god, i am going to miss this place. it's bittersweet. i'm going to miss the familiarity. the faces of the people i've come to know. the coffee and bleary morning eyes.

this has been the most difficult semester of college so far. i just feel like there's not enough time to get anything done. i knew i shouldn't have overloaded (5.25 units = 21 credit hours) while taking thesis. ah, well. the crying and the stress will be over in a few weeks time.

classes i will be taking for my final semester in college:

1. ceramics II
2. women's health
3. ethics (rights & wrongs)
5. cultural anthropology
6. rock climbing


i can't wait to throw again...!
picking glazes is really fun, too.

don't lose sight of the things that are important.

things i am grateful for
+ our new kitty, Pig

+ my wonderful parents, who i got to go home and see this past weekend

+ the big beautiful plant at the foot of my bed, which is the first thing i see in the mornings

+ nice companions. brita especially.


 things i am looking forward to
+ seeing my HONEYbear over thanksgiving break

+ paying only $155 total for flights to and from alabama on said break (75 there, 80 coming back.... the cheapest flights i have ever heard of in my life).

+ getting on top of this semester. it's gonna happen!

+ being able to read books that are not for class

"ACCIO PASSING GRADE!"
- Brita

 

W O R K   H A R D .

p l a y   h a r d .

skype is.... one of the best things that has ever been invented.

i just bought a new pair of dark skinny jeans (my favorites are starting to get holey) and this necklace for only $17.56. i love free shipping!

my friend (and housemate) brita and i are eating only non-processed foods for as long as we can. starting tomorrow.

i love nutrition. it's one of my favorite things. that's not to say i don't eat junk because i do, and fairly often. i don't believe in denying yourself things but i do believe in moderation.

a few tips for eating healthy:

1. drink lOts of water! and green tea, if you can.
2. the majority of the food you eat during the day should be fruits & vegetables. out of this, 60% should be veggies and 40% fruit. people often eat more fruit than vegetables because they are sweet.
3. use salad plates for meals instead of dinner plates. they are more accurate in portion sizes.
4. fill your plate half full with veggies when eating a meal.
5. cook with olive oil - it's an easy way to get your omega-3's for the day. other sources: flaxseeds, fish, avocados, tofu, soy products.
6. eat yogurt for good bacteria to aid in digestion.
7. use spices and herbs to flavor food instead of using salt. it's fun to experiment and food is much tastier... not to mention it's easier on your blood pressure!
8. ideas for snacks: a handful of nuts, a fruit & some cheese (i like red grapes or an apple with skim mozzarella), whole-grain toast with crunchy peanut butter on top, yogurt fruit smoothie, a cup of sugar snap peas or carrots.
9. make salads fun. add something sweet, something salty, and something tangy for flavor. i like a spinach salad with turkey, sliced almonds, strawberries, and feta cheese drizzled with a little balsamic dressing.

my goals for this semester:
- eat more fish! more fish!!!!
- drink green tea often
- take my multivitamin every day
- greens every day
- make food in bulk early in the week

go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
as far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
if you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
but let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

be yourself.
especially, do not feign affection.
neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
but do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


you are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
and whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
with all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

be cheerful.
strive to be happy. 



- "desiderata", max ehrmann

wish i had time to read for pleasure during the semester.

to read:

1. the god of small things / arundhati roy
2. girl with the dragon tattoo / steig larsson
3. the lost conspiracy / frances hardinge
4. a long way down / nick hornby
5. the mermaid chair / sue monk kidd