Snow day Reset

Here's to hitting the reset button; taking a Snow Day to it's fullest potential by stressing on the screw-ups of seven days passed with the intent of erasing them once the snow starts to melt. To resetting your stress and starting from scratch, and to taking criticism when you were almost certain you were successful. Here's to fearing yourself enough to think so hard about a do-over, and actually getting one.

*Cheers!

Unforgettable Times

Here's to unforgettable times with unforgettable friends. To Ashley squeezing hours of space into one night and making it simply a Tara and Ashley night; Here's to hearing you're amazing from amazing people, and to feeling loved by one of your loves! To my creativity-driven, free-spirited life-long friend,

*Cheers!

Hard work.

Here's to the day after Hump Day, knowing you only have two days left with the pile of work in front of you, and you're only two days away from a two day break. Here's to working ferociously through that work, so much so that the time seems to fly by and before you know it, it's Friday, late afternoon. Here's to working hard. Really hard.

*Cheers!

Twisting Free

Here's to twisting yourself free, from the tangling thoughts holding your mind hostage. To clearing your head and taking a breath, and to silence. Here's to a stop to all the chaos around you. To finally chasing away the pressure, and opening up. Here's to winning the battle in your head.
*Cheers!

Manic Mondays

Here's to the days full of mania, bustling around you, and you simply having the strength to wake up!

*Cheers!

New inspiration

Here's to a simple idea being planted in someone's mind... Being rooted in your thoughts and becoming your true identity. To realizing that all you need is a shove in the right direction, even if it's not one you know. To a simple idea growing into your new inspiration, and to confessing to your own hesitations so that you can muster up the strength to carry out your true fixations. Here's to you, beautiful and intelligent, and always looking ahead.

*Cheers!

A New Job

Here's to the temporary end of a seemingly endless search. To giving yourself to the order of another, and getting paid to do it. Here's to subordination, benefits, and holidays we all deserve off. And to landing a job, regardless of the position, when you almost lost hope.

*Cheers!

Trying Times

Here's to not knowing what else to say; to losing your train of thought but knowing it's somewhere in there. To new beginnings for others and the same ol' same ol' for yourself; reminding you that your time is coming. Here's to toughing it out, and not trying to escape the trying times before you. To holding on to your strongest beliefs, and to your passion bringing you back when nothing else can.

*Cheers.

A Road of Firsts

Here's to road-tripping across NY state, in company you didn't know and didn't grow to hate. To cramming 21 years of life into a 14 hr conversation, and to trusting there'd be no judgment, regardless of how reckless your life may appear. Here's to trusting yourself to make the right decisions, even if everyone around you thinks insanity got the best of you. To making the trip and making new friends, and to not worrying about what happens next.

*Cheers!

Defying Gravity

Here's to those of us who refuse to believe that we're glued to the ground... Unafraid to climb higher and higher and stay there. To never looking down and always reaching for the sky, and to proving the world wrong. To defying gravity as a force keeping you down, defying the laws of physics that say it's impossible. To reaching the top (as you always pictured it), and always knowing you'd get there.

*Cheers!

Toughin it Out

Here's to 48 more hours... Ready to bounce but bound here for two more shifts, angry the tempe will hit triple digits on moving day.. To always working until my final hour, and to continuous stress that will soon come to an end. Here's to leaving a family I've grown to love flaws and all, and returning home to mama and papa and lily and gav and trishy, and of course, bestie!!! Here's to the end of my Philadelphia damage, and the start of my NYC rampage. To not knowing what the hell will happen next,

*Cheers!

Changing Surroundings

Here's to all of us that love the nights, that are not too warm and not too cool but just right. To the busy Hudson crashing along the Brooklyn shore, and to AMAZINGLY de-lic Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory ice cream. Here's to living for the night, and loving all the lights that come along with it. To missing the stars and finding the perfect park to stargaze, and to knowing your limits to city life. Here's to escaping to and from urbanity, as often as you can.

*Cheers!

A Break from the Weather

Here's to a day that started extra gloomy, with the skies crying softly for 8 hrs straight. To the end of the day brightening and drying up, and to the sun poking out for the last few hours of daylight. To anticipating the end of the storm, knowing that it's coming even when the chances seem rather bleak. Here's to making it through the rain, and a final break from the dreary weather.

