and then I remember...

I really did fly over the sea and go to the Land of Ire. I really did lay my body down on a rock and look into the crashing ocean many, many feet below me. I really did live in a cottage with a red door and make french press in the mornings. I really did hold a Harris Hawk (his name was Juan). I really did just take a hike to a castle...multiple times.

Ireland was real.

But so is Auburn.

And they are both beautiful in their own way.
Feeling thankful today, even if it's a crazy day. Life is just too beautiful not to announce that every once in a while.

Snow, snow

and my heart is full...

Fresh Breath

Well yeah, being outside is one of my favorites. I just tend to be cooped up in front of a computer screen (gag). 

I don't know why we do this. But sometimes, when humans are thrown extra responsibility, they stop doing things for fun and turn their attention to what is the most logical thing to do with their time. I get that sometimes you have to forego the things that make you happy in order to get what needs to be done (I get it. I totally do.). But I feel as though we forget to take care of ourselves outside of the normal, take a shower, eat healthy, and sleep type of things. A healthy mind is important too. So why not spend 10 minutes a day reading for fun? Why not a take weekend and go camping? Why not go to a restaurant and spend 3 hours eating your meal? Because I think when we take the time to take care of our mind and spirit, everything else begins to function in a better way. 

All of that to say. I love camping and haven't gone in a long time because of school. I am so happy to have the opportunity to go to college! But I'm learning that taking the time to pursue things just because they are fun...is a really healthy thing to do for a person. I feel better when I do it. So will you. Trust me. 

Let's just throw away our ideas of the perfect self and just do something for fun! No judgement, no guilt, just go and do it and take a deep breath and feel the life that God has given you inside of your lungs. Life is a blessing. Go live it.

lately

I think people have a misconception of being alone in public. People assume that the person alone is lonely and is sad. Which, yes, sometimes may be the case. But over the past week, I've learned to cherish being alone. I went to the movies with a group...and then split off and watched a movie by myself (for the second time, Walter Mitty, you hit me right here *fist to heart*). I went and got ice cream on a rainy day at Toomer's by myself and organized my mind for a few minutes. Trust me, I am not becoming a recluse, but I'm just learning to savor my alone time instead of scrambling texts to try to find someone to eat lunch with.
^above is my view of my spot for the semester. I have a class with a friend, and then I have about an hour before I meet up with other people for lunch. And in that hour I hunker down and read. (Lately I've been trying to finally finish A Severe Mercy. (Read this book. Read it. Don't think about it, just get your little booty to Amazon or wherever you desire to purchase books and buy this beauty of some words on paper. It will change your life.) Anyways. This is my view, and I like it. It was rainy on this particular day. And I was just looking at the University and realized that I have the privilege to attend such a wonderful school.


So, War Eagle, and a happy rest of the week to ya!

the weekenders: a little bit of SEC football

I may not be the loudest fan. I may not don orange and blue and auburn tshirts all the time. But just know that there is a part of me that gets giddy at a sea of orange in a stadium all howling war eagle and seeing the tops of hundreds of orange tents partnered with the aroma of grilled burgers. It's my school and it's a tradition.

War Eagle.

the weekenders: ice cream

If you've ever been to Auburn, you KNOW that you have to try Toomer's Lemonade. But when I go to Toomer's it is more likely that I will walk out with an ice cream cone than a big cup of lemonade (I can take about 5 or 6 sips of the lemonade and I'm done...it's SO sour!). And...I'll probably have a scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough.
Quick story: my freshman year, I went to Toomer's for ice cream in August (right after classes had started) and I sat down with my ice cream cone, went to lick the ice cream and it fell on the ground. It had rolled OFF the cone!

So I just picked it up and put it back on the cone. And then enjoyed my ice cream.
Nothing comes between me and ice cream...






