I needed a change.

What do you think? This is the new blog outline, design, and whatever you may want to call it. The quotes, images, and obviously layout and colors have been changed. Tell me suggestions. What do you like, hate or think it needs to make it better? 

Thanks. 

Im a Beautiful Mess.

Today was not the first time I have heard this song, but it was the first time I listened to the lyrics. I theme song of the moment. 

Beautiful Mess- Jason Mraz 

You've got the best of both worlds
You're the kind of girl who can take down a man then lift him back up again
You are strong but you're needed, humble but you're greeted
And based on your body language and shotty cursive I've been reading
You're style is quite selective though your mind is rather reckless
Well I guess it just suggests that this is just what happiness is

And what a beautiful mess this is
It's like picking up trash in dresses

Well it kind of hurts when the kind of words you write
Kind of turn themselves into knives
And don't mind my nerve you can call it fiction
But I like being submerged in your contradictions dear
Cause here we are, here we are

Although you were biased I love your advice
Your comebacks they're quick and probably have to do with your insecurities
There's no shame in being crazy, depending on how you take these words
I'm paraphrasing this relationship we're staging

But it's a beautiful mess, yes it is
It's like picking up trash in dresses

Well it kind of hurts when the kind of words you say
Kind of turn themselves into blames
And the kind and courteous is a life I've heard
But it's nice to say that we played in the dirt
Cause here, here we are
Here we are

We're still here

And it's a beautiful mess, yes it is
It's like taking a guess when the only answer is yes

And through timeless words and priceless pictures
We'll fly like birds not of this earth
And tides they turn and hearts disfigure
But that's no concern when we're wounded together
And we tore our dresses and stained our shirts
But its nice today, oh the wait was so worth it

My Sister's Keeper, The Half Blood Prince

When your on the road a good book is always something to have. For me this last trip I brought along My Sisters Keeper. I had seen the preview for the movie and started crying in that (I know, pathetic) so I knew I had to read the book. It was an amazing story that I was hooked to in the first few pages. The authors writing style made it interesting enough that I felt like I had climbed into the book and there I was standing next to Kate's hospital bed. It also was powerful to evoke a slight depression. I would finish reading for a bit and I was gloomy. My father and JJ were happy when I finished it for good because I was no fun to be around we there was a dark rain cloud pouring over me, and only me. I would definitely recommend the book. 

The movie, however, was slightly disappointing. It was very well done and brought me to tears oh so many times, but it was not like the book. 

So many things were missing that were a big part of the novel- including a few main characters. And the ending was completely different than the book- so much that they killed off the wrong characters. But as a whole, this was a very beautiful, emotional ride, of a film. Go see it, but don't forget the tissues.  

Yesterday- directly after seeing My Sisters Keeper- I went to the new Harry Potter movie. Wow. I really enjoyed this one. I was a bit confused at points because I have not read the books past the 4th one, but my Mother solved that problem. My favorite characters were Luna and Belatrix. Ah!! Amazing.  The way they made the crushes was so prefect and cute. My new favorite word is "snogging." :) 

Well I have nothing more to say. Its good to be home but the heat is a bit much for me. I miss my beach weather!! 

xoxo

Grants Pass - Oregon

I sit in a coffee shop, the blender roaring as a smoothie is being made for the newest customer. Songs from the past float in the air trying to stretch their melody over the sounds of a busy place. I sat here last year around the same time writing a post. Nothing has changed except for the local artists pictures hanging on the wall waiting for some coffee drinker to purchase them for a reasonable price. The girls behind the counter still have the don't mess with me look hidden in between their piercings and tattoos. They may not realize it but they are beautiful. The most interesting thing about a coffee shop is the people who wander into it. We are all here with a common tie-coffee- but our stories are all different. Take for instance the group of gabby women next to me. They remind me of the three girls in Mamma Mia. Older women who are gathered together for a wedding. They are laughing away the hours as they enjoy drinks that seem to match the personalities just in first glance. But then there is the quiet man in the corner. He is young, maybe fresh out of college. He has sat in the corner staring out the window, sipping his drink aimlessly. A look of thought stretched across his eyes. Sadness stains his face. What is his story? What chose him to take a seat there? What does the symbol falling from a chain on his neck respresent. We all have different stories, backgrounds, thoughts, experiences, hopes, dreams, but we are all connected by the need for coffee.

Following the last post, I mentioned Mukilteo. A strange place where the sun set splashing the sky with pinks and purples. The colors never disappeared. Just darken.

When we pulled up to the campsite, LakeView Motor Home, a car rested next to us. Inside to young guys, one with a guitar in his hands and the other singing the lyrics to "I'm yours" by Jason Mraz. After a little unloading the one asked me if I was into photography as I took snap shot after shot of the beautiful skies.

We compared cameras, my lenses were bigger, but his fish-eyed lense was cooler. They started to tell me how they have been traveling the U.S. just searching for life. I listened a thought "Wow, they are living." I wished them safe travels and joined up with my fellow campers at our site. The next morning I learned that the two teens- ages 19 and 21- were not all off on the their own like they led me to believe. They were following their parents. Impressive.

