A Collection of thoughts

[alana-maree-blog]

When Life Has Other Plans

It's that old adage "everything happens for a reason" that often shakes us from disillusion and forces us to remember that all will be OK in the end. Well, at least we truly hope that life works that way. We hope that even when life defeats us and assorted factors divert us from the course we originally had planned, eventually we will be lead to wherever we need to be....

Other times though, we make silly decisions and that's reason enough for why life hands us unfortunate circumstances. But you know what? Whether your circumstances were a result of self sabotage or unfortunate unwarranted curve balls, you need to remember one thing and one thing only. Each and every life experience was and is meant to be. So keep smiling, keep your head above water and remember when you can't change your circumstances, change your attitude. 

Alana xx

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Crushing at TwentySomething

At 24 I imagined falling 'in like' with someone again would feel different, like a matured version of my 15 year old self falling 'in like' for the first time. I imagined myself to be witty and smart and that liking someone at 24 meant that I was able to be more elusive (who am I kidding?)... What probably added to this crazy idea was that my inner monologue, with the help of my frequent day dreams concocted this whole scenario in my head that falling for someone again would feel mature or rational for use of a better term. But you know what? I'm beginning to realize that falling for someone at 24 isn't really any different than it was at 15, except that perhaps you have more deal breakers and higher expectations.

Liking someone NEVER brings out any sort of rational emotions and it is for that reason that falling for someone at any age will always bring out your 15 year old self. Whilst you are trying to be somewhat mature, albeit charming, your 15 year old self that you have hiding in the closet, comes out at full throttle and pounces on your newest victim *ahem* crush and trying to tame it can be somewhat a challenge. It's then that you realize that you have all these annoying character traits that you usually don't have in day to day life...

You start to smile at the thought of them like a big goofy idiot. You will still say the most ridiculous things and blush in embarrassment at the thought that you just said something so immature. You will still over analyse every single thing they do and say to anticipate the next move you make as not to seem too frivolous or  available. And finally and most importantly, you will still flirt your pants off (figuratively speaking, perhaps literal for some!). Strangely enough, despite being more mature in almost every other aspect of life at at twentysomething or ninety something, liking someone is definitely the one and only exception, oh and perhaps when jumping castles are around but that's another day, another blog... 

Just remember to take care of your physical, spiritual and mental well being,  be yourself and love will follow. Oh and remember it's perfectly normal to act like a  hormone crazed 15 year old when liking someone new, no matter what your age. Whilst we all mature and search for the meaning of life, get that great promotion and buy our first homes, we will still always giggle at the thought of our new crushes name and invent new signatures for our married names...OK, maybe not that far, but you get the drift.

Forever young at heart (maybe too young)

xx Alana

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The Beginning of the End...

According to Mayan Calendar in approximately 1.5 hours on Dec 21st 2012 the world will perish into non existence, which is what many theorists have come to conclude and what they want you to buy into and believe. The rest of the world on the other hand, the people who I'd like to call the intellectuals - those that have a little more common sense, realize that the calender coming to an end simply symbolizes a new beginning, a new era of octillions of years but if you're still unsure, I guess we can discuss it tomorrow over some breakfast....that is if you're still here :)

Regardless of what you believe, I thought I'd take this as an opportunity to discuss the idea of the unknown, the idea that we all don't really know how much time is ticking on our biological clock which is just as daunting as the Mayan apocalypse, only more truer to reality. For some people, tomorrow will mark the end of their existence and even though it may not end with the earth colliding with a comet or a a massive solar system storm, it will end unexpectedly and suddenly. For others, it may mark the end of a cruel battle with a incurable illness, but regardless of the  way these people go, it will be a sudden halt to their time on earth, an end to their bodily existence. 

What I'm trying to get it is that we never know how much time we have, and rather than concentrating on the when and the if, we should be living every minute as though it could be our last because let's be real, it very well could be. After having just finished reading Looking for Alaska by John Green, I have become somewhat fixated on the famous last words of people, the last words of people who have really little to no clue that these would be their last words. For example, J.M Barrie, the author of Peter Pan said "I Can't sleep" (somewhat Ironic, don't you think?) and Joseph Henry Green, an English Surgeon moments before his last breath whilst checking his own pulse said "It Stopped". Another favourite of mine is Errol Flynn who said "I've had a hell of a lot of fun and I've enjoyed every minute of it"....

