vagabonding {pt.2}

true to my aspirations, i finished my first book of the summer this past week. one major way God communicates to me is through books...not so much morning devotionals or books designed to facilitate a bible study (although it does happen to be sure), but more through books given to me by a friend, found in a bookstore on a quiet afternoon, or assigned for class.

my highshcool small group leader once mentioned that she believes that when God wants you to read the book, you will. this explains why sometimes you try to start a book for months and get no where, yet when you do, there can be a single line that changes your life. i fully believe this as well and have experienced God's timing through the books friends give me or recommend, that i find in bookstores on a quiet afternoon, or even are assigned in class.

the alchemist resonates with my soul in a powerful, almost frightening way, as i'm sure it does with most people who have the pleasure of spending time with it. in this book, paulo coelhoe's characters learn what it means to find your calling, pursue it and endure life's trials, listen to your heart, and value love. at one point in the story, the alchemist claims that:

"People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel they don't deserve them, or that they'll be unable to achieve them."

i am guilty of this fear. i don't even have a dream job i'm literally afriad to dream big, because my fear of falure trumps even the spark of a dream.

waco rules pt. 3

burgers & fries from cupps diner.
greek food & fried chicken from d's mediterranean.
amazing wine and port from the TCV winery.
all with friends made in the great city of waco.

last night, a group of friends and i had drinks
while we watching the storm roll in over the lake,
listening to live music and enjoying one another's company.
i kinda felt like a grown up.

but then we came home and made cookies
& ate the dough- just like when we were in college :)

vagabonding

{from here}

"Whenever he could, he sought out a new road to travel. He had never been to that ruined church before, in spite of having traveled through those parts many times. The world was huge and inexhaustible; he had only to allow his sheep to set the route for a while, and he would discover other interesting things. The problem is that they don't even realize they're walking a new road every day. They don't see that the fields are new and the seasons change. All they think about is food and water. Maybe we're all that way, the boy mused."
-The Alchemist

My best friend moved out today. Our house becomes less like a home as rooms become empty and boxes take over. What it is now is not what it's been; not my home filled with love, late night talks, meals on the porch. But that home still exists in my heart, memory, and story.

I've been reorganizing, cleaning and packing. Ross & I can start moving things into our new apartment on June 6. Obviously, we wont actually be moving in until July 11, when we get back from the honeymoon. My parents are also moving, so whenever I go home, it wont be the same either. But I'm actually getting excited about living out of my car for the next 46 days.

Now begins the vagabond stage of my life...I'll move with the wind and travel with only what I need. I plan to exercise daily, read a book per week, prepare for the big day, and enjoy time with friends in new and old places and appreciate them all the same. O ya, and look for a job. Mostly, I hope to listen to God's voice and seek His plan for me. And so begins my sabbatical.

reading list

One of the most wonderful displays of friendship is through words of affirmation & encouragement, shared especially during times of change. One of my amazing roommates gave me a note and a copy of her favorite book, The Alchemist, as a graduation gift. In her note, she included this quote:

"We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it's our life or our possessions and property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand." - The Alchemist

can't wait to dive into this book during the first moments of life post college.

any another 'summer reading' suggestions?

it's official...

...i am now a member of the real world.
baylor = the best 4 years of my life
{so far}

celebration!

on thursday, ross and i found
our future home!
the most adorable, incredible apartment.
so we celebrated by
running through the fountains on campus.
and by making cookies...

i can't even be sad about graduating!

life after class, pt.3

more time to experience baylor traditions...
like climbing on top of the suspension bridge
& throw tortillas.

there's also time for
random photoshoots after, too :)

double the cute

{from here}

which is cuter: the doilie or the cupcake?! who can know!?

date night

{from here}

the nest.com has the cutest list of 20 dates under $20.
perfect for living life in a lame economy & with a med school hubby.

a friend of mine recently to me that her youth pastor shared his marraige secret with her:
no matter what, you should always have a weekly date night. even though you live together, sleep together, and eat together, its important to take one night and have a sweet date, just the two of you. i'm all in!

im graduating?

{via bakerella}

so, in order to make graduation a somewhat happy day, we will be having a fun BBQ with friends & family. in our opinion, graduating is by no means a happy time in life- but we plan on making the best out of the situation and party like were still college kids.

adorable little treats like candy graduation caps would certainly help :)

life after class, pt.2

your friends throw fabulous pool parties...

life after class

more time to go exploring

in the city
and have emo photoshoots.
well, we try to be cool & emo sometimes anyway.

final final

hey blog,

today is the last time you will be my partner
in procrastinating my studies.
this afternoon i will take my very last final.
and be done with class at Baylor University, officially.
you've helped me get through countless hours
down here in the Moody Computer Lab.
this place can get pretty weird,
(there are no windows)
and i don't know if i could i made it without
the escape you've provided for me...
billions of design, cooking, relationship blogs
for me to sort through.
and above all else, you always let me ramble
about whatever.
i haven't even been able to study for this last final of mine.
it seems too final.

o well. brit lit, here i come...

happiness list, pt. 2

{via snippet&ink}

too much happiness for one list.
{inspired by the adorable rockstar diaries}

1. designsponge before & afters
2. not being able to put a book down
3. beautiful invitations
4. seeing ross every friday
5. common grounds coffee
6. tom hanks
7. outdoor summertime concerts
8. cape cod flea markets
9. easter egg hunts
10. when the sun finally breaks through the clouds

who am i?

i've been a little m.i.a due to a broken computer, finals,

& the fact it's my last two weeks to live

here in paradise, aka waco.

i've been experiencing some role conflict lately, or at least

lots of different roles simultanously.

right now i'm a bachelorette, a student, soon-to-be graduate,

daughter, sister, friend, fiance, soon-to-be wife.

"Who am I? This or the other?

Am I one person today, and tomorrow another?

Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,

and before myself a contemptibly woebegone weaking?...

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.

Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am thine."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer