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I couldn't resist. This is too beautiful not to share...



The Wailin' Jennys - This Is Where

(Good music for studying and reading, yes?)

Busy Season

At UCLA, I'm entering 9th week. For anyone who is familiar with the quarter system, that means that it's getting down to the last 3ish weeks of classes/finals. And it is at this point where I traditionally take a technology hiatus (read: Facebook) until all of my finals are over. I ask a roomie or close friend to change my Facebook passwords until the last day of finals. After I'm all done, I get access to my account.

Tell me to use self control? This is what it looks like, people. I don't think of Facebook as a problem, but rather a distraction. And if I can rid of distractions... you know the drill.

Anyway, this post is just to explain my upcoming radio silence. I may/may not update as I see fit. But don't leave me if I'm not frequently posting. Deal? Okay.

And just to prove that I'm not completely heartless, I thought I'd give you guys a little video to take the edge off this post. This is currently what's stuck in my head. And honestly, it's a beautiful song. I consider it a good thing. Take a listen:



Bon Iver - Blindsided

Evernote

If you have an Apple computer, (and I suspect that many of you do)
there is a free software program that is ama-za-zing. I couldn't help but
post a review/recommendation. It's made my life so much easier. For
reals.

Evernote.

It's basically a note-taking and organizing program. As in, I
create text/video/photo/audio notes and it organizes it for me.
The big deal? It's free and I'm categorizing my plethora of
recipes on it. I can create notes from web clips, drag & drop
photos, and even sync from my iPhone. Another really
cool fact about this program is that it's all backed up online.
So if my hard drive ever decides to head south like it did at
the beginning of the year, I can re-download the program
and all my notes are 100% intact. Pretty awesome, right?

Unfortunately, the program isn't for PC's. But if you
have an Apple platform, it definitely is worth a look.

Check it out! Evernote.com

Monday Tunes

Laura Marling - New Romantic

Love the narrative vocal line. Like listening to a conversation and a song all in one.
And it certainly doesn't hurt that her voice is gorgeous. A very simple and delicate
song.

Food Poisoning

Yup. I got it. Not fun. Spent the day up in bed, with only some flat 7Up as my companion. I cancelled all my appointments and meetings, much to my chagrin. It's just not the most ideal situation, but I'm thanking the Lord in all circumstances.

You want the latest? This is it. Buh-mmer.
Hopefully, I'll be shipshape by Friday.
Join me in prayer, won't ya?

Waiting Game

These days, I feel like I'm caught in some sort of a holding pattern. Some decisions, big ones about my future, are coming up in April. In case you're new to my blog or don't know what I'm talking about, I applied to a job over in France for next year. It's a one year to two year teaching contract within the French school system. Basically, I'll be teaching English.

That being said, I find out if I am accepted into the program/job in April. I know that's around 8+ weeks until I get any sort of answer, but I'm still a little bit on edge. Once I know where I'll be next year, I can make some major decisions about next year, like if I remain in LA or plan a temporary move back home and then overseas. And I'll be really really honest, this decision has been the source of anxiety as I face the end of my time here at UCLA. I feel like there's so many loose ends that I have to tie up here, like leaving my church and friends.

The thought of not being at my church or with my friends out here does make me a little bit sad, but I know that if I'm relocated to France, that the Lord will provide bountifully for me. It's always an issue of faith, I think for me. At this point in my life, I have no control over what happens, as far as this program is concerned. This is a great opportunity for me to trust in the Lord and to lean on His sovereignty in my life. I mean, all that I really can do is live my life to please my Savior.

So please join me in prayer as I look for the future, that I will be wise and will not fall to anxiety or fear. Because fear takes from you, it steals your joy in Christ and makes the blessing of trust feel like a punishment.

Kate Spade

Okay, so I've really been into the stylings of the designer Kate Spade as of late. She has such a unique spin on things, with a little bit of '50's and '60's influence too. I just can't get enough of the sleek tailoring paired with beautiful fabrics and finishes. It's tasteful and grownup clothing for women that isn't frumpy or matronly. And let's be honest, I'm moving into a period of my life when shopping for Forever 21 isn't gonna cut it. As I enter the "adult" world (grad school, job, etc) I realize that my wardrobe needs to be functional, well tailored, and sophisticated.

All too often, I live in jeans, flip flops, and layered tee shirts. It's all well and good while I'm a college kid, but that phase isn't going to last forever. My wardrobe needs to follow. So I've just been inspired by Kate Spade's style as something that I want to try and emulate. I mean, I don't have the financial resources to afford her pieces, as they run around $300 - $400. But I'd like to take that inspiration that she provides and use it for when I buy new pieces of clothing.

Wanna take a look? I thought so...

How cute would this be with a cardigan and pearls?

What a chic dress! 

Visit the website for more!