Chapter 25

I was so good about blogging when I first started. I guess life has just picked up for me in recent months! I keep saying I am going to do better but keep failing. Anyways. There are just a few quick things I want to tell you guys about. A few weekends ago I spent the weekend in Chicago for one of my really good friend, Whitney's 24^th birthday! The weekend was perfect! I got to visit with
 a lot of my loves from Purdue University. On Friday we went to this place called Mad River. It was crazy. We paid $20 for unlimited drinks for 3 hours. Needless to say the night ended very interesting. But it was just what I needed. I really miss my friends from Purdue. We always pick right up from where we left off. Whitney just interviewed for a company back here in Indianapolis. So fingers crossed that she gets it so we can continue to play!

In other news I pretty much #FAILED on my 25 things to do before I'm 25! In my head I am sitting here trying to make up excuses as to why I didn't do certain things but that is something I need not to do... make up excuses because I have no reason why things didn't get accomplished. But then again on the other hand I am proud of the things I did do. And a few of the items are kind of up in the air like I did them but not exactly to the point where I would like them to be. Even though I turned 25 this past Tuesday I will still try and strive to finish everything. My coworker, like I have said previously, is doing the 101 things in 1001 days. I might try and incoroprate that in my list or maybe I will do 30 things before I'm 30. That IS just 5 short years away. Maybe I can make that into more long term goals.                           check out the Abs ------------------------------>

< side note, I began writting this and word & I don't like the font hmph >


Here is more of an update also my coworkers and I have been doing a lot of different activites together. We had a picnic, which was on my list, we also did the wine and canvas activity. Which was so fun. But seriously I have issues. I was stressed trying to paint this painting. I wanted it to be perfect. And we all know that is not possible but I was like stressed. SMH! Here is a pic from Wine & Canvas. We had a blast!

I start writing a blog then get busy and forget where I was going next.

This past weekend was probably one of the best weekends I have had in a really long time. I celebrated my 25th Birthday! Saturday I went to Bloomington, IN (where Indiana University is located) and rented a boat with some of my best friends from high school. It was a perfect sunny day! I need for my friend Danielle's boyfriend to put up pictures from the day!

This is a picture of two of my best friends from high school. Danielle on the left is in Optometry school in Bloomington and Jenae on the right just finished the Teach for America program in LA and is now going to attend George Washington University for Grad school. Not only do I have beautiful friends I have extremly intelligent ones as well.

Sunday I had a pool party at a family friends house. It was simply ridiculous. Great food, great people & a pool. What more could you need. I had a few friends drive from out of town just to visit with me. I feel so incredibly blessed to have such amazing people in my corner. Here are a few pics from my party.

Side note: Follow me on instagram // MoreLinds

Now you know I have quotes for days and I was looking for this one that I know I have used before but i couldn't seem to find it. But I felt this was fitting. Although, I am not quite to 28 yet it pretty much sums up the feeling...

"This is the thing: When you hit 28 or 30, everything begins to divide. You can see very clearly two kinds of people. On one side, people who have used their 20s to learn and grow, to find … themselves and their dreams, people who know what works and what doesn’t, who have pushed through to become real live adults. Then there’s the other kind, who are hanging onto college, or high school even, with all their might. They’ve stayed in jobs they hate, because they’re too scared to get another one. They’ve stayed with men or women who are good but not great, because they don’t want to be lonely. … they mean to develop intimate friendships, they mean to stop drinking like life is one big frat party. But they don’t do those things, so they live in an extended adolescence, no closer to adulthood than when they graduated.

Don’t be like that. Don’t get stuck. Move, travel, take a class, take a risk. There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither. This season is about becoming. Don’t lose yourself at happy hour, but don’t lose yourself on the corporate ladder either. Stop every once in a while and go out to coffee or climb in bed with your journal.

Ask yourself some good questions like: “Am I proud of the life I’m living? What have I tried this month? … Do the people I’m spending time with give me life, or make me feel small? Is there any brokenness in my life that’s keeping me from moving forward?”

Now is your time. Walk closely with people you love, and with people who believe … life is a grand adventure. Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned. Give today all the love and intensity and courage you can, and keep traveling honestly along life’s path.

Here are some links that go along with today's post:

- A small piece on why we should enjoy our twenties.

- 24 Lessons that can be learned from Sex & the City.

- How to break a habit

- Sun on on side & not on the other... think about it.

- 8 Ways to be more couregous.

- Living Well: Use your Intuition to Make Big Decisions

- College degrees ARE still worth it. So don't think differently!



I think that is enough for now! I hope you all have a lovely wknd! I will be at work all wknd! WOMP! But I will def be vibing to this Yellow Album by Dom Kennedy I recommend you all check it ou.

