How Becca Became My Bridesmaid

Becca and I have always used music to express our friendship and most birthday, Christmas, and Valentine's Day gifts have been cd's specially made for each other. So it seemed all too appropriate that when I proposed bridesmaid-hood to Becca I would ask her with music. I made a playlist of 100 songs and labeled each cd with a word of "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" and then sent them to her. It was very well received and I am so thrilled her smiling face will be up front with me when I marry Adam! 

Coconut Shell Earrings

I love when people give gifts or souvenirs that mean something and are selected because the recipient will greatly admire them. My friend Samantha brought me back these earrings from a recent excursion that are made from coconut shells and then dyed with natural materials. She was worried I wouldn't be a fan of the yellow color but I love how organic they look.

Proposing to my Bridesmaids

This week I proposed bridesmaid-hood to three of my favorite ladies. I sent my sister and maid of honor a bouquet of daisies on Valentines Day and then started working on other ways of asking the most important women in my life to stand with me when I marry Adam.

One of my favorite things is the names of nail polish colors and I found wedding-inspired colors that just so happened to have a diamond on the bottle. Rachel received a color called "Wedding Crasher," Jackie got a color called "Save the Date" and Jenny was given a color called "Aisle Be There." I put the nail polish bottles in gift bags and attached light up colored rings to the handles of the bags. The rings were a bigger hit than I ever expected them to be and each girl accepted my proposal!

Art.

I am back! I know I say/write this frequently but several times a week I think about how much I love writing and question why I don't do it enough. Then I recall this blog that I truly love. My February 20th resolution I guess is to devote more of my time to creating this blog once again. I promise!!

My friend Kristina and future Lady-in-Waiting in my wedding (details about the wedding party to come!) gave me this gorgeous bracelet today. She brought it back for me from the Cayman Islands and the beads are made from palm tree leaves. How cool is that?! As she put it, "It is bright and Sanna-like." True.

Also the green speckled ones look like Juicy Pear Jelly Belly Jelly Beans... which happen to be my favorite kind of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. 

Mu-lah

I may have at one point in my life joked that I would be pleased to be paid in grapes or ballet shoes. I have in fact, been paid in coffee and school pictures of my cousins for my exceptional babysitting skills. So when I was sent this article, "10 Most Innovative Ways to Pay Teachers" by bestcollegesonline.com I was eager to comment on all the creative ways they had developed to suitably pay teachers.

I know all my future teacher friends would be happy to be paid in alternative means, at least once in awhile. Rachel, a high school chemistry teacher this fall, would gladly be paid in beads or flowers, I am sure. Maybe even in Qdoba. Katie, a future special ed teacher would be absolutely thrilled to be paid in Hobby Lobby gift cards. And Jenny, a future elementary teacher would be paid in random things like trips to Rhode Island, more coffee (probably drank with me) and beautiful photographs.

But I guess this list makes more sense and teachers would probably appreciate these forms of payment a little more..

A Weekend for Megan

Woah! Long time, no blogging. That's ok, this post will make up for that little hiatus!

This past weekend was quite possibly the greatest weekend of my life. Here's the story...

Last summer, my second cousin, Megan Willkom was diagnosed with a devastating cancer and in the last year her entire family - near and far - has rallied behind her. And after spending the weekend with her one would wonder if there has ever been someone Megan met that wasn't instantly drawn to her. She is stunning in every way and extraordinarily vivacious.

On Friday of last week my friends, Jackie, Molly and I hit the road and spent the next 12 hours in my 15-year-old, un-air-conditioned car. They were troopers... so was my car. Once we arrived in South Bend, Indiana I was elated for the entire weekend. My cousins commented on the fact that I seem to always be smiling and why wouldn't I be? I was surrounded by family that I haven't seen in eight whole years and met phenomenal people. A theme of the weekend was all the good that has come to the Willkom family even through such an unfathomable hardship that cancer truly is.

We spent those three days with my awesome family, exploring the gorgeous Notre Dame campus, and celebrating Megan and her life.

Here is the highlight of the weekend, besides Megan's benefit on Sunday.

On Saturday night my cousin Ross, his girlfriend Maureen, Jackie and I went across the street from our hotel to Applebees for a drink. We were making fun of ourselves for drinking at the 'neighborhood bar and grill' on a Saturday night but we soon realized it was the absolutely perfect place for us to be at that time. Through showing our ID's from various states the bartender asked why we were all there. We started explaining Megan's benefit and I passed around the fliers I had stored in my purse advertising the event and Ross and Maureen gave out rubber awareness bracelets promoting LMS awareness. As the night progressed we got to know our fellow Applebee's bar-goers and one amazing gentleman bought the entire tab for everyone at the bar and wrote us a check for $1000 for Megan's benefit.

It was truly the greatest moment of my life. Everyone hears stories about stunning gifts of generosity but it is the most peculiar emotion to feel when you are actually experiencing such generosity from a complete stranger. Crying into your drink brought on a different meaning after that moment...

Needless to say, we were glad we ran across four streets of traffic to hit up the family-oriented bar!

