The little things.

Let's have a round of applause for the birthday boy. Today is Gideon Sundback's 132nd birthday!

Now I know what's you're thinking, "Who the heck is Gideon Sundback and why is he important?"

And I'll tell you why. Gideon was a Swedish-American electrical engineer who is responsible for the creation of a very convenient and underrated invention: the zipper.

Where would we be without Gideon? Wasting all of our time buttoning up our jackets, that's where.

Before today, I didn't even know he existed. Nor did I give the origins of the zipper much thought. This got me to thinking, just how many things do we overlook and take for granted?

1. The Zipper.

For obvious reasons. The most important being that buttons, though fashion forward, are ridiculous and time-consuming.

2. Doorknobs.

We can't very well go around kicking everybody's doors down every time we want to come over. (Can we..?)

3. Teeth.

I know they're not an invention but come on, teeth are like little bones that stick out of our mouths and help us eat things to stay alive. IS THAT NOT REVOLUTIONARY.

4. Socks.

I don't know if it was a single mastermind or a group effort, but I thank God for the person who invented portable blankets to wear on your feet.

5. Window blinds.

We can basically control the sun. No big deal, right? WRONG.

6. Scissors.

How else could we get Easy-to-Open packages open?

7. Chapstick.

Hallelujah.

8. Wallets.

A convenient carrying case for my hard-earned babysitting ca$h? Count me in.

9. Eyebrows.

Again, not really an invention but definitely a lifesaver.

And finally, 10. YouTube.

I owe 95% of my life to Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. It's one of few websites where you can find both makeup tutorials and people walking llamas.

So don't forget about the little things. Most of them are actually really important, and so are the people who invented them. Happy birthday, Gideon Sundback. #neverforget

I Have A Dream...

Last night, I had a dream. It wasn't a particularly bad one, but it was enough to make me uncomfortable.

I dreamt that, no matter how many times I tried, I couldn't make my bed.

I just kept trying and trying to tuck in my sheets, but every time I did they would pop out a few seconds later. This went on for a good ten minutes. I awoke feeling very uneasy with myself. I looked up what my dream "meant," and was actually surprised at how much sense it made.

• My bed represented my inner thoughts and emotional security. 

• The task of making my bed represented my motivation for change and progress, as well as maturation. 
  

• My inability to complete the task means I am mentally preparing myself for a challenge ahead.

Put it all together and we've got the message of my dream! I'm mentally preparing myself for the progress and maturation of my emotional security. 

Having been dealing with my emotional security a lot these past couple of weeks, this psychoanalysis really hit home. I am ready to progress and reach more stable ground when it comes to my emotional security. Not to say that I'm not comfortable with where my mindset is right now, but I know there's room for improvement. And I'm v excited for this change. 

The website I used is called Dream Analyzer. It's pretty fun inputting your dreams and getting a message out of them. I recommend giving it a shot. You might be surprised at what your subconscious is trying to tell you.

You lift my heart up when the rest of me is down.

SPOILER: THIS BLOG POST CONTAINS MUSIC THAT MIGHT BE TOO AMAZING FOR SOME LISTENERS. HEADPHONES RECOMMENDED.

I first heard about Sam Smith last winter at a dance convention that my dance team and I attended. Chris Jones choreographed us a jazz/hip hop routine to Sam's collaboration with popular British DJ duo Disclosure. In the months that followed the convention, Sam Smith practically exploded into an international phenomenon. 

His debut studio album, In The Lonely Hour, has reached Top Tens charts in several countries and held the #1 spot in England for four consecutive weeks. His powerful and often emotional vocals have captured the hearts of millions, but never the heart he wants. "In The Lonely Hour," he says, "is an album all about unrequited love." 

Let's kick things off with one of the hottest dance tracks of the summer.

1."Latch" by Disclosure ft. Sam Smith

This next song is one of his most famous and loved singles. 

2. "Stay With Me" 

Be careful listening to this one, the chorus will be stuck in your head for the next 24 hours. Don't say I didn't warn you...

3. "Money On My Mind" 

His slower songs are always my favorites. 

