An Update from Orlando!

When I first arrived!

Guys, I love Orlando.  Things are great!  I am sitting on my couch in my apartment while wearing only shorts and a t-shirt (it's February).  Today is my first real day off in about a week.  I've been on the go training every day and passing out from near-exhaustion every night just to start over again.  Although I have been very busy, I still make time for fun.  My roommates and I try to go to the parks as much as possible.  If we are too tired, we stay home and relax instead.

Highlights of my Disney Adventures thus far:

• My birthday!  My birthday happened to fall upon my first day of work.  However, my first day at Disney wasn't an average day of work: I got to visit the Magic Kingdom and saw Mickey Mouse!  Afterwards, I wrangled some of my roommates for a day of fun at the Magic Kingdom!  I wore my pink Minnie Mouse ears and pink Toms to the park and also received a "Happy Birthday" pin!  Later, all of my roommates and our neighbors went to dinner at Rainforest Cafe and explored Downtown Disney.  Guys, go to Goofy's Confectionery on your birthday!  You get free stuff!  I got a free chocolate-covered marshmallow coated with M&Ms!  I also got a ton of Mickey stickers for my birthday!  Disney birthdays are AMAZING!
• Going to the parks.  So far, I have been to three out of the four parks down here with my roommates (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT). I think Hollywood Studios is my favorite park so far; it has most of my favorite rides (Star Tours, Tower of Terror...) and I love the 1920s Hollywood theme.  When I went, my roommate and I got to "act" in the Studio Back-lot Tour!  We also had the pleasure of meeting Mike and Sully from Monsters, Inc.  The other night I went to Epcot with a different roommate and went on most of the rides.  Then, we got dinner in France and watched the fireworks from our table!  Tres magnifique!
• Finding out where I worked.  On the first day, I had to go through a maze of lines to register for housing, file my new-hire paper work, and other various things.  This day was very chaotic (I wasn't sure if I was going to make it on time!  I got to registration 5 minutes before it closed!) and I was super nervous and excited to finally be in Orlando.  When I went through Casting (The Disney way of saying "Employment Office"), I was finally told where I was working.  I got placed into the Yacht and Beach Club resorts!!!  

My name tag!

What my desk at Traditions looked like! I got the Donald for being a team leader!

Perk: Going to the park whenever I want, and the shuttle being empty!

My roommates and I at Magic Kingdom.  It was a spontaneous trip!

I am loving my experience so far.  However, I do miss my family and friends a lot.  I can't wait for everyone to start visiting me!

Breakfast at Tiffany's broke me

This is a blog post I wrote in early November when things were getting to hard for me to handle and I was getting out of touch with reality:

Confession: I cried during the last five minutes of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" - actually, I bawled during the last five minutes. I honestly don't know what came over me. I think I expected them to part ways and they would continue being miserable with their lives. I didn't expect them to be happy. I wanted them to be happy. I think my current lack of faith in love is what broke me. Have you ever stopped believing in something because no one else believes in it?

I think of my life in metaphors a lot and that my life is full of symbolism and other literary bullshit. I find life parallels in literature and instantly think my life will mirror the book. I think my life is foreshadowed by books and movies.  I have been getting out of touch with reality lately.  Does anyone else feel this way?

Goals and Aspirations for 2012!

Source: weheartit.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Last year, I had three major goals: Become healthier, become more productive in the morning, and figure out my life after college.  Out of those three goals, I feel like I have accomplished the first and the last goal quite well.  I have changed my eating habits and have lost my RA weight and have maintained a healthy weight. I fit into clothes better.  I feel better about myself.  Life after college is covered until August 10th.  I have a job at Disneyworld (in case you didn't know).  But after that?  I have no idea what to do after that!  As for the morning productivity goal, I have embraced the fact that I am not a morning person and that I am most productive at night.  For 2012, I have set new goals.

1. Get my finances straight.  While I was in college, I thought to myself "I don't need to worry about this right now!  I'll worry about it when I am done with college and have a Big Girl job!"  Well, I am done with college and have a job.  Guys, college made me straight up poor.  I have $10 to my name right now.  This year, I plan on paying down some of the debt I accumulated over the past 5 and a half years and find new ways to be thrifty.  I am going to embrace my inner Recessionista (Depressionista???) and get my finances under control!
2. Write more for fun.  My writing has been on a hiatus for a long time.  Last semester was difficult for me to keep up with my thoughts and do my classwork.  I have a lot that I want to write about, but just did not have the time to write about it (or felt guilty about writing when I knew I had other things to accomplish).  I aim to write in this blog at least three times a week.  I will continue to do TILTs and I would like to do a weekly Disney update once I arrive in Florida.  I will revive Art Mondays to continue practicing the knowledge I've obtained during college. Maybe I will do book reviews Which brings me to goal #3.
3. Read for fun!  I enjoy reading.  I am fairly bookish, so this goal won't be too difficult now that I don't have text books to read anymore.  Currently, I am reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami.  Next on my list is A Thing of Beauty by Steve Martin (Yes, that Steve Martin).
4. Figure out what to do after my internship with Disney ends.  I know that I want to move back to California, but I don't know what to do after that.  Graduate school?  Continue working for Disney?  Attend Culinary School?  Utilize my degree in Art History by becoming a "Genius Waitress"?  Truth be told, I do not know what I want to be when I grow up.  I just want to be happy, but that occupation does not pay the bills.

