Special Knowledge Holds Truth

Do you always trust your first initial feeling?

Special knowledge holds truth, bears believing

I turned around and the water was closing all around

Like a glove, like the love that had finally, finally found me

Crystal - Stevie Nicks 

Be the Yes person. 

It's been a long time since I have last blogged. I took an unintentional hiatus, probably due to a busy schedule and lack of inspiration. I felt as though my blogs posts were beginning to become a little pretentious. That is something I never want to portray, so I just backed off until I could collect my thoughts again. 

A dear friend of mine shot me a text one day that would end up being what has ignited the new fire in my heart. Somewhere along my journey I became a "Yes" person. This drives my mother crazy because she thinks it runs me ragged and it lands me into places or situations that makes my friends think I've lost my mind. By being a "Yes" person, I mean that I rarely turn down anything I've never done before.  

The text I received was form my friend Katie, asking if I'd like to be a makeup artist this year for The Valley of Fear haunted attraction. Being a full time student, employee, and business owner I wasn't sure  how I was going to balance it all out. However, I couldn't resist the opportunity to grow as a makeup artist. I've been wanting to explore the character makeup end of my skills again for some time. There was no way I could pass this chance up. Naturally, I said yes. 

Beginning the season, I didn't know what to expect. My coworkers all seemed to come from all kinds of life, throw in the same big pot. As the weeks went on, personalities unfolded and so did the love. Yes, of course I expected to make friends. What I didn't expect was all the genuine love that came from every single person I encountered working at The Valley of Fear. 

Here I am thinking the makeup fun I was going to be having would be the icing on the cake. Nope. Not at all. Saying "Yes" to this opportunity thinking I would gain one thing, allowed me to gain something totally different. It seems most people in life, including myself, get so caught up in the rat race. We think a world filled with materialistic objects is going to make us more of a person. Maybe even happier. Life isn't about this. It's about love. The love we give to each other and receive from each other. When the "glitter" fades, you'll have nothing to hold onto if relationships aren't put first on the priority list. I'm feeling grateful for the past month. My coworkers, who are now my friends from The Valley of Fear have taught me even more about myself and the meaning of life. 

I thank you all for that. Your smiles, dirty jokes, and twisted senses of humor brought countless smiles to my face. More importantly, it has sent a surge of life back into my soul.  

Turning down a chance to talk to someone new, or a chance to go somewhere you have never gone before is only hurting you. This blog is taking me back to the movie "Yes Man" starring Jim Carey. I'll give you a great example of the "Yes" chain. 

Down at Xfinity live in Victory Beer Hall one night, I was dancing on the table and happened to point across the room to a guy dancing on the table as well. He jumps tables to continue dancing the song with me, flailing away. That night, that man was a total stranger. He is the reason I got to see Stevie Nicks eleven rows away and ended up shaking her hand. We've sent and received post cards from each other during our travels all over the world. We talk business, life, and music....almost everyday. He's become one of my greatest friends. All from a moment of not refusing to let the universe rush in. 

Maybe I'm hopelessly pretentious because I feel like I soak in the lessons life teaches me, or maybe I just inherited my father's impeccable lecturing skills. There are just certain aspects of what life is about I want people to make sure they get to absorb as well. 

To conclude my resurrection from the blogger grave, please say yes to life. My best friend Jenn's mother told me once "When you do things with good intentions, good things will come from it." Being open to all that life has to offer isn't going to harm you. It's going to turn you into a more beautiful version of yourself. You'll meet people that will touch your heart forever. You'll find things out about yourself that may even surprise you! And at the very least, I'm sure you'll smile and laugh at least once or twice. :) 

Forever Love, 

Brittany 

When I Feel Good I Sing.

Jason Mraz

Living In The Moment

If this life is one act

Why do we lay all these traps?

We put them right in our path

When we just wanna be free

I will not waste my days

Making up all kinds of ways

To worry about all the things

That will not happen to me

Well, hello there my beautiful blog readers. I've been quote wrapped up in my studies since I've been back at it. However, I have to say that being overly busy, tired, and stressed has lead to this splendid moment...my return! Haha. Anywho, I'm feeling pretty light-hearted right now and I want to share this mood with all of you. 


When I made the decision (extremely last minute) to get back at finishing my Bachelor's degree, I was nervous and mildy unsure of how I would feel about it all. I'll tell you what after not being in college for two years, transitioning back into the swing of things certainly wasn't easy. At the close of the semester just three days away, I can tell you, no matter what my grades are...it has all been more than worth it. 

If you've read my past blogs, you have got to venture into some of my troubles I've faced in life. No matter the size of your tribulations, you know the moment you come face to face with them it turns into what feels like the worst moment of your life. I've always thought there was an easy way out. I've always tried to take a "short cut" or skip a step in the process, but it usually takes up more time than it would have if I did it right from the jump. 

