Girls With Glasses are Sexy too.

A lot of pictures, I know. But, I have a little story behind my sudden glasses embracing. I realized, somewhere between my dance moms marathon and my pilates workout, that it's silly for me to feel the way I do when I wear my glasses. Again, this will sound silly, but, I truly do get a huge confidence boost when I wear my contacts versus when I'm wearing glasses. Maybe it's because no one in the media is considered "pretty" while wearing glasses, I'm not completely sure. Yet, since I was 11 years old, I've been wearing contacts. Many people have no idea I have glasses even. But, in a few short months, I'm going to be in college, roaming both the campus and the dorms with my glasses on. Am I just going to lack confidence and feel awkward when this happens? I hope not. So, in preparation, I'm wearing my glasses more places and just getting used to the fact that girls who wear glasses can be beautiful too. Because, it's true. 

So, if you feel the same way I do when you make the glasses-contacts switch, join me! Embrace your glasses. 

A World Away

A month ago feels like a completely different world. Maybe it's just because a month ago I was in a totally different life situation, or that a month ago I was so much more naive yet, here I am, a month later. Although I'm proud of myself for how much I've learned and changed in the last month, I am always going to be looking towards the future or, what is to come. I think, over the past five or so weeks, I've learned to trust my gut instincts, and most of all how to become a truly strong woman. A lot of girls give off the vibe of being confident and sure of their decisions and I am willing to admit I am not that person, yet. I hope that I can develop into the girl that is fine on her own, and that truly doesn't need a boy in her life as a security blanket towards her happiness. I hope I can realize the truth in that statement and simply forget about men for a short blip in my life and focus on something I haven't in a while, myself.

So, after contemplation and a lot of journal writing, I've decided to organize this desirable change for myself, to make it more attainable. I'm hoping to change for the better, in every single way. I want to be able to focus on one aspect of myself during a one week time period, where I can improve myself in the little ways, and hopefully, over time, improve myself in a big way. There is no time for moping over the past, there is only the future in sight.

So, what am I doing to improve myself? Well, first off, I'm recording everything in my journal, which has slowly become everything. On a side note, after reading through entries from even September of 2011, I can tell how utterly unhappy I was with myself and in that place of life. I think it was upsetting that it took me so long to get out of such a place, and I believe I'm so much more carefree nowadays. Anyways, besides just recording things, I'm focusing on three separate topics: Mind, Body, and Soul. They're all very vague yet, I think they're reasonable things to focus upon, especially with the way I want to change myself.

Mind: I want to improve the way I think about the world, the way I study, the way I perform in school, and my overall mental health as well. So, this includes, reading books I've always meant to and writing the novels that I spin in my head that I've never gotten the chance to. It also means completely focusing on school for that week, and on getting enough sleep to recuperate after a long day.

Body: This one's obvious. Working out! Eating healthy. Watching my overall physical fitness. I've come to realize how good it really feels to eat healthy and to know you're taking care of your body.

Soul: For me, this is religion. Focusing on my religion that week. I don't want to get into this too much.

Hopefully, after sampling what it's like to be completely devoted to these three areas, I will slowly make the changes a part of my daily life where everyday I live works towards becoming better, and the best I can be.

I challenge you to do the same, Change! Improve! I believe you can. We all can.

Taylor Swift

My attempt at some sort of Taylor Swift waves (tutorial soon)

But when you think Taylor Swift
I hope you think my favorite song
The one we sang to all night long
The moon like a spotlight on the street
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Taylor Swift
I hope you think of me

"Tim Mcgraw" by Taylor Swift has always been a long time favorite song of mine. Actually, Taylor Swift has always been a favorite. I fiddled with the words a little. This post is for someone out there, if he ever reads this. Learning to accept changes, especially for the better, are one of the best lessons in life. 

Dear Christie...

