September 10, 2011

California Girl at Heart

I think we all have a few sides to us; we're made of many different interests, and they all come out at different times of our lives. I'm a country girl, but I'm also very much a city girl. Sometimes I love being outdoors, others I just want to stay inside all day. I love Nashville, but I live in California...And as much as I would LOVE to move to Tennessee, I know I would miss it out here too much! Anyway, I don't think I will have that problem for quite awhile, seeing as I have a lot of growing and school to do before that's even a possibility I'm sure.

Some of my favorite things/places in California:
  • San Diego
  • Disneyland
  • Warner Brothers Studio
  • Universal Studios/Citywalk
  • Hollywood and Highland/Kodak Theater
  • The Grove
  • Sunset Blvd
  • Melrose Avenue
  • Sprinkles Cupcakes
  • Staples Center
  • San Francisco, especially Union Square
  • Tahoe
  • Monterey
  • Santa Monica
  • Kings Road Cafe-LA
  • Dodger Stadium
  • SweetHarts Yogurt-LA
  • Paty's diner-Toluca Lake
  • Bob's Big Boy-Toluca Lake
  • Knott's Berry Farm Chicken Dinner restaurant-Buena Park
  • Pinkberry-LA
  • Griffith Obeservatory-LA
  • Millions of Milkshakes-LA
  • Beverly Hills
  • Beverly Center
  • Robertson Blvd (Kitson)
I'm sure there are many other places, but these are the ones off the top of my head!  :)

September 8, 2011

Book I'm Currently Reading...

I got it over the weekend, and have been reading it in my spare time, off and on all week! It's so good so far. It's your typical Nicholas Sparks novel for the most part, but there are some very intense chapters! Read it if you love love stories, because that's what it is. Nicholas Sparks, you've done it again!

September 7, 2011

My day in pictures!

Who Am I?

This is a question I think a lot of us ask ourselves! What do we stand for?, what do we believe in?, what do we like?, what do people think when they see us? These are all great questions, but what do they mean? Do they really define who we are? I'm finding out that no, they don't. I've always thought that the things I liked defined who I was, the friends I hang out with say what kind of person I am, and the way I act says everything. Of course, they say a lot about me, but that's not me at the core. If everything else was ripped away, then what would I have?

With each passing year, I'm finding that who I am in God defines me! I am a child of God, and that should say it all. To Him, I'm beautiful, wonderful, talented, and perfect...we all are. He doesn't see me for the wrong I've done, the mistakes I've made, the things I wish I could take, etc. He doesn't see me for the music I listen to, the movies I watch, the people I admire, or the clothes I wear. They give me personality, but that's not ME. We don't have to let "things" define us, because being a child of God should describe everything. There is much more to us than just what is seen. Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. THAT's what matters. Who is anyone else to say otherwise?

Nashville Trip

For the past four years, my family and I have gone to Nashville for CMA Fest week! It's one of the biggest weeks in Country music, where stars and fans alike get together to enjoy each others company. There are fan club parties, a street fair, nightly concerts, and the convention center-where you get a chance to meet some of your favorite artists. It's a really great time! And even though you're completely exhausted and sleep deprived when you get home, it's all worth it!

Here's a video of the trip!

Speech Class

Are speeches my favorite thing in the world to do? No. Are they as bad as they used to be? No. I actually don't mind them TOO much now, and I'm getting better with giving speeches. I've always gotten decent grades on them, I'd just always get SO nervous! I feel much more confident, since I've grown up from the days of JR. Hi=awkward phase, thank goodness!
If I'm wanting to get into Journalism, or any other kind of job in the public eye, and I do, then this class is exactly what I need. It's all about the basics of speech: writing one, how to give one, overcoming stage fright, etc. So far I'm enjoying it! :)

Friday, I'll be giving my first "official" speech for a grade. The last one we did was just an introduction to get to know the class. This time around we're doing demonstrations. Today was the first day, and it went great! It's so cool to get to learn more about everyone in the class, though you might not ever talk to them, or get to know them personally. A lot of personalities come through with these speeches; one girl did color guard techniques, another did kickboxing, hair extensions, and a guy did recycling. It was fun! And eased some of my nerves about what I have planned for mine!

I'm making "Snow Capped Chocolate Crinkle Cookies"! I had to make a power point for my speech, so I took some pictures yesterday! Here are a few of them!  :)





Nervous, but excited to get it over with on Friday! Hopefully there'll be enough class time to go! The holiday set us back a little lol.

Masks

With Halloween quickly approaching, I started thinking about the costumes. A lot of costumes these days come with masks; like The Joker, the famous "Scream" guy, skeletons, Chewbacca, etc. It hides who the person really is, and what that person is hiding.
That's not the only time masks come out; people use them in everyday life as well, but they aren't as easy to spot. People use "masks" or facades for different things, like past hurts, mistakes, relationships, insecurities, etc. I think in some ways, we all wear masks at some point or another. We all have those things that no one, or a select few know about us. We're ashamed of them, it's not like we want to air our dirty laundry to the world, because we think it makes things too complicated or messy! But, what I've learned is things to tend to become more complicated when you hide the truth, because you're hiding who you are. It's not always going to be easy, but you'll be better for it in the end. The more honest you are, the more free you'll be. Maybe I should take more of my advice. I know what to do, but don't always do it.
God's forgiveness can change everything for us, and we don't have to look back. I tend to beat myself up over a lot of the crap I've done, said, or things I SHOULD'VE done, even after I've talked to God about...but then I remember His grace. All we have to do is admit that we were wrong, repent, and change our old habits. It's never too late to be exactly who God has created you to be. It won't be an overnight process, and it can get discouraging at times, but it will be worth it in the end.

October Festiveness

I know it's only the beginning of September, but you have no idea how excited I am for fall! I'm ready for the leaves to turn color, sweaters, boots--and then I remember I live in California, where that all happens extremely late! And it still gets pretty warm on an October day out here :-/ So much for my theory! But, it doesn't mean I can't do all the fun and festive things like making treats, decorations, and doing things pertaining to the season.

My mom found a Pillsbury magazine the other day in our cabinets, and it had some great ideas for Halloween, and I can't wait to try them out :)






3 Day Weekend!

A Video Update

A little update!