Open-mindedness!

Being open-minded is an interesting concept. Just how "open" should one be? I'm very willing to listen to people's opinions, and every once in a while I go ahead and try something new. BUT the world is loving the concept of open-mindedness! Now it seems we're trying to make EVERYthing allowable. Just because it's "popular" then it should be "okay." Afterall, nobody wants to go against the grain anymore. They call it freedom of speech, freedom to act... bla bla! BUT it's this same so-called "freedom" that is crippling so many people. We all need rules, some kind of rules in our lives. Every nation/establishment/institution needs some kind of rules and standards to live by.  This is why presidents are chosen by the people for different countries (well, at least the ones that actually pay attention to democracy), leaders are chosen in organizations, vows are made in marriages ... etc! We all need some kind of standard to live by. Although compromise is necessary in some situations, it's never right to compromise one's integrity! I thank God for freedom... but I try not to abuse what it truly means!

I'm not quite sure where exactly I'm going with this blog post but I guess i'm just a little peeved about how certain things are deemed "acceptable," that are fundamentally destroying the human race, and blurring the lines between humans and other animals! Respect is very key in all human relationships! And we are called to love one another - the greatest commandment. We can never change situations we are willing to tolerate!... and yes, it starts with the little things and our day-to-day relationships!

Random musings.. just through to share :-)

Much love,
xoxo

I believe I can fly :-)

The Other Woman...

"Affairs, adultery exist in a realm of lies. He lies to her, he lies to you, he lies to himself, you lie to the world, you lie to yourself and then you cry to yourself because there will be nobody left to lie to." - E. Onu


Read full article here. Very well written piece!!

Intuition by Lami

“To find love, you’ve got to define love... 
‘Cos see the definition specifies the destination of a search that lies ahead for each heart;


The seed of love is birthed when the soul identifies  the need for it. I have been in places so far from what I craved. Behaved in ways I scared true love away.


Pretended I had figured it out when sincerely I was on the wrong route, heading for loneliness and second best alternatives, cheap substitutes for the real thing. 


Love is hidden not so it can’t be found but so that it can be embellished. Love does not want to be taken for the mistake or romantic notion that it can be created or depicted by a  rose.


Love is what it says it is... Not some teenage disease that communicates with a kiss. 


Love is undeniably a daughter of truth and a brother to hope. 


Love deserves to be known but will only be introduced by, and to none other, than the one who is willing to learn exactly what love is. 


Love is committing suicide to your past and letting the present breathe in you.


Love is smiling yet in the face of No, believing when the rhyme of reason and the melody of reality inscend to lose faith in the very moment when science translates to Joy. 


Love is singing the same song to a changing heartbeat, humming a familiar tune to an evolving reason to sing....because the soul knows that entertaining the possibility of a possibility opens up the painful wound of doubt, which abuses the unadulterated accuracy of love. 


Love is talking, not telling.  
Love is listening, not hearing.  
Love is learning, not knowing. 
Love is being, not feeling. 
Love is all that it claims to be. 
Love is who I live to be. 
Love is everything to me. ” 


- Lami (Spoken word - Love, Album - Intuition)


Album Review: Ladybrille


Get Album or listen to Snippets: NotjustOk

...

I'm so glad it's December... 'cause I get to go home and be with my family!!!... but then there's something bitter-sweet about the year ending. It's amazing how when you're closer to the end of something it feels like it flew by so quickly... and yet you remember the days you couldn't wait for... how some days seemed to drag on longer than others, how it seemed like some trials would never come to an end... and the joy that came with the realization that you'd "conquered" another day/trial. 2009 is definitely going down in my books as "............" I can't decide/define what as! I guess I still have about 3 weeks before the year's over so I'm gonna make the most of it - So help me God!!!!

I'm happy!!! - did i say that yet?! :)

Have a blessed Sunday!!

I did it!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!!!!!!!

