tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169510219802143072024-02-18T22:05:56.932-04:00An Optimist's AlcoveThe Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-48227295431059122072011-07-27T18:35:00.001-04:002011-07-27T23:58:59.654-04:00Expecting A Call?<b>Recently I have fallen in love with all things vintage,</b> and unfortunately for my bank account, a new little antique store has opened up right across the street. With new items coming in every week, exploring has become one of my favorite pass times. Just a few days ago I walked in to find this piece and it was love at first sight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtg6BkQwfJpejJtpDufzxattK-g55iziny0f0sqaK11HZJNsiVOUJ1m8lyXYVlr6Kl00URXTHqsxN6yqyxUrzyQLzHg1oQoqMq1cGjDbil4QYa25lPJpxVCwp42gEZ0-g0wMKkdrBgERf/s1600/P1000727-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtg6BkQwfJpejJtpDufzxattK-g55iziny0f0sqaK11HZJNsiVOUJ1m8lyXYVlr6Kl00URXTHqsxN6yqyxUrzyQLzHg1oQoqMq1cGjDbil4QYa25lPJpxVCwp42gEZ0-g0wMKkdrBgERf/s320/P1000727-3.JPG" width="210" /></a></div>
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Who wouldn't fall for this cute little phone bench? I wonder who has used it and what sort of important calls were made from that incredible orange seat!<br />
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Currently I'm doing some research on restoring antiques because, as flashy as the orange-and-nautical motif is, I think it needs a little updating... will post photos of the finished product, but I just couldn't wait till then to share my find!<br />
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Ring, Riiinnnnng,The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-70656700455104154952011-07-27T17:52:00.002-04:002011-07-27T17:54:11.237-04:00Stuff I Like: An Optimist's Soundtrack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8LnYmuwL0RQJ5IzgdeRWtpLYeJcG8I6OkF3_P6IKmzGLVctzS53zvqyCCxFpAXgD4j2dfkc8N4tgXF7gaf-fqQdUhDSE0lUeznYJgFNrWpYxEO1nn4euvVru9md6bXo-JZP-D61gMJSh/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8LnYmuwL0RQJ5IzgdeRWtpLYeJcG8I6OkF3_P6IKmzGLVctzS53zvqyCCxFpAXgD4j2dfkc8N4tgXF7gaf-fqQdUhDSE0lUeznYJgFNrWpYxEO1nn4euvVru9md6bXo-JZP-D61gMJSh/s200/images.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<b>Silence is golden, but music is something so priceless. </b>Whenever people ask me what type of music I like, I never know how to answer. I'm not the type to seek out new artists or browse iTunes looking for the latest hits... no, I like music that touches my emotions. Ask my college roommate - once a song struck a cord with me it was set on repeat for a month!<br />
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That being said, when my friend <a href="http://keturah-laurel.blogspot.com/">Kettie</a> told me about SterioMood, I was ecstatic! This free sight allows members to create playlists based on the mood you're in!<br />
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.... And wouldn't you know it, there is a playlist titled<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/optimistic"><i><b>OPTIMISTIC</b></i></a>!</span></div>
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Check it out the next time you are in a sour mood, or if your silence is a little less than golden :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/optimistic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwj7NKcyukN3AydfRK_PVOXQ35j-_cSKvqUaPzDs7agFhqM-AlMl3F2heWhE88MAMnULy8l9XJ7ka88f5kosHAoxMGxyy_6yZ-VTnp2fxHwpimVwU2fmEOfwEMiu_FDlJt-TB1i_DOWfg0/s1600/stereomood.gif" /></a></div>
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"One Day Like This,"The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-72518414276887312222011-07-01T22:10:00.000-04:002011-07-01T22:10:52.107-04:00Heads-Up on the Header<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRjujyx82DjZnh_X-TRseuYd8cRluOLyGvCpUgCC_k9KmWQErHF_jpPgZKgV3wqfFybGOa7TLWOczwoFCY4WL8lD5GkynH19Ht3zKK6rmT6SCaHqnjL9m-xYQrqFdb-Hf8Nvt2Hh7S4Em/s1600/tri+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRjujyx82DjZnh_X-TRseuYd8cRluOLyGvCpUgCC_k9KmWQErHF_jpPgZKgV3wqfFybGOa7TLWOczwoFCY4WL8lD5GkynH19Ht3zKK6rmT6SCaHqnjL9m-xYQrqFdb-Hf8Nvt2Hh7S4Em/s400/tri+photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>For those of you who've been faithfully following my blog, </b>you have probably noticed that I have been promising a new layout for quite some time now. Well, a change is one its way! Now that I'm a college graduate I have some spare time to devote to fun thing like this.<br />
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<a href="http://shabbyblogs.com/new" border="0" target="_blank"><img src="http://shabbyblogs.com/new/storage/old/ShabbyBlogsTuneIn.jpg"/></a><br />
More after these messages...The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-21902358546050856312011-06-30T19:11:00.000-04:002011-06-30T19:11:17.965-04:00DIY ~ Floral Vintage Skirt Makeover<b>While snooping around the local thrift store I found this fabulous vintage skirt</b> and fell in love with the retro floral pattern. The length of the skirt was more circa 1960 though, so I had to do some clipping and hemming to bring it up to date. After loosing ten inches and adding a new button, it was time for a fashion show!<br />
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I paired the finished product with a mustard colored tank, a grey cardigan, and some nude peep-toed, kitten heals. Plus an orange bag to bring out the colors in the skirt. Oh la la!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJvhMtKeG7zzuL4NUz2mrWIt199YbZ0kidGWWzrKvxAdNAAI0hdSZUvFAmYLpkehsdBw4LbNQyNX5Q8eUV_nBNf2em1MMvZlin-kLGg3e2T331S7NRhPZMUhaG0EM49fReihcRQielwFl/s1600/Montage+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJvhMtKeG7zzuL4NUz2mrWIt199YbZ0kidGWWzrKvxAdNAAI0hdSZUvFAmYLpkehsdBw4LbNQyNX5Q8eUV_nBNf2em1MMvZlin-kLGg3e2T331S7NRhPZMUhaG0EM49fReihcRQielwFl/s400/Montage+2+copy.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br />
Walking on sunshine,The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-28639837502261103012011-06-07T11:43:00.000-04:002011-06-07T11:43:24.528-04:00A Tasty Summer<b> I've discovered that I love to cook!</b> Of course there were the times I helped my mom in the kitchen, but now I'm planning, grocery shopping, and cooking on my own. Its been a creative outlet for me. Since my lunches have consistently been a peanut butter sandwich and carrot sticks, so I look forward to each time I can devote a couple hours to preparing and savoring a new dish. <div><br />
