Words of Wisdom

The wise words of Tom Petty. I feel like this relates to everyone on a different level because freedom means different things to different people. To me, feeling free is feeling like I can openly express myself without fear of judgement. It's being able to pursue what makes me happy. To have every chance to be successful. I want to be in love with my life, free of fear. 

Where do I feel free? There are several places. Camp, at home with my parents, and in my warm bed are a few, but I want to work towards a state where that "somewhere" is everywhere. Freedom is a state of mind. My freedom can only be determined by myself and God.

Where do you feel free?

Love and hugs,

Blake

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

My Opinion on the "End It" Movement

Yay for controversy.

As many of you know, today many people who believe in the movement to end modern day slavery, specifically the End It Movement, are removing themselves from social media to honor those that have disappeared from slavery. I don't know much about this movement, so if you want information, Google is always at your service.

I've seen several criticisms of this as well as justifications. Most of the criticisms are founded in the fact that it's a movement started by Christians and was unknown before the Passion conference and that making a statement isn't actually "doing anything." Personally, I think that it is a cause worthy of attention, regardless of how the issue was brought to light. Yes, modern slavery existed before Passion, but it's still something that deserves to be brought into the forefront by any means that could make a change. It's not hypocritical to become passionate about a cause that was preexisting only after learning about its importance.

Those justifying this demonstration state that people will notice their absence from social media and will think about the implications of all the people that have disappeared due to slavery. They claim that this will help raise awareness. This has sparked criticism that the day is only so that people can feel like they're helping without actually doing anything. I feel this is justified to an extent, but the whole Kony deal made a lot of people jaded towards social justice movements on the internet. Educating people about a problem is a very important step in bringing about any sort of justice. If people don't care, then you can't do anything to bring progress. I also think that most of the people participating in this movement realize that not tweeting or updating Facebook for a day will not directly impact those affected by slavery. They generally do care about this cause and want to educate people about it.

In my opinion, however, silencing yourself to honor those affected might not be the best way to bring attention to your cause. Case in point, I have yet to look up a single thing about End It. Perhaps if my news feed was flooded with information and how I could help I might feel more inclined to get involved. I think that that's the important piece missing from this movement. Education is incredibly important, but at the end of the day it needs to lead a direct impact. In summary, I think that modern day slavery is an important cause and so is education about it, but this specific demonstration might not be the most effective.

So, if you're one of those that believes passionately in this, please tell me and everyone else what we can do to help!

Love and hugs,
Blake
"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it." -Julia Child

On Valentine's Day

I hate it.

I don't hate it because I've always been single on Valentine's Day and jealous of people that have significant others to share it with (though true story- I have never had a Valentine). I hate people's attitudes towards single folks like me on the rather pointless holiday. It's either a pitying attitude because we're "lonely" or an assumption that single on Valentine's automatically means bitter. I'm actually totally fine with the fact that I don't have a boyfriend this time of year. There's no pressure, and, let's be real here, I absolutely do not need a man to be complete in any way. I get it, love is important and special and it's nice to have a day celebrating it. At the moment, however, the love of my life is my Kindle.

What happened to elementary school when we made cute little mailboxes and passed out treats to the whole class? Let's go back to that. My box was always awesome and covered in stickers. And we got to eat about a thousand conversation hearts. That was the best. You gave one of those big cards that came in the box of Disney Princess valentines to your best friend and your teacher if you liked them. Boys were still icky. Though, I tried to tell my five-year-old cousin that boys were gross and she just shook her head "no."

So how am I spending my Valentine's Day? No, not burning Hallmark cards or posting a Facebook status condemning the holiday. It will be spent like any other day in college. I have a Biology test at five and a Women's Studies test Friday morning, so I get to study! Maybe I'll even pick up some discount conversation hearts on the fifteenth.

Love and hugs,
Blake
"Do small things with great love." -Mother Theresa 

Joy

It's so easy to get bogged down by things in life, especially in college. Tests, feelings of loneliness, the perception that everyone else has their life together, homework, trying to find a job, homesickness, and thousands of other worries can weigh us down to the point where we might be walking around with our own personal rain cloud over our heads.

But then there are moments that make everything seem clear. The birds begin to chirp as we stop raining on our own parade. We start thinking there are so many great things in life that we're not seeing.  We start considering how blessed we truly are.

