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.