Dear 2015,

Happy happy New Year everyone! Before I can hop into my new year (school starts in 4 days..no) sometimes it's good to reflect on all of the things that happened from the previous year. So here are a couple of things that come to mind when I think of 2014:

1. In January, I finished my first full year at Oklahoma State (that seems like so long ago) and wow has it forever changed my life. I have to agree with all of the people out there that say choosing the right college is one of the biggest and most important decisions of your life.  Thankfully, I know for a fact that I choose the right college for me, and wow has it made me grow in so many different areas of my life. 

2. Summer 2014, I went with my best friend, Tori, to New York City! Experiencing Long Island and NYC was eye opening-- I think everyone should visit NYC at some point in their life just to get a good idea of how crazy, amazing and huge the world we live in is! When you grow up in a small town your whole life it's easy to have the idea that the world revolves around you and your choices, but after visiting NYC its almost a slap into reality that says hey Carley, look how much is out there in the world to experience other than the Main Street in your hometown. 

3. This past Fall 2014 semester was full of so much growth.  After I moved into my sorority house, I have made so many true and caring life long friends.  Honestly, I think these friends have encouraged me (in so many ways they probably don't know) into creating what I call the best version of myself.  I think by seeing these girls everyday and having them there by my side, it makes me feel like a stronger and more independent life loving and God fearing woman. 

4. I finally decided on a career choice that I am in love with.  That's huge.

5.  Last but not least, another big area of my life that was greatly affected this year was my relationship with Christ.  I found my church home in Stillwater (which has been such a true blessing) and been able to have the opportunity to help disciple to middle school girls.  (which had me so scared at first--that age group is not in my usual comfort zone) But those girls have impacted my life and my relationship with the Lord greatly.  They push me to grow closer to Him daily.  But overall, I have made much progress (despite my hard-headedness) spiritually.  I know that it is all in His plan and He will provide for me always and give me what I truly need when I need it.  His timing is perfect (even though I am so impatient lol) 

Now, It's 2015.
Time to make new memories and keep improving.  This year I pray that I can keep up a consistent, fitness routine that becomes more of a habit rather than a task I'm forcing myself to do.  I pray that I can truly focus on myself and my relationship with the Lord-- striving for a happy and content Carley that doesn't stress over things that have no value.  And that I can continue to grow with my friends as well.  I want to be able to experience my last 3 semesters of college fully.  To go ahead and make that Whataburger trip with your friends at 2 AM, to have that conversation with someone I usually wouldn't, to take the time and slow down because this life is going by so fast.

With high hopes and love,

A little somethin' somethin' healthy

It has been awhile since my last post, but I am now on Christmas break (yay) so I will have plenty of time for updating my blog. Sooo, the other day I was scrolling through Pinterest and found this recipe that I just had to try (I am really into Zucchini all the sudden) Thanks to my sister she got some good action shots of me making our snack!

 

 

 Here is the actual pin I got this recipe from if you want to check it out here! But here is my version of this tasty Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan Zucchini:

 

What you will need:

3-4 medium to large zucchinis

2 tsp of olive oil

1 tsp of lemon zest

2 cloves of garlic or finely minced (I used finely minced)

3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese

salt & pepper

 

Directions:

 

 

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees & line your cooking pan with aluminum foil

 

Step 2: Cut your zucchini in halves or fourths (cut it in half & cut the half in half) 

 

Step 3: Mix together in a small bowl your lemon zest, olive oil, and garlic

 

Step 4: Brush the mixed ingredients onto the zucchini halves (or fourths like I did)

 

Step 5: Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese to the tops of the zucchini

 

 

 

Step 6: Place in the oven for 11-13 minutes, then place your pan on the top rack of the oven and put the oven to boil until the cheese on the tops of the zucchini are golden brown

 

 

And now enjoy your yummy zucchini with your family &/or guests as a snack or appetizer!

I really enjoyed making this little appetizer and my mom and sister sure loved eating it too! More to come soon..

 

Your cook (lol),

 

 

 

Sometimes you need a little pick-me-up



 

While I was scrolling through Facebook today I came across something one of my friends had shared (its not Ebola related I promise).  The title interested me so I decided to take a look. 



 

I suggest if you are a college student right now, that you go and find this article and read it. Through out the article it lists off 19 realities to our current thoughts, feelings, etc. of college, growing up, and just life.  Some of my favorites included:

1. You are not a mess-- stop apologizing for not having every little thing in your life together.  Your bed is not made? You need to do laundry? Stop stressing yourself out on having it all together cause in realty--nobody has everything together all the time.  Give yourself a break, man.

5. It's okay to let it go--stop holding on to little details of things. Let it go. It's weighing you down.  How can you expect yourself to be happy when you have 495934 things you are holding on to still for no reason? Move on. Drop it & just be happy. 

8.  Some days are unremarkable, that doesn't mean you are-- Some days you will do nothing but watch Netflix and lay in bed.  You are hungry but its 2am and all decent food places are closed.  You feel like you could fall asleep at any moment and sleep forever.  You will feel stupid for crying in your car, but you aren't stupid.  The content of your day is not the reflection of your character. 

10.  You are not responsible for their feelings--Don't let anyone make you feel miserable because they are miserable. There is a line between being there for someone & being someone's emotional punching bag.  Draw those lines.  Try to direct them to something more positive.  You and only you are responsible for your own happiness.

