The Weekend Review

Saturday, I slept in a bit, got ready, did my quiet time with God (the Lord knows I NEEDED it) and as soon as my dad got home from running errands, I went with my parents to look at wood flooring for our house. We were there for a little while, getting everything finalized and setting up an appointment for them to actually do it. Finding time was the harder part. After everything was good to go with that, we headed down to LA for the day.

He is all we ever need, and right now I think I'm still trying to wrap my mind around that at times.

You'll have to wait to see what floor we picked.

TRAFFIC SUCKS. 

Had lunch at Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake. I was hoping to run into Nick Jonas, but that didn't happen.

After we finished eating, I text my friend, Kathryn, because she said she was just at the Starbuck's next to Bob's the night before. I thought maybe we could meet up somehow, if she wasn't busy. We were both heading different ways, but we're trying to plan something to meet up for a Partners (Sophia Bush) taping and maybe me hanging out at WB with her for a little bit. She's interning at a production company inside of the WB lot. That would be so much fun, so I really hope October works out after some of the craziness here dies down.

My parents and I ended up driving around Toluca Lake, when I saw a tweet about the Creative Arts Emmy's at Nokia Live. We used to hang out by the red carpets for the award shows, but finally there were just too many to keep up with. Anyway, the Creative Arts Emmy's are actually more exciting, to me, because it's a lot of the younger stars from Nickelodeon and Disney. Unfortunately, by the time we drove over there, they'd already stripped everything down, except for the red carpet, but everyone was already inside. We drove around downtown LA, checking out Chinatown and the Fashion District. You can see a lot of interesting people down there. I'd love to take my camera sometime, just to photograph people that really stand out, or talk to them about their business/life. 

People of LA...dressed up like superheroes. Maybe they're doing something for FIDM or a film class?

By that time, it was time to start heading over to Dodger stadium. We still had plenty of time to kill, as always. We walked around the lower levels, got something to drink and headed up to our seats. No one special sang The National Anthem, but we did see Magic Johnson and Rick Fox, with his wife, Eliza Dushku. The game started off a little slow, in my opinion, but it really picked up towards the end. There were a few really great plays, by Kemp and Cruz, when it came to catching the ball, getting someone out, and of course, winning the game. The Dodgers had been behind the entire time, then they tied up, and in the very last inning pulled it off. I was so afraid it would have to go into extra innings, but it didn't, which was great. I thought it was even cool, that during a game when someone got hit with a bat, Magic Johnson walked over to them, gave them a signed baseball and talked with them a long time. Rick Fox even went over there for a few minutes too. I thought that was really nice.
It was a little sentimental knowing it's our last night game of the season, and there's only one more after this! WHOA!
During the game, I got a text from one of my friends in Nashville saying she met Colton Dixon at the Kelly Clarkson concert that night! I couldn't believe it! Moments like that...I wish I lived in Nashville LOL. But, I went back to just enjoying myself at the game and being happy for her that she got to see him again.
It was SO hot during the day. LA is never that bad, and it was in the 100's, and didn't even cool down much that night. I think that has to be the first time none of us brought a sweatshirt. It should be getting into cooler weather, and it's getting hotter by the minute. Something is wrong with that picture.

After the game, we went to our usual stop of Del Taco in Valencia, then headed home. I was quizzing my dad on One Tree Hill trivia, asking the names of the characters, and things like that. It was hilarious to hear some of the names he'd come up with. It's little moments like that I'll always remember.

Sunday:
Yesterday, I woke up around nine, got ready for church, and off we went. The service was so good, about loving completely, and forgiving others. Holding onto our bitterness and anger, does nothing for anyone, including ourselves. Our pastor, Lydia, spoke because her husband is preaching over in Ethiopia right now, which I think is so cool. Anyway, she showed a couple clips of October Baby, and now I really want to see the movie. After the service ended, I bought my ticket for the Women's Conference coming up in a couple weeks, and I am so excited about it. The theme is going to be "Freedom Without Fear," which sounds incredible, and after hearing about some of the big plans they have for it, last week...It's going to be so much fun. I also know that God is going to be present all three days, and is going to bring healing to so many hearts. I'm expecting BIG things to happen that weekend.

