Five Favorites: App Edition

I am cleaning out my draft folder so get ready for a few random posts.  

Confession:  Hi my name is Natalie, I am a 23 year old college student and I freak out a little if I don't have my phone with me for any length of time.

Typical. So my five favorites this week are my Five Favorite I-Phone Apps.

One.

Call me a hipster but one of my favorite apps is Instagram, affectionately refereed to as "the 'gram".  I can't get enough of it. 

Two.

The Nike + app. I really like knowing how many miles I have run and how fast.  Now if only I could run more miles faster.  

Three.

Bloglovin'.  I hate that I can't seem to leave comments through my iphone but I like that I can read blogs anywhere anytime in such an easy to read format.  

Four.

TMI ALERT.  Another favorite is the MyFertilityMD app.  I actually paid nearly $10 for this app but it was so worth it.  It is a very professional app that allows you to chart your cycles using the Creighton Model.  It has great resources including Ask the Doctor options and informational videos and FAQs.

  

Five. 

What kind of young adult would I be if I didn't mention Snapchat?  Why is it so great to send pictures to all your friends that can only be viewed for 10 seconds?  Who knows all I know is it makes the top 5 list. 

Honorable Mentions:

Overdrive

Facebook 

Lippincott's Review for NCLEX

Five Favorites: Back to School

I moved back to school a little over a week ago and it is no secret that I attend Franciscan University of Steubenville (you just can't keep something like that a secret!).  What better way to celebrate another Wednesday than sharing with the bloggity world five favorites about being back at school. 

One.

When Franciscan first became what we call today passionately Catholic all sports were cut (You can read more about this change in Fr. Mike's book).  Since, they have reintroduced sports back into the University but this time with the idea that we play for an audience of one and also evangelization.  One way that we accomplish this is that after every game, win or lose, the caption of our team goes over to the other team and asks them to pray.  From talking to captions, the look of shock on the other team is sometimes priceless.  The teams circle up, kneel and pray.  What a powerful witness to the fact that there still are young adults that live passionate faith.  This is just another example why I am so thankful that my money and time is invested in this University.

Two.

My roommate and I created a mega bed in our room.  You know, our two beds pushed together in the middle of the room. We love it.  I realized just how much I liked it when I was sitting on my bed one afternoon on my computer and gradually three of my sisters came in and before you knew it all four of us were side by side talking and growing in our sisterhood.  This is why I am so glad that I am back into the dorms, there is no replacement for sisterhood.

Three.

I love having people to go running with right down the hall from me.  Sometimes we even accidentally color coordinate.  While I love having the people to run with. the Steubenville hills are no so much my favorite. 

Four. 

Even though I don't take advantage of it near as often as I ought, how could it not be my favorite that each dorm has a chapel in it with the Blessed Sacrament always present. When I go to bed I often think of Jesus in this building just a couple of floors down.  Even more blessed, I can walk no more than 5 minutes and the Eucharist is exposed in Perpetual Adoration in the Portiuncula.  If we really truly really believed wouldn't we live our life so differently?

Five.

Another favorite-being back home.  This is my fifth year coming to Franciscan University.  This is my home and it feels so good to be back in a place where I love being.  And I know just how blessed I am to be here for another year.

I hope I took some Franciscan alumns down memory lane or at least made college graduates reminiscent of their college days.  Can't wait to check out some other favorites.

Five Favorites: My Wedding

So with all this wedding talk in my life I thought that it would be fun to show what my five favorites might be if I were getting married.

I strive to not pretend to plan my non {currently} existent wedding and get nailed down to details so as to guard my heart and let the Lord plan my life, however there are a few things that I know I want.  Without further ado....

One.

This goes without saying but I want to marry a man who I can travel to heaven with.  One who I can love, honor and obey.  One who will love me till death do us part.  A guy who will be the father of my children.  A man who I want to wake up to every morning.  One who will help me become a better woman.  Yeah, I want that guy.  

Two.

This ring.  I love how the engagement and wedding ring come together.

Three.

"Your Grace is Enough" by Matt Maher for one of the songs during the Mass. 

Four.

You know coffee had to come into play at some point?  Can't imagine a better a wedding favor.

Five.

My mom bought her wedding dress justifying the splurge by saying a daughter could wear it.  I am not decided if I would do some altering and wear the dress or incorporate pieces of the dress into my wedding day attire.  I couldn't get a good picture of it but here is the best I could do. 

