Category Archives: Real life

Right now: Christmas Eve

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Soaking in every single minute of the festivities.

Finishing up Christmas wrapping and cards.

Baking Christmas cupcakes.

Enjoying all the things I love about Christmas – lights, decorations, food, family time…

Listening to Christmas music.

Spending time with people I love.

Thankful for family and traditions.

Remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Choosing to collect moments, not things this Christmas.

Anticipating Christmas tomorrow!

—

Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.
– Wayne Dyer

Merry Christmas (eve)!
xo.

Life is a journey.

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Two weeks ago, I left on a plane that took me on a Journey. And when I returned this week, I came home a different person.

Leaving for Manila, I wasn’t particularly excited because I was just tired from all the traveling I’d done the two weeks before and all I really wanted to do was rest. But God had other plans for me and sent me there anyway.

Our time in Manila was pretty amazing. And I wouldn’t trade the friendships formed, the memories made, and the lessons learned for anything. God taught me so much and it was utterly refreshing getting to spend so much time with Him. I loved getting to see old friends, meet new ones, eat a ton, spend lots of alone time with Jesus, go running + swimming + play volleyball, have girl talks and stay up late (some nights), sing songs, have bonfire night (complete with s’mores – yum!), do crazy things…

God knew exactly what I needed and taught me so much. And He reminded me of what’s really important in life.

I miss my new friends more than I ever thought I would.
God is so good and I couldn’t be more thankful.

I hope your weekend’s been amazing.

Counting down to Christmas

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Four classes, thirteen weeks, and numerous assignments later, the last of the assignments are in and Christmas break is here! I’ve looked forward to this break for weeks so I’m beyond excited that it’s finally here.

Now I can properly enjoy Christmas and all the wonderful things that come with it (:

Oh, I really do love Christmas.
Only eleven more days!

There’s no place like home.

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After three countries, and almost twenty days away from home, for the last time this year, I’m unpacked and finally putting my passport aside – at least until 2013.

I really do love traveling, experiencing new things, and getting all these stamps in my passport. But still, nothing quite beats being home. And actually getting to stay for awhile.

While the deadlines are pressing and there a ton of things on the to-do list (Christmas in 13 days!), I’m excited for whatever is left of twenty twelve. And I’m totally looking forward to spending time with people I miss (:

It’s good to be home.
For sure.

Hello, December

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Hello last plane ride of the year. Hello Christmas lights + decorations, presents wrapped under the tree, and all things Christmas. Hello Christmas break (!!!). Hello home, family, friends, love, fun, and warmth. Hello eating until I’m stuffed + running to work it all off. Hello end of 2012. Hello, Christmas – and remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season and all that He’s done for me.

Hello, December. You’re one of my favorite months of the year.

I’m pretty excited (:
xo.

Right now: Thursday

Still majorly missing being in Pua.

Enjoying looking at pictures and remembering memories made.

Hardly believing how close we are to the end of twenty twelve.

Reminding myself to enjoy each moment that is left of this year.

Trying to get work done by this weekend.

Unpacking + packing for the next trip.

Needing rest.

Not minding if things slowed down a bit, but grateful for everything that keeps me busy.

Learning to be patient.

Trusting God for whatever He has ahead.

Giving my plans and dreams to Him.

Looking forward to Christmas break.

Excited to start wrapping Christmas presents and making Christmas cards soon.

—-

I’ll look back on this and smile because it was LIFE and I decided to live it.

I hope the rest of your week is amazing.
xo.

So much to be thankful for.

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Where I’m spending Thanksgiving this year is in itself something to be thankful for.

There is truly something to be thankful for in every day. And every day, I remind myself to count my blessings and be thankful – for the good, the bad, the ugly… Everything.

The list of things I’m thankful for seems to be especially long this year; God is so very good.

Those who are the happiest, never did have everything. But rather, they are thankful for everything they do have.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is (real) life.

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Things have been crazy busy around here.

But that’s what I always say, don’t I?
Honest, though. They have.

Packing + re-packing. Traveling. Road trips. Plane flights. School assignments. Trying to get things organized. Getting into the Christmas spirit + being excited for Christmas. Anticipating catching up + spending time with friends again. So many good things to look forward to.

While I may not be scrapping or relaxing or baking as much as I’d like to, life is good and I am loving every minute of it; God is good.

I’m ready for all this adventure!
I hope your week is amazingggg.

P.S. And I still remember those pictures I promised. Looks like they’ll have to wait until things slow down a bit!

Hello, November

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I can’t believe that we’re already at the beginning of November – only eight more weeks left of twenty twelve!

While October was pretty quiet around these parts, I hope November might just be a little bit more exciting.

Hello, traveling + road trips. Hello classes + assignments. Hello rain and cooler days. Hello red Starbucks cups. Hello making Christmas cards + presents, listening to Christmas music and getting into the Christmas spirit. Hello one year since I started this blog. Hello, enjoying every single moment + memory that will be part of twenty twelve.

Hello, November. I think you’re going to be busily good.

Right Now: Sunday

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Working on not being MIA on this space.

Telling myself that it’s okay to post photos on Instagram even if they’re from two days ago and not so instant.

Pleased with how today’s run went and how much fun I had with it.

Reminding myself to be thankful that things are happening even if they aren’t going according to how I hope/wish/expect.

Proud of myself for having survived the day without taking a nap, despite the early morning.

Needing to figure out how to earn more moolah/survive with not having so much.

Studying + finishing assignments that are due.

Learning to be patient and stop worrying.

Taking things one day, one step at a time. Tomorrow will worry about itself.

Seriously itching to make paper things (oh, I miss this!)

—

Find something you’re passionate about and stay tremendously interested in it.
– Julia Child

I hope your week ahead is super duper! (:

P.S. I still remember those pictures I promised to post – coming soon!