What Are You Really Saying Though?

Today in one of the classes we finished a little early, so the teacher decided to reward them for their good behavior and efforts, by playing a song that he'd shown them earlier in the week. I was pretty excited to hear it, because in both classes we had together yesterday, with groups from the same year, they were begging him to play it, and anything related to learning that gets these groups that hyped, I'm keen on experiencing. I knew it was related to heat transfers, and to be honest, was surprised that they liked whatever it was so much, since there is a general disinterest from most people this age in most subjects. This is what came on...

I listened on in awe as the whole class sang along, bopping around in their seats, totally digging this tune about conduction, convection, and radiation. Let me repeat that once more for emphasis:

A group of teenagers were happily singing along to a song about conduction, convection, and radiation. They were happily....learning! 

O_o 

(If you teach this age, I'm sure your eyes are bugging out of your head as much as mine were as I witnessed it all happening.)

I mean, this is a group, that when the teacher enters the room, doesn't even consider it as a sign that they should take their seats, open their notebooks, and be quiet. One group among many that ignores the teacher's many futile efforts of asking them to be quiet, has to comment on everything that is said and start a class-wide discussion, and rarely engages in admirable efforts of showing respect to their teachers, each other, or me. So when they were completely absorbed in a song that was designed to teach them something, I couldn't believe it! I was overtaken by deep thoughts and assessments, and this incredibly obvious-but-strong thought/realization came over me:

Pop music has the power 

(Top 40's).

For people of any age, it is catchy, sticks in your head, and isn't too complicated follow or interpret, so it's easy to listen to. And especially for people in the 11-18 age range, it's their musical Bible, their water and their air, their steak and potatoes. It's got repetitive lyrics, probably related to something you can relate to, and therefore these lyrics become mantras. We used to put them in our AIM messenger statuses and info boxes, now they are plastered all over Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, and on whatever other platforms people are up to these days. We hear a song, and it's not hard to associate it to something or someone in our lives, which contributes to us liking it, because, "Wow, this song is like, so perfect for me. I feel like they wrote it about my life!"

Which is why, while I was listening to teens singing about heat transfer, I came to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter what the song is saying, because let's face it, the lyrics in most of the top hits these days are total crap. And if the case is as it were today, as it so often is, a typical Top Hit is sung in English, but played all over the world. So you've got kids here in Spain jamming out and loving a song, but most don't even understand what they're hearing and singing. (A prime example coming from Lil Wayne's song, "Lollipop." A Spanish friend of mine told me how much she liked it, but that when she looked up the translation of the lyrics, couldn't believe what it said/she'd been saying!) Instead, it's the tune, the beat, the rhythm. That upbeat sound that makes us sway a little, and tends to take our heads to a happy place. It's pure psychological genius on the part of those who are trying to control the world with the junk. Which is why it's also a little (a lot, a lot, lot, lot, lot) unfortunate that these musical artists aren't using their position to say much of anything that's worth something, and that in the grander scheme of things, they aren't allowed to or promoted if they do.

It immediately reminded me of a scene in Step Up 4, when the lead female character is telling the lead male, that they have millions of people watching their videos on Youtube, but they aren't actually saying anything. That they had everyone's attention, all the eyes, but what was the message? And that's exactly how I feel about the pop genre. And this is all coming from a girl who was living and breathing Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, N'SYNC, and the Backstreet Boys growing up, and still can be caught singing along to a pop song every once in a while.

The point is, if more artists would dare to be true to their artistic talent and not sell out for fame and fortune (which only appears to bring happiness, but doesn't do anything to satisfy the soul), then imagine the impact it could have! Imagine these teens around the world singing about peace, love, taking care of one another, how to help each other, sustainability and being a conscious creature on Earth, instead of "You broke my heart, now Imma break your car," "Women are sluts and need to be exploited," "Today I don't feel like doing anything, and I'm not going to, because I'm rich and famous and don't have to, so yeah, that's what I'm saying, hahaha, SEX!" (All paraphrased a bit, but the meaning is relatively maintained. ;-)

It would be SO COOL to hear teens and people repeating lyrics of love and wisdom, instead of this junk that just makes them think the only way to fit in is by wasting yourself on the weekends, going shopping, falling in and out of love, being promiscuous, playing sports, being the biggest, best, prettiest, smartest-but-not-in-your-face-smart (oh yeah, and don't forget you still have to be HOTT), fastest, richest, most-followed, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. My gosh, it's no wonder teens aren't motivated to learn things in school, with all the crap lessons they're being taught, nothing that we're actually trying to teach them is important or going to score them points in society's book of who's who! And woooowwwwieeee, the amount of energy that would be getting sent to these positive things for the world and society!? Crazy what we would see happen! It's no wonder the world is a broken mess with all the stuff we keep singing!

This is a call for all the artists out there to be true to themselves, not to sell out, and not to do your art to please other people. And to try, for the love of God, to send out a positive message!!

Is that why I write? Is that why you paint? Is that why you sing? Did you start doing this because of other people? To serve them? Sure, maybe the inspiration came from someone else, but it's your craft! Make it your own, do it your way! There are more than enough copy-cats and clones out there, let's be some originals! I promise, it'll be a lot more satisfying on your soul!

