This is What Dreams Are Made Of

Hey now, hey now,
This is what dreams are made of.
I've got somewhere I belong,
I've got someone to love.
This is what dreams are made of.

Ok, I admit it, that's from the Lizzie McGuire Movie, but I have an excuse!

I spent today sick in bed,which is kind of a bummer. But I think I used the time pretty wisely. I bought a roll of chocolate chip cookie dough and a Sesame Street coloring book and turned on a movie about believing in yourself. Granted, it's cheesy, but who says I can't like it?

Somewhere between the peppy music of the movie, the therapeutic coloring, and the fat of the cookies, I began to feel better. And that's something.

So on that note... do what makes you feel good. Who's anyone else to judge?

There's beauty all around us...

we just need to appreciate it when we see it.

In the world of academia...

I've heard horror stories about how inaccessible professors can be. They're busy with research, their other student, or their egos. Even professors that mean well can come across as impersonal when they're teaching a lecture class of three hundred people.

But tonight was a nice change of pace. My economics professor took our class on my first "field trip" since middle school. The course is about the paradoxes of globalization, with a major emphasis on the recent financial crisis. Fortunately for us, a local theater was playing an award-winning documentary that lined up perfectly with the course's subject matter. It is called Inside Job, and it's about the global financial crisis. I highly recommend watching it, but with a grain of salt.

But the movie itself is not what I am so excited about. It's the fact that my professor took the time out of his day and made an effort to get to know his students. After the movie, we all went and got drinks together to mull over the themes and facts it presented us with. He asked where I was from and if I liked being in Williamsburg-- he seemed to legitimately care about his students.

And that's what I think we all need to find more time to do. How often do we sit down and truly get to know people? I know I don't do it nearly enough. It's far to easy to learn someone's name, then say hi and bye and be done with it. I'm sick of being so superficial. I wish I took more time out of my day just to sit and talk to people-- to learn about their views and opinion, their likes and dislikes.

So on that note... strike up a conversation with that guy who sits next to you every day in class, or with the woman at the cash register. Everyone has a story. Learn it.

My Long Overdue New Years Resolution

The view from my window.

Good Day Sunshine

Good Day Sunshine

Good Day Sunshine

I need to laugh and when the sun is out,

I've got something I can laugh about.

I feel good in a special way.

I'm in love and it's a sunny day.

- The Beatles



I was having a fairly blue day today. Things just didn't seem to be going my way. It was frustrating. But I realized that sitting in my room and moping was not going to improve my mood any. A pint of Ben & Jerry's is only so powerful.

So I took the advice of one of my favorite teachers. I got up, put my big girl pants on, and faced the day. Honestly, I have very little to be upset about. It's February and the sun is shining-- there's a bird singing outside my window for goodness sake! It's not the kind of day that someone should spend inside feeling sorry for herself. So I'm not going to. Some things don't always go exactly how I want, but there are so many amazing things going on in my life that sometimes I forget to appreciate.

I know it's a little late, but I'm going to make my New Years Resolution now. I resolve to be happy. I will have bad days, but I'm going to strive to be grateful for all of the things in my life that help to get me through those days.

So on that note... WISH ME LUCK!

My New Philosophy

Walk in the rain, jump in mud puddles, collect rocks, rainbows and roses, smell flowers, blow bubbles, stop along the way, build sandcastles, say hello to everyone, go barefoot, go on adventures, act silly, fly kites, have a merry heart, talk with animals, sing in the shower, read childrens' books, take bubble baths, get new sneakers, hold hands and hug and kiss, dance, laugh and cry for the health of it, wonder and wander around, feel happy and precious and innocent, feel scared, feel sad, feel mad, give up worry and guilt and shame, say yes, say no, say the magic words, ask lots of questions, ride bicycles, draw and paint, see things differently, fall down and get up again, look at the sky, watch the sun rise and sun set, watch clouds and name their shapes, watch the moon and stars come out, trust the universe, stay up late, climb trees, daydream, do nothing and do it very well, learn new stuff, be excited about everything, be a clown, enjoy having a body, listen to music, find out how things work, make up new rules, tell stories, save the world, make friends with the other kids on the block, and do anything else that brings more happiness, celebration, health, love, joy, creativity, pleasure, abundance, grace, self-esteem, courage, balance, spontaneity, passion, beauty, peace, relaxation, communication and life energy to all living beings on this planet.
- Bruce Williamson

Please Don't Stop the Music

I was searching the Internet today, trying to find ideas for new music to listen to. I googled top-selling albums, because I figured that would be a good measure of what "good" music is. To my horror, the Backstreet Boys were listed right next to the Eagles. What is this madness? My favorite, Elton John, was listed BELOW Mariah Carey. The Spice Girls were listed above my beloved Oasis. How can this be?

Then I realized something. I have no way to judge what constitutes "good" music. Now that I think about it, all of the Oasis songs do sound alike. But it's ok, because I like that sound, as I'm sure other people feel about Linkin Park and ABBA. Who am I to tell people what they should like listening to? When it comes down to it, music enjoyed because how it makes us feel. I have an entire playlist dedicated to songs I listen to when I'm feeling blue. And I will admit, Matchbox Twenty is on there. As is Taylor Swift. And I'm not embarrassed to say that, because they make me feel better. And who is anybody to tell me otherwise?

So on that note... find what you enjoy and pursue it. Anyone important won't think less of you for rocking out to Ke$ha every now and then. Music is meant to be enjoyed. Enjoy it.

Sing us a song tonight...

...well we're all in the mood for a melody, and you've got us feeling alright.

"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music." - Billy Joel

Your Smiling Face

You may be right;

I may be crazy, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for.