Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

It is that time of year again! We have come around the clock. Leggings, scarves, and pumpkin everything!

Or... How about Warm fires, hot tea/chocolate, old christmas movies, Trans Siberian Orchestra...

Right now, I am sitting in the basement of my college, and listening to the most beautiful piano piece.  Some of the students here are so musically talented.

I really am... stumped at this point and time... I might have to go gather my thoughts.

Alright! Gathered. Literally took me an entire day. I am back down here once again, back on track. Who is ready for the cold weather?

My advice for the cold weather if you do not already live in it, or have not gotten a handle on it: Layers. Tank top, under armour, t shirt, long sleeve, sweater, jacket. Wear gloves because if you're like me, by the end of your travels you have got ten little frozen popsicles and ten frozen piggies. So double up on the sock department, I would suggest thermal socks, or fuzzy either way.

Seriously people, Umbrella umbrella umbrella!!! How many times can I stress it. Get a small one that you can stuff almost anywhere, because sometimes the weather can be crazy. Or even just keep it in your car, that being you have one. Also, keep your skin moisturized. I know what you are thinking, "Hey Sheaps, why is that with the umbrella paragraph?" I have no clue, my herd. No clue.

Anyway, during the winter, no matter how oily your body gets, the winter air dries everything out. I know because I have eczema everywhere and my hands get so dry that they are destroyed during the middle of November. I suggest something that has vaseline in it, but not completely, so like Eucerin. It goes on smooth, and soaks up quickly leaving your skin soft but not slimy like a lot of body lotions or pure baselines do. The main idea is to find something you are comfortable with. And moisturize those lips! Ain't no one going to want to kiss some crackled lips...

But really, staying warm and healthy is very important these days. So keep warm, drink lots of warm water and tea, and stay moisturized! See you soon!

-Inspired and Wired

Aegyo?

So this post will be more informal... Ha! They all are ;)

I am sitting here, listening to my music, which is Korean. And I am thinking of how people like all different things from around the world. We are really all globalized. But that is the beauty of life, right?

Would you like to know my dream? My dream is to become a member of a group through SM Entertainment, in South Korea. I would be so happy if I could be an entertainer through SM. What is your dream? Everyone has one, and they are never too big. 

My point for this blog? If you have a dream, go get it. What is holding you back? I want to go to Korea, and I am going to go there and get my dreams once I get my Bachelor's Degree, because that is what will make me happy. Will I make it into SM Entertainment? Probably not. But will I still be happy? Heck yes! I will probably join a dance studio, and sing on the side, and be an... I don't know, but I will do what makes me happy, even if that means gardening. 

I never want to be a person who is very successful, but does not live their life every single day at their most happiest moment. Obviously life is not all rainbows and sunshine, but I will never take one single thing for granted. I was born in the wrong country, I am not for consumerism, I am for labor, music, and cuisine. Well... and skin care! And the leisure life, not hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

Sometimes I regret joining the college I joined. What enticed me to come here? What do I really want to do with my life? I do not know the answer to these questions, but what I do know is that I want to go to EurAsia. And that is my real home. 

So here is my challenge for you, the few of you who do read these; I commend you. You are the reason why I smile in the evenings and scroll through this site. 

My challenge for you is to think about your future. Not the way your family wants it, not the way your peers, your elders want it, or society. The way YOU want your future to be. The sky is the limit. And make that goal your vision. You know how you can decide if it your real dream? If it would be like you couldn't even call it "work". 

If you've got it in your head, feel free to post back to me what your dream is, I would love to hear your dreams and hopes for your future. So let's all be healthy, work hard and go get our dreams!!!

Annyeong! 

-Determined and Wishful

I'm Back In The Saddle Again

Evening ladies and gentleman, how is life?

Now that I have gotten that college myth busting out of my system, I must now inform you of my experience. Well, I don't HAVE to, I can, and I will!

SO, I came to school the first week, nervous as can be, worrying about money, classes, time, all of this stuff. And was I wrong to worry? Heck no, I was doing the normal thing. It is OKAY to worry. But do not let it run your life. Breakdowns were becoming normal for me. And let me tell you, they weren't breakdowns, they were BREAKDOWNS. But hey, I am alive, seven weeks later alive and healthy.

Also, I have learned that money is important here, so it is good to go in with a plan. Work all summer, take out a loan, etc. Plans help.

Another thing that confused me is the fact that accountability was all on me now, I had to take care of everything. I had to account for my buses, my classes, my traveling, my meals, everything.

My responsibility changed. Gosh did it change. I was responsible for getting myself from here to my college, and back home. I had so many responsibilities, that my fear spiked. But here is the thing. Twas all for naught.

