laugh it out.

I love laughing. Probably as much as Misty LOVES cheese.

And let me just say that I love it when I can genuinely laugh at something with someone -- it's important, you know? Life is about the small things. I'm thoroughly amused by the little moments. Tonight, I shared a few of those moments with a good friend of mine, Misty. Oh, but they were not small. In a sense, they were rather large and they definitely captured my attention. Misty, you know what I'm talking about :) It could not have been more perfect. I'm pretty sure that the best hearty laughs take place when you cannot breathe, your face is red, and all those around you are looking at you with half disgust, half wanting to be in on the joke.

Life is perfect in those moments.


Nighty nite, little one.

carpe diem.

I've been thinking a lot lately... a lot about the future, what I want to do, where I want to live, and the list goes on. My leadership classes are making me think through things -- LIFE. Don't get me wrong, they're awesome classes with excellent professors, there's just a lot going through my head.

In my Leadership Development class today Dr. Hemby was talking about how people think busyness equals success and effectiveness, when in actuality all it is, is busyness. That's it. Just because your day planner says you have appointments back to back from 8-4 doesn't mean that you're a successful, accomplished person. All it says is that you have too much on your plate to really sit and breathe. I'm so glad my success is not measured by how many appointments and people I meet with each day because if it was, I would be a crying shame. Life is too short and too precious to fly through it. I've been pondering that idea all day... What am I really investing my time into? It isn't enough to just sit and waste in on the internet or a fleeting magazine. There is more to life -- there are places to go, people to see.

I've been learning so much about myself this semester. I'm growing up and in a way it scares me; in another way I'm excited. God is faithful and I am so far from it... I'm not going to miss it. I will choose to be patient and wait. It's in the waiting that true peace, deep grace, and spiritual fulfillment comes.

My life will not be wasted.
I'm going to sieze the day... I challenge you to do the same.

G'nite.

sweet melody.

let's just agree on something: dave barnes is sweet goodness on a disc.
ok then, we can move on.

he holds a special place in my heart.
a.) he's beautiful
b.) he can sing
c.) he's an incredible artist.

i love the artists that can articulate everything i'm feeling. music has to be one of the greatest ways of communication. the first thing i look for in a song is honesty in the voice. i'll just say this: i can jam to most anything, but i can fall in love with an honest, well-writing musician. i'm a sucker for minor chords and simplicity. it's true. one of my favorite movies is the holiday... in one part jack black is talking with kate winslett about music. he's on the keyboard working on a piece of composition. he's playing a song and then all of a sudden he says to her, "if you were a melody... this is what you would sound like." my heart was so full in that moment.

oh, to be somebody's sweet melody.

noah&allie.

"So it's not gonna be easy.
It's gonna be really hard.
We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you.
I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day. "

I want my Noah.
That's all I have for now.

when it rains.

Let me just say, rainy days are one of my favorites. In my dorm, my desk is faced towards the window for this very reason... to watch the rain fall. And, since I live in Florida, it rains quite often. I'm a fan when I'm safely inside -- wrapped in a blanket,sipping coffee, and listening to good music. I actually have a playlist on my ipod called "rainy days". Mm... so good.

I am a snuggler -- not by default, but by choice. Yep, I sure am. You may read that and think it to be childish, but I can almost guarantee you that deep down, you are one too. Don't be ashamed, own it. I'm all about snuggling on a rainy day. (and any other day, too ;) This is what I miss about home. I miss being able to get a hug whenever I need/want/demand one. Oh, mom and dad. To be home would be so nice right now. I'll be closer to home this weekend because I'll be with my family. Thank goodness Jason and Meghan are living in Tampa now. A group of us are going over to the John Mayer concert Saturday so I'm staying with them all weekend. I'm SO excited! I've been needing a breath of fresh air.

Classes are going well. Lots of reading. I mean, more than I've had in my entire college career. On the positive side, they're all books I'm pretty interested in reading -- this makes it that much easier. I'm really enjoying my classes this semester and looking forward to learning more about myself and those around me. There's a lot of teamwork this semester so that will be fun. I love getting to know people... I think it's going to be a good semester.

And also, it's almost September. Which means we're that much closer to December.
Christmas.

back in action.

Well, I'm back one last time for my senior year. I can hardly believe it. This past Thursday my mom and I left at 6 AM to head down to Florida. I was incredibly sad that my dad was unable to make the journey, but we still had our chats along the way. I miss you, Papi!!!


Our first stop was my grandparents house in Vero Beach -- it was so good to see them. My grandfather never ceases to amaze me and my grannie is just as beautiful as she was years ago. Here they are:


Yes, they are cute as buttons. It's true :)

Friday morning we headed to Palm Bay and had lunch with my brother... He's doing so well and I'm very proud of/for him. I miss him so much. Every time I see him I realize how much I wish he was still right down the hall from me. He's one of my favorites.

Next stop: Tampa. Jason and Meghan (the newlyweds) are living in Tampa now -- which I am ecstatic about! They are fully aware that many a weekend will be spent at their casa. We were able to spend the weekend with them. Jason, being an amazing brother, and Meghan, being the willing sister in law, both came and helped me move in Saturday. Which, by the way, felt surreal. For some reason, this year feels completely different than any other move in. I'm pretty sure it's a.) because I'm living in the old boys dorm and b.) because I'm a senior. It's just different... I'm not sure if it's a good different, bad different, or just different.

I miss home -- more than I have in all the years I've been away. This summer, Georgia has become my home. I have friends there and my parents -- well, they're the best. I'm almost positive that they will never fully understand how much they truly mean to me. I think this feeling of anxiety is knowing that after this year things will never be the same. Ever. I don't like the sound of that... But life goes on, I grow up.

Well, tomorrow is the first day of classes. Here it goes...

And just for you, Papi: Jesus, take the wheel.
:)

Love and miss you.

there was a wedding.

At the beginning of this summer my dad performed a wedding ceremony (for an Italian family I might add) and this was read at the end of it... I'm going to use it because it is so beautiful:

Nothing is more practical than finding God,
that is, than falling in love
in a quite absolute, final way.

What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you will do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read,
who you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love,
stay in love,
and it will decide everything.

-Pedro Arrupe, SJ