So, my friend Eva (she's so great and she constantly has great eyeliner, I'm a little jealous) told me that I'm a real life version of Leslie Knope. Now, I don't watch Parks and Rec, so I had no idea how to take this. So I scrolled through the Leslie Knope tag on tumblr. The first thing that popped up was a gif set with Ben and Leslie (at least I think its Ben. The tags said it was Ben) talking. The exchange goes something like this: Ben: Honey you have an opinion on everything. You even have an opinion on pockets. Leslie: Yes. I think they should all be bigger.
Now I totally agree with this sentiment. Fake pockets annoy me, the fact that it's near impossible to find a cute dress with pockets annoys me, and the fact that I can barely fit a chapstick in my pocket most of the time annoys me. So I do think all pockets should be bigger. According to her it means I am happy and motivated. I am. I'm happy with where I am in life, with what I've achieved. Motivated, I don't see it so much. There's just so much I want to do, and so little time to do it. Since it was Aubrey Hepburn's birthday the other day (and Star Wars day, but it's hard to relay nerd joy over a screen), there's obviously a quote for this. This quote is very much me. Aubrey Hepburn once said "I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it". I am ridiculously affectionate, and I enormously enjoy the affection my friends and family bestow on me. That's not to say I don't get stressed and I don't cry. I do. I have two AP exams next week and thinking about them makes me want to go to sleep and wake up in a month. Except, I'm not going to do that. I've got too much stuff to do, like always. It isn't hard for me to be content. I surround myself with those who care about me and I care about in return. I take part in things I'm passionate about, and I enjoy learning. Enjoying learning isn't mandatory, but considering I'm a student it makes things a little easier. I still hate studying. Finding joy in my life isn't something I've ever particularly struggled with. I'm incredibly blessed to be well loved and to love others in return. I think another Audrey Hepburn quote describes the way I approach things fairly well. "For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." Or perhaps "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." Without all the wonderful people in my life, it wouldn't be so bright, and I wouldn't be so happy. I'm so incredibly blessed. You make your own path, and that can be incredibly difficult. Pushing yourself out of someone's shadow is incredibly difficult. With friends, it isn't as much of a burden. Friends don't remove burdens, but they can help you carry it. (Sidenote: The BB-8 by Star Wars playlist on Spotify is a jam. The Work It by Spotify playlist is great too.)
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Hello All!
If you happened to have stumbled across this blog, Hello! If you're family or friends, don't be afraid to shoot me a comment so I remember to post. As of today, May 2nd, I have 100 days until orientation. I have 102 until departure. I definitely don't have a countdown going. It totally isn't written in pink pen. I'm honestly a bit terrified, but I'm also so excited. I'm going to live in Germany for almost a year! The thought of leaving the good ol' U.S. of A. is both exhilarating and terrifying. I'll be leaving behind my family, my pets, my friends, and my hometown. I've known the majority of my class mates since elementary school. The thought of leaving everyone behind, of finally going on one of the adventures Erin and I talk about, of not discussing politics with John, of not being surprised by Griggles around the holidays, of not talking about baking with Kiko, of leaving behind the friends who I've fought with and cried with and come out on the other side stronger with, it's scary. I've finally built a family of people who judge me for me, not my family, and I'm leaving them. This is going to be my biggest adventure to date. I don't know if I'm ready, but I'm going to do it. I'm so unbelievably excited. I've already met so many wonderful people because of this program. I'm excited to grow and change, to meet people I wouldn't have back home, to hear new stories, to learn about who I am. Eleanor Roosevelt said many things that are quotable, but this one especially applies. Eleanor Roosevelt once said "Women are like teabags. You don't know how strong they are until you put them in hot water." I'm definitely going to be tested, and I can only hope I'm up to the challenge. Hopefully I'll be as strong as the Irish Breakfast tea I like to steep too long. If I didn't do something every time I was scared, I wouldn't have so many wonderful friends. I wouldn't have found out that sitting high up in a tree can be incredibly peaceful, or that dancing down the hallway singing La Vie Boheme with Flounder is fun, despite the odd looks. If you ever want to go abroad, consider CBYX. It's definitely worth looking into. Now, I'll leave off with a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt: Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life. |
McKennaI'm originally from Virginia, I'm going to Germany via CBYX. The blog title is a reference to a beloved nickname from my mother. Archives
October 2016
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