epic.

so i was in party city today buying..

this snazzy little light up tiara for new years eve. and this employee creepo approaches and says something like "thats a stellar tiara youve got there." i go with the generic reply "i know, right?!" he then proceeds to ask what im doing for new years. i say "oh my friends and i have rented a cabin on lake martin for new years eve." "EPIC" says the employee creepo.

so im getting pumped for this "epic" new years eve. i have packed my ski jacket, uggs, and tabagon since are planning to light up a fire and make s'mores, and take in that fresh wilderness 40 degree air. hope everyone has a wonderful new years eve. get ready yall.. 2010 is gunna be a good one! my fortune cookie even said so, and if that aint proof i just dont know what is..

blogs, blogging, bloggers.

blogs are weird to me. i make it a goal to update mine regularly (and hey, 4 posts in 4 days..) but why? why do i feel like posting my life on the internet suddenly adds significance, and why am i SO ADDICTED to reading everyone else's? thank you to all my (maybe 9) thoughtful readers! you have faithfully stuck with me through my dilemma of picking out the right heart rate monitor, have seen our christmas tree a million times, and can now picture me sipping out of my new mug while writing down everything i want to do in my life before i die. i REALLY do APPRECIATE all my readers, but lets face it some of my days are far less than interesting.

in my blog research (sounds better than blog stalking, right?) i have concluded that blogs provide an accepting listening ear. blogs seem to say "oh hey, that mediocre day you just had..tell me about it, and uhh add a picture if i will let you" or "hey, breakups are hell, tell me about it" or even "yeah i want YOUR opinion on this issue" just think of what all the blog world has seen. its crazy, everything from beautiful babies, crafts, photos, family vacations, and triumphs to fears, loneliness, despair and heartbreak. why are blogs an escape? why in this white box is it easy to write and organize all your thoughts? why is it hard sometimes to think of anything to say?

in summary, my thoughts on blogs: they are weird. how can the button "publish post" be such a satisfying comfort? blogs are also wonderful. ideas, emotions, and people are shared through these accounts of life. so thanks blogger, thanks for giving us all a place to vent, a place to share, a way to encourage, and a way to relate to others without even knowing them. and lastly, thanks for all those talented blogger's whose blogs inspire.

2 more additional comments about this blog post:
1. this post happened because i read multiple blogs in a row tonight that had similar stories. each blog "author" was an irregular blogger that seemingly only posted after something upsetting happened, and so i got to thinking about why they chose this as the way to vent. and the thoughts and questions continued.. (can you tell im a psychologist in the making?)

2. it is night time. (11:23 pm) i tend to get into deeper thought at night, and a teensy bit more emotional. so if my wording started sounding a little dramatic, i blame it on the p.m.

heart rate curiosity.

i am hooked on spin class. over the break i have been doing as many classes with my dad as i can, and i make a good many because my agenda for the break is fairly low key. (and by fairly i mean VERY) but, i am now addicted, maybe i have a "spinning high" similar to a "runner's high" but i am borderline obsessed with this indoor cycling. tomorrow staley (and i would tag her blog if i knew how) is coming with me, and im really excited! she took spin this last semester at Samford and says she really misses it. i see why, girl!

now that i am going to spin regularly, i really want a heart rate monitor. when the instructor says you should be at "85% of your maximum heart rate" i want to know am i really at 85%? or does it just feel like it because im huffing and puffing like i'm about to collapse? i think i would have a better workout if i could see my results. and also, when this "spinning high" wears off, maybe this new exercise accessory will keep me motivated! sad, but true.. i get a new pair of exercise shorts and suddenly the urge to do another 5k has come! i know the heart rate monitor would be the same way.

ive been researching what kind i want, only they are slightly pricey.

one like this could do..

but there is a cuter one in pink or green i really have my eye on.

for now, im going to experiment with on my dad has, and decide if it is something i will actually use after i purchase it!

spirit.

this is one of my favorite christmas presents i got this year. it was a surprise, and i LOVE mugs. really i love any source for holding a beverage other than your plain jane cup. wine glasses, mugs, travel mugs, etc. are all favs.

this mug says: the world is full of people who will go their whole lives and not actually live one day. she did not intend on being one of them.

dayyy-um straight i wont. what could be better than an inspirational mug saying to enjoy the rich goodness of life? not much in my book.

