Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Summer

Good Lord I love summertime.

"It's a smile, it's a kiss, it's a sip of wine it's the summertime" <3

Friends, food, and fun.  Can't beat it.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Graduation!

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Be smart, study, make dumb mistakes, move on, have fun, make lasting friendships, but most of all, love. Love life, love your mistakes for what they teach you, love others, and just... love you."


Officially a college gradutate!  How crazy.  3 years and now on to the next phase.  But, I'm blessed and get 4 more years in Blacksburg.  I'm more than a little excited to move on to vet school and see all the opportunities this new adventures life has for me.   And I can't wait to meet new people!  Gotta love new friends, always exciting.


Paz y bien.


Love life, it's too short not to.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Final push! Well shove really

Almost done!  2 more finals and I'm finished my undergraduate career at Virginia Tech.  Kinda crazy to think about.  It had truly been an incredible 3 years.  It's amazing to think how much I have learned and grown in such a short amount of time.  I am a completely different person today than I was when I stepped on campus August 19th, 2009.  And I honestly feel like most of my growth has been for good.  I know myself so much better than I did back then.  I have convictions, depth and inspiration.  My passions have only grown stronger and I am so excited for my future.

Vet school here I come.

Friday, May 4, 2012

old quote favorites


My SERVE and LDRS Blog:
http://laughlovelead.wordpress.com/

"Behind every woman's scorn, is a man, who made her that way" - baggage claim

"Can you get to your future if your past is present?" - Carrie, Sex and the City <3

"keep calm and study on"

Too often we don't realize what we have until it's gone. Too often we're too stubborn to say, 'Sorry, I was wrong.' Too often it seems we hurt the ones closest to our hearts, and we let the most foolish things tear us apart.

"Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them. But, to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them whenever they require "- St. Francis of Assisi - love.love.love

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." - Marilyn Monroe

"We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets."
— Marilyn Monroe


"The opposite of faith isn't doubt, it's fear"

"nothing worth having ever comes easily."

“Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means you're pretty sexy and you're taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with.” - Carrie Bradshaw

"Corona and crabs, life is good, dude that brand should totally pick that quote up and put it on a shirt with a Maryland flag pictured in the middle, it'd be beautiful"

"I'm a ninja!  Get on my level"

"If you're not heading in any direction, go in every direction; it gets you places. So get random, make chaos your b****." - from Christopher Mehfoud's list of epic quotes

"Brothers and sister this is our faith, it is real, and it is wonderful!" -Father John (aka FJ)

"Living Well is the Best Revenge"

"I just took my anger out on that cracker and cheese..."

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love" - Albert Einstein

"The only good race pace is suicide pace, and today looks like a good day to die." -Prefontaine

"A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him in order to find Her"

"Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn." Fulton J. Sheen

"guys, treat your girls like they're a gift from God, and girls, don't settle for anything less." ~ Todd Lemeiux

"the best things happen at the least expected moments"

"Social justice cannot be attained by violence. Violence kills what it intends to create" - Pope John Paul II

"Sleep with the Angels, dream with the Saints" ~  Chels

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." - Mother Teresa

Monday, April 30, 2012

Next step...

Theodore Roosevelt—soldier, explorer, president—once remarked, "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed."


So good: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304811304577366332400453796.html

When you choose to be great you think less about the reasons why not and you think more about the plan for how.
When you truly believe you will be great you think less about what you don’t have and you think more about what you must create.
When you truly believe that that you shall not fail you think less about your weaknesses and you think more about what skills you need to learn and develop.
When you choose to be great you concern yourself less with your successes and you think more about what you can do to help others succeed.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Sick of it

I'm so tried of being hurt.  I'm also sick of putting faith in people and perpetually being let down.  Maybe having no expectations means you never have disappointment.  I'm not trying to pity party or be unreasonable.  I'm just kind of being impressed by the level of inconsiderateness I've seen lately.  I try to be thoughtful in my decisions why are other people incapable to do so too?

My heart just hurts after this week.  I want to have faith but I'm feeling so discouraged right now.  Trying to direct my attention to more positive outlets.  The right person is out there and will make you as much of a priority as you make them.

Never give up hope.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Sorry.

Is sorry always enough?  Does saying "sorry" excuse inexcusable behavior?  I'm stuck on this one.  Forgiveness is key.  Yes.  I believe that wholeheartedly.  But, I'm not going to forget.  I'm sick of being hurt, and hearing someone say "Oh I'm sorry,"  then forgiving them and moving on to simply get hurt in the same way by the same person again.  It's this silly cycle that seems to be on repeat.  I'm kinda over it.

