In Love

I've been in Saint Paul a little over a week now, and it's simply amazing!

I wish I had chosen CSP originally instead of Mequon. 

There's something about being in the city that blows my mind.

So much busyness. Life. 

I feel as though I'm thriving here in such a different way than last year. 

It certainly helps being in the same city as Trevor.

He moved into his apartment on Wednesday.

So after my 12:40 class, I hopped onto the Metro and got to see his apartment.

It's on the 29th floor! It also has a beautiful pool and grill area on the 3rd floor.

Last night I spent the night there (shhh, don't tell my mom). We went swimming with two of his friends from school that also live in his building. 

Then today we headed to the Mall of America to get my engagement ring (and the wedding ring) resized. I have to go without it for 2 WEEKS! It feels so wrong having it off right now.

Anyway, back on point.

The start of my school year has been great. 

I'm in love with the city (and a pretty cool guy too!)

Day One: DONE

So, today was my first day of classes here at Concordia Saint Paul!
I was super nervous and woke up like three hours before my alarm was supposed to go off.
I think it will certainly be an interesting semester.
Today seemed to drag on forever.

Mondays and Wednesdays I have:
Lutheran Confessional Writings (THL 441) from 8-8:50
Educational Psychology (ED 336) from 9:15-10:05
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101) from 11:35-12:40
then a bit of a break...
and finally...
Photography 1 (ART 241) from 6-9

Fridays are the same except I don't have Photography.

Tuesdays and Thursdays I only have:
Introduction to History (HIS 212) from 9:40-11:10


So like I said, it will be an interesting semester. Taking to psych classes is going to kick my butt. Especially because one has evaluative reading assignments at the end of each chapter and the other has a quiz every Friday. In addition to the combination of these two classes, I haven't taken to of the pre-reqs for THL 441, so I'm going to struggle a bit most likely. I've taken both OT and NT, which are half of the pre-reqs, but not Church History or Our Living Faith.
Oh boy, it's going to be a long semester.

Good thing I get to throw in the fun of wedding planning into the mix too!
Oh and I'm second shooting for a wedding in October and possibly shooting for something else in October too!

Time to go work out and hopefully some of this unnecessary stress floats away!


P.S.
If anyone wants to send me mail, here's my address!

Elisebeth Hovland
275 Syndicate St. North
St. Paul, MN 55104

Letters & Love are appreciated!

Nikon Adventures: KAT

I just realized I never shared photos from my photoshoot at Fonferek with my sister, Kat..
She was a bit more of a challenge than when I shot with Ana. Ana is a natural, of course. Anyone who knows her, knows that. So it was nice to have the opportunity to go out with someone who didn't know what to do. I learned a lot in the short shoot I did with Kat.
Here are some of my favorites!
To check out more, visit the album on my Flickr: Kat

As I am now living in Saint Paul, I would love to take your pictures if you live in the area or are even just visiting! Let me know! 

Minnesota State Fair

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to go to the Minnesota State Fair with my family!
We used to go quite frequently, but having been living in Wisconsin the past five years...it's been a while.
This was also the first time we went with my aunt and her family!

Fun was certainly had by all.
We ate until we were full..and then ate more!

Lucy and Owen in the DNR building

Drinking our "All You Can Drink Milk" for $1

Lucy and Owen after going down the giant slide with Katherine and me

Two fisting it!

Always have to get Ostrich-On-A-Stick to support Camp Omega

Selfie--photobomb by mom

Dad and Katherine enjoying their milk

Fair crowds are amazing to me

Owen, Lucy, and Katherine enjoying fresh baked cookies (Katherine is also holding onto my mom's turkey leg)

Mom got a huge turkey leg

Selfie with some milk

Holst 106

Greetings from my new home in Saint Paul!
You heard it, I've moved into my room at Concordia University Saint Paul.
I live in Holst Hall, Room 106.

Exciting, RIGHT?!

Here are some pics :)

View from Door

View from on top of my Bed

Kitchen Area

Living Room Area/Dining Space

Bathroom I share with 1 Roommate
(There is another one on the other side of the apartment)

Inside of the bathroom

Closeup of how my craft looks in my room!

The Beginning

I've been engaged a whole THREE DAYS! 3!
You know what that means...
You folks that actually read my blog I know there aren't many of you get to enjoy plenty of wedding-related blogposts about me planning for the special day! Hold on tight, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

As Trevor and I have begun our journey as an engaged couple, we have been paraded with messages of congrats and blessings.
I know the process of being engaged isn't merely supposed to be fun, it's supposed to include planning and saving money and such, but right now--I'm enjoying the bliss of being in love with my new fiance.

