A Best Friend Appreciation Post

While I'm still looking for the love of my life, I know I have found my soul mate.

 There tends to be a lot of judgement when people find out Mackenzie and I both go to CU. They think we chose to go here because the other was. They assume we share a room. They assume we are together every second of the day. While the last one is partly true, the rest is not. Mack and I both independently chose to go to CU. We were both highly considering going out of state, to opposites sides of the country. But in the end, our paths continued together to Boulder.

Let me tell you, it has been the biggest blessing to have her here with me. We have been able to grow individually, but always have one another if need be. Our friendship is stronger than ever and we are basically telepathic now. Some of our friends compared us to an old married couple and I couldn't think of a better analogy. She has seen me at my worst, sobbing (in her bed) and cursing the world, and has been there for my best, jumping around, dancing, celebrating, and cherishing the moment with me. She always knows my current favorite song, my favorite sauce to dip everything in, and how I like my coffee. She's seen me melt into a puddle of emotions and doesn't think anything less of me (or at least I hope). She listens to my crazy ideas, daydreams, and hopes for the future. She gives me pep talks when I need them, and will tell me when I need to shut up. She knows things about me before I even do.

She's my person.

I can't imagine this semester without her. How lucky I am to have a best friend who I not only got to experience high school with, but college as well. I cannot and do not want to imagine the day where she won't be a ten-minute bike ride away.

A special thanks for the pre-finals Starbucks and chocolate last night, and doing all of the Christmas party food shopping today.

Thanks for being the best of the best, Mack. Love you to Sonic and back a hundred times.

xo
Hannah

Tomorrow

In 24 hours, I will be on my way home to the bubble, one of my favorite places in the world. I am so excited to see my family, friends, and celebrate Christmas! Tonight, I have my psychology exam, which should not prove to be overly difficult, and then have to face biology in the morning. Biology actually entails two tests, the first over the fourth unit and second, a cumulative exam. I'm really not excited for it, especially since it's at 7:30am, but I have been studying an awful lot for it so I'm hoping for the best! My motivation is just about gone and my brain is hardly functioning and I'm beginning to go crazy from nearly five days of intense studying. I have wiped every surface in my room, cleaned out my food baskets, reorganized every drawer, and done everything in my power to procastinate. My bags are packed (they have been since yesterday) and I am ready to get outta here. 

T-minus one day!

xo
Hannah

isn't it funny how musicals always have relevant songs to life?

Taking Stock// December

I should probably use a more recent picture. But my heart misses summer. And while this moment was good, nothing compares to where I am now.

Making: study guides galore
Drinking: Emergen-C to help fight a cold
Reading: "Sing You Home" by Jodi Picoult
Wanting: to start finals considering some of my friends are done before I even start:/
Looking: forward to Friday, the day of the Christmas party!
Playing: “Wildest Dreams” on repeat. It is without a doubt my favorite new T-Swift song
Wishing: I had more time between finishing the semester and Christmas.
Enjoying: a cookie from my amazing floor mate Courtney
Waiting: to bust out dancing when finals are over.
Liking: this Patagonia and these Birks. What has Boulder done to me?!
Wondering: if we will get snow this Christmas!
Loving: this season of life.
Hoping: these next two days will fly by.
Marvelling: that 2014 is almost over! What. a. year.
Needing: more Sharpie pens
Smelling: my fresh balsam wallflower. It’s like a little bit of home :)
Wearing: leggings, sweatshirts, and fuzzy socks. The most appropriate studying clothes.
Watching: old Vimeos but what else is new. I'm proud to say I have not watched Netflix in almost a week in prep for finals!
Missing: summer colors. I love the winter, but I also love when the world is green and lush. 
Noticing: little things that my roommate does that are slowly driving me insane
Thinking: this semester has been amazing.
Feeling: anxious to see my friends over break!
Bookmarking: this blog. Well, it’s already been bookmarked but it always makes me smile.
Opening: care packages! Thanks family, near and far!!!
Giggling: over really stupid things with Mackenzie. 

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

A Grateful Heart

taken two weeks ago when Boulder was a winter wonderland

Back again, back again, jiggity jig. As of about 9pm last night, I am back in good ol' Boulder after a restful, relaxing week. The break flew by, but it was exactly what I needed. I got to see friends, spend time with family, and be at comfort with the old and familiar. It was beyond difficult coming back. Even though I know I get to go home in 17 days, I just want to be home now. The holiday season is my favorite and I wish I got to spend every minute of it back home. However, I am trying to make the best of this situation. I know that when I do get to go home, the time will be even more special.

Today was a typical Monday after break. Blah with a capital B. I had a hard time going to sleep last night and once I was asleep, I struggled to get comfortable. I overslept and had to hurry getting ready for my 8am. The day sort of dragged along. I decided to go on a run to clear my mind. The run helped to give me some energy, but I think the running in the cold ended up giving me a cold. I got back to my dorm to get busy studying and doing assignments. My computer was acting funky and making it hard to get to my math assignment website. I began to feel frustrated and even more blah than earlier. I spilled my soup at dinner. My printer ran out of paper when I was trying to print important notes. I stepped on a tack and it went straight in my foot. All I could think about was being home. I sat in my room, on the verge of tears, wallowing in my pity.

I hate to complain on my blog. It's not a place where I want to be a whiner. But today sucked. It was just one of those days.

But even when I have these bad days, I am thankful. I think about how the good days outweigh the bad and luckily, the bad days are far and few between. Everyone spends a lot of time in November thinking about what they're thankful for. Well, I'm reflecting on my thanks in December too. Gratitude is not limited to one month a year, so I am carrying it with me as we enter the best month of the year.

I am thankful for family that lives close. It is such a blessing that I have been able to spread my wings and experience college, but also be close to home

I am thankful for friendship. I have so many new friends here at CU that I can tell will be forever friends. I am thankful for old friends. It's wonderful to see everyone on their new journeys, but always knowing they will be there for good times. 

I am thankful for coffee, or as I like to call it, the life blood. 

I am thankful for a warm bed to sleep in every night, in a safe building.

I am thankful for the joy the holiday season brings.

I am thankful for the education I am receiving at CU and the knowledge I have gained that will hopefully allow me to help the world in the future.

I am thankful for red rainboots.

I am thankful for good books, good music, and good movies.

I am thankful for pen and paper, one of my most favorite mediums.

I am thankful for snowy days.

I am thankful for running trails that lead to the most beautiful of scenery. 

I am thankful for cozy blankets and fluffy pillows.

I am thankful for technology. It has allowed me to connect with several people I would not have met otherwise and stay in touch with those beyond my little world of Boulder. 

I am thankful for hope.

I am thankful for drives to Sonic, where all of life's problems are solved and singing is loud and off-key.

I am thankful for the future. I am thankful for the peace of knowing what happens is meant to be and the promise that tomorrow is a fresh start.

Happy December everyone. The excitement of Christmas is amongst us! May the gratitude of November stick with us this holiday season. 

xo

Hannah