Key to success?  Surround yourself with good people.  Then you avoid this situation all together!

God put good people in our lives, it's our job is to find 'em!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

J.J. Stinson

In loving memory of a young man who made the world and everyone and everything in it his friend.


"But fear is not enough to destroy an honest heart" -J.J. Stinson

Ask questions.  Challenge thought.  And love and accept everyone.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

No one...

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" - Eleanor Roosevelt

So glad I don't feel inferior in this situation.  Life has a funny way of working itself out and irony never ceases to amaze me.  I feel like this whole situation will be laughable in a few months.  I honestly wish the best of luck to you.

"You're not good enough for me" - oh really now?  Well, the feeling is currently mutual.  I want to find someone who cherishes me for who and what I am.  And I want to be able to do the same thing for them.  I'm not terribly concerned about it.

Best wishes and God Bless.

So excited to enjoy the rest of this year drama free!  Should be a lot of fun.  Time to do me and I can't wait.  And more time to devote to my friends, beautiful growing family and of course Lily!  All the things that bring joy and happiness into my life.  I feel so blessed to have such a great support network.


Also, prayers go out to J.J. Stinson's family and friends.  In loving memory of J.J., a beautiful heart that never stopped giving or looking for the potential in others.  A true living inspiration who was loved and cherished by many.  I feel blessed and honored to have known him and called him a friend.

Also, prayers for all the victims and survivors of April 16th, 2007.  We are Hokies and we will prevail.  Live for 32 and neVer forgeT.  So blessed to call this university home and I am so excited to stay here for another 4 years.  God Bless the Hokies.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Why?

Why are you making someone your everything when they are only making you an option.  It's a waste of everyone's time.

They're afraid to "lose you".  But are they?  If they were wouldn't they be pursuing you right now?  Yes.  They are afraid of losing the back up option.  If you're not a priority why would you stick around.  You're investing yourself in something that doesn't really matter to the other person.  Be a priority, you deserve unconditional love.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!



He is risen!  I love Easter.  And it's a beautiful day out.  SO blessed to have my parents in town to celebrate.  I love my family.


Quote from a friend: "it's not up to me anymore. if you want me in your life, you'll find a way to put me there" - Carly 




"Disappointments are just God's way of saying, "I've got something better." So be patient, have faith and live your life"


Cheers to Joy and new opportunities. 

Saturday, April 7, 2012

She's as pretty as a picture...

"...every bit as funny as she is smart"

Life is what you make it.  Why shoot for sub-par when you want to hang around the stars?  My parents came to visit this weekend and I learned a lot about myself.  Not necessarily from them, or even from anything they said.  Just from how I felt and acted around them.  It reminded me of who I was before I came into college.  The girl I used to be happy with, and love being.  First, I'm an independent and beautiful young woman.  I've been letting myself be ok with things I shouldn't be ok with.  I want to be pursued.  Why am I attempting to chase people who don't want me?  That's just stupid.  I'd be settling even if I convinced them to be with me.  I want to be with a person who wants me as much as I want them.  There are plenty of WONDERFUL people who have been paying attention to me.  I've been ignoring them because in my brain I have some issue with someone actually liking me.  It doesn't make sense.  I guess I convince myself that they must be crazy and decide to try to pursue the next jerk.  Ridiculous.  Also, I've come to realize (again) that freedom is an absolutely beautiful thing.  We don't always need to be in a relationship, or even dating or talking to someone.  Sometimes, just learning about ourselves and taking time to be alone is the healthiest thing in the world.  It's a beautiful thing to actually know who you are.  So many 20 year olds I know don't, heck, I'm not even sure if I really know myself that well.  Sometimes I find myself making decisions or thinking things even I don't understand.  Cherish the moments that make you smile, enjoy your independence, and remember to pursue your dreams, if you do, everything else will fall into place.  God always has a plan.  Sometimes we just need to trust him a little more.

"just as free, free as we'll ever be."

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Mess

"What a beautiful mess I'm in"

Only it's not feeling so beautiful right now.  I'm starting to feel like I need to stop this, stat, I feel like I'm not respecting myself or other people by letting this one go.  To put my foot down or continue pretending I'm happy with the situation?  I'm using "happy" loosely here.  Shall I say, "ok" with the situation.  Maybe complacent is a better term... either way this sucks.

