Day 19 - 30 Day Challenge

Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them.

Maybe these were once blogs, and I'm not entirely sure, but here are some of my favorite sites (outside of Pinterst, of course).

1) sixsistersstuff.com

This is a great website for food ideas. They come up with really creative recipes that are quick and easy and fun, plus their food photography is always bright and yummy looking!

2) chocolatecoveredkatie.com

This is another blog turned to website. She is a creator of healthified versions of classic favorites like ding dongs, twinkles, cookies, and cakes. But she creates the recipes from healthy bases such as garbanzo beans or oats. She also likes to pay attention to the amount of refined sugar or other chemicals she puts in her food. She definitely inspired me to do more with my blog!

3) stylemepretty.com

I'm not sure if this was ever a blog but I love getting visual inspiration from this site. The colors and styles are always very light, airy, fun, and fashionable!

4) thesartorialist.com

Holy cow, this is an amazing fashion blog that I love looking at. While it may not be my style (as in I can't wear half this crap because I'm not nearly that thin) it's great inspiration!

5) thesmallthingsblog.com

This girl has adorable fashion and hair styling ideas that make me envious. Luckily, her style is very much like mine, but I just wanna know how she fixes her hair so well!

Day 18 - 30 Day Challenge

Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

Since I'm writing this kind of early (sorry, I knew I wouldn't have time while I'm in SF!), I'll write about a story that makes me a little nervous to get on an airplane.

Now, I've flown before; about 3 or 4 times down to Houston in the last few years, and I've flown once to Vegas when I was a kid. But if you ever hear me talk about getting on an airplane, you know how nervous I get. Here's why:

My step-dad was an ER nurse down in Houston. Some of the doctors that worked in the ER liked to have hobbies. One of the doctors was a former NASA astronaut. Another one was a pilot who had is own personal plane. It fit about 12-15 people.

One day, they had all planned on taking a trip down to a river. I have no idea what river. Mind you I'm about 4 or 5. All the doctors and nurses go, and they bring their families. So there are a handful of women, a bunch of men, and I may or may not be the only child.

Well, we spend the day at the river, some of them go tubing, I'm too small so I stay and play in the sand and dirt on the side of the river with my mom.

By the end of the trip we get back on the plane and head back to the airport.

On our way to the landing strip (we're about 10 minutes out I presume) the pilot/doctor starts talking about something going wrong. Now, I have no earthly clue what's going on, but I start seeing all the men running around trying to figure out what's wrong with the plane. Come to find out, the landing gear is stuck and the wheels won't come down. They try and try and try to get them unstuck, and I remember a guy climbing down into the wheel cargo to try and manually pushing them out to no avail.

So the pilot starts radioing the air traffic control people and they come to a conclusion that we have to crash land the plan. By this point my mom is having a heart attack and crying while I'm sitting there wondering why this ride is so bumpy. (Gotta love 4 to 5 year old me)

We start descending into an area of the landing strip with a bunch of grass, since that's what air traffic told the pilot to do. He lands us rather roughly into the grass and gets us out of the airplane.

By the time we got out of the plane, I remember there being black smoke EVERYWHERE. Billowing out of the bottom of the airplane, since we just skidded quite a few hundred feet on it. Then these men come running up to us out of no where wearing what I called ninja suits (they legit looked like ninjas!) and grabbed me and quickly assisted everyone else away from the plane just in case it exploded.

So that's a story from my childhood! Exciting, right?

Day 17 - 30 Day Challenge

A favorite photo of yourself and why.

Oh yay, I get to talk about myself!

Kidding! (Kind of)

This photo:

Why: This is one of two photos I have had taken of me in the last 4 years where I look totally and truly happy with where I am today. It's not a professional photo, it's not staged, and the photographer snapped the picture quicker than I had time to think. BUT! I just look so content!

Sometimes I don't believe this photo is me. I have rarely mentioned this, but when I was a child growing up (and I didn't realize this until recently), I didn't laugh or smile. It was just something that didn't happen in my household. And I remember practicing smiling when I was in middle school because I didn't know how to smile naturally. Happiness was not a common emotion. Also I got hit in the face with a see-saw when I was three so I have nerve damage. Self-esteem went right down the tubes when people pointed it out.

