lately

now that i'm single and trying to move on from S, i've had some deep, get-to-know-myself moments.  here's what i learned:

- i can be happy without S, and i am.
- i have no idea how to flirt.  seriously.  i don't know how to just go up to a guy and flirt with him.  i can only flirt if it flows naturally.  i have no control.
- i am an awesome person.  and the next guy i date is going to actually deserve me.
- i'm going to go after quality rather than quantity.  cause no matter how much i hate being single, i think i hate break ups even more.
- i need to be more open with friends.  i've had friends ask me if i want to get set up with guys, and instead of being like, "yeah, he seems cool,"  i always say: "idk, do whatever."  stupid answer.  yes, i want to get set up with him!
- i don't need to be mad or angry or hate S.  he didn't want to date me, so he's dating someone else.  i don't want to date him, so it's all good.

my week's favorite things

flowers, chocolate, and nail polish.  what more can a girl ask for?  thanks, boy.

happy easter!

i know the symbolism of this day.  i know that three days earlier, Christ was taken, sentenced to death, bruised, broken, and killed on the cross- all part of a loving plan from His Father, so that you and i could be saved.  but that was three days ago.  let's talk about today.  today, He rose from the grave, triumphantly.  today, He beat death.  He lives, and because of that, He will never abandon us.  He will always be there for us.

this image comes from my trip two falls ago to the Holy Land.  this was taken at the garden tomb. 
this sign is just a simple reminder, but i love it.

just a few thoughts this easter.  have an amazing day!

Day #2

I am thankful for videos like this and this.

Thanksgiving Week

This commences the first of my THANKSGIVING WEEK posts.

I am thankful for my family, especially my parents. Thank you guys for everything! I am who I am today because of you, and yes, that is a good thing.

Au Revoir, for now

I was so lucky to have my two best friends come play with me all last week. I hadn't seen them for a couple of month, and I probably won't see them for another year. They're such good friends.

I miss them already. Not a promising start.

Now before everyone asks what we did, here you go:
Jen came on Thursday so we had a picnic in Hyde Park, played in Leicester Square, saw the play the 39 Steps (so good!). Then, we spent a day in Oxford and at Blenheim castle. The next day we toured the National Gallery, saw a matinee of Les Miserables (amazing!), then spent the rest of the day cozy on the couch. It was a rainy day.

Katie flew in on Sunday, so Jen and I went and picked her up from the airport. Her flight came in two hours late. I got impatient. Then, we spent the day lazy.

Our activities with Katie included:
- the London Eye
- Westminster Abbey (for Evensong)
- Buckingham Palace, and the Palace Mews
- the Tower of London
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Hamlet, with Jude Law. (AMAZING!)
- Kensington Palace and Gardens
- the V & A Museum
- Portobello Road market
- A matinee of Peter Pan, preformed in Kensington Gardens (how authentic!)
- Triolus and Cressida at the Globe Theater
- a day trip to Bath, along with a tour from Bath, through Lacock, and onto Stonehenge

I'm sad they're gone.


Katie, Me, and Jen at Stonehenge


Reenacting the scene from Harry Potter where "He Who Must Not Be Named" kills Lilly Potter. (I'm Voldemort, Jen is Lilly, and Katie is the baby Harry Potter.)


London from the St. Paul's Cathedral Dome


The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben Clock Tower


Blenheim Castle (the childhood home for Sir Winston Spencer Churchill)

Je suis contente parce que....

What makes me happy:
1. Peonies in my bathroom
2. Family trips to sunny places
3. Supportive friends
4. Crossing off things on my To-Do list.
5. Apple juice infused with Elderflower. Yum!
6. Going to a place of peace and comfort, the temple.
7. Cool, gentle breezes
8. Laughing for no apparent reason
9. Getting things in the post
10. Smiling at my reflection

photo from my personal collection

Summer

This song makes me think of summer. Besides, the video is just so fun!



