This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!!

It's SO easy to become a zombie.

Figuratively, of course.
That everyday cycle that make up our day-to-day lives can get tedious. It isn't hard to go on autopilot and mindlessly walk from class to class.

So, that means it's time for me to make another one of my epic lists.

AWESOME WAYS TO RELAX

1.) Scents

Now! This may not be for some people! I know my friend Emily doesn't find perfumes and scents to be reason to frolic, like I do. But certain smells really mellow me out. And it's proven, certain scents make you feel different ways, and you associate smells with memories. To me, lemon smells clean...probably because a lot of cleaning products are lemon scented. Studies show that lemon refreshes and energizes, eases tention, and hightens mental clarity. Lavender is calming. Jasmine alleviates stress and wards off depression. And how many of us have heard that sucking on a mint before a test can help boost your performance.

We also associate smells with memories. I can't tell you how many times I've been depressed to finish off a bottle of perfume and toss it without feeling like I'm trashing part of my memory. Pure Seduction from Victoria's Secret (yeah, I know, classy name) is what I wore all through my junior year of high school. And everytime I smell that bottle I have a faint feeling that brings me back to those days. So pick a new scent, and control what memory it brings to mind.

For example, I LOVE Dancing Waters, from Bath and Body Works. I used the soap in the shower, the lotion at night, and I spray the body splash whenever. Since I use the soap and lotion during times I'm winding down...naturally I associate the smell with relaxing. So when I spray myself with it before running to a class, it helps ease my mind.

Plus, having an awesome scented soap kinda make taking a shower more of a relaxing thing than a "jump in the shower".

2.) Keeping a clean living space

I'm a big neat freak person. When you're frazzled, a disasterous room doesn't help. The worst is coming home to an unmade bed.

To the people that say "whats the point to making your bed? You're just going to mess it up again when you go to sleep"

Do you SHOWER? You know, since you're only going to get dirty and have to shower again tomorrow??

SO. Try it out. Spend a slow sunday totally cleaning your room. Hit all the spots, even the closet. Organzie your desk and your school folders. Use furtinure cleaner. Dust. You'd be surprised at how homey your room can be once your put forth the effort to maintain it. Just having space to lay on the carpet is my favorite. I always found my room to be something I'd want to invest it. I simply CANNOT live in a room with white walls (college is kinda killing me) and I take pride when my friends come over and compliment me on my fun teal walls. Making a day out of painting your room could be a good way to blow off a slow weekend. You don't even have to paint all your walls, just one accent wall could totally change the mood of the room. Cool blues and lilacs can be soothing, while hot pinks and melon colors make it fun and girly. Heck, even paint the closet some crazy accent color! You'd take pride in knowing you put the work in, and will be more likely to relax in your room since it's a place you associate with doing things for yourself.

3.) Music

My favorite! Without a doubt. I'm biased, of course, since I'm a musician. Above is a picture of Mairead Nesbitt, violinist for the Celtic Women. If you've never heard their music...

YOUTUBE! NOW!

It's the PERFECT music to chill to while doing homework. They're singers that sing like angels. And in their live performances, they always wear amazing gowns, and Mairead Nesbitt is this tiny pixie like thing that dances and fiddles away. They're amazing. Enya is another artist that just makes awesome background-worthy music. No offense, Enya. And, of course, Bach is awesome to do homework to, since his compositions usually arn't wild enough to draw my musician-attention away from what I'm doing. Franz Shubert is probably too busy for me to focus (again, a musician thing, I start to notice key changes and jumps from major to minor...instead of my math assignment.)

While working out or cleaning...eh, I'd listen to something else a bit more on the pop side (or 80's, actually). But finding the music to fit your mood is part of what helps you take a load off.


4.) Go Outside

Get outside. Sign out of Facebook,  stop texting your grandma, put down that Twinkie, and put your shoes on. I read somewhere recently (probably on Yahoo! News) that college students that take at least 20 minutes a day to spend outside end up doing better academically. Take it from me, this semester I've been making time to go jogging with one of my girlfriends from school. Granted, jogging isn't exactly "relaxing" when you're out doing it, but you get this euphoric feeling once you're done. And I've always hated to run. Making time for myself to work out not only gets me away from the text books and sheet music, but helps me slim down, adding to my self confidence, which IS relaxing!
And you don't have to run. Walk with a friend (aim to always be with someone, not alone) ride your bike, or sit outside and chat with your mother, or sister...great-uncle. Whatever.
I tried doing my homework outside one...and all my papers flew away...so wouldn't say bring it with you, ha. But taking the dog out for a walk, much better!