Every morning I need a coffee to get me going. After waking up in a tent I was eager to drive and get a coffee. There was this little shop that laid across the street from where we were pouring gas into our van. It was pink, cute, little, and didn't look to bad. I noticed the signs. Java Jugs. Next to the bold lettering were the silhouettes of some slender girl with hair long and blowing in the wind. Another sign next to it read "Hot coffee. Even Hotter Girls!" I was interested in what my eyes had just stumbled upon.

A line of men in their cars was being formed by the minute. The girls serving the coffee had nothing but a bra and lacy underwear on! I was shocked! We got in the car a to my surprise these little coffee houses were everywhere in the small town of Mukilteo. It made me laugh!

"Right now I am in Grants Pass Oregon, sitting in a coffee shop. So much has happened this last month i have been away that i dont want to go home. I love traveling to a new place everyday and meeting the coolest people. You may think that I have gotten homesick, but i really havent. The only thing i miss is my Mom and Gabrielle. My friends I have relized can certainly survive without me. Ha Ha." - Last years post.

Im blogging about it.

I last left you sitting in North Town Coffee shop

in the small deserted town of Yakima Washington. Since that moment I have traveled Mukilteo, Seaside, Reedsport, Coos Bay, and now Wiston, where I am currently in The Daily Grind Coffee Shop writing this here post. But before I get ahead of myself lets rewind.

Yakima:

• We celebrated JJ's birthday buy going to this mexican resteraunt. The waitress was a big women with dark busy eye brows and looked liked she had one to many burritos in her life time. When we ordered our meals we didnt understand the size of them. Now wonder she was a little larger on the pants size. The burritos flowed over the plates, its contents hot with flavor, but there was just too much food for even JJ- the king of eating- to finnish.
• While sitting in the coffee shop for two days I heard about this event called the Folk Festival happening around town. Since we had nothing planned I was determined to find it. The three of us piled into the big party van searching for excitement. When driving down mainstreet we saw the roads blocked off and a chain link fence holding many people inside. It must be the festival. The car was parked and we walked over to the excitment. Just standing on the outside of the the fence and peering in there were tents set up with burgers, hot dogs, tee shirts- the works. The women selling tee shirts was not wearing your usual street wear. She was decked out with fishnets, a little pair of black underwear, high highs, and a tee shirt too small to even fit her skinny body. Her hair was curled and her make up done to perfection. Gaze passed her if you could and over the heads of the crowd and there was a cage. This was not the Folk Festival.... this was Cage Fighting on main street. It cost 20 dollars to go watch so we just decided to stay out and witness a little of Yakima's cage fighting on main street. The first two people were a Yakima Martial Arts Team Member. The oposing guy was much taller than the other and came from the "white slums" team (or somthing to the similarty.) They both looked like they could put up a fight, but within a minute and thirty secounds the martial arts guy was out with a swing. It was pathetic so we booked it.
• Just a warning: if you ever go camping in Yakima- bring a lot of bug spray. It was terrible. They were attacking by the hundreds.

That is all I have time for. The coffee shop is about to close.

Stay tuned for more adventures.

Next post: Java Jugs and liars in the campground- Mukilteo Washington

Bye!

Watch this:

http://www.thrashermagazine.com/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewvideo&Itemid=90&video_id=226

my tattoo is sticking to the key board as i type.

Yesterday as I was doing my laundry at Suprior Laundry is the hispanic part of town in Yakima Washington I got a tattoo.

Sure, you guys you get professional tatts pay hundreds of dollars, but mine, mine was only a good 50 cents. It is a sea horse. With Sparkles! I placed it perfectly under my wrist, it look amazing. Fixing my hat in the bathroom a few hours later, my sea horse looked so legit. But now. A day later. This Tattoo is not all it is cracked up to be. It has fuzzys stuck to it form my sweat shirt. Yes, my sea horse is now wearing a sweater. And as I am typing this my arm is getting stuck to the table and key board. Good thing it is temporary. :D
I have been gone from Utah for a week to this day, but it feels like a month. I am having the best time and dont miss home at all (except for my sister and mother but i know they will be joining me soon.) Life on the Road. You meet many intresting people and see very unique things.

Life on the Road:

• "shred-necks" of Buhl Idaho greeted us with their appearence at a wonderful skate event
• Jade called me Audie- which was kind of weird to here when i was least expecting it
• At Ketchum Idaho it started to rain as hard as can be the minute we handed out the last medal.
• it stopped the minute we were done packing the car and put the key in the ignition.
• we were soaking wet.
• At Jamies I learned that i was not destined to be a volley ball player
• i got dizzy because of sunshine and lack of food.
• We went on a boat ride at 11:00 pm
• there was a cloud that looked like a skull
• (the man next to me is talking in spanish really really fast)
• I have decided that when going tubing or on a giant whale behind a boat everyone should always wear neon orange helments.
  
