Easter

HE IS RISEN!

"One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,

One day the stone rolled away from the door.

Then He arose, over death He had conquered

Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore!

Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him

From rising again!

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,

One day the skies with His glories will shine.

Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing,

My Savior, Jesus, is mine.

Living, He loved me,

Dying, He saved me,

Buried, He carried my sins far away.

Rising, He justified freely forever,

One day He’s coming

Oh glorious day, oh glorious day!"

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Matthew 28:1-10

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Easter!

xx

Reading

I've always gotten a lot of questions about how/why I read so much, and better late than never right?

So I've always loved to read and started reading pretty early, and I've just never remembered not reading. As I've gotten older, the books have simply gotten longer. I remember I when I read the The Thorn Birds for the first time, as well as Gone With The Wind and felt incredibly accomplished. I love long books because they tell great stories and I get lost in them so much more easily, but short books can do that too. Fiction is obviously my favorite, but I really like psychological and historical/military non fiction books as well, and of course biographies. My favorite authors include Pat Conroy, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Steve Coll, Mary Kay Andrews, Emily Giffin, Jodi Picoult, Corban Addison and Curtis Sittenfeld.

I always challenge myself to read 150 books a year, and for the past two years I've come up short. I think I might be able to do it this year, and right now I'm 8 books behind on my challenge, but I'm not too worried yet. I try to read for 45 minutes or an hour each day, because it's relaxing to me and I try to not stare at a screen right before I go to sleep. 

If I really don't like a book, I won't finish it. I try to make it at least 50 pages, but there are too many good books in the world to waste time on ones that really don't interest you. 

xx

A Day In The Life

So I've been really wanting to do this post for awhile, but blackberries were never conducive to on the go picture taking, so I now I have no excuse!

7:15 | wake up, dress, makeup, etc

7:40 | eat breakfast

7:51 | get in car :: i literally never manage to get in my car earlier than this time, not kidding

7:52-8:05 | commute to school :: my NPR session in the morning is one of my favorite times of the day

8:15 | chapel

8:30 | first cup of coffee!

8:35-10:10 | Study Hall

My schedule rotates around, and I have two study halls per day. I love having them in the morning together.

10:10 - 12:45 | Class

1:15 | lunch
PICTURE

1:45 - 3:25 | Class

4:00 | gym or spin class

7:00 | dinner 

7:30 - 10:30 | homework

10:30 | finish any other work, check blog post for the next day, pack bags, make snack for the next day

11:00 | in bed, reading or watching netflix

12:00 | sleep!

Do you follow a daily schedule? What is your routine like?

xx

SGG Video!

Welcome to The Smart Girls Group from The Smart Girls Group on Vimeo.

After I told you about SGG a few weeks ago, here it is in video form. Our next issue will be out April 7th!

Be smart, share smarts!

xx

What Royar Read: March

SO GOOD! Highly Recommend

A bunch of editorials in a book. I enjoyed it.

Not that great. Kind of skimmed it.

Not bad, but not life changing

Pretty good. Like the 10,000 hours chapter

Good! I've got one more Nicholas Sparks to read!

Very good. All girls should read this.

Interesting to read after taking psychology

So Quirky. So refreshing. Loved it.

LOVED.

Really really good. I want to know more about finance now.

Nothing I didn't know, but good nonetheless

What did you read in March?

xx

AP Exams

With April almost here, I've started to study for my last AP exams! My school lets us take them, but we don't take AP classes, or classes that teach about the test. My sophomore year I took the European exam and last year I took the US History exam. This year I'll be taking Psychology, US Government, English Language and Comparative Government. I really want to do well on them so I can get credit for when I go to school.

What I've learned from studying the past two years and this year:

1. Start early! I did not give myself enough time to study my sophomore year and I didn't do well as a result. It depends on the subject, but for most class it's a years worth of material on one test, so reviewing has been taking a while for me this year.

2. Get books or study guides. I love the REA Crash Course series and Barron's brand, personally.

3. Practice the essays for the history/english exams, because they can really help you if you do well on them.

4. I use Quizlet for everything, but some people do better just reading or just doing questions, it all depends on you.

Fellow high schoolers, are you taking any AP's this year and if so, how are you preparing??

xx

Boom, Accepted.

So Friday night I got some pretty amazing news, quite unexpectedly. I got home from the gym, super tired and really irritable, and I decided to randomly check my UGA admissions status before I went to dinner. 

As I clicked through everything, I was expecting a denial, or at least a wait-list.

I clicked "view" and immediately saw fireworks.

I got into Georgia!!!!!!

I'm officially 100%, 2/2. 

My high school experience has not been an easy one, and while I haven't always worked as hard as I should have, there were definite roadblocks that led me to thinking I would only get into Alabama. 

My acceptance is more than just a check mark to me. It's my proof and validation that if you work  really really really hard and believe in yourself, anything can and will happen. Good things happen to those who wait patiently and work hard day in and day out. 

