Thursday Thoughts v.13

Happy Thursday friends!

You know the drill: write down a few of the things you've been thinking this week, then link up below so that others can read what you've shared! Right click and save the photo above if you want to use it for the Thursday Thoughts link-up, or use your own!

[one]

The blogger community, aka all of you, have been absolutely wonderful throughout the break-up. Seriously, I've been pleasantly surprised at the amount of compassion and love in your hearts. Rachel (I tried to find her blog but for some reason I cannot find it anywhere?) sent me a little love package full of flower seeds, note cards, and the sweetest card I've ever read. Then Hollie--someone who I've never met "in real life"--sent me the most beautiful, simple gold necklace I've ever seen. I burst out into happy tears when I got this (and then tweeted her at least 4 times) because it's so reassuring to know that people I don't even "know" outside of the blogosphere care about me so much. Thank you!

[two]

Somehow, I've transformed into a consistent runner. Between my mother's pushes that I go run to "get it all out" and watching the Bearathon, I've been inspired to take up running a little more seriously than previously before. I ran 2.5 miles on Tuesday then 3 miles yesterday, and seriously I haven't been getting tired. So weird! (Heaven forbid I'm in cardiovascular shape, right?)

[three]

I love The Biggest Loser. I think it's such an inspiring show, as these people are changing their hearts and bodies at the same time. I love it. The most recent episode, however, had my favorite quote of all time. Bob Harper, one of the trainers said, "I swear to God, Megan, I will cut your hair off and kill you if you don't do this." Best line ever.

[four]

Have you entered my Scentsy giveaway?! It's super easy to enter; you don't even have to follow my blog if you don't want to! Check it out here!

A short Thursday Thoughts this week because I've got nothing else I've been waiting to blog about, but that doesn't mean I cannot wait to read about yours!

Link up your thoughts here:

Scentsy Giveaway! (Giveaway Now Closed)

I know y'all love Scentsy just as much as I do! Seriously, Scentsy's wickless candles are genius: you can use them in offices (that's where mine is!) or leave it in your home and not feel like you're going to accidentally burn down your house while you're in the other room. It immediately fills up your entire house with the most amazing scents, as much or as little as you want.

Heather, an independent consultant, has graciously provided us with a Scentsy warmer giveaway!

That's right! Heather has provided one mid-sized warmer of your choice and one scent bar for the winner of this giveaway!

There are so many different types of warmers!

Clearly, I'm in love with the Baylor warmer (sic 'em!), and I think the crinkle warmer is fabulous (it would look cute anywhere)!

To enter this awesome Scentsy giveaway:

[Mandatory]

Visit Heather's Scentsy website and leave a comment here telling me what you'd order if you had unlimited money!

[Extra entries]

[+1 entry]: "Like" Heather's Scentsy Facebook page!

[+1 entry]: Follow @heathrsgtscents on Twitter

[+1 entry]: Tweet something about the giveaway, such as "Check out the #Scentsy giveaway from @heathrsgtscents on @lovelovelovesar's blog! http://lovelovelovesar.blogspot.com/2012/03/scentsy-giveaway.html"

[+1 entry]: Follow [life of love] via Google friend connect

[+1 entry]: Follow @lovelovelovesar on Twitter

Make sure to leave a comment for each entry! That's 6 total entries possible! So what are you waiting for? Enter now!

Fine print: Heather will provide the winner with one mid-sized warmer of their choice (subject to availability) and one scent bar of their choice. All opinions are my own, as usual, and I was not compensated for this review. Contest will end Monday, April 2nd and winner will be chosen via random.org on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012.

Dear Monday v.26

Linking up with Megan for

Dear Monday, Thank you for being the most gorgeous weather possible in Central Texas: sunny at 60-80º. Please stay like this forever.

Dear Friday Night, The last time I had a girls' night for "no" reason was far too long ago. Thank you to Cathy who surprised me by paying for our pedicures! Your compassion knows no bounds.

Dear Bearathon runners, You're so inspirational! Having run two half marathons myself (one being a great experience, the other ultimately forcing me to have emergency surgery), it was a blast to watch you push yourselves to the limit. Special shout-outs to Jessica, Megan J., Megan H. and her mama, Natalie, and Nora who are total badasses!

Dear Mother Nature, Saturday's afternoon sky was almost exactly how I picture it in my mind: gorgeous, with fluffy clouds and perfect weather. God's beauty shows up so often that sometimes I forget to appreciate it, so thank you!

