You were the furthest thing from what I expected.
Looking back, it feels like everyday was a surprise.
I didn't see any of it coming.

I took myself completely out of my comfort zone and did something I never thought I'd ever do.
And it brought me to the most amazing person and love I've ever known.
This love surprised me day after day.

I moved on from an unhealthy situation.
I completed my junior year of college and half of senior year.

You taught me how to love and take chances and brought me everything I never even knew I needed.

There were hard times.
These hard times you brought to me were teaching moments,
and taught me that sometimes I need to be willing to put aside my pride and doubts and fears and insecurities and just love unconditionally.

It's been real, it's been fun, it's been real fun 2016.
You came and you left and it all still feels like the craziest, happiest, blur.
And I'm so excited for the foundation you've set for the new (probably crazier) year to come.

Wind: What do you want to look like?
+ Me, lol.

Frost: Do you believe in magic?
+ Yeah, I think so - like in very, very different ways.

Empty Trees: Describe something, or someone, that comforts you.
+ Kyle, obviously, haha. But rain and like soft soothing rain sounds and music, and like peaceful smells? I dunno.

Fat Birds: What age do you want to die at?
+ I think when I'm good and grey and ready.

Gray Skies: What would you change about the physical world?
+ Sometimes I wish that people did things during the night time instead of the day time, like a reverse way to think about time and light, lol. But I'm sure I'd hate that after awhile.

First Snow: Describe a favorite fantasy from when you were a kid.
+ I'm not sure that I had any.

Finals Week: What do you want to be when you "grow up"?
+ Happy, and secure, and full of good memories and experiences.

Evergreen Trees: Share a memory that shaped you.
+ Too many.

Blizzard: Do you believe in soulmates?
+ YES! But I also believe that like everyone has more than one soulmate, depending on what paths they choose to take - idk if that means that we still only have one soul mate bc we always end up making the exact choices we're supposed to, but I just really think that we are able to choose our own destinies and no matter which one we choose we'll end up with someone who fits and appreciates the journey we took to get there????? Does that many ANY sense????? Haha.

Poinsettia: What winter movies or TV shows do you return to?
+ Elf, Polar Express, Home Alone, the classics haha.

Candle Lit: Favorite books to read in December?
+ I don't usually read books in December specifically for December, but I think I'd love to just stock up on all the little kid picture books to look back on when I get older.

Arguing About Starbucks Cups: What issues matter to you?
+ Childhood obesity, mostly honestly, lol. And obviously the huge issues concerning the public education system, and college tuition, etc.

Hymn: Are you spiritual?
+ I think so?

Hearthside: Do you celebrate any rites of winter?
+ Hm, not really. Winter isn't really a thing in AZ.

Solstice: Tell your perfect, utterly perfect, December day.
+ Maybe like a snow day, but not a blizzard - just a nice, constant snowy day. So obviously I won't have work or school so I can curl up in my PJs and drink hot cocoa and watch Christmas movies and listen to Christmas movies.
OR...
+ A nice rainy, and grey day so I can crack a window open and listen to the rain (and hopefully not freeze to death) and curl up in a warm throw in my PJ's drinking hot cocoa and watching Christmas movies.

As finals week and this fall semester has come to a close for me I can officially say... I did it.
I took eighteen credit hours this semester. (side note: I've done this for most previous semesters, BUT, this semester was the first semester I took 18 FULL BLOWN science credits and two labs - which was 100% so totally different, haha.)

How I do it...

1. The way I survived this semester specifically was definitely through utilizing the hybrid/online options I had for my required classes! If you know you're going to take on a heavier load of classes, definitely look out for the online classes that are offered by your university! I've heard from classmates before that they hate online classes because they forget to actually watch the lectures/do the assignments but honey...................... if you're paying 300+ per credit/class, just don't forget. Like, don't throw that money away? Lol. Anyway, like I said - I needed to take ochem this semester which would have been [(50 minutes x 4 times a week) + (170 minutes)] at least at my university, a 2 hour 50 minute lab is required as well as a 50 minute recitation on top of three 50 minute lectures a week. So definitely being able to watch those three 50 minute lectures here and there throughout the week on during my down time helped me feel like I had better control of my time and it was definitely way more flexible for me b/c some weeks I had to spend more time on one class than ochem, so I was able to without worrying about missing lecture attendance points!

