Bonjour mes amis!
For the next month, all of my posts will be coming to you from across the pond. Lucky me, I get to spend a full month with a close (and very generous) family friend, her husband and their super sweet bébé! My posts will be mostly the same, but with more photos of the city and the various frenchie things I encounter.
It should be noted that the keyboard here is different. Many of the symbols do not require the shift key, and the q and a are switched among other things.
No photos for this first post, I haven't taken many nor have I had the chance to download them.
All in all, it is very exciting, and I hope by the end of the month I will have you all convinced to come to France right away!
à bientot!
01 June 2010
28 May 2010
Regular Reading
As an English major (who recently made the Dean's List! Sorry, gotta toot your own horn once in a while) I am most definitely a reader. Books, magazines, and with the advent of blogs, I'm hooked. In that case, I thought I would share my (recently organized) list of regular reading links.
So, I'll drop a link here, and then give you a quick blurb about why it's a good read. They are sort of ranked by frequency of posting. You may notice I also updated my links on the right there, so you can click them even after this post is long gone. Here goes nothin'!
Young House Love: John and Sherry's blog is very well written, gives great money saving ideas and tips on home decorating that you can use even if you are living in a dorm. Plus, their new baby is ADORABLE.
Melissa Jill Photography: I'm a lover of great photography, and I came upon this blogger while trolling the 'net for some beauties. Not only is she a fantastic photographer (and a great writer), but she uses her blog as a platform to aid in Autism research and awareness.
Geek In Heels: Probably the funniest blog on my list. Jenny writes with a smart hand and enough sarcasm and wit (and geeky content!) to make anyone laugh. I love the writing, and especially her honesty and willingness to share her faith.
Steph Barber: The blog of a friend from school, Steph is a talented and improving photographer. I love reading about her recent shoots, and especially her posts of recent design projects, like invitations and other paper products.
In Color Order: Though this blog is a recent find, I'm sure it will stay on the list. Covered in delicious photos of quilts and pretty pyrex, I love the hands on approach to crafting here.
A Cup of Jo: Certainly well known in the blog world, Joanna Goddard's blog is always full of handy links to some of the neatest things on the internet, plus she's just adorable.
Stephanie Fay Blog: Another photography blogger (now you believe me that I'm obsessed!) who repeatedly posts images of people who just glow. Quite the writer, too!
Well, that about covers it. Minus the random blog I get sucked into about once a week.
Am I the only person who feels compelled to read EVERY POST the person has ever written when you find a good blog? Hm.
So, I'll drop a link here, and then give you a quick blurb about why it's a good read. They are sort of ranked by frequency of posting. You may notice I also updated my links on the right there, so you can click them even after this post is long gone. Here goes nothin'!
Young House Love: John and Sherry's blog is very well written, gives great money saving ideas and tips on home decorating that you can use even if you are living in a dorm. Plus, their new baby is ADORABLE.
Melissa Jill Photography: I'm a lover of great photography, and I came upon this blogger while trolling the 'net for some beauties. Not only is she a fantastic photographer (and a great writer), but she uses her blog as a platform to aid in Autism research and awareness.
Geek In Heels: Probably the funniest blog on my list. Jenny writes with a smart hand and enough sarcasm and wit (and geeky content!) to make anyone laugh. I love the writing, and especially her honesty and willingness to share her faith.
Steph Barber: The blog of a friend from school, Steph is a talented and improving photographer. I love reading about her recent shoots, and especially her posts of recent design projects, like invitations and other paper products.
In Color Order: Though this blog is a recent find, I'm sure it will stay on the list. Covered in delicious photos of quilts and pretty pyrex, I love the hands on approach to crafting here.
A Cup of Jo: Certainly well known in the blog world, Joanna Goddard's blog is always full of handy links to some of the neatest things on the internet, plus she's just adorable.
Stephanie Fay Blog: Another photography blogger (now you believe me that I'm obsessed!) who repeatedly posts images of people who just glow. Quite the writer, too!
Well, that about covers it. Minus the random blog I get sucked into about once a week.
Am I the only person who feels compelled to read EVERY POST the person has ever written when you find a good blog? Hm.
25 May 2010
Graduation Optimism
Today, just a few thoughts for those graduating from high school (and those who have, and those who will).
My friends:
This is only the beginning.
Graduating from high school and starting college is an opportunity that will only happen once in your life. That doesn't mean you have just one chance to get it right. It means this is an experience and an environment unlike any other, so use it! Where else are so many bright and intelligent and curious minds gathered all in one place? College is a place where you can really make a difference, and all you have to do is try. With all those people in one place, you are bound to find someone with something in common.
This is only the beginning.
