a thankful heart.

1. laughing so hard my belly aches
2. strawberry pancakes
3. my Savior, Jesus Christ
4. full tank of gas
5. six hours of driving through four states just to see my love ones
6. my health
7. experience of living in another state
8. home cooked meals
9. making new memories and remembering the old ones
10. my job
11. traveling to places I’ve never been
12. seeing old friends
13. passing the Mason-Dixon line
14. my co-workers that make me laugh all day
15. tight hugs
16. first loves
17. daily conversations with my Heavenly Father
18. singing at the top of my lungs while driving
19. cup of coffee first thing in the morning
20. all the bloggers I’ve connected with…y’all are seriously amazing
21. someone telling me that my loud, annoying laugh is contagious
22. long, hot showers
23. making new friends
24. baseball games
25. dance parties in my kitchen while doing the dishes
26. freshly brewed sweet tea
27. my sweet Baby nephew, Gabriel
28. having dinner with my family
29. freshly painted nails
30. my first apartment
31. my sisters awesome sense of humor
32. answered prayers
33. possibility to relocate this year
34. gentlemen that open doors and pull out chairs
35. honest and genuine friends
36. spending time with myself
37. getting lost in a really good book
38. discovering a new blog
39. feeling the suns warmth on my skin
40. a good hair day
41. butterflies when you begin to like someone
42. skype/facetime dates 
43. sharing a laugh or smile with a stranger
44. barbecues on a nice summer day
45.  quotes I can relate to
46.  road trips
47.  falling asleep listening to the rain
48. freshly made guacamole
49. cupcakes
50. my past, my present and my future

The Girl Behide The Blog {link up}

Hola chicas!

Today,  I'm linking up with  Captivated by Grace and 5ohWifey

 for the Girl Behind the Blog Vlog link up! 

The Prompt

-Introduce yourself and any other "regulars" on your blog (spouses, kids, pets)

-Tell us a little about your blog. Main theme? Do you have a niche?

-Tell us why you started blogging and why you have continued to blog?

-How do you envision your blog evolving in the future? What hopes do you have for it?

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

What is the most challenging thing about blogging?

What inspires you to blog?

Is there anything else you'd like readers to know?

Try to keep your blogs between 2-3 minutes!

I went wayyy over the time limit! Oppps! 

Kinda rushed to do this video - not my best! Sorry :(

happy biirrtthhdddayyy toooo meeeee!!!

don't ask how old i am...

{okay, fine. i'll tell ya. we are friends after all}

twenty-seven.

ekkkkkk!

my mommy sent me this email:

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my daughter Ashley. I’m very proud of you Ashley and I give thanks to the good Lord for you. I miss you and I love you so so much. I don’t care how old you are, you are still my one and only Baby, my Elaine. God Bless you my Baby. Love MOM"

shortly, she called to sing me happy birthday in English and Spanish.

yeah, i cried.

thanks A LOT, mom!

can't help it.

i miss my mommy :(

butttt...today's been a good day.

receiving calls, emails, texts and FB notifications all day really makes a girl feel special.

on top of that...my cube was decorated, my co-workers took me out to lunch and bought me an ice cream cake! yum!

cheers!

hope twenty-seven treats me darn good!!



tagged.

Today I've been tagged by my gorg friend Nini from Mrs. H

Ok so here goes the rules to this thing:

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.

11 THINGS ABOUT ASHLEY?

1. My birthday is tomorrow! Friday the 13th! Ekkkkk!
2. I'm a self-help junkie! I just can't get enough of learning about the law of attraction and all that interesting stuff!
3. I secretly want to get my nose pierced...always have - just tooo much of a chicken. 
4. I have clothes in my closet that still have tags and shoes I've yet to wear - pitiful I know!
5. Every year I buy a new planner - I rather write stuff down than use my iphone calendar.
6. I have a love/hate relationship with working out.
7. I'm an Apple whore - I can't live without my iphone, ipod and Mac.
8. I despise pumping gas - literally, I hate it! The whole getting out of your car and all that - hate it! I'll literally let the gas light come on - which forces me to get gas! Ugh!
9. I cannot whistle. Just can't do it!
10. I love ice cream and eat it year around - don't care how cold it is!
11.  I was named after a Soap Opera actress from Days of Our Lives - when my mom came to the states at 18 she learned English by watching TV and she fell in love with the name Ashley!

