Power of One Project

Yesterday was an absolute amazing day! Lately, I've really been thinking about paying it forward and how one person can change the world. I want to start my own little project called "Project Power of One". I believe kindness is contagious and the human heart can do more things than all the money in the world. To start off my project I wanted to give back to our everyday heroes, the police officers and firefighters, who risk their lives to keep us safe. I decided to bake some cookies for them. (I know it's cliched but who doesn't like a good cookie?) I was going to do it alone but I decided it'd be pretty selfish of me not to include my youth group. After all, I want Project Power of One to move through my youth group and then spread like wildfire! The impromptu activity was a great success! The youth that could make it on such short notice really seemed to enjoy themselves. These kids have never done anything like this and it just made my day to include them in something so amazing. We went to two Athens, Texas, police departments and two fire stations. Although the larger police station declined the cookies,  for safety reasons, the smaller police station and fire stations accepted them appreciatively. One of the fire stations, who were extremely friendly, gave us a tour of their truck, gadgets, and allowed us to take as many pictures as we wanted. All in all, it was a splendid experience and I'm looking forward to seeing what we will accomplish in the future.

The first place we visited. This dispatcher was a sweet heart and seemed to be really touched.

Inside the back of the fire truck! We had to squeeze in. In hindsight, I should've ditched the shades, haha.

The fireman said, "Hey, pull that string." When I asked why he wouldn't tell me. Needless to say we all jumped when the horn shrilled! 

I'm just going to throw this out there: Those men were handsome!! 

My friend, Amanda, said it best, "Look at this firefighter driving the truck in a skirt and a flower halo!"

Aren't they so cute?

We decided to crowd in the Detention Center entrance and smile.  I'm telling you  we are just rebels, haha!

Love our faces! ;)

My 10 Etsy Faves

1. I'm crazy about this iPhone case. I just love the floral design along with the metallic. 

LinsanityDIY

2.) This totally ADORABLE Hunger Games inspired pocket watch lock necklace is to die for!

Shining Gifts

3. OMG. I want these prints in my dorm! Does it get any more precious?!

Parada Creations

4.) My favorite animal is an elephant. I think the reason I love this computer decal is quite obvious! *cheesy grin

Cupcake Defence

5.) I love this next case for too many reasons. The mustache, the bow, the design..*sigh. It's just perfect. I think this would make an uber cute bridal gift.

Igdesignstudio

6.) Two words: Floral Bow. This shop is full of the cutest bows I'd just love to wear! She even has comic bows! I'll take them!

OhHoneyHush

7. I can just see myself dancing around my kitchen in this precious apron!

loverdoversclothing

8. This skirt brings out my inner nerd. I'd LOVE to rock this!

GoChaseRabbits

9. This adorable red tin pitcher would just be perfect in my kitchen. TOO CUTE!

TheRetroBottega

10.  Melon is one of my favorite colors!

xyuezw

You're Gonna Miss This

Loneliness- the thing everyone despises and, yet, we have all felt it at one point or another. Lately, I've felt it. It's been a year since I've dated and at times it feels like 5 years! Oh, the thoughts that have gone through my head.

"Where is he?" 

"Um, hello, can't you see I'm all single?"

"Ugh, being single is the worst!"

"I'll be forever alone, FOREVER ALONE, I SAY!"

While moping around the house, listening to the saddest songs I could find of the Civil Wars, Regina Spektor, Katy Perry, The Beatles, etc., a song came up on my playlist and changed my world. 

It was the song, "You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Atkins. If you've never heard it before, here's the chorus:

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

 

Amazing, isn't it? How one simple song can just turn your whole day around. Today I find myself full of hope for the future. Anytime the loneliness demon comes back around I remember, "Know what? One day I'm going to miss this alone time." If you find yourself eating that pint of Tom & Jerry's and listening to "The One that Got Away" I encourage you to throw some nice clothes on, make a quick, happy playlist, and GET OUT THE HOUSE! If you still need more encouragement, google search 50 great reasons to be single. After reading one of those, you'll put on that "SINGLE AND LOVING IT" face, I promise!! Now lovelies, Go out there and strut your stuff!! 