I've been meaning to start something like this for a while. With the new year, and starting fresh, I've decided to update and add to my youtube/blogging lifestyle. I've already revamped my banner of this blog, and am planning on revamping my youtube channel and have other ideas in mind. As a means to get to know anyone who follows/tweets/views my videos more, I've decided to create this little "open forum" for anyone who wants my advice. I know, ha!, my advice. In the meager 17 years of my existence, I've only gathered quite a few pearls of wisdom but would love to share them with anyone who would want my advice. I'm up to helping anyone with any thing from study tips for school, how to ignore bullies, boy problems or even just fashion and beauty tips. Whatever you want, I'm game!

All you have to do is either....

Shoot me an email at daisycheekz@rocketmail.com OR you can inbox me on via the youtube inboxing system (not the best option, honestly..) at www.youtube.com/user/daisycheekz

I'm excited for any of your questions. I'd love to help anyone I can in anyway. If I find a really common question, I may post some of the answers on these blogs (all people who ask questions will remain anonymous, unless you want your name on my blog, then I'll definitely leave contact information etc.)

Thoughts

Strength is hard to come by these days. There isn't a lot of left. Some may actually say that girls have too much of it. Honestly, girls can never have too much. It is only a matter of time before a guy manipulates, disrespects, lies, and treats her in a disgusting manner. What would the girl do in that situation if she didn't have any strength? She wouldn't leave him. She'd keep turning back. Love, it's an interesting word. People use it without even thinking about what it truly means. Love is treating the one you supposedly love like they mean absolutely everything to you (because they do) and with the most respect possible. I'd suggest people not to throw that word around; it can lead to a lot of expectations. I guess I'm here to chronicle some sort of "break up" journey. If you couldn't tell already, my ex boyfriend and I have broken up. I am fully ready to start fresh and new, without a boy in tow. I don't need any baggage right now. There's a lot of anger, and emotion left still. I mean, who can blame me? I know I'll be totally fine in a few weeks. Without a peep from him, I'm feeling a lot better already. I'm going to be glad to leave this relationship, the emotions, and the love that I regrettably felt, behind me. I'd be happier if it could just disappear, honestly. But, I know this is impossible. Even if I don't feel any of the emotions I feel now in the future, I will always remember what happened: the events, the betrayal, the tears. Neither of us will forget them; it is impossible, after all. One of us will think we made the biggest mistake of our lives, the other will be glad they got out, and finally feel like they can breathe again. Guess which one I am. I am ready to move on, and hopefully will completely soon. I want to catch life in my hand, and live it without anything holding me back. I can become the lady I hope to be one day, respectful, always genuine and sympathetic, generous and very very fit (haha I am going to start going to the gym, a lot more). I want to be able to pursue what I want, no distractions, no limits. And do you know how people think they should be friends after they breakup? I'm going to leave that honest decision to time.

Some funny quotes from The Book of Poisonous Quotes for the more light hearted...
"Women have their faults. Men have only two: Everything they say. Everything they do." -Anonymous
"Man is the missing link between the ape and the human being." -Anonymous
"A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle." -Gloria Steinem
"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." -Mae West
And to make this less ... man hating...one for the men reading this..
"A woman reading 'Playboy' feels a little like a Jew reading a Nazi manual." -Gloria Steinem

Trust

I've decided to start something new with this blog, not to take away from the usual makeup and fashion posts. But, rather, to have something additional to give this blog more, substance, shall we say. Some of you will really dislike these posts, if you don't, please just don't read them. Skim over them. X out your window or tab. These posts are for me, and for those who want to read them. Some may find them helpful and others will find them a way to get to know me better. I really believe in these. So, these are going to be something like testimonies, little anecdotes about my spiritual life. Yes. JESUS. I said it. So here goes testimony number one. I think I'll do these weekly.

