Tuesday, September 30, 2014

2014 Goals Update: September

273/365

This is how I spent about an hour of my day between class and work: knitting on a hat for a classmate while listening to Judges in preparation to start my second Old Testament paper. September absolutely flew by. I cannot believe we're already into our sixth week of school. (It's pretty fantastic here). Today I'm feeling very blessed.

Now onto the goals...I cannot wait for 2015's goals. (;

1: one self portrait (per week)
Success! 
week thirty-six | week thirty-seven | week thirty-eight | week thirty-nine

2: compose photos (every day)
"Success, I think. I still haven't gotten all the pictures compiled into one folder on my computer yet, and it's getting a little hazy. I think so, though." Seriously just the same as last month. I think some, like WIP Wednesdays, were only pictures of my projects, but whatever.
244 | 245 | 247 | 248 | 255 | 256 | 258 | 263 | 264 | 265 | 266 | 268 | 269 | 270 | 

3: read the Bible (every day)
Not for quiet time purposes. I'm only human...

4: journal (daily)
Nope. And it doesn't bother me. I probably should do one of those "day in the life" or something, though...

5: blog (daily)
I think so. Some were definitely just written the next day, but it's the 30th day of the month and this will be the 30th post, so that works for me.

6: walk
All the time. All the walking. And I love it.

7: bike
Nope. I'd really like to take a ride along the lake shore before it gets too cold, though!

8: 52 projects
Yes! I made progress! Three have been blogged about, and two more will be posted this week. Pretty good, if I do say so myself. Not sure if I've mentioned it yet, but I knit or crochet, like, all the time. In chapel, in class, during Joe's Live on Monday nights...just whenever I can.
project 20 |  project 21 | project 22

9: 52 books
Nope! Didn't finish a single book this month. I'm getting a tad worried now that I won't hit my goal...except I will totally have to because I have never been so close!! 
what I read this month

10: experiment with photography
A teeny bit, I suppose. Will definitely try to squeeze in some more in October while I have two sets of visitors come in!
one | two

11: make six new meals for the family
Fail.

12: learn to play the keyboard
Fail.

13: at least one photo book
Fail.

14: travel
It's all about exploring the city now! See: photography. Those are the times I've really gotten out.

- rl

Previous 2014 Goals Posts:
Original List
January Update
February Update
March Update
April Update
May Update
June Update
July Update
August Update

Monday, September 29, 2014

What I Read This Month


Answer? Absolutely nothing! I did not finish a single book this month, I read little of the book I'm currently working on, and read 11 pages of my Jane Austen bind up, but I'm in a reading slump. It's a good thing, I guess, considering I have a lot of other things to read for SCHOOL. Off to bed I go, because I should really work on that Old Testament reading before chapel tomorrow...

- rl

Previous What I Read This Month posts:
January 2014
February 2014
March 2014
April 2014
May 2014

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Self Portrait (39/52)


Today was such a blast. The highlight of it, besides the fact that today is my room's birthday (9/28 in 928), was playing ultimate frisbee on the beach at night. It was so fantastic. Running in the sand is hard, but worth it. I'm not the most competitive person, but I'm doing my best and having fun. Plus a few of us got in the water (only to the knees for me, all the way in for others) which felt awesome. Also, who knew sand could be so cold?!

This next week will be weird, but awesome. Especially since the end of the week means MY PARENTS ARE HERE. I can't wait to see them! If you could, please pray for my mommy who hurt her back the other day and would really like to feel well during their trip!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Class Mugs!

270/365

Yesterday we got our class mugs! There was worship on the plaza, featuring Voices of Praise, the fantastic gospel choir on campus. Seriously, they were so fun to watch. Then we got our class mugs, and I'm so stoked! I don't even really know why, except I feel super official now. Then yesterday evening we went to iNforMal (are those the correct capital letters? does it even matter?) and it was pretty great. Definitely worth the .50 cent admission. I'm already looking forward to the next show! When is it?!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.) 

Friday, September 26, 2014

6 Days and Counting

269/365

Today I got another package from my mater, the most thoughtful woman I know. Can't wait to see you too next week. :D

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.) 

