An Optimist's Alcove

Expecting A Call?

2011-07-27T18:35:00.001-04:00

Recently I have fallen in love with all things vintage, and unfortunately for my bank account, a new little antique store has opened up right across the street. With new items coming in every week, exploring has become one of my favorite pass times. Just a few days ago I walked in to find this piece and it was love at first sight.

Who wouldn't fall for this cute little phone bench? I wonder who has used it and what sort of important calls were made from that incredible orange seat!

Currently I'm doing some research on restoring antiques because, as flashy as the orange-and-nautical motif is, I think it needs a little updating... will post photos of the finished product, but I just couldn't wait till then to share my find!

Ring, Riiinnnnng,

Stuff I Like: An Optimist's Soundtrack

2011-07-27T17:52:00.002-04:00

Silence is golden, but music is something so priceless. Whenever people ask me what type of music I like, I never know how to answer. I'm not the type to seek out new artists or browse iTunes looking for the latest hits... no, I like music that touches my emotions. Ask my college roommate - once a song struck a cord with me it was set on repeat for a month!

That being said, when my friend Kettie told me about SterioMood, I was ecstatic! This free sight allows members to create playlists based on the mood you're in!

.... And wouldn't you know it, there is a playlist titled

OPTIMISTIC!

Check it out the next time you are in a sour mood, or if your silence is a little less than golden :)

"One Day Like This,"

Heads-Up on the Header

2011-07-01T22:10:00.000-04:00

For those of you who've been faithfully following my blog, you have probably noticed that I have been promising a new layout for quite some time now. Well, a change is one its way! Now that I'm a college graduate I have some spare time to devote to fun thing like this.

More after these messages...

DIY ~ Floral Vintage Skirt Makeover

2011-06-30T19:11:00.000-04:00

While snooping around the local thrift store I found this fabulous vintage skirt and fell in love with the retro floral pattern. The length of the skirt was more circa 1960 though, so I had to do some clipping and hemming to bring it up to date. After loosing ten inches and adding a new button, it was time for a fashion show!

I paired the finished product with a mustard colored tank, a grey cardigan, and some nude peep-toed, kitten heals. Plus an orange bag to bring out the colors in the skirt. Oh la la!!

Walking on sunshine,

A Tasty Summer

2011-06-07T11:43:00.000-04:00

I've discovered that I love to cook! Of course there were the times I helped my mom in the kitchen, but now I'm planning, grocery shopping, and cooking on my own. Its been a creative outlet for me. Since my lunches have consistently been a peanut butter sandwich and carrot sticks, so I look forward to each time I can devote a couple hours to preparing and savoring a new dish.

Because my current state of internetless has prevented me from blogging regularly, I have been keeping a photo journal of my favorite meals and am excited to finally be able to share them!

Chicken Salad with Sweet Potato Fries:

Pasta Cooked with Veggies, served with Salad and Iced-Tea:

Stir Fry in my new cast-iron skillet:

The final product! Beef Teriyaki Stir-Fry over Rice:

Chicken and Veggies....

...Tossed with Pasta and a Cream Sauce:

Well there you have it, a little peek into my life as a chef :)

Bon Appétit!

Summertime and Internetlessness

2011-05-18T09:18:00.000-04:00

Well, summer has officially begun! At least it should have started by now... the weather doesn't seem to be cooperating too much. At this moment, I'm staring out the window if this little coffee shop, sipping my hot caramel latte, and staring at the rain.

Why, you might ask, am I in a coffee shop at the ungodly hour of 7:15am? Well, let me tell you: My new apartment doesn't have internet....yet. So I got up before work to write some emails, pay some bills, and of course, check my Facebook. Hopefully, my internetlessness won't last too much longer, but we'll see. The last place I called told me it was going to be $47.50 a month to get internet in my one bedroom apartment.

And so I keep asking myself.... why did I ever move out of the safety, comfort and security of my parent's wireless internet connection?

Dancin' in the rain,

Vacuum Cleaner Excitement.

2011-05-13T17:39:00.001-04:00

"So, when is it, exactly, that I'll feel like an adult?"

This is a question I have been asking myself for most of the week. Tomorrow will by the one-week anniversary of my graduation and it was still feeling pretty surreal. I say "was" because all that has changed now.

Two days ago my Mama and I went shopping for my new apartment, which was more fun than anything. We roamed the stores looking for the essentials, and then, we turned down the vacuum cleaner isle of Walmart.

"Does your place have a vacuum?" My mother asked

"No, we were talking about needing to get one."

"Well how about this? It's small and inexpensive and should work just fine for your little place."

A few texts later and I had the approval of my roommates and the little Bissell in the bag! But, believe it or not that still wasn't the moment that I felt like an adult. No, it was the following morning when I woke up, from dreaming about the apartment, wondering how long it would be before I could test out my new vacuum cleaner.

Resignedly yours,

A Whole New World...

2011-05-09T21:47:00.001-04:00

"To live is so startling it leaves

little time for anything else."

~ Emily Dickinson ~

Post Graduation Bucket List - Take 2

2011-05-09T21:40:00.000-04:00

Well, I've been a college grad for less than 72 hours and its been a interesting few days. Entering the world of adulthood comes with its ups and downs... it's crazy to think that I'm not going back in the fall, or that my days of sitting in class and eating cafeteria food are over. Now its on to paying rent, cooking meals, and grumbling about the price of gas!

In honor of my graduation, I thought it was fitting to revisit the Post Graduation Bucket List I posted a while ago. Here's a brief update:

(You should know: ~~Strike~~ - Accomplished | Italics - In Progress | Bolded - Still on the "To Do" list)

~~Get a job (just starting with the basics here!)~~
Just accepted a position a couple of weeks ago and I start Monday!
Find some means of transporting myself to said job
Working on this one - with any luck, I'll be the owner of a little VW Cabrio in under two weeks.
Develop a budget
Working on it, but it looks like I'll be set.
Become a coupon clipper
Thanks to my wonderful Mama, I have a little coupon collection already.
~~Get involved in my home church~~
A slight change of plans, I won't be going back to my home church regularly, but instead I'll be continuing to attend a wonderful little church close to my apartment.
Find 1 reason to smile each day
Seek a community of friends
Journal often
Er... working on this one!
Run a 5K marathon
I've been waiting for the rain to stop, great excuse huh?
Curb my appetite for new dresses (see #3)
Well, I needed a new dress for graduation right??
Stay in-touch with college friends
Visit said college friends
Less than a month until the Lyon/Wright wedding!
Scrapbook my semester in Rome
Take up upholstery (Call me crazy, but I want to be able to do this...and this!)
A summer project perhaps?
~~Become a "regular" at a tiny, romantic coffee shop~~
Keep fresh flowers in my place of residence
Read books for fun
Thank goodness for Amazon Prime - just a few days to wait :)
Subscribe to 1 or 2 magazines and read them faithfully
Continue my love affair with chalkboards... and maybe even act on my feelings
Write notes to those I love
Blog faithfully on my boring life as an adult
Does this post count as a start?
Enjoy every cup of tea I have
~~Master the art of wearing heals~~
Well, I didn't trip on the platform at graduation and survived the muddy lawn. Check!
Get a library card and use it often
Keep thinking about jobs in Europe...
I never stop thinking about it. 2012 here I come!

Here's to adulthood,

Dreaming of Sand and Sunshine

2011-04-28T08:46:00.000-04:00

I saw this amazing print on Folksy and now I'm itching to escape the rain and run off to sea...

Screaming for ice cream,

Matchbook Magazine... Just Something Lovely :)

2011-04-23T19:57:00.000-04:00

My fabulous Kettie Friend introduced me to Matchbook Magazine a couple months ago and I've never seen a magazine so full of pretty things :) This photo is just one post from the "Daily Spark" section of their blog.

Smiling,

Springtime and Zombies and Commencement – Oh My!!

2011-04-23T19:37:00.000-04:00

What a crazy semester this has been. It’s the last of my college career, and probably the best so far. It has been a rough ride in places, but I've made the best friends I have ever had and found myself being stretched and growing in so many ways.