I guess I'll start off and say, this is going to be reflections on my senior year - what I think of it, and how it's been going so far. As compared to junior year, it's been more and less stressful. During the first few months of the year, there was a lot less work, yet a lot more stress because of college applications and the like. Especially with all the major competitions this year, I've been feeling the pressure. And even beyond the temporary pressure you feel at a competition, the lasting pressure to get into a good college. Now, everyone has been telling me, and I guess every other senior that this year is about us, or me. "Make this year about you." It's your year to shine, to embrace the end of a chapter of your life. Yet, quite frankly, I don't want this year to be about me. If I make this year all about myself, where does it put God? Clearly not my number one. It'd be all too clear that I'd be my own number one. So, my prayers for myself, are to God, asking Him how to show me the way to put Him as my number one in my life. It's become all too clear that if someone puts God as his number one, and claims the God as his Lord and Savior, that God will show him the way, that God will provide. And that brings me to the second worry of my senior year, college. Lovely, gotta love the subject. It's all uncertainty, worry and self esteem issues for seniors. You also can't forget the hardcore passive aggressive competition between students applying to the same universities. Yet, I've been trying, and will continue to try for the next few weeks to put my faith completely in God. Where he puts me is going to be the right place. Trusting completely in Him, and trusting in that statement is something I need to work on. And, as a young believer, I think it is always our struggle - to put our lives, our well beings into His hands, giving it all up to Him. It is my hope that we can all work on this together. I am with you, to anyone who is reading this. Feel free to comment or contact me with any of your troubles. I'd love to grow close to you in Him!

And some verses to meditate upon...

Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  
1 Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Life is short. Live with no regrets.

She picked up the limp, frayed ends of her life, running them through her fingers. She felt the ends that were split by pain. They slipped through her fingers, over and over. They kept on separating. Yet, she picked them up again and again. The broken pieces of her heart and the fragments of her once full life were within the yarn she had in her hands. She silently wept, feeling hot tears roll down her cheeks as she began to pick them up, lacing them through her needles. Slowly, stitch by imperfect stitch, she began to knit her life back together.

i just thought this picture was cute. heh, no relation to absolutely anything.

A lot has happened over the last couple of days. I really feel like I need to write something about this, and I think a lot of other people would appreciate my thoughts. I feel as if I'm being told that life is short, and anything tragic, and terrible can happen to me in an instant. I could lose someone. I could pass away. Anything can happen in the next second. For example, I recently watched the movie Soul Surfer with a few friends which has this exact theme (If you are unfamiliar with the plot of the story, it's about the life of a professional surfer named Bethany Hamilton. Her arm was bitten off by a shark while she was surfing and she had to learn to get up and get through her struggles). Anything can happen to us. We could lose anything or everything. So, I will genuinely try to learn to appreciate every single thing in my life. We take so many things for granted. Yet, we could lose everything so quickly. I hope you will too. I want to start living the life I have tried to plan for myself, the one I wanted to have. Why not? I may only have today. Make each second count. Love each other. Be there. Do not regret anything. If you do, try to fix it - say sorry, or just change from this point on. We deserve so much more than a life not lived out to its potential. Love. Live. 

I miss the days where you reached out to me all the time

Okay. I know this was like a year ago, even more. All of you. But, you suck. I don't get over things easily, and sometimes I remember everything in one night. Everything every person has done to me, and it's pretty sad. Maybe it's my problem but, I think it's yours. I think we all need to do this once in our life. So, cheers, here's a letter to you, yeah you, who broke my heart.

Dear You,

I have a problem; I never say anything when I have to. But, I'm saying it now and it honestly doesn't even matter that this is delayed (by years even). Let me get this straight for you: you can't pretend to love someone when you really don't. Heck, you can't pretend to love two people at once because, well, that's not love. Get your words straight. If you're infatuated with me, that's fine. Just don't say "I love you." I know you don't. Don't tell me "you care about me" in response to "I love you" and run away while you can. Stand up like a man, and just say it to my face. It'd be nice if you accounted my feelings in this too. You can't just pretend this is real and leave, without anything. We all make mistakes. But, no "Sorry" is inexcusable in my book. So go, actually, run because you'll never want to come back. You hurt me, sure. And I'll never be over the fact that you're an absolute jerk. The fact that I actually invested something in you. I have no faith in you and less in myself because I ever did in you. I'm better off without you. Better off without any of you. Oh, and fyi, I've never looked better even in baggy sweatpants. Thought you should know.

Sincerely, your biggest fan,
Christie.

This Weekend

I love willow trees. I mentioned this before. This picture of this one is absolutely breath taking. If I had a house, I'd plant one of these. The beauty of God's creation is absolutely amazing. 