HUGE Ethology exam tomorrow.  Off to study.  Trying to keep a positive attitude.  Hey, I'm going to Vet School, life is good.

Peace & Blessings.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Confused

I know right from wrong.  I still make mistakes.  Sometimes my emotions get the better of me.  I'm a rational person, but I still make irrational decisions regularly.

Making the right decisions, healthy decisions, are often the hardest.  When something feels so right how could it be wrong?  But, then the more I think about it, the more messed up it seems.  There is nothing ok with this situation.  There was nothing ok with this situation before.  But, I don't want space, I want you, I know I need space, but part of me is also convinced I need you.  This is ridiculous.  And I'm afraid it's only going to get worse from here :/

I'm trying to be optimistic, but I'm starting to feel like this is a ticking time bomb bound to explode at any second.  Secrets don't last around here.  And college can be cruel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=D1Xr-JFLxik


Time to slow things down.  Separate my life.  And figure things out.  If stuff is ever going to work in the future, being careful now is essential.

Lord help me with this one, I can't do it on my own...

5 more weeks til the end of the semester!

6 weeks til graduation and a much needed escape for summer.

"This is my temporary home..."

Monday, March 26, 2012

Thought Catalog

Such a refreshing article.  And it's right!  We're exactly where we're supposed to be.  Don't sweat the small stuff, this is our time, let your voice be heard.

http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/why-being-in-your-20s-is-awesome/


Sunday, March 25, 2012

Best Friend

I give up.  This has gotten so far past complicated it's almost silly.  But at the same time, as hard as this all is, it's the first time I've been really happy in awhile.  It's so nice to be at peace.

I miss my best friend. Why can't life be as simple as following your heart?

I believe in fate, and I believe in the Lord.  If the two come together in agreement I truly believe that one day this will all work out.  I really hope so, because I can't imagine life any other way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDm2AIw7Myo

Always in my prayers, even when it makes me beyond frustrated and upset.

Another rambling of nonsense, praise God no one actually reads this.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Success!

I've been officially accepted as a member of the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine!  Woohooo!  Dreams do come true.  I'm so excited.

It's been really surreal and awesome to finally have an opportunity to experience what I've worked so hard to achieve.  I'm in.  Praise God.  I never have to do that application again!

Aside from that I need to keep myself on a shorter leash.  My social life seems to have a mind of its own lately and I keep ending up in quirky situations.  I just need to start avoiding them all together.  It'll make life better for us all.

Hangin' in there.  I just need to chug through biochem and ethology and I'll be good to go.

Never give up.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Waiting

I could find out in the next 5 minutes or in the next 5 days.  This whole sitting on my hands not being able to do anything this starting to get to me.  I just want to know!  I'm poured my heart and soul into this and there is nothing else I can see myself doing.  I walked through the vet school and got excited and everything I saw.  All I could think about when seeing the vet students was, "that's so cool, that could be me one day! Oh wow, look at that, I wish I could do that"  And so on and so fourth.

I hope dreams really do come true.  I will make it worth while if they'll have me.  Just trying to make my passion a reality.

Time to take a step back from the rest of life, determine my priorities and focus on my future.  If I doing what I'm meant to do I truly believe the rest will fall into place.

I need to work on Lent more.  This season should be helping me grow, not question half the things I'm doing!

Live, love, and let go.

Trust!

Paz y bien.

VMRCVM, I gave that interview all I had, I hope you'll have me!

Friday, February 24, 2012

I got this.

What a week.  Three exams and the ever continuing drama... well continued.  But, I'm pleased to say I'm in a good place.  Yes, I bombed an exam, but I at least think I did well on my one this morning, and yes, the drama is getting ridiculous, but I think this may actually almost be the end of it.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I also have my Vet School at VMRCVM this upcoming Friday and I'm surprisingly excited.  Terrified, of course, but I'm in a strange way really looking forward to it.  I feel like interviews play toward my strengths and hopefully my passion and excitement for veterinary medicine can shine through.  It's also comforting to know, that within the next three weeks, no matter what happens, I will know what I am doing next year with my life.  I've been waiting since October 1st when I submitted my application to hear that news.  I'm praying my dreams will come true and I'll get the opportunity I've always dreamed of and get to go, but I also realize at this point I just need to be myself, and let go and trust God that I will end up where I'm meant to be.

I have this overwhelming sense of peace lately with things.  I've made a lot of mistakes lately, but they all brought me to where I am today.  Every decision I made taught me something, about myself, about other people, about who I want to be.  I wouldn't take anything back.  Life is about taking chances.  Risks can bring rewards.