So seeing myself in this state (happiness) is just a beautiful thing. It shows my true self and I love it!

Day 16 - 30 Day Challenge

Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it.


Ok, so I had to Google this because I didn't understand what it meant. So I assume at least one other person won't know what it means either. It's a reference in the Bible (Genesis) when Abraham and Lot part ways because Lot doesn't believe in Abraham's knowledge of God. Lot continuously follows the wrong path and makes bad decisions and is constantly tortured for doing so. The idiom basically means "What I'm struggling with or my troubles in life."

So...

To me this means not following God's will that He has for me. The things I do against God's will, or forcing my will upon others or forcing my will to happen instead of my Higher Power's will.

That's a lot to take in!

I think everyone struggles with doing God's will. I personally think it can be very difficult to follow His will when I want things to go my way. Especially when His way is much more confusing and tribulating.

One major thing I am working to overcome is my self-righteousness. On the surface, one may not think that I am a self-righteous, selfish, self-centered person, but boy would you be wrong. My self-righteousness comes from me thinking I know what's best for everyone (including myself), and that everyone else makes the wrong life decisions no matter what. I can give you someone's character defect inventory quicker than you can sing the alphabet. I can tell you how you should live your life to become a happy, joyous and free person within seconds.

But in all reality, I sure as hell can't do any of that!

I've heard many many times that we are all God's children, and that He does not have grandchildren. I really like this saying because it reminds me that I am no one's director. I can't run other people's lives, I shouldn't run other people's lives, and in all honesty, I can't really run my life either. I am powerless over people, places and things for a reason. Because I am not God.

When I remember this, I become less self-righteous and self-centered. I accept people for who they are, regardless of what they are doing (right or wrong). I obtain compassion for people when I accept that I am no one's director. I become a softer person. I become understanding and willing to listen.

And in the end, when I follow this idea, I become the child that God wanted me to be.

Day 15 - 30 Day Challenge

A day in your life. (Include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)

It's definitely isn't a typical day, but I'll show you what I've been doing in San Francisco! 

 Awesome buildings outside my window. I woke up nice and early, 7am. 

 Got a DELICIOUS crepe and some plain black coffee at Crepes on Cole. So good. Loved people watching!

 I walked up and down hills that felt like Mount Everest. My feet a really sore, but it was just too much fun. I love exploring. 

 Then I got lost in what I now know was the Golden Gate Park. Beautifully green, very cool, and awesome scenery. 

 I found some awesome things in the park. It seems like they cut down trees (or they fall) and then turn them into benches and places to sit. 

 I went to the flower conservatory. It had AMAZING flowers and other exotic plants. 

 It also had butterflies! 

Then I met up with Caitlin for lunch at a grilled cheese restaurant, but I didn't take a picture. :/

Once I got lost enough and didn't want to walk anymore, I hoped on the Muni! 

I took a short break then ventured out to the underground. 

The last fun for the evening was going to studio tours! 

BUT, the coolest part of the whole day was... Riding on the trolley!!!

Day 14 - 30 Day Challenge

Ten things that make you really happy.

{These are not in hierarchical order.}

1. Food - We all know that I love food. Baking, cooking, eating, shopping for, researching, understanding, and on and on and on and on. It's just the best thing ever! Things can be so delicious and yummy and amazing. I can make anything I want and what's great about today is if I want to try something different, I can Google a new recipe in the blink of an eye.

2. Friends - I love my friends. Absolutely just love my friends. I've been trying to spend more time with friends lately, getting out of my house and taking a break from work. It's nice to have people to relate to, who can give you advice if you need it, or just listen to you when you're confused.

3. Shopping - I unfortunately absolutely love to shop shop shop. It's a horrible habit that I fortunately do not partake in on a daily basis. I'm trying to reel back my trips to Target, but they just have the cutest things and I can't help it! Fortunately during the summer they have hoochie clothes and I wouldn't be caught dead with my rear hanging out of a pair of shorts with a 1/2" inseam.

4. My future pug - I will die when I finally get to pick my puppy up. He has a name (I won't tell until I get him), I bought him a cute little collar yesterday (shopping!), and I just about die anytime I see a picture of his cute little smooshy face. Ack!

