A Waking Dream

Hope is a waking dream.
-Aristotle.



I miss Hope College. I miss the seasons there. I miss gathering. I miss the people.



Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
-Romans 12:12

My Symphony

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable; and
wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think
quietly, talk gently, act frankly...to listen to stars and buds, to babes and
sages, with open heart; await occasions,
hurry never...this is my symphony.
- william henry channing
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there are only a few weeks left of summer and i feel as though they're going to flash before my eyes before i can even take the chance to blink. it's been quite the summer and i feel completely ready for school and fall to start. i am anticipating the days for the crisp breeze and the sun to dance around the falling leaves while i wear jackets, sweaters, boots and thick jeans. it will be simply lovely and that is MY symphony.
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Hope

Ode to Hope
-John Keats

When by my solitary hearth I sit,
And hateful thoughts enwrap my soul in gloom;
When no fair dreams before my "mind's eye" flit,
And the bare heath of life presents no bloom;
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

Whene'er I wander, at the fall of night,
Where woven boughs shut out the moon's bright ray,
Should sad Despondency my musings fright,
And frown, to drive fair Cheerfulness away,
Peep with the moonbeams through the leafy roof,
And keep that fiend Despondence far aloof!

Should Disappointment, parent of Despair,
Strive for her son to seize my careless heart;
When, like a cloud, he sits upon the air,
Preparing on his spell-bound prey to dart:
Chase him away, sweet Hope, with visage bright,
And fright him as the morning frightens night!

Whene'er the fate of those I hold most dear
Tells to my fearful breast a tale of sorrow,
O bright-eyed Hope, my morbidfancy cheer;
Let me awhile thy sweetest comforts borrow:
Thy heaven-born radiance around me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

Should e'er unhappy love my bosom pain,
From cruel parents, or relentless fair;
O let me think it is not quite in vain
To sigh out sonnets to the midnight air!
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

In the long vista of the years to roll,
Let me not see our country's honour fade:
O let me see our land retain her soul,
Her pride, her freedom; and not freedom's shade.
From thy bright eyes unusual brightness shed
Beneath thy pinions canopy my head!

Let me not see the patriot's high bequest,
Great Liberty! how great in plain attire!
With the base purple of a court oppress'd,
Bowing her head, and ready to expire:
But let me see thee stoop from heaven on wings
That fill the skies with silver glitterings!

And as, in sparkling majesty, a star
Gilds the bright summit of some gloomy cloud;
Brightening the half veil'd face of heaven afar:
So, when dark thoughts my boding spirit shroud,
Sweet Hope, celestial influence round me shed,
Waving thy silver pinions o'er my head!
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A Commemoration

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked
-Bernard Meltzer
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pardon my wisdom teeth cheeks ;)
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i feel as though it's time to commemorate the people in my life that keep me going besides my family and God. they're beautiful individuals and i would literally be nowhere without their influence, laughter, guidance, and love.
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meet my best friends. they are my life and i am theirs. i don't know how lucky i got with getting six beautiful best friends who are more sisters than friends, but somehow i did. they make me laugh, they cry with me and give me a high five when i do something memorable.
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Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.
-Unknown
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it's truly amazing when you can find one person in a lifetime that will stick by you even when you completely fail at life. my best friends love me, and i love them.

Blithe Summer

How sweet I roamed from field to field, and tasted all the summer's pride.
-William Blake
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i feel it's appropriate to commemorate the return of summer. it comes every year without fail. the hot breeze, the cotton dresses, the smiles and carefree laughter. there is nothing bad about summer. the beach is finally crowded again. the boats return to the cool waters and sail with blithe.
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In summer, the song sings itself.
-William Carlos Williams

Gouttes de Pluie

I love the rain. I want the feeling of it on my face.
-Katherine Mansfield
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the rain speaks to me in a way that nothing else can. the smell of rain on skin combined with wet trees and grass is one of the greatest smells in the world. there is nothing better than watching the rain, listening to good music and of course the cup of coffee :).
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Written Happenings

The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.
-Lee Iacocca
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Ways of Self-Improvement

+learn to spell improvement (which i hadn't earlier)
+sit in the sun a lot
+culture yourself
+listen to actual music (or good music)
+think about yourself less
+read better books
+pray more and longer
+become more natural and relaxed
+take walks
+eat less gross stuff
+draw more
+observe more people
+laugh at yourself more
+wear less makeup
+take care of your skin
+design things
+become more simple in thought, word, and action
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Biltmore Estate

Clean Sunlight

It's clean. I like it because it's clean.
-Max Skinner (A Good Year)
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the sun has made me happy. it makes me want to wear a cotton or linen dress and walk in a field by a river. or through a garden. it's clean, warm and lovely.
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Petit Trianon Gardens
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