Range Rover Sport vs. Tank... What?

After seeing the Buggati video I came across Range Rover vs. Tank, which is equally as ridiculous as the ladder as the Range Rover attempts to out run a tank in a combat field. AS the Range Rover Sport impresses me, seeing a Tank maneuvering around as such, in this video is particularly interesting. The engineering and design for both these vehicles are tuned to meet adverse terrain one aesthetically pleasing, and a multi-use vehicle. The other a war hero incorporating strength, durability, and the ability to maneuver in combat.

The Worlds fastest car: Buggati Veyron

I came across this video the other day while researching for a project. The Buggati Veyron is the worlds fastest car. It is a pretty ridiculous car designed and engineered incredibly concisely. Here are some quick interesting facts about it:

- Just to rotate the tires it costs around $20,000

- 16 cylinder engine w/ 4 turbo charges producing 1,001 horsepower

- Has 10 radiators

- Has a special key you have to unlock it with to travel at top speeds

Why I'm obsessed with cooking.

For some reason, in the past year or two I have become obsessed with cooking and especially baking (when it comes to cookies). Baking is very sooting and relaxing for me I love to create something from many things, that being ingredients and food. There's something intriguing to me about they way you can manipulate flavors and use them over various food to create entirely different tasting things.

Men and wallets.

While having a conversation with one of my brother's today (who happens to be looking for a new wallet) he said this "wallets are to men like handbags are to a woman" (or even a wallet i would say). This piqued my interest and I found out that he has indeed been looking for a wallet the past 3 days, and seems to not be having much luck. So why is this? My brother seems to be indecisive about wallets, because it is something you don't purchase all time, and you carry with all the time and you and see it every day. Therefore, it is a purchase that must be strategically thought out and considered as they have a vast array of different wallets styles.

Unusual or not?

A random girl sitting in her car, door open at 2am, music playing writing in her journal. Probably semi-stupid as it is 2 in the morning, and who knows who could be walking the streets at that hour. Yep this was me...emotionally charged and writing like crazy in my journal. I think I always have far to many thoughts, and don't know which one to grab, or how to act on one because they're chaotically flying around.

Thanksgiving!

Yay for Thanksgiving! I decided I needed to brag a bit because I made the most amazing sweet potatoes I have ever tasted for Thanksgiving, from a recipe I just made up! I wouldn't be bragging if I didn't get any praise for my Sweet Potatoes, but indeed they were the hit of the meal!

Thoughts from my journal...

One thought, one action at a time I will move forward, against al odds, to be who I know I am, but who am I? I will not accept failure, I will learn from my mistakes, move forward with it. I will not give up. Why? Because of who I am, the mind that was bestowed on me. I will choose not to waste it. How does one changes the world? By taking action, leading by example. How? Because in showing them, they learn and those who learn will show others. And in showing others more will learn, and as more learn, people g=begin to be able to change things, and when people change, so then will the world begin too.

GUA Africa- Emmanuel Jal

One of my favorite TED talks that I have watched on the TED website is that of Emmanuel Jal. He was an ex-child soldier in Africa, and now is an educated rap artist, speaking out about life's experience inspiring people around the world, to take action in helping communities and families to help them overcome the effects of war and poverty. Watch Below:

I miss my horse!

I've ridden and competed horses my entire life, spending a majority of my days at a barn. I would drive 6 days a week to my barn to train. Ever-since I've been in college, I've toned down riding so I could focus on school, but because riding has been such a huge part of my life for so long, it sometimes feels as if I'm missing a part of my being. Recently I decided to sell my horse, and lately I have no time to go to the barn...So yes, I miss my horse!

TEDxSMU

I had the amazing opportunity, to attend, TEDxSMU the first TED event held at SMU. Before applying to attend TED, I had never heard about it. After getting an e-mail briefly describing TED, it seemed particularly interesting to me. I started watching videos of the 'TED talks' posted online at www.ted.com and i was instantly hooked. If you don't know much about the TED events I highly recommend watching a few of the talks.

A look back.

It's funny to look back at my time in high school, and realize how the most insignificant things were sometimes made into something far greater than would ever matter. For instance, I was recently informed by one of my lovely three brothers , that I was quite the twit, and rather mean. Why? My guess is because throughout my high school years, which just so happened to coincide with my parent's divorce, I was always gone at riding competitions. It's weird to think about how much I have changed as person in just the past 7 years.

TOMS Shoes

Toms shoes for a cause. I think this is a brilliant idea and we need more people in the world taking action like this as there are millions of children and families in this world who need help. Shoes is only the beginning, I believe if more organizations did this and  brought about world awarenes more people would be active in giving and helping. I own two pairs of Toms myself and knowing that two children got a pair of shoes because of me, puts a smile on face whenever I wear them and only spurs me to think more about how I can make a difference also, because our world needs help. 

Act Out

I recently started taking acting lessons, and let me tell you there is no better way to get out your emotions than in acting. It is actually quite exhilarating at times. I did an improv into a cold read with another girl in my class from a scene in My Best Friend's Wedding, where there was a lot of yelling and arguing going on. Ha and wow it felt so good after we had finished the scene because any pent up anger I had before had vanished with my reactions n the scene. 

A Nod to the Future

Dear Future Self,

Just a Reminder:

Chase your dreams, not the competition. -Anonymous

Life is what we make out of it, make it a good one. 

If you haven't gone to all the places you want to go, take a trip.

Keep on trucking,

~Yourself

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

The moment Susan Boyle walked out onto stage for the first time at Britain's Got Talent, most everyone thought, she was a joke. That was before she opened her mouth to sing, when all the judgements of 'who does this lady think she is' vanished within moments. The crowd and the judges were left in utter amazement by her beautiful harmonic voice. Needless to say I think this addresses an important topic and a huge problem in society today: judging people by their outward appearance or actions without truly getting to know them. This plague curses our society as we often automatically make preconceived notions about someone without even getting to know them properly first. When you first meet someone, you know absolutely nothing about them, yet after a few second you will probably already have determined whether you like them or not, whether you would want to hang out with them, etc. This irritates me quite a bit because based off moments of knowing someone people often shut them off without learning anything about them. Is it not so hard to ask questions, and be curious about someone. You can learn so much from talking to people and listening to their opinions and experiences, while gaining insight you possibly never would have known without talking to this person. Next time, give someone a little bit more of a chance before throwing them in the "hmm, I don't realy care' category, it might surprise you what you find out.

Everything I think I know about Guys...Ha

What I think I know about guys. Hmm well this is interesting considering I have three brothers this might be of some advantage to me, among the things I have been told by my guy friends. So here's the list:

1. Most guys don't care if a girl says they have a boyfriend, they will gladly go after them anyway.

2. They love what they can't have

3. Yes, in fact guys do think about sex alot...some more than others

4. They have this weird ego deal

5. A guy who wears a shirt with no sleeves (when he's not working out), is often deemed by other guys as a "deusch bag"

6. A lot of guys can't stand to be beat at anything by a girl (do it it all the time)

7. Many will become obsessed with a subject and know crazy random facts about it ex. sports, cars, etc. 

8. Men like to cook, barbeque especially

9. They tend to forget everything... hence instant replays

10. Men are sensitive in rather unusual ways

11. Most men despise shopping

12. Men like technology

13. Men love being able to 'rescue' a women whether it be fixing something for them, helping them with a flat tire, you name it... it makes them feel important

14. Guys will do a lot to get a girls attention

15. Guys hate it when/ if you talk about your ex-boyfriend

16. Most guys like to brag

17. Guys love girls that can cook/bake whatever

18. A lot of guys seek advice from girls

19. Girls are guys weaknesses (a lot of, not all of course)

Haha so that's what I can think of right now, I might have gotten a little help on some of them, but there you go!

China: Shanghai, Xi'an, Beijing

Going to China was an eye-opening experience, it was unusual as we were walking around on tours different Chinese people would want pictures with us, I felt like a celebrity. The Chinese were especially enamored with anyone who had blue-eyes or blonde hair as it was very foreign to them. We visited three different cities while we were there Shanghai (1st picture), Xi'an (2-4 pictures), and Beijing (Last 3 pictures). We were in Beijing the summer of 2007 as they were preparing for the 2008 Olympics, massive new building complexes were being constructed, as was the Eagle's Nest. The amount of pollution in Beijing and Xi'an was horrid, as you can tell from the pictures the sky was always this musty grey color. My family and the other people we were traveling with would get scratchy throats, and our eyes would dry out quickly, along with the humidity it was not a pleasant situation. People were all over the streets bombarding us to buy various souvenirs and trinkets, along with beggars whom would keep a close eye on us. The poverty, pollution, and crowdedness put the Chinese people in less than satisfactory living conditions as many people would wear hospital mask over their mouths in order to prevent health problems. Shanghai is closer to the coast, therefore helping to make the pollution minimal in comparison with the other cities. Shanghai was booming with the construction of building's everywhere as in the last 20 years it has been built up an incredible amount.  

