Scholarships Galore

Hey to all three of you that read my blog :P

I would really appreciate if you would help me win this scholarship!

All you have to do is vote to help me win.  HERE!!!!

Thanks in advance!

Book Worm

So while just on Facebook I saw one of my close friend's post about one of her goals for 2012: read 50 books.  Wow!  I would LOVE to be able to do that, but I truthfully don't think I have the time.  I'm tweaking her goal to make mine 25 books!

I will share them with you as time goes on.

Here are a few I know I want to read, but I need many more suggestions.  Please comment on this post and let me know if you have read any worthy books!

You can't actually "Click to look inside" because I just uploaded the picture not the link!

Bossypants 

 Crazy Love

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Soul Surfer

The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Hunger Games

Tuesdays with Morrie

Water for Elephants 

(All photos from Amazon.com)

Please tell me if you know of any other good ones I need to add to my list!

New Year, New You?

It has been quite a while since I've blogged, so I decided I needed to get back on and do some writing.

I just began spring semester classes at JMU and couldn't be more excited.  Mind you it is only the third day of classes, but I really think I am going to genuinely enjoy my professors and the subject areas I will be studying.  In fact, one of my new years resolutions is to keep my GPA up!  I earned a 3.88 last semester and am so proud of myself.  I was also accepted into the Honors Program here at JMU.  God is doing wonderful things in my life academically!

Speaking of resolutions... what do you think about them?  Are they good, or are they just a bunch of hooey?  I can't decide how I feel, but I have set quite a few (probably way too many) goals for myself this year.  I know some of them are a little far fetched and some are easily obtained (hey, I need to at least meet a few of my self-set goals).

Here they are:
1 - Be irresponsible sometimes.  I feel like I am always the responsible one - the "mommy" of my group of friends.  Quite frankly, I'm just done with it.  I obviously don't want to do anything to get me in trouble, but I need to have more fun, especially since I'm in college.
2 - Less soda, more water.  It is what it is.  No more cavities are needed, and I'm trying to be more healthy.
3 - Try new things.  I don't even know what yet, but I want to do some new things this year.
4 - Learn to sew.  You never know when you might need this skill (well actually it seems like I need it practically daily).  It is a good skill to have and could save me some money making Christmas presents for next year.
5 - Scuba dive.  I haven't been diving since I got my certification last May.  Needless to say, I need to go again.  I have heard there is a scuba club at JMU.  Maybe I will check that out.
6 - Travel.  I plan on traveling this summer at least to Florida to visit my grandparents with my cousin, but I really want to travel to Costa Rica with my friend.  Money is tight as I am fundraising and working to pay for my program fee and travel costs for my study abroad trip to Italy that is happening next year.
7 - Appreciate the beach.  Now being that I live in Virginia Beach, you'd think I go all the time.  Wrong.  I'm not the typical beach girl, I don't really know how to surf, and I absolutely loathe the sand.  It's time for me to look past the sand.  I feel like I have grown up in such a wonderful place and am so lucky to have, but I totally take advantage of it.  Being in the mountains does make me miss the beach more though.
8 - Feel hot.  I'm not a numbers person.  I have always avoided the scale because my grandmother has always told me that it's not the number that matters, but it's how you look and feel.  I want to feel hot.  I want to be able to appreciate the beach in a bikini and not be self conscious.  I know this is like the most overused resolution ever, but this year I'm really true to it.
9 - All As and Bs.  This goes with keeping up my GPA.  I do want to graduate cum laude, so I better start working hard now.
10 - Keep my skin healthy.  I'm beyond horrible at this.  When I get in bed at night, it is hard to get me out to wash my face.  I need to make that a priority.  I want healthy, beautiful, glowing skin!
And finally, 11 - Love the Lord.  Not that I don't love him now, but I want to fall even deeper in love with Him.  He has given me the ability to do all of the above goals I have set, so I need to take advantage of that opportunity, and thank Him everyday for that, something I don't do as often as I should.

What are you resolutions/goals?  I'd be interested to hear!

Happy New Year!

Ebates

ebates! Join it... NOW!

seriously... best thing ever!

Babies babies babies

Just recently I found out someone I know is pregnant!  I am beyond excited for them.  This awesome news prompted me to share some awesome maternity photo ideas I've found on the internet (esp. Pinterest!).  

I have always loved the idea of being pregnant (but certainly not any time soon, of course).  My mom said she loved it when she was pregnant and didn't really have any of the bad "side effects" - throwing up, etc.  It just seems so cool to me to have a child growing inside of you!  Ahh so cool :)

Week by Week - Do this every week to show your size change and you can write cravings, etc. for the week of on the chalkboard.  Probably my favorite idea :)

Baby Size - You could do this every week to show about how big the baby is inside your belly!  Also take a front and side shot to show your size.

Cravings - This is a fun way to remember what you were craving when you were pregnant!

Deciding on a Name - I could only imagine how difficult deciding on a name would be.  I mean they are stuck with that name forever!  This is a newt idea to remember what you almost named your little one.

Decided - Once you have decided on the baby's name take a picture with your pregnant belly and a "Hello my name is..." sticker!

All photos from Pinterest

DIY Extravaganza (Gift Edition)

So I have come up with/ found some really awesome gift ideas.  Since Christmas is just around the corner, I thought I'd share some cute ideas with you.  Mind you, not all of these are Christmas-y, but could be used for birthdays instead!

Enjoy!

