Bliss {Out in the Sun}

{4/9/14 and also perfection} 

I'm having a difficult time deciding my favorite type of weather. Like extremely difficult time. I love rain because I can snuggle indoors with a fire in my woodstove, a mug of delicious tea, perhaps some dark chocolate, and a favorite book. But then this weather we've been having in California... I really don't think the weather could look or feel more perfect. The shining sun, the absolutely stunning clouds, the balmy weather {*mostly* perfect temperature, although it has gotten a bit hot at times}, did I mention the clouds?!

On Sunday I was feeling too lazy to do productive things. So I went outside, climbed onto the trampoline with a giant bag of air-popped popcorn and my phone {which has my current reading: Anna Karenina}, plopped onto my back, and munched contentedly whilst staring at the sky. I was planning to read for a few minutes, but the weather was actually perfect. And I mean that. So I just lay there, letting the day roll by, feeling like the world could go on without me because I was much too comfortable to move.

{I took a picture, but then I actually did this for real. My trusty popcorn by my side.}

{And then I sat up because SKY!}

{Blue sky just barely streaked with white clouds. Too lovely.}

{My walnut tree wanted in on the photoshoot}

{Doesn't the sky look peaceful?}

{Sun-kissed cheeks and pretend sleep. Just for the camera.}

I hope you get a chance to take a break from the world and soak in the sun, this week! Xoxo

Hello, Spring Break

{Spring Break has begun! The weather is balmy, amazing, delicious} Well, guess what? This blog did not drop off the face of the earth forever. That's what. Take a moment to breathe that in. Perhaps perform a dance of rejoicing, or something... It really has been a while, but I think my crazy past two weeks are a pretty solid excuse of stressful, busy, stress-filled, hectic, {did I mention stress yet?} life. This is a perfect segue into a topic near and dear to my heart--stress. Of course. This is an emotion that I struggle with constantly, as I am constantly feeling pressure from one project or another, and becoming worried about it. My life can be pretty crazy at times, yes. But I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am prone to extreme stress because of the way I think and react to things. Part of my life, especially since starting junior college full-time, has been spent coming to terms with the fact that I do indeed get ridiculously stressed out about things. The last few weeks have been spent realizing that "stress" is actually something that I should not be "coming to terms" with. Stress is something that I should actually be getting rid of. Now, this certainly not one of those posts, where I talk about how people with crazy lives should trim down their schedules and make some ME time. No. There is a time and a place for such a post, but that's not what I'm driving at here. A dear friend of mine brought on this reflection, as she was reminding me that stress is worry. As a Christian, I'm supposed to be trusting in God--If I truly believe that He is in control of my life, than how and where does worry fit into the picture? I should not be embracing and coming to terms with stress in my life. I should be running to God in faith, trusting that He has a plan for me. If I have done my best with homework, my schedule, whatever it is that I feel concerned about, then I need to accept that I've done everything in *my* power, and allow myself to let go of the worry and feel God's peace. All of this is much easier to write about than to live out. That is 100% certifiably a fact of my life. But getting these thoughts organized is the first step to letting go of the stress. I have to say, spring break came just in time. One advantage of a crazy schedule however, is that when you get a break {such as spring break}, the extreme difference in emotions just feels amazing. After I finished my last midterm this past Wednesday, I felt like laughing the entire day. In fact {don't tell anyone}, I definitely burst into giggles for absolutely no reason in my car on the way home from school. The relief, excitement, and feeling that I could relax for the first time in fourteen days just completely overwhelmed me with joy. It's such an incredible feeling to be overwhelmed with joy. Anyway, Spring Break has started out propitiously. I'm looking forward to a week of dates with friends, many hours of movie watching, while vegetating on the couch, and also operation Redecorate Katherine's Room. I'm sure I'll do a post about the redecorating process if it goes well. That is a rather big "if" isn't it? I hope your weekend is absolutely wonderful! I have enough joy to share right now. So if you need some, I'll send you a bottle, Express Mail. Ciao&Xx, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27