Saturday, February 5, 2011
It's a mess up there...
I have concluded that I obsess with organizing the physical world around me because I need organization but can not achieve it in my mind. My thoughts never seem to be organized. I preach to friends, family, and loved ones all the time "You should journal, it is good for your thoughts".
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Build Fences...
It is a common human practice to build a metaphorical "wall" around ourselves to prevent people from using and abusing us. However, walls do not just keep out the bad... they keep out the good too. So if you don't mind living a neutral life, probably boring, but safe.. then by all means let the constuction begin. But if you are fond of the good, as I am, I suggest building a low fence.
Building a fence allows you to protect your property. It says to your neighbors and passer-bys that “this is my property, my land… this is who I am and all that is me lies within this fence. You may gander over and in, and the gate mind you is not locked. It would be most polite if you wait for an invitation from me. Feel free to chat with me from the other side when you do pass. I am open to new people in my life. As you get to know me, and I you, I may invite you in for coffee. But please do wait.”
I believe strongly that this is the best approach to take when new people come into your life.
... and now you ponder...
Friday, January 28, 2011
Carpe Diem...
I love catching a movie on TV that you have heard great things bout but never seen... right at the beggining! Last night I sat down to unwind on the couch, flipped through the channels expecting nothing good to be on because it never is. Then I see... Dead Poet's Society. I have always heard excellent reviews of this film, but never got around to renting it... or should i say, netflixing it... because who rents anymore?
Anyhow, I cuddled up and settled in for what I was hoping to be the inspirational film to get me out of my recent funk. Let me tell you, it most certainly did. This movie encompassed everything I stand for... the beauty of words, the beauty of life, the beauty of a new day, and most importantly... CARPE DIEM.
Sieze the day... we all want to, but seldom do. Whether it is fear, uncertainty, shyness, anxiety... many people inhibit themselves and miss exceptional opportunities to learn, to grow, to love, to laugh... to live. I believe that I personally try to release my inhibitions on a daily basis. Many people would say I am outgoing and unafraid, but to be completely human with you, I am oftem terrified. But you know what, I do it anyhow. Inside I may be shaking, but on the surface I am calm and ready. (yes... there is a lil Eminem in that statement)
Words to live by...
"Anything I have done that was ultimately worthwhile, initially scared me to death"
I don't know who Betty Bender is, but I know she said this because it was the wallpaper of my sister's computer, which I adopted when my passed away.
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that is not what a ship is built for"
William Shedd
Now I must write... less flowery... as I continue my Grad School App Extraveganza
love today
Anyhow, I cuddled up and settled in for what I was hoping to be the inspirational film to get me out of my recent funk. Let me tell you, it most certainly did. This movie encompassed everything I stand for... the beauty of words, the beauty of life, the beauty of a new day, and most importantly... CARPE DIEM.
Sieze the day... we all want to, but seldom do. Whether it is fear, uncertainty, shyness, anxiety... many people inhibit themselves and miss exceptional opportunities to learn, to grow, to love, to laugh... to live. I believe that I personally try to release my inhibitions on a daily basis. Many people would say I am outgoing and unafraid, but to be completely human with you, I am oftem terrified. But you know what, I do it anyhow. Inside I may be shaking, but on the surface I am calm and ready. (yes... there is a lil Eminem in that statement)
Words to live by...
"Anything I have done that was ultimately worthwhile, initially scared me to death"
I don't know who Betty Bender is, but I know she said this because it was the wallpaper of my sister's computer, which I adopted when my passed away.
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that is not what a ship is built for"
William Shedd
Now I must write... less flowery... as I continue my Grad School App Extraveganza
love today
Saturday, January 22, 2011
just one of those blonde moments...
ASHLEY: We are so watching Stella when I come up for Valentines Day
*note... Ashlyn lives in Philadelphia and Ashley lives in West Virginia*
ASHLYN: hahaha DOWN
ASHLEY: Really??? From West Virginia? I will never get geography. Who made it so hard.
ASHLYN: LOL no i meant "down"... as in "I'm Down"
If you know me... you know my geography skills are lacking. Anytime I talk about going somewhere, I get the direction wrong... whether it is up, down, or over.
