hero

It's been a while since I've linked up here, but I am looking to grow my blog community (I love making new friends via writing on this little page and seeing their pages!) so here I am! Also, I'm awake watching Jimmy Fallon interview Melissa McCarthy and am trying to tire out my kitten so I can get a little deeper sleep tonight.

If you haven't been here before, I am Alexandra Anne, a  20-something blogger who is currently a music student in Houston, Texas. I love Jesus, music, my family, my friends, my kitty Zoe, and my blog friends. I write to share my life stories and to connect with others who may relate or offer new perspectives. Everyone has something to share :)

Five Minute Friday is where we link up with Lisa Jo (who I am also joining by watching and being part of a group on (in)Courage this winter) to write for five minutes straight without editing, correcting, or over thinking. It's a very raw and vulnerable way to write, but it also brings us closer to each other AND lets the Lord speak through us in His wonderful way. Words are magical to me; they are my friend. So this writing prompt has always been one of my personal favorites.

Here we go.

Are you ready?

Today's word:

Hero.

GO.


Hero. We often picture a hero as someone strong, someone who has it together. The hero of the story saves the damsel in distress. The hero has a conflict that somehow always gets resolved.

But that's fiction. We don't live in a fairy tale. 

To be a hero doesn't mean to be squeaky clean.


Sometimes the hero falls down

I am not perfect. I have moments of weakness; sometimes the moments last longer than I'd like. I fall down. I'm not in control.

She doesn't have a job, but she tends to the family

He wakes up every day and feeds the animals

She finishes her degree even when she really cannot agree with the school system

They stay together and fight for their marriage, to keep the vows they made to stay true forever

These are real examples of heroes.

Life isn't pretty. Life is full of messy gross and dirty mistakes. Sometimes we even have the best of intentions, but it doesn't work out.

But we keep going.

One day at a time.

We're still here aren't we?

And those we've lost? Those are the heroes we honor. We will always remember her confidence in us, we will remember his funny stories, we will remember how she took care of her family.

Life is full of journeys of heroes.

I'm one of those heroes. And so are you.

STOP.

What does the word "hero" make you write? 

Have a blessed weekend,
xoxo, Alexandra Anne 

ps. After writing this post, the nerd in me must declare that I have "Everyone's A Hero" from Dr. Horrible stuck in my head!! :)

good, bad, and ugly- rose version

Have I mentioned my awesome sisterhood? Last semester I was initiated into the music fraternity for women (yes, you read that correctly!) Sigma Alpha Iota (or SAI). I love love LOVE my sisters. Love. LOVE.

Sometimes my sisters and I do something we call "Rose, Bud, Thorn." It's a good way to update each other on where we are lately and to end on a positive note.
The thorn, as you might guess, is something negative or not so pretty going on in our lives.
Bud simply is something in progress; something we are looking forward to, perhaps, or something that is in the process of coming to be.
And then we end on Rose, something positive or happy.

:)

Here is my not so good, my hope, and my positive:

Thorn: Healing is hard. Whether physically, emotionally, or all of the above. It stinks.Words do not seem adequate enough for this. But I am choosing to not dwell.

Bud: I am exploring alternate options for my future and I am really excited about all the steps that will involve! I get to travel, I get to sing, I get to be daring! I have no idea where the path will lead me, but I am trusting God and am super excited.

Rose: I love the people (and furry critters ;) ) in my life! I am beyond blessed by my family, boyfriend, sisters, friends, and my kitty. Every day God shows me that I am loved and will be taken care of. He puts the right people in our life at JUST the right time. It's wonderful.

To end this positive post, I'm going to share some pictures for my sisterhood :) They just make me so happy.
Our motto is from the Latin: Vita brevis, ars longa. This translates to, "Life is short, art is long."

Please comment with your thorns, buds, roses, or whatever! I would love to get to know you more and am happy to pray for you as well <3

xoxo,
Alexandra Anne 

Love my sisters!

My first shirt with letters!! And it's BLUE! :)

Recruitment shirt; I approve.

My Big sister, Sharon! 

Sisters off to the Renaissance Festival  :) 

Snow Day in Houston?

I'm grateful to have time during the middle of the day to write in my comfort space :) Houston has a "snow day" currently (which really just means there is too much ice on the roads to drive on).

Today I've sipped coffee and read the words of other bloggers; I've met my new suitemate (who shares a name with my kitty!); I have bundled up under all my fuzzy blankets.

I want to praise God for life, even when life is hard. I've suffered a loss recently, and I will hopefully open up about that here eventually, but I will still be grateful.

Life is beautiful. Life is hard. Life is not easily explained. Life requires a big cup of coffee some days, and a calming cup of tea others. We don't walk through life alone. God puts people in our lives just when we need them. Sometimes, they've been there all along!

Today I registered to be part of the blog community with (in)courage; I'm going to be part of a 30 member group and we will possibly never meet. But that's the beauty. God's women will come together and heal together and I am so excited for this step in my journey.

I'm grateful for my friends and sisters here. I'm also grateful for the sisters I'm going to meet with this group.


