life are unexpected as a society we can take small steps to prevent certain illnesses. So the next time you are deciding rather to lay on the couch all day or go for a walk outside please take a moment and ask yourself… What if I didn’t even have a choice? High-res

Life and Health

I went for a run earlier this morning. You could tell fall has arrived. It wasn’t as sunny as it has previously been. There was that nice fall breeze that isn’t too cold, but just right. You can almost start to see some leaves on the ground. I started to think how the season’s change is somewhat similar to life. Like the four seasons some things in life are very expected. You have a general knowledge of when they will occur. However a lot of unexpected events can occur when it comes to the seasons as well. Some times winter lasts throughout spring, or you get a heat wave a day after it was 30 degrees. That pretty much sums up life. You have your major variables that are very expected with a few random variables thrown into the mix. You can not plan for these random variables… they just happen. And believe me they can happen as fast as that cold front that just hit town.

I just found out today that one of my acquaintances mother recently passed away from cancer. My prayers go out to the family. I could not imagine loosing a family member. I had heard her mother was sick but did not know it had gotten that bad. It made me start to think about the unexpected and how you really can not plan for it. As you can tell my mind seems to wander from topic to topic. On my run I was thinking about how it is eventually going to get cold soon and how we can plan for certain events like the four season but other things are just up to mother nature (Oh yea and how the unexpected actually really sucks).

My mother is a school nurse and has to see some depressing things daily. She told me something yesterday that really hit home. “If you have your heath you have EVERYTHING.”

I thought about that statement this morning while running by Lake Michigan and felt a sense of gratitude. The fact that I was able to wake up and go for a run outside brought a smile to my face. Other people are not that lucky. I am a pretty big advocate of healthy eating and exercise. The problem with society today is that everyone is so caught up on physical appearance and not inner appearance. When you actually stop caring so much about apperience and start looking at it from a perspective of “health” you truly can appreciate your body for what it is made for. Then eventually your appearance will start to match the inside. So this New Year’s or swimsuit season don’t tell yourself you need to lose 20 pounds. You probably will end up failing. Instead tell yourself I want to live a healthier life. I want to be happy and live until I am old and grey. Although some things in life are unexpected as a society we can take small steps to prevent certain illnesses.

So the next time you are deciding rather to lay on the couch all day or go for a walk outside please take a moment and ask yourself… What if I didn’t even have a choice?

This summer has been extremely busy with work, social gathering, vacations, and staycations. I haven’t had that much time to actually write in my blog. My new goal is to come up with one topic/thought per day to write about. Since I just experienced my 2nd Lolla concert, I thought Music should be my first topic. Music.. Music is a powerful drug. Research has been done to show that it can actually lower blood pressure. Music has also been used to help relax people, train harder, at social gatherings, and for artists themselves it is a form of self expression. When I think of music I think it is a tool to help relate ourselves to the world. To me music helps bring people together. All around the world people listen to music. I think this goes to show that maybe we all are different, yet actually very similar. This weekend at Lolla people came from all over the world. Many artists were British and I actually ended up meeting a lot of people from Canada. The cool thing is everyone was there for the same reason, good music. One of my friends was taking forever to get ready so I actually ended up going alone for 2 hours before meeting up with another group of friends. I am a very social person but the strange thing is the 2 hours I spent alone, I actually enjoyed the most. I had less distractions/socializing, bathroom trips, and water breaks. It was 100% about standing there listening to the music. I got to the 2nd row for 2 concerts and as I was standing in the crowd listening to Lissie’s amazing voice and lyrics it hit me that music just makes me extremely happy. In the crowd I was standing alone but I never felt like I was there alone for a minute. I was surrounded by very passionate people all brought together for the love of music. I got to listen to some new bands that I was not familiar with. Some of my new favorites from the weekend are Noah and the Whale, Lissie, and City and Colour. Don’t worry I then met up with my friends and danced in the pouring rain to Cage the Elephant so the day balanced itself out nicely. Final thought. What is music good for: Blocking people out :) Put on a pair of headphones and you are golden. Celebration!  Break ups (Find some depressing, relatalbe lyrics and cry your little heart out…or on the other hand find some very angry lyrics and move on to something better) Working out Before going out Dancing Road trips Singing in the shower Karaoke Wedding receptions Festivals Laying out at the beach That is all I can think of for now! I am sure there are many more things I am forgetting. However, that is my thought for the day. Stop by again tomorrow for another thought.

