[Now that the Masters are over and I forgot this was in my Drafts....] I have been wanting to learn how to golf for a while now... Golf has become the favored past time of many of my friends and my Twitter feed has been full of the Masters. I've been watching when I can and I've actually really enjoyed it!
...or maybe I just enjoy watching Jordan Spieth
I still have yet to learn to play, but watching is fun for now. It's the perfect thing to have on while doing homework; I love looking up and seeing pretty Augusta! Ugh, I wish I was there just to be in the sunshine. Maybe next year I will have put in some of my own time on the green... who knows?
I found this and it really resonated with me. Of course I've heard it before but it's really more applicable than ever at this point right now. I can honestly say that this semester has been full of learning experiences both in and out of the classroom.
And I have to remind myself that mistakes are an inevitable fact of life. They do not define me as a person. What defines me is how I learn from my mistakes- what I take away from the experiences.
College requires me to be more "plugged in" than I ever have been before.
I'm constantly checking my e-mail, texting, and doing assignments on one of my various i-Things. It's convenient- don't get me wrong! Instead of papers everywhere I just have "notes". I can start an assignment on my laptop and send it to my iPad to use in class. There is the ability to listen to recorded lectures and even Skype tutors. The use of technology in school is staggering, and something that I am certain that I don't take full advantage of.
But all this "connectivity" can be stressful. So stressful. I've recently had an epiphany when it comes to technology- that I need a break from it! The other day I had a sudden urge to go on my run sans-iPod. I used to do this all the time at home, but something about college made me feel like I needed to use one... probably the peer pressure since about 99% of people I see working out have headphones in. So I went on my run, completely unplugged. It was the best run I've had this semester.
It makes complete sense- working out is a huge stress reliever. Some people relieve the stress by blasting crazy music and dancing along while they're working out. In fact, a majority of people do. But the ability to go run in nature, with only my own thoughts and footfalls was the biggest stress reliever. I ran longer and harder, and came back much more refreshed and inspired... and it reminded my about why I loved running at home so much.
..........................................
I think this concept is 100% applicable to daily life. Every person I know is glued to their phone, laptop, or the tv. We all know that's not healthy so I won't go into that. But is it really enjoyable? More so than unplugging and picking up a book, or meeting friends for coffee... or going for a run? I know that working with technology drains me- so much so that I actually break up my studying between online work and textbook reading (for multiple reasons, but it's applicable to this too). Looking at something other than a screen and getting into my own thoughts has been a life saver lately.
The thing is, I've known that this should happen. I've known how looking at a screen before falling asleep can make for a bad night's sleep. I've known that running to music can make me go too hard, too soon. I've known that reading is stimulating and that opening up to my surroundings is a stress reliever in itself. We all know the facts and we choose to ignore them. But, if I've done one successful thing lately, it's been to make an effort to unplug- once during the day and before bed until I am asleep.
It may be raining right now, but you know what April showers mean...
right. May flowers. Sunshine. Spring. The subtle hints of summer.
I've been planning spring and summer outfits for longer than I'd like to admit. And I'm praying it's warm enough for the Easter dress that I've been planning to wear. There's one thing that's missing from my wardrobe though- a big hat! I've recently been obsessively looking at them on the internet. From monograms to fascinators, it's the perfect season for 'em!
Attending the Kentucky Derby is on my 21 Before 21 list... which means it has to happen either this year or the next. But April is all about horse races and I've actually gotten into watching them on tv, since Indiana isn't a very convenient place to live if one actually wants to attend. I've been dying over instagram and social media pictures- so many pastels and dresses and beautiful tracks & horses.
My aunt and uncle have been attending races for longer than I can remember, and my aunt has so many fascinators. Maybe it's just Aunt Becky getting to me, but I think I'm going to have to get a hat at some point in the near future. So cute!
I do not need any new bags.
Seriously, I finally am in agreement with my father- I have so many and I'm running out of space. But that can't keep me from looking & loving. Oh my goodness, I have been dying over a few totes (because we all know I'm a tote person).
It's such a shame that I've been using my backpack as much as I have, or I might be able to justify the Barrington or J. Crew bags. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll end up with the Barrington at some point in the next few months... because every girl needs a monogrammed tote. And it's a little more dressy than a longchamp. I think I can justify.
I saw the J. Crew bag in LA and died. Luckily it was at the end of my shopping day (read: I had no money left), otherwise I probably would have made the purchase. Thinking back, it would have definitely been an "LA style" purchase- it seems like everyone had one of these leather bags!
And, the Tory. Okay yay me... it's not a tote! It's a cheaper version of the classic Chanel chain bag, but I actually think I like this one better. I certainly like the price tag better :) My Kate Spade crossover is getting a little worn. This is similar but also a bit more grown up and girly. And just think of how pretty it'd be with a the Lillys I'll be wearing this summer! It's still out of my unemployed college kid price range, but it sure is fun to look at.
