April 14, 2012

Friday The 13th...You Aren't That Scary!

Today was such a wonderful day. It was cloudy and rainy, which doesn't usually motivate me to want to go anywhere; I usually just like to pop in one of my favorite movies or TV shows and drink hot tea. We hadn't really planned on going anywhere either.

I did my daily devotion, lounged around awhile, and then my mom came in with a Taylor Swift gift bag while I was getting ready. It's not my birthday or anywhere close to a big holiday, so I wasn't sure what it could be. I threw back the tissue paper and there was an iPad 2 box just sitting there. I was completely surprised! It's technically for my graduation present whenever I get done at the community college I'm going to (which should be soon). They just knew that the iPad 2's would all be gone by the time I was able to get one. Plus, my mom was ordering one anyway. I immediately started downloading apps and getting everything set up, because I was so excited...and called my dad to say, "THANK YOU!"

My aunt ended up calling not too long after, asking if we wanted to go to lunch, so we went to Olive Garden and ran to one of the grocery stores close by to pick up a few items that she needed.

I was able to relax for a few minutes, then off to my church I went to help out with the weekly announcements. I'll admit that I was a little nervous; not really sure of what to expect and my first real experience in dealing with a camera. If communications/media is the line of work I want to get into I had better start getting used to it right? It was so much fun getting to be with Viviyan, Derek and Martin. Martin and Derek are the media team at church and do the weekly announcements, but they decided to add us into the mix, because of an idea Martin had with us the other night. It was cool actually being able to be one of the ones involved in the process, rather than just sitting in the audience like I usually am. It helps me appreciate it so much more now; there's a lot more that goes into it than the 3-5 minutes we see on Sunday's. We had a blast taking directions from the masters, and just being able to hang out with one another. They said we were naturals and are now "part of the team", which is exciting! They said they're gonna try to incorporate us more, since we're totally open to it :) Acting is such an escape for me. I know I've expressed my love for film and that whole industry world before, but there's just something about it. It's like the minute you step on stage and that camera goes on, the nerves go away and you step into this completely different world. You're not you...you can be anyone you want to be, or whoever the script tells you to be and that's the most exciting thing. It's all about using your imagination and creating this story. Maybe it's completely unbelievable and far-fetched, or maybe it's something that happened to you just last week. Either way, you're helping someone out.

I took a quiz for my Film class, which went alright and the rest of the night was spent at home with my parents, as we all messed around on our iPads. And watched the Lionel Richie special! For being Friday, the 13th, it was an incredible day! I can't wait to see what this weekend holds.

Here are some pictures from the day's shoot and otherwise:
https://picasaweb.google.com/116316641768486339218/April132012

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend :)
~Shelby

April 12, 2012

Picture This


“I wish we could sometimes love the characters in real life as we love the characters in romances. There are a great many human souls whom we should accept more kindly, and even appreciate more clearly, if we simply thought of them as people in a story.”


You've just graduated high school and have been accepted to your number one university choice. From there, you graduate with a a bachelor's degree, and land your dream job. You're doing just fine on your own, with a few close friends, when you meet the man or woman of your dreams. You fall in love almost immediately after meeting and are married about a year and a half later. You're both doing well in the financial department, so you buy the little ranch style house just on the outskirts of town. Now that you're settled into a life, you can have a family. You have your first born, raise her, and before you know it she's out on her own to create her very own dream life as well.

Yeah...because that's how life works, right? We get those picture perfect moments stuck in our mind, and once we do it's hard to knock them out. Or maybe I'm alone in that. But, what I'm finding out, is that real life is so much more complex and beautiful than any movie or book or TV show will ever be able to fully capture. You have to experience it for yourself rather than living through characters that don't exist.
We think that we have to have it all lined up, because then everything will go just so. But, God has a better plan, and when we let go of ours He can fully work in us.  I always thought that more I think of that special someone or the more that I think about that ultimate dream job, then it'll happen. It doesn't.

