We don't stop going to school when we graduate

Hi Everyone!! I hope you're having a great day! I am. I just had my advising meeting to sign up for next year's classes... I thought I needed 25 units to graduate, turns out, I only need 18!! What the!! Praise the Lord, right?! By this time next year I'll be... paying back my student loans! Anyways, there are a few quirks to work out, but they'll all get taken care of in time. What thrilling news! I've worked my little booty off, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! It's getting bigger! YAY! But in a way I'm kinda sad... actually I'm totally sad. I don't wanna leave my new friends! I wanna stay with them forever!

Speaking of school, they're having some kind of Jr. High Band event and all of these super cute little Jr. high children are walking around with their instruments and their parent. Oh the days...

ANYWAYS! This is what I decided to wear today.  I bought this dress a little while ago from Freestyle (shock), and I just fell in love with it! The sleeves are so cute! It has shoulder pads, but it's not like... Golden Girls status. I know that look is in kinda, but it's really not for me. I'm not into the 80's power woman look. I'm more into the... Sound of Music meets Midtown look.

 It's was still a little bit breezy this morning when I started taking pictures, so I threw on this little jacket. It's super light, so it's not warm at all, it just blocks the wind...a wind breaker!

 OH!! So remember how I told you that I wish I had taken pictures of Nathan while he was frosting the cupcakes... well just feast your eyes on these little moments I caught of my Wubby making dinner because I was too inundated with homework!

 I honestly don't know if he is flexing or not in this picture, but does it really matter? Look how funny his face looks!! That cheese he's grating is probably melting from the hotness! haha.

 Nathan, my beautious housewife! Silly wubby!

After writing this blog, I'll be off to slaving  away once more over ear training homework. It never ends I tell you!!  HOWEVER, I have to tell you this: I've been really praying about my math class. I'm a music major!! I'm not good at it, and I hadn't taken in for over 10 years (sophomore Geometry), and so this semester, I find myself in College Aldebra...rough. I've been slowly hobbling and struggling along, until last night! I was praying for a major break through before I sat down to try to teach myself about qudratic equations, and while I was reading...it clicked! All of the sudden I got it! Granted, the homework still took me 4 hours, but the concepts made sense, and all my answers were correct!! So hooray!! I'm gonna pass my math class, and after I do, I'll never have to take a math class again!!!!
Well everyone, thats it for me. This picture was not staged, my homework really is strewn about all over the place. If you're looking for a really great book about what it takes to be truly great leader (other than the Bible) I reccomend that red one at the bottom of the picture. It's called Good to Great, you won't be dissapointed! Anyways, I hope you guys are able to take advantage of this beautiful weather, I'm gonna milk it for all its worth!!!

Sunny Days, Sweeping The Clouds Away

Hello Everyone!! I have to say, I didn't intend on blogging today. I have so much work, but I'm determined to make this the most quickly posted blog entry in the world. There's gonna be typoes...you've been warned. I woke up this morning really early, so I picked out my outfits for the next two days, last night. I know crazy.

If you couldn't tell by my last blog entry, I was feeling a little bit defeated by my amount of homework, I'm chipping away at it, so the pile is slowly but surely getting smaller. I think I might have had a mini-mental breakdown (is that what you call running out choir crying?). I don't know, but after being comforted by super super super great and caring friend Rachel (whose boyfriend's name is NATHAN!) my tears were dried and I went back to choir. I hate streed/overtired Rachel (Parrish). I want to be my old self!  8 more days. I can make it 8 more days!

ANYWAYS!! That was yesterday, and the Lord says in Lamentations 3:22-23  ²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ His mercies are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. How great of a word is that! We are not consumed!! His mercies are new EVERY morning! I dont know about you, maybe you're not into this whole bible stuff, and thats cool, but really. Just give it a second... everyday we get to start over. Man, thats so good.

