Friday, November 15, 2013

Thankful Series (Post 3)

It is hard to believe that this month is half way over, 
I only have 10 more days of classes for the semester! 
I have been struggling the past few weeks with some personal decisions...
So this thankful post is coming at the perfect time. 
Bring me out of the funk, 
and remind me of all the wonderful things I have in my life. 

  1. I am thankful to have the opportunity to study Civil Engineering  for an undergraduate degree at Clemson University. Attending Clemson has been a dream come true. I have learned so much, and grown just as much during the time I have spent here. Being a student at Clemson has opened up many doors for me, and I will forever be grateful for what I have experienced and learned the last 5 years. Clemson University is an amazing place of higher education with an amazingly beautiful campus, with a little something special. The best way to explain the feeling that students feel about Clemson is definitely the infamous Joe Sherman quote: 

“There is something in these hills that brings together and binds together and holds together men and women of all persuasions, of all heights, sizes, weights, and cultural backgrounds - something that cuts across every difference, spans every gap, penetrates every wall - something that makes a man or a woman stand taller, feel better and say with a high pride to all within earshot, "I went to Clemson."
There is something in these hills that you and I can't define and others can't understand. A wave of warmth always surges through me when "outsiders" say, "I don't know what it is about you Clemson people, but your undying love for Clemson is admired by everyone I know."

2. I am very, very thankful for the wonderful support system I have through my friends. My friends are truly amazing and so very different from one another. I am graced with friends from all walks of life, and I couldn't be more grateful for it! My friends add joy to my life, keep me anchored and are as honest as they come. To me having a few amazing close friends is way more satisfying than having a bunch of decent friends. 

3. My siblings! I am beyond thankful for my siblings. Growing up I was just a big pain in their asses, because I was much younger than them. They double teamed me, gave me a hard time, and teased me. Now I am a much stronger person thanks to their tough love. Funny story, my brother taught me how to ride a bicycle... by threatening to beat me up if I didn't get on my bike and ride it. Thankfully now my siblings are much nicer, and I can honestly say they are two of my best friends. They encourage me and support me in all of the decisions I make. I don't get to see them often, so the time I do get to spend with them now I cherish a lot!

4. I am very thankful that I have had the opportunity to travel both in the US and abroad. I love experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. I am most grateful to have had the chance to participate in a German Exchange program while I was in high school. It was definitely one of the best experience of my life! I have a life long friend from that trip, and a ton of amazing memories that will never be forgotten. I can honestly say that, that was the trip that gave me the travel bug. I cannot wait to see more of the world! 

5. My Grandma! Grammy is the most amazing person in the entire world! I can't imagine my life with out her. She is the strongest person I know, and definitely the person I admire the most. I cherish every moment I get to spend with her. She is encouraging, wise, and honest. She has been a very influential person and my life, and I am so thankful for her support and encouragement my entire life.


Much Love,
Stacey

Feel free to comment below. What are you thankful for? Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

Follow the Poppies Puppies and Pearls blog on facebook

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Workout Planning and Execution

     This semester has been way more hectic than I expected...because of that I have been horrible about sticking to workouts. It is so easy to rush home and get caught up in a tv show or a craft project after a long day of school and homework. And it is just as easy to make excuses for reasons why you didn't workout.
       Today, I am making to conscious decision to stop doing this. I have a lot on my plate but I am determined to start getting back into a workout routine. I have a lot going on and working out is such a good stress reliever for me. Running specifically makes me feel a thousand times better, and I also want to work on my strength.  I am currently taking a yoga class, and I really enjoy it. So my plan is to mix them all and try to get a good total body workout through the week. I also really want to train and improve my running enough to complete a 5k, and continue to train to accomplish more.

So my work out plan for the rest of this week.

Tonight (Tuesday), I am gonna do a little yoga.

Wednesday- Yoga Class, Run (run/walk a mile)

Thursday- 25 pushups, 1 song of sit-ups, 2-30 second planks, 4-30 second wall sits.

Friday- Yoga at home, Run with Dusk

I will post a recap of how sore and pitiful I am Saturday. I am severely disappointed with myself, and I look forward to becoming a stronger person physically and mentally.


Sunday, November 10, 2013

Thankful Series (Part 2)

           The past five days have been a whirlwind. 
Have you had a week like that lately?
Where everything is due, and there is so much to look forward to after its done? 
I had a paper due Friday, and after that was done the weekend has been so fun!
the five things I am most thankful for over the past five days:

1. I am so very thankful to have an amazing relationship with my mom. I am also just as thankful for the fact that she wants to be involved in my life. My mom is nothing but supportive, encouraging, and loving. I am grateful that I can talk to my mom about anything, weather it be for advice, to vent or just to catch up and chat. My mom truly has become one of my best friends, and I can't imagine my life without her. 

2. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to attend the Florida Georgia Line! My mom was amazing and bought tickets for all of us to go. It was such a great time, being spent with two of the most important people in my life! It was definitely a night I will never forget! (Thanks Mom!) 

3. I am thankful to have a kitchen, and all the needed utensils to practice my cooking skills. I enjoy cooking, and I love baking! I am grateful to have a fiance that is willing to try out my first attempts. This weekend I tried my hand at making homemade cube steak (Cole's favorite meal)! It was definitely a challenge because his grandma and grandpa make the best cube steak. 

4. I am thankful that Cole and I won a contest that provides us with our wedding photographer, Kaity. It truly has been a blessing, and not for the obvious reason. Our photographer has been nothing short of amazing, and every time we have met to talk to her, or shoot with her we have had a blast, laughing and acting up. I seriously don't think we could have found a better photographer!!! If you are looking for a photographer in Columbia, SC or the surrounding area you should check her out at Very Important Date Photography!  

5. I am thankful for my fiance's help with all this wedding planning. Cole has truly been amazing with all the planning. Unlike most guys, he has been there every step of the way to help me make decision, or give me his opinion. I honestly don't know what I would do if he weren't so hands on and helpful. He has even been helping me with a lot of the DIY aspects of our wedding! He is amazing!!!