2. Planners. If you've read any of my previous college blog posts you know that my planner is my life, haha. You seriously have no idea how many people comment on how hardcore and type-a my planner is because I write down everything. Personally, I need my planner to be of everything going on in my life, meaning I don't have a separate planner for school work and another for like everyday life stuff. The planner I use has each day on a separate page and each day is planned out in 30 minute intervals! And the to-do list section is like 30 bullets long and it allows me to seriously plan the heck out of my day. I write all the major due dates on the monthly spread, and I write in all the smaller assignments on each individual day! But planner preference goes far and wide depending on the person, so find a planner or planning system that works for you!

3.Working ahead. I am the furthest thing from a procrastinator when it comes to huge term papers and projects. Most professors give at least a two week heads-up before a paper/report is due (if they didn't already tell you about it in the syllabus *hint hint* READ THAT THING). Thankfully, each weekend I found out I had a paper due in the upcoming month was always pretty relaxed (meaning all I had to do was study and all the normal weekly class to-do's) so I was able to crank them out two weeks-a month early and be totally stress free the week it was actually due! If you're able to work on an assignment ahead of time, or even just reading chapters ahead of time, do it. You'll thank yourself the week you have two exams and three reports due on top of all your other weekly to-do's.

4. I READ MY DANG SYLLABI. Honestly, you could ignore all my other tips and do just this one thing and be golden during busier semesters (maybe). I know all my class syllabi like the back of my hand, they're my friends, they point me in the right direction. Seriously though, if you are always keeping track of your syllabi and your tentative schedules and planning around those things and taking everything one day at a time, you will feel so much better about the busy semester and you won't be surprised about upcoming due dates! Checking off each day and each "to-do" from my tentative schedules helped me feel way less frazzled during the semester! Utilize them!

I could probably write 5-8 pages in APA format with a full bibliography for you guys on just the topic of "tips and tricks on how to kick each semester's butt", but I won't do that haha. Just breathe, and believe in yourself! I think I had a breakdown every two-four weeks and that is OKAY (actually, it's not - you need to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, but it is normal. Just, don't think that a breakdown means that you're incapable of succeeding!!!!!!!!) Sometimes I just needed to pause in the middle of studying and cry and browse through a few studyblrs until I felt inspired again (or instagram/pinterest, take your pick!) Just know that the stress and craziness you may feel once in awhile during the semester will NOT last! You'll be okay! You'll do great! And you'll move on and grow and learn from the experience! You can do it!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox, me.

1. brain dump.
I was about an hour early to one of my classes this week so I got super comfy, sat on the floor outside my lecture hall, opened up a sticky on my macbook and literally floooooooooded the page with all the different thoughts and goals and hopes and things I had to do. I basically did not organize it at all, I sat myself down for at least 10 minutes and wrote down everything that came to mind. And surprisingly enough, they were all positive thoughts and positive goals and different "to-do's" that would bring me closer to the person I want to be.

2. trashed my bedroom.
I didn't actually "trash" my bedroom, but I threw out and got rid of things that were taking up space in my life. I had a crazy amount of lipglosses and lip colors and eyeshadows that I have never worn, that were cheap drug store stuff that I didn't need anyway so I gave them to my mom. I had a ton of glittery gel pens and TWO pen holders of pens that I didn't like anyway, so I gave them to my sisters. I am currently****** (lets see how long this takes) in the process of clearing out my closet and getting rid of clothes that I never wear (surprise, surprise - i've worn most of these things a total of ONE time).

3. more mindful of my money.
I deleted my starbucks app. I am unsubscribing from all the different retail stores emailing lists. I triple-think about eating out, or buying snacks at school (seriously, the vending machines are outrageous). and i feel SO happy that 1. i'm not wasting money on foods/drinks that aren't even good for me. and 2. my credit card statements are nice and low, haha. just knowing that i'm not even going to be tempted to stop by the mall to spend a ton of money (which i know will ultimately make me feel worse at the end of the day) is such a big-girl feeling, haha.