</div><div>Because my current state of internetless has prevented me from blogging regularly, I have been keeping a photo journal of my favorite meals and am excited to finally be able to share them!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Chicken Salad with Sweet Potato Fries:</span> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwhrgdKHmm167lT4mPYabk2vNwAIFptB6aWy-rWN4eWXHAmYkbx0fJwg7dTF7FMS9n6lBU35d7U3sjYDhDmT8Ex5HokSNP_09iWrYXE8RhPAIzJrXuA9gL4P0H5vzL60dsu5d2OBFJofH/s1600/P1000437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwhrgdKHmm167lT4mPYabk2vNwAIFptB6aWy-rWN4eWXHAmYkbx0fJwg7dTF7FMS9n6lBU35d7U3sjYDhDmT8Ex5HokSNP_09iWrYXE8RhPAIzJrXuA9gL4P0H5vzL60dsu5d2OBFJofH/s320/P1000437.JPG" width="320" /></i></a></div><br />
<i>Pasta Cooked with Veggies, served with Salad and Iced-Tea: </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOCruYXoYKaMoyVCDjO05LAI5zvW2fyqFTlBXrEkF8Ncsftf0VTH8IauT8zd76GCTKxdqDhRCArsp0Xl9-KxCFHiivmB20ppjFWH21kRVDMcifOkfELFoO89BupWSQeW8R0cUyF5MXCcQ/s1600/P1000443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOCruYXoYKaMoyVCDjO05LAI5zvW2fyqFTlBXrEkF8Ncsftf0VTH8IauT8zd76GCTKxdqDhRCArsp0Xl9-KxCFHiivmB20ppjFWH21kRVDMcifOkfELFoO89BupWSQeW8R0cUyF5MXCcQ/s320/P1000443.JPG" width="320" /></i></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i> Stir Fry in my new cast-iron skillet: </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP23Pg6ggwga22LG_mjzkulMUKb8qu0JIoEDKET6bZIjqVnewbLRSOND_uUCVrV5b2ErW2Ao88xJ6q8rZyFT2DSACwk_qRY61cQJfWpyLQaemtGa2Whd4IkAiLBsSMX-73xkHZDGomR6Dr/s1600/P1000446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP23Pg6ggwga22LG_mjzkulMUKb8qu0JIoEDKET6bZIjqVnewbLRSOND_uUCVrV5b2ErW2Ao88xJ6q8rZyFT2DSACwk_qRY61cQJfWpyLQaemtGa2Whd4IkAiLBsSMX-73xkHZDGomR6Dr/s320/P1000446.JPG" width="320" /></i></a></div><br />
<i>The final product! Beef Teriyaki Stir-Fry over Rice: </i><br />
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<i>Chicken and Veggies....</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5NB9D5yYIGr6gXnkpshBi9ikW7kTcnxjyizKQoRSyKc0jXIHxLHsus2BDq1Vu6ehKnXt7VQuhqiHyaKSJI7SEw4NNDZhqdCLKH-7roYBgFjo6fc4SFY7ytHGPAkgwpJ9otppTBneyFTy/s1600/P1000544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5NB9D5yYIGr6gXnkpshBi9ikW7kTcnxjyizKQoRSyKc0jXIHxLHsus2BDq1Vu6ehKnXt7VQuhqiHyaKSJI7SEw4NNDZhqdCLKH-7roYBgFjo6fc4SFY7ytHGPAkgwpJ9otppTBneyFTy/s320/P1000544.JPG" width="320" /></i></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i> ...Tossed with Pasta and a Cream Sauce:</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5vteGxCAsVpZZkvpgEx5FPr4bQcqBJaRWDDZzUfYqXOXNrXPAcUnogskCH-Zqaa5kHMe7yhMqs3JY6JbUNMt3QaccIq5iVIK9wwNEPIWP0Ucu_nAravMeKedacNTUfInDUcpcydZFkoZ/s1600/P1000550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5vteGxCAsVpZZkvpgEx5FPr4bQcqBJaRWDDZzUfYqXOXNrXPAcUnogskCH-Zqaa5kHMe7yhMqs3JY6JbUNMt3QaccIq5iVIK9wwNEPIWP0Ucu_nAravMeKedacNTUfInDUcpcydZFkoZ/s320/P1000550.JPG" width="320" /></i></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Well there you have it, a little peek into my life as a chef :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Bon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> Appétit!</span></span></div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-69437955030376278822011-05-18T09:18:00.000-04:002011-05-18T09:18:28.031-04:00Summertime and Internetlessness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AVuqffy2hvD0BmG7Gg2kzKbrbd6pxe3kteaSKLaR0IYhddt9TYbu9pW1IBflEFr10bTHu78LAZzmPOUMd0W0ghoUeoPmrwkUCz-ZnXrIctrsVoWDemRSIvN_5DSCR7CjwxxtfA2VV1wp/s1600/Rainy_summer_day_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AVuqffy2hvD0BmG7Gg2kzKbrbd6pxe3kteaSKLaR0IYhddt9TYbu9pW1IBflEFr10bTHu78LAZzmPOUMd0W0ghoUeoPmrwkUCz-ZnXrIctrsVoWDemRSIvN_5DSCR7CjwxxtfA2VV1wp/s200/Rainy_summer_day_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>Well, summer has officially begun! At least it should have started by now...</b> the weather doesn't seem to be cooperating too much. At this moment, I'm staring out the window if this little coffee shop, sipping my hot caramel latte, and staring at the rain.<br />
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Why, you might ask, am I in a coffee shop at the ungodly hour of 7:15am? Well, let me tell you: My new apartment doesn't have internet....yet. So I got up before work to write some emails, pay some bills, and of course, check my Facebook. Hopefully, my internetlessness won't last too much longer, but we'll see. The last place I called told me it was going to be $47.50 a month to get internet in my one bedroom apartment.<br />
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And so I keep asking myself.... why did I ever move out of the safety, comfort and security of my parent's wireless internet connection?<br />
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Dancin' in the rain,The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-21263168902898853132011-05-13T17:39:00.001-04:002011-05-13T17:43:08.496-04:00Vacuum Cleaner Excitement.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EYnKWgVonfeS7Xc9PHuj_3zCF0LKqeRV_D6Gruwkq_dTzfPbvQfpg5-_TAXspcxAjCPcOoEhfP2tI89dErCA_0xVyHKGGsoisKARahzsRkUcqSGgNwXVdKhhR3FUn4lvIng5jmbk4f6V/s1600/SuperStock_1895-42571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EYnKWgVonfeS7Xc9PHuj_3zCF0LKqeRV_D6Gruwkq_dTzfPbvQfpg5-_TAXspcxAjCPcOoEhfP2tI89dErCA_0xVyHKGGsoisKARahzsRkUcqSGgNwXVdKhhR3FUn4lvIng5jmbk4f6V/s320/SuperStock_1895-42571.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><b>"So, when is it, exactly, that I'll feel like an adult?"</b> <br />
<div>This is a question I have been asking myself for most of the week. Tomorrow will by the one-week anniversary of my graduation and it was still feeling pretty surreal. I say "was" because all that has changed now.<br />
<div><div><div><br />
</div><div>Two days ago my Mama and I went shopping for my new apartment, which was more fun than anything. We roamed the stores looking for the essentials, and then, we turned down the vacuum cleaner isle of Walmart. </div><div><br />
</div><div>"Does your place have a vacuum?" My mother asked</div><div><br />
</div><div>"No, we were talking about needing to get one."</div><div><br />
</div><div>"Well how about this? It's small and inexpensive and should work just fine for your little place." </div><div><br />
