New Year, New Me

Hey Everyone! 

Sorry it's been forever since I've been on here, life just got kind of crazy. 

As with every new year, resolutions are made. Now, I don't know about you, but I can almost never keep up with my New Year's Resolutions. However, there are a couple this year that I am determined to make stick. New Year, New Me. 

1. I am was a Diet Coke drinker. 

On a typical day, I drank 2-3 cans. Seriously, I always have at least 2 cases in my bedroom at all times. However, keeping my motto in mind, Diet Coke was the first thing on my list that needs to go! 

The last time I drank a Diet Coke, and well, any pop really, was December 31, 2014.

15 days. 

I don't remember the last time I went 15 days without a Diet Coke. 

It hasn't been easy, and I realize just how addicted to it I really was.

Aspartame is an ingredient of Diet Coke, and I always knew it wasn't good for me, but the list above shows everything that it can cause. 

Scary right? 

Well, it wasn't scary enough for me to stop drinking it in the past. I hate to admit that, but it's true. I've been drinking Diet Coke for as long as I can remember, definitely since my freshman year in high school.

 And I wish I could say that after 15 days, I'm not craving a Diet Coke anymore, because I am. But here are some things I've noticed about myself in the last 15 days:

I've lost weight, not a significant amount, but my pants are fitting better, and my stomach is getting flatter. I also have noticed that I have less joint pains in my hips (however I have been stretching more), and my mood has improved. After seeing this happen in just 2 short weeks, I wonder what will happen later down the line! 

2. Working Out 

I know, I know. Everyone always says getting in shape is their New Year's Resolution. 

However, after getting back surgery in 2006, the repercussions of not working out regularly have caught up to me. On September 27, 2014 I woke up with the most intense back pain I've ever felt in my entire life. I couldn't walk, stand, sit, and do pretty much anything without someone helping me. Once the semester ended I was able to begin, physical therapy. Well, they've taught me things I can do on my own for when I head back to school, and I'm determined to continue my workouts, strengthening my core in order to avoid that pain from ever coming back! 

I'll post more about my workouts once I get into a smoother routine. 

3. Blogging 

I always say I'm going to get back into blogging, but this year, it's going to happen! I'm going to try to have a post at least once a month, but I'm going to aim for more! 

Well, that's all my new years resolutions! 

What are some of yours? 

Oil Pulling

Hey everyone!
So I read a blog post a few months ago talking about how oil pulling made a huge difference in her life. I wrote it off as another fad and although I found it interesting, I never got around to trying it. About two weeks go, I saw this same idea come up on another blog and decided it was worth a shot. After buying some coconut oil the other day, I decided to try it out.

If you are unfamiliar with the term oil pulling, essentially it means that you swish oil (coconut oil, sesame oil, etc.) in your mouth for 20 minutes, and it is supposed to strengthen teeth, gums, and over all oral health. The oil mixes with the saliva in your mouth and pulls out any toxins that may be there. There is also a list of other benefits oil pulling has within the body as well.

Basically it went like this, I took one spoonful of coconut oil, got really freaked out by the lard consistency and spit it out almost immediately. Determined to see what the hype is about, I mentally prepared myself, and did it again. It did not take long for the lard consistency to change to oil then I just sat (and blogged), for 20 minutes while gently swishing it around my mouth and pulling it through my teeth.


I found that I had a really hard time with not swallowing tiny bits of it as it was in my mouth for so long (which means you'd be swallowing all the toxins you're pulling out), and the concept of all those toxins in my body being pulled to my mouth was gross to think about as I was doing it, but I'm hoping that gets easier as time goes on.

Once the 20 minutes were up, I spit out the coconut oil (in the trashcan, because the oil can clog the sink), and rinsed my mouth with warm salt water (I read I was supposed to do that, but I'm not sure if I'll continue that part yet- I think I might just use warm water, however, it doesn't seem all that necessary), then went about my day as normal.

I think this will be something I will try to do everyday, as my teeth feel super clean once I spit it all out.


What do you guys think? Is oil pulling something you'd try?

Recap

Hey everyone! 

So it's been about a year since I posed on here!

To recap this past year in some major highlights:

1. I moved into my sorority house. 

2. I had the most fun but most stressful first semester in the elementary education program.

3. My boyfriend Max went abroad to London and I was lucky enough to be able to go visit him over spring break! 

Now that it is summer break however, I will be very busy working two jobs, and starting the 16th the first of my two summer classes begins! 