4. "I'm Not The Only One" 

This last song is in my Top Five favorite songs of all time. (Fun fact: This song will be my husband's and my First Dance song!)

5. "Lay Me Down" 

In my opinion, Sam Smith is one of the best artists I've come across in my humble sixteen years. I have a different connection to each of his songs. For this reason, I can never get bored of them. I just keep falling in love with them every time I listen to them. 

Here's a bonus song off of his debut EP, Nirvana. 

Bonus: "Nirvana" 

Guess Who's Back

Back again.

Jordyn's back. Tell a friend. 

It feels good to be back! I've missed typing out the random things that pop into my head.

Because it's been a thousand and ten years since I've blogged, I thought I'd help y'all catch up with what's been going on in my life.

• I have fallen in love with so many new (and old) artists over the summer, so I feel like it's my responsibility to share those artists with you in future blogs.
• I went to the beach for the second time, and though I thoroughly enjoyed the company, I still hate the beach.
• I dyed my hair.
• I still don't have enough band tees.
• I learned that it's important to let things break you.
• I decided to let the little things make me just as happy as the big things. 
• I realized just how #blessed I am to have such amazing friends.
• I started caring about football.
• I am now a Chicago Bears fan. 
• And as much as I want the next year and a half to fly by, I'm cherishing every day I have left before I am out of school and have to be an adult. 

This summer was like one big trust fall exercise for me, and I sort of loved it.

The quote I'll close with really resonated with me and my political standpoints. I was touched by the amount of heartfelt thought that went into writing something like that. With the economy the way it is now, I think it's something we all ought to hear and meditate on. To be honest, it changed my life. Without further ado, here it is...

"20 million other white rappers emerge, but no matter how many fish in the sea it'd be so empty without me." -Eminem 

#JulieAndrewsStatus

My Favorite...

Romantic Comedy: When In Rome

Type of Weather: Warm and sunny, with a few cumulus clouds! 

Comic Book As a Kid:  Mary-Kate and Ashley comics

Foreign Accent: South African

Winter Olympic Sport: Ice dancing

Poet: Uncle Walt

Halloween Costume That You've Worn: Alice from Alice in Wonderland

Breakfast Cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds

Political Figure: Justin Bieber #BiebsForPrezzie

Magazine: Seventeen

Toy From Childhood: Buzz Lightyear 

Pie: Chocolate cream

Old Article of Clothing: A hideous baby-blue knitted poncho that I wore every day to school ♥

Day of the Year: A good one. 

Musical Genius: twenty one pilots |-/

Flower: THESE.

Movie Musical: High School Musical 1, 2 & 3 #NOH8

Vegetable: Cucumbers

Screen Kiss: Hook and Emma, duh

Place To Buy Clothes: Forever 21, duh

Phrase To Say: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSS

Childhood Schoolyard Game: FourSquare

Music To Get Your Groove On: Latch. 

Thing About Your Family: We are so dysfunctionally functional. 

Way To Travel: Time.

Cause: STOMP Out Bullying.

Candy Bar: Thingamajigs. 

Thing About Your Work: I get to hang out with the cutest little girls twice a week! And actually get rewarded for it. 

Restaurant You Frequent Regularly: Denny's

School Subject: MATH. 

Horror Movie: The Lorax. 

Photo of Yourself: Easy

Sport To Play: Softball 

Musical Instrument: Violin

Band To See Live: R5 <----- LOOK IT'S ME

Video Game: Mario Party 8

♪ These were a few of my favorite things ♫

Success vs. Success in Life

*Note* Don't hate me. This is an entirely subjective blog post/topic. This is an essay I wrote last week about what success in life means to me. If you completely disagree with me, I love you and your opinions and perspective and don't ever change. If you do agree with me, hello I love you and we are the same person. I just wanted to share my thoughts on this subject without like anybody hating me. Heh. 

Whilst success in certain areas, such as business ventures, is a very common want or goal, success in life is not an attainable achievement. In my opinion, success in life is more of an abstract, ultimate goal than something that can be done. You can be successful in life, but you can't exactly succeed in it. Life is not a game of who can be the richest or who can be the happiest. Life is simply life. Not to say that you can't be rich or happy; in fact, most people would say those are two very important things in life. And while these things may make you be considered successful, they will not help you to succeed in life.

