Fate and God

Have you ever met someone, never really having talked to them, but seeing them and instantly knowing in your heart instantly that somehow they will play a big part in your life? Not love at first sight or anything cheesy like that...but something much deeper than that. Maybe this is crazy and maybe I'm living in some dream world where this doesn't exist, but I truly believe that there is ONE person in this world for everyone. I believe that God has designed one special person for each of us, and that no matter what obstacles we may face in trying to find them, as long as we stay on the path He has designed for us, we'll find that person.

A few weeks ago, I was reading a devotion from Joel Osteen and he talked about how our lives are like a GPS system. Sometimes we take a wrong turn, but the GPS always finds a new route to get us to our destination. The same goes for God; when we miss an opportunity or get off at the wrong exit, He's there recalculating something else to get us to the same ending. I feel like it goes for finding the person we're supposed to be with, because it's part of what He has planned for us. I think if something is supposed to happen, it will. Yes, that means you still need to do your part, but there's no need to worry because God will help you arrive right on time.

Maybe I've experienced this, maybe I haven't, but ...."Just a shot in the dark that you just might be the one I've been waiting for my whole life..." I'll keep praying about you and hope that maybe you're part of the love story God has planned for me.

That's all for now,

Shelby

Places I'd Like To Travel To

The last one of these I did, I forgot to include a couple key places that I've been wanting to go for quite some time.

Denver

 I've been to Denver once before when my aunt and uncle lived there years ago! But, I was so young I don't remember much about it. My friend (and pen pal) Steph visits there a lot and is a HUGE Bronco's fan, and loves it there. She talks about it all the time and how wonderful it is, and I'd like to see it again, because from everything I've seen and heard it is gorgeous.

North/South Carolina

Well, I'm sure it's no surprise as to why I'd like to go back to North Carolina now (cough *One Tree Hill* cough, even though they're done filming there). But, I've always wanted to go! There seems to be something so romantic and magical about it, because just about every Nicholas Sparks story takes place there. I love that it's a mixture of country/beach lifestyle; you get the best of both worlds. Now that I have family in South Carolina, I feel like it gives me an excuse to go back there. I'm so unbelievably excited for the day that I will finally get to visit them and they can show me all of their favorite places :) YAY!

That's all for now,
Shelby
xoxox

Inspiration For The Day

I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feat. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am everything I wanted to be.”

That's all for now,
Shelby

Thursday

Oh, what an eventful day it was; emotionally exhausting and thoughts wearing me out. It was a pretty typical morning for the most part.

So true, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard! 

My cat! After I wake up, she takes my spot...

I went to geography, where I got a couple old quizzes back (with a couple not so great grades), took another quiz finished watching this video on Hurricane Katrina, and went over what will be on our first test. I'm still sort of confused, because he was just kind of rambling. We'll see how that turns out.
I headed to Sociology after that where we went over some new guidelines and power points. Towards the end of the class, he wanted to show us this video on slavery that was pretty gory. He said if anyone had a weak stomach, they were free to leave-so I did. I didn't want to sit through it, so I left.

I got home and had lunch, and worked on some homework! I even tried one of the chocolate covered fortune cookies that was in my Valentine's Day basket, which were very good! And I got a cool fortune :)

My pen pal, Steph, sent me this sweet little Valentine card which really made my day! Notes and cards are seriously the best pick me ups! So, I sent her one on Facebook in return! ;)

Mr. Nathan Scott;  courtesy of The CW

I had dinner, watched American Idol and was texting with my friends most of the night. I also got into the app Temple Run. Everybody and their brother has been getting into it, but honestly I haven't had the desire to. Well, I got bored tonight and started playing it. I can definitely see how it becomes so addicting so quickly! LOL.

Spontaneously, Hillary decided we should go to the beach tomorrow-so it looks like we're going to Venice or Santa Monica...I seriously can't wait! I've been wanting to do a serious road trip with friends for a long time :D YAY! It's gonna be a blast!

A picture my mom took awhile back in Santa Barbara! Inspiring for the beach tomorrow ;)

Nothing too exciting this week, but I'm sure I'll make up for all of that tomorrow!