What I'm really trying to get at is that we concentrate and put so much effort into remedying the past and trying to regain it, as well as worrying way too much about the future that we rarely enjoy the present. We rarely are reminded that our days on earth are numbered and that we shouldn't wander aimlessly and without purpose. So regardless of whether tomorrow brings the earth to a sudden end, one day your world will cease to exist before you, so think very carefully about how you chose to spend your days and what thoughts you let control you because one day you will get to speak your final words and you never know when that time may come.... 

xx Alana 

 P.S See you all on the flip side tomorrow where we can raise our digital glasses to new beginnings. Here's to the next Octillion years... 

[alana-maree-blog]

Acts Of Kindness

Nothing restores my faith in humanity more than seeing random acts of kindness, especially amongst all the ignorance, racism, greed, immorality and inhumanity that we see plaguing our television screens every single day. In fact, national news should make more of an effort to show these random acts of kindness that go unrecognised every single day. These deeds don't just deserve to be recognised, but they serve as role models and reminders that good deeds don't go unnoticed and unappreciated.

This blog has been inspired by my soul searching over the past few weeks, during which I have tried to find the missing link in my life, i.e what makes me truly happy. Whilst buying that totes amazing handbag you have wanted for months will make you smile temporarily, there are many other things you could be doing with your time and money that will not only make you smile, but will warm the hearts of others, allow you to build on character and also show you some amazing life lessons...

So to give you that extra push of motivation and as a constant reminder for myself, I have chosen a few random acts of kindness I have found over the past week to show for you... Enjoy xx 

This is my absolute favourite! Nothing makes us angrier than unwanted noise when we are trying to get some rest but it's important to remember that at some stage in our lives we may be those parents with the screaming uncontrollable babies/kidlets. 

& lastly always remember to be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle (Plato) 

Pay it Forward 

xx Alana 

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1 new notification

If this was an episode of 'how I met your mother' i'd be faced by a panel of friends holding up an intervention banner with pity on their faces, all encouraging me to get help and get help fast. They would tell me it's time to let go, time to walk away from my 388 friends which they know would be a difficult feat. They would hold my hand and with sympathetic eyes tell me to please for the love of God STOP playing songpop and liking pictures of cute puppies. And the worst part *sighs*... whilst consoling me in between uncontrollable sobs of agony, we would together in unity deactivate my FB account and just like that part of my life would be living in FB limbo or wherever the hell your account goes when you deactivate it which quite frankly hurts too much to think about just yet... 

Seriously though, Facebook is ruining my life or maybe it's my uncontrollable need to constantly check my 'news' feed for news or for lack of a better term, for useless information that has no effect on my life whatsoever. Either way, I'll just shift the blame and conclude that it's Facebook or facey as affectionately known by me and a few select close friends (oh god, what is wrong with me?) that is indeed ruining my life for the worstest of the worst. 

Spoken like a true addict, I probably check my FB at least 5 times an hour. I probably *cough* definitely know WAY too much about all your lives and whilst each FB fix feeds my sickening addiction, I could probably better utilize my time by doing other things, you know, like having a life outside of social media...

 It's hard to fathom that there was once a prehistoric time where people left their homes to tell people of the good news of engagements and pregnancies. A time when people didn't know the full state of each other's insomnia and why Paul in the office two floors down stayed home from work. There was a time when people didn't know what you had for dinner or particularly cared and a time when stalking meant binoculars and stationing yourself in a creepy old van behind the bushes of your victims house...

Pre Facebook, circa 2007 I was a socially apt person, confidently initiating conversations in any social circle. Today my ability to converse with new people is rustier than a sunken ship which perhaps has a lot to do with the fact that Facebook has got me accustomed to using acronyms like LOL and ROFL in place of real responses to questions. Today my conversations look a little something like this.... 

Old Acquaintance: Hi, how are you?

Me: I'm good...

Me: *shit think of something*....you? *Oh my gosh is that the best I can do*

Old Acquaintance: I'm well thanks, so I haven't seen you in a while, what's new?

Me: ummm...yeh it's been...a while. Not much, just working, you know, the usual.  

Awkward silence

Me: *shit ask a question you idiot* So what's new with you?...how's your dog? *YOU HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN 6 MONTHS AND YOU ASK ABOUT HIS DOG, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU* 

Old Acquaintance: *awkward laugh* yeh he is good, you know, same old. Likes long walks on the beach *laughs* so umm, how's your dog?

