Easter Update!

Wow, it feels like it’s been forever since I have written a blog post; of course I’m sorry but really is it going to help if I tell you I’m so sorry and that I’ve just been really busy…. I don’t think so.  So I’m just going to get on with it.  Last time I posted I was on spring break… obviously that’s over with; spring break was amazing and definitely an experience of a life time.  Lately my weeks consist of going to class, homework, working out, U-Church, bible studies and amazing friends.  I have really just been enjoying my time before this semester is up and I move back home.  I never thought I would be so sad to leave Clarksville but every day I want to stay a little more.  Even though I don’t want to leave I know that I have to and that all of the amazing experiences that I have had at APSU I will always remember and take with me to Murfreesboro.  I honestly believe that everything that God has put into my life in the last month that makes me want to stay has happened so that I would be in a great place and be able to share everything He has done in my life on a new campus.  Because of that the end of the semester will be very bitter sweet…

Oh and by the way I didn’t forget it is Easter; I mean how could I?  This is the remembrance of the day that my Savior, Jesus Christ conquered death and rose again; to me that is a day worth remembering.  So to everyone out there Happy Easter I truly hope you don’t just remember this day for the candy….

Bible verse of the day: 2 Corinthians 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

P.S. We will be having these verse of the day things a lot more often…

Washington D.C.

So today was my second day in D.C. and I officially love it!!! There is so much history and incredible things to see.  You could live here and discover new things every day.  So far I have been to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and the National Zoo as well as a few restaurants, a book store and the trains.  I love the public transportation here it’s really simple and kind of fun!  So I decided that I was going to post about the place that I went each day and pictures if I can so let’s start with…..

The Smithsonian! So there are a bunch of buildings that are all different parts of the Smithsonian and I went to the one that I wanted to see most.  It is the one with the dinosaurs and every animal you can think of.  It was crazy to see all of the animals and especially the dinosaurs that have been alive.  This museum is huge you could spend an entire day just going over everything and that is basically what we did.

Next is what we did today…The Zoo.  Let me start with I love zoos; I love animals and this place was wonderful.  The Zoo here is known for its panda exhibit and they have the cutest cuddliest panda I just wanted to give him a hug!  There were some truly amazing animals there; both interactive and not.  When we went to the apes house some of them sat with their back to us and refused to move while others came right up to the glass.  On in particular came up and stared at my uncle then kissed the glass to give a little girl girl who was about five a kiss. It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.  Then there was a tiger that was in its den and it was pacing the grounds looking at the people watching him.  It seemed like it was glaring at us thinking if I could get out of here I would eat you all.  There were so many animals and I think it would be amazing to work at a place like that.

I have truly enjoyed everywhere I have been and I can’t wait until the next adventure tomorrow.  So until then                       ~Alisa~

Spring Break!!!

Today is the start of spring break, YAY!!!! It is a much needed break from school.  on Saturday I head to Washington D.C.; I haven't been before and I am so excited.  I'm going to try and write about what I'm doing and post pictures.  Hopefully I will do plenty of fun things and also have time to relax.  Well...until the plane ride; upon which I will probably blog.... Now to go finish packing.  Let me know if there is anything that I should go see while in D.C.                                                                                ~Alisa

A Favorite Place of Mine

I wrote this about a place I used to go to as a child as a family.  It is something I will never forget and hope to go back to again.

This is a childhood place, a place I go in my dreams to hear, to feel, to taste and to touch the carefree person I was back then.  When I close my eyes it takes me back, back to when I no longer fear the swaying below my feet.  To when my nerves no longer matter as the rest of the world falls away and the beauty that surrounds me overwhelms my senses and refuses to be ignored.

At first I hear only the crash, the crash of gallon upon gallon of water falling until there is nowhere else to go, falling to the end of the Earth.  As I linger I hear each individual droplet scream as they soar to the ground and merge into one, finally giving into gravity. The water crashes and rolls and continues the cycle again and again.

The longer I stand, the more I notice the fine mist that now coats my face is accumulating in my hair and dampening my clothes.  I feel the wind blowing through my hair as the sun beats down on an unusually warm spring day for Oregon.  Despite the warm day, the chill of the water begins to seep through and yet I still stand there absorbing the wonder of what is before me.

My mouth slips open as I hear my name, yet I don’t answer. For just one minute longer I want to stay in this place, utterly alone and at peace.  The fresh water from the mist reaches my tongue, the taste isn’t unpleasant; in fact, it tastes as it sounds, looks and feels.  It tastes like pure simple beauty.

