One More Chapter
A twenty two year-old's view on life, death,
and Taylor Swift conspiracy theories
and Taylor Swift conspiracy theories
1/12/2014 1 Comment Untitled ~ The Importance of TitlesI think that one of the hardest things one must do in life is to name something. Once you have given something a title, there is no going back. And the title holds so much importance and meaning - it can be a lot of pressure to put on one person. And books aren't the only thing that are titled. There is poetry, songs, schools, websites, places, products, even people! In politics a title can define a person's rank and power over others. It's safe to say that almost anything in the entire universe has a name. Literally. Even The Universe. But what I feel most people have to face most often in their lifetime is naming three things: Their work, their children, and themselves. 1. Your WorkEven if you don't consider yourself a writer or a singer or what have you, I'm sure everyone has experienced this title-related writer's block. Giving your paper, novel, song, etc. is a lot of pressure. It must define what the song means and is about while remaining short and simple. Let me tell you, it is hard to find a combination of one to five words that can sum up an entire story and contain identify the general audience, subject and lesson while also being clever an witty. I used to try and name the "books" I wrote (a.k.a. the ones I started and never finished) before I even wrote the story. THIS was a bad idea. I just sat there in front of the Typewriter or Computer and started at the blank page, hoping a title would come to me. No such luck. Soon I asked my dad how he came up with the titles to his stories and books and he told me that he wouldn't title his work until it was finished. That titles are almost always done last. It's rather ironic if you think about it. The thing that makes the first impression, is on the first page and begins your story/song/poem/etc. is the last to be written. Sometimes, if you're lucky, the title comes before the story. That is when you know you were fated to create whatever it is that has come to you. 2. Your ChildrenThis one is carries the greatest of consequences. So much is riding on what you name your child. So BE PREPARED. That baby will have to live it's WHOLE LIFE with the name you assign to it. Do think ahead, and consider his/her future with that name. I think we can all take away a lesson from Johnny Cash's song A Boy Named Sue here. I think that the best names are one of two kinds. They either have great meaning (while remaining uncruel) or they are unique but malleable. What I mean by this is that while the child's full name may be unique and beautiful to you, there is an easy way to manipulate it into a normal nickname the child can go by. For instance, I once was very good friends with a girl named Nickayla. Pretty right? I was so jealous of her name, but she wasn't a fan. So instead she simply went by Nicky. To anyone who didn't know better, her full name seemed to be the typical Nicole, and that's how she liked it. So start thinking now, because you don't want to be caught holding your newborn baby and completely unprepared for the doctor's unavoidable question, what are you going to name her? You might just find yourself shouting out Blue Ivy! 3. YourselfThere are actually many times that we are forced to define ourselves. And many opportunities to change how we are as well. There is the commonplace Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other social networks where you must create a "username". For me, I always seem to find myself logging on to create a profile for such websites, and somehow always forget that I must come up with one of these names. I try and think of something catchy and unique, but in the end I always fail and come up with the first thing I can think of under the pressure. Well, actually it's usually the third or fourth thing since my first few are always, somehow, already taken. I mean, how many other people are out there with the same name and birthday as me? I always feel the pressure of creating these names though, because it is how everyone else will find you when viewing your profile, "tagging" you, etc. But, as a writer I also must name myself. When I thought about writing a book, I wondered if I was going to publish it under my name or not. If I published it under my name and got it put in bookstores, then there could be complications. If a person I knew long ago happens upon my book and recognizes my name, then I would feel a lot of pressure to prove myself and show that I gone far and really done something with my life. What if they decide to read it and are extremely disappointed in my work. This would lead to an extremely awkward conversation if, by some strange chance, I was reintroduced to them later on. Now I understand that this is very unlikely to happen, and that I also shouldn't care what others think about my work, as long as I am proud of it. But still....freaky, right? I decided that if I published my book, I would do it under the pen name of Amanda Lucille instead of Amanda Keohane. This is mainly because I am working on a book that is paranormal romance and