It's July already. JULY. Where in the heavens did June go?
I know that June held a lot for me and I accomplished some major goals, as well as checked off some huge things from my Summer List 2013. I graduated from Westminster College with my Masters and landed my first teaching job a month and a half before graduation teaching half English and half Theater at Alta High School. Yea, if you didn't know I am hired to teach full-time English and then was asked this past week to teach part-time English and part-time Theater (the beginning Theater I & II classes), creating a full-time position. I am SO excited! I will be helping with the after-school program and even directing the Spring production of The Giver - SUPER stoked about that! It's gonna be good...
Also in June, I went skydiving and saw the "delicate arch" for the first time. I took a trip to LA with my two best friends where we took a beach day, went to Disneyland, and saw the Hollywood Bowl pre-night rehearsal with Aerosmith (AH-MAE-ZING). In fact, I think I should share some pictures from the experience:
Right off the flight, catching the LA sunset!
A Day in Disney!
Our FAVORITE ride!!!
We're tacky.... We know.
Drivin' around LA together.... Yours truly was the driver for this vacay and I must say, I maneuvered quite well through LA. It was not the first time at this rodeo.
The Hollywood Bowl! A concert for about 50 people in a stadium holding 18,000+ normally!
Chillin' outside the LDS Redlands Temple
Beach Day!!!
A night on the town for clubbin'! I lost my ID and credit card while in LA
(NOT fun, and I felt terrible for making Court and Spence handle that - they were champion best friends... even when I burst into tears. Yes, I did burst into tears back at the hotel room, randomly an hour later.)
June was fabulous... seriously, a great start to my summer! Something that made it even better was when my brother and little niece, Zoey, came to UT to visit! I was SO excited to see them and spend time hanging out with them. I simply wish that Cami would have been able to come too! I love that girl... :) Here are some pictures from that amazing week:
Jurassic Park in 3D and World War Z in 3D the next day - Yay for movies!
Hipster Night. We liked it before it was cool to like hipster night...
Playin' with my adorable niece... freakin' love this girl and her babbling, sing-songy self.
June was amazing.... Here is to an even more triumphant July! Bring it on, summer 2013. *muah*
Song of the Day: OBSESSED with this song... I heard it in LA first and Shazamed the junk out of it. Here is Lorde with "Royals." SUCH a cool, smooth song. Enjoy!
I adore Sundays... It's just the pick-up I need for the week for a few reasons. 1) Church meetings: In general, I just love to refocus on what's really important and my relationship with divinity.... I like to center back on the things I need to do to make me happier, healthier, and on the path to be the person I really want to become. 2) Time with Family: I love my family and am SO thankful for them in my life. I'm thankful to have them close-by... meaning, downstairs. I'm thankful for their listening ears, sound advice, awkward scenarios awesome or awesomely bad jokes, hugs, and their sarcastic wit they have all bestowed upon me over the years... I love my family. 3) Sunday naps: I love getting up and "go-go-going" with life... but I also LOVE a good nap. I mean, a hardcore nap wrapped in my down comforter is pretty much heaven to my body. I think heaven will quite literally have naps... even if they aren't needed, the option will be present. 4) Sunday runs OR walk-and-talks: I tend to love being outside on Sundays after my naps. I just LOVE being outdoors and feeling the fresh air, as well as the naturalistic connection to the universe Sounds cheesy? It is... but it's legit too. There's something to be said about seeing God's hand in nature and feeling peace in those moments. I love to take a slow jog around the neighborhood while listening to my music on quieter mode, or invite my mom or a friend to walk around the neighborhood with me while we talk about the week and how our lives are going. Sunday walk-and-talks are the BEST during the summer... don't be surprised if you see me out and about South Mountain, or if I call you to come walk-and-talk with me. I love walking...
I just love Sundays and the refreshing, reviving jump-start they give me for the week. I am a thankful girl. One other thought: A little spiritual thought for the day, as it IS Sunday... Luke 8:14 - And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Do you go into the world with your focus on the right things? Do you produce positivity for the world and give back something of worth? Those that tend to fall to the wayside, or fall spiritually are those that put their focus into the wrong place. Those that tend to fall economically, socially, physically, or emotionally are those who put their focus into the wrong place.... especially if you know better. Go out there this week and make a change for the better - whatever that means to you, focus on the right things and spread that love to others around you. Work. Serve. Smile. Laugh. Listen. Give. Love. Bring forth fruit and help pull others from the thorns. *muah* Song of the Day: I adore this little band called Parachute. Maybe I've talked about them before... once or twice... or more. They have a new album coming out and here is one of their new songs, which I love - a lot. Here is "Heart Go Crazy." I put the regular and acoustic versions on here because I can't decide which I enjoy more.... it changes upon the day! Enjoy!
