#Blessed

Sentiment is dominating my posts lately, but I promise myself that's a good thing because I know I will be so happy to look back on it all one day.

Saturday night was one of those really great nights, one that was filled with laughs and talking and the stuff you will never forget. I was so looking forward to the evening and it went above and beyond all my expectations.

My residence hall puts on an annual spring formal and you better believe I was excited beyond measure when I got the email about it back in December. Dances are my thing, my favorite way to go crazy and just forget about the realities and responsibilities of life. With my best friends by my side, a comfortable dress, and some great music, there is no way the night could go wrong.

We started the evening early on, curling our hair and carefully putting on fancy makeup and listening to some good music. It would not really be a Smith South Third occasion if dinner was not at Beau Jo's, so of course we crossed the street over to stuff our mouths with heavenly, honey-soaked pizza. We were all starving and pretty hangry. All we could talk about was food and how much we loved breakfast food and how our pizza was taking forever and a day to come out. You would have thought we were told we were going to Disney World when our pizza finally came out. We ate and talked and ate and talked until we were sufficiently full. Em, Mack, and I were in the need of caffiene so we swung by Starbucks on the way back and got some chai tea lattes. We returned back to Smith, put on our fancy dresses, took tons of pictures, and went to dance the night away.

Love them

Thanks for dealing with us and all our estrogen, Joe!

Locker buddies for life

SO much love for these best friends of mine!

Between tearing it up on the disco light up dance floor and indulging in chocolate-covered strawberries, we took some pictures in the photobooth. They are my favorite pictures ever.

Smith South Third

Paula Abdul style

This is actually so terrifying, I love it.

The strips of these are hanging up on my chalkboard, but when I saw them up close and big on my computer, I felt so much happiness. These girls are the best. They are the reason I love life so much. They know when something is wrong, and when something is right. We are sisters. The memories I have made with them this past year are so big and wonderful and amazing, they take up so much of my heart.

After the dance, we went back and talked in Mel's room until we realized the night had gotten away from us and the sun would be rising very soon. We laughed and laughed and laughed, and our exhaustion got the best, but time is something you never get back. I can always catch up on sleep- I won't always live across the hall from my best friends. I feel like we will never have enough time together, dissecting life and sharing our fears and hopes and tears.

#Blessed is pretty cliche but oh, I am. I am so, so, so #BLESSED!!!! Last night, a few of us were in a study room, sorta studying, mostly chatting. Em, Mel, and Mack were talking about all these political science classes they want to take (no thank you!) and it just made me so dang happy to listen to them and see how excited they got about things like "Comparative Politics" and "U.S. Campaigns and Elections". There is not a bone in my body that wants to take those classes, but their passion for what they want to do is thrilling. I understand it- I want to take all the IPHY classes the course catalog shows! There is such peace within me right now. These girls are going to be here with me for the rest of time and I am so blessed to have met them and formed such a strong bond.

Many more memories lie before us and I can't wait. Life is sticky with sweetness right now, and I so love it.

xo
Hannah

High Five for Friday!

Wow it's been so long since I did one of these posts. I don't know how I fell off the wagon, but I'm really, really trying to be a better blogger and these are easy posts that help keep me grounded.

It was a crazy, exhausting week. I had my first round of midterms. Three of my four were all on Monday. Shout out to all my loves who sent me good vibes and lots of luck- positivity lifted me through the day. 

1. Excuse the fact that I am actually blogging a selfie (better yet a Snapchat selfie) of myself. But this absolutely captures how I felt on Monday night at 7:15, while I was waiting to start my third exam of the day. Exhausted, brain dead, and DONE.

2. Just another moment of Smith South Third being the best ever.

3. I have been waiting for this lab since I saw it in the manual. No words can express my love for dissections! This little fetal pig was one of the best parts of the week, without a doubt.

I swear that my hair is A) not the dark and B) not greasy- I had just washed it! I blame bad lab lighting. 

4. A little Starbucks to celebrate finishing midterms on Thursday afternoon.

It doesn't get more basic than this

5. They're making a third movie!!!!!! CUE SCREAMING!!!! (even though I have known about this for months but now it's for sure!!!)

Happy weekend of love!

xo
Hannah

Reflections of Then and Now

This really has nothing to do with this post, I just love the song. And it semi goes with my title.

Oh how I love these girls, Pearl Street, and warm winter days

The weather has been something wonderful lately. 60s, sunny, the air is fresh and slightly sweet, the birds are out chirping, there's a false sense of approaching summer. Really though, it has been great. I keep forgetting it is only February and the snow will come back eventually. Whenever I walk through campus, I feel like I am in this constant state of reflection. I'm always evaluating my life and what I can do to improve it but also how I can be happy with how it is. Sometimes I can't believe I am here. Each day shocks me.

