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. 

2014: A Year in Review

As we spend our last days in the year of 2014 I am happy to say that this year is truly one for the books.  There are so many things I have to be happy for, to be proud of, to be thankful for, and to smile about.  I truly am blessed and am thankful for another year of good tidings and health.  At the beginning of this year, I was able to meet five other truly amazing girls who have hearts of pure gold and live life to the fullest.  Each one of them inspires me every day.  I was blessed enough to have finished my first year of college and it was through the support of my lovely best friend and my darling roommate who helped me on those nights when the workload was too heavy and the distance was too much.  This year I was also able to experience three wonderful vacations.  My parents, brother and I spent a week in Orlando, Florida exploring the magic that is Disney World.  I then was fortunate enough to go to Hilton Head Island for the first time ever with my boyfriend, Phil, and his dear family.  In July, I went with almost my entire family and my best friend to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee where we lived in a beautiful log cabin for a week.  My summer consisted of these travels as well as working at my dad’s business, which I was lucky enough to have been employed at. 

I began the fall semester of my sophomore year with open eyes and excitement to be reunited with all of my girlfriends and dive into my classes.  This semester I was also employed at our Center for Writing and Oral Communication (CWOC) where I tutor students in writing as well as speeches and group presentations by appointment.  This semester was definitely my favorite as I really was graced with experience in my field of early childhood education.  I was able to make great relationships with my professors, learn a great deal about my field, and tutor first grade and third grade students in reading as well as do weekly classroom observations.  After many hours spent at the library, and many Carmel Macchiatos for motivation, I was able to end the semester with a 4.0.  I am unbelievably proud of the accomplishments I have made in 2014 and in my growth as an individual and adult.  I’m really looking forward to what 2015 will bring me and what God has in store for me. 

I hope everyone spends the last day of 2014 with their close family and friends and has an amazing time ringing in the New Year! Bring it 2015!!

XOXO