Spring: The View from the Deck

A lone bunny in the shade.

Gorgeous lighting on the tree.

Pansies.

Crisscrossing branches.

Squirrel.

The neighbor's cat.

More flowers.

There's beauty to be found in every nook and cranny. You just need to take the time to marvel at life's  wonders, big and small. Spring is the perfect time of year to rekindle your curiosity and observe nature's rhythms and patterns.

Weekends Are for Inspiration

What have I been up to lately? Well, aside from all of the end-of-the-semester work that teachers always manage to cram in, I've been reading more, going to the movies, trying on Mom's vintage sweaters, taking pictures... You know - the little things in life one should always make time for, the brief forays into realities other than your own. It's when you find the perfect balance between work and play that you can find beauty, find the infinities, in the smallest, quietest moments. (Pictures don't belong to me unless stated.)

Romance and Rippermania...couldn't put it down!

Tragic. Beautiful. Just incredible.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close...go see it!

Poignant and powerful.

There's something inherently magical in realizing how we're all connected.

Sheep sweater from the '80s...apparently others saved this same sweater. Found it on Google Images.

Button-down wool sweater.

An homage to the snow that was...

Taken last Sunday.

View from the living room.

How have you been spending your weekends? And what has been inspiring you lately?

A Lovely New Year's Sentiment: Magic, Dreams, and Good Madness

 

May you meet all of your goals in the upcoming year, and may all of your dreams come true. Dare to dream, and see where your heart takes you. And, most importantly, surprise yourself. We often limit ourselves, reduce ourselves to timidity when, in reality, we are perfectly capable of having our aspirations become our reality. The truth is the story we tell ourselves. It's the background noise amidst our daily comings and goings. Sure, we all want to bend to the pressure, but if we remain calm and confident, we'll make it through. We'll find something bright and beautiful - a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Farewell, December!

Oh, what a month - and a year - it has been! I turned 18. I got into my top-choice college. And I had many laughs with my friends, of course! So, here are some photos from the past few months, to commemorate the transition from childhood to adult, from fall to winter, and from this year into the next. Here's to 2012.

Holly Golightly for Halloween!

I saw Mandy Patinkin and Patti Lupone on Broadway and had tea at the Plaza to celebrate a friend's birthday!

My birthday dessert...the main course was Japanese!

Rockefeller tree during the day...went back to the city for a French trip!

Hanukkah with friends!

Had a photo shoot at a local park!

It's Time for...A Happiness List!

Considering that Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought I'd compile another list of things I'm lovin', because the moments at which you are happy should be treasured. As the adage goes, happiness is not a place - it's a journey. It comes and goes fleetingly, and it is not someplace you reside. I'm definitely thankful for all the little things in my life that bring me happiness.

Sweet Treats:

Dark Chocolate Hershey's Kisses!

Java Chip Frappuchinos!

 Baking:

...For National French Week!

...For the holidays!

Cheesy Goodness:

Panera Mac and Cheese!

Feta...great in salads!

YA Romance/Dystopian Novels:

Intrigue, romance, and a dystopian society...aboard a spaceship!

A sweet romance with a likable, film-savvy protagonist and a hot French/American love interest!

Some Thoughts on Being True to Yourself

Though in many ways, each year - each moment of our lives, really - has a profound impact on who we are, there is always that essential aspect of ourselves that never changes. For example, we may have the inclination to be as kind as possible to others, or to have an overall optimistic outlook. Personally, I know that I have become more competitive over the past few years in high school. It's almost inevitable when the importance of scores, grades, and whatnot gets drilled into your head. As a result, I developed the tendency to doubt myself, for fear of messing up, and to constantly compare my abilities to the abilities of others. As my mom recently told me, I used to be spunkier and much more sure of my self. No, I haven't lost sight of who I am. I'm perpetually changing, just as everyone around me is, affected by the experiences, extraordinary and mundane, that shape who I am. However, I need to trust myself more, especially as I make the transition to adulthood. Though I've matured, I've lost confidence. However, the non-material things that make me who I am, such as my passion for writing, will never vanish. Beneath the trials and tribulations of a teenage girl about to embark on an adventurous new stage of life, there exists an open mind, as well as a strong heart and an indelible soul. Ultimately, I know who I am, and I have to make an effort to embrace that essential, precious "me"-ness and not suppress it.

Always find a reason to smile...

...even when you are completely bogged down by stress (either of your own accord or inflicted upon you by others). It gets better. The moment is only for now. Still, you shouldn't live your life for the future. Find joy, even when you just want to pull at your hair, bite your nails, scream. We're all human. While life is what we make it, life is generally not a string of perfect days. There is good with the bad and bad with the good. Sometimes we just need to focus a little more on the good.