20 By 20

A few days ago, I left my teen years behind forever as I hit the big two-o. And with my birthday, the blog had a birthday as well! The Dream Factory turned two on April 8th, only a couple of days after my twentieth. 

I've been reflecting a lot on my life recently, as someone who has just entered her adult years tends to do. I've been around the world, met new faces, had plenty of adventures and learned so much along the way. There are still some lessons to be learned (hopefully during my next twenty years), but I wanted to share with you what I've lived and learned so far. (Warning: This post is a long one, because I have lots to say. Make sure you take a bathroom break in the middle if you need to.) 

So, without further ado: Twenty Lessons I've Learned by My Twentieth Year. 

In list form, because lists are rad. 

1. Travel often. Travel often because it opens your eyes. You get new perspective. Your horizons are wider. And now, according to science, it makes you smarter. Even if you can only visit a new town in your state. Get out there, people.

2. Never be afraid to ask the hard questions. People may give you weird looks, they may laugh, scoff, or turn away in disdain. But don't be afraid. Sometimes these questions that others may avoid may be the ones we need to talk about. I once asked a possibly-but-I'm-not-sure sacrilegious question to my philosophy professor. Instead of brushing it off, he offered to discuss it. Of course, he's a philosopher, so that's what he does. Despite the fact that I go to a conservative Christian university.

3. Sometimes forgiveness is a daily process. When I first moved to America, I knew nobody. It was rough starting a whole new life from scratch. But soon, I had made a friend. She became one of my best friends, and was always there for me. Only a couple of years later, she stabbed me cruelly in the back, twisting her knife deep. Of course, while our friendship may be broken, we speak civilly to each other now. For years, though, every time I thought of this girl I had to mentally forgive her. Over and over again. And recently, here at college, I've had a tough situation with a couple of good friends. So I just applied the same concept. Trust me, this can take years, but it helps so much in the long term. 

4. Make your beliefs your own. I am a Christian, and I am very proud of it. My Christianity is something that makes me who I am. However, I understand that not everyone shares my beliefs. But this point is about choosing your beliefs and sticking with them. My parents are strong Christians as well, but at some point, I decided that I was going to choose to be a Christian. I could have chosen not to. But I have used my free will to remain a Christian, and my belief is my own. Use your free will wisely when it comes to your beliefs.

5. One-on-one time is important. This one may be easy for me to say because I'm an introvert. I really find merit in one-on-ones though. Sure, group time has its perks, but everyone needs this intimate setting, where they can focus solely on one other person. This is a way that many relationships can grow stronger.  

6. So are moments of peace. Another one that speaks to my introverted side. Even for extroverted types, though. Peace is to be appreciated, if only for a few minutes. It's important to give the mind breaks and let it rest. Peace helps the soul rest.

7. Never be ashamed of who you are. I am not normal. But that is something that I am slowly coming to terms with. I am called to be different. And that's okay. There is no shame in who I am, because I'm loved deeply by the One who created me. That goes for you too. Never be ashamed with who you are. You are you. That doesn't mean that you're perfect, but you're a work in progress. And there is no reason to be ashamed of that. 

8. Love can be letting go. Cheesy as it sounds, this one's still important. When we love something very much, sometimes we can obsess over it. And sometimes, that's just not healthy. We keep ourselves in a prison of our own making as we try to hold on to something that has the potential to destroy us. Don't be afraid to let something or someone go.

9. Sometimes it's okay to be angry. There is more than one type of anger. There is a sense of injustice, that all is not right, and something needs to be fixed. Now. There is bitterness. There is rage. If you are angry at injustice, you can use that anger to fuel your drive to change it. This is okay. What is not okay? Allowing your anger to destroy you. Anger will harden your heart and burn your soul. Don't give it that chance. 

10. Try new things. As a very wise science teacher once said, "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!" Don't be afraid to try new things! Who knows? You may like it! And if you don't, then at least you gave it a shot. The plunge into newness is the hardest part, but once you're in, you'll never know what you'll find. 

