You Can Stand Under My Umbrella {ella..}

Today is the day for an umbrella in Louisville. It was not raining when I went into work {though I knew the risk} but I had to walk back to my car 3 hours later with raindrops splatting on my head. I have a lovely {shimmery} grey umbrella from United Colors of Benetton, but I'm really liking some of the options from Umbrellas.net:

Pretty advertisement for an umbrella company, no?
I've never seen a "pagoda" umbrella, but I love it!
If I ever need a new one, this will surely be what I purchase.
Clear umbrellas are awesome because I like watching the rain roll down the sides.
This is a pretty one that lets you watch the rain and stand out in a crowd!
Who doesn't love the reminder of flowers on a gloomy, rainy day?
If this were in beige and red it'd be perfect!

Do you love your umbrella? I once had one that was made out of a Monet canvas with reds, yellows, and oranges. It was my favorite, but I left it in a theater and someone snatched it up by the time I went back to get it! Sad day, but now I have my sparkly grey one which makes me very happy and satisfies my love for all things neutral. :)

{All images via Umbrella.net}

There's a steady rain outside this morning and my windows are open.
Not my car windows, but the ones in the living room. I don't have much
hanging on these walls, so the smattering of rain drops reverberates
loudly throughout the room, creating a phantom waterfall in a corner.
It's truly an amazing sound.

{via here}

Pearls {of Wisdom?}

1. My interview went very well yesterday! {Try not to get your hopes too high, and don't quit your search prematurely}
2. I have another interview tomorrow! {It's always good to have more than one option... eggs in one basket thing...}

3. Don't hold a campus event celebrating the statue that is central to a student tradition of streaking without expecting 15+ people to actually streak during the ceremony. {too funny.. all caught on tape!}

4. We had our end-of-the-year banquet last night for the Bonner Program and it was wonderful. We'll be losing a great class of seniors and it's sad to see them go. Last night got to me more than I anticipated -- it feels like I'm graduating all over again! The first year students, whom I work with mostly, gave me this necklace as a Thank You, and I love it!! I will miss them all :) {Sometimes your work is recognized and it makes all the times you've grumbled about your efforts melt away.}
5. Gloomy weather + Already tired You = Not so fun start to the day
{Image one, two, three, four, five}

Carnival!

It's that time of the year again!
Every April we host Carnival for the Centre community and it's my favorite!

Think less this...
and more this...

{link}

I love being outside with all of the students and seeing the faculty/staff children running around. The weather couldn't be any more perfect if we had custom-ordered the day from Mother Nature! The booths are a lot of fun, the inflatables always make for a good time, and of course the concert is exciting -- this year it's the Avett Brothers (I don't know them well, but it's been a big hit with the students!). Working the event has left me really exhausted, so I'm passing on the concert to clean the apartment for my guests tomorrow (!!!). I'm so very excited to be hosting my friends this weekend :)

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

You know it's Spring when...

... a beautiful day means that a storm is coming!

{Rosiehardy via flickr}

This weekend was wonderful in every way conceivable: gorgeous weather, amazing conversation, and new friends. It's exhausting tackling tough questions and the intensity of the weekend wiped me out. Now as I sit in a tired stupor, I'm wondering if being indoors is really going to protect me from this vicious wind -- it's window rattling! I hope your weekend was equally as wonderful :)

I'm getting ready to jump puddles...

...because it's going to be a stormy night!
{via weheartit}