Deep End // #DreamBig

Do you ever feel like the to-do list is literally endless?  I feel that way lately.  Life has literally been nonstop since my arrival to St. Louis.  I haven't even taken the time to organize my closet (except for color coordinating my clothes) since I've arrived in early August. The only reason this isn't bothering me is because I can hide it with the beautiful french doors that lead to it in my bedroom.

Times of transition leave me feeling out of breath, much like being in the deep end trying to find the shore.  The ocean waves are rough and every time they begin to calm down and I can float for a bit, another storm comes rushing in.  It's all a part of change, of starting new things and of adjusting to a new place to call temporary home.

On the bright side, I am starting to love St. Louis more and more.  I miss my friends and my family, I am making new ones, and am thinking of my past students a lot.  I miss teaching and I worry about the success of my previous students.  I hope they are doing their very best to have a successful academic year.  I hope they are making good decisions! There are so many things high school students need to hear regularly in order to feel and be successful.

One of my very best friends that I hold dear to my heart is starting her first year of teaching in my home state and she is teaching juniors in high school.  These students live in a community that is approximately 80% Hispanic and like many areas in this country, it is a community struggling with educational inequity.  She is grappling with the idea of her students succeeding and whether they will go to college.  Whether or not that is what they want to do, it should be a path that is realistic and achievable for them.  I know she has the power to do this, she is incredibly intelligent and inspirational, but she needs our help.  Ms. Winger wrote a blog post recently asking others to share insight for her students.  Insight that allows her students to dream, to reach for the stars, and that inspires them to realize that no goal of theirs is too big.  These students, although I have not met them and you have not met them need your words of courage.  Even if it is simple, please take a minute and consider writing them a letter, sending a card, or emailing myself or Ms. Winger directly.  They need you.

Please click here to find out more on how to help Ms. Winger's students #DreamBig.

Words of inspiration from Ms. Winger's classroom 

Thank you.

Liebster

Thank goodness it's spring y'all! I am so happy to see flowers blooming, the weather getting warmer, sunny showers, and brighter colors taking over my wardrobe.  Spring is bittersweet because it means my last weeks in Louisiana will soon come to an end and a chapter in my life will close, but I've got to focus on enjoying the daily happenings in my life.

On a sunnier note, my sweet friend Christine at xtine danielle has nominated me for the Liebster Award.  I've always wanted to be nominated for a blog award and getting my blog out there is one of my annual goals.  Working as a busy teacher, I don't get to focus on my blog as much as I would like to, but come summer time and once I start graduate school in the fall I intend on dedicating much more time to The Bright Side.

Thank YOU Christine for the nomination and for helping me to promote my blog.  Christine is one of the sunniest people I know, she has an incredible story and always has a smile on her face.  I remember Christine being a pleasure to talk to at all times, her love for the Boston Red Sox, and her love for good music.

What is it?
The Liebster Award is given to new and upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers or so.  Liebster is German for "sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome." 

Nomination made by...

Christine at xtine danielle nominated me here for the award. Merci, beaucoup.

Liebster rules...

Learning more about each other is the name of the game. The Liebster blog award rules are as follows:

1. Post 11 random facts about yourself.
2. Answer 11 questions from your nominator.
3. Nominate 11 other blogs with under 200 followers and ask them 11 questions.

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I like odd numbers.  A lot.  Whenever I pump gas I have to stop pumping at an odd number, like $33.03. Oh, I guess I also like the number three. 
2. My favorite time of day is twilight or just before, right when the evening starts to get a little bit cooler.  Everything looks magical at this time of day.
3. I really enjoy dining outside whenever the weather is warm enough and not too humid.
4. I am in love with the Pacific Northwest.
5. I am a die-hard proud Texan and love all things Texas, including: bluebonnets, country music, boots, the rodeo, the Lone Star flag, Shiner beer, BBQ, and the Alamo.
6. Even though it's difficult for me to choose, I think my favorite season is fall. No, summer...no, fall. It's definitely fall. 
7. My first language was Spanish and I did not learn English fluently until I was five years old.
8. The sweetest voice I've ever heard comes out of the mouth of Amos Lee.
9. I truly enjoy buying creative and thoughtful gifts for people more than I enjoy receiving them.
10. My favorite alcoholic beverages include: microbrews, red wine (Malbec), and anything with gin.
11. I cannot see myself not working for social justice, specifically education.   

