whirlwind.

Wow, talk about being busy and all that comes with it.

But. Busy has never felt so good.

Sitting through all those general education courses was totally worth it because now I get to take classes that mean something to me (not that others didn't. There were some goodies in there.). My teachers are understanding and supportive, and I take all my classes with the same 25 people. It's so refreshing to actually see familiar faces instead of an auditorium full of people I'll never actually get the chance to know.

And, now I'm living in my own apartment, which makes me feel pretty grown up. Not so sure how I feel about that, but I do enjoy having sleepovers with my friends every single night.

And here's a little something that I find extremely interesting. Years ago, educators came up with the idea that when children came to school they were empty vessels waiting to be filled. And today in class we were talking about the importance of families (and the fact that they are the number one (NUMBER.) (ONE.)) factor in student success and how students aren't really empty vessels; they've actually already been completely filled by their families. Teachers just have the privilege of helping them overflow. With the help of families, of course.

See ya later, Empty Vessel Theory. You are so last year.

Oh, and, I know there have been zero pictures lately, which I promise will change.

(Being busy is kinda crazy, and doesn't really leave much time for photographing random things. You understand.)

I hope you'll thank a teacher tomorrow. You know, since they're helping you overflow with knowledge and stuff. Pretty important, I'd say.

And since we're all teachers, I bet you've helped someone overflow. Pretty cool, huh?

Hope your Tuesday was beautiful.

xo, R.

list seven: blog posts i'm fond of.

I've been concocting this list in my head for quite some time now. I'm always really excited when I read a post that just seems really well written, thought out, and personal. It doesn't matter if it involves something trivial or serious, but if it obviously comes from the heart, I'm sold. This is in no way an extensive list of posts that have meant something to me (that others have written). It's just a select few that have really touched my heart in one way or another. I hope you like them all as much as I do.

1. Bridget's love story. I think Bridget's writing is so sincere and real. There is nothing more satisfying than that. Oh, and it's also a really cute story.

2. Nella's birth story. Kelle is a beautiful writer. Obviously there is no way to ever know exactly how she felt during the hours after her second daughter's birth, but it certainly is a candid, and touching, glimpse into that day.

3. Deb's Practical Gift Guide. If you have ever thought of rebuilding your kitchen appliances from the ground up, this would be a really good place to start. It's also a really good read even if you're not looking to rebuild your kitchen appliances. (Although I promise you will want to rebuild your kitchen appliances after reading this. Just sayin'.)

4. Olivia's trip to Europe. I've mentioned before that I just love Olivia's blog. I loved reading about her trip through Europe. You'll probably feel a little jealous after reading, but you'll mostly just get the warm and fuzzies. (This will also take a very long time to read since Olivia is very detail-oriented. And that just makes it so much better!)

5. Andrea's lists. Because she's so cute and talented. Her lists are way too good not to share.

6. NieNie's video. I honestly find inspiration at Stephanie's blog everyday.

There are so many more posts out there that are wonderful. I'm sure I could list hundreds if I had all day. Maybe I'll do a second edition of this list sometime. I encourage you to check these out in the mean time. Isn't it wonderful to find so many beautiful people in the blogging world? I think it is.

Any posts that really tug at your heartstrings that I should know about? I would love for you to share.

xo, R.

What's the Good News?

I figured it was high time to do one of these. After all, good news is everywhere.

Good News #1: Classes started, and I'm in love with all of them.
Good News #2: My apartment is picture perfect.
Good News #3: My mom's birthday is today. Don't you love celebrating birthdays?
Good News #4: I bought a big bag of Peanut M&M's.
Good News #5: I unexpectedly saw Jeffrey on my way to class today.
Good News #6: I don't have class on Fridays. Hello, three day weekend.

What's your good news?

lovelovelove,
R.

home.

{Leaving this little man is going to be tough. Often called: Little Boat, Little Bones, Joe-jie, Lovebug, Anders, Anderson, Andrew, and, of course, Andy.}

Leaving home never gets easier for me. I love being here with my family and my dogs more than anything. Coziness oozes from the walls, and I could hang out with my parents for the rest of my life and be really happy about it. I love college — don't get me wrong — and I can't wait to go back up there, decorate my apartment with my roommates, go to all my new classes, and eat outdoor lunches with Jeffrey. When I leave here, though, I always have an empty feeling . Sure, it dulls as time goes on, and I get used to being at school once again, but it's always there.

Honestly, it makes me feel sad, but at the same time, it brings me a sense of peace. I mean, I'm really, really blessed to have the family that I have, and I know some people aren't so fortunate as I am. So, sometimes the empty feeling hurts, but I count it as a blessing more than anything — a reminder that I have something great anchoring my soul and supporting my dreams. And after that, the hole doesn't feel quite so hole-ish anymore. Plus, I'll be back here before I know it, and that makes me really happy.

list six: my 'dead to me' list.

