Tuesday Thoughts: Loving this day.

    I woke up this morning not feeling very well and dreading the full day of classes ahead of me.  However (because of my goals :)) I forced myself out of the bed and went to class.  My teacher ended up not lecturing very long (which rarely happens) and we got over 2 hours to work on our Wrenn project in class. I was thrilled because working on the project distracted me from thinking about how I was feeling and I got a lot of work done.  Ms. Nowicki, my teacher, approved my basement floor plan and I was cleared to move to the next step, YAY!  Once that class ended I headed to lunch with 2 of my favorite ladies and enjoyed a nice relaxing hour with them.  I still wasn't feeling too good so I decided to skip my next class and come lay down for an hour. I knew I'd never get through the rest of the day if I didn't lay down and sleep for a little while.  Luckily, I woke up and was feeling much better.  I think my body was shutting down due to lack of sleep here lately.  I went to my last class, reviewed for my test on Thursday and then headed to the CAD lab to work on Wrenn some more.  

And this is where my day became A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!!

We were just working along and Ms. Nowicki came into the room.  She could tell we were stressed out and started asking random questions about how we felt about the due dates, if we thought we could get it done, etc.   She left the room and stood outside of the door talking to Dr. Dull for a few minutes.  She then proceeded to walk back into the room and announce that her and Dr. Dull, due to complaints and unforeseen complexities in this project, decided to move our due date to the end of the semester instead of fall break.

That means I just went from having 2 weeks to finish this project to over 2 months!!!!!  

I honestly did not believe I could finish this project in 2 weeks and had just accepted that some parts may not get completed.  Now I can take my time, perfect my project, and turn in an incredible presentation at the end of the semester.   I cannot even begin to explain to you how rare and exciting this is for us!!! Due dates are NEVER flexible.  They are set in stone, we suck it up, stay up late, push through it, and finish it.  That is how we have worked for the past 3 years, and it is SO nice and rewarding to finally have a teacher realize how stressed out we are, and actually do something about it.  I AM ECSTATIC! 

From there my day got even better.  We worked in CAD for a few more hours, left around 6:30 (the earliest i've been out of there all week) and decided we'd cook dinner and have a movie night we've been trying to have for weeks.  So we got our supplies, and I made dinner (fried Chicken, macaroni and cheese, and peas) for all of us.  We ate, slowly without dreading the return of Norton, and enjoyed a wonderful night in watching Bridesmaids (which is hilarious if you haven't seen it yet!).  

I have just loved this day.  I love these girls and getting to finally enjoy time with them outside of Norton.  There is nothing better than a night full of laughing with your best friends to top off your week! Thank you guys so much for your prayers, they were definitely answered!  Now I'm off to bed and going to enjoy every minute of being asleep before 2am!!!

On a random note:  Here is a picture of the building we are designing in case you were curious or wanted a better scope of our project. 

Also, we've almost finished decorating our room! Pictures to come very soon!

Happy Tuesday!!! 

Deep Breaths

I have to keep reminding myself lately to just take a deep breath.  I have been getting pretty overwhelmed with our project load right now and it is hard to not get frustrated.  We are all obviously stressed, and for good reason, but I'm trying to make an intentional effort to remain calm and positive.  However, I'm struggling tonight.  I'm finding myself on that edge of break down and cry or just give up. We have three large projects right now and I've got a large test in the morning.  I feel like my brain has hit its maximum capacity and simply can't absorb any more information.  I keep going over my notes for the test but it simply is not sticking.  And as hard as I'm trying to focus on studying for this test, I've constantly got these projects and their deadlines racing through my mind.   Deep Breaths. I can do this...right?  Somehow we always make it through these crazy semesters but it truly is not very fun on nights like this.  I've just got so much on my mind right now between life and school work and I'm just a little stressed out.

I could really use your prayers tonight and tomorrow...and for the rest of the semester.

Deep Breaths.


"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."   -Phillipians 4:13


"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  -Galatians 6:9


"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  -Phillipians 4:6-7

Friday Five: Fridays!

I absolutely love fridays!!!  For some reason, today I have seemed to notice even more how great they really are. Why you may ask?  Well....


