I think I just lost my life.

We're all allowed bad days right? Do you ever have a bad month, semester, year? Is that possible? I'm going to say, YES. This past semester was a whirlwind of so many things. Ups and downs and everything in between. I think in three months I experienced every emotion humanly possible. And now, here I am, in the midst of summer, ready to recharge.

The one thing I could be proud of this semester was how hard I worked in school. I'm what one would call, an 'overachiever.' I'm overly organized, I go the extra mile, I get papers done weeks in advance and really, I just try wayyyyy to hard.

Being the overly prepared person I am, I saved everything to my external hard drive. Having all my four years of college and all my memories trapped in that little device brought me so much security and pride. I finished my portfolio this semester, along with many PR plans and, well hundreds of hours of work.

I was SO EXCITED this summer to go through and perfect everything I ever made! I was going to create and awesome kick-ass portfolio and make everything else top notch! SO PUMPED.

Then, I made a HUGE mistake. HUGE. I decided to trust the postal system and mail my external hard drive to myself. (I was at my grandmas for the week) After the package got lost in the mail, made it to the destination, (where I no longer was), it was returned back to my house.

You can imagine how happy I was to be reunited with my computer, external hard drive, power cord, red polka dot bikini, keds, and a few dresses.

Then, when I opened the box, I noticed my external hard drive and power cord were missing. They were gone. They had been mailed, but were not in my package.

Now, I cannot imagine they 'fell out.' Those two items were specially picked by someone to steal out of a slit in the top of the box. And to that person I would like to say,

"Thank you. Thank you for stealing my entire life. I hate you."

So, this summer will be spent remaking everything I ever did. Great.

Today I tried to go through and find everything possible in my emails and on line.. I found about 3 things. I'm seriously so thrown. I'm just wondering what else life would like to rip from my hands.

I will never mail anything again. I'm not kidding. That makes more excuses for road trips.

If someone does happen to read this post, I would appreciate only hate comments regarding the postal service. There are no positives to come out of this situation.. only tears and a waste of time.

I'm Back.

Hi Blogger World!

It is certainly very nice to be back. I have missed my writing, sharing and reading over the past couple of months. So, much has happened in my life this past semester! All exciting, life altering and a little overwhelming at some points, hence, the blogging break. [I even deleted my facebook!...That was life altering.] But, here I am. Back and ready to write!

I have missed blogging so much I  started a list in my email about blogging topics! I should not run out of blogging material for a LONG while. 

One major event that happened this semester was, my birthday! I turned 22 and can I tell you the reactions I have received?

'Boy, you are old.' - Some freshman I work with who thinks we are friends and that they hold the right to comment on my age.

'You're turning 22 and you are still in undergrad.' -College kids at the gym

'Really, cause I  thought you were  turning 20?' -Daddy

'Wow, you're 22! 22! That's SO old. Like, 21, you can still be a kid, you're only 21! But, 22. You're basically an adult.' -Both roommates comments wrapped into one

My birthday was pretty rockin'[Look Below] ...almost as good as 21. :]

Oh, my response to birthday comments? I just kept telling people I look good for my age.

Nose Pierce!

 

 As if you couldn't tell, my birthday was great. 

It is now summer and that means it's time to go home and face the music. I've been having a wonderful time being re-acquainted with my little home town, Spring Lake Michigan. I've fallen in love with Grand Rapids, again, along with Lake Michigan. Needless to say, I'm glad to be back in the Mitten. On the drive home, when I crossed that state line into 'Pure Michigan' I screamed for about 10 minutes. 

What have I done since I got home, you ask? Thanks for asking! Well, I left again and drove to Kentucky to visit my, sweet, encouraging, awesome, wise, hilarious and stylish Grandma! [Check below, you can totally tell she is all of those things]. We went to dinners, a winery, shopping (almost every day) movies and watch stupid TV shows, like, the Bachelorette. 

I am trying to convince my grandma to be the NEXT Bachelorette, but she insists I should do it.

Have you been watching this season?

 

I was SO EXCITED TO eat that! :]

We went to the Newport Aquarium.

Now I know what you have to be thinking, 'Haley, you drove SO much the past 2 weeks!' And you have that right reader, I have traveled a total of 1,766 miles in 2 weeks. I am proud to call myself a Midwest Traveler! Since, I am such an experienced traveler, allow me to introduce my traveling 'buddies'. [Look below.*I may, or may not have taken these pictures while driving.]

