Secret of Life

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time
Any fool can do it
There ain't nothing to it
Nobody knows how we got to
The top of the hill
But since we're on our way down
We might as well enjoy the ride
The secret of love is in opening up your heart
It's okay to feel afraid
But don't let that stand in your way
'cause anyone knows that love is the only road
And since we're only here for a while
Might as well show some style
Give us a smile
Isn't it a lovely ride
Sliding down
Gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride
Now the thing about time is that time
Isn't really real
It's just your point of view
How does it feel for you
Einstein said he could never understand it all
Planets spinning through space
The smile upon your face
Welcome to the human race
Some kind of lovely ride
I'll be sliding down
I'll be gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride
Isn't it a lovely ride
Sliding down
Gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride
Now the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time

This is one of my favorite James Taylor songs. It's called the Secret of Life.
I actually have a history with James taylor music. He is my dad's favorite singer so I have grown up to the sound of his soft guitar melodies and soothing lyrics. I just love the message of this song. I think its telling us that life is all about enjoying the little moments that pass us by everday and that if we can enjoy the small things, we will have happiness in life. I think its also saying that things will not always go our way, but we should just enjoy the ride of life, including the bad parts.

Meet my new favorite sandal

"To think negatively is like taking a weakening drug."

Meet my new pair of shoes. They are Steve Madden sandals I bought over the weekend. I have been eye-ing these shoes for over a month now. I love how it takes a simple flip flop style and add the around the ankle detail and embellishments to make it a more stylish style for warm weather. Two thumbs up for these shoes. Although I must say this is not the EXACT pair I bought, they are the same brand and very similar style. Here is a link to the exact pair!

http://www.stevemadden.com/item.aspx?id=49171&path=|womens%20shoes|womens%20sandals|

Could you be loved?

I really like photography. Here are some pictures I came across tonight that I enjoyed.

Is it really JUST a number?

I’d rather be a few pounds heavier and enjoy life.

Drew Barrymore

Weight.

A simple number that can mean a lot to a person.

The other day in one of my classes, a freshman girl said she was on a diet because she needed to lose weight.

Me "WHAT! You're tiny. You do not need to be on a diet!"

Her "No I really do. I weigh so much, but no one realizes it."

Me "You are crazy. You do not need to lose any weight."

I was amazed that she thought she needed to lose weight and that she was so concerned as a freshman.

While maintaining a good level of physical health is a good thing, obsessing over the number you see on the scale is not. I look around and see many of my friends drastically losing weight to look a certain way. Diet pills, crazy workouts, and food deprivation are all normal for their everyday life. A good friend of mine has had body image issues and has struggled with eating. Its really sad to watch.

I believe it is all about being comfortable with your own body. You will never be happy with yourself if you only see the flaws when you look in the mirror. See the beauty. Curve, not fat. There is no reason why you should not love yourself even if you are not a size 0.

My job for you today: Love your body for all its good parts and flaws. You are a truly special and beautiful person.

Dressing myself in dresses

Ten reasons why I love dresses

1. They are super comfortable. I always hear complaining that they are uncomfortable, but honestly that is not true. As long as it fits right, it is like wearing no pants.

2. They look dressy without much effort. It is much harder to look dressed up in jeans. Wearing a dress is much less effort and looks better in most cases.

3. One piece outfit. There are no worries of layering, matching pants to a shirt, or wearing a belt (unless you accessory over a dress with one).

4. Unless they are super tight, they are easy to move around in.

5. If you are traveling somewhere, it takes much less room to pack a dress than an entire outfit.

6. There is a dress for almost any occasion. They are so diverse that its not hard to find a perfect dress for any situation.

ex. Sundress, cocktail dress...

7. No one ever really wears them. I enjoy being different so I enjoy wearing a dress as much as I can just because no one else does.

8. You can show off an awesome pair of shoes. Its much easier to show off those new shoes you love with your feet exposed by a dress.

