Holy Cow!

It's amazing that I even remembered I had a blog from some 3 years ago. I've decided to start back at it again. I actually do miss being able to kind of log things about my life and where I'm going and what adventures I'm having or off to next. So I revamped it up named it something a different than Behind Blue Eyes which is now a bit dated for my life as I've changed over the past few years and learned a ton from the experiences I've had, friends I've met along the way, and trips I've taken. 

Welp here I go on my blogging adventure! :) Wish me luck! 

-Christina ↟.  

Explore. Travel. Get Lost.

"Did you know, you can quit your job, you can leave university? You aren’t legally required to have a degree, it’s a social pressure and expectation, not the law, and no one is holding a gun to your head. You can sell your house, you can give up your apartment, you can even sell your vehicle, and your things that are mostly unnecessary. You can see the world on a minimum wage salary, despite the persisting myth, you do not need a high paying job. You can leave your friends (if they’re true friends they’ll forgive you, and you’ll still be friends) and make new ones on the road. You can leave your family. You can depart from your hometown, your country, your culture, and everything you know. You can sacrifice. You can give up your $5.00 a cup morning coffee, you can give up air conditioning, frequent consumption of new products. You can give up eating out at restaurants and prepare affordable meals at home, and eat the leftovers too, instead of throwing them away. You can give up cable TV, Internet even. This list is endless. You can sacrifice climbing up in the hierarchy of careers. You can buck tradition and others’ expectations of you. You can triumph over your fears, by conquering your mind. You can take risks. And most of all, you can travel. You just don’t want it enough. You want a degree or a well-paying job or to stay in your comfort zone more. This is fine, if it’s what your heart desires most, but please don’t envy me and tell me you can’t travel. You’re not in a famine, in a desert, in a third world country, with five malnourished children to feed. You probably live in a first world country. You have a roof over your head, and food on your plate. You probably own luxuries like a cellphone and a computer. You can afford the $3.00 a night guest houses of India, the $0.10 fresh baked breakfasts of Morocco, because if you can afford to live in a first world country, you can certainly afford to travel in third world countries, you can probably even afford to travel in a first world country. So please say to me, “I want to travel, but other things are more important to me and I’m putting them first”, not, “I’m dying to travel, but I can’t”, because I have yet to have someone say they can’t, who truly can’t. You can, however, only live once, and for me, the enrichment of the soul that comes from seeing the world is worth more than a degree that could bring me in a bigger paycheck, or material wealth, or pleasing society. Of course, you must choose for yourself, follow your heart’s truest desires, but know that you can travel, you’re only making excuses for why you can’t. And if it makes any difference, I have never met anyone who has quit their job, left school, given up their life at home, to see the world, and regretted it. None. Only people who have grown old and regretted never traveling, who have regretted focusing too much on money and superficial success, who have realized too late that there is so much more to living than this."

Wunderkammer: Did You Know

Photo by: Jeff Shanes, Oregon Coast

A Little Trip.

I went on a lovely little trip to the coast recently and had so much fun! I stayed the night with the lovely photographer and friend Haley Graham! We woke up bright and early and went to pick up a fellow model Megan Markus! Us girlies traveled to the Cannon Beach area and it was such a fun trip talking about modeling, photography, life, and current events. :) I can't wait to be in Portland soon so I can meet up with either of them from time to time! Soon soon soon I shall embark on a new adventure. And I just can't wait.

Here's some photos from our adventure:

love.love.love.

I love winter & snowboarding.

Snow.

I always loved going to the snow when I was younger. And of course I still do. It's beautiful driving up and down and watching how the scenery changes as you get into central oregon.

My family and I would take weekend trips to bend all the time when I was younger. I miss it so much. And I came to realize driving up and back with friends was of course different and the drive itself was a long one. To this day I still can't understand how in the world my dad would get off work after a long day of driving (he use to delivered freight) and then drive us all up to bend in the crazy snowy weather. He's such an amazing man. I love him so much and am so greatful for all he has done for me and my mom too. The amount of things he's accomplished back then and now too considering the state he's in.

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time. But then I realize everything happens for a reason, and the paths we journey on have some sort of adventure, and some sort of way of working out for the best and never for the worst.

Well...

Summer is over, fall is here and shortly it will be gone. Onto winter unfortunately. Its crazy how time flys by. But as time flys by I find that things are changing, I'm changing. Soon enough the new year will be here, and with a new year comes new things, experiences, friends, adventures.

 

And I cannot wait, I cannot wait to embark on a new adventure.

 

Finally awarding myself with my associates degree, I find myself finally deciding what I really want to do. I've always wanted to move to Portland, and this year was suppose to be the year. I was so upset when I found that it just wasn't possible considering how expensive it is living there and not having a roommate.

