Taylor Swift

     The themes in just about every single Taylor Swift song seem to ring 99% true in my life. When i was a senior in high school her current album was all lovey dovey which rang true for all the silly crushes my friends and I had on various jocks. We would blare the love songs with the windows down at night and profess the love (through lyrics) that we would never actually verbalize to the boys we wanted to. Now her new album is pretty much all about the people who left her behind, the people she left behind and all the damage it inflicted. Bingo. Hit the nail on the head again. I don't mean for this entry to be about self pity by any means. It's more of a vent session for the things on my mind at 1:24 AM. I even tried writing less abstractly than this in my journal, but here's hoping plan B works!

      I feel as though there's been a consistent theme in my life of people leaving, changing, disappointing, etc. I am one of those at fault. I remember the first friend I lost to a change in circumstances in 7th grade. I think about her very often, hoping she's doing well and forgiving me for the differences we had. From then to now I can name off the others that changed or tried to change me, and for that were left behind. Left behind is almost too strong of a statement. It's more like they now play a significantly less important role in my life. People who I could never imagine feeling this way about. People I grew together with so strongly only for us to diverge somewhere along the way. What changes? My guess would be the environment we are surrounded by most often, including our peers and activities in which we partake. That actually goes for every scenario I can think of in which someone became more distant to me. In one of the scenarios I believe I was the one who was being changed by a peer and certain activities: the other friend lost through this was the one who tried to change me. I still debate whether or not what he did was right. Maybe it was a little of both. That leads me to my next question...Is change a bad thing? In most cases I assume that the person who changes feels they are better off. But what about the people who needed them? The people who they abandoned to move in a different direction? I won't use the word "growth" because I feel like sometimes change isn't beneficial to the person...but at what price does personal branching come? There has to be a point at which we're just happy. No more transformation rubbish and just enjoying the people who love you for YOU. As someone who has been on both sides of this game of pickle, I just don't have a concrete answer. There is so much to be gained in change; but I have witnessed and felt more loss from personal branching than the flip side. I guess that makes me bias.
     In all this I think all I can do is count my losses and move forward with better intentions when thinking about leaving someone out of my future. I may not want them around now or have sore feelings about certain things but I may need them down the road and there's one person in particular I don't know if I could ever forgive myself for letting go. BUT:
     Last question...when all is said and done and someone has made you feel like you've been dropped on the side of the road...are you supposed to feel happy for them? That they've found something better in life than what you could offer? It's the obvious WWJD answer to say "yes." But as a human being, how is someone supposed to just pick up their baggage and move on?

   

Man in the Mirror ~ Michael Jackson

     Yesterday someone posted a very heinous comment and picture on a certain social networking website that has been eating at me for the last 12 hours since it went up. I am struck with disbelief that any human could say something so LOW about another human being, and someone who is more or less my family. Even as I'm writing this my body is starting to shake with anger and my heart feels like it is literally going to beat out of my skin, I am so angry. To put things in context, the photo and comment weren't of someone that the poster knew. This was a picture of a random person that the poster decided to publicly ridicule by posting for all of their friends to see. A person that the poster didn't take time to know: his name, his history, his pain, his laughter...The person who posted this, and somebody who is very close to me, have mocked this type of person for years now. It started as just a difference in lifestyles and the comments were more about how with the right knowledge this group could benefit. As time went by the comments developed into a prejudice that I would try to object to or roll my eyes in frustration. But this...this is something that physically makes me sick. I didn't fall asleep for a few hours because I was running all the things through my mind that I could say to try and make this person realize the magnitude of their hurtful words. I debated, and am still debating on saying something. I saw a picture online that said something like: It's important to stand up for what you believe, even if that means standing down." When do you know which is the right way? Either I say something and cause a rift between myself and the other person, or I stand down and let it happen and let them go on hurting people. I'm not perfect, don't claim to be, nor will I ever be. I have judged people and made comments about people unfairly and I can only say that it is people like these that make me want to look at myself and make a change. After this comment I never want to say another bad word against anyone because I see the ugliness and evil in each one. That's not the person I want to be. That is the person I refuse to be.

     I heard recently that the meaning behind the Mayan's calendar isn't that the world is going to end, but instead there will be a change in thinking. A new perspective on life. If this IS the case, I challenge myself and others to keep this acronym in mind. If the only person who benefits from a statement is you, then your ego, should probably rethink saying it out loud.

     In closing, if I could say one thing to this person I would say this:
I hope that the pain that you are causing isn't for nothing. I hope you can at least rest your head at night feeling like a bigger man for it.

