What to do with a break?

I have literally been going non stop since I began graduate school in August. As I come to the finish line of my first semester as a graduate student I am getting excited about all the things I plan on doing with my breaks (Thanksgiving & Christmas)!!

Here is a list of all things I plan on doing over my breaks!

First, Crafts!! I got the greatest email from my Dad in class the other day, it was the receipt for the brand new sewing machine him and my Mom bought me as an early Christmas present. I nearly cried! Now that I am on my own I love and appreciate the little surprises from my parents so much!! My first project with my new sewing machine will be a skirt! I was inspired by the skirt my roomie Jackie made. Here it is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second, a suitcase chair! I was at our local thrift store this past week and found the most amazing vintage green suitcase. I had seen these done before but could never find the right suitcase, now that I have I am planning on making it into a chair for my bedroom. Pictures soon to come, but for now here is one for you to feast your eyes on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third, some DTR. And no Nathan and I are not “Defining The Relationship.” This past year I was talking to one of my high school students about the potential of a DTR with her significant other, and she responded by saying, “you mean Daytime Romance?” I died laughing! So, now anytime I get to spend time with Nathan during the day I say were having a DTR (daytime romance)! Love him:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth, more crafting! Homemade Christmas gifts are a staple of mine and I fully plan on continuing that tradition! I will be making a variety of beautiful things for my beautiful friends. Here is a hair piece that I made for a Christmas present:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth, sleep. Yes, I fully plan on sleeping in past noon. For the past four months I have been up before the sun and can not wait to be joyfully lazy!!

Sixth, DC with my Kentucky lovers. DC has become one of my favorite cities (now that I only live 2 hours away) and a few of my friends from KY are coming to tromps around the city with me! Here is a picture from a trip we took to Charleston in college! Can’t wait to see them!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seventh, skyping with my parents! Recently my Mom got Skype and loves it. I also love that she has it, because that means I get to see my parents (they live in Beaumont California…our visits are sadly few and far between)!! My family rocks:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight, a much need visit to sweet South Carolina. I have longed for my southern home and can not wait to go back for a quick trip. It will be so fun to catch up with my wonderful friends there! I am especially excited about seeing some old YL kids. How could you not miss this place?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ninth, reading. And no I don’t mean textbooks (although it wouldn’t hurt to get ahead on spring reading), I mean good books! I have list a mile long of things I want to read over the break. Hello Bathtub!

Lastly, exploring. I love adventure and unfortunatley with school I don’t feel like I have been able to explore my new home as much as I would have liked to. So, over break I plan on becoming a true tourist in Virginia (without the fanny pack

Thankful for Thursdays,

Amy

Glee

O Glee, how I love thee. Glee has quickly become one of my favorite shows. All week I look forward to Wednesday nights on the couch with Jes! This past week Rachel & Curt sang a personal favorite of mine, “Defying Gravity” from WICKED.

Check it:

All things fall

I love Fall!! It is my absolute favorite season of the year. Everything from the leaves changing to the building anticipation of Christmas right around the corner. So, here is a list of all things fall that I love!

O Pumpkin Spice Latte how I love you

The changing of the leaves is a gift from God! This is the tree in front of my house!

Scarves are a wonderful addition to any outfit!

Throw on your jeans and a pair of knee high boots and you are bound to look cute!

Carved Big Love pumpkins :)

Jackie & I playing in the newly fallen leaves!

I feel beautiful in fall colors!!

Props to my lovely roommate Jes Miller for taking a few of these pictures!!

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Dahl

On Saturday October 23, 2009 I had the great privilege of being a bridesmaid in my very dear friends wedding, Liz and Jason Dahl. The wedding day was perfect in every way from the church to the food, I can honestly say this was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been part of. Jason and Liz are that couple you meet and just know they were made for each other! Check out a short video and some pictures from there wedding:

http://www.poeticcinema.com/blog/2009/11/09/jasonandliz/

http://chadmoon.com/slideshows/dahlwedding/

BIG LOVE

Welcome to BIG LOVE, my new home in Virginia!! I finally have time to share with everyone my favorite part of living in Harrisonburg, my house. I live on Main St. across the street from JMU with 6 other Big girls (not big as in large, but big in as we are all post-college) who I love a lot (hence the name Big Love). It has been such a blessing living here with these girls the past 3 months. Every girl in this house is so uniquely beautiful with huge passions for the Lord and people. It is wonderful coming home from long days knowing that I will be greeted with woman who really love me. So, come visit BIG LOVE.

