Lipstick Stains on Coffee Mugs

TGIF everybody! And boy am I thanking God that it is.  The first week of a new semester can either be a laid back introduction to your classes or all hell breaks loose and every single homework item, essay, and reading assignment is thrown at you in the matter of 24 hours.  This week was definitely the worse of the two evils.

Syllabi fly everywhere as I try to gain control over time management and balancing homework, work, organizations, meetings, events, oh, and a social life too.  It's been a bumpy first week back but I know that somehow...someway...I'll get back on track.

Today as I sit here before my first class and drink out of my stained coffee cup, I'm once again reminded that sometimes things aren't perfect.  There will be stained days, even weeks where you can't seem to find the beauty or good in anything.  I think about that this morning as I debrief over my negative attitude and the emotional wreck I have been.

College is difficult and there isn't a major on campus that will lessen your work load.  Sometimes, you don't have time to go out with your friends and sometimes you have to sacrifice ten more minutes of working on that essay for going to the meeting you are also dedicated to.  What I have learned is that college is about sacrificing, and finding where those sacrifices fit in.

Remember that there will be days stained with a lot of studying and things will get you down, but it's the way in which you handle it and the attitude you have that can completely turn your whole perspective around. 

Springing into a New Semester

Well, today has finally come! I have pretty much dreaded this day for about a month.  No more hiding my nose in my book, or binge watching "How to Get Away with Murder", no more days spent in my snuggie or sleeping in.  Today means work.

Yesterday I returned to school after spending a wonderful weekend in Nashville with my dad.  We got to eat some really good southern grub, hit up the outlet malls, and see Sam Smith perform live at the Grand Ole Opry.  Driving nine hours back to school the next day, was not quite as fun.  The unpacking commenced and it was time to decide what would stay and what would go in my wardrobe.  After three hours of a cluttered mess and reconnecting with my rooomie and friends, it was sinking in that my alarm would go off at 7 am the next morning. Oh geez.

I woke up with surprisingly, brilliant enthusiasm.  Yesterday was in the past and today I started my spring semester.  I am really looking forward to the opportunities I think this will bring.  I just finished my first class, which went smoothly, and I'm looking forward to my other classes (well...minus astronomy).  

I think it's all in the way one thinks.  I tried to avoid coming back to school and getting into a routine, but although I may still sulk for a little bit, everything eventually falls back into place.  The 2015 goals are kick started in high gear.  The planning and homework will begin and the nights in the library will be endless, but I'm ready to make this semester as amazing as last one and focus on myself, school, and spending time with the loved ones that surround me.

The Small Things-A Terrific Tuesday Series

Good morning everyone!! So, today I am starting my "Terrific Tuesday" series.  Most people dread  Monday morning to come and trust me, it can be a real struggle.  But, I have always thought that Tuesdays are a bit more challenging for at least me.  Tuesdays mean that Monday has come and gone and reality has finally set in.  The week has now truly began and it's time to really start again.  Sometimes rolling out of bed on a Tuesday morning feels like looking death straight in the eyes.  That's why I decided to start this series.  It will give myself and hopefully all of you a bit more motivation for your Tuesday and weeks in general.

Today I woke up realizing that this time next week, I will be back at school getting up early and starting my first Tuesday/Thursday classes of this semester.  I can already see the struggle.  Each day I am attempting to get up a little earlier so that it's not as difficult next week.  Today I woke up to an empty house and the twinkling of the sparkling white snow on the ground. In Cleveland, we had a completely snowless December, which for Ohio weather, is quite unusual.  So when I woke up this morning to snow, I must say that it looked quite majestic and beautiful.  Minus the cold, scraping off the car, and the sometimes dangerous ice, the snow truly is gorgeous and a wonderful creation of God.  I then had my typical cup of coffee and got to finish my favorite creamer-win! I was able to enjoy my coffee with the brand new Hallmark movie, "Surprised by Love" that I recorded over the weekend.  I'm really a sucker for these often cheesy and unrealistic movies but they put me in a great mood and are fun to watch.  I have to say, this one was especially good and I highly recommend it if you're a hopeless romantic like me!

Just getting to spend time alone, with my coffee, my movie, and my blog really is a small detail of my life.  But it's those thousands of little things that can turn a bad day into a good day, or a good day into a great day.  It's those little things that make this life worth while.  This morning has started this Tuesday off terrifically.  I hope everyone else also enjoys their day and don't forget to count all of those small things this year. 

