{blog world} Fill In The Blank Friday

Thank goodness it is Friday. This week has been super tough for me. I have found myself so beat up and exhausted. We have had 3 exams in the past week. School is kicking my butt. There is just SO much information. You can never stop studying/preparing otherwise you will be very very behind.

This weekend I am:

Friday - giving a tour of WUSOP to applicants for the class of 2017, taking a very very long nap, getting Pho with a P2 friend, and hanging out with some guy friends.

Saturday - going to Charlotte Phi Mu Day, watching the FSU vs BC game at the Seminole Bar, going out in Uptown with some girlfriends from class.

Sunday - sleeping in!, going to church, catching up with friends, and getting caught up with BSI.

What are you doing this weekend?

1.  My favorite flower(s) are  sunflowers, daisies, gardenias and hydrangeas. They are each so beautiful in their own way. I am starting to fall in love with peonies thanks to pinterest and of course I have a love for the rose colored carnation (LIOB). 

2.  You should never talk about  getting wasted. I know that it may be funny stories but it really just makes you look bad. I also think that politics, specifically opinions and bashing other parties, should be talked about sparingly. I know that the election is coming up and it is a hot topic. But there is a difference in expressing yourself and being obnoxious. Please respect other people's views and opinions. There is no right or wrong answers in politics. Just be informed and respectful if you talk about it. 

3.  My favorite discovery as of late is Fago greek yogurt. It is so much thicker than the other yogurts and the non-fat plain is not tart. It is perfect for breakfast with pumpkin granola or for desert with carmel syrup. 

4. This fall you will probably find me wearing    anything mustard colored. I am currently obsessed with all things mustard yellow. I have a cardigan but I am in search of pants or a pencil skirt. 

5. I wish I were  sleeping/drinking/taking a bath/home in texas. 

6. My favorite TV show currently is   Revenge. I am obsessed with this tv series. I am so glad it is back! This season should be good. All of the actors look great this season! 

7.  This weekend I want to  relax, hang out with friends, and get caught up with school work and friends. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

{faith} Don't Give Up

"He is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." 

Psalm 62 6 - 8

{Photo Credit: Rima Garsys}

I had pumpkin beer and ramen for dinner.

We made chocolate chips cookies to de-stress.

I am listening to the new Mumford and Sons album.

I am smiling and feel a lot better. 

One exam down and one to go. I can do this.

I thought I failed my exam today, it was probably one of the hardest application exams I have ever taken. I trusted myself and just went back through it because I still had time and told myself, "Amanda, just try your best and that's all that counts". I left the exam with the wind knocked out of me. I wanted to cry. I wanted to pack up my bags and and quit. I kept thinking, If I couldn't pass a drug class then I obviously wont be a good pharmacist. So, I cried. A lot. Questioning everything. 

That isn't the best mindset to have in a 4 year Doctoral program. I knew I needed a different approach. When I got home, I relaxed and took a deep breath. I started thinking about how I felt the first semester of high school and the first semester of college. THE SAME WAY I am feeling now. "Hard things are put in our way not to stop us but to call out our courage and strength." This is something I read every day. This is my quote. And I really thought about it. I have made it through all of the VERY hard things that have happened in my life. I am stronger because of them. I wanted to give up before and I didn't. Thank goodness I didn't because I wouldn't be where I am today - in a pharmacy doctoral program in North Carolina. I trusted my gut, left my friends and family, moved to a foreign city, and took a leap of faith. If it was all rainbows and butterflies then it probably wouldn't be that great of a ride. The rough times are just the chocolate chips in my cookie. They aren't as smooth as the batter but add to the wonderfully delicious taste. Hard times is what makes this experience worth it. 

So, I am going to try my hardest to believe in myself more and trust that I am here for a reason. That I can and will make it through this program and become a GREAT pharmacist. Making an impact in people's lives every day. 

Just a little Thursday thought. Today was hard but tomorrow will be better because of it.

TOMORROW IS FRIDAY! THANK GOODNESS.

{body} Homemade Pumpkin Granola

Don't you just love Fall? 

I love the smell of the crisp air, the changing colors of the trees, the clothing, and the food. It is my favorite time of year by far. I especially love it this year because I am actually experiencing the season. Florida doesn't experience too many season changes besides hot and hotter. In Tallahassee, the leaves changed and it got pretty chilly during Fall but nothing compared to North Carolina. I cannot wait for it to actually get chilly!! We have had a cold front for the past three days and it is just beautiful.

