Life, Rants, and Alejandro

Okay so I think my most interesting blog posts have been the ones filled with randomness...so here are the first thoughts that come to my brain this evening. Enjoy.

• Sometimes I feel new in a place I've been for awhile. Thank God for the select few that are friendly. (Vague, but perhaps you can relate?)
• Taylor Swift has some serious issues yo. Like for real. She dated a Kennedy a few months ago. Now she's dating a kid from One Direction...seriously just be single for awhile, Taylor! Oh wait...that would put a damper on your career.
• Friends in one place, strangers in the next. 
• When friends stop being your friend because they no longer need you...ouch.
• Wow, my blog is kinda depressing today. Lol.
• Happy note: going to Orlando in 10 days with my best friend. Eeeep.
• Another happy note: got asked to perform a solo set of songs I've written at a show in January. Exciting.
• Being in praise band at church is such a blessing because I've always wanted to use music in a worship setting. God is working.
• So yesterday I didn't get a chance to do my devos. So today I read yesterday's devotion, and it was just what  I needed TODAY. Love when God works like that.
• My new favorite thing to do is drive and listen to music reallyyyyy loud. So fun. 
• I can't decide what to name my car. A car's gotta have a name, ya know? I mean it goes everywhere with you. All I can think of is Alejandro and I have no idea why. But I gotta think of something else because who is gonna take me seriously driving a car named Alejandro?!?!

Well I'm gonna go drink some sparkling cider and watch King of Queens. Ciao!

Read Me

It's 1a.m., thanksgiving was great, my family is irreplaceable, and God is so good.  Ba-bam.

I watched a movie with my fam tonight, one of those movies that makes you think, contemplate life and people, and may make you tear up from time to time because somehow it struck a nerve. It's called People Like Us. Go watch it. It's one of those movies that actually makes you feel productive while watching it because of how it stimulates your thoughts.  My dad even stayed awake during it. So you know it's good ;)

So I heard this epic song the other day called "Stars" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.  The melody of the chorus is so incredibly beautiful. Although vocally challenging, I am going to do a cover of it and I'm so excited.  It's comin your way on Facebook sometime soon, party peeps!

Well I suppose I should sleep or something like that. Stay thankful :)

The Song I Couldn't Write

I did it. I didn't think I had it in me. The words, the melody, they just wouldn't come. Until they did. Randomly. Unexpectedly. Perfectly. The story unfolded in the notes, the message chimed through. I breathed an accomplished sigh as I finished the bridge to the song...the song I couldn't write. But the song that was so hard to write, was so easy to write.  It is a song that needs...to be sung.

Oh Yeah.

Well first of all...

I GOT MY LICENSE TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eep.

 I have major test anxiety, but God gave me peace and I passed the test with ease!  I did it, and MOST importantly- I did it when I felt ready.

Oh so many adventures to be had :D

Secondly, I'm not 100% sure what I want to do career-wise.  I'm considering a new and completely different route, and I'm finding it exciting.

Thirdly, I am in hot pursuit of brown combat boots.  For being so trendy, I can't find them anywhere.

It's 1 a.m. and I'm not feeling creative because all I can think about is how I can drive now, and get a car, and rock out to music at high volumes so I guess I should sleep or something.  Yay for run-on sentences.

Words

Live Purposefully.

Set Goals.

Reach Them.

Go Outside.

Self-improve.

Be There For People.

Forgive Others.

Forgive Yourself.

Explore.

Count Your Blessings.

Have Adventures.

Sing.  Loud.

Smile.  Big.

Admire.

Try.  Again.

So Much Ahead

This and That and Chit Chat

Holaaa.  It's September.  Mmm I'm so ready for fall.  And not just because I'm getting kind of tired of sweating bullets outside at work.  But because I love the cool, crisp weather, drinking tea outside in the breeze, pumpkin bread, sweatshirts and leggings, Thanksgiving, and boots.

                Lately, I've really been basking in the beauty of Creation.  Like it's so amazing and detailed.  I really enjoy it.  I spend a lot of time outdoors now.  I like reading in my backyard.  Although, I find it harder to focus because I tend to look around a lot.  And then I get all tense when I see a wasp (Gotta be ready to make a mad dash for the sliding glass door if necessary). 

