Lately I've been writing a lot about graduation, moving, etc., but I haven't really talked about anything else. So, here's a quick update about my life!

Currently I'm....

  • Reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 
  • Playing Assassin
  • Watching Grey's Anatomy
  • Trying watercolor
  • Eating all the summer fruits that are coming into season!
  • Drinking tons and tons of water
  • Pinning lots of things about Europe 
  • Hating all the end of semester projects
  • Discovering how to use photoshop 
  • Enjoying the beautiful spring sunshine
  • Hoping for grad school acceptance letters!
  • Listening to John Legend
  • Finishing college
  • Starting grown-up life 
<div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-html="



" data-provider-name="YouTube">

I've been thinking a lot about plans (lack thereof). This isn't quite where I thought I would be at graduation. My life is not bad in anyway, just different. At the beginning of this experience I had a bad attitude; I was of the why-is-this-happening-to-me school of thought--not the way to go. Recently, though, I have realized that God is the Gardner and I'm ok with that. In His hands, my life will be happier, fuller, and much better than anything I can do on my own. 

But seriously, Jimmy, let's go to lunch or something. 

<div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-html="



" data-provider-name="YouTube">


Oh, to be in England now that April’s there.

— Robert Browning

Oh, England, you have stolen my heart and I wish I could be there in April! But, for three glorious weeks this summer I am going to explore as much of this country as possible. London and Oxford are definitely on the list, but I've been researching (as always) other possible day trips. Train in England are so cheap! The US should develop a train system like this. Still trying to narrow down where I want to go so weigh in if you have any thoughts!

With only a few weeks left to go to graduation I find that my life is a collection of lists:

  • Things to do before graduation
  • Items to pack
  • Things to do before Europe
  • Things to do before next fall
  • People to hang out with/say goodbye to
  • Restaurants to try
  • Books to sell
  • Papers to write
  • Projects to finish

My lists go on and on...I'm even making lists of lists! Having so many lists tends to stress some people out, but I love lists. There is something so satisfying about crossing an item off your list. Since I don't really run anymore, this is my runner's high. Making lists gives some sort of structure to my currently-loosely-structured world; lists put my mind at ease and gives me a sense of moving in some sort of direction. I'm probably going to look through my journals in forty years and just find an endless collection of lists with items scribbled off. You know what, though? The sight will make me happy. 

Yesterday I bought Photoshop. I'm slowly making my way through my Europe "To-Do" list and purchasing Photoshop was one of them. I finally have a sweet camera so I wanted a photo-editing software to match. So, please prepare for an onslaught of photos as I try to figure it out!

So I know it's a ways off, but packing to go to Europe is already stressing me out! Honestly, how do you pack for a six-week trip in one measly suitcase and a small carryon? I'm not Martha Stewart here, people! Normally I would throw in a few outfits that all kind of look the same and call it good, but that won't cut it this trip. My seminar at Oxford calls for business professional (blazers and all) for an entire two weeks! There is going to have to be major packing strategy involved..

For the vaca part of my trip though, I'm thinking tea length/maxi skirts. They're cute, easy to pack, and not too hot (Europe is looking at a major heat wave this summer!). Not only that, I was looking at pictures from Jerusalem recently and I'm wearing khakis in almost every shot--not exactly super attractive. The major bonus with skirts though is that you can fold them super small, which means I can have more than three non-Oxford outfits! Win win win!

This is my life and I love it. 

Remember how I'm applying to graduate school? The time has come for me to put together a portfolio. For some reason this is always the most stressful part. You'd think that it would be the personal essay portion, but it's not. I can usually string together some words that work. I enjoy writing so I don't mind the essay, but the portfolio--that's a whole different ball game. I can never seem to narrow down which pieces I want to use. Even now I am sorting through pictures, desperately trying to put together a package of images that represent my best work. Lucky for me, I live in the age of social media where I can get input from lots of different sources! So, which do you think should make the cut? Think National Geographic-esque.


Black and whites:

Colors:

Yesterday in Relief Society our teacher had each of us express something that made us happy. It didn't have to be anything large or extravagant, but something that could easily be overlooked by others. This made me think about all the things in this world that bring a smile to my face or that makes me realize how I blessed I really am.

  • Finding a gorgeous fabric
  • A new tube of toothpaste
  • Finishing an amazing book
  • The Golden Hour, especially if I have my camera on me
  • New stamps in my passport
  • A new haircut
  • The first signs of spring
  • A glorious hike
  • Warm weather and an open sunroof 
  • Clean sheets
  • Laying on the warm cement after a swim
  • The sound of waves crashing on the shore
  • Beautiful typography 
  • The last bowl of cereal in the bag
  • The first time I see my family when I get off the plane for break
  • The smell of baked goods at Aunt Kris's house
  • When a movie quote perfectly fits a situation
  • Quotes of any kind really 
  • Long road trips

My list could go on and on. There's so much to smile about in this world! Make your own list :) You'll be smiling for days. 

I love my sewing machine. I wish I had more time to spend using it, but I can't just make zillions of pillows for myself. I would run out of room...and fabric. To fill my creative void, I made heating pads this Saturday. Heating pads are so useful. Achey back? Heating pack. Cold toes? Heating pack. Don't want to get into bed because your sheets are cold? Heating pack. 

I didn't want to make just one so I made one for each of my roommates too. They're so easy! Here's what you'll need:

  • 1/2 yard of fabric (this makes five)
  • 5 cups of rice (for one)
  • Dried herbs (I used spearmint and lavender) 

First, cut the fabric into five long rectangles of equal width. Take one strip, fold it in half (hamburger-style) and iron a line into the fabric. This will make cutting the fabric so much easier. After cutting the fabric, place the two pieces together so the 'right' sides are facing each other. Sew these pieces together, leaving a small space on one side open to fill with the rice and herbs. Trim the extra fabric off the sides to remove some of the bulk. Turn this 'pillow' inside-out.

You're now ready to fill with rice! I mixed the herbs and rice together in my Pyrex glass before I put into my bag. A little bit of the herbs go a long way. I used a small spoonful of each and it's still pretty potent, so air on the light side. Fill the bag up about 3/4 of the way. After you're finished filling the bag, take a needle and thread and hand sew the small opening closed and you're done! Microwave anywhere from 3-5 minutes and you're good to go!

Worry me,

Worry my,

Worry, worry, worry,

...why?

It's official! I am going to Oslo! This whole trip to Oxford didn't seem real until I had actually bought a plane ticket. It just finally hit me yesterday: I am going to Europe! The first stop is going to be Norway. 

Just as with Amsterdam, I have been researching like crazy! I think that is all I did yesterday after I finished up all my "to-do" list things. There is so much in this city!! I love art and Oslo is just filled with little galleries and museums. There is a whole park of sculptures that you're allowed to climb all over. I've just started compiling a short list, but here's what I've got so far:

  • National Gallery 
  • Vigelandsparken
  • Det Kongelige Slott (the Royal Palace)
  • Oslo Cathedral (I'm a sucker for churches)
  • Sognsvann Lake
  • The Viking Ship Museum
  • Oscarhall Summer Palace
  • Botanical Garden
  • Frank Znort Quartet 
  • Oslo Theatre Museum 

Any other suggestions?


Oslo Link Love:

Amazing National Geographic article here.

 Great blog posts here and here.

Catchall post here.

© Angela Lopez 2014. Powered by Blogger.

Instagram