your weekend

"Patient waiting is an important discipline for anyone who wants to learn to trust...waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts. Waiting silently is the hardest thing of all."

Beautiful words of Elisabeth Elliot's Passion & Purity.

royal perfection

I can't help but blog about the Royal Wedding. If you're one of those people who is sick of tired of hearing about it, watching it on the news, and seeing William and Kate's dubbed icon on google, read no further.

I was supposed to get up at 5, but due to my late night cramming for this morning's exam, woke up at 6 (surprisingly on the dot) just in time for Kate to walk down the aisle. She was breathtaking. And the dress fit the occasion perfectly, gorgeous lace with the perfect length train. I wonder what was going through her mind as she walked that long way down Westminster and saw all those people staring straight at her. I can't even imagine what it was like. Goodness gracious she was fulfilling every little girl's dream of being a princess! And can I even begin to talk about Pippa, and Harry, and the Queen, and all the guests adorned with their fashionable hats? Everything was this wonderful Cinderella world that I used to dream about. Dead serious. Sorry I'm such a hopeless romantic.

I'm not going to ramble too much longer since I have three more exams to study for, but I think its incredible how this whole event is bringing people together. How lovely would it have been to be in London this week, today, this weekend? I'm so jealous of all the people there. Actually, just in the past week or so, I've been researching study abroad programs for next spring. London's on the list in terms of the journalism route, but I'll keep you updated. Exciting, exciting!

Also, all this wedding talk has got me thinking more about my own wedding. Here's my running list of ideas:

Hydrangeas. Lace gown. Monogrammed cake. 1 Corinthians 13. Vineyard. Country Club. Lanterns. Late afternoon. Wine bottles. Bow ties. Outdoor reception.

But let's be realistic, I need the right guy first.

finals week

My recipe to get through this week?

Lots of coffee, lots of library, lots of reviewing. And lots of this verse:

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:7

to my sweet ladies

Can't believe this is my last full week of being a college freshman. Where has the time gone? I have a feeling this week's going to be an emotional one. Not only will I be preparing for finals, I'll be thinking of leaving my dear friends for an entire summer. These girls have made my year, and I can't thank them enough. They have made that awkward transitory stage into college so much better than I could have imagined. They have inspired me to walk with the Lord, and they have brightened so many of my days. They have known the exact right words to say when I had the case of the Mondays or when I was just plain my stressed-out self. It's not going to be easy leaving them for three months, they mean so much to me.

But I just want to say how thankful I am for the time I've had to develop new friendships this year, as well as strengthen old ones. Being apart from good friends can often hurt those relationships, but I don't think that's been the case. It's made me appreciate those girls who take the time to write or just leave a voicemail on my phone to ask me how I've been. I'm looking forward to the summer, to catching up with them and hearing about their year. We've gone our separate ways, yes, but that hasn't affected what we have in the slightest.

"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person."Audrey.

pretty hair tutorial, easter sunday edition

This weather has got me in a great mood. Once my hair gets long enough again, I'm so going to try this!

your weekend

So far, mine has been spent catching up with my family, enjoying the sound of the rain, sipping pressed coffee out of my Lilly mug, taking zumba classes, and spending time in God's Word. It's really been wonderful taking time off from school to come home. No matter how much I like living in Chapel Hill, Raleigh will always be my place. This Easter weekend is like a little glimmer of summer, and I do love it.

Mornings

Oh how I love you.

Mornings are my favorite time of day for a couple of reasons. First, I have time to myself before everyone else wakes up to just enjoy the quietness. Second, I can really focus on what God is telling me that day. If I wake up late, I'm usually completely out of sorts.

This morning, I re-read my journal from last night. After talking to my mom for about an hour yesterday, she told me something that I often forget. God will never give you anything more than you can handle. I can become so consumed in trivial matters that have no eternal importance. Take yesterday for instance, class registration. I was freaking out for not getting the classes I wanted, thinking that if I didn't get them, I couldn't study abroad next spring or I would get behind in the J School. But seriously, everyone is in the same boat. God has put me here at this public university for a reason. He has a plan for my life, and it's okay if I don't know what it is yet.

Over the past couple days, I've admired my mom's diligence in focusing on God's faithfulness. We have talked a lot about visiting and reconnecting with someone in our past, and we're both uneasy and nervous about going. But even though things may seem overwhelming at the moment, God has something bigger and greater in mind.

The L Word

"Love is wanting God's best for someone, expecting nothing in return, believing it may cost you something."

One of my favorite teachers from high school told me this. I can remember the day I came to him when things started getting rocky in a past relationship, and he reminded me of this truth. This is what true love means, he said. Even though I was a mess and didn't want to accept that what we had wasn't love, I knew deep down that it was true.

Who knows when that kind of love will come. It may be in the next year, next five, next decade. I've come to know that until I can fully rest on God's love for me and His plan for my life, I will not find that beautiful, selfless kind of love with another person. But God gave me something even bigger than earthly love. He gave me His love. He ultimately gave up His life for me, wanting nothing from me in return. Even in the midst of my sin. And shouldn't that kind of love be enough?

like it, love it, adpi

First Greek Groove at UNC.

