breathe in, breathe out.

Listening to: "Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake (I'm addicted currently)

Sorry for the long hiatus. I am back now . . . hopefully.

This summer, I had no excuse to not be blogging. I had plenty of time outside of work and hanging out with friends and family. But this past semester I was working two jobs on top of taking 17 credit hours. I was trying to balance having a social life and sleep with all of that and I usually only got one of those accomplished (school work and job stuff).

But this semester I am only taking 14 credit hours on top of my two jobs here on campus. I am trying to find a internship for this summer though. That process feels like a job in itself. I think I should be getting a credit in school for email writing currently. I probably send at least 5-10 emails a day for my jobs and to try and find an internship for this summer. 

Unfortunately, I did not realise until this past summer that I want to do public relations. I also did not let myself realise, until this summer, that I want to work in the fashion industry. So, needless to say, I am a bit behind on everything and I have some catching up to do.

I am hoping to start blogging more. That can only help me process everything better and give me a way to continually work on my writing even with a semi tight schedule. 

I am also hoping to actually start writing more on my fashion blog. I feel almost a bit ridiculous (okay, I'm a bit more than a bit ridiculous) having four blogs. I have this blog, a fashion blog on Blogger which can be found here (I need to make some changes to the layout of that blog  and hopefully start doing daily/every other day outfit posts), and I have two Tumblr accounts. One of the Tumblr blogs is a personal blog with random rantings about my day and pictures while the other is a strictly fashion tumblr which can be found here. I love adding to that blog daily. Looking at other fashion blogs makes me beyond happy and it also makes me wish I didn't have a college student budget.

Here's to a new semester (even though it's almost half over), more blogging, and internship hunting. 

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sinking ships and driving tips.

Listening to: "U.N.I" by Ed Sheeran (I am still absolutely in love with his album! I am happy to finally have a physical copy of it.)

A few Friday mornings ago I went to the Henry Ford Museum with my aunt and brother to see the Titanic exhibit that they have there through September. I have always loved the movie and have been fascinated by the ship and the amount of stuff that has been able to have been recovered over the years.


The entire exhibit was fascinating. 


Before you entered the exhibit, you were given a card that gave you an identity of an actual person who was on the Titanic and it was also your "boarding pass." I was Mrs. Isidor Straus. Me and my husband owned Macy's Department Store in New York. On the boarding pass was the room number you stayed in and who you were accompanied on the ship by. 


Some of the things they were able to bring up from the ship are amazing. They had dishes and tables and tubs and earrings and even money and stamps. 


Having the time and the ability to see the exhibit threw me into shock. This was not just a well made film. People lived and died. The woman my boarding pass said I was died in the accident. Many of the first class passengers were able to make it to safety via one of the lifeboats, but many of the 3rd class and crew members were not so lucky.


That Friday everything became a bit more real to me. I saw the artefacts. I read quotes of passengers from the ship. And I touched the Titanic.


Yes, you read that right . . .


I touched the Titanic. Yes, it was just a piece of the metal that built the ship, but I still touched it.


I wish I could have taken a piece of the ship with me, but I think I'd probably get into a bit of trouble for stealing a part of an exhibit . . . for the Titanic. I really wanted a cup and saucer and this beautiful and simple Union Jack pin.


I have since watched the film again and made quite a few references to the film in the past few weeks, but I know that experience of touching the ship and seeing the artefacts will last with me forever. 


One thing that will not last with me forever is my fear of driving.


I am almost 20.5 years old and I only have my driving permit. I have been driving for the past couple of weeks and it scares me to death. I have made it past the parking lot to subdivisions. I have to renew my permit this week . . . because I got my first one in January, assuming I would drive some this past semester (which never happened). So now I have to get a new one this week so I can continue on my endeavour and learn to drive (and get my license by the fall).

So, here is to learning and loving & remembering the past and embracing change.

international mail.

Listening to: "I Got You" by Leona Lewis

Who bought this beanie a few days ago from Topman? Who is very happy about this purchase? And who does not care that this is technically a men's beanie?


This girl!


I have been wanting a grey beanie for years now. And a slouchy one, not one that clings to my head of dear life.


So, I will be getting it in the mail in a few days. I am saving the packaging, for sure. Have I ever mentioned how much I like mail? ;]


Sorry for the short post. I will hopefully be writing more once I get my stuff unpacked and cleaned up, or after the He Is We concert in a couple days.

final stretch.

