Day 05 - A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life

This is probably the hardest challenge day yet. So many people have impacted my life and I can learn something from every person I come in contact with. The easiest people to write to/about would have to be my parents and of course my husband. My parents were incredibly influential; I still learn from them and look up to them. My husband is the reason I want to be a better person, the reason I am in school, and I don’t know who or where I would be without him.

However, my letter is to someone who has been in my life since day one and might not even know how much they have changed my life. Well, she may know just a little.

Dear TLS #2 (My Wonderful Sister Trina),

Currently we are closer than ever and I couldn’t be more grateful for your friendship and love. I have always looked up to you because of your strength and take no prisoners attitude. You say what you mean and mean what you say; this is a trait we both share. Maybe we got it from Dad? Although, he is usually a bit nicer and we are J and watch out when we get together… oh boy! it’s like we have been close all of our lives, that doesn’t happen by accident. Did you know that you are the reason I am in Human Services? You have inspired me by the experiences you have endured and how you have handled everything.

I know I have told you in the past that I wish I would have answered the phone when you called that night. I sometimes think that the incident wouldn’t have happened if I answered, but I also know that way of thinking doesn’t change anything. You had a feeling and I just couldn’t believe that he was capable of something like that. It just shows me that you may feel you know someone but you never truly do unless you are with them every day. Seeing you go through this has made me look up to you more than ever. You are so strong and have shown me that this can happen to anyone. You have changed my view of women that have been faced with domestic violence. I now have a passion for helping women that have been in similar situations; maybe not even domestic violence but any situation where they may need a bit of rebuilding.

I know Mom has told us a little about her experience with abuse but I wasn’t there to see it and we know she left, so I don’t think it hit home. You showed me that no matter how strong and put together someone is, they may still be going through something. The past occurrences have allowed us to see the true character in some of our family members and truthfully, it is disgusting. It’s sad that it wasn’t surprising when their true selves started to shine through. Did you know that I have also learned from her? She is basically the person I do not want to be.

You may not see how amazing you are, but I do and I am lucky you have you as my Sister! You are such a great mother and you have raised the best nephews and niece that I could ever ask for. You are amazing to Mom and Dad and I know they appreciate everything you do for them. In some aspects we couldn’t be more different but I think we are also similar in so many areas. I couldn’t be more proud of you. Most importantly, I couldn’t be more proud to call you my sister. Thank you for being you and for showing me what true strength is.

Love ya,
Tiff

Day 04 - What you imagine paradise to be like

My paradise is on a little island in the Bahamas where dolphins are my neighbors and a hut is where my husband and I reside. My parents, family, and close friends live on the next island over and we have our own resort. A fun place just for us and also invited guests. Cold drinks are served in coconuts and pineapples. A private chef will make us anything. The sun is always shining. Crystal clear blue waters and white sandy beaches. No one ever feels pain or gets sick.

Day 03 - The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why

Oh boy… This is a tough one! It’s hard to narrow it down to 5. I like a ton of different music but, punk music is my favorite. Is punk music really appropriate for a desert island? Maybe I would want upbeat happy music? Or slow island music? Or booty shaken music?

Anywho, here is my list...

1. Sweet Honey by Slightly Stoopid. I have no idea why but this song never gets old. I can listen to Sweet Honey over and over and it still makes me smile from ear to ear J As soon as I hear this song I see my friend Mindy and I in her apartment in Pacific Beach dancing and acting goofy.



2. Steal my Kisses by Ben Harper. This song is upbeat and fun. I remember hearing this song for the first time on the set of Pepsi Smash and I was in awe when I heard this awesome song. Love Ben Harper. I was on a desert island this song would automatically take me back to where I first heard it.



3. Crazy by Gnarles Barkley. I would probably be going crazy on an island by myself, so this song fits. It’s also fun and has a great beat.



4. Let’s get it started by the Black-eyed Peas. This was the bridal party entrance song at our wedding and that is the first thing I think of when I hear it. Super fun song!



5. The Cha Cha Slide by Dj Casper. Who isn’t happy when this song comes on? Plus, I love to clap!!!! With this song I would have my own one person party on the island.

