Cloudy with a Chance of Joy

I love watching Tedtalks. They get me to think, question ideas that never really crossed my mind. The other night, I was in the mood to watch a Tedtalk. So I scrolled and scrolled through videos, until one little square caught my eye. I scrolled over it and the name of the video was Cloudy with a Chance of Joy. Interesting....so I clicked on it. I read the synopsis on the side and come to find out, Gavin Pretor-Pinney is the creator of the Cloud Appreciation Society. WHAT?! Is there such a thing? 

I have always had a fascination for the sky, for those big, fluffy clouds that remind me of the wallpaper (here) in Andy's room in Toy Story. My family makes fun of me for sticking my head out the car window to feel the wind, soak up the sun, and stare at the clouds. Pretor-Pinney says, "they are the most diverse, evocative, poetic aspect of nature." You can tell how much I agree with this by how many pictures I take of the sky, some of which are shown below.

I think the most important point that Pretor-Pinney nails that hits home for me is, "The exotic can be found in the every day." I always thought, especially after being abroad, that I needed some huge adventure to be inspired, happy, or "finding myself".  This just isn't the case. I can find all the inspiration I need just by stepping out the front door, or gazing out the car window, taking the time to slow down and meditate.

With the busy-ness of the world and the digital age swirling around us and clouding our minds (pun intended), we miss what is so beautiful and standing right before us! Pretor-Pinney exclaims, "Pay attention to something so commonplace that everyone else misses it." I encourage you to: Be mindful. Be inspired. Be present. 

Athens, Greece (top of the Acropolis) 

Wicklow National Park, Ireland

Seville, Spain (outside my bedroom window)

Gibraltar, Spain

It is good for your ideas, good for your creativity...good for your soul. 

Malaga, Spain

Seville, Spain

Sanlucar de la Barrameda, Spain

If you live with your head in the clouds, every now and again, it will help you keep your feet on the ground.

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From A to Z

My A-Z to learn a little bit more about me. 

A // Available or Taken?
Taken by the most handsome man I know, Nathan. It has been 2 years and 3 months. He is hard working, kind, and has the sweetest laugh.

B // Book?
Well, I never really have a favorite, but, right now, I am finishing, "What Would Audrey Do?"

C // Cake or pie?
Cake. I like desserts very sweet. The thought of warm, yellow cake with chocolate frosting and a glass of milk makes my mouth water. 

D // Drink of choice?
Hands down, Diet Coke. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. I love my Diet Coke. Signs of a Diet Coke addict

E // Essential item?
My planner. I would probably be a hot mess without my planner that organizes my entire life. 

F // Favorite color?
PINK! I just adore the color pink, any and all shades of it.

G // Greatest hurdle?

Being able to communicate with my host mom and dad in Spain. At first, I was terrified to speak with them in Spanish, but as time went on, I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations and made an effort to talk to them more.

Carmen and Miguel

H // Hobbies?
playing ukulele, reading, writing, using social media, traveling and creating goals.

I // Indulgence?
Spending time with Nathan. We are both very busy people with work, school, and family so seeing each other seems like an indulgence.

J // Job?
Selling one of the most over-priced products in America, popcorn, at the local discount theater.

K // Kids and names?
No kids, but I do have names that I love: Lily Joy and Rowan Michael.

L // Life is incomplete without...?
Laughter, an open mind, and a nap.

M // Music group or singer?
Any acoustic tune has a way with my heart. 

N // Number of siblings?
Too many. I am the oldest of 9! Yes, that was not a typo, oldest of 9 in a blended family! The youngest is 6 and everyone else falls in between. Here are just a few of them:

O // Obsession?
Blue skies: sunshine, clouds, and colorful sunsets 

P // Place?
Cleveland, Ohio
Before I went to college, I didn't know much more about Cleveland than the stereotypes: dirty, stinky, etc. But ever since I have lived 15 minutes away and have had many opportunities to explore downtown, I have loved this up-and-coming city filled with so many opportunities. It is not the grimy, old city it used to be. 

Q // Quote?
"Inspire the woman. Impact the world." -Alpha Gamma Delta

R // Reason to smile?
Everything. I am thankful for the many blessings in my life that keep me smiling.

S // Season?
Fall: the weather isn't too hot or too cold, pumpkin picking, apple cider, colorful leaves, carving pumpkins, dressing up for Halloween, hay rides,.....just everything    

T // Tattoos?
I do not have any, but I wouldn't mind having this........NO8DO. It is the motto of Seville, meaning, "No me ha dejado" (It did not leave me). It means to me the time that I spent in Seville and the unfailing support I felt throughout my time there.

U // Unknown fact?
I received my first and only F in my first semester of college. I thought I wanted to be a music teacher. Failed Solfege.  Found different career path.

V // Vegetables you love?
snow peas, carrots, green beans, corn

W // Worst habit?
Getting on Facebook and wasting my day away. It just sucks me in!

X // X-rays you've had?
My teeth, but other than that I'm not sure. 

Y // Your favorite food?
Tacos, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and eggs.

Z // Zebra stripes or Cheetah print?
Cheetah print in small amounts. One of my favorite scarves is black and white cheetah print.

You can take the A-Z challenge too. Leave me a link in the comments section so I get to know you as well as you got to know me.