Listening to: "Fire" by Ingrid Michaelson





These days, I just need a cup of coffee and enough sleep. I am content with just that. Anything more is a bonus.


This week is finals week for me.


I have my oral exam in Spanish tomorrow afternoon. Then I have my Interpersonal Communication final on Wednesday morning at 8 AM. And then my photo story for my Photojournalism class is due Thursday afternoon when I present the photos I took for the project. 


I'm glad I already have two of my exams out of the way. It makes the stress level for this week go down by a lot.

For some reason, I am craving pizookie currently. Probably because I made it when I was home this semester with one of my friends from school. I am really missing being at home right now. I am trying to be content where I am, but I really want to see my friends and family at home. I am sort of looking forward to going back to work at the Bar and Grille this summer. Actually, I am looking forward to being able to pay off some of my school loans while I am still in school so I have less once I graduate. 

Well, I better be off to bed. I have a long week still ahead of me. 2.5 more days, and then I will be home for the summer!

Hobby Lobby, Laundromat Tanning & British Boy Bands.

Listening to: "One Thing" by One Direction (don't judge me...)


These past couple of weeks have been kind of crazy, but a good crazy. I have been going full speed ahead for a while now, and that is just starting to slow down a bit because dead week is on its way. In less than two weeks, I will be at home and done with final exams and projects and all of the hectic end of the year stuff that professors throw at you at the end of the year (which I have never understood because that only makes more work for them...). I have had two presentations, a ten page research paper, and other little assignments to do in the past couple of weeks and luckily I have friends and an amazing God to keep me from going insane. I have two more presentations, a photo portfolio, a photo final project, and three final exams to tackle before I am out of here on the 17th though. saying all of that reminds me of how much work I actually have to do between now and the end of the school year.


A few things that make me happy about these stressful next two weeks:


1. On Friday, I went to Muncie with my roommates. We spent an hour and a half just in Hobby Lobby. It was fantastic.


2. I got a new wallet and sandals from Target!

3. Quality time with the roommates!


4. I just saw an old friend who I haven't seen in a year because she is on campus this weekend to visit people. :]


5. The weather is hot, but that means I get to wear dresses, skirts and shorts all the time. Cannot complain there.


6. Lots of Polar Pops . . . too bad they went up to 79 cents. Going up 10 cents is a big deal when you don't necessarily like change and you're a college student.


7. Skyping with one of my besties into the wee hours of the morning when I have to get up for church the next day. #worthit! :]


8. Blasting music in my friends car with the convertible top down and the back speakers blown . . . and the bass all the way down . . . and the music completely in the front speakers . . . with still a funky thudding noise coming from the back speakers when there is any bass in the songs. NOTE: Ballads should not have as much bass as some do these days . . . :]


This summer and this time of year is a time for growth and change. Yesterday, I went with a couple of friends to a laundromat that has tanning beds attached in a separate room. I did not want to go tanning, but I did want to spend time with my friends (so I tagged along...). It was interesting to people watch. I forget how blessed I am to live in a dorm that has washers and dryers in the building. And I don't have to worry about having change to pay to wash my clothes because the cost for doing my laundry is included in my housing fees for the year. I am blessed to be able to go to college, to go and do silly things with friends, and to have the opportunities that I do. Unfortunately, I forget the things that I am blessed with sometimes. Luckily God reminds me of His provision and blessings daily. 


On a very different note . . . 


BOY BANDS!
(British Boy Bands to be exact)


This year, I have become more aware of the growing number of boy bands in existence, especially in the UK. From oldies like McFly (and the awfully awkward East 17) to newcomers like JLS, The Wanted, and One Direction, the UK is getting something right here. For some reason, boy bands are still working for them. And I am completely okay with that.

(I mean who doesn't love a little McFly?)

The Wanted, five 20-somethings from the UK, are growing in popularity in the US as I type this. One problem . . . their songs are awful. The lyrics are not in the least bit deep. They are quite cheesy, but they are even more unfortunately catchy. 


Exhibit A: Their new single "Chasing the Sun" (plus the video is VERY strange . . .)


And then there is this one. 

How cheesy, right? How does this stuff sell millions of albums?