Today I had one of those moments. My Political Sociology class let out twenty minutes early, and I had even more time to myself before my statistics test. I took this as a sign to slow down for a moment and enjoy the beautiful weather. I headed up through UGA's beautiful North Campus that I don't get to see much of, towards Starbucks downtown. As I walked I looked around at the gorgeous old architecture, the blue sky, people bustling past. I realized how fast I was walking and made an effort to slow down. Why was I in such a hurry? I listened to the fountain splashing and the serene silence as I passed the Law Library.

When I arrived at Starbucks, I treated myself to a vanilla latte and headed back to a grassy area on campus. I had intended to use this time to review my statistics notes, but I decided I was prepared enough and took out the book I've been reading. I read all the way through it's happy ending and I realized: this is the happiest I've felt in a while. I'm sitting in the sun, wearing shorts in February, with a coffee in hand reading a good book. I cannot imagine anything better at this moment.

There is such great joy in the little things in life, and I'm ashamed at how often I forget that.

Love and hugs,
Blake
"Today, I choose joy."

An Apology and Friday Five!

I'm sorry my blogging habits have been awful lately. To tell you the truth, I'm rather lacking in inspiration. I guess you would call this a "lifestyle" blog, and my "lifestyle" has been been rather boring lately. All I do is study and prep for camp (I know it seems early, but there's a lot to be done before our training weekends). So I need your help! What do you, my lovely followers, want to see more of?

Because I'm lacking in inspiration, this post is the same as most you see on Fridays: Friday Five!

1. I find out who the counselors in my camp coordinator group are soon! I'm so excited to get to know who I will be working with and leading this summer. We already know who is going to be counselors, but not their jobs and I'm just as anxious to find out as they are!

2. (Goes along with #1) I've been working on their "glitter," which is a pretty, cute letter leadership sends to their counselors to get them excited for summer, filled with glitter! I've been covered in green and silver glitter for about a week and probably won't get rid of it anytime soon. The other day I accidentally Mod Podged some glitter to my fingers.

3. It. is. cold. This southern girl cannot handle below freezing temps and freezing rain. There were about fifteen people in my first class that usually has forty. I'm already looking forward to curling up in my bed with my fleece blanket, hot tea, and Netflix. This has also made me determine that I cannot live anywhere up north. How are y'all dealing with sub-zero weather? I would refuse to leave my bed.

4. Speaking of Netflix, I've been making my way through Doctor Who lately and I am in love. I'm almost done with series four and it's so hard not to keep watching episodes when I should be studying! I definitely recommend it, even if you don't usually like sci-fi.

5. My new favorite study Pandora station is Ray Lamontagne. It is a beautiful, calm station that has played Dave Matthews Band, Mumford and Sons, Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, Tracy Chapman, and even more wonderful artists.

Happy weekend! Stay warm!

Love and hugs,
Blake
"Every person's life is a fairy tale written by God's fingers." -Hans Christian Anderson

Emerald Inspiration

I know I'm a little late to the party, but I'm so excited that emerald is Pantone's color of the year! I have always loved green, and I think the darker shade of emerald is so classic and sophisticated. It's beautiful on everyone, especially pale Irish girls like me. I've put together a few of my favorite emerald finds.

Reiss boat neck dress, $180 / Seychelles slip on shoes / Michael Kors envelope clutch /Swell Caroline Beach jewelry / Essie $16  / Pantone

I need that dress and somewhere to wear it. ASAP. Someone take me to a fancy party?

Love and hugs, 

Blake

"Everyone deserves a chance to fly!" -Defying Gravity, Wicked

I Can See Clearly Now...

...but the rain is NOT gone! On this dreary day though, I got my first pair of glasses. I always thought you got glasses in second grade and wore them for life or had to get them at about forty, but sometimes in the middle of college you discovery you need them. I started noticing that if I read or looked at the board in class for a while, I had a harder time focusing my eyes and I would get headaches, so I made an appointment with an eye doctor. I only need them for reading and in class, but I'm about to wear them to trivia night at a pizza place because I feel smarter in them...shhh!

I think they look kind of cute! This was also earlier in the day before my hair poofed up from the rain.

Love and hugs,
Blake
"Be so happy that when others look at you they become happy too." 

Pinsanity!