now, excuse me while i go sip from my new mug.

to all: enjoy this life, and LIVE! ..and this concludes my motivational speech.

christmas.

christmas is over. the day after christmas is the worst day of the year, i think. going downstairs and seeing the mess of the living room with new goodies and tid bits of wrapping paper is so sad, because all the giddy anticipation is over. yes, even as a 20 year old i experienced a bit of this today. to end this depressing note, i had a great christmas with my family. my mom said it felt like it was a "grown up christmas" for me, and i think she is right. each year it becomes less and less about the presents, and more about the spirit of christmas, family, comfort, and love. to quote jamie myers, "i think i am transitioning into adulthood fairly well" haha!

but now that christmas is over new years is left to look forward to! as a goal-oriented person i love this holiday. its like a clean slate, a new beginining, a fresh start, etc. basically its amazingness. its refereshing to be able to think about a whole new year. and i have a good feeling about 2010. i wont go into deatils, as many of the reasons i have such high hopes for this year are solely based on susperstition. (ex: 201o is an even year, divisible by 5 (my fav number)) yesss, im a fuhhh-reak, i get this obsession from my mother.

last photos of christmas '09:

disney village set out by the fireplace!

about the 75th photo taken of the Lester family christmas tree '09.

my aunt got us reindeer antlers. shockingly enough, this photo ranks in the top of favorite family pics.

hope everyone had a wonderful christmas, and is having a relaxing break. i know i will have to adjust when i am expected to do more than sleep till 10, and watch 90210 all day long. but i will enjoy it for now!

big fan.

This post is dedicated to things i am a "big fan" of.

1. Antropologie: Has always been a favorite of the over priced stores. Lately, I have been in to not just their clothing but the style of the entire store (down to the way the store is decorated for Christmas).

2. Jogging: This used to be a hobby of mine, but I gave it up for about 4 or so years. Now, I have enjoyed picking the hobby back up again. I ran the Jingle Bell Fun Run with a friend last Saturday, and it was so fun (everyone was decked out for Christmas and wore jingle bells on their shoes). It was my first race over 2 miles, and I was excited because one of my goals I made for sophomore year was actually accomplished. Forget the goals to shower before class, keep my room clean, etc. You can't when them all, and thats what resolutions for 2010 is for!

3. Yeah, ladies you are welcome. I'm a big fan of him because um, how could you not be?
4. This man's work is incredible. If you want to see a demonstration of someone who found their professional calling, look no further! I have recently had a slight obsession with his show "My Fair Wedding". Love him.
5. Had to do it. I have always been a Bama fan, but now that I am a student too I feel much more passionate about the team. Congrats to them for the SEC win, and I am so excited for watching the National Championship.

Other things I am a big fan of: using the phrase "big fan", the book "the 10 women you'll be before you are 35", christmas lights, mugs, my new white phone cover (the plum was ugly), nice store employees, barnes and noble, trying new things, attempting to cook, and baths.

happy holidays everyone!!

its beginning to look a lot like christmas!

tree decorating+ white christmas= 2 of my favorite things. we watched this classic as we decorated this year!

small white tree in my room! i have had an obsession with the white trees this year. i think they are too cute. other obsessions of the season include: mixing brown and black together (if its the right shade of brown), flowers (on anything), and edge of desire (#9 on john mayer's battle studies)

another view, with the snowflakes/ ornaments hanging from my lights!

red/white themed tree with at the ives! roll tide roll babyy!!

its the most wonderful time of the year! hope everyone is having a great week. we are already halfway through!

oh by gosh by goly.

its time for mistletoe and holly.

hope everyone had a great thanksgiving! thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. this is why: 1. food is delicious 2. spirit of thankfulness 3. all the family comes over 4. my aunt gives us a "holiday basket" s (this makes my year) 5. IT KICKS OFF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

little tallulah asleep, tired from all the attention!

my absoulte favorite flower. love these fresh cut.
gift from the basket, love these!!
all the ladies in the fam over thanksgiving!

the day after thanksgiving we broke tradition (something i am not usually a fan of) but, we did not go shopping on black friday. well, we didnt go early.. we still went to pick out our christmas tree and i got a white tree. i don't know why i am so fascinated with the white trees this year, but i'm loving them! [picture to come]

merry christmas, happy holidays.

countdowns.

