A12.

I have had the privilege to live with two wonderful ladies the past three years at Western in a very small, quirky apartment we call A12. You know when God puts people in your life at really odd times and for really odd reasons and you look back and you're like ohhh that's what you were doing...thanks God. Well Emma and Marcella are my two "thanks God" people. Wow. I don't know what I would do without these girls by my side. Let me tell you a little about them.

Emma is one of the closest friends I've ever had. She has been with me through thick and thicker. She's always in the mood for a good adventure and trying new things. Our personalities are pretty similar and this year we shared a very very very very small room [our apartment is not large]. Weekly late night Sweetwaters, sit down homemade dinners every night, and a workout class--we always found time in our busy schedules to, literally, just hang out..which is just what I needed sometimes.  The most important thing Emma has taught me is to just laugh. When things get ridiculous and it seems like I can't catch a break I think eh, could be worse and I just laugh. And MAN have we laughed a ton this year!

Marcella is like my partner in crime. If you see us two alone in a bar...better start walking the other way...and quickly. This girl has one of the funnest (I know it's not really a word) personalities I've  ever experienced. We have made so many good memories around Kalamazoo. Marcella has made me more outgoing than I've ever been. She is one of those girls that everyone is jealous of because she has that "so what" confidence we all wish we could have. I know there's at least half a dozen things I would not have done without her forcing encouragement and looking back, I'm so glad we did all those things!

Living in A12 has been such ride and I would not have survived without these girls. They keep me laughing. They keep me sane. And they keep me, me. Our stories are as endless as our friendship. Both of these girls will be standing by me at our wedding this summer [in 65 days...you didn't think I'd make it all the way through the post without a countdown-did you??] and I could not be more satisfied. I love you girls so MACHH and will miss you!
[and A12 collage...look at how pretty they are!]





I know, it's a lot of pictures. It's been TWO years, people. TWO YEARS.

Final's Grind

It must be around an important, busy time of the year...because I'm finally blogging again. What can I say..I am a dedicated, distracted procrastinator. I have been in such a funk this week. The semester is winding down and we were starting to see signs of spring, but now it's just dreary out. I am tired and burned out. Lately, I have been trying to keep myself positive by looking at the exciting things that are in store. Mainly student teaching & wedding things have been keeping me motivated through these last couple of weeks.

 Another thing that helps me "escape" is reading. I've been really into Adolescent books..which is strange because I didn't even read those types of books when I was an adolescent. A couple I'd recommend are Maze Runner by James Dashner, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, Sorta Like a Rockstar by Matthew Quick, and the Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. You do not have to be an adolescent to read these books; they are definitely more engaging than some Adult books I've read! 

[If you want more recommendations of books I have a few on my pinterest & if you have books to recommend to me I'm always looking!] 

                                                

                                                      

Work It.

I'm sorry this blog is so scattered. It does not even remotely focus on one thing...school, food, weddings, opinions and now working out...it's about as organized as my life is I guess.

 Lately I have become obsessed with working out (in a healthy way--I promise). This semester I had an extra credit to fill and picked up a "physical fitness" class. Some days are fun and some days kick my butt. Overall it's been a really good experience and lately I have been filling a lot of my free time with working out.

Working out is best with a buddy and if you don't have a buddy, music works pretty well too. I like weird workout music like Bowling for Soup and Kelly Clarkson...along with others...that's kind of embarrassing...but whatever gets you moving!

Working out is best outside. This winter has been miserable for that. I've been around and around and around that track way too much. It's a smaller track and for one mile, it's 9 laps (that's 27 laps for 3 miles, too much counting). I've tried a couple times outside but I'd say it's gotta be at least 45 degrees before it's an effective outside workout for me.

Working out should have a goal. My goal is to run a mile in 8 minutes or less...I know I know I'm no Usain Bolt but I keep my pace like it's nobody's business. I run a consistent 9 minute mile right now. But the first step is setting a goal and eventually I'll get there.

Working out destroys your hair especially in winter. Does anyone have tips for me to not kill my hair (that doesn't include not showering after I work out)?? 

Working out is more than running. I really loathe love lunges, abs, and medicine balls. Being fit is an overall healthy lifestyle. That means doing a bunch of different things to get different areas of your body in shape.

Working out puts me in such a good mood...like an endorphin induced good mood. I can't wait to get outside and get running and if you ever need a running buddy give me a call; I'll keep pace if you keep distance!

These are the shoes I run in; don't let the title of the color "soft coral" fool you, these babies are bright! 

PS. My fitness board on Pinterest is full of quick workouts and boosting gym morale.