4. more mindful of what i'm eating.
so i should start off by saying that I have in no way changed my eating habits, haha. but I do write down everything i eat everyday, and how much water i drink, and i'm definitely not mindlessly eating or snacking now. I'm aware of the amount of cookies i eat, and how much more water i should be drinking everyday, and my eating habits. and that's a solid start for me.

5. sticky notes.
I don't know what happened but a few years ago i was in some sort of sticky note craze, and then i suddenly stopped. anyway, i sticky note EVERYTHING. i have at least one sticky note on each day of my planner with one positive thought, or a motivational quote, or a to-do, or a random thought. and i don't know why, or how, but it's made me feel a lot less hectic.

6. ted talks.
feels good to have something playing in the background when I'm cleaning my room, or planning out my next day, that actually has substance to it, you know? like i am all for beyonce any day of the week, but listening to a ted talk about the importance of mindfulness, or whatever have you, seriously makes a girl feel more put together.

7. minimalism.
Over the past few days I've probably watched a total of 3 hours worth of youtube videos on minimalism. I'm kind of in the middle state where I agree that the things we surround ourselves with should be functional, and SHOULD bring us joy. but giving up buying laundry detergent and nice smelling softeners???????? crazy. just listening the concept of minimalism and not giving in to mindless shopping and compulsive buying makes so much sense to me. And although i definitely will be spending money on nice smelling detergents for probably the rest of my life, I will definitely think twice about that romper that I KNOW i'll wear only one whole time, or about that piece of stationery i don't actually need.

Sunday August 14
Kyle left for CHINA! My sweet fiance left for his flight at the crack of dawn and spent basically the entire day traveling! So to keep busy I spent a lot of money and went shopping for our engagement photo outfits! (also some back to school outfits)

Monday August 15
I've never been more thankful for a long 8 hour shift than this day. At first I was so sad and wondered how the heck I'd get through an 8 hour work day without completely falling apart because of how much I missed Kyle but surprisingly the long shift helped keep my mind off of everything and kept me occupied! I went straight home and relaxed and slept off the rest of the day to keep myself from thinking (missing kyle) too much, haha.

Tuesday August 16
I had a shorter shift at work this day and got off a lot earlier too, so after work I got ready and got a HAIRCUT! Finally. I know. I cut off about 5 inches (just enough to get rid of some split ends, but also kept enough that my hair would still reach my belly button). I am SO happy about it! My hair feels and looks a lot better and it's EXACTLY the length I asked for! (yay for hairdressers that actually listen). I also shopped a little more for some back to school clothes!

Wednesday August 17
The day before the first day of school! I used this day to finally flip my drivers license #legal. And relax one last time before I go into full blown college student mode :'(

Thursday August 18
My first day of my senior year!!! I got super lucky this semester and the only two classes I had this day happened to be in the same exact lecture hall! Meaning I didn't have to walk back out into the heat (score). This also meant that I got to stay in my super great seat ;) I figured that while waiting between the two classes (there's a 50 minute break) that I could do some homework and catch Pokemon! Haha. I also worked this night and was exhausted by the end of the day.

Friday August 19
I only had two classes this day which could have potentially stressed me out because (1) my second class is 5 minutes after the first and (2) I'm not familiar with the building my second class is in so I kind of just walked around like a lost puppy, haha. HOWEVER, next friday I realized that one of the classes I was supposed to have this day (first week of school usually means no recitations) actually ends at 10:30, and my second class starts at 10:30 - straight - across - campus :') pray for me.

Saturday August 20
This day was strictly a homework/errands day! As much as I LOVE completing errands, I hate actually having to leave the house because Arizona is dreadful... seriously.

Sunday August 21
(pre-written) KYLE COMES HOME! The longest week of my life is finally over, haha. So this day is the day I do a little more homework, and then him up from the airport, and spend some time with him before the start of another school/work week :')

You guys, I will be starting the first semester of my SENIOR YEAR tomorrow... can you believe it?
It feels so unreal that I will be graduating from college in less than a year, I feel like I just graduated high school yesterday.
Anyway, I've almost always done a goals list each semester I've been in college so here they are for my Fall 2016 Semester!!!


1. Stay on top of all my school work & studying at least a week in advance.
This one is always a given for every single semester, but this next semester especially. Between planning a trip to Oregon, actually going on that trip to Oregon, planning a wedding, working, going to school full time, and spending quality time with Kyle - it's going to be such a busy semester. By staying on top of all my school work and readings at least a week in advance, I'll be able to relax more on my mini-vacation with Kyle, and throughout the semester in general!


