Cancelling Plans

This is gonna sound odd and a little mean but I'm SURE you can relate. After an entire week of conference and church services, I told myself NO MATTER WHO OFFERED my Friday would belong to me and no one else. I would take time to do my stuff and finish my to do list and get to sleep earlier. Except Nestor asked to hang out and of course I immediately was like okay how about Friday! Because I'm a massive extrovert and I need contact with all my friends all the time always. I was definitely happy to spend time with him though 'cause we haven't hung out in forever. Well, this afternoon, he told me we'd have to reschedule. Which is a little inconvenient since I'm super busy next week and then I'll be in Chicago. But we'll make plans some other time. Meanwhile, I GET MY FRIDAY BACK TO MYSELF AND I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I AM. I WILL WEAR THE COMFIEST OF CLOTHING THE MOMENT I GET HOME FROM WORK.

Day 30: Beach Vibes

#tbt to when the rain gave me some super fun beach waves

Book of Kyle

Ok I think we can all agree that this conference was beautiful and it meant a lot to our congregation. Anyone who didn't take these three nights of messages and know in their heart and mind and soul that a change needs to be made has to have been actively ignoring this blessing. HOWEVER. Today, on what was quite a rough day, I needed a good laugh. And that, dear friends, came in the form of a young man named Kyle and his "unique" interpretation of the bible. Basically he turned the entire book into one big jumbled up mess of a story. And no one could stop laughing.

Day 29: BBQ

Who has barbecues on a Wednesday? Here's to the last dipping sauce of the youth conference.

Entering the 21st Century

We got new phones at work today! They're new and smaller and shiny and they do all sorts of fun things. Needless to say, everyone is kinda panicky about them, and the installation took up a lot of our productivity. But hey, at least we have working phones again. Also, FUN TECH IS FUN.

Day 28: Afternoon

After work, the youth group learns and grows.

6-27-16

We've never really shared time with another congregation before. But we, the youth group, drove up to Bowie and visited Woodlawn church for their annual youth conference. This is the first of three nights. It was wonderful to learn about God in a new environment from new voices. But WOW. Those words hit my heart so powerfully. I can't begin to explain the impact they had. Recently God has been screaming truth to me and today was a truth that applied in so many facets in my life that I absolutely cannot ignore it. I want to share the words I heard today with the world, because I know there's no way anyone can deny them. Today, I learned that there really is no place like home. I look forward to the next lesson.

Day 27 (late): Fruity

How Bath & Body Works gets all my money

The Moments That Remind You

As if yesterday weren't already a reminder that I have some absolutely beautiful people in my life and I know they would go to great lengths for me. More reminders today, in a very funny way.

Nick: I'm gonna die from hunger before we get to Texas Roadhouse

Me: Lol no darling you can make it

Nick: Nope stomach grumbling light fading I die

Me: Nooooo come backkkk I'll miss you and be sad

Nick: Too late aghh

Me: My heart aches. Who will I love now?

Nick: Jess?

--- Immediately sends screenshot to Jess Mies ---

Jess: Heck yes! At least he knows who comes first lolol. *straightens crown*

Jess: Also rip

PS: You also come first always all the time and I miss you and a letter would be great. We have much catching up to do, sir.

Day 26: Picnic

Sorry, no picnic today. We went to a baby shower. They gave out little ducks as souvenirs.
 Here's a picture of the duck in the sunset.

My First Return to McDaniel

I spent my day with Jonathan, Torreke, Mariah, Alexa, and Gabe. There aren't words for the joy in my heart. Being in Westminster feels right. Being on campus filled my soul with a love I haven't felt in quite some time. It was a wonderful experience. And I'm so glad I got to enjoy a day full of laughter with some pretty brilliant people.

Day 25: Fire

This fire in Mariah's eyes brought to you by Jonathan & pizza.

