the universe...

and our world...absolutely amazing. I love learning about the cosmos. I love learning about microorganisms. The main reason is that it puts everything in perspective. I always feel silly when little things bother me. In the grand scheme of life, of everything, it does not matter. Not one bit. I haven't been able to see or talk to my boyfriend for a week now and I can't bear it. It makes me think about the times we have argued or disagreed and makes me mad that it even happened. I just want to hold, kiss and squeeze him until he can't take it anymore. The same goes for my family. I now live about two hours away from them.
Distance makes you appreciate everything.

go like tweet follow me

The technology of today is crazy. Yes crazy is the most eloquent word I could come up with to sum up how I feel about technology. Oh and apps. And places and spaces on the internet to post your various misguided thoughts and feelings about the world. And yourself. Let's see, we have:
blogs
pinterest
tumblr
instagram
facebook
twitter
Then to sell things we have:
etsy
ebay
craigslist

I am a willing participant of all of these things except for one: ebay. Well I've used it a couple of times but I mean the obsessive, gotta check my iphone and see who "liked" "tweeted" "retweeted" "followed" me on all of these various forums. It's starting to make me dizzy. But like I said I am a willing participant. Some days I want to get rid of it all. Or maybe just give up a few. It gets overbearing when you blog and then post it on your twitter that is connected to your facebook. Which I do. Sorry. I've read countless articles already on this subject. And here I am just adding to the pile. I grew up being told I was special and important so my word counts too. Also, I have a BA in Psychology so that makes me a pseudo-expert on humans.

I don't know how people keep their heads wrapped around all of these extensions to themselves. I need a personal assistant just for this kind of thing. Maybe I can outsource for that. It's funny because these sorts of things aren't necessary really. I mean that we don't have to do them to survive. We do them to feel relevant. We can all be mini celebrities. We can feel special because "look! I was liked by a stranger." And we can compare ourselves to others by how many followers we have. That'll be the new thing to do at high school reunions. Asking each other how many followers we have on our many outlets because we won't have to ask about jobs, marriages, or kids. We have facebook for that now. I don't need an update on everyone's life 10 years after high school. I have an almost minute by minute update.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Please comment below. Or on facebook or tweet me.

-S

Ironically ironic

So I was sitting on the couch, untangling yarn to finish a hat that I'm making, when I had a thought. A lot of TV shows are about "middle America." There's "Suburgatory," "the middle," "Modern Family," "The Office,""New Girl," to name a few (or all of them I'm not really sure). (Also, should I be putting them in quotes or underlined? Do people really care? Whatever, quotes it is.) Add to that list whichever ones I may have missed and also shows from the past. Here is the thing: those actors/actresses don't live in middle America. Yes, a lot of them came from this proverbial place but still they are no longer residence. We pay to watch funnier, prettier people live the same lives that we do. Let me say this again, we PAY to watch other people live the SAME lives that we do. The same goes for many movies as well. Does anyone else see the irony in this? I know what some of you may be thinking. That it's not exactly the same. If I ever worked in an office like the one in "The Office" I would run to work everyday. It would be fantastic! Also, I know what else you may be thinking and I know this because of all the memes out there. That you and your friends are just as funny and pretty if not more so!
I'm with you there my brothers and sisters. I currently live my own version of "New Girl." Without all of the "will she ever hook up with that guy?!" because my boyfriend lives in the household so that fun storyline is out. I do live with three guys though, and two dogs, a cat, fish and chickens. I think we're funny. And I think we're all beautiful people. But that's just me. And I'm just some nobody in middle America. Don't get me wrong. I love most of these shows. I just sometimes feel cheated because my life is put on screen and I get none of the royalties.