2. Actually study and understand the material throughout the semester.
Finals week is crazy no matter how hard you study or how much of the information and material you understand. However, I definitely make it harder on myself by (falsely) believing that if I don't understand something that I have a ton of time to understand it later*** (which usually means the day before the final). THIS IS THE WORST THING YOU COULD POSSIBLY DO. For one, material moves so fast and everything builds on each other for every class, if I don't understand something while it's being taught - I won't understand anything that follows after it! Second, like I said above - finals week is tough - I need to do myself a favor and make it as easy and pain-free as possible.


3. Do stuff after school/in between classes, seriously.
I'd like to blame the Arizona heat for the laziness I feel once I get home from my classes, haha. If I work immediately after work, it's a different story. However, I find myself having a lot of down time between classes and after classes where I either take a super long nap, or mess around and do nothing for hours and hours. THEN I have to cram my weekends with all the school work and studying that I should have, and could have, been doing between classes and after school. So, I need to really manage my time better this semester.


4. Set aside time to do fun things, and then actually do them!
Fall semester is generally so much fun because of all the different activities that most universities put together to welcome all the students back to another academic year, plus football season! However, I find myself getting stressed out early on in the semester so I end up not going out and doing anything! In addition, fall semester is so much fun because of all the holidays that go on throughout the entire semester! Last year I had so many fun festive activities planned out for every weekend from mid-September thru December, and guess how many I did........ none. Even though I set aside the time, and planned to do fun things weeks in advance, I never did a thing because once the time finally came I decided I'd have rather stayed in bed longer, or all day, than go out and make fun memories! So this semester, that definitely has to change.


5. Keep up with my daily habit tracker and stay organized.
It's easy to get lost during the semester and fall behind on daily habits and just keeping organized in general. So, I'm determined not to let that happen! I need to seriously plan out my days, and follow my habit tracker and not let myself get too caught up in school, and get too stressed out. Seriously, 18 credit hours gets crazy and busy and everything starts to get all jumbled up and confused - who has time to make sure that they apply moisturizer everyday??? I do, I need to have that time.


6. Get all A's.
This is always a goal.



So there you have it, my top 6 main goals for my Fall 2016 semester! Happy Back To School season everyone!


xo, me.

Daisy: How old were you when you had your first kiss?

- 12.

Carnation: If I handed you a concert ticket right now, who would you want to be the performer?

- Beyonce, or maybe Rihanna, haha.

Jasmine: What color looks best on you?

- I'm actually not sure, haha. I think like pinks and reds?? Maybe??

foxglove: Name three facts about your family?

- (1) We are from Guam. (2) There's a million of us. (3) My sisters & I have no brothers??

Allium: What's the best thing you can cook?

- I can make a mean spaghetti, and an equally mean lasagna.

Orange Blossom: If you could pick the gender and appearance of your child, would you?

- I don't think I'd be able to decide on a gender, but I'd hope that it has Kyle's curly hair and green eyes! Haha.

Calla Lily: If you died right now, what song would you want to play at your funeral?

- Kiss It Better, because I can't get enough.

Poinsettia: Favorite holiday dish?

- Egg nog (and yes, it counts).

Oxlip: Would you ever get into a long distance relationship?

- I don't think Kyle would ever put me in a position to? Haha.

Primrose: Favorite kind of soup?

- All of them. Literally. I love soup.

Daffodil: What's the most thoughtful present you've ever received?

- Kyle always writes me the sweetest notes/letters, so those - always.

Rose: Are you currently in love with someone?

- KJM.

Amsonia: Would you ever become a vegan?

- Maybe, I always decide to do weird and random things like that every once in awhile, lol.

Peony: What's your favorite hot beverage?

- Hot chocolate.

Tulip: For your birthday, what kind of cake do you ask for?

- I'm not big on cake, so I usually don't care because I usually don't eat it.

Myrtle: Do you like going on airplanes?

- I've only ever been on one airplane in my whole life, so I'm not sure.

Hibiscus: Did you ever play an instrument? If so what?

- I used to play the flute in 4th or 5th grade.

