Say Thank You

Good morning! Today is May 10th and also Mother's day. If you are reading this, that means you are alive. If you are alive, that means you have a mother who is responsible for that. Take some time today to say thank you to the wonderful woman who gave you life. 

Mom, 

Good morning! I just wanted to say thank you! You are, without a doubt, the most incredible person that I know. From the day you brought me home from the hospital and the 18 years, 10 months and 28 days since then you have done everything in your power to take care of me. I'm not quite sure if you realize just how much of myself is composed of pieces of you that I have picked up through the years. From the little things to the big things, I am your daughter through and through. 

Thank you for teaching me how to fold my towels. Thank you for showing me what good music is. Thank you for giving me an incredible work ethic. Thank you for my handwriting. Thank you for my green eyes. Thank you for the birthmark on my shoulder that you have too. Thank you for my obsessive organizational tendencies. Thank you for my love of tattoos and the crazy pain tolerance I have. Thank you for my love of farmers markets and Sunday at the antique malls. Thank you for showing me what its like to be an independent woman who can take care of herself. Thank you for showing me kindness and teaching me compassion for others. Thank you for showing me how to be a lady who can hold her own opinion. Thank you for my love of line-dried laundry. Thank you for all the motivation over the past 19 years. Thank you for the best 10th luau birthday ever. Thank you for my love of vinyl records. Thank you for my appreciation of good cake. Thank you for going to all of the football and basketball games to watch me cheer even though you hate all sports that aren't baseball. Thank you for my love of baseball. Thank you for loving my best friends as much as I do. Thank you for spending the day in Lucas Oil when I didn't actually get to perform. Thank you for my love of concerts and the ability  to appreciate live music. Thank you for my love of comics. Thank you for my obsessive TV show habits. Thank you for bringing home that first season of Gilmore. And of Veronica. And of Studio 60. And of Buffy. And of every other show that I have undoubtedly binged over the many years. Thank you for encouraging every endeavor of mine and for never telling me that I can't do something. Thank you for taking me to see my favorite band from backstage. Thank you for my love of new bedding and new dishes. Thank you for my hair color. Thank you for always being there for me and for being my mom!

Yours truly,
Shelby-dae

Rainy Daes

I woke up this morning to the boom of thunder, and nothing could have made me happier. With the beginning of spring comes the increase of thunder storms. Whilst my fellow classmates gripe and grumble and spit out disgruntled monosyllables towards the weather, I look to the sky and smile.

It is my opinion that those who are happy do not like the rain. Those who are fulfilled in their lives do not enjoy the rain, even though I have a hard time believing these people actually exist. And why should they like it? They see the rain as nothing but annoying weather that gets in the way of their day and dictates the way they dress.

But those of us who enjoy rain, we are a different kind of people. Are we unhappy? No, we just aren't fulfilled. We're the type of people who are always looking for more. More adventure. More love. More effort from others and from ourselves. More happiness. More excitement.  More knowledge. Just more.

I can't quite describe why the rain has the effect that it does on me. But I always get to pull out my favorite playlist, put in my headphones and hide behind my hood. Maybe it's the wonderful scent that fills the air, reminding me of just how simple things can be. Maybe its the way the earth opens up, welcoming the rain like an old friend coming home. Maybe its the way the rain creates a constant rhythm, relaxing me, calming the muscles I didn't know were tense.

In my opinion, those who are happy do not like the rain. And why would they?

Happy Birthday, Ella!

Good evening, my lovelies. Another beautiful day here in Oxford. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have had quite the productive weekend. I am covered in bruises from dance this morning, but then again, when aren't I covered in bruises from dance?

Yesterday was my little sister's birthday. She is now four years old. Wow! Four years old! Seems like just yesterday she was barely walking around on her own. Now not only does she walk, but she runs and jumps and dances. She's just about my favorite person, place or thing in the world. Watching her grow up will be on of the strangest and yet awesomest things. When I think about who I want to be and what I want to do, I think of her. I want her to be able to tell people how awesome her big sister is. 

