Day 1 Blog Challenge-Tattoos

Dear Blog Followers,

For the month of November I’ll be taking on a blog challenge. In the midst of living in a busy school year and holiday season, I think there is no better way for me to take time every day to reflect a bit and just write. Thanks to Mandy Hale 31 Day Challenge #YouAreEnough Post, she has inspired me to keep on writing. Join in if you get the chance!

The topic for this blog: ” Talk about a tattoo you have that is meaningful to you…or if you don’t have any tattoos, the tattoo you would get if you were going to get one.”

I don’t have any tattoos and I  never really had the desire to get one. Hearing other people’s stories about them does fascinate me though, because there is usually some type of meaning behind them. Even the ones that were mistakenly and permanently printed still have some type of story attached, which usually make it even that more fascinating.

Even though I don’t have physical outward tattoos, I feel that my tattoos are tattooed in the inside of my body. You can’t see them, but I have plenty of stories to tell. If the inside of my body could tell a story on the outside, I think my body would be covered with countless tattoos. My tattoos would be of the places I have traveled to and all the people I met abroad, the tattoos would be of all the song lyrics to every song I have become obsessed with, bible verses that can’t escape my heart, every family member that has taught me to love and be loved,  every child that has impacted my life in some way, guys that have influenced me my perspective on love, friends that have made me laugh and cry until I couldn’t anymore, and the list goes on.

Let me know blog followers of the stories of your tattoos or which ones you would get?

These are the things I had to say.

-DreaSaidiT

The Fire-Fighter within Me

Dear Blog Followers,

For the past 5ish years I've been convinced that I was going to end up with a firefighter. After my last relationship about 6 years ago I had prayed to God asking Him that the next person I date would be the last person I date. Which, by the way, I don't recommend saying that prayer out loud, unless you really mean it. Looking back, I would have probably really reflected on that. Just giving you fair warning :)

Back to the story. So, as I was dozing off and falling asleep that night,  I "heard" a voice in my head that said, "Firefighter" and I said, "yeah, firefighter..." The only question I really had was, "When?" and the only thing that came back was, "Soon". And that was it. 

Firefighter? Are you sure that is what you heard? How do you know you didn't just pick that word? 

Here's the thing, people have questioned and maybe even judged that I was the one who picked out the word, but I know in my heart that I didn't. Logically, it wouldn't make sense. As a kid I was afraid of fire. I hated lighting matches, I would freak out anytime my parents would light the fireplace, and I had no relations/interest in firefighters. Doctors from ER episodes, a lifeguard from Baywatch, that I could understand. I didn't just pick a word in my head that night...it is what I heard. 

So a couple years go by and still, no firefighter. I had prayed to God many times about it, because I was trying to crack the code of the time of "soon." I was probably 25 or 26 at the time and what I "heard" was the number 28. I remember this so clearly, because when I heard this I was so disappointed. My instant reaction was, "Aww, that is so far from now."

Then, my 28th birthday comes around and I am so pumped at this point. I was like yes, of course! I was going to turn 28 on October 28, which made it my Golden Birthday. I hyped it up that it was going to be such a magical year, because this is what I have been waiting for! It was going to happen. 28, soon, it has now arrived!

My golden year started off strong and I had a 1920's Great Gatsby Murder Mystery Dinner Party, I had won a couple raffles, traveled around the world, got my health problems in order, and so many more beautiful things that happened that I'll write another blog post some day. But, instead of focusing on all these blessings, the one thing that was always on the back of my mind was, "Where is the firefighter?"

So, for the month of September 2018 I started to freak out. I started to feel like Cinderella and the time was going to run out, that when October 27th 2018 struck midnight, all the hopes and dreams that I've been waiting for would, *Poof*, vanish, and it was all a false lie and misunderstanding that I have been chasing for the past 5 years. I got desperate. I found this necklace that I decided I would wear every single day and not take it off until my 29th Birthday. That lasted for about a week. This innocent little necklace started to feel more like a collar full of chains, more than a sign of hope.

With frustration and disappointment in one hand and trying to hold on to the faith in the other hand, I made the decision that I had to let go of both outcomes.  For the first time, I took this "firefighter" topic to The Bible to seek some answers. I looked up how many times fire showed up and what stories and verses mentioned it. There are at least 45 biblical verses that mention fire. Fire was a way God physically showed up in the Bible. Fire, signified trials and tribulations. Fire was used for burnt offerings, a sign of wrath, but also a sign of life. 

Ultimately, what I learned was maybe there wasn't a firefighter waiting for me on my 28th year of life. Maybe I was the firefighter this whole time and I wasn't going to realize it until then. The biggest fire that I had to fight these past 5 years was the fire of being single and maybe even learning what that means, the fire of fighting for God through all these trials and questions, and my ultimate fire of letting go of what I think my life should have been by now.

 I am a Fire-Fighter. 

What about the word soon? What does that mean? In my opinion I believe it is a deeper meaning than "immediate" or "Shortly". Jesus even described He would be back soon, and yet 2000+ years later, soon is still to be determined. That is the mystery of time, we don't really know how it's measured and what it all means.  "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away." (James 4:14)

Let me know blog followers, what are some of the fires you have held onto for some many years or some fires that you are still fighting through!