Opening my eyes I gaze on a wondrous sight.  I can see the glistening rocks that cause the distant crash from below.  I know the jagged edges would cut like a knife yet I don’t worry.  I am in a safe place and my childish heart cannot fear the beauty.  The water moves at speeds unknown; at times it seems that they are speeding by like life, ever changing and passing before I blink and then my perspective flips and they are paused, afloat in midair, suspended until my concentration is broken and once again they zoom by.  Until this sight I had only thought of water as blue as the ocean or clear as a glass but what was before me was an angelic white mixed into a deep indigo and calming sky blue. As it crashed the water twisted into foam, looking as if I could just reach down and plunge my hand into soapy bathwater. I know this is not true yet it doesn’t distract from the wonder that the vision holds.  Nothing I see could be any more perfect for it was designed as so.

I cannot force myself to leave the magic of the cascading water that is essential to my life; despite no longer having the pulsing water before me I can simply close my eyes and go back, back to the days of simplicity, of childhood.  The days filled with the echo of water hitting the vast rocks below only to return and tell me hello once more.

Yoga, the first time.

I have always heard a lot about yoga but had never tried it, until Monday.  I was at Zumba class with some friends and there was a yoga class right after that we decided to stay for.  Since none of us had done any yoga we really didn’t know what to expect.  Well, let me say this it was difficult.  The class we went to was power yoga and apparently it’s the harder one so, like the stupid people we are we decided that we could handle it and man, we were all sore afterward.  Even though the class was hard it was worth it; at the end of the hour I was really relaxed and felt good.  There really is no way to describe what yoga is like; in order to find out you really have to go and try it yourself.  All that I know is that I will definitely be enjoying some yoga again on Monday even if I will be sore on Tuesday.

Quick Update!!!

I'm working on some of the news stuff I have been talking about.  It is as always a project that I wish I had more time to concentrate on but of course there is always school in the way.  So just so you all know that I am working on this and hope to have some of these posted soon!! ~Alisa~

Favorites Friday!

I figured that now was a good time to post this since its a Friday and I am adding a beauty portion to my blog why not do a Favorites Friday with beauty products!

Alisa’s Must Haves

All of us girls know that there are some products that we cannot live without; these are a few of mine.  There are the products that I use almost every day and will always go back to.

1.      1.   Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer   Price varies, at drugstores

I absolutely love this moisturizer, I have used it for the last two years and I don’t think I will ever find something I like better, not that I am not open to trying new ones. :) I have very dry skin, in the winter especially and this keeps mine nice and hydrated but not greasy.  It is also great since I have sensitive skin it doesn’t irritate me.  

2.      2.   Sonia Kashuk Duo Fiber Brush   %12.99 at Target

This is my most used makeup brush by far.  I love it for its versatility; it can be used to apply foundation, blush, highlighter etc.  Almost any face product can be applied with this brush.  I used to use it for foundation only but now used it for cream or powder blush or highlighters.

3.      3.   E.L.F. Shadow Brush    $1.00 Target or www.eyeslipsface.com

Let me just say I cannot rave enough about the entire brand of e.l.f. they have such affordable prices for a pretty good quality.  I would recommend e.l.f. to anyone who is just starting out or experimenting with make up as well as people who want to be price conscience.  I chose the shadow brush as a favorite because it is excenlent quality and applies eye shadows just as well if not better that high end, expensive brushes.

4.     4.   Viva Glam Gaga   $14.50 M.A.C. counters and stores  

This is a bright pink with a slight blue tone, it is amazing for a bright bold lip but can also be worn sheer for every day.  My favorite thing about this is that the 14.50 that you pay goes to the AID’s foundation to help people from all over the world receive treatment. 

5.       5.   Moth to Flame Dazzleglass  $18.50 M.A.C. counters and stores

This is a beautiful color, a sheer peachy nude with lots of sparkle.  While it is a bit pricy it is worth it to me.  This combined with viva glam gaga creates my basic everyday lip look. 

6.      6.   St. Ives Apricot Scrub   Price varies at drugstores

This is the only face wash/ scrub that I have been able to use for an extended period of time; it leaves my skin so soft!  Plus it is very inexpensive, as in under 4 dollars. 

These are my basic favorites, of course I change it up but these are the items that I find myself constantly reaching for!  In regards to foundation, blush, eyeshadow, etc. I do not have a “favorite” I enjoy changing what I use often and have not found a product that I have been amazed by but there have been some I liked!