I'm letting myself off the hook for the things I've done

I let my past go past

And now I'm having more fun

I'm letting go of the thoughts

That do not make me strong

And I believe this way can be the same for everyone

My Dad has always been a huge proponent of "just do it the right way." Of course, I'd say okay, brush him off and do it my way. Yeah, my way never worked. Soon I'll be twenty three. I'm NOW understanding my Dad, of course, has always been right. His voice now triumphs my tendency to take the horrid "short cut." It has lead to this turning point in life. This moment. I truly feel proud of myself again. 

And is I fall asleep

I know you'll be the one who'll always remind me

It's been awhile since I have felt this feeling. I believe I'm feeling happy and proud because I truly care about school this time around. I want to make some sort of difference. I want to fulfill my dreams while making others smile. This journey of finishing my degree is only the beginning to everlasting happiness. 


My point in all this, is to share with you how I feel. Conclusions I have recently come to because of my endless journey of life. 

Just Do It. Yeah, like Nike or whatever. But, JUST DO IT. If it's in your heart, it needs to be fulfilled.

My best friend Ryan is another person I always think of when I'm considering taking a "short cut." He just does what he wants or needs to when he should. He never complains or does it with half his heart. He is changing the lives of children one at a time. I believe in him with everything that I am. When you can just think about a friend and be inspired, it speaks volumes of their true character. Imagine how I feel after talking to him on the phone! Anyway, get what you have to do done. It's worth it, always.

When there's a obstacles in your way, JUMP THAT BITCH. Tackle it, step over it, step on it, push it over, do whatever you have to do to CONQUER it. Although it may seem hard at the time, it will soon be a tiny bitty issue you have forgotten you ever even had. 

You are remarkable. Everything about you is. So shine with all your might. Live this life to the fullest until your last dying breath. Enjoy your success, enjoy your failures. It's all the same really. :)

School really isn't an easy thing for me. I have to truly work hard at it to do well. Lately, it has been a huge weight on my shoulders, but now that I have a semester down since I've been back I just feel PROUD. 


Be PROUD. Be CONFIDENT. But most of all, be happy. :) 

I'm living in the moment

I'm living my life

Just taking it easy

With peace in my mind

Got peace in my heart

Got peace in my soul

Oh, wherever I'm going, I'm already home. 

The Man, The Myth, The Only One. 

<3

You Make It Real.

There's too many things I haven't done yet. 

Too many sunsets I haven't seen. 

You can waste the day wishing it'd slow down.

You would've thought by now, 

I'd have learned something. 

I made up my mind when I was a young girl, 

I've been given this one world. 

I won't worry it away. 

But now and again I lose sight of the good life,

I get stuck in a low light.

But then love comes in.

Many The Miles - Sara Bareilles

South African Sunsets

You Make It Real

As I'm driving home from class tonight a song came on that transported me right back in time. There I was, sixteen year old me, on a breezy spring day watching my boyfriend clean out his room blasting "Shooting Star" by Bad Company. My gaze fell upon him, outlining his masculine structure, loving every bit of him being mine. In that moment of time, no one could tell me any different. I was going to marry him. I'd probably never leave Bensalem, however, it didn't matter as long as I had him....
(Music brings memories to life so easily for me. Love/hate it.) 




If someone were to tell me then I would be a world traveler, I would live in New York City and I'd kiss a thousand frogs before I found my Prince Charming I would have bluntly called them crazy. Ahhh, young love. As a twenty-two year old, I would love to try to tell the young women I know not to take their relationships too seriously or dramatic. However, feeling that pain and then freedom has been the start of my beautiful self discovery. SO maybe everyone needs a little rumble im their well laid plans to birth a fresh start.

Another New Beginning, Or Err Finishing An Old One?

Recently, after a two year hiatus, I decided to go back to college. A week after feeling the urge to be back in class, I was! My goal is to be a journalist, travel the world and write about it. I have a lot of work to do, two more years of classes and a whole lot of busting my ass to get there. This, yet again, new path I've decided to travel down has brought me to several realizations. Not only has being back in college, but the trials and tribulations of my closest friends surfaced "AH HA" moments for me as well.  


A few days ago I made a Facebook status saying this: 

"Ladies, if you're looking or wanting a boy to fill a void in your heart, simply dig up a dream of yours you have yet to conquer and chase it. There's plenty of time to have babies, get married and live in the same old routine everyday."

Firstly, it didn't just have to be a message for the ladies. Men can certainly relate to this as well. What I meant by that status was simply this. Live life just as you want to. Don't worry about someone loving you because there is someone for everyone and when you're the happiest with yourself that person you're meant to be with will show up at just the right time. All too often we can get caught up in falling in love. (Believe me. I've done this more than most people.) Falling in love is one of the greatest experiences we get as humans. But know this, there's a great BIG HUGE GINORMOUS world out there. It's meant to be discovered by each one of us. We have to leave some kind of imprint upon it for our children and grandchildren to be able to smile about one day. We're always going to be in some sort of debt, we're always going to have priorities to take care of and someone to answer to in some form. Explore every piece of who you are, who you think you might be, or who you want to be now. 

