Hey hey! Before I get into this post, guess what happened on Saturday…
Yes, I finally graduated from Penn State! I owe the credit to that achievement to God, my family, husband, and professors.
College was an absolutely amazing experience that I was blessed to have, and I learned so much over the past 4.5 years. I started in August 2010 as a shy graduate of a very small private school, and finished as a published writer and a married woman. A lot changed over the past few years, that’s for sure! Some days (actually, some semesters.. ha) I felt like I couldn’t make it through, but I learned that I can do all things through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).
More about college reflections in a different post. Let’s get on to the links I have to share today from around the internet!
Around the internet
Animals
10 Ways to Take Perfect Holiday Pet Pictures – I don’t know about you, but I always struggle to take good pictures of my pup (and all the animals I pet sit, haha). These 10 tips are great for holiday pictures as well as pictures year round!
Fruit and Veggie Treats for Cats and Dogs: the Best and Worst Options – I think most people know that dogs and cats shouldn’t eat chocolate, but what about other food hazards? I love that this article also includes “people food” options that are good for your pet, too.
How to start walking a puppy – I hear a lot of mixed information when I talk to people about walking puppies. Some say it’s good to walk them right away (to get rid of all the puppy energy), while others say it isn’t safe. This article from Cesar Milan explains when you can begin walking your puppy and how to introduce it to the walk.
Random
Turns Out, Your Vegetarianism Probably Is Just A Phase – Very interesting article. I agree with some things the author points out, but I think whether or not someone sticks with a vegetarian diet depends on their reasoning. What do you think?
8 Wonderful Gifts That Don’t Cost A Cent – It turns out that some of the best gifts aren’t things and are free! Who would have thought 😉
Chipped Ham Pink is Now a Nail Polish Color – If you’re not from Pittsburgh, you’ve probably never heard of chipped chopped ham. It’s pretty popular here in the ‘Burgh, and now Gridlock Lacquer, a Buffalo-based nail polish company, sells Chipped Ham Pink nail polish. Gridlock Lacquer also sells nail polish colors that are based on Buffalo, Cleveland, and Niagara Falls!
10 Ways to Stay Warmer at Home Without Killing Your Heating Bill – Winter officially started yesterday for the Northern Hemisphere, so this is a great read if you live in an area that experiences cold temperatures during this time of year!
Faith
What’s Really BIG to God {it might surprise you} – I won’t ruin the surprise. This is a wonderful read around Christmas time.
‘It Meets My Needs’ and Other Bad Reasons for Choosing a Church – Perhaps then the “right” church for you isn’t the one that offers you the most or where you feel the most comfortable. In fact, the right church could be the one where you’re most uncomfortable; where you get less and give more; where Jesus, rather than your preferences, is the object of worship. (<— YES!)
Do You Really Believe You’re Worth Loving? – No one should make you feel unworthy of love because God says you are valuable, loved, and cherished. No matter what.
Have you read anything good around the internet lately? Feel free to share in the comments!
Living My Full Life 
Congrats!!!
Thank you! I really appreciate it 🙂
Congratulations!!!!! What a HUGE accomplishment! Way to go! 🙂
Thank you, Nicole!!
Congratulations on your graduation :). I’ve been reading for a LONG time because I remember when you were pretty fresh in your college career. I hope you will write a longer post about it- I wasn’t blogging when I graduated college but I think I’d have a lot to say if I was. It’s a pretty big deal!
I’m going to read the vegetarian article. I was vegetarian for a long time, but am not anymore. I know some vegetarians who’ve gone completely 180 over to paleo, so I guess it was a phase for them (but a very long one). I do eat seafood a few times a week, but still follow a more plant-based diet. I’d eat meat if I wanted it, I just don’t… I don’t think that our eating habits always need a name or label, and that there are multiple ways to eat healthy. As someone who does eat seafood occasionally and eats animal products most every day, I wouldn’t fit in with the local vegetarian group, but then when I go out to eat, I still have to ask if products are seasoned with meat, etc. It’s a weird place to be in.
Thank you, Amy! You have been reading for a while. I started my blog in October of my freshman year.. weird to think about! I will definitely be writing a post on my reflections. Like you, I feel like I have a lot to say!
