Music Mondays! -"Popular"

I’ve decided that I’m going to start something new, “Music Mondays.” On Monday I will post a song for that week. This song could have some significant meaning as to what is going on in my life, it could be a song from a new artist I’m listening to, or it could just be a song that has been stuck in my head all weekend long.

This week’s song will be “Popular” by Nada Surf. (I’ve included it below) This weekend students are moving back into college. I heard this song on Friday and it made me think of the excitement of starting a new chapter in your life. The great thing about moving or going to college is you can reshape your whole image. You are starting over, starting fresh. You can be whoever you want to be!

You will be meeting a whole new set of friends. People that have never met you before! If you weren’t popular in high school but always wanted to, now’s your chance! Or maybe you are tired of the attention and just want to lay low? That’s cool also.

This song made me think how important it is to give everyone a chance. Everyone is different and unique in their own way. You may not think you have anything in common with someone, but you never know.

So my advice to freshmen starting this new journey we call “college” - give everyone a chance, don’t make judgments based on appearance or first impressions!

Keep on, keepin’ on,
-J

"Destination"

des=ti=na=tion – a: the place toward which someone or something is going or sent.

The other day I was sitting here thinking of places that I’ve never been and would love to go to. It made me imagine all of the wonderful places and things I have never seen. So I decided to put together a list of “destinations” that I would like to visit. (These are in no particular order.)

Dubai – Not many people think of the desert when listing top destinations they want to travel to. But if you had to pick a desert destination, Dubai would be the one. This city is now one of the fastest growing tourist places in the world. From driving the dunes in a land cruiser to the impressive, breathtaking skyline, Dubai is a city of endless possibilities and continues to grow. Interesting fact: 25% of the world’s operating construction cranes are currently in Dubai – working!

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – I’ve always wanted to visit Brazil and I figure – what better place than Rio De Janeiro? And of course the best time to visit would have to be the Brazilian Carnival – the annual celebration held 40 days before Easter and marking the beginning of Lent. This event is like Mardi Gras, only LARGER! Another reason to travel to Brazil would have to be – the women! Brazilian women are the most beautiful in the world! Interesting fact: Tijuca forest, a huge rainforest that rises in the middle of the city, is the world’s largest urban rainforest.

San Diego – I’ve always wanted to visit California and what better place than San Diego? The mediterranean climate makes the weather there is awesome! Blue skies and wonderful beaches are enough right there to make you want to visit. San Diego is also in an excellent location as it lies just north of the Mexican border and just south of Orange County. Interesting fact: It is the 8th largest city in the United States.

Italy – I have always wanted to visit Italy. Whether it’s the beautiful ancient architecture or the world famous food, I’ve always been drawn to Italy. It strikes me as a perfect vacation spot. It has a diverse climate and a wonderful culture. This may be my ultimate destination. Interesting fact: The leaning Tower of Pisa has slowly tipped to one side over the years and now currently leans over about 14 ½ feet!

New York City – I believe every person should visit NYC at least once in their life. In fact, I believe that everyone should live in NYC for at least one year of their life! Known as the “City that never sleeps,” NYC boasts one of the most diverse cultural meccas in the world. I’ve never traveled to the northeast part of the U.S., but when I do NYC will probably be my first destination, with Boston as a close second. Interesting fact: Almost 50 million people visit New York City every year!

Australia – I’ve always wanted to visit the “land down under.” It just sounds like it would be a cool place to go! I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that it seems very much like America, although I am sure it is very different. It would be cool to tour the outback and see the unique wildlife. Interesting fact: Australia’s Christmas holiday comes in the middle of summer.

Augusta, GA – Why Augusta, Georgia you ask? It’s not a tourist destination. Well for one week it is one of the most amazing places in the world – Master’s week! If you are a golfer or even if you are not, you’ve probably heard of this tournament. If you asked anyone who enjoys golf, what course they would like to play more than any other? Your overwhelming answer would be Augusta National! I’ve always wanted to go to this golf tournament and have tried to get tickets for the last several years. This is the toughest ticket in sports. Interesting fact: Augusta National has only 300 members and membership is by invite only. It took Bill Gates over 10 years to be invited to become a member!

Hawaii – Many people who’ve been to the islands have always told me that, “you have to visit Hawaii if you get a chance!” With temperatures averaging upper 80’s in the summer and averaging low 80’s in the winter, how can you beat it? Whenever you see pictures of Hawaii, the ocean looks bluer and the land looks greener. It reminds you of what paradise would probably look like. Interesting fact: Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States.