Not Alone Series: Fave Resources

What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't combine the Not Alone Series Fave Resources without combining it with Moxie Wife's Five Favorites also?  So if you have hoped on over here from the Five Favorites link up the Not Alone Series, in my words, is a group of women who link up and post about different topics related to the single season of life. You can read all my posts here about the topic.  I promise you it isn't just complaining and wishing for a husband with stars in my eyes.  It is about deepining the relationship with our Lord, doing His will as He wishes today, and growing on the path of holiness so that when it is His will we can enter into the Sacrament of Matrimony with our guy.

This weeks topic is our favorite resources related to growing on the path of holiness during our single season of life.

One.

I am going to be that person that says my first favorite resource is the Bible.  How could I not, it is God's love letter to us His people.  I took a New Testament scripture course this past semester and over the semester we broke open as a class through lectio divino and discussion about two chapters of Mark, paragraph by paragraph.  My mind was blown by how intricate and purposeful everything was.  It made me appreciate just how awesome the Bible.

When talking about the Bible in relation to singlehood their are two things that immediatly come to mind.  The first being Proverbs 3:5-6,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Talk about calming your heart when you are frustrated that you are still single.  Also helpful when you are discerning other things in life.

The other reading that comes immediately to me is Proverbs 31:10-31, The Noble Wife.  I try to read these verses as often as possible trying to keep them fresh in my mind so that all the day long I can be striving to become more the woman, and I think one day wife, the Lord calls me to be.

Two. 

My second favorite resource is Captivating by John Eldredge.  I have read this book multiple times and also read Wild at Heart, the guy "version.".  I was going to pull the book out and add some quotes but apparently it is packed away with my school stuff.  The core of the book is that women's core desires are to be romanced, to play an ireplacabe role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty.  When you stop and think about it so much of our feminine heart does boil down to this.  While the book not a code to live by it does make you stop, think and reflect.  

Three.

Another is the saints.  St. Gianna is such an inspiration to me of a holy wife and mother and that if the Lord calls me to work when I am a mom, that is ok.  If St. Gianna can be a physician, wife, mother and saint then the Lord could call me to that too.  St. Ann. Everytime I see the time strike 11:11 know that I am saying, "St. Ann, St. Ann find me a man." (Something this past years roommate taught me.)  Also, although I can't find it, there is a prayer by St. Anthony or St. Ambrose (I believe) that talks about resting in the Lord's love for us.  I know, I know how much can it be my favorite if I don't even know what it is, just trust me on it.

UPDATE:  My household sister helped me out (you can check out her awesome blog here.)  I was refering to the "Be Satisfied with Me" prayer by St. Anthony of Padua.

"Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone,
To have a deep soul relationship with another,
To be loved thoroughly and exclusively.

But to a Christian, God says, "No, not until you are satisfied,
Fulfilled and content with being loved by Me alone,
With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me.
With having an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone.

Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found,
Will you be capable of the perfect human relationship,
That I have planned for you.
You will never be united to another
Until you are united with Me.
Exclusive of anyone or anything else.
Exclusive of any other desires or longings.
I want you to stop planning, to stop wishing, and allow Me to give you
The most thrilling plan existing . . . one you cannot imagine.
I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you.

You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am.
Keep listening and learning the things that I tell you.
Just wait, that's all. Don't be anxious, don't worry
Don't look around at things others have gotten
Or that I have given them
Don't look around at the things you think you want,
Just keep looking off and away up to Me,
Or you'll miss what I want to show you.
And then, when you're ready, I'll surprise you with a love
Far more wonderful than you could dream of.

You see, until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready,
I am working even at this moment
To have both of you ready at the same time.
Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me
And the life I prepared for you,
You won't be able to experience the love that exemplified your relationship with Me.
And this is perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love,
I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me.
And to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection and love that I offer you with Myself.
Know that I love you utterly. I AM God.
Believe it and be satisfied"

The saint are such a source of powerful intercession and example when it comes to being single, growing in holiness and becoming more of who the Lord desires you be as a one day wife or sister.  Of course a favorite resource.

Four.

Another favorite resource of mine is good, holy friends.  Women who can encourage you when you are struggling and rejoice with you when you are joyful.  They are woman who don't let you mope in singleness, call you on to be a more of the woman who the Lord is calling you to be, and make the single years all the more sweater with late night wine talks, morning coffee, and heart to heart discussions that just make your heart swoon.  I am so lucky to have best friends from high school, friends I have met at college and above all my household sisters who inspire me and encourage me more than I could ever thank them for. 

Five. 