I had a tough time this first term. Lots of home change, turmoil, issues I hadn't had to deal with for years. It had kept me vulnerable, and probably not preforming at my best. But when I was spending all of my time studying, working, and barely sleeping. But I started to worry if I was going to pass all of my classes. And one of my classes, I was failing, but it wasn't my fault, I wasn't the only one. So I guess I have some advice to give. If you are failing a class, and you have done absolutely everything you can to pass it, and it looks inevitably as if you are going to fail it, it looks better to have withdrawn from a class rather than failed a class. True story. So that is what I did. I opened my schedule, withdrew from the class, and now one thousand pounds are removed from my shoulders.

So here is the thing: If you need help, or feel overwhelmed, talk to someone. A school counselor will help you as much as they can, and I highly suggest it. I have talked to so many it is hard to follow. You need your sanity, and they are there to help you with it. If you are going to a college such as a smaller University, and you would like to see an advisor, then I suggest seeing the undecided advisor, they have more advice to give, and don't have one specific goal for you.

So since I have not posted for a while, this is my rant and I promise to make an attempt to post more, and let you know how life is treating me.

Sincerely, Mused and Missed

Hello! Everybody

Well, has it not been a long time?

I have not forgotten about you, don't fret. Life just, got busy. And it gets busy. Just had to take some time to get my ducks into rows. Did I get them into rows? Yeah. Right. Obviously you need to read my blogs from the beginning.

My first term of college has been hectic to say the least. I have met new people, gone to new places I never thought I would make it to, learned new things about the world, and about myself. I also learned about burning the candle at both ends, homework, and failing classes. This is real life, folks, and we are about to get down to the nitty-gritty. So if you can handle it, and would like to see what the 2000's have done to college, even though not much has changed throughout the years, then sit back, grab a soft pillow, your favorite hot beverage and put on some calming forties music, that's what I am listening to, so let's connect, my friends.

Are you settled in? Because I can wait. OK? Let's go.

So they tell you in high school that your professors do not care about you, you will have endless amounts of homework, there are parties every single night, and boys and girls might as well be filming pornography in class. Well, they might not say the last one, but they are only right about one thing; the homework.

The key to success in college? Go to school two-three days a week, all day or not, who cares. Do homework when you can those days, but don't make it your priority. Then, take one to two days, and devote it to homework, and yourself. I don't mean friends, parties, drinking, clubbing, and the likes. I mean your health, your body, exercise, take a hot bath, study, go over lectures. Spend that day benefitting no one else but yourself. And please, stay off of media sites. And the other two or three days? Part-time job, my friends. If you don't work throughout your college career, then I am going to assume that you are rich and mommy and daddy have got your tuition paid for. Guess what? You still need to learn what "earning your keep" is. Sorry folks, didn't mean to sound so honest there.

So myth busting away, your professors will care about you more than anything, they care about how much you understand, and not what you regurgitate during a test. Questions? Email their TA. Important Questions? Email them directly or meet them. They will work to your needs. Refreshing, isn't it? Also, parties do not exist in college unless you are part of a frat/sorority house. Still, they are rare. In college, homework is vital to any passing class, so parties are hard to find unless it is a community college. But they still do happen, so don't think that your life is over. But please be careful. Date rape is a huge concern on any campus and rises every year, the buddy system is a life saver though, use it!

Another lie that is told; well not a lie, but really a misconception. You get the list of assignments, and then it is up to you to keep up with them. This is partially true. You do get the assignments for the beginning of the term to the end, and then they keep reminding you as due dates are coming up. They really are there for the success for you, and that brings me to the next point. No one cares if you come to class. Well, my friends here is the killer truth: If you want to pass the class, then face the fact that half of your points to any of your classes go to your attendance. Don't show up, don't pass the class. Most of your exams and such will be based heavily on the lectures, so if you aren't there, then how will you pass the test? Read the book? Guess what. Reading does nothing if you read it all and only go over half.

Thus brings to the next one! I know it is long and tedious but I want this to be out there for you, so you have insight to the world, and what to expect. Let me also make clear that if you ever need anything I welcome messages and comments on this blog, because I want to help. I am not a professional, nor can I give any professional advice. But I can give an opinion, or try to relate. Or just listen... Well read. I am great at observing.

Any way, last point that I can consciously think of. All classes are huge lectures with the teacher speaking, and everyone listening. Maybe it a big university such as Yale, or Harvard but not a smaller more urban school. There are classes that are required for every student based on their years, and in that class, it is an intimate setting, with small classes and engaging one-on-one conversations. Even in lectures there is engaging. Because, truth be told, having a higher up professor talk at you for hours does not get through to everyone. So, to see how everyone is getting it, they like to engage, and also like to know what you think. Most of the professors do not enjoy lecturing and hearing their own voices for two to four hours.

So here was a little myth busting for you. It does not cover all colleges, universities, law schools, they are all different. But the thing is, college is not scary, it is a place for you to make friends, meet new people, and more importantly, find yourself. Actually, I would use the term meet yourself. But that's another blog!

