Lately

OH MY GOODNESS. Has it actually been over a month since I have blogged? The time has so easily slipped away from me. I am not very good at keeping up with this blog when school picks up and I have a lot of assignments due. Today however, I am making time and updating everyone on my life over the last month and the crazy things that have been happening! Like I already said, my schoolwork has been CRAZY, but I'm sure you would rather hear about more exciting things in my life. However, I will say this about my school work... I would not be making through all the book reviews, presentations, and research papers if it weren't for Jesus Christ. He has literally been my strength and motivation the last month. I've been able to feel Him guiding me and strengthening me... and it's pretty amazing. Anyway...

The last time I blogged was October 20th... so my update will start from the weekend right after that. 

October 24th was homecoming chapel here at my school and on that day, they give the seniors alumni blankets! Now, since it's my fifth year, I've been waiting a very long time to get this blanket. It was a very joyous day for me. Also on that marvelous day, my amazingly talented boyfriend, Asa, was at school to play on the alumni worship team for chapel. It was so great to see him on the stage again and have him back to sit next to in chapel. After chapel, him and I enjoyed some Chipotle for lunch and headed back down to Maryland (where he lives) for the weekend! It was really nice to have him along for the drive down there. He took a bus up the night before and some friends and I picked him up in Philadelphia. So having him in the car with me for the two and a half hour drive down to his house was really nice. I love that boy. We enjoyed dinner that night at the home of our friends Marvin and Dina! All in all, it was a fantastic day. 

That whole weekend in Maryland was spent celebrating the boy you see to the left. It was the weekend of his 22nd birthday! Also should point out, that he's exactly two weeks younger than me. Probably doesn't mean much to any of you, but I've always thought it was super cool. Anyway, he's feeling 22 now and I think that we both actually feel a little more grown up now. That weekend we relaxed and shopped a little bit. We also went to a harvest party for the young adults group from his church and we carved pumpkins and ate chili and has some fellowship. We also went bowling and had some tasty Starbucks together... which has become one of our favorite things to do. We spent some time together on his birthday and then I drove back to school. This boy means the absolute world to me. He's my best friend and I'm so blessed by his love, patience, and grace. I can't believe he's mine, and I'm so incredibly thankful. 

Fast forward to the weekend of November 7th and 8th... these two days were so much fun! Asa drove up Friday morning and after chapel that day, we left to drive home to Massachusetts to surprise my Dad, Mom, and Sister for my Dad's birthday that weekend! They had NO IDEA we were coming and it was absolutely AMAZING. We walked into Bertucci's right as they were telling the hostess a table for 3 and I said "you may want to make that a table for 5!" and their jaws dropped! Perfect surprise! We enjoyed a delicious meal with them that evening and then the next day we went to a breakfast at my Nana's place and went to see Interstellar with my Dad and Sister! We drove back to PA Saturday night because Asa had to be back to MD by Sunday to lead worship. However, this was a completely amazing weekend. 

I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite new places to visit. This is Havre de Grace, Maryland... otherwise known as "halfway" between me and Asa. We met in this gorgeous little town for a day last weekend and explored. We walked along the "promenade" which is kind of like a little boardwalk along the chesapeake bay (pictured) and we also walked around the area surrounding the Concord Point Lighthouse. Then we went into the little town and explored the little shops! We spent a good amount of time in a HUGE antique store and then we grabbed some goodies from the local bakery. We looked around a print ship and some other little artsy stores. We ended our time enjoying some hot drinks (me, coffee. him, hot cider) at the local coffee shop "Concord Point Coffee" and it was absolutely delicious! Havre de Grace quickly became one of my favorite places to visit and I can't wait to go again sometime and explore some more!

Finally, this past weekend, I headed to Maryland (yes again) to see my boy and spend a much needed full weekend away from school. Friday night we went to see the new Hunger Games movie and if you haven't seen it... I won't spoil it for you... but I will tell you to get to a movie theater as soon as possible to see it! It was SO good!!! Also, we saw it in XD (extreme digital) at the Egyptian 24 theater in Hanover, MD. This is by FAR the coolest movie theater I've ever been to! If you're in the southern Baltimore area, you must check this place out.

