Life is About the Journey and the People You Meet Along the Way

As I sit here a little over midway through my first semester of college the feeling of nostalgia passes over me. It was only a matter of months ago; five months in two days actually that I looked over at my fellow classmates as we happily threw our caps into the air signaling the ending of a chapter of our lives.

Most of the time college, or more often than not just life in general keeps me too busy for quiet reflection, but on nights such as tonight when I find myself flipping through that album titled, "Senior Year" it blindsides me so suddenly I get swept away. It is hard to believe that almost five months have passes since that May night that was, in so many ways, the end of an era.

It's funny too because just a month or two ago I would have told you that I didn't miss it as much as I had assumed I would, but the more time that elapses the more my views change.



It is strange to have Friday nights free to do as I chose, rather than living with the knowledge that no matter what, every Friday during football season would be spent sitting on the cold, hard, bleachers of Corry Field watching a small, but mighty team leave it all on the gridiron.

Strange to not walk the grounds of a school I spent twelve years learning every inch of. Strange to not wake up every day with the knowledge that no matter what had occurred I would know every detail by the end of 1st period. Strange to not see the faces of people who over the years became more than friends; they became family.



As I embark on the beginning of a new era of my life as a Freshman at the school that I grew up dreaming about I can't help but reflect on the past year of my life, my senior year of high school and how it changed everything.


For me senior year was the accumulation of everything that high school should be. It was final. Absolute. Real. Everything was about to change so enjoy the time you have now. It was attending my first real high school party. It was learning to dance in the rain. It was kissing a cute guy at a football game and not really caring if everyone around me saw it. It was crazy bonfires and freezing nights spent joking and gazing at the stars with friends. It was amazing concerts and more crushes than people should be allowed to have. It was laughing, crying, joking, running, being afraid, and embracing the future. It was life. It was good and tragic and everything that being a senior should be. It was perfect in an imperfect sort of way.



Of course everyone knows that senior year would not be complete without those stories that you would be both embarrassed and excited to tell your children one day. The stories that inside jokes are made of. The kind of stories that you know you will still be joking about when you are eighty years old and chasing each other around with canes. And I am so glad that my friends and I racked up quite a few. They all started in October at the Florida State/Georgia Tech game.There were cute boys, ridiculous dancing, a Thriller reenactment, and 1 am Taco Bell run; it was in essence the beginning of it all. Then came Spring Break and hot tubs, baseball players, locals, and giant holes that were great for hiding, among other things. And of course who could forget Colorado and the Wiscaaansin boys that came along with it. Don't be too disappointed you didn't get the whole story on any of those, after all people call them inside jokes for a reason.



But looking back on my Senior Year of high school, whether it be five months later, like now, or ten years I know that what I will remember most isn't the parties we missed, the tests we failed, or the boys who were foolish enough to let us get away, but rather the people who I made the journey with along the way. The late nights that turned into early mornings. The laughter and the tears. The concerts, movies, and football games. The beach trips. But more than anything, I will remember the friends who turned into family. The people I love who definitely taught me that life isn't about the destination; but the JOURNEY it takes to get there.

Does True Love Exist?

"But that's love isn't it? When you know someone better than they do and you would do anything in the world to protect them?" -Silvio Horta

As I sit here next to my computer getting ready to type this blog out I'm struck by deepness of the question I pose. Does true love exist? You know, that special awe inspiring kind of love that fairy tales are made of, the kind that sweeps you off your feet and leaves your head reeling. The kind of love that leaves an impression even after you are gone?

I have always been the girl who dreamt of a fairy-tale-esque romance. I have my perfect guy in my head right down to the football team he roots for (if you know me at all, you know this is actually at the TOP of the list). Yes, I have imagined my wedding and cannot wait to find the person who makes me long to swim across the East River in January (Ugly Betty reference). But being only eighteen, and, I'll admit, not the best at putting myself out there, I have yet to find someone who has captured my heart in such a profound way. Which I suppose could be why I pose such a question. Does true love exist? And if it does, do we all have the possibility of finding it, or are there only a lucky few who get to divulge in this 'treat?'