for a YA audience. Unfortunately I also have a dark side that loves gruesome horror novels, and if I were to write a book of that genre then I wouldn't want to do so under the same name. My father had to do something similar. That way, if I ever have an audience or a fan base, they won't jump onto Amazon, looking for other novels I have published (expecting a similar YA novel) and happen upon something very different. Though, while this would be helpful in this aspect, in the long shot perhaps it would be more beneficial to keep all my work under the same name. Like I said, it's a lot of pressure to name things, especially yourself. Luckily, these blog posts haven't deemed themselves too hard to title, especially today's. And as for children's names, I like Noah for a boy. Any guesses why? Thank you for reading today, Amanda Lucille (hey! that's the pen name I mentioned earlier!) Song of The Day:Skinny Love by Bon Iver
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1/11/2014 1 Comment Don't PanicThere is a list of things in this world that I could list for you that just completely baffle my mind. Things like Space, Religion and Time. These are just a few of the things that are simply too much for my mind to comprehend in the slightest. If you don't understand what I am say, let me elaborate. 1. SpaceSpace is literally the scariest thing in the universe. I mean how can something NEVER END? There must be something outside of that darkness. Sometimes I feel like past space is that endless white nothingness that you see in A Yellow Submarine or Spongebob. But if that was past space, then what would be past that? Nothing would be. Mind Blown. And there is a possibility that in other galaxies there are planets like earth with life forms more advanced than humans and may soon develop the technology to come to our planet and research our planet. It's far-fetched but it could happen. Boom. Scary. As. Hell. Done. 2. ReligionI'm going to tread lightly with this subject because I know everyone has different opinions and I don't want to upset anyone in anyway. What freaks me out about religion is the concept of God. I believe in him, but I have to try to not think about it because it is just too much for my tiny human brain to comprehend. How is it that he has always been and always will be? How is it that God is a he but not a man? How is he everywhere at all times? and able to listen to people one at a time but simultaneously? It's crazy! But it's just something you have to take and accept for it's nothing that we can prove, explain or understand. Which is horrifying. But also comforting. Which is horrifying. My mind hurts. 3. TimeTime is the scariest thing of all. We can't grasp it, it's only a concept yet it can take so much from us. Blink now. There, That second that you just took to blink is gone. There is no going back to it. In fact, what might be the scariest, is that each second that goes by - even as you read this post or as I write it- is another second that is gone from your life. Another second closer to the end of your life. Now, that is an extremely morbid way to thin about time, and I usually try to stay away from that kind of thinking because it could drive a person mad. But every now and then, when I am in a particularly pensive mood, I begin to think of such things and I am just completely freaked out. Another aspect of time that gives me the jitters is a bit more difficult to explain. I always feel like I look forward to, or anticipate a day/event/moment for so long (perhaps even months or years) then all of a sudden it's that day/event/moment and then all of a sudden it's over. Like high school or college. I had been looking forward to high school since probably 2nd grade. Six more years! I would tell myself. Then, five more years! and so on and so forth. Now I'm in college. How did that happen? I was looking forward to relishing in the days of high school and having them seem to last forever...and now it's over. Where does time go? In the great words of Andy Bernard: Thank you for reading! Amanda Lucille Song of the Day:I Had Me a Girl by The Civil Wars Have you ever had that feeling when you listen to a song where is feels like you are listening to it at the perfect moment in your life? It just happens to be exactly what you need to hear, and makes you feel like you are not alone in the way that you feel or like everything is going to be alright? It's a hard feeling to explain, that's not quite right, but as close to an explanation as I can muster. Though, I have a feeling that if you have experienced this feeling, you know what I'm trying to say. It's strange how much impact a simple string of words set to a tune can have on a person. For instance, when I listen to the song God's Will by Martina McBride I simply can't stop the tears. I'm not kidding, it's quite a sight to believe. The music video creates an even more hysteric reaction: And when I hear pretty much every Florence + The Machine Song I wish so badly that I was an incredible gymnast so that I could preform the choreography I create in my head...which will never happen. Especially when I hear the song Spectrum by her. I think that the songs that cause the biggest