Insidious

I have been wanting to see Insidious for a while and I finally got around to watching it last night. I'm not sure what I was expecting but WOW did it take me by surprise. VERY scary movie. Probably the scariest movie I've seen in a long time. Still freaks me out just thinking about it. I've heard about astral traveling but never thought about the possibility that a demon or some other malevolent entity could take over your body while your spirit is wandering around. When something is just supposed to be a movie but gets you thinking what if there's actually more to it? What if these things do happen? That's when it gets really terrifying. If you haven't seen this movie and decide to watch it, good luck. You may never think about sleeping or astral traveling the same way again. I know I most likely won't.

If you like scary movies you will probably like this one.

Believe In Yourself

Sometimes we all need some words of encouragement and a reminder when we forget so I thought this needed a post of it's own.

College: Where Do I Go From Here?

Wouldn't it be so much easier if we all knew exactly what we were meant to do with our life the day we were born? A lot of us have very little idea of what to do with our lives, especially when we get to College. We want to choose the right path but then fear what if we end up choosing the wrong one? It's our life we're talking about. That is exactly what I'm afraid of. Not only is it tough picking the right classes for what major you're going for (If you even know your major.) there's also a price and you don't want your education going to waste. You don't want to go for just any major or degree. The worst is doing something in your life that you will completely hate and not get anything out of. Living your life to the fullest is when you feel like you're contributing something to the world and getting noticed for it. So how do we do that? I believe the first step is really getting to know yourself. What are your interests? Visualizing what you would be happy with then slowly trying to get there is the best way to start. Motivation and believing in yourself is always key. So do what you love and love what you do. Nothing more, nothing less. :)

Tomorrow I'm starting a new class at the campus closest to home because of the cold. It's way different than what I've been taking but I thought as long as it's interesting and I learn something it's all that matters.

Here's a description:

	This course introduces students to the study of myths, legends, and fairy tales from various cultures. Students will consider Greek, Norse, and Hindu mythology as well as Grimm’s fairy tales. The lasting power and influence of mythological themes and archetypal symbolism will be explored.

True Stuff

Religion

I was browsing videos on Youtube this morning when one really caught my attention. It got me thinking about Religion and how a lot of what the guy says is true.
Check it out, see what you think.

I have always asked myself the same exact question. If Religion is so great why has it started so many wars? It doesn't make any sense to me. Then again maybe it's not the religion itself but the stupidity of the people in it. Jesus would want love and acceptance among us not bloodshed and monstrosity. It doesn't matter what Religion you are, we're all connected and not meant to kill or discriminate one another. There's so much evil in this world. Whether someone has a Religion or not, evil still continues to spread and manifest. Are we people or monsters?
Sometimes I don't know anymore. If you really think about it and take a look at what goes on in the world around you, it's scary, you can't deny that.

Acceptance

Why Do I Blog?

I sometimes wonder what is it about blogging that keeps me coming back?
I guess its because it seems to put you back in touch with that inner voice, the one that is the real YOU. In times where I feel like I am losing myself, I'd just type for a while and I'd find myself all over again.

I love having a place where I can express myself.

Best Advice

The best advice anyone has ever given me.

You need a motto girl. Tell yourself "it's better to try and fail then to never try at all" say it over and over and believe it!!! The world will open up to you my dear in ways that you don't even think they can!

It's exactly what has been lacking in my life, motivation and inspiration.

Things To Be Thankful For

I recently read a topic like this and thought it was a great idea and subject to think about.

Many of us struggle with problems in our day to day lives... everything from medical problems to money problems to relationships.

Being thankful for the good things that happen to us everyday is not only a good practice of our perspective religious faiths, but also a good practice for altering our outlook on life, finding happiness and peace in ourselves, and brightening our mood each day.

The idea is that you take a look at your life and those things in it that you are truly thankful for. If you went 2 days without hot water and realize what a blessing having hot water can be... list it. If you had a chance to see your mom and realize how much she has done for you list it. It can be anything from the obvious to the random to the personal.

There is so much I am thankful for. I will try to think of at least 2 each week no matter how small because its often the little things that count, and many people take for granted or fail to notice.

I am thankful for my family more than anything else.
My mom has always been by my side, I love her dearly with all my heart.
My step-dad took me in as his own since I was 5.
My sister makes me laugh and brightens my day.
My grandma is always there to talk to and help my mom and I.
My cat and dog. (They are seriously the cutest and funniest little creatures).

My family is very special to me and truly amazing in so many ways.

Some others I am thankful for are:

Each day that I wake up and am able to take a breathe and look at the world around me.
People who support me and accept me the way I am.

Happy 2012!

With my luck celebrating New Years wasn't the greatest. I had such a bad headache and so much pressure in my head, it was unbearable. I had to stay in bed all day. My parents had the same close family friends over like the past last few years, who are really great people. It was a bit disappointing that I couldn't really join and stayed in my room the whole time, but I tried looking on the bright side. I still ate a lot of good food, watched some New Years Eve celebration countdowns on TV, and opened some presents, all in the comfort of my own bed. I still have some pain today but at least its not as bad.

