When You Wish Upon A Star....

Last Saturday night, my friends and I were sitting in Hillary's backyard. We were gathered around the fire pit just talking, when I saw a flash of light fly across the sky. I immediately sat up straight and peeled my eyes closer, staring straight ahead. I could've sworn it was a shooting star, something I don't think I've ever experienced in my life as simple as it sounds.The rest of the girls laughed at me, because they hadn't seen what I just saw. For some reason, I couldn't get over how incredible it was. 

They say that when you see one you're supposed to make a wish, and I think I might've wished for something dumb and pointless. Something so frivolous that I can't even remember what I wished for. But, lately, when it has come to wishing on shooting stars or at 11:11, I've run out of things to wish for. It's not because I have everything all together or my life is perfect or whatever the reason, because it's not. But, I'm content with where I am and what I have. Are there things I'm striving towards? Yeah, but until then I'm enjoying the company of amazing friends and learning every step of the journey is a milestone.

When you step back to see those simple things in life, everything just sort of falls into place and makes sense. You learn to appreciate those moments, because someday you'll be wishing you could have them back. So, enjoy them while you can and wish on a shooting star whenever you see one, because it just might lead you to something wonderful.

That's all for now,
Shelby

Beautifully Outspoken

Tonight, I went to a different Bible study than I usually do! Which was really wonderful, because I was able to talk to different people and get to know them a little more than we've had a chance to in the past. Anyway, there were so many emotions and feelings laid out on the table tonight; more raw and real than I think we've all ever been. It was incredible and so freeing to let some stuff out and to hear the thoughts of others. Mainly we talked a lot about faith and how God is going to pull through.    

"Then Jesus said, 'If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen!" (Mark 9:23)

This hit me right away. Bottom line, we shouldn't doubt God and that's something I've really been working on lately. Instead of trying to control things myself, I have to step back and let God do His thing. Just believing that whatever is meant to happen will. He knows all things and sees the road blocks that I can't...so if something doesn't work out the way I'd planned, there's a reason for it. While I was writing this in my journal, something else came to me...Believe in me. Have faith in me. I will pull you through, and I felt like God was saying that to all of us, no matter what situation we may be in. 

Don't just assume that because something doesn't work out right when you want it to, that it's doesn't mean it's completely dead forever. Just trust God and see what He does with it. God is telling all of us that if He says He's going to do something, then He's going to come through. We just have to believe in Him. Learn to wait on God, because it'll be the perfect timing, rather than learning the hard way on our own. 

As I sat there listening to everyone's stories and struggles, I realized that I'm not alone. We're all dealing with crap in our lives and I'm so thankful that once a week we can all come together and share what we're going through. It's such a stress reliever to know you have that support system around you, and I'm so blessed to have met all the incredible people that I now call friends. I never would have imagined some of the people I've been getting to know. I learned so much tonight and I feel at peace. 

After we all went around and said how we felt about the chapter (Mark 9), we prayed together. I asked for prayer about tomorrow...I have to go to my great uncle Bud's funeral. I wasn't very close with him, because they live in Fresno and we don't get up there very often, but he was an incredible man of God, that much I do know. He was so kind and generous of his time, love and resources. He had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I've ever known and seemed to get along with everyone. As Chris was praying over me/my family, he said that I was/would be beautifully outspoken about my love for Christ tomorrow. He prayed that I would be a light and bring hope and represent what it means to be in a real relationship with Christ for my relatives that don't know him. That's exactly what I hope and pray to do tomorrow. This isn't the end, this is just the beginning. I hope to bring light to the situation that I know really and truly sucks. You know it's part of life, but it doesn't make sense when you're going through it. It's dark and painful..but it does get easier as you grieve and process exactly what's going on. Don't shut off your emotions, but allow yourself to feel and express what you're going through. 

I really began to feel the Lord's peace and presence after that. Sometimes all you need is a little prayer and to let your friends know how you're feeling about things. It makes all the difference. 

That's all for now,

Shelby

xoxox

Friday's Week In Review

There aren't many stories to report on this week, but they say a picture says 1,000 words...so I have plenty of those to go around. I went to classes, did homework, watched a lot of One Tree Hill, brainstormed for a possible documentary, got to know some more people at school, spent too much time online, and that's about it. Today was a little off, and to be honest the rest of the week was as well. I think I've slipped away from my daily devotions and I need to get back into that again. I ran a bunch of errands with my mom and was in a less than great mood, just feeling exhausted and drained. But all of that changed around when I went to Bible study! That'll get a post of its own a little later on!

Hipstamatic App is amazing!!!! I'm obsessed with taking pictures on it. 

Perfect snack

Got tickets to Sophia Bush's new sitcom!!!! I really hope I can go :))))

BEST THING THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK! :D I HEART HIM! 

