Tattoo??

So for the past few years I have tossed back and forth the idea of getting a tattoo. I have always known what I wanted, just never sure whether I wanted it or not. The design above is a dove carrying an olive branch, it has numerous meanings but to me it has always symbolized a part of me that I lost several years ago. My grandmother's middle name was olive and when I began to contemplate the idea of a tattoo I knew I wanted something that symbolized olive and I found this. I have always feared the unknown and maybe thats why I havent done this yet, because its new and different and so very permanent and that scares me. I will not make this decision until I am 100% ready due to its permanancy. Until then I will continue to contemplate getting a tattoo, hopefully I will come to a conclusion sooner than later:)

Nerves

What are nerves? My dad says that being nervous just means your ready. I have been told this my entire life so everytime I feel the anxiety creeping up I try to remember that I am prepared. There are some obstacles in life that when it is all said and done I cant prepare anymore. I am currently awaiting the most difficult acceptance in my life thus far. My letter of acceptance into the social work program will be here sometime in August. I have completed all of the requirements for the program so it is just a matter of waiting and hoping that my name finds its way to an open spot. As my dream is to become a social worker and help those around me the rejection of this scares me more than anything in my entire life. So as I wait in anticipation these next few months I can only remember than I am prepared and whatever happens is out of my hands. And I also will remember that I will never give up because sometimes obstacles are placed in front of us to see how much we really want something. So I say bring on the obstacles, I am ready to overcome them!

Embrace Your Curves!

Over the weekend I decided to spend some time organizing and getting rid of stuff that I do not need or use anymore. I have a strange obsession with tshirts so I limited my drawer space to just the tshirts that I regularly wear. I got rid of clothes that I know regardless of how thin I am will never wear and I cleaned out the bathroom cabinets of old medicine and makeup. I not only enjoy doing this because it helps me to stay organized but I can also give the clothes and shoes to someone who will use them, which serves a much greater purpose than sitting in the back of my closet. A few things sparked this sudden urge to organize: 1. The book I just finished wear your life well talks about in order to succeed in life you must have a successful environment and 2. After my mom took me shopping last week I noticed that a lot of times I shop in the jr dept because that is where most of my friends shop. I have had numerous miserable shopping trips because their clothes just dont fit. I decided to try out the misses department and I fell in love. My clothes fit better with leads to a much more confident me. So part of the cleaning out was designed to get rid of those clothes that dont fit me and give them to someone they do fit. I think I have finally learned to embrace my body and know that everyone is built differently and if I cant shop in the juniors department thats ok!

Reading

As my summer classes ended yesterday I found myself rejoicing, not just because they were over but because I know have time to enjoy reading. Ever since I was a child I have always loved to read. When we would go visit my dad in the summer my mom finally had to get a library card because I read so fast and it was just too expensive to go to the bookstore. I try and read as much as I can during the school year but it is usually much to overwhelming with all the classes and finals and everything else. So for the next two months I get to enjoy reading whatever I would like. I am finishing up wear your life well and have a long list of books I plan on starting next. I would love any suggestions to add to the list.

Remembering

Today is the mark of what I hope to be an end to a very bad year. A year ago today I received a phone call that would shatter my life more than I could have ever imagined. My Abuelo had died unexpextedly, the man I had just seen a few days earlier for fathers day was gone forever. A man of ninety plus years was someone I never expected to lose and I never expected the impact it would have on my life. My grandfather was truly an inspiration to all and lived a life that most people will never live. He was a wonderful husband to the same women for over fifty years, in our society I consider this to be very rare and I hope to be able to do the same in my lifetime. He was able to see all of his granddaughters but one get married. He had six grandkids and nine great grandkids all but one of which he was able to meet. He passed on his beautiful gift of music to my brother and he was able to see him perform several times and watch him in awe. I have never seen someone so mesmerized by music and so proud of his grandson. He was able to contribute to all of his grandkids college educations, something he wanted very much so to do. Today I will remember my Abuelo and everything he stood for and meant to every life he touched. I love you abuelo, until we meet again

