Dream College

College is near in my future and whether I go to community college or a four-year university, I enjoy imagining my dream school and what it would be like. I went to visit Liberty today and since my brother goes there, he showed me around and that's what triggered this post. The campus isn't necessarily gorgeous but Liberty's facilities are out of this world. They have an indoor soccer center, a pathway underground to get from one side of campus to the the other, a rock-climbing wall in the gym, the world's nicest dorms.... I just felt like I was in the future or something. That school literally has everything. So after visiting, I thought it would be fun to make a list of different things my dream school would have. The ones with a star by them are the things Liberty already has. :)

• Dorms with a full-sized fridge, washer/dryer, and a walk-in closet*
• Some sort of grassy quad in the center of campus with hammocks hanging from the trees
• A precious, well-decorated coffee shop somewhere really close to my dorm
• A library that doesn't smell like old books, is really organized, and is full of windows
• A really nice gym with a pool, workout area, etc.*
• A huge, multiple story building with elevators that holds all my classes so I won't get lost
• A working fountain somewhere on campus that I would see all the time
• A running trail in the woods*
• Lots of old trees lining the streets and whatnot
• A computer lab with a ton of Macs*
• A tutoring center and professors who are willing to help*
• A really nice dining hall, rather than a cafeteria
• A river that runs through campus with a stone bridge going over it
• Really nice people*
• A miniature movie theater*

And the list goes on. I'm sure I could come up with a hundred more wishes to add to that list but it might get a bit boring. But those are some of the things I would put into my dream college!! The coolest thing I learned today about Liberty is that they're building a new library, but not just any library. Webb said they're building one that will have a robot retrieve whatever book you type into the system!! WHAT? How cool is that? I kind of freaked out because I hate looking for books. But anyway, I have absolutely NO idea where I want to go to school and I'm getting a little nervous with the fact that I only have four more months of school. I'm not ready to grow up!!! 

What would you have at your dream school, friends?

P.S. This is something like what Liberty will have in the next two to three years.

Bangs and College

Today has been full of exciting things. First of all, I got a major haircut. It's so different that I feel like I need a new name. Hahaha. I have been wanting something different for a while now and after deciding against a perm and deciding on bangs and a short haircut, I made my appointment. I'm that girl who loves experimenting with hair. My mom always hates when I come up with a new plan but I love seeing how it comes out. So today, I went from long hair and no bangs, to very short hair and front bangs. I'm so excited about it!! I absolutely love the bangs and although it'll take some getting used to, I'm glad I took the chance. I'm bringing the fad back, y'all.

Also, one last exciting bit of news!! I GOT INTO COLLEGE!! I recently applied to Liberty (in the past week) and I came home to a folder laying on my bed. SO FAST. I thought it was full of scholarship info when it was really an acceptance letter. I know the school isn't very hard to get into but the feeling of knowing you are accepted somewhere is a great feeling. :) So I'm on a high right now, thankful for hair and college. The end.

And here is my new hairrrr. 

Something Beautiful

There's something so beautiful about film photography. I could look at developed film all day long. I think it's because of a few things. For one, you have to actually think about what you're going to take a picture of. You only have so many shots on a roll and taking pictures of a concrete driveway may not be a good use of your film. Hahaha. Secondly, it has a special look. Well, I think it does. I love how depending on the type of film you buy, your pictures may be different. Some are grainier than others, some are more bold in color. And thirdly, it's always a surprise when you develop a roll. You can't erase a photo. Once you've pushed that shutter button down, there's a photo there, whether you like it or not. That's what makes it fun, though. You could take a picture of something you thought would turn out horribly and have it be your favorite of many.

I'm like a kid on Christmas day when it comes to getting my film back. I shot a roll of Kodak over the holidays and although I tried my hardest to only take pictures of stuff I thought was absolutely awesome, I struggled. I just wanted to see how my first roll of film on this new camera would turn out!! I ended up having to be more patient than usual, though. I took this roll of film to CVS, expecting my pictures to be ready in an hour when they said they couldn't develop the film I had shot with.... I was so sad! We ended up taking it to Wal Mart and sending it off which takes much longer. It's been over a week but I finally have my pictures back! As soon as I picked my long-awaited pictures up, I waited to open the neatly sealed envelope until I was in the secrecy of my room. I'm funny about having other people see my pictures before I really have the chance to, especially when it comes to film. I never know what I'm going to see so I like to do it by myself.

Of the 24 exposures I had on that black and white roll of film, I liked all but about six or so. My goal is to one day have a whole roll of pictures that I love but until then, here are the pictures from my first roll of film on my new camera!

I Like: Footloose + Wintergreen

1. The Vampire Diaries - Have you watched this show? If not, please go watch it from season 1. It is amazinggggggg. Definitely my favorite show.

2. Powerhouse - I just got my first membership to this gym a few months ago and it's the best thing that ever happened to me. Haha. Knowing my parents are paying for it is such a motivator. I absolutely love my workout time.

3. Peacocks - Peacocks are cool animals. That is all.

4.  Footloose - OH MY GOSH. FOOTLOOSE IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER. I haven't seen the old one but the new one is seriously awesome. The dancing is incredible. And the soundtrack to the movie is freaking sweet.

5. Canon AE-1 - Thank you, Webb!! I love this camera. It's so much easier to use than dad's old Yashica!

6. Dark chocolate - I got some as a gift over the holidays and I'm pretty much addicted now. I eat a little piece every day. I mean, isn't it good for your heart or something?

