Lent Season is Upon Us

Lent kind of snuck up on me this year. Things have been so hectic that I didn't realize that we are halfway through February and it's time to start thinking about Easter. I've been praying a lot over Lent this week and what I will be fasting this season. 

What did I decide on? It's kind of a two-parter. I'm giving up Starbucks, or really any coffee. Yes, that includes coffee from Ward, Eagle's Nest, Dav, and any other place I frequent to get my caffeine fix. Simultaneously, I will be adding something to my daily routine for Lent: slowing down a bit and blocking out time for my devotionals and journaling. 

The Starbucks and coffee thing is a pretty big thing for me and I'm already riding the struggle-bus on this one this morning (as it is Day 1). A huge part of my morning is heading into Starbucks before work, chatting it up with my barista, and grabbing a tall hazelnut coffee with room (if I'm in the splurging mood, I may go for a tall skinny hazelnut latte or a ice tall chai). There's nothing better than that first sip of coffee in the morning, when I all I want to do is crawl back into bed and sleep for a few more minutes. **side note: it's sad that my barista knows when I'm coming in in the morning, knows my drink, and is sometimes my best friend**

And the coffee doesn't stop there. I'm most definitely obligated to grab another cup once I get on campus before heading into the dreaded 5:30 - 8PM block every night. (I guess I shouldn't complain as I'm lucky to have dropped my 8:10 - 10:40PM block. Could you imagine the caffeine consumption at that point). **side note/random observation: Does anyone else think that the coffee at Ward is extra-caffeinted? I feel like I'm bouncing off the walls after a couple of sips.** 

As you can see, I have an insane dependence on Starbucks and coffee in general. It's kind of taken away from the time that I can be spending praying, reading the Word, or journaling. Instead of depending on the Lord, I'm depending on caffeine for strength. That time I'm spending in line at Starbucks or relaying life updates to my barista, can really be spent praying for my friends, reading a verse, or journaling a thought.

SO, I shall be letting go of my dependence on Starbucks and coffee for the next 40 days and spending more time with devotionals and journaling! Who knows, I may even give up Starbucks and coffee forever after this? **Kind of a hard thing to believe now as I sit here with a "lack of caffeine" induced migraine.**

I'm really excited to see what the Lord will show me through this Lent season and how He will be moving my heart in different ways. What will you be doing this Lent season?

Tuesday Tunes | Rihanna & Mikky Ekko

This post is coming ridiculously late tonight. But, I figured that since I'm sitting in class insanely bored, I might as well catch up on blogging.

Anyone watch the Grammy's the other night? There were SO many highlights from this year's awards show. Did y'all feel a different vibe this year? It wasn't some trashy or cheesy show. There was class, great music, and a true celebration of the music industry.

My top rated moment of the night is HANDS DOWN Justin Timberlake's performance but I will save that fan-girl reaction for tomorrow. My second favorite performance of the night was from Rihanna and Mikky Ekko. I've been HOOKED to their collaboration, "Stay" for awhile now and that has been amplified 100 times since Sunday's performance.

First off, can we just pause and give a shout out to Nashville? HUGE successes coming out of that great city. How awesome was it seeing Mikky Ekko on national TV? I was beyond ecstatic for this guy. He deserves it! Such a great talent.

I typically associate Rihanna with catchy Top 40 radio pop songs. But "Stay" is different. It's probably my favorite song of hers. It's slower, great lyrics, and in my mind this song highlights her talent.

Give it a listen! What are your thoughts?



Monthly Goals | February 2013

2013 is already flying by. How are we already in the month of February? As we start this new month, I've decided that I need to be kept more accountable with my monthly goals. It's so easy for me to come up with a list of goals and forget about them. Most times than not, that's precisely what happens. SO, starting this month, I will be having an accountability partner. Who you may ask? My wonderful Alpha Kappa Psi Big: Kendall!

 

Kendall and I at formal this past December.

 

Both Kendall and I started posting our monthly goals on our blogs about a year ago. *check out Kendall's blog. I'm quite in love with it!* Like I said, I prefer goals over resolutions. They are far more specific and keep me focused throughout the month. Kendall and I have swapped our lists of goals and will be keeping one another accountable throughout the month. My favorite thing that she does? For every goal that I don't meet during the month, $10 will be donated to charity. What a fabulous idea Kendall!