reaction in me, though, is country music. Now I'm not trying to say that all country music is deep and meaningful - nor am I saying that all of it isn't. What I feel is that most country (modern country) music isn't what I would consider "deep". In fact a majority of country music is about tearing up back roads in your truck and drinking beer. But whenever I listen to songs like My Kind of Night by Luke Bryan it makes me wish that it was summer and I was sitting by the campfire with my friends and wearing cowboy boots....which let's face it hardly ever happens, much to my dismay. Not only do I wish, as I discussed in a previous post, that I was born prior to the twentieth century, but I also have often wished (since that dream is unwaveringly impossible) that I lived on a farm in the south. My sister and I both share this wish. Luckily, I'm living a town that is as close to the country as one can get in central Massachusetts. I'm actually pretty sure that the cow and horse combined population would be greater than the humans living in my town. But I still never got to grow up on a farm, plowing fields, collecting the eggs and wearing red cowboy boots and flannels all year long. I have odd dreams in life... But, returning to the point, to make up for the fact that I did not grow up on a farm, we have Country Music. And, just like smells can remind us of a time or place (which is just so strange, right?) music can do the same. Sometimes I listen to Country Music more in the winter when I can't handle the cold weather anymore since it makes me picture frolicking through the fields in a white summer dress with the sun at that perfect level where everything seems made of gold. I saw that on a Carrie Underwood album once and always wished that it was what my life was like. ...unfortunately it's not...in fact, I'm pretty sure no one life is like that. Sadly. But even if the memories that a song conjures up are completely artificial, they are still a small comfort in times of need or a chance to pretend that your life really was like that. Thanks for reading! Leave a comment saying what songs remind you of memories, Amanda Lucille Song of The Day:Springsteen by Eric Church
1/9/2014 1 Comment The Exorcism Amanda LucilleSo for about the past year or so something rather strange has been happening when I find myself driving. Usually it happens when I am alone - but not always! My sister and Erika Wilson were with me for the craziest time! Basically, what I find happening is that street light will go out right as I drive past them...like all the time. Can you imagine my fright? There I am just driving peacefully along, humming to myself when all of a sudden: darkness. Let me tell you, it's enough to scare the pants right off of you. Now I, in the words of the great Michael Scott, am not a superstitious person, but I am a little stitious. One of the scariest moments was when I was driving up the on ramp to 190 with my sister, Audrey, and our friend, Erika. As I drove the car up the ramp three lights went off around us as we drove by. We submerged into total darkness besides the light that my head lights cast on the open highway. We stopped talking to look around us when the radio just shut off. It was complete static on every channel. We, naturally, began to freak out. Then, after what felt like a lifetime, the radio just started working again. It was one of the freakiest, unexplained occurrences of my life. Dad, if you are reading this, sorry I don't mean to freak you out. You see, if you lived with me when I was a child you would understand that I am the last person who you'd want to hear that this story is about. I was a freaky child. My dad was scared to watch the Exorcism for the longest time because he though that I looked just like Regan as a child. Plus I would sleepwalk a lot. One time my sister woke up to me leaning over her, reaching for her big Tigger doll. She said that I looked up and noticed that she was awake and placed my finger to my lips and said shhhh then crept back into bed and fell asleep instantly. That's messed up. I am so sorry to anyone that had to witness me sleepwalking because that's just messed up. Luckily I can say that I no longer sleepwalk so my roommate it safe. Oh and I also used to do this around my house: I'm not kidding. Once I learned how to do backbends at dance I would just walk around the house like that. My parents put an end to it fast though. It creeped them out way to much. Anyways, so now I find that a streetlight will go out when I drive by probably once every few weeks. I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but it still get get to you when you are driving on the road by yourself at night. Does anyone else find this happening to them? I hope so! Let me know in a comment below :) Thank you for reading, tomorrow's will be a little more cheery, Amanda Lucille Song of The Day:Seven Devils by Florence + The Machine I also have a bit of an obsession with Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine, so there is a large possibility that she will also be featured at the Song of The Day quite often. Plus, I felt that this was a very appropriate song for this entry. Today I got to go