The Notebook

"I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough." -Noah Calhoun


I know I'm about 7 years late so bear with me.

I just wrote a paper about the narrative structure of the film The Notebook and it really strikes me, and about every other woman in this world, as the most simple depiction of love. Though there is an evident conflict in the film, it portrays love as something so simple and beautiful.

Love is not about money, nor is it about convenience. It's not about who everyone thinks is the best, it is about who is best for you. You don't choose who you love, your heart makes this decision. Love doesn't necessarily put a roof over your head, food on your plate, or clothing on your back, but it makes you feel like everything will be okay.

I'm sure not everyone chooses solely based on love. Some choose based on status, others make sure the finances are just right, and some require guaranteed stability. While all of these can make you dress better, travel further, or drive nicer, is it really worth it to live with someone who doesn't make your heart flutter? Is it worth it to live wondering if there's someone better? Maybe for some it is but definitely not for me.

I have seen both types of relationships. I have seen people marry for convenience and for stability. Those are the people who sit in a car and say no words. Those are the ones who eat at silent dinner tables. All they have in common is their last name.

On the other hand, I've seen other couples who are willing to work hard and sacrifice together. Those are the people who know that life together won't be easy but they choose it because they would rather figure it out together. I respect those people. They choose the rough path but smooth it out together.

I just hope that when my life is ending, my biggest accomplishment will be the love story we created together.

General Musings

I've been all over the place with my likes lately so I guess I'll take a minute to list my obsessions as of late:

One the music front, I've been completely obsessed with Adele. Her new cd titled '21' is AMAZING! I love every single track especially "Hiding My Heart". Omg, such a beautiful, bittersweet love song. If this girl doesn't get a Grammy next year for this album, I'll be writing a letter to the academy :)

 Anyone that knows me knows that I am a product whore. I'm always on the lookout for the best products for my sensitive-dry-oily skin. I tried my hardest to go the organic route but there were no products that did the trick. The only item that I found that amazed me was L'Oreal Bare Naturale mascara. The brush is the perfect width and length and the mascara itself coats my eyelashes beautifully. I have the shortest, straightest lashes so this does the trick for everyday wear.

In the foundation department, I began using Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage Foundation in Fair F1. Using a stippling brush, it delivers the perfect amount of coverage for my dry skin. The weather this year has really done it's trick to my skin and I have been trying to find something that will hold up from the moment I put it on to hours later when my skin starts to get oily. I just have to make sure not to put too much or else I'll look super cakey.

Well, this entry has been short but sweet. I'm in the middle of watching the Grammys. Lady Gaga just won for Best Pop Vocal! 

***Update***

I stopped using the Smashbox foundation about a week after I bought it. I realized that it was enhancing the nasty dry spots on my face and simply made me look crazy. I went purchased their Complexion Perfection set and it works pretty well. I'm switching back and forth between that and my trusty Philosophy 'the Supernatural' mineral powder. All is well in the land of foundation :)

hollywood

The annual Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair has been released and omg, it's fabulous! I think they hit it spot-on with the casting. Behold all the sexiness:

Photo courtesy of The Huffington Post

Anne Hathaway looks breathtaking and is totally at the top of her game right now. Don't let us down at the Oscars! The only gripe I have about this cover is the far right of it. I'm sure Garett Hedlund is capable of a much better facial expression and I'm sure the actress (I forgot her name) that is hanging off of him could have showcased her beautiful gown with a better pose. Rashida Jones and Mila Kunis are fierce in this! Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Franco, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are total eye candy and I think the latter should be on the main cover with the others. Just sayin'.

thanks dolly

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose"
                                                            -Dolly Parton

What a wise woman. She has built her fortune just by being herself. I remember watching her on Jay Leno and she was talking about her childhood and how they would go to the watering hole. She also said they used to eat squirrels up in the Ozarks. No sugar coating or anything. We need more people like that in this world.

