Jack Rogers

This is the pair I got off Rue La La

For the past few years, I've heard and read about people who love wearing Jack Rogers sandals.  Of course I had to know what they were talking about and so I had begun to research about them and loved the Navajo sandal.  Unfortunately, being a college student and not having much money due to paying bills and things like that, I held off for a few years on buying them.

Well, I began to subscribe to the website Rue La La, which has wonderful deals for 2 days from many different designers and companies. I had seen Jack Rogers show up on Rue La La a few times, but didn't like the color that they were selling. Well, this last time, they had a pair of pink plaid Navajo sandals, and I had to jump on it! (Especially since Rue La La had given me a $30 credit!)

When they first arrived in the mail, I was kind of annoyed because they were so tight and I had to break them in, since they're leather and hand made. After a day of wearing them though, they are seriously one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own!  :)

School Year Goals

There's a weird feeling after venting and crying and letting everything you're stressed about, out. This week has been one for the records. Well, maybe the past 3 weeks?

Every year, it seems as if school starts earlier and earlier. This year, I got an email from one of my professors saying that we needed to have reading done before the first day of school. And after that, paper after paper was due, even on the first full week of school.  It seems as if things have become never ending.

With all the stress from school, and trying to figure out about applying to graduate school, and where to live, and who to live with, and how to somehow come up with the money to live on my own, I just needed a break. Oh, and did I mention I have a final tomorrow for one of my online classes??

This school year, I am trying something new. I am doing my very best to get as much homework done on Saturdays so I don't have to do anything on Sunday. They call Sunday the "day of rest" for a reason; so why not actually follow it? After coming home from church in the afternoons, there is something wonderful about eating a light lunch, and then taking a Sunday afternoon nap. Or watching a movie or just hanging out with friends, imagining what our lives would look like, if our Pinterest boards were our real life.

So as this school year progresses, my goals are to:
1) Not stress out TOO much
2) Take time for myself to just RELAX
3) Enjoy the moment. Enjoy senior year. Enjoy my friendships and continue to grow in them.
4) Oh, and of course, GRADUATE ON MAY 3, 2014!

Baseball

People believe that Baseball is the "All-American Sport", and that's definitely true since Baseball has such a rich history.

Well, remember when I told you that I'd be posting on a spontaneous adventure that my roommate and I created? Well now that's time!

Here's the story: I was just relaxing in my room working on some homework and talking to my roommates. My other roommate, Amanda, rushed into my room on Thursday of last week and asked what I was doing on Sunday. I replied that I had no idea. She then continued to tell me that there were Giants vs. Dodger tickets on sale for $10. (For those of you who don't know, they are HUGE rivals!) Well, of course we had to go if they were only $10.

Yesterday was so much fun. 4 hours of sitting in the hot blazing sun, watching a great game. Bottom of the 9th inning, Dodgers had the bases loaded, and the Giants were up 4-3. And... THE GIANTS WON!!!

My roommate Amanda and I

Oh, did I mention Shawn's a Dodgers fan?!
(via Instagram)

The 3 Giants fans: Daniel, Amanda, and I

Room Organization

I am the kind of person who at the start of the school year must ALWAYS have everything and organized in their place.  If things aren't in their place when it comes to school, I feel like I'm losing my mind.  I have changed a few things that I am doing this year, which is starting by ALWAYS making sure that my desk is clean and my bed is made. Last year, my bed was in this weird position where it was hard to make it everyday.  This year, I'm able to make it very easily and it also helps knowing that when people walk into my room, it's one of the first things that they see.

I also added curtains right above my windows, just because the blinds don't do a very good job at blocking out the sunlight if I am sleeping in on the weekends. It also helps when it is hot and it keeps our room much cooler.  I keep my "regular" bags hanging right on my bedpost and keep my laundry under my bed where I store my suitcases and things.  My dresser as well as one of my roommates is also under my bed as well.