Source: turbogirl.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Miscellaneous Aspirtations:

• Continue surrounding myself with wonderful, positive people.  
• Continue staying positive and happy.  
• Become Ariel at Disneyworld.  Or Mary Poppins.  I'm not picky! (Maybe not realistic, but I can still dream!)
• Make a lot of new friends at Disneyworld!  
• Go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Save up enough money to afford a Nook Color
• Experience as many new experiences as possible!  I want to do everything!
• Learn to appreciate Classical Music (sounds familiar?)
• Learn and understand Philosophy

Things I Love Thursday: A Year in Review

Hello Blog!  Its been a long time!  I haven't written anything since November. Since I am officially done with college, I have a surplus of time to write again!  So, I would like to do a special edition of TILT:  Things I Love 2011!

Source: fromupnorth.com via Ashley on Pinterest

First off, I would like to state that 2011 was probably the most challenging, difficult year of my life.  I experienced a lot of bittersweet endings: I broke up with my long time boyfriend, I ended my two year job with Residence Life, and I ended my college career.  Along with the endings, I experienced new beginnings: I formed a lot of new friendships, I moved off campus and got my first apartment with my friend Kyla, I tried to live my last semester as a college student to the fullest, I started dating again, and I was offered a job with my favorite company in the whole world (Disney!).  Without further ado, I present my lengthy (but abridged) TIL2011 list!

Month by Month Highlights:

• January - Visited University of Northern Iowa for a ResLife conference and met a lot of cool people; my friend Nick visited me and I gave him the Springfield experience! Became obsessed with DanceCentral.  Vowed to never eat dining hall food ever again.
• February - Snowpocalypse occured!  I got snowed in with my favorite residents/friends and we watched a TON of movies!  I turned 23!  My BFFs came out to see me despite Snowpocalpyse!  I think it was one of the best birthdays I have ever had!  I dyed my hair black!  I tried to do p90x again (which ended by March). I discovered Pinterest and spiraled into a crippling addiction to the website ("I can stop whenever I want!" I shouted during all of my desk shifts).
• March - My family moved houses!  The song "Friday" became a phenomenon and everyone's lives were never the same ever again.
• April - This was a month of SHENANIGANS with my friends in Kentwood.  The semester was getting close to ending, but it wasn't close enough! 

My life from April - DecemberSource: Uploaded by user via Kyla on Pinterest

• May - Last month as an RA EVER!  I said goodbye to the place I called my home for the past two years, and got sad about not seeing some of my favorite people everyday.  Succeeded in not eating Dining Hall food.
• June&July - Worked 60 hours a week between my CA job and Summer Internship at the History Museum.  Color-stripped my hair. Started dating again.  Learned how to change a flat tire.  Ate a lot of Pineapple Whip.  Enjoyed Summer and started making time lines for Graduate School.  Moved into my first apartment!  Took the GRE, cried, and got drunk by 1pm.  Dyed my hair red again.
• August - Started my final semester of college!  Made a vow to live the semester to the fullest!  Didn't have a job for the first time in two years. Began a baking frenzy and continued to bake something once a week until the last week of the semester.  Miraculously did not gain any weight from the surplus of baked goods.
• September - Caffeine addiction reached a new peak.  Applied to Graduate School.  Decided to stay in St. Louis after I graduated.  Shenanigans as always.  Started making my epic Halloween Costume. The Honey Badger became my spirit animal.  Got hired on to Toys R Us and started making Cash Money again!
• October - My favorite month of the year!  Went out every weekend!  Busted out all of my fall accessories (My closet is scarf tour de force!).  Got into Graduate School.  Decided to postpone graduate school.  Had one of the best Halloweens ever (Top 3, for sure!)
• November - Started looking for post-grad jobs.  Contemplated going to Culinary School.  Applied for the Disney College Program and got in within two days of my phone interview(!)
• December - Motivation was at an all time low, but I managed to finish and pass all of my classes!  I ate a lot of pizza rolls and drank a lot of energy drinks and coffee.  I graduated college FINALLY!  I went on vacation for the first time in years and got to visit my family and friends in California!

