Lenten Reflection: Living Out the "To"

Today is the start of Lent. Most people's favorite holidays in the Christian calendar are Advent and Christmas, however for me Lent and Easter take the cake. Many decide to give up something for 40 days, others decide to try something new; either way it's about making a conscious and intentional change in your life. 

A common verse that is reflected on during this season is Genesis 3:19, and it goes something like this: 

....for dust you are and dust you shall return 

The whole idea of  "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" is a call to action to live out the TO. What are we going to do between to live out our purpose and story? What conscious and intentional choices are we going to make?  This call to action resonates strongly with me and that's why I admire the season of Lent so fondly.

Tales Through Instagram: A's Visit to the Bay State

I had planned on posting this earlier, but the start of semester has gotten the best of me. Anyways, A made his way up for a visit to the Bay State during my winter break, and we had the most wonderful time. We toured breweries, ice skated, and did a whirlwind tour of Cape Cod, just to name a few things.  It was nice to finally spend more than two days together, and I'm really excited to spend a good amount of time with him again in March. I've also reached the point where I see a faint light at the end of this long distance tunnel; come July I'll be in AZ starting my grad program, my assistantship, and continuing to cultivate my relationship with A. Honestly, I could ramble on and on about what a super time we both had, but I'll let these photos speak for themselves:

Be Prepared...

Next Wednesday, I begin the final semester of my undergraduate career and I couldn't be more excited. I have a lot to look forward to and I'm ready for what's next.

More exciting things will be showing up on the blog in the next few months, including:

• Highs and lows from the relocation process. I'm moving to Arizona this summer to begin my graduate studies in either central or southern AZ. 
• Snippets from the grad assistantship interview process. 

Tomorrow

Tomorrow night I'll pick up A from the airport, and spend eight days with him. It's the second "in-person" visit of our LDR. You might be saying "what only you're second visit?!" Yes..it's true. But this upcoming semester, we'll be seeing a whole lot more of each which is exciting....in fact, there will only be a short two week span between two of our visits (crazy how things work that way).

Everyday, I'm more grateful for A and our relationship. I'll be happy for the day when we make it out of this distance thing and move towards something a tad more proximal...

One Word 2013: Venture

Instead of making of laundry list of sometimes very unsuccessful goals and "resolutions," I have begun to focus on one word to guide my focus throughout the year.

My OneWord  for 2012 was "choose." I wanted to make a more concerted effort to be more cognizant of the choices I have and more intentional with the decisions I make. I made a lot of big decisions that I'm proud of and am excited to see them take shape over the next few months..and maybe even years. 

For 2013, the word I chose is venture. As I set myself to graduate from college in May and enjoy my last few months of undergrad, I'm excited for what's to come. I'm venturing into the next chapter of my life which includes moving to Grand Canyon state, starting my graduate program in Higher Education, and a myriad other exciting things.

This year, I resolving to venture wholeheartedly into my next chapter; to live and love fearlessly and openly.

Instagram Updates: Road Trips, Connections, End of the Semester + More

As usual, Instagram photos speak louder than words. 

UVM | UVM Davis Center | UCONN SU | UCONN

BSU | Chowder Fridays | Tent City | Pumpkin Froyo!

ThinkFast! | Special trip for VP | Thrifted Camel Skirt | Lists...

Tea | Greenhouse by night | Logo planning | FNL

Wrapping | Thoughtful gifts from friends + A | New glasses

GSC V Part I: To Kayla, Love University of Arizona

Sentinel Peak ("A" Mountain), Tucson, AZ Credit

Yesterday at 4:03pm, I received the best Christmas present ever: an acceptance letter email to the University of Arizona's Masters of Higher Education program. It was overwhelming and exciting at the same time. This has been, by far, the best experience throughout this whole process. Sure, it's awesome to finally apply to schools and then anxiously wait for a decision, but it's different when you finally hear back.

My acceptance to U of A was the best Christmas gift for a few reasons. It's real now. After a year of planning and applying, I'm no longer in this weird limbo period waiting for an admittance decision. I know that even if I don't get the response I want from ASU or any other position I applied to, I'll be moving to Arizona in the summertime regardless. I'll be living out my dream, going to grad school, and starting the next chapter of my life. Another bonus is that A and I only have a few more months left of being in a long distance relationship. Even though there's still more hurdles to cross in terms of securing an assistantship and a place to live; I'm confident it will all work out in the end.


By the way, isn't U of A pretty?

Credit

Credit

So thanks, U of A, for making this the best Christmas ever!