Remember when I said that I was going to start blogging more regularly?

Then went on to neglect my blog for 4 months?

In my defense, it was my last semester of college. I had quite a bit on my mind and my plate. Including but not limited to: 3 jobs, friends, 18 credit hours, a learning community, leadership positions and applying for jobs.

Wait, last semester of college? That's right, folks...

 

Four fantastic years later and I am the proud holder of a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology. Feels good, man.

Note: I bought the wrong color tassel, wore it for pre-graduation pictures, then thankfully realized my mistake the day before graduation and switched them. Makes for a fun game of "one of these things is not like the other" though.

Although I'm sad to leave the place I've called home for these years, I've also been excited. I had so many things going on the past few years, I think I lost sight of what's important at times. So here's to an ending and a new beginning. And here are some goals for post-graduate life...

Make more time for me time.

Read more.

Attempt daily yoga.

Be more reflective.

Do more crafting and baking.

Bring my camera(s) more places.

Do more nice things for people.

Do things because I want to, not because other people want me to.

Do things by myself.

Embrace spontaneity.


More to come soon. And I mean it this time.

winter break activities

Every break from school I reach the final days and experience a little bout of sadness because I forget all the fun things I've done. Most of the time, as a preventative measure, I keep a little journal so I can look back and remember. This winter I decided to try a more visual approach.

I made maple taffy with my sister and her friend. I read about this in a Laura Ingalls Wilder book in about fourth grade and it has taken me all these years to finally look up a recipe. Pretty tasty, but mostly fun to make.

I made this banner for my friend who's getting married. It pays to have crafty bridesmaids.

I spent New Years Eve with my work family! At first I was kind of bummed that I had to work on New Years Eve but I actually had a blast. As you can see, they're a fun bunch.

Made these Bailey's Irish Creme Swirl Brownies. Mine didn't turn out as beautiful as Wee Kitchen's, but they certainly tasted delicious!

Crochet this.

Knit that.

Went snow shoeing with my parents on New Years Day. I can't think of a better way to begin the New Year than trying something new. The walk was beautiful, I will definitely be back.

And now to bed before my last first day of school tomorrow. Bittersweet indeed. Goodnight blogging world.

land of the cle

My dad is more adventurous than I am.

On a cold day like the other day, I was all ready to curl up in my pajamas with a good book. My dad had other ideas. So we all piled in the car and headed out to the west side of Cleveland.

Good call, Dad.

First, we explored Flower Child, a beautifully vintage shop housing collectible items from the 30s-80s in Lakewood. Talk about heaven. Here are some of my favorites.

A lovely wall of hats.

A little record room in the basement.

Yes, that is a plunger. I found their stash of vintage Pyrex in the bathroom, of course.

That, my friends, is a holographic puppy picture. Don't everyone trample each other trying to get to that beauty.

Salt shakers galore!

Color coordinated vintage kitchen-ware. It's a dream come true.

We then moved on to downtown Cleveland where I experienced the wonder of Noodlecat for the first time.

If you're not familiar, Noodlecat is the brainchild of chef Jonathon Sawyer and is uniquely Cleveland. Noodlecat specializes in various noodle dishes (imagine that) such as ramen, udon and soba and uses fresh local ingredients. It is quite apparent that a lot of love goes into these steaming bowls of noodly goodness.

Not your average dollar pack of ramen, eh?

Finally, we visited the Arcades in Cleveland, which are looking much more lively than they were a few years ago.

Then we visited the highlight of Cleveland: these spinny chairs.

Until next time...