I was in awe of this part of my family the entire weekend. The Willkom family seems to be fully encompassed by a genuine positive energy that never escapes them no matter the difficulties that befall their family. They are so united and truly love one another, not just because they are family, but because they know they have been united to some of the best people on earth. You see this family and see how much they all mean to each other and you simply want to do something good for them.

Me and my cousin Beth

Me and my incredible cousin, Megan 

Me and my cousin Katie's daughter Maddie

The trip was definitely the highlight of my summer and possibly the greatest weekend of my life.

Greatest Piece of Mail I Have Ever Received

It's a blogging blitz! This is the first post in a series of "catch-up" posts that I have neglected in the last week or so. Summer, sangria, and sunshine have gotten the best of me this week - in the best way possible!

My friend, Katie, who for the last three years has been in several different corners of the world and I have to consciously think about where she is currently calling home, sent me quite possibly the greatest thing ever. This wooden postcard arrived in my mailbox sent from Hawaii. Its wooden! My mom and I both found it comical to see three stamps smacked onto a slab of wood and called a postcard.

I have already decided that in my future home it will serve as a piece of artwork. Thats what I love about it. Many letters and postcards that have been sent my way have been transformed into artwork for my dorm room but this one is even cooler! My mom and I were also discussing the other day how we feel drawn to purchase artwork. Often at times when the money used is our last few dollars. We deem artwork that necessary. Maybe someday I will travel to Hawaii myself and pick up a token of artwork that will be paired with this postcard...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Summer

Every gorgeous day of summer I am reminded how much I love this season! I had an incredible 21st birthday weekend and realized just how loved I am and feel so ridiculously blessed by this!

My First 5K

I ran my first 5K on May 12, so yes, a little late to be blogging about it. However, it was one of the greatest and most positive experiences I have ever had and deserves a spot on this blog because the event truly emulated what I feel this blog's purpose is. Running the Avera Breast Cancer Race for the Cure with some of my best friends - Jackie, Adam, Rachel, and Molly - was my kickoff to what can only be a phenomenal summer.

At 8 a.m. on one of the first beautiful Saturdays of the season, 600 10K runners and 2,100 5K runner gathered to run. We ran through a beautiful neighborhood in Sioux Falls and I don't think I have ever been in a such a large group in which every person had a positive attitude. If everyone could experience an event like this frequently in their lifetime I think we would have a much happier world population.

Jackie, Rachel and I are running our next 5K on July 14th through Spearfish Canyon. Running in my favorite place in the world? I will be one delighted lady!

My Kindred Spirit

My best friend, Becca is finally back after departing for India back on December 27th. Our reunion was filled with hugs, coffee and marveling at how much we missed each other and love each other. She brought me back a beautiful scarf she purchased in Darjeeling and authentic Indian bangles. She knows me too well!

Sitting in the Sunshine

Colored glass bottles sitting on my giant windowsill in my dorm room are one of my favorite things and actually that giant windowsill is a primary reason of why I prefer living and working in Solberg rather than Bergsaker. Another one of my favorite things is that my friend, Kirsten knows that a perfect thank-you gift for me is colored glass bottles.

A Slick 2012

My high aspirations for 2012 have not lessened in the least, even as my least favorite month of the year is winding down. Yesterday I went sledding with a group of my favorite people and got some much needed vitamin D courtesy of the sunshine. Simple moments of holding hands with some of my best friends and shimmying down a slick hill remind me of all the incredible people I have in my life and how could 2012 not be a good year?!

Day 365

The last day of a year makes people reminisce about the last 365 days and look forward to the next 365. 2011 flew by and was absolutely wonderful and I have no doubt that 2012 is going to be even better, if that is even possible!

Yesterday I got to see my friend Laura for the first time since May which was delightful. I also have been able to hang out with Jenny a lot this break. 2012 will ring in our 9th year of being friends.

The Lovely Laura

Jenny-fer

2012 will make me a senior in college and will start my last year as a PA in Solberg. I will see some of my best friends graduate from college and will begin my 'grown-up' friendships with them. I will continue to see my two groups of girls do phenomenal things and I will meet the final batch of girls that I will be a PA to.

2012 is going to rock and I am going to do great 'Sanna' things!

Prep Work

It is Monday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. which means that I am sitting at Coffea with my mom alternating between homework and my blog. Because most days I would much rather delve into my blog than study for my upcoming finals.

I was going through all my photos that have been taken within the last three years to prep for a post I have had planned for months. Ooooh the suspense! Look for it the first day of Christmas break, Wednesday the 21st. While doing the prep work I found this photo from one of the first outings that Abbie, Kaycee and I had from freshman year!

Friends and Shopping

Today I introduced my friend, Miranda to World Market and she jumped on my tradition of outings to the wonderful store every Thursday. This isn't the first trend I have ever started. Right away I had my jewelry purchase for the week decided upon. Miranda, being the most domestic of all my friends, had to look at all the kitchen and cooking goods. She was so impressed that we then had to loop through the whole store two more times and planned meals to make during J-term! In the very near future I will be enjoying pumpkin gnocchi!

