Sunday

Sunday we headed up to Pittsburgh to have a little day out, which was well needed after weeks of monotonous school food.  We had heard that there was a really good sushi bar in the strip district, but upon further exploration we realized it was a little takeout only stand.  Since we wanted to sit down and relax a bit, we decided to get a pizza instead, but were still really curious about the supposedly wonderful sushi bar.  So we went back for "desert." Holey Moley that was the best sushi EVER.

So, if you're in the Pittsburgh area, head on over to Andy's sushi bar (it's actually inside Wholey's fish market) in the strip district.  Deliciousness awaits..

We ordered what we read was the best- Salmon Mango.  It had SO many things in it.  What I remember: crabcake, salmon, asparagus, mango, spicy sauce, and some kind of leafy green.

Outfit details:

Top: Forever 21, $15

Jeans: T.J. Maxx, $15

Scarf: Old Navy, $9

Boots: Target, $13

Last Friday

Jeans: TJ Maxx, $15

Chambray Top: J. Crew, $35

Sweater: American Eagle, gift

Jacket: Old Navy, $7

Boots: Thrifted, $5

Necklace: Sfera, €6

A week later, and I'm just now getting around to posting an outfit blog about last Friday...

Anyways, we've been getting some pretty cold weather here in Pittsburgh and it's been absolutely necessary to layer up!  Fridays are my "easy/hard" days.  I open up a coffee shop from 7:30-9, then have class (one of my favorites) from 9:30-10:20, and then I work in our school's admissions office from 10:30-4:30.  Because I'm usually running around all day, I generally stick to a casual/jeans ensemble (as I'm typing this I'm in a chiffon skirt- naturally.)

Anyways, I hope everyone has an awesome weekend!  

Shorts in Winter

Shorts: Sanctuary via Belk, $8

Top: Lucky via Belk, $35

Tights: ?

Glasses: 7 for All Mankind

Shoes: Urban Outfitters, way too much $$ for the quality...

Shorts in winter.  Sometimes I love it, then the next day I hate it.  As far as I can tell, the general opinion is one of dislike.  But hey, if I can wear magenta tights, I can wear neutral tights and a pair of cool shorts.  Although the pictures aren't too clear, I ended up really liking this outfit.  

Opinions on the shorts and tights trend?  

The denim shirt.

The other day one of my best friends texted me to tell me that she and her room-mate, another one of my closest friends, had been checking out my blog and they had noticed a constantly recurring item.  This item popped up so often, in fact, that they made a game out of finding it in as many posts as possible.  

What was the item?  My J. Crew chambray shirt.  And honestly, they are so right.  I spent $40 on the shirt- which is a size able amount for me- but I bought it because I knew I would get use out of it.  I now consider that $40 shirt a better deal than some super clearance $5 tops I may only wear a time or two.  

Wearing things repetitively is sometimes a controversial thing in the fashion world, but I think it couldn't be more awesome.  Buy something you love, that fits you well, and that is somewhat classic.  Wear.  Wash.  Repeat.  I'm all for it!  What are some items you've put in your closet's hall of fame?

A Collection of Chambray Shirt Photos... And this isn't even all inclusive.

Greg's Swearing In

You may have noticed the contemplative tone on life and the future in my last blog.  Those thoughts are mainly thanks to this past weekend.  

Greg was sworn into the US Army Dental Corps as a Second Lieutenant.  This means that he'll be attending dental school in Memphis, TN for the next 4 years.  After that, he'll apply for a residency on an army base in the US where he will learn how to be an Oral Surgeon (he's interested in facial reconstruction, but he also learns how to do wisdom teeth surgeries and things like that.)  The residency will take another 4 years, and my fingers are crossed for the Hawaii location ;)  After that, he owes the military 4 years as an oral surgeon- Although he can request particular locations, nothing is promised.  So he could be put anywhere, but again, my fingers are crossed- Germany for that one.  After that (a total of 12 years down the road) he will decide whether to stay in the military or to go back to civilian life as a private practice doctor.  