</div><div>A few texts later and I had the approval of my roommates and the little Bissell in the bag! But, believe it or not that still wasn't the moment that I felt like an adult. No, it was the following morning when I woke up, from dreaming about the apartment, wondering how long it would be before I could test out my new vacuum cleaner. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Resignedly yours,</div></div></div></div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-47448267579830566682011-05-09T21:47:00.001-04:002011-05-09T21:49:34.028-04:00A Whole New World...<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyCU-akOvbmTRqnzHHp1hiXnA6wZR_CHU5ZpAC9C2-UZgla_23mTirt1PJNvwWvWmBXxQ7f8hYsHHuw_ihrgn9tZpkMsc00_GKdT8OyGKLCvJRKRMoxsJlzzW5-rgAvUXBW5YzpIoMsxV/s1600/Untitled-2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyCU-akOvbmTRqnzHHp1hiXnA6wZR_CHU5ZpAC9C2-UZgla_23mTirt1PJNvwWvWmBXxQ7f8hYsHHuw_ihrgn9tZpkMsc00_GKdT8OyGKLCvJRKRMoxsJlzzW5-rgAvUXBW5YzpIoMsxV/s400/Untitled-2+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">"To <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">live</span></b> is so <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">startling</span> it leaves </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">little time</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">for <b>anything else</b>." </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">~ Emily Dickinson ~ </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-89894243329600839062011-05-09T21:40:00.000-04:002011-05-09T21:40:46.775-04:00Post Graduation Bucket List - Take 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXJ41OcFoGt7LtTKh1OBoa6nx67TOqBk5uBfWS1IGbPokg6k0OI66cupl1oq2-8DLxhlXp8dKVLu_OyLvjQITz_kV_SwS-fHG7fz9Dnh34OViPUD6DJYThPjdujbjqo0-RPYOyggOiu2y/s1600/number9-1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXJ41OcFoGt7LtTKh1OBoa6nx67TOqBk5uBfWS1IGbPokg6k0OI66cupl1oq2-8DLxhlXp8dKVLu_OyLvjQITz_kV_SwS-fHG7fz9Dnh34OViPUD6DJYThPjdujbjqo0-RPYOyggOiu2y/s400/number9-1+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
Well, I've been a college grad for less than 72 hours and its been a interesting few days. </b> Entering the world of adulthood comes with its ups and downs... it's crazy to think that I'm not going back in the fall, or that my days of sitting in class and eating cafeteria food are over. Now its on to paying rent, cooking meals, and grumbling about the price of gas!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In honor of my graduation, I thought it was fitting to revisit the <a href="http://anoptimistsalcove.blogspot.com/2011/03/post-graduation-bucket-list.html">Post Graduation Bucket List</a> I posted a while ago. Here's a brief update: </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(You should know:</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><strike>Strike</strike></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">- Accomplished | </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Italics</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">- In Progress | </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Bolded</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">- Still on the "To Do" list)</span></div><div><ol><li><strike>Get a job (just starting with the basics here!) </strike><br />
Just accepted a position a couple of weeks ago and I start Monday! </li>
<li><i>Find some means of transporting myself to said job</i><br />
Working on this one - with any luck, I'll be the owner of a little VW Cabrio in under two weeks.</li>
<li><i>Develop a budget<br />
</i>Working on it, but it looks like I'll be set.</li>
<li><i>Become a coupon clipper<br />
</i>Thanks to my wonderful Mama, I have a little coupon collection already.</li>
<li><strike>Get involved in my home church</strike><br />
A slight change of plans, I won't be going back to my home church regularly, but instead I'll be continuing to attend a wonderful little church close to my apartment. </li>
<li><i>Find 1 reason to smile each day</i></li>
<li><i>Seek a community of friends</i></li>
<li><b>Journal often</b><br />
Er... working on this one! </li>
<li><b>Run a 5K marathon</b><br />
I've been waiting for the rain to stop, great excuse huh? </li>
<li><i>Curb my appetite for new dresses (see #3)</i><br />
Well, I needed a new dress for graduation right??</li>
<li><i>Stay in-touch with college friends</i></li>
<li><i>Visit said college friends<br />
</i>Less than a month until the Lyon/Wright wedding!</li>
<li><b>Scrapbook my semester in Rome</b></li>
<li><b>Take up upholstery</b> (Call me crazy, but I want to be able <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/before-after-sarahs-rug-tatianas-sofa.html">to do this</a>...<a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/07/before-after-ryans-chair-saras-table-runner.html">and this</a>!)<br />
A summer project perhaps? </li>
<li><strike>Become a "regular" at a tiny, romantic coffee shop</strike></li>
<li><b>Keep fresh flowers in my place of residence</b></li>
<li><i>Read books for fun<br />
</i>Thank goodness for Amazon Prime - just a few days to wait :) </li>
<li><b>Subscribe to 1 or 2 magazines and read them faithfully </b></li>
<li><b>Continue my love affair with <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/09/before-after-justines-backsplash-carries-lamp-vases.html">chalkboards</a>... and maybe even act on my feelings</b></li>
<li><b>Write notes to those I love</b></li>
<li><i>Blog faithfully on my boring life as an adult<br />
</i>Does this post count as a start? </li>
<li><i>Enjoy every cup of tea I have</i></li>
<li><strike>Master the art of wearing heals</strike><br />
Well, I didn't trip on the platform at graduation and survived the muddy lawn. Check! </li>
<li><b>Get a library card and use it often</b></li>
<li><i>Keep thinking about jobs in Europe...</i><br />
I never stop thinking about it. 2012 here I come! </li>
</ol></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here's to adulthood,</div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-41979145159854500562011-04-28T08:46:00.000-04:002011-04-28T08:46:36.476-04:00Dreaming of Sand and SunshineI saw this amazing print on <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/758033-Set-of-Nine-4x4-Mini-Prints-The-Sea?shop=yes">Folksy</a> and now I'm itching to escape the rain and run off to sea...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKysqSXhkB7-DHBgshzd36SnDhhL_WubXwx-2eKnJprK6AI0Tyk77_va74FDwKYx4Mjb7Ex4SRWJRr3Yne84y28wd7D6i3honW-yQtfVLjxw_7SCfCIMo3z6Ok2s5U26rkNs6ucjlpvBX/s1600/4x4_Print_Set__of_9__The_Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKysqSXhkB7-DHBgshzd36SnDhhL_WubXwx-2eKnJprK6AI0Tyk77_va74FDwKYx4Mjb7Ex4SRWJRr3Yne84y28wd7D6i3honW-yQtfVLjxw_7SCfCIMo3z6Ok2s5U26rkNs6ucjlpvBX/s400/4x4_Print_Set__of_9__The_Sea.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Screaming for ice cream,The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-29442643542587551982011-04-23T19:57:00.000-04:002011-04-23T19:57:04.851-04:00Matchbook Magazine... Just Something Lovely :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4fWRjn-bfLdk_XfzKCe1wjGb3MDw8RclMWf6EJ61uWJKs5uuvZQkAiJHtW-amOaZpex1OJev6OGKm9auQIMujkUnJBKQ8iqSBTZqzxOB5hfp1JffMooh3Z6V3IJc2Mp8PKbTnMlkzfSH/s1600/Giveaway_SugarPaper2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4fWRjn-bfLdk_XfzKCe1wjGb3MDw8RclMWf6EJ61uWJKs5uuvZQkAiJHtW-amOaZpex1OJev6OGKm9auQIMujkUnJBKQ8iqSBTZqzxOB5hfp1JffMooh3Z6V3IJc2Mp8PKbTnMlkzfSH/s640/Giveaway_SugarPaper2.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br />
My fabulous <a href="http://keturah-laurel.blogspot.com/">Kettie Friend </a>introduced me to <a href="http://matchbookmag.com/">Matchbook Magazine</a> a couple months ago and I've never seen a magazine so full of pretty things :) This photo is just one post from the "<a href="http://matchbookmag.com/">Daily Spark</a>" section of their blog.<br />