This is what I decided to wear today. This outfit is an explosion of spring celebration I think. More than once I heard that I looked like I was wearing a Kimono, and I couldn't help but agree and feel complimented:) This dress is the most comfortable thing in the whole world. I really do wish however that it had straps because it's easy to step on the front and give everyone a show...whoopsie!! My mom found my little kimono at the thrift store: she said "He Rach isn't this pretty?" and I said... "throw it in {the basket}". Mom for the win.

 I took my pictures at Jessup today because it was an impromptu photo sesh. Look how beautiful the sky is!! Look at the beautiful scenery of Rocklin CA! Man...

 I feel like in this picture I look a little bit squished, oh well.

Jessup has a cross country track where people often take walks, and I ran into my choir buddy Jessica and her BF! Aren't they sooooo cute. You should see them on campus. They totally match. They are both the nicest people. Jessup is filled with great people!

 Starbuck Trip #1 Courtesy of forementioned wonderful friend Rachel
Starbucks Trip #2 courtesy of my debit card

Look at my crazy pirate eye, and dissheveled hair!!!! My eye is suuuper puffy because I'm so tired (8 more days!). When I woke up this morning I coudl hardly even open it! HAHAHA!! I looked like PopEye!! I still kind of do a little bit!!

AND don't let me forget this little nugget of coolness! My Christian Theology buddy Zatch (not to be confused with Zack) stacked this rocks after class! I dont know, maybe you're not impressed, but.... are you blind! I  could never do that! That takes some serious skill! I've tried to convince Zatch to become a music major...to no avail. Look how impressed I look in that picture!! thats not fake everyone, that is my true and real impressed face!



Well everyone! That is it for me today. I really have to go. Remember! We are not consumed! The Lord is stronger than our biggest challenges! We have the power of the Holy Spirit in us!! Man... everyone, as I texted my bff Erin, be empowered!! It's the most beautiful day! Go on a bike-ride and comment/tell me all about it so that I can live vicariously through you while I do my homework. See you soon!!

They don't stall, they don't do their homework in front of the TV.

Hello everyone! Do you know that awful feeling of having way too much to do and not nearly enough time? Thats me this week...and last week, and likely to be next week as well. So I'm just giving you all fair warning, that my blog won't be updated as routinely as it has been. All my teachers are trying to get all our work in and graded and back to us by Spring Break, so needless to say, the homework has piled super high. So instead of waking up early to take pictures of my blog, I'm waking up super early to do homework!

So, here's what I wore today. I'm at Starbucks as you can see. This pictrue is AWFUL! it's because I'm front of the huge window... but if you could see my outfit, you would see that I look like a really dutiful housewife. I love this wool skirt (I wore it for St. Patricks Day). It's warm without being wintery. And this denim shirt has the same function. Warm, not wintery. But can you please observe whats WAYYYY more beautiful than any outfit I could ever put together, this goreous weather?! THANK YOU Lord for bringing out your beautiful sun (and Son!!). I love love love love... infinity time love this weather (I think extreme-ness of this blog is my white mocha talking).

 Look at those bags under my eyes! Or just look at the expression on my face. I was trying my very hardest to eek out a smile. I don't have the energy. But look at my miniscule little coffee...it will do the trick!

Sorry for the low quality of this picture, but this is my favorite part of my outfit today. I had my eye on these shoes from Freestyle, and my husband knew, so one day while we were shopping, he bought them for me behind my back and surpised me when walked out!! What a wonderful wubby:) He's seriously so great. It's safe to say that these little beauties are gonna be worn to point being flats.

 Speaking of looking like a housewife (which I proudly am), I made my Wubby his favorite: Red Velvet Cupakes. I've made them from scratch before, but not this time, thanks mr. Duncan Heins! Nathan frosted them for me. I wish I would have taken a picture of him doing that. I was enmeshed with my MacGammut Eartraining software. Ouchie.

  I think the best thing about being a Jessup Student is being friends with other Jessup students! My friend Steve came and sat down at my table in the Library and brought these little gems with him, and he gave me one!! Orange cranberry mini-scone! No home-made, but still way better than Starbucks (but don't tell them I said that).