On Saturday, we got an early start and headed into Washington D.C. for the day... personally, I love D.C! I've been twice in the summer and twice in the fall and I like it SO MUCH BETTER in the fall. Summer is just hot and sticky and there are so many more people. This was us in the morning on the train into the city! We had planned to do a lot more that day than we actually got around to doing. We decided to skip the museums and just see the outdoor monuments (except for the National Archives) because it was an absolutely beautiful day! We went to the White House sporting our Starbucks lattes, of course. Then we wandered around and found some lunch. We hopped back on the metro and then walked on down to the Jefferson Memorial, from there we headed over to the FDR and MLK memorials and finally to the Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, and the Washington Monument. I love the city of DC, and I love adventuring with my handsome boy. 

Here is a picture of me that Asa snapped in front of a super cool water wall. He's a pretty good photographer, I'd say. 

The two of us at the base of the Jefferson Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background. 

Finally, a panoramic of the Tidal Basin with the Jefferson Memorial on the left and the Washington Monument on the right. 

Whew! That's a very quick update on my life! I hope you've enjoyed reading it and looking at the pictures! I need to try and update this blog more often! 

What have you been up to lately?

Grateful Heart Monday

This is going to be my first time joining in on Ember Grey's Link Up for Grateful Heart Monday! :) I'm really excited about finally joining in on this! This Monday, I have a lot of things to be grateful for, but two things are especially sticking out to me on this chilly day.

The first of these two things is my boyfriend, Asa. Words pretty much can't describe how grateful I am for him. This last week has been pretty stressful for me with classes and work and a bunch of other little things that really probably shouldn't bother me, but sometimes, they just do. When all these things kind of pile up on me, I sometimes can get a little crazy and accidentally take out my frustration on him (working on it). Something I am so thankful for today is his amazing and unending patience and love towards me even when I am stressed and freaking out. Seriously, this guy has all kinds of grace towards me. God has blessed me in incredible ways with allowing me the privilege of dating him, and I am so very grateful for this man. Plus, I think he's pretty handsome. :)

The second thing that my little heart is grateful for is laughter and friendship. Last night and today, I joined in a little study partnership with my friends Josh and Molly for our Theology Exam that we had today... which all three of passed with a 30 or more (out of 40), by the way. Having some company around and helping each other study was so much fun. Today, Josh and I studied in the library before the exam and our studying was well accompanied with laughter and silly ways to remember our test material. Once our test was finally over, we joined our friend Sarah in the Anvil for some lunch and the next half hour was filled with laughter between the three of us and others who passed through like Sam and Kelsey. It filled my heart with joy to be around people who are happy about life and who enjoy laughing and fellowship as much as I do. 

These are the things that I am grateful most for today. Now, back to homework. 

What about you? What are you grateful for? 

22 Things I've Learned Since Turning 21

Hello Everyone! I know I've been pretty absent from posting lately, I've been working on a lot of things... but I'm back and I'm actually very excited about this post! On Monday, I turned twenty-two years old! What?! On the days that I feel like my life is moving so slow I just think about the fact that I'm already twenty-two and I realize how quickly it's actually going. I've been drafting this list over the last couple weeks of twenty-two things I've learned over the last year. Here we go!

{things aren't always going to go the way you've planned}

...but God is in control. there have been a number of things this last year that didn't exactly go how I thought they were going to go. however, with a number of those things, I now see exactly why they didn't. I also see how much God was in complete control of those situations, and He truly worked everything out for my good.

{trust the spirit}

I don't know what your views are on the Holy Spirit... but something I've learned this last year is that the Spirit is active in our lives. this isn't going to be theological or whatever... but I've learned that sometimes when I feel that nudge in my spirit from the Holy Spirit to do or not do something, it's extremely important to listen to it and live by it. 

{coffee is my friend}

I'm not entirely sure when coffee became such a vital part of my life... but I know I've definitely noticed it more so this last year. haha

{life is not meant to be lived alone}

we need each other, plain and simple. it doesn't matter if you're an introvert or an extravert, everybody needs people in their lives. I don't know how monks do it. 

{focus on the positive}

having a negative attitude does absolutely nothing good for life. I'm almost done with my instagram project of 100 Happy Days and it's something that I absolutely love and really don't want to end. I've absolutely learned to find something positive in every day of life. 

{appreciate the rain}

the rain can be beautiful. even though a lot of days it makes me sad and tired... I've learned this year to look at it as a thing of beauty and refreshment. 

