Being Inspiring

I give mad props to people who keep up with their blogs every day, or even every week. It isn't easy! Even though everyday I think about blogging, I push it to the end of my long priority list. Right now I should be finishing my last of 3 papers that's due on Tuesday, but I wasn't feeling inspired and have a lot on my mind so I figured why not just do a blog post.

Which brings me to "being inspired." The latin derivative of inspire, inspirare (wow I remember something from Latin in high school), literally means to breathe life into. Claiming that I'm not inspired is ridiculous because there are people being inspiring all around me, everyday. I've just been in the world of not being inspired or passionate, so everything has been showing up just as that, uninspiring. And so, right now I am taking the time to acknowledge those who inspire me.

My best friend and roommate and constant source of inspiration, Marisa Morrison. Yeah girl, I'm talking to you. For those of you who don't know, Marisa and our friend Allie started a lifestyle magazine at Boston University called the BUzz. I spend the majority of my time with Marisa and I am just blown away at how hard she is working on this magazine. She wants to be a fashion editor and to watch her create this magazine from scratch is truly inspiring. The number of nitty gritty details that go into making a magazine is crazy to me and I am so excited for both her and Allie to see the finished product. It's amazing being around someone who is taking action on what they're passionate about. And on top of that she still has time to be an out of control dork with me and keep me in check when I get crazy. So thanks mama for being you and for being an inspiration.

My mom. She came up to Boston this weekend and we had so much fun together, like so much fun. She inspires me for infinite reasons. Just her way of being is inspiring, and I think anyone she meets or talks to can always pick up on that. She has been a dental hygienist for almost 30 years and for the past few months has been exploring starting a new career. My mom is 57, yes mom I just announced your age to the world, but only because you're the most awesome 57-year-old I know. Your courage to start something new at this point in your life and do something you're really passionate about inspires me to only pursue something that makes me feel totally and completely alive. I could go on forever, but thank you mom for always letting me "be" who I am and being you.

I was privileged to intern for United Global Shift, a non-profit that creates and supports projects that shift the way people think and act in the world, over the summer and am so excited to continue working with the organization while I am at school. UGS's mission is to cause a united global shift in what is possible for humanity. I will be speaking with people who are organizing and putting into action incredible projects for the environment, education and healthcare on a monthly basis to measure the results they are producing. These people are open and willing to look at "who they are being" in the world using the UGS technology so that they can make the biggest difference possible. I am inspired by their courage and passion to make a difference.

People who follow their hearts, in the face of being scared shitless, inspire me. Not knowing how something will pan out is scary. The thought of failing at something you care so much about is scary. The fear of "looking bad" is the worst of all. Everyday people take action despite these fears and they inspire me. Now that I think about it, I have actually been inspiring myself!

Well, now that I got that all out, I am feeling alive and can focus on writing my paper. I leave you with this challenge: Do or tell someone something tomorrow you have been putting off because you are scared of failing, being rejected or looking bad. Take action in the face of fear! Be inspiring.

Love and Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Yesterday marked the beginning of my favorite season, autumn. It's a super special season because it has two names: autumn and fall. I'm sure most people are probably already aware it is the only season Americans have two names for, but I only really thought about it for the first time today. All the more reason to love it! I got so curious about when we started calling autumn fall and why that I spent a good twenty minutes researching it. Let me tell you, according to google, people are more obsessed with Autumn as a baby girl's name than they are with the season! (It is a pretty name). Anyways, I didn't find any fascinating stories or explanations regarding our name for this beautiful season, so I will just share why I think its so fabulous.

At the end of every season, a new one begins. Watching and experiencing my surroundings transform always reminds me that I, along with everything else in the universe, am constantly transforming. It's always the same world and I'm always the same me, but we are forever in motion. I don't know what it is about the fall (I guess I use both names!) that makes it the most drastic transformation, if we are comparing transformations that is. Maybe it's the satisfying crunchy sound fallen leaves make when you stomp on them? You know you love that sound too.