However, in present-day society, it is important to succeed at something. Succeeding is necessary for your self-esteem and motivation. Once you take out the unrealistic want to succeed in life, succeeding at everyday activities becomes much simpler. But not all success shares the same connotation; you can succeed at failing. You can succeed at receiving a high-school diploma, but you can also succeed at being fired. You can succeed at driving your car safely, but you can also succeed at forgetting your wedding anniversary.

In conclusion, not all success is considered equal. Success in many activities is entirely attainable, but success in life is not. Certain types of success are important. People all over the world would benefit greatly choosing to succeed at what they do, rather than try in vain to succeed at life.  

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

Mind Dump

• Why isn't the movie exactly like the book?
• THAT'S NOT FAIR.
• I actually hope we don't ever have the technology that can read dogs' minds. 
• I can't wait for dinner.
• What if they think about taking over the world?
• #IgnoranceisBliss
• Maybe I'll get pancakes.
• But yeah NOT FAIR.
• I wonder what Harry Styles is doing at this exact moment. 
• When was the last time I watched The Parent Trap?
• Seems like it's been a while.
• If John was there during filming, why would he let them move such an important scene?
• What if the pancakes are rubber-y?
• There's nothing worse than rubber-y pancakes.
• Why did it take me so long to understand Marlin's anemone joke? 
• Is that how you spell anemone?
• Is that how you pronounce anemone?
• Details, details, diddly-doo.
• Omg the Oscars are tonight.
• I wonder what Jennifer Lawrence is going to wear.
• Can I call her Jen? 
• I wish I had a cat.
• Jenny?
• I'd name him Sylvester. 
• Ooh or maybe Albert Felinestein.
• And I could dress him up all the time.
• He'd be internet famous.
• Nah, I'll just stick with calling her Jennifer Lawrence. 
• What if Robert Downey Jr. ran for office?
• I wish people would learn how to park.
• Hey, I need to learn how to park.
• Hey, I need to learn how to drive.
• Hey, I need to learn how to order my own ketchup.
• Maybe I'll just bring my own.
• Is that socially acceptable?
• You know what's not socially acceptable? Cargo pants.
• So no one told you life was gonna be this way...
• #ClapClapClapClap
• I like saying Chewetel Ejiofor.
• I think Oprah's going to be at the Oscars.
• I wonder what it's like to be Oprah.
• Wait, is Kate Middleton pregnant or not.
• I want to be Katy Perry for Halloween.
• Scratch that, I just want to be Katy Perry.
• Where the heck did Adele go?
• Nevermind, we'll find someone like her.
• instantrimshot.com
• Omg I'm so excited for dinner. 
• Spaghetti or pancakes? That is the question.
• WHY DOESN'T GUS TELL HER ON THE PLANE.

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

Cringe Attacks and Doctor Whooves

*cue nostalgic background music*

I took the time to reread all of my blog posts because I thought, "Why not? Let's see how you've grown over the past year or so." 

But that was a terrible idea because then I had to face.....................

A CRINGE ATTACK

If you haven't suffered from a Cringe Attack, then you are NOT HUMAN. You're probably like a pony or a Time Lord or something. Maybe both. Idk. I'd see a Doctor about that. 

A Cringe Attack is one of the worst possible feelings known to man. It is unavoidable, unless you're capable of making smart decisions 24/7. In which case, you might be Beyoncé and may be eligible for compensation. 

Cringe Attacks come out of literal nowhere. They form in a black hole at the edge of the universe and wait until you least expect it. And then BAM! Cringe Attack. 

There you are, aimlessly scrolling down your newsfeed... When suddenly, all you can think about is that time you mispronounced a word in front of your peers. Then it's all over, your day/week/month has been tainted by Cringe Essence. You will now hate yourself until you redeem yourself. But then you'll have another Cringe Attack and the process will repeat indefinitely. Soz. 

"Foreigners came cringing to me; as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me." 2 Samuel 22:45