{organized life is better life}

if you saw my room and personal belongings when I was in high school and then saw them now, you wouldn't think I'm the same person. I've learned that being organized leaves you with much less stress and a much more productive environment. Thank goodness for Target. (I'll get to that later)

{take time to relax}

rest is so important. I'll say that again, rest is SO important. I've learned that constantly going, going, and going without any time to relax and do things that you enjoy rather than things you're obligated to do will wear you out so quickly. time is needed to relax and refocus. 

{cherish those who have stuck by you}

I lost a lot of friends this year, over some really ridiculous things and even some things that I still don't know what happened. something I've learned is to cherish the friends who have been with you the longest and seen you at your worst. don't take them for granted. example: my best friend Julie has been by my side since 7th grade and has seen just about every side of me. this year, I've truly learned to cherish her friendship. 

{you won't be friends with everyone forever}

in addition to number nine, this is also something important to realize. some of the friends I lost this year are people I thought would be my forever friends. sometimes, seasons change and so do your friends... and that's okay.

{find joy in the little things}

similar to focusing on the positive. it doesn't take big things to bring you joy. joy can be found in so many places and so many little things. 

{washing your face is important}

I should have known this for a very long time... but unfortunately, I haven't always been the best at taking care of my face. I've struggled pretty bad with acne since I got to college, and I'm finally getting it under control. thank you, proactiv +.

{spending money actually stinks}

I'm at the place where I spend my own money now, and it's awful. that is all. haha

{i like winter more than summer}

weird, I know... but I'd rather be cold and able to put on more layers and bundle up in a blanket then horribly hot and not be able to take more off. yep. also, humidity is horrible. 

{live each day as if it's your last}

tell those you love that you love them, tell someone about Jesus, be kind to people, do things that you enjoy, go for a walk, be alive, have no regrets.

{grow up, get up, get dressed}

I've learned to get up and dressed in the morning instead of leaving my room in sweat pants, a messy bun, and no make up. not saying that everyone should do this, cause some people can rock that look, but for me... I just feel better about myself if I'm showered and look nice. 

{look forward, not backward}

the past is exactly that, the past. leave it there. don't look backwards, you're not going that way.

{white noise helps me sleep}

I think I've known this for a while, but I've really realized this year that I can't sleep without a fan on. it's terrible to even attempt it. 

{don't apologize for being yourself}

just don't. you are who you are. be you, and if people don't like that... it's on them.

{your familial relationships are so important}

I learned this so truly this summer when my plans changed and I ended up being home for the whole summer. your parents birthed you, raised you, and sent you out. they love you unconditionally (I hope).take time to spend with them and your siblings if you have them. the absolute most important people to me is my family, I love them more than words can say.

{target is heaven on earth}

okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little... but seriously, the place is amazing. you can find nearly anything you need. I spend too much time there. it's wonderful.

{i'm a big kid now}

life is moving. I'm growing and changing and real life is starting soon. I'm so excited for everything that God has for me in the future, and I can't wait to get started. 

// Thank you, beautiful and handsome people for reading this! Here's to my twenty second year being wonderful! What have you learned this year? //

A Tiny Traveler Guest Post!

Hey Everyone! I had the awesome opportunity to guest post on my friend Natalie's blog, A Tiny Traveler! I just wanted to post quick and provide you guys with the link to check out my post for her and also take a look at the rest of her blog! Here you go! 

A Tiny Traveler Guest Post

Hello, October

October is finally here! This is my favorite month of all the months. The leaves are the most beautiful and the weather is starting to cool down. I love the feeling of fall that comes with October. It's the only month that it is officially fall for all thirty-one days. 

I love the crunching leaves beneath my feet and how colorful the trees become.

I love fall clothing and wearing boots. 

I love corn mazes and pumpkin patches.

I love bonfires with friends and sipping on hot apple cider.

I love that with October comes Fall Break which means I get to head back to Massachusetts to see my family. 

I love October 13th, because it's my birthday and who doesn't love their birthday.

I love the cool days and even cooler evenings.

I love wrapping myself up in a blanket and watching a favorite movie.

There is a sense of peace that overwhelms my soul when October rolls around, and sometimes it's simply indescribable. 

October makes me happy. 

What about you, dear reader? What do you love most about October?

