My Visit To Oregon In June

Imagine, driving down a freeway and crossing a bridge over a beautiful river twisting through a city. There are tree's everywhere, that you can tell have been there for a long time, and probably were there naturally. Believe that you are seeing vines growing up the pillars holding up the freeway, and there is a magnificent blue sky above you that stretches out as far as you can see with peaks of ancient mountains and volcanos scattered throughout your view. That's Portland, Oregon.

I came up to Oregon to visit my family that lives up there, and by the time my week there was up, I didn't want to leave. All the people there are so authentic and open hearted and friendly. There is a feeling of acceptance that you feel when you see almost every person being completely themselves and not holding anything back. I felt so comfortable because I didn't have to worry about being judged by someone because I didn't have makeup on or I just seemed different.

One of the days that I was in Oregon, we went to the Looking up at the trees in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to see the second highest waterfall in the US, Multnomah Falls. It was beautiful! I took so many photos, you can view them at this link.

There are endless things I was able to experience there that I would just love to rant about all day, but I don't think I'd like to ruin the fun for you! I dare you to travel to Oregon, and see how amazing this state is.

I'm Back!

Sorry, I disappeared for about two months...that's a long time. Things have been so busy! I'm going to eliminate my bad habit of forgetting to post every day. It just seemed that I was talking to myself for a while! But, I guess I was and probably still am…but hey I guess that maybe if I talk to myself enough, some more people will begin to listen? I'd like to thank my patient readers and hope that I can regain some trust that I'll be posting more often. Happy Living!

There is Beauty in Other Cultures

Today, I went with my family to a Baptist church. Although I do not believe in their religion, I did find some happiness and fulfillment by being there. It was a great learning experience to see another’s culture and meet many new people. There were many African Americans there, with a few Caucasians scattered here and there. Everyone welcomed the new comers, including my family, and shook hands with those they did not know. The music was joyful and ecstatic and full of life. I especially enjoyed the choir!

It is very important for us to know and understand other cultures and way of life. In order for us to enjoy our world to it’s fullest, we must be willing to open our hearts to the differences. Authenticity is the beauty of the world. If we have open minds and accept the differences around us, we will be happier and will find that we are circled with many new friends and loved ones.

Today, or some other Sunday, visit a church or spiritual center other than your own or one you are familiar with and enjoy the authenticity of their culture. By crossing the bridge from ignorance to knowledge, we will overcome fear.

Summer is here!

Summer is here and I am so excited. I have a huge list of things I’m going to do!

Hiking, camping, hang gliding, BBQ, go to the park, balloons, boating, farmers market, finger painting, swimming, mani/pedicures, scrapbook, sprinklers, pet fish, henna, make a movie, hot tubing, make dresses, summer play list, homemade meals, picnics, iced tea, Lagoon amusement park, luaus, skinny dipping, streaking, make a blanket, tie-dye, decorate T-shirts, graffiti, water parks, the gym, all nighters, climb trees, blow bubbles, dancing in the rain, dying a strand of hair a super bright color, makeovers, laying in the middle of the road at 2:15 am, write songs, go out to eat, secret spot in the mountains, backpacking, 100 movies, Disney night, parties, make a book, hair ties, marijuana, fly kites, message in a bottle, messages tied to balloons and set free in the air, pillows, Jone’s sodas, Sobes, candy, tanning, sunburns, crazy hair days, bonfires, music, making jewelry, water balloons, slip’n’slides, sleeping under the stars, going to Moab, traveling to Oregon to visit family and bringing Max along, shopping cart racing, dancing, singing, West Yellowstone, Montana, Park City, grow a bonsai tree, grow and orchid, plant a garden, go a week bare foot, meditation, go a whole day without speaking, grow my own fruits and vegetables, shop at a local store .

This summer, we should all spend it wisely and enjoy ourselves. For all we know, this could be our last summer we can ever have! There’s only one life and one summer 2010.…let’s make it amazing!

Live Life To It's Fullest!

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
-Abraham Lincoln

Why is it that it seems the people who lived shorter lives in the past seemed to have had more meaningful lives? The average life span of a person today is 80 years old! This is a definite blessing that we have, but it also gives us the excuse to slack off and not live our lives as fully as we could.

Today, cherish every moment you have. Live life to it’s fullest! Do one thing that scares you a day, and do something you’ve never done before! Think about your life so far and figure out what you could do to make your life more meaningful!

The Miracle of You

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein

I was looking at a picture of my great grandparents the other day and I was thinking about how many specific events had to happen for me to be here right now. If one little thing hadn’t happened, or occurred differently, there is a possibility I wouldn’t be living. Which means I wouldn’t be writing this, or have met or effected the people I have, or even breathed the air I have over the years.

Everything happened for a reason to make You happen. Billions of years had to take place for you to be here right now. Our Earth had to be created and set in the exact location it is now, for it to be possible for you to have life, and every one of your ancestors had to be who they were for You to take place. You are a miracle. If the certain events over trillions of years hadn’t happened, from the start of the universe to the marriage of your great-great-grandparents, to the death of a loved one to a family member to the weather hundreds of years ago, there is a possibility that You wouldn’t exist. You are here for a reason and You are a part of the delicate balance of life. You are a part of a plan and You have a path set for you. You are here to create the future for time after us and You are the change in this world.

Today, celebrate the miracle of Your life. Thank God, the creator, the universe, Allah, your Heavenly Father, your beliefs or even just Fate that you are here today. Cherish the miracle of your life and live every moment from now on knowing that it was fate that brought you here.

Places I Want To Visit

I have a list of places I want to visit after I graduate from high school. The only problem is…I don’t know where I’ll get the money! Here it goes…




Places I Want to Go:

- The Bahamas
- Spain
- The Netherlands
- Bora Bora
- Greece
- France
- Italy
- Norway
- Ireland
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Chile
- Canada
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Colorado
- New York

I want to live in Oregon, Hawaii, and The Netherlands for at least a year…

I want to also go on a road trip along the Pacific Coast and through Southern Utah.

I want to go on a cruise and I want to also learn how to fly a plane!

While going on this little adventure around the world, I want to take photographs and write poems for them and then publish them in a book.

Today, make a list of places YOU want to visit! This world has so many different cultures and possibilities!