Rules to Life?

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This morning, I was in my car at a light on James and Broadway, waiting to turn and get to the parking garage on campus. I knew the light was longer than normal, so I whipped my phone out of my vest and tapped on Facebook. A Thought Catalog post about “7 Rules to Not Be Clingy” or something like that caught my attention. I opened it up and found those basic rules for a girl to follow if she wants to not be clingy. In that moment, I started to think about those posts. Following Thought Catalog and Elite Daily on Facebook, I have seen plenty of those posts about rules to dating or how to’s in order to live a more fulfilled life. Granted, I follow these pages for the relatable 20’s posts and the friendship ones so I can post them on my best friend’s wall to prove to the world how much we love each other. Regardless, I have clicked on these posts numerous times out of curiosity. All of them are written by normal people. Oftentimes they are about how to keep the guy or how to not be jealous, clingy, know when the relationship is dwindling, etc. So I got to thinking. What messages are these kind of posts sending to women who are attempting to navigate through the modern dating world?

Well, first off, I’m the wrong girl to ask since I hardly navigate through the modern dating world. I hardly put up with that kind of stuff and the last date I went on was with my ex as friends for New Years… So…. that being said, I should probably be one of these girls who should follow these little posts. However, after dating all of the wrong men and being that girl who is connected at the hip with her best friend — I wonder if these little tips, tricks, and pieces of advice would actually attract the right person.

Sure, a little jealously and slight “clinginess” would never hurt in a relationship, but wouldn’t a person want someone they can be themselves around? More importantly, if you are clingy, wouldn’t be obvious that you aren’t comfortable with being alone in the first place? In my opinion, these posts have their point, but aren’t they teaching the reader how to not be themselves? Giving them certain rules in this superficial game of dating? Is that really what women want now — rules to play a dating game to date someone that probably doesn’t even appreciate who they are or even know who that person really is?

Despite it all, I think that women should not have a set of rules when dating. If you need these sets of rules then you are only going to attract the wrong person or play the superficial dating game for far too long. A relationship should be based off being with someone who you can be yourself with, regardless of what mood you are in. However, if you are clingy and using these rules to not be so, some quality time with yourself may be a good idea. Clinginess comes from not being comfortable with being alone. Learn how to love yourself and being alone — that’s the best advice. Don’t try while dating.

These posts are always entertaining to read; especially to post onto your best friend’s wall on Facebook. However, take these posts with a grain of salt. Don’t follow rule for rule. They’re only telling you how not to be yourself, but instead be some fantasy girl that guys want.

However, who am I to be telling you this stuff? I’m single after all….

Thoughts on Winter Quarter

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During a very dry eight in the morning class, I had many thoughts on winter quarter of my senior year.

Most of those thoughts involved how I would have rather been at work instead of in class. To put it briefly, I am ready to graduate. After all, I am pretty much in the real world. I have not lived in college bubble for almost two years now. Last year, I was attempting to find my way by living off campus most of the time and being on campus for two days a week. I find it difficult to relate to students on campus. Mostly because I live in a world off campus and in a different world. I do not know of weekends, working only twenty hours a week on campus, and my college friends. My friends are work related, I work four days a week, school two, and only one day off to find ways to make things work. This week, I am working a solid seven days in a row because it is needed.

This weekend, I am beginning my journey of selling in Activewear. I am excited and ready to lead a team and demonstrate to the rest of the store what I am capable of. There are high standards for me. With that, I have applied to the internship for retail management and crossing my fingers that I receive it.

With that, I was shocked to figure out that during my three hour break between classes, Netflix is not available on the school WiFi. Thank GOD for Amazon Prime Instant Video. I can keep watching The Tudors in between classes without any problem. That is my major concern since I have a full three and a half hours until my next class! That time will more than likely be used to do last minute homework for my second two classes.

I’m not entirely sure what to expect from winter quarter except that January and February tend to be very bland and dreary up in the Pacific Northwest. I look forward to seeing what experiences this quarter will bring in the classroom and outside of it as well.

New Year, New Me?

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It’s 2015 and the New Years Resolutions are already in full motion. With that, I’m assuming that you all think I will be writing my New Years Resolutions. However, I will not be doing that. Despite the fact, that this year I will be attempting to blog more than I did last year.

