i woke up this morning with a chip on my shoulder. and admittedly, I’ve been waking up a lot of mornings with this feeling. and it stinks. it stinks having negative feelings about things out of your control or to feel anxious about things you don’t really even need to be anxious about. and, as i was explaining to someone last week, it’s not that i’m unhappy. i’m just not at the level of happy i’m usually at. the level where things don’t fluster me. or the level where i’m not a nervous nelly about how things could potentially turn out or constantly pondering the actions of others.  so, i decided, the only person who can really change how i feel and get me back to my happy-go-lucky self is me. and it starts simply by letting go of those worries. of those things that are making me anxious. and saying there’s so much more to me than these negative things i’m letting float through my head. and to really remind myself that there is absolutely no reason to not be happy right now. because, the fact of the matter is, i’ve rekindled friendships, i’ve pursued more hobbies, i’ve met people who have made me feel beautiful again - in 2.5 months, i’ve changed and grown and haven’t gotten stuck in old habits. and that’s something to be overjoyed about. so, as january comes to an end (thank goodness!), i’m choosing to be happy. to let go of the things that i truly don’t have control over and to just live. happily.

i woke up this morning with a chip on my shoulder. and admittedly, I’ve been waking up a lot of mornings with this feeling.

and it stinks. it stinks having negative feelings about things out of your control or to feel anxious about things you don’t really even need to be anxious about. and, as i was explaining to someone last week, it’s not that i’m unhappy. i’m just not at the level of happy i’m usually at. the level where things don’t fluster me. or the level where i’m not a nervous nelly about how things could potentially turn out or constantly pondering the actions of others. 

so, i decided, the only person who can really change how i feel and get me back to my happy-go-lucky self is me. and it starts simply by letting go of those worries. of those things that are making me anxious. and saying there’s so much more to me than these negative things i’m letting float through my head. and to really remind myself that there is absolutely no reason to not be happy right now. because, the fact of the matter is, i’ve rekindled friendships, i’ve pursued more hobbies, i’ve met people who have made me feel beautiful again - in 2.5 months, i’ve changed and grown and haven’t gotten stuck in old habits. and that’s something to be overjoyed about.

so, as january comes to an end (thank goodness!), i’m choosing to be happy. to let go of the things that i truly don’t have control over and to just live. happily.

Poker night. I am a pro at folding.

Poker night. I am a pro at folding.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

—Dalai Lama (via pamilya | haygirlhay)

(via missmala)

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all of the lights [ellie goulding x portland cello project x kanye west] - the hood internet. | via pacify-eris; littlelaur

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Amos Lee

"Skipping Stone"

amos lee | skipping stone

in case you didn’t know: the otis redding pandora station is the most wonderful thing. ever.

this is how i feel about this day. i’m in a funk today. the kind where you can’t get outta your own head and somehow you end up driving yourself nuts.  at least it’s friday, right?

this is how i feel about this day.

i’m in a funk today. the kind where you can’t get outta your own head and somehow you end up driving yourself nuts. 

at least it’s friday, right?

a record player was never something i knew i really wanted until i no longer had access to one. so i did some research and purchased this little one that fits perfectly in my bedroom and can easily be transported to the living area. while not the most high-tech player, it suits my needs. and makes me so incredibly happy. on thursday, thanks to the recommendation of a [new] friend who djs at one of my favorite dance parties in dc, i checked out a record store in silver spring. it seemed dinky at first, but oh! the wonderful goodness inside was too good to be true. i picked up 13 records for less than $20 - including jesus christ superstar, 1776 and joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat - all records i listened to on repeat with my mom on our old [humongous] record player back home. along with that i found some sarah vaughan, hall & oates [of course], smokey robinson, the temptations and a copy of leonard bernstein playing gershwin’s ‘rhapsody in blue,’ which may be one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. i broke in the player friday night until it was woefully put to shame by said dj’s own equipment and collection, which he kindly brought over to entertain caity, her boyfriend and myself. much fun and dancing and singing was had and i’ve never loved the beautiful sounds of motown more. and as i sat listening to 1776 the other night, the record popping every once in a while, i was reminded that life really is great. i’m so happy that i’ve made it here.

a record player was never something i knew i really wanted until i no longer had access to one. so i did some research and purchased this little one that fits perfectly in my bedroom and can easily be transported to the living area. while not the most high-tech player, it suits my needs. and makes me so incredibly happy.

