#beautiful – MonkeyDoodle's Mind

Whether it be the beginning or the end

Posted on March 31, 2015 by a. richards

The month of march has passed me by so quickly that I believe it moved faster than the super hero some people know by the name of Flash. I was able to experience some moments of frozen time during my spring break, yet those moments never lasted long enough.

This spring break gave me a chance to start a cleanse in the household that I have called home for as long as I’ve lived on this earth. We all have some things that we hold onto because we don’t want to let go of the memory or the connection we feel with the object since it was given to us by a person who may not be with us on this earth any longer. I understand the desire to hold onto the intangible with a tangible object, but it is a freeing feeling when one decides to release the hold and allow the object(s) to move on, along with our hearts.

During said break, I went through the interviewing process for finding a job. The whole week I was a ball of nerves; just shaking a little bit more as the interview date got closer. With the support from friends and family, I was able to go into the interview with confidence. As I started conversing with my interviewers, my body began to relax and I felt at ease with the people whom I (at the time, not knowing) would hope to become my co-workers. I am happy to say that I was offered a job position with the company, by the name of Home Sweet Home Pet Care. I’m extremely excited to work with such a great team, and help build the company.

On another note, my capstone (senior) project is coming along… slowly, but surely. These upcoming days are numbered though and now it’s crunch time. I’ve been experimenting with multiple different cameras, and hopefully in the end I will come out with beautiful pictures of all the six dogs who I am now focusing on for the final product. Here is a picture of Clyde. He is currently my favorite dog at All Breed Rescue. I’m glad I have been able to work with such a wonderful group of staff to help me bring awareness to the shelter and the dogs that reside there through my project.

With my college graduation coming up soon, I am counting down the days where my life at Champlain College is coming to a close. I’ve stayed loyal these past four years to my college that I chose years ago. Everyone experiences ups and down, but I do not regret my decision as I do not regret my decision on where I am moving forward with my life post-graduation. It will be hard to let go of the ability to just walk next door to my friends in my apartment building, to let go the access of my best friend being no more than 10 minutes away from where I live, and to move on from the community I have learned to love. There are many different things I am letting go of when leaving college, but whether it be the beginning or the end I will learn to adapt and live in my new environment. I will learn to love the transition in my life.

With all the changes coming up soon, the scenery may change, but my heart will not. Some things, like activities I love, and people whom I cherish deeply, I will not give up on. I won’t give up my dreams. Don’t give up on yours.

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Reading Bad Reviews

Posted on February 17, 2015February 17, 2015 by a. richards

I completely agree with this process of trying to figure out whether a book is worth picking up and reading. Wonderfully written explanation by Cristian Mihai

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When things get tough… Cuddle

Posted on February 16, 2015 by a. richards

Life is full of ups and downs. It’s filled with accomplishments and struggles. Here is a comic that shows the humorous side of the amazing act of cuddling:

I hope you enjoyed this illustration of struggle and love. *All credit of comic goes to The Oatmeal*

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February BirchBox

Posted on February 11, 2015 by a. richards

Hello! Hello! Hello! I haven’t really written anything about the monthly subscription box I get every month called, BirchBox. It’s only $10 a month [including shipping], and you get about five sample size products. Using the descriptions provided by BirchBox, I will explain what each item I got in this month’s box. First, here is on the front of the informational card included in every box. A sweet little message to go with this month’s theme.

Here are a couple pictures of what the outside looks like for this month’s BirchBox:

The first product I’m going to show you is called, beautyblender. It is a “Pro-favorite sponge for smooth, natural-finish foundation (plus cleanser to keep it clean).” I plan to give this product to my friend because she loves them, and also to get the word out about BirchBox.

The second product I’m going to show you is called, Juice Beauty. It is a blemish clearing cleanser. It’s “Made with organic botanicals, this hydrating wash declogs pores and brightens skin.” I’m super excited to use this. Last semester of college can be stressful, and the stress brings the nasty look of “exhausted” to the face.