Dear Writing Log, I am dominating you! This is probably not cool for anybody who isn't a graduate student, but for someone who always thought her productivity needed a push, you were exactly the tool to help.

Dear neon pink Target sports bra, You're amazing. I don't think I've smiled so much while wearing an article of clothing! You make me want to run every day just as an excuse to wear you.

Dear Nick, A week without you has been rough, to say the least. Hope you know I still carry all the love in the world for you and am always here if you need me.

Dear Hunger Games (the book), I didn't love you as much as everybody else seems to, but I thought your plot was brilliant. I ended the book feeling like you were lacking, but multiple people told me to stick with it because the plot thickens and the writing becomes more substantial. Here's hoping.

Happy Monday friends! Did you have a good weekend? What'd you do?

Starbucks Sunday

When I was saving this picture, I made a typo and saved it as "Sarbucks," which is awesomely accurate.

As my mother so aptly text messaged me this morning, "The only thing better than a latte in the morning is a free latte in the morning!" Today I used my Sweet 15 free drink from my gold card, so I got a grande skinny caramel macchiato instead of my usual tall.

Heaven.

Today, the weather is supposed to be 82º F, which definitely means I'll be spending some time outside--though I haven't decided if I want to take a run or just go for a hike in Cameron Park. I'll probably default on running, because it's so pretty and I'm feeling inspired from watching all of the Bearathon runners yesterday. It's days like these that I miss mountain biking.

Other than that, today is going to be a chill day, I can feel it. I finished all my writing yesterday so I'll proofread/edit today, plus I have a small section I need to add that I can't do until tomorrow (I need specific resources). Thus, I think today I'm going to play around with some graphic design, go running, read for fun, and enjoy myself.

What are you up to this glorious Sunday?

Favorite Things Friday

Oh gosh guys. Remember my bestie Nick back in Washington who is the most amazing singer/songwriter/guitar player I know? We have known each other for what feels like forever (since sophomore year in college, so 7 years now), and throughout our friendship, he has been one of the biggest sources of support and love in my life. (When I mentioned to my mother about maybe needing a date to a Washington wedding in May she suggested Nick, which clearly shows her love for him as well.) Anyway, he's a wonderful presence.
Yesterday, I got the best text message from him ever that made me laugh out loud for a good 20 seconds:
Ha! Having you with me for the rest of my life would be awesome! Plus you could sing me to sleep every night with your amazing guitar skillz.

In other favorite Friday things, y'all know my friend Lin right? She's hosting a Favorite Things swap (with a $15 limit so hopefully everybody can participate!) and you should sign up! I love swaps, plus I love reading about what everybody's favorite things are. All I can say is that I hope I get matched with someone whose favorite things involve Starbucks, colored pens, and thank-you notes! Go sign up here!
So that's the awesomeness that is today. What are some of your favorite things this Friday?

Thursday Thoughts v.12

Happy Thursday friends!

You know the drill by now: write down a few things you've been thinking this week, and then link up below so that others can read what you've shared! Right click and save the photo above if you want to use one for the Thursday Thoughts link-up, or use your own!

[one]

I have been so dang tired recently. I'm pretty sure it has mostly to do with the fact that I'm emotionally exhausted and I still haven't made up the hour from daylight savings. Ugh.

[two]

Remember when I told you about my "famous" musician friend Keaton Simons? He played at SXSW last week but failed to remind me that he would be playing (ensuing conversation: "Don't you subscribe to my fan email?" "Heck no! I don't like you that much."). Awesomely enough however, he "booked" a house concert in Crowley, TX (a little over an hour away) for Tuesday and I got a personal invite. Yeah, that's more like it.

And, my super high-quality iPhone video of him singing his hit song Unstoppable (can we say talented?).

[three]

You all have been super supportive regarding the whole break-up thing (I caught myself saying "boyfriend" yesterday and then almost burst out into tears, so you know, give me some time), and I appreciate it a lot. I promise, I'm fine. Plus, Liz and Casey totally gave me this "I'm sorry you got dumped" basket to make things better (included: a badass NERF gun [plus extra ammo], bubbles, Pop Rocks, chocolate, tea, popcorn, coloring book/crayons, silly putty, and Relax wine). I'm so blessed.