5.) Spend Time with God

The best for last.

Everything mentioned above is NOTHING compared to the state of mind that being close to God can bring. You could be getting a massage on the beaches of Hawaii, listening to someone playing the harp, and you could never be as relaxed as when you lay it all down for Him. Got a problem? Stressed? Worried? These things are flecks of dust in comparison to how being close to God can make you feel. Take a moment stop and appeciate. You think it's cool when your friend designs websites? Have you looked at your own body lately? How amazing is that? Could any of your friends learn how to make a human? No. Can they design a planet? A whole new set of elements? No, no, and no. God created this whole UNIVERSE. Everything. And he made you. Jesus come to die for our sins. Jesus is our gift from God, a gift that no one could ever EVER outgive. So if you're stressed about fighting with your boyfriend, or rear-ending a car, or losing a job...pray. Pray...in thanks. In thanks for today. In thanks that you're alive. In thanks that you have made it this far in life. In thanks that you have a pair of feet and a set of arms. In thanks that, through Jesus Christ, you have a way to get into Heaven. And if you have no feet and no arms...thank him for everything else you have.

Establish this whole new mentality. Nothing can do great damage to you because you're a girl of God. Get involved with the Bible. Smile more often. Talk with God. He has his ways of talking back.

And, trust me, when he talks back...whoa. It's amazing.

I Wanted More

Matthew 16:26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

I'm listening to Taylor Swift and I'm in one of those inspirational moods...

Lucky you! Heehee.

Tell me if you can relate to me when I say this: I've wanted more that I do not need. Remember a few blogs back when I wrote about materialistic desire? It's a part of everybody. I've seen girls at school walking around with a sleek new Coach purse, or a pair of amazing designer sunglasses, maybe a Tiffany's ring, a brand new sports car...yup. It's easy to long for beautiful things that you don't have.

Have you ever seen that MTV show, Super Sweet 16? Where the birthday girl has a mega-expensive party, and always gets this brand-spankin'-new car with a big red bow on it? And the girl acts all surprised, and her classmates are all "I WISH I WERE HER!"

Give me a break.

There was a point, pretty recently in my life, where I'd find myself wishing I had things other girls had. For example, lets say, back when I was in high school I wanted a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses.

Those are the exact pair. Last year they were reaaaally cool, and I had a friend in Virginia that had this pair. I really liked the way they looked, plus, since they're designer they kind attact a little extra attention. I never had a pair of expensive sunglasses before, I would look at them online and think about how killer I would look at the beach with those on.

For my 18th birthday my mom got them for me! They were pricey, so it was my main big gift (she got me earrings and a ring besides the glasses) and it wasn't until after I had them that I realized that they really did make me look kinda cool...but they didn't make people like me. Sure, maybe when I wore them to marching band practice people noticed them, but they didn't make me any friends.

So when I see a girl my age driving a sweet car...I know that it's the car I like, not her. Now, if I met Sweet Car Girl and she was awesome, then perfect! I like her. Not just her car.

Main point: The only thing you can take to Heaven is yourself.

You can't take your dimond earrings to Heaven with you. It's important to be known for YOU, never "the girl with the car" or "the girl with the Channel heels" or "the girl with the amazing clothes". Think! How much better would it be to be known as "the girl with the contagious laugh" or "the girl who is always smiling" or "the girl who is really genuine"

Yeah, there are going to be people out there that won't notice your awesome qualities.

Do you REALLY want to be friends with those people?!

In high school, I was big into the marching band, and I had tons of "friends" that would only say rude "jokes" to me, or make fun of me, whatever. I grew to have little tolerance for that garbage. Make friends with people who notice your Godly qualities.

People that notice those qualities won't care what car you drive, if you even have a car, or if your bedroom furniture is miss-matched, or if you bought your backpack and hoodie from Wal-mart.

WHO CARES?!

If you can't afford clothes from stuck-up mall retailers, who cares? Make your $15 pair of jeans from the clearence section of Target AMAZING by wearing your confidence on your sleeve. Don't resent your parent or guardian just because they can't give you a Prada handbag for Christmas. If you're going to resent them, have a real reason.

