SUNSHINE

The sun is shining today... there is a very strong correlation between the bright rays and my happiness. :)

Not only is the sun shining, but I ate leftover Coldstone ice cream birthday cake for breakfast.

It's been an interesting... hour at my house today...

• First, Katie, Becca, and I heard stories about Mom and her roommates in college... HILARIOUS.
• Second, I found out that I've been using hand soap as body lotion.
• Third, I was sitting on the front porch doing homework when Katie and Becca drove by and shouted my name. I screamed. Really loud. They thought it was hilarious. Katie called me a minute later and all she could manage to say was, "Hey Vicky..." and then burst out in laughter.

Anna is coming over to sit on my bed and do homework!

Small group is meeting at our house tonight.

I LOVE TODAY.

:):):)

It just keeps hitting me over and over again... like a really big... something: I'm going to South Africa in seven months.

I should be doing homework, but I'm completely and utterly distracted. This is where the discipline for the last post comes in;)

The Wonderful Craziness of Life

Oh boy! I just spent the most incredible week in Portland with Katie, Kristi, Becca, and the Winslow family! It was so wonderful, lots of hanging out, relaxing, and seeing awesome sights: mountains, the coast, waterfalls, and lots of spring colors. Gorgeous. Our motto for spring break was "It's a road trip, everything's funny!" And, it truly was. I've never laughed so much in my life. And our theme song... wait for it... Go West Young Man by none other than Michael W. Smith. Yessss.

Highlight: Friday. During the day we got to see downtown Portland. In the evening, Mac and Jon's friend, David, came over. David is without question the funniest person I have ever met. And it was so great to hang out with Mac again. We played several games which were incredibly entertaining. Later, we danced for a while. After everyone went to bed, Jon, Mac, and I played keep-it-up with a balloon... for, like, two hours while listening to Michael Buble and Michael Jackson. It was such a funny night... we were all tired and just cracking up the whole time.

Ok, so, it was an absolutely wonderful week and the whole time I was ready to give up on school. The thought of returning to Minneapolis and 7 weeks of school simply disgusted me... (keep in mind: the day we returned I was miserably sick and had just spent 30 hours in the car). However, this morning in class, I received the first boost of grace, strength, and motivation to finish well. It has been my prayer all semester, but I haven't really been living that way. I don't want to look back with regrets on my last semester of high school.

That being said, I want to live the next two months very intentionally by really pouring myself into my studies and savoring the precious little time I have left with this year's students. This means I need to take control of my time and use it well, not waste it, which I find that I do all too well. Praying for grace.

Finally, a few things I'm looking forward to:

1. I turn 18 next Monday... crazy.

2. Spending more quality time with the girls (Becs, Katie, Kristi, Liz, and Hannah).

3. Summer and sunshine.

4. Starting at BCS in the fall. Absolutely stoked.

5. Serving at Lausanne in Cape Town, South Africa in October. What an incredible opportunity.

God is so good to me. I am more than blessed.

Ok, I really need to do some homework before my next class. The productive time usage begins now. :)

ciao,

whit

thursday

i love thursdays. i don't have any classes or other obligations so i stay home in my pjs all day. it's lovely. it's been a great thursday. however, i've barely done any homework. poop. i guess that's why i'm blogging... still trying to avoid death by executive summary. it's actually not as terrible as all that, it's just my first one and it's obnoxiously time consuming:)

piper quote of the day: "will you please get all your skin in here?" mom was standing in the frame of piper's bedroom door and that was obviously a less than adequate distance for piper to tell mom whatever it was that she wanted.

the clock on the stove reads 11:19, while the one on the microwave says 8:41. aahhh, if only... i should probably change that.

i love psych! seriously hilarious show.

i saw someone use the word "lamewad" today. it was awesome.

it's my cousin chelsey's 18th birthday today! she has been one of my dearest friends for my entire life. she has the sweetest heart and loves people so well. she is always an encouragement to me and always keeps me laughing:) she and i always have a wonderful time together, whether we are discussing theology, music, books, family vacations, movies, or life. happy birthday, sowsey! i love you with all my heart!