As far as who we're going to end up with? Well, it could be anyone. Sometimes I think I know exactly who it'll be or I just have a "feeling", but in the end I have no clue. I think I have to know them better or have a certain friendship with them. Until I was watching an episode of Felicity the other day and it changed my perspective on things.
“I’m just saying, you know, you can’t know who that person is, the person who will become your ultimate confidante, your soulmate or your lover. He may be someone you’ve had your eye on for years or he might be that guy standing next to you in torn jeans buying some part of his motorcycle. Whoever it is, he starts off as a stranger, could be anyone.”
It's so true. Every relationship starts somewhere. Take it slow.

I guess the point of this rambling blog is that things take time. Don't rush into anything, just enjoy the moment and pray about it. You'll never know the right move to make until you consult with God. I've learned that one from experience, and I think I'd rather go His way anyway. You've got nothing to lose right? Especially if it isn't yours right now anyway.

That's all for now,
Shelby <3

American Idol

I have so many words that I could say, but it would end up sounding a little like this, "ajgbgk/njwe/wbrefuWJg /kjsbrvkbrgb/LUgr." So for now, I'm just going to say how tired I am of the judges on the show. I understand that you're going to have a favorite, it happens. But, when you get a favorite and are so incredibly vocal about it that you make the other contestants feel like crap? That's just downright unfair. There are so many other talented people, but they always manage to single out one. And the one that is always picked on...Hollie. She's my favorite, but it's not even a matter of that, they don't give her CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, they tear her down.

I liked Jessica, and I still do, but I don't like the way the judges are pulling for her like she's the only one left on the show. There are six other guys and gals, so let's not forget about them, alright? You should have seen how fired up I was after they announced Jessica was "going home."

I guess we'll have to wait and see how it all turns out next week. All I have to say is...VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE! It's crunch time, people.

~Shelby

"Put your hands up for LA...I love this city!"

"


"You always get a special kick on opening day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen."
~Joe Dimaggio~

Tuesday was opening day at Dodger Stadium. This was the 5th year that I have attended, and it's always such a fun time! My dad was able to get the day off work and we headed down to LA as soon as possible. But, first, I had to get season 9 of One Tree Hill, which came out the same day. Can't wait to watch it all over again.

We were making good timing, until we hit close to the stadium. Cars are always backed up on opening day, unless you're there extremely early, so we had to wait awhile but still got in the gates just in time for everything. We have new seats this season, so it was cool seeing the game from a different angle after a couple years! There were a few pre game activities: The Beach Boys sang, some of the older players came out on the field, and The Beach Boys sang The National Anthem. There were a few ground fireworks that shot up and a flyover! It was so cool! It definitely makes you proud to be an American. After all, it is the all American sport, right? And the Dodgers won!!!!!! They're off to a great start, and hopefully by Magic Johnson taking over as owner, things will be as they should.
The weather was beautiful, even though it was a lot hotter than I thought it would be. There's really nothing like an LA day. There's just something in the air that makes anything feel possible. Trying to get out of the stadium after the game ended was quite a challenge. There were so many people everywhere, and we were going against the current. Smart right? Not so much. Eventually we got out and could breathe again; that was nice :)
Once we got out of LA, we decided to have dinner at Claim Jumper, which was delicious. We were all so hungry, because we hadn't eaten since breakfast. And it was totally worth the wait!

Sidenote: Apparently, I have reached the quota of pictures on my blog, so from now on I'll be posting a link to my Picasa Webs albums, and everything I do will be seen there :/ Bummer! Hope you still enjoy it just as much! LOL. 
Link to Pictures: 
https://picasaweb.google.com/116316641768486339218/April12201202?authkey=Gv1sRgCOLnrOq--q_H_AE



That's all for now,
Shelby
xoxox

Summer!

Summer!

Fat Face cotton dress
£45 - fatface.com

Marc by marc jacobs bag
$158 - couture.zappos.com

Melissa Odabash sun hat
£16 - debenhams.com

Outdoor
$79 - potterybarn.com

April 11, 2012

A Few Things This Week


Monday afternoon, I was not in the best of moods. I was frustrated and not really sure why, so I decided to sit out outside and read my Bible to calm down. There's a reading plan that my church does and one of the verses was in Psalms. I never realized how much I absolutely adore that book; it's so beautiful and poetic. They're praises to the Creator of the Universe. As I sat on my front porch on the glorious Spring day that it was, nothing could ring more true than the words on the page. It was almost as if they came alive. I could smell the nectar of the flowers blooming close by, the birds chirping loudly with each other in the trees, and the cool breeze balancing out the sunlight that was starting to burn my leg.

