ATL

Atlanta is not the biggest city, but I still love it. There are so many fun things to do and find. When I turned 21 I missed a flight out of Atlanta and ended up staying there for the weekend. While there I found this amazing little organic doughnut cafe called Revolution Doughnuts. Here we woke up with a dark roast coffee and three tasty doughnuts.

Later I took Beth to my favorite spot in Atlanta, Little Five Points, a place full of hipsters, vinyl, and thrift stores. I love the colorful vibes here. We popped in a few different shops; Beth took her time strolling through comics while I looked at vintage fur coats (think 70's pimp.) We decided on drinking a beer, at this little cafe & bar called Java Lords. The graffiti on the walls, the large collection of interesting posters, and the skull on our table make the perfect setting for a beer in mid afternoon, right? I tired a gluten free Perry hard cider by ACE that was fresh and yummy. Beth tried Flipside red IPA which tasted darker and a little hoppy, but very good (by the way, we are working on our beer terminology so forgive my silly adjectives.) After our beer we walked around a bit more, and then I took her to Vortex where we tried the local house brew (Laughing Skull) and a carribean burger with pineapple on it. Both were amazing!

Just as we got back into the car it began to rain. Luckily, we were both ready to make the three hour drive back home to snuggle in our little apartment that we call home. 

Everyone meet...

This is our 4 month old kitten named Gryffindor, we call her Gryffin for short. We love her, we really do. But sometimes I believe she is the spawn of Satan. She bites and claws and meows all the time. 

"Arachne beat Athena."

Savannah, Georgia: Highlights

This summer Beth and I went to a few new places. I am usually the one in charge of trips and planning them, but since she has visited several times, Beth was my personal tour guide to Savannah, Georgia.

We were in town for three days before classes started this fall semester. I loved every minute of the trip! 

River Street

Tybee Island

Drag show at Club One

I fell in love with the city and it's charm and endless character. 

DIY: Halloween Centerpiece

Well it's not quite a DIY, but this is my centerpiece for my coffee table. 

The hurricane vase in the back right corner is from the dollar tree, as well as the leaves inside it. I have a smaller candle holder upside down inside it and the leaves stacked around that. And on top of the upside down candle holder I have an automatic tea light candle. 

What do you do for Halloween decorations in an apartment? 

"That's my baybayyy!!"

I got them summer blues. *cue Lana's Summertime Sadness* It may be 80 degrees outside, but I swear it's 40 inside these classrooms! It may be the South, but they sure aint conserving energy. My tuition probably doesn't even cover the electric bill. At least I get an excuse to wear my new sweaters from Target!

"I forgot I was driving."

Temperatures are dropping and my body is confused about what to wear. So today I chose a sweater with shorts. The sweater is new from Target, and my shorts are older and actually used to be a romper, but I cut the top part off. My little fox necklace is one of my old favorites. It is turning colors from wearing it so much, but I still love it! 

WHAT IS DIABY?

DIABY is an acronym for Do It All By Yourself. That is what this site is mostly about, inspiring you to create things all on your own. Most would say I am decently creative, but you can be the judge of that. I am a student in progress of becoming a teacher, so I might include neat lesson plans every now and then. I dabble in photography and painting and sewing and drawing. Don't hold your breathe, I only claim to be decent at all the above. Hold tight for examples of what I create when I am bored at home. 

Right now I am really into decorations and home decor, so my next post will be some things I have done around the house. Spoiler** Halloween is right around the corner, so get ready for fall themes!! (YAY!!!) 

TWO GIRLS, ONE CLOSET

Inside a plastic storage bin with three drawers you will find it crammed full of everything from skater skirts to rainbow overalls. And above this chaotic but organized scene is hangers with countless cardigans and dresses piled on. I have at least four dresses per hanger. #apartmentliving #sharingacloset. At one end right before the masses of cardigans begin, I have one hanger that holds my work uniform: black pants, a vest, a white button up, a cummerbund, and a bow tie. I cater to the rich. 

But when I am not working I get to play with the fun fabrics that fill my half of the closet that I share with my girlfriend. Here's a look into my wardrobe that I love oh so much, even if it doesn't lead to Narnia. 

Her name is...

I like lists. And my favorite kind of lists are Bucket Lists. Today my girlfriend and I started our own. It is a list of silly and adventurous things we both want to do before March. For the sake of not posting in many months, I will rewind the clock.

August: I traveled alone for the first time, destination: Washington D.C. I was in New England for 4 days where I stayed in Baltimore and explored Philly and D.C. I missed my flight and stayed an extra day.