5. Friday's are the last day of the week I work at Baker and they are very relaxed.

4. Friday is the day we either get to go home or have guests come to visit.  Last weekend I got to go see my family, and this Friday Jessica's boyfriend is coming! There's nothing better than seeing family and having people from home come visit.

3.  I don't have class on Fridays!  That means I can stay up and hang out with my roommates Thursday night guilt-free and enjoy our new tradition of playing Wii games!

2. I get to sleep in! Everyone that knows me, knows how much I love to sleep in.  I have always been a sleeper (ask my grandma!).  There is nothing more refreshing than getting 10+ hours of sleep and not having to wake up to an alarm.  I love it!

1.  Fridays are the official end of the week which means no classes for 2 days!  This means I get to relax, catch up on work, and enjoy stress-free time with my friends.


Happy Friday!!

Tuesday Thoughts

Sorry it's been so long since my last post.  Things have been really crazy around here.  I got to go home last weekend which was wonderful! There is nothing more refreshing than sleeping in your own bed, the scent of home, and getting to see family (and coconut).  It was definitely a MUCH needed break from school.  This year seems to be flying by.  The days appear endless but when I go to bed I feel like it was all a blur.  I'm currently working on three large projects:  Wrenn Admissions Building Redesign,  Phillips Hall Stair Redesign, and Creating/Designing my own furniture store.  ugh.  Lets just say everyone is a little stressed around here.  30 some days until fall break...aka when all projects are due.   I keep asking myself why I chose this major.  I'm hoping the answer will come soon (probably not until I get a job and the paychecks roll in).

On another thought........Cassie and I are going to Haiti!  Yep, you read it right.  Haiti.  Kind of crazy how everything has played out, but I can definitely say 100% that this is where God is calling me. The way everything is falling together is simply proof of that.  We are going to be staying with Dorothy, a missionary we worked with last time I went, and helping her do pretty much anything she needs.  She takes in children with AIDS, TB, and anything else that deems them "unwanted" in Haiti, gives them a home, an education, and hopefully finds a permanent home for them if they are orphaned.  I am SO excited about this trip.  I'll have more details soon, and will start on this journey as soon as possible.  We're going to Haiti!!!!

So basically I just summed up my life into two short paragraphs.  Design and planning our trip to Haiti.  If you ever wonder what I'm doing or thinking, there's your answer.  Kind of sad...but true.

On an even more random note:
    Etsy has become my new favorite procrastination method.  Here are some of the items I've got on my "must buy when I have money" list. (This will make up for last week's Friday Five, because I missed it.  Sorry about that)

Pleated Purse with Flower
Yellow Ruffle Pillow
Dandelion Earrings
Branch/Bird Necklace
Ruffle Rose Pillow



Happy Tuesday!

I'm gonna go to bed and stop rambling now!

Goals update

About a week ago, I listed out some of my goals for this year.  I have accomplished some of them and fallen short on others so far.  So in an attempt to keep myself accountable, I thought I'd share a quick update.

• In the last few weeks I found a great church in this area.  I've visited about three times so far and have really enjoyed it.  Stephen and Erin's good friend Blaine goes to this church and they let me tag along with them each week.  It's been really nice having someone to go to church with every week in an environment where I can spend time worshipping God.  We have a couple of other girls that join us and I am really enjoying getting to know all of them.

• I also joined a bible study on campus last week.  Jessica, Blaine's girlfriend, leads it and invited me to join. It has been great so far.  The girls are all super sweet and I think it is going to be a great experience to be involved in.   I'm also going this sunday to try out the church's college group.  I love having the more personal bible study group on campus, but am excited to have a large group to join at the church too.  I'm really excited about what God has in store for me this year. I'm off to a great start, and really want to make sure I keep my relationship with him as priority #1.

• I did plan a budget, but as usual, I find myself struggling to stick to it.  I'm having to remind myself daily to be responsible with my finances this year.  That means only buying the stuff that is necessary, even though the wants are so much more fun to buy.