Now that's quite a few super big decisions- but most of them are pretty far down the road.  

Although it really is an awesome deal for Greg, I am so super proud of him.  He's worked super hard to get into dental school, and just as hard to get accepted into the Dental Corps- He's one of only 40 in the entire country to be chosen.  So of course, I made the trip home this weekend to watch the swearing in and to celebrate afterwards.

The end.

I spent almost 5 years looking forward to study abroad.  I've always loved to travel, and ever since I knew what study abroad entailed, I knew I wanted to do it.  Looking back I realize exactly how excited I was for it.  The closer it got, the more I honestly could not control my excitement.  Now that it's over and it's time to find something else to look forward to, it feels kind of bittersweet.  When I look at my facebook pictures and see a jumble of my travels- Paris, London, Ireland, Italy, and the amazing town I lived in, it just hits me how incredibly blessed I am to have had this experience.  

But now it's time to move on to something new.  I've blogged through it, recounted stories to my friends, and shown pictures to literally anyone who will look at them.  

I'm really excited to see where my life is headed, and I know there will be great things- both here and abroad.  So until then, here is one last post on my experience from this past semester.  After this, it's back to business as normal- outfit posts, stories of weekend trips home, and a little bit of catching up.

The post below I wrote in the middle of my final journey home.

~~~

At this moment, I’m sitting in the airport, waiting to board my final flight home to Tennessee.  It’s been a tiring 24 hours of travel (so far) and I’m having so many feelings about Malaga, and this semester in general.

The entirety of our trip, I tried REALLY hard to constantly remind myself how incredibly blessed I was, and to soak it in as much as possible.  Although I know I did that, leaving Malaga was SO sad.  Tears were shed as I said goodbye to my friends and host family- maybe even for the last time ever.  

I miss my family, friends from home, and of course Greg, and I truly cannot wait to be home and celebrate Christmas with them.  Spending three months apart from those you love really makes you realize just how much they mean to you.  So although I'm really sad about leaving my trip behind, I don't want anyone to think that I'm not 100% ready to see my loved ones.  

I never even considered the impact study abroad would have on my life.... but oh my gosh, has it had an impact.  This semester I left home, alone, to travel to a foreign country that had a language, culture, and norms so different than my own.  I branched out, met so many incredible people from across the globe.  I navigated my way around 10 different international airports, sleeping in 3 of them.  I tried crazy foods I never thought I could have (helllllo snails and squid.)  And perhaps most importantly, I became more self aware, more confident, more independent, and more appreciative of absolutely everything I am blessed with, both at home and abroad.

I’m hoping (and praying) that I will be able to remain close to some of my new Malaga friends, because goodness knows I love them to death.  As my host mother said during our tearful goodbyes- I’ve truly gained a bigger family, that will be with me wherever I am in the world, and in life.  

As for where my journeys will take me next, I don’t yet know.  But if I have anymore adventures, I’ll be sure to keep you updated. 

Excuse me for the weekend...

While I go home to Tennessee to celebrate with this guy as he gets sworn into the US Army Dental Corps!

(That means free dental school, no need to work for the next four years, and a pretty sweet welcome check.  Now that's something worth celebrating.)

Rainbows in Ireland

This is the last of my "travel" posts.  It's been really bittersweet remembering all of my incredible experiences and knowing that they are completely over.  Studying abroad was one of the most life-changing experiences thus far, and I am so thankful to have had this opportunity.  

So, here's Ireland!!

The Guinness Factory in Dublin was one of my favorite tourist stops.  Even if you don't like beer (like me), it's a must-see in Ireland. 

Galway, Ireland.  The cutest Irish town... ever.

My attempt at subtle Irish nail-art.

An ancient burial mound estimated to be about 5000 years old.

The Burren.

The Cliffs of Moher.  Breath-taking doesn't even go there, and of course, pictures don't do it justice. 

And how did we end our trip?  With rainbows.  What's more Irish than that?? 

;)