Home ~ Phillip Phillips

     I have arrived in Oregon!! It's weird to have the mindset that Eugene is now my "home." It's almost like I have to make a conscious effort to have this mindset though. Not only is it because I've never known "home" to be anywhere other than Orange County, but also because, I'm sure I've said it before, I'm a gypsy soul. I have the need to move from one place to the next. I want to be constantly learning new cultures and seeing new things. Feel new feelings and experience more than my mind can take! So a few days after settling in, I started to get that antsy bug ALREADY. I started to have a mini panic attack because I had never gotten "the bug" so soon after arriving somewhere. I told Jamie, who I have remained close friends with, about this and how it made me scared because I didn't feel like anywhere I ever went would ever feel like home. He made me realized that the only reason I felt that way is because of that scared feeling. I have no friends here, I only know Katie and her fiance, Nick. I hardly know my way to three stores, among other things that made me feel very unsettled. But that's when I realized that the conscious effort needed to be made on my part to just be. To remind myself every day that it's okay to be unsettled only a week after arriving, or even a month or two after arriving. It will take time and I will be happy and feel like I belong when life falls into place. The song Home by Phillip Phillips goes like this:

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

I just have to keep chugging along and know that God has a plan for me. Even if I'm afraid to face it right now.

A Little Bit Stronger~ Country Strong

     When I came back to the US I was hit with a wave of obstacles to overcome. My Opa had passed away just a few weeks before my return, not giving me a chance to say my last goodbyes and I love you’s. I was dealing with a break up (through my own doing) that left me feeling a lethal combination of emotions all once. After these two events alone, I was feeling completely guilt-ridden and in need of an escape. That’s where the music comes in. It was a toss-up between the song I chose for this entry and Stronger by B. Spears. This song won out because it dates back to when times were even tougher and helped me through. My hope through this new blog style is that I can help others (and myself) through "the good, the bad, and the ugly," or at least make it a bit easier . While I can’t say my heart is as healthy as it was a few months ago, each day I get a little bit stronger. Each day presents a new challenge.  Just like in the Script's "Six Degrees of Separation" the 3rd is when you're world splits down the middle, the 4th is when you think that you've fixed yourself, the fifth, you see them out with someone else...etc.  Sometimes you need to cry about it, some days you need to talk about it with someone who can relate (or anyone who will listen), and other days you just need to knock a few back at the bar. Pick your poison! As long as you don’t go too overboard with any one of these. At the end of any terrible and cloudy day, you know, even in the smallest corner of your mind, that the sun will shine again and in full force. Your genuine smile will come back. And that’s what makes us stronger. "Keep Holding On."

The end of My Dream Down Under

     In the last three months, I have experienced the wonderful world of Perth, Australia. I have made some unforgettable memories: my 21st birthday spent in a beautiful casino, surrounded by many friends. I've toured wineries in Margaret River, played Super Golf, enjoyed chocolate from two factories, an array of delicious cheeses, witnessed the magnificently turquoise waters of Australia's West coast, danced the night away after going to an amazing cocktail bar, enjoyed the delectable dinners of very hospitable friends, attended a charitable party for breast cancer, Saw penguins and a massive lizard the size of my arm on Penguin Island, and many many other incredible times. There is so much more to see and yet not very much time at all to see it in. I am regretful to say that I will be coming home on November 12th. Many things have played into this decision. The first is Jamie and I going our separate ways. The second was the passing of my Opa. Part of me wanted to stay in Australia to finish my exploration but the other part of me felt as though I was an outcast now that Jamie's friends were no longer mine too. I do have an amazing friend here, Elle, but she is also heading to the US next week (for three months), leaving me in "Jamie's country" with nobody; alone and fending for myself without help. This choice started to seem very depressing. My other choice was to go home to Orange County. While I love the familiarity of my hometown, its is the very thing I hate about it. I've always wanted to go out and get lost in some random city and fend for myself, building up my life from scratch. Now that I've experienced this, I can say that it's easier said than done; but not difficult enough to go back to living at home with my mother (no offence, Mom), to the same streets, freeways, buildings, and monotony that I've always felt. So what to do? That's when I was given a third option that trumped the others by far; giving me a visible ladder to move myself up in the world. This option would give me a place to live, an opportunity to find a job outside the part-time hospitality position, and get me back into school. This option was graciously offered by my sister Katie and her fiance, Nick, to move in with them and get back on my feet. I'm moving to Eugene, Oregon!! I am so ready to gain that level of independence that I haven't felt since living in San Francisco. To not answer to anyone. Make my own decisions and have confidence in them because only You are in charge! I think I may even get my own little kitty when I graduate from Katie and Nick's house :) All the possibilites in the world are at my fingertips. Who knows what Eugene has in store for me..???
      I am very sad that my relationship with Jamie is coming to an end but the time I spent with him is something irreplaceable. He has played such a huge part in my life the last few years and I owe a lot of my happiness and emotional well-being to him for being my rock and my constant through some very difficult times. He is such an amazing person and I wish him nothing but the best for the future.
     As  mentioned, my Opa has recently passed away on the 1st of November. He was the most genuinely loving and most selfless man who devoted his life to helping others and serving God. I know that God is holding him close to his heart and taking good care of him in heaven. The world isn't the same without you, Opa <3