on thursday, thanks to the recommendation of a [new] friend who djs at one of my favorite dance parties in dc, i checked out a record store in silver spring. it seemed dinky at first, but oh! the wonderful goodness inside was too good to be true. i picked up 13 records for less than $20 - including jesus christ superstar, 1776 and joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat - all records i listened to on repeat with my mom on our old [humongous] record player back home. along with that i found some sarah vaughan, hall & oates [of course], smokey robinson, the temptations and a copy of leonard bernstein playing gershwin’s ‘rhapsody in blue,’ which may be one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.

i broke in the player friday night until it was woefully put to shame by said dj’s own equipment and collection, which he kindly brought over to entertain caity, her boyfriend and myself. much fun and dancing and singing was had and i’ve never loved the beautiful sounds of motown more.

and as i sat listening to 1776 the other night, the record popping every once in a while, i was reminded that life really is great. i’m so happy that i’ve made it here.

georgetown waterfront | 1/14

georgetown waterfront | 1/14

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it ain’t me babe | fleet foxes

(Source: nostalgiedelaboue, via abcdefghiloveyou)

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Mariah Carey

"I'll Be There"

i’ll be there | mariah carey

i heard this on the radio yesterday and i was brought back to the days when i listened to this on repeat on cassette tape with my portable stereo (those were the days…). so naturally i rocked out to it and belted every word. naturally. 

and then i thought that i shouldn’t be the only one to enjoy this mariah carey goodness. so happy friday, friends! enjoy it!

this past saturday, i was up at 6:30 and out the door by 7, and on the bus by 7:10. the goal of the day? grab some sunrise snapshots on the mall (sans a million tourists), clear my brain, walk off these fun recipes, and just have some me time. oh, and hang out with my man Abe. there’s something about the Lincoln Memorial that gives me peace of mind. i’ve been thinking a lot. and saying “i don’t know” a lot. and wondering where pieces of my old life can fit into my new life, and whether or not i can let those pieces back in. the truth is, i’m impatient. i’m used to having an idea of what’s next. and knowing who and what i am. and for the first time in a long time, i’m coming to terms with the fact that i don’t know these things and that this time is meant for me to grow and change and love. and just let things happen as they happen (sometimes easier said than done for planners like me). and, in a way, it’s refreshing.  so, with that, i thank you. for being awesome, tumblr. and for good thoughts and more. so, until next time (or the next post, whatever), treat yourselves well. you deserve it.

this past saturday, i was up at 6:30 and out the door by 7, and on the bus by 7:10. the goal of the day? grab some sunrise snapshots on the mall (sans a million tourists), clear my brain, walk off these fun recipes, and just have some me time. oh, and hang out with my man Abe. there’s something about the Lincoln Memorial that gives me peace of mind.

i’ve been thinking a lot. and saying “i don’t know” a lot. and wondering where pieces of my old life can fit into my new life, and whether or not i can let those pieces back in.

the truth is, i’m impatient. i’m used to having an idea of what’s next. and knowing who and what i am. and for the first time in a long time, i’m coming to terms with the fact that i don’t know these things and that this time is meant for me to grow and change and love. and just let things happen as they happen (sometimes easier said than done for planners like me). and, in a way, it’s refreshing. 

so, with that, i thank you. for being awesome, tumblr. and for good thoughts and more. so, until next time (or the next post, whatever), treat yourselves well. you deserve it.

truthbomb: i may be smiling, but i’m completely nervous. we’re talking stomach in throat, butterflies in tummy kind of nervous. and, though scary, completely exciting all at the same time. so, if you have a chance to think good thoughts, please send them my way!

truthbomb: i may be smiling, but i’m completely nervous. we’re talking stomach in throat, butterflies in tummy kind of nervous. and, though scary, completely exciting all at the same time.

so, if you have a chance to think good thoughts, please send them my way!

this was, by far, the most important addition to my outfit today. go blue!

this was, by far, the most important addition to my outfit today. go blue!

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The Head and the Heart

"Winter Song"

head and the heart | winter song

tell me somethin’, give me hope for the night.
we don’t know how we feel.
we’re just prayin’ that we’re doin’ this right,
though that’s not the way it seems.

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

David Gray

"This Years Love"

david gray | this year’s love

If you love me got to know for sure
‘Cause it takes something more this time
Than sweet sweet lies
Before I open up my arms and fall,
Losing all control, every dream inside my soul.

NIGHTNIGHT by DEDDY

DISCLAIMER: This blog in NO WAY reflects the opinion or standing of my employer, Discovery Communications. All random thoughts, opinions, photos, weird analysis and videos/photos of cute animals are solely a reflection of me, myself and I, and not them. The end.