{Real Talk} Where Will You Be in 5 Years?

Hello readers,

So today someone asked me, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?". It was a random question, nothing that required a philosophical answer for an interview or school, but nonetheless got me thinking. 5 years ago at this time, I was a junior in high school with about a month left in school. I spent a good majority of my time dreaming of what my life would be like once I graduated from high school the next year. I never would have predicted a lot of things that have happened in the past 5 years: Madi and I getting engaged, bringing home a golden retriever pup before I was done with school, my mom being diagnosed with cancer, Madi's dad passing away. Obviously life throws you thinks you can't predict, but mine has been a whirlwind. At the time, I thought I was going to attend the University of Florida then after a year transfer to Duke University, where I assumed Madi would be going for graduate school. I also thought I would be ripping open my acceptance letters to Med School to be an OB/GYN. Well, clearly that was NOT what God had in mind. And I am so happy my plans didn't go as planned.

5 years from now hopefully: I will be married to Madi, about to celebrate our four years of marriage anniversary, Nike will be six, Madi will be done with PT school, we will be expecting or have had a child. I hope to still be working as an RN in oncology or obstetrics. Possibly living in Tennessee or North Carolina.

So we shall see in 5 years, huh? Has anyone else been asked this question and before answering done a quick reflection of where you were 5 years ago today and what you thought you'd be doing? It really is mind opening. You can't predict where God will bring you, but his plan is always better than the one you had worked out for yourself!

Thanks for keeping up,
- Olivia

#BookWorm : The Fault In Our Stars

Hello everyone,

As of late, with finals coming up and people having more time to read leisurely I have had many people ask me what I am currently reading or what I would recommend. Well I decided to start a new section of my blog called #BookWorm since that perfectly describes my life. If you have ever been to my room AKA Colton's room AKA soon to be Christian's room at my mom's house, it is a library. Legit. Probably over a couple thousand books. If you have been to my apartment in Tampa,  you will notice in our guest room the two book shelves crammed with more than one row of books. And if you know anything about me, you probably know that I am a published author. Clearly I have a passion for literature. Reading is a gift. People don't understand that. As much as I love movies (and the good Lord knows I do) I would rather be able to read a great than watch a movie of it. Anyways back to the point. So what I am currently reading is the book that has everyone talking: The Fault In Our Stars (TFIOS).

This book is only a typical popular book in about two ways: 1) It is a #1 NYT Bestseller. 2) It has a love story. Those two items don't shy me away from it, and if romantic novels aren't your thing: don't worry it isn't what you think it may be. I found out about this book from my little soon-to-be sister-in-law as she told me well before it was popular that it was her favorite book of all time. When people say that to me, I generally like to give the book a try. It is a fairly newly published book, in 2012 I believe, but since the announcement of the movie coming out it has become huge. Now I am the girl who HAS to read the book before seeing the movie. Always. So I decided to pick this one up and add it to my long list of books I want to read this summer. I was just starting Nicholas Sparks' new book The Longest Ride (which was fantastic to my surprise because I'm not really a country gal) and decided to finally move TFIOS up the list. Legit read this thing in 40 hours and worked 24 of those 40 hours. Sleeping about 8 of them. So basically I read it pretty quick.

Overall view on the book: It was amazing. As everyone says they did, I also cried. Of course. It is truly a story that grabs you and makes you want to read it in 8 or so hours. It is an easy read, great characters, interesting plot, and overall is fantastic. I can't say it ended the way I wanted it to, and the last chapter kind of ended in a spot that made me grab for more. But overall I did really enjoy it and would recommenced it to anyone. I am adding John Green's other popular book Looking for Alaska to my list of things to read! If I had to rate it, 9/10. The ending just gets to me.

I am really looking forward to the movie, although I don't really care for Shailene Woodley I think she could fit the part with her personality pretty dang good. I also have mad respect for her actually cutting off her hair. I am planning on bringing a box of Kleenex with me to the theater (considering I cried while seeing the trailer for it when we saw Divergent).