[four]

If you felt left out of the coffee mug swap Syndal had, no need to worry 'cuz my friend Susan is hosting one now! She doesn't have many followers but she's one of my new favorite bloggers, so check it out and join here!

[five]

Blah. Blah. Blah. 'Nough said.

What are you thinking today? Link up and let us know!

Mug swap!

Do y'all know my good blogger friend Syndal? She's pretty awesome for many reasons (she willingly let me–a complete stranger–design her wedding invitations), but the most recent being she just hosted a blogger mug swap!

(Also hosted by Ashlee at On the Front Porch)

I was matched up with Meghan at More from Meg and she was probably the best swap partner ever. I feel a little guilty that I only got her two mugs (cute white fleur de lis Better Homes & Gardens mugs), because she sent me all this:

Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?!

Seriously, I'm in love with all of the mugs! They're all so different but match so well, plus the fabric coasters are to die for! I love them so much.

Y'all should do awesome themed swaps more often!

Dear Monday v.25

Linking up with Megan for another round of

Dear Monday, Here's hoping you start off a better week than last. I have faith!

Dear Brian (Office/Lab Mate), Thank you for your kind words, support, and endless supply of Nerds. This definitely beats having an office by myself.

Dear Dissertation gods, Please help my prospectus magically contain a section on an experimental manipulation. Thanks.

Dear Twitter friends, real life friends, and blog friends (especially Bethany, Bri, Alyssa, Kelsie, and Jena), I cannot express how much love I felt over the weekend from your kind words, thoughts, prayers, and hugs. My blog got a ridiculous number of hits from the post yesterday, which means that you all care so much for me. Thank you. After a brief mourning period (slash pity party where I consumed an absurd amount of mulsum wine), I'm under the realization that circumstances prevented him from loving, not me being unlovable. I'm oddly at peace with his decision (I'm sure I'll go through sine waves of acceptance vs. hurt), and I think he knows that I will be here if he ever needs my support. Let's just all pretend like nobody's heart got hurt, okay? ;)

Dear Life, As per usual, I'm forever grateful to be alive.

Happy Monday friends! Got anything fun planned for the week?

My heavy heart

I sit here with a heavy heart as I write this.

That’s a lie. I sit here feeling empty—bawling my eyes out—even after two days.

Nick has decided that he can no longer be a part of my life. I’m not sure why. To tell you the truth, I’m confused because I don’t understand where it came from. He left for his Johns Hopkins interview last Thursday leaving me a thank-you note for being so supportive, and he came back five days later with the conclusion that he “couldn’t love me like I deserved.” From what I can understand, he was “not excited about our relationship,” and when people asked about us, he would talk about how great of a person I was but not how great we were together (which is even more confusing because I have had so many people comment on how well we worked as a couple). I was under the impression that life was great, and I feel slapped in the face (kicked in the gut, knees knocked out of me) because the person that I thought was my best friend has concluded that he’s not sure if he has ever really wanted to be in a relationship, that he doesn’t think he ever wants to get married, that he doesn’t feel like he loves me, that my life would be better without him, that he can easily live without me in his.

This coming from a man who told me literally one week after we started dating that he loved me.

Nick has struggled with depression for at least three years, so my head knows that this is a response to feeling unhappy and not being in control of his own life. My head knows that he cannot be thinking clearly because all I add to his life is love, support, and hugs. And yet my heart is crushed. When he told me he was leaving our relationship, I crumbled to the floor and bawled on the bathroom tile for twenty minutes before repeating “I don’t know what to do” for at least two more hours. I still don’t know what to do.

I feel like this action is a response to his own mental illness; he acted as if he believed he was breaking up with himself for me. Like I couldn’t handle—or deserved “better” than— a broken man. I’m so frustrated with the fact that he didn’t even want to fight for me, or let me down easy, or let me help find a solution to the problem in his head. He kept saying he was sorry, but that isn’t good enough—“sorry” doesn’t make everything better. My mind is hurt, and my heart aches even more.

I don’t say this for pity, or to hear that you’re sorry, or to have you tell me that “time will heal my heart.” I don’t want your excuses, or your sympathy, or your compassion. I just felt like I should let you know why Nicholas will no longer be a part of my blog, my life, or my heart.

Thursday Thoughts v.11

Happy Thursday friends!

You know the drill by now: write down a few things you've been thinking this week, and then link up below so that others can read what you've shared! Right click and save the photo above if you want to use one for the Thursday Thoughts link-up, or use your own!