11. Never shoot someone down intentionally. I'll give you something not so say in one phrase: "I don't care." When someone tells you an idea, shows you something that makes them shine, or lets you inside their walls, when you say something like "I don't care", you're stabbing them right in the gut. That's just cruel. Even if you're not interested in something, just nod politely and, if you absolutely must, change the subject when you can. 

12. Read everything. And don't give me that "But I don't LIKE reading" excuse. Do it anyway. You don't have to read books. Read something else. Newspapers, blogs, STREET SIGNS. Reading expands the mind and perspective. It enriches the vocabulary and challenges the thoughts. It helps you grow. 

13. Enjoy each little thing. Don't take moments for granted. Enjoy even the tiniest things that come your way. Treasure them and hold them close. Even the smallest shards of happiness are precious. 

14. Sometimes we just need people to tell us that everything's going to be okay. This past school year has been my hardest yet. And, I'll admit this right now to you, dear Reader. My life is in shambles. I feel like I'm on a tiny sailboat, tossed in the mightiest hurricane in the middle of the widest, darkest ocean. Sometimes I don't even know how I'm going to survive the next five minutes, let alone the next few decades of my life. Then I have to have outside reassurance. There is a friend that I text, often at odd times of day, asking him to simply tell me that things are going to be okay. He does, and Reader, sometimes that's the most comforting thing that I can be told. 

15. Tea is important. Tea is always important. If you're not a tea person, then coffee will suffice in a pinch. There's nothing like friendship over a steaming cup of tea. 

16. It's okay to cry. Crying helps, especially if you have a pillow or a shoulder to cry on. Crying releases pressure in the body. Do not be afraid to weep when your heart is breaking. Even if you're a dude. Even guys need to cry. Let yourself cry. You'll feel much better. 

17. Laughter is from Heaven. It is truly the best medicine. Do things and spend time with people that make you laugh. If you marry, marry someone that makes you laugh. Laughing is one of the most underrated and greatest gifts. And it's universal. There's nothing like two people who can't even speak to each other being able to enjoy a laugh. 

18. Don't treat others how you want to be treated. Treat them BETTER. A short expansion on the "Golden Rule." Even just a smile to someone you don't know may brighten their day. I never said that this lesson is an easy one, but it is very important. Don't just be nice to people because they are nice to you. Treat everyone with kindness and respect, even if they hate your guts. ESPECIALLY if they hate your guts. 

19. Everyone has a story worth telling. This phrase helped me realize my passion for storytelling. Because everyone has been on all different walks of life, each of us has a different story. None of these stories are insignificant, no matter how mundane they seem. We are all valued, and each of our stories matter. A great example of this? Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York. If you're not familiar with HONY, look it up. It's worth your time, I promise. 

20. Never, ever lose your curiosity. This is one of the greatest pieces of advice from my professors. Always keep learning and asking questions. Maintain that child-like desire to discover. Make sure your curiosity doesn't lead you down some dark roads, however. But keep it alive. Try new things. Ask questions. Be willing to learn.

That's a lot of stuff right there. And if you made it all the way down here, I heartily congratulate you, dear Reader. I hope you enjoyed my journey through twenty years of life. Thank you so much for reading!

Bloggers Note: Remember, after this post, I'm going to be on hiatus for a while. I need to set some places in my life straight once more. But no worries. I'll be back soon. 

A Conversation with my Art Professor

Now, as many of you may or may not know, I am a graphic design minor. This is my second semester with my art professor, and by now, we've formed a bit of a strange relationship. Because we sit at the same table cluster in the design studio, the snarky comments go everywhere. 

The following is a true conversation we had a week ago: 

Art Professor:  Now, Maggie. If you make three mistakes, we'll have to take you out back and stone you.

Me: Fine, fine. *makes a mistake* 

AP: I'm going to have to stone you! 

Me: You can't! I haven't made my third mistake yet! 

AP: Oh, very well. Here, what are you having trouble with? 

Me: This cut. 

AP: *helps me with challenging cut* 

Me: *procrastinates on the last cut*

AP (a few minutes later): Maggie, what are you doing? 

Me: I don't want to mess up!

AP: You're delaying the inevitable. Now, class, did you bring your stones today? We may have to take Maggie out back. 

