What have we learned here?

Well one thing that we've learned, is that consistency is not really a strength of mine...but that's an old lesson when it comes to this little project of mine. But I come back to this, bearing fantastic news-

I'M DONE! (for now)

I have finished my first year of college and finished well if I do say so myself. I ended the year with a satisfactory GPA, and more importantly I passed all of my proficiency exams. More important than that, I ended up with some pretty stellar friendships and a stronger sense of self, and a different/ deeper understanding of my faith and Jesus. I did not accomplish all of my goals, and there is a part of me that is a little sad about that, but I do have to keep in mind that it was only the first year, and I've got A LOT of time left for growing (thank you Jesus!).

It's the strangest thing really- having two completely different zip codes in which you have two pretty separate lives. I have been home for about a week, and while it was definitely time to be away from Murray for a little while, I will admit to missing the people, and the familiar surroundings, the day-to-day routine, and the liberating independence that my first two semesters of college life afforded me. I miss being able to sit up with my suite-mate and watch dumb movies on netflix and talk until 3:30 in the morning. I miss being able to go over to the music building at any hour of the day and know who I'm gonna find in the practice rooms. I might even miss that random guy who was ALWAYS benching during my walk to class, making me wish I had taken the other paths (okay...maybe not that guy). However, I definitely do NOT miss having my family many hours away and I have LOVED being back at my home church. I have enjoyed the peace that is being in my own room in my own house and the productivity that I have, have not, taken part in.

The craziest thing, is that I have been blessed with an opportunity to be on staff at the church camp I grew up going to- Aldersgate, and I could not be more thrilled for the chance to serve, and ultimately show Jesus to elementary- high school students. Which means yet another zip code to add to my life. This one is still closer to home than school is, and I will be able to go home on some weekends, which will be a nice change, but it definitely is shaping up to be a very different summer than I had pictured. I am a little apprehensive about this whole ordeal and the voices in my head are my mental dialogue is going into overdrive with everything I feel like I need to do to be "prepared." But I know that there is nothing else I could be doing this summer that would be able to measure up to this experience, and I know that this is what the Lord has for me, and for that I could not be more excited. I believe that incredible things are going to happen this summer at camp, and I am so honored to be apart of them, and I cannot wait to see things unfold!

Motivation Monday

Happy Monday!!! This week, my motivation solely rests on the fact that I get to go home in 4 days! Happy Count-down to spring break y'all!

Motivation Monday

Ohh the irony that exists in this post. Last night we got hit with the icepocalypse pt. 2, and it was bad enough to extend our weekend a couple days, YAY! I definitely felt like I was back in high school last night when they called it- my roommate and I were waiting on our pizza to be delivered (it was so bad outside we didn't want to walk to get dinner, it was so wonderfully lame) and our RA goes running down the hallway yelling that classes were cancelled. I don't think that I can convey the excitement of the ladies of 4S to you through words. I must say, not having classes today was delightful and if I were a good student, I would talk about how I used my day to get ahead of all my school work and my room is now spotless and blah blah blah. However, I am a typical college student and used the day to catch up on sleep and getting to work on a project or two that I haven't been able to get to normally (can you say update the blog...), and maybe there has been a "Say Yes to the Dress" marathon going on all day too. And miracle of miracles, Fine Arts was reportedly closed, so I couldn't even feel guilty for not going to practice today :).

So today as I was looking at my favorite blogs for inspiration, and thinking about whether or not I wanted to continue this particular project, I came across a few different "Motivation Monday" series. So the goal then, is to post something inspirational and/or motivational each week on Mondays- and also I found a 5 for Friday link up that I'm considering as well, but more on that later!

I found this picture on good ole' Pinterest this past week and I just couldn't put it out of my mind, and now it's the background on my phone.

Original Source Unknown

This past week, the session for my mentor-ship program was all about self-esteem. As a human-being, having a strong, positive view of myself is something that I have struggled with for longer than I could articulate and I like having this little reminder of qualities that I value. As I write this even, I think its rather superficial. I know that I have an identity in Christ that goes so far beyond these few qualities, but I also think that having a simple reminder can do a lot in reminding me of that identity. Well, that's the hope anyways :) 

So with a confidence boost for us all, let's go forth and use it to do something lovely with our day!

DIY Mug

If you're like me and an avid pinterest browser, you probably have seen many versions of adorable mugs created from plain mugs and sharpies. I for one, LOVE the idea, because it opens up so many inexpensive, fun, crafty options for gifts! However, when I set out to actually do the project I found a lot of people saying that it simply wasn't as easy as it seems. :( I was pretty bummed out, as this was going to be a Christmas present for one of my best friends.

BUT, while I was walking through Hobby Lobby the other day, I found a paint pen that supposedly works on glass, ceramic, and various other materials, and can be heat set to be dishwasher safe (!!). It was a little more expensive than your average sharpie (I think it was $2.50) but I already had the mug from some other project gone wrong, and its still cheaper than trying to buy something for a present, and I think its a lot cuter than anything I could have reasonably found, and the best part? It really was super simple!

