Embarking on a change.

As Ryan and I are set to begin our next adventure together... MOVING TO COLORADO!  I had the chance to take a trip down that precious memory lane and go through all my old photos, notes, cards and milions of little things that I've kept over the years.  It's a running joke that it's going to be the most amazing scrapbook ever... I just haven't gotten there yet.  Someday.   Anyways, I ran across this poem that I used to have on my mirror in college.  It's an oldie, but a goodie and I thought I'd share with you today.  I admit, it's filled with cliches, but it's also a nice reminder of how important it is to be PRESENT in life.  It's pretty fun... I would know.

And PS... I'm moving to Colorado this weekend!!!  :)  I can't wait.

Sometimes

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, they serve some sort of purpose, to teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. 

You never know who these people may be - your roommate, neighbor, professor, long lost friend, lover or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you and at the time they may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles, you would have never realized your potential, strength, will power or heart. 

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity - all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, if they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life and the successes and downfalls you experience - they are the ones who create who you are. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. Those lessons are the hardest and probably the most important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to. 

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. 

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either. You can make of your life anything you wish. 

Create your own life and then go out and live it.

5 things i'm thankful for today...

1.  fun times had with friends at the padres game yesterday.

2.  the beautiful san diego weather we've been blessed with this weekend.

3.  ryan and i got to spend 366 days as newlyweds.  thank you leap year.  today is like a bonus day!

4.  we've almost made it through year 1.  most people say it can be the toughest times.  we beg to differ, i think it was our easiest.  hopefully that's a sign of things to come.

5.  thanks to our wedding anniversary... it's a three day weekend!  can't wait for tomorrow's celebration.  : )

6.  and today there are 6.  a big, huge, whopping thank you to the brave firefighters of san diego for putting out the wildfire in our backyard today.  thank you.  thank you.  thank you.

KTD

Wordless Wednesday.

I'm jumping on a bit of a bandwagon here.  But hey, sometimes there just aren't words.  More to  come!  KTD

Pure bliss.

You know when you hear a song that just makes you happy to be alive?  You know that no matter what your mood, if you turn it on, you'll just want to dance and sing your lungs out?  Well, I just found one of those rare beauties.  Jason Mraz' new song, "I'm Yours."  Mild obsession.  It's the cutest, happiest, put a spring in your step, little ditty I've heard in a while.  The flowers are blooming all over San Diego.  The leaves are coming back.  And the grass is turning this bright shade of key lime green.  This song makes me want to put on a sundress and some new shades and go frolic in the sunshine.  Goodbye winter... bring on the spring time!  Enjoy.  KTD

Politics, Shmolitics.

I'm not really one to speak out on political issues because quite honestly, it really isn't what defines us or me.  I respect differing opinions and feel deep in my heart of hearts that everyone is entitled to have their own opinion for better or for worse.  This is America after all.  So, in keeping with the cheery spring season, I'll keep this one short.  I've become increasingly irritated over the state of the 2008 presidential election.  It doesn't matter if you are Republican or Democrat or somewhere in between.  I'm all for girl power, a raceless country, blah, blah, blah.  Lets look at the issues and policies at hand, the state of our country (hello, looming recession), each candidates political experience and really figure out who is the best candidate for this important job.  Let's stop being racist and sexist, because after all if you are voting for someone based solely on those qualities, isn't that what you are?  Please think long and hard about your decision this year and make the best choice for the future of this prosperous country.  Oh and have some pride in the good old U S of A.  :)  That's all I ask.  Enjoy the sunshine!  KTD

In love!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!  I'm so excited to celebrate our first v-day as husband and wife tonight.  It's funny... more than ever before there's nothing more we want tonight than to share an evening of togetherness.  This year we've opted to nix the lavish gifts and the fancy schmancy dinner out, for a romantic fondue dinner in and a movie (our wedding dvd... I'll probably cry my eyes out and love every minute of it).  So simple, yet such a perfectly ideal way to celebrate our love for each other.  Who says we don't do that every day anyways!  On another note, I found another love today (Sorry Ryan!)... If you haven't tried the new Clarisonic skincare brush... RUN to Sephora.com and get your name on the waiting list.  I of course got the pink one and am already obsessed with it.  It's the best and so far, worth every penny!  Those of you who know me well, know I have a horrible skincare regime paired with an addiction of skincare products (that's a whole separate issue), but today I've washed my face twice already just to feel the lovely goodness of the Clarisonic.  Last, I'm also super excited about the new Jack Johnson CD, Sleep through the Static.  I just got it on iTunes for our little v-day din din and so far it's spectacular!  If you love Jack as much as I do, it's a must have.  Enjoy.  Love to all and happy day!  KTD

2008. Will it be great?

2007. What an amazing year. Filled with Love. Friends. Marriage. Husband. Honeymooning. Family. Weddings. Cheers all around! There wasn't a day that went by that I wasn't in total glee. Okay... so I may have cried my eyes out when my wedding dress didn't fit quite right the first time around, but hey... what's planning a wedding without one complete and total breakdown. Since the clock tick tocked and turned itself 2008, I've felt like a deer in headlights. How on earth can I make this year as good as the last. Over a month has gone by and I think I've finally figured it out. The only thing missing this year is the wedding. I'll keep on loving and being loved, I'll still have my fabulous friends, the bond I have with my husband will continue to grow stronger, we'll even continue honeymooning for years to come. And my family, while much too far away will always be my rock when the going gets tough. 2008. Will it be great? Of course it will! Ryan and I have set ourselves up for a very exciting year filled with change. And with my eyes and heart wide open, I can't wait to see what the year will bring. Cheers! KTD