So, I haven't blogged in over a year. Tragic, I know. Life is busy as an SFA student, and I have been studying all morning for a test I have later tonight. Naturally, my mind drifted, leading me to a quick "Love Letters of Great Men" reading session, and I thought...hmmm, what better time to write a blog than when I am supposed to be studying for a test? Spoken like a true procrastinator. So, here I am. I don't have time to allow myself to indulge in my own original thoughts, but I do have time to share with my MANY, *chuckle* followers, one of my favorite love letter excerpts from my book. Delight yourself in the words of Robert Browning, written to his bride, Elizabeth Barrett, on the morning of their wedding day. I did, and it, indeed, brightened my day. Happy humpday to all!
To Elizabeth Barrett on the morning of their wedding day,
12 September 1846
You will only expect a few words. What will those be? When the heart is full it may run over; but the real fullness stays within. . . Words can never tell you . . . how perfectly dear you are to me - perfectly dear to my heart and soul. I look back and in every one point, every word and gesture, every letter, every silence - you have been entirely perfect to me - I would not change one word, one look. My hope and aim are to preserve this love, not to fall from it - for which I trust to God, who procured it for me, and doubtless can preserve it. Enough now, my dearest own Ba! You have given me the highest, completest proof of love that ever one human being gave another. I am all gratitude - and all pride . . . that my life has been so crowned by you. Robert Browning
Ladies and gentleman, they don't make 'em like that anymore.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Thursday, September 9, 2010
AUBURN: An Evolutionary Experience...
If only I could remember my very first experience on the gameday plains of Auburn, Alabama; to be able to recall what it was like to see the tiger walk from my father's shoulders, or the flight of the eagle as my mother held me on her hip. My Auburn experience began long before I was able to walk, or talk for that matter. I am sure it could very easily be compared to my 3 year old niece, Ava's, first time to see Ariel at Disney World. Magical. Nonetheless, my memory of my first experiences on the plains began when I was in grade school. Those memories are filled with a group of childhood friends that came together at every home football game, because our parents' were all best friends. The grassy lawns of Auburn University's campus were our stompin' grounds every Saturday in the fall that the Tigers hosted an opposing team. Those Saturdays were filled with rituals like walking to the Haley Center multiple times a day to stock up on gameday shirts, face tattoos and any other orange and blue paraphernalia that we could get our hands on, riding the Lowder elevator all the way to the top floor, multiple times, to get a skyline view of all the gameday festivities, the Tiger Walk, and flag football on the Cary Hall lawn: the best tailgate spot around. We had the same seats every year, and at every home game, my best friend and I would sit in our seats with our Auburn University notepads, anxiously awaiting kickoff so that we could record every detail of the game into our notebooks that we bought at the Haley Center earlier that day. We stood surrounded by a sea of burnt orange and navy blue, just the two of us; such a small part of what we refer to as the Auburn family, but we felt larger than life. I had never been so proud to be a part of something. Little did I know that I had hardly scratched the surface of what it would feel like to be a part of the Auburn family...
My experiences on the gameday plains continued on throughout high school. I had made new friends, and one by one, I would introduce them to my Auburn experience and all the people that had been a part of it for so many years. It was something that I was proud of; my team and my gameday stompin' grounds. I would walk them through the crowded plains, show them the Auburn spirit on the faces of my fellow fans and teach them my gameday rituals. Some of them were fellow Auburn fans that had never had the gameday experience, and some were even Alabama fans. They always left in one of two ways; with a deeper appreciation for a team they already loved, or as a BAMA fan with orange and blue hair and an Auburn sweatshirt...it never failed, and I can even count for at least two people who never wore another BAMA t-shirt in their lives. True story.