My fifth and final favorite resource would have to be blogs.  Not any one in particular but so many in general.  I always happen to come upon a well written blog post right when I need it that encourages me and nudges me farther down the path of faith.  I remember one in particular during advent that was the permission I needed to wait with anticipation for my future spouse in the the same way that we wait for the Christ Child during advent.  Blog articles, chosen carefully can be quick light encouragement that can be weaved into our busy days.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now I know everyone cares what my post schedule will be since I have promised posts about running and weddings.  Well I am going to be going out of town tomorrow morning for another wedding until Sunday.  That means you get to see quick uploads of road trippin' pics which will either draw you into my instagraming or make you swear that you will never ever follow me on instagram in fears that your feed will just blow up.  After that some posts about running (eeek!!) and weddings.  Somewhere in there my blog design might also be updated so don't be alarmed if you see pretty blue floral rather than big stone angel.

Five Favorites (7-23-13)

I have been doing alot of "themed" Five Favorites but this one is completely random.

One.

I splurged last week.  I got the idea in my head that I wanted a gel manicure and being in a wedding and earning a paycheck this summer were good enough reasons for me to give it a try.  Groupon had a half off deal going on at a local nail salon making it only $20 and $27 with a tip.  I like not having to worry about it chipping and keep looking at my nails so that I can enjoy them.  Funny thing was that even though we went at different times and to different places, the bride and I choose the exact same color. 

Two.

When I first started nannying Gino at the beginning of the summer he was anything but a happy baby rarely being content when not being held.  For a variety of reasons he has completely turned the corner and it is so great to be with a happy baby.  Defiantly a favorite for me these days.  I am going to miss hum at the end of the summer.

Three.

I have been really enjoying this respite in the weather.  Last week was HOT, like 90s and high humidity at 9.a.m. here in Ohio.  I am defiantly enjoying being able to go for a run in the afternoon and not sweating walking from the front door to the car (yeah I realize I probably won't be moving to Texas anytime soon.)

Four.  

The wedding I was in this past weekend was one of my best friend's from high school's wedding.  I have always, but especially this summer, enjoyed hanging out with her family just chilling in the kitchen.  She is one of 8 children so people are always coming and going including her stay at home mom and work at home dad.  I always joke that I was going to move in once she got married and moved out.  It is so heartwarming to be welcomed by the family in this way and to have a relationship with each and everyone one of them and not just my friend.  The picture of the nails was actually taken while riding over to the wedding rehearsal with them.  I am just so blessed!

Five. 

I just registered for the color me rad run in Pittsburgh with some of my friends from school and I am so pumped.  I am thinking it is going to be a great time.  Wait I have talked about running in two of my five favorites.  Hold the phone, Natalie has been running?  You will just have to come back to learn more about this life shattering new hobby of mine.  

Five Favorites and Grace's Link-up....combined

So Mary over at Passionate Perseverance had the fantabulous idea of combining Hallie's Five Favorites with Grace's favorite post link up, sounds great to me especially considering I just took on a third job (you will just have to come back for Friday's 7QT to hear about that one).

In no particular order I introduce to you......

My 5 Favorite Blog Posts Yet!!

One. 

When I thought about my favorite posts, this daybook was the first one that came to mind.  For some reason the "I am creating....memories, YOLO" and the picture that goes along with it I just love. 

Oh and looking back at it again, Haiti planning was in the beginning stages and to think that now the trip has successfully occurred and I have seen all those kids in that picture again, all.through.God's.graces.  

Two.

Speaking of Haiti, I love this WIWS post not because of the post but because of the memories.  That picture (hair=mess) was taken and posted fresh from Haiti, waiting in the Florida airport.  My shoulders were still crispy, my heart was overflowing and anything was possibly.  Oh take me back.  

Three.

The post I link back to the most has to be this one about Radical Conversion and Passionate Faith. It is a neat package of some of my mindset when it comes to my outlook on the world, prayer, and the Church.  

Four.

So I count this one, Love Came Down, because I love the succinct simple, profound words contained in it. And who doesn't love some Merry Christmas, even in June.  

Five.

Finally this Mother Theresa quote.  I still haven't finished this book but I love what a comfort this quote is as a young college student.  I could read it over and over again.  

So hopefully I enticed you just enough to go and see some of what I consider gems contained in my little corner of the webosphere. And happy 3 year Grace!!

Five Favorites

To put a little bit of a theme to Five Favorites this week I decided to do five of my favorites that you might not know.  Things that don't typically come up in bloggy conversation but in fact are some of my most favorite things.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One.

Gilmore Girls. My all time favorite show.  I own all seven seasons and have watched them all many times.  I feel like the characters are my friend.  There is premarital sex and it drives me nuts because "oh my God" is said often but without trying to be relativistic it isn't bad compared to most junk on TV.  And yes I might have a Gilmore Girls t-shirt and poster and yes I find it ironic that I went to Gilmour Academy for high school so I am a "Gilmour Girl" myself.

Two.

