Fresh Start

One week from today I'll be back on campus, back with my friends, and back to the classroom. Now if you ask me about school, I'll reply lets not think about it, but secretly I'm really excited. I'm taking very few classes this semester, but they're all major and career oriented so I'm really excited. Plus I start with research with one of my favorite professors & am absolutely jazzed about the opportunity. To get prepared for the new semester I've compiled a small list of things that will help start the semester with success. Or in other words, a few of my favorite things, school edition. 

I received this Vineyard Vines whale tote over Christmas & am so excited about using it! I only have one class each day, so using a tote bag is much much easier for me. This beauty has a zip top, and multiple pockets. 

Staedtler pens are my favorite. I was a fan of the sharpie pens for the longest time, until I discovered these in our bookstore on campus. They are super fine and don't bleed at all!! Plus they come in all sorts of fun colors, which helps my color coding OCD. I always look forward to adding fun events in my planner with these pens.

My water cup. I realized toward the end of last semester I tend to drink more water if theres a straw, don't know why I just do. And over the break between the extreme cold outside, and heat of the stores I've felt very dehydrated. So heres to drinking more and more water to keep me going through the day. 

These are a few things I love to use everyday while at school. 

What do you like to use? I'm always looking for new ideas. :)

Moving Forward

A new year is coming upon us soon, and over the past few days I've taken time to reflect over the year 2012. I've also thought about what I would like 2013 to hold. I'm so excited for the new year, nothing better than a clean slate and starting absolutely fresh. Here is what I'm hoping 2013 holds for me

1. More pictures. 

I have totally failed in taking pictures. I wish I had more pictures of friends at events, doing silly things, and just every day life. I took plenty while on vacation, until my camera ya know died in the first two weeks.bummer. But I hardly took any during the fall semester, besides football games. So in 2013 here is to my camera being charge, and taking way more pictures to document all the wonderful things happening in life.

2. Having even more time with my friends. 

In 2012 I definitely spent more time with friends, and I want to continue this. This fall I made such a fun group of friends. We love going out together, and even staying in to play silly board games. There was even that one time I joined a flag football team. haha. This has added so much to my life and I look forward to continuing the good times we have been having. 

3. One beach trip.

Oh boy do I have summer on the brain. I love the heat. So I absolutely must make a beach trip happen this year. Sun, sand, ocean, & friends. Nothing can get any better. 

4. Celebrating.

I do love a good celebration party. And so much is going to be happening in 2013! From pretty much all of my friends graduating, kid you not I'll be attending ALL graduation ceremonies in the spring, to engagements. To birthdays, and friends going on to great great things after graduation. So much celebrating is about to take place next year and I'm so excited.

5. Working hard hard hard to that dream career.

Over the Christmas break I got to shadow pretty much what is close to my dream job. So now I'm motivated more than ever before to work for my dream career. 

2013 is sure to have its own bumps, but I know the ride will sure be worth it! 

So hang on, because I'm ready to make 2013 my year!!

2012 Recap

Oh boy was 2012 the year of major bumps. So much craziness has happened since January I'm still surprised I'm still standing. Lets look at some major highlights shall we?

January- went to Passion 2012

February- had a fun Valentines party with my friends.

May-June Got to fulfill my dream of studying abroad in London.

July- Taught some of the sweetest babies how to swim.

August- Traveled to Atlanta for the first game of season, and had my first Waffle House experience, and at 2 am no less.

September- played flag football with the most incredible group of friends. Clear eyes, full heart, can't loose.

October- the month full of fun. From being silly at football games, to my first race for the cure, to an internship with some inspiring kids. 

November- went out on a Monday night for the first time ever. And in return got to become chums with Greg Bates.

Can't forget I got to vote for the first time ever too!!

And then came December, when ya know I forgot to take pictures. But the month has been oh so much fun! From a fun work Christmas cruise, to a silly 90s Christmas party, to just going out with friends and getting to know new people. Life is just kicking up for me and I couldn't be in a happier place.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all! May your day be filled with laughter and family!