I ran the half-marathon this morning!!!! I'm so proud of myself for sticking with it! I was a little worried 'cause I bought my new running shoes while waiting for the sprained ankle (see previous post) to heal... and just when I thought I was ready to run again - I got a horrible cold! It seemed like everything was conspiring against my race! And then I had to travel to 2 diff states shortly after recovery so I got to run maybe 3 times altogether before the day of the marathon! BUT I made it :D My average time per mile was worse than it had been before my "injury" but I still made it in good time... lots of folk behind me when I got to the finish line... hehe!

God is good! I'm thankful for so many many things, I can't even begin to count my blessings. It's been a revealing year for me and God has brought me through every little trial!! He keeps teaching me things about myself, constantly intercedes on my behalf, guides me through the toughest of decisions... even when I try to be stubborn! Baba mi tobi loba!

I ache all over from the running...but it's time for some turrrkeeeey!!!!

until next time... xoxo ;)

image via

Morning Rant: DAMN the shoes!!!

So, last week I went running and got a major ankle sprain after a few miles. I assumed I over-exerted my foot and perhaps it might have something to do with the random flats I wear on the daily. Wrong!

The pain in my foot was completely gone as of a couple of days ago, so I went running. After running just over a mile, my foot started to hurt again. Once again, I just assumed the poor foot just wasn't ready for the run... so I limped back to my car and headed on home. That was a couple of days ago.

So... since then, I've been up and about, living pain-free. I've primarily been wearing my boots (it's cold y'all) and my foot seemed perfectly fine. Did quite a bit of walking yesterday, came home and felt no pain. So once again, like i usually do, I set my alarm for 6:20am (even though I didn't finally close my eyes 'til 2am last night), got up, got dressed, got in my car, and drove to school for my victory run! Now, I run in an indoor track because it's quite cold out (especially in the morning) and parking is about 0.4miles from the building... so I get a "warm-up" walk before and after my run. Anyyywhoo, I'm all dressed and pepped up to go running. I've got my pep music (Freestyle - Don't stop the rock) ready to go, and I'm walking to the building.

But wait.. is that pain i feel in my right foot? Naaah, it's fine. I'll keep walking. No, I think that's actual pain. Wait, am I limping to the building now? Shit - I'm freaking limping! Great... how the heck am I s'posed to run an hour if I can't freaking walk? But.. but.. everything was fine yesterday and I walked quite a bit. But, Oh, I was wearing my boots - not these damn shoes! Oh shit, it's gotta be the shoes! Farrrrrrrrrrrk, do i need new running shoes? I guess I do! Crapdammit! Now I have to limp back to my car? Urrrgh - I could have slept a few more hours! Urrrgh, the half-marathon is in less than 2 weeks now and I'll never be ready! Crap crap crap!

Rant done! *researching running shoes*

wish me luck...

image via

Dream on dreamer...

"Hold fast to your dreams,

for without them life is a broken wingled bird 

that cannot fly"

-Langston Hughes

I forget my dreams ever so often... and everything starts to seem pointless. I find myself measuring my achievements through the eyes of others, forgetting that we don't have the same dreams or goals. I lose focus and I covet. But somewhere deep inside, I know I don't want what they want/have. But in those few seconds/minutes, common sense eludes me and I find myself longing for a dream that was never mine. Thankfully, this isn't a permanent state of mind!

It may seem simple to you but I only dream of being happy. Truly happy! Surrounded by the ones I love - growing in love daily. Life gets so complex with time, that we find ourselves locked in a state of misery we created with our own words & actions... forgetting the simpler things that once brought us joy. I never want to get to that point. I'll stop, I'll listen, I'll pray and I'll look forward to each day knowing it's a day God has made (so I will rejoice and be glad in it!)

We dream for a reason. God puts dreams in our hearts and the ability to achieve them. Every person is different and special.  The moment we forget that, we steal the dreams of others and don't realize 'til we fail in some way, that the dreams were never ours to take.

current state of mind :\

Happy Monday!

