dreams at nineteen

I finished my collage! First project on a canvas.

I can't wait to hang this in my room.

::mountains + snow

::summer + the beach

::creating + typography

::cities + architecture

::nature + flowers

::abstract + geometry

::hearts + colour

Ecstatic!

image via tumblr

Today has been a really good day. A Monday filled with happiness. I can't stop smiling and I can't hide it. If there is such thing called being too happy, that would be me.

Although it's been chilly, there was sunshine in the sky.

Froot Loops and brown cinnamon Pop Tarts.

Went to school and found out I had passed all my midterms. Made my day.

In jazz class, we were discussing about the Lindy Hop and my heart fluttered thinking about you. The time we swing danced, the gentleman you were and always have been. I really miss those days and now you're gone for some of the best two years.

I've realized that in some ways, I am a lot like Augustine. We were talking about Thomas Aquinas and he's convinced me that maybe philosophy can answer questions; you can learn about the universe from ideas of thinking from thousands of years ago.

I went running again. I've been on a natural happy high.

There are some songs that define moments in life. I could listen to them again and again.

I'll openly admit this to the world and without being embarrassed. I want to be an Olympian. A pro snowboarder in either snowboard cross or the half pipe.

Some days, you might surprise yourself. Sometimes everything goes your way and you think everything is going to be ok.

Valentine's Day (the movie)

First, I found out about Valentine's Day through Taylor Swift's tweet. Then I saw the trailer for Valentine's Day and fell in love. I couldn't wait to see the movie. All I could think of was McDreamy McDreamy McDreamy. They threw in every possible celebrity in one film and with all my favourite people, too. I watched Valentine's Day on Valentine's Day. I don't think I've ever laughed any harder. I felt the pain of being single, I felt all the heartbreak out in the world and I felt the joy of love. There was every possible kind of love in Valentine's Day. The love between best friends, lovers, strangers, family, friends and even forbidden romances. Also, there was the unforgettable love and emotions you feel at every age. Every bit of it was beautiful. The story is told almost exactly like one of my favourite holiday novels, Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle. It was an intertwined love story of love from all different perspectives, which I loved. In the end, I realized it wasn't about McDreamy or even McSteamy. It was all about the love in love.

Overall, the script was well written with hysterical humor, witty sarcasm and satirical irony. There were quite a few good songs for their soundtrack that I liked. The casting couldn't have been any better. They picked all the right people for all the roles. Taylor Swift was being Taylor Swift. Harrison, played by Patrick Dempsey played himself as Dr. Shepperd, just another surgeon on another show. Only this time he deals with hearts, not brains. Jennifer Gardner is a teacher, yet again in love with a best friend. There definitely was a lot of typecasting going on. This makes sense since this was a high concept film and it was to be expected. I completely rate Valentine's Day and I think I'm going to go see it again. Valentine's Day is one of the best Valentine's Day movies to watch and possibly one of the best love stories. It's not a classic, but one of those perfect chick flicks for the weekends.

Today has been one of the best Valentine's Day and I'm not even in a relationship. For a day all about love, I haven't felt completely alone. I've realized that I love the people around me. I love my family and friends. These are the relationships that mean the most to me. Love is everywhere, sometimes in front of you where you've forgotten to look. Maybe one day I'll find that other kind of love, the kind of romantic love. For now, I just know and believe that love exists.

Happy Valentine's Day!

les chansons d'amour

image via brumley and wells

One day, I want to be serenaded by someone who can actually sing and play music. We write about love, we sing about love and I think I'm in love with love; especially when I hear love songs.
{a Valentine's Day playlist}

Reverie –Brooke Fraser

The Rain –Calvin Harris

Forever –Chris Brown

Lucky –Colbie Caillat (feat. Jason Mraz)

Digital Love –Daft Punk

Crash –Dave Matthews Band

Can’t Help Falling In Love –Elvis Presley

The Way You Look Tonight –Frank Sinatra

Always in Love –Graham Colton

Little Romance –Ingrid Michaelson

MFEO –Jack’s Mannequin

I’m Yours –Jason Mraz

I’d Rather Be With You –Joshua Radin

Kiss A Girl –Keith Urban

My Life Would Suck Without You –Kelly Clarkson

Dancing in the Moonlight –King Harvest

Fire and Rain –Mat Kearney

Come On Get Higher –Matt Nathanson

Save the Last Dance For Me –Michael Bublé

Easy Love –MSTRKRFT

Girls and Boys In Love –The Rumble Strips

Us –Regina Spektor

Other Side of Love –Schuyler Fisk

Love Story (Pop Mix) –Taylor Swift

With or Without You –U2

rouge!

Fact: there has been only a few times when I have worn my red pea coat. The two times I dressed in red were for the hot bio ta and a missionary's farewell. Red never disappoints.
photo via mostly martha

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la vie est bonne

"You're a brave girl

It's a strange world, where girls can get so broken-hearted

I'm sorry that in your condition the sun shine's been missing

Be happy. This world can be ugly, but isn't it beautiful?

It's not the end of the world"

(Jack's Mannequin, There, There Katie)

When I heard this song, I thought Andrew McMahon had wrote a song for me. After a long day (actually week) of school, hearing these words made me feel all the better. It was a sympathetic call, strength to carry on and a reminder of things I do live, love and hope for. Surprisingly, today has been a really good day. Even with my early morning wake up call. Even with my test. I am grateful for the little things in life. It's easy to get caught up with the worries of the world, but if you take a step back and truly look, you will find that life is good and beautiful. 

enthusiasm for:
ABC paper cups and designs for inspiration

a boy who said hello to me on President's Circle 

e-mails that make long distances seem a lot shorter

three day weekends

frozen yogurt and water

twitter updates from musicians 

(especially Brooke Fraser and Mat Kearney)

humanitarian efforts and trips

Found (Happy Finds Pt. 2)

There was a time I collected icons. I didn't even remember this until I looked through old images I happened to save. Now, I still can't recall why I kept these images, but I'm so glad that I did. Yet another happy find down memory lane.

...and here's to a

happy weekend!