The third product I’m going to show you is called, theBalm cosmetics. It is a Read My Lips Lip Gloss – BAM! It’s “Fortified with antioxidant-rich ginseng, this gloss imparts rich color and loads of shine.” I am in LOVE with this product. I started using it immediately! Not many colors look good on my lips, but this color is perfect. It gives my lips just the right amount of shine and color to make my lips pop!

The fourth product I’m going to show you is called, Gilchrist & Soames. It is a Spa Therapy Body Wash. It’s “Infused with marine extracts, this gentle wash leaves skin hydrated and freshly scented.” I am glad this product came in my box because it’s following my new change towards beachy type products that I have started using. The smell is very calming.

The fifth, and final, product I’m going to show you is called, BeeKind. It is a conditioner. “This gentle formula, made with honey and organic calendula, softens hair and ups shine.” I recently just bought conditioner, so as soon as I run out I plan to try this product. Everyone could always use an extra boost of softness and shine. It has a “fresh lemon and verbena scent!”

I hope you enjoyed your journey in exploring this month’s BirchBox. This box can be for both men and women. Hopefully you will check them out!

*All descriptions are credited to BirchBox

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Sneak Peek!

Posted on February 9, 2015 by a. richards

My senior project is in motion, and I have lots of work to do. I’m not sure how much I’ve shared what my project is, but here’s an explanation. I plan to pair pictures of dogs, from All Breed Rescue, with a short write-up that will either be a background story or just a “personality blurb” so that whoever is reading it & sees the picture can get an idea of how the dog is. My project would create an opportunity for people who cannot physically adopt a dog. This would give them a chance to still “take home a dog.”

My project has had a great start, and is slowly blossoming into the finished product as I envisioned it. Here are a couple pictures that my lovely classmate Amanda Schroth took last week, during my weekly visit to the shelter.

Since Amanda helped me, I want to lend a helping hand right back. Her project is called, “Postcards Never Sent.” It would be wonderful if you submitted to her project. Here’s the link: www.postcardsneversent.com/submit

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Back on the ice!

Posted on February 3, 2015 by a. richards

I know that in my lifetime, so far, I have only been on an ice rink a couple times, literally only a couple. My past two experiences left me with a sour taste in my mouth. This time around I had support from my best friend and her residents [she is a Resident Assistant at my college], who gave me some confidence that ice skating can be fun, even if you’re not really good at it.

I was amazed at myself that I didn’t fall once. Most credit goes to my best friend for holding my hand as we went around the rink. Without her I would have fallen a bunch of times. We both promised we would only laugh a little at each other if either of us fell. Once “free skate” was over, we pulled our sore feet out of our skates, enjoyed some delicious hot chocolate, and decided we would like to make ice skating a regular activity we do together. It’s such a workout, but fun!

What is an activity or experience that you were unsure of at first and then it turned out great fun? Please share! I’d love to hear your stories 🙂

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The Mysteries of Winter Break Revealed

Posted on January 12, 2015 by a. richards

Hello! I have been on break and wanted to share pictures that would help tell an overview of what happened while I was “missing.” I will admit that I splurged a great amount when it came to eating out instead of cooking. There were visits to Bamboo Garden (Chinese restaurant), Dave & Busters, multiple visits to Panera, a couple visits to Chili’s, Olive Garden, Denny’s, and the Cheesecake Factory.

The orange “flower” was actually a fancy way of incorporating carrots with my sesame beef meal that I thoroughly enjoyed while having a meal by myself to indulge in my passion for reading. If you don’t know about the author Johanna Lindsey, you should look her up! Something else that’s new was my experience at Dave & Busters. My “group” from high school (me & three other girls) went there for some drinks, delicious food [I had the Samuel Adams, pretzel bites with varies dipping sauces, but the cheese dip was the best, and magnificent baked mac n’ cheese that had garlic bread on top and chicken & bacon cooked within], and we played a bunch of arcade games. I won over 900 tickets! Woo! They even had the massive Fruit Ninja game that I absolutely love.

