A Little Monday Motivation

Ya know,
      There's a line from a Rise Against song that goes "It's how we survive that makes us who we are." Philosophical fallacies concerning the substance of the human person aside, it makes a good point: you are not your pains and circumstances, you are not what the people who have hurt you have deemed, you are yourself and you have the ability to fight and redirect your future. 
       Human nature is beautifully resilient. Pain can shape us instead of destroy us, loss can motivate rather than crush, and anger can do more than burn internally, it can propel forward motion. From hurt we can create things of merit and shape our future. We can push past the classical conditioning of running from pain and battle it till we conquer.
        This strength doesn't always manifest itself in a dramatic scene of power. It can be in forcing a smile and a kind word while being smothered by depression; opening a guarded heart, sharing a piercing thought, putting effort into your image and your work despite the pounding voice in your head that "You are not worth it. You'll never amount to anything." The silent battle is often the hardest because it is fought alone. Never give up, keep fighting forward. You are resilient. 

with love,

Liz

pizza & anti-formal

Friday was night was spring formal. So how do I spend the night? Melissa, pizza, cookies, and Tyler Perry movies :) It was absolutely wonderful.

And yes. All food was consumed.

YUM YUM YUM

Good bad-for-you-food, good people, are tear jerking yet hilarious movies really makes for a good Friday night -- especially in contrast to formal. Ew formal :P

Anyway, the semester is winding down and the end is so, so near. UGH SO CLOSE. It will be okay. It will fly by and the summer will be good. Everything will be alright. And I am so very happy to have such wonderful company in my life. Yay God for allll the gifts :P

with love,

Liz

procrastination

So it's Easter Sunday and I have a huge paper due on Tuesday that I haven't even begun to write... heh. How do I make studying less awful on a beautiful April day?

1.) Go out side. I'm currently on my second floor porch at a table listening to the Indians game my mom is blasting as she rakes the yard.

2.) Add a good drink. In this case that means a "sparkling cherry lime" Arizona. yummy. 

3.) Comfy clothes. New 216 shirt and sweats :)

4.) NAIL POLISH. Minted & Charismatic by Revlon.

5.) And I mean... I guuueesss I need those study materials...

6.) Now do work, son.

Have a wonderful, blessed Easter.

Surexit Christus!

with love,

Liz

home for Easter

Hello! So I've been home this whole weekend for Easter break. Here is what has been going on:

1.) On Thursday I got to witness my long time friend Vinny receive his first ever Holy Communion at a beautiful high mass. Somebody caught a photo!

2.) I've been hitting up my favorite coffee shop where the baristas, clad in Indians merch (which just adds to their good looks :P ), discuss the Tribe as they pour my coffee and plate my scone. I love it.

Clearly, much studying was accomplished:

3.) I feel so much more productive at home. Driving from place to place, running my mother's errands, transporting my brother, and the like somehow make me feel semi on top of my life. For example, our french press broke so -- me to the rescue -- found a new one. TIP: If you need a french press go to T.J. Max or Marshall's. You'll save about 25 bucks.

BROKEN, NEW, JOY.

4.) FOOD. Melissa and I were talking about how people tend to eat healthier when they go home. Certainly proves true for me -- hence breakfast this morning:

5.) I also decided to take selflies for Melissa :P

6.) Exploring Cleveland with the newly Catholic Vinny. DUDE. I had never been to a vegan restaurant  but Vinny took me to The Flaming Ice Cube (<--- suuuper artsy name, right?) IT WAS SO SO GOOD. He also ran into a friend who worked there who he had met at a drum circle -- she rejected my handshake and hugged me. Aight. :P

7.) Also in Cleveland we went to the Cleveland Clothing Company where I bought Molly and me matching T-shirts :) #dorks. They're a beautiful teal color.... and say (216). REPPIN THE 216, YO :P

8.) Going to the Lake Erie Coffee Co. and chatting with the baristas who were HILARIOUS and such sweet people.

9.) Dinner with Terry. Good friend, good food, YAY.

10.) General family chill time.

I'm feeling somewhat refreshed and am ready to return to school, do these tests and papers, and be home ffffrrrrreeeeeeeee!!

with love,

Liz

packages

First let me show off a package I got from my mother the other day:

A sweet card & yummy granola bars. YAY!

*My hair is almost long enough to go headband-free! ...almost :P

*COFFEE, COFFEE, COFFEE

* And random compliments from the barista.

*The weather is warming up, softball season almost done, and classes near the end.

*I am getting a better grip on what I'm going with my life next year.

hi! I have no eyes!

*I love that feeling after a good work out (or series of softball games) when my body is shot and I feel that I've earned my rest.

* HOOKA. I went for the first time last friday and it was so incredibly relaxing and fun.

with love,

Liz