11 Questions Posed by Nominator

1. Why did you start blogging? I started blogging (the first time) when I was a sophomore in college because my good friend told me I should spread my positivity.  The name came from how many times I said "on the bright side" to others.  I stopped blogging, not knowing much about it short after my junior year and not sure of what direction I wanted my blog to take.  After a life-changing year post-graduation I returned to the blog world and have been back ever since.
2. Describe yourself in two words. Silver Lining ;)
3. What’s your all time favorite tv show? Can I have four? Friends, Grey's Anatomy, The Wonder Years, and Gilmore Girls.
4. What’s one quirky thing about yourself? Everything about me is quirky (right, Margarew?).  I like leaving notes on my receipts for waiters and waitresses at restaurants, even if it's simply a handwritten thank you.
5. What’s your biggest inspiration? Currently, my students, and all who have experienced and/or are currently experiencing injustices in our country.
6. Name three places you’d like to travel to? In the United States: Oregon, Maine, and Alaska.  In the World: Argentina, Ireland, and Morocco.  But really I would love to go to all seven continents.
7. Have you ever sky dived? Would you? I have never sky dived nor do I have the desire to do so. I feel like this is that one question that defines whether I am "cool, hip, or happening" lol.  Sorry I'm not sorry.
8. What’s your favorite quality about yourself? I attempt to be humble, inspirational to others, and empathetic.
9. What’s your favorite social media tool/network? It's a tie between Twitter and the Instagram. Probably Twitter, though.
10. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it? I wish I had a moving and monumental answer to this, but I would have to do a lot of thinking.  I would definitely hire a lawyer first.  Then, I would pay off my graduate school.  After this is taken care of I would expect myself to do only good and necessary things with the money.
11. What’s your all time favorite meal? Food is my favorite thing. I enjoy a good meal and this is so difficult to decide.  My favorite meal would definitely include seafood (fish, scallops, crab cakes), a twice baked potato, an amazing salad, a glass of wine, and plain cheesecake with strawberries for dessert. 

My 11 Liebster Award Nominations

Lisa Lupo Photography

Musings From the Law

Lauren Stilz

The Forever Optimist

Whale You Be My Friend 

Easy Means Simple

Amarette's Abenteuer 

Your Super Awesome Life 

Taking Back My Twenties

Katy Loves

writes like a girl

11 Questions For Nominated Bloggers

1. What is your favorite season?
2. Who was your first concert?
3. What is your go-to Karaoke song?
4. What is your favorite quote and why?
5. What is your favorite blog post and give us the link to it?
6. Who or what inspires you?
7. What is one thing you cannot do without in the morning?
8. When are you at your happiest? 
9. List three strengths and three weaknesses about yourself.
10. What is your all-time favorite song?
11. What are three blogs you read regularly?

Enjoy. If you're a reader, feel free to answer the questions above in a comment.

Top 12 of 2012

As I work on improving my blog for the new year, I stumbled upon a couple of new ones that I'm starting to follow.  This particular one, gave me the idea for today's post.  After all, we beg, borrow, and steal from those who inspire hope within us in order to become our best version of ourselves.

Taken by: Lisa w/Contax 645 Medium Format Camera 

12. Re-Launching The Bright Side According To Laura.

11. Finishing my first year with Teach For America (whew!).

10. Taking the summer to fully reflect and re-focus on myself after a difficult break up, and learning to love my life again.

