Chistmas Eve

Today is the day before Christmas. As I sit here before I go to work, at 6:00am, with a cup of coffee and The Today Show blaring, I realize how blessed I really am. In the wee hours of the morning, you can get some of the best thinking done without the influence of the still sleeping world. 

I would, you know, sit and list all the things I'm blessed with, but I would be here for days. But I would rather suggest you as blessed person yourself to realize that life isn't all gray clouds and rain drops. Sure bad things happen but try and think of the good that comes with it. 

I don't have time to write a lot, but just wanted to leave a thought for the day. One day we'll realize that we're all blessed beyond belief even in the hardest of times, the worst economy, and what seems like a failing world. But look around, especially this season, how the Christmas spirit is still alive and well. It may just take a little squinting on our part to see it. 

I want everyone to have an open heart this coming year. To realize that everyone is going through something and that you may complain about your latte being cold or your hair being frizzy, but it is more common for the person you are complaining to to be effected by cancer in someway or someone they love to be in a far off land fighting for our freedom or even someone missing completely in their life. Please please think before you speak. Please open your heart before using your eyes to judge. And please please please love before you hate. 

Now, today hold that door for that extra person to pass through or give a few dollars to the person in front of you that is struggling to find change that they may or may not have. Pay it forward guys. It really does make a difference. 

Just a few thought for the day from me to you. (:

Merry Christmas Eve everybody!

LeAnna 

And So It Begins

A new year. A even cleaner slate than before. This year, I have already promised myself, is going to be filled with more adventure. Full of opportunities. Memories to be made and some of my highest goals to be met. Late nights and early mornings. I'm determined to live with absolutely no regrets and nothing holding me back. It's my time now.

We start back to school January 24th. I will start a semester with some pretty amazing classes. I'm pretty much excited about each one of them. My schedule is as follows:

MWF
8:00 Journalism 101
9:00 Spanish 201
10:00 Political Science 101
1:00 Dance 251


TR
8:00 Biological Anthropology 
2:30 Archaeology


Journalism, Bio Anthro, and Archaeology will be pretty basic, but I think it will be pretty informative. Spanish will be horribly difficult but I know I need to know the language. Political Science is going to be absolutely amazing. Politics is one of the many things that I eat and breathe. But Dance is going to be the absolute best. It is a ballet level 2 and 3 combo class. Absolutely amazing. There is a local dance company audition the first week too. I couldn't be more excited about getting back into dance.

In April, I'm headed to New York City again. This time, I am going for MUN. (Model United Nations) I know it sounds petty, but this has literally been a dream of mine since 7th grade. MUN is international relations,  politics and current events all rolled into one. 

I'm also looking for a internship this summer or a study abroad. I haven't decided yet. Internship for a magazine in New York like National Geographic or Vogue, or a governmental internship in DC. For a study abroad, I want to study in Rome. I've been a few time and it truly is the Eternal City. I feel right at home when I'm there. Decisions Decisions. 

I feel like I'm boring whoever is reading this, but hey,  I haven't blogged in a while :)

I've started training for marathons. I'm truly nervous but I feel that going into my twenties, I want to be the best, healthiest, goal oriented self I can be.   

This year is my year. Along with all the rest after that. Time to shine. 

"It's a funny thing about life: if you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it."--Somerset Maugham

"The world needs people like you to dream of something great and then pursue it with all your heart."--Chris Widener

Long Time Coming (Semester Review)

Well I successfully went the entire semester without blogging. I wish I could say that it payed off in my grades, but not so much! This semester was a whirlwind. Many many changes. Many life lessons learned. Highs and lows. Many new friends made. Many Ole Miss games spend with people that mean the most in my life. New accomplishments.

Oxford has become a place of where I feel right at home.

Crossing off the list to shake President's hand.

I was beyond excited. Politics is one of my niches for sure.

I have made new friends that I hope I can get even closer to. Erika is my sister for sure.

Chase is the best by far. Even in the wee hours of the morning ;)

Gabrielle and Adam help make life even more hilarious.

Parties and memories that last a life time with the girl that I couldn't live without.

Random trips that get us closer to death than we wanted. :)

And many many many dress up times for famous Ole Miss football/ Grove Parties.

Many sleepless nights. Many failed tests :) Many long talks with my best friend/sister in the whole world. Summed up, this semester was amazing. I lost a lot of things, yet gained a lot more. I have found myself a clean slate and I am enjoying it.

“For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Changes

My life is changing. I am experiencing things and making decisions that are going to impact my entire life. Scary as can be. I haven't posted in a while. Me and Bekka saw Justin Beiber in Memphis. JB, Sean Kingston and Iyaz were there. Along with 3 other singers. It was completely epic. To the Max. Bekka is my complete soul sister. Changes are about to ensue for me. I move to Oxford next Sunday. I'm an adult now. "I'm not scared. I was born for this"-Joan of Arc. I am ready to start looking for internships and study abroads. If I begin to think how much is actually at my fingertips at this young age, I become overwhelmed. I will begin to post more when my life isn't all work.

I don't like this picture. At all. But Bek won't let me not put it..

Will's Gift

I wanted to show the box I made for Will! He made me a box a long time ago. We put out keep sakes that are small. Mine is full of paper rings Will makes me when we talk about marriage. How adorable is he, right? well hope everybody likes the box. It took a while! :)

I made the top my taking old magazine letters. "Come What May" is the saying we try to love by.

