As many of my immediate friends have already heard, I am indeed traveling to Ireland this Spring. Those who know me also know that this is a HUGE risk for me and is something that nobody ever thought I would actually do. Needless to say, I saw a poster attended an informative meeting and felt compelled and called that this was a chance worth taking. After many hours of debate, long conversations with people who have traveled to Ireland, and a study abroad application, I made my final decision and was accepted to study abroad.
Sitting in this chair right now, I'm already nervous. I have NO idea what I'm getting myself into, but the last time I felt like this was when I first joined my high school theatre program, that was a great experience so I'm sure this will be to! How would I know if I didn't try? My life has changed a ton in the past year. New friends, new outlook, new me. Maybe that is why I suddenly feel the need to do something I have never done before, or maybe it is because I feel that my time is running out, and if I do not do it now, I might not ever have the chance.
I think I'm crazy for doing it, but I also believe I'd be even more crazy if I let the opportunity drift by. I debated not going because one of my really good friends would die to travel to Ireland and I did not want to make her feel bad, but I realized something... I cannot let that stop me, after all she was the one who was pushing me most to challenge myself and go. To face my biggest fear and get on a plane (yes, I said a plane.) for almost 8 hours, four times the amount of time I'm used to. Now, I have not quite figured out how I'm going to survive the plane ride, but I know it will involve earbuds, my ipad, a blanket, and probably my coloring book. Maybe, I will challenge myself to finish a small coloring book or something, who knows.
I will do my best to keep my blog updated if I can or at least keep a journal while I'm traveling. Some sort of record of my experience, but I guess the point I'm getting at is when you feel that time is running out for you. Find one more thing, just one more thing that you never imagined yourself doing and just do it, because if you don't, you just might regret it.
Keep Calm and Visit Somewhere New!
Wherever that may be for YOU!
A.B
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Thursday, July 7, 2016
A Summer of Change and Determination
Hello again!
Here we start with the typical "I haven't blogged in forever line" that begins more than half of the posts on this page. I hope for that to change very soon. My goal? To eventually have weekly blog posts. My friend has a daily blog that she is constantly keeping up on. Hers specifically targets "Everything Disney," literally. Her URL is everydaydisney.blogspot.com and please feel free to check out her blog and support her as she shares the Disney magic! Now, although I don't know what my posts will all be targeted toward, I do know that a DAILY blog is a bit out of reach for the time being, so once college begins and I have a bit more focus, I will attempt to do this. Hopefully.
Moving on.
This summer has been. Crazy. Fun. Hectic. Busy. Stressful. And truly life-changing. I have lost and gained a lot, but I'd rather not make this blog post a pity party. Long story short, I've learned how to stand on my own two feet and I have come to realize who my true friends are very very quickly. I briefly would like to thank Lizzie, Megan, and Kelsey all for standing by my side even as I made some very interesting life decisions that didn't necessarily work out long-term. Thank you for being true friends and sticking around through thick and thin like you always promised you would.
I have traveled, started a new job, and experienced reality a ton this summer and I am happy to say that I have loved every minute of it and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It has been in the back of my mind for years, but has recently crept up on me and my friends more often that we may not all be in small town Seymour, Wisconsin for very much longer. One of my closest friends plans to move to California in what could potentially be as little as a years worth of time. Although this can be somewhat shocking and the jokes of whether or not the rest of us can survive without her will continue to run on, I refuse to let time pass by without making some amazing memories that include all of us here in Wisconsin. Although I know these won't be the final memories, they will always be unique. Thinking about such large events and changes coming in the future has really brought a realization to me and should be an eye opener to us all to live everyday as our last and live everyday with happiness and joy because after all, sometimes we must choose to be Joy. Referencing my friends blog once more, what makes her happy is Disney. It always has and as far as I'm concerned, it always will. In a different sense her blog could be considered her way of finding "Everyday Happiness" something that some people might struggle with on the average day.
I guess the point of all of this rambling is to come to the realization that sometimes although it may be downright devastating, change can be good. Change can bring us joy that we have never felt before, but most importantly, spend the happiest of days with people you love because you never know what the future has in store.
Keep Calm and Visit Happiness, Whatever or Wherever that may be for you!
A.B
I have traveled, started a new job, and experienced reality a ton this summer and I am happy to say that I have loved every minute of it and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It has been in the back of my mind for years, but has recently crept up on me and my friends more often that we may not all be in small town Seymour, Wisconsin for very much longer. One of my closest friends plans to move to California in what could potentially be as little as a years worth of time. Although this can be somewhat shocking and the jokes of whether or not the rest of us can survive without her will continue to run on, I refuse to let time pass by without making some amazing memories that include all of us here in Wisconsin. Although I know these won't be the final memories, they will always be unique. Thinking about such large events and changes coming in the future has really brought a realization to me and should be an eye opener to us all to live everyday as our last and live everyday with happiness and joy because after all, sometimes we must choose to be Joy. Referencing my friends blog once more, what makes her happy is Disney. It always has and as far as I'm concerned, it always will. In a different sense her blog could be considered her way of finding "Everyday Happiness" something that some people might struggle with on the average day.