THIS MADE ME EXTREMELY HAPPY! 

My work station usually looks a little something like this ;) I like chaos.

Possibly going to work on a documentary with a friend! :)

That's all for now,

Shelby

xoxox

One Tree Hill-A Rush Of Blood To The Head Review

There aren't really any words for last night's episode except for WOW! BRILLIANT! AMAZING! SHOCKING! BEST OF THE SEASON and...Didn't see that coming! Mark Schwann definitely knows how to keep us on our toes and proves to us with each episode that he knows what he's doing. We just have to trust him. Judging by the tweets and texts I was getting about last night's episode, I knew I was in for something really huge. I was incredibly impressed with all the performances. Week after week the actors on that show kill it! Whatever the story line is, they deliver. They are so dedicated to the characters they play. When I watch episodes from the first season, I think 'yeah, they were really good', but now they are something special!

Bethany Joy amazes me with the way she flawlessly delivers lines and becomes so incredibly vulnerable when faced with a tough scene, like when they were shooting in the morgue. The way she is able to just let go and let the emotions go wherever they do is really unique. She's a a natural with all of it. She knows exactly where she's going with the scenes and you don't question her motives for doing it, you just know that wherever she's taking you with it is going to be great. As a director, she's amazing as well.
Austin Nichols is really blowing me away this season! I didn't always like Julian, like I've said before. There have been some pretty intense moments for Julian this season and he just nails each scene. He is a phenomenal actor and on top of that, a director. Some of my favorite episodes, including this season, have been my favorites and I didn't realize he directed them at the time. He's brilliant! He has a vision and he makes it happen! He's incredibly driven and I can't wait to see more work from him in the future.
Sophia Bush! Week after week she proves that she IS Brooke Davis. She has given everything she's had to Brooke and you can tell how much she means to Sophia. She knows exactly where she wants to take Brooke and how she wants to help add to the rest of the show when she is directing.The girl is unstoppable.

Back to last night's episode...We had Haley identifying a body which she thought could be Nathan, Clay has a son?!?!, Haley finally goes to Dan for help, Dan and Deb talk with one another in his trailer, Haley's monologue about the ice cream in the car, Julian being all protective of Brooke, and Brooke coming into contact with her attacker once again. Last night's episode started answering a lot of questions to things we've been wondering and is leading up to everything we've been waiting for.The entire time I was either tearing up, anxious, excited, sad, or angry. It made me feel SO many emotions, and I'm pretty sure it did for everyone else watching.  As for next week's episode with Brooke...I don't even know what's coming or what to expect with it. And I even read the spoilers! HAHA.

That's all for now,
Shelby
xoxox

What were your thoughts on it? What do you think is going to happen in the next few episodes? Feel free to leave a comment section below or on Twitter! :) I love to hear feedback.

Oh, Life...You Think You're Amusing Don't You?

I think it's funny how life works, and I think it's funny how the people around us work. We're expected to meet their expectations, but the minute we think they don't meet ours and let them know it...we're asking too much. It's like things have to work around them and on their terms, but if we want things to work in our favor all hell breaks loose. I've gotten kind of tired of that. I'm tired of having to feed into other people's emotions. I used to do that, and I used to put my feelings on hold around friends, but I'm not doing that anymore. It's not because I don't care, but because I matter too. And I don't want to become bitter towards them. I don't want to hold it all in and explode one day.

That's all for now,
Shelby
xoxox

American Idol: Meet The Top 13

Well, after thousands of auditions, the top 13 were announced tonight. Technically, it was only the top  10, but because the judges seem to have a problem with letting people go lately, they've made it the top 13. The guys performed Tuesday night and I was not impressed. There was no one that really stood out to me or that I really remembered after the show was over, so I didn't vote. Last night, the girls took the stage, and I was actually really impressed with them. There were a lot of incredible performers, even if I wasn't necessarily a fan. There were a couple weaker links...but what everyone has to realize is what pressure they're under. It's not everyday that you're singing on THE top reality show around, betting your life on one song. Nerves are bound to strike, whether you want them to or not. They were all super talented, but of course, only few can make it through. I definitely voted for a few of my favorites and crossed my fingers they'd make it through to the top spots. 

This was for Chelsea ;)

The Top 13:

• Phillip Phillips
• Jessica Sanchez
• Hollie Cavanaugh
• Joshua Ledet
• Heejun Han
• Shannon Magrane
• Skylar Laine
• Elise Testone
• Colton Dixo
• Jermaine Jones
• Jeremy Rosado
• Erika VanPelt
• Deandre Brackensick 

Where to begin? I'm really sad that Baylie Brown didn't make it through! I really loved her! She deserved another chance. I'm EXTREMELY upset that Heejun made it through. I'm sorry if you like him, but c'mon. It's not even just a matter of not liking the way he sings, he comes across really rude to me, and I don't like that. As for everyone else, I think they all belong there. I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone progresses as the weeks go by!