5. My boyfriend - It's true. When I get to see him, he makes me happy. Although we live together, it's a rare moment to spend a lot of time with him and it can be frustrating. But the time we do spend together is always fun and entertaining.

6. Traveling - I love love love traveling. I was fortunate enough to travel a lot when I was a child. My goal in the next few years is to go north. I've been everyone from Nevada to Tennessee and south, I've been to Mexico, Jamaica, and the Caymans, but I've never been north! So I'm starting off this goal with going to California TODAY! AHHHHH! I also want to make it to Europe and South America.

7. Dancing - I love dancing. Maybe it's the physical release of endorphins but I looooove going to dance parties. I'm talking about hardcore dancing, like Robotic Wednesdays (see what I mean) and Norman Music Fest mosh pit style. I can't stand the excitement I get when I know I'm going to one of these.

8. Sharing - This may sound odd, but I don't think it is. I love sharing things with my friends or even strangers. Whether it's an ounce of hope, a cookie, my experience, helping out, listening, giving, whatever. I love being of service. It keeps me sane and grateful.

9. Being active - As weird as THIS sounds because if you know me you know I rarely move from my office chair to my couch and I haven't worked out in a good 6 months. I like playing tennis, I like going outside, I like going to the pool, going places, running errands, moving around. I like to be busy and active. It drives me crazy when I sit at home with nothing to do. It makes me feel lazy and unproductive.

10. Life - I love life. That's all there is to it.

Day 13 - 30 Day Challenge

Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.

I already issued an apology about my behavior last year. If you haven't read it, well... just let it be known that I'm sorry I was an angry ball of fire for eight months and I'm sorry that I took it out on every human and inanimate being around me.

My other apology? A current apology about life today?

I'm sorry I'm so pretty. 

Okay, okay, kidding (kind of). Maybe I could apologize on being honest and real, but that seams silly, right?

Sometimes it's okay to apologize for something you have done wrong, but when haters hate, there is no need to apologize. It is literally in the Bible.

"So don't bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you." - Proverbs 9:8

I've learned that people who are rude are acting out in jealousy or fear. I don't like mean-spirited people, I've stated that before (Day 3, maybe?), but I don't have a problem when people are honest and speak from their heart. I try not to take people's rudeness personally. I also try to not say things I need to apologize about later. Most of the time when a comment is made and an amends is needed after, I am unfairly judging someone. My goal is to judge as little as possible. That's really hard sometimes, but I try my best! Progress not perfection.

Maybe I'm getting off subject here? I don't even know.

Anyways...

This is gonna end awkward...

So....

The End.

(not sorry!)

Day 12 - 30 Day Challenge

What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)

It is frequent for me to miss something from the past. I've done a lot of analyzing over the past few years, especially this last year, about why I miss things that have already gone by.

Let me tell you... I miss some weird stuff. I mean, we're talking about things that no one should miss. For example, sometimes I miss being homeless, sometimes I miss being poor, sometimes I miss living with my family, sometimes I miss old relationships with people, sometimes I miss the craziness that was my life back then.

Now you tell me why someone would every miss those kinds of things?

I can tell you why.

They were comfortable.

I got used to the chaos, the anxiety, the depression, the constantly worrying, the lack of consistency, and overall dreadful lifestyle I used to live. I got used to being miserable.

So when I realize that I have to change things, I dread the change. I've gotten used to how I've been living, and now it has to be different. I have no control over the things changing around me but when everything is chaotic... well... I can expect chaos. When things aren't chaotic and it changes, I agonize over why it has to change.

"I've gotten used to this lifestyle!" I think to myself.

"I just learned how to react to these things appropriately and now I have to experience new things and learn how to react to them."

I anxiously replay this pity mantra in my head over and over again.

I do miss the past sometimes. It is hard growing up, but.... no one ever said it would be easy.

But now I'm learning and growing to be a better person. Now I can realize why I miss these old things, but look forward to a new future. If I don't worry about the past or the future, if I live in the present, I will get along just fine and I won't have to miss anything at all.

Day 11 - 30 Day Challenge

Sell yourself in 10 words or less.

