day 7: 30 day challenge

day 7: favorite movies

I absolutely love movies!!! nothing is more satisfying to me, than relaxing on the couch watching movies alone, with friends or family. movie nights are the best...popcorn, candy and a nice big blanket. the movies above are just a few of my favorites. trust me, i have plenty more. i love comedy's, drama, chick flicks, horror...love 'em all.

Day 6: 30 day challenge

day 6: a picture of something that makes you happy

{ I'd give up ice cream, but I'm no quitter! - author unknown}

i love love love ice cream! my passion for ice cream is why this picture makes me happy. this creamy, cold, sugar-filled desert can cure anything. almost anything. i could eat ice cream everyday, but i don't think my hips would appreciate that too much. i don't discriminate when it comes to ice cream, but chocolate and coconut are my fav's. from the grocery store to the ice cream shop...i'm the person who takes forever to decide what to get. you'd think i'd know since i'm obsessed, but there's an art to picking out ice cream. sometimes you have cravings for something different than your norm. this takes lots of thought process. i eat ice cream year around, although its nice to go get some on a nice summer day. did you know, baskin-robbins has created more than 1,000 unique, fun and delicious ice cream flavors? talk about a job well done! i'd like to have that job. i think i may just treat myself to some ice cream tonight ;)

Day 5: 30 day challenge

day 5: your siblings

{meet my sister, beanie}

yes, we're related. we get asked all the time if we are really sisters, and yes, we share the same DNA, genes, parents, etc. beanie, is the nickname i gave my younger sister Arlene growing up. the nickname originally was arlenie beanie, then it got cut short to just beanie. she calls me jelly, so together we make jelly beanie. corny, yeah i guess so. lol. my sister and i are the complete opposite - night and day for real. i'm more quiet and reserved, and she's loud and funny! i've never met someone so funny! seriously, she's one of those people who doesn't even try to be funny and just is. she's like our own personal comedian. being the older sibling, i tend to play mother sometimes rather than big sister. i just try to be there for her and give advice anyway i can. my sister is just like my mom...can't tell them anything because their always right. dang Virgos, i tell ya! growing up, we were very close and did everything together, but as i got older and starting making friends...beanie was left be hide. now as young adults, we've become closer again and talk almost everyday. its nice being able to have someone you shared a childhood with and, laugh at all of the memories. i couldn't imagine being the only child...

she is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. she is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. she is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you smiling, even in the dark. she is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. - Barbara Alpert

Day 4: 30 day challenge

day 4: your parents

{meet jokie}

jackie + joe = jokie

these two wonderful people are my parents. i love them both very much! joe's actually my step-dad, but i consider him to be, just dad. my parents developed a friendship that soon turned into a fairy tale love story. i like to say i saw it coming. these two give me the inspiration, that true love does exist. they compliment each other very well. they have been married for five years now, and if you saw them, you'd think they were newlyweds. i couldn't ask for better role models in my life. its comforting to know someone always has your back, especially when its your family. i know, i can always count on them - don't know what i'd without them. i've always been a mommy's girl, so naturally we have a really good relationship. we've been through so much together. she's like the air i breathe. i'll admit its easy to take for granted what you've always had, and sometimes i realize i do take these two special people for granted. my parents are always willing to led a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on and can provide decent advice. :) i hate to admit, 9 times out of 10, their always right. and i respect that. but, i guess when you reach parental status, being right all the time is just advantage. one day, when i have children of my own, i hope to be just like them.

Day 3: 30 day challenge

day 3: your first love

to be honest, i wasn't really looking forward to this post. why you ask? i'm currently going through the whole process of trying to get over that special someone - this person is my first love. i've known him for eight years, and he has consistently been in my life until recently. this was the person i thought i'd eventually marry and have a family with. at least those were the plans. but, some things don't always work out the way we want them too. sometimes there's a bigger plan. right? yeah, that's what they say. i'm not going to lie and say this is easy writing this, because it isn't. everyday, i get a little stronger and don't cry as much. i know eventually, i'll be able to look back at us, and smile at the times we shared. but right now, all i feel is heartache. we have so many memories together and i will always cherish them. part of me feels, i shouldn't feel sad or miss him...because he's the one that didn't have faith in our relationship. i shouldn't want to be with someone like that. i shouldn't want to be with someone who isn't willing to put the same amount of time and effort into something that i am. he is a good guy, but i guess he's just not the guy for me. and with that, i will move on and take what i learned from this experience and focus on me! i will give myself time to get over him. because bringing old baggage into something new just isn't cute. i'm sure when He knows i'm ready, someone perfect will come into my life and i will no longer dwell on what was.

woke up late today,

and i could still feel the sting of pain,

but i brushed my teeth anyway.

got dressed through the mess, and

put a smile on my face.

i got a little bit stronger.

