Soiree Season

It is officially the month of party planning, as it is also birthday month!

My goodness, I don't think I'll ever get sick of writing out invitations, planning menus, picking the perfect decorations, and just gathering every every little detail for the perfect party.

Speaking of invitations, this year, I'm using Lilly Pulitzer 5x5s, and yes, they are as adorable as you would think.

As to be expected, I have planned much of this party with the help of the internet. Particularly, Pinterest. Which, admittedly, is a huge time-suck. However, if you are willing to do a little hunting, make sure you get some valid links, and really read a tutorial or two, I have found, there really are some great party-planning gems out there.

So, if you need me, I'll just be combing Pinterest, thrift shopping hopping for fun finds, finalizing my menu, and waiting on those RSVPs.

Friday Favorites

This week has been, without a doubt, the best week of my three years at Colby-Sawyer. I cannot say enough good things about the people and the experiences that I've have so loved this week.

It hasn't been all good all the time, but it has all been worth it, and the best part, it has all been so rewarding, and so promising.

So this week, my favorite is, well, this week.

The sun.

The people.

The good music.

The unforgettable memories.

All of it.

Sunshine selfies, because I can.

The sun, the green, the warmth, three ingredients to a perfect day.

Standing My Ground

A funny, sort of horrible, thing has happened to me in the last few weeks, and it does not really matter what it is, but more, what it has done for me.

I like to think, especially now, as I drive with full steam into adulthood, that I have a pretty good handle on who I am, and what I value. Occasionally of course, that comes into question. In these last two or so weeks, it has become very clear to me though, that while questions may arise, it only remains important that I stick to my guns.

After all, people can think whatever they want of me, and I haven't a single ounce of control over it. I am though, completely in control of what I think of me, and who and what I put value on in my own life.

And while this is all very metaphorical, philosophical, and borderline sappy-pappy, I truly believe that if you haven't a clue who you are, what you stand for, or equally importantly, what you won't stand for,  you are going to get stomped on and dragged through every bit of mud.

It's not simple. Certainly not. But if nothing else, this...ordeal, so to speak, has taught me it is completely worth the struggle. It is completely worth those mental pulls and tugs, to get to a point where you are completely able to stand on your own two feet, and moreover, remain standing in a storm.

May-Hem

It is the month of May. So, it is the month of birthdays, graduations, new jobs, and summer.

I'm trying very hard to be wholly excited for all of those things.

Birthdays: that is easy. After all, I'll celebrate just about anything with a good party. Which is great, as I've got about a dozen birthdays to celebrate this month.

Graduation: well, of course I wish it was mine as well. But I could not possibly be more proud of my amazingly talented and capable friends that are graduating.

New jobs: I suppose I will not end up planning parties and events all summer, taking on the dream job a year or so early, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Summer: oh, summer. With sunshine, and tan-lines, good books, and great friends, I could not love a season more. Vermont is one of the most beautiful places in the summer, and whatever may come, or go, for that matter, I know summer in my home state is a summer worth being excited for.

Sticking Around

I still have a year left of school, but all of my friends are seniors right now.

So they are graduating, in less than two weeks.

In less than two weeks my friends are going to go start their lives and I will go home for the summer, and return here, to school in the fall.

I would like to be very mature about this whole thing and say it is bittersweet. But quite frankly, it is far more bitter than sweet. Sure, I am so happy for them. So happy that they have come so far, have been so successful. But what a bitter pill it is to swallow, knowing all your friends are in a very simple sense, leaving you behind.

Yes, I'll be sticking around. For another year, another two semesters. I know I'll see them, surely.

It is hard though not to feel like the kid sister being left behind while everyone else goes off to do something fun.

Good Big Hearts

It has always been abundantly clear to me that the people of Montpelier are good people. They have good hearts - big hearts, that do good things. They mean well, they want the best for each other.

Being in Montpelier, it is like constantly being around a good neighbor.

Maybe that is all a little biassed. Okay, it is.

But here's the best part, there are endless, real, honest, examples of these people doing and being good. It's a community that continuously comes together. To help and be there for others, no matter what.

And as much as I need to leave this part of the country, and do something big with my life, that is something I will always miss, and hold on to.

When bad things happen to the people of Montpelier, and the people that they love, they respond in a big way.

In a big, awesome, we-love-you, and are-here-for-you way. I've been seeing a lot of that in the last three years, maybe more so because I am away. But damn if I don't love me some good small town community loving.

So, when it hurts a lot. You're hurting, or someone in Montpelier is, family or individual, I know these people will help in any way that they can.

I know even when it sucks, they are gonna be there with a smile, and a "How can I help?"






With all of that said, here's something on Sam, and something from Macklemore...yeah, talk about good people coming together to help. Especially for someone who so deserves it.

Going to be Going Places

When it becomes particularly difficult, or painful, to be here. I think about where I'll be going when I'm done. When all of this is over, in just about a year.

I think about the fact that really, I could go anywhere. Anywhere that I want. And that is where I can be. That is where I can live, and work, and learn, and just be.

That helps, a lot.

Because at this point, though I am narrowing it down, it does not really matter where that will be. It just matters that it won't be here. I won't be here. I won't be in school. And I will have every opportunity...to be happy, where ever I am.

So I keep looking, looking into where I want to go, into where I want to be. And I keep it in my sights. I keep remembering that it is just around the corner.

That helps, a lot.