Home Sweet Home

     Well, here I am again. I am sorry I have been such a terrible blogger. I promise I will get better. This semester has been a crazy busy, nightmare-ish, wild roller coaster, but good news! It's almost over! Only 2 more CHEM 107 classes, 2 more PSYC 101 classes, and 1 more CSPA 101 class. Plus, 3 tests (1 for each class) and a few homework assignments. Oh, and a video for Spanish. I'm actually pretty excited about that, because I am basically going to walk around my house speaking Spanish, spouting off random information and shoving the camera into various family member's faces. Should be great.

     But, for now, I am just going to sit at the kitchen table with my 3 cup of coffee and enjoy not thinking about school. Like I said before, it's been a crazy semester. Which I'm sure you can figure from my lack of posts. It's so sad, but I have a goal to post more this Thanksgiving & Christmas break. I am actually pretty excited for this week. Aside from being home and not having to go to class, my sister and I plan on working on a few DIY projects. I decided it would be so much easier to make presents this year than buy presents! Not that I don't care enough to BUY people stuff..but let's face it, it's more fun to make presents! Plus, I'm the kinda person that doesn't want to leave anyone out, and that gets kind of expensive. I can't wait to post about the DIY adventures that will be happening! 

    How's school, you may ask? Well, it's not too bad. Spanish continues to be my favorite, and that had a major role in my decision about next semester. Yes, you read that right. I have kinda made a decision about the future. I say kinda because I'm still not sure. And I honestly don't want to talk to people about it. Because, what happens if it changes? I don't know...But, as for my current classes, they are going very well. I actually don't think I've ever done this well in school and NOT been super stressed. I mean, I have my moments. But, not gonna lie, for the most part I have been pretty calm. Weird. 

More exciting news!! Last week I posted an ad asking for someone to design some business cards for Elizabeth Maree Cupcakes. I got a TON of responses. It was so hard to choose someone, but I did, and she created the cutest business cards! She also put the logo in digital form, which I needed since my best friend from high school drew the original logo with colored pencils. Anyways, here it is!! And I can't wait until my business cards come in! Business is also picking up, so that's exciting.

NEW LOGO

Other random updates: 

One of my best friends from high school got married! Over a month ago now. It is so weird having a friend who's married! I don't feel old enough..EVERYONE IS GROWING UP AND I'M NOT SURE I LIKE IT! LOL Anyways, it was a beautiful wedding! And I can't wait to go and visit her soon!

 

I turned 22. It's weird thinking that's how old I am now. It was a great birthday, but definitely bittersweet since it was my first birthday away from my BFF in 4 years. Yeah, 4. But she managed to make it amazing, even all the way from Chicago. And my family and friends helped too. So, all in all, a successful 22nd birthday. 

My little bro came to visit me! That was a fun weekend. I can't wait for him to come to school here next year if that's what he decides! 

We ate too much food, walked around campus, he came to class with me..we went to a football game AND my first hockey game! Which I must say was super fun and I pretty much love watching that sport now. So cool! We also saw For King & Country and Britt Nicole in concert. 

Last weekend I drove to Blacksburg to visit my cousin. It was so cool to see Virginia Tech. The last time I saw the campus was over 10 years ago. Both of my parents went there, and my mom graduated from the vet school. It certainly has grown since then..but it was cool to think about the fact that they were there so many years ago! Yeah..I get sentimental like that. Anyways, we had fun going hiking and working on homework. Typical smarty-pants college students, right? 

     So, there's an update on my oh-so-exciting life. It will get more exciting this week, I promise. For now, I am going to go and help my "big sis" cook for our church dinner tomorrow night. It's our first one! So exciting! (Did I ever write about CityLight? I don't remember...I shall have to do that sometime) Lots to do!

    Happy Saturday everyone!

XOXO, Nichole

    

Coffeeshops Etc.

     Currently sitting in this random bakery (which is really more like a deli) somewhere in Lynchburg. I still depend on my GPS to get me places, because I honestly have no idea where everything is! I WAS at this adorable coffeeshop, The Muse, but for some odd reason my laptop wouldn't connect to the internet. And that was a problem. So my roommates and I walked down the street to this weird bakery. The raspberry scone is yummy. The atmosphere is not.