Snowman Kit

Include:
 - Ten black rocks, or rocks painted black if you wanna steal some from your front yard.  These are for the eyes and mouth.
 - An orange candle with a small dowel glued to the end to use as a nose.
 - A scarf (thrift store shop)
 - A top hat (thrift store shop)
 - 3 or 4 buttons large enough to look as though they are the buttons on his shirt
For more detailed information, click here!

Gift Card Holder - Snow Globe Style

How To:
 - Need: A mason jar, a gift card, a hot glue gun, glitter, cute designs for the outside, water, ribbon and a few small ornaments.
 - On the inside of the lid of the jar, glue a strip and stand the gift card up.  Make sure this dries completely.  You can also glue ornaments to the lid as well.
 - Add some glitter to the bottom of your jar, it can be any color you'd like.
 - Next, fill the jar with water and add in the rest of your ornaments.
 - Put the lid on the jar and flip it upside down (make sure the lid is as tight as you can make it)!
 - Tie a bow to the outside or decorate the jar as you'd like.
 - You've got a snow globe!  What a cute and creative way to gift a gift card!






If you need a more detailed explanation, look here!

Lay Back and Relax

Now who doesn't need a relaxing Christmas gift??  I found this idea on Pinterest and kind of tweaked it to make it Christmas-y!
 - Roll up a throw blanket (Target and Walmart have them for pretty cheap)
 - Add a Christmas classic book or movie (or both)
     - Movie Ideas: The Polar Express, The Santa Clause, Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, or A Christmas Story
     - Book Ideas: A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Robert L. May), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dr. Seuss), or The Night Before Christmas (Clement C. Moore)
 - Next, add a few pouches of individually wrapped hot chocolate or tea
 - Tie a big bow around it and add a card!
The picture shows this idea in a beach format (beach towel, magazine, and sunblock).  You really could take this idea and run with it!

Let the Creativity Flow

This gift is for the creative friend or relative!
 - Grab a utensil caddy (or any kind of caddy for that matter)
 - Paint the outside in chalkboard paint and write a message on it in chalk ("Create" or something to that effect)
 - Now just add in a bunch of art supplies inside and you're done!
     - Think scissors, goggly eyes, paint, markers, colored pencils, glue, crayons, anything artsy!
This is such quick and easy, yet cute and useful gift!
If you need more detail or more visuals, check this out!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream!

For this gift, add in everything you can think of for a perfect sundae!  All the recipient needs to do is add the ice cream!
 - Grab a large shoebox and line it with colored tissue paper.
 - Pick up some waffle cone bowls and sugar cones from Walmart and add those in the box.
 - Also, get some different candies to put on the ice cream (think sprinkles, gummy bears, chocolate chips, m&ms, etc.)
 - Add in some chocolate syrup (either from the store or find a recipe online to try to make some yourself)
 - Lastly, label each bag of candy and the sauce and decorate the box!
This website has awesome details on how to make this happen!

Cupcakes to the Extreme

My friend actually gave me this gift for my birthday and I absolutely love it!
Include:
 - Fun cupcake liners (at least 50-100) and put them in a shoebox or tin lunchbox
 - Sprinkles
 - Cupcake mix
 - Pastry bags and a few tips
 - A small spatula
Awesome idea!  Add a tag that says, "Just Bake and Add Frosting"

Advice To My High School Self

As my first semester of college is coming to an end, I have reflected on my high school experience and have noticed a few things I would do differently if given the opportunity.  I can't say I regret anything I did or didn't do in high school, but if I could write myself a letter of advice, I'd have some things to say.

1. Study for those darn AP exams
     I wish I could have come in with some AP credits.  The more credits you have, the earlier you get to choose classes for the next semester.  Also, if coming in with enough credits to be considered a sophomore, you can bring a car to campus.  Seriously, just put more effort into those stupid AP exams.  At least study a few things instead of nothing at all.
2. Roommates aren't always easy when you get here, so don't expect to be best friends with her
     While my roommate and I get along well in comparison to many others, don't freak out when you're not best friends.  You're going to get into fights and "hate" each other for a few days, but it all works out in the end.  Just be calm and try not to freak out like you want to.
3. Be glad the tests are so easy
     It may not seem like it now, but those tests are SO easy compared to the ones you're gonna be taking in college.  Enjoy the free time you have.  Only having to study for two hours is awesome in comparison to the fifteen you put into one test/exam in college.
4. Save that money you're making
     I wish I had more money right now, so you really should be putting that money away in your savings account so we can use it later when you get to college.  It would be nice to be able to go off campus every once in a while to get dinner or go to a new movie, but that does require money.
5. Take as many dual enrollment classes you possibly can
     If English 111 & 112 weren't the only dual classes at Kellam, you'd need to take all of them.  It is so nice not having to take GWRIT 103 while all of my friends are freaking out about the papers they have to write.  Just think, if you had been able to take Dual Enrollment Government, you wouldn't have to take it in the future at a much harder level.
6. Actually try in classes, they can help in college
     Yeah they are just high school classes that don't really matter as long as you get the A, but actually learning the material can come in handy believe it or not.  I wish I would have attempted to learn more in high school rather than just worrying about the grades to get into college.  It would have helped me this semester and I'm sure in the future as well.

All in all, I love the way my first semester has gone.  I have gotten good grades, made lots of new friends, and have even become involved in some fun organizations.  All of this is great, but if I would have made the changes listed above, my experience might just be 6 times better.