Put your hearts up

I have always read in a lot of books, blogs, etc. that your thoughts define your reality. Like, if you think positive, beautiful thoughts about yourself and others, your life will begin to change, too. I always accepted that as a given. I mean, it makes sense. But I never really thought about putting it into practice.

The past couple of weeks, I have really made an effort to be much more positive. Not getting annoyed easily, smiling a lot more, and making the best of the beautiful life I have been blessed with. And I can honestly say, it has worked. I honestly feel so much more love around me and in my heart :) It's a truly wonderful feeling!

And this afternoon, as I was listening to Ariana Grande (love her music!) I really started thinking more about positivity. Her music and her message is all about love - loving and accepting others and yourself, and just being a beacon of positivity and happiness :)

This gets me onto my next thought...I am a Christian. A Catholic, to be exact. At university, I have made a lot of new friends, and the majority of them are non-denominational Christians. I love them to bits, but there is one thing we often don't agree on - and that is our beliefs about heaven. They believe that giving your life to Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. And I won't insult that belief, because that is what they believe and I accept that.

By contrast, I have always believed that if you are a wonderful person, living by Christian values, you are ultimately connected to God - because God is love, and you are showing love. However, because I spend so much time with my Christian friends, I have adopted a mindset of judgement that I really don't like. For example, I will see a person who is not Christian, and my mind will automatically think "ooh dear that person has got it wrong." I hate how my thoughts reflect a mindset of superiority.

I want to get rid of this mindset. I want to focus on spreading the love to those who need it, to light up people's days :) I want to stop judging people in my head. Of course I will remain firm in my Catholic beliefs, but I honestly believe if I have a more open, positive mind, I can improve my own life, and that of others :)

"If we give a little love maybe we can change the world"
- Ariana Grande

Pics via weheartit♥

I built my own kingdom in your eyes...now I'm homesick

"Are you even listening when I talk to you
Do you even care what I'm going through?
Your eyes stare and they're staring right through me
You're right there but it's like you never knew me
Do you even know how much it hurt?
When you gave up on me to be with her...
Revenge is sweeter than you ever were"
The Veronicas

My little kingdom is tumbling down...clouding over. My prince has found another princess and it hurts hurts hurts. Please forgive my little patch of quiet♥
xx

Start running

Me and my life of the moment. I just want to be me

I'm putting my foot down
Not getting pushed around
They should be ashamed of all the junk they fed to us
And are you having fun
Shaking hands and pleasing everyone?
We're on a diet of manufactured fruit loops and bubblegum

They try to get into your heads
But in the end, you're only as good as
The next worst thing that's coming
Everybody should start running
When we gonna back out
Anybody know how
When we gonna back out
Back to being real now

It's monkey see, monkey do
Simon says play along but I don't want to
Who is he to tell me what to think and what to do?

It's always greed, greed, greed
How many Benjamins do you really need?
Don't want a puppet master pulling on my strings

They try to get into your heads
But in the end, you're only as good as
The next worst thing that's coming
Everybody should start running
When we gonna back out
Anybody know how
When we gonna back out
Back to being real now

What are we living for?
What are we longing for?
What are we waiting for?
I think you know, lets go

They try to get into your heads
But in the end, you're only as good as
The next worst thing that's coming
Everybody should start running

They try to get into your heads
But in the end, you're only as good as
The next worst thing that's coming
Everybody should start running
When we gonna back out
Anybody know how
When we gonna back out
Back to being real now

Lyrics from "The Next Worst Thing" by 78Violet
Pictures www.weheartit.com

xx
♥

lost in a moment

when school work piles up, and life becomes a big blur, i will sit and draw a star, a moon, a heart, and smile. because in the midst of everyone's stress and fear, life really is so beautiful. you just need to take a moment to realise it. ♥

Courtney☮

pictures:

www.weheartit.com

life is....a bit a of a whirl recently. losses and gains, photos and tears. my darling kitty cat always makes me laugh though, in the hardest times. i am so busy busy at the moment, so please forgive for not blogging so often. today was a tough day - neverending pages of homeowork, then my messy room to clean after a whole week of sadness, sitting and not knowing. never knowing

