Music.

Years ago I never understood when people would say things like 'i would die without music' or 'music is so powerful'. Don't get me wrong, I always have liked music and enjoyed listening to it, but I never felt like a had the same connection to music that many others seemed to possess.

Now, many years later, you can probably catch me saying those things. I'm not sure when it exactly happened, but I have grown to absolutely love music. The beauty of music is that there are so many different songs, artists, and genres. Depending on the day or your mood you can choose which type of music you feel like listening to. Or music can even change your mood. Ever having a bad morning, but then your favorite song comes on the radio making you smile? It can even work in the reverse, like when a song comes on that reminds you of that one person that broke your heart, and it automatically puts you in a somber mood. Although, when this happens to me i try to avert the crisis by switching the station as fast as possible. :)

I guess what I am trying to say, is that in recent years I have discovered how powerful music truly is. When I moved to Southern California for my sophomore year of college (2010-2011), I never knew just how much my life would be impacted. I obviously figured that I would meet new people, see new things, and partake in an experience that many others don't. I never thought that I would discover a whole other language  of music. I joined a group called Hermanas Unidas, and became friends with a bunch of amazing Latinas. Since i was always around them I became pretty immersed in their culture. Their culture being one that cherishes music and dance. I learned the words to multiple Spanish songs (at least i like to believe i'm singing them right) and grew to love Latino 96.3 haha :)

When I had to return to Illinois (unfortunately), not only was I able to take the pictures and memories with me, I also got to take the music. Whenever I'm feeling nostalgic I turn on my Prince Royce or Wisin Y Yandel pandora stations, and I realize how happy I am that I was given the opportunity to not only meet so many wonderful people, but also to be introduced to a whole other genre of music that I would normally just skip past if I were scanning the radio.

There are plenty of reasons to love music. I love it when a song comes on that reminds me of a good memory, or a particular friend. I love hearing songs that were popular when I was young. Or hearing the music that I used to hear blasting from my older sisters room. I love music for having the power to bring back certain memories and feelings. I love how songs can alter your entire day, or capture the mood you are in. Music is great, i'd die without it. ;)

While I'm at it, let me introduce you to a few of my Pandora Stations!

Today's Hits--yes, I love listening to popular radio, so having a 'Top 40's' type station is a must.

Third Eye Blind--my favorite station, absolutely love Third Eye Blind, Matchbox Twenty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the similar.

3LW--this one's for the junior high days when Ja Rule was the business!

and lastly;
Lullabye-- I downloaded this one over the summer when I was trying to get my one and a half year old nephew to fall asleep (it was successful), but I must admit, I now fall asleep to this station nightly.


Bye-Bye-Bye, 
Kaila xoxo

Thankful.

Earlier today I went to my old roommates apartment for a potluck. There was somewhere between 15-20 people there. The food was delicious and the company was great. Once everyone had eaten we were all hanging out in the living room talking, laughing, and just genuinely enjoying each others presence. We happened to be assembled in a circle around the room when someone came up with the idea of going around and saying what it is that we are thankful for. Sounds a little like Thanksgiving, huh? As people started answering the question there were a lot of 'my friends/you guys' answers and of course jokes from the boys. The majority of the people at this get together are pretty close with each other. I, on the other hand, am close with a few, but for the most part the rest were acquaintances that I only see when we happen to be invited to the same gatherings, much like this one. Once the question had made its way to me I knew what I wanted to say, but felt like I shouldn't. Not because they would judge me, but I was one of the last ones to go so I had put more thought into it and it wasn't the mushy answer of 'you guys!'. When my old roommate looked at me and told me it was my turn, I didn't want to go into my explanation of what I really was thankful for, so I just looked at her, smiled and said 'you, of course.' So yes, I did end up just saying a cheesy answer, much like the rest of the room.

Want to know what I was really thinking? 

I was thinking how thankful I am for the life I have been given. Growing up I never was left needing anything. My parents provided me and my siblings with everything we needed and much of what we wanted too. I'm thankful that I never had to worry about when I was going to be able to eat again, if I was going to have a warm bed to sleep in, or if I was going to have clean clothes to wear. Everyday I had access to these things, not to mention the various pairs of shoes, cable television, my own bedroom, etc. that I also was blessed to have. Because of my parents hard work and dedication to their children, I have been given opportunities and experiences that plenty of children don't get. I have been on countless airplane rides to exciting places, when I turned sixteen I had a car to drive, and every year there has always been an abundance of presents under the Christmas tree. 

Not only am I thankful for these materialistic things, I am also thankful for the support and love that surrounds me on a daily basis. My parents have always been supportive of the paths I have chosen to go down throughout my journey of life. And trust me, my parents aren't the only supportive people I have in my life. I have these amazing people that I call my friends too. No matter how many times I have vented about the same problem, situation, or event, they continue to listen, even when they know it's probably not going to be the last time they hear about it. I don't think that I will ever be able to repay them for that, they are some pretty wonderful people. Just knowing that there are multiple people that care about me every single day is enough to make me push forward in the struggles of everyday life. 

So what am I thankful for? 

-for being given a fruitful life

-for having the love and support of those around me

Of course there are some many other things to be thankful for, like the company of those around me earlier. But what most people forget about is the fact that they are lucky enough to wake up to their alarm clock every morning. Because having an alarm clock means that you are privileged enough to have electricity in your house/apartment. It's these things that we take for granted so often. We forget that there millions of people around the world that aren't certain if they are going to be able to eat that day, or if they are going to be able to find clean water, or if their electricity is still going to turn on because they couldn't scrape together enough money to pay the bill this month. 

So the next time you are having a bad day, just remember that you are lucky enough to have access to the internet, where you can find some pretty funny youtube videos to brighten up your day  :)

Be Grateful- Kaila; xoxo

Getting Started.

I've wanted to blog for a couple years now, but never got around to starting one. Now that I have finally set one up I am a little nervous! I'm not particularly sure on what it is that I will end up writing about, but I have a feeling it will be a little bit of everything. I wanted somewhere where I could write and later reflect. I don't even know if anyone else will read my posts, but either way I am excited to get started. I feel as if my mind will become less clustered and chaotic if I am able to write down what it is that I am thinking or feeling. I hope that this blog not only allows me to write down my thoughts but that it also allows me to learn more about myself through the process. I hope it doesn't disappoint! xoxo-Kaila