Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Year in Review

2013 was filled with so many amazing memories!  I'm sure every blog has done a little recap so I'll keep it short, but here is my year in photos! 

I finished my study abroad semester in Copenhagen.

Turned 21 with my best friends! 

I found new friendships that will last a lifetime. 

 Explored my new 'home' at the beach.

Found my way back to Capitol Hill for the summer. 

Spent lots of time loving my school + George Washington! 

 Spent time in Annapolis

 Adored Chestertown + Evergrain Bread Company

Moved to DC for the summer + spent my days wondering Eastern Market 

Started this little blog from scratch
Joined the Alumni Board at Washington College 

It's been such an incredible year and I'm so thankful to all of the family, friends, and friends who feel like family who have made this year the best yet! Looking forward to making 2014 even better with all of your love + support! 

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Monday, December 30, 2013

Looking Ahead


2014 is going to be a BIG year.  
You know how you have those years you just remember?  Like the year you graduated from high school or the year you were born?  They hold meaning and significance to your being.  This is going to be one of those years.  

In addition to the daunting task of finishing my senior dissertation, finding a job, graduating, moving out, paying bills, etc., I'm starting a few projects on the side.

2014 is going to be the year of learning.
 It's quite interesting that as my formal education comes to an end, I'm devoting this year to learn as much as I can in every aspect of my life.  I want to really take my language skills to the next level, commit myself to yoga, organize my time, and take the trips that I've planned.  I want to buy books that will give me new skills and teach me about places I've never heard of before. I want to take big risks and move to a new place.  I want to improve my writing and to create this as a space for conversation and growth.

I'll be taking on new projects as well that I'm so excited to share soon!  I'll be joining forces with a few groups that I desperately care about as well as team up with new entrepreneurs to try out projects.   I'm going to attempt at freelancing design while teaching myself photoshop and coding.  I'm going to be introducing ad swaps and starting my first paypal account and really take this blog to the next level.  And when things get a little crazy I'll always be sure to remind myself, that I too have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyonce.

I can't wait for you to share this year with me!  

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

"Everyone soon or late comes round by Rome"



A new project I've finally finished!


Last February I created a video of my time spent in Copenhagen:


After I finished that little guy ^ I wanted to do the same for my trip to Rome.  I started and never really finished it. Monday night I found Mumford & Sons live at Red Rocks on tv and after a few minutes of listening, I knew I wanted to pull this old project back out.  The last day in Rome my dad and I stayed on a double decker bus for at least 3 hours, 2 solid loops of the city.  I remember it being absolutely freezing but it was SO beautiful.  I had my headphones in and was listening to the new Mumford & Sons album, which is quite catchy for a bus ride and perfect for exploring something so beautiful.  

I took as much footage as I could and I'm so happy with what I captured.  Ok, it's bumpy and shaky but Roma is SO beautiful.  Enjoy!


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Friday, December 27, 2013

The Netflix of Books

Have you heard of Oyster
It ROCKS.



They call it the Netflix of books.  
Your first month is free and you have access to a library of over 10,000 books to add to your reading list at no extra charge.  After your first free month it costs $9.95 per month.  I probably won't start paying for it until I graduate and have time to read for fun, but while I'm in Mexico for 10 days, this will be the perfect way to read.  The app is available for iPhone + iPad & after tweeting at Oyster, I found out that development of an Android app is in the works.  I have a Google Nexus so I'll be poolside with my phone most of trip but I don't mind. 

I'm also excited to use my Audible app.  
I love listening to books on tape.  So far I've listened to Arcadia by Tom Stoppard (my favorite play) and Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.  Each month that you pay a small fee to belong you receive 1 credit.  Most books are one credit so I haven't had to buy a book yet which is awesome!  

I'm so excited to unplug from my thesis for a few days and read for pleasure.
What's your favorite device to read on?  What's your favorite app to learn?  What books are on your list for the new year? Leave a comment below + start the conversation!

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Thursday, December 26, 2013

Merry Christmas + Happy Holidays

I hope everyone had a safe and special holiday with their families and loved ones!  


It was so nice to be home for the Holidays this year and I'm so happy we were able to celebrate with family and a few friends.  I also spent most of the day writing notes to pals around the world.  
I received Christmas cards from friends near and far this year and I can't get over how lucky I am to call these people my friends. 
Happy Holidays xo


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Sunday, December 22, 2013

November Watercolor

On my 101 things in 1,001 days project I vowed to do 1 watercolor painting per month.
It's such a great way to relax.  I usually do my paintings after lunch on Fridays.


