Traveling Tuesdays 1

Bittersweet Park



This park was a sanctuary for me when I was stressed out during my college semester. I went there during many different times of the day. Usually around noon, couples would walk around the pond, or walk their dog. A few people in business suits took a stroll during their lunch break. Earlier than noon, mothers and children would occupy the playground and pass out snacks for an afternoon outing. If the weather was nice, I would stay until an hour before dinner, walking around, writing in my notebook and listening to music. I would watch a family of ducks make their way around the bridge and a flock of seagulls compete with crows for a stretch of grass by the pond. Sometimes I would choose a bench, and other times I would find a small patch of grass for a mini picnic. It was the perfect place to unwind and exercise. I also wrote many details of the park in my Writer as a Witness journal for classes.

A Day at Bittersweet Park:


1. Flock of white birds
With black tipped wings
Stand on frozen water
Watching waves
In running water
2. The water on the lake was frozen as though the wind blew waves in mid-rush
3. I pass a sculpture that looks like two tall, melting snow men. If the snow fell near it, and covered the sign, it would blend in.
4. The tree branches curved to form an arch above the small fenced section of the blue house’s yard.
5. I watch the birds fly in circles, letting the wind take them where it will.

Music Mondays 1

The song "Telling the World" by Taio Cruz from the movie Rio is one of my favorite songs right now. Not only does it remind me of the movie Rio, but it also reminds me of those rare occasions when you feel that you are on top of the world because you are so happy. Enjoy!

The Blog is Back!

Okay, now that I'm finished with finals, and my application, I have time to blog again!
I've decided on a Summer Schedule with a focus on fun! Here it is:

Star Sundays: This topic idea came from the Korean drama You're Beautiful. In the show, Tae- Kyeong has night blindness and can't see stars. Go Mi Nyeo develops a habit of collecting stars for him. I thought it would be a cute idea.

Music Mondays: I love music and sometimes I'm inspired by certain instrumentals or songs.

Traveling Tuesdays: This topic will focus on places I have been, or places I would like to go. It could be a poem, short story or simply a reflection.

Writing Wednesdays: Writing Prompts are really fun and each random topic broadens my horizons.

Thoughtful Thursdays: I am always thinking, so why not dedicate a day to my brain.

Fantasy Fridays: Any number of pieces that come from my imagination.

Silly Saturdays: Anything funny, light-hearted and happy!

So there you have it. My new blog schedule will focus on fun and living life. Each experience will help me learn something new, and give me the confidence to pursue my dreams!

What I learned from Korean Drama (so far)

1. Teddy Bears can make worries go away
2. When you're frustrated or stressed, all you have to do is say "aja, aja fighting!" and then you feel better.
3. If one of your high heeled shoes breaks, all you have to do is break the other one, and tada flats!
4. Pancakes make everything better
5. When you're going to the battle field, you will need weapons. For the rich and famous, the weapons are new shoes and dresses.
6. If you don't want to see someone at a suitcase shop, hide in a suitcase.
7. Collecting snow globes is a romantic hobby.
8. When you're in love with someone, close your eyes and count to five. If you see that person when your eyes open, you are meant to be!
9. When you are sad, all you need is food and friends.
10. Playing hide and seek with Venetian masks is a great way to forget your troubles.
11. Never put a note to your mother in her bible. The note could be read as a prayer request in front of the entire church!
12. The more you run from the past, the more your past will haunt you.
13. Royalty have a different way of eating with chopsticks.
14. Love can begin with a business card.
15. Some things cannot be repaired once they are broken.
16. When you want to run, don't go far, go up to the highest place you can think of.
17. Ramen can be eaten dry, just sprinkle the seasoning up top and take a bite.
18. Cherry tomatoes can make you feel better.
19. All couples are required to have a spat about driving a car.
20. When you receive a love letter, it is not a good idea to correct the person's grammar or give them a grade -_-
21. When you're angry, play racquetball.
22. Stepping on the white lines on a cross walk can bring you good luck.
23. A good method of revenge on someone is to give them an embarrassing ringtone.
24. The best way to eat a lettuce wrap is to shove the entire thing in your mouth.
25. Pandas don't wear pants.
26. Even the smallest trinket can be an important gift from a loved one, tied by memory.
27. Love doesn't come with a specific age group. It can happen any time during your life.
28. Making pastries requires lots of concentration and doodles.
29. Magic is what you make it.
30. Never give up on your dream.
31. Yogurt is the best thing to have when you are feeling down.
32. A full life is never what you think it is.
33. Sometimes things happen for a reason.
34. Making a stuffed animal is a process including, sanitation, surgery and meaning.

