An Update

Well it’s been about a month and a half since my last post.  I thought it was time to update.  So, here I am sitting at a restaurant about to eat some lunch, and blogging.

First, I would like to say, thank you to everyone who read my last post about adoption. The responses were overwhelming (in a good way), and I appreciate the support and love I received from all of you. I also loved hearing all of your stories and connections with adoptions.  It really meant a lot to me.  I just went back and read some of the comments I received, and it just touched my heart.

So what’s been going on for the past almost two months?  I started training at the pregnancy center and have been learning a lot. I’ve been asked a couple times if this pregnancy center is shady and forces girls to give up their babies, and I assure you it is not.  It’s a place where women can come, get all their options while being respected and loved, no matter what.  It’s been a really great experience, and I am so glad to be a part of it.

Tomorrow I start a new semester of school.  Between volunteering with the pregnancy center, working, going to school, homework, and hockey, I foresee a busy few months ahead of me (I’m the queen of over-committing), but I am excited to be doing something.  

Over the past couple months I have also been learning to be content with my situation.  No matter what it is.  I have a problem with always trying to plan for something else, but I am trying to learn to just be happy and appreciate where I am.  

That’s it for now.  I hope to get through this semester in one piece.  I can't guarantee that another 2 months won't go by before another post, but if I don't have anything interesting to say, I don't want to post.  =)  Thanks again for your support. 

Adoption and My Decision to Asnwer a Call

I've been thinking about this post for a long time. What I wanted to say, whether or not it was worth talking about, and whether I wanted to write something that could offend some people.  I try not to write things that are too political or too religious. I feel very fortunate to have a really diverse group of friends and acquaintances.  And I want to be clear that even if your values/beliefs differ from mine, I don’t judge and I hope all of you reading this do the same.

That being said here is what is going on in my life.  Yesterday I met with a lady to start volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center.  They do pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and counseling.  They give the people who come in information on all their options and go from there.  Part of their services is teaching about adoption. 

I have learned recently how negative people view adoption and adoption agencies.  I can admit that not all adoption agencies are good and have good practices, but I think people can agree that, that’s the case in every occupation/industry.  Here is what I believe though, adoption can be a good option no matter if you are pro-choice or pro-life.

Most of you know that I am adopted.  My biological mother was 16 years old when she found out she was pregnant.  She hid it from her family until she went into labor.  She decided to give me up for adoption and unselfishly gave me a chance at a better life.  I grew up with a great, loving and supportive family.  I always had everything I needed.  I never went a day without knowing I was loved, and I feel very fortunate because I know this is not how every adoptee’s story goes.  

Because of my positive experience though, I have felt like I need to do more, give back, if you will, and be an advocate for adoption.  For all the negative feelings people have towards it, I believe that there can be some real positives.  There are plenty of people out there who want to adopt kids, and we all know there are plenty of kids that want loving homes.  I know it’s not easy to adopt these days, I know the foster care program is not stellar, and I understand that there are a lot of problems that need to be worked through, and I am not saying I have all the answers.  I do however know, that people who are adopted need a voice. I know a lot of adopted people, and I can tell you that at one point of their life or another it was tough for them.  People ask really personal questions, kids sometimes tease, and people just flat out do not understand.  There should be no stigma associated with being adopted, or for people who chose to adopt.  In the end, families come in all different shapes and sizes: good, bad, broken, happy, big, small, blended, etc.  

I’m on a path to advocate for these people who are adopted, for those who decide to give their child up for adoption, and for those who do adopt.  It’s not easy, but raising a family isn’t easy, abortion isn’t easy, and being pregnant is not easy.  There is not really an easy solution, but this is the one I feel connected to and understand. 

