And the Countdown Continues...

Today 2 out of my 3 Wednesday classes were cancelled....so in all my laying around studying I decided to take a break to focus on the real task at hand:

PACKING FOR SPRING BREAK!

Emily and I take flight at 6:57 PM on Saturday and I am running out of time to pack!  Because it is so expensive to check luggage ($25/bag both ways) we have decided to split one large suitcase and each take a carry on.  Today I'm going to outline a few items I absolutely cannot leave without!

1. Tanning oil and after sun lotion.

I'm a big tanner. I'm the girl who comes back from summer vacation and people question my ethnic background. But it ain't easy being a bronze babe. A good tan takes work and lack of SPF...oh and acceptance of skin cancer.

2. All the Pretty Little Dresses

When in comes to packing for vacations I tend to overpack provide myself with many options. And whether it's hot in Naples (it better be) or not, you better believe I'm breaking out the sundresses.

3. Sexy Sandals

Again with the overpacking...in all honesty, my spring break carry on in year's past has been known to solely contain shoes. (no pun intended) But come on, how can I resist? It's 40 degrees at Butler which means I'm not gonna be breaking out these bad boys unless I'm on vacation.

4. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Bikinis

Everyone has their obsessions. One of mine may or may not be bikinis for spring break. This is a collection from up to 2 years of spring breaks.  The thing is, I'm a lifeguard in the summers so I don't get many chances to wear cute bathing suits in the sweet summertime. How do I deal? By bringing 5 suits on spring break....one for each day!

I'm super excited for spring break...

Can't you tell?

The Ides of March

Everyone knows that somewhere within the mad month of March lies the blissful retreat that is also known as SPRING BREAK.  & in lieu of Butler's spring break being 4, count 'em 4, days away, I thought what better way to head off to Florida than to reminisce on my past 3 breaks spend in the Sunshine State?

I have been blessed to spend my past 3 spring breaks in Clearwater and Daytona and bliss doesn't even begin to describe my experiences!  I'll give you a pictorial lowdown on each year's trip!

For SB2K8, I made the voyage to Clearwater with my great friend Maddie with her parents and grandma Sue.  We stayed in a beautiful condo only 5 minutes walking distance from the beach.  Our place also had an awesome roof looking out over a manatee filled canal where we spent half of our laying out time that week!

(unfortunately I have no pictures from that year because neither Maddie nor I had Facebook at the time)

SB2K9 began with a Rihanna-esque haircut:

& was again spent with Maddie and another close friend, Eve.  That year we went to Daytona Beach with Maddie's mom & let me tell you, Daytona is way crazier than Clearwater!  When we arrived the city was celebrating BCR (Black College Reunion) & let's just say it was a BIT of a culture shock.  Thankfully the Reunion ended on the second day of our trip and we enjoyed our week laying out at the giant pool at our hotel and making sand castles on the beach!

We were lucky enough to also be staying in the same hotel as a big group of more girls from good ol' TL, so we spent some time on the beach with them too!

& of course we couldn't leave without feelin' a little bike week!

For my senior spring break, SB2K10, I went back to Clearwater with my dear friend Brooke, her mom Angie, my mom, and my grandma.  We stayed in a condo very similar to that from 2 years before and has just as great of a time!

We ate delicious pizza

Watched beautiful sunsets

& even went parasailing!

Parasailing was a little too scary for me, but I am so glad I tried it!

This year, SB2K11, my super cute, fantastic, funny, nice, awesome roommate, Emily and I are making the trip to Florida again to spend the week with my grandparents in Naples!  The temperature has been in the mid 80's for the past few weeks so I've got my 2 essentials packed and ready to go: tanning oil and bikinis.

& in case you were wondering about the SB2K's they are just a clever way to spell your names with the date in the sand.

I hope you have a great spring break whether you are spending it in the sun, visiting family and friends, or even just heading home!

Don't Judge a Book.....

At the start of my 2nd semester at Butler, I decided to go through the process of formal recruitment and pledge a sorority.  After a stressful, nerve-racking, and insanely fun week, I received a bid from Delta Gamma and couldn't have been happier!