And now, there is the best boy band in a long time: One Direction. 

Aren't they precious?

I cannot help it. I have to love them. All of my friends at home (except one, who we are still working on) and one of my good friends here are "Directioners" (a.k.a. One Direction Fans). They are just so cute, how can I deny those cute faces? And the beautiful voices that go with them (including their beautiful accents). 


Their first single (which I have heard for the last 9 months, thanks to my X-Factor loving friend Lauren) is called "What Makes You Beautiful," is pretty cheesy, as is the video, but it is cute.

I listened to their entire album 4 times through while writing a 10 page research paper for my Media Theory and Ethics class. I now know every verse, every chorus and bridge, and every riff on the entire album. Am I a bit embarrassed to admit that? Yes. But confession is good for the soul. :]


So, what is next in the US? Any more boy bands coming out here? Time will tell I guess . . .

pretty things and wedding rings.

Quote Love: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” -Psalm 62:8


Listening to: "Rules" by Jayme Dee

This week has been much different than most. I have been kind of out of it for a good week and a half now. Tragic events can do that to a person.


Last week, a classmate of mine died. My campus has been in shock and grieving since last Wednesday. His closest friends and the faculty that knew him best is taking this the hardest, but it is affecting the entire campus. 


Taylor's community is at its best when in need. 


I am excited to see the good that is going to come from this pain. I am excited to see what God is going to do (above what He has already done to bring this campus together as one body this last week).


On a completely different note . . . 


Just this week I received a Save the Date (addressed to me personally . . . this is #2 for the year), got a wedding invitation (again, addressed to me personally . . . not my parents too), have seen one girl writing addresses on all of her wedding invitations while working the front desk at my dorm, and another one of the girls on my wing got engaged (so, we had a ring down on Monday night).


Ring by spring, anyone?




Plus, this week was my school's "Sex and the Cornfields" week, a week of healthy, Christian conversation about sex and relationships, which was wonderful (thank you, J.R. Briggs).


This week = emotional overload . . . in a good way though. 


This week especially I have been focusing on the beauty around me. One of my best friends, who I have a photojournalism class with, and I have been noticing the beautiful sky as the sun is setting behind the trees and buildings on campus. And of course we never have our cameras on us because the bulkiness of them. 


One of these days I will attempt to capture the beauty of an Indiana sunset at Taylor.


Speaking of pretty things . . .

I got an email for Etsy this week with these dresses. Adorable.

And I have been eyeing these shoes from Target for about two months now. I have yet to purchase them.

I appreciate pretty things, from dresses to cute shoes, and from sunsets to smiles. I only have one life to live, so why not make the most of it and appreciate the world God had made around me!

once it ends, it begins again.

Listening to: "Specks" by Matt Pond PA


Wondering: where J-term went... and February...


Okay, so exciting news! I found my new favorite website/app...

Remembering things has never been easy for me, and since I have a love for fashion, typography, and photography, this nifty little thing has helped a lot. 

There is a button called the "clipper" which allows you to take a picture from the web and add it to your Evernote notebook, keeping track of where you found it. 

So, for all of those things I want to keep track of, but don't necessarily want to go through the hassle of pinning to one of my boards on Pintrest and then opening my account to find, I can just clip it and add it to my Evernote account. Even though I only have the free app, it does hold 60 MB of memory per month. In the long run, this should be enough. We shall see though.

On Friday, I will find out who got PA (AKA: an RA) on my wing. I'm nervous. And I really want the position, but I know God will allow the right people to have the position. If I am not that person for next year, that is fine with me. I will probably be upset at first, but God has different plans for me if the latter is the case.

friday finds.

Listening to: "Take Me (As You Found Me)" by Anberlin


With all of this extra time I've had during J-term, I have spent much more time than normal looking at Pinterest and fashion blogs. 


While browsing pictures on Pinterest the other day, I found these beautiful shoes. I then linked back to the blog they were found on, only to find out the person who posted the picture below did not know where the shoes could be found.

So my search began. I looked closely at the shoes to find that they have red soles. That could only mean one thing: Christian Louboutin. Of course that means that the shoes aren't cheap. I searched and searched to find knock-offs that looked very close to the originals. The closest I could find were the shoes below from Target. Unfortunately, they are not the exact same... and they are only sold online.

