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!