"I need people to back up so I can back-it-up!" - Linze
"I sustained them from the pool." - Linze
"We sustained them from the pool-pit!" - Spencer
*Crickets while I we alone died of laughter...*
I thought it was really funny. :)
"Have you heard of Temper Trap?" - Linze
"The temperature?" - Spence
"Temper Trap..." -Linze
*Taking his earphones out completely*
"I thought you said, 'Do you have the temperature app?!'"
"We can sing ALL of the Wicked soundtrack!" - Linze to Spencer
Together: "... AND MARK CAN'T STOP US!"
"Hell, Damn, Shiz, Bi%*@!" - She shall not be named, but it was CLASSIC! Clean that mouff out, girl! Hahahaha...
"This is dangerous...." *BOOM* - Spencer
The chair back collapsed.
"Be careful poolside!" - Mama Minnick
"I guess my butt just needs to go in the crevas..." -Spence
"This is slow as Moses!" - Spencer
".... Molasses???" - Linze
"You can't ribbon to this - you need whips!" - Spence
"I'm going to therapy before I come up there." - Spence
"Oh ok. Well, take all the time you need." - Linze
"By therapy, I mean tanning." - Spence
"I can do this ALL DAY!" - Derek and Cami... and now me... and all because of THIS:
"Man everything is quoted off pinterest.... God is Pinterest. Quote Him." - Yours Truly during RS...
"He didn't know how to spell commitment... That's why it's all jumbled together up there." - Court
"I'm not trying to be unspiritual, but all I could think of was damn and douche...." - Truth.
"Don't say my name! I know who I am!" - Leslie :)
"If you're a polygamist and you can't get married..." - Mark
"You could catch-up..." - Linze
"I'm sorry. I can't hear you over the 20 points that separate us!" - Natalie
"I'll be Hitler." - Ashleigh
"They have peanuts to munch on." - Michelle
"They have what?!" - Me.
"Do you want a ratio?!" - Spencer :) (I love that he's my best friend - hahahaha!)
"Maybe I could bloom here?!" - Linze
"Fine. You don't have to wear a suit." - Spencer
"Damn straight I don't have to wear a suit!...... Sorry. I get feisty on Sundays." - Um, me. :)
"First World Problems." - Spencer
Speaking of first world problems, check the video my brother sent me... I love him.
Well, that gave you a good glimpse into the last few weeks of my life... It's been a good month.
*muah*
Song of the Day: Well this should be SONGS of the day... Here are some of the best jam-out songs of 2012 in ONE! Yep - In an epic remix. Here is "Pop Danthology 2012" with a myriad of amazing jams - check it! (The video is REALLY cool too!)
... Not that there is anything wrong with having a "Utah name," but I am most definitely NOT a Utah named child. My parents didn't get creative and choose a cute name then spice it up. I mean, I'm spicy enough without a spicy name. For real.
My name belongs to my great-great-grandfather. Yes, grandfather. Linze was a popular boy's name in The Netherlands many, many years back and it just happened to become more a girl's name over here in the US. My parents liked the family name, and therefore, I became Linze - spelling and all. My grandmother's name is Kate. Thus, when my parents were naming me I carried forward BOTH of their names and became Linze Kate. The two names compliment each other quite nicely, and I'm excited to thank my great-great grandparents someday for sharing them with me. I am Linze Kate.
The unique spelling is different, like me, and it fits me perfectly. Seriously - its perfection with my personality. It was no random, creative act - I'm tied to it in lineage and tradition. I just wanted to express this somewhere. Haha!
Now, for your comedic relief...
Did you see how they ALMOST used my name? Yep - not quite. *muah*
Song of the Day: I currently have an obsessive love for this song. Here is Olly Murs with "Troublemaker." Enjoy!
I started this entry a few weeks back, when the incident occurred, but I kept it in drafts by accident... Thus. I'm posting it now.
