Writing

Being a writer is being persistent and consistent in your blogging efforts, even if you don't even have 2 followers (see: my other blog).

Being a writer is writing because you love it, even when no one ever comments on your blogs.

Being a writer is sometimes hard in "this economy" because instead of writing what you want to, you waste hours online trying to make money writing freelance articles, and reading freelance articles about how to write freelance articles.

Writing is hard sometimes because you feel like your thoughts and work is less valid somehow if it isn't somehow available to the public via: internet.

Writing is cool because you can write how you feel. It just becomes harder when your feelings are a jumbled pile of crazy-ness that is hard to transfer into letters and sentences. (as difficult as untangling a tiny necklace chain that has been knotted up --> Can be EXTREMELY tedious and frustrating at times.)

Writing is...what I love. And I'm excited to write to change the world. I bet if you're over the age of 25, you're thinking, "aww, that's cute. She wants to change the world. Good luck with that." But you'll see...it's all about luck, talent, and persistence. If you have 2 out of those 3, you WILL make it. And Persistence I have control over.

Good night friends. I hope you are living with the purpose of accomplishing all of your dreams and hopes. EVEN and especially when people don't think you can.

And if you aren't, I sure hope you love the life you've fallen into anyway. We only live once. We might as well be doing what we love.

Jamaica Pictures and A new blog!

Kevin was a true stud on the trapeze in Jamaica! We have some videos of us doing it too. Pretty flipping exhilarating! --haha no pun intendedWe got up early on our last morning (5:30) and went out to see the sunrise over the ocean. It was beautiful, except for the mosquitos who loved our white-person blood. We wrote each other messages in the sand, and had the whole beach to ourselves.
This tree would have taken like 10 people's arms stretched out to hug it completely. It was sweet. The golf course was a little dry, but Jamaica is still a cool (well hot, but neat) place to make my debut on the golf course. =)
I got a Par 3!! Then I got really tired and bored, and the $25 cart sounded really good right around the 5th hole.
We had fun photo shoots in our room, as usual. I selected this one because we actually have a little tan, and you can't see our wet swimming suits in the background, and we're just goofy like this. (Speaking of swimsuits (plural), props to Tina for letting me borrow 8 swimsuits and look totally stylish/diversify my tan lines the whole time! Girlfriends rock!)

So today concludes my first week of writing full-time! Let me just say: it was a blast. I got to spring-clean our house, blog more than 2 times in a week, read LOTS of chapters in other books, go to the library (and check out 20 books that I cannot forget to return on time), and type type type away on my little laptop!

I also started a blog called "Butt in Chair" to relate to my writing career. This blog will remain as my personal blog. =) the domain name is http://www.keepyourbuttinchair.blogspot.com. Every professional writer will tell you that it's one of their biggest challenges, keeping their butt in the chair and actually writing. So...here's to the future...and lots of hours with my butt spent in a chair!

I'm the starving artist type

Hey! So big news since I last posted. I'm going to go for it...I'm going to be a starving artist when April rolls around! (but hopefully not starving for long; Kevin intends to feed me I think.=) I talked my boss last week about my decision to pursue writing full-time. He was all smiles! (strangely enough? haha) I think he could tell I was scared, because after he said "You need to do what's right for you" and I thanked him for understanding, he said, "What, did you think I was going to get mad at you or something?" haha. I said, "umm, no? I was just nervous because I care a lot about this job too." He was so understanding and he know's I'll be an all star trainer before I hand the baton off to the next person.

So bottom line, it went extremely well. God's hand seemed to be all over that decision, for so many reasons. The number one was my heart that wouldn't just let go of the idea. When you pray, HE WILL ANSWER. But man, taking the step to actually be obedient and give up a salary and just a great job is difficult when it comes down to knocking on the boss's door!

We've been talking about our "inner GPS" device in my setting goals class. The thinking behind this is that when you repeatedly visualize a goal (being a published, best-selling author, handing out your books and signing them...etc. etc) your mind does whatever it takes to get you there. Now it may not be in a plan or fashion that you created, but it will find a way to create that awareness and make actions that move you closer to your goal.

So when the career fair season (busiest recruiting time) is over, I will be waking up each morning at 6am to go for a walk and get inspired, and spend a few hours at my desk pouring over some masterpieces ;o) (ideal scenario). I'll also be able to keep the house nicer/cleaner and I already have so much peace!! I also am on the hunt for an awesome recruiter to replace myself with...so if you know of anyone who needs a job and is a rock star, let me know.