Monday Funday

Its almost hump day everyone, the weekend is getting closer!!

To kick off this week we had an all out Monday Funday kinda night. Greg Bates was playing at our local Tin Roof for FREE, so we decided to go check it out, and relax on a Monday night. 

The concert was small and intimate and oh so much fun! I met up with my girl sMb around 930 and we relaxed a bit at her beau's house before heading out. We managed to gather quite a posse, gotta love those roommates, the more the merrier! We had a great time dancing and singing along and I can't wait to Greg Bates returns to Knoxville. If you haven't heard any of his songs go listen to "I did it for the girl" right now!!

Best Monday funday yet!!

November Goals

November is upon us, and Thanksgiving is just days away! How time is flying by so fast this semester. I love setting up small manageable goals and I'm ready for the month of November. Lets see how I did for the month of October.

1. Contact RD at Children's Hospital

This unfolded so splendidly. When I had the intention of personally writing the RD myself, I actually networked and made a contact who formerly worked at Children's Hospital. This kind soul put in a reference for me, and I have now submitted my volunteer application to rock sweet NICU babies for the spring semester.

 

2. Contact a professor in research.

Check!

I submitted my application and resume to work in one of my favorite professors labs and will be starting research in January. I also get course credit for doing research so I'm really excited.

 

3. Finish Harry Potter #1.

Fail. I never even touched the book, except to put my ipad on top of it. Oops! Life is rolling too fast for reading, and honestly I'm not missing it that much. I enjoy filling my time reading other blogs, and informational posts than reading a book. Maybe over Christmas I'll pick up some books.

 

4. Do my daily devotional.

Pass/Fail

I started off so well, but then we go to the end of the study, and I missed weeks. Yeah, weeks. Oops!! But as of today I'm back on track. I've started getting my devotional sent to my email daily so I see it, and read it every morning.

 

5. Go to a pumpkin patch.

Fail. As time has it I never managed to go. With friends not having any interest (boo on you friends) I didn't want to go alone. I even failed at decorating my own pumpkin. Oh well, there's always next year!

 

Now for the month of November.

 

1. Daily Devotional.

2. Workout at least once a week.

{Starting small here}

3. Check three more people off my Christmas list.

4. Pray more often for friends, family, & our nation.

5. Make three new recipes.

 

Cheers to a new month, and celebrating the holidays!!

My tree is going up tonight, since I have limited time at school to enjoy it. 

Girls Weekend Getaway!

Finally, FRIDAY!!

I'm so happy for the weekend.

Although I've done absolutely nothing this pass week. Monday I had a HUGE exam, and well once that was over I've been re-watching The Hills on Netflix every single day. Don't judge, I have to start studying for finals next week. 

Anyways, last weekend my dear friend Jordan, my mother, & myself gallivanted off to Charlotte for a little girls weekend. We left on Saturday bright and early, waaaay before the sun was up. Rising so early demanded an iced coffee and biscuit from Micky Ds before hitting the road. We jammed the whole way with a seriously awesome playlist. Once we arrived we hit the mall. South Park mall in Charlotte has to be one of my absolute favorites. 

one of my new favorites from resort collection

After a day full of shopping we checked in to our hotel, quickly changed, and went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, my favorite! 

Then it was time to venture downtown, the whole reason for coming to Charlotte. We were headed to the Hunter Hayes & Carrie Underwood concert! We had so much fun.

It was really great to kick back, relax, and jam out to some great music! 

Lets just say after the concert I had some serious hair envy of Carrie.

On Sunday we took the day pretty easy. We enjoyed our extra hour of sleep before heading out for the day. We spent our morning in the Bass Pro shop, and then hopped over to IKEA. 

I can't leave Ikea without making a few purchases, its impossible.

Sadly we had to head home as I had to study and return back to school. 

Such a perfect weekend away.

Have a great weekend!