Small Steps to let go of the Past

a list by Sarah Golden





1. Make a mental folder of all the lessons you learned
2. Change something about yourself (Get a haircut, new outfit, new makeup etc.)
3. Distract yourself (avoid watching, reading or experiencing things that trigger painful memories)
4. Get a hobby (Anything from painting, sculpting, writing or even jewelry making)
5. Cry . . . sometimes you have to
6. Laugh . . . this is always the best medicine
7. Try new things (food, music, books, movies, activities)
8. Ask yourself, "What do I want to do?"
9. Take your time (this is a loss, it can't be rushed)
10. Build a future (write it out, draw it or even act it out if that helps)
11. Build a playlist of songs that make you happy
12. Live in the present as much as possible (talk about recent events, go see recent movies or try on recent styles)
13. Avoid being alone as much as possible (Sometimes being alone gives you too much time to brood on the past)
14. Respect yourself (don't beat yourself up about this loss, or force yourself to do too much at once)
15. Vent it out in a healthy way (write, sing, run, hike, anything that helps you vent)
16. Take a day and just focus on yourself (in the present moment)
17. Believe in yourself, (you can get over this)
18. Create a sanctuary (this can consist of all your favorite things, foods and music)
19. Focus on the future (plan on a future outing, a concert, movie, vacation anything)
20. Make some goals (anything from a small goal to a life plan will help you stay focused)
21. Throw away any reminders (pictures, letters or even songs on your mp3 player that bring up painful memories)
22. Remind yourself how much you have changed (make a list of all the ways you have grown mentally)
23. Invent a mantra and say this mantra whenever you think about the past (something along the lines of "Keep moving forward" or "never look back")


Why I'm writing this: In the past months, I was forced to come to terms with my past by being introduced to a story in my college class. This story affected me so much that I could hardly focus and I began to dwell on the past. I wrote this list for myself, but I also wrote it for anyone who needs it. Maybe this list will help someone who must also face this obstacle.

Book Review: A Tale of Two Castles

Since the introduction of Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine has published more fairy tale stories and adventures in the realm of Neverland. Her new book, A Tale of Two Castles takes a new perspective on the detective story and the fairy tale. Elodie is a young girl who must start an apprenticeship. She plans to be a mansioner (the role of a performer or actor) but things take an unexpected turn. She becomes a dragon's assistant and find the person threatening the Duke, who happens to be an ogre. But all is not as it seems. Elodie must decide who she can trust and where she belongs. By using her mansioning skills, and being aware of her surroundings, she might have the ability to save the duke and gain a dragon's trust. But who is the culprit? The only way to find out is to read her story. This story is worthy of four out of five apples (or is it Pyramus?)

For more information here's the website: http://www.gailcarsonlevine.com/tcas.html

Book Review: The Throne of Fire

Anyone who has read Percy Jackson knows that Rick Riordan has the ability to mix mythology, sarcasm and adventure all into one. His recent series The Kane Chronicles is told through Clever Carter and his sister Sadie. Now his new novel The Throne of Fire adds more action and sarcasm than the first.
From the beginning, we are reminded that the book is actually a recording and the last recording mentioned a red pyramid and a certain locker inside a school. In this recording, not only are we introduced to two new characters, apprentices of Sadie and Carter, but we also learn that New York is home to "other gods". Carter mentions that he might have seen a winged horse at one point. A new challenge presents itself for the Kane siblings. They must find the book of Ra which has been separated into three scrolls. But the gods are not all on their side. It's a race against the clock as both Carter and Sadie try to find the scrolls before the solstice, and avoid the gods and goddesses that are not so keen on their plan. I highly recommend this book to anyone that craves adventure, fun, chocolate and zebras, and I rate the "recording" five out of five Egyptian relics.
For more fun and adventures, visit the website: http://www.rickriordan.com/my-books/kane-chronicles/books/book-2.aspx

Beauty and the Beast Disney Portrait!

Beauty and the Beast was finally used in Annie Leibovitz Disney Dream Portraits! Check out the picture:

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