Thick as Thieves

There's about eight thousand one quotes out there about sisters and how wonderful sisterhood is and while I could quote them all, I will spare you the cliches and just give you my little shpeel.

Ever since I can remember, I wanted a sister. Sorry to Brandon, because brothers are great, but I think every little girl longs for that other little girl to dress all matchy with and play dolls with. The day my sister was born is one I will never forget. I won't get all sentimental, but boy was I happy when they said it was a girl baby! From day one, she was my little doll, even though she may not have liked that too much. But now she's 14, in high school, and growing up into one of the funniest people I know.

Always a little mother

Well anyways, it turns out that I don't just have one sister, but I have three other sisters. Sure, it may  not be sisterhood by blood, but the bond I have with these girls is one like sisters. Good ol' Mack is like a sister (amongst being a best friend) along with Ains. And then of course there is Isabel. The five of us make up a crazy little group who know how to wreck havoc and have a grand time. We fight, laugh, and make some grand memories.

Two weeks ago before seeing Katie Herzig in concert, I was listening to all her music on Spotify. I heard a song, Thick as Thieves, from her latest album that I hadn't listened to in a long time and it left quite the impression on me. It was something beautiful. I felt a sort of magic and instantly knew this song had a lot more in store for it.


The lyrics really stuck with me, especially these lines:

My love hold me to your side
My love just like the first time
Hold on hold me through the mourning
Hold on harder than I'm falling

I really love the idiom thick as thieves to describe sisters because we are close and tight knit and plus I just like how it sounds;) But in all actuality, I know for a fact that these girls would do anything for me. If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. And it ain't going to be pretty.

I had an idea, shared it with Mack, and from there it blossomed into a project. We alerted the little sister (haha I love calling them that) and told them to clear their schedules at sunset on Saturday. We all got ready and went out to a beautiful field right off a walking path. From there, we took some stunning pictures and this video was born. It's definitely more on the cheesy side, but I know that in a few years, I'll look back and be real happy I have it. Heck, it made me cry this morning because I miss them so much. 

 Here's 2 pictures of the hundreds (I'll share more once I get them from Mack's memory card)

We are so cute oh my gosh

Then, of course there is the real side of video making. But I think I will cherish this video just as much.




Sisterhood sure is a special thing.
xo
Hannah

College Life

This is college life, folks. Here's a quick update!

FaceTiming your pets

Netflix

Beautiful views

Changing your sheets turns into cardio. Oh and I admit I have only changed my sheets once this semester #keepingitreal

HA! I do believe this to be true for a few girls I know.  Yik Yak is a very entertaining app

Blow drying wet rugs at 11pm

Studying, studying, studying!

xo
Hannah

High Five for Friday!

I swear time goes by 500 times faster in college. Each week FLIES by! I won't complain though! I'm headed home this weekend and I can't wait to shower without flip flops, not need a key to get back in my room, have Sonic, and enjoy food that is not from a dining hall.

1. I love finding these articles online that just reaffirm that CU was the best decision ever!

2. The fall colors here are outstanding!

3. The best part about having a beautiful campus is there is never a shortage of places to take pictures.

Beautiful old Hale Sciences behind me

4. Amen to 8am's being cancelled!

And I already had all the WebWork done (fistbump emoji)

5. Guess who is coming home this weekend!!!!!

I love pictures like this that truly capture friendship in it's craziest, true form

xo
Hannah

Katie Herzig

Last night, Mackenzie and I got to break away from campus and go to a concert! About two weeks ago, I saw that Katie Herzig, who is probably my favorite artist ever, was going to be in Boulder!!! For a few years now, I have been trying to go to one of her shows because she usually has a few in Colorado. Finally, she would be in a place that was rather convenient and tickets were cheap, so it was one I had to go to! Mackenzie also shares a love for Katie - shocking, I know, what do we both not like? Actually, I like beans and she doesn't so there's that. Anyways, I texted her and we both bought tickets in a matter of minutes. It was quite impulsive of us, but certainly worth it.

Wednesday evening, Mack and I went to Pearl Street and had a very nice (very expensive) dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, because sometimes you just gotta treat yoself. We then made the four minute walk to eTown Hall, the concert venue.

Crazy concert lighting #rave

So the concert was not your typical concert. It was actually being recorded for the radio and a podcast so in about a month, anyone can listen to it. It went from 7-9 and there was two hosts who were rather annoying but what else is new. Mackenzie and I were basically the youngest people there (which ALWAYS happens to us) but we got stellar seats and obviously like music that has substance if adults like it too. There was another act there, The Barr Brothers, who were pretty good, but I could have gone without them. They had a harpist though and she was really awesome.

The Barr Brothers, Katie Herzig, and the two hostesses

Since it was a recorded show and could only go for so long, Katie sang six songs: Charlie Chaplin, Walk Through Walls, Closest I Get, Way to the Future,  Frequencies, and Lost and Found. There were a few more that I wish she would have sang, but that just means I have to go to another concert!

What I loved most was how real she was. She's not widely known, so her music is something special and unique. Her voice in real life is just like that on her albums, which is so important to me. There is nothing more disappointing than going to a concert where the singer doesn't sound remotely like they do on their album. Katie is down to earth and simple, something I deeply admire. Oh, and she went to CU so that's always exciting:)

Low quality picture, high quality enertainment

After the show, Mackenzie and I got to MEET her! It was SO exciting, even though we were nervous wrecks (looking back, I'm not sure why we were so nervous). The night was a blast, and I am so happy that I not only got to see in concert, but meet the artist who's music has had a profound impact on my life.

xo
Hannah

A favorite song of hers, which is in Mack's graduation video

The Best News

Friday morning after my biology lecture, I was waiting to partake in a psychology experiment. We were told to wait in the hallway until an experimenter came to get us, so I took the time to check my email. While going through the usual emails from Bath and Body Works, scholarship sites, Starbucks, and all the other spam that fills my inbox, I stumbled across an email for my senior project mentor, Katie. This is what it read:

Right there, in the hallway of the fourth floor of the Muenzinger Psychology building, I began to cry. I'm sure I looked very strange to the two boys who were also waiting to do the experiment, but I couldn't help it. I was thrilled, ecstatic, joyful, and amazed. This very email is something I have dreamed of.

