Platform Change

You can now find me on Tumblr. Thanks for following me here. I hope you continue to read my posts at my new site!

Thanks

ups and downs

Hey, everyone. I'm sorry I've been a bit of a lazy blogger throughout the last month. With all of the time I spent home with my family and boyfriend, the time I spent getting ready to come back to school for the winter semester, and the time I spent preparing for my new classes, I obviously lost all the time I had previously set aside to write in my blog.

The last couple of weeks have been difficult for me. I'm on an emotional rollercoaster, being reminded of positive things in my life but at the same time thinking of the bad news I received about one of my relatives.

I can't control any of it - it's all out of my hands. The only thing I can do is pray and hope that everything will be okay in the end.

Please keep my family in your prayers.

home for the holidays

There's no place like home for the holidays!

photos via weheartit

Sorry I haven't posted anything this last week - my one focus was final exams and finishing my semester out strong!

Well, I'm glad that I can put this semester behind me, enjoy my break, and spend time with family and friends this Christmas season! Make sure you look out for my new entries!

Thanks for reading!

ten things i love

I haven't been in the best mood. Last night and this morning have just been difficult for me to get through. Thank goodness I don't have class today...

In an effort to shake this off and keep my head up, I'm going to share ten things that I love with you. So, here goes:

1. Warm Delights 150 Calorie Minis with Haagen Dazs ice cream
2. Wearing rainboots and stomping through puddles on a stormy day
3. Receiving flowers just because it's Thursday
4. Bright, blue skies with pure white, fluffy clouds
5. Starting my morning off by listening to jazz
6. Good, intelligent conversation
7. Salsa dancing in Guanajuato, Mexico (where I studied abroad)
8. Feeling the cool, winter air hit my face when I spend time outdoors
9. A good cup of Starbucks coffee
10. Making people smile

Photo via weheartit

What's on your list of things you love?

keeping yourself stress-free during exams

At my university, the week before final exams is called "Dead Week." When I was a freshman, I was told that professors canceled class during dead week and that professors didn't give tests, quizzes, or homework. I can tell you now that whoever passed that information on to me was telling me a lie.

Dead Week becomes one of the most stressful weeks for most students here because, on top of starting to study for the final exams, many students still have assignments and projects to finish that will have a heavy weight on their grade. I've been placed in that kind of situation before, and it is definitely not something I'd wish on anyone.

Luckily, Dead Week seems like it won't be as hard on me this year. I'm very glad about this, considering that I stress enough during every week of the semester - any additional stress would really send me over the edge.

Photo via weheartit

I know, however, that some of you all might not be in my situation, so I'd like to send you all a few suggestions to keep your stress level down from now until the end of final exams:

1. Don't stretch yourself too thin. If you feel like you've committed to too many things during these last couple of weeks during the semester, back out of some of them. I don't condone backing out of things you have committed to, but you have to remember that your number one priority as a college student is your academics. After you're through with final exams, you can jump right back in.
2. Be good to your body. As a college student myself, I know it's difficult to stay healthy. I'm usually too busy to work out, I sometimes skip meals, and at other times I am inclined to eat the most unhealthy food instead of what's best for my body. Try to avoid these bad habits this week: Eat breakfast. Take a study break and get some exercise. Eat at a regular time (not at 1 a.m.). Reach for an apple instead of french fries. Most importantly, try your hardest to get a good night's sleep. If you can avoid it, do not pull the all-nighter!
3. Think happy thoughts. To do well on your exams, you have to think positive. Try not to put yourself down and don't let yourself believe that you "are going to fail this exam." Be confident in your ability to take your exams. Be optimistic. You never know how you performed until you receive the grade afterwards, so try to stay positive all the way through.
4. Take a break. Don't sit in the library for a whole day or a whole night without taking a break. After awhile, your mind needs to rest from taking in all of that information. So, go watch a movie with friends. Make a quick trip to the store. Go get your nails done. Or head to the rec to play a pick-up game of basketball (guys, that was for you, if you're reading!). You'll get more work done - and it will be more efficient - if you take a break every once in awhile.

I hope these suggestions helped you! If you have any suggestions to stay stress-free, feel free to post them!

december

It's the first day of December! I can't believe how fast this year, and the fall semester for that matter, flew by!

I'm ready for the Christmas season to descend upon us (not like it hasn't done that already), I'm ready to shop for presents for my family, and I'm ready to see a fresh, white snow when I go home for the winter break.

photo via weheartit

December is one of my favorite months! Is it one of yours?

black friday

I've never gone out shopping on Black Friday.

I'm thinking, however, that this might change this year. Yes, I am actually thinking about participating in the crazy shopping event that results from crowds of impatient bargain hunters.

If I go, I'm planning on taking my sister with me. I'm thinking that it will be fun...I'm always in favor of shopping for a bargain, and considering my current financial situation, Black Friday might be my only hope for purchasing the nice gifts I'd really like to give to my friends and family.

Are you going out shopping on Black Friday?