<br />
Smiling,The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-54482025689811302422011-04-23T19:37:00.000-04:002011-04-23T19:37:23.870-04:00Springtime and Zombies and Commencement – Oh My!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtdyQ2_wpowYLNglqDQU6Nvz57dPu0lE7Q2FtiZ5vrANwXv2zDKPBxuNHsnsMVAIq5tg1O57XEmZJ0adAnWyq-oV9FFgwcYBz64t140ITeJZxEHkZwdDME_gfeM1vY8owjCvrbdt2RTjy/s1600/thing.28183405.l_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtdyQ2_wpowYLNglqDQU6Nvz57dPu0lE7Q2FtiZ5vrANwXv2zDKPBxuNHsnsMVAIq5tg1O57XEmZJ0adAnWyq-oV9FFgwcYBz64t140ITeJZxEHkZwdDME_gfeM1vY8owjCvrbdt2RTjy/s200/thing.28183405.l_large.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>What a crazy semester this has been.</b> It’s the last of my college career, and probably the best so far. It has been a rough ride in places, but I've made the best friends I have ever had and found myself being stretched and growing in so many ways.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Graduation is going to be bitter sweet. In some ways I cannot wait to get off campus and away from school. The distance will be much needed. But, of course there are going to be things I’ll miss. My housemates, classes, theater… I’m going through theater withdraw already actually. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It has been wonderful to get involved in theater again. First with the Cherry Orchard and then the student directed one-acts. Special thanks to <st1:city w:st="on">Sofia</st1:city> for allowing me to be part of her pantomimes and to Kevin for writing the best Zombie script this side of Greenfield! As a shy freshman I would have never guessed I’d be painting my face like a mime and running through the cafeteria as part of a Zombie flash mob. It’s been fantastic!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And then there are my housemates. Ten wonderful girls that have made this year incredible. How could I have made it without all of you? <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>So many great memories, but the future is looking promising too. I have a little apartment with a few pieces of furniture and I’m looking forward to the time when it will feel like home. A job is in the works and pretty soon I’ll be the owner of my very own vehicle.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Bitter-sweet… so many things to be sorry to leave, and so much to be excited about in the future.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So much thinking,</div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-24172461397246187272011-04-20T01:11:00.002-04:002011-04-20T01:13:23.435-04:00Its a Brand New Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="255" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/97df0Q5qxa8" title="YouTube video player" width="400"></iframe></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Some kind of <b>magic</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Happens late at night</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">When the moon <b>smiles</b> down on me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">And bathes me in it's light</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I fell asleep beneath you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">In the tall blades of grass</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">When I woke the world was new</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I never had to ask</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">It's a <b>brand new day</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">The <b>sun</b> is <b>shinning</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">It's a brand new day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">For the <b>first time</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">In such a <b>long</b> long time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I know</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><b>I'll be ok</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Most kind of stories</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Save the <b>best part for last</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><b> </b></span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Most stories have a hero who finds</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">You make your past your passed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Ya you make <b>your past</b> your <b>passed</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">It's a brand <b>new</b> day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">The sun is s<b>hinning</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">It's a brand new day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">For the <b>first tim</b>e</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">In such a long long time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I know</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">'ll be ok</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></b></i></span></div></span><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">This cycle <b>never ends</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">You gotta <b>fall</b> in order to <b>mend</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">And it's a brand <b>new day</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">It's a brand new day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">For the first time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">In such a long long time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I know</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'll be ok</span></b></span></i></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Smiling always, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></div></span></span>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-15162800225912942292011-03-10T01:11:00.002-04:002011-03-10T21:53:48.010-04:00Post-Graduation Bucket List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAJ0xL1IQgZ1Kz7Ay9ujt7p3A6Mnzldh9T7CiCllZ7lyNxC2Jgus3PWNYQA4KQv76zNLJfssYDlW9UMqI62p0XncsqtWVTfjy_8S2YwmaYp1JaUwyVdAsV-WuilCMZQleJ-E1lfWDWG9m/s1600/number9-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAJ0xL1IQgZ1Kz7Ay9ujt7p3A6Mnzldh9T7CiCllZ7lyNxC2Jgus3PWNYQA4KQv76zNLJfssYDlW9UMqI62p0XncsqtWVTfjy_8S2YwmaYp1JaUwyVdAsV-WuilCMZQleJ-E1lfWDWG9m/s400/number9-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>The future is big and wonderful... but too big and wonderful to leave unfilled with happy plans!</b> So, since I am about to enter into the world of real adulthood, I have decided to create a bucket list for my first year out of college. This is just a start...</div><div><ol><li>Get a job (just starting with the basics here!)</li>
