Sunday Funday

Most weeks, I look forward to Sundays.  

Now, I know so many people who really don't like Sundays but I just don't understand how.

To me, Sundays are lounging around, grabbing lunch with friends, spending time outside, and just enjoying the day.

This Sunday my best friend, Megan, came home for the weekend from her new home in San Diego and today we decided to take a trip to Tempe with our friend Madi.

We took a paddle boat out on Tempe Town Lake and then walked around Mill Ave for awhile. It really was a lovely lovely day.

 

 

xx,  Coop

PS If anyone can tell me how to layout these pictures better, it would be much appreciated!

  

We all Suffer from Insecurities

It's a natural thing, being insecure about something. 

Whether it be a slightly crooked nose, a singing voice, or something"un-cool" that you happen to like. 

For me though, it's a lot of stuff.  & it really kills me. 

As you know, I started college this year and, usually, for most people it's a fresh start to make new friends and to do all these new things and have some of the best times of your life.

But for me, it hasn't been that way and it makes me feel pretty pathetic sometimes. 

I feel like I'm so awkward or not "cool" enough, or not driven enough...just not enough most of the time.

I don't know how to make friends; I'm shy. 

And it's so hard when I see all these people I know from high school having the best time and have so many friends, and I wish that was me, too.

But I just don't know how.

I feel like that sounds so silly. I don't know how to change when obviously I need to do and feel the opposite of how I do about myself. But it's something thats just so hard to break. 

I try to make progress, keep my head up, but then one little thing happens and I slip right back.

I'm really at a loss.

But I do not want to look back on my life and regret not taking chances or being too self conscious to do anything. I think that, that, may be my biggest fear. 

So.... if anyone has any advice, I'd for real appreciate it. 

I'd like to start liking myself. 

xx, Coop.

What YOU are Good At

"You are good at something, stop lying to yourself. You’re good at breaking down comic book plots, cooking ramen perfectly, making your friends happy, knowing the time without looking at a clock, getting the perfect ending at RPG’s, or figuring out the twist ending to movies. Don’t let society tell you your talents are meaningless because they don’t serve an economical purpose. Your talents reflect your interests and passions, and what’s important to you is important." via This Tumblr

I came across this on Tumblr the other day, and I have fallen in love with it. 

It's made me think a lot about how many people are good at things that aren't "important" in society's eyes. They're things that "don't help you get a job" or "don't help you further yourself."

Says who? 

(note, those quotations are air quotes.)

Things like what's in that quote make you, you.

They make up the quirks that make you interesting. I think the small things you're good at are the more important that the technical abilities that can land you a job because these build your personality and character.

Figure out what you're good at and embrace it.

xx, Coop.

P.s. I've been terribly busy and stressed...I apologize for the lack of posts! 

The Grammy's

Tonight, Sunday February 10th, is the night the Grammy's air on CBS. 

It's also the night that I got in a disagreement with my dear friend William over bands and musicians nominated.

I'm a big fan of the Format, but I don't really like FUN. Not even because Nate Ruess was in both bands.  I simply don't find FUN's songs to be all that good. It's just not something I like. But then he brought up the question of: do Grammy awards and nominations mean nothing? They're there for a reason.

It got me thinking... how many artists and songs are nominated that actually aren't all that good? They're popular because they're catchy and they're on the radio. For one, Call Me Maybe, is terrible (in my opinion). It's not good music. It's good radio music. 

So... does a Grammy nomination or win actually make an artist good?

I say no.

xx, Coop

Valentine's Day

In exactly one week, the sometimes wonderful and sometimes dreadful, holiday of love rolls around once again. For some, February 14th is a "Hallmark Card" holiday , or a day that just points out one's loneliness. Though, I don't see why it should be that way. 

It may be a holiday created by greeting card companies, but it has evolved into something wonderful. It's a day to celebrate love, all kinds of love.

I remember being little and walking out on Valentine's  day morning to big red balloons and candy from my momma and dad.

I also remember last year when Omar left red roses, Reeces Pieces and a Dr.Pepper (my favorite things) in my driveway before we went to dinner.

It's not just about love from a significant other, while of course it's always nice to have a boyfriend/girlfriend but it's a time to celebrate all other kinds of love as well. 

You have your family and your friends who are equally important as a boy/girlfriend.

I don't see any reason to hate Valentine's Day.

I really don't.

So this year, if you don't really like Valentine's Day...try to embrace it, spend it with your girlfriends, your "bros" or your family.

Don't dread it.

xx, coop.

February Inspiration

This month is ultimately one of my absolute favorites. I love Valentine's Day, the transition from winter to spring, and the anticipation of Spring Training.

There's just something about the second month of the year; it's not quite that bitter cold and blue January, but it's not the bright, cheery and perfectly warm March. 

It's in the middle. 

It's perfect. 

xx, Coop

Health Craze

Recently (and pretty much any other time), there are people around me obsessed with eating super healthy and working out 7 days a week. It's salads, no-carb, low-carb, yadda yadda yadda. 

I am not one of those people. At all.

I like salads, sure. & eating healthy makes me feel good sometimes, but I could never been one of those people who give up cupcakes and Coca-Cola completely.

(Image via this Tumblr)

Diets are sad. I understand becoming or being healthy, I do. What I don't understand is how someone would give up so much, just to be skinny. At least, that's usually the case.

Life is short, really short, so why would you choose to not eat a cupcake for the next year?  I'd rather have one every once in a while, and I'd rather eat good food. Food that makes me happy. 

(Salads everyday, do not make me happy.)

I'm not trying to bash on anyone here, I promise, I just don't get the extremes some people go to, just to look like how they've been told they should look like.Such as Eating not enough and working out too much, not eating at all, or extreme diets.

I want to get fit. And I've been working out...but honestly I work out and eat healthier things sometimes so I can eat yummy food any other time.

 I feel happy eating pasta and bread and cheesecake. Some feel happy eating salmon and salad. It's not all about how you look, but it's how you feel.

So to the people that love food: Eat smaller portions of the good stuff.

Eat a few super healthy meals a week.

Work in healthy sides with your delicious main dish.

Work out a little! You don't have to train for a marathon.

And seriously...eat the cupcake every once in awhile. Don't worry about it going to you bum.

xx, Coop.