That's all for now,

Shelby

xoxox

California Sky

I go from place to place
Always looking for something different
Want to try new things
Meet other people
Out with the old and in with the new
Seems to be my motto
I want to fall in love with another city
Be taken aback
And feel the excitement
Of the first time exploring
But something stops me every time

There ain't nothing like this California sky

There ain't nothing like the palm trees swaying in the breeze
The lights of Hollywood
Nothing like the sun in the summer
Or all the hot spots in town abuzz with laughter
What I love most is just driving around
Under this California sky

I could travel the world
And not feel the way I do when I'm in California
It's where I belong
My heart will always be here
No matter the love I have for other states I've been
Cuz there ain't nothing like this California sky

Wednesday

Yesterday was a pretty relaxed day, so there's not much to report on. It took awhile for me to get up; I did my devotion, drank some coffee, and did a lot of thinking. Then, we got ready and I went to the mall with my mom. My parents had gotten me some Converse for Valentine's day, but it turns out they were the wrong size so we exchanged them. They're super cool! Can't wait to wear them for baseball season when it starts up, because they're Dodger blue :D

The rest of the afternoon I just watched TV and blogged...nothing exciting! I did make a little "One Tree Hill" corner in my room, which was a lot of fun, as I'm sure you can imagine ;).

And around 7, Viviyan and I met the rest of our friends at The Tea Bar to meet one of Ceci's friends. It was a lot of fun just hanging out with them! They always know how to make me laugh! I had the pomegranate tea, which I wasn't too crazy about; I think I'll try a different flavor next time...but I love the Boba haha.

The group! :)

After, I came home and watched American Idol with my mom; I am not too impressed with this season so far, but I'm hoping it'll pick up once they get to the top 24 after Vegas week. I got on Facebook, talked to a friend a little bit and then decided to call it a night. I went to bed feeling pretty good about life! As soon as I start to doubt God, He proves to my why I never should have in the first place. I need to just keep reminding myself of patience and have faith that even if a situation doesn't happen the way I want it to, He knows what He's doing. I have to trust that. 

That's all for now,

Shelby

xoxox

Inspiration For The Day

A blog from Hannah Blaylock (of the group Eden's Edge)

I'm reading this great book called "Bird By Bird" about this woman who is a writer and I'm inspired by this quote so I wanted to share it with you - 

E.L. Doctorow once said that "writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." You don't have to see where you're going. You don't have to see your destination or everything you pass along the way. You just have to see two or three feet ahead of you. That is right up there with the best advice about writing, or life, I have ever heard.

I definitely need to hear that every now and then. One day, step, hope, idea, song, performance, cup of coffee, laugh, cry, hug, silent moment, dinner with friends, call with my mom at a time. 

I bet some of you guys have felt this way too with your jobs, errands, responsibilities, and all the things that fill up our day as it dwindles before we even get settled into it existing.

It's somewhat relieving to me that all we need to handle is right now. And the rest will come when it's supposed to. 

The point is - I love you guys! And that IS right now. I am so filled with love this Valentine's Day for each and every one of you! It's so amazing that I have the opportunity to meet/talk/type/ect. with such wonderful beautiful souls like you guys :). Thank you for spending your time and effort sharing with us in the most beautiful experience God put on this earth - the musical experience. I am truly blessed to have you in my life! 

Happy Valentine's Day everybody! 

Alright, this text isn't necessarily inspiration...but it reminds me of how hilarious my friends are and the group conversations we have are seriously the best!!! :D

That's all for now,
Shelby

I'm Tired Of Being Alone

I wonder why I even bother anymore? All I get is a broken heart because I've fallen for the idea of a person that was never mine in the first place. I'm not the girl that all the guys want, and I'm fine with that...I don't want to be. But, I wonder when is it going to happen for me? Love never comes knocking at my door, heck, I've never even been on a real date. I see all these incredible, special things happening to other people and wonder when it'll be my turn. I've tried to be patient, and I'm trying to see that the outcome of what God has planned will be far greater than anything I could fathom in my mind. But, the reality is that it's hard. It's hard to wait and be patient on something you don't feel will ever happen in the first place. If I knew for sure my time would come, it would put me a little more at peace. However, I can't see the outcome and it just makes this that much harder.

I was at Kay Jeweler's in the mall with my mom today (in a weird funk) and heard this John Mayer song playing over the radio. I had heard it before and remembered it, but couldn't think of the name and wanted to read the lyrics. I got out the Music I.D app on my phone, of course, and pulled it up. It was called "Love Song For No One." As I read through the words, they were exactly the sort of things I've said to myself or thought at one time or another. I really can't express it any better way than to tell you to just give this tune a listen, because it's all there. That's how I feel at this moment in time. I'm trusting God, and have to keep reminding myself that something better's out there...but I'd be lying if I didn't say that it's a struggle everyday.

The Love Song For No One 

"Staying home alone on a Friday

Flat on the floor looking back

On old love

Or lack thereof

After all the crushes faded

And all my wishful thinking is wrong 

I'm jaded

I hate it

I'm tired of being alone

So hurry up and get here

So tired of being alone

So hurry up and get here

Get here

Been searching all my days just to find you

I'm not sure who I'm looking for 

I'll know it 

When I see you

Until then, I'll hide in my bedroom

Staying up all night just to write

A love song

For no one

I could've met you in a sandbox

I could've passed you on the sidewalk

Could I have missed my chance

And watched you walk away?