Then I started back school.

September: School continued on, and my love life was still nada (almost two years now.) But something new was happening, but I could not quite put my finger on it. I was mad all the time and frustrated, maybe it was just the three month long period I had from birth control, I dunno, but it sucked hardcore.

Then I kissed a girl. And I liked it. (Katy Perry moment) I really liked it. And I really liked her.

October: On October 2nd I turned 21. Woop woop! The same lovely lady that I kissed took me out for a night on the town. I threw up and even missed my flight to Seattle despite this wonderful girl waking up at 4am to cook me breakfast and made coffee and tried her hardest to get me moving, but it wasn't happening.

I ended up spending the day in Atlanta with a group of amazing Couchsurfers at a beerfest and Flux Night. But I missed this girl a whole lot.

On October 26th, we were both hosting a Pumpkin Party at her house. On October 26th she carved a pumpkin that said "Be My Girlfriend" and I said YES!

On Halloween we were Batman and Catwoman one day, and Daisy and Jay another. Twas a blast!

November: So now in November, this girl is a new and lovely part of my life. Her name is Beth.

I am a traveler

Firework show at Pier Park in Panama City Beach.

July 5th. 

Fireworks are just magical to me. Standing in the sprinkles in a crowd full of strangers felt surreal to me.

 I have seen fireworks a few times before in my life, but every time this feeling of awe comes over me. The same happens when I see the endless ocean, the rolling fields on my way the school, and the ever changing sky! I am blessed to find amazing beauty in things I see often. 

I am a traveler. 

:)

Under 21 and Traveling

Those of us who are under 21, yet have the capability, responsibility, and independence to travel without anyone who is over 21, often run into difficulties.

I booked a flight and hotel reservation to Baltimore in April through Expedia. Personally, I prefer Expedia over most other sites. It is user friendly and seems to have great rates. 

I booked with them when my best friend and I went to New York City for New Years. A roundtrip flight and three nights in Manhattan was only $565.  

The daredevil in me decided it was time for my first trip COMPLETELY ALONE. So back to Expedia, roundtrip and three nights in Baltimore only cost me $430! 

Do dooo dooo dee doo, fast forward to today. 

I called the hotel to confirm my reservation that is in 5 weeks. 

Two problems, 

1. The check in age is 21.....

2. My name is not in the system.....

Ummmm....... what do I do now????

PANIC!

I called Expedia and explained my problem to a man with a foreign accent, but very good English. At first he said so was truly sorry but that is a company's policy, and asked if I would like to cancel my reservation.

He must have either heard the desperation in my voice or seen the puppy dog face I was giving the phone. Either way, he said he would call the hotel and talk to them. 

After a 20 minute wait the line disconnected and I flipped out. I was positive that this man was waiting for me to get tried of waiting and hang up, but when I didn't he hung up on me instead. 

My mind did not get long to plan how I was going to complain when my phone started ringing again.

It was the same man from Expedia. The call had been disconnected... sorry man....

Anyways, this wonderful man told me that he got the hotel to allow me to check in and that it was noted on my account to let me.

...I called the hotel directly to verify that I would be able to check in and the lady happily said I was covered and not to worry about a thing. 

YES!  D.C. here I come!!!!!

Now I just have to figure out the subway / train / walking / donkey riding situation. 

Any advice???????

"Those who desire to travel always find a way."

We all run into amazing people throughout my life, for me, some of the most amazing people I have met have been complete strangers. 

A few weeks before I was due to board my flight to Heathrow, I was shopping in BestBuy for a converter. I had no idea what I was looking for, and the articles online only confused me more.

I tried asking an employee, but all he did was point me in the right direction.

So there I was standing in front of the many converters when a woman who was about 35 years old stood next to me. She asked me where it was I was traveling to, and of course I was eager to share that I was going to Europe.

The woman asked me a few other questions about my trip and after I responded she told me that my energy and passion for traveling reminded me of herself.

I was honored.

I asked for her advice on the converter and she pointed directly to the one I needed.

This lady had been all over the world and was only in Alabama to visit her sister before she went on her next journey.

I made the statement, "Traveling is so expensive, though."

She told me, "Those who desire to travel always find a way."

She said, "I have something for you," and began to dig through a purse with a million pockets. After a few minutes she pulled out a wallet. This woman handed me 80 British pounds. She said that she had just come from England and was not returning any time soon. When I tried to not accept her money, she told me to remember it one day and pass it on.

And I will.