Me: *MAKE A GETAWAY QUICKLY, THIS IS GETTING SO AWKWARD* Yeh my dog's good too, still as cheeky as ever. Anyway...so I better get going, good to see you *good? really?*

Old Acquaintance: Bye

Me: *phew at least that social encounter is over

Me: *Walks away and pretends to send an important text or email on phone but am really just checking my FB. Writes Status: catching up with old friends, it's been too long, what an amazing night*

OK, so I know what you're thinking. Why are you still putting up a case? Why haven't you deactivated it? Well the truth is, whatsyface who I haven't seen in 4 years in going to announce the sex of her baby but tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow I'll deactivate it for sure.....

Alana xx 

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What you don't know, won't hurt you...

I will unashamedly admit that on occasion I stalk through the realms of the interwebs for traces of my ex and his current life.... Yep, judge me if you will, I know many of you have probably done the exact same thing. Just to be clear it's not a behaviour I condone and in fact it's really a lot more counterproductive than anything else because when you actively search for remnants of your ex on the internet, you usually will find some sort of existing evidence, which is never a good thing....

Be warned stalking prowlers, that when you play with fire, you will get burned!! What you won't find is confirmation that he broke up with that new girlfriend you hated, or that he got fired from that job he oh so loved. Instead, what you will find is that strangely enough, he is enjoying life without you...huh funny that? Or if you're me, you will enough evidence to indicate that he has moved interstate to live with the new love of his life, the one he pretty much left you for, which despite the fact that you are over him, still cuts like a knife. Ouch. 

Whilst stalking an ex is really more of a bad habit than a serious problem, it's one that needs be kicked. Let it be known that looking at your ex through the eyes of social media won't give you a true picture of what his life is like, so really, what's the point of even googling his/her name? More to the point, you shouldn't really be looking at your ex through any sort of eyes, social media or otherwise anyway. Whilst curiosity and temptation will always feed our sub conscience's, swaying us to believe just taking a peek won't hurt, just remember that won't you don't know, won't hurt you. It's not a matter of being ignorant, it's the reality that this kind of information was not meant for our eyes, and never will be any more...

xox Alana 

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A timeless quote that speaks a million truths...

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Reality check: you're still single

If you're single and haven't got the memo reminding you of your eternal singledom, don't get frazzled, it's on its way. With spring love in the air (thanks Stevie B) and everyone showcasing their love and affection via their new found spring in their step, love is surely and truly permeating through the air, reminding you once more that you are alone. Cheers Spring! 

If the warmer weather hasn't been brought out the love around you, the upcoming months of engagements and weddings will kick you in the heart soon enough, don't sweat it. Just pick yourself up, hold your single fabulous self up high and carry on...oh but don't forget to leave the cats at home, apparently the couples aren't as fond of them as you are. 

Whilst you might take my apparent disdain for Spring as an indication that I am in fact slightly jealous of all the love-filled duo's around me, It is actually quite the contrary my dear friends. I am in fact super duper jealous of all the love around me and am even considering finding myself a grease inspired love. You know.. the kind of love that lasts all summer and grants you back your freedom come winter. Tell me more, tell me more, you ask in the voice of Sandy. Well, we're are just going to have to wait for Spring to run its course and see what it brings. But If you are listening Spring, I'll have someone with the charm of Ryan Gosling and the looks of Channing Tatum or whatever you think is best, I admire your work. 

xx Alana 

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Hey Religious Conflict, Get out of my Facebook!

Facebook is slowly becoming a platform for political discourse which really is quite ridiculous, to say the least . It seems like every time I log onto Facey, I am presented with uneducated opinions filled with bias and intolerance. Earth to Facebook, this kind of information is not 'news' at all. In fact, if I wanted to read this kind of news, I'd grab the Sydney Morning Herald *oh snap*.  

Facebook once was a place to connect with 'friends' (I use that word loosely), a place to vicariously live out your dreams as a farmer, a place to stalk ex-boyfriends, post embarrassing duck pictures and most of all, check in at the gym and let everyone know what you are eating. Just because everyone is jumping on the Instagram popularity bandwagon does not mean Facebook should be turned into a medium for 'constructive' political discourse. Unless of course the debate centers around why you are an idiot for buying the new Iphone 5 and not purchasing an android, which I am all for debating about :D 

If we are trying to promote tolerance, disseminate understanding, embrace difference and work in unison for a common goal, let that common goal be to keep religious conflict and politics out of Facebook. Let's keep Facebook as platform to make snap judgements about people's profile pictures and crappy taste in songs, because really, that's what it was intended for.  