Let's all make a vow to make choices we're proud of, ones we'd actually feel good boasting to God about, and stop making choices that we think others want to see us make. Ugh! I spent so long doing that, I'm still trying to stop! And all those things I said and did because it was what They wanted, none of them ever made me feel a fraction as good as the times I am just true to myself and blast the real me out into the atmosphere!

Art is expression, 

Don't try to use yourself,

To express anybody else

Blessings, Love & Light to all the Light Workers out there, trying to make a difference in the world and spread that shine! Keep it up, we're getting there! Don't grow weary, because that light can never burn out! And to all my fellow artists, Earthings, members of humanity, 

S H I N E  O N

<3

I've Got Big Plans, Man!

In one week, I will turn 25. It's a big age, and I think it's going to be a pretty major year for me. I'm planning on doing a lot in the coming year, and can only assume that it, as all the past years of my life have been, will be better than the one that came before (which seems quite hard to come by considering the last year I've had). I have been doing a lot of growing, learning, loving and examining lately, and have come to realize that there really is no such thing as "too old to do _______." There are so many things I want to do and learn in life, and I am quite excited to begin doing many of them. I have many goals and dreams, and I fully intend to make them all realities!

Twenty-five might be a scary year for some, as it seems to mark a huge step in the adult direction, but for me, I'm seeing it as a year in which I will be reborn, and dabble in as many new things as I possibly can! I see possibilities, opportunities, and new life! I've been coming up with ideas of things I want to learn and begin lately, and it's time I laid them out and released them into the universe, so she and my Papa God can help me accomplish them! Some of the things that I hope to accomplish in my 25th year of life are:

1. Further exploration of myself, my thoughts, feelings, and capacities
2. To learn to
• Speak another language or two (at least be conversational)
• Play the banjo
• Dance the Sevillan [in time for the Feria]
• Drive a stick-shift car
• Make a killer tortilla de patatas
3. Get serious enough about my blog that I can start to make some money off of it/parlay into the world of travel writing
4. Explore, at least a little, every region of Spain / go to Formentera and Menorca, and some of the islands of the Canaries I haven't yet explored
5. Go to, and really experience, at least three new countries (preferably five)
6. Continue my progress, growth, mission, and life, in a loving, positive, mindful way

I think it's an incredibly reasonable list, and I really do plan to accomplish everything on it! Now I just have to put all my faith in God that He will help me make it all happen, and make some little plans and timelines for myself, so I can keep myself on track to checking them all off!

Life is such a beautiful thing, and we are so blessed to have the chance to experience it, no matter where or how we might be doing so. And since we are such complex and special beings, it's really important that we fully realize out potential and do as much as we can for and with ourselves. I am pretty sure we weren't created so we could just be couch potatoes or office bots. No, that can't be it. So, get out there! Go, learn, do, see, and be all that you can! Even if you just hit the sidewalk in front of your house with some sidewalk chalk and draw body outlines like it's a crime scene, use yo brain! Move your body, use your mind, live your life, and be proud of all you do!

Live, laugh, love, and remember how amazing and remarkable you are! :-*

Massive Blessings, Love & Light to you all

I'm so happy to be on this earthball with you :)

ADD'd Out

The time has come again for me to close out some of the 12 tabs I have open right now. I am horribly embarrassed to realize that I am pretty sure one of them is a tab that has been open since the last time I did a post like this...two or three weeks ago. But what can I say? Time flies when you're busy and trying to love every second, and I can only hold my gaze on a web article for so long. Especially when I see the little scroller on the side and realize how small it is, meaning that I have a loooong way to go till I reach the end. (It's not as exciting for me as watching the pages of a book turn as I get closer and closer to the final one, okay?) So here we have it, some of the links that I want to hang on to, without overcrowding my favorites folders...

• Houston Anthropologist Reveals Irrefutable Proof that Recorded History is Wrong -- Status: still waiting to be finished. Although, started.
• While Their Kids Sleep, These Parents Pull Off an Amazing Stunt -- parents arrange their kids dinosaur toys each night as they sleep so the kids wake up thinking they've come to life in the night. The final message and reason these parents are doing this makes me want to hug them for the rest of my life. (And yes, I will be copying this idea if I ever decide to pop out some rugrats.) Status: completed, loved, now shared
• Third Eye Pinecones -- I have wanted one of these pendants since the first time I saw one at Lightning in a Bottle festival in 2012. They are magical, amazing, and I am pretty sure my vibrational awareness would be heightened quite a bit with one of these around my neck each day. Status: three days logged now browsing the site
• 52 Week Money Challenge -- you save a certain amount each day, and at the end of 52 weeks, you have $1,378.00 saved! So down! Status: not yet started..whoops
• 8tracks -- I have entered into days of non-stop listening to French, jazz, blues, Appalachian, folk, and bachata music. Current: French playlist
• Mexican Government Reveals Proof of E.T.'s and Ancient Space Travel -- As if I needed proof to believe in ET's. Status: half-way watched/read
• El video de la familia Real que no quieren que veamos en Espana -- Translation: A video of the Real family that they don't want us to see in Spain. Status: yet to watch
• 10 Old Fashioned Dating Habits We Should Make Cool Again -- this is so unbelievably true! When did we get so lazy and accepting of what is now the standard? Change, please! Status: read, agreed with, passed on.
• The Truth About Your Chakras: Which of Them Could be Sabotaging Your Life? -- Accept it man, chakras are real, and the more unaligned they are, the more off your life tends to be. Learn about them, love them, activate them, and align your life! Status: browsed
• My Yoga Online -- they're offering 12 free days of yoga this month, and I am hoping on that!! Status: eating breakfast, writing about Copenhagen, and then doing Day 1
• Study Abroad Gringa Takes Five Days to Realize She's in California -- this chick thought she was going to study abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica, but ended up in San Jose, California, and didn't figure it out until five days later. Worst part...she's a geography major. >.< Status: read. Laughs were had.