Man, God is so good. And I'm completely stoked for our writing group that started on Saturday at Panera. Some talented writers there ;o) feel free to come out, it's at Panera at 2pm in Davenport. Bring some stuff you've written and we'll critique each other's work in a professional and loving way. Or email it to me Oliviaishere2@aol.com and we'll add it to the mix.

Now, if God would just answer my prayers about the snow stopping. I'm looking out the window from Dunkin Doughnuts (where I left my debit card last weekend, and they saved it for me!) and looking at the mass of cars trying to drive through the messy, snowy roads. They're overlooked by the brightest white sky that hasn't changed in 36 hours. I can't run in this mess and I have a bad case of cabin fever that only 40+ temps and some blooms can solve (or a tropical vaca? lol). Only so many cups of tea can make the winter cozy, and then it's time for Spring. Freakin' Groundhog.

So what is God and your heart telling you to do?

Moments of Bliss, Happiness, and Christmas

I am once again going to chicken out on the Blog I've been wanting to complete about my theology of suffering. What do I think God wants? Where does the Bible stand on this topic? Well, I just DON'T stinking know. So for now I'll defer to a much more pleasant topic: The moments of bliss that have arisen from my afternoon on this sunny, white winter day!!

This time of year generally brings people a lot of strong feelings: hope, peace, love, joy, fear, depression, anxiety, etc. But mostly good Christmassy feelings!

Can I just tell you how wonderful this afternoon has been?!?

1) I took the afternoon off of work, because it is December 11th and I still have 2 whole vacation days left!

2) I had Noodles and Company's Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken for lunch! (A perfect Zone-Diet meal, I might add ;)

3) I came straight to Barnes N' Noble. It smells of book and coffee.

4) I stacked my tiny table high with delicious books, getting all sorts of stares from onlookers and employees.

5) I bought a cherry pastry and carmel machiatto that the barista screwed up, but it was still good!

6) I have been here more than 2 hours, and I haven't had to go to the bathroom and lug my computer and all

7) A hold a really amazing secret that brings me underlying happiness. (No need to get any crazy ideas. It's probably not what you're thinking.)

Those are the "Rising action" moments that made my afternoon so Glorious. Now I'll tell you about the treasures that I have found in my last hour and 1/2 reading!

A) "The Highly Sensitive Person: How to thrive when the world overwhelms you" by Elaine Aron. I found out that i am a pretty definite HSP (Highly Sensitive Person)! This explains my intense personality, my animosity toward loud or repetitive noise, my stressed reaction when I'm in a big crowd for a long period of time, etc etc! Family, do you hear that? This is why I am a light sleeper! This is why I am an artist and think more with the right side of my brain! And it's genetic. You can learn a little bit by visiting: http://www.hsperson.com/. I don't have super-sonic powers, as once thought, but I just need my time alone and in quiet. I can't be too bored or too overstimulated! This is what makes babies colicky. I'm not as extreme as some of the quacky people the book describes, but wow. Intriguing.

B) "How to make people like you in 90 seconds: Make instant, meaningful connections: for Interviewing, etc)" Perfect for my job as a recruiter. The main thing I took from this book was FACE YOUR HEART, open towards the person you're talking to. Give an assertive, energetic smile and greeting. You will immediately notice their interest in you and they will trust you more! Don't cover your heart, turn your shoulders away, or leave your coat buttoned or zipped. This open body language is 60% of how you communicate. Verbal words only account for 7% of communication, and tone is 33%. Fascinating.

C) "The Pocket Muse" (I can't figure out how to underline something on this writing format. Book titles should be underlined, not in quotes, sorry picky people.) By Monica Wood. This book is brilliant. I wrote a lot of her writing ideas and quotes down in my notebook. The pauper's book store...copying the best parts of books into my own writing. =)

D) The fourth book was the gem of my afternoon. "Eat mangoes naked: Finding pleasure everywhere and dancing with the pits!" by SARK. She handwrites her pages. She is full of wacky and inspired ideas. She makes me smile and laugh out loud! She makes me feel this intense love for the unique person that I am! She is so completely deviant and unprecedented in her writing. She even has an inspiration hotline! I dare you to call it and listen to her awesome self for the 3 minute recording. The number is 415.546.3742. Visit http://www.planetsark.com and you'll see what I mean.

I get this welled up feeling of happiness that makes me want to explode sometimes, and it's rare. I hope you all get to experience that every once in awhile. I did today, 2 times! And yesterday once. I never want to stop getting that feeling. It's like a little glimpse of God's love for us, I think. SARK's books make me feel that way. What gives you that feeling?

Be blessed this weekend!