It's moments like that make me ponder why I waste so much time being so negative and bitter or want to put myself in a bad mood. God is so...indescribable. He heals my pain, my worries, my fears and He is the only one that has always been there for me. Thinking about all the times that I've acted like a brat or just difficult to deal with in general, and the fact that He never gave up on me shows just how much He loves me. Knowing that nothing I do will ever change that is pretty mind boggling. It gives me peace in my heart and mind that I don't have to always measure up or be perfect, because He loves me regardless of my short comings.

When we stop to take a step back, rather than focus on the bad things going on around us, we just might find beauty in some pretty unexpected places. I've been finding that out a lot more recently, because there really IS beauty everywhere, it just depends on our attitudes. God can do something wonderful with any situation we're faced with.




A few minutes later, I got an unexpected visit from some family friends and my One Tree Hill script came in the mail. It's amazing how things can turn around when you give them to God.
She brought me back one of the programs from the awards when she was in Vegas!!!! Thank you Mandy :)


If you're feeling in a weird funk or are just feeling miserable. I encourage you to just take some time to yourself outside and spend some quiet time with God. Spending time with Him and even just observing the simple things in life will help you turn your negative thinking around!

That's all for now-have a blessed week,
Shelby <3

Easter Weekend

Saturday: 
Saturday, my parents and I had lunch at Chilis. I actually ended up knowing our waitress, because she had been in my sociology class. It was cool getting to see her again, because she's such a sweetheart. We ended up doing a little shopping around just for the heck of it. It was such a beautiful Spring day out and perfect weather. That night, we had pizza and my parents  even watched the One Tree Hill "Forever and Always" special (I'm getting them in the mood for Wilmy). It was such a fun night! And I cried again while watching it. I just didn't let myself turn into a blubbering mess, because THAT could have been embarrassing ;)



Sunday:
I sang with the choir at church, which was so much fun! I had to get there earlier for practice, so we stopped at Starbucks first (because you can't fully be awake without a little coffee in your system, right?). The band was practicing when I got there, so Viviyan and I chilled for a bit until they were ready for soundcheck.


Pretty soon, service was starting and it was our turn to go out! It's always so much fun singing and worshiping with everyone. We don't always get to do it, so it's fun when we do. After, I sat with my parents and aunt in the audience for the message. Easter is always such a great reminder of what Jesus did for us; I mean that's what Easter is all about! But, it's more than that. So many times throughout the year we get caught up in our day to day lives that we forget about God's grace and think we have to do everything on our own. I know I do. And I feel like I have to be perfect, before God will help me start to change...but that's just the thing...he takes us in no matter what condition we're in. We don't have to fit a certain mold, He loves us just the way we are and can still do miracles in our lives.

After the service, I only had one more service to sing at. Some friends and I hung out in the lobby and took pictures. It had me thinking about last year and how things have changed so much; how I know way more people than I ever did last year and we're actually close. They have changed my life in the best ways possible! :)





After church, it was lunch time with the family. I had wanted to do a really fun and festive Easter brunch, where everyone comes over to our house and it's something like on one of those festive episodes of your favorite TV shows. I've always had all these ideas for what I would do, so I told my parents about it and they were all for it....but, it seems that they were the only ones that were. It didn't happen and we ended up going out to Black Angus, which was so not as good. It was still fun seeing my family, even though we didn't get to talk much. Our waitress was...interesting to say the least and had a lot to say, we'll leave it at that. One of these years, I want to do something out of the ordinary and make it a whole big thing.
Usually, my cousin and I would dye Easter eggs at my house after lunch was finished, but we haven't done it together the last couple years. I guess some traditions just fade, but I still wanted to do it regardless, so my mom and I did it together. Were they totally awesome? No. But, that's not why you do it anyway! It was fun :) The rest of the afternoon was pretty laid back, which was nice.

This was SO cool!!!!! THANK YOU :D
Later that night, I got a DM from Austin Nichols, which just made everything so much better. I have become such a big fan of his, now not only because he was Julian Baker, but because of him as a person. You can just tell he really cares about the fans and helping others out. Such an inspiration to so many!

That's all for now,
Shelby :)