When TFM Goes Right

like almost any college student who pays any attention to Greek life,

I am a follower and regular reader of TFM

Typically more for comic relief than actual news, I will visit the Twitter or web page to see what's going on. What pledges have been dragging giant Christmas trees around campus and which chapters are throwing crazy parties. Yes, it's about as much a guilty pleasure of mine as Gossip Girl or eating a whole thing of Ben and Jerry's out of the tub. 

But, this past week Jared of TFM wrote the best article I've ever read on the site. It showed that frat guys actually do have a heart- and realistic expectations of women! Following the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, that I watched white eating cookies and Reese's and feeling bad about myself, Jared wrote an article about why we, as girls, shouldn't want to look like one of those models. I clicked the link thinking "oh, this should be good." 

read the article here

Spoiler Alert: It was good. 

It was better than anything I'd read on TFM to date. Jared's points were valid, but that's besides the point. What he recognized in his article was that girls are real actual humans, who like froyo and is going to be more in life than a supermodel (not that supermodels aren't actual humans... but I think they're nearing their own breed). The girls that a normal guy is going to come into contact with is going to care a lot more about the world and a lot less about an ankle sprain. 

So, I had to document this post by saying, thank you Jared. 

Thank you for making me feel better about myself after your article. 

Always Believe...

I've been in a kind of slump lately

between finals and getting ready to be home for a month, life has been a whirlwind lately. To add to that, I've had my own form of self-induced stress about the most ridiculous things like relationships, food/ weight, and greek life. Yes, believe it or not I am a crazy over-thinker who reacts to stress by... putting myself under more stress. 

I guess this tactic isn't all bad, since my stress over the stupid stuff seems (in my mind) like a bigger deal than the pending exams, so studying is actually a "distraction" and a way to quit thinking about it. Because, if I put my phone on Do Not Disturb, then I won't have to constantly wonder if I'm getting a text- it wouldn't buzz anyways. If I study really hard I'll do well on my exams- something to "brag" about if I go through recruitment again. But, as soon as I put the books down for a break, I'm back to over-thinking. I'm back to measuring whether or not I'm cute based on the number of Instagram likes or comments. I'm back to falling into a Country music- induced depression. 

and through this vicious cycle, I'm forgetting to think beyond this moment

I was taking a much-needed study break when I came across this quote on Pinterest. And I remembered that in one week, I'll be home for a month. I'll have my first semester behind me, and many more ahead.  And yes, right now I have about a million and two thoughts zipping around my mind at a speed too high for me to register. Academic stress mixed with personal mixed with everything in else is a lot, and I have yet to find a way to quiet my mind. But I need to keep reminding myself that my worrying and over-thinking isn't doing anything to help me right now. There is always something wonderful in the future- 

no matter how rough the present or uncertain the future

Reflection

since today is officially the last day of classes of my first semester of college, I thought that it'd only be appropriate to reflect on these past months. Entering this semester, I was told over and over about how much fun I'd have and how much I'd learn. Everyone was 100% correct- have learned so much. Of course I've learned in my classes and from my professors, but I've also learned a lot about myself... and that's what I'm going to share. 

disclaimer: don't take these too seriously- they've got a twinge of humor attached to them

1. I am a morning person. When "morning" is when I wake up on my own and don't have an overwhelming amount of work to do that day.

2. I am definitely an introvert. But that doesn't mean that I'm shy or submissive.

3. I thought I was good at talking to adults. I'm actually not. I get nervous and talkreallyfast and avoid eye contact. All bad.

4. While I don't need Greek Life to define me, there's still a part of me that wants it to be a part of me.

5. I talk with my hands. This becomes a sort of flailing when there's a cute boy in the room and I want him to notice me.

6. While I'm definitely not more productive from 8 pm-12 am, that is when I get the most work done.

7. I hate the cold. I actually already knew this, but walking miles in it daily has increased this hatred.

see 8

8. My life can be summed up into one emoji

9. I have a soft spot for frat boys. I know they're crazy but...

10. I still hate rap music, but Miley Cyrus + Rap is so bad it's good (you know I'm right)

11. It's really easy to get on a prof's good side- go to class and actually say hi to them

12. I learn a lot more from Google and YouTube for my classes than I do from the book

13. I am an auditory learner. I now read my notes aloud to myself & if that's not creepy and nerdy I don't know what is.

14. I instantly feel alive after a brush my teeth- it's saved me a few times from falling asleep studying

15. I do not like doing laundry... or maybe I just hate walking all my dirty clothes down to the basement only to find that there are no free machines.............

