[Ice skating: one of my favorite winter activities] This is my last “friday five” post from the United States until the end of May! I can’t believe in four short days I will be in Italy. As I was overwhelmed with the thought of packing for the next five months, I procrastinated until today to … Read more →

[Ice skating: one of my favorite winter activities]

This is my last “friday five” post from the United States until the end of May! I can’t believe in four short days I will be in Italy. As I was overwhelmed with the thought of packing for the next five months, I procrastinated until today to do any packing. I would like to say that it is just simply cruel to allow a girl only one 50-pound suitcase to fit her life in for a week, let alone five months! Let’s be real, that wasn’t going to happen. My shoes alone take up most of one suitcase. Needless to say, I will unfortunately be paying the extra fee to bring along another suitcase.

This week was full of fun surprises, such as the multiple cards and gifts I received in the mail from friends, wishing me good luck in Italy… or should I say “buona fortuna.” A few other highlights of my week include the “bon voyage” party my family threw for me and the cutest Victoria’s Secret luggage tags my sisters and mom bought for my trip.

Happy Friday!

[The sweetest card & gift from my friend Maggie]

[Bon Voyage party]

[VS luggage tags]

[My baby cousin, Ava, all bundled up]

2013 is the year of dreams coming true for me. Until I am actually sitting on the plane, about to take flight for Italy, I don’t believe it will sink in that I will be living out my dream for the next five months. I am so incredibly blessed and beyond lucky to have the … Read more →

2013 is the year of dreams coming true for me. Until I am actually sitting on the plane, about to take flight for Italy, I don’t believe it will sink in that I will be living out my dream for the next five months. I am so incredibly blessed and beyond lucky to have the opportunity to study abroad. As part of my New Year’s resolutions, I have promised myself to taste unfamiliar foods, travel to unique places, talk to new people and push myself far out of my comfort zone. I want to come back from Europe with no regrets.

New Year’s resolutions:

1. Let go & let God: learn to worry less & trust in Him more
2. Have courage: take risks, go on adventures, try new things
3. Work on patience: “not now” does not mean “not ever”
4. Less social media use: live life through my own experiences instead of through social media
5. Chase my dreams full heartily: go after what I want, no matter how far out of reach it may seem

Here are just a few of the things that I have to look forward to in 2013:

1. EUROPE (duh)
2. 21st birthday
3. Tay Swift Concert: RED Tour
4. Justin Bieber Concert: Believe Tour
5. Beginning of my senior year of college

Happy New Year! Make this year one to remember!

  [The cutest gift wrapping ever, by mom] From the Christmas Sunday church service, to the family parties, to waking up Christmas morning and cuddling with my mom on the couch, waiting for the rest of the family to wake up to open gifts, this Christmas meant so much to me. While the presents are … Read more →

[The cutest gift wrapping ever, by mom]

From the Christmas Sunday church service, to the family parties, to waking up Christmas morning and cuddling with my mom on the couch, waiting for the rest of the family to wake up to open gifts, this Christmas meant so much to me. While the presents are exciting and the dozens of Christmas cookies never disappoint, spending time with family is my absolute favorite part of the holidays. While everyone is always so busy with work, school and friends, Christmas always brings us together… if even just for a day!

This weekend I plan on spending time with my best friend, Olivia, who is visiting for the holidays from South Carolina. She leaves in a few short days and I am looking forward to spending some much needed time with her. Plans for ice skating, sledding and a game night are also in the works. I hope everyone is having a relaxing, fun winter break.

Happy Friday!

[Christmas rainboots]

[Sporting a few gifts I LOVE for Italy!]

[The biggest bow goes on the cutest present :*)]

[Liv and I at a Christmas party]

Happy Birthday, Jesus! “What if ribbons and bows didn’t mean a thing? Would the song still survive without five golden rings? Would you still wanna kiss without mistletoe? What would happen if God never let it snow? What would happen if Christmas carols told a lie? Tell me what would you find.. You’d see that … Read more →

[Pinterest inspired Christmas card making] This week was filled with nothing but holiday happiness. I have spent all of my free time on Christmas activities, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Sometimes I think I actually love the days leading up to the holidays more than the actual holiday. The days are … Read more →

[Pinterest inspired Christmas card making]

This week was filled with nothing but holiday happiness. I have spent all of my free time on Christmas activities, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Sometimes I think I actually love the days leading up to the holidays more than the actual holiday. The days are filled with such anticipation, excitement and love from family and friends. I just love everything involved with Christmas – from crafting Christmas cards for family and baking Christmas cookies with mom and grandma to wrapping presents and setting them under the tree. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend filled with nothing but love and holiday happiness. Make sure to take a moment to slow down, take a break from the insane rush involved with Christmas preparation and enjoy the small pleasures that come along with the holiday. I hope that everyone has an absolutely wonderful Christmas!