12. You will change and be different-- you are in college.. you are going to change a little bit.. and  your body (you're no longer a freshman in high school come on) will change too.  But don't push yourself, don't push your own personal growth.  You will make mistakes, but don't think that you need to fix your entire life all at once.  It will be okay.

19.  You are already everything you need to be-- so if you need a good cry, then cry, but after you do, get over it, and go get life.  Time doesn't stop so just keep on keepin' on, girl. 

Your feelingsy blogger,

Ending and beginning to a good week

What an eventful but tiring week it has been! From all night pomp (staying up all night to finish pomping the rest of our homecoming deck) and staying up from 7pm Thursday night to 11am Friday morning, and spending some much needed time with my mom and sister, it has been a blast. 
In case you didn't know, Oklahoma State is very well known for the homecoming celebrations every October! Thousands of people lined the streets of University Ave. Friday to check out all of the fraternities and sororities homecoming decks and to grab a snack.. or two.

Here is a shot of our homecoming deck this year.. which does not do it justice.. And here is a shot of the first place winner this year.. just to give you an idea of how outrageous our homecoming decks are:

I'm truly amazed every October when I see these decks.. so much time and effort.  Homecoming makes me love OSU even more every year.

Aside from Homecoming, yesterday my bff celebrated her 20th birthday (yeah nothing really happens at 20 but we celebrate anyway!)  Her mom made the best bunt cake!! This is a chocolate peanut butter bunt cake with peanut butter frosting and chocolate sprinkles.  My bff's favorite is this bunt cake from the store Nothing Bunt Cakes in Norman, but they were all out of this flavor for the month--soo her mom made a nice spin off of it and wow it was tasty!!

And to end my wonderful week I got the opportunity to baptize one of my Switch girls yesterday.  Wow. This picture I feel is such a great capture of this serious and joyful moment in which we were celebrating.  At my church, Lifechurch Stillwater, we had over 80 people get baptized yesterday.  It was such an honor to have been apart of this sweet girl's big day!

On a more personal note, now that homecoming is over I now have enough time on my hands to do things I have been doing but want to do more of.. aka working out, eating healthier, and reading.  I borrowed this book from on of my close friends and have heard manyyy people rave about it! I started it (finally yeah I know Tori) and am already 50 pages in.  It is definitely an eye opener.  It talks about how we live in a society that practices "religion" but doesn't practice a relationship with God.  Today, many people believe that just by "acting" like Christians that they are true Christians. I could go on and on about this book, but you should just read it for yourself!

Your (finally) back for good blogger,

Birthday fun for the roomie & weekend update

As promised, I was going to update you guys on a great past week! It included my roommates' 21st birthday, room change at theta, and the beginnings of homecoming week! 

Here is a pic of me and my old roommates! So sad that I had to leave these babes. Rachel (the girl on the far left in her sassy blue dress) celebrated her 21st birthday this past weekend and we made her a little book of memories and pictures from all of her friends! 

Here's the page I made for Rachel! I loved the cupcake scrapbook paper from hobby lobby and just knew this was the perfect time to use it! My other roommate and I also gave her a sweet little birthday card that we thought suited her and this occasion: 

We had so much fun eating together and helping to celebrate her 21st! Love you Rach! 

This weekend also included a room change for all of the girls living in house. Imagine 96 girls and all their stuff (we have a lot) moving rooms. It was pretty crazy but I now live with more roommates and am getting used to my top bunk bed. 

This weekend we also kick started our homecoming week off at OSU with football frenzy! Aka flag football with sororities and fraternities on campus. Homecoming is OSU's biggest tradition and is unlike any other celebration in the nation. This upcoming week (lol I know it's Tuesday so it's happening now) will be filled with pomping over 24+ hours, late night snacks, and sleepy eyes in class.  But also it will be filled with laughter, homecoming hoops, and house decorations. Love being here and can't wait to share more. 

Your sappy card loving blogger, 

Gettin' a little crafty

Hello friends! I hope everyone is having a good week! This past week (well two weeks) my roommates and I have been getting very crafty! We figured why not take a break from studying & life and do something fun!
Soo here are a couple of the crafts we have been working on/finished for initiation!

 

Some of mine and my roommates Mom/dot (big/little) crafts! I made the box for my dotter and mod-pogued it.  I forgot how much I enjoy mod poging (is that a word?)!

 

USA KAO letters that are so adorable. 

Gotta go celebrate my friend's 21st b-day! I'll take some pictures of our fun night planned.
Your crafty wafty blogger,  (lol idk)

I'm so glad I live in a world with Octobers

October is here! (It has been for a little while I know) October, November, and December are probably my favorite months because of the weather, the holidays and time relaxing and with the family. I feel everyone is getting into the spirit of fall! 

In front of my sorority house the gardeners put out new flowers and pumpkins- they look so good with our cozy brick house. 

A couple of girls carved some pumpkins the other night and I just had to take a picture. I love the way our house looks in the fall. 

P.s. These photos are all featuring Claire-she really wanted to make my blog she said. Lol 

Yesterday, I drove down to see my sister and we decided to go pumpkin picking at a pumpkin patch in Norman. It was so cute seeing all of the little kids so excited to get their own pumpkins. 

My sister and I posing by a hay barrel made to look like a pumpkin. So cute

So many to choose from! We ended up buying thee mini pumpkins (so I could put them in my room) and one big pumpkin we plan to carve today! 

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful October.

Your pumpkin loving blogger,