Here's What's Happenin'

Hello loves!

In the 5 months of 2016, I have written 2 posts (not including this one, which technically makes it 3). Pathetic, I know. I'm sure writers everywhere are scoffing at the lack of dedication.

With summer just around the corner for this educator, I fully see myself writing more posts here on Certainly Candid. I won't, however, make any empty promises. I am working on a novel project. While not "top-secret" by any means, I will share some teasers in the upcoming months. I am excited to announce that I am almost done with my proposals for it, in which case I will be shipping them off to various literary agencies with the hope for them to be passed along to publishing companies.

Showing Me By Just Existing

I'd believe in anything, were it not for you. Showing me by just existing, only this is true. -Elton John

I have been doing my spring cleaning belatedly. While organizing my movie collection, I stumbled upon the old film I used to love: the animated El Dorado from DreamWorks Pictures. Dusting off the case, I couldn't help popping it in, watching it in the background as I continued my much overdo apartment overhaul.

Can Music Save Your Mortal Soul?

Now do you believe in rock and roll, can music save your mortal soul, and can you teach me how to dance real slow? - Don McLean

I was recently at Barnes & Noble (yes, I know, big shocker there) and thanks to my current nonfiction reading interest, I picked up a new title: This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of A Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin. I am just starting it (book review to come in a few weeks), but it is making me reflect on my own musical upbringing. I figured, what a unique and different topic for Certainly Candid! So here I am writing to you today. As I know I have many musically inclined readers out there as well, I present my own background:

A Case Study, or, Can Music Save Your Mortal Soul?

Music has always been a big part of my life. While I played many instruments, piano has always been my first love since I started private lessons at the age of seven. It is a versatile instrument that can shine as a solo or accompany others. In high school, I would spend my study hall time down in the music department. I knew which practice rooms held the pianos that were out of tune, or had sticky keys, or the coveted new replacements for ones that had finally broken down. Nine times out of ten, I could be found in front of the black and white keys with my sheet music.

It did not matter what I played. It often depended on my mood. Sometimes it would be the rigorous classical pieces my piano instructor had assigned. Sometimes it would be jazzy Broadway tunes. If I was in a contemplative mood, it would often be Lorie Line arrangements.

dandelion wishes and escalator rides

 It's time for another favorites post. What are some of yours?

dewy autumn mornings

dandelion wishes

warm mittens

the idea of the healing power of turquoise

ancient Norse mythology

antique stores and their hidden stories

Serendipity

serendipity (noun): an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident

I am firmly convinced that every child loves to dig for treasures in the dirt. I was no exception.

Living in the countryside provided plenty of ample opportunities to treasure hunt. With my friends, I would scour the long shelter belts around our property, looking for things that could be considered to be of value. Our various hangouts around the property never gave any indication of having hidden treasures, but it was always fun to imagine.

Stitch Fix

Yes, I know today's post is a little out of the norm of what I usually write. I'm classifying fashion as a cultural post, okay?

For those of you unfamiliar with Stitch Fix, it is an online styling service that sends you clothing and accessory items at times you schedule. Here's how it works:

1. You sign up and fill out their style profile. This includes everything from your sizing, to what you can afford to spend, to personal preferences regarding your fashion taste.
2. Based on your preferences, a stylist at Stitch Fix assembles a kit of five items that are sent to you. It's a surprise, so that's what makes it fun.
3. Once you receive your Fix, you try everything on, keep what you like, and send back anything you don't like. You confirm payment online and send a note to your stylist about the quality of your Fix and what you'd like to see change for future Fixes.

Easy. You don't pay for anything upfront - yes, you enter payment information upon signing up, but you don't actually pay until you decide what (if anything) to keep.

So, without further ado, I present my Stitch Fix items.

1. 41Hawthorn | Bryan Short-Sleeve Open-Front Cardigan

This is a basic layering piece. While I have similar items, I don't have anything like it in white. White is a good neutral, so I'm looking forward to wearing this over many different casual tops.

Cowboy Boots vs. Vans Sneakers

It is a life post again, fellow bloggers! Today's post has an education focus, because I'm a teacher who is currently having teaching withdrawals. I hope you aren't getting too bored of my ramblings about nerds and Zumba class. Never fear though, for today is about neither! Today I am going to write about [wait for it]...

...shoes!

Now just hear me out. I swear this is not some materialistic post about shoe shopping. If I'm being completely honest, I dislike shopping for shoes. I have difficulty finding anything comfy, or cute, or that actually fits my feet without giving me blisters.

One Zumba dance step at a time...

Since I am still working on my culture posts, I am once again going to write about my life. Today's post will focus on what it means to accept help and how it affects our (perceived) independence.

Since setting up a story-telling format is the easiest way to present personal anecdotes without confusing the content of the blog, I once again present a case study:

A Case Study, or Why I'm Taking Zumba Classes

I like to think that I'm a helpful person. If someone I know is going through a rough patch, I will take them out for coffee and listen to what is going on in their life. If a friend of mine is moving to a new housing residence, I will clear my weekend to help them move boxes. If a colleague is struggling with how to use the copier at the office, I'll take the time to help fix the paper jam.

Nerdhood? Nerdom? What DO you call it?

Normally I use this blog to write about culture, books, and general insights. I'm going to switch gears a bit. Today I'm going to write about... [insert dramatic theme music of your choice here]

...my life.

Exciting, I know! You can hear about all my crazy adventures and daring escapes from death! I'm like a regular Sherlock Holmes, out saving the world and all that jazz!

Just kidding. And yes, I really did just use the phrase "all that jazz." What of it?

Come As You Are

"You've got nothing to prove."

"Be yourself."

"It's your personality that really matters."

Sound familiar? We all know that these things are easier said that done. It's as though someone has flipped a switch in our brain to tell us, "Well, you can be yourself, BUT..." or "You've got nothing to prove, BUT...".

When it comes to who we are as individual people, it's easy to want to be 2.0 versions of ourselves. The simple truth of the matter is we are human. We are not made to be perfect, so why do we strive to be? That ingrained "but" clause negates anything that comes before it; i.e. we have difficulty simply "being ourselves" without adding anything on the end. For example:

twinkling lights hanging from backyard trees

Today is a different kind of post. We all have things we love. Simply put: our favorite things. Without further ado, here are some of mine:

twinkling lights hanging from backyard trees

candlelight in power outages

multi-colored polka dots

"good morning" greetings on your way to work

monogrammed stationary

mangos & creme scented lotion

peppermint mochas

falling rain outside

music that feels as though it is part of your soul

bubbles in the air

laughter echoing in the house

finding a quotation that describes you

letters arriving in the mail

new books

rainy days with a cup of tea in hand

warm clothes out of the dryer

the smell of cinnamon

friends who love you unconditionally

family shenanigans

crunchy autumn leaves

sunny blue skies

lazy days watching movies in your pjs

the sound of the wind in the trees

wearing new clothes the day you buy them

friendly conversations with passerby

red rainboots

finding your purpose in life

having faith that all works out

fluffy pillows

seeing your favorite band play live

new paintbrushes

christmas carols overheard on snowy streets

overcoming long-time fears

Cassiopeia and Orion

old photography

peanut butter m & m's

conversations with people in coffee shops

countryside that goes on for miles and miles

bustling cityscapes

long lost (and found) family heirlooms

playing board games

having the confidence to do something unknown

coming home

used bookstores

waves crashing against the shoreline

puddle jumping

the sound your phone makes when you get a new text

finding pennies on the ground

seeking out a new adventure

the colors of a stormy sky

vintage cars driving on gravel roads

What are some of yours?