Ella, darling,

You're young now, embrace that. Never worry about growing up. Time is unstoppable and therefore, growing up and growing old will happen without you even noticing it. Never apologize for being who you are. Those who care don't matter and those who matter don't care. One of the most difficult things to do is to accept yourself exactly as you are. And let me tell you little girl, the moment you do is the day that you're free. I love you with all my might, and I can list an endless string of people who feel the same way. Never. Ever forget that. And trust me, I will make it my life's mission to make sure that you never do. 

You have this spirit. This beautiful spirit that I hope never goes away. Much like I hope your blue eyes never go away. You have this amazing life ahead of you and I hope that you love every minute of it. Life gets scary. It gets dark and gloomy. But the best thing about it? There's a tomorrow. A tomorrow that is better. Please never forget that I and a long list of people really and truly love you. Happy birthday little girl, and many more to come.

XOXO

Staying Healthy in College

Good afternoon, my dearies! I don't know about where you are, but today was an absolutely beautiful day here in Oxford. It got into the low 60s and was sunny all day. It was pretty darn spectacular. You could tell, walking around campus that spirits were up. I generally like Wednesdays since I only have two classes, but today felt like the first real day of spring which really made me like today.

I thought I would take some time to share with you guys my healthy tips for college. Its very easy to snack in college, eat late at night, drink your calories and not make time for exercise. I thought I would give you guys and idea of what to do to stay healthy, certain things I do and things I probably should do. I'll divide them into categories to make it a little bit more organized, we all know how obsessive controlling I am.

Eating and Drinking

• Don't eat junk food: No, really. Keep off the junk food. The best way to avoid it? Don't keep it in your room. In fact, keep other foods in your room. Healthy things like string cheese and popcorn. Crackers and hummus. Fruit. Yogurt. Hard boiled eggs. 

• WATER: Lots and lots of it. Cold water burns more calories and personally, is my favorite.

• Snacking: Granola bars and protein bars are your best bet. Keep them in your bag incase you get hungry during class. 

• Drinking: Whilst drinking, don't drink empty calories. Just because you're sitting down with your friends for wings and nachos doesn't mean you need a beer. That's empty calories you don't need. And, when you do drink chase everything with water.

• Don't drink soda in excess: If you're going to drink soda at all, which I don't recommend, try to limit it to one a day. Also, balance that soda out with water. 

• Get friendly with the salad bar: Mix it up, try new salad ingredients. 

Exercise

• Walk to class: no, really. Walking to class is way more beneficial then you might think. And, if its nice out, then go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. 

• Use the gym: Your tuition includes a gym membership to your school rec center. Thankfully, our's is only a 5 minute walk from my dorm. Take advantage of that. After all, you're already paying for it. 

• Weave workouts into your week: Try to spend some time exercising on a regular basis. Tuesdays and Thursdays are my busy days, so obviously I don't make it to the rec on those days. I usually go on Saturday and Sunday mornings and I try to make it at least twice during the week. A reminder from Elle Woods that exercise is good and has serious benefits:

• Take a class: Find a yoga class, or Zumba, or pilaties. Something you know you'll enjoy that will get your blood moving and your heart rate up. 

Miscellaneous Things

• Don't drink and drive: You can't be healthy and happy if you're dead or in jail for someone else being dead.

• Stay positive: Its easier to be healthy when you're positive and happy. That's it. Plain and simple.

• Avoid stress: Let's cut the crap, college is stressful. However, try your best avoid that. Do what ever you've got to do to relax. Whether that's a Netflix binge, or a quick run outside, or sitting down with a book and some tea. Find your thing and enjoy it. 

• Sleep: As above, so here. Sleep isn't bountiful in college. Get it when you can, where you can. But try to make an attempt to get as many zzz's as possible.