Thoughts on Writing…
November 5, 2009
Filed under About Me, Announcements, Boredom, College, Friends, Inspiration, Musings, Ramblings, Random, Reminiscing, Writing
Just recently I remembered why I loved writing so much…
It happened yesterday; Wednesday November 4th. And it happened after I’d gone to visit my co-worker at the Learning Center. I’ve always loved writing so much and I’m so used to helping others with improving their writing processes (I’m a writing tutor for my school). But I guess I lost touch with my creative side.
I started writing a couple novels. I’m in the process of re-writing the first book that will hopefully start a series and I’m also in the process of writing a different book. So yesterday I was in a sharing mood and I told the story to my co-worker. I realized, while I was telling her the story, that it was a really, really good one. And she loved the ideas and concepts (I think she might’ve fallen for a few of the characters as well). She also said that she would definitely read it if I’d get it published.
I used to love writing to tell stories…I lost that somewhere. But I think I got it back yesterday. I immediately went back to my room and opened up my story-in-progress and was inspired to continue it.
Hopefully I can get it done by the end of next year…and yes, I think I might want to get it published 
…I can’t wait!!
#8. Appreciate The Ones Who Love You
October 25, 2009
Filed under College, Family, Friends, Future, Home, Inspiration, Life, Love, Musings, Reminiscing, Self-Actualization
8. Write to those you appreciate
Yes…I said write. Go invest a couple bucks on a few blank cards and write to those you appreciate. I just recently did this a few days ago (and am still in the process of) and it is time really well spent.
Why write? Well a few things happen when you sit down and take the time to write: You actually DO take the time to sit and contemplate what these people mean to you. You think about what they’ve done and try to rationalize why they take time to invest in you. It’s not a 2 minute thing either…taking time to write is a process (write in pen and you’ll know what I mean *wink*). And plus, that person will have something physical to hold on to; especially when it’s a few months until Graduation and you know you may not see them ever again.
Just do this little thing and I bet you’ll feel a little bit more whole. Even if you ever feel alone–writing to those you appreciate will make life more bearable because you know that you have these people to come back to. They add depth and validity to your life; they love you enough to put up with your quirkiness and all your flaws.
Do this…I dare you…and you’ll feel refreshed thereafter.
#7. Smile Like You Mean It
October 9, 2009 
7. Smile real wide…
There’s a song I heard on the radio the other day and the woman singing said: “Smile even when you feel like crying”. At first I smiled, not because I felt like crying but because there is a relevance there.
It’s amazing what a simple smile can do. I can tell you from personal experience that smiling really draws people in; it makes them want to know you. It is an icebreaker and people feel more at ease in your presence. It is contagious; people will smile back at you and you may have even brightened their day. Smiling not only gives others hope that there are still people in this world that can find happiness in any situation, but it also instills that same hope within yourself. Contentment can be found in whatever life throws at you–whether it be acknowledged shortly after the fact or years after–you just may not know it yet.
I dare you to smile to everyone you pass for a whole day, even if others find it completely creepy ^_^*…I bet at end the day you’ll find yourself more happy and content than when you first woke up.
((This post is a continuation of this… ))
Wake Up Sleepy Head
October 8, 2009
Filed under About Me, Announcements, College, Family, Friends, Godson, Inspiration, Life, Love, Music, Musings, Ramblings, Reminiscing
Today I saw the sun for the first time in about five days. It was so bright that all I wanted to do was skip all my classes today and lay in a field full of daisies. And when I stepped out of my building into the shining light, I felt an overwhelming warmth come over me. Not the warmth from the sun but a different warmth…let me explain.
You know that over-played song “Big Yellow Taxi“. The one that’s like
“Don’t it always seem to go: that you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
I found myself thinking about this song as I realized how much we do take for granted until it’s gone. We never realize how much we’ll miss the sun until it’s raining for five days straight. We never realize how much we miss that baby boy until we hear the joyful laughter of a child. We don’t realize how much we’ve missed being loved until someone says those tiny three words that send our minds for a loop.
And now I’ve decided to step out of this funk and truly start to appreciate things again; whether it be the warmth of the sun or the strength given to me from friends–the thoughtful criticisms from those who support me or the warming love from one fighting to keep me safe.
“Christian” Perspectives
So…I just got done reading through The Beacon (my school’s newspaper). If you’re part of the majority populus–those who believe that the best thing that ever happened to America was the split between God and the American Educational System–this newspaper would make you very mad. This post is a response to one article that really caught my attention.
Fact 1: I’m going to a Christian College. God is here; enriching the student’s lives and providing students with the idea that there is something bigger than themselves to cling to. Everything on campus encapsulates God; from the school’s mission statement to its student body newspaper. Now…in case you’re wondering…I’m not complaining of this. I’ve grown in my walk with Christ and I think that this is where I’m supposed to be. This place is for a certain type of person and it is a good thing.
Fact 2: There are varying degrees of sin that are portrayed here. Ok, ok…it IS a Christian campus and therefore one’s sins will be held above their heads from time to time–especially when you’re part of a whole campus of educated, spiritual people. This is implied. What gets me is the people who have the whole ’superiority complex’ going for them. Those are the ones who may or may not openly “shun the non believer”; the ones who have the hatred in their hearts. Having seen and interacted with these people, I can’t help but see other sins in them: vanity, narcissism and disregard for other human beings.
