A Farewell

"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

An excerpt from Conan O'Brien's Farewell Speech

A Year in Review

One year ago today I felt like a complete failure. I was lost. I wasn't sure what was next. The loss of one job, which I hated might I add, made me question myself and every aspect of my life. I was afraid of what people would think of me, especially the ones closest to me. Would they think I was a failure too? It is funny how the loss of one job can turn your world upside down when in all honesty it is really just a job. You get comfortable at that job. You are on a path. You are doing well, so you must be successful right? You have a "purpose" and then in an instant it is gone. Your world seems shattered. Your self confidence is crushed.

And then you slowly realize that at least you have people in your life that you care about and in turn care about you. At least you are healthy. At least for the most part you are happy, so why is it that this one loss is so life altering? It changes everything. It makes you re-access what is important, who is important in your life, and what really truly make your life better. It is a learning process. A day to day battle.

I can finally say that I am okay with failing. This past year I have learned more about myself, then I would have staying on the so destined path of adulthood. I am proud that I pushed through. I am proud that I changed my path. And for the first time in my "adult" life I am excited for what's to come.

I have to admit I think I might a germaphobe. I hate it when people put their bags on my desk. It grosses me out. This is my space. This is where my hands touch, my arms rest, where I do my work, so it really is gross when someone puts their bags, which might I add have been on the floor, on my desk. Maybe I am neurotic, but I don't have health insurance and don't want the swine, avian, or any other nasty sounding flu.

Sweet Dreams

Lou hiding under the covers, even when I tell him, "No!"

He thinks he is sneaky.

i carry your heart

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)


i probably have posted this before, but i love it. i read it probably once a week. it helps when you are missing someone.

Design Envy/Inspiration/Crush

Let it Be Me

There may come a time,
A time in everyone's life
Where nothin seems to go your way
Where nothin seems to turn out right

There may come a time,
You just can't seem to find your way
For every door you walk on to,
Seems like they get slammed in your face

That's when you need someone, someone you can call.
And when all your faith is gone
Feels like you can't go on
Let it be me
Let it be me
If it's a friend you need
Let it be me
Let it be me

Ray Lamontagne, Let it Be Me
It is important to hear this, especially this time of year when the skies are mostly gray and the winter blues are settling in.

Dear Guy that Offered to Return my Redbox DVDs,

Thanks to you I now paid a fee of $30 for your complete dishonesty. I was at first apprehensive for giving you the DVDs, but then felt guilty for thinking that someone would stoop so low as to offer to return my DVDs then steal them. But guess what? You did steal them. So not only did it cost me $30, but it cost my trust in strangers. I hope you enjoy the romantic comedies that you STOLE for the rest of your life. Really was The Proposal and The Ugly Truth worth it? I secretly hope they break your DVD player and maybe even your big screen TV that you spent lots on. As they say, "Karma is a..."

Sincerely,
The Stupid Girl that Trusted you were doing something nice

Vacation Envy

How fun would this be with a group of people?

Glowing Photographs

Click HERE to check out my first photography project of this semester.

Oh God, this weekend is gonna be gorgeous. It's supposed to reach almost 50 degrees on Saturday and possible heavy snow on Sunday. Gotta love New England. At least it is a 4 day weekend.

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

e.e. cummings

DIY

This is something I am definitely gonna try to tackle during my break from school in March.





Found on Design*Sponge.

Random Facts of the Week

1. We are heading towards a helium shortage in as little as eight years. No balloons? That's crazy.

2. The San Francisco Sea Lions have gotten lost and made their way to the Oregon coast. Who can blame them? Oregon is pretty amazing! :) (I have a minor obsession with seals, sea lions, otters...)

image

Away We Go

Verona De Tessant: Burt, are we f***-ups?
Burt Farlander: No! What do you mean?

Verona De Tessant: I mean, we're 34...

Burt Farlander: I'm 33.

Verona De Tessant: ...and we don't even have this basic stuff figured out.

Burt Farlander: Basic, like how?

Verona De Tessant: Basic, like how to live.

Burt Farlander: We're not f***-ups.

Verona De Tessant: We have a cardboard window.

Burt Farlander: [Looks at window] We're not f***-ups.

Verona De Tessant: [Whispers] I think we might be f***-ups.

Burt Farlander: [Whispers back] We're not f***-ups.

Gluttonous Post

Broiled Salmon with Herb Mustard Glaze
(Seriously Simple and Seriously Good)



2 garlic cloves
3/4 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary leaves
3/4 teaspoon finely chopped thyme leaves
1 tablespoon dry white wine
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoon whole grain mustard
nonstick cooking spray
salmon fillets
salt and pepper
lemon wedges


In a mini food processor, combine garlic, rosemary, thyme, wine, oil, Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard. Grind until combined, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl. Add remaining 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard and stir well. Set aside


Preheat the boiler. Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange salmon fillets on the baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil for 2 minutes. Spoon mustard sauce over fillets and continue broiling. Serve with lemon wedges.

Procrastination

I must admit I have been a bit of a procrastinator. Things I have said I have wanted to do, I haven't. So this year, I am going to try my best to complete those projects, check off those things on my list I have said I was going to do. I just need to decide which one to start with. I never really seem to make a big deal out of New Year's resolutions, but I think this is one that I need to stick to. If I can say I want to do it, then why don't I just do it already?

Dear Winter

Dear Winter,

We are trying our best to embrace you, but it is just so cold that we can't stay out for long. Please bring some warmer weather.

Thanks,
M&L

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

Pablo Picasso

I have a very vivid memory from first grade when Mrs. Duffy, my teacher (whom looked like a witch or maybe my memory is tainted), called me out in front of the whole class for not coloring in the lines. It was so embarrassing. She announced to the class that my brain was not fully developed. Can you believe that? I remember trying to do anything to blend in with everyone else from that moment on. There was no way that I would be called out like that again. What she didn't know is that I had been taught in preschool and kindergarten that coloring in the lines confined your creativity. I heard this quote last night in class and immediately this memory came to mind. It is sad that people feel the need to make someone feel inadequate for being different.

A little Inspiration

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley