This past week seemed to drag on unlike any other week has. It was my first week of school since December of last year. Going from a community college, to no schooling, to a large university was very intimidating for me. I didn’t know what to expected. Fortunately enough, I didn’t have too hard of a time adjusting.

Saturday 8/25

The Saturday before classes started, CSU hosted Magnus Fest (Magnus is the name of our mascot). It’s basically a piss poor welcome party for freshmen and transfer students. I could complain about everything that was so awful about it, but I’ll keep it to myself. Just know it was painful to watch pan out. Although the actual event was a disaster, I did meet new people and learn about what is offered around campus.

Monday 8/27

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t shaking to core on my first day. I had to ride the RTA for the first time, know where my stop was, know how to get to my building, and get to class before I was late. Spoiler alert: almost didn’t do that. But I made it to class with roughly 3 minutes to spare. And in my attempt to get to class, I met someone in my class trying just as hard to make it on time. Hey Andrew, if you’re reading this!

Day one wasn’t exactly how I expected it to be, but that’s no surprise. At least I survived. If I could do it once, I could do it a few hundred more times. To celebrate making it through our first day, Zach and I went out to dinner. But of course nothing can work out in our favor. My order made me sick to my stomach, and Zach’s order was served raw. What a way to end our first day.

Tuesday 8/28

Going into the second day, I went into things a lot more comfortably. I knew where my class was, when it was, and where the closest bus stops were to the building. However, nothing would’ve prepared me for a 3.5 hour class on the history of film. Let me tell you- total snooze fest. After about an hour and a half of lecture, I start to catch myself dozing off. Thank goodness for the ten minute break we get though.

Wednesday 8/29

Wednesday I have the same schedule as Monday so I knew where everything was, and I was finally out of the “syllabus” classes (you know, when the teachers all read the same classroom rules and go over every little thing they expect from you this semester). So Wednesday was officially the first day of learning and all that. I enjoyed it. I missed taking notes and listening to lectures when I took my mini hiatus from school. It felt really good getting back into school. I know it won’t last long, but I love it so far.

Thursday 8/30

Thursday was yet another 3.5 hour class. It was in the same room as my Tuesday lecture, but I had a different professor. I liked this one a lot more just because he swore a lot and had a really bubbly personality. As much as I hate what the class is about (Analysis of Film Language), I know it’ll be easier to get through with such a charismatic professor.

Friday 8/31

Luckily, Friday wasn’t bad. I only have two classes that day, so I get done at 2:20. For me, that’s a blessing since every other day I end at around 5. I was able to get home at a good time and unwind. I originally had plans to go home and see my family over the long weekend, but I slipped and hit my head, making it difficult to see/walk/think. Pretty sure I have a concussion, but that’s up in the air. Since I was so out of it, I decided to stay at my place for the weekend. And as strange as it may sound, I was glad I didn’t go home. I’m starting to really love living on my own.

In just one week, I’ve made some really cool friends and met some other interesting people that keep my day exciting. I’m still trying to find a way to beat the heat… especially when I have to walk almost ten minutes from one building to another. Tomorrow starts week two and I’m anxious to see what else gets thrown my way.

Today marks the third day that I’ve been living in my new apartment. I originally planned on taking lots of pictures to add to an in-depth POV, but once I got to my building I was overwhelmed with emotions and completely forgot. But I can still give you guys a good description of what happened.

Let’s start at the beginning of the day.

I woke up pretty early after a night of hardly any sleep because I had an appointment to get my hair done. For those of you who don’t follow me on Instagram and Snapchat, I went blonde! It isn’t that important, but I figured I’d share.

My hair appointment went a little later than expected, so I ended up leaving my house at around 12:30 rather than 12. My mom and I drove together with a few items, while my dad drove separately with the majority of my things- a whole car full. After a quick trip to Walmart to grab a few last minute items, we were finally on the road to my apartment!

We arrived at the complex at almost 2, and were greeted by Mike- the man who manages my unit while the owner is living in a foreign country. He had us pull into the visitor’s lot in the back of the building to start unpacking things from the car. We visited briefly in the parking lot before heading up to my apartment to sign the lease and discuss the building’s handbook.

After I signed the lease and got the unit/building keys, we were introduced to one of the lobby workers. His name escapes me, but he was super sweet and made me feel welcomed. I signed a few more papers and located my mail box before heading to gather the rest of my things from the cars.

Once everything was moved up to my apartment, my dad decided to head back to my house (almost an hour away) to pick up my grandmas and sister so they could see the place. In that time, my mom and I started getting into boxes and getting things situated. That’s when it started to look like a tornado touched down in my living room. There were boxes and wrappers all over the floor. But when have I ever been known for being clean and organized?

