Monday, February 14, 2011

on Valentines Day

This one might surprise some people, so here it goes.

1. Yes, it's a very Hallmark Holiday. It's a commercialized holiday that get's people to buy super over priced chocolates and teddy bears, but who doesn't want to get chocolates or teddy bears? I wouldn't be complaining.

2. "You should love everybody every day of the year" If I got a dollar for how many times I heard that line today from those cranky peeps complaining about V-Day I would be a gazillionaire. But you know what cranky butts? Just because you should, it doesn't mean it happens. Valentines Day isn't just for couple either; when I was younger my parents did a lot for me on Valentines Day just to show that they love me, and this is the case for other people too. Valentine's day may sound redundant, but for a lot of couples and families, the holiday is a reminder of what they have in their lives.

3. Just shut up. You're all mad because you don't have a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/bootycall to celebrate with. You make this really obvious in your facebook status's about how it's stupid, dumb and doesn't deserve to be a holiday. I'm sorry if you're overlooking the true meaning of the day. Instead of a boyfriend/girlfriend/anything listed above, focus your love and appreciation on your friends and family. They deserve the love too.

And I'm not saying this because I have a boyfriend.
This is mine and Austin's fourth Valentines Day together and we have NEVER celebrated the holiday. 
This is just my two cents!

I hope everyone had a great love filled day. :o)

Sunday, February 13, 2011

on being busy/studying

This is what has really got me the last week... School can be pretty overwhelming sometimes and that includes the weekend too.

Last week I had two tests that were on the same day (due to rescheduling because of canceled days due to snow) so I was stressing out. Not because I had two tests, but mainly because I had two tests on the same day. Did I forget to mention that they were 50 minutes apart?

But, despite the stress I have some amazing friends who kept me on track and focused. Now if only I could see those test grades....


1. Although procrastinating is easy, it causes more stress when it comes time for the exam/project/whatever that you've been slacking on.  I mean, I have a speech due on Tuesday that I haven't written mainly because I hate the topic. But that just means I'm going to hate my life for the next forty-eight hours because I've put it off. I'm still working on what "three people (one fictional, one famous, and one personal) I want to take on a road trip."

2. Better results in the end. The more you study over a period of time, the better your grades will be (unless it's math, in which case I will always have problems!). Studies show that when you cram or pull an all nighter you're a lot less likely to even retain the information that you need. So crack open those books!

Monday, February 7, 2011

on prioritizing

Now, I know that prioritizing is hard. Believe me, I know very well.
I mean, if I had it my way I would be going to get frozen yogurt with my best friends every night, spending hours cooking and baking each week, and then spending any remaining free time with my boyfriend and at the mall spending all the money I definitely don't have.
But, unfortunately, college is a lot different than high school or your summer life. Here, if your like me, you have to pay for your own school but you have no one to answer to; Who's going to make you go to class? Write your papers? Take your tests?
The answer is no one, except for yourself.

Here are a couple of things I do to help motivate and force myself do what I need to do:

1. Get a planner. I have a really cute one courtesy of one of my best friends. I keep everything I need in it. It even has a small pocket to keep things; I keep to do lists and grocery lists handy. For each day I have written out what I need to do (I did this when I made plans/got the syllabus for my classes) and fill in the spaces as the days go on. That way everything I need to do is available for me to see and be reminded of.

2. Have a good motivating friend. And this goes both ways. My best friend Meigan is my motivator and I am hers. We push each other and remind each other of what we need to do and what we want to accomplish. We set up study dates that can't be backed out of unless there is serious emergency, we remind each other every day of what we want to accomplish (we remind each other we need to work out, eat better, etc.) and get a jump start on what needs to get done.

3. Minimize distractions where ever you choose to get things accomplished. And this can be hard if you're a serious social butterfly like me. I have the tendency to make friends where every I go to get anything done, so sometimes I get seriously distracted. I try and go places where people have to be quiet (6th floor of the annex!) or where there won't be many people.

Like I said, it's not hard and prioritizing is a lot of self control. But having good friends can make it so much easier. :o)

Sunday, February 6, 2011

on studying

All I have to say is:

SUCK IT UP
or you will most definitely fail.


Learn how to study or college will seem impossible.

Friday, February 4, 2011

on snow

This won't really be an advice post at all! I mean, what other advice can I give than wear layers and wear gloves? Also, don't eat yellow snow. :o)

