case of the mondays

so far this morning I've managed to wake up an hour late, spill coffee and applesauce on myself, and forget to brush my teeth....but it's monday so that's all acceptable and doesn't mean the rest of the day won't be great. plus, I have tide to go. #winning

this song came on right as I walked into my office this morning. it's a sign, I'm telling you.

and then this popped up on my fb newsfeed! too many good signs for the day

monday wouldn't be complete without a weekend re-cap.  this weekend was pretty great, and I got some things checked off my chicago bucket list thanks to the wonderful hannah. :)

dog sitting peanut the shih tzu for my best frand. what a cutie!

barack was just chilling at he rooftop bar. 

cocktails at the signature room! check that off the bucket list

view from the signature room

rooftop bar in the city

life lately through instagram

row 1: reuniting with best friends while visiting home this weekend//driving while home//playing hookie from work and visiting the Baha'i Temple

row 2: inspiration found on my morning commute//the pie I made for a BBQ (just call me betty crocker)//BBQ with Tunisia friends. please pardon our demon eyes!

Just a little something to get you through your week..

"you've done so well considering the circumstances"

this is going to be a bit of rant, so my apologies ahead of time.
but recently I had one of the most frustrating encounters I've ever had this weekend.

While I was home, a women came up to talk to me.
we were catching up and I was telling her about graduation/north carolina/etc
..... and she responds with "you've done so well considering the circumstances!"

um ouch.

this phrase is a big pet peeve of mine, and I've heard a lot of times after explaining my dad and brother's accidents. to me, it's just belittling. as if I should not have been able to accomplish any of these things, or that it's such a surprise to everyone that I have been able too.

this women also took it even farther and said, "It must have been rough dating someone with the same addiction problems as your dad. Let's hope you can avoid those issues."

I literally had no words for her at this point.
too.far.

she also has impeccably timing. not only am I already freaking out about moving in a month, I was also missing my brother like crazy, feeling self-conscious about all the decisions I've made recently, and managed to run into my ex.

and my dad's addiction issues literally scare the living sh*t out of me, so good one lady.

all in all, it was kind of a rough weekend. I was stressed, my family was stressed, and I took it out on my family. not my proudest moments.

but on the bright side, when I was unpacking from this weekend I found this sweet little surprise envelope from my momma filled with sayings and prayers.

also, I'm sure this lady didn't intend to come off as rude.

she's the best.

a call to action

this is the site where the community stands guard in 24 hour shifts to prevent the mining company from entering.

last month I went to Guatemala as part of an Alternative Break Immersion at my school. while there, we learned of many of the problems the counrty currently faces.  one of the big ones is extractive industries, and we were lucky enough to meet with a community who is actively resisting the mining companies.  we heard many community members speak, and their words were striking. all they are asking for is for their legal rights to the land to be recognized, and trying to make sure that their children have a place to live in the future.  once I got back from Tunisia, I heard some troubling news that one community activist, Yolanda "Yoli" Oqueli, was ambushed by two men on her way home and shot repeatedly.  she is currently alive, but had to undergo emergency surgery. 

the guatemala human rights commission has set up a petition on her behalf to denounce the violence taken against her and to call on the guatemalan government to investigate and prosecute those who are responsible. please take the time to read about her story, and to sign the petition.

here's the link:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2690/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=10817

home sweet home

after being away for well over month, I'm home! 

I also am living in a new apartment with some fabulous ladies

my bedroom for the next month

it has a huuuuge closet!

nick nacks from tunisia

I also went back to work at the library today, and will start work for the lawyer on wednesday. gotta get that paper!

first day back outfit

my bosses surprised me with a keurig for graduation!!! real life has arrived. I feel so legit.

While sitting at the airport..

While I'm waiting for my flight to Tunisia, where I'll be studying abroad for the next 22 days, I thought I'd stop in and say a quick hello! Even if your flying, you gotta celebrate your birthday! Plus free Starbucks helps :) plus, I got a free eyebrow wax from Benefit Cosmetics this morning because of my birthday also, not to mention all the sweet gifts from family and friends. I'm not going to lie, I don't feel any different being 21, but is was fun to go to the bar an not have to worry about anything. Anyways, I may not be blogging a ton while in Tunisia, but I'll try to post some quick tidbits, and give you all the I'll scope on Tunisia and Guatemala as soon as I'm back! So long!!