I walked around the city with a gigantic branch in my hair

Ya'll know I have done some pretty stupid things in my past. I'm the gal who has fallen into a pond while on a hot date. I'm known to trip, say ridiculous things and so on. But never have I walked around the city with a large branch in my hair.

Okay, let me give you the details. This summer I took on one of my fears-college algebra. Get this, I passed the class but as a result I have gone ninety miles an hour. I didn't see friends, family and I didn't do anything fun. All I did was study. You know how it is-if you're going to face a fear you have to give it your all. Now, I'm trying to get back to the basics. I'm cooking (okay, more like I'm burning food but whatever) I'm seeing my Gnomies and just living life.

So this weekend I went on a shopping spree. I bought boots, skirts and darling lil English Fascinators. I walked around the outdoor mall with my friend Jameses. I must have been on cloud nine because I walked right into a tree. This is normal thing for me. I'm always tripping so I just rubbed my head to make sure I wasn't bleeding and then went on with my business.

I continued to walk around the mall and the more I walked around the more people started staring at me. I figured I must have been looking goooood. I had on my tennis skirt with my chucks. I even wore this funky lil headband. I kept shopping and all the while an old man stared at me with a confused look on his face. A child even grabbed his momma's skirt and his momma whispered, "It’s not polite to stare."

I shrugged my shoulders and just kept shopping. It wasn't until I got home that I realized I had been walking the streets of the city with a gigantic branch in my hair. I must have looked like I walked out of a jungle. The branch was thick and as long as two pencils put together. The branches had green leaves and everything.

Yep, someday's just aren't going to go the way you planned. Even so, live it up, my friends.

Setbacks and how to deal with them

My dear friends, there are always going to be setbacks in life. I'm learning it's just a part of the game. My brother told me a crazy fact and I thought it might inspire you on your journey toward your dream.  He said that Beethoven became deaf at the pinnacle of his inspiration.

I'll admit, I didn't really know much about Beethoven but anyone who can work through a setback like losing their hearing has my utter respect.

You may have your own setbacks in life but you need not worry. You are talented beyond measure. You have a gift that is going to touch people's lives.

Look those setbacks in the eye and keep going, keep working. The world is waiting for your creativity.

Adjust to the demands of your dream

One of the greatest lessons I've learned while taking college algebra is that you have to be willing to adjust to the different setbacks of your dream. My friends, we are all chasing something that is bigger than ourselves. Whether your dream is to play water polo, write or paint you have to learn that there will be times that you are not in the drivers seat of your dream.

For my math class I was at the mercy of everyone around me. I had to study when my tutor could study and I had to learn how to shut up and listen. All during the class I had to learn to adjust my life schedule (eat, sleep & write.) On top of that, I had to adjust to the setbacks because while you chase your dream you will have many setbacks.

You have a talent within you that nobody else can touch. You can achieve so much and all you have to do is learn to adjust to the many demands of your dream.

I vomited on my ex-boyfriend's shoes

There are many ways to handle bumping into your ex boyfriend or girlfriend. Some people brag about their lives and others try to kill them with kindness. Me? I have to vomit all over one of my ex-boyfriends.

Lemme give you the details, I just got done playing a wicked game of tennis. I played for 2 hours straight in the sweltering heat. Of course, who happens to be playing three courts down from me? My seriously hott ex who looks like Vin Diesel. I try to pretend like I don't see the bloke but my efforts are useless. He drops his racket mid serve and yells my name.

I can't look away from his intense brown eyes. They pull me in just as they did 10 years ago. My brain tells me to keep walking but of course, I don't . . . I can't. All I can do is watch his lips whisper my knick name.

By now, my 2 hour tennis game has caught up to me. I feel my stomach gurgle and my head feel dizzy. My body's begging me to sit down but of course, I don't listen. I rib my ex for his always-horrid taste in movies.

He laughs heartedly and by now, my body has shutdown. I teeter on my heels and vomit all over his shoes.

My Vin Diesel look-a-like ex widens his eyes in surprise as I collect myself. There is nothing to say at this moment. I am horrified, I can't hide in hole nor can I pretend like he doesn't exist. There is nothing to do but wait for his reaction. He busts a gut so much that tears are rolling down his cheek.

I'm trying hard to play it cool but how can you play it cool at a moment like this? My Vin Diesel look-a-like ex brushes my hair out of my face and says, "And to think, I was worried about your right hook."

Yep, life is gonna toss us some majorly ridiculous moments. The trick isn't just to endure them but to make them work for you. Laugh in the face of extreme embarrassment.

Take a moment and relax

*Before I forget, we are pleased to announce that we will be having a special guest post on Monday. I can't wait for Monday to get here!

Anyways, this week I have been stuck in the time warp that is college algebra. I don't know what month we are in or what day it is, all I know is I am at a 78 percent. I have been fighting and clawing to earn that grade.

The one thing I have learned from this math class is you must take time for yourself- rejuvenate your brain power. Athletes are known for pursuing other passions while they chase their dreams. So go and do whatever it is you love to do for a break. Take a yoga class, paint or just turn on the TV and veg for an hour.

Do whatever it is that rejuvenates you and do it pronto.

What you can learn from Maria Sharapova

This past weekend I watched an interview with Maria Sharapova, the tennis champion. The gal is incredible. She was at the top of her game and then had a major setback with a shoulder surgery. She had to fight like mad to reclaim her status as number one.
What can you learn from Maria Sharapova? Accept your losses. Sometimes you are going to be on top and the next moment you could have a major setback. Maria said that on her road to recovery she took the losses to become the best.

I had never thought of that concept- accept your setbacks because they make you stronger. The losses make you fight for your dream. They also teach you how to deal with roadblocks.

Welcome the losses and setbacks, because nothing can stop you from achieving your dream.

Our two year anniversary

Our two year anniversary of this blog is almost upon us. As I reflect on the past two years I realize I am a lucky girl. My dear friends, every single one of you have touched me somehow. I am amazed at your courage and the way you inspire people. Thank you for reading our writing. Thank you for being supportive. Thank you for being you!

I have two of the dearest friends a girl could ask for- Janiel and Maegan. I don't even know where to start. Janiel, you have taught me to find my strength. You have helped me find myself. You're funny as all get up and you are smart. You work this blog like it's nobody’s business and I just am grateful for you. You  can cook, you craft jewelry and you touch people's lives.

Maegan, you are kind and compassionate. You have so many talents and you are the only person I know who has traveled this globe over. I love hearing your adventures and you inspire me everyday to be brave. You look after animals, I never understood their lil quirks until I met you. Plus, you can make me laugh until I snort.

I adore you all and am grateful for your friendship.