*Cheers!

Bummy Beach Days

Here's to setting a deadline for the early hours, then planning absolutely nothing for the mid-hours. To spending the day laying out in the sand, as if you have not a care in the world. Here's to working on hard sometimes so that you can relax on a beach in the summertime. To 101 degree days and enough sun to bronze your skin, enough ocean to cool you down, and enough waves to sing you to sleep.

*Cheers!

To the Lovely Ashley

Here's to being carefree. To dropping everything; picking back up somewhere new; and not being afraid to. Here's to your irresistible optimism; And your beautiful charm that wins you your way almost always. To being Ashley, the inspiration and creative being that some of us sometimes look for when we're slightly lost and unsure what to do. Here's to being so amazing, and making others realize they're amazing too.

*Cheers!

On Independence Day

Here's to the day of our independence. The day when we, women and men, are allowed to celebrate our independence; owning ourselves and the decisions we make. To feeling somewhat free of the binding forces behind some governments, and to participating in the ways we know how when it's absolutely necessary. To being free, and chasing the American dream.

*Cheers!

To Your Smile

Here's to the smile that sometimes leaves your face; to the bright, wide, grin that brightens everyone's day. And to feeling truly joyous that its spread across your face. Here's to your happiness, making others have to smile, and to remembering when you're down that someone else can and will make you smile.

*Cheers!

To the End of the Road

Here's to taking off. On a seemingly never-ending journey, and finding your way to an end. To setting extremely tight deadlines and somewhat meeting them, and to keeping your head on straight when you were tested in your confidence. Here's to knowing that you are the end all-be all in your life. To not relying on slacker partners, but knowing when it's ok to trust someone else. To officially, completing the road to your degree,

*Cheers!

To Monumental Mistakes

Here's to getting so caught up in your head, and so focused in one area that you forget about everything else and make at least one monumental mistake a week. To brushing it off and acting like it doesn't matter, even though you know it could mean something big. To ignoring the annoying voice in your head that tells you to buy a planner and actually use it this time... To brushing it off and acting like it doesn't matter, even though you know it does. It does matter, so here's to you finding a way to fix it.

*Cheers!

To Countdowns

Here's to the people that live by countdowns; either weeks, days, hours or minutes you just need to know how close you are to wrap up. To people who test their patience by setting obscene deadlines and to knowing counting down only makes time pass slower but still counting down anyway. Here's to two and a half more weeks of separation from my loves... NY and DC respectively.

*Cheers!

A Toast to Thr3e

I've been waiting a long time for Thr3e's album to drop, and now that it has, I am more than elated to replay "Nervous" over and over again on my Itunes! In honor of last night's album release party, and in the spirit of champagne drinkers all over,

Here's to Thr3e gentlemen with the drive to do something big; to chasing your dreams and never giving in. To being patient enough to produce something so beautiful; and bringing your crowd to tears of joy and awe at all you have achieved. To your album release and staying true to the music we all have come to love, and to being Thr3e of the most talented young brothas left in the game. As you all like to say, "so it was written, so it shall be sung."

*Cheers!

To Paranoid Over Achievers

My partner and I are both worried about this Multimedia Urban Reporting Lab we're enrolled in, because quite frankly, it's nerve racking having a story chopped up for technicalities! But this week, we can both breathe a little easy. Earning 18.5 out of 20 possible points for our project on Philly ASAP (After School Activities Partnership), take a look at what we're up to here. Focusing on their Philly Girls Play Chess Tournament recently held at Drexel University, I've become slightly proud and inspired by our dedication and erratic over thinking of every project in this course.

Here's to thinking you'll never figure it out.. To feeling like your creativity will no longer advance, and then proving yourself wrong. Here's to giving 110 percent, even if the desired outcome isn't always what you hoped. To achieving things you never imagined you could, and to never letting it go to your head. Here's to the paranoid over achievers, don't deny it. It's who you are, and it's a good thing!

*Cheers!

To Political Junkies

I did a creative version of this toast on Forbidden Language called For the Love of Junkies and thought it deserved a toast here.

Here's to the political junkies of the world; we all share a common desire. To cravings we cannot help but satisfy, and fixes we find to temporarily satisfy us. Here's to the junkies of the world, who are aware of their problem and quite comfortable with being accused of being a politico. To scratching your itch.