Also as being newly engaged, I've been bombarded with one question:

Do you have a date picked yet?

The answer as of right now: NO!

However, it needs to be picked soon...

I've been looking at some articles for some advice on picking and hope they guide us to a suitable date for us. Our main issue is the financial aspect. Don't get me wrong, we're having a small wedding. That will certainly help, but we're also going to have to begin paying for so much more once we get married. And Saint Paul isn't a super cheap place, sadly.

Well, here begins the wedding planning!

Breaking News!

Yesterday was a day I will never forget!

Trevor proposed!

I've never been more happy in my life. I'm engaged to my best friend and will get to spend the rest of my life with him.
I cannot wait to begin the wedding planning process. It's probably going to be stressful, but I think enjoyable as well.

Here's to forever!

The Starbucks Blues

Last summer, I had a delicious chai tea latte nearly every morning from Starbucks on my way to work.
Oddly, only a small dent to my bank account was made by the constant transactions.

This summer however, I've had quite the shortage of such beverages. Occasionally I stop by to get Trevor a surprise drink (and to treat myself as well). But still, notably fewer than last summer.

Due to my nanny job being in De Pere, I don't have any Starbucks really on my route to work, at least the one I take.
The few times Natalie and I have driven to swimming lessons instead of biking, I have been an awful person and left the pool to go to the Dunkin Donuts just down the way. Don't worry, I've made it back in time to pick her up every time.
I feel like I'm betraying Starbucks and my Gold Card, but dang...Dunkin Donuts has some damn good iced coffee and super cheap donuts. Perfect combo.

In 9 days, I leave for Saint Paul. Land of Caribou Coffee. When I used to live in Minnesota, I had never even tried Starbucks!
Concordia Saint Paul has a Caribou Coffee on campus, so I'm sure I will quickly find a favorite there, just as I have at both Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks.

While I'm still in Green Bay these last few days, I'm going to enjoy my chai tea latte fresh from Starbucks.

Weddings Galore!

I am a sap for a good ole wedding.
Seriously.
I bawl my eyes out.

Even with the extreme emotion high I get from a wedding, they make me feel old.
Yes, I know..I'm only 19.
So young, right?

Well the past two weekends, two couples that I went to high school with have gotten married! WOW!
Now the totals are in from those I went to high school with...
From the Class of 2010: Married: 5(Bo&Rachel, Matt&Steph, Kyle) Engaged: 1(Sarah)
From the Class of 2011: Married: 2(Spencer&Lindsay) Engaged: 0
From the Class of 2012: Married: 0 Engaged: 1(K'Leigh)
From the Class of 2013: Married: 1(Chelsey) Engaged: 2(Nick&Ana)
From the Class of 2014: Married: 1(Nikki)

I think that's it, at the very least--it's the minimum. How crazy.
It's so exciting that so many of these people have started their lives with the ones they love already!


On another note, but that is still wedding related...
Trevor has booked to shoot two weddings this coming fall!
He's asked me to second shoot with him!
I'm so excited.
Pinterest will be heavily monitored by the two of us as we hunker down and learn the ropes of wedding photography. And better yet, we can do that together!

One of the weddings he's shooting is for two Pizza Ranch managers! It'll be quite interesting seeing people from work in such a different environment..especially that of a wedding.
Regardless, I am looking forward to the challenge that will be presented in second shooting these weddings with him. I know it's going to be difficult, but it will push me to become much better.

My Nanny Saga Comes to an End

This next week will be my final week with Natalie.
Crazy.
It seems like the summer has just begun, and yet I had to give Natalie's family a notification of when would be my last day with her.
We're trying to slam out what was on our Summer 2014 list of things to do, but I know we won't finish.
Friday we had quite a bit of fun though!
We had some more fun with chalk...

I also made her an adorable flower crown. I wanted one for myself, but we picked barely enough flowers for one for her...

We also made some delicious layered drinks, but I didn't get a good picture of them. Our bottom layer (with the highest sugar content) was Ginger Ale. The next layer was Lemon Lime Gatorade. The final layer was Sprite Zero. I was nervous it wouldn't work, and the flavors would mix, but my worries subsided when the Ginger Ale and Gatorade stayed separate. It was quite a fun drink for a hot summer day!

One Year

August 2, 2013--the day I had my first kiss with a truly incredible guy
August 2, 2014--a year later still with the same amazing guy.

It's crazy to see what a year can do to a person. Many things change. I'm so glad that this past year I have had one reliable thing in my life. He's not going anywhere. And I trust that he's going to be beside me for many more years.

I'm so in love with him and I can't wait to experience life with him. We have so many adventures ahead of us.

I love you, Trevor.
With all of my heart.