Photo Credit: https://media.defense.gov/2005/May/13/2000582905/780/780/0/050429-F-0017M-021.JPG

What celebrity couples have taught me about my next relationship

Dear Blog Followers,

I don't care how many times my heart has been broken or how many messed up relationships there are out there. I still think being in the RIGHT relationship is one of the best things we can experience in life. We all have different definitions of right, so I'm not even going to define that. Who am I to judge anyways? I think Hollywood gets a lot of negative attention on marriages and relationships that have failed, but what about the couples that are actually living out a positive experience as the world watches them?

Lately, I have been watching old interviews of celebrity couples that I think are just great couples and I had to ask myself, what makes them so great? Here are the ones that I have enjoyed watching:

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw

Ok, so here are my observations and big take aways from them.

First off, I noticed that these people are really strong individuals. They seem to have experienced their own lives, have struggled on their own, and seem to be down to earth, private people. Something has clicked in me that 2 strong individuals make a really strong couple. They seem to have a direction with or without their partners. It doesn't seem that they are trying to mold into their partner and be someone that they are not. It seems they are who they and are individually respected and accepted for that. 

The second observation, when they talked about their spouses they only talked about them in a positive way.  The positives were about uplifting their partners and praising them. They would talk about the other how they are as parents, directors, actress', actors, etc. Sure when the camera is on it might be easy to cover the fights and down talking, but regardless it's a reminder to lift up your partner.

I hope in my next relationship I can continue to be a strong individual . I am all about being a team player and working as a partner, but if I rely on the next guy to fulfill my happiness, then I see that it's already set up to fail. I can say this because I have done that in past. It's too much unnecessary pressure to put on someone. You know how many times I didn't even know what I wanted and expected someone else to know for me and then get mad them, because they didn't know? It's a terrible cycle and I really think recognizing that would help a lot of relationships become healthier and stronger.

Also, I know in the past I have been so quick to put my partner down on the things they did wrong rather than really uplift them on what they are doing well. I'm not saying it's always going to be a walk through the park and if you do these things you'll have the most perfect relationship. I already know it's going to take a lot of work to hold my tongue, thoughts, etc. However, I really hope that we will bring each other good than look at our partner as a burden or mistake. And if you do look at your partner as a burden, well it takes small steps to change your perspective. 

I have a lot more to say about my thoughts about relationships, especially while being abroad by myself I had A LOT of time to reflect. I can't wait to share with you, but for now let me know: Do you agree, disagree, have more to add, and who are your celebrity couples that you enjoy or just couples in general that you look up to? 

These are things I had to say.

Investing in your health

One of my first meals!

Dear Blog Followers,

I wanted to share some steps that I have decided to take in making changes to my health choices and I hope that you will find some encouragement in finding some steps that may work for you too.

Let me first start off by saying that investing in your health is well....an investment. It's an investment in money, time, and overall lifestyle. Why does whole, natural food cost more than processed? I have no idea, but what I do know is that I am willing to pay the extra for the stuff that will help me feel better in the long run. 

The past couple months I have felt a little like the Mad Hatter without the Hatter part. I've been moody, anxious, and it's all because I'm running on a treadmill that is called, "satisfaction." One problem that I am having is that the button seems to be broken, because I can't get off of it. Is anyone out there? Does anyone else relate to this in some way?

So, instead of being stuck on this never ending dread-mill, I' mean treadmill,  I have decided to jump off of it.  Because, somewhere along the way, I lost feeling and now I'm on a quest to take back my joy, my dreams, and passions. 

Everything that I wrote in red above was truly how I was feeling before March 26. On March 26, I started a whole 30 diet, which was to help me reset my body, so that later on I could find foods that make my  body react. I broke my diet 3-4 times since then, but thankfully I still feel I'm doing ok with gathering the data that I'm hoping to gain from this experience. 

Some of you know that I was "diagnosed" with PCOS and for 11 years I have been dealing with specific symptoms. Doctors would tell me that there is no cure, but you can only treat the symptoms with one specific pill 😒.  Of course it would be the automatic response coming from a doctors mouth. It's never going to be that you have to change your lifestyle, eating habits, etc. I have a love/hate relationship with doctors and medicine, but I'll save that rant for another post. That pill that they recommended by the way was a band aide "solution" and it made me super depressed that there was no way I going to continue to be on it. 

I am glad that I questioned my doctors and looked further into other ways of getting treatment. I ended up hiring a nutritionist that I found through a family member and you guys won't believe it, but the symptoms that I have struggled with my whole life started to disappear. I can't completely confirm that all the symptoms are gone, because I'm still testing it and I won't know for another month or 2, but so far, I'm living a more balanced and normal life. 