As a girl, a dreamer, and a human being, I would like nothing more than to believe that there is a special kind of love that transcends everything. A kind of love that nothing can break, the kind that truly lasts forever.

And you know what? At the end of the day, I DO believe in that kind of love. Some may call me naive or silly, but I don't see anything wrong in believing that there is this epic kind of love. I believe that knowing that there is something as genuine and true as love, makes knowing that there are things as awful and saddening as hate a little more bearable.



Have you ever wondered what makes people do the crazy things that they seem to be willing to do for love? Move across the country, heck across the world. Learn a new language, defy their family, friends, and loved ones. Leave everything they have ever known behind? What is so incredible about love that makes this seem a desirable move? I have.

It's funny that as I sit here writing this the convictions of my thoughts continue to persuade me that my argument is valid, and that the evidence, if one were to really look is irrefutable. But I don't expect the few flimsy, whimsy, paragraphs of an eighteen year old that has barely experienced life, let alone love to convince you of this fact.

I understand you may feel the need to challenge me, go ahead, actually please do. Go out and look for examples of love in your community. In fact, go to lovegivesmehope.com and peruse around for a bit, then come back and tell me what you found there.

I may not have all the facts, or be able to list off all these couples that are extraordinary examples of true love, but I KNOW that it is out there; and I believe that it is attainable. Do you?

David Buss put it beautifully in his essay, here is the exert I found particularly moving.

"But true love takes its own course through uncharted territory. It knows no fences, has no barriers or boundaries. It's difficult to define, eludes modern measurement, and seems scientifically woolly. But I know true love exist. I just can't prove it."



This is one blog where I would really love to hear what everyone else thinks. Does this kind of love, the kind that makes you want to climb mountains or throw yourself in front of a speeding bus to protect that other person exist? Do you have an example you would love to share? Please I welcome it :)

Danny Gokey Concert Experience :)

So I'm going to try to remember everything from last night in as clear of detail as possible. So let's get started :)


I arrived at the venue about an hour before the show, like my Sophia's Heart ticket purchase told me to do, and picked up my stuff at the Box Office window. I got a new SHF bracelet, which my sister stole, but I'm okay with that because I completely adore my old and worn (aka loved) one. I noticed that my information told me to go to the stage door on the left of the theatre, not knowing exactly where that was I asked for directions, a few very nice ladies told me where to go and said they were jealous, asking how I had gotten the meet and greet.

When I found where I was supposed to be the security guard told me it would be about 15 minutes until they let people back to meet him, so I turned and saw a very nice older couple with a daughter in a wheelchair behind me. We struck up a conversation and they were very nice people who loved Danny and his music. The crowd started to gain volume and the time to be escorted back finally came. I was behind the nice couple I met and was perfectly fine with that. I was, after all, pretty much second in line.




It was relatively hot backstage waiting for Danny to appear, but well worth it. After about 5 minutes I saw Ivan walk out of the door, which made me really happy because I had been told only Danny was present at the meet and greets and I had really been hoping to meet him as well. A few seconds after he exited the building I spotted Danny. He was wearing dark jeans, brown combat boots, a brown shirt, necklace, and of course matching glasses. He looked extremely happy and even cuter in person. The people in front of me wandered his direction and I heard them talking to him, but I was talking to Ivan. He said, "TeeFly!" and I was happy he remember, if not a little embarrassed. I got to talk to him for only a short bit, hopefully next time it will be longer, but I managed to get a picture with him, which I love.