But now I'm rethinking everything, and have a very hard decision to make in the next four weeks. I know you're all thinking that I was set on Alabama, and I was, because that's how much I didn't think I would get into UGA, so it was my way of softening the blow. Now I will be thinking everything through and listing lots of pros and cons. Right as I'm writing this, my head tells me UGA, but my heart tells me Alabama. 

When I visited Alabama, I felt like I was home and comfortable. When I visited UGA, I felt awed and challenged (see: that time I awkwardly cried on the tour). My brother and his friend have graciously offered to take me to an accepted students day in a few weeks to visit, just one more time. Maybe we'll even drive over to Tuscaloosa one more time

It's funny how life can completely change in an instant. This is going to be the hardest decision I'll probably make in my life, and I'm going to be sad because I'll be saying no to a great school either way. But then again, I'm extremely thankful that I'm being given the choice to make a decision about my college education. 

So now it's March 25th, and I have until May 1st, and I'm sure I'll change my mind many times over, etc etc, but regardless, I'm just thankful I look really good in red.

xx

Thought For The Week

This week I have a really big interview (for me, at least) and if I get it, it will significantly change  the rest of my year and summer. It's scary, and a little sad, because it will mean I'll be spending my summer behind a desk instead of on the lake, but it will also mean I'll be one step closer to my dream job. As I learned in spin class last week, nothing gets changed unless you challenge yourself, so push yourself in every area of your life.

xx

Warby Parker

While I have 20/15 vision, I have to wear glasses whenever I work on the computer or look at screens for a really long time. I'm getting ready to go back to the optometrist and of course I want new glasses. So enter Warby Parker. They're basically like Toms for glasses, and they're all super cool.

I've narrowed it down to five pairs to try on, and I'll post pictures once I get them!

The Preston

The Downing

The Chandler

Fillmore

Mallory

What do y'all think? Where do you get your glasses from?

xx

Friday Five

1. This is the first week in a long time that I've actually worked out all five days. There is no better feeling than going to bed each night knowing you gave each day your all.

2. Yesterday, I got to ask the trivia question for Politico's email, Huddle, the daily play by play of congressional news.

3. I finally went to Whole Foods last night for the first time, and I was in love with it as soon as I walked through the door. So much yummy looking food, so many good looking crunchy guys.

4. I've started to use Flipboard and Pocket on my iPad to read articles and my news at night right before I go to sleep and I love it! I'm going to miss google reader, but it did have some serious issues for me, and change is good!

5. The periods of sadness/happiness about graduating/leaving my school have been not as few and far between as they once were, and this week has definitely been the sad week, which is surprising because I have so much to look forward to in the next few weeks. Things I have cried over/teared up at this week include but are not limited to: english class, a song by Supertramp, a Go Michigan commercial, and the end of spin class. I've already realized I'll probably that girl who cries at graduation. Typical.

xx

Why I Run

Running soothes the soul | Whenever I'm upset, I go to the gym. I get on the treadmill, and surprisingly, whatever problems I had before I get on it are gone by the time 3 miles are done. It clears my mind and my soul. Oftentimes the 35 or so minutes I'm running are the only time I get completely to myself a day. Running takes me wherever I want or need to go that day. 

It makes me feel strong | There is no better feeling than a runner's high. Simple as that. The feeling that I get during the last few minutes of my runs while I'm pushing myself to get better are comparable to finishing my senior speech/getting into college/etc etc. For a few moments, nothing else in the world matters. 

I really, really, really like to eat | I'm still about 99% sure that I only actually make myself run because I like to fit into my clothes and that I feel better when I'm at my old "in season" weight. I also enjoy eating, a lot. Running allows me to continue to enjoy to eat.

I don't claim to be a super runner, and I don't know if I ever desire to run a marathon. Once upon a time, I used to be a 6:30 or 7 minute miler, and now I average about 9:30 or 10, but right now, I'm okay with that. I am where I am right now, and I'm still pushing myself to get better every day. And every day that I lace up my shoes and get out there and run, I do. 

xx

Skin & Makeup

I got an email a few weeks ago asking about my skincare routine. I've been seeing a dermatologist for about a year now, and so I'm on two antibiotics and two different lotions. I really like seeing her and it's important to take care of your skin. Otherwise, I use Cetaphil as face wash twice a day and the lotion as a moisturizer.

Makeup wise, I don't really have any loyalty to brands etc, but I like MAC mascara, and elf tinted moisturizer to give my face some color. I don't really wear makeup unless I wake up early enough to put it on, because to me sleep is more important than eye shadow, and I've never been all that into coordinating my makeup with my outfit. Besides, I'm too pale for most of my makeup right now, and I'd rather not look orange. One day though, I will learn to put it all on correctly and what everything is for, but for right now I'm fine sticking to the basics.

