Monday's are hard.

Please just enjoy some mindless fun. Because Monday's are hard. 

Now go about your day. You're welcome.

Where do you find it?

Colors, shapes, buildings, nature, and people. We're around all of these and more every day. So what sparks the inspiration for people to come up with ideas, designs, and even art? I came across the above quote on Pinterest (go figure), but it's really stuck in my mind the past few days. Why? Because I think it's incredibly true. I think that we all see the world in a different light and that no light is exactly the same as another. There's always a new bright, dark, and in between way of seeing things, but they're all different.

Inspiration is everywhere. We've all heard this timeless quote, and it's so true. I pull from everything I see, and even think, on a daily basis from the simplest of things to the more complex concepts. We all think differently and the world is such an amazing place. There is always something new to see, even the same things can bring new inspiration to you, it all depends on how you look at it.
For example: a lot of people think that graffiti is simply ugly vandalism. However, I think it is one of the most beautiful forms of art. Granted a lot of it can be bad, but when it's good? It's really good. This isn't a recent view of mine, I've always loved it, even when I was little. My favorite thing was being stopped at a train, watching the cars go by, and seeing the colors painted on the sides. Not everyone thinks this way, and that's okay, to each their own.
So, I have a question for all you readers.

What brings you inspiration?

Now, you don't have to comment if you don't want (but it would be nice), but think about it. Get the creative juices flowing. Think in new ways, express yourself, and, above all, be the creative person you were born to be. Challenge yourself, even if you don't think you can. 

Take your crayons back and help decorate this world, no matter what light you see it in.

For the little angels

I know that we are all feeling the sorrow nation wide of the tragedy in Newtown, CT and the love that goes out to those families as they deal with the evil that has visited their community. I am not a parent, I do not know exactly what those parents of those 20 children are going through, but I do know I feel for them, their families, and the community as a whole.
There have been many reaching outs to the people in CT since yesterday and I am overwhelmed by all of them. However, this is one that hit me hard.
Aside from the tragedy, we must be able to see a good side to this on behalf of those children and 6 adults taken from this earth yesterday. There is no better way, I feel, that captures it than this poem I read earlier today. It overwhelmed me and brought tears to my eye as I know that it's true and that those children are being taken care of by a higher power than we know here on earth.

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Bless those souls that were taken to soon, the heroes that protected them over themselves out of love, and the families that are left to feel the pain. I feel for you and my heart and prayers go out to each and every one mourning the loss of a friend, a neighbor, a family member, and a child. May you find peace in your hearts and always feel their love for you.

Life takes it's turns

We all know life sucks sometimes. I've posted about it before, but this isn't the same. This is about life's turns, getting us where we need to be, making us happy and doing the right thing when we don't it yet. Life is actually, surprisingly, really good to us.
We all have our hard times. It comes with the all to popular saying "There's no rainbow without the storm". I completely believe in that. I also believe we are given the challenges, it's up to us to interpret them how we will. However, you do have to learn to dance in the rain at some point and realize that life isn't so bad.
Again, I'm about to post about myself and my own life.
Ready?
The past few years have been a little hard on me, and really stressed me out too actually. I moved out of my parents house to go to college at 18, lost a few people I never thought I would, gained new friends and best friends, met some awesome people and been given some chances I never possibly could have dreamed of. But a lot of things didn't go how I had planned  them out in my head and I was really lost for a while, a long while actually. It took an emotional toll on me, but, being who I am, I never showed it to those around me save a few, because I couldn't really understand why it was all happening.
I do now. Because of those rough times, not just then, but throughout my entire life, I am who I am. I'm happy, I am getting the education I want, going into the field I have such passion for and not giving up when I get shot down. I've realized who I am and who I can be and I don't plan on giving up until I get there.
Everything  happens for a reason and it all works out in the end, even if we have to take the path less traveled every once in a while, we all still get where we are supposed to be.
That's the point I've come to in my life and I could not be happier if I tried.