I always knew that attending Auburn University was in my future, so when the time came to graduate high school, I wasted no time making my way there. I may not be able to remember my very first Auburn gameday experience, but forever etched in my memory is the day that The Loveliest Village on the Plains became more to me than just the place where I spent most of my Saturdays of Fall; it became my home. After a horrific parking experience that ended in stress-related tears and me giving a fellow Auburn student "the bird", I made my way to my very first class in none other than the Haley Center. I cannot put into words what it felt like to walk into that building as a student. In an instant, I went from loving Auburn to being Auburn. I got the same feeling when I walked into my first class at Cary Hall, another place that I knew well as a child. In the years that I spent at college, all that is Auburn became an important part of who I am. The times that I had there, and the friends that I made there are precious. I am a part of the Auburn family, the family that all those who share my love are also a part of. For me, that family also has a core that is made up of the people that shared in my Auburn experience and made it one to remember. Those memories live in the deepest part of my soul, and my soul shines in a different light now. When I stand amidst the sea of what is now mostly all orange in Jordan Hare Stadium, and the eagle takes its flight, I almost always shed a tear. I acquire a huge lump in my throat, and it usually doesn't subside until after the first snap. This rush of emotion is not about a football game, or whether or not we win or lose. It is about my Auburn experience and it's evolution. Standing in that stadium, I cannot help but to be overcome with emotion. It takes me back to tag football on the Cary Hall lawn and sunrises on the porch with friends that I now consider to be my family. There is nothing petty about that.
That experience will live on tonight as I watch the Tigers play the Bulldogs along with my parents and their friends, which possibly is what inspired this blog, as they are the ones who passed down their Auburn experience to me. I am forever grateful for that. Let the games begin...
My experiences on the gameday plains continued on throughout high school. I had made new friends, and one by one, I would introduce them to my Auburn experience and all the people that had been a part of it for so many years. It was something that I was proud of; my team and my gameday stompin' grounds. I would walk them through the crowded plains, show them the Auburn spirit on the faces of my fellow fans and teach them my gameday rituals. Some of them were fellow Auburn fans that had never had the gameday experience, and some were even Alabama fans. They always left in one of two ways; with a deeper appreciation for a team they already loved, or as a BAMA fan with orange and blue hair and an Auburn sweatshirt...it never failed, and I can even count for at least two people who never wore another BAMA t-shirt in their lives. True story.
I always knew that attending Auburn University was in my future, so when the time came to graduate high school, I wasted no time making my way there. I may not be able to remember my very first Auburn gameday experience, but forever etched in my memory is the day that The Loveliest Village on the Plains became more to me than just the place where I spent most of my Saturdays of Fall; it became my home. After a horrific parking experience that ended in stress-related tears and me giving a fellow Auburn student "the bird", I made my way to my very first class in none other than the Haley Center. I cannot put into words what it felt like to walk into that building as a student. In an instant, I went from loving Auburn to being Auburn. I got the same feeling when I walked into my first class at Cary Hall, another place that I knew well as a child. In the years that I spent at college, all that is Auburn became an important part of who I am. The times that I had there, and the friends that I made there are precious. I am a part of the Auburn family, the family that all those who share my love are also a part of. For me, that family also has a core that is made up of the people that shared in my Auburn experience and made it one to remember. Those memories live in the deepest part of my soul, and my soul shines in a different light now. When I stand amidst the sea of what is now mostly all orange in Jordan Hare Stadium, and the eagle takes its flight, I almost always shed a tear. I acquire a huge lump in my throat, and it usually doesn't subside until after the first snap. This rush of emotion is not about a football game, or whether or not we win or lose. It is about my Auburn experience and it's evolution. Standing in that stadium, I cannot help but to be overcome with emotion. It takes me back to tag football on the Cary Hall lawn and sunrises on the porch with friends that I now consider to be my family. There is nothing petty about that.
That experience will live on tonight as I watch the Tigers play the Bulldogs along with my parents and their friends, which possibly is what inspired this blog, as they are the ones who passed down their Auburn experience to me. I am forever grateful for that. Let the games begin...