I didn't do this journey by myself, because again, I have invested in my health.  I have received the help from a nutritionist, counselor, and an exercise class called, Barre, which have kept me accountable and focused on my health. I write this post to encourage you. Whatever you are going through, whether it's been for a short time or a really long time, my hope and prayer is that you don't give up in finding the help that you believe in. It took me 11 years to find someone that cared about my case, that asked more about my health and spent hours talking to me rather than asking about insurance and only seeing me for 15 minutes, if that. FIND THE HELP and pay the cost! It's your health on the line. You can have a life where you feel "normal" and energized, but it's up to YOU if you are going to make the change and invest in your health.

Let me know blog followers about your journeys, questions, or thoughts on this topic! I'll update you more about the rest of my journey soon. 

Find That Fire

Dear Blog Followers,

It's been a long time since I have written something on this blog. Part of it is that I haven't made time and second I haven't found something worth writing about until today. Life has been busy. Busy with noise. Busy with news. Busy with schedules. Busy with complaints. Busy with problems. Busy with goodness. Busy with blessings. Busy isn't always bad and we sometimes oversee the good things in the busyness of it all. 

I have to admit that through the busyness I have developed a friendship. You might know him too. He goes by the name, Anxiousness. Unfortunately, it's the type of friend that checks in with me on a daily basis, unannounced, uninvited, at work, at home, through joyous occasions and even more when I have a deadline to meet. But you know what? Today, I found out that anxiousness is not really my friend. He is the problem that I am having with my health, and confidence, and pretty much anything that can bring me good.

I was talking to friend (this is a real person now) today where I was venting about how how I'm having a hard time and questioning if I'm even at the right place(work, life, etc). The answer that my friend gave me was, "Find that Fire". In that moment that was exactly what I needed to hear. I didn't need to hear, "You're doing a good job" or "It's all going to be ok." I needed to hear something that would help me to be proactive in seeking something that I don't know that is missing.

The word fire has a deeper meaning to me. My close friends and family are probably smiling, rolling their eyes, and thinking...oh geez not again with the firefighter theory (still crossing my fingers lol :) But, really in this case fire means, keeping me alive. What is that one thing that you are excited to be alive for? That's the fire I need to find.

Be on fire for God. Be on fire for your family. Be on fire for finding something that is helping others. Be on fire for taking time to rest. Be on fire to exercise and to commit to health changes. Be on fire to stand up for what you believe in. 

My struggle as a teacher is that I'm only on Fire when I'm on break, because during the week I'm too busy trying to entertain anxiousness, but today I realized I'm probably not on fire for anything that excites me. I'm on a journey to find that fire. It might mean taking a risk, or doing something that isn't me. It might mean doing something I have never done to gain something I have never had. I don't know what that is yet. 

So blog followers, my question to you is, did you find your fire or are you still on that journey of finding that fire. There is no right or wrong and who knows maybe we are constantly finding new fires. The good news is they can be pretty to look at of course when they under control. 

These are things I had to say.

#DreaSaidIt

P.S.: side note, but I have been listening to "Swagger" by Flogging Molly on repeat for the past 1hour and 1/2 and not until now do I notice that the only lyrics are "I don't know where I'm going". How fitting.

Chapters Titles for my Life Story

Dear Blog Followers,

I'm a Scorpio and one thing that I think Scorpio's tend to do is reflect. A lot. Sometimes, I wonder how healthy it is for me, because I am constantly reflecting about my job, my relationships, what I'm doing right, what can I do better. You name it, I reflect it.

Recently, I just celebrated my Golden Birthday and I have been posting that I just have the best feeling inside that this is the year! The year that things are going to happen for me. I feel so hopeful and optimistic. I called this chapter of my life, "The Golden Year."

However, it made me think, what would I have named the other chapters of my life? As I started to make a list I discovered a couple things. 1) I don't take for granted that I have a lot of chapters in my life. 2) I've lived a beautiful story, even with all the good and bad that has happened. It's shaped me to be who I am today and I thank God for all of it. He is my creator and the Ultimate Author of the best story that He ever created. My life is just a speck to His Greater Story, but I'm thankful He gave me a part in it.

Here are some of my Chapter titles. I couldn't think of a title for all of the chapters, so they are left blank for now. Some of the titles may not mean anything to you and some I have replaced with a 2nd choice title, because it's too personal to share out loud.

Chapter 1: Just the beginning
Chapter 2:
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
Chapter 5: The Kinder Tears
Chapter 6:
Chapter 7:
Chapter 8:
Chapter 9:
Chapter 10:
Chapter 11: Middle School.
Chapter 12:
Chapter 13:
Chapter 14: Fresh start
Chapter 15: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Chapter 16: Driving through life
Chapter 17: First Love
Chapter 18: The College Trek Begins
Chapter 19: A.P.U.
Chapter 20: Heart Break in South Africa
Chapter 21: New Beginnings
Chapter 22: Post Undergrad-Welcome to the Real World
Chapter 23: Goodbye to Life as I Know it
Chapter 24: The Journey Alone
Chapter 25: The Grown Up Year
Chapter 26: Self pity
Chapter 27: Travel your Heart Out
Chapter 28: The Golden Year

I encourage you blog followers to sit down, write out the chapter titles of your life and see what memories make you smile, what memories have shaped you, thank God for it all, and keep your hope up for the days and chapters to come!

