Father's Day

In honor of Father's Day coming up, the Human Rights Campaign posted this video. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Yes to Love

This post today might seem a little random, but I can't help it.  I meant to do a post about this earlier, and didn't get to it until now. The above music video is called "Yes to Love" by Stefano, and it is probably one of my favorite music/lyric videos of all time! I love how simple it is, along with all of the beautiful imagery and amazing lyrics! However, perhaps my favorite thing about the song is that I can relate so many of the lyrics to my relationship with my boyfriend Jake!

The past three and a half months I have been dating him have been the best time of my life, and I feel like, not to be cliché, the luckiest girl in the world. Honestly. He is exactly what I'd always hoped love would be like, and every time I spend time with him I am always amazed by how quickly the time flies by and how much my smile muscles hurt!

It's amazing how fast he has become my rock and how he has become my best friend. I think my love for him hits me most during all of those random moments, where he might say the sweetest thing ever, or when I find out something new about him, or when we make eye contact and smile at each other during random moments of the day. I feel so lucky to have met him last semester when we were teaching together, and can't even picture my life without him.

Today was just one of those days where all of these feelings really hit me, and I felt like sharing! And Jake, if you are reading, I hope you know how much I love you!!!!! Soooooooo much! :)

Self Evident Truths

Happy Wednesday! I know I have been posting more TED talks recently, but they are just so good and I can't help myself! I just love how informative and personal they can be, and in less than 20 minutes, I am much more informed or inspired about a particular issue. I loved IO Tillett Wright's talk today about the concepts of gender, sexuality, marriage equality, and her project called Self Evident Truths. She is a photographer with a goal of taking pictures of anyone who identifies as not 100% straight because she believes that anyone who looks at these unadulterated and unedited photographs of real people puts a human face to equal rights movement. The name for the project, Self Evident Truths, comes directly from the Declaration of Independence from the quote "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Anyway, I strongly urge you to watch the TED talk, but if 18 minutes is too long for you, I included a less than 3 minute version below, so you can still get a great idea about the talk and the issue at hand.

Happy viewing! As always, feel free to leave comments!

Not the Typical Father-Daughter Dance

This morning I saw an amazing TED talk that described how a community hosted a father-daughter dance in the prison to include all female students and facilitate unique and moving experiences for the fathers, daughters, and all others involved.

The decision to host this program came about when the school community planned to host an event and one student explained how she couldn't participate since her father was in jail. The group of girls then did some brainstorming, and thought to ask to host it at the prison. This TED talk does a much better job of telling this story, so I urge you to watch it and have included it below. 

Beyond having a very heartwarming message, it made me think about the importance of taking opportunities to celebrate father-daughter relationships. I think I remember how my elementary school had a father-daughter dance, but I don't think I would have understood the significance behind these events in the way that it provides an opportunity for young women and their fathers to celebrate their relationship. I know I feel very lucky to have a father who is always 100% supportive and caring, and just a wonderful person who works so hard for our family and loves both my sister and I and our mom very much. I think there are a lot of us who are very lucky to have these close bonds and received support while we were growing up, so this video can serve as a reminder to make sure we share with our fathers, mothers, or really anyone who supported us as we have grown up, how we feel about them and how appreciative we are! So, thank you dad! :) And for those who may not have had a strong relationship with their fathers, I feel like there doesn't have to be a point when it is too late, and these chances to build relationships should be taken. Anyway, those are just my thoughts, enjoy the video!

Love Quotes

Being in love definitely brings out the sappy side of me, and some of these quotes perfectly capture those amazing feelings! 

I love this quote, since I am stunned how quickly time passes, and even if you haven't been dating for very long, it already feels like it's been the most important part of your life. And the smiles, laughs, and kisses are some of the best moments. :)

I am always amazed by the hours spent with someone you love pass by in what seems to be mere minutes.

Simple, but true. It is the greatest thing ever!

Life becomes the greatest adventure of all. Whatever it is or will be, I am excited for it! 

 Cuddling is my favorite, so yes! Especially in the winter months :)

I love love love this image and think the choice to make it black and white added to the charm and made it more whimsical!

Source: http://evpeace.polyvore.com/

Sometimes I feel as though I could write a novel with all of the happy thoughts and feelings that are going through my head, and yet other times I feel completely speechless because I am so amazed!

Perhaps this can justify the lack of sleep because I am thinking about him or spending time with him? Just kidding, but the real deal blows any illusion, dream, or storyline out of the water.

