I'm a big kid now

I've had a revelation:

I am a "Grown Up".

Go back and read that again if you struggle with the concept of me being an adult. I find myself sometimes repeating it to myself seeing if it will sink in. So far, no such luck. I'll keep you updated.

There have been a couple things that have helped me in discovering this and I thought I would share them, just in case you were wondering if you were one as well. So, here goes!

1. I have several jobs. 

Let me explain myself... Having several jobs requires a lot of responsibility and many things come with that. I wake up early in the morning, I have to put on make-up, do my hair, pack a lunch, dinner, and go through a to-do list for the day.

Some of you might say, Emily this isn't anything out of the ordinary, in fact this is kinda lame of you to think I want to read about this. I WILL HAVE YOU KNOW, if you have never gone to school with me, you do not know that I wear workout clothes everywhere. Even if i'm not working out... It's simply what i'm most comfortable in, and it takes me less than 5 minutes to get ready. (I've learned the error in my ways.....kinda)

Exhibit A. Vacationing, workout clothes. Would it kill me to throw on some jean shorts like my twin??

Exhibit B. Hanging out with friends, God Bless Quinn (far left) she is my BFFL. Then there's Brandi... (this was actually on Halloween).

Exhibit C. Brunch in the city, TAKE YOUR DANG HAT OFF EMILY! Good thing my friends are gorgeous!

2. I like Dark Chocolate.

This is something that hit me like a ton of bricks! I have always loved milk chocolate and turned my nose up to dark chocolate. HOWEVER, since my healthy eating, lack of more processed foods, and sweets in general, I now LOVE dark chocolate when I do treat myself!

My sister informed me that this also happened to her in her senior year of college and quickly welcomed me into adult-hood. SHE'S A HOOT!

It is imperative that you try these. YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

3. My eating habits.

This may be the funniest part. I eat like a grown up. I meal prep, I shop at multiple stores for specific items, and generally try and stay on the outer parts of the store to avoid the junk!

I have some form of fruit every morning. A banana or an apple to be specific (I tried a grapefruit, too much, not enough reward...).

There are some mornings where I HAVE to have coffee. The only coffee I used to drink were frappuccinos. Not anymore. I love lattes, macchiatos, iced coffees, really anything but just plain black. 

So there you have it. It's happened/is still happening. Is this a part of being a senior in college? If it is, I guess i'm on track. To the rest of you going through this...brace yourself, I have a feeling we're in for a bumpy ride.

What about love?

With Valentines day approaching I thought I would address the obvious... LOVE.As soon as the Christmas and New years decorations are up, here we are thinking about Valentines day.

For some, the question of who, if anyone, looms over their head. For others, how will they surprise the one they love and then there's when, when does it get to be your turn to be so deeply in love and find that one person that will forever be your valentine and never look back?

So, i've decided to try my best at defining love this valentines day.

The greatest definition of love in my book was demonstrated on a cross. 1 John 4:19 says it best, "We love because he first loved us."

For someone to love the human race so much that he gave his life, that someday we might live was is the best example of how we should love. John 15:12 says, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." 

My own definition of love is a simple one. Loving someone means you put their own needs before your own. You forgive them when they mess up, because they will. You pray for them more than you do yourself, not being able to imagine life without this person or people, doing whatever you can to make their life a good one.

When I think of love I think of my parents. For 36 years they have been the second greatest example of what love is, not only between the two of them, but the love they have showed to their six children, and anyone in need of love they have gone out of their way to help.

And then theirs my own love, the love of my life, the man who has my heart, and happens to be born on Valentines Day. There were times where I was worried I wouldn't have what my parents have, but being a hopeless romantic myself, I can't say I ever gave up on love. 

God had something planned for me and I for that, I am truly thankful! So this Valentines Day, whether you've found that special someone or are still searching, try and show someone true, unadulterated love.

Losing weight or losing my mind?

It consumes my thoughts, my dreams, my stomach. DIETING. It is my least favorite thing it the whole wide world to talk about, yet I find myself talking about it constantly. 

It's true, I am not the size I was in high school. And while most people will tell you it's unrealistic to think you could go back to that size because you are a grown woman and things change, I refuse to believe it.

While I am only one size bigger than I was four years ago, to me I feel like I'm more like 10 sizes bigger and about 1,000 pounds heavier. It is something I am having to work on spiritually and in every other way. I got on the scale earlier this week to see I had gained a pound and had a FULL melt down...

Left is now. Right is Senior year of High School.

SO, why would I be working on this spiritually you ask? I am created in the Lord's image, he knitted me together in my mothers womb and made me exactly how I am for a reason. 

Psalm 45:11 says,

 "The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord."

For me to be as critical about my body as I am, I am not honoring the Lord, and criticizing how the Lord made me. Now that isn't to say that I should let myself go and not worry about how I look because the Lord also says I should treat my body as a temple.

1 Corinthians 6:19 says, 

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own..."

So as I am on this journey of becoming the best version of myself, it is a constant battle to stay positive and not be overly critical of the body I am in. 

If you are dieting yourself, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Keep on keeping on, WE CAN DO THIS!

Phil said what?

So, in lieu of yesterday's events in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, I have a serious bone to pick with a certain groundhog. 6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER MY GOODNESS, how will I ever survive.

Let me fill you in on how I feel about winter. It is only slightly okay of it to be cold through Christmas, but once that tree is put away and school starts again, the cold is a pain in my ears, face, fingers, and everything else it chooses to pierce through.

I took this picture at my home because one of the only things I enjoy about winter is how it looks. Winter is peaceful, quiet, serene. The only other thing that I enjoy about winter is the clothing, because who doesn't love an oversized sweater and your favorite pair of booties?