Spring Break Recap

 What a relaxing week off of school. We did the majority of the work for our wedding invites and sent tons and tons of messages and texts to relatives and friends trying to track down addresses.
There was a lot of laughing, wine, and eating...just like a break should be. Even though I didn't come back with a tan (so jealous of my roommate) it was such a nice week at home to lay around and relax with my dog, family, and Andy.
 Now it's back to the grind. 44 days until this semester is done. 103 days until the wedding. It's not snowing (yet), so spring's gotta be close! Happy Monday everyone!

To Dad...

For as long as I can remember my dad has "surprised"  my mom around Valentine's day with huge bouquets of beautiful roses. Cassie and I have also always received flowers from my dad for Valentine's day and usually our birthdays. He's a flower kinda guy...a girl can't complain. I think it was my freshman year at Western, my dad actually drove down to Kalamazoo to bring me flowers and take me out for dinner. Seriously. I am so spoiled by that man.
Working with kids in KPS I have seen so many broken kids caused by broken families. I am so happy with where I grew up and who I grew up with. It's not something to take for granted.
My dad is someone who I could and can always trust, depend on, and laugh with.

I know you see a lot of these pictures around this time of year....but aren't they beautiful!! 

My dad jokes about when I get married we will start our own traditions and "butt" out of theirs...he CLAIMS no more Christmas presents, birthday presents, Easter egg hunts and I'm sure he'll eventually joke about no more flowers on Valentine's day... and just gotta say...I'll believe it when I see it. BUT those things means so much more to me (& the rest of my family) than the actual stuff; it's the continued family traditions that are really valued [and just so you know dad, you can't get rid of us that easy]! I don't know where I would be without the love and support of that man. Thanks dad! Love you!

Brilliant.

I cannot even explain my excitement of coming back to Tim Horton's coupons and an announcement of the Grand Opening on February 4. We went to Canada too much when I was younger and each trip consisted of a stop to Tim Horton's for "timbits" and their crack coffee.
SO Emma and I decided last night, before the Superbowl, we were going to this Grand Opening tomorrow AND as an added advantage if you were one of the first 100 people after 8am-which we would be-you get a free travel mug (not that we don't have enough of those). So we decided: we were leaving at 7:40am and getting a FREE travel mug and use those coupons that were burning holes in our pockets-it sounded like our best option at the time... Another fabulous idea by Annie & Emma.
My alarm going off at 7:20 this morning begged to differ...so did the snooze...and the weather...and scraping off my car...and slipping all the way to Tim Horton's. This was such a brilliant idea. Brilliant. As I was scraping the inches of snow that accumulated on my car overnight I was thinking free mug, crack coffee, free mug, donuts, coffee, free mug....warm bed, sleeping in, ohhh right... free mug. 
Once we got there my mindset switched. I had an awesome free travel mug, coffee bought with a coupon, and nice conversation with a retired teacher-this was a brilliant idea.
Time to leave. Scrape the car off, crank the heat and we are on our way....just kidding...we are stuck...blocking the drive through of a grand opening...crap. Emma gets out and informs me "the front tire is spinning" oh and I'm stuck because I'm straddling a curb in the parking lot. Sweet. Brilliant idea. Emma and I monkey around and a guy pulls up to place his order, but we are in the way. In my head he's coming over to my car and yelling about the predicament we are in and Tim Horton's is suing me for slowing down their grand opening-this is just the way an over-exaggerator thinks. Crap. He's getting out, and yelling...."Ya'll need some help?" Thank the good Lord Almighty, I will not be sued today. He's helping-but by his size I'm thinking Emma was a better pusher... I hate saying this but sometimes it takes a man to get a car unstuck, it's just the way they think. He pushes from the front (not something we have tried yet) and I am out within seconds. Thanks stranger man, sorry for doubting you! Gotta love those good Samaritans when you're the one who needs help! We are warm, home, and I still have some coffee left.

This story was brought to you by Annie & Emma's brilliant ideas.

5 MONTHS!

In case you haven't heard...we are under the 5 month mark, people! 147 DAYS. I can't believe we've been engaged for over a year now...as slow as it went at points, it feels like it's flying by!
The project we focused on over Christmas break: our wedding invitations. Let me remind you ...this wedding is completely diy. Making your own wedding invitations is as overwhelming as it sounds...but I love how they turned out. One thing that came in handy with this project is from Martha Stewart Crafts. The Doily Lace Trim Deep Edge Punch. After lots of planning & doing, and sore hands the finished product is exactly what we wanted. Yay for craft punches!