Thank YOU for 5 Years!

Today, I celebrate five years of blogging. I wrote my first post on February 18th, 2009 about something education related for an assignment in my Educational Psychology class. Last year, to celebrate four years of blogging, I did an amazing giveaway. But this year, I thought I'd follow in Erin's footsteps and write a letter to you: my readers.

Far left: 20, March 2009 // Middle: 23, November 2012 // Right: 25, November 2013

To my precious readers:

These two words I have to say to you almost seem too simple: THANK YOU! I feel like you deserve more than my simple thanks because you all have come and shared a piece of my life with me that I never knew existed or could even happen. See, I started this whole blogging adventure five years ago with the mindset of getting through this class with an A and moving on to the world of nursing. I had written a blog before - back in the days of MySpace blogs and LiveJournal and Xanga. But those were really only for my eyes to see. By the time May 2009 rolled around, I knew I wanted to continue blogging, both for myself and for the benefit of others.

Throughout the past five years, I have gone through "blogger's block" and forgotten about this space. I've gone months without writing anything: too consumed with school, my own life, and my own drama. But I always found my way back here. And, in the past year and a half, I have come here regularly: to document my life, tell everyone my thoughts, reveal some secrets, vent, and, hopefully, help others. I remember seeing that little GFC box reach 100 back in December 2012 and, even if that isn't an accurate portrayal of my actual number of readers, I was taken aback. How had I come to this point? A real milestone for any blogger, just ask.

That number has increased tremendously in just 14 months. My life has changed tremendously in just 14 months. This blog has seen me go from Sophomore Education Student to Brand New Nursing Student to Full-Fledged Nursing Student to Confident Nursing Student to Brand New College Grad to Panic-stricken NCLEX Study-er to Official Registered Nurse & Full-Time Job-Seeker. From 20 to 25. From Decorah, Iowa to Rochester, Minnesota.

I have "met" a multitude of strong-willed, independent, beautiful women through blogging. I have read posts written by ladies that have resonated so deeply within me that they brought me to tears. I have gotten to know myself better through getting to know you all. I have realized truly what it means to be passionate about life and what I do. And I would love to say that I have realized this passion through trial and error and writing it all down and being able to go back, reread, and learn.

Some people don't really understand blogging. They don't understand how I have the drive to keep coming back to something where I may feel like I have to contribute something each and everyday. The short answer is: I don't. I don't feel the need (anymore) to "try" and "be" a blogger each day. I come back everyday because I enjoy it. This is cathartic for me. 

I am also fortunate to be able to have a platform for sharing my passion with others. My involvement in advocating to end sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, changing the way society thinks, and the way women are treated sort of just fell into my lap over the past 6 months. I am thankful that, even if many of you don't know how to respond to these posts, you still take the time to read them.

I don't know where I'll be in a years time. I don't know what this blog will mean to me in five years time. But I know that, right now, I couldn't be happier with how this blog has changed my life. For the better. So, stick around; I can't promise you anything except that I'll be here and I'll keep writing.

*Cue the cheesy violin music*

25th Birthday Blog Bash Day 4: Birthdays of Years Gone By [Sephora Giveaway]

What's the number one thing in a mom's mind as they approach their kid turning 1? THE BIRTHDAY PARTY! Duh!

I never had any elaborate birthday celebration. Maybe I'll save that for my 30th. But I thought I would share some birthday party memories with you.

Whenever a kid in my family's birthday came around (until they were 18), we always celebrated by going over to their house that night to open presents and eat cake. Every. Year. No wonder we all looked forward to our birthday so much!

1st birthday with my cousins

One.

Two.

2nd birthday with my aunt. "GIVE ME MY DAMN CAKE!"

My Grandma always made our cakes. Minnie Mouse, Big Bird, Pocahontas, Barbie. She had a pan for every little kid's fantasy! 

Third. I am adorable, I know.

One of my most vivid birthday memories from that townhouse above is getting this Rollerskater Barbie from my Grandma. I went into the kitchen to play with it with my brother. I don't remember the exact details, but I do know it ended with my brother ripping the Barbie's head off and me in tears. 

Four. Look at that hair!

Five. You know McKayla Maroney's "not impressed" face? Well, this is mine. And boy, am I bejeweled or what?!

Six. AKA my boy cut year.

I loved my sixth birthday because when it was your birthday in Kindergarten, you were the "special person" that day and your name was mentioned in the note at the beginning of the day. You also got to take home that note. It was proudly posted in the living room that night when everyone came over.