Me: Okay, okay. I'm going. *straitens ruler to prepare for cut* 

AP: It's do or die this time, Maggie. 

Another art professor wanders in. 

Other Professor: What's going on? 

AP: This is Maggie. If she makes her third mistake, we're going to take her out back and stone her. 

OP. Well, I've got some bricks. We can use those! 

Me. HEY. 

OP; Or some cinderblock. 

Me. You would only need one of those. Just one would crush me! 

OP: It just depends on how fast you move. 

AP: Or how many we throw at you. 

Me: CAN WE NOT. 

Me: *makes perfect cut* HA.

Both professors: *approving nods*

AP: Looks like you lived today, Maggie...

Me: Until next time, when I get out the paint. 

A few minutes later. 

Classmate: Oh no! The paint! NONONONO.

AP: No worries. Just let it dry. 

Me (from across the room): I SEE HOW IT IS. 

I enjoy my 2D Design class very much. Although it's tough, I like the challenge and learning about new ways to express myself. My skill is nowhere near those of my classmates, but I'm learning something new every day, and in the end, that's what really counts! 

Twenty Days Too Long

...since I last posted. And I was trying to hard for consistency. So today, I'd like to begin with a couple of serious things, then leave that behind to move onto some happy stuff.

First of all, I seem to be at a crossroads. And a rather large one, in fact. It's completely normal for a college student to be at this stage, but I'm at a place in my life where I don't even know what to do with myself. This affects much of what I do, my outlook on life, and how I spend my time.

HALP.

Second, concerning the blog. NOPE. I'M NOT DELETING THIS THING. Scared you, didn't I? Anyways, I'm not sure about the direction that my blogging will take. There's so much I want to write about, but this particular blog doesn't seem to have a niche. I know it's just a simple starting blog for a beginner blogger, but where do I go from here? There's so many things I love to do! Photography, acting, writing, movie reviewing...I'm a pretty artsy character, and my blogging, or whatever I choose to do, should reflect that lifestyle.

BUTBUTBUT.

Serious ramblings aside, let's get out of that nasty cloud. Happy First Day of Spring! Tulips are starting to bloom all around campus, and I love love LOVE walking by them on my way to class. They help a little with the fact that spring break is over and done with. It's always wonderful to go home and see my family and some of my high school buds.

I creeped on some fishermen. Got some great portraits. I also got to fly a plane. That was pretty cool. And I got to celebrate my brother's eighteenth birthday.

Even cooler. Because he's old. And is so much taller than me.

Nonsense.




Blogger's Note: Look for the complete scoop on how I got to fly a plane in the next post!

My Room is a Mess

That's the problem with having a creative mind. Sometimes I put off straightening things up, because my mind is elsewhere, deep inside some cesspool of creativity. 

The dorm room is a mix of two worlds. My neat, organized roommate, and my crazy explosion of organized chaos. 

My part of the room has gotten messier ever since I started taking up painting. Now, I'm not very good yet, mind you. I've just begun, so my brushstrokes are zigzagging everywhere and my paintings are simplistic. 

But it's been helping me. 

Many of you know (and as I've hinted in earlier posts), I'm currently in a dark, rough season of my life, and sometimes it's hard to function. Sometimes I can't even function. 

But when I stick a brush in my hand and swirl it through the paint on my palette, everything seems okay, if only for a little while. 

I enjoy all forms of art: dance, written word, drawing, photography (especially the last one), but right now, painting holds a special place in my heart, mind, and soul. It's the peaceful part of me, the part that's buried deep. 

You could almost say it keeps me sane. 

Light at the End of the Tunnel

And this past week has been a tunnel, my friends. A long and dark one, like the ones that we're supposed to travel down when we die.

Last Monday started out with a bang. Bedbugs. Everywhere. Our neighbors had an infestation and my roommate and I were forced to pack up our belongings and evacuate the room for 24 hours. After that, it seemed like both our lives seeped through our fingers like water, our cupped hands outstretched trying to catch at least a drop of happiness.

But this past week, our hands were dry.