9. After much prayer and reflection, reaffirming my call to work for social justice through Social Work.

8. Visiting Seattle/Tacoma and falling in love with the Pacific Northwest.

7. Moving in with three roommates who have been a major contribution to making my second year of teaching much better than the first.

6. Continuing my yoga practice, strengthening my body, and mastering two and a half headstands.

5. Climbing to the rooftop of a building (I'm terrified of heights!) to an amazing night view of Seattle.

4. Applying to graduate schools and putting my eggs in two baskets (EEK!).

3. Asking for forgiveness and reconnecting with old friends (I still thank y'all).

2. Completing 75% of my commitment with Teach For America as of December, and falling in love with my job....what an accomplishment!

1. Always having my mother to rely on when I went through the bumps of 2012, having her there with words of wisdom, smiles, cards, hugs, and even spending more time than she needed to in Louisiana with me.  To her, I am eternally grateful.


What about you, friends, what are some of your highlights from 2012?

1, 2, 3...

I hope you read the previous post, it's filled with great information even if it is lengthy.  This one is a shorty, I promise.  I have a couple of songs (1) I'd like to share, an article (2) Leigh Leigh showed me, and a blog (3) I'd like to share.  I will organize it for you in case you want to scroll past the stuff that doesn't interest you.  But hopefully all of it does, but if it doesn't don't tell me. You'll hurt my feelings ;)

(1) Songs

You may have heard this song in the Chevy Sonic commercial or in The Last Song (yes, the one with Miley).  There is something about this song that touches my soul.  The lyrics are powerful.  Enjoy. 

I heard this song today for the first time in a long, long, long time.  It brings back sweet memories for me.  It gives me butterflies in my stomach and I think my heart flutters when I hear it sporadically like I do.  Isn't love great? I can definitely relate to Keith's words in this song.  

The real winner is the song below.  I recently took notice of this song at the wedding I went to last Saturday.  Yes, the wedding mentioned in Entre Pairos y Derivas.  Adele's "One and Only" was the first dance song.  It was beautiful, but I had never really listened to the song before.  Adele's music tends to be kind of "wah-wah-wah no one loves me" and that's not really my style.  Beautiful voice though.  Something about listening to "One and Only" stood out to me and so I went home and looked up the lyrics.  If the lyrics in a song touch my heart chances are that I will like the song 90X better.  I read the lyrics and they described perfectly how I was feeling about said person in the post linked above.  EEEK...

I hope you like it as much as I did. 

(2) Article - here is a little something to regain our faith in humanity :)

(3) Blog Just discovered my friend Lisa Marie's blog Pretty Little Moments.  She's a great writer and has a beautiful layout.  Go visit :) 

Told ya that was short! 

Which was your favorite song? What was your favorite story in the article? 

"Expectation is the root of all heartache"

First things first.  Yes, I do realize that my previous post Entre Pairos y Derivas was a bit erratic and the word vulnerable doesn't even begin to describe the series of emotions I have gone through as a result.  Regrets? Absolutely not.  Expectations? Attempting not to make any.  After all Shakespeare did say, Expectation is the root of all heartache.  Don't worry, I plan to keep you all updated on the effects of it.  

I'd like to give you all a rundown of some blogs that inspire me.  Something that really matters to bloggers is having their message spread.  Everyone wants to feel important and worthwhile.  So, I encourage you to take a click at some of the blogs that I read regularly.  Some are extremely successful, meaning some of these women actually blog for a living  (AHH DREAM JOB!!).  Others are just trying to share their story.  All, however are worthwhile because everyone has something new to teach us if we are willing to learn.  I do ask that you help spread the word about these blogs.  Even if they are super successful blogs like P-Dubs they could always use more readers.  Simply forward it to your best friend if you enjoyed what you read, post a link on Twitter, Facebook, or even your own blog.  If you have a blog, I'd love to read what you have to share so leave me a comment and I promise I will visit often! 

