Music

“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” Billy Joel

Music is one of the few things in the world that makes all people happy. Though each person is unique in the type of music they like, it has the same effect on all of us. Studies even prove that music is one of the best de-stressors, reducing anxiety and also easing pain, improving your mood and helping you sleep better.

Just take a second and look around. Most people are listening to music at all times; walking around campus with their iPods, listening to music in the car, while you work out, study, shower, get ready to go out and anything else you can think of.

In other words, music is one of the greatest things that link all of us together. Without it, our lives would be much more stressful, and a lot less happier.

Below are a few songs to brighten your day!

Bucket List

As Spring Break approaches and most of our college careers come to a quick end, I think it is extremely important that we make the best out of the time we have left. My roommates and I started this year off by sitting down and making a cliché “bucket list” to complete before we graduate. Coming from Chicago, we wanted to able to graduate and move back home knowing we made the best out of our four years, having no regrets by enjoying everything we possibly could have in Milwaukee.

Here are a few things on our list, and I am proud to say that a lot of them have already been checked off! I hope you enjoy and consider making your own or using a few of these!

1. Tailgate at a Brewers game
2. Get front row tickets to a concert
3. Go camping
4. Visit your favorite college
5. Take a road trip to Vegas
6. Go on every brewery tour in Milwaukee
7. Visit the Harley Davidson Museum
8. Spend all night at Potawatomi..and walk out winning!
9. Walk to the lake on a sunny day and take pictures of everything (you’ll appreciate them one day)
10. Rent a paddle boat or jetski at the lake
11. Have a wine night at Jazz in the Park
12. Have a spa day at the Pfister..and visit the Blu Room
13. Eat at The Safehouse
14. Take an entire “personal day” to the beach
15. Go to the Milwaukee County Zoo
16. Visit “The Domes”
17. Go skydiving

You only get to enjoy college once, so make sure you live it up to its fullest!!

Puppy Love

No I’m not being cheesy or romantic..I’m talking about man’s best friend! There is no better companion in the world than a puppy (yes, I believe puppies are always puppies and never grow up). The love of a puppy is unconditional. They are always happy to see you, always there to listen, to give you a kiss, to snuggle, and best of all, always make you smile even when you are having the worst day.

Here are a few cuties to warm your heart and make you smile!

Kaiah McArthur

Riley McArthur

Carmel Cirone

Max Keane

What is a best friend?

“If you’re alone, I’ll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I’ll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I’ll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I’ll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I’ll just be me.” ~Author Unknown

Everyone is blessed with a best friend, but what really is a best friend? The reality is, the friendship and love between best friends can never be fully described and put into words. But as you read this, I know you know exactly what I am talking about and smile realizing what it means to have a best friend, and more importantly, be one in return.

As the saying goes, a best friend is the person who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. We all make our mistakes and make fools of ourselves at times, but regardless, a best friend will be there at your side, sometimes even laughing, reminding you that you will never be perfect in your doings, but are perfect for the person you are.

A best friend always lends an ear to listen to what you say, but recognizes that it’s what you don’t say that needs to be listened to more closely. They are there through your ups and your downs. They don’t judge you. They smile at you and mean it. They smile with you. They laugh with you, and they cry with you. They hold your hair or rub your back when you don’t feel well. They know exactly what you are thinking without saying any words. They pick up your phone calls at 3:30 am, no questions asked. They protect you and always have your back. They grow with you, change you and mold you into the person you are today. They never leave your side. They keep your secrets. They love you unconditionally. They aren’t afraid to hug and kiss you in front of a crowd of hundreds of people. They dream with you. And most importantly, they recognize that you became best friends for a reason and don’t know what you’d do without each other. Yet, you still find ways to love each other more and more each day.

And no matter how far away your best friend might be, they’re always the closest person to you. Whether they live in the room next to you, another state or country, or are looking down on you from heaven, they’re always with you..because a best friend is part of you.

Sunshine

What is sunshine? Sunshine is “anything which has a warming and cheering influence like that of the rays of the sun.” Or simply put, the place where the sun’s rays shine, where they fall or the warmth and light which they give to each of us all around the world (and sometimes not enough in Milwaukee!).

Going from such a beautiful, sunny Sunday and Valentine’s Day full of happiness and love to today’s dark snowy day, you truly realize the truth behind the idea that the weather impacts your mood. So while intensely listening to lecture (Not), I naturally made a list of some of the tiny things that bring sunshine to our everyday lives:

1. An early morning trip to Starbucks.
2. A smile from a stranger.
3. The unconditional love of a puppy.
4. Dancing..anywhere and at anytime and never being embarrassed about it!
5. A car drive in the winter with the windows down and the heat and music blasting.
6. Making a wish on a coin tails up.
7. A cancelled morning class.
8. An unexpected “I love you.”
9. A text from an old friend.
10. An unanticipated letter in the mail.
11. A friend to laugh with about things that others find not remotely funny at all.
12. A hug hello.
13. Learning to never say “goodbye,” but instead “see you later.”
14. Pictures and recognizing that memories really do last forever.
15. Taking a split second out of your everyday busy life to help another..hold a door, pick up a dropped book or simply smile, because you never know if it could be the only sunshine they get all day!

The sunshine definitely makes each mood and day more cheerful, but next time it’s dark and snowy and you’re walking through the grey slush wishing you could be on the beach in Florida, or are just having a bad day, think about all the other sunshine around you to put a smile on your face, or that of another!

Welcome

 Hey all! This is my first blog post ever!

I decided to take the chance to use this blog to acknowledge all the wonderful things we have in our lives that we may not notice.  The past two months I have gained a few of the greatest guardian angels I could have ever asked for, and it made me realize all the love, laughter, smiling and beautiful things we have in our lives.

Hope I can bring you a good laugh or smile each day!