Psalm 139:13-16

Why You Should Write a Love Letter

It should come to no surprise to anyone that knows me even a little that I tend to embarrass myself often. When I was 14 years old I liked a boy.  That part isn’t so embarrassing on it’s own.  I liked this boy a lot and we talked and saw each other fairly often.  Well after about a year of liking this boy some friends, who will remain nameless (but might be pictured on this blog) convinced me it was time to tell him, because honesty is the best policy or something like that.  Well I did, I told him, in a letter that by all accounts may have been the most awkward thing ever written known to man.  Alright, maybe it wasn’t that bad, but if my life had been a movie you would have been screaming at the screen for me not to give this letter to anyone.  I am not going to go into excruciating details about how nerdy this letter was, but I can say that this boy and I are still friends.  So it all turned out okay, and I am thankful he has never ever brought it up.  

I mentioned today that I think everyone should send an awkward love letter to someone because it gives you good stories.  Well, I mean that.  Here is the good, bad, the even worse, and the happy part about sending love letters.  As a disclaimer when I say everyone should do this, if you are past the point where this can be considered a cute childish whim, I’d skip it.  

Here’s the good.  Honesty really is the best policy.  If you are a teenage girl (or guy for that matter) and have been painstakingly trying to figure out if your so called crush is into you, you need to take matters into your own hands and find out.  There is no point in sitting around and pondering this question anymore.  You’ve already asked all your friends for their opinion.  They have all gently lied to you and told you that sure they think you guys would be a cute couple.  Seriously, if you analyze everything he says to you trying to find a hint of endearment, it’s time to find out.

The bad...as soon as you write a letter and give it to said person, you are going to feel mortified.  The pure fact that he is going to read this and know you in fact are in major like with him is going to make it seem like the world is ending.  It isn’t.  He may laugh, he may cry, he may never talk to you again, or he just may in fact feel the same way.  

Then it gets worse.  You then have to wait.  If he is nice (and really you should only like nice boys or girls) he’ll give you some kind of answer.  The waiting up to this point will make you crazy.  Whether it be a minute, an hour, or days, you’ll want to hide under your covers and not resurface, but don’t, be proud of yourself for being bold.

The better...you get an answer.  Even if it isn’t the one you wanted, you now know and can move on with your life. 

Take it from someone who is super awkward in everyday life, you’ll look back at this and laugh. It will give you stories to tell a younger generation. I would like to thank all of you who lived this very embarrassing event with me, and still managed to remain my friend.  The laughing and crying, and spazzy moments were all great fun!

PS to my young NAS it was a singer, and I will tell you all about it at tour camp if you want to know. =) 

Finding Some Inspiration

Today is the perfect day to be eating outside, which is what I just did.  I skipped out of anatomy lab a little early to get some lunch (because I was starving, and I am not going to keep studying once I am that hungry) and came and sat outside to eat. I know it's been forever since I have written a post, I have started a few, but my attention span has been short lately, so I quickly abandon them. I say I am going to get back to them, but I never do.

For the past couple days I've been in one of those moods, where I feel like I am not doing enough with my small  insignificant life, and that I should be out saving the world or something by fighting hunger in some other country, or helping abolish human trafficing, I feel stuck in a little rut.  There are a lot of things in my life that I feel really grateful for, I just feel like my calling has always been to help people somehow.  So, I am trying to remember that the reason I went back to school, and am doing this work is so I can accomplish this mission for my life.  That the best way I am going to help the most people is to better equip myself.

I'm really touched by how many people I have in my life who have sacraficed time and effort to help and serve others, who volunteer their time, and stand for causes they believe in.  You all really inspire me.  I'm proud to have really great people around me, and it reminds me to keep working.  So thanks!

Tis the Season

It's hard to believe that the holidays are already here, and the the year is almost over.  I have been trying desperately to finish my school semester out strong, but I am very much looking forward to having some time off.

There is so much going on this time of year, and everyone is so busy shopping, planning parties, eating, spending time with loved ones, and finishing up end of the year business.  This is also a really hard time of year for many, and I wanted to take a moment to encourage my loved ones to maybe take a moment out of their busy schedules and give to those who need it.

