Discovering the Underground

Yesterday, my older brother and I went to downtown Houston in hopes of finding the underground. We did get a few good tips on how to get to the tunnels, but unfortunately, the hours of the underground are limited. (cue sad face).

We may or may not have walked into some buildings we weren't supposed to. But hey, awesome views!

Luckily, we were still able to go about Houston by taking some awesome pictures and just walking downtown.

Overall, it was a very productive day!

Marissa Lynn

Childhood Dreams

"What did you want to be as a child, and how does that compare to how you define yourself now?"

Doctor. What kid didn't want to be a doctor when they grew up? You know... other than the ones that wanted to be firefighters, and police officers, and well... never mind.

The kind of doctor I wanted to be was an eye doctor. Specifically because I saw eye doctors so much that I thought they were the coolest thing. As a child, I believe the "hero" you associate with growing up to be like is also connected to what the world stimulates kids into thinking who exactly are the heroes.

Credit to gifmaker/etc.

But let's be honest. Not every kid grows up to be what he or she expected they'd be by the time they are an adult. For myself, my dream job is social media management for upcoming actors/artists/writers/etc. I want to be able to teach young adults how to manager their social media in a way that won't be harmful to their careers. Handle their press conference and appearances, and maybe even be their personal manager for their career.

credit to gifmaker/etc.

Dreams change. Don't let that stop you from pursing every one of them.

Love Always,

Marissa Lynn

Who needs money?

"What would your life look like if money had no meaning? Would you work? where would you live? Who would you spend your time with? What would you do more/less of?"

No money? HALLELUJAH! Is that insensitive? Who cares! All my life I have been told "there isn't enough money to do this" or "and who is gonna pay for that? I'm not!" So forgive me if I'd be all the more merrier if money did not exist.

I would definitely work abroad; possibly in Venice, Italy or Dublin, Ireland. Yes, I understand the greatness of being born in a "free" country and family is important and blah blah blah. However, honestly, all I want to do is travel and live on my own and find a meaning to life without having to worry about paying rent and bills.

I would spend my time with my friends when I could, my family when I wanted, and engage myself in meeting new people. I would travel more, EVERYWHERE. I wouldn't take a job just because I needed the money to pay rent, and actually spend my time doing something I love. Who needs money anyways?! In my money-free world, everything would be fine and dandy. Oh, and I'd probably drink a lot more Amaretto Sours... because free alcohol. That's why!!

Goodbye reality, I'll be leaving now.

credit to gifmaker/etc

Love Always,
Marissa Lynn

Selfishness

"In what way are you selfish?"

I'm pretty much a friend hoarder.. is that a thing? No. Wait. That wasn't the word I was looking for. I am selfish when it comes to my friends, and I don't think there is a word for that. You want to spend time with my best friend? Nope. You think its cute to call MY best friend your best friend? HAHA you're funny.

I know they are not a possession that can be claimed, but they are still considered MINE in my mind.

Credit to writers/PLL/Gifmakers/etc

I cherish the time I have spent getting to know my friends personally and emotionally. I don't like having to share that connection with anyone else. When I am unable to see my friends due to work or school and distance, it makes me that much more selfish when I see them doing well without me.

Almost like I'm left out. But, oh well. Life moves on, and being selfish isn't so bad.

Credit to Gif makers/artist/etc. 

Love Always,

Marissa Lynn

One Odd Item

"Describe one odd item that you have in your purse or wallet right now."

Psi Bands... Psi Bands... Psi Bands!

Now, I'm not sure any of you know what these blessings are. Ever since I was a little kid I have suffered from motion sickness. I could barely be in a car for 30 minutes without feeling like I had just been on a boat during a hurricane. Psi bands are pressure point focused to help relieve nausea in a safer, drug-free way.

Photo credit: PsiBands.com

Photo credit: PsiBands.com & thegroment.com (?)

Strong

"In what ways are you strong?"

I had to think about this for a good hour before I was able to come up with something. Regardless of why that is a little disheartening, I came up with one word: passion. I personally feel that most of my strength comes from simple passion. I'm passionate towards my goals to being successful in life, successful in love, and successful in career. I'm passionate about my family. I'm passionate for my friends. Hell, I'm even passionate about the long shower and sleep at the end of a day.