A new year does not mean that you will suddenly be the person that you aspired to be at the beginning of last year, instead a new year is a time to take upon the reflections of last year and focus on what worked, what didn’t, and what you may try doing instead. It doesn’t mean that you will decide to work out exactly on the first (or second) of January and then quit (per usual) by mid month or beginning of February, but instead, it is focusing on what aspects of your life that need improving and which ones you are more dedicated to fixing.

This year, I want to focus more on my body. Not only with fitness, which I started doing well before the New Year, but focusing on my skin, makeup, meditation. Finding what I feel good when I wake up in the morning and not stressing over the problems that I’m facing. I want to focus on doing the things that feel good to me. Lotion on dry skin after a hot shower, focusing on makeup, building the friendships that feel good, but also building the habits that bring me the most joy.

This year, I will be graduating college and I have no idea what the looming future is going to be taking me. I know that I have an incredible wanderlust for Europe, Asia, and even just a tad north in Vancouver. With that, I have no idea where I’m going to be in a job, if I’ll be able to make enough to move to a different apartment and pay my loans. There is no saying where I could be.

So instead of making the big goals when it comes to those things that I cannot control, instead, this year, I plan on focusing on the things I can control — that means keeping toxic people away from me, my body fit and feeling good, my mind clear and of ease instead of stress, and finding ways to continue my hobbies. I plan to blog more about the good things in life and self-discovery than I have in previous posts, because when you’re in your early twenties — there is no end in self-discoveries. Every day is a new day. So, instead of making a list of who I want to be, why not just enhance and improve the person that I am?

Debriefing My Summer Bucket List

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 Right before classes ended, I wrote a summer bucket list last spring. Now that summer is basically over, despite the fact that I don’t start classes until the 25th, it is time to go over the summer bucket list and figure out what I did and did not do, and maybe I should put onto my Fall bucket list.

 

1. Paint a Chevron Print : Sadly, this is not happen. I never got around to painting, especially with my busy schedule. However, this is still on my fall bucket list.

 

2. Lose ten pounds in the month of May: I did not lose ten pounds in May, HOWEVER I did lose 12 pounds by the beginning of August. With that saying, I lost weight – that’s all that matters.

 

3. Meet new friends at Clipper this summer: This DEFINITELY happened. I met some of the greatest friends I have to this day at Clipper this summer. Some of whom I am planning on moving in with too!

 

4. Go to a UW party: This did not happen, instead I went to a lot of Clipper parties with my friends.

 

5. Go completely local and organic: For the most part I’ve done that, but this didn’t happen this summer. Food is hard to buy when you’re really poor.

 

6. Buy a new Coach purse: Instead of a Coach, I bought a Longchamp.

 

7. Buy a pair of Tory Burch Flats: Yeah…. Didn’t happen.

 

8. Completely redo my wardrobe: Now, I did a decent start of a wardrobe, but mine needs a lot of work after being in Pullman for two years. So fall is the perfect chance to get a start on that. Especially with all of the cute boutiques in the Seattle area.

 

9. Find the perfect skin regiment: I did do this! I found great cleanser, exfoliator, and a fantastic moisturizer that makes my skin look even better!

 

10. Meet someone unexpected: I met my unexpected people. The greatest thing that happened this summer was not by meeting someone, but knowing someone and allowing the unexpected to happen.

 

11. Learn something new about myself: I learned many new things about myself this summer, but the mot memorable was to trust my instincts – those gut instincts tend to be right and I need to listen to them.

 

12. Tan naturally: Obviously

 

13. Become best friends with one of my new roommates: Sadly, this did not happen, but I did become best friends and made myself some future roommates!

 

14. Go to Portland: I haven’t done this yet, but I am within the next couple weeks!

 

15. Find the perfect bathing suit: I’ve been so busy focusing on work and building up my closet and so forth that I haven’t found one! This is on my spring bucket list for sure!

 

16. Start bike riding: Yeah, didn’t do this.

 

17. Go to a yoga class: Ditto as above.

 

18. Read the New Yorker regularly: This I was able to do! I love this magazine, definitely a good bucket list item to have!

 

19. Go to a local concert: Not enough hours in the summer, but going on my fall bucket list for sure!

 

20. Find the perfect breakfast place in Seattle: This one I did without even thinking about the bucket list. For my mom’s birthday, we tried Oddfellows on Capitol Hill, near Eliot Bay Books. It is INCREDIBLE. Definitely my favorite breakfast spot.

 

21. Read “Ten Little Indians” by Sherman Alexie: It is in my nightstand and being read lately! I’ll make sure to tell ya how I like it!