Graduation is going to be bitter sweet. In some ways I cannot wait to get off campus and away from school. The distance will be much needed. But, of course there are going to be things I’ll miss. My housemates, classes, theater… I’m going through theater withdraw already actually.

It has been wonderful to get involved in theater again. First with the Cherry Orchard and then the student directed one-acts. Special thanks to Sofia for allowing me to be part of her pantomimes and to Kevin for writing the best Zombie script this side of Greenfield! As a shy freshman I would have never guessed I’d be painting my face like a mime and running through the cafeteria as part of a Zombie flash mob. It’s been fantastic!

And then there are my housemates. Ten wonderful girls that have made this year incredible. How could I have made it without all of you? J

So many great memories, but the future is looking promising too. I have a little apartment with a few pieces of furniture and I’m looking forward to the time when it will feel like home. A job is in the works and pretty soon I’ll be the owner of my very own vehicle.

Bitter-sweet… so many things to be sorry to leave, and so much to be excited about in the future.

So much thinking,

Its a Brand New Day

2011-04-20T01:11:00.002-04:00

Some kind of magic
Happens late at night

When the moon smiles down on me

And bathes me in it's light

I fell asleep beneath you

In the tall blades of grass

When I woke the world was new

I never had to ask

It's a brand new day

The sun is shinning

It's a brand new day

For the first time

In such a long long time

I know

I'll be ok

Most kind of stories

Save the best part for last

Most stories have a hero who finds

You make your past your passed

Ya you make your past your passed

It's a brand new day

The sun is shinning

It's a brand new day

For the first time

In such a long long time

I know

I'll be ok

This cycle never ends

You gotta fall in order to mend

And it's a brand new day

It's a brand new day

For the first time

In such a long long time

I know

I'll be ok

Smiling always,

Post-Graduation Bucket List

2011-03-10T01:11:00.002-04:00

The future is big and wonderful... but too big and wonderful to leave unfilled with happy plans! So, since I am about to enter into the world of real adulthood, I have decided to create a bucket list for my first year out of college. This is just a start...

Get a job (just starting with the basics here!)
Find some means of transporting myself to said job
Develop a budget
Become a coupon clipper
Get involved in my home church
Find 1 reason to smile each day
Seek a community of friends
Journal often
Run a 5K marathon
Curb my appetite for new dresses (see #3)
Stay in-touch with college friends
Visit said college friends
Scrapbook my semester in Rome
Take up upholstery (Call me crazy, but I want to be able to do this...and this!)
Become a "regular" at a tiny, romantic coffee shop
Keep fresh flowers in my place of residence
Become the proud owner of some colorful Fiestaware
Subscribe to 1 or 2 magazines and read them faithfully
Continue my love affair with chalkboards... and maybe even act on my feelings
Write notes to those I love
Blog faithfully on my boring life as an adult
Enjoy every cup of tea I have
Master the art of wearing heels
Get a library card and use it often
Keep thinking about jobs in Europe...

Dreaming about that last one,

A Thought for Today

2011-03-08T19:31:00.003-04:00

"If you want to lift yourself up,
lift up someone else.”

~ Booker T. Washington

Chewing on this food for thought,

Real Life is Right Around the Corner...

2011-03-07T00:26:00.001-04:00

People say that college is the best four years of your life. I hope that's not true. Two months from tomorrow I graduate. Don't get me wrong, the last four years have been wonderful. The experiences I have had and the friends that I have made will be with me for the rest of my life. But its also brought some of the toughest experiences of my life too. Lets hope that things don't all go down hill from here!

So yeah...two months.

I have a small brain aneurysm every time I think about it.

No, I don't have any plans yet, thank you for reminding me. Real life seems to be closing in so quickly and its exciting and frightening all at the same time. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds, and nervous that I somehow won't be able to cope with it all.

Two months...Freshman year it seemed like these final days would never come. Maybe if I just close my eyes, all the scary insurance and loan monsters will disappear. No? Well then... here's to a fan-stinkin-tastic last two month of college - may they be the best yet!

Wide-eyed and wondering,

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

2011-02-25T16:49:00.001-04:00

Its been kind of a blue day today, so to regain some optimism I decided to steal this great idea from another blog I like, and write about some of my current obsessions!

1. Flats - Black, brown, purple, sparkles, open-toed, moccasins, sandals...basically, I'm in love with any type of flat shoe!

2. Coffee - Honestly, it has been my saving grace this semester. How else would I survive an 8am class, three days a week, without my freshly brewed cup-o-joe? Top it off with some vanilla-caramel creamer and life is oh sooo good.

3. Pearls - Especially when they're worn by Audrey Hepburn. Oversized pearl earings might just be my favorite accessory at the moment. The big ones are fake of course, but there is nothing like taking my string of real pearls out for an evening.

4. Impressionism - Maybe it was growing up with a pair of artists for parents, maybe I'm bitter because I could never master realism, or maybe its just because real life sucks sometimes and I wanted an idealistic view of the world - either way, I love keeping company with Monet and van Gogh!

5. Big Sunglasses - Summer, winter, fall or spring, sunglasses are a favorite accessory. What I dislike is spending an arm and a leg on my fashio--I mean, eye protection. Recently, I discovered that thrift stores are a fantastic solution. Now if I could just decided which pair to wear...

6. Fiestaware - A recent obsession of mine, I love the idea of having a cabinet full of colorful dishes. I feel like life would be a little bit better every time I set the table! Definitely see myself owning some place settings - minus the silverware and glassware (yuck!)

7. White Roses - In Europe, people just walk around with flowers, buy them off the street, or give them away for no particular occasion. That must have been when I discovered my passion for roses, but not just any roses, the white ones.

Walkin' on sunshine,

Thoughts on Confidence

2011-02-13T23:27:00.001-04:00

Self-confidence can often be taken as arrogance. Yes, pride can wiggle in and pervert our sense of self BUT - listening to that inner voice and knowing what you believe is not pride, or arrogance. It is a confidence that children of God are called to because of our identity in Christ.

I really like what Jane Austen had to say about this:

“We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.”

As a Christian woman, it is wrong for me to allow poor self-esteem (or arrogance for that matter) to get in the way of living.

Thinking of Spring Time

2011-02-07T18:07:00.000-04:00

Its raining today so I just needed some ModCloth loving <3

You can share my umbrella,

Get Creative....

2011-02-07T13:20:00.002-04:00

What could be better than a tall, dark and handsome guy? One who can sing! My sister introduced me to this music video by Leon Jackson a couple of weeks ago and I can't seem to shake the beat. Actually, I might even be dancing as I write this (makes typing quite interesting).

So ladies and gentlemen...for your listening and viewing pleasure:

Gettin' Creative,

Dear Aerobics Class,

2011-01-30T21:59:00.000-04:00

Dear Aerobics Class,

Thank you so much for reminding me of how many muscles I have. Who would have thought that my thighs, back, neck, arms, and yes...even my rear, had so many tiny muscles I had forgotten about. Well, they are not forgotten any longer!

Hears to heating pads and ice packs,

Bottled Memories

2011-01-25T15:07:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wish that you could hold on to a moment? A happy time where the world is so perfect that you want to hurry and capture it in your memory before it fades. But before this can be accomplished, the moment has passed, and the memory is only a shadow.

There are several points in my life where I wish my memories could have been bottled and tucked away to be saved for later. Moments in Rome are some of the most common. The moment I first saw the Pieta, or stood a the altar in Saint Peter's with tears streaming down my face, the cow bells in Austria, the stillness of mountains, seeing the Mona Lisa, the feel of riding the metro, and the faces of the group I learned to love. Moments that are gone and can never be recovered.

Every now and then somethings brings one of these moments to mind. A photo, a word, a smell...somehow, it transports me back to that moment for a split second.

Moments are such strange things. They are so beautiful, powerful and even life changing...and then they're gone. But if we didn't leave them behind, how could we move onto experiencing the moments that the future holds for us? We can't relive memories but there are new ones to be gained every day.

Perhaps that is how we make it through life. Treasuring moment past and hoping for the ones to come.