happy songs of the day: dancing queen and take a chance on me (ABBA), i look so good without you (jessie james), and california girls (the beach boys).

i was really encouraged by psalm 19:7-9 this morning. planning on memorizing it soon:)

ok, i need to stop. i hope your thursday was as lovely as mine:)

ciao ciao!

happy christmas

so, this year we're having a quiet family christmas at home. and it's kinda weird. we usually hang out with my mom's family on christmas day. but, they're all in the florida keys. it is really nice to have a quiet day... so far, i'm really liking it! but, i do wish we were on cudjoe key laying by the pool. or key west watching the sunset in mallory square. or looe key snorkeling (which they are doing today). or near mile marker 20 plopped in the middle of a side road watching the stars.

i'm a little sad because i miss all of them. however, it is not overshadowing my day. minneapolis is gorgeous today! and i have a super terrific family. and it's was so fun watching pi's excitement when she woke up this morning. best sister ever, i can't believe this is only our third christmas with her! craaazy.

our house is very christmas-y. stockings and twinkly lights. i love it!

piper got a fish for christmas. i think it's a beta... she still hasn't named it. UPDATE: the fish has been named... wait for it... slipper. ha.

i spent my morning buying music on itunes, thanks to taylor for the wonderful gift of music! taylor swift, michael buble, brad paisley, owl city... yum!

hmm, i'm really excited for church tomorrow night. it feels like it's been so long and i only missed one week...

alright, well there are my christmas morning ramblings. merry christmas, friends!

dubrovnik, croatia

I'm missing Croatia today. Dubrovnik is such a cool, ancient city. This was the first glimpse we caught from our ship. Sweeto bridge and orange rooftops.

The pier:

Gorgeous church:

This is a typical view of the street:

There was a group of musicians playing outside of one of the sweeto old buildings.

Looking down another street at another beautiful church:

Neighborhood:

And then, my favorite part of Dubrovnik. We wandered around, following signs that pointed toward cold drinks. We were absolutely parched and the idea of mango juice or coke was irresistible. It was incredible, right on the edge of the cliff.

Eventually, we noticed others coming up from a staircase somewhere below. We decided to adventure... This is Aubrey, about to brave the whimsical looking steps.

When we reached the bottom, we found an awesome cliff. Aubrey and Chelsey were both brave enough to jump off. Gram and I didn't jump, but we did swim... in our clothes.

This day is absolutely in my top favorites. I loved seeing the cool buildings and alleys. I loved swimming in my clothes. I loved walking back through Dubrovnik utterly soaked. I love my Gramma and Aubs and Chels. And I would LOVE to go back!

:)

the past week, i have been in such a happy mood.

almost all my school stress has been relieved. i took one final on tuesday, and i have three next week... not too worried.

piper has been delightful. i've been sleeping in her extra bed because she's afraid to sleep alone. a few nights ago, i was watching a movie on my computer. she woke up around midnight and we decided to have ice cream in bed. it was wonderful:)

oh, and last night, i watched the very first noel. my favorite kid's christmas movie. it's all of 20 minutes long. but, its so great. it features the voice of andy griffith and rhymes through the whole movie! and, it has some pretty funny lines. i quote them all the time:)

the girls downstairs are simply wonderful! they got a christmas tree last week. it's huge and beautiful. a few days ago they were rearranging the furniture, and i went down to hang out. we had a blast trying to place the furniture and singing christmas music. also, last night liz and becca came up and we all flopped onto my bed and laughed at everything and nothing. then piper grabbed a bunch of scarves out of my closet and we wrapped them around our heads and cracked up at our work. those girls are so much fun!

i recently discovered emilie henry, a young singer/songwriter. check her out: http://www.myspace.com/emiliehenry:)

and today, i skipped my morning class. first time ever. i was shocked that mom went along with it. i totally agree with her, that going to class is important. however, this morning, i desperately did not want to step into the shower or brave the cold. (current temperature: -3. windchill: -18. welcome to winter in minnesota!). i feel so naughty. and wonderful. i've been so productive this morning, it feels great!

well, i have another class soon. last class of the semester! and a presentation... so, i'm off.

ciao, friends!

whitney

p.s. i really want to go back to italy/greece lately. oof.