My Favorite Quote

Day 4: My Favorite Quote

Recently in my English class, we have been reading poetry and this quote has stuck to me:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

-Robert Frost

It is just so lovely, and kind of how I imagine my life going. It emphasizes the importance of doing your own thing and being your own person, and I love that.

P.S. I'm up at a retreat with my church this weekend as part of the "Media Team." We're taking photos, and making slide shows & videos.

And, of course, having fun in the sun.

Pin It

Things That Make Me Feel Uncomfortable

Day 3: Things that make me feel uncomfortable

You know, I've been thinking about this, and not many things come to mind, at least not socially. I'm not uncomfortable with mothers breast feeding in public, or talking to strangers in the supermarket. But I guess I am comfortable at parties and gatherings where I only know one or two people, so maybe I take that back haha. This has actually been kind of tough for me the past few years. In large group settings, I am an observer. I like to take the situation in and get a feel for what I am dealing with before I join in. Then I guess I am also uncomfortable with typical things like walking places alone at night, being home alone at night (wow I guess I really don't like nighttime...), parking garages, and also being wet and sandy in the car after the beach. I mean, who isn't uncomfortable with that last one? It's pretty horrible, especially when the air conditioner is turned on and you're wet, sandy, and cold. Just awful, I tell you.

Pin It

Something I'm Good At

Day 2: Something I'm good at or know a lot about

So guys, here's something I am good at: Procrastinating

Here are some tips so you can be as successful as me:

- Go on Facebook and read statuses about people you don't really care about, then click on their profile and lurk their photos all the way back to 2006. That really helps.

- Head over to Pinterest, take a look at your feed, click on the puppy photos and then search for some more because one just isn't enough and they are so damn cute. Make a board devoted to these cuties so you can keep them forever.

- After you've had your fill of puppies for the day, do a bit of online shopping for things you'll never buy.

- This makes you think of the great outfits your fellow bloggers have put together, so you decide to check your Bloglovin' feed to see what's new. You click on one of your regular reads, which leads you to another blogger, which leads to another, and before you know it, you have no idea how you ended up here.

- Once you get bored with the internet, call a friend or family member, especially someone you know you will have a long conversation. This usually ends up being my sister.

- After you've done all this, look at the clock and it should be around 11:30 or 12 at night and your procrastinating should be going pretty well by now.

- After taking a bit more time to decide if you should start the task at hand, you figure the evening is shot, so you might as well just head to bed and call it a night. You set your alarm for 5:30am so you can make up the time you lost tonight.

- Press snooze until 8:30am.

Congratulations, you have officially began the long process of mastering the art of procrastination.

Pin It

The Story of My Life

Hey there, friends. I know I have been so out of the loop the past few weeks, but it will all be over soon and then we can have a great blog post filled summer! Won't that just be wonderful? I can hardly wait.

So, yesterday I was over at Beyond Wonderland, and was inspired to join Jenni's (Story of My Life) challenge to blog about a specific topic every day in May! It looked like fun and would be a great way to transition from school work back to blogging. So, here is day 1 (technically for yesterday, but oh well!)

Day 1: The story of my life in 250 words

The story of my life. No one has ever asked me to tell them, but I suppose this is it:

I was born in San Diego and lived there for a lot of my life. I have a split family, with four siblings on one side and 3 on the other (who I don't know very well). This has been filled with blessings and difficulties, but has ultimately greatly influenced the person I have become.

I have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly 7 years now, and as hard as it was to initially leave San Diego, I absolutely love it here. I mean, I have a wonderful city, the mountains, the ocean, the bay, and vineyards all just a short drive away. What's not to love?

I have been raised by my dad, which has been a process of trial & error, good times & not so good times, but all in all, I couldn't really imagine things turning out any other way. I have not really had a mom in my life, but have been so grateful to have so many strong women role models and a dad, who is in no way perfect, but has a kind heart and will always stand by me.