From memory lane,

Imagination: Such A Slippery Thing

2011-01-04T23:15:00.012-04:00

Its been a while since my last post on An Optimist's Alcove. Last semester traveling took over my life, then working consumed the summer, and once again I was back to school...in short, growing up, taking responsibility and trying to figure out how to be an adult. Exciting right?

The problem with the blogging bug is that once you're bit - it sticks with ya. Its been a while since my first bout with the blogging bug, but it would seem that I've got the itch again.

So what sparked this change?

A few weeks ago my Dad came home from work and shared a quote that he had received in an email:

"Every child is an artist,

the trouble is remembering

that when you're an adult."

If you know my Dad, he's more a slow moving type of person...it takes a lot to get him motivated, but that one simple quote seemed to do some magic. Before I knew it, he had built an entire website!

On my first visit to HendersonWorks I was really impressed with the snazzy layout and the the great display of artwork. My Dad truly is an artists, and I not only think he remembered it - but now the whole world knows! He's got a great vision too, and hopes that HendersonWorks will also someday showcase the artistic talents of his brothers.

Passing on the inspiration...

Helping with his blog inspired me to once again resurrect An Optimists Alcove as a place to ponder and reflect. With so much going on and so many changes on the horizon, I need to remember that little child with an overactive imagination, and not loose her in the shuffle of "real" life.

Somewhere over the rainbow,

A Birthday Weekend in Florence!

2009-10-18T12:11:00.005-04:00

Thank you faithful blog followers for once again bearing with my lack of updates. The closer we get to break the more that seems to be happening around here! In the next four days I have four lovely papers, an exam, and a presentation to complete: party in the library! (The last time this happened we ended up having a dance party on the tables...so this should be interesting)

Well, a lot has happened over the last week. I've been to Milan, Lake Como, and this last weekend - Florence!

We arrived on Friday, checked into our hotel and headed off to an art gallery. After this we made the trip up to a lookout where we could see all of Florence. We arrived just as the sun was setting and all of the church steeples lit up across the city. It was very beautiful...and very cold!

The next day a group of us got up extra early and headed out to do some shopping!!! There was an incredible market where vendors from all over come to sell handmade jewelry and genuine leather...you can get jackets, bags, purses, wallets, gloves, and belts all for really great prices. Most of us enjoyed a little bargaining too...it seems that the girls get better deals :)

One of the highlights of the trip was making one of these purchases. I had joked with Lisa about buying a leather jacket in Florence, and even tried one on for kicks...but after getting quoted the 200 Euro price tag I gave up hope. After being caught up by another vendor I still wasn't willing to pay his 150 Euro "special deal."

I had given up hope when my wonderful friend Caitlyn started talking to another vendor and he beckoned me inside his shop. Skillfully he helped me try on the most beautiful jacket I had seen that day. We chatted about Rome and our travels before I finally worked up to courage to ask how much it was.....He said that in a department store it would go for 370 Euros (I gasped) Then he said since I "live" here now he would sell it for 170 (I cringed) THEN he said since he liked me I could get it for the grand price of 110 Euros! After a few friends pitched in for my birthday I made one of the best decisions of my life:

I am now the proud owner of a leather jacket totally handmade in Italy!!!!

Phew! And the day only got better from there. The group went to the Uffizi galleries to see Michelangelo's sculpture of the David and paintings from some of the most famous artists in history. Da Vinci, Michelangelo...the list goes on and on. Paintings and articles that I'd only read about were right there!

And in the midst of it all was the 14 foot statue of David. So absolutely mind bogglingly! incredible! The detail is what astounded me. Form, muscle, and even veins carved out of marble...it was really amazing!

The afternoon held more shopping and catching a glimpse of Michelangelo and Galileo's tombs - It doesn't it get much better that that folks.

That evening, my amazing friends decided it would be a good time to celebrate my birthday :) so we went into the city and found this amazing little restaurant. Nine of us crammed in the back and had the most hilarious waiters come over and hover around our table. I got kissed - twice (well four times if you both cheeks both times ;) and after some amazing food they turned out the lights, put on some music and sang as I was presented with an amazing assortment of desserts!

Haha, we skipped all over Florence, got gelato, sat on a bridge over the Arno, danced in a piazza to some live music...what a way to celebrate your 21st Birthday.

And now I am "home" in my freezing cold convent in Rome looking ahead to four more days of classes before I head out to Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Paris...what a life!

Last Week

2009-10-05T06:24:00.005-04:00

Again, I failed in my regular blog posting.... *sigh* readers forgive me, I shall try again this week!

Last week was a pretty interesting week. The homework load lightened (Thank God!) and I had my first Italian quiz (Crap!) We've finished reading Virgil's epic poem The Aeneid which is a glorious myth on how Rome was founding. This week we're beginning Dante's Inferno... or as Dr Szabo says: "You guys are going to hell!"

Our large excursion was the Colosseum...which was breathtaking, awe inspiring, and sobering. It was incredible to imagine what it would have been like at the height of Roman power, filled with screaming people, and bloody gladiators.

There really are no words to describe what it feels like to stand

there in the setting sun and look over the Colosseum.

As I've mentioned before, its hard to know how to feel. I've never seen anything that is actually thousands of years old before - what does that feel like....its just something you have to experience I guess.

This last weekend was great too. I got to sleep in, do homework, and get train reservations for my 10-day break. Friday night was filled with swing dancing on the terrace, chocolate chip cookies, and homemade lemonade - so wonderful.

Saturday night 11 of us got very dressed up and headed out for a night on the town. We ate dinner and sat outside, wandered the streets of Rome, got Gelato, and found ourselves magically ontop of the Spanish Steps looking out over a view of Rome bathed in the light from a full moon. To top it off - amazing seats at the Ballet.

Being here has been really wonderful, but also hard. Homesickness is setting in as well as some frustrations here....The Lord has really been stretching me in many areas, but I know that in the end it will be worth it.

The Most Perfect Day

2009-09-26T18:19:00.012-04:00

If someone asked you what the best day of your life was, what would you say? Up until this point I don't know that I would have an answer, but yesterday supplied me with one 24 hour period that I can truly say was the best day of my life.At 7:30 in the morning, nine college students left the convent and took a bus to the train station. None of us had traveled in Italy before, and none of us knew how to buy train tickets....and we

quickly learned that no one knew how to read them either...so we missed our train

After hopping on another, we reached our destination and all was well when we arrived in Sperlonga, until we looked around and couldn't find the beach! Chris went and questioned a taxi driver who informed us of just exactly how far away from the beach we were: 17 Kilometers

Just as we were wondering what to do, a bus drove up with "Sperlonga" displayed on the

front...soooo we got in.

There was a jolt of excitement that went through the group when

we finally saw the ocean ahead of us. Running onto that beach and letting the warm waves of the Mediterranean was immediately calming.

For the rest of the day we did a whole lot of nothing...swimming, walking on the beach, and collecting sea shells. After a long, active week, it was wonderful to sit on the beach and just take in the beauty around me.

In the afternoon the whole group came together and this video will give you an idea of what we did:

It was also Erik's first time to the sea, so we had to give him a memorable experience:

For dinner we decided to have a picnic on the beach so a few of us

girls found a local grocery store. The

owner, a little old Italian man, spoke no English, but was so pleased to serve us. After quite a while we left with fresh bread, tomatoes, ham, and fresh mosarella. As we were leaving, the man gave us a gift of fresh basil to go with our meal.

Blankets spread out on the beach, we said a prayed and began our meal. We all were talking and laughing while eating some of the best food I've ever tasted.

The sun was setting in the distance. Friends were all around me. And I was at the Mediterranean sea.

The day ended with two of my friends and I

standing the the sea, holding hands and thanking our amazing God for the wonders he has given us.

This truly was the most wonderful day of my life. It was one of those rare experiences where everything is just as it should be. Even when you find out the bus stops running at eight - you learn something new, like you really can fit 10 people in a taxi!

These are the experiences I can for, and I praise God everyday that I am fortunate enough to be here.