So here are the 11 questions Nini asked me:

1. What's the most interesting or moving book you've ever read? Bible
2. Which do you prefer the book or the movie? This is hard: read the book first then watch the movie!
3. If you could move to anywhere tomorrow, where would it be? Back to North Carolina - I miss home!!!
4. What's the one thing in life you can't leave the house without? Earrings! I feel completely naked without earrings!
5. What's the furthest place you've flown to? Panama - Central America to visit my mother's family!
6. If you could be anyone for a day who would it be?Ann C.  from the Today Show! Want her job!
7. What is one word that best describes you? (ONLY ONE) Passionate
8. What's been your greatest accomplishment to date?Working for three amazing Volvo companies all before the age of 30!
9. What's your favorite type of food? Spanish - homemade authentic...the good stuff!
10. What's one nickname you have? Ashy
11. What's the best thing you did in 2011? hmmmm....idk

my turn to pick 11 questions for my 11 lil' muffin's to be tagged:

1. What was the last thing you bought?

2. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?

3. What did you do for your last birthday?

4. What was the last thing you ate?

5. If you had to choose between Facebook and Blogger? Which one?

6. Name three things that make you happy.

7. What is one of your resolutions for 2012?

8. What would you do if you were given one million dollars?

9. What would be your theme song when walking into a room?

10. What is something you wish you could change?

11. What is your favorite television show?

 And in no particular order, I repeat these are in no particular order, here are the results of my 11 choices:

1. Brandi at Home Team Dreams

2. Emily at Amazing Grapes

3. Kristyn at Read July

4. Whitney at Just a country girl

5. Erin at Captivated by the beauty of grace

6. Meli at Meli Faif Life

7. Marz at Royal Mail

8. Ashley at Run with Me

9. Jessica at Pretty Physicist

10. Erica at Young and Fabulous

11. Amie at Sassy RN

do you ever look at old pictures...

and, say to yourself - what the {beeeep} was i thinkin'...

normally, i would probably think that

but, in this case i'm embracing my "silly, ridiculous, funny" pictures.

apparently, i thought it was cool to put dirty money in my mouth - ewwwww! 

that picture was taken at 4 in the morning, after a long night of celebrating a fab bachelorette party.  i don't even know where to begin to explain the second picture - let's just i was playin' dress up. lol. and, the third picture...who goes swimming wearing a plastic cap??? this girl does. hello, remember i'm mixed and i just got my hair did - why would i ruin a perfectly good do... just to go swimming?! ;) don't judge me please. lastly, no words for that one. just being lil' ole me. so, i think we're all officially besties since you've seen this gosh awful pictures. 

gotta have fun with this cray cray thing called life :)

do you and enjoy doin' you.

have lots of fun.

soak up every single minute of everyday.

laugh - it cures everything.

love, love, love and love some more.

life is simply beautiful.

and, don't forget to wear a pretty crown :)

trying to be better.

Remember the road to finding ultimate success & happiness is not a straight path or pothole free.

It winds, has sudden sharp turns, & sometimes several

detours you must explore before you finally get to the end.

Don't get discouraged when you head on direction w/ one destination in mind & when you get lost.

Explore the many detours that could lead you there & to other places because...there always... ARE better ways & sometimes even better paths for you.

Remember: you won't know or find them unless you stay persistent & keep trying.

Yes. There ARE a few roads that leads you to success.

Explore your options.

Try new paths OR detours if you feel

like you aren't on right one!

Stay aware, be brave, proactive, & inspire yourself. :)

in other news...

i love signing onto blogger and reading sooo many inspiration, funny and cute blogs. makes.my.day. even when i'm feeling a little down...you guys always know how to make a girl cheer up :) have you ever read a post that makes you go hmmmm?? i read a post the other day that really hit some with me. to sum it up...basically words can be used as weapons. sometimes, i can fight nasty...when it comes to words. this isn't something i'm proud of and i really try to be more careful with what i say and how i say it. but, when your hurting, all of consideration goes out the window sometimes. however, thats no excuse. i've def said some mean stuff in the last couple days and of course, instantly regretted saying them. {i just need to carry around a roll of duck tape} in all seriousness...i need to learn to "fight" fair! i'm sorry...can only go so far once the damage has been done.

how do you control yourself during heated arguments or

stop yourself from lashing out on someone because your hurting?