 I just did a spring cleaning of my bag, and threw out some old products, so I want to get some new things, what are y'all liking lately?

xx

J. Crew

Last weekend, I popped into J. Crew to try on a few things. While I only left with a new silk tank, I definitely have some things in mind to purchase in the next few weeks!

Ponte Swing Dress | Such a good fit and I love the color!

Liberty Stamp Mini | I didn't realize it came in a skirt pattern until I got home, and I love it more as a bottom than as a top!

Scattered Dot Shift Dress | Probably the only polka dots I would ever wear. Possible interview dress!

Scalloped Dress | Perfection in a dress. No words.

What are you loving a J. Crew this spring?

xx

The "Go Me" Gift

Next week, I have a big interview for a summer internship, and when if I nail it, I want to get myself something nice to mark the start of my big girl career.

The other day I realized that my Brooks Brothers wallet is kind of old. And not as pretty as it could be. I have a Vera card holder that I will use in college, and I might get a new Lilly one, but I need something nice and professional. 

Enter Kate Spade. I obvs love their clothes, but I really love their purses. They're professional, clean, and don't have labels stamped all over them. 

Here are my faves:

The other possibility is a new pair of sunglasses. I thought I was sold on the Ray Ban Cats, but I tried on a pair of Gucci glasses the other day at Nordies, and I'm in love. 

So now I need to keep my fingers crossed and keep prepping for my interview, but I think I have some good motivators.

What is your "go me" gift?

xx

Thought For The Week

xx

The Smart Girls Group

As I turned in my April article last night for SGG, I realized that I've never really posted about what we do or what I do.

I met Emily, our fearless leader, through blogging, then in China, then we both ended up at Mission Training last January together. While we were chatting, we talked about blogs we liked and disliked, and I remember she told me about her idea for The Smart Girls Group. Fast forward a few weeks, and I'm sitting on facebook, when she messaged me and after a few quick questions, she asked me to be the Political and International News columnist. 

I said yes, with pleasure, and I haven't really looked back since. It's been incredibly fun and rewarding for me, and the girls that I work with are amazing.

Quincy from the moving girl sums up all that we do the best: "We are an ever-growing community, thanks to our involvement guarantee. Anyone who is interested in joining can join! Some girls work on The Smart Girls Guide, a monthly online magazine. Then there's The Loop, where you can write posts as little or as often as you want. Our schedule goes so there's a blog post every morning and night and sometimes even one in the afternoon! Our Campus Smart Girls are college students who share the SGG message and even have blogs of their own. We even have internships available!"

I truly love my column and I love to write it every month, and I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I love writing it. Many people have asked me if I want to pursue journalism and writing, and honestly, I have no desire to do so. This is fun to me, and I want to keep it just that, something I get to do for fun.

I can't wait to continue working with SGG alongside the Alabama smart girls next year!

Be Smart, Share Smarts!

xx

Friday Five

1. As of today, I have one quarter and 42 days left of high school. When did that happen.

2. This week has actually felt like a month, and I have struggled through the past two days. When's Spring Break? Oh wait.

3. Lilly Pulitzer's new releases are calling my name. Excuse me while I go put my Visa in the freezer.

4. I got offered a two-week internship at a company I love here in Virginia through my school's alumni program, and I'm so excited to get started!

5. Since my new obsession with House of Cards, I've started to subscribe to Politico's morning emails. It's such a good way to start my day!

Happy Friday y'all!

xx

Work It Out: Clothing

I'm quite particular about my workout clothing, because I don't really buy a lot of it, and I want it to last. Comfort is also a huge factor, and I'm definitely not the girl at the gym who has the perfectly coordinated outfit.

So, without further ado,

Running Tops:: I'm really bad and wear regular tshirts/tank tops, but I also like Nike Shirts.

Sports Bras:: C9 from Target. I swear by them.

Running Shorts:: Norts. 

Socks:: I get Nike Calf socks as well as Asics socks from my running store.

Running Shoes:: Right now I'm running in the Brooks Ghost 5 and I love them. They're amazing. However, since I'm out of the stage of playing competitive sports and will just be using them for the gym and occasional run outside, I'm also looking at Nike Free's.

Leggings:: Lululemon Wunder Under. They are my new Tempo's.

Workout Tops:: I have some from Nike and a few from Target. You can't go wrong with a racerback and a cute color.

Where do you get your workout clothes?

xx

Kate Spade

So the other day I checked out Kate Spade's new arrivals. Bad move on my part.

Carmelita Wedge

Terry

Celina Dress

Petal Floral Sondra Dress

Striped Betsy Dress

Terri Dress

Cobble Hill Little Minka

As if their new arrivals weren't enough, their new line, Saturday debuts this month!

xx

France

I can't believe it's been a year since I went to France!

It was such a fun two weeks..oh what I'd do to be back!

xx