A Day at Pompeii

2009-09-24T08:53:00.003-04:00

The rest of the day was alright. Lisa and I got very lost in the enormous city and somehow ended up outside of the city walls lol Please don't ask me how we got there.

In the end we made it out alive, and although our feet were sore, it was really amazing to be able to walk in that city think about what it would have been like 2,700 years ago. I got to walk where the citizens of that town walked. To sit where they sat, enter their homes, and see the remains of amazing works of art.

When you are seeing and touching something so old, it is hard to explain the rush on emotions. In America, there is nothing to compares this too. Our nation is simply only a few hundred year old...

Sooo, all of this to say that just being here opens up a whole new set of emotions. It hard to sort myself out because I've never experienced or felt anything like this and I am wondering if I'll ever get used to it.

Well, I gotta run and pack for the weekend...
....Did I mention I'm going camping on the Mediterranean?

Family Dinner

2009-09-21T18:25:00.002-04:00

Tonights cooking group not only prepared an excellent meal, but also a great venue for community building.

They pushed our three separate tables into one large one. The meal was spread out and the table set all lit by candle light. For the first time, the entire group was able to sit all together and share a meal.

We talked and ate and laughed...it felt like one big happy family :)

My First Weekend in Rome

2009-09-21T16:46:00.004-04:00

For those of you who faithfully check my blog, I must beg your forgiveness. I have not been updating as much as I would like to due to the craziness of this past week. However - I am going to do my best to post updates every day or two for you reading pleasure ;)

So, this last weekend was my first in Rome and it was absolutely AMAZING!

First of all, my weekend started on Friday (hurray for three day weekends!) and I was able to do some homework and then that night went out with some friends for a wonderful dinner at a local pizzeria. The owner, who sported some very black eyebrows that contrasted with his very white hair, spoke to us completely in Italian. In response, we attempted to express our immense approval of the meal.

Then topped it off with some amazing gelato. Strawberry and melon are my new favorite flavors.

Saturday was going to be a homework day....yeah that doesn't work out so well when you're in Rome. I frittered the day away and went exploring in the afternoon. Lisa and I found the Piazza Navona - oh was it beautiful. Musician playing, beautiful architecture, artists displaying their works...this was Italy!

Then, Saturday night was probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I went with one of the girls in my group to meet her Italian relatives. She's never met them before, so it was an exciting experience for all! We met up with her two cousins (one of which is an Italian rock star) their wives and friends and sat down to eat a meal together.

But this was no ordinary meal. The first course entailed a large basket of various sausages and about 15 other appetizer dishes that were passed around the table. Cheeses and zucchini, and eggplant, and sausage....mmmmm was it good. The second course was pasta with sausage and spinaches raviole. We topped off the meal with a final course of two meats: "Lamb and very young pork"

It was amazing to talk with them and hear stories about their travels and their everyday lives. They were extremely hospitable, and I have the feeling that we will be seeing more of each other.

Sunday I visited an international church and it was so amazing to see people of every color, age, and background coming together to worship the Lord. Definitely a moving experience.

God has really been faithful to me...this last week was a struggle just adjusting to this new lifestyle and figuring out what God has planned for me. I am determined not to settle for mediocrity this semester. I know that I am here for a reason, and that He is going to make this the most amazing three months of my life.

How exciting is that?!!

Getting Lost in Rome

2009-09-16T02:33:00.004-04:00

The last few days have been taken up with unpacking, settling in, and group outings - but yesterday Lisa and I managed to do some exploring on our own! We pretty much have the best professor ever. In her syllabus, Dr Szabo wrote, "GET LOST WITH A FRIEND" and that is exactly what Lisa and I did.

We grabbed our cameras, stashed a few Euros, and made out way to the bus stop. The Public Transportation system is pretty easy...when you know what your doing. We managed to get on the right bus, but just got off a stop to early. This however, was all part of the plan to get lost.

We could see the Victor Emanuel I monument in the distance, but the little side streets caught our attention even more. We wondered through cobblestone streets, found little "ristorantes" tucked in the nooks and crannies.

We also found an open air market. It was touristy stuff, but we just enjoyed waltzing through the people and taking in the sights and sounds.

Then we turned a street - and knew where we were! It was a weird sensation. We'd been heading for that area, and actually found it. More turns and side streets led us past shops, pizzerias, and gelato bars!

Then it happened...the street opened up onto this piazza with an enormous fountain. What was this? "Is this the Trevi?" Lisa and I asked eachother. It most certainly was. We had just stumbled upon the Trevi fountain...it was amazing

We succeed in catching a bus and navigating to the Spanish Steps where shops like Gucci and Prada literally lined the streets.

Our journey did end well though. We made it back home safe and sound to the convent.

It was an amazing day. Getting lost is Rome with your best friend...now this is what I signed up for :)

A Day in the Life of a Jet-Lagged Student

2009-09-11T16:59:00.003-04:00

So, this is going to be a short one because I've now been up for about 42 hours straight.

Everything with our flights on Thursday went beautifully. When we actually boarded for Rome I had a brief spazz out moment with one of the other students seated next to me. All through take off and the first few hours we just kept coming back to Rome, all we wanted to do there, and all we would be able to see, do, and learn. It didn’t seem possible.

Over the 8.5 hour flight I slept a totally 45 minutes. The rest of my time was spent watching cheesy movies, chit chat, and gazing out over the France and seeing Paris totally lit up at about 5am. Then I witnessed a beautiful sunrise, and got an incredible view of the Swiss Alps! It was so beautiful.

When we landed in Rome we bustled through the airport. Everyone got their luggage and we headed to the convent. Lisa and I dumped our bags in our fabulous little room and ran off to explore. The grounds are gorgeous!

Jet lag caught the whole group and we were quite a solemn bunch during the afternoon and dinner. But the night turned out well. Dr Zabo taught us how to order Gelato in Italian and I was served by a very handsome waiter ;)

Its finally hitting me how long I am going to be here, and I'm not going to lie, I was already homesick today. I have not clue what tomorrow holds, but I know that its going to be amazing. For now I'm putting all my stress aside and trying to focus on what HE has planned! P.S. My life is so amazing right now. Thank you Lord!

Day 1: On the Moon - I mean....

2009-09-10T12:01:00.010-04:00

I got up ready for my flight. Bags were packed. Last minute details taken care of. All was as it should be.

Bolts of excitement shot through the group as we gathered for final farewells. Dr. Cole gave us a lot of encouragement and with misty eyes said goodbye to this first group entering the Rome program. We were pumped!

After everyone got through security we rejoiced to find our flight on time...then there was a slight delay...then we were flying to Paris....then - canceled.

I filmed a super great video telling you the whole story...but due to technical difficulties, you'll have to get the low down the old fashioned way ;)

Everything turned out really well. All sixteen of us got our own room is the super posh hotel. As we checked in the attendants gave us each a chocolate chip cookie (the shmoosing was great!) Each member of our party also got vouchers for dinner, breakfast, and lunch. So all looking up.

Our all American hamburger dinner was outstanding. Then we got a surprise visit from Brian and Brenna. Supposedly, Brian had came to "say good-bye to me" but I think I know better ;) Girlfriend + scoring points with the best friend!

Anyways, Mr Wright took up for milkshakes and then we had a wonderful, good old fashioned pillow fight! It lasted on and off for about an hour haha

If we had to spend another night in thr USA that was the way to go.

Please check out the other pics from the trip on my Facebook page!!!

Today is the Day!

2009-09-09T12:07:00.002-04:00

This is my last blog post from the USA for quite a while! I can't believe this day is finally here...it doesn't seem real. I am excited...but it all still seems pretty sureal.

I think I'm still waiting for someone to pinch me so I wake up.

But here goes nothing...I'm off to the airport.

Will send updates soon :)

1 Day to Go...

2009-09-07T22:36:00.003-04:00

Time is a really strange phenomenon. Five seconds of silence can take a lifetime to pass when you're in a really awkward situation, or five hours can fly by when you're having fun.