It's a cliché to say that you make your closest and best friends in college, but that doesn't mean your first friend is going to be the best and closest. In such a large community, you can meet a new person every day. Ten new people every day! So, do it. Colleges are unique in this respect as well -- very few other places can claim the diversity of ideas, races, causes and beliefs as a college campus. Befriend the girl sitting next to you in your Chemistry 101, or the guy in your group in Anthropology 221. You never know where that friendship could lead.
This is only the beginning.
Though it’s a little frightening, just consider it: the friendships and connections you make here could last for the rest of your life. What if the guy in Anthropology is your future husband or the girl in Chemistry your first boss? In that case, doesn't it make sense to be yourself and be truly honest with the people you meet? In high school people may act differently to fit in, or refrain from sharing what they really think to avoid arguments. But college doesn't do that. College is an arena where you can be exactly the person you have always been on the inside and your beliefs (while they may spark discussion) are always welcome.
This is only the beginning.
Your beliefs should be a big part of your experiences after graduation. Though they say that many people lose their faith in college, the number of people who decide to follow the plans God has for them is impressive. In college and really, anywhere you go after high school, you have a choice to make about your impact. That choice comes down to "Do I say yes, and change the world with God?" or "Do I say no, and let my life go on as it is?" College is a chance to shake things up in your life and in the world. When it comes down to it, it’s the only choice that really matters. What opportunity are you going to take?
This is it.
This is your time.
This is only the beginning.
My friends:
This is only the beginning.
Graduating from high school and starting college is an opportunity that will only happen once in your life. That doesn't mean you have just one chance to get it right. It means this is an experience and an environment unlike any other, so use it! Where else are so many bright and intelligent and curious minds gathered all in one place? College is a place where you can really make a difference, and all you have to do is try. With all those people in one place, you are bound to find someone with something in common.
This is only the beginning.
It's a cliché to say that you make your closest and best friends in college, but that doesn't mean your first friend is going to be the best and closest. In such a large community, you can meet a new person every day. Ten new people every day! So, do it. Colleges are unique in this respect as well -- very few other places can claim the diversity of ideas, races, causes and beliefs as a college campus. Befriend the girl sitting next to you in your Chemistry 101, or the guy in your group in Anthropology 221. You never know where that friendship could lead.
This is only the beginning.
Though it’s a little frightening, just consider it: the friendships and connections you make here could last for the rest of your life. What if the guy in Anthropology is your future husband or the girl in Chemistry your first boss? In that case, doesn't it make sense to be yourself and be truly honest with the people you meet? In high school people may act differently to fit in, or refrain from sharing what they really think to avoid arguments. But college doesn't do that. College is an arena where you can be exactly the person you have always been on the inside and your beliefs (while they may spark discussion) are always welcome.
This is only the beginning.
Your beliefs should be a big part of your experiences after graduation. Though they say that many people lose their faith in college, the number of people who decide to follow the plans God has for them is impressive. In college and really, anywhere you go after high school, you have a choice to make about your impact. That choice comes down to "Do I say yes, and change the world with God?" or "Do I say no, and let my life go on as it is?" College is a chance to shake things up in your life and in the world. When it comes down to it, it’s the only choice that really matters. What opportunity are you going to take?
This is it.
This is your time.
This is only the beginning.
28 April 2010
What Time Is It?
FINALS TIME!
If you are a fan of High School Musical, you know what I wanna say there. But it isn't quite summertime yet. Almost!
I've been crazy busy, but I've still managed to have some wonderful adventures and get a magnificent sunburn in the past week or so. Still wishin' I had put on some sunscreen... Bad choice! Since I'm running low on time and inspiring blog-post-ery, I'll leave you with a few photos of what I've been up to lately (other than writing papers. Bleh.)!
If you are a fan of High School Musical, you know what I wanna say there. But it isn't quite summertime yet. Almost!
I've been crazy busy, but I've still managed to have some wonderful adventures and get a magnificent sunburn in the past week or so. Still wishin' I had put on some sunscreen... Bad choice! Since I'm running low on time and inspiring blog-post-ery, I'll leave you with a few photos of what I've been up to lately (other than writing papers. Bleh.)!
College Jordan and I wandered around with this magical yellow balloon and took pictures. We went into the cemetery... and some of the graves are sinking = gross.
My roommate Nicole and I went out to try a sandwich place nearby, and it was completely delicious! Plus the sandwiches were the size of your head. I had chicken salad and she had roasted sweet potato.
Here is a new project I'm working on... Hopefully at some point you can see it completed and wonderful. Perhaps an Etsy venture?
Are you making through the last few days of school? (My campus is having a "Cram Jam" tonight at midnight... we hear there will be breakfast foods and dessert.) :)
13 April 2010
Checking In: Is Summer Here Yet?
Hello friends!
How is life treating you lately? If you are a college student, I think I probably have a good idea of what you are thinking right now: "PLEASE, SEMESTER, PLEASE JUST END!"
