Inspirational Princesses And Bloggers
Fifteen years ago today, my family gathered around the television for a breaking news story: Diana, Princess of Wales had been in a car accident in Paris. I was 12 and not at all interested in the Royal Family, but we were glued to the news channel. My mom stayed up well into the night watching the coverage and when the announcement was made that the princess had died, she took it especially hard because she was only one year older than Diana and I was one year younger than Prince Harry.
Diana, Princess of Wales
July 1, 1961 – August 31, 1997
The world mourned the death of the People’s Princess. Thousands gathered outside Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace to pay their respects by leaving photos, bouquets, and fallen tears along the gates. At the time, I didn’t get why everyone was so upset. Yes, a young mother had died in a horrific way, but it’s not like any of these people actually knew her.
I understand now.
Back To School Cool
Summer is officially winding down. Vacations are coming to an end and the new school year is starting. The weather is finally beginning to cool off and people race to enjoy those last few days of sunny skies before the chill of fall sets in for good.
I, for one, love this time of year.
When I was a kid (and an adult), there was nothing better than getting a new outfit for the first day of school or the excitement of new classes with new teachers, subjects, and peers. It was a fun time and now that I’m no longer in school, I miss those anxious little butterflies fluttering around in my stomach.
So, to stir up memories of pep rallies and blue book exams, I present a list of all of the things that remind me of a scholastic new start.
A Four-Legged Nut Job
I am someone who lives alone. When I walk through the door at the end of a day, there is no one there to greet me or cook me dinner or draw me a bath. Recently, I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a pet. Unfortunately, my nickel-and-diming property management believes that an animal equates to an additional monthly pet rent.
Not a deposit, a pet rent.
Needless to say, I find this completely ridiculous and have shelved any attempts to cure my solitary home life. In the meantime, I rely on weekly visits to the family dog for licks on the nose and cuddles on the couch.
All Signs Point To Ask
When it comes to generating ideas for posts, a lot of times I just pull something out of thin air. Usually it will be related to something that I’ve experienced in my recent days or something I’ve wondered about, but most of the time, ideas just hit me for no clear reason and I run with them.
This particular post was brought to you all by the universe. Yes, that’s right. The universe. You see, for the last week, I have been inundated with the same topic time and time again. Badgered over the head, if you will. In no less than three different ways has this issue been made the focus of my life at separate times. Clearly, I am meant to write about it. However, as I sit here, I feel like I cannot truly do the topic justice because I feel that the message is clear enough and why should I further elaborate on an already defined subject.
But I will because, let’s face it, this is what I do here.
What is this mysterious topic that I write about so enigmatically? Asking for what you want.
Who could forget Meredith’s speech on “Grey’s Anatomy” where she begged Derek to choose her over his estranged wife?
Simple enough, right? You see something you desire, you ask for it. A raise, a dance, a shiny new pair of shoes. Children do it all the time. “Mommy, I want ice cream!” “Daddy, I want a teddy bear!” “Auntie, pick me up!” But is it really that simple?
Finding Inspiration And Choosing A Winner
A few weeks ago, I received one of the nicest emails from my blogging soul mate Stephanie with a completely unexpected request: she asked me to guest post on Simply Stephanie for her Inspiration Week.
I was completely touched that someone would put their blog in my hands and allow me to share more than a comment’s worth of space on their site. This being my first year blogging, I had never really thought about what it would be like to guest post. With blogs being so incredibly personal, how could anyone give someone else the reins and write for them? How do you essentially substitute for a fellow blogger while staying true to both their blog and your style?
I was surprised to learn just how easy it was. The trick is: be yourself. With little more than some basic pointers, I set out to complete my first guest post and even got it in days before it was due (college professors from my undergraduate years are dumbfounded).
And today is the day! Check out my guest blog here and don’t forget to browse through the other Inspiration Week posts by Laura of Not So Skinny Genes, Melissa from the Existential Detective, and Amber from Arbitrary Ambrosia. It’s been an absolute pleasure to share the blogging stage with these awesome ladies and thank you Stephanie for the honor!
I also have another bit of news for you all. I have a winner to announce of the Blog-Warming Giveaway, Take 2.
What Have You Done For You Lately?
They say that the most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself. And they’re right. Your relationship with yourself is vital to every other relationship in your life. It is said that you can never truly love another if you cannot love yourself. How can anyone expect to be in an honest and healthy relationship if they are not happy with themself?
Having been single for far longer than I’d like to admit, I have definitely cultivated the relationship I have with myself. I have explored new interests and gotten to know who I am as an individual. And I am here to tell you, I like me!
Correction: I love me!
As much as I love my friends and family, I am happy with just being by myself sometimes. There is something comforting about enjoying a quiet day alone, strolling down a sidewalk with nothing but an iPod and thoughts to keep me company or cuddling up on the couch with a trashy magazine and a glass of wine or soaking in a tub of fragrant bubbles after a hard workout. Being alone for just five minutes allows a person to collect their thoughts and revive their energy so they can tackle all that life has to offer.
What I Learned From A Two-Year Old At SeaWorld
Check the bottom of the post for info on how to enter the Blog-Warming Giveaway, Take 2.
Last week, seven adults took one two-year old to SeaWorld San Diego.
Even if the trainers don’t get into the water anymore, it’s still amazing to see a whale jump out of the water!
My nephew had never been to the place of Shamu and dolphin shows and he enjoyed every minute of it. As his auntie, I learned a lot about what it takes to keep a munchkin happy and entertained during an all-day theme park adventure.