Now, how does passion make one strong? I feel that my passion pushes me through all the shit life throws at me. If I didn't have a passion for anything, I don't believe I would be able to function. I don't believe anyone could function without a passion for something.

So, in the end, always have a passion for at least one thing, and nothing can stop you!

Love Always,
Marissa Lynn

What traffic sign best reflects your life right now?

At this point and time in my life, I feel like a roundabout sign with too many exits. In this sense, those exits are multiple chances and pathways to different jobs, opportunities, life choices, etc. I am emerged in the feeling of excitement chasing all the opportunities but ending up confused on where exactly I should exit. 

(Credit to the show and gif makers, etc)

Should I choose my dream job, or a job that will help pay the bills? A lifestyle of excitement and glamour versus a normal life of cubicles and pushing papers? Or when I finally choose a path, will I be sent on a journey that is needed or a journey that is regretted? 

I guess you can say my traffic sign is a bit of a doozy when you think about it. Or that it's typical for a twenty-one year old to feel this way about her life. But I just wish life was a little more clearer than what's it's giving me now.

(Credit to the animators and gif makers)

This doesn't just apply to jobs and career choices either. I feel like I'm also in a confused state of love. I've never had a clear understanding of it to begin with, with my parents divorcing at a young age, remarrying, and witnessing cheating throughout other people's relationships. Love to me is fiction, something that can only happen in a make believe reality, or delusion. Is that normal? If so... someone please tell me so I can stop being weird about it. 

Love always,

Marissa Lynn 

Who is one of your mentors? What do you admire about them? What makes them unique and what have you learned from them?

So I meant to post this last friday, but the week I had was ridiculous. Funnily enough, this post will actually coincide with what happened.

I take pride in have two great photography mentors in my life, Kari and Jayne. I have known Jayne for a while longer than Kari, but these ladies are truly a great addition to my life. They are two very strong-willed women with thriving businesses and a new studio that's on the rise! Kari is married with a colorful 12-year-old of a daughter, and Jayne is married with three energetic monkeys! (They aren't really monkeys, just a phrase people!) They have dubbed me and the other interns their "minions" (despicable me) and teach us about photography and life in their own unique style.

For example, this past week I had the unfortunate issue of having to deal with legal problems in my business that will go unsaid, but they were there to help every step of the way. From frantic phone calls, and legal advice they kept me calm and read me through all the steps that were necessary I needed to take.

I learned that mistakes will be made, problems go hand-in-hand when owning a business, and people will try to get the best of you... No matter the relationship you have with them.

(Photo credit to whoever gif-ed this, and etc)

Ps. check out Tori's new blog post!

Love Always,

Marissa Lynn

The best thing about being single

Last week I asked my friend Tori to join me in writing two entries a week for 52-weeks. As overwhelming as it may have been, I created a list of 104 prompts to choose from, and sent them to her to look over. While Tori chose a slightly different prompt to start with, I have chosen to write about: "What is the best thing about being either single or partner (which ever you are right now)?"

If I had to choose one thing in particular I love about being single, it would definitely be allowing myself to figure out exactly what I want and who I need in my life. 

Yes, not having to impress anyone's friends or family members is a plus. And who would deny that eating pizza and watching Stuck in Love for the thirty fifth time in my PJ's isn't a dream...

However, the longer I stay single, the more I realized I shouldn't have to give up those personal comforts about myself. I should still be allowed to nerd out over a new book I've bought, or go a few days without shaving because it's just so tedious (really! It is!). 

I realized that I don't have an attraction  to seriously sporty guys (sorry, not sorry), but rather the complete opposite. I tend to be more comfortable with stereotypical band/science nerds with fascinations in astronomy, physics, hell... Even biochemical waste conservation... If that's a thing.

Ultimately, I realized I want to learn from my significant other. I want to constantly be amazed by their passions and intelligence. I should be allowed to grow with them and teach them my passions as they teach me theirs.

The best thing about being single? I learn who I am and what I deserve. 

Love Always, 

Marissa Lynn