Spring Break!

To my fellow college gals - HAPPY SPRING BREAK! I know not everyone is on spring break right now, but many colleges and universities are. I'm home for the week, working and spending time in my kindergarten classroom, but am going to get out of town for a few days!
This past week was really crazy - besides my midterm, I also got to sub for the first time! I was called in on Wednesday to sub for a second grade teacher who was stuck at home from the {miniature and quite depressing} "snow storm" we had. It was a 2-hour delay and there was a full-time student teacher so I didn't have to do much, but that was a relief! I was actually way more nervous than I thought I would be so it was nice to have someone else there to be in charge ;)
I am thankful to have this week off from school and am SO excited about my half-marathon next Sunday!! I am planning out my green outfit as we speak :)
On Tuesday I am headed to Greensboro for my first baseball games of the season! Lehigh will be playing two games at UNCG on Tues and Wed. Yes, I'm excited to see the games but I am more excited to see Steven who I haven't seen since February 2nd! Oh, LDR probs. Expect lots of pictures from that mini trip!
Anyway, I am back to blogging this week and excited about it :) I have two awesome reviews coming up & showing y'all my new haircut! Shortest it's been since the 8th grade...yikes!
Hope y'all have a blessed Sunday -- it is GORGEOUS here in Virginia :)

Taking The Week Off To Think

I apologize, for this isn't a "picture perfect" post but rather a "real life" post. I don't know what it was about this weekend, but it wasn't that great. Yes, I caught up on sleep, but for some reason I just couldn't get into a really good mood - besides Saturday night when I had a delicious meal at home & watched Pitch Perfect with my momma!
On Sunday I just felt completely unmotivated to do anything. I even went to Target after a group meeting but walked around feeling like a zombie.
I have a big decision to make tomorrow, lots of studying and two tests this week. Why could I not get anything done yesterday!? Why could I not focus my mind on reading my novels for school instead of personal things worrying me? Everything in my life that I seem to think is going wrong somehow flooded my brain all at once and just drained me.

I try so hard to trust in the Lord's plan for me. I try so hard to "go with the flow" and "follow my heart" and all that. Sometimes it's hard though. My body feels physically exhausted, yet I have so much to do for school. YET, when I go to work on things I feel like I have severe A.D.D. and no creativity. I know what I should be doing, but it's as if my mind would rather be anywhere else.   I think I'm just in a rut. {midterm week :: what a wonderful time for a rut}   All I can say is thank the LORD that as of 6:15 on Thursday I am on SPRING BREAK! Even though I am staying put (for most of it) at home, I hope I can take that time to recuperate my body and mind. Especially as I prepare for my half marathon on St. Patrick's Day. All that being said, I am going to take a blogging break this week so I can focus the little attention I do have on my studying.    Have a wonderful week and please send all good vibes my way!

Sunday Social: 5's!

Switching things up this Sunday to share a bit more about myself with Sunday Social! Thanks to Ashley & Neely for hosting this linkup every week.    
1. 5 songs you'll listen to the rest of your life 1. Spice Up Your Life - Spice Girls 2. Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show 3. Baby Got Back - Sir Mix-A-Lot 4. Crash Into Me - Dave Matthews Band 5. Bless The Broken Road - Rascal Flatts

2. 5 things on your bucket list 1. Travel to another country 2. Run a full marathon 3. Visit something/somewhere significant in every U.S. state 4. Have my picture taken with a celebrity 5. Take a ballpark tour

3. 5 celebs you'd like to hang out with for the day 1. Miranda Lambert 2. Reese Witherspoon 3. Jimmy Fallon 4. Paula Deen 5. Sandra Bullock

4. 5 things you always carry in your purse 1. Wallet 2. Planner 3. Pens 4. Hand Sanitizer 5. Snack bar

5. 5 books on your reading list 1. The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks 2. Divergent - Veronica Roth 3. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah 4. First Year Teacher: Wit and Wisdom from Teachers Who've Been There - Randy Howe 5. The Light Between Oceans - M.L. Steadman

6. Last 5 photos on your phone

Lazy!

Birthday cookie with pb icing!

Yummmmmmmm!

How cute are there vanilla bean cupcakes!?

Received my Erin Condren notepads in the mail!

Happy Sunday!

Mani Mania :: Spring Nails & Happy Birthday Sadie!

I am ALL about springtime :) Spring clothing, spring colors, spring activities...and spring nail polish! After all, I only have one more week until Spring Break ;)   Essie's Spring 2013 line is SO beautiful.

From l-r: Madison Ave-Hue, Go Ginza, Avenue Maintain, Bond With Whomever, Maximillian Strasse Her, Hip-Anema

My top faves have to be Madison Ave-Hue, Bond With Whomever and Avenue Maintain!   I cannot get over these shades! I want all of them!   Right now my nails are painted "dim sum plum" by OPI:

A little messy. Oh well! I'm also trying out the Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat. It's supposed to keep your manicure for 10 days -- we'll see! I wish I could keep up a shellac mani, but that is expensive!     I'm off to celebrate my pup's 3rd birthday!! I can't believe she is 3! Happy Birthday Sadie :)

Baby!!

Christmas nap!

We put her through a rollercoaster this year adding Belle to the mix!

LOVE THIS SWEET PUP!

She has turned into the best snuggler!

Happy weekend!

Friday Five: Fun in March!

Happy March! Boy am I ready for some spring weather, green beer and March FUN! To me, March has me thinking spring spring spring...I am sick of this winter business. Unfortunately, I think Mother Nature doesn't agree. We shall see!
At least I have these 5 things to look forward to!
1. Spring Break

This spring break isn't too out of the ordinary like my last two were, but nonetheless I am SO excited for  a week off from school.  Yes I would love to be heading to the beach, but at the same time I have a lot here to take care of and prepare for! I have two big tests to knock out before break begins which is nice because I won't have to do any studying! I'm going to spend the majority of it at home, but will spend two days in Greensboro where Steven's team will be playing! I'll finish off Spring Break by celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Norfolk with my family after the race! So pumped!
2. Shamrock 1/2 Marathon

I've been training for this race for a while and I am so excited to get it done! I have a personal goal set in my mind that I hope to reach. I will let y'all know afterwards if I do :) My older brother is running the race as well, but I doubt we'll run together. I like to run with music in & am bad at talking! Can't wait to come barreling down the boardwalk and drink some green beer later with my fam!
3. Carrie Underwood

On March 23, Momma and I are headed to see CARRIE! I haven't been to a real concert since probably sophomore year when I saw Zac Brown Band...I am SO pumped to see her in concert! Anyone else seen her? What did you think?
4. Substituting

I'm now an official substitute! I've already arranged a half-day sub job with my cooperating teacher in kindergarten for the end of March. I'm so excited for this new opportunity! I'm also hoping to get in some days subbing for my mom in the library :) I think the kids will think it's funny they don't have to learn a new name -- going from Ms. Ryan #1 to Ms. Ryan #2! Ha!
5. Easter

I love Easter! It's such a fun, relaxing, beautiful holiday. I love going to mass and seeing everyone in their Easter dresses and suits. I love the springtime flowers that sit in the middle of the table. I love having an Easter meal with my family. And, of course, I love the Easter chocolates!
Happy March, y'all! Have a wonderful weekend!