So, those are the good things that happened in 2011.  Now, its time to tackle 2012 before the world ends!

Are you there blog? Its me, Ashley.

Hey, remember that time when I had a blog and I updated it at least once a week?  Yeah, that was a long time ago!  I am bringing it back!

Short Life Re-Cap:

• I'm still in college.  It takes up a lot of my time, guys!  But I am almost done with college!!!  I have about 5 or so weeks left!  I just have to make sure I do not fail any of my classes...
• I have a job now.  So when I am not doing homework (or procrastinating), I am working. Yay money!!!
• I am applying for jobs after college.
• I made the educated decision to take a six month break before I start up graduate school.
• I am going to Disneyland this winter (I think everyone knew this, but I like to talk about it!)

Source: weheartit.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Honestly, this is my life: School, work, sleep, repeat. So, that is a main reason I haven't blogged in a million years.  The other part are the mini-existential crises I have on a daily basis.  But if you know me, this isn't a new thing.

Mini Things I Love Thursday:

My totally Mod hair cut * coffee every day * long conversations with good friends * listening to Christmas music prematurely * free pie! * awkward texts * boots + tights + knee socks * Big knit hats and fingerless gloves * baking!!! * Staring at Ryan Gosling * Counting down the days until I am done with college *

New Hair!  Do I look totally tired?  Its because I am!

TILT: Blogging from la casa de Andrade!

Right now, I am writing this on the couch in the living room of my parents house.  I woke up this morning at 10:40 am and I sat on  my butt for three hours.  I even suckered my dad into watching "Tangled" with me!  Its really nice to relax!  I haven't been home since August, so it was high time for me to visit the family and see my friends.  This extended weekend is going to be jam-packed with shenanigans with friends, spending time with family, doing homework, and cuddling with Sophie!

Source: tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Big Things:

• Guys, its almost Halloween!  In case you haven't figured it out, Halloween is my favorite holiday.  My Poison Ivy costume is pretty awesome!  I can't wait to wear it!  I would like to have the opportunity to wear it every day the week of the 24th...and I am figuring out how I can make that happen!  Also, I have prepared for Halloween by: listening to the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack on repeat, watched The Nightmare Before Christmas three times (yes, its a Halloween movie), watched Frankenweenie and Vincent as well, and made a ton of pumpkin foods.  I also plan on watching scary movies, the Addams Family, and eating a lot more pumpkin foods and Halloween candy.  I love love love Halloween!
• Silver Dollar City shenanigans!  My dear friend Sarah took me to Silver Dollar City this past weekend and it was a ton of fun!  There were real Lumberjacks that did a variety of Lumberjack tasks (like throwing axes at a target, speed-pole climbing, and log rolling!).  And while we were there, we at a lot of tasty food like: cinammon rolls, twisted potatoes on a stick, and apple dumplings!  Delicious!
• My new job! I recently got hired on to Toys R Us for seasonal work, and I like it a lot!  I got placed into electronics, and its a wonderful fit.  The guys that were training me all have superhero names ("I am Thor, and this is Captain America.") and I get a hero name too.  Since most female superheros are rather lame, I (of course) wanted a villain name, and I chose Poison Ivy (obviously)!  But if I have to recant my name, I will go with Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) since she has red hair and is a librarian.  Anyhow, its great to be employed again!

Source: None via Ashley on Pinterest

Little Things:
Breakfast at Tiffany's * Quoting "Anchorman" like its 2006 * Having a wide variety of code names for people (Trogdor, R2, K2, etc) * Partying hilarity * Texts that make me laugh out loud in awkward places (like the library or on the shuttle) * Introducing my parents to Nyan Cat (which my mom is mildly obsessed with) * Strange/prophetic(?) dreams *

TILT - Lots of links, videos, and music...and a vacation???

Hi Friends!  How is your week?  Are you celebrating Fall by eating pumpkin things?  My week is great, thanks for asking!  Guess what?

...I am really excited to announce that after I graduate this winter, I am going to California!!!

I was on an Elliptical when I got the news, but I pretty much did this.  Sorry everyone at the gym!

Don't you fret, its just a vacation unless I magically miss my flight and find some couches to sleep on until I find employment and can support myself and I will be returning to St. Louis at some point.  I am so excited to go!  I haven't been to California in FOUR years!  I can't wait to see my family and spend the holidays knowing there is a 0% chance of snow!!!  Also, there is talk of going to....

