Props to Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa on this touching tribute to Paul Walker. If you ask me, Paul Walker made the Fast & Furious series. Never thought I'd be a fan of anything Wiz Khalifa; happily surprised. I still need to see the movie; so ready!
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Being an Only Child
I grew up as an only child. When my single mom got married, they wanted, but weren't able to have more kids. Often I'm asked by people with a young child to share my thoughts on it. Mainly they want me to say that I'm glad I didn't have siblings. As a child, I was happy to be the only child; I didn't have to share my parents. I wasn't spoiled with new cars and vacations like most people assume; my parents wanted me to learn the value of working hard for things like they did, which I now appreciate.
As I've gotten older, I realize what being an only child will really mean for me. When my dad went through a TIA (pre-stroke) and later cance,r I felt like I needed to be at all major appointments and obviously surgery. When my mom was suffering from and finally diagnosed with a lung disease I was there for all key appointments and when she had a lung biopsy (one of the most trying times in my life). The burden of my concern for them and the seriousness of each of their health issues jolted my whole life. They both told me I didn't have to be there for everything, but I did. I felt a great responsibility to be there to care for and comfort them. For these reasons and God's leading in my life, I've decided to spend my life in my hometown, near my family. I knew I would regret not being there if I ever moved away and I've realized I couldn't live with it. I asked my mom if all only children feel this way and she thought it was probably just me and the responsibility I put on myself. Since I'm the only child, I feel I should be there for them and I want to.
What is difficult is not having someone to go through this with. Not having someone to talk through things with that really know what I'm going through, someone to split responsibilities with. I get that some only children might have a significant other to go through this with, but I don't and it's hard. I know one day I'll have to possibly make some hard decisions essentially alone and that thought is overwhelming. I do find comfort in that God is always with me, so essentially I'm not alone, but having a sibling would be nice.
Also, I feel more responsibility to take care of myself since I'm all my parents have. I can't be reckless ever or at least I feel I can't be. They always tell me to be careful and stay safe, literally every time I talk to them. So, no cliff diving for me ;) To be a little more serious, I know I'm huge part of their world and that I have to be around for them.
In the end, everyone must make a decision on what they think is best for there family, but I would never plan to only have one child. There are definitely more challenges and things you have to think about is deciding what's best for your family. If you ask me how many kids I want, it's always been 4. Essentially the opposite of one child.
Do you have any thoughts on the subject? I'd love to hear!
As I've gotten older, I realize what being an only child will really mean for me. When my dad went through a TIA (pre-stroke) and later cance,r I felt like I needed to be at all major appointments and obviously surgery. When my mom was suffering from and finally diagnosed with a lung disease I was there for all key appointments and when she had a lung biopsy (one of the most trying times in my life). The burden of my concern for them and the seriousness of each of their health issues jolted my whole life. They both told me I didn't have to be there for everything, but I did. I felt a great responsibility to be there to care for and comfort them. For these reasons and God's leading in my life, I've decided to spend my life in my hometown, near my family. I knew I would regret not being there if I ever moved away and I've realized I couldn't live with it. I asked my mom if all only children feel this way and she thought it was probably just me and the responsibility I put on myself. Since I'm the only child, I feel I should be there for them and I want to.
What is difficult is not having someone to go through this with. Not having someone to talk through things with that really know what I'm going through, someone to split responsibilities with. I get that some only children might have a significant other to go through this with, but I don't and it's hard. I know one day I'll have to possibly make some hard decisions essentially alone and that thought is overwhelming. I do find comfort in that God is always with me, so essentially I'm not alone, but having a sibling would be nice.
Also, I feel more responsibility to take care of myself since I'm all my parents have. I can't be reckless ever or at least I feel I can't be. They always tell me to be careful and stay safe, literally every time I talk to them. So, no cliff diving for me ;) To be a little more serious, I know I'm huge part of their world and that I have to be around for them.
In the end, everyone must make a decision on what they think is best for there family, but I would never plan to only have one child. There are definitely more challenges and things you have to think about is deciding what's best for your family. If you ask me how many kids I want, it's always been 4. Essentially the opposite of one child.
Do you have any thoughts on the subject? I'd love to hear!
