2013 in Review

2013 was ups and downs for me, I think about where I was a year ago today and I can't even believe how much has changed (and still continues to change!). Here's a look at the incredible, beautiful, sometimes terrible 2013.

January

January put together the old and the new. One of my closest friends visited me at Marquette and got my semester off on the right foot. I also was wrapped up in sorority recruitment which ended up working out despite the suffocating stress it put me through. My roommate and I became sisters (how adorable, right?)

February

I got to go home in Feburary to see some of my close friends (and then high school seniors) give sermons as part of my churches tradition for "Youth Sunday." Needless to say I was openly weeping in the pews and they made me so proud. On a sadder note, beloved fish and friend Theodore passed away this year. A present from one of my closest friends for my 17th birthday, he saw me through my senior year of high school, college stress, prom, graduation, success, heartbreak, and my first semester of college. 

So proud of them!!

March

My step-sister came up in March for a visit which was super fun, I took her out for sushi and got to show her around campus! I was initiated into my sorority with such a beautiful and meaningful ceremony (I cried. #typical). I also got to go home for spring break in March! (Oops! I almost forgot to mention #marquettebasketball). In February/March I also took a chance and interviewed for a position in student government and got the call that I was hired the day I left campus for spring break. Such a great opportunity! Lastly I started this blog in March! Though I haven't always stuck with it faithfully, it was still important to me.

April

I  got to perform a dance with my sorority in a competition which we worked on for months (I was so proud!)!  Dance was something I did in high school just for fun, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until I got the chance to do it again (Watch the performance below! And skip to 1:30). Lastly, my littlest brother, Ryan came for Siblings Weekend and loved getting a taste of the college life! I loved having him.

May

I packed up my stuff and said goodbye to MKE. I left school with in the week or so of May so much of May was dedicated to reuniting with my high school friends. Of course I spent tons of time with family and enjoyed the beautiful weather!

June

My cousin graduated high school, my step brothers and my step sister (#triplets) graduated high school so I spent the beginning of June focused on them! I had some time off, and I went with my family to Arizona (we also hit up Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam and Utah). We rented a house outside of Flagstaff and it was so incredibly beautiful. Sign me up for the gorgeous views, but the hours of hiking not so much. I also started work in June nannying two girls. In a word: challenging. 

Half way to the bottom of the Canyon! (This is where I turned around to go back!)

July

The nanny life continued through June with my two girls. Not much else to say there. More notably I turned 19 and celebrated the 4th of July with friends! I also began leading a bible study that I had been planning for weeks called "Life Hurts, God Heals." This was incredibly challenging to lead such a personal discussion. I feel like I learned more than I taught about myself and God's absolute and unconditional love. This was especially helpful when I went through my first health scare of the year. I won't get to specific but I will tell you that I passed out in the doctors office twice this month. (OH! I also saw One Direction this month and it was incredibly to say the least!)

Before 1D!!

August

Medical stuff continued in August (yuck). On a more positive note I wrapped up my nannying duties with some money in the bank. I said good bye to my friends and family and headed up to MKE for a new semester! In concert news: I saw Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran! 

September

September kicked my butt. I went to the emergency room because I couldn't breathe. To make matters worse, my mom was scheduled to go into surgery in Chicago the next morning. The ER was in a word: terrifying. I was alone, my family in a another state and they kept my roommate and RA in the waiting room. 

I was admitted in to the hospital and stayed for two weeks. It was so incredibly difficult and one of the hardest times of my life. I was bruised and poked and prodded and injected. I was wheeled around from machine to machine. I asked lots of questions and didn't get many answers. People brought me books and movies but I spent my alone time crying. I had an IV in my arm and the medication they gave me made me bruise easily. When I was discharged I didn't even look like myself. Bruises blossomed all up and down my arms, I had deep bags under my eyes and my leg was in intense pain from which I would wake up screaming. 

However I remember people were so incredibly kind to me, friends and family called and came to visit, I was put on the prayer list at Church, loved ones sent letters, care packages and flowers. That is was I remember most clearly from that time. Being in the hospital showed me how much people cared about me, and sometimes its easy to forget how much you are loved. Thank you to everyone who loved me in one of my darkest hours. I could not have gotten through this without you.

