Let's face it...

I will get to the other half of those questions eventually... Life has currently taken over and I haven't had much time to get back to blogging, but I do apologize. 


"Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself." -Chinese Proverb


I having been living life full speed ahead lately. In doing so, I find that I miss out on many things that I should have noticed. Some of these are important and some aren't. However, it seems when I look back on the past couple of months I see a recurring pattern; the pattern of opportunity. Each time you take a breath, you are offered the opportunity to extend your life, even if it is for just a few seconds. Each time you meet someone new, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impression. That person could become your best friend or your worst enemy. I guess what I am getting at is the fact that each person has the ability to choose. Sure, sometimes you do have to play the hand you are dealt, sometimes it's the luck of the draw, but ultimately you do have some say so about how your life goes. 


Thus leading to the quote I posted at the beginning. I feel like this doesn't apply just to teachers, but to life in general. Each day we learn new lessons and life acts as the ultimate teacher. Everywhere around you is doors. First you have to look for them. I know (trust me, I have been there) sometimes you have to squint, sometimes you have to refresh your screen, sometimes you may even have to do a double take, but I do promise that those doors are there and they are meant to be used by you.


Here's my challenge to you: Look around you, seize opportunity, and live life. Most of all, don't be afraid of making mistakes... just learn from it!

Half way there :)

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

For me this question is kind of tough. Perhaps 7 months ago my answer would be different but in the past 7 months I have done an immense amount of growing up and changing so I believe that I would answer this with 23 or 24.

2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?

Never trying, hands down.

Each time I try something new I feel exhilarated. It doesn’t matter if I succeed or fail. I am trying these things for me, to improve the person I am and I would MUCH rather try something and fail than to be in the dark and have never tried at all.

3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

Media. Peer Pressure. Trying to fit in.—The answer is different for everyone but for me, I feel so much pressure from the people around me to like certain things, to do certain things and I don’t realize that these things aren’t me until it’s too late and I am too caught up in trying to please people. In fact, this question makes me question if I really like anything that I do. From now on, my pledge to myself is to legitimately question everything I do to see if it’s really me or if I am just doing it because of pressure.

4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

I sure hope not. I am trying to be someone that I genuinely like. I am trying to become a doer and I am trying to make things happen. I am going to start with my dreams and go from  there.

5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

What is the one thing I wouldn’t change about the world, honestly. But to actually answer this question. I would like for there to be no hate. I am not asking for full on acceptance of everything but at least tolerance. It sounds simple, but it’s really not.

6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

Wow. I didn’t think this question would be this hard. I get my happiness from those people around me and seeing them happy. I am one of those people that lets my mood be determined by those around me. I know this isn’t a good thing and I should make myself happy, but honestly if the people that I love aren’t happy then I would resent my own happiness.

7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

I would like to say that I am doing what I believe in. I really, really would. The best I can say now is that I am trying to figure out what I believe in. I have a long road ahead of me, but maybe one day I will be able to look back on this and see that I am doing what I believe in because I certainly don’t believe in settling.

8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

Wow. I would be half way to my death. The fact of the matter is I don’t think I would do anything differently. I want to live my life by doing what makes me happy, what I find enjoyment in and not in fear that each day will be my last and try to fit in 80 years worth of living in half the time.

9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

I remember a specific time in my life when I was staring down two different paths. I could see the direction that my life would take with each one. I knew that it was that particular decision that would lead me to become the person that I would die as. I chose the responsible route. I cut ties with the people that were holding be back. I stopped letting other’s opinions matter, and I developed in to the person who is writing this. I think by making that particular choice, I was able to control the course my life has taken. Of course there are the occasional speed bumps and there are times when God and fate interfere, but for the most part what I do controlled by me.

10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

Who defines right and wrong anyway? I am not concerned with doing either. I am more concerned in doing the things that I want to do. The things that will help shape my personality and I think at the end of the day that’s all that matters.

11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?

You can respect and admire people and have vastly different opinions than him or her. I would speak out in my friend’s defense. I want to be a person that people respect and admire as well and if I sit back and allowed other people to criticize someone important in my life, then I could no longer ask someone to respect me. As long as I spoke out in a tasteful manner that allowed others to see my point of view, then perhaps I could change their mind.