I like what you said about how there are multiple ways to eat healthy, and that our eating habits don’t need a label. I agree 100%!
Congrats on your graduation!! So excited for you. What an awesome accomplishment.
Thank you, Amy 🙂
Congrats on graduating! Such a huge accomplishment!!
Thanks, Kaila!! You’ll be graduating before you know it, too!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
I think with the increased exposure, popularity and fadishness of
going veg in the past two decades there is a commensurate rise in the number of people who are not really “in it” for the right reasons and that’s why articles like these are around now.
For the most part… with the long time veg heads I know… even those who occasionally eat meat or switched to pescatarian (ME!) are still pretty much vegetarian for the most part and in our heart of hearts. Eat mostly plant based and mostly vegetarian and vegan meals.
Thank you, Missy!! I totally agree with you on the fad of going veg being due to the wrong reasons. I think it’s all pretty personal in the end, and it was definitely an interesting article!
Whoop, whoop! Congratulations on your graduation, Allie. 🙂 That must feel so good!
Can US undergrads graduate at any time of year then? In the UK, we graduate in the summer, usually in June or early July. All being well, my graduation should be summer 2015. I’m working really hard right now on a project that’s due in early January!
I haven’t got a lot of time to read articles right now (Christmas preparations, cleaning/house chores, grocery shopping, studying and doing schoolwork…..etc!), but the vegetarianism one caught my eye. I can’t pass judgment because I haven’t read it yet, but I was brought up as a vegetarian and I’ve only recently started eating fish. I’ve only ever eaten meat twice and that was a mistake and I literally only had one mouthful before I realized! I doubt I’ll ever eat meat and I do feel conflicted sometimes about being a pescatarian, but my diet is mostly veggie/vegan. And my personal experience is that it’s definitely not a phase!
Thank you, Grace! It does feel very good! US grads usually graduate in May, but some colleges offer a December graduation for those who finish in the middle of the year! I bet you are so excited for this summer when you graduate!
I didn’t know you were vegetarian growing up! That’s super cool. I know one family that has raised all of their children vegetarian, and they have all remained that way. I think people who are raised vegetarian definitely don’t see it as a phase, whereas people who do it for other reasons may not stick with the diet for the long term!
I’m so proud of you!!! That is fantastic school, and I know you worked so hard. What a great accomplishment!
Aww, thank you so much Laura! That really means a lot 🙂
YAY!!!! COLLEGE IS DONE 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 Now you can truly enjoy the holidays!
SO excited!!
I totally agree with arguments made about a support system in the post about vegetarianism being a phase for most people. It was really challenging for me to be vegan when I lived with my parents because they were alienating and most of their foods contained animal products. Therefore it was hard to have a completely healthy diet. Another problem revolves around people thinking they “crave meat” when really they crave the flavors and spices associated with the meat product. BBQ tofu provides the same level of pleasure as BBQ meat, people just don’t think about it.
I can’t imagine how hard it was for you when you lived in a household of meat eaters. I think the hardest part is definitely the support. What a good point you made about people “craving” meat, too. I never thought of it that way! I totally agree on BBQ tofu. It’s one of my most favorite meals to eat!
Congrats Allie on such a huge accomplishment.
Thank you so much, Hollie!
Congrats Allie! You look stunning! So much can change over four years—especially in college 🙂 !
Thank you, P!! I agree.. a lot can change in four short years!
Congrats on graduation!!!! Whooooo!!! Loved all your random internet articles! Ha, my sister was vegetarian for about a day…pretty sure it’s gonna stick with me 🙂
Thanks, Kim!! I didn’t know you sister went veg (for a day .. lol!). Is anyone else in your family vegetarian? I know Jim isn’t 😉 haha. I have a feeling it’s definitely going to stick with you!
I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!! Way to go, and congratulations!!
Thank you so much, Brittany!
CONGRATULATIONS, Allie!! That’s awesome!
Thank you, Rach!
Congratulations! How exciting! I remember the feeling of being done with school! So much more free time and no more studying!
Thank you! Yay for free time and NO MORE STUDYING!