Motivate me

I never thought it would happen. The day I stopped craving junk food. I mean I'm a girl, sometimes I want ice cream or chocolate, it's just how I'm wired (right ladies?). But the want of a super greasy hamburger disgusts me now, if I want a cheeseburger (which I often do-it's my weird craving) I make it myself instead of running down to Wendy's. It's easier to say no to the soda since I now drink carbonated flavored water when I want the carbonation and the caffeine headaches have subsided too.
This whole "get healthy" journey has certainly not been the easiest and I do admit to cheating every once in a while, however, I am getting better. I do need to get back on the exercise bandwagon though. I still do my little exercises when brushing my teeth or standing in my checkstand, but I know it's not enough. Luckily the on-campus gym is FREE so I can still feed my urge to run when the snow starts to fall in the next month or so (kill me now). By next summer I do plan on being bikini ready, or at least feel as confident as i used to in my own skin/clothes. And, the new goal is to look better for next year's Utah Undie Run. The tank top came off this year when it should have stayed on (in my opinion anyways). I'd rather do this for me though. To look that good will help me feel that good and it's something that's been a long time coming for me. I just need the motivation again to do it.

And so it begins

As the first week of classes come to an end, I've been thinking a lot about where I'm at, about the opportunity I'm getting to prove myself. And I'm realizing just how far I've really come and how far I still have to go. But it doesn't scare me like it used to.
Junior. All week people have been asking what year I am, you know the whole awkward question game you all play to "get to know your neighbors", and every time I say it it seems less and less real. But it is real. It's crazy for me to think that just a few years ago I was a junior for the first time, only it was in high school and I had no idea what I wanted  to do with my life, and I was only a year away from graduating. And then I found it. By accident, I came across something that I would have so much passion for, even now I get goosebumps thinking about it. It's crazy to me that things can just fall into place right when you need them to, even though you aren't expecting the outcome at all, at least I wasn't. I never thought that I would find passion in Interior Design, or passion for anything in high school for that matter. I always got good grades, but it wasn't really because I wanted to, it was more because I had to. I was one of those students that had the mind set of "I'm here because I have to be, do the work and get through it, it's only four years", so that's what I did. I did the work, I got through it. The only class I ever wanted to go to was my fourth period because I actually  enjoyed the work and paid attention. Yeah I had great teachers for my other classes that were awesome and hilarious, but nothing was better than ending the day with my favorite class.
Once I got to college I kind of just expected the classes to be like my high school ones and I was definitely pleasantly surprised to find out different. My first two years of college I did what I loved to do every day I was in class. I learned about things I had actual interest for and I found more and more passion for it with each semester. As stressful as it was for me last year, I definitely would not trade it for the world. The end results of any project are always the best and the feeling is indescribable for me, there just aren't words for me to express it.
Now it's my junior year in college. It's also my first year with no design classes since my junior year in high school. It's kind of weird to be honest, it sort of feels like high school, the "i have to do it" kind of feeling. I'm not as excited for school, at least the classes I'm taking. I am, however, extremely excited for what I'm doing on the side. There's going to be some projects in the works by me, and, even though it's only the fourth day of school, I've already got ideas in my head and I'm ready to jump on them now instead of in a few weeks or something like that.
It's my time to prove myself again. I know it sounds vague, but it's supposed to. I know what I'm doing, even if very few others are aware of it. I get a chance that very few ever get in life. A second chance. It's happening now and it begins today.
Junior year? Bring. It. On.

Plateau

It's been a minute kids. Since I posted my last photo from day 1 to day 12 I haven't really changed much. I know the reasoning. I've been eating healthy and that has helped me so much! For one, there has been a little more weight loss and for two I feel a whole lot better about myself. That being said, work has had me crazy busy and super tired, but I have gotten in a little exercise, however not nearly as much as I would like.
I have two jobs (I'm a lifeguard and a cashier), and while I'm at work I do small exercises that no one can really tell I'm doing. For instance, as a lifeguard, when we rotate I walk on my toes for toning exercises. When I'm in the chair I do core breathing and bum squeezes (don't judge, I see a difference). Finally, when I'm in the catch pool, I do water aerobics. Our rotations are about 15 minutes and I usually get about 10 minutes worth in. Even though it's not full force because I still have to pay attention, it's better than nothing.
As a cashier I'm stuck in a check stand all day, however I'm also getting my upper body in a little bit when I scan things. For my legs I do calf raises when I don't have customers and sometimes I do wall sits on the check stand behind me too, all while doing my core breathing. It's not much, but it's still better than nothing.
I haven't been able to go to water aerobics as much, but I am going tomorrow if any of you readers would like to join me! It starts at 9:45pm and goes until 10:45pm and it's actually really fun! I'm going to try and get the giant to come tomorrow too. Wish me luck!