[1]

I woke up this morning with a massive puffy left cheek/lower eye. I tweeted about it, and my friend said "Spider bite?" Uh, I wasn't terrified, but now I am. Thanks Clare.

[2]

This morning, I was early for my assessment so I decided to stop by and get some coffee prior. I usually don't go to Common Grounds due to their prices (seriously, $4.50 for a tiny latte?) but it's pretty good (...and the on-campus Starbucks isn't opening until 10am this week due to break). Glorious morning.

[3]

This is my first year in a while where I didn't make an NCAA March Madness bracket. I think I'm more focused on Nick's Medical School bracket. (This doesn't actually exist, but you get the gist.) If you don't have Baylor Women's basketball winning and the Baylor Men making it to the Final Four, you're kidding yourself.

[4]

This past week, I've been super spammed on the blog with anonymous comments (306 comments within two days). Sadly, now you can no longer comment anonymously. This mostly affects my dad (who always leaves comments but doesn't have a Blogger account), but to those who usually comment anonymously, I'm sorry!

[5]

I just (2 days ago) got into the Draw Something app, and I love it. Sadly, I can't find people via Facebook (the app won't connect to my Facebook friends, which after some Googling made me realize it's not just my problem). Anyway, the point is to guess what the other person is drawing from the letters and blanks provided. Yesterday I was playing with my friend Bob and was given three words to draw, so I picked "oval" (considering the other two were Startrek references I didn't get). So I drew a circle, then a line through it, then an oval. When I thought that was confusing, I trashed the drawing and made an oval. This was his response:

It's pretty much an awesome game. (If you want to play me, find me via my username: lovelovelovesar!)

[6]

I got pulled over last night. I wasn't speeding and am usually a careful driver, so you can imagine my heartrate increase. It was just a warning for no lights on my license plate (which I fixed this morning), but it was terrifying. Have you ever gotten pulled over when you were driving carefully?

How is your Thursday thus far? Link up and tell us!

Casey's lingerie shower/bachelorette party

Casey's lingerie shower/bachelorette party was the first weekend in March at my house, and let me tell you, it was a blast. I had so much fun with these ladies, I can't even put into words. I took some pictures of Casey opening the lingerie, but they're not quite blog-appropriate (you're welcome, Casey) so here are the few that I feel comfortable posting!

Somehow I didn't get a photo of us all...or of Casey and her mom/new sister...or of Liz and her mom... so basically I failed as photographer. It was probably because I was too busy enjoying the party to remember to take photos! You'll just have to do with the following photos.

Liz and I prior to the party. Notice how we coordinated with the color theme? Yup, on purpose. ;)

Liz had just bought a Cricut (totally envious) so she made this adorable banner for Casey--the future Mrs. Cooper--to hang above the dessert bar. You can kind of see the obligatory penis cake (hey, it's a bachelorette party) on the left, but everything else was completely classy.

A close-up of some of the desserts. I made the chocolate-covered strawberries (which is why they look messy) and Liz did a fantastic job with the red velvet cupcakes.

Liz's amazing decorating skills put to good use:

And a close-up of the sugar- or salt-rimmed cups (sugar for the blueberry whipped cream martinis, salt for the margaritas). Shout-out to our favorite bartender Brandon who mixed the drinks specially for us!

Liz and Casey, MOH and bride, besties. You can't see Casey's awesome veil in this photograph, so you're just going to have to believe that it was fantastic.

Didn't Liz do a fabulous job throwing the shower?

Afterwards, we all headed out to a classy (sarcasm) local western-themed bar for two-stepping the night away (their motto is "two-steppin' and long-neckin'"...not even kidding). It was hilarious and a lot of fun, plus we stayed out until 2am (I haven't done that in years). Seriously, I haven't had that much fun in a really long time.

What's the best pre-wedding shower/party you've ever attended?

Dear Monday v.24

Linking up with the newly engaged Megan for another round of...

Dear Monday, Since it's spring break, you don't quite feel like a Monday. The neat part is that I'm at the Starbucks on campus and it's empty, which means I can work for a while and not feel guilty for taking up a good seat.

Dear FaveyPants, Pretty much everybody finds you completely charming (even after you butchered the Norwegian language). Here's hoping the two medical school interviews you had this week agree!