• I watched a girl rub sunscreen on her dog...
• Richland Washington. Wow.
• there was a almost fight but people were too scared to actually throw a punch.
• it was epic.
• Krew came to the event after i told him he was lame for not coming
• I am going to die my hair neon pink one day.
• There is nothing to do it Yakima.
• There is a lot of places to eat.
• and a lot of salons.
• and nail places.
• ALOT
• At our camp ground there are man eating
• misquitos.
• Everywhere.
• I met a nice person in the camp ground bathrooms that gave me her shower tokens.
• sprite tastes funny after it has been set out in the sun for two days.
• There are the best Chai Tea Lattes at this North Town Coffee shop
• I got a vans hat for free
• In the fridge in front of me there is a Blue Creme Dad's Soda....
• it looks gross but very intresting and I almost want to taste it
• but it will die mytooth blue for a long time.
• The Folk Festival is this weekend.
• Oh yesterday this guy came in and asked if a certian girl was working, we will call her lucy cause i dont remember her name. This is how the convo went:
• "Is Lucy in today?"
• "Uh, no"
• "do you kow if she has a boyfriend?"
• "yeah she does"
• "Oh damn!"
• "ya you and everyother guy says that"
• "haha yeah"
• then he came back an hour or two later with a wife and kids. bad Bad bad
• I am kind of hungry right now.
• Jay Jay just said boo to me.
• Im done.
• Bye.

Concrete Rodeo Coffee Shop Chillin Update

Hello from Richland Washington

Hello. I am currently sitting at a picnic table, at a camp ground, in the wind, waiting for dinner to cook with a fire that keeps disapearing with each gust of wind in Richland Washington. Life is wonderful. I have been on the skate tour since friday morning. It has been filled with nothing but pure talented skaters, thrills, excitment and fun. Buhl, Ketchum, and McCall were all wonderful events. I was really impressed with the skaters that came out this year. Tomorrow is our night event in Richland. This ought to be good!

jump off that cliff...if you don't...then how can you learn to fly?

we are always told to look for the better, for the new, to prepare for the future.
why do we do that exactly?
as kids you prepare to be a teenager.
as teenagers you prepare to become an adult.
finally when you think you've made it, when you think you made the trek and you're at the end of the rainbow...you prepare to retire.
joy.
maybe that's why so many elderly folks are in airports, on vacation, out and about, making they're life long dreams happen...maybe that's the point when you realize that you've wasted your time trying to shoot for the future...maybe that's when you have the time to realize the speed you're traveling at, the path you're racing down...but why then?
why can't you take one step at a time and do what you want to do all throughout your life?
why not?
so when the forwards or quotes or texts or anything you get about living life to the fullest, laughing often, smiling always and dancing when no one is watching come along...take time to think about what they mean.
are they just simple words that look funky in designs, on t-shirts, all over your school binders, even on your bedroom walls...or do they have meaning to you?
are you moving to fast to see the path you are taking...sure you may know where it ends up i mean that's why you took it einstein, but what about the adventure along the way?
"life is what happens when you're making other plans"
don't be too focused on who you are going to be, focus on who you are becoming right now at this moment.
no matter what, influences change people.
who are you changing?
or are you to selfish to notice?
maybe not helping someone who dropped their books gave another walking by the excuse of "oh well no one is helping, so that means i don't have to either."
come on.
sure we need to prepare, but why not have fun while doing it...
eat chocolate cake while studying for trig.
dance with your broom when you're sweeping and you know you don't want to.
why wait for the day when you want to learn how to play the piano, do it now.
if you see someone belly dancing, don't say i wish i could do that...try it.
the most interesting people in life are the people who live out of the box...who look back and say, oh i did that...not i wish i could go back and try somethings i never did.
i am not telling you to go be risk takers and jump off buildings, not all of us have strong stomachs...maybe to live your life you want to hike to the top a huge mountain, or learn how to paint with water colors...why not do it?
is it because you have work? school? you're tired from trudging through an average day?
let me ask you something...did you watch tv today?
how long have you been on facebook, i mean you are taking the time to read my note.
got ya.
live.
that's all i ask.
live and then maybe we won't have so many grumpy seniors :)
it my be something simple like reading to your child, or sibling.
when you are going to the midnight premier of Harry Potter, dress up as your favorite character...be the absolute nerd you know you really are inside, just let the rest of the movie theater see it. 
maybe it's calling up a friend you haven't seen in a while.
working in a slushie stand that you used to go to when you were seven, it was your dream job.
or maybe it's going on a bike ride, having picnics in the canyons, living in nature.
there is this girl or guy you have never had the guts to talk to...big surprise, it won't ruin your chance to be in love. stop being such a pansy and talk to them. could be life changing. or it could be an absolute disaster...you never know until you've tried it.
do whatever your heart desires, sometimes your heart can speak louder than logic and your mind. 
listen.
go for it.
jump off that cliff...if you don't...then how can you learn to fly?

Almost there..

6.5 hours!!!! 

AH!

27 more hours until departure.