"I believe ---"

"I believe in the sun, even when it's not shining, I believe in love, even when I can't feel it & I believe in God, even when He's silent"

"If you're a fool for love you're no fool at all; vulnerability is a sign of strength- the absence of fear."


"He isn't your prince charming, if he doesn't make sure you know you're his princess."

Live my life from quote-to-quote

Anyone who knows me, knows I live my life from quote-to-quote. I've come across some great quotes and - unfortunately - didn't save them and they were never seen again. I'm going to start posting them here as somewhat of an archive. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do :)

Ipod full of memories

It always makes me laugh when old "flings" - if that's what you'd like to call it - rear their ugly head only to stir up enough curiosity to drive you insane. And just like that, they're gone. I analyze everything and those kinds of unpredictable encounters is enough to send my stress levels off the chart. At the end of the day, it makes me smile & even laugh & often wonder, if somewhere down the road, maybe... just maybe...

Over the past few days, I have recognized a few favorite things that I have taken for granted my entire life:

• raised on the water and on a boat, the feeling of salt in my hair and sun on my skin-- I'm convinced,  is good for my soul.
• mine and my brother's rekindled relationship. cMn leaving for college was more difficult than I could have ever imagined. it's wonderful watching him grow into an amazing gentleman but difficult to swallow that he's not my baby anymore.
• home is not a place but a state of mind. how non-blood relatives have become just as important to me as my 'big, fat Italian family" I left behind in New Jersey.
• To stop analyzing 'where I belong' and just go with the tides. in the end, I'll end up where I'm supposed to.
• play that old iPod on shuffle every now-and-then. amazing the memories and emotions those old songs you forgot about, can stir up. a comforting feeling.

To more of summer and the newest and most random bucket list my roommate and I wrote up last night. Hopefully some pictures to come soon!

A look back at the year

With 4th of July weekend quickly approaching, it's difficult not to think about where I was and what I was doing this time last year.  Maybe because prior to this year, 4th of July was virtually non-existent or maybe because this year, it is.  It feel like that part of my life is so much further away than just a year; that the people who meant the world to me, I no longer communicate with.

Exactly a year ago, I was on the second floor of a convention center, dressed in enough layers for ski slopes, physically and emotionally weak in every sense of the word; wishing time away.  It wasn't all enjoyable but I did (and still would) long for the end result.  The struggles, the hard work, the pain-- all things I am proud of.  I've defied my own abilities and that journey has shaped me into the woman I am.  I understand what I am capable of. I've proved it time and time again. As with all wonderful things, you eventually reach the last page of the chapter. It was all part of what I lived for, what I loved and what I eventually had to leave behind. To move on. To grow. To start my life in reality.

It's undoubtedly a bittersweet sensation and continues as a daily struggle, I can't help but strive for peace. Peace within the situation. Peace within myself. I'm still searching for my silver lining because I believe it exists.

Believe.