Exactly one year ago today, I turned in my senior paper. The craziness was just beginning. I still had no idea where I was going to go to college and there was lots of tears while trying to figure it out. Days were filled with friends, Sonic, tennis, and that feeling that life as I knew it was going to be ending far too soon. Senioritis was in full swing.

And here we are today. I live in Boulder, have best friends that I love with all my heart, and am on a whole new level of independent. Yesterday I had three midterms, two back to back (and across campus, yikes) and I have one more this Thursday. I talk to my mom on the phone almost every day, never know exactly what I am having for dinner, live in about 90 square feet, sing with my friends in the shower (wow does that sound weird), and it's all up to me.

It's sort of insane how different things are. In these past six months, life as I knew it for 18 years, was completely changed. I suppose change is constant in life- maybe one of the only constant things- but these past six months have been like vigorously shaking a snow globe. Life is slowly settling back, but there's still little pieces of snow falling.

I really miss high school. I really hate to say that because I feel like once you're in college, you're supposed to think high school was the worst thing ever. But that's just not how it is for me. I was ready for new exciting adventures in college, and for some change, but I was never in a rush. I had the best high school experience a person could ask for. I idealize high school sometimes, but when I really think about it, I miss junior and senior year the most. My group of friends just kept getting closer (if that was even possible) and the rhythm of life beat on in sync to every move I made. There were hiccups along the way and it's hilarious to recall those now. In the end, the good really does outweigh the bad, since I'm always reminiscing the good. I just want to SCREAM to all the seniors who are counting down the days until graduation and saying they just want to be in college, SLOW DOWN. STOP. SAVOR EVERY MOMENT. LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!!!!

Mackenzie and I concluded tonight that freshman year of college is NOT supposed to be the best. Sure it's great, but... You're adjusting. You're trying to find your place. You're making friends. You don't even know what to do with all the independence you're just handed. When I think back on it, I did not love freshman year of high school. Things simply get better with time, and age. Plus who wants to peak at freshman year?

SO there's all my emotions for the week! Just kidding, I'll be back on Valentine's Day to share my truths on love and what it is and what it means. We're getting deep this week. Except for a happy High Five for Friday post because life ain't always about digging around and figuring out all the innards.

I do just want to reiterate that I do LOVE college with all my heart and am so thankful everyday for each opportunity and am so so so HAPPY! Probably the happiest I have ever been! Life is simply bittersweet. This post made it sound like I am miserable and hate life. False. Just a person who likes to lay out all their feelings on the Internet. ;)

xo
Hannah

The Latest and Greatest

Just a quick little update on life's latest happenings felt necessary :)

Lol awk I didn't get the "dress nice" memo

Tuesday night, I went swing dancing with EB, Emma, Courtney, and Melissa! It was flock night (a night where people from my hall do special events)  and we had a great time meeting more people from our hall and then dancing the night away. Dancing is for sure what we do best.

Wednesday it snowed and it broke my heart into a million little pieces. It was white out kind of snow and that snow turned into ice which is never fun. Luckily it melted super fast so I didn't suffer too much;)

No pictures from the party:/ but a beautiful view of the Flatirons!

Thursday, we threw a little surprise party for Melissa since her birthday was over the break. We ate cookies and brownies and played Cards Against Humanity and had a wonderful little celebration :) She was SO surprised, it was awesome.

Oh and never look up how many calories are in the food at Cheesecake Factory. The health cleanse began promptly on Saturday morning;)

Friday, Mackenzie and I had date night. We really wanted to go to Pasta Jay's, but the wait was 35-40 minutes and we were hangry and waiting wasn't gonna happen. So we aimlessly wandered down Pearl Street until we ended up at The Cheesecake Factory. Yeah, Friday night date night was a little more expensive than usual but we never spend money during the week and one filling meal is a treat since we are pretty much over C4C food. Fun story of the night: there was zero cars coming so we were going to run across the intersection, a big deal for us no-breaking-the-rules girls. I was looking down the street once more to make sure we were good and had just started to say Mack "this is how we are going to die" when I look over and see her on her hands and knees on the street. Insert wild laughter as I help her back on to the sidewalk. The curb was much steeper than expected so she fell and ripped a hole in her jeans and started bleeding like a maniac. No need to worry though, we got the blood out of her pants once we got back to my room. It was just too funny seeing her lying in the street I wish I would have snapped a pic. Aren't I a great friend?

Saturday night was girls night, my most favorite night of the week! We ordered Domino's and Boulder Baked and had all sorts of girl talk, crazy dancing, and watched The Other Woman. Guys, I love my friends so much it's actually crazy. We all just click and it's crazy how fast our friendship has grown. Love love love.