These are the things I had to say.

DreaSaidIt

Photo Credit: https://static.pexels.com/photos/46274/pexels-photo-46274.jpeg

When Traveling Don't Just be a Tourist

Dear Blog Followers,

Travel, but don't just be a tourist. 

The best places I have ever been were the places where I just lived as the locals did. You know, the stuff you do here: going to a grocery store, taking a long drive and wasting gas with no particular destination, eating at fast food restaurants, or taking walks around the neighborhood. Some of you might be judging me and thinking, why spend money or why waste your time to go somewhere else if you are just going to do the same at home?  It's just different. You stand out, the smells, the people, the language, the customs. It's all so different.

The best tip I could give about traveling is to get in touch with an organization or a company that you may be curious on how it's done abroad. When people ask me which countries I would go back to my mind goes back to the places I loved living a normal life or built relationships with.  

Here are my top countries in random order:

• Ecuador
• Spain
• Thailand
• South Africa

Why though? Because these are the countries that I was able to invest relationships and authentic experiences. 

The summer of 2014 my sister and I traveled throughout Europe and to this day I don't have a huge desire to go back. We were mainly tourist on that vacation. We saw a lot and checked off everything we wanted to see, but I wasn't too happy. It could have been a combination of being nervous to travel completely by ourselves, that my sister and I bickered for the majority of it (sorry Gaby), or the fact I was thinking of home rather than enjoying the destination that I was at. I was young and dumb and we  have to live and learn.

However, I would say I was most happy when I finally arrived in Spain. I have reflected and asked why and the answer is because I spent authentic time with my cousins,  ate were the locals ate, and just lived life. It breaks my heart to hear what happened to Barcelona recently, because that is one of my favorite cities that I was able to visit. 

I can't deny that tour groups are convenient and I also realize that not everyone has connections around the world.  I'll be the first to admit that I have played the tourist card. All I'm saying that from my personal experience I have had more fun when I don't. I encourage you the next time you go somewhere, call up a local orphanage, school, health facility, and just see how life is different or maybe the same. If you think that you have to get special permission or authorization to do a short term visitation, well maybe you haven't traveled far enough, because there are many places in developing countries that I have been too that just would love the help :) 

Tell me blog followers, where have you traveled to and what tips can you share about being more than just a tourist?

These are the things I had to say.
#DreaSaidIt

Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/p-442942/?no_redirect

Maui-My experience, tips, and pictures

Hey Blog Followers,

Recently I took a trip to Maui with one of my best friends, Brenna. The trip was booked through Costco and I highly recommend it if you are lazy like me and just want easy. We stayed at the Whaler Village, which felt like a mix of condo and hotel living. We were walking distance to restaurants and the beach was right in front of us. Also, the location was convenient for driving to all the places we wanted to see. The rental car was part of the deal too. Talking about my whole Maui experience would take a very long time, so I decided to break it up into 3 parts with the points that I really wanted to share.

The road to Hana

First let me start off by suggesting to download the app "GyPsy Guide-Road to Hana." They have other destinations that you can also purchase. The app does cost $4.99 on iTunes, but it is way cheaper than a tour and plus it gave me the confidence to drive the road the whole way. It didn't eat up my data and it would tell me places to stop, including restroom places. 

The road to Hana is a journey worth doing at least once. It is an all day thing where you will need to get up early and come back for a later dinner. 

Tips: 

• Appreciate the details that you see on plants, clouds, the different colors of the water, the roughness or calmness of the waves. 
• Bring snacks with you.
• Have a music play list ready to go.

Eucalyptus-Look closely to see the natural colors of the trunks.

Beautiful flower

Punaluu-Black Sand Beach

Upper Waikani Falls

  

Holding black sand

 

Nakalele Blowhole Adventure
On one of the days that we were in Maui we went to Nakalele to find the blowhole. Unfortunately, we went a little too early that we weren't able to actually see the blowhole. However, we still got to appreciate the view and even found the rock with a heart in it. 

Tips:

• Enjoy the road getting there.
• Stop at a food truck and pick up a snow cone or coconut gelato to enjoy the view. 
• If you find a parking spot, go swimming at the bay (the picture with the boats).

 

 

 

Haleakala-crater sunrise:
This one we did pay for the tour and it was worth it. They came and picked us up at the hotel at 2am and we stood in our spot at 4:30am to see the sunrise at 5:30am. I have to admit that we it was very cold up there, which they gave us wind breaker jackets and pants and I think I napped that day for a couple hours. All worth it though! Part of the tour was that we were able to bike down a 20+mile road and had lots of fun. 

Tips:

• Bring warm clothes and dress in layers.
• Get their early.  I thought 4:30am was a little ridiculous, but we got front row views with not worrying about people standing in front of us. 
• Offer to take other people's pictures and they might take yours too. 

Maui truly was one of the top places I have been too. So much to do and see whether you make it a short or long trip. I hope you get a chance to get there too.