"I just graduated college and I'm going to Disneyland!" - Me in a few months

Source: flickr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

DISNEYLAND!!!!  Friends, you know how I feel about Disneyland.  I am not ashamed to say its my favorite place in the whole world.  I may even go as far and say its my favorite place that has ever existed in time and in space (that is a big commitment!  I've only been alive for 23 years!  How would I know?!).  I have already compiled a list of all the Mickey-shaped foods I am going to eat and which characters I want to meet (Flynn Rider, I'm looking at you!)  Needless to say, going to California is the biggest high of my week!  Seeing my family is a big motivation to finishing up this final semester of college!


Small Things:
Today is National Coffee Day! * Breadfish * "Omg Ashley! We are gyming and tanning!" "I need to do laundry!" "What have we become?!" "Neither of us are Italian Americans!" "But seriously, wouldn't the gym be great if it were a laundromat too???" * THIS conversation * Kyla and I practicing the smiles from said conversation * Having four simultaneous conversations about HoneyBadgers (and I did not start any of them!!!) * My BFF Nick is coming into town today!!! * Baking (I perfected the White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookie) * I appreciate this blog entry

Multimedia Extravaganza!!!! (The Internet and I were very cozy this last week)
Tumblrs I Like:
Cute Boys with Cat
My Daguerreotype Boyfriend
The Daily Beard

I like this playlist:

I like this song:

How I celebrated Coffee Day:

Confession: I am a Hobbit...

The other day, I popped in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and came upon the harsh realization that I am pretty much a hobbit.  This is not something I am proud to admit.  In fact, I am slightly embarrassed that I compare myself to mystical creatures.  Lets be real: No one wants to be a hobbit.  Being a dwarf would be worse!  But everyone wants to be an Elf (even if you think LOTR is lame, you know its true).  After feeling sad that I am not a tall, elegant, graceful elf with strong, beautiful facial features, I came to terms with my hobbitness.  Here are my hobbit characteristics:

• Stature.  I am short.  I admit it.  I can't reach the top shelf in any of the cabinets in my kitchen.  I can barely get my t-shirts off of my t-shirt shelf in my closet.  I can't see the top of the fridge.  I can barely look over the dash of my car.  I am short.
• I LOVE FOOD.  Hobbits like to eat and they eat a lot.  I can be BFFs with Merry and Pippin.  I can out eat most people that I know (Challenge me, I dare you!)  I would be happy eating the hobbit eating schedule - Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevensees, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, and Supper.
• I enjoy a well brewed beer.
• I'd rather participate in leisure activities than do work (doesn't anyone, though?)

A quote that may or may not resemble a real life conversation I have had multiple times:

Legolas: Lembas! [nibbles a corner] One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man!
Merry: [to Pippin] How many did you eat?
Pippin: Four.

I share the same excitement over Starbucks:

(Guys...This is me...I even own a vest, suspenders, and scarves!)

Yes, I am a Hipster Hobbit.  I love Starbucks and liking things before they were cool.  Also, check out more of Noelle's series "The Broship of the Ring" - it is hilarious!  And her Tumblr is just stinkin' great!

TILT - Hot beverages, pumpkin everything, Lion King 3D!

I LOVE FALL.  The weather has been wonderful!  Each morning I've made a delicious chocolate-infused coffee and then a Chai tea for the afternoon because the weather has been perfect for it!  I love the rain (especially when it is not monsooning!) because that means: Wearing my snazzy raincoat, fancy scarves, and boots!  Sometimes I think living in Seattle would be most ideal for me.  Who knows?  I want to live everywhere!

• Lion King 3D - If you know anything about me, you know that I love Disney.  When I found out that Lion King was coming out in 3D, you bet your behind that I wanted to see it ASAP.  I loved it.  The movie wasn't super 3D-y (if ya know what I mean), but it was just great to see it on a big screen!  Now that I am 23 and not 5 years old with an attention span of a gnat, I truly appreciated Lion King in all of its splendor.  Everyone at the theatre was my age (plus or minus 5 years); I did not see any children.  Reader Question: What was the average age of the audience when you saw Lion King 3D???  I also would like to support Disney in 3D-ifying and rereleasing classic movies in theatres (My suggestions include: The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast; I would also like to see Peter Pan but not in 3D) 
• Free things!  Guys, "free" is my favorite four letter F word.  I love getting things for free!  This week, I got a free month long gym membership, free tanning gift certificate (laugh it up!), and will be getting free pumpkin beer!  
• HALLOWEEN!  Halloween is coming up!  This is my favorite holiday (next to Valentine's Day...And Christmas, of course!).  Nothing makes me more excited about Halloween!  Guys, I already watched The Nightmare Before Christmas (yes, I consider this a Halloween movie!) and I am planning on watching the Addams Family soon.  Also, I want to have a scary movie night!  And Halloween costume?  Oh, its going to be awesome!  