Materials: Mug, Paint Pen, Black Dry Erase Marker

Once getting all of  your materials together, you then have to do the hardest part- decide what you're going to draw. Since this was a gift for one of my friends I went with a quote that reminded me of her and a cross on the other side. I didn't want to do anything too intricate, so I went pretty simple. After deciding, I drew everything out carefully with a dry erase marker, that way I could get the general idea of spacing and such while still being able to go back and change it if I wanted to. After that I erased one thing (word or shape) at a time and drew it back with the paint marker. It didn't take very much time or effort at all, and I'm super happy with the way it turned out! After everything was drawn on, I just had to let it dry and then bake it according to the directions on the pen's package to set it. I think its adorable and I know my friend will love it!

Would you rather...

Would you rather look like a dying whale or a dying cow? Because after tonight I have accomplished both, and let me tell you, neither one is cute. Not at all.

I have officially tried Zumba and Aqua Zumba, and no, I am good at neither. Tonight was Aqua Zumba, and it was fun...kinda. I went with one of my fantastic friends and we had a decently good time, but I am just not good at anything that requires that kind of rhythm and coordination. Lame right? She tells me that if I go more often I might learn the moves and then I would catch on, which is probably true, but...I don't know if I can make it to that point. Call it a character flaw but it makes me extremely uncomfortable to be dancing in public, especially when I don't know the moves and when I'm that uncomfortable I have trouble having fun. And actually, it's more that I KNOW that I look stupid than simply being uncomfortable. But I tried it, and it didn't kill me, and there were some good laughs out of it. So I'd call it worth it.

Looking Forward

As I start the packing up process yet again to move back to school I am very excited to start the spring semester. This winter break has been one of healing and restoration, but more importantly it has been a time for me to remember who I am, where I came from but mostly whose I am. This past semester consisted of some circumstances that trapped me in a survival dance, which served to very effectively make me forget my priorities. But, I will be in such a different mindset during this drive to Murray than I was at this time almost 6 months ago. I have a better idea of what to expect, and I made some changes right before I left that should set me on a better path for next semester.

Flashback to moving day...nah.
 I'm a much better packer now!

And of course, just like anybody else I am looking to this fresh start as a perfect time to institute some changes in my life. I have goals for this year, which are mostly the same as my last year's "resolutions" therefore I hesitate to call them such. Most of the carry-over is lifestyle related, which is why I don't want them to be a single year "resolution," but a genuine effort to better my life in a way for which future me will be thankful. These include things like "get more exercise" and "eat better," which are terribly broad, and immeasurable. So this year, I am attempting to better qualify my broad goals:

-By finals week, I will run a 5k.
      This started as an bet of sorts with some girls on my floor, but it has always been a dream of mine

       to be able to just go run for a distance and actually enjoy it. I will train for this by "working out" at 

       least 3x a week, focusing on interval training so that I can work up cardio and gradually adding in

       some strength training after finding some sort of guide or expert with which to consult.
- I will eat better.
       I have no other way to better say this, but this essentially translates into 3 properly portioned 

       meals a day that each consist of at least 50% veggies and/ or fruit, as well as HEALTHY snacking 

       (low sugar, low cal, low processing). This basically means that I will have to be super creative 

       when it comes to dorm life. I have very limited options in the cafeteria, and basically no kitchen 

       access. But I have spent a great deal of my break learning about healthy microwave options as 

       well as making grocery lists and fridge-stocking plans which will be implemented as soon as I get 

       back to campus.
- I will grow deeper with Christ.
      This is of course the most important part of the lifestyle that I desire to live, and the part that I desire

      in the deepest part of my heart. You would think that the value of this aspect and the deep desire I

      have for it would make it easier, and you would be dead wrong. Everyday is a fight against 

      complacency and human-nature lethargy, and its a fight that I lost too many days last year. I do not 

      believe that spending time beating myself up for past shortcomings is the most productive way to 

      deal with them, so looking to the future, I will spend time in the word daily, making every effort to 

      remain in a study that will challenge me and keep me involved. I will remain active in a church, and I 

      will continue to make friends who will keep me accountable (with that being said, I will strengthen 

     my current friendships in the accountability aspect). This year especially, I want to explore different 

     aspects of worship. As a musician, my go-to form of worship is music, but I know that there are 

     many many other ways to give glory to the Lord and revel in His presence, and I am looking forward 

     to exploring them in more depth this year.

Specifically for this year, I want to take more opportunities to be creative outside of music, I want to improve as a musician and become more disciplined in my practicing, I want to be more intentional about growing the Godly friendships I have currently, as well as finding new ones.

But I want more than anything else to be open to His leading, and follow it, and I know that if I do that; I will end up on the craziest, most beautiful journey and that is what I'm created for.