{Giving Thanks} Reunited

Tonight was a wonderful night. For the first time in FIVE months, I got to be with my four best friends, all at the same time. It's crazy that all five of us have not been able to get together for so long, but we are all busy people and it's difficult! But we got to tonight and it was such a gift.

I'm so thankful for these girls. They have been there for me from the start. We are all on our own paths now, but it's such a special thing that we can come back together and nothing has changed. I sometimes wish for the days when we were always together in high school and life was simple, but it's also so exciting to watch everyone grow and find themselves. Our friendship is an awfully funny thing- we are all so very different, but at the same time so similar. Our differences are what make it such a fun adventure! I love our honesty with each other, our laughing, our stories, and the love that runs deep. I guess in a way, I took for granted having these girls by my side all the time. I never realized how truly precious and rare it is to have the same best friends all four years of high school. I can't imagine it any other way and honestly feel sorry for anyone who wasn't so fortunate. The stability and reliance of these girls is what kept me going. When I'm with them, I'm Hannah. I'm happy as can be. I wish I could describe it better, but to sum it up, I love love love these girls. They are my best friends 5eva <3

Can we just take a second and acknowledge this fantastic lighting?

Some things never change. Double chins and deuces

Yep that's us

TRUE COLORS

love them so much

What one earth would I do without them

This is typical

Agape 5eva

xo
Hannah

{Giving Thanks} Happiness in Each Crevice

Life is a puzzle. There's pieces that we put together to make up the most beautiful masterpiece, but sometimes there's little cracks and crevices. But even those hidden spaces, happiness thrives. Happiness is what we have to choose. It's what we rely on, especially in times when things are a little foggy. 

It's the cold nights where I'm huddled on my bed with spiced tea.

It's listening to the soundtrack to The Cider House Rules while admiring the fall colors.

It's my wild red hair blowing through the wind.

It's perfectly placed pillows and a made bed in the morning.

It's my 9am coffee, with just a little cream.

It's the glimmer of hope each day brings.

It's my Hunter wellies, lined up, side by side.

It's my thought out magnet board.

It's the Christmas music that pulses through my veins, making me sad, happy, excited, and sentimental all at once.

It's pictures of the past, each with long wonderful stories attached.

It's ABBA, my most favorite dancing and singing music.

It's the satisfaction that accompanies crossing something off of my to do list.

It's the straight lines and perfectly formed letters when using a favorite pen.

It's hearing my friend's voice through the phone. 

It's blasting Taylor Swift in the shower.

It's finding something on clearance at J.Crew.

It's watching the geese slide around on the ice on Kitt Pond.

It's Christmas lights flickering on trees at 29th Street.

It's texts from childhood friends, reminiscing about old memories.

It's the promise that no matter how imperfect life is, it will all work out, with joy.

//These are just a few of the little things that I am so thankful for! I hope you remember to find happiness in the hidden places of life.

xo
Hannah

{Giving Thanks} Songs

My friend Jessica, who blogs over at Polygamy Joe, has done a few posts where she posts her songs of the week. I really liked the idea and thought I would do something like it over here! I'm sort of tying it into a thankful post, as I am very very thankful for music. I think my appreciation has only grown upon coming to college because I am constantly listening to music, whether I am sitting studying or walking to class or singing in the shower. I even get to take a music class next semester-- I'm ecstatic! My taste in music ranges from white girl pop to soft mellow indie to show tunes to old soul crooners to Christmas music. I base my music on my state of mind for sure. I think music is an incredible way to express yourself, whether you are singing to it, listening to it, or dancing to it. I'm a choir singer, shower soloist, and Spotify addict.

So here's my current life soundtrack, in no particular order. You can also find my favorite songs of 2014 here.

1. My Dear - Hunter Thompson
I didn't realize that this was a worship song until recently but nonetheless it's still amazing. Makes me so happy :)

2. Life in Technicolor ii - Coldplay
This is one of those songs that I know will follow me for the rest of my life. Coldplay does no wrong.

3. Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute
You can find me singing this loudly with my headphones in in Mackenzie's dorm quite frequently (okay just last Friday). Maddison! If you are reading this, I remember sophomore year when you told me how much you loved this song so I just thought I would say YES this is the BEST song ever!