So there we have it! The links of the week!

Have a stellar rest of your week, if you're in Spain, congratulations on making it through the short week, we're already almost to the weekend! Woo!

Infinite Blessings, Love & Light, Beauties!

Ponder, Plot, and Pray.

Ever since graduating I get hit sometimes with these very strange mental moods. The kind that leaves me feeling a little lost in the world, a little unsure if I'm on the right path, a little frustrated that what I really want always seems to be a little out of reach, and a little restless with where I'm at. I am comforted in knowing that I am not alone in these feelings, nor will I be the last person to face them. And while sometimes they may cause me to slip into a place with a little too much anxiety, I ultimately am grateful for them. They allow me to examine my life, my values, my goals, my hopes and dreams, and cause me to ponder, plot, and pray.

This is the natural progression of life. The crossroads we all come to at some point. On the one hand is the corporate mentality, ready to start the next chapter and begin to grow into the intended adult. The other, the rebelling youth, wanting to hold onto the spontaneous and wild ways.

I have always prided myself on being the kind of person to recognize "the time and the place" and act accordingly. But now, as I am presented with my greatest opportunity to do so, I find myself fighting against it very often with everything that is within me. One half tells me that I am young, 23-years young. Full of life, love, curiosity, and desire. I want to explore every surface of the Earth, know its every mountain range, river, and people. Then there is the other half that tells me to grow up, that I am 23-years old. Graduated from college and working 40 hours a week in a corporate job. Presented with a rare, incredible opportunity that can set my life in motion. I have big plans of achievement, and this is a great place to start them. These two halves collide constantly, presenting the most difficult battle a person can face -- one that takes place within.

But when I think about it, it always has been, and always will be, about balance. Finding the balance between that wild, free spirit that fills you, and that focused, ambitious spirit that drives you. Finding a balance that will enable you to apply the untamed and unwilling part of yourself, without letting it take over, and apply the realistic and knowledgeable part of yourself, without fully conforming to its structure.

Life is about embracing who and what you are, and applying every ounce of it to everything you do, so you may do it as best you can.

KNOW BALANCE. KNOW PEACE.

NO BALANCE. NO PEACE.

Motivation Statement!

Alright, alright, so I have to change my deadline for when I will have this application turned in for going to Spain. I requested an official transcript today (one of the documents I need to submit), and it won't be ready until December 7th. Which I figure isn't far off, and will give whoever I decide to ask to write the letter of recommendation, some time to do so. 

I thought I would share with you all another little part of the application. I was instructed to write, in 300 words or less, a statement that explains my motivation for wanting to participate in the program. And since I will be taking all of you along for this lovely ride, I figured you might want to know also! So without further a due, here is my motivation statement...

             I was blessed enough to be able to take my third year of university abroad in Bilbao, Spain, where I lived and studied for nine months. During that time I developed strong and real relationships with locals in Spain, as well as the other countries that I traveled. I gained a more global perspective, appreciation for all the differences in life, and realization of just how great and big the world around me is. Ever since my return to the United States I’ve known that my time abroad isn’t over quite yet.

Deep down I know that there is more for me to accomplish before I can be satisfied and settled in the U.S. I did not master Spanish in the way I expected, and need to go back so I can become fluent. Submersion is the key to learning a language and this program provides the perfect opportunity for me to do so. As well as a desire to become bilingual, studying abroad left me with a hunger for travel and thirst for culture. There is nothing in the world like learning about someone else’s culture and experiencing it.

I want to be involved in this program in order to share my language and culture with the students in the way that everyone I met abroad did with me. I think that when we have experienced other cultures and understand them, we develop respect for them. This respect is invaluable because it will help a person to be open-minded. With all that is going on in the world, we need to teach the young minds to appreciate and accept different languages, cultures, and people. I want to make a positive change in the world and help bring people together through learning about one another.

Enjoy the rest of your night, or day depending on where in the world you are reading this :) 




Today's Quote: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -Mark Twain

"Art After Dark" at the Guggenheim Museum, one of my first weekends in Bilbao