When I was accepted into the Rome program it seemed so extremely distant. I spent a semester looking forward to this trip, three month of summer seemed like they would never end, and now I've just spent my last weekend at home for quite a while. One more day in the USA

I'm not going to lie, this last week has been hard. During orientation I once again realized how much I love my college. I met so many new people and deepened past friendships, so coming home to pack was really difficult. One day I even told my mom "What the heck was I thinking going away for a whole semester!?" And now I'm facing the reality of saying goodbye to my family for three months.

Its pretty mind blowing. I am feeling very overwhelmed...but I know that everything is really going to be okay. The Lord worked everything out so perfectly for this trip. I know I am supposed to go, and that He has amazing things in store for me!

I am going to get to do what many people dream about doing. Living in another culture, traveling, meeting people, and growing into the person that God would have me to be.

This is going to be an amazing three months and it will be good just to get over there and begin my journey!

5 Day Update

2009-09-04T00:14:00.006-04:00

The clock is ticking and I am feeling pretty good about my 'To Do' list. I've spent the last few days running errand and getting organized...hopefully it will all pay off when I get to Rome!

So here is the progress I've made on the list:

~~Buy School Books~~ – Done! And the best part is I got all my books, for the whole semester, for a whopping $40. Now that is economy my friend.

Plan Plan Plan – Lets just say I have a three ring binder filled with amazingness! Now I have to powwow with Lisa for final arrangements on our 10 day adventure.

~~Budget~~ – Tuition paid, Credit Card received, Debit Card renewed, companies notified of my travels

~~Research and Purchase Electronics~~ – Finally decided on this Panasonic Lumix and I'm loving it!
~~Knock Out My Killer Shopping List~~ – Well, after the longest shopping trip of my life, I though I had everything, but today I managed to make up another list *sigh*
Dealing With My #1 Problem – I have one suitcase packed! Now I have to tackle fitting all the rest of my stuff in the other one!

* Secret Coding: (~~Strikethrough~~ – completed) (Italic – Waiting) (Bold – Working on it!)

I spent a good part of this afternoon packing my large suitcase and I think its finally starting to sink in how long I am going to be gone. We are supposed to bring enough clothing for 2-3 week...and it has to be warm clothing...and weigh under 50 pounds too. So I'll keep you updated oh how that goes haha

The clock is ticking and I still can't believe this is happening!

6 Days...Lets Just Take a Moment to Think About This Shall We?

2009-09-03T23:34:00.004-04:00

So, in less than one week I will be boarding a plane to spend three months of my life in Europe. (I'm sure by now you're tired of hearing this, but then again, you could go read someone else's blog ;) Anyways, to make a long story short, I was thinking about all of the things in my life that are going to change as I embark on this new adventure. For example:

In 6 days I'll be in a totally new country and culture

By September 16 I will have been in school one week - Geneva students will be at 2.5 weeks

In two months I will have visited five European countries. I'll have spent the night on a train, stayed in multiple hostels, experienced couch surfing, sang "Do Ra Me" on the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, seen a fashion show in Paris, and stood before the glimmering lights of the Eiffel Tower.

And within the next three months I will have traveled through Italy, ridden a gonadal, been lost on the metro, learned how to cook, see the Coliseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, studied a foreign language, lived with the locals, and made new friends.

There will be tough times to. I know that I'll get homesick and have to deal with problems just like any other time in my life. But I hope this will be such an incredible opportunity for me just to grow into the person that God wants me to be.

Its hard to take it all in. So much is going to happen to me in a mere 90 days and I am looking forward to ebracing this new experience with all of the joy and enthusiasm I can must. The Lord has given me such an amazing opportunity to learn and I cannot wait to find out what He has planned. This truly will be a life changing experience....I'm not sure you'll recognize the Sarah who comes back!

And it all starts in 6 days...

8 Days...This is Really Happening

2009-09-01T12:34:00.007-04:00

I think every inexperienced blogger suffers from a drought every now and again. For me, these last two weeks have been crazy busy and An Optimist's Alcove has suffered. But hopefully this week I will be able to get things back on track.

What have I been doing that could have possibly been more important than blogging? How about freshman orientation!

This year I was a part of Orientation Leadership Staff - and boy was it a blast. I semi-moved back to school for two weeks. The first week was filled with planning and running errands until the new students arrived.

Move in day was the outrageous. I stood on the curb outside of the girl's dorm and directed traffic all while greeting families, finding out what room the girl was in, and then yelling at football players so they knew where to take the stuff!

But it didn't stop there. The next few days were filled with a trip to Pittsburgh, picnicking, tug-of-war, water balloons, sleep deprivation, student panels, ice cream, the O-Show, and finger paints.

It was an incredible two weeks! Definitely not void of frustrations, but having the opportunity to form deeper friendships and begin new relationships with the incoming class was so amazing...

...and then I came home.

Yesterday was the first day of classes for everyone else on campus - except me. I have 8 more days of summer. 8 more days to pack, 8 more days in the USA, 8 more days until ROME!

This is really happening

OMG!

27 Days....Um That's Like, Soon!

2009-08-13T16:22:00.004-04:00

Now 54 is a pretty high number. So is 42 and even 35, but 27 – now that number is on the downhill slope towards zero. When I realized that there was less than a month between me sitting at home and me sitting in Rome, I freaked out a little… and I mean more than usual.

It was just a jolt of reality. A thunderbolt, if you will, of fear, nervousness, anticipation, and excitement! 27 days everyone…that is less than a month! Its 3.8 weeks. A mere 648 hours.

I am going to Rome...

I am really really going...

Wow

35 Days….I Think this is What Hyperventilating Feels Like

2009-08-05T13:32:00.001-04:00

So, its actually starting to sink in. That I am going to be in Italy for three whole months…which is a really long time to be away from home. But at the same time it’s such a short period of time to be in Europe. It is so crazy that in a little more that a month my plane will be taking off for the adventure of a lifetime…

Woah – am I ready for this?

Planning is running smoothly, the days are ticking by, and the world awaits. I am happy to report that I’ve made excellent progress on my To Do list for Rome and things are plugging along nicely. Here’s what I have accomplished since my last post:

~~Buy School Books~~ – Done! And the best part is I got all my books, for the whole semester, for a whopping $40. Now that is economy my friend.

Plan Plan Plan – (stay tuned, I’ve decided to devote a whole post to this) (p.s. prepare yourself)

Budget – Sent in my credit card app and am waiting to hear. Going to pay my school bill when I get back n campus in a few weeks

Research and Purchase Electronics – Really frustrated with this actually, I’m still looking for a good digital camera. Currently I’m researching seventeen (yes you read that correctly – 17) models and narrowing it down from there.
Knock Out My Killer Shopping List – Well, I wrote my shopping list. My Optimistic Mama is going to help out too, which is wonderful. Oh! I did buy a very ‘European’ umbrella ;)
Dealing With My #1 Problem – Procrastination is the best solution here

* Secret Coding: (~~Strikethrough~~ – completed) (Italic – Waiting) (Bold – Working on it!)

I’ve been literally floating on cloud nine these past few days. I am really really going to Rome. OMG! My heart jumps every time I think about it.

This is truly going to be the experience of a lifetime!

Summer + Hippies = A Hysterical Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-05T10:33:00.000-04:00

At the hippie Arts Festival concert:

Me: Looking around at the strange new surroundings
Lydia: "This is the type of music that you smoke something to hear the voices in your head...then you sit close to someone and hold their hand so you can hear the harmony!"

Photographs by one of my favorite people ever!

Self Discovery

2009-08-03T23:06:00.005-04:00

I discovered something today...about myself...Espresso has a great effect on me!

Who would have thunk it - the college girl who can down several cups of coffee and go to bed is brought low by McDonald's brew. If you read my post about Mocha Monday then you are already familiar with the occasion.

So how do I know that its affected me?

