Enjoyment!

There is so much to be thankful for and enjoy. Whatever you do, make the best of it and cherish it. Summer is almost here and that means fun in the sun. Don't let someone catch you without a smile. Always be in a good mood and show others what your excited about.
" Live each moment to it's fullest." -Brandon Zornado

Quote:

" When you sing Happy Birthday, let your voice be heard." 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

Life is a Journey!

Growing up I always thought that I was going to be a professional Baseball player. I played baseball ever since I was 5 years old, and it was my favorite thing to do. I went to college and played baseball at Clackamas Community College and then transferred my junior year to Western Oregon University. I started the year off great and then I injured my right arm which ended my baseball career. Life throws you curve balls and it is your turn to hit the ball in another direction when that happens. After I was injured I started playing my guitar and really fell in love with country music. There are a lot of things that have inspired me throughout my life and I know that I am meant to be a writer. I love to write so much and I have taken a lot of my time this last year to really learn how writing is developed and how it is structured in songs. I am recently engaged and I am the luckiest guy ever. My fiance is beautiful inside and out and she is without a doubt in my mind, the perfect girl for me. We have dated for over 4 and a half years and it has been such an amazing journey. We will be getting married Oct 1 2010. We just recently went on vacation to Nashville TN where I hope to move later this fall to pursue my music career as a songwriter. I was amazed when I went to Nashville TN and I fell in love with the people, the buildings, the houses, the little towns, and the atmosphere. It is a perfect place to live and start the journey of marriage. I have a lot of inspiring things to write about in my songs, such as friends, my parents, sports, and everything in life but one of the main things is my fiance. I love her so much and I am so excited to get married and share the rest of my life with her. Moving to Nashville would be a huge step for us and it would be an amazing experience that we would share together. Something new is always something exciting and she will be finishing up at the Art Institute of Portland this summer. She is a very talented girl and I support her in everything that she does.I know that it will be different for her at first if we move, but I want her to know that I will always be by her side and love her forever. My dream is not only to make it as a country songwriter, but is to be the best husband that I can be and give my future wife and kids a wonderful life. I will work hard to provide for them and I will always put them first. We are so close to our families and it would be hard to move away because we love them so much, but we would be in contact with them every single day and we would make sure that we came home to visit a lot.
"Life is a journey, so make sure that you experience things when you can and don't hold back." -Brandon Zornado

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I hope that everyone had a wonderful day. Today is the best day of the year in my mind, because there is so much to it. You get to spend time with your loved one's and exchange presents. Who would not like that? I went to 4 Christmas's today and they were all amazing. I had two yesterday and one the day before. I love Christmas and everything about the preparation. I hope that everyone kept their positive attitudes going all day and enjoyed themselves. New Years is right around the corner, so make sure you keep your glass half full and get ready for a great 2010
Year. Once again, " Merry Christmas!"

" Enjoy today, and worry about the next day tomorrow." -Brandon Zornado

It's almost time!

Today is Dec 24Th, which means that it is Christmas Eve and tomorrow is Christmas! The weather channel said that there is a very slight chance that we will have a White Christmas, but we can still hope for it. I know everyone is probably getting off work early today if they even have to go in. Many people get together with one side of the family tonight and then the other side tomorrow. My Christmas's started last night! My girlfriend and I did our X-mas together which was absolutely fantastic. Now today we will be going over to my Mom's house to do Christmas with her and my Step-Dad, then later tonight we will be doing it at my girlfriend's parents house, then tomorrow we will wake up and I go to Christmas at my Dad's then we go over to my Grandma's in Estacada then my girlfriend will meet back up with me at my Aunts house on my Mom's side and we will do Christmas with the whole family there, then tomorrow night we will do Christmas at my other Aunt's house on my Step-Dad's side. It is a very jammed packed couple of days, but we are ready for it. I hope that everyone enjoys their time with their friends and family tonight and tomorrow. Remember it is not about the presents, it is about spending time with the one's you love and giving back.


" Smile big, be thankful, show your love, and thank the Lord." -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

Wishful thinking!

Tonight my girlfriend and I watched a Christmas movie called, "Christmas Clause." It is about a hard working lawyer who is a wife and mother of three. She does not have enough time in the day to get everything done and she is so focused on everything else in life but her own. She runs into an old friend who is very successful and seems to have a wonderful life. When she is at the mall with her girls, they go to see Santa and she is asked what she wants for Christmas. She wishes to have the life of her friend that she ran into. Her wish is granted and she is forced to find the true meaning of her old life and what is important in it. The movie is great and I suggest watching it.
Don't get caught up in everything else in life. Of course we all want to have a good career, but work is work and it should not take over who you are. Family is the important thing, and being there for your kids and spouse is what it is all about. I know that when I am married and have kids I will always put them first because I will love them and want to be involved with them as much as possible. I don't want the important things in life to pass on by.

