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.

Talking

Talking with people is the best (really only) way to get to know them. You find out what they like and don't like, what they're interested in, where they plan on going. You get to talk about things you do or don't have in common, explain why you think the way you do, or even just ramble on about something that makes you happy. It's especially great when you're thoroughly enjoying the conversation. This works when you both have the time, attention, and excitement for each other's company/opinions. Then you just click, and can go on and on about whatever. It's a wonderful feeling when you find someone you can talk to with that much enthusiasm, and it opens the door for a better connection with that person; it gives you a chance to find your mentor, best friend, or soul mate.

Surprise Cupcakes

Well, it was technically only one cupcake, and it wasn't this exact cupcake, but it was still a damn good cupcake. A few friends surprised me and came over tonight to hang out for a bit, and one of them sent along a cupcake in her place. It was scrumptious.

And obviously, having my friends randomly visit is super awesome, too. Especially when you open the door and are greeted by a super excited, lift-you-in-the-air hug (those are my favorite). Thanks for making me laugh and smile again guys.

A Slap in the Face

I don't mean a literal slap in the face. I mean a complete reality check, where a bunch of things you thought you knew for certain turn out to be wrong, or you find out things you simply had no idea about. So yeah, they may not be the most pleasant experiences in it of themselves, but they still deserve love for what they do. They give you a better sense of yourself and your surroundings, and let you look at things in different ways. You learn new things or hear new opinions, and you grow from all of that. 

I just got one myself, and even though I'm still recovering from it, I'm grateful that it happened. There are things in my life I wouldn't be able to have to get to eventually without this little slap. Now I just need to make the best of it.

The Ocean

I'm actually kind of afraid of the open ocean. Being stranded out in the middle of the water with no land around for miles is probably one of my biggest fears.

But from the beach or a cliff top, the ocean is one of the most calming experiences. The smell is clean and fresh, the sight is (usually) beautiful, and the sounds are soothing. It's amazing that I managed to end up in a house for school where I'm only a few minutes walking distance away from seeing this natural wonder.

I wish I could thank the ocean for the setting it gives me to relax and think.

Spot

I love my cat. He's the cutest, silliest, grumpiest little tail-less fluff ball on four legs I've ever met. Just yesterday, my mom came up from home for the weekend and brought Spot with her so I could keep him up here with me (we had discussed this a week or so ago). I've heard him meow more in these past two days than I have probably over his whole life, and even though some of this meowing happened at 5 in the morning, it was still cute enough for me to not be annoyed at that. I think Spot is more than deserving of his own song, but since I'm not very good at making those, I'll just stick to a list of the things I love about him (f.y.i., this is only what I can think of on the spot; the list should be much, much longer):

- The softness of his fur.
- The stub of fluff where his tail would be.
- The many different sounds his meows have.
- How intense his cuddling can be.
- The way he's been following me around the house the past two days.

5-Minute Boba

So yeah, if you've never had boba before, you're missing out a funky, but super yummy snack. Boba are the little black balls you see at the bottoms of those cups up there. The black/dark brown is the original flavor, but they also come in green tea, some pink flavor, and completely plain rainbow (they look pretty, but really, they don't taste like anything).

Anyways, I was introduced to this drink by my boyfriend's cousin a few years back, and have loved it ever since. I haven't been able to find many places that offer boba, so finally I got around to getting and making my own. To make it the traditional way, it takes about half an hour of boiling and such for them to be done. But just this summer, that same cousin gave me some "Minute boba" (it really should be 5-minute boba) that's literally done in 5 minutes.

I love it. I can now get my boba fix whenever I want, even if I don't have a lot of time. It's just wonderful.

Heaters and Slippers

Living only two blocks from the beach can have some downsides sometimes. Mainly that when it gets cold, it gets really cold. My house, for some reason, really love to embrace the cold weather and become one with it. Now I would say that I like cool fall-like weather over warmer "my face is going to melt off" weather, but extremities can only handle so much.

Thankfully, this house comes with two conveniently located wall heaters (so I can stand right in front of one if I need to), and I have two amazing pairs of slippers. One pair is even a new Pikachu pair (both of the slippers have little tails on them too!).

I think being able to wrap myself up in comfy warm things is my favorite thing about cooler weather.

Get Your Walk On

There are few people in the world who will deny that walking is one of the most enjoyable and convenient exercise out there. You don't need any fancy equipment, you don't have to worry about not having enough room, and you don't have to totally exert yourself. Plus, you can take different paths every time you go out. You can even go at different times during the day (morning walks are my favorite)

Walking is even better when you're talking with a good friend. But then most things are better with friends.

Sunsets

Sunsets are beautiful. Especially when there's perfect cloud coverage. And yes, there is such thing as "perfect" in this case. You want a variety of shapes and sizes and types of clouds around; there should be a good collection of the whispy kinds as well as the puffy kinds. And you don't want any directly blocking the sun.