                I like jammin outside too.  I just bought a ukulele.  It's pretty awesome.  The new Avett Brother's album is pretty awesome too.  Really awesome actually.  You know when you here a song that you love and you're like "OHHHH YEAHHHH." Yeah, that's what it's like.  I'm so excited about it because they've been one of my favorites for years now.  They're music has been a great inspiration to my own. 

                So, on a deeper note,  chew on this.  Has there ever been something in your life that has held you down?  That has enslaved you, even when you were free to run at any given time?  Surrender.  Surrender your heart to God.  Give it Him.  He will set you free.  He will give you peace.  Jump up from the clasp of your oppressors and thrive where God wants you.  Run free.  Dance. Sing. Shout.  You're free.  Life can be hard.  But when you are following God, life CAN NOT defeat you.  So let go and enjoy freedom. :)

Viva La Random

The night is young, yet the day is old.  I'm sitting here, drinking tea, listening to Bon Iver, trying to compose a blog post of some specific meaning.  But today I'm feeling random.  So let's be random. ;)

• I can't think about what to write because the music I'm listening to is distracting me.
• I just turned it off.
• I'm not good at multitasking. 
• I like coffee. A lot.  This is new for me.
• My microbiology class is kind of turning me into a germaphobe.
• I like denim.
• I miss the beach.  When I get a car, I'm gonna practically live there. I wanna read there, sing and play guitar there, draw there, pray there, do homework there, and...just sit there and take in the atmosphere.  
• Figs are uniquely delicious.  And they look rather ugly on the outside. But when you bite into one, they're so beautiful.  Go eat one.
• One day, I'm gonna learn to surf. Yup.
• Late at night, I like to watch Call of the Wild Man on Animal Planet. I laugh my head off the entire time.
• I love laughing.  It's such a great feeling.
• Where I work seems to have a wasp infestation.  A kid gets stung like every day.  I consider it a miracle I haven't been stung yet.  
• I dislike serial daters. bleh.
• The squeak of guitar strings...yes.
• I get really goofy and loopy at night.  It's a pretty funny sight to see.
• Sometimes you gotta fight life's attempts to bring you down, and seek the beauty in every day.
• There's a little inspiration for ya.
• You're welcome.

Here's a random picture I took recently to conclude my random post.   

I woke up one morning, and I was like "Strawberries are pretty!"  So I grabbed one out of the fridge, went outside, and took this pic. 

Melancholy Midnight

I had a good day.  I really did.  But ya know those nights when you're about to go to bed, and it's just you and your thoughts.  I'm no longer caught up in the busy-ness of the day.  Time has caught up with me.  And then I start to wonder if I'm not as strong as I try to be.  Have I been faking this smile for all this time?  My heart is filled with gratitude and amazement at all God has done and is doing.  But sometimes, the sadness comes.  Then the sadness that the sadness came.  I suppose that's okay--to not have it together all the time.  Just gotta push away the thoughts and pray.

This makes me lol.

Picture This

Pictures. When words aren't enough.

I want to ride a train.

And then I realized, this person misspelled realized.

I wanna find one. Or leave one.

Imagine waking up to THIS.

I want to reach out.  Reach up.  Reach over.  I want to travel.  Near.  Far. Anywhere.  I want to be me.  Uniquely me.  Who I was created to be.  I want to listen. To the squeak of guitar strings.  Crashing of waves.  The music that suits the moment.

Sometimes,  I look out the window in a car, listen to a song, and engulf myself into its melody, pretending that it's the background music to my life.  Makes things exciting.  Eventful.  Charming.  

Maybe I'm sort of still a kid, since my imagination is still constantly at work.  Maybe I like that.  Maybe I'm afraid, of what the future holds, of making a wrong decision.  Maybe I shouldn't worry so much.  

One thing remains true:  Keep praying, keep trusting, keep loving.  Ah yes. That's what I'll do.  