Since the woman in charge of the blog I found the shows on did not know where to find the shoes, I posted a link to the shoes for her only to get this response: "Thanks Diana for looking this up… I guess I could skip a couple of nights out and do the $159! ;)."

People can be crazy when it comes to fashion. Especially when the shoes are normally $845 when new from Christian Louboutin. 

Speaking of Louboutin... these 8-inch heels are a pair that the designer made to be auctioned off. The proceeds were to go to the English National Ballet.

Shoes are not the only things that people will seem to spend a fortune on these days. 

This German-made clock will cost the customer an arm and a leg. But isn't it nifty? The things that people come up with these days.

follow the red brick road.

Listening to: "Beautiful Things" by Gungor.


I have been blessed this January to spend time with friends that I have not had as much time to spend with during the semester. This J-term has been filled with class (of course), relaxation, and unexpected adventures. 

On Saturday, I went to Marion with a couple of friends for the afternoon. We went to Starbucks (nothing out of the ordinary... especially when we all had Starbucks gift cards from Christmas to spend). 

Then we went to Walmart for random things. I needed honey for my tea... 

And then somehow we ended up in Jonesboro... Well, that was mostly because we wanted to find the brick road that is the material for one of the streets in Jonesboro. And we ended up finding train tracks...

So, Lisa and I had the brilliant idea of throwing snow in the air for a picture. 

We didn't have gloves on.

Cold fingers.

Very cold.

But, we had fun and eventually found the red brick road. I like that college is making me more adventurous. I think I'm starting to be okay with it...

beauty before the kindle.

Listening to: "Heartbeat" by The Fray

I am a nerd and I'm proud of it. Today is Harry Potter day. I'm currently wearing my Marauders tee from this lovely Etsy shop and I watched most of Prisoner of Azkaban before class this morning (therefore I had to wear this tee). 

So, thanks to Pinterest, I have been wasting time I need to be studying lately. But, I have found some pretty things.

Books and bookshelves. 

I am completely obsessed. 

I love reading (assuming I actually have time to do so...) and I love old books. I love smelling books. I love flipping the uneven pages.

Over the summer I was able to go to my friends cottage for a few days with my best girlfriends. While we were there, we left the lake to go into town. The main reason was to go to a bookstore. This bookstore is filled with books. The bookshelves above look like the entire store. Even the books that I despised in high school looked beautiful on the shelves. There is something beautiful about an old book in print.

I purchased a 1943 copy of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. I am obsessed with the illustrations which were printed from wood carvings. I love the yellowed pages. I love the smell. And of course I love the story, and most people think I'm crazy for calling this book my favorite of all time.

I took my time to browse the store. About 2 hours to be exact. It was beautiful. I didn't even look at 3/4 of the store in depth because we just did not have the time. Next summer, I'm thinking another trip may be in order. :] 

What I want to know is why people think the Kindle and Nook will ever make books completely obsolete. It just makes me sad. I understand that they are convenient and handy, but it's not the same. I would rather actually flip a page instead of just touching a screen with my finger.

Books will never cease to exist. The Kindle may become the main form of reading books, but when I grow old, I want to curl up in a chair under blankets reading a book with actual pages. There's something special and enchanting about printed books. Hopefully enough people will be able to see that for years to come.

coffee and new beginnings.

Quote Love: "Hug the snow for me...yes I said hug."

-My friend, Emily, who loves the snow, but is currently in Israel so she cannot hug it herself. :]

Listening to: "Everything's Right" by Matt Wertz

Happy New Year! Yes, I am fully aware that I am about a week late on getting this post written, but my Astronomy class has kind of eaten my life. I wish I could say that I understand everything I am supposed to be learning in this class, but unfortunately, I'm not understanding much. This is probably because I am focusing on the mathematical problems and I have no ideas how to do any of those. 

Anyways, I am quite happy it is Friday! Class from 1-3:20 pm and Lab from 3:30-5:20 pm today, and then I'm done with my first week.

Speaking of Astronomy though, I was going to watch the Meteor shower the other night (yes at 3 am) but the cloud cover was too great and it would have been pointless to freeze out in the cold and not be able to see anything. I wish I had been able to see the shower though. The actual observation part of this class intrigues me. I cannot wait to spend time outside looking up at the stars at night, because I have to. Sometimes I forget how amazing the night sky is. God created more than just the galaxy I live in. He created thousands!

