be nice

Be nice to girls, be nice to everybody.

Make George Clooney proud, and be the knight in shining armor every girl wants you to be. 

Guys, take notes. Heck, girls, you take notes too. BE NICE!

spring (and summer!) are here!

It finally is spring! Those little buds have developed into to tiny, fresh, green leaves and flowers, as promised. I'm absolutely loving the warm weather -- and am glad it decided to show up. I suppose I can forgive the SNOW -- accumulating, might I add -- that happened two weeks ago. All is forgotten when the sun's out ;)

Andddddd summer is here, too! I finished my last final yesterday, and after the toughest finals week I've had thus far, I am so glad to have a few months off (of school, definitely not work!). It is the first summer in three years I haven't taken a summer class. Knowing I don't have biochemistry or organic chemistry starting up in a week honestly makes me so happy. My brain needs a break from the rigors of school and I can't wait to lay low and finally read for pleasure. Ahhhh!

I'm so glad spring/summer is here. Thanks for (finally) showing up!

Oh, and P.S. -- I'm a college senior now? Where has the time gone?!

cara box: april

Again, I participated in Wifessionals' Cara Box swap! I loved it so much last month that I decided to continue on for round two -- and I'm so glad I did!

I was paired up with Miss Bekah (Re-solve) and Miss Betsy (Musings of a Museum Fanatic)! Lucky, lucky me, as both women are absolutely fantastic ... and were patient with me as my month was super busy and I didn't get to chat with them as much as I would have liked.. :(

I sent to Bekah, who loves the East Coast, Jesus, and working to improve oneself -- my kind of woman! She is so thoughtful and I am so glad that we connected!

I received from Betsy, who I related to quite well. She is a Chicagoian, loves art, and was Greek in college. That's definitely one thing I love about going Greek -- you never know who you will connect with from the commonality! 

She totally got me spot on.

Annie's Mac and Cheese

Chocolate (ohmygosh so so so good!!)

Bamboo spoon set from Pampered Chef

Method Hand Soap

Natural Sponges

Sweet Basil Grow kit

Notebook

& my favorite, a lovely note!

These things are perfect for my new house next year! Everything is so practical -- I love it! Thank you, Betsy!

inspiration

I know I've been a little off the grid, but forgive me -- I've been out living life outside the (sometimes) shackles of social media. 

I just wanted to pop in and share a few things that have been inspiring me lately. I highly encourage you to check them out!

Dove Real Beauty Sketches

"If I Should Have a Daughter"

... and last but not least, 

Why Women Should Embrace a 'Good Enough' Life

Have a good week :)

boston

{the tall building on the left (John Hancock Tower) is a block away from the Boston Marathon finish}

I've been walking around today just stone-faced. I took a nap for the first time in ages trying to shake it, but I only woke up with the same feeling. I don't know why this is hitting me so hard.

Maybe it's because I have people I love and care about deeply in the city? Or because I've recently dubbed Boston (here and here) as my favorite city in the whole wide world? Or maybe because running is my escape for scary things in the world? Or because I know quite a few people who have over the years run in the Boston marathon?  ...Perhaps it is because I really try to focus on the good in people, in society, and in life -- because there really is more of "good" than "bad". 

But days like this and like Newtown, the "bad" slaps you across the face -- and hard as hell. And many, many good people stand up (and stood up today) in heroic ways in the face of the horrific bad -- but it still just sucks. It really, really does.

Prayers. 

you should really...

consider joining the National Marrow registry! And today! 

From talking to a few of my sisters (shout out #4 to Syd), I've gathered that some people are afraid of what joining the registry and possibly donating entails. Soo, I've put together some answers (taken from the website and the Be The Match contact for the Lansing area, Eric) that can help clarify concerns!

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When you attend a bone marrow drive, what do they do to register you?

All it takes to become registered is a quick mouth swab and some paperwork. All in all, it takes about 10 minutes to complete! Of course, by signing up you are promising to consider donating marrow if matched (and remember, it is often a life-or-death situation for the donee, so think carefully about your decision) -- but you are not legally forced to donate anything if situations have changed. 

How do you donate bone marrow? 

Many of your are probably familiar with the old way of donating marrow -- a needle in the hip bone to extract bone marrow. That still is an option... HOWEVER, new technology has allowed for the donation of marrow to occur through a process similar to plasma or platelet donation -- blood is removed from your arm, filtered for the stem cells they need, and then returned to your body via your other arm. Very simple, less painful -- there's really no reason to not join because of fear of pain!

