Getting Back Into the Groove

Between working on my thesis paper, job hunting, hanging out with the youth group and missing critical steps to graduation such as getting a cap and gown*, I've kind of let the blog go by the wayside as many of y'all have let me know. I am hoping to get a good uploading of Project 365 which has been so much harder than I previously anticipated to keep up with it for this semester. Until then, enjoy some things that have caught my eye around the internet.

*If you have a black cap with a tassle, can I borrow it?

I am aware that Thanksgiving is approaching rather rapidly, but these Valentines animal cookies are pretty cute.

I thought by this point in the semester I would have read a lot more books for fun that don't deal with Costa Rican economics. At least there's other uses for books that are just as awesome.

Christmas is coming up. I'm not sure if any of y'all have noticed it's arrival which began possibly in late July and hit full force by the first week of October. Too bad my Dad doesn't need to wear a tie anymore, because this one would be the great gift of ties - especially for lunch meetings.

Felt pennants have somehow stolen my heart over the last year. So simple, yet so perfect.YAAAY!!!

I tried training for a half marathon a few years ago. I've decided that I'm so much better at other things that I probably shouldn't waste my time on it. (This really means that I can't get to that 2 mile marker without dying.) This news article about an extreme marathoner not only puts me to shame, but I'm pretty sure he's insane.

I'm short, like really short. This sign makes me chuckle just thinking about shortness. 

My best friend, Laura, came to visit me at college a few weekends ago. We got into a conversation on ruggedness. Not what you were expecting? Yeah, us either. Apparently, I love the creativity of something unique, bold and rugged.

This cartoon has been circling for awhile, but it still makes me laugh when I see it.

This book is on my to-read list.

I have very few stuffed animals that I have kept. (This does not include an entire Beanie Babies collection, but hey, that's just the 90s inside of me not willing to let go!) Decorating with these cute little critters might change my mind though. Just look at that squirrel!

I'm a vintage shopper. I'm a vintage collector. I'm a vintage decorator. I love this vintage owl cookie jar.

I could probably go on for a bit longer, but I'll just say sayonara here. 

Dearest Fall, Hello!

Fall has officially come in Texas. By officially has come, I do mean between the hours of 8PM and 8AM. A girl can still dream though, right? Who knew Fall could be so hot?

Boots. Scarves. Typewriters. Nail Polish. Fun Navajo Inspired Patterns. Fleece Blankets. Star Gazing. Pumkin Spice Lattes. Bowties on Dogs. What makes you think of Fall?

Costa Rica Update + Fun Things

I'm here on one of my last nights in Costa Rica trying to process that this whole thing is over. Well, I say I'm processing, but I'm really waiting to leave for our Mother's Day Church Party. Tomorrow, here in Costa Rica, is Mother's Day. I will wake up and say goodbye to my Costa Rican Mom, Gracie, and return in Houston to say hello to my Mom. It's so strange to think about and draws tears to my eyes, so I try not to.

I did break down last night. Cristina and Angie spent the night last night with me. We had the big room with all the bunk beds to ourselves. With 4 bunk beds, we decided to crawl (all 3 of us!) into one bed to spend our last night shedding tears and laughter together. I wouldn't have changed my last night with them for anything. Before bedtime, we had a bunch of the families over for some games, dinner and goodbyes. It was wonderful. This morning, we trekked around the neighborhood for a bit, cleaned up the house and had lunch at Alejandro and Yendri's before heading back to San Jose. I still can't believe that I'll be in Houston this time in two days and not waiting to head back to Rio Frio.

So, to not think about it, let's talk about something less well, SAD!
I read blogs late into the night a few weeks before I came to Costa Rica delving into photography, design, typography, fashion, etc. etc. Here are some fun things I found through those readings:
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First off, my heart longs to canoe. Second, how great would it be to see through the canoe?

I hate to see things like cassette tapes fade into the past. Making it into a MP3 player? Yes, please!

Icebreaker games can be so hit or miss. Icebreaker nametags though make me actually kind of want to wear a nametag.

Who knew your face could be a blank canvas? Mustaches and beards as art is cool.

How cute is the kid in the rocket ship? Adorable? Yes, that's what I thought.

Sticky notes, you have become so fun. Floppy disks, apples, tweets? Fabulous!

I love traveling. Clyde does too. I'm sure he's too big for this, but he does need an airstream.

This cracks me up! Guess no one will be stealing my sandwiches anytime soon...

Who says knowledge can't be mapped out? Especially by nerdy kitties that make everything better?

USB Drives either seem to be the ugliest computer accessories or the most interesting. A roll of film USB makes me smile.

Sometimes cheesy things are, well, cheesy. Sometimes I love them. Have a ball this summer!

Last summer, I transformed a lions tail into a leopards tail. These could have come in so handy.

[182]. [183]. 184. 185. 186. 187. 188. [189]. 190. 191.

onehundredeightytwo. Sad no photo day.

onehundredeightythree. Sad no photo day.

onehundredeightyfour. unseenbeauty: beingabletogetreallyclosetonature.

onehundredeightyfive. unseenbeauty: beingabletogetreallyclosetonature.

onehundredeightyfivecontinued. unseenbeauty: youthsteppingintoleadership.

onehundredeightysix. unseenbeauty: havingfunwhileworking.

onehundredeightyseven. unseenbeauty: bilingualfriendships.

onehundredeightyeight. unseenbeauty: popcornandlaughingwaytoohard.

onehundredeightyeightcontinued. unseenbeauty: cutestcowgirlever.

onehundredeightynine. Sad no photo day.

onehundredninety. unseenbeauty: makingupboardgamesbasedonfunnycircumstances.

onehundredninetyone. unseenbeauty: alittlepeaceandquiet.

After being tired from our second St. Andrews team, we had to gear up rather quickly for the Ziner family mission team that came in the next morning. This week proved to be quite interesting; along with a bit of frustration, a ton of laughter and getting to see what the Lord had in store for this past week was great and something that none of us could have even imagined or foreseen. More to come on that later.

160! 161. 162. 163. 164. 165! 166. 167. 168.

onehundredsixty. unseenbeauty: Bellaandsoccer.

Gracie'sphoto. unseenbeauty: breakswhilecleaning.

onehundredsixtyone. unseenbeauty: bedtime.

onehundredsixtytwo. unseenbeauty: organizationsthankstoDr.Chele.

onehundredsixtythree. unseenbeauty: listening.

onehundredsixtythreecontinued. unseenbeauty: family.

onehundredsixtyfour. unseenbeauty: facingyourfears.

onehundredsixtyfourcontinued. unseenbeauty: universallanguages.

onehundredsixtyfive. unseenbeauty: caughtiguanas.

onehundredsixtysix. unseenbeauty: laughablemoments.

onehundredsixtysixcontinued. unseenbeauty: newtoothbrushes.

onehundredsixtysixcontinued. unseenbeauty: firsttimebrushingwithanewbrush.

onehundredsixtyseven. unseenbeauty: beingreallyclosetowildlife.

onehundredsixtysevencontinued. unseenbeauty: coffee.

onehundredsixtyeight. unseenbeauty: selfexploration.

ninetyeight through onehundredfortynine. [100]. [102]. [113]. [119]. [129]. [130]. [135]. [136]. [146].

ninetyeight. unseenbeauty: findingtheperfectcreativitylaunchpad.

ninetynine. unseenbeauty: Addy,thefutureAlaskangoverner.

ninetyninecontinued. unseenbeauty: photoshootingwithfriends.

onehundred. Sad no photo day.

onehundredone. unseenbeauty: growinginChrist.

onehundredtwo. Sad no photo day.

onehundredthree. unseenbeauty: Tuesdaynightwalkbreaks.

onehundredfour. unseenbeauty: neverseeingmathagain.

onehundredfive. unseenbeauty: thetruth.

onehundredsix. unseenbeauty: cuddlyoldstuffedanimals.

onehundredseven. unseenbeauty: displayedwork.

onehundredeight. unseenbeauty: sunshineonacloudyday.

onehundrednine. unseenbeauty: notsoimportantdecisions.

onehundredten. unseenbeauty: jumpingrope.

onehundredeleven. unseenbeauty: findingbabybirds.

onehundredelevencontinued. unseenbeauty: preciousbabybirdchirps.

onehundredtwelve. unseenbeauty: sillymomentsbeforeaseriousservice.

onehundredthirteen. Sad no photo day.

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onehundredfourteen. unseenbeauty: clothingoptions.

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onehundredfifteencontinued. unseenbeauty: Clydenoteatingeastereggs.

onehundredsixteen. unseenbeauty: revelinginwhatlittlesleeptimeyoudoget.

onehundredseventeen. unseenbeauty: rustybikes.

onehundredeighteen. unseenbeauty: postdentistnumbfacelaughter.

onehundredeighteencontinued. unseenbeauty: goodcurlyhairdays.

onehundrednineteen. Sad no photo day.

onehundredtwenty. unseenbeauty: murdermysteriesandgiggles.

onehundredtwentyone. unseenbeauty: learningnewthings.

onehundredtwentyonecontinued. unseenbeauty: livemusic.

onehundredtwentytwo. unseenbeauty: Breakthru.

onehundredtwentythree. unseenbeauty: lettersfromfriends.

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onehundredtwentyfive. unseenbeauty: fibersthatcreatesomethinggreaterthanthemselves.

onehundredtwentysix. unseenbeauty: whenlongdaysarefinallyover.

onehundredtwentyseven. unseenbeauty: sunsetswhilewalkingwithfriends.



onehundredtwentysevencontinued. unseenbeauty: joiningtogetherforRelay.

onehundredtwentyeight. unseenbeauty: Aggierings.

onehundredtwentynine. Sad no photo day.

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onehundredthirtytwo. unseenbeauty: knowingotherlanguages.

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onehundredthirtyfive. Sad no photo day.

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onehundredthirtysevencontinued. unseenbeauty: thingsthatmakeyouponder.

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onehundredfortytwo. unseenbeauty: SnowWhiteandfavoritepasta.

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onehundredfortyfive. unseenbeauty: moviesandpopcorn.

onehundredfortysix. Sad no photo day.

onehundredfortyseven. unseenbeauty: SnowWhiteandfavoritepasta.

onehundredfortyeight. unseenbeauty: bakingwithcriticism.

onehundredfortynine. unseenbeauty: friendship.