Last week was a crazy, chaotic, super fun second week back. I know this semester is going to fly by, which just freaks me out. I swear, the years keep going by faster and faster as you get older! In so many ways, college has taught me the importance of cherishing the moment.

xo
Hannah

The Home Stretch

Happy Monday! Finals week is upon us and stress levels are rising! In college, finals are a massive deal. Or at least that's how they're made out to be. I think they should be doable and actually just want to get them done right away... since getting them done means going home!!! I cannot wait to go home for a break. I may love it here, but there's no place like home. Especially for the holidays (cue Perry Como).  I am so excited to see my mom, Thursday morning, at 10am, as we load up the car and go home!

Crazy good times with these ladies

Friday was the last day of classes!  Time flew by guys. I remember when I couldn't believe I had been in school for 4 weeks... now I can't believe I am done with all my first semester classes! Some friends and I went to an ugly sweater party and there was some great dance music. Homecoming Hannah made an appearance, which is always great;) It was great to dance out some of the stress of finals week. I didn't stay too long because I needed to get back and do some studying but it was a fun time!

Love my little Olive

On Saturday, I went to Olivia's state poms competition. I told my mom I wouldn't be able to come, but let my grandparents know that I WAS going to go and they should pick me up but not tell my mom. She sure was surprised to see me! The competition was hot, stuffy, but fun. I squeezed in looking at notes whenever I could, but also enjoyed the time as a study break. O's team ended up getting 3rd place, which was fantastic! I am so proud of her! She puts so much hard work into everything she does and I couldn't be more amazed.

The amazing photo stream creator

Sunday was so much studying. It started with a nice long brunch with some friends, so that was nice. But then I did some intense studying. My bio TA did a review session from 4:30 to 7, which helped. Christine and I snacked on Goldfish and made the best of the boring time. After dinner, I came back and did more studying. Obviously life is exciting during finals week. But my floor did start a photo stream and we have had way too much fun using it to procastinate.

I don't have any finals today so I will be doing lots and lots of studying. I will probably start packing too because I am too darn excited to bust out of Boulder and go home for Christmas!

This week is going to be crazy. I have a final Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Our Christmas party is Friday, Saturday we leave to go to my grandpa's for the weekend to celebrate Christmas. There's a lot to be done in a short amount of time, but I'm so excited for all of it I'm not even crazy stressed! The holiday season is in full swing!

xo
Hannah

COLLEGE ROCKS

Over the past few weeks, all the pieces have finally fallen into place.

I LOVE COLLEGE.

Before, I loved college too. The transitional period was simply occurring. It was great and fun and yay independence but I didn't quite get all the hype. But now, I never want to leave. Well I really do want to go home for Christmas but who doesn't? Every day is the greatest day. My stomach hurts from all the laughing, my body is exhausted from dancing, and my heart is full of memories! I get why everyone revels of the memories of their college days!

Where and when else in life will you get to dance to Taylor Swift on the tables in one of your classrooms, in your pajamas, with your best friends, on a Tuesday night? Where else will you get to study with your friends late into the night, then be in your bed within a minute? Where else will your knees be bruised because you were body slamming your friends to pop balloons? Where else will you will live right next door to your best friends? Where else will you get to be in the shower and  harmonize to "Mamma Mia" with the other people showering? Where else will every single person look horrible at breakfast in a public place on the weekend? Where else will you become so close with people so fast?

I love it here so much. My floor mates are my best friends. Scratch that, they are actually my family. I am so very thankful that so many of them live so close to me so we will be able to see each other over break because I can't imagine not seeing them for 3 weeks.

We celebrated EB's birthday on Tuesday night and it was such fun.  We went to Beau Jo's for the traditional classy birthday dinner, and then surprised her with cookies and decorating stuff, since that is her favorite thing! We jammed out to Christmas music, then some T-Swift, which resulted in dancing on the tables (again). The night ended with popping balloons via body slamming because obviously that's how you end a party. This ended as the RA on duty came and told us we were being too loud as it was past quiet hours and people were complaining that people were running into walls?? Haha we shut down the party just in time, as campus security came right as we had left. What can I say, we go hard.

the elevator...what a great picture backdrop

Decorating cookies!

Christine is professional

Paula Abdul (inside joke)

The matching PJ club

The non-matching PJ club

Some of the greatest people you will ever meet

Love.