Metallic leggings. Anna's contortionist moves. Ellie's hot choreography. Pres Christina's pump-up dance. Nerves before performing. Cheers from the crowd.

So happy to be part of this wonderful chapter!

Colossians 3:12

Perfect verse to ponder on this busy Monday night...

I can already feel myself getting into a slump this next week or so. I had a great past weekend (Corey Smith/friend dates), but the projects are flooding in and fall class registration is almost upon me. EEK, college is hard y'all, if you didn't already know that.

But I'm going to relish these next three weeks. I am. Positivity, that's my goal.

your weekend

But hold on to what you believe, in the light, when the darkness has robbed you of all your sight.

-Mumford and Sons

freshie

In some ways, I'm going to miss this little dorm. It's been my safe haven for almost eight months, and I can't believe I'll be moving out in just a few short weeks. Not only have I slept, eaten, and studied here, I've cried, laughed, and grown up in many ways in this teensy tiny space. At this desk, I've written ten page papers, I've stressed about class schedules, and I've poured out my heart to the Lord when I needed Him most. I came in here excitedly after Bid Day, and I've spent many hours here getting ready. And next door, I've had the privilege of getting to know the two most beautiful girls, who I can now call genuine and lifelong friends.

Dorm life might not be the most pleasant thing in the world, and I'll be the first to admit that I'm guilty of complaining about it. But when the suitcases come out at the beginning of May, it's going to be hard to part. This is the place where I've spent my first year away from home. Reading my past blog posts from last summer make me laugh a little bit. I was so nervous, and so anxious, for a brand new start here. I wondered what life would be like, living in a dorm, with a roommate I didn't know all that well. If only I could go back and reassure myself and calm some of those worries. Funny the way it is.

As to next year, I'm living in the sorority house. My housing plans have changed about three times from last November, but everything now is settled and the lease is signed. I'm thrilled to be living there. Ever since I visited my mom's Chi O house at ECU, I knew that I wanted to live in a place like that. And now that it's finally happening, I couldn't be happier. I'm sure there will definitely be rocky points in living in a house with thirty some girls, but I feel blessed for this opportunity. I've been asking the Lord to give me patience for quite a while. I think I will definitely have to learn to possess that trait next year and that will definitely be a good thing for me.

It's a little overwhelming thinking about how much can change in the next three years. So much has changed for me in just one. My little room will always represent my freshman year, my first year as a Carolina student, with all its up and downs and tears and cherished moments. And I'm so excited to uncover what my next three rooms will represent.

Sunburns and Sundaes

Today's glimmer of summer weather was marvelous. There's something about the warm sun shining at UNC that makes everyone be in a better mood and come alive. We can all feel break approaching fast in a few weeks, and we can't help but soak it all in before we all go our separate ways.

So this is how I spent my day...

Relaxing (or should I say burning?) by the pool.

Sisterhood bar-b-que/ice cream sundae dinner on the porch.

Above image taken by the lovely annaseewong.com

Of course I did other things too, like go to class and smuggle some work in here and there and practice for Greek Groove late into the evening, but the weather was definitely a nice welcome to the week. I think now I'm mentally prepared for the insaneness (not a word) of the next few weeks; I best step up my game if I'm going to get through it.

seven facts

1. I'm a coffee addict. If you've read my blog, I'm sure you already know this. But college has made it worse, and I get headaches if I don't have my daily cup (or two, or three).

2. I wish I was good at photography. Maybe I'll take a class at some point, or buy a nice camera and get inspired.

3. Brunch is my favorite meal of the day, hands down. Yesterday, I went Mama Dips in CH, a country cooking restaurant, and ordered bacon, eggs, grits, and biscuits with jam. Can't say that 1k I did yesterday did any good. But it was completely worth it and the food was heavenly. The only thing that would have made it better was if the meal had come with grapefruit. Because I love me some grapefruit.

4. I break "clothing rules." I could care less if you aren't supposed to wear white jeans before Easter, they're cute and I'll wear them.

5. I would choose a night in with a cup of tea and a good friend than a night on the town.

6. Mint green + coral are my two favorite colors of the moment.

7. I want three boys someday, yes three. All about two years apart, if that could be possible. Go ahead and call me a crazy person.

April showers bring May flowers

This month's going to be crazy one. My agenda is stacked full of project due dates, Panhel events, sorority functions, concerts, and exams. But this time of year is probably one of my favorites. It's Easter season, and everything starts coming into bloom. I love the fresh air, the floral sundresses, the bright shorts paired with cardigans, the warmer days, the chilly nights. So I wish you all a very happy April!

What do you like about this time of year?

(I do in fact own yellow pants. Maybe I'll wear them sometime soon, they deserve a day out after being stuck in my closet for months on end.)