Whenever I listen to it, I want to eat an ice cream cone and ride a bike.

Spring Time Happiness

Balloons at the Fair, originally uploaded by ishrona.

This week got better. Thank goodness.

1. Sunshine, even for only a few days
2. Buying magazines for train rides
3. Having a living prophet/ having such amazing, inspired church leaders
4. Catching up with friends
5. Riding double-decker buses
6. Sitting by the Avon in Bath
7. My Mother
8. Eating peaches
9. Laughter
10. Getting compliments

{photo via flickr}

God Bless Our President

If you haven't watched, listened or read this speech, you must!

President Barack Obama says everything that I've been thinking for the past year or so. He's just much more charismatic than I am. This is a historic speech, and I can't wait to see its effects.

Ahh, what a perfect way to start the day.

A Little Pick Me Up

Last week, I was feeling down, so I bought these lovelies to give me a little emotional boost. Aren't they just lovely?

The earrings are just so sweet I couldn't resist. I love the hint of blue. Just charming.
The bobby pin is a recycled vintage blouse. Isn't it darling? Now that I'm growing out my hair, it is the perfect accessory. I can't wait to wear it with the earrings.

I got these lovelies and their photos from The Intrinsic Garden. Go there. You'll find the most lovely things, and they aren't that expensive. The earrings were $16 and the bobby-pins came in a set of two for $8. Not bad at all.

Another part of my pick me up buy was 11 CDs from HMV. They were having a huge sale, and I got all the CDs for less than £30. Sweet, huh? I got two Bob Dylan, two White Stripes, one Beck, one Raconteurs, one Red House Painters (pictured above), and two Brendon Benson CDs. I have no need for new music for.... a month at least!

Happy?

"Weather" ~1., originally uploaded by Madonovan.

I hate to sound like a debbie downer, but I'm having a hard time thinking of things that make me happy this week. It'd be easier to think of 10 things that make me sad. I'll try, though, even if it's only a few.

1. Warm, long baths.
2. Getting my hair played with.
3. Listening to Nick Drake.
4. Puppy kisses.
5. Wearing a cute outfit.
6. Friends who listen.

7. Sitting in the park, just talking with my amazing mother.
....

photo by Madonovan via {flickr}. Thanks, it's a lovely photo!

Oh So Happy

Jerry Maren, Lollipop Guild Munchkin, originally uploaded by P.S.Zollo.

Things that make me happy:

1. A clean, organized room
2. Taking long walks in the park, and just smelling fresh air
3. Doing something right
4. Giving sage advice, yes, my advice is always sage.
5. Watching a good movie or TV show
6. Discovering a new blog
7. Getting things done
8. Laughing at a memory or an old joke
9. Smiling to myself on the Tube, and not caring if I look crazy
10. Puppy-dog kisses

Lush

One of the UK's best assets us this store called Lush. It is an amazing store that offers all natural soaps, lotions, bath products, shampoos, conditioners, shaving creme, perfume... basically it offers all natural hygiene products. Yum. They smell divine. They feel divine. And they're not that expensive. (£2.99 for an all natural bubble bath.)

My lovely grandparents bought me £15 worth as a thank you. Yum, yum, yum. Best thank you present ever. This is what I got:One Vanilla Fountain
Two Dreamtime bath meltsOne French KissOne Aqua MirabilisOne AmandopondoA chunk of Milky Bar (for free! as a sample as well as a fantastic asparagus face mask!)

Yes, I got all of that for £15. Amazing, huh?

The Definition of Happiness Part II

Alright, it's decided. Each week I'm going to post 10 things that make me happy.
Here's this week's:


- Discovering new music
- Hearing from old friends
- Falling asleep to my puppy snoring in my ear
- Fresh raspberries
- Freshly painted nails
- Just shaven legs
- Knowing everything's going to be alright
- Freshly baked cookies
- Waking up feeling refreshed
- Being alone, but not feeling alone