Attempting to Make Major Life Decisions

Potential Graduate Schools

Although my applications aren't due for almost a year, I'm hoping to visit some of my top choices for grad school and narrow down my options. Applying takes a lot of time (& money) that I would love to be spending on something else.. Like this dress I've been lusting over for formal.

Baroque Sequin Dress, courtesy of Parc Boutique

Shopping is my favorite distraction. Anyway, the number of schools that offer the program that I'll be studying, Medical Anthropology, is pretty small. There's only one school in my state that offers it & it's my university's rival (there is absolutely no way going there is an option). So, I've decided that I'm going to embrace this chance to leap instead of step outside my comfort zone. 

Here are my top choices so far..

University of Washington

I've actually had the opportunity to visit UW's campus twice in the past year, & it's absolutely beautiful. 

Pro: I would get to wear rainboots all the time. Con: I would have to wear rainboots all the time. 

University of Alabama

I plan to tour UA next fall. I feel like Tuscaloosa has a great college atmosphere & it would be fun to live somewhere where there's so much support for athletics. I've heard mixed reviews on the actual town of Tuscaloosa, but great things about their program. 

University of Alabama

East Carolina University

My mom went to NC State so I'm hoping I can convince her to plan a trip to North Carolina with me to visit ECU! I would love to live in Greenville, & after being landlocked for 21 years living close to the ocean would be a dream come true. Out of all the schools, so far I feel like Greenville is the most "me" but we'll see what happens when I go for a visit!

East Carolina University, courtesy of William Mangum

Are any of y'all from these areas or have you visited there before? I won't turn in my applications until next winter, so I have some time to visit & think about other options too, but if you have any opinions or advice on what I should make sure to see when I visit, let me know! I'm really sad that there isn't a school in the DC area with a program, because after living there for two summers I would love to there full time. I'm sure I'm going to apply to a wide variety of places & I need to do more research on the University of Memphis, the University on Kentucky, & Boston University to start! 

                                     xx,

^♦SPJ^♦

Photo Challenge: In Your Bag

Day Thirteen

Bag: Longchamp le Pliage, large

      Binders: Target

Planner: Lilly Pulitzer, deluxe in First Impression

iPad with Sleeve: Lilly Pulitzer, Fan Dance 

Pencils, Target

Lip Balm, EOS in honeydew

Water Bottle: Camelback & Etsy for monogram sticker

Other than these items, I usually have my keys, phone, & wallet in my bag as well! These are my essentials to make it through long days of class. I'll also throw in any books that I'm reading for my classes that day so that I can reference them during lecture. 

                                   xx,

^♦SPJ^♦

A Weekend in Review

I had an amazing & busy weekend that was full of time spent with my sisters!

Initiation is officially over! I've been the Member Educator for my chapter for the past two years, & it's been such a great experience. I'm so proud of these girls for how much they've grown & that they're now active members! With three of the girls  in my family initiating, it was an extra special celebration. 

♦ ♦ ♦

 

Saturday was spent relaxing after an incredibly busy & stressful week. That night, a big group of us went to a "Glory Days" themed party. Everyone dressed up in their high school athletic clothes which was not only hilarious, but also fun to see what sports everyone played. 

♦ ♦ ♦

The highlight of my Sunday was opening my package from the Lilly Pulitzer New Year Cheer sale! I've been wanting the Arlington dress ever since the fall collection was released. When I saw it was on sale for $99 instead of the regular $368, I couldn't say no! Unfortunately, it runs a bit bigger than I was expecting so I'm not sure if it's going to work for me, but I'm hoping I can it get it taken in a little & wear it to a formal this spring. 

Arlington Dress, courtesy of Lilly Pulitzer

Some of my professors apparently missed the memo that they should ease us into a new semester so I'm already drowning in the readings I have to do. I just have to keep reminding myself that there's less than four months until graduation!

I hope y'all had a great weekend!

                                xx,

^♦SPJ^♦

Photo Challenge: Beverage

Day Eleven

I am an iced tea addict. If I'm craving something, it's always unsweet iced tea. I probably drink it too much, because I definitely have some at least once a day, but since it isn't sugary like sweet tea or pop I try to tell myself that it's not the worst addiction I could have! 

                           
                                  xx,

^♦SPJ^♦

Photo Challenge: Close Up

Day Twelve

My best friend/little (tGa, from this post) got us these bracelets last year & we both wear them all the time. I love to stack mine & have it as a little reminder of how much she's always been there for me! Ignore my awkwardly child-sized wrist (left). I don't get to see her as often as I used to (aka every day because we were roommates) after she has to transfer schools but we're always trying to find ways to see each other! 

                                  xx,

^♦SPJ^♦

Photo Challenge: Childhood

Day Ten

I love looking at old photos. Here are some of my favorites I found!

My dog/best friend, Baxter, when he was a puppy.

I love these two pictures of me & older sister. Not only do they make me laugh, but they remind me how thankful I am to have someone that loves me as much as she does!

I've always loved the beach, & I'm excited at the possibility of getting to attend a grad school close to the ocean.

♦ ♦ ♦

I've gotten behind on posting the pictures for the photo challenge, so I'm going to get caught up today & get some fun posts ready for this week as well. I hope everyone is having a relaxing Sunday!

                                          xx,

^♦SPJ^♦

Photo Challenge: Daily Routine

Day Nine

There's nothing that relaxes me more before bed after a long day than a cup of tea. I saw this mug on Pinterest a few months ago & knew I had to have it! It's from Anthropologie & I'm absolutely obsessed with it. I love having a routine for the morning & night because I feel like it helps me stay organized.

                                          xx,

^♦SPJ^♦