<li>Find some means of transporting myself to said job</li>
<li>Develop a budget</li>
<li>Become a coupon clipper</li>
<li>Get involved in my home church</li>
<li>Find 1 reason to smile each day</li>
<li>Seek a community of friends</li>
<li>Journal often </li>
<li>Run a 5K marathon</li>
<li>Curb my appetite for new dresses (see #3)</li>
<li>Stay in-touch with college friends</li>
<li>Visit said college friends </li>
<li>Scrapbook my semester in Rome</li>
<li>Take up upholstery (Call me crazy, but I want to be able <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/before-after-sarahs-rug-tatianas-sofa.html">to do this</a>...<a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/07/before-after-ryans-chair-saras-table-runner.html">and this</a>!)</li>
<li>Become a "regular" at a tiny, romantic coffee shop</li>
<li>Keep fresh flowers in my place of residence</li>
<li>Become the proud owner of some colorful Fiestaware</li>
<li>Subscribe to 1 or 2 magazines and read them faithfully </li>
<li>Continue my love affair with <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/09/before-after-justines-backsplash-carries-lamp-vases.html">chalkboards</a>... and maybe even act on my feelings</li>
<li>Write notes to those I love</li>
<li>Blog faithfully on my boring life as an adult</li>
<li>Enjoy every cup of tea I have</li>
<li>Master the art of wearing heels</li>
<li>Get a library card and use it often</li>
<li>Keep thinking about jobs in Europe...</li>
</ol></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Dreaming about that last one, </div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-21490394336149816252011-03-08T19:31:00.003-04:002011-03-08T19:32:14.537-04:00A Thought for Today<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">"If you want to lift yourself up, </span></em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> lift up someone else.”</span></em></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;">~ Booker T. Washington</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Chewing on this food for thought, </div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-53903176745035737472011-03-07T00:26:00.001-04:002011-03-07T00:26:56.258-04:00Real Life is Right Around the Corner...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWj2gEWHQD1HKPkghyphenhyphenPw-OfLbTeEd4ekc-2yT281WigcWncksToBPO3DrJFmMmZuhd-EaEclpqL3e4t5k_LocaxGZRN9A4s1zz8yCEv3l3ApCgOKdTcrO8CNES_aMug0eIAk7vqz5Kou6/s1600/smart%252Cscribble%252Cfunny%252Chelp%252Ccartoon%252Ceraser-66f8a1d26a3654541146174e4dd0081f_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWj2gEWHQD1HKPkghyphenhyphenPw-OfLbTeEd4ekc-2yT281WigcWncksToBPO3DrJFmMmZuhd-EaEclpqL3e4t5k_LocaxGZRN9A4s1zz8yCEv3l3ApCgOKdTcrO8CNES_aMug0eIAk7vqz5Kou6/s200/smart%252Cscribble%252Cfunny%252Chelp%252Ccartoon%252Ceraser-66f8a1d26a3654541146174e4dd0081f_h.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>People say that college is the best four years of your life. <i>I hope that's not true.</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> Two months from tomorrow I graduate. Don't get me wrong, t</span></b>he last four years have been wonderful. The experiences I have had and the friends that I have made will be with me for the rest of my life. B<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">ut its also brought some of the toughest experiences of my life too. Lets hope that things don't all go down hill from here!</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></b><br />
So yeah...two months.<br />
<br />
I have a small brain aneurysm every time I think about it.<br />
<br />
No, I don't have any plans yet, thank you for reminding me. Real life seems to be closing in so quickly and its exciting and frightening all at the same time. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds, and nervous that I somehow won't be able to cope with it all.<br />
<br />
Two months...Freshman year it seemed like these final days would never come. Maybe if I just close my eyes, all the scary insurance and loan monsters will disappear. No? Well then... here's to a fan-stinkin-tastic last two month of college - may they be the best yet!<br />
<br />
Wide-eyed and wondering,The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-38449249670717727372011-02-25T16:49:00.001-04:002011-02-25T17:17:22.599-04:00Sunshine on a Cloudy Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesmsJX1UUn9NkHrEivPHWSKvckIKkPQ1kbavyK1vJIdNvIh8PInbRbGj7UNMgH-ek52SsL3MyMw_G-U6FH4MhhqBcr_ZA7PboWQQlS4mE9rQBqn0KtxzDGGBAmA9u74DCY4ioQf2fGh33/s1600/Things+I+Love+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesmsJX1UUn9NkHrEivPHWSKvckIKkPQ1kbavyK1vJIdNvIh8PInbRbGj7UNMgH-ek52SsL3MyMw_G-U6FH4MhhqBcr_ZA7PboWQQlS4mE9rQBqn0KtxzDGGBAmA9u74DCY4ioQf2fGh33/s400/Things+I+Love+copy.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Its been kind of a blue day today,</b> so to regain some optimism I decided to steal this great idea from <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2011/02/guest-post-things-i-like-right-now.html">another blog I like</a>, and write about some of my current obsessions!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>1. Flats</b> - Black, brown, purple, sparkles, open-toed, moccasins, sandals...basically, I'm in love with any type of flat shoe!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>2. Coffee</b> - Honestly, it has been my saving grace this semester. How else would I survive an 8am class, three days a week, without my freshly brewed cup-o-joe? Top it off with some vanilla-caramel creamer and life is oh sooo good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>3. Pearls</b> - Especially when they're worn by Audrey Hepburn. Oversized pearl earings might just be my favorite accessory at the moment. The big ones are fake of course, but there is nothing like taking my string of real pearls out for an evening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>4. Impressionism</b> - Maybe it was growing up with a pair of artists for parents, maybe I'm bitter because I could never master realism, or maybe its just because <u>real</u> life sucks sometimes and I wanted an idealistic view of the world - either way, I love keeping company with Monet and van Gogh! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>5. Big Sunglasses</b> - Summer, winter, fall or spring, sunglasses are a favorite accessory. What I dislike is spending an arm and a leg on my fashio--I mean, eye protection. Recently, I discovered that thrift stores are a fantastic solution. Now if I could just decided which pair to wear...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>6. Fiestaware</b> - A recent obsession of mine, I love the idea of having a cabinet full of colorful dishes. I feel like life would be a little bit better every time I set the table! Definitely see myself owning some place settings - minus the silverware and glassware (yuck!