" If you only focus on one thing, other great one's may slip on by."

Holiday Cheer!

It is the Holiday Season, which means it is the time of year to be thankful and celebrate. It is now time to put up Christmas lights and decorate the inside or your house. Make it a fun night with the family and get everything done. Some fun things to do during the Holiday's are: drive around and look at Christmas lights, go to a play, tree lighting event, get some coffee or tea and walk around downtown, watch a Christmas movie, have a party, make a gingerbread house, bake some treats, get a bottle of wine and go in the hot tub. The Holiday's are filled with many fun things to do, so make sure that you enjoy yourself this year and bring some, " Holiday Cheer."

" Celebrate the wonderful things in life, they are all around you." -Brandon Zornado

Be thankful for your job!

I received a 4 year Business Management Degree from Western Oregon University with a minor in Sports Management. After college I got a job as a Fitness Counselor at 24 Hour Fitness. It was a perfect job to gain experience in my field. I learned a lot when I was there and I had a great time as well. After 24 I got an amazing job at a construction supply company called, " Ames." My position was the Regional Sales Associate and I was the assistant to the Regional Manager. I traveled all over the Northwest and covered eleven different stores in the region. I would stay in each location for about a week and I would be flown there and put up in a nice hotel. All of my meals were paid for and I got to see some very cool places. To have that type of position at my age was very lucky but I have had a lot of experience so I was qualified for the position. I loved the hours, pay, benefits, travel , and co-workers. There was not one thing I disliked about my job. The construction industry is hurting badly right now and this last year a lot of employees in the company have been laid off. My position is different and I never thought it would happen to me, but I was laid off on October 9th right after I got back from a work trip in Spokane WA. I would give anything to have my job with Ames back.
The economy is horrible right now and jobs are hard to find. If you have a job, be thankful that you are working. There are so many people out there that are unemployed and can't find any work. I am young and I will be ok, but I feel really bad for the people who have families that they need to support and are struggling. Do not take anything in life for granted, especially your job right now. You don't know what your missing until you no longer have it. Make sure you go to work everyday and be happy that you are there. Show your boss that you are a hard worker and deserve to always have your position.

" Work hard for what you want, don't ever give someone a reason to take something away from you." -Brandon Zornado

A best friend!

Many people have tons of different friends. As you get older it is hard to find time to get together with everyone. People have families, jobs, responsibilities etc. I know that after college there are some friends that I barley even talk to. I love getting together with my friends, we always have a great time. It is sad though thinking about growing apart from them. I am only 23 years old, so imagine when I am in my 30's. I will have a lot more responsibility, because I will probably have kids, a home and not have the time that I use to have. No matter how many friends a person has, they usually only have one that they call their, "best friend." He or she is a friend that you know will be there for you no matter what. Even if they are busy in their life, they will try to make time for you. You can talk to them about almost anything because they are very similar to yourself and you feel comfortable around them. You will share many great memories with them that you will cherish. I am thankful for my best friend and I know that he will be in my life forever.
" Many friends will help you out, but a best friend will be there till the end."
- Brandon Zornado

Forgiveness!

People all do things that they regret. There is not a person in this world that is perfect. Sometimes people say things that they don't mean. It is very easy to say something hurtful to someone else if you are already mad. What we need to realize, is that we should not hold grudges. Life is too short to be mad at someone you love and care about. Of course there is always going to be a time when you are upset with someone but there should never be a time when you hate them and want nothing to do with them. It is the holiday season, which is a time for forgiveness, it is a time to show your loved one's how much they mean to you. If there is someone in your life that has upset you in someway and you still are mad at them, find it in your heart to let it go and forgive them.
" To forgive is not to forget, but it clears the air and releases your regret."
-Brandon Zornado

A helping hand!

There are people who have not had a great upbringing and have not been able to experience certain things. Everyone deserves to have a great life and the chance to make something of themselves. It is very sad to think that some people don't have families to go to and see on the holidays or any day for that matter. There are people out there that are all alone and have know where to go. I watched a movie last night called " The Blind Side," and it was about a boy who lived in the projects and was taken away from his family at a very young age because his Mom was too caught up in drugs, alcohol and sex. She could not take care of him and it was a unsafe place for him to live in. When he was about 18 years old or so a family found him walking in the rain one night on the side of the road and they offered to have him stay the night because he did not have a place to sleep. His name is Michael and he never before in his life even had a bed. This family takes him in and ends up becoming his legal gardians. They gave him a life that he would not of had. He was given the chance to make something of himself. You will have to see the movie to find out the rest and see what Michale makes of his life. Do not give someone a helping hand just because you want to, but because it is the right thing to do.