9. The feeling of wearing a flowy dress while dancing or in the wind. You can't help but feel carefree and happy.

10. They are so cute!

Cook, Sew, and Grow

5 things I want to do before I graduate..

1. Go fishing- I have never gone fishing before but I really want to.

2. Laser tag- Okay this sounds a little nerdy and strange, but it just sounds so fun. I am all for looking back and recreating childhood and this seems like a perfect way to be silly and have fun.

3. Take cooking classes- i really enjoy cooking, but I want to learn to make more advanced food such as pastries. I just need to find one in State College or close by. Having a dinner party and cooking for it sounds so ideal.

4. Make a dress- This sounds easy, but I have almost no sewing experience. I want to make a dress that I can say "I made this!". That way when I imagine a dress in my mind, I can make it rather than going on an endless hunt to find a dress similar to my inagination.

5. Grow herbs at home- I mean rosemarry, parsley, oregano... that sort of thing. When I watch the Food Network, all of the cooking is done with fresh herbs. I want to be able to pick out of my garden what I need to spice up a recipe.

Uncertain

Where to go to college?

I have been accepted to eleven colleges, which sounds like a huge success but I have no idea where to go now. I feel like I am in no way prepared to make a decision about the rest of my life so quickly. How am I supposed to know what is best for my future? How am I supposed to know what career I am going to enjoy in twenty years. Life is uncertain and so am I. I have no idea what to do.

Dress inspiration

I love these dresses. They are my inspiration for spring dress shopping!

Job now: Finding similar dresses in stores!

Strawberry Swing

They were sitting

They were sitting on the Strawberry Swing

Every moment was so precious

They were sitting

They were talking under Strawberry Swing

Everybody was for fighting

Wouldn't wanna waste a thing

Cold, cold water bring me 'round

Now my feet won't touch the ground

Cold, cold water what ya say?

When it's such…It's such a perfect day

It's such a perfect day

I remember

We were walking up to Strawberry Swing

I can't wait until the morning

Wouldn't wanna change a thing

People moving all the time

Inside a perfectly straight line

Don't you wanna just curve away?

When it's such…It's such a perfect day

It's such a perfect day

Ahhh...Now the sky could be blue

I don't mind

Without you it's a waste of time

Could be blue

I don’t mind

Without you it’s a waste of time

Could be blue,

Could be gray

Without you I’m just miles away

Could be blue

I don’t mind

Without you it’s a waste of time

That is probably my favorite song. Today at least. Its called Strawberry Swing by Coldplay. Sometimes I wish my life was a song such as this where everyday is "such a perfect day" and every moment "is so precious". If only everyday were a sweet and melodic as this song. That is really my goal: to enjoy everyday in it's problems, joys, and little moments.

Pointless drama

Cookout!

Last weekend some friends came over and we had a cookout and campfire!

It was easy to prepare for and a lot of fun. Try it out. Make s'mores, mountain pies, foil packs, and hotdogs. It is a guarenteed good time.

Here's a recipe for pizza moutain pies incase you have never had the chance to have one. Great for picky eaters.

Sliced Sandwich Bread

Shredded Cheese

Pepperoni or preferred meat

Pizza Toppings of Choice

Pizza Sauce

Cooking Spray

Take your pie iron and take it apart and spray both with cooking spray. On a plate make your pizza sandwich with desired ingredients. Place pie on one side of the pie iron and close. Make sure it's secure don't want your delicious pizza sandwich to fall out! Place in top of hot coals checking every couple of minutes until desired toastiness. Be sure to let it cool for 5 minutes as it is very hot. Enjoy!

