a month in photos... enjoy :)

my long awaited first photo with Herman.

Caleb and Herman, so professional.

tulips at the union, loves it.

dancing.

my girls.

again. (courtesy of Aalok, thanks :))

Bob and ze pawpaw.

Caleb.

ze fam.

skids.

Mal's wedding.

haha.

butterfly.

lake pictures commence :)

peonies at grandmas, my new favorite flower. ahem.

garden.

garden.

yellow irises, and Lex.

north or south?

purple irises.

my girl.

there she is.

those colors.

Wex.

birds, my soft spot.

what an obnoxious flower.

willow tree ♥

birds.

haha.

How pretty, a throw back to my yesteryears.

In the days to follow, I'm hoping to blog about all of my recent festivities (including, but not limited to, graduation and my first non-familial wedding). But before we get ahead of ourselves, I must do stats homework. Curse you summer classes.

Tonight has made me think of a lot of different things in a lot of different ways.

Today I took the last exam of my college career. Although I have yet to take one final journalism elective and a statistics course, the culmination of my college career relies on a single Spanish literature course, lo cual I took this semester. Although my semester in Barcelona provided, socially, more than I could have ever imagined, my Spanish was lacking.

However, when I arrived back in Bloomington, I sought the help of a Spanish tutor. I spoke with Israel Fernando once a week for an entire year to work on my Spanish conversation. This, my friends, is the american dream.

I may not have a job for the next year, and I may not even know what I wan't to do for the entirety of my life, but I rest assured knowing that during my four years at Indiana University, I have become exactly who I want to be.

During these four years, I have grown to become the Holly that has always lied deep, deep within the depths of my ancient soul. College isn't about forgetting your roots, its about finding the person that has always lied deep within yourself. I don't claim to have done this on my own, because my parents and family have been a fundamental part of my development, but I rest assured knowing the person I have become is exactly the person I want to be.

When I came to college, I was a timid, scared little girl. And I am still that timid, scared little girl to this day. The difference is that I know how to push myself far beyond the realms of my comfort zone.

College takes on a different meaning for every person, and for me, college wasn't about attending the most prestigious university or finding the most advantageous internship. For me, college was about finding me. So, although the search for Holly hasn't been the most esteemed route, I am happy knowing I am content with who I am.

So, for those of you just beginning on this fateful journey, don't discount the people who have always been there for you, be it two months or twenty-one years. The path that leads to who you want to be is, in the words of my dad, not a sprint, but a marathon. If you are continually finding something new about yourself each and every day, then you are doing something right.

It has taken me a long time to figure out who I want to be, but all I know is I wouldn't change a thing. So, it may take someone equally as long to realize my worth, but I am willing to make the wait because I know I am worth it.

Just a little something to get your day going. I'm at Starbucks working on a dreadful paper about medieval Spanish literature and this song started blasting over the loud speaker. Suddenly my paper doesn't seem so bad.

The smell of warm rain and cigarettes will be etched indelibly in my olfactory senses as Barcelona. Due to the vast amounts of rain lately, my nose is having an identity crisis because it doesn't know where it resides.

The rain is all anyone can talk about these days, and I'm going to continue that sentiment. I had the most peaceful morning imaginable when I drove to the grocery store at nine o'clock in the pouring rain. Bowie was cooing Changes quietly throughout my car -- its hard to imagine a scenario more serene.

On to more serene scenarios...

Easterpalooza!

The rain, of course, made an appearance, but we could not be deterred (unlike those rookies who hunt eggs amidst the warmth and protection of their homes). This year we each had an allotment of 27 eggs, plus one gold one. We took our marks at the front porch (contrary to usual Easterpalooza regulation) and had to trample mom once Swifty signaled the start of the annual Easter massacre.

Ze skids, ready to hunt.

Our favorite egg location.

Jules.

Turdge.

Short and Fat Diva.

Gabe didn't get to be pictured because he was pronounced the Easter Massacre Turd, after only finding 23 of his 27 eggs. According to the Easterpalooza official rulebook, I should have been disqualified after not finding my coveted golden egg. But, I'm convinced one of the tots stole it to seek some sort of evil revenge.

Also, be it herby known and proclaimed that Jules is coming after RJ in the 2012 Easter Massacre. In her official press release, Jules stated "RJ can count on this being his last year as reigning Easterpalooza champion."

All in all... Easterpalooza 2011... great success.

this is all I have to say for today :) keep your eyes peeled for a post soon.

I do believe I've given you ample time for the previous post to marinate (thanks for that one, Caleb). I apologize for my negligence in posts, but my life in Bloomington is much less exciting than the one I lived in Barcelona -- though its hard to believe, because either way you look at it I still spend most of my time in grocery stores or in paralyzing fear of small children.

Okay, lets get back to the brass tacks.

Last Sunday I attended my first bridal shower as a grown-up human girl. Until now, every shower experience I've had has been accompanied by mom and Jules, and usually Countryside United Methodist Church. The lack of all three left me in quite a quandary. So, what did I do? What I do best... I prepped my gift nearly a week ahead of time, as to assure I would be fully prepared for my debut as a single woman (not that you would expect anything less from the girl that made a laminated, color-coordinated class schedule, complete with step-by-step instructions to each classroom).

Okay, what else.

• Caleb and I got addicted to Dexter and watched two whole seasons in a matter of days during our spring break. This was akin to the summer before when we watched four to five episodes of The O.C. per day. I was severely addicted and had a psychological connection to each character. I even dreamt they were my friends.
• Jules baby attended her first prom last weekend. I, of course, was the old maid of honor.
• I will be graduating in a matter of weeks (though I'm actually just walkin' the walk and finishing up classes this summer)(anything I can to put off real life)(a bridal shower on my own is baby steps enough).
• Easterpalooza is fast approaching.

Hopefully this post is enough to hold everyone for another month.

I kid, I kid... maybe.