So what else is on my list you may ask? Here ya go. Random, yes. But that is what I love.
Next up: Vanishing Acts- Jodi Picoult
Wicked- Gregory Maguire
Dear John- Nicholas Sparks (yep never read it)
A Stolen Life: A Memoir- Jaycee Dugard
Growing Up Duggar- Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger Duggar
Looking for Alaska

Anyways what's on your summer reading list? Do you have one? Have you read The Fault In Our Stars? What did you think? Keep me posted!

-Olivia :)

My Random Addictions: Frozen vs. Tangled

Hey guys,

Well this one isn't obvious is it ;). Disney Movies are clearly my favorite genre of movies. Tonight I watched Frozen with my mom, finally. I know so crazy for me, right? Usually I'm on the ball and see new Disney movies in theaters but I didn't get a chance to see that one. Anyways here are my thoughts on the new hit: Frozen.

Things I love:

1. LOVE LOVE LOVE the music. Definitely had a great soundtrack. Idina Menzel has always been amazing, but I loved seeing Kristen Bell in a new way!

2. LOVE that its an original plot. Based off a Hans Christian Anderson book, but not like it too much besides a snow queen. I didn't like Brave too much, because it reminded me of brother bear, but with a Scottish twist. Like legit same plot.

3. Love Ana's quirky character. So adorable. Can I be her?
4. The Scandinavian scene, died. Probably because I am 50% Scandinavian... #finnishlife #wehadasaunagrowingup

Things I liked, but were similar to other Disney movies (AKA similar to Tangled):

1. Kristoff and Sven. Adorbs, but I have a heart for Flynn Rider and Maximus. Basically a similar idea, except Scandinavian and a reindeer.

2. Both stories sort of start out about being locked up in something. A tower. A castle. Same theme, different song. When will my life begin vs. For the first time in forever. 

3. Hair changing color because of magic and having one strand stay that way the whole movie? Same exact thing. Interesting that they put that in both.

My overall personal opinion: really enjoyed Frozen and will be adding it to my movie collection some day, but Tangled was better. Probz because I want to be Rapunzel, letting a floating lantern go is on my bucket list, and Mandy Moore is ahhhmayzing :). LOLJKnotreallyiactuallyloveher. 

If you've seen Frozen, but have yet to see Tangled, GO SEE IT. Srsly. Buy it because you'll watch it over and over like me. I can even get Madi to willingly watch that one! Shocker, I know. It's that good. Not sure I can say the same about Frozen. Anywhoooo, what did you guys think? If you've seen both, which did you prefer and why? I've heard almost everyone say they liked Frozen more except a one person, but I'm curious, now that I have seen it, to know why! 

Thanks for reading,

- Olivia :)

P.S. Oh and happy Easter to everyone! Remember why we celebrate and how lucky we are to be here! We wouldn't be without the truest and most selfless sacrifice ever. Be grateful :)

DIY M&M Blonde Brownies

Hello everyone!

So yesterday I had some free time (I know super rare right) and I decided to make some blonde brownies for work! I had never made them before, so I looked to Pinterest for different recipes and such and this was the one that I came up with! It was a lot easier than I had anticipated and it's a recipe that doesn't take a lot of items you don't have if you are a frequent baker like myself ;)

What you'll need:
1/2 cup of softened butter (1 stick)
2 cups of brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups of miniature M&Ms

Prep and cook time: about 40 minutes
FYI: In order to taste best, let them cool for a half hour and sit in the fridge for an additional half hour.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix together the butter and brown sugar. Mine got to a wet sand consistency.
3. Mix in the eggs and vanilla, this will make it about the consistency of brownie mix.
4. Next mix in the salt, baking powder, and flour. This will give you the consistency of a cookie!
5. Add in 1 cup of the mini M&Ms
TIP: Don't use the beater to add in the M&Ms, it will make your beater run slower and potentially wear it out.

6. Next spread the mix into a greased 9x13" pan.
7. Add the last 1/2 cup of M&Ms on top of the mix.

8. By now, your oven should be preheated, bake in the oven for 25 minutes. The middle of the blondies will not seem "done" but they aren't supposed to be as tough as a cookie.
9. Take out the blondies and let them cool for half an hour. Place in the fridge if not eating anytime soon.

There you have it! From the people at work, I heard they turned out delicious! I sure thought so! Do you have anything that you add to your blonde brownies to make them better? Let me know your thoughts!

