loving.

Today only comes once every four years... That makes it pretty special. However, every day only comes once a year, so that makes them all pretty special.

I'm so in love with my life, sometimes I forget that. Here are 10 things that make me remember just how in love I am!

1. how I have meaningful conversations with all of my friends.
2. that I like reading books.
3. that I know my family loves me and will always love me no matter what.
4. how God shows me what is best, even when I don't want to see it.
5. that I feel so fulfilled when playing the piano.
6. that I like living in the rain
7. how hugging people is something I do regularly.
8. when Celia smiles so big that her eyes close.
9. how I have the honour and responsibility of being a role model to so many youth.
10. that I'm healthy, and my family is healthy.

There is just so much to love :)

Windows and Learning Curves.

1. Clean the window

2. Admire the streak free shine.

3. Admire the view.

4. Feel like the best 50's housewife ever. 

Check. 

Windows are the most satisfying things to clean! 

I was supposed to study today as midterms are coming up. However, I decided to clean instead! It's the best kind of procrastination. 

Afterwards I learned this song on piano! The lyrics are great, I can't get enough of it. 

On that note,  I've been arranging and writing so much more music lately, it's just awesome!

Although I keep thinking that I'm most likely going to burn out sometime soon with my 11/2 hrs of lessons per week (which means 11/2 hrs of practice per day) I honestly don't see it happening! I just love piano so much, its crazy. I think not taking lessons since 14 has given me a chance to "grow up" musically, and I have my own style, rather than playing the way a teacher trained me to. 

I am already seeing the benefits of my practising in my own music, it's really exciting! Plus, the prospect of actually giving to others through teaching music makes any thoughts of not wanting to practice disappear... I'm liking having a goal to work toward, rather than just playing for the sake of playing. 

Grown up.

Or, getting there anyway.

Creativity makes me really happy. Being artistic is what I aspire to every single day, and because of that I tend to get really down on myself for not being talented/creative enough. Really, I have nothing to worry about.

This quote makes me so happy:

Lately I've felt like my happiness has been hanging by a thread. If I wasn't the sort of person that I am I probably would be telling myself that I'm suffering from depression and go get some drug to help out... I'm glad I'm not that sort of person! Because, being the sort of person that I am, I've figured out (or, I think I've figured out) what has been getting me down lately. Super exciting, I know. 

I haven't been myself lately at all. 

And yep, as much as I hate to admit it, I've just been trying to impress people.  Hoping desperately that if I do everything that I think they'll like, they'll like me oh so much more. 

Yeah... it didn't happen. 

I haven't been myself in ages and ages.

Tonight? Victory! 

I went for coffee with one of the pastors and his wife from TXC, two people who I really don't know at all. I didn't notice it until later when I was driving home, but... I WAS MYSELF THE WHOLE TIME! 

This is kind of funny, but I judged it partially on the way that I laughed. It was Amy's laugh... not one of the many that I seem to pick up from everyone around me. 

I can see myself growing up like crazy... It's fabulous.

33 Ways

TO STAY CREATIVE

1 - MAKE LISTS

2 - CARRY A NOTEBOOK EVERYWHERE

3 - TRY FREE WRITING

4 - GET AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER

5 - BE OTHERWORLDLY

6 - QUIT BEATING YOURSELF UP

7 - TAKE BREAKS

8 - SING IN THE SHOWER

9 - DRINK TEA

10 - KNOW YOUR ROOTS

11 - LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC

12 - BE OPEN

13 - SURROUND YOURSELF WITH CREATIVE PEOPLE

14 - GET FEEDBACK

15 - COLLABORATE

16 - DON'T GIVE UP

17 - PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

18 - ALLOW YOURSELF TO MAKE MISTAKES

19 - GO SOMEWHERE NEW

20 - WATCH FOREIGN FILMS

21 - COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

22 - GET PLENTY OF REST

23 - TAKE RISKS

24 - BREAK THE RULES

25 - DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

26 - DON'T FORCE IT

27 - READ A PAGE OF THE DICTIONARY

28 - CREATE A FRAMEWORK

29 - STOP TRYING TO BE SOMEONE ELSE'S PERFECT

30 - GOT AN IDEA? WRITE IT DOWN

31 - CLEAN YOUR WORKSPACE

32 - HAVE FUN

33 - FINNISH SOMETHING

Not because I have to

Here's to fewer, better friends
Having more, and wanting less
Shorter showers and
longer walks

Here's to composing music
writing lyrics
Creating things and
helping people

Here's to loving
Not because I have to
but because I get to.

Here's to having nice nails
and wearing less make up
trying new things and
being myself

Here's to writing stories
Words for fun
and playing with babies just because.

Here's to listening
to God and people
hearing and doing
Changing
and caring.

It's funny

what flowers can do. 


Who knew, but this is a traditional Taiwanese fabric pattern. Better known by all of us as the huge mural at the Vancouver Art Gallery during the 2010 Olympics.
I think it was my favourite part of having the Olympics here... as weird as that might sound.
Everything about it just makes me happy!

And isn't it amazing what flowers can really do?
No wonder we bring flowers to people who are sick... they really help out with being happy.

Next time you're sad, or next time you're not sad, whichever... just go look at some flowers! Fill your house up with flowers! Paint some flowers! Give someone else flowers!

Appreciate flowers.
Appreciate how delicate they are.
Appreciate how much care has been put into creating every
                                                                                                                                         single
                                                                                                                                                        one.

Hey, this is what I feel

While it's fresh on my mind
As if it weren't all the time
Has it changed it all?

I wish you were more convincing
Or I wish I were more gullible
Hope that there's no point that I'm missing
Hope that it's not just too subtle

And now I feel like a fool
For doing what you asked me to
And then you changed it all

So why'd you say
You miss my face
When you never show
Say you're gonna be there
But you never go

And if it's a picture of me you need
Would you get to taking it
If it's heartache I need
Would you get to breaking it

I wish you were more convincing
Or I wish I were more gullible