As those of you that follow me on Pinterest know, I'm a little addicted to pinning. It seems to be a common trait among the bloggers I follow! It's probably a good think that I'm only allowed to use my laptop in one class this semester, because I have such a bad habit of pinning in class. I use Pinterest to organize ideas for camp, blog ideas, school tips, fashion pieces I'd love to have, quotes (lots of quotes!), future dreams, and just other things I like. I pin almost everything!

Here are some of my favorite things I've pinned lately!

Huge list of career ideas for every major!  So great for someone like me that really has no idea what I want to do in life.

Cute throw pillows from Very Jane that are only $10 each!

Oia in Santori, Greece It's so beautiful!

I adore this Lilly Mug! I'm a little obsessed with flamingoes.

Perfect wake-up call for a Les Mis geek :)

Love and hugs,

Blake

"Find a beautiful place and get lost"

Hey Now, Hey Now...

If you just started singing, "This is what dreams are made of," we will get along.

I recently let y'all know that a dream of mine came true. I was asked to be a leadership counselor at the camp I work at. I had a wonderful weekend with the rest of our camping system's leadership team at our "counselor selection" that we helped facilitate. There are so many wonderful applicants and I can't wait to see who is offered a job! At the end of the weekend, we found out what exactly our jobs were, and I was over-joyed to find out that I will be the crafts and "special interest program" coordinator this summer!

Me and the rest of the coordinators!

I'm so beyond excited to start preparing for camp! But this has also made me think of some of my other dreams I'd like to accomplish.

1. Write a book | This has been a dream of mine since I was a small child. Blogging has caused me to rekindle my love for writing, so maybe it isn't such a stretch after all!

2. Travel the world | I have never been out of the country, but I love to experience new things. Experiencing new cultures is definitely on the top of my list.

3. Be a mother | This is a dream I hope to obtain very far in the future. I know without a doubt that I want children of my own and I hope to be at least a fraction of what a wonderful mother my mom has been.

4. Meet my idol, Tina Fey | I've always loved Tina Fey, but after I read her autobiography, Bossypants, she became such an inspiration to me. She is so smart, talented, successful, and still grounded. If you ask me what my wildest dreams are, my answer is to be Tina Fey.

5. Perform on Broadway | This is the most far-fetched of my dreams, but it is something I've wanted to do since I discovered my love for musical theater. For now I'll have to settle with singing karaoke and pretending :)

What are your dreams?

Love and hugs,
Blake

"The future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt

My 2013 Goals

I have never made a real New Year's Resolution. I've always known myself well enough to know that I probably wouldn't follow through with them. I entered the year with a vague idea of how I wanted to progress, but rarely with any real direction. This year I realized that there are some areas in my life I want to change for my own sake, so I've compiled a list of goals for this year. Most of these goals involve making a better schedule for myself so I get in the habit of being productive instead of aimlessly browsing the internet of watching too much Netflix!

1. Exercise | Currently my only physical activity involves walking to class. For my own health, I really need to start actually working out. I don't have class until 2:00 on Tuesday and Thursday and my apartment complex has a gym, so there's really no reason why I can't work out at least two days a week before class.

2. Read my Bible every morning | This is something I've seriously slacked on. I really value my faith, but I need to put more effort into furthering my relationship with God. I plan to wake up fifteen minutes earlier every morning to dive into the Word and get my day started right.

3. Get organized | Really this goal is more, "Get my room organized." Has anyone ever seen the Friends episode where super-organized Monica has her messy closet and that's the one area of her life that's unorganized? That's me with my room. It's awful. My first task is to tackle my desk so I can stop studying at the kitchen table.

4. Join a club | In high school, I was an insane overachiever and I overcommitted myself. Hence, I kind of burned myself out. I'm only a member of one club currently and all I really do it go to meetings. My goal is to find one organization that interests me and that I can get really involved in. This goal is partially a response to missing a busy schedule and partially to realizing how empty my resume is.

5. Read for pleasure a little every night | I used to be such an avid reader, but when I went to college I stopped making time to read. Now I've decided that every night I'm going to set aside a little bit of time to read for pleasure. Having a Kindle that I got for Christmas makes this a little easier. All my books are at my fingertips!

6. Go to bed before midnight | I am the worst about sitting on my laptop in bed and saying, "One more blog post/TV show/Facebook stalking, and then I'll go to bed." Before I know it, it's two in the morning. This year I plan to unplug by 11:30 and settle down with a book before I go to sleep!

What are your goals for this new year?

Love and hugs,
Blake
"Rise up and attack the day with enthusiasm."