The St. Andrew's Uniform

Walking around the streets of St. Andrews is akin to browsing Pinterest or a recent issue of Vogue. Everyone here looks like a model. Not the American standard but a model nonetheless. What I mean is that the people here carry themselves with confidence like they are walking down a runway. There is every variety of shape, every variety of style, yet all is appreciated! It was amazing to step off the plane at Heathrow and be immersed in this new sense of beauty. It isn't at all about conforming to what everyone else looks like, rather being as you as only you can be. How wonderful to fulfill that standard. How wonderful to be utterly yourself. 

I decided to be more subdued and academic today. Back in the States there is so much color in everyone's wardrobe but here the neutrals rule the palette. I remember putting on a button down under my red plaid jumper (which would probably work so well here) every Mass dress day in elementary school and HATING it. 9 years later I do not loathe it quite as much and the familiar look reminded me of home. You can take the girl out of the uniform, but (after 14 years of wearing one) you can't quite take the uniform out of the girl. 

Stories from Scotland: The Bucket List.

*For those of you who don't know, I am spending the semester abroad in St. Andrews, Scotland*

(Which is basically Hogwarts.) 

I've been in Scotland a full week at this point. In some ways I feel like I hopped off the plane at Heathrow and in others I feel settled in quite nicely here, adjusting to a new routine, new food, and of course new accents without too many hitches. While it hasn't been exactly smooth sailing (homesickness can be rough... but more on that in a day or so), I have been overwhelmingly blessed thus far on my trip. Hopefully, this blog will become sort of a travel diary these four months while I'm abroad, a place to mark my adventures, funny moments, aspirations, and lessons learned along the way.

To start off, I want to share the Bucket List my friend Suzanne and I made for this semester.

1) Visit a church in every city we visit. (If you don't do this while in Europe you are doing something wrong.)

2)Learn to say 'I Love You' in 25 different languages. (<3)

3)Try haggis (Already done!! and I'm alive. Miracles happen.)

4)Learn to like black coffee. (Just to say that I can!)

5)Start a blog (or continue one) and post at least 2x a week.

6)Take pictures. (I have 7500 on my phone from America. I need at least 2000 from Europe.)

7)Take a walk on the beach. (My school is a 20 minute walk from the ocean)

8)May Dip (St. Andrews tradition where everyone runs into the frigid ocean on May 1st. Sounds cool! Get it? Cool?? Cuz it's cold?? Okay I'll stop now.)

9)Join a club. (Disney club? Competitive life saving club? Haggis lovers club?)

10)Do one thing every week that scares you. (BOO!)

11)Send two letters/postcards a week. (I'll send one to you if you give me your address!)

12)Ask and answer one question per class. (Does "I'm sorry can you repeat that because I am having trouble making out which words you're actually saying"? Count?)

13)Try a new drink a week. (In the works of Bon Qui Qui "But DONT get crazy.")

14)Have a meal with a random stranger. (Think less 'Taken' more 'Knight and Day')

15) Make one new friend a day. (Not hard... everyone here is so nice!)

16) Read one book for fun a month. (Open to suggestions!)

17)Go to a ball. (Each dorm has one!)

18)Develop a convincing Scottish accent. ("Ef ya haad thuh chaance to chenge ya feht whouldya??"

19)Buy and sell something at a secondhand shop. (Most of them go to charity which is really quite nice)

20)Many friends from at least 10 different countries. (I've got Italy, Czech Republic, Scotland, and Brazil so far)

Boom. 20 things. Epic Adventures await. Follow along if you wish! I'll post something each time I complete a task. I've got virtually 120 days to do all of these. Wish me luck!!

For those (including me) that need a little bit of hope tonight

When I don't work up to my full potential and my grades aren't what they should be....

...Jesus still loves me and helps me try harder. 

When I put other things before Him...

...Jesus still gives me his undivided attention. 

When I am impatient...

...Jesus waits patiently. 

When I am judgmental...

...Jesus reminds me that He alone is Judge. 

When I care too much about my appearance...

...Jesus looks inside at my heart.

When I can't...

...Jesus can. 

When...

...Jesus. 

No matter what, I fall back on Jesus. Does this mean that I give up and submit to my undisciplined self? No. It means I get up and try again knowing that if (when) I fall again I have a Lord who is gracious enough to over compensate for my shortcomings. And that sure gives me a whole lot of hope.

(via pinterest)

It's Great to Be Back in the Wack

For some reason I really dreaded going back to school. Not so much the classes, but being back in Waco. I'd spent the summer in Houston and Los Angeles, two of the biggest cities in the United States, so returning to a small town seemed like taking a step backwards almost. I finally moved in on Saturday and have spent the weekend unpacking and seeing friends.

Y'all, I am so glad to be back here.

These past 48 hours have been a constant reaffirmation that I am exactly where I need to be. How wonderful and fruitful this weekend was and how marvelous and beautiful today has been! My first day of sophomore year started early, yet it didn't feel too long. In fact, the day is almost up and I am sad to see it go.

I started my "new" life today as a Great Texts Major. My class schedule is a whole heckuva lot different (oh how I will miss 6 hours a week devoted to Scenic Crew......or maybe not) and I have so much more time on my hands.

I'm filling that time with jobs, friends, St. Peter's, & Tri Delta. It's shaping up to be a wonderful semester, and I cannot wait to experience every moment of it.

First day outfit :) it's my favorite color combo AND it has bears on it! #baylorswag 

Sick Day

Sorry y'all I don't have much to report...

I spent the day in bed, blowing my nose, and trying to breathe through all the congestion.

Being sick is fun.

I can only allow one day for illness because the rest of the week is BUSY. Goodness gracious I get back into town and have one million things to do. It's gonna be a heck of a few weeks before I go back to school! 

The Day My Life Changed Forever

Three years ago today I got into a car accident that could have ended my life. 

Three years ago today I decided to change the way I'd been living. 

Three years ago today I started to live for The Lord. 

Since then I've fallen so head over heels in love with my God. He's shown me that His plans are better than mine, that His ways are better that mine, and that His love is better than anything that this world can offer. 

I'm so glad that I got that second chance. It's been an amazing adventure and I look forward to many many more years living life to the absolute fullest. 

 

Leaving on a Jet Plane

1 lost suitcase.

2 to-go meals.

1 heckuva plane nap.

14 hours of travel from start to finish. 

This month has been absolutely incredible. The people were outstanding. The opportunities vast. The scenery gorgeous. The mission imperative. & I loved every single moment of it. 

I don't know how the month went by so quickly! But now I'm back, laying in my own bed, reminiscing about every fun moment shared in California. It was one amazing adventure and I am so thankful that I got to experience it.