Thursday, April 9, 2015
31
Today I turned 31 and had a fantastic day! Some of my day was spent at work, studying, and taking a finance test. Then I got to get a pedicure at Bellus Academy; what I love!!! My toes are now a beautiful teal with sparkly hot pink tips! I got dinner with my family. My mom made my very favorite cake, carrot cake and it was so good! They got my favorite ice cream, Call Hall, purple pride. I got this super cute Samsonite, carry on luggage. I've been admiring the new robin's egg blue colored nail polish and I got this OPI polish called, Can't Find My Czechbook. Then got a purple orchid plant, which is my favorite flower! End of the day, I finally got to catch up on my favorite shows which makes me happy.
Though I maybe didn't say it online, last year I took turning 30 quite hard. I'd just gone through my very first heartbreak and I didn't have any of the things I thought I would at 30 like marriage, family, and the white, picket fence.
This year, I don't fear adding another year to the tally. You see, I've earned those years. I've lived the heck out of each and every year to the best of my ability. This life has been an absolute roller coaster, but it's the life God gave me. So, I'm looking forward to 31 and have given my life timeline to God.
So, now I'll leave you with a saying I like and my life verse that brings me hope Jeremiah 29:11-14
Happy Birthday to me! :)
Though I maybe didn't say it online, last year I took turning 30 quite hard. I'd just gone through my very first heartbreak and I didn't have any of the things I thought I would at 30 like marriage, family, and the white, picket fence.
This year, I don't fear adding another year to the tally. You see, I've earned those years. I've lived the heck out of each and every year to the best of my ability. This life has been an absolute roller coaster, but it's the life God gave me. So, I'm looking forward to 31 and have given my life timeline to God.
So, now I'll leave you with a saying I like and my life verse that brings me hope Jeremiah 29:11-14
Happy Birthday to me! :)
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Broken
I happened upon this set of unique vows that really touched my heart. They made me laugh, cry, and hope. I appreciated the honesty and realness of her words. Hopefully, one day God brings someone into my life who will love me through my brokenness too. In many ways, I know that we're all broken and being worked on by God daily. I'm thankful for His patience with my slow learning process. He is good!
Along with the theme of being broken, I wanted to share the song, Broken Together, by Casting Crowns.
Lyrics
What do you think about when you look at me
I know were not the fairy tale you dreamed wed be
You wore the veil, you walked the aisle, you took my hand
And we dove into a mystery
How I wish we could go back to simpler times
Before all our scars and all our secrets were in the light
Now on this hallowed ground, we've drawn the battle lines
Will we make it through the night
Its going to take much more than promises this time
Only God can change our minds
Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I'll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we'll last forever is broken together
How it must have been so lonely by my side
We were building kingdoms and chasing dreams and left love behind
I'm praying God will help our broken hearts align
And we wont give up the fight
Description:
Mark Hall, Bernie Herms
“Marriage is tough. We bring a lot of fairytales to the picture when it comes to marriage. We bring them to the altar with us [thinking]: ‘This is going to be perfect. We don’t have to be apart. We can just wake up together every morning and no one is going to have morning breath. We’re not going to have any problems.’ And then the problems hit and you don’t know where to file those into your picture. . . The idea I’m trying to say is: ‘Can you lay down who you thought I was and love the ‘me’ that is? Can we take this from where we are now and realize that I can’t be that person?’ Only God is going to be able to make this work and broken people can be broken together. To me, it’s probably the most important song on the record.”
© 2013 Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI) All rights on behalf of Sony/ATV Tree Publishing administered by Sony/ATV. / My Refuge Music (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) / Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI) / G650 Music (BMI)
Thoughts?
Along with the theme of being broken, I wanted to share the song, Broken Together, by Casting Crowns.
Lyrics
What do you think about when you look at me
I know were not the fairy tale you dreamed wed be
You wore the veil, you walked the aisle, you took my hand
And we dove into a mystery
How I wish we could go back to simpler times
Before all our scars and all our secrets were in the light
Now on this hallowed ground, we've drawn the battle lines
Will we make it through the night
Its going to take much more than promises this time
Only God can change our minds
Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I'll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we'll last forever is broken together
How it must have been so lonely by my side
We were building kingdoms and chasing dreams and left love behind
I'm praying God will help our broken hearts align
And we wont give up the fight
Description:
Mark Hall, Bernie Herms
“Marriage is tough. We bring a lot of fairytales to the picture when it comes to marriage. We bring them to the altar with us [thinking]: ‘This is going to be perfect. We don’t have to be apart. We can just wake up together every morning and no one is going to have morning breath. We’re not going to have any problems.’ And then the problems hit and you don’t know where to file those into your picture. . . The idea I’m trying to say is: ‘Can you lay down who you thought I was and love the ‘me’ that is? Can we take this from where we are now and realize that I can’t be that person?’ Only God is going to be able to make this work and broken people can be broken together. To me, it’s probably the most important song on the record.”