back to my old dance studio, Chickee's Dance World, for - what I feel is - the first time since leaving in July to go off to school. I have returned only two times before, but to help out with the special "party" that the studio puts on for the little ones around Halloween and around Christmas. Today, however, I returned as just a past student. No helping out, just observing the class of my old teammates and watching them practice and learn their new choreography for the 2014 competition season. First off: Wow. I love your contemporary dance, Team 1! If I could I would hop in an join you (I seriously wish this was possible). I know that you will blow the judges out of the water! Secondly; being back and watching the class as an outsider, was such a strange experience. One that made me rather nostalgic and missing my days back with Chickee, Nani and my Team 1 girls! And since I hadn't written my blog entry for today, I decided to dedicate it to my wonderful family at CDW. So listen up all you youngin's, 'cause if you want to graduate as Chickee's favorite (*ehem* it was me NOT Claire, as was so often debated ;D ) then follow these simple rules: Rule #1: Learn Your Manners!This one took me a little while to learn, but you catch on. Basically, ALWAYS say your hello's and goodbye's. Not only is it simple etiquette, but you will never make it onto Chickee's good side by just walking in and asking for something or going off about how awful your school day was. You need to say hello. Believe me, I learned this the hard way (which Chickee could definitely back up) I never would say hello, not even in emails, which would just lead to the reply of who is this? It's just easier on everyone to have at least this most basic of manners, and not only will Chickee appreciate, but the rest of society as well :) . Plus, once I mastered this rule, I even threw in a little how has your day been? for added effect! Rule #2: Shut Up Your Brain!Pretty sure that Chickee and EVERYONE else on my team would refer to me when in need of proof that this is necessary. My mind really liked to over think everything...and it was just a bad situation. I'm pretty sure i had to hear Chickee tell me to "shut up your brain" every few minutes in class. What you girls need to learn most of all it that when Nan or Chickee say to do something, yell out counts or explain a step, just do it. Stop over thinking or your mind will simply burst. It's true, I've seen it before. Rule #3: Point Your Feet if You Want to Compete!This is one that all dancers should know. And I feel like it's pretty self explanatory. Rule #4: Be One With Your Team!If there is one thing that just doesn't fly at Chickee's Dance World it's not respecting your teammates. The biggest thing that you learn is that one person can take a team down, So you need to have the decency to respect your teammates and make sure that you show up to every class (or as close to it as absolutely possible) and be ready to dance. If you come to dance but aren't mentally or physically ready to dance, then it's the same as not having come at all. And make sure that you learn to balance school and dance, because if you are slacking in the homework department or the grade department, it will take time away from dance and in turn effect your teammates, which is neither fair to you nor your teammates. So remember to do your homework and keep up in school and there shouldn't be any problems. Plus, Chickee will notice if you are making it to every class! Don't think she doesn't, and it will reflect positively on you! And not only are you responsible for coming to class, but you are responsible for when your other teammates aren't putting in 100%. You need to reach out and help bring them back to the place they should be when it is affecting the team, but remember to do so in a kind and respectful manner! Remember, we are family, get up everybody and sing. No, wait that's a The Pointer Sisters' quote. What I mean to say was, you aren't just a team - you are a family. And the more your really love each other the easier, more rewarding and overall better your dancing will be. .................even if we do kill each other a lot............ ;) ...........or seem to have some anger management issues........ I miss all my CDW girls and wish you good luck as you continue to train for your first regional competition! Oh, and Chickee - if you are reading this, I left my tea thermos in the dressing room...I'll be around to get it soon :) Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille Song of The Day:Love Don't Die by the Fray Can't believe I JUST learned of this song. It's pure magic. If you read my previous post about the Five Sources of Inspiration, then this title should make some sense to you. For those who haven't read my post here is the link to it: http://akeohaneproject365.weebly.com/1/post/2014/01/the-five-sources-of-inspiration.html Here is a quick run down of what I said in it. Basically I explain how there are Five basic places from which people can find inspiration: 1. People you know 2. People you don't know 3. People who aren't real 4. People who are famous and 5. Things that aren't people. So today I'd like to turn our focus