Red Velvet

Red velvet cake. Yumm. Its probably my favorite type of cake. EVER. Here's a little recipe for you to try out so that you too can enjoy this wonderful dessert.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 ounces red food coloring
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 cup milk
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Grease two 9 inch round pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring. Set aside.
Combine the buttermilk, salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the cocoa mixture. Beat in the buttermilk mixture alternately with the flour, mixing just until incorporated. Stir together baking soda and vinegar, then gently fold into the cake batter.
Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
To Make Icing: In a saucepan, combine the milk and 5 tablespoons flour. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Set aside to cool completely. Cream together butter, 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until light and fluffy, then stir in the cooled milk and flour mixture, beating until icing reaches spreading consistency.

Here is the website I found it on with user reccomendations to make this cake even better. Thanks allrecipes.com

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Red-Velvet-Cake-I/Detail.aspx

I should have studied more

Numbers, integrals, graphing calculators.

What about this does not sound fun?

I have a calc test in about two hours and I'm stressing out to the max. I am not prepared AT ALL. I hate that uneasy feeling that failure is visible in the near future.

Missing six days of school in a row for Colorado and Regional Choir is starting to seem like one of the worst decisions I have made recently. It makes me think of Macbeth. Tragic Hero with a tragic flaw. The character makes one HUGE mistake that leads to his/her inevitable downfall.

Missing six days seems to be my fatal mistake. Making up work and missing intructions and worktime is causing me to hate senior year. I guess the only solution at this point is to get to work and stop complaining. But for now I think I'll vent because venting can be a great relief.

no TGIF today

Ten reasons I do not like today

1. Ap Bio test first period in Bio. Enough said
2. I have to make up 239028709382098302 blogposts, which yeah is my fault but still not fun.
3. Calc Test today. Half the class was missing yesterday and those people don't have to take it until Monday. So people skipped so that they would have an extra day. Love seeing how fair high school is.
4. Its raining and cold outside
5. My tights got a hole in them on the way to school. Now I look extremely messy.
6. I didn't have time to eat breakfast this morning so now I'm extremely hungry
7. Headache
8. My senior pictures got cancelled for next week
9. My best friend is hanging out with my sister tonight instead of me
10. I was supposed to go on a double date with one of my best friends, but the boyfriend said it would be awkward so I had to say no. Now she seems kind of upset with me.

I'm going to be a princess

"There is nothing more highly prized then the value of each day."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Last weekend I spent one afternoon with my mother on the quest for a prom dress. I thought it would take all day, but I ended up loving the first dress I tried on. I tried others on after, but none compared to the first. Above is the dress!

Sweetness

"Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, and insight."

Helen Keller

Perfection sounds so ideal, but really it is unattainable. But really, who wants to be perfect. Maybe perfect grades or the perfect job would make you happy, but its really inperfections that make everyone interesting. Look at your own with open eyes and grow from them. Let them allow you to be kind and humble in the things that you do well.

I always cringe when I see those girls who are so beautiful on the outside but seem to be lacking beauty in terms of inner qualities. There is nothing worse than being looked down on by someone superior to you. This is looks, money, and many other things. If you are one of those special people who are blessed with looks or natural ability, try to be humble and kind to those less fortunate.

I believe in karma sometimes. It does not make sense that bad things such as death happen to good people, but I like to believe that good things will happen to good people.

My task for today: Compliment someone who seems down.

Spring Cleaning

"When your dreams turn to dust vacuum."

Desmond Tutu

Its finally springtime. Time for some "spring cleaning". I do not mean only in the sense of doing a household super cleaning spree; I mean a cleasning of your life. Look at your life and take notice of the "dirty" things making a bad influence on your life and general happiness. Try to take extra stressors and negative aspects and clean them out of your life.

Love Yourself

“Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.”

Stacey Charter

Current time: 9:52 AM

Today is not going according to my plan. Things are happening that I had no desire for. I spent twenty minutes crying and now I feel like my whole day is tainted by a few minutes I spent that made me upset. The details are not important, but the way I react to this and spend the rest of my day does. I picked the quote because it related to my situation. Someone else said some things to me to upset me. It was my fault. I need to move forward and make better of the situation because in the end, it really is up to me to make happiness. I do not expect someone else to "fix" this for me. It is mine to worry about and is just one part of life that makes a person stronger. I truly believe that you have to love the person that you are before you can love others completely and have other love you completely. Spend some time alone and really get to know yourself and love the person that you are despite the flaws that every person posesses.