I don't want to be a doctor so I can flaunt that it was ME that saved a life. I want to save a life because I think that it is the very least I can do. In my life, countless people have helped me, have saved me, have given me opportunities that are invaluable. I want to give everyone the chance to have the same beautiful gift.

Signing people up to be donors was my first step towards this dream of mine, but this, this was a piece of my dream coming true. I am humbled and honored to have been part of the journey of giving someone that hope, that second chance.

I want to tell all the high schoolers complaining about their senior project, this is why it's worth it! You can make a difference! Find your passion and just lose yourself in it! Yes it's not always fun but one day down the road, you will see why it was a great thing to happen to you.

I hope that one day down the line, I get the chance to be a donor myself. Even if that day never comes, I will be so happy that I was able to help others experience the joy of giving, as it really is so much better to give than it is to receive.

xo
Hannah

//For more information on bone marrow donation click here

Summer

No matter how situated I am beginning to feel here in Boulder, I think there will always be a piece of me that aches for the familiarity of home. Summer 2014 was one of the best ever. It was a bittersweet season in my life and although I know that next summer, I will be home again with my family and friends, it will always be just that little bit different.

I miss it all- the people, the laughs, the memories. So here's a late video I made to celebrate the wonder that came in these glorious months.




xo
Hannah

Home Coming 2014

This year, I got to celebrate home coming (read as homecoming).  It was the high school's homecoming but for me that meant coming home! I was really excited to go home this past weekend because well, it had been a long time and I wanted to see Liv get to experience her first homecoming weekend.

My bags were packed and my dad was waiting for me back at my hall by the time I got out of class on Friday. We dealt with stupid traffic on the way, and by the time we got home, it was time to get over to the stadium to tailgate for the football game. I threw on a TR t-shirt and we were off again. I got to eat some chili, visit with parents, and then it was time for the game.

This year, the homecoming game was against Vista, our absolute biggest rivals. Honestly, I don't think I will ever hate CSU more than I hate Vista. I saw this thing on Twitter that a TR alum said and man was it true: "You grow up, you graduate, you go to college, you move on- but you never stop hating Vista". Amen! Anyways though, let's just say that our high school is having a bit of a growing year in football. They went from winning every game and being in the state semifinals toooo losing every game. Yikes. The thing is, Vista has never been good at football. In fact, we beat them 14 years in a row. But this year, they knew we were struggling and took advantage of the opportunity to come back and beat us. It was an extremely intense (I've never yelled and cheered so much!) and we were tied until the last 3 minutes, but then we lost possession of the ball and they scored one last touchdown:/ It was sad and disappointing but TR really showed such class in their defeat. I'm proud to be a forever Grizzly. Olivia performed wonderfully at the half time show though, I must add!

Proud Poms sister

 Later than evening, Isabel, Ains, Mack, Liv, and I went to Sonic, and then took over the town and had a ton of laughs. I love my sisters, biological and adopted. <3

The next day was the big day- Olivia's first high school dance. Personally, I loved every single high school dance and always had a blast (fun fact- senior year, I was going so hard on the dance floor that people thought I was drunk. I wasn't- I was just having the time of my life). My baby sister isn't a baby anymore! I helped her get all accessorized and couldn't help but laugh because she looked just like me at my freshman homecoming. She will tell you that she doesn't but I'm sure you'll think otherwise;)

Her best furry friend

Most of the girls she went with

Jumping pictures are never easy

These two have been best friends since birth

No words

Someone was sad she had to go inside

Pretty pretty poms

Hahahaha

Hmm, don't our dresses and hair look similar??

While she was dancing the night away, I got to see Riley!!! And Mackenzie!!! (wow we never get to see each other!!) We decided to hit up Sonic again but their slush machine was broken?!! This is the not the first time this has happened and good lord was I upset. The primary reason Mack and I go to Sonic is for the slushes! We were still craving something icy so we went to Taco Bell to get Baja Blast Freezes. We talked and then we went to spy on high schoolers leaving the dance. We were then invited to Village Inn by Isabel and Olivia so we sat and observed the homecoming groups there and then the five of us all talked and it was such fun.

We took a lot of selfies

Reliving the glory days;)

Early that next morning, Liv, Mom, and I did the Race for the Cure. We were up at the crack of dawn after two very late nights. However, breast cancer is a cause that I hold very close to my heart as my grandma fought it, as well as most of her sisters, and several other important women in my life. After the race, we got a yummy brunch at Egg & I and then went home to take naps. I ended up staying home pretty late and didn't get back to Boulder until 9:45. It was really hard to leave home this time because my favorite season (fall/winter/holidays) is starting and it was my mom that made me really love it all. She always made it very special with decorations, yummy treats, wonderful smelling candles and wall plug-ins, and an overall spirit. The first thing I did after she left (besides wipe away a few tears) was plug in my Autumn Wallflower. It's sort of like home, but nothing will ever replace the real deal.

I'm definitely still recovering from the busyness of it all but it was well worth the exhaustion. There truly is no place like home. :)

xo
Hannah