Sunday Songs #2

Right now I am on Fall Break. Yayy!! I came home for the weekend, and it is so nice to get away for a little awhile. On Saturday, there was a Fall Festival at my church. I enjoyed seeing all my church friends as well as making/eating cotton candy. The weather could have not been any more perfect for the event!

Well, if you didn't read my last Sunday's post, I have started a new topic called "Sunday Songs".  Basically, I pull together a few songs I like and talk about them.  I am still working on the details of how everything should flow so stick with me!

I thought about making this week's topic a little special.  I know it's only the second week of doing a Sunday Song post, but I felt inspired.  Inspired by what or whom you may ask? MY LITTLE BROTHER.  Also known as Garen, Mr. G, or G-Dog.

I love my little brother. He is awesome.  If you don't know him, well, you should get to know him because he is that cool. There are so many little things he does that are hilarious to me. He is not one for talking on the phone, so I can always guess what he is going to say (which is usually one word responses).  He asked me if I wanted to get ice cream one time, and then expected me to pay.  He has a pet cat, Rosie, that he loves wayy too much. We enjoy wrestling from time to time (me, Garen, and Adam).  He is a good workout buddy.  He is a pretty tough cookie as well.  My older brother, Adam, finally admitted that if he and Garen really got into a fight, Adam would lose against Garen.

However, Garen has such a kind and caring heart.  At times, he will do something, and I will think to myself, "I can't believe this kid is 17 because he is acting so much more maturer!"  He really is a thoughtful person and has a growing heart and passion for the Lord.

Within the last year, Garen has been working on acquiring a new skill that many people may not know about: Piano Playing.  He started lessons this summer and has progressively gotten better.  It seems like every time I come home he has learned a new song.  When he first started playing, he seemed to play the same songs repetively.  I love it though! So, the following are some of the few songs that whenever I hear them, I think about Garen playing them:

1. Don't Stop Believing - Journey
2. Faithfully - Journey
3. Hey Jude - The Beatles
4. Let It Be - The Beatles
5. Titanic Theme Song
6. Fur Elise Beethoven

PS - Love you little bro! You are the greatest <3

Sunday Songs #1

After I ran out of shoes to write about, I knew I needed to start a new blog topic. I had to! I looked forward to ShoesDay every Tuesday. Well, here it is...the new topic:

SUNDAY SONGS

Hmm...I like it. (Thanks Candace!)  My intentions for this new blog topic is to write about some of my favorite songs.  Hopefully, some of the songs being your favorites too or may become one of your favorites!

Now keep in mind, just because I write about a song(s) today, does not make them my all-time favorite. Music is like children to me, I love them all!! Of course some more than others at times ;)

So without anymore writing, lets get new blog topic rolling!!

Sunday Song Theme this week: Dancing

I am not the kind of person who can sit still for very long. I like being up and doing something. Hence why I like dancing so much! A little secret: I love putting my headphones in and dancing around my room. You can't go wrong without a little extra beat to your step.

The following are some of my favorite dance-around-the-room songs:

1. Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin'

• Oh, the irony! A song about not feeling like dancing causes me to want to dance.
• It has a seventies feel to it, but with a little modern-day twist.
• I first heard this song in a parking lot outside of a movie theatre in a friend's car. He decided to start dancing to it in the parking lot at 12 at night. Pretty hilarious, especially watching the people's reactions as they drove by.

2. Glee Cast - Like a Prayer

• First, it is Glee so of course I am going to like it!  Second, its a Madonna song. Two wins in one song. :)

3. Switchfoot - Awakening

• I think the music video is hilarious. We should all just let loose some days. Take off the work clothes and just have fun.

4. Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode

• When I hear this song, I want to pull out an electric guitar and jam out like Marty McFly. (If you don't know what I am talking about, go watch Back to the Future. Awesome movie!)

5. Flo Rida - Club Can't Handle Me

Don't be suprised if I have another week dedicated to dancing-in-my-room. Hehe.

Until next Sunday....

Much love!!!

Getting Back to It...

Oh, how I wish I would blog more!! I don't know if anyone actually reads what I write, but I love doing it. I have ideas that pop into my head randomly, and I have every intention of writing, but then other things come up...HOMEWORK!!! Such is life I suppose.

What is going on in my life?

1.  The Start of Fall has arrived! Goodbye Summer, I will miss you! I do I do I do I do love Fall though! For the still semi-warm weather, the food, the clothes, the activities, etc.  I miss the changing leaves. It just doesn't happen here in Charleston. 
This is what I would like to see outside:

But this is what it look like outside: It just stays green. And some leaves do fall off the trees, but it seems like they go from GREEN to NO LEAVES. Okay, I am done hating on Charleston's trees.