This summer has been extremely busy with work, social gathering, vacations, and staycations. I haven’t had that much time to actually write in my blog. My new goal is to come up with one topic/thought per day to write about.

Since I just experienced my 2nd Lolla concert, I thought Music should be my first topic.

Music..

Music is a powerful drug. Research has been done to show that it can actually lower blood pressure. Music has also been used to help relax people, train harder, at social gatherings, and for artists themselves it is a form of self expression.

When I think of music I think it is a tool to help relate ourselves to the world. To me music helps bring people together. All around the world people listen to music. I think this goes to show that maybe we all are different, yet actually very similar. This weekend at Lolla people came from all over the world. Many artists were British and I actually ended up meeting a lot of people from Canada. The cool thing is everyone was there for the same reason, good music. One of my friends was taking forever to get ready so I actually ended up going alone for 2 hours before meeting up with another group of friends. I am a very social person but the strange thing is the 2 hours I spent alone, I actually enjoyed the most. I had less distractions/socializing, bathroom trips, and water breaks. It was 100% about standing there listening to the music. I got to the 2nd row for 2 concerts and as I was standing in the crowd listening to Lissie’s amazing voice and lyrics it hit me that music just makes me extremely happy. In the crowd I was standing alone but I never felt like I was there alone for a minute. I was surrounded by very passionate people all brought together for the love of music. I got to listen to some new bands that I was not familiar with. Some of my new favorites from the weekend are Noah and the Whale, Lissie, and City and Colour. Don’t worry I then met up with my friends and danced in the pouring rain to Cage the Elephant so the day balanced itself out nicely.

Final thought. What is music good for:

  • Blocking people out :) Put on a pair of headphones and you are golden.
  • Celebration!
  •  Break ups (Find some depressing, relatalbe lyrics and cry your little heart out…or on the other hand find some very angry lyrics and move on to something better)
  • Working out
  • Before going out
  • Dancing
  • Road trips
  • Singing in the shower
  • Karaoke
  • Wedding receptions
  • Festivals
  • Laying out at the beach

That is all I can think of for now! I am sure there are many more things I am forgetting. However, that is my thought for the day. Stop by again tomorrow for another thought.

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”

— Maya Angelou
conteudoexplosivo: Eu preciso de você aqui, pro dia nascer feliz! I wish I knew what that said. Please inform me if you know. But if this picture had a caption it would be . Appreciate each day you are alive and healthy because life is too short to take for granted. Up early to enjoy the day and get some things accomplished : )

conteudoexplosivo:

Eu preciso de você aqui, pro dia nascer feliz!

I wish I knew what that said. Please inform me if you know. But if this picture had a caption it would be . Appreciate each day you are alive and healthy because life is too short to take for granted.

Up early to enjoy the day and get some things accomplished : )

Well it is 2011. Really? Where has the year gone. I was talking with my friend at work and we both agreed that this has been one of the fastest years of our lives. Maybe it was moving to a new city, long work hours, or all the events/going out. Either way it was a blast! However some things need to be done differently in 2011. Here are some of my thoughts / New Year Resolutions for 2011 ( its more of a to do list.. go figure) 2011 Goals 1.) Keep cooking new dishes. Learn one new dish every other week. 2.) Keep working hard at work. Do everything possible to get rotated. Mention I would really enjoy working in Social Media / Digital 3.) Consecutively keep things picked up. 4.) Stop spending so much money on going out. Limit it to NO more than 30 for the entire weekend. Taxi’s are ONLY the last resort. 5.) Really work on budgeting money. But 1 subscription of a magazine, make coffee at home, no buying rounds of drinks (no matter who has done it for you), no clothes unless necessary. 6.) Cut back on going out every single weekend. Staying in one night a weekend even if friends are in town. They will be back. 7.) Practice more yoga and work on meditation 8.) Continue to keep actively dating until I find someone to date long term. Have friends hook me up with cool guys. 9.) Run another 1/2 marathon 10.) Play more tennis in the summer. Search for leagues or brackets. 11.) Start looking at the bigger picture at work. Speak up during important meetings. Did a great job of volunteering in 2010. Keep it up! 12.) With the saved money. Try as hard as possible to make one trip to visit Ashley in Kansas and Marissa in New York or LA.