After taking my picture with Ivan I got back in line and noticed the group in front of me were done. Danny turned toward me and said, "TeeFly, right? I think that's your whole twitter name." I told him it was and he seemed glad he had remembered. He asked me if I had anything for him to sign and I handed him the slip of paper. While he was signing it he looked up at me and said "You know this is my last show with Sugarland." he seemed sad about it. I told him that I saw that on twitter and he laughed. Right after that he noticed the bag I was holding in my hands and said excitedly, "Is that for me?" I told him it was and he took it quickly and hugged it, smiling. He looked inside and said, "Oh I thought it was chocolate, I was like everyone is trying to make me fat!" haha (it was a Green Bay Packers tee btw) I laughed and said no, and the guy asked if I wanted him to take our picture. I said yes and then we did, I thanked Danny and began to walk away when he said, "Wait, you forgot your hug." So I went back and hugged him (he really is a great hugger) and then walked out to the concert smiling!

After meeting Danny I decided to go and look at the merchandise booth to see if I wanted one of his shirts. I loved the black ones, but all of them were way to big so I got a pink one, which I actually really love, now! After that I picked up a Sierra Mist and made my way toward my seat, after all, Danny was about to go on.

Danny came out singing "Get Away" and the crowd was getting really into it. I was amazed at how awesome he sounds live, since most people don't sound as good live as they do on CD, but I actually think he sounds better. He got really into the song and made most of the crowd get into it as well. I for one was jumping up and down singing.



Next he sang "My Best Days" which the kid in front of me freaked out about. I thought it was awesome of course and was singing along. I liked his introduction for it too. He talked about how he had recently celebrated his 30th birthday and he wasn't sad or depressed, but rather, he was celebrating life. It was very heartfelt and genuine. Danny appeared completely at ease in front of this huge crowd.

The next song he sang was "Be Somebody" it had a little introduction and then he got into it, running all around the stage and and singing with every ounce of enthusiasm he had in him. It was just incredible. He really can put on a show. You haven't heard or seen Danny until you have experienced him live, it is a whole new level.

His last original song was "IWNSG" and he talked about Sophia for a bit and how he knew he would see her again in Heaven. It was a beautiful speech. He dedicated the song to everyone who had ever lost someone in their life. And even though I've heard it a million times I teared up and almost started bawling hearing it live. He just sings it with so much conviction it's insane. It is probably the most beautifully sung song I have ever heard live and that is saying something.



Last he sang, "Life is a Highway" and everyone in the crowd was at attention standing up for this. When he was done he announced that after the show he would be signing stuff and he would love to meet everyone and shake their hands.

Little Big Town was pretty good after Danny, and Sugarland is actually pretty incredible live. Very energetic and beautiful singers, truly. I only took pictures of Danny, however, since he was my purpose for being there.



We got in Danny's line for after the show and were about 5 people from the front. After around 45 minutes of waiting I spotted Danny walking on the grass toward the venue. I told the little girl behind me to look because she had been waiting for so long and she screamed and jumped up and down in excitement, it was so cute. Danny came and sat down and started signing things. You weren't allowed to take pics from the line, which was random, so I didn't get any.



But my sister got him to sign her picture she had bought and I gave him my ticket, which he signed upside down. He asked, "So how did you enjoy the show?" I told him that it was even better than I had imagined it would be and he smiled and said, "I just want to thank you so so much for all your support." and did his scrunched up nose smile. I told him no problem, well kind of I said it as I was being shuffled away and I hope he heard.


All in all, I had the most amazing time ever, and I just can't wait for my next Danny Gokey concert! :)

Lightbulb Moment =O

Have you ever experienced a moment of silence in life? The kind they show in movies where everything suddenly makes sense, it's like all the pieces of an invisible puzzle suddenly fit and you can see on the actor's face that something, you may not know what, but something, is suddenly right. Well I have had one of those moments. I don't know if at the time I realized it was, but looking back I can see it (in slow motion) as plain as day.

It was the year 2000, and I was sitting in a third grade classroom. It was an ordinary day like any other, we were practicing cursive and doing some sort of mathematical equation, when my teacher, Mrs. Carolyn, decided she was going to start a book club of sorts for our class. We would start this off by reading a book about a boy wizard. It was called, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone." Our classroom fell silent and for effect she turned out the lights. I had never much been an avid reader, but I sat captivated in my seat, certain that something was about to unfold that I would be all too interested in. I can still recall sitting in that third desk on the first row as she sat on her stool and began,



"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense..."