I'm tired of being alone

So hurry up and get here

I'm so tired of being alone

I'm tired of bein alone

So hurry up and get here

She'll be so good

She'll be so good for me!"

~John Mayer~

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqLcf-1WuiA)

It's so incredibly discouraging, and the past couple days have been reminders of why I don't let myself fall or get too attached, because it's a let down every single time. 

And on that note, I think I'm gonna call it a night.

~Shelby

Happy Valentine's Day

Ah, what a Valentine's Day it was! I had classes as usual (and it's unfortunate that they didn't cancel them seeing as it's such a special occasion...HA); those were interesting. Geography is getting harder and harder to go to because it's so boring. We just sit there, listen to lectures, and if we're lucky we get to watch a video. On the plus side, yesterday he gave us 10 bonus points for staying through the entire class, since quite a few people had left. Then, it was time for my first quiz in sociology; I think it went pretty well for the most part.

Cute little thing I found online and immediately posted to Instagram!

After school, I ran some errands with my mom! We picked up cookies my mom had ordered and a ring from the mall my mom was getting sized.

The beautiful scenery on the way home from class!

I entered a contest to win a trip to London

We came home and had to watch Valentine's Day, because what other day is going to be more appropriate? It's a great movie and will probably be a tradition for many years to come! :)

Last night, I got together with the Young Adults group from church for a potluck! There was a ton of food, a lot of awesome people, Wii (Just Dance), and board games! It was great getting to spend time with the people I've grown the closest to over the last few months and who I have grown to love SO much. It was a really great time. I'd never done the Just Dance thing before, and I NEVER thought I would do it in front of a big group of people because I so don't do that. I was really proud of myself, and the fact that I actually had a lot of fun doing it. It's a great workout!

We played Cranium after we mingled and did some dancing, which was interesting. The group wasn't kidding when they said they could get competitive haha. I had never played before, and let's just say it was...interesting. There were a lot of weird challenges involved like humming, puppeteering, sculpting, scrambling letters, and a whole bunch of other random things that I was trying to figure out. By the end of the game, our group had pretty much given up on even trying. We were having fun amongst ourselves, though, and that counts! ;)

I photoshopped this on my computer....LOL. 

It was getting a little later, and Ceci and I were starting to get tired...so we decided to head out, and a few others followed behind us. By the end of the night, I'm not gonna lie I was discouraged about the whole idea of "falling in love" and I was so over Valentine's Day. I'll be sure to post a separate blog about all of that! 

The ride home with Ceci was entertaining that's for sure! I won't go into detail, but I got something accomplished that I've been putting it off. Sometimes you just need a friend to help you put things into perspective. Big things are in store, I feel...I'm not exactly sure where they're headed, and maybe right now, I'm not meant to know. I'm just gonna enjoy the journey until then! 

After I got home, I opened a Valentine's Day gift from my parents and talked with them for a little while...mainly about Whitney Houston for whatever reason LOL. I have no idea what even brought it up! Finally, I was getting tired so I went to bed. All in all, it was a good day. The most important thing for me to remember is that I am loved; surrounded by incredible family and friends, and a God that will never leave me! That's a comforting thought. 

My Valentine outfit and gifts from my parents (candy and Dodger blue converse)

That's all for now,

Shelby

Hope you all had a fantastic Valentine's Day! Any stories to share?

Oh, Monday!

For being a Monday, it was actually a pretty good one. I was able to sleep off the crazy weekend I'd had and feel well rested. When my mom got back from the grocery store we had lunch and ran a few errands! I also got a couple Valentine's Day gifts : a card from Scotty McCreery and a piece of the RiverCourt from my parents!

We went to Home Goods looking for sprinkles for chocolate covered pretzels I wanted to make, but they were pretty much completely out of them except for a couple. However, they always have so many neat things I could've spent a good couple hours in there finding stuff I liked.

We ended up going to Vons and finding some that were perfect! We also ran to CVS pharmacy for some goodies and got yogurt!

Later that night, I made chocolate covered pretzels for my Valentine's Day party, and they came out pretty festive I must say. 

Dinner that night was great as well. I had shown my mom something from Pinterest, and she sort of put her own twist on it...it was delicious! 

Shrimp with veggies and rice! Yum :)

:/

So proud of Adele for gracing the cover of the newspaper!!!! She OWNED the Grammy's!

That's all for now,

Shelby