Music to My Ears

Three of my favorite things have come together.  Taylor Swift + the Civil Wars + the Hunger Games = a hauntingly perfect new song for the movie coming out in March.  I just can't stop hitting repeat.  Sigh.

Can I Get an Amen?

I want to be a woman quiet in spirit. I want to be a woman seen for her good heart not her appearance. I want to be known as a servant. I want to listen and be heard. I want to be a woman that is kind. I want to be a woman after God’s own heart.

source

Spiritual Musings

This post will probably be a bit scatterbrained, but I have so much on my heart that I'm bursting to share. The Lord, my beautiful Redeemer, has taught me new and glorious truths about Himself  this past semester.  One of the biggest things He's taught me, through various sources, is that my deepest desires (romance, beauty, wisdom) are part of a "nostalgic longing" (Tim Keller's words, not mine), a longing for our pre-Fall perfect relationship with the Lord.  In his sermon, "The Wounded Spirit," Keller says we long for something we remember but have never really had.  For example, in looking for love we are looking for arms that will hold us that we remember but we've never really had.  Those arms are not the arms of our soulmate, not in the sense of a significant other but THE significant other, the only One that will truly complete us.  I've been comforted in the knowledge that my desires for romance and beauty (among many other things) point to my desire for the Lord.  And I can experience His presence everyday through prayer and Scripture.  Psalm 16:11.  I don't have to wait a single second to be with Him.  He never leaves us.  How cool is that?!  My prayer has become, "Lord, the next time I look to some person, thing or idea to complete me, draw my eyes to You instead."

This has fanned the flame of my fire for Christ.  He has completely retuned my heart to pray for more of Him. To allow me to see Him and experience His love in fresh ways.  He has taught me, through the book Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman, to trust less in my feelings and emotions. Instead, when I face moments of overwhelming anxiety, joy, pain, fear, inadequacy and helplessness to cling to His truth.  That He accepts me because of His greatness, not because of anything I do.  His acceptance overcomes my doubts about my inadequacy and that even in the midst of heartache and even happiness I will depend on Him and rest in His sufficiency, not my own.  As Freeman writes, "Jesus is the radical, absolutely complete, living answer to all our if-onlys and if-I-could-justs.  His unwaverying, unchanging, unconditional love and acceptance of us is what we are really looking for."  As I wrote earlier, everything we long for points back to Jesus and there is beauty and freedom in understanding that because this realization will hopefully lead to a life in pursuit of Christ instead of unattainable worldly pleasures.

Desire - Phil Wickham

Cutest Holiday Video

Oh, I just love Brooks Brothers.  Especially when they make cute holiday videos such as this.  

Paper Writing Playlist

As every other college student, I am a master of procrastination.  Today I spent half an hour making a playlist to listen to as I write a paper.  Instead of actually writing the paper I decided my time would be better spent making a playlist with music that would inspire me to write better (ok, let’s be honest, I just need it to inspire me to keep writing). So that I could procrastinate even longer, I’ve decided to share a sample of it with y’all.  Disclaimer: it’s pretty eclectic.  Happy studying/paper writing!

http://open.spotify.com/user/121661868/playlist/4qE5mq02BpUZ6PL8M6MW3L

One Direction Obsessin

I have a confession.  I've been keeping a secret for the past couple months.  I've been withholding valuable information, if you will.  I am in love. But, not just with anyone.  I'm in love with the British boy band, One Direction.  Not only are their songs catchy and just plain wonderful, but they are the epitome of adorable.  And their hair.  I just swoon thinking about it.  My house is OBSESSED.  We each have a favorite (hands off Liam, he's mine, btdubs) and we plan on seeing them when they come to America next semester.  It'll be the best British import to hit our fair nation since the Beatles.  But really.  

Our house loves nothing more than turning up this song and dancing around like maniacs.  We even forced our friends to play it at a dance party at the beginning of the year.  Try not to hit replay 100 times.  That's right.  You can't.

Play this one if you're feeling a little more emotional.  I like to think they're singing it to me.  And let's be real, they probably are.  And can we just talk about how dreamy they are again?  And their style.  Sigh. P.S. Liam's the one in the blue shirt with the fabulous hair.

I know what you're thinking.  A little cheesy.  Yes.  But that just makes me love em more.  I like to think of them as Justin Bieber times five with talent.  Oh and here is a collage I made for our house yesterday...