My mom was verbally attacked for her beliefs... at church. A place that should be a safe haven. It's not the first time either. I just have to say that it's very fortunate that my mother has a strong testimony and knows the gospel is true. It's fortunate that she understands the church is true, but the people aren't. I just get so frustrated when she gives a simple opinion and is attacked...
The story. They were talking about religious freedom and it came around to the Constitution - my mother made a comment about the beauty of the document being created with the ability to amend it when necessary. She was abruptly cut off and a lady quite literally verbally assaulted her saying she "couldn't stand for such talk." She went on about how the Constitution should never be changed and was not created with fluidity - that this thinking is what is leading to so many problems in our country. Well, my mother (who never gets embarrassed) felt slightly humiliated. I don't blame her- I would have felt awkward too... Luckily some of the women raised their hands a few minutes later and said that my mother should have to opportunity to finish her thought and that she wasn't completely wrong. Many women emailed her later in the week too - so I think her not finishing her comment was almost more powerful than the comment itself. See, my mom didn't finish her thought... She waved it off and let it passed, feeling numb.
When I was told about this, I did NOT feel numb. I felt angry. I'm over it now, but it's how I felt. Who have the right to attack her for a belief, and especially in that it was that is in no way going against doctrine?! No one.
I just want to bring up Amendment 13 - added almost 70 years after the original constitution was created. This amendment abolished slavery in the United States. What about Amendment 19, passed in 1920? This amendment allows women the power to vote. The term amend means to change or modify, and amendment means a change or addition in a document. The Constitution and the amendments were created with the understanding that times change and thus, changes sometimes need to be made to fit those times. It's the same in the church. In 1978, the church amended (after revelation) our "rules" to allow blacks to have the priesthood. Gordon B. Hinckley wrote about this change and states, "All of us knew that the time had come for a change and that the decision had come from the heavens. The answer was clear." Change happens - and if it happens in the church, it will happen in other aspects of our life.
The lady had a point in her passion for the Constitution upholding certain stable, constant values. However, she was so concerned with her point that other valid points were pushed aside and assessed immediately as being wrong.
I just needed to voice my opinion, and as this is my blog... I can do just that. Agree or disagree, that's okay. I just hope that next time any of us disagree with someone, we try to look at it through their eyes and see where they're coming from - we don't attack them.
*muah*
Song of the Day: I found this song randomly on my Ipod the other day... I was sitting in my ultimately amazing car and figuring out the sound system - I discovered I can speak to my car and tell it to play songs, artists, and albums. Haha! Anyway, this song was one a random playlist and I fell in love immediately. Here is KrisAllen feat. Meiko with "Loves Me Not." I adore it. Enjoy!
Does anyone remember that "Summer List 2012" I made a few months back? Well, I've been working on it. I have been hittin' it hard, in fact. Haha! It's sad because I have lost absolutely no more weight because I spend my focus achieving the things on that list and not on the gym. Haha! On a positive note, I have completed half of my list and am on my way to completing the entire thing. I make a summer list every year and this is the first year I will probably complete my whole list. Pretty much, this summer is already legen... wait for it... dary! Yep. Legendary.
Here's some snap-shots on my life during 2012 so far...
I went to Porcupine Pub and Grille (SO good!) with my sister, Natalie, AND hit up Seven Peaks to chill/tan by the pool!
This was NOT on my list, but it is a yearly tradition... When Heidi comes to visit we get together to catch-up, talk about Germany and where we all are at in life. I LOVED meeting up with Anya and Heidi for a dish session - amazing!
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches with my mom and Eliza!
Nature scavenger hunt time I made for E!
I really wanted to make the melted crayon project off of pinterest, and so I did it with Eliza. They both turned out adorable, it kept us busy, and was a lot of fun!
Above and below are pics of my FIRST Twilight Concert Series concert, Raphael Saadiq, with Matt and Meg! It wasn't amazing, but it was a good concert and I had fun!
Harry Potter Movie Marathon with Derek, Cami, Zoey, and Natalie where I made "Acid Pops" and had pasties, lemon drops, creepy crawlers, licorice wands, and chips w/ salsa for everyone to snack on!
In the middle of our HP marathon we took a break to watch some fireworks (it was the 14th of July, after all) AND write our names in sparklers while taking pictures! We got some good ones... :) Check another thing off my list!
