True Words

you're not scared of the dark,

you're scared of what's in it

you're not afraid of heights,

you're afraid of falling

you're not afraid to love,

you're just afraid of not being loved back

and you're not afraid to try again,

you're just afraid of getting hurt for the same reason

My broken heart

I came across this lovely post on another blog that I follow. It spoke to me and gave me some hope...

" every time i hear that someone is going through a breakup i want to give them a huge hug. strangers, classmates, that crazy man on the bus, celebrities, best friends. all of them.

i want to give them a big hug & tell them it will be okay, that their hearts will smile again.

but i know how hard it is to believe that. i know what it is like to feel absolutely left out in the cold. i know that you have to take it one day at a time & i know that sometimes you just have to cry.

but i also know that the sun does come back. that you will get butterflies over new boys. that you will be giddy about a new first date. (and that on that date, you will not think of your past love. not one bit.) that one morning you will wake up genuinely happy about what's ahead. that you will find love again. that your heart does heal- that your wings just get stronger. that you come out on the other side a smarter, happier girl. that you will find yourself not wanting to change any of it for the world- because it helped you get to the you you are today.

that even when you think you have a better idea about what you want in life, you don't. that there are extraordinary things waiting for you. that you have no clue what God has in store for you & that things must fall apart, twist & turn to lead you to the exact place you are meant to be. with the exact person you are meant to be with.

i promise.

xoxoxoxo. "

Thank you Anna. I really needed this today.

I needed this reminder today...

1. At least 5 people in this world love you so much that they’d die for you.
2. At least 20 people in this world love you in some way.
3. Every night, someone thinks about you before they go to sleep.
4. You mean the world to someone.
5. Someone that you don’t even know exists; loves you.

-The Notebook

A lovely little love letter

I got this beautiful love letter in the mail yesterday-from my Chelsea girl! She is in Brazil for another 13 months, and I am counting down the days till she gets back... I miss her every single day.

She writes, "Cici! Tis a beautiful day to celebrate love! So here are a few of the billions of reasons why I love you sister!"

This letter basically made my day, thank you sister.

Another cold rainy day in Alaska

On freezing cold, rainy, dreary days like today... I can't help but reminisce about my happy, warm, sunny life in Hawaii. Oh how I miss it.

I miss beach days with two of my most favorite girls -Yesenia and Chelsea!
Non stop giggles, coconut oil and maui babe, hand stand contests in the ocean, dancing and twirling in the aqua blue waters, photo shoots galore, sun kissed-Vit D skin, taking off our suits and going skinny dipping, playing beached whale, feet covered in warm sparkling white sand, sun tanning under hot sunny skies, playing in the warm tropical breeze... aaahhh bliss.

You are my sunshine

My niece Natalie makes my world a brighter place...

Today I went and picked her up to bring her over to play. When I got to her house the first thing she asked me was, "Are you still sick??" (I was pretty sick with strep throat for the past couple days). I said, "Not any more, I'm all better now." To which she replied, "Oh good! Now we can kiss!"

On the car ride over to Grandma's house we were talking. I told her that Adam left this morning for two weeks and I missed him. She said, "It's okay, I'm still here... I'll be your best friend."

At Grandma's house she told Chelsea, "I feel like I want to keep you guys forever..."

And my most favorite thing she always says to me, "You're my best friend-it's just you and me forever and ever"

Ooooh I just love that little girl!

www.cardboardlove.com

I found this happy website the other day. This guy writes beautiful little love messages on pieces of cardboard to his girlfriend. The website is nothing but love note, after love note... how sweet is that??

I picked out a few of my favorites...

Someday...

This is the most hopeful, happy thing I've read all week!

My Mom

This is my mom. She's the greatest. She is eternally happy and optimistic. She is the most generous and caring person I know. She gives so much of her time and energy to others. She is so understanding and supportive. She has always been there for me, through the good and bad. She makes my world a better place. She truly is the glue that holds our family together. I love my mom with all my heart, I honestly don't know where'd I'd be without her in my life. Happy Mother's Day mom, see you in three weeks.

Love. Bliss. Happiness.

Isn't this just the most beautiful photo you've ever seen??

The. Sweetest. Words. Ever.

Happy Birthday Chelsea

It's sister's birthday, she is 21 today.

Today I want to celebrate Chelsea.

I can't even begin to describe her.

She is my roommate and my best friend.

She knows me in and out and can read me like a book.