Well it is 2011. Really? Where has the year gone. I was talking with my friend at work and we both agreed that this has been one of the fastest years of our lives. Maybe it was moving to a new city, long work hours, or all the events/going out. Either way it was a blast! However some things need to be done differently in 2011.

Here are some of my thoughts / New Year Resolutions for 2011 ( its more of a to do list.. go figure)

2011 Goals

1.) Keep cooking new dishes. Learn one new dish every other week.

2.) Keep working hard at work. Do everything possible to get rotated. Mention I would really enjoy working in Social Media / Digital

3.) Consecutively keep things picked up.

4.) Stop spending so much money on going out. Limit it to NO more than 30 for the entire weekend. Taxi’s are ONLY the last resort.

5.) Really work on budgeting money. But 1 subscription of a magazine, make coffee at home, no buying rounds of drinks (no matter who has done it for you), no clothes unless necessary.

6.) Cut back on going out every single weekend. Staying in one night a weekend even if friends are in town. They will be back.

7.) Practice more yoga and work on meditation

8.) Continue to keep actively dating until I find someone to date long term. Have friends hook me up with cool guys.

9.) Run another 1/2 marathon

10.) Play more tennis in the summer. Search for leagues or brackets.

11.) Start looking at the bigger picture at work. Speak up during important meetings. Did a great job of volunteering in 2010. Keep it up!

12.) With the saved money. Try as hard as possible to make one trip to visit Ashley in Kansas and Marissa in New York or LA.