Well Everyone! Thats all the time I can afford, so thats it for me! If your in the midst of homework craziness like me, speak life into your task! You can do it! I can do it! Seriously, there's only like...6 weeks left of school, and that includes a week long break (which I'll be taking San Diego, Hooray!). Then summer!! The Lord is gonna see me through! Speaking a C into my math class! I am one of them (a student)  and so are you! So Lets just praise the Lord! Right Arm, Left Arm... see you soon!

If I want to wear a dress, I'll wear a dress

Good morning everyone! Back to blogging away with vigor! I'm so glad to be back on here and doing my thing. I know it wasn't a super long time, but still, I missed it. I still have a ton of homework this week, but I have more peace of mind about it. I've discovered the art of the to-do list. My poor husband had to deal with my extreme anxiety all week long. He's a very patient man. My weekend was super fun. As I always do, I went to the thrift store with my mom. I forgot my debit card (I honestly forgot it!), and so my mom foot the bill (which was probably a grand total of $15). I found the best stuff! Just wait a few days, you shall see the glory for yourself:)

This is what I decided to wear today: The sun was shining nice and bright, and all I heard was about the 70+ weather, so I decided to wear a dress. I so love wearing dresses, they just make me feel so great! I love being a girl, and being girly. This dress is from Superior Thrift in Stockton, It's really full and flowy, and shapeless, so it's absolutely critical (yes, it's ciritical) that I wear a belt. I think it was handmade a long time ago, but that adds to it's charm!!

 These little guys were one of my finds over the weekend. I'm so glad to not be wearing heavy shoes today! I LOVE LOVE LOVE a great boot, but my little toes are begging for freedom!

 Sunday we had a Choir concert in Rancho Cordova, it was super fun. I love Choir concerts. Even though the ministry is really for the people in the audience, I'm always ministered to by our group, our conductor, my friends, the music, it's just an all around great thing to be a part of. I often thing about what my life would be like if God hadn't brought me back to Jessup... and then I stop thinking about it, because I would be missing out on so much!

Anyways, this picture is me looking like a crazy-cat-lady. This glorious sweater is soooo cute...when I'm not wearing my Choir dress with it. Our choir dresses are actually very attractive as far as Choir dresses go, but not with this gian sweater. The combo of the two with my little tiny bag...not cute. AND to top it off my eyes are closed! hahaha. Anyways, the outfit that I had on before I changed totally worked with the sweater, but at this moment in time... not so much.

ANYWAYS!! Thats about it for me today. I hope this sun plans on coming back out...I dressed for warm weather... I'm so tired of this happening to me! Perfect timing for me to end this post, there is a VERY loud "study" group in the commons coming in right now that I can't wait to walk away from. Have a great day everyone, pray for sunshine!! See you soon!

Nathan is Tattooing His Sister

My husband is tattooing his sister, and my nephew and I are watching "Underdog". Not the best film, I have to admit, and I think Dyl would agree. So while I'm wating for him to finish up, I thought I'd go through Polyvore and look for the shoes on my most desired list. They're all platforms, because I don't really like real heels. I feel like a giant when I wear them. Some of these are even pretty affordable! It's too loud in the house to do ear training, so, this is what I have to do...shucks.

Spring Shoe Desire:) by Rachel Parrish featuring dressy shoes

Forever21 dressy shoes
$28 - forever21.com

Swedish Hasbeens peep toe shoes
145 GBP - coggles.com

Vena Cava mary jane platform shoes
$340 - openingceremony.us

Cooperative platform shoes
$59 - urbanoutfitters.com

Platform pumps
tillys.com

ELLE Libbie Peep-Toe Platform Wedges
$36 - kohls.com

I Have Confidence in Sunshine!

Greetings from Stockton everyone! My week of hell is almost over. I still have quite a bit of homework, but the worst is over. My eartraining teacher extended our due date a whole week, praise the Lord. That homework takes forEVER. Also I have a paper I have to start working on for my Christian Theology class. I'm doing my paper on the personhood of the Holy Spirit. You, know, just typical conversation of the day!