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is by far one of my favorite cities. The architecture is incredible throughout the city with many structure's and gardens designed by one of my favorite architect's (Antoni Gaudi). Some of my favorite structure's include the Sagrada Familia (1st two pictures) and the Casa Mila, as you can see Gaudi found many of his inspiration's for his works through nature.  In comparison with many of the other cities I have been, Barcelona is clean cut and thriving while also being elegant and relaxing as everyone walks about the beautiful streets. The city is filled with history and wonderful museum's such as one showcasing many of Picasso's works. I have thought a lot about studying abroad to enhance by Spanish speaking skills, ultimately with the goal to become fluent and I have decided that if I do study abroad I would most definitely want to go to Barcelona.  

Olive Oil Farm and and Vineyard near Florence, Italy

The above pictures were at a small vineyard in Italy. It just so happens that I had my first ever experience with Port was at this particular vineyard. Wow and I am never to try it again, I was by no means equipped for what I experienced with Port in those few seconds. It had an extremely heavy smell to it, and I took quite a sip only to discover complete dissatisfaction and disgust. It was horrible and I quickly disposed of it, as it tasted more like some sort of hard liqueur similar to Bourbon or Cognac. There was almost too much taste in it. 

This area was so gorgeous and peaceful, it would be great for a relaxing peaceful stay in a somewhat remote, undiscovered area of Italy.  The Olive Oil from this farm was by far the best Olive Oil I have ever had in my life, carefully made by the owner's of this little olive oil farm. They also had a beautiful little garden where if you were staying there, could go pick your fruits, vegetables, and herbs from each day that you stayed there. In my opinion a brilliant idea for a small place that hosts few guests at a time. 

Tuscania, Italy

This is a small town called Tuscania, near Florence, Italy. In photography I love experimenting, with it trying to capture different angles, distances from the lens, trying to get to place I can't by using the camera as an extension of the lens. I like to think most of my photography evokes sort of a fantasy-like discovery factor to it, many of the pictures that I have shared with you on this blog enhance that stance. 

Capri Sun

This is the sun setting behind the Capri Island off the coast of Italy. I have a fascination with sunsets and rises and have quite the collection of pictures of both. To me the are so peaceful and elegant. The best thing about them is there is never the same one twice, they are always different and you can never get an exact replica, just as is the same with any living thing.

Ephesus, Turkey

Ephesus, was absolutely breathtaking. On of my favorite pictures I took from there, is the bottom one (4th one) because it completely sums up the whole aura you feel as you walk around the ruins, and imagine what it was once like. 

Istanbul, Turkey

For me, I had a rather religious experience in Istanbul. Before arriving there I had taken a class the previous semester at the University of Texas called Architecture and Society. In this class we had explored two structures in Istanbul: the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. I remember seeing the slides in class of these two building's and thinking wow, how did they build something that incredible and intricate so long ago. I was left in utter amazement after visiting each of these structures with their incredibly intricate and vast interiors, paying such close attention to detail, as I walked away from each one speechless. 

Mykonos, Greece

Truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and in such a different way. I love the crisp white of all the building structures contrasting with the colors of the hillside and the crystal blue of the surrounding sea. 

Athens, Greece

For as long as I can remember I have longed to go to Athens, Greece. I had built it up in my mind over the years with all these incredible pieces of history it possesses only to be let down a little. There is no doubt that what is their is magnificent, but I always thought it would be so much more. The fact that they were working on it at the time I was there did not help much either. I guess from the constant tourists and people messing with the fragile pieces of history it kind of took away from my whole experience. 

Naples, Italy

It was interesting being in Naples at Pompeii because when I was a Freshman in high school I took Latin for a year and we learned all about Pompeii and the volcanic Mount Vesuvius, and it exploding covering Pompeii in ashes, only to be uncovered now. Along with the baths and triclinium's, and everything else I can't recall at the moment. Walking through a city that was once thriving hundreds of years ago and seeing how our society has evolved is rather amazing. Having an idea of how they lived and went about their daily life compared to ours today is unusual to think about because you can't really say for sure.