The blog roll: 

Healthy Tipping Point because this is the first blog that I fell in love with.  I am a devoted reader and it sounds silly, but I feel like I know Caitlin personally because of it.  Caitlin is a 27 year old living in North Carolina and a brand new momma! She inspires me to live a healthy life by taking small steps to wards an amazing YOU.  Love you HTP! 

Operation Beautiful is the reason that I found Healthy Tipping Point in the first place. I remember stumbling upon this website in college when I was trying to figure out a wellness program (I was an RA) to put on for the residents of a female residence hall.  I was inspired by the Operation Beautiful movement whose mission is to post anonymous notes of encouragement and positivity in public places for other people to find.  It's awesome! If you have found an Operation Beautiful note before, please comment.  Better yet, tell Caitlin at operationbeautiful@gmail.com 

Young House Love  This is a great blog for the lover of DIY or HGTV(I kid).  But, really, John and Sherry are the cutest couple and give their house the same amount of love that they hopefully ;) give each other.  It's wonderful to read and full of home inspiration.  My favorite is their projects page to browse through when I'm in need of something to do pin.  

Katy Loves She just seems so genuine and sweet.  A true woman of God.  Always positive and always sweet and always sharing what others are doing.  

The Girls with Glasses This is the fashion blog I read.  Summer Bellessa and Brooke White tend to post short, sweet, and to the point videos with awesome fashion/makeup/life advice.  There are not always videos, although they are my favorite.  They are two gorgeous girl with a great sense of style. 

Yuppie Yogini Although Nicole doesn't post often, I still check back to find her next post.  More than anything she makes me laugh with her quirky opinions.  She is also a practicing therapist (DREAM JOB again).  

Kath Eats Real Food I love Kath! I know, I know, I don't really KNOW her, but still.  She is a registered dietitian who inspires other through her successful weight loss, and her eating of REAL food.  She is also expecting a baby so you can find her mommy-to-be journey there as well.  

Taking Back My Twenties Laura is Kath's younger sister and I relate a lot to her journey.  I recently found her blog and love reading about the beer she drinks (beer snob, like me) and about her recent engagement! Oh, and we have the same name :) 

Lisa Lupo Photography Lisa is an old friend from high school.  Even though I haven't seen her in years, I'm sure she's just as I remember her.  Easy to be around, funny, goofy, and talented.  Lisa is a newly wed living in the Seattle, Washington area.  Although Lisa studied Anthropology in college she is taking over the world with her amazing talent for taking beautiful photographs.  I would definitely hire her!  Her blog documents her learnings as a new photographer with snippets about her life.  

Lauren Noelle is one of my lovely friends from college.  I read her blog regularly because it is my way of keeping in touch with her.  Lauren has been writing about her post-grad life and her coming-of-age process as she discovers so much about what she wants and the woman she is becoming.  

The Forever Optimist is about my BFF Sarah.  No one in the world is as caring, genuine, funny, down-to-earth-real, and lovely as she is.  She is also a terrific writer.  She has once again found her inspiration and is on quite a journey.  Go join her! 

The Pioneer Woman of course! Rhee Drummond is an inspiration to all women.  She is your country-gal next door.  Amazing recipes, photography, fun quizzes, and absolutely HILARIOUS.  P-Dubs will change your life.   

Epicurean Vixen a blog about food in Austin, TX (best city in Texas).  My friend Karen is such a foodie and is the best food critic.  

Musings From The Law is one of my best friends from college.  She is like a sister to me.  She is also a consistent blogger and a writer.  I am so proud of all that she has done.  You can currently read about her experience in Chile.    

I sure hope I didn't leave any out, but I probably did.  I come across so many blogs, but the ones I picked are the ones I read on a regular basis.  Even religiously with some.  

What about you, what blogs do you read? 

I will leave y'all with the following song.  This is my theme song for the summer of 2012.  I know it's in portuguese it is brazilian after all, but promise you'll give it a chance :) 

Michel Télo - Ai Se Eu Te Pego