In a World of 'Spoiled Idiots'

I can't possibly like this video anymore than I already do, because it is SO TRUE.

"You're sitting in a chair...IN THE SKY!!!!"

via: onlineschools.http://www.onlineschools.org/

Favorite Thing Thursday: This is Dedicated to the Zero I Love

If you've read this blog before, you may have heard me mention the number zero here and there. Without knowing where it comes from, you might have thought, "What's with this pesky Zero that Ashley keeps bringing up?"

Well, let me enlighten you...

A Zero is a person. But not just that. It's a state of mind, if you will. Let's call it the Zero factor.

To further explain this thought, let me introduce you to my Zero, the lovely Kendal. She is one of the most unique, crazy, loving, brilliant persons that I am pleased to be aquatinted with. We laugh at weird jokes (that we often produce ourselves), we skip down the street, we sing loudly and badly in public places and we spread the Zero love.

Here's what it takes to have the Zero Factor. Listen closely if you want to join the posse:

• you must not be afraid to make fun of yourself, in public or otherwise
• you must always put sincerity in front of popularity
• you must be able to stretch your mind beyond the box and past societal standards (Zeros were never made for square-shaped openings, anyway)
• "WHY?" is the most frequently asked question from a Zero
• you must have a love for all humanity; furthermore, Zeros have an insatiable zeal for life
• you must take each day and every situation with a smile
• you must love the art of cooking (and eating) food
• you must be a TRAVEL ADDICT

Frankly, there are not many people that I love and respect as much as my Zero. With her heart of pure gold and her true carpe diem outlook, she is one of the most original beings to walk this here earth, making it easy for me to call her a favorite thing ♥

Really old pic!!! We look like babies here! This was over 5 years ago ;)

I'm writing this post because she left today (for San Jose) and she will be gravely missed. Goodbyes are the hardest thing in life...I'm truly learning that. However, I'll use that quote we've heard so many times before: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

Zero, as one of my soul mates, I am so very overjoyed that you happened to me.

And in true Zero fashion, I'll close with some off-key singing:

"Why dance with a hero when you can dance with a Zero?" --Earth Girls Are Easy

This is Gross!

So I thought I would share... (click on picture to enlarge)


Via: OnlineSchools.org

Perfectly Acceptable Ashley

It's perfectly acceptable:

• to like my pizza cold the second day. Why hassle me about this? Leftover pizza is damn good served straight from the refrigerator. =)

• to leave the front door with no make-up on what-so-ever. No foundation, no blush, and no freakin' mascara. It's liberating. Don't get me wrong, I love me some make-up. But sometimes...you just gotta be free.

• to watch Kate & Leopold and pine over Hugh Jackman (version 1879). LOVE THAT MOVIE!

• to sing "Girl Put Your Records On" at the top of your lungs and relate FULLY to every lyric. Go ahead girls (and boys) put your records on and turn it UP :)

"Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down."

Ashley's Workout of the Day:

Step One: Turn on some Shakira, or any kind of Arabic or Turkish music.

Step Two: Watch these two ladies BREAK IT DOWN. Copy their moves.

Step Three: SHAKE THOSE HIPS. Way more fun than running, in my humble opinion.

Enjoy :)

P.S. Maybe I can take some authentic belly dancing classes in Turkey??? Excited!!

Conclusions, Inspired By This Week

I'm on my second cup of coffee today...weeeeeee!!!! And we all know that coffee brings out our highly intellectual side (smart people are always hanging around in coffee shops, right?). So here are the concluding thoughts to my week:

• I was brave for opening up to a guy for the first time in a long time...and when I say a long time, I mean years.
• I was braver for telling him to hit the road when he was trying to manipulate me into doing exactly what he wanted...jerk. face.
• I am PROUD of myself for making actual deadlines for a Turkey departure...think end of February, early March. NO LATER.
• All of these things combined have made this one super week in which I've realized my worth and uniqueness.
• Dancing around your room to "Dancing Queen" is a fantastic way to symbolically celebrate said worth and overall badass-ness.
• All failures in life encourage self-evaluation. This makes me welcome failures with open arms.
• Settling for someone else's demands is never an option. Don't even make it an option. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF.