 

February Goals

1.Stay on top of homework: With a full-time job and full course load there is no time for procrastination! Weekends are for homework...not for play.

2. Blog more! I'm aiming for at least 3 posts a week (I'm on a roll this week!).

3. Get off my butt and workout: With such a busy schedule, it's tough to find time to relax and very easy to get stressed/grumpy. Let's recall to Elle Woods: "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy."

4. Write handwritten letters: Slowly chugging away at my 365 Snail Mail goal. Want a letter from me? Let me know your address!

5. Stick to my budget!: Now that I'm on salary, I'm on my own with all of my expenses. Time to cut back on the unnecessary meals out, Starbucks, and shopping. Sad day.

 

Let's see how I do this month!



Tuesday Tunes | Beyonce

When I leave this world | I'll leave no regrets

I was here | I lived, I loved

Anyone else still on a high after Beyoncé's Superbowl performance? It's been 2 days now, but I'm still thinking about her ridiculously amazing Halftime Show. There were mixed reviews from the general public but here are my thoughts.

I thought it was AMAZING and I had to contain my excitement. *I've been looking forward to this Halftime Show since it was announced.* Many of the general public claim that it was completely overrated and the vocals weren't there. Hey now, she is an ENTERTAINER. If you wanted her to put on the Grade A+ vocals that we all know she has, then it wouldn't showcase her incredible dancing. She sacrificed a little bit of her vocals to provide ENERGY + ENTERTAINMENT. If you wanted vocals, did you hear the snippets of Love on Top and Halo? My favorite part of the show was seeing Queen B do her thing. How fabulous does she look? She gave birth a year ago! Oh, and the Destiny's Child reunion. Loved it but was kinda happy to see that Beyonce kicked Kelly and Michelle off-stage during Single Ladies. Let B do B.

It's been two days since that Pepsi Halftime Show and Beyoncé's album 4 has been on my iPod rotation. I've attached a lot of my study abroad experience in Beijing along with this album. Throughout my semester abroad, this album was always playing at least once a day. My favorites off this album include: Love on Top, Countdown, 1+1. BUT my favorite one of all: I Was Here. Some GREAT lyrics in this one!

Here are the Grade A+ vocals!
Placed my thoughts into a beautiful song. Thanks Beyonce!

R&R in Boston

This is one overdue post! Better late than never, right?

Right before the start of the semester, I took a mini two-day vacation to visit my best friend Whitney in Boston. **side note: can we please just pause and take a moment to freak out over the fact that it's my FINAL undergraduate semester??** While I loved exploring Boston, my favorite part during the two days was spending some quality time with Whitney.

Whitney and I have known each other since my second week of college and has quickly become one of my closest friends. It's crazy to think that we've only known each other for three years because it feels like a lifetime. We have both gone through so much together!

What did we do during my visit?

1. Be a Student
Both Whit and Josh are in seminary so I got a little feel of what it was like Friday morning when I sat in on a Missions class with them. It was absolutely fascinating. I wish I were paying more attention and not answering emails! Oops...

2. Be Tourists

As you can see, it was a wee bit cold when we went out and a wee bit cloudy/gloomy.

3. Eat our Hearts Out

I joked with Whitney that I would need to bring stretchy pants for the trip because as you all know, I live through food! We made a trip out to this AMAZING pastry shop in Little Italy called Mike's Pastries. The most delicious cannolis EVER. We got the cookies and cream one as well as the peanut butter chip. OH MAN. Whit and I were in Dessert Heaven!

As Washington, DC natives, we just HAD to make a trip out to Newbury Street and visit Georgetown Cupcake. People probably gave us weird looks as we were total tourists and took pics in front of the store. I actually LOVED the Newbury location. It was a very open space compared to our usual Georgetown and Bethesda locations. PLUS, at 3 in the afternoon, they also had the free flavor of the day available: Lemon Coconut! MmMm DELICIOUS.

4. Cardmaking/Painting Nails
Aren't these staples to a girl's sleepover!? Nothing like card making and painting your nails with the best polish: ESSIE.