2. This past weekend was Fall Getaway with Campus Crusade. What an amazing time!!! God is soo good! The weather on Saturday was perfect.  The talks were great. And the bonding times were awesome. I got to know some godly girls even more and I am so thankful for their friendships. The talks were about how to have an authentic relationship with God and being zealous in Your Walk.  I really needed to hear this. Every bit. Life gets so hectic at times, but if I make the time for God it all seems to work out. I am amazed at how He reveals Himself to me so regularly.

3. Today, I taught my first lesson plan for a middle school class! Wow. So exciting. I enjoyed it so much. I do realize that not all days will I walk out of a classroom being pumped about middle school and working with adolescence, but God is still lighting the fire and passion for teaching. I taught a 7th grade Science Class. Learning about some soil characteristics! Not the most exciting topic, but a lesson is a lesson.

4. So, I really do want to start blogging more! During the week, I am so busy with school and homework that I don't have much time to blog let alone make time for myself. However, I am going to start making the time for it. While the ShoesDays have come and gone (until I get new shoes of course!!!)  With the suggestions from my wonderful cousin, Candace, I plan on starting two new topics.  The first one will be about all the books I read within the semester/school year. From textbooks all the way to personal reads. I do so much reading, why not talk about them?! The second topic I am most excited about...Sunday Songs! I plan on talking about favorite song(s) each Sunday. Why I like them. What I think they mean. Etc. I am really looking forward to this, especially since there is soo many good songs!!

Everyone have a great day! Love you!!

Shower for Candace and Baby S

On Saturday, September 11th, my mother, Aunt Susie, and I threw a baby shower for Candace.  Candace is expecting her first on October 10 (10/10/10)! Everything fell into place the day of the shower; it couldn't have gone any more perfectly than it did. It was great to see everyone and enjoy some delicious food.


Below are some pictures of the decorations and food. My mother made the diaper cake and she did an AWESOME job!!!

Table Decorations

"Its a Girl! Its a Boy!" ~ People could hang a dot on what they thought the gender of the baby would be (Candace isn't finding out the sex of the baby until it's born!)

Diaper Cake (Thanks Mom!!)

Cupcakes were made: Ducks and Flowers!

I made homemade mints drizzled with milk chocolate for the Party Favors.

Below are some pictures of the event:

Below are some pictures of Candace's baby present I made her. It was the best quilt I had made so far! It was the first time I binded a quilt. Quite challenging and very meticulous. I hope baby S will put it to good use :)

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

I haven't decided what day actually marks the ending of my summer. I mean, I packed my bags and moved back to Charleston on August 7th.  Residents move in to College Lodge August 21st. Classes start August 24th. What marks the end of summer? Well, I guess since I am posting this blog the night before classes start, then the end of summer is now. A little sad, but not. My summer was EXTREMELY busy. And while I will be busy back at school, I am on a schedule. Love schedules!

I had some great times this summer. I kept a list of everything. Mostly everything. I might have missed a few things. The list is kind of in order. Some of it might not make any sense but for the most part it does. So here it is, the list:

Cookout. Catch Phrase. Letters to Juliet. Apples to Apples. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.  Twilight Series. This Lullaby. Working at Victoria's Secret. Speed Street. Babysitting. Sewing. Baking. Biology 101. Astronomy 101. ShoesDay! Cousins' Graduation. Exercising. Wicked. Family Portraits. Quiet Times.
Teaching the Middle School Sunday School Class. Putt-Putting. CSI. Shopping. Writting letters. Glee. Study Groups. Don Pedros. Red Bowl. Face Masks. My Life in Ruins. Carowinds. Red Robin. Pool. Graduation Party. Friday Phone Conversations. Erica coming back from Field Training. The Civil Wars - "Poison and Wine". Apple Crisp. Vacation Bible School. Amber and Will's Wedding. Double Surprise Birthday Party.
Shag and Swing Dancing. Water balloons. Wendy's Frosty's. Painting Mike's car. Cake decorating. Late night exercising. Lake Party. Star Gazing. 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds (Don't ask). Travis West coming to visit. Failed movie attempts with Austin. Apple Crostata. Toy Story 3.
Trip to Charleston. Kickin' Chicken. Beach. Boat Trip to Morris Island. Trip to Statesboro, GA. Free Chick-fi-la sandwich. Cow Shirts. True Blood. Car Washing. Second Chance. Traveling Light by Max Lucado. Step Brothers. Big View Diner.
Study Group. Dog Walks. Book of Eli. Year One. Pet Sitting. Swimming. Tanning. JetSki. Tubing. Cooking dinner with Friends. Packing and shopping for College. RA Training. SIM Hall. Winning Learning Outcomes. Going to the beach. Zaxby's. Jogs around the Battery. Playing in the rain. Move-in Day.

It has been one great summer. Now it is time to close this chapter. Tomorrow marks the first day of my Junior Year of College. Let's get this started!