6-24-16

For one spectacular night, the laughing trio was reunited! Seriously. THESE GIRLS. I dunno how we manage to literally fall apart when all three of us are together, but it's my favorite thing. I'm glad I have Margie & Charlotte for the rest of my life. We have each other for whining about stupid roommates, reading cheesy letters from the ex, playing with puppy, comparing crush lists, and failing at ordering ice cream. And SUSHI! Cheesy girly things are not usually our MO but hey we had a time and I wouldn't change a moment of it. It's also kind of amazing to be there for them when they're struggling with people in their lives, and to finally have someone to talk to about the chaotic year I had with Jonathan and just in general. They get me in a way no one else in this world ever will. Also. HOWLING laughing for hours on end is a flawless way to spend any night.

Day 24 (late): Adventure

Always and a time and a half with these beauties.

Bedtime

I finished my to do lost so I can go to bed before midnight for the first time all week. Thank. God.

Day 23: Summer

Bus rides, a black truck, a trip to Chicago, and flowers on the way home.

6-22-16

I was doing so well this month! Oof. Ah well. I'm prioritizing other things, and one late entry isn't the worst thing. On with the show.

I'm not actively TRYING to make this the week of Nick blogs but whoops! Whatcha gonna do? The boy had a meeting today. He was nervous about it for a while. But it happened today. It's over and done. And it went incredibly well! It's promised some pretty great possibilities for his future. He went in terrified and came out pleasantly surprised. As soon as he told me, I couldn't stop beaming. How lame is that, right? I'm pathetic. But it honestly made me so happy to know that his fear, not only didn't need to be a fear, but was actually something super good! Things are looking up and I am crazy happy for him.

Day 22 (late): Favorite Color

Purple!

Family Time

During my Skype call with Nick today, I got to talk to his sister! Not Lily, but Lissy who goes to McDaniel. Funnily enough, we discussed cheesecake. One of my favorite things in the world. She bakes lots of yummy things and she said she'd make me one which brings me SO MUCH JOY. But basically she seems really cool and I look forward to meeting her in person. I just wanna say watching the two of them interact was the cutest flipping thing. Family love is great. Especially in the ways that no one outside can ever understand.

Day 21: Sunset

Not a whole lot of sun during a flood warning.

*Sings "Lilly's Eyes" Obnoxiously*

Nick's mommy has adopted a foster child for the time being. Her name is Lily and she's a sweetie. I love hearing about her, and I love that she's in a home where she will definitely be cared for. I've been telling Nick that, since he's never seen Frozen, he and I should watch it together. I'm not pressed on him liking it, but I think he'll enjoy the animation at least. Now that Lily is there, I keep insisting that we should watch it with her. It's my own selfish way to spend time with her. Well according to him, she is excited to watch it with me! She really only cares because I'm a person Nick knows who has taken interest in her. (He can deny it all he wants, she adores him already and he's gonna adore her so soon if he doesn't already). But I am very very happy that I might be able to spend some time with her AND she's actually happy about it! I feel like I'm meeting royalty haha it's an honor. Plus what's better than Disney with precious itty bitties?!

Day 20: Magic Hour

There's more magic in our short adventures than in the sky.

Important Habits

Karla and I, along with her husband Eric and the two itty bitties, visited my dad today for Father's Day. We all sat down and enjoyed some lovely apple pie and ice cream. Before we started eating, Cristina said, "Daddy, let's have prayers!". So we all held hands and Cristina prayed for the food with her daddy. It warmed my heart beyond words. This is such an important foundation for kids and I'm touched that she is already making this a part of her life.

Day 19: Cold

The perfect treat for a sunny summer day

Adventures Are Better Together

Day 18: Journey

Sometimes we know where the path will take us. Sometimes we have no clue. But this journey is a million times better because you’re on it with me.

Dinner Dates

I enjoy time with Nick. It makes me happy. And I'm so grateful that Outback is right by my house because WOW steak is a beautiful thing, y'all. I'm blessed.

Day 17: DIY

My favorite gifts are the ones people make from the heart.

