More then a fashion statement

This lady spoke at the Christmas Conference I went to. She is part of the Campus Crusade staff at Bowling Green. I think that this is an awesome idea and I would love to try it. I think it would be a challenge. What are your thoughts?

the new year!

Indy

My friends on New Years eve (everyone dressed in Neon)

ugh the images on my winter trends didn't work. I need to fix that. Well I'm going back to Kent tomorrow and start my 4th semester. Crazy! I have a wonderful Christmas. I spent New Years in Indianapolis for the Crusade's Christmas Conference. We got to worship in the New Year! How awesome is that? We had a day of outreach, handing out food and offering to share the Good News. It was very eye opening. Lets see what is in store for 2011!

Winter 2010 trends

Knits are big this winter season I love this headband. The flower makes it so cute.

Colored tights are another great trend to follow this winter season. In the cold months we find ourselves where dark color or netrual colors, why not add something colorful

Little black dresses never go out of style and are a perfect option to wear to any holiday events.

Statement making jewelry makes a fashion entrance. Find one that reflects your personality.

New blogging goals

These pictures are taken inside the art building, where I spent at least 17 hours a week (3 classes and then some). I want to get back into the blogging routine. Goal: to make short posts more often then long posts once a month.

fall is making the leaves change

My friends from Campus Crusade at Fall Retreat

Pictures from my brother and sister's cross country meet.

This semester is has been on the crazy side! Between writing lesson plans, Bible studies, studying, having a social life, exams, and a dozen other things I somehow manage. I already get to sign up for spring classes next week. I went home for a very short time this past weekend and saw my sibling's xc race. The weekend before I ran a 5k that the KSU rec put on. There were 600 runners and they had to delay the start time of the race so they could finish registering people. It was funny and they had a really awesome breakfast that was so very worth it.

Fall semester is about to start. I've been praying a lot today about many things. I'm going to be leading a freshman Bible study through Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). I'm praying for God's direction and guidance as the door has opened up for me to serve Him. I'm praying for the girls that will attend, that they will have a hunger for God. I'm asking the Lord to prepare my heart to be acceptant and full of love. I'm also praying that I will be prepared for my classes, professors, and the rest of the educational part of this semester. There is some other things that have come up that I have been in prayer about. I know the Lord has the ultimate plan and I must trust Him completely even when it is not so clear.

Psalm 5:11-12
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

fall fashion trends

Lace is all over the stores. It is a great layering option. Not only can you wear something under it but overtop as well will create a different look.

Forget the big oversized purses and switch to a little leather one. I think this one is so cute with the little dogs!

Skinny jeans+leggings=jeggings they are thicker than legging material and more comfortable than denim. In my closet right now!

One strap dresses are a huge trend. I am a big fan of the asymmetrical style.

Boatshoes have some knock off cheaper versions other than Sperry that are just as good. Aren't these versions crazy?

Just to let all my readers know the last two posts were part of an assignment for my online class. I am in my few weeks of freedom before returning to school again. Two weeks in fact. oh my not sure if I'm ready. I did go shopping and got some new clothes for fall. :)

expectations in relationships

Expectations in Relationships part 2

Starting with the beginnings of expectations, the environment that a child grows up in and the people that influence that child will have an effect on him or her as they reach adulthood. A child will be the most familiar with the relationship their parents have, or lack of relationship. Rebecca’s parents, in the novel The Gravedigger's Daughter, did not have a healthy relationship to illustrate what a good marriage should be for their children. Her father grabbed her mother and shook her, yelling at her the whole time in front of their children (Oates 89). She had guessed her parents had been in love earlier on in their marriage, although she never saw any sort of affection between them (p. 237). Parents that remain in a healthy marriage are more than likely to have children who have similarly successful relationships than those who have divorced parents (Seiffge-Krenk, Shulman, and Klessinger p. 328). “The family context perspective maintains that a family’s values, cultural background, socioeconomic status, family structure, and other characteristics directly affect adolescent’s views about their future life course, including their expectations and desires about family formation,” (Plotnick 945). Other close adults to the child, who have successful marriages, will act as a model of marriage for the child. These real life examples of relationships will offer a realistic representation of how relationships work and the success and failure of expectations. If a child sees good things in an adult relationship they will probably want those qualities in their future relationships. They will also see the flaws and issues that they don’t want to happen in future relationships as well. Sadly, Rebecca did not have any examples of a good marriage while she was a child.

