Spring Break

It was only a week ago that I was home for Spring Break. Seeing friends. Getting my haircut. Clinging to my family. Taking baths with brownies & wine. Watching dear Anne & Gilbert. Frolicking in massive amounts of snow. Yes, snow. And lot's of it.

This is Spring Break, Colorado style...

{I love this picture! This sign was resting perfectly at the top of a ski slope where I was hiking. Check out the picturesque backdrop. Thank you, perfect photo op.}

But to start at the beginning...

We ventured out for our drive up to the cabin in dreary weather. This is when we were only just entering the foothills.

And this was the view further in.

Followed by truly treacherous snowy weather going over the pass. Poor Mama! She drove admirably but I know it was stressful.

However, our time at the cabin was perfect! Only those of you who have been in the mountains in Colorado on a nice day will understand how it's possible to be outdoors in technically 30 degrees or colder weather and be hot. Have you heard of people skiing in tshirts? They're actually not crazy, it's just that the sun is so intense when you're that much closer to it.

I was able to take 2 beautiful hikes up the ski slope. I don't ski or snowboard but I still love the mountains. Like I said, it was cold and yet I was sweating in my long-sleeved shirt.

Our cabin is situatated on the ski slope so we just walked out the door and started hiking. {See the black arrow & the house with the red car? That's the mountain home. You could enjoy all this beauty to if you come visit me! And it's just as beautiful in the summer, if you're not one for cold weather.}

I decided it was a good idea to venture into the deep snow for a cheesy photo-op.

Cheesy tree photo! But seriously, look at my legs. I was definitely standing up to my knees in snow.

This is one of Eisenhower's cabins. He had two in the area we live in up in the Mts.

{My attempt to use this bridge to be artistic}

Now it's back to school for one last work-filled month and then it's graduation time.

"Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes in it."

Lately, I’ve found myself thinking about my everyday failures too much. You should know, I’m obsessed with to-do lists. I make a daily list of things I need to and want to get done on my white board and I take great pleasure in crossing things off of it. The problem is, my love for lists leaves a lot of room for me to think of myself as having failed when there are certain items I can’t cross off of it—and there are hardly ever days when I do cross every item off. Sometimes it’s the fun or silly things that are left undone: “Spend an hour pleasure reading”; “Catch up on Gossip Girl.” But sometimes it’s the big important things: “Write half of the big paper”; “Email so-and-so back”; “Spend a half hour reading the Bible”; “Exercise”.

Yes, lately I’ve been scolding myself for my many daily failures. And even if it’s just a thing or two left undone, I subconsciously write the entire day off as a failure.

You can see how this mental attitude isn’t helpful to my sanity or my self-esteem.

Luckily, I’ve become aware of this recent trend of “failure” thought and I’m working on remedying it. I’m trying to focus more on what I have accomplished and look at each new day positively as a chance to begin again.

And so my recent mantra is a quote from my *newly beloved Anne of Green Gables:

“Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes in it.” –Lucy Maud Montgomery

I absolutely love this. I’ve even written it at the top of my white board, where it remains right above my daily list as a reminder. Maybe I didn’t get everything checked off today, but I can start fresh tomorrow and try again. It’s not failure, it’s a new opportunity for a new day.

*I’ve fallen in love with Gilbert Blythe and left my heart in Green Gables. I read Anne of Green Gables for the first time over Winter Break and then followed up by watching the movie versions of both Anne of Green Gables and its sequel (Megan Follows/Jonathan Crombie version!) over Spring Break. I now realize that my childhood was entirely lacking without Anne Shirley in it. However, I’ve now remedied the situation and am glad to have these stories in my life. Oh, how I swooned over Jonathan Crombie’s portrayal of Gilbert Blythe. Oh, how my heart beat waiting for Anne to realize her love for Gilbert. Yes, these are stories I will definitely treasure from here on out and will share with daughters (if I have any). *Happy Sigh*

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It's my Blog {And I'll be Sappy if I want to}

I’m sitting at my kitchen table, sipping an Oreo Blast milkshake (extra chocolate, please) working on a Spanish Essay while Project Runway plays in the background. I text my mom about my midterm grades—solid B+s across the board, & I’ll take it—and she’s proud and sends me an adorable clapping emoticon via text. Spring Break starts tomorrow but for now I feel annoyed by my homework and all the work coming up when I get back from break. Hard stuff. The big paper that is the culmination of my four years of college needs to be written between now and the end of April. L-dawg and K-money text me off and on and make me laugh out loud. I take another sip of my milkshake while staring at the Spanish words on my computer screen and it hits me: I am so lucky.

In May, I will have a college degree from a prestigious school. I have been afforded so many opportunities that so many people do not have. I sit in my furnished apartment, with food in my fridge and cabinets. I have clothes in my closet, and even if I think they’re boring and unfashionable, I am always warm and protected from nature by sturdy materials. I have a bed to sleep in, books and movies for entertainment and education, a laptop to work and play on, and the endless support of my family. I have been blessed with opportunities to travel and live abroad, experiences that have changed my life and influenced who I've become. I have a solid religious background that provides me with truths that give me great comforts when I’m feeling low. Why do I so often feel pity for myself or upset about the course of my life? Why do I fret over hard work that is part of an education I am fortunate to be receiving? I am so lucky.

Jen calls. Mom calls. Friend Stephanie calls. A stream of people who I love, reminding me of my small but important purposes in life: to comfort, to share, to encourage.

And that’s just what I’m feeling tonight.

{Venice, October 2008}

I like...

-Surprise packages full of music from Jen!! I am in auditory bliss with so much new music. I have the most thoughtful sister and I lover her big time. You should too.

-Spring coming; late afternoon sunlight streaming through my stained glass windows.

{Neville--the panda--is soaking up the warmth.}

-This song:

-Joyful mail from iBff Shannon. I am in love with this purple headband.

{My hair is a train wreck today, so Bunny modeled for me.}

-The movie Amelie. Audrey Tautou is absolutely adorable, I died over the scenes shot at/by Sacre Couer (by far one of my favorite spots in Paris), and overall the movie is simply whimsical (to borrow the word my best friend used to describe it.)

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I also love the music in this movie.

-My outfit today:

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Haha just kidding!

That's a picture I snapped post-surgery last summer. I wore that dress night & day for easier changing and comfort, and I had to wear those dreadful compression stockings for a week. Add the shoes, and I think this is a winning look.

Here's my real outfit:

{Can you tell I'm ready for Spring? Short sleeves and no tights.}

-Most of all, I like YOU.

I don’t have a huge following (and for reasons I may someday go into, I prefer it this way), but those of you who do read and comment are some of the kindest individuals I’ve encountered. It is my great joy to know all of you.