XO

Music Monday: I am the Lizard King

Good Monday Morning!!

How is everyone doing today? It is a dreary day here in Indianapolis today. I did not want to get out of bed today. I spent all weekend indulging in many forms of debauchery in Chicago for a friends birthday, more details to come.

As I have explained to you all before I am participating in #PhotoADayJune. Today's challenge is, "#Door". And when I woke up this morning I thought how boring a "Door" is. So as I thought more about it I thought instead of just doing a Door I would tell a little about myself that very few people know about me.

I am OBSESSED with Jim Morrison & The Doors! Not only is Jim aesthetically pleasing to look at and a genius. By the age of 15 Jim had an IQ of 149! I find him one of the most intriguing people I have ever researched. I would have loved to meet him and have him open my mind with his wisdom.

Granted I do mostly listen to hip-hop, rap & R&B my mother has given me insight on different genre's of music as well. I would like to say that I am very diversified when it come to music and open to giving anything a chance. A few months back I read a tumblr post from, Made in Charlie describing his interest in Jim Morrison. and this simply sums up everything I feel about this man, God rest his soul.

A former UCLA Bruin student with a eccentric theatrically imagination with a passionate love for music and poems only made him and his band The Doors legendary. From my personal perspective I still don’t understand Jim Morrison as much I thought I did. The enigma attitude of his probably took my attention obliviously once I started listening to The Doors when I was 12yrs old. Musically keeping me intrigued staying tuned was a psychedelic roller-coaster like listening to ”Not Touch The Earth” live or ”The End”. Then It hit me, his ego was his own muse.

Morrison was mentally and spiritually explorer, learning about life without limits, and thinking outside of what we ”suppose to know” to only accept that than finding out more as much we can without feeling a resentment going against religion nor disrespecting any. Not only his music with the band The Doors made me a fan, but him as a being became one of my very few idols some of us still have.

Here is a clip from one of my favorite movies, 'Almost Famous' playing Indian Summers. This is perfect!!

Below is one of my favorite quotes not only from one of my favorite people but in general.

" People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; this feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that's bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they're afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try and hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It's all in how you carry it. That's what matters. Pain is a feeling. your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you're letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain."

Research the guy a little. You will be impressed. I hope you all have a great week.

XO

Don't follow your passion, follow your effort.

GOOD Monday Morning!!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend like I did. How is everyone feeling today? I'm feeling great because 

1. it is raining outside and I'm still tucked in bed. 

2. I just came across a great article a friend of mine tweeted. 

I really want to share this with you and I found it very fitting for a Monday morning. I hope you enjoy. 

This post has come from Blog Maverick, Mark Cuban's weblog. 

I hear it all the time from people. “I’m passionate about it.” “I’m not going to quit, It’s my passion”. Or I hear it as advice to students and others “Follow your passion”.

What a bunch of BS.  ”Follow Your Passion” is easily the worst advice you could ever give or get.

Why ? Because everyone is passionate about something. Usually more than 1 thing.  We are born with it. There are always going to be things we love to do. That we dream about doing. That we really really want to do with our lives. Those passions aren’t worth a nickel.

Think about all the things you have been passionate about in your life. Think about all those passions that you considered making a career out of or building a company around.  How many were/are there ? Why did you bounce from one to another ?  Why were you not able to make a career or business out of any of those passions ? Or if you have been able to have some success, what was the key to the success.? Was it the passion or the effort you put in to your job or company ?

If you really want to know where you destiny lies, look at where you apply your time.

Time is the most valuable asset you don’t own. You may or may not realize it yet, but how you use or don’t use your time is going to be the best indication of where your future is going to take you .

Let me make this as clear as possible

1. When you work hard at something you become good at it.

2. When you become good at doing something, you will enjoy it more.

3. When you enjoy doing something, there is a very good chance you will become passionate or more passionate about it

4. When you are good at something, passionate and work even harder to excel and be the best at it, good things happen.

Don’t follow your passions, follow your effort. It will lead you to your passions and to success, however you define it.

Happy Friday!

Hola!

Happy Friday & Happy June 1st! The best month out of them all (my birth month). Ever since I was little I've done a countdown until my birthday. Now that I'm getting older the countdown is smaller and smaller. Anywho, not much going on this way.

Since today is June 1st & I just joined Instagram (MoreLinds) I am going to participate in Fat Mum Slim's Photo a Day June Challenge. I am kind of excited! It started today and I posted a pic of me, stuck on an elevator this morning. This shall get interesting. I am going to post some pictures to my twitter and some on here also.