Thanks for reading,

- Olivia :)

Itch to Travel

Hello readers,

Today when I had some spare time in-between classes, I was looking at some old pictures from last year when Madi and I took our trip to Wilmington, NC, Durham, NC, Ashville, NC, Chattanooga, TN, and Atlanta, GA. This was our first road trip with no one else, and we had such a great time! It is getting to that time of year when I not only am starting to have senioritis, but I also am having the "itch" to travel. And that's a good thing, because this summer we have some fun trips planned! We will be taking our normal trip to Michigan, but we also will be traveling to Birmingham, Alabama! I know random right? The reason we are going there is because Madi will be observing at a sports facility for physical therapy and that is how he wanted to spend his 21st birthday! Luckily, Sondra will be coming with me so I will have someone to explore with while he is gone! I have been doing some research on what to do in Alabama, and I think a few of our activities will include some parks in the area. Nike will be traveling with us, so that is another thing that we have to consider when making our daily plans. Although Alabama was not what I was hoping for during our short break between semesters, I think we will make it fun! And we are stopping by Chattanooga for a day, which is obviously one of my favorite places so I am looking forward to that.

While doing research on these places and looking through pictures, I have added some places on my list that I want to go to/ things I want to do:
- Savannah, GA: I have heard nothing but great things about Savannah and really would like to go
- Cape Cod, MA: From the pictures, I cannot believe the beauty. I have personally never been farther east than NYC, so the Northeastern Coast is somewhere I would like to see
- Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: From Portland to San Diego, Madi and I would love to go see what the West Coast has to offer. The views are amazing and there are some awesome locations.
Obviously this list would be no time soon, but they are places that I have a new interest in!

So what about you guys? Any fun trips planned for the summertime? Any places you have realized you're dying to go to? Have you been to any of the places I've added to my list? Any tips for things to do with a one year old pup in Birmingham? Let me know, I'd love to hear :)

Thanks for keeping up,
- Olivia

USF Telefund

Hello everyone!

Tonight marks the night of my last telefund banquet, so crazy! It's bittersweet as I have been working for the USF Telefund for four years, but I know it is time to move on once I graduate in August. It is funny how life finds you great opportunities. I saw a flyer for the job at telefund my freshman year in my dorm, Juniper-Poplar and applied on a whim. Luckily, I got the job! Times have changed over the years, five managers in four years, probably over two hundred different callers, and a million answering machines later and I am finishing up my time. I have made so many great friends through the telefund, some that I consider my best friends. If you're reading this and you have ever been associated with telefund, thank you. Thank you whether it was talking to me as a new caller my freshman year, thank you for those who have put up with me stressing out over EVERY detail, thank you to talking to me about life for countless hours, and thank you for some of the best memories I have at USF. Most of you probably think I am crazy for staying at telefund as long as I have, but I have to honestly say it is the most interesting job I have ever had. I have learned so much about communicating with people, dealing with crazy situations, and being able to handle myself in awful situations. 

Some telefund people I want to thank especially: 

Jasmine Grey- for being there always, and being such a great best friend but also for playing jimmy rum and day calling with me.

Shane McMahon- for listening to me cry on the phone for so many hours about so much drama and for being a great co-supervisor and friend. I never would have made it through this past year at telefund without you.

Becca Constant- for letting me cry on the phone with your boyfriend for endless hours and talking to me for hours during shifts and hearing me vent about everything and anything. you truly are a great friend and I am so glad I met you!

Kyle Kremer- for being such an amazing manager and always being supportive. we miss you dearly at USF.

Beth Jackson- for coming in and taking USF telefund as is and making it such a fun atmosphere compared to how it was. I will be forever grateful for all you have done. 

Jon Bidelspach- for hanging out with me on Halloween this past year at shift and also listening to countless stories and telefund drama. 

Dan Krenik and Aaron Triefler- for being awesome friends, we need to all hang out again ASAP.

Marcela Duarte- for also listening to me 24/7 and for making me laugh endlessly during shift.

Everyone else thanks for doing what you do whether we have talked for five minutes or hours on end. You all rock.

Thanks for keeping up,

Olivia :)