(Above: This is one of my favorite things we did.)
I wanted to play in the fountains at Gateway, but the ones at City Creek are virtually the same thing and so I'll count it! Taking Zoey was awesome - she loved it! I might still take E to the Gateway to run around in the fountains though... :)
One of the FIRST things Cami and I did together was go see the Up House! It was on my list and she was all about helping me check things off... We both thought it was worth the 20 minute drive. Haha! It was funny too because we read the sign outside the house that said, "...take a few QUICK pics..." and after out ten minute photo-shoot the front door opened and I was SURE we were about to get chastised. Instead, the owner asked if she could take a picture of us together! It was super sweet... and she took about five pictures of us together and chatted a bit before we left. Way cool. :)
Another thing not on my list was going to Tucanos, but Derek and Cami took the family... so I'm adding it onto the list! Haha... Check out Zoey's shirt... Yep. It's truth.
Things are pretty great this summer... I can't complain too much. I'm a blessed girl.
*muah*
Song of the Day: "No Light, No Light," by Florence + The Machine. LOVE. Enjoy!
I have a new best friend... Aka: I have another best friend to add to the mix. She's sincerely the best and SO adorable... Her name is Olivia, and she's my new kitten.
Yep, we got a new little kitty to play with at my house. My other cat (Frodo) passed away last Saturday, and though we were sad about it, we decided that getting a new cat right away was a good way to fight sad emotions. So, on Monday we went out to lunch as a family and then to the Humane Society center to choose a kitten. My mom saw Olivia and immediately fell in love. She picked her out, and there was no chance of talking her into another option... I was drawn to a little tabby, but I'm ridiculously glad that my mother stuck to her guns and we chose little Olivia. She is ADORABLE! She nuzzles right into my neck and sleeps on my shoulder or next to my side... so cute.
You need proof? Oh, here -
Yea - I have a great new bestie... :)
*muah*
Song of the Day: Here is Ingrid Michaelson with"Sort Of." BEAUTIFUL. Enjoy!
I just need to record my feelings right now... I am so thankful for the guidance of the spirit in my life. I have been really struggling over the past week with some decisions in my life and choices that needed to be made. I don' feel as though be too blunt, but I have highly specific goals for myself right now in my life and things have fallen into place in many areas. I have been beyond blessed and learned a LOT in my life about how aware Heavenly Father is of me and my personal desires. He knows me - SO well... and he cares.
I have really learned the power of meaningful, heartfelt prayers and that they ARE heard. I know that some things don't come to fruition for a greater purpose than the desires we might have... and what a blessing that has been in my life. I have seen the guidance of a loving, kind Heavenly Father and felt twinges of His frustration when I KNOW something and make another choice. He knows best - I know that.
I also learned that I have amazing friends and family. I have a mother and father who know just how much guidance to hand out to me... and when to hold their tongues and ideas. I hope that doesn't sound harsh, because that's not the intent. I just mean that they know me and know how to help me help myself... Giving me answers won't help me grow as much. As for friends, I have supportive, true friends who am SO good at giving m support and advice, but encouraging me to turn to the right sources (prayer, scriptures, blessings, the temple, family, etc.) for true, full guidance. They are AMAZING examples - and some of them won't even know it's them I'm typing about because of how subtly they offer their advice just by living the way they do or a fleeting comment they might make out-loud.
This week I had the opportunity to attend to the temple with some family names in hand - SUCH a great opportunity to connect on a deeper level to the experience. However, that's not what I'm going to touch on in this entry. When I was there, I went harboring specific feelings and questions. I went with vague wisps of decisions that needed to be made... and I went with a LOT of prayer behind me. One of my friends was texting me about his decision to change a few things in his life because he was reading his patriarchal blessing and really wanted those blessings that have been promised to him. That simple text inspired me, and I took my own patriarchal blessing with me to the temple.
While I was sitting in the waiting are to do baptisms or confirmations, I studied my blessing and I thought about the goals I have for myself. I prayed in my heart about my life and the choices I had before me... which direction(s) should I take? I can tell you that I received SUCH strong promptings and answers to each of my questions, and I made solidified choices and plans. I felt the Lord's hand guide me... and I felt a change in my direction and in myself. I felt amazing!
