Give it time!

Things in life need time to happen. When you wait for something, you appreciate it more. Don't let yourself get too anxious, have some patience and do the things to build up to the monument. Life is about the little things that lead to the big ones. Make the necessary steps at first by planting the little seeds, then watch them grow.
"Give something time to grow." -Brandon Zornado

Work Hard, Play Hard!

Work is very important and it should be taken seriously. Whatever it is you do for work, put a lot into it and always do your best. Let other people see what kind of motivation and determination you have in the work place. Don't let someone else out work you and get what you want. When your work day is done then leave it there and enjoy yourself and have some fun. If you had a stressful day at work then don't bring the stress home with you. The time when you are not at work should be spent having fun and enjoying yourself. You worked hard all day so you deserve to have some fun time. Do something fun with the family, hang out with some friends, do a hobby, just enjoy. Working hard and playing hard is a great way to live.
" Don't let a routine take the fun out of your life." -Brandon Zornado

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Today is a special day that is meant to be spent with your significant other. Last night at around midnight Shelley and I did presents which was a lot of fun. Today we woke up and went out to breakfast at Millers Homestead Country Restaurant in Tualatin. It was delicious, she has a blueberry Belgian waffle and orange juice and I had a Mexican breakfast burrito. After that we came home and hung out for a bit then our friends Ryan and Michelle picked us up and we headed down I5. We went to the Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner Oregon right near Salem. The vineyards and property are so beautiful and you can see them all from the deck which is right off the tastings rooms. We sampled many different great wines and we also got to go down in the cellar and do some barrel tasting. It is now my favorite place to go wine tasting in Oregon. After that we came home and then freshened up for a minute and headed to the east side of town where we went to Saylors Country Kitchen Steak House. It is the home of the 72oz steak and the food is amazing. Shelley got a 12 oz steak and I got a 15oz New York Cut. We each has some vegetables, a salad, bread and potatoes to go with it. The dinner was very good and we are both full. We just got back and are going to watch a movie in a bit. Today was a wonderful Valentine's Day and I got to spend it with my beautiful fiance who I love very much. I hope that everyone had a wonderful day!
" Find something special out of each day." -Brandon Zornado

Keep in touch!

Tonight I am going to hang out with my best friend from when we were kids. We use to do everything together and we went to school with each other all the way through 8th grade. After that we went to separate High Schools, so it became harder to get together because of our different schedules and all the new friends we were meeting. We managed to keep in touch every once in a while, and then when college came around we kinda lost contact. We would maybe see each other once every 8 months or so. He will always be one of my good friends, and I will never forget all the great times we had when we were kids. I am very excited to see him tonight and catch up on everything. It might be hard to see your friends all the time as you get older, but never loose contact with them.
" A friend is special, cherish your relationship with them." -Brandon Zornado

New Orleans!

Tonight the New Orleans Saints made their first ever appearance to the Super Bowl. With what has happened to their city, this is a huge honor to just be there. They ended up defeating the Colts and won their first Super Bowl in franchise History. It is tragic what has happened in the city of New Orleans and this is a very exciting day for the people who live their. The have had to deal with a lot of stress the last couple years and this is a special moment that symbolizes their unity. Congratulations to the Saint's and also the city of New Orleans.

" Never give up hope, your willingness to succeed is up to you." -Brandon Zornado

Change!

Change is going to happen in every one's life. There is no way to get around it, because we can't predict the future. Change can either be good or it can be bad. I however always tell myself that it will be better more times than not. We shouldn't be afraid of change, because it is apart of life. It is ok to experience new things, it might take a while to get accustomed to them but after awhile it will seem natural. Have an open mind to everything and expect the unexpected. Life is such a wonderful thing and at the end of the day we should all be thankful for everything in it.

" Don't let something change you, adjust your feelings to something positive and change it. - Brandon Zornado

Paradise!