honesty.

no matter what anyone says...i know how i feel.

this has been the hardest thing for me. truly it has. and its only been two months.
you have no idea.

being away from my family, friends and my "home".

some days i don't know how to feel. i try not to feel sad and upset with myself, but its a struggle.

honestly, i wish i would have listened to my mom's advice instead of everyone else's.
since obviously she knows me best. she knew this would be hard for me and it is.
but i'm trying.

i'm trying to be the "good" friend i've always seemed to be to everyone, but its hard being so far away. at times i feel like i'm bothering everyone and that is why i apologize for calling or texting so much...or not calling or texting at all.

and being completely alone causing you to think A LOT about stuff...life, family, love, happiness, marriage, etc. what's really important in life.

its.tough.being.all.by.yourself. gosh, its hard.


i don't feel like me. my heart is definitely in north carolina.


a lot of things are not how i expected them to be. but when are they ever, right?


i know this is a good professional move, but personal?


it almost feels like i didn't really think this major decision through, but instead just jumped right into it because it sounded good.


i've just been praying for God to reveal His purpose for me being here.


and, so i'll wait to receive that answer.

{please bare with me and my lack of posting}

farewell party #1.

here are a few pictures from my first farewell party.

these lovely ladies are just too much! love them to pieces :)

its all about me.

okay, sooooo...i have a bunch of new followers!!!

yayyy!!! i always get excited that someone other than me thinks this blog is entertaining!

so, maybe its time to welcome you guys and share a little about myself...

if you don't already know what i look like...please see below ;)

this chicks a little full of herself, right? 

i promise...i'm really not conceited at all. lol

sooooo....whats the story be hide the blog title?


what are you? that’s the first question i get when i meet someone new...and in my head im thinking….seriously? well, allow me to introduce myself…mixed girl is who i am…the "politically" correct term would be bi-racial. now my racial background does not define who i am, but its something i embrace and take pride in. my mother is from a country in south America called panama and my father is from the good ‘ol U.S. of A. hes Caucasian. so, yeah that would make me a mutt. hence, i can wear my hair naturally curly or straight...yeah, i've got options. be jealous ;)

born in fort bragg…which is the army town of fayetteville, nc. that would make me an army brat. anyone who knows anything about the army knows moving is pretty much standard, so that’s what my family did. we moved to Honolulu, Hawaii for about five years where my younger sister was born and then moved back to north carolina. why? why? why? can you imagine how my life would be now…living on a beautiful sandy island, wearing swim suits 24/7, having a year around glowing tan, possibly learning how to surf and hula…WTH? back to reality…now, i’m not talking smack about the great tar heel state, but c’mon who wouldn’t wanna live in freakin hawaii? don’t lie. just think you could be sitting on the beach right now with one of those fruity drinks with the umbrellas; you know the ones im talking about…

any hoo, back to mixed girl…im a pretty simple lady with a huge heart. i love love love my family and the close, small circle of friends i have. some may say im a little old fashioned and a huge nerd. i love to read. i have a strange obsession with the new york yankees. yes, i can admit that and it has nothing to do with the fact that um hello they have like the BEST looking players around. Ohmygod! ok, let me stop.


ice cream, pizza, coconut, popcorn and cheerwine… i could probably live off of those five things, but for the most part i have healthy eating habits. typically, i eat five small meals each day. im a huge girlie girl, but don’t let that fool ya…i can get down and dirty too. however, if i could wear dresses everyday of the week i would. theres just nothing more feminine then a cute dress with a sexy pair of high heels – another favorite of mine because, yes, im a shorty…

not a morning person at all. yes, i was one of the kids my mom would have to literally drag me out of bed. don’t talk to me until about 9:30 a.m. on most days. i love my sleep. love to take pictures…not of myself…just other people. although, im not a very talented photographer i still like to take them. i have a loud laugh, especially when somethings really funny to me and then my shoulders bounce a little…my family picks on me about this. i still send mail through the postal service – in this day and age email can be so impersonal and who doesn’t like getting mail out of their mail box? (Minus the bills type of mail) you can always find me touching my hair…it’s a habit i hate, but typically when im nervous, bored, waiting around for something or someone, or maybe feeling a little flirty – guarantee i will almost always have one of my hands twisting or messing with my hair. love surprises, but will demand hints because im like a little kid and just cant wait. love the outdoors, but am also content with staying in and doing absolutely nothing at all.