My first Panera visit was during my wait for my car to be finished in the shop. Have to get that annual maintenance done eventually. Not only did I indulge in some food, but I went a tiny bit crazy in buying clothes and DVDs. The second time I visited the wonderful Panera, I was actually on a date. Not sure if a second date will occur… But my experiences at Chili’s were much better, surprisingly. My aunt came to visit and my mother and I treated her to a meal out. They have tablets at every table now so you can play games, order desserts, and even pay your bill! The second times I went there was with a childhood friend, and that was the third time I saw her in one week! That’s amazing because we never get to see each other anymore.

Going with the flow of family, we had a family dinner at Olive Garden. That delectable chocolate cake you see in the slideshow was from there. So tasty and rich! My mother and I squeezed in a trip to Denny’s and that is where I was able to enjoy the wonderful red velvet cake milkshake. Last, but not least, we were able to make a visit to The Cheesecake Factory. It’s one of my favorite places to eat, but you have to time your visit just right otherwise you’ll be stuck waiting (both for a table and for relatively decent service).

Moving away from food, my paper whites have bloomed beautifully. They are so delicate. I have jumped on board with the owl theme my mother created for my 21st birthday. Who gives a Hoot?! Almost all my christmas presents were owl themed. Christmas cards were sent, and the family christmas reunion was better this year, than last. My father brought me along on adventures to some matches, which I played photographer again. Can you find my dad in the picture? Look on the left side of my head 😉

The sculptures were my final project for the sculpture class that I thought was going to murder me. [Skeleton cowboy, skeleton puppy with his chicken wing, and a giant penguin]

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Beauty in Picture Form

Posted on November 19, 2014 by a. richards

I just wanted to share some images with you of people who have made a positive difference in my life, and a clip of Manny the Frenchie, who makes me smile with everything he does.

My best friend Darien Marshall who makes my day via Snapchat convos

My boyfriend & I goofing off in our free time — Deane & I goofing off in our free time

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Beauty in the Simple Things

Posted on November 19, 2014November 19, 2014 by a. richards

I wish to ask people, what are the things that you consider “beautiful”?

A sunset or sunrise will always be a beautiful sight to me, but also the sight of falling snow. Yesterday, Burlington saw its first sign of winter as snow flakes fell softly, but swiftly through the air to the ground. It covered my jacket that isn’t waterproof, but I still enjoyed the experience of feeling chilly in a state that is known for its low temperatures during the winter season.

I have been lucky enough to say, “I still chat with my roommate from freshman year of college,” and I was lucky enough to have a small chat with her about what we consider beautiful. The first thing she asked was, “Well, in what context?” She’s such an intelligent student. I repeated the question, and her wonderful answer was: “Seeing something broken being put back together.” I immediately thought of two things. One: a vase filled with liquid being exploded.. Two: someone finding love after being heartbroken for a long time

It’s interesting when you take out the search for specifics and just ask yourself a general question that could be taken anywhere and everywhere. Each person has their own unique views, and that itself is beautiful. She then asked the question back at me, and I listed several things that I considered beautiful: a giggling baby that starts dancing gleefully but all it looks like is them stopping around and moving their arms back and forth, a picture that captures the majestic beauty and power of water, a picture of a past moment that has the ability to still give you the feeling you felt while living that memory, watching horses play and run in grassy fields, and seeing heartfelt reunions in an airport.

Something that I find absolutely & amazingly beautiful is the act of relationships; whether it be between friends, family members, significant others, and even strangers.

My aunt lived in Paris for two years in her youth, and made some wonderful connections with people who she didn’t know before. I was able to use her connections so that a dear friend and I could spend almost a week to celebrate my 21st birthday in Paris and to also fulfill my friend’s lifelong dream of visiting Paris. The woman was basically a stranger to me, but with open arms she welcomed us into her heart and home. I know that I am fortunate to have a supportive family who understands the importance of each member and recognizes their unique characteristics. I have connected deeper with some more than others, but that’s what makes those relationships between family members more beautiful.

I can’t forget the friends who have stuck with me through the good and the bad. I also appreciate the friendships that didn’t work out because I have learned valuable lessons from each turn of events. Last, but not least, I want to thank my special someone who has made me feel lucky, special, and beautiful all at the same time. Love is a beautiful thing that people should never take advantage of, and not take for granted. It’s a precious gift.