living in the summer warmth

I feel like I haven't blogged in so long, that I forget how to even begin an entry. However, I guess there's no real format, so I can begin anyway I want.

It is so true that as you get older, the time flys by so much faster then when you were younger. I've already been out of school for about three weeks now, when it feels like just yesterday I was finishing up with final exams. The past few weeks have been entirely too enjoyable, catching up on sleep and doing whatever I please. I kind of forgot what it felt like to be able to do whatever you wanted, without anything to worry about. I guess you could say I'm a big advocate of the easy life.

However, the easy life is only restricted to the weekends now for me, because as of the beginning of last week, I am a full-time, working woman! Yay, for money and waking up earlier than the roosters. Well, I don't actually have to get up at the crack of dawn, but it sure does feel like that. I'm not complaining though, because I absolutely love working- being part of the real world will be fun for the summer :)

Other than working and the occasional hanging out with a few friends, life right now has been slow and relaxing. The only problem is that I have had writer's block a lot recently. I haven't had anything to write about, nor even the desire to do so. This makes me sad, but I guess even the greats needed a little time away. It's funny though how things work, because although I haven't been able to write, I've had time to catch up on some lovely reading that I've been wanting to do for the past six months, but failed to ever accomplish. I guess when life doesn't hand you one thing, it gives you something else to captivate your attention.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. I feel like a different person writing this, because I usually go into an entry with a philosophical thinking behind whatever I'm going to write. Hopefully soon I'll get back into the swing of things, and if not, I'll just accept change and go with it.

change is for the bravehearted

The long, new days have turned into the familiar, and finally there has been closure as summer has rapidly approached. It feels so good to know that I have added so many exciting marks to my life thus far, but it's also sad to know that yet again, another chapter has closed. This past year has been full of adventure and excitement. I feel that each day that I have been given has transformed into the woman I am now. Even with just one year under my belt, I feel stronger, brighter, happier, wittier, and even more blessed for the life I have been given to live. So thank you, freshman year, for the lessons that you've taught me, the friends you've given me, and the opportunity to check a couple more things off of my bucket list.

So summer, I give you the challenge to make something that may seem excruciating, or even boring at times, into something worthwhile and miraculous. I feel that I should probably embrace all of my not so free time, and make it into something that in twenty years I'll look back and smile upon. I've always felt that I've wasted away my summers sleeping in until late afternoon, worrying about being tan, when instead I could be doing something actually rewarding with my time. The years go by quickly, as I most recently saw this freshman year, and I don't want anything that has the possibility of being good, slip away from me.

So, here's to the best summer ever and I'm only three days in. I have no idea what lies ahead for me, but I do know that as long as I have the wonderful people in my life that I do, the next couple of months will be nothing less than amazing. I feel that summers are for change and being re-born, so to speak. Everyone can use a little change in their life; it makes us continuously evolve into even more interesting people than we already are. It allows us to re-evaluate who we are and move forward. Change, I believe, is for the bravehearted. It takes real courage to embrace it; acknowledge it, and even more to accept it. Therefore, I believe that summer and change, are synonymous. They are both an opportunity to expand your horizons, live a little on the edge, and further yourself in all areas of life. Anything is possible in these warm days that capture so many of our hearts and embed themselves in our memories forever.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I AM SO READY!

Don't Waste Your Pretty

Okay, so today has been a complete fail of a day. Seriously, for once I would like to be a boy. I think that about sums up the day's problems. On the contrary, it was a beautiful, sunny Auburn day, so I should at least be thankful for that.

Anyways, so today I was talking to one of my best friends in the entire world, and out of no where he told me to listen to the song, "Don't Waste Your Pretty," which of course I did. WOW! What a beautiful song. Honestly, it was the sweetest gesture. Michael, if you read this, thank you. It made my day and really opened my eyes to some different things.

I feel that so many of us are caught up in trying to do the norm, that we forget what we truly stand for, therefore we settle. I am not an advocate of settling, let me tell you. I do not want to be that one woman who wishes that she would have pursued her most cherished dreams, but instead settled for a life that she secretly regrets. You only have one shot in this life, so why waste your time on people and things that are not going to benefit you in the long run? I've been having trouble with this lately, and coincidentally so have a few of my friends. I always try to see the best in the situation and try to pull out the best in others, but I think there comes a point where you can't anymore. You have to take people for who they are, then decided whether or not they should be apart of your life. It's probably one of the hardest things to realize, but it's something that we all must do; we all must make the choice.

I know I'm not perfect in any sense, but I have my beliefs and morals, I have my goals, my priorities, and have a general direction of where I want my life to go. Whether or not certain people should join me for the ride is the question I have to ask myself. I encounter too many settling people and it breaks my heart to see this. A wise, Barbara De Angelis quotes, "Living with integrity means: Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships. Asking for what you want and need from others. Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension. Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values. Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe.” I feel that this is such a strong and valid point. Why do anything that does not better yourself or the rest of the world? Why constantly submit ourselves to the lowest of life, when instead we should be embracing the positive, empowering aspects. We should be rejoicing in what a beautiful life we have been given, even with the ugly struggles that we must endure.