Thursday jewelry purchase

Half a Year

Today marks the 6th-month anniversary of this blog. On the first day I blogged I was sitting on the deck of the Green Bean, my favorite coffee shop in Spearfish, drinking a Blueberry Pomegranate Iced Tea Fruit Blast and listening to Coldplay. I was wearing shorts, a tank top and flip flops. Today I am sitting in my Solberg dorm room looking out to the campus sidewalks dusted with snow while drinking a cup of coffee with cinnamon and honey and listening to U2. I am wearing jeans, a sweater and boots.

It is incredible to think about everything that can happen in six months and I am sure I could babble on and on about all of the amazing-ness that has been the last six months including the adventures I have had, the exciting opportunities that have come my way and the never-ending feeling of love I am blessed to experience from a huge assortment of people. Instead I will present a sort of photo narrative.

June

Being 'Good at Summer' at the fish hatchery during my summer internship

Finn and I at the top of Harney Peak 

July

The day we became fans of rodeos! 

Camille and Grandpa on Duck Day

August

I climbed mountains! 

I have a married friend!!!

September

Four ladies at Touch of Europe

My lovely friends

October

She was truly the most deserving queen!

Queen Jackie and her royal court

November

Me and Leah and some November hiking!

Sam, Camille and I at Augie

I am sure some wonderful moments await me throughout the month of December!

June 6th-December 6th
6 months of Good at Summer!

Food For Thought

So here I sit, not-so-much writing my paper, but I am not doing anything else either thanks to my discovery of an application in which I can block certain websites for a designated amount of time. Hence, I am not able to access Facebook, Twitter, Hulu, or Netflix until 9:30 a.m. CST tomorrow.

Of course, I didn't block my own blog...

This week songs and other tidbits of lyrical knowledge have popped out at me. All of which seem blog-worthy and a credible distraction from my 25-page paper.

Pandora presented me with another gem of a song. "Maybe" by Ingrid Michaelson is very appropriate for my own life as well as basically all of my friends' lives.

This song, "Video" by India Arie, was discovered on Pandora as well and again, all of my best friends should listen to it. 

This next quote came from another blog:

"A woman, no matter her weight, is most beautiful where she is different from a man." 


Tis oh-so true.



My lovely best friend, Jackie, sent me this quote from an upcoming Zac Efron (her favorite) movie:

"It's destiny, I think. I think that's what you hope that love is... is destiny."





Over the last couple years I have received two cards by the Curly Girl Designs and depending on what kind of day I am having, both are very Sanna-like. 

I am fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world.

She dreams of mermaids and motorcycles and meeting a man who can dance.


It's true. Some days I know I am fully capable of changing the world and some days I just want to draw mermaids in chalk. 




Pandora was good to me this week and gave me a banquet of new favorite songs. Here is a few, ok more than a few, to listen to. 




All I Need- Mat Kearney
The Winner Is- Danna/Devotchka
Eternal- Sanctus Real
Top of the World- Dixie Chicks
Sweet Pea- Amos Lee
Love is a Losing Game- Amy Winehouse
Don't Let Me Fall- Lenka
Hold You in My Arms- Ray LaMontagne
Lasso- Phoenix
More Time- Needtobreathe
Something Good Can Work- Two Door Cinema Club
Hard to Explain- The Strokes
Awake My Soul- Mumford and Sons
Bad- U2
The Underdog- Spoon
Ottoman- Vampire Weekend
Skipping Stones- Amos Lee
Kids- MGMT
Pass It Around- Donavon Frankenreiter
214- The Benjy Davis Project
Syrup and Honey- Duffy


All from the Adele Station!

It's a Coffee-Filled Life

I hate to admit this but I just made an hour-by-hour to-do list for the next three weeks. And although yesterday I posted that it would probably be the last time I blogged for about a week, I obviously lied. I have half hour time slots for blogging scheduled on that ridiculous to-do list.

These last three weeks of the semester are going to be intense but will be greatly rewarded with six whole days in Spearfish that will be spent with family including John's sister, Jeni, hiking, snowshoeing and horseback riding. Christmas break will be planned according to a fun to-do list of exploring Spearfish with John and the dogs, reading oodles of non-textbooks, napping, helping Grandpa finish the duck house, decorating Christmas cookies with Grandma, and finding the Lucky Green Care Bear ornament (don't worry, I already have a blogging session scheduled for that one) and coffee dates with friends, including Laura Hey whom I will get to see for the first time since May 21st!

As if the gods of overwhelmed college students heard my prayers/pleas I received a package today with four, count them FOUR (!) boxes of coffee my grandpa ordered for me! Also in the mail was my Anthropologie catalog. I even etched in another time slot to flip through the catalog, most likely while drinking a cup of coffee.

Last night and this morning in the very wee hours before dance team, I chomped on the childhood snack of celery and peanut butter. The crunch combined with what I consider a food group will keep me going these next few weeks!

Thus pictures of what my life will consist of until Wednesday, December 21st at noon when I hit the road for Spearfish with new roadtrip playlist cd's for Mamacita and I!

Peanut butter, Celery, Post-it Notes, Adele Pandora Radio Station

Ginormous amount of coffee and lovely candlesticks in the Anthropologie catalog