I just found this video today. I made it last summer. I was (am) such a cheesehead!

Freshman vs. Sophomore

I remember my first weekend on campus like it was yesterday. Well, technically it was my second because the FIRST weekend I was doing all that crazy New Lancer Days stuff (but I don't count that).

I remember my first weekend being really boring. I didn't know anyone that well, and the people I did know, I didn't want to bug them by asking them to do stuff with me, so I sat in my room like a loser and got on Facebook or Tumblr or watched movies.

But THIS year, I had the BUSIEST weekend. I was not in my room before six o'clock at night Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. I was going, going, going, all day long and it was glorious! I missed all of my friends over the summer and spending all day long with them for two days was amazing!

I love college.

Jesus wept

She sits on a cold, dirty linoleum floor sobbing for her lost loved one. Tears stain her cheeks and shirt. Feeling so out of control she waits for the feeling to subside, but it does not. In walks one angel, wearing a black shirt and jeans, she sits down beside her and gently strokes her hair, comforting her, silently saying everything will be alright. In walks two more angels, their eyes full of sympathy and understanding. Both kneel down to her, one sitting next to her, patting her arm, the other at her feet. After an hour of tears and corny jokes, laughter and songs, the girl realizes that even when she is broken in a million little pieces that every tear falls for a reason, and that there is beauty in the breaking a young heart.

Mac-uum.

My puppy, Mac. Got him when I was two and had to let him go when I was eighteen. Today, while driving home I starting thinking about him and the last day I saw him alive. Both of his back legs were broken, yet he lay in the laundry basket silent and unmoving. The strangest thing was he wasn't wimpering - only when he moved - or shaking, or freaking out at all. He was peaceful while I stroked him crying and telling him everything would be okay.

He was my baby, and tonight in the car I silently talked to him, telling him I missed him and that I loved him.

It's strange how humans and animals can bond - cats, dogs, horses; the works. Well, Mac was my buddy and even though it's been over a year, his collar still hangs on my bedpost like it has since the night he died and every now and then, after being away from home for a while I'll slip up and say "Yeah, I'm going to get to see my family and my dog," but he won't be there. It's just a big change going from having him by my side for sixteen years and then to not having a pet at all.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

- Author Unknown

Journal Entry

This new inspiration journal has really brought out my creative side. I cut, paste, draw, and write more than I ever have and I love it (:

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Today for me a great day. I woke up, internet-ed for a little while and then went to Target and spent some money. After leaving with my venti iced chai tea from Starbucks (couldn't help myself) my aunt called and asked me if I wanted to earn some money (and who doesn't?). So I went to the house they rent out and washed the walls in the living room and the windows in the living room and kitchen, because tenants apparently don't know how to clean. But I earned some money and spent some time with my aunt and Nana so it was a good day (:

Simplistic Living

Two posts in one day, I'm on a roll.

The idea of living in a yurt sounds so appealing to me. And maybe not all the time, but as a get away house, maybe a safe house if I ever choose to take up a life of crime (joke). It's just so rustic and simple. No electricity (but there is plumbing, thank goodness).

I can just picture myself sitting outside my little hut with a steaming cup of tea in my hand reading books and at night, just watching the stars and moon while breathing in deeply and exhaling silent prayers. It sounds very relaxing. Of course, if I ever did live in a yurt, I'd have to venture into civilization every once in a while to update this blog.

Sandals for Change

I just recently found these new shoes/sandals thanks to Caiti. I really love them.

Sseko \say-ko\ sandals are made by women in Uganda who are graduates of Cornerstone Leadership Academy and employees of Sseko Designs. Sseko hires women to work for a period of nine months where they work and live together, while all of the money goes straight to their university education.

These beautifully handmade sandals are crafted from the hands of women who've known poverty and overwhelming sadness, yet still strive for something better.

Basically, I'm buying a pair ASAP.

Inspiration Journal

I've recently started an inspiration journal, which is basically just a journal, but more colorful. I have some secrets, and some not so secrets tucked away, but it's completely colorful. I have one rule and one rule alone for this new journal of mine and it's that there is no white on any page. I will draw, color, and paste over every inch of white paper.

I have no lines, no boundaries, and no dates. I write/draw/create in it multiple times a day.

I did this for the simple reason that writing for me doesn't come as easily as people think. Yes, I can produce essays in a few hours that receive A's and B's, and yes, I can write a short story in an hour and post it on my blog, but unless I have inspiration, I cannot. So I fill this journal with pictures, words, hopes, dreams, and insight that am inspired about.

PS. Since we're talking about inspiration, just for everyone to enjoy - I just found this today and I thought it was a brilliant kind of relaxing/freeing kind of thing. Check this out. Is it not the coolest thing in the world?

Step into a new world.

You know, I've seen a lot of girls post on their blogspots/tumblrs/facebooks/etc. pictures of their purses and its contents, but never have I seen someone upload about their bookshelf. Since I am a bibliophile I felt I had to do this immediately.

This is my bookshelf.

Gilmore Girls seasons 1-7. The complete works.. because it's important.

The last two books of the Karen Kingsbury Redemption series, and the last four books of the Karen Kingsbury Firstborn series. The first Firstborn book is on my nightstand.

*These books were borrowed from Jordan.

Three Cups of Tea is a phenomenal book. I'm only on chapter four, but I love it already. I've actually been reading it for about a year and have only gotten that far. It's kind of hard to follow what with all the Palestinian names and the mountain climbing jargon, but I will finish it someday. Screwtape Letters has been on this shelf since I bought it. I have so many books that I need to read and I always manage to pick up something else before I pick up this one.

I haven't finished The Da Vinci Code, but I've started it. I've seen the movie, so I know what it's about, but I still want to read the book. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen is my favorite "teen" book ever. And then of course there's The Bible. I don't use that one. The one I use is the NIV and it's on the dresser beside my bed.

Boys Will Put You On A Pedestal (So They Can Look Up Your Skirt) is a funny book my Nana gave me a few years ago. Touch Points for Students is a really good book too. I've kind of been using it for devotions more than reading material. But it helps me nonetheless.

The Irresistable Revolution... 'nuf said. And Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister is really good too. I'm about halfway through. It's written by Gregory MacGuire, the author of Wicked.

I have a huge problem with starting books and then putting them down for so long I have to reread them. The Phantom of the Opera and No Country For Old Men are examples of this. I've read the first maybe three chapters of Phantom of the Opera and the first six chapters of No Country For Old Men. So I definitely need to reread those when the time comes.

I made this portfolio my junior year of high school for my Teacher Interning class. I LOVED interning with Mrs. Willoughby. She was phenomenal and I learned so much from her.

Some people read The Night Before Christmas; but every Christmas Eve I read The Nutcracker. It's my favorite Christmas book by far.

Harry Potter books 4, 5, and 7. I don't own 1, 2, and 3. I have no idea where my number 6 is. :P

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Vol. 1 and 2. My Grandma gave me these a couple years ago. I've only read the ones I like though. Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, Macbeth.

My favorite children's books. The others are in storage in our garage. The only kid's book that's missing is You Are Special by Max Lucado. That is in a box underneath my bed.