Finals Week: Day 1

If we are dealing with technicalities, finals week doesn't officially start until Friday.  But by the time Friday rolls around, I will have taken half of my finals already.  Perks of being able to take finals on exam prep days.  

Downside of taking finals on exam prep days?  You don't really ever have a 'breathing' day.  A day that you don't have to take a test.  

But I'm hoping to finish finals a few days early, so I can't complain too much.  

It's exhausting to live through this week.  You are constantly studying.  I can't even tell you how many people have said, "I just can't study anymore.  There is just so much."  

And we're on day one.  

On an annoying note, it snowed today.  In all seriousness, with no exaggeration, it has snowed more during the April finals week than the December one.  And I brought all of my cute sweaters and boots home, because who needs them in April? 

I do, apparently.  

Today consisted of studying.  Studying.  Studying.  Being bored.  Studying.  

Five more days. 

xo. Elise 

Bored

Anne used to send me a text daily explaining how bored she was.  I would usually respond, but wouldn't necessarily understand why she was so bored all of the time.

I GET IT NOW. It's not the fact that I don't have anything to do (I have pleeennntttyyy to do this week).  But it's more of the fact that I don't want to do any of it.  And all of the things I usually to do distract me are boring.  And I'm stressed about not doing anything, so then I feel more bored than usual.

Anyway, I get it Anne.  But now the guilt really is getting to me so I should probably stop writing and do homework.

xo. Elise

On a side note, I don't even know why my roommate took this picture, but that sock/shirt combo is steller.  

Snapshots

I was blessed enough to have gone on a run today, and I even got to see the sunrise.  Wow.  I live in a beautiful place.  

Really?  Who just wakes up to mountains like these?  (Beside the thousands of students and missionaries). 

I really should have taken a picture from the bottom up, since it doesn't look that impressive right now.  But this hill!  It's probably as steep as the Albrecht hill from home, I just wasn't ever brave (dumb) enough to run up it.  It tore up my lungs, but man, it was kind of worth it.  

Wow.  This morning was gorgeous. 

Happy moment of my day yesterday.  Accidentally quote You've Got Mail to a friend.  Screen shotted that and sent it as quick as could be to my sister.  Really though, this quite possible made my day yesterday. 

xo. Elise 

Same

Today I accidentally turned off my alarm, so instead of getting up and going to the gym, I got an extra hour of sleep.  We can have a vote on what was most beneficial to my health.

On a plus side, what would have been traumatic in high school (read: Elise didn't get up in time and was late for school), was simply, oh darn, guess I'm not exercising today.  Isn't that funny?  My mornings are so much more relaxing since I only have afternoon class.  Although, today is so gorgeous, I'm tempted to run later tonight.

Anyway, the whole point of this little writing excerpt is that I'm feeling restless.  Yesterday I was so excited to be a college student and it feels so good to be in this point in my life.  And then I have moments when I recognize that I am going to be going to school for a really loooooonnnnnnngggggg time and I get annoyed all over again.  It's like that time of year when you realize just how monotonous everyday life is and how painful it can sometimes be.  You have a what seems like a permanent headache, and you feel shallow because all you really want to do is wear all of your cute sweaters, but it's too hot to wear them.  (Told you: shallow!)  Campus really was beautiful today, yet all you can think of is how much you don't want to do any homework.

So yes, some days are painful.   Painful for no other reasons besides being long and drawn out and the same.  

Saving grace of the day?  Those chocolate cookies in the kitchen.

xo. Elise

Chapters of my Summer

Chapter 1: I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.  It was pretty bad, you know those days that you wake up instantly mad?  So I did the responsible thing and went on a run and my mind instantly cleared.  I came home and proceeded to have the most productive morning.*

*What this sentence really means is that I rolled over and went back to sleep and ignored my calendar event to go on a run.  I proceeded to eat pie for breakfast and take a shower.  You can call that productive if you want.

Chapter 2: Cherries.  We have cherries everywhere.  Seriously, a ridiculous amount.  My dad could not be happier about that fact.  He loves cherries and his grin was adorable as we picked hundreds of cherries.  We are making cherry chocolate ice cream, a cherry pie, a cherry something (fancy pastry I can't remember), and eating them until we will be sick.  How satisfying. 

Chapter 3: Losing it.  I knew that this summer was going to be hard.  I knew that this summer was going to be difficult.  I don't know, however, if I knew how hard.  The goodbyes have begun, fall's new adventures seem like more work and scarier than I imagined, the work I have to do seems exhausting, yet not doing anything seems worse.  Maybe I'm just in my midsummer slump, which I really do have every year, but sometimes it's frustrating when your dreams for summers seem to be slowly fading and things don't sparkle quite as much as they originally did.  