last year, i started running. i now run with a group. i've ran several 5K races and a couple months ago ran my first half marathon. i typically workout three to four times a week. working out has just become addicting to me...as much as i workout, you'd think i'd be a size two, but i have hips and thighs...thank you, mom. i love to dance...any excuse i get to shake my booty, i'm there!

i see myself as a pretty optimistic person and try to see the best in every situation. i wasn't always this way. i guess that's life for ya...you learn, grow and keep on truckin'. i have a relationship with Christ and that's the most important relationship to me. i just love life and everyday is truly a blessing to me. i value my relationships with the people i love. i'm a reliable, honest and fun friend. if i wasn't me...i'd be friends with me. if that makes any sense at all. lol.

twenty-something years old and trying to piece together my life one day at a time. im a single gal who one day would like to marry the mysterious prince charming…you know the guy who rides around on the white horse and kisses you so passionately your left breathless? maybe have 5 kids, 3 dogs and a fish. big house with a paula dean type of kitchen and carrie bradshaw walk-in bedroom closet. let's not forget the white picket fence…fairy tale style...too much? hey, its my dream not yours.

ok, its lunch time. toddles for now…i think i shared a little more then originally planned, but that’s alright at least were not strangers anymore.

good things take time.

This past weekend, my duties as maid of honor began. Yay! We went to look at wedding dresses. Exciting, right? Let me say, I am beyond thrilled for my bestie. After all, this is an exciting time in a girl’s life. And, I am honored to be standing by her side on her big day!

As we went through all of the gorgeous jaw-dropping dresses, I imagined myself doing the exact same thing…for my special day. This is not intended to be a sad, pity party post for poor, little Ashley. Trust me; I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer. Debbie, is no friend of mine!

Buuuttttt....being single, turning twenty-six and the fact that, most of my friends are either in a serious relationship, engaged, married and having kids, makes me look twice at my own current situation. And, then I read all of you’re blogs filled with so much love. I’m not envious or jealous for the people who have a special significant other in their life, in fact, I’m happy for them. I truly am. Love is a beautiful thing. I’ve learned to be content in my current state, because I have faith that I will be blessed too, one day. However, being single doesn’t always have its perks. I just try to think that there is a lesson be hide this single season.

When your current status reads: single…you tend to look at yourself. You question yourself. What’s wrong with me? Yes, I’m guilty as charged. I’ve questioned myself countless times. At the end of the day, you look in the mirror and see your reflection staring back at you. You can’t run from who you are. You can only appreciate the many lessons, blessings and experiences, He has provided for you. Nothing is wrong with you at all. Everyone just goes through life at their own pace. I learned, I was blocking my own blessings from happening because I was never fully satisfied with my current state, even when I was in a relationship. I always wanted more. I never learned the thing called, patience. Well, guess what...patience is trying to be my BFF now. Took you long enough!

Life is just too short. One day it hit me. Wham, right in the face! Talk about ouch! I finally realized my worth. Some of us already know our worth and I guess others have to learn this. I had to learn this. I realized what a beautiful woman, inside and out, I truly am. For so long, I relied on others to make me happy and bring me joy. But it wasn’t till recently, I learned you are not responsible for other people's happiness, because everyone is responsible for their own lives and happiness. You have to be happy and content with yourself first, and anyone else who comes into your life will only enhance what you've already established. It’s funny how wedding dress shopping for my best friend turned into thinking about all of that...us women, and our dang analyzing. Thanks a lot, Eve!

Yesterday, in church the sermon was based around fulfilling our potential that God has given us. As I’m sitting in the pew listening closely, I thought to myself, am I fulfilling my full potential? I realize we are all works in progress and there is a lesson to learn everyday. God is constantly giving us the same tests over and over again, until we learn the lesson. This is why I feel the need to strengthen my relationship with Him… because all things are possible because of Him. He knows my needs and wants. And, He is the only one who can answer my prayers. I realize, I have a role to play, and that God is not going to do all the work for me. I feel like my faith, positive attitude and living in the present (not the past) is the only way I’m going to receive.

i would like to thank...

guess what, dolls???

i just got my first stylish blogger award!

yay! i feel famous. totally kidding! :)

maybe not famous, but i feel like the most popular girl in the class. 

 Nini said...