I feel your pain! It seems like we are just so close, but yet, there is so much to be done in the next (three, for me) weeks. But I thought that I would post some happy things to give you some inspiration to keep on keepin' on, if you'll forgive the cliché.
But really, tell me! What's new with you, friends?
Some beeeeautiful dinnerware that I ogled shamelessly in Anthropologie. Like many of my budget-wary friends, I only own that initial mug from their store. It's so cute! Great for tea.
Since I had just been at home for Spring Break, I decided not to venture homewards for Easter. But my most wonderful parents decided that they would come visit! They haven't been up to campus this year, so they came up, and on the last day they were here, we did a hike into a volcanic crater! Pretty impressive!
So, tell me. How are you doing? Swimming in final papers and studying for exams? Praying? (That's become my method of pre-study cramming. I do pray for other reasons too though!) Fill me in on your lives!
How is life treating you lately? If you are a college student, I think I probably have a good idea of what you are thinking right now: "PLEASE, SEMESTER, PLEASE JUST END!"
I feel your pain! It seems like we are just so close, but yet, there is so much to be done in the next (three, for me) weeks. But I thought that I would post some happy things to give you some inspiration to keep on keepin' on, if you'll forgive the cliché.
But really, tell me! What's new with you, friends?
Some beeeeautiful dinnerware that I ogled shamelessly in Anthropologie. Like many of my budget-wary friends, I only own that initial mug from their store. It's so cute! Great for tea.
I went to a natural museum over Spring Break (I know that was a long time ago, but it was gorgeous!). On our way back home, the boyfriend and I stopped on the side of the road and almost got run over to snap some photos of my favorite flower. Goooorgeous.
Since I had just been at home for Spring Break, I decided not to venture homewards for Easter. But my most wonderful parents decided that they would come visit! They haven't been up to campus this year, so they came up, and on the last day they were here, we did a hike into a volcanic crater! Pretty impressive!So, tell me. How are you doing? Swimming in final papers and studying for exams? Praying? (That's become my method of pre-study cramming. I do pray for other reasons too though!) Fill me in on your lives!
06 April 2010
Lifting Up
In general, my family has always attended pretty traditional churches (Church of Christ, if you are wondering): a.k.a.; a capella, pretty reserved worship and singing, lots of standing and sitting through the service, and communion every sunday.
I will preface this by saying worship (here, singing) is my favorite part of church. I loooove it.
However, at InterVarsity, I've experienced a little different kind of worship. We do have a worship team that includes a few singers, a keyboard, drums, and several different bass and acoustic guitars (oh, and a banjo and violin sometimes too!).
But what is very different to me is the way that people respond to the worship, and to God, during our worship time. People with their hands palm up to the sky, one arm above their heads, both arms outstretched and all sorts of variations on that. Not everyone does it, and it's not for everyone anyway, but I do notice it quite often.
Why would I write about a personal thing like how people respond to worship?
Because I am totally blessed by seeing these people so moved by God and his presence. Though I've never been much of an arm-raiser, when I see my peers and classmates and friends worshipping God fully, it just fills my heart right to the brim. Though part of it lies in the fact that I know that I share in God's blessings with these people, another part is that a lot of adults who are our parents age and older seem to think that we college students are a bunch of hoodlums. But when I see the person a few seats down from me singing their heart out with their hands lifted up, I know that isn't true.
So if you think you might offend someone, or that it might not be appropriate for you to respond to God in a physical, visible way - go ahead - there might be someone just like me watching and waiting to be blessed.
God is good. :)
I will preface this by saying worship (here, singing) is my favorite part of church. I loooove it.
However, at InterVarsity, I've experienced a little different kind of worship. We do have a worship team that includes a few singers, a keyboard, drums, and several different bass and acoustic guitars (oh, and a banjo and violin sometimes too!).
But what is very different to me is the way that people respond to the worship, and to God, during our worship time. People with their hands palm up to the sky, one arm above their heads, both arms outstretched and all sorts of variations on that. Not everyone does it, and it's not for everyone anyway, but I do notice it quite often.
Why would I write about a personal thing like how people respond to worship?
Because I am totally blessed by seeing these people so moved by God and his presence. Though I've never been much of an arm-raiser, when I see my peers and classmates and friends worshipping God fully, it just fills my heart right to the brim. Though part of it lies in the fact that I know that I share in God's blessings with these people, another part is that a lot of adults who are our parents age and older seem to think that we college students are a bunch of hoodlums. But when I see the person a few seats down from me singing their heart out with their hands lifted up, I know that isn't true.
So if you think you might offend someone, or that it might not be appropriate for you to respond to God in a physical, visible way - go ahead - there might be someone just like me watching and waiting to be blessed.
God is good. :)
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