 

But talking with one of my best friends we decided we would move together and I will be earning my bachelor's degree at Portland State and she'll go to school for her masters. I'm so excited to finish up this school year and finally move somewhere new and start an adventure of my own.

 

Wish me luck! :)

California!

Well I must say that California was a success, I had so much fun with Tess. I love her to death, she is definitely one of the best friends I've ever had. Her family was so nice, and I was also so happy to see my friend Oktober another model that recently moved from Eug to Cali. We hungout and shot with some awesome photographers down there. That's the one thing I wish Oregon was like, I wish networking was better, and people would hire models under 5'8"... but don't get me started. haha. :)

Anyways! Here are some photos from our adventure:

California Dreaming?

Lately I have been, it seems a lot of people have been venturing to California. A close friend of mine left a couple days ago. Which made me think of how bad I've been wanting to get out of Eugene and start traveling around and adventuring. Its unfortunate when you have factors holding you back, but short trips are always fun.

Next week my friend Tess is taking a short vacation to Cali, I think I may go with her. I really want to go, but I also don't want to miss my dads walk to defeat ALS. Which is super super important to me. So I haven't quite decided yet, plus I need to get the days off.

BUT! it would be so much fun, I haven't been to California in a while. Spend some time at the beach, in the sunshine, shopping, and having fun. Eeek. That'd be lovely. :)

Decisions....

I'm excited.

Lately I've been trying to decide what I want to do after I'm done with school here in Eugene, and I've decided I want to move. Not far away or anything (calm down mom and dad) haha. I just want to move to Portland, I just feel as though everything is there for me, modeling, school, a new adventure and scene than Eugene has to offer. I think I've decided to go this coming fall, and move up during the end of summer most likely. Hopefully I get accepted, because this is my plan, and I hope it works! Alt plan would be to go to OSU... butttt I don't really want to go there, its boring...and small.. and I can't transfer jobs. Which is lame. So going to open house at the Art Institute and apply and get accepted (hopefully) hehe.

Wish me luck!

I need this:

I just need to get away, and guess what. I am, I'm getting away from here for a bit. Of course not that far away, just 2 hours or so. But 2 hours is better than anything. Off to visit my best friend and leave everything behind. Including my cares. I'll just let them stay down here for a bit while I head up there. I seriously cannot wait. This is what I need. I really needed this. Before school starts its absolutely necessary that I get away. We'll let the city have its way with me for awhile. ♥

Coast Trip!

So the other day I ventured to the coast with a friend! Which ended in some good exploring of tide pools, and beachcombing, and picture taking. I took my film camera with me, but occasionally got to use his amazing digital camera. Ugh I want one now so bad. Their seriously awesome. I still like film but digital is much easier.

So here are a few pictures I took, I put my own little editing twist. :)

A thought;

Today I had a thought, a memory came back to me. As I was wishing my dad goodbye as he left on the plane to California. And I thought to myself... I'll miss him. I really will. Then on the drive home as I passed the park this memory came to me. We live fairly close to Richardson Park, and in the summer we'd always take trips down to the park, my mom and I would pick apples. But when I went with my dad we'd swing.



So I would sit in his lap. And we would swing so high. High above so that I could almost touch the tree brach that grew infront of the swingset. I felt like I could touch the clouds. Secure and safe we'd go higher and higher. The wind would kiss my face, and blow through my hair. Looking up through the trees straight to the sky as we'd bend back together. But you can only go so high on a swing, and as we'd slow down coming back to the ground touching our feet to the gravel.

What I wouldn't give to be a kid for just a little while..

Still so much like life in a way that no matter how high we get in life we always have to come back down to the ground, to reality, and see things at a normal level while still looking up.

Miss you dad. ♥

Dear 2010,

you were a wonderful year. And you taught me
many many many different things. Things that
I will take with me into the new year. And
things that I will never ever forget.

I would like to say goodbye to you. And
thank you for being such a glorious,
lively, and inspiring year. But mostly
I would like to thank you for a year filled
with learning and generosity. You could have
been much worse.

Just a few things I've come to find this past year:
(A short list)

•I sometimes let people walk all over me.
(this i am working on)

•There will always be someone who loves you for you.

•People will not change for you, and you have to live
with the fact that they will always be how they intend.

•I'm finally pursuing my dream. Well one. It really is
coming true.

•Boys will be boys, and if someone dosn't make you a
priority, then all you will ever be is a option.

•Never ever lend money to anyone, for any reason. EVER.

•I am currently in the process of figuring where I want
to go in life, and what exactly I'm looking for.

•And lastly,
anyone is able to catch my eye, but its really going to
take someone special to catch my heart.

Lock it up.