She makes me happy when I'm down, she cheers me up when I have a frown.

I don't know what I would do without this crazy sister of mine??

She makes my world a brighter, better place... and I can't imagine my life without her in it.

She is there for me when no one else is and when I feel like the world has shut me out.

She supports me, encourages me and most importantly, she makes me smile.

She's always up for any adventure, we always have such a good time.

Happiness, laughter and sunshine follow this sister of mine.

Whenever she's around her, it's always a good time.

She always has a smile on her face, a friend to everyone she meets.

She's a lover of life and is always so positive and happy.

She is so thoughtful, caring and genuinely concerned about those around her.

She makes me dinner after a long day at work.

She lets me use her MacBook anytime I feel like it, and she only minds a little bit when I don't sign out of my accounts.

She will go to sleep with the lamp on so that I have light to read my book.

She shares her sheets with me so I won't wake up in the middle of the night thinking there's a coachroach in my bed (inside joke/story).

She finds me beach glass when she goes for her runs on the beach.

She surprises me by buying my favorite coconut M&Ms and brings them home to me with a huge smile on her face.

She will buy the vanilla flavored almond milk over the regular almond milk because she knows I prefer it.

She gives me really good music and helps me put it on my ipod.

She lets me sleep with the fan on at night, even when she wants it off.

She loves me unconditionally, even when sometimes I don't deserve it.

If I could be just half the person that she is... I'd be happy.

She truly is so amazing and enriches my life every single day, in the smallest of ways.

I'm so lucky to have her in my life.

Thank you so much for everything you do for me and being a part of my life.

I love you so much Chels, I hope you have a really good birthday.

I miss my beach buddy

This little girl is always up for joining me on any adventure. Our favorite place to go play is on the beach, we have so much fun together! We love to run around and get all sandy and silly. We love collecting things; beach glass, seagull feathers, pretty rocks and shells. We're both happiest on the beach, seriously how can you not have fun on the beach?? We've had so many fun beach days together and I can't wait to have hundreds more when I go home to Alaska this summer. I love you and miss you my Natalie girl.

Getting all sandy.

Taking off our shoes and walking barefoot in the sand.

Drawing hearts in the sand.

Racing each other down the beach.

Finding pretty shells and rocks.

Piggy back rides when she gets tired from playing so hard.

Basking in the sunshine together.

Holding hands.

Saving the purple starfish at "starfish beach"

Cuddling when it gets windy and chilly.

Loving each other and our many beach adventures.

The Simple Things

Sometimes it's the simplest things in life that put a smile on your face.

My latest favorite, Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut.... it's like Christmas in a cup.

And how can you not love the happy little life reminders on every tea bag?!

A morning surprise

I woke up this morning to this text message:

"Are you awake yet?

It's like 10am!

Come downstairs asap.

I have a BIG surprise for you!"

So I got up and went downstairs and found this deliciousness on the kitchen table waiting for me...

Chelsea surprised me and made my favorite treat from Kava Roots... Acai Bowl!

It was so good, what a good sister I have!

My Everything

This little girl is my everything. I love her so much. My life just wouldn't be the same without her. I wish I could smother her in hugs and kisses everyday. She's makes me so ridiculously happy. I can't wait to be with her this summer and have so many sleepovers and movie nights. Oh how I miss my Natalie girl.

Two Words

Coconut M&Ms....

... they will change your life.

Loving Mother Nature

Heart-Shaped Forest

This beautifully shaped forest can be found in Cantabria, Northern Spain.

Heart-Shaped Island

A beautiful heart-shaped, tree covered island can be found in Patagonia, Argentina.

Heart-Shaped Wetland

This heart-shaped wetland can be found in Guandu Nature Park in Taipei City.

Heart-Shaped Paradise

Tavarua Island is a stunning heart-shaped island paradise just off the coast of Viti Levu.

Heart-Shaped Island

This beautifully shaped island can be found just south of Zadar in Croatia, called Galesnjak.

Heart-Shaped Mangrove

Probably the most well-known heart-shaped piece of land is this incredible mangrove in New Caledonia, made famous by aerial photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand and featured on the front cover of his book, 'Earth From Above'. (I saw his exhibition while I was in New Zealand in 2007... amazing!).

Heart-Shaped Reef

Heart Reef is a naturally formed, heart-shaped collection of coral in Australia.

February 14th, 2010

(photo credits)

I am currently accepting applications for my Valentine.

And the good news... I've decided to waive the application fee this year!