Top 10 Tuesday: Packing Essentials

I'm going to talk about my Top 10 Essentials for Israel. Obviously this is a little bit different from a normal roadtrip/vacation in the US. I just started my packing list today. see: packing list, not actually packing. I leave in less than 3 days. Procrastination much? 

1-iPod with awesomesauce music. Music is essential to life, therefore make it good awesome

2-Journal! I got this adorable journal from Target. I've already been writing in it and can't wait to fill it with pictures and notes! 
3-Chacos. I LOVE mine! so comfy and will be perfect for hiking Masada and walking around town too! 

4-Camera: see also, extra memory cards, batteries and a case! 
5-Passport: this is pretty important. I would post a picture, but i will spare y'all the grief of looking at it. Apparently when I went the "law" had just changed. (umm what law says that you can't smile in passport pictures but whatever!) so, i have a lovely mugshot against a big white wall for my passport profile. lovely. 
6-Money. For souvenirs of course. So far, I've been asked to bring back a scarf, a wooden camel, a coffee mug, a crossbody, woven by a little jewish women bag, and some mineral salt scrub from the dead sea for "exfoliation purposes" 
7-My Bible: I will be reading, highlighting, and marking it up so I don't forget 1 thing! I'm so excited for this trip. 
8-Bathing Suit: The Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, Mediterranean Sea, and hotel pools! I can't wait to swim float in the Dead Sea. I think it will be pretty interesting! 
9-Sunglasses. This too is essential to roadtripping. Traveling and walking with the sun shining in your eyes is not so fun. I have my eye on these! 

10- Last but not least, Snacks! My roomie tweeted at me yesterday and said she bought me a box of Cheez-its! The girl knows the way to my heart already! She is also bringing granola bars and chex-mix. Our room will be too much fun!  


What are your packing essentials? anything you want to throw my way for international trips would be greatly appreciated! 


Happy Tuesday!


Emily OXOX

Top 10 Tuesday: Bucket List

Here we go for week 3 of Top 10 Tuesday! Show me the Top 10 things on your bucket list! Note: this is not an impossible bucket list ie: climb Mt. Kilimanjaro    or win the Nobel Peace Prize. I want goals that I know I can probably reach. Luckily for me, I found most of mine in picture form via Pinterest! I can't wait to see what is on y'all bucket lists! 

1-

2-

The way that I'm in a starbucks rut,

it could take quite a while!

3-

4-

I've never done this before.

Summer 2012?

5-

I live no where NEAR a beach,

therefore it goes on the bucket list.

6-

ahhh Paris and London.

someday

7-

I've been to about half of them 

and driven through about 35. 

8-

I'm always changing my mind about what

 I want to do when I "grow-up" ha! 

remember this post? 

Hopefully, I'll have a job that travels!

9-

Yes I know! This is simple.

It seems easily reachable.

But, I don't see it happening for at least 10 years

therefore it goes on the bucket list.

10- 

This seems like something that shouldn't

be on a bucket list, because it should come

so naturally. Something that isn't a life goal.

not for me my friends!

Happy Valentine's Day too! :)

Top 10 Tuesday: music

I've been struggling with alot this week. There is something about music that calms me down. I love winding down and listening to music in the car, while I clean, or going to bed. Music that really challenges me and leaves me feeling encouraged! I listen to a wide variety of music! I love just about all of it!! (on a side note, I do have tons of fun music to listen to why I run, but that will be in a different post) But, this week my go to songs are:

1-Healing Begins: Tenth Avenue North

2-Beautiful: Mercy Me

3-You are More: Tenth Avenue North

4-The Redeemer : Sanctus Real

5-Hanging On: Britt Nicole

6-Safe: Britt Nicole

7-The Hunger: Fireflight

8-All my Fountains: Chris Tomlin

9-Holding On: Jamie Grace

10-Stronger (What doesn't Kill You): Kelly Clarkson

Do you sense a theme? Strong, fighting, hunger, strength, Christ? yea me too.

What about you? What are your go to songs?

PS: giveaways here and here! :)

It's OK Thursday

It's ok that:

* it's been 65 degrees here all week! JUNEuary!

* to love whenever I get a new follower for my blog!

* i started a new link-up on Tuesday and have no clue what I was thinking

* i'm SO excited that I won a giveaway today! Two and counting for 2012

* i got a little tired during my run on Tuesday, but i'm doing it! Week 5!!

* i'm short on sleep because it means i've been extra productive!

* i don't have a job right now because it means for time for family

* to love my Miss Me Jeans and wear them over and over

* i'm selling tons of stuff on Ebay! winning

* I'm obsessed with the new TOMS ballet flats! go see :)

Top 10 Tuesday: Food

I'm so excited to be bringing to you Top 10 Tuesday! Today's Top 10 is Food! Make sure to link-up with me showing your Top 10 Favorite Foods! Here we go!

1-Black Olives. I eat them by the can. My record for an entire can is about 2 minutes. Ridiculous much? I'm convinced I'm Italian deep down. Dark hair, eyes, and I yell almost everything I say.

This picture is pretty ridiculous!

Every year I go to Olive Garden on my birthday.

They bring me out a plate of olives.

Olives are gone within 5 minutes.

