audaces fortuna iuvat

fortune favors the brave

Yesterday I took my last final of my first year of college. As much as I've complained about being here and counted down meticulously to these last few days, it really has gone much faster than I expected. My first semester was really difficult for me, and coming back for winter semester I just wanted it to be over. I really made no effort first semester to be social or make new friends because I was so tied down to my life in Lancaster and only counting down the days until Christmas. Although I was still counting down the days at the beginning of this semester, I tried a little harder to make new friends, and I can honestly say it made all the difference. I have tried to live the saying "fortune favors the brave" and hope to continue trying to live it. Because sometimes you have to do scary things for good things to happen, and for me this year, that scary thing was opening up and trying to meet new people.

I really adored my ward this semester and met some wonderful, genuine people that I will miss. Last Sunday was our final ward prayer and all of the guys wore their white shirts and ties and sang "We'll Bring the World His Truth." At EFY, every time we sang this and the boys joined in, I always lost it, and this time was no different. It was just weird because these guys really were leaving to bring the world His truth. At EFY it seemed like a distant event, but it hit me that all of the boys I met this year are really leaving to spread the gospel. It really was lovely.

I forced myself not to watch any of the new Glee episodes until after finals, so I was rewarded with two episodes last night. Wahoo! The show itself is delightfully cheesy and it's kind of silly but I love it. But one of my favorite parts? Emma Pillsbury's entire wardrobe. Literally the cutest clothes on network television. She always incorporates bows, ruffles or cardigans into every outfit and wears crazy colors but it all works. I love it. It's like cute sexy librarian (or guidance counselor).

My flight leaves tomorrow at 5. I love airports. Wahoo. THE END.

kyoot

we were stuck out in your car

you were rubbing both my hands, chewing on a candy bar

you said, "ain't this just like present, to be showing up like this"

as a moon waned to crescent, we started to kiss

and i said, "i know it well."

I can't sleep since I took a 2 and a half hour nap this afternoon. So I'm listening to Bon Iver and looking at pretty blogs. Things that I'm in love with as of this moment:1) Blood Bank- Bon Iver2) Kate Spade spreads3) Cute ruffled cropped bolero jackets4) Tea party dresses5) Crewcuts headbands6) Knockoff Sperrys (not the knockoff part, the pink laces part)7) Vintage swimsuits

happy easter

Happy Easter! I woke up this morning to snowy trees and it made me miss Lancaster even more. Apparently it's 75 degrees. Easter Sunday always meant mother-daughter ensembles to church, and I think I kind of miss them. Last Easter I was actually in Utah for a college visit. I wish I was home wearing matching outfits with my mom and sister, and eating Filipino food. 19 more days!

In addition to the holiday, this weekend was General Conference. I remember kind of dreading conference when I was younger because it meant 2 hours in the dark and no Primary. But I've come to love conference. I remember one year, I missed all the talks because of a dance competition and my dad taped the sessions. I stayed up until 1 or 2 in the morning (on a school night!) watching all four. This April's conference seemed to have the theme of strengthening homes and families. I felt like every other talk was emphasizing the importance of raising children in the gospel. My favorite talks/moments were Elder Holland's, Elder Foster's and when Elder Nelson winked at the congregation. Despite Holland's serious topic, he still managed to include humor and lovingly praise his wife, which is probably my favorite thing that the general authorities do in conference. I think my favorite quote from him was on temptation: "Don't welcome it with an open door and invite it in for tea and crumpets! You shouldn't be serving tea anyway."

My mom sent an Easter package this past Friday filled with treats and my latest obsession- dark chocolate covered pomegranates. How do you cover a pomegranate with chocolate?? And does anyone else feel like they're eating plastic when they eat Peeps? I mean, I do, but I enjoy it.

I have no desire no go to school for 2 more weeks and even less motivation to study for final exams. Like, ok, test us on what we've learned, but it shouldn't be worth as much as it is. Personally, I feel that a student's performance over an entire semester is a better indicator of how much they've learned and should be more important than their score on a single test.

Another reason to be excited for spring? Stella McCartney for Gapkids collection. I was obsessed with her Fall 2010 show, but I don't think I'll be able to wear anything from the fall runways for a while so I was thrilled to see her collaboration with Gap. My hopes of fitting into the size 10 in Crewcuts are long gone, but I think I can pull off an XXL in Gapkids. Maybe?

I feel like every designer should do a collaboration once in their career, because let's be honest, not all of their fans can dish out $1300 for a trench coat. So, um, Christopher Bailey... how about a collaboration with Gap? I mean, Stella McCartney did it, so you don't want to be outdone by a fellow Brit, am I right? Totes thinking $50 versions of the pastel knotted hemline dresses from SS10? K, lemme know. Love, Ynna.