XOXO
Coffee Girly

Brunettes & Blondes with Unbreakable Bonds

Last night I was reunited with my three best friends.  I enjoyed a lovely dinner, great spirits, and frozen yogurt with my soul sisters.  Winter break has separated us and we've all been busy at home working, or with our families or just relaxing.  It's been hard to find time to get everyone together for gift exchanging and celebrating the holidays.  Luckily, we all took time to meet up for a burger, some sweets, and plenty of laughter.  

Since I have yet to introduce you to these girls, and they will probably consume a good chunk of my blog (since we're always together), I'll tell you a little bit about them.  I'm really excited to say that next year we will be getting an apartment together which means I get to live with all of my best friends! This group consists of myself, Megan, Sam, and Annissa. They always say, make new friends and keep the old-which is exactly what this group consists of.  

Megan and I have known each other since second grade.  Now, admittedly, we didn't get along right off the bat.  We were constantly competing for the attention of another girl who we both thought was our best friend-and when you're in second grade, it's kind of traumatic.  So it took many years, tears, and fighting but eventually Megan and I grew closer and were left just the two of us.  Ever since, we've been best friends and inseparable.  We have traveled on many road trips, seen dozens of bands and artists in concert and have adventured in the magical land of Disney World together.  I never thought we'd be lucky enough to experience college together, but lone behold, she lives down the hall from me and we are as close as ever. 

Sam and I have gone to school together since middle school, but we never really talked until about sophomore year of high school. We sat next to each other in a Parenting class and worked on all of the projects and what not together.  We became closer through that and when I joined the golf team she was on, my junior year.  Despite my lack of golf skills, I still enjoyed being on a team of great girls.  Sam and I always had a strong connection.  When I found out she was looking at Mount Union, I was extremely excited.  Our Starbucks study date turned into a promise.  We promised that if we both chose that school we would room together.  Here we are now, roommates for two years and I truly am blessed and thankful we have grown even closer and I don't know what I'd do without this girl.

As I kept my old friends, I was lucky enough to meet someone new.  I walked into my Intro to Early Childhood class, without knowing that I would quickly become best of friends with the girl who sat across from me.  We engaged in casual conversation and I invited her to some movie nights.  Before you know it, you would swear we were attached at the hip.  I introduced her to Megan and Sam and the four of us became inseparable.  We are never seen without one another.  Whether it's in class, or dinner, or working tirelessly in our library on homework.  I believe everything happens for a reason and college has brought me to meet one of the strongest, hilarious, fun-loving, and genuine girls I have ever met.

Putting us all together is pure magic.  Our laughter can light an entire room and every time we are together we build a bigger bond.  Without the love and support of each of these girls, I wouldn't survive college or be the girl I am today.  Starting this year off with your best friends is truly the best way to kick off an incredible year. 

"Here's to the nights that turned into mornings, and the friends that turned into family."

15 Things to Focus on in 2015

So as this new year kicks off and many resolutions are to be made...and broken...and then made again, it's time to not "resolve" your issues, but focus on new and exciting things.  SO this year, there's 15 things I really want to work and focus on, and I'm counting on all of you to keep me motivated and help me in my journey! 

1. Blog: Last year I tried kicking off this blog, and fell behind rather quickly.  This year I want to focus on a post every other day and connecting with other bloggers and expanding my writing.

2. Spend time reading.  I love to read and there are so many books on my list to indulge in, but somehow I never find the time.  I want to really make time for that.

3. Focus on my faith.  This year I want to try and build a better relationship with God.  I admittedly have fallen off of that bandwagon lately and am ready to hop back on in full force.

4. Drink more water.  Toward the end of the year I was getting better...but then the holidays came.  So, I'm saving soda and other drinks for special occasions as a treat.

5. Stick to a budget.  I have been pretty bad with my spending lately and right now I am resembling a very broke college kid.  I want to stick to a budget every week and start saving those pennies.

6. Worrying about the little things won't get me anywhere.  Let things play out. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. 

7. Focus on what makes me beautiful and less on my imperfections.

8. Work harder in my long distance relationship and making time for the two of us.

9. My education.  School is a priority and I plan to make that come first so that I can succeed.

10. Myself.  Letting myself have down time, alone time, and time to debrief and think.

11. My friendships.  I want to really focus on being the best friend I can be, to the people who are amazing friends to me.

12. My family.  I want to check in with more people in my family and stay as connected as possible with all of them.

13. Get out of my comfort zone.  I want to take a new class at the gym, eat new things, try new clubs and meet new people.

14.  Treat myself.  I often put others before myself but every once in awhile I deserve to treat myself and indulge myself in what I enjoy.

15. Love unconditionally.  Although I already do this, it can be disguised by the actions people make.  I want to be more open and less judgmental and love freely.