On the box itself, I tore scrapbook paper with printed textures that would interest Will. I used music inspired paper, grass, cork board, burlap, denim. etc. Glued it on the box and then I put a a layer of clear coat to be able to keep it for a long time.

Busy Busy Week

Well, lets see. What have I done since vacation? Oh! Work. That's about it. 

This week shall be a little bit more fun though. Today, I do work yet I don't mind. Tomorrow is mine and Will's anniversary. 3 years and 3 months. We like to call it 3.3. And Friday, the Simpson's have the "Wing-Ding" they hold every year. Should be super fun! Eating, music, family, and friends! 

Will singing at the 2009 Wing-Ding

Back!!

We got there at 5:30 am for the Hot Air Balloon Festival! I was happy. Will was a little sleepy bless his heart. 

They were absolutely beautiful with the sunrise! 

Later in the week on the way from Gulf Shores, AL to Mobile, AL. I had to beg mom, but we got to go.

Mobile is full of awesome views to me. Great little city. 

 I love this boy! I got to spend a whole week with him and my parents! I lead such a blessed life. 

I haven't wrote in a while, but I believe I'll be back to my writing soon. Not that anybody reads this thing haha! I soon will have so much going on. With work, school, Will, family, moving and so many other things. A month and 3 weeks and then school will begin and the stress will come with it. But I don't mind it. Oxford is going to be refreshing change of life. Going to discover a lot about myself. I couldn't be more excited! 

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa!

IT'S HERE!!!!!!

I have counted down the days until this glorious event! Me and my friend, Lily, have been so excited about this that we can hardly contain ourselves!

Viva l'Italia!!

Autochrome from 1900

Portrait

Vietnam

Paris

Morocco

Egypt

Things like this inspire me. These pictures were taken with autochrome which was the first development of color photography. Photographers in this decade strive for photos like this and this was 100 years ago. If that isn't mind blowing, I don't know what is. Catching people in their environment with different cultures and different ways of life is amazing

No zoo...

Guess who's not going to the zoo.. you guessed right.. suck.. Stupid rain. Guess we'll have to wait til next week!

Summer, oh sweet Summer

Well today has been slightly uneventful. I go to work soon, but I can only look forward til tomorrow. Me and the friend are going to the zoo. Bekka hasn't been in 15 years. Oh friend, you are gonna have a blast. In the 900 degree weather. I'm stoked.

I'm off Thursday and Friday so maybe I'll be productive. I sure hate to waste days.

It's raining at the moment. A little summer shower, with the sun shining.

More pictures tomorrow. Maybe even a few funny stories from work. And let me tell you, I've worked there 2 weeks and I already have a sack full of stories. Tip: You don't have to dress up to come to Wal-Mart, but at least wear shoes. Come on now people.

Prayer for the week: Lord you have blessed me with so much. When do I get to return the favor? Lead me to be a servant unto you. I'm ready. I'll accept whatever path you lay before me, for I know that it will be more glorious than whatever I could plan for myself.

Oh, blogging, how I've missed thee..

I haven't blogged in what seems like ages. Time has definitely gotten away from me.

Let's see, Things that have happen...

Oh! Brea, Bekka's sister, graduated. Makes me feel super old.

I work at Wal-Mart in New Albany now, come visit me!

Me and Bekka went to see Sex and The City 2 premier at midnight! Love it! Amazing! I hope I look like that at the age of 40-ish.

I never get to see Will anymore. He works at Oxford. When he gets off, I'm going in.

Although, we did go "floatin" today, as we call it. We floated down Tippah River in 3 little fishing boats. Me and Will, his parents, Suzi, Carrie and her boyfriend Dalton, Trina, Benny and Jojo. Oh so much fun. Great way to get back to nature, no phones, no motor, no nothing. Just me, family, and friends having a great time enjoying ourselves. I actually got waste deep in clay mud and enjoyed it. haha!

God might not have told me what I'm doing with my life yet, but he sure is letting me enjoy what I have right now. So many blessings.

Patent Leather String-less Oxfords

I'm not very traditional. So I bought these too. Any thoughts?

Summer Has Begun!

Summer has officially begun!

New nail polish called: Do You Lilac It?

Yes, I did buy these outlandish Steve Maddon Neutral Beige Patent Leather 5 inch wedges. It's all about the neutrals this summer and I shall defiantly do my part!

I stand about 6'2'' with these on and poor Will is 5'8". He doesn't like them too much but I've never been one to try to fit in.

This is summer is going to be amazing to me. Filled with pretty toes, crazy shoes, clothes you never find around here and a tan to boot!

Fragile

Life is so fragile. If is unbelievable how much we take life for granted.

Tyler Sloan, a friend I knew through Bekka who is my best friend, died yesterday. My heart is broken for me, for bekka, for his family, and for all who knew him. It is almost like a dream.

Please take advantage of your life. Tell the ones you love that you love them. Do things that you may never get another chance to do. Enjoy what you have. Explore and never get bored. Life is too precious and short.

We love you Tyler Sloan. You will be missed. We will see you again one day.

Birthday Week!!

I have the best friend imaginable. I walk in after work to find my entire side of the dorm room AND my side of the bathroom decorated for my birthday week!! I really couldn't ask for a better friend or a better start to this week. Thanks best friend!!

OH! Did I fail to mention that we are going to see JUSTIN BIEBER in July for my birthday surprise! Can it really get any better?!

If you haven't heard..Turn on Your TV..

Airlines are losing billions of dollars. They just started flights back today.

The volcano in southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull glacier sends ash into the air Saturday, April 17, 2010