A passionate designer with a love for food and life. 

Day 10 - 30 Day Challenge

Most embarrassing moment(s). Spill.

My entire life is an embarrassment and I'd hate to bore you with details.

And to be frankly honest, I can't think of one that would be worthy of a long-winded blog post.

Upon reflecting what I consider to be embarrassing, I have to admit, most situations in my life are only embarrassing because my ego has been hurt or my feelings get hurt. In most cases I go home crying and then I forget about it by the end of the week. I've learned that these experiences are only embarrassing in my mind because I think I'm the only one to experience them, but that's usually not the case at all. As long as I remember that others have been through the same situation; and if they can get through it so can I.

Here is one story that I was told about many moons after it happened:

I was in the back seat of my step-dad's bronco and we were driving on some feeder road in south Houston. Mind you this is where I grew up and I was about 4 years old. We pulled up to an intersection and there was an African American man, homeless, asking for change. You know the kind, with the cardboard sign, looking really sad and tired, non-shaven, etc. I saw him out my window and *apparently* said, and I will censor this, "F***in' N*****." Oh you know, typical verbage coming out of a 4 year old's mouth. Well I'll tell you my mother was not thrilled about that. She asked me where I got that from, and I can't tell you if I said it was my step-dad who said it or not, but it was, in fact, him who I get it from.

I will say that I don't remember this at all. As a matter of fact, I HATE the N-word with a passion, and if I hear someone say it, I let them know it's not okay to say that in front of me, and I don't care if they are white, Hispanic, Asian, or black. I'm not embarrassed about this story per say, but I am ashamed that my parental figure would say something like this about someone and in front of their 4 year old child.

So that's my "embarrassing" story.

Day 9 - 30 Day Challenge

A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words.)

A moment in my day.

I feel like I should meditate more. I have seriously been considering this lately. Maybe have a few minutes to myself in the morning when I wake up instead of jumping right out of bead and rushing to get to work. I mean, don't get me wrong, I pray to God every day, and make sure to remember that I'm grateful for what I have. But I don't meditate.

A moment in my day so far.

I was walking into the living room to get to the kitchen to make some coffee this morning. It's about 8:30 and the sun is coming in through my eastern window, and it's quiet in my house. All I hear are the birds chirping, the wind blowing in the trees, maybe a plane flying over, and that's it. So peaceful. It's the things like this that make me so content with the world. I just relaxed. Now I'm sitting in the living room working, my music just quit playing, and I can hear the sounds of nature outside. What a miracle it is to be able to appreciate the little things.

When life gets busy, sometimes we forget the simplest things, like taking a moment to just breath and take in the beauty around us. Sometimes I forget that it's okay to be still. I forget to just stop and listen. But when I do remember, such as this morning, it's the best feeling in the world.

"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10 

Day 8 - 30 Day Challenge

A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.

I have two pieces of advice:

You are powerless over people, places and things.

- You can't figure out other people's problems, you can't solve other people's life crises, you can't change who other people are, you just can't. If you take this piece of advice, your life will become easier to manage. You are not a God or someone's Higher Power. You are you, and you are only in control of yourself.

Everything will be okay. 

- It's true. What you are feeling right now is not a permanent feeling. Your feelings will change and maybe you'll feel better or maybe you'll feel worse, but you won't stay feeling that way forever either. It might take days, weeks, or months but whatever you're going through will eventually subside and you will be okay.

Day 7 - 30 Day Challenge

What thing(s) are you most afraid of?

I just listened to a reading recently about fear. I couldn't tell you any of the exact words, but it basically said that the only thing fear did was hinder you from living.

Well, you can tell me that all you want, but those little 8-legged freaks called spiders are the worst thing to walk this planet.

Gross.

In all seriousness, the fear I have for non-physical things is what hinders me from living. I'm making progress though. These fears do not prevent me from living fully, but they are still there and I am willing to talk about them. I know many people have the same fears, and I think they are just natural.