This past semester I did some volunteering at a couple of churches handing out free food to people in need. Wow, what an experience. Never in my life have I felt so thankful for what my parents have provided for me. Just think of what it would be like to not have a bed to sleep in, or shoes that fit. I remember taking a quick break from handing out food with my roommate to walk to my car and put our hoodies away since we weren't cold...and I looked at the line of people that had their belongings in shopping carts. The lucky ones had run down cars that were probably twice as old as I am. There I was, clicking the buttom to unlock my car, which is a mere 6 years old. And I would admire newer cars? It wasn't until then that I gave myself a mental slap in the face and felt on the verge of tears, thinking of how grateful I am to my parents, who provided me with so many things I didn't even have to work for.

You get caught up in the rush. You think you deserve everything you have. Remember that we're nothing without Jesus Christ...so what makes us think we deserve millions if we don't honestly work for it? The Bible says lots of things about riches. I've read stuff against it, and stuff about how God has blessed someone to have wealth. It's not a bad thing to be blessed. Just remember you're everything you are under God's grace and mercy.

Okay! Movie suggestion time! If you haven't seen The Blind Side yet, you have to see it! This movie goes perfectly with the theme of this post. Plus, Sandra Bullock is beast. In a feminine way, that is. If that's possible.

So! What I want to convay is not that luxurious material things are evil, no.

The way I think about it is...all my "expensive material belongings" need to play a part in me pursuing a genuine lifestyle. My car takes me to work, school, church, out to spend time with my equal-minded friends. My pearls from my dad and aquamarines from my mom are things I can wear that remind me of my graduation (since they were my gift). My Ray Ban sunglasses remind me how much my mother is willing to spend to make me happy on my birthday (when really, just spending time with her made my happy enough). My clothes...well, I work for those, and spend my own money on them. But never would I ever trade any of those things for the meanings behind them.

It doesn't hurt to find a way you can help out people that don't have the means to live a good quality of life. You don't have to change the world...just aim toward one person at a time if you need to, you'd still make a difference. If you know a girl at school that lives in povery...share with her. The most valuable things you can give someone is your time and effort. Show her you care by inviting her to sleepover, or go to the beach, or come over and paint nails together. I promise, it would be hard for someone to forget you once you've shown them such kindness.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Modest is Hottest in Spring



Spring is AWESOME.

I've never really appeciated Spring like I do now that I live in South Carolina, where it actually gets cold in the winter. I'm so ready for it to be warmer, ugh! I got so excited to see the new clothes American Eagle rolled out with the last time I went to work. I've noticed a few pretty cool trends with spring attire that I personally love.

Relaxed Clothes

I love the look of more relaxed clothes for these reasons

1.) It's casual and attractive

2.) Hides a belly we may have neglected during winter..(ahem..)

3.) If they shrink in the dryer...who cares, it was big in the first place!

4.) A flowey top looks great with skinny jeans

5.) "Boyfriend" style jeans compliment a fitted top

6.) It's modest!

Bright Nail Polish

My latest obsession...fun nail polish colors. I've alway been the pale pink nail polish kinda girl...but, alas, since this one faithful day that I realized that there will come a time when I'll be too "adult" to paint my nails certain colors (teal!?) I freaked out and decided to rebel. I colllected so many colors over my winter break. It's just more fun to play my flute, or fold clothes at work, or type on my laptop when I have some fun purple color painted on my nails!

Scarf

They confused me a little...only because I've never been really big on them. I have plans for wearing a scarf, though! I think this year I want to aim at buying more plain t-shirts that I can spice up with a scarf. I also think that they go well with a tanktop if you're not wanting to expose too much of your chest, but still want to have bare shoulders. American Eagle has gotten so many cute ones this Spring, I have to contain myself..!

Statement Earrings

  I have this thing for earrings. They're my favorite piece of jewelry. I love dramatic earrings because I'm not big on wearing a lot of different jewelry at the same time. Most of my jewelry is dramatic on it's own (besides my pearl necklaces and set of aquamarines, those go with eachother) and I don't like wearing both dramatic earrings AND a eye-catching necklace...so for me, it's one or the other! Wearing a plain white t-shirt with a pair of fun earrings is the best! It's a simple yet special at the same time. It's difficult to find a way to not look overdressed, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy to know what looks right and what is too much. And if you don't have your ears peirced...no biggie! Buy clip-on backs (I know they have them at Michael's and Hobby Lobby, or at any jewelry making place) and convert them with a small pair of pliers! Easy.

This pair of red jeweled earrings are GORGEOUS. They're the perfect mix of simple and elegant. You could pair them with a flowey black v-neck...or a little black dress for a date ;)

Cute and delicate, yet have a flair of their own. You could really show off a pair like these with your hair up in a ponytail.

How sweet are these?!

