2015 Back and Better than EVER!

2015 - THE Year

      2015 was always a far-away idea, a year I never thought would actually arrive.  The year I would graduate High School, the summer I would "Grow UP", the Fall I would start College.  CHANGE! 

     Well today is the first day of 2015 and I am just living in the moment.  It can really be scary looking into the future.  Right now my life seems to be a lot of unknowns. I have no idea where I will be this time next year, or even two months from now.  But I guess that's the beauty of life isn't it? Not Knowing.  So I've decided to live in the moment and just enjoy the ride.  I'm going to continue to joy in the small things, and continue to pursue my interests.  

    I really like to write.  This year I want to continue my blog (which sadly I neglected for 6 months), continue to journal daily and then also try to creatively write.  I really like the way words can express what you're thinking and feeling. I want my ideas to be heard, and read, and thought about.  

   Recently for my Government class, I was assigned to write a letter to the editor of the Richmond Times Dispatch on an issue I cared about. To be honest, I approached the assignment as any senior close to winter break would, "Okay let's just get this over with as painless as possible."  So sitting at the computer in my Dad's kitchen I tried to come up with an easy topic.  Something I could fudge just to turn it in.  I admit that's not the most "model student" thing to do. But hey,  I have never claimed to be a model student.  Well, I think my dad caught on to what I was doing, he could tell that my writing wasn't as good as it could have been because I just didn't care about what I was saying.  So my Dad told me to pick another topic and try again.  Finally I found something I cared somewhat about and I got to writing.  The more I wrote and edited, the more I felt better about what I was saying.  

    So I turned my completed assignment in and submitted an electronic copy to the editor of the Richmond Times Dispatch and completely forgot about it.  Done. I was done, and now I was steps closer to winter break.  

  Then, about 4 days later, I got a call from my best friend asking me if I had written any articles that would appear in the paper.  I was confused at first, and then I was completely shocked.  Apparently her Grandfather was reading the paper and came across my article printed in the Editorial section.  I couldn't believe it.  MY article was published!?! I felt this weird feeling that I usually only feel when I take a bow after a performance. I was so happy and I felt so special.  What I had to say mattered and was chosen to be printed.  Even though break had started, I emailed my Government teacher to tell him the good news, and he was so happy for me! 

   When I was doing something I didn't care about it, just to rush through it, I wasn't being me.  And when I wasn't being me, the results I was looking for, just weren't there.  I learned that when I do things I really care about, I'm so much more capable of greatness.  I want to challenge myself to put my whole me into everything I do, even if I don't care about it as much as I should.  

  I challenge you to do the same, YOU are capable of greatness everyday! 

MAKE 2015 the BEST it can possibly be! 

YOU CAN DO IT!

    

One-sided

      I just want to take a second to focus on relationships.  Relationships is a bond you share with a person.  Relationships are friends, significant others, family, acquaintances, etc.  More precious relationships in your life require love and energy.  It's about making time, and making it work. 

      No one likes the feeling of something being one-sided.  You feel like you are doing all you can to nourish the relationship and the opposing end isn't appreciating or noticing your efforts.  Time and Energy are the most valuable things we have as people.  What we choose to spend our time and energy on is solely up to us. DONT WASTE IT ON RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE ON-SIDED! If someone is putting you down, or not recognizing your higher good, than GOODBYE to them!  You have better things to do, better people to see. 

      Tonight I am just reflecting on a lot of relationships in my life.  Certain friends who I feel never have free time to hang out.  Or those friends where you always are like "I miss you! Lets Hang out soon!"… but you never do.  And it makes me sad.  Everyone is always busy, including myself.  Constantly moving in a world that doesn't stop.  I can barely think 3 days ahead in my schedule so personally it's hard to make plans ahead of time with the certain friends I want to see.

      Try to reflect this week on the relationships in your life.  Are they one-sided?  Which side are you on?  

Just something to think about,

Holly 

60 Years of Love

Tom and Doris Caravaglia 

celebrating 60 years of marriage today! 

    My grandparents are amazing. My nana and papa (pictured above on their wedding day in 1954) have been married 60 years today.  These past 60 years have been filled with life's share of love, children, tragedy, hard times, great times, celebrations, grandchildren, and most importantly - each other.