Enjoy
*note... Ashlyn lives in Philadelphia and Ashley lives in West Virginia*
ASHLYN: hahaha DOWN
ASHLEY: Really??? From West Virginia? I will never get geography. Who made it so hard.
ASHLYN: LOL no i meant "down"... as in "I'm Down"
If you know me... you know my geography skills are lacking. Anytime I talk about going somewhere, I get the direction wrong... whether it is up, down, or over.
Enjoy
Better Go Body Flo...
Today I attended my first BodyFlo class at the gym, thanks to a new friend. It... was... amazing! I felt so refreshed, enlightned, centered... and so forth. The class is a combination of Tai Chi, Pilates, and Yoga. I suggest that all of you integrate one of these practices into your life. You will thank me for it. I am now claiming my committment to BodyFlo every Saturday morning... following my amazing zumba class of course.
More on this later... I really should be applying to grad school
I just wanted to tell the world to stretch and relax
do it
i did
More on this later... I really should be applying to grad school
I just wanted to tell the world to stretch and relax
do it
i did
Regret Not
Last night I did something that I feel bad about today. Never a good feeling. When the guilt creeps into my head, I demand it's immediate exit. I acknowledge the fact that no one is perfect, and that incudes me. I make mistakes as I am human. I told you I would be 110% human through my blogging... so that is what I am doing. I am admitting my mistakes, fessing up, laying it all out there.
We all do things that in hindsight seem so clearly unwise. Such is life. The secret is in being proactive in learning from our mistakes, the big and the little. Take a mental note of the way it made you feel, the people it may have affected, and the overall outcome of the decision. Assess the situation, and state clearly what you have learned and how you will use this information.
Final Thoughts from a Reckless rant
We can not change our past, but we can choose to be proactive in making better choices in the furture.
Whats done is done, and we cannot undo, but what you will do next is up to you
We all do things that in hindsight seem so clearly unwise. Such is life. The secret is in being proactive in learning from our mistakes, the big and the little. Take a mental note of the way it made you feel, the people it may have affected, and the overall outcome of the decision. Assess the situation, and state clearly what you have learned and how you will use this information.
Final Thoughts from a Reckless rant
We can not change our past, but we can choose to be proactive in making better choices in the furture.
Whats done is done, and we cannot undo, but what you will do next is up to you
Friday, January 21, 2011
Word of the day... PERSIST
...and also endure. When I was taking courses in environmental studies, I read this specific pairing of words in one of my textbooks. I do not remember what else was discussed, but I remember these words having a great impact on my life.
LIfe is hard, trying, challenging, risky, and sometimes all around shitty... but without the trials, the victories would have no power. They would lose all meaning and become merely daily events that we would eventually become bored with... because that is how we work.
Allow me to insert a favorite movie quote here...
"The sweet just isn't as sweet without the bitter" (if you know what this is from, cheers to you)
This accyracy of this statement is not debateable. Debate me if you would like, I am always open to a friendly battle of wits... but I stand firm that these words ring true. Imagine indulging in chocolate cake three times a day for a year, a month, or even a week. The initial love you had for this divine treat, would inevitably fade. It would no longer be a "treat"... it would merely become food you have to eat to survive. Think about vacations. I know I personally suffer from severe post vacation depression. I go back to work in haze... yearning so much to be back on the beach or on the plane, anywhere but there. But then I remember, without work, there would be no vacations!
One month ago, I flew to Californina for the first time to see a dear friend of mine. It is an understatement to say I had an incredible time. I met wonderful people, indulged in a wide variety of fine foods, listened to great music, and throughly embraced the beauty that is the west coast. Before I left for this vacation, I came to the conclusion that this was going to be such an amazing vacation not just because it was California, but because I had truly, TRULY... earned it! I have my first "biggie girl" job and if you know me, you know how stressful this job is. On average, I work 50 hours and do two sleepovers in one week. All the vacations I had taken in the past were great, and sure I worked hard at my multiple part time jobs and going to school... but this was the first time I felt that i genuinely NEEDED and EARNED a vacation. Let me tell you... it was certainly sweet... thanks to the bitter.
Back to the word of the day... PERSIST.
