6 Things I Want To Do

I have come up with a list of 6 things I want to do, hopefully in the next 5 years, that are either insane things that most people would never dream of or life long wishes of mine. I plan to add considerably to this list.

I think goals are like dreams: if you don't put them down on paper within 5 min, they'll be gone to you forever.

6. Own a Horse
   This has been a hope of mine since I was 9. Most girls love horses and collect all the little figurines and stuffed animals. I was obsessed. I learned everything there was to know about the breeds, how to take care of one, the terminology . . . everything. There wasn't anyone who knew me that didn't believe I was on track to become an equine veterinarian. However, it turns out that my love for drawing horses was a bit stronger than my love for taking care of sick ones. Still, though, there is no animal like a horse. If you think dogs are a man's best friend, think again.

   

   my dream horse: Shadowfax

5. Tag a City
   When I think about leaving my mark in art, this isn't exactly what I mean, but there is something about breaking the rules and making art that go hand in hand. I would love to go out a couple different nights in some city and make graffiti. I don't think this will happen in Findlay, but I definitely have kept an eye open for good spots.

4. Travel Across America
   This is more of a recent thought. I am thinking that hiking it would be for me, but a small part of me wants to get a motorcycle and do it (I have Motorcycle Diaries to thank for that). I really don't know what I would hope to accomplish by it, but the idea of all the people I would meet along the way, all of the places I would see, and all of the experiences I would have . . . it's enough to make me want to pack right now.

   

   a possible route

3. Hike the Appalachian
   I can't explain all of why I want to do this. All I can really say is that I love the mountains, I love hiking, and the idea of what it means to make that hike.

   

   
   

2. Go to Ireland

I wrote a whole post about this: Oh, Ireland. This may have to be the second to last of the 6 that I complete (right before number 1), because I'm not sure I could come back. This goal is so important to me that if someone handed me a plane ticket today I would go. Today.

1. Open My Own Business
   What my business will be isn't completely settled, although I have my ideas. I watch every road for a good building. I watch marketing, packaging, and branding trends. I think of what name I would give my business. The layout of the store. What kind of people I would hire. How I would get all the work done. Who I could hire trustworthy enough to allow me to still travel. I constantly go over the details. I do think I will end up doing something with either furniture design or art showing. This would be my baby.

Quote on dreams: A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. - Oscar Wilde

I'm Addic-... I'm Addicted to Shoes (sing along if you know the tune)

I have a problem. I don't think admitting it is helping me get any closer to solving said problem, however. The last time I counted my shoes the number was astronomical. I hadn't added to my collection in some time, but Texarkana seems to be abounding in opportunities to increase my stock. My secret is buying cheap. I'm not a snob by any means when it comes to shoes. They must be unique though to catch my attention, and unlike anything I already have.

During my trip I have acquired 7 new pairs. I will be making a donation to Salvation Army when I get home.

Oh, and I really apologize for the crappy pictures.

Thoughts on shoes: If sex were shoes, I'd wear you out. But I wouldn't wear you out in public. ― Jarod Kintz

Magic Gold Pen

I have two crafts for you today. One is yet another cute inspiration from . . . love Maegan where she used nail polish to spruce up the ends of chopsticks. Since I am going through a hardcore gold phase though, I used my gold pen.

This second one I intend to use as a jewelry holder when I get home from Arkansas. I took mini terracotta pots, painted them, gold-ed them (yes, with my magic gold pen) and hot glued them together.

I love the chopsticks and need to make an Asian dish soon to use them with, or take them with me to a Chinese restaurant . . . maybe not. The pot jewelry holder turned out nicely enough. I'm not crazy about the colors and the hot glue needs reinforcing on one spot but other than that it's holding together nicely.

Quote about creating things: True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Independence Instagram Photo Day

Happy Independence Day! Doesn't it just make you want to watch a movie with aliens in it with Will Smith? Maybe not.

Here are a few of my favorite Instagram photos of my own. I really love the app and believe that anyone who enjoys photography should look in to it. I will put one disclaimer on this suggestion though: if you mostly enjoy photographing your face, please don't expect me to follow you back.

Even though I do not enjoy the full fledged iPhone version of this app (I have an Android system), I still love the features that come with mine.