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>7. White Roses</b> - In Europe, people just walk around with flowers, buy them off the street, or give them away for no particular occasion. That must have been when I discovered my passion for roses, but not just any roses, the white ones. </div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Walkin' on sunshine, </span>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-58736045505177236042011-02-13T23:27:00.001-04:002011-02-13T23:28:31.885-04:00Thoughts on Confidence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16y5AkwiinWXvRN2XWUpcrDfPceChNv2gyMiCz3JTZpubeorm8Njztf4SgEunlc9R_kWkMMZhKLNPIDHlfost6crPcXpKMNqn8dMKNbG1KfzS3osgzbf0wYi1o-LdxBGKjG3qs5WSpKf3/s1600/systems-thinking.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16y5AkwiinWXvRN2XWUpcrDfPceChNv2gyMiCz3JTZpubeorm8Njztf4SgEunlc9R_kWkMMZhKLNPIDHlfost6crPcXpKMNqn8dMKNbG1KfzS3osgzbf0wYi1o-LdxBGKjG3qs5WSpKf3/s200/systems-thinking.png" /></a><b>Self-confidence can often be taken as arrogance.</b> Yes, pride can wiggle in and pervert our sense of self BUT - listening to that inner voice and knowing what you believe is not pride, or arrogance. It is a confidence that children of God are called to because of our identity in Christ.<br /><br />I really like what Jane Austen had to say about this:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">“We have all a better guide in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ourselves</span>, <b>if we would attend to it</b>, than any other <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">person</span> can be.” </div><br /><br />As a Christian woman, it is wrong for me to allow poor self-esteem (or arrogance for that matter) to get in the way of living.The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-46897730711797313772011-02-07T18:07:00.000-04:002011-02-07T18:07:45.073-04:00Thinking of Spring Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nEnbqh9KiOxM-i4mHpBG3r84DnTWUCubesvWyfefJsxjqgevTkjN1lXQNO_4K8aF4-d-cHQDXIEWAeyG0CPy96bkYPzLiiD7ReDtphoucWkRIAqaub4-p0FRs58UJp6t8xMNlDXUNfja/s1600/mosaic3cd8117a6c12ec52304c1fe9db9aa8976db7d508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nEnbqh9KiOxM-i4mHpBG3r84DnTWUCubesvWyfefJsxjqgevTkjN1lXQNO_4K8aF4-d-cHQDXIEWAeyG0CPy96bkYPzLiiD7ReDtphoucWkRIAqaub4-p0FRs58UJp6t8xMNlDXUNfja/s320/mosaic3cd8117a6c12ec52304c1fe9db9aa8976db7d508.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Its raining today so I just needed some <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/">ModCloth</a> loving <3<br />
<br />
You can share my umbrella,The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-80433363508331229142011-02-07T13:20:00.002-04:002011-02-07T13:25:49.718-04:00Get Creative....<b>What could be better than a tall, dark and handsome guy? One who can sing!</b> My sister introduced me to this music video by <a href="http://www.leonjacksonmusic.com/">Leon Jackson</a> a couple of weeks ago and I can't seem to shake the beat. Actually, I might even be dancing as I write this (makes typing quite interesting).<br /><br />So ladies and gentlemen...for your listening and viewing pleasure:<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="400" height="255" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1QWwUyUPLr0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Gettin' Creative,The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-24143595295748844552011-01-30T21:59:00.000-04:002011-01-30T21:59:41.784-04:00Dear Aerobics Class,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaCM842_PZdY5zeXyQ_BmMxA1-MuFxIh56W9iYYnftOhUtFahJzr5mCSCIL0r3ATm1WyxQirRFFp5hpYcsgVw227ebgoayvE7jYmWfle5XWcIJnhC6m2CFTOQerWh70Vtx2GiRoWBehoB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaCM842_PZdY5zeXyQ_BmMxA1-MuFxIh56W9iYYnftOhUtFahJzr5mCSCIL0r3ATm1WyxQirRFFp5hpYcsgVw227ebgoayvE7jYmWfle5XWcIJnhC6m2CFTOQerWh70Vtx2GiRoWBehoB/s200/images.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><br />
<b>Dear Aerobics Class</b>, <br />
<br />
Thank you so much for reminding me of how many muscles I have. Who would have thought that my thighs, back, neck, arms, and yes...even my rear, had so many tiny muscles I had forgotten about. Well, they are not forgotten any longer!<br />
<br />
<i>Hears to heating pads and ice packs,</i>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-4271577619919678322011-01-25T15:07:00.000-04:002011-01-25T15:07:18.334-04:00Bottled Memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxlo4U2i3qzWfgVEiUd4KmmhxtTyhZKhAGfpVoSrvoETm9ygxW1-DpMUxWePB6yyEre7_Z0hBJvR0upM-3gtWFAxbaCKC3IJrkjlWX05xnm5cCeQO0IQVaxgZ8x7Iw4kl0cFcZFmbEn_r/s1600/5167994534_80cbf03752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxlo4U2i3qzWfgVEiUd4KmmhxtTyhZKhAGfpVoSrvoETm9ygxW1-DpMUxWePB6yyEre7_Z0hBJvR0upM-3gtWFAxbaCKC3IJrkjlWX05xnm5cCeQO0IQVaxgZ8x7Iw4kl0cFcZFmbEn_r/s200/5167994534_80cbf03752.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Do you ever wish that you could hold on to a moment?</b> A happy time where the world is so perfect that you want to hurry and capture it in your memory before it fades. But before this can be accomplished, the moment has passed, and the memory is only a shadow.<br />
<br />
There are several points in my life where I wish my memories could have been bottled and tucked away to be saved for later. Moments in Rome are some of the most common. The moment I first saw the Pieta, or stood a the altar in Saint Peter's with tears streaming down my face, the cow bells in Austria, the stillness of mountains, seeing the Mona Lisa, the feel of riding the metro, and the faces of the group I learned to love. Moments that are gone and can never be recovered.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEXJ0sj1by7hGXql6uNkDpnlld-l4K6v8EI_EM3m3xe_qYriS13KeqjPYtPkfIpgy5dRzYEjKDWQ8vV32djnjqTgpHTSQGrc_gUHZ7rlei4fyFGVLHxkF7ErIZblbxxQGPK0pgdiqtrNg/s1600/3638106746_dcd3c71f68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEXJ0sj1by7hGXql6uNkDpnlld-l4K6v8EI_EM3m3xe_qYriS13KeqjPYtPkfIpgy5dRzYEjKDWQ8vV32djnjqTgpHTSQGrc_gUHZ7rlei4fyFGVLHxkF7ErIZblbxxQGPK0pgdiqtrNg/s200/3638106746_dcd3c71f68.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Every now and then somethings brings one of these moments to mind. A photo, a word, a smell...somehow, it transports me back to that moment for a split second.<br />
<br />
Moments are such strange things. They are so beautiful, powerful and even life changing...and then they're gone. But if we didn't leave them behind, how could we move onto experiencing the moments that the future holds for us? We can't relive memories but there are new ones to be gained every day.<br />
<br />
Perhaps that is how we make it through life. Treasuring moment past and hoping for the ones to come.<br />
<br />