 

Perfect for spring! Earrings with jewels in them really turn heads outdoors, where the sunlight can catch them :) These would really brighten up your gorgeous face, heehee.

Had to throw in a pair of earrings I actually made myself, haha! Earrings that dangle and catch the light in the room are, in my opinion, the most fun.

I warn you, though...avoid HEAVY earrings. Sure, a lot of bigger earrings are also the heaviest, but the look of a weighed-down earlobe is awkward.

Hope this was fun to read! God bless!

Make Up?

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

 1 Peter 3:3-4

 So...make up.

Some people love it, and some people hate it.

Some use it because it makes them feel prettier, and some people don't use it because they never learned how.

Here is my opinion:

Make up should be use by young women and adults to enhance what is naturally given to you, not to paint yourself a new face. This is what my mother taught me, and what I am passing on to you. Here is a trick to know if you're "painting a new face": if you look totally different without make up on.

I'm keeping God in mind when I think about the reasons why I use make up. I know a lot of girls who choose not to wear make up for many reasons, to not conform, they don't believe it's Godly, they don't find they need it, their own mothers didn't, they're not girly, tons of reasons. And they're all fine-- but if you're like me you'd use make up sparingly.

What I mean is, don't cake your face. An important step to embracing youself is to realize that God gave you the face you have, don't regret it, no matter what it looks like. The REAL beauty is inside. Here is what I generally use as far as make up goes:

1.)Base

What I consider the most important (for my face, yours may be different) step. It's difficult to find your exact color, but if you don't have flawless skin that never gets red in spots or shiney, it makes a welcoming difference. I like using a base because it smooths your face out for an even complexion. I normally just put it on once a day-- in the morning.

2.) Eyeliner

I love eyeliner. Mostly because it could be either simple or dramatic. I usually stick to simple, although I do have a love for sky blue eyeliner every once in a while, just to spice things up. I use black the most, but only on the bottom, since my eye are deepset and if I wore it on the top, merely blinking would smudge everything. If I'm feeling a real casual day, I'll go for brown eyeliner instead :)

3.) Eye shadow

Now, I don't use eye shadow every day, but I usually have a brownish glittery one I like to use on casual days. It looks good with my skin tone (I'm on the darker side) and I like having a slight bit of glitter. If my outfit calls for it, I'll wear a colorful eye shadow, I love purple, pink, sometime blue...I tend to stay away from green, I think it looks weird on me...cream, whatever! I just never put too much on.

4.) Mascara

I apply once a day and I'm good! I think it completes your look in a polished way.

5.) Blush

A good final touch, so you don't look too washed out by your base.

Again, everything I've said is my own opinion, not saying you should take it, but it's something to think about. I thinking highly of my friends who choose to not wear make up as a way to dedicate themselves to the Lord, I just personally have other ways of dedicating myself to him. :)

God bless!

Obsessions

My current obsessions!

I’m in love with lots of things. Some of these things I’ve loved, like, forever. Others are recent discoveries.

J

1.)    Music!

If you guys didn’t already know, I play the flute! I’ve been playing for going on eight years now. I’m a music education major at my university and I love it! Music means a lot to me because I’ve always wanted to peruse it, but that little voice in the back of my head told me I wasn’t good enough…but when I had to choose a major I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t follow my heart (I know, cheesy line!) so I picked music ed. and I haven’t looked back since!

2.)    The Little Mermaid

LOVE HER!

My all-time favorite Disney movie EVER: The Little Mermaid. I don’t know what it is, but I just adore Ariel! I love being in the water and my happy place is at the beach, so maybe that’s it. I just love the idea of a mermaid! So stuff with Ariel on it is like the number 1 subject of which I get fun gifts. I have a poster, an amazing snow globe, a jewelry box, a painting I made, a purse, a glittery frame…ugh, list goes on.

3.)    Button-downs

Probably my favorite thing to wear is a button-down shirt with a pair of jeans or shorts. I love the laid-back yet feminine feeling of pairing a button-down with a lacey camisole underneath and leaving the first three or four buttons of the shirt undone. Plaid, stripes, floral, flannel, black, white, I love them all! I have a ton—most of them, honestly, are from Hollister Co. Those tend to fit me perfectly. My favorite right now is a pink and white vertical striped cotton one from Hollister.