I randomly stumbled upon some of Dr. Phil's life laws online. While i might not agree with them all, here are some that I feel are true:

• You cannot change what you do not acknowledge
• We teach people how to treat us
• There is power in forgiveness

So true!

shoulda coulda woulda.... ctrl + alt + delete

A lot of times in life, we say "if i knew then, what i know now... " ... or "i wish i could take it all back" and many things to that effect. Basically, many of us, at different times in our lives, have wished for some BIG ERASER that would take care of our mistakes in life. I guess my question(s) would be this : Would you want to erase an entire memory.... and all that came with it? Delete the good along with the bad? Delete all the lessons learned? I, for one, know that I wouldn't! I know it's okay to make mistakes in life as long as you learn from them and work towards avoiding such mistakes in the future. It's all part of life's journey - the lessons learned! If everything worked out perfectly and we always had an "edit button," life would be so boring and unreal! The hardest but most important thing is forgiving others and forgiving ourselves... and then we can move on with life! That's just my 2 cents. What say ye?!

Music... Again

I love this song... I remember listening to it and thinking i could actually identify with the words. Mind you, i wasn't even a teenager when the song came out so I had nooo clue what she was feeling.

Listening to it now though... I guess i could somewhat identify :)

...

Quotes...

"When people show you who they are, believe them!"


"I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, 
people will forget what you did, 
but people will never forget 
how you made them feel."

- Maya Angelou

and the beat goes on... and on!

It's November!!!! wow, I know i keep saying this but it seems like the year is flying right by. I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. A part of me is super-stoked and part of me wishes the year would slow down a little bit so I could get a lot more done. *SIGH*

It's 22 days to half-marathon!!!! I still have quite a long way to go with my training but I'm pushing myself twice as much now. It's kinda crazy having to wake up at 6:15/6:30am in the fall (it's freeeezing in SC - typically about 30F when i'm leaving home in the morning) to go running! Heck, it's hard enough getting out of the house to go running when the weather's perfect. But i'm not complaining - I gave myself this assignment and it's quite satisfying to know that I've gotten a 5mile run out of the way, showered and had breakfast by 9am! I feel kinda.. umm... brand new? lol.

I actually added some yoga now to my workout routine....so I'm gonna be doing yoga every other day. So far I've had 2 yoga "classes" and they went okay - could've been better. It's kinda hard getting back into it after months of cheating on it with running :) But I like the fact that it gives me a good stretch, amongst other things, especially after a long run. Am I doing too much? I guess i'll find out within the next week. I got a sprained ankle after about 4 miles of running this morning and i pushed myself to the 5th mile thinking it'd go away... and now i'm limping! lol....it hurts like &*(^%($ but i'll be fine. I'll ice it when I get back home later in the day!!!

**cheese alert** Oh, I told boyfriend i'll blog this so here goes - I love that he calls me randomly, out of the blue, just to say "I love you, I appreciate you". He actually says it everyday but every once in a while he specifically stops to tell me that he appreciates me. He said "It's easy to take things for granted when it's been a while... but everyday I realize i'm living my dream with you." It's been almost 6yrs now that we've been dating *gasp* ... (1yr if you actually just count face-time - lol!) ... but thankfully, it feels nothing like it! I still look forward to our tomorrows :) **cheese done**

What else? what else?! ... are there times in your life when you specifically feel like God is interceding on your behalf? I mean, i know constantly know this, somewhere at the back of my mind, but there are specific days when it's sooo apparent - it's staring me right in the face! I see nothing but God's love... TODAY is one of those days! I feel extra blessed and no, I didn't win the lottery or get a new car or anything like that. I just woke up! Thank you Lord!

Ok, i'll get back to work now. A lot to accomplish and the year is running away.... *stooop!*

xoxo
;)

just 'cause...