Have a great Tuesday everyone! Much love <3

ShoesDay #11

So, it has been over three weeks since I have last written a ShoeBlog post. Why has it taken me this long to write this post? Deep down, I think I was avoiding it. Knowing it would be the last ShoeBlog post. However, I really don't have another pair of shoes to talk about. I mean, sure I have plenty more shoes in my closet, but no more that really stand out to me. Each of these shoes have plenty of special stories to reveal.

For instance, yesterday (Monday), I wore a pair of black and white polka dotted wedges for the Learning Outcomes Presentation for Residence Life and Housing. Basically, if we did really really really well, we would receive more funding to College Lodge, which would allow us to provide more events and programs for the residents. Guess what?!?! We got first place!!! While I might not remember the exact shoes I was wearing, I will at least remember the feeling I got when the residence hall's name was announced for first place.

So basically, each day, something new and exciting seems to be happening. Opportunities occur, which challenge me and make me love life, people, and God so so much more. So while this might be my last ShoeBlog for awhile (never coming to a close...always shoes to talk about ;)  ), I will continue to love every minute of life and remember the memories created in my shoes. 

A quote to end:

It doesn't matter the number of shoes you have, but the steps you take in them.

***I am in the process of figure out new ideas for a weekly blog similar to the ShoeBlog. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! :)

Much love to all <3

ShoesDay #10

Ten more days until I go back to school. WHAT!?! Where is has the time gone? Do I feel prepared and ready to go back? Not even close. I would love to have more of a break between summer school and school, but its not going to happen. I plan to work some more hours, pack (and pack some more), hang out with friends and family, and finish some sewing projects I started these next few days.

Shoes #11

Now, before I begin, I will admit that I LOVE LOVE LOVE these shoes. Not necessarily for the shoes themselves, but for all the memories created while wearing them. I have worn them for at least seven different formal occasions. There are some semi-formal occasion I have worn them to like birthdays, parties, etc. I purchased these shoes a few days before a pageant freshman year of high school. I desperately needed a pair of heels to go with my red dress. I didn't want to be completely matchy-matchy with red heels, since red is such a hard color to match. Silver was the next best thing. However, such a pain to find a pair of cute, silver heels in January. I finally found these at the Nine West store at SouthPark with my dad. Little did I know I would be using for so many different occasions. When I shop for any occasion that I need to wear fancy shoes, I always ask myself if the dress will match my silver shoes, because the shoes are the necessity.  Below are some of the formal occasions I have worn my heels:

Pageant 2005 - I was in the Miss Fort Mill High Pageant Freshman, Sophomore, and Senior year. This is my freshman year. The theme was Dancing in the Street. It was pretty special because I got escorted on stage during formal wear by my brother. Loved the dress. Hated my makeup. It was wayy to thick. I didn't pick any close up pictures for this one just for that reason. :)

Pageant 2006 - This was sophomore year pageant. The theme was "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend". Dance song was from Moulin Rouge (aka one of my favorite movies). This dress color was so pretty and I love the frills on the bottom of the dress.

Prom 2007 - Junior Prom. I always had a great group of people to go to prom with. We always have a great time. We took pictures at

 McDowell Park, ate at SouthPark, danced the night away, and hung out at Johnna's house afterwards. My date was such a sweetheart and would dance with all the single girls. I had to pull him away a few times because he was my date and I didn't want to share too much ;) (By the way, I used the same dress from pageant 2005. I hated spending so much for a dress and only wearing it one time so I reused dresses. I did the same thing for senior year)

Pageant 2008 - This was my senior pageant. The theme was "Uptown Girls". I especially loved this dress. It was very form-fitting in the bust and the color was a lovely emerald-green. I never actually placed in any of the pageants, but I had so much fun getting all dressed up, it didn't bother me.

Prom 2008 - By far the best prom I went to. I had a blast from beginning to end. I love my hair. The lady did an amazing job. The whole day went so smoothly. I think it tried to rain on us, but it held out until later (thank goodness)! I do remember living in between houses so I had my shoes at the new house so I had to make a stop over there before I went to take pictures. We ate dinner at Magnolias in Ballantyne (closed now), and then went to prom. I was Prom Queen and my King was Keon. Such a great time! We ended the night by hanging out at my house.

Prom 2009 - I went to prom for the third time with Ben Tyler. I really enjoy this going back for a third time. It was a lot of fun, just like all the proms I went to. I decided to go with a short dress and turned out to be much more comfortable and cooler.

I love these shoes. I wear them whenever I get the chance or have a formal occasion to go to. They aren't the most comfortable and end up coming off within a few hours, but they fit the needs I have for most of my outfits. So many great memories in these shoes!!!

I hope you all have a fantastic Tuesday. Much love <3