The opposite of faith isn't doubt, it's fear.



Also, Happy Lent!  It seems odd to say but this is always beautiful season in my eyes.  It's an opportunity to cleanse ourselves and make a fresh start.

As Fr. John said, "We all need the season of Lent, none of us are such saints that we go to bed at night and glow."

Paz y bein.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Cat and Mouse

Following up on my previous post:

Today I had an interesting discussion with my lunch cohort.  I eat with the same 4 gentlemen every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Each of these young men is very different than the others and tends to present a unique perspective on life.  Some one brought up Valentine's day (typical) and one of them instantly had the "I hate Valentine's day" response.  The other interjected today was the best day to pick up women, since they'd all be desperate to not spend tomorrow alone.  Another one talked about how he was going out to dinner tonight with his best female friend (no one likes to be alone right?).  And the last one reminisced on old girlfriends he had.

What an odd spectrum.

We then had a chat about men chasing woman.  My one friend talked about how women need to be straight forward with guys, especially if we weren't into them.  He said that if a guy finds a girl he wants, he won't let it go unless he is convinced that girl is completely 100% not into him, and even then he might still try.  It's like a game of cat and mouse, he loved the chase.  It was fun and exciting.

Being the stubborn girl I am, I slightly objected and said that not every guy would ALWAYS be quite that aggressive to get the girl he wants.  Sometimes guys like you but are just shy and not as forward.  He instantly shot me down.  Crash and burn style.  He said no.  If a guys really likes or really wants a girl.  He will always pursue them.  Maybe not as directly as some others.  But he will DEFINITELY try.

Joy, now I just feel like half the guys in my life I may have slightly liked and thought felt the same way were just not that into me.  I never want to be 'that' girl who throws herself at men.  I want to be pursued just like everyone else.  Time to be patient and wait for the right person instead of being ok with the first person who pays attention.  Never settle <3

Saturday, February 11, 2012

He's Just Not That Into You

I LOVE this book.  So true.  It does a great job of giving the common over thinking woman a kick in the butt and a huge confidence boost.  I love it.

It works too.  Ladies, we deserve respect.  We also need to be respectful ourselves as well.

I tested out one of his points the other day dt.  I was leaving and the gentleman I was talking to said, "hey do you want my number?  You can text me later if you want to hang out."

My HJNTIY response, "Um, well you can have my number and text me if you'd like to hang out later."

Him: "Ohh, sorry, yea my phone is actually dead."
Me: "Well then so are your chances at getting my number, but have a lovely rest of your evening!"

I smiled politely and turned and walked away.  As the book so kindly states, a man shouldn't make a woman he's interested in do his dirty work.  If he is, he's just not that into you!

As I was walking away across the bar to leave he pushed through people and ran after me.  Then said, "Hey, I'm sorry (pulled out his fully functioning phone), Can I PLEASE get your number?"

After feeling incredibly victorious, I obliged and gave the guy my number (I did not get his on purpose) and I walked away.  Not only did he talk to me later that night (I decided not to meet up with him), he continued to try to talk to me the day after and so on.  We're friends now, and it's nice to know that he actually put some effort into trying to get to know me, and I never felt like I was throwing myself at him.  What a great confidence builder!

Ladies, I'm simply sharing this to help prove a point.  You. are. beautiful.  And you deserve to be pursued!  If a gentleman isn't putting fourth effort to get to know you, he's probably just not that into you.  And that's ok!  There are thousands of other young men in this world who are, and who would be more than willing to treat you like the amazing young woman you are.

I digress.

Ladies, stay classy and fabulous and never settle for less than you deserve.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Beautiful

This song always hits home for me.  Beautiful lyrics, and a beautiful message.

"Please lay down your arrows
'Cause they're sure to pierce the skin
And water from a broken well
Will make you thirst again
When all things you've acquired
Are tested by the flames
And you can see them melting
Then will you call His name?

And it's worth it brothers
And it's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved?

To the slaughter you are being led
Being told that it's a party
That this God is in your head
And every single lie
Sounds just like the greatest truth
But the one truth you're not hearing
Is that He died for you

And it's worth it brothers
And it's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved?

No greater joy
No greater peace
No greater love than this

No greater joy
No greater peace
No greater love
No

And it's worth it brothers
And it's worth it friends
To know your Maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved?

And it's worth it brothers
And it's worth it friends
To know your Maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved?"