- sara evans

Day 2: 30 day challenge

Day 2: meaning be hide your blog name

episodes of a mixed girl...

my blog name, comes from some of raw, uncut, and unedited events in my life. my family and friends are kinda like the cast in my own little sitcom, you as readers, are my audience and the director is the man up stairs. episodes of a mixed girl allows you a sneak peek into my daily life. my blog consist of my thoughts, opinions and things that occur in my life. i like to think of everyday as an episode, except there's no script to read from, no re-do's - its real life. my life.

****

...as mentioned in my previous post, i come from a multicultural background. that explains - mixed girl. my race doesn't define who i am, but it is something i take pride in. i feel blessed to have the best of both worlds. i'm proud of my American and Panamanian background. it's quite amazing how different people see me. some assume i'm white, Spanish, or Asian. growing up in a bi-racial family has it challenges, trust me. especially, growing up in the south. and, of course some would say...oh that stuff doesn't exist anymore. if you're one of those people, next time my mother and i go to the store, and i call out mom and people turn around with confusion on their face...tell me i'm wrong. just because were different complexions, doesn't mean were not related - sometimes i want to say..."yes, she's my REAL mom"!!! that stuff doesn't bother as much anymore. it amazing being able to fit into two completely different worlds, i guess that's one of the advantages of being multiracial.

Day 1: 30 day challenge

Day 1: introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts

{recent picture taken last weekend}

howdy! so, i'm suppose to introduce myself...i'm Ashley aka mixed girl. i would described myself as a pretty simple person. it doesn't take a lot to keep me entertained. right now, my entertainment in life is school and work. i'm currently going to school in the evenings to finish my bachelors degree in communications and business administration, and i work for a finance company during the day. i pretty much stay tired because of my hectic schedule, but i try to make time for other things to keep me sane. i recently starting running because i'm participating in a 5k next month. i love to go out and do things, but also am content with staying at home and doing nothing at all. i'm a nerd at heart. i love to read. some would describe me as i pretty emotional person...i can't help it. honestly, i can cry at the drop of a hat. cooking, is something i want to get better at. i come from a multi-cultural background...my mother is Hispanic and father is Caucasian. i believe my mixed background has helped me become a pretty well-rounded person.

15 interesting facts:

1. die hard Yankees fan.

2. i talk in the mirror to see how i look in person.

3. love to take pictures.

4.played soccer and volleyball growing up.

5. dream job: news reporter.

6. rarely wear eye liner, except on special occasion.

7. takes me 1 1/2 to do my hair

8. i eat a boiled egg everyday.

9. love coconut...seriously. i could eat coconut everything.

10. work in finance, but hate math. funny huh?

11. i cant play any card games, except for gold fish.

12. love to throw parties. entertaining family & friends is so much fun.

13. hate the sound of my voice. i sound like a valley girl, for sure!

14. i pray every night for world peace. seriously.

15. i hope to be remembered as a good hearted person.

30 day challenge

I'm hopping on the 30 day challenge train, along with my girls at {and you wonder why i have so many mood swings and adorably distracted} - seems like a pretty easy task and hopefully, will give you guys in a little insight about me! get ready to hop on my 30 day challenge ride....

Day 1 - introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2 - meaning be hide your blog name
Day 3 - your first love
Day 4 - your parents
Day 5 - your siblings
Day 6 - a picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7 - favorite movies
Day 8 - a place you've traveled to
Day 9 - a picture of your friends
Day 10 - something you're afraid of
Day 11 - favorite tv shows
Day 12 - what you believe
Day13 - goals
Day 14 - a picture you love
Day 15 - bible verse
Day 16 - dream house
Day 17 - something you look forward to
Day 18 - something you regret
Day 19 - something you miss
Day 20 - nicknames
Day 21 - picture of yourself
Day 22 - favorite city
Day 23 - favorite vacation
Day 24 - something you've learned
Day 25 - put you iPOD on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26 - picture of your family
Day 27 - pets
Day 28 - something that stresses you out
Day 29 - wishes
Day 30 - a picture

i could really use a wish right now...

