Good Reads

I've been battling this rotten cold since Sunday, and it legitimately sucks. All I want to do is curl up in bed forever and read every book imaginable in between naps. Like, how nice would that be? But guess what. Life must go on and I can't wait until this weekend when I hopefully have some recovery time (most likely to occur whilst procrastinating on writing a paper and studying for an exam...). 

Yesterday I may not have had classes but I did work 13 hours straight. So that was fun! Safe to say I climbed into bed and passed out, after attempting to read for 15 minutes.

I went to write the summaries/synopses (is that even the right plural for synopsis?), but then I realized I was exhausted and had only read four of the ten books on the list. So in my complete and utter laziness, I looked up the summaries. Turns out the internet is a lifesaver for bloggers who don't feel like writing summaries of books they want to read. Click away!

Foodie Fridays: Quinoa Obsession

Oh my good grief. I don't know how I ever lived without it. The "weird little grain" (as my mom likes to call it) has become one of my go-tos. Especially when I'm cooking for myself! Which has been happening a little more often than I like for it to... but as I'm moving out in less than a month then I suppose I better get used to it.

When my mom went to Paris, I was 1) dog-sitting, and 2) my dad and brother know how to cook burgers and steak, that's about it-- neither of which I'm a huge fan of-- so I had to fend for myself basically. I've been trying to lay off the red meat lately since it makes me feel so slow and sluggish, and as an alternate source of protein I thought I'd give quinoa a try.

Best decision I ever made. I've whipped up three equally tasty quinoa meals since the first one I made (which pathetically took me two hours...), and I'm so in love with all of them I couldn't not share them with you!

Five Things

Want to know how awkward it is to stalk yourself on Facebook? Okay, I know we all do it... but I actually had a purpose this time. Looking for selfies. You'll know why in a bit. Anyways, I've been seeing people in my news feed posting to a page called Gratitude Journal. I'd join it but you have to post three things a day, and most people do it first thing in the morning, but I never go on Facebook in the morning. I tend to try and remind myself what I'm most grateful for each night before I go to bed. 

But anyways, lately I've been feeling kind of grateful for myself. But before you call me conceited, hear me out! 

It takes a lot to be a strong person, and while I have my weaknesses I think I am an inherently strong-willed girl. Mentally I'm in a completely different place than I've ever been, but I still have days where I just get so down on myself. And I find myself consciously reminding myself of how good a person I am-- something I think everybody needs to do. You can't be the best version of yourself at any given time without believing you're the best you you can be... for now, anyways.

So, I thought for today's post I'd write five things I like about myself. You should grab a journal and do it too! Sometimes the only person who can convince you of just how amazing you are is yourself.

#loveyourselfie

1. I'm Loyal.

I'm so fiercely loyal to my friends and my family (and my dog) and my beliefs that sometimes I think it's a bad thing. Actually, it has proven to be a bad thing a few times in the past... especially when someone turns out to be someone completely different than who you thought they were. Thankfully it doesn't happen often, but it takes a lot of patience for someone to be loyal. I mean, all the buttons people you love can push can get to be a lot, but at the end of the day I'd do anything for my friends and family. They're everything to me.

2. I'm Hard-working.

Since I was 15 I've held down a job (or two, or three...). And I've been a full-time student. And now I have an internship on top of all of that. I may be too busy for my own good, but I love it. It keeps me going and keeps me motivated when it comes to making sure I set myself up for success.

3. I'm a Dreamer.

Literally last night when I was going to bed, I told myself to dream of Paris. And guess what! I did. Then I woke up fully believing I was going to move there and learn French after working for a couple years following graduation. Wouldn't that be lovely? La Vie en Rose may or may not be on repeat all day today... But hey, dreams keep me going.

4. I'm a family gal.

Sometimes I think it's weird because one of my favorite people to hang out with is my mom. Sunday nights are my favorite because of our family dinners with our neighbors, and the holidays are the best in my book. And while my family does tend to drive me a little crazy at times (don't they all?!), there's nothing better than a family vacation.

5. I'm Confident. (#myrealselfie)

I think this comes with age, but I'm lucky because despite all my insecurities I've always considered myself to be an overall confident person. A lot of people tell me I'm intimidating which I find funny because 98% of the time I'm doing something completely illogical. But I've found that when you believe in yourself and who you are, good things come your way. Things that are meant for you, people you're meant to stumble upon, memories you're meant to make, and I find something unbelievably surreal in that.

Gotta say, I thought a "sweat pants, hair-tied (except for not in this one), chilling with no make up (and glasses) on" look would be far more intimidating to share with the world. Be proud of who you are, imperfections and all.

xoxo, 

Em

Permanent State of Wanderlust

 Confession time: I'm procrastinating on homework as I write this. But you know when you just have so much other stuff going on that homework is the last thing you want to do? And your mind just continues to go over all sorts of things... Like your to-do list, and the "oh my god I already have a job and an internship and school and this blog and I just took on two more jobs" panic, and the "oh wow a vacation would be so nice right now.... beach included" thought. Life is in full swing people! 

There's nothing I do best (and I mean nothing) than create delusional and too-good-to-be-true scenarios in my head. Nowadays, I just think back to the fairy-tale of a night I got to have in Paris that one time (!!!)... but needless to say, dreaming is what I do best. And when I go into dream mode, these are the places (besides Paris) that my mind wanders to.

To Travel Is To Take A Journey Into Yourself

Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

Colmar, France

Kilkenny, Ireland

The Maldives

Pisa

Santorini, Greece

St. Lucia

Tuscany

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

These are just a few of the many, many, many places I plan on visiting at some point in my life. Life's so short you've just got to live it. And my idea of living is seeing everything amazing and wonderful and real that this world has to offer me. I don't think there's anything quite like nature and architecture and history to remind us of just how beautiful life is. Oh, I'm consumed by wanderlust.