Fitzgerald

"And so with the sunshine and the great burst of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."

Oh, Gatsby.

The Lazy Days of Summer

This long weekend in Maryland was a wonderful respite, a nice break before everything picks up again. Despite the mosquito bites and the humidity, I loved spending time with my grandfather and my family, sipping sweet tea out of mason jars and relaxing on the porch. We ate dinner at the Cambridge airport, at this cute little country restaurant that had this to-die-for coconut cake. My cousin's wedding was beautiful, she looked absolutely stunning and I loved how she incorporated her blended family in the ceremony. Right down to the beachy, casual theme and the cupcake table I was in heaven. Mmmhm. Heading back home today, we stopped in Fredericksburg, Virginia for lunch. And let me tell you, that town has picaresque Southern charm. Downtown window shopping and eating on the side of the street with our dog was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I didn't want it to end.

So it's back to reality. Between working two jobs and taking a summer school course, I'm a busy little bee this week. Summer is still just getting started, and I really want this one to be worthwhile. Letsss go, Jules. You betcha I'll be the girl tanning poolside with a textbook, if I ever find myself with an afternoon free that is.

And one more thing, I can't believe that one of my good friends is jet setting for Africa, the other is in Sweden, and my brother leaves for Japan for three months on Tuesday. Travel prayers are flying high!

Going to the Chapel

Twine wrapped peonies, aren't you just in love?

This weekend I'm headed to Maryland for my cousin's wedding. Since it's in a small town, I can go ahead and predict that it will be a big to-do. It'll be near the waterfront, and I've been looking forward to this trip for almost a month. I'm so happy for my cousin, she's gone through a lot and she deserves her happy ending. All I've got to do is pack and slip my new turquoise dress and heels in the suitcase and we'll be on the road.

Going to Maryland, especially for a wedding, is bittersweet. This will be the third time I've stayed at my grandparents' house without my grandmother. I know how much she loved big events like this, where she could dress up in her fancy attire. After this bit of time has passed since she passed away though, the loss is becoming real. I miss her. She was such a thoughtful, warm person, and I wish I could say that she'll be sitting on the front row at my wedding one day. But on a more optimistic note, I know that she is experiencing an eternal happiness worth more than any day on earth, even a wedding day, can offer. She might not be celebrating with us this weekend, but she's celebrating with her heavenly family.

Prayers

for Joplin, Missouri.

for Alabama.

for families living near the Mississippi River.

for the people of Japan.

Tornados, floods, earthquakes. It's devastating, even perplexing that so many natural disasters have happened in such a short period of time. It's almost impossible for me to watch the news now and not tear up at the heartbreaking stories of people who have lost everything. In most cases though, these people still have hope, remaining thankful that they are still alive and that their loved ones are safe. What an encouragement and incentive for me to focus on eternal matters, and not the things of this world.

My feet hurt.

Lesson from this weekend:

Don't wear my J. Crew wood flip-flops to work without any support, no matter how cute they are. Climbing up ladders + organizing stacks of clothes is not a good recipe for bad shoes. Owieee.

I'm sleepy and cranky and don't want to do homework tonight, so I'm complaining via blog. Sorry, y'all. A new post will hopefully be up soon!

Please excuse my bad mood, my weekend was really wonderful. I loved seeing my college girls! I miss each one of them so much. Shopping + cookie dough + Bananagrams + laughter + the Summit church + baptism celebrations, so loved it all. These girls are such blessings in my life, and they continue to inspire me daily.

Strikes My Fancy

And here you go, my top picks for the week.

Big, bold accessories.

Metallic skirts.

Neutrals. (And the bicycle please.)

Striped, knit tops.

Bright red nails.

because I love summer

Sportin' Loft.

And I'm as happy as a clam. It's amazing how good summer feels. A little summary: my stress level and anxiety are at an all time low, I'm making money working at my new job, and my summer class really isn't that bad. And I've been catching up with old friends and keeping myself active, but I've finally made time for me.

Part of me wishes I was going away for the summer, since it seems like everyone else is taking extravagant trips and I'm stuck here in Rals. But I think a summer like this is just what I need. A busy one working yes, but a summer meant for some time off to save for something in the near future. Studying abroad has constantly been on my mind and I cannot wait. My little homebody self needs to break out of its shell.