i'm still getting use to this blogging thing. sometimes i have so much to write about, but then i have to be careful of how much information i put out there. people like to twist words around or assume when they really know nothing. you think if you follow someones blog for long enough, you get a little glimpse of whats going on in their world - you build some type of connection - you laugh, cry, mourn, cheer with them. but at the same time people only allow you to see what they want you to see. its like keeping someone at arms length - you give them just enough to keep coming back. the purpose of me starting my blog was because i was actually inspired by two other friends that currently blog as well. i looked at my blog as a release of some sort...to get things out and to share things. as of lately my blog seems to be consumed of not whats going on in my life, but my friends lives. i really don't have a lot of interesting things going on in my life right now...school and work, that about sums up my life. for the last couple of months i've been so busy contributing to other people's happiness that i put my own on the back burner. not purposely, but it just kinda happened. in result of this, i've managed to push away one of the most important people out of my life. i didn't think things would play out this way, but you never can predict the future. you can only hope, pray and dream things will work out in your favor. and if they don't, i'll be the first to say its okay to mope around and cry a little. everyday things will get easier and eventually the storm will pass. you think about the past a little less each day, but you won't forget. you'll keep those memories forever because they help mold you into the person you are today. i know, i choose my attitude daily and its so easy to be negative, and be mad at the world. that's not the person i am. its not the person i want to become. i don't want to fake happiness...i genuinely want to be happy. i'm still fairly young, and have a lot to learn. i can just take this experience as a lesson learned and not repeat the same mistakes.

taking off the gloves.

sometimes you have to be strong for yourself. you have to know that you're a good person and a good friend. what is meant to be will end up good and what isn't, wont. relationships are worth fighting for, but sometimes you can't be the only one fighting. at times, people need to fight to fight for you. if they don't, you must just move on and realize what you gave them was more than they were willing to give you. hopefully, people realize great things when they come around and don't lose something real. always fight until you cant anymore, and then be fought for.

enough is enough

recently, i overheard a mother and daugther in their last moments together at the airport. they had announced the departure. standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, 'i love you and i wish you enough'.

the daugther replied, 'mom, our life together has been more than enough. your love is all i ever needed. i wish you enough, too, mom'.

they kissed and the daughter left. the mother walked over the window where i was seated. standing there i could see she wanted and needed to cry. i tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, 'did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'

'yes, i have,' i replied. 'forgive me for asking, but why is this forever good-bye?'

'i am old and she lives so far away. i have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.

'when you were saying good-bye, i heard you say, 'i wish you enough'. may i ask what that means?'.

she began to smile. 'that's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. my parents used to say it to everyone'. she paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 'when we said, 'i wish you enough', we want the other person to have a life fulled with just enough good things to sustain them'. then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

i wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the may appear.

i wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

i wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

i wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

i wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

i wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

i wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

she then began to cry and walked away.


take time to live.


to all my friends, loved ones and strangers,
I WISH YOU ENOUGH.


they say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

i love days that start with F.

yeahhh, um not so much.

no partying going on for this chick.

this weekend will be a relaxing one for me. thank goodness! no weddings, birthdays or showers. after work, i plan on getting my run in and doing some studying...ekkkk!!! in family news: my baby sister beanie (nickname) recently moved to Charlotte with her boyfriend, so my parents and i will be visiting them on tomorrow. this means...cheesecake factory for lunch! sweet baby Jesus! my mouth is watering just thinking about it now...may have to run again Saturday and Sunday to work off what i plan to eat. sorry, but there is not way you go to a place like cheesecake factory and don't get the most delicious item on the menu and top it off with a slice of heaven. i just won't deny myself of that. so there :) and Sunday, i will begin attending a new church then more studying. story of my life right now.

pretty fun filled weekend huh?

tgif.

oh fall, how i love thee.

I love fall! Fall is exciting.

It's apples and cinder.

It's an airborne spider.

It's pumpkins in bins.

It's burrs on dog's chins.

It's wind blowing leaves.

It's chilly red knees.

It's nuts on the ground.

It's a crisp dry sound.

It's green leaves turning.

And the smell of them burning.

It's clouds in the sky.

It's fall. That's why...

I love fall.