2-Mashed Potatoes. I made some last night and loaded them with cream cheese, sour cream, butter, salt/pepper, heavy whipping cream, and more butter. Paula Dean should be proud.

3-Cheez-Its. My favorite flavor is White Cheddar. File under foods Emily eats in large quantities in small amounts of time. I need intervention.

4-Biscuits. Biscuits and Gravy. Biscuits with Soup. Biscuit Pizzas. Biscuit Sandwiches, you know like the ones from McDonalds for $1. Yeah.

5-Corn. Corn on the Cob, Canned Corn, Creamed Corn, Corn. Corn. Corn. Corn on the Cob makes me think of summer. Eating it outside at a BBQ with friends. I miss summer.

Butter and Salt makes life complete.

6- Chips and Salsa. Need I say more?

7-Chocolate. I mean what girl doesn't love chocolate? I love Ghirardelli milk chocolate bars. I love a warm gooey chocolate chip cookie. I love chocolate ice cream. I could dedicate an entire post to this. In fact, I might have already. I don't remember. File under one of Emily's obsessions.

8-Lettuce. I know shocker! Y'all thought I was a bad eater. I especially love iceberg lettuce, like the crispy white parts at the end. Don't judge. I do love a Subway sub with lettuce, or a good crisp salad in the summer.

9-Pop-Tarts. Best breakfast food ever invented next to biscuits of course! Chocolate Fudge Pop-Tart with a tall glass of milk. Perfection my friends.

10-Pretzels. Favorite afternoon snack. I love dipping my pretzels in ranch dressing. Weird I know. or frosting, peanut-butter, the possibilities are endless.

What about you? What are your Top 10 Favorite Foods? Be sure to link-up with me!

Happy Tuesday!

Monday Randoms

*big brain dump ahead*

~I'm back from Kansas City! Our varsity team from church went up to KC to complete in "olympics". We left Friday afternoon and got back late last night. My weekend was filled with lots of pictures, tons of snacks and eating out, uncontrollable gut laughter, and taking 4th place. Not too shabby :)

~Friday morning, my dad completed my FAFSA and set it off to CofO and Evangel. I didn't think all the necessary paperwork would be received/done it time, but we got all of it and it's DONE! Such a relief! Now I wait and see what happens! CofO's priority deadline is February 15th. That is where I really want to go to college. Waiting is the hardest part.

~I officially completed week 4 of C25K last week! I'm half way there. Crazy. I'm finally getting my endurance up and will begin longer runs this week. I think I can. I think I can. I'm actually starting to enjoy running, something I NEVER thought I'd say.

~The high today is 65 degrees. Branson has had one of the mildest winter's I can remember. I think this calls for a run outside this afternoon :)

~I haven't worked since Black Friday weekend at the ziplines. I miss it like terrible. I miss my 2nd family. I miss my big brothers. I miss taking pictures of crazy tourists. I miss answering the phone a thousand times a day. I miss driving the ATVs. I miss eating Jimmy Johns 6 days a week. I miss watching the sunset over the zipline towers. March come quickly!!

~I have been doing a ton of homework for my Israel trip. I've been researching major cities, religions, and other important information. It's coming up so fast. In 39 days I'll be boarding a plane and flying halfway across the world. It's still so surreal to me.

~One of my childhood friends, had a sweet baby boy last week. I've known her since I was 4 years old. I'm 18 and she's 21 now. I can't believe that she is married and starting a family. After 30+ hours of labor, Winston Daniel made his arrival. I'm so happy for her!

~Speaking of marriage and children, I've had several friends get engaged recently. I have 7 weddings on the calendar and I'm sure there will be more. I on the other hand, am happily enjoying my singleness. That will be another post soon.

~On a more serious note, I've really been realizing how fragile life is; how special and priceless it is and how much I really take it for granted. One of my friend's cousin passed away last night in NY. It happened so fast and it is heartbreaking for me to watch her grieve like this. If you think of her, please pray for K today. Then yesterday, one of my guy friends was in a car accident with his mom. They are ok, but the car is totaled. I saw both of them yesterday morning and hugged them goodbye, not having a clue what events would happen later in the day. I hugged my family a little bit tighter last night.

~I'm so excited for my new link-up tomorrow! Top 10 Tuesday! First off, will be Top 10 Foods we love. Easy and fun! Be sure to link-up!

~Saw this quote and loved it: once you realize your mess can become your ministry, you actively look for ways to provide security and protection for others with that struggle.

~Cait has an awesome giveaway this week! make sure to go check it out!

Happy Monday Lovelies!

Mini Blog Makeover + Blog Button + New Link-Up!

Whew! How's that for a long title? This week, I upgraded my blog to the Deluxe Package from Munchkin Land Designs. As always, Jenn did an awesome job! New font for blog post titles, 4 sidebar titles, and a personalized blog button.

As you can see, this isn't a button for my personal blog. It's a new link-up I created for Tuesdays! Top 10 Tuesdays will be different every week. For example, the first one I will do (January 31st) will be your Top 10 Foods. Me, being a lover of food and snacks, I thought this would be perfect! :) I'm already brainstorming a list for the future: foods, blogs, vacation spots, books, places to shop etc. It'll just be a fun way to connect with others and get to know each other. What do y'all think? I can't wait to give it a try this Tuesday! I think it'll be fun!

oxox,

Emily