Whether you log on once a day, several times a day, or really never leave and overstay your welcome *guilty as charged*, you should feel safe in the company of your 'friends'. You should not ever feel like your eyes have been poked out by nonsensical rubbish, which is how most of us have have been feeling of late, let's face it.

I encourage you to think before you write thoughtless opinions on Facebook and perhaps find a better platform to write your political opinion, you know, like twitter :) But, most of all, I encourage you all to continue judging me on my check in's and deleting me for sending you over the edge with one too many songpop requests, or recommendations to read my blog because that is what makes Facebook the place we all know and love.

xx Alana or better known to most of you @ http://www.facebook.com/alana.moro 

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Dear those reminiscing about past love,

Sometimes it's important to remember that it's not the person you miss, it's the feeling you had with them. In those moments sometimes it's cathartic to write down how you feel. Other times it may feel necessary to distract yourself by going for a walk. Whatever your way of dealing with it may be, remember to keep a rationality about the situation. Don't mistake feelings of nostalgia and loneliness for reasons to go back into the past. Always remain optimistic and look towards your future.

Always be strong and stay strong.

xx Alana

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Reading is and always will be an integral part of  my life. It's pretty much complimentary to breathing and having a good library collection is an absolute MUST in my opinion. If like myself, your recent status in life has been busier than a bee's, I encourage you to stop, pick up a book and read yourself into a state of relaxation. There is nothing more satisfying than transcending reality through the plot of a good book.

xx Alana

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You CAN'T be friends with an ex, full stop.

I don't care what anyone tells me, you can NEVER EVER be with friends with an ex boyfriend. No ifs or buts and don't even try and debate me on this, it's not humanly possible...

After a year and a half of intense research (yep that's definitely what I'm going to call it) I have discovered that trying to be friends with an ex is quite similar to trying to get your dog to recite an essay. You may think after one too many drinks that your dog said something that resembled one of the sentences in your essay, but once the alcohol wears off, you realize that your dog really can't do much more than sleep, bark, ignore your commands and leave you to pick up all his shit. Which, quite honestly sounds very similar to the conclusive evidence found with my ex.

In fact, I even have a theory! Whilst it may not be very well thought out and possibly flawed, I believe that any relationship that involves sexual intimacy that exceeds a significant period of time will NEVER result in friendship. Pretty much, once you have seen each other naked and vulnerable, the friendship is thrown out the bedroom window, figuratively speaking...

So what is the moral of the story Miss Alana. Well since you asked so kindly, I will reveal my hidden wisdom's. NEVER sleep with anyone that you consider a good friend, best friend or even a potential friend. And if on the off chance that you do sleep with them, make sure if doesn't happen more than once, because then you may still be in with a chance to revive the friendship. 

I can still remember the days when I thought how so oh lucky I was to have a boyfriend I considered my best friend. Oh so wrong I was, because when the relationship ended, so did the friendship to one of my best friends, which quite frankly sucks big time! 

Oh well, you live and you learn & hopefully through my personal experience you have learnt something too, even if it's just that your dog really won't ever be Einstein (sorry) x 

Feel free to share any similar experiences, theories, agreements or disagreements you may have...

Alana xox

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Advice everyone should know...

In my state of delirium caused by way too much time at the computer doing assignments, I have decided to further spend more time at the computer and create a list of what I think are the most valuable pieces of advice ever told to me. This will be a growing collection, so feel free to comment and add your own pieces of advice too. Enjoy xx 

#1 People can change but you can't change them 

#2 Where there is smoke, there is fire - trust your instincts 

#3 If you need to remember it, write it down 

#4 Don't lie to yourself

#5 Always say thank you and please where it's warranted 

#6 Forgive often and don't hold grudges 

#7 Don't seek credit for good gestures you have done 

#8 Dance and laugh often

#9 Always be humble

#10 The book is ALWAYS better than the movie

#11 Procrastinating is never a good decision

#12 Always take accountability for your own actions

#13 Worrying is futile 

#14 When you expect disappointment, you will be disappointed

#15 If you wish to embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves

#16 Youth is not wasted on the young 

#17 Always do what you think is right

#18 Being late is never fashionable. If you are late, call. 