-author unknown

blood, sweat and tears!

i'm taking a crack at my first goal (see previous post)

mixed girl's gonna run her first 5k eva!

sayyy what?!??!!?!

{crossing the finish line, baby!}

i starting running last night with a friend of mine and i kicked butt. seriously guys, i've never considered myself to be a runner, but dannnnggg i rocked last night! i'm pretty darn proud of myself, but my legs are killing me today. trying to build my endurance up for the race and hopefully, be able to run the whole thing. the race is next month, so i have plenty of time.

{no pain, no gain...right???}

happy hump day, folks!

goals.

run a 5k.
mantain straight a's.
attend church on a regular basis.
volunteer.
exercise on a regular basis.
grow my hair out.
get my masters degree.
buy a house.
visit panama again. (my mother's home country)
donate more.
get more involved in my community.
talk to the lord daily.
maintain a steady diet.
dont sweat the small stuff.
forgive those whom wronged me.
get married.
have a positive attitude daily.
have children.
maintain healthly relationships with my family and friends.
be debt free from student loans.
buy a dog.
always be myself.

these goals i will strive to achieve at my own pace.

and of course when God, allows certain things to take place in my life.

allow me to introduce....baby james.

{my first time holding baby james}

{i look a little tired here, but at least the baby's getting some sleep}

welcome to the world, baby james junious spencer III.
October 9, 2010 at 1:34am 8lbs 21 inches

bundle of joy: coming soon!!!

{cute lil' mama}

{she looks ready to pop huh?}

my bestie randy (see above) had some super cute maternity pictures done this past weekend. isn't she gonna be one hot mama!?! her due date is October 14th; however, her precious baby boy is almost 8 friggin' pounds, so she's going to be induced tomorrow. i've been counting down till this day, so i can meet this little bundle of joy. its been an experience having my best friend being pregnant, and seeing all the joys i have to look forward to one day. most of her pregnancy, i've tried to keep up with my work outs and eat healthy, but she's been a bad influence. hey, what are friends for right? lol. now we both have a goal to get this woman back in shape once she gets use to being a new mama. c'mon on out little buddy, were all waiting to meet you!!!

only human.

i heart...

.reading the ads from the sunday newspaper.

.drinking coffee first thing in the morning.

.sleeping in on the weekends.

.trying new recipes.

.reading new books or reading old ones again.

.my iPHONE.

.the people in my life.

.someone who speaks from within.

.birthdays.

.being able to call a friend and knowing there are always there.

.snuggling.

.mac lipgloss.

.bread.

.my sister who knows how to make me laugh.

.surprises.

.my daily conversations with God.

.honest people.

.nice, long, hot showers.

.phone calls vs. text messages.

.walks in the park.

.my faith.

.classical music.

.dogs.

.taking pictures of random things.

.my mommy's cooking.

.a smile from a stranger.

.getting my hair done by my awesome stylist.

.people with manners.

.newborn babies.

.people who don't make excuses.

.green lights all the way to work.

.painting.

.smell of food cooking on the grill.

.chocolate.

.being able to laugh at myself.

.zumba.

.my passion to be a better person everyday.

here comes the bride...

{lip gloss is always important}

{bridal party with the beautiful bride}

{beautiful bridesmaids and flower girl with the lovely bride}

{two wonderful people now united as one - 10.03.10}

(delicious and beautiful wedding cake}

{beautiful bride filled with butterflies and joy}

{pretty cute lookin' bridesmaids huh}

{you are my "somewhere over the rainbow"}


this past weekend was one of my bestie's BIG DAY. as the maid of honor my duties are officially over. its a tough job, but someones gotta do it. ya know. i'm so grateful that i was apart of her special day. i'm happy to say...i didn't cry, but did get a little teary eyed. the whole event was absolutely wonderful and couldn't have been better. its an overwhelming feeling as a friend to be happy for another friend during such a memorial moment in their life. congrats to these two great people and may God bless their marriage with many wonderful years to come.

the happy couple is now on their honey moon. lucky doggs.

breast.cancer.awareness.month.

the entire month of October promotes breast cancer awareness.

dontate. participate. do your part.

{promote awareness and support the cause}

{saving the a, b, c's, and dd's}

{ save the ta-tas please}

Susan G. Komen for the Cure recommends that all women:

1. Know your risk
2. Get screened
3. know what is normal for you
4. make healthy lifestyle choices

Participate in a event near you to help raise awareness:

http://ww5.komen.org/