• just 'cause it's common DON'T make it right!
• just 'cause it's new DON'T make it cool!
• just 'cause you say it DON'T make it gospel!
• just 'cause it's faded DON'T make it retro!
• just 'cause it's dark DON'T make you Goth!
• just 'cause it's wacky DON'T make you amusing!
• just 'cause it's got big words DON'T make it a smart read!
• just 'cause your skin's got color DON'T make you exotic!
• just 'cause you say/do nothing DON'T make you innocent!
• just 'cause you ain't hurt a fly (yet) DON'T mean you won't!
• just 'cause you read big books without pictures DON'T make you a philosopher!
• just 'cause you go to church DON'T make you a Christian!
• just 'cause you're well versed on all religions DON'T make you tolerant!
• just 'cause I choose to say "DON'T" instead of "DOESN'T" DON'T make me a dullard :p

*~2:30am musings! bite me!

IT'S OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL! Let the Countdown begin!!

I finally registered for the Half-marathon on thanksgiving day!!! I'm super stoked... perhaps I'll go one step further and run the marathon next spring - who knows?!!

26 DAYS!

"Today, if you become frightened,

Instead Become INSPIRED!"

-Grey's Anatomy

...and friday cometh!

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite songs by Alanis Morissette - Head Over Feet



I absolutely love the song! And I totally agree with what she says when she's done singing:

"when relationships get healthier and healthier we somehow equate it with not being as passionate and as sexy and i've come to realize that it's sexier when there's less drama. It's been better!... and when i wrote 'head over feet' about this particular person it was the first time I actually had a glimpse of what it would be like to be in love and have it be something that was inducing of heart palpitations and at the same time i could spend minutes and actually not think about this person and it was very new to me. So whenever i sing head over feet, I think about this person basically..."

Been listening to Alanis most of today. I wonder where she is these days?!?!

Anyways, just thought I'd share!

One more day to the end of October! wow!... So much to get done before the end of '09.


LET'S GO!!!

Winner takes it all...

I guess I'm all Ol' School today! I tried to find a video of the original song by Abba but alas, they never made a video so I figured I'd use the one from the Mamma Mia movie. I've been listening to ABBA greatest hits and most of the songs take me back to childhood days singing at the top of my lungs to these songs with my Mama. We actually just got the album again a couple of months ago and played the songs on repeat during a long-distance drive. Good times! Now I miss my mama terribly 'cause i can totally see her belting out the songs :)

if my soul could speak...

"If my soul could speak, 

the words would dry your eyes when you weep. 

Your sad moments would become last week, 

its voice would raise you when you're weak, 

and while you sleep, 

my thoughts will reverberate within your minds walls,

 as my soul speaks soothing words to yours….

"Everything that’s mine is yours,

 and you, you're my everything and more." " 

-C. Ifeozo

Music Thursday!

This song has been singing in my head all morning... even though until i searched for the video i can honestly say I haven't heard it in YEARS!!! Gosh, just watching the video reminds me of muuuch simpler times in life when there was little on my mind.

...

 

(by annabelle cook)

The Proposal!

This part cracks me up so hard!.... enjoy :)

...

Seasons Of Love...

I remember the first time i heard this song.... i thought it was absolutely beautiful and so true! How exactly is one's life measured?...


lyrics:
525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear,
525,600 minutes - how do you measure,
measure a year? 
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee... 
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife...
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?
How about love? How about love? How about love? 
Measure in love; Seasons of love.

525,600 minutes! 
525,000 journeys to plan...
525,600 minutes - how can you measure the life of a woman or man?

In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried...
In bridges he burned, or the way that she died.
It’s time now to sing out, tho the story never ends 
let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends...
Remember the love! Remember the love! Remember the love! 
Measure in love! Seasons of love! Seasons of love.

Don't stop believing...

....hold on to that feeling!!