And that, for now, is my life story, and I can't wait to see what else will be added.

Pin It

Things Aren't Always Black and White

As you know, my dad is getting married in June! I cannot believe how quickly time is going, and before I know it, family will be arriving from all over for the festivities. Per my dad and his fiancé's request for all of their kids, I am going to wear a black and white dress to the wedding with red accents incorporated. So, now I have been on the hunt for that perfect dress! I always love an excuse to get a new dress, so I am pretty excited. 

This is where I need your help! I believe I have narrowed it down to three dresses, each having a different look and feel. Now please help me choose!

Plane and Simple Dress via Modcloth

I picked this one because it is obviously black and white, but doesn't have too much black for a summer wedding or too much white that would compete with the bride. It is also the most elegant looking. I would pair this with red heels for a pop of color.

Hound Sleuth Dress via Modcloth

I love this one for obvious reasons! I mean, it has dachshunds on it, and in case you haven't noticed, my little Marly is a dachshund! It is obviously amazing, that is not the question. The questions are 1. Can it be made elegant enough for a cocktail party wedding? and 2. When I look back, will I really be happy that I wore a dachshund dress?

BUT, I will say this: IT IS SO ME. And that's important, right? I picture this with a skinny red bow belt and red heels.

Traveling Cupcake Truck Dress via Modcloth

This dress is just so fun! Every girl needs a polka dot dress like this, but do they need one to wear to their dad's wedding? Definitely a flirty and girly look!

And that is all. I'm thinking about just ordering all three and then deciding at home (hey, Modcloth does free returns!), but I'd love to know what you think! Which one gets your vote and how would you style it?

Pin It

The Senior Citizen Discount

Over spring break, I went to visit this lovely lady, Andrea. I get a kick out of this great-aunt of mine. Moments before these photos were taken, she said to me as she fixed her lipstick in her compact mirror, "You know, Jessica, I wanted to be a senior citizen model, but your Uncle Albert told me not to. I think I would have been good at it, don't you?"

And then I just laughed. 

And then laughed some more from behind my camera as I realized how much she loved being the model and that she actually would be pretty good at it.

And then we made a deal: One day I will take some photos of her for her portfolio and she will pay me. But I have to give her a discount, she said. Seems fair enough to me.

Looking back at these photos perked up my Wednesday just a bit. Hope it did for you too!

Pin It

California Girl: Transplanted

(image source unknown)

Well guys, I know I haven't been in these parts much this past week, but I do have a big announcement for you: I will be spending this summer in Texas!

I know, I know. You're thinking, "But why the hell would she want to go there during the summer?" Yes, I know that the weather is far from ideal and, as my cousin puts it, I'll want to rip my clothes off every time I walk to my car, but the important part here is that it is an ADVENTURE! And you know what? I need a good adventure right now. Quite honestly, a year ago this is the very last thing that I could have imagined happening. But that's pretty much how this entire past year has been. I thought that I would be going to college on the east coast and studying art. But instead, I have been going to community college and working as a nanny, and I never thought that I would think this, but I actually feel blessed by it all. This was in no way my plan, but it has become obvious to me that it is not my plan that I must follow. I must follow God's plan for me and He has been making that pretty clear.

So, why Texas? About a month ago, my aunt and uncle who live in Houston took a chance and asked me if I would be interested in coming to Texas for the summer to be their 1-year-old son's nanny while their usual one is on maternity leave, thinking that it would be a long shot that I would come. I took some time to think about it, and realized that it could be an adventure with all of the variables already taken care of; I would have a place to live, a job, and a new city with a great arts and music scene to explore. What's not to love? So that was that and I'll be leaving in June, right after my dad's wedding! 

Though I have not yet been able to experience leaving home like many of my peers, I feel so blessed to have an opportunity like this. So, get ready for a California girl's adventure in The Lone Star State! Oh, and the best part? My little black dog will be tagging along for the journey!

Pin It