Are there any bags you're currently loving... or wishing for?
So, I actually had a hard time thinking up what my Top 5 favorites of this month were...
I'm not sure if it's because I was kinda in a "rut" this month (exams on exams on exams... plus huge assignments) or if I have been content with how my daily life is going. I've definitely been keeping my spending to a minimum in order to save up for summer concerts and upcoming Mother's and Father's Day gifts :) Which is great, except that I haven't been trying out all that much. So.. I've done what I can and I bring you my favorites of this past month.
5. David Nail album
I love me some country music, and David has definitely worked his was into my heart. It all started with Whatever She's Got, but the whole album is great and has been on repeat.
4. Water
Water is great. I still love my Diet Coke and, more recently, my Keurig Sweet Tea... but when I came back from winter break I told myself that I was only going to drink water in the dining court. It didn't work out too well until March came around and I realized that I should probably care a little about my "beach bod" even though I wasn't going to be at the beach at all on spring break. Cutting soluble sugars out of your diet (aka... sweet drinks) is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cut calories. If I need a little bit more, I'll slice some strawberries and put 'em in there. *ahhh so refreshing*
3. Lululemon Yogas Everything
I was noticing that my old yoga pants were getting a little bit worn... most of them are from freshman year of high school. No joke. I'd also been wanting to see what the Lulu hype was all about. Holes in my yoga pants + a desire to check Lululemon out= I bought a pair. Then two more. Yes folks, they are worth the money. When I put them on, I instantly feel about 2 sizes smaller. They're the most comfortable pants I own. Next, I want to try shirts and sports bras... because they're just so freakin' cute!
2. Berries + Cliff Bars
Quick anecdote: I started this semester with an ungodly amount of dining dollars. This money I can use at any campus dining service, but are in addition to my meal swipes. Thankfully, I discovered the little grocery stores that will accept these dollars.
I've had no problem spending my dining dollars this semester. I discovered fresh berries and cliff bars. They're the perfect "snack"/ meal replacement that doesn't leave me feeling sluggish or hungry. Since I got back from spring break I've really been trying to limit my sugar intake. Sure there are better things I could be eating to fix that sugar craving, but these do the trick in the most natural way (and they're the least harmful to my "diet"). Definitely some new favorites of mine.
1. Traveling!
There is nothing I love more than packing my bags and heading away from the midwest. Spring break was a chance for me to test traveling on my own- okay, I met my cousin in Cali so I wasn't totally alone. But it was the first time I'd navigated unfamiliar airports and streets alone. For the first time, I was able to kinda pick my schedule. I was able to determine how I wanted to spend my free time and money. My cousin and I definitely spent a lot of time sight seeing together, and I had him take me to typical West Coast places. But we had our time apart too. It was just what I needed in the middle of this crazy semester and it left me longing for more trips..
Other things I've been loving:
pistachios, pulling the Sperrys out again, running outside, ordering iced Starbucks drinks, my 6 ft iPhone charger!, understanding what's going on in my classes, PUDM Merch committee, reading (already on book no. 2 of the month!), discovering new blogs, Barrington Gifts (on my wish list), Dan + Shay album, Chanel Chance, thick headbands, and my new PurduePrep Instagram!
But that means that finals are coming up.. and quickly! This next month is going to be hectic Between making sure I'm prepared to finish up to the school year to setting up summer jobs and projects, I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it. I don't know about you, but I like to keep everything within an arm's reach while I'm studying. Not having to get up and search for something keeps me productive and focused, both of which are absolutely necessary when all I want is to be outside enjoying the weather (yes, I said it. It's finally nice out here at Purdue).
I ran across a linkup of different bloggers who are sharing their work spaces. I probably got more excited than I should have been about it, but I'm nosey like that. I love seeing how other girls organize and make the most out of the space they're given. I get so much inspiration- from drawer organization to artwork. It's all so much fun to me, so of course I wanted to join in and share my work space!
I didn't re-arrange anything before this was taken. 100% what my desk looks like on a daily basis
I keep any returned papers/ reference papers in files for each of my classes.
This tray is my catch-all. Paperclips, sticky notes, and Organic structures!
If there's anything that I think sets my dest apart, it's that I always have paper within reach. I have notepads to jot down ideas or pre-write a response. I have sticky notes galore, which I use to mark up my textbooks or write myself reminders. You can also count on me to have lip balm of some sort and a drink at my desk- usually water or Diet Coke :)
I didn't show pictures of my drawers, just because they've become the "attic" of my room. There's anything from notebooks to chocolate to movies in there and I have zero organization going. At some point, I'm going to go through it all and get it all together, but today was not that day so I apologize that I can't share that with you.
But, there you have my desk. It's got everything I need to an all-day study session or quick bit of note-taking. If you'd like to join the link up, you can visit Prep In Your Step's post right here.
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