This weekend was filled with blessings from the Lord. I won't go into too much detail because it feels a little weird to just reveal everything and leave it on the internet for anyone to find (freaks me out a little bit, not gonna lie here). But, at my retreat that I just went to, we had "mailboxes" made for people to put encouragement letters inside of. At the end of the retreat we all ripped them off the wall and went through them. Little notes like these can never be appreciated enough. It is truly the little things in life that get us by in life. No matter the situation and to whom, I think little acts of encouragement and love can really change someones day. These notes definitely made me smile and realize how blessed I am to have such a close knit family of sisters and brothers as I do. And, if you are curious about these notes, I will copy a few down here for you that weren't too personal. I'd be curious if I were you too.

Dear Christie,

I always enjoy your laughter and your beautiful voice. I love the way you smile . May God always be with you. 

just to add something to this- I do NOT have a beautiful voice. Seriously, my parents yell at me for singing too loud at home. But, nevertheless, this note was really sweet. Apparently a lot of people like my smile. 

Hi Christie,

I'm so glad to have you as a fellow sister in Christ. I actually do appreciate your random singing int he morning during the retreat... it keeps me awake. =] God bless ^^

Dear Christie,

 We have known each other since we were little. What I remember then and now is that you have a beautiful smile, are kind, and are weird in a good way. I know that times can be tough...

Christie,

I know you are struggling with the things you mentioned last night... For now, you have us, we are family, remember?  

These all go along with something that really stood out to me during this retreat - God's love and love in general. Considering that God is love, I guess true love is God's love. It can change someone so completely and only through His love do we even have the opportunity to talk and have a relationship with Him.

Back to School: Study Guide!

In general, students make resolutions twice a year (at least the ones I know). Once during Janurary 1st. The other time is right before school starts (whenever that may be). Whether it is a goal GPA for that year or a slew of new extrarcirriculars, students usually find the need to renew their goals before their school year begins. So, here I am giving you tips on how to meet those goals, whatever they may be.

School: How to bump up your grades (and therefore your GPA) aka Study tips

1. Pay Attention in Class- If you pay attention in class, this is going to boost up your grades in the most efficient way. If you stop yourself from falling asleep in class, you can totally decrease your study time by a lot. 
1. Tips for staying awake in class: 
1. Use colorful pens - the colors will keep you awake, you'll even be eager to use the different colors!
2. Candy - Eat some sucking candies to keep yourself awake, it's never fun to fall asleep with a lemon drop jangling around in your mouth
3. Doodles - Educational doodles, and ones that take only a few seconds (and don't cover the whole page) can give your mind a mini break in class
4. The rubber band trick- Smack yourself with your rubber band. It works every time
2. Study well - Find what works for you, in terms of studying. Whatever is most efficient should be the way you study. Many people just read the textbook/review books/notes and highlight but, I read, highlight, write extra notes to myself and outline my notes again. It is definitely not the most time efficient method but, it works (i think). Take breaks when you need them (such as 20 minute power naps) and try to turn off all technology. 
3. Stay Organized- Another easy way to keep your grades up. Your homework grade won't suffer if you stay on top of everything and know where everything is. File your extraneous and old notes from that year at home (in binders or an accordion folder or even a wire rack). Put everything right back where it came from and use labels and tabs (or a color coding system). Keep your schedule intact as well by using a planner to plan out your time according to what has a higher priority. 

Boys & Friends & Social Life: (more after the jump)

Read more »

sunlight and black and white

i thought i'd enjoy my first attempt at .gif -ing. slight fail i might add considering i didn't have a load of pictures of someone/me/anything in the same spot with a slight variation. 

Beaches and Sunshine

This is just a photo diary of things I did yesterday. My family came over from all over the place on both my parents' sides. My family all live extremely far away, so we don't get a chance to get to know each other very often. But, surprisingly, things didn't go as badly as I expected. On our last day together, we visited one of the many beaches around me. 

 Whenever I go to the beach, I always start dancing. It's a little bizarre. 

