Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Finals.


Welp, it's only wednesday and finals are officially in full swing (for most of us... natalie). I think I can officially say that this finals week is by far the worst of any semester here at Clemson.  I wanted to do a post on some first hand survival tips for exam week, but until now I've barely had time to eat and bathe! ... Just kidding, well about the eating part. Anyways, that leads me directly into  my first tip:

  1. get a hat! I don't know about everyone else but it takes me at least an hour to get ready in the morning, and since I was not blessed with beautiful thick hair that I can wear naturally curled, I either have to shower and fix it, or I don't.  Well, to put it simply this week i've made a constant effort to choose the latter, and put on the cap. That one hour it would take to shower and get ready was put to good use: studying studying and studying.  And baseball caps are cute, when they're not an every-day thing
  2. If you don't want to wear a hat, at least invest in some dry shampoo. If your hairs not super greasy on a regular basis, you could totally get away with some a little dry shampoo and voila, your hair looks new and refreshed. Hop out of bed, touch up your makeup, and off you go.
  3. Ok, I promise all of my tips don't involve the absence of showering, my next one is 5 Hour energy. Now I don't condone drinking 5 in one night, but if you have to stay up late, they really work! 
  4. Pack some snacks, better yet, make them healthy snacks. I easily give into the Cookout temptation when studying at the library, that place is a hot spot for late night munchies!  So I've started bringing snacks with me for those long nights at the lib.  Things I like: grapes, tangerines, fruit snacks, and mixed nuts. Not only does it help to eat, but it also gives you something to do for those nights your reading 800 pages.
  5. I don't know for sure that this is true (if it's false, I don't want to know!), I read recently that dark chocolate can actually reduce stress. So on your way to the library grab a  chocolate bar!  And of course this is true in moderation.  Need another reason to eat more chocolate?  I also read that chocolate can increase blood flow to your brain. Basically, I will add dark chocolate to my study snack list immediately, no problem-o.  
  6. LAYERS. Wear layers if you plan on spending a long amount of time in the library.  Throughout the night you'll get hot, you'll get cold, coffee will make you hot again, then you'll get cold again... on and on, its a vicious cycle. So one thing I learned is to layer up for those all-nighters.
  7. It's just a test. Don't get me wrong, if anyone needs this advice most it's probably me. But I try to keep in mind that it is just a test, and that as long as I work as hard as I can, i've done my best!  It's important to remember that grades are just grades, tests are just tests, and you only experience college once.  Unless it is literally the difference between keeping your $5,000 scholarship or not, it probably isn't the end of the world.  

And last of all, I think Ryann may have put it best when she said, "study study study let's all get A-sted"

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Valerie-- 21


My-oh-my how time flies! Today is the day that my best friend turns 21, I just can't believe it! It's hard to imagine that around freshman year (of high-school) I found you, the sweetest, most caring girl i've ever met.  I remember making a change back then, I started surrounding myself with people who made me happy, I started spending a lot of my time with you. When we became friends I realized a change in myself, you made me want to be a better person, you made me want to be a better friend.  I look back at these years we've been friends and I can't help but smile at the goofy, crazy, random times i've experienced with you. Just a little reminder of what it's like in the life of "V and S": coldplay, john mayer, mutemath, dance competitions, Pawley's Island, sno-hut, CCTC, Eastside, student government, WHW, colorado, crooked creek, mario kart, random lyrical dances (courtesy of yours truly), gossipgirl. Theres never a dull moment when we're together. I look forward to our futures together and I find comfort in the fact that I know our friendship can withstand anything, even thousands of miles. I praise God for bringing us together and allowing our friendship to flourish into everything that it has. I love you Valerie Erwin, and I hope that your birthday is amazing (despite the fact that it's finals week). I cannot wait to celebrate with you when you come home, we can finally go out for girly cocktails!

No matter the distance, you'll always be my best friend. 

Thursday, December 8, 2011

All that glitters...

isn't always gold!
For my fashion forward post of the week I want to focus on something i'm completely obsessed with lately.  So fashionistas here are a few hints: it's sparkly, shiny, fun, sassy, and very chic! drum roll please.... Sequins!

 
So, what do I sparkle and shine with? 