After church, we had lunch at a local restaurant, Getaway Cafe! We sat down with our drinks, and I went to grab my cup, but somehow my key necklace caught the edge, knocking it on my lap and leaving a big spot. I don't consider myself super klutzy, but wow...What a moment. Luckily, by the time we left it had pretty much dried. My shoes were still a bit wet, though.
The rest of the afternoon was pretty boring. I worked on homework a bit, got distracted by ideas on Pinterest, and watched Gilmore Girls and One Tree Hill on Soap Net. Yup, I like to live life on the edge.

We decided to call some family friends of ours to have dinner, but no one could think of anywhere to eat, so we ended up at Denny's. Go figure! It was a lot of fun; we don't always get to hang out together as much as we'd like a lot anymore, but it's always a blast when we do. We ate, talked (about cars, houses, Carrie Underwood, South Carolina, and other little things in between). Then, they showed us their new car, and we talked a little more outside. The weather was really nice; felt like it was actually starting to cool down a bit.

Just some words of wisdom I saw on Instagram! Love it! 

My parents and I stopped at Sonic for drinks, then came home. I spent the rest of the night watching The Kardashians, Married To Jonas, and working on a story I'm writing. It was pretty low-key, which is good, because this is going to be one very BUSY week.

That's all for now,
Shelby

Have a fantastic week! :)

Girls, We Have To Believe This!

"Sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell the ones who want us from the ones who don't. Maybe the ending is just moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this: knowing after all the unreturned phone calls and broken hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment...you never gave up hope."

It's so easy to get caught up in the daydream of it all: the idea of having that special someone, the fairytale ending, and everything we've ever seen in chick flicks. Sometimes it doesn't even matter to us who the guy is, it's just about what we'll get from it. So, we end up writing the ending, before we really take a step back and realize that all along the guy that seemed so perfect on paper was not the one for us. And someday, after all of those misses, we'll find our hit. We'll find the guy that was meant just for us. Through it all, we can't give up hope. Hold onto the idea that somewhere in the future you will find your happy ending and everything you went through will make sense, because it led you to that one special moment where everything changed. 

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

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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~

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"I love you, you know that?" (It's like Naley's Forever and Always)
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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

You Can't Push Love Away

I'm the kind of person that once I've had a bad experience with something, I don't want to go back and try it again. I've been like that for as long as I can remember really. Whether it was riding a roller coaster at Disneyland or trying a certain food. As I got older, I can see how it got a little worse . If people hurt me once, they all would...and they'd keep doing it. So, I wanted to wait for people to come to me, because I was afraid. Lately, I've been learning to be more assertive- to put myself out there and just see what happens. That's also where things get a little messy...finding that line between being too clingy and just going for something.

You might be able to get away with that in some cases, but love isn't one of them. Just because someone broke your heart once or it hasn't worked out for people you've known, doesn't mean that'll be the same for you. Sometimes, as hard as it is, you just have to forget the past. Be cautious, but not so much that it will hold you back from things you want to try. I know it has paid off in a lot of other areas in my life, so why can't this ring just as true?

Don't put love in a category just because it hasn't worked out just yet. Someday you'll find someone who'll make your world spin in the best ways possible. Guard your heart for it affects everything you do, but don't shut it off completely. You'll be surprised at the most unexpected places you can find love. I'm speaking to myself as I write this too, so don't think I've got it all figured out because I don't...AT ALL.

That's all for now,

Shelby

xoxox

My Favorite Fictional Couples

I have this problem where I sometimes lose track of reality and find myself living in the dream world of my favorite TV shows. So, periodically I end up in Tree Hill or Stars Hollow hanging out with the Gilmores or the Scott brothers. And sometimes I end up making their problems my own. See what a predicament that puts me in? I'm very involved and become extremely attached to my movies and TV shows; that's what the great ones are supposed to do, right? Right. Moving right along, I'm gonna give you a run down of my favorite couples of all time. I'm sure I've touched on this before, but I have absolutely nothing else to do so this is what I choose to spend my time doing.

