Past the Sea of Twirly, Swirly Gumdrops...

Wow. It's been two months since my last post... does that tell you anything about my life? I am amazed by college students that can manage a full load while keeping up with blogging. Maybe a twitter account would be better for me...

I truly don't even know where to begin. These past two months have included a week-long trip to my beloved NEW YORK CITY [I lived there this summer for those of you who have missed my constant ramblings about it], my twenty-third birthday, the discovery of a cupcake shoppe in Raleigh [don't underestimate the importance of this fact], and... well okay, maybe my life hasn't been THAT eventful, but I can hardly recap my week in New York to my own friends in person without going off on tangents, so why should I expect that I could do it on here? =]

Let's see... I can do this... my NYC week in a nutshell.
Researching the spiritual climate on campuses... same as my entire summer. New York is such a spiritually dark place, and it absolutely broke my heart to hear people's struggles with loneliness in a city with millions of people.

Return trip to my favorite corner of Fifth... you probably know exactly where I'm referring to if you've ever been to New York, but it involves the Apple store [and I ADORE my new MacBook!!!]


An afternoon tea party at Alice's Tea Cup when there were three feet of snow (or more... see Bryant Park below) and there wasn't much else to do. HIGHLY recommend it... a little expensive but worth it for the experience.






Went to see two Broadway shows, one for the second time.... maybe you recognize it? =]



We won the lottery tickets for In the Heights, after trying five times this summer.... front row center, only $26. This one goes down as my second favorite of all time... and I've seen thirteen Broadway shows. Youtube the soundtrack, or download it on iTunes if you trust me that much.... it's simply phenomenal.



We definitely did much more than that, but most importantly God did some amazing things during the week in our lives and in the city. I really love New York... as in, I wake up every single day sad that I'm not there. I'm sure some of you who have lived abroad or a city like NYC share my sentiments. At least it's only a plane ride or road trip away, or past the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest and... well you know.

True Love

In honor of Valentine's Day [which, for the record, I will be celebrating with my mom and possibly a new MacBook...], here are some things which have recently stolen my heart... some material, some not-so-much. =]

1.
Coldplay and Radiohead's performances at the Grammys... and speaking of Radiohead, I've just now downloaded their latest "In Rainbows"... highly recommended.


[Two of the greatest bands of all time? If anything makes your heart race...]

2.
My church's music team... I joined as the new keyboard player a few weeks ago, and I already love the people and music more than anything. (Oh, and if you're a fan of Christian music that isn't particularly cookie-cutter, go on iTunes and check out our leader Daniel Renstrom's music... it stole my heart on first listen).

3.
THANK YOU POTTERY BARN. I've been looking for a new duvet cover all year but none really stood out... until this.

Not a huge fan of the frame but it matches my room perfectly... and POLKA DOTS!!

4.
It's been 70 degrees here all week... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the South. And if I had either of these dresses, it would've been the perfect excuse to wear them.

[Vineyard Vines Skylark Dress]
[JC Cotton Cady Sydney... not the most exciting cut on the block, but us well-endowed girlies have to do what we can! ...plus the color is too southern to be ignored]

5.
Giving my school-issued laptop back because I'm now part-time? Boo. Getting a new MacBook in its place?! LOVE.




What true love(s) have you fallen for this year?

One Week

Well, I made it through the first week of my last spring semester (barely). The good news is, I'm only taking 8 hours, so I'll have time for a job and won't be paying full-time tuition. The bad news is, I'm only taking 8 hours, so I'll probably have to go to summer school and load up in the fall, because the classes I need to graduate are only offered in the fall (one of the very few downfalls of my school). I'm not at all worried that I'll have too much free time - my major requires that I attend non-credit classes (like student recital and piano repertoire) and I'll be the accompanist for a few voice students, and of course I need to start training for the half-marathon in November... oh man. Maybe it's a small miracle that I'm not full-time.

On a side note, I will soon be getting these... my first legit running shoes!!!!

Dancing Through Life

Since absolutely nothing eventful has happened over my break, except me getting sick and the bestie coming to visit at the beach... I have to post sooomething given all this free time, right? Anyway this looked fun and when I scanned my party shuffle on iTunes, it looked hilarious...

Instructions:
1. Start your iPod or iTunes on shuffle (I used my iPod)
2. For every question, you have to click on next.
3. YOU HAVE TO WRITE DOWN THE NAME OF THAT SONG, DOESN’T MATTER HOW STUPID IT SOUNDS.
4. TAG FRIENDS!