Big Love

Meet the Ladies of Big Love: Sarah Demaree, Taylor Register, Holly Hermes, Ashley Howe, Jessica Miller, Me & Jackie Levis!

Big Love girls on Taylor's B-day

Greek Family Dinner Night

What if everyone made $15 music videos…

BLESSED

This week has been a crazy full ups and downs. Last night before I went to bed I was telling my housemates just how much I miss South Carolina! I woke up again this morning feeling homesick. I decided to start praying for peace and joy. The Lord answered my prayers in less than 5 hours!! When I got home from school today there was a little green package at the door. It was from one of my very best friends Margaret. We did young life and lived together for a summer in college. She is the type of person who can always put a smile on my face and make me laugh! Well she sure did today, inside the package was a t-shirt that said “bitch on wheels” (which if you know me is hilarious b/c I rollerblade), a really encouraging note and a series of hilarious pictures of us. What a blessing! I cried a little just think about how incredibly blessed I am to have women like Margaret in my life!!

My awesome shirt!

Fancy

I may have picked the wrong profession! I should have been an interior designer….I can always find a good deal and I love to decorate and make things fancy! At this point in my life I don’t have my own place to decorate, but one day when I move into my own house (and I have an income that school isn’t sucking out of me) I will take joy in making it wonderful!! Here are a few of my favorite looks! Click on pictures to find out where I found these.

Happy Hump Day

Hump Day!! I really do love Wednesday. Let me explain why. Wednesday’s aren’t just getting over the weekly hump for me, they are a victory! A victory from what? TUESDAY. Terrible Tuesday’s, really are terrible. I get to school at 7:30am and leave school and 7:30pm. With the exception of a few breaks to scarf down vending machine food and a diet coke, I am in class all day. By the end I feel like my brain has been fried. So when Wednesday comes, not only am I celebrating the fact that I am closer to the weekend, I am celebrating the fact that I made it out of Tuesday alive! So heres to Wednesday!!

Much love!

How I feel at the end of the day!!

New places, new people and new blog themes

Hopefully now that the dust has settled from my big move, my blog can make it back on my priority list. To give me extra encouragement I gave my blog a makeover!

It has been a crazy past couple months. I can’t remember a time in my life that I was this busy! At the end of July I moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was heartbreaking to leave my sweet carolina behind, but grad school and the love of my life were waiting for me in VA.

Moving to Harrisonburg has been a fabulous adventure thus far! Here are a few of my experiences.

First, my new house and new roommates! I have been blessed  with 6 amazing new housemates that I am excited to share our home “Big Love” with. You may be wondering what Big Love” means, well that is the name of our house. There is some debate on how it actually got the name, but that is what we decided to call it and I love it!

Holly, Jes and I!

We have already had some epic adventures. Including a trip to the Rockingham County Fair. Can we say hello John Deere. I realized just how far I had strayed from my California roots. Best part of the fair: hands down the Demolition Derby. Who knew that watching people crash into each other could be so darn entertaining. Anyways the girls are beautifully eclectic group and I am excited to see what the next year has in store for us!!

Little boy with his Sheep

Next, graduate school. Who knew that it would be this hard (obviously me or I may rethought signing up for this endeavor). I spend my days (sometimes 12hrs) in the ISAT (integrated science and technology) building at JMU. Although I found a niche with some really sweet girls, the workload is enough to send me running for the hills. I just have to keep waking up in the morning determined to not let school steal my joy. This is only one small part of one season of life and I am taking it one day at a time! Christmas break come fast

Lastly, by far one of the best things about my new home, is being close to my boy. We are just a short two hours (much better than the previous 6 hrs) away from each other. I have adored seeing him every weekend. It has for sure been worth the out of state tuition to be with him. Here is a picture from our summer adventure to Lake Champion (more tales to come).

Heart

Although that is it for now, I will be back! I refuse to let this little blog of mine die!!

Much love!