As you know I just love all things pumpkin. I could probably incorporate into every meal, every day of the year. Luckily in Fall it is totally normal to have pumpkin coffee with pumpkin granola in yogurt for breakfast, pumpkin soup for lunch, pumpkin pasta for dinner, and pumpkin ice cream for dinner. Right?!?

This fall I am looking forward to apple picking, pumpkin carving, making chilis/soups/stews, the ACC Championship game in Charlotte (hopefully the Seminoles make it this year!!), wednesday kickball games, and hikes in local parks! 

I am so excited to be living in North Carolina and being able to experience a real Fall is going to be perfect!

This pumpkin granola is so delicious, easy, and pumpkiny (if that's a word). It is perfect on top of your greek yogurt with some strawberries or with soy milk for a quick and easy breakfast! The pumpkin spice seasoning and cinnamon add a warmth and spice to the granola. I adapted this recipe from one of my favorite blogs, SkinnyTaste. Homemade granola is super easy to make, cheaper than store bought, and you can personalize it with spices, dried fruit, and nuts of your choice!

Definitely make this when you are craving something pumpkin and want to switch up your morning meal!

Skinny Pumpkin Granola
Recipe Adapted from SkinnyTaste

Ingredients:
1/4 cup uncooked quinoa (rinsed and dried)
1 1/2 cups rolled oats (used whole wheat old fashioned)
1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup light maple syrup
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp oil
1 tsp pumpkin spice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch kosher salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread oats and quinoa on baking pan and toast in oven for about 10 minutes, turn once.
3. Remove oat mixture from oven and transfer to a book. mix in the ground flaxseed, almonds, and cranberries.
4. Reduce oven heat to 300 degrees.
5. In a second bowl mix maple syrup, oil, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Combine well and add to oat mixture. Stir until combined and transfer back to the baking sheet in one layer.
6. Bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until golden
*sprinkle an additional amount of cinnamon/pumpkin spice if needed.

Enjoy!

{blog world} Oh How Pinteresting!

Hello lovely people! Are you as excited for Wednesday as I am? Today has been a rough morning. I can't seem to wake up. October has proven to be a difficult challenge. 5 exams, 8 quizzes, 2 papers, and in class assignments. It's taking a tole on my beauty sleep and sanity. But I have to keep pushing through. When times get tough and I just want to give up - I say this quote in my head: "Hard things were put in our way not to stop us but to call out our courage and strength." This quote sits on my desk and reminds me that everything will be okay. 

But when I need to get through a difficult lecture, can't wake up, or just need a pick me up - I look at my Funny board on Pinterest. It always cheers me up and puts a smile on my face on the days I didn't think it was possible. 

So I hope this post makes you smile and laugh on your most difficult days.

Happy Wednesday...you are almost there! 

{blog world} Fill In The Blank Friday

THANK GOODNESS IT IS FRIDAY!!!!! I just finished my second BSI exam. These exams take so much out of you. I am beyond exhausted. I can't wait to go home, take a nap, bake some brownies, and paint my nails. It's the little things.

 This weekend is the perfect reward for a tough week of studying!! I have a fun packed weekend planned- tonight I am going to the Grace Potter and the Nocturnals concert and tomorrow I am going to a wine festival called Great Grapes with some girlfriends from class. 

I can't wait to just relax and have fun. Not going to think about school at all this weekend. 

What are your plans for the weekend?

1.  The last thing I ate was  two slices of Papa Johns pepperoni pizza at a cram study session last night for my BSI exam.

2.  The last time I went to the beach was a really long time ago, maybe Spring Break? March 2012.

3.  My last vacation was   this summer my family went to Breckenridge Colorado for two weeks! I keep thinking about the beautiful scenery and adventures we had during our trip. 

4. The last place I drove was    to school to take my BSI exam!

5. The last song I listened to was "Stop the Bus" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. I am actually seeing them in concert tonight!!

