Blog Birthday

Grace and Viola is a year old today! 

I cannot believe that one year ago today I wrote my first blog post. It honestly feels like forever ago. Although 2012 brought me new friendships and adventures, it was by far one of the most challenging years yet. I experienced my first break up, was diagnosed with depression, and had a difficult first semester of college. But I'm going to put all of that behind me, because I am focused on making 2013 an amazing year. I have decided to kick my pessimistic view on life and try to embrace the good. Why not, right? I am living in Boston with two of my best friends. What's bad about that? I really want to work on being myself. Looking back on my first blog post, I can see how much I have changed in the course of a year. I am becoming who I always wanted to be. My 13 goals of 2013 are going to allow me to focus on my health and happiness, which will make me a better version of myself. I have never been one for new years resolutions, but I am serious about changing my attitude and living in the now. I cannot waste any more days or months or years thinking about my troubled past. 

Starting today, I am going to consistently blog and journal because those are two things that never fail to make me happy. Since I have been struggling with my depression, I have not blogged in months. It was just too hard to pretend that everything was happy in my life and I did not want to write lies. However, I am feeling better and I think there are going to be a lot of new and exciting changes in my life that I want to share with all of you. 

I hope your new year is as wonderful as you are and thank you so much for continuing to read Grace and Viola after my extended absence. 

Until next time, Mandy

My First Boston Birthday

Nineteen years ago today, I was born. How weird is that to think about?

For the past few weeks, I have been saying that nineteen isn't anything special. It is just one of those birthdays that passes by. There is nothing interesting about turning nineteen. I mean yes, it is technically my last year of being a teenager, but that's about as exciting as nineteen gets. However, after this weekend, I realized why nineteen is special after all. I have the best friends in the world. Lately I have not been very happy about my college situation. I am not particularly fond of this school or the students or my classes, but these four people get me through each and every day. Who knew that after only a few short months together, I could be myself completely in front of them. I have never been one to make friends very easily. I tend to stay very reserved in any new friendship making endeavor, but this is not the case with these amazing people. Even if I get nothing else out of my college experience, I found them, and that's enough for me.

Until next time, Mandy

Streets, Shoes, and Stoops

I like to always have my camera with me in order to capture anything neat that I see on my daily walks around the city. 

I absolutely love the brick walk-ups all over Boston. How great would it be to have your own stoop? Sometimes I just stop and imagine myself living in one of these beautiful buildings. I snapped this picture because I loved the look of the street, but now I like it for a completely different reason. Did anyone else notice the tree full of shoes? I did not recognize that until I blew the photo up on my computer, but it makes me like this picture so much more.

I can't even explain to you how many cute bikes I have seen these past few weeks. It makes me awfully sad that I do not have one of my own. I don't think I have had my own bike since I fell off of one and broke my arm in second grade. All I can do is admire these beauties when I see them on the street.

Here is the beautiful Christian Scientist church. Although I am unfamiliar with this religion, the building is beyond beautiful. I like to go here and sit by the reflecting pool when I am overly stressed.

Coming from a small suburb, there are no such thing as street performers, vendors, or artists. I always enjoy seeing other peoples' creativity. The best is hearing fantastic music while you are walking down the city streets at night. 

Until next time, Mandy

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

These are my friends and I love them. 

Until next time, Mandy

Museum of Fine Arts

Look at this fantastic art. One of the perks of being a Northeastern student is the unlimited access to the Museum of Fine Arts. I love art museums, I really do. That is why I am taking my time going through the MFA. So far I have only visited the Asian and modern exhibits, but I have been nothing but impressed. Although some of the modern art hurts my brain or confuses me beyond belief, these were a few of my favorite pieces. However, my favorite aspect of the museum is the Buddha room. On weeknights the museum is pretty empty, so my friends and I like to go sit in the Buddha room to unwind from our long day of classes. The Buddha room has also inspired me to meditate and start yoga classes. Hopefully this will remove my stress, because it tends to become overwhelming. 

Until next time, 

Mandy 

My Return To The Blogging World

If you haven't noticed, I have been a terrible blogger lately. Since I arrived at school I have only posted one time. ONE. Completely unacceptable. I apologize for my disappearance, but I am back now. Although I may not be able to post everyday and outfit posts are going to be lacking (I don't think my college friends want to go around and take photos of me all of the time), I will be showing you all my life in the city. To begin, here are some photos from Pavement, one of the local coffee shops. As easy as it is to grab a Starbucks, I enjoy the coffee shop atmosphere, and that is exactly what Pavement has. With the mellow music and delicious drinks, it is the perfect place to do homework or hang out with friends. The white brick walls and ridiculously awesome coffee art are definitely an added bonus. I hope all of you are doing well. I've missed you.

Until next time, 

Mandy

Boston Beginnings

My first post from Boston! How exciting. I moved into my dorm on Friday. After hours of rearranging and organizing my extremely hot room, it finally ended up feeling quite homey. For the past couple of months, I have been stocking up on vintage pictures and craft items to fill my room with. I am pleased with the turn out because the room is much bigger than I expected. Thanks to these lovely ladies pictured above, my first week at Northeastern has been more than amazing. I had my first day of classes today and I start work tomorrow. Everything seems to be falling into place, and I could not be any happier. 

Until next time, Mandy