Traveling Thoughts and Sneak Peaks
I know. I know. I haven't blogged in way too long. In fact, I'm having blogging withdrawals. This may sound crazy, but I feel like I have SO many thoughts lately that it's hard to concentrate. I've recently started back in school, and I have to commute to Panama City three days a week and I LOVE IT. The commute that is... Alone in my car, riding with my thoughts and my music. It's therapeutic, and it's one of my favorite things to do. I've probably written 10 blogs in the last 2 weeks...in my head. Unfortunately, it's frowned upon to blog and drive or else I could have shared them all. Seriously, I really think that I have the skills to be able to do it. I am an avid texter, and it's not because I'm a wannabe "tween". It's because I despise actual phone conversations. Of course, now that I live 5 hours away from a lot of my favorite people, phone conversations are kind of a key factor to my correspondence. Anyways, my completely irrelevant point is that I am completely capable of blogging and driving, but for the sake of the judgemental society in which we live in -lol- and for the sake of the very small percentage of a chance that I could possibly cause an accident...I don't do it. Therefore, leaving my followers "The few, the proud", with nothing to read. However, this may be a blessing in disguise, because I'm not sure if the world is ready for the things that go through my mind when I'm alone in my car...no joke. I think I'll keep that thought process to myself for now. New blog to come soon though! There is something that I have been dying to blog about, but haven't found the time lately. Something along the lines of, "If you want to make a complete ass of yourself via facebook, go RIGHT ahead...it's your ass, not mine. But, do not 'vague-book' (urbandictionary.com) about me, because even though it makes me laugh and gives me something to make jokes out of, I do not like being associated with teenage drama. Thanks for the laugh though. Really."
I'll be seeing y'all again soon.
I'll be seeing y'all again soon.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Compromise. Embrace it.
Compromise. It is one of the most necessary and determining acts in this life. It is the soul of the give and take relationship people have with one another. We all make compromises every single day; sometimes without even realizing it. It can be one of the most difficult, yet most natural acts of our daily lives. Compromise is crucial to the flow of life. Without it, we would all be trapped in a dark and selfish world in which we refused to give selflessly to others for a common good; therefore, bereaving our lives of the light that shines from spiritual gifts offered by others. I believe it is safe to say that compromising with one another is a good thing. When we stand stubborn in our ways, we often miss the chance to let something or someone into our life that brings forth enrichment. We should always strive to be open to compromise.
However, lately I have been doing a lot of thinking about the relationship of compromise with ones self. Sometimes, we find ourselves in a situation in which, in order to remain stable, we have to compromise who we are. I say we have to, but I suppose I should say that we choose to. We have all been guilty of it at some point in our lives. It's amazing to me how easy it is for us humans to compromise ourselves and our values. After all, we spend our entire lives becoming who we are, through many trials and tribulations; we question ourselves, we travel along beaten and unbeaten paths trying to figure it out. We choose the things that we believe in, and we sometimes face adversity for being passionate and standing our ground, but in the end, it makes us who we are. Then, something or someone comes along, and suddenly we feel the need to compromise those beliefs and values in order to fit them into our lives. I've learned throughout my life, that the benefits from compromising who I am are very short-lived. Eventually, the real version catches up to the compromised version of ourselves. Another life lesson learned...
I don't think that we ever stop learning about who we are. There are times when I feel like a walking contradiction. I can be grounded and spontaneous all in the same breath. So, it can be confusing. Is this me compromising myself, or is this just life teaching me something about myself that has always been there, but below the surface? Compromising ourselves can often lead to the feeling that we've lost our sense of dignity, but I think it can also lead to realizing that maybe we weren't compromising our self after all; we were going against our grain, and as a result, learning something new about our self. So, as long as our dignity is in tact and we feel good about ourselves...I say, embrace it. We all have different sides to ourselves, and sometimes it takes a new job, a new city or a complete stranger to bring that other side out. Live it....
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. -e.e. cummings
However, lately I have been doing a lot of thinking about the relationship of compromise with ones self. Sometimes, we find ourselves in a situation in which, in order to remain stable, we have to compromise who we are. I say we have to, but I suppose I should say that we choose to. We have all been guilty of it at some point in our lives. It's amazing to me how easy it is for us humans to compromise ourselves and our values. After all, we spend our entire lives becoming who we are, through many trials and tribulations; we question ourselves, we travel along beaten and unbeaten paths trying to figure it out. We choose the things that we believe in, and we sometimes face adversity for being passionate and standing our ground, but in the end, it makes us who we are. Then, something or someone comes along, and suddenly we feel the need to compromise those beliefs and values in order to fit them into our lives. I've learned throughout my life, that the benefits from compromising who I am are very short-lived. Eventually, the real version catches up to the compromised version of ourselves. Another life lesson learned...