4.)    Lip Gloss

 

I call it an obsession. My family would probably say I’m suffering from a disease which the symptoms include intense lip gloss purchasing. I have, my gosh, probably like 20 tubes of lip gloss. I love it because I’m not an intense makeup person. I like to spend 3 minutes on it and go. I’m also big on looking natural. It ties into the modest thing, annnd with my own personal preference. I just can’t take myself seriously in some bright red lipstick. So I grab a fun colored lip gloss and I’m good!

My favorite brands are Beauty Rush, from Victoria’s Secret and Liplisious, by Bath & Body Works.

(I mean, both Victoria and Bath & Body are owned by the same people, so that makes sense.)

5.)    Sushi

 

Oh my gosh I just got so hungry.

SUSHI!!

My favorite food! Don’t ask me how, I grew up in a Hispanic household yet I’m in love with sushi. I love California rolls, Shrimp Tempura, most of anything that’s hot/spicy, tuna rolls…oh man. A lot of sushi places have their own creations that you just can’t get anywhere else. My favorite FAVORITE sushi place is in Virginia Beach, and it’s called Volcano Sushi. Their “Volcano Roll” is the best thing on Earth. It’s hot, of course, and kinda shaped at an angle, like a volcano! J

And besides…using chopsticks just means you’re a rock star.

6.)    Harry Potter

This should have been, like, number one.

I am the resident Harry Potter freak of, um, EARTH? Just kidding…I’m pretty normal. Just a closet nerd. I’ve been reading Harry Potter since it was in Boarders on the “Best New Releases!”  table. And I’m talking about the first one. YES! Before everyone started reading it, before it was a movie, before the third book was even out. Oh yeah. 1998 I think it was when I started. And I never stopped. For my 12^th birthday my dad and stepmom threw me a Harry Potter themed party (we played Quidditch) and then on my 19^th birthday, just this past summer, my mom took me and my brother Alex to the NEW Harry Potter section of Islands of Adventure in Orlando. It was amazing. I got a wand and a scarf.  I think my family has been waiting for me to grow out of Harry Potter.

Not happening!

I’ve read the first three books literally, at least 30 times each, then fourth one maybe 15 times (I know, slackin!) the fifth one like ten times, the sixth one only like 5 times, and I need to reread the seventh one! I’m currently reading them all over again, book by book, at least one chapter a night before I go to sleep at Anderson. In the first semester I managed to reach book five!

7.)    Vera Bradley

This one is still quite a new obsession of mine. Since I started school in South Carolina I’ve noticed these quilted bags everywhere. At first I was like “Um, that’s a blanket” which soon turned to “Wow…must be kinda warm in there…maybe I want one” which turned to “Mom, I want this Vera Bradley laptop backpack in the “Make Me Blush” pattern for Christmas, THANKS!”

I love the store to death now. It was a very Vera Christmas for me—I got the backpack and planner from my mom, then a purse in the same pattern, with a matching wallet! Yesterday I went out with my best friend and bought a laptop skin, and that’s about all my stuff so far! I have my sights set on a “Large Duffle” for my birthday, perfect for the little traveler like me! Plus, you can just wash them when they get dirty.


Thats all I can think of for now, but trust me I have lots more.
I'll have to do another one of these soon
God bless!
:)

 



My Fun Miracal Stories

     Whether it was during a time I was stubborn and didn't believe in God, or a time when I know him and needed him, God has had his ways of showing me He in all around me. It's insane, the warming feeling I get when something happens to me and I KNOW it was his doing. He lets me know He's there, and it just leaves me with the most fun stories.

     One of my stories

I'll start off with the day I was saved. It was a life-changing day presented in the form of something terrible. In my sophomore year of high school I had this boyfriend. We'd been dating for a while. It was the week before the Wind Ensemble had their "MPA" which was our big competition, and our band director told us the friday before "Be careful this weekend, okay? I don't know what I feel I need to say this, but I was you all to be careful, our preformance is next week."

      That night we planned to meet his sister and her boyfriend at a movie, so I got ready in my room listening to "We are Broken" by Paramore, which was playing on suffle in my iPod speakers. My boyfriend (ex-boyfriend now) came to pick me up in his blue 2002 Hyndai Accent. We stopped at 7-11 and got a Monster energy drink, then went to get gas. I sat in the car waiting for him to pump the gas when I heard him all upset. He got back in the car and told me his credit card wasn't in his wallet. He was a pretty forgetful person, so I suggested he probably left in on his dresser at his house, and that it's only a 10 minute drive back. He was angry, and irritaed. He pulled out of the parking lot and started driving tword his house. It was around 7p.m. and it was already dark. He didn't see a car making a left turn until the last moment. He jerked the stearing wheel to the left, but that only turned the car to the point where I'd get the impact of the crash.

