walnut? peanut? hazlenut?

I was browsing through Facebook and saw someone's tagline that said, "Don't pity me, I am exactly who I wanted to be." (or something to that effect)....I could say the same for myself.
Everyone has dreams and goals. Mine may not match yours and yours may not match the Jonas' brothers, but we have them just the same. I have struggled for a very long time with my family, my friends, my teachers, and myself to decide just exactly what is it that I want to do.

In a nutshell this is it:
1. Surround myself with beautiful sounds. Mainly the sounds of foreign language and music. I want to soak in them until they become a part of me. Maybe not French and maybe not Spanish. Perhaps I will learn the language of a native tribe in Africa, or Guatemala, maybe I will finally take on the challenge that is Arabic, or maybe I will just enhance my obvious love of the romance languages. Who knows? Not you, or me. Don't judge. Just love.

2. Travel. I have been to a few places, learned many things, and see even more. This isn't the end of my adventures, but just the start. I don't know that I agree with the phrase, "Live like you are dying." I have been doing it for 23 years, and all I have felt is rushed and old. Pura Vida is a better motto, I think. Let's just live a pure, simple life, and do what puts a smile in your heart.

3.GRE. Please GOD CAN I HAVE A STUDY PARTNER? I have begun prepping for the GRE. I am terrified!! I can't even put into words how scary it is....more to follow.

4. Fall in love....and all the obvious consequences. I would like to fall in love again even if it means I will just fall right back out. It has been to long and I think my heart might explode because of all the love waiting to pour out of it.

That's it. It isn't much, and it might not be what you thought I wanted. Maybe some of it is to vague. I didn't list places, or people, or definites. I am done with definites. I am sailing my own course, sorry if our paths don't cross.

xx
brit.

The Great Escape/Experiment

It has been brought to my attention that vacations are not only escapes, but experiments.

You run off to a place that is considered paradise....and you are tested. The quality of friendships, the personalities of the people you surround yourself with, or your own personal strengths and weaknesses.

I have realized much that I won't post in a blog...because blogs mean the whole world can read it. I don't need everyone to see my open books. Some are best left close.

Lesson learned...

For me, this trip to Puerto Viejo has tested all of these things. I am not always attacking life with my eyes wide open. I do not always remember to look all around me instead of straight in front...

Now. Now, I feel like I will remember to do it always. People aren't always what they seem, you aren't always who you think, and paradise doesn't have to be in a tropical destination.

One of the best things in the world, in my opinion, is waking up to a bright sunshine and waves crashing onto a black sand beach. Another great thing is realizing that you don't have to do it with anyone.

More to follow.
Pura Vida.
Always,
brit.

Paradise is...

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

Black Sand beaches.

Bike rides to Punta Uva.

Empanadas for 500 colones.

Costa Rican snow cones.

More to come........

I live this quote.

"I've realized that they'll be able to look at an old picture of me and be able to tell when and how I died, but that won't bother me so much as long as they also know, how wildly my heart would flitter beneath my shirt and how I would not tame nor allow tamed the dreamer inside. Finally, I want to tell you one of the reasons that I came here. To tell you to smile and be beautiful, to allow longing stares to be abbreviated things. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. Don't be so diligent to holdd things that your hands are able to grip. Place a smile into the hearts of others and you life into theirs. Even though they may hold on for a moment in life, they could never hold a life as big, beautiful, and wild as your own, else they might never let it go. "


I love this quote. It is from some liner notes. Liner notes from a recording artist who calls Fayetteville, AR home. Liner notes from Benjamin Del Shreve. I know many of my friends consider him a pompous ass, but everytime I read this (daily), I can't agree. It is brilliant and charming. It describes everything that I want my life to be.

We don't have to try to impress. You already do. Embracing everything about yourself is the key to happiness, and probably one of the hardest things to accomplish in life.

Love yourself.

Love your friends.

Love your family.

Love your accomplishments, dreams, desires, and fears.

Allow everything that happens to you make a positive impact.

Love you as much as I love you.

Always and forever,

brit.