Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I decided I did not want to wait a week in between posts, especially since today is Valentine's Day. I know if I were home, there probably would have been freshly baked muffins in Valentine's wrappers for breakfast and a tin of homemade fudge, but...alas, I am in Pittsburgh instead of the Creek. However, I did celebrate the day! 

For starters, I had Kashi Heart to Heart cereal for breakfast. 

 I made valentines for my friends using pink notecards--

I was feeling crafty, and that was as creative as I could get using the supplies in my dorm. 

And then, when the day was over, I opened my mailbox to a card from Mom and Dad.

While I was running this morning--a beautiful morning (and rainy afternoon) in Pittsburgh today--

I thought of the top five things I love about life. And...drum roll please:

1. God. He is the reason I went to the Newman Center, 

which has made life here in Pittsburgh wonderful!

2. My family. Love them to death! 17 days until I get to see them!

3. My friends. They are awesome, both from home and Pitt!

4. Adventure. Every day is a brand new adventure.

5. Gorgeous weather. It makes me any day a good day.

What do you love about life?

It's Monday! Again!

It is Monday again. What? How? Where did this last week go? Well, the majority of it was spent reading for this week and next. My nursing classes involve quite a bit of reading this semester. I am trying to stay on top of my work because this coming weekend I will be attending the Kairos retreat put on by the Newman Center. It focuses on God's role in my life, and I am confident it will be a great, renewing experience. Many of my friends participated in this specific retreat as high school students and have had nothing but positive reviews. It is at Rednal Retreat Center in Ligonier, PA, about an hour and a half from campus. I went to a retreat there early in the fall, and it is wonderful. The property is surrounded by woods and is a perfect escape for a busy girl like me. It is sure to be an awesome experience!
I have also spent a good deal of time contemplating what I want to do with my future. I am in the nursing program here at Pitt, as most of my readers probably know, but I have many other aspirations as well. I am in the process of determining which ones are the most important, practical, and enjoyable. In my very first post, I mentioned the goal of someday opening my own business. Well, I think that time has come. There is no better time than the present to start attacking my goals. What, one might ask, am I thinking? I am a nursing student who hardly has enough time as it is, and now I am trying to create a job for myself? That is exactly where my current dilemma appears. Do I want to remain in nursing school or transfer to Pitt's business program? For now, I plan to remain in nursing, but life is constantly changing, so I will just wait and see what happens.
Now that I have decided to start a business, what exactly does that look like? First off, it is going to be a creative business. I have had the urge to be very crafty in recent weeks, and it is time to apply it to something important! I have not officially decided what I want to sell, but the top contenders are a) baked goods--cupcakes/cakes, breads, cookies, etc. and b) handmade greeting cards. Look for more information to come soon! I hope to post photographs of some of my work over spring break when I will be home--18 days!!
We had our first real wintery weekend these past couple of days, and of course, yesterday was the day the running club had decided to participate in a race. We ran one sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club at Mount Lebanon High School. It was a five mile race, and I finished in just over 38 minutes. That was faster than I expected to run, as there were some hills as well as snowy, slippery sidewalks. We ran through neighborhoods near the school, and it was a pleasant run.
As I said, my week is sure to be busy, but enjoyable. Look for a post early next week!

Photo Runs are Wonderful!

Running never fails to make me feel better, especially on a gorgeous day like today. It was 46F and sunny with no clouds. It is February, right? Because it sure feels more like April. Mondays are my relatively easy days--five hour break between my two classes--so I took advantage of the opportunity to run in the afternoon and take pictures as I ran through Shadyside, a cute neighborhood on the northeast side of Oakland where Pitt is located. Take a look at all the fabulous photographs I got!

The Infamous Cathedral of Learning.

This should be on a postcard to attract prospective students. 

Think I could sell it and make some money?

The Dinosaur by the Carnegie Library.

I haven't been in there yet, but I fantasize of having time to pleasure read. And a dinosaur makes it all the more enticing. Particularly a dinosaur with a red scarf. 

Heinz Chapel.

Across from the Cathedral of Learning, the opening Lantern Ceremony for female students was held here. It is gorgeous.

St. Paul's Cathedral.

It's beautiful on the outside.

And even more spectacular inside.

Lucky for me, I get to attend Mass there every Sunday, if not more often.

Schiller's Pharmacy.

A cute neighborhood pharmacy in Shadyside.

Welcome to Walnut Street.

Just a glimpse down Walnut Street, the main drag of Shadyside.

Shadyside Variety Store.

This looks fun! An adventure for another day.

Pamela's.

Home of the best chocolate and banana hotcakes.

Also where my parents first got to meet one of my best friends Christine.

Happy Berry Fro-Yo.

Haven't been to this one yet, but a similar establishment, Razzy Fresh, is excellent. Dispense your frozen yogurt, add your toppings, weigh, and pay. Wonderful concept.

Someday.

Someday Valerie and I plan to own a bakery or cafe. 

Mom's pumpkin muffins--which I received in the mail last week!--will be sold there.

Houses in Shadyside.

Just perusing for the future. And enjoying the variety of architecture.

I want a turret in my future home.

And a window box garden.

And a dinosaur.

Okay, maybe not. 

But this is the dinosaur in front of WQED, the educational radio station located a half mile east of campus on Fifth Ave. 

So now you have seen a bit of Shadyside. Look for more picture runs to come soon--hopefully! It all depends on the amount of time I have as well as the weather.