I wasn't wearing my seatbelt.

Everything happened in such a rush I don't even remember the crash. I just remember opening my eyes again and seeing the car full of smoke-- like a bomb had gone off. My boyfriend shouted and asked if I was okay. I thought about it. I said I was okay, and he told me we should get out of the car, since, you know, it was smoking and all. I opened the car door with my right hand, and got out. It wasn't until I got out that I realized my right hand was feeling funny.

Someone who had seen the crash called 911. I laid down the the grass on the side of the road, surrounded by these teens that had seen it happen, haha, they were cute, one girl was holding my hand. They called my mom, let her know, she of course was freaking out. But as I was laying on the grass looking up at the stars it hit me-- hard. I had NO seatbelt on, we were driving at 45 mph and hit a stationary car, and I was okay.

In the hospital room, once I'd gotten there, I felt the angels around me. For the first time in my life I not only believed in God, but he had shown Himself to me, and his amazing power and love.

Most important day of my life.

Okay! These stories I have left are fun and not scary like the last one, ha!

One day, at Anderson, I had just bought a brand new book of stamps and I had lots of things I needed to mail, including financial things for school. I had a gift for my little brother-- a Batman hat-- that I packed in a big envelope. I wasn't sure how many stamps I should put on it, so I took my book of stamps to the postoffice on campus. They told me four, okay, I put four, then I tucked my remaining stamps in my music bag and went to go practice for a couple of hours.

Once I'd gotten back from practicing I planned on mailing another letter. I looked in my music bag for my stamps...but they were not in there!

Frustrated, I went back to the practice room I was in, all the was across campus, and they weren't in there either. I searched my desk, my other bag, inbetween papers. Nothing. Defeated, I just went to the store and bought more.

That night I skipped dinner in the caf and planned to just have cereal in my room. I poured a bowl of Chex and set the box down on the flat surface of my desk. SOMEHOW, I believe it was Him, the box of cereal, which was on a flat surface, tipped over and all the cereal went everywhere!!

I was pissed. I got the vacuum from next door and started moving furniture around to clean up.

Behind my desk were my stamps I'd lost.

Another story of me losing things! haha.

This one is about my piano book. Every music education major has to study piano. I'm a beginner, so I had to buy this crazy $50 piano book to start learning. I had piano class on Thursdays at 10a.m. I got up that morning, looked everywhere, and realized I'd misplaced my piano book.

I've never been this terrible with losing my stuff!

I only took my piano book to class, then back. Thats it! It has never been in my car, or in another classroom, none of that.

I went to class without my book and just practiced scales.

The next week I was blessed, because piano class was cancled!

But the next week I wasn't so lucky. Defeated, I walked myself over to the campus bookstore and asked if they had the piano book since I'd lost mine.

The lady behind the desk was like "What color is it?"

"Purple."

She had it behind the desk. My name was in it and everything.

"I found it here in the bookstore, on a shelf!"

How on earth??

God again :)

The last story I'm going to share today is about my waterbottle and my umbrella.

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I love my waterbottle and carry it everywhere. Practice, class, work, caf, you name it. Annnnd then I lost it.

Why did this keep happening to me?

So, two days after I'd lost my bottle, it rained. I took my umbrella as I walked to my music theory class. When class was over it had stopped raining, so I didn't notice that I'd left my umbrella in class.

So now both my waterbottle AND my umbrella were missing, lost on different days.

Next time I went to band rehersal, both my waterbottle and my umbrella were sitting next to eachother on the seat I normally toss my bag on.

CRAZY!

:)

Jesus loves me! Teehee.

My First Semester of College: My Tips

The end of 2010 has inspired me to write a blog about my first semester of college!

How blessed I am, to be able to persue a higher education! I'm a student at Anderson University, a small Christian/Baptist college in Anderson, South Carolina, studying Music Education. I chose to go to this school over Florida State, which was always my dream college, beacause I honestly didn't think I was strong enough to go to a secular college and not fall into the temptations to party-- I mean, I would never do any kind of drug, I know that for a fact, I think it's trashy, (sorry friends of mine who do weed, but it's very true) but I can't say I wouldn't be tempted to drink. And FSU is a school where parties are how people get together socially...I wanted away from that and closer to God, because I knew I'd fallen away.

But I'm great now! I love my school, my new friends, the music program, and my job!

I'll tell you some things I learned since being at school.

1.) Mail in Always Exciting!