IF SOMEONE SAYS EVERYTHING’S ALRIGHT WHAT DO YOU SAY TO HIM/HER:
It's the End of the World as We Know It - REM [haha]

WHAT DESCRIBES YOU THE BEST?
Fidelity - Regina Spektor

DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON SOMEBODY?
Finale B- Rent

HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?
Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix

WHAT’S YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE?
Jesus Movement - Audio Adrenaline [weird..]

WHAT’S YOUR LIFE LIKE?
Oh! Gravity - Switchfoot

YOUR FRIENDS THINK YOU ARE:
The Mirror-Blue Night - Spring Awakening

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING MOST OF THE TIME?
Foreverandever etc... - David Crowder

DESCRIBE YOUR CRUSH
Where There's Gold - Dashboard Confessional [awh... except I don't have one]

WHAT’S YOUR LIFE STORY?
Middle of Nowhere - Hot Hot Heat

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN GROWN UP?
Peace Beneath the City - Iron & Wine

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU’RE STARING AT THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
You're So Last Summer - Taking Back Sunday

YOUR PARENTS THINK ABOUT YOU AS:
What Sarah Said - Death Cab for Cutie [wow.]

WHAT ARE YOU DANCING IN YOUR WEDDING?
Belle Reprise - Original Broadway Cast

THIS WILL BE THE MUSIC FOR YOUR FUNERAL:
You Can't Do That - The Beatles

WHAT’S YOUR HOBBY?
When You Were Young - The Killers

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Mr. Jones - Counting Crows [yikes.]

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Your Song - Elton John

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU?
Can't Stop - Maroon 5

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DIE?
Be My Escape - Relient K

WHAT DO YOU REGRET?
Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Nothing in My Way - Keane

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Manhattan - Midtown [NOT true.]

WILL YOU GET MARRIED SOMEDAY?
Revolution - Jim Sturgess

WHATS YOUR FAVORITE THING IN THE WORLD?
Birthday - The Beatles [sotrue.]

DOES SOMEONE SECRETLY LIKES YOU?
The Everglow - mae

BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
All You Need is Love - Beatles

WHAT HURTS YOU NOW?
Steal My Kisses - Ben Harper

HOW ARE YOU CALLING THIS NOTE?
Dancing Through Life - Wicked


=]

Colonial Christmas

Our trip to Williamsburg yesterday was a lovely idea, but didn't turn out quite as well as I hoped... the outlets were ridiculously crowded, and the selection was not what we expected. Frustrated, we grabbed lunch and headed toward the historic district and walked around for a grand total of 5 minutes before it started pouring (the forecast was a 20% chance of rain and a high of 60, neither of which were true) , but that gave us an excuse to go in some of the adorable little general stores. I was incredibly impressed with my point-and-shoot Canon SD1100IS (the story on why my Kodak died this summer is funny in retrospect, I may have to share that later) ...I am so excited that I'll be able to finally blog with pictures!! Plus, I have the least steady hand in the history of photography, and it was cloudy, but the pictures turned out quite well! The decorations there are just darling, and will definitely be a source of inspiration for future Christmases. Some of my favorites:

I celebrate the day...

Merry Christmas everyone... I'm heading to Williamsburg Virginia with one of my best friends for shopping/exploring the colonial district tomorrow, and there will be PICTURES because I got a Canon Powershot for Christmas!!

13.1

I'm trading in my ballet flats.... for running shoes.

Let me tell you, this is no small feat. I haven't ran since.. sophomore year of high school, and that was just for a fitness test. Seven years. Plus, I never exercise except for dancing. Huge deal for me.

I'm not sure what inspired my best friend Dana and I to run a half-marathon next November. Maybe it was the fact that my BMI recently and officially hit the overweight category (yeah, that's probably it), or the strong desire I've had to make a lot of positive change in my life, and to use this time in my life when I'm single and not obligated to much... whatever the reason, I am quite determined to do this. =]

Goal: Running first a 5k, then the 13.1 mile OBX half marathon on November 9... time is not an issue at this point
Current BMI: 25.0
Goal BMI: 19.1

I'm going to avoid making weight loss my focus, which is why I'm using my BMI stats instead of weight... I don't need to be obsessed with the number on the scale. I'm so excited about this new adventure, and so blessed to have the support of a best friend doing this with me and my wonderful friends to motivate me.