Wildflowers.

(Thanks Taylor for taking the pictures of me.)

 blouse-Free People; button down-Mom's closet; shorts-Levi's

I was a little chilly, as you can tell from the goosebumps. 

We ran into some random fire dancers that night. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139

Have a great weekend. 

Bleeding. Just A Little.

So for some reason Blogger was having some technical difficulties yesterday and my post no longer exists. It was very hurried so I guess I am a little relieved. I am typing this on the porch of a beautiful beach condo in Destin, Florida. I am here for a Campus Crusade Summer Project specifically for people in sororities and fraternities. It is a cloudy day so I might just stay here and save the tanning for later in the trip. I really just want to be my introverted self for a little while. Typing up my thoughts is a great release for me so please forgive these slightly upset and conflicted paragraphs.

Disclaimer: if you don't want an overwhelming look into my jumbled mind, wait a little while for the rediscovered outfit post. 

I love USC. I felt like I could be myself there and I was really learning who exactly that was. I had the freedom to do that. Then I come back home and certain circumstances around me started to limit who I was becoming. I don't know if anyone else has ever felt this way, but I sure do, and I hope there's someone else out there who can understand. I don't know if this a common occurrence after one's first year of college, but I sure went through a lot this past year. Home means something else to me, now. And currently I am 13 hours away.

I really don't want this to be a blog where you read the first two sentences and then scroll down to see the pictures. Maybe I should have put this first but I guess it's a treat for those who stayed. Is there anyone else who would rather stay all alone and empty their mind by way of a keyboard? Writing is a very special art form. Well at least for me I have to be deeply inspired. When I take pictures all I have to think is wow that would make a great picture, I want to document this. And maybe that makes me a bad photographer, but I really don't care. It is an interest of mine and you cannot take that away from me. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when you see it are you really thinking all those words? The words I could have painted for you right here in this document with exact, intentional precision? When I write, it has to come from somewhere deeper than a short thought or moment worth capturing. That's why these long post come so rarely. There is a quote by Ernest Hemingway that I love. He says, "Writing is easy, all you have to do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." I learn so much from this simple statement. One thing is that I desperately want a typewriter. The idea of typing up something and that one sheet being the only trace of it in the world strikes a chord within me. But there is something much important from it that I have picked up. I cannot bleed unless there is something worth bleeding for. I have to be injured (figuratively), I have to have fought for something, I have to have lived. That's the only way I can really put into words something worth reading. Something that conveys what I am feeling. Which most of the time seems impossible.

I don't know why I am sharing this. It might just be too much information for you to handle or understand. Why is it that most of the time all I want to be is understood? Do a lot of people want that? I am beginning to think life is not about being understood, though. Or that being understood isn't exactly what I thought it to be.

Sorry for all this mess.
I know He is going to get me through it. I just have a lot to learn.

Solid As A Rock.

An outfit post is coming later this week, but I thought I would post some pictures from Mother's Day!

I made dinner for Mom and the family. The entree: baked ziti (penne), and lemon bars for dessert.

Please enjoy some pet pictures, as well. Hardy, my horse and Wilaby one of my three corgis.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

Native.

(Thank you to my best friend Taylor McDonald for taking all the pictures of me.)

 skirt-Lapis; top-Lamade; shoes-Jeffrey Campbell

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Romans 12:9-10

Definitely something I need to work on. 

Have a lovely day!

American Girl.

It sure has been a while since my last post. Too long, in my opinion. And at a horrible time to be in a blogging slump. Life has been crazy and amazing and eventful. Brace yourself for a post of epic proportions. 

Let's see, last time I posted was Friday. That day ended up being incredibly busy after I escaped all the William and Kate hysteria. I went on a little trip to the mall in search of some bright lipstick. I lucked out and a picture of me wearing it will come up in a bit. But first I must mention a little excursion of mine.

Yes, that is me and a lovely friend of mine with real guns. Some awesome boys took us shooting and it was so much fun. They weren't loaded when we shot this picture, I hope. Anyways, I actually did shoot something. A glass bottle. On the first try. Mhmm. 

The next day was, of course, my birthday! It all began with a wonderful breakfast with my big at Cafe Strudel. I got the same cinnamon pancakes as last time. 

Mmm hangover hash browns. That's their name.

So following breakfast I took some pictures of Kappa seniors on the horseshoe. 

Below: me (the only one not in black, they were uniform) and the seniors in Kappa Bible Study. I will miss them so much next year!!

We went to a lovely lunch after that at DiPratos. Then later that night Hanna told me we were going to do something for my birthday. But I had no idea... 

...that a highlighter surprise party was planned. I have such incredible friends. I will miss you all over summer, can't wait to go back!!

 (highlighter and water, what an awesome idea)

 apples to apples

So I returned home Tuesday. I am still in the process of unpacking and have lost a few things in the process including my glasses. These words are just a blur to me. I apologize for any typos. 

Mom took me through a neighborhood greatly affected by the tornados a few weeks ago. 

 I had no idea the damage was so bad, and we are still recovering. I am glad to be home and be able to experience some of the effects. 

I went to the mall with a high school friend today and finally got to take the Lita's out for a spin. 

Such beauties. 

I came back from school in need of some reorganization. I began with the closet. For those who know me well, you know my closet has never in its life been this neat. And I know some would consider this messy. You're welcome for the lack of "before" picture.

Now to deal with the wreck that is the rest of my room.

 I have redecorated the walls a bit...

And here are the main purchases from the mall today. Thank you, Urban Outfitters, for awesome clothes as well as vinyl records. 

Two of my favorite albums: Mumford & Sons-Sigh No More, Jeff Buckley-Grace. I can't wait to see Mumford & Sons in June!  

I have been on a major music kick lately. All I've been listening to are records since I've been home. Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and then I just bought a ton of Tom Petty and Allman Brothers Band on iTunes. I have a thirst for fantastic, heart stopping guitar licks. Needless to say, I seriously rocked out on the 3hour 45min drive from Columbia to Raleigh and have been jamming ever since. 

Any music recommendations? I am always happy to add more to my collection.

"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Colossians 1:17

I love you all.