I love getting inspiration from pinterest before I start to paint. 
I totally tried to copy this pin, and the color didn't work out quite the way I wanted.
So I cut out my sketch.
Then I found this elephant, which I'm sure I'll finish one day, but until then, he will look like this.


Be sure to check out last month's doodle.


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Saturday, December 21, 2013

Pantone Color of the Year

This must be a sign that 2014 will be a great year for my little space on the internet.  
The Pantone Color of the Year is:
Radiant Orchid.

 Pantone published this beautiful collection of radiantly orchid items.
I spy with my little eye
PURPLE FLOWERS. 

Don't forget to follow my 'purple' board on Pinterest!


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Friday, December 20, 2013

Winter Coats

baby its cold outside
Actually that's a lie, because it's going to be 70 at the beach this weekend.
However, I LOVE winter coats.  
Check out a few of my favorites. 



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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mom! 
(my twin)
Thank you for loving me fiercely & always having my back!



Thanks for flying across the world to come visit me in Denmark, you rock!
Can't wait to spend this entire break with you & our trip to Mexico!

xoxo

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

the scariest question

An obsessive, time consuming addiction I've developed.  


Asking myself, "Who am I going to be?"

With this fall semester over and time to myself to work on my thesis and job hunt, I can't seem to turn my brain off.  There is something so powerful and exciting about knowing that there is a whole world waiting to be seen, languages to be learned, food to be tasted, and skills to be sought.  

I'm usually faced with the argument that "now is not the time to worry about that."
So when is the time?  If I'm not mapping out my future now, when is it gonna happen?  My biggest fear is that it will be too late for me to pursue a dream.   But that's the thing about dreams, you can't have them all lined up like ducks in a row.  Sure you can pay your credit card bills, keep your credit high, remember to turn in checks, papers, signatures, buy cards, etc. You can schedule every last second of your day but inspiration, growth, creativity, how do you schedule that?  I think it's so evident in this very structure, this little piece of the internet that I have.  I can't sit here and type a post to you without creativity or desire to do so. It would be forced and unpleasant and not worth your time.  Hence, my sporadic appearances and jolts of activity.  Hi.

I feel like I'm living in a constant vertigo (ha!) of teetering between the fantasy of life's fullness and the ability to be anyone.. and the reality of what will probably be.  Why is that this second questioning of doubt always springs up before I have the chance to develop a second thought or longing.
I could create something new...how?
I could be famous...and spiral into a pit of self destruction?  
I could pursue politics in DC...and end up dead like that guy on House of Cards?
I could be a successful creative and blog for a living...and work from home?
I could pick up everything and move to San Francisco...and have no friends?
I could find a studio and move to NYC and struggle to afford rent...and not eat food?
I could be an actress yet to be discovered...and be in really awful commercials?
I could get over my fear of writing...and? I don't even know. 
I could just travel the world...without any money?
I could pay lots of money to take computer classes..and then find out I hate it?  

OR. 
i could live at home
work at a restaurant at the beach 
take a job from 'dad's friend'
move to baltimore 

What's wrong with safe?  Why am I scared of safe?  Shouldn't I be grateful that I have safe?  Especially when most people in the world are grateful to have a roof.  

With graduation 3,246 hours away, how am I supposed to sleep?  I know that I don't have to have it figured all out before I put the cap and gown on, but shouldn't I have a game plan? Is anyone else feeling like this?  

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Sunday, December 15, 2013

Copenhagen Thanksgiving - A Year in Review


[a late post from Thanksgiving]
I was reminded today as I helped Grandma make the stuffing that I was not here for last year's Thanksgiving feast!  I was in wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen.  
I can remember the Thanksgiving feast that my immediate group of friends had the actual night of Thanksgiving that mostly consisted of Americans and Australians.  Instead of an expensive turkey, we opted for chicken wings, boxed mashed potatoes, and boxed stuffing.. not our classiest moment.
But later that weekend we had our very own huge Thanksgiving spread.  
I found my blog post from my study abroad blog, The Anchor Drops and felt a pang of nostalgia as I remembered skyping in for dinner last year while my parents and grandparents celebrated without me.  





Also, just found this from the movie Hans Christian Anderson (1952)
Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen from Danny Kaye.  
Singing it forever more.


Happy Turkey day
Gobble Gobble! 

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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Finals Survival Guide

Finals survival guide 2


Finals survival guide 2 by hilarybadger featuring a pom pom blanket


Happy Finals Week!
Not much has changed since last year's final survival guide, just the geographic location.
How do you cope with this extremely stressful week?

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