Another Year Almost Coming to an End…  Wow it is December… There is something about the month of December when the days turn cold and the nights turn dark that makes you sit and reflect back on the year. Perhaps it is because New Years is waiting around the corner to evaluate how you have done and what you will need to work on for next year (damn resolutions). My lease is up in March so I am starting to freak out. Where has the time gone? I have almost been in Chicago for a year? It seems like it was just yesterday I found out I got offered a job downtown and I was moving to the windy city. But what a year it has been… It almost makes me sad that the year is over. I have no reason to be sad because nothing is changing that drastically. I will always look back on 2010 on one of the best years of my life. I can truly say that. Don’t get me wrong I had a blast in college. College was amazing. You had a dining card for god sakes that was usually hooked up to your parents account. Booze flowed like you were at Niagra Falls 24 hours a day 7 days a year. You knew everyone on campus if not by name at least by their sorority symbol. I mean you would think it couldn’t get much better than that. When did college end and real life start? Now we have been handed the responsibilities of monthly rent, cell phone bills, groceries, and no monthly holiday breaks (well i still get long ones ha). Jobs are no long jobs but careers. Relationships become more serious between people you know and you start getting invited to the “first” weddings. You find out who your true friends really are. Instead of being a 30 minute drive away from friends have turned into plane rides and long distant phone calls. Things have been different this year. But different is always a bad thing. I am an advocate on change. I like the four season. I like growing up. I think it is how you grow as a person. I have enjoyed every second of living in Chicago. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be doing what I love. To be around great people in a very fun environment. It has been a year of work hard and play hard. In the summer during the upfront we would be in the office until 10 or 11 at night. It was rough but the experience was awesome. The people really make it worth it. It seems like you are always meeting someone new. It is different than being in college where everyone was usually from the general state. Now you are meeting people from all over the county with different backgrounds, and interests. It keeps things interesting. When I look back on this year I will look back and it will all look so new and shiny.. like that new bike you got on Christmas and had to ride right away. That is how Chicago felt. I got here and wanted to do everything. Every show, event, museum, race, and play. But what makes Chicago or any big city great is even though you think you did a lot there is always a million other things you have not. Believe me I have done a lot and learned a lot along the way. Things I have done in 2010 Museum of Science and Industry and Art Museum Taste of Chicago with my Parents Wrigley Roof Top Games and White Sox Game 3 Days at Lollapolloza Ran the Rock and Roll Half Marathon and the Hot Chocolate 5k (my legs still hurt) Self Workout in the Park Been in the same room as Oprah and met Randy and the Cake Boss from TLC Got to go on huge party boat on Lake Michagan Gotten to try just about every top of the line restaurant downtown Chicago (Thank you networks) Dave Matthew Band Concert at Wrigley and Alpine Merkles for IOWA games Got to have all of my best friends over for my Birthday to sing some very talented karaoke Flip Cup tournaments for charity Took a party bus to a haunted house People’s magazine event Roof top bars = :) Hit the night life with my best friends Stayed out all night to dance at the hangup and make it for brunch in the morning @ yolk Signature Lounge So what?.. Those are the things I have experience. But it is really all about what I have learned. What I learned in 2010 Friends might be farther away now but your true ones will always be there when you really need them. Family will always be there. As you grow older you realize how much they really mean and how dysfunctional holiday events never will get better. Relationships are hard. Not everything is going to work out. Got to learn from each and everyone of them, move on, and hope something better is waiting around the corner. Not having a car can save you money in 3 ways 1.) Gas 2.) Insurance 3.) And a gym membership Weights are the same thing as groceries. You no longer have the luxury of buying groceries for hundreds of dollars and hauling them in your car home. It is called what you need NOW. The L is really not complicated at all. The most complicated it gets is trying to get off of it after a Cubs game. You really should check to see if you left your cell phone in that cab. If they return it twice you have experience 2 miracles. G chat is amazing. Million miles away right at your fingertips. You can never have too many blackberries. But if you are out to dinner it is rude to be checking in places and updating what portion of food you just put in your mouth. People appreciate when you are 100% present. People are strange. The world is not as innocent as you think. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Staying out those 2 extra hours really is going to waste your 8 the next day. Going out is expensive. Learn to make your own dinners and pregame before the bar. Public transportation is way cheaper. Cabs are only a last resort. It is a problem when Dunkin Doughnuts knows not only your after hour order but all of your friends.. (Don’t try to order anything healthy or people in the store might start boooing.) My willpower sucks.You really don’t “need” that new dress. But isn’t it just great that you can buy it because Macy’s is now down the street. Dates can be fun. However it does not mean you are getting married or even required to go on the next date. That bums don’t understand the concept of my “ipod” is in. I can not hear what you are saying. The rent is too damn high! Don’t give out your number if you don’t want them to call. Don’t ask for mine if you aren’t going to call. Just because it is free does not mean you have to drink it. The main relationship worth working on on Sunday is the one with my DVR. McDonald coffee is way cheaper than Starbucks. Warmth always wins when playing rock, paper, scissors with style. That is all for now. Lets just say it has been quite the year. I am thankful for the opportunities I have been granted, my great family and friends that have always been there from day one, and that I have not gotten too lost along the way. Hopefully 2011 will have just as many great things in store.

Another Year Almost Coming to an End… 

Wow it is December… There is something about the month of December when the days turn cold and the nights turn dark that makes you sit and reflect back on the year. Perhaps it is because New Years is waiting around the corner to evaluate how you have done and what you will need to work on for next year (damn resolutions). My lease is up in March so I am starting to freak out. Where has the time gone? I have almost been in Chicago for a year? It seems like it was just yesterday I found out I got offered a job downtown and I was moving to the windy city. But what a year it has been… It almost makes me sad that the year is over. I have no reason to be sad because nothing is changing that drastically. I will always look back on 2010 on one of the best years of my life. I can truly say that. Don’t get me wrong I had a blast in college. College was amazing. You had a dining card for god sakes that was usually hooked up to your parents account. Booze flowed like you were at Niagra Falls 24 hours a day 7 days a year. You knew everyone on campus if not by name at least by their sorority symbol. I mean you would think it couldn’t get much better than that. When did college end and real life start? Now we have been handed the responsibilities of monthly rent, cell phone bills, groceries, and no monthly holiday breaks (well i still get long ones ha). Jobs are no long jobs but careers. Relationships become more serious between people you know and you start getting invited to the “first” weddings. You find out who your true friends really are. Instead of being a 30 minute drive away from friends have turned into plane rides and long distant phone calls.