For one, death. I know, I know, it's just a process in life. Life begins, it goes, it ends. I understand yet I don't understand. It's something I struggle with constantly. I didn't experience many people dying while I was growing up, and when I did, the experience was traumatic. One main example being when my great grandmother died. My mom wanted to take me and go to her funeral and my step-dad wouldn't allow us to go, so we had to end up missing her services. It's kind of like I didn't get to say good-bye, and it held a cloud of guilt over me. My experience with losses today are much different. When my grandfather passed away two years ago, I was surrounded by people who loved me and knew I was sad. The consoled me and told me it was okay to feel that way. I've learned that I'm not alone and I'm surrounded by dear friends who can hold me up when a loved one leaves.

A second fear is being stuck. I have a great fear that I'll get stuck somewhere that makes me miserable. Recently, my fear of being stuck in Oklahoma was very large. I don't want to get stuck in a dead-end lifestyle that will leave me unhappy, depressed, and just plain sad. If I turned this fear into an asset, I would like to think of myself as an adventurer. Even though I'm living in Norman for a while, I'll get the opportunities I might not have if I moved somewhere more expensive. Over the next few years, I want to travel and explore the U.S. and my first stop is San Francisco! Of course, I'm pretty happy here, so it's just an irrational concern. (Although I must say: I'd rather be in Texas.)

My third fear is being a failure. I have had this fear since I was a child. I have always thought that I would be a failure if I don't do exactly what I planned on doing. Fortunately, this is not the case. I've been able to see this fear as an asset. I strive to be persistent and hard-working which is seemingly hard to find in my generation. With this fear being turned into an attribute I have learned to be financially independent at a very young age. I became responsible at an age where most kids were siphoning money off their parents. It wasn't easy, but I appreciate the experience none-the-less.

My fourth fear... and it ties everything together... is not knowing the future. Who knows what's going to happen? I can't control the future and it drives me crazy! I just want to know exactly what happens right when it's supposed to happen. Of course, this is not how life works. I'm slowly accepting that I have to let things happen as they happen. The positive thing about not knowing what the future holds is just that: I don't know what the future holds. I would rather it be an exciting experience than a troubling one. I'm working on it!

Until then, I can only accept myself as I am today, and know that whatever happens, I'll be ok.

Day 6 - 30 Day Challenge

If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question: "What do you do?"

What DON'T I do?

I like to call myself a Renaissance Woman. I have basic knowledge of many things, and I like to take pride in that. Not many women my age can do the things I do, and I appreciate my own desire to continue to learn and grow. And since I'm on a roll with lists, we'll just keep going!

I:
Bake
Cook
Sew
Knit
Scrapbook
Throw clay (bowls, plates, cups, etc)
Make ceramic things
Make beaded jewelry
Etch (Lithography)
Screen Print
Design
Build
Craft
Am fashionable
Am learning to do food photography
Socialize
Paint
Sketch
Barista
Fix plumbing
Watch videos of pugs
Sing (in the shower)
Have been a model
Have driven a motorcycle
Can skateboard (kind of)
Rollerblade
Hike
Explore
Go on adventures
Blog
Make lists
Build puzzles
Read
Write
Play video games
Buy comic books
Shop

I could go on and on, but instead of reading this blog, come find me. Ask me a question about what I do. I'd be more than happy to talk to you in person!

Day 5 - 30 Day Challenge

Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real life friends or even a family member.

I won't lie, and maybe this sounds really egotistical, but I don't like to think that I "devote" myself to any person. When I think of devotion, I think of God. So I guess you could say I devote myself to God, my God, who has a plan for me whether I think so or want so. What makes Him great? He does for me what I cannot do for myself. He loves me unconditionally no matter what, even when I make mistakes. He is always there when I need Him, and even when I am not asking for help, He is showing me the way.

If there is a human that I look up to more than anyone else, there is one woman that has shown me experience, strength and hope. She has been my light when it was dark. She has loved me enough to tell me the truth. She has been there for me when my heart was broken, when I was shaking with anger, when I was jumping for joy. She has shown me how to live a happy life even when things are rough. She has proven to me that everyone makes mistakes, and to live and let live. Words can't describe my gratitude for this woman, but she knows who she is. The only thing I can do now is give the gift that I have been given, and pay it forward to the best of my ability. Love ya, D.E.

Day 4 - 30 Day Challenge

Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc.) and why you love it.

