What if money was no object?

 

Here's a little inspiration from lecturer Alan Watts to enlighten your Thursday morning.

What A Summer It Will Be!

I'm pretty sure that the reason I don't blog is that I'd rather explore. I'd rather explore Pinterest and read blogs rather than sit still, type and pour out what's going on in my life. There's been some pretty great changes going on in my life recently like getting 2 JOBS! Get excited!

First off, I'm going to be the Summer Youth Intern at A&M UMC. In addition to that, I'll be a Social Media Intern for Together We Rise! I'm super excited about both opportunities! It's going to be a great summer!


Here's the video that Elley and I posted to Facebook announcing that I was going to be the Summer Youth Intern. That's a friend of mine who thought he was going to be pranking someone that he didn't want to mess with. Prank was on him! Thanks for the video help friend! :)

There Are No Words

This is how I'm feeling today.

Happy Birthday To Us!

Happy Birthday To Lori & I!
Enjoy this birthday video. It kind of cracks me up:

Video Link Up

It's the weekend and you ran out of good tv shows to watch online? Me too. It's okay though. Enjoy these videos instead!


Fast Food Folk Song? The guy at the window is astounding.

Purity/Sex Talk Video Rap. It's real and awesome.

Nature is incredible. Digging the stars especially.

I knew cycling was intense, but wow.

I can't tell if I like this music video or just the dogs. Decision? Both.

Superbowl commercial love = only reason to watch the game.

Bustin' a move.

Love this mash up of TV theme songs.

Tearjerker. Makes me miss my granddad.

I kind of want to see this movie: Goodbye, First Love.

So true.

Jaguar. Jaguar. Jaguar. Children are so funny.

Did you know you can buy Carl & Ellie's house from UP? Watch the video at the end for a tour.

Set free.

Way to go veterans! I love the idea of an eat in for a peaceful protest.

Who knew organizing bookcases could be this cool and this awesome?

Impressed.

A Very Merry Christmas

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone. It's been a whirlwind this past month or so with Thanksgiving, my thesis being due and graduation, Christmastime and all that comes with that and of course the lingering question of What Now? What Now you ask? I don't really know. Job hunting and seeing where the Lord leads me.

This Christmas was filled with white elephant gift exchanges, last minute coffee dates while running errands, a lot of wondering, a ton of joy, renewing my commitment to Christ amongst some of my favorite people, watching holiday classics with friends while working on my favorite gift (a Valentines wreath) for my Mom. It wasn't the Christmas season I necessarily imagined, but I did have a lot of fun. I spent Christmas Eve with my family, Aunt Polly and Uncle Jim. It's a Christmas tradition and one of my favorites. Christmas Day was spent with my family and my brother and his kids. I still can't believe Christmas has come and gone.

& Just A Few Christmas Links From Me to You:
These are a ton of Chrstimas-y links, but I did enjoy back reading blogs today as everyone slept and I caught up on my TV.

If you enjoyed the kids nativity video on my last post, you will love this kids nativity scene inspired photoshoot. It's not just because her photography is gorgeous, but her creativity is impeccable and always in abundance.

There's something about Christmas decorations that make the holiday season so fun. This can't beat the traditional tree, but it is pretty whimsical. Then again, this is a pretty good tree too - and a great place for all those books that just don't fit on your book shelf all at once.

The lack of Texas snow this year makes it hard to envision the white Christmas, next year we'll have to go man-made on the snow. (Check out the video on the comments to see. It is awesome!) Until then, snow men will be made out of creativity. Making snowflakes is often necessary to pretend as well, especially if Darth Vader is there. If not, have Chewbacca sing Silent Night as a substitute.

One of my favorite holiday activities is wrapping Christmas presents while watching classic holiday favorites on ABC Family while enjoying some hot chocolate. It's just not Christmas until I've seen Frosty, Rudolph and Santa on the big screen. Wishing I could use some of the gift wrapping ideas or decorations like these: retro, pinecones, tying perfect bows, and cute labels, sheen and sparkle from melted crayons, fringe pom garlands and super sweet gift toppers.