Lately

whew. where has September gone? I'm having the most terrible luck with trying to find time to blog. so many things have been happening and so much homework has needed to be done! keep an eye out for some upcoming posts about my love for October, some goals, and some fall favorites! for now, I'll give you a glimpse into what's been happening in my life via my iPhone! How about you? What have you been up to lately?

on our way to the red sox vs. orioles game last weekend! 

at the game! by the way, the red sox won :)

last saturday we explored Baltimore. it was a lovely day.

the national aquarium from the USS Constellation. we didn't go that day, but
it's on the list for next time!

panoramic of inner harbor. i was so pleasantly surprised by Baltimore.

since we had gone to the black & white gala at school together for the last three years,
we dressed up the night it was going on and went to Cheesecake Factory at the inner
harbor for dinner. This boy has successfully made me the happiest person alive.
I am so incredibly blessed to have him in my life. 

first apple cider of the season. i love fall so much. so so much.

the other night I started to get really stressed out over homework and just life in general,
so I stopped to breathe and paint this. such a lovely reminder. 

something I've been learning is that time for rest is absolutely needed. I didn't have to work
on Thursday afternoon, so I took the time I don't normally have to myself to relax and
watch doctor who. which is actually a marvelous show.

the first signs of fall are starting on campus! 

yesterday, Asa came up and we went to Six Flags in New Jersey. two of my favorite
things, roller coasters and this guy. it was a wonderful day. 

today I woke up with a horrid migraine (it happens) so I relaxed for the day. This afternoon
I enjoyed hot chocolate with peppermint mocha. If you haven't tried this combination,
you absolutely must. it is delicious.

xoxo.

The Way Life Should Be // Old Orchard Beach

Today I am joining in with Bailey over at Brave Love for the blog-tember challenge! I wish I had been able to join in on this series sooner, but I'm excited to join in now! Today is day 18 of the challenge which is

Tell a tale of traveling, a city or country you've been to or a favorite vacation.

Now, I'm not going to tell you about my trips to Greece (those will come), but rather I'm going to take you to somewhere that has been constant in my life since I was a little girl. My families favorite vacation spot: Old Orchard Beach, Maine. (OOB, for short)

OOB is this serene little beach in southern Maine, it's quite touristy down by the pier but my family vacations further up the beach where it's much more calm. Whenever it's decided that we're heading to OOB, an excitement builds in my soul. It's my favorite place and I feel so at peace when I am there. We've been going to this beautiful little spot for my whole life, and my mom has been going there even long before I was born. It is one of the most meaningful places to me. If you've never been to southern Maine, I greatly encourage you to go.

Here are some pictures of me throughout the years at Old Orchard Beach.

Sarah (my sister) and I when we were younglings at Old Orchard Beach

2008

2010

2011. Maybe my favorite picture from OOB ever.

In 2012, my family wasn't going to be able to make it up to OOB for a vacation... so some of my
pretty awesome friends and I took a day trip up in August of that year. One of my most fond memories. 

My 21st Birthday, 2013

Our most recent trip, August 2014

UVF

The first time I stepped onto the campus of Valley Forge Christian College I was a fourteen year old high school freshman with no real reason to be at a college visit. I don't remember what my reasoning was for wanting to go... but it was probably just to get the couple days off of school. I never expected that God could call me that year to attend that very school when I was so young and had all four years of high school left, but that's exactly what happened. I'll never forget that first year of breakaway... I remember the exact room I stayed in, who I stayed with, the messages and the very spot I knelt in the chapel when God ever so gently whispered to me "you belong here". The campus was very different then... Cardone Hall was not yet built, the anvil was still the old bookstore, and beisel annex was a girls dorm, among other differences between now and then. It was one of my favorite trips, and it became an annual occurrence for me. Each year of high school, I attended the November breakaway with my youth group, and every year I stayed in Beisel Annex with Julie Serbin (now Lund). I made connections early by coming every year, which made my transition in as a freshman in 2010 much easier. It was always Valley Forge, there was a point my senior year that I considered going somewhere else, but God corrected that pretty quick. I applied and was quickly accepted in April of 2010 and thus began planning the next four years of my life. 

That was four and a half years ago. Turns out Valley Forge would take more than four years for me to get through, which is fine. I sit here in the anvil as a super senior at the school that God called me to go to almost eight years ago. Although there have been many points throughout my time here that I considered leaving and that my journey through these hallways and buildings has been extremely difficult... I never stopped believing that God had me here for a reason, and that's exactly what has kept me here this long. I have trusted in God and His call He placed on my life that November day in 2006. I've learned such valuable life lessons, met some pretty incredible people, and made friendships that will last a lifetime. Even though my time at Valley Forge is soon coming to a close, I would not change one thing from the last four years... my experience here has been incredible, challenging, stretching, and fulfilling. 