A Mini Vaca, Weight Loss and Apology

  Friday already?! Say it isn't so!! I think this summer is flying by way too fast! Well guys, after my post Monday I left for a little vacation with some friends to Lufkin, TX. We intended to attend a week long camp meeting, but after we arrived at our hotel, we didn't want to leave. Basically we spent Monday through Thursday simply relaxing and getting some much needed pampering. If only you guys had laid in those beds and relaxed your heads on those pillows... I'm not ashamed to admit I was so LAZY! It was a sad farewell Thursday morning I must say. Furthermore, after sleeping in my own bed last night, I decided I need to buy pillows like theirs. My own pillows just aren't cutting it anymore, folks!

In other news, I vaguely mentioned in another post how I have been trying to lose weight and get fit. At times it gets hard but I want to have my dream body so badly; it isn't as difficult as it used to be. I'm exercising every morning and night and (SURPRISE OF ALL SURPRISES) I can actually do proper push ups now! Push ups are something I have never been able to accomplish! I can honestly say just making up my my mind to not fall back into the "fat trap" has been so liberating. Soon I will share my measurements and how far I've come in such a short time! I will say though that in my first two weeks of really working it, I lost eleven pounds in twelve days! So stay tuned for more details!


Lastly, I want to apologize for the posts here and there. I'm going to put myself on a schedule so I won't forget or get too busy. I love this blog and all my readers. Hopefully one day I can make this blog into what I dream of it to be: entertaining, successful and fun!

Early Morning Decision and Back Story- All Before Coffee!

Good morning, everyone!! It's 7 a.m. here in the little town of Kaufman. I woke up at 5:30, couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided I'd just watch the sunrise. Absolutely beautiful! If you've never watched the sun come up you haven't lived,  my friend! I apologize for.....how long has it been? A week? AGGHH! I apologize for the week of missed posts! As I previously stated, I'm entering a university this fall and I'm trying to get all my forms, fees, and anything else together.It can be somewhat stressful but I'm excited. In my last post I talked about living arrangements, and I think the school made a decision for me. Friday I spent hours at the school talking to my academic adviser, going on a wild goose chase and taking a dorm tour. OK I need to insert a little back story here; I was accepted to the GATE program in March. Gate is like an honors program where we will study different cultures and go 5 weeks to study abroad in Brazil and Argentina. Only 30 people were accepted and I am completely humbled that they actually chose me! Anyway, I told you that to tell you this. Apparently, since we are in GATE, they assign all of us to the same dorm hall and since we are all freshman we can either live with our parents or in the dorms. No Rving. So sad! However, once I looked at the costs, It comes up to being about the same as living in a dorm AND as my uncle and aunt put it, "Doesn't include anything possibly breaking down on finals week." EEEEK, I didn't even think of that!  And since I live four hours from my mum, living with parents is impossible. (Unless I somehow could acquire a jet plane, cute pilot and a landing strip near the school...hmm..I'll get back to you!) I'm actually quite excited about living in the dorms. I know it's not all like in the movies but it will be nice being close to my new friends and getting to meet new people! well, that's all folks, I hope everyone has a fantastic week! HAPPY  MONDAY!! :D


I leave you with this fantastic picture of the one of the 7 wonders of Argentina. Maybe we could squeeze a trip to see this on our 5 week international studies!

Iguazu Falls

Where Should One Live in College?

In a few months, I'll be going to my university for the first time. I've been attending a really small community college so it's somewhat frightening and exciting all in one. 

I've been thinking a lot of living arrangements and one question kept coming up. "Do I really want to pay for a tiny dorm I will share with someone else?". During my heavy thinking, I believe I came up with a solution. 

My aunt and grandmother used to live in travel trailers while working in various places. I remember them telling me how easy it was to move because they could take their home anywhere with them. I'd love visiting them in their tiny homes when I was younger and dreaming of what it would be like to have my own.

An idea was struck! Why not? So guys, I must admit, I've been looking at vintage rv's and travel trailers the past few days. I really enjoy the older models because I think they are much more attractive than today's models and as my grandpa says, "They just don't make stuff like they used to." I really think it's a cheaper alternative to a dormitory and I won't be sharing it with anyone, except, maybe, a tiny dog I decide to adopt one day, (fingers crossed). 