1. awkward hellos. Followed by awkward hugs, followed by awkward feet shuffling, followed by awkward "I should really be getting to the library..." Because 'Hello!' should be exciting, kind, and the opposite of awkward.

2. taco bell. I hate you, Taco Bell ('Hate' is kind of strong.). You are so gross and disgusting. I wouldn't mind if I never saw you again.

3. multiple choice tests. Pft, yeah right. Like this could actually be dead to me. I'm in college, remember? But I think multiple choice tests are meant to trick, not to actually test what I know about anything. And once, I was told that if I didn't know the answer, it would most likely be 'C.' I'm not sure if I believe this. And that kind of sounds like more trickery if you ask me.

4. victoria's secret. overpriced bras and underwear are so overrated (and not that comfortable. At all.).

5. short, short, short shorts. Never a good look. Ever.

6. gorgonzola and cilantro. While I'd like to think I have a sophisticated palate, these two culprits make it seem like I don't. Get lost, snooty, fancy food!

7. ultra heavy black eyeliner. Do I even need to explain?

college apartments.

It's kinda weird that in a few short days I'll be headed back up to school, ready to jump into the swing of things. I won't be living in the dorms anymore, but will instead be living in an apartment with three girlfriends I met at college. It's funny how college can be such an accelerated experience. To think that at my high school graduation, as I tossed my cap up in the air, I had no idea that I would meet three wonderful girls, yet alone be living with them.

And I'm already entering my third year of college, and on my way to becoming the elementary school teacher I always dreamed of becoming. Everyone experiences college so differently, but it's the 'college experience,' nonetheless. It's the experience everyone talks about — you leave home one person and come back another. Elements of you are the same, but there's something just a little different. Something that no one can precisely put a finger on, but it's definitely there.

For me, college wasn't always the easiest. During my first semester, I felt kind of lost. But, sometimes, if something doesn't fit quite right, you have to adjust, make some changes, and cram yourself in there anyway. I knew that no matter where I went, college would feel weird for me. It was like one minute I was in my kitchen at home baking cookies with my mom, and walking the dogs with my dad, and the next I was sitting at a small desk trying to figure out where Little Hall was. There's nothing easy about transitioning, and things become even less simple when you're thrown into a place that is unfamiliar, and you're also surrounded by unfamiliar people.

Now that I've gone through the motions, I couldn't be happier to be where I am. I love my school. I love walking to class on brisk, fall mornings, and knowing that I am nourishing my future, givings wings to my dreams, and letting them turn into realities. It took me awhile to get here, but in a few short days I will unload my reminders of home into my brand new apartment, and my two worlds will collide. And I will happily chat with my three girlfriends about how we will decorate the living room, and what we will wear to our upcoming 21st birthdays. And, yeah, things are different, but they are also the same because I still have laughter, excitement, and a whole lotta love.

xo, R.

(Also, I really want a pair of gray boots for fall/winter. I would prefer that they weren't high heeled and that they were leather/faux leather. And, most importantly, I would prefer that they are relatively inexpensive. Anyone know of any goodies out there?)

summer lovin'.

Summer is almost over, and I've had a really good one. Vacation always goes much faster than you think it will. And I have yet to complete even half of my 'to-do' list. I'm mostly at peace with it, though. Summer created its own 'to-do' list, and it included making several batches of granola, watching Northern Exposure, skipping one stone successfully (my first ever, I might add), spending way too much time in Gap with my mom, eating dessert every night in Wisconsin, lazy days with my dogs, eating ice cream with my best friends, going antiquing with Jeffrey, and so much more goodness that I've forgotten. I love summers. They just make me feel so happy and relaxed. They remind me of honey — sweet, slow, and delicious.

I love all seasons, but there's just something about you, Summer. You really have my heart. It will be sad to see you go, but I'll tuck you away in my memory, and think of you fondly, always.

What little things ended up on your summer 'to-do' list?

xo, R.

ramble.

It's so weird how you lose touch with certain people — people you kinda always thought you'd know forever. And one day, down the road a little ways, you're just not in touch with them anymore. It's weird how at certain moments in your life, you think you know how everything is going to go, mapping out entire months in your head only to find out just how incredibly wrong you are.

Sometimes the rain makes me feel nostalgic. It conjures up all these really dusty, old moments in my head, and I start thinking about what it would be like to relive them. Usually, they're just really small moments. Moments that probably didn't mean much to anyone else, but they meant something to me. Like, I just want to go back to the moment so that it's clear in my head, and I can continue to relive it for the rest of my life. You know?

Or, don't libraries make you feel really loved? You're surrounded by all these books that so many people have read, and cried over, and spilled coffee on, and lugged around in a purse for weeks, or dog-earred and dropped and cherished? There's so much life in a library. The quietness is relaxing, and you don't really even have to check any books out. Just standing in the aisles feels really fulfilling.

Also, I've never watched Shark Week, and I've never felt like I was missing out on anything.

xo, R.