...

via flummoxedbird

Song that's stuck in my head...

ok, don't judge me but I absolutely love this song. And yes I know it's by the Jonas brothers but the simplicity of the guitar chords and the lyrics... i love!... So go 'head and listen - you know you want to :)
(excuse the corniness of the video... afterall they Are disney stars and the video's off an episode of their show)

Rules of the game!

Nobody ever read the rules of the game

The rule page was torn out but we thought we didn't need it
Common sense and honesty should take care of things
We'll define the rules as we go along
But what happens when we can't agree on the rules?
Do we quit the game or act like we're okay - perhaps compromise?
Or do we pick another game and decide on the rules from the start?
Who defines what's fair? Is there ever a final say?

The fight!

Ok, so maybe I totally pissed on 2009 in my post before last - I guess I was in my angry/self-pity place. It hasn't been all bad! In fact, it started off pretty well, I'd say. I officially became a PhD Candidate this year, my sister got married, I gained yet another niece, I got waaay more visits from family and friends this year... and God has been awesome in many different ways that I can't even begin to mention. And yes, I know I did nothing to deserve any of it. I guess a part of me sometimes adopts a feeling of entitlement to things I've barely worked for and in my human nature I get upset when they don't quite work out as I expect. Yes, I just came to the realization a few hours ago that i'm being a big baby! Of course I'm supposed to grieve the loss of dear ones and everything else in between, but sitting in my little corner and feeling sorry about everything won't get me where I need to be in life. So fine, I'm willing to fight for those things that are important to me. Of course I'd really rather not, but if the need comes, I'll fight instead of cowering in the corner and doing nothing like I've found myself doing sometimes.

Ok world... LET'S GO!!

fortune cookie time!

I usually end up trashing fortune cookies whenever I order chinese because (1) I don't particularly care for the taste; and (2) I don't really care to know my "fortune" according to a baker(y)

BUT

I have no snacks at home and I really really needed something to go with my blueberry green tea, So I reached for the damn cookies (just 2:)) and here's what they had to say:

- Now is the time to try something new. (isn't it almost always?)

- You will be wise not to seek too much from others. (so true! where was this damn cookie months ago?)

OCTOBER!!!

Wow... i've been the laziest blogger... ever! October's MY month dammit and I'm taking what i can. I just turned 26 about a week ago *gasp* and so far, nothing! It feels like an uneventful age, but i did have an absolutely fabulous birthday - thanks to family, close friends & especially boyfriend :) He actually found a way to make SC not suck much and this birthday will go right up there in the books with the good/great ones. I'm thankful for another year of life and love and I know i'm surviving simply on God's grace 'cause I've done nothing to deserve anything I have.

Other than that... as i said, it's mid-october, and getting closer and closer to the end of 2009 and I'm really not sure how I feel about that. This year has been a TRYING year for me and my loved ones... just one thing after the other! One of my closest uncles just passed away a few days ago and I'm still really trying to get it to sink in. He was such a beautiful human being with an absolutely pure heart - always there, always helpful, almost always smiling. He was truly like a father to many of us and a fantabulous friend, and I know i can easily say for many that he will be sorely missed! I still don't really understand life & death and everything in between. Every once in a while, beautiful things happen and you meet people that make you feel like everything makes sense and just like that... in a flash.. something happens and NOTHING makes any sense anymore! I've been very blaah in the past few days - exhibiting major symptoms of fatigue even though i've barely done anything that would cause me to be remotely tired. I know it's all mental fatigue but I can't quite figure out how to shake it. Don't get me wrong, it's not depression or anything like it... it's more like the teenage-rebellion- what's the point to life and all the shit we go through - type shit! Even my thoughts are now conflicting - *sigh!*

I'm not giving up on 2009 yet. There are 2+ months left and I know that God is going to surprise me and mine in a major way! I thank God for all He's done and all He's doing BUT there've been too many tears & broken hearts... somehow we keep getting healed but we (I) need more!