 

22. Find the perfect desk for school: I am on the hunt as we speak!

 

23. Order all of the Batman the Animated Series on DVD: Yeah….not enough money for this.

 

24. Fall in love with grapefruit: This easily happened within the weeks of summer beginning.

 

25. Get comfortable with my personality and my body: This happened. I got comfortable with who I am as a person, realizing my strengths and weaknesses. With that, losing weight as helped my really become happy with my body, but also realizing that I have work to do yet.

 

26. Fall in love with healthy food: I haven’t eaten fast food in months – I win.

 

27. Start cooking: As much as I wanted this one to start, it didn’t. I have a great kitchen, I’m just never home. So with this fall coming up, I’m hoping to really be able to cook.

 

28. Begin living holistically: Meh. I really need to be better about taking vitamins.

 

29. Finish Grey’s Anatomy: I’m lame and didn’t even do this.

 

30. See more independent films: Thanks to one of my really good friends who loves independent films, this was made possible this summer.

 

So this was my summer! Keep an eye out for Fall’s Bucket List!

 

Taking Care Of Yourself: Stepping Back

Hello readers! I am sorry that I have been gone for a couple weeks! Life has gotten busy with finding a new home and getting my life together for school! With that, today is my “break” and giving myself a mental health day from stress of life.

When going a mile a minute, focusing on your future can affect how you are living your present. Sometimes you need focus on what you need in your present more than what you need in your future. Take care of yourself right now and everything will fall into place. Well, that’s what I told myself once I slowed down and took a minute to think. With these tips, you should be able to slow down and get your life back into some order before starting to plan again.

Clean Your Space: Apartment, house, room, car or maybe all of the above — your space needs to be clean. I am a big believer in cleaning your space will clean up your life. Having the clutter out of your life physically could help ease the clutter in your mind. With me, clothes begin to litter the floor, trash piles, dishes remain dirty, paper everywhere — it is a mess. Grab a glass of white wine, a flat of fresh cherry tomatoes, the first season of Scandal, and begin to pick up those clothes! Cleaning is much easier when you take it at your own pace with some comforts. Not like when you were a kid and your mom made you clean your room or else you couldn’t do anything fun. Cleaning should be therapeutic, so make it enjoyable!

Read, Write, Watch a Movie: Keep your brain going, but in a nonstressful way! I like to grab a good book, a copy of the New Yorker, my journal or even put on a good movie and sprawl out on my bed and just be.

Play! Whether it is going for a bike ride, a run, a drive, shopping, or a fun night out with friends — do something active and don’t just sit on your butt at home! There is nothing better than laughing with friends and forgetting about the huge “to-do” list sitting on your desk at home.

Once you have taken a day or two to yourself, you will feel more motivated to tackle that list! Just remember that it’s good for you!

Hey readers! Be sure to check out my tumblr:

http://prepinthepacificnorthwest.tumblr.com/

 

Enjoy preppy clothes, inspirational quotes, and the occasional cat in a sweater!

Preparing for the Journey

Every girl hits a point in their life where they feel it is time to grow up and become the best of themselves. At 20 years old, I have hit that point. After years of being lost with myself, my personal style, and my health habits; I woke up one morning ready to get over the teenager part of myself and fully embrace adulthood.

Currently, I reside in Pullman, Washington finishing up my last semester at Washington State University before moving back to Seattle in order to attend college there. My hopes are high, but there are some things that need work on.

My style is highly lacking. While my summer job did allow me to get acquainted with department stores and helped me understand my style a bit better, I finally have figured out what I really like. J.Crew, TBD in Nordstrom, Kate Spade, Banana Republic, the LOFT, Paper Crown, and Urban Outfitters are the places where I really like to find the best pieces. While my current budget in Pullman keep me from shopping the way I would like to, moving to Seattle will help me not only have access to those stores, but also vintage stores.

My health is another thing that I have let slip severely the last two years. I have been eating out and not focusing on healthy yummy food that will not only taste good, but help me feel great. In college and keeping up the grades that I have been maintaining also has forced my workouts to take a backseat. While, I do enjoy the occasional Jillian Michaels DVD, I miss running on the west side with the fresh air instead of the dirt filled air.

With this blog, I will be focusing on health, style, and all of the typical problems every girl in her 20s comes across from skin issues, music, and relationship problems. So sit tight and come along for the journey with me.