♥

xx

photo www.weheartit.com

Take a picture, it will last longer

Photography. i am doing photography! And I am soooo happy it isn't history. See, the social studies class got canceled, and the teacher put me in history, which for me pretty much means the end of the world! Buuut photography popped up out of nowhere and saved me. How I love it already♥

Courtney

xx

school time

Whenever someone asks me if I'm looking forward to school, I have no idea what to say. Part of me is longing to get back into a routine, see all my friends, do new subjects (drama, classical studies and social studies), and new classes. But the other is yearning to stay sleeping in under my lavender sheets, to stay slowed down, and never have to speed up again. I want to stay in a world of sun, beaches, icecream, fun, long car trips and travels and endless free time. Only having to think when I'm writing or reading - my loves. I can only be optimistic♥

Courtney

xxx

Licorice

A new kitten for my family and I. Licorice is his name, because of his fur. He is lots of fun to play with, and loves to run around after wool, balls, and curl up on cushions and have a little catnap. He is very gentle♥

Courtney

xx

we are one tonight

dreaming in the car while listening to my ipod. i love love love long trips, don't you? to be able to sit in the car for hours on end, watching the world go by while sweet music fills your ears. then a blue sea, even though the sky was a little grey, it was still warm. laughter of little children - brothers and sisters and cousins. a tiny cousin collecting jellyfish for her little dug "jellyfish pool". then three generations shopping along the tiny streets, little boutiques, a divine shoeshop and a dress that didn't quite fit. a new (pink) sarong. all the while texting with my best best friend, and someone sweet... Finally home after a long day, a lovely summery dinner cooking in the kitchen. another new day tomorrow, what adventures does it hold?♥
Love, Courtney
xx

new year, new header

I think a new year deserves a new header, don't you? I have changed a lot since my last header...I think this one expresses me a lot more

Courtney

xoxo

one sparkly summer

Wow, the summer holidays have whisked time away - I never realised how long it has been since I last blogged! However I was away from the computer for two weeks, camping at the beautiful sparkly sea. My holidays have flown by and I can't believe it's less then 3 weeks before school starts again!

My days have been filled with a magical Christmas, a new camera, lots of pretty gifts, many new friends, laughs and smiles with my family, NCEA Level 1 passed with excellence!, chocolate, GirlForce, sand between my toes, movies under the stars, and smooth, pretty purple shells found in a little cove, which now lie on my windowsill. I also got a temporary airbrush tattoo of a butterfly on my shoulder!

Such sweet things :)
Oh, and a huge thankyou to the worlds most amazing bestie, Seli for this cute award:)
Love, Courtney

xoxo

a little lonely

life gets very quiet and lonely when he isn't here

pictures www.weheartit.com

you're my wonderwall

its ironic that i stumbled that wonderwall image because my....favourite school band :) played that song and it was just beautiful. they also played sweet child o' mine, and i loved that to bits as well:)

yay it's the holidays! or, as my principal so charmingly put it "study break" hmmmmmmm but i will like to have some fun too! i already have - i went skiing yesterday, followed by a swim in blissful hotpools! mmmm it was so much fun!

oh, i have to go now, but i will leave you with the wonderwall lyrics,
Courtney
xoxo

Today is gonna be the day

That they're gonna throw it back to you

By now you should've somehow

Realized what you gotta do

I don't believe that anybody

Feels the way I do about you now

Backbeat the word was on the street

That the fire in your heart is out

I'm sure you've heard it all before

But you never really had a doubt

I don't believe that anybody feels

The way I do about you now

And all the roads we have to walk along are winding

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding

There are many things that I would

Like to say to you

I don't know how

Because maybe

You're gonna be the one who saves me ?

And after all

You're my wonderwall

Today was gonna be the day?