What's been happening with you guys? 

Finally 20!

Hey everyone! 

So I definitely haven't posted in here for a while, so I'm totally slacking. Not a whole lot happened during the month of June, except a bunch of babysitting, donating blood with my family, and me getting my wisdom teeth removed. 

July has been full of some fun times :) 

Part of my Greek family was able to get together and eat at The Cheesecake Factory then take a walk around the Centennial Lakes in Edina. It was so much fun to be able to get together with them! 

I spent the 4th of July in Minneapolis, and it was definitely the best 4th ever! 

After that, my 20th birthday finally rolled around! I was able to spend it with some of the best people! 

This was by far the best birthday I've ever had, and I couldn't have asked for better people to spend it with me! 

Coming up, I am moving back to my apartment for a couple more weeks before it's time to move out and start the next chapter of my life living in Alpha Chi! I actually cannot wait! 

Actually the end of May?!

Hey everyone! 

Sorry it's been about a month since I've blogged last, with Michelle's graduation, finals, then jumping right into volunteering and work right when summer started, I haven't really had a second to myself. 

To begin, Michelle graduated from college! :)

It was a great ceremony and I can't believe she's actually done! 

I had a great time in Winona seeing all my old friends, but after such a fun weekend, it was hard to get back into the school mentality to finish up the year with a final paper and exam. Once I completed that, I was able to head right back to Minnetonka to start my 70 hours of volunteer work that's required to apply to the elementary education program at the U. After two weeks of that, my 70 hours were complete, and I know for sure thats what I want to do in life! :) 

Starting this past Tuesday, I started nannying my neighbor who has a 5 week old boy, and a 3 year old.   They are SO cute and I love my job! 

Also, I started to read The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and it's pretty good so far! If anyone has any more suggestions let me know! :) 

I promise I'll try to blog more often now that things are starting to settle down. 

"Always be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle." - Plato

May!

Happy May everyone, I hope you had a good weekend! 

As finals are quickly approaching I've been busy writing papers and studying, and I've officially finished one of my four classes already, and will hopefully be finishing another class tonight! For one of my classes I am required to read a book called "A Visit From the Good Squad" by Jennifer Egan, and it is actually a really interesting read, if you have some time on your hands I definitively recommend it. Reading this book is making me so excited for summer so I can start reading for fun again, but I can't believe summer is almost here and I'm still wearing sweatshirts, hopefully Minnesota figures out what season it's supposed to be very soon!  

However, yesterday was mine and Max's 6 month anniversary so we decided to have a date night and eat at the Old Spaghetti Factory then walk around Mill City and the Stone Arch Bridge. 

It was really windy! 

This upcoming Thursday I will be heading back down to Winona to see Michelle graduate, and I can't believe it's coming up so quick! I'm excited to head back down there, and I'm really looking forward to eating at Bub's and Lakeview! 

"When someone else's happiness is your happiness, that is love" - Lana Del Ray 

Bat Mitzvah

Hey everyone! 

I hope you had a good weekend, and didn't let the snow get you down too much! 

Throughout high school, I nannied the best family in the world, and today is one of their birthdays! Aubrey turns 13 today, and had her Bat Mitzvah yesterday. My sisters and I were fortunate enough to be able to go! It was a lot of fun, with the (long) service in the morning, then a party at night! 

There was a photo booth there, and we had a lot of fun with it! 

Unfortunately, with the random colder weather, and the busy weekend, I woke up this morning with a horrible cold :( I have been drinking tea like crazy, but if anyone has suggestions on how to get rid of this quick let me know! 

This week is Initiation Week for AXO and I couldn't be more excited...if only I didn't have this cold! 

"I didn't set out to be unusual or different, I just wanted to do things my way." - Lilly Pulitzer 

April (Snow?!) Showers

Hi everyone! 

I hope everyone has been having a good and productive month! Usually this is the time that my productivity level decreases, but due to the April snow, I'm not really having too many problems! 

This past weekend was my sorority's formal, which we had on a boat on the Mississippi River in St. Paul, and it was also my Big's birthday which we celebrated at the Old Spaghetti Factory before heading out on the boat! 

 Throwing what we know at the Old Spaghetti Factory :) 

 Max and me on the boat! 