#19 Cooking is always more enjoyable if you clean as you go

#20 When baking, always follow the recipe

#21 Majority doesn't always rule 

#22 Not everyone is going to like you 

#23 If you haven't worn it in a year, give it away

#24 Only apologize  if you are truly sorry 

#25 The only problem you can solve by eating is hunger

#26 If someone can't accept you at your worst, they don't deserve you at your best

#27 Speak when you're angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret

#28 When you get knocked down, always get back up. Part of failure is not trying 

#29 When you can't control a situation, control your thoughts

#30 In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back. 

xo Have a good day 

[alana-maree-blog]

The Scribble Diary

 The Scribble Diary is totes amazeballs and I think you will all agree! It's a diary designed around pre drawn sketches that require you to get creative and draw/write what you feel. It's thoughtful, it's amazing and you need to get one. Trust me =)  

Click here to find out more =) 

xo Alana 

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Happy Birthday to me...

Yesterday I turned the BIG 24 which is totes cray cray because I can't even remember turning 23. (maybe it's early onset Alzheimer's? SHIT) 

It's strange how birthdays become less significant the older you get. When you turn 1, everyone is so ecstatic to celebrate your first official year of being alive, when you're 18, everyone congratulates you on officially becoming an adult, legal to drink and do a whole heap of other 'adult' related things that you have most likely have been doing for years. When you're 24, you get a 'Happy Birthday' and if you're me, you get a holy crap moment, in another 365 days I will be 25 years old. In 365 days I will be a quarter of  century!!! 

If you asked me when I was 18 what I'd be doing at 25, I'd 'maturely' tell you, I'd be travelling the world on my annual holiday from my teaching job. I would also be spending my weekends in my newly furnished display home with the love of my life, sipping mai tai's, or perhaps reading in my library room. On every other weekend I would host bbq's and social events at my amazing house, cooking up a storm in my even more amazing kitchen.

Instead my life looks more like this...  My 6 year relationship to who I thought was the love of my life, but who was actually just a douchebag disguised as prince charming ended, the most expensive asset I own is my dog and that doesn't even count, I have never even sipped a Mai Tai, which is probably a good thing because I hate lime, and the closest thing I have to a display home is a brochure from Home world that sits in my study desk drawer...

Now, if you are that 25 year old living out MY DREAM, or like Drake, you are 25 sitting on 25 mil, I just want to give you a big FUCK YOU because quite frankly I'm extremely envious. Aside from having a small almost quarter life crisis and seriously considering whether I now am too old to saying words like totes and cray cray, I have devised a 25 things to do before I'm 25 list. For those people reading this blog and nodding their head in big HELL YEAH agreement, grab those pens and make a list too! Let's go...

25 things to do before I'm 25 

1. Learn to ride a bike -  I feel like this one needs explaining.I know most people have this on their ' 3 things to do before turning 3 list' but well I'm a delayed learner, what can I say?

2. Buy a Kindle 

3. Try out for Big Brother - If it comes back in 2013, it's on like donkey kong!

4. Get a passport 

5. Get my full License 

6. Get Drunk - When I say drunk I mean waking up with my head in the toilet bowl. While most people wouldn't aspire to this, I think everyone should wake up this way at least once in their lifetime. 

7. Paint my room 

8. Reach my weight loss goal 

9. Give Blood

10. Learn to make Macaroons 

11. Get a tattoo 

12. Get my ears pierced, again 

13. Volunteer to work with the homeless again

14. Walk Daily

15. Do an IQ test

16. Blog more

17. Save for Europe 2014 trip

18. Go speed dating 

19. Get my professional teaching standards completed 

20. Spend less time on Facebook

21. Utilise my savings account and SAVE 

22. Go on a road trip

23. Attend a wedding

24. Find a comfortable pair of heels

25. Go to a day spa 

I will keep you all updated as completion occurs! 

Love Alana - a year older & a year wiser. 

P.S For those concerned, I have decided that words such as cray cray and totes can totally be used til at least 25 =) 

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Watch this video, it will brighten your day, I promise! :) 

Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen (Chatroulette Version) (by SteveKardynal)