• So far I'm staying pretty organized. However, I have not done so well about not procrastinating.  I've always known papers are not my strong point, but I decided that I am absolutely terrible about writing them on time.  I will do a project any day, but give me a paper and I will wait until the absolute last minute to write it.  I do not enjoy the formal, strict, graded version of writing.  I like to let my thoughts flow (as I'm sure you can tell) when I write. I hate having to stick to a format and stress grammar more than the content itself.  So far I am not doing well.  I actually have one due tomorrow at 9:15am and I'm writing this instead.  I'm telling you: I HATE WRITING PAPERS!!!

• I have not made it to bed by midnight every night, but I do make it in bed before 1am.  I'm working really hard to make sure I get enough sleep this year.  It's crucial to my success on projects.

• As far as graduating.  Well I'm working on it.  

• And as far as the mission trip goes I'm still working on that too.  I'm kind of torn right now on what to do about Ethiopia and could really use your prayers on the situation.  

• Working out has not happened this week.  I feel like I've been running in circles with work and class that by the time I get back, I'm too tired to think about working out.  Hopefully I'll get motivated this week.

Well I think that's all for now.   Hopefully this next week will be a little better and I can keep to all of my goals.  I'll keep you updated!

Never will we forget.

All day images, stories, and videos of 9/11 have raced across the TV and through my mind.  All day I've found myself feeling similar feelings to the day it happened.  It's hard to believe that 10 years ago today, something so tragic occurred.  It doesn't seem real that 10 whole years have passed so quickly.

 I was in 6th grade when it happened.  I remember taking a test and my teacher coming into the class in tears.  She told us to put our pencils down that we would not be continuing the test.  They pulled out the old TV cart and turned the channel to the news.  And we sat...  Watching.  Confused.  Worried.  Scared.  Lost.  I remember the utter disbelief I felt.  I remember being really confused about why it was happening and why someone would do that to people.  We went along with the rest of our day in kind of a haze of disbelief.  I remember my aunt picking us up from school and telling us my Uncle Don was ok.  I remember in that moment feeling the weight of what had just happened settling in.  I hadn't put it together that my Uncle worked in NY and could be part of this.  It was in that moment when I found out he was ok that I understood the horror of that day.  The rest of our day was spent watching the TV as those images played over and over again.  The feeling I got every time they showed the planes hitting, people jumping, or the towers falling are something I will never forget.  As I watched those tapes play again today I felt like the same 6th grade girl sitting on my sofa. I'm still confused and burdened with what those families must go through.  My heart breaks for everyone who lost a loved one that day.  They will NEVER be forgotten.

And for all the heroes of this day 10 years ago, all I can say is thank you times 100.  Thank you for your bravery, courage, and strength to step in that day.  Thank you for putting your life on the line for them.  Thank you to all the men and women that serve our Country every single day to protect us.  Thank you for your willingness to help.  Your efforts do not go unnoticed.  Our Country thanks and salutes you today.

My prayers go out to all the families that lost a loved one. I pray for your strength, healing, and comfort in this time.  And for all the soldiers out there my prayers also go out to you.  I'm praying for your strength, safety, and courage.  God bless you all!


God Bless America. 9/11/11

Friday Five: Color Schemes

Being a design major, I clearly have a love for everything design.  My favorite part however, is picking out the color scheme for a space.  With out color, everything is plain, boring, and lifeless.  Without color, all you have is texture and patterns.  Now don't get me wrong, texture and patterns are great and are highly necessary for any successful design, but lets get real.  Patterns and textures are SO much better and come to life when they've got some color behind them.  So for today's Friday Five, here are my five favorite color schemes right now. Maybe you'll get inspired to redo one of your spaces!

5. Grey and Green.   There is something so serene about every room I see in this color scheme.  The two colors don't over power one another, but compliment each other just enough.  The contrast doesn't distract your eye, instead it tends to move your eye around the room.  Just don't get too crazy with your green choice.  A soft green is perfect, lets please avoid the crazy ones!

4.  Earth tones. You can almost never go wrong here.  Earth tones are timeless and always elegant. I love when a room is composed of neutral pieces with pops of dark browns and greens.  It makes you feel like you're with nature which is very freeing and relaxing.  Plus, if you get bored with it, all of your main pieces are neutral allowing you to change it up whenever you like.  Throw a few different accent pillows in there, change the artwork, and voila! you have a new space.