Tonight we went to dinner at Chevy's Mexican Grill with the reps for Sandals Resorts. We are going to be going to Grand Ocho Rios Jamaica for our honeymoon in October. We will be staying for probably 12 nights, possibly a couple more. Everything there is all inclusive and it looks absolutely beautiful. The resort is surrounded with luscious pools, swim up bars, fitness centers, gazebos, waterfalls, gardens, villas, tennis courts, golf course, basketball court, spas and much more. We are going to go on a variety of off shore excursions as well. The ones we have narrowed down are: River Tubing, Water Rafting, Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour, Mystic Mountain Rain Forest, Hooves Beach Horseback Ride, Zip line Canopy, Dolphin Cove (Swim with Dolphins), and Catamaran Falls Party Boat Adventure. We are so excited and it with be the perfect honeymoon paradise. Everyone should get to experience some sort of paradise in their lives. Destinations will not all be the same, but it is your own experience that makes it special and what you get out of it.

" Enjoy each precious moment, they won't last forever." -Brandon Zornado

The fun of the game!

Tonight is the 2010 NFL PRO Bowl. This is the first year since 1980 that it is not in Hawaii. It is being played in Miami, Florida which is where the Super Bowl is next Sunday. The PRO Bowl is a great event and all of the NFL stars get to play in the game. They are a lot more laid back and they are out there to have fun and show the fans a great game. Many different players get to play and show off their abilities. It is usually a high scoring game because it is more focused on offense and the defense doesn't put as much pressure on. There are a lot of different things going on during the week leading up to the game and it is awesome for all the players because of what they get to experience together. A lot of their families come as well and it is something that I am sure they appreciate very much. Sports is not all about winning, it is about having fun.

" Don't take life too serious, it is meant to enjoy." -Brandon Zornado

New Year's Resolutions!

New Year's Eve is tomorrow, which means it is the last day before the new year of 2010. Each year people always make resolutions that they end up not following through with all the way. This year, how about we make goals for ourselves that we can reach. If you set too high of goals, then you might get discouraged and become let down. Make some goals to better your health and help you save some money throughout these hard times. Have fun with your goals and enjoy them. They are not meant to torture you and make your life worse, they are to make it better and help you feel good about yourself. I hope that everyone has a wonderful new year's eve tomorrow and that all of their wishes come true.

" Believe in yourself, dont give up on something you want."
-Brandon Zornado

Appreciation!

I have been given a great life. Growing up my parents always spoiled me and made sure that I had the coolest toys, the most stylish clothes, they put me in private schools, and we always went on vacations. I am very thankful for the life that I have been given and there is so much that they have done for me that I appreciate. I also appreciate everything the my girlfriend does for me. She has always been there by my side and believed in me. She motivates me to want to succeed in everything I do and she is such and important and wonderful part of my life. I appreciate my friends as well, because they are great to hang out with and easy to talk to. They all are different but exciting in their own ways.
Everyone should appreciate the close one's in their lives such as: family, girlfriends/boyfriends, and friends. We also should appreciate all the wonderful things that we get to experience. There is so much beauty in this world and people don't realize it. We should not let life's moments pass us by, we should take them in and embrace them. Whenever someone does something nice for you, show your appreciation to them and return the favor. If you go out to a nice dinner, take a moment to let your server know how good of a job they did. If you go on vacation and see a beautiful sight, then stop and appreciate the image and be thankful that you are there. Appreciate everything in your life, we all have been given great things that we sometimes forget about.

" If you appreciate a moment, that moment will live on with you forever."
- Brandon Zornado

X-Mas Parties!

It is the time of the year when we get together with friends, family and co-workers for Christmas parties. I know a lot of people dread going to them, but everyone should be thankful that they were even invited. We should not tell ourselves that we don't want to go and that it wont be any fun. We should be positive and take a side dish to the party and maybe have a drink or two and have a wonderful time. Tonight my mom, girlfriend and I our going to a Christmas party in Jansen Beach then we are going to watch the X-mas ships on the water. I am very excited to share the evening with my two favorite girls! If you are invited to a party this year,don't be a grinch, go and enjoy yourself.

