Here's a video telling part of my story. If you feel led to, please donate to my gofundme campaign and help me on this journey to Nashville. Thank you so much and enjoy!
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Student Life
Library Struggles Every College Student Will Understand
Are you really a college student if you don't stay up all night studying in your pajamas?
5h
345
Daily Fun Lists
One of the most dreaded places on campus is the library. Nothing awesome ever happens here. Usually, the only reason you're here is because you've procrastinated so long that the library is the only place you'll actually get stuff done. It gives you this feeling of sadness and impending doom. You have no idea how this is going to go or how long you'll be here, but you do know it is about to be the most excruciating experiences yet. But it has to get done, so you drag yourself to the lovely library.
1. You get there and immediately look for a place to sit and all the tables are full.
Looks like a sign that I just shouldn't even be here to begin with. I think I'll just go home.
2. You finally find a place to sit, and you look at your assignment.
I honestly do not care about any of this. I do not want to be here right now.
3. Are you really a college student if you don't stay up all night studying in your pajamas?
You did not want to put any effort into your outfit. Every ounce of motivation you have is towards the assignment that's due at midnight. You are not going to be bothered by your clothes.
4. When someone walks in wearing normal clothes and you're in your pajamas.
It's the library not a fashion show. You have no one to impress. Do you not see everyone else here in their comfy clothes? Do less.
5. When random people come up to you and ask you to take their surveys.
No, thank you. I'm kind of busy doing my own work at the moment. I do not have time for you.
6. There's always this really loud group of people in the corner who are clearly not studying.
You are so loud I can't even concentrate. Please take your giggly chit-chat outside.
7. I think I need a study break!
I physically cannot function anymore. I need a break. Coffee, anyone?
8. When your friend isn't done studying, but you want to leave.
I won't make it any longer. I can't go on. Please let me out of here.
9. When you send in your assignment one minute before it's due.
You are the queen of the world at this point. You knew you could pull it off this whole time. No stress.
10. Then you realize you forgot an assignment that's due tomorrow.
It's 2 a.m. at this point. You know what? It's not even worth killing myself over. I'll just fail. It's no big deal. It's only one grade!
11. When you finally leave!
Mom? Dad? Friends? Sunlight? This is all so overwhelming!
12. When you find out that the friend you studied with all night passed and you failed.
I thought we were in this together. Does our friendship mean nothing to you?
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StableDiffusion
With each new year comes new goals.
Deciding on a goal can be hard, unsure of what to change for this new year. A new goal for myself is to be happier and take care of myself more. I am a very driven person; so driven that I commit to a million and ten things.
For a while I am killing it then all of sudden BAM! I crash and burn out. My goal is to avoid this for the coming year. Taking care of myself needs to become a priority. I cannot be used or fully get everything out of my education if I am not taking care of myself mentally.
Here are some ways I plan to take care of myself:
Keep a Journal
Today I am Grateful Journal Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash
Having a way to record everything going on is a major way I clear my head. For some reason when I am anxious and overwhelmed writing it down decreases my anxiety about the issue.
Go to the gym
Go to the gym StableDiffusion
I know everyone says they are going to go to the gym for their new year's resolution and unfortunately a commitment like that is not always realistic. I hope including the gym in my overall goal of self-care will make it possible to achieve.
Listen to Music
Listen to more music Photo by Lee Campbell on Unsplash
Music is a major relaxer to me clears my head and brings me back to what I really need to be focused on.
Be more patient
Have more patience StableDiffusion
I need to be more patient and think my decisions through. So goal of mine is to be more in the moment and not always be so ready to plan the future.
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Lifestyle
Pros And Cons Of Having A Birthday Near The Holidays
The truth of what it is like having a birthday around the holiday season.
11 December
3791
Flickr
It's the most wonderful time of the year!! But for some people, including myself and my Dad, it can have its ups and downs when it comes to having a birthday near and around the holiday season. I personally share a birthday with my Dad two days before Christmas. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve is our birthday. Here are a few pros and cons for having a birthday near the holidays.
Pro: PRESENTS! PRESENTS! PRESENTS!
This is the blessing in disguise of all of the madness of having a birthday near Christmas. You get a lot of gifts, birthday and Christmas combine together to be a big gathering and gifts for everyone!!
Con: "This is your Christmas AND your birthday present."
The most used phrase for anyone who has a birthday remotely near the holidays. The convenience for someone to buy one gift is great for them, but sometimes it would be nice to have some separation between your birthday gifts and your Christmas gifts.
Pro: Your entire family shows up to celebrate your birthday!
Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, EVERYONE is there to help you celebrate your birthday. Being surrounded by family on your special day is great.
Con: You probably won't have a birthday party.
If your birthday is near the holidays you probably understand this: a birthday party is basically non-existent for you. A birthday party near the holidays means little to no guest attendance because of holiday travels or possibly bad roads on the day of your birthday. You will probably get the "how was your birthday?" or "what did you do to celebrate your birthday, did you have a party?" The answer is you probably did not.
Pro: It snows on your birthday!!!
All I ever wanted for my birthday was for it to snow. I love when it snows on my birthday; it is so magical to me to have a beautiful white blanket of snow glittering across the land.
Con: It snows on your birthday.
There is probably a large possibility that if it does snow on your birthday and it's bad, you probably won't be going anywhere. So be ready to hunker down with just your immediate family and not plan on getting on the roads. But you can sled on your birthday!!!
Pro: Lots of decorations for your birthday!
Lights, lights everywhere!!! The land is festive, magical and exciting, it truly feels wonderful to see so much joy in the air.
Pro: You get a lot of food if family Christmas is on your birthday.