12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Love. Love with no hesitation. Even if your heart gets broken, it is worth it.

13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?

I would break the law to save someone I didn’t even know.

14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?

Yes. Insanity breeds creativity.

15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

I eat my chicken biscuits from chik-fil-a differently. I take them apart and eat it all with honey mustard. J

16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?

Because I am an individual. I don’t think the same as everyone and no one thinks the same as me.

17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?

I use to always want to go on a solo road trip up the east coast, now I want to do that with the love of my life. The only thing stopping me from getting in the car yesterday is money. I wish I wasn’t broke.

18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?

Isn’t everyone? We all come with baggage. It’s the way of life. If I let go of it, I would maybe forget who I became because of it, and I am not willing to make that mistake again.

19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?

If I had to move to another state, I would probably go to Boston, MA. I don’t really have a reason I have just always wanted to go to Boston. Maybe one of these days.

20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?

Of course I do. I am an American. Americans are demanding and want things instantly. Of course it doesn’t make the elevator faster, but I am impatient. 

21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

I am all about living my life with joy. I hate worrying and being unhappy.

22. Why are you, you?

I am me because of the experiences I have had, because of the people I have met, because I have made the decisions that I have made and because of the people that I have loved. If I would have lived my life a millisecond slower or faster than I have, I would be someone completely different. 

23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

I have tried. I haven’t always succeeded, of course. But no one is perfect. I would have rather learned the things that I have than have been perfect. But I think I have been as successful as most in this endeavor.

24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

Losing touch with a good friend who lives near you for sure. My best friend moved to Arizona in 2007 and it has probably strengthened our friendship more than it has hurt it. We still talk all the time and she is going to be one of my bridesmaids in my wedding.

25. What are you most grateful for?

The people in my life. Without my friends, family, and the love of my life I would be nothing. They have been there through the good and the bad. They have saw me cry, they have celebrated my successes, and they have helped me become the person I am. These people are the reason that I am alive and they are the reason that I continue to better myself.

50 Questions that will Free Your Mind

I was looking for photographers and such today online and one click lead to another and the next thing I knew I was looking at this which is called 50 Questions to Free Your Mind. I found it interesting and I am going to try to answer these for myself and I challenge you to do the same. 

These questions have no right or wrong answers.
Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
22. Why are you, you?
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
25. What are you most grateful for?
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?
30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
32. If not now, then when?
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?
50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?

- Amanda

Becoming Mrs. Payne?

My fiance thinks that I should rededicate my blog to my journey of wedding planning and such. While I'm not completely sold on the idea, I will share with you our first bout of wedding planning thus far.

Today Kyle and I went to Nashville to a Bridal Bootcamp at Events @ 1418 hosted by Ashley's Bride Guide. It was AMAZING! No, really  I cannot tell you how great and what a big help these ladies already have been. They answered questions that I didn't even know that I had and they offered inside advice into how to keep from becoming a bridezilla, which I am trying really hard to avoid.

The things that Kyle and I are struggling with so far are trying to figure out where to start and where to get the money for a wedding, seeing as how we are both broke college students. Although I have been quite shell shocked at the idea of spending $2000 on wedding photos and another $2000 on a wedding coordinator, these ladies opened my eyes to the beauty of it all. I don't have to do that!! The only thing that is required of me and my wonderful fiance is the fact that we have to be at the alter (or venue of our choice) and we have to enjoy our day.

Since I have been reflecting upon this, I am going to make my vow to my wonderful husband-to-be here, on this blog in front of God and everyone so that I can reflect upon this each time I start to stray from what I have promised.

Kyle, I cannot promise you much when it comes to our future and all of this wedding chaos, but what I can promise you is to make this day about me and you and the joy of spending the rest of our lives together. I TRY my best not to blow things out of proportion and I will try to compromise about everything we disagree on. I want this to be a day you look back on and have no regrets. I want the same thing for myself. I know this isn't a lot but it's all that I can make sure of. I love you with all of my heart.

-Amanda