God is good. Always.

xoxo,
Alexandra Anne

Thankful Thoughts

I would like to spend a moment to be thankful :)


Also, I love lists, so here is a listy list!

I'm thankful for:

*A roof over my head even if the lights go out and I can't mess with University property

*Maintenance crew that come within 24 hours of my work order to fix said lights and who also fix the living room light!

* Parents who call to send encouragement and make me giggle

*My sweet sweet kitten who curls up with me all through the night and lets me be her Momma

*A wonderful boyfriend who brings out the best in me, even when we are 800 miles apart

*Skype calls to catch up with old dear friends

*My Bible app on my phone that reminds me to read my devotionals and scriptures

*Video games; simple as that

*Younger siblings who try to take the phone from my parents and who laugh maniacally at my dislike of speakerphone

*The blog community who has stuck with me over the years of my posts

*The best boss EVER who treats me like an equal

*Decaf coffee that tricks my brain ;)

*True friends that love me unconditionally and don't shun me in my times of need

:) :) :)

What are you thankful for?

Have a great three day weekend!
xoxo,
Alexandra Anne 

New Year, New Post

Hello blog friends,
It's been a while, hasn't it?

I'm learning many new things. And I'm not just talking about school, I mean about life and living it. No, I really mean LIVING it. I'm 20, a young college student chasing a dream that could hold a career someday. And I love my life.

But it isn't always easy. In fact, I know I have it easier than some people, but it still has its struggles every day. Last semester, I dealt with a myriad of health issues that made it extremely difficult for me to get out of my bed each morning. I couldn't drive. I couldn't sing.

I'm a vocal performance major. And I couldn't. Sing.

That was my identity; I was brokenhearted. I wasn't me anymore.

Or so I thought.

A few months have passed, and I am still figuring out my medical mysteries. I still cannot sing an aria or for more than a minute or so.

But I'm happy.

I am so grateful for life. That's all I need. I know I'll get better. I have faith and hope in my future healing.

So I'm getting back to the writing world. I've missed it. Don't need a voice to type something on a laptop ;)

Also, where else am I going to share my thoughts on knitting, books, music, and share my cute cat photos? (Oh wait, my facebook is already flooded with those....whoops!)

I pray that each of you find the healing you need and that 2014 is a year of growth for all of us!

xoxo,
Alexandra Anne

First arm knitted scarf I've done :)

Some Grown Up Life

I'm about to turn 20. Isn't the legal age of adulthood 18? I voted at 18...and I can buy a rifle (well, in SOME states), I can fight for my country, I can drive, I am supposed to be a grownup, right? In some ways I have had to grow up very quickly and very truly. But I am still just a kid who wants to sing and be loved.

Well, as part of my "adulthood," I am living in an apartment on campus :) The complex is called Bayou Oaks. It's a pretty suite deal, I mean sweet deal (har har, I so clever...) I share a common room and kitchen with three other ladies (talk about diversity: One is from Vietnam, one from Nigeria, and one from right here in H-town!), and I share a bathroom with one. I have my own room! I have been back/moved in for over a week now, so I really have no excuse as to why I haven't posted pictures.

Here's what I have so far; I cleaned and organized today! But...did not take pictures. Whoops.

Tomorrow I start my sophomore year of college; eeek and yay and ahhhh and wahoo and asdlkmalkdmokimlsdflkmsadzomgggggggggg ;)

Have a great week, my lovelies <3
xoxo,
Alexandra Anne

Life Is Intense...

You know what else is intense???... CAMPING!!! ;)

I have no idea how to even start writing about camp...I lived on a mountain for 10 weeks. That was my summer. It was work, yes, and it was fun, yes, but it was more than that. Camp is a game changer, that's what they told us at orientation. But how do I truly process the 10 weeks where hundreds of girls were placed under my care?? Where I taught riflery and voice/music classes? Where I killed a scorpion? Where I decided 10 weeks on a mountain is way too much? How do I even begin to write it all down? Good grief.

I can start with pictures. Pictures are good. I'm glad I got some photograph evidence :)

Superheros!

Chibi heroes!

Post from camper :)

I spent most of my time at the rifle range

Great hair day right?

I wore superhero shirts a lot ....

Gimp necklace from a camper

Coffee on nights out!!!

Went a little stir crazy and missed school (gasp)

Campers liked to do things to my hair

Mmm rifles

Iron man shirt <3

Counselor roomies :)

Counselor Name Buddies :)

So cute =P

Honor cabin!!

Uniform and a smile :)

I relearned how to knit ;)

Night out :) :) :) 

 So many stories to come! (hopefully, ha!) I start classes next Monday, but I hope to write in my *spare time* <3

xoxoxo,
Alexandra Anne

Really Good Day

I had a really good day today

And an excellent first voice lesson on Saturday

I'm all moved into my apartment and have had two days of work. I thought I'd blog, but there is so so much to choose from. So, I'll post some pics from Saturday. Isn't that a CUTE skirt? My momma treats me well :) I also thought I'd show off my new earrings (well, ear piercings) that I got over the summer. I am happy. Houston is hot but good. Life is alright. 

<3