I'm sure many of you have stereotypes in your head about sorority girls, and if you know me you know I don't really fit the stereotype.  However, neither do any of the girls at Butler.  

Or so I thought.

After recruitment was over I was so excited to be a part of greek life on campus.  I had this idea in my head that everyone in all the houses were still friends, and didn't care about the names on the outside of the beautiful greek row mansions as much as the personalities of the women on the inside.  That everyone was simply in a different house because they felt at home there for different reasons.  This was the case for me anyway. 

Through the initiation process I have come to find however that there really are pretty harsh stereotypes for each house, and just by being associated with 2 or 3 greek letters you might have a black mark across your forehead.

Do you think that's right?

I don't.  & I'm not okay with it either.  People I've never even met, don't even know their names, scowl at me and my sisters when we go out.  & the things they are saying about us aren't very nice either.

(Just a disclaimer, yes I understand EVERYONE has done this at some point or another, & yes I know I'm guilty too.)

But what's the point of passing this judgement on other girls, who in theory have more in common with you than not.  We did all go through the same recruitment process with the same intentions of affiliating with the Greek community.

I personally think the HEINOUS comments posted to sites such as College ACB about which song represents each house 

(DG's was "I just had sex" by The Lonely Island if that tells you anything about the stereotype we're up against) 

or a rank of all the houses based on the "hotness" of their pledge class,

do nothing but create pointless drama and gossip between we Greek women.

Not only that, but when we are all up against stereotypes, anytime someone slips up it gives "proof" or satisfaction to the ones spreading the gossip.  & then the stereotype monstrosity comes full circle & guess what?

NOBODY WINS.

Just like any time you gossip, it might feel awesome at the time, but as soon as someone hears you that shouldn't, or they get dirt on you, 

You. Feel. Like. Crap.

So here's what I'm thinking:

If we all stop trash talking our fellow Greek women, & stop spreading rumors creating stereotypes, we can have more fun, make more friends, and show the non-greek community that Butler's greek life really is different.

Plus, my mom always said the only reason you gossip about someone else is because you are jealous of something they have.  

I know I absolutely made the right decision pledging Delta Gamma, and I hope all of my sisters and fellow Greek women can say the same about their choices.  So don't give anyone a reason to think you aren't where you want to be, because we are the ones with the power to eliminate these stereotypes with our words and actions.

Put on a Happy Face

As anyone relatively close to me knows, I am an extremely emotional gal.  Whether it's a fight with a loved one, innumerable stress, or a romantic novel there's no doubt you can probably find me crying it out in a heap in my closet.  I have tried talking to counselors & all that jazz, and don't get me wrong that's a really good thing!  But sometimes you have to work out whatever is bringing you down on your own.  This is a task I am currently trying to master.  

Today, inspired by the BEAUTIFUL sunshine beaming in my brightly decorated dorm room and some nostalgic Paul Simon blasting from my iTunes, I'm going to share with you a few things that never fail to cheer me up.

Probably the easiest way to lighten the burden is taking one little look at these yayhoos.  I know I talk about them all the time but come on, look at those faces!?

Alright judge me if you want on this one, but I am a true Belieber (term used to describe die-hard Bieber fans).  This past weekend my roomie and I forked up $26 to see Never Say Never in 3D.  Best $26 I've ever spent hands down.  Anytime Bieber comes on my iTunes or the radio the volume goes up and the dance moves come out.  He's a mood booster for sure.

I'm sure you're not surprised that not only am I a Justin Bieber fan, but I am also a huge Gleek.  How could you not be?  While the premise of the show may be (dare I say it) a little cliche, the music is fantastic.  I will admit some Glee versions of top 40 hits are better than the originals, and they are notorious for making me laugh out loud and sing with joy.

This represents 2 things that are excellent mood boosters: sunshine and the beach.  It truly is amazing to me how much my spirits are lifted by a clear sky.  I never really realized it until I came to college because I was used to being cooped up all day.  But now that I'm outside between classes and relying on sunlight for light in my dorm room I have come to find that sweet sunshine has a 180 effect on my day.