Coffee. Ok maybe you do know about that one but I still really like the nector of gold.

Three.

My pajama pants. I am very particular about the pajamas I like. I don't like flannel or fleece but instead like fabric that can stretch.  I like it big enough that I don't feel like I have rolls over the waist band but not so huge that I am swimming.  I normally wear pants unless I am sleeping in an un-AC-ed house during the summer than shorts are my best friend.   Oh and I don't like to wear yoga pants or other pants deemed sweatpants to bed.  I like to wear sleep pants to sleep.  Ok got it.  Yeah I know, random.  And no I am not showing you a picture of my overstuffed pajama drawer.

Four. 

Red Velvet Cake. Another random.  I don't know why when I think of five favorites that wouldn't typically come up I think of Red Velvet Cake.  I couldn't tell you why I Iike it so much.  Maybe it is the cream cheese frosting normally paired with it.  Either way, Red Velvet Cake is where it is at. (Should Red Velvet Cake be capitalized?  I can't figure out if it is a proper name or not.)

Five. 

Sound of Music.  I find it only fitting that I end a few of my favorite things posts with the movie that started "a few of my favorite things".  This movie is by far one of my favorite movies, it is my moms favorite movie and also my grandmas.  When my Goddaughter was only a few weeks old I sat with her on the couch when it was on abc family in order to ensure that she was introduced to it from a very young age.  The story line is heartwarming, the spiritual truths and insights are profound, the history that sticks with you is irreplaceable, and the singing always brings a smile to your face.  When I lived in Austria for four months as part of a study abroad program of course I had to see some of the sights in Salzburg....twice

The Church where Caption and Maria marry in the movie. 

The gazebo.

The steps on which they hop up and down singing. 

Ahh now I am dreaming of my semester in Europe.  I look forward to reading all of your favorites!

Five Favorites: Summer Edition

Well now that summer has officially began for me I find it fitting that this five favorites be all about my favorite parts of summer

1.  My best friends

One of us is going to grad school and a teaching job, another is getting married, as per usual heaven only ever knows what one is doing, and I am going back for one more year of undergrad.  Summer means spending as much time as possible with them, especially with the many different directions (literally different states) we will all be going in too soon. 

2.  Three of my favorite kiddos

I have a family who has three kids, two boys ages 4 and 2, and my Goddaughter, almost 6 months, who I visit almost everyday.  It is so important to me to spend as much time with them as possible to watch them grow up and help out their mom, one of my dearest friends, with an extra set of hands.  I am excited for trips to the playground, sprinkler park, Farmpark, and zoo.  

3.  Fresh fruits and veggies

Not only does my dad cultivate an overflowing garden but I supplement that with the Amish produce stand.  I am so excited for all the straight from the garden fruits and veggies I will be filling my belly with.  

4.  Tanning

The fact that I will  more than likely have a few skin cancer scares in my life hasn't fully hit me yet.    I love laying out in the sun and being a nice dark bronze all summer long.  My tanning buddy, the bride, and myself, the bridesmaid, have decided to make tanning pretty much a job this summer.

5.  Reading time

Ahh summer reading. Love not having to read dense heavy textbooks.  Please I welcome all recommendations.  Check out my 2013 reads to see what I have been reading lately.   

So what about a summer job?  The nanny job I talked about on Sunday hasn't gotten back to me yet so I am still hoping!  

Five Favorites--4/26

Joining Hallie once again for Five Favorites.  Yeah!!

1.  My favorite thing is when I can go thrifting and get exactly what I want.  I have been looking for a braided belt, $2.  Check!  I was going to stop at WalMart after Goodwill to get another plastic tote for packing up the house and low and behold look at what was at Goodwill.  $4.  Check!  I have this thing for coffee mugs and always looking for any that catch my eye at thrift stores.  $1 "N" mug.  Check!

2.  I have been craving me some Dunkin' Donuts coffee so when I ran out off coffee this was a must. (And you can see my love of all things Trader Joe's in the background!)

3.  I had my last class of the semester today, woohooo!  Because it was the last one and we needed to fit in a little more lecture we began class at 7 instead of 8.  If I am going to class at 7 I am wearing slippers and not going to be ashamed.  I liked it so much that this will defiantly be a favorite thing next year.

4.  New sisters being inducted (and brothers!).  I don't think I ever love my household more than at induction time.  This is defiantly a favorite thing and even the RAs were excited about it.

5.  I started studying for finals on Wednesday.  I will just go ahead and pat myself on the pack because the final isn't until this coming Friday.  The studying isn't a favorite thing but the organizing for the studying sure is.

And what do you know coffee made it in yet again.  I am telling you I don't really plan this, the love of the liquid gold just flows over.