Birthdays and Rainy days

              Yuck. Today is the kind of day that makes you want to stay in your pajamas (I am currently still in mine, but will sadly have to change soon for class at 6), drink hot cocoa, and watch movies—or if you’re like me and my roommates, Law and Order. But since this wet, dreary day is a Monday, most of us can’t do that. I guess I’ll settle for sitting in my pajamas drinking coffee, doing my readings, and writing my blog.

                Last week, however, the sun was shining, and we were celebrating Liz’s twentieth birthday. Tuesday, we had a yummy “family” dinner. I made coconut curried chicken and my favorite dessert, cupcakes. Then we went to College Humor Live on campus, which would have been hilarious if they changed it a little from last year, but who can complain about a free comedy show. And Thursday, we stopped by the SCSU/ AIC football game, which was nationally televised, a first for Southern (and also the most likely factor for the large attendance). Saturday, Kenz and I went hiking in Meriden with his sister, Jess; brother-in-law, Arnauld and mom, Ida. It felt amazing to get some fresh air. So it was a fun, busy week, topped off by a relaxing weekend at home.

                But today, it seems all I have to look forward to is a week of walking to class in the rain, writing too many papers, and reading dense novels written in the seventeenth century. How do you get over the rainy day blues?

Love, Annie

I absolutely love cupcakes! These are Pillsbury confetti cake with homemade frosting.

Liz after blowing out her candle...we do ghetto things like this in college. Hahaha.



Family dinner: Kenz, Liz and Lei.



Chaos, recover, repeat

                I nearly lost it last week. Like, Titanic lost it. Okay, I’m being melodramatic, but things have really been getting tough. Thursday, I had two papers due. Friday, my first Spanish test…and of course pounds of reading on top of everything. I tried my best not to procrastinate but still kept falling behind. I skipped going downtown on Thursday—my favorite night to go out—because I was just too drained. But by Friday afternoon, I felt as if the thundercloud above my head had completely evaporated.

The weekend was wonderful. Saturday I went to the driving range with my boyfriend, Mackenzie, and his sister and brother in law. That night, my parents came up to our apartment for dinner. Yesterday, Mackenzie and I slept in, went to the gym, and explored the flea market in West Haven. Beautiful weather and an all around nice time.

But today, I feel as if the thundercloud is back. The paper I have due tomorrow is nagging at my thoughts, but I am determined to stay ahead this week and enjoy some time to relax as well. Earlier today, I walked to Westville to take some pictures for my Photojournalism class, and stopped in a little café for a coffee and tried “Coconut Macaroon” flavor. Purely delightful. Now that I have cleared my head, caffeinated, and updated my blog, it’s paper time.

How do you slow things down when work gets overwhelming?



Exporing today. Love this outfit: so happy it's back to Fall layers again.



New Year's Resolutions

     For most adults, the new year begins on January first. For me, it starts on the first day of class. Every year is like another chance—to meet new people, get better grades, actually use your gym membership. Two weeks into classes, I’m trying to make good on my resolutions, some being those listed above and others include writing this blog, succeeding in my new major (English) and, oh yeah, enjoying myself! Well, I successfully wrote my first paper, and have been loving living with my friends in our new apartment. But my professors are already cranking up the juice, so it’s getting difficult to have those last two goals work in harmony.

     My final resolution for this semester is to be creative with my fashion choices, and to find my own style. This was challenging the past two weeks because of the lingering summer weather. I’m hoping scarves and boots can come into the picture soon! But for now, here’s my summery outfit that I wore on the first day of class (with my puppy, Monti, running out of the picture).

     For today, I’m catching up on some homework to lighten my load for next week and enjoying being in my hometown, Stratford. Until next week, what will you resolve to do this year?

Best,

Annie