-S

restlessness

I think our dog, Mia, feels the same way I do; indecisive and restless. She keeps going in and out of the house with no real desire for either. My reason right now is that I'm currently jobless. Of course there are a myriad of jobs out there that I could probably obtain. All being in retail, restaurant or being a barista. I don't mind those jobs. I really don't. Especially when I know that they're temporary. I'm applying for grad school in the spring so I have bigger dreams ahead. My reason for holding off applying to these jobs is because I applied to an actual, big girl, full-time, 9-5 type job and I'm still waiting to hear from them. So I don't want to get into anything, go through training, yada yada to then have to quit. That's no good for them or me really. I'm trying to remain optimistic, hopeful and patient. After two weeks of waiting it gets quite difficult. The support from my boyfriend has been amazing. He listens to me bitch, moan and worry quite patiently. I've been working on some things to put on my etsy and am planning on having it up tonight. Please check it our and share with your family and friends.


Also, I recently wrote about the 21-day challenge I've been doing. The first week was all about healing the past. Learning techniques to forgive people and situations was taught. It set the foundation to go forth to heal and learn to love yourself and the world. I've always thought myself a positive and optimistic person but throughout this process I'm learning that I hold some negativities and resentments. I've dealt with some major setbacks. The thing is that I am my toughest critic and quite hard on myself. I also have a tendency to compare where I am in life with people who are where I want to be. You never know the struggles other people have faced and a lot are probably much worse than struggles I've seen. One will never know.

I hope that you have something(s) in your life to help you cope with stress and that they are healthy ways. Meditation, yoga, exercising and laughing are some of my favorite ways. What are yours?

Much love,
-S

music moves

Every now and then a song comes along that seems like it was written just for you. This is one of those such songs, Comes and Goes (In Waves) by Greg Laswell.  Here are the parts of the song that resonate deep within:

This one's for the lonely, the one's that seek and find
Only to be let down time after time
This one's for the torn down, the experts at the fall
Come on friends get up now you're not alone at all


This one's for the faithless, the ones that are surprised
They're only where they are now regardless of their fight
This one's for believing if only for it's sake
Come on friends get up now love is to be made


This is for the ones who stand
For the ones who try again
For the ones who need a hand
For the ones who think they can


Check out his Myspace for a listen. 
Every time I hear it it moves me. I don't know how else to explain it but I'm sure you'll understand. Music has the power to move all of us in different ways for different reasons at different times. It's one of the things that makes being a human worthwhile. It is also something that connects all of us, human, animal and universe.

Tell me about your experience with music in the comments below!
-S

namaste

Today starts the 21-day meditation challenge from The Chopra Center. This challenge is entitled Free to Love and is all about unconditionally loving yourself, to your family and the world. It will be divided into three, one week sections so that's how I will simplify and post about each week and not every day. The first week is "Your Pathway to Freedom," the second is "Healing the Heart," and the final week is "Living in Love."

Meditation is a practice that I've been wanting to add to my daily routine and hope this will help me with that. Anything that helps calm the mind and body is a plus and definitely something I need. Like most people, I have a never ending to-do list and a mind that runs a thousand thoughts per minute! So if you're like me I encourage you to try meditation, yoga, anything that allows you to center yourself. Venturing into your own self can be a scary thing but is worth it. Be open. Be honest. Be patient. With yourself and others.

Have a happy little Monday!

Namaste
-S

oh hi there ;)

Long time no talk! Five months to be exact. I don't know about you but the older I get the faster time seems to go by. I was watching a show about it one time actually and turns out that it's true. I believe it was Stephen Hawking's The Universe on the Discovery Channel. If you haven't watched it yet please do. It's quite fascinating especially if you're a science nerd like myself. Anywho so it was about the debate between scientists whether time is an actual thing or not. I won't try to explain it here because I will not be able to do it justice. In the show it is mentioned that time can be different for all of us so remember this if you're the punctual one and you have a friend who is always late and try not to get mad. :) Enough of that rant. Here are some new things in our lives:

Calliope the adorable Calico kitten...
well while she's sleeping anyway;
awake she's crazy which is why her nickname is Lil Bitch.

So small and snuggly. The tattoo is new too!