From memory lane,The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-30314769682703965912011-01-04T23:15:00.012-04:002011-01-04T23:55:06.860-04:00Imagination: Such A Slippery Thing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgy9uW27JuQ_oyOOiF9K3hxjr_tz0mUjHPykBpmchY4cTWlnaT9FnW9TtlO9gnBsWO1dcJ7097r92GCXqE2gH0L2B2xxR66RJWQmssjKqxzkfWVNN2g1l7l_ay7UYOoT-PDckeityy48_/s1600/imagination+factory+recycling+art+kids.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgy9uW27JuQ_oyOOiF9K3hxjr_tz0mUjHPykBpmchY4cTWlnaT9FnW9TtlO9gnBsWO1dcJ7097r92GCXqE2gH0L2B2xxR66RJWQmssjKqxzkfWVNN2g1l7l_ay7UYOoT-PDckeityy48_/s320/imagination+factory+recycling+art+kids.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558543662529252450" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Its been a while since my last post on An Optimist's Alcove.</b> Last semester <a href="http://anoptimistsalcove.blogspot.com/search/label/Rome">traveling</a> took over my life, then working consumed the summer, and once again I was back to school...in short, growing up, taking responsibility and trying to figure out how to be an adult. Exciting right?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">The probl</span>em with the blogging bug is that once you're bit - it sticks with ya. Its been a while since my <a href="http://anoptimistsalcove.blogspot.com/2009/07/treating-blogging-bug.html">first bout with the blogging bug</a>, but it would seem that I've got the itch again.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So what sparked this change?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">A few weeks ago my Dad came home from work and shared a quote that he had received in an email</span>:</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">"Every</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>child</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">is an</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>artis</b>t</span><span class="Apple-style-span">, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">the <i>trouble</i> is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>remembering</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">that when you're an</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>adult</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span">."</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">If you know my Dad, he's more a slow moving type of person...it takes a lot to get him motivated, but that one simple quote seemed to do some magic. Before I knew it, he had built an entire website! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdRH5sOrIH-axJPTaLZO20_FpglsXft6onhM_U9Htx0RV2Y4WvXW-8xD3juXNsLod3ZcSKsqDhP5qBWg-TxizOeHxFULxhqUtR6SlJHcGF2lRF9H1x9XZcJhldI4mb5GEDGXgVltVy3Yb/s200/logo.png" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 102px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558543169775006274" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span">On my first visit to <a href="http://hendersonworks.com/">HendersonWorks</a> I was really impressed with the snazzy layout and the the great display of artwork. My Dad truly is an artists, and I not only think he remembered it - but now the whole world knows! He's got a great vision too, and hopes that <a href="http://hendersonworks.com/">HendersonWorks</a> will also someday showcase the artistic talents of his brothers. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Passing on the inspiration...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Helping with<a href="http://hendersonworks.blogspot.com/"> his blog</a> inspired me to once again resurrect An Optimists Alcove as a place to ponder and reflect. With so much going on and so many changes on the horizon, I need to remember that little child with an overactive imagination, and not loose her in the shuffle of "real" life. </span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Somewhere over the rainbow, </i></span></div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-27286604222669695962009-10-18T12:11:00.005-04:002009-10-18T16:06:24.536-04:00A Birthday Weekend in Florence!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DU-UWmdxcBIzCZCiUK41jymu_BpO85_ElNIm1xY8CElCT2iYj8gOOzDnGTFFOvD6Z6ss4YzE-xGMCs6uxxB8iI0vc2csNUpyfcx5wVrCCGhnQEsP2amjynt5qszcsQ_VNy-XvnF1QK7l/s1600-h/P1020011.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DU-UWmdxcBIzCZCiUK41jymu_BpO85_ElNIm1xY8CElCT2iYj8gOOzDnGTFFOvD6Z6ss4YzE-xGMCs6uxxB8iI0vc2csNUpyfcx5wVrCCGhnQEsP2amjynt5qszcsQ_VNy-XvnF1QK7l/s200/P1020011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394032497148715394" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Thank you faithful blog followers for once again bearing with my lack of updates. The closer we get to break the more that seems to be happening around here! </b>In the next four days I have four lovely papers, an exam, and a presentation to complete: party in the library! (The last time this happened we ended up having a dance party on the tables...so this should be interesting)</span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Well, a lot has happened over the last week. I've been to Milan, Lake Como, and this last weekend - Florence!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We arrived on Friday, checked into our hotel and headed off to an art gallery. After this we made the trip up to a lookout where we could see all of Florence. We arrived just as the sun was setting and all of the church steeples lit up across the city. It was very beautiful...and very cold!</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiYgskurkIqo-TaC7ngizc2dUhw11UCp73BjuhV_QSXL0yubeFNnT345SqXqXSoREyEE3QbFl3-QaKm_EtX-T19gP08zi0o1FsGp9jf4oP-UsMkZyCnFlPKHgZdOS1CczCowfpmZDf9na/s200/P1020025.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394032505519392946" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The next day a group of us got up extra early and headed out to do some shopping!!! There was an incredible market where vendors from all over come to sell handmade jewelry and genuine leather...you can get jackets, bags, purses, wallets, gloves, and belts all for really great prices. Most of us enjoyed a little bargaining too...it seems that the girls get better deals :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One of the highlights of the trip was making one of these purchases. I had joked with Lisa about buying a leather jacket in Florence, and even tried one on for kicks...but after getting quoted the 200 Euro price tag I gave up hope. After being caught up by another vendor I still wasn't willing to pay his 150 Euro "special deal."