I don't think that we ever stop learning about who we are. There are times when I feel like a walking contradiction. I can be grounded and spontaneous all in the same breath. So, it can be confusing. Is this me compromising myself, or is this just life teaching me something about myself that has always been there, but below the surface? Compromising ourselves can often lead to the feeling that we've lost our sense of dignity, but I think it can also lead to realizing that maybe we weren't compromising our self after all; we were going against our grain, and as a result, learning something new about our self. So, as long as our dignity is in tact and we feel good about ourselves...I say, embrace it. We all have different sides to ourselves, and sometimes it takes a new job, a new city or a complete stranger to bring that other side out. Live it....
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. -e.e. cummings
Thursday, July 15, 2010
I'll Settle for Life...
To settle, or to be content in a life or in a situation in which your happiness has not reached it's full potential; it's a tempting idea, and I can even understand why so many people do it. However, forgive me if I don't join the others on that bandwagon. I'm twenty-seven and single....by choice, not by chance. I have a wonderful family and an amazing group of friends; my life is complete. Yes, of course, I do look forward to the day that comes with the man I will spend the rest of my life with, and build a family with; however, I do not need that man to make my life complete. I have had many an opportunity to settle, and you would think that the older I get, the more tempting it would be, but it's the exact opposite. Some may say that I get more and more picky with age, but I say that I get wiser and more in-tune with myself and what it is that I want out of this life. I have seen one too many people desperately try to turn Mr. Right Now into Mr. Right because they are "twenty-something" years old and that's just what you do when you're "twenty-something"....you get married. Well, not this girl. I will not mold someone into who I want them to be, and I do not need to change who I am for anyone else. I refuse to just be content.
Do I question decisions made in the past? Yes, all the time. Do I wonder if there has been one wrong decision that should have been made differently? Most definitely. However, do I question that I'm in exactly the right place in my life as of today? Absolutely not. Here and now is exactly where I am supposed to be. I have never been more sure of that. God has a plan for this world that we reside in, and the life that I live is a part of that plan. There are some days that I will pass a couple on the street, in a restaurant, or in the comfort of a friend's home, that exudes love and happiness, and with my head slightly tilted and a simple grin on my face, I will drift off into a dream of the simplest day that I will spend with the love of my life; walking our dog, enjoying dinner at our favorite restaurant, or simply soaking up life from our lawn chairs. I would be lying if I said that I do not hope for that. However, I'm not waiting around for life to happen, because it is already happening. I live for today, and today, I am happy. I am 27 years old and single, and I am happy. Imagine that.
"When it comes to relationships, maybe we're all in glass houses, and shouldn't throw stones. Because you can never really know. Some people are settling down, some are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies." -Carrie, Sex and the City
Do I question decisions made in the past? Yes, all the time. Do I wonder if there has been one wrong decision that should have been made differently? Most definitely. However, do I question that I'm in exactly the right place in my life as of today? Absolutely not. Here and now is exactly where I am supposed to be. I have never been more sure of that. God has a plan for this world that we reside in, and the life that I live is a part of that plan. There are some days that I will pass a couple on the street, in a restaurant, or in the comfort of a friend's home, that exudes love and happiness, and with my head slightly tilted and a simple grin on my face, I will drift off into a dream of the simplest day that I will spend with the love of my life; walking our dog, enjoying dinner at our favorite restaurant, or simply soaking up life from our lawn chairs. I would be lying if I said that I do not hope for that. However, I'm not waiting around for life to happen, because it is already happening. I live for today, and today, I am happy. I am 27 years old and single, and I am happy. Imagine that.
"When it comes to relationships, maybe we're all in glass houses, and shouldn't throw stones. Because you can never really know. Some people are settling down, some are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies." -Carrie, Sex and the City
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
ex-pe-ri-ence [ik-speer-ee-uhns]
-noun
1. something lived through
2. observation of events as they occur
3. knowledge gained from such things
"Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes." Oscar Wilde
Perhaps this is true. However, it is my belief, that a mistake only becomes experience when you learn from it. If you don't learn anything from mistakes made, then they remain just that, mistakes. Everyone makes them, but unfortunately, one does not always learn from them. Experience can be a very powerful thing, but only if you allow it. Learn from your mistakes and use that knowledge to better yourself as a person. Chances are, the mistakes that we all make, were made for a reason; to teach us a lesson that God intended for us to learn.