Zinnia: Who was your best friend when you were six years old?

- Valeska S.

Poppy: What color was your childhood home?

- I consider two homes my "childhood homes" so the first one was white and pink, and then the second one was like completely brown.

Hydrangea: Starbucks order?

- Vente Passion Tea Lemonade with light ice.

Violet: Do you like where you're from?

- Yes!

Locust: What was your favorite book as a child?

- All of them, haha.

Rhododendron: What's the scariest dream you've ever had?

- UGH, okay so I had this dream that this crazy ghost lady was pretending to be my actual mom so she tried to wake me up one morning while I was still in bed (but already awake) and I KNEW she was a weird ghost lady. But anyway she like couldn't get into my bedroom because I had this sign near my door that said "I Am A Child Of God" (LDS peeps, whatsup) and she FREAKED because she couldn't get past the door frame and she had the scariest face and went full blown demon trying to get me to come outside my bedroom and basically I woke up crying, haha.

Queen Anne's Lace: Would you rather carve pumpkins or wrap presents?

- Both, how could I ever pick.

Magnolia: Favorite kind of candy?

- I like sour and gummy kinds of things.

Aster: Would you rather be cold or hot?

- COLD.

Marigold: Do you listen to what's on the radio?

- Yes.

Heliconia: Do you like when it rains?

- I'm obsessed with rain.

Azalea: What's a movie you cried while watching?

- SO many.

Dandelion: Do you think you're important?

- I'd like to think so, yeah.

1. Sturdy Backpack.
***** I recommend one with mesh pockets for water bottle(s).
Seriously, I think a bought a new cute backpack/large tote purse EVERY SINGLE SEMESTER before finally realizing that when in college function beats fashion every time (at least when it comes to backpacks). I always saw people with cute little pull-string backpacks or even super trendy totes (I even spend $160 on a LongChamp Le Pliage foolishly believing that I wouldn't mind lugging around a giant tote on ONE shoulder every single day). It wasn't until my FIFTH semester (that's right, 5/8 semesters) that I decided I was going to get a plain black North Face backpack with thick straps, back ventilation, a laptop pouch, and tons of room. It was such a good idea. I never really worry about my backpack breaking or it getting ratty if I throw it around a lecture hall or my house or the light rail or wherever. It really is soooo nice having so many pockets and not only one, but TWO mesh pockets for water bottles. Especially in Arizona where you need to carry water everywhere with you!!! Go simple and spend ~$100 on a North Face ONCE than buying a new ~$50 backpack or tote every semester!

2. Planner/Organizer.
Planners have saved my life, seriously. This is also another thing that I like to change up just whenever I feel like it. Target is my go-to place when looking for a new planner because (1) they're cheap! (2) they're super cute! (3) they do the job. I've never been one to spend more than $20 on a planner that I bring around with me because they get pretty beat up when they're constantly in and out of my backpack and accompanying me along my library dates. There are also other options such as Erin Condren, Lily Pulitzer, and Kate Spade that offer super cute designs! However, my #1 suggestion is that you find a planner that offers what you need whether it be weekly/monthly/daily layouts, a goals page, a place to keep track of birthdays, a notes sections, time blocks, ect. Again, function > fashion.

3. Laptop (Working & reliable Wifi while you're at it!)
You're going to be writing lots of papers and researching a lot of different things while in college! In addition, there are a million websites that help with studying and/or staying organized. A laptop (preferably a light-weight laptop if you're bringing it with you to your classes and all over campus) is a must. I have a Macbook Pro that stays home because of how heavy it is, and a new Macbook (the super light gold one) that comes with me to school!

4. Laser printer.
If you type out your notes I still heavily suggest printing them out and highlighting/annotating as an additional study aide! Plus, buying toner is so much cheaper thank buying regular ink. And it lasts a million years. Seriously.

5. Sticky notes, highlighters, colored pens*.
These items are more for fun/visual aids (if you're a visual learner like me)! I generally print out my notes or the posted slideshows and go completely nuts highlighting and annotating and making little pneumonics all over each sheet of paper and having all my scattered thoughts in one place and color-coded keeps me sane throughout the semester!


And there you have it! My top 5 college essentials that I seriously would be so lost without!
Have a great semester/school year everyone! Happy studying ;)