Little Things:
Pumpkin Everything (candles, cookies, muffins, lattes, oatmeal, body wash!) * Wearing skirts (ok, you caught me, I need to do laundry!  But I love not wearing pants!) * Watching Kyla try and kill a fly (she is going about it wrong) * Hilarious Twitter conversations * "He was like blah blah blah my girlfriend this blah blah blah" "You should have been like blah blah blah I'm gonna kiss your face! blah blah blah!" * Talking like the Swedish Chef (Bork bork bork!) * Elliott Smith all day, every day * Chai Tea and coffee * Reminding myself that literature is not equal to reality (even if strange parallels occur) * Someone has answered my prayers!  I can have hair like Zooey Deschanel!!! * Employment!!! * Songs with whistling:

(I actually hate Maroon 5 and the message of this song, but I love whistling.  I can't help it)

TILT - Supportive friends and embracing fall!

Source: andiwantstotravel.tumblr.com via Susan on Pinterest

Hi friends!  I hope that everyone is having a good week.  Mine has had its ups and downs (check out my blog entry on Life Decisions), but overall, its been a fairly positive week.

Big Things:

• My BFFs and their excitement about me moving back to St. Louis.  My best friends get me through a lot and are nothing but supportive of everything I do! In fact, they are more than supportive of me moving back! This past year of them being in the real world while I'm still in college has been rough and  I can't wait to be near them again!
• School.  Guys, I kind of really like this semester of school.  For the first time in a long time, I feel intellectually stimulated and challenged in my classes.  Maybe this is a new feeling because I know this is my last semester of having to sit in undergraduate classes.  I feel like I am in control of my school work instead of my school work controlling me.  
• The Fall Weather.  I love summer and everything it stands for, but I absolutely love everything about fall.  I love wearing scarves and jackets and layering.  I love hot beverages and pumpkin.  I know I already wrote about my love for fall, but this week is perfect.  This morning I made myself a wonderful cup of coffee (I added cocoa powder to it!) and ate a pumpkin spice muffin for breakfast - it was the perfect fall breakfast!  "If you love Fall so much, then why don't you marry it?"  WELL MAYBE I WILL.

Source: iheartlove.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Small Things:
Cardigans and scarves * Pumpkin Spice Muffins * Baking * Compiling an amazing fall playlist * Time to be creative and artsy-fartsy * Weekend Shenanigans * My red hair (I'm more in love with it than usual) * Donating blood and recieving a mug for four successful donations * EE Cummings (always always alwayssss) * Listening to Across the Universe and The Beatles * THIS VIDEO - I am embarrassed by how funny I think it is *  Gala Darling Always! * My subconscious attraction to lumberjacks???   IDK! * Dressing like a villain * Drinking a huge cup of tea while reading a book (for fun) before bed * Cuddling up in my hot-pink blanket * Texts that make me smile and laugh * My heterolifemate * The New Girl (seriously, so funny)

I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is. - Kurt Vonnegut

What is wonderful in your life???

Life Decisions...

Source: ffffound.com via Ryan on Pinterest

I have made the decision to move back to St. Louis after I graduate this December.  This is not my first choice, but it will lead me to what I really want.  But do I really know what I really want?  I digress, this is not the point of this entry.  Anyhow, I will be heading back to St. Louis for about a year.   I will be going to graduate school part time and (hopefully) working full time.

Why is this my decision?  Well, Graduate School is expensive.  Going to Graduate School out of state is really expensive.  Unfortunately, I do not have the money to move across the country and attend school.  I'm going to do the trendy thing and move back home and work at a place that I am over-qualified for (hello, waiting tables!).

I'm going to be honest, coming to terms with this decision is difficult.  I panicked.  All of these terrible thoughts kept popping into my head: What if I get stuck in Missouri forever?  If I chose a different major, maybe I would not be in this situation.  I can't live at home!  It'll be just like high school!  WHAT IF I GET STUCK IN MISSOURI FOREVER!?!?!?!  I am convinced that Missouri is the Bermuda Triangle - once you are here, you can't leave!  But, this is only temporary.  I will not get stuck in Missouri forever.  After I stopped crying on the phone with my mom, I readjusted my attitude and thought of the positive things:

• Living at home = No rent (or very little rent!)
• I get to spend my days with Sophie! (I will be maintaining a Facebook Fan Page for her when I move back)
• My BFFs are in St. Louis!  I get to see them whenever I want!
• I won't be in Springfield
• St. Louis has a lot of free opportunities (Art Museum, Zoo, History Museum)
• Better job opportunities (I probably won't be waiting tables)
• I'll have time to really decide where I want to live my adult life (California?  Arizona?  Be a jet-setter?)
• Time to travel???  Road trip??? IDK.