For those who don't know me super well, I feel I have been super blessed, but I like to keep perspective on my life.  I was adopted when I was just a few weeks old.  I only had to spend a couple weeks in foster care.  God gave me a wonderful family that has given me more than I could ever ask for.  I realize though, not all people are that lucky.  This is just one of the reasons I enjoy giving my time to help other who have not had as much luck and blessing.

So maybe this year start a new tradition.  Spend an hour at a community kitchen.  Cooking not your thing?  Volunteer to read to children. Have your children pick out one toy to donate to a charity.  Play with some animals at the nearest shelter.  Anything little thing will help.  Giving is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.  You can enjoy doing it with your family or friends.  You might find something you are passionate about.

Need some ideas of what to do?  Start here...
handsonbayarea.org (for my Bay Area friends)
volunteermatch.org (all over)

Happy Holiday Season everyone!  Sending lots of love to all of you!

For All My Ladies...Some Beauty Tips/Thoughts/Tibits Part 1

I received a phone call from a dear friend of mine, who had some questions about hair and makeup items. I get these questions quite a bit, and I am always happy to answer them, but I thought I might as well share some of them in a place everyone can reference.  So here goes...

Saving Money When Buying Makeup

Go to any mall and spend some time in a Sephora and you will quickly find that your options are nearly endless when it comes to different things to help enhance your features.  I get asked a lot about the differences in drugstore makeup (CoverGirl, Revlon, etc.) and higher end lines (NARS, Dior, etc.).  My go to answer for mostly everything is, different things work for different people, but you have to do a little research.  I have been experimenting with drugstore makeup lately, and this is what I found.  If you are looking to save money when buying makeup there are some awesome mascaras and eyeliners in your local grocery/convenient stores.

L'Oreal Infallible Eye Liner

Currently my favorite eye liner and mascara are L'Oreal (pictured below).  After many years of using Dior makeup exclusively, I have tried to branch out to save some cash.  Here is where you should not skimp.  Your foundation.  When I was young and first started wearing makeup I got in the habit of wearing foundation and powder, since then I have learned both are not needed.  I swore up and down that I needed powder, my face was going to be oily without it, and liquid foundation didn't cover as well, and then I started wearing better quality foundation.  Everything became clear.  It was magical.  I bought less product and my skin looked better since I wasn't blogging it up as much.  Most people do not need a liquid and a powder.  One or the other works fine, just find out which one works best for you.  The higher end makeup lines may seem pricey, but here is what I have learned.  I have yet to find a good drugstore brand foundation that had a nice consistency to it.  Many of the regular liquid foundations are a bit runny for my liking, and do not cover as well as I would like.  That means I usually have to use more of it per use, and touch up more often.  They usually cost about $12-15.  My foundation however costs about $40.  That price might seem to jump out at you, but a little goes a very long way.  It can last me 2-3x longer than most drugstore brands, which means I am not actually spending more money in the end.  Something to think about.

This was pretty long, so a haircare article will come in the future, but hopefully this helps a little.

Below are some of my favorite foundations

Dior Forever Foundation

Smashbox High Definition Foundation

A Love Note to Fall

Dear Fall,
I love that you have finally arrived.  You are my favorite part of the year.  I love lazy fall days that are filled with hot chocolate and Gilmore Girls (if you don't know GG is even better in the fall), while I can hear the rain outside.  I love being able to wear boots, cute jackets, and scarves.  Now that you are here it also means hockey season starts, which is its own special season.  It also means that it's time for baking pumpkin bars which make my house smell magical.  I've been waiting for you all year and you have finally arrived.  Some of my best and not so best memories have taken place in the fall, but even the bad times can't ruin my feelings towards you.  You make me think of my best friends.  The emo kid in me kind of likes the gloomy feeling I have on gray mornings.  The Southern California upbringing does make me miss the sun at times, but you are still my favorite season.  So welcome back.  We're going to have a good time together, I can just feel it.