Supporting Other Writers

I'm not sure why, but it is fairly known throughout literary circles that writers are super competitive toward one another.  I have a friend who got her Bachelors in creative writing at San Fransisco State years ago, and is currently trying to get her Masters! I am so proud of her!  She was bit by the writing bug when we took a creative writing class together years and years ago at the community college level.  We got along so well, sharing a love for words, books, and stories, as well as coffee and day dreaming about adventures and trips across the world.  When she switched her major from art to creative writing, I felt a disconnect in our friendship.  Slowly over the years she began to move away from me emotionally, and now we are mearly facebook friends.  I mourned my friend for a while, even becoming angry at one point, but only because I didn't understand what was going on.  Then one day she posted an article about writers and why "we" compete with each other.  Suddenly it hit me hard: it wanst personal; her putting space between us was simply because we were both writers.  She stopped looking at me and our conversations as friendly, and began to see me as a competitor.

I read the article she posted, and thought long and hard about how I feel about other writers.  My conclusion was this: only people who are insecure feel the need to compete with their peers.  Its true that a lot of people who create experience a lot of self doubt, but that is no need to put someone else down.  Here is my list of reasons why I will never compete with another writer:

1) The support in the writing community is an energy that feeds your work!  On a rough day, just texting a fellow writer for some feedback or positive affirmation can get you through a project, why would anyone give that up?

2) The more writers out there, the more stories we get to read! No two minds are alike! We all have different stories and point of views to convey! Personally I get excited to read another persons words because they are so different from mine! Its refreshing!

3) Books are dying :( the more writers we have out there, the less that last statement will become the sad truth.

So every time I hear that a friend has begun writing a book, or another has become published, I break out the champagne and celebrate! I am always there to support their efforts, and encourage them in any way I can! We do not need to compete with each other, because in the end, we all win!

That being said, when I found out Chelsea got her book published, I immediately went on amazon to buy her book.  I am currently still reading it, and cannot wait to finish it and write a review! Getting a book published is such an amazing feat, and might I mention courageous! If my old friend ever gets published, I will of course support her as well, and buy her book.  I will read it with a smile on my face and send her a lovely card telling her how much I enjoyed her words, because I know they will be brilliant! Hopefully one day she will realize that competing with other writers just cuts you off from positive resources, and she will come back to the light.

Apps I Cant Live Without

Today we are talking about our favorite Apps!! The following list is pretty obvious, but I honestly cannot live without each of these little guys.  Seriously, for someone my age, iPhone and Apps are a relatively new thing! Best invention ever.

Social media apps: (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) okay these are obvious, but when I am bored, I like to check out what everyone is up to!

Day One: I mostly journal through Day One on my computer, but its nice to have it on my phone in case I need to jot down a quick list or funny thought.

Nike: I log miles nearly everyday.  I cant live without this app!

Pinterest: When I am feeling the need to be inspired, which is often.

Tone it up: Daily work outs at your fingertips! You don't need to be a member to download the app and benefit from the workout schedules! I highly recommend this one for any active girls who like being told what to do in order to look amazing!!

Maps: I have been working the same neighborhoods for nearly 3 years, and I still need my GPS to find some houses! Without this app I would be stranded in the country way too often.

Golden One: Its so convenient to check banking balances and be able to make transfers on the go! (I sound like a freakin commercial)

Drop!: Its a coin game, and seriously addicting.  There is not a day that goes by where I don't play it.

Camera: Obviously, I need to document my life in pictures.

Audible: Yay! Audible books on the go! Especially helpful while traveling.

Starbucks: I am new to the Starbucks app, but I love it! It is now my way of paying for coffee/tea and I cant part with it.

Amazon: Everything I need right at my fingertips

Google: I am an incredibly curious person.  I google random things quite often throughout the day.  If I had to wait until I was home to search for whatever I am musing over I would go crazy.

I am actually really excited to see what apps everyone else is using!!

Take A Look Into My Reality!

For today's prompt we are supposed to share what we are currently experiencing! I'm excited to participate, because I am secretly hoping that once I share whats going on over here, you will comment and share whats going on over where you are! Ready, Set, Lets do this!!!

Currently I am...

Reading:  I started The Maze Runner by James Dashner recently, although I haven't gotten very far in it yet! Today I ordered Happy To Be Alive, Because by Chelsea Jacobs, whose blog I absolutely adore! Once I receive that book in the mail, I will most likely push Mr. Maze Runner aside to devour Chelsea's book!