Alex, me, Riley, and Jordan

Also, my little and I got matching tanks :) 

Spring Jam is coming up soon so be ready for that blog post and those pictures! 

"Eloquence is when the inside is a beautiful as the outside" - Coco Chanel 

Spring Break :)

Hey everyone! 

So I'm finally done with midterms (thank goodness), and now I'm officially on spring break! Unfortunately I will not be heading down to PCB with the girls in Alpha Chi, but instead will be heading back to Minnetonka to spend spring break back home! I'm actually looking forward to the amount of time I will be spending at work, and I can't wait to be making money again! 

One of the latest trends I've started to follow is the sock bun. I originally wanted to start doing this because I thought it was cute, but little did I know, it is now a go-to hairstyle when I'm running late, having a bad hair day, or want to dress up a little. It's so versatile I love it! 

The next thing I want to try with the sock bun is a head scarf. I just think they are so trendy and cute, I just have to figure out where I can get a cheap one! 

Finally, one goal I have over spring break is to read a new book! If anyone has any suggestions that would be phenomenal :) 

“The real secret to the fabulous life is to live imperfectly with great delight.” - Leigh Standley

 

Sister bonding

Hey everyone! 

Last week was Big/Little pairing and it was also date party! 

It was quite the eventful week, here's what happened. 

Last fall was my big/little pairing as you all know, and I got the best big in the world! 

(sorry it's a bit blurry) 

Then, last week, I was given the best little in the world! <3 

I was ecstatic when I found out Riley was my little, and I was soo nervous for big/little reveal! Luckily, I had nothing to be nervous about, and it was an absolute blast! 

After that, we had our date party, and it was 80s themed bowling. Max came with me, and we had so much fun! 

All in all, it was an extremely fun night! I love my sisters <3 

"From the outside looking in, you can never understand it. From the inside looking out, you can never explain it." - Unknown

Spring is Near :)

Happy Friday! 

So it's been awhile since my last post, whoops. And after getting some questions from the boyfriend asking when I was going to update my blog, I realized it was time. :) 

Spring semester has started, along with 4 new classes, which I now dedicate the majority of my time to. I'm taking this Intro to Elementary Education class, which is fantastic and making me realize that changing my major for the third time was the best idea, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings.

Here's a recap of what's happened so far. (I'm going to try and make this in order, wish me luck.)

1.) Heather's Wedding :)

This was an extremely beautiful wedding, and it was SO much fun! 

2.) Informal Recruitment! :) 

So Alpha Chi participated in Informal Recruitment this fall, and my FANTASTIC big Brittany is VP of Recruitment. She did a phenomenal job planning all the events, and we gave out bids to 16 fabulous new members! :) One of my best friends Alex got a bid! It's so great. 

3.) Alpha Chi had an exchange with the lovely guys of Beta, and we got a (semi)-family picture. 

Me, Alexis, and Brittany :) 

4.) And this is just a shout-out, my sisters are great :) 

5.) Valentine's Day <3 

I got to spend this Valentine's Day with the best boyfriend ever :) 

Even though I was missing my best friend 

6.) #IAmGreek <3 

Every Tuesday, we take pictures in our letters and post them on Twitter, Instagram, and really anywhere we want :) 

7.) Mom's Day 

We had Mom's Day and we filled up the Student Center in St. Paul, and we decorated picture frames with Modge Podge. It was so great to have my mom and both of my sisters there. And we ended up sitting at the same table with Alex and her mom. It was so much fun 

Today is Hera Day, which is a day to give back to others. I love my sorority and the things we stand for, and I think it's amazing that we can dedicate a day to doing kind things for others, (even though we do it everyday) to give back to the community. 

Finally, Big/Little Pairing is coming up next week, so I'll be posting again very soon :) 

Happy March everyone! 

"Be as you wish to seem" - Socrates 

Almost Spring Semester

Happy Monday! 

So after realizing that a lot of schools start again today, I thought about how lucky I am I still have another week at home and 2 more days of work. 

I kind of put school on the back burner of my mind for a while. With that being said, I finally checked my email and started doing some work for my online class. I'm actually excited for school to start, but I know I'm going to regret saying that a month into the semester! Also, once I go back to school, I'm going to try and cut down on how much coffee I drink, I'm nervous for that because I increased the amount of coffee I drink this winter break by almost double. 

