So adorable!

I have a new goal in life: to make cupcakes as cute as this.

Happiness Report

I haven't been good about blogging since I came down to College Station. It's kinda pathetic how often I say "I'm going to blog a lot more now!" and then I never do. So, you know what? I'm not even going to say that I'm going to blog a lot more. I'd like to, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it if I don't.

That's one thing I'm working on, not being so hard on myself about things. I've really noticed it since school started. I've been really busy with everything, school, One Love, Jon, training for the half-marathon... I often find myself getting upset over little things or being really hard on myself if I don't make it to the Rec to workout one day.

I started reading this book, The Happiness Project, and it's been a real eye-opener. The woman that writes it talks about how everyone's "happiness project" is different because what bothers people and what makes people happy is very different. Sometime soon I'm going to look at my life and make a list of what I need to work on and what I need to get rid of. I feel like I waste so much time worrying about things that don't even matter. Anytime I start to stress out about something, it (literally!) always works out. It's insane! So, I'm (trying) to worry less and enjoy more.

Another thing that I'm working on is fulling being there. What do I mean? When I'm with someone or doing something I want to really DO IT. I don't want to half do it and half text someone else or half be on Facebook or half be listening to my iPod. (now granted there are times when this is just unavoidable) I find myself feeling like I'm not giving Jon or my friends my full attention because my mind is worrying about everything I have to do later that day or weekend.

Solution?

Stay on top of things! I truly believe that this would eliminate about 80% of my worrying and problems in general. If I learned not to put too much off until the last second or to schedule too many things in one day I would be able to focus and be a lot happier.

You do know what makes me happy though? Lots of things :) French Toast with Jon, going dancing with my friends, cooking, baking Vegan desserts, my roadbike!, painting, reading, One Love!

I'll keep you updated on what else this book teaches me. It's pretty awesome so far!

http://www.happiness-project.com/

Morning Ritual

My morning ritual the past couple of weeks has been wake up, work out (or not if I plan on running later in the day), shower, and eat Chocolate Cheerios mixed with a bit of Special K Granola and almond milk. It sounds like a weird combination, but believe me ... it will change your life! (phrase borrowed from Jacee) Adding some sliced bananas adds some texture and a different taste.

All in all, cereal makes my mornings better.

Lust List

Scrappy!

I started scrapbooking again. It's pretty exciting! I had been wanting to for a while, but finally went and printed out a lot (108 to be exact) of pictures yesterday, bought some glue sticks, and got my scrapbook stuff out. This time I'm going to be simple, not feel the pressure to document EVERY SINGLE THING that I did the past year... unlike I did in my senior scrapbook. That's the thing, sometimes I just feel like I need to document everything or else I'll forget and then I feel guilty when I don't take a picture of something or write in my journal as much as I should.

*breathe*

I'm just going to let it go and do what I want to do, which is scrapbook! A simple, fun scrapbook of my summer.

A thought...

Last night I couldn't go to sleep.

It's so weird, since I got back from Italy I've been going to sleep at ten and waking up at eight. It's like my body doesn't know that it's back in Texas. Last night was different though. I was feeling very... anxious. I don't even know why, I just couldn't get comfortable emotionally.

I found myself blog hopping. I was looking at cooking blogs, fashion blogs, blogs devoted to cupcakes, shoes, vegan lunches, recycled crafts, and weddings. Before I knew it I had spent over an hour reading blogs about other peoples' lives. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking "Wow! I'd like to do something like that!" or "That skirt is too adorable for words!". But, it later got me thinking, instead of looking at all of these blogs and dreaming about doing something I should be out there actually doing it.

Just a thought... and something I'm going to work on.

lemon herb pasta

Apron on and spatula in hand, I've been cooking a lot lately. My mom said last night "Dad's proud of you for being so domestic". Oh Dad!

This pasta was pretty easy. I baked some broccoli, sugar snap peas, cauliflower with some garlic sea salt and olive oil. The sauce was olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and something else that I can't think of at the moment... anyway, it was delicious with some sweet potato fries. A perfect healthy meal when served with whole wheat penne pasta!

Italia Dreamin'

Italy

Ross and Stacey's wedding was May 25th in Barga, Italy. It was amazing! I liked the idea of having a small, simple wedding in a foreign country, but honestly wasn't sure how it would turn out. I was worried about some of the details, but Stacey was very laid back and definitely NOT a bridezilla.

She named me her "Wedding Consultant" of the day because I did little Maid of Honor-ish errands for her like steaming her dress and helping her get ready. However, I was really honored when she and Ross asked me a few days before the wedding to be their photographer. I've been doing a lot more photography lately and I really do love it. I like photographing everyday things at interesting angles and hadn't done very much with people as subjects. But, I think the pictures turned out well for my first time. I also made Stacey's bouquet (Team Flower! haha) with Janine. It was definitely a reminder of my Robert's Greenhouse days.

All in all I really loved helping. It is definitely making me consider if I'd like to do something with wedding planning when I grow up. I'm definitely into romance, decorations, dresses, flowers, and cake... so, it makes sense, right?

