Bittersweet

I didn't actually get to fly on this bad boy- but it was pretty cool to look out the window in the sea-tac airport to see this!

I just returned "home" to my dorm room in Pullman, Washington- a Junior/Senior at WSU studying Pharmacy. While I was happy to come back into my routine, I think this might be one of the sadder returns I've had. In the last couple years, coming back home (real home) has been a bit of a stressful time. Between returning to my parents house and trying to balance visiting and work and play, it always seemed so nice when I got to return to my cozy little room, away from the drama that comes with any family. This last Christmas break however, seemed so low key and was refreshingly drama-free, despite a couple bumps, it was a wonderful trip. So, of course, this time I was extra sad when I returned back to school. It doesn't help that I know the next time I will get to cuddle my puppies or my mommy will be in the month of May as I'm not coming home for spring break. Spring semester is always a bit glum, what with the slump after the holidays, the dark weather, and the misconceptions about how warm it really is outside (its always windy here...), and now I just know it's going to be a long one!

The first day of class was today and this was the weather we had:

Doesn't look like much- but in the bipolar Washington weather it was windy and snowing and by early afternoon it was all slush and was "raining" snow from the trees as it all melted. There's still some on the ground of course, but man- not fun in the early morning when nothing is plowed and you have to hike all the way across campus for an 8 am unnecessary music course (don't even ask). 

While it's been a bit boring here with no homework or studying (or puzzles) to do- I know it's gonna kick up next week! Plus it's my 21st birthday tomorrow! Woot.... It doesn't seem quite as special when you're not around family but instead in class surrounded by soggy strangers. 

I was lucky enough to have a little birthday dinner with family before I left home and had my favorite birthday dish ever- Taco ring!

And of course some yummy mint ice-cream cake!

So, I guess I shouldn't be too sad- as I know good things are coming and someday I'll have my own little doggie (I really do miss them).

Happy January all!

December 2012 Birchbox

Happy January!

My sister and I recently subscribed to this wonderful little site called Birchbox.
Here's what it is:
You pay $10 per month and in return they send you an adorable box full of mid-size beauty samples, each month they send out ten different variations of boxes so everyone gets something a little different. So I've decided to make a post each month displaying the samples I got in that months box! Yes, I know it's January, but I didn't get back to school from Christmas break until Yesterday and my box arrived during break. So here goes!

My Box contained:

29 Cosmetics: 29 Preserves Skin Care Collection-

ModelCo: FIBRE LASHXTEND Lengthening Mascara-

Nicole Richie Fragrances: Nicole by Nicole Richie-

Number 4: Clarifying Shampoo-

La Fresh: Eco-Beauty Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover-

$50 off on RENTTHERUNWAY.com

So far, I have only actually used the nail polish remover, as my morning was quite rushed today. But I have heard good reviews on the shampoo and the skin care collection (here- my sister got one in her box).

La Fresh: Nail Polish Remover: 

Although I'm sure this is only because the nail polish remover was acetone-free and healthy and all that, plus I'm used to the heavy duty stuff- it didn't impress me. It almost felt dry right when I opened it and it didn't feel like it was working all that well. Although I must say that it smelled lovely (like oranges) and didn't leave a nasty chemical smell at all (probably because there was no acetone- duh- but still). 

ModelCo: Lengthening Mascara:

While like I said above, I have not used this yet, I can't help but LOVE the little mirror on the side! So cute!

I know that wasn't the greatest review of my box but I'm looking forward to doing a bit more blogging and getting more boxes!

-Beka

Soundtracks

Just a quick update blog. As I've been studying for finals and finishing up last assignments I've found myself making new playlists and listening to lots of music to kind of soften the whirlwind. So as I looked at the music I'd put together I realized how much of it was from movies or TV shows* and thought I 'd share some of my favorites :)

TV show favs: (okay I guess there's only one-but they seriously have some good music)
Gossip Girl (who couldn't include this one)
     Specific favorites: - Three Wishes - The Pierces
                                 - Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John

Movies:

Tangled
    Specific fav:           -I See the Light - Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi

Cold Mountain
   Okay all of the songs but the ones by the Sacred Harp Singers are especially cool

Twilight Movies (I know, but there's actually good music- and no matter what I still like the books...)
    Specific favorites:   - A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
                                  - Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine
                                  - My Love - Sia
                                  - Clair de Lune -Debussy
                               

The Hunger Games (at first I didn't like any of the songs but then saw this video, and I changed my mind)
   Specific favorites:  
                                 - Safe & Sound - Taylor Swift feat. the Civil Wars (also love them atm)
                                 - Tomorrow Will be Kinder - The Secret Sisters
                                 - Come Away to the Water - Maroon 5
                                 - Eyes Open - Taylor Swift

Also this cd full of piano soundtrack music that my sister Whitney and I always listened to, that I love <3 <3
            "Cinema Performed on Piano"- James Patrick Dunne, Ron Merritt and Dan Troxell
                  Favorites: - Somewhere in Time
                                  - Forrest Gump Suite
                                  - On Golden Pond
                                  - When I Fall in Love
                                  - John Dunbar Theme



Just thought I'd share a little bit of what I've been listening to ! Plus needed a little break :P

* Obviously I know these aren't only  from the movie/show

-Beka
 

Kony, Facebook, and Time

First, yes I am going "jump on the band wagon" and post about Kony 2012.

