Where to now?

84

Started the day out in the research lab, talking about the very thing I love talking about: talking.

Walked around South O for a bit after that, which always is satisfying when you live on this campus.

Later that night, I got a call from one of my oldest friends. Hannah found out she's moving to Seattle - literally the most perfect place for her on this planet, with their cute little hipster vibe and ecologically conscious society and vegan friendly everything. Congrats to you girl for landing a big girl job =) Mavis, also, was in her element at the big apple, learning the secret tricks to making YouTube videos in different ways (though hers are bomb). My brother is killing it at our city back home, and he's still managing to think of me whenever he sees a cute doggy picture wearing a woolly mammoth costume. 

And thennn I'm sitting here like...

Where the heck and I going to be..?

I've pretty much loved Pittsburgh since I moved here freshman year, but something tells me I'm not here to stay forever. 

I just have no.idea. where next year is going to send me.

And that scares me... a lot.

I know it shouldn't, but something about the uncertainty of maybe not having found the one place in the world I think I'll be happiest is weighing down on me. I don't know if I'll have enough time to explore all the places I've wanted to, and find that one where I feel like it's made for me.

But anyway, time to stop thinking and time to start shopping...the best way to get your mind off things =)

My friend picked me up and we headed down to South Side for the night. Still one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh, I thought I was overdue for a visit there. And I actually found a pair of jeans that fit!

And possibly a couple other things too. Hey, facial masks are a necessity sometimes. Especially when Forever 21 sells each for just a dollar! We'll see how my extremely sensitive skin takes it.

That hat, I'm super excited about, because it's for my spring break trip to Florida in a few weeks!

So all in all, though I got very confused about my future and what the heck I'm doing next year, Friday was a success. Love Lust or Run was amazing, (I just love Stacy London) and I did manage to get a work out in. Probably the only way my jeans ended up being a hit!

Ta ta for now babes,

Xx
Amanda

Bee Mine

85

Happy HC bonding day!

Today, we hosted a little get together at our place for the Her Campus team to eat, get to know each other, and make Valentine's cards for the nursing home. Our team made some super cute and punny sayings, including ones with kangaroos, bunnies and everything in between.

My favorite was the bumble bee card, that was supposed to say "Bee Mine!" but instead was just a cute little bee that just said Happy Valentine's Day! Haha it was great.

But I loved that some of the new people got to meet the old, and we all bonded over chocolate chip cookies. Yum!

During the day I mostly ran errands, did some homework, killed it in my night class, and enjoyed the sun. Even though it got SO COLD out of nowhere!

Um, dear Pittsburgh, can you match your blue skies with the summery temperatures too?

After hosting our little party, I got to light some candles and unwind for a bit. I cleaned up the whole apartment (which actually relaxes me) and curled up on the couch with my slippers and cocoa. 

As I whipped out my phone, forgetting I had not checked Snapchat in a while, I watched the Food Network update for some yummy recipes, and found this gem:

DEFINITELY trying these!!
The recipe has like four ingredients too!

I don't know about you guys, but the new Snapchat update rocks. I always check CNN for the world news updates, then People for seeing what my idols are up to, and then Food Network for some mouthwatering ideas for cooking. I love it!

Have a great weekend loves. I'm thinkin' it'll be a good one.

Until next time,

Xx
Amanda

Locked doors and I don't mix

86

Hump daayyyy!

Today was basic. I studied, I went food shopping, I cooked, I hit the gym.

Well, okay, when you put it like that, it seems pretty boring.

But really, something weird had to happen, otherwise it wouldn't have been a day in the life of me!

In all seriousness it was a very happy midweek refresher. No drama, no broken bones, and no scary movie previews during my favorite shows.

I probably had such a carefree day from starting it off by reading one of my favorite childhood books.

Matilda was literally my favorite movie and book as a kid. My Aunt used to call me Matilda... though I'm not quite sure why, since to my knowledge, I didn't have super powers and a killer IQ.

After reading for what seemed like the entire afternoon, I headed to my final class of the day, and right back home to cook the dinner I've been craving all week:

TACOOOOOS!!!!

Yes. All the noms.

Living above a grocery store is so amazing. Though I know I won't realize the full beauty of it until next year when I'll probably have to drive ten minutes everywhere, right now I just know that it's pretty fantastic. Veggies are always fully stocked in our freezer, and it's never a struggle when you need to quickly grab something last minute.