Italy was great though. I'm very glad that they decided to get married there. Barga was up in the mountains in Tuscany and was definitely not like Florence, Rome, or Venice that I visited two summers ago. It was very... Italian! There was no American influence and very few "tourist-y" things about it. Most people spoke only Italian and went about their routines oblivious to our presence.

However, the people that we did meet were really cool! At Casa Fontana, the bed and breakfast that we all stayed at, we sat in the garden every afternoon and chatted with other guests. We met people from Ireland, Scotland, San Franciso, New York City, and Houston! I really liked the homey feel of the B and B compared to normal hotels. From now on I'm definitely going to try and stay at one. It's almost the same price for a totally different experience.

I learned a lot about the Italian culture in the nine days that we were there. From coffee breaks to long lunches and scarves and skinny jeans, the Italians are definitely a breed of their own. I loved people watching!

One thing this trip taught me was to learn a language before you go to a foreign country. I can't tell you how many times there was a huge language gap goin' on between my dad and a waitress... oh well, we still got our pizzas!

Grocery Shopping

My parents are in town for the weekend and took me grocery shopping today. I got some fresh apples, bananas, and green beans, which I cannot WAIT to eat. Along with some new frozen wheat waffles, summer rolls (vegetarian spring rolls), and Pralinutta (my new obsession to replace Nutella).

I have come to the conclusion that grocery shopping is a lot more fun with my parents. Why? (this sounds super selfish and greedy, but every college kid is thinking it) Because they pay for it. It's nice to not have to add up everything in my head as I place it in my basket to make sure that it's within my grocery allowance for the month.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Collages

Jon and I have been dating for almost three months. Wow, time sure does fly! It seems like just yesterday we were making small talk at Muldoon's drinking chai tea and getting to know each other. We're definitely still getting to know each other, don't get me wrong. There are so many things that I'm still learning about him; every time that I learn something new I like him a little more.

In fact, the other day I got so tired of asking him to try something of mine at a restaurant that he didn't like that I asked him to make a list of foods that he likes and dislikes.

I was being serious.

Jon was not.

His "Do Not Like" list included "Tool bags with gel in their hair and sparkles on their shirts", "Roommates that walk in randomly", and "Alison in sweats" (which is an inside joke, don't worry, he's not a controlling Lifetime movie boyfriend).

His "Like" list included "Alison's cute dresses" (trying to make up for saying 'Alison in sweats') and other foods that he actually likes like biscuits, cinnamon rolls, rolls, bread, and french toast... I see a pattern here. This boy likes his carbs!

Anyway, for our three month "anniversary" or whatever you'd like to call it ('anniversary' makes me feel like we're old) I decided to make a collage for him out of pictures of us and lyrics from a song that reminds me of our relationship. I finished the collage today. All that I need is to cover it with hodge podge and then let it dry. I can't wait to see his face! I think he'll really love it. He's very good about liking my little projects and complimenting me on them. Jon gets that I'm creative and don't know what a logarithm is. I mean, that's what HE'S for... he's the Civil Engineer! All I need to know is how to add up groceries in my head at HEB and stay within a budget.

This has really gotten me in a collage mood... what else can I collage? Maybe I should start making collages like this for my friends for their birthdays and such! It's a pretty cheap gift that means a lot to people and can be displayed for years to come.

I used to collage the front of my notebooks and that always looked really cool. I may do that this summer for my classes in the Fall. Who knows, maybe that will motivate me to study a little more than I have been this semester... eh... I haven't been studying as much as I should be.

I talked to my mom about grades today, not that I'm doing bad (two A's and two B's) but just that sometimes I just don't feel like studying. I know that I should and I know that education is really important... I blame it on the sunshine, fun friends, and cute boyfriend. The End. (haha)

Recent Happenings

I'm sorry that I've been really bad about not blogging lately. This semester has been insane! By insane I mean kite flying, Sbisa cookie eating, rock climbing, sun bathing, star gazing, exploring, thrift store shopping craziness! Oh, I forgot studying... of course, my academics have been the top priority. ;)

There is just something about the spring that makes me want to go outside, put on my Ray Bans, and spend the rest of my life barefoot. I never realized until I came to A&M how little time I spent outdoors. Here I can't get enough of it. Every excuse that I can use to get outside I use with a smile.

"Oh, there's not enough light in here to ready my Ecology book. I need to go to the Grassy Knoll to read..."

And let me tell you about the most beautiful, perfect, amazing spot on campus... (do do do DOooOooO)... the Grassy Knoll! It is located in the middle of campus only a short skip away from most of my classes and Evan's Library. It has three rolling hills with a nice flat area for Frisbee throwing and kite flying. People start arriving around 10:30 AM and leave when the sun goes down. It is prime real estate for the sun loving Aggie. My friends and I go out there for naps and gossiping. One Love has picnics there every couple of weeks or so. All in all, it is a great escape from the ho hum of classes.

I will write more later, I am in my Agriculture Computer Applications class. Yep, switching my major to Recreation, Park and Tourism Science sure does have some perks! ;)

Living life with everything I have in me