If you made it to the end of this post, then you are one of the first ones to know where I'll be traveling next month! I'll be in Thailand with my niece. We will be volunteering and traveling, so be sure to look out for that vlog/blog when it comes out. Let me know blog followers about your Maui experience or your travel plans! 

These are things I had to say.

-Drea

Comparing Shopping and Dating

Dress and Sweater from Urban Outfitters

Hey Blog Followers,

I have never been to big into shopping, but lately I have gotten some valuable lessons from it, which I have been able to compare to the dating world or in my case, lack their of.

Waiting for your packages to arrive.
How many of you, do online shopping? I actually don't mind it, because I'm not a huge fan of trying on clothes and standing in long lines. However, waiting for your clothes to come in the mail is sometimes the most annoying part of online shopping. I'm a very impatient person when it comes to waiting, that is something I have learned about myself these past 4 years. That's how I feel about dating-You know it's coming, because you put your faith and trust in God that He has heard your prayers and the delivery has been shipped, but the problem is you have no idea when it's going to arrive. 

When you do online shopping, it will at least tell you that it will be there in 3-5 business days or you can pay extra to make sure it gets there ASAP. Dating doesn't work like that and even though you feel you have submitted your request, the worst part is the waiting. It can arrive any day or in this case...months/years! You can't track the order status. You can't call a customer service rep. You can't wait outside waiting for it every single day. You just have to live your life and then one day, an ordinary day, you arrive home and see your package there waiting for you. You are filled with a moment of brief excitement, because for a moment it had escaped your mind. It feels like surprise with your name on it (literally it has your name because of the shipping address), but just remember, you did order it a while back. 

Shoes-The perfect fit. 
Shoes are by far the hardest thing for me to shop for. There is a lot to consider such as, style, comfort, being the perfect size, not to narrow, but also not to wide. It's hard. But man, when you find that one shoe that fits perfectly, it's such a relief and joy mixed into one word. The best feeling is when you want a pair of shoes so bad and they go into the back and they say, "It's the last one left and it happens to be in your size." It makes you feel like the universe had it just for you and with no question, it was meant to be. I imagine that's the feeling I'll get some day when I meet the guy I'm suppose to be with. 

Returns:
Sometimes they are just too easy, such as getting your money back with no questions asked and other times returns are such a hassle. Sometimes when you shop for clothes online they look like a certain material or  that they will fit just perfectly, but then when you get them in person it's nothing what you thought it would be. Sometimes that's what dating feels like. You meet a person and it seems like it's going to be the perfect fit for you, but then it's far from what you ever pictured. Sometimes it's a mutual agreement that it's not going to work and no questions or hard feelings are taken, but other times it's a hassle to deal with. Make sure your read your return policy's, before you purchase from that store, otherwise you are going to be stuck with something that you didn't ever intend to be stuck with in the first place.

Don't lose hope-It might even be on sale!:
I have been pretty honest with my dating feelings on this blog, so I have no problem admitting that this past year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs of how I feel about this topic. There are days where I am 100% content with where I am and who I am, but I have had my fair share of negative dating experiences that I can honestly say that I would rather be single for the rest of my life than being with just anybody. Then there are days where I hit a huge slump where I will boldly admit that all I want is just what my family and friends have, a GREAT companion. (DARN YOU family-for picking out good companions and making it hard for me to settle for anything less. You set the bar so freaking high). 

Anyways, the hopeful part lol: 
Sometimes when you go shopping there are times that you walk away from an item and as you walk away you can't help but question if you made the right choice. Here is my thought with it, if it's meant to be, then it will show up again AND usually it's even on sale, so you get a better deal on it than what you were expecting if you were to get it the first time. Same concept with dating. If it's meant to be, then that person will show up and it will be better than what you could have ever asked for or imagined in the first place. 

So to all my hopeful romantics (notice how I said HOPEFUL and not hopeless), don't give up. Your story is going to be AMAZING that Disney will even want to ask for your permission to copyright your love story :) At least that's what I keep telling myself. Until then, go buy some new clothes, pamper and spoil yourself, and on an ordinary day, your perfect fit might be waiting for you at your door step. 

These are things I had to say.

#DreaSaidIt

Genius instrumental talent in 70's songs!

Hey Blog Followers,

I've really been in a 70's kick for the past year now. I am IN LOVE with some of this music that we often forget about and maybe haven't even noticed. Here are some songs that you really need to go back listen to and specifically find these instruments in these songs.


The harmonica in "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young: Oh man, gives me chills every time. I tried replicating it with my harmonica and let me tell you, this little instrument is trickier than you think! If you don't believe it, then go try it. If you accomplish it, then you are a talented music genius.

The piano in "Somebody to love" by Queen: As a piano player, I'm telling you, these are not easy chords to keep up with. This band is amazing! They are well known by all generations for a reason. In my opinion, this song is insanely amazing for many reasons. The way they put all their high pitched voices and sounds together, but yet make it flow so fluently... TALENTED!

Drums and horn (Brass instrument)  in "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder: Makes you want to move and yet when he sings you are still able to focus on what he is saying.