" If you hold back on something, you will never know the outcome."
-Brandon Zornado

Variety!

There are so many things to do in this world. Don't let yourself get into a boring routine and do the same thing all the time. Life is wonderful and it should be filled with variety. I am always doing something and I make sure that it usually has some sort of variation. I will never do something the same, because I find it boring. I like to spice things up and add excitement to them. Trying something new is one of my favorite things to do because I don't know what to expect. I can let my mind wonder however it wants to.
Try to find some variety in your life. It is very easy to do, go to a different restaurant, make a different food dish at home, try a new type of coffee, sleep on the other side of the bed, switch up your workout routine, watch a scary movie instead of a funny one. I could go on for hours about different types of variety, but I hope that everyone can find it in their lives to switch it up a bit and keep it interesting.

" If you only focus on one color of a rainbow, you will miss out on the other's."
-Brandon Zornado

Chance of snow!

It is cold outside and there is a good chance that it will snow tonight. It has been raining some today and the temperature is below freezing. It is very important that when you are driving to be safe. Give yourself a little extra time to get where you are going. Even though it has not snowed yet, the roads are starting to get slippy and the rain could turn to freezing. Most people in Oregon don't know how to drive in bad weather. Just make sure that you are cautious and always keeping your eyes on the road.
I hope that it snows, because it is wonderful when it does. I don't want the city to shut down for two weeks like last year but a few days would be great. I hope everyone enjoys their Saturday!

" Wish for something big, who knows, it might come true." -Brandon Zornado

Make a list!

The holidays are here and there is something different to do each day. With the amount of things that need to get done and so little time it can be very hard to be productive. I was very persistent this year and got all my Christmas shopping done early. Usually I go out and buy gifts that catch my eye and remind me of the person that I am buying for. I did it different this year, and I planned out what I was going to get for each person, then I went out and found it. By doing this I did not make impulse purchases and I stayed within my budget.
Something else that I find to be very helpful, is to make a list when you first wake up of all the things you want to accomplish during the day. This way you have some direction and when you finish something you can cross it off your list. You will feel way more organized and I find it to be very productive and less stressful. It is ok if you do not get all the things accomplished on your list, but I guarantee you will get more done than if you did not do it.
" Being persistent will allow you to reach greater heights of accomplishment."
-Brandon Zornado

Cold Weather!

Most people do not like cold weather, but I actually don't mind it. It is almost Winter time and the days are getting shorter and the temperature is changing. Just because it is cold, it doesn't mean that you cant enjoy yourself. You could go to the mountain and snowboard or ski with some friends, go tubing, bundle up and go on a walk, stay inside and have a fire and drink some hot tea or coco.
Everyone needs to be positive during the Winter and find alternative things to do. No matter what you are doing, you can still make it fun! No matter what time of the year it is, be positive and enjoy every moment that you have. Go out and buy a nice pair of gloves and a hat to keep you warm. This winter do something that you have not done before and make the best of it.

" Cold weather might be cold on the outside, but it can warm up the heart."
-Brandon Zornado

Priceless Entertainment!

Most things these days cost a lot to do. Even going to a movie costs about ten dollars a person. If you want a drink and some popcorn it is going to cost close to 35 dollars for two people. I love to go out and have a great time. It is ok to go out every once in a while and spend some money on a nice evening. However there is something you can do that is very fun and it is free. Get your boyfriend/ girlfriend, friend, husband or wife and go to the airport. When you get there go get a coffee or whatever it is that you want to drink and find a bench or a seat somewhere close to the security checkpoint. It is the best place in the world to people watch. Everyone is always in such a hurry and they all act different about this situation. I have traveled a lot for work and I have seen some hilarious things while going through security and waiting for my plane. On a day when you cant find anything to do go to the airport and people watch. It is entertainment that does not cost you anything.
" The priceless moments are the one's you remember forever." -Brandon Zornado

Chase your dreams!