Jealous?  You should be.

Thought for the Day

source

This is something I need to remind myself on a daily basis.  I have a problem with giving up control. I don't like doing it.  I'm scared that if I'm not in control, God won't give me what I want and I'll be unhappy and lonely.  But this is just not true. And in reality, my manipulating and scheming and expectations only end up disappointing and devastating me. I am in bondage to the futility and frustration that comes with my plans.  But there is hope.  Everywhere in Scripture is God's promise that He is in control.  Psalm 139:16.  Ephesians 3:20.  And not only is God in control, but He can and will do better for us than we can even imagine for ourselves.  So my challenge is for you to recklessly abandon your plans and schemes and manipulations and rest in God's plan for you.  I dare you.

Fire & Dynamite

"You are a novel in a sea of magazines
You make me nervous, You make my heart beat
You are red in a sea of black and white
You are a fire, you are dynamite"

Listen to the rest here

source

Blog Frenzy

If you know me, you know I'm an avid blogger, especially when I'm supposed to be doing something more important, such as listening in class or writing a paper.  Here are some recent finds that j'adore and you should to (but probably only if you're a girl). 

This one speaks to my heart and soul:  

http://fastpray.wordpress.com

These 2 are pure whimsy, romance and delight: 

http://zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com

http://matchbookmag.tumblr.com (this is Matchbook Magazine's blog, if you don't know what that is, check it out, you won't be disappointed!)

This one combines my love for my two favorite cities:

http://cvilletochucktown.tumblr.com/

This is my favorite wedding blog (and I know I've sworn off it for the month, but that doesn't mean yall have to):

http://iloveswmag.com/

Alright that should be enough to occupy your time for now.  Happy blogging.

Halloweekend Recap

This weekend was full of fall fun but it was such a blur.  So much to be done.  So little time.  So college.

Not only was it Halloweekend, but it was also Parents' Weekend at UVa as well.  Who decided that was a good idea?! 

Friday consisted of breakfast at Pigeon Hole with the one and only Hailie Durrett (one of my good friend's best friend from Texas who is just too cool for school, click on her name and check out her blog...puts mine to shame).  In the afternoon my parents arrived and we went to the Ring Ceremony, which made me feel old.  But I also received my class ring (which I'm OBSESSED with and now sport all day errryday)!!!  Woohooo, growing up.  Friday night I did not join the hoards of college students dressing up because it was SLEETING?!  And I do NOT do cold weather, especially winter mixes.

Saturday I spent with my fam, dining at Michie Tavern for lunch and touring Monticello in the afternoon.  It was very cold but we still braved wandering the grounds amongst the glorious fall beauty.  That evening we went to the Virginia Gentlemen concert.  My parents loved it.  Oh, UVa.  I love you.  Then I rushed home, put the finishing touches on my sole Halloween costume and went to a dance party to celebrate the holiday.  My house went as a lunch box and I was the oreo (obviously, me and my sweet tooth...).  It was a hit to say the least. 

 Ahhh, Charlottesville.

 Monticello.

 Posing with Sarah Palin.

 The best shot of my costume from the night.

Sunday consisted of going to church with my parents, brunch at the Tavern and napping and homework for the rest of the day.  

Monday was actually Halloween so what better way to celebrate than Trick or Treat on the Lawn? It is probably the GREATEST UVa fall tradition.  So many cute kids in the most creative costumes all invading the majestic Lawn.  And I got to take the kid that I tutor around to all the Lawn rooms to get candy which was so fun.  It was quite an experience, teaching him to say trick-or-treat and making him his first s'more. Later that evening, our friends came over and ended the day by carving pumpkins together.  My team carved a hipster pumpkin and it was awesome, if I do say so myself.

Why Don't People Dance Like This Anymore?

I wish this was how people danced nowadays, not just on film but in real life too.  It is not even that they are as technically flawless as the dancers you see on So You Think You Can Dance.  It is more about Fred and Ginger's charisma and charm.  It is the way they carry themselves and their effortlessness.  I swoon as I watch them dance.  Aaaaaaand it makes me want to dust off my tap shoes and find a partner. Move over Ginger, I wanna dance with Fred.