Our new home in the woods of New Hampshire : )

We moved to New Hampshire with two of our very good friends, Keith and Alec. Cody and Alec will be attending UNH in the fall for Kinesiology: Outdoor Education. Keith is applying for the spring for Forestry so can he one day protect our beautiful forests as a forest ranger. I will be applying to grad school (yes again!) for the spring at Antioch University to obtain my MS in Environmental Science with a concentration in Sustainable Development and Climate Change. We're all super excited to be up here. Fresh air, woods all around us, climbing close by, and super friendly people are making New Hampshire pretty spectacular. Oh and living with really chill dudes is fun too!

I had gotten a job at a restaurant but quit already. It just wasn't the right place for me. I will be working at a barn though soon cleaning up after horses and also applied for a full time gig. I don't want to say where or what yet out loud on the internet until I (hopefully!) get the position. I tend to be too open sometimes and if things don't work out you have to go back and tell everyone so I'll just wait.

I will be doing a 21 day meditation challenge. It starts tomorrow and it's free so you should do it too!

Well that's enough updating for now. I'm going to try to blog more often and I need to work on my business, Life by the Sea, more as well. Like I said, life happens and things can get away from us so I'm hoping that putting it out on here I will hold myself more accountable and get things done! 

-S

updates

I've been updating the blog a bit. Adding to the pages and putting up photos. Check it out!

Today was a pretty awesome day. I spent the morning with Cody before heading off to an interview at a temp agency, which went really well. Then I headed out to Rhode Island to spend some quality time with my sis. We got manis and pedis. My nails have never looked this good! It was super relaxing and we had fun pampering ourselves. After that we grabbed a bite to eat at Pizza Wave in Bristol. I had a cheeseburger club (with extra mayo :o) ). I have not had one of those in years! 

After hanging with my sis, I headed home to get going with my grad application, which is due in a week...oy. I had a moment where I just got super aggravated with having to do all of this all over again. This will be the third grad school I apply to. And oddly enough I got in to the first two so you'd think I'd be done by now...but no go. So here's hoping third times the charm. Anyway, I picked up Cody at the climbing gym and talked to him about it and was over the aggravation within a few minutes. Gotta stay positive :]

Tomorrow holds promises of another great day. Thrifting in the morning before getting my sis and nephew and heading back to our parents' house. Playing and crafting all day before birthday celebrations for my dad who turns 65 tomorrow!! 

Well I'm off to find fun ways to alter a t-shirt and use my sewing machine, do some painting and maybe even knit a little....I'm pretty ambitious for 9:45 at night!

Sweet dreams

-S

explore, create, learn

I've been really slacking on the blogging thing. Oh well...one can only do so many things. Anyway, hope everyone's new year is going great. I've recently taken to knitting again and have been knitting tons. I actually sell hats and scarves. Between climbing, knitting and my job at the restaurant, my arms have been pretty sore lately but it's all good : ]
Overall, I've been getting into being more crafty lately and being creative. Painting, sketching, knitting, and seeking out tons of fun little DIY projects. Next on my list of things to do is aquiring a sewing machine! It always feels amazing when you venture into an area of yourself that hasn't been explored often. I love creating, repurposing things and just having fun with it.

cowl scarf

There are so many great blogs out there with people I've been forunate to come across and find inspiration from. One is Bird Trouble . She makes beautiful bags and is even having a give away so if you'd like a chance to win, click the link and follow directions like I did! Also, A Beautiful Mess Blog is pretty great too. I hope you check these ladies out and may even get inspired too. Happy Crafting!

-S

happy new year! : )

Well it's a new year. Welcome to 2012 everybody!! I wasn't a huge fan of 2011 and hope 2012 is better. It's crazy because I think a lot of people feel the same way. I don't know what the deal with 2011 was but it seems like everyone had a tough time. For all of you out there who had a lot of rough patches in 2011 here's hoping your 2012 is brighter : )

I'll be applying to grad school again so please cross your fingers! Third times the charm right?!

This post will be short and sweet. Good luck in 2012! I'll be rooting for you :D