Also, I can't wait to get back to Alpha Chi and start informal recruitment. I can't wait to see all the potential new members and to hang out with the girls more! 

I can't wait to see all my friends again and to get back into my regular routine. :) 

But for now, I will continue my unhealthy coffee drinking ways, relaxing at home, and finishing up my last two closing shifts at Caribou! 

"We're all pretty bizzare, some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all"

 - The Breakfast Club

thankful

After not getting a lot of sleep last night, then going to a crazy painful ear doctors appointment, 

(where I found out I had a cyst in my ear, and had it removed), I ended up going to get coffee then walk around the mall with my two best friends. I then started thinking about how thankful I am for the things I have. I figured what better way to start my positive thinking than writing about it :) 

things I'm thankful for: 

1. my family, obviously, I'm very lucky to have the family I have <3 

2. my friends, the ones I have that I know I can count on to always be there, it took a while, but I found some of the good ones. 

3. my boyfriend, for the same reason above, I found a good one :) 

4. school, as much as I may complain about it, I love learning new things and I'm excited for the semesters to come. 

5. coffee, I drink it every day, I love the fresh ground, fresh brewed coffee.

6. I love working at a coffee shop as well. 

7. tea, something I've started to drink more lately and I'm hooked on Earl G 

8. books, i especially love my bookshelf and my kindle library, and I'm constantly looking for good new books to read! 

9. music, I love listening to music and I love finding new music to listen to, lately I've been listening to The Lumineers. 

10. netflix, seems silly, but it really is convenient to watch tv shows and movies instantly for a really cheap price. 

11. using crazy face masks with my sister, not sure exactly what is is she bought, but I love how it feels and it's really fun to do!
12. Alpha Chi Omega, I love my sorority, and I love everything it stands for. The girls are amazing and I'm so happy to be a part of something so great. 

13. and last but not least, God. Everyday I see some of the amazing things He does <3 

"be thankful for what you have, you'll end up having more"

Happy New Year!

Hey everyone! 

I hope you all had good new years and made some pretty awesome resolutions! 

I spent the new year with my 2 best friends, my wonderful boyfriend and some of his friends.

It was a great night and I had a lot of fun! 

As for a new years resolution, I always tend to make some unrealistic goal for myself. So this year I decided to do something a little different. Instead of making a goal to workout more, or eat healthier or some other standard resolution like that, my goal is to do at least one healthy thing for myself each day. Whether it be something physical, like working out or something mental, like not thinking something negative about myself, or even something like cleaning my room. I have to do something once a day. I figure that way it is something attainable, and easy to do each day for a year, and it's something positive I can do for myself! :) 

I haven't posted in a while, but basically the only things going on in my life is work and catching up with my family or with my TV shows. 

Oh I'm also on the hunt for a "new" used car! If anyone has any ideas please please please let me know! Thanks :) 

"Live like there's no midnight" - Cinderella 

Winter Wonderland

Hey guys!

Sorry I've been totally lacking in my blogging lately, life has been insane and out of control! 

Since its been a couple months since my last post, I'll recap the highlights of my life! :) 

(these are in no specific order!) 

1. I love ALL of my sorority sisters, and Alpha Chi was definitely the best decision I've made

here is our Christmas Picture :) 

2. My twin and I made paddles for our lovely big Brittany :) 

3. I was finally initiated into AXO, and I can honestly say it was one of the best nights of my life. 

4. Homecoming in Minneapolis with my girls was fantastic 

5. Homecoming in Winona was also fantastic, I loved seeing my old friends :)

6. My friends here are amazing 

7. Date parties with my Alpha Chi's are so fun! 

8. Ice skating for Dad's Day :) 

9. Pumpkin Patch exchange with Delta Chi! 

10. I was a Dalmatian for halloween! 

11. Red Carnation (formal date party) with my boyfriend :) 

12. Red Carnation with my family <3 

13. Michelle's  birthday! 

14. Heather's Breakfast at Tiffany's bridal shower 

15. and FINALLY, an ugly sweater Christmas party :) 

I have no pictures of my own from the recent snowfall, but this is one that I borrowed from a friend :) 

I'm not usually one to enjoy the snow, but this winter is already just so pretty I can't handle it. 

I promise I will try to be better with blogging! All next week are finals for me, so I'll be back by the end of the month! :) 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" - Proverbs 3:5