Writing:  I am working on my first novel! Yay! This is my first huge piece of fiction, and I am desperately trying to get the first draft done before the school semester begins!

Listening to: A Song Of Ice and Fire, book 5: A Dance With Dragons by George Martin courtesy of Audible.com Since my break up, its been difficult for me to listen to music.  Love songs make me sad, break up songs make me sad, its just a pile of sadness.  So while giving myself some space from the romantic ballads, I have been enjoying listening to epic journeys!

Thinking about: Disconnecting from TV for a while.  I honestly feel like it is the main cause for my writers block.  Also for my productivity block.  Netflix is my comfort food.

Smelling:  How stuffy my bedroom is!  Since its over 100 degrees over here in the central valley of California, I cannot keep my window open 24/7.  My bedroom also faces the sun all day long, so naturally, its the hottest room in the house.  Its just a stuffy, miserable existence, and I cant wait for fall!

Wishing: That my super attractive new co-worker wasn't an entire decade younger then me! In addition to being super hot, turns out hes really a great guy, and I'm like "your parents lied to you, you were born in '84 not '94!" Damn it!

Hoping: That Ackels will eventually turn into a lap cat.  I tried to cuddle him during nap time today and he kept getting up, walking away, and then falling back to sleep.  What a jerk!

Wearing: Shorts and tank tops.  Its so hot here that just the thought of pants warrants a cold shower.

Wanting: Another 3 months of no school or stress! Like a longer summer without it actually being summer.  I know what you're thinking: take a semester off school! No, I can't, because the way my program is set up, that would put me back an entire year.  ...Ain't nobody got time for dat!

Loving: My baby boy, Maddex, and missing him like CRAZY!!

Needing: To start going to some of the classes offered at my gym.  I always say I am going to, but then I chicken out, because, social anxiety.

My Day In GIFs

My day to day is pretty normal.

I like to start with a nice long, warm bath

I always try to eat healthy, even if its other peoples food.

I work as a pizza driver, which looks a lot like this.

After work I usualy go for a run,

because I dont want to look like this ^

And then at some point after all that, I pass out.

Side note: Im a cat.

Would You Rather..

Hi everyone! Id love to report that I am FINALLY feeling better!  That was such a terrible week, although I still lost the 2 pounds I was hoping for, so that is a plus.  More then anything, I am glad to be back to blogging after taking quite a few days off.  Today's prompt for July 20th is Would You Rather! Here we go :)

Would you rather questions:

1. Be blind or be deaf

Deaf, absolutely! I get anxiety in the dark... plus I'm a visual learner! 

2. Be taller than you are or shorter than you are

If I was shorter Id be fatter, and since I'm trying to lose weight, I suppose a nice stretch would be nice.  Nothing taller then 5'8" though, cause I like to wear heals!

3. Be a teenager or a senior citizen for the rest of your life

Teenager, but with all the knowledge I have now! Can you say perfect skin and metabolism forever? Sign me up!

4. Have no hands or no legs

Just kill me, kill me dead.

5. Lose your front teeth or both eyebrows

Whats more expensive? Veneers or eyebrow pencils? 

6. Eat a worm or a cockroach

Worm.  I don't like tiny legs.  fun fact: I did chew a worm once for $20. Then I lost the $20.  Sad day.

7. Spend a day in the Sahara or North Pole

North Pole! Id hang out with Santa's reindeer! Best vacation ever.

8. Have a personal chef or a personal driver

Personal chef! That would be so convenient! Plus I love to drive, so I wouldn't want to give it up!

9. Always have to whisper or always have to shout

Whisper.  Better to be mysterious then obnoxious!

10. Can't taste or can't smell

Cant smell.  Sure Id miss the smell of baking bread, but how cool would it be to not have to hold your breath in a bathroom? Or insult your other half by not kissing them first thing in the morning!

11. Wipe with sandpaper or saran wrap

Haha, mental pictures galore! Saran wrap; it would be annoying, but at least it would leave permanent damage.

12. Have Twitter shut down for a day or your blog disappear for a day

Probably my blog.  I'm more interested in what other people are up to then having people see what I am up to.  

13. Text of your blog is screwed up or all the pictures you post on your blog are blurry

Well a picture says 1000 words, so I suppose I could tell a story without words! 