(Major shout out to my roommate for convincing me to go to the emergency room that night. I can't even imagine where I would be now if I didn't listen to you.)

I went home for a few days after I was discharged because I was still in a lot of pain. The second half of September (and the months after) was dedicated to recovery, my parents came up a lot and my friends at Marquette were incredibly supportive. Slowly but surely it happened, the pain became manageable and I was able to walk normally. The swelling in my leg went down. I even went on a retreat the last weekend of September where I got some fresh air and perspective. It was a good ending to a hell of a month. 

Baby brother visited me. 

October

In October I adjusted to "life after the hospital." Going to the hospital for a blood draw or check up was routine. I enjoyed family weekend and fall break! I got really into my school work and was excited about what I was learning. I also got to celebrate Halloween with some of my friends (we all went as Disney princesses!)

Disney Princesses for Halloween!

November

I still went to the hospital and had lots of appointments. I had good days and bad days. I geared up to go to my sororities formal which was a good distraction from the stress of medical stuff and school. My sisters and I agonized for weeks about picking the right dress and hair and makeup. It didn't go the way I planned. I also went for something I really wanted in November and didn't get it. I ended November a little heartbroken and going home at the end of the month for Thanksgiving was much needed.

December

I signed a lease to my apartment for next year, said some (sad!) good byes to friends studying abroad and took my final exams. I  got to go home and spent the holidays with my family and friends. December gave me a change of pace and a chance to breathe. 

___

Thanks 2013, I lived and learned a whole lot this year. More importantly...cheers to 2014! I can't wait to see what you have in store for me! 

xoxo

E

The shoe still fits

My cousin, who has long since graduated college, has been living in Japan for the past few years and made a trip back state side this summer to visit family and friends. We had a great visit and a little family party. She was enthusiastic about all of the stories she told us and was happy to share her life in Japan with us. 

But on the day she flew back she tweeted something along the lines of: “Being home feels like wearing a shoe that doesn’t fit anymore"

I was stunned. Coming from someone who spends a lot of their time being homesick, I can't imagine having my home not "fit" me. What does it even mean when your home doesn't "fit" you? Even worse, this made me worry. Since I've gone to college, have I grown out of the "shoe"? 

I got to think more about this when I  went home this past weekend. Even though a lot of things were the same, things had changed. Specifically, my friend (let’s call him David) was super into my other friend (let’s call her Abby). I was oblivious to this, but this weekend when a group of us went out to brunch, someone let it slip that David wanted to tell Abby how he felt about her. 

When my friends first told me, I was mad. Apparently David liking Abby was old news, everyone else at the table already knew. No one Skyped me and gave me a heads up, no one shot me a text message alerting me of the budding romance. It felt like everyone was on one page, and I was a chapter behind. In actuality, this was not too big of a deal, but the thought of being left out of something was very upsetting. 

But when David started to answer my millions of questions, he got a smile on his face when he talked about Abby that made me want to cry. Truth be told, I did shed a few tears in the middle of Egg Harbor Café. Because of his honesty, my selfish feelings of “being left out” quickly disappeared. I immediately threw my self back into his life by asking and listening and offering advice.

Post-brunch group hug 

After we left the café, another friend and I spent a solid 40 minutes with David standing in the middle of Jewel obsessing over what flowers he should by her, or what balloon Abby would like. We ran through exactly how he was going to tell her how he felt while we loitered in the bakery aisle and talked about how we had seen God recently in the produce section.  

The whole thing ended with us ditching the flowers and balloons and David just showing up at Abby's door. The call I got from David afterwards was priceless, and as I hung up I couldn't stop thinking about how lucky I was that I got to witness the days events.

Nothing particularly life changing happened to me when I went home this weekend. But I did realize the significance of being involved in the lives of people I love. Getting to hear it straight from his mouth, or seeing the look on her face beats a Facebook message or a phone call anytime. Being present, being in the moment, crying in the middle of Egg Harbor Café, or arguing about which flowers to buy in front of the display at Jewel, taking the time to say “I’m so proud of you”: these tiny moments add up a to a life.  These moments are what foster community. These moments are what I treasure from friendships.

Going to college in another state, I might not know what happening in the minute-by-minute happenings of my friend’s lives. The truth is that some of the time, I will be the last to know. I won't always be filled in on the details ASAP. But when I come home, I know that by witnessing their triumphs and successes, as well as their failures and heartbreaks. I get to add up all these pieces of life that I get to see and the small moments become something much bigger. I'm building my life up to be more that just a collection of long distance, inauthentic relationships.  It takes days like these to remind me that community is real, and worthy of my time and emotional investment. And for that, I am so thankful.

Knowing all of this I can rest easy that my home is still my home. My home is not just a shoe that I'll some day out grow. Even though I'm growing and changing and the people I love are growing and changing, there's still something there that holds us together. Between the miles and important life events and college campuses and state lines that will keep us apart, there is love and compassion that bridges the gap. 

And because of that, the shoe still fits. 

________

Thanks for listening,

Emily

5 Things about my 19th Birthday

I can't believe this is my last year as a teenager. It feels like I'm actually getting old which is both scary and exciting. Though it's actually pretty funny because I'm pretty much the last of my friends to turn 19. One of my closest friends is actually turning 20 in about a month, so I really am a baby!

I honestly had the best day ever, here are five things I did:

1. I started the day off at the farmers market with my dad and step mom. We bought freshly made cinnamon donuts and farm fresh raspberries. YUM!We spent close to an hour pursuing all the flowers and produce and listening to live music.

Om nom nom nom nom

My step mom and I nomming on donuts!

2. I know it's not supposed to be all about the presents, but I got the best presents from my friends and family. This includes a spa day from my mom, a cross necklace from my dad and a video my friend Angela made me that made me cry!

3. Sushi x 2! My best friend, K, took me out to sushi at our #1 favorite place and we got to catch up and laugh. The second time was out (at a different restaurant) with my mom and my other friends. Some people couldn't handle that much sushi, but I can never have too much!

4. Hanging with my mom during the day. We snuggled, watched TV and went shopping. She ended up going out at night so we did each others makeup and got dressed together for our respective outings. Time with my mom is the greatest blessing.

5. You guessed it! Terrace time with my friends taking goofy pictures, eating food and getting up to our usual mischief ;) We actually ended up driving around town and this ended up happening:

No comment

It was my best birthday yet!

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 19 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo,
Emily

P.S. That was "xo" typed out 19 times :)
P.S.S.  Since it's a post about my birthday, I feel like I have the authority to post a 6th thing about my wonderful day. I got so much love from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and in cards, texts and phone calls. I am overjoyed to have so many wonderful people in my life. You are EVERYTHING to me. Here are some of my favorite photo collages made for me!

Top 5: Dorm Bedding (Walmart)

So going in to last year my roommate and I agreed to color coordinate our room with the color blue because that was 1) a color we both liked and 2) we knew that one of our walls would be painted blue anyway. We ended up getting the cheapest quality duvet covers and inserts from IKEA for about $10.00 each and ended up regretting that descion. While it may have been economical, the price tag truly showed through wear and tear.

Long story short, both my roommate and I are looking for new comforters for next year bringing on a whole new wave of stress. While we haven't come to a consensus on weather we are coordinating again this year- I've already started the hunt. I've scoured far and wide and still struggling on choosing one. I had a hard time even knowing where to start!

Anyway, when you think of getting cute yet reasonable bedding you normally think of Target or Bed Bath and Beyond. However, let me tell you that Walmart has really delivered this year. The prices literally can't even be beat, and while I can't speak for the quality yet the designs are so adorable.

Let me show you my top 5 choices for bedding. You would never guess they are from Walmart!

Should I give Walmart bedding a try? What should I choose!

Happy Shopping!
Emily

P.S. Check out my friend Kelly's blog post on Urban Outfitters bedding for more inspiration

5 Ways I Celebrated the 4th

The 4th is one of my favorite days of the year. Here's a look at how I spent my day!

1. I attended the 4th of July Parade that runs just a block away from my house. I got front row seats to the actions where the theme of the parade was "Glen Ellyn: Home of the Champions". I wasn't the only celeb in attendance however: a lot of state politicians marched in the parade (like the governor of Illinois!), a float with singing clowns and of course the football team of my Alma mater, which won 1st in state football this year. It made me real proud to be from Glen Ellyn!!

Parade side with Tom

2. Terrace time!! My house is known for having this really sick terrace/balcony right off my bedroom where my friends I and live during the summer. Pretty much after the parade we just camped out on the terrace and sunbathed and talk and laughed. The terrace shows off Glen Ellyn in a special way, because while you can see the Chicago skyline from the terrace, you can also see the stars at night. Perfect.

Terrace lovin with Mar and Ang

3. As per usual we then had a hankering for Asian food, so my friends and I had to leave the terrace to grab some Chinese/sushi. How patriotic! :)

4. Tradition in my town is to do the fireworks over the little itty bitty lake that sits right next to my high school. The whole town gathers around the lake on blankets and yard chairs, in the bleachers of the football stadium and on the deck of the little boathouse. It's so magical and is unique part of a Glen Ellyn 4th!

Bad picture but you get the idea!

5. I guess the over arching theme of my day was friends. After the fireworks at the lake we headed back to the terrace and watch all the amateur fireworks take off and spent the night just basking in love and patriotism.


A little late, but I hope you all had a great holiday!

Always,

Emily

5 Updates about Life

Hello blog world (aka my one reader)! Long time no see, am I right? I apologize for my long extension of silence, but I lost all passion to blog when I came home for the summer. However, as you will see in #4, my summer is getting a lot more structured which (hopefully!) will lead to more regularly blogging. Yay! In any event, since the last time I blogged...

1. I celebrated the 4th of July with my fab friends in my hometown and it was a magical day. I will blog about this tomorrow!

At the 4th of July parade with K

2. I celebrated my birthday with my friends and family. This finally made me me the last of my college friends to turn 19 (Hee hee I'm the baby). However my best friend from home still has to turn 19... I was born 5 days earlier than her and I never let her forget it :) Again, more about this to come!

Blowing out my delish b-day cake!

3. I led the first part of a bible study at my church for my old youth group. It's been incredibly hard to take a leadership role when I really struggled with my faith this year, but I'm sure I'll blog more about this soon.

4. I finally started work this week nannying two sweet girls, finally giving my summer structure and purpose.

5. I actually started missing university life, which is saying a lot considering I was dying to go home by the end of my freshman year. I guess that means I'm growing up or moving on which is indescribably terrifying.

It's never to late to start over, right? Stick with me!

Always,

E

Now Playing: 5 Songs of the Moment

Hey guys! As you can tell, I lost a lot of blogging mojo since I moved back home for the summer. I've decided that I'm not going to make any promises on the frequency that I'll blog, I'm just going to blog as much as I can. I've been busy spending time with family and friends and I can say that my summer has gotten off to a great start. Well, more than a start. I've been out of school for almost a month! Wowza. Anyway I figured I would get the ball rolling on the blogging front by sharing with you some songs I'm loving. Some are old, some are new but as of late you can find me playing the songs off my computer, on my phone, in my car or pushing my friends to listen to them. Yay!

1) You Are the Moon (The Hush Sound)

I listen to this and I am overcome with a desire to learn how to play the piano. The melody to this is absolutely stunning. The music literally makes me feel so many feelings and I see it playing in the background in an episodes of Grey's Anatomy or something. 

Darkness, darkness everywhere, do you feel all alone?

The subtle grace of gravity, the heavy weight of stone

2) Gone, Gone, Gone (Phillip Phillips)

My boy Phil delivered on this one. Actually, this brings me back to when I did lyrical dance in high school. It screams to be choreographed for a showcase piece or something. It's also pretty popular on the radio. I'm totally digging it, and I love when songs come to a climax, or lead up to a big musical break/choral break (check 2:33ish).

You would never sleep alone.

I love you long after you're gone

And long after you're gone, gone, gone.

3) Young and Beautiful (Lana Del Ray)

If you've seen The Great Gatsby you know where I'm going with this. This song is perfectly haunting when used in the movie. I think our boy Jay-Z did us a solid on helping to produce this bad boy. Lana's doing her thing in the style that she's known for. Lana is everything. You go girl! (P.S. The music video is absolutely brilliant!)

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?

Will you still love me when I've got nothing but my aching soul?

