Time Flies....

It is absolutely amazing to be able to look back at where I was this time a year ago, and see what a transformation I've made! And honestly, a year ago feels like yesterday.

Mid-July 2010, I was a mess. A break-up left me empty and devastated. I was taking my very last undergrad class with graduation just around the corner. I had absolutely no plans for my post-grad future. And I let all of that define me. Mid-July 2010 (and many months after) was a tough time. 

And here I am, Mid-July 2011 and I feel like a completely different version of me. I've become a goal-setter. I am incredibly ambitious. I look forward to the future, but not too far forward. I have changed some of my outlooks to be more positive and more self-centered (and I don't think that's a bad thing). I have a job that I absolutely love (even if I am just an intern)! I go to church more. And I pray A LOT more. I have decided to start running again, with a goal of running a half marathon this November. I am about to move out of my parent's home and be truly independent for the first time in my life. I have accepted and learned to appreciate that it's not imperative to marry your college love. I read more. And watch less of the mindless television shows that consumed many days and nights in college. But don't get me wrong...I'm still the same Ansley...I haven't rid myself of all of my flaws. I'm still stubborn and I do still procrastinate. I'm still a bit irresponsible. I still sometimes get upset and bothered by trivial matters. And yes, I do still let my laundry and the mess in my bedroom pile up.

But I think the biggest change that has occurred from last July to now, is that I am happy. And while I can attribute many of the changes and my happiness to just a change in the way I see things now, I honestly do not know where I would be or who I would be if I didn't have the support system that I do. I have the most amazing family who has been there for the ups and the many downs, the celebrations and the cry-fests. And my friends have been so gracious to always listen to me drag on about the past and download my feelings, and also share in the triumphs and the joys that I am so excited about. I truly am blessed with such wonderful people in my life that make me want to be better, but love and support me when I'm at my worst. 

So here's to now, the future, and appreciating the past! Not letting the negative things that happen to me define me. And to seeing how things continue to unfold.

07.01.2011

a.k.a., the half-way point of 2011. My goodness, how time flies! It seems like just a couple of months ago I was writing about my resolutions for 2011. Like I said in the original post, I have never stuck to the resolutions I have made, but this year has been different. I haven't been the best at keeping up with the 4 things I set out to do this year. But, I am working on it! And so.....a recap. Perhaps seeing what I have excelled at and what I have failed at will keep me going strong for the remainder of the year!

Read at least one book each month: Check!

I have been absolutely successful in doing this. In fact, I don't even think of it as a goal that I want to achieve each month. I just finish one book and move on to another. I was never a big reader in school (I think one of the only required reading I ever finished was Catcher in the Rye) but I can honestly say I am a reader now! {Books I have read so far in 2011}

Go to the gym, 4 times a week, without complaining: 75%-check

I really don't like to workout. Rephrase: I really don't like getting off my lazy behind and going to the gym. But once I'm there, I can workout and feel great afterwards! Overall, I'm going probably 2 or 3 times a week, and complaining about it only once in a while. And since it's summertime now I'm swimming laps at the pool on the days I can't work up the motivation to get sweaty and do squats. For now, that is good enough for me!

Become better at keeping up with friends and family: Semi-check

This is something that I've never been great at. I always think if something big or exciting or horrible or scary or wonderful is happening with my friends or family, they'll call and let me know. And vice-versa. But what a horrible way to think! So while I may not be engaging in a weekly phone update with my BFFs, I do try to reach out via phone call, text, e-mail, Facebook, and dinner dates as often as I can. This is one of those things that will become more important as time goes on, and I intend to master it. Stay tuned. 

Cook or bake something new once every week: Pretty Much Fail

I started out this year like a champ on this one. I was baking cupcakes, breakfast bars, fruity treats and cookies. And I was trying new dinner recipes all the time. But come March, it all went downhill. I can't even remember the last time I cooked a meal for me and my roommates. So this category could use some major improvement! Please send any quick and easy dinner recipes my way, I'd love to try them out.

I hope the remaining 6 months of 2011 are as great and full of new adventures and surprises as these have been. Come December, I will be excited to be able to say that I stuck to my resolutions for the entire year....I hope! :)

Books

I've been reading like a mad woman lately! I have turned into a girl who prefers to curl up in bed with a good book over watching whatever is on TV. I've read at least one book each month so far this year, and I would recommend all of them! So go to your nearest Barnes & Noble, library, or Amazon.com and get to reading!


Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner  --  I read the majority of this on my flight to Orlando for the Capital One Bowl in Orlando in January. A light and quick read. Not my favorite book ever but still interesting enough to keep you hooked. So save this one for a long car ride or when you're laying by the pool.  

Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea and Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler  --  February was a month where I needed a few laughs. And Chelsea did the trick. I was seen on more than one occasion laughing out loud in public. Hey, it happens.

The Go-Getter Girls Guide by Debra Shigley  --  I swear by this book. I think every young female twenty-something should read this how-to on how to become successful at being successful in anything you tackle in life. Thank you, Ashley, for this wonderful gift!

Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinski  --  I spent a good amount of time in April laying poolside, riding in the car to Hilton Head, and getting in bed early, which gave me a lot of time to read. If you like fictional books with some good ol' American history, Wench is a good read for you. Based in the mid-1800s, this book tells a different tale about slavery and the moral complexities of that era. On a different note, The Next Thing On My List is a light, quick, fun read about a woman in her twenties searching for purpose. And it has inspired me to make a list of my own to complete before I'm 25.

The Lion by Nelson DeMille  --  As part of a two book series, DeMille writes about a psychotic terrorist who is taking revenge on the United States. I could not put these books down (the first is The Lion's Game) and I highly recommend both!  

Decision Points by George W. Bush -- I am currently in the middle of W.'s memoir, and I love it. No matter if you loved/hated/or were indifferent towards our 43rd President, it's a wonderful insight into his life, political journey, and time in office.

Sweet Tooth, Beware!

In keeping with my New Year's Resolutions, I have been doing quite a bit of cooking and baking. And I found that I really love it! I have also found that I can cook (nudge to all of my friends who use to ruthlessly mock what they interpreted to be epic failure in the kitchen). Anyway, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen over the weekend and I wanted to share the recipes I used with y'all.


On Friday night I cooked dinner for myself and the roomies. I saw this recipe for a spicy pork lettuce wrap on a friend's blog and thought it sounded absolutely delicious. Fact: It was! It will definitely be a repeat meal in the house.
Then there was dessert. Let me start by saying that I love cupcakes. Let me finish by saying that I love baking cupcakes.

I found this recipe for Black Bottom Cupcakes online, and boy oh boy are they tasty!

Chocolate cupcakes

Added the cream cheese filling

The finished product.
The presentation is not as great as the taste....A new challenge for next time.

And in the Valentine's Day spirit, I made Red Velvet cupcakes with a delicious cream cheese icing. (And I'm not talking about the cake mix out of the box.) Yummy yummy!

I cut the end off of a Ziploc bag to do the icing.

All of these recipes come highly recommended from a girl who loves food. Let me know if you give any of them a try!

Brand New Year

Orlando is where it began. 2011, that is. I rang in the new year with some of my best friends and we had a blast! Not only that, but the first day of the year was spent watching Alabama beat Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. And for the last two days, the South has been hit with a snow storm which gave me an excuse to lay around, drink hot chocolate, and be lazy. Oh! And what snow day would be right without building a snow man?! A great start to what I hope to be an extremely fulfilling and exciting year.

Which brings me to my goals for 2011. Many people set goals and resolutions on January 1 of each year. I must admit that if I have ever made resolutions, they are generally forgotten by February. I'm hoping, however, that this year I can make it all the way. In an attempt to hold myself accountable I am posting my goals for all to read. Maybe you can help keep me accountable as well :)

Read at least one book each month. (I got this idea from my Dad. He has done this in the past, and I really liked it!)

Go to the gym, work out, and get in shape! And not complain while doing so. (At least 4x a week)

Become better at consistently keeping in touch with friends and family.

Cook or bake something new once every week.

I am hoping that by making a conscious effort to accomplish these goals, they will not only be "those things I did in 2011," but they will become my lifestyle. Only time will tell.

The Memories Live On

The year Two Thousand Ten is coming to end, and what a year it was! So much has happened over the last twelve months, and I wanted to share with you some of my favorite memories....

The University of Alabama wins the BCS National Championship on January 7, 2010.

And I was there!

ROLL TIDE.

1407.

Loved my roommates. Loved the times we had in that house.

Spring Break.

My oh my what a fun trip! The weather was sub-par, but plenty of good times were had.

We laughed, we danced, we gambled. 

Brooke karaoked to Cher. 

Adam proposed to Ashley. 

It was a wonderful trip with wonderful friends!

Senior Year...Our Final Sorority Date Parties.

Enough said.

         

           

Family Vacation in Western Europe.

An amazing experience with my incredible family. 

I can't wait until I can go back!

London, England

Paris, France

Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Graduation.

My time at the Capstone ended in August. 

It was a bittersweet moment, but something to celebrate and be proud of!

Visits to Tuscaloosa and Athens.

It is always an adventure to head back to campus for a football game. 

And visiting friends in Athens is always a whirlwind!

The best times are those shared with the people you love.

Goodbye 2010. It's been real. Can't wait to see what 2011 brings!