Things have been different this year. But different is always a bad thing. I am an advocate on change. I like the four season. I like growing up. I think it is how you grow as a person. I have enjoyed every second of living in Chicago. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be doing what I love. To be around great people in a very fun environment. It has been a year of work hard and play hard. In the summer during the upfront we would be in the office until 10 or 11 at night. It was rough but the experience was awesome. The people really make it worth it. It seems like you are always meeting someone new. It is different than being in college where everyone was usually from the general state. Now you are meeting people from all over the county with different backgrounds, and interests. It keeps things interesting. When I look back on this year I will look back and it will all look so new and shiny.. like that new bike you got on Christmas and had to ride right away. That is how Chicago felt. I got here and wanted to do everything. Every show, event, museum, race, and play. But what makes Chicago or any big city great is even though you think you did a lot there is always a million other things you have not. Believe me I have done a lot and learned a lot along the way.

Things I have done in 2010

Museum of Science and Industry and Art Museum

Taste of Chicago with my Parents

Wrigley Roof Top Games and White Sox Game

3 Days at Lollapolloza

Ran the Rock and Roll Half Marathon and the Hot Chocolate 5k (my legs still hurt)

Self Workout in the Park

Been in the same room as Oprah and met Randy and the Cake Boss from TLC

Got to go on huge party boat on Lake Michagan

Gotten to try just about every top of the line restaurant downtown Chicago (Thank you networks)

Dave Matthew Band Concert at Wrigley and Alpine

Merkles for IOWA games

Got to have all of my best friends over for my Birthday to sing some very talented karaoke

Flip Cup tournaments for charity

Took a party bus to a haunted house

People’s magazine event

Roof top bars = :)

Hit the night life with my best friends

Stayed out all night to dance at the hangup and make it for brunch in the morning @ yolk

Signature Lounge

So what?.. Those are the things I have experience. But it is really all about what I have learned.

What I learned in 2010

Friends might be farther away now but your true ones will always be there when you really need them.

Family will always be there. As you grow older you realize how much they really mean and how dysfunctional holiday events never will get better.

Relationships are hard. Not everything is going to work out. Got to learn from each and everyone of them, move on, and hope something better is waiting around the corner.

Not having a car can save you money in 3 ways 1.) Gas 2.) Insurance 3.) And a gym membership

Weights are the same thing as groceries.

You no longer have the luxury of buying groceries for hundreds of dollars and hauling them in your car home. It is called what you need NOW.

The L is really not complicated at all. The most complicated it gets is trying to get off of it after a Cubs game.

You really should check to see if you left your cell phone in that cab. If they return it twice you have experience 2 miracles.

G chat is amazing. Million miles away right at your fingertips.

You can never have too many blackberries. But if you are out to dinner it is rude to be checking in places and updating what portion of food you just put in your mouth. People appreciate when you are 100% present.

People are strange. The world is not as innocent as you think. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Staying out those 2 extra hours really is going to waste your 8 the next day.

Going out is expensive. Learn to make your own dinners and pregame before the bar.

Public transportation is way cheaper. Cabs are only a last resort.

It is a problem when Dunkin Doughnuts knows not only your after hour order but all of your friends.. (Don’t try to order anything healthy or people in the store might start boooing.)

My willpower sucks.You really don’t “need” that new dress. But isn’t it just great that you can buy it because Macy’s is now down the street.

Dates can be fun. However it does not mean you are getting married or even required to go on the next date.

That bums don’t understand the concept of my “ipod” is in. I can not hear what you are saying.

The rent is too damn high!

Don’t give out your number if you don’t want them to call.

Don’t ask for mine if you aren’t going to call.

Just because it is free does not mean you have to drink it.

The main relationship worth working on on Sunday is the one with my DVR.

McDonald coffee is way cheaper than Starbucks.

Warmth always wins when playing rock, paper, scissors with style.

That is all for now. Lets just say it has been quite the year. I am thankful for the opportunities I have been granted, my great family and friends that have always been there from day one, and that I have not gotten too lost along the way. Hopefully 2011 will have just as many great things in store.

