Monday, March 24, 2014

Sunny and 65

Friday was one of my favorite days of spring break. I just had one of those days where I was so happy that I couldn't stop smiling all day.

I slept in and met my dad for lunch downtown. It was fun because I don't normally do that. We had lunch at First Watch, and I got their Fresh Fruit Crepes - my favorite!

Then we went and got some Yagoot. Yum! Plus it was so warm outside that I broke out a new pair of sandals while walking around. The first few times you wear sandals for the season is always something special ;)

I also officially had my first flower spotting of the year. Wahooooo! Summer is so close I can practically taste it.

Since I was downtown and don't get to go downtown all that often, I just HAD to treat myself to a cupcake too. I picked up a chocolate peanut butter one and enjoyed it later in the afternoon!

When I got home, I started working on some cake pops while I watched Frozen for the second time this week. One of my simple pleasures is working on cake pops with a musical turned up loud so I can sing along.

I also went for a really long walk at the park. I cranked up some good country music and didn't want to leave because it was so warm that I was wearing capris and a t-shirt. And I was still hot! It felt absolutely wonderful to have an afternoon to take my time at the park, listen to some music, and enjoy the weather.

I spent the rest of the afternoon until dinner reading my book outside with Coco on my lap. I don't think there's anything better than soaking up the sunshine and warm air.

After dinner my Friday night consisted of watching the movie Jerry Maguire, which I had never actually watched before.

Friday may have been a pretty simple and relaxing day, but it was one of the best days I've had in a long time because I didn't have anything I had to do or anywhere I had to go, so I could actually spend my time doing things I wanted to do just for fun. I don't think I have near enough days like that in my life so I cherish them when I get them.

And another fabulous thing about Friday? I did absolutely no school work. I'd done at least a little bit of homework every single day of spring break, but I knew that I needed at least one day to take a break from it all, and it was glorious. I didn't check my email or think about school at all, which was just the break I needed.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Glamorous? No. Fun? Yes!

I've been on spring break this week. I haven't been doing anything glamorous like going to the beach or traveling to another country, but I have enjoyed my break so much.

This is the first year I've ever had a spring break. Normally I had a few days off around Easter, and we would be lucky to get three days off of school. This whole week of thing though? Have to say I'm loving it :)

This entire semester has been busy and just flown by, so it's been wonderful to have a few days to step back, relax, and slow down before the pace picks back up again for the last month of school. I've had time to sleep in, watch a ton of movies, read, and even just sit and do nothing. And sometimes just sitting on the couch for a few minutes doing nothing (not even watching TV!) is the perfect thing.

Here's what I've been up to over spring break so far.....

My break kicked off last Friday since I don't have class, so I took the opportunity to spend the afternoon shopping at one of my favorite outdoor shopping malls. I got Yagoot for lunch and then did a little shopping by myself. The weather was nice and warm too, so I even broke out my favorite wedges for the first time this year. It was fabulous!

On Saturday I had time to paint my nails before going out to dinner with my parents and some family friends. Painting my nails doesn't seem like a big deal, but I probably hadn't done it in over a month simply because I've been too busy. I always feel more accomplished though when I have a fresh coat of polish on my nails.

This has also been a common occurrence - cuddling with Coco in bed while watching a movie. I think I've watched a movie just about every night. I don't keep up with any TV shows (I'm just about the only college student in America that doesn't have or ever watch Netflix), but I'm a sucker for movies, even if I've already seen it a ton of times as I tend to watch the same movies over and over.


I made sugar cookies earlier this week just for fun. They turned out looking pretty cute, but I was unimpressed with how they tasted. Those pretty and delicious iced sugar cookies are one thing I have not yet been able to master, but I am determined to keep trying!

This picture makes me laugh because my dog is absolutely obsessed with cheese. She knows when you've got some and won't leave you alone until you share. Cheese is also just about the only thing she'll actually sit for. Don't you love how patiently she's sitting there waiting for some? ;)

On Tuesday night I went to dinner at Incline House with my friend Danielle. I love that restaurant, and Danielle and I always try to go when she's in town. The food is great (there is a sandwich I get every time that I could practically write an entire book on why I love it so much - ha!), and the view is absolutely spectacular.

I worked a few days this week, and on Wednesday I ate lunch by myself and brought along a new book to start. I am in love with this book already. Paris and chocolate are two of my favorite things in the world, and when you put them together - perfection!

Just chillin' - that's pretty much been my motto all week.

Cheering on our bearcats yesterday. So sad they ended up losing......

I went on a shopping trip yesterday with Danielle, and it was so fun since I hadn't been to the mall in a while. I ended up getting some fun stuff (like my favorite cardigan ever in another color on sale!). Evidence that it was a successful shopping day....

I also ordered this purse, which I am so excited to get. I think it's going to be so perfect for spring! I have enough purses to last me a lifetime, but I hadn't treated myself to a new one in over a year, and I have a bit of a purse obsession problem.