Today is a monumental day in the history of this school that I have grown to love so much. Today is the day that we became the University of Valley Forge! Chapel was unlike any other and the celebrations continue with class cancellations and cake and new shirts and contests and all kinds of fun things. This change is huge for my beloved school, and I feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a day. 

No longer am I the fourteen year old high school freshman who daydreams of life attending Valley Forge Christian College... now I'm the almost twenty-two year old university senior who is daydreaming about life after I graduate with the first class to ever graduate from the University of Valley Forge. I'm so grateful today that God pursues us and that His plan is so perfect for us. I'm so grateful that He called me to this place and I'm so grateful that I followed Him here. 

Thank you for four amazing years VFCC! Here's to an amazing final year at UVF! 

please enjoy these pictures throughout my Valley Forge Journey...

breakaway 2008, Valley Forge National Park

my freshman year roommates. Labrina, Bitsy, and Myself. (L-R)

even though we didn't stay roommates all our years, we had to take
a picture on their graduation day. love these two.

Asa and I freshman year. little did I know when this picture was
taken how much he would end up meaning to me.

Asa and I senior year. This guy has seen every side of me and stood by me
every step of the journey. I'm so grateful for him in my life. 

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year, Part 1

Senior Year, Part 2

VFCC

UVF

xoxo

Lately

Well, I'm about a week and a half into my super senior year at VFCC... which by the way if you haven't heard... we are officially becoming The University of Valley Forge on September 16th! There is a buzz of excitement for the new transition about campus, good things are happening here my friends.... good things. 

As for me, moving back to Pennsylvania has been a much different experience this year. The purpose of this post is to update and explain some things. Bear with me. 

Academically

Classes are in full swing. Homework is starting to pick up, but its good because it keeps me busy. I'm loving all of my classes so far. I have all ministry and Bible classes this semester, which is my favorite because these kind of classes challenge me more than the others and they more fully prepare me for ministry. I'm working on getting back into the swing of doing homework and keeping myself motivated... it's working well so far. 

Socially

This has been the most challenging aspect of this year so far. Which if you know me, probably surprises you. A good chunk of my friends graduated in May and for some reason, I didn't make very many friends in the classes below me. Pretty much kicking myself for that now... I still have a few here, so I've been trying to spend time with them when I can. Otherwise, I've just been chilling in my room, working on homework, and watching some TV shows. I don't mind it usually, it's nice to have the peace and quiet. It's better than sitting in the anvil where people forget about indoor voices and I can hear them currently over my headphones and music. Also I'm currently being stared down for sitting in someones "spot". Oh well... it is what it is. This last weekend I escaped Maryland to see Asa for the weekend and we went to DC and got frozen yogurt and went to target too many times... getting away from campus and being able to relax and just have fun with him was extremely refreshing. I'm becoming more of an introvert I'm realizing... and I actually kind of like it. 

Spiritually

God is teaching me to lean on Him. I'm learning more so now than ever that He is my source of strength and hope. Through Him, I can do anything but without Him, I can do nothing. He keeps me going throughout the day and I'm learning to lean on Him in everything. Don't just rejoice when things are going well, yet rejoice always when things are good or bad. He is my rock and my salvation and through Him I am made whole. 

God is also my source of joy. He is so good and we have such a wonderful Savior in Him. He is so full of love and joy and it fills my heart with gladness. :)

General

In general, things are going well. I'm keeping my head high and trudging through. I have been getting a lot more sleep and keeping myself rested... so that's been good. I've been already working ahead in my work and starting on assignments. I'm glad to be here and I know that God has me here for a reason. 

So here's to senior year... may it continue to get better as it goes. :) 

Here's some pictures for you to enjoy :) 

My dorm room. it's so cozy.

Frozen yogurt is yummy!

The Capital. It was my first time. Lovely.

My favorite place in the city. the lawn by the Washington Monument
facing the Lincoln Memorial.

My best friend. 

Peach green tea lemonade. taste bud explosion. 

Beautiful sunset in Maryland

The lovely VFCC campus. soon to be University of Valley Forge