The room after about two hours of cleaning. 

Everything that could go wrong, did. We were behind on everything that week. We skipped classes and work. Panic was rampant. We constantly encouraged each other, but each night as we laid on the floor in a room covered in a layer of white, powdery chemical residue, we knew we were slipping, and something was going to change.

And it did.

I cannot speak fully for my roommate, but I had a wonderful weekend. The light at the end of the tunnel, you could say.

-I helped successfully plan and execute a surprise birthday party for a sweet friend
-I finally got the right poster board for my art class.
-The chemical residue is gone from the room. My roommate and I are snoozing easily in our own beds.
-I went on a date on Valentine's Day. No, we're not a couple. And it's only been the third that I've ever been on. (My first was Valentine's last year. Go figure, right?) Dates make me nervous, and this one went pretty well.
-Got my laundry done. A bit overdue, but now I have clean clothes! YES.
-Friends. Just all the friends I got to see this weekend. They brought comfort to my soul.

I don't know what tomorrow brings. This could be another hard week. But I'm thankful for the good memories I was given, and the friends and family that God has blessed me with.

It's not champagne I swear.

A Morning at the Waco Farmers Market

I am not a morning person. I could probably count good reasons for waking up early on one hand. The Waco Farmers Market, however, is most certainly one of the fingers on that hand.

A few of my friends from church and I piled into the car last Saturday for my first trip to the Farmers Market. It was rather cold, so everyone was wrapped in scarves and jackets. Yet everyone was cheerful, as we chatted excitedly all the way downtown.

In the heart of Waco, under a small grove of trees, next to an old tower, sits the white tents of the Farmers Market. The cold didn't stop too many of the locals, as they gathered around the stalls with their children and dogs playing close by.

My eyes caught on a muffin stall, and my life group leader was kind enough to buy us some fresh baked mini muffins!

My sweet friend Emily and I holding our muffins close. 

There was also purple cauliflower and delicious blueberry jam! Many delicious purple things. I also purchased, and devoured ravenously for the next few minutes, a strawberry and nutella crepe! I hadn't had a crepe in years, and luckily, the line for the famous crepe tent was short at the time.

Something another girl bought was a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich called "The Boss", with Gouda cheese, bacon, and basil on sourdough bread. She even let me try a bite! Unsurprisingly, it was absolutely wonderful. The sharp bite of the Gouda and the juicy follow up of the bacon was perfection!

That sandwich isn't the only one who's a boss! 

Besides all the food, it was nice to chat with friends and Wacoans alike, as everyone gathered under the trees and took a break from life.

"The Time the Bus Died" and Other Stories from the Golden Wave Band

I'm just going to go ahead and tell you guys something. One of my all time favorite parts about going to Baylor is getting to be a part of the Baylor University Golden Wave Band, affectionately known as BUGWB (pronounced bug-WUHB).

I honestly don't know how my friends put up with me. What I do with the color guard tends to come up in many conversations and most of my wacky college stories involve events that occur when I'm with the band, or not even with the band itself, but band people. 

We're all pretty weird. In the best of ways, of course.

The Terrific Twenty of Texas 

I'm not going to say much more in introduction, because most of this post will be stories. So I thought that, as a storyteller-to-be, I could share some of my favorite off-beat tales with you. 

And I've neatly made headings for each. 

Old Sport

This one actually happened last year. So, a little back story. On the way to away games, the band watches movies on the TVs inside our charter buses. For this game, the color guard/trumpet bus ("the Grumpet bus") watched "The Great Gatsby." I'm not sure if you're familiar with "The Great Gatsby," book or movie, but in the movie, Gatsby often uses the phrase "old sport." 

Now, there was a flag move I was having  trouble with at the time. I was often confused about the sequence and tended to put my flag up when the rest of the guard put theirs down.

As we were marching through the show, there on the field in front of thousands, right as the guard performed that part in of the routine, my guard captain turned to me, looked me right in the eyes, and said, "Put your flag down, old sport." 

I almost lost it. But it worked. My flag went down in the right place. 