I hope you all are having a fun week even if it might not be the most glamorous!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Down the Road

When I was younger, one of my favorite games to play with my friends was called Chattitude. I can remember playing it at lots of slumber parties. The whole idea behind the game was that when it was your turn you selected a card from 1 of 4 categories, read one of the questions out loud, secretly punched your answer into a little electronic device, and then passed the device around while your friends had to try and guess which answer you had chosen. The person that got the most guesses correct won.

One of the question categories was called "Down the Road" and all of the questions were things about the future.

Looking back now, some of the questions seem funny, like.....

I wish I were old enough to: A) wear my mother's shoes, B) reach the top shelf in my closet, C) buy clothes in the Junior Department.

And there are plenty of other silly ones.

I came across the game recently and was looking through the "Down the Road" questions, and I couldn't help but feel a little weird about how almost all of the questions about the future are now things that have happened in my past.

Like the question....

If I could look into a crystal ball and see myself on a special day, I'd pick: A) the day I go to the prom, B) the day I graduate from high school, C) the day I leave for college.

Prom? High school graduation? College? Those all seemed so far in the future when I was playing Chattitude in the 4th grade, but now I lived through all of those events.

I can't help but wonder a little bit about how I answered some of these questions in 4th grade. It's funny how I bet some of the answers wouldn't have changed, like this question.....

If I had to start deciding on a college now, I'd probably: A) go where my mom or dad went, B) go somewhere near home, C) go anywhere that sounds cool.

I would bet that if I had answered that question 10 years ago, I would have picked "A) go where my mom or dad went" and that's exactly what happened - I now go to the college where my mom and dad went.

I feel like when you're young, you spend a lot of time thinking about what life is going to be like when you're older. Where do you think you'll go to college at? What career do you want to pursue? What city do you want to live in?

It's interesting to me that some of the things I envisioned for myself 10 years ago are actually things that either have happened or are happening.

But far more often are the times when you do things that you never would have envisioned for yourself.

As my first year of college is rapidly coming to an end (so crazy - I only have 16 days of class left!), I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past year and how a lot of things have changed.

In the past year, I have done so many things that I never would have thought were possible 10 years ago, let alone only a few years ago.

I couldn't help but be amazed when I was flipping through the "Down the Road" cards when I came across this question:

If I worked in a bakery I'd specialize in: A) filling jelly donuts, B) making cream puffs, C) decorating wedding cakes.

When I played this game in 4th grade, I probably would have skipped over this question because I would have thought it was stupid. Never in a million years would I ever do anything with baking.

And yet, last May, I baked, designed, and decorated a wedding cake for my high school's Senior Project.

I never would have I thought that I would be able to do something like that. Ten years ago I didn't even know yet that I liked or was good at baking.

Even since starting college there have been so many things that I've done that I never thought I would have been able to accomplish.

The fact that my favorite class was my speech class and that I was voted by my classmates as one of the top 3 presenters for both of my speeches? I never thought that I was good at getting up in front of a group of people and giving a speech, but I'm better at it than I ever thought.

And my SWOT presentation in front of a large classroom of people including influential P&G executives? I could never do something like that - or so I thought. And then I did it.

Another "Down the Road" question that I found was this:

When I go to college I want to: A) join a sorority, B) make the Dean's List (honor roll), C) live in an all-girl dorm.

Ten years ago I probably would have said "B) make the Dean's List (honor roll)". And I did make the Dean's List my first semester. I never would have thought about joining a sorority though.

But I did. And I joined a sorority where I knew absolutely no one in it. I don't usually like to join groups without at least knowing someone going in. When I got my Bid from Kappa Delta and ran down the hill to the girls in my sorority, I didn't know a single one, and it was a little scary. I met people though and made friendships. I also took on two leadership positions this semester, yet another thing I wouldn't have envisioned this time last year.

If nothing else, college has taught me the importance of trying new things. More importantly though, it's showed me that I'll be able to accomplish more things in the future than I think are possible right now.

I can't even begin to imagine all of things I'll do over the next several years and beyond, but even if I don't think I could do it today doesn't mean I won't be able to do it tomorrow.

I've also learned that the things that have seemed to be the hardest and scariest turn out to be the things you're most proud of.

Just like when I was in 4th grade and sat around playing Chattitude with my friends, I can't try to guess at what my life will be like another 10 years down the road, but I'm excited for the possibility of accomplishing things I don't even think are possible now.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Bipolar Weather

I think we have just about the most bipolar weather around here. As I was looking over the pictures I've taken the last few week that haven't made the blog, I realized that most of them have to do with the crazy weather we've been experiencing.

For example......

Two weekends ago, my family had tickets to see the show Evita downtown. I was excited, but they were calling for an ice/snow storm. We ended up getting out of the house and heading downtown for dinner at Rock Bottom, but then when we left dinner it was getting worse, so we just headed home. I was sad to have to miss the show, but at least we got out for a yummy dinner!

I snapped this picture out the window as we were driving home - the roads were pretty bad.

The next day I was just on a delay for school, but I almost couldn't make it out of my subdivision. I couldn't get my car up this hill - my mom ended up having to do it for me and even then it just barely made it. Insane!

We were able to make it through the rest of that week without any snow, and on Fat Tuesday I was pleasantly surprised to find that my work had a little food party. I went into the print room to find this.....