Here are the first three things that come to mind when I think of autumn this year:

1. Pumpkin Spice Lattes: Okay, okay, I know I'm a Dunkin Donuts girl at heart, but I have to give Starbucks props for making this delicious drink every fall season. Ever since the 9th grade when the tripod (Ashley, Andie and myself) started drinking these bad boys, we anticipate the day Starbucks start serving them every year. If you like pumpkin flavor, or even if you don't, treat yourself to one. It will warm you heart.

2. Boston Foliage, duh. I took these last year on a walk with Amy in October. Could those leaves be anymore yellow? B-e-a-utiful! And right in front of CAS!

And these reds and oranges are incredible. Oh, and look at all those crunchy leaves waiting to be stomped on!!!!

3. Scarves: my favorite accessory finally becomes weather appropriate! 

How warm and mushy does this look? To buy or not to buy? Probably not. I have plentyyy.

What are your favorite things about the fall? What's your favorite changing of the seasons? Or do you love them all equally and don't want to be biased like me. Whatever season you fancy, pause for a moment to appreciate how beautiful the natural cycle of the earth is and embrace that things are always transforming!

Love and pumpkin spice lattes,

Alex

A Gratitude Attitude

Now I love Thanksgiving, there's no doubt about that, but why is it the only day of the year in America where we really sit back and appreciate what we have? I love me my stuffing, yams, and tear-jerker movies on lifetime with my cousin Justine, but what I really love is the cheesy moments when we go around the table and my cousin Sharon orchestrates some clever way for us to say what we are thankful for. However, it shouldn't take a ten pound turkey to get us to say thank you.

Every now and then I make lists of what I'm grateful for because A) I like making lists, B) it puts whatever I'm dealing with at the time in perspective, C) it's makes me feel gooood!, and D) It reminds me I already have everything I need.

So here is a list I made today whilst sitting in the hallways of COM waiting for class to start:

1. My beautiful apartment in StuVi. My roommates Marisa, Sharona, Amanda and I, live the life in our humble (or not so humble) abode. Our 13th floor view of the Charles river, Cambridge, and Brookline isn't too shabby. I may never live in an apartment with ceiling to floor windows again.

2. A Boston University Education. Life inside of the Boston University bubble, which my fellow classmates and I tend to forget we are even floating along in, is pretty extraordinary. As college students we spend most of our time complaining about class and homework, but we are so damn lucky. I love my classes this semesterand am grateful to attend such a prestigious university.

3. My supportive, inspiring friends. I know everyone loves their friends, duh that's why they're your friends, but I am so grateful for mine. To the people who remind me who I am when I forget, you know who you are and I love you. Thanks for being your goofy, crazy selves and making me laugh til I almost pee my pants.

4. Jason Mraz. He is my soulmate, but he doesn't know it. When I was a youngin' I just liked his silly, upbeat songs, but since he made his comeback he has just been so out there and inspiring. His new album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. and his Cafe Gratitude Tour (named after a Vegan restaurant chain in California) are all about being grateful and being love. It's people like Jason who use their fame to make a difference in the world and it is for people like him that I am grateful.

5. Bodies of water. Being a water sign, a sensitive, crabby cancer, I am drawn to the water. There are a few bodies of water -- lakes, bays, rivers -- that have a piece of my heart.

The lake at Camp Poyntelle Lewis Village, where I spent 9 amazing summers swimming, playing, and growing. This is my favorite spot.

The Bay at Fort Totten, where I played my first soccer games under the Throgs Neck Bridge and went for mind-clearing runs.

My best friends Marisa, Allison and I biked the Golden Gate Bridge, across the San Francisco Bay to the beautiful town of Sausalito.

And last, but definitely not least, the Charles River. Thanks for making Boston beautiful.

6. Zaftigs. Thank you to the "almost kosher" Jewish deli that provides Brookline, Boston and beyond with consistently delicious food. 