Luke and Lorelai: From the very first episode to the very last, we all knew that Luke and Lorelai belonged together. They could drive each other crazy at times, but they loved each other. Their friendship in the diner grew as the years went on and I think that's why their relationship was as strong as it was. Lorelai was the only girl that Luke truly ever cared about enough to do some of the things he did, like building the ice skating rink, building a Chuppah, watching Casablanca with Lorelai, and the list could go on and on. Luke cared for Rory as if she was his own daughter, while her own dad, Christopher was away. Lorelai had a hard time loving people, but Luke she never had any problems with it. They both really screwed things up at the end when Lorelai slept with Chris and Luke pushed the wedding back because of April. I really wish they would've gotten the definite happy ending they deserved, instead of leaving it up to the imagination of the viewers.

Dean and Rory: I truly believe that Dean and Rory belonged together. From the very first episode, I always thought he was perfect for her. He was charming, smart, loyal, kind, and he loved her more than anything. He would've moved Heaven and earth for her, and maybe at times that could be the problem, but he always had the best of intentions. He treated her with respect, like every girl wants to be treated. Honestly, he's the perfect boyfriend in my opinion. He's the one that caught Rory's eye, and she was never even into guys; she focused on school too much. Although, in the third season they really did make him out to be entirely too clingy and that was a real turn off. But, she went straight to Jess who completely disrespected her and Lorelai. I don't think she ever appreciated Dean and loved him the way he loved her, and that always made me a little mad. Every time her and Dean broke up, she always ended up going back to him, it's like she was always waiting for him to be pining after her (And usually he was). I still think out of everyone she was with on the show, they had the most chemistry!

Nathan and Haley: If this couple doesn't help you believe in love, I don't know what will. They've been through it all and still continue to push past whatever obstacle stands in their way every single time. They were high school sweethearts who got married their Junior year and had their first kid the same day as graduation. They did things a little different than most people, but it always seemed to be working for them. Nathan and Haley were a very unlikely pairing, and a lot of their friends and family weren't too crazy about the idea at first. But, they proved them all wrong. They are best friends, they respect each other, they encourage one another, and they love each other. They do the little things for each other like taking the time to listen, spending time with one another, etc. They remind me of a real life couple that I know, and it's beautiful to see that they represent those rare couples that are still in love and will actually last, because they work at it and do whatever it takes to make it work.

I go way back with Cory and Topanga. If you're a 90's kid, I'm sure you did too. I always wanted to find my own Cory Matthews, because I thought he was the greatest thing ever. I loved the fact that when they were just little kids, they knew they were going to get married. Again, they defied the odds when their parents thought they were so young or that they should see what else was out there. They didn't need to see the world or date anyone else to know who they were supposed to be with. Even when Topanga's parents went through a divorce, and she started to doubt love, Cory reminded her of what they had together. He was patient, but he fought for her and what they had. No matter what people came in between them, no matter what obstacles hit them, they worked past it...TOGETHER. And that is the key to any good relationship. When they got married, I cried and still do every time as if I'm at a wedding for people I know.

Good ole Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper. My dad used to watch this show a lot on Nick At Nite when I was younger, and that was our thing. I grew to love Kevin and Winnie as if I knew them personally. They were the epitome of "young love", "high school sweethearts" and best friends. They were childhood friends that went through everything together: loss of loved ones, 7 minutes in Heaven, drama at school, and the inevitability of growing up. Everyone pulled for them to stay together, and in the end, they didn't. I watched the series finale in my Bible class my Freshman year of high school (don't ask). I was completely shocked when I found out that Kevin picked up Winnie at the airport with his wife...HIS WIFE, meaning it was not Winnie. I thought about it off and on throughout the day, and still could not believe it. But, I guess that's the way life works-sometimes things don't work out. Now, I watch the show back on The Hub and realize why it probably wouldn't have worked out for them (this is what I mean about that reality thing for me). Winnie always sort of thought she was better than Kevin, and just never seemed to care for him as much as he did her. It's saddening really, but as far as when they were young goes..I thought they were adorable.