I know this perhaps seems vague, and it is a bit, but it's not about WHAT I was struggling with or thinking about. This story is about the truth of the Lord in our lives and the overwhelming gratitude I have for him in answering my prayers in the timing that he did... He did NOT do it right away. There has been some time of struggling with my thoughts and thinking things through for myself. I made the decision - he sustained it. It was just an amazing experience that I can't quite put fully into words.
I know my Father in Heaven lives and loves me. I know that is hyper-aware of my life and my thoughts - and that he cares. He is always there for me if I just turn to Him. I love my Savior and all that He has done for me... and I know that gospel of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.
I just needed to express all this because I would be truly ungrateful if I didn't take the time to write it down.
*muah*
Song of the Day: I'm in love with this song and this version... GORGEOUS. I'm also in love with the singer... Here is Marc Broussard with "I've Been Loving You Too Long." (Tom Jones rocks this song pretty hard too...) Amazing - Enjoy!
The year of 2011 was a completely fabulous one for me. I don't think that I realized how fabulous it really was until I took the time yesterday and today to look back and ponder on the experiences I had, life changes I took, and friends that I made. I am one blessed woman, and I need to show my thanks a great deal more! Haha... No, but really - I am a lucky girl.
Just to give y'all a taste of my life this past year, here are the top ten eleven highlights of this past year for today's "Tuesday Ten... Eleven." Here goes:
1 - My trip to Seattle! The first thing that I did when I came back from Germany was fly up to Seattle to visit my brother (Derek) and sister-in-law. Derek has been one of my best friends for 26 years and counting, and Cami has joined the ranks fairly quickly. I know that once I got back I would want to see them right away, and even better, I was going to get to see a brand new city and state! They took me all around Seattle and just spent time visiting with me - I could not ask for better siblings/through-marriage-siblings...? Haha! They are amazing and we always spend the majority of our time laughing and having a good time. Love it!
2 - Working the Sundance Film Festival! Not only was this a down-right awesome experience for the resume, but I also got to see a ton of inspiring, inventive, and even bizarre films that I might not have seen otherwise. Plus, I got to work the event and stay with one of my best friends, Chad, and make a new friend at the same time, Emily. I also ran into my friend, Jessica, from Paris while I was there! Small world... Even though I was a bit sick through part of it, I had a great time, learned a lot about the indie film industry, and formed some stronger friendships. I hope to do it again later this month, but I'm thinking time with work and Grad School are not going to allow it. We'll see!
3 - Finally attending Festival of Colors! I know this seems a minimal and weird highlight, but I've always wanted to go and so finally going was a highlight from this past year. It also was a kick-off to tackling a few things on my bucket list and that has been a whole other set of adventures...
4 - Becoming a Nanny for Eliza! I become a nanny for a second time in May and it has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Not only has the job aspect fit perfectly into my life and school schedule, but I also found a fantastic family to be a part of each week. I work the perfect amount of time and spend my days with the best little girl ever! She is well-behaved, kind, intelligent, hilariously adorable, and has amazing parents that I really gel with in all aspects. I can talk to the family about anything job-wise or in my personal life and I truly feel as though I have made friends in this family. I am SO blessed and grateful that I will continue to have this job through at least this next year. Love it!
5 - Stadium of Fire 2011! This year I was again given the opportunity to be a part of Stadium of Fire as an Assisstant Stage Manager, and took on some extra responsibility as the Special Talent Coordinator. It was a good chance to do some additional networking, learn more about SoF and the event process, and allowed me to meet some new people/form stronger bonds with some old acquaintances. Plus, Brad Paisley and David Archuleta were the entrainment, which was awesome! I'm not a huge Paisley fan, but we all know my love for little Archuleta...(Sidenote: He announced he's going on a mission! AH! So stoked.)
6 - Summer 2011. I realize how broad that is, but this past summer was simply one of the best I have ever had! In March, I become part of a new YSA ward and just grew to quickly love so many different individuals. Over the summer I spent time with many of them going to drive-ins, rodeos, Bees and Real games, swimming pools, pudding slip-n-slids, concerts, favorite restaurants, movies, Brighton sleepovers, etc. I had a LOT of fun! There are a few pictures below to help re-capture the memories... I don't think I've ever had a better summer. For real.