My job for you today: Think about all of the things that you love about yourself instead of the flaws.

Reflection of Surroundings

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

Mother Teresa

On my way to school this morning I had a great talk with my mother. Last night I had seen a status update form a close friend that I found to be very insulting. Although I am not going to share who posted it and who it was about, just imagine something in your mind. A comment that stabs a girl just doing her own thing. It upset me that my good friend was tearing down someone she didn't even know over something that had no affect on her life. It was rude. I took some time and thought about it. I still don't know exactly what to think. So, during this car ride to school, we talked about why she probably wrote this. No one is perfect. There are going to be times when even friends and family will say something mean. This does not mean that they are bad people. But at the same time, your behavior is a driect reflextion of your surroundings, friends included. If your best friend spends all day bashing others, most likely you will too. I am not saying to abandon your friends but I belive its important to immerse yourself into a variety of surroundings. Try to spend time with people who see the good in others and the bad as little quirks that make us all special. Stop focusing on the bad, life is too short to be constantly unhappy.

Here is my job for you today: SMILE.

This sounds easy and maybe a little silly, but try to spend every moment smiling and just enjoying the life you have.

Don't worry, be happy!

Bad days. Everyone has them. Its almost unavoidable. Unfortunately, I am having one of those days today. Its one of those just want to collapse and cry moments. Aren't those just the worst. But never fear, here are a few ideas for those bad days!

Watch a funny movie. Laughing helps a lot

Go for a walk. Exercise can improve your mood very quickly

Dance out your frustrations

Make a list of things you are grateful for

Spend time with old friends

Go to an arcade

Decorate something with gems and glitter

Sing karaoke. LOUD

Play old board games or old video games

I Carry Your Heart With Me

"Life is like an onion; you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep."

Carl Sandburg

Today was an off day. It seemed as though everything was destined to be against me. I can only hope tomorrow will be much better.

On another note, regional choir was this past weekend. What a fun time! The music was all lovely but I Carry Your Heart With Me, which included the poem by American poet e. e. cummings was cheesy but definitely my favorite. Here are the lyrics.

i carry your heart with me i carry it in my heart i am never without it anywhere i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling i fear no fate for you are my fate,my sweet i want no world for beautiful you are my world,my true and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart i carry your heart i carry it in my heart

Integrals and Black Diamonds

"You don't drown by falling in water. You drown by staying there"

I was sitting in my room tonight with Mia finishing up homework because we missed school. She started working on her Calculus and got frustrated. "I'm just not doing it," but I knew that if i could get her to understand she would do it and be proud of herself for persevering. Now I'm looking over at her and she's finishing the assignment.

Likewise, today while we were skiing on the very peak of the mountain I was extremely terrified. We're talking on the verge of tears. I wanted to cry because it was harder than a double black and looking down was vertical. Sure enough, Mia went down a little and encouraged me to just let go of my fears and go for it. As soon as I made the first turn I was fine. I was so grateful to have her with me because like the quote I was not going to get anywhere by staying in the same place.

These two instances really taught me a lot about the importance of friends. They are there to help you when you want to give up.

My job for you: Help a friend. They will appreciate it.

Music for the mountain

"Nothing is more highly to be prized than the value of each day"

John Wolfgang von Goethe

My trip to Colorado has motivated me to make a playlist devoted solely to skiing.

So here we go with the best ski playlist!