Then, it was time to head back over to campus for some late night cramming and exercise. So of course, when I go to meet my friend to join up for studying, the first thing I do is exactly what I didn't intend to do... 

Get stuck. In a stairwell...

While no one can possibly hear my shouting and pounding on the metal doors.

I was locked in for a good 10-15 minutes before I called/texted/messaged/tweeted (yes it took all of that for her to get me) my friend. After profusely sweating from running up and down 10 flights of stairs to check EVERY single locked door, my roommate finally rescued me and I barreled out of that place so fast.

What if I didn't have my phone on me!?!? Like, I just went to fill my water bottle, and all I had taken was my phone and my water bottle. That was pretty lucky of me to do, especially since on a normal day I would have just left my phone sitting next to my friend and all my books on the other floor. I guess if I had to take two things on a desert island with me, those two would be the winners. 

Elliptical time! I can feel my body starting to feel less tired at the gym and more regulated as I keep up with it. I just have to remind myself to make time for it every day!

Before bed, we had to stay up and watch the finale of Snooki and JWOWW. Those two are amazing to watch. They're not only hilarious and super entertaining, but their friendship is unbreakable. I want to be like that somewhere down the road. Have a super cute family, and that person you can go to for anything.

Until next time babes,

Xx

Amanda

I'm all about them Greeks, 'bout them Greeks, no talent

87

My Anti-Talent, as you have all guessed, is clearly spitting lyrics to the tunes of overplayed songs. Just kidding, I'm not even talented enough to have an anti-talent. 

Greek life put on a one of a kind show tonight, full of sarcastic readings, lip-synced 90s songs, and many, many Snapchat worthy moments.

Had to sit with my pretty leopards!

The Anti-Talent show was all for raising money for the Children's Miracle Network, so it all went to a great cause. Plus, what's bad about a little friendly competition?

This champ did her ENTIRE routine with a broken leg. She did tap dancing and it seemed to me like she could have done a back flip if she tried. What a real MVP.

These beautiful unicorns happen to be my sisters! Notice the rainbow just for us.

And these girls? Well they're the next hip hop dance crew. I actually wanted the center girl's outfit in my wardrobe just for kicks.

My favorite part about the show was how confident these performers were! Even if they were just sitting on the edge of the stage eating a banana, it must be extremely nerve-wracking to be up there in front of all of Greek life. Even with your house cheering you on the entire time, it still takes some inner push to get yourself up on that stage. That's kind of what is getting me through a lot of things lately too. Just really telling myself that there is nothing else stopping me but me. 

Today in cycling for example (which was, not gunna lie, hard). I kept hoping the instructor would call out more levels like she did the first time we took the class last week. I wanted her to literally push us to our max limit. Then, I thought, maybe that was on purpose. She wanted us to do it ourselves, and listen to our bodies to figure out where we needed to be. 

Well I listened, and I can barely walk down stairs at the moment.

Pain is weakness leaving the body. Time to get stronger, healthier, and most importantly, happier.

Obligatory Cathy pic, just for lookin' good today.

If you would like to donate to the Children's Miracle Network, click here for my personal page!

Until next time babes,

Xx
Amanda

Still not used to this hair

88

Have you ever spent 8 hours inside the same building simply because if you stepped outside, you knew you would freeze?

I have. All day today!
Partially because of class, partially because our wifi in the apartment hasn't been reliable, and partially because it felt like Antarctica today.

Actual real-life photograph of the streets of Arendelle, the land of Elsa and Anna.

But after trying not to slip through Oakland, my big, little, and gl grabbed a bite to eat at Uncle Sam's on Oakland Ave (my first time trying it). I would totally go back just for their delicious homemade bread!

Then, after a super long day of meetings, and studying, I finally got to come home around 10:45pm to celebrate the birthday girl's big day.

22! Happy b-day Fredrika!!!

Just look at that face. Ah-dorable.

Yes that is actually something edible on the table, not just a ball of flames!

Thanks to Liz, we helped ourselves to some amazing 'blondies' that literally could warm up the coldest of hearts. 

Apparently, all of us roommates think alike, and we all got her something that could give Fred a month's worth of spa-like treatments. What better gift than some relaxation?

