Ringing in the New Year....

2009 has already proved to be a year full of changes….
Yet whatever the new year brings, whether new challenges or opportunities or...whatever….

I hope you cannon-ball right in...
If it’s something new, I hope there’s someone there to help you out (even when others stare in disbelief at you)...

Maybe make a new friend to enjoy the scenery with...

Hope for growth, even if on a tiny scale…(even molecular)...

We all know, there will be days when everything feels sluggish...

When you feel the wait is too long…(and the place you wait at is super-stinky and hot)...

The tasks of life seem so tall and too overwhelming (and craning your neck is begginning to hurt you)...

You feel small compared to others...(and insignificant too)...

Or you’re uncertain of who you are or what you want to be…(and everyone else can see how silly you're acting)...

Just remember to keep a “thumbs-up” attitude …(having goggles can help)...

Maybe start looking at things from a different perspective...(from a kid's point-of-view)...

Listen to the words of a caring family member or friend…(psssst....you smell like dirt)...

Embrace the ones you love…(even the crazy ones)...

Take a look around…(or sneak-a-peak if you must)...

You just might find the rainbow you were looking for...(sorry, pots of golds don't exist here)...

Or that prize you were aiming for… (even the cardboard ones)...

Because remember, the sky’s the limit…

You can be and do anything you want (in whatever fashion suits YOU best)…

And if you have a difficulty getting out of that zombie-downer phase, remember, those near-and-dear to you will gladly “take care” of you…

Happy New Year!!!
2009!

~rachel

The Engagement on the Cliffs

He had it all planned out to the “T”, cause he is that organized. Or so he says. As his younger sister, it is my job to point out (and make fun of) his faults. Organized? Only in his head….. Just kidding, bro! It was Thanksgiving weekend of last year, and our family went on a little vacation to Rhode Island. It was interesting to say the least…8 adults and one baby in a minuscule one-bedroom apartment. We made the best of it, and as uncomfortable (and tight) as it was, it was one of the funniest family vacations ever. It was that weekend though, that Jonathan my older brother made the life-changing decision to ask his girlfriend Jasmine to be his wife…
There’s a place by the water and mansions called “The Forty Steps”. Basically, a stone staircase encased within the natural geology of the cliff and a beautiful view of the ocean. My brother and Jasmine where in the upper section of the cliff, and Jason and I waited below, nearer the water, to have a better view of the proposal (and of course make believe we didn’t know what was going on cause it was a surprise!) So while we waited, Jason and I took silly pictures of ourselves “holding” the moon. Before we knew it, I saw my brother give a little box to Jasmine, a little box he carefully made and filled with things that had meaning to the both of them. When she finally got to the most important item, Jonathan at that point got on his knee, and in the beautiful (and freezing!) cliff, with the pinks and purples of twilight washing the skies, he asked her to be his life partner, his life-long best friend, his partner in crime, his wife. This is a year long overdue...congrats guys!!
*I've also added a couple other pictures I've taken of them over the year*

He's got the moon in his hands!! =)

~rachel

'Tis the Season....

The season when all of NJ's worst drivers and worst attitudes come out in people. I find it difficult to keep my sanity while on the road, so in this month, I drive extremely careful, and defensive, and ignore the beepings and high-beamings from the *insert not-so-nice word here* drivers out there. And I merrily sing along with my ipod to keep my frustration in check.

‘Tis also the season of thankfulness, merriness, and celebration, not only for miracles {I have a specific miracle in mind ;)}, but for families and friends, near and far. Even though it has become a pain and annoyance just to leave the house, the thankfulness, merriness, and celebration surely does outweigh all the craziness of this current world. So let’s be thankful for everything, be merry in everything, and celebrate everything with those you love most dearly.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

~rachel