But, I guess that's what life is sometimes.  Life needs to be full of growing pains so you can compensate and be more prepared.  Sometimes it's frustrating to me after I create so many lists, so many dreams, and so many goals to look around and realize that not everything is attainable.  Or that I don't want to achieve everything I once thought I did (that half-marathon comes time mind).  I know that at the end of the hard work, I'm going to be really happy that I've accomplished my goals, but man, things don't always come easily.  

So, I will be here.  Seriously, still waiting.  Still sitting.  Still thinking.  And I will probably feel this way until August 26th.  That's probably a good thing.  A good thing to feel so caged that you implode to something better.  

Done rambling now. 

xo. Elise 

Currently tanning.

I am currently soaking up the sun in Arizona.  I am ok with this. (truth be told, I am in a campus library because it's freezing outside at night.)  But that sun!  I've already forgotten what it feels like to have the sun on me.

Here I am on a little school trip.  I am feeling slightly guilty because my family is still up north where we could all open up snow cone shacks with the snow that's on our porch alone.  I do miss them.

In other news, here are some pictures of Europe that I have gotten around to posting.  Traveling is something I love, and something I'm lucky to have done so much of.

This world is beautiful.

xo. Currently Tanning

P.S. I don't receive any photo creed, but rather my aunt!

Teenage girl resident.

Some people say that kids are meant to keep parents young.  I can see that.  In any case, I am the resident teenage girl at my house right now.  My companion is at college and is almost 21.  That's like adult.  (Weird....).  It is my role to relish in being a teenage girl.  You know, fluffy, clothes orientated, and say 'like' way too many times.

Now that we've established that, the real pertinent question arises.

 

Does this outfit match?  See!  I told you I can be fluffy!  Oh how embarrassing...but still, I just can't decide.  I wore it any way, and people seemed to like it, but I just can't make-up my mind.  Sometimes I think it does and then I look at it again I think I look like I dressed in the dark. Sigh.  Decisions.  I also have the sneaking suspicion that if I saw it on someone else's blog I would fall in love with it.  So is it just me wearing it?  Or in general.  This will haunt me tonight.

#firstworldprob

xo. Elise

Hi again!

I just had a week of absolute nothingness.  I mean it, I did hardly anything.  Do you know how weird that is for me?  It kind of has thrown me off.  Made me rethink what I'm doing and how I'm feeling.  Summer is pretty great isn't?  The sun is warm.  The grass is soft.  Slushies every day are expected.  Not a bad life eh?


But hey!  I am going camping next week, that will be fun!  And then after that I will be leaving for Europe.  I will keep you updated about packing tips, fun sites, chocolate, and...anything else I think is important.

So...ummm.  Yes, a point I want to make.  I want to remember in my life to enjoy the still, calm moments.  Enjoy the time when you don't have to do anything, or when everything is taking a deep breath.  Because those are the moments that count in the long run.  So lean back, sip your slushy and enjoy.

That Awkward Moment.

Summer is around the corner, and unfortunately I am in that awkward place where I don't want to get ready and I want to wear a skirt to school.  These two emotions don't really mix.  Sigh.  It makes for a really uncomfortable morning.  Also, getting up on time?  Not really happening these days.

But, I do get to spend the weekend with my sister this weekend.  (Poorly worded sentence.  Cut me some slack.)  Sooooooooooooooooo excited.  So excited.  We will go shopping, eat, and talk, talk, talk.  Oh to be free.  Pretty great isn't it??

In other news:

This is me, getting ready for summer.

An outfit when creativity was in ready supply.

And that sun of ours...just can't get over it.

xo. Elise

June 1

At the beginning of the school year, I wrote myself a letter.  I sealed it.  Put it in my closet.  And wrote the date on it.  And I am now dying...dying I tell you to read it.

There it is.  In it's little secret glory.  Ahhh.  Yet another reason why I want it to be summer.

xo. Elise

[Insert creative title here].

The most hilarious thing about this post, is that it's been in my drafts for months now...with simply the title written.  But now, it seems appropriate to post.  So.

[Insert creative blog post here].

T-I just want to cry thinking about and counting.

And so.  Google it.  I dare you.  A.P. English test date.  Lit of course.

Did ya do it?

If not, let me tell you.  May 9, 2013.  So that's this Thursday.  9 months boiling down to a three hour test.  It's been a great ride.

On a side note...I definitely win the prize for the biggest hair...

Yes?

 A self-potrait of me being creative...

And some crazy weather over here.  Pretty isn't it?


xo. Elise

Too little.

In this world of too much, I have too little time to write about all the things I want to.  So maybe later.  Love to catch up over ice cream sometime. (Speaking of too much lately :).  For realizies though....let's hang out soon mmmkay?  Good plan.

One thing to consider:

V-neck t-shirt week?  Kay let's do it!  "We all have our moments of brilliance and glory...this was mine."

Duly noted.  Crazy hair, yes.  Black circles?  Yes.  No more than six hours of sleep for a reaaaaaaaaaaallllll long time?  Double, triple, supersized.  Yes.  Real life is gorgeously fun isn't it?