Overall, this is the smart, grown up decision.  I have come to terms with it.  That's a lie.  I still want to get out of here ASAP.  But this is only temporary and everything will work out.  And when things get tough, I will just bake (because that is what I do when I am stressed out).

TILT: Getting healthy, Completing Goals, and Lots-o-Videos!

Its Thursday?  Already???  I love short weeks because the weekend comes by so much quicker!  So, here's what's good:

• The Roommate "Get Healthy" Pact -  I mentioned this pact a couple of weeks ago, but I will go into a little bit more detail now!  The last couple of weeks, my roommate and I have started to become healthy.  As former RAs, we got used to eating dining hall food (and then going out to eat because we were dissatisfied with the food), staying up late, being stressed out 24/7, and eating our feelings.  This is very unhealthy.  We needed a change!  So, we are eating very healthy (lots of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, lots and lots of water) and it is working out great!  I had already gotten down to my Pre-RA weight before this, but now I am lighter!  We both are very successful so far!
• Baking - Oh goodness I love baking.  And since we are being healthier, it is a struggle to remind myself I can't bake since we can't eat any of it. BUT I can bake for other people!  What I am saying: if you want some dinosaur shaped sugar cookies, I can totally make them for you!
• Graduation Bucket List - I have compiled a list of things I need to do in Springfield before I graduate.  The list initially consisted of three things, but it has now expanded to about 10 things!  Tonight, I am going to cross off my first item on the list!  If anyone thinks of something that I need to do before I graduate, let me know!

THIS IS ADORABLE

Little things:
The Jerk * "Oh God!  I've heard about this...Cat juggling!!!" * Fall weather (cardigans and hats!!!) * Getting excited about pumpkin spice everything! * Waking up laughing (seriously, it happens all the time!) * Going to Art Walk for the first time in forever! * Visiting Kentwood * Laughing like a fool on the shuttle when I receive a hilarious text * Finally getting a coffee table for our living room * Star Wars Labor Day Marathon (enjoyed at friends' houses since we don't have cable) * Schweddy Balls Ice Cream?! * Being productive at Barnes and Noble * Exquisite hair days * She & Him is releasing a Christmas Album!!!




Two of my favorite things: Disneyland and Star Wars:


If you haven't seen The Jerk, go see it now!



This video shares all of my feelings I have over this topic:


This song is always stuck in my head

A is for Ashley...

This fall, the 1960s Collegiate Prep look is really in.  I am really into it.  I was browsing on Forever21, and found some things that were made specifically for me.  Yes, Forever21 thought "What can we make for Ashley that she would absolutely go crazy for???"

I need an "A is for Ashley" letterman jacket or sweater.  Truthfully, I am super in love with the pullover with the huge "A" in the center.  This shirt will be mine.  Oh yes, it will be mine.  But I don't want to spend $20 on it.  Luckily, my smart roommate Kyla says "Ashley, you know how to sew...Why don't you make it!"  Why didn't I think of that?!  Friends, I am making myself this sweater this weekend.  I know, I know.  I can hear what some of you guys are thinking "Ashley, you are going to look like a lost Weasley kid, especially with your red hair!" or "Ashley, you are not a Chipmunk!"

My response to those statements: I don't care!  This is happening.  I'll just be really easy to spot on campus/in public.

The fall weather that we've been having the past couple of the days has put me into a Fall Frenzy.  I want to wear cardigans, knitted caps, and comfy scarves to class.  I want to drink pumpkin spice lattes while eating apple pie.  I want to wear an "A is for Ashley" shirt while drinking a pumpkin spice latte.  I absolutely love fall.

Anyone else crazy for a ridiculous trend?  Or is as excited as me about fall?

Things I Love Thursday - September 1st!

Source: weheartit.com via Savona on Pinterest

I can't believe that its September!   Where did this year go???  I like comparing my life from this time last year to where I am now.  Its a big improvement!  But that will be another blog entry!  This is what's good in my life this week:

• This is my second week of my final semester as an Undergraduate!  Last week, I was very resistant with the whole "going back to school" business.  This week, however, I feel recharged and excited knowing that this is it.  I have been diving head first into my homework and keeping up on my readings.  I pretty much live at the library.  Today I gave myself the day off from the library to do studying elsewhere.  I might hit up a coffee shop or a different library (NERD!) just for the change of scenery.
• Being a grown-up.   I know, calling myself a "grown-up" is not very mature, but I still feel like a kid playing house when I am at my apartment.  Paying rent?  Cooking food (not Ramen or Easy Mac)?  Making coffee before my commute to school in the morning?  Oh yes, I am doing all of these things!  
• A weekend at home!  Last weekend, I went home for an extended stay for the first time in a really long time!  The first night I went out with my BFFs to celebrate BFF Kara's birthday (Ashley, we missed you!) and it was a very indulgent night!  We went to Bailey's Chocolate Bar and reviewed predictions we made for ourselves last December.  Some of them were spot on!  We amended our old predictions for when we meet for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in December!  The rest of the weekend, I hung out with my family, and that was really nice!  I enjoy hanging out with my family!
• Getting excited about the fall!  I love fall!  I am getting excited about drinking Apple Cider, eating Apple Pie, and wearing cute clothes!  I love love love fall!