3. Turquoise and Orange. I know...this one sounds a little crazy, but trust me its beautiful!  For all of you out there that love a pop of color and want more than just plain neutrals every where, this one is for you!  The complimentary colors work beautifully.  A light turquoise wall with some great orange accent pieces = a room to die for. (I also love the addition of a white sofa or bedding to help calm the space down giving a more peaceful look!)  Its stunning.  Have a look for yourself.

2. Coral. I love love LOVE coral right now.  Last year it began making an appearance, but now its everywhere you look!  There is something so beautiful about this color.  Its great to wear, use as an accent, or make the focal point.  It pairs great with white, cream, grey, brown, gold, etc.  Its a great way to add a splash of color and add interest.  (We actually made our apartment living room grey, coral, and white! Pictures to come later).

1. Grey and Yellow. This is my absolute favorite color scheme right now.  I have always loved everything yellow. There are actually very few applications of yellow that I don't like (like neon or bright yellows).  But when I saw it paired with grey, I fell in love.  There is something so sophisticated and beautiful that happens when these colors are put together.  Its soft but makes an impact.  Its cheery but not so bright that its in your face.  It adds interest without being obvious.  I just love it! (hence my room at home! Pictures to come on that eventually.)

SIDENOTE:  I've decided that Grey is officially my favorite neutral.  Clearly as seen above, almost every picture uses it.  However, it has not won over my love for yellow.

Goals for Senior Year

Every year, I try to set a few goals to accomplish for the school year.  I've never actually written them down which is probably why most of them don't get accomplished.  Without a written list and someone or something to keep me accountable, I tend to get lazy and forget about them.  So in an attempt to accomplish all of my goals this year, this list will serve as my visual reminder and hopefully keep me accountable.

So, for the 2011-2012 school year, my goals are:

• Find a local church and get involved in one of their small groups.
• Join a bible study (on campus or through the church).
• Go to bed by midnight every night. 
• Work out at least twice a week.
• Finish all projects a week before they are due. (ha! I may be crazy on this one)
• Not skip class without a valid excuse (this one is going to be tough!)
• Go on a mission trip or be involved in a local mission outreach. (I may be going to Ethiopia again- more to come on that soon)
• Stay organized and on top of all of my projects (aka no procrastination). 
• Plan a budget and stick to it. 
• Graduate!!!!

I think that's a pretty good start for now. We'll see how I do!

Friday Five: Favorite Blogs

Being a blogger myself, I have grown an appreciation for all the other bloggers out there.  I have specific ones that I follow on a daily basis.  So for all you blog readers/lovers out there check out my top 5 favorite blogs:

5. The Sweet Tooth. This is the blog of my sister's good friend Kelly.  She makes some beautiful and delicious cakes and she shares all about them on her blog.  She also has some great and highly entertaining stories of her life she shares too.

4. The Johnson Scoop.  This is the blog of our former Children's Pastor's wife Michaella Johnson.  She blogs all about her adorable girls, and things going on with her family/life.  She is also a great photographer and I love looking at all the great moments she captures.

3. Nancy Ray Photography. This is the blog of the photographer from Erin's wedding.  As the wedding planning began, Erin got me hooked on her blog.  She is absolutely one of my favorite photographers EVER! Her work is amazing and I love the creativity she brings to her shoots.  I can sit for hours looking through her work.  I'm following her blog even closer right now because Erin's wedding pictures should be posted any week now! I'll keep you posted!

2. Teaching to Learn.  This is my wonderful sister's blog.  Clearly I have to read her blog, but it is actually one of my favorites.  Being back at school, and her being married now, reading her blog lets me feel like I still get the inside scoop of her life.  She blogs about all sorts of things, work, funny students, marriage, friends, life, etc.  I enjoy not knowing what the next post will be.  She definitely keeps things fresh.  And, being a teacher, she has a knack for writing. 

1. The Hambrick Family. This is the blog of Jenn Hambrick, our college pastor's wife.  She blogs all about her adorable kids, the funny things they say/do, and does a lot of really great photography work.  Having babysat her kids for years now, I love reading all the crazy things they do.  My favorite thing about her blog is her honesty.  She shares what's going on that day, the good, bad, and everything in between. It's heartfelt and real.  Absolutely always guaranteed to be a good read.