Same with going to the beach.  Emily (my super great fantastic awesome beautiful funny perfect roommate) and I are counting down the days (10) until we depart for sunny, warm Florida for a week of bliss a.k.a. spring break!  To me there is nothing better than plugging in the earbuds, lathering on the tanning oil, and laying out in the warm sand under the hot sun.

Now, I know I have made many references to music, but I music is like sunshine in the fact that it quickly picks my sadness up of the floor.  This song (mostly just the Dirty Bit) is a surefire way to nip my depressive states in the bud, maybe it has the same effect for you!

I encourage you to think long and hard about the things that make you genuinely smile.  

The things that you look forward to.

The things you wish would occur more often.

& the things that make you laugh out loud.

& next time your heading for the closet, take my advice and turn that frown upside down!

You Were Made to Make a Difference

Reading has always been a favorite hobby for me.  I melt in every single Nicolas Sparks novel.  I finished the Twilight saga in a matter of days.  I sometimes even take notes while reading books (no not textbooks) I never want to forget.

I have recently been reading one of these notables, Out Live Your Life, by Max Lucado.  I received this book as a Christmas gift, & while it is not the romantic love escapade I usually pick up, I decided to give it a chance.  Boy am I glad I did.

Lucado is a Christian author, and this book is separated into chapters which offer advice on how to better your life, and the lives of others by keeping the faith.  Today I want to share with you the themes of my 3 favorite chapters so far in the book.

1. Do Good, Quietly

In this chapter, Lucado opens with the story of a family who has inherited a large sum of money.  When deciding what to do with the cash, the idea crosses their mind to donate it to the church, HOWEVER they wanted to keep some of it for themselves.  So, the Sunday following the sudden inheritance the couple announces to the congregation that they are donating the entire sum of $10,000, even though they had actually acquired $15,000. 

Here's the problem: not only were they boasting their lavish contribution, but they deliberately lied to the church and to God about their true intentions for the money.  Lucado provides this description,

"They used the church for self-promotion.  They leveraged God's family for personal gain.  They attempted to turn a congregation into a personal stage across which they could strut."

It is very important in the Christian faith to do good things, and to help others.  However it is also very important to be humble about such acts, and not take personal gain from the deeds you do for others.

2. Remember Who Holds You

Here, Max Lucado emphasizes the importance of not taking full credit for things that have been given to you.  For instance, life.  He stresses that it is wrong to take credit for the gifts God has given us.  & it is also wrong to boast about accomplishing feats that would be impossible without Him.

"What do you have that God hasn't given you?  And f everything you have is from God, why boast as through it were not a gift?"

(1 Cor. 4:7 NLT)

So, while it is exciting to share our outrageous accomplishments with others, it is crucial to always keep in mind the big guy who made it all possible.  Make sure he gets a little credit too.

3. Stable the High Horse

I just finished this chapter last night, and I think it holds great resonance in our world today.  The attention getter at the start of this chapter tells the story of a man who stood up for and cared for exiled lepers in a time when leprosy ran rampant in Hawaii.  While helping the lepers by praying with them, dressing their wounds, and living among them, the man developed the disease himself and passed away. 

The point of this story was that people today often see or think of others as inferior.  Obviously in this case the clean, healthy folks looked down upon the dirty, diseased lepers & cast them off to an unchartered island.

One quote that stood out for me from this chapter is as follows, 

"Categorizing others creates distance and gives us a convenient exit strategy for avoiding involvement."

We see ourselves doing these things every single day.  Thinking we're better than others, casting out folks we see as unworthy.  But does God?  NO.

"God has shown me that he doesn't think anyone is unclean or unfit."

(Acts 10:28 CEV)

While I know this post is long and lengthy, I really feel that these are important lessons (along with the other 13 chapters) from Max Lucado's book, Out Live Your Life.  

So, take these forms of advice, and you just might see your outlook on life improving.  I know I have. If you are interested in learning more about Max's work check out his website.

The Verdict on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day.

  Everyone's favorite day of the year right?  HA!  Valentine's Day has more haters than lovers, I'm afraid.  

Not me though!  There's nothing sweeter to me than a bouquet of flowers, a heartfelt Hallmark, and a cutie to cuddle with. 