to source #1. People we know In my previous post I mentioned my father and my two friends Erika and Victoria. But today I wanted to put aside a whole blog to another friend of mine; Alexandria Serafini. I wish I could say we are better friends than in actuality. We went to middle school together but then lost connection when we went to high school since I didn't go to the high school that most of the kids from my town went to and she did. Our interaction has been limited to the occasional message here and there on Facebook but if you're out there Alex - let's get together one of these days! Anyways, even though we aren't as close anymore she nonetheless never ceases to amaze me. She is did what I can currently only dream about - and at such a young age! She is currently a model in NYC who was signed in Boston at age 15 and is now signed down there in NY. She's living the dream, doing something she is passionate about and making it in an incredibly difficult industry coming out of our tiny New England hometown. I consider her one of my biggest inspirations hands down, I am hoping to have a future in the film industry or as a writer, neither of which is a very promising career choice, but I am determined. Sometimes I get down on myself and think, how could a small town girl from Princeton, Massachusetts possibly get into the big and scary world of New York and LA? How could I go from where I am now to walking the red carpet (which is on my bucket list)? But then I look at Alex. Hey girl, what's up! She made it, and I can too. She is an amazing motivation and a great way to lift me up when I am feeling down and defeated. You go girl! I hope that sometime in the near future I can say that I too was once just a small town girl but no longer. NY and LA, here I come! :) Plus, she has this awesome blog - which served as a great motivation for me to start this blog! Check it out at this link: http://alexandriafini.com/ So Alex, if you're reading this hon, I know I've said it before and I just wanna say again - Thanks for being freaking awesome. You have been, are, and will continue to be amazing and a huge inspiration to me and other girls out there who have big dreams and want to follow their passions. I hope you know how amazing you are! We should get together next time I'm in NYC or your in Mass, sometime soon! XOXO Song of the DaySara by Ed Sheeran What did I tell you? it's sort of an obsession... Enjoy the song! (makes me want to cry because it's so sweet...)
Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille 1/6/2014 2 Comments Writer's BlockThis morning I woke up and sat at the breakfast counter at my father's house, a cup of hot tea in hand and my computer open to a blank page, all ready to write a revolutionary blog post for that day, free of run on sentences like this one. I poised my fingers over the key board and....nothing. I had no idea what to write about. I usually have a couple ideas on the little sticky notes that you can "stick" to your desktop for emergencies like this, but suddenly they all seemed like horrible ideas. What had I been thinking when I wrote down those ideas?! They were crap, and I had nothing else. So rather than sitting there, accomplishing nothing and driving myself crazy I closed my computer and got ready for the day ahead of me. I had to run some errands and decided that I would do that first and hopefully something would come to me or something would happen to inspire a subject for this blog post. Little did I know that I would end up writing about not being able to write about anything - but that is beside the point. Lucky for me, when I am driving in the car by myself all I do is think of things that I can write about...it's a wonder I've never noticed it before. It's probably because I have the memory of a goldfish (can you imagine how bad it will be as I get older?) and I think of all these interesting things while I'm driving, but the second I get out to wherever I was going I immediately forget that I was even thinking at all and focus my thoughts on whatever it was that brought me to wherever I was going. Still with me? Anyways, so there I am: driving on the highway, music blasting (though what's ironic is that the music I blast is usually slow and beautiful, but I blast it anyways), and mind wandering when the ideas just bombard me. When my min wanders there is no holding back. I jump from one thought to another before I can develop the first one - or even remember it. At first i just let these thought flutter around in my mind since it's just what my mind does and it didn't draw my attention. But eventually my thoughts wandered their way over to this blog and my worries about how to handle this morning's case of writer's block. Then I realized I was being an idiot. My mind was handing out ideas of what to write about like it was candy and I hadn't even noticed. After that, every time that my mind wandered to something that was actually worth writing about I recorded it. I made a bunch of voice memos, then translated them to the notebook app on my ipod once I had come to a stop. By the time I had finished my errands I had a lengthy list of topics (well, a list of random words that no one would