Good Morning Starshine!

New York City is a magical place. This morning, I had some pent-up energy that I needed to release, and I've been tempted to run lately... so I went for it! I've been inspired by my little cousin, Suzanne, who just recently began basic training at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and also by my sister and her best friend, who've decided to run a 26.2 mi. marathon in October (they are blogging their experience: A-1: Getting a Marathon Done). By no means am I saying that I'm picking up running as a sport or main hobby, but I'd like to see if I can get to the point that my knees don't continually hurt every time I run. I took it easy, alternating between power walking, jogging, and light running, and I had a wonderful early-morning run!

Before I left the house, I equipped my nano with plenty of auditory nourishment (multiple options), and checked out the route I wanted to take. My roommate, Heather, has been clocking her distance by the elevator train, but I just didn't want to run along that... I would be instantly unmotivated! So, I chose to run to Queensboro park; to get there is about a mile from my apartment, and it is right on the East River. When I got there, I saw that the park is not the best-kept park in the city, but there is a nice figure-8 paved pathway, a playground, baseball fields, and a view of the city across the river. I didn't have my phone or anything on me to capture the moment, but let me give y'all an idea of this view from my pals at Google Images:

This is the best I could find of the view... I'll have to take my own photos later!

This is the biggest motivator that I didn't even think to expect. Here I am pushing myself, and when it gets rough, all I have to do is look over at the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings towering over this island that contains everything you could possibly dream or imagine, and I'm rejuvenated. I kept smiling... and I have always had a general distaste for running! Then, when I wasn't sure I could make a last lap, Empire State of Mind came on my ipod, and I actually chuckled at my city. I went at it for an hour, which I honestly didn't expect out of myself on the first go. I love this town, and I love how God is working with me to make my place here. I am truly blessed, and I can't wait to get back over to that park again!

♥AshPiece

Ch-ch-changes...

Lately I've been going through an identity crisis/time of change. I've been feeling God's pull in my life, and I'm working to stay open and vulnerable to His plan. I don't care what your profession is, adjusting to New York life, or life in any new place, is extremely taxing, difficult, and challenges one's character to the very core of your being. The only common key to this adjustment that I can find is to stay true and honest to yourself and work to remain open to change. I think the better you can face a change of heart, path, or destination, the easier time you will have of staying true to your heart.


♥AshPiece

Lovely Life Lessons from a Lovely Book

 This is an excerpt from The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, which I've been loving a lot! :) It's a wonderful story, and is told from the perspective of a young girl named Lily Owens. Here is a little part of the story that stood out to me, with some great life perspective. :D

"How come if your favorite color is blue, you painted your house so pink?"

She laughed. "That was May's doing. She was with me the day I went to the paint store to pick out the color. I had a nice tan color in mind, but May latched on to this sample called Caribbean Pink. She said it made her feel like dancing a Spanish flamenco. I thought, 'Well, this is the tackiest color I've ever seen, and we'll have half the town talking about us, but if it can lift May's heart like that, I guess she ought to live inside it.'"

"All this time I just figured you liked pink," I said.

She laughed again, "You know, some things don't matter that much, Lily. Like the color of a house. How big is that in the over-all scheme of life? But lifting a person's heart--now, that matters. The whole problem is--"

"They don't know what matters and what doesn't." I said, filling in her sentence and feeling proud of myself for doing so.

"I was gonna say, The problem is they know what matters, but they don't choose it. You know how hard that is, Lily? I love May, but it was still so hard to choose Caribbean Pink. The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters."

-Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees

Sunday Celebration of All That is Good

My church (Forefront) recently had an event that was called the Celebration of All That is Good, which was just a fun, creative celebration. People brought random items, pictures, and artwork that make them feel inspired, happy and blessed, and I'd like to do something similar for a little weekly boost and perspective!

Here's just a few for today! :)

**The way Xander loves to ride in the car with his head out the window!

Bath and Body Works' new scent, Country Chic, which I bought today, and cooking with fresh ingredients!

Yoga.

My Best Buddy, who I miss so much right now.

Happy Sunday Everybody! Enjoy the beauty of the world that we have been given today!

               ♥AshPiece

SPRING FEVER!!! :D

 

"Inspiration can bloom in spring... "                                      source

 

I have had this bug for too long now. It's about time for some warmth!! Spring is on the brain and on the horizon! I'm SO PUMPED for sundresses, central park, beach trips, picnics, flip flops, flowers, the beer garden, dog parks, sunshine, friendship, love, music, and COLOR! Play this video and scroll through my favorite spring pics that have me drooling and squealing! It's coming...!!

Plain White T's music video: Rhythm of Love

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 I love The Notebook... I know it's totally cliche to be a chick who loves this movie, but the whole lovers-falling-in-love story is absolutely precious, and Rachel McAdams' wardrobe is pure eye candy. This picture makes me happy :D

Springtime makes me want bags. Vera bags. I am giddy and must control myself...

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I can't stop thinking about nesting once I finally get my own room! The colors in this photo are so bright and cheery!

 

 

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Well... that's what I've got for today! Happy soon-to-be Spring!

♥AshPiece

 

 

WHEW!!

So after a month-long hiatus, I am getting back to my poor, neglected blog and am ready to go! Since I last posted, I closed my show in Georgia, went on a vacation to Colorado and Oregon for 2 weeks, and finally landed in New York City again, where I vacationed another week before kicking my settling-back-in into gear! Since I've been back here I got a new job (finally...), saw a couple of awesome shows, auditioned a bit, and really worked on settling in and getting used to the NY pace again.

With that being said, I am now in NYC, and I think that will take this blog someplace new. I have so much to discover in this city, and I'm thrilled to document it all and see where my little project can go! So come along on this ride with me, and enjoy!

♥AshPiece

Inspiration for Your Lovey-dove.

 

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This picture is just beautiful. It's such a romantic little nook... It's in places like these that people's hearts come alive and magic happens.

Here are some of my favorite romantic inspirations of the week... enjoy!

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I loved this year's winter Tiffany's ads! At work, I would look out at 41st st and see these ads on the bus-stops.  This photo soon became my computer's desktop pic. So precious.

♥AshPiece