14. Never be able to post another GIF or never be able to receive comments on your posts

Never post another GIF.  I love comments, they make me feel connected :)

15. Have a permanent wedgie or have the tag on your shirt constantly scratch your neck

Bring on the scratchy tags.  

Im Sick

Hi everyone! I just wanted to pop on over here to let you know I didn't fall off the face of the earth.  I'm just sick.  Like really sick.  Somehow I have gained enough energy to write this, but otherwise I'm being useless in bed.  Even the thought of getting up, going to the kitchen, and making soup seems like a journey destined for a charmed hobbit.  I am not up for that kind of adventure.

Anyway, I can't wait to start feeling better so I can continue to participate in the Blog Every Day In July challenge!!!

Talk to you soon :)

If I was locked in solitary confinement...

..and I could only have one possession with me, I would choose my computer (with working wifi).  Yeah, okay, it seems obvious, but picture this: you're all alone encompassed in gray walls.  A crikety cot with a flimsy white sheet are among your only comforts, and no one is allowed to visit you.  Would you take a book? a TV? a favorite mattress?? No, not me.  I would bring my computer because:

1) It would allow me to connect with the outside world

2) I could watch shows, movies, YouTube

3) I could read online, also listen to books with my Audible.com membership

4) I could write

5) I could still skype with my loved ones.

6) I would have a calender app so I wouldn't have to mess up my nails scratching tics into the walls to count days.

Our computers are all in one entertainment machines, and I could not live without it.

5 Peple I'd Like to Have Dinner With

1) JK Rowling
She wrote Harry Potter, which is one of my favorite stories of all time.  Her mind created some of my favorite characters of all time, and I want to pick her brain about how she did it!!! Plus just listening to her accent would be awesome.  Also, we could trade stories about single motherhood, and then after a filling meal of pasta and wine, we could bust out our notebooks and play writing games!

2) Seth Rogan
Who is hilarious, and I have a feeling we would get along really well! We would probably get high and eat a ton of junk food... and then I would show him healthy alternatives to his favorite snacks and he'd love me forever.  Then his friends would come over, and Id have people to hang out with in LA for the rest of my life.

3) My Future Husband
This one is obvious, lets get this party started

4) The President of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Could you image rubbing elbows with the top person in your field of study? That is what this would be like for me.  We would eat a ton of veggies, talk shop, and she/he would tell all possible future employers to hire me immediately because I am brilliant!

5) Hitler (pre-Holocaust)
So I could poison him, and watch him die painfully.

Summertime Love

My favorite part of summer is the whole no classes thing.  Anyone in college can understand.  A whole three months of no due dates is pretty awesome.  That being said, I am not a summer bunny like most girls.  I don't own 30 bikinis, enjoy hot weather, or necessarily like sand. (that stuff gets everywhere)

I will say that I want to be one of those girls though.  I sometimes fantasize about being my perfect weight (almost there), bouncing around on the beach in cutoffs and a cute top, while eating ice cream during the day, and spending hot summer nights with hot guys and cold beers.  Oh wait, I don't live in Avila Beach (sad day).  That is just not my reality.

To push myself into being optimistic I have acquired a list of actual summertime awesomeness that does correlate with my reality:

//More work hours = more money
Beefing up the savings account makes me giddy.  Or having the extra money to fix up my spaces in the house is really refreshing too.

//Being able to read fiction rather then textbooks
During the school year I actually feel guilty to read anything other then homework related material.  Its really sad.

//Have I mentioned how much I like naps?
I have more time for naps during the summer, because, well, no homework.

//My dad has a pool, so twice a month I float out there for about 30 minutes, until the sunlight utterly exhausts me.
Floating can feel really nice, but I seriously don't like being in the heat for long periods of time.  I'd rather be bundled up on a cold rainy day.

//Night runs!
During the summer I can't wait for the sun to go down so I can run.  I hate treadmills and running outside is way less boring, but impossible during the day.  At night, there is a cool breeze, and no one is out there to bother you.  No awkward waves, no heat rashes, and when you stop to pet someones outside cat, no one judges you.  I love night runs.

//Road trips
Every summer I take at least one road trip! Last year it was to Huntington Beach to visit one of my best friends.  The year before that the same friend and I went to Prescott AZ.  So much fun.  I haven't been anywhere this year yet, but my friend Monica wants to go to Yosemite, so we might make a trip out of that.

