If you want to be happy, be. ~Leo Tolstoy
Happiness is:
friendship
the greeting of family when you haven’t seen them in a while
waking up to the smell of coffee
gorging on chocolate
laughter, and laughter, and laughter
a fresh, new magazine
clean sheets
a joke that rocks you to the core
spending time with your best friend
sunshine
a genuine hug
finding your passion
a child’s smile
opening a fresh page of a notebook and writing away
an unexpected text message
hearing a meaningful ‘I love you’
finishing a book
connecting with someone
recognizing the beauty of God surrounding you
realizing you still have time to sleep in
freedom
finding a song that connects with your soul
traveling with people you love
not giving a damn what people think
a breath of fresh air
giving
Life.
XOXO
From Florida to reality
Well, my no-technology stint has been over for several days now and I haven’t had the desire to blog at all, which is unusual for me. I also haven’t been spending my free time on the computer as much, but reading, reading, reading. So I guess my vacation really did help me with my computer attachment. However, I don’t think I could just leave my lovely followers hanging so here’s an update on my life.
Orlando was the perfect vacation with the perfect people and the perfect atmosphere. Here are a few of the most noteworthy things from the trip, including pictures:
Relax, baby 
Of course a vacation is all about relaxation, which we did plenty of by the gorgeous pool, smoking my first cigar and the occasional afternoon naps (okay, maybe everyone took a nap every day, but hey, Universal, shopping and eating a lot of great food is exhausting!) I also relaxed by reading one of my newest favorite books: Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer- by far some of the best writing I have read in a really long time. I finished right when we got back, and then the adorable bf surprised me with another one of his books!
Food
Speaking of food, boy was the food we ate incredible- everything from gourmet Macaroni and Cheese from The Kitchen, fresh sushi from Emeril’s Tchoup Chop and greasy nachos and wings from Margaritaville. Just wanted to share with you via picture two of the most delicious desserts I’ve ever eaten, Smore’s Caramel Dulche de Leche and Peanut Butter Kahlua Cake.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter 
If you didn’t know, the thing I was the most excited about for Orlando was Harry Potter world. I’ve read all the books (multiple times), seen all the movies (multiple times) and always been a HUGE fan (even after my piano teacher in middle school told me I wasn’t a Christian if I read them because they were the devil, and yes, I stopped taking piano promptly). Anyway, I was more than pumped for Harry Potter world and guess what, it exceeded my expectations. I literally felt like I was in the movie, walking the streets of Hogsmeade and the corridors of Hogwarts. Now I don’t want to tell too much, because I wouldn’t want anyone spoiling it for me if I was going to go, but I’ll say this: if you are even remotely a fan, GO! and even if you’re not, GO! because the Hogwarts simulator ride is by far the most incredible ride I’ve ever been on.
Drinking butterbeer in front of the Three Broomsticks!
Shop until you drop
On the vespa at our Italian villa-styled hotel
As you know, I was dead set on finding a fedora before I left for Orlando… and I didn’t. So, I just made it my mission to find one in Orlando, and guess what I found TWO and wore them nearly the rest of the trip, including just sitting in bed watching t.v. The one pictured is from J.Crew and my other one is from Urban Outfitters- of course two of my favorite stores that we don’t have in Faytown. Even the bf found one he likes! We are such a cute pair!
But, now we are back to reality, and my newest reality craze besides reading is eating healthy and exercising. I’ve started a new plan that consists of lots of cardio intermingled with several p90x routines and very healthy eating. I am also going on a two-day cleanse Tuesday and Wednesday that is meant to “jumpstart losing weight”. Needless to say this will most likely be the discussion of upcoming blogs, with delicious healthy recipes and pictures and the outpouring of how great I now feel not eating junk food and lounging around all day (we will see…). Of course I might also have to throw in a few p90x complaints just to keep things interesting.
When I grow up…
Oh, the joys of summer- staying up all night and sleeping in, hanging out with friends, laying by the pool, taking vacations, basically doing whatever your little heart desires.
Until now.
Now I don’t want to complain, because I still love summer more than anything and I’ve been very blessed to have the kind of summer I’m having so far. I’ve gotten to do all of the things summertime is made up of.
However, I feel like more of an adult than I ever have this summer. The past two summers I’ve gotten to frolic in LA and South Africa- learning, yes, but let’s be real, I was in foreign places (yes California is pretty foreign compared to Arkansas). This summer I’m waking up every morning at 6:30 a.m. to reel students into student media, reply to 8397249 emails a day, edit and post web stories and take a summer school class (which I vowed to NEVER do). I’m also not very good at not bringing home work.
And now, I’m looking for a second summer job. Reality is setting in and saving money is becoming more important in my life than I’ve ever realized.
I’m growing up. Despite eating apple sauce nearly every day for breakfast, calling my mom when I’m having a breakdown, getting sheer enjoyment out of the Disney channel and loving pink and bows and glitter oh so very much, I’m growing up. *sigh*
Of course there are wonderful things to look forward to as I get older, building a relationship with my future husband and having a beautiful family as well as having the freedom to choose my path for the rest of my life.
This is a quote from one of my favorite t.v. shows as a “kid”, The Wonder Years, that I think sums up things pretty well.
“Growing up is never easy. You hold on to things that were. You wonder what’s to come. But that night, I think we knew it was time to let go of what had been, and look ahead to what would be. Other days. New days. Days to come. The thing is, we didn’t have to hate each other for getting older. We just had to forgive ourselves for growing up.”
Introduction-ish
I personally don’t like reading introductions, and I definitely don’t like writing them, so I wasn’t going to write one about myself and the purpose of this blog.
However, I think a good introduction to myself comes in sharing my thoughts on the ride home from Conway- a wonderful weekend of wedding planning, water park-ing and countless laughs and memories with incredible people.
As I was driving home listening to High School Musical and eating/playing with twizzlers, I thought about how much of a little kid I am. I’ve known this, but it really hit home this weekend when:
1. Someone told me I look like Hannah Montana and it was the biggest compliment in the world.
2. This certain someone’s brother told me I was 17 for bejeweling my phone and wearing metallic fingernail polish.
3. I got so excited to be on “vacation” so I could eat Twizzlers, Mike&Ike’s and drink Rooster Booster.
4. I created a scene in the frozen yogurt shop.
I am not ashamed of any of these things, in fact that’s just who I am. So, when will I grow up? Do I ever need to? Will I always be a kid at heart?
m.davis xoxo 