During the ages within adolescence, it is common for dating relationships to become an important part of growing up (Meirer, Hull, and Ortyl 511). Middle adolescence is the most common time for young people to start, normally short lived, dating experiences (Seiffge-Krenk, Shulman, and Klessinger p. 328). Adolescence is a time for self-discovery in the stage of life between adulthood and childhood. Young people use their relationships with the opposite sex as a way to find their own identity. Rebecca’s identity changed during her adolescence when she and Tignor shortly dated, got engaged, and were married by the time she was 17. She was no longer an orphan, a chambermaid, a virgin, but a married woman, a keeper of the home, and a soon to be mother. Adolescents begin thinking about what kinds of expectations they have in a different way than what they thought when they were children. These expectations are more detailed and thought out. Young adults expect themselves to enter into a marital relationship between the ages of 24-25 (Plotnick 925). Through more dating experiences and other life events expectations change as individuals reach a marriageable age. Adolescents expect their relationships to fill a need for companionship with a person from the opposite sex.

It is argued whether or not expectations are a good or bad thing. Some claim that realistic expectations are a healthy part of a relationship that has positive results; while others disagree and say they lead to disappointment and marriage dysfunction (McNulty and Karney 729). Expectations are good as long as they are reasonable and flexible to change and work with someone. People who are skillful communicators and problem solvers have better chances of having their expectations met. Communication and problem solving skills can help when conflicts arise. These people are able to resolve problems and work through issues (731). “Given that the benefits and costs of positive expectations depend on other relationships factors, the effects of cognitive variables on long term relationship outcomes may similarity depend on how those cognitions interact with the experiences couples are likely to encounter,” (740). People need to establish expectations or standards for what they want but they need to be expectations that are practical, realistic, and sensible.

Expectations come from real life relationships, role models or personal experience, but they can also come from society or mass media. Expectations can be set too high and unattainable, which will only lead to disappointment and failure. Standards that are reachable and sufficient improve the chances of having a successful relationship. Expectations are important but they need to be accommodating and able to change if need be. The identities of both people in a relationship are shaped by each other and what each person brings to the relationship. Relationships should not be unhealthy or unrealistic like Rebecca and Tignor’s. Relationships need to be about expecting the person themselves to fulfill their own goals and if both people can successfully do that then they will have a healthy relationship.

K Wedding

The Chicken Dance such a classic!

The queens of the dance floor! Lets Dance!

The little girls loved dancing too

My friends and I

Instead of wedding cake cheesecake was served.

The location of reception was just as nice as the mansion.

Kurt and Kierston's Wedding

the bride

the kiss

The new couple

My friends in the wedding party

This was the first outdoor wedding I've ever been to and the weather was perfect!

Meli and I in front of the Buhl Mansion!

Part 2 will be posted in the next few days.... stay tuned.

~{♥}~

Life is so unwritten, which makes it so interesting! Its like a book with each chapter revealing more of a story filled with interesting characters, an ever changing plot, and several climaxes.

I made a visit to Kent. It is so different there in the summertime. My friend and I walked around downtown Kent up to campus. I guess we were over ambitious in walking all the way to the center of campus on one of the hottest days of summer! Along the way we stopped and got something to drink for we were very parched. We tried to take the shady way through campus. We reached the brain and bookshelves which are near the sculpture building. One of the rocks is a fountain, it never was on during the school year so new discovery there! We reached the center of campus which is under construction. I wonder what it will look like. I guess I'll find out in the fall.

mid-summer days

The 4th of July is almost here! yay! I will get a much needed break from these summer classes. Plans are still under-construction for this weekend. Sometimes just doing stuff without plans is more fun. I just know that I'm going to see fireworks as always. My friends from PA want us to come out and visit them. I haven't seen them since my birthday so a visit is long overdue!

I've been having a good summer lately. I went down to Kent for a summer Bible study a week ago. I got to see my friends which was nice. There was a bonfire afterward and since it was a warm night I wore shorts. That was a big mistake because I got twenty something bug bites on my legs alone. Next bonfire, I will wear jeans no matter how warm it is outside! We attempted to have a little bonfire at our house but we didn't have anything to make s'mores. All we had was these coconut marshmallows. I didn't try them otherwise I would say how they tasted. haha.

Joy not Happiness

It is very ironic that I wrote about being happy in my last blog because in reality I've been very stressed and unhappy. I've had a negative attitude towards everything that doesn't go my way. I feel like I'm three years old again. A friend told me "joy is forever, happiness is short lived" from there I remembered how joy is one of the fruits of the spirit and a gift from God. God's gifts are eternal. I need to stop thinking and dwelling in my negative attitude, wanting my own happiness. Instead I need to ask the Lord to fill me with His joy. Then I will be satisfied. Time to seek Him. :)

Happiness

One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.
Jane Austen

Happiness is what this world searches for, yet so many things that promise to bring happiness lead to unhappiness. Happiness is a condition of the heart. For you to be happy the rest of your life, your heart must be in a state of joy. We must also be in-tune with this happiness. People, events, objects, emotions, all try to steal this happiness from your heart. People, events, objects, emotions, are what we use to make us happy. All those things aren't stable and are the same things that steal are happiness. The key to happiness is giving our hearts to something dependable.