Oh, and did i mention that it started snowing 2 days ago. SNOWING! In Mid-October... like, REAL SNOW....not fluff!

image via overflowing

...

via icanread

...

...

"When the eagles forget how to fly; when it's 20 below in July; and when violets turn red, and roses turn blue...I'll be still in love with you." - Brian Mcknight

...

Lord I come to you
I ask you to grant my request
The Prayer I pray today is different then the rest
The Enemy is threatened by the gift you've placed in me
Hear my earnest prayer, cover me

Jesus Say a prayer for me
You know what I need
Go before the father and intercede for me
The Enemy desires to sift me as wheat
but like you did for Peter, Say a prayer for me

For those who you've called
you fully equipped
To fight the wind and the waves
to captain the ship
So I don't mind the storm
I'm willing to sail
God cover me that my faith won't fail

(Say a Prayer - Donal Lawrence/Faith Evans)

This song is soooo ministering to my right now! *sigh

Don't Stop Believing :)

Song that's stuck in my head: "Don't stop believing... hold on to that feeling!" (By Journey) .... I even have a random pathetic dance to go with it in my head, air guitar playing and all!

Please & Thank You!

I'm a major advocate for saying "please" when you need something, and "thank you" when someone does something for you, no matter how little. My mama taught me right... so I (almost) always say my "please" and thank you."

I believe it's a simple sign of respect and appreciation when you say those two little words. That being said, I now realize that it's easy to say those two words in an insulting or unappreciative manner and THAT especially pisses me off. Examples:
1) "Could you please get the f*&^ng door? Thanks!"
2)"Please do a, b, c, d, e, f, g & z... Oh, and then r!" ... (then 5 hours later) "what were you thinking doing a, b, c, g & h? undo it please, Thanks!"
.... and the list goes on

I guess the summary is that if you're a douche-bag, then be who you are! Otherwise, say your please and thank you and appreciate the little things and the "little" people around you.... and every once in a while go out of your way to find out what you can do for them!... and then they can thank You for something for a change :)

Music Playlist...

My new favorite thing is "genius" on the ipod...I'm not sure why i never really used it before. But now i totally love not making my playlists on my own. But every once in a while it goes off on its own tangent with music. Like, for now, I started a genius playlist with Chrisette Michelle's song, Golden, and almost every song on the playlist is about heartbreak/lost love. Some of the songs include: Bad Habit (Destiny's Child), I Sit Away (Boyz II Men), Victim of a Foolish Heart (Joss Stone), What Were We Thinking (Joss Stone), Talking in His Sleep (Toni Braxton), Wreckless Love (Alicia Keys) ,Time (Neyo), In Love With Another Man (Jazmine Sullivan), Can U Help Me (Usher) .... and honestly, i didn't even know i had half these songs on my ipod. I actually have never heard some of them. hehe! but alas, the music got me feeling all heartbroken/in love/ "insert silly feelings here," and i was like wtf?!? The power of music! Me thinks i'm gonna switch to some more upbeat, bubble-gum, techno-type music instead.

ok... just thought to share...

more studying to be done :)

click songs for lyrics.. lol

Case of the mondays...

waiting...

everybody's waiting
for someThing, someOne, someDay -
the perfect time, the perfect one, the perfect day...
and in that process, we lose Today
and tomorrow we start again - trying to find our way
and if we fail we start the cycle again
forget today, let's wait - we'll wait again!

image via rlketcham
words via me

Yes!!!

Season 3 of Mad Men starts today!

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! *hop, skip, hop*

Oooo oo oo Oooo oo oo!

lol :)

writing...

that's soo true!! The few times i'm actually completely honest about my feelings in my writing, i either tear up (or delete) whatever it is, leave it anonymous, or act like it was written by someone else. Either way, writing is my way of communicating with myself sometimes... lol, that way i'm not actually speaking out loud to myself but i'm getting whatever "it" is out there! It helps me put things in perspective most times. Then again, writing makes you so totally transparent to the world and i guess that's why people typically over-exaggerate or downplay stuff. Odd - I know!