It's so strange to me how one moment can forever alter the course of your life. I can still feel the sense of wonderment and excitement I felt as Mrs. Carolyn unraveled a world of magic and horror, I had seldom been accustomed to previously. It was in that moment, on that ordinary day, that I completely fell in love with the written word.

You see for me, words are magic. I love the way a book can transport you to a completely different time, immerse you in the lives of people so far outside your own tiny existence, and just alter your version of people or reality. I love the way a song can tell a story as clearly as if you are watching it unfold before your eyes, or the way a poem can rhymingly (or not) express a persons innermost desires disguised as something completely non-threatening. I truly wish I were a more eloquent writer and could impress upon you my love for, well, words.

Since I fell in love with the written word ten years ago my appreciation of it has only grown stronger, my desire to further it, more palpable. I long to create characters of my own that people fall in love with and want to grow with, the way I fell in love with a scrawny boy with a lightning shaped scar on his forehead all those years ago. For me, Harry Potter is the ultimate example. Since I began reading Harry Potter in 2000, I haven't stopped. I have read every book, more than twice, and the third one at least four or five times (it isn't my favorite, per-say, it just happened that way). Simply put, I love Harry Potter. I read, fascinated as he was taken from a miserable upbringing with the Dursley's to a world of wonder and excitement beyond even his dizziest daydreams. I was captivated through six years of schooling, crushes,love, mistletoe, heartbreak, sacrifice, courage, and bravery and one year of terrifying situations, death-defying feats, shocking alliances, and triumph in the face of defeat. If I could one day create a character that people love half as much as I adore the ones that fill the pages, penned by J.K. Rowling, than I would be incredibly ecstatic.



So for me, as you caught by the long rant, words are magic and a simple moment of reading by a third grade teacher, whom will always carry a special place in my heart, changed my life forever. Now you know that writing is my passion, my silent, everything makes sense moment, but I'm curious, what was yours? Have you had one? If so, I'd love to hear all about it. There is a comment section below! Thanks for reading :)

Happy Birthday, Danny Gokey!!!!

*I'm kind of taking a bit of a divergence from my usual blog to post this poem I wrote for Danny Gokey in honor of his 30th birthday, which is today. Just bear with me, I know it's a bit silly, but it's what came into my head*

My Inspiration
It seems funny and cliché
That I should type these words down
Hoping that they
Will make sense somehow
I want to convey
The convictions of my belief
That your existence
Healed a part of me
I was a little lost
In a stormy endless sea
Questioning things
I found it difficult to see
Until the day you appeared
And shown a light on me
Proving my doubts
Were unfounded and silly
It’s a bit hard
To try and describe
How by simply being yourself
You helped me to strive
I guess seeing someone so selfless
Taught me how to give again
And your faith in a higher being
Showed me that the only love worth having
Was one without limits or conditions
At the end of the day
I just want you to go to sleep
Knowing if nothing else
You saved someone
You constantly inspire
Me





*I hope you enjoyed it, for anyone who reads it, and if you haven't checked out this man's incredible music please do so! You can listen at dannygokey.com! Much love,and as always I'd love to hear your thoughts! Anyone that inspires you to the very depth of your soul? How about just someone who you think is an exemplary human being? Don't be shy, come on and share :)*

Ugly Betty: Why It Mattered to Me

*this blog is my small tribute to Ugly Betty, I loved every second of that show and I will miss it very dearly*

"Betty, you have to believe me when I say this, you are beautiful."


For the past four years Ugly Betty has come into my house each week with the same basic message. Be who you are and be okay with it. It's funny actually that this show came into my life at the exact time I needed something to tell me that being different was special and that being yourself may not always be easy, but it is the right thing.

