My Own Weekly Challenge: Don’t forget to say ‘thank you’

**WARNING: This post contains some very cliche content**

There are so many things we could should be grateful for. This morning when I was leaving for work at 5:45, there were so many things I saw on my 15 minute drive that all of a sudden I found a new appreciation for.

-The guys shoveling the sidewalks in the freezing cold

-The girls opening Starbucks preparing for the array of people to come in

-The lady in front of me driving horrifically slow; although at first irritating but actually thankful she’s just being cautious too…so on and so forth…

Not that you or me or we aren’t appreciative of the small things, it’s just easy to overlook them with all of the hustle and bustle. But with the new year, it was time for me to find new appreciation. And even if it did happen at 5:45 this morning, so be it. I just realized how many things are so fabulous about life even when it all can seem so drab.

I’m grateful for my incredible friends, family, getting to go to college, etc. BLAH BLAH BLAH. We’ve all heard that and probably will again come November. But today? Today I am appreciative for every little thing.

-The guy I like laughing with my brother and dad last night even though it was the first family meeting

-My best friend standing next to me brushing her teeth in the morning

-The smallest compliment and a simple drawing a co-worker gave me

Because it’s the little things that count the most. While right now I am beyond stressing out about applying to this education program, and what to do with my life, and work gets frustrating, and my love life is kind of confusing, and two of my friends are fighting, and I’m homesick and all of the in between: the small things are what I depend on.

The little moments that make you crack a smile. The great song you heard on the radio, the extra shot of espresso you got for free, a good hair day. Because honestly why stress the small stuff?

We have enough “big” stuff to make us worry and stress so why not take joy in the little things? No matter how small. Again, I know, cliche, I’m sorry.

One of my favorite books ever is even Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

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So tomorrow and even for the rest of the week: challenge yourself to appreciate the small stuff. Tell your best friend how grateful you are, ask that cute guy or gal out, study a little harder. Look around you and think about all of the little things that you need to get through the big ones.

Cheers.

Brilliantly Nerdy

LADIES & GENTLEMEN, I finally have it!

I have finally narrowed down the books I want to read for this year. I know it’s not the easiest thing considering I’m a full-time student and have a job, but I have my goal and I’m determined! Plus by putting it on the internet I become permanently obligated…right?

These are all books I have heard about and have an interest in, but on pure reviews have picked my top 14 interests. Although it is based on others’ opinions I am excited to read them myself and develop my own! So duh da duh da duh! Here are my 14 books to read in 2014 (cause the year, yeah, get it?) (and in no particular order)

1) Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? –Mindy Kaling I have been excited and wanting to read this one for a very long time!

2) Dark Places –Gillian Flynn I read her book, Gone Girl and it was absolutely fantastic..a must read!

3) Let’s Pretend This Never Happened –Jenny Lawson

4) How to Be Interesting -Jessica Hagy Yeahh….sounds good though!

5) The Power of Habit -Charles Duhigg One of the most looking forward to!

6) Love With a Chance of Drowning -Torre de Rouche 

7) Lean In -Sheryl Sandberg

8) Daring Greatly -Brene Brown 

9) Kite Runner -Khaled Hosseini A classic!

10) The Bell Jar -Sylvia Plath

11) Reconstructing Amelia -KImberly McCreight 

12) Bossy Pants -Tina Fey Of course!

And of the course following two! The top two I am looking forward to and have been for quite some time, because they are written by an author I find to be absolutely incredible! Soooo….

13) The Fault in Our Stars -John Green 

14) Paper Towns -John Green 

There it is 🙂

Remember some quick, easy tips to successful and timely reading!

-Audio tapes will be your best friend: Anytime you’re driving/walking, cleaning the house, need some background music to studying, etc.

-Designate a reading time every day. Spend half an hour to an hour reading when you wake up or before you go to bed; maybe even skip some TV time to read it out

-When you’re stressed out or need a break, take a few moments and read 10 pages to relax

-And finally for goodness sake, READ THINGS THAT YOU’RE INTERESTED IN! In our society we read enough throughout the day of pointless information we don’t care about, so if you’re going to pile on extra, treat yourself to something you’ll enjoy.

Daily Prompt: Predictions

Daily Prompt: Predictions.

July 30th..my wishes for the day would be nothing more than simplicity. Simplicity in pure joy. The sweet, sweet summer time. I can hope to do something exciting. But all I could really want for this future day is to be spending it enjoying the last few months of my teenage years: Pre-20’s.

I will in fact be in the beautiful state of Hawaii celebrating what will be my brother’s recent high school graduation. All I can really hope for is finding pure joy in waking up somewhere different with my incredible family. Spending all day on the beach soaking up the sun and literally praying I don’t turn out the color of the Hibiscus flowers. Perhaps playing around and doing some non-adult things with what will be my almost all adult family. Besides being on vacation and hopefully in the state of relaxation, I really just look forward to spending this future day waking up to peace, the ones I love the most, and of course, the adventure I seek.

Cheers to the future.

Love & Reality

Welcome to the Island of Misfit Toys

Every inspirational burst is the same. Just start a blog! Somebody somewhere will read it. Hell, maybe somebody somewhere will think its good. And it’s always the same the ending for me: 2-5 posts and then ehh nevermind, I should delete it. 

Welcome to 2014, the year I want to be different. I think that’s the New Years Resolution most people have: change this year, make it different, be different. February hits and there’s still hope for the late starters. But then comes May, soon enough its August, and uh oh..its Christmas. Time to start searching for a new because this year will be different and I’ll actually complete my New Years Resolutions! 

Well, this year really will be different I swear! I say on January…20th. But I’m unbelievably determined! Second year of college and entering my twenties, it HAS to be different. 

And between all of life obstacles, something is bound to change. Now by no means is this a “Follow me to see how I change!” blog. We have all heard it before. But why not take the time to write down life’s little pleasures. Document all the precious moments to look back on next January and feel proud to have completed your goal! From recently found inspiration, that is my plan. Because this year my life really starts! (I hope.) 

So come with me as we travel through life’s ups, downs, and of course all the incredibly awkward moments in between!

“Either write something worth while, or do something worth writing.” -Benjamin Franklin

Cheers.