Here is my zodiac from today! #Cancer

Your private life is likely to be especially animated in June, dear Cancer. You are beginning a year-long trend that brings great benefits from helping others, volunteering, and other forms of service. Spirituality is strong and your innate compassion is highlighted. However, you could experience conflict between the demands of a partnership and the demands of career this month. Finding a balance between the two, instead of pushing or rebelling against either, is the challenge now. You should also guard against hasty or impatient actions, which can make you more accident-prone. Today, more information surfaces about the past or about a private matter. You are more inclined to talk about private matters as well.

 

Anyways, Enjoy your weekend.

XO

More Linds lately...

I have seriously been slacking the month of May! I can’t even recall what I have been doing. Then again when I look back on my calendar I’ve had like 5 different events over the course of the month so I guess I have been pretty busy. I coordinated the Indianapolis 500 Festival: Mini- Marathon Expo.  Which was pretty exciting. I worked with a great client which is always helpful.

Let me give you a little update on what has been going on in my life. I finally decided to join a gym (clearly P90X was a failure) I did it for about 6 weeks but wasn't seeing the results I wanted. So now I'm just calorie counting and trying to work out as much as possible. My sister and I are supposed to be doing a competition to see who can lose the most weight by my birthday. Which is like a month away. I CANNOT LOSE!

My girlfriend, Caitlin was in town the past few weeks. She was helping her father with his campaigning. He is a Democratic Judge (he won!!) She invited me to go to the Aziz Ansari stand-up comedy show. It was hilarious. We were really good friends from like 4th grade - Sophomore year. But we went to different high schools and sorta drifted apart. But it is always good to see her and catch up. We also went to BRU Burger on Mass Ave. It was AMAZING! I Didn't even get a hamburger. I can't wait to go back and get one though. We also got a few drinks at Front Page Sports Bar & Grill. Which played AMAZING music!

But I really need to sit down somewhere. The very next weekend my best guy friend & I took a trip down to Atlanta. Which turned out to be amazing. But it usually always is! We drove down there Friday & got back Monday morning (was late for work of course. smh) Here are a few pics from the wknd. He took me to Tin Lizzie's Cantina & I got Nachos that were to die for! #yum I forget the club we went to on Friday but of course Saturday we went to Noni's and were turnt up... per usual. I went there last time I went to visit and had a great time. If you ever get down there you should def check out both places. I lovee this city but not sure I would ever want to live there. If you can't tell I got my highlights redone!

What else has been going on in my life? at work we had an 'Employee Appreciation' Day & played like field day type events (football throw/40 yard dash) I got 3rd place for 35 and under in the football throw & I tied for 1st in the 40Yr Dash. I ran a 5.9 (in someone elses shoes & Dress slacks) then we had a tie breaker and my coworker beat me (but it was her shoes I was wearing the first time...) So I feel like we should have a rematch. Anyways it was pretty fun! And since I placed I received two half days off of work! YES!

This past weekend was the Indy 500. I went for the first time ever (crazy huh? living in Indiana all my life) My coworkers and my girlfriend Brittany and I went. It got pretty crazy at an early hour. But it was fun. I'm glad I got to experience it at least once in my life. Was supppper hot though.

Dude, my summer is soo jam packed! I work this weekend. Next weekend in Chicago for one of my besties bdays. Then the next weekend (fingers crossed) will be in DC. Then the wknd after if my 25th birthday wknd. Thennnn for like the entire month of July I have three different events. Then right after my LA/VEGAS/ATL trip! Can't wait. But that is basically my ENTIRE Summer. Here are 10 reasons why you SHOULD travel!

So here is an update on how my 25 by the time i turn 25 is going. (pretty much a failure) : / I have a month left to get.it.together.

I joined Instagram // MoreLinds -- follow me :D

I will leave you with some Link Lovin'

- No Church In the Wild (video)

- Man accused of using a water cup for Pop. : / I DO THIS ALL THE TIME!

- We all need this: a few pointers on how to eliminate drama!

- You know it is swimsuit season... make sure you clean up ladies! (and some fellas) DIY: Wax

- Jay-Z Supports Gay Marriage... What is your take?

- A few reasons why it is OK to be boring
.

- I know I am late but Happy Mother's Day. "Last Mother's Day"

- Summer is here, if you are like me you will be putting your hair up: The Perfect Side Pony Tail.

Welp that is all I have for you today. I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful HUMP day!

xo

Courage is an angel that makes the difference between a good life and a great life.

- Fairly Legal

Love, Dad

In June of 1971, just days before his 26-year-old son, Michael, got married, future-U.S. President Ronald Reagan sent him the following letter of advice. It really is quite stunning.

(Source: Reagan: A Life In Letters; Image: Ronald Reagan, via.)

