a rambly rambling moment on a rainy day.

in 6 days, I will be on a plane to Chicago.

in 7 days and a few hours, I will be on a plane to Greece.

I may cry when we take off... and when we land. flying tends to make me emotional, what can I say? Bekah, if you're reading this, you have permission to laugh at me a little bit.

I haven't even officially started packing yet... I should get on that. though I did spend at least three hours in Target with my mom yesterday, so 95% percent of my shopping is doneso.

speaking of packing, I will be the first to admit that I am the worst procrastinator about it, but I make it happen because I'm actually super good at it.

this post is reminding me of my tumblr days, so I think a list is in order...

Things TUH DO before you leave to study abroad:

• acquire travel essentials-- go to my Grandparents' house to see what travel goodies they are letting me borrow, and get some euros, and my other grandparents' house to get the backpack my aunt and uncle are letting me borrow
• last minute Walmart trip 
• buy the perfect and quintessential travel journal and a glue stick 
• laundry
• figure out when the last time I see everyone will be... try not to miss saying bye to anyone... don't worry about it if that happens? yes. 
• make travel playlist! 
• pack essentials for the plane (hello, 17+ hours on a plane over two days) 
• PACK all the things 
• last hurrah with family and best buds- for me this comes in the form of a Saturday spent exploring in Vermont and a potential nostalgic trip to Water Country, yayuh. 
• blog, Facebook, instagram, and tell everyone about how excited I am 
• order pictures to take and decorate my walls
• finally finish last season of Amazing Race with dad and Ky? please.

this has been a rambling moment. cheers if you made it all the way through! 

[summer-grams]

My view// Walmart trips// lunch date// Hipster Abi// almost matchers// pretty birthday girl// 

#baldboyfriendprobs// giveaways// #wildernesswednesday part I// gluten free cooking magic// veggie taco lunch// birthday dinner for the Ky// 

homemade GF pizza// dinner date with Daddy// Disney VHS nights// insta-advert for chicks only small group// toes in the pool for the first time// #wildernesswednesday part II// 

veggie obsession// the girls// fave little bean of a cousin// VHS movie night the sequel// what...// little buddy's cute outfit choice//

[fourth of July weekend]---> bromance paparazzi// Zach being a weirdy// broken chair during the movie at the drive in// 5 minutes till show time// moosen in Maine on the fourth// Matt Nathanson at LL Bean//

good summer things + insta-lately

+ writing letters to missionary friends
+ swimming
+ ice cream and french fries under a colored umbrella
+ lazy mornings
+ a single marigold in a mug on my windowsill
+ seeing family
+ grilling
+ dinner date with my dad and lunch dates with Kylie
+ movie nights
+ fresh strawberries
+ walks
+ thunderstorms
+ picking out summer jams and playing them over and over again
+ flip flops
+ #wildernesswednesday

welcome, summer.

summer = 

slow mornings. slow enough that my family wakes me up at 10, thank goodness or I'd never get anything done.

big time adventures like camping on the beach, and small time adventures like a day trip to the outlets for Memorial Day sales or driving to a parking lot to watch fireworks.

NH. I missed it. driving around in cars, shopping trips, the casual jaunt to a waterfall, my home church, and my favorite people who live here.

...but dang, it is so QUIET.

lots of free time as I am still unemployed. God, what are we doing here? this is the time where I wait for him to give me other things to do, because he must be up to something.

kids! at Moody and in my life in Chicago, hanging with kiddos is a rare treat. here, and especially at my church, they are everywhere. let me say I just about cried walking into church the first Sunday and being attacked with hugs from like 8 of those cutie pies. I died.

making my room into home for the time being, laughing at the things that remind me of 12 year old me who designed this room. it's so pink... #nostalgia

blasting loud music all day and getting away with it because my family missed me... we'll see how long this lasts.

lots of cooking and chowing and snacking. yesterday I ate dessert twice.

summer rain.

those catch-up conversations.

feeding my current addiction to one tree hill... season 3 is crazy right now, people.

realizing that I kinda missed TV... I kinda didn't miss TV.

living in a land where people know what a cruller is and say wicked more than super.

a break from the stress (though it is the good kind) of schoolwork.

not taking a break from getting into the word, sitting under great teachers, and absorbing every little lesson God has to teach me in the moments I look to him, and even in those I don't.

the things that are happening: update post

Last week I packed up everything that I am not taking with me over the summer in just a few hours and shipped it off to Indiana, then over many many hours last week I packed everything that I had left in my room into a few under 50 lb. bags, cleaned up the dorm, and moved out of three north, room 314... SAD day, as it may be a while before I am about to live with those wonderful girls again.

I'm home! I made it through a whole year at Moody and the summer has begun. 

My dad got another degree and we celebrated with him at his graduation party last night. One more degree and he will make us call him Dr....

At the crack of dawn tomorrow, we (we = me, Ema, Kellyn, Zach, and Joseph) pack up the car and head out to Assateague Island in Maryland for a glorious five days of camping right on the beach! the original plan was Canada, but this will be just as fun, a little cheaper, and we won't have to sneak passport-less Ema back into the country.

Set Apart Girl conference! God has some good stuff in store for this one, and I can't wait to be a part of that.

Small groups. that's happening.

A job! I'm waiting on the Lord and some phone calls right now about this one. eep.

On July 29, I take a plane, the L, a Metra train, and a car to my friend Ellen's for a night, then a car and two planes to GREECE!!!! I am unbelievably excited about this. I will be challenged academically, completing each class in only 2 week modules. I will experience a million new things. I don't even know what God has to teach me, but he always exceeds expectations. And on top of it all, I am spending it with one of my best friends ever Bekah, one of my best buddies who I did not get to see enough this semester Ellen, and a bunch of other great people. It's just a dream come true, people! For real.

Spring Playlist {2013}

currently...

listening: to Bon Iver and car tires driving through the rainy streets outside

thinking: that I have homework to do after I type this up

smelling: perfume I put on at Sephora earlier, scones baking in the oven and peanut butter... typical.

wearing: my favorite cozy sweater from Gap, favorite jeans, and Ema's headband

dreaming: really weird things, lately...

loving: the weather in Chicago lately. 70 degree April days, sunshowers, and lightning = favorite.

[written 4/15, writing my posts in advance now like a champ]