Turkey day is only 9 days away! More exciting- only 6 school days. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Our family comes over for the afternoon and we eat a late lunch. This year I have asked my mom if I can be responsible for one of the desserts. She is hesitant to lend me this respsonsibility out of fear of this being one of my "bees in the bonnet". We will see, I am no Paula D.

Countdown #2: Exactly 1 month till our family trip till our trip to Opryland in Nashville! (I tried to upload a pic of this but it would not work).

Happy Monday. On the note of countdowns, 4 days till the weekend, ha!

in repair, i'm not together..but i'm gettin there.

so these thoughful words taken from mr. mayer describe perfectly a chair rennovation that is being done for my room in ttown. props to my mother who has chosen to reupholster the chair herself.

sorry, i did not get a good picture of the front of the chair. we found this at my grandmother's house this summer and i loved it, but obviously it is dated. instead of the pink fabric, now it will be green! yay, im excited to see how it will look when finished. shout out to mom, GO MOTHER! see, this is one of those projects i would so ambitiously start and fail to finish. (i will post pics when it is finished!)

the title of this post serves two meanings. one- the chair is in repair. two-the use of john mayer's lyrics leads me to say i am SO excited about seeing him in concert on feb. 9!! i can't wait, and i am also excited for the release of his new album. Love john, love him..

now, i have to work on school work..so i can take a break and decorate the apartment tonight with rooms for Christmas. magic 96.5 is already playing the tunes, abc family is showing their original holiday movies, and im in the spirit!

have a great week everyone.

accomplished.

i feel accomplished this weekend. not in school work of course, but christmas decor is making progress. my mother and i went shopping this morning and bought some supplies, and tonight i finished my first christmas craft! it was simple, but as always took longer than i expected! tomorrow i am taking our tree back to ttown can't wait to decorate with the roommate!

i formed the cone shaped christmas tree out of cardstock, and decorated the tree with patterned scrapbooking paper. finishing touch: buttons and tree topper! my plan is to make two more, put them on a mirrored candle holder, and put some snow around them!

couldnt resist. while shopping this morning we found this pet santa suit at the dollar tree. it fits talullah perfectly, and it was only a buck!! we also got some snow flake wine glasses, such a sucker for those!

tonight was dinner with staley. it was sooo good to see her, how i have missed her! we went to jacksons in homewood, which was tasty tasty. after dinner we went to none other than...yogurt mountain! i love yogurt mountain, a little too much. one opened in tuscaloosa last weekend and i went friday, sat, AND sunday. oh well, its delicious..cant help it.

random notes: school work is overwhelming, i am "training" (loose term) for a 5k, i went to the chiropractor friday and loved it, i cant believe i am saying this but i am kinda ready for the cold weather to set it, and lastly.. there is no place like home, warms my soul.

happy weekend everyone!

fall is my favorite.

fall. fall is officially my favorite. i love everything about it. the cool mornings, breezy afternoons, football, leaves changing, long sleeve t-shirts. like i said, everything.

a sidenote. i saw the most beautiful sunset i have ever seen last night on my way back to tuscaloosa. it brought tears to my eyes, i feel as though i often see God through nature. His creation facinates me, it is so much bigger than mankind (or atleast I) can comprehend.

i will be 20 friday. i think i will devote a blogpost to this specifically later in the week.

professional napper. yes, this is what i have decided to major in, let me just go swing by the new college and formulate my own degree. i can tell you, i would be the best in the business.

peanut butter is officially off my diet now. i have put a stop to my addiction to this wonderful peanutty substance. i will still eat it on rare occasions, but will not keep it in the apartment. i feel better, i ate wayyy to much of that junk.

my mother bought me a christmas deocration this past weekend, it was so cute. i am already so excited for the holidays, ready to decorate and celebrate. bring on the magic.

until next time.

wonderful wednesday picture post.

for my lack of pictures yesterday i will make up for it in this post, since i have no serious profound thoughts today. shocker, i know.

this was the five, before our last choir tour at saint mark umc. forever and ever friends.

me and staley this summer at celebration sunday. miss her and absolutely can not wait to see her this weekend and for our picture taking date. she is so talented, all her pics are great!

me and rooms on the first day of school. (the only day i actually showered before class, falling down on that goal) loves her!

my sister and me at our back to school photo shoot. cant put in words how much i miss her.