*Cheers!

A Toast for Memorial Day

Here's to the Marines, Seamen and Sailors; that wear their uniforms so crisp and pristine. To serving the country and looking great while you do it; and for being proud Americans. Here's to NY fleet week, the only week that rings in the "real" start of summer. Happy Memorial Day,

*Cheers!

Beating the Odds

Here's to beating the odds; overcoming certain failure by simply seeing something through. To dropping the stress and gaining the strength, and to surpassing all those that thought you wouldn't make it. Here's to all nighters making that possible.

*Cheers!

Trying Something New

Here's to not being afraid of the unknown; or not showing that you're afraid. To trying something and believing things will work out; to believing your ability to be successful at something new. Here's to attempting a different art; even if it's not your type of art.

*Cheers!

A Toast to Writers

Here's to every individual that's ever said something profound; whether it be small or large, simple or complex. To your heartfelt congratulations and your skill in picking out the perfect card when you weren't sure exactly what to say. Here's to having favorite authors, who occasionally you may steal a line or two from. To you, being a fabulous writer and not even knowing it.

*Cheers!

The Sun After the Rain

Here's to the sun finally gracing us with its presence; after three days of mugginess and two full of rain; to waiting it out in the Saxby's Coffee Shop; to making old acquaintances. Here's to bouncy playlists getting us all through this. Welcome back sun!

*Cheers!

To The Coffee Spillers

I know I'm not the only one..

Here's to the ladies who struggle down the street with a cup of steaming coffee; who spill three or four times before they reach their destination. To having a back up tee or blouse in your over-sized bag because you KNOW you are clumsy. Here's to being one with your clumsiness and overcoming it.

*Cheers!

To Focus

Here's to the focused, determined individuals that are blind to the outside world because they're too focused on the task at hand. To knowing the extent to which we must go; and knowing the limits to which we can stretch. Here's to finding a way to levy your stress and produce your best,

*Cheers!

To Final Chapters

Here's to the home stretch; the final chapter of your college career. Get it done.

*Cheers!

To 2010 Graduates

Sorry for not posting yesterday; I was kinda busy trying to make it to commencement..

Here's to the Class of 2010; entering a world of uncertainties with confidence and elegance; intellect and determination; and optimism. Here's to being excited about the unknown; eager to take a leap; and ready for life's next chapter. Here's to 2010 graduates; who have every reason to be proud of themselves and no reason to doubt themselves. Here's to us; making it.

*Cheers!

Here's to Feel Good Music; and its ability to bring us all out of funky moods when we need it to; for letting us scream when we fight so hard not to; and for making us cry when we really need to. Here's to the sounds that match our hearts and allow us to be the real us, whether we want to or not.

*Cheers!

Home Sweet Home

Here's to your return; to a place you know will always be there but sometimes feel you need to see. To being comfortable in your skin and comfortable in your home; because no one will judge you and everybody loves you. Here's to making it home (even if it is only for a few days).

*Cheers!

Powerful Confident Women

President Obama nominated Elena Kagan to fill Justice Stevens' Supreme Court seat... I'm a little inspired*

Here's to all the women I know; strong, beautiful and powerful; exuding confidence in everything we do. Here's to owning the room with your presence no matter how physically small you appear.. To knowing what you want and not being afraid to go after it (even if it's uncommon for a woman to achieve it). Here's to women making it to the top,

*Cheers!

A Toast to Mom

Here's to being a beautiful mother; with love and care in all that you do, I love you. To being strong and supportive of those all around you; and to never doubting that I will go far in life. Here's to mastering the art of motherhood,

*Cheers!

Happy Mother's Day

A Toast to CBCF*

Here's to the man that's been here for us these past four months; with such positive advice and motivating presence, you have convinced me of my role in all of this. Here's to strict deadlines and a tough but necessary stance on life; you have instilled in me the Washingtonian air that I know I will come across again in the near future.

*Cheers!

Extended Family

DC has made me an emotional person. smh.

Here's to the big sister-types I've run into in DC. You have made me feel at home, and you have made me feel welcomed. Thank you for looking out for me; you will be missed. Here's to quick coffee runs and Union Station trips; 4th floor lap-talks and make-up application 101 in the ladies room. Here's to living the Hill life; and here's to being beautiful and fabulous.