We are dearly loved.  By so many people.  Why is it so hard to see it sometimes?  I feel like sometimes I get trapped in the constraints of society and focus on everything I'm "not" or every "mistake" I've made.  Sometime I feel like guilt is running my life instead of me.

But why?!  Every decision I've make in my life brought me to where I am today.  Every choice I made was a lesson, positive or negative.  Live with no regrets.  You're beautiful, just the way you are.

Strive for improvement but cherish your mistakes.  They're what makes you, you.  And you, are the perfect you.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Where is the

Where is the loveee the loveee the loveee.

Wednesday... Friday where are you?

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Wow.

I never cease to be amazed by how thoughtless some people can be.  *Noted*  If someone doesn't make time for you, obviously they aren't worth your time either.

Having a life and being happy > relationship--- I feel like such a pre-teen girl stating this, but it's true

School is my #1 priority, but for some reason, my motivation is already slipping away.  It is wayyy too early in the semester to feel like this!  Almost the end.  Just a little over 3 months.


Saturday, January 28, 2012

Quotin' it up

http://www.yourlifeyourway.net/2011/10/10/75-most-empowering-inspirational-quotes-for-sassy-kickass-women/

I'm officially going to be using quotes from this for the next year.  'Tis awesome.

Also, never settle.  If you allow yourself to be treated like crap, why should you expect to be treated any other way?

Surround yourself with the right people and demand respect.

Women should be classy and fabulous :)

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Food for thought

What is happiness?

It may initially seem like a peculiar question, but if you truly think about it, how would you honestly define the word?  Is there a definition?

I've been thinking about this for the last few days and I'm not even sure I can come up with an answer I like.

I was talking to someone a few months ago and he asked me a similar question.  What is love?  A question so simple shouldn't be very complex to answer right?  Boy was I mistaken.  Love can have so many different meanings and so many different levels.  How do you compare the love you have for your dog, to the love you have for your brother, to the love you have for your significant other?  They are all extremely different by yet we use the same word.  Maybe the ancient Greeks (I do believe that is who I'm trying to talk about) had it right.  There should be more than one word for love, and I'm not talking about passion or caring or any of those adjectives.  I'm talking about something deeper.  That feeling you just can't describe with anything in the English langauge.  Nothing we can say will be deep enough to capture this emotion of overwhelming "love".

After pondering it for awhile I've come to a similar conclusion about happiness.  What is happiness, how do I feel when I am happy?  What makes me happy?

So, my new mission, find out what happiness is to me, and how to share it with others.

I want to live passionately.  I want to embrace my uniqueness and I want to share my inspiration with the world around me.



Beloved.




I thirst.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Starting Strong

Studying on a Saturday afternoon.  Not falling behind this semester.  Hellooo Miss Productive.  Let's be friends.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Woooohhshhfffasdfer.

I still can't believe it's only 4 days into the semester.  I'm already emotionally exhausted.  I need to start enjoying time alone a little more.  I am by far my own worst enemy.  I sometimes find my idle mind leads me to to my own downfall.  I'm trying to keep busy to keep from doubting in myself.  We all deserve freedom and happiness right?  I'm just confused why I still seem so trapped.

Off to the gym to blow off some steam.  Life is good.  I just need to learn to live and let go.

Learning from the past, living in the present, and looking forward to the future.  This is my chance.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

AHHHHH!!!!

I'm still in slight shock but it actually happened!  I got a VMRCVM interview invitation!  I'm beyond excited and cannot wait.  One step closer to the dream.  It's super convinient that at our next pre-vet club interview Dr. Pelzner is presenting on the multiple mini interview format that Va-Md uses.  Hopefully I will be able to gain a few tips from that session to help me during my interview.  I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and a new strain of optimism is popping up.  I'm ready for my new adventures!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Vacation Pictures!

And here are a few pictures from my vacation escape to paradise!











T'was heaven.  I'm blessed to have an amazing best friend and wonderful parents to enjoy the adventure with me.  Too much fun.  When can I go back?

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

All I want for Christmas is a real good tan

Most incredible vacation I've ever been on.  I'll post pictures soon!  If I ever disappear and leave a notes saying I went some where warm expect to find me in Saint Thomas or the BVI.  GORGEOUS.  Michael Jordan, Lucdacis and possibly Kenny Chesney were all there when we were.  You know you're in the right spot if you're vacationing with the high rollers.

It was nice to get to spend some quality time with my parents and best friend too.  I feel extremely blessed to have such supportive and loving people in my life.

Keep calm and beach on.