If you love food as much as I do, family Christmas on your birthday is a little slice of heaven!!!! Food everywhere!! All of your favorites, plus the festive holiday treats and candy that you only get near the holiday season (hello Christmas cookies!!)!!!
Pro: So much to celebrate and be thankful for.
Your excuse for over-eating could be that it's Christmas AND your birthday, so you have a lot to celebrate.
Pro: I get to share my birthday with my Dad.
Though having a birthday party near the holidays can be rough, it is wonderful to share it with someone as wonderful as my Dad. Some might say it's a burden to share such as a special day with someone, but it's truly a blessing for me. Plus, I'm the coolest birthday present he has ever gotten.
Enjoy this holiday season and don't forget your friends and family who have birthday nears this festive time.
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Pixabay
It is that time of year again. Christmastime. It is one of my favorite seasons for a myriad of reasons. Here are just a few reasons why I love Christmas. This list is in no order of importance.
1. The Christmas decorations
I am that person who will decorate directly after Thanksgiving is over. This year, my roommates and I put the tree up in our apartment before we even left for Thanksgiving break. It is a great stress reliever for me to just sit in my living room and work on the huge amount of work I have before the semester is over.
2. Christmas movies
I love watching Christmas movies. It reminds me of when I was a kid and I could watch them with my parents when things were a lot less stressful. Besides, in my opinion, someone is never too old to watch Christmas movies. It puts you in the holiday spirit, and it helps that Freeform (ABC Family) has the 25 Days of Christmas.
3. Spending time with family
Since I have moved out to go to college, I have realized that I miss my family a lot when I am away. My parents may absolutely drive me crazy when I come back because I am so used to the independence that comes with being almost 5 hours away from them, but I still love to go back to visit. My brother and I used to fight all the time and now he is the person that I miss the most while I am away. I'm really glad that him and I got closer because now he is someone to confide in.
4. Christmas cookies
They are delicious. Need I say more?
5. Egg Nog
Whenever I start to see egg nog in the stores, it's a sure sign that Christmas is quickly approaching. Since this is only a seasonal item, I tend to overindulge. But since it's only around for a short period of time, I don't feel to guilty about it.
6. Christmas presents
When I was a kid I cared about this one A LOT more. I remember being that ridiculous kid who would give my parents not just a few suggestions of what I wanted for Christmas, but a two-page list for them to pick from. Needless to say, I've matured a lot since then. As cliche as it sounds, now I am just grateful to be with my family again and that all of us can be happy and healthy together. I've lost a lot of family, so this is quite a blessing.
7. Snow
While I don't love how cold it gets during the winter, I do love how snow looks on the ground while I am sitting in a warm house spending time with my family. There is nothing quite like a white Christmas.
In conclusion, I love Christmas because it is a time where everyone can just be happy. The holiday season may bring a lot of stress, because of the pressure to get the perfect present for that special someone, but once its all over, there is nothing quite like the joys of Christmas.
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Lifestyle
If You're A Christmas Addict Like Me, You Can't Stop Doing These 8 Things
We are well aware that it's not even Thanksgiving yet.
10 December
4162
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
'Tis the season to be jolly folks, and if you're anything like me, then at the stroke of midnight on Halloween your home went from wicked to winter
1. Decking the halls AKA decorating before Thanksgiving.
First things first, THE TREE IS UP. Or at least you're clearing up a spot in your living room, bed room or where ever to make room for your Xmas tree. I mean its the first day of the Christmas season and you have to start it right. But ya know, if you're being a grinch and waiting 'till after Thanksgiving to put up a tree, then in the very least your lights are up and all of your pillows are festive.
2. Playing Christmas music all day long.Â
The one time of year where Michael Bublé comes out from under a rock is when you truly come alive. Your Spotify playlist is loaded with a mixture of the classics with Sinatra singing I'll be home for Christmas to Grandma got run over by a reindeer. You've got to appeal to the masses here. Either way, whichever songs you have on your list, you've got that jolly jingle on BLAST and no one can stop you from bringing the musical holiday cheer where ever you go.
3. Christmas movie marathons.
Honestly, did you ever stop watching Christmas movies from last year? I mean yes we know we have seen each and every Christmas movie about a hundred times but guess what, we're still not sick of them. Elf, anyone?
4. Getting offended when someone hates Christmas.
First of all, no one asked you to be Scrooge this year. If you're getting your tinsel in a tangle from all of my Christmas cheer than you can go FA LA LA yourself in the corner. As for the rest of us who have never had coal in our stockings, we'll be over here having a jolly good time. *Cranks up Jingle Bells*
5. Drinking holiday themed drinks.
Basically, you now live at Starbucks have a collection of red cups from 2005 and are running off of Eggnog lattes with a hint of peppermint.
6. Buying ugly Christmas sweaters.Â
Yes, we know you have a plethora of chunky ugly Christmas knits, but have you seen this new one target put out for this year? I mean whats one more sweater to keep you warm during this chilly time of year. Definitely a need for this holiday season.
7. Using every chance to talk about Christmas.
Pretty much, anyone who has spoken to you since the beginning of October, or when the temperature dropped into the 60's, your mindset has been on straight Christmas mode. By the end of the year, you'll probably have said "Christmas" over a million times. A major bonus for yourself is anytime you can throw in "Bah humbug," or "Sweet Christmas."
8. Baking Christmas cookies.
Cookies here cookies there, cookies are everywhere and you cannot stop. People swear you own a bakery, and you love it.
Merry Christmas to my Christmas lovers out there! Remember, it's never too early to spread good cheer, no matter what those little grinches say. Keep being the jolly to my holly!
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