Everyone who has it: enjoy it! And stay safe!
As for now, I'm enjoying my snow day with my lovely boyfriend!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

on bad roommates

This one isn't about you Bailey! I promise. :o)
I have recently been the witness to some really shitty roommate business. Let me explain:
We'll call my best friend Jane. Now Jane has a three roommates, roommate number one, two and three.
Roommate number one refuses to hangout with Jane. They live together now because they were absolute best friends in the whole entire world. Now that it's been about seven months since they've moved in together, they never hang out. Jane invites Number One to go out to dinner, go out for frozen yogurt, dancing, etc. She always invites her to go. They now rarely hang out and only see each other in passing.
Roommate number two has just been indifferent. Nothing bad, but nothing good either.
Now... Roommate number three. This is a whole different story. Jane has always been on rocky terms with Number Three. She was a potluck roommate, so they never met her prior to them moving in. She seemed nice enough; she had decorated the apartment, stocked the kitchen and was working for the apartment complex.
A couple weeks into the semester, it started getting rocky. Number three started leaving her bike in the living room, she left all of her school supplies out in the living room and would leave dishes in the sink for up to two weeks. Jane would clean up Number three's mess and organize her school supplies so that everyone in the apartment could use the table. The following day of one particular incident including glitter and newspapers strewn all over the floor, Number three proceeded to yell and scream at Jane in front of myself and our other best friend. Things were never the same...
The most recent incident started with Number three asking Jane if she could have her birthday party in their apartment. Jane nicely told her that she appreciated her asking, but she didn't feel comfortable with her having her party there. Cause honestly... A bunch of drunk people you don't know running around your place of living can be kind of weird.
Following Jane's reply, this is a direct quote of what Number three said:
"Get over it. It's not like its hurting anyone anyways."
Jane told her not be rude.
"Screw you. My birthday. My party. I'll have it where I damn well please. I was trying to be nice and ask you first. You and I clearly don't get along.... I'll let you know if I decide to have the party here so you can make arrangements to not be here. You are not welcome to any party of mine."
Seriously? I'm definitely blessed to have a roommate that I get along with and don't mind living with.
I just feel bad because "Jane" is one of my best friends and was incredibly angry about all of the incidents.

I don't have very much true advice on this subject, but here's what I think about roommates:

1. Set "house rules". This is pretty explanatory. Me and my future roommates have already sat down and started talking about what we're comfortable and not comfortable with.

2. Understand you're feelings towards the people you'll be living with (if you know them before your living with them). Know what you love and don't so much love. Learn to deal with being irritated with a certain trait of their personality, etc. But honestly, if you have lots of problems with their personality maybe you shouldn't be living with them....

And I don't have a third piece of advice... yet.

on cold days

Alright, let me rephrase that one... on cold TEXAS days.
More specifically Texas weather.

I'm going to recap the last five day's temperature's here in College Station:
Sunday: 75
Monday 67
Tuesday: 20 
Wednesday: 23
Thursday: 25
Seriously? How is that temp drop normal? Not to mention that the windchill has kept the temperature feeling like it's between 5 and 15 degrees for the last three days!
But I digress.

I suppose the cold weather wouldn't be as killer if I didn't attend one of the largest campus's in the nation (Texas A&M's campus spans 5,200 acres!), but walked to and from class, to the rec, to the library and the annex and to even just EAT is killer. I feel like it's time for hibernation mode to activate...
Here are a couple of things that I've learned over the years of living right outside of Philadelphia (and have been reminded of now):

1. Layers, layers, layers. Obviously. I've been wearing 2 or 3 shirts, sweatpants layered over sweatpants/sweatpants under jeans, gloves, earmuffs, hat, jacket under jacket, a million pairs of socks and nice warm shoes. It sounds like a lot, but when you walk outside it's like heaven. 
2. Don't worry about people judging you for how much your wearing. They can suck it if they think you're over board. But would you rather be cold as balls or nice and comfy walking to class? I'm usually all for looking cute and stylish, but in this weather my cute clothes wearing is very very VERY limited. Even I know when it's not a good time!
3. Don't blame the cold! Blame the wind! I enjoy the winter because, when it's sunny, there's a gorgeous contrast of warm sunlight and the cold weather. It's one of my favorite feelings ever. But why is it miserable now? Because of the WIND! Especially since here in C-Stat we've been having 15 MPH gusts...

My advice is pretty limited, but this seemed super relevant! 

STAY WARM EVERYONE!
Keep your facet dripping, etc etc. :)

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

on tattoos

Tattoos are one of those subjects that are slightly controversial. Why? Because a lot of the people against body mods, specifically tattoos, are older. It's the age; when our parents/grandparents (depending on how old you are) were younger only guys in jail or in gangs had them. Which I can understand to an extent.
Well, like it or not, here's how I feel about them.

1. I am, obviously, a proponent for tattoos*. I have a few small ones. They aren't visible with the exception of my smallest one on my ankle. But again, I am pro tats to an extent.
2. The tattoos have to mean SOMETHING. The wings tattooed to your shoulder blades signify what? The little lock and key on your hip bones mean what? The stars up your ribs are cute, but what does that mean to you? Tattoos are on your body forever. Do you really want something you find "cute", "adorable" or "sexy" when you were in your late teens on your body when you're a parent and a role model?
3. Location, location, location. I'm not too fond of tattoos that are placed on your calf, neck, etc. Super visible tattoos, especially large ones, seem kind of tacky to me, especially when they don't mean anything. The sleeve is cool dude, but what kind of message are you sending your kids if you have a naked mermaid swimming around on your bicep?
4. Did I mention they should definitely mean something?




Here's a picture of my newest one:
I have always been an over acheiver; setting high standards for myself in all aspects of my life. This quote by Mahatma Ghadi is now a daily reminder of the goals I have set for myself. These goals not only benefit me, but my family, my future family and hopefully the world.