Once I start trying to make a big decision I factor in everything, I mean EVERYTHING. So, I have lists on my computer and scattered about my room. I want to pick out the perfect one as I will be happy living in it for the next 6 years. I may have gotten a little carried away and started planning for decor ideas as well, haha. Well, at least I'll be prepared! I've really fallen in love with the exterior of the 1970 Winnebago models because of the adorable colorful stripes down the sides, like these below: 

Aren't they precious?! If you guys have any pointers or ideas about rv buying, I'd love to hear them!

Green'wich Recipe

I absolutely LOVE avocados. On a visit to see my family in Louisiana, I stopped to eat at a little restaurant. Upon discovering their DELICIOUS avocado sandwich, I knew I must make my own. I added the mustard and pepper jack cheese because I'm a little obsessed with them both.

You'll need the following:

1/2 Avocado
1 slice of an onion
1 slice of tomato
wheat bread
Toaster (If you like your bread toasted like me)
salt
Pepper jack cheese (for spice)
mayo
mustard
bean sprouts

Directions:  (Like you really need sandwich directions!)

Apply mayo and/or mustard to bread, add desired amount of onion and tomato, desired amount of avocado (I usually use a half of a large avocado), salt (I put just a few sprinkles on the avocado or I use garlic salt), bean sprouts, a slice of pepper jack cheese and ENJOY!!!

Bedroom Theme Idea

Hello lovelies! Sorry for the missed post yesterday! :( I had a phone interview with a job offer in Houston and later I was whisked away by some friends to a big party! How is everyone? 

So, I've been wanting to fix up my room ever since I moved to Texas for college. I've had a hard time choosing the perfect theme. But I was skimming through some photos the other day and I was inspired by this one! I absolutely LOVE the neutrals and soft pastels in this  photo, as well as the whole vintage-ness of it. I'm thinking of going with a blue comforter the color of the telephone below and perhaps some soft pink and neutral pillows.  What do you think?

Store Lovin'

I wanted to show you lovely people one of my favorite stores in Canton, Texas. Come Together Trading  is a free trade store and cafe that features artisans from all over the world. Oh how I wish I had money to just purchase everything! 

Come Together Trading Store & Coffeehouse on the Historic Downtown Square in Canton, Texas. Building was built in 1893 and still has the original floors. Look how cute the building itself is!

Sseko Sandals Display in the store using recycled pallets. (I may have to steal the recycled pallets idea for my home! Too cute I must say)

A whole wall dedicated to Compassion International! (I hope to be able to sponsor a child one day)

They have Open Mic Night every other Saturday! (One day my ukulele and I will be playing here!)

Loads of cute jewelry, home decor, clothes, t-shirts, paintings, adorable bags and sigh..everything! Just everything!  ;)

Oh I forgot to add! They have their own website if you guys would like to check them out! It's cometogethertrading.com. Go look at all the cute stuff!



 

How I became an accidental vegetarian

   You're probably thinking accidental vegetarian? WHat tha... No. Really. It happened!
The story is my friends I live with left for some vaca around Texas. I didn't realize they'd be gone for 10 months! Ok, not 10 months but that's what it felt like. They've actually only been gone a week but they kept extending their vaca. I decided to stay home since I needed to sign up for summer semester and...ok, I like alone time. So anyway, there's this thing I do when I'm home alone. I like to call it "hibernation". I don't like to go anywhere, I stay in my pj's all day, I'll clean up my mess (but not much else) and I watch old shows (like my favorite I Love Lucy) all day long. My hibernation even excludes going to the grocery store that is 20 miles away. I HATE that long drive just to walk around Walmart..uhh the thought makes me shudder. So anytime I'm hungry I shuffle into the kitchen, pull the first thing out, eat it, and go back to my show or something equally time consuming.  As I was doing my normal shuffle, (Wow, I could actually actually say, "Everyday I"m shuffling!" No? OK. yeah, corny..) I opened the refrigerator and realized something. I've eaten egg tacos for lunch and broccoli for dinner everyday due to my being too lazy to go to the store. So there it is. I've been a vegetarian for a week now and I didn't even mean to!  Things like this would only happen to me! haha...