But they'll never throw it back to you

By now you should've somehow

Realized what you're not to do

I don't believe that anybody

Feels the way I do

About you now

And all the roads that lead to you were winding

And all the lights that light the way are blinding

There are many things that I would like to say to you

I don't know how

I said maybe You're gonna be the one who saves me ?

And after all

You're my wonderwall

I said maybe

You're gonna be the one who saves me ?

And after all

You're my wonderwall

Said maybe

You're gonna be the one that saves me

You're gonna be the one that saves me

You're gonna be the one that saves me

i miss you

i'm singing in the rain

yes, it is spring, but the sun is being such a tease - out one day, hiding the rest.

oh how i wish i could say hang up your umbrellas! the sun is shining!

in other musings...Paramore's song Let the Flames Begin from their album Riot! has been on repeat on my ipod for days and days...

What a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.

A memory remains just a tiny spark.

I give it all my oxygen,to let the flames begin.

to let the flames begin.

Oh, glory.

Oh, glory.

This is how we'll dance when,

When they try to take us down.

This is what will be.

Oh, glory.

Somewhere weakness is our strength,

And I'll die searching for it.

I can't let myself regret such selfishness.

My pain and all the trouble caused,

No matter how long

I believe that there's hope

Buried beneath it all and

Hiding beneath it all, and

Growing beneath it all, and...

This is how we'll dance when,

When they try to take us down

This is how we'll sing it.

This is how we'll stand when

When they burn our houses down.

This is what will be.

Oh, glory.

Reaching as I sink down into light.

Reaching as I sink down into light.

This is how we'll dance when,

When they try to take us down

This is how we'll sing it.

This is how we'll stand when,

When they burn our houses down.

This is what will be.Oh, glory.

hello kitty and a huge card.

hello everyone!

i was so happy to check my computer this morning and see 2 posts from lily of Pixie Dust and Rose Petals! it is one of my favourite blogs and it made me, and im sure many others, smile, as it is one of my favourite blogs, so cute and imaginative.

i had a wonderful morning this morning, the sun is shining and i can see summer is on the way!:) as i was sleeping in my lovely warm bed, dreaming of being a princess in a sunny, far away land, my dad came in with a huge package from Taiwan! i realised it was a lovely present from my buddy Minnie, who stayed in New Zealand for a few weeks, and i looked after her for a while when her group was at my school. she is such a wonderful wonderful friend, and even though i just met her, we could talk about anything, laugh and take silly pictures on her camera:) she is back in Taiwan now:( and i miss her a lot, so it was wonderful to receive a huge, beautiful card with fun pictures of us and a message on it, plus an adorable Hello Kitty pencil case! i love it so much and i must remember to send her something equally as special!

i have been very busy at the moment, studying for practice exams which are next week! i must be off to the library later to study study study! there is oh so much to remember.

also, my handsome prince had a accident at the snow, and was in hospital for a while but is now back on his feet, and smiling again:)

i joined a youth group on friday nights and it is so much fun and very inspiring.

oh, well, i must be off now

have a lovely lovely day!

xo

courtney

A tag, a rollercoaster and the fearfall!

Hello darlings!
I had a wonderful time yesterday at Rainbow's End theme park for my friend's birthday! It was my first time and we spent hours and hours going from ride to ride, and eating fair food!
The scariest thing was the fear fall, which we did three times! I loved the rollercoaster (done 5 times!!)!
Here's the fear fall:

scary isn't it! 15 stories high i think!

Anyway, here is a cool tag i found on bebo...anyone can try it!

Rules:Put your music player on shuffle and put whatever plays as the answer. No matter how stupid it sounds like.

My name is...
Like Whoa
Aly and AJ

I feel like...
Everything
Lifehouse

I want to...
Breakaway
Kelly Clarkson

I wish...
Hey Stephen
Taylor Swift

When I was born...
Scream
HSM 3

My first words were...
Luxurious
Gwen Stefani

When I met my best friend I thought...
Crazy
Simple Plan

My first crush was...
My Baby
Jesse McCartney

My first date...
Simple Song
Miley Cyrus

My first kiss...
Beautiful Soul
Jesse McCartney

My school is like...
When it all Falls Apart
The Veronicas

My wedding-song will be...
These Words
Natasha Bedingfield

In heaven I sing this to God...
They Don’t Want Music
Black Eyed Peas feat. James Brown

My parents think about me...
Identified
Vanessa Hudgens

My grandparents think about me...
These Four Walls
Miley Cyrus

My siblings think about me...
20 Good Reasons
Thirsty Merc

My teachers think about me...
Letterbomb
Green Day

My best friends think about me...
I Have a Dream/Thankyou for the Music
Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!)