The Time the Bus Died

Fun fact: I sleep deeply. In fact, it's fairly hard to wake me up sometimes. However, when the mellophone next to you is shaking you vigorously sometime during the night and saying, "Maggie. We have to go. The bus broke down and won't start. We have to move buses," that usually does the trick. 

I was really groggy as I lurched off the bus. All seven band buses were pulled over on the side of the road. I staggered after my seatmate as we journeyed one bus back. The interior was brightly lit as my seatmate gestured to a couple of empty spots. I collapsed into the window seat and pulled my blanket tightly around me and drifted off to sleep. Until I didn't. At one point I woke up and couldn't sleep, so I glared at the moon.

I digress. Luckily everyone lived happily ever after. Except the bus. I don't know what happened to it. I guess it's all right, somewhere out there in the wild blue yonder. 

Hump Day

Unlike my high school marching season, which ends in late October, marching season here at Baylor concludes with the bowl game (if the football team makes it that far) in late December or early January. Which means that as the semester is wrapping up, our practice field looks like a lifeless wasteland. And the band feels like a lifeless wasteland. Especially when it's cold. One frigid Wednesday, it was so cold that the color guard, who forgot to layer as much as we should have, all piled under one blanket on the side of the field.

As there was only a small blanket and 20 of us, there were a lot of heads and legs poking out of our little pile. Somehow we got away with the most minimal practice possible as we tried not to get hypothermia.

We tried. 

Catch! 
The thing about this particular event in the lives of the color guard is that I didn't actually see this happen, but got to experience the aftermath of tears of laughter streaking down faces.

There was a girl visiting the color guard for the Bear Band program. This is when high schoolers have the opportunity to join our band for a football game, eat with us, sit with us, and see what we do. After the game, a color guard member asked our visitor whether she wanted her Powerade bottle. The girl nodded. The color guardian then asked if she could throw it.

Evidently, the visitor missed that memo, because as she stepped forward to receive her bottle, the color guardian lobbed it at her, nailing her right in the face.

Oops. She lived, though. But I'm not sure if she's coming to audition with us in the spring. 

Never Again

Another story from last year.

Sometimes I just hate earrings. You have to keep up with them, always remember to wear them at the right time, and make sure they don't break. But when they do...Extra hassle. My earrings decided to be that pair, and not cooperate with me or my ears all season. Because they could.

And because they could, the back of one of the earrings chose the worst moment to break off: on the bus. On the way to an away game. But thanks to the Mary Poppins bag of one of my fellow color guardians, there was a hot glue gun and a safety pin available. Can you see where this is going yet?

The end of the story was the part where she had to brace my head as the bus rattled down the highway and jam the sharp part of the safety pin through the piercing in my ear.

Welcome to color guard. At least I got my tetanus shot before I came to college.

Behind the scenes of  ESPN's College Game Day. We're just as crazy as you think we are, if not more. 

Mini Tales

So here are a couple of stories that are a couple of sentences each. I still wanted to add them, and even though they aren't long, I gave them their own category. 

A Quick Snooze

The day of our first performance, I fell asleep on the floor of my captain's house. According to the rest of the guard, they watched me sleep for a while. How nice.

Canned
On our way to the stadium one afternoon, I made a passing comment about how I could fit into one of the nearby trash cans. Seconds later, I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist, as another color guardian tried to physically lift me into the trash can. I was having none of that, so I kicked my legs until she released me. Probably the closest I've been to actually being canned. 

Hope you enjoyed them! Not to worry, there are plenty more where those came from! With the bowl game coming up in a couple of weeks, I'll have some more stories to tell about my adventures with BUGWB.

Blogger's Note: Just a heads up: I'll be taking this coming Friday off. Because Christmas. And no internet. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! 

The One Time I Acquired Seven Boyfriends Over The Course of One Weekend

Sorry Mom and Dad. 


First of all, I see no problem with being forever alone.

Second of all...I will admit that the zombie was pretty rad.

But what was I doing so far down south? Well, one of the many perks to going to a rather large Christian university is that we have a four-day Easter break. Most college kids elected to head home and spend Easter with their families, but as I live 10-11 hours away, my sweet friend Emily decided to spirit me away down to San Antonio, her hometown, for the long weekend.