.....and this is what I grabbed. Have I mentioned how much I like my job? :) And if you've never tried the Russell Stover Red Velvet eggs, you really need to!

Continuing with the weird weather - I took this picture last week when it was heating up and the sun was shining. It was probably in the 50s and we still had some snow laying around. Typical Ohio weather. Coco was enjoying the sun though.

Last weekend I had a sorority thing where a woman from nationals came to observe our chapter. We ended up being done early, so I went with a few friends to Graeter's afterwards. Perfect Saturday night!

I made some cake pops last week because I had an order from my cousin. Although they aren't super fun like my Frozen ones, I figured I'd share them anyway - the theme was one of the local grade schools around here.

It was warm enough this past weekend that my family visited our favorite local creamy whip since they had just opened for the season. Summer can officially start now since Zip Dip is open!

This past Tuesday it went up to 70 DEGREES. It was absolutely amazing. I was walking around campus with a short sleeve shirt on and everyone was hanging around outside. It felt absolutely amazing and made me SO incredibly happy.

And then on Wednesday - less than 24 HOURS LATER it was in the 20s and snowing.

Here's to hoping for spring weather from here on out!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Cupcakes & Mom's Weekend

I absolutely hate how little blogging I've done this semester. It's something I really enjoy doing, but I've been so busy that I have had to prioritize. School, work, homework, extracurriculars, and sleep are ranked a little higher on the list than blogging, so I just haven't got around to it.

But it is finally spring break! A whole week of no class is just what I need. I still have a lot of school work to do (group projects are slowly starting to take over my life...), but I am also planning on relaxing, taking it easy, and finally getting caught up on some posts.

Oh - and I'm planning on doing some baking, which I have hardly had time to do at all and that I miss like crazy. I made some cake pops for an order last weekend, but aside from orders, I haven't really baked anything just for fun and for my friends in such a long time.

I took this picture a few Fridays ago when I ended up working on homework for 5 hours straight. This pretty much sums up my last few weeks. Have I mentioned how excited I am that it's spring break? ;)

Earlier this month (I can't even remember exactly which weekend it's been so long!), my mom and I went over my aunt's house and helped watch my cousins for a few hours. I took this picture when we were hiding in the corner during a game of hide-and-seek.

My aunt had also just got back from Hilton Head and gave me a cupcake from Sweet Carolina Cupcakes - one of my favorites! I visited their Savannah location over the summer, and their cupcakes are so huge, delicious, and cute.

That same weekend my sorority put on a Mom's Weekend, which was so fun. We went to the Aquarium with our moms and then went back to our sorority house for dinner. I really enjoyed it, and I'm already excited to do it again next year.






I hope you all have had an excellent few weeks, and hopefully I'll be back more over this next week!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Project 365: February 2014

This February seemed to go by so fast. I know it's the shortest month of the year, but it usually feels like the longest. It went by so quick this year though!

February 1 - Kenwood shopping, dinner at Outback, and getting to meet this pup made for a pretty good day.

February 2 - Tried gnocci tonight - so yummy!

February 3 - Week 5 of the semester and the first Monday I've been able to come straight home from school! Too bad I spent all evening on homework.....

February 4 - Some days you just need to treat yourself to your favorite candy bar. Today was one of those days.

February 5 - ANOTHER SNOW DAY!!

February 6 - Long day... Up at 6:00, class, work, hot yoga, and KD treasurer meeting; 15 hours of being at school; and not going to bed until 11:30. Crazy!

February 7 - Had so much fun celebrating Mom's birthday today: Price Hill Chili for breakfast, BonBonerie sweets, and Moerlein (blueberry cobbler!!!!) for dinner!

February 8 - Out with old friends tonight! So happy I can go a few months without seeing them and then just pick right back up!

February 9 - Eating my favorite jellybeans while I work on homework. All. Day. Long.

February 10 - Making 2 cakes tonight since I have so much baking to do this week!

February 11 - Staying up REALLY late doing homework, so at least I get to snuggle with this girl!

February 12 - Getting only 5 hours of sleep requires a Starbucks....

February 13 - Started working on my Frozen cake pops today!

February 14 - Let it go...and eat Frozen cake pops!

February 15 - CDM!

February 16 - This is how I feel after a long day of CDM and KBS meetings....

February 17 - After a long day, I had a nice surprise waiting for me at work!

February 18 - Crazy girl!


February 19 - Nigh time snuggles!

February 20 - Made Lemon Blossoms tonight. Yummy!

February 21 - Warm enough today for a walk at the park!


February 22 - Things I love: sunshine, long chats with Danielle over Graeter's, driving with the windows down, and long walks at the park.


February 23 - Relaxing Sunday with yummy treats!


February 24 - Not too often I'm in bed by 10:00 on a school night these days!

February 25 - Love this girl!


February 26 - A long day of school calls for relaxation time with my puppy!


February 27 - Discovered the Frozen Radio station on iTunes Radio. Seriously listened to it for 3 hours..... ;)


February 28 - Such a fun Friday night!


What a fun February - I'm so excited spring is right around the corner!