1. I've Seen Better Days- Citizens King
2. YES- LMFAO
3. Jimmy- M.I.A.
4. Could You Be Loved- Bob Marley
5. Uprising- Muse
6. Embrace- PNAU
7. Creator- Santigold
8. Heads Will Roll- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
9. Love Today- Mika
10. Shake It- Metro Station
11. Sandstorm- Da Rude
12. Russian Privjet- Basshunter
13. Dumpweed- Blink-182
14. Better Than Heaven- Bloc Party
15. My Own Worst Enemy- Lit
16. Pretend- Number One Gun
17. You'll Find A Way- Santigold

There are just a few that I like to listen to skiing to pump me up. They are mostly upbeat so they can be obnoxious, but at the right time they are just right.

Breckenridge

"Without hard work nothing grows but weeds"

Gordon B. Hinckley

This is true with skiing. Without pushing yourself to the next level of trails and terrain park features, you will never become a better skier. I enjoyed working on my skiing skills through the woods (also known as glades) and on the double black diamonds (hardest level) at Breckenridge. Here are just a few pictures I took the first day we skied.

This is a picture of Mia standing on the edge of a bowl. It was honestly almost vertical when I looked down. I was terrified, but once I started it was easy as pie!

The next one is a picture of the sign before the bowl. It was for experts only, which we are!

This is just a picture I took on top of the mountain. The view was breathtaking.

These are just a few from the first day!

Daisy

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."

Theodor Geisel

Be silly. All the time. Don't let opinions of others hold you back. Act like a kid. Eat candy or do a cartwheel. Anything to bring back the child within. You are never to old to dream or imagine.

My job for you: Be a kid for today, and everyday. There is never an age where fun is unattainable.

My wish for you

“This is my wish for you:

Comfort on difficult days,

smiles when sadness intrudes,

rainbows to follow the clouds,

laughter to kiss your lips,

sunsets to warm your heart,

hugs when spirits sag,

beauty for your eyes to see,

friendships to brighten your being,

faith so that you can believe,

confidence for when you doubt,

courage to know yourself,

patience to accept the truth,

Love to complete your life.”

I came across this quote today and couldn't help but smiling immediately after reading it. Quotes like this make me realize how much compassion for others can really make a difference in the lives of everyone!

My Job for you: Try to help someone else have a better day

Helping hand?

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm ... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others."

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite women of all time. I can't help but respect her great career but what I love the most about her level of class. There are very few women who are always classy, and for this reason I look up to her as a role model and only hope I can someday be as classy as her and also self-suficent, like her quote tells us we should all be.

Never ending travel..

"Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work."

-William Arthur Ward

Today, I spent almost all day traveling to Colorado to spend a few days skiing. It was a long day. Waking up at 3, two flights, getting lost, car rental problems, and shopping in a crazy store were just a few parts of the day. I am so glad to be at our house. Which happens to be a gorgeous log cabin in the woods. Its HUGE with high ceilings, stone pillars, decks, and just crazy things I never expected. Its the house of my dreams and I hope to someday have a house just as beautiful.

To waste time in the airport, Mia and I spent a lot of time using my Mac to take crazy distorted pictures! Here's one that I thought was hilarious.

Airports, ski lifts, and snow

"Skiing combines outdoor fun with knocking down trees with your face"

-Dave Barry

Although I do not plan on knocking down any trees with my face, I do plan to have a blast skiing in Colorado. Tomorrow morning at 4 AM I am headed to Breckenridge, Colorado to ski with one of my best friends, Mia. Although I have been skiing for over seven years, I'm sure this experience will be very different from any other place I have skied before.

I will be sure to report back throughout my trip with pictures, stories and laughs.

Hot or not: Lady Gaga

"A mere copier of nature can never produce anything great" -Joshua Reynolds

Although many people constantly criticize Lady Gaga, there is no denying that she is an original. She never seems to stop amazing me with the things that I see her doing. Take her new single Telephone. Instead of the usual attempts to get attention for her new song, she decided to wear the costume below to show her enthusiasm for her new song. Notice the telephone on her head. Now if that isn't love for her music, what is?

My job for you: Be a little different. Don't act like everyone else because you are afraid to be yourself.