Anyways, this whole entire week has been super stormy and ugly. It's been kind of rough trying to figure out what to wear because I sold all of my winter clothes to freestyle to buy all new spring clothes. My life is so hard. Not.

Moving on, like I said Nathan and I are in Stockton. Nathan is tattooing his hero today, so thats wonderful! I can't tell you who he is.

 These healthy little morsels are one of my guilty pleasures. This hashbrown is seriously just an order of french fries disguised as a breskfast food.

ANYWAYS! This is what I decided to wear today. I know you've all seen this sweater before, in fact I think I wore it last saturday, but I just couldn't help myself. I really love this sweater, and when I think of new ways to wear it, I just can't wait! It was raining today so I thought I'd make the most of it. I think Umbrellas are the cutest. this one in particular isn't, but it serves it's purpose just great! I didn't get wet at all.

 I am often told that I look like Julie Andrews (my hero). This is something that I really am complimented by, so when I saw this hat at the thrift store, I had to jump on it. How could I resist the oppertunity to look like Maria Von Trapp? I couldnt...I wouldn't.

Sweater: Sleeping on Snow from freestyle, Dress: Erin Fetherston for Target from Freestyle, Tights: Hue, Boots: Steve Madden, Scarf: I Freaking Made it!!

 These boots aren't my favorite. I've had them since the dawn of time, and I will never get rid of them. They are comfy, and they match everything. At the time I got them, all the girls that I worked with had them in all of the different colors. We all looked great in our slouchy flat boots. I miss those Campbell's days. After the school year's resolution is up, I'll be featuring this store for sure.

 Oh yeah, how could I forget! I also got a haircut! I chopped off the back, so while, I can't do a ponytail anymore, I also dont look like Justin Beiber anymore, so I am very very very happy about that.

These are some of the pictures I took over the week. Take note of the picture of all of my classmates lying on the ground. This is what eartraining does to people! If I am ever within earshot of anyone who says that being a music major is easy, I will kill punch them in the face.

Just an FYI: My name is spelled R-A-C-H-E-L. This obviously isn't the starbucks I normally go to, they never spell my name wrong :)

Well everyone, thats about it for me today. The Lord is sooooo good everyone. He is there even when we don't feel like he is. He is working in our lives and he loves us more than we can even fathom. Wow. Everyone, do you ever sit think about that? You should! Man, praise the Lord!! He reigns! See you soon!!

the breakdown and the repair are happening simultaneously

Good morning everyone! I hope you're having a good day. This is the part of the semester that I feel like I'm about to have a nervous breakdown. All my classes have heavy homework, projects due, and exams to give. It's just hitting me now that I have until thrusday night to do all of these things, and of course I have extra curriculars to attend. But hey! This is what I signed up for, and I knew it was coming eventually, so I'm embracing this stress and facing it head on. Good Lord, I have so much work to do... Ugh

Anyways, this is what I decided to wear yesterday. Today my outfit totally sucks. Seriously, sweatshirt, ripped up jeans, uggs, no make-up, totally undone. I have so much homework, looking cute today had to take a back seat.

As you can see, I decided on Uggs. I really try not to wear them as a fashion statement as much as I do for function. I think I picked shoes that were wayyy to warm for the weather today, but thats okay! I'd so much rather be warm than cold.

Man, I love love love my tripod! While I don't really have much room to take pictures around my apartment complex, I can still play around with the space I have, because now I dont have to prop up and balance my camera on the air conditioning thing, or on the little plank on the fence, I can pretty much just do what I want. What a nice freedom! I'm really looking forward to the weekend when I can really take it out and do stuff (after I do my homework).

Well everyone thats it for me today. I won't be posting for a while because I have SOOOO much work. I'm not sure I emphasized that enough in this entry, but I'll be back next week, I have to get good grades! School comes first everyone, School comes first. I hope your days are less stressful than mine. See you next week!