You see when Ugly Betty aired I was a freshman in high school. I had just turned 14 and was dealing with a bit of an identity crisis. My best friend of six years had suddenly stopped talking to me because I wouldn't change who I was and mold myself into what she wanted me to be. I struggled with deciding whether keeping her as a friend was worth sacrificing myself. During this struggle I turned on the TV one night to see a girl with a smile full of braces, unruly hair, and big red glasses. I'm not really sure what it was about her, but something held me in place. I watched fascinated as she stayed true to herself after going through hardship after hardship, barely ever faltering from her cherry disposition. I was amazed by her. Here was this girl who owned who she was, who dared to be different, and who made no apologies about that fact. I guess if this was one of those cheesy movies now would be the time I'd say, "Ugly Betty had me at hello."

Through four seasons Betty had me captivated and fascinated. But it wasn't just Betty herself that drew me in. Each character was completely unique and all their own, offering something new and different to the table. Ugly Betty was kind of like the TV show equivalent to a buffet, everyone could find something in it they liked. From Betty to Daniel, Marc to Amanda, Hilda to Justin, or Ignacio to Claire, and so many more characters, each of which was an enthralling part of the shows dynamic.

Personally the character that I connected to the most was Betty. Not really because I am as fashionably challenged as her, but more her personality. She is the kind of person who wants what she wants in life and isn't going to take no for an answer. Aside from that she is an honest and loyal friend, daughter, and sister, which I try my hardest to be all the time. Of course she is human too and therefore has faults, which is something I think is essential in a good character on television. Everyone messes up, that doesn't make them bad, it simply makes them human.

The two greatest lessons that Ugly Betty taught me (as well as anyone else who watched it) were 1) love truly does conquer all & 2) being who you truly are is the most important thing of all.




At times Ugly Betty was bold and ahead of it's time I suppose. One of my favorite story lines was the 'coming-out' of Betty's nephew, Justin. I found this such a great storyline because it went along with both of the major messages Ugly Betty tried to display. Justin eventually, with the help of Marc (whom I freaking LOVE) found the courage to be who he was (gay) and his family truly loved him regardless. This storyline was great not only because if you watched the show you had been waiting four years for that to happen, but because it showed that if a family is strong and their love is true than no matter what happens, it will survive. Ugly Betty had a way of making you believe the best in families, friends, and just bonds in general. After all, there is more than one type of family, and only one type requires an actual blood bond.

I guess you could classify me as one of those people who loves happily ever afters, or fairy-tale endings, so naturally I was a Daniel/Betty or Detty fan from the start. Because really what greater way for a show that is supposed to show people that beauty is in the eye of the beholder (and that there are many different types of beautiful) to end than with the once shallow-playboy falling in love with his dumpy-assistant. I was never in favor of a full makeover because in my heart it would negate the entire message of the show. Of course everyone would love her if she turned beautiful by societies standards, but that was never what Ugly Betty was about. I think all of us Detty fans got our happy ending when Daniel chased Betty to London to begin his "new life." Because really let's face it, nobody is going to start a new life across a giant ocean unless you are doing it for love, or something close to it. And if you read the final "Letter from the Editor" on ABC.com that is clear to you as well. I know many people believed it would be too Cinderella-esque. But in my mind, a happily ever after in a world full of happily NEVER afters is a blessing.





I don't know if this blog makes any sense, or if it flows like I wanted it to, my point is that Ugly Betty was an amazing show because it had heart behind it and a lesson. If you can be entertained and walk away from the experience feeling like you learned a little something about being a better person, than maybe, just maybe, it changed you a little bit. It caused you to grow. And you didn't even realize it was happening =)

Like I said, this blog is dedicated to Ugly Betty, a show in my mind, that will loom forever in unconquerable existence. Thanks for entertaining and teaching me. Thanks for helping me to grow <3

Are Tattoos Still Taboo?

Be honest, what was your first thought when you saw that picture? Did the fact that he might be a businessman even cross your mind? What about a CEO, a banker, or a doctor? Tattoos have made incredible strides in the past few years toward becoming more mainstream and accepted. But is the popularity of tattoos a passing trend or a shift in culture toward acceptance? Tattoos are not the taboo subject they once were, but how close are we to abolishing the social stereotyping that comes along with this particular brand of art?

