On one of our school's student-run Facebook pages, a professor was quoted saying "October is one of the most stressful months. It is also the most beautiful."

I am totally feeling it.

And if I'm being honest, lately I haven't really been doing that well. Every week, I am struggling to complete projects. Every week is filled with its stressful, freak-out moments. Every week, I don't think I'm going to make it to Friday. But every week, I always do make it. I get the projects done, and I'm doing my best.

But then I look at my calender and realize that the end of October is in 2 days. I realize how quickly these days are passing. I realize how I'm not paying much attention to anything that isn't due on Thursday.

So this past week, I've been really making an effort to look around and enjoy the moment. To step away from a project, take a breather, and live for just a moment. Sometimes, taking time out of a hectic day to go on a photo-spree on the Quad to capture the maple leaves is just as necessary as homework. Especially since homework will always be there. These beautiful colors will not.

Side note: I took these pictures using only the Manual setting on my camera. I've used Manual before, but I've never really pushed myself to use it as my primary setting. I've always been afraid to just go out and do it. And even though these pictures are a little over-exposed (I haven't quite gotten used to it yet), I'm pretty proud of myself for taking the jump and just doing it. If any of y'all are wondering how to make the switch to Manual, the best advice I can give is just to go out and take a few play shots, like this. I was just walking around campus, so there was no pressure. It really helped me!

rainy day nature center.

One rainy Sunday, Lonnie and I decided to check out the WNC Nature Center. We saw bears, mountain lions, wolves, owls, otters, coyotes, and many more smaller critters. It was totally worth the six bucks we payed as Asheville residents, and it was super cool to explore a new place we haven't been to yet, especially one just a few minutes away.

pinterest favorites.

from this season:

this farmhouse, because it is hauntingly beautiful.

this pumpkin spice drip coffee, because it's a super simple way to get your pumpkin spice fix.

these carved pumpkins, because I'm in love with their glow.

this cozy look, because it looks effortless and comfy.

this lovely phrase, because when I'm walking around campus this time of year, I can feel it.

this nail color, because fall nail polish colors are my favorite nail polish colors.

Autumn hit hard here this past weekend. The air has become consistently crisp and cool. The maple leaves are showing off their reds and oranges. I spent Friday night watching both The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus while eating pumpkin ice cream from The Hop. And then I spent Saturday taking an afternoon hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the leaves at their peak. Expect pictures from that trip sometime soon.

my Pinterest.

october so far.

Visiting the Thomas Wolfe Memorial House with my dad.

Lonnie and I went to a Hootenanny. This was technically back in late September, but I haven't gotten the chance to fit this photo in another post.

Taking a detour with my brother and grandmother to my aunt's house in Shelby. It was such a gorgeous day.

Flowers in front of The Moose Cafe, snapped this photo after taking my grandmother and my brother there for dinner. They loved it as much as I do. 

Spontaneous picnic beside the French Broad River with Lonnie.

Mini pumpkins I bought for my drawing class are now serving the purpose of my dorm room Halloween/autumn decorations.

I don't like candy corn, but I like these sugar pumpkins. A lot. Took a coffee break from a project and decided to buy these to nibble on because they were in the sandwich/coffee shop on campus.

renaissance.

I talked about my love for the Renaissance Festival in the post I wrote after I went last year, so I won't go in to it again. Just know that I love it.

And actually, I didn't even expect to go this year, but it happened to be opening weekend when I was home for fall break, so I went with my brother, his girlfriend, and his best friend from high school, Blaker. It was unseasonably hot. I mean like HOT hot. Like summertime hot. Upon coming back to Asheville, I have been grateful for the traditional autumn-like temperatures we've been having so far.

Going home was good as always. I spent the entire time running around my hometown trying to catch up with old friends and spending time with family. The two day long break was not nearly long enough, though. Luckily for me, my school workload seems to be slowing down before it picks back up for finals, so I've been having some extra breathing room in my free time. (Literally room for breathing. WHEW.)