The rules of engagement

"All persons entering a heart do so at their own risk. Management can and will be held responsible for any loss, love, theft, ambition or personal injury. Please take care of your belongings. Please take care of the way you look at me. No roller skating, kissing, smoking, fingers through hair, 3am phone calls, stained letters, littering, unfeeling feelings, a smell left on a pillow, doors slammed, lyrics whispered, or loitering. Thank you."
- via i wrote this for you

lol, just read it and thought it was rather interesting... the randomness that is the heart and the things we put it through!

45 Lessons of Life!

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me... It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will.. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others.. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ’In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

One day at a time...

I don't quite get it but I'm quite "blaah" when it comes to my research these days. Seeing as i'm currently working on my PhD, the research is All i need to do... it's what i wake up to do daily... but i've totally lost my drive and I don't know how to get back into it. And it makes life pretty annoying, seeing as it's what i need to "get out of the way" in order to move on with life but i'm really really not feeling it anymore. I'm literally taking it one day at a time. I feel like I just need to get through each day and hope all the work gets done somehow. I keep waiting for the "light bulb" moment where everything clicks, and there's "halleluyah music" in the background and I suddenly love what I'm doing again and I can't wait to get up in the morning and get to it and... and... and... I've been waiting for that day for over a year now and it's getting TIRED!
Options are as follows:
a) quit the PhD dream
b) switch research to something i'm interested in (but what if i lose interest in that, or it takes another 3 years out of me)
c) run off to some exotic island and start a fruit/coconut/bikini business (and/or)
d) hit the reset button wherever "it" all went wrong and get a do-over

frankly, i like options c & d...as unreasonable as they are :p

Ok, this is the point where i quit whining and get back to work... and you say a little prayer for me.

i'm back *yawn!*

My blogging has been highly inconsistent this month but for good reason :) I had some family over most of the month (3 weeks) and it was pure bliss! For the first time in forever, i actually was having fun in SC. There was actually something to look forward to daily in SC- outside of school work, research and gyming. I got to play outdoors and explore some of the parks around here. Fun times!

But now they're gone, so I'm back to living in my virtual reality. Everyone's a phone call, email or gtalk away... sucks ass!

In other news, i'm training for a marathon... weeehooo (lmao, this should be fun!) ... if i can't quite cut it (will review in a month), i'll focus more on training for a half-marathon. For now, lets aim high, shall we? I'm so stoked!

my research isn't going as great/quick as i had expected it would this summer. All prayers are welcome!

i'm gonna attempt being slightly more social this summer and go for 2 things (both very PG/U rated) i've been invited for this week. *gasp* ... let's see how it goes. Maybe i'll actually enjoy my last year in this .... place! *fingers, hands, legs and toes crossed* - wish me luck :)

...

I see the water all around on the ground
- it keeps rising and it won't stop
and the people all around me drowning
- keeps rising and it won't stop
See the rain keeps falling down
- water rising and it won't stop
and the people can't find solid ground
- the water rising, and it won't stop
but i'm sitting on the rooftop
don't you know i'm sitting on the rooftop!

I see the whole world sinking around me
As long as i've got you, ain't nothing can drown me!

- Sitting on the Rooftop (Rooftop MCs, M.I, Jesse Jagz)

loves it!

Hear my voice oh God

In my prayer

Preserve my life

From fear of the enemy

Hide me from the secret counsel

Of the wicked

From the insurrection

Of the workers of iniquity

-Psalm 64

:)

New Season...

It's a new season
It's a new day
A fresh anointing
is flowing my way
It's a season of power and prosperity
It's a new season coming to me!

...and so the 2nd half of 2009 begins :)

"Forget the former things,
do not dwell on the past."
- Isiah 43:18