I don't have a bunch of research showing the statistics of hundreds of people who were surveyed answers, but I honestly don't think it is needed. I have two eyes and ears and I know the reactions of people around me when they see or hear about a tattoo.

I am probably not the most impartial person to write a blog about tattoos considering the fact that my brother has four and I am in the process of mapping out the ones I plan on getting sometime in the not-so-distant future. But then again maybe that makes me the perfect person to discuss them, with an open mind, and a (currently) untarnished body. So what makes people so interested in getting tattoos? Is it the ultimate form of self expression? The (from what I hear) addicting pain? A need to distinguish themselves from the crowd? An unquenchable thirst for a life just a little bit left of center? The answer?

ALL OF THE ABOVE

Every person is different, each a completely unique artwork made by the perfect, defined brushstrokes of God, so of course their reasons for getting tattoos vary. For some it may be a way to show the world who they are and the rules they live by, for others it is a way to honor a culture, an ideal, or a person that has touched their life in a significant way. And maybe some people simply like something and want to keep it close to them always.



I used to be completely addicted to a show called "Miami Ink." It centered around four tattoo artists out of South Beach (Miami), Florida. They are four of the best tattoo artists in the world: Ami James, Chris Garver, Chris Nunez, and Darren Brass. And the reason that I fell in love with the show was the stories as well as the art. I found it fascinating learning about the various reasons that people had for deciding on something so permanent. For some it was the mark of triumph over a terrible illness. For others it marked the end of an era of their life, or was a memorial to those they loved that were no longer with them. And when I watched these tattoos unfold before my eyes I was fascinated, enthralled even. I couldn't have looked away if I had wanted to. They were beautiful pieces of art that people could walk around with daily. Little reminders of what they had gone through and would continue to go through until the came to rest. I had never guessed that something so beautiful could be seen as wrong. How could everyone be so opposed to something so incredible, so gorgeous? I made this inquiry to my parents where they explained to me that it just didn't look right for people to go around with so many visible tattoos, it just wasn't seen as classy. I still didn't understand, after all it was art. Movable, intricate, and unique in design. It was living, breathing art, put on a canvas that got way more looks than a piece of white board sitting in someone's house unable to move about, to display itself.

I think tattoos are a refined taste. Maybe they are like art in that way. Some people love going to museums, studying various artists from Cezanne or Monet to Renoir, but it just isn't for other people. They'd much rather watch a baseball game, or go fly fishing. I think tattoos are kind of like that. Some people fall in love with the intricacies of the art form, the way a piece of art can move on the human body in a way it can't on canvas. The way in which the colors fade and sharpen with time. And the way each artist brings their own unique flavor to a piece, giving a completely one of a kind feel. But just in the way that baseball or fly fishing isn't for everyone neither are tattoos, and that isn't a bad thing. It isn't even reprehensible. Tattoos aren't for everyone.























In this day and age you see more people with visible tattoos than ever before. It has become completely mundane for a housewife in suburbia to have one. A business man in Atlanta or a politician in Washington, D.C. So you would think with all the face time tattoos are getting the negative connotation that comes along with them would soon be banished off somewhere into the background, but it isn't true. People will probably always look at you twice if you have a neck tattoo peaking up over your collared shirt at a job interview. If you get pulled over by the cops and you are covered in tattoos, chances are the cop is looking at you twice and wondering if you have a rap sheet. Is this kind of stereotyping fair? Definitely not. Is it going to be abolished overnight because a few people get tired of it? No. It sucks to think that nothing anybody does is going to change things, and it isn't true. But as long as humans have roamed this Earth stereotyping has existed, and I honestly don't think it will change anytime in the near future. So get a tattoo, or don't get a tattoo, but make whatever choice you make for the right reasons. Not because you think it's the next cool thing to do, because like big hair and parachute pants, all trends eventually fade.