Literally, All You Need is Love.

I'm going to start posting about life.

What I feel it needs, what I think it means. I hope people listen - er - read what I have to say. I will write about what I think is truly important to have a fulfilling, happy, and meaningful life. I will not bias on any religion or theology. That is what is wrong with most teachings of life. They teach that the way is only the Bible - which is highly possible, but then it comes with the price of having to choose a way of interpreting the Word. Jews are right and Mormons are wrong. Catholicism is the only way and Jehovah's Witnesses are weird. That is all a big problem in the world., and I will talk about that later. But this post is just an introductory. I have introduced what I will do, and now I will introduce who I am, and then why I am doing this.

Who is the Author?

(Always wanted to say that)

My name is Stephanie Isabel Maria Zertuche Madrid. I mainly just go by Stephanie Isabel Madrid. Some call me Stephanie, some call me Izzy or Isabel. Some switch back and forth. Besides family, there is only one person on the planet who I will ever let call me Stephy. More on that later.

I am a full-fledged Air Force brat, and can claim 3 continents home and went to 3 different elementary schools. I have seen the world at a young age, and cannot wait to see it again through wiser eyes. My family is from San Antonio, TX and it has always been my "home", which is why I chose to move here for college. I went to high school in Edmond, OK and was a proud ESFHS Wolf :)

My parents met in high school and got married a year before I was born. I have an older half brother from my mother's first marriage, but to me he is full blood and I will love him until the end of forever. As some of you know, my parents are going through a divorce now, something that came as a shock to me. But I love both my parents dearly and have no bitterness towards either of them.

I am 20 years old and not taking any courses this semester. But I am happier than I ever thought I could be, for this summer I started teaching. Dance. My biggest life passion. I crave to go to work. Those kids are my life and breath. I regret nothing in my life.

Why am I Doing This?

I'm not exactly sure...maybe because people have been telling me for a while that I should. Maybe because I think I can help the world. Maybe because I am tired of people not knowing who I really am. Maybe because I can't handle a million thoughts in my head anymore and need to get them out somehow...

Conclusion

I read a lot. Old books, new books, self help, fiction, fact, whatever. My favorite book, one that I have based my views on life off of is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. I read it every year to keep in check with my values. So if you are looking for a book to read that is very easy and very relatable, I recommend it.

Your Assignment

Make a list of the 5 most important things to you in your life. Could be your mom, your friends, your job, whatever. Think carefully. Now, take away one thing. And then another. And keep going. See what is most important to you. You can learn a lot about yourself by doing this and what your values are.

Twist: Ask yourself, which of these 5 things can translate to LOVE? As in, they give you love or you give it love?

That is all my dears. :) Smile!

Which way is up again?

So, I had built my life on a very nice rug. It complimented my lifestyle, pulling everything on top of that rug together. And no matter what I added to my life, it was all nicely constructed. Well, over the course of merely weeks, that rug has been ripped out from under my feet, and my whole world has fallen a part. My family? Well, my parents have announced that they are getting a divorce. Um.....WHAT?!?! 20+ years of marriage, 27+ years of being a couple.....POOF! Gone. So my mother is now moving to San Antonio, whilst my father gets to re-evaluate his life in his cushy 4-story water-front condo in Hampton, Virginia. I am not mad at either of my parents, and I love them both to death. This is just weird though. Tonight at dinner with my mother, brother, and cousin, it became very clear that while I am a mirror image of my mother, my brother is likewise a mirror image of my father. I'm not sure what to say to my dad or when I will talk to him about all of this. But I do plan on going to visit him by myself soon, sometime this summer. One on one time will defiantly do me wonders in this whole situation. But this divorce business leads to another thing that has turned upside down in my life. My parents will no longer be able to support me. In other words, I need a job. A real job. Well, I had my dream job just 2 weeks ago.....then that decided to pull a 180 on me as well. One day I find out that my boss has been telling the girls that I have been sending her nasty emails and that I have stolen money from her. Um....Que? I don't even have that woman's email address! And if anyone knows me, they know I would NEVER steal money from anyone! I feel guilty enough when a friend offers to buy me dinner because my funds are low! So I decided to call my ex-boss, and when I finally got a hold of her, she decided to cuss me out and did not give me a chance to talk. Yeah....I was hurt by that one. But now, it leaves me needing to find a job. One that I can rely on and make full-time hours and get enough salary to pay part of my rent and all my bills. And maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll also get enough wages to start paying for school. Yeah. I have to pay for school meself nowadays. And I was stupid and squandered my savings once I got access to that account. Well, school is coming out of the pocket de moi. My parents make to much for me to get financial aide, and I REFUSE to get a loan. But, if there is a will, there is a way. I want to go back to school. I really do. My dream? Get two Associate's degrees at Northwest Vista College; The first in Dance, the second in Fine Arts (Drawing). After that's done, I want to return to UTSA and get my Bachelors in Fine Arts (Painting) with minors in Business and in Education. It really makes me sad that I won't be able to graduate at the same time as my friends. But hey, c'est la vie. A bomb got dropped on my head today when I found out my dear friend Derek is leaving tomorrow morning. For California. Grad School. I am sooooo happy for him and uber proud of him. I really am. It's just....he is such a good friend, he really is like an older brother. Few people in SA have known me longer than he has. Well, I pray for his happiness and success. (*sigh*) And of course, my friends have been changing. Not in a bad way, I mean in a they-are-not-in-San-Antonio-to-tell-me-I'm-stupid kind of way. And my best friend Bubba J doesn't have a car anymore so he doesn't come over to wake me up anymore..... Blah. So yeah....my life is kind of upside down, inside out, where am I? But there are good things! Like, I have a great boyfriend now. He is super sweet and treats me very well. And he has a parrot. Named Riley. That likes to sit on my shoulder. So I pretend I'm a pirate. I say Argh when Riley is on my shoulder. Haha. Well, I guess that is my little rant....I feel better now. Let me just say, at the end of the day, God is great. Blessings to you and your loved ones (and your enemies). Te amo con todo mi corazon y no puedo vivir sin ti. :-)

My apartment smells like paint....

Oh insomnia. My mortal enemy. So I stay awake in the company of my loved ones. I have been painting a frenzy. I love my zone. Good light, ocean-y scents, and classical music. Set up my canvas, and just get lost in the colors. Almost as good of a feeling as dancing. Dancing, I completely lose myself into that. I can't wait to start my new job. My work shirts make me feel so official. They say "Dance Instructor" on them. Dream come true? Most deff. So I have the job, the passion, a house, a strong Faith, a good car, and an amazing family. What is missing? The dream guy. He's out there, I'm sure. Just have to be patient until he comes. Well, it's gonna happen, happen sometime, maybe this time, I'll win.