A montage of the greats, including Cary Grant, Gene Kelly, Cyd Charise, etc.:

A modern homage to the greats (I want to learn this, perhaps over winter break when I have endless free time):

Let's start a movement to bring this dance style back to life.  Who's with me???

Christmas in October

Ok, I am not one of those crazy Christmas obbessed people.  Yeah, if you're reading this I know who you are and I know your kind.  I don't start listening to Christmas music in July, I don't have a countdown, I don't start buying Christmas gifts in March.  Don't get me wrong, I love the holiday.  I love the significance of Jesus coming into our broken world in human form.  I love when we sing Christmas carols at church.  I love the secular parts too, the decorations, the songs, the festive parties, the overall holiday cheer.  But I love it from Thanksgiving to Christmas.   Not really before or after.  I htink by overcelebrating we become desensitzed to it, or at least I do.  HOWEVER, today Matt Wertz released his Christmas album.  And I've unashamedly had it on repeat this afternoon as I procrastinate on paper-writing.  It's the best one since Dave Barnes' in my humble humble opinion, and it's much better than Justin Bieber's sorry excuse for a Christmas song in which he compares following his heart to the wise men following the star.  Pathetic.  You can listen to the Matt Wertz album, Snow Globe HERE.  You're welcome.  Use this as an excuse to embrace Christmas in October for just today.

Conviction

Whew.  What a day.  So basically I had this whole wedding post planned out for today.  And then something happened.  I went to church and heard this sermon:  http://mail.trinitycville.org/mp3files/TPC-20111023-GT.m3u.  It is incredible and I highly recommend taking some time out of your day to listen to it.  Greg Thompson is such a gifted speaker.  Anyway, the message really really really convicted me about where my heart is and how I live my life.  I won't go into too much detail, but I am just really looking into my heart and my faith and struggling with God about certain things.  I don't think it's a bad thing at all but it is definitely a hard, real thing.  One of the things I'm coming to terms with is how much I idolize wanting a relationship with a guy.  And one of the things that feeds that desire is my obsession with wedding blogs and videos and photos.  Don't worry, I do NOT have a wedding planned out for myself, but I do look at them and idealize and idolize marriage and romantic love and that's the problem.  So I am going to take a break from my wedding obsession.  My goal is for a month.  Then perhaps I will share the post that I meant to post today.  The wait will be worth it.  No worries.

Also, I'm going to work on memorizing this psalm.  If anyone wants to do it with me we can be accountability partners!  Any takers???

    O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

        my soul thirsts for you;

    my flesh faints for you,

        as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

    So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

        beholding your power and glory.

    Because your steadfast love is better than life,

        my lips will praise you.

    So I will bless you as long as I live;

        in your name I will lift up my hands.

    My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

        and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

    when I remember you upon my bed,

        and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

    for you have been my help,

        and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

    My soul clings to you;

        your right hand upholds me.

    But those who seek to destroy my life

        shall go down into the depths of the earth;

    they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

        they shall be a portion for jackals.

    But the king shall rejoice in God;

        all who swear by him shall exult,

        for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

(Psalm 63 ESV)

Fall Break

Y'all, last week (ok two weeks ago, I'm very late in posting this) I had the most wonderful fall break.  It was the first time I didn't go home for it. And as much I missed my family (especially my mom's cooking) it was such a perfect time spent with housemates and friends exploring Charlottesville and doing fun activities we don't have time for with classes and homework and extracurriculars.  Unfortunately I was so busy having fun that I didn't take many pictures.  So I'll just tell ya all about it.

For me, break started Thursday (no Friday classes!!).  I spent some time with my dad in the afternoon because he was picking up Kim to go home.  We went to Sweet Frog, my absolute favorite frozen yogurt place.  Then a couple friends and I went to see the play, Parade, that Lindsay was in.  It was phenomenal.  And it was great seeing her doing what she loves.  Jessie and I ended the evening at a crazy fun dance party.  And this was just the first day of break.

Friday:  No classes!!  I spent the afternoon in a garden with Lindsay and Anna.  We napped, snacked on bread ends and house dressing and rolled down a hill.  A perfect afternoon, if I do say so myself.  Then Friday night Jessie and I went to the men's soccer game where they beat undefeated Maryland.  A GREAT game.  Next we went to Wal-Mart to shop for crafting supplies (fun Friday night, woooohooo).  Obviously, we went straight home to craft with our friend Hilary.  Oh and watched Shakespeare in Love to top it off.