     Well, here we are, the middle of the third week! Time is pretty much flying, but dragging at the same time. There are still so many things to get used to. Liberty University is SO much different than Pensacola Christian College. For one, you can actually acknowledge guys outside of campus. And holding hands? Not a problem. Yeah, shocker. Really, I keep having to tell myself not to be surprised. haha 

     I am not as homesick as the past two weeks, so that's nice. The homesickness really caught me by surprise. I mean, really, I spent TWO MONTHS away from my family. In a different country. Yeah. But, I suppose it wasn't as bad considering I was with my SECOND family. Anyways, I said all that to say the homesickness is better. Phew.

Surprised my sister for her birthday!

     Classes aren't too bad. Finally getting back into the swing of things. My chem class pretty much feels like a joke. I keep having to remind myself that we've started back at the basics...the last time I was in chem class, it was Organic and Biochem. Talk about a challenge. But, back to CHEM 107. Yeah. Not cool to have to take general chem again. Not at all. But, it is what it is, right?

     Favorite class so far? Conversational Spanish. Yes. I. Love. It. I had my first speaking test the other day..it was rough, I definitely wasn't fluid, but it was awesome. Painful (sorta) but awesome! I love learning how to say things and just thinking about the Hispanic culture and everything I can do when I (finally) can speak better. I keep thinking back to Nicaragua and wishing I had soaked in more. And missing it. Boy do I miss being there.

     Least favorite class? Not chem. Close, but not quite. My least favorite class would, without a doubt, be statistics. Hate it. So much. Like, what's the point? I'm an algebra girl. Not a statistics girl. No way. Ew.

Vanilla with Lemon Whipped Buttercream

     Well, I have been so busy lately, I haven't had a chance to even think about posting my recent cupcakes! For one, I got a new computer! Yay! Say hello to my new 13 inch MacBook Air! Haven't named him yet, but love him so far! As for cupcakes...I made Red Velvet Oreo & Vanilla with Lemon Whipped Buttercream for Labor Day. Delish. One of these days I will get around to actually posting recipes...

Red Velvet Oreo

     So, how's life you may ask? Aside from school and stuff? Still no job here in Lynchburg. Not cool. But, that will come. I hope. All in God's timing. It's so funny how much I feel I've learned, just in the past month. Clearly God wants me here. I can see it in everything. And it's an amazing feeling. Very challenging, because when you're on the right path, things don't always go according to your plan. But, God has had His hand in everything that's happened. I can just tell. It's hard to explain..just trust me on this. And I know that not everything that happens is a "sign from God". I realize that's not how He works. But, I'm starting to take things day by day, and focus on what He has put into each day. Maybe a person He's placed in my life. Maybe someone that will be there for me, or someone I can be there for. Maybe a challenge, such as taking chem AGAIN. Maybe letting me focus on school for the first few weeks instead of a job. Maybe placing me in a prayer group that I really need, or one that really needs me. We never truly know. It's just our job to live our lives for Him. Every day.

     Sadly, I haven't been running like I planned. Like, at all. I need to. Tomorrow, I aim to get my sad, tired butt out of bed and off to run. Maybe just a mile. Maybe two. Actually, no...definitely only one. Baby steps. 

     Anyways, maybe I should stop procrastinating and work on some Spanish vocab before bed. I do, after all, want to be fluent. ;) And need to wake up at 6:30 AM. Darn.

XOXO, 
     Nicky

Getting Adjusted

     I am a bad person. Seriously. I told myself I was going to write at least once a week. But, you know, I had to go and get distracted by packing and leaving for college. Yep. Of course. It's been 2 weeks since my last post. That's 14 days. Or 336 hours. I can keep going, but I think you get the point! Anyways, I do regret not keeping up with this. But, I'll make up for it.
    
     Well, I'm assuming you noticed that I said I left for college. Let me tell you, I thought it was going to be so much easier than it has turned out to be. No, I don't mean college...I just mean getting back INTO college. Like, the routine and being away and sitting in class. Let me tell you...it has been a challenge. For one, I don't have any close friends here. Like, I know people that go here, but haven't talked to them in years! But, my roommates have been pretty awesome, and I've met people in every class. That still doesn't mean that it's all fine and dandy. But, I suppose where friends are concerned, it's getting there. Aside from friends, let me tell you..sitting out of school for a year and trying to get your mind back into learning is kinda hard. Like, I feel like my brain is like "Hold up Nichole. You just spent over a year doing nothing with that brain but working and making cupcakes. Can we just go back to that?" Well, this is my response: "Brain...while I would love nothing more than to bake cupcakes all day and watch Netflix, I don't think that's God's current plan for me. So, Brain, we need to get used to going to class everyday, sitting through BORING classes like CHEM 107, and working hard to get As. Because, Brain, we. are. getting. As. Or A+s." 