Steven Tyler's perfectly screaming and controlled voice in "Dream On" by AeroSmith. I recommend that you watch Steven Tyler perform this song. His pitches are so perfect on those high screeching notes and makes you even enjoy this song.

Drums in "More than a feeling" by Boston: Keeps a steady beat, but if you really listen in changes to predictable and yet unpredictable patterns at the same time. I don't really know how to explain it, but just listen to it and maybe you'll hear what I'm trying to describe!

String instrument (Guitar?) and piano in "She's always a woman" by Billy Joel. Let me just say, the piano his songs is something that you can't help but feel drawn too. I love this song, so I might be a little bias right now.


What are some 70 songs you enjoy listening to that we should go back a dissect a bit deeper than just the lyrics?

These are things I had to say.
#DreaSaidIt

Photo Credit
Queen Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_(band)

Loving my student's work!

Hey blog followers!

Today's post is a little random than my normal posts, because I normally don't talk about my students and their work. When I was a kinder aide I usually would put up quotes they would say. Also, when I was a first year teacher last year I would share some things that I was doing with my students, because everything was so new! The ironic part is that even though I am not commuting hardly at all anymore, I feel I am FINALLY starting to balance work and life. It only took 7 months to do so! :)

I am loving the work that my kids have created this year and I wanted to share some of it with you.

My 7th/8th grade Pixlr class (Free version of photoshop...check out the link!) is a fun one for me to teach. I am very much in my element, but more than that I love seeing what my kids create! I give them all the same guidelines and instructions and no art work is ever the same! It's amazing!

One project we did was remaking a book cover and this is what they came up with! They make me so proud :)


Another project we recently did was a typography assignment. Can you see the words in the pictures? What I love about this is that these two students don't sit by each other, but they used the same word with two interpretations. 

If you are a teacher or are into a hobby let me know what are things you are doing that you are proud of lately!

These are things I had to say

#DreaSaidIt

Social Media Break

Hey Blog Followers,

I love this time of year for many reasons and one reason is because lent season is coming up. I have given up Facebook in the past for lent, but this time I'm going to give up all social media in general for AT LEAST 40 days! I will probably use my Twitter account when I go to the CUE conference this year, but other than that you won't see me on it. After the 40  days I don't know when I will be back, because this journey is more than just giving something up for lent. For me it's a season of hope, detox, and living for the present moments.  

I hope you will still keep in touch with me through calling, texting, and emailing me. I don't plan on working on my blog or YouTube stuff during this fast, which I'm not even consistent at keeping up in general haha :)

I'll see you when I see you! 

These are the things I had to say.
#DreaSaidIt

The kind of guy I will one day end up with

Hey Blog Followers,

I hope this new year has been a good start for you. Even through the valleys (hardships) I'm hoping you are taking some life lessons and will be able to pass down your wise experience on how you have overcame them through this season. 

I feel pretty open talking about the dating/single life, because I feel it's a topic that people want to talk about, but often there is a dark stain that comes with that topic, so I want to try and break that. I'm not saying that I handle it the best way, because my close family and friends know how much it touches me talking about this. 

I want to share a dream and my thoughts about it, because it truly taught me on what I'm really looking for in a life companion. I'll be the first to admit that I had a list of of the superficial qualities that I was looking for in a guy, however recently I am learning it's so much deeper than that. This dream has shifted my heart and mind to think and feel differently. 

The dream:
The dream started off with me meeting a guy that I use to have a crush on. In the dream I was suppose to wait for him to get ready, because he was not ready, but then the next scene in my dream was we were at church singing songs of worship. This person in my dream knew the lyrics to the songs, but wasn't singing it from his heart. He was basically lip singing and then I said to him, "You know the words, so why aren't you singing?" In my dream I felt the change shift drastically all  because of those words I told him. The dream ended with that guy having his arm around me-like a side hug and we were truly singing songs of worship to God from our hearts. The most powerful thing I felt in my dream was, I felt spiritually safe with that person. 

So here are the lessons I learned:
1) You may be ready to date someone, but maybe God is still working on that person. Maybe they aren't ready. Maybe God only wants to give you the absolute best and He knows that it can even better. 
2) A person may "know" Jesus, but does he really know him? He may say he does and sure, he knows the stories or can defend with bible verses that he knows God, but what really matters is his heart. Is he able to sing songs to God with his whole heart or does he just sing the lyrics?
3) Feeling physically safe is important, but feeling spiritually safe with someone is just as important or even more important. Physical looks or protection will pass and is not guaranteed, so I would argue that being with someone who is cheering you on to live a life eternity with God is more important. 
4) You want to be singing side by side with the person you end up with singing praises to God. It was so beautiful that it's hard to describe the feeling (AND THAT IT'S JUST A FEELING FROM A DREAM! I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THE REAL THING FEELS LIKE!)

I'll admit, that it's so tempting to date someone who you get along with, but isn't pushing you to a deeper relationship with God. I'm not saying that it's easy waiting for the right person. I'm saying that I'm at least going to try and if those feelings from my dream are true, then I rather wait for the right person to spend the rest of this life with than settle.  