this are some random pics for a random post.

life as a student.

school has started back. what does this mean? adjustment and lots and lots of reading.

my spaghetti brain:
-i hate speaking in front of people.
-smoking is nasty.
-i make this (almost healthy) desert every night. (2 slighty melted sugar free fudge-sicles swirled around in ice cream form..add a little peanut butter and you are set) i think im in love.
-post grad, the movie..sucks. dont go see it.
-i found johnathan clay on i-tunses, i dig him.
-i have succeeded in some of my sophomore goals such as checking my email and i am now obsessed with it.
-im giving up buying clothes for the time being.
-mail makes my day.
-No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetthing the past and looking forward to what lis ahead. I press on to the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14.
-i can't wait for Christmas.
-i hope everyone is having a great week!

rainy day reflections

as usual i have not posted in a while but i am going to use this post as a way to clear my head, and "jot down" random topics i have been doing some thinking on.

i went to see julie&julia today. or is it julia&julie..either way j&j was a great movie. it was uplifiting to see these women enjoy their talents. (also, a blog was a huge component of the movie, which obviously motivated me to post again).

speaking of movies..that might be my hobby. there's something unbeatable about going to a theater and abandoning yourself and becoming so engrossed in the character's lives..its relaxing, really.

after seeing the movie, i came home and spent the rainy afternoon painting a canvas. it was enjoyable. maybe i will post a picture of it when i am done (that is if i ever finish it). my mother was not pleased to see me start another project while in the middle of 2 unfinished ones. i see her point, but i was inspired.

i bought a book last night at barnes and noble called crazy love. im really looking forward to reading it and hoping i will gain and learn something from it.

last thought. i sometimes wish all the answers to life were accessible. (at least to the "big" questions, anyways..)

final thought, after the last thought.
"happiness is the sprititual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."
-denis waitley.

i apologize for the lack of pictures but hopefully in the next post or 2 pictures will be up of my furniture/ room(s) in the apartment!!

i'm back!

as you can see in my last post i was motivated to update my blog more often and then..i went to camp for a week and have been busy since i got back.


CAMP. camp was the best week of my summer so far. i loved being at sumatanga as a counselor. i loved the people i met both older and the kids in my group! camp was such a nice distraction from the world. no phones, no twitter, no blogs, just a great feeling of contentment.

me and my girls at camp!

back to reality.. my furniture i am working on for my room has turned out horrible. i tried painting my desk with a green glaze (i am going for a bright look) and it looks terrible. i am now brainstorming solutions..

i leave for hilton head island in 4 full days! this is my favorite place on the planet, needless to say i am SO excited!

this is a picture from hhi taken last year at shelter cove, so so pretty!
i think this year we are trying kyaking and fishing, again i will say i am EXCITED!

last bit of good news.. i took my camera to wolf yesterday already coping with the fact i was going to need to buy a new lens, but the nice man at the store fixed it for FREE! he said eventually a new lens will be necessary..lets just hope it works until october and then i can make it a birthday list item!

hope everyone has a great weekend!

motivated!

i am so motivated to spruce up my blog and post more now, i now have a picture and a profile. wattccch outttt, im really stepping up my blogging game.. now for my attempt to put a picture in a post. these are some of the delicious fresh fruits/veggies my mom and i got at murphrees in cahaba heights. i love fruits, espeically in the summa time. yummy!

this is sweet talullah, our spoiled rotten pug/ chiuhauha we adopted 2 months ago, she melts my heart and has just learned how to give high fives. such a cutie.

well, i had another picture i uploaded but it was stubborn and would not move in the order i wanted, so i had to delete it because of my lack of patience.

more pics and posts to come! starting to love the blog world! happy weekend to everyone!

everything and then some

i have neglected the blog lately due to my new interest in twitter, and laziness to post. but here are some updates on my summer:

i go to head start to get my eyebrows waxed, she waxed it OFF. thats right, no left eyebrow. moral: dont go to headstart for facial waxing.

when i was leaving my babysitting job friday, the mom informed me she was no longer working, therefore i no longer have a summer job after this week, i have the worst luck with jobs.

although, i am jobless and eyebrowless i have a new opporotunity to be a kids counselor at camp sumatanga's music and arts week. im very nervous about it, but im crossing my fingers and hittin my kees to pray it will be a good, fun experience.