That is all that I have for today. I hope that everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend!
Psalm 34:19
A righteous man may have many troubles; but the Lord delivers him from them all.
1. something lived through
2. observation of events as they occur
3. knowledge gained from such things
"Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes." Oscar Wilde
Perhaps this is true. However, it is my belief, that a mistake only becomes experience when you learn from it. If you don't learn anything from mistakes made, then they remain just that, mistakes. Everyone makes them, but unfortunately, one does not always learn from them. Experience can be a very powerful thing, but only if you allow it. Learn from your mistakes and use that knowledge to better yourself as a person. Chances are, the mistakes that we all make, were made for a reason; to teach us a lesson that God intended for us to learn.
That is all that I have for today. I hope that everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend!
Psalm 34:19
A righteous man may have many troubles; but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Prayers and New Adventures
Hello fellow bloggers! I guess without realizing it I have been on somewhat of a "blog break." There has been a lot going on in my world, which has resulted in my lack of blogging....I apologize to my many interested readers...ha!
I would like to start by saying that one of my very best friends' father is battling Melanoma and just found out that it has spread to his brain. He has been fighting, and continues to fight, a very hard battle. I have the utmost respect for his courage and ability to remain positive and strong for his family. He and his entire family need your prayers, as do I. I have a very heavy heart for my best friend and the battle that she is facing. I pray everyday for the strength and wisdom to be the kind of friend that she needs right now.
Also, I have decided to take on a couple of new projects in the near future. Since moving to the beach, I have wanted to take Yolo Boarding lessons. I found a place that offers them, but they had been put on hold because of the situation with the oil spill. I am determined to find someone who will teach me. Not only does it look like fun, but it's a great workout as well. Also, as some of you probably already know, the oil is starting to hit our beaches here. They haven't hit the beaches near my house off of 30A, but it has hit places nearby, which means it's not far away. I plan to volunteer in whatever way I can to help keep our beatiful beaches clean, and sea life safe. Wish me luck on my new adventures.
That's all I have time for today, but I will be blogging again very soon. Before I go, I would like to give a birthday shoutout to the little boy that I keep everyday, Ezra. Today is his 2 year old birthday. I am very thankful that I found such a special family to work for. HAPPY BIRTHDAY EZRA!!
"Sometimes opportunity knocks at a inopportune time. In my opinion, these are the opportunities most worth seizing." Kat original :)
I would like to start by saying that one of my very best friends' father is battling Melanoma and just found out that it has spread to his brain. He has been fighting, and continues to fight, a very hard battle. I have the utmost respect for his courage and ability to remain positive and strong for his family. He and his entire family need your prayers, as do I. I have a very heavy heart for my best friend and the battle that she is facing. I pray everyday for the strength and wisdom to be the kind of friend that she needs right now.
Also, I have decided to take on a couple of new projects in the near future. Since moving to the beach, I have wanted to take Yolo Boarding lessons. I found a place that offers them, but they had been put on hold because of the situation with the oil spill. I am determined to find someone who will teach me. Not only does it look like fun, but it's a great workout as well. Also, as some of you probably already know, the oil is starting to hit our beaches here. They haven't hit the beaches near my house off of 30A, but it has hit places nearby, which means it's not far away. I plan to volunteer in whatever way I can to help keep our beatiful beaches clean, and sea life safe. Wish me luck on my new adventures.
That's all I have time for today, but I will be blogging again very soon. Before I go, I would like to give a birthday shoutout to the little boy that I keep everyday, Ezra. Today is his 2 year old birthday. I am very thankful that I found such a special family to work for. HAPPY BIRTHDAY EZRA!!
"Sometimes opportunity knocks at a inopportune time. In my opinion, these are the opportunities most worth seizing." Kat original :)
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