School in a Perfect World...

5/16/13 I love school. I think we are all blessed to have the ability to go in a building every day with our friends and get the opportunity to prepare for our futures. So many children in other countries wish they could do what we do, and, while most of us don't fully appreciate that yet, I am extremely grateful that I have been given this chance. However, the assignment isn't about what we like about school. It’s about what we’d change. So, without further ado, here are some of the things I would like to have for my school in a perfect world.  
The buses would be hybrids, to save money on gas and to help the environment.
There would be more large windows to let in more natural light and reduce the electrical bill.
There would be rainwater collection underneath the flowerbeds so we could use the rain for toilet-water as well as to water our plants.
Inside would be more classrooms and more teachers. This way, we could have smaller class sizes for more one-on-one and personal learning.
The lunches would be of higher quality, so kids will actually want to eat their lunch. The nutrition levels would go up, because not only would these lunches be delicious, they would be healthy, too.
There would be newer computers, art supplies, P.E. equipment, musical and scientific instruments, and sports fields.
Finally, no programs would ever be cut.
Sorry for rambling, but that's how I would envision my school in a perfect world.

Chandeliers

5/14/13 What is the classiest of all lighting fixtures? What is a surefire way to make visitors go, "Wow, they certainly know how to brighten up a room in style!" If you answered "chandelier" to either or both of those questions, you are correct! Of course, I could show you a bunch of boring, crystal chandeliers, but that wouldn't be as much fun as these crazy and cool spins on the design. Here you go!

 I'm sure you've seen an antler chandelier somewhere or another.

 This one doesn't even light up, but it's still decorative!

 This must have taken forever to construct.

 Yes, this is a chandelier MADE OF GUMMY BEARS!

 There are tons of octopus chandeliers out on the internet. Check them out!

Finally, here's one entirely made of wire. There's also a cute puppy in there :)

I believe I...

5/6/13 I believe I...am really insignificant. I believe I am also really important. I believe that we all have the ability to change the world.

I'm imagining that at the moment, I am sounding painfully confusing. To begin, you need to imagine how big your city is. It could take a day to walk from one end to the other. Then, imagine how big your county is. To walk from the very outer limits of one town to the opposite end of another, could take a week, depending on where you live. Apply that knowledge to the size of your state, your country, your continent, your planet. It's humongous, and if we didn't have the modes of transportation we have today, getting anywhere would seem nearly impossible.

If Earth is so giant compared to the size of us humans, then take a look at some of the bigger planets, like Jupiter and Saturn. Vast size difference. Our sun is even bigger than that, but if you Google it, and I advise that you do, you'll find a bunch more suns that are ten times bigger. If you compare yourself to some of those almost unimaginable giant stars out there, you'll realize you're a speck. No, less than a speck. You're virtually nothing, and compared to all those other 7 billion specks right along with you, if you were just to drop dead, the universe would still happily exist without you.

To avoid being morbidly depressing, I have a silver lining. Say you were to drop dead, like the scenario above. Only in this scenario, you're zoomed in much, much closer, to, say, your hometown. Your life overlaps with dozens of other lives every day; maybe a car wouldn't have been late if you weren't driving so slow, or maybe an old woman would have fallen and broke a leg if you hadn't have picked up that glass bottle. Any way you put it, whatever you do, every action you make is a change, and that change can impact more than just your own life. Everything you say or do has the potential to alter someone for the better or the worse, and, if what you do is big enough, maybe it can even alter the world. You truly are that important. No matter what you look like, or how smart you are, or how many friends you have, you have the ability to make a choice and make change.

Headboards

5/3/13 The weekend is right around the corner, and one of my favorite weekend activities by far is sleeping. I'm a huge fan of curling up in my blankets and just napping. If you like sleeping in style, then here are a few cool headboards just for you.

 Here is a cheap and chic DIY wood headboard.

 This girly headboard is fanciful and cute.

 Here is a headboard that almost looks like a fireplace mantle.

 Another, more time-consuming DIY project, but for an extra gorgeous effect.

 A new, woven spin on a classic design.

 Headboards can be practical, too. Look at the storage!

If you want to go to the extreme, then here is an aquarium headboard (it's probably pretty pricey).

Mirror, Mirror

5/2/13 What's a necessary part of any home, whether in bedrooms, bathrooms, or any room in between? If you haven't already inferred from the title, this post is about mirrors; they don't have to be only functional. It's mirror-ly marvelous!

 This mirror has a beautiful pattern.

 This mirror is a 2-in-1 -- artwork and a mirror.

 Mirrors don't even have to be on walls. Mirrored furniture is becoming quite a trend as well.

 Instead of mounting a mirror, you can just prop one up against a wall.

Take up a whole wall with a mirror for even more reflection.

Indoor Windows

5/1/13 It's time to break the rules a little bit. Windows have always been panes of glass between the indoors and the outdoors, but what about having windows between two indoor rooms? If you're still unsure, take a peek at some of these snazzy examples.

 This window makes it easy for parents to check in on what looks like a kid's room.

 For apartments that the kitchen sink doesn't face an outside wall, having the window look out at another room is a creative substitute.

 This glass wall between the kitchen and dining room is more appealing than a giant, open space.

 Here is a window between an entry room and a living room.

I love the atmosphere in this room.

 Instead of building the windows into the wall, you can hang them and still have the same effect.

A classy and upscale spin on the idea.

Link to Another Post

5/1/13 A blog that you must, must, must check out is Elena's blog, randomlydaydreaming.blogspot.com. My Random Dream Blog is absolutely hilarious, not to mention that Elena posts with proper grammar, spelling, and a wonderful eloquence that isn't hard to follow.

 One of my favorites is Bread Man, where she -yes, you guessed it- has to give bread to a man who collects it, but then finds barrels of hummus in her fridge (she makes it a lot funnier than I can describe it). I strongly encourage you to take a look at it-- it's my favorite! http://randomlydaydreaming.blogspot.com/2013/04/bread-man.html