I love that feeling of loving someone unconditionally, and just adoring every little bit of them, regardless of the scenario or anything else. Everything about them becomes adorable, amazing, and inspiring, and just draws me even closer to them.

With that, I want to wish all of you the greatest feelings of love and happiness in the coming year, since you deserve nothing less! And this is officially my last post of 2012!

Why I Have the Greatest Sister Ever

Hello! As the year is winding down, I typically find myself in a very reflective mood and think about a wide variety of things. Actually, I guess I always find myself reflective about a lot of things, somewhere in the crazyness of my brain. Anyway, I realized (once again) that I have the greatest, most amazing sister in the world, and also that I haven't posted about her, even though I have posted about both of my parents on specific holidays.

As a whole, here's the deal about my sister, Lizzie. She is completely awesome! She is a real sweetheart, but also says the funniest things. I love talking to her about lots of random stuff, getting fashion advice from her, sharing music, and being completely silly and crazy.

I feel like this is Lizzie and I sometimes! :)

What is so great about Lizzie is that I always can count on her and trust her, and I always feel so proud of all her accomplishments. She isn't always as vocal about some these accomplishments and is definitely more humble than I am, so when I do discover over and over again how great she is, I am just blown away! She really means so much to so many people, even people she doesn't even know personally. It excites me to have the honor of being her sister, and I can't wait to see where this journey of life will take her! She honestly deserves the world, and nothing less, and I want her to know that.

Lizzie, keep up all of your great work, and continue making this world a brighter place and inspiring people every day! Keep your heart open, because I know you have so much love to give and share with this world! Stay beautiful both on this inside and out! Thank you for being the greatest sister I could have ever imagined.

And, for a special treat, I have included two images that no one, besides Lizzie, will understand. However, since I know she reads this blog, I know that they will make her laugh, and it is truly a gift whenever she smiles!

I love you Lizzie!!

Same Love

Hello all! I found this music video to be so heartwarming and beautiful, so I had to share it! I hope you check it out! The song is called "Same Love" by Macklemore.

Father's Day

I'm going to take a quick break from my Granada posts to share some love for Father's Day! As I said earlier in my Mother's Day post, I really think holidays like this should be celebrated every single day, and not just a time when people feel obligated to get a gift or send a card. Nevertheless, I subscribe to the MissRepresentation2 youtube channel, and today they uploaded this wonderful video! It is just a 2 minute video, so please watch it! :)  I have honestly already watched this 6 times today, and basically teared up every single time!  If you like it, I also urge you to share it with your father, father figure, or anyone who you love and are close to.

Dad, I want to use this as an opportunity to truly thank you for everything you have done for me so far in my life and for how hard you work! You have taught me so much and I know you are always there for me.  So much of what you have taught me has really shaped who I am today! You may be outnumbered by us four girls (including Katie!), but you have always been so committed to us.  I love how you and mom are such an awesome team, how you are such a good sport, how you can be a rascal, how you end Skype conversations with a peace sign, and how you always remind me to remember the "big 3"!  I always love it when you jokingly repeat some of the funny phrases I use often in a high-pitched voice, like "friends" and "this is the best day ever"!   While we may not always agree with everything, I have so much respect for you and think you are awesome.  Thank you for everything!  I'm not sure I say this enough, but Dad, I love you so much and am so appreciative to have you in my life!

Mother's Day

Personally, I believe that there are many holidays with principles that really should be celebrated every day, not just one day each year.  How wonderful would it be if everyone was more thankful every day, and not just on Thanksgiving?  Or if everyone told each other that they love each other every day?  Sure, it doesn't make sense to prepare a large feast or have romantic candlelight dinners every day, but aren't these holidays more about the emotions behind the grandiose actions in themselves?

Anyway, I feel that Mother's Day should really happen every day.  Think for a moment about how many times a mother or a close, motherly figure in your life has helped you, guided you, made you laugh, cared for you, and loved you.  Think about the times you felt overwhelmed, lonely, nervous, or sad, and just wanted some reassurance.  Think about all of the sacrifices your mom or motherly figure has made for you to help you achieve your goals as you venture through life.

This world is full of amazing people, and I feel so lucky to know one of them!  My mother is such an amazing woman, and someone I look up to every single day.  She always knows how to cheer me up and reassure me if I am nervous.  Even if she is frustrated with me or we disagree about something, her support is still unwavering.  Every time something exciting happens, I can't wait to tell her about it.  I love listening to stories about her life, and am amazed by her strength and commitment to my sister and I.  I feel so privileged to be so close to her, and I look forward to every single day I get to talk to her, see her, and hug her.  She means the world to me. I love you, Mom!