Star Wars Nerd- forever!

The Dreadful Weight Issue

I'm no stranger to weight struggle. My entire life I've worried about it. I steadily gained in elementary school and when I was in 7th grade I reached my highest weight of 220 lbs! I was made fun of and called Shrek by many classmates. I cannot express to you the amount of times I came home crying and staring at myself in the mirror. I'd always wish to be someone else. My classmates would draw pictures of an obese stick figure and give it to me. I loathed myself. Throughout those years I developed an extreme social anxiety, as well. I didn't want anyone to look or talk to me. Middle school was a living hell. When I went for a two year stay in Mexico to do mission work, I lost 60 lbs and gained major confidence. I have to say all thanks to the heat, falling in love and the delicious organic food! However, when I came back to the U.S., I gained it all back. :( My weight has always fought me. I know how it feels to be so depressed you never want to get out of bed! I know the hatred towards skinny people with fast metabolisms! (Not really hatred but extreme jealously I should say)  I hate having to wear something not because I like it, but because it fits. I hate the stares because you are so big, not because you are breathtakingly beautiful. I hate when you want to try to fit in a small space between your friends but you know you won't fit. I hate having fat cheeks. Having an issue with weight is the PITS, my friends!!

Anyway, a month ago I decided it was now or never!  No more diets, just a lifestyle change. I've been exercising, watching proportions, drinking protein shakes and eating only organic foods. No fast food, grease or sweets have passed my lips!! WOO HOOO!! I can tell you, I really do feel fantastic. I've tried to stay away from the scale because in the past all it would do is depress me. I have been determining my weight by how I feel and what I see!


 I'd like to encourage all of you to do the same. If you're struggling with a weight issue just decide today to change the rest of your life. I know it's hard, so very hard to get motivated but next month you'll be wishing you had done it today. Find a friend who will join you, and change today for a better tomorrow!

The Story of My First Ukulele

  "One day I'm gonna have my own ukulele," I remember telling myself growing up. My siblings and I would listen to radio show called, "Adventures in Odyssey," and one character played the ukulele. From that episode on, my love for the ukulele was born. I'd imagine myself playing along and smiling in my own world with flowers and sunshine. Occasionally, I'd remind my parents that I wanted one but I always said I wanted something! My poor parents probably learned to tune me out after, "I want". (Yes, I was a silly kid.) The older I got, my want turned into a need. "MOM, DAD, I NEED A UKULELE!!!" It was on my Christmas and birthday list for years in a row, along with a camera I had long sense forgotten about, a bike I gave away, a cell phone I lost, and purse I sold. The reason no one bought it was quite obvious but I swore this time I would stick to it. 

  After I moved to Texas last year, I found a little guitar store in the next town. I decided to stop in one day out of curiosity. Right in the front was a whole wall of ukuleles. Uh oh, I turned into a kid in a candy store! After perusing, strumming and caressing each one, I finally settled for a little, sky blue soprano. The owner warned me it wasn't a pro but I assured him,  "I'm only a beginner and it doesn't cost that much so if I do decide I don't want to play, I won't be wasting too much money." (I've gotten smarter in my old age.) "After I master this one, I'll buy my own professional ukulele," I told him. This soprano was perfect for now.

   This year for my 19th birthday, I put it at the very top of my birthday list. If I didn't receive anything else, this was what I wanted. Finally, my birthday came and I was headed to my birthday dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant in Tyler. When I walked in, I was handed a little, odd-shaped box. I opened it and cried. After all these years, I had my first ukulele. It was my turn to play the beautiful melodies and escape to my own little world...

After three months, I'm playing for people. I know most chords and strum patterns. I've written a few songs of my own and I've decided something. My journey with the ukulele has just begun! My family should be proud; I'm sticking to it!

Today Is The Day

"Today is the day", I kept saying to myself. "I will finally start a blog!" Little did I remember, last August I had already started one, one lousy post I mean. I don't really know what happened. I guess wasn't inspired enough. Anyway, today I am recommitting myself to the wonderful life of blogging! Today is the day...today is the day!