Try Something new..it might surprise you!

Hello!
I wanted to share my thoughts on romantic relationships by explaining how to try new things with your partner in order to surprise yourself!
It might surprise you when you try something new what you will find out about the other person. If you keep the same routine, you will never learn new things that you might end up loving or hating about your partner. Red flags will come-up or a renewed sense of love and lust will help retain a sense of flirtation that might have been in hiding for a while.
For example, today my partner and I took a drive down a road that we didnt know where it would lead. Literally, he drove down a street we have always been curious about near the bay bridge and I loved the view! He was happy that we took this road because it lead up to a beautiful park near a marina that we are excited to go back and take picture of the city-skyline of san francisco. I discovered that this would be a great spot to try a surprise picnic-date and he would be thrilled! If we had not driven down this road, I would have never discovered the next new place to try a date. This will really mix things up!
Also, I am going to try cooking more to surprise my partner with my creative side. I want to show him how much I care and I want to make him personalized dishes that he will love. I found out that guys have a strange sense of taste, or at least my partner does, for savory dished with lots of cheese! So, Im making him fried-breaded chicken which will be pan-fried then finished in the oven and served with tomato sauce then I will make home-made potato gratin. This will really make it special and I will try to make this myself for a surprise!
I hope you guys do something new to discover fun things about your partner!
xoxo

Kids Say the Darnest Things

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/5Ot3Ah/jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/20899.htm

Once again, problems with the link. But copy and paste, it's one of those things you find on stumble that you can't help but smile at!

Songs for the Heart

I love listening to songs that speak of love and romance. There is no better way to inspire that lovin' feeling than a good love song. When you are in a relationship, it is easy to relate to what the singers are describing in their music and, of course "it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside." It is also fun to listen to these songs in the presence of your boyfriend or girlfriend just to share a special moment with one another. Below, are links to music videos of various popular love songs. I should mention that if you just got out of a relationship or are wanting to strangle all those couples out there, you may not want to click these links just yet. Not to worry, you will most likely be dancing around to these songs while thinking about your new love in no time. And guys, don't act like you don't like these songs too--we all know it's an act. And the nominees are...(drum roll please...)

1.) The Only Exception by Paramore

2.)I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith

3.) Back at One by Brian McKnight

4.) She is Love by Parachute

5.) Love Me Tender by Elvis (obviously this is a little older than the rest but it is SUCH a great song).

I hope you enjoy. Here is a list to many other love songs!

Why the hell is she with him?

It makes me sad when I see people in unsatisfying relationships. There are a lot of people I know whom remain in a relationship even though they know they aren't getting what they want out of it. One girl I know has a boyfriend who treats with her disrespect, barely ever shows her affection to her if around other people, and basically displays that he cares little for their relationship. Of course, I don't know what goes on when they are alone together but I can't imagine that it is very different from what happens in public. When Valentine's day rolled around, he didn't even do so much as get her a card. Dude really? Not to mention, he had been talking to another girl through the first half of their relationship and leaving posts on his im feed saying he loved her. When I look at her I see a very pretty, smart, and driven girl and it just makes me think "why are you with him?" Why are a lot of guys and girls with people that don't give them the respect or love they deserve and who invest such little time in their relationships? Is it desperation? Is it a lack of self-esteem? It has always been a hard puzzle for me to put together. 

This website by M. Freeman lists six reasons for why people stay in unhappy relationships. I'm not going to list them again because that will just be repetitive when the link is literally right there--so click on it! One of them that really struck me though is number 4: "people expect us to stay together". I can't imagine being with someone just because my friends expected this of me. Who are you in a relationship for anyways? Your friends or yourself? If your friends were truly your friends, wouldn't they want what was best for you and be able to recognize that you are in an unhappy and unhealthy relationship? One of my best friends was in a very bad relationship and, as mean as it sounds, I was so glad when it ended. This isn't because I don't like to see my friend happy or in love. It's because she WASN'T happy or in love and her relationship was dragging her down and turning her into something I couldn't recognize. It was if the boy had some spell over her. He could literally get away with anything and she would still stay with him and, on top of that, make all sorts of ridiculous excuses for his actions. It was a very painful thing to watch since I cared about her so much and only wanted her to have the very best. 

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to convince a person to get out of a relationship that they are very invested in. People are going to do what they want, even if their best friend is literally yelling in their ear to stop being ridiculous and think about how unbalanced their relationship is. If you are in this position, these are some things I would recommend:

-tell your friend how amazing/beautiful/smart (or whatever category) they are. Make sure to list categories that don't include the presence of their significant other and only apply to them personally.

-ask your friend about their relationship and when they bring up situations that are iffy, ask questions like "wow, do you like being treated like that?" or "don't you think you deserve more?" This may help them rethink their relationship.

-invite them to hang out and when you guys are having a good time say things like "wow, this is really fun I miss hanging out with you like old times." This could help your friend realize how much he or she has been missing since being with their boyfriend/girlfriend. 