We got a lot done before my family arrived, but there was still more to do. When they came into my apartment, they were all impressed with the space. I was still unsure about  it, as I had gotten worked up earlier about how unhappy I was with the place. I felt like it didn’t feel like a home… maybe more like a jail cell. I couldn’t see myself living there. I wondered why I jumped the gun and signed the lease without thinking.

A short while after my family got to the apartment, Zach showed up. Not only did he bring me Subway (your girl was STARVING), but he also helped build my nightstand. It felt really good having him and my family with me during the move. It felt like I had the support I needed during the transition.

It took a couple days to start feeling comfortable living here. I had a short period of really missing home, but it went away after only a day or so. Sometimes I forget that I’m 20 now and I have to be prepared to take big steps like this one. I am lucky though, as I get to come home in just a couple days to see friends one last time before school starts up.

After three days of being here, it already feels like home. It gives me a huge sense of accomplishment being able to say that I am living on my own and I can’t wait to spend the next 9 months here!

Now, before I share photos, please understand that I know this is not a luxurious apartment. This unit is affordable and livable for a college student. It’s cheaper and more convenient for me than dorming so I love it. I tried my best to make it something I was proud of and after some hard work, it’s just that. Again, I know it isn’t that grand, but it’s my place and I am very happy with the result.

Today I have finally reached the end of my teen years! Happy birthday to me! After living 7,305 days I think I’ve picked up on a thing or two. I’ve compiled the best 20 lessons I’ve learned since I was brought to this Earth via stork.

1. Giving compliments never hurts!

2. Forgiveness is key.

3. Family over everything.

4. Some people who come into your life have premeditated reasons.

5. You get impacted the most by people you’d never expect.

6. Your mom is probably right.

7. Wear a jacket when it’s chilly. You’ll regret it later.

8. Be open to other people’s opinions/perspectives.

9. It’s ok to be weak sometimes.

10. Target is a weakness that cannot be avoided.

11. Time with friends is important. Even if it’s short.

12. Some boys just don’t care, but that doesn’t make you less valuable.

13. High school is not the best 4 years of your life.

14. It’s ok to spend entire days in bed watching Netflix and Youtube.

15. Nothing/Nobody is forever.

16. It’s important to celebrate even the smallest victories.

17. Failure is just motivation to try again and try harder.

18. Different body types don’t determine your beauty/ worth.

19. Wearing sweatpants and no makeup doesn’t mean you are put together.

20. Life is good.

 

There’s just one week until I move into my first apartment! I’m finally feeling all of the feelings-nerves, excitement, eagerness. I’m ready to move but I know it will be a long process of getting things moved in and get acclimated to the area.

Since my last post updating everyone, a lot more has gotten done. My family and I have made several purchases for my new place. We’ve gotten a lot of the necessities out of the way and even knocked out a few decorations for my living room. I’ve also received a bunch of gifts from family that has helped immensely. There’s a gigantic load of things piling up in my living room ready to go.

I’ve gotten all of my school supplies with the exception of a planner, and my book bag is packed for the move. I haven’t decided what clothes I’m taking yet because I’m terrible at commitment when it comes to these things. You should see how much I pack for vacations!

I’ve spoken with my parents about how often I’ll be coming home, which will be quite frequently. This is only because I want to support my sister as she goes into her senior year of high school. I’d like to be at her marching band performances and sporting events as the school year progresses. Of course I won’t make it to every single one, but I’ll definitely make it a priority of mine to make it to important games.

It seems like Rianna (my sister) has already been making plans to take over my bedroom when I leave. I was a little irritated at first, but it might as well be put to good use while I’m gone. As long as I have a bed to sleep in when I visit, I’m ok with whatever she does.

I’ll wrap it up since my move-in updates are always all over the place and I can’t seem to get them under control. I have a lot of things to get done still, and not much time to do it. I’m sure I won’t write more about the apartment until I’ve officially moved in, so be looking out for posts like that which will most likely be out in two to three weeks.

Thanks for reading and keeping updated on my move-in journey!

 

We all know that relationships don’t always work out. Heartbreak is honestly inevitable. But it’s your responsibility to let the break ups and hard times impact you positively. Some people aren’t meant for life, but for life lessons. I’ve learned a lot from my exes that, in some cases, I didn’t expect. So although I may not have been happy with how things ended, I am very happy with the result in the long run. Every bad experience shaped me into who I am now.

So you may be asking, “what did she learn?”

1. You can’t change people.

Bad boys will stay bad. No matter how much you think you can change them for the better, it’s not going to happen. Don’t waste your time.

