Sunday, April 29, 2012

I'm Still Here!

Hello, strangers. It's been a hot minute (or one week) since I've updated. I feel like I've been all over the place lately. And as strange as it sounds, I'm loving every second of it! My little brain is going 90 to nothing with lots going on but man it's lots of excitement :)

Since I last updated: I have had my final days of class, I went to Jackson, Birmingham AND Oxford. I returned back to Starkville this afternoon exhausted and broke... but sure did have a blast seeing sweet friends at Double Decker this weeekend!

On the agenda this week is two finals, packing, then back to Jackson this weekend for my future sister in law's bridal shower. I can't wait!

On the subject of packing, anyone want to pack up my house and move for me? PLEASE?? I bought boxes today and haven't even gotten them out of my car. I feel like I've been planning and planning and planning and now it's here. It doesn't even seem real. In  a week and a half I'll be finished at State and moved out of my house. I am so excited about everything in the future, but it sure is bittersweet. The past three years here have been the best. I've made the best of friends, and had PLENTY of fun..... and that's an understatement.

I should probably go be productive and pack a box or two.... or do something wild like study for my finals. Whatever. Cheers to some big changes! Preparations and plans for everything have been made and it's time to take the step. I'm weirded out but excited. Happy week to all, and anyone in the Starkville area is more than welcome to come pack my stuff for me :))

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Sunday Cooking Expeditions

Happy Sunday, everyone! Hope your weekend was a good one! Mine sure was.

Anyways, I went through a phase where I LOVED baking. I still love it, but due to a little unwanted weight gain, I haven't been in the kitchen much. Well, today I was on pinterest (of course) pinning up a storm- food for the most part. I then realized that I really miss my attempts to cook. So, I decided that just because I now watch what I eat, it doesn't mean that I can't find SOMETHING to make. I began searching for healthier options. I was in the mood for chicken and found the easiest, most delicious chicken breast!

Since I cook just for me (I don't trust myself enough to serve food to anyone else... any of my close friends remember the baked chicken incident of last summer?? yeaaahhh...) I only cooked one chicken breast, and am using the rest of it for the crockpot tomorrow. Just call me Martha Stewart (minus the jail stint....hopefully :)) I threw in some broccoli and red bell peppers and called it a meal!

The chicken recipe (found at http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-garlic-chicken-5478 ) is SO EASY and I didn't use as much brown sugar as it called for (and I used Splenda brown sugar blend). I didn't feel like I missed out by not using as much.

Anyone else have any good (EASY... baby steps here) recipes I could try?? I'm on a roll over here! Maybe I should skip out on nursing school and move on over to culinary school (Mama and Daddy, if you read this, I'm totes kidding).


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Tuesday Inspirations

Taking a break from my big philosophy project (Don't eveeennnnn ask... or get me started on how useful I think this project is!) and doing a little bit of daydreaming and pinterest browsing. I came across these few quotes. If you ask me, it's just the extra little boost needed to power through the week :)




"Eat Well Travel Often" Hmm... sounds like a plan to me :)


Here's to finishing the semester ASAP so that the traveling and dining (.....and drinking?) can begin!! :) Goodnight, y'all!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I woke up this morning with the realization that this is my last full week of classes at Mississippi State. Woah baby. Not going to lie, it's a weird feeling. But, I'm so thankful to know that I have a plan, a new place to live, and an acceptance letter from a nursing school. I'll take it :)

This semester has FLOWN by. My next four weekends are booked... with tons of fun plans including Super Bulldog, maybe a trip to Oxford (I'm really missing my high school friends there), a little Jazz Fest in the Big Easy, and last but not least- the Greenbrier. I'm working on soaking it all in, having as much fun as possible. For some reason though, these things called school and work keep getting in my way! How annoying.

On the subject of my last few weeks before moving and a family wedding and starting nursing school, my devotion this morning hit the spot. Perfectly. These two verses really stuck out at me, and was a great reminder of how I should approach each day. Things are certainly hectic right now, but in the BEST way possible. I am beyond thankful for not only all of the amazing opportunities and things I've been given, but also to have the promise from the Creator himself, to take care of me. Always. So here's to walking by faith, not by sight. :) Happy Monday to all!

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" 1Thessalonians 5:18

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2Corinthians 5:7

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Cheers, Y'all.

I mean, SERIOUSLY. My week of tons of school work has come to a close. I started the week off with a paper due Monday (after Easter... WHO does that?!) then a HUGE physiology test on Tuesday. I never went to sleep on Monday night. Everyone that knows me well, knows that I absolutely nerd out in that class. After that 3:30 date with hell on Tuesday, I had another test Wednesday afternoon. But it's totally okay for these reasons:

1. It's finally the weekend for this girl- and it's chalking up to be quite a fun one :)

2. I made an A on that physiology test... I was beyond excited!

3. A dress that I bought at the Greenbrier was delivered to my doorstep this afternoon (it had to get hemmed first... of course). It's Caterpillar yellow so even Daddy thought it was a great purchase!

4. On the Caterpillar yellow topic, it has so worked in my favor that yellow is in right now. "But Daddy, it's Cat yellow... the prettiest color in the world" works like a charm. Every.Time.