understand but me, but you get the point) of which to write about in future blogs. Now my sticky notes are filled with some exciting things I can't wait to write about! So where does this all lead to, you ask?Well... If you ever find yourself in the horrible situation of running into a case of writer's block think to yourself, when does my mind wander? Does it wander when you are driving like me? Then go for a drive. Does is wander when you brush your teeth? Go brush your teeth. You'll kill two birds with one stone; clean teeth and conquering writer's block. Does it wander when you walk blindfolded down the interstate?...well, best you don't do that anymore... Whatever the case may be, the first step in conquering your blockage is to walk away. Don't think about the fact that you can't think of anything or all you'll do is think about not be able to think about anything. And, dear God, don't ever think about not thinking about not being able to think of anything or that's all you'll be able to think about....get it? Sorry, to sum it all up: just let your mind go blank. Don't try to force it to go anywhere, let it bring you there itself. or buy one of these kits: Oh, and on another note. While I was thinking in the car of all these ideas, a really great song came on and I thought to myself, I should do a "song of the day" on my blog posts. So here it is: Song of the Day:Give Me Love by Ed SheeranThis is by far my favorite song. Ever. please enjoy and leave a comment saying how you like it :)
And just a headf up - most of the Song of the Day's will be by Ed Sheeran...I suffer from a bit of an obsession.. Thank you for reading! Have a great rest of the day, Amanda Lucille I find that one of the most difficult things in life to face is unmet expecpectations. Over time I have, reluctantly, come to terms with the fact that this is how most expectations play out and that it is best to just rid ourselves of expectations all together if you want to avoid dissapointment. Unfortunately this is pretty much impossible, and life just doesn't work that way. And without expectations we wouldn't get to experience that elation we feel whenever our expectations are met - or even better, exceeded. Personally, my whole life I have had a problem with expectations. I have way too many and they are way too high. Especially when it comes to two things: Christmas and Romances. They are completely random and unrelated, but just here me out. ChristmasThe end of Thanksgiving brings about the inevitable beginnings of the pre-Christmas jitters (or, if your like me - two or three weeks before Thanksgiving). We begin to get that Christmas spirit when we walk into stores and see the holiday decor and promotions all around us and the TV starts playing Christmas-themed advertisements. Soon everyone is aglow with the happiness of imagining how wonderful this Christmas season will be. We imagine how great it will be. A time full of baking gingerbread men, spending snowdays with the family building snowmen and igloos, and curling up next to a fire at the end of the night with some hot chocolate or eggnogg. Somehow this always seems to appealing and festive, even if we really hate eggnogg. We get the feeling that this Christmas will be the best ever and look forward to taking it all in and really appreciating how wonderful it is. Then it's over. And that's it. We spend so much time looking forward to how great it will be we aren't ready when it sneaks up on us and all of a sudden it's Christmas Eve, you still have half your presents to buy, the snow is a pain in the ass instead of a wonderland like the songs tell you, and you have yet to make a single cookie. Now Christmas is a hectic battle to get everything done and find decent parking spots at the over-crowded malls. Then it's over and you realize that Christmas is just another day of the year. There isn't actually magic in the air and it's over before we know it. It will never match the heightened expectations that the movies, stories and songs instill in us. And somehow we forget it all and start over with the expectations the next Thanksgiving. You'd think we would have learned by now. RomancesThis is my downfall. For my girls out there who love a good Nicholas Sparks novel and night filled with Rom Coms and chocolate you will understand this. We tend to have heightened expectations of someday falling in love with a mysterious yet intriguing man who puts his entire life aside in order to pursue his love for us, maybe even one who will cook us dinner and dessert. What's disappointing is that this man doesn't seem to exist. At least not that I've noticed - but please, if you know of one that fits the Nicholas Sparks criteria inform me immediately. What's the most disappointing, though, is that even though I am fully aware I won't find what I'm looking for, I still can't get rid of my unrealistic hopes and dreams of falling into this epic romance that's both book and movie adaptation worthy. But, hey, everyone can dream. It leads to good stories. But don't worry, there is someone out there for all of us. I am confident of this. They just come with a few more flaws than the fictitious ones. But they're better; they're real.