Thanks to the wise words from Ms. Dolly, I will be who I want to be and I'll do it on purpose. No excuses, apologies, or explanations. There's no need for those. I'll let my passion take me wherever it needs to. If it's on the other side of the country, so be it. If it's on the other side of the world, then that's where I'll be. If I'm not hurting anyone then it's not bad. If I fail, then I'm the only one it'll affect. If I succeed, then I'll have so many people I can share it with. It's a win-win situation...as long as I can settle in any of these places :)

la.ny.sf

Beautiful!

photo courtesy of E! Online

I love Natalie Portman, and I always have. It just seems odd to me that it took so long for Dior to make her the face of Miss Dior Cherie. Were Riley Keough and Zoe Kravitz more of a priority? Hmm, seems like Dior hired new PR and Marketing people. Good job!

Why do I feel so grown up?

When I step into my bedroom, I can't help but notice that the place I call my "sanctuary" is actually a box full of hand-me-down furniture. Besides one dresser that I needed when I moved in the first time, everything else is pre-loved. My bed, where I spend most of my time, is a combination of a headboard and frame that my parents won on "The Newlywed Game" and a mattress that was purchased in the late 90s. I never paid much attention to the sharp pieces of wood that fill one side (my brothers thought it would be a good idea to slide it onto the wooden bed of our big red truck), except when I change my sheets.

About 4 years ago, I went through my "Trading Spaces" phase and recovered the headboard. Now instead of it looking like a bed from the late 80s, it looks like a craft project. While the headboard still has a few years left in it, the mattress is a completely different story.

I have always complained about the mattress because of how unbelievably soft it is. In this case, soft isn't such a good thing. Many guests who have slept on it have commented about the sinkhole that seems to engulf them at night. It's not comfortable for those with aching backs, like me. The bed has lost all its firmness and completely gives in when it is being used. It's almost impossible for me to get out of bed if Anthony and I are laying down together. Sometimes he even has to push me out of bed and something has to be done. 

Now that I have some funds and the motivation to create the bedroom of my dreams, I have decided to purchase a new mattress. Introducing......

photo courtesy of Overstock.com

My 14in pillow-top memory foam mattress!!

I feel so grown up because it's the first piece of furniture that I purchased on my own. It's the first piece of furniture that will go with me when I graduate and move to wherever my career takes me. How exciting!

With $2.95 shipping and a coupon code for $68 off, I couldn't resist. I just have to wait 5-10 business days for it to arrive.

Thank you Overstock.com!

Inspired

Every time a new year rolls around, I always find myself thinking about the past year in the most pessimistic ways. Unless I achieved some kind of scholarship, won the lotto, started a job that paid $100k a year, or graduated with my BA, I assume the year was a waste. I have to realize that this isn't true at all and 2010 was an extremely blessed year.

As this year begins at an extremely productive rate, here are the people and places that made my 2010 an unforgettable year:

1.

I've been skipping around from college to college not knowing what to do with my life until I got here. I finally listened to my conscience and realized why I lose interest in anything I've been studying for the past few years. The answer: because I wasn't doing what I wanted to do. Simple right? Well, it was a lot easier to tell myself that I didn't want to become a nurse than to actually rid my life of everything that had to do with it. I kept my admission to CSUB and finally switched my major. I'm working toward achieving a Communications/PR degree and I'm so glad that I made the decision when I did. It's the best decision I've ever made and my grades totally reflect that. Finally.

2. 

These are not my children, they're the next best thing: my god-children. Mia Elizabeth, Luna Rose, and Riley Matthew are the reason why Christmas is still fun. I don't pretend to have the energy to keep up with them but when they're around, Ninang seems to want to run, jump, and play! So thank you little children for making the holidays fun again and for making me realize that I don't need to have children of my own! Just kidding...I think.

3. 

These people not only made my year, they make my life. This blog would be too long if I listed all the reasons why. Trust.

4.

Never in my life have I felt like everything was going to be okay. With this guy, everything is. As long as he stays out of the hospital, there's no reason not to be optimistic about the future.

5.

My trip to the Philippines in August was a life-changing experience. With the intention of moving there for school, I arrived with an open mind and ended up embracing the country with open arms. I began to appreciate the people, the places, and life in general. I know it's really cliche to say, but this trip made me humble and made me realize that I have to work hard for everything I want. This trip helped me discover spirituality and humility. I miss those I left behind and can't wait to go back.

All in all, 2010 was one of the best years of my life. Not only did I explore the spiritual side of my life, but I forced myself to open my eyes wider than they have ever been. 

Here's to a 2011 that is even better than the year before!