Possibly some of the worlds' cutest front yard decorations.
Possibly one of my favorite Christmas Improv Videos.
Possibly one of the funniest versions of Christmas songs I've heard.
Possibly one of the most informative Christmas how-to videos. Want a candy cane?
Possibly one of the best Christmas musical uses of an ipad by a church.
Possibly one of the most interesting Christmas raps. Jack Frost creepin'...
Possibly one of the most inspirational story/song combos I've seen this year.
Possibly one of the videos that demonstrates what the visions of Christmas are.
Possibly one of the most fun holiday cards I've ever seen.
Possibly one of the greatest explanations of Santa Claus internationally.
Possibly one of the best versions of Mary Did You Know? It's Darth Vader style.
Possibly one of the most Aggie Spirited Christmas houses ever.
Possibly one of the best renditions of Bethlehemian Rhapsody I have ever seen.
& Fabulous pictures encapsulating the holiday season.

It would have been fun to wear something glitzy like this scarf though, but my flannel was good too. I possibly should have done something red and glitzy for Christmas nails, but I'm thoroughly enjoying my natural silver glitter nails I got done with Elley right before the holidays.

Hope you had yourself a very merry Christmas!

A Little Camera Lovin'

Hey y'all, I haven't forgotten you.

I have been doing a bit of traveling to go to Simply Youth Ministry Conference (SYMC) in Kentucky and then a few days later headed for Belize with a group of my favorite people to work on a high school we began last year. There has been little time for updating, but I do have a ton to say coming up here on the blog: Belize, 12 for 12 February update, senior pictures of lovely Sara and possibly even some tidbits of info from SYMC and more. I can't wait to fill y'all in!

In the meantime, enjoy these fun links about photography, which we all know I adore:

This Bicycle Project is incredible. Bicycles always inspire me, but this lady on the bike simply leaves me in awe.

Stationary and photography combined is such a beautiful expression of art.

This Voodoo Project intrigues me.

Robert Capa's life story is pretty cool, but these lost prints in the Mexican Suitcase have captured my intrigue.

I love these photographs of dilapidated theaters. So intriguing.  

I so want one of these Polaboy Fram Lights in my future home. Love the fact that you can change out the pictures. 

Through the years we change. This photo project discovers that change. I have a not-so-secret secret: I love the kid in the dino shirt in front of the playground.

Shaolin Kung Fu. Wow. 

I'm starting to think that this is something that I need more than a coffee holster: a camera holster.

Dad's are funny. They march to the beat of their own drum and style. They are hipsters caught on film.


I don't really need a night light, but I am enjoying the cuteness of this one. 

Perception vs. Reality. Truth.

Photography of photography. Love the colors and cameras in these photographs/artworks.

365 photos of a bike. Video montage of what happens.

Moving pictures has gotten a makeover. There's something about the taxi one that draws me in.

Who knew that abandonment could actually be beautiful?

Stop motions are fun. Who knew Rwanda had race car drivers?

I already have an iphone case, but this one makes my heart smile.

I am loving this Brooklyn - Chestnut bag, but Kelly Moore Bags will forever have my heart.

Merry Christmas Y'all!

I stumbled across this on twitter and I really thought it was such an interesting way to picture the birth of Christ. Hope it makes you think and gives you a new perspective on the reason behind the season of Christmas itself.



Merry Christmas y'all! I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
I'll be spending the day with family and friends. I hope y'all are too!

Oh golly, what fun!

I've got a lot to say about Brazil, but before I can spill about the trip I've got to study. Of course after some transit time, I need to unwind by finding great videos sent to me via twitter. Oh golly, what fun!

Single Ladies

I know I said I'd let you in on what's going on soon. Soon isn't in this post either though. There's something about Beyonce's "Single Ladies" video that I love. What's better than a Christian parody to it?

Photoshoots, Design, Music & Cute Things

I'm in the process of back reading blogs. I unintentionally gave up blogging, or at least reading, during the hoopla of finals, UTXA formal, Stephamiah's wedding and Hanna's graduation. In catching up, there's some awesome things I've missed over the past couple of weeks. I am in no way through reading as I can only read so much when I'm down at Grandmom's between working and pretending to work. Here are some of the finds I thought I'd share (but beware! they're mainly photoshoots, design, music and cute things):

My friend, Calli, alerted me to this photoshoot which I fell in love with because I do love the movie UP!

I'm thinking if I randomly decide to do a themed birthday party, Where the Wild Things Party might be an option.

This photoshoot is from a long time ago, but it is precious. My favorite photographer + little kids + the wild wild west = fantastic!

I don't know if I'd wear this as a wedding dress, but how fun would this be for a '40s themed party? Since we're on the subject for dresses. I somehow fell in love with lace and this dress.

My friend, Kathy, alerted me to Straight No Chaser. This is an acapella mens' group and I love their sitcom medley.



