30 Questions: Love Language

What is your love language?

I don't know the first thing about love languages! So, I took a quiz and it tells me my love language is "Quality Time."

"In Quality Time, nothing says 'I love you' like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes you feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed activities, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful."

Seems about right to me! There are few things that upset me more than people flaking out on plans that I've been looking forward to. I like to think I'm dependable and wouldn't do that to other people, so I'd really prefer if it was the same in return! 

30 Questions: The Hardest Part

What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

This one's is difficult for me (fitting, since it's supposed to be about something difficult). I've experienced a lot, but I don't really quantify them by difficulty level. 

Let's face it...there are a lot of things that happen in life that just kind of suck.

But, I guess I'm the eternal optimist who tries to look at the positive in those sort of situations rather than dwell on the part that sucks. I'm not someone who walks around spouting sunshine all the time (you should see me before I have coffee in the morning), but I do try to accept that everything that happens to me will make me a stronger, better person.

That being said, here's some of the hardest things I've ever experienced.

Saying goodbye to my Grandpa after his battle with cancer.

Saying goodbye to friends and family with every move.

Attempting to maintain relationships while dealing with depression and anxiety.

Dealing with depression and anxiety.

Seeing people I love in their most difficult and trying moments.

Being helpless.

So, that's that. Regardless of what has happened to me thus far in life, I know I'm better because of it...and hopefully, I will be able to carry that attitude with me for the rest of my life.

"This could be paradise..."

I'm FINALLY updating!  I know it's been awhile, but it's been pretty chaotic settling in.  I went back to Colorado and got all of my things packed up a few weeks ago, and all of those things finally arrived last night.  It was a hectic night of unpacking...and let me tell you, consolidating an entire apartment (even if it was tiny) into a small bedroom is no small task!

I also managed to get out and take the pictures I've been promising since I moved!  I really want to get to the beach late at night one of these nights because there's some algae causing the waves to glow right now.  Night photography is definitely not my forte, but I definitely want to try to capture something cool like glow-in-the-dark waves!  Shouldn't be too hard since I live 2 blocks from the ocean!

Life has been very stressful, but I am finding my niche here in San Diego courtesy of my amazing roommates and coworkers.  It's been a struggle trying to make new friends and figure out how to grow with the older friends who have now become long distance.  It has not been easy at all, and I have not handled myself the best, either. I just have to hope that the friendships I have made are strong enough to last through a few big speed bumps.  As is usual for me, I've found some solace from these stresses in music, particularly Coldplay's new song "Paradise." 

"So lying underneath those stormy skies, she'd say, 'Oh, I know the sun must set to rise.'"

It's sort of an optimistic take on dealing with bad things.  Yes, I might be stressed and dealing with a lot right now (although I have many positives to be grateful for, too), there's a sunrise around the corner.  You just have to stick it out to get there.

I'll post an update on work before too much longer...want to snap some photos around the office before posting on that! But...I am loving the new job!

That's it for now!

"Love never fails."

I'm not typically one to push religion. Yes, I have my religious beliefs, but I also believe that faith is a personal choice and shouldn't be forced on anyone. If people have questions, I'm always more than willing to talk about faith with them...but like I said, it's a person choice.

Last night, though, this phrase got stuck in my head: "Love is patient, love is kind." So, I got online and looked up the full chapter (yes, I was being lazy...I didn't feel like walking to my bookshelf to open up a real Bible). Somehow, this chapter gets me every time! And I think whether you're religious or not, it's just a beautiful piece of writing that I feel anyone could relate to.  For me, I read this chapter as sort of an instructional guide to not only romantic love, but friendship.

So, friends of mine out there, this is what guides me towards being a better friend and person.  What guides you?

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."  (1 Cor. 13)