Boom!

No matter where I am, what I'm doing, or what mood I'm in, one single, sparkley explosion is enough to instantly catch my attention. I honestly think fireworks shows are my favorite thing in this whole world.

I see them the most at Disneyland, where it's pretty much always the same show; the same music, the same choreographed explosions, and the same crowds. But regardless of how many times I see that show, I always feel so excited and amazed. I really don't know how to explain how I feel. Like I said, excited, but it's really so much more than that. I feel energized, hopeful, so happy that nothing could bring me down. It's weird to think that something so essentially meaningless can make me feel like that, but that's just what happens. I love seeing the colors, the way they glitter as they float down and fade away, the physical force from the sound of the explosion.

If I could, I would have my own fireworks show every weekend.

Muzak

Don't diss the lame spelling of "music"....I don't want a bunch of boring one-word titles, so if it's going to be one-word, it's going to be a snazzy word.

So anyways, I, like, many many other people out there, love music. I love the sounds, feelings, words, and everything that comes with it. I love to sing along, play a classic, and if I could I'd make my own. I'm usually not one to have my headphones in all day, but when I'm riding the bus to and from school by myself for a good chunk of time, you can bet I've got the music pumping out of my phone and straight in to my head. Considering I've had my newest phone (the Droid Incredible, which I also love) for over four months now, I'm surprised it wasn't until this last weekend that I actually put any music on it. I'm very glad I finally got around to it though; I have so much music in my collection, and don't hear enough of it.

This may be more of a love for coincidence than the music itself, but I always find it amazing when you've had a song stuck in your head all day and it somehow ends up being the next randomized song you hear. Or when you're feeling particularly emotional, either happy or sad, and a song starts playing that matches exactly how you feel. There really is something amazing about how a certain combination of noises and words can create so much feeling and emotion. I'd have to say that that is my favorite part about music. I really love the way it makes me feel hopeful, or excited, or that I'm not the only one who's felt so shitty before.

Although they get ridiculously over-paid, thank goodness there are amazingly talented people out there who can take all those sounds at their disposal and make something fantastic out of it.

Roller Coasters and such

A while ago, I was thinking of writing and entry about enjoying the kid in you (which I'm sure I still will one day), and thought that maybe roller coasters (and such) would go with that entry. However, these bringers of fun really deserve their own entry, so here it is.

I grew up being a "Disney baby". No, I wasn't born there, but before I was, both of my parents worked there (my dad even stayed there a few years after I was brought in to the world). We've always had annual passes, and for the most part have gone many times each year. Even after these 19 years, I've still never been tired of going. I could go day after day and still want to keep going. That being said, moving over 7 hours away from the happiest place on earth has been kind of suck-ish.

However, I do have a theme-park supplement: the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. It's missing the polish and "magic" of Disneyland, but it's still an awesome place that has all of the essentials: roller coasters, cheesy kid rides, bad-for-you food, etc. I went there today for the first time in over a year, and my sister and I managed to tackle pretty much every ride the place has to offer. She even went on a few rides she thought were scary at first. I'm so proud of her!

Anyways, for me, that type of atmosphere is just wonderful. I feel like I'm a kid again, and I don't ever worry about school or the serious-ness of life. I think now the only thing it makes me feel bad about is that I miss the times I spent with that special someone at Disneyland and other places, but I still have plenty of time to get over that. And even that isn't enough to keep me from giggling on a crazy ride that's like the teacups from Disneyland, just on a high dosage of steroids.

My Mom

I feel like I should have some stupid "your mom" joke to go with the title, but I really don't. Bummer, I know.

But in all serious-ness, I love my mom. She's one of the best mom's out there (all of my friends would say so, too), and is one of my best friends. I love talking to her about about my problems because I know she'll listen (she's my mom, she kinda has to, right?) and she has a lot of experience to draw on, so I get good advice that's comforting and practical. Pretty much every time I talk to her, I feel better, or at least more grounded about whatever my problem was. She's given me a really good example of how to enjoy life, and for the relationship I would love to have with my future children.

Thanks mom. I love you, and could never tell you enough how much I appreciate all you've done for me.

Exercise

So it should be obvious already, but it doesn't hurt to say it again and again that exercise is good for you. It keeps you healthy and in shape, makes you feel good, has tons of physical/emotional/etc. affects that are good for you; basically, it's just pretty awesome.

But why it deserves so much attention today is because I realized how much I missed it. I had, for the first time in my life, started a consistent daily workout plan last year that I stuck with for several months, and then after some breaks, stopped for another several months. 

Like most American's nowadays, I've been over weight for several years. In jr. high I started helping that by gradually eating healthier. I cut back on sodas, started to limit my deserts, and enjoyed a wider variety of veggies. Towards the end of high school I realized that wasn't enough, and after a long time thinking about it, I finally got around to actually getting off my lazy bum and doing some exercise. 

I'm proud of myself that I was able to start that in the first place, and that I'm now able to pick it up again after such a long break. I love the feeling I get from the physical activity; it lifts my mood, and makes me feel a lot better about myself and how drop dead sexy I'll look after a year of keeping this up.