7. Notebooks. If you want to buy me a present, buy me a notebook: in leather, a moleskin, a neon orange notebook, a notebook for travels, a notebook for doodles, a notebook for poems, etc. I am grateful for the space and possibility they provide. 

8. My health. I can walk, talk, hear, run, taste, smell, write, jump, and feel. I am healthy.

9. Nick and Nora Monkey Blanket: I have had this blanket since I was ten years old. It went to camp with me, it got me through junior high school and now I have shlepped it to college. It's so shnuggly, it keeps me warm, and I am never getting rid of it.

10. Ellen Degeneres. Anyone who's slogan is "LAUGH.DANCE.LIVE." knows what's up. Ellen is a breath of fresh air and her show always puts me in a good mood. Thanks for making us smile Ellen!

With mucho appreciation,

Alex

let's try this again

Once upon a time I chose to start a blog of my very own. I thought I could express myself while keeping up with the times and maybe make a difference along the way. I wrote one entry and then spent a whole summer contemplating what "blog worthy" things I could write about. Blog worthy? What does that even mean? Nothing, because I made it up. I crack myself up, I really do. I created a blog with infinite possibilities (see my first, lonely entry), but saw absolutely no possibility for my blog. Funny alex, very funny. The end.

But it's time for a new beginning! That's the best part of life, you can always start over! I share this little fairytale with you because it reminded me of why I haven't been feeling fully self expressed or powerful recently. I stopped creating who I am. You create who you are every moment of every day. You are who you say you are right now. Did you know that? It's actually not your past experiences, your stories, your clothes or your friends that make you who you are. It sounds simple and obvious, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to forget! However, I am human and I am allowed to forget. That's another thing. When I'm not creating who I am and I'm stuck up in lala land complaining, whining, and frustrated, I make myself wrong for being there. It's ridiculous. I'm giving that up. Now. It is okay to be there sometimes. While yes, living in a world of possibility is satisfying, empowering and so much more FUN and AMAZING, it is okay to now always feel fun and amazing.

The voice in my head (the one in lala land) just said, "does this make any sense? will people get anything from this?" Oy vey! Haha. And so, I think it would be a great start to create who I am everyday, right here on ivycoloredglasses, and share anything else that comes up along the way. 

Today, or should I say tonight, I am creating being healthy and being creative. Who are you choosing to be? Remember, have fun with it and don't take yourself too seriously!

I must go attend to my homework that is so loudly calling my name before GLEE comes on at 9! Goodnight (but not goodbye this time).

Much Love,

Alex

What does life look like through ivy colored glasses?

Beautiful. Dangerous. Intimidating. Desirable. Ugly. Perfect. Tragic.

Anything. Everything. Nothing.

Life is however and whatever you want it to be, depending on how you look at it! "Ivy colored glasses" is my metaphor for a lens that sees infinite possibilities. My best friend Marisa came up with the artsy title because my middle name is ivy and she likes when I wear my glasses. She knew I would interpret it as I did because she knows me too well, and voila, my blog was born.

Now that finals are over and my sophomore year of college (crazy) is complete, I have time to express myself on the internet to you, my fellow readers. Yay! I am home in New York this summer interning at Night Agency and jha part time, co-writing a book and spending quality time with my mom, frolicking in the city with my best friends, and going on whatever fun adventures come my way! My cousin Justine from Kansas City will also be working in ny this summer and I can't wait to see her!

I have been so anxious to start my blog, I am going to leave you with this introduction, but there will be plenty of exciting updates very soon!

I am off to walk the board walk at Jones Beach with my mom and Mitch, her boyfriend, for mother's day. Happy mother's day to all the incredible, inspiring moms out there! Specifically to mine, the extraordinary Jayne Black whom I admire more than anyone, I love you and thank you for being a stand for me to accomplish my goals and beyond.

Much love,

Alex