Hmm other news...I went to my first wedding shower for a friend my own age yesterday. Honestly, I had this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach the whole time like uhhh am I behind on preparing for the rest of my life? But really I was just being over-dramatic. Per usual. I know she's young, but it's still crazy to think that in the next few years, I'll be going to a lot of engagement parties, bridal showers, and weddings. Ahh the twenties are a big decade my friend.

Anywho, here's my first checklist for the summer:

1. Repaint my room. Seafoam, coral, or light gold? Thoughts?
2. Buy summer country concert tickets. (Aka find a date to buy me summer country concert tickets.)
3. Pitch or donate things I don't wear/haven't worn in the past year or two. My closet is getting ridiculous.
4. Transfer all paychecks to savings. Right away.
5. Learn how to do basic cooking for myself. (Sweet treats do not fall under this category.)
6. Make some cross-stiches for my adpi room next year.
7. Catch up on the tv show seasons I've been meaning to watch.
8. Road trip/beach trip/get out of town for the weekend every now and then.
9. Sailing and boating and waterskiing and tanning and swimming and all of the above.

That's all I've got for now, I've just got to go figure out a way to get "I'm just a summer girl...I wear my flip-flops" out of my head. Ideas?

the house that built me

It's been a week since I've been back at home and so far, I've had a lot of time on my hands that I'm not used to. Time to just be, I guess you could say. Time spent cooking in the kitchen with my mom, time spent walking around our neighborhood lake, time spent getting back into my summer routine. Coming home from a crazy year away can be boring and somewhat depressing (I'm sure I'll learn this the hard way), but home is where I feel most grounded, most like myself.

I've come to appreciate living in the same house all my life, even though that didn't use to be the case. I always wanted to move somewhere else, have that thrill of house-hunting and starting fresh. But no, not now. I love coming back here, for home has become a beautiful place of comfort and blissful solitude.

The past couple nights I've stayed awake in my bedroom, my room of so many memories, meditating on something that I feel has been purposely placed on both my heart and my mind.

So many things can tear us down. We compare ourselves to others and feel inadequate; we constantly desire to be loved and praised for our talents and our looks. Someone else will always appear to have the perfect balance of intelligence, beauty, social life, future aspirations, and captivating personality. It can be frustrating, to feel that you can never measure up to this person.

The thing is, God doesn't set standards of perfection. He sees us as His daughters, beautiful and blameless, worthy of His love. He accepts us despite our inadequacies.

Believe, and not just know, that you are treasured, adored, loved, and protected. Let the unwavering truth of our Lord's great affection sink down deep into the foundations of your heart. This isn't something you'll master in just a day, it's a lifelong process of accepting God's acceptance.

"The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to "separate us from the love of God... (Romans 8:39)"

May 9th.

The Spoleto Festival is in just a few weeks, weekend escapade anyone?

In other news, I got a job. I'll be working at Ann Taylor Loft for the summer, and most likely lifeguarding some afternoons as well. Even after just a few days with not much to do, I'm already going stir-crazy. I need to get going again. (I might take back that statement when I start summer school tomorrow.)

Other news? I visited my sister in Tennessee this past weekend. It was definitely a good visit, she seemed to be doing well and was overall very happy. After not seeing her for almost four years, it took a lot of strength to want to open up and share. But God ultimately does work all things for good, and it was relieving to see that she was content.

Pinterest

This website is amazing. I probably spent 3 hours last night (in my own cozy bed at home I might add) looking through all of the photos. Thank you RLT.

It's still in the works, but here's the link to my page. http://pinterest.com/julieemayo/

Anddd I found this quote after many hours of blog browsing that I would like to share with you: "The world's favorite season is in the spring. Everything seems possible in May." Edwin Way Teale.

Happiness hit her, like a train on a track

One final to go. Good time to blog? I think yes.

What a whirlwind of a year. I've started to pack up, okay maybe two duffel bag's worth, but I seriously can't believe how fast this year has gone by. At the same time, there's been so many changes, so many things in college that almost makes me look back at high school and think it was a million years ago, in terms of how I've grown.

These next three years are going to fly by too and that's the scary thought. Even yesterday when I was meeting with a sophomore from my sorority, she was telling me how fast life was happening for her. Internships, job offers, possible early graduation. And she's a sophomore.

So my lesson from this year: don't take this time for granted. Or wish it away. College can be this place to totally let your guard down and lose yourself, or it can be a place of growth and independence. I for one don't have it all together, but this semester especially I feel I've come quite a ways from that girl that graduated last June.

ps. I don't think it will come as any surprise if I'm not packed tomorrow morning when my parents arrive.