*Cheers!

Fortress of Possibilities

I'm getting a little nostalgic being on the Hill for my last couple of days.. that's my disclaimer.

Here's to a great city; that somehow makes me feel at home and reassures me that big things will happen. Here's to a love affair with 24/7 bright lights on Capitol Hill; and a fortress of possibilities in my backyard. Here's to the A-Type personalities I've borrowed habits from.

*Cheers!

The Unknown

Here's to not knowing where you'll be in 60 days... to stressing about the options; and to realizing that with significant consequences eventually will come significant rewards. Here's to being daring; taking chances on life and not being afraid to admit when you've made a mistake.

*Cheers!

Manic Monday

Here's to the beginning of the end, when you're so anxious to start something new yet so sad to say goodbye and you manage to leave all important materials on your bed... And to the crazies that show up in the morning to enhance your mundane Mondays...

*Cheers!

Saturday Morning wake ups

Here's to turning over at 11am and not feeling like you're two hours late for work. To bright rays of sun bleeding through the blinds, and text messages you missed from the night before that are sure to make you smile.

*Cheers!

Flaws

To those not afraid of their flaws; not afraid to accept them, and not afraid to embrace them. Here's to knowing that perfect doesn't exist and that flaws only enhance who we are. Without them, we'd all be lifeless walking figures with the same expression on our faces and same pattern in our paces. Here's to being one with your flaws.

*Cheers!

Coffee Addiction

Here's to the addicts; who get the splitting headaches in the morning and can't deal without 16 ounces. Here's to having a remedy for your stress. Here's to coffee stained white blouses.

*Cheers!

Dreamers

Here's to the dreamers; who may sometimes feel their dreams are unattainable, but live everyday fighting that notion. Who find the balance between reality and fantasy, but sometimes bridge the divide and manage to realize their fantasies. Here's to owning your dreams, and not being afraid to dream bigger than you. When you let go of that fear and start to realize that nothing's bigger than you, only then may your dreams come true.

*Cheers!

To Nerves

Here's to being nervous; to making the decision to turn nerves into confidence; and execution that results in victory. Here's to all the butterflies that flutter in our tummies when we walk across a stage, but seem to disappear as soon as we walk off. To turning our weaknesses into our momentary strengths,

*Cheers!

Weekend Withdrawal

Here's to late Sunday/early Mondays... when the weekend is officially over and all of your excuses for laziness no longer hold for the work week ahead. Here's to getting it done.

*Cheers!

Sunday

Here's to Sunday afternoons when lounging around and watching Roswell reruns is slightly ok.

*Cheers!

Committment

Here's to staying committed. When we do things we know need to be done no matter how hard our body fights us not to. Here's to owning your responsibilities (regardless of what day of the week it is and the tom foolery you were involved in the night before!)

*Cheers!

TGIF

Here's to Fridays; always sneaking up after a hectic/dramatic/stressful week; and never failing to disappoint come 5pm. Here's to spending the afternoon thinking about what type of trouble to get into after hours, and most importantly, for reminding you that you survived it all for one more week.

*Cheers!

A Toast to Layla

Here's to a woman full of spunk and beauty; wishing you success and happiness as you move forward in life. Your presence has never gone unnoticed; your brilliance is not a secret; and your determination only adds to your resilience. Farewell Ms. Southern Belle,

*Cheers!

AM Toast

Here's to the sun; shining so bright this morning I didn't even need an alarm!

*Cheers!

The end of the day.

Here's to the end of the day. When you struggle to make it through 2 and 3 o' clock, then something comes up to keep you busy til 6. And to picture day; a snap shot of our lives that no matter how quick it was over will last a lifetime. To motivated staff,

*Cheers!

Inspiring Voices

Here's to all the people that have touched our lives; either by speaking some insightful truth, or by simply saying hello. These inspiring voices linger on forever, so remember that when you're not sure we heard you the first time, we will hear you the next.

*Cheers!

To New Beginnings

As my first official toast:

Here's to rainy days; when getting out of bed seems impossible but you manage to do it anyway because everyday, is a new day. Here's to you; for challenging mother nature's attempt to hold you back.

*Cheers!