Dreams are something that everyone should have. Whatever your dream is, do not let anything get in the way of it. Hold onto it forever and cherish it. I believe that anything can be accomplished if you put your mind to it. Set your dreams high but be realistic of a time frame to accomplish them. If you set too big of dreams too fast then you can become let down. My dream is to become a country songwriter. It is something I love and writing and music are a passion of mine. I am focusing on playing the guitar right now and learning more each day. I am also reading books and material about songwriting. People need to realize that their dream is not going to happen over night. It is going to take hard work and dedication, but if you believe in it then it can happen. Do not ever get discouraged when you come to a road block. Fight through it and keep yourself motivated. I know that I will not become a successful songwriter right now, but I have a plan. The more time I put into learning the better I will be down the road. I am planning on moving to Nashville TN within a year to pursue my music career. I know what I need to do in order to make it and I am 100% dedicated to getting there. No matter how long it takes me, I will never give up.

Do not be afraid to have big dreams. Everyone deserves to do what they want in their life. Whatever it is that you want to do, find out how to make it happen step by step and work hard to get there. The biggest thing in reaching your dream is your motivation. You will need it the entire way to get to where you want to be.

" Fight for what you want, and you can accomplish anything." -Brandon Zornado

Laughter!

LOL!

I believe laughter is the secret to a happy and healthy life. There are so many things to do that can make you laugh. I am actually listening to a comedy show on CMT right now and it is hilarious. It is very important to find time in your life to laugh. Watch a funny movie, go to a comedy show with some friends, read a joke book, there are a ton of things that you can do. Personally I think the best kind of laughter is when it is unexpected. Sometimes random things are just funny and things keep happening to make the situation more funny. One of the best experiences is laughing until you cry. I hope everyone has the chance in their life to have that happen to them.
Life is a wonderful thing so why not add as much excitement in it as possible? Laughter is endless and it can also be priceless which is a good thing in today's economy. If I am ever feeling down, laughing is one of the best cures to make me feel better. There is no reason why people should not have laughter in their life. It will do wonders for you and keep you happy and enjoying life.

" A smile is a start, but laughter will cure the heart." -Brandon Zornado

Friendship!

Growing up you make a lot of different friends. In high school many people have clicks, which are certain friends that they hang out with in a group. All clicks vary from jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, band, art, Gothic etc. Some people will not even acknowledge another person if they are not in their click. College is different because everyone is coming from different places and backgrounds. You become friends with many different people very quickly. You are always around these people and you see them everywhere you go. Some people lose contact with their high school friends when they go to college and then after college many people lose contact with the friends they made there.

I have had many different friends and I have always been very social. Now that I am out of college it is harder to get together with friends because everyone is so busy. I try to keep in contact with all of my close friends and hang out with them whenever I can. It is so important to have friends in your life and do things with them. It is very easy to get caught up in life and lose contact with people who are close to you. If you have a girl friend or boy friend, get another couple together and have a double date or have game night. Try to get in touch with someone that use to be a good friend that you have not talked to in a while. Call your best friend up and see if they want to hang out. Just make sure to not forget about your friends because they are very important. Everyone should always make time for their friends.

" Friendships can last forever." -Brandon Zornado

Cherish your life!

Ever sinse I was a kid I have wanted to make something of my life. Never has there been a dull moment with me. I like to keep everything exciting and adventurous. When I was young I never wanted to miss out on anything. I would stay up all night with my parents and then wake up bright and early. As I got older I always loved meeting new people and getting to know them. My life has been great and I have made the best of it so far. There are so many things that I want to do and see. I know that when I die one day I will have lived an amazing life.

Everyone should have excitement in their lives. You can find it in so many ways. Go shopping, hang out with friends, take a vacation, go to the movies, cook a new meal, make a bucket list, learn how to play an instrument, or just sit down and read a book. Whatever you do, try to have fun with it. Life is to short to not do the things that you want to do. Do not ever tell yourself that there is no meaning to life. There are so many beautiful things that surround us it is unbelievable. I am very thankful for the life that I have been given and everyone else should be thankful for their life as well.

" Enjoy the natural wonders of life, they are everywhere." -Brandon Zornado