Efficiency

I'm doing my job right! And it's resulting in more work for everyone else? Haha it feels weird. But me sending out mail and faxing requests results in attorneys actually responding with the information we need! And dealing with that info is someone else's job. Whoops. They said it's not a bad problem to have. Basically, I feel really good :)

Day 16: Together

Until tomorrow, this will have to do <3

Return of Disney Channel Trash

GIRL MEETS WORLD IS BACK ON TV?? AND NOBODY TOLD ME?!? So instead of being productive I spent this afternoon catching up and WOW THE NEW OPENING CAME FOR MY NOSTALGIA FEELS and I'm so happy I get to devote time to the drama of 14 year olds. They're starting high school now. I'm so proud of them. (Slash the transition wasn't nearly as hard for me but I guess that's what happens when you only talk to 6 people??)

Day 15: Water

I, for one, enjoy the rain

For Every Theatre Kid

I am in love with the opening of the Tonys this year. James Corden is brilliant. I only saw the clip today but I'm obsessed. Seriously, look it up on Youtube. Anyone who has ever been a theatre kid knows exactly what he's talking about. It made me tear up. I mean, it was fun and cute and we all love a good Broadway medley. But it's so real. Any time I watch a show I love, all I can do is cry because of how desperately my soul wants to be on a stage. There is no feeling like it in the whole world, and I'd give anything to perform for the rest of my life.

Day 14: Nostalgia

Story time.

When I was a junior in high school, I had a boyfriend. I may not have called him that because my parents didn't like him and didn't want me dating him, but let's be so honest that's what he was. He went to a different school than I did so I didn't get to see him all that often during the week. But I took the bus home and my stop was close to his friend's house. So every day, he would walk me home and then walk to his friend's place. On the days when we knew my dad would be home and being walked home would raise suspicion, we split up at this corner. I'd get a kiss and walk home, excited to do it all again the next day. It was far from perfect, and we both grew out of it in time. But in that time, we were happy enough saying goodbye on the corner.

Shopping Trip

I'm so excited I got to go shopping today! But like, at Target haha. I didn't really buy anything fun. I almost bought a CD that I really wanted but nah fam that's $17. I also almost bought a Twister mat to replace the one I lost but nah fam that's $13. Did buy myself some whitening strips for my teeth. $20. What? I'm so upset with that price. Adulting is hard. But whatever. I bought snacks and some microwave meals for work because I really needed them and I didn't want my mommy paying for everything, and I got some desperately needed toiletries INCLUDING a few travel sizes for Chicago! Ahh! I even bought a father's day card for Nick's daddy. I feel so productive and proud. I spent way more than I wanted to, which means I gotta use everything wisely and not let it go to waste. I'd love to say congratulations, parents, I got a job and I learned the value of a dollar wheeee! But let's be real I've been froogal since middle school, I haven't learned anything except for how to pack my own grocery bags :P

Day 13: New

New boxes of pure joy.

This right here is the real reason I didn't want to just go to CVS.

Bless this Show

My highlight of the day is the Tonys. I didn't even get to watch a whole lot of it. I worked out instead so I wouldn't feel guilty later, but I regret this decision. They're still going on and I have way too many other things to do and I am angry with myself for this choice. BUT. Watching some of the people I admire most do what they love and enjoy it and basically be in exactly the place I want to be one day is the greatest thing ever. They all inspire me beyond words and I can only DREAM to know what it feels like to sit in that theatre, let alone perform on that stage. Ugh. It's a night of love and magic. And that's all I could ever want.

Day 12: Getaway

Few things are better than your best friend and the open road.

My Soulmate!

I GOT TO SEE JESS MIES TODAY! Lots of other people as well. I saw Nick and Jonathan and Alex and Stephanie and lots of the Phi Alph girls and the lovely Mies family. It was super great. I am really glad I got to spend the day with lovely people, especially my bestest best friend. I hadn't seen her in a while, so seeing her home and celebrating her victory makes me happy. I had a really good time and I was able to make her happy by being there. Also, I finally met all her pets. Wow Dutchess is the sweetest doggy ever I literally fell in love. And of course the kitties were all darling. It really was just a fantastic day. I mean, what else can you expect if I get to dance with my soulmate.

Day 11: Drinks

Required fuel for the road.