Mind Block

Here I am.  Writing an essay.  Woot.  Favorite thing to do in my whole entire life.

What a mind block looks like in action:

Staring at the computer.  (I really don't have a weird yellow spot...that's just the screen. :)

Don't know what to say.  Wishing I had another day.  Bobbing my head to the beat.  I wish I was in the heat.  Someone wanna help?  That would be really sweet.

k, thanks. Elise

Shakes

Let's talk about these for a sec mkay?  I am an ice cream lover.  Favorite dessert to eat ever?  Ice cream.  Something about that sticky sensation in your mouth afterward that leaves you completely satisfied.  Just all sticky and smacky and yummy.  I love it.

Shakes are a definite favorite of mine too!  For my birthday this year, instead of cake, I asked for my dad to make me a shake.  What can I say, they are go-ood!

We have had shakes the past couple days, and I will let you in on a secret.  My favorite part?  The slightly liquidy part after it's kind of melted.

That!  Right there! Oh, it is so good.  That spoonful?  Perfect

Also, a picture of me that I liked.  Me at my luncheon for a Valley Forge trip I take next week!  So excited!

xo. Elise

Frozen Lemonade

Just a little cheerful note to send into this big wide world.  Figure I might as well do this while I am in a good mood, right?  These things don't last very long.

I started writing my summer bucket list today.  Isn't there something grand about the way summer is inching closer?  I get this happy, rosy feeling when I think about it.  It's like I put the rose-colored glasses on, even when I just think about it.

First on the list is making frozen lemonade.  For some reason this perky little idea keeps dropping in to say hello in all of my sunshiney daydreams.  Frozen lemonade it is.  I always think of when I went to an amusement park with my friends when I was younger.  I got a frozen lemonade and they got ice cream cookie sandwiches.

Oh summer, I do love you.

xo. Elise

Essay Writing

Essay writing is the worst isn't it?  My sister can testify, as she has a ten page paper due in one of her classes soon.  So, I often start my essays out something like this:

"In the novel, The Awakening, Kate Chopin delivers a point how to be totally awesome and cool and that is why she is a famous author today! Woot woot!  Good for her ya know?"

I'm sure you're thinking, "Wow, this girl is going somewhere!"  And you're right, I am going somewhere.  Probably my bed to cry about the A.P. English test coming up.  Because that is the way I am.  Just ask my dad.  I have cried enough lately for him to probably roll his eyes right out of his eyes.  

Well, I don't know about you, but I have to go write an essay.  Over my Spring Break.  Don't even get me started.  

xo. Elise

Solo Dance Party

Umm.  I guess I should preface this with the fact that I am the only one at home right now.  I have one older sister, who is at college right now.  So it's me.  And my dad.  And my mom.  Just us.  Tres. Trio.  Yep.

Well, I think it's one of the rights of a teenage girl is to dance.  Dance like no one is watching right?  Yeah, that's how I prefer it too.

One time I was dancing my little heart out.  Jumping up and down, singing along, taking a break from homework.  The song was done, and I turned the volume down, retreating back to the glowing screen of the computer.  My dad comes in, not two seconds later, and asks in an incredulous voice what I was doing.  He said he could hear thumping and the lamp was shaking downstairs.

Oh.  Not much Dad, just dancing.  Yep, yep, that was me dancing.  Hehe.  [Cue awkward little laugh and smile on my part].

So, solo dance parties?  Yes!  Just do it when you're home alone.  Or you have a compatriot to look weird/immature/hormonal crazed with.  Just a little advice from someone who has done it before.

Waiting Room

It's that time of year where I am waiting...

Waiting for this weekend to be over.
Waiting for me to stop freaking out.
Waiting for me to be able to wear my hair down.
Waiting to here from my cousin.
Waiting for me to feel ready.  (Yeah right.)
Waiting for me to...feel better.

Just waiting...waiting for what exactly?  Haven't figured that out yet.  It's like when you're waiting in the doctor's office, and you're nervous.  You never know what is going to happen, or whether you're going to have to get a shot or something worse than that.  Hmm, I don't really know what would be worse than a needle being jabbed into your nerve and sinew, but that's a personal opinion.  So yes.  Waiting...

Only consolation in my life right now.  Well played Village Inn.  Well played.  

xo. Elise 

It's that time again.

I am feeling a little like this today.  Stop taking yourself so darn seriously Lisey girl!

*I have only realized in the last little bit of my life that I am definitely someone that talks to herself.*

However, hopefully this will help usher in the weekend a little bit better.

A Story: By Elise Clark

There was a girl who was very tired of having to do her hair everyday.  However, today her hair actually worked! Plus side!

She was tired of having to do homework and act mature all of the time.  Sometimes she really just wanted to whine and continue working on finding a flattering angle of the camera. 

However, she realized it would be the weekend soon.  Tomorrow in fact.  Just after two tests.  A competition in Spanish.  A debate tournament.  And a late night in result.

Wow.  I am so cliche high school.