And the Countdown Begins!

60 Days, 2 Hours and 36 Minutes from now, I will be walking across a stage as a show of my completion of last five years and four schools worth of work. My college graduation. 
 When did this happen? My senior thesis (on children with Gender Identity Disorder and the effects that the American binary system of male and female has on them) was finished last semester.I'm fervently applying to jobs across the country while trying to end the last few classes I'm taking on a high note. The real world is racing toward me and (while scared pant less) I'm getting excited about the brand new adventure that I'm about to embark on. Saturday, I got back from my spring break roadtrip to Southern CA and Disneyland from the moment I arrived home until now (three days later) I've been doing nothing other than going to classes and writing cover letters and resumes to send off in hopes of hearing back from someone.And after these last three days I'm just wanting someone to say, "Yes"!Most places have said that they'll make decisions in late April or May, so I'm patiently (haha!) awaiting the email/call about the fate of my future.  When did I become an adult...?

(This was taken last Sunday in San Diego) 

What Would You Tell Yourself?

Have you ever looked back at your life and said to yourself, 

"I wish that I had known this earlier in my life."?

Up to this point I've learned some important lessons. 

Some of them include:

1. Don't "Kill Time." Time is precious, embrace every moment.

2. Growing up, you think your high school sweetheart is going to be the person you'll be with forever. Chances are, you're not. Each relationship is an experience. 

3. Don't be afraid of experiences.

4. Scratch that, don't be afraid. Don't let fear stop you from taking chances. Don't be afraid to trust.

5. It may feel like the end of the world. It's not. Life will go on.

6. When life gets the hardest, call up your best friend. Laughter is the best medicine.

7. Hold on tight to real friendships.

8. Don't spend all your energy on friendships and relationships that are one sided. You deserve better.

9. Don't cry over someone who's not willing to cry over you.

10. Forever is a long time to be without someone, don't walk away angry.

11. Don't regret. Past experiences have made you who you are today and led you to have so many wonderful experiences.

12. The only power that someone has over you is the power that you give them.

13. It's not what happens. No one can make you feel one way or another. No one can make you do anything. It's not the action, it's your reaction. You have the power to choose how you react.

14. Put yourself in their shoes. Where are they coming from? Do you feel any differently about that person now? 

15. It's not your place to judge. You are not responsible for judging anyone or their actions.

16. Don't accept things you don't think are right. You can affect change.

17. Hold yourself accountable when you are.

18. Allow others the space to hold themselves accountable when need be.

19. Don't blame.

20. Hugs, kisses and cuddling are wonderful things.

21. Love without bounds.

22. Find out what makes your light shine and do it. 

23. Don't do the things that make you miserable. Life's too short.

24. Don't fall into old patterns, figure out how to bring positive change to your life. If something had a negative outcome in the past, change it for the future. Don't fall back on habit.

25. Be happy, smile, it's a chain reaction.

If you could go back in time and tell your eighteen year old self anything, something you know now that you wish you'd known then, what would it be?

Rainy Day Vineyards

In honor of my friend Sean Scott and the one year anniversary of his passing, I wanted to show you all the mustard flowers that are beginning to pop up here in the wine country!

Wordless Wednesday -#12

My poppies from Eva have started sprouting!!

Sweltering Spring Heat

I'm warning you in advance about the quality of these pictures. I went to a sign language picnic today and halfway through my time there the battery in my camera died. I realized once I got home that when my camera got stolen [here] my charger for the Cannon camera I still have got stolen as well. So I was left to use my point and shoot [which I also love with all my heart] for the rest of today. [And will continue to do so until I can locate and buy an affordable new charger.]

Well we got our first taste of springtime heat! It was around 95 degrees for most of the day and it's supposed to be 5 to 10 degrees warmer tomorrow. An added bonus...our house's air conditioning is broken! Also as we're still unpacking some of our boxes from moving we have no clue where a fan is located. Buying one is one of the first things on my list for tomorrow!

If it's this hot now and it's only spring, I'm afraid to ask how hot it's going to get during the summer! Yowza!

I will note though that these are record highs in weather. It's said that the next couple days are going to be record numbers as well and then the days are supposed to cool back down into the high 70's at the end of the week.

[Speaking of heat, having POTS is extremely difficult in the heat because heat dilates blood vessels. My symptoms were beginning to get really bad today. So out of curiosity, does anyone have any suggestions on easy ways to keep cool? ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated!]

The sunshine sure was beautiful though!

While taking a drive today we passed a beautiful vineyard where California Golden Poppies had grown all throughout the base of the vines. This is the first vineyard I've seen with Poppies - I loved the contrasting colors! 

To end the weekend and start this new week I'll sign off with a picture I took while my family was off tasting wines today.

My Best Shot Monday - #3

I love watching the all of the new growth emerge in all aspects of spring.

Spring Forward Sunday

Well, the longer day caused me to be confused. Five o'clock came around and it was still sunny! I always appreciate the brighter longer days. I don't miss  the sun comes up earlier during the winter as due to my schedule I have the luxury that still allows me to sleep in past sunrise [although that means it's a trade off for late night classes]. 

So, I got a stitch by color cross stitch kit today. It says that it comes with easy instructions but I can not for the life of me figure it out, heh. Sad, I know, it should be an interesting project.

Also, Spring Break is upon me and I have quite a bit of free time. I love to send good mail, if anyone is interested in exchanging good mail, please email me. =]

[Good Mail=Mail you actually look forward to. Not the daily bills and junk that often occupy our mailboxes.]

Included are a few pictures I took when I took my dog on a walk to the park this weekend. 

Hope you're enjoying winding down tonight. Happy Sunday!

Springing Forward

Tonight we shall get ready to "Spring Forward" into daylight savings time. As we look around, bits and pieces of spring are showing. I now live in vineyard country and am overjoyed to watch my first spring here appear. The bright yellow wild mustard can be seen all around and through the vines. It's absolutely beautiful. The sheep are grazing in and out of the rows and looking closely, little lamb appear, only their heads able to be seen above the mustard. 

Beautiful weather, beautiful scenery.

Spring Has Sprung.

These are a few of the pictures that I've taken this weekend (*cough*, um of the 85 pictures so far, haha).