10 things I miss about the 717

So most of you know I pretty much hated living in Pennsylvania.   It was my junior year, I was away from all my family and friends, and I had a mega bad attitude.  On futher reflection, I've decided it wasn't all bad.  In fact I even miss somethings about it.

1) Hershey!  Chocolate world...does that really need an explination?
2) ALLEGRA FRANKLIN.  She is pretty much one of the coolest people ever.
3) Washington DC.  45 minutes away.
4) NYC. 1 1/2 hours away.
5) Panera Bread.  They seriously have the best pastries and breads and panninis ever!
6) The ice storms...just kidding!  But we did have lots of snow days off of school.
7) It brought me a lot closer to my fam.
8) The small town feel Carlisle had.  It was super close to big cities, but the town itself had a lot of civic pride.  I miss that.
9) The humidity.  It was way good for my skin! ;)
10) Being able to share the gosple on a regular basis.  It still happens here, especially at my school, but it was a good growing experience.

So there you go.  There is a silver lining to every rainy cloud!  keep looking, even if it takes you 5 years to find it!

I did it!

Here is my new hair!!!

I'm a fan...  Thanks Kimberly!!

Purple Hair

Most of you know that I have had purple in my hair for the last...hmm, year and a half  I guess.  (Wow, has it really been that long?!?)  Nothing to major, just a panel on one side.  When I first decided to dye my hair a crazy color, I didn't know why.  I've thought a lot about it, and I think I get it now. 

First of all, it is just fun!  I didn't do anything super outrageous.  I could even hide it completly if I needed to.  It's just a peak of color here and there to make people do a double take.  I chose purple because it's my absolute favorite color.  Plus it looked pretty cool with my brown hair and my complexion.

Secondly, I am a pretty boring person.  That is not a bad thing, don't get me wrong.  I live an average life, and I'm good with that.  But I wanted to do something unexpected and out of the ordinary.  Being fairly reserved, no on expected me to have purple hair.  But I think it fits with my slightly quirky side  :)

Probably the deepest and most important reason I did it is because I felt like, at that time, I needed to make some changes in my life.  I needed to let go of the need to follow the course that had been set out for me...both by myself and other people.  It is about the same time that I decided to change my major.  And that was one of the best, most liberating decisions of my life.

My madre calls it my rebellious streak...literally!  I guess if that is the worst rebelling I do, I will be in good shape.

So, after a rough few weeks I am doing it again:  That's right folks, you heard it hear first.  I am rewarding myself for getting through midterms, family drama, work drama, and much more by dying my hair a new color.  This time around, I am going blue!  Pray that it will turn out OK...If worst comes to worst though, I can always get it redone in purple :)

I guess my point is that sometimes we all feel like we need a change, a way to go against our norm.  And that is OK; as long as we don't go too far it is even a healthy thing to mix it up every now and then.  Don't be afraid to try something a little crazy!  Go on, embrace it!  It doesn't have to be something as permanent as hair dye; pick up a new hobby, dance around your yard, wear socks that don't match (see previous post :))...

What are you going to try?

Better Late Than Never

So, I promised only positive and up beat top tens.
I broke my promies!
Sorry guys. 

So to make up for it, here are the top ten most positive, happy things I could think of!

1) Being in a warm bed on a cold morning and knowing that you don't have to get up if you don't want to.

2) Babies...any kind of babies...kittins, ducklings, people babies...

3) Flowers!

4) Those fluffy slipper socks, especially if they have a crazy color or pattern.

5) Finishing all your homework and still having time to watch tv before bed.

6) The prophet!

7) Big bear hugs.

8) Singing at the top of your lungs in the shower.

9) Randomly busting into Dance Party mode.

10) Giving and receiving acts of kindness...just because.

Dear Friends

I think we can all agree that friends are pretty great.

I like having them anyway.



Yesterday I was having an especially downer day. 

I had to work (working on Sunday always makes me grouchy).

I was thinking some serious thoughts.

I knew this week was going to be super busy.

All in all, not one of my finest days. 

But my amazing friends...I just love them all.  I got 2 super nice voicemails, a super nice e-mail, several super nice texts, and some super nice comments on my facebook.  I hadn't told anyone that I was having a bummer day, but they all seemed to just know.  Even my boss at work was really nice to me.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am grateful.  I have so many wonderful people around me that, for some reason, think I am worth their time and attention.  I don't want to sound too cliche, but how blessed am I?  Seriously Heavenly Father, wow.  Thanks!

Introspection

I've been in kind of a contemplative mood the last few days. Lots of my thoughts have been focused on sorting out some feelings or figuring out what is right or wrong.

When I get in these kinds of moods, I find I'm drawn to introspective musicians. Lately I've been on an especially big Ingrid Michaelson kick. Her melodies are beautiful! And her lyrics are so off beat and a little quirky. Some of them really make you stop and think.

Here are some of my faves:

1) So glide away on soapy heels, and promise not to promise any more. If you come around again then I will take the chain from off the door. - The Chain

2. I can do any thing I want to. I can do anything my heart tells me to. I can be anything that I see.- Lady In Spain

3) I want to change the world instead, I sleep. I want to believe in more than you and me. All I that I know is I'm breathing, all I can do is keep breathing, all we can do is keep breathing now. - Keep Breathing

4. Oh what a way that we died. Plenty of tears were supplied. My eyes are rung out and dry as a bone, but I taste much better alone. Something good...now that you're gone, I can roll on to something good. - Oh what a day

5) Let's get rich and by our parents homes in the south of France. Let's get rich and buy everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance. Let's get rich and buy a house on a mountain making everybody look like ants from way up there, you and I. -You and I

6. Happy is the heart that still feels pain. Darkness drains and light will come again. Swing open up your chest and let it in. Just let the love, love, love begin. -Everybody

7) They say you're really not somebody until somebody else loves you. Well, I am waiting to make somebody somebody soon. - Are We There Yet? (Actually, I just adore this whole song.)

8. You call me a mountain. And I call you the sea. I'll stand tall and certain, and watch you swallow me. - Mountain and Sea

9) I'll buy you rogane, when you start loosing all your hair; sew on patches to all you tear. Cause I love the way you call me baby. And you take me the way I am. - The Way I Am

10. Six pounds and seven ounces. A ball of bones and flesh and tears were you. Now your hands, your tiny pink hands grew larger than my hands ever grew. We don't say a word. There's nothing to say that hasn't been heard. How you've grown my little bird. I'm regretting letting you fly. - The Highway

Bonus: I will live my life as a lobster man's wife, on an island in the blue bay. He will take care of me, he will smell like the sea, and close to my heart he'll always stay. I will bear three girls, all with strawberry curls, little Ella and Nelly and Fay. While I'm combing their hair I will catch his warm stare on our island in the blue bay.

Some of them are better in context, so you should go listen to the songs! :)

Ummm...huh?

Have you ever been blind-sided by a peice of news?

I was this week...

and I didn't like it.

At all.

It was not good news at all. But what makes it worse is that it came from someone who I should be able to trust.

Anyway...

Enough of that! :)

I will post something more up-beat soon!

I promise!