5. I have finally decided what to purchase with my casino winnings. I decided that it's so rare for me to win big, that I MUST buy something that A) I would normally not spend the money on and B) will always remind me of the night the Puckett's dominated the blackjack table (that might be a taaadd exaggeration... whatever) SO, I opted for a sequin little skirt. I'm so excited!! 



On the weekend agenda: All Sig Day tomorrow.... MAN I love this day. and Saturday, a sweet friend's 21st birthday. Maybe I'll post some unfortunate pictures on here on Sunday... if you're lucky.

Until then, happy weekend to all.. SO glad it's here :))

Monday, April 9, 2012

Easter Update

Happy Monday!!!.... is there such a thing? That's debatable.

I had the most amazing weekend in West Virginia. We arrived Thursday night and went straight to dinner at the Lodge. Apparently, this girl was hungry because I ate my entire NY Strip. Oh, okay. Friday, Mama and I went to the spa :) and to swim a few laps at the pool. If we're being honest, I swam a whopping six laps before feeling like I was going to drown. I sense a new goal for me on the horizon........

Friday night after dinner at The Summit, Dad, Rob and I hit the casino. What a clutch decision that was! We ALL left there with big winnings from the blackjack table. I've had my eye on a skirt since the NYC trip, so I won enough money to purchase the skirt and promptly cashed out! No gambling problem for me... shopping problem- on the other hand........

Saturday, after Mom and I had another spa trip (we couldn't decide on just one service. oops?) I went to the golf course with the boys. I loved watching them and occasionally pretending to be a caddy. Honestly, who needs the Masters when you've got Rob, Richard and the Greenbrier. Pros. Right there. Just kidding, but we had a great time, and it was a beautiful day outside.

We cooked out at the house Saturday night and sat around the fire pit. It was the perfect night for it and while Dad isn't being a pro golfer or a tractor man, he could be a chef. Dinner was the bomb.com.

Sunday morning we went to the Episcopal church in town. The church is so cute. So cute that I planned my entire Greenbrier destination wedding. Seriously, everything but a minor detail.... the groom.
After church, the Lodge had a buffet. Oh. My. Gosh. All I have to say is YUM... and I now weigh 58603 pounds but it was worth every bit!

 back porch :)


All in all, it was wonderful to relax and spend time with some of the family. I hope everyone else had a relaxing weekend as well. I have a test tomorrow but I'll check back soon with stuff that I promise to be more interesting than my personal life :) Here's to a speedy week for all!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

If I can just make it to tomorrow I'll be.....


If I can just make it to tomorrow night (not really 'if', because I totally will!).... THIS WILL BE MY VIEW!!!!!!





Not the greatest quality, but it's the only picture I could find! And, yep- West Virginia bound tomorrow afternoon with Mama, Daddy and RP. I can't wait to get up there for the Easter weekend!

When my class gets out tomorrow morning at 10:45, I'm heading straight to Jackson for a quick (hopefully) doctor's appointment. Yuck. But it's totally okay because when that's over with I'll be heading to the mountains.

On the agenda? Oh just some lounging, a spa trip with the mama, hopefully a hike or two, and the casino. I'm a champ at black jack.... NOT!!

In the spirit of my little Lent challenge coming to a close (I'm really going to miss having a reading schedule and the Bishop's notes), I'll share a passage from the other day's readings.
It is VERY self-explanatory, and it's a subject that, shamefully, I struggle with, so I won't comment on it. Without any more rambling.... Here's a story I need to be reminded of:

"they said to Him, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committng adultery. Now in the law of Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. Now what do you say?' They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened and said to them, 'Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'"

Woah Nelly. That's some major food for thought for this girl.

Happy Easter weekend to all :) Check back soon!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Relaxed Day :)

Well hey everyone... I have had the BEST day today!! Lately, my Sundays have been filled with traveling back from wherever I spent the weekend (not that I mind that :))) but I stayed in Starkville ALL weekend... and man, was it fun! Toooo much fun.

Today, I went to the Palm Sunday service at the Episcopal church here in Starkville. Dan Mullen and his family was there... if our church isn't true maroon, then I don't know what is!
I then went to lunch and got to catch up with my boy bestie, Parker. I spent the afternoon working on some homework at my favorite coffee spot then a jog outside. Gosh, it was such a pretty day... it made me actually WANT to go running. Woah.

I came back from my run, showered and cooked dinner. Hands down, I must be the most abnormal 21 year old in the world. For dinner, I made roasted brussel sprouts and zucchini, and grilled halibut. Oh, and I started with arugula and spinach tossed in oil and vinegar. While the rest of the college population eats like, Ramen, that's what I whip up. Suuuucks for me... don't judge.

My plan for this week includes cardio at least 5 days this week... that's huge for this out of shape girl! Feel free to check back next Sunday to see if I'm still alive?

Hope everyone had a relaxing Sunday and is ready for the week! I'll report back soon with some Easter fun and MAYBE a mortifying/funny (now that time has passed) story from the weekend...I can't wait :) Good night!