in all of my bad luck (i think the universe is against me) i am still enjoying summer, and trying to keep a positive attitude.

random things i have been up to in my spare time: getting things ready for the apartment (painting furniture, buying dishes, looking at accessories, etc), playing with talullah (happy 2 month anniversary to her today), babysitting..(a lot, until now..), saw the proposal (LOVED it, its a must see), relaxing and enjoying family and friends!

blessing: well, im thankful for my right eyebrow, just kidding.. thankful for my wonderful father! hope everyone had a great fathers day!

sweet summertime.

its summertime,and the sun is finally shinning! i love this relaxing season. i love being home with my parents and friends! also, our family adopted a dog a little over a month ago..talullah, and i love spending time with her cute self!

this past week i started my summer job, babysitting. i watch 2 girls from 8-5 on different days during the week. i enjoyed my first week and think this to be a much better job than previous sitting experiences.

last night i had a great time at the hillsong conert. their music and talent is incredible. today i took advantage of this beautiful weather and layed out at the pool and rode my bike this evening. i am typically scared or bikes because i have never been a pro rider, but i had a great time taking in the scenery of bluff park, (what a great neighborhood) and enjoying the weather.

tomorrow is church and hopefully something outdoors. i LOVE spending time OUTSIDE!

blessing of the post: my country, my state, my city, my home.

have not forgotten about you blog..

i got back this afternoon from cheaha state park. the five, best friends since middle school, finally ventured out on our own, for a weekend in the wilderness. despite the rain and my clumsy fall, the weekend was wonderful. the park was absolutely beautiful, and my appreciation for mother nature grew. i love being outside, thanks God for your beautiful creation!

sadly, much of my summer has been spent indoors due to the excessive rainfall. will we ever see the sun again?

this weekend i may go down to f dub (fort walton) to see my bestie, lynnlee. i miss her and cant wait till we will be living together in the fall.

last thought.. this weekend a popular conversation topic was the FUTURE. we all realized that time has flown by and will contiue to do so until we graduate college, and then what's in store? who knows. but i feel confident that we will all have better lives than we can plan out on our own right now.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

now off to watch runaway bride.. hope you have a lovely week!

so it takes a while to update..

it has taken a while to update this, but with encouragement from jamie myers i am going to right now. that and the fact that it will postpone my studying for my bio lab midterm tomorrow.

i just got back from the WELL. i love the WELL. the worship music is great, and the speaker tonight was great too. he spoke on the difference between walking in faith and walking in fear. i learned a lot, and again am just so thankful for all the campus ministries offered here at the good ole University.

the breaking news at the university is the SGA election. everyone and their mother (well mainly "Greeks", oh the title...) support one candidate (Oliver, his name has appeared no lie 50,000 times on my mini feed today), and appearently the other candidate Key is doing really well in the polls right now. The "Greeks" claim that she is anti Greek yaddda-yadda-yaddda, when really her goal is in UNIFY the campus. i support you KEY, get it girl. (nothing against the greeks, i used to be one..but come on EARN your support, dont just get it from the greek organizations that HAVE to back you up). enough on that issue..

friday i leave for atlanta with the parentals. im super excited we are going shopping and hopefully to the coke museum/ exhibit/ facroty haha what is it called? anyway im excited. i have already decided to watch high school musical 3 on the way down there, because i have been waiting anxiously to watch it ever since i bought it, there just hasnt been a good time.

school is stressful. but this semester is halfway over, i cant even believe it! yay for summer.

blessing of the post: the warm weather today, and that is coming up. i am so thankful God.

first post

post number one..

1. i have no idea how to do anything on here (it will take me a while)
2. i am doing this instead of writing a paper on pay discrimination
3. i just went down and bought a bag of peanut m&ms from the dorm vending machine, and in the morning i will complain about the freshman 15.
4. i got a parking ticket tonight. in the middle of a tornado, they are still out looking for "illegally parked cars"...so i will send in my fourth payment of $50 to the University.. Roll Tide.
5. i am really at peace right now.

i just made the deicision to include in every post a blessing. i take many days for granted, and i want to take time to appreciate the things that make life worthwhile.
my friends, old and new. sounds cliche, i know. but seriously without yall life would be boring and meaningless. plus, who would read this blog? jus kiddin, love you all.