4. When We Were Young - Lucy Schwartz
This song used to be the opening song for the TV show, Parenthood, a favorite of mine. It just makes me all sentimental and think back to the simple days of childhood.

5. I Want What You Have - Willamette Stone
I watched some of "If I Stay" (the version I was watching online didn't have the whole movie I guess since it just ended in the middle of a scene??) but I really liked this catchy song.

6. Blank Space - Taylor Swift
Yes, I'm one of those girls that loves T Swift. Yes I guess she's dramatic and a little crazy but the girl has sold millions of albums so obviously she's doing something right. Plus there's a Taylor Swift song for every situation. Her new album is pretty good (Speak Now will always be my favorite). Some other favorites are Clean, This Love, Style, Bad Blood, and I Know Places.

7. 'Til the Season Comes Round Again - Amy Grant
I grew up listening to Amy Grant during the holiday season. Sure we would listen to all the classics too, but whenever I hear Amy Grant, I think back to being bundled up in the car and listening to this. Or I think back to walking in from the bus, and the house would be warm from the fireplace and all the Christmas lights would be on as the sun would be setting (I didn't get off the bus until almost 4:20) and my mom would have warm cookies waiting for us. It sounds too dreamy to be true but my mom made the holidays so special and that's what is already making this holiday season hard.

8. Promise - Ben Howard
 Not much to say on this one. I just really loved Ben Howard.

9. Bravado - Lorde
This was in an episode of Grey's so yep, it doesn't get much better. Any music in Grey's is the best. Especially when it's Lorde.

10. Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Is an explanation even necessary? I CANNOT WAIT TO GO HOME!!! THREE MORE DAYS!!!

xo
Hannah

{Giving Thanks} Memories

Dear current high school seniors,

This is one of those things you're going to be hearing a lot of this year. No, I'm not going to ask where you're going to school or what you're majoring in- trust me, I know that's the absolute worst thing to be asked right now. I'm not going to ask you anything. I'm going to tell you something and boy, I sure do hope you listen.

Life is busy right now. You are filling out college applications, trying to figure out a senior project, looking at scholarship opportunities, all while trying to manage school work. Everyone seems so concerned with this great unknown, the daunting future, that it's difficult to stay in the now. Oh but you must.

Drink it all in. Soak up every moment. Say yes. These days are some of the most wonderful days of your life.

I hope you are lucky enough to have found the best friends in the whole world. The people who you know way too much about, but still love. Those amazing people who you have no clue what you would do without. They are the best people ever and you know that you will always be best friends. But those best friends of yours will soon be miles and miles away and you will very much wish you had the luxury of seeing them everyday. Yes, you will make many, many new friends wherever the future may bring you, but there is a special bond you will always have with those friends from high school. They were there for you during some of the most awkward times. They're the ones with you as you prepare for this big change. They are your family. They are the usual, the familiar, the comfortable. And that, that is something that you will learn never to take for granted.

While life may seem so complex right now, you will only remember how simple it really was.

Dance the night away at every school dance. Root on the football team at every game. Attend all theater performances. Partake in spirit weeks. Thank your teachers. Go on long drives, listening to good music. Hang out with your friends every weekend. Laugh until you cry. Cry until you laugh. Make the most of the time that moves far too swiftly... before you know it, you'll be holding your diploma.

Hang out with your family. No matter how annoying they are, you will really miss them. You will miss having dinner with them every night and watching your younger siblings grow up. The best news is they will be there for you when you need them, and home is always waiting. For now though, take advantage of the sweet time you have together.

Cherish your grades being composed of a lot of boosters. In college, the majority of your grade is exams. There are no worksheets or homework assignments or participation points to fluff up that grade.

When second semester comes and the senioritis hits hard, that's ok. But still try. Finish strong. Know it's not the end. But it's happening. Instead of mindlessly walking from class to class, really look around you. The halls around you have housed you for the past four years. They're where you grew. Notice all the little things, the things you never noticed before. Leave your mark. 

Cast away any anxiety that the future may bring. Right now, live in each day. Along the way, you will fall into the most wonderful place, exactly where you belong.

