Attitude

Life. In short, it's all over the place and you never know what's going to happen. It could be great, or it could be down-right awful. However, it's how we view this craziness that determines how much we enjoy life.

When it comes to roller coasters screaming and enjoying the ride are basically simultaneous in my book. When it comes to life, on the other hand, they are definitely separate chapters.

There are ups and downs every day. Whether they be big downs and small ups, or small ups and big downs; or maybe even big ups and downs, or small ups and downs. Those ups and downs are always there, but it's up to us how much we focus on them and make them a part of our life.

Imagine a day where everything is going wrong... I can think of multiple. Some of them I wake up feeling on top of the world, and then I actually get out of bed and everything that could possibly go wrong does, and I don't know how I'm going to handle it. This is when you need to focus on the ups.

In an earlier post I mentioned that we need to enjoy the simple things. This is so true. Think of anything positive in your day; anything. Great hair day, sunshine, you talked to someone cute, you got to class on time, someone smiled at you... maybe you can't pick out anything little, but at the end of the day think, 'hey! This day is over, and tomorrow can bring something better!'

Yeah... a little bit cheesy and a lot a bit cliche...but seriously.

You have so much power over how you view life. Of course there are things out of your control; your car breaks down, you get sick, group members don't help out, issues with people, too much to do and the list could go on forever. Literally. It's easy to focus on these downs and pretty much be miserable. But we are not here to be miserable. We are here to live the best life that we can.

Attitude is everything. Wake up each day saying 'I am going to rock today.' No matter what comes your way you are going to make the best of it. I'm not saying this is easy to do. Personally, I epically fail at this most days. Nevertheless, when I do have this positive attitude it makes all the difference.

Let's be honest. Everything could be going wrong in your life. You have no hope, and nothing is ever going to be the same again, but choose to love what's going right, because I guarantee that there is at least one thing going right and whether that one thing be big or small; it's worth it.

Reading...

So I kinda like to read....okay, I love reading. I love being able to get into a story and feel apart of it and get to know the characters. I love wondering what's going to happen and figuring it out page by page. I love the suspense, the mystery, the romance, the fantasy, the non-fiction, the action...almost anything I can get my hands on.

Now, don't judge me when you finishing reading this paragraph... I love books. I love the smell of a new book that's never been opened, I love the feel of the pages on my fingertips, I love being able to feel how much you've read and how much you have left. I will always feel that way, BUT... I do own a Kindle (this is where the 'don't judge me part' comes in). Even though I love everything about a book and I won't just stick to reading my Kindle, it's really nice to have a Kindle! Especially when I'm traveling.... no worries about ripped, bent, destroyed pages, or finding a bag that will fit everything you want to read on your vacation. It's just all right there and it fits right in your purse...or it can look like a manly planner of some sorts. :) Anywho. I'm not here to rave about how convenient a Kindle is...

With my love of reading comes no inhibitions when it comes to my reactions. I've had a couple books make me cry, and some even make me angry! My favorite, though, is when they make me laugh. I just get into my own little zone of reading and pop! there's a joke, or a funny scene, or just something humorous to me; I can't help but to laugh. Sometimes I find whatever I just read to be so hilarious that I keep laughing and I can't even continue reading. There is absolutely noooooo problem with this in my book...but I do get a lot of odd looks...

20 Seconds...

Have you seen We Bought a Zoo? I'm sure every single one of you will love it!

 I just love watching the trailer! :)

Recently I've been trying to keep up with one of Benjamin Mee's quotes...

That's a little crazy to think of, huh? No matter what happens within, or after, those 20 seconds will lead you somewhere great. I think all of us need to have 20 seconds of insane courage and go for something we might be too scared off....what's the worst that could happen?

Blueberry Muffins

Now. I love muffins, and one of my favorites is blueberry. However, I have noticed in my apartment living experiences that people don't know how to do these things right...

Alright.... imagine a blueberry muffin...

 Now how delicious does that look? Pretty dang delicious is what I would say.

But Courtney! That's what my blueberry muffins look like! How am I doing them wrong? ...these are some things you might say to me as you are reading through this post. Never fear! I will get to the part where they become heaven in a muffin cup!

The part that makes these little muffins heaven is called streusel topping. Here is how you make it...

Mix together

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup butter

This concoction should become a crumbly consistency. Once you have reached this crumbliness, cover the tops of your uncooked muffins with it and bake as directed on your muffin box.

Result!?

Heaven in a muffin cup.

Up!

So... I mentioned in an earlier post how I love Up! If you still haven't watched it, let me know, we'll have a little movie night. ...seriously.

Anywho. On Pinterest I came across some nails that were painted like Up, and I had to give it a try... here is the end result! Not 100% perfect, but I love them!

Also, as I was looking at Up things I found this awesome house in Utah!!! They replicated the house, and then this cute little couple took their 2nd year anniversary pictures with Rock'n'Roll Bride. I know it's a little crazy, but it's also way cool!!

Avocado Salsa

So basically I'm a fan of food... I mean, who isn't, right? It can be sooooo delicious, and so much fun to make...depending on who you're with and if you know what you're doing... good times, haha.

Well, awhile ago my mom came across an avocado salsa recipe that we had to try. One, salsa is always good; add avocados to that and it's pretty much heaven in a bowl. Two, we love avocados. :)

The nice thing about this recipe is that you can adjust things to your liking... if you haven't noticed, I love avocados so I tend to put more of those in, but feel free to leave some out or add more tomatoes or whatever your little heart desires!

1-2 Roma tomatoes diced (these can be normal tomatoes, but just tiny sized Romas are what I use)
2-3 avocados diced
1 can black beans drained and rinsed (you don't have to rinse them, but it makes the end result look more edible if you do)
1 can shoepeg corn drained(you can find this by normal corn, it's in a smaller can--and there IS a difference so don't try and be cheap and get normal corn! Okay, you can if you really want to, but I just love the shoepeg corn)
1/4 diced red onion (the original recipe calls for 3 green onions, but I prefer the red onion)
1/2 cup Zesty Italian dressing
Salt and Pepper as desired

Mix it all together, grab some tortilla chips, and enjoy*!!

*I am not responsible for any addictions that this might cause.

Noah's Ark

Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark.

1- Don't miss the boat.
2- Remember that we are all in the same boat!
3- Plan ahead; it wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4- Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5- Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6- Build your future on high ground.
7- For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
8- Speed isn't always an advantage; the snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9- When you're stressed, float awhile.
10- Remember, the Ark was build by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11- No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.