4) Everything Has Changed (Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran)

Two of my favorite artists coming together makes for a very happy Emily. I'm normally a sucker for an emotional duet, but these two KILL this number. Lyric wise: "Your eyes look like coming home" is one of those one liners that just stick around in your head, so beautiful. This has been one of my favorites since Red was released in October. I am also a proud owner of concert tickets to see the Red tour in August which will feature Ed as a guest/opener. The real kicker to all of this is the ADORABLE music video. It slayed me. That why this song is making the current faves list, because ever since I watched the music video this has been on constantly on replay. If you don't love this song, I don't think you're human.

And all my walls stood tall painted blue

And I'll take them down, take them down and open up the door for you

5) Stay (Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko)

Even though its by Rihanna (who I normally think is a total asshole), Stay comes off very honest and desperate (in a vulnerable way) that makes listening it seem very personal. The duet version is what I'm really a fan of and I don't even know who Mikky is. The piano obviously steals the show in this song, it's gorgeous. Love, love love this music video as well.

Funny you're the broken one

But I'm the only one who needed saving

Cause when you never see the light

It's hard to know which one of us is caving

I imagine that this could be a series that reappears every so often. Let me know what songs you have been loving lately! Enjoy!

Much Love,

Emily

5 Crafts to Do This Summer

In the midst of finals week, I just can't seem to keep my mind off summer. By the next time I blog, I'll be done with finals and my freshman year. Wow. The time went by so fast and there's a lot of stuff that I'll miss about living in Milwaukee and Marquette life.

However, missing college life has already been eclipsed by the prospect of me going home. My best friend is already home for the summer, and I am dreaming about long days crafting with my gal. Before we went to college, we made crafts for our dorm rooms like glittered initials, and Modge Podge Sterilite drawers.

Quiet frankly, school and college life is really getting the best of me and I could definitely use a few months away from all of this because I need some room to breathe.

After all what goes better with relaxing than crafting? Here are some crafts I'll be attempting!


1. Secret Hollow Book!

The options for this are endless! I could use this for jewelry, knick-knacks, spare change or maybe a few secrets. Super cute. My roommate made one of these this year, and though it took her a while to cut through the pages, it paid off to made a really special gift.

2. Long Distance BFF Mugs

My best friend, Katie and I saw these a few months ago and have been dying to give them a try. We got to colleges in different states and I think these will be ADORABLE. Super easy two, all you do is sharpie and bake these. Definitely a must. 

3. Pocketed Sweatshirt

I did take Fashion Workshop in high school so I should be thoroughly prepared to sew just a pocket on to a sweatshirt. This will not break the bank, but will for sure be a great addition to my sweat shirt collection! (It seems to be a dupe for those pricey but adorable Frat Collection tees and sweats!)

4. Glitter (Snow) Globe

This would be fun to make with a little figurine. It would be cute to have on my desk next year, or to just do for fun. Totally random, but it just caught my eye!!

5. Ombré T-Shirt

I'm just obsessed with ombré! In shirts, scarfs, school supplies and even my hair. I wouldn't mind making a  few of these this summer. Super cool!

When I make the final products of these, I do a follow up blog post telling you about my experience. Do you consider yourself crafty? Got a any suggestions for me? Let me know in the comments!!

Always,

Emily

5 Books to Read This Summer

I'm a a reader. A "read for fun" type of girl. To give you a better idea: when I was younger, when I was in trouble my parents would take away my books. Nowadays,  I am well known by family and friends for laughing and crying while reading books (even in public).

Summer is really great because it gives me time to indulge my bookworm side and read to my hearts content. On planes, in my backyard, at the beach in my bed: you name it I'll be reading. My goal this summer is to read 20 books. If I end up succeeding, I'll blog about my five favorites and my five least favorite. I'll start off my list with just 5 books I'll for sure be reading this summer. I linked the covers to Amazon and posted a the description for the book to give you a little preview.

1. The Fault is In Our Stars

Winner of the 2013 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten. Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love. 

2. Love Does

As a college student he spent 16 days in the Pacific Ocean with five guys and a crate of canned meat. As a father he took his kids on a world tour to eat ice cream with heads of state. He made friends in Uganda, and they liked him so much he became the Ugandan consul. He pursued his wife for three years before she agreed to date him. His grades weren't good enough to get into law school, so he sat on a bench outside the Dean’s office for seven days until they finally let him enroll. 