What is about to come is amazing. You will have so many new opportunities, new adventures, and incredible memories. But never forget your roots. They have influenced where you are today. There will be days where you miss what was. You will miss listening to Paisley's lectures, and constructing ecocolumns in APES, and running cross country. But you will love your new friends, independence, and discovering your passions. You will love awakening parts of you that you did not know exist. It is thrilling and scary and the best thing ever. And it will come when it's time.

You know you're going to miss all of this, but you don't know yet just how much. So find peace, find joy, and love where you are. You'll never be there again.

-Hannah

//

Today, I am incredibly thankful for memories, specifically those of high school. I was so lucky to have the most amazing tight knit group of friends in high school.  Because of those amazing friends, I came out of high school with some of the most fantastic memories. Every day, I find myself recalling a specific event, smiling and wishing I was there to share a moment like it again. I think that memories, good and bad, are one of the most precious gifts of life. Time spent together is certainly invaluable.



My favorite way to reminisce of those good ol' high school days.

xo
Hannah

{Giving Thanks} Friendship All Over

I am thankful for friendship in many places. College has really shown me the beauty of friendship in many places. I have friends at home, still in high school working their way to rich futures; friends all over the country and state, from Denver to Fort Collins to Illinois to Idaho; and I have friends right here in Boulder, who are new but it feels like we have been friends for ages.

This past week, I have gotten to be with friends from all over.

On Wednesday, the high school choir came up and Mackenzie and I got to see Evan. Evan has always been a great friend to us, which is why we loovvveee him as Riley's boyfriend!

On Thursday night, I was in my room, snapchatting Sierra. She had just gotten a card I sent and I was going to call her to catch up. Before I could pick up the phone to call her, it was already ringing, as she was calling me! She was headed home for the weekend and was wondering if she could pay a visit to good ol' CU! Of course I said yes! So on Friday night, Sierra came here to Boulder and we were able to catch up and show her a bit of our stomping ground. It started to rain so we didn't get to stay out too late, so we resorted back to my dorm and watched Pitch Perfect while catching up on life. It was so, so wonderful to see her!

Saturday, I made caramel apples with some of the girls from floor. We did a lot of white girl dancing and had a ton of laughs- they are the best floor mates a girl could ask for. I feel so lucky to have made such wonderful friends here!

And of course, I am always thankful for the five minute away friendship of Mack. What would I do without her?

New favorite picture.

I know that wherever I go, friendship will be there. It is a cornerstone for us as humans, and a wonderful one at that.

xo
Hannah

500 Shades of Thankful

This past Saturday morning, I had a red cup Starbucks date with Mackenzie. While we were sitting there having a lovely conversation, I realized we have these pillars to our friendship. A major one is our exaggerations of emotion/feeling. If Mackenzie asks me how I'm feeling, I would never just say stressed- I am 500 shades of stressed. I am 500 shades of freaking out. I am 500 shades of pissed off. I am 500 shades of crazy happy!

For whatever reason, we just really love "shades of" and usually the number 500. So this year, I decided to carry on the blog tradition in which I reflect on the things I am thankful for, big and small. But this year, it only felt right to call the series "500 Shades of Thankful". In actuality it will be like 20 Shades of Thankful because I'll probably only get around to it that many times, but that doesn't have as nice of a ring to it as 500 Shades of Thankful.



So here's what I'm thankful for today...

The most delicious dark chocolate and binge watching Grey's Anatomy. Man oh man I forgot how much I love Grey's! Seriously my most favorite show ever. This BuzzFeed article further exemplifies my love.

Getting to see the choir today as they came to perform at CU Madrigal Fest. This post goes in depth my true gratitude for choir.

Selfies with the choir because I am your average basic white girl

And with that, seeing Riley's boyfriend. We all love Evan! You got a good one, Ri.

My writing professor is undoubtedly my favorite. At the very end of class on Tuesday, someone jokingly asked if we could have pizza if the library seminar we were scheduled to go to was cancelled. Just read the very last line of the email... she is the best.

So yep, this month will be full of thankful but I don't think it ever hurt anyone to reflect on all that they are grateful in life. Our time here is brief, but full to the brim of things to be so insanely thankful for.

xo
Hannah