Read more »

One of those analogies

Solving our lives is like solving a Rubiks cube with an algorithm. You can only get so far before you give up. Yet, this effort is enough, because you almost get there. It is almost complete. But, you never achieve perfection - Nine identical perfect colored cubes lined up in rows. Somehow, I'm completely fine with being almost perfect.

Oh, If you'd like to solve a Rubiks Cube - watch the following video. Maybe you'll learn the secret to life through it.

Images of Ourselves

Glance at yourself in the mirror. Just once, take a look. What do you see? What runs through your mind? It's a little different for everyone yet, it is always so similar. At first it's just a general rating of what you look like that day. Your feelings and mood are taken into account in your own critical rating of yourself. Slowly, it grows more critical and nit picky. You realize your imperfections and pick them out one by one. Pimple below the left cheek bone. Spider Veins. Flabby Stomach. Frizzy Hair. These faults seem to call out your name, screaming for you to notice them. and you do. You see them; they are glaring at you. The last thoughts that run through your brain before you turn away is.. "Why am I not as pretty as... (fill in the blank of the prettiest person you know/have seen)?" or "Why don't I have (so and so)'s legs?" Finally, you give up. And in a desperate attempt to regain your sanity and pride, you turn away from the mirror. Your confidence is shattered. Yet, no one has said a word to you. This is all because of you.

A constant comparison to the those around you simply brings you down. You must have a change in your mindset. Who you are is something so extraordinary, even if you believe you are simply ordinary. If someone were to ask me, How are you different from the rest? How are you special? What makes you noteworthy?
I'd respond with

That's a tricky question. But quite honestly, I don't think I'm any different from the rest. I don't even try to compare myself. Because if I did, I'd know I'd feel like I've done nothing compared to all those other people out there. But, am I special? That's for you to determine. You can compare me in your head to hundreds, thousands of other girls my age. Am I prettier? Am I smarter? Wittier? But, I know what I am. I'm just me. I've done what I've done. I am what I am. Constant improvements come with life. But, even if I never changed a thing about me from now, I'd deem it satisfactory. 

Believe that you are yourself. Isn't that special? There is no one out there who is exactly like you. Aren't we all just so extraordinary?

Crossroads

I believe this is a crossroad

Two choices, that lead to two different lives

One that follows your selfish desires

Or one that follows someone else’s

My heart whines with voices,

I should be hearing some, and not others,

But they are jumbled together

Into a cacophonous melody

I cannot decipher my true desires,

And those of Him. 

Running before you can catch them..

Some things run before you can catch them
and leave before you can say goodbye.

overlooking things is so easy. life moves too quickly. slow it down for yourself.
i definitely need to live without regrets,

i'm really into feather extensions nowa days. With my luck, pulling them off will be difficult, but this girl looks fabulouuuuusss :)
-Christie

Take it Easy

LYRICS....

"Take It Easy"
(polinar)

far, you're just so far
but why do I feel you?
as though you're sitting right next to me
but maybe I'm just trying to satisfy this compromise

and maybe while I play this guitar
you'll show up in my view
telling me not to worry
then I wake up and find my way back to reality

I hear the clock, it's ticking
late at night it's teasing me - oooo
I can feel the pressure
seeping deep inside of me

Chorus:
take it easy
go right ahead & don't forget to breathe
though it's not all that perfect
it's not always "make it or break it"
take it easy
go on ahead, don't be afraid to feel
no, i don't have all the answers
but as long as we're together
i'm GOnna take it easy


what have I become?
am I still the same me?
Is this the place where I want to be?
Wherever I go I try to find a place -
a home for my heart's rhythm

hear the clock, it's tickin'
late at night it's callin' me - ooooh
I can see the future
that is where you're taking me

bridge:
take my time, enjoy the ride (take it easy)
we'll be fine, all will align - take it... take it... take it...

©2011 all rights reserved.

I've been obsessed with this song, it's really inspirational. I love melissa polinar! Anyways, I've been really caught up with school work and other drama (UGH), the SATs are this Saturday, more videos and blog posts after.

I pinky promise! :)

-Christie