This is “The Safest Wall” in Seoul, South Korea. Young couples show their love for each other by locking a pair of padlocks to this fence, and throwing the keys over the edge. By throwing away the keys, they are showing their undying commitment to each other.

I hope some day I'll have that much commitment for one person.
♥












until.... he cheats on me.
hahahaha.

kidding! ;)

For you.

For you I'll wait.
I don't like waiting very much. Lately I've been a little lonely.
Lacking something in life. But that's okay. I'll wait.
I mean I have friends and family to fill the spaces where you are not.
But sometimes I wish you'd fill them. I'll have other hands to hold,
many other kisses to give, hugs to recieve, smiles that shine the same,
and love for the people who are in my life.
But still..
I wish you'd find me, or I'd find you.

Would you;;

♥

Whew.

Goodness today was long, this whole weekend has been long actually. I'm happy to be off work, and not work until thursday. :) Which is a good thing, I've been buying way to many shoes lately. Sorta ridiculous... I bought a pair of coach shoes, and then I found another pair. So I need to decide between the two, but I'm pretty sure I know which ones I want more. :) haha. Their absolutely adorable, anddd they were on sale. Which is always awesomeeee! Pretty much getting one pair for $15.00 originally $88.00. Yeah I know, I rock. ;) haha.

Tomorrow I plan on heading up to Bend, I can't wait to get out of Eugene for a little while. It's been a frustrating area lately. I just don't understand people sometimes... So anyways I just can't wait to just float the river and be swept away, and soak up the sunshine. Kelli and I are going to drive up, I'm making a bank play list. haha. :) It should be funn! I'm actually getting a little excited. hehe.

We have a new girl at work, she's so adorable! Her name is Marce, and I'm real sad that Katie is in petites, but you know it's for her own good. So I'm happy for her, but she really did grow on me. We've had some pretty good times hehe. I love the people I work with. Their all so awesome. ♥

If it's one thing I've learned lately it's to:



That's exactly how I am. I am nothing but truthful.
and I hope you are too.

♥

Tomorrow.

I'm so excited to go to the coast. ♥

Eeek. I'll write more later.

Have a lovely night!

:o)

Busy bee.

Oh Gosh, I've just been so so so busy lately. I feel like I havn't gotten any time for myself. I mean I know I just went on vacation and all, but still. Being back got more hetic. School is just sucking the life out of me. I'm sooo done with it. I can't wait for summer. I wish it was here already, and the weather would start looking up. It would be so nice if it would. I miss sunshine, I don't miss wet, and rainy. No thank you. I finally have my classes for fall term which is nice to have that all done and figured out, but it's even better to have a summer off. Just work and have fun, yes yes yes. Oh gosh, I worked all memorial weekend, and let me tell you it was quite busy. I felt exaclty like a bee.



On a happy note. I'm super dooper excited for this weekend. I just cannot wait for color's birthday party! It should be a ton of funnn! I looove meeting new people, perfect opportunity, and time to have fun, since I don't work til a little later that day. hehe. :) woop woop! I still need to find something green though. I'm sure something will turn up soon, I'm on the hunt! hehe.

Oh gosh, my ballet final is friday, and I had my speech final today. That was freaking intense. And a tad scary. At first I thought I was going to do horrible because I didn't practice at all...But I think I did okay, knock on wood. Hopefully I get a good grade in speech, I tried super hard! And ballet! Well an A is a givin.. hehe. :) I just love ballet. Dancing makes me sooo happy. I just hope I have the routine down to a T. I think I somewhat have it, I just need to practice more. :) I can't wait for it though, it should be quite fun! Whew, this term just flew by, it's had it's rough patches but it's been alright. I'm happy it's finally over. So so so very happy. I will miss ballet though, I love it so much. It means alot to me to be able to dance. But soon enough fall term will come and I'll be dancing my little heart out again. ♥ I'm not going to worry about it too much. I'll be having an exciting summer filled with all sorts of adventures. Which are thee bestest.
♥ hehe.




pee.ess.
I think you should:

Vacation

It was such a wonderful escape from here. I just loved getting away, and going on an adventure to somewhere I havn't been in a while, or just new places in general. The sunshine was my favorite. I love the sun, and oh how I missed it. The rain here in Oregon is just so depressing at times, it was so nice to get away from it. It made me so happy to just relax in the sand, and float in the water, letting all my cares fly out the window. I had so many great experiences. I love my family and seeing them was one of my greatest birthday presents, besides being in Maui again.



As I was lying in the water, listening to the ocean.
I felt at peace. Lying in the sun basking away, in the heat. It was so nice to just cool down and float away for a bit. I fell in love. I wish summer here would come sooner, I miss the sun already, and now that I'm home I can barely tolerate the pouring rain. It's just killing me.




Where are you summer?
Will you come soon?
Please?
♥