6. The last thing I watched on TV was   Real Housewives of Miami. I am addicted to trash tv.

7.  The last time I said "I love you" was  when I talked to my Dad last night on the phone.

{body} White Pork Chili

I hate being sick. I used to never get sick (at least not the typical colds and flus)...until I came to pharmacy school. Now I feel like I am sick every other week. I think it's because my brain is so focused on the material in class and then I stay up studying till around midnight every night. Now that doesn't seem late to most of you night owls but then I wake up around 5:30 am. I am an eight - ten hour of sleep a night girl. That is how I function! So this whole pharmacy school thing is messing with my beauty sleep.

This soup is the perfect cure for the sicklings in the world. It is very easy to make and is just as good as the typical chicken noodle soup. It has the mexican flare that you all know I love to add to my recipes. This soup will warm your soul and fix you up in no time flat!

The recipe originally calls for chicken "White Chicken Chili" but we made a pork roast in the crockpot for pork tacos early that week and have TONS of leftovers. If you haven't discovered the $3.99 pork roast at your grocery store...check it out! It is so cheap and will feed you for DAYS! It is amazing too because all you do is sear it in a pan and then pop it in the crockpot. It should be illegal how easy it is to make.

Make this soup on a rainy day, when you are feeling sick/sad/lonely/happy, or on a chilly night. It is sure to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I promise!

White Chicken (or Pork) Chili

Recipe credit: How to Simplify Blog

Ingredients:

•   1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

•   1 medium onion, diced

•   2 cups cooked chicken (I used shredded pork I made in the crockpot earlier, most people posted that they used rotisserie chicken to save time), shredded

•   2 cans Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed

•   1 can corn, drained

•   1 can (4 ounces) green chilies

•   1/2 teaspoon cumin

•   1/2 teaspoon oregano

•   1 box (32 ounces) chicken broth

•   Kosher salt (to taste)

•   Pepper (to taste)

•   1 lime, juice

Directions:

1.       In a large pot, saute the onion and cook until it starts to become translucent.

2.            Once the onion is done, add shreds of chicken, Great Northern Beans, corn, green chilies (with juice from can), cumin and oregano to the large pot. Stir to combine all of the ingredients and then add the chicken broth.

3.            Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow the broth to reduce. Add salt and pepper (to taste) and juice from one whole lime. (You can add 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro if you desire. I personally don't like cilantro so I serve it as a side.)

4.            Leave simmering on stove until ready to serve.

*Serve with sour cream, chopped cilantro, shredded Pepper Jack cheese, avocado or tortilla chips.

Apartment Living

I know this post is a little late! But I wanted to give you all a look into our beautiful apartment. Corrine (my roommate) and I are on a tight pharmacy budget. But we knew we wanted our apartment to feel and look like a home. We embarked on a journey to find deals and make pinterest projects to add life to our apartment - for cheap! I think we were pretty successful. Here are some photos of our living room and kitchen. 

We found that beautiful antique mirror at a very nice consignment (like the nicest consignment shop I have ever been into. It looked like a pier one!) shop for $20.00! Most mirrors this size range around $60  at least! We also found that floor lamp at Kirklands for $20.00 as well. Corrine's family donated those couches to our apartment! We are very thankful. They are super comfy and we found a light blue in the pattern and decided to use that as our color theme in our apartment. The pillows and curtains we got at Homegoods. I just love homegoods. Together we got them for $40!

Now the pinterest projects begin. Have you seen that diy project where you paint the inside of the vase to make it look like pottery? Well that's what we did! We found different sizes and shapes of vases from the dollar store and just painted the inside different shades of brown and blue to tie in the color theme of our apartment. We also did the pinterest diy project where you fill a tray with coffee beans and put a blue candle inside.

AND, do you see that tall straw looking thing in the corner by the arm chair? That is Corrine's favorite find - $13 at Kirklands. It has all the colors of our apartment and adds height. We love it!

Our kitchen is simple and plain. We may add some more decorations with time!

This is another one of our favorite pieces. The mosaic wall piece was a steel at Homegoods for only $20! It once again incorporated all the colors of our apartment!

Artificial plants...how do you feel about them? I have always had fake trees in my house. My mom was OBSESSED. It adds brightness and height to your room without the responsibility of keeping the plant alive. BUT, fake plants are outrageously expensive....like $60!! We found that tree in the corner of the store and it was $25. We were like SCORE and got it!

Hope you like our decoration and humble abode :) We are super proud of it and we each other spent $100 to decorate the entire apartment! I say that we did a great job! It will probably be our home for the next three years.

Hope y'all have a great Monday!