zeta.

so I have tried to keep my posts, my tweets, my facebook as separated as I could about my sorority life, because I know not a lot of people understand nor want to hear about it... and most people's perceptions of it are usually wrong. I know mine were. but tonight, I am officially an alumna of Zeta Tau Alpha. I have devoted minutes, hours, days, week, months, and years to this organization... held several positions and paid every single cent of it with my own money. I was and still am proud to be a sister and member of this organization. These women dedicate their time and their money and their lives to raising money for breast cancer awareness and education, volunteering at the atlanta food bank, and working with several other local philanthropies and organizations. They plan and put on events for our sorority as well as for other Greek and student organizations. They are fun. They are different. They are special. They are unique. They are talented. I am going to miss my sorority days SO much. It's a little bittersweet, but I'm ready to move on to the next phase of my life.

to my sweet sisters- you've all changed my life. you've bettered me, believed in me, encouraged me, hugged me when I needed it, and let me be bossy when I needed to be :) i am so thankful for all of you and all the roles you have played in my life.

check out these amazing women:

zeta tau alpha fraternity

georgia state zeta's

cheesy.

this is kind of cheesy, but it's a dreary day and it encouraged me a lot. so maybe it will encourage you as well.

On this day, you read something that moved you and made you realise there were no more fears to fear. No tears to cry. No head to hang in shame. That every time you thought you’d offended someone, it was all just in your head and really, they love you with all their heart and nothing will ever change that. That everyone and everything lives on inside you. That that doesn’t make any of it any less real.

That soft touches will change you and stay with you longer than hard ones.

That being alone means you’re free. That old lovers miss you and new lovers want you and the one you’re with is the one you’re meant to be with. That the tingles running down your arms are angel feathers and they whisper in your ear, constantly, if you choose to hear them. That everything you want to happen, will happen, if you decide you want it enough. That every time you think a sad thought, you can think a happy one instead.

That you control that completely.

That the people who make you laugh are more beautiful than beautiful people. That you laugh more than you cry. That crying is good for you. That the people you hate wish you would stop and you do too.

That your friends are reflections of the best parts of you. That you are more than the sum total of the things you know and how you react to them. That dancing is sometimes more important than listening to the music.

That the most embarrassing, awkward moments of your life are only remembered by you and no one else. That no one judges you when you walk into a room and all they really want to know, is if you’re judging them. That what you make and what you do with your time is more important than you’ll ever fathom and should be treated as such. That the difference between a job and art is passion. That neither defines who you are. That talking to strangers is how you make friends.

That bad days end but a smile can go around the world. That life contradicts itself, constantly. That that’s why it’s worth living.

That the difference between pain and love is time. That love is only as real as you want it to be. That if you feel good, you look good but it doesn’t always work the other way around.

That the sun will rise each day and it’s up to you each day if you match it. That nothing matters up until this point. That what you decide now, in this moment, will change the future. Forever. That rain is beautiful.

And so are you.

pleasefindthis

the countdown begins...

FRIENDS. My life is about to get CRAZY.

Let's start with this...

2 weeks from tomorrow (15 days) , I'll be an official Alumna of Zeta Tau Alpha. wow. This has been such a huge part of my life for the last 3.5 years. It's bittersweet to leave, but I am also anxious to start a brand new chapter of my life. I have wonderful memories and friends from my sorority time. It's honestly one of the best things I've ever done.

exactly ONE MONTH from today I will be an official college graduate of Georgia State University. HOLY CRAP. It's taken me 4.5 years to do college, so I am definitely ready to graduate. School has been a wonderful experience, but it has taken a mega toll on my stress, my body, my sanity... I'm also the first grandchild in my family to graduate from college on my mom's side and the first to graduate college with the exception of my dad, on my dad's side. So my family is just as excited as I am, if not more :)

58 days from today I am leaving for what is going to be the most transformational experience of my life. I leave January 13th for Australia and I'll be back at the end of June. the last few months have been a time of intense preparation, spiritually and emotionally, and also trying to tie up all my loose ends at home. I am SO ready to go. be praying for my team and I as we're going to be challenged harder than we have ever been before and also for our safety and for many opportunities to share the love of Christ.

be blessed,

Mal

the hands and feet of Jesus.

friends... my friend mary catherine shared this with us on her blog, and I HAVE to share it with you. very rarely do things move me to tears anymore, or even move me towards action (yes, it is a problem), but this.... this tugged at my heart strings. this had me crying in the georgia state library as I read about a young girl (SHE IS MY AGE!!) that is a legal mother to 14 girls in Africa. she has given up her life of comfort in the US to live in an impoverished area and give care and love and the mercy of Jesus Christ to others who might not otherwise hear it. she runs a non-profit based out of Brentwood, TN. I won't ramble, I'll just let you read for yourself.

this is her blog: http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

read about her, her struggles, her losses, her triumphs, and her joys. the most recent blog post completely wrecked my world. I hope it does for you.

one thing that often gets in the way for me is that I have bought into the lie that age is something keeping me from going great lengths and sacrificing all I have to share the love of Christ with others. what a testimony. she started this when she was 18.

seriously. read. donate to her cause if you're able. pray for her and her girls.

with a heavy heart,

Mal

i've been tagged also!

my darling friend, Carly, tagged me and a few other girls in her last post to do this cute little quiz. so here goes :)

Questions for you to answer:

1) If you were a book character, who would you be and why? Include a picture!
if I were a book character, I'd probably choose Bridget from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. sounds cheesy I know. but we both share the same zest for life, boys, and our precious girl friends. not to mention, she's the adventurous and spontaneous one of the group! much like myself.






2) Where is the best place that you have travelled and why?
the best place I've traveled to thus far has been to NYC. I know. I haven't gotten out much. I've been to Hawaii, Aruba, Curacao, Panama, San Blas Islands... and out of all of them, Curacao was the most beautiful. however, the only place that makes my heart as happy as it's been, has been NYC. I've been in the summer and in the winter and I have to tell ya, the wintertime is my favorite. there's something magical about it. I'll be heading back this December! I can't wait!

3) What is your favorite blog to read... link it so I can check it out!
my favorite blogs to read are design*sponge and also oh my deer

4) If you could have your dream job, what would it be?
my dream job would be to be a backup dancer for beyonce. i kid you not. i love to dance. i love the queen b. and i would DIE if i ever got to dance for her. that or be a high school social sciences teacher or counselor. but ya know... either one will do.

5) What 3 things can you not live without on a daily basis?
yikes. what a tricky question. 1. chapstick (i'm addicted) 2. down time... i need some time to myself everyday. 3. a cup of coffee. my sanity relies on it!

6) What is your favorite 90s song... only because I was almost too young for the 80s?
favorite 90's song... wow. Can it be something totally cliche? since we lived in the time of the boy bands... I'm gonna go with any BSB song. I looooved *NSync and Backstreet Boys.

7) If you have $1000 dollars to spend in one day friviously, what would you buy/do?
friviously... I'd go to DSW and buy some shoes. then go to GAP and buy as many of their cotton t-shirts for $100 as i could... then, I'd go get a pedicure, a manicure, and a massage... then I'd treat myself to an expensive bottle of wine and if there was any left over, I'd put it towards my next day of splurging.

carly tagged all the girls i would have tagged, haha! thanks carly, this was fun!