It's Been A While....

Sadly, the holidays kept me as busy as ever this year and my blog suffered :( however, I have a little down time this evening and decided to catch up and share a little bit about the past few weeks and the weeks to come. 


To start, I absolutely cannot believe that it is the very end of December. Where did 2011 go? My whole life 2012 seemed like it was light years away, but it's finally here! I'm both ecstatic and sad about the ending of this current chapter of my life. June 1st, 2012 will be such a bittersweet day. But I'm also really anxious/nervous/happy to be starting a new chapter, one at a University still to be determined (and if you know me at all, you realize this unknown detail is absolutely killing me). So these major events are really going to be the headlines of two-oh-one-two, but I'm really looking forward to the summer days as well spent hanging out with friends and making memories before we all go our separate ways. With all this talk of the New Year, I figured I'd list what 2011 taught me and a few resolutions for 2012.


2011 Lessons:
1) Not everyday is guaranteed, so live each day as though it's your last.
2) You're life can change in the blink of an eye. Literally.  
3) True friends are hard to come by, but once you've found them, don't let go. 
4) Don't give anyone the satisfaction of seeing you hurt. Especially those who caused the pain.
5) As hard as it may be (at least for me), stand up for yourself and don't sit back if someone's done you wrong.


Those sound really cliche, but they hit home with me this year. And here are a few things I hope to start doing/continue...


2012 Resolutions:
1) Start running again....It takes a week to get hooked, but once I am, I absolutely love it....
2) Be me, regardless of what that means.
3) Let the ones in my life that I care about know how much they mean to me. If you're reading this, you are most likely one of these people {thanks :) }
4) To not sweat the small stuff and stress myself out like always...
5) To cure my senioritis (this one might be the most difficult....)


So, in case you can't tell, right now I feel as though I'm in a really good place. This Christmas break spent with friends, family, and chlorine was exactly what I needed to come to closure with '11 and prepare myself for '12. I can't wait to see what next year brings, and I have a strong feeling that it's going to be a good one :) Well, until next time..... take care and HAPPY NEW YEAR! :) 




xoxoxo.....Amanda 

First Blog Post....Here Goes Nothing

After being convinced by multiple sources that I should start blogging, I caved... So here it is, my first post. I have to admit, this feels a little weird, but I think I could grow to like it. 


Anyway, my topic for today is the power of music. Why? Cause within the past few months I've found myself listening to more and more music any chance I have. The tiniest little bit of free time pops up and I'm humming along to the new Taylor Swift single or belting out one of Adele's masterpieces in my car (embarrassing, i know, but come on, we all do it)... It's been said that music has healing power and I'd never really known how true this could be until recently. Whether I'm just feeling down in the dumps, or something much worse, I turn to those who have been in my spot and turned their situation, frustration, or depression into something progressive, and something written to be shared with the whole world. I take comfort in the beautifully and carefully chosen lyrics and melodies of artists like A Fine Frenzy, Marie Digby, and Sara Bareilles and even the hardcore beats bumping in the background of songs like "Ninjas"in Paris every so often. Regardless of the emotion I'm feeling at that exact moment, I know that I can always turn to my Ipod to coincide with my mood. 


Until next time....xoxox -ALG