While You're Waiting

Waiting.  Waiting in line at an amusement park.  Waiting for the sun to come out.  Waiting for your food to arrive at a restaurant.  Throughout our everyday lives, we are waiting.  However, sometimes we are waiting for things in life that are far more significant.  Things that have much greater importance in our priorities.  We feel as though we are in a spot in which life is on hold.  Our patience begins to wither.  Yet, we have no choice but to wait. So we wait.  We feel as though life begins once what we are waiting for is acquired.  Living as though that one thing is the beginning of the rest of our life.  This can lead to a miserable state of being.  God can use you NOW, right where you are.  Life starts TODAY.  Don't wait for something spectacular.  For your big break.  For your dream to come true.  Make your life spectacular right where you are.  Use your everyday routine as an opportunity to reach out to others.  Live for the Lord, and He will bless you.  It may not be on your terms or timing, but eventually He will come through. 

Psalm 37: 3-4 says, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."  I love this verse.  If you live each day for God...If you trust in Him and His divine plan...If you reach out in love and avoid focusing on yourself, God will give you your heart's desire.

Watch this.  Awesome song. :)

He's There

Heyyy party people!  Today  I'd like to share with you what God's been doing in my life.  God's rocked my world lately, and I am just sooo extremely thankful for Him.

                For the longest time,  I've kind of lacked fire in my walk with God.  In fact,  I felt myself running from Him, straying, and avoiding the fact that I was living out of His will.  Then, my Heavenly Daddy scooped me up, despite my defiance, and brought me safely where He knew was best for me.  A place where my heart could be free.  A place where I could flourish.  A place where I could be happy.  The very fact that He works so actively in my life personally is absolutely amazing.  He's protective and loving.  Faithful and loyal.  Always there.  I've heard about God's faithfulness and love my entire life.  But now, more than ever, I feel His realness.  It's only something you can describe when you experience Him yourself. 

                For awhile, I had been holding myself back because I wasn't surrendering to Him.  I was stubborn.  But now that I've completely let go,  I'm in a place where I can easily grow closer to God.  So! Let me tell you one of the most impacting things I've done lately.  For the past two months,  I've spent time praying every day, by writing my prayers out in a journal.  I pray longer, deeper, more consistently,  and more eagerly.  Like every day, I just can't wait to talk to God!  Then, I can read past prayers and see how God has worked in my life.  It's definitely going to be a dear treasure to me in the future. 

                I love how God is always there. Ya know? Like, I'm a total night owl, so I'm usually awake when the rest of my family is asleep.  Feelin lonely?  No worries! God's awake! I can sit down and talk to Him for a 1 a.m. chat.  I don't have to schedule an appointment or set a time to meet Him for dinner.  I never get His "voicemail." haha.  He's there.  All you have to do is talk to Him.  He LOVES  YOU.  So stinkin much, we can't even comprehend it.  He will never walk out on you.  He never gives up on you.  He will never hurt your feelings.  He will always be true. 

                "You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, says the Lord." ~ Jeremiah 29: 13, 14.  Ah this verse.  This I have experienced firsthand, and let me tell ya, it's so true!  Draw near to Him dear friends.  And He will draw near to you.  Get to know Him.  God is seriously your best friend!  You really should hang out with Him!  I wish I would've gotten to know Him more intimately a long time ago.  Oh well! It's never too late!   Seriously,  go talk to Him!  He's waiting.

Alright! First blog post. Hmm...Blogging.  I suppose it suits me- singer/songwriter, musician, artist, cook, aspiring photographer, romantic, tea-drinker---blogger.  Yeah, that sounds about right.  So I guess this is where I will ramble on whatever flows from my finger tips that day.  Maybe people will read it.  Maybe people won't.  But I find the possibility of maybe inspiring someone with a deep epiphany I may have had, or recommendation of the latest movie I've seen,  or my admiration of  God's creation, quite intriguing and kind of exciting.

                You know when your rummaging through your closet, and something from the top shelf falls and hits you on the head?  You don't know what hit you.  You have less than a second to react.  Thoughts wiz through your head. "What the heck was that?" "Ouch that hurt."  "There's the high heels I've been looking for." Etc.  But anyways, that's kind of how life is.  At least I think so.  Ya know, it just kind of hits you.  And you only have your short life to react to it.  Life's a vapor.  So I suppose the best thing you can do,  is make each moment, no matter how insignificant, count.  So dear friends, and strangers,  I choose to live Passionately Curious of the world around me.  There's so many places I want to travel to, so many random things I want to learn how to do, so much love I want to share. 

 P.s.  Just watched The Vow.  Go watch it. <3