7 - Harry Potter 7: Part II -- A piece of childhood ended! Speaking of summer, this July brought the conclusion to an epic fantasy for many young adults my age that grew up reading the Harry Potter series. We were thrilled to follow Ron. Hermione, and Harry on one last adventure to defeat Lord Voldemort, destroy the horcruxes, and see kids turn into adults. Haha! That was dramatic in description, but truth be told, I'm dramatic - surprise. Haha! I love Harry Potter and everything the series teaches readers and viewers - the "ending to the era," though hard to face, was a complete highlight for my summer.
8 - CONCERTS!!! Another highlight of my summer (and fall) was the amount of amazing and/or just downright fun concerts I was able to attend. I saw Parachute (aka: Sparky's Flaw) live for the first time in years, Vocal Point (Okay, that was in March, but still...), Andrew Allen, He Is We, Jon Schmidt (again), Brad Paisley, David Archuleta (again - haha!), Explosion in the Sky, Lupe Fiasco, Sara Bareilles (FINALLY!), Sugarland, Cameron Rafati, Jason Derulo, and HANSON (Be Still My Heart - ABOUT TIME!). Hanson alone might have been the highlight to my year - amazing. It was a good year in music for me...
9 - Starting Grad School at Westminster! I made the random choice to start applying to Grad Schools with a focus in Education after subbing for the first few months back and finding no luck in the job world. I think if I was suppose to be just working right now one of the MANY jobs I applied for would have panned out nicely, but instead I was constantly forced back into the classroom so I could get a pay-check and make ends meet. I then realized how much I loved teaching and kids and could still follow other dreams and passions at the same time as teaching. However, a teaching degree would allow me a more solidified path. I checked out numerous schools, but I randomly emailed Westminster on a whim suggestion from my mother and it CLICKED. I sent an email for more info and an hour later received a phone call asking to set up a time for me to come look at campus.
I was skeptical - REALLY skeptical - but it was just RIGHT from the first meeting and on. I started the application process in the office that day, finished within the week, and was accepted the following week. It all fell into place and I knew it was were I needed to be and, for now, was what I needed to be doing in my life. I have GREAT teachers, the BEST co-hort ever, and really love studying education. I'm excited to be a teacher and I already see where change is needed... and am debating getting a PhD so I can go into Educational Policy and Reform. Me. A PhD. Maybe not, but before... I would never even have considered the notion.
10 - The birth of little Zoey Capri! On October 31st, my beautiful niece came into this world. I was ecstatic. Then, on December 20th I finally got to meet her and hold her in my arms for the first time... She is AMAZING. She is my favorite little girl in the entire universe and I can not wait until she's old enough to call her "crazy aunt Linze" for school or boy advice... I can not wait to see her again and I only wished she were closer by me (her and her parents, actually!). I love her so much and her birth was a huge highlight in my year and my life.
11 - Weddings! I had a few of my really good friends get married (and one getting married this Friday that we've been planning for this past year) this past year and it was SO neat to either be at their weddings, bridal events, or just visit with them about the whole thing. I am SO happy for all of them - Brandon, Jeannette, Sarah, Sam, and Kay. I'm glad I could in some way or another be a part of your lives and this special event for you! (More pictures of some of these are to come!!!)
Year of 2011, you were great to me! Now, I can hardly wait to see what 2012 has in store for me... Only time will tell! :)
*muah*
Sidenote: I had terrible stomach flu on New Year's Eve and was OUT! I didn't hear fireworks, yelling, or banging on pots and pans... nada. It was a pretty nasty two days of vacay. So, I also failed to recall what the first song of the year I heard was - a usual tradition... oh well! Next year? Haha...
Song of the Day: I'm gonna go with a little blast from the past... well, two years ago in the past. Haha! Here is a constant favorite, always-feels-good-to-hear-you song from Iyaz - "Replay." Enjoy and reply it... get it?! Haha... okay, just enjoy.
I am a singer, an actress, and a dancer. I am an educator and a life-long learner. I am a comedian. I love to laugh... and smile. I am spiritual and passionate about spirituality. I love sports, politics, reading, writing poetry, and I'm crazy about traveling! I work hard and play even harder... I hold no shame in my awkwardness, and embrace the unique. I am passionate and emotionally-centered. I have two webbed toes, love eyeliner and the color yellow, eat too many donuts, collect elephants, and am a personal paradox - living in planned spontaneity. Oh, and I love to write!