© 2013 Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI) All rights on behalf of Sony/ATV Tree Publishing administered by Sony/ATV. / My Refuge Music (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) / Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI) / G650 Music (BMI)
Thoughts?
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Insurgent
As you may remember from previous posts, I'm a huge fan of the Divergent series. I read and loved the three-book series. I enjoyed the first movie in the series so very much. The characters feel real, despite the other-worldly premise. To me, the series feels similar to Hunger Games with the strong female lead and action sequences.
Insurgent opens on the factions being displaced. Tris, Tobias (Four), and a few other Dauntless are holed up with one of the very passive, peaceable factions. That doesn't bode well with spit-fire Tris. Her fire gets them nearly kicked out of their safe haven. Soon they're tracked by Jeanine lackies including the former Dauntless leader, Eric. Jeanine has sent them in search of Divergents to help Jeanine open the box. It can only be opened by a Divergent who can pass all five of the factions simulations. Everyone she finds to try to open it isn't Divergent enough and ends up dying during the simulations. So, the search for a more Divergent person continues. Eventually, they test Tris and see that she's 100% Divergent; just what Jeanine has been looking for, but shes in safety, so they start brainwashing her friends to commit suicide unless she gives herself up. Tris can't see people dying "because" of her, so unbeknownst to everyone she turns herself in to save the others. Once hooked up to the simulator, she see her brother on Jeanine's side. The simulations nearly kill her. So, they get a break for Tris. On the way back to her holding cell, she sees Tobias in a nearby cell; he came to save her. In the end, instead of leaving or stealing the box, she decides she needs to open it. When it's opened, it's supposed to have a message from the founders of the factions. So, her and Tobias break into the testing room and bunker down in there. Once through the simulation, the founder's video message is shared, just as Jeanine and her lackies break into the lab. The video tells that there is life outside of the factions and that they should enter the real world when they're ready. I look forward to the last Divergent movie, Allegiant.
I need a new series of books to read, what do you suggest?
Insurgent opens on the factions being displaced. Tris, Tobias (Four), and a few other Dauntless are holed up with one of the very passive, peaceable factions. That doesn't bode well with spit-fire Tris. Her fire gets them nearly kicked out of their safe haven. Soon they're tracked by Jeanine lackies including the former Dauntless leader, Eric. Jeanine has sent them in search of Divergents to help Jeanine open the box. It can only be opened by a Divergent who can pass all five of the factions simulations. Everyone she finds to try to open it isn't Divergent enough and ends up dying during the simulations. So, the search for a more Divergent person continues. Eventually, they test Tris and see that she's 100% Divergent; just what Jeanine has been looking for, but shes in safety, so they start brainwashing her friends to commit suicide unless she gives herself up. Tris can't see people dying "because" of her, so unbeknownst to everyone she turns herself in to save the others. Once hooked up to the simulator, she see her brother on Jeanine's side. The simulations nearly kill her. So, they get a break for Tris. On the way back to her holding cell, she sees Tobias in a nearby cell; he came to save her. In the end, instead of leaving or stealing the box, she decides she needs to open it. When it's opened, it's supposed to have a message from the founders of the factions. So, her and Tobias break into the testing room and bunker down in there. Once through the simulation, the founder's video message is shared, just as Jeanine and her lackies break into the lab. The video tells that there is life outside of the factions and that they should enter the real world when they're ready. I look forward to the last Divergent movie, Allegiant.
I need a new series of books to read, what do you suggest?
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is one of America's most beloved actors with the ability to play so many different and memorable characters. So, I was excited to see that he's still staying current with the following two videos.
Carly Rae Jepsen's music video, I Really Like You is fun, catchy, and features our much loved Tom Hanks. He charmingly lip syncs the entire song and even does a little choreographed dancing; love! I think, it's my jam of the year. It always makes me smile and I hope it makes you smile too.
I came across this fabulous clip on Facebook today. It was from the Late Late Show with James Corden and is literally every Tom Hanks movie in 8 minutes. It was funny, creative, and made me love Tom Hanks even more. I now want to watch all his movies and can't wait to see what he stars in next; he's so very talented!
What do you think?