If you wanna stay fashion forward, add a little shine to your closet with sequins! They're all the rage.
stay chic!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

When The Tough, Get's Tougher

It's exam week... AKA no sleep, no food, no friends, just your face in the books for hours at a time.  It seems this semester is literally going to be my worst as far as exams go.  We start exams on monday and in one week I have two presentations, and 5 final exams.  That's seven activities for those of who are less than adequate in the subject of math.  Seven activities in ONE school week (which again, incase you were wondering, is only 5 days)... it is just madness!  And to make matters worse Bowman, my handsome, sweet, cuddly, playful pups is sick and we've got NO idea what is wrong there, talk about a worried mother... ahem, this girl!  All I know is typically when i'm stressed, I have bowman to cheer me up at home, whether it be by cuddling, his relentless kisses, or his silly personality.  Well, he's not here so yeah... not good.

So, let's recap so far, I don't want to lose you: Professors cramming homework, quizzes, etc. into the week before exams.  Then exams accompanied by oh-so-fun presentations.  My dog is sick, and i'm in the library after midnight writing to complain about all of the above.
Stick with me here, I promise I do actually have a point!  Basically, what my next two weeks are going boil down to is STRESS STRESS STRESS.

Therefore, in an attempt to find a little light during this dark time I started reading about the 30-Day Bible study.  I wandered my way through the days and "BAM" day 24 could have literally jumped out of the screen and smacked me in the face. Rather than attempting to paraphrase what I read, in which case I doubt I would do it justice, here ya go:
When extracted from the earth, silver is intertwined with other minerals and trapped within various ores. It requires purification to be made unblemished and untarnished. Purifying silver is a process requiring intentional attention and concentration. The refiner must place the silver ore in the hottest part of the flame and keep an eye on it to know exactly when it's ready.  
Being a Christian doesn't guarantee that we escape the "fires" of life.  There are many trials and hard times we will inevitable go through.  Yet Malachi 3:3 says that God "will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This should be a comfort to us. God will watch us the entire time we're under stress and knows that everything we endure, in the end, is for our own benefit.
Next it says that God knows when we are ready to exit the flame, and "We leave the fire more refined, less blemished and with a brilliant shine, reflecting even more of His image".  Isn't it calming to hear that God already knows of the troubles we'll endure?  That he has a plan to bring us out of this "fire", this stress, only to bring us closer to being able to reflect His image?  See, if you thought I was simply going to whine about my week you were wrong (Alex is the only one who typically deals with my whining... well, Natalie too).  But, I told you I had a point!  So for everyone taking exams this week, or in one of the upcoming weeks, or anyone going through anything stressful, keep your head up.  It gets really really hard sometimes, but if God brings you to it, God will get you through it. 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Roommate week!

 I'm so glad I was informed about this wonderful week by my beautiful roommate Natalie Sholtis, otherwise I would have never known! For this roomie celebratory week I would just like to dedicate this post to my best friend/ best roommate
Natalie!
Natalie is a thoughtful, caring, exciting girl who is always there for me when I need her.  She's not just a great person to live with, she's also my sister, my twin.  In high school we were friends, but in college our relationship has flourished beyond anything I imagined. We've had so many late night library sessions full of laughter and sometimes hysteria. Her room is my first stop when I get home work, sorry Bowman, but that's why it takes me so long to get upstairs.  Basically, I couldn't imagine spending these past three years with anyone else, and I'm worried that when we graduate, whoever I live with will simply pale in comparison... sorry Alex! I look forward to another eventful year with you Natalie!
no matter who's buyin'...
we're a celebration!

Brrr, It's cold outside.



                                BRRR. Can someone tell me when winter hit with full force? It got cold fast! Last week it was thanksgiving and I was wearing t-shirt and jeans... without a jacket. This morning, i'm starting my car 15 minutes before I leave for class so it isn't completely frozen solid. Just so we're clear, i'm a cold wimp.  If it is below 50 degrees i'm shivering.  So, in the spirit of this frosty season, this fashion forward post is all about those cozy sweaters we're all 
 dying to have!





in order to stay warm during this harsh winter (haha, can you tell i'm from south carolina?) keep Starbucks in mind... not the iced coffee though. also, remember layers, boots, fuzzy socks, long sleeves and sweaters