Miles away but together in heart.

Today I found myself thinking about my Great Uncle Freddy. Freddy was a simple man, but as I got older I have realized that many could learn a lot from his life. Freddy was always happy, not once do I remember him being upset. He was in a wheelchair for a greater portion of his life, but still nothing but a smile. Now I hate to walk to class, many of my friends know this, but today my thoughts put me in check. Freddy didn't walk because he wasn't able to, and if he was faced with the question of walking to class or going in his wheel chair, he would have gladly taken the first option. I am no longer going to complain about walking.... anywhere. Freddy also knew how to love. He knew that at the end of his life his family would be by his side, and we were. Freddy loved all of us very much, and even though Freddy and I only spoke two or three times a year, every time we spoke his smile was radiant and I could feel his love. I miss Freddy more than a lot of people know, and I would do anything to have one last Thanksgiving chitchat with him and hear his contagious laugh. So no matter your circumstances remember that there are others that would love to be in your shoes, and seriously cherish every moment with the people you love. You only get so long on this Earth, so don't waste your time!

10 Things Winnie the Pooh Taught Me

1. Friends are literally the best thing ever.
            

2.     And that I had to put myself out there to make them.
            

3.     To never underestimate my abilities.
            

4.     Because life is about the little things.
            

 
5.     To be content with myself and my body.
            

6.     Because I’m great in my own way.
            

7.     That love isn’t as complicated as we make it.
            

8.    It’s actually really simple.
            

9.     To tell the people they mean something to you.
            

10.                         Because….
            

Thanks Pooh you were the best. XOXO

Surprise Surprise

Anyone that knows me well, knows that there is no better way to brighten my day than with a surprise. But it isn't just any type of surprise. It is a surprise that comes with a stamp, snail mail. I check my mailbox daily and many times it is empty, but the days that I have something waiting for me I get super excited. Snail mail for me is a way someone is showing that they care about me. They took the time to sit down, put pen to paper, and then go all the way to the post office to send me a letter. To me you can’t replace that kind of effort with technology. Sure a text is great, but let’s face it I’m the worst text responder in the history of texting, and when if I do respond it could be hours later. I used to love getting mail back home too. I look forward to the creative birthday cards my family sends me, and you would think it was Christmas morning with how excited I am to open them. But I feel like now that I am in college there is an even bigger excitement with snail mail. I don’t get to talk to friends and family as often as I would like, so receiving a letter makes me feel a little less love-sick (Sorta like home sick, but not.) I don’t think I am the only one that feels this way either, many of my friends love to receive mail, even if they live 10 minutes away. So don’t think our generation is too consumed by technology, even us Apple obsessed still appreciate a letter.

If anyone would like to send me mail:

1365 Cleveland St.

Fayetteville, AR 72701

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8 Things to Do as a Freshman in Fayetteville

#1: Hiking at Devil’s Den.

Arkansas is known as the natural state, and it doesn’t take anyone long to figure out why. Fayetteville is blessed to be close to a park named Devil’s Den with cliffs and caves that will take your breath away. So while it is warm, advisably in the fall while the leaves are changing, go    hiking at Devil’s Den. The hike isn’t super long so even the least outdoorsy person would be able  to go on this fun adventure! Besides if you go with a bunch of friends you can take artistic   pictures when you go!

#2: Flowers from the Farmer’s Market.

Faytown is home to some of the coolest local artists and boutiques of Arkansas, and many of the merchants come out to the farmer’s market every Saturday while the weather is nice. The plus to this awesome Saturday adventure is that it is located on the Fayetteville Square, which is located only blocks away from the campus! Oh and when you go be sure to pick up some    flowers to bring back to your dorm to liven it up a little!

#3: Lights of the Ozarks.

The Fayetteville Square lights up at night during the Christmas season. Literally. People from all over the NWA come out to walk around the square and let the enchantment of the lights entice them for a bit. And when you go be sure to stop by the Jamming Java for a nice of hot chocolate or coffee to keep you warm on the cold Arkansas night.

#4: Mount Sequoyah.

One of the highest points in Fayetteville, Mount Sequoyah provides a little get away from campus and an opportunity to view Fayetteville in a new perspective. I’ve visited the lite up cross many times to get away from campus for a bit, or to take a study break from finals.

#5: Taco Tuesday.

Growing up in Fort Smith, I was used to having my veggie Steven Special at least twice a week   for a great price. When I moved to Fayetteville it took me a whole semester for me to find a replacement Mexican go-to for my Tuesday night taco, but alas I found one and the restaurant is called Burrito Loco. It is a little hole in the wall that is the greatest secret of Fayetteville. It is three doors down from the popular Mexico Viejo, and it is ten times better. Plus it is cheap which makes me a pretty happy poor college gal.

#6: High Rise.

Located in Rogers, AR High Rise Trampoline Park is one of the coolest Saturday, or even study    break adventures you could ever take. The building houses countless trampolines with all kinds of obstacles that could keep you and your friends occupied for at least an hour or so. Not someone that can do all sorts of crazy flips? That’s okay! They even have a trampoline dodge ball court that is pretty sick to have a tournament with a bunch of friends on!

#7: Wal-mart AMP.

Going to the AMP to see Jake Owen with some of my sisters was probably one of the more fun things I did my first semester at college. I was able to sit on the grass, laugh with my sorority sisters, listen to the music, and take in the fall night while the weather was still good. So if you have a chance to get cheap tickets, go. If you go with the right people you won’t regret it!

#8: Make Memories.

One thing I realized by my second semester was that the food at Brough and the Fulbright dining halls was sub-par, but it was worth using my meal plan, meal trading a lot, and saving my money. Use your money on memories, not food. (Unless it is sweets from Rick’s because those are totally worth it.) Later on you’ll be thankful that you ate at the Hill Grill for a week so that you could go to the concert (or Spring Break) with your friends.

I've got friends in low places.

No one is perfect and I know this first hand. We are all thrown into this big armpit called life and it stinks. But, along the way we have people that help guide us through it. When my life began I had my parents to help guide me, I still do. But, now that I’m in college navigating my way seems harder than it ever did before. It is a part of growing up. Sometimes I feel like I have it all figured out, and I might even act like I do, but in reality I don’t. I am a strong-willed person and with that comes stubbornness, which in turn makes it hard for me to listen to advice sometimes, but what I love about the people that are in my life is that they know this and they love me anyway. They give me advice, give me a hug when I need, or hold me when I need to cry, but if and when I don’t listen they still have my back. I was raised to make decisions for yourself, and to make the mistakes that you need to make to grow up and mold you as a person. My mistakes have done, and continue to do just that every day. So thank you to all the people in my life that love me for all my imperfections, and comfort me in my low places. As far as I am concerned, perfection is overrated.