" Everyone deserves a chance, it is up to them to make the most of it."
-Brandon Zornado

Black Friday!

Today is the biggest shopping day of the year. All the stores open around 4 to 6 am and there are hundreds of people waiting in line to rush through the door to get the big sales. I love this day because the focus is now directed towards Christmas. Everyone is up bright and early and the day if full of chaos and excitement. We were at the stores today at 3am and we got some amazing deals. The stores only have their huge sale event for the first 4 or so hours, so it is best to get there first thing when they open.
This year it was not as busy as previous years, probably because everyone is trying to cut back and not spend as much. The holidays are not a time to see how much you can spend on a gift. They are about spending time with the ones you love and giving something meaningful. It doesn't matter the price of your gift, the thought is what counts. Enjoy yourself this holiday season and be thankful for everything that you have.
" The best gift is one given from the heart." -Brandon Zornado

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is a National Holiday. It is " Thanksgiving." This is my favorite holiday next to Christmas because it is a time when I get to be close with my family and the one's I love. Today was a wonderful day. We went to my girlfriend's family for lunch and then over to my Mom's side for dinner. Both places were a lot of fun and the food was delicious. I am so thankful for my family, friends, girlfriend, pets, and just life itself. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoys it to the fullest.

" Giving thanks to people you love is like getting a wonderful gift in return." -Brandon Zornado

Addiction!

In the dictionary the word addiction is described as , " the condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something." There are many things that people can become addicted to. Addictions such as drugs, alcohol, stealing, smoking, betting, abuse etc, can have a very negative outlook on someones life. People think that if they do it one time then it is ok, but they do not realize initially what can happen. When a person becomes addicted to something it can be very hard to stop. I have had close people in my life become addicted to things and I have seen how their life changed drastically for the worse.

I do have to admit that I am currently addicted to things but they are all positive. I am addicted to playing the guitar, hanging out with friends and family, and enjoying my life. Addictions do not have to be bad. If you surround yourself with positive things and people then everything will be fine. It is very important to think about something and the consequences that may occur before you make your decision. There are things that are not worth it and there will be times when you are peer pressured but you do not have to give in. Just make sure that you stand up for what you believe is right.

- " Addictions can be good or bad, make sure you choose the right one." -Brandon Zornado

Spending time with the one's you love!

Last night I had dinner almost ready when my girlfriend got home. We had fish fillet, rice pilaf and a dinner roll. The meal was delicious. After dinner we cleaned up and then she rested for a little bit because she had a long day at school. I watched the blazer game, which was a great game by the way! After she got up from a nap we talked about what we were going to do. Usually on a Friday night we would meet some friends somewhere and maybe grab a drink. Last night we decided to do something just the two of us. We went to Bridgeport Village and got coffee and apple cider and walked around then we went into Borders and looked at a ton of different books that were very interesting. I grabed a couple books about guitar to look at and she walked around and looked at various types of books. Then after a bit we sat down together and looked at a book called, "Nashville TN Insiders 7th Edition." We want to move to Nashville within a year and this book was very helpful. We learned a lot about the different areas and places to visit when we go in the spring for vacation. I ordered the book today on amazon so we can figure more out and have a plan before we get there. After that we went home and looked at places to get married when the day comes. Last night was an amazing night and I spent it with the girl that means the world to me.
In life you have to spend time with the one's you love and show them that the time you guys have together is special. You do not always have to have a plan of what you are going to do. Sometimes things are the best when they are decided at the last minute. Do something with someone you love. No matter what you do, cherish the moment and make the best of it.
- " Cherish your loved ones, the best feeling in the world is being with someone you love."

TGIF!!!!

Thank God It's Friday! Today is the best day of the week because it starts the weekend. Everyone has been at work all week and now it is time to relax and have some fun. The whole day is a good day usually, even at work. Everyone is more energetic and seems to be in a better mood on Friday's. It is probably just because everyone knows that they do not have to go to work tomorrow. All the restaurant owners must love Friday's as well because everyone usually goes out to happy hour and dinner on this day. I think it would be awesome if happy hours were extended on the weekends. People are way more relaxed on the weekends and more likely to go out and have a good time, so why not have great prices on Fridays and Saturdays to make everyone happy. Life is about having a good time and doing things that you enjoy with ones that you love and are close to. So today after work go do something fun. Go out to dinner, go to a movie, meet some friends somewhere. Whatever you decide to do, make the best of it and allow yourself to have a good time.
" Enjoy each day, you never know when it will be your last." -Brandon Zornado