2. When to give up fighting for something.

There comes a time where the arguments and unhappiness is too much. You may feel like there’s no way to bounce back from where you are. If you have to beg or change who you are to be with someone, it’s time to walk away no matter how hard it might be.

3. It’s important to put yourself first.

Of course that doesn’t mean putting the other person last, but you need to realize your self worth and make sure that you are always doing what’s best for you even if your partner doesn’t agree with it. I had a hard time doing this for a while because I wanted to make sure my boyfriend was happy and got everything they wanted and deserved and that sometimes put my happiness in jeopardy.

4. Don’t rush into love.

There’s no need to be in love after a couple weeks of dating if you aren’t sure of it. Don’t try to force it. If he/she is the one, you’ve got so much time to love each other. I’ve rushed things before and it got ugly fast. I think that if you’re rushing things, you’re going to rush to the ugly before you’re ready to handle that aspect together.

5. How to talk about your feelings.

I wasn’t very good at this at first, but I learned through experiences. I used to not even talk about how I was feeling, and now it’s like a faucet that won’t turn off. If I think I need to voice how I’m feeling, there’s nothing holding me back. And it’s very beneficial.

6. Love doesn’t die, but it can change its form.

There’s a few of my exes that I still love. No, I’m not in love with them. No, I don’t want to be with them again. I just have genuine love for them that will never go away. Some have become good friends, and others are like strangers. But the love is still there. Some of my exes take very good care of me to this day.

7. Love can be one sided.

It’s very easy to get emotionally attached, and sometimes the other person just may not feel that same way. It’s a terrible feeling, but it can happen. You can’t force anyone to love you. But you can control how that effects you.

8. Dates are important.

I was in a lot of relationships where we never went out on dates. We just hung out at home and watched movies. It’s important to get out and see your s/o in different settings to really get to know all sides of them.

9. If they love you, they’ll let you know.

You should never wonder if you’re important to them. They should make sure that you know. And if they truly love you, they’ll do that without being told to. If you have to constantly tell them that you don’t feel loved or need more attention/affection, let them go before you damage your self confidence.

10. What I want in a man.

I’ve been through a lot of heartbreaks and each one helped me notice things about people. I realized what traits I like and dislike in a partner. It helped me narrow the search for the right person. It’s not being picky, it’s knowing what I want.

All of my exes have been great influences on me in some way or another. While we may not all be in contact, I truly wish the best for all of them because they did so much for me at some point. Some still do. Some are great friends who continue to teach me lessons about myself and the world around me. It’s so interesting to see all the ways one person can shape you.

 

Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the class of 2019 on making it to their senior year of high school! I’ve been in your shoes before and I know how exciting it feels to be wrapping up on four years of “torture.” But I also know what’s coming your way soon. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been in this position, but I still have some tips for you guys. It also helps that my sister is a senior now so I can base these tips on both of our experiences.

A lot goes into making your senior year your best year. You definitely cannot expect it to automatically be a fun-filled magical year. Nothing is ever that easy. Also, remember that I’ve heard some of these same things before and rolled my eyes at them just like you probably will. But now I’m the person saying it because I want others to make better choices than I did my senior year.

Enjoying the School Year

Join Clubs

I know everyone and their mother says this, but it’s really important! Not only does it look good on college applications, but it also gives you another way to make friends that share interests with you.

Participate in Spirit Weeks

I can remember spirit weeks seeming really lame sometimes. Nobody ever participated. But think about it… when do you have pajama day at work? Take advantage of it while you get the chance!

Spend More Time with Friends and Family

This one is super important! Odds are that you and your besties will be going in separate directions shortly after graduation and you’ll miss them a lot. So spend as much time with them as you can when given the opportunity. Same goes for your family! I know you’ll miss them when you leave for school, and they’ll definitely miss you!

Go to Sporting Events

For those who don’t participate, cheering your school’s teams on can be a great way to make memories and surround yourself with like-minded people. But please, don’t go if you’re going to mope around and be no fun. Nobody likes a party pooper!

Reach Out to New People

It may not be a bad idea to make new friends your senior year! Sure, you don’t have to be best buds, but new friends never hurt. Broaden your horizons and try talking to people you would otherwise overlook. You can even find a forever friend in them.

Make Memories

I really can’t stress this enough! The memories you make your senior year will carry with you forever. When you think back to high school, you’ll most likely remember your senior year the most. Make it worth remembering! Do something outside your comfort zone! Those are often the best memories!

Forgive People

If you’ve had issues with someone in the past, forgive them. You don’t necessarily have to go up to them and hold a conversation or tell them you’ve forgiven them, but as long as you let go of your bad past, you will be happier. It will feel a lot better when you graduate too. It helps a new chapter in your life begin.

