Summer ramblings...

This weekend has been a strange mix of sleep, productivity, and boredom.  I'm trying to get rid of the boredom part, replacing it with more productivity.  For example, today I went to church, went to Walmart for groceries and an anniversary card for my 'rents, put a price watch on flights from Houston to Omaha, and signed up for the Des Moines Half Marathon.  Signing up for the half has inspired me to run, so my goal is to run about 4 miles this evening. I need to get moving, and my legs/arms could use the sun.  I plan on studying for Econ before I run though.  I'm sitting in the basement of the Union (I can't FOCUS AT ALL in my apartment, especially with both of my roommates being hungover), and I'll plug away at Econ problems for at least an hour.  It seems strange to think that I started this class only three weeks ago and that I'll be done on Friday!  I need to focus this week though so I can finish strong.  Then it's on to my Aerospace classes... in a nerdy way, I'm excited.  I really DO LOVE engineering, and a semester of working at NASA has really motivated me to manage my studying better to try to actually LEARN something, instead of just cramming it into my brain.  My co-op was probably the PERFECT REFRESHER.  Bring it, summer term. 

Anyway, I've been thinking about over-arching goals for the summer, and here they are:

1. Read 5+ books (I've already read Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and The Prisoner of Zenda. I've started A Tale of Two Cities, so I've got a great start on this one).

2. Be able to run 8 miles by the end of summer.  I probably could go run 8 tonight, but I don't want to be an idiot about it. I want to work up to it. If I can run 8 and then 10 by the end of August, I should be in great shape for the half in October.

3. Scrapbook 4 pages.  Four doesn't seem like a lot, but I didn't get a single page done in Houston, and I'd love to actually organize some of the chaos that is my jumble of photos, stickers, and paper. 

4. Visit Amanda in Shipshewana. Firstly, because Amanda rocks and I miss her. Secondly, because Shipshewana rocks. 

5. Send Purdue postcards to Matt, Sarah, Mike, and Kirstyn. Who doesn't love receiving mail?!?! And who doesn't love surprising his/her friends?!?!

6. Call Laura at least once a month, maybe more.  I know she's working and will be taking a class, but I want to make more of an effort to talk to her.  I talk to Lis a lot more... but she also calls me.  Laura only calls me when Mom is buying each of us something that is on sale at American Eagle and wants to know which color I'd want. :)  Bahaha. 

Anyway, I think that is enough for goals.  I need to sleep, study, and relax this summer too.  I'm sure I'll be in Houston before I know it. :)  Which isn't necessarily bad. 

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend. 

Summer Scarf Weather?!?!

It's a chilly day in West Lafayette (and by chilly, I mean 60 degrees but overcast with a chance of rain), so I was excited to wear a scarf!  This is a square scarf I bought in Iowa City at a unique shop.  I wore my black-and-white jacket over it, and I accessorized with my class ring and sapphire earrings.  Sadly, I still froze in my class, so I lost the scarf and jacket for my teal sweatshirt from Crystal Beach in Texas when I went home for lunch.  Anyway, stay warm/cool and drink hot chocolate/lemonade, whichever seems more appropriate. :)

Dress shopping, summer loving.

Sweet summertime!  Some days it doesn't feel like summer though... it's hot, but I spend two hours a day in the air-conditioned Rawls Hall trying to listen to the economics lecture.  With Memorial Day yesterday though, I finally got a break.  I was busy Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday marching with the Purdue All-American Marching Band, but yesterday I had FREE.  I spent the lovely day with my aunt and uncle.  We had a late lunch, went shopping at the Tippecanoe Mall, went to the Lafayette Citizens' Band concert, had a snack at Panera, and saw The Avengers at 9:40 p.m.  It was a truly fantastic day!  In addition to having a great time and some good laughs, I got NEW CLOTHES.  Take a look at these gems:

Top for only $10.  I can wear it with jean shorts, black jeggings, or a pencil shirt to work :)

Dress! :)  Love the uneven shirt and the way I could wear it country dancing !

American Eagle halter top dress... so summery!

