Cookie

I just made this in a dining hall. I took two chocolate chip cookies and warmed then up in the microwave and then I put a scoop of vanilla ice cream in between them, smushed it all together and then rolled it in Oreo crumbs. And then I ate the whole thing. Happy Monday people.

P.S. I was eating with my friend Laura and she didn't believe that I had a blog. She helped crush some of the Oreos. Thanks, girl. 

Community

via pinterest

It's coming back! When Rose and Ben would watch this show in our room I was all like, "What a dumb show" and then I started catching more and more of it and I'd ask them what was going on and then I was all like, "This is the best show ever." 

So many things work for this show. First of all, they have a fantastic cast. The characters are hysterical and unique. They're unlikely friends and the dynamic kills me. The dialogue is so perfectly executed. I'm not even watching the show right now and I'm literally laughing out loud to myself. The situations are just crazy enough to work and ----I just had to stop and google an episode because I'm dying to watch it---

anyway the situations make me laugh out loud every single time. The relationships are also hilarious. I think my favorite has to be Troy and Abed. 

I've tried to get my family into it, but they were all like, "Soo, when does it get funny?" I tried to explain that's an acquired taste thing and that you learn to love the characters. If you haven't seen it, I strongly recommend you try it. It's not a show you have to watch from the beginning, although I would suggest tit because that way you won't miss an episode! 

Are you a Community fan? 

No Salt, Just Sand

Even though we're having an extremely mild winter, I'm dying for summer, so today I'm wearing a shirt that says, "Lake Michigan: No Salt...Just Sand" and taking a mental vacation. Try it, it does the mind some good.

Fishing at sunrise.
My dad has been taking me since I was 10.

                                               

                                                                     Hour 5 on the beach
                                                                  (that's my brother kayaking) 

Sunset around 9.
 We like to eat pizza on
the beach and watch it. 

Also, read the article I wrote for HerCampus Mizzou! We're trying to get 1 million hits this month!

Some thoughts on Valentine's Day

This post is coming a day late. I chose to go to bed instead of blogging last night. (Side note- I got eight hours of sleep and I'm still ty ty. I hate my bed.) Anyway Happy Late Valentine's Day friends! I know a lot of people hate Valentine's Day, but I love Valentine's Day. I always have, even before I had a boyfriend. I was single for 18 Valentine's Days, but I still felt the love. My parents always got us cards and left us a little treats at breakfast. It's also an excuse to wear pink and I'm all about that! I don't think it should be a day to focus on what you don't have, but instead what you do have, like your friends and family.

Funny story about Valentine's Day for your entertainment. It was 2007, and I was eagerly awaiting a note during homeroom that morning that would determine the rest of my life. Or just my acceptance into Honors English III. I fumbled with the folded piece of tiny paper to find a rejection note in impeccable handwriting. Yes, that was my name on the front. I'll spare you the details about my crying (one of my friends threw up. It was pretty rough) but I will say I was not a Valentine's Day vision. Luckily, I went to school with all girls, so it did not matter.

Anyway, that night at dinner I picking at my food muttering things like "My life is over" and "I'm sooo transferring," and my brother said something really profound. He asked why it was such a big deal. I've always liked my brother, I really have, but at that moment I wanted to strangle him. "Because! I can't be a journalist now! I can't even get into Honors English III." He said, "So? Michael Jordan didn't make his high school basketball team and look at him now." Huh. Smart kid.

 I thought my whole future depended on that acceptance. Wrong! I still got to be Editor-in-Chief of the paper, still got into Mizzou and I'm staying afloat in the world's best J school. Oh and did I mention I'm a double major now? Yep, Journalism and English. Anyway, my brother gave me some really important perspective. (He's single, ladies. He looks like me and may be a little smarter. Hit him up!)

Love what you do and do what you love, otherwise, what's the point? Love is important. Love yourself, love others, love life. Or as my good friend Mike likes to say "ELE" or "Everybody love everybody." Alliteration, yay!

Aaaand, let me dedicate one minute to my Valentine. I'm sorry that I "blew you off" in eighth grade, but it was probably just because I had a mad crush on you even then and I was playing hard to get. I love you.

I'll leave you with my feelings about Valentine's Day and my advice if you hate it.

Much love!
Caroline

Happy

Every day. In every way.
via: where else? pinterest

France Nostalgia

You know where I'd rather be right now? France. I decided to share some of my France pictures. These are from Summer 2009. I had braces and was really cute. 

Totally framing this for my wall next year.

At Giverny, home of Claude Monet

Nice is nice. 

   

View from the top of the hill. 

Worth the climb for the view of the city

This is real. 

At a Chateaux 

We explored this cave. I didn't love it. 

Palace at Versailles 

Flower in Giverny

Giverny 

 Montmatre. That's the view of Paris from the top of the city. 

Outside the Louvre 

Nutella Day

It's National Nutella day for 35 more minutes! Nutella is a staple of my diet. I was first introduced to it in my French class and loved it. Then I went to France and tasted a Nutella Banana crepe. It was definitely worth the eight dollars ya'll. I actually attempt to recreate it most mornings by slicing a banana and spreading some Nutella on a mini bagel. I prefer strawberries, but they are expensive and harder for me to get while at school. It's high in protein too, which is extremely important to me, especially as a breakfast food.

This picture was taken in my room last year. I posted this picture to my cousin's wall with the caption, "My food for the rest of the semester." True dat.

I've seen a gazillion recipes on Pinterest for Nutella cupcakes, brownies, ho cho (hot chocolate) and hundreds of other mouth water desserts. I definitely want to try some of these recipes someday, but I have to say, nothing beats the original. Actually looking forward to tomorrow morning (even thought it's monday!) because I have a great breakfast waiting!

Mmmm crepes. Definitely going to make these all the time next year.
via pinterest

Math

Haven't figured it out in the last 20 years and doubt I will in the next 20 years. 

via daisy on pinterest 

Ryno

Currently reading The Canterbury Tales in two of my classes, hence the weird assignments. 

Fun finds

I found some fun things while straightening up my room that make me happy during this rainy day.

British Glamour, Hello Kitty Gel Pens and Turtle Jewelry

Here's a close up of my turtle jewerly. Ryan's sister had my name for Secret Santa and she knows I love pearls. I got the ring when I was in fifth grade in Colorado. 

Mason Disick

Whether you love or hate the Kardashians, you have to admit this is one of the cutest things you've ever seen.

We're all in this together

We all need a little help sometimes. Last week, I realized I was about to run out of a bunch of stuff (like toothpaste, moisturizer, etc.) and I'm not going home for another month. I also don't have my car, so I asked my roomie, Paige, to take me Wal-Mart after we saw a movie. She happily agreed and did me a huge favor.

Yesterday, my phone stopped working. No calls, no texts, no emails. Not only has Rose been a liaison between my mom and I, she even offered to let me use her phone. AT&T told me I would need to go the store to get a new SIM card for my phone to work and Rose immediately offered to drive me. 

We're all in this together. Those times of selflessness and sacrifice make such a difference. Pay it forward, I know I will.

(Unrelated: I think the name of this album is pretty interesting, Awake is the new asleep. I think it's pretty true. I can't stand the "I'll sleep when I'm dead mentality. I stayed up way too late last night and I'm kicking myself today. My goal for tonight is before midnight!) 

Have you gone out of your way recently to help someone? 

Love, 

Caroline 

The world spins madly on

I tried spinning for the first time yesterday. Guys, it's hard. My legs were exhausted and I worked up a sweat in like two minutes. It was a beginner class and we basically got a sample of different settings (riding through mud, on a hill, etc) would be like. I would really like to keep up with it because it seems like such a good workout, but I'll definitely need to pump myself up. I've also been doing 8 am pilates two days a week, and am not sore today for the first time! I also tried some kickboxing last week. Oh my goodness. Talk about some cardio. I'm really going to push myself to keep up with these classes because they provide some variation, but they are challenging! I get so bored on the treadmill, so it's a good way for me to challenge myself.

via google

Have you tried spinning? I want to hear about your experience!

Caroline