Enjoy Your Final Moments with Your Class

So many people have negative things to say about their class and can’t wait to graduate. Even so, remember that you grew up with these people. Every year you went to class surrounded by these people. You learned life lessons with these people. You may not love them all, but they will all hold a place in your heart.

Take Pictures

Whenever I think about high school, I like to look at old pictures to help me think of particular times or places. And I guarantee that you will look back at those pictures when you’re older and absolutely cherish them. If nothing else, they’ll look good for a display at your graduation party!

 

Deciding on a College

Consider Sports

If you’re considering playing a sport in college, look into the team, coaches, and any other important aspects. Make sure you are 100% sold on the program before you pick a school.

Visit the Campus

This one is pretty obvious. I’m sure just about everyone had previously visited the school they ended up choosing. You have to remember that you’ll be surrounded by that atmosphere for years. You’ll want to make sure that you’re comfortable with your surroundings and the lifestyle of those who inhabit the area.

Consider the Location

Is it too close to home? Is it too far from home? Make sure that the distance isn’t a conflict for you. Don’t worry about a long drive if it’s what makes you happy though. At the end of the day, it’s all about what you’re comfortable with.

Reviews

This one can be iffy. I believe that the only people who leave reviews on their college are the ones who either did very well or very poor, meaning reviews may be biased. Try talking to lots of people who attend(ed) the school to get different perspectives.

Don’t Feel Pressured to Decide on a College/ Major

Don’t feel like you need to know right away where you want to go or what you want to do. It’s going to take time and it can get very stressful. You just have to trust the process. If not, you can end up costing yourself a lot of money and valuable time. If you really aren’t sure by the deadline, take a year off. Get to know yourself more and take that time to really consider all your options. Hell, maybe you’ll even realize that college isn’t for you and that’s ok.

Ask for Help

Sometimes the decision is hard to make on your own. Ask around. You can talk to classmates or friends who have already graduated and gone off to college. Another helpful resource is your guidance counselor. I owe so much to my counselor. He really helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my schooling and kept me calm when I was an emotional wreck over the stress of it all.

Apply for Scholarships Early

This especially applies to those of you who are extremely worried about how you’re going to pay for college. Look online for extra scholarship opportunities. Don’t give up.

 

Your senior year is going to be full of surprises and probably a few bumps in the road. Keep your head up and be grateful for every second of it. Each good/bad thing that happens shapes you and prepares you for the next step in your life.

Again, congratulations Class of 2019! I hope you all have a wonderful school year!

Yet another apartment update post. Not a real long one, but it still counts for something, right?

On Wednesday my sister and I went out to buy some things for my apartment. We went to Target and Walmart in hopes to find good deals for some of the things I needed. I tried my hardest to stick to the checklist I made, but sometimes I got a little distracted. It’s nice shopping with her because she speaks up when I’m about to buy something I don’t need.

While she was doing a lot of that, she also convinced me to think outside of the box and make some purchases that I normally wouldn’t consider. For example- I had no idea what theme I wanted for my bathroom. After having a mental break down in the aisles of Target, I was going to give up and wait until another day. That’s when my sister noticed a pretty pink shower curtain that was on sale.

If you know me, you know I don’t really like color. I usually stick to neutrals. But she threw the curtain in my cart so quick that I didn’t have time to second guess it. We made our way down another aisle and found hand towels that perfectly matched the shower curtain. Then we found bath mats that matched the hand towels. It’s crazy how one little decision can start a chain reaction! Thank goodness my sister was with me!

From that trip alone we got a wheeled storage cart, shower curtain, bath mat, sink mat, hand towels, desk lamp, huge mirror, and so much more! I was really proud of us for making that mini shopping spree such a success.

On Thursday I went out again, this time with with my parents. There was so much left to buy, and they helped make sense of all the craziness running through my head as we did it. We went to another Walmart that was little bigger so we had more options than I did the day before. Luckily for us, they had all the things I couldn’t find before.  It helped get a lot of stress off of my mind.

After what seemed like hours, I picked out sheets for my bed and pull-out couch. Then I was able to build the rest of my purchases off of them. We got beige sheets for my couch, so that meant we should get beige blankets to drape over my chairs and cream pillows for the loveseat. It started to feel like a puzzle and an easy one at that.

I had a lot of fun picking the ins and outs of my apartment. The reality of it all set in and I’ve realized that I only have 20 days until I finally move! That being said, it’s going to be very hectic in my home until that day comes so please forgive me if I don’t get around to writing for a while!