Weekend Reading

Like I said, I've been really enjoying keeping up with the news lately.

It keeps me from being sucked into the "college bubble", yes. But it also has given me so many different aspects of the world to think about that I normally wouldn't. Flipboard has given me access to so many different news sources- many more than I would be able to look at if I had to go to websites individually- so I've discovered sources that I didn't even know existed. The best part? Everything is channelled to my interests, but it's also not the same news over and over.

..........................................................

With the weekend arriving, I hope to have some relaxing time carved out to catch up on the articles that I saved for later while discovering even more. I know I'll never have as much time as I'd like to, but that's what next weekend it for... right? The past couple of weeks I've come across some articles that I've loved- some have made me laugh and some have made me want to travel. Some just seem unnecessary, but are interesting nonetheless. 

If you have some spare time this weekend, these are a few articles that I'd definitely suggest:

and if you don't have some time for reading in your weekend, I suggest you rethink your plans. 

Vogue's Fall Reading List

Elle's How to Take a Selfie

13 Everyday Phrases that Actually Came from Shakespeare 

Surviving Whole Foods

An Insider's View of 19th Century Paris

From to-do lists to satire, this list of articles really is very random and inconclusive. 

None of the articles are long or deep, but they all caught my attention enough for me to save them and look over a second time. For a college student with not a lot of free time, I'd say that's enough evidence for promotion. 

These articles would go perfectly with a relaxed morning and a cup of coffee. 

Doesn't that sound wonderful?

Top 5: September 2013

This month has been a blur!

School got crazy- midterms and studying took up my life. When I wasn't studying I was eating or sleeping. My lack of activity here on the blog was probably a great indication of this routine, but I'm happy to say that life has slowed down. The scores I received on my exams were an indicator of how well my studying tactics were working... let me just say that all is well. Not only was this a relief to not struggle through my first round of exams, but I'm able to see now that I can stress a bit less on my school work. This is wonderful news, because I was not liking my lack of free time... I would have gotten burnt out very quickly. 

Because of this horribly stressful month, there's an overwhelming theme of "comfort" to this month's list of favorites. From yummy drinks and snacks to what I did as study breaks, all of these items saved me during this month.

1. Anything Fall

The fact that I was able to start wearing boots, scarves, and hats made getting up to go study a bit more enjoyable. Having a brisk walk to class woke me up and drinking warm drinks was such a pick-me-up. My favorite drink right now is not a Pumpkin Spice Latte, I know.. shocking! I'm actually loving hot caramel apple cider. It's absolutely delicious and brings back memories of my mom's homemade hot cider.

2. Nail Polish

I think I've mentioned that my roommate has been inspiring to keep my nails pretty, but painting my nails is also a great study break. It takes enough time that I can watch a couple of YouTube videos or an episode of Sex and the City and re-charge my brain. I've been loving fall reds, greens, and blues. I'm currently wearing Stylenomics, from Essie's Fall 2012 collection, but I'm on the search for the perfect fall pink. Suggestions?

3. The News

Another way that I've given my brain a break without feeling like I'm wasting away- reading/ watching the news. Every MWF I wake up with time to relax and watch the Today Show with a cup of coffee. In between classes or during study breaks I've been enjoying FlipBoard. Everything I read is interesting, but I think it's also important for me to keep up on what's going on outside of my campus. The "College Bubble" is a real thing, which I first experienced when I heard about the US going to war and not knowing a thing about it. I immediately began searching for an app that I could use to stay up-to-date. FlipBoard has been perfect! 

Additionally, I've been keeping an eye on my horoscope. I am away that it is definitely not the current, worldwide news, but it is news. In my life. I find it fascinating to read what is in store for me and to actually compare my days to how they've been "predicted".

4. Greek Yogurt

Of course food has to make an appearance! My roommate and I have become slightly obsessed with eating yogurt. For me, I've become dependent on it as a snack since I began my 21 Before 21 challenge of not eating sweets. I love putting a few shredded almonds in there. It acts as a perfect ice cream substitute and I love that it has so much protein!

5. Home

Dorothy was right- there's no place like home. This past month I was able to go home twice, which was desperately needed. With all of my stressing at school, it was nice to spend a weekend at home and have my parents cook for me or just be there to talk to about everything. They are 100% my greatest support system, so being with them and hearing their encouraging words is what I use as motivation to study and do well. My sister is crazy, but I've missed her! She and I were able to have a date night- dinner and a movie- and just talk about her sports and school. It kills me that I'm missing out on so much of her life, but it makes being home so much sweeter since we can just love on each other rather than fight.

I am so grateful that this month has gone so smoothly, regardless of the stress. This weekend is the beginning of fall break, and I can't wait to go home for an extended period, unpack, and just be able to relax. But, I feel that October may be stressful in it's own ways. 

All I have to say is

Bring it On! 

Travel While You're Young

Flipboard has led me to so many fantastic articles.

My favorite so far has been by Adam London, who wrote about traveling. It was the first time I've read something that really supported my same feelings on travel. I'm used to going to the news to learn, but to leave feeling more sure of myself... that was something different. 