There are however a few Valentine's Day cliches that I could definitely do without.  You know, little things that just set up the annoying stereotype so many V-day haters call their anthems.  These are just a few acts of love that I'd rather not see on Monday.

1. The Valentine's Day proposal.

Come on!?  It does not get more cliche than that.  My personal thought is that you want the day of your engagement to be special in itself, so why adhere it to a special day that already exists?  Isn't it better to have an EXTRA day of celebration, if nothing else?  Not only this, but isn't the ultimate proclamation of love on the coveted Hallmark holiday a little too commonplace?

2. The Valentine's Day box of chocolates.

Okay, I know every girl loves chocolates, and I'm no exception to this statement; but the classic Russell Stover's box of chocolates you picked up at Walgreens SCREAMS "I picked these up on my way home from work."  Opt for something more out of the ordinary.  My ideal Valentine's chocolate experience would be a fondue date or chocolate covered strawberries.  No girl can (or should) be able to devour an entire box of chocolates on her own anyway.  Unless she's spending Valentine's Day alone.

3. The Valentine's Day stuffed animal.

Sure they're cute, but does anyone really want a cheap stuffed animal?  NO.  Maybe as a joke, but the stuffed animal to me again screams, "I forgot about Valentine's Day, here's a $5 trinket to prove my love for you."  No thanks.  We know not all guys can swing diamonds or romantic dates but in my opinion I would rather skip the animal and have a fun, useable gift.  Like fuzzy Valentine's socks or a gag gift I could actually use.

Don't get me wrong, I really am a grateful gal.  These are just little quirks that give V-day the awkward, cliche moments we could do without.  

SO

Go out and share the love this Monday, but do it in your own way.  Think outside the box when you are treating your loved ones this Valentine's Day, I promise it will be worth it!

Welcome Friends

My name is Jessie Munn, and this is the start of something great.  

My first blog post EVER.  

Hopefully one of many to come.  Hopefully one to be followed by meaningful, uplifting, interesting blurbs of information.  Hopefully one which will start a never ending phenomenon of happiness and joy.

OKAY, needless to say I am very new to writing for fun (a.k.a. writing anything that is not going to be turned in for a grade)..... & likewise I am extremely nervous to do so, 

SO

 this first post will be just a little "Get To Know Me" session...along with a little description of the title of my blog.

Enjoy!!

I am a Freshman, Exploratory (meaning I STILL have yet to decide what to do with my life) student at Butler University.  

This is my mom: a.k.a. my best friend.  We have been through everything together.  She is my rock.

This is my obsession: baked goods.  Basically anything sweet, just call me a dessert connoisseur.  I usually don't leave dinner without ordering it.  I'm really good at making it.  & I am the Queen of finishing it.  These divine looking specimen are from the one and only Flying Cupcake.

This is my dream: New York City.  I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make the trip this past semester.  I won a ticket to the Butler Vs. Duke rematch game in New Jersey.  Long story short Butler lost, but our hotel was a mere 30 minute train ride from downtown Manhattan.  Going to NYC has been my lifetime dream my entire life and now that I've been I can't wait to go back!

These are my brothers: Johnny and Joseph (respectively).  They are the epitome of the annoying younger brothers, however I would die without their tractors all over the floor and raspy voices waking me up at 7 AM.  

SO.

Why Lover's Lane?  Sounds a little risque eh?  Trust me, I am the polar opposite of any definition you've got in your mind of risque. 

Basically I'm in love with love.

I love romance novels, I love romantic comedies, I love Valentine's Day.  

But it's more than that.  Have you ever heard that love can change the world?  Well it can.  As I am growing up and finding my place in the big ol' world I am discovering what it means to love one another.  Not only what it means, but it's importance.  We all know that life's not perfect. No one's is.  BUT when you spread a little love, show someone affection, or simply pay forward a kind deed you are joining the Love Revolution.

LET'S GO!

Pack your bags and head with me through the twists and turns of Lover's Lane.  Maybe you'll find some inspiration to add more love to your life.  Maybe you'll find the passion to spread a little love around.