My favorites are:

• Erika VanPelt
• Elise Testone
• Jessica Sanchez
• Hollie Cavanaugh

I'll be pulling for them all the way! Here's to a good season of American Idol...I hope it gets better! :)

That's all for now,
Shelby
xoxox

Addition To My Favorite Couples

I don't know how I didn't add this couple to my fictional couples list, because they are incredible and adorable in every single sense. So, ladies and gentleman, I give you Brooke and Julian Baker.

I'll be honest, I didn't like Julian at all when he first came to town as Peyton's ex. He was cocky and arrogant and thought he was the greatest thing around. But, something changed in him when he met Brooke. And something changed in Brooke when she met him. They complemented each other and brought the best out of each other. Sure, they had their misunderstandings and went through that phase when they were broken up, but they got back together. That's just the way true love is. The heart always finds its way back to the beholder of the love they have to give.

Brooke had searched forever for "Mr.Right" to come along, and he came when she least expected it. Julian loved her in spite of all of her flaws and imperfections, or at least the things she saw as imperfections. He loved her even when she was stubborn. He fought for her. He pursued her, and every girl wants to feel like she is important enough for the guy to run down the streets chasing her down. He was patient and was careful with her heart, knowing that she was extremely cautious about who she really trusted.

Julian is exactly the kind of guy I'm into. He represents the kind of guys I've liked in the past. He's a man of his word, he's honest, he has a passion for something, he's very much into pop culture and film (obviously), he's ambitious, he's gentle, and sincere. He treats Brooke like a princess; he protects her and loves her. And he looks at her like she's the only girl in the room. I love the way they can argue with each other and disagree completely, but bottom line is in the end...they love each other. They're incredibly witty and together...they just make sense.

Some of my favorite "Brulian" moments: 

Brooke: You know what I like best about that movie?

Julian: What's that?

Brooke: You get the sense that they're going to live happily ever after.

Julian: They are. 

<3

___________________________________________

Julian: It’s pretty magical, isn’t it?
Brooke: It’s beautiful. This whole trip has been perfect.
Julian: Well, I had a little help. Last night at the bar Jamie gave me a gold star for luck. Wanna see it?
Brooke:Yeah.
[Julian places ring in her palm.Brooke stares in shock.]Julian: ”Oh, wait, that’s not it, that’s the engagement ring I got for you. Where’d I put that thing. Hey, everyone says that the next thing I do, the next choice I make is gonna define me, my career, my life, well, the next thing I wanna do is ask you to be my wife, and tell you how much I love you, and how nothing else matters. When I look into your eyes, Brooke, I see the rest of my life, and I see it with you. [gets one knee, places ring on Brooke’s finger,] Marry me, Brooke Davis.
Brooke: Yes, okay, I want to so much.

_______________________________________________

"I'm here for the girl in the book...The other girl. The girl that has been nearly impossible to find, but worth every second of the wait!"

~Julian~

_______________________________________________

"I love you, you know that?" (It's like Naley's Forever and Always)
________________________________________________
Their wedding vows:

Julian: Brooke, before I met you, I thought I had everything in my world to make me happy. I had nothing else to compare it to. Then you walked into my life and everything changed. I realised how empty my world was without you in it. And my whole life was no longer capable of making me happy. Not without you. I love everything about you, Brooke. I love the way you challenge me like no one ever has. I love the way you look at me like no one ever has. And I love the way you love me like no one ever has. I can’t imagine spending my life without you. And if you say yes to me, in a few minutes, I won’t have to. You look beautiful, by the way. Brooke.

Brooke: Julian. Before I met you, my world revolved around one thing. Me. And I liked it that way, on my own. But then I met you and you saw through the facade, you saw me. You’ve taught me to trust. How to let someone in. And what it truly means to fall in love. I can’t possibly describe how much I love you so I’ll tell you why I love you. You see the world in a way that no one else does. And you appreciate everything, including me. There’s no one in the world like you. And if you say yes in a few minutes, I’ll get to spend the rest of my life trying to see the world through your eyes, appreciating everything, including you. The most unique, wonderful and terribly handsome man I’ve ever met.

__________________________________________________________
Brooke: You told me someday I'd be ready to let someone in. I think today might be someday.
Julian: If this was a movie, you'd kiss me right now...
Brooke: No, I'd say I love you and then I'd kiss you...I love you (and they kiss).

Let's just say...they pretty much make my heart melt. Watch a few scenes of them together, and they will melt yours too. 

That's all for now,

Shelby 

xoxox

A Few New Segments Coming Soon!

There are a few new ideas I've been trying to come up with to mix things up a little with my blog; something that will challenge me, help me grow as a writer, and something that will just get the word out there about it. Maybe if I start doing some different things, it'll set me apart from the crowd. I hope to get started with them very soon. 