This is my first time ever having my OWN ADDRESS! I check my mailbox everyday, and almost always twice a day (the mail truck comes at different times, lol) I've learned that if you send letters/packages you might receive some in return! I've burned through so many books of stamps-- I love sending letters to my awesome childhood friend from when I lived in Miami. And writing letters is a great way to spend 20 minutes as your quiet time. My mom and stepmom usually are the ones who mail me stuff, and let me tell you, it may sound silly to you right now, but I get so excited when I get stuff as simple as gum, candy, Halloween socks, and kicknacks mailed to me. I usually hum myself a little song while I happily tote a package back to my dorm room, haha, which kinda goes like this:

"La, la, la, got a package!

Whoo-hoo, package!

Tralalalala....package!"

2.) Invest in Earplugs and a Sleeping Mask

Roommates have lots of pros! ....and cons. I have two other roommate, in a small room. Sometimes I get to sleep in while one of my roomies needs to wake up early. If you have a roommate who showers in the morning and runs the blowdryer...you're going to want some earplugs so you can keep sleeping, because sleep is GOLDEN. And if your roomie needs the lights on, keep an eyemask handy. I'm really sensitive to the light when I sleep, so I even went the extra mile and hung up black curtains around my bottom bunk, to keep my little cove nice and dark so I can sleep.

So yeah, an eyemask was definatly in my stocking this Christmas and I was excited :)

3.) Getting Cute Supplies

This Vera Bradley "laptop backpack" was on the top of my Christmas list this year! I definatly over packed to come to school, and brought too many purses. I had a purse for my history and spanish class, then another for music theory, and another just of sheet music...sometimes I would forget I took my pen out of one of the bags and put it in another...or I would misplace books and freak out. I saw this bag and fell in love with how cute it is (Vera Bradley is very popular in Anderson...teehee) and I know that if I have a bigger bag to fit all my books for my classes that day it will help me become better organized.

You NEED A PLANNER in college. Everything is so fast paced that you'll forget stuff for sure if you don't write everything down. Get a planner early-- I spent a week without one (everywhere was sold out!) when I started school and was totally lost until I bought a plain one from my school's bookshop. I personally just got a real cute one from Vera Bradley that goes with my new backpack (another Christmas gift!)

I'm an artsy girl, so having fun things to work with at my desk help me feel less bored while I'm studying or doing homework. I have musical paperclips, fun folders, and a pink desklamp. To me, the cuter the stuff is more likely I am going to study. Or if you're a musician like me, I love to clip my music together with those paperclips, and keep a pretty binder separate for my private lessons.

4.) Remember Where You've BEEN!

Pictures are super important to me. I just got two for Christmas and couldn't be happier. I have pictures all over my walls...it's easy to get lost in a sea of people you barely know in a new place, so coming back to my desk to see the faces of the people I love is soothing. Also, when people come to visit me, they can look at my pictures and see where I've been. I've never felt as accomplished and thrilled than the time I spent my senior year of high school being my marching band's drummajor-- that was the turning point of my whole life! When I decided to go into music, when I proved to people who doubted me I could do it, and when I discovered that through hard work, and a lot of praying, I could be anything I wanted. SO. I have pictures of me conducting up, and when my musical friends come to visit me they go "Oh! You were drummajor??" and I remember my confidence.

Now...don't go too overboard. Make sure you leave room for pictures of new memories you make and don't forget to live in the present.

5.) Christmas Lights!!!

Mkay, the lights in the picture arn't Christmas lights, but same idea. I love my Christmas lights, I have them strung around my bed and over my desk area. It's just something fun to brighten up your life (haha, get it...brighten??? Lame, I know) And I've since discovered...at my school they don't allow extension cords, but DO allow Christmas lights..

Which are like secret extension cords!

Who knew?

I want pink ones now.

6.) It Will Rain

Oh man, another item that was at the top of my short Christmas list was a pair of rainboots. Big time. It rains like crazy in Anderson, and my poor ballet flats have been getting soaked! I've never worn rainboots before college, they are not really a Florida thing, honestly. But once I got to Anderson and spent many mornings with sopping flip flops and jeans, I was watching the girls in their cute rainboots with longing eyes.

I got a cute pair of Capelli rainboots in a fun peacock pattern. I also got a pair of black fleece liners for them, which are awesome! Here is an example in white:

You put them on like socks over jeans or whatever you've got on, and you stick your foot in your boot, and BAM, it's warm! And looks cute when you roll the top of the liner over the top of your boots.

And then, of course, an umbrella.