Saturday:  Lindsay took us to a resevoir near her house (she's from Cville) and we spent the afternoon canoeing in seclusion.  It was a gorgeous day and there was no better way to spend it then basking in the Lord's creation.  That night, Jessie and I took some friends to a drive-in movie about an hour away (mini-roadtrip!).  Oh and we stopped at Sonic for dinner on the way, of course.  We saw the Help which I've been wanting to see for awhile, which was a bonus.  Then we came home and crafted some more.

My craft:

Sunday:  Yet another beautiful day.  I woke up and went to church then had lunch with a lovely friend at Bellair Market (one of my favorite places to eat in Cville).  I spent the rest of the day working and hanging out with friends.

Monday:  Had a lazy day of homework and then that evening went with some friends and housemates to Lindsay's house for a BONFIRE (one of my favorite things...I love nothing more than having the scent of a bonfire in my hair and clothes afterward).  We nommed smores and banana boats, played on her trampoline and hung out with her beautiful family.

The Best Kind of Therapy

Who needs therapy when you can drive around in your car and belt this at the top of your lungs?

For da ladies

So I know this quote is borderline cheesy.  But I don't care.  I think every girl needs to be reminded of this.  At least if you're anything like me.

A Cappella Fellas (and some ladies)

I started this post about 2 weeks ago.  And am just now finishing it.  How embarrassing is that?

Who doesn't love a cappella music?  Or more accurately, what self-respecting UVA student doesn't appreciate a cappella music, groups, concerts, etc?  They will forever be ingrained upon the UVA culture.  Here are some of my favorite a cappella songs/groups.

1) Ok, so maybe not a UVA group, but hey, I don't discriminate when it comes to this genre of music.

Southern Girl - Clef Hangers

2) My favorite female group at UVA (I may be biased since one of my friends is in it). Beautifully haunting.

You Lost me -Virginia Belles

3) They are the boy band (or better yet, the Justin Bieber because that is a way more relevant reference to illustrate the kind of effect they have on girls) of UVA.  Note, all the screaming girls.

Always Be My Baby - Hullabahoos

4) They best represent the class and tradition of UVA.  Probably my favorite of the UVA male groups.  Also, probably biased.  It was really hard for me to choose one video.  And then I remembered it's my blog and I do what I want.  

Sweet Caroline and King of Wishful Thinking - Virginia Gentlemen

Nommings

So Thursday night I made these and they were oh so nommable.  I followed the recipe exactly with one little exception.  I used a dark pan and I have a really old oven that gets super hot so I only cooked them for 20 minutes.  I would definitely recommend checking them every so often to make sure that they don't burn because mine definitely would have had I baked them any longer.  Watch out because they are supah rich and incredibly delicious.  Try not to eat the whole pan yourself ;).

The finished (half-eaten) product.

Watch This

The imagery and sentiment captured in this video are beautifully moving.  Words won't do the video justice, so just watch it. 

Giving Thanks

Lately, I've felt spiritually apathetic.  I've had a hard time wanting to put effort into my relationship with God because of some things I have gone through in the past month.  But Wednesday night I began going to my friend's discipleship group (which was AMAZING, by the way) and I was just really convicted by my apathy and my great need for relationship with the Lord.  So even though I was exhausted last night I remembered a conversation I had over lunch with a friend about how hard it is just getting back into the Word and journaling, but how it is so worth it, so I just did it.  And y'all, last night my journaling was drastically different than any of my past journaling.  Wanna know why?  Because instead of complaining about my lame problems, I THANKED God for all the blessings He gave me during the day.  And instead of feeling miserable after journaling and feeling even more sucked into my self-pity vortex, I felt so blessed and loved by the Lord.  Instead of focusing on myself, I focused on Him and that made all the difference.  If you're reading this and are currently feeling spiritually dry, I hope this is an encouragement.  You can get out of the pit, but only by focusing on God, not on yourself.  I'll end this post with a really convicting quote that I've heard recently.  "What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for today?"

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Psalm 34:4

Procrastination

So, I should be reading about Southern politics and/or Uncle Tom's Cabin right now.  However, I just read an entire book for another class so I'm taking a break and blogging for the first time in weeks.  I am determined from here on out to be better about it so here it goes. Hmm, where've I heard that before?