Happy Friday!

[Baking Christmas cookies with mom]

[Wrapping Christmas presents with pretty bows as a finishing touch]

[A favorite Christmas tradition: decorating gingerbread girls]

[Warming up from the winter storm with hot chocolate by the fire]

Study abroad checklist: Visit the Center for Global Education: Check! Choose a program: Check! Submit application: Check! Acceptance into program: Check! Apply for passport: Check! Apply for student visa: Check! Register for classes: Check! Fill out housing information: Check! Book flight: Check! Purchase adapters suitable for Europe: Check! Purchase a Skype number: Check! Make copies … Read more →

• Visit the Center for Global Education: Check!
• Choose a program: Check!
• Submit application: Check!
• Acceptance into program: Check!
• Apply for passport: Check!
• Apply for student visa: Check!
• Register for classes: Check!
• Fill out housing information: Check!
• Book flight: Check!
• Purchase adapters suitable for Europe: Check!
• Purchase a Skype number: Check!
• Make copies of visa, passport and all other documents: Check!

To-do list:

• Make doctors appointment for needed vaccinations
• Visit the bank to talk about banking overseas
• Purchase favorite snacks, breakfast bars, etc. for travel
• Purchase supply of favorite make up, hair products, etc.
• PACK! PACK! PACK!

There are exactly 20 days until I leave for Viterbo, Italy!

If you are planning on studying abroad, or even traveling on vacation or a family trip, it is extremely helpful to make a to-do list and check off things as you go. Creating a check list will help if you feel overwhelmed with all that you have to get done. I admit that along the way I became extremely anxious at times, such as when my visa did not arrive as promptly as promised, and when I had no idea how to go about applying for a passport, but in the end everything turned out fine. This is something I have to keep in mind while I am abroad. I am sure that everything will not happen exactly as I have planned. From the numerous flights to arrive at my destination, to all of my luggage, to the language barrier and everything else in between, something is bound to go wrong. However, I am learning that I must take a deep breath and know that everything is going to be OK!

This video is from the USAC (my study abroad program) website and I thought it would be fun to share with all of you what will be my new home for the next few months. I can’t believe it’s almost here!

[Going away surprise from the roommates] I came across a quote recently that said, “The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days waiting for better ones ahead.” In anticipation of future trips, events and plans, I am often guilty of wishing the days away. During the school year, I wish the week … Read more →

[Going away surprise from the roommates]

I came across a quote recently that said, “The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days waiting for better ones ahead.” In anticipation of future trips, events and plans, I am often guilty of wishing the days away. During the school year, I wish the week days away, looking forward to the weekend. When the weekend comes, I often wish away the days until the next break from school or until a trip home for a family get-together or girls’ night with my sisters.

While it is fun to have something to look forward to, and so important to set future goals and have excitement about achieving your dreams, be careful not to take the days you are living right now for granted. These next couple of weeks I am going to keep this in mind and cherish every moment spent with family and friends, instead of just seeing the days as a road block in the way of studying abroad. In a few months I will really miss the small things, such as the goodnight texts from my sister and the comfiness of my own bed, so I am going to do my best in remembering this quote and making every day count.

Happy Friday, everyone!

[Fun mornings babysitting]
[Our RED tour concert tickets finally came in the mail!]
[With Emily for one last girls' night out this semester]
[The cutest Christmas card from my Aunt, Uncle and baby cousin]

And that’s a wrap! Another semester is complete. One of the best feelings is the feeling you get after completing your last research paper, turning in your final project and walking out of the classroom after you have just taken the final exam you studied hours upon hours for. While it was a great semester … Read more →

And that’s a wrap! Another semester is complete. One of the best feelings is the feeling you get after completing your last research paper, turning in your final project and walking out of the classroom after you have just taken the final exam you studied hours upon hours for. While it was a great semester at Mount Union, I could not be more excited to forget about class work and celebrate the holidays with family and friends.

While it has now come to an end, I thought it would be fun to look back on some of my favorite memories from this semester at Mount Union.

1. Move-in day: I felt so grown up moving into a “big girl apartment” this semester and I am so thankful for my roommates.
2. Homecoming: A day complete with friends, tailgating, a photo booth and an exciting Purple Raiders’ football game.
3. Horseback riding: White chocolate pumpkin spice lattes, long car rides, fall leaves and horseback riding made for the perfect fall day.
4. Halloween party: Who doesn’t love Halloween-themed bingo and treats?
5. Chicago: Traveling to Chicago with fellow media students was the highlight of my semester!