I think about my parents..
If Everyone Cared
Nickelback

I think about my grandparents...
Big Energy in Little Spaces
Opshop

I think about my siblings...
Running
Evermore

I think about my teachers...
Mobile
Avril Lavigne

I think about my best friends...
This Is How It Feels
The Veronicas

Foreign people might think about me...
One World
The Feelers

This night I'll dream of...
Those Eyes
Thirsty Merc

Last night I dreamed of...
Should’ve Said No
Taylor Swift

I never want to dream of...
Addicted
Kelly Clarkson

I need...
Good and Broken
Miley Cyrus

I don't need...
Last Night On Earth
Green Day

hehe

have a lovely day!

Courtney xoxo

cute movies, and hot choc :)

a couple of weeks ago, i went on a girls weekend, and watched what is now my fave fave movie ever:) it is A Walk to Remember, and as soon as you watch it, you become so entranced and your heart jumps at how sweet Landon is, and you cry when Jamie's terrible news hits him. Such a beautiful, beautiful moive, if you havn't seen it, i recommend it!

yesterday i made myself a new challenge - to read Pride and Prejudice.

I began last night by beginning to watch the movie adaption (starring Keira Knightley), and im really enjoying it so far! i hope i enjoy the book as much! wish me luck!

Courtney

xoxo

busy busy bee

Cute pic hehe. From http://www.weheartit.com/

Wow I haven’t blogged in a long long time! I have been very busy recently – all my weekends this term so far have been filled with activities. I have been to a fantastic dance workshop, which was extremely exhausting but so worth it, and last Friday I went out for dinner for my friend’s birthday, followed by a sleepover. :)
I had my drama exam yesterday, and today I discovered I got honours. It certainly made my day, and put a huge smile on my face! hehe
The weather has been getting colder and colder here, but my new school polarfleece is oh so snuggly and warm! This afternoon I enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate, a cute homemade cupcake with yellow icing, and a homebaked chocolate chip cookie. Mmmmm
It’s my school’s celebration day tomorrow, and the dress-up theme is “Fantastic Films”. I still don’t know what I’m going to be! My sister is dressing as a bald character, and made me laugh so much when she put on a swimming cap to hide her hair hehe.
Courtney

xox

Forgiveness Is the mightiest sword Forgiveness of those you fear Is the highest reward When they bruise you with words When they make you feel small When it's the hardest to take You must do nothing at all...-- Jane Eyre.

Easter and a birthday

A couple of days ago it was my little sister's 6th birthday, and after school that day, she had an easter themed party with 9 of her little friends!! she was very spoiled and received so many pink and sparkly gifts! mum also made lots of easter themed birthday goodies for all the pink-clad little girls. bunny shaped fairy bread, lots of chocolate, fruit kebabs, mini easter eggs...& a cute pastel coloured buttercake in the shape of a colourful easter egg :)

yay school is finished for 2 weeks! i'm looking forward to 2 weeks of laziness (ok, i still have to learn my drama work, and get my learner licence at long last!), because i have been working ever so hard for the last 10 weeks and we all deserve a break!

xoxo

Courtz

A rose for me...

i feel very loved today :) i was given a rose this morning by a very special someone, and my bag looked beautiful and smelled like roses as it's pretty petals rose out of the bag pocket. it was so sweet.
i don't have much time to say much more...my homework is piling up and waiting for me!

Courtney
xoxo

This time we're not giving up
Let's make it last forever
Screaming "Hallelujah"
We'll make it last forvever
:)