Thoughts on photography: A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into. - Ansel Adams

Image Roundup: Inspire Me

Since my Positive Encouragement & Truths board is sometimes the only way I slap my face enough during the day to stay focused on my motive (discovering happiness through discovering myself in God – sounds cheesy, I know), I feel obligated to share a few of my favorites with you.

The truth is, there is no truth. You either accept the world your brain perceives or you spend your life 'finding yourself' but really only chasing a ghost of who you could be. I have said it before and I will say it again: your happiness is now, and no one/thing will give it to you but yourself.

In October I have decided to join in with a blog I follow, Nesting Place, and write 31 days on one topic. My topic? Happiness. My qualification? Having been thoroughly unhappy. Sometimes the flip side of a coin can teach you all about how to avoid it.

Quote to think on: It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. ― Lou Holtz

Year of the Movies

I really believe this is the year of the movies. So far I have seen The Lorax, Hunger Games, The Avengers, The Five Year Engagement, and Prometheus, all of which I loved (Hunger Games a little less, but how can you top those books?). I also saw The Vow. . . but I'm a bit ashamed that I insisted on seeing it because it was somewhat disappointing even though the acting was good (I'm a McAdams fan). But there are a lot of movies that are out now or coming out that I am super pumped about.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. I'm a huge Tim Burton fan, I even wrote a report about his work for a course last semester. Plus I thought not only the advertisements looked amazing, but that the title sounds hilarious.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. I love both Keira Knightley and Steve Carell and am a sucker once again for the implied humor. The preview looks both funny and touching (Steve Carell's niche).

Moonrise Kingdom. Honestly, I'm not sure that I've seen a full preview (until I loaded the one on here) but they had me with their costume design. Plus the film is chock-full of acclaimed actors, which can go horribly wrong or very well, and I'm guess from its reviews that it went well.

Savages. An interesting love-story, some ultra-violence, weed. What's not to be excited about? This plot seems to bring to light an issue of whether or not a dirty business can really be turned clean. The preview did one very important thing: it left me very curious. Maybe it will be easy to guess how everything pans out 3mins in, but I still think I want to see for myself.

Frankenweenie. Another Tim Burton. I love the back story on this film also. This is not the first time Burton has made Frankenweenie: the first attempt lost him his animation job with Disney. Now they have funded the remake. Lovely.

Les Miserables. Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter . . . could they have thrown more of my favorite actors together? This play has been critically acclaimed. The book is by the epic Victor Hugo. Classic.

The Great Gatsby. This is yet another flick that had me at the costume. DiCaprio looks more dapper than ever before! This is just second in line of my list of classics that are coming to film this year.

Anna Karenina. Even though I have one failed attempt to read this book, after watching the previews I am dead set on giving it another go. The sets look breathtaking, the costume amazing, the actors top-notch. I am really looking forward to seeing Wright bring Leo Tolstoy's beautiful writing on late 19^th Century Russian high society to life. Plus it appears to have a really great sex scene.

And finally:

The Hobbit. Seeing as how I am a huge fan of Peter Jackson's portrayal of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (and watch the entire trilogy, extended editions, every December) I am definitely looking forward to what appears to be the first film of this adventure. For the past three years December has been Lord of the Rings month and I am really excited to add The Hobbit to the lineup. Did I say how excited I am? Oh, and I have already reread the book this summer.

Any suggestions or comments? Also, I am compiling notes on movies with the best sex scenes for a future post. Please leave me your suggestions!

Quote about movies: Am I a romantic? I've seen 'Wuthering Heights' ten times. I'm a romantic.
Johnny Depp

(Every romantic has that one movie . . . )

Paint and Powder

I don't normally do my nails since they always seem to get chipped right away or acrylic paint all over them, making it pointless. However, since I saw a great tutorial from TheBeauty Department I have been looking for the colors they used because the blue is my all-time favorite type of blue and I love gold accents.

Two coats of the base color. It is really important to let your original layer dry all the way because that gives the rest of your layers a solid foundation and will (hopefully) keep your nails chip-free for longer.

Instead of doing a line straight across my nail like a traditional french manicure, I have been doing a diagonal line across my nails for the past 3 years for 2 reasons: the diagonal line is easier to make because you can just roll your finger away from you (and it isn't so obvious if you goof up), and because the diagonal line {nerd alert} makes for a more interesting composition on your nail.

Some laughs: A ship is always referred to as "she" because it costs so much to keep one in paint and powder. - Chester W. Nimitz