-Glad To Be Back

Hashtag Summer 2 k Fourteen Everybody

It's that time of the year again, minimal clothing is worn, air conditioner is blasting, and curfew has no meaning for the next three to four months. 

But, if you are like me, you work, clean, cook, do school stuff during the summer, mind you, and sleep little in between all of that. So, like I said, if you are like me, you do not know what the beach looks like this time of the year, if your bathing suit still fits you, or even if you have a set curfew anymore. 

However, lately, work has a certain normality to it, with so much change happening, one set thing is nice to assist along transitions. I have met so many new people at work, I never thought I would like so many people at a workplace before. The first day I arrived they treated me as if I had been there forever. 

I do work at a store, yet it is not what I thought it would ever be. I pictured minimum wage work to be mindless tail end work. Boy, was I ever wrong. Every day I burn no less than a few thousand calories, I lift, push, squat, curl, everything I never pictured I would be doing at A CONVENIENT STORE. But, you know what?

I could not be happier anywhere else. I love what I do, I love who I work with, who is above me, the people I meet every day, it is truly a breath of fresh every day when I clock on. I am super exhausted though. These last couple weeks have been pretty rough, and have taken a toll on my mental and physical health.

The summer is winding down, and I can not wait to see my best friend again, though I am not sure what to expect, or how much she missed me as well. Earlier this week, though, I went into the hospital and had a procedure done, pertaining to a sickness I have dealt with since I was three years old, and they took some biopsies I was told I would hear back from later that month.

Not even a week later I got a call back saying I needed to come in very soon,  seeing as I have a rare disease that Causes inflammation inside of my gastrointestinal track, and that would explain many things, But here is the tricky part; How far has it spread? So I am going in soon to get another test and hopefully I will figure this out.

I am not sure what it means for my health, if it means I will live a shorter life, if it is benign, how much it will affect me, if anything will change, but that is why we have doctors, healers.

I didn't tell my friends, because it isn't their problem to worry about and once I have all of the information then maybe I will tell them, but for now, it is just me and my family's problem.

Enjoy your summers, they will end quickly, and you will begin the large, and long road called life, and careers, with no summer holiday, and sometimes no holidays at all! That is why we get good degrees so we can get good jobs ;-)

Until next time!
                          - Pensive and Persistant

Check In... On Myself And Others

I haven't posted for a while, have I? To tell the truth,  it was because I was having a hard time.  For a while I checked out of everything and everyone.  But, I am feeling much better. Sometimes I feel down, but I get myself back up. I've taken on a new hobby as of late. I've been gardening with my mother and my grandmother.  It is really stress relieving, and it is quiet. I do have a small lesson for today , not just speaking about myself. Sometimes, when I am feeling down, or wish I was not 10 pounds over, or better in school. Whatever it is. I figure out that if I want a change, no one but me will make that change. If I want to lose those ten pounds, and do it HEALTHILY, then all I need to do is eat healthy and work for it. If I want to be better in school or at sports or even drama, then I study until I feel I am ready. Ask questions and get those answers. Someone very smart, (and someone with a doctorate) once told me if I was feeling upset or sad, then if I repeat this phrase and everything will be alright,  however the outcome. "I am worries about this problem, but I am learning to be okay with myself. Right here, right now". This phrase gets me through just about any bad or stressful thing that approaches me throughout my day of working or school or even acting. So please, find that phrase. Use it when you need, and live. Never second guess yourself. You're too nervous to try out for something? Remember: It is always a "no", until you try. Always.  So have a beautiful life, and remember to be okay with yourself.  Right here, right now.

Sincerely,
                   Successful and Serene

Melancholy's The Word

Usually, my posts are inspirational, happy or even just nostalgic. This is coming from someone who has written maybe four? But today, after being in a great morning mood, to having a fall out of none other than my friends, whom I care more about than really anything, well, I have to write it down somewhere. I have known my friends since who knows how long, and they are always there for me when I need it, but since  graduation is around the corner, tension is up as well as moods. Today, we were all having a great time, and out of nowhere, everyone's day turned to, well, pure crap. It seems to be over small things, and I'm not sure why. I think that the types of friends I have, aside from maybe one or two, or the mixture we are together, we make one big toxic bomb. We uses to be so carefree, and not have to seem others attention; now, I don't remember a day where it is not like that. I am at a Loss of what to do any more, evoke myself out of the group, or  just sit back and hope maybe I am just being too sensitive in caring for the well being of my friends. Someday, I'll figure out what went wrong. Hopefully it won't be the ugly truth: me.

I apologize for the rant, or anyone who reads this. I hope the right people read this. Maybe people who are having issues with their friends or maybe are the problem. I'm telling you now, it's better to  try to fix it while you can before you lose them all over something dumb like you can't find the thesis... 

-- Sincerely Somber...?