 

Monica and Chandler: I think this picture captures them to a T. It's also one of my favorite episodes, because, well...look at Chandler's smile! HAHAHAHAHA. For many years, I always thought I was team Ross and Rachel. That seemed to be the couple that everyone pulled for. However, when I seriously got into the show and watched from start to finish, Monica and Chandler really took the cake. They were so completely different from one another (which seems to be a pattern here), yet they fell in love. He was crazy and a little immature at times, and she was a control freak who loved to plan and clean. Monica changed Chandler's views on marriage and he helped her loosen up a little. They complement each other so well. They just seemed to get each other, it didn't matter if it made sense to anyone else. Plus, they're just absolutely hilariously when they go back and forth with each other.

Who can forget Harvey and Sabrina? I loved them almost as much as Cory and Topanga growing up. They were high school sweethearts and just so adorable together. They understood each other and no matter how many times Sabrina did things that she couldn't tell Harvey about, he trusted her and let her do her thing. It was another situation that no matter who Sabrina was with, she always went back to Harvey...in fact, that's what stopped her wedding to Aaron in the last episode. I couldn't have been happier. I'm pretty sure I teared up when their "soul mate" pieces fit together perfectly. They were meant to be!

And there ya go...Those are the couples that I absolutely adore! They believe in love and working it out and isn't that how it should be? The best things in life are worth working hard at and fighting for. When you've got a good thing, don't just let it slip away.

That's all for now,

Shelby

xoxox

Love Is In The Air

1 Corinthians 13

"Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. 

Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head.

Doesn't force itself on others.

Isn't always 'me first'.

Doesn't fly off the handle.

Doesn't keep scores of the sins of others.

Doesn't revel when others grovel.

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.

Puts up with anything.

Trusts God always.

Always hopes for the best.

Never looks back, 

But keeps going to the end." <3

Ah, love. What a topic! I think we have so many preconceived notions of what love/relationships should be or feel or look like, and the truth is it's different for everyone. We get caught up in this fairytale world that Prince Charming is going to ride in on his white horse and save us from all disasters, but that's not reality. No, reality is far much more interesting than that; you'll meet guys that will break your heart and will mess with it in ways you don't understand, but then you'll meet the one that will put it back together again. He'll make you see things in a way you never thought possible, he'll love you just the way you are, but he'll challenge you and bring you out of your comfort zone more, and he'll see the potential in you that no one else sees. You'll annoy each other, you'll fight over the dumbest of things, and you'll hit rough patches…but true love will conquer all of that. I truly believe it. 

Love doesn't just "fade away" over time, and people don't just grow apart. That's when people have just decided to give up. Relationships and love take work, and our society wants to take the easy way out and to find some way for that instant gratification. But, the things in life that are worth fighting for don't come easy. Love makes the world go 'round; it's universal and one of the most desired things. That's why people become so bitter and cynical towards it, because it's everything it's cracked up to be. It's easy to question when it's ever going to happen or to just give up on the idea of falling in love altogether. I've never been in love before, but I know it's out there. I've been praying for that special someone for awhile, and know that he is out there. When the time is right, he'll show up, and it will make all the waiting I did worth it. Until then, I just have to have patience. They say that good things take time, so I think I can wait a little longer.

I'm actually looking forward to Valentine's Day! It's a little cheesy and is used mainly for marketing purposes at card and flower companies, but it can also be a good reminder of what LOVE is all about. True love for God, ourself, others, family, and friends. It's a day to remember that love is the most important thing in the world! And seeing as it is February...the month of "love", I'm sure I'll be posting similar things to this one periodically. Sorry in advance!

That's all for now,

Shelby 

xoxox

He's Just Not That Into You Quote

"Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your own happy ending. Every movie we see, every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the one exception to the rule. But, sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn to read the signs. How to tell the ones who want us from the ones that don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe...it's you on your own, picking up the pieces, and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is ...just...moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken hearts, the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope."