Smells of springtime...

Springtime in Auburn smells like azaleas waking up, dogwoods decorating gangly branches, crepe myrtles tossing confetti at passing cars, picnics on the Green Space, tart Tutti Frutti with toppings downtown, sweaty runners, perfumed sorority functions, earthy soil that licks my frisbee in Towncreek Park, fresh brewed coffee at Gnu's Room, bluegrass farmers markets, dry tissues covering pollen-induced sneezes, fresh cut grass watching the sun fade behind Samford Hall, it smells like summer peeping its nose around the corner.

I just love the springtime! Auburn is more relaxed, no football weekends to dominate your calendar. Girls are getting engaged every week, wedding parties match the celebration all around in the vibrant flowers that coat every local's lawn. I am enrolled in flower arranging for the fall, and am thrilled to have fresh flowers grace our apartment every week!

This summer I will be working in Birmingham at a NEW Farmer's Market/Restaurant called Urban Cook House! Check it out at urbancookhouse.com.

It will be open in June 2010 in downtown Homewood - only the most adorable strip in Birmingham! I am looking so forward to supporting local farmers, practicing my Spanish with the workers, helping publicize the new place and work alongside a friend from high school and Chi Omega.

Fact: Margaret LOVEs Farmers Markets! Anything local that shows off the personality of a city :)

True to self, I've made a list of things to accomplish this summer. It is proven that those who make tangible lists achieve much more than others who only think about things they might want to do. Mine includes cooking, sewing, calligraphy, camping, movie/stargazing nights, weekend road trips, community service, getting a runner's high and much more! I encourage you to list out random adventures that you can consult when there is "nothing to do" this summer. The more research I've done about Birmingham, the more appealing the city is to me.

Some good friends will be in the 'Ham this summer too, which will make life more exciting all around. If there are any fun recipes, I'm open to ideas! Or if you know of fun activities in Birmingham, keep me in the know :)

Thoughts on Communication

This is much more than simply my major. I am learning how to better communicate in English AND Spanish while at Auburn. The practice is coming much easier than I could have anticipated. This past week has taught me the value of open and honest communication without competition and harboring past offenses. Now that was a loaded sentence. Let me explain...

It is so simple to assume everything is "fine" between yourself and a significant other (be it friend or roommate). It is also easy to deny any need for confrontation and solving relational conflict, easy to settle for the more deceptive veil of ignorance. This, my friends, is where miscommunication thrives; soon followed by misinterpretations and unnecessarily hurt feelings.

Sometimes I do not have the guts to confront someone or I wait for that perfect moment that never seems to come when I wait for it. Last week a friend noticed my agitation and asked me straight up what he had done to turn my emotions so cold! This not only put me on the spot, but required that I think long and hard about what was the core of my inner fury. There were good reasons too that were cleared up once out in the open.

I am learning to pick and choose my battles. If someone received joy from an activity that somewhat annoys me, I learn to let it go and get over being annoyed by a silly voice or unproductive past time of theirs. Living with people is full of growing pains. I wonder what marriage is like in this regard in particular?

A community group leader told me that if you're going to have to rip the bandage, you'd better rip it fast! In other words, if a conversation needs to happen, do not delay. The only reason to delay is if you are approaching them out of selfishness. Drop the offenses, forgive them, and learn to love the complexities about them before confrontation occurs. It should not be rushed either. I'm a proponent of note-writing; this jump started a much-needed conversation on the other person's terms.

Communication is much more than a major; it is a way of life. And learning how to communicate through conflicts and much more will serve us all better in the long run.