Well when we stopped this morning I took two sips and felt all happy and then went to talk to my manager who probably thinks I'm crazy now all because I was talking really fast about this problem that wasn't really that big of a deal but it needed to be taken care of AND I was really happy on a Monday, which is rare but I did my work and got a splitting headache so on the way home Optimistic Daddy stopped again and I drank more and then I was singing and talking really fast the whole way home he seemed annoyed not sure why but then my legs were shaking when I tried to walk and I couldn't stop talking...I was literally spewing verbage (I like that word don't you?) So my Optimistic Sis told me to be quiet and stop TUI - Talking Under the Influence.

Convinced?

Optimistic Monday: National Watermelon Day

2009-08-03T22:22:00.007-04:00

So, as I try to narrow down what exactly this blog is going to be about, I decided to start something new – Optimistic Monday. Each Monday I’m going to blog about something that makes me happy. A book, an experience…Or just share some tidbits of inspiration for the world. Maybe a little corny, but I thought it was a good idea, and you know, this is my blog :)

SO, I know this Monday post is a little late but - drum roll please

**insert drum roll sound effect here**

The 1^st Optimistic Monday Post:

National Watermelon Day!

I don’t even know how I stumbled across this, but I wish I had done so sooner - Today, National Watermelon Day! Every year on August 3^rd the nation celebrated watermelon and the joy it brings. I’m a huge fan of watermelon and it always brings back such happy memories of summer.

Seed spitting contests (which inevitably turned seed spitting fights) and eating watermelon for dinner on those days when it was too hot to cook. Ah….Oh sorry, I got lost in my thoughts there…back to NWD, as I am going to call it.

To celebrate I took a watermelon quiz from Watermelon.org and got a grand total score of 5 out of 12. Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t be the next “Are you Smarter Than a 5^th Grader” Champion, but I still love the fruit.

To redeem myself from that embarrassment here is a fabulous recipe for a frozen Watermelon treat:

Watermelon A la mode

Ingredients:
- Vanilla Ice cream
- Pink sherbet (any flavor you like)
- Green Sherbet (again any flavor)
- Mini Chocolate Chips

Leave your frozen ingredients out to soften little bit.

Get a large to medium sized metal bowl. Once its soft enough take your green sherbet and spread it around the inside of the bowl. In other words, there should be a layer of sherbet around the inside of the bowl

Freeze until hard

Spread a thin layer of vanilla ice cream on top of your green sherbet.

Freeze until hard

While your bowl of goodness is freezing, mix your soft pink sherbet in a bowl with the mini chocolate chips. Then fill up the remainder of the bowl with your mixture.

Once again, freeze until hard. After this you should be able to turn your bowl up-side-down and your “watermelon” will pop out. Slice like you would a normal watermelon and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Okay – one more thing to celebrate! I wanted to post picture on myself chowing down in honor of NWD, but this was way cuter:

Have a wonderful watermelon day!!!

(Already) Time for a Change!

2009-07-31T10:31:00.008-04:00

I think I might be going crazy…Oh wait, I already am crazy! (My family constantly reminds me of this) But seriously, have you ever done so much research on one topic that your head starts to spin?

I’ve been thinking about giving my blog a face lift. Yeah, the little flowers and scrapbookish pattern are cute, but I got bored with it about a week after launching the blog. So the search begins.

Generally, I’m pretty artistic, but I have to be inspired before all of my ideas start to gel. After two weeks of searching index after index of blogger backgrounds I gave up. Nothing really seemed to fit what I was looking for. Granted, I had no idea what I was looking for, but I figured I would know it when I saw it. Then inspiration struck - “Why can’t I create my own design? It can’t be that hard right?”

Ha! I laugh now at my naivety.

Sure, there are some simple template generators that can help, and Blogging for Dummies is a great resource...but if I’m going to do something, its going to be done right. I want my blog to be memorable and unique, so a killer design is necessary.

I could have a pro do it – but I’m cheap, so this past week I’ve been exhausting every website I can find about creating blogs and writing html. Let me tell you, Google is a fantastic tool! So far I’ve been able to find answers and coding for everything I need.

Hurray! I’m rolling along and learning all of these sweet tips and tricks, but there is only one problem: I still don’t have an inspiration for my design.

Frantically searching more directories, reading articles, and even downloading free digital scrapbooking packages, I was still coming up with a big fat nothing.

It wasn’t until yesterday that, out of the blue, I got it.

Here is a sneak peak at some things that inspired me:

There is still a lot of work to be done, but I am so excited to dive in and conquer the world of Blogger coding. Hopefully I can get everything completed and launched before September.

Wish me luck!

Boredom + College Friends = A Mall Invasion

2009-07-29T22:06:00.003-04:00

42 Days And Counting – I Guess I’d Better Start Getting Ready

2009-07-29T16:41:00.011-04:00

So in exactly 42 days, 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds I will be boarding a plane to Italy. (Actually New York first, but you get the picture) It will be the first step on my three month adventure abroad. If you didn’t read my last post about this trip, let me fill you in: I AM GOING TO ROME! One full semester studying and living in Italy!

Needless to say I am very excited about the trip, but preparations keep getting pushed back because I “have all summer:” Well, not anymore...there are books to be ordered, electronic devices that need researched, and 90 days worth of necessities that much be purchased.

So here is my “To Do” of things that must be accomplished before September 9^th

Buy School Books – Paperback and internet downloads are the way to go for this gal – beauty product weigh a lot!

Plan Plan Plan – I am fortunate to have my best friend going with me. Our school is planning several trips but the two of decided it is essential that we travel Europe. Trip #1 will be to Milan, trip #2 is Paris, and trip #3 is TBA. I’ve looked up train and plane tickets, but I guess I should buckle down and make some concrete plans ;D

Budget – Get my finances in order. I’ll have to pay my bill for school, plus get the application in for my very first credit cart. Sarah is growing up

Research and Purchase Electronics – First of all I must get a converter and adapter so that I can charge my computer and camera batteries. Last time I went overseas the adapter blew up and ruined my charger sooo needless to say I’m pretty nervous. If anyone has experience or helpful advice it would be appreciated!

I’m also looking into purchasing a new camera. Still researching and deciding how much I can really afford to spend.

Knock Out My Killer Shopping List – Do you know how much make-up/shampoo/soap/facescrub/feminineproducts/contactsolution/deodorant/moose/hairspray a girl uses in three months? It’s a lot! I made my shopping list yesterday of all the necessities I’ll need – It will be around $175 dollars. I am already dreading that shopping trip.

Dealing With My #1 Problem – Fitting all of my clothing, necessities, towels, sheets, and misc items into two suitcases that each weighs less than 50 pounds. I’ve never been a light packer, so this is going to be interesting.

Wow, I feel a mildly extreme panic attack coming on. Any advice from seasoned travelers?
Well, I’d better get moving on this, so I’ll keep you posted….

Thank You for the Pain

2009-07-27T22:45:00.023-04:00

I think that we grow the most through pain. When your world is completely shaken and everything seems to be broken, you can either morn over the shattered pieces, or see it as a clean foundation for something new. Everyone has experienced heartbreak in some form, so I know I'm not the first and I won't be the last, but I through it all I've grown and learned things that I never would have otherwise.

At the beginning of the summer I felt as though every area in my life was crumbling. I felt helpless and lost, but through this I saw areas in myself where I wanted (and needed) to grow. I made a promise to myself that when I went back to school in the fall I would not be the same person that I was before. I set goals and gave everything over to the Lord so that he could work in me.

My main goal for the summer was to grow in my relationship with the Lord. During the school year I had slipped, and really desired to get back in tune with Him. Beside this, my goals were not major or life changing, but simple things that I put on paper and accomplish.

Here are a few of them:

Plan a bonfire (Check! Though it rained and we never had a campfire, I had friends over in anticipation of one)
Work Out Regularly (Of course 'regularly' is a relative term)
Get Involved in Ministry (I've been a leader in the youth group and have had an opportunity to really bond with some of the girls. Plus, I just got back from an incredible mission trip)
Read a Book or Two (Finished "Angels and Demons" and am now skimming another novel)
Scrapbook Sophomore Year (This is coming along nicely)
Either to See One Friend a Week OR Do Something Special For One Person (Its been wonderful)

Now August and the end of summer is staring me in the face and I realize, I am a different person, but not in the way I thought I would be. When I was bitter and angry and hurt I looked at changing external appearances and actions. But when you give that up, something much better happens inside.