     (Ok, so, maybe I don't really talk to my brain like that. I definitely don't. But I have been constantly telling myself that I can do this. It's hard. Really. But I can do it.) Today is only the 3rd day of classes. It will get better. Maybe I won't be so homesick if I didn't have a horrendous cold. Like, seriously, my voice gets more hoarse/non-existent every day. I'm just waiting to wake up without it. Hasn't happened yet though..

     Well, where cupcakes are concerned, I have created some concoctions in the past 2 weeks:

 

 

 Banana Split

 

Cinnamon Sugar Swirl

 

(not pictured)

 

 and, the most recent,

 

 

Reese's Peanut Butter. Yum.

 

     What's the next cupcake project, you might ask? Well, that's a secret. But, it will happen soon. Like, probably tomorrow night. Depending on how much time I have. But, since classes haven't really been crazy yet, and I could really use some sort of stress reliever, I'm thinking I see some baking in the near future.

 

    Other random updates:

 

 



Said goodbye to my CFA family. (oops..sorry.."see ya later")

 

AND

 

 

We officially welcomed Shadowhunter into our family. Such a cutie.

 

     Now that you are completely caught up on my life, I have to say goodbye for the night. Unfortunately I am a college student once again, and would LOVE to get ahead on work. Until next time!

 

XOXO,

 

Nicky

Sharing Coffee

We found a stray. Well, my mom found him. The most adorable little kitten: all black, fluffy, long tail, hazel eyes. I walked out of my room this morning after my morning devotions and my sister is standing there holding a black kitty I had never seen before. I cuddled him for a little bit. He snuggled up in a little ball on my lap. I tried to get a picture, but he was more interested in my coffee than the camera. I knew we had a connection.. I think we may have a future coffee drinker here..seriously, he DRANK FROM MY COFFEE CUP. I don't share with animals..but he was so cute I let him. He doesn't need coffee though, because he has plenty of energy. Really. Virginia and I named him Shadow. Mom says we can't keep him unless he stays here all day. But, I really hope he stays! He is currently on our front porch, begging to come in. Molly likes him. Faerie isn't too sure yet. She'll get over it. My family likes to take in strays..

In other news, last week's cupcakes were a hit. I went with a funfetti cake and a cake batter frosting. Officially known as Cake Batter Cupcakes. Yum. I hope to post a recipe later..

I have approximately two more batches of cupcakes to make before heading off to college. I say approximately because, well, you never know when I feel the urge to bake! But, between packing, work, and finishing my online math class before move-in day, I'll be lucky if I get ONE batch of cupcakes done! I plan on doing that today though, after work. I'm pretty excited about these..I hope they work out. Speaking of work, gotta finish getting ready! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

XOXO

Nichole

Well, Hello There..

First blog post. Here goes.

 

Today begins a [hopefully] new habit of blogging at least once a week. I've tried, and failed, before. But, I am trying to get into the habit of putting the thoughts in my head out into the world. We could call it venting, but I hope that's not what this turns into. My hopes for this blog are to share my love of things with others. What things, you may ask? Well, I suppose I should start by introducing myself, and maybe that will help.

 

 My name is Nichole, and I am a nursing student at Liberty University. Well, that is only partly true. It's taken me awhile to get to where I am in school. I have 2 years of nursing school behind me from a different school..so I'm kinda starting over, kinda catching up..basically, life surprises you and doesn't always go how you think. Anyways, I am a runner, baker, crafter, and believer. Cupcakes and coffee are my thing (hence, the title of my blog). I like to attempt to look on the bright side of things..but don't always achieve that. I love all things pink and sparkly. And shoes...gotta love shoes..

My main focus on this blog is going to be..wait for it..cupcakes. With a side of coffee. Mostly just my obsession with coffee and what I'm drinking at the moment. [which, if you would like to know, I am currently drinking coffee with a white chocolate raspberry creamer. Yeah. Delicious.] As for the cupcakes. Well. Cupcakes are a whole different story. I love making them, inventing new flavors and combinations, and sharing them! There's just something about hearing how much others enjoy things you painstakingly spent time putting together. Besides, who doesn't love cupcakes?! It's a small, bite-sized cake, the size of your fist, that you eat with your hand. I mean, just look at one! So adorable.

 
 I try to make cupcakes once a week. Usually I bring them to work, or send them with my mom to her work. Like I said before, I like to share. Plus, the more people eat my creations, the less I will be tempted to. So, it works out. This weeks creation? Well, let's just say..I have some ideas. And I can't wait to share them!

 
Until next time..
 
XOXO, Nicky