Sometimes You Just Need a Change

Dear fellow bloggers,

I'd like to invite you to my new blog, Travel with T. This doesn't necessarily mean I am deleting my current blog, but I wanted to designate an entire blog towards my travels. In the Fall, I will be studying Tourism Development and Management at ASU, so I thought a travel blog would be a perfect way to, not only capture my travel experiences, but also the things I will be learning in my new major. I hope you will bookmark the link and join me as I write about what I'm really passionate about. I also hope to update this blog as well.... I have been a major slacker lately! Thanks for reading.

Tara.

Leia Mais…

Ortopilot

I just recently came across this guy's music and I have to tell you, he is amazing! Ortopilot is his "name." If you haven't heard him, you can get a little taste here. The first video is a recent cover he did of "Ignorance" by Paramore. If you like what you hear, check out the additional videos. And if you really like what you hear, go purchase a few of his songs on Itunes or subscribe to his Youtube page. He's got some fun videos too.

(Note: This is one guy, not a set of twins)

Leia Mais…

It's All About God And People

Hillsong Vision 2010

Vision Sunday 2010 from Hillsong Church on Vimeo.

Leia Mais…

Simply Amazing.

This guy is a genius.

(Beware: Some foul language. I apologize)

Leia Mais…

Across distant seas

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel it read only a page."

Saint Augustine

So far, I have set foot on 4 continents, experienced life in 11 different countries, and swam in two of Earth’s five oceans. I still haven’t seen enough yet. In reality, I’ve only seen 5% of the world’s 195 countries. And what I’ve seen has been mind-blowing, heart capturing, and completely unforgettable. I can’t imagine what else there is to see in the other 95% of it!

I’ve compiled a list of countries and states in the US that I want to visit (cant forget the many states I’ve yet to see in my own country). In reality, I’d like to see the whole world if I had the chance, but this list includes those places I am most passionate about and have an itch to see first. They are the priorities. Also included are those I have had the opportunity to see but would like to go back to experience more (crossed out).

Countries I want to visit:

Australia

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

Denmark

Ecuador

Egypt (this will be marked off in March!)

England

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

India

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kenya

The Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Rwanda

Scotland

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Thailand

Uganda

Zambia

I’ve been to 9 states so far. My goal is to at least get to all 50, but here are those that I desire to see first:

Illinois

Maine

Massachusetts

New Jersey

New York

North & South Carolina

Oregon

Rhode Island

Tennessee

Washington

There's just something about traveling that I can't get enough of. Maybe it's the excitement of getting on a plane in Arizona and landing in a new country in the same day. Maybe it's the way life seems to stop when you get out of your hometown. Maybe it's experiencing a fresh and unique culture. Maybe it's the way it connects you to the rest of the world. Or, maye it's how it makes the world feel so incredibly big and you just a little spec. Whatever it is, I love it. And it's traveling for traveling's sake. It's not just to go and see the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben. It's not to go eat at Hard Rock Cafe in every country with other Americans (although I admit eating at one in London). It's to experience the cultures that were created centuries ago. It's to meet people along the way, to make connections with those you would never be able to at home. It's to cross lands that history has stamped. It's to learn. To experience. To understand. To lose ignorance. To gain a new perspective. And to live life like others do. It's to see the world as God created it. And I'm going to do it until I die. Who's with me?

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people,

you might better stay at home.”

James Michener

Leia Mais…

Between who you are and who you could be

There are times when I just feel stuck, like my foot is ensnared in a mouse trap and I can’t move. Times where motivation is lost and I can’t get myself out of the trap to move ahead. I feel like this might be the season I’m in.

The other night, while driving home, I came across a song on the radio called “Dare You to Move” by Switchfoot. I began to allow the words to fill my mind as I drove. The lyrics are perfect for this time in my life. This season where I feel that I'm not living to my full potential. To the potential God created me with. The song says, "the tension is here, between who you are and who you could be." I realize that who I am now, is not the person I could be. To get to that point requires motivation and action. The chorus says “I dare you to move, I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor. I dare you to move like today never happened.”

So, I have a choice. I can either stay put, or I can get up and move. I can continue to be complacent or I can put yesterday aside and look ahead.



Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next?
What happens next?

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
The tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened before

Leia Mais…

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Midnight. It's quiet in the house. Everyone is asleep. I'm bundled up in a hoodie, heater warming up my feet, a peanut butter jelly sandwich in hand, and Pandora playing in the background. I'm satisfied. It's times like these that make life seem to slow down a bit. Times that allow you to take a breather and gain the strength to face another day... a day filled with appointments, family responsibilities, homework, deadlines, etc. But, somewhere in the midst of the chaos and busyness of life, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at midnight bring peace.

Leia Mais…