The print

And news for my dearest sister: guess what store is coming to the Tippecanoe Mall!  If you guessed H&M, you're right!  I can't wait... come visit me and we'll go shopping. 

Drink lots of water, sleep lots, and be happy.

Dressing up :)

I only have one picture to post.  One of my multiple goals for this summer is to dress up more and blog more.  I hope I can actually accomplish that. I feel like any new period in life feels like a start-over, and I always make resolutions to do better.  Often times though, I just fail at those resolutions.  I always find myself wishing I had time to sort out my life... to write down my thoughts, feelings, and goals; to blog more; to keep in touch; to clean out my inbox.  I intend to make time this summer to "find" myself. :)  I'm looking forward to reflecting/journaling on this past semester, staying in touch with my NASA buds, and making new memories at Purdue.  I'm trying to find the beauty in EVERY SITUATION.  Every day really IS a blessing.  So here's to being happy!

This pictures shows an outfit inspired by my dear sister.  Her blog is a million times better than mine.  Anyway, lots of the boys complimented the way I looked.  Put on a skirt with your hair down, and they notice you as more than an brainiac!

Shoe Love is True Love

Truer words were never spoken.  When I texted Sidney a picture of my new running shoes, she asked me if I was happy, because shopping makes her happy.  Haha. Wearing new things and cute things and especially PINK things makes me happy, but spending money does not.  However, with great sales at Kohl's, I could afford a pair besides my new Adidas.  So please meet my new Sperry-look-alikes... that I got for less than $30.  Ka-ching!  I will probably wear these to work at least three times a week... I always get frustrated because I didn't have plain brown (ish) shoes to wear with my brown belt. Ta-da!

My gold Sperry-like boat shoes.  Perfect for work, and they're Old Gold!

I feel like I could run a marathon in these babies, and they're going to look kick-ass at Dance Jam  today.

My parents, aunt, and uncle came down this weekend.  While I've been having a great time in Houston, this has been the best weekend in a long time!  I loved being with my family... simple things like getting Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt and walking around my neighborhood with them made my day.  I am so blessed to have such a great support team.  My family members are truly my best friends.

Happy Dead Week to those of you with finals coming up (I'm looking at you, Lisa).

<3

Making myself happy...

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and a weekend at the beach with 40 other co-ops didn't give me much time to think but gave me lots to think about.  The one thing I really decided I want to do is make myself happy.  I found myself some times this weekend sitting with some people and wondering if what the other people were doing was more fun.  Not that I wasn't having fun, I was just worrying that I was missing out on something more fun.  But then it hit me, I should live in MY moment. I need to stop worrying about what else is going on and focus on giving the people near me my full attention and enthusiasm.  

Living here seemingly by myself has made me realize that I want to be the person who  is happy no matter what and who does what she wants to do when she wants to do it.  No more waiting around for a friend to text me or feeling sorry for myself just sitting at  home.  I can read books, go for runs, scrapbook, call friends not in the great state of Texas.  

So my goal for this week is to make myself pretty darn happy. I'd love to have a contagious kind of joy and make the people around me happy too, but I'm not going to expect others to make me happy.  Here's to controlling my own destiny on a day-by-day basis.  Cheers :)

And because I alluded to the beach, enjoy some photos :)

Me and Matt!  

Might as well jump!

These girls are so fantastic.  There is one other girl not here who sometimes brings me down, but these girls are a blessing in my life :)

Random assortment of clothing

I apologize for the lack of posts... busy busy busy at work and in my 'free' time.  I love the excitement, but it means my pinterest and blog are pretty boring.  I'll try to keep up more, but no promises.

Country dancing! :)  Love my cowboy boots... so much.

Working girl!

My goals for the month:
Blog more, and put more pictures in those blogs. :)
Eat better.  Seriously.  I need to eat dinner.  Then I wouldn't be starving and eat junk during the day.
Put distance between me and those people that bring me down.
Love myself for me and not for what other people think of me.
Read my Bible more.
Practice clarinet.
Journal.
Breathe. :)

Thanks all, folks.  Peace y'all :)