We are usually looking for something. An escape, a new goal, a destination, an experience. When you stop looking, you realize what you’ve been searching for is right in front of you. Time to start focusing on the current moment, and worry less about those to come.

Recently, on a night out in the town, I discovered that one of my closest middle school friends was truly fulfilling his dream.

Ethan and I had become close friends in the seventh grade; I was serving detention for laughing too much, and he had showed up early to help the teacher with some work. From that morning on, the two of us were practically inseparable. On weekends, we would get together with our friend Lisa, and the three of us would hang out, and eat dinner together. Ethan always cooked for us, as he had dreams of becoming a Chef. We were close for a few years, but seemed to have drifted from each other in high school. We graduated, went off to college, and disappeared from each other’s lives.

Wouldn’t you know, seven years later, I spot Ethan in the kitchen of a very upscale restaurant, Brimstone. Ethan was not only the youngest chef in the kitchen, but he was high ranking as well. At only twenty years old, my childhood friend Ethan was in training to become the Sous-Chef.

I waved to him from my table, grinning from ear to ear. There was the boy I knew since the seventh grade, evolving his dream to a reality. I noticed how happy he looked to be there, wearing is white coat, hustling in a busy kitchen. He had accomplished greatness; he was living his dream.

But what about the rest of us? Why is it that we all, so easily, give up our dreams?

Maybe yours was to become an actor, or perhaps an astronaut. What is it that triggers us to settle for something else?

Many of us throw away our dreams, because it has been planted in our minds that, “it’s not realistic,” or, “it’s impossible.” We trash our goals and passions to settle for something else, like a 9-5 day job behind a computer, because it makes more money. Either way, I believe it is time for all of us to do some soul searching. Take a break from the iPhones and computers. Take time to yourself to figure out what your dream once was, and where is disappeared to.

As for my friend Ethan, a job well done :)

Summer is around the corner, and living in South Florida, I am already aware of the amount of people who will be at the beach soaking up some sun. Sure, the warmth feels great, and who doesn’t love a little color?

But, maybe the beach isn’t your scene. No, instead you prefer to go to a tanning bed. It’s quick, easy, and cheap.. why not?

SKIN CANCER!

This post is not ment to persuade, or demand you to protect yourself from the sun. All of us are aware of what skin cancer is, or atleast we have heard the term before, but there is so much we don’t know. Recently I decided to use the topic of skin cancer to present an informative speech to my class. But why let all my research go to waste? I decided to post some interesting facts for all of you to see aswell.

Did you know:

- Skin cancer is the most common form of caner in the United States.

- Melanoma skin cancer is the deadliest type of skin cancer, killing approx. 8,650 Americans in 2009.

- Over 1 MILLION cases of skin cancer occur every year.

- Indoor tanning beds are 74% more likely to cause skin cancer than outdoor UV.

- It has been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once.

-  In the UK there are 9,500 new cases of melanoma each year, resulting in 2,300 deaths.

- Skin cancer it the most common cancer in the young population (20 – 39 age group).

- Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, its combined incidence surpassing lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer all together.

     So, I know many of you want the hot, sexy tan, but take advice from someone who has already had skin cancer removed twice.. the unprotected tan just is not worth it.

In the past few months, I have hit more road blocks than I ever imagined I’d be able to handle. My plans have all been turned upside down, bent, or lost. I have been let down, disappointed in myself, and completely blank all at once. Now I sit here, on my bed after a long shift at work, and let it out.

It seems that for so long, I have tried to control every aspect of my life. Tried to shape my future into exactly what I wanted, but never truly enjoyed the ride. I have run around headless, trying to make short ends meet, and have nothing to show for the stress I’ve caused for myself. As a sophomore in college, I had planned to be attending FSU this coming fall, and wouldn’t you know, it all went wrong. Twice I was told I would never be attending FSU, that there was no possible way.

After headaches and many meetings with my advisors, it turns out there is a loop hole, and I will be making it in the spring, only one semester behind. Am I happy?  Absolutely.

However, I’ve learned something from this whole run around of an experience. Am I enjoying the life I lead at this very moment?

Naturally, many of us worry so much about the “tomorrow” in our lives that we forget to really live each moment. Yes, we do all need to have goals and ambitions, think about continuing education and future jobs. But what about your goals for today? Though it’s hard, try to enjoy every moment of your life, especially the moment you’re in now, because in the end, the plans you make for tomorrow will all be changed anyways.

Linds

to get away… vacation.. really far. with no form of communication. A few days.. away.  Please and thank you.

jdavidw:

Sparky via my new macro zoom lens.

That your freakin awesome girlfriend of amazingness got you :)

   Growing up, I have learned who I am as a person, and have realized, I’m pretty great.

I give and give and give, until I have nothing left, and even then, I bend over backwards. I encourage, I support, and I listen. It has become clear to me that people have the tendency to turn to me. Perhaps for advice, understanding, or even just a smile. I am a great friend.

I don’t allow anyone to put me down, or tell me I can’t do something. I don’t ask for much, and I always give all of my effort into life. This includes friendships, relationships, family, and work. I am dedicated, I am open-minded, and I am confident.

I have a backbone like no other. And even through truly hard times, I try to stay positive. At age 19, I must say, I am very proud of the person I have become.

So, here is a little pat on my own back, for being who I am.