keep smiling.

cue the dramatic music, I'm feeling moody.

Winter break couldn't have come at a better time.

The past few weeks at school were pretty rough for me emotionally.

I found out (through facebook nonetheless) that my ex-boyfriend is engaged to the girl he started dating about a week after he broke up with me and never spoke to me again.

As much as I hate to admit it, this news really set me back. It crushed me.

I am so thankful for my loving family and friends who talked some sense back into me.

Most importantly for my mom and dad who came to visit me right away, with no agenda, just to be together and get my mind off of it.

--

I hope to always remember this verse: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.

I know that one day I will meet someone so much more wonderful than I could have ever dreamed.

It's okay to be sad when things don't turn out the way that we want them to.

There is a reason-and one day we will see it.

For now, just keep smiling.

home for the holidays

I made it!!

My first semester away at school and it feels so good to be home.

First things first: catch up on my reading!

I love how festive this issue was.

Today we woke up to snow that continued all day.

My mom and I spent the day baking cookies and a holiday tradition, mushroom turnovers!

It is SO nice to be home!!

snow day!

Our last day of classes today was cancelled due to snow-awesome!

Except that I studied all weekend and feel like I cannot look at my chemistry anymore or my eyeballs will literally fall out of their sockets.

I warmed up this morning with some coffee (of course) and some oatmeal with raisins, cinnamon and some flaxseed. Yum! 

On my agenda for the rest of the day: some more studying, making Christmas cards and then off to the gym. 

Wish me luck on my finals!

cozy Sunday + vegetable barley stew

Today was the ultimate cozy day!

I woke up to snow and it is still snowing ten hours later as I type this.

Instead of venturing out, I opted to make some soup in the crockpot, study and reward myself with Love Actually.

I hung some Christmas lights up too, so with the addition of Love Actually, I am feeling rather festive today.

It is hard to get in the Christmas spirit being away from home! 

Vegetable Barley Stew

I didn't measure anything-just throw in however much you like!

1 onion

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can beans, drained (any kind, I used kidney)

1 bell pepper

vegetable stock

barley

mixed frozen vegetables

garlic

salt & pepper

Throw it in the crockpot, set it on low and cook for 4-6 hours.

The perfect recipe for a cozy snow day!

falalala finals are here!

In a week I will be home for a SIX WEEK Christmas break!!

Words cannot contain my excitement.

Technically, it's not a full "break" as I will be taking an online class for my communications major, but hey-I'll take it. 

My main goal for break is to spend time with my family, friends and learn some Organic Chemistry before I take the class next semester. Oh, the life of a nutrition major!

pretty much.

--

This weekend is our Girls on the Run 5k and I am so excited!

The girls have worked so hard this season and it will be so rewarding to see them all finish their 5k. 

I don't think my schedule will allow me to coach in the spring, but I am hoping to again next fall.

Bonus: my mom is running the race too!

I am so proud of her for running. She doesn't enjoy it, but sets goals for herself and I admire her so much!

From  her first 5k and my first 1/2! Ignore my outfit-had to tie my sweatshirt during the race.

This weekend will be full of studying, making Christmas cookies and an ugly sweater party. 

Have a good one!

vegetable spotlight: cauliflower

Taking a much needed study break to fill you in on my new favorite vegetable:

Cauliflower!

I'll set the scene for you: broke college student wanting to spend the minimum amount on healthy groceries before moving home for the next month. Mom sends her back to school with ziploc bag full of cauliflower. 

Since I've been lazy, I've just been enjoying this cruciferous (#nerdalert) vegetable with some hummus, but you could go crazy with it. On Thanksgiving we had it steamed with some red pepper flakes. Serving it mashed like potatoes is a great option as well!

Not convinced??

Cauliflower is exceptionally high in vitamins C, K and folate.  It is also said to be an anti-inflammatory aid! 

Well, I'm off to study again. 

Wish me luck!

venting

Please allow me to vent for this minute.

AHHHH!!!!!!

This is the last week of classes before finals.

I held an A in Chemistry up until yesterday when I did poorly on a test and now I have a B. 

You might be thinking, "a B? Why is she so upset about a B?"

Normally I wouldn't be. However, when I saw my grade, the first thing that popped into my head was I'M NOT GETTING A DIETETIC INTERNSHIP WHEN I GRADUATE IN TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

To make myself feel better, I googled some dietetic internships to see the requirements and don't worry, my GPA is in no danger.

I don't think people realize how stressful this  major is!

lately

I have been neglecting this blog and I hate it!

Next week I will be starting my month and a half of glorious Christmas break (thank you Jesus!) and I plan on really working on this space. 

Of course, since break is coming, that means that finals are too.

I have to keep reminding myself that school is worth it and that I am so lucky that I can go to college even though sometimes I wish I was still a nanny.

It makes me sad that I was so anxious to move on from nannying and into college. I was ready for a change and I knew it was a good one, but I truly miss being a nanny!

Ah, I need to stop complaining.

My goal for December and hopefully my life is to ENJOY the season of life that I am in.

I have realized that sooooo many times I can't wait for the next chapter (i.e. to graduate, get married, procreate...) and then when I am there, I long for the old days. I know that this is normal but I am working on it.

Thanksgiving was last week, which of course you know because you are on blogger!

We had 16 people at our house and my mama and I cooked up a storm.

Pear pie-my dad's favorite. 

All of my sisters together again!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.

I promise this blog is going to stop sucking once I get a minute to relax!