(Sidenote from yours truly: I could probably talk about 50 million quotes, but these are some of my recent favorites.)

About Work

The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. - Steve Jobs

Why I love this quote: It's totally accurate! You should really be able to enjoy your job and not stress or panic or get depressed when you wake up in the morning. I have had so many jobs where the basic thought of having to get ready for work would leave me looking like the saddest sack of potatoes. Fortunately, I went to school for a degree in what I love, and I am content where I am in my career.

About Life

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. - E. E. Cummings

Why I love this quote: When I was growing up, I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. Just crawling with shame, sadness, anger, and guilt. I was strong enough to face my biggest fears at a pretty young age (compared to most), and I have been given the unconditional love and support to find out who I am. Not everyone gets that opportunity!

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. - Proverbs 31:2

Why I love this quote: It's absolutely beautiful. This is a verse in the Bible that I try to remember on a daily basis. One day I will live this verse. Until then...

God's "no" is not a rejection, it's a redirection. - Unknown

Why I love this quote: I just do! God gives you what you can handle, he would never do anything to hurt you or hinder your potential. Most wrong-doings in my life were because I was not doing God's will, I was doing my own. This quote simply reminds me that just because I don't get things my way doesn't mean the right thing won't happen!

About Love

I love her and that's the beginning and end of everything. - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Why I love this quote: F. Scott Fitzgerald was a literary genius and a hot mess. His passion for writing and love are just astounding. I have a weird admiration for him. He was an alcoholic that would've easily won my heart had we been in the same time period. I pity his depression, I shake my head at his ego, and I swoon at his writing. Pretty much how I fall for men (in a nutshell). 

Day 3 - 30 Day Challenge

Things that make you uncomfortable.

Um... am I allowed to publish a book for this one?

There is much too much that makes me uncomfortable. But lists make me comfortable, so that's how I'll do this post. (This entire challenge might be formatted in lists. FYI.)

1. Attention.
That's right folks. Believe it or not, I do not like attention. I get horrible stage fright, I clam up in front of groups, I hate being asked to speak, I hate being a leader (especially when I don't know what I'm doing). I don't like it when someone compliments me, I don't like it when someone flatters me, and I especially get uncomfortable when I make a new friend and eventually have to show them who I really am. I put up this front when I'm around groups or strangers: "Look at me, I'm sarcastic and sassy, everyone finds that funny!" when in all reality I'm thinking: "Don't pay attention to my character defects! They make me uncomfortable, so I can only imagine you're judging me every moment you're around me!" In most cases I'm assuming this isn't true, but that's just what I do when I'm given attention.

2. Myself.
I make myself uncomfortable. Not as weird is it might seem because I think everyone has traits about themselves they don't like. I am not as uncomfortable in my own skin as I used to be. In fact, I have grown rather fond of myself in the last several months. But there is always something that I do, have done, or that I am not doing that I know should be taken care of. I'm a work in progress though, and I can only accept myself for who I am, even if I sometimes don't like it.

3. Feet.
Gross.

4. Blog Posts/Typed Messages/Etc.
I hate having to type things out via email, blog post, what-have-you. I am always considering that there will be that ONE person who won't quite understand what I'm trying to say. But people that read your blog won't comment or ask you what you meant, and then they'll judge you forever and ever for saying that one thing that you think you could explain differently if you had the chance to talk to them in person. Right? RIGHT?! But really, that is something you can't do anything with. They will comprehend it their own way and it's not your fault. That's hard to remember sometimes!

5. Bullying/Being Rude/Verbal Abuse
If you have known me long enough, you will know that I can not STAND it when people are mean spirited. I know sometimes I can be sassy (See #1) but I never mean any harm, and I definitely don't bring up said experience over and over to try to ruin that one person's confidence and/or self-esteem. I think that has something to do with how my step-dad raised me. He would make fun of my hair, say hurtful things about my complexion, slap my thigh and tell me I could use some exercise, and so on and so forth. That kind of thing can ruin you, especially as a child and even as an adult. I usually speak up about it unless I'm too afraid. But one person's comments can easily destroy confidence, and I won't have none of it.

6. Heat.
Literally the temperature outside. I used to love the heat, and I can still appreciate it when I'm going to the pool. However if I'm not at the pool, I'm usually melting and it's miserable and makes me super uncomfortable. Bleck!

