5.27.2014

Navigating Hallways (a Post on Sadness)

I believe I am turning a small but significant corner. 

The worst part about sadness--or, dare we say depression--is that life looks like one long, taupe-colored hallway that leads to nothing. Everyday seems like the same boring occurrence. In this state of mind, life unfortunately starts to lose its meaning. It matters not if you're religious or atheist, a go-getter or a homebody--depression can affect everyone.

Once I figured out there are sneaky corners to turn into off the proverbial hallway, I started to see said hallway for what it was: something I needed to get through, but not my ultimate destination. Hallways are uninteresting passageways. They are not particularly enjoyable. They hardly ever contain art, music, or even life; however, they are connectors to the place you are trying to get to. I'm not even sure hallways have a meaning. I don't think we were "meant to have sad times in life" more so than sad times inevitably happen, and the way we choose to navigate the sadness is where the meaning is found. 

In my hallway I've chosen to accept, trudge forward, turn the corner, and eventually find the room I'm meant to get to. And let me tell you, the most important step out of all these things is acceptance. I've accepted that this has been a rough period in my life and simply, I cannot be happy all the time. A quote from a great book

"If you're miserable, there's nothing really wrong with that, but if you're hating being miserable, then it's hell. If you're miserable and not hating it, you'll probably move through it pretty quickly. Experiences do move along quickly when we're present and not resisting." 

The book goes on to say we need to be compassionate toward ourselves during these times of misery. Accept that you are feeling sad, but don't hate yourself for feeling that way. 

Going back to the hallway, the corner I've turned is the result of a couple changes I've made. If they pan out, I'll talk more about them later--watch this space! I'm still wandering the hallway, but feeling a little less lost. I think I've finally figured out that I don't have to figure it all out. Somedays are just made for being. We're not always supposed to know what the future holds, but rather remain in the present, content with not knowing. There's something a little freeing in that. 


5.22.2014

Traveler Tips for Vienna?

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In two months, I'll be hopping on a flight to London for graduation. Since I'll be around for two weeks, I know a side trip (or two) is in order. Vienna, Austria is one of the desired stops. Instead of racking through travel books, I wanted to ask the blogosphere instead: what are your travel tips for Vienna? What side trips should I take from Vienna while I'm there? Lay it on me, internet. 

5.15.2014

Finding Peace in the Midst of Fire

You'd never know by this picture that a good portion of San Diego was on fire this day (although you can see a bit of smoky haze in the distance).

It may be a little reminder that we can always find mental solitude in the midst of the fire. Where it's a chaotic schedule, negative thoughts, tragedies, or a series of unfortunate events causing fires in your life, I hope you are able to find solace some how, some way.

It was nice to stop time for just a little bit by walking on the beach, taking in the misty sea spray, and forgetting for an instant about those raging fires.

P.S. San Diego is doing better, by the way. Fires can always be put out, no matter how destructive and huge they seem. 

5.12.2014

Perfectly Acceptable Ashley

It's acceptable:


  • to decide that from now on "chicken breasts" will now be dubbed "chicken titties." (Got this one from a brilliant friend, and I'm paying it forward). 



  • to eat a generous helping of waffles whilst watching the Moulin Rouge, and deem this a productive Saturday!!! (indeed!!) 
    via

  • to be charming enough to convince the bartender to give you a free "tatser" of hard alcohol. Taster = almost shot. Heck yeah!

5.07.2014

A Three-Sentence Movie Review

What Maise Knew

Heart wrenching and infuriating. I love that the movie is from the perspective of a 6-year-old, who is a mighty fine little actress, by the way! You will feel the intense sadness and helplessness that Maise feels, which is all the feels.












Celeste and Jesse Forever

Ooooo...this was an interesting one! A divorce story full of heartbreak, honesty, and love; however, not quite up to par with the likes of (500) Days of Summer. Still, there's something definitely worth watching here and you leave the film knowing the outcome was fitting.









Noah

This was really, really bad--DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. I don't mind that they changed the story; I do mind that it absolutely and positively sucked balls. I was praying for the flood to take me so I wouldn't have to sit through much more of this travesty of a film!







The Iron Lady

I firsthand saw the love/hate relationship the U.K. has with Margaret Thatcher. All I can say is that this movie does a good job of shedding a light on a life widely gossiped about, impeccably played by Meryl Streep. I give it to Margaret for climbing high on the ladder in a man's world; the movie makes you at least applaud her for that.







Photo Credits: 1/2/3/4


5.05.2014

Shattering Those Stereotypes (Don't Be a Dumb American)

I went to a soccer game in Tijuana about a month ago. I forgot to blog about it then, but there is a LOT to say about perceptions of Tijuana by Americans. 

Most people I told about the game said, "OH NO, you shouldn't go! It's unsafe! You might get kidnapped. YOU MIGHT DIE!" Man, it escalates quickly, doesn't it? 

It's really a load of crap. Every time I go to Mexico, I encounter a country of people that are warm, welcoming and charming. Yes, even in TJ. I'm not unaware of Mexico's problems--corrupt government, drugs, major crimes, cartels, etc. But last time I checked, the States can claim some of those same issues. 



As for that night and the game, I had a BLAST. Tijuana is not ritzy, but it's contagiously lively. I cringed at the fried pig skin being sold, I high-fived the old, energetic man behind me with an impressive moustache, I drank cheap beer, and I chanted non-repeatable soccer insults that were apparently the norm for an average Tuesday night game. There are quite a few 'Mericans I would love to send to a Mexican soccer game; maybe they can un-learn being a jackass and learn a thing or two from a different culture. 



As citizens of the world, we should make sure we're not being brainwashed by a sensationalized media (where did the journalism go?) and subsequently insulting an entire country with insensitive remarks that lack support. You show me a city without dangers, and I'll give you a gold star for finding utopia. I just try to be careful in whatever city I'm traveling in, whether it's London, Barcelona or Tijuana. Let's not paint Mexico as a "dangerous, horrible" place without ever stepping foot in it (my biggest pet peeve).