My list of the guy that I'm prayer has changed from physical features to something deeper.

The guy I will end up will...
-Love and knows jesus whole heartily.
-Prays with and for you.
-Thanks God for you.
-Values you and your family.
-Laughs with you a lot!
-Has you're back, you're a team!
-Is a gentleman
-Makes you feel physically and spiritually safe.
-Cowboy at heart :)

Why cowboy? Well that will be for another post. Until then, I hope you are able to feel inspired and encouraged. Trust me, I don't always feel hopeful and there are many days that I feel lost in this specific topic, but writing it out or posting on my wall has been such a great reminder to not give up on what I have been dreaming all along. 

These are the things I had to say.
#DreaSaidIt

The random me

Hey blog followers, 

I am a very random person. It was bound to happen, because my family and upbringing is pretty unique and random than the average nuclear family. Not only is my family random, but I'll be the first to admit that the things that come out of my mouth are pretty random (It's why I called my blog, "Drea Said It-The Things I have to say"). I have this problem where I think people can hear my thoughts, which means people automatically know what I'm talking about without giving them a preface. 

Here are some quotes that's my friends still remind me of what I have said in the past: 

"I like to thank God for creativity. Like today, I thanked God for Twilight" (APU Study Abroad South Africa, 2009)

"Thank you Nelson Mandela for sacrificing your life." (APU Study Abroad South Africa, 2009)

The author of Twilight is intellectual. She uses fancy French words like, Façade. (APU, 2010)

"We're Hydro-PLANKING" (In the car... can't remember what year)


Alright alright, they may not be funny to most of you, but for the ones who were there in those moments, you know you still make fun of me for it. I love laughing with you about it too :)

My family, the jobs I have had, my groups of friends, and life experiences that I have had have been pretty random. I broke down into categories the things that are random and explained why.


Family:

• My dad had me when he was 60 and my sister at 61. 
• The fact that I have sister that is 11 months and 2 weeks apart is pretty random. (yay for being Irish Twins!) 
• I have 8 1/2 siblings and even though my mom never knew my 1/2 siblings mom- my mom was friends with my 1/2 siblings mom's, sister. 
• I was an aunt before I was born (Yes, my nieces and nephews are older than me)
• I was a Great-Aunt when I was 21. A GREAT AUNT!!!! I'm hopeful to be a Great-Great Aunt in my lifetime ;)

Jobs:

• Working for Boys and Girls club at 6am
• Had one of the best jobs in the whole world, Kindergarten Aide! (How that all happened was random in my opinion)
• Working in Culver City (When I applied I had to idea where Culver City was, but the blessing is that my sister lived 15 minutes away from there and I didn't even know it when I applied).
• Ending up as a computer elective teacher (The plan was elementary!!! Kindergarten, first grade, MAYBE 4th!) 
• Ending up as a MIDDLE SCHOOL teacher ( I told people all the time, "I would never do middle school. Elementary and High school for sure, Middle school-never)
• The only middle school experience I had was on my 1st day on the job. I'll never forget. It was Thursday, September 11, 2014. 
• Ending up at Sandburg Middle School with the same job as C.C.M.S
• Coaching 7th grade boys basketball this year!

Life experiences:

• Being destined to go to South Africa
• Getting stuck in a Sci-Fi Freshman writing class my sophomore year of college and loving it!
• Walking up to a guy I had a crush on and telling him how he called me a boy in the 2nd grade...(What can I say, the nerves get the best of me and I had nothing better to say?) 
• Eating Del Tacos beef burrito when it use to be the #1 with ketchup. 
• Flew from CA to Seattle to only end up sleeping at the airport and came back home less than 24 hours(I was suppose to end up in Montana, but their was snow storm, which canceled the trip)

The beauty of all these random things are they make me, me! It's fun that I have different groups of friends, a unique family, random interests, and experiences. Most of the things I have enjoyed in my life have been put into my path randomly. I wasn't necessarily looking for it, but it found me and each event has truly led me to next. Every thing has been done for a purpose. I full heartily believe that.  Some things can't be explained, some things are in the making still, and some things are just super clear on why it is the way it is.

Whatever life has brought you, embrace it! There is a reason, a purpose, and even if you don't understand-it will one day link a puzzle piece to another. 

These are things I had to say.

#DreaSaidIt

Thank you for loving me- Letter 1

Hey Blog Followers,

 I have been in a funk lately... I have felt sentimental and reflective of where I am in life and the people I get share it with. Not that's a bad thing, but it's just where I am. 

We often think of writing love letters to people, whether it's to lovers(P.S. Single people-you don't have to be in a relationship to write a love letters) or to someone who has gone away-things we wish we could have told them at some point. Well, my plan is to write love letters in the near future to people that I love and that I want to express to them as we are living life right now, in the present. You just never know how fast life can change and I am trying to live a life with no regrets.
 Keyword: TRYING!

 I don't want to wait to share how I feel at a funeral, a death bed, or something like that. If you feel something, you just gotta say it. When you are healthy. When you are alive. When life is good! I'm on a journey on wanting to make people feel special and to make sure that they know how loved and broken my life would be without them, because lately I have been surrounded by people who make me feel so special and this is the beginning of my love letter to them.

