This week I've got some major projects on my hands. I decided that instead of sitting around waiting for some business to hire me, I'm going to devote my time to starting up my own Etsy shop, which is something I've been wanting to do for a long time. 

Isn't that exciting?? I'm looking so forward to starting up such a big project, and despite the fact that I'm scared to death of just wasting a bunch of my money and time, I'm excited about taking this risk. I want to make it work so badly. 

So I began gathering some materials and doing some research online during my and mom's trip to Pittsburgh (photos on their way!), and first thing this morning I began pulling my little shop together and digging up a notebook to record myself. The more I research and dig around Etsy, the better I feel about jumping in. What can I really lose, right? Worse case scenario I'm stuck with awesome headbands and up-cycled cloth napkins for my future life of fun and pretty things, and a productively used summer. Sounds like a good deal to me!

 Also I started reading my book that came in the mail yesterday. Truchi and I found the book cover on someone's photo blog and thought it was the funniest thing ever. So I bought it, and I've been creepily entertained ever since!

And these aprons are from Aprons by Vittoria. I love doing Etsy research. :)

Oh I can't tell you how happy I am right now. 

I'm finally sitting in my own house, in front of my own computer, eating a piece of Belgian chocolate my boyfriend brought over from his trip to Paris, listening to this:

(Yes I know I've already shared this with you- I just especially love it!)

And now I"m about to (finally) show you some pictures from my trip to Stephens College in 

Columbia, Missouri!

Let me start off by saying I love love love Columbia. I've traveled around a considerable amount, and visited many great towns and cities- but Columbia just completely lights me up with happiness. Maybe it's just because know I'll be living here, and every place I see becomes a possible place where something significant will happen to me, or a place where I'll be. As you can tell, I visualize my coming semesters with a certain dream like quality. 

Which, in my opinion, is the absolute best thing to do. 

Here's the outside of the dorm I'll be living in. I know it doesn't really give you a very informative picture, but you certainly can pick up on the charm.

 Here's next door.

 

 The rest of the pictures were taken in downtown Columbia, about a block and a half away from my campus and dorm. It's such a luxury to be so close to everything. It'll make morning lattes a more realistic goal- that and the fact that my first class starts at 9. Victory!

All the benches look something like this.

One of the many theaters in town.

 There's a coolie bakery! In fact, there's a half eaten box of custom, freshly made cookies in my kitchen right this very instant. If I hadn't just eaten some of that boyfriend chocolate I'd help myself to a re-heated vanilla & white chocolate chip cookie with a large cup of tea. 

....the tea sounds do-able, though...

here's some of the customer decorated cookie boxes that proudly decorate the walls.

And remember how I told you all I had a New Way Fun Project?

Well,

Stephens Colllege has 'hired' me on as their student blogger! Which means that I will be the student voice of Stephens whenever anyone goes to the official college website, and I'll be the example of what a Stephens Girl really is. 

Isn't that exciting!?

I can't tell you how honored I am and how lucky I feel for somehow having acquired this role- its going to be so super fun! It'll be such a great feeling having my own creative project- especially one that is significantly important- or at least noticed. 

I feel like a celebrity on campus. Most, if not all, of the admissions counselors there have read my blog, and it was surreal walking down a foreign hallway, confused and trying to find the place to get student IDs, and be greeting by a stranger who says, "Hey! Rudi! I love your blog!" 

No wonder I love Stephens so much, huh?

But anyway, nothing's set up yet or I'd give you all a link- but as soon as my fonts are chosen and pictures arise I will surely let all 23 of you know where to find me (if you're interested) and how to see my adventures in their full beauty. Of course, right now it seems that I'll easily be able to handle two blogs at one time, but who knows how crazy my schedule will become once I move in. But the separation of me and this blog is a sad day we shall not yet talk about. 

By the way, 

I GOT A HAIRCUT!

 It's not much but bangs make me feel like a million bucks. 

 I think I've consumed enough of your time for now. It's time for me to refill my hot tea 

(which I did end up getting)

and watch the Glee season finale.

Have a great evening, guys and gals!

I love love all these photos so much. 

I would really love a print of the last one...

And my lack of an income is making me itch.

I really hate not earning any money- 

not that I spend it often,

but I never seem to have enough to make me comfortable. 

Luckily I'm a professional internet window shopper

and depressing myself by browsing through clothes I will probably never afford 

is a favorite hobby of mine ;).

For example:

I'm feeling pretty weak in the knees now....

I think I'll go lay down.

Good night.

Oh hey guys.

It's just me,

admiring the finer things in life.

love, rudi

Happy Valentines Day!!

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was goood.

I picked up Chris in Knoxville, and we

DIDN'T have reservations at a nice restaurant like he promised

("They were all full up when I called! I swear!")

but we DID get Bubble teas ( my new favorite!!) at the Cereal Bar and

had delicious greasy hamburgers and huge thick fries from Shelley, Idaho.

And that was amazing.

Of course, over our weekend of virtually doing nothing

(and yet having time to do nothing, either)

but watch movies and spend money,

we once again failed to do as we promised to each other and forgot to take pictures.

Except for two!!!

So here they are!!

This week my mom is in New Orleans with our neighbor Sam,

so me and Benny have custody of the baby!!

And it's potty training time...

Wish us luck!

MAH! Here they aaaare!
The most beautiful men who are dead
that I can think of!

And it was a bit hard to rack my brain looking for the perfect ones,
and although I still feel like I'm missing someone,
I am very satisfied with my choices.


Marlon Brando


Gregory Peck

Lewis Carroll

Heath Ledger
(he totally counts)
Jim Henson
F. Scott Fitzgerald

Do you all agree?

love, rudi

I am super duper nervous,

cause tomorrow I find out the results of my college match through Questbridge,

which means I am finding out which Ivy-League college I will be attending for free (if any, another scary but possible result of tomorrow's email).

And I'mmabout to pee myself.

But I think I'll work on this philosophy paper due instead....

but in the meantime! Here's a list of awesome-est-st's:

frickin wolf on a couch (cause it's on a frickin couch!!)

friend ever



pun I've ever heard