yogi would be proud

I'm going for a picnic today...yeah you heard me right, a picnic. With a basket and blanket and everything picnic related. So whaddaya want to say about it?

Random note to share with you all: Tulips come from Turkey (obviously a favorite place of mine) and is a Turkish word for "hat."

Well NO WONDER I was always so fond of those little flowers. I mean, I've always been drawn to them. Life always seems to make complete sense at one point or another...sometimes you don't get the connecting puzzle pieces until much later, but they always come.

life is a highway

It's funny cause my last post was about how I haven't traveled in AGES. But this past week I got to go to Santa Barbara...drove there and everything. I really love driving, and I just needed to get away from San Diego for awhile.

The trip was successful. Santa Barbara is a way mellow-er version of SD. And I got to see my nephews and sister. Always a good thing!

I really love summer. And I am getting tanner by the day (naturally, thank you). I'm excited for the Fourth cause that will require another trip to the beach (which will be EXTREMELY crowded, but it's a tradition of sorts).

i'm lookin to the sky to save me

I went to the beach a couple weeks ago, and as I was lying in the sand, I watched about 4 commercial airlines fly on over the then-placid pacific.

A twinge of jealousy came over my body, and I asked myself "I wonder where those lucky fools are going?" I wished so badly that I could be on those planes...

Flying, traveling, changing scenery...it all makes me so happy.

At least I'll be going to Victoria (Canada) in about a month with the parents. I get to fly, yay!! My little heart is happy about that.

ain't got no ring on this finger.

Dude...can I just say that I HOPE my husband looks like Jon Bon Jovi when he reaches that age. Honestly now, just look at him:

**Venting session now begins**

But let me just clarify...I don't want to get married ANYTIME soon. But apparently, lots of people my age do. And I think they've completely lost it.

Now, I've never been the girl to be into marriage or the idea of marriage. I don't know what kind of dress I'm wearing, I don't know what kind of ring I want and I don't know where I'm having my wedding. Why plan all that nonsense out before I even have a fiance?

I've always been the girl that believes that your 30's are a good age to get married (if you're even ready, that is). So I knew I would be criticized someday for being...different. However, I didn't know the criticism would start this early. Just read this conversation I had with my friend Josh the other day:

Josh (turns to me): Ashley, I think it's time that you meet a nice guy and get married soon.

Me (shocked look on my face): Are you kidding me right now?

Josh: No, I'm serious. I mean, you don't want to be too old when you get married, right?

Me: Josh, I'm only 22. Besides, I don't want to get married until I'm much older...like at least my late 20's to my 30's.

Josh: Yeah, but do you know how dangerous it is for women in their 30's to have children?

Me: Ohhhhh my gosh. We are just not having this conversation right now.

Are people my age losing their minds? He's not the only one with marriage on the brain. Another friend of mine is getting married soon as well...next year to be exact. He's 23 right now. He's definitely not ready. And I have two roomates that believe they should be married "by the time they're 25, at least."

I just don't understand this fascination/obsession with marriage. You would think, in modern times, that it would be less of an issue to be married right out of college. But girls (and boys) are still brainwashed. I don't know if it is out of panic or just sheer foolishness...but I believe too many people I know are getting married for the wrong reasons.

And what's the point to getting married this young? Why not wait a few years? I hope to never fall into the whole marriage trap. I was born a rolling stone...naturally hungry for travel and life and exploration...it's gonna take a lot, and someone amazingly wonderful to get me to slow down and have a family. But right now, I'm 22 and not even THINKING about marriage!!!!!!!!! I don't think I can add anymore exclamation points to that statement!

**venting session has now ended**

can you hear the blues?

I bought the Amy Winehouse CD. Yeah, it's all it's cracked up to be.

Listening to it, I feel as though I'm in a smoke-filled lounge, sitting on some dust-covered antique furniture, closing my eyes cause the haze is so thick...all the while listening to some great Motown.

Some stand-out tracks? "Love is a Losing Game" and "Wake Up Alone." Well, as you can tell, it's a sad album. But those end up being the best kind, I think. They always come straight from the heart. Same reason why I always loved Marvin Gaye...

***
However, I don't share Amy's disposition. Summer is going well. Going well, indeed.

music of my heart

Can I just say, I love pianos and violins. Pianos are better than violins, hands down. But violins are still amazing. They make my heart sing.

That was random, but such is the way I write.

I got the job with the childcare service. I even got a purple purse/bag thingy to tote around toys for the kiddies...I was highly excited that it was purple, seeing as that is my favorite color in the world.

I'm excited to enter a new chapter of my life. It's funny to see things change right in front of you, as if they're not happening to you. Does that make sense? What's funny is I'm completely in control, the author of all the changes. weiiiiirrrrrrrrd.