5. Get hooked to West Wing

As many of you may know, over break I got myself HOOKED to the show West Wing (thanks to Kate, Kendall, and Peter!). I have legitimately become emotionally attached to Mr. President, Sam, Josh, Leo, Tobi, CJ, and Charlie. Don't laugh but I cried during the Season 1 finale and the Season 3 finale. I don't mean a few tears, I mean...waterworks. As I type right now, I am currently in the middle of Season 4. *SPOILER: SAM SEABORN YOU BETTER NOT BE LEAVING* I can't get enough of this show! WELL. During my visit to Boston, I successfully got both Whit and Josh hooked too. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

I would like to say that my mini-vacation to Boston was an absolute success. By Sunday, I didn't want to leave! Whit and I have decided that we need to see each other more often. This whole every 6 months thing isn't working out very well!

To Plan or Not to Plan

Last night, I finally got the chance to sit down with one of my great guy friends at American University. He and I both have had insanely crazy semesters that have caused us to put hang-outs on hold for awhile. While I give him a hard time constantly, he truly is a great friend of mine who I tell almost everything. There are things that I tell him that I don't tell others. He's just incredibly straight forward and will call me out when I get into this ridiculous mentality.

He has had some awesome opportunities this semester (rockstar, this kid) so one of my questions during dinner was: What are some life lessons that you've gained?

Let me tell you, the number of things he listed off can be put in a book. One thing he said that stuck with me was, "Don't just do what you think fits the 'model' of your perfect life."

As I've said before, I'm the "Type-A planner type of gal." And, this friend of mine knows it and gives me a tough time for it always! The more I move forward in life the more this rings true. It is nearly impossible for a person to plan out every single aspect of his or her life. I can't do it. You can't do it. Nobody can do it. There will always be something out of your control. Planning EVERYTHING can be dangerous. Typically, at the end of the road is nothing but disappointment. Trust me, I've been there one too many times.

After dinner last night, I actually had to pause and think about where I am currently. You can say that a lot of things are going my way right now but at the same time, I can't keep going down this road where I force things to fit into this model of a life of mine (i.e. dating, relationships, marriage, career, family). While it's smart to plan the general direction of where you want to go, you really can't
micromanage every aspect.

One of my resolutions for 2013: Let go. Step out of your comfort zone.

Let's Catch Up

Hey y'all!

It has definitely been a bit of time since I last posted. SO much has happened in the past couple of months. I'm not entirely sure where to begin?

Biggest life updates: I finished my second to last semester as an undergrad and I have officially started full-time work as of this past Tuesday morning. Yes, you read that right-- FULL TIME JOB. Now you may be thinking, "Full-time job? Are you graduating?" Oh no, I am still graduating on time in May 2013. (If I weren't, I think my mother would have a heart attack and refuse to continue paying for my education past May 2013.) Starting January 14th, I will be tackling my final semester at American University with a full-time student course load as well as working full-time as a marketing coordinator with a FABULOUS company.

How would I sum up this past semester? DIFFICULT. Walking into this semester, I had this notion that I was going to take things easy and actually enjoy life. Who was I fooling?? I ended up interning, taking a leadership role in Alpha Kappa Psi, aiming for that 4.0 in school, while trying to throw in a little bit of personal life fun. While I think I hit every aspect that I wanted to, it came with extreme exhaustion. There were plenty of nights where I would get home around midnight after a long day and want to throw in the towel and quit. Learning to balance all of this brought frustration yet it brought such JOY. Crazy, right? I've had so many great laughs, experiences, new friends, and opportunities come out of one hectic semester. I can honestly say that I don't regret any of it.

Most importantly, I came out of this semester with a full-time job waiting for me. No more post-grad stress! WOO! I feel incredibly blessed for this opportunity. I love the position, I love the people I work with, and most importantly I love the fact that I get to do what I love to do most.

There is no doubt that next semester is going to be ridiculous--more tears and more frustration and more exhaustion. But, I have an incredible community of people here supporting me constantly. The last thing that I'd want to do is disappoint any of them. I know deep down that the experiences that I will come across will top all of the tears, frustration, and exhaustion.

There are no words to describe my excitement for finishing up my undergraduate career at American University and taking the first true step in my real work career.

Here's to the future!