Fact 3: The shunned ‘non-believers’ are human too (*gasp*). Those people this person fingered in her article are people. They are friends, brothers, sisters, RA’s, roommates, leaders of campus activites…people. Who are you to tell them that they do not have the same right to the Kingdom as you do? Sure you may look down on them or shake your head at them when you see them walking past you but I’m sure that God has a plan for them too…
Okay, so maybe a bit too long winded but it had to come out. I hate it when people on my campus put that ‘I’m-holier-than-thou-art’ stuff in others’ faces as if it had some semblance of truth to it. I am in no way the perfect Christian. I stumble or lose my way sometimes but if that prevents me from getting into heaven then heaven must be a very desolate place; I don’t know of anyone who has never had a thought or done something unholy in their lives.
That’s all I wanted to say…
To Marisa…
Today I came in and saw you crying in our closet. And an overwhelming fear came over me–immediately I wondered if you were okay. So can you imagine how unsettled I felt when I found out that it was because of me that you were there? I know you read what I’d written a few weeks ago and at the time I didn’t know that you’d take it so hard. But the thing that I want you to know is this…
…we’re okay.
The thing is…you see me at my worst. You see me when no one else does. You see the times when I’m not smiling or putting on my face. I tell you things that I dare not tell my friends. You put up with my ridiculous bouts of snoring at night and you deal with how inappropriate I can be…and you accept the person I am.
With that being said, I don’t want you to feel as though I loathe hanging out with you. Or that you make me uncomfortable in any way. It’s actually the exact opposite; even though at times I may not always portray it through the things I do or how I act. We share a space together…you’re more like a sister to me than anything. And it’s nice to feel at home when I’m not literally at my house; you help make it that way.
I know that I should have talked to you about what was bothering me in the first place. But come to think of it…I don’t even remember what I was upset about when I’d written that. I think that at the time I was probably scared to confront you about it myself.
But, to close, you should know better than anyone: I get over things really fast. And I want you to know that anything you do, anything you will do, will not change the fact that you ARE–in a way–my sister. This year, we’re bound to have fights or disagreements…just don’t forget how much you really do mean to me.
2,000 lb Heart (Missing Home)
I remember this summer when I used to gripe about how bad I wanted school to start…like it was my mission to just get out of the old house. I’d make excuses to go to friends’ houses and just leave for countless hours. By the end of the summer, I was itching to be back in the dorms.
Now that I’m back, I’m having a blast. I’m glad that I have my independence once again and that I get to be surrounded by friends. I’m never bored (unless I choose to be) because there is always something to do here. And now I’m worrying about saving to open up a credit card and where I’m going to do my internship; what I’ll be doing after I leave Roberts.
And all through the rush of being away from home–all through the times that I wished I was gone–I’m finding that I’m missing it a little more each day. There was a calming stillness there and time didn’t really matter. There never was anything that pressing to get done whereas here it’s all time and deadlines; I find myself glancing at the clock every hour because time just keeps slipping past me…it seems like there’s never enough of it to get everything I need to get done, done.
But yeah, miss my family…my mom in particular. I miss Kuma and Nikko (my doggies) even though they were little shits all the time. I miss how quiet and welcoming my old room was. It was where I got away from everything for a time. Gosh…I miss my best friend and my godson so much. It kills me to know that each day I’m here is just another day for him to forget about me.
*sigh* Idk. I’ve been in an awfully reflective mood lately. I think it started Thursday when I realized I hadn’t called my mom in a couple of weeks. I went home yesterday (Friday) for my little brother’s soccer game and felt a strange longing to just stay and forget about work and worries for the weekend. But I had to tutor today and I have other school work to get done later*sadface*. Anyway, I guess the only thing to do is to keep on truckin’. Until next time friends…
First Semester Senior Year Update
First semester Senior Year…what a doozy right? It’s been…strange, to say the least. I’m living in the same building as last year–not the same room but same hallway. My closet seems to be a lot bigger for some reason (random)? The roomie and I are getting along fine at the moment (even though I was a little disappointed at her this past week).
Anyway…classes are going fine. I’m starting to get into a routine now with them. I’m not behind with work yet so I suppose that’s a good thing. I’m finding that I’m really enjoying my journalism class–it’s probably the best elective that I chose to take. I’ve also picked up a lot more writing projects: writing for the Business Department newsletter, the Beacon (our school’s newspaper) and still heading up the RWC SIFE newsletter.
The whole CFO thing for SIFE is going well too. I’m glad that I finally have a leadership role in that–even though it means a lot more responsibility and time commitment. I get to hang out with a lot of friends through that and I’m finding myself enjoying it a lot more than I expected. I’ve picked up a few more hours at work for both of my jobs and I’m working on balancing that out with my studies. It’s going good so far and hopefully it’ll keep like that for the rest of the semester.
As for how life’s going…it’s just that: going. There’s not much really to report on that. Old Ashley would have griped about ‘oh my gosh, I’m so lonely.’ I suppose I could be feeling lonely right now but I’m just…not. My life is too busy to be feeling sorry for myself at the moment. I’ve been spending a lot more time with my friends; a lot more than I ever have since I’ve been here. And I think that’s a huge contributing factor for me not feeling so alone all the time. I’ve realized that there a lot more important things to worry about this last year of school…
…it went by really, really fast.
That’s all as of right now. I’ll keep you all updated as the semester goes on. Til next time friends…
To: [You]
You told me this wasn’t supposed to happen…
…I didn’t know what you meant a little while ago…
…I think I know what you mean now.
Literacy WIN!
My best friend started my Godson on the “Your Baby Can Read” program last week. Hopefully it works…yeah, cuz it like cost $199.99. How awesome would it be if Owen started reading before he could walk? I’m a little skeptic but I guess we’ll just have to see if the program works afterall. I’ll be posting update posts about this.
Here’s the commercial that started it all:
Btw, that little girl is friggen smart as hell…
Your Baby Can Read = Literacy WIN!