Michael Reagan
Manhattan Beach, California
June 1971

Dear Mike:

Enclosed is the item I mentioned (with which goes a torn up IOU). I could stop here but I won't.

You've heard all the jokes that have been rousted around by all the "unhappy marrieds" and cynics. Now, in case no one has suggested it, there is another viewpoint. You have entered into the most meaningful relationship there is in all human life. It can be whatever you decide to make it.

Some men feel their masculinity can only be proven if they play out in their own life all the locker-room stories, smugly confident that what a wife doesn't know won't hurt her. The truth is, somehow, way down inside, without her ever finding lipstick on the collar or catching a man in the flimsy excuse of where he was till three A.M., a wife does know, and with that knowing, some of the magic of this relationship disappears. There are more men griping about marriage who kicked the whole thing away themselves than there can ever be wives deserving of blame. There is an old law of physics that you can only get out of a thing as much as you put in it. The man who puts into the marriage only half of what he owns will get that out. Sure, there will be moments when you will see someone or think back to an earlier time and you will be challenged to see if you can still make the grade, but let me tell you how really great is the challenge of proving your masculinity and charm with one woman for the rest of your life. Any man can find a twerp here and there who will go along with cheating, and it doesn't take all that much manhood. It does take quite a man to remain attractive and to be loved by a woman who has heard him snore, seen him unshaven, tended him while he was sick and washed his dirty underwear. Do that and keep her still feeling a warm glow and you will know some very beautiful music. If you truly love a girl, you shouldn't ever want her to feel, when she sees you greet a secretary or a girl you both know, that humiliation of wondering if she was someone who caused you to be late coming home, nor should you want any other woman to be able to meet your wife and know she was smiling behind her eyes as she looked at her, the woman you love, remembering this was the woman you rejected even momentarily for her favors.

Mike, you know better than many what an unhappy home is and what it can do to others. Now you have a chance to make it come out the way it should. There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.

Love,

Dad

P.S. You'll never get in trouble if you say "I love you" at least once a day.

(Via: The Daily What & Letters of Note)

The Voice

Today is National No Socks Day! I am taking full advantage of this! :)

I have really been slacking lately on posting. I have just been so busy at work and trying to just enjoy life the past few weeks. A lot has been going on that could easily hold me down and I’m just trying not to let it. Therefore, I don’t want to just harbor all those feelings and emotions into my blog. I want to keep this fun, informative, and positive.

Speaking of Informative make sure you go VOTE today! So important. You cannot complain about politicians or the economy if you do nothing about it. Please let your voice be heard. That is all.

This past weekend I spent Saturday, Cinco De Mayo, in Chicago with some of my besties from college #boilerup. Seriously majority of my friends from college live in Chicago! Bla. I have NEVER had an urge to live in that city but being there with them and seeing them made me miss them so much. We all always have such an amazing time together. Miss them. (XO) we went to a BYOB Hookah bar, Arabia, which of course led us to all buying rounds of shots at, The Frontier. Never a dull moment with these ladies.

Sadly, today is the last episode of ‘The Voice’ who do you think will be the winner? Every episode until yesterday’s I wanted Juliet Simms to win. I love her style, her voice, and just her period. But yesterday Tony Lucca won over my heart. Bla! I just don’t know. I can’t wait to watch it this evening.

-          Adam Levine & Tony Lucca – “Yesterday”

-          Juliet Simms – “Freebird”

-          Tony Lucca – “99 Problems” (Christina had soo much to say about this. Womp! He did amazing. I’m glad Adam put her in her place)

-          Chris Mann – “You Raise Me Up” although, I don’t believe well hope he doesn’t win he still sounds amazing!

Link Lovin’ time!

Did you see any pics from the Met Gala? Everyone looked amazing. Esp Beyonce! She continually and frequently sh!ts on everyone lives! Here is Elements of Style review of the red carpet.

A pretty interesting article on ‘Why Black Women are Fat’.  

The Huffington Post posted an article on 30 things women should know… by the time they are 30. Def. worth a read. 

5 steps on making tough decisions. This might help.

Are you a ‘Boomerang kid’? Nothing wrong with that, I am! What are your thoughts on this article/topic?

To piggyback off the topic above, have you ever lived alone? Pros/cons? This will be my next move. I can’t really stand having “roommates”

Bla! I feel like this kind of isn’t okay.

Women in music: Top beauty icons.

This should keep you busy for awhile!

PS. Do you know any good stir fry or French toast recipes? Lol. Random I know but I want to make both.

Have a great rest of the week!
XO

- Sophie Kinsella

If I’ve learned one lesson from all that’s happened to me, it’s that there is no such thing as the biggest mistake of your existence. There’s no such things as ruining your life. Life’s a pretty resilient thing, it turns out.