Dear People Getting Engaged/Married, Thank you for telling us your story! Megan just recently got engaged to her boyfriend which makes my heart swell, and then I just got around to watching Sara's wedding video from last summer (which I watched while bawling, because it's the sweetest thing ever). Seriously, thank you for sharing everything with us who adore learning your love stories.

Dear Rain, Thank you for coming to Texas and making me feel a little less homesick during spring break (when everybody else gets to go home). As Bo and Court say, spring break is for babies.

Dear Sun-day, You surprised us by going from pouring down rain to a cloudless sunny sky at 70º. The dogs were grateful that they finally got a walk!

Dear Nicholas, On Friday, you told me probably the best news I've heard in a while and I immediately started crying happy tears (apparently crying is a theme in this blog post?). Regardless of what happens, I am so proud to call you mine.

Happy Monday friends! I'm dog-sitting all week so I'll probably end up working a lot at Starbucks while listening to Jim Dale. What do you have planned for this week?

Starbucks Sunday with a side of allergies

Happy Sunday, friends! How are you today?

I'm doing alright, although out of nowhere my allergies have peaked (dang Texas!). I'm sneezing everywhere, have puffy eyes, and have been using boxes of tissues. Ew.

This weekend has been super productive! Between working on my dissertation prospectus and dog-sitting the two cutest golden retrievers ever, I've gotten so much done and had the time to write two blog posts! I finally put up our Norwegian food vlog (everybody agrees Nick's "more of a slap..." comment was hilarious and I agree–I didn't notice when we videotaped it but burst out laughing during editing), and was tagged two more times in the 11-Things meme. Look at me go!

It's spring break, which means everybody is either on vacation (what's that?!) or drove home. This is one of those times that living in TX but being from WA sucks–I can't just take a few days and go home. That being said, I have faith that not only will this week be very productive, I'll also have time to relax a little.

Happy Sunday friends! Anybody have any good TV shows/series on Netflix they recommend?

Norwegian food vlog

Alright rights, as promised, the Norwegian food vlog for Miss Lisa. I wasn't going to post this but Shauna insisted that we're fun together (that was before she watched this 10min video of Nick and I trying Norwegian food).
Sorry for the sloppy editing, but after I realized our Tran-trying didn't have sound, I got defeated and started caring significantly less. I'm so sorry, Lisa, I bet this is what you were looking forward to. Hope you still love us. :)


Here's the photo that shows all the things that Lisa sent us:
[Updated!]Lisa's sweet boyfriend Lars has assured us that the brown cheese is indeed edible. Told you, Nick.

Random Sar facts

Earlier this year, I wrote about the Tag, You're It meme going around that I love! I have recently been tagged by two more lovely bloggers (Meredith and Meg), so I thought I'd answer their questions too! (It makes a good blog post, plus I still haven't touched the Norwegian vlog so I need new material.)

[questions from meredith]

[1] Where is the last place you went on vacation? Wait, vacation? What's that?! ;) I went to Seattle, WA, or as Shauna says, the most amazing place ever. I'll be back there in May, so it will be my next vacation too!

[2] Where is the place you'd most like to go on vacation? Greece. Or Hawai'i. Or anyplace as long as I can see my parents and/or be with Nick.

[3] Are there any foods you want to like but don't? Not really. I'm pretty low key.

[4] What is the last thing you ate? A nice bowl of honey nut Cheerios this morning.

[5] What is the last movie you saw? Grease, last night with Lee. He came over and we made dinner while watching the greatest musical movie starring Olivia Newton-John.

[6] What is the last book you read? A chapter out of "The Scientific Study of Human Nature: Tribute to Hans J. Eysenck at 80." You're jealous, I know.

[7] Do you paint your finger/toenails? Toenails yes, fingers no. Well, yes for the fingernails, but only clear (or else it looks super awkward on me).

[8] What's your least favorite color? I'm going to go with brown. Or mustard yellow. Not my style.

[9] What's your favorite kind of exercise and how often do you do it? I love Zumba but I haven't done that since last summer due to my schedule not matching up with when Baylor offers it (6:50 in the morning is not okay, especially when I teach at 8). I run pretty often too.

[10] What is your favorite alcoholic beverage? I consume margaritas most often (due to happy hour specials), but I love pina coladas or Captain and Diet Cokes. Or $5 Beringer wine. ;)

[11] What do you like on your pizza? Veggies! So yummy.