When I turned eight, I had my first party with friends. I invited a bunch of girls over to my basement and we played game. It was definitely one of my favorite parties. I can't find any group pictures though!

 Posing for pictures since age eight.

I distinctly remember that was Alex Mack playing on the TV and I loved that Teacher Barbie set.

For my ninth birthday, three of my friends came with me to Shakee's (remember those?) and we got our faces painted.

I had a literal dance party for my tenth birthday. We went to this old elementary school and someone taught us a bunch of dances. Looking back, it was very strange. Fun at the time though!

The next party I had wasn't until my Sweet Sixteen!! I went cosmic bowling, took a limo ride, and there was a dance at my high school.

I always loved college birthdays the most!

For my 19th, I watched the season finale of The Bachelor with a bunch of floormates (remember the season where Brad rejected both woman? We were furious.), ate cake, & opened presents.

My 20th, I had a group birthday party with my best friend's cousin, who was turning 21. We all went out to the bars and danced, played darts, & (shh!) I had my first alcoholic drink (outside of the house).

Get this: for my 21st, I hung out with my BFF in her dorm with some friends, watched a movie, and drank two bottles of wine. YES!

Although, my BFF's birthday is five days before mine, so I may or may not have went out to the bar with her on her actual birthday and celebrated.

That, despite how it may look, is not milk.

For my 22nd, I went out to dinner with my housemates, came home and watched a movie, and had cake! Again though, my BFF had a party at her house & we definitely had our share of fun...

23rd birthday = Went out for dinner with my sister, aunt, and mom. Went over to some of my nursing classmates apartment and hung out while pigging out on food and drinking.

24th birthday = I had community nursing clinical bright & early at 8am that morning, but, by golly, I made sure I looked cute! I baked chocolate chip bars for my nursing class, ordered in pizza, and watched Dancing with the Stars.

Man, the more these birthdays go on, the older I feel my definition of "party" is!

If I had a birthday party for my 25th, I would choose to have a makeover/spa day with girlfriends. Spending the day getting pampered along with some wine sounds wonderful!

Today, I'm giving you the chance to win a $25 giftcard to Sephora so you can buy some things to pamper yourself!

Terms & Conditions: The Cliffnotes Version

- Only open to U.S. residents.

- Must reply to e-mail within 48 hours to claim prize or it will be given to someone else.

- If you are not honest with your entries, all of your entries will be deleted. Honesty's the best policy!

- Each giveaway will be open for 3 days, so get your entries in!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Joy of Moving Back to School (Not)

Don't get me wrong, moving back to college always had a tinge of excitement to it. You never knew what the year would bring & what shenanigans you & your friends would get into that year. But the whole packing, putting together the puzzle that is packing a car full of your belongings, and then unpacking everything.....not fun. Since my brother & sister are moving back to school this Saturday, I thought I would share some moments from my moving adventures & maybe give a few tips to college students that are still moving back and forth between home & school!

 

• Really think over what you need. If you don't use it/wear it too often at home, you probably don't need to bring it to school with you.

• There are always school breaks where you come home. If you find you need something that you didn't bring with you, you can always get it later. But don't keep bringing stuff back because that will just make packing at the end of the year a disaster!

• Storage is your friend. The more storage things you have, the more places to put things. Storage ottomans are a definite must-have! They can store your movies or some snacks & can double as a place for friends to sit when they visit.

• Pack similar things together. Don't just throw a bunch of stuff in a box and call it good. Unpacking will be a nightmare. 

• Work on one section of your room at a time. For example, put away all your clothes before unpacking desk stuff. 

• One of the first things you should do when moving in is make the bed. It will make it feel more like home.

• If your dorm building doesn't have a parking lot or an accessible place to park your car, drive up to the building and unload everything, then park your car. This will save time from having to go back to your car to keep getting stuff. 

• If your bed can be raised up a few notches, do it! I made the mistake of not doing this upon move in & I couldn't fit more storage under my bed for a few weeks until I did this. 

• Before bringing everything up to your room, go unlock and prop open the door and open the windows. Another lesson learned from your truly. My freshman year, we started bringing everything up to the room and I went to unlock it and it would not budge. It turns out the door had swelled with the humidity and we had to have the locksmith on campus come get the door open for us. Meanwhile, all of our belongings were cramming the hall.

• In the spring, gradually bring home things you no longer need: winter clothes, things you aren't using. This will make packing at the end of the year easier. You won't have your parents there to help you then & it will be up to you (which always makes it harder!). 

• Don't forget to spend some time with your family on move-in day. Go out to lunch with them or take a walk around campus. Especially if it's your freshman year. You'll regret it when they leave if you just rush them to the car to go home and get started with your "new life". 

• Enjoy the day! I remember freshman move-in like it was yesterday. You're seeing everything for the first time, everyone you meet is new and they have no idea who you are. Possibilities are endless. Make the most of it and treasure your day.

I'm feeling 22

This post is up pretty late today because I couldn't think of what to talk about. Then I heard the song "22" by Taylor Swift & it occurred to me that I turned 22 almost 3 years ago. Ew. So let the throwing back to age 22 commence.

 

It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters
And make fun of our ex's, uh uh, uh uh.
It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight
To fall in love with strangers.

Yeah,
We're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time
It's miserable and magical, oh yeah
Tonight's the night when we forget about the deadlines
It's time

I don't know about you
But I'm feeling 22
Everything will be alright
If you keep me next to you
You don't know about me
But I'll bet you want to
Everything will be alright
If we just keep dancing like we're
22, 22

It seems like one of those nights,
This place is too crowded.
Too many cool kids
It seems like one of those nights,
We ditch the whole scene and end up dreaming
Instead of sleeping.

Yeah,
We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way
It's miserable and magical, oh yeah
Tonight's the night when we forget about the heartbreaks
It's time

I don't know about you
But I'm feeling 22
Everything will be alright
If you keep me next to you
You don't know about me
But I'll bet you want to
Everything will be alright
If we just keep dancing like we're
22, 22
I don't know about you
22, 22

It feels like one of those nights,
We ditch the whole scene.
It feels like one of those nights,
We won't be sleeping.
It feels like one of those nights,
You look like bad news.
I gotta have you,
I gotta have you.

I don't know about you
But I'm feeling 22
Everything will be alright
If you keep me next to you
You don't know about me
But I'll bet you want to
Everything will be alright
If we just keep dancing like we're
22, 22.



It feels like one of those nights,
We ditch the whole scene
It feels like one of those nights,
We won't be sleeping
It feels like one of those nights,
You look like bad news,
I gotta have you,
I gotta have you. 

Throw It Back

Time to throw it back, for the first time! Today, we're doing commentary on fashion choices. Feast your eyes upon the cute, the weird, and the down-right u-g-l-y.

This was probably December of 1993, which would make me 5, my brother 3, and my sister 2 1/2 months. Notice the two-tone plaid skort with matching black top, lace ponytail, plastic clips, and a camera at my side. I was definitely a blogger in training.

Ah, yes. 8th grade. April 2003. 14 years old. I was one of the stage managers for our school play. We were supposed to go for the "tourist" look to stick with the play theme. I look more like awkward 90's girl looking kind of like a throwback to the 70's?

I think this was my 3rd birthday? Love the pink floral jumper! But feast your eyes on my cousin's mullet and my other cousin's blue MC Hammer pants!

  I would say this picture is probably 1994-1995? Matching two piece and slicked back hair, oh yeah!

6th grade. 12 years old. With my kindergarten "buddy" and the girl I shared her with. I look like I just rolled out of bed with a hoodie shirt, black pants, and messed up hair. But, in my defense, I was obsessed with being a punk tomboy. I never wore dresses or skirts (shocker, I know!) and I was obsessed pretended to be obsessed with the bands Tool, Pearl Jam, etc, etc. What a loser.

Looking back on photos, this is my favorite outfit. Which is kind of funny because my mom says this was one of my favorites back then too! Leopard and pink with pink tights, I mean, C'MON!

August 1998. 9 1/2 years old. Como Zoo. Man, I loved that Sparky show. Rockin' the fake chacos, green bike shorts, and a t-shirt.

 Loved pink from day 1.

I think I was 11 or 12 here. Thinking I was so cool because I got to hold our hotel card. Groovy was the 6th grade school play I was in.

Always cheesin' it up. Going for the prepster casual look with the pink polo and baby blue pants.

See? Still wearing that leopard outfit! April 1992 so I was about 3 1/2. That's my grandma's doll she crocheted.

Last, but not least, my jazzercise outfit. More tie-dye with a while turtleneck underneath along with black leggings and purple knee-socks. Throwing around a beach ball at age 3. Doesn't get better than this, my friends!

 What was your favorite fashion statement back in the day?

Have you entered Raising Reagan's June giveaway yet?
I need more nurses and nursing students to be featured for Notes on Nursing! Are you interested? Leave me a comment or e-mail me at friebr01@luther.edu.