A small one that will fit in your bag is nice, but you can make friends by having an umbrella that can shelter two ;)

Because a cute boy is bound to have neglected to bring one.

7.) Quality > Quantity

This has always kind of been a personal rule of mine. I've always had a thing for more expensive clothing. It's not like I have a lot, I just would rather get more bang for my buck. I'd rather buy one pair of jeans from American Eagle for $40 (technically less for me, since I get a discount there) than two pairs at Walmart. I'm confident that my jeans from AE will have a longer life and a better fit. I never liked to be cheap when it comes to things I use on my body, whether it's clothing, face cleanser, shampoo and conditioner, or even detergent. And when it comes winter, I was COLD. Being from Florida I had no real winter wear. I figured out the hard way that a cheap jacket from Target didn't provide me the warmth that a North Face jacket would have. You get what you pay for.

And in college you're not going to have much room for tons of clothes. Spend more and buy less-- it sounds like a downer, but at least you'll know you'll probably use whatever you buy for at least a year.

Or do like I did! Get a job at your favorite store and get a discount! I love my 50% discount from American Eagle on the newest collection (once they go on sale the percentage drops, but not by much) and I'm able to buy myself the clothes I need at an advantage.

8.) WATER BOTTLE!

Water is AMAZING! I'm obbsesed with drinking water. Since I got to college and forced myself to carry a water bottle everywhere, I have no desire to drink soda anymore. I have one of those Camelback water bottles in a fun green color with an Anderson decal sticker down the side and I love it. Personally, since I started inhaling water I've found that I wake up more alert, even on less sleep, I don't need to drink as much coffee, it's easier for me to pay attention in class, and it's been easy for me to maintain my weight.

Plus, keeping your own water botter is good for the environment, not to mention you know where it's been (unlike those cups in the caf..)

9.) Your Bed is Vital

Thats my duvet cover! It's from PotteryBarnTeen and it's called "Bold Bloom" and comes in black, pink, or blue. Your bed it where you're going to sleep (duh) or chill, sit with your laptop, or read a book. It was important for me to have a pretty/warm/comfortable place for me to be at night, because while you have to share the rest of your room, your bed is YOURS!

Now, since I knew I was moving to a place that was colder than I was used to, I wanted to be warm, so I went for a duvet cover instead of the usual comforter. This way, it's very simple to wash, warmer with the down inside, and I'm able to change them if I wanted to, without having to store away a bulky comforter (not that I'd want to change it, I love this pattern). I also bought a cute pillow from them:

The one in "Pool" hahaha.

Get a couple sets of sheets so washing isn't as much of a pain. And don't be lazy in changing them-- sleeping in the same sheets gets gross. My roommates and I, SOMEHOW, unknowingly all bought the same color sheets from Target, so it's a good idea to either plan to pick different colors, or have your initials put on them (PotteryBarn gives the initialing as an option when you order them) and that goes for your towels as well.

10.) Don't Dress Like You Did in High School

She should put that sweater on before she goes to Algebra.

Yup, I made this mistake in my first semester for sure. I had an 8:00am and a 9:00am class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I would wake up an hour early to figure out what to wear, do my hair, and put on makeup, then go to breakfast. Kids in college don't put as much effort as in high school. In high school you're in class from morning until afternoon, so you don't want to look like a slop all day long. But college is all about being on the go, which equals comfort. It's all about rolling about of bed, putting something on real quick, throwing your hair in a ponytail, grabbing your books and running out the door. Sleep is important, man, you can't waste valuable sleepy time on doing your eyeliner. Don't be sad-- you can still look decent. Invest in some sweats. I love Victoria's Secret's brand PINK.

I'm big on the sloppy bun with a headband-- it looks cute, and the headband keeps my bangs/short layers out of my face while I'm in class.

Pearls look simple and polished, yet don't clash with a toned-down outfit.

Then in the afternoon you can get dressed for real :)

11.) Use the Library

At first I was kinda iffy on going to the library to study. Then I tried it-- sooo much better than my dorm room, where at least one roomie is either on skype/has a friend over/has music playing (that you can hear even if they're just using headphones) or whatever. At the library it's "SHHH" all the time...perfect. I plan on studying much more in the library. I shall pack my laptop, books, supplies, my favorite hoodie, and a pair of socks if I want to slip my shoes off to get comfortabe to study.

Beware of the Facebook curse, though. Don't keep it up in a tab, get away, get away! Facebook has a way of dragging your attention away.

Hope this was fun to read!