Monday, May 31, 2010

Motivation Monday!

One thing I want to start doing is Motivation Monday! Just a few things that I find inspiring that I want to share. I see so many things through the blog-o-sphere that I think are intriguing, unique and full of inspiration. Here is what inspires me on this rainy spring like day:

 

Sources:
1.Diamonds
2.Enjoy the ride 
3.A place to curl up and read
4.I can't remember where this one came from...

30 Day Challenge: Day Five

Is everyone enjoying their Memorial Day weekend? The mister and I have been enjoying our time off together, mostly being lazy but sometimes those are the best days. Last night we watched the last four Harry Potter movies and we may watch the first three today. That's if I can turn off the Hoarders marathon...why is this show so fascinating? 
But I digress, the topic for today's 30 day challenge is:

What is your favorite quote?


Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow.

This quote comes from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. I love it because I think of any challenge like a mountain that needs to be climbed. Especially now that I am challenged everyday in my classes I need to remember to look at the big picture and not get bogged down with the small stuff. All this stress is temporary, it's the journey I should be paying attention to. Of course there are days where this is easier said than done, but that's why I have this quote on hand. 

Sunday, May 30, 2010

30 Day Challenge: Day Four

Ahhh...Sunday mornings, gotta love them! To me Sunday mornings are meant for drinking lots of coffee while laying in bed and either reading or watching some type of guilty pleasure t.v. I have been so busy reading for school that when I get the chance to read something for myself my brain can't process it. I'm really looking forward to summer so I can read some good trashy books, and some good non-trashy books too. Speaking of books, day four of the 30 day challenge is:
What is your favorite book?

Dove is the story of Robin Graham who at the age of 16 started a journey around the world on his 24-foot sailboat, oh yeah and he did it by himself. I read this book for the first time when I was in ninth grade. I know I read it in my English class because the copy I have is stamped with the Franklin Junior High property of stamp. If you haven't read it, I recommend it. It's an easy read and a great adventure. 
Such a tiny boat in such a big sea...anyone else able to relate to that?

Saturday, May 29, 2010

30 Day Challenge: Day Three

Happy Saturday morning! Today is day three of the 30 day challenge and the topic for today:

What is your favorite t.v. show:

  
I've watched every episode since the pilot aired in the first season. I have every season on DVD, the mister gets them for me when they come out, isn't that sweet? Sometimes I don't know why I love this show so much, especially the season finale last year when George died and Izzie lived. Izzie was nice in the beginning but she started to get annoying and I was one of many Grey's fans who were releaved that she left the show.
My favorite character is Meredith, who I feel a strange affiliation with. I love her friendship with Christina, and the love story between her and McDreamy makes me happy. I wish they could bring George back, in my opinion he was the best character on the show. 

Tomorrow's subject: my favorite book.

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Friday, May 28, 2010

30 Day Challenge: Day Two

Day two of the 30 day challenge is:
What's your favorite movie?

Maybe it's my long lost dream to work at a record store (second favorite movie, Empire Records) or the amazing way John Cusack explains how to make a mix tape that makes me love this movie. The whole thing is great. It's sad, it's funny, and did I mention it has John Cusack? I mean come on, who can resist this face:
The book by Bruce Hornby is great too. It takes place in London instead of Chicago which makes you fall in love with Rob a little bit more because you know he has an accent. 

The top five reasons to love this movie:
1. Uhhh...John Cusack
2. Jack Black in all of his glory
3. The great top five lists throughout the movie
4. The impressive record collection in Rob's apartment 
5. This quote:
     "Should I bolt every time I get that feeling in my gut when I meet someone new? Well I've been listening to my gut since I was 14 years old and frankly speaking, I've come to the conclusion that my guts have shit for brains." 

Enjoy your Friday night, I plan too. I have a drink, baseball is on and the phone is off. Time to relax. 

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Simple Motivation

My amazing friend Lenore and her little blog a small bird has led me to this amazing 30 day challenge. And I'm doing it, I don't really have the time to do this, I really should be starting it a week from now when all the stress from school subsides, but I've never been one to back away from a challenge. So here's the challenge:

*Day One: Your favorite song
*Day Two: Your favorite movie
*Day Three:  Your favorite television program
*Day Four: Your favorite book
*Day Five: Your favorite quote
*Day Six: Whatever tickles your fancy
*Day Seven: A photo that makes you happy
*Day Eight: A photo that makes you angry/sad
*Day Nine: A photo you took
*Day Ten: A photo of you taken over ten years ago
*Day Eleven: A photo of you taken recently
*Day Twelve: Whatever tickles your fancy
*Day Thirteen: A fictional book
*Day Fourteen: A non-fictional book
*Day Fifteen: A fanfic
*Day Sixteen: A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
*Day Seventeen: An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
*Day Eighteen: Whatever tickles your fancy
*Day Nineteen: A talent of yours
*Day Twenty: A hobby of yours
*Day Twenty-One: A recipe
*Day Twenty-Two: A website
*Day Twenty-Three: A YouTube video
*Day Twenty-Four: Whatever tickles your fancy
*Day Twenty-Five: Your day, in great detail
*Day Twenty-Six: Your week, in great detail
*Day Twenty-Seven: This month, in great detail
*Day Twenty-Eight: This year, in great detail
*Day Twenty-Nine: Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
*Day Thirty: Whatever tickles your fancy


This should be fun....


My favorite song changes every day, literally. Yesterday it was Great DJ by the Ting Tings. This morning it was Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac, probably because I sang it while I took my Gypsy to the Vet. But at this moment my favorite song is I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. 


Oh my, the sun is shining for the first time in three days. I must inspect this strange glowing orb in the sky.

First Post

I have been inspired. Thanks to all the blogs that I peruse through with my morning coffee and by "Julie and Julia" I have been inspired to start a blog. I've tried this in the past with little result. But here I am again, on the interwebs trying to get my creativity out there somehow. My goal: A craft project a week that can  be a post. Maybe a recipe or two mixed in, and eventually if I can find the time some book reviews? If I've learned anything this year it's that I can pretty much do anything I put my mind to, I just have to do it. 
Let me introduce myself, my name is Jess I'm a student and I live in Eugene, Oregon. I have an amazing mister in my life, we'll just call him The Mister. He is amazing and without him I wouldn't have the opportunity to do all the amazing things I want to accomplish. Rounding out our little family is our wonderful dog Gypsy. She is the best little 75 pound Black Lab/Australian Shepard mutt we could ask for. 
So welcome to my little corner of the internet. Please sit and stay a while, and come back often. It's nice to have you here.