Sure I got a great haircut and a couple cute outfits, but I fell like the Lord has given me an entirely new outlook on life. Through ministry I have learned what it feels like to be selfless and give everything for Him. I have placed new value in who I am and what He has created me to be. And I can't wait to see what is in store for the years ahead.

There is a new Sarah bursting onto the scene who is confident, spontaneous, independent, and full of life. She is ready to dive full force into the future. To take risks and live vivaciously. There is so much that the world has to offer, and so much I have to offer the world. As I stand here looking forward there are so many opportunities and I am quivering with the anticipation of finding out where I belong.

Sure there are bad days, but I am thankful for them. I still battle bitterness and the wounds haven't completely healed - but today is a good day, and I will rejoice in it.

Free Mocha Monday

2009-07-27T22:45:00.022-04:00

So, I am a huge fan of cold coffee. Iced or frozen, it doesn't matter, as long as its caffeinated and has whipped cream on top I'm cool. (Haha, get it, 'cool')

Okay, so my sense of humor is pretty lame, but today I did discover the best thing since sliced bread. My Optimistic Daddy got a hankering for an ice cream cone and we made a pit stop at McDonalds on the way home from work.

While in line at the drive-though the words "Free Mocha Monday" caught our eye. My Dad, Sister and I all strained our eyes looking for the small print that said you needed to buy $18 worth of french fries or stand on your head to get this deal, but there was nothing.

So we drive up to the speaker and Optimistic Daddy asks how Free Mocha Monday works.

"You get a mocha for free on Mondays" was the reply

"So, there are three of us in the car," Said Optimistic Daddy, testing the waters, "Does that mean all three of us can get one?"

"Yep" squawked the speaker.

"I'll take three"

We drove around, pretty much in disbelief. I half expected a tiny cup or some weak, crappy coffee, but it was nothing like that. Out of the service window came three large iced mochas with whipped cream and chocolate drizzled on top. And this was no weak coffee. Wonderful, dark, rich espresso. Mmmmmm!

Wait a minute...is that why I'm babbling not stop, giggling, annoying the crap out of my parents, and writing a blog post at midnight???

I think its safe to say that Free Mocha Monday is going to be a ritual from now on!

Okay – Its Facebook Official

2009-07-22T10:54:00.010-04:00

This morning I logged onto Facebook, and just like every other morning, I was greeted by my home page filled with updates. A convenient way to see what my Facebook friends had been up to since I last logged on. (I call them my “Facebook friends” because even though we have a virtual friendship, that doesn’t mean we really talk)

As I scanned on down the page, I grew more and more disgusted. Status after status, wall post after wall post, were filled either with gushy messages, or a tragic sob story.

Now, I’ve dealt with this before. Summer is when all the college romance dies, (or heats up) but today it seemed extreme.

I am puzzled why anyone would want to share such intimate pieces of information in such a public setting. Am I crazy? Why would I want to read the wall-to-wall conversation between you and your boyfriend/girlfriend? Especially when it is punctuated by excessive amounts of “!!!!” “<3”>

On the flip side, I have been nauseated by sulky profile statuses…I am really sorry that your “heart is in a million pieces and he’s a million miles away” but don’t you have a best friend to go cry to? Your world of “Facebook friends” doesn’t want to know.

Desperate for attention? That is disgustingly sad.

Yeah I know, you can peg me as unsympathetic and heartless…but am I really the only one who feels this way?

Personally, I love sharing exciting things that are going on in my life. I post links and quotes and funny things that happen to me, but I don’t want everybody and their mother to know all the details of my life. (And seriously, by now everybody's mother is on Facebook!) I don’t want just anyone to be able to hop online and read the latest tragedy in Sarah’s life. I have the best friends and family a girl could ask for and they’re my support system – not the cyber world.

Sewing Machines, Alfredo, and Friends

2009-07-21T13:41:00.013-04:00

Weekends are so much better than any other part of the week. Nothing compares to feeling of freedom that comes in the last few minutes of work on a Friday afternoon. This was especially true this past weekend. I watched the second hand tick tick tick until it finally marked 5:00. Punch out, shut down, run. I was out of there. I had much more important things to be doing…like visiting my wonderful Kettie Friend for the weekend!

I made the trip back up to my college campus for a visit. Unexpectedly, there were quite a few people in from out of town and we had a weekend filled with fun, laughter, and adventure. I'm still trying to figure out how I made it the whole weekend without getting any pictures...but here are few highlights anyways:

- My best friend and I slept in and then just stayed in bed and talked to two hours. I don’t think I’ve done that since grade school.

- Lunch at Sub Palace….oh baked ham and cheese, how I have missed thee

- Visiting the Essigs, my home-away-from-home

- Sewing curtains with Nick – or at least trying too, this was a fiasco. “Screw you sewing machine, Go back to hell where you came from!” (Kettie was a little frustrated)

- Learning to this game and being really bad at it (like cornhole and horseshoes combined…I have no clue what it was called!)

- Going to see the most intense fireworks display ever – This was mainly due to that fact that we were 100 yard from where the fireworks were being set off, so fireballs and burning ash were falling all around us. I saw a stuffed animal catch on fire.

- Staying up until 4am chatting

- Visiting Kettie’s wonderful church and getting to hear Christian preach. Way to go, You were fantastic!

- Chicken Alfredo and (non)Garlic Bread

- Picnicing and saying goodbyes to many new friends

- Walking through my campus in the rain. It was beautiful and quiet….one of my favorite places in the world

Isn’t it strange that a student only spends four years in college and yet it has and impact for the rest of their lives. Now is when I expand my knowledge, train for the future, and form friendships that will last for a lifetime.

It was a wonderful weekend. I was able to spend time with one of my best friends, plus I got the chance to make many new ones.

Gosh, do I really have to graduate?

54 Days Until Lift Off.....

2009-07-17T13:11:00.008-04:00

I am excited. Maybe just a little bit. Well, maybe I am at a good moderate level of excitement. Okay - I'm REALLY EXCITED!

Here's the deal. On September 9th, 2009, my best friend Lisa and I, along with sixteen other college students, are going to begin an adventure in Europe. We will be living, learning, and experiencing the culture during a three month long stay!

Our home will be a convent in Rome, Italy. Yes, I said a convent. You know the kind with nuns? The order even has a website you can check out. Our rooms, kitchen, library, and classrooms will occupy one wing of the building, and only a 15 minute bus ride away is the heart of Rome. Check out the slide show for pictures of the location.

Classes are going to be 3 days a week and then field trips once a week. My professor said that these would be pretty laid back. For example, she said we weren't going to all bus down like middle schoolers. Instead, she'll say something like, "Meet me at the Colosseum at noon" And there you go!

We will also be going on several weekend trips to places like Pompey, Venice and Florence. The rest of our weekends are open for travel, and boy are we going to travel. (Lisa and I are planning to make a quick stop in Milan to pick up shoes - then from there, Paris is the limit!)

This is a once in a lifetime experience that I just could not pass up. To be living in Rome and getting to experience it like a local is going to be something I am never going to forget.

So please subscribe and stay tuned! In 54 Days this blog is going to be place to read about my European adventures!!!

An Expected Surprise

2009-07-15T16:49:00.012-04:00

Picture this: a young woman walking purposefully towards the train station. She tosses her fair into the machine as if she’s done it a million times before. Confidently she crosses the tracks and board the inbound platform, claiming a bench as she patiently waits for the train’s arrival.

......Okay, so maybe it wasn’t exactly like that. Maybe she was running and her hands shook while she straightened out her rumpled dollar bills. Maybe she arrived at the station four with four minutes to spare, praying that she would get on the right train. Yeah, that was me. Once I was seated, the conductor announced that this was “42S” and what a moment of triumph that was!

Then I had one of those ‘grow-up’ moments. You know, when it suddenly hits you that you’re an adult.