My aunt and uncle got me a really cool apron and some kitchen utensils for my birthday back in January and it has inspired me to really get into cooking/baking.Now,I haven't tried anything yet, but looking on Pinterest everyday has given me some ideas to find something I could try in the future. I think it would also be great practice for when I have a family of my own someday. So, I want to start a new section on here called "In The Kitchen With Shelby!" I thought it would be fun to get some of my friends and family involved with some of their recipes, and maybe it'll give me a few more stories to share as well. Hopefully, I'll be able to get this started very soon.

I got the idea for a new segment on my blog I want to start "A Day In __________" from Dianna Agron's (Glee) new blog, You,Me, And Charlie. They had posted something over there asking for submissions for tours of hometowns. I thought it would be a lot of fun to try that in my hometown, but more than that...it would be fun to try when I go out state or to a new city. 

I thought it would be fun to start covering more about restaurants, shops/boutiques, hot spots, and other things in the area I'm in. That way, I'm learning more about the place I'm visiting and what the locals like to do there. I want to learn more about the history, the locals that live there, where it originated and what the city is known for. 

I've always loved going to Dodger games; my family used to go all the time with our church group or family friends when I was younger. Then, for awhile we just stopped going or were too busy and didn't get a chance to. When I was about 14, we bought this weekend package where we were down there every couple weeks-every other weekend and we did that for a couple years. Last year, we ended up just buying season tickets, and let me tell you it has been a blast.I've been able to bring friends to a lot of the games and we have had some of the best times exploring LA beforehand and at the games in general. This year, we bought season tickets again and I am so excited! I'll be reporting about the games and who I see...after all, it is Hollywood and you never know who will be there ;). There's also one game where we'll be on the ground level, where it's all you can eat, and usually where the celebrities sit. I'm usually terrified that the ball is going to fly straight towards me and hit me in the face, and sitting where we are for this one, I really need be paying attention to the game. I joked that there better be a big star sitting by us at that game to make it worth it. HAHA. So, be on the lookout starting in April. 

And, of course, I'll be continuing with my number one topic of entertainment: movies, TV, music, and everything in between. I'm going to try to cover more analysis's of episodes, characters, and movies. I'll also be doing more reviews of music and things like that. If I'm ever at premieres or at an event of some sort in Hollywood, I'm gonna try my best to get some videos of the celebs and pictures as always. 

As the season of Idol started up officially with the top 24 last night, I decided I want to track the journey of the contestants and this season in general. I'm going to do a review each week and predict who I think will be going home each week, leading up to the finale, which I will most likely be covering :)

Basically, I should've been covering One Tree Hill from the start, but I've been so wrapped up in trying to figure everything out for myself that finding the words to blog about it would be hard. But, since we're getting towards the end with episode nine having aired tonight, I think I'm going to start this up. Also, trying to post anything I find of the cast, favorite moments, etc. I think it would be fun to wrap it up with them.

I want to start doing more video updates. I used to make videos for practically anything and everything I'd do when I first got my MacBook, whether it was hanging out with friends or a trip to Nashville. Then, life just got a little bit busier and I haven't had the time or patience to sit there and edit for hours like I used to want to. But, this is the year to document big and small things, because they're all important. I'm actually in the works with one of me and my friends at the beach. I'm going to try to get that up sometime next week!

I've done a lot of posts from Polyvore dealing with fashion and I do my best/worst dressed of the award shows, but I'm going to start doing it more regularly. I'll be posting my favorite styles/icons of the week, my favorite accessories and items, celebrity looks, products, and whatever else falls along those lines at the time. I really love fashion; there's something that is so expressive about it. I've always loved designing my own clothes, especially after Mary-Kate and Ashley launched their line back in the day. It's definitely a dream of mine, as I'm sure it is every other girl in America. This way, I get to live it out ;).

Lastly, I'd like to start doing "Daily Inspiration." I've been trying to do that every once in awhile, whether it's a quote, line from a movie,YouTube video, a picture or something that stood out to me in a song. Art is a powerful thing and if you're reading my blog, then chances are you're pretty artsy/creative too. Sometimes all it takes is something extremely simple that will strike me and change the rest of my day. That's what I want my blog to be. I want to help people and I want this to be a place of inspiration. I want to make a difference in the words that I speak and the things that I post. I want all of you to know that there is greatness inside of each of us. God has given all of us different talents and He's made us all unique for a reason. I know it's easy to get lost in things like "Why don't I look like her?" or "Why can't I sing like that?" And that's because God has something different for each of our lives. You're all beautiful and whatever you're going through right now will pass; hold your chin up and believe that there's a better life waiting for you at the end of the tunnel!


These are all...

That's all for now,
Shelby
xoxox