If you have not seen the viral video you can watch it here, but if you are even somewhat connected to the world, I 'm guessing you've seen it.

I gotta admit I was pretty touched by the video, and think the cause is a good one. So I was pretty shocked when I saw all the negativity it sparked on places like facebook and youtube videos (which had nothing to do with Kony 2012, someone had just started a comment war). I couldn't believe people wouldn't support something like this, though I can see how it's controversial.
People posted links showing how not all the donations went directly to the fund, but instead to things like transportation and compensation. Others posted how "people are JUST NOW caring? This is old news, and I honestly don't care about some crack pot youtube video maker" (real quote).

Now, I believe this is taking it a little far. People claiming that those "jumping on the Kony bandwagon" are dumb, don't even realize they've jumped on one as well. The hater band wagon (yes hater), some people always need to have a negative approach to things, and I'm sorry but that just gets old.
While I believe that money in charities should be going to the cause, I think it's also important to remember if there weren't people who could carry out the aid and be there in the thick of the cause, there wouldn't be one. So without some of the money going towards compensation or travel costs, there could not be a charity at all. If you've ever participated in charity or volunteer work, you would know the crazy amount of work, paperwork, organization, etc. that goes into even small project. Just something to consider.

This brings me to the subject of facebook. I was pretty amazed to see how fast Kony 2012 spread, and it was all due to facebook, to the passing of information in seconds across thousands of miles. Looking at how gloablized our world has become, it's pretty frightening. On that note, I also think people should be careful of how they say things and what they post on this monster of facebook. I have recently read comments and status updates on facebook saying things like "f the civilians they want to send us overseas to deal with something that isnt our problem. just f them." That is absolutely ridiculous. So, just a reminder to people who rage on facebook. Don't. Because it just makes you look bad, period.

Anyways, enough of all that.
I have one day of class, one weekend, and then I will be in Seattle squeezing my nephew and hanging out in the sun eating good food, and having fun!
I cannot wait!!!!

<3

Caution! They're addicting...

Muddy Buddies

Ingredients-

9 Cups Chex (any kind)

1 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter

1/4 Cup butter or marg.

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 1/2 Cup powdered sugar

Recipe-

1. Microwave chocolate chips, PB, and butter uncovered on high for 1 minute. Then stir. Microwave for 30 more seconds or until smooth. 

2. Stir in vanilla

3. Pour mixture over cereal in a large bowl, stir until evenly coated

4. Pour into a 2-gallon resealable bag.

5. Add powdered sugar and shake well until all are coated. 

6. Spread on wax paper

7. ENJOY!!!

OR

You can be an ultra lazy college student like me and buy it premade in the little bags.

Either way, this is a must must must have! But make sure you make enough, it's addicting ;)

Hooks and Needles

I learned how to knit from my 1-2 grade teacher Cheryl Hilmes. We got to pick two colors of yarn and two colors of clay (I made mine match of course) and made our own wooden needles with clay toppers, then proceeded to make these awesome square hats with tassels on top. Honestly you can't get cooler than that, but I didn't knit again until a couple years ago when I decided to make my boyfriend some mittens out of this lovely gray and white yarn my sister spun. I only ended up making one (and still haven't finished the other one). What a nice girlfriend I am right? Anyways, despite my lack of diligence in starting and finishing projects I recently tried picking up crochet again, which until a couple weeks ago I only knew how to make long long loong chains. I have now made 4 headbands, am on my fifth and am about to try and make my newest nephew a baby blanket. So I don't know what changed but I love love finishing a project, especially one that takes only 2 hours max from start to finish. If you didn't see my last post here's a picture of my "works" so far.

 

I am still a beginner, with only a couple types of stitches down, but soon I hope to make some cute little amigurumi, which if you don't know what those are go here. Can't wait to see where else this takes me!

<3

New Toys

In a few weeks it will be Spring Break and I will be heading over to the West side to see my sister and her family in Seattle and I cannot WAIT because this means not only will I get to see Whitney and Steve, I will get to meet their first baby boy and my newest nephew Riggs William Harness (who you can see more about here http://riggs366.blogspot.com/).
So as I was thinking about all the fun things we were going to be doing and how I couldn't wait, I remembered my camera. While it's not horrible, it is definitely old, chunky, and in need of a replacement. So, I went ahead and (with some advice) got the Canon ELPH 300 HS Powershot point and shoot digital camera. I do not claim to be any great photographer, or even good, but I am so happy to finally have something that can take some good pictures for me!
I thought it would be fun to experiment with it now and learn how to use it fully before going on my little vacay in March. So I took a few pictures of some of the things I love in my room <3
Enjoy!

Skype Time with Riggsy

New notebook (see last post!), m&ms and V8- what better!?

Theodore mean muggin me

WSU!!!!!!! and pink <3

* After some Zumba *

My newest love, will post on this some more later...

Have always loved piggy banks and love notes from my love<3

If you know me well, you know how important this "rag" aka my blankie is to me

Hope you liked the pics, I love love love the camera, so fun AND easy.

<333