Comfort Zone

So I am reading this new book called wear yourself well. My mom actually recommended it a few months ago and I have finally been able to start it. The first chapter is on getting out your comfort zone, something I struggle with very much. I used to be so adventurous, always wanting to try new things and then something happened and fear and comfort overrided my joy for the new. Starting today my new goal is to get out of my comfort zone, to try something new. There is a class I have been wanting to take at the gym called Zumba, but I have been to scared to go alone. So my first out of the comfort zone challenge is to take that class within the next two weeks by myself. I encourage you to try something out of your comfort zone this month and try to think of it as an adventure and not worry about whether you will fail or how silly you might look.

Family

This weekend I had the opportunity to spend some great quality time with my family. During baseball season this is very rare, usually when my Dad is in town after the games much of our attention is being shared with every other family member. Friday evening after the game it was just our family and it was so wonderful just to spend time with my family. This is something I feel that many people take for granted. I have always treasured the time with my family because it usually only happens from october to february. After ryan and I met I was so blessed to be a part of his family as well. They are a family that treasures family time as much as I do. We spend our times together talking and more recently enjoying the presence of nieces and nephews. Growing up I was always so upset when my dad left because part of my family was gone and then when my mom started traveling with him it was even more difficult because it wsa just my siblings, but now I have another family to call my own to spend time with, to laugh and to cry with. As my new life with ryan starts we will be starting our own family and I will feel even more blessed to not only have two families to share but also to share a family of our own with my husband. Life is good.

Value

To realize The value of a sister Ask someone Who doesn't have one. To realize The value of ten years: Ask a newly Divorced couple To realize The value of four years: Ask a graduate. To realize The value of one year: Ask a student who Has failed a final exam. To realize The value of nine months: Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn. To realize The value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to A premature baby. To realize The value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize The value of one minute: Ask a person Who has missed the train, bus or plane. To realize The value of one-second: Ask a person Who has survived an accident. Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special. To realize the value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE.

Getting into shape!

I have started a new work out regiment in order to feel healthier and possibly shed some pounds before I begin my wedding gown search:) Last night I decided that I was going to stop drinking soda and not eat any fast food. I have dropped soda before and was successful but I have never completely cut out fast food so we will see how long I can do this. Today I start the healthy eating and cardio atleast three days a week. I will keep everyone posted on how I am progressing.

Moving On

I lost a very important friendship to me this past year, it was a long time coming but it was something that I could not let go of. She had been my best friend almost all through high school and most of college. After our first year of college I noticed that she was not the same person I once called my best friend, the one person I could not imagine my life with out. I kept telling myself that it would change, it was just a phase but as time passed it never did. We didnt talk for about six months and I began to feel extremely guilty like I had abandoned her so I decided to contact her. We hung out a few times and things were further from the same than they had ever been. Maybe its just the life paths we have chosen but maybe its just that our friendship served its purpose and now its time to move on. This is not an easy thing to accept especially for me. So as I write this I hope that I can learn to remember that people come in and out of our lives and when those friendships pass it is not due to abandonment but to the fact that the friendship has accomplished its purpose.

Trust In God

Sometimes life isnt all we "think" it should be. The storms are stronger than they should be and the sun isnt as bright as we would like it. This past year has been the first year of my life where I felt this way. Through it all in the back, sometimes the very back of my mind was that God knows what he does and this is what is supposed to happen. That is not alway easy to accept when you are weathering the storm, but some how as my faith grew I accepted it with every blow, especially those way below the belt. Although this was probably the worst year of my life, my faith grew to a level I never even knew existed. People used to tell me that they were just trusting God and I would be like yeah ok? Now I completely understand what it means to put all of your trust in God. As the days become difficult I remember that God is on my side and he will get me through this.

Long Boat Key

Here are some pictures from the beach in long boat key! My sister made this cake from scratch!!! Enjoy:)