I guess to sum it all up, to go back to the song that Michael showed me- we are all worth more than what we give ourselves credit. Each of us are capable of achieving the highest, yet some of us still submit to the lowest. Not to name names, but I have people in my life that settle all the time, and all I want to do is just scream until they understand that they are so much more worthy than that; that there are so many other wonderful options for them, than what they are choosing in the present. But it's give and take, and they must be willing to take the advice, which is not always the easiest. However, whether or not any of us listen to the advice of our friends and take it to heart, we all should realize that we are much better than settling and are all capable of awesome things. God did not create us to stand still and watch our lives pass by before our eyes; He created us to jump right in and take control, living vicariously through Him and in a sense that is always satisfying at the end of the day.

And Michael, the picture is for you for your inspiration :)

"live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air..."

God, for one moment I would just like the world to pause. I feel that my entire life has been on speed for almost a month now. One of my professors the other day threw out a random question for thought: what would you do if you could pause your day for one hour? Of course no one really acknowledged her saying this, but it's actually an interesting question if you think about it long enough. Would you do something daring? Would you sleep for an extra hour? Would you lay in the grass and listen to the great outdoors? Would you sit and ponder on your life and how you wished it could be changed? Would you continue on like nothing happened? Would you spend it doing something worthless, or would you take full advantage of the moment? That's another thing... everyone's always talking about that- "you just need to live in the moment." Honestly though, I keep asking myself why? My past is apart of who I am today. Without it, I would be a completely different person. Even with my lowest of lows, I still believe that they were significant and important contributions to my life. And what about the future? I think about the future constantly! Have I chosen the right major, what if I never fall in love, how am I ever going to manage an even more hectic life than I have right now; where in the world am I headed in this great big scheme of life!?

However, if I could pause my life for one hour, I would stop and pay tribute to all the beautiful surroundings. I feel that the little things are constantly overlooked and are never appreciated. The always cheerful drunk bus driver that people say thank you to, but never in a sincere way- mostly out of habit. The beauty of the flowers and the way they trigger your senses, constantly reminding you of sweet, warm spring days. The journal that I've kept for quite some time, but hardly ever pick up, for blogging is the new replacement for random thoughts. The random acts of kindness that people share with one another, but are hardly ever noticed by anyone else. Things like these- random, small things that are hardly ever recognized or thought twice about. I feel that we are completely absorbed, that we forget to "live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air." We should take these words as inspiration- we all could use a daily pause in our lives to bring us back to the basics of it all.

We should take these words and run with them.

triangle lovin', beeee-yahhhhh.

Hmmm, I don't know why, but at 11:33, when I should be reading some enthralling sociology, I started to look at some old pictures, reminiscing on old times. When I think about all the friendships I've had over the years, some of which at one point or another I've regretted, I can honestly say that each one of them has contributed to who I am today. I am merely lucky that I was privileged enough to have these people in my life. I suppose there's a reason why we were friends, there's a reason why we're not anymore, and there's an even bigger reason why I have the people I have right now in my life. My dad always says that in the end, if you can count on one hand the number of true friends you have, then you're lucky. It's funny that I never believed him, but now I understand that.

My two best friends, Becky and Maggie, have been through so much with me. It's actually funny though, because all three of us are completely different, but I think that's what makes our friendship work. Each of us adds certain qualities that the other two desire and we complement each other in that way. And although I don't get to see them very much, I think about them often and how they are my support. Out of all the wonderful people I've met here, if something is wrong or I just to need to have a "real talk," I call one of them- because they understand. It's the little things like that, that make a friendship worthwhile.

All of the years before, when I cared so much about what other people thought, and worried about being friends with everyone, was a complete waste. It's comical to me now to think that I cared so much, when instead I had all I need right by my side. The two people that toughed it out and stuck with me through everything. The two that never doubted me, never gave up my confidence, and always accepted me for who I was. Now in college, I see all the time, false friendships being created and it makes me even more happy to have the people that I do in my life. I guess to sum it all up, I'm incredibly thankful to have such wonderful, intelligent, beautiful, caring, and insightful people in my life. And in the end, if I only have two, it'll be just fine with me.

TRIANGLE FOREVER, beeeeeee-yahhh :)

WDE!

Spring is officially in bloom and so are all the amazing events that come along with it. With only three weeks left until freedom, I would have to say that spring in Auburn is absolutely beautiful!

Today was A-Day, where our Auburn Tigers scrimmage, so the fans can have a look at what the team will be offering in the fall. I honestly didn't believe it to be that big, but oh is the pride and spirit of Auburn alive today!! There are thousands of people here; generations of tigers walking through the streets, while everyone allows a hearty, "WAR EAGLE!" to random, extended family members. I think that's one of the things that I love the most about this wonderful school. Undergrads, grads, alum, and all the other fans-- we're a family. We're a family of people that have one thing in common: our love, pride, and spirit for Auburn University. Everytime I hear someone yell, "WAR EAGLE," my heart flutters a little. This past summer when I went to Italy, my mom was wearing an Auburn t-shirt, and out of no where, in the middle of Rome, some random girl yelled "WAR EAGLE" to her as we passed by. Now that is something you won't find anywhere else, in any other school around the enture world! Some people don't understand us, but for me that's alright, because not just anyone can be a tiger. As beloved George Petrie so eloquently put it...

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.

-George Petrie (1945)

All of these things are what make Auburn men and women stand out from the rest of the world. Our tiger spirit doesn't just die after The Iron Bowl ends, but it's still alive right now in the middle of April. I'm so proud to be apart of this wonderful family. WAR DAMN EAGLE!