I kind of always dreamed I would meet that special someone at Auburn, and we would be a little Auburn couple and go to football games, Toomer's, J&M, and lots of coffee shops in Auburn. I dreamed of taking coffee to that boy while he was studying for midterms and baking him little goodies. And you know, God always gives you the better plan and the better future. Turns out, I knew Garrett before going to college and we go to different schools. But he does visit and we get to go to games and Toomer's AND eat our ice cream on Samford lawn. So uh...war eagle?

the weekenders: f r i d a y

Friday night, Garrett drove up to our house and I jumped for joy! We were going out on a date and I was going to dress up and hoped to feel good. We went out to Ma-Fia's  (how I had never been there...I don't know), and the second my foot hit the threshold of this restaurant, I fell in love! The salad had fried mozzarella and the main dishes were simply amazing. I've decided to eat everything on the menu at some point in my life. Hopefully in the next 2 years (well, we'll see bout that).

On a sad note, I thought Garrett and I looked pretty snazzy but all I got was a picture of him with my phone. Well, I still think he looks dapper.

insta-HAMin' it up

(um. and because my friends didn't understand what HAM stood for...I'm using it in the sense of 'hamming' it up for the camera...haha)

sophomore -- waddup!

Yes, and now I'm back at school documenting my life with my phone because I can.

Using your phone for photos of everyday life is so convenient. I love, love my digital camera and film camera, but as a college student who carries a backpack...snapping shots with my iPhone seems to work just fine for me for day to day things.
SO.
I'll be posting pictures, but I apologize if the amount of instagrams start to become annoying. Sorry, but it's just so nice :)

Life back on the Plains:
(life as a design student.)

8 am everyday. and i LOVE it.

After my first day at work on Monday,

(y'all...I'm working at Anthro...how am I going to MAKE any money?)

I got an email confirming my seat in the Graphic Design Program for Fall 2012...

I screamed.

Ran out of the house to find my sister and mom.

Then screamed at them.

Then ran back to our house and screamed and danced.

Called Madison to make sure she got in.

Checked facebook.

OUR GROUP ALL GOT IN.

We're going to be designers!!!

I get to do stuff like this:

found this at cantina when we went for celebration fish tacos.

local brewery!

(well. gadsden.)

And here's my morning for each and every day next semester:

8 AMs every.single.morning.

a)used to it

b)FINE BY ME. Those are ALL design courses, y'all!

HA-LAY-LOO-YUR!

God is so good.

Glory be to him for having grace on little ol' me.

War Eagle.

A Gradumication

Last Monday, my big brother, Graham, graduated from Auburn University!

He's a smart one.

And I love him bunches and bunches.

It's weird how fast time flies.

I remember watching movies where the siblings would be celebrating college graduations and I would always think to myself how far away that was.

2 down, 1 to go (me.)

Our family is now completely different.

Sometimes I DO miss everyone being home and that being a permanent state.

But at the same time, because we get older...our family grows.

We get in-laws and grand babies (okay none of us are close to this yet...but I mean...it happens).

So as much as I wish I COULD stop this train at times, I find more and more that I don't want to.

We become adults and we become more than just siblings...we become close friends by choice. We confide in each other and seek time with our family by choice. 

We desire it because we know what is home.

Sav's graduation if you're interested:
Gradumication!

*as cheezy as this is...if you notice that once your mouse goes over the above link...it turns organge and blue...oh blogger. you're just so smart.*

i'm a fan.

----

but anyways...

School is a killer this semester. But I'm involved in some pretty incredible things and I'm dang thankful for it all.

Oh. And I'm blogging during my super weird 3D Design class. You see, my professor is Chinese and has never taught in English before.

It's...crazy ridiculous.

Have a swonderful week!

ALL IN

Here we go, Auburn!

I can't tell you how much I love my tigers.

They're awesome.

And I love me some Auburn football.

I didn't get an Iron Bowl ticket in my 'mini-season' pack...and then decided instead of spending money on a ticket, I'd stay home for a couple more days and work on my portfolio and project.

But boy oh boy (!) do I wish I was (were??) there!

In homage to my 2nd home and our favorite fall past time:

.WAR EAGLE.

Party in the Student Center!

We may have just turned in one of the best 2D design projects ever.

It was FUN.

And it had COLOR.

So we're celebrating with ABP and Starbucks.

YEAHHHHH.

P.S. There are male specimens in our program. Just not a lot...and they aren't as fun...usually.