INSTAGRAM wednesday: a LOVE NOTE

Every once in awhile, Dustin will write me love notes.  He'll fold it like a genius, {which in theory is super cute, but usually only reminds me of the horrible experiences I had doing origami in school} and usually the note is simple and sweet.

It's the little things in life that matter most, and the-fear-of-origami-love-notes certainly can brighten my day.

{#hestaken}

MUSIC mondays: VAST

I first discovered VAST {Video Audio Sensory Theater} back in high school.  They're one of those bands whose music I have stored in my iTunes library, but sometimes forget that it's there.  But, when I remember about them, I listen to them over and over again because there music is just so amazing.

There are many to choose from, but today I'm featuring their song Don't Take Your Love Away From Me.  I love this song.  The lyrics are so beautiful, yet desperate.  I think love is best expressed through music, and this song is a perfect example of how vulnerable we all are when it comes to matters of the heart.  I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do.

Today, I am happy to be linking my posts with Miss Angie over at My So-Called Chaos.  She has a weekly meme called Musical Mondays that I think is so great and will hopefully be participating in every week from here on out.

what's IN an AGE?

"Where did you two meet, Amber Alert?

-Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock

Today's thought is about dating.  More specifically, the importance of age and dating.

I personally don't think age is that big of a deal.  If two people get along and like being with each other, who cares if one is 12 years older than the other?  Of course, there are a few exceptions.  For example, if a 30 year old guy is dating an 18 year old girl.  A girl who is technically not a "juvie,"  but basically still is.  That's kind of messed up to me.

Men dating younger women has always been normal.  No one really thinks much about it (well, unless it's an Anna Nicole Smith type marriage).  When a woman dates a younger man, however, it's headline news.  Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.  Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake.  The media was all over these two couples when they first got together, and it seemed as though everyone was talking about their age differences.

So, the real question is, when a woman dates a younger man, is it really all that interesting?  I mean, there's a new TV show on ABC called "Cougars" for crying out loud.  And it's a popular show.  But, seriously, what's the big deal?

Looking back on my own dating experiences, the majority of the guys I dated were always older than me.  Most were a few years older.  Some, a few months older.  My husband is 3 months, 2 days older than me.  And, as far as older guys goes, he's the youngest older guy I ever dated.  :)

I did go out on a few dates with a guy almost a year younger than me.  If I'm really honest with myself, I have to admit that the age difference did bug me.  I'm not really sure why it bugged me.  After all, my grandma is older than my grandpa.  My mom is older than my dad.  My sister is older than her husband.  Maybe it bothered me because this guy was kind of a loser and I'm not sure why I even gave him the light of day.  Not to say I'm this perfect person, but this guy really didn't have much to offer me.  He didn't challenge me intellectually or had the same drive that I did.  I guess that's why things didn't work out.

What do you all think about age and dating?  Is it a big deal to you?  Thoughts?

my 10 LOVES

"What truly is logic?  Who decides reason?  My quest has taken me to the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional, and back.  I have made the most important discovery of my career - the most important discovery of my life.  It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reason can be found. I am only here tonight because of you.  You are the only reason I am.  You are all my reasons."

-John Nash, A Beautiful Mind

I was tagged by Karen.  I'm suppose to list 10 things that I love.  And, in keeping with my posting tradition, I have included my favorite quote about love from the movie A Beautiful Mind.

And,  here is my list in no particular order.

1.  I love being a lefty.  Sure, my ink often smears when I write.  Yeah, my paper is always turned completely sideways.  But, despite all that, being left-handed is really cool.  We lefties love other lefties.  It's so funny when a fellow lefty sees me writing and happily exclaims, "Hey!  I'm a lefty too."  It's cool belonging to the Lefty Club.

2.  I love text messaging.  It's fast, it's fun, and boy, oh, boy it beats talking on the phone.  Man, I just love hearing my text message alert.  It's like Christmas morning!

3.  I love music.  I can't say enough about the importance of music in my life.  Music helps me emotionally, mentally and physically.  It calms me down, motivates me and makes me think.  It's a beautiful thing.

4.  I love lip gloss.  There's nothing like a little shimmer on my lips to help me get through a rainy day.

5.  I love my husband.  I tried to make this list about things that I love that aren't obvious, like my husband. But, I really do love my husband and not just because he's my husband, but because he's an amazing fella.  He loved it when I made more money than him.  He didn't mind when I struggled taking his last name after we were married.  He has awful taste in music.  He looks great in jeans.  He thinks about ways to surprise me and then tells me about his ideas instead of actually carrying them out and surprising me.  I could go on for days!

6.  I love people watching.  People watching in an airport is the best.  Such a wide variety of people and personalities everywhere!

7.  I love cities.  It wasn't until I moved to a small city in Idaho that I realized I am a major fan of big cities.  I love all the movement, the sounds, the smells.  It's all so great.  I can't wait to live in a bigger city soon!

8.  I love Feng Shui.  Okay, so I'm not a real feng shui expert, but I do believe every room in a home should have a purpose and a comfortable layout.  When I first moved into my current home, I spent hours arranging and rearranging my formal living room.  It was endless, but once I found the perfect place for each item of furniture it was like magic.  

9.  I love my puppies.  My husband will laugh his head off when he reads this.  I think I utter the words, "I can't stand these dogs!" more than anything else.  My dogs are so annoying.  They bark non-stop.  They pee whenever they get excited.  They track in mud all throughout my house.  They require so much attention like food and grooming.  Ugh!  But, at the end of the day, they are so loyal and love nothing more than to cuddle up next to me while I watch Law & Order.

10.  I love laughing.  Whether I'm all alone watching an episode of 30 Rock, in a big crowd full of friends and family or browsing through Awkward Family Photos, laughing is great.  It really is the best medicine.

Thanks for the tag, K-Lo.  It was sure fun!

REACHING that POINT

"I think it's getting to the point where I can be myself again.  It's getting to the point where we have almost made amends.  I think, it's the getting to the point that is the hardest part."

-Call and Answer, Barenaked Ladies

We've all been there.  You've just called it quits with your boyfriend.  Whether it was your idea or not, it hurts.

I've experienced heartache like this a few times in my life.  The first time was when I was 17 years old.  I had just dumped my first boyfriend, Ryan, because he didn't treat me the way I thought he should.  It was your typical high school drama, but it was a big deal for me at the time.  

I felt so sad without the company of my once boyfriend of 3 months.  I did whatever I could to get over him by spending time with my friends and family.  But, sometimes I embraced my heartache by chillin' in my room, listening to music and thinking about all the good ol' days.  It was really difficult, and some days I never thought I'd get over him.

One evening, a few months later, I was at home painting my closet door (thanks Mom and Dad for allowing me to do that, by the way) when my phone rang.  I answered and heard "Hey" on the other end.  I reluctantly said, "Hey" and then asked, "Who is this?"  I heard a chuckle, and then the voice said, "This is Ryan."  I have absolutely no idea why he called or what we talked about.  The only thing I remember is feeling so great that I did not recognize his voice.  In that moment, I knew I was at "the point."  I was over him.  

Sure, getting to "the point" sucked big time, but once I was there it was like all that pain and heartache never existed. 

After the whole Ryan thing, I moved away to college.  I met and dated new guys.  I went through more breakups and had more heartache.  Most were easy to deal with compared to my high school days.  I suppose I was better equipped emotionally to deal with the pain.  One, however, topped them all.  But that's a thought for a different time.

So, do any of you have any great "getting to the point" experiences?  Am I the only one that remembers stuff like this?

Thoughts?