Carly Rae Jepsen's music video, I Really Like You is fun, catchy, and features our much loved Tom Hanks. He charmingly lip syncs the entire song and even does a little choreographed dancing; love! I think, it's my jam of the year. It always makes me smile and I hope it makes you smile too.
I came across this fabulous clip on Facebook today. It was from the Late Late Show with James Corden and is literally every Tom Hanks movie in 8 minutes. It was funny, creative, and made me love Tom Hanks even more. I now want to watch all his movies and can't wait to see what he stars in next; he's so very talented!
What do you think?
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
TV Show Addictions
Since I moved from cable to Hulu Plus earlier this year, I've had to find new shows to follow vs. click around and find something interesting to watch. It's kind of been harder than I thought, but I love the massive savings from switching to cable. I spent roughly $70/month vs. $7.99/month. For a yearly savings of roughly $744.12.
The shows:
Hart of Dixie is about a NY doctor that moves to Blue Belle, Mississippi to be a small town doctor. The cast of characters is so fun! Take a peak:
Jane the Virgin is another show I'm addicted too. It's about a Latina woman in her 20s. It represents a lot of what its like to be in a Hispanic family.
Millionaire Matchmaker-I know some people don't like Patty Stanger, but I love her no-nonsense, blunt approach. I just finished Season 7 on Hulu Plus.
About a Boy is about a quirky, British mother (played by the lovable Minnie Driver), her nerdy young son, and her attractive, Peter Pan-esque male neighbor. Every episode is always funny and relatable to a degree.
America's Next Top Model is full of drama and fashion. I could never do it. I just finished Season 21.
Top Chef matches with my deep love of cooking and innovation. My favorite chef just won on Season 11.
Any shows that I should add to my Watchlist? :)
The shows:
Hart of Dixie is about a NY doctor that moves to Blue Belle, Mississippi to be a small town doctor. The cast of characters is so fun! Take a peak:
Jane the Virgin is another show I'm addicted too. It's about a Latina woman in her 20s. It represents a lot of what its like to be in a Hispanic family.
Millionaire Matchmaker-I know some people don't like Patty Stanger, but I love her no-nonsense, blunt approach. I just finished Season 7 on Hulu Plus.
About a Boy is about a quirky, British mother (played by the lovable Minnie Driver), her nerdy young son, and her attractive, Peter Pan-esque male neighbor. Every episode is always funny and relatable to a degree.
America's Next Top Model is full of drama and fashion. I could never do it. I just finished Season 21.
Top Chef matches with my deep love of cooking and innovation. My favorite chef just won on Season 11.
Any shows that I should add to my Watchlist? :)
Saturday, March 14, 2015
One Life, Transform It-Matt Chandler Sermon
A couple weeks ago, I was too sick to go to church. I hate missing church as it helps me start my week. To get a great sermon in, I listened to a podcast from Pastor Matt Chandler, titled, One Life, Transform It. It was wonderful and I wanted to share it with you all. It was one of those great sermons that gets you recharged and ready to take on the week.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Recipe #24: Spinach Chicken Rolls
I'm always looking for new recipes and I love eating/cooking chicken. So, I was excited to find this recipe on Pinterest:
I already had chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, and shredded cheese mixed together from making Spinach Rolls, so I just added garlic cloves, bread crumbs, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. From there, I spread the mixture on the chicken breasts that I'd cut in half width-wise. I rolled the edges under, topped with marinara sauce, cheese and basil then put it in the oven for 25-35 minutes at 350 degrees.
The result was terrific and my super picky dad even liked it! I really enjoyed this recipe and hope you'll try it!
I already had chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, and shredded cheese mixed together from making Spinach Rolls, so I just added garlic cloves, bread crumbs, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. From there, I spread the mixture on the chicken breasts that I'd cut in half width-wise. I rolled the edges under, topped with marinara sauce, cheese and basil then put it in the oven for 25-35 minutes at 350 degrees.
The result was terrific and my super picky dad even liked it! I really enjoyed this recipe and hope you'll try it!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Recipe # 23: White Chicken Chili
White Chicken Chili is one of my favorite soup recipes, especially during cold weather. It's a healthy recipe from Spark People. I made a lot extra and put it in the freezer.
I made a couple of tweaks, I added more cannelloni beans, and more chicken stock. Here's the tasty recipe.
What's your favorite soup recipe?
I made a couple of tweaks, I added more cannelloni beans, and more chicken stock. Here's the tasty recipe.
What's your favorite soup recipe?
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