Have a great night, Amanda Lucille Don't be frightened away by the title of this post, there is really a quite simple explanation. You see, I have found myself in a bit of a pickle lately. I am following this strict diet which limits me to only eating a very mininal range of ingredients. I mainly only ever eat fruits, veggies, dairy and oats/granolas as long as their gluten-free. Oh and let's not forget chocolate. I tried at one point to cut out chocolate from my diet as the finishing step to being really healthy...yeah, not so much. Let's just say: I wasn't a fan. I, and my entire family (exluding my alien brother), are complete chocoholics. We need it or we might die. Literally. So anyways, back to the point. I was living life eating the same thing everyday: granola for breakfast and some sort of vegetable saute/wrap/soup for dinner, with the occasional meat or seafood thrown into the mix and an apple with some PB for dessert. Oh, and potatoes. I love me some oven roasted potatoes. But I was sick of the monotonous and repetitive eating routine. Until I discovered Chocolate Covered Katie, the food blog that changed it all. Not only was her blog chock full of amazing and mouth-watering recipes (mainly desserts, breakfast food and baked items like breads and such) but almost all of her creations were meant to be healthy alternatives! It was love at first site. I got the recipe for my birthday cake from her blog (which were technically birthday brownies) and my mother and I loved them! Most of her posts are really simple and easy to make and consist of things that people generally keep around their house all the time. And just to top it all off, almost all the recipes are gluten-free or consist of gluten-free substitutions! Plus I found this killer, healthy baked oatmeal recipe that will definitely change up the breakfast routine every now and then. http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/08/09/basic-chocolate-oatmeal/ If you haven't seen the blog, definitely do! Just beware - don't check it out on an empty stomach, you might drool all over the screen!
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/ I believe wholeheartedly that in order to do anything in life you need to have inspiration. Perhaps you are someone who inspires yourself or perhaps you find inspiration in outside sources. For me, I look outwards to find my inspiration. In my life I have come to realize that these sources of inspiration come from one of five basic groups, at least for me anyways: 1. People you know 2. People you don't know 3. People who aren't real 4. People who are famous 5. Things That Aren't People See? Simple. Now let's expand. 1. People You KnowThis is the category that leads to all those sappy college essays about how much someone's mother, father or sibling has "inspired" them and "helped them become the person I am today". And while, yes, it is extremely cliche, it's still true. Many people - including myself - find inspiration in the people around them. This category includes all the people we know: friends, family, and loved ones. Honestly, I could find a reason in each of the people in my life as to why they inspire me, but here are a few good examples... My father was able to maintain a job that could support his family while also following his dreams and becoming an author, something I admire very much, My good friend, Erika Wilson, traveled to Denmark for a year during her junior year of high school where she learned a foreign language, immersed herself in a new culture and did so many amazing things - jealous! I want to be able to do something at least half as amazing as that before I die. One of my best friends, Victoria Carrier, is a huge inspiration. Most people don't know the struggles that she is living with, and I honestly forget sometimes myself because she is hardly ever let's it show. She is so strong and a true fighter and I hope she knows that. There are so many other people in my life that I feel inspired by: my mother, my brother, and all of my friends, but we should probably move on to the next category... 2. People You Don't KnowThis category is reserved for those people who inspire you, but you don't know on a personal level. Including small town heroes, non-famous authors/singers/artists/etc. You know, the type of people Ellen would bring on her talk show or who would be eligible for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. For instance... This boy makes my heart melt the second he opens his mouth. I love Ellen because she reminds us of all the goodness in the world and lets us take an hour to turn away from all the negativity. I was a dancer for most of my life up until I graduated high school and this man is truly an inspiration to me. I mean, imagine how many pounds he could press! The sad part is that there is significantly less choices in this category, we could really use some more inspiration out there! Let's get to work changing that! 3. People Who Aren't RealThis category is near and dear to my heart, but makes me severely depressed at times. Mainly because the people in this category are fictional, and I really wish it wasn't so. I am an avid