[questions from meg]

[1] What song lyric best describes you/your life? "Live high, live mighty, live righteously, takin' it easy." -Jason Mraz

[2] What is the biggest accomplishment in your life thus far? I'm going to go with moving to Waco, TX instead of staying in Washington where it was safe.

[3] If you could be any age again, what would you be? Depends, do I get to go back in time or do I just change ages but am where I current am? Because if I get to go back in time, I'd go back to the summer right before I moved to Texas. If just the number changes, I wouldn't be any other age but my own.

[4] What's your greatest strength? Empathy and compassion. What's your greatest weakness? Trust and lack of motivation for the mundane.

[5] What goal do you want to accomplish in the next five years? Finish my PhD (totally doable) and get a good post-doc or job that I love.

[6] Why do you blog? I love the relationships I've made with fellow bloggers, but I write because I love it. It's a good outlet and a fun hobby.

[7] Are you right brained or left brained? I actually study brain asymmetry, so I hate when people say "right brain" or "left brain" as if one hemisphere is the sole the reason why you're creative or more mathematic. Sorry to burst your bubbles y'all, but I guarantee that the supermajority of you are all left hemisphere-dominant because you're right handed [the majority of left handers are also left hemisphere-dominant]. Pop. But I'm more mathematically minded, if that's what you wanted to know. ;)

[8] What's your biggest fear? My family or N dying.

[9] If you could live in any time period, what would it be? I hate the unknown, so I'm gonna have to go with right now.

[10] What's your favorite quote? Charles Swindoll's Attitude (see page 1).

[11] What's your favorite activity? It's a mix between hysterically laughing with Nick, hugging my mama, skipping with dad, or dancing.

Hope you learned something about me! Tell me some of your answers to these questions in the comments! I'd love to hear the song lyric that best describes you, or where you'd most like to go on vacay!

I tag Susan at Suzels Says, who is a new blogger so you guys should go check her blog out (it's adorable!) and leave her some love!

Happy Friday, friends!

Thursday Thoughts v.10

Happy Thursday friends!

You know the drill by now: write down a few things you've been thinking this week, and then link up below so that others can read what you've shared! Right click and save the photo above if you want to use one for the Thursday Thoughts link-up, or use your own!

[one]

Life has been insanely busy lately, so sorry for the lack of updates! I'm still working on a vlog but I'm so angry that the sound cut out that I may only just send it to Lisa and not show anybody else. Blah.

[two]

Nick's currently in Baltimore for yet another medical school interview, then he flies to San Diego right after for one more. That means he's basically gone for all of spring break (sad face), but I'm house sitting with two of the cutest golden retrievers ever so life could be worse.

[three]

Today, my hair dryer literally blew up. Sparks were involved. I can't tell if it's just old or it's due to the newly rewired electrical outlet in the bathroom I was in, but it was terrifying. In related news, I need a new hair dryer. Any recommendations?

[four]

If you know me personally (or have read my blog at all last summer), you know that I'm a huge advocate for health education. Yesterday, there was a rally for the Texas Women's Health Program, which is the Medicaid program for low-income women in Texas. To sum it up, Governor Rick Perry is taking away $35 million from this program for a reason that is 100% political: to "defund" Planned Parenthood. Now, I have no problem with someone disagreeing with abortion, but this isn't about abortion at all. This is about pap smears, cervical cancer screenings, birth control, diabetes testing, and breast cancer screenings. This is well-woman checkups. This is the entirety of health care for over 130,000 women in Texas. And yet Governor Perry is taking this money away because the entity providing the majority of these services is Planned Parenthood. Because politically Republicans dislike abortions, they're taking away the money--yet this money has never been used for abortions. That's illegal. I'm just so frustrated that something that has nothing to do with politics is becoming a political agenda. Jesus said serve the poor, y'all, not serve the poor but only through providers who you agree with. It's so sad.

That was a long-winded way to say that I went to this rally and then found my face in the paper this morning. Uhhh...kind of awkward.

I'm sure I just lost some conservative followers, but to me, this isn't about "supporting" Planned Parenthood, this is about denying health care to 130,000 women in Texas. So sad.

[Updated: I was also just sent this link. Holy press, Batman.]

[five]

I play trivia every Tuesday with Megan, Lee, Christy, and the new Dr. Johnson Shen (woohoo!), but usually, Lee and Megan H. know everything whereas Christy, Megan JS, and I occasionally know one or two answers. This week, I got outvoted (3:1) regarding Thailand's national animal, and ended up being correct (which never happens). Thus, my team decided to name ourselves "Sarah had it right" next week. Awesome. (Overall it didn't matter, as we won regardless. Thank God for Megan and Lee.)