Multimedia that made me laugh/smile:

THIS VIDEO

Favorite part of the video! (From here)

I have a tumblr addiction...(from here)

(This song is still one of my favorites!)

Little Things:

"Next thing you'll know, you will find out he has a concave chest and you will eat cereal out of it!" * Drinking delicious tea with Kyla and Sarah at the MudLounge * Seeing a lot of my old residents on campus and having great conversations with them * Bumping into people I haven't seen in ages * "You sounded like a raging Marxist" * Tweeting about being a raging Marxist and receiving a reply from TwitterJosephMcCarthy (!!!) * "We're a better team than...Ummm...Tom and Jerry?...A better team than...umm...Noah and Allie???" * Making time to read for fun (On the reading list: Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas) * Also, making time to write for fun * Being in love with life!

From here

TILT: Mermaid hair and Summer Skin

Source: soul-surfer.tumblr.com via Laura on Pinterest

So summer break is officially over.  Summer is my favorite, and I don't want it to end (I use #summerforever all the time on Tumblr.  FOR REAL).  I am trying to extend the summer by being out in the sun as much as possible (which means I am peach colored, not translucent) and re-dying my hair Ariel-red.  I love summer.

While I am lamenting the end of summer, the end of summer does mean one thing: School is back in session!  This week was my last first week of school!  I am so excited about finally finally finally finishing my undergraduate degree.  I have a shining future ahead: Graduate school, crippling student loan debt, and probable unemployment.  But I will be living some place where it is summer forever (hopefully!).

The end of summer also meant the end of my summer internship.  Working at the History Museum was a lot of fun and a different experience from any other job I had.  I mostly worked independently and out of site from most people.  This may sound horrible, but it was actually really nice.  Since my summer job involved working with people (usually unhappy people), working on a computer in a corner was actually pleasant.  I became a data input-er extraordinaire and developed a new found appreciation for Springfield (guys, I know).  Also, I found a fun name: Matthias Gish Moist, the head of the Moist Family.  I am easily amused.

Today, I get to go home for the weekend!  It's going to be great to see my family and friends!  I am going specifically to celebrate my friend Kara's birthday.  We are going to eat our weight in chocolate.  

Small things:

Eating cake for breakfast * Seeing a lot of friends on campus * Getting cozy in the library for the semester * Buying everything in bulk at Sam's Club * Finding the best chocolate chip cookie recipe (Ghiradelli is my favorite right now) *  Listening to PlayRadioPlay! and Phantom Planet obsessively because it reminds me of being 20 * Snarky cross-stitching * Pretentious Mondays (bring you snobbery and fancy things!) * Spontaneity 

Unrelated: I am creating a graduation bucket list.  If there are things I should do before I graduate, let me know!  I only have two things on my list!

TILT: Overwhelming feelings of Positivity!

This week has been a pretty fantastic week.  A lot of good things are coming my way, I can feel it!

Today, I had a very positive meeting with my internship adviser.  Today was my mid-term review of my internship, and it was great!  I am really glad that my supervisor thinks I am doing well and likes having me work at the museum.  I also have my degree audit in line.  I (unfortunately) have to take another Spanish class (I have 11 credit hours...I need 12...)  BUT I am officially ready to graduate!  I am so excited!!!  Pink, glittery shoes, here I come!

Last Friday night was absolutely outrageous.  I went out with a group of people to Piano Bar, which I don't go to very often (usually its not a lot of fun).  This trip, however, was just ridiculous!  I won a free drink because I knew a trivia question (I should have a degree in Pop Culture with a minor in Useless Information, because that is all I seem to know - I'm great for trivia teams!), got high fives from the piano players, and got a fun nickname from the main piano player.  The night ended with Kyla and I laughing really hard and obnoxiously and then deciding that we want to be like Draco Malfoy.  

Also, I would like to point out that this has been the best summer I have had in a couple of years.  Although I have been working a lot of ridiculous hours, I still had a ton of fun.  I've made a lot of new friends and tried a lot of new things.  All in all, this summer has been a success!  No Bummer Summer!