I'm not really sure how I found out about Johnny Stimson, but I sure do like his '60s feel.

I must be in a music-y mood today but I can't not share with you my love for Miracle by the Robbie Seay Band. I'm pretty sure that I just sit for hours with them on repeat.

If you've ever had fast food with me, you know I'm not a McDonald's fan to say the least. I'd pretty much rather not eat than have to put one of their cheeseburgers in my mouth. Want to know why?

Some things in life are just ridiculous. Bumper stickers are sometimes one of the most ridiculous, but these may take the cake.


I'm not sure what to say, but I really do like videos shot in black and white, although both of the ones being on here just happen to be shot in black and white. That wasn't planned.

There's something about trailers that I love. It may be the traveling aspect they make me think of, but who knows? I also really enjoy food. The combination? Awesome.

Not that I'm in need of planning a wedding anytime soon, but this is a really cute backyard wedding photoshoot that I am in love with.

Neck ties versus bow ties is not an argument I usually get into, however this neck tie wins.

Finally, dreams can be achieved.

& In other news, I'm in the process of ordering my Aggie Ring! :)

Why Won't Facebook Write My Paper For Me?

I’ve had my fair share of rounds of tests, papers, and projects that have accumulated throughout the semester. A lot of times all of this stress seems to erupt in one crazy week of rushing around trying to multitask a million things, studying as much as possible within a short amount of time and relying on Starbucks to get me through the many sleepless nights. This seems to be a part of the college experience as all of my friends and I struggle with a time management problem called procrastination that seems to result in long to-do lists with no time to do them in.

I think the problem is procrastination, which lurks on the internet in a various of ways, such as: twitter, myspace, facebook, youtube, itunes, hulu.com, blogs, email, instant messenger, addicting games and the list continues. See if any of the following applies to you:

- Watching full movies on youtube even if you have to wait 5 minutes between every part so that it loads. That’s the best time to take a bathroom break and get a new cup of joe, right?
- Memorizing all of the lyrics to “Hakuna Matata” in Spanish, Portuguese and having the desire to learn the German version next. You never know when you’re on a gameshow and will need to bust this song out in Portuguese.
- Discovering a new TV show (Mary Tyler More, Quarterlife, Joey) and watching every episode made of that show. We act as if they are only on that website today and will be deleted the moment our paper is submitted.
- Editing old pictures and posting them on your facebook complete with tags and captions. There’s no better time to post those pictures of your friends playing in the February snow when it is 85 degrees outside and you’ve got a book to read before you can write a paper over it.
- Deciding to start a tweeting experiment on twitter where you write a musical with some friends. It definitely won’t be annoying and will probably be so well written that it will be the next show on Broadway.

These things are all ridiculous in light that our studies aren’t yet done. We are running out of time before the test. Would we really rather have a B or a C on the test just because we chose to learn the lyrics to the German version of “Hakuna Matata” instead? As college students, we are trapped in this seemingly neverending cycle of needing to procrastinate in order to get anything done. What would happen if we didn’t log on to facebook before sitting down to do research for our papers? What would happen if we didn’t think that for every 5 minutes of studying, we need to watch 5 videos off of youtube? What would happen if we discovered playing online tetris really won’t help our project to finish itself?

You know what would happen? We’d probably have better grades, be less stressed and have more free time when it really matters. Here’s some ideas to overcome procrastination and help you finish that paper not only before it is due but before you start a marathon of FRIENDS episodes you just found on the internet:

Open your computer with just the word document for your paper and any necessary materials. Facebook is never a necessary material unless you are writing a paper about social media. If so, good luck and schedule a longer amount of time to work on it.

- Print out all the necessary documents needed before your study session begins. This way, you won’t accidentally slip a twitter.com into your browser search while looking for that last document that’s on your test. I know you’re sure Ashton Kutcher uploaded in a tweet, but he really didn’t.
- Don’t bring your computer. If you bring it and don’t need it, don’t turn it on. You’d be surprised that upon signing out of social networks and shutting down, computers do not in fact explode due to a lack of use.
- Get online only during study breaks for a brief timed period. Once your time is up, do not hit the mental snooze button no matter how much you believe the alarm will alert you when 5 minutes have passed. In three hours after various time wasting activities have taken place, you will realize differently.

It’s time to go study! Now, put down the headphones. We both know you aren’t going to listen to classical music while you type and instead plan on “just hearing the latest episode of The Office play in the background”, which really means that you’ll end up watching it and two more. This won’t end well unless you put procrastination off instead of putting off all of your school work.