My Hula Monkey. It's a BOY.

My Sun Glasses.

Light iced, upside down, nonfat, Carmel macchiato and GPS. I could NOT have made it through without them.

*NOTE: This semi is not a 'buddy' in anyway. I took this picture to represent , all terrible drivers I encountered on the highway, all drivers in Virgina, and anything else that tried to get in the way of my wonderful journey. 

While driving through the country, I think I found the most popular hits on the radio stations. I heard these songs a MILLION times:

1. Katy Perry - ET
2. Kesha - Blow
3. Adele - Rolling in the Deep
4. Maroon 5- Never Gonna Leave This Bed

So, Why Audacious? Reader, thank you for asking so many questions, your intuitive nature is really motivating my writing. You're awesome. 'A moment with Hales', I think, was a deceitful title. This blog did not have 'Hales moments.' Frankly, I was just writing for the sake to write. I used topics like, design, sometimes fashion, crafts, and interior design, while I like all those things, that's not what I want to blog about. I want to blog about topics that pertain to me, now. If that happens to be something political, a new TV show, something religious, my life, music, or Starbucks, I'll write about it.

This blog is my place to write, misspell, have run on sentences, express, share, fill people in, and be AUDACIOUS. Audacious means :extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave; fearless: an audacious explorer. [Thanks dictionary.com]. And that's what I want this blog to be. Opinionated, Expressive, Informative, and Bold. 

I'm excited to dive in, be brave, bold, curious, opinionated and expressive. 

You are also excited? Thank you reader, of course you agree with me.  

My Beach Weekend.

 Being reunited with Liz this weekend was one of the major highlights of my summer! This summer forced us to be in completely different time zones! Being able to talk face to face, laugh, sing, drive, and get coffee together was WONDERFUL! Liz and I like to think we are known for the adventures we partake on. Now, what we call adventures some may call unwise. We embarked on our first adventure of the semester within the first 3 hours of Liz's arrival back in town. She drove 9 hours back to the burg from NY to only get here and get back in the car and drive 4 more hours to the Beach. :]]].


On our way back to the burg we sat in the car, talking, laughing, reminiscing, and just mentally preparing for the semester ahead. One week from today my classes will be starting!!! {[CRAZYYY}] We couldn't believe how unbelievably fast the summer went by!! 

When we talked over our summers together I couldn't help but think how blessed my life has been. Watching the sunset, in a working car, with my yummy coke, just finshing up a a day at the beach... heading back to my apartment, and waking up to go a job the next morning. I felt overwhelmed realizing how much I have. Its the little things I thought about. Like having my nails painted, and being capable to make a cup of coffee, or to drive 4 hours to a beach. Being able to go the beach, and having the money to pay to get to the beach. Having the eyes to watch the sunset, or the nose to smell the ocean. I know, it seems almost silly thinking about these things, but I guess most people don't think about them until they are gone or not so easy anymore. I'm not sure where you are, or whats happening in your life but I pray that you will remember the little things the Lord has given you, and you can find joy in the small gifts of life. Whatever happens this semester, no matter how stressed I get, how much I hate my classes, or get frustrated with my job. I am going to try to take the time to remember the little things in life I am blessed with, and be thankful for them.

CiRCUS

Tomorrow I leave with my Froomies to go to Pennsylvania to see the CiRCUS!

Before expounding any further I'm sure that reading that sentence few question flew through your mind. No, a Froomie is not a large floor pillow...Froomies, are my roommates and friends- friend + roomies = Froomies.--Pictured left.  And Yes, we did make that up ourselves. No, I have not been to the circus before, and yes, we are all above the age of 7.. and are still really excited.
Now that we put all the questions out of the way- moving on to more important things.

What attire does one wear to the circus? I have some destoryed jeans and a T-Shirt. I think I will fit in with that outfit on. I will for sure have to bring my camera, and take ALOT of pictures. (My mom is mailing me the cord for my camera..So hopefully I will be able to upload them!) I've always wanted to ride an elephant, can one do that at a circus? I keep picturing dumbo and his little mouse friend in my head... is that what the circus is like? Completely unrelated and semi-inaproperat the Elephant man slips in my mind. And that doesn’t make the circus sound pleasant or enjoyable.

Well I hope I haven’t set my standards too high for the circus to let me down. I will let you know how it goes, and all the fun things that take place. I am in desperate need of a break- I Think the circus will be the perfect escape.

I am excited!