I've Got Sunshine On a Cloudy Day

There is something so peaceful about the rain. There is something even more peaceful about how quiet it makes the city, allowing people to run away and hide until the sun says peekaboo. I love the rain and the comforting feeling that comes with it. Perhaps the comforting feeling is from the sweats I will always wear if it rains, or my soft blankets that surround me while I curl up in bed and listen to the pitter-patter on my window. My hair will always promise to be frizzy in the rain, but during the days that these showers promise flowers, I'll take the frizz.

I took this photo on a sunny fall day in the East Village, NYC. There might be no better way to spend a Sunday morning than in the quiet peace of the East Village. New York City has an infinite amount of secrets, tucked back in the quiet corners that you wouldn't think to look. I was able to explore some of these secrets on a blistery but spring-like day with a close friend. The people seemed so unique, the thick rimmed, large glasses seem to be the "it" item of the year (I'm so up on my fashion!) The parks seemed to be scenes from movies, though inviting and exciting once I entered. Very artistic and seemingly status quo. It was a fresh reminder of the fact that I do love New York and its quirky aspects and hidden treasures.

I just ran into a few someone's today Someone's that I never really knew And I used to think how I had them all so figured out But no, none of it's true 'cause I never knew you and now the truth of it is, is I wanna be like you So hello, good friend, I wanna be next to you For my head, for my heart, for what's true So I'm burning the thoughts of the things that I once said Because you tore down the walls that the world has put inside my head And I just get sick of the things that we think, we think we know And no, none of it's true 'cause I never knew you and now the truth of it is, is I wanna be like you So hello, good friend, I wanna be next to you For my head, for my heart, for what's true So take me and save me and change me and then make me And embrace me and then brave my heart for you No, no, 'cause I can't go on without you And it's time for something new oh oh And no, none of it's true 'cause I ...

Usually stories don't start out with a conclusion. As an English major I know that narrative stories start with a beginning, work their way up to a climax, and then fall to a conclusion. But this story that I'm about to tell begins with a conclusion. I have come to the conclusion that my life, as Liz, as the young woman I have become, has been the definition of average. Not average in a bad way. Just average as in average, social norm, status quo. My life has been amazing; I am grateful to have the opportunities that have come to me, or rather that I have worked hard to achieve. I have traveled the world, I have made lifelong friends, and I have received an education that lands me a top spot in the group of the educated population in our country. I have a mother that has supported the decisions I have made, the chances I have taken, and the roads I have walked. My sister is especially close to me emotionally and factually, being that we were born two minutes apart on that cold...

Let's be serious, I was attracted to this bottle because of the color and the name. Green Fin White Table Wine in a green bottle with a green top. I was hesitant because I'm particular about white wine especially since I like things sweet. I figured if I didn't like the taste I could always cook with it so for $3.99 at the Trader Joe's Wine Shop in Union Square I couldn't refuse. I was very pleasantly surprised! I absolutely loved this wine! I can't wait to go back because I will be purchasing this again. It was not overly sweet but it was not overly dry either. It was a nice color and it is made from organic grapes! Overall I'm very happy I bought this wine and I will buy it again!

People come into our lives and people go. Some go far, far away. Some go away for good. Some leave footprints and others leave daggers, broken pieces. Some people leave loyalty, love, peace, knowledge, even fear or pride. Some people leave irreplaceable memories, some leave heartache we wish we could never remember. Some leave us smiles and warm hugs that we can always feel. People come into our lives and people go. And some people come back into our lives. Perhaps these are the people that always give us butterflies no matter how many times we see them. Perhaps these are the people that we can't quite let go of no matter how hard we try. Perhaps these are the people that we can recall the exact moment we met- where we were, what we were wearing, doing, saying. Whether it was "love at first sight" in the high school auditorium, a celebrity lookalike passing by, a random meeting on a dark street by a police car, or a one on one awkward hello in the school gym. Some peopl...

I was the lucky recipient of a random act of kindness the other day. Yes people hold the door for me and say "bless you" when I sneeze. But when my friends and I were out to dinner, an anonymous donor wished to pay a portion of our bill. It took us all by surprise. We could not figure out why it was us they had decided to help. After being taken aback and quietly thinking for a few moments, we decided it was because we are good people and good things happen to good people. It taught me a lesson though- not only did I say special prayers for them and thank them and wish good things to happen to them, but I learned it's time to pass it on. To pay it forward. When someone preforms a random act of kindness and you witness it, it means the only way to keep the peace in this world is to keep it going strong. Kindness. Pass it on.