Thursday, September 25, 2014

How I Stay A Little Sane

268/365

This calendar is fantastic. I found a template online, then I edit it each week to make it specific to what I have going on. I attempt to write in what I want to do with my free time, etc. I like being able to actually see how my week looks. Today was exciting because my second class was cancelled, which means I've been able to get a few things done. Obviously I'll probably never have a set way that I get things done, but I'm trying to get my habits in now.

I'm not sure what made any sense. I'm a little off my game this week. I just ordered some yarn for a few custom orders, though, so I'm kinda stoked for that...

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.) 

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

WIP Wednesday


Not much progress on these particular projects this week, but on a few others, which have already been completed! Two hats or so? Each project has it's purpose:
- backpack is for while I read the Old Testament. I need to get into a nightly routine so I can get this second paper done quickly, but for the most part I knit one of the repeats (7 stitches) after I finish a chapter.
- shrug is for when I'm somewhere on the floor and want to do something. I need to finish it this weekend so I can start wearing it!
- hats (not shown, because they're done) are for chapel and class. Yes, really. With permission, and only when it's appropriate. It really helps me to pay attention, so I think it's worth it.

- rl

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Routine

266/365

I kinda love routines. Not as much as some people, but a little bit. If you've known me for a little while, or followed this blog, then you know how much I like my nightly routine: a banana (not pictured...I was hungry), Rice Chex, and milk. I even brought this specific cup from home that I always liked using!

Don't be deceived into thinking my night has been all relaxing, though. I had a narrative due at midnight that I was so not in to, which means, with the help of some dear friends on the floor, I started over on the three-page paper an hour before it was due. It was stressful. But it's done now! And I'm heading to bed!

First, though, can I just say how much I enjoyed talking to my mom tonight? After I got back to dinner she texted me about one of the books I won in a giveaway arriving, then we ended up talking on the phone for 40 minutes. It was always pretty common for my mom and I to talk on the phone while she drove home for work each day, so it was nice to chat with her again. Only 1.5 weeks until I see them again!!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Monday, September 22, 2014

The Best Purchase Ever

Recognize this picture? I stole it from my blog post the other day. (: 
265/365

Last week I finally upgraded my phone. I had my iPhone 4S for (almost) three years. It was time to move on for a myriad of reasons, so I went to the AT&T store. I hate spending money, but I am hoping this iPhone 5S will last me three years as well. I got the 32GB, which will be a huge difference from my previous 16GB.

So of course I needed a case to protect it! I'm not one of those who are huge into a big, bulky case to protect my phone, because the design is a huge reason I love iPhones. That being said, I would prefer a "big" case on my phone most of the time, then the ability to take the case off and sigh at the protected body of the phone itself. I'm a little dramatic, I know.

ANYWAY, I ordered this case. I've seen a similar case to this online, so I didn't come up with the pun myself...but I did make it mine. I searched online for a screencap from the show that showed him somewhat frustrated and with enough space above his head for the text...and this is what I got. I love it. I originally wanted multiple pictures for different fandoms, then decided that would just be way too much work, so I settled for adding a fandom name - superwholock - which stands for SUPERnatural, Doctor WHO, and SherLOCK. Again, not a thing I came up with, but I used it.

I love my case and am excited for the conversations it will start.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Self Portrait (38/52)

264/365

Today I finished my first paper! I had started it a few weeks ago and got halfway through, then my momentum crashed and I barely worked on it in the last two weeks or so. Today, however, I finished it up around 1:30, formatting and all. I'll go to the library after my 8am tomorrow and get it printed and turned in, well before the 4pm deadline. Now I'm on to plan the next one...

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Farmer's Market + One Month Down

Leslie and Marika! Pretty fantastic floor sisters! 
263/365

Today we went to the farmer's market up on Division. I had so much fun! I didn't buy any thing, although I was really tempted to get some flowers or fruit or something! We had fun daydreaming about how nice it would be to actually live in the city (like, full time) and come there on Saturdays to get fresh ingredients for dinners with friends you had coming up that week, as well as flowers for your table. We're decently simple girls. (;

It was nice, too, because we were only gone for an hour or so. We didn't stay for too long because I had to get back for work, which occupied most of my day. It was funny, though, because on the elevator ride down, in my uniform heading to work, there was another girl in there that works right past CFA and we both had work at noon so we were booking it to our destinations together and chatting a little.