Flower wreaths for the upcoming Fiesta holiday! 

That doesn't explain the abundance of boyfriends. Honestly, I have no idea where that plot began.

It all started with a chance meeting of Emily's friend Jesus (pronounced HAY-soos) at the local movie theater.

And went downhill from there.

I was able to rack up at multiple "boyfriends" a day as Emily and I trekked around the city of San Antonio, visiting her old stomping grounds as well as more touristy areas downtown.

Besides the sudden influx of men in my life, I was thrilled to be able to re-experience San Antonio. I was a young elementary schooler the last time I visited, and there was so much I had forgotten about the beautiful city.

One highlight was the River Walk. As overcrowded as it is, it was one of the only places I really remembered, and I cried out with joy as I descended the stairs leading from the street above to the river.

It was still as beautiful as I remembered it.

Emily and I sightseeing from a bridge. 

Homemade root beer from Schilo's, a restaurant close by the River Walk!

Not to mention the Alamo. 

I also got to try my first real breakfast taco while I was there!

But on to the the real mystery! Who were these boyfriends? Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, here is the ultimate list...of my San Antonio man posse.

1. Jesus

It all began with a prank...

2. Cardboard Spidey

Emily's hashtag: "#spideycouple"

3. Decorative cowboy

This guy probably has to put up with so much.

4. Zombie

Classier than the Walking Dead. This one does impressions too. 

5. Ryan 

Ryan was such a good sport. He even gave me his CD!

6. Jailbird Joe

I don't associate with this one much.

7. Buc-ee

He just looks so...happy...

What's wrong with you, Maggie? That last one isn't even human! I know, I know. Quite the menagerie, they are. But going home with a college friend proved to be quite the adventure!

Especially when it came to my non-existent romantic life.


[Shout out to the Emily and family for being such gracious hosts and letting me crash in their house for the weekend!]

The Baylor Spirit (Reflections From a Year Later)

That Good Old Baylor Line,
That Good Old Baylor Line. 

We'll march forever down the years
As long as stars shall shine  

        (Woosh!*)

We'll fling our green and gold afar
To light the ways of time.

And guide us as we onward go.
That Good Old Baylor Line


Homecoming week is huge here at Baylor University.

The entire campus is draped in green and gold during this jam-packed week as the university opens its arms to Bears old, current, and future.

Thursday night's tradition is something called Freshman Mass Meeting. And I just so happen to be watching it unfold right now as I blog from the second story of Moody library, gearing up to write my 8 page paper due the next morning.

I can't see them too closely from here, but the Class of 2018 is wearing their Line Jerseys, leaving Waco Hall's auditorium and walking down a path lined with candle-filled paper bags, the path that I walked to get to the library, except the candles will be lit, casting an ethereal glow for the short walk. Their own candles clutched solemnly in hand, they trek past the statue of The Immortal Ten, who are heroes here at Baylor.

I'm watching the small pinpricks of light flood into the field of Fountain Mall, arranging themselves in front of the stage that was set up there this afternoon where they will begin stacking wooden crates for the bonfire to happen tomorrow night. The green lights atop Pat Neff's tower wash the area in a familiar gleam.

Because Baylor is home. Not only is it a new home to these freshmen, it's a home to all who live here, work here, and ultimately some return here.

Tonight, more Baylor Bears join our legacy. Tonight they learn what it really means to be of Baylor. They are passed the torch to fling their own green and gold afar. They've been here for a couple of months now, but tonight is almost like an initiation of sorts.

I see more candles flooding the field. Each candle is held by a person with a different story. They all have different backgrounds, different lives, different interests, different wants, dreams, hopes, and futures, but they've all come together tonight in the spirit of Baylor to join their stories together under the banner of green and gold and the legacy of the Bears that have come before them.

Dang. I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. I'm a little jealous, really. But I'm glad I'm getting to watch them experience what I did last year. They're in for a wild ride here, but if they hang on tight, it'll be the best, most breathtaking ride they've ever ridden.

Me (far left) only a year ago.