Happy New Year Everyone. May it be one with limited worry and fears, joy and love, and anything else that fills your heart's deepest desires. <3

I'm back!

It has been a while since I wrote. I haven't had the energy and motivation with everything that has been going on, but I am slowly getting back on track. 2011 is almost over. I'm hoping the new year will be a lot better and I can start 2012 fresh as 2011 has not been the best year for me or my mom at all. In January I previously posted what had happened about 3 months apart to my mom and I. We both injured the arteries in our neck somehow. Exactly how that occurred still remains a mystery. We have to avoid pulling the neck or any sudden movements otherwise it hurts real bad, causes a headache and in worst cases more damage. Sometimes it even hurts just because of the changes in weather. I recently saw my neurologist and he said my arteries are more stable than before which is a bit more of a relief. It's hard because of how long it takes to fully heal and not much is known about it by doctors. Doesn't make going through daily life easy but I'm holding on.

Look for more posts from me soon as I will be writing and having more to share! :)

I believe that for every feeling/moment there is a quote that helps you understand it a bit more.

Hope is wishing something would happen.

Faith is believing something will happen.

Courage is making something happen.

Never get too attached to anyone because attachments leads to expectations and expectations leads to disappointments.

‎It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. It’s not what you see, it’s how you look at it. It’s not how your life is, it’s how you live it.

I can be changed by what happens to me.
But I refuse to be reduced by it.
-Maya Angelou-

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see which one has been opened for us.
-Helen Keller-

Be kind to everyone.
You may not be able to save a person,
but at least you weren't one of the people who didn't try.
-Chloe Higashida-

Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions.
Small people always do that,
but the really great make you believe
that you too can become great.
-Mark Twain-

Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs, the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells "can't." But you don't listen. You push harder; you hear the voice that whispers "can." And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are.

Awareness-Dissected Arteries

This isn't the most pleasant subject to start with but I wanted to spread awareness about a condition very few people know about as it could save you or a loved one's life.

I mentioned in the first entry that I was in the hospital. How and why I ended up there still surprises me. I was feeling fine. Just a few occasional headaches here and there. Naturally I thought nothing of them. Until I woke up with a bad pain on the side of my head one morning. I knew it was a red flag and wasn't something to ignore. Something was definitely wrong.

My parents took me to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Downtown Chicago. I was in the ER for 8 nerve-wrecking hours. After I got the CT Scan I was told everything looked normal, that it was probably just a migraine that would go away on it's own or a minor case of meningitis that could be treated with medicine, and I could go home. A few minutes later the ER nurse came back and said it turns out I have 2 dissections of the arteries in my neck. I don't know who was in shock more; me or my mom.

There is more to the story. The same kind of incident happened to my mom 3 months before. She started experiencing excruciating headaches. Every local hospital she went to ignored her symptoms and sent her home until a family friend in the medical field insisted my mom got prescribed an MRI. Our family friend was already familiar with this condition. Someone in her family died from it. Only after the MRI my mom found out she has 4 dissections.

If my mom wouldn't have mentioned what happened to her, whoever looked at my CT Scans may not have payed close attention to what was going on with me.


What You Should know

Arteries are the highways through which oxygen-rich blood flows toward oxygen-hungry organs, such as the kidneys, heart, and brain. The main arteries that bring blood to the brain are the carotid and vertebral arteries. Dissection in these arteries can bring about a stroke.

Spontaneous dissection of the carotid and vertebral arteries is a relatively uncommon cause of stroke. It's responsible for less than 2% of all cases, although it accounts for up to one quarter of all strokes in young and middle-age people specifically. Each year in the United States, between 12,000 and 15,000 people are affected by spontaneous dissection of the carotid or vertebral arteries.

The carotid and vertebral arteries can be damaged by neck injuries or even forceful neck movements. The following are some situations that have been associated with dissection of the carotid and vertebral arteries:

• Neck extension during hair-washing at a beauty parlor
• Chiropractic manipulation of the neck
• Whiplash injuries
• Blunt trauma to the neck

Carotid and vertebral artery dissection tend to be more commonly treated with heparin, a medication that prevents the extension of the blood clot in the area of the dissection. Heparin, which is normally given intravenously, is changed to Coumadin (warfarin) after a person leaves the hospital, as it can be taken by mouth. In general, a person is on their prescribed medication for 3 to 6 months.


If you start having consistent headaches you never had before followed by neck pain don't dismiss it!!

Realizations...

Have you ever had a moment sometime throughout your life when you felt like you should take something up again?

I was laying in a hospital with so many thoughts going through my mind. One of them being the realization that I'd like to start writing as soon as I got out. After all, what is the point of always living in the dark? I thought keeping a blog was a good way to begin.

Here I will write anything that comes to mind. I have many interests so there are no limits.

I hope anyone who comes across my blog will find it worth reading.