7. Graphic scenes in movies.
I might go too far in this one, but I'll give a prime example of what is too graphic for me: Game of Thrones. That shit is just too much! The aggressive sex scenes, the violent murders, and most of it is just totally unnecessary. I know people love it, and whatever floats your boat, but no thank you.

8. When people ask me my views on religion/political topics.
I am a firm believer in whatever people want to believe in, let them believe in it. Some people believe in Buddha, some people believe in God, some people believe in the Devil, some people believe in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Well, to that I say: Enjoy yourself, because I don't care. I have my own views, and some things I don't have views on, but what I do believe in I have done much research and contemplating to get to that point. I will not tell you who I would vote for in the elections (if there were any coming up) and I don't care who you vote for. If you believe gays should be married, awesome, and if not, okay that's cool. If you think the only people that should live in America are white U.S. Citizens... well.... I'll probably just walk away.

9. When people ask me my views on art/music.
I feel like this is a total hipster move that people make. Trying to see if they know more under ground bands than you. Or how about those artists that you never heard of? My thoughts: Meh. There are millions of artists all over the world, and it's great that we both know who Andy Warhol is, but if you start spitting off obscure Japanese or Russian names, I will probably check out. I just want you to be inspired by the things you find and discover in the arts/music culture, and not be so busy comparing and judging other people's choices that you're ego is bigger than NYC. Also, if you like Train... please close my blog right now.

10. Sitting down or standing too long.
I'm just a very busy person and hate doing one thing for too long. It drives me crazy!

That's it for this post. If you've read the entire way through, kudos, here is the best GIF ever:

Day 2 - 30 Day Challenge

Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic).

Oh goodness. Sometimes it can be hard bragging about yourself. I'm good at being creative. I'll just make a list of things I enjoy and think I might be good at.

1. Design - I love design. I know the fundamentals of design and I do believe I am talented in the field. I know what I like and I stuck with it, which is something I'm proud of. I can do lots of things, too. Such as invitations, book design, and magazine design.

Bridal Shower invitation

Branding for a French bakery

 

Boyd Street Magazine

2. Crafting - I love crafting. To me, crafting includes sewing, knitting, making, etc.

An adorable pouch for things.

I made a cute 'n sassy apron.

Currently knitting a candy cane infinity scarf.

Book Making - All done myself, from binding to gluing to making the cover.

3. Ceramics - I enjoyed ceramics so much, I considered getting a Master's Degree in it!

Ceramic bowls - Rod's Bod glazed with Jake's Opalescent Blue

4. Food - I live for food. I bake, I cook, I eat.

Fresh fruit tarts with a cinnamon cream filling

Day 1 - 30 Day Challenge

I took this from a friend of mine on Facebook. I thought it would be interesting, and keep me on top of writing in my blog more frequently. Right now it's a hot mess of me pretending I know everything and everyone is wrong. I'm gonna work on that.

Day 1 - The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)

I was born a military brat in 1989 in Fort Carson, Colorado to a dad in the army and my mom. They soon divorced (they swear it's not my fault) and I went with my mom to Tyler, TX as a young baby. I lived there for 3 years until my mom remarried when I was 4 and we moved to Pearland, TX.

I was super weird and nerdy growing up (still am) and I never fit in. I had glasses by the age of 8, I was always overweight, my step-dad claimed we were poor, and I never really enjoyed being a child. I lived in an unhealthy environment and most of the time I was scared of my step-dad and his abuse. I hid in books and movies, and I dreamed that maybe one day I'd wake up and be a mermaid or princess. At some point I strongly believed I was an alien from mars.

I moved to Norman, OK in 2001. I hated just about every second of every day up until 2009. I was the weird one (still), I was still overweight, I was always picked on, and I always caused trouble. My mom and step-dad divorced in 2009 (possibly the best decision ever). I graduated Norman North High School in 2007. Things drastically changed when I met the worst boyfriend on the planet in 2009. On the bright side during that relationship I learned much and gained much that changed my life and I will be eternally grateful. I graduated OU just last May. Now I'm being a grown up and working a full time job.