    In a society where it's common, and almost easy to divorce, I marvel at how refreshing it is to see a couple live together through 60 years of life.  In some ways it restores my faith in humanity. Not only my faith in humanity, but my faith in love.  My nana and papa have proven that it IS possible! That if you work together, even through hardships, the love you have can prevail!  I really hope this kind of marriage isn't a thing of the past, I would love to see this exist in my generation, and in my own life.  

  When I was 7 years old I remember attending my nana and papa's Big 50th Anniversary party and hearing a bit of advice that I took not only for marriage, I was seven after all, but for life in general.  My nana said the secret to marriage is to never go to bed angry.  I really took that to heart.  Life is short and no one should ever go to bed feeling angry towards someone they love.  You never know how long you have with a family member, a friend, or a significant other.  Don't regret wasting time by going to bed angry.  "Even in rough patches never stop saying 'I Love You' before you go to sleep."    

  I am so inspired by the love my nana and papa have shared over the last 60 years.  

My Grandparents on their 60th Wedding

Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary! 

Love is Amazing. 

17th Birthday

17 years old on

February 18th, 2014

WOW! I have the best friends ever!  Today I turned 17 years old! When I woke up this morning I got ready for school as usual and was surprised to find my best friends Noah (whose also my boyfriend) and Lydia standing in my living room with balloons and Dunkin' Donuts (my favorite)!  I was so surprised! 

    As the day progressed I was greeted kindly with birthday wishes both in person and on my Facebook wall, which put a smile on my face! It was nice to have my birthday on the school day when I like the classes I have (yay theatre!).  

    I was fortunate to spend my Birthday Dinner with my very best friends! Noah, Lydia, Chris, Debbie (chris's mom), my mom and my brother! The food was delicious and the laughs we shared were amazing! 

   I am so grateful for my boyfriend who gave me an amazing present! Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume (YESSS!), a beautiful candle, and a Beauty and the Beast pin! Love you Noah and thank you soooo much! 

    Lydia's gifts brought a smile to my face and made me laugh until I cried! I cannot wait to make a necklace for my vintage pendant (you know me so well).  

   Huge thank you to my mommy for my first pair of Doc Martins! I love them so much and I cannot wait to wear them tomorrow! 

I had an amazing day! Thank you so much for the love, and birthday wishes!

xoxox

Holly

  Here's to 17! May it be the best one yet! 

Power to Create

    Being on winter break has reaffirmed that I am going to take a creative path in my life.

       School gets in my way.  I understand we need an education and a lot rides on where you go

to college.  But most times I feel that school shuts off my creativity.  Instead of being able

to film a video for my YouTube Channel (one of my passions), I have to study Ionic Bonds for Chemistry. It gets discouraging because I know that I am NOT going to be a Chemist when I 

grow up.  

       Now that it's been Winter Break I have already uploaded two new videos, filmed some with friends to be released later, worked on Photoshop Projects, created new jewelry designs with wire, and started a blog.  I NEVER would have been able to accomplish this had school been going on.  And you know what? I am much happier.  And you know what's surprising? I have more motivation.  I wake up in the mornings (at a reasonable hour, not at dawn) and I want to fill my day with productivity and things I actually enjoy doing.  

      I understand that life can't be all fun and games and that you do have to work very hard and make sacrifices.  But why is it that high school has to consume your whole life to the point where you have to dedicate 10+ hours a day to it?  I wake up at 5:45 get to school around 6:50 get out of school at 1:50, stay for rehearsal till 5:00 then go home and do homework till about 9:00.  Then I go to sleep and repeat the process.  Where does that leave room for self exploration?  No wonder why everyone in high school are always cranky.  We are busy to the point where we don't have any time to try new things. 

     I've heard that life gets so much better in college and after.  I am very excited to take a creative route and be able to study the things I have a passion for.  I wish my life could stay like this winter break forever.

    Never lose motivation for the things you really love.  If it's your dream, you can make it happen. 

Know that your Current Situation, 

is Not your Final Destination.

Namasté,

            Holly