With this perfect set up of clouds, you get the perfect rainbow in the sky. The clouds catch all the oranges, reds, pinks, and yellows, while the sky itself is a bright blue, with green and then yellow closer to the sun. And as the sun goes farther down, the intensity of the colors goes up.

What makes all of this even better is a wonderful view of it all from atop an ocean cliff, where you can see the colors mirrored on the waves. Adding the extra senses of hearing and smelling the salty sea, the whole experience is pretty damn great.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

It really is. I mean really. When you hear the right joke, or something silly happens at just the right time, that uncontrollable laughter is one of the greatest feelings in the world. It's even better when your cheeks and stomach feel sore, and when you feel the tears in the corner of your eyes.

What can make it even better than that? When you're laughing with friends. Yeah, it's cheezy and sentimental, but no one can deny that it's true! So thanks for all the laughs guys.

Hugs

Hugs can be used in so many occasions: to cheer someone up, or celebrate together; to greet a missed friend, or hold on to someone you know you'll miss. 

Hugs have an incredible power to convey a lot of emotion in one moment. With a hug, you're close to another person. It gives you a warm feeling both physically and emotionally. I especially love getting the good hugs from close friends or family, where there's even more feeling put in to it. Or even better: when you could really use a hug, and you get one by surprise. Those are the best.

Who doesn't love a hug?

Perfect Timing

Today, like most days, I spent a lot of time up on campus hanging out with friends who live up there (and some who don't). However, since I didn't want to spend the money for a campus parking permit for this year, I have to rely on the public bus transportation to take me to and from campus during the week. Don't get me wrong, the buses in Santa Cruz are wonderful. It's just always a bother to have to work around another schedule (i.e., the bus schedule).

I usually leave at least 10 minutes earlier than the bus I'm trying to catch, just to make sure I don't miss it if it comes by early. I ran a little late today since my friends and I were watching 7 Pounds (which is an amazing movie). I scuttled on over to the bus stop, hoping I'd catch it in time; if I didn't, I'd have to wait another hour, at least, for the next bus.

I was a little out of breath when I got to the bus stop from my power walking. But by the time I finished scanning over the posters and flyers at the stop, the bus I needed came rolling up the hill. I love it when things fall in to place with perfect timing.

Letting it Out

No matter what the conversation is about, having long and interesting talks with your friends is always a mood lifter. It could be that you're talking about a problem in your life, or that you're just discussing your plans for the future, but being able to have a conversation outside of your own head is such a relief on your mind.

Often times through these talks, you find you weren't alone in your ideas or concerns, or your friend gives you a new outlook on something, or even an entirely new idea to think about. It also helps you feel closer to those friends. You know after you have one in-depth conversation with them, you'll be going back for more.

To all my close friends: thanks for listening, sharing, and just ranting. I can't wait for more!

A Good Life

I've said it many times, but honestly, I love my life.

I love that I'm close to my family. My mom is one of my best friends, and my sister and I get closer and closer as she grows up. My dad is an amazing dad who spoils the crap out of his girls, not only with physical things, but with information, security, and love.

I have friends that I can spend time with, and talk to about all the things on my mind whenever I need to. Those friends are up for hanging around and playing games, going out of town for a day, or even just going to get some groceries.

I'm physically and mentally happy with the body I'm in, and love the amount of creativity I have and how much it has grown.

Almost every day, I feel excited for the future ahead of me. I have a lot of plans or things I would like to try, and am thankful that I still have so much time in my life to do them.

To sum it up, I'm thankful that I was born in to the family I have, I love the life I live everyday, and I'm looking forward to what the future holds.

And so it Starts

For years I've had a "blog". I write in this blog once a year at best. The problem with that blog is that it seems like I'm either complaining about something, or writing about trivial things that happened during my day. I like the idea of having a blog as I actually usually find them interesting to read; that is, as long as they have a point, a theme, a goal, etc.

So what is the "goal" of this new blog of mine?

To appreciate all the little things in life.

The idea came to me on a Sunday afternoon as I was driving back from dropping my dad off at the airport. He had been with me over the weekend to help me move in to the house I'm staying at during the school year. My family is a huge part of my life, so being away from them for long periods of time like this (during school) makes me very sad. However, the strangest thing cheered me up. On the windy drive over the hill back to Santa Cruz, the two Hello Kitty key chains on my keys bumped against my knee. I've had them for years, and they show their wear and tear. But remembering they were there made me smile. Being 19, it might be odd that I still have a child-like fascination (and love) for Hello Kitty. It's the child in me that cheered me up, reminding me that there are plenty of things in the world to be happy for.

And with that, I decided to start a blog dedicated to all of those things. My goal is to find time every day to appreciate some thing, event, or person in my life that makes me smile. I know that this will be a very inspirational and uplifting place for me to turn to when I'm feeling down, and I hope it can do the same for others.