16. I have this very sassy side to me that I never let be known in high school but now runs rampant here at Purdue

17. I talk in my sleep.. about chemistry. 

18. I can survive at least 36 hours on caffeine and caffeine alone

19. I can't study in the library... or any place that is too quiet. I will go crazy.

20. I actually am capable of making friends. And darn good ones, at that. 

And there you have it, 20 things I've learned this first semester. I'm sure I could go on and on and on, but I'll spare you the time on that one. Plus, I need to get studying. Finals week is this week. Eek!

Social Media

one of my goals has been to become more socially active using well-known sites

I've had a twitter for a while, and now I'm branching out to Pinterest and Tumblr! 

I've used both platforms "privately"... or for myself... for some time, but now it's time to allow you to connect with me through these great social networks. I use both mainly for inspiration- fashion, writing, baking. I love being able to see what others are interested in and what they pin, as well as draw inspiration from places I certainly wouldn't have looked without the nudge from a friend's repetitive pinning. To make it easy, I have both my Tumblr and Pinterest pages linked below, as well as my Twitter again.

Tumblr

Pinterest

Twitter

I realized that I left out my personal Instagram in the original post, and that's probably the form of social media that I have the most fun with. I'd love for you to follow my Instagram, and just for fun I'll give you a little preview of what you'll be seeing!

College Basketball from the Paint Crew View

she's no Teddy, but she sure is cute! 

Philanthropy Events

My Baking skills... hopefully they will improve

And, of course, selfies galore!

Instagram

Happy Pinning, ReBlogging, and Following :)

Wish List Wednesday: Gift Guide Edition

it's Christmastime, and that means wish lists... everywhere!

I could do a gift list of my own, where I steal ideas scour the internet for the best items on everyone else's lists. Then I'd find the items myself, make my own collage, and replicate what has already been done so beautifully. So, instead I'm going to allow you, the reader (and buyer) to decide what direction you'd like to go by providing you with some of the best gift guides I've found.

via College Prepster

1. 50 Gifts for Him and Her

2. J. Crew Gift Guide

3. PKP's Top 31 Gifts for Men

4. The 50 Best Beauty Gifts

5. Gifts at H&M

6. 31 Utterly Perfect Presents

Happy Gifting! 

Top 5: November 2013

this month was the fastest. Ever. 

It was the first month that I've really loved college since I've been here. I think I've finally found a balance between studying and social life. My sleep schedule (or lack of, rather) has let me survive on less sleep and more fun. Basketball season began and, even though it's cold, campus has just been so much fun! 

Naturally, I have a list of my Top 5 favorites for this month that I'm looking forward to sharing!

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

5. Benefit They're Real

So I've had this mascara for a while now and I have loved it since the beginning. The reason I have it on this list is because it has passed the test- I purchased it again. In the ever-changing beauty world, going back for the same product twice is what really signifies that it's a keeper. I love the way this mascara opens my eyes. Plus, it doesn't look too done-up, which is perfect for everyday wear.

4. Baking

I have never been one that really likes baking, but something about the holidays has made me really antsy to get in the kitchen! My family always bakes, so maybe it's a way for me to channel home a little bit too. This month I baked twice at school and twice over Thanksgiving break, and judging by my Pinterest, there's more where that came from!

3. Turtlenecks

So, I've had a love/hate... mostly hate... relationship with turtlenecks my whole life. I can just remember my mom pulling them over my head when I was younger, as I cried out to have her take it off. Because of these bad memories, I've avoided turtlenecks at all costs. That is, until the J. Crew look book became flooded with turtlenecks and the seemingly infinite ways of styling them. I took a leap of faith, bought a couple, and am not looking back! I love the two that I bought and am seriously considering going back for one in every color. 

2. Tumblr

I have recently starting using Tumblr on a daily basis. I don't post my own images yet, just reposts of others. I'm trying to figure out how it all works but it's been a fun little learning experience this past month.

1. Holiday "Stuff"

From Michael Buble Christmas album to my favorite holiday movies, I got into the Christmas spirit a little bit early this year. Now that it's December, the ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas will definitely be a nightly event. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I'm just really loving the holidays right now so everything Christmas is a favorite of mine right now! 

what are you loving?

I'm Back!

Where have I been?

Fulfilling another 21 Before 21 goal, of course! I wanted to unplug as much as possible for a week, and what better week than Thanksgiving? It's a time to be with family and be thankful for what we have been blessed with, so I stepped away from my computer in order to enjoy being home with family. 

The up side to this- I have so many ideas for what to post since they've been bottling up in my mind for the past week. 

Down side- I have so much reading to catch up on from all of my favorite blogs! 

but, I am back and happy to have reached another goal of mine

p.s. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S DECEMBER!!