Bob Goff has become something of a legend, and his friends consider him the world's best-kept secret. Those same friends have long insisted he write a book. What follows are paradigm shifts, musings, and stories from one of the world’s most delightfully engaging and winsome people. What fuels his impact? Love. But it's not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings. Bob's love takes action. Bob believes Love Does.

When Love Does, life gets interesting. Each day turns into a hilarious, whimsical, meaningful chance that makes faith simple and real. Each chapter is a story that forms a book, a life. And this is one life you don't want to miss.

Light and fun, unique and profound, the lessons drawn from Bob's life and attitude just might inspire you to be secretly incredible, too.

3. The Perks of Being a Wall Flower

Since its publication, Stephen Chbosky’s haunting debut novel has received critical acclaim, provoked discussion and debate, grown into a cult phenomenon with over two million copies in print, spent over six months at #1 on the New York Timesbestseller list, and inspired a major motion picture.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a story about what it’s like to travel that strange course through the uncharted territory of high school. The world of first dates, family dramas, and new friends. Of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Of those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

4.  Shake Hands With the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda

For the first time in the United States comes the tragic and profoundly important story of the legendary Canadian general who "watched as the devil took control of paradise on earth and fed on the blood of the people we were supposed to protect." When Roméo Dallaire was called on to serve as force commander of the UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda, he believed that his assignment was to help two warring parties achieve the peace they both wanted. Instead, he was exposed to the most barbarous and chaotic display of civil war and genocide in the past decade, observing in just one hundred days the killings of more than eight hundred thousand Rwandans. With only a few troops, his own ingenuity and courage to direct his efforts, Dallaire rescued thousands, but his call for more support from the world body fell on deaf ears. In Shake Hands with the Devil, General Dallaire recreates the awful history the world community chose to ignore. He also chronicles his own progression from confident Cold Warrior to devastated UN commander, and finally to retired general struggling painfully, and publicly, to overcome posttraumatic stress disorder—the highest-ranking officer ever to share such experiences with readers.

5. The Storyteller (Thanks Kelly!)

Sage Singer is a baker. She works through the night, preparing the day’s breads and pastries, trying to escape a reality of loneliness, bad memories, and the shadow of her mother’s death. When Josef Weber, an elderly man in Sage’s grief support group, begins stopping by the bakery, they strike up an unlikely friendship. Despite their differences, they see in each other the hidden scars that others can’t, and they become companions.

Everything changes on the day that Josef confesses a long-buried and shameful secret—one that nobody else in town would ever suspect—and asks Sage for an extraordinary favor. If she says yes, she faces not only moral repercussions, but potentially legal ones as well. With her own identity suddenly challenged, and the integrity of the closest friend she’s ever had clouded, Sage begins to question the assumptions and expectations she’s made about her life and her family. When does a moral choice become a moral imperative? And where does one draw the line between punishment and justice, forgiveness and mercy?

In this searingly honest novel, Jodi Picoult gracefully explores the lengths we will go in order to protect our families and to keep the past from dictating the future.

---

What books do you want to read this summer? Let me know!

Always,

Emily

5 Places I Want to Travel To

If there's one thing that I know for sure about myself it's that I need to travel.

Notice how I said need. I truly believe that the amount I travel will correlate to my level of happiness. No matter what my future holds or what I end up doing, I know that I could not live my whole life in one place. The prospect of travel allows me to breathe, because the thought of staying where I am terrifies me. I guess there's probably some psychology to that.

When I was given the opportunity to travel to Rwanda with my church,  I knew that I was going. At the meeting when it was announced I looked at my mom square in the eye and we both just knew that nothing could stop me.  It was like saying the sky was blue. It was just so obvious that I had to go. I guess this is for a lot of reasons: where I was in my life and what I was involved in and what I cared about. But my mom has traveled more than anyone I've ever met in real life so I think she understands the pull I feel to leave.

I talk about leaving a lot, actually. Which might scare some people, but it goes back to the sky thing. The grass is green. Emily is going to travel. It seems to be a truth universally acknowledged by my family and friends. Because they see it, it's impossible not to. Whether it be Riviera Maya or Booneville, Arkansas, I come back and I am happier, smarter and a little bit more whole then when I left. I've never been more happy to be alive (or just happy period) then I was when I was dancing around drums in the Kigali sunset.

