Saturdays in Spring

The picture above is exactly how I am planning on spending my day today. The sun is shining and the temperature is supposed to be in the 70's! Hallelujah! I wrote a post earlier this week about the finicky spring weather but I am 100% wearing shorts today. 

One of my favorite things to do is to lay outside. Not necessarily to get a tan (I'll still take it) but to just enjoy the breeze and the Vitamin D! This is something that my mom got me hooked on as a little girl and I've loved it ever since. When I was little we'd go out into the backyard with a large Mexican blanket and a pitcher of lemonade and lay there for hours.  Even if it's just for an hour it's so relaxing! Some sweet tea, a good book, a mexican blanket and happy tunes make for that perfect afternoon. 

How do you plan on spending your Saturday?

Emily

Can you go Computer-less?

So last week my computer charger split in two! Right where the thinner cord comes out of the square part on the Mac charger. Sorry for the un-official terms but to get to the point, it just split! And as soon as it did, my laptop could no longer charge within a day. Let me tell you, this was such an inconvenience! I always thought that Mac's had the longest battery life until I had nothing to charge it up again! For a solid 4 days I was having to borrow friends' chargers, moving to do work beside them or using their chargers when they were done for the day and going to bed! Finally, I squeezed in an appointment at the Apple store in hopes to regain control over my work schedule!

Unfortunately they weren't able to give me a new cord. Apparently chargers aren't covered under Apple-Care? Fine. But they did give me a discount since I came in to see them so I'll take that. 

Once I got back and charged up my Mac once again I was good to go but those few days really showed me how surprisingly dependent I am on my computer. I feel like I'm so far behind on work because quite everything, is accomplished on my Mac. Emails, papers, articles, online homework, online banking, social media, blog posts! They all require my computer! 

I'm not really sure how I feel about my whole life being tied to this new electronic world but it really did shock me how much I'm on my computer all day. I need to start learning how to space out my computer time. Not only can my Mac become a black hole of time but I also get massive headaches after staring at the screen for too long! I think it would be good to go back to physical textbooks and handwriting outlines for papers, give my eyes a rest and learn to focus outside of an electronic workspace. The computer can really become a distraction at times and although it is so necessary in my day-to-day life I don't like feeling that dependence on an inanimate object. 

I think I'm going to start challenging myself to unplug for a day. Turn off my computer on a Saturday and simply detox. It can't be good to constantly be tuned into the world wide web and entranced by that glaring screen. I am so so thankful to have a working charger again but I really wouldn't mind spending a little less time with my inevitable Apple friend. 

Can you go without your computer for a day?

Emily

A Highway Day Ahead

So today I'm heading back to Memphis to finish off my sophomore year of college. Gulp. That sounds really scary. Gosh I can't believe it's over halfway done! This break flew by but I am so thankful that I got to spend some time at home for a few days. However, the worst part about breaks ending is the drive back to school. Yuck, not looking forward to this but I've got my goldfish and gummy bears to keep me company!

I put together a mix that's going to get me through the first couple hours of my drive. Especially when highway driving, music is critical!

First of all, music helps me get over the initial few hours of homesickness as I'm driving away. I'm really an independent person. I wanted to go to college 6 hours away from home for a reason but I still hate saying goodbye. I always have a tough time leaving my parents and the goodbye with my long distance boyfriend is unbearable but I can handle it. I just need some sunglasses and some happy tunes to get me through.

Secondly, music keeps me awake! Hours on the highway is truly mind-numbing. In the car I need something upbeat that I can dance to and belt out lyrics. It's totally embarrassing but I do enjoy these secret jam sessions. Anything that can keep me awake and alert is important!

I'm getting ready to head out so I guess I'll see you on the other side!


All packed and ready to go,
Emily

Snow Days

So yesterday we had a snow day. A snow day. In March. In Memphis.

Either way, I'll take it. Waking up to the brightness of the snow outside is one of those "little things".  I always remember doing secret tribal dances in my room when I was in elementary school praying to the snowday gods that my school would close. I did even try the pajamas inside out trick. I'm also happy to say that the one time I tried this it did work. Although I don't typically spend the day sledding and creating elaborate 4 feet snowmen in the backyard I still love these days. Playing around in the snow (now mainly consisting of walking around in the covered grass) is something that I will never get tired of.

Despite my hopes that the weather will warm up as soon as possible, I loved yesterday.  It also was a much needed respite on a Monday. I could use more mondays off to sit in my room and drink a hot chai. And obviously a cake pop. If you give a mouse a cookie right?

So snow days are good and snow days will always be good. Thanks snowday gods, stay tuned for more tribal dances to come.

Diggin this day off,
Emily