I am quite proud of these two cookies

aww Mack

Favorite picture for sure #wcw

Awkward Snapchat selfies

Freaky Friday-ing

Just a couple of pranksters over here

 And now finals are amongst us and I am knee deep in studying. Still love college though.

xo
Hannah

The Best Week Ever

Isn't it incredible how quickly things can change? Monday was rough. Probably the worst day of the whole semester, to be quite honest. But then the most magical thing happened... this week turned into the best week ever. Honestly, it was probably the best week of college this far. I just want to keep reliving each sweet moment of it.

Tuesday was remarkably better than Monday. I went to Pasta Jay's with my grandparents for dinner and then to Target to get some paper and a hard drive for my computer. It was nice to see some familiar family faces after a rough Monday.

Irrelevant to Tuesday but these three faces always brighten my day

Wednesday, though long, was awesome. I found out I got a 90 on my bio lab final that I was sure I failed. I got to go to my old RA's house with some girls from my floor and just hang out and have some quality girl time. We had Cosmo's Pizza (a CU Boulder student staple), played with her dog, and played Cards Against Humanity, which I proudly won. It was such a fun night with my favorite girls.

LOVE LOVE LOVE SONA!

Thursday I got to sleep in, which is always a plus. I had my one writing class and got a lot of homework done. Mackenz and I had a great heart-to-heart that night on phone because you know we obviously don't see each other enough to get it all out.

Friday was awesome. It started with traditional Friday morning breakfast club in Libby. Classes were good, I hung out in Mack's room and was extraordinarily loud (whoops sorry Marissa), and in the late afternoon, I ran some errands with Poodle. My floor is doing a Secret Santa so I had to get a few things to get ready! We got back to campus just in time to go grab dinner and go to CU's improv group's performance. The acapella group, the Buffoons also performed. Our friend John is in the group and and it's always fun to see him perform. Afterwards, I went bowling with Mack, Mary, and two guys Mary knew from St. Tom's. I really suck at bowling but hey it was still fun. :)

Low quality picture, high quality BFFs

Mackenzie has embraced the barefoot Boulder lifestyle

Christmas record finds make me happy

"Celebrate Me Home" is forever one of my favorite Christmas songs

Laying on Mack's floor is basically my thing

Great lighting=selfies galore

Saturday was a whirlwind and for sure the best day of college yet. I met Mack for breakfast at 10:30 and then went to meet Mary to go to John's engineering fair. It was sort of like a science fair I suppose- engineering students designed these crazy cool inventions and got to show them off. John's group actually won which was super exciting for him! They made a 3D book that had Braille and I really don't get how they made it, or anyone made anything because engineering is hard as heck and I would probably die if I was an engineer. I got in about 45 minutes of homework before meeting up again with Mack, Mary, and John for lunch. After a hurried lunch, I rushed back to my hall because we were going to deck the hall!

John wearing my jacket as a bib so he didn't get vinegar on his shirt. And posing with the glass he won from the engineering fair. John is hilarious guys

I know I'm always saying this but I LOVE THE GIRLS ON MY FLOOR SO MUCH!!! I seriously hit the floor lottery because these girls are golden. They are family and if it weren't for them, I can guarantee I would not be loving college as much as I am. We spent about 2 hours listening to Christmas music, chatting up a storm, making paper garlands, cutting paper snowflakes, constructing a paper Christmas tree, and hanging up our stockings. Oh and of course taking pictures;) Our hall is so much more homey and it's simply amazing.

 Events are always posted on the bathroom. Smith South 3rd is the best

Santa's Workshop

The South Pole

SO MUCH TEAMWORK

So much garland!

Shannon is a star

 

 

Crying because it's so beautiful

The stockings were hung on Command Hooks with care;)

Christine is my favorite person ever

Family picture

We know we are adorable

Afterwards, I hung out with Christine, Caroline, and of course, Macky. The four of us had a fabulous single ladies night. We ordered Cosmo's and snagged an empty classroom to take over for the night. We put on some music, drew all over the chalkboards, and danced on top of the tables. Shannon came and joined us a little while later and I'm pretty sure she thinks we are completely mental because we were going so crazy but hey, she still loves us;) We finally settled down (ish) and laid on the tables with blankets and watched Love Actually while binging on the crap ton of candy I had in my room. After the movie, we did some more dancing and singing because why not? Oh, and did I mention that this classroom we were in had floor to ceiling windows on one wall and everyone who was outside could see us? Hahaha I wish I could have seen us from the outside! We were finally going to call it a night at 1:45, but then Melissa and Emma came in and just needed to have some girl talk. I don't think I have laughed as much as I did then ever. 45 minutes later, we finally did go upstairs. The five of us talked more in the bathroom and I finally went to sleep at 3:40am (yikes I don't remember being up the late in a long time).

Today was my day of rest, as I tackled a pile of homework and got some Secret Santa-ing done. Guys, college rocks.

xo
Hannah