Snippets of the Bethel Life

I find myself back at school and beginning yet another phase in my life. I'm still in shock that I've finished my first semester of college and am now a week into my second. Not only that, but I've transitioned from living with a roommate to being on my own. I've stayed in my same room that I've had since the beginning of the year while my roommate moved floors. As weird as it was the first couple of days, I have to say that I'm really enjoying being on my own. I haven't had my own room since roughly fifth grade and it's a whole new experience being able to be completely by myself. Of course, I still have my wonderful and beautiful suite mates, but no one actually living in the same room as me. 

Last semester taught me a lot about who I am. It taught me some things about myself that I'm not so proud of, like being a complete pushover, but I also learned that I'm very true to who I am. If I don't think that something is right, I won't do it. And I still don't care what people think of me for the most part. I was always nervous that that was just a trait I acquired because I wasn't around people that often and I would lose the characteristic after arriving to college, but it's remained true. I'm confident with who I am as a person. For the most part I am a kind, caring, and really awkward person. And I'm coming to terms with the fact that I'm not a risk taker at all, and sometimes am a really big baby when it comes to things that might get me in trouble. 

I'm so excited for what these next 4 months have in store for me. Everything from my 8 A.M. Sight Singing and Ear Training class to trying to find a church that I really enjoy attending. I want to make the most of these months, and learn as much as I can. In and out of the classroom. I want to make the most of everything that is offered me, such as going to the gym {I'm on day four of going, guys!}. 

Hopefully I'll be able to write regularly, but if I skip a few days please give me some grace. If you ever really want to see what's going on in my life follow me on Twitter... I update a lot. And I've been Tumbling a lot recently, as well. I'm around for anyone who wants to chat, I hope I hear from you!

May you have a peaceful Wednesday, and may you accomplish everything that you have set out for yourself today. 

With Love,
Hannah 

Fall {in} Love

For all the freshman {and transfers} who attend Bethel you go through this thing called FYE your first semester. What is FYE {otherwise known as Block} you ask? Two days a week you have two classes with the same people from 9:30 until 2:00. Not only do you have class with these people, you also get to know them as friends because you're with them for such a long period of time. Yesterday was a field trip for Block where we went to Potato Creek Park, basically a nature preserve. It was really cold, and we hiked, and just so you know Converse are not the ideal hiking shoes. It was nice. It reminded me of home. 

A few weeks back was fall break and the fall colors were in full swing. I took these pictures and as I was out walking yesterday it reminded me of them. I miss home. In a few short{ish} weeks I will be home again, but in the meantime: I miss it. I miss my dirt roads and my woods. I miss my kitty, and I miss my Hunter. Oh, to be home again. 

The College Experience.

I miss blogging so much, and I'm going to try really super duper hard to get back into it! I miss you guys, and the whole atmosphere of my blog. It's such a great stress reliever and I really think I need this fun place for me in my life! 

You can follow me on Instagram @hannahbyard 

I'll be writing again soon! 

Elements

On Saturday my friends and I went out Goodwill shopping and afterwards out for lunch. I've never eaten Chinese before so that's where we went. First of all: I loved it. Delish. Secondly: The owner was just the sweetest little thing. She came and pulled up a chair next to us and asked us what we had been thinking of getting, we told her, and she described the entire dish to us and if we weren't sure about something she told us something else we may like. She was just the sweetest little lady ever. 

I can't tell you how much I am sincerely loving it here. Sure, I miss home like crazy. I miss it so much. I miss my bed, and Hunter, and Mercy-Roo. But I love so much of being here. The fact that I have friends, real friends, is one of the best things. I love sitting in our rooms talking about useless things and sometimes really important things. 

Gotta Get Down On Friday

Literally. Gotta get down to Indiana on Friday. Today. 

Today is Friday. 

Sure, it seems like a simple statement. A fact that is known to everyone on the planet. But it's not just any Friday, no. It's the Friday. The Friday I move away from everything I've ever known. The Friday when I become just a bit more independent... okay, well maybe that won't happen until Saturday. But still. It's a step. It's me loading up my Mama's car and driving six hours south. 

Thanks Bliss. For being the perfect place to grow up. Where the trees are plenty, where imagination soars, where Grandmas are just a horse field away. Thank you for being a place where I can lay on the beach on a hot summers day and where I can go sledding when its cold out. Where my sister became my best friend, and where I met my sweetheart. Thank you even for being the place that my Daddy can look forever on a field where horses play. I will miss you. But I'll be back soon. Pinkie promise. 

{Pretty}

... {pretty} kitty who lays around while i try and pack. try is the keyword. do you have any idea how hard it is to figure what i really need when i'm living six whole hours away? i don't want to overpack. i don't want to under pack. it's a dilemma. any tips from former {or current} college students moving far away?

... {pretty} nails that glitter in the sun. i don't share with you often, but i adore painting my nails. i change them near daily and i'm really loving this combo going on right now. gliiiiitter. ... {pretty} handsome boy who is just about the cutest thing, um, well, ever. he didn't want me to post this anywhere, but, i love this picture. on so many levels. maybe it's because it was just a really great day with him. or maybe it's because he really is this funny most of the time. it just shows his personality, i suppose. 

i love him. ... {pretty} sunsets. i can't believe that tomorrow night is my last night here. wow. this summer has flown by. so quickly, but it's been a good one. i'm not sure if i'm completely ready for a new transition in my life, but like it or not, it's happening. 

Show-N-Tell

Every time I get the urge to show you all something I just bought, or some "cool" thing in my room I feel like I'm in Kindergarten again trying to pick out something to bring for Show-n-Tell. But there is no way I could not share my recent purchase with you! Mainly because I'm head-over-heels in love with the darn thing. But can you blame me? It's so pretty! 

Before you jump to conclusions:

No. This is not a Vera Bradley bag. This is called Stephanie Dawn. Stephanie Dawn actually has quite the story. The people who make the Stephanie Dawn bags used to be employees of Vera Bradley. When she started outsourcing to China, bada-bing bada-boom, she laid off workers. Those workers started their own company: Stephanie Dawn. And yes. All of their bags are made in the US of A. 

Anywho, now that my lecture is out of the way. I'm in love with this duffel. I love how the sides tie down so it can be small, and then you can untie them for more room. I love the colors. The print. I've been wanting to get a nice duffel bag before I go off to college {in roughly a week!}, and this is the one. I'm just completely in love with this bag, if you couldn't already tell. 

Time & Love is All We've Got

 Dear Hunter,

You are gone this weekend. This makes me a sad little girl. But also happy because I know you're having fun doing, you know, manly things. Whatever manly things even means. It makes me realize how much it's going to suck in a few weeks when I leave for school. But you know what? That smile above gives me confidence. I know everything is going to be fine. Not necessarily easy. But fine. I hope you have fun this weekend, and please don't injure yourself. I sort of like you in one piece, exactly how you are. 

It's only eight o'clock on Friday night, but I already miss talking to you. I know, I'm horrid. Okay... Monday can hurry up now :)

Yours Always,

Fountain of Awesomeness 

Currently...

Red Toms; Lace Baseball Tee- Aeropostale; Jeans- Delia's; Pandora Bracelets; Sailor Knot Bracelet; Anchor Necklace- Kameleon 

Loving Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser/Mask. It is seriously one of the better face washes I've tried and I've tried quite a few. It just makes my face feel... wonderful!

Reading Wuthering Heights. I'm actually really into classic literature and I'm loving it.

Watching girls gymnastics! Well... not now. But ever since the Olympics started I've been an avid watcher of the girls gymnastics team. They're just so good! I've also been watching the Lizzie Bennet Diaries . If you like Pride & Prejudice you will absolutely adore this. I'm dying to meet Darcy!

Thinking about how I'm going to spend this weekend. Hunter's going away with Tanner and some other boys for a guys camping trip this weekend, and I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with myself. Well. Work. Beach? I don't know.

Anticipating the Pandora trunk show that we're having in mid-Septemeber. I'll be coming home for it and I already have a plan of what I'll be purchasing. You know, because I'm definitely in need of a third bracelet.

Listening to Once Again by Rob Vischer. If you haven't heard of him... look him up. He's amazing. And I just love his songs.

Working on packing up some things for school. I'm trying to make lists and such, but I'm still so worried about forgetting stuff. I know I have a few weeks, but still. I want to remember everything.

Wishing that summer lasted all year long.

How It Flies...

I am simply blown away with how quickly this summer has gone by, not to say it's over by any means. I can't believe that in a mere twenty-two days I'll be leaving Bliss for Indiana. Starting my college career. I am trying to be overly excited about it {I am excited} to cover up my complete terror and fear. Fear of leaving. Of being without Noey, and Hunter. Of not doing well enough in my classes. Of being weird and that my roommate will hate me. Staying here seems like such a safer option. Here I have my family. And my house. And Hunter. And everything is... comfortable. And that's why I want to leave. Is that odd? Wanting to leave because I'm comfortable? But I want to grow as a person, I want to become all that I'm meant to become and sometimes the only way to truly do that is if you step out of your comfort zone a little. Or a lot. 

I'm scared.

But I'm excited.

What I Wore// Bethel Bound

Brad is drinking lemonade or something. Not beer. Also, I apologize for how blurry the picture of Hunter is. 

So. I'm eighteen now. In my mind eighteen seems so much nicer than seventeen, mainly because I'm fond of even numbers rather than odd. But in reality eighteen really isn't too different from seventeen, except in the fact that I can officially rent movies from my favorite store. Pretty spectacular, eh? 

My whole "birthday weekend" was pretty uneventful, really. It started Thursday with me driving back down to Bethel (Yes. Again.) for registration. Friday I registered for all my classes, Aerobics being one of them. Seriously, it was either Aerobics or Weight Lifting, so I broke down and signed up for Aerobics. Pretty uneventful and boring really. But, I'm officially signed up for everything which is pretty awesome if I do so myself! 

But it was pretty nice being with Hunter on Saturday and Sunday. The kid sort of makes me happier, and he makes me want to be happier. I ended up having a pretty decent birthday, and whole weekend really. With everything though, turning eighteen, registering for classes, I realize that I really am going away. I'm leaving. And all these things remind me more and more often that my Daddy isn't here to do these things with me. Which isn't okay. I'm not going to pretend it's all okay, and I don't mind. It's not okay, but I have to deal with it. It's life. It goes on. But it going on doesn't change anything, doesn't change the facts. The facts being that it's been two years yesterday since my Daddy died. 
Life isn't perfect. My life isn't perfect. But it is my life. It's all mine. Really, that's all we have, isn't it? Our own lives. Our story. Everything else in the world you have to share, and it isn't yours forever. But my life story. It's no one else's but mine. It makes me want to live a great life, make my story good. You know? Or maybe I'm blabbering. As per usual. Anyways, I just want to embrace my life story. The good. The bad. The incredibly depressing. 

P.S. Thing number 20 is that I like even numbers a trillion times better than odd. They even sound nicer, not to mention that they're easier to work with. 

What I Wore// My Thoughts Included

I really love the show "Make It or Break It". I'm generally obsessed with horrible ABC Family shows, but this one has really got my attention right now. It has horrible drama, gymnastics, and once again, horrible drama. What else could one ask for in a TV show?


Today I've had an intense realization that by the end of next month I will no longer be a high school student. Sometimes I feel like I'm so not ready to be graduating, but then other times I'm so ready it's not even funny.


The boy has the cutest freckles. Seriously. I want to count them and touch them all. All over his face. They're wonderful.
Also, I secretly love tickle wars. But don't let him know that. 


I've currently been obsessed with the song "Ours" by Taylor Swift. Some people don't like her, but c'mon. It's T-Swift. I've loved her for a long time, and actually went to a concert of hers once... before she was the headliner. She was touring with Rascal Flatts at the time, which is my all-time favorite band. Of all time. 


I received this huge bruise on the side of my knee Saturday while playing basketball in my cousin's basement. I was learning how to slam dunk and hit my leg against the wooden pole the basketball hoop was attached to. It hurts. Especially when Hunter pokes at it. 


I really like this dress. A lot. I'm planning on wearing it to my graduation party. Also, aren't my earrings the bomb? I won them from a giveaway hosted by the lovely Abbigayle! 


I really love how for at least a day after you shampoo your hair it still smells so good. I use Garnier's Length and Strength and I love the smell. 


I also am really loving the smell of Spring. Dirt. And trees. And pollen, even. Call me a crazy country girl, but I start getting excited when I can smell the nearby horse and cow manure. It means there's no more frozen anything and Spring has truly sprung! 


Sometimes when I have a headache I massage my head and pull my hair. I swear it helps alleviate the pain. 


I love when the boy just looks at me. Sometimes I feel as if I get shivers from it. His eyes are so blue, and his smile so sweet. It's going to be really hard being away from him come fall. 


I hate when people write in not their real voices. It's just uncomfortable to read. 


My Pandora bracelets need to be cleaned desperately bad. Like. Seriously bad. 


I'm really excited to eat the hamburger that my Mother is making me right now. But, no ketchup please! I despise the stuff. Give me some mustard, baby! 

This is getting really long, but I sort of like the informality of it. But, I'll leave you now. Have a wonderful day. And may the odds be ever in your favor! 

In Which I Speak of My Audition

Numerous times I've sat down to write about my audition, but to no avail. So, instead I decided to film a vlog about my experience. In which I probably rambled way too much. 
Also, sorry for my constant squinting. It looks like I have a grimace on my face, but I don't. I just had a headache. 

The Thursday Before...

{random picture of ice cream, because i swear it can brighten anyones day!}

It is early here in Michigan. Okay, so it's nearly seven o'clock but that's pretty darn early for me. I'm sitting here being anxious. Anxious to leave. Anxious to stay. Although my audition isn't until tomorrow at three o'clock, because we live six hours away we're leaving this morning at nine thirty. Hopefully we can get some shopping in tonight at the mall (hint, hint, Forever21) and maybe some swimming at a pool. 

Some interesting things happened on Tuesday morning concerning my audition... if by interesting I mean completely horrid. 

I received a call confirming my audition Tuesday morning, which I was expecting. To be honest I was still in bed, because, well I can be. Long story short, I was told Tuesday that I needed to have two pieces prepared when previously I had been told one. Which is a pretty big deal. I've been working on a Sonantina by Clementi for a few months, perfecting it. Memorizing it. And come to find out 1) Now they say it doesn't need to be memorized and 2) I need to prepare another piece... in two days. 

So I pulled an older song out of my repertoire. One I haven't really played faithfully in roughly two years, but still has early advanced techniques. I practiced non-stop Tuesday until I went to my teacher's house for an impromptu lesson (by the way, have I ever mentioned that she is the sweetest person I know?) when she told me I've got a good handle on the song and I need to just give it a break. Can I just break down and be honest here? Well, hello, it's my blog and I can do whatever I please! The song I'm playing is the one that two weeks prior to my Daddy's death (and my sixteenth birthday) he asked me to play at his funeral. Which I did. So in a weird, twisted, not-in-the-way-I-want-at-all way I feel like my Daddy's gonna be there with me. Like, this is a song he listened to. And loved when I played. And because I believe music holds many powers within itself, it will almost be like he is there. Sorta. 

Somehow this whole horrible happening (which, mind you, is still horrible because I haven't practiced nearly enough) turned into not a so bad thing. Isn't that the way it always seems to go when one has an optimistic attitude? 

May you seize this day, and seize it to the full. For what is the point in seizing it all if it is only halfway? Smile a genuine smile, even if your alarm clock didn't go off until five minutes before you had to leave. Do a little skip out to the school bus. Be joyous of the fact that you can feel sorrow, for it means you're alive. 

The Week Of Guest Bloggers

As you all know I have my piano audition this Friday. I'm extremely nervous about it, but also really looking forward to it. It should be a great (and terrifying) experience. 
This week I'm going to be really trying to focus on my music, and completely perfecting my piece. As much as I love you guys I know I'm not going to be able to put my all into this ole' blog, so I asked some lovely ladies to help me out. You'll be hearing from some wonderful gals, and I'm extremely excited to have them as guests. So little lovelies, clean your rooms, take out the garbage and getting ready for some guests to move in for the week. Treat them with the utmost love. 


P.S. If you think of me say a little prayer, I know I could all of them I can get. 

where has that old friend gone lost in a february song?

Goodbye February! I'm not sad to see you go, especially with weather such as this. Though I am a bit worried about the happenings of March (such as my piano audition at the end of the month!), I'm very excited to welcome another month into my dismal life and even more excited to experience it with all of you! 


What happened on the blog this month?
She had 22 posts, 1,235 visitors, and 7 new stalkers readers! I'm pretty sure that that is a record for this ole' blog. (Hi, new readers! I'm really glad to have you here! Keep commenting and interacting, I love you all)
I was accepted to Bethel College!
I made my first ever gif for the blog.
I posted (1, 2, 3, 4) some snazzy hairstyles and hair DIY's. 
Did my first ever guest interview featuring Abbi! 
I was interviewed on Abbi's blog.
Ivory Giraffes is now on Facebook, Bloglovin' , & Twitter! 

Hair Week//Day 2: Triple Side Braid

Okay, to be honest I started this as a Side Double Braid and tried leaving out my non-existent bangs to attempt to curl them into some bangs. Needless to say it didn't work. So I improvised by creating another braid. I like it. It's simple. Pretty. And very different than my normal things. (Kind of. Still braids. Just a bit more elaborate.) 


In news not related hair today I received a letter from Bethel saying that I was picked to have a scholarship! I'm really excited and honored. It makes me even more excited to head off to Indiana next Fall. 

don't forget to remember me

So I'm thinking maybe we should have a party because of this, no? 

I can't even begin to describe to you guys how absolutely happy I am at this moment. It's incredible, and I'm so happy.