I love Moody. I can't believe it's only been a month since I moved in. It feels like so much longer, in the positive way! It's getting difficult, yes, but it's worth it. I cannot imagine being anywhere else. I'm beginning to miss people (family, friends, DOG) but this is where I'm at, PLUS it helps that I'll have two separate visits from people in the month of October, so I'm pretty stoked for those. I'm already making a list for the places I want to take my parents when they come. Mom, this is one of those places. (:

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Friday, September 19, 2014

Project 22/52: Shanti Hat


Once upon a time I followed 1.3 million instagram accounts relating to fiber. That may be a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea: I follow lots of knitters and crocheters online. Why? Mainly because it keeps me accountable to continue knitting and not just drop away from it. Also because it is very inspiring to see what other people are doing.

One of my favorite accounts I follow would have to be Robyn Devine at She Makes Hats. And, boy, does she make hats! She's got an incredible mission in life that involves her posting hats all the time and making her own patterns, and this is one of those patterns I've seen her post about again and again since it was released in May. It's so adorable!

I had trouble with it at first, but after talking to a few other crocheters here and school and directly contacting Robyn through instagram I've made two (this one was first) since I started it Tuesday night in TBK (Taco Burrito King...24-hour taco place a block from school that a lot of people are obsessed with...but I have yet to try it despite being in there twice now...ANYWAY). I really adore this pattern, I just wish I could get the hats to be a little thicker. I'll have to find a smaller hook and try that on my third attempt for this hat.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Project 21/52: I (Heart) Tawashi's


This is a project I've wanted to do for a long time. Ever since I found it, after having already knit one dishcloth with cotton, I knew I wanted to use the scraps to make one of these cute things. So, I finally did it, and I'm a little disappointed. It's not as heart shaped as I was hoping, but it's not too bad, I guess. Picking up stitches is my least favorite part of knitting thus far, so that was not much fun. I think it's going to be very handy to have in my dorm, however, so I scrub away the pizza on my plates...

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

WIP Wednesday


While it doesn't look like I made a lot of progress on anything this week, I actually completed three different projects! Yes, really. One has already been blogged, then the next two will come Thursday and Friday. I pulled my backpack out again (it didn't hibernate very long...) and have decided I will attempt to work on it while doing my reading for Old Testament. Read one chapter, crochet a little, repeat. The shrug has been ignored because it is very annoying to pull the yarn. I put A Royal Match on hold, then realized it will be a good book to read on the go (during breaks at work, on the el to Target, etc), while my Jane Austen bind up can sit in my room and get a little bit read each day. The thing is huge and has all seven books, and I suspect it will take me a year to get through it all, which is fine with me.

I hate really large paragraphs, but I've got a lot to do, so this will have to be fine! (:

- rl

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Project 20/52: Summer Floral Garland


I cannot believe I'm just now finishing another project for my 52 challenge! I've really been slacking in comparison to how I thought I would do, but that's life. I did spend a month on one project that still isn't halfway yet, and that's ok.

Anyway, my walls were looking bare, so I decided to use a large skein of cotton I had bought this summer and make a garland! I'm in love with it. I think I officially love making garlands. I'm already making plans to see about making loads of them for our hall once Christmas rolls around. Not this particular one, of course, but just different varieties that I came across while searching for the perfect one for my dorm. I'm sure I don't have it styled exactly right, but I don't particularly care about that. It's up and it inspires me to keep the fiber fun up, so it's doing its job.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Monday, September 15, 2014

Trying New Things: Peppers

258/365

Before today, I had no idea there are certain peppers you can just eat! One of my hall sisters is president of the club on campus I mentioned last week, so today she was preparing a few Latino dishes for tonight's meeting. I walked into the kitchen where she was listening to music and cooking when she asked if I wanted a pepper. I was very confused, and apparently I gave her a strange look, which I know because she recounted it to a few people later, haha.

So I tried a pepper! And it was good! Just a yellow one, because apparently it's the sweetest, but it was good! Thanks for letting me try one, K. (:

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Self Portrait (37/52)


Another self-portrait that makes it look like I spend all my time at my desk, when really the truth is far from it. Right now is really the only time I've spent at my desk, seeing as how I went to church, did some price checking between Walmart and Walgreen's, sat in bed watching One Tree Hill and trying to find a new project to start, went to dinner with some floor sisters, dropped off dinner for Ally at work, watched Frozen with a few more floor sisters, then worked in the library while Ally worked there. A busy, but good, day. I wasn't in the best mood at lunch, but some time to myself then out with others has helped it. Now I just finished putting together my schedule for this week and, wow, I should go to bed.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Wow, Really?!