Who benefits from bone marrow transplants? 

Anyone with a cancer of the blood -- lymphoma, leukemia -- or with a disease such as sickle-cell anemia benefits from a bone marrow transplant. The transplant is often life-saving -- pretty cool!

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Check out these stories of bone marrow transplants: {Steve and Matthew} {Joe} {Marshall and Jacob}

Soooo, if you're interested, stop on by East Fee, West Fee, or Hubbard Hall today anytime before 5PM to join the National Marrow registry. You can also register online here! It is an excellent way to help others! 

to my mother, on her 29th birthday

To my lovely Momma,

When I was little, you showed me the world, though your protective arms never let me stray too far. You've said I didn't cry much, but I hardly believe that. Like any other baby, I bet I was a hot mess -- sleepless nights and temper tantrums I'm sure were frequent, as you always seem to know just what to do when I call you exasperated while babysitting...

Time went on and soon I was in middle school ... and WAY too cool for you. Which is why I can't find a single picture from that time on my computer (probably better for me, we all know I was awkward)... We kind of fought constantly and you were never right and I was always right (duh) and I just don't understand why you never saw that. My friends can all vouch for this: I spent significantly more time grounded from my phone than in possession of it. Perhaps all the tears cried between this time were being made up for from my calm nature as a child. Oh, the angst of being a 11-15 year old girl. 

But... you slowly started becoming a little bit more right about things in high school. Where you got this newfound knowledge, I'm not sure ... ;) We slowly but surely fought less and less and I even agreed with you on things. And asked (and took) your advice on things. Weiiiiiird.

College has brought us closer, though we are further apart physically. I can honestly say you are my biggest cheerleader, my role model, and my best friend. Bad day? Call Mom. Great news? Call Mom. Need laundry done? Call Mom. 

You are Wonder Woman in human form. Through unfortunate circumstances and achievements alike, your grace, poise, and strength has always shone through. I aspire to be just half the woman you are.

So, thanks for everything. Thanks for saying "yes" to my life. Thanks for forgoing sleep for the past 20 years (and I know you still worry and don't sleep). Thanks for giving me sound advice, even when I don't take it. Thanks for loving me even when said advice would have prevented the messes I often find myself in. Thanks for always reassuring me that things will get better, that greater things are in the future, that I will indeed, someday get married, that everything always happens for a reason ... and that your love for me and Phillip is always unwavering, no matter what.

^and thanks for running our 5K with me last weekend. I know you half hated it, but thanks :)

So what I'm trying to say is...

Happy 29th birthday (again), Momma. I love you to the moon and back, x39083028.

vulnerability

I think most people are constantly looking for ways to improve themselves professionally, physically, and spiritually. I stumbled upon this TED talk (here), and it really inspired me to take a look inward and improve upon myself. I do think about this aspect of my life often, but the structure and research aspect makes the topic a little more tangible for me. I've found that even just a tiny shift in the way we think about ourselves can change our lives in unimaginable ways. Baby steps, people. 

Take a peek.

Hope your weekend was great!

Cara Box!

I know most of my readers are my family and friends (love ya!), but I've been trying to reach out and make some "blog" friends! Soooo, last month I participated in this little thing called a Cara Box exchange (cara (n): beloved friend). It's a pretty cool thing -- you get paired up with two women each month to get to know, and at the end of the month, you send one of them a little package with things they like -- and my favorite -- a letter of encouragement! 

My two women this month were Nicole (at Life's Tails) and Nichole (at Just Some Jane and check out what I got her!!) -- and boy, was I lucky! Nicole is so very sweet and lives just outside of Cinci, so naturally I was excited ;) She is a very sweet person with a big heart!! Nichole (who I sent my box to!) and I really clicked -- she just converted to Catholicism AND she loves all things that glitter, so of course we got along juuuuust fine! Both women are so incredibly amazing!!

Soooo, this is what I got from Miss Nicole! She followed the theme of "N" (for my first name!) to a "T" and totally pegged what I like!

Nicole nail polish, NY&C necklace, Nerds, and notecards (y'all know I love notecards!). Seriously, perfect!

Closeup of the beautiful necklace!

Nicole, thank you so so so much! 

I would highly recommend joining the Cara Box swap this month. It is a great way to get to know other bloggers!

happy easter!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be save through Him." -- John 3:16-17

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter and time well spent with those you love!