Life is wonderful. People tell me I am too happy, too optimistic, and too nice. I say PSHHH.... At work, the girls ask me "Ms. Ashley... How are you so happy all the time?" They do not understand how someone can be perpetually happy. I make sure to tell them... I face struggles, my life is not perfect, and nothing was handed to me on a silver platter. I work hard and I enjoy a challenge. I wake up grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead of me. When I am met with a challenge... I "persist" to work past it so I can get to the good stuff. If you sit around wading in the mucky waters, you simply won't go anywhere. The secret is being proactive. Set your goals, make your plans, and carry on. Be prepared knowing that it won't always be easy, and you will meet your challenges head on with full force... endure the suffering, appreciate it for what it is, feel the pains... remember them. If you remember what it was like to suffer, you will sincerely appreciate the warm fuzzy feeling of victory.
Winston Churchill said it best...
"If you're going through hell, keep going..."
Godspeed Soldiers
LIfe is hard, trying, challenging, risky, and sometimes all around shitty... but without the trials, the victories would have no power. They would lose all meaning and become merely daily events that we would eventually become bored with... because that is how we work.
Allow me to insert a favorite movie quote here...
"The sweet just isn't as sweet without the bitter" (if you know what this is from, cheers to you)
This accyracy of this statement is not debateable. Debate me if you would like, I am always open to a friendly battle of wits... but I stand firm that these words ring true. Imagine indulging in chocolate cake three times a day for a year, a month, or even a week. The initial love you had for this divine treat, would inevitably fade. It would no longer be a "treat"... it would merely become food you have to eat to survive. Think about vacations. I know I personally suffer from severe post vacation depression. I go back to work in haze... yearning so much to be back on the beach or on the plane, anywhere but there. But then I remember, without work, there would be no vacations!
One month ago, I flew to Californina for the first time to see a dear friend of mine. It is an understatement to say I had an incredible time. I met wonderful people, indulged in a wide variety of fine foods, listened to great music, and throughly embraced the beauty that is the west coast. Before I left for this vacation, I came to the conclusion that this was going to be such an amazing vacation not just because it was California, but because I had truly, TRULY... earned it! I have my first "biggie girl" job and if you know me, you know how stressful this job is. On average, I work 50 hours and do two sleepovers in one week. All the vacations I had taken in the past were great, and sure I worked hard at my multiple part time jobs and going to school... but this was the first time I felt that i genuinely NEEDED and EARNED a vacation. Let me tell you... it was certainly sweet... thanks to the bitter.
Back to the word of the day... PERSIST.
Life is wonderful. People tell me I am too happy, too optimistic, and too nice. I say PSHHH.... At work, the girls ask me "Ms. Ashley... How are you so happy all the time?" They do not understand how someone can be perpetually happy. I make sure to tell them... I face struggles, my life is not perfect, and nothing was handed to me on a silver platter. I work hard and I enjoy a challenge. I wake up grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead of me. When I am met with a challenge... I "persist" to work past it so I can get to the good stuff. If you sit around wading in the mucky waters, you simply won't go anywhere. The secret is being proactive. Set your goals, make your plans, and carry on. Be prepared knowing that it won't always be easy, and you will meet your challenges head on with full force... endure the suffering, appreciate it for what it is, feel the pains... remember them. If you remember what it was like to suffer, you will sincerely appreciate the warm fuzzy feeling of victory.
Winston Churchill said it best...
"If you're going through hell, keep going..."
Godspeed Soldiers
Smoothie Capital... my kitchen
For Christmas, my lovely roommate got a killer blender...
So for my lovely roommates birthday, I got her a super smoothie recipe book!
There is something special about making homemade smoothies in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Smoothies will become a part of my regular routine, I claim this here and now.
World, this is Onna... Onna, this is the world!
So this purdy lil mug is Kowana. I can never pronounce it the way my roommates want me too... so I just call her Onna now. And also... had no clue she belonged to us till 4 days after she had been hanging out. Not a clue. I must have missed the "Were getting a dog memo".
Not that I mind... I love her
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Under Construction
I believe I would like this title tattooed on my forehead. I am constantly on the hunt for ways to improve every aspect of my life. I am uncertain as to how I became so driven to be, feel, do better... but it is how I live my life. I have taken note that I sometimes put a good deal of unnecessary pressure on myself, and I have been proactive in rectifying that minor detail.
