DIY Queen and the Weekly Reads

Lately, I've been a bit more selfish about things that I like to do. For example, reading and DIY. DIY is things are so fun to do. I have been making more masks from ingredients that I have at home and smoothies too! I made a really good kale/spinach/banana/lemon juice/yogurt/water smoothie tonight and it was fabulous. The two books I've been reading this past week are You are a Badass by Jen Sincero and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. Each book is for a different reason.

• You are a Badass is to help me figure my life out, basically to help me figure out what my life's purpose is. I've been doing some of the exercises in the book so far to help me figure out my conscious and subconscious mindsets. I guess you could say that it helps me embrace the 100% of potential I am when I am only channeling 45% of it each day. If I want the life I want, I need to work hard and use the entire amount of awesomeness that I have inside of me. I need to not be lazy and get down in the nitty gritty of the work in order to get to the rank I want.

• Harry Potter is just a fun read and a challenge I have for myself, which is to finish the series this year. It has so far taken me almost one year to finish the first three books. I am a huge Harry Potter nerd and reading the books has been interesting because there are parts of the books that aren't in the movies and vice versa. I long to go to Harry Potter World one day and be immersed in Hogwarts and everything. I love the movies and it has made me want to read the books, especially since the books are now giant picture books!

The Week Ahead

Outside my window... It's cloudy!

I am thinking... That I need to think of more ways to save money and make staying in more appealing.

I am thankful for... Everything and everyone around me.

From the kitchen... I am having some waffles for breakfast.

I am hearing... My computer keys clicking as I type and the tv playing.

I am watching... New Girl. 

Always one of my favorite things... To spend time with friends.

I am reading... Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban and my textbooks.

I am making... Nothing.

I am writing... This blog post.

All the plans I have for this week... I work at St. Paul's every day and nanny. I have a job interview today, so wish me luck!!

MudLynn Update... MudLynn is doing wonderful! She is on Dasaquin and Proin and now on some Omega chews every day to help her stay fit and healthy. She spent the weekend with me house sitting and I can tell that she is happy to be back in her house again.

Life Update... I am starting to have more and more doubts about becoming a teacher. Part of me thinks I really should pursue fashion. I don't know. We'll see. I'm still having a ton of mixed feelings.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone. It wasn't very eventful here in Bellingham as far as Easter celebrations. I spent my morning at the barn cleaning paddocks for Suzy and having some good old barn time. Suzy was impressed with how fast I cleaned the paddocks.

Don't we look like a cute family?! 

Suzy taught me some tricks to help Ginger and I gotta say, I am so implementing them into my routine when I come out to ride her more often. She taught me some massage techniques, stretches for her front legs, how to tell between a secure saddle fit and a loose one, and some advice on liniments and ointments to keep in my grooming box.

Since this week is Spring Break for the public schools, I'm going to be going out to the barn every day this week. Gives me my dose of horsey heaven and gets me outside and off the couch. Plus, it gives me a chance to dive into my passion more and more, which is one thing I am really wanting to focus on. Time to make what used to be my number one priority number one again.

I started writing down my goals for the year and the steps I need to do in order to accomplish them, one step at a time. So far, I've crossed off one step on the goals lists I wrote out tonight. Stay tuned for updates on my goals!

I Graduated!

I did it guys! I finally did it! I graduated college last Saturday, basically three days ago. It feels weird to say "Oh yeah, I went to school at Western" now. Plus I still feel like I have assignments to turn in, but really, I'm just waiting for my final grades to come through. So far, I have one B-, just waiting on the last two classes to have grades submitted.

Since, I am graduated and taking a little break until I start up my masters in May (and finish the enrollment by April), I've decided to do a series on being a girlboss/self care on here and on my Instagram. I'm going to start it April 1, so right now, I am going to start planning out what a girlboss means to me. We all have our own definitions of girlboss, so I am going to figure out what it measn to me.

Stay tuned for April 1st!

Two Week Countdown to Graduation

Wow. In two weeks, I will be graduating and walking to get my diploma. It's crazy! I still feel like I've only been in school for a quarter and it shocks me that I am walking in two weeks.

I'm excited to be finally graduating but then I'm nervous about becoming a real adult. I sometimes wish I could just be a little kid again, but I know I need to grow up. So right now, I'm gonna tell you the tips and tricks I'm using to help motivate myself into getting my last 3 undergradute classes done.

1. Write all your assignments out on a paper so you can visualize what you have left.
I have all my last assignments listed out and color coded in a notebook so that I can easily cross them off when I finished one. It is so helpful to color code and visualize everything as you're nearing the end of the quarer.

2. Keep your space tidy to help lower stress levels.
My room is spotless 99% of the time because I like it that way.

3. Always have a stocked snack shelf. 
Okay, just thinking about food is telling me to make a quesidilla for lunch so at least I know what I'll be eating for lunch! But yes, always have a lot of snacks. When you're doing homework, you struggle finding time to make dinner - or at least I do.

4. Take brain breaks every so often.
Trust me, you're not going to be able to get everything done if you don't take a break.

So far, I am doing my self-paced course as one assignment a day so that I don't get too overwhelmed. My other classes only have two assignments left so I am doing very well. I can't beleive I graduate in 11 days now. It's insane.

The Week Ahead

Outside my window... It's sunny!

I am thinking... That I have 12 days until graduation.

I am thankful for... Everything and everyone around me.

From the kitchen... I am having some toast and a yogurt for breakfast.

I am hearing... My computer keys clicking as I type, MudLynn snoring in her crate, and the tv playing.

I am watching... Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Always one of my favorite things... To spend time with friends.

I am reading... Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban and my textbooks.

I am making... Nothing.

I am writing... This blog post.

All the plans I have for this week... I work at St. Paul's every day and nanny. I have the day off nannying so I am going to either come home and do homework or go to the barn. I don't really have a lot planned for the week as I am on a no-spending promise again this week. I know I am going to trivia on Wednesday with my friends.

MudLynn Update... MudLynn is doing wonderful! She is on Dasaquin and Proin and now on some Omega chews every day to help her stay fit and healthy. She spent the weekend with me house sitting and I can tell that she is happy to be back in her house again.

College Update... I think I'm ready for the end my last quarter at Western. Then, I am going to eventually get a Master in Teaching English lit for 5-12 grade.

Riding Update... I went and hung out at the barn yesterday with Mariah and played with Andy in the round pen. I took some photos of the ponies too! We also talked to Suzy about camp and I will say I feel a little more at ease about my financial side.

My Best Childhood Memory

This photo is my best childhood memory. It was the day I fell in love with horses. I was in pre-school and it was picture day. A photographer had brought a pony and a little western outfit for all the kids to take their picture in. 

I still remember seeing the pony, how my face just lit up with pure joy. I want to one day have a little pony for my kids to grow up with. My mom wishes she had gotten me into horses at a younger age. I plan to do that with my kids.

This sweet little pony turned me into a horse loving girl who grew into doing 4-H, riding lessons, leasing horses, IEA riding team, IHSA riding team, camp wrangler, and now I will be co-running a riding camp this summer with my close friend.

Whenever I don't feel positive, I always look at this picture to perk my mood up and reminds me of who I am and what made me become the person I am to this very day.