56 Things I Wished I’d Known When I was Younger

56 Things I Wished I’d Known When I was Younger

(by Steven Aitchison )

  1. I wish I’d known that failure was an option.
  2. I wish I’d known there’s a difference between friends and drinking buddies.
  3. I wish I’d known honesty, in all situations, is always, always, always the best policy.
  4. I wish I’d known how to grow a pair and be more assertive.
  5. I wish I’d known how to feel comfortably weird about being a little weird.
  6. I wish I’d known how much my mum and dad really loved me, and all the warnings I got came from a place of love.
  7. I wish I’d known that my thoughts don’t have to dictate my life.
  8. I wish I’d known that home really is where the heart is.
  9. I wish I’d known that intelligence is not something you’re born with, it’s something that can be worked on.
  10. I wish I’d known that being positive can really change your thoughts which can indeed change your life.
  11. I wish I’d known how to be myself more and not tried to imitate Tom Cruise’ (Top Gun) confidence (Although singing, ‘You’ve lost that Loving Feeling’ to girls sometimes did work)
  12. I wish I’d known that the jacket of life could be altered to suit me.
  13. I wish I’d known how to say No!
  14. I wish I’d known that the phrase ‘just try it’ should apply to everything we do in life.
  15. I wish I’d known that not being perfect is okay, and, in fact, striving for perfection is an impossible task.
  16. I wish I’d known that not being ‘well off’ didn’t mean I didn’t have a rich life.
  17. I wish I’d known that losing myself in a book wasn’t a substitute for living.
  18. I wish I’d known that my thoughts actually control how I feel, and how I feel affects the way I see the world.
  19. I wish I’d known that sex is a physical act and that love is something different altogether.
  20. I wish I’d known that having two strong sisters was a blessing
  21. (read more - stevenaitchison.co.uk)
  22. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFXSIndYIk
This is so true… Some days I want to do so many things with my life, travel the world, and experience new things that I just need to take a moment and reflect on all the things I have done and accomplished by 23.  However.. that still doesn’t make me continue to want to accomplish and live life to the fullest. I just have to realize that everything can not be done this given second.

This is so true… Some days I want to do so many things with my life, travel the world, and experience new things that I just need to take a moment and reflect on all the things I have done and accomplished by 23. 

However.. that still doesn’t make me continue to want to accomplish and live life to the fullest. I just have to realize that everything can not be done this given second.

“When you come across someone who has a bigger personality, a bigger dream, a bigger passion, then he’s the one. You need someone who is so dynamic he will leave you in awe. You will need a bigger fish.”

“When you come across someone who has a bigger personality, a bigger dream, a bigger passion, then he’s the one. You need someone who is so dynamic he will leave you in awe. You will need a bigger fish.”

I love the 4 seasons.  Change can be a good thing. Fall - I love when you walk outside and you breathe in the crisp air. It is not too cold, just perfect. I love the sound of the leaves crunching when I go running. I love the color of the scenery when you are traveling on the highway. I love parking lots when they are full of passionate fans. I love beer, cheeseburgers, and football. I love sweatshirts and putting them on right after they come out of the dryer. I love candycorn and carving pumpkins. I love how eating caramel apples seems acceptable. Winter - I love skiing. I love Christmas time and laughing with family. I love hot chocolate and when people get whip cream on their noses. I love when you arrive home for the holidays and it seems like you have never left. I love winter jackets and sweaters. I love laying by the fireplace all day long. I love Christmas lights, especially when they get turned on after a fresh snowfall. I love gloves and scarfs. I love espresso and coffee on a nice winter morning, and how the cup against your cold skin seems like it will keep you warm forever. Spring - I love the energy. I love the first run outside when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping and it feels like you could run for hours. I love when the snow is starting to melt and you can see a glimpse of grass. I love flowers and it staying lighter for longer. I love the first baseball game. Summer -  I love short work weeks and long nights. I love sitting out on a patio and drinking a nice cold beer with friends. I love not having to carry a coat. I love that no one complains about being cold. I love bike rides by the lake and the smell of the lake water. I love the feeling you get when you see that first lightening bug. I love going camping and being able to sleep on top of your sleeping bag. I love summer concerts and the memories each and everyone of them brings. I love that it is acceptable to throw on a dress at any hour and throw your hair back. I love fresh fruit and after a long day outside. I love boating and soaking up the sun. I love the days were sitting in the air condition is all you really want to do because it is so hot out. I love being in shape and you do not even need a gym membership. So there you go change can be a good thing. Something to look forward to. Something new. Something different. Just like the seasons change so does life. Don’t fear change, instead accept it and look at all the positives it has to offer.

