A couple of projects

This is the drawing that I have been working on the past week. I am really liking how it's turning out now, even though it's kind of hard to see.

These were my Superbowl cupcakes that I baked. They are green velvet and yellow velvet cupcakes, and were a huge hit! I love making any kind of velvet cupcakes!

Today

Two years ago, I took a leap of faith on someone else. And they took a leap of faith on me. He asked me to dinner about 4-5 days prior to Valentine's Day, and I accepted. I can remember dancing around the house with my then two-year old nephew, that's how happy I was. Although, I was also nervous, and not really expecting a lot. Coming out of a hellish relationship, I could not see anything past the next day. I was living in the moment.

I got cold that night, and one of the first things he did was get a blanket for me. I think I knew I was in trouble then, but still trying to guard my heart. :) I had the best first date with him. He left to go back to where he was at the time, and I treaded very lightly on where we were at. We talked, but it wasn't an every day thing. I think that's why I never even thought of us as dating.

Two months later, I would take a trip with his mom and a friend to go see him. I was looking forward to that trip for many reasons. The start of a new life, more time to spend with him, making great memories with him. It was a wonderful trip, and I am so glad that I was able to go see him.

I look back on the past two years and I smile. My heart is so happy, so full of love. I know had my life been any different, then I would not be this positive upbeat person I am today. I know I would be down in the dumps a lot, being dragged down emotionally. Honestly, I don't know how I got so lucky with my man. I am so incredibly blessed to be on this journey with him. I missed his phone call earlier, but know that next year we will have this day to celebrate together. To me, it's more about our anniversary than Valentine's Day. Ironically, the woman who was gun-shy on finding love again has an anniversary on the mushiest day of the year. :) I would not trade our time together or him for anything.

Do they?

Having been overseas myself now, I have noticed some very important things. The culture I was able to experience has so much more respect for themselves, in what they do and who they are. Whether they are the train-sweeper or the person at the convenience store, they take pride in what they do. Always.

I have noticed that a lot of people here do not do that all the time. Yes, I have been guilty of it, too. Sure, we all do things we don't like. But when we don't like them, we don't put all of our effort into them and they turn out half-assed.

Another thing I noticed was that even though I did not know their spoken or written language, they were accepting of me. I would nod my head and say, "thank you" and they would nod back, smile at me, all the while saying something in their language. Because of this, I have realized that when people come here, we automatically expect them to learn this language, learn the customs here.

I don't agree with this. I do not feel that anyone should ever have to be forced to learn this language. It's not right. We are too demanding. "Well, they come here, so they should learn it." No. They don't say that of us. Because they accept us for who we are. It's so sad that we cannot accept diversity among people. Whenever I think of all the languages in the world, I think of the Tower of Babel. I am constantly reminded of that story in the Bible, where we became diverse in our languages, so that no two people of different cultures would ever understand each other.

I guess people forget that diversity is the key to the world coming together.

Through it all...

I will still be there for you.

One of my friends posted a link to a video on Youtube today. I watched it and it made me tear up and realize how true it really is. You see, you may be gone, but I am always right behind you, supporting you. Whenever anyone asks me about you, my face lights up and I smile really big. I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. Yes, I miss you. But I understand why you are doing what you are doing. And that makes me love you even more.

Some days are harder than others. You know this, I know this. It doesn't mean that I miss you any less on the other days when it's not so hard. I always miss you, no matter what. You are the first person I want to talk to when I am having a bad sad, when something good happens, when I want to share a funny story. It's hard knowing that I can't pick up the phone. My head knows not to call you, but my heart doesn't. I am pretty sure that the hardest part of our relationship is behind us. We made it, it didn't break us. I am a woman who refuses to let any obstacle or hardship become greater than my love for you. There are times when I cry at night. But it's all worth it, because I get to still hear your voice and see your voice, I get to read your thoughts to me. I know that I will never give up and stop fighting. Because you haven't. Nothing will ever overcome my love for you- it is always going to be there. Like stars in the night.

Today is one of those days where I miss you more than most. As always, I am extremely proud of you. I have told you before that this isn't forever, and it's not. You are my rock, my comfort, my partner in life. I am the woman you left behind, who is still behind you. When you get back, I will be the woman still by your side, standing with you.

This and that

I am a bake-aholic. I find recipes and want to try them. These are iced pink lemonade cookies. So yummy and decadent!

This little gem is blue velvet cupcakes. Just like the red ones, but with a tiny amount (less than called for) of blue gel food coloring. My goal is to one day open my own bakery.

Headed back...

to school!

I am so excited about this! I just filled out my FAFSA for the first time by myself. I dreaded it because I thought it would be hard. But it was really easy! Plus, the IRS made it easy by being able to link my info from them to my FAFSA.

This is the right direction for me.

This wasn't my first choice in schools. In fact, I hadn't even considered it until 2 weeks ago. My first choice rejected me. I was upset for a bit that afternoon, and then I realized that I had other options. So I contacted another school, asked to set up a meeting for yesterday. In the meantime, I applied at another school, finally sent them my transcripts, etc. I cancelled the meeting at the first school, because I didn't want to go there. It was just another option. And then I found out I got into the second school today. Things have a way of working themselves out.

I just have to remember to have patience, and to always believe in myself. Sometimes it's hard to do, but it's getting easier because people are actually believing in me.

I Love You

I love you, I love you, I love you.

I seriously love you.