Destination: Unknown 

Personally, I'm not even close to finding the whole of who I am or what my purpose is. I have this intense craving for seeking everything in life. There's no way I can settle myself down or pretend it's not there. I'm ferociously hungry for life. Some of you may not feel this way. You may be perfectly ready to settle down, which is a whole other beautiful journey in itself. And just because you may have a husband or kids, you shouldn't feel your dreams are unattainable. All I'm saying is, if you have a craving to seek something out, do not stop until it's fulfilled. You sure as hell do not want to wake up one day to screaming kids and a hungry husband wishing you could be somewhere else. I'm going to seek out all of my curiosities so when that time comes, I won't want to be anywhere else in the world. 


Ladies or even gentlemen with babies (either planned or unplanned) never feel as though that's the end of your road. Possibilities to life are endless. If anything, your child will forever cherish the courage you had to live your dream. Your children will not only be proud of you, but will be excited to live up to the standard you have set as an example for them. 

Destination: South Africa .... Wait, WHAT?!

I get on these little trips of mine where I have these urges to do something. Ninety-five percent of the time I do what ever is thumping in my heart to experience. Just two weeks after taking on the decision to become a full time student at night in addition to already having a full time job, I added a trip to South Africa on my plate. I'll be juggling makeup jobs, weddings, finishing the semester and properly organizing my full time job, bills and life while preparing to go on this trip across the world in June. Danielle, one of my best friends will actually be on the trip with me! We'll be volunteering with elephants, horses, and the safari! The moment I get to be next to an African elephant I may just faint. (The reality of this trip hasn't even hit me yet.) I have no idea how I will financially or emotionally carry this all out, but I have faith in it all working itself out. Call me crazy, cause I just might be! :) 


I once had a friend of mine, Erlene, tell me:  "Home is home. It will always be there." --- This has always stayed in my mind. I have always been such a homebody. This made me realize I can be anywhere in the world and know where my heart lies. I know I have some place full of "I Love Yous" accompanied by endless hugs and kisses. That will never go away, so why the hell not travel the world! Or down the street or just in the United States or even my own mind. Journeys are not always those trips where we travel great distances. Some of the most profound journeys have been the ones within our hearts and minds. 

CHALLENGE: Excepted?

Don't do this for me, but do it for yourself. I'm just probing you to make it happen. 

Create a little goal list for yourself for this year. (Thank You Ryan for encouraging me to do mine!) 

As crazy as some of the goals may seem, write them down anyway. You will find a way to make things happen for yourself if you truly want them! Look at it everyday or every other day. By thinking about it constantly your desire to acquire it will become intensified and BAM...before you know it it'll be something you can place a check mark next to. 

"To achieve the impossible; it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought." 

- Tom Robbins

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JUST FOR FUN!

After my last Blog a friend of mine sent me a funny dating story. ENJOY!

Here’s an amusing story! After breaking off my 3 year relationship with my ex, I had NO clue how to go back into the dating world. So, I also joined an online dating site called OKCupid. I met a boy on there that was cute, sweet, and pretty successful for a 22 year old. Our first date went okay. We met up at Fridays, not before embarrassing myself. He called to see if I got out of work, and when we hung up, he ended it with “Okay, can’t wait to meet you. See you there!” My response? “Uhhhh, okay, thanks, see you, okay, thank you, bye.” 

Date 2, he invited me to a house party he was having with a few friends. He was nervous about me coming over….he spent the night puking in his sink after consuming too much beer. 

I gave him the benefit of the doubt and went on Date 3….and ohhhh boy. 

Date 3 we went to see a band he liked at North Star Bar. We get there and we talk some, listen to the openers. Mind you, NO alcohol was consumed. Before the main act comes on, I felt a little weird and light headed, so I went to get a glass of water from the bar, alone. I go up, ask for it…next thing I know I am on the ground. I PASSED OUT. Still don’t know why, must have been too hot in the bar? I am sensitive to heat. 

Anyway, I pass out. They pull me onto a chair, and the bartenders are asking me all these questions. I can’t remember this kids name, I am confused, and going in and out of consciousness. They finally get the kids name out of me; they call him from the front of the stage to the back to get me 

They start interrogating him now. Asking him if he slipped anything to me, what he knew about me. He had no clue what was going on, and it being our third date, didn't know much information about me. 

I hit my head pretty bad so they took me to the Hanneman hospital in an ambulance. He met me there and had to speak to my mom (whom he never met) on the phone about what happened. We sat until about 6 am waiting for the results of the tests they ran. It was kind of awkward. 

He drove me home….and I never heard from him again! Nor do I blame him! Probably thought I was some weirdo.

- Caitlin Angelone