1.11.11

I thought today would be a great day to begin listing my goals for the year of 2011.

Today's date is 1.11.11. Today is a significant day, special because of the numbers.

As I look to the future, keeping my past in plain view, I know I need to accomplish quite a few things this year. Possessing insight, while perpetuating my idealism and realism... these possibilities must be achieved.

#1- Travel to a foreign country and take a day to explore the city by yourself.

#2- Create a holiday meal for family (meal- not dish)

#3- Establish a consistent routine that includes going to the gym/ exercising 4x a week

#4- Tell the people you love that you, in fact, love them-- as often as possible

#5- Make decisions that make YOU happy-- decisions about love, life, profession, travel, food...

#6- Treat and think in a way that you admire-- be real, be honest and ENJOY it

I think that may be enough for now... but this list is far from done.

Just chillin..

It's hella hot in LA... the roomie and I need to study, but we needed a study break!

Traveling

I feel like I have been bitten by a bug that transmits an incurable disease known to us as the traveling bug! I want to leave, leave, leave!! I want to be out of this country... for at least 2 weeks! We've been planning, but nothing has been solidified. I'm literally itching to vacate and relax, and release. Who is with me!?

This is where I want to go... this is where I need to go!

Words cannot express how I felt when I heard the news. "Michael Jackson is dead." First, I was in utter disbelief and then the shock hit. MJ is invincible, he's supposed to live forever, he's supposed to be alive and kicking when my children grow up and are capable of listening to his music and appreciating his legend.

Woah. Not only was it a shock, but it was deeply saddening because, of course, the media must do its duty and raise all controversial and useless times in his life. Can't he rest in peace? Even though we all think and believe we know how his life transpired and what he was guilty or innocent of, we have no idea what he experienced on a daily basis or throughout his life. To be in a place where he commanded crowds of millions and made men, women and children cry at the sight of him... he was monumental, and I feel it rude and distasteful to act as if it was a situation other than that.

Think of his family; his children, his brothers and sister, his parents and his friends. They've lost not only a legend, but a loved one. May he R.I.P.

I will always remember him! Annie are you ok!?!?!

Cheers to Michael Jackson and his accomplishments, there will never be another.

Words to Live by.

This was forwarded to me (thanks D.) and I think it's amazing awesome.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month..

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13.. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone for everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day.. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. "Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Seven Pounds

So... I am definitely aware of the fact that I am "late" as far as me just seeing Seven Pounds... I literally just finished watching it and I cannot get it out of my head. It was astonishingly new and extremely powerful, a film that continues to make you wonder long after the credits have finished.

I believe Will Smith has reached his prime, he continues to put out great films that demonstrate his versatility as well as his beauty. This film was beautifully crafted and it just makes you think about life and what is truly important. Lives can end today, tomorrow or the next day... the thing is, you never know. But if you did, how would you choose to spend your last days?

Better yet, how would you feel if you were the cause of others losing their lives? How would you spend your final days, would you strive for redemption, what would you be willing to do? All of these questions and many more are both explored and answering throughout this film.

I actually cried for God's sake! I just don't know what I would do or how I would be mentally if I lost the most important person/ people in my life. I don't know if I could continue living my life in a normal way, or at least in a way similar to what it was before the loss. I'd rather not think of such things; however, accidents happen - fatal accidents in which loved ones are lost everyday. What would you do?

I don't know.

But, if anything, this movie reminded me of how precious time is- especially with loved ones. Remember to tell them that you love them and don't stay mad for too long, it's not worth it.