I guess the point of all of this rambling is to come to the realization that sometimes although it may be downright devastating, change can be good. Change can bring us joy that we have never felt before, but most importantly, spend the happiest of days with people you love because you never know what the future has in store.
Keep Calm and Visit Happiness, Whatever or Wherever that may be for you!
A.B
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Songs of a Lifetime
In a constantly evolving, busy, world we all are constantly in a comfortable struggle to understand one another. This is easier said than done. The common cliche is that "a picture is worth a thousand words" and in many ways this is completely true; however, there is another way that tugs at my heart strings a little more. Music. Music has been and always will be a grand part of my life, but due to a recent Facebook post that is being shared across the globe, it has been brought to my attention that songs can help us understand each other. If you think hard enough, we all have a song that hits home for us or that makes us think of a special someone when we hear the lyrics; regardless, this could be the very way to better understand your best friend.
I was one of those people who shared the Facebook post and I did get a few comments of songs that people requested I listen to to better understand them. Aside from these comments, one of my best friends texted me asking about these songs. Honestly, it took me quite a bit of thought. I had multiple titles, people, and lyrics flash through my mind, but in order to sort through these thoughts I broke it down into three categories for this specific example (other people and other categories still run through my mind as I type this). My three categories were: My song (the song that hits home for me), my song for Kelsey (my college bestie), and a song for a best friend back home (this one is quite personal so it won't be elaborated in this post).
My song for Kelsey took quite a bit of thought. To fill part of it in, Kelsey and I met on Twitter and have become best friends at college. I couldn't ask for someone better to experience the great thrills that occur away from small town Seymour, Wisconsin. I searched my YouTube and Spotify and still couldn't find the one I was looking for. I was puzzled, but I was far from willing to give up. I went to my songs that are on my iTunes and after scrolling through hundreds of lyrics and albums I found the perfect one... "Home" by Phillip Phillips. It starts out saying "Hold on to me we go, as we roll down this unfamiliar road" this hit it right on the head as Kelsey and I are both headed down paths pursuing a career and degree in our areas of passion. Neither one of us have the slightest clue as to where we are headed in our futures, but what we do know is that "home" will always be when we are together whether that be in person or over FaceTime, because lets face it (no pun intended) she will just keep calling until I answer anyway.
If I was thinking that Kelsey's song took a lot of thought I never considered finding a song for myself. After much listening and thinking I found a song that I very commonly listen to, "Stand by You" by Rachel Platten. After discovering this title, I made my decision to send this off to my friend and claim this as my song that hits home to me and she informed my that I had indeed made the correct deicision.
I guess the point I'm getting at with this post is that music impacts people world wide and can sometimes be the definition of an individual and can help express the parts of us that words can't quite get at. They tug the heart strings that aren't often noticed and they express the great love for who we are.
Keep Calm and Listen to a song, no matter what that may be for you!
A.B
I was one of those people who shared the Facebook post and I did get a few comments of songs that people requested I listen to to better understand them. Aside from these comments, one of my best friends texted me asking about these songs. Honestly, it took me quite a bit of thought. I had multiple titles, people, and lyrics flash through my mind, but in order to sort through these thoughts I broke it down into three categories for this specific example (other people and other categories still run through my mind as I type this). My three categories were: My song (the song that hits home for me), my song for Kelsey (my college bestie), and a song for a best friend back home (this one is quite personal so it won't be elaborated in this post).
My song for Kelsey took quite a bit of thought. To fill part of it in, Kelsey and I met on Twitter and have become best friends at college. I couldn't ask for someone better to experience the great thrills that occur away from small town Seymour, Wisconsin. I searched my YouTube and Spotify and still couldn't find the one I was looking for. I was puzzled, but I was far from willing to give up. I went to my songs that are on my iTunes and after scrolling through hundreds of lyrics and albums I found the perfect one... "Home" by Phillip Phillips. It starts out saying "Hold on to me we go, as we roll down this unfamiliar road" this hit it right on the head as Kelsey and I are both headed down paths pursuing a career and degree in our areas of passion. Neither one of us have the slightest clue as to where we are headed in our futures, but what we do know is that "home" will always be when we are together whether that be in person or over FaceTime, because lets face it (no pun intended) she will just keep calling until I answer anyway.
If I was thinking that Kelsey's song took a lot of thought I never considered finding a song for myself. After much listening and thinking I found a song that I very commonly listen to, "Stand by You" by Rachel Platten. After discovering this title, I made my decision to send this off to my friend and claim this as my song that hits home to me and she informed my that I had indeed made the correct deicision.
I guess the point I'm getting at with this post is that music impacts people world wide and can sometimes be the definition of an individual and can help express the parts of us that words can't quite get at. They tug the heart strings that aren't often noticed and they express the great love for who we are.
Keep Calm and Listen to a song, no matter what that may be for you!
A.B