"Under Construction" is a constant state, and not just for me... for every girl and boy born into this world. Never are we complete as human beings. Life is a journey, not a destination... therefore, there is no end result, just neverending evolution. This might seem daunting to some folk, but I find it quite thrilling. Knowing that I will always have something to strive for, improve on, focus my efforts towards... it gives me something to do. Being an Aries, I have an incredible urge to be perpetually busy, physically and mentally. So I can say I am glad I will never be the best, or reach all my goals, because what would I do then? I can honestly say, I never get bored. There is just too much going on, too much music to listen to, too many animals to adore, too much coffee to drink, too many books to read, too many movies to watch, too many people to meet, to many places to see, too many people to love, too many hands to hold, too many hearts to heal, too much food to try, too many hills to roll down, too many stars to count, too many puzzles to solve, too many friends to call, too many letters to write, too many... too many... too many...
Reckless Ranting Final Thoughts...
You will never be finished, and you will never be the best... but no one said you shouldn't try. This is exactly why we are supposed to "Aim for the moon...."
Current Areas of Construction
*career goals
*eatting habits
*finance management
*being a DO-ER
*worrying less
"Under Construction" is a constant state, and not just for me... for every girl and boy born into this world. Never are we complete as human beings. Life is a journey, not a destination... therefore, there is no end result, just neverending evolution. This might seem daunting to some folk, but I find it quite thrilling. Knowing that I will always have something to strive for, improve on, focus my efforts towards... it gives me something to do. Being an Aries, I have an incredible urge to be perpetually busy, physically and mentally. So I can say I am glad I will never be the best, or reach all my goals, because what would I do then? I can honestly say, I never get bored. There is just too much going on, too much music to listen to, too many animals to adore, too much coffee to drink, too many books to read, too many movies to watch, too many people to meet, to many places to see, too many people to love, too many hands to hold, too many hearts to heal, too much food to try, too many hills to roll down, too many stars to count, too many puzzles to solve, too many friends to call, too many letters to write, too many... too many... too many...
Reckless Ranting Final Thoughts...
You will never be finished, and you will never be the best... but no one said you shouldn't try. This is exactly why we are supposed to "Aim for the moon...."
Current Areas of Construction
*career goals
*eatting habits
*finance management
*being a DO-ER
*worrying less
Where Am I Now?
Now... I live in a tiny lil town in a funny lil place. How did I get here? Does not matter... I am here and this is where I am. I work my booty off at a job where staff quit before they are even hired. I love my job where I get cussed at, yelled at, insulted, and disrespected... at least every other day. When I get finished working on average 50 hours a week, and sleeping at my work at least twice a week... I devote 90% of my free time to applying to graduate school. In the other 10% of my free time, I drink coffee, send greeting cards to loved ones, look at pictures of baby animals, exercise... oh and sometimes I remember to nourish my body with peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
There is your update... you, my friend... are pretty much up to speed.
Oh yes, and my 2011 new years resolution... Be a DO-ER.
There is your update... you, my friend... are pretty much up to speed.
Oh yes, and my 2011 new years resolution... Be a DO-ER.
Come One, Come All...
Finally, the opportunity of a lifetime. You may now crawl inside my curious mind virtually risk free. I will lay it all out there for you, at no charge, and you decide if you want to become engulfed in my pretty little world. In this moment, I commit to documenting my moments... the good, the bad, the worse, and the better... the "Oh Wow" moments, and the "Oh Shit" moments... the "I'm finally getting this" moments, and the "What the hell am I doing" moments. Shame free, I plan to bear all, to be completely 110% human and then some.
In addition to my daily recreation recaps, I will rant and I will ramble about the chaotic curiosities in this silly lil mind of mine. It may provoke boughts of laughter or watery eyes. Either way... I hope to provoke emotion, because what is a day without feeling?
So let me extend this open invitation to you, my friend, old or new, to a colorful collection of silly stories and reckless rants of a 20-something Girl in a 20-something World.
Happy travels
BYOB
In addition to my daily recreation recaps, I will rant and I will ramble about the chaotic curiosities in this silly lil mind of mine. It may provoke boughts of laughter or watery eyes. Either way... I hope to provoke emotion, because what is a day without feeling?
So let me extend this open invitation to you, my friend, old or new, to a colorful collection of silly stories and reckless rants of a 20-something Girl in a 20-something World.
Happy travels
BYOB
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