Lovely Lot :)

Hello ladies and gents!

The Lovely Lot. Loveliest of all, Joel in the highlighter jacket.

Lovely lot - a memorable description that my English tour guide used when he referred to the fifty American college students who were following him around like ducks. Joel, a wonderful man.

I spoke to one of my travel companions tonight. It has been a year and one month since we stepped off of a fourteen hour, or more, flight. We were discombobulated and what not in the Heathrow Airport, standing around looking at the strangers that surrounded us. Little did we know that we would create some of the best friendships of our life. 

We returned back home with friends all over the country, and memories that we will never forget. 

As I dream, and sink into a deep depression, about returning one day, I will be sharing some of the best memories from my trip. The memories are flooding back, and I NEED to write them down..

Locks of Love - Pont de Arts, Paris.

Have a lovely Thursday!

Cheers!

I do not know my place in this world, because I have not been everywhere just yet!

Do Unto Others...

Only ignorant people do unto others as they would have others do unto them. The selfish and hypocritical world that we live in today does not care about you.

Okay, okay, that seems a little harsh.
But I mean to challenge that statement. 

I have, some would say a curse, of seeing the better side of people. And when I really care about a person that is the only side I see. You might say this is naive. You might be right. 

But the person who believes that this world we live in is such a horrible place is just as naive as the person who believes no one will ever hurt them. 

So what is right? What is this world really all about?
Each to their own.

But for me, I am cursed, or blessed, with the ability to see the good things in people even if they do not intend to show me. Not all people are naturally mean. I find it easier to be happy. Happiness takes less effort than always doubting, hating, worrying, and depressing.

I'm in Maimi!

Everyday I am thankful for the wonderful and beautiful people that I met on my trip to Europe a little over one year ago. 

A few of my Europe friends live in Miami, so my best friend and I took a 10 hour drive to the tip of Florida for a mini vacation and to reunite with our friends. 

Note: I HATE THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE! $$$

Life's Lessons

Life's lessons are never ending. 

The day that we begin to think that we have even a little tiny part figured out, everything changes. 

So on this day, I realize that I will never know the outcome of any situation, and assuming only, well you know what assuming does. 

Realizing that you were wrong is simply a humbling experience that life gives you to keep you in your place, life is impossible to figure out so stop trying.

Each day is a chance for new beginnings, 

stop worrying,

stop stalling,

stop fearing, 

because today is only going to be here for 24 hours.

I don't have time for that, and neither do you!

Get out there and enjoy these 24 hours that we call July 5, 2013 because shortly it will only exist in memories.  

Lunch in Panama City, Florida

Bayou Joe's is the cutest hole in the wall in Panama City.

 This stairway really caught my eye.

This view!

Now I must get back to reality, I have a final due today for Diverse Learners! 

Wish me luck!

Warning: Welcome to Paradise

Hello everyone!! I hope that you are having a terrific Wednesday! Between finals and work I have been taking short trips to different cities in Florida. I went to Panama City Beach yesterday. It was windy, but somehow perfect! I always feel at peace when I see the ocean, until yesterday when I saw this caution cone on the boardwalk.

This really got me thinking, when beautiful feelings rule our minds and we are blinded by a seemingly wonderful tunnel vision, we replace our good judgement for trivial concerns. My advice would be to approach beautiful things with caution.

Have a great Wednesday, see you somewhere soon!

Unlock Your World 

-Victoria

I'm not Einstein.

So, here's the thing. 

I am a junior in college studying to become a secondary English teacher. I am your average student. I skip class. I procrastinate, big time. I am not the next Einstein or anywhere near it. I am not going to find the cure for cancer. I will not ever invent anything to benefit society. I am just a twenty something year old college girl with dreams and ambition. I believe that beyond all of the negativity that is broadcasted so abundantly in the world, that there is hope. 

I repeat: 

There. Is. Hope.

Naive? 

Maybe so, but I would rather naively believe that there is hope than believe that the world has really come to be what the media portrays it as. 

People are wonderful. 

Happiness is real. 

Life is beautiful.

Someone will do all of the great things that I can't. But what I can do is infect the world with my optimism. I was not made to keep all of my love, optimism, energy, and happiness to myself. I was meant to share it. I want to inspire my students and everyone around me to be the best that they can be. I want them to know they can come to me for support and encouragement. I want to make them feel loved and appreciated. Then, then my life will truly be meaningful. I want to have something other than myself worth living for.

Here's to new beginnings. 

Here's to unlocking our world and everything it really has to offer.