Hi Ashley I'm giving you and award for being such a cute and stylish and might I add savvy blogger. I recently won award for Stylish Blogger Award and I am passing it to you! Congratulations! Check out the details and grab the award from on my blog www.ninisays.com

{thank you Nini sooooo much for this award! i truly appreciate it and love reading your blog everyday} :)

*******************

There are 4 duties which must be

performed when you receive this award

1. Thank and link back to the person who send you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.

4. Contact the bloggers you picked and let them know about the award!

okay, so back to me...because this award is all about me, right? yep!

7 THINGS ABOUT ME

1. I’m an extremely emotional person. I cry over the smallest things…just can’t help it! I like to say it’s because I have such a big heart. (wink wink) I’m the girl who cries during sad commercials, Disney movies or when my best friend calls me to ask me to be her Maid of Honor. Yes, I started crying…happy tears of course. She will never let me live that down. I tell her just wait till your wedding day! Ha-ha

2. I’m a little old-fashioned at times. I still believe in things like men opening doors, saying please and thank you. I don’t mind cooking and serving my man…I get this from my momma. (Maybe it’s just a Southern thang)

3. I have a slight obsession with coconut. I love coconut everything and probably would put it on just about any and everything. Maybe is a huge obsession. Ha-ha.

4. When I open my mouth people ask if I’m from California. I get made fun of all the time for my “Valley girl” type voice. As if! J (I don’t think girls from California are Valley girls)

5. I have become a pretty positive person and try to see the good in most things. There is a reason be hide the say “What you think about, you bring about.” Sooooo true!

6. I always have to have earrings on! I feel naked without them. Strange…I know.

7. I’m a small person (5’2…5’4 with heels on), but that doesn’t stop me from talking a bunch of smack! Don’t underestimate the size!

and now, i'm passing my crown to some

beautiful blog ladies i love to stalk

(in the most non-freakish way) lol :)

 1. http://littlemayra.blogspot.com/
2. http://marz-royalmail.blogspot.com/

3. http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/

4. http://itsahuntlife.blogspot.com/

5. http://lawgirlruns.blogspot.com/

6. http://runwithme23.blogspot.com/

7. http://fitnessfoodandfaith.blogspot.com/

8. http://adorablyd.blogspot.com/

9. http://melifaif.blogspot.com/

10. http://labytheway.blogspot.com/

11. http://misslc109.blogspot.com/

12. http://marcandbritt.blogspot.com/

13. http://faith-lovefamilymarriage.blogspot.com/

14. http://tortsandatiara.blogspot.com/

15. http://singlegallivingitup.blogspot.com/

i love me some me.

have you ever looked in the mirror?

I mean past the physical appearance, but deep down to the person you really are.

What do you see?

I see a... beautiful, confident, intelligent, kind-hearted, silly, thoughtful, ambitious, generous, and faithful woman.

I’ll be honest (since i love ya'll)…I haven’t always felt this way about myself. Actually, up until a couple months ago, I started to slowly change my thought process and feelings about me. I’ve finally learned and realized that loving yourself first is a must. I mean truly love yourself! This means…caring about your appearance, taking care of your body – exercising and watching what you eat, etc. My whole life, I’ve been told how beautiful I am. Yes, I believe I’m an attractive female, but I’ve always struggled with comparing myself to every other woman. As women, we do this sometimes. Confidence hasn’t always been my strong suit. It’s getting A LOT better though. And, others have noticed. Confidence can be an attractive energy, only when its not cockiness. I use to be scared to wear certain things because of what others would think…now, I’m like who cares! As long as I keep it classy and I feel good, then that’s all that matters. Loving Ashley is the best change I could have ever made for myself - because loving me first will allow everything else in my life to fall into place. For so long I relied on others to bring me joy and happiness. Although, they are somewhat responsible, but you have to bring yourself joy and happiness and others will only enhance what you have created. My philosophy was always putting others first. I've learned you need to put yourself first in order to help others. Recently, I feel myself smiling for no reason at all. At first it was a little strange to catch myself doing this, but I realized its because of feeling happy :) Everyday is a good day, because I make a conscious effort to make it good. My thoughts and feelings are what create the world around me. All of this is a work in progress, it doesn't just happen over night...but the feeling be hide knowing the changes are happening is amazing. You gotta be your biggest fan and know its okay to toot your own horn sometimes.

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.