Creating a Network

      Hello everyone! Quite a bit has happened since my last entry. I'll start typing what I've done and elaborate if necessary as I go. I met a friend at work named Elle, who is dating a boy from Texas ironically enough. Jamie and I went on a double date with them to the Kingsley Tavern just up the road where we stayed laughing and talking till after the place closed. While Jamie was at work on a different day, his best friend, Asha, took me with her boyfriend to meet a couple they hang out with quite frequently: Steph and Simon. I almost didn't go because of the "fifth wheel" fear but it ended up being one of the best nights I'd had in a while. A few strawberry daiquiris and cheese platters later and I felt as though I'd known them all for much longer than 3 hours. Last weekend Jamie and I went down South with our friends Trent and Daniella. We went wine tasting at many locations, went to two chocolate factories, cheese tasted, and played super golf, among many other things! It was the perfect weekend away from a stressful few weeks at work for both of us. To top it all off, I drove 2 out of the 3 hours home on the left side of the road and the right side of the car! It can be done! Speaking of driving...just a few days ago Jamie and I committed to buying a scooter for me to gain some freedom while he's at work and even when he isn't. This bad boy goes up to 70 km/hour or 43 mph. At least I know I won't be getting a speeding ticket, right? ;)
      So, as most of you know my birthday is coming in about 3 days! The weeks leading up to the present have been very bitter-sweet. But with a little more bitter than sweet. Thinking about your birthday and the ways you usually spend them: surrounded by family and long-time friends, with home-made cake and wrapping paper that needs to be saved for future gifts: and then realising that you're 9000 miles away from any tradition close to that is quite a reality check. Fortunately, Jamie has been my knight in shining armour as usual and distracting my never-ending tears and helping me to get out of the house. Today before he went to work he begged me to text Asha so that we could spend some time hanging out. Again, reluctant to go but ended up having a great time. We even picked up Steph before going to a boutique and picked out a dress for my special night. By the way we invited 10 friends to join us at The Atrium Restaurant in the Burswood Casino for an evening of classy fun :)
     I'm trying to think of anything else that's exciting enough to update you on but as of now I'm drawing a blank. So have a wonderful weekend everyone! I will add pictures later when I'm less sleepy so check back in a few days!
     Also, please keep my Opa in your prayers. There isn't a better man in the world more deserving of many more healthy years to come. I love you, Opa. Stay strong!!! <3

I'm Surviving!

     Hellos from Australia! It's my third full week here in Perth and so far I have loved EVERY moment of it. Jamie and I started off our first morning together, and the few after that, at the ungodly hour of 4 am. Yes, I said 4 am. Hello there jetlag! At the earliest possible minute Jamie took me out to a surprise breakfast at Trigg Island Cafe, and from there took me clothes shopping. Isn't he the best?! In between then and now we've basically been speed dating all of his friends. Lunch with one, dinner with the next and drinks or a movie with another. I can see us having a really good time with all of them so far.

     In other news, I got a job at the Lakeview Cafe, literally right behind his house. When I say literally I mean that his kitchen window looks over the entire patio area. The up side is I'll never have to worry about transportation: the down side is that I can't get away from it! It's there every time I go get something to eat or drink. It's a bit much! It wouldn't be so bad if my supervisor weren't a condescending witch but hey, no job is perfect, right? So my question is...has it been six months yet? Sorry for the negativity but I've been needing a vent session.

     As for Jamie, it was his first day back at work today and my first day conquering Australia on my own. While Jamie was gone I tried to keep myself as occupied as possibly: I ran around the lake, went to the shops across the road for the best back massage I've ever had, bought both my sisters' birthday presents, watched Black Swan, and had some quality bonding conversations with Jamie's Nan. To top it all off, Jamie came home an hour earlier than expected. I'd say it has been a very successful day.
     The only thing I'm really having trouble with is my identity. I feel as though I'm in limbo land and don't really belong anywhere. Obviously my family is in the US, and obviously Jamie is in Australia, but as for me...I'm somewhere in the middle of the Pacific in a tug-of-war. I imagine this is something that many immigrants go through (even though I'm not officially an immigrant). I recently found out that an acquaintance from high school is going to school about 30 minutes South of here so I might just make plans with him to get in touch with my American side again.
     Tonight I'm meeting Jamie's best friend's girlfriend. We're going bowling and to dinner! Lots more adventures to come! I hope all is well in the US!