I had a great fall semester at Mount Union and I hope when I return, for my senior year, I make just as many wonderful memories. Goodbye, Alliance!

What were your favorite memories from this semester? Feel free to leave comments below!

[Babysitting = broken headbands... but it's impossible to get mad at her!] Guys! It’s not only my last day of class for the semester, but my last day of class at Mount Union for my junior year! Today is also exactly ONE MONTH until I take flight to Italy! How exciting is that?! I thought … Read more →

[Babysitting = broken headbands... but it's impossible to get mad at her!]

Guys! It’s not only my last day of class for the semester, but my last day of class at Mount Union for my junior year! Today is also exactly ONE MONTH until I take flight to Italy! How exciting is that?! I thought I had so much time to prepare, but it came so fast. I have something to admit though… all of a sudden, I am unbelievably scared/nervous/worried/all of the above. I hate to say it, but I am getting cold feet! The thought of spending over four months away from home is really nerve-wracking. I am going to be in a completely new environment, surrounded by complete strangers who are speaking a language I am unfamiliar with.

However, whenever I start to go into mini-panic mode, I think about how much fun I am going to have while I am abroad. I am so lucky to have this opportunity. I spoke with one of my best friends, Megan, who studied abroad this past summer in France, and she assured me that she was feeling the exact same way leading up to the time that she left. She even promised that having my mom literally drag me through the terminal at the airport is OK, and that the hundreds of tears that are sure to flow on the plane ride over are not a bad thing.

Megan loved every second of her study abroad experience and said she would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I feel so much better knowing that these feelings are normal and that everyone gets a little bit scared sometimes.

This weekend I will be studying for finals (we’re in the homestretch!), attending a Christmas concert at church and squeezing in as much “hang-out time” as possible with friends at Mount Union, since I will not be seeing them until next year!

Have a great weekend. Happy Friday!

[Indulging in a cinnamon roll and iced chai tea latte breakfast]

[Fun Christmas shopping day with my sisters]

[Decorating the Christmas tree at home]

[The highlight of my week: the VS Fashion Show]

It was not until I attended the pre-departure study abroad orientation on campus that I realized how many Mount Union students are traveling abroad next semester! Including me, there is a total of 22 students studying abroad. Students will be traveling to Australia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Spain. Each … Read more →

It was not until I attended the pre-departure study abroad orientation on campus that I realized how many Mount Union students are traveling abroad next semester! Including me, there is a total of 22 students studying abroad. Students will be traveling to Australia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Spain. Each location varies drastically in what there is to see and do, and each student will have such a different experience while abroad.

I was curious to know what fellow study abroad participants were looking forward to most, so I reached out to a few students.

• Laura Mould (Ireland): “I’m really looking forward to being able to travel through Ireland and Europe and see many of the things that I’ve wanted to see my whole life. I’m really just looking forward to the experience in general, being able to say that I did it and got to be truly independent and on my own for a while!”
• Emily Stafford (Japan): “Japan’s culture and America’s is so very different. I am really excited to meet new people and see and try different things. It is a once in a lifetime chance to learn by living a new lifestyle. I hope that it will be a wonderful trip and that the experiences help me discover a new side of my life!”
• Rachel Toth (Germany): “The thing that I am most looking forward to is being able to be totally immersed in a new culture. I love traveling and trying different things, so this will be very exciting – and a little nerve wracking as well.”

When asked, past study abroad participants were more than willing to pass on helpful advice.

• Alyssa Greenwell (London): “Take advantage of every opportunity you are given while abroad. Travel to another country for the weekend. Try new foods. Experience the different cultures. Take risks. Studying abroad is one of the greatest experiences you will ever have so be sure to get everything you can out of it. It truly is the time of your life.”
• Megan Shadrach (France): “It is important to keep an open mind about everything you see and do, and be able to laugh at your mistakes!”
• Zak Suhar (Spain): “You might be afraid or anxious, but just know that studying abroad is a huge adventure. You may encounter struggles, confusion, sorrows and a lot of opportunities, but the most exciting things are the guarantees that are rewarded through travel. Just think how much you will grow and learn from this amazing experience.” (Zak is a fellow blogger. Check out his page here!)

What am I looking forward to most? I can’t wait to toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain in Rome and stand in front of the Eiffel Tower, for the first time, in Paris. I have dreamed of traveling to Europe since before I can remember, never believing I would ever be given the opportunity to do so. It feels so surreal that it is actually happening and I can’t wait to live out my dream.

The countdown continues: 35 more days!

Are you traveling abroad? If so, what are you looking forward to most? Do you have any advice for students studying abroad? Feel free to comment below!