St. Andrews, Scotland – The town of St. Andrews is known as the “home of golf.” What more reason do I need than that? It is in every golfer’s dream to walk on St. Andrews Links. Golf has been played there for over 600 years. Interesting fact: golf was originally played on 11 holes out and 11 hole in, resulting in 22 holes. It was changed to 18 holes in 1764.

Keep on, keepin' on

-J

"Connection"

con=nec=tion – a: the act of connecting. b: a person with whom one is associated with, as by kinship or common interests.

So here is the deal – I’ve been laying pretty low when it comes to relationships this summer. I just haven’t had the time or really the motivation to pursue one. I’ve been hanging out with some different girls. Some of them I have had a mild interest in, others just as friends.

Well there is this one girl, “K”, who at one time had my interest and then it went and then it came back and then it went, etc, etc….. you get the idea. Well anyway, she is a very good looking girl and really fun to hang out with. (Any guy would be crazy not to want to be in a relationship with her!) Well, call me CRAZY!!!

I’ve known “K” for a couple of years now. But this summer we’ve actually hung out more than we ever had. A lot of that has to do with the fact that we now live in the same town. So this summer it has basically (somewhat) just been a friendship. It’s one of those situations where she’ll give me a call and say, “I just rented so-and-so movie, have you seen it? If not come on over.” Or I’ll send her a text and ask if she is hungry for pizza and will go grab some food over a beer. Or maybe she’ll send me a text that says, bad day at work! Margarita??? Very casual, nothing official! In fact, I think the word “date” has only been used once or twice and mainly in a joking manner.

Well, last night things got a little more personal. She called me just to chat. (which she’ll do from time to time) Well during our conversation that included me laughing at her last disaster of a date she went on last week or her giving me trouble on my latest music tastes, the conversation took a weird turn.

She said something to me about going back to her hometown this weekend to hang with her family! And normally this would not have phased me, but I could tell that this was more than a “friendship” weekend.

I won’t deny that I am attracted to her and do enjoy hanging out with her. I know, I know, you are thinking – so what is the problem? Well the problem is that I just don’t feel that connection for her. I’ve had it before. In fact, 3 months ago I would have been like, “sure, count me in.” But I just don’t get that right now. There is just something missing and I can’t pinpoint what it is?

So there I was in an awkward situation. So I made up some excuse, I told her that I am golfing on Saturday and have told some buddies I would go to the fair with them on Friday. This is not really a lie because I do plan on doing all of those things. But I think if I really wanted to, I could definitely pass on the golf and the fair.

Anyway, I could tell that she sensed something was a little different after this was brought up. And I don’t want things to be awkward, I just am not interested in pursuing a relationship with her right now. (I’m not sure why, but I’m just not!) I have interests other places at this time. So hopefully things won’t change much. But we will see!

Keep on, keepin’ on
-J

"Innocence"

in=no=cence - a: freedom of sin, moral wrong, or guilt through lack of knowledge of evil. b: freedom from harmfulness; inoffensiveness.

Okay, before we go to far into this post, let's be honest: this post is obviously not about me. I lost my innocence a LONG time ago. Sure, I was innocent at one time. It was when I was very young and naive to the world. These past couple of days have made me think about innocence a little more. Why? ........ my niece and nephew were in town!

It's always fun to have them around. They brighten up your day and to be honest I haven't been that high in spirits lately! Anyway, just to watch them play and enjoy their childhood makes you happy. I started to think, why is it that when people are asked, "if you could go back to any age and begin, what age would you go to?" And you always get answers like 25, or 21 or some time in high school. But why doesn't anyone ever say.... 2!

I mean, seriously! You have your whole world in front of you. Endless possibilities!

It was great to see my niece and nephew this week. I got to spend some time with them as we went to the park and spent an afternoon at the zoo. It's fun to watch Maci have no fear of any animals. As I was rushing past the boa constrictor aquarium trying not to even look over at this "spawn of the devil", she had her face pressed up to the window and banging on it like she wanted to play with it! (As you probably guessed, I HATE snakes!)

It was fun to watch Kael follow his big sister everywhere. Even though it took him a little longer. (he just started crawling a couple weeks ago) His emotions change with his sisters'. If Maci starts crying, he gets upset. If Maci starts laughing, he just cracks up! It's funny watching an 8 month old belly laugh!

“A child has no ego, no past or future. The child has no attachments, and because of this, he is able to express himself fully, without any prejudices or preconceived ideas.”

-Amma

Keep on, keepin' on

-JJ