However, that is besides the point, the point is I want to be able to run outside, go on a bike ride, take a trip and pack light, go camping, go to the drive-in, swim all day and have one of the things I work hardest on be a sun tan. Whatever it is, I DON'T want the weather to spoil the fun!

Have you ever wondered why Californians, Floridians, Hawaiians, are so happy and people take their Christmas vacations to such places? Because warmth and sunshine are good for the soul.

Summer. Hair gets lighter. Skin gets darker. Water gets warmer. Drinks get colder. Music gets louder. Nights get longer. Life gets better. 

And as one of my favorite artists, Ben Rector, would say, thank God for the months after May. 

Mobile journalism, cooler than the other side of your pillow.

Another "assignment" if you will, for my Blogging for Journalists class. This class by far is my favorite because i'm getting credit for speaking my mind and posting about it!

So in this blog, it's all business. However, I have found something that is so important these days I can't pass up the chance to discuss it.

http://www.mulinblog.com/mobile-journalism-examples-and-production-tips-qa-with-rte-video-journalist-philip-bromwell/

As a college student, at any moment in time I could look around and see 90% of my peers looking at their phone, that is if I choose to look up from my own. What are we all looking at? Most of us are on the internet. Whether it be Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, a local news website,  we are all consumers of mobile journalism.

We are all connected with people countries and continents away with the tap of a thumb (or pointer finger however you scroll through your screen). The world is moving quickly away from print and further and further into the the real of the world wide web! We've gotta get with it and keep up with the times people!

So sorry for the serious post, ya gotta do what you gotta do. On a lighter note, the Spongebob movie is coming out next week.

So you say you've got passion?

My Blogging for Journalists class has only been in session for what is now three weeks, and already I have learned SO MUCH. Today we read a blog about passion. It instructed bloggers to write about what they are passionate about, and I felt inspired to tell you all what I am passionate about.

First and foremost, whether it is popular or not, I am passionate about the Lord.
In life you will go through tough times and wonder what the point of the daily grind may be. For me I learned the meaning as a young girl in church.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

The Lord is filled with love, grace, hope, peace, forgiveness, and so much more. If you want to know more about him, feel free to ask, I am an open book about my continual journey in truly seeking and knowing the lord.

Secondly, I am passionate about my family.
I am, by eight minutes, the youngest of six brothers and sisters, and a twin! I was blessed to grow up with two parents that love the Lord and love me unconditionally.

From top left: Joel, Daniel, Jared, Me, Grace, and Abby

 My siblings are one in a million as well. Three boys and three girls, there is not a one of us that is exactly like the other. We have a veteran among us, a soon-to-be principle, a cancer survivor, three teachers, twins, and most importantly, we all love each other more than words can express. My love for them is not easy to express in words.

My nephews are the heart of my family. These three little guys (AND ONE ON THE WAY!!) are what all of us can agree, make family gatherings most fun and entertaining. And without an amazing group of brothers and sisters-in-laws our family would not be complete. Let me tell you my brothers and sisters know how to pick-em!

Finally, but certainly not least, the love of my life, my fiancé. Casey completes me in all of the best ways. He is a wonderful man of God, kind, slow to anger, patient (which lets all agree, anyone who has chosen to spend forever with me would need buckets of patience!), loves my family, I could go on and on about this man. Let's just leave it with July 19, 2015 cannot get here soon enough!

Well there you have it! While there are many many more things that I am passionate about, these are the top three that fill my heart to capacity. I am one blessed girl.

5 Ladies that rocked the Red Carpet at he SAG Awards

With a new year we welcome a new award season and countless evenings on the Red Carpet filled with our own "ooo's" and "ahhhs" as we watch from the comfort of our homes in our pajamas. The 2015 Screen Actors Guild awards did not disappoint Sunday night with some of my favorite Red Carpet looks this year. 

1. Emma Stone in Dior. Emma Stone made my jaw drop in her Tuxedo-inspired gown by Dior. From her red lips, understated hair, and black dress to make her flawless complexion and ruby red hair pop, she is hands down my #1 pick for the night.

Emma Stone wore a tuxedo-inspired Dior gown to the 2015 SAG awards

2. Sara Hyland in Vera Wang. Sara Hyland was the perfect balance of sheer, glitz, and glamour for her custom red carpet gown by Vera Wang. I flock to anything Vera so the idea of a custom gown with a sheer overlay, on Sara Hyland's body was STUNNING.

Sara Hyland wore a custom Vera Wang gown with a sheer overlay.

3. Julianne Moore in Givenchy Haute Couture. The red heads ROCKED the red carpet this year, and Julianne Moore is no exception in this custom Givenchy Haute Couture embellished gown. Her jewels and softly curled hair did not take away from her glamorous old-Hollywood dress either. Loved this look.

Julianne Moore in custom Givenchy Haute Couture.

4. Joanne Froggatt in Anna. Maybe i'm biased because she is a cast member of my favorite show, Downton Abbey, but her blonde hair in contrast with her GORGEOUS fish-tail satin gown by Anna was stunning. Also her jewels and wedding ring completed the look flawlessly.

Joanne Froggatt wore a satin, fish-tail gown by Anna.

5. Kiera Knightly in Erdem. Two words come to mind when I think of Kiera Knightly last night and they are HOT MOMMA. Pregnant and Red Carpet can go two ways, bad or good, and last night this for Knightly went exceptionally well. This gorgeous plum gown by Erdem added classic beauty to the already glowing actress. Also I love her husband's, James Righton, fitted tuxedo.

Pregnant Keira Knightly in Erdem.

While we are only at the beginning of awards season, I think these stars have set the Red Carpet bar high.