256/365

You may ask, Gee, Rachel, can you believe that you live in Chicago? and I would say No way, Jose! I still can't believe it, and tonight was one of those nights where it hit me again! After biking three miles at the gym this morning, then working all afternoon, I went straight to my room in the dorm and changed into clothes to go take a walk to Navy Pier with a few hall sisters. My feet are absolutely killing me now, but it was so worth it!


- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Friday, September 12, 2014

Lunch Date

255/365

Today we skipped class and went out for pizza! With our professor, of course. He treated the class to Gino's, just a short walk from campus. We sat around and chatted, eating their personal-sized pizzas. Only at Moody? I think so.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Minor Repairs


This week I made my backpack ghetto. I love this backpack and was not willing to let it go, but also not willing to risk my laptop falling out the back when walking around campus. So, I sewed it up. I love it. I had originally planned on using a bright colored yarn, but then decided to use some rough feeling yarn I had on hand. Maybe I'll add some color to it when it starts wearing out. Maybe it looks ghetto, or maybe it has character...

- rl

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

WIP Wednesday


I made the mistake of not measuring how long I had gotten on my shrug last week, but just from eyeballing it, it seems that I did make a little bit of progress. I didn't work on it much this last week, the only time I can recall being when we watched The Sandlot as a bro/sis event on Friday.

I also started a different project this weekend: a flower garland! I'm trying to decorate the walls of my dorm a little bit so I figured this would be a fun way to add some art. I think I'm about halfway through the length I would need, but I'm loving it! I already want to make Christmas garlands to hang from the ceiling in our hall...

And I got no reading done. No biggie. I think I'll take it with me to read before work and during my break, but we'll see.

- rl

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Diving In

252/365

Tonight I opened my-or, technically, my dad's-study Bible for the first time. It was fun to look at this map that is at the beginning of Genesis and actually be able to recognize a few of these locations and what went on there. I got a little further on my paper tonight, but I also made a checklist that will break it down nicely so I can hopefully knock it out by next Friday. Also, we lost our intramural ultimate frisbee game tonight. That's 0-3 now, but we're fine with it. At least we're getting some exercise in, right?

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Monday, September 08, 2014

Puente's Piñata


Tonight was all about heading up to the Dryer roof for Puente, a student group on campus. Ally and Cassidy picked me up from work (my first day at the new location! lots to learn!), just a few blocks away from school, then, after changing and chatting in the hall, we headed up to the roof. 

Puente is about, well, bridging the gap between Latin culture and the Moody bubble. Or at least that's how I look at it. We went because the president is on our floor and she used the "let's taco about it" line during the student group chapel last week...or was it two weeks ago?

Anyhow, there we were, four floors up and surrounded by people just hanging out. I'm not positive I'll be able to make it to all Puente meetings, but it's probably something I'll keep in mind. Tonight they smashed last year's mascot/piñata. We left shortly after, not really in the mood to try anymore authentic candy. We headed back to the dorm and room hopped, then stayed up too late watching hilarious YouTube videos.


Now it's time to sleep. Oh, parents? I think my phone has officially bit the dust. I'm not positive I'm receiving text messages...so there's that. TGIAAD (Thank God it's Apple announcement day) because it's definitely time for an upgrade.

- rl

Sunday, September 07, 2014

Self Portrait (36/52)


Same place I took my self portrait as last week, but this I did spend time doing this today...so it's not irrelevant. I went to church, had lunch, got a little organized, ran an errand, celebrated Christmas, started sewing up my backpack, and went to open hall (the only time the opposite gender is allowed on the floor) for our brother floor. We played a game and marveled at how much larger their rooms are than ours. Now it's 9pm, but I didn't get enough homework done this week so Cassidy and I are headed out soon to go visit Ally in the library, so I figured I should get this done so I can crash once we get back. Aaaaand I haven't had dinner yet, aside from some ramen a bro made. College!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)