Each one of those bright spots is not a single star, but a galaxy! God created each of them uniquely. Just as He made us uniquely to proclaim His glory.

Now, my year in review.

I never realized how many good things happened within the bad in 2011. I have met some amazing people throughout the year of 2011 and I have found some pretty great friends.

I went to Haiti. I met the child I now sponsor in Haiti long before I even thought of sponsoring a child. It is a complete God thing that I am sponsoring her because I did not even request to sponsor her.

I just got this letter from her this week! :] She is absolutely precious!

I was able to go home with my roommate for Fall Break. And we brought along our wonderful "third roommate" with us (who wrote the wonderful quote from the beginning of this post).

I somehow conquered my fear of Ferris wheels... But only for the amount of time I was on it. I don't think I could ever go on one again.

I am beyond blessed for the amazing people God has placed in my life this past year. Without any of them, I have no idea where I would be.


And now on to the other topic of this post: coffee.

I absolutely love coffee. I am not addicted though, because I can drink it everyday, or not without having to worry about getting withdrawal headaches. 

I love Caribou Coffee. I brew it myself & go to the closest shop to me when I am home for breaks. Unfortunately, the closest Caribou to me here at school is 60 miles away on IU's campus. That is an hour away! So while I am at school, I am stuck with Starbucks. Unfortunately, I am a coffee snob and I don't like Starbucks. I will drink their froufrou drinks, but I am not a fan of their drip brew.  I will drink Caribou Coffee all day. I am in love with Mahogany, one of their dark roasts. For being a dark roast, it does not have a bitter aftertaste and it is smooth. I am in love with it. Unfortunately, when I go home now, my favorite barista  is no longer working at the shop by me. 

When I go to Starbucks here at school, I usually get a Caramel Macchiato, and then I wonder why I wasted my money on the drink. So much money for such a small amount of happiness in my life. Oh well...

At least it looks pretty, right?

Yesterday I splurged for a White Chocolate Mocha (with an extra shot of espresso, of course). 

I mean, coffee is always a good idea, right?


May this Saturday be a day of rest and peace as 2012 continues to roll right on in.

a little Christmas cheer.

Quote Love: There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed. 
-Ernest Hemingway 

This past week has been quite crazy. From the Christmas pick-a-date to Christmas Open Houses to Silent Night (with a flash mob by MY residence hall... that Justin Bieber tweeted about!) to a night of caroling, ice skating (well, attempting to) and Ihop, it has been a crazy week. And now I have finals week!


One take-home final, 2 in-class finals (tomorrow), and 2 final projects in 2.5 days. I can do this, right?


Here's a little video (the one mentioned above. the one that J Biebs retweeted!) for a finals study break. Enjoy!

begging for a break.

Lyrical Love: "If you're partial to the night sky / If you're vaguely attracted to rooftops..." from "Hannah" by Freelance Whales

Today is the first day all semester that I get to go home. Thanksgiving break, you are much needed. I am ready to get out of Upland for a little while and be with my family (and go Black Friday shopping at my favorite mall).


I have been running on empty for a few days now so it is nice to finally have a break, even if it is just for a few days. 


So, Michigan, I'm coming! :]

and then there are rainy days.

Quote Love: "May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

-St. Thérèse de Lisieux

(This quote has been a great encouragement for me as I recently changed my major)


Since I am still playing catching up and trying to get all of my work done from when I was out of class with vertigo this fall, I do not have time for a full post. But I do have time to share a few videos from rainy days this fall and for you to watch on a rainy day while snuggled up in blankets, drinking hot tea, coffee, or cocoa. 


My new favorite music video, including one of my favorite redheads (Rupert Grint):

And then a few from Airband this year:

(The winners: 1WW with Revolution of Dance)

(3WO, 3WW, and Penthouse with Gold Dust)

(2nd East with Seize the Day... blast from the past: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFfOfM9Ht2c&feature=related)

(and my wing, 3EO, and 1EW - bro/sis love with Grace Kelly)

And a few Airband commercials from this year as well:

("Normal Activity")

And then there was the one I was almost a victim of...

(The Old Lick-The-Elbow Game) :]

well... that's all I have time for right now. Hopefully an actual post will be written soon...