Time for bed now, and getting ready to brace the cold once again at 9am.

Ta ta for now babes!

Xx

Amanda

The Missy Perry Show

89

GOOOOOO SEAHAWKS!

...Aw shoot.

Never mind. Mister Tom Brady, let's give the underdogs a chance for once, pretty please?

Super Bowl Sunday is the one day out of the year where large groups of people get into huge fights while somehow bonding over a bowl of buffalo chicken dip.

Excuse me, I mean GIGANTIC cauldron full of delicious, sizzling hot dip.

Back up, before we get to the actual game, can we talk about the fantastic puppy bowl?

I mean, those animals are SO dang cute!! Who names a three-pound doggy Steve?!

If the creators of that show don't have you saying, "Oh my gosh I want to melt and steal all the pups" at least within thirty seconds of watching, they have failed at their job. I highly doubt this happened though. Those dogs are more talented than me!

Naturally, my dog had to make a celebrity appearance on insty in honor of the puppy bowl. 

DOE I MISS MY ABBY PUP <3

Woah, calm down there. 

But seriously, she's the happiest little nugget.

Actual game time it was! We headed over to Alyssa's (rocking her cupcake pajama attire!) where the beautiful buffalo chicken dip filled my tummy with so many hopes and dreams.

Kevin's house next - never have I see a crowd get so excited over the commercials in my life! Seriously, these guys made the game look pointless, it was so funny.

Then, the moment we all waited so long for...

MISSY ELLIOTT AND KATY PERRY!!

Oh, hey Lenny Kravitz, didn't see ya there.

Missy slayed along with Katy's dancing shark routine. 

Definitely wanted Ciara to hop on stage at some point during "Lose Control." 

But, it was certainly a great halftime performance. Does anyone who where I can get my hands on a dancing shark costume? Anyone?

Ta ta for now babes,

Xx 

Amanda

Keep your roots close and your buddies closer

90

Guys, I have red hair.

Not like subtle Emma Stone red. Like, Red from Orange is the New Black red. 

Well, just the ends, but still it's a lot.

I wasn't really planning on it, but in the spirit of bleaching my friend's hair and dying it Shark Blue, I considered it since I have been looking for just the right amount of newness in my hair. 

And... I am absolutely in LOVE with it.

I think for me the big thing is it's the perfect amount of edgy, and dare I say it, sexy. I actually felt my confidence skyrocket the minute I looked in the mirror when it was finished being blow-dried. For the first time in a while, I felt really really good.

Which is definitely something you need every once in a while in my opinion. See, when you switch things up without really expecting to, that spontaneity influences the way you start to look at things. Something as variable as hair is one thing you know you can change over and over again, and really surprise yourself with how it can affect the way you feel.

Other things can change easily and very quickly too, like being at the same college with friends you've known for the past four years.

Yeah, this is how easily my mind has been flipping back to this constant reminder.

Even as I was parting my roommate's hair for the next coat of blue dye I honestly could barely keep the tears back.

Ugh, time for a margarita to forget about that. (Always a solution!)

Mad Mex was great! I got to hang out with my beautiful big, Alyssa, and Kevin along with Mavis for a night out. These guys know how to have a good time and make you laugh your butt off.

Also, the food was bomb.

(PS, if you need a drink with that Mad Mex specialty quesadilla, Frozen Strawberry is the way to go. I don't think 22oz ever tasted so good.)

As we walked/slipped all through Oakland back from Alyssa's cozy abode, I kept thinking about how this hair color actually impacted me.

In a way, graduating is a little like dying your hair red, or silver, or jet black, or whatever color that makes you feel beautiful. It can change in an instant. One moment you're a brunette and the next you've got teal tips. One minute you're laughing on the couch over a Seth Rogan comedy with your roommates, and the next you're in separate ends of the country. But the thing about both of these situations is that accepting these changes can be super fun and exciting. You can learn about yourself more; and you can feel a new confidence to face the world that keeping your hair long, or living with the same people, may not have offered you, had you not made that change. 

But, the best part about graduating or dying your hair is: You can always revitalize a friendship or root color. You'll just come back with more stories (disastrous or not) than the first time around. 

Until next time babes,

Xx
Amanda