Don't know why I had this much fun taking pictures with a tiny fuse bead heart :P

From the Mouth of a Gentleman

I had to link to this blog post, because I thoroughly agree with it.

Take note, men.

"...treat women like the queens that they are and maybe one day you'll be given one! Don't expect a queen if you don't walk like a king!"

Perfectly Acceptable Ashley

It's so very acceptable:

• to eat Oreos with my morning coffee. I don't really care that it's not a balanced breakfast. Nope. Plus, there are no words to describe the soggy perfection that result from dipping an Oreo into some hot java. PERFECTION.

• to STICK UP FOR MY BELIEFS even if that means losing a guy that I like. I WILL NOT SETTLE. Here's to all us bad ass chicks who know how demand R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

• to be a little sad, but hold onto the idea that this will shape me into the best Ashley I can be. Because "He will make everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11 <---my fave bible verse. Out of sadness comes beauty.

Uhhh...

...sorry to contradict the last post. But wait, it's not contradicting...it's just coming to a conclusion. Mr. HC and I are no longer dating. But this time it was a mutual decision.

I guess...sometimes it just doesn't work.

Still don't regret giving my heart one bit :)

TURKEY: FULL SPEED AHEAD.

The Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve Initiative

This post, once again, is inspired by Emily Jane, and recent events in my life.

About a month ago, I mentioned that I was dating Mr. Hot Chocolate. I am still dating said chocolate lover, but not without some ups and downs, mostly on my part. I think I must have tried to end it, oh...about 3 or 4 times; moreover, it was always over silly little things. I was trying to validate that running away is ok.

But my feelings never really wavered for Mr. HC. It was my mind playing tricks on me, my intense over-thinking nature. Because after the fourth time of "breaking it off," when it seemed like Mr. HC was not going to beg me to stay and had finally had enough, I realized that I missed him. And I wanted to be with him. It's funny the clarity that comes with a final goodbye.

And it hit me, I was DAMN tired of not trying for something just because it's too scary.

So I apologized to him, and expressed my feelings whole-heartedly (as inspired by Emily's post). And to my surprise, he said he was up for trying again.

Now, whether Mr. HC and I will go super far is not my concern. I'm still leaving for Turkey. However, dating Mr. HC is most definitely a lesson from God--that I need to live more, give second chances, ask for second chances and just participate in this whole human experience. This is my process...using less of my mind (which often traps me and keeps me in a safe little boring box) and using more of my heart (which is dying to really live!).

This, of course, is beyond dating. This all ties in with my Turkey plan. And so I've decided. I'm not waiting around for an answer, I'm going to demand an answer. In about a month and half, I'm going to fly to Turkey without an exact plan. I'm going to visit schools in person, and be a hustler! I'm going to follow more of my heart and see where that lands me.

And if it doesn't work, I'll come back to the U.S. with a knowing smile that I've tried and not just twiddled my thumbs dreaming for far away lands.

This, of course, is frightening to think about. But deep down I know that it is right. Choosing to live is always the right path.

2011, I think you are going to be very interesting!!!!

"The best way to predict the future is to create it." --Rev. Run

2011, And In With a Bang!

New Year's Eve was all about havin' a good, senseless, dressed-up to the nines, kind of time!

I don't wear heels that often (I'm not really a 'beauty is pain' kind of girl), but I welcomed that instant pump of sexiness on NYE.

My Zero and me. Why dance with a hero when you can dance with a Zero? (refer to Earth Girls Are Easy)

We all headed to a gay bar in the area for a good dose of dancing. I didn't expect to get hit on anyone there, but oh dear lord, I forgot about the bisexuals. The funniest part of the night was seeing a guy that was hitting on me earlier make out with a drag queen later in the night. Those boys are confused, ok? ha. We stayed until 12 to have a toast to the New Year, then realized we were dead tired and headed home to pass out. Being 25 means you start to become a grandma :)

My friend Bethany the "hood rat." haha.

The first day of 2011 entailed chillin.' Pure chillin.' We cruised the harbor in Bethany's convertible, had a delicious breakfast, walked along the shoreline, and perused the mall like true Americans.

Happy New Year everyone. 2011 is going to be the year of MORE. I'm convinced of it.