I settled into the seat, catching my reflection in the window – it was a good hair day. Pulling out my iPod and a current magazine article, I felt every inch the city girl. Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Kris Allen tumbled into my ears I glanced around the car. It probably would have made a better story if there were a bunch of unsavory characters on board, but no – just two old ladies and a guy speaking Japanese into his cell phone. Seriously, I’m sure whoever your talking to is not deaf. At least not yet.

After a brief moment of unnecessary panic, I managed to get off at the right station and made my way onto the streets of Pittsburgh. I be-bopped my way for a few city blocks – this time looking every inch the confident young woman. And met my hot date at a classy bar/restaurant that serves tomato basil soup that’s to die for.

Okay, say maybe my hot date was my aunt, but everything else is true.

We played tourist by snapping tons of pictures and then went to see an incredible performance of Le Miserables.

Isn't it funny how growing up just kind of sneaks up on you. A year ago, there is not a chance I would have made that trip. Its amazing how much can happen in 12 months - a mere 356 days. In some ways, when you realize you're a grown-up it’s a surprise, but in others its something that's just a natural instinct. Like breathing, it is just comes naturally.

The Optimist

2009-07-15T11:40:00.016-04:00

So you want to know about me? Okay, well to start off I am just an average girl trying to keep a smile on my face, and on the faces of those around me. I’m that annoying person who is always trying the silver lining during a thunderstorm!

A few summers ago I became interested in blogging and caught the bug. In fact, you can read about the illness in this post. Ever since, I’ve tried to faithfully (or sporadically) post my experiences and random thoughts for the world to see. In the fall of 2009, this blog also acted as a venue to keep the world up-to-date on my three month adventure in Rome!

I am the oldest of three, nearly-a-college grad, and future world traveler. In my lifetime I've worked some crazy jobs, including building websites, waiting on tables, blogging and twittering, and hosting a children's television show. Currently I am finishing up my senior year at college - and boy is real life coming up fast! I love my school and the wonderful friends I’ve met there. When I'm not in the library doing homework (or globetrotting) I can be found in the sunshine, dancing, laughing with my housemates, or singing into my hairbrush.

I pretty much consider myself to be the luckiest person alive! I adore my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and He has given me the most amazing family and friends to love. I’ve had the most amazing experiences in my life so far. And my awkwardness usually ensures that I can continue to laugh.

Thank you for visiting An Optimist’s Alcove, Hopefully my posts were able to brighten up your day!

Glad you stopped by,

Truth is Relative

2009-07-13T16:29:00.027-04:00

Is there really such a thing as truth?
Wow, I know, that’s a deep question to begin a blog post with, but it’s something that’s been in the back of my mind for a couple weeks. Can we really pin down what truth is?

According to Dictionary.com, Truth is defined as an “agreement with a standard” or “a verified or indisputable fact.” The definition gave the example of mathematical principles. The standard that 1+1 = 2 is a truth that is universally accepted.

So why am I rambling on about math problems? Well, for one, I promised to rant a little in my posts, but mainly it’s because of this nagging suspicion I have that maybe people are not adding correctly in their daily lives.

My whole thought process started after several conversations I had. Each instance was totally unrelated. These friends seemed to think it was okay to act differently around different groups of people. I immediately questioned how honest they were being if they put on a different face depending on their environment.

One response really caught me off guard. They reasoned this was okay because this was who they “really were” and showing “different sides” to different people was okay. “I’m just being genuine with everyone.” Sure, you’ll get to do everything you want to do, unfortunately when you’re running with two totally opposite crowds, this argument doesn’t hold any water. It only ends up hurting others.

So what is truth? If you tell one thing to one person and something different to another – it doesn’t add up. 1 + 1 will never ever ever equal 3 or 11 or 789. Something has to be wrong. One option is not the truth.

Truth is not dependent on our thoughts and emotions.
It is a constant, like that math equation or primary colors. It can not be changed. So its time for all of us to get our heads out of the sand and face reality.

Thanks to those of you out there who do like with integrity. I value your friendship!

And if I just rocked your world because you just realized that 1 + 1 doesn’t equal 3, maybe you need to do some serious thinking about a way to make what you say and what you do add up. I have every confidence that this is something that can be achieved.

Seeking Truth,

Hot Sun + Arts Festival = A BFF Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-08T08:08:00.009-04:00

Pomp and Circumstance - Take #2 For the Hendersons

2009-07-07T08:24:00.021-04:00

I’ve heard that time goes faster as you get older…and I think that just might be true. It seems like just yesterday it was July of 2007 and I was getting ready to begin my freshman year of college. Now its July of 2009, I am a junior, and my baby sister just graduated from high school!!! Now I’m not sure what’s happening, but whatever it is, I need to find a way to make it stop!

But seriously, a graduation is a bitter/sweet moment. It ends one chapter of your life, but opens another. And when you’re standing there with your whole future ahead everything looks beautiful – and let me tell you, my sis stepped out with a bang!

From her long hair (which took me an hour to straighten) to her bright yellow dress, to her white sling back, peep-toed heals, she looked gorgeous! I’ve never seen my little sister look so beautiful…she looked like Anne Hathaway – only better :)

The ceremony was wonderful. Rachael read a poem she had written, which is going to a national competition. There were several great speeches, and lots of sentimentality.

Here are some pictures of the ceremony…party pics to come!

The Class of 2009

Mom and Dad presenting Rachael's Diploma

Some Henderson Family

Congrats Rachael!!!
Much love
<3

More pictures to come soon on my Facebook Page.

When the Weather Man is Wrong

2009-07-03T13:07:00.012-04:00

Today is the 3rd of July and it was supposed to be warm and sunny. Well, I just checked and there is no sign of Mr. Sun anywhere. Perhaps a more appropriate title for this post would have been, “When is the Weather Man Ever Right?!”

So, I was pondering my current dark mood and decided to see if there was a chance it could be related to the weather. (Or if it’s just the fact that I’m at work)

When I was growing up, my Nana used to call me ‘Sarah Sunshine’ and the name stuck. If the weather is nice I am usually in a fantastic mood. Friends at school have told me they can see this difference. One even said that I even dress differently depending on my mood. Well, why wouldn’t you wear bright colors on a sunny day?

So, to me this theory makes perfect sense – but how does it pan out in science? I found one article on WebMD that claimed weather has no significant effect on a person’s mood! However, the University of Michigan found that this study did not take into account how much time the participants spend outside.

After performing another study, the University of Michigan found that 30 minutes in the sunshine can improve your mood! They also found that spending time indoors on a nice day actually decreases your mood. That is just one more reason why college professors need to move classes outside in the spring!

Hey, did you know it has been found that, on average, 72 degrees is the optimal mood temperature? And that most people spend 93% of their time indoors (I was blown away by this number at first, but it’s so true.)

So I’m going to sit here and keep peaking out the window for any sign of the sun. May your holiday weekend be happy and sunny!

Wishing for sunshine,

Baby Cousin + Hot Sunglasses = A Wordless Wednesday Worthy Photo

2009-07-01T15:13:00.004-04:00

Condron.u

Treating the Blogging Bug!

2009-07-01T10:11:00.003-04:00

It’s been a few weeks since I caught the blogging bug, and the symptoms are always the same. Surfing the internet for cute layouts and a nagging urge to document ones thoughts. However, one thing held me up – what was I going to call this blog? It needed to be catchy and fun, something that was unique and expressed something about me. I went through dozens of ideas before the light bulb finally went off.
Wa la - this is the result!

I want this blog to be about things I am thinking about and experiencing, but it’s always going to be…optimistic! Sure, there will be a lot of random rants and ramblings, but hopefully they’ll still put a smile on your face.

Another blogging event I’ll be participating in is Wordless Wednesday. Be sure to check back every Wednesday for a crazy picture that encapsulates my life at that current moment.

Oh one more thing – I love comments! Haha, especially if you have a blog I can add to my blog roll. Oh, and maybe some of my posts might be a little controversial or thought provoking, but its all part of the game.

Be sure to check back in September. This is going to be the official spot to hear all about my adventures in Rome. I’ll be in Europe for three months, and reading this blog is going to be the next best thing to being there!

Still smiling,