Have you found happiness?

I want a Corgi

I have this sense that something really good is about to happen. What will happen? Well, I'm not sure of any details. I just know that good things are in the wings ready to make their entrance. So time is the only thing that is holding this good whatever it is in the wings.

My first summer class is coming to a close. It flew by! Now I'll have to be super self motivated with my online classes. I was really glad that I could get some books at the library! Its great when expensive text books aren't involved and regular novels are used instead. I did get the two textbooks that I needed used which is good. It looks like I'll have a bunch of reading and writing ahead of me.

For a while we haven't had a dog. Living on a main road with much traffic hasn't made a good ending for most of our dogs. After having some previously bad experiences with indoor dogs are dogs and other animals have live outside with alternative housing/shelter. Most all the dogs we have ever owned have been mutts. So with all those things in mind I will own this kind of dog when I have a home of my own. The kind of dog I like is a pembroke welsh corgi. They are so cute with their ears that stick up and their stocky bodies with short little legs. One time, I told my mom I wanted one and she told me I wanted a dog because I didn't have a boyfriend. thanks mom.

on my mind

Itching to work with... paint! I need to find time to pull out the acrylic paints and start something.

Fashion obsessions... sundresses are great you can dress them up for a special event or wear them with hardly any accessories for an everyday look. I'm still in the search for some sandals.

Beauty essentials... Strawberry chapstick is a must and a little bit of mascara is all you need with a tan face. Oh moisturizer with SPF is a good idea too.

Recent splurge... a bathing suit

Signature scent... sweet pea bath and body works body spray

Top shop... make it shops, American Eagle and JcPenney for now

Wishing I could... make a trip down to Kent soon and visit my college friends.

Necessary extravagance... taking my good old time to get ready right up and sometimes past the time I have to go.

Currently craving... watermelon the best summer fruit!

Treasure possession... my friends and family

If I wasn't doing what I'm doing in life... well if I wasn't a student right now I really don't know what I would be doing. I'm really thankful to be where I am in life.

summer 2010!!!!

Summer 2010! yessss! I am so looking forward to long days of warm weather so I can wear my summer clothes again. I survived finals week, with only one cup of coffee. I was surprised by that. At the end I think it was adrenaline that kept me going. I've been catching up on my beauty sleep.

So back to summer, I'm not sure if I want anything to happen in particular so I'm naming this summer the summer of the unexpected. Other than summer classes I'm going to just go with the flow. I hopefully will get a chance to see my high school friends. We have gotten invited to a couple of grad parties and a wedding. This summer the pool in my backyard better get filled unlike last year. I spent a lot of time last summer away from home traveling to Cape Cod, Germany, and various places within Ohio. I wish I could do some traveling but that will have to be for another time. God has it all in His hands and I have to just trust Him and His perfect timing. When I try on my timing everything goes wrong! I need to get back to cleaning my room. Have a great day.

last week of spring semester 2010

I'm going to take time out of my crazy last week of classes and write a short post. I have dozens of other things to do but I've been unable to focus and I still have an evening class tonight. I'm taking summer classes so my summer won't be school free! I wish it was, but if I want to graduate college in a timely manner I must. I love KSU but I don't want to be there for +5 years as an undergrad! Yesterday was the 40th anniversary May 4th 1970 Kent State shootings. The parking lot where this happened in near my dorm. All the major Cleveland news channels 3,5, and 8 were there. You could tell a lot of people visiting had gone to school back in the 70's. Lots of long pony tails. Flowers where left in parking lot. Every year in history class I remember learning about it but it was weird being there on the day. Well back to writing lesson plans, studying, welding, and hopefully enjoying the weather in-between.

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. Proverbs 3:13 NLT

Taylor Swift

I've loved Taylor Swift and her music from the first time I heard her song Tear Drops on My Guitar on the radio. She has such an honesty and truly writes and sings from the heart. So many of them I have connected to personally and have been my theme songs at different points in my life. This is an arrangement of some of my favorite lyrics from her songs.

He’s the song in the car I keep singing, don’t know why I do

When we’re on the phone and you talk real slow, ‘cause it’s late and your momma don’t know

It’s the first kiss, it’s flawless, really something, it’s fearless

When you think happiness, I hope you think that little black dress

You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess, it’s a love story baby just say yes

Why would you want to break a perfectly good heart?

I’m not your princess, this ain’t a fairy tale, I’m gonna find someone someday that might actually treat me well, this is a big world that was a small town

You're just another picture to burn

These things will change, Can you feel it now? These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down, It's a revolution, the time has come for us to finally win

When all you wanted was to be wanted, Wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now

I’m only me when I’m with you

Laughing on a park bench, thinking to myself hey isn't this easy

Can you feel this magic in the air?

The music starts playing like at the end of a sad movie

Stay beautiful

I’m just a girl trying to find a place in this world