The joy of trying new things

Oh how I adore the art of food! Lately, I have been on an adventure- hunting down recipes left and right, putting on my pink apron, and commanding my kitchen with authority. I have always told myself that I would love to become a better cook, so why wait? The art of food can easily be taught and it is quite entertaining and rewarding, when I succeed. My friend and I love to bake together and we have made tasty Martha Stewart vanilla cupcakes, shortbread, and chocolate cookies all from scratch. I am straying away from boxes for a while. I want to be a master cook.  I dream of having  an exquisite garden where I can pick vegetables and fruit naturally and make sweet dishes. Last night, I baked fresh mandarin muffins and zesty breaded chicken. I was quite proud and I cannot wait for the cooking project my friend and I planned together. We are going to prepare a meal and deliver it to a homeless person. Where we attend university, we see a lot of homeless people around and we think that making a meal would should show that "Yes, we are aware of what they are going through and we want to help." It is the right thing to do to always serve others with thoughtfulness and love.
That is the romance of charity.

Dr. Seuss knows best

 Dr. Seuss lessons are the sugar to my tea, the chocolate chips to my cake batter. He was such a wise man that really grasped the delicate concepts of life. My platform is Read Across America: Promoting Childhood Literacy, and boy am I enchanted by the National organization and the celebration of reading on March 1st, Dr. Seuss' birthday. Words cannot describe how incredible it is watching videos and seeing children's faces light up like stars over Dr. Seuss' tales and the lessons that they are willing to learn. This author books are gifts to this world. And right here, is one of my ultimate favorites-the five lessons! I am going to dissect each one.
1. Today you are YOU...
Wow. There truly is no one on this planet like you and I! We are irreplaceable. We must embrace our inner person and let that shine forth in everything that we are involved in. But first things first, we must dive in with our hearts!
2. Why fit in?
Individuality is a gift of freedom. We are free to expose our gifts and share them in our very own unique way. Isn't that awesome? When I read this principle  I think of pageant gowns. Why wear a gown that everyone else has? Choose one that feels comfortable and makes YOU feel like queen.
3.You can steer yourself  any direction you choose.
Enough said! With God on our side, we can do anything we want to be as long as we do it with integrity and love.
4. Be who you are and say what you feel...
We have to defy our fear of being ourselves. Not everyone can adore everyone and that's okay! One of the beauties of life is that God blesses us with people who will love us and support us  no matter what we do.
5.Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.
Live each day as if it were your last, not tied with the past, but seeing the sun and having a blast. :)

The power of kindness

Have you ever read a book that grabbed your heart and forced you to be transfixed to every single word? Then, did you hear the heavens singing, your phone suddenly going silent, and the television is on mute? I have read many books that caused me to act in such a way. From Harry Potter to Redeeming Love, there are books out there that have changed me for good and made me a stronger woman. The book that I am reading now is teaching me the power of kindness. The duty that we, as people must fulfill in God's name. That really, we aren't living just for ourselves. Love and kindness are universal. One good act can change a tear into a twinkling eye of joy. This book, "The Hidden Power of Kindness" by Larwrence G. Lovasik has made my soft heart softer and my earthly ambitions less... selfish. I firmly believe when we take others feelings into consideration and center our goals and dreams by handing out smiles, that could warm anyone's day more than a delicious cup of coffee. Displaying kindness from words to our actions shows that selfless love that we all deserve. It's the kind of romance that anyone can display. Gossiping, lying, deceiving, and the like truly create deep wounds that need special healing. We can't keep doing that to each other. We are all made in His image, in His glory, and in His light. As God's children, we must act as such. Giving a homeless person a good home cooked meal to lending your fellow classmate a pencil are small acts of kindness that help fulfill God's big plans for all of us. Kindness means accepting shortcomings and embracing another human being with joy. Even if we are not on good terms with another person, respect and sincerity belongs to everyone. 

Mr. Angel

I've been singing the same love song for two years straight. The melody, the harmony, the voice, all in tune with someone else. God created love, made us with love, and blessed this world with love. I love my special man with everything in my heart and I make certain he knows that. Here, I will call him Prince, because he truly is royalty. My favorite baseball player and best friend, Prince is an angel. We attend universities about two hours apart and the distance has made us stronger. Yes, I cannot deny that things can get tough, but did we give up? Oh no. I am so in love with Prince that he never ever leaves my mind. I think of his laughter and smile often. His skin complexion to his strong warrior figure, Prince is a protector. His intelligence makes me forget about books for a moment, and his sincerity is as sweet and beautiful as an orchestra playing a song from the heavens. Prince's humor may I add lingers in my mind for days on end. No matter if I'm picking up a jug of milk in the market or reciting Spanish lessons, I could laugh in the middle of it all, thinking of his humor. Till this day, the butterflies pay a visit when I see Prince. I always greet him with a big smile and bear hug. Love is a never ending song.
Romance.

In His glory

Look at this beautiful face. Her expression grabbed my heart because I can feel the joy that is illuminating from her eyes to her Crest white smile. She has won a title for a lifetime.
Miss America 2012. And she won all in His glory. It is my ultimate dream to serve others and travel across America as a National Ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network and promote my personal platform, Read Across America. The Miss America Organization truly is more about the gown and the crown. Being a queen means devoting your life to other people and defining the true meaning of love. By volunteering, a queen reaches to the core of service which is making others smile and feel about themselves. That is the kind of romance that I long for. To do all of that for Jesus? Why of course, count me in! But.
Only if He wants me to. It's not up to me whether I become Miss America one day. That is God's call and if He leaves a message to do so, I will call Him right back. I always remember that His plan is far greater than my home. I compete in His light. The glimmer from my earrings and sparkle of the crown cannot compare to God's light. I have not won a title yet, but I believe I can. Again, only if God wants me to. We all have an agenda and I'm willing to do whatever He calls me to do. He loves me more than anything and knows the desires of my heart. Crown or no crown, I will continue to serve because that's what makes me happy.
The romance of making others smile.

Morning Romance

I welcome each day like a bouquet of roses. When I see roses, I think of undying romance. That is how I embrace the sun, the warmth of my bed, and the sweet kisses I receive on my lips from my British tea. I snuggle in a sweater, turn on the television and listen to stories. I clutch onto my phone as my lover's name dances across my screen and with a tiny smile tugging on the corners of my mouth, my soul sings.
It is chapter one of a new day.