I love the 4 seasons.  Change can be a good thing.

Fall - I love when you walk outside and you breathe in the crisp air. It is not too cold, just perfect. I love the sound of the leaves crunching when I go running. I love the color of the scenery when you are traveling on the highway. I love parking lots when they are full of passionate fans. I love beer, cheeseburgers, and football. I love sweatshirts and putting them on right after they come out of the dryer. I love candycorn and carving pumpkins. I love how eating caramel apples seems acceptable.

Winter - I love skiing. I love Christmas time and laughing with family. I love hot chocolate and when people get whip cream on their noses. I love when you arrive home for the holidays and it seems like you have never left. I love winter jackets and sweaters. I love laying by the fireplace all day long. I love Christmas lights, especially when they get turned on after a fresh snowfall. I love gloves and scarfs. I love espresso and coffee on a nice winter morning, and how the cup against your cold skin seems like it will keep you warm forever.

Spring - I love the energy. I love the first run outside when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping and it feels like you could run for hours. I love when the snow is starting to melt and you can see a glimpse of grass. I love flowers and it staying lighter for longer. I love the first baseball game.

Summer -  I love short work weeks and long nights. I love sitting out on a patio and drinking a nice cold beer with friends. I love not having to carry a coat. I love that no one complains about being cold. I love bike rides by the lake and the smell of the lake water. I love the feeling you get when you see that first lightening bug. I love going camping and being able to sleep on top of your sleeping bag. I love summer concerts and the memories each and everyone of them brings. I love that it is acceptable to throw on a dress at any hour and throw your hair back. I love fresh fruit and after a long day outside. I love boating and soaking up the sun. I love the days were sitting in the air condition is all you really want to do because it is so hot out. I love being in shape and you do not even need a gym membership.

So there you go change can be a good thing. Something to look forward to. Something new. Something different. Just like the seasons change so does life. Don’t fear change, instead accept it and look at all the positives it has to offer.

Take the good with the bad and move on.

I think guys fear commitment and  relationships all together because they can’t live up to expectations. They are afraid of failure and not being able to live up to certain set of criteria that every relationship requires.

When one has to lower there expectations it is never a good sign. This is because one will keep lowering their own personal expectations to a point that is suitable to keep the relationship running. But there will come a time where the other person can not even meet the lowest point of expectations. This is were it ends. Who wants to be involved in a relationship were the other person does not even have to try? Obviously when one starts lowering expectations it should be a warning sign “That he is just not that into you.”

But then you have to think.. “How into him were you?” You should have started running for the hills a long time ago. When two people like each other you shouldn’t have to keep wondering what is going on. You want to make the other person a priority not just a convince. Life styles start to change but you are mature enough to accept it. Because you want to spend time with the other person. Your friends both can hang out and you don’t have to continue living separate lives. You don’t have to wonder if they want to talk on the phone on certain days and can just enjoy sharing information, enjoying each other company and even do things like running errands together.

So at the end of the day you can be lied to, manipulated, let down, and just confused. But then really start to think. When were you happy? Were you ever completely satisfied? Why were you always wanting more? Or did you just like the idea of what the relationship could have been? Could have… You were only getting the bare minimal out dating this person and you thought that was just alright. I guess it was working for now.. But hello who wants to settle for minimal?

Hoping for the best and never really expecting the worst. That is the true optimist in me. I always believe most people are genuine. That maybe things change or feelings fall out. But I also believe in curtsy and respect and I have realized that many people do not really know what those two words mean. The respect of a phone call. The respect of not being lead on and lied to. The respect of not being cheated on. The respect that would would want in return..Karma really is a bitch ;)

I guess sometimes you have to take the bad with the good and learn from your mistakes and move on. Because no one should have to lower any expectations to be truly happy. I believe you will know you have found the one.The time when you don’t have to analyze and think about every little detail about the relationship, you will just “know.” Because when someone likes you they don’t want to let you down and make you upset. They want to put you on a pedestal. If you have found that person take time to appreciate them because they themselves are truly special.

For everyone else never lose faith there will come a time were everything will be alright and just make sense. Never forget who you are and what you bring to the table. If someone can not appreciate that, then why would you want to be with them anyways? There are bigger and better things waiting around the corner.

Until next time…

B