I thank God every day for giving me the opportunity to come to Baylor University. And frankly, I don't see myself anywhere else than with my beloved fellow Bears.


None of the pictures are my own. Credits go to where they're due.

*The addition of the word "Woosh" is something that the Golden Wave Marching Band (or "BUGWB") does. It's one of our many traditions.

10 Beautiful Moments from Today

My name is Maggie, and sometimes I don't get my posts on time. Apologies. Better late than never, yes? Moving on.

I'm sure you've heard people say that you have to treasure the little things in life. Well, you do, whether you've heard it just once or even a thousand times.


Here are 10 of mine from today, well, from Saturday, I suppose:

1. I was on my way to the art studio tonight when out of the blue, a boy on a longboard offered me a flower. He only said, "I hope you have a great night!" before speeding away, barely giving me time to sputter out a thank you. The bright orange blossom is currently sitting in water in my dorm room.

2. Listening to beautiful Celtic piano music while dancing back from the studio.

3. Breakfast burritos from Chick-Fil-A. (Highly recommend 'em)

4. Time with my roommate. I really hadn't seen her in a couple of days, so it was great to chill with her this weekend.

5. Sleeping on the floor. We have this awesome rug. It's pretty awesome.

6. Chipotle. Chipotle is always great, but it's even better with friends.

7. Fish-sitting! The rooms and I are looking out for our suitemate's betta fish this weekend.

8. I've gotten my roommate and another friend hooked on one of my favorite shows. I highly recommend "Gravity Falls", but you have to have a bit of an off-beat sense of humor to really get into it.

9. This gorgeous weather. It's absolutely lovely.

10. Finally getting all of my laundry done. Best. Feeling. Ever. (Gosh, I feel old.)


What are 10 beautiful things that have happened to you lately? Sometimes the simplest moments can be some of the most wonderful.

Thoughts of Fall

Or autumn, if you prefer.

One thing I miss about fall in Missouri is all the beautiful colors. Around this time of year, the leaves on the trees would transform from a lively green to a bright burst of harvest: yellows, oranges, and reds. If you haven't experienced fall in the Ozarks yet, take my word for it. It's absolutely glorious.

Usually this season is associated with the slow decline of the life cycle, as the leaves leap from their branches into a spiral to the ground, leaving the trees dead and bare for winter.

However, I prefer to think of fall is a time of new beginnings.

Isn't that supposed to be spring, Maggie? you ask.

Kind of.

You see, old things have to pass away before new things can come. The change be almost instantaneous sometimes. But then, before you know it, everything is different.

Photo Creds: Molly Malone
Because she gets to see the fall and I don't. 

In the good ol' U.S. of A., a new school year begins in the fall, bring a healthy mix of dread and excitement. There's college football season (Sic'em Bears!), and the cooler weather means steaming mugs of tea and beautiful scarves.

Tonight is my little brother's senior night at high school. Like his sister before him, he marched in band for four years, gracing the ensemble with his talent and determination to do his very best. This is his final season of marching band, but next fall will be a new beginning for him as he begins college in a new state.

Kevin's senior night. 

My own senior night, so long ago. 

If you can't tell, I'm very proud of him.

Next fall, I begin my first internship in a new country, once again slipping into my globetrotting shoes and journeying to the unfamiliar. I'm a little nervous thinking about it already.

Fall is a season in transition, as old facets of our lives pass away, making way for new ones as we grow and live here on Planet Earth.

It can be bittersweet, but fall is also full of the winds of promise, change, and adventure.

Do as I Say, Not as I do.

It's 5 a.m.

I'm in the library.

But my homework's done.

I have a class at 9.

Has the sun risen yet?

I'm hungry...


Word to the wise, kiddos. Don't pull an all-nighter.

But luckily, I have company with me on this endeavor.

Somebody take away my webcam. Like now. 