One of my favorite and most sacred birthday presents I ever got was from my uncle when I turned 17. It this huge book called "The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World". I spent hours devouring this book when I got home from my grandparents house. I was barely 2 weeks home from Rwanda but the glossy pictures in the book seduced me. I spent the night sprawled out on my wooden floor trying to wrap my mind on how I was going to travel to every country.

I'm sure I'll figure it out somehow, but to start out with 5. Expect additions to this list in the future!

1. South Africa

2. Greece

3. Thailand

4. The UK (Specifically London)

5. France (both cities like Paris, and southern coast)

"I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list" -Susan Sontag

If you could hop on a plane at this moment, where would you go?

Always,

Emily

5 Things I Learned at School Today

It seems inevitable that once I get in a good rhythm of blogging I just fall behind. This time it wasn't necessarily intentional, I've just been generally feeling uninspired. School and a lot of other stuff has seemed to run me dry lately, giving me less and less to feed off of, much less have something worthwhile to offer this blog.

However, today changed the tides for me. I'm in my last week of classes of my freshman year of college before my final exams next week. In a lot of ways, I've given up on this year, promising that when I return next fall I'll be somehow better equipped to handle everything. This combined with some heartbreaking news I received from back home completely blind sided me to consider that one of my professors could say anything that would excite me, about school, about life, about anything really.

I heard from an older girl somewhere along the road of this semester that I was not to miss the last class of this particular professor. I did what I was told, and showed up today with piqued interest about what could be different about this class section.

I was not disappointed. My professor began the class by thanking us for taking this class and giving everyone in the class (40ish students) individuals bags of popcorn to snack on during finals. He then launched into a monologue that was really just about life, and lessons he sincerely wanted us to learn. It moved me so much that I (the notorious cry baby) was holding back tears as a left the room.

Now none of this advice is something that it totally original or earth shattering. It's advice you've heard from parents, teachers, neighbors or friends somewhere down the course of your life. But it was something about the way he spoke that mesmerized my entire class. It was the twinkle in his eye spoke that told me that everything he was saying is true. The way he looked at all of us conveyed his sincerity and the weight that his words carried.

I would now like to share a few things he spoke to us about today. I will not be able to say these lessons as eloquently or with as much passion as my professor did today.

1) Always say thank you to people you love. Never assume that they know how much you appreciate them. After all, tomorrow is promised to no one, so take the extra time to let people know how they've made you better. (He also pointed out the significance and sacredness of a handwritten thank you note)

2) Seize the opportunities life presents you with and don't be a bystander in your life. Actively approach the parade that is life. It's a great spectacle to watch the parade from a safe distance, but to be in the parade is something else entirely.

3) Laugh hard, laugh often, and even laugh at yourself once and a while.

4) I'm going to try and paraphrase this one the best I can. "When you fall in love, it's kind of like getting in to a pool. You can either tip-toe your way in or jump in at the deep end. When you jump off the ledge and into the pool, there's a moment of not knowing. Of not knowing whether the water will be cold or warm, and that moment of not knowing is the most exciting part about life. Falling like that, and not being able to go back is what keeps us alive. You could get in the water and find it terribly cold and your heart will get broken, and that sucks. But I swear it'll happen to you when you jump in and the water's warm and you'll never want to leave. Love hard, with everything you got"

5) The overarching message of his whole speech today was that, its not the things that happen in your life, it's the people you meet along the way. He told us how he can't remember the grades he got on his finals during the spring semester of his freshman year of college. However he did remember the conversations he had with friend over a beer, or watching a 17 inning baseball game before having to say good bye to someone he cared about or what it was like when he met his wife for the first time. It's the people you meet along the way that change you and challenge you, so be open to learning from other people. He said "all of this crap (school, jobs, etc.) boils down to the people that you share it with."

This professor will probably never know how his words touched me today, but I know that when I left class today I was more excited about life. It made me so happy and hopeful that people like my professor exist in the world. People that are seeking to share advice, and to encourage another generation to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. I will absolutely never forget today's lecture.

Where ever my professor is now: thank you thank you thank you. Life just seems so much more beautiful.

To better days,

Emily