Due to the long rant, I'll stop my thoughts here. But don't hesitate to link yours up! Go ahead:

Dear Monday v.23

Linking up with Megan for another version of...

Dear Monday, You're gorgeous! It's beautiful and sunny outside, which means today is destined to be an absolutely fantastic day.

Dear Nick, I hope you don't mind me calling you Mr. Medical Student; sometimes I think I'm more excited that you! Regardless of where you end up going, you're officially a badass. Eeeee!

Dear Quinton, Happy 6 months alive--your half birthday! You're the cutest baby we know. I had a blast at your party and was glad I only left with a little bit of spit and peas on my cardigan.

Dear Baylor Science Building, You're practically home, considering I'm with you all the time. You're such a gorgeous house though, sometimes I forget to be grateful. Thank you for being amazing.

Dear Casey's lingerie shower/bachelorette party, I had a blast helping Liz decorate and throw the lingerie shower for you guys and then had an insane amount of fun two-stepping at the western bar on Saturday. I forgot how hilarious a bunch of women can be together!

Dear Church Under the Bridge, You're my favorite Sunday activity, and this last weekend was no exception. I'm pretty sure I see God more here than anywhere.

Dear Honeybear, When I told you about the guy who claimed to be a "rocket scientist from LA" who hit on me at the bar by asking "What would it take for you to come home with me?", you told me I should've started making a list with a Cricut at the top. You're my favorite person ever.

Happy Monday friends! I have a few meetings and then will be going to Megan's dissertation defense (which she will rock!). What are you up to today?

Starbucks Sunday

I was hoping to have our vlog ready to post today (Nick and I videotaped ourselves trying some Norwegian food that Lisa sent us straight from Norway) but I've been having some technical difficulties (arg!) and thus my frustration has gotten the best of me. Instead, enjoy this picture of me and my friend Lee. Hopefully my Dear Monday tomorrow will keep you nice and entertained! ;)

Happy Sunday friends! Here's hoping that the cute barista writes his number on your cup soon, Meg.

Thursday Thoughts v.9

Happy Thursday friends!

You know the drill by now: write down a few things you've been thinking this week, and then link up below so that others can read what you've shared! Right click and save the photo above if you want to use one for the Thursday Thoughts link-up, or use your own!

[one]

Nick has been working 24/7 lately and I feel like I haven't seen him in forever! Okay, I'm exaggerating, but he's been working 12-hour shifts all week (12pm-12am; 2pm-2am; etc.) so I have got to see him a few minutes here or there. I keep telling myself this is good practice for when he's a doctor, but still, boo!

[two]

A local shop that does custom invitations just asked me to help make two sets of wedding invitations for a client of theirs. Totally random how they found me (my bestie Liz went in there with the prototype invitation I made for her and the shop owner liked it), but I'm kind of excited to play with graphic design and get paid for it. Don't get me wrong, I'd probably do it for free, but I'm totally psyched nonetheless.

[three]

I'm kicking butt on my dissertation prospectus. I've written 22 pages in the past four days of good, solid work. Total props to Paul Silvia whose scheduled writing time has changed my life. (If you're in a profession where writing is necessary but you procrastinate a ton, this is the book for you. He also wrote a great book for undergraduate psychology majors.)

[four]

Yesterday, my alma mater PLU announced their new president for next year, Dr. Thomas Krise. For those who don't know, PLU is a tiny (about 3500 students) liberal arts university in Tacoma, WA. We had the prior president (Dr. Anderson!) for 20 years, so this is a huge change for us. I'm really excited to see where Dr. Krise takes the university.

[five]

It's been snowing in my hometown and yesterday, it was 78º F in Texas. Today, it's supposed to make it up to 79º. All I have to say is: awesome.

[six]

Guys, it's March. March. Where in the heck did January and February go?! Spring break is the week following next, which is weird because I have no plans for the first time in four years (Dad, we should've planned another trip to Disneyworld!). I'll be housesitting at professor's place since their two golden retrievers are needy. It'll be a blast, as I get to live in their house for a week and a half, plus they live by a gorgeous park where I can go running. Lovin' it.

What are you thinking today? Link up and let us know!