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I had given up hope when my wonderful friend Caitlyn started talking to another vendor and he beckoned me inside his shop. Skillfully he helped me try on the most beautiful jacket I had seen that day. We chatted about Rome and our travels before I finally worked up to courage to ask how much it was.....He said that in a department store it would go for 370 Euros (I gasped) Then he said since I "live" here now he would sell it for 170 (I cringed) THEN he said since he liked me I could get it for the grand price of 110 Euros! After a few friends pitched in for my birthday I made one of the best decisions of my life: </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9af0kBCBR_7s-9BA-mmoumjPLSJTHoaiYS0_NOyf9Lvz0-uKFFOLVZoMa4KW9lHT9SNKia4MQN_7mqXBGkvj5hmuMgLOtRaEASkWF76SMYLZLzVXX8YleNKY_gdeEIe9t4Y5m9EKsddD/s200/P1020088.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 143px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394032510183312386" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am now the proud owner of a leather jacket totally handmade in Italy!!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Phew! And the day only got better from there. The group went to the Uffizi galleries to see Michelangelo's sculpture of the David and paintings from some of the most famous artists in history. Da Vinci, Michelangelo...the list goes on and on. Paintings and articles that I'd only read about were right there! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And in the midst of it all was the 14 foot statue of David. So absolutely mind bogglingly! incredible! The detail is what astounded me. Form, muscle, and even veins carved out of marble...it was really amazing!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The afternoon held more shopping and catching a glimpse of Michelangelo and Galileo's tombs - It doesn't it get much better that that folks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuhoBc5RRuEBx_Tu09F0yFsgYGgRz1xb5TCAwLa5hVjDSzmiSrBRffEfeByVFko1vOgzUW3geGxw3avFEfiJQ1jwiLyUb0SgiAK1ZYbLLRic15cm-1wL1KhykcSXqZ0WXvnGWdn0i299p/s200/P1020072.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 142px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394032518575345538" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">That evening, my amazing friends decided it would be a good time to celebrate my birthday :) so we went into the city and found this amazing little restaurant. Nine of us crammed in the back and had the most hilarious waiters come over and hover around our table. I got kissed - twice (well four times if you both cheeks both times ;) and after some amazing food they turned out the lights, put on some music and sang as I was presented with an amazing assortment of desserts!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Haha, we skipped all over Florence, got gelato, sat on a bridge over the Arno, danced in a piazza to some live music...what a way to celebrate your 21st Birthday.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And now I am "home" in my freezing cold convent in Rome looking ahead to four more days of classes before I head out to Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Paris...what a life! </span></div><div><br /></div></div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216951021980214307.post-61554321802699448282009-10-05T06:24:00.005-04:002009-10-05T06:53:06.736-04:00Last Week<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AlSSkGn27BBRtCaVxsKB59MLUus41GEcIh9zABPWOnsTZTCy1N70ybxc1JlMHHck36YSCLYmDsxjDK-kBOonnmP5SdgRvnY1KdxMhYTygL2PMwoByiOU9Akiaqeyo88Kbgt9urvNc5TL/s1600-h/8726_289211295136_728165136_9198830_3248997_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AlSSkGn27BBRtCaVxsKB59MLUus41GEcIh9zABPWOnsTZTCy1N70ybxc1JlMHHck36YSCLYmDsxjDK-kBOonnmP5SdgRvnY1KdxMhYTygL2PMwoByiOU9Akiaqeyo88Kbgt9urvNc5TL/s200/8726_289211295136_728165136_9198830_3248997_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389066026125955314" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Again, I failed in my regular blog posting....</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> *sigh* readers forgive me, I shall try again this week!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Last week was a pretty interesting week. The homework load lightened (Thank God!) and I had my first Italian quiz (Crap!) We've finished reading Virgil's epic poem </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Aeneid</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> which is a glorious myth on how Rome was founding. This week we're beginning Dante's </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Inferno...</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> or as Dr Szabo says: "You guys are going to hell!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our large excursion was the Colosseum...which was breathtaking, awe inspiring, and sobering. It was incredible to imagine what it would have been like at the height of Roman power, filled with screaming people, and bloody gladiators. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K5jvkirVhUsTMAGacVosz6iuYWi5_H97NSl1uyNsaPhXDCpeuoObnHEsLgtIFfoox-Ej-f7N5E4hNLCpxqRgfgbTEOQLFdGAZt_ii7yBXS8SYvDoZWf4pWGz3FLpVKD3WpznJ4w_I4BS/s200/10419_1177509591123_1029602171_30575876_3865176_n.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389067049642317202" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There really are no words to describe what it feels like to stand</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> there in the setting sun and look over the Colosseum. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As I've mentioned before, its hard to know how to feel. I've never seen anything that is actually thousands of years old before - what does that feel like....its just something you have to experience I guess.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This last weekend was great too. I got to sleep in, do homework, and get train reservations for my 10-day break. Friday night was filled with swing dancing on the terrace, chocolate chip cookies, and homemade lemonade - so wonderful. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmCqBRE8GNDcIiHwKXKYzfCjx2Vk74eaPpJT14bmo0_SqXKlHRbTclIvcM_3jH7f-zCYhtev9L3KMQDNsJOrpxXUKDm3_rjK02htWjfYZn8dKNsx25ewbDX5fsBhZzoRS-eF364y9X9F-/s200/10419_1178917666324_1029602171_30579888_2395553_n.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389066029538408402" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Saturday night 11 of us got very dressed up and headed out for a night on the town. We ate dinner and sat outside, wandered the streets of Rome, got Gelato, and found ourselves magically ontop of the Spanish Steps looking out over a view of Rome bathed in the light from a full moon. To top it off - amazing seats at the Ballet. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Being here has been really wonderful, but also hard. Homesickness is setting in as well as some frustrations here....The Lord has really been stretching me in many areas, but I know that in the end it will be worth it. </span></div>The Optimisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087763381511304826noreply@blogger.com2