book reader and so the list of people in this category is rather lengthy...I find that I am inspired by almost every protagonist I read about - sometimes even the antagonists. Here are a few good examples of people I am inspired by / want to become (this is a very thin line). The ones who inspire me because they are so badass and i wish my life allowed me to be that cool: Katniss Everdeen - I still have hopes that I might one day be as good with a bow and arrow as she is so that when the Zombie Apocalypse ensues I'll be the coolest girl in town ;) Rose Hathaway of the Vampire Academy series, written by Richelle Mead, (the movie comes out February 14th). Unfortunately all hope of being as powerful and inspiring as Rose is lost because she has the unfair advantage of being half-vampire and half-human and therefore she is faster, stronger and living a more badass life than I ever will. The ones who inspire me for being amazing: Jamie from A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. To be honest, every Nicholas Sparks character holds a very special place in my heart but she inspires me the most for so many reasons: her devotion to her religion, her strength to stay true to herself and many other reasons. Trust me, the more you read; the more inspiration you find. And you also begin to realize how mediocre and unfulfilling your life seems compared to a life of slaying evil, blood-thirsty vampires like an even cooler version of a CIA agent. But, hey, you work with what you've got. oh, and I can't forget - Pocahontas! (the Disney character, which I realize is not actually accurate at all) She is my spirit animal. Her strength, gentleness and beauty is all the inspiration a person could need. 4. People Who are FamousOk, here is where it get's a little out of hand. There are just so many celebrities who are doing so many great things for so many great charities and non-profits. And there are others who are famous for doing great things - for instance: political figures or historical figures. There are many reasons to look up to celebrities and I think that I can give you three really great reasons to be inspired by my three favorite celebrities. First up, you guessed it, Ellen Degeneres! She is truly an inspiration for so many reasons. She is always true to herself, she is hysterical, she truly loves what she does and it shows, she loves animals :), and she does so much to help those in need. She also brings real people onto her shows not just celebrities, which I love. Next, Jennifer Lawrence. Who doesn't love her?! She is pure magic and I feel like we would easily become best friends if we ever got a chance to meet. Also she is one of the most down-to-earth celebrities out there (along with Ellen and the next celebrity to make the list). She has no filter and doesn't care what anyone thinks about her. Plus she speaks out strongly against people who comment on other people's body. She doesn't put up with anyone calling anyone fat and loves to eat food. And I like that. Finally, not to be forgotten: Ed Sheeran Let's just say that I'd marry this man in a heartbeat (Ed, if you're out there, let's grab tea sometime - i'm not a big coffee person) First of all, his songs make my heart break because they are so beautiful. I have literally cried while playing his CD in the car.... Second, he is inspiring because he is a prime example of a celebrity who doesn't let the fame and money go to his head or change him. In many interviews he has said that he hasn't actually spent any of his money on expensive things. He keeps it in savings for the day that he has a family to support and has faded out of the spotlight. He doesn't want his future family/children to have to worry about pay bills or affording college. I only hope I am that modest when I inevitably become extremely famous one day (haha...I can dream...), plus - he's a ginger! oh, and I almost forgot - the man who inspired me to follow my passion for film and do what makes me the happiest: Micheal Night Shyamalan. Hey thanks for that! 5. Things That Aren't PeopleWe have arrived at our last category of inspiration. Here you can find all the things in this world that can inspire you that aren't people. There is nature, animals, songs, movies, etc. For me, New England in the fall is a beauty all should witness before they die and I am so blessed that I was able to grow up here. Seeing all the leaves change color and experiencing the perfectness of October - pumkin flavored everything, apple picking, sweaters and scarves - is enough to inspire a whole book of poems and an art gallery filled to the brim. and of course; my greatest source of inspiration.... So how about you? What inspires you from which category?
Leave a comment and let me know! Thanks for stopping by, Amanda Lucille |
About This Blog:I started this blog as a way to challenge myself to write more over the 2014 year, but it has blossomed into so much more than that. I use it to let people in on what's happening in my life, talk about things I find important and to spread the news about amazing people, places and art. Archives
November 2017
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