//More free time
A final note: summer time has longer days.  There is more time to do all the things you want to do! Weather that be napping, reading, being with friends, or playing at the beach, spending countless hours in the pool.  All that sunshine genuinely makes people happy, and being around happy people is always more fun!

Tell me all about your summer, and how awesome it is!

Things I do when Im alone

I spend the majority of my time alone (because I want to, not because Im pathetic).  Its just what introverts do!  I have been having a wonderful time this summer doing the following:

//Binge watch Netflix
//BInge write
//Binge Nap

//Hang out with my cat
//Eat in front of the TV
When Maddex is home I have to eat at the table. Boo!
//Clean my room
//Play on pinterest

//Read style magazines and Shape
//Write lists/journal
There is this app called Day One that I like to journal in, but I make lists in paper notebooks.  Its a thing, I duno why.
//Think about cleaning out my closet and then chickening out

//Draw something organic; usually flowers
//Drink a gallon of water
All day every day!

//Wear tiny cloth shorts and ovesized tee shirts to cover the fact that I never wear bras anymore
Its my uniform
//lift hand weights or do sit ups while I watch TV

//Feed my cat water out of the water cap in my hand

I know what you're thinking, "Wow she is SO interesting!" haha, not! My list may seem mundane, but I genuinely enjoy them all.  What do you do when you are alone??

Things That Make Me Smile

Id like to start by saying that I am a pretty happy person in general.  I spent the majority of the last 2 years unhappy, which was so traumatic that I had to seek help.  I believe there are two types of people in this world: those that are baseline neutral and generally pessimistic, and those that are more often then not bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to see the bright side in just about anything.  I am the later type.

But anyway, here is a list of things that really make me even happier then my baseline happy-girl status:

+A great tip at work
I drive for a pizza parlor, and we basically live off of tips.  An acceptable tip is $2, a standard tip is $3, a nice tip is $4, a good tip is $5... but a great tip? well a great tip is anything over $6.  Once I got a $15 tip! its not unusual to get a $10 at least once a week.  Super happy days.

+Being in the presents of dogs and/or cats
I don't know what it is about those furry little guys, but getting to interact with a dog or cat can instantly brighten my mood.  They are just so happy! And honest.  Animals are the most honest creatures in the world, and I appreciate that.

+Buying food
Maybe its because I'm a dietetic major... maybe its because I'm a mom and I really like feeding people... or maybe I'm just hungry.  I don't know but going to the store and buying food makes me really happy!

+Playing tag with my cat
My cat is about 1.5 years old.  He looks like a grown-up, but is mostly still a kitten at heart.  During the 6 hours he is awake he likes to play.  We wrestle but that mostly leaves me with scratches all over my arms.  My dad has a pretty big house and we have gotten in the habit of playing games like hide and go seek, stalk the human, and my personal fav: tag.  When he "gets" me he runs up and bats me with both paws (no claws) and then runs away.  Then I go chase him.  Its extra amounts of fun.

+Floating in the pool
I grew up next to a river, so I am a general fan of currents.  Recently, here is Clovis, the weather has been over 100 degrees on a daily basis.  I enjoy floating on a swim toy and letting the gentle wind swish me all over the pool.  Feels like home.

+Bubble baths
Candles: check. Great book: check. Hot water: check. Bath salts that smell amazing: check.  Whats not to love?

+Reading an amazing, cant put it down, book
Is there anything better? seriously.  Getting lost in a book is my crack.

+Writing a story that flows perfectly
Creative productivity is better then real productivity.  Not only are you completing your goals, but you are birthing original work.  That is quite an accomplishment.  Plus when I write stories with little trouble, I tend to feel like my perfect self.  The person I was born to be.  Does anyone else ever feel that way?

+Just looking at Maddex
My son is my life.  He also inherited the families big, dark, blue eyes.  But from his dad side he inherited the Native American complexion.  So seeing those intoxicating oceans of eyes next to that tan skin is genuinely pretty.  Plus hes always smiling.  I have an intensely happy kid.  Its infectious. I love him.

+Getting complements from complete strangers about how awesome my kid is
Speaking of Maddex, when someone tells me they see what I see: an incredible child, it puts me over the moon!  The proper response is "Oh, thank you!" but I usually say "I KNOW RIGHT? I grew him myself!" which is less classy, but absolutely true.

