what the friday

happy friday, y'all! 

here's a dose of fun for your weekend pleasure. 

what i've been listening to this week:

your own religion

tv girl

cough syrup

young the giant

(bathing caps, glitter in speakers, and synchronized swimming, what's not to love?!)

walk
foo fighters
(dave. friggin. grohl!!!)

irresistible force
jane's addiction

everywhere i go
lissie

in the sunshine
a b & the sea


watching:
oprah's lifeclass


reading/writing: 
my 5-year goal setting journal


surfing:
mfamb
atlantic-pacific
calliespondence 
(and working on putting together my holiday cards IN ADVANCE, thanks, Callie!)
sketch42
rise
(which happens to be my wickedawesome big sister's blog about boot camp and other antics... more on that soon!)


... and catching up on everyone i know via fb, twitter, pinterest, instagram, polyvore... what else am i ON?! 
this computer is rocking my face off. 
but if i don't put it down, my face may fall off. 
i'm off to bed! 
good stuff next week, you guys. thank you for coming back, for reading again, and for continuing to inspire me!
hope you have a beautiful weekend. 
xo


ps. stay cool this weekend. 
like my friend
ice-t

(thanks, e; made. my. day. love you!)

farewell, oprah

i started watching you when i was 8 years old. 

i have watched you regularly since.

you have influenced me in ways 

i'm sure even i don't realize. 

your words have inspired me my whole life; 

i went to school for journalism because of you. (well, you, and because i thought i could 

get a job at "wild on e!".) 

because of you i take my two young daughters with me to read to a kindergarten class at an 

elementary school most friday mornings. 

because of you i followed my husband's lead to mentor, befriend, and befamily a very special, hardworking, deserving single mother and her five children, whom we have loved for over 8 years now, and will continue to love and watch grow throughout their lives. 

because of you i have been able to come to terms with personal experiences of sexual abuse, and know that it was not my fault. and that i don't have to live in that experience.

because of you i have had the added courage to live a life in God; embracing his will and plan for me and my path...His path.

you have inspired me to give back in so many ways, to seek my best life with honesty and integrity.

because of you i know i am sacred and have value, just the way i am. 

your loving, confident radiance has not only touched mine & my family's lives, but of course millions of others around the world. 

i am so sad to see you go, but so inspired and excited to see what you do next. 

the world has never known one like you.

so keep on building, dreaming, growing, and sharing... we still need you, oprah. 

(think i've been listening to a little too much aretha tonight, but go with me...)

i've been seeing all of the commercials asking "where will you be?" during the last 

Oprah Winfrey show in history. 

unfortunately i won't be watching it live; i will have to wait to see it on dvr. 

because one of the precious daughters of that single mother i mentioned is graduating from high school tomorrow, and it is my honor & privilege to attend the ceremony; to see her walk across that stage with her head held high because she created a better future for herself. 

the ceremony starts at 6... but i don't want to be late. 

its important.

i'm sure you understand. 

thank you for 25 years. 

here's to many more... to your next chapter.

xo

soundtrack for a revolution

"I woke up this morning with my mind 

stayed on freedom...

hallelujah

hallelujah

hallelujah

I'm walking and talking with my mind

stayed on freedom...

hallelujah

hallelujah

hallelujah"

i have missed you all! busy busy busy busy busy... but am watching this incredible documentary as i work on some other posts... had to share. 

WATCH IT. 

it is heartbreaking, eye opening, heart warming, convicting, beautiful. 

and the music is just gorgeous. 

last week my Oprah had an incredibly moving show, reuniting 178 participants in the freedom rides, 50 years later. i was crying when the lights went up. 

if this is sitting in your dvr queue, 
you need to watch it.

continue singing, continue educating, 

continue dreaming, continue loving. 

because "ordinary" people 

can 

do 

extraordinary 

things.

ps! on may 16th, pbs is airing a special on the freedom riders. i am definitely making plans to watch it!

xo