Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is always particularly tricky because I feel like I say the same thing every year. But the thing is, I mean it. This day emphasizes how much my mom means to me. Over the past 21 years, my mom has been incredibly supportive, from coming to everything I've been involved with to offering encouragement with exactly the right words. My mom has become my best friend and I am so grateful that we get along so well. I love taking walks with her and just talking. I love shopping excursions and riding in the car. I love that we have the same taste in such thing. I love that she has passed her faith on to me. And I especially love that she has given me her love. I am so proud to be following in her footsteps and am so fortunate to have her as a friend and role model. I love you, Mom!

Time flies...when you're in college

On my last day of junior year classes, I can't believe that in a week I can technically call myself a senior. Despite bittersweet emotion, I cannot help but feel ecstatic at the thought of being finished with most of my major courses.

I am also quite proud of myself that not once this year did I change anything about my area of study...for me, that is considered an accomplishment. Heading to my final Critical Theory and Practice class, I realize that I have rediscovered my love for English, which I don't think I've experienced since AP Lit during my senior year of high school. Analyzing criticism and discussion were the foundations of the class , which provided new means of interpretation that I had never considered. But then again, I do not have a PhD, nor am I a psychoanalyst. However, I have gained new perspective, and now I actually look forward to reading books in a different manner. More importantly, I feel that I have rediscovered my passion for reading that I've had for as long as I can remember but has been somewhat inhibited by the amount of assigned reading throughout high school and college, and I believe that is one of the most essential values to receive from education.

Let us rejoice and be glad

This day could not have been any better to celebrate Easter. My family spent most of the day at home; my sister and I woke up to Easter baskets and an egg hunt (because no one is ever too old for Peeps and Cadbury Creme Eggs) and enjoyed a delicious french toast breakfast before going to Church. Following a day of cold rain and gray skies, I wholeheartedly welcomed the seventy degree weather and we took advantage of being outside before sitting down to our early dinner. With everything in bloom and the distinct smell of spring in the air, I'm willing to embrace allergies for the chance to leave the windows open for awhile.

On days like today, I cannot help but think about how grateful I am to have been raised with so much love and immersed in my faith. Such a simple way of spending this special day makes me able to appreciate its bearing. This weekend home was certainly refreshing and I think I am ready to complete my final three weeks of junior year.

Sweet Caroline

Who can look at a newborn and not be instantly infatuated with the delicate fingers and wide eyes that gaze up at you wonderingly? This weekend I got to meet my new cousin who is simply precious. Not even two weeks old, she is incredibly alert and absolutely beautiful. Passed around amongst admiring relatives, she hardly made a sound. Sure, I may have missed margarita night in Crescent 811, but I cannot describe how content I was holding that tiny body curled into me. Surely a cuddly infant is the quickest way to forget the stress of the semester's end and genuinely revel in the gift of life.

Oh sunshine, where are you?

I don't exactly know what attracted me to blogging but my hope is that I will keep up with it. Even though I am an English major with a love for writing, I have never kept a journal. I find it tedious and fail to feel any satisfaction from it. Here, however, I like the idea of posting something short and sweet that makes me happy. Especially on days like today. April 13th and fog is suspended over Sleeping Giant, there is a steady drizzle, and the air is cool and raw. Despite the weather having a miserable effect on my mood and motivation to be productive, my hopes are high for flip flops and sundresses in the near future! Think spring!