+Remembering I am in perfect health
There is a lot of sickness in my family, not to mention the world.  I do not take my health for granted.  In fact I work out regularly, try to eat as healthy as possible, and I indulge in toxic behaviors sparingly.  My grandfather from my mothers side is much older, but not sick at all (the only one in my family over the age of 45 who is not sick)  He is my hero.  He travels everywhere, has amazing stories, and is the picture of an adventurous spirit.  I want to be just like him when I grow up, and I will treat my body like a temple so I can realize this dream.

+Realizing that I haven't accidentally killed Maddex yet! (the older he gets the less chance I will!)
Okay every mom (especially young, single moms) know about "Mommy Visions" they are terrifying, but necessary.  A mommy vision is when you have a young child and you can see every possible bad thing happen before they even have a chance to.  When Maddex was a baby I saw him bash his head into a sharp corner of a table, and I moved him before the vision could come true.  Its a survival technique, I get it, but it was traumatizing.  I spent most of his babyhood trying not to kill him.  One time I dressed him too warmly after a warm bath and gave him a mini seizure.  WORST DAY EVER! He ended up being fine, but still, it was terrifying.  So mostly I would just sit and watch him to make sure he was still breathing.  As he got older and more mobile, my fear of accidentally killing him increased.  Mother hood is not all butterfly's and rainbows.

+When someone close to me shares amazingly great news about their life
My best friend is getting married!  My sister is having a baby! My other best friend just got a job promotion! I love celebrating other peoples successes! I only want the best for my loved ones, and when they share great news with me, I am genuinely ecstatic for them! Plus its another chance to celebrate! Open up that champagne!!!

Things I will Never Do

I thought I would have trouble writing this post because I have a very "down for anything" kind of personality.  As I started to list things out I realized that everyone has their limits.  Here are a few of mine:

~Bungee jumping
I have sky dived before, and it was amazing fun.  Jumping off of a bridge with a rubber band attached to my ankles just isn't going to happen.  Its not just the falling, its the bouncing back up and smacking my head on something that terrifies me.  And then back down... and then up again.. NO THANKS!

~Run a full Marathon
I run half marathons, and it takes me 3 whole days to recover after every race.  Just thinking about running the full Marathon makes my knees ache.

~Ask out a crush
I don't ask out boys anymore.  If he likes you, (or me), he will make the first move.  Otherwise he just doesn't like you that much, and even if he says "yes" you will always be the one in the relationship who likes the other one more.  I hate being that person. Side note: a "shy" guy is just a boy who hasn't grown his man-balls yet.

~Walk in east Fresno at night- hello, I value my life

~Make anyone feel worthless
Why??? What is the point?  Making someone feel bad doesn't solve anything.  Every time I see someone I try to make them feel awesome.  I do this because its way more fun to lift someone up then to bring them down.

~Enjoy the presence of snakes
They are beautiful, but they make my skin crawl.  I can logically appreciate them, but if I see one something deep inside of me rejects the sight and makes me jump and my skin crawl.  Every. Time.

~Screech at the sight of a rodent and want to kill it 
Save our fury friends, just put them outside by the dumpster- its their utopia!

~Give up on my goals
Life is too short to give up.

~Let my son live with out me
His dad has taken me to court SO MANY TIMES trying to get custody.  It never works.  My son is my best friend, my legacy, my life.  You just cant separate us.

~Join roller derby _bitches be crazy
I'm afraid of angry chicks.

~Stalk Jensen Ackles, but only because he is happily married.

Independence Day! Whoop!

Today I am going up to see my mom, and also to spend this patriot-overload holiday with my borhters and my new sister! (James got Married Awwww) My blood sister wont be able to make it as she and her very pregnant belly are needed at work (boooo!)

The best part of the 4th of July is the food.  It has to be BBQ.  And something simple like hot dogs and burgers because well, we are americans and we are proud to be lazy.

A couple of things I am bringing ot the table:

Blue and white chips with red salsa

Before

After

Cherry Pie!!!

Star shaped watermelon and blueberry fruit salad

Pasta salad

I cant wait to have my own place so I can host fun parties with homemade holiday crafts.  Note to self: make all said crafts before I get a real job.

More then anthing I am just really excited to spend time with my brothers before they move to various ends of the country later this summer.  I wish that Maddex was going to be around, but he is spending the holiday at the beach with his dad (poor him) lol.  

Have an amazing 4th everyone!