Day 02 - Something that inspires you

A million things inspire me! Craft shows, Hobby Lobby, friends, family, magazines, books, students, flowers, the beach, music, movies, TV shows, nail polish, people... Anything!!! Currently, I am amazingly inspired by the women at Maggie's Place. I have been volunteering there for the past month and a half and have racked up about 50 hours. These Moms inspire me because they have all taken different roads to end up at the house, but want to change. It's inspiring to see someone want to be a better person. It's more inspiring to see them work toward that goal of becoming a better person. The staff at Maggie's Place is compiled of four women that I think are the closest to a Saint you can. They have given up their lives to work and live at Maggie's Place. They give so much and they don't even realize how wonderful they are.

Check out their website to see their story.

http://www.maggiesplace.org/

I am also doing a donation drive that will end on October 17th. Let me know if you would like to help :)

Day 01 - Guilty pleasure

This is my guilty pleasure... A few months ago, I would have said Blue Monster. This is my ultimate weakness at the moment and frankly I need to quit. Currently, I love it!!!

30 Day Challenge

Day 01 - Guilty pleasure
Day 02 - Something that inspires you
Day 03 - The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why
Day 04 - What you imagine paradise to be like
Day 05 - A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life
Day 06 - Earliest thing you can remember
Day 07 - Favorite cover of your favorite song
Day 08 - Someone you think would make a good president
Day 09 - Five things you want to see change
Day10 - A dream you had this past week described in detail
Day11 - Favorite picture ever taken of yourself
Day12 - Your favorite musical artist’s life story
Day 13 - A memory that never fails to make you laugh
Day 14 - Best mashup you’ve ever heard
Day 15 - A moment, phrase, or song that has changed your life the most.
Day 16 - Something that you want to do within the next five years.
Day 17 - What you want to remembered for.
Day 18 - A picture that makes you feel
Day 19 - A passage from a book that has touched you
Day 20 - A band that you immediately liked and the song that made you like them
Day 21 - Your favorite medium of art.
Day 22 - Someone you would give your life up for without question.
Day 23 - Most awkward first impression you feel you’ve ever given
Day 24 - Something you did as a child that other people remember you for.
Day 25 - Something you would do if no one stopped you or if you knew you wouldn’t fail.
Day 26 - Your definition of love.
Day 27 - Your definition of the meaning of life.
Day 28 - A moment you remember being completely happy in and a description of why you believe you were. What is your definition of happiness
Day 29 - What you live for.
Day 30 - Ways you believe you have grown over the past thirty days.

Ba- Ba- Ba- BAHAMAS!!!

Here are a few of my favorite snap shots from our trip to the Bahamas. We had a blast adn can't wait to go on another cruise. If anyone is thinking of going on a cruise with NCL... DO IT!!! The staff was amazing and we really had a great time. The Bahamas is fun but HUMID. Holy hell was it humid. I tried to prepare myself but I don't think you can prepare yourself for this much humidity. My favorite island was Great Stirrup Cay... it's a private island and was more than beautiful!!! Ugh, I can't wait to start planning our next trip, I think it will be Tahiti! I have always wanted to go there and really want to get tattooed at Moorea Tattoo.

Time Flies By!

On our three year anniversary Kevin and I were on a cruise ship in the Bahamas, so I wasn't able to post this. I thought it might be nice to go back and take a quick look at the day Kevin adn I became Husband and Wife. The last three years have flown by and it is crazy to look back and see how much our life has changed. Here are a few of my favorite pictures just in case you haven't seen them. Enjoy!

My mom and I watching the mother/son dance.
Our first dance as husband and wife

Walking down the aisle

The Men

My wonderful Neice

Our flower girls :)

All of the Groomsmen

Sharp

Driving off into the sunset :)

Love

I love this photo

For some reason I love this pic

My all time favorite pic of myself, my neice, Trish, and Jenna

Rainbow SANDALS!!!!

My neice Paige

My blinged out Rainbows

The dress

Getting my make up did

Garter and flippie floppies

My wedding day undies

Before the flash floods can spewing out of my eyes

Man Dude and Dude Man

My Neice Paige and I

The BF and I

Jenna and I

My cousin Lisa and I

Getting my flower in the right place

Does it look ok there?

Getting beautiful

Final Touches

Done and Done

All of the ladies getting ready

I know it went out of order a bit, but I love everyone that spent the day with me. I was a stressed out wreck, due to my timeline. But I just wanted to get to the Newport Beach Country Club to marry my awesome Husband!!

Love you all! And here's to many more years to come!