So, THANK YOU to my family and friends who have stuck by through the thick and thin. Who tell me the truth even when I didn't want to hear it and who wouldn't allow me to settle for less. Thank you to the ones who point me back to my moral beliefs and compass. Thank you to the ones who laugh at my lame jokes and comments, embarrassing moments, and my contradicting thought process. Thank you the ones who spoil me with the 5 love languages. If you have no idea what I'm talking about CLICK HERE.  Thank you to the ones who pick up where we last left off with no question on where our friendship stands. Thank you to the ones who have pushed me to be the best person I can be. Thank you to the ones who have made me feel special by dressing me up on the outside and on the inside. The ones who have pushed me to try new things, who have challenged me, and give me the best hope too. Ultimately, I thank God that He gave me the best thing... which is YOU guys! Who are truly the best things that happened to me, even when I don't say it enough. 

I dedicate the chorus of this song to you...

These are things I had to say

#DreaSaidIt

Walking with Strangers

Hey Blog Followers,

I'm going to get straight into my thoughts and points tonight. I have been thinking about the question, when do strangers become familiar faces and when do our familiar face friends/family become strangers? 

Life doesn't make sense sometimes and I don't mean to sound negative about it, but truly I don't get it sometimes. One of my favorite quotes from Gossip Girl is, 

"In life, as in art, some endings are bittersweet. Especially when it comes to love. Sometimes fate throws two lovers together only to rip them apart."

I'm not talking about lovers or love here. But, replace the word "lover" with stranger, or friend, or family. I know the typical answer that I have heard many times before...everyone comes into our lives for a reason or for a season,  A blessing, or a lesson, blah blah blah. 

Are we living a life with full of strangers? Perhaps. Think about the people you know if your life right now. At some point were they a stranger and now your best friend? Were they family and now you feel distant and don't have a clue about where to even start with them? I have ran into people who are not friends, nor strangers, nor family, so what are they and how is it that I ended doing this thing called life with them. Co-workers, the cashiers at the gas station, the bank teller, our doctors, familiar hikers, gym goers, etc.  

HOW COOL is that though!? That everyone we meet and see has the potential of making a mark in the memory spots of our brains. That even if people do disappear in our lives it can still be part of your story no matter how big or how small of an impact they made. I know strangers who have helped me along the way to where I am now and I don't even know there name, but I have their face implanted in my brain. For example, the guys who helped me when I got rear ended last year. Or the girl who actually ended up hitting my car. The lady who basically told me to go to South Africa. STRANGERS! Implanted in my brain and made in impact in my life in some way.

What about you blog followers? What are your answers or perspectives on this topic?

These are things I had to say.
#DreaSaidIt

A Harden Heart

Hey Blog Followers,

I hope this wonderful new season that we call, FALL, has been a good start for you. Well, the truth is depending where you are in the country or in the world for that matter, it doesn't feel like it yet. However, the point is,  I love that seasons change, but my favorite thing about fall is that it's a time to start preparing for rest and maybe come up with some new reflections or revelations. 

I am in a season of life where I feel so stuck in the middle of this youth and adult transition, which I know many young adults can relate to. I am going to be 26 this year... (26!!!!) I feel so much like a kid still. I don't know if I am in denial right now or I'm just not allowing it to be an option to grow up. I admire the young adults in my life who have embraced this responsibility, whether it was by choice or not. However, for me, I'm stuck. People come to me and sometimes ask for my professional or non-professional opinion and the first thing I say to myself is, "Why in the world are they coming to me?, I'm not adult enough for this."

I haven't really been feeling like myself lately. I feel mean, unkind, and ungracious. I am tired of saying yes when in reality what I mean to say is no. Maybe some of you can relate where you feel you have said yes yes yes so much and then you either resent it, or the one time you say no, you start feel that you are these mean words..."I'm mean, because I didn't say yes." I need to find a balance, but I don't want to lose myself either, which I feel like I am.  

I made a promise to myself that  I wasn't going to do something just do it. Also, I wasn't going to stick with the things that make me unhappy, because I value every second that I am given on this earth and I want to fill it up with only positivity and things that bring me joy. However, there is a danger that comes with those rules. It's tempting to give up people and on things that you once started with a purpose and now is becoming unfinished work. 

I ask myself, why is my heart hardening? Who is the person that God has planned for me to be?  I know that sometimes life events attribute to harden hearts and I can say this week for sure has attributed to that. However, I'm disappointed in myself with how I handle it. I feel a disgrace to my faith sometimes, because I am suppose to be practicing kindness, grace, love, etc. What am I so afraid losing or gaining?, because if I have God then I shouldn't be afraid of anything and I should be showing His light all over, even in the darkness. The story of Job is a perfect example.

I write this out,  because it's part of my therapy and way of processing my thoughts and feelings. However, I would love to hear for you if you are able to relate or give advice on what to do about this? 

These are things I had to say today.
#DreaSaidIt