Small things:
Banana Bread! * Watching The Flight of the Conchords and getting sad that I do not have season two * Day dreaming of California and Disneyland * Roommate "Get Healthy" Pact * Getting a hair cut * Sushi with lots of wasabi * S'mores! * Wearing lots of purple * Having a promising future

Words of Wisdom:

It is really easy to get caught up in negativity.  But there is always something good that comes out of not so positive experiences.  THIS IS SO CLICHE, I know! But it is true!

And now your moment of Zen:

Beluga Whale dancing to a Mariachi Band. BEST THING EVER.

TILT: Apartment Life!

Source: flickr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

It is officially August.  Where did this summer go?  Time has certainly flown by.  School is coming up soon, and I am panicking!  I don't want summer to end!  But, there are plenty of wonderful things to celebrate.

Coincidentally, these are the same rules Kyla and I have for our apartment

I absolutely love my apartment. I finally have a bed, which means I can sleep there now.  There are so many things I want to do to beautify my room.  For example, I now am a proud owner of an old metal bed frame and I want to paint it a crazy color...Maybe pink?  At this rate, my room is going to look like a bedroom for a 5 year old but I don't care!  I also want to make a quilt and throw pillows!  Will I have time?  Probably not.  But I can dream!

I am also excited about cooking.  Having a kitchen is the best!  I just want to put on my apron and make pie and dinosaur-shaped cookies.  I can't wait until we have time to have an apartment warming party!  Its gonna be fantastic!  Basically, I am turning into a domestic diva.  I don't mind!


Small Things:
Getting paid to watch Arrested Development * Black Cherry Lemonade * Nutella * LOL-ing to A Very Potter Sequel with Kyla * Free Sushi * Having a beautifully organized closet * Curly hair * Lots of hours at work * New blog background * Opportunities to nap today * The apartment the apartment the apartment!  I can't say it enough!

“The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.” - Henry Miller

What is My Life?

"WHAT IS MY LIFEEEE???" is something I ask myself frequently.  Usually, its part of my internal monologue.  Once in a while, I vocalize it and follow the statement with "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!"

A lot of things are coming up.  BIG THINGS.  Graduate school application deadlines (!!!) are coming up quick.  I need to finish getting my stuff together so I can actually graduate.  I also need to figure out where I am going to live and HOW I'm going to do it.  I  barely was able to move myself down to Springfield, which is only a three hour drive from home.  How will I move myself across the country? So many questions!

How do I get this life?

Sometimes (actually all of the time) I like to make alternative plans.  These plans tend to be crazy and unrealistic or drab and underachieving.  The latter is because its the easy way out (aka: "if nothing goes right, this is my plan z").  The former is my favorite, but its usually a waste of time.  For example, here are a few of my fun alternate plans:

• Become a face character at Disneyland.  Preferably Ariel or Mary Poppins
• Pick up all of my stuff and move to LA and attend Graduate School online
• Become a professional pie maker 
• Backpack across Europe
• Learn how to hula hoop with hoops that are ON FIRE.  Join a carnival.  Go to Burning Man?
• Live a penniless existence in Chicago and work at a vintage store downtown
• Live in a musical.  Preferably A Very Potter Musical

Unrealistic.  

Embarrassing Unrelated Fact: I like to think about fictional characters that I can relate with.  Usually, it's Disney characters.  Lately, I feel more like Rolly from 101 Dalmations instead of Belle (who I relate with the most).  Why Rolly?  I feel like the most common phrase that comes out of my mouth at least five times daily is "But I'm still hungry!" And then I ask myself "What is my lifeeee?"  I am so glad I was able to bring that full circle.

Things I Love Thursday: 7-29-2011

One day, I will remember to post this on a Thursday!  So, here's whats good!

• The Apartment.  Oh, the apartment is wonderful.  There are still a few key pieces missing (like A BED) but its coming along nicely!  The other night I made panini sandwiches, and I felt like a true adult.  Kyla and I also went on a shopping trip to Sam's Club and bought a lot of great things (like wine! And a year supply of toilet paper!).  Pictures soon, I promise!
• My friend/former co-worker Kelli is in town!  I got to see her last night with a lot of my favorite people.  I miss seeing her everyday and laughing all the time.  
• THE FUTURE.  I am always excited about the future.  I might be visiting Arizona in a couple months for a campus visit!  I can't wait!  I've been using my tumblr to look at images of Tucson for the past couple of months and the city looks beautiful! 
• The other night, I watched A Very Potter Musical.  I then had the strange urge to roll around on the floor like Draco Malfoy.  Like so:

Small Things Worth Mentioning:

Making amazing playlists for my iPod. * Smiling a lot * Laughing about awkward moments (there have been a lot of them lately.  All of which are HILARIOUS) * Having crazy red hair * Social Outings * Free things!