Day 20

60 Day Picture Challenge - Day 20: A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel to.

I'd be willing to travel to almost any part of the world (with the exception of a few African countries, to be completely honest), but right now, I've got my mind set on Italy. I love everything about Italy - the language, the music, the food, the architecture, the lifestyle, etc. I haven't mentioned this to many people yet, but I'm actually applying to a program in Italy (more specifically, in Milano) and if everything goes smoothly, I might be headed there sometime next year. :)

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 20: A song that you listen to when you're angry.

Disturbed is my go-to band when something/someone has pissed me off. Any of their songs would have the desired effect of allowing me to release some pent-up anger/energy. I will also admit that I particularly enjoy driving like a mad woman while listening to this type of music. So, watch out!

Day 19

60 Day Picture Challenge - Day 19: A picture of you when you were little.

I was probably about 3 years old in this picture. If I'm not mistaken, this was my first tricycle, and as you can see, I was absolutely in love with it! I had a very nice childhood. Sometimes, I really do wish I could back to those days.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 19: A song from your favorite album.

My current favorite album (at least the one that I've been playing the most these days) is Lady Gaga's "Born this Way," (no surprise here) and this is definitely one of my favorite songs on it. I kind of wanted it to be her new single, but I like "Marry the night," too. As you can probably tell, I'm still very Gagafied, and cannot wait for her new tour.

Day 18

60 Day Picture Challenge - Day 18: A picture of your biggest insecurity

I'm not going to blame the media or the society in which I grew up in - I'm far too old to be playing the blame game - but for the longest time I believed that women who were larger than a size 2 weren't beautiful, including myself. Although I will probably always have issues with my body and my self image, I have to admit that these days I'm far much more accepting of people of all sizes, including myself. We're all built differently and no matter how many miles I run, or how many lunges I do, I will always be larger than the Victoria Secret models. So, like the women in Dove's Real Beauty campaign (as seen above), I'm starting to accept my body for what it is. Real beauty isn't about a dress size and the older I get, the more I love who I am and what I look like. A close friend once told me, our strength often comes from our biggest insecurities, and I'm finally starting to realize what it is that he meant.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 18: A song you wish you heard on the radio

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. And although it probably does get some airtime on classical music radio stations, I've never had the pleasure of driving in my car and having it randomly come on. I'm certain that it would make my day if it did.

Thanksgiving look

Before I even say anything, let me make it clear that this post was actually requested by someone and that it is not just a (another) blatant indication of my vanity. Hehe. That said, I wish you all had a lovely Thanksgiving Day!

I was inspired by Blair Waldorf's makeup on this week's episode of Gossip Girl (As seen above) She wore a beautiful coral dress and had bronzy-coppery eyeshadow on with a very vivid coral lipstick. When I went to the US in September, I had actually bought a Coral lipstick that I fell in love with (Revlon brand) and had become somewhat of a new signature look for me. To recreate the eye look, I used a kit by Sephora called "Pro lesson palette" for Brown Eyes.

And now for the complete look.

Day 17

60 Day Picture Challenge - Day 17: A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

We bought a treadmill as a present for my mom on Mother's Day, but I think I've gotten just as much use of it as she has. Nowadays, I actually consider myself a runner. I'm proud of the fact that I've been able to build up my both my speed and endurance to the point where I'm seriously considering starting to train for a full marathon (26 miles!) Recently, I have grown to love exercise even more than I used to, but there is something especially fulfilling about running. So the treadmill is definitely something that has changed my life recently.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 17: A song that you hear often in the radio.

This song is SERIOUSLY overplayed. Every time I would get in the car when I was in Miami back in September, this song was always on. Then I came to Honduras, and this song was everywhere too!!! It's got a good beat and all, but seriously, people need to stop requesting it so much!

Day 16

*I know, I know. I'm a day late with this one. But, "better late than never" I always say.*

60 Day Picture Challenge - Day 16: A picture of someone who inspires you

I'm still very motivated with my weight loss, so my number source of inspiration these days has to be Jillian Michaels. For those of you who don't know much about her, she actually used to be overweight herself and now she's a trainer (most famously known for being on The Biggest Loser.) Now, she's not on Biggest Loser anymore, but she's on a daytime show called The Doctors, and she also has a podcast on health that is very informative. I really admire how she tries to bring out the best in people, always educating the public on health issues, etc.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 16: A song that you used to love but now hate

When this song first came out in 2010, I was in love with it. I remember being at the movie theater in Aventura watching "Date Night" with Tina Fey and Steve Carrell and getting all excited because this song was in it. Now, I hate the song not necessarily because I dislike it (I still think it's a good song), but because of the memories it reminds me of, or more specifically, the person it reminds me of. It's actually quite appropriate that the song's name is "Heartbreak warfare." Anyways, I won't get into it any further. The situation is wayyyyyy passé, but whenever this song randomly comes on, I do cringe a bit inside. lol

Day 15

60 Day Picture Challenge - Day 15: A picture of something you want to do before you die.

I know, Grimsta used skydiving too. But, the truth is that I've also ALWAYS wanted to skydive. I want to feel the intense adrenaline rush that one must get while hurling yourself from an airplane. Call me crazy, but I'm sure that it's at moments like those (when you put yourself in a little bit of danger) when one truly gets to feel alive.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 15: A song that describes you.

Just play the song and read the lyrics. You'll know why this song describes me accurately - even the not being able to sleep part, geez!

Prepare yourself to meet a girl who cannot sleep

Dividing every question 'til the questions are complete

Every twisted tongue she studies everyone

She won't leave any stone unturned the night is oh so young

Oh oh she's traveling back in time

Questioning every line that someone said

Oh oh she's trying to understand

Free her mind she's always the analyst

Silent space the culprit the catalyst

Trying to make sense of her life

Digging around in the dirt she's a slave to the work

She's always the analyst

Can you be sure we haven't met see the eyes they don't forget

They wander through the passage-ways that tease a restless mind

Can't afford to slip the picture's gotta fit

Her world's a photograph that gets dissected bit by bit

Oh oh she's traveling back in time

Questioning every line that someone said

Oh oh she's trying to understand

Free her mind she's always the analyst

Silent space the culprit the catalyst

Trying to make sense of her life

Digging around in the dirt she's a slave to the work

She's always the analyst

Re-living the mistake she's made not a moment for the curious girl

Free her mind she's always the analyst

Silent space the culprit the catalyst

Trying to make sense of this life

Digging around breaking it down

Neurotic thoughts

Burning the ground

Every sight every sound

She's always the analyst