The little things

We tend to look forward to the big things in life--the day we graduate high school, going to college, getting married--the things we dream up in our heads over and over again, imagining what it'll be like. Every minute detail we concoct in our brains with absolute perfection. Those long-awaited events one day really do come, just as we thought they would. They are exciting--sometimes with even as much perfection as we imagined. But they whiz past us in a fleeting moment. It's often in those "big" moments when I feel like I'm dreaming, having an out-of-body experience. I feel I should be captivated by this grandiose, overwhelming feeling; but instead, it all just seems natural and less novel than I imagined it would be. They come and go, and we're left with just a faint impression of an all-too-fleeting day.

On the contrary, it's those little things that we forget to dream about--and more importantly, often forget to even take notice of, that urge us to fulfillment. A life made up of a few spectacular days, doesn't create the sweet peace that comes from a life full of the simple, daily things we take advantage of. Today Derek and I happened to have our lunch breaks at the same time and got to talk in the middle of the day--something that almost never happens. Something so minuscule, but it completely made my day. It's those little things that make the journey an incredible ride. A ride where I want to soak up every tiny detail and keep it forever. Things like how he tells me I'm beautiful every single day, regardless of how I think I look. The freckles on his upper arms. The fact that he's always winking at me. How cute he is when he says things in his Canadian way. How he'll sing to me when I ask him to. The scar on his forehead. All the little things that make him Derek. I wouldn't trade all the little things for a perfect wedding, an exhilarating graduation, or tons of big, exciting events we endlessly dream up. I just want to keep living each day and realize how lucky I am to have these constant things that keep life full of joy and love. 

Poetry Time!

Harmony

There’s a beauty that comes at a certain time,

when everything seems out of place.

Things have fallen and you can’t seem to climb;

you tell yourself you’ll lose just one race.

It’s when all seems lost and you’re ready to break,

You put on a smile and courage you fake.

Turning to your maker, you concede to His will.

With all of your might, you take one stride.

Into the darkness you go; fear sends a chill

up your spine. But you know He will guide

your paths to a place where you can see.

A whole person you might one day be.

You can’t seem to see how things will end.

He must be mistaken, there’s no way out.

Try as you may, things don’t seem to bend,

plans fall through and your heart starts to doubt.

But He is there to lift your soul;

He’s the one knowing the ultimate goal.

You continue to move through the thickening mist,

but this time your worry and doubt is gone.

All that you needed is crossed off the list.

The sun is breaking; it’s a breathtaking dawn.

He’s the one that carried you through;

A person you’ve become—whole and new. 

Trying Something New: Nail Tutorial

Today I decided to try to make a tutorial while avoiding my homework. I love painting nails and I always see cool designs online but I get frustrated when I can't figure out how to do them. So here's to hoping I help someone not face that same frustration!

To start off, all I used to create this look is in the top picture. I used OPI base and top coat; China Glaze Turned Up Turquoise; Black, White, and Silver Glitter from Kiss Nail Art paint (I got these at Fred Meyer for pretty cheap....LOVE THEM and use them all the time. Worth the money! Similar here); and a comb with a skinny handle (Rattail comb?). 

Note: Be sure to let layers dry in between steps. The thicker your layer, the longer you should wait.

1. Start with clean nails and apply a base coat

2. Apply your color of choice

3. Add a second layer of your color 

4. Using the Black Kiss Nail Art, create a line going from the bottom, outside corner of your nail (away from your thumb) toward the top, inside corner (near your thumb)

5. Fill in the nail above the line with the black. I used the nail art brush because it's the only black I have, but this would be a lot easier if you use a thicker brush.

Note: I loved this look on it's own. Feel free to stop here, continue on, or jump to step 7.

6. Take the white nail polish and drip 1-2 drops onto a piece of paper or cardboard. 

Note: Napkins and paper towels don't work too well for this step because they tend to absorb the polish too quickly.

Using the end of the comb, dip it into the nail polish and dot your nail. (You can also use a dotter, but this is the cheap, home-made way to do it). Create whatever dot design you'd like. 

7. Using the Silver Glitter, create a line between the color and the black, just like you did with the black in step 4. 

8. Finish off with a top coat and you're done! 

Hope this inspires you in your nail art endeavors! I'd love to know if anyone tries this :)