Next to my bed, I have my desk area.  My roommate found this great little bookshelf that we share. The top shelf is mine, and it houses all of my textbooks and library books that I am using for my senior thesis paper (Ethics & Education: Music in the Elementary Schools).  I also have one of our 4 lamps on the bookshelf and a photo of my family, a clock, and other random things that I just happen to use all the time.  I also have my wall calendar, class schedule, and other things up on the wall.  I'll go into detail more later on how I stay organized more specifically!

What are some ways that you keep your areas neat and organized? I always love hearing different tips that other people have!

Welcome to the School Year

After a very busy summer and taking a break from blogging, I'm back!

This summer was great! It was busy, productive, and fun.  In a nutshell, I was able to do summer school, go to Boston, New York, cabin lead at camp again this year, go down to LA a few times, and I also got to work.

Being back here at APU is somewhat unreal for me. I know I'm a senior now, but it still hasn't fully hit that it's my last year here.  It's hard to believe how fast it's gone by. Now with choir camp all over and a whole week of school under my belt, I have finally gotten into the swing of things. I've created my schedule for everything and I am really enjoying the classes that I am taking this semester.
I am excited for this year, and I can't wait to see everything that happens!

P.S. Keep posted for a post coming up about a little spontaneity! 

Junior Year Comes to an End

There's always a huge weight lifted off my shoulders whenever I walk out of my last final.  I'm done. I have nothing to worry about until the fall, and it's summer break!

With all the craziness going on with dead week and finals, I feel like my life was in complete chaos.  From studying and packing up the apartment, I had no idea where most of my things were.  In the midst of packing up things to go home with my parents a couple weeks ago, packing up things to go into storage, and things to go on choir tour with me, I felt lost.

Luckily, that's all over now and I can focus on one thing: CHOIR TOUR. I am seriously so excited for it. It's going to be so much fun. We're going from California to Texas, and back. I love all of these girls so so much and I can't wait to spend the next 2 weeks with them, hanging out, singing, and not worrying about what paper is due at 8 in the morning or what tests I have that week.

There's many things that I've learned this past year, as a junior in college. I honestly loved every bit of it. But now comes the time when I really have to wake up. 4 summer school classes this summer and a job (hopefully!).

Then, when I get back to school in 3 months, it's back to the craziness. Yet more.  Yes, I've already filled out my planner for next semester... and into March of 2014. Just thinking and knowing that I have to fill out my "Intent to Graduate" form, apply to graduate school, and everything like that, just makes college seem like it's gone by so quickly already. I'm growing up, and there's nothing that can stop it.

I'm excited for this summer, even though it'll be my last one at home.  I'm ready though. I can't wait to enjoy every moment of it. Lots of fun things will be happening, like going out to Boston, cabin leading at camp, and a possible family trip to Lake Tahoe!

So I'm excited to be done. If you can't tell already. But if you have any fun summer ideas for me, please tell me! I love doing fun new things. :)

Take time to Relax

For some reason, this semester seems as if it has been more stressful than other semester.  While trying to get papers done, studying for tests and quizzes, other homework assignments, getting work done for Bel Canto, as well as trying to make time for myself where I can relax and hang out with friends, the time has gone by very quickly.  It's like this semester has been squished into one month of craziness. Except for the fact that the semester is practically over.  

I've been trying to figure out ways in which I can make myself relax so I can make it through whatever is going on in my life.  In my Psych class last week, the whole class period was devoted to making us relax and not think or worry about school.  At the beginning of the class period, my teacher collected all of our phones.  We watched a video and closed our eyes and just listed to music.  She then sent us outside to not talk to anyone and just sit for 20 minutes. Or walk around.  Lastly, we came back in and she had us lie down and just meditate and relax our bodies. I honestly fell asleep.  

This semester I've learned how important it is to 1, have a bedtime and actually get a good amount of sleep. 2, to make time for yourself to just sit and relax without everything running through your brain.  3, the importance of being patient and not worrying so much.  4, time management is EXTREMELY importnat, and lastly, 5, Downton Abbey is a great show! Seriously, you all need to go watch it.