7. Michelle Moore - Please check out this blog. Michelle is my absolute favorite photographer right now. She does work. Really, she's incredible.

8. Glasses - See those Ray Bans? I LOVE THEM. I don't think they'd look good on me but I still kind of want them.

9. Glee - Glee is the show I've been catching up on this winter. I stopped watching it for a while just because the story line got on my nerves but I started watching it again because the music is the best.

10. Up by Jawbone - That black bracelet is so much more than a bracelet. It tracks your steps and how you sleep. It's the coolest little device. I like competing with myself to try to get more steps in than the day before when I workout and whatnot. It's a good motivator as well.

11. Kindle Fire - I really like my Kindle! I haven't gotten to read a book on it yet because I'm finishing the one I'm on first but the internet on it is actually pretty fast, which makes it better than the original Kindle. :)

12. Planes - Man, I'm missing traveling, like woah, right about now. I desperately want to go the Bahamas.

13. Wintergreen - Cannot. Control. My. Excitement. I went skiing for the first time in forever last winter with one of my friends and it was one of the greatest things I did that whole year. Skiing is a little tricky but once you get the hang of it, you will not want to stop. I just can't wait to go back to Wintergreen in the next couple weekends.

14. Nissan Versa - That little blue car? Yeah, it's mine. Hehe. I finally got my own car last year and am so thankful for it. I didn't pick it out but it's pretty much perfect for me. Everyone admits it. :)

Affecting Our Lives

Isn't it strange how music can make you feel better? I just find that mind-blowing even though the reason is simple: people relate to lyrics and find comfort knowing someone else has gone through what they are going through. But that's certainly not the only reason. I've probably mentioned this before but I sometimes don't listen to the lyrics of a song. I get caught up in the melody, the harmony, and the beat. I just drown out my thoughts through my music and it honestly is the most healing method I've found.

I believe God created music for a reason. I believe he knew it would influence our lives, whether emotionally, physically, or spiritually. I believe he, too, loved music. There are numerous verses in the Bible where people sang praises to the Lord. And I'm not saying that all music is good for the soul but I just find peace in my music and couldn't go a day without listening to at least one song. I mean, think about it. Most people are surrounded by music all day long. I wake up to a song on my iPod; I use that as an alarm. I get in my car and listen to the radio on my way to school. My teachers often play music before class starts. I hear people singing in choir at school and the band rehearsing for a concert. I hear music on t.v., in the gym, when people call my phone. It's everywhere and I am so appreciative of those who are gifted and have used that gift to make beautiful albums for people like me to enjoy. :)

Music is just an incredible thing, wouldn't you say? I've really been enjoying the songs on Glee lately. Oh, and also, check out Michael Henry & Justin Robinett on iTunes. They were recommended to me and I loooove their sound! Sooo, so good. What have you been listening to?

Giving

I've made a lot of great friends over the past few months and as strange as this might be to some of you, I haven't met any of them. HAHA. My friends laugh at me and say my blogging friends are creepy, old men, but I know better. Actually, some of these people I've met through being on the Bloom! Magazine staff but most of them blog, too, so it counts for both. And I know they're not creepy, old men. They are all precious, Christian girls who are always encouraging and all-around amazing. There are a few that have even asked for me to come see them but that hasn't worked out yet so we'll see!! Hopefully soon!

Anyway, on to the real reason for this post... One of these girls named Amanda has a blog and she decided to do something a little different this year. Instead of everyone being caught up in their own blogs and own stats and own lives, she wanted to get everyone involved to give gifts to each other for the Christmas season! I thought that was genius so I decided I'd participate. I was actually paired with Amanda and although I don't know her very well, picking out her gift was so fun!! It was kind of a guessing game but I'm hoping what I gave her will be put to good use.

And like I mentioned a minute ago, she was paired with me so she got me a gift as well. This gift-giving happened a few weeks ago so I'm a little late blogging this, but better late than never! She got me some awesome organic tea, some handmade soap, a Sight & Sound Theaters album, some candy, and a pair of beautiful earrings. Forgive me if I'm leaving anything out. There was a ton of stuff in that box. I was so excited when I received it. Christmas is the best. :)

Here are pictures of a few of the gifts I got. :D Thanks again, Amanda!

Welcome to 2012

How weird is that? 2012. It's the year I graduate, the year I hopefully have a vacation for the first time in a while, the year of my 18th birthday, the year I get accepted (maybe) into college, the year I end one phase of life and start another. 

I am not usually one to get excited about the new year. I don't make resolutions and I usually don't have plans so instead I stay in my room most of the night. And that's okay sometimes but it's also good to get out. I often find myself feeling safe inside my house, my room, and I tell myself I'd rather be alone, but that's not true. Life likes to fight you and turn what could potentially be an amazing day into one where you feel sorry for yourself. That's something I struggle with each and every day but am aware of, too. I have something to live for and it's to share life with others, not with myself.

Thankfully, I got to spend time with some incredible people last night and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Me and about nine others went up to the parkway around 10:00 p.m. and enjoyed the night we were given. We drew with chalk, laid on cars to watch shooting stars, drank cider, jumped up and down to music, and I don't know about everyone else, but I quietly thanked the Lord for the people I was with.

I didn't see the ball drop but was instead looking into a vast, brilliant sky, huddled with friends. There's nothing better than that. So cheers to this year and a fresh start. I pray I follow the Lord's path for me and let him guide me so that I can live the fulfilled life I was meant for.

 
Here are a few of my favorite photos from the night. Photo props to Kari and her camera. :)