I sometimes get judged for my experiences from traveling- people treat me as if I'm stuck up or "rich". But I love the emphasis in the article about how it doesn't take a fortune to see the world. Youth is about new experiences and a foundation for the rest of your life, and I couldn't picture a better way to do so. Especially with how connected to world has become, there really is no excuse for not traveling.

Excuse #1 that I hate

"It's too expensive" I read another article about how hostels are becoming the new place to stay. Business men are catching on to the low-budget way of traveling. As a student, I've taken trips with friends and stayed in hostels. Yes, it was odd at first, but then you meet people in the common areas and it's like Welcome Week at school all over again! The ability to connect and have experiences with young people everywhere is what draws me to this option... and the price tag helps.

Additionally, traveling outside the US is a breeze with public transportation. It takes far less time to travel from city to city or country to country and there are so many options on how to do so. Trains, planes, and automobiles (but really). You could even go by foot or hitch-hike. I know it sounds crazy here, but it's really not that uncommon in other countries. Plus, it's never fun without a little adrenaline rush... just no Taken re-enactment's, please.

Besides that, it's fun.

Nobody likes to sit around and do nothing their whole life. Even people like me, who enjoy their solitude and down time, can find fun in traveling. There are museums and churches and cultures to explore! The shopping is always fun, and I am guilty of sitting and people-watching. Sue me, it's interesting! 

The final line of Adam London's article says

Small Paychecks, Big Memories

and that is so incredibly right. It's the epitome of how traveling and youth should be. I, the biggest shopper you know, am willing to forgo buying new clothes if it means saving for a trip overseas... or anywhere. And, like I said, once you're there it doesn't have to be expensive. Buy that plane ticket and you're so set! So this only begs one question-

when are we going? 

Top 5 iPhone Apps

With every iOS update comes a time to re-evaluate the apps on my phone.

It's a simple process- I go back through and think about the apps that I use on a daily basis and keep those. Any others, I delete. I don't worry about deleting them because Apple has made it so incredibly easy to hop on the App Store and re-download it in a pinch. And looking at a crowded home screen gives me anxiety, so delete-spree it is! 

So, here is my actual home screen post-cleanse. Yes, I only have one screen and I don't plan to get many more than that. The bottom row of apps houses my most commonly used apps, since they're easiest for my thumb to reach while cradling my phone in my hand. Anything involving typing or two hands I put in folders. It's really a very complex, thought out process. But it works and so I will accept that I might be crazy. Putting apps like Facebook and Twitter aside, I've narrowed my favorites down to a top 4 most frequented apps:

Flipboard gives you news you want in a simple, attractive format. I love that it allows me to bypass the humongous papers with lots of information that I don't want or need. The app compiles the types of news stories that I've chosen and it puts them in a magazine or flip-book format in which I can quickly read the articles, get what I need, and get done. If I want more information, I must only search a little harder. I find it extremely beneficial since I'm at college in what they call the "bubble". After only a couple of weeks at school I felt alienated from the current world, so I went on the hunt for a news app that would work to keep me updated without me having to search Google every morning for the headlines. Flipboard does a perfect job.

Pandora. It's been on my favorites list since the first day of having a smart phone. iOS7 tries to compete with the app with their iTunes Radio, but they don't quite get it. There are aspects of the Radio that I do like more than their Pandora counterparts, but Pandora is still winning out. I already have my stations and they know what I like. I also use Pandora on my computer and I have yet to update iTunes on my computer so it's still the universal music player for me. Spotify, on the other hand, has seen its final days on my phone.

Oyster is a tech startup that I am loving! I'm already reading the books and loving that I can pull up any book I want at any time. With the mornings being chillier, I've been taking the bus into campus and I love to get my seat and read a chapter or two. I can imagine that this app is going to get a lot of use from me, and at $9.95 a month I'd recommend it to anyone!

I use the Nike + Running app for... well, running. There's not much explanation needed other than the fact that it's changed so much in the last year and has become my #1 choice in running apps. I used to have 3 others but they were all deleted in this app. When it comes to workout gear, I'm a Nike girl all the way so I've been loving the challenges and developments they've made to the app.

Banking. So this isn't on my home page, but it is 100% necessary and used daily. I track my spending and saving here as well as budget for nights out, etc. I use the ELFCU app, just because that's the credit union I use. Most banks and unions have apps now and they're fantastic for checking your account on the go or cashing checks without waiting in line at the bank. 

Each person has their own group of apps that they love or use on a daily basis, and it's 100% dependent on your schedule and place in life. I'm not one of those people who is glued to my phone, but I like to have the technology right at my fingertips and it's extremely convenient to have everything organized and easy to find. If you're planning to "cleanse" your phone or home screen, one magnificent video I've run across shows you how to hide your apps- perfect for that Stocks app that you've never opened or the apps that you just don't want everyone getting into. They're still 100% accessible through your Spotlight Search, but don't have an actual icon. Perfect, right?

What are your favorite apps?