There are tons of other suggestions I could list, but I think these are a good start. If you are going to be there for your friend, you are going to have to be patient and realize that there is always the potential that your friend will still remain in their relationship. There really is nothing you can do about this. You can either learn to accept it or, if it bothers you too much, you can tell your friend that you can't be friends with them if they are in the relationship. Of course, this is a very difficult situation to be in but it is up to you to decide. We can pick our friends but we can't pick the people they date...unfortunately that's life. I know, I hate the saying too. 

Staycation tips for a steamy weekend!

Hello Lovers! Soo...you want to have a romantic weekend but the budget is low? In order to go on vacation, tickets, hotel reservations and car rentals are necessary but whats wrong with what you have at home or around your area? My advice is to dedicate one saturday and make it a stay-at- home- vacation...STAYCATION! There are lots of ways to pamper yourself by starting with brunch, then visiting a museum or going to the beach but THEN get a couples massage and go to a nice dinner. While it seems like it will cost alot, consider how much you saved and really indulge in this ONE day of luxury in your own neighborhood rather than going on a plane to an exotic place. Make the day themed like Safari and try something new and different that you wouldn't try on a normal night. Stay at home and save money by also making chocolate covered strawberries and get a fun romantic movie like The Princess Bride or Roman Holiday. Just drop the work and emails for one day and have a stay at home vacation while taking pictures and remembering it as one of the best "vacations" that you two took :) Have fun!

Shakespeare got it right. But John Donne makes him look like a Hallmark Card.

http://awonderfulblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/romeojuliet.jpg


This could possibly sound nerdy, and I know how we all love to avoid that label now, but all through middle school and high school I loved reading Shakespeare. There are times when the Bard's writing is not as riveting as some today, but his classics endure for a reason. There are many times when I wish I could be bilingual or had experienced a different language as my first language, but everything I read Shakespeare I am reminded what a gift it is to read it in the original English.

He captured to many raw human emotions so perfectly his stories are among the three most reference sources (in modern writing, there are three sources used for allusions more than any others: the bible, Greek and Roman mythology, and Shakespeare). Hmm. To be as commonly referenced as the Bible, he must have done something right.

So what does he have to say about love? I can only hope that you AT LEAST know of Romeo and Juliet, and I hazard to say that if you have not read it your education is not complete. You could be an engineer or a construction worker. You must read the works of Shakespeare. His entrapment with love and love at first site, however, is not just expressed in one of his best known works. William Shakespeare's explorations into the human emotion range from A Midnight Summer's Dream to Hamlet. I would highly recommend reading nearly all of them.

There is then the man, the poet, that author Margaret Edson in her play "Wit" (again, a must read. One might be thinking at this point that I am an English major, and while I do miss analyzing the classics and other works, as a Political Science Major with an interest in the Middle East, I am more than satisfied as of the past two months in my chosen area of study,)describes as making Shakespeare look like a Hallmark card. This would be John Donne. Although he wrote many types of poetry, he is well known for his love poems. Once read through of The Good-Morrow will emphasize this. (http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/goodmorrow.htm I Sadly could not get the link button to work.) I understood what Shakespeare meant when he spoke of love at first site as I read these words in my high school years.

These classics have so much to teach us. In a world of modern media where love as objectification seems to be the main theme, one cannot forget the works of Shakespeare and John Donne.

Revvv it up!

My topic of thought for you all this week connects one's physical well-being and libido. The connection between the two are undeniable in recent studies that show the positive affects of exercise in your sex life. NOW lets get it straight here...im not trying to sell you anything like those spam emails that PROMISE better performance or anything like that Im just informing you all on what can truly cultivate a long lasting relationship. I know it may be taboo to talk about by recent news has the 411 on the truth about staying in shape and shaping up in bed. A Fox report from Kyle Nuse states,

"Any regular cardiovascular exercise and deep stretching that increases blood flow specifically to the buttocks, pelvis and groins area -- such as yoga, power walking, jogging or cycling--is going to increase circulation to the genitals, and as a result, rekindle sexual arousal and orgasmic function." Read ME!

While for some, its about gaining muscle and strength I see the energy and endorphin affects to be a great boost, as well. Exercise decreases stress and it keeps you relaxed and happy. Translate this to the bedroom and you have a winning combination! It is very interesting to think about and it actually makes sense that you will feel more limber and confident with regular exercise and the Fox report doesnt ask us to do much more than jogging or biking. Finding the time to hit the gym for 2-3 days at 30 mins a day will make a huge difference in our cardio and boost libido....maybe all the time college students spend in the gym is increasing libidos all around campus! I see the correlation between endurance, strength, and flexibility especially from YOGA (youtube of some moves for you to try at the bottom :) will help keep things moving, as well. 

Hitting the gym can be more than beneficial for your looks and it's socially fun, as well, but it has soo many benefits for your romantic life when it come to keeping things lively and limber. You will find more focus if you try yoga and train your muscles to be strong and flexible. I would suggest experimenting with different weight training and getting a personal trainer for ONE or TWO sessions (to cut back on the cost) and then using the moves you learn in those one or two sessions to keep a good workout routine going. Remember: its about endurance, strength, flexibility and stress-release in the gym for endorphins to make everything HAPPY :)


Try Some YOGA!