Identity Crisis

We all experience an identity crisis at some point in life.

In fact, I think we all have many throughout life (if you don't, what's your secret?)

It's always so frustrating to me when I start diving into this crisis because I feel like I have my head on my shoulders and everything is set in the right direction...then they start turning in all different directions and I feel completely lost.

I don't plan on going into depth on the misery of an identity crisis, rather the lovely outcome of my most recent one :)

I want to study oncology. I have always said I will be a doctor, especially with pediatrics, but with the length and cost of medical school, as well as my passion in other fields, I question it. I finally feel set on pediatric oncology, thanks to my mum.

My education is my top priority. There are obviously other things that matter, but goodness gracious, I have to do well. I plan on spending more time with tutors and perfecting my studying skills.

Money is material. I've been a tight-wad since birth and am starting to let go of that, simply because I know I have to. I am always saving my money, and I try not to blow it, but as a college student it all just seems to go somewhere. In some abyss, my bank account sits...SO I have realized that I would far rather see the world and enjoy my time here than be a worry-wart about saving it...hence my planned trip to Europe in April.

There were a couple of reiterated thoughts throughout this process, but it's always nice to come out of that little hell hole feeling more like myself.

Thank you for your time.

For the Weekend

I love my mom!

Want to know why?

Aside from the endless love and help she has given me through life, we are also able to kick it at fun places like Disneyland for the weekend and have the greatest time of our lives :)

We made a quick trip to California for my cousin's wedding this weekend and

we obviously had to go to Disneyland.

Colten and I were there in November, so I was very lucky to go again!

Enjoy our classic ride pictures:

The girl in front of me was hilarious!

All we heard was "shhhiiiiit" the whole time :)

You can see more from November here.

<3

Quote of the Week

“What’s encouraging about meditation is that, even if we shut down, we can no longer shut down in ignorance. We see very clearly that we’re closing off. That in itself begins to illuminate the darkness of ignorance.”

-Pema Chodron

A Little Art

I'm a fan of art.

I will occasionally try to paint a masterpiece (ha!),

but nothing can compare to these pieces:

Check out Alex Grey's website--he does some phenomenal work.

I shared some of Wilhelm Staehle's art before (here).

He's just so clever.

"The Lovers" by Rene Magritte has been a favorite for a long time.

I posted more of Magritte's art here.

I suppose I dig the obscure stuff,

but I want to know the art you like.

Moving into March

Wow, are we really already moving into March?

That seems unreal!

My month of reading 4 books turned into reading 2 books,

and reading the news everyday turned into catching up every few days,

but it's better than when I began :)

I blame school for taking so much of my time, but that does add to my Happiness Project month of knowledge after all.

For March I will be working on spirituality.

I think it's very important to maintain a spiritual side.

This doesn't necessarily mean attending religious services.

In fact, it doesn't mean that at all (for me).

I don't have any set goals, but things I do plan on working on in March include:

• More personal meditation time
• Building up a stronger feeling of spirituality through the words I say, thoughts I think, and ways I act on a daily basis.
• Start doing more yoga!

My idea of being spiritual probably doesn't line up with yours, but we will see how in-tune I feel after March. As always, feel free to join me on my Happiness Project (<-- read that link)

Quote of the Week

Once upon a family cruise to the Caribbean, we laid in hammocks on a private beach with reggae music playing in the background, as seen below...

Especially with days like today when everything seems to go downhill, reggae helps.

Call me silly, but nothing calms me like Bob Marley's voice and words. Enjoy:

"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery,

none but ourselves can free our minds!"

- Bob Marley

(wasn't my use of font colors so creative? ha!)

Top 5

Every Sunday when I'm working the slow shift at work, my lady-friend and I will exchange lists of our "top 5." Some examples would be top 5 movies, top 5 musicians, top 5 vacations, etc. It's all great and easy to answer until she slams me with: the top 5 things I want to know more about.

I had to think on it and answer a few days later.

Now don't expect an extravagant list, rather a thought-out list of things that would do me well:

1. Religion - the root of different religions, the history behind them, where different religions are practiced, etc.
2. Politics - definitions of "political" vocabulary, the history of different views, what views different countries have, etc.
3. Cars - mine is a POS and even though I plan on relying on public transportation in the future, it would be nice to know the basics
4. Pathology and Epidemiology - understanding the symptoms, causes, and preventions of different diseases
5. How to "read" people - body language, physical characteristics, speech, etc.

For my sake, this is the ideal list of things I would love to know more about. Granted, they all carry a broad span of things to know about, but I would love to study them.

What is your list of top 5 things to know more about?

Quote of the Week

"The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life."

-Albert Einstein

Life is Better

I often have days solely dedicated to listening to one musician.

For example, with the release of Ingrid Michaelson's incredible new album "Human Again," it was on nonstop.

Sometimes these days even turn into weeks.

A common artist on these days is Norah Jones.

Why I share that, you might ask?

Well, today is one of those days...

Need a happy song?

Enjoy "Life is Better:"