In other news. Happy goings-on from my somewhat delirious mind that I want to put into list form just because:

• First away game of the semester is tomorrow. Not only is the new BUGWB going on a bus adventure, but I'll be going to Austin for the first time. 
• I GOT ACCEPTED TO THE LONDON FIE PROGRAM. This means that next fall, I may be studying, working, and playing in LONDON, ENGLAND. I'll admit, I cried when I first read the email. 
• Another notable freak-out session: My first post recently went live on Baylor's Admissions blog, where I'm a staff writer. 
• My swing dancing has improved. I'm still terrible, but not that terrible. :) 
• Caramel macchiatos from the nearby gas station. All of my yes. 
• NEW COLOR GUARD UNIFORMS. Right up there on the good news spectrum with London. 

Study abroad and sparkly uniforms are all I need. Plus a caramel macchiato or two. And maybe a Jack-in-the-Box taco. Or five. 

Or maybe some sleep. Yeah. 

In Search of Chocolate-y Chocolate Hot Chocolate

Instant sugar rush, ladies and gentlemen. 

Most people think that Friday nights spent alone would be a dull evening indeed. For me, however, it was wonderful ending to a wonderful day. 

The past two weeks have been, uh, rather rocky. And by rocky, I mean a-nefarious-villain-has-tied-you-to-a-horse-and-is-dragging-you-behind-him-down-a-gravel-road type of thing. Nope. Ugh. Ick.

But I've come to think about a few things. I've done a lot of thinking recently. Of things I need to read, and write. Of capturing precious moments throughout the day. I've been thinking about places I want to visit. 

I applied to study abroad in London next fall. If I'm accepted, I'll miss the leaves changing colors here in America. I'll miss football season and long lines of pumpkin spice latte-lovers trailing out the library doors. The thing I'll miss the most though, is marching with my beloved Golden Wave Band. 

There's so much changing, and it's all happening so fast. Days are fleeing more quickly than I can grab hold of them. I attended my first career fair last week. I turn twenty next year. 

But there are those moments, those warm, delicious, chocolate-y chocolate hot chocolate moments in life that are worth the whirlwind. Good books and movies, for example, along with a nest of blankets and pillows. Laughing with fellow color guard members. Swapping stories with the best of roommates. Lindy hopping for four hours straight. 

These moments are what makes time slow down and life infinitely more precious. 

Stop and smell the roses, and feel the taste of chocolate-y chocolate hot chocolate as it warms you from the inside out. 

5 Great Things About Living With an Extroverted Roommate

Tonight my roommate and I ran around in water sprinklers, getting soaked in the process. Dripping water, we gave bear hugs to others. They got wet as well. Laughter and excited chatter filled the summery night.

We both coordinate service events in the same organization. We swing dance, often together. We go to the same church, and most of our shenanigans are with each other. We were around each other so often last year that our peers would always ask us if we were roommates. 

One major difference, and a rather huge one. 

I am an introvert. Ashley is an extrovert. 

But how do we even function? I need my alone, quiet times to "recharge". Ashley's energy comes from being around others. 

But, as the old saying goes, opposites attract. And so, there's a few great reasons to find yourself living with an extrovert. 

1. Meeting new people. I'll admit. I'm not much of a people person. People utterly exhaust me. BUT. One thing that interests me is their stories. I love getting to hear people tell me about who they are, where they come from, and seem to enjoy my [awkward] company. Plus, you'll never know who you'll encounter. 

2. Trying new things. It's not that I don't like trying new things, but Ashley has gotten me into the most interesting adventures. Some of those great times I wouldn't have experienced if I had stayed in my room like I planned. 

3. Perspective. Learning the opposite perspective is great for learning about those who may not be like you. Great friendships are built on communication and understanding, and I've come to know Ashley more through watching her extrovertedness at work. 

4. Strong communication. Yep. We may be somewhat alike, but we are also quite different. So much communication is necessary. And because we communicate so much, we've become even closer. 

5. Company. In those occasions that I need someone, anyone, I have someone. Ashley. Even those I-don't-want-to-talk-because-if-I-talk-I-shatter-into-bits times, even her presence is comforting.  

She may be an extrovert, but she's my extrovert.

Between recharging and living with one of the most beautiful people I've ever met, I guess the best part is that it never gets boring. 

Are you the opposite of your roomies? The same? Have you had any awesome adventures together?