NAS: Surviving parties

Linking up with the Not Alone Series again! Last one until the holidays are over!

Surviving events/parties as a singleton

The holidays are coming up! Family parties, friend gatherings... and you're single. How do you "cope"? Any tips or tricks?

Oh, this is always a fun topic. I think if you go into the events expecting the questions, it can make it a lot easier to get through. I've read articles that provide you with all sorts of witty, sarcastic comebacks for when this topic comes up, but as much as I would like to use those, I don't think they usually end well!

I find that usually just calmly answering the questions and moving along in the conversation is the best tactic. And even agreeing with them when they say things like "Well, those guys don't know what they're missing!". Instead of moping, if you answer with confidence in who you are, it becomes slightly less annoying!

There are definitely the harder questions though that eat away at your insides: There is the ever classic "Well maybe if you weren't so picky..." or, "Maybe you should smile more!" (yea, I get this one all the time). My usual response (depending on who is asking me) is to either use it as an opportunity to evangelize and explain why I am waiting and what I am looking for in a relationship, or just tell them I'm not in a place to be dating right now and that is why I am not. That is not technically lying, because if we were in a place to be dating, we would be dating because God would see that we and mystery man would each be ready for His plan to unfold.

As far as going to friend parties, I usually try to make sure I have a friend to go with just for moral support and so it is less awkward if people are in pairs.

Anyways, my advice is to just keep your chin up and don't let anyone steal your joy! You know in your heart who you are and what is going on between you and the Lord. Remain confident in His plan and say a little prayer if you're having a rough time. Maybe we can offer up these little annoyances for perseverance and patience in our future vocations.

I look forward to reading what everyone else has to say on this topic and I hope everyone has a blessed holiday season!

TBT: Cinque Terre

This Thursday, we are taking a trip back to Cinque Terre, Italy. This was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. The name means "5 Lands" and is significant because it is made up of 5 separate villages. It is seated right on the coast of the Italian Riviera. There is a path along the cliffs that overlook the sea if you wish to walk through each of the villages. We walked through them all, but took a train back to where we were staying. It takes about 5 hours to walk the path. There will probably be quite a few pictures because I foresee having trouble choosing which ones I like best ;)

Classic Italy

The river sparkled in the sunlight!

A portion of the path. You can see another town in the distance.

Some of the lovely ladies I traveled with.

Never before or since have I had pizza that tasted as good as this.

Italia

real Italian wine of course! 

Seafood pasta from the Mediterranean :)

Relaxing and enjoying gelato!

And one my friend took...she had a much better camera ;)

TBT: That one time in Gimmelwald

At the beginning of November 2009, during my study abroad program, we took a little weekend trip to Gimmelwald, Switzerland. This was probably one of my favorite trips! (Who am I kidding, I loved them all!)

We stayed at a little mountain hostel, which was adorable and seated right in the alps, and had to take a little cable car to get to the top. We spent the weekend hiking, getting to know other travelers at our hostel, drinking hot chocolate (may or may not have been spiked...) and just breathing in the fresh mountain air. There wasn't much snow where we were, but that made for perfect hiking!

My friend Caitlin and I on the train ride over

The school always gave us these sandwiches to take with us. We were so sick of them by the end of the semester!

My friend Emily and I prepared for the elements 

The view as we were going up the mountain

Our hostel!

So lovely 

On our hike

Just breathtaking.

Look what was hiding behind the fog!

Glory! 

NAS: Fave single blogs

Linking up again over at Morgan's!

Share other single-person blogs or websites that you love! 

(or include posts/articles that you've enjoyed that pertain to the single life!)

One of my favorite blogs is Made in His Image. While it isn't specifically about being single, it has a lot about building up and healing women and helping us to realize our dignity! They do have posts here and there that are more about relationships, so if you have some time, I recommend looking through them. They recently started a men's portion which has been really interesting to read things from a guys point of view as well. They just posted this, which is  geared to men, but has a lot of good points about relationships: 

"From time to time, God allows us to be single. Being single isn’t being lonely or afraid, it is growing in holiness and learning to fall in love with God. "

Love that. 

I can't really think of many other posts off the top of my head. The ones I usually read are ones that I run into on Facebook that my friends have shared. Or ones that I find through all of you ladies in this series :) So thanks for spreading the love!

And for some single-ness humor, you can always count on buzzfeed.

Edit: I just found this post and thought it was great :) It is from http://spirituallysingle1.blogspot.com and about when God makes you wait. We all know how that can be!