1)  My house has been obsessed with this song of the past couple weeks.  It's so good and the part where she changes keys...GENIUS.  Beyonce can pretty much do no wrong in my opinion.

2)  If you know me even a little bit you know that I am weirdly obsessed with weddings.  No, I'm not in a serious relationship right now so I have absolutely no need to be even considering getting married but hey, I like what I like and like is an understatement for my obsessive wedding blog stalking.  I saw this wedding today and died a little bit.  For me I think the best part is the PINKBERRY FRO-YO BAR at the reception.  Add that to the inspiration list for my future wedding.

Click this link for the reception (complete with Pinkberry) and this one for the actual wedding.  Both are GOURGEOIS.

And So Third Year Begins...Almost

Once again I have horribly neglected my blog.  My excuse is that I've been busy getting back in the swing of things at UVA (as you can note by the fact I am no longer posting how many days of summer have passed).  But really I am just anxious about writing new posts.  I worry that nothing I have to say is interesting or that there are so many better blogs out there that you could be reading than mine.  Which is kind of analogous to my life in general; I'm always comparing myself to others and coming up short and shying away from attention I don't think I deserve.  But hey, that's enough of a pity party for one post.  So I'll write about the upcoming school year instead.  I'm nervous.  As per usual.  I'm just a good old-fashioned worry wart.  Right now, I'm seriously considering changing my concentration within my major which is kind of a big change for me.  I just see my career path going in a different direction (from social media something or other to hopefully working for somewhere like the Charleston Historical Foundation).  So I want to change from popular culture to southern studies which would be so much more useful for living in Charleston or New Orleans (my dream cities).  But I still love popular culture so I'm torn.  I want to make the right decision but I don't believe that there is one right choice.  It's more of what you do with your choice that matters, which really doesn't help me make a choice, whew.  So if you have any advice for me then just comment away.  Also, I know there are a few struggles that I have every semester that I am going to have to face again (and am dreading) and I will need a lot of patience to deal with them.  Unfortunately for me I'm the Impatient Queen.  But this poem really helps me in times when I'm frustrated and anxious.  So here it is, enjoy.

Wait
by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait." 

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. 
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign. 
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply." 
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?" 
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you."So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

Tealightful

Day 83


So today I had the most wonderful of days and I can't wait to blog all about it.  Today, my wonderful friend Lisa took my sister, Kim, one of my best friends, Mary Anna and me to a tea room for lunch.  And let me tell y'all, it was the most whimsical, charming and lovely place I've been to in the Roanoke area.  You walk in and there is just the most darling gift shop and then the dining area is quiant as can be.  And the tea and food are exceptional to boot.  Kim and I split an iced tea called Summer Stroll that was delightful. For lunch, I nommed a cranberry and almondine chicken salad that came with warm bread and honey to dip that in. Kim's lunch came with a key lime and white chocolate chip cookie.  Yum and a half.  For dessert, we all split a warm blueberry scone served with fruit and whipped cream.  It was just a gem of a place hidden kind of in the middle of nowhere.  If any of you ever find yourselves in Botetourt County, make sure you check this place out.  It has an irresistable je ne sais quoi.  We plan on making our way back over winter break for tea and scones.  P.S. Did I mention that Michael Buble was playing in the background the ENTIRE time.  Perfection.

Mmm tea

teas galore

the Tea Tavern

the beautiful group

The Little Things

Day 91

The other day I was just thinking about how much the little things in our lives add up to overflowing joy in our lives.  For instance for me it's things such as waking up before my alarm clock, wearing a new outfit for the first time, quality quiet time with the Lord, riding around with the windows down and belting out songs at the top of my lungs (crazy dance moves included), homemade frosting, snow falling silently at night, inside jokes, tan lines, brunch, old family photos, babies' hands, being tossed around by the ocean, purusing grocery stores, boys in bowties, reuniting with friends after summer break and so many more.  Also this blog that I discovered several months ago has the best ones ever.  Some of my faves are:

Play These on Repeat

Day 82

1) Easy - Rascal Flatts feat. Natasha Bedingfield

2) Stereo Hearts - Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine

3) La Vie en Rose - Louis Armstrong

P.S.  This song has inspired me to change the name of my blog.

4) Run - Matt Nathanson and Sugarland

5) Who's That Girl - Guy Sebastian