I Am A College Graduate!

On April 30, 2016 at 10 am, Brandon and I both graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with Bachelors of Science in Biology. We spent the whole day celebrating with our parents and grandparents. It was a great day!

Through four years of college and studying biology I learned a lot about myself and the world around me. I moved 202 miles away from my family, friends, and everything I had ever known. I got homesick and found ways to overcome it. I recovered from scoliosis surgery and realized than I am stronger than I ever thought possible. I learned to love cooking. I made new friends. I fell more and more in love with Brandon every day (I really couldn't have gotten through the last four years without his help). I cried a lot but I laughed more.

I learned to truly appreciate the Earth and the life that is on it. I learned that, despite what my small home town had taught me, religion and science can and do work together. I learned that every living organism on this incredible planet plays a vital role and that if we don't start taking better care of it and stop destroying it, we won't have anything left.

At UCA I had professors introduce me to new ideas. I had professors help me while I was trying to go to school and recover from surgery (which was more difficult that I expected). I had professors push me to overcome fears and try new things. I will be forever thankful for this.

I feel like I have accomplished something great. I AM A COLLEGE GRADUATE!

And for those who are wondering what I'm doing next, I really don't know right now. Its terrifying and thrilling at the same time.

 

Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way!

My "OH NO! I'm running late" Face

We all have days when we either hit the snooze button too many times or get distracted watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. in the morning...or is that just me?

Anyway, you realized that you have 15 minutes left to get ready for the day. You can always go though the day without any make up (that's what I normally do) but for the days you really need make up or just want to look and feel more put together here is my "running late" make up routine.

By the way, I did time myself putting on this make up and it took LESS THAN 5 MINUTES! 

Laura Mercier tented moisturizer in the shade porcelain has become my everyday choice for foundation! It looks so natural and is so comfortable to wear. It is like my skin only slightly better! I apply it all over my face with just my finger tips and set it with a translucent setting powder. 

I have been using Maybelline fit me concealer in the shade fair for quite a while now and I love it! I don't really know what else to say about it. I use this concealer under my eyes and on any blemishes and blend it in with my finger. 

I have written about the Urban Decay Naked Flushed pallet before but it is still what I reach for on a daily basis. Especially when I'm in a hurry and don't want to dig for a separate bronzer, blush, and highlight. 

For my eyes, I use Naked from the Urban Decay Naked 1 pallet all over my eye. Then I use my finger to press Toasted (or any of the shimmery shades) on the center of my lid just to give an extra little extra something. I finish off my eyes with Covergirl Full Lash Bloom mascara. I have been using this for a long time and it is one of my all time favorites! 

Finally, I finish the look off with Revlon colorburst balm stain in the shade honey douce. 

I hope this helps you out the next time you are running late! It is a great make up routine for a busy school morning when you just don't have time to put a lot of effort into make up!

Let me know what your favorite products are when you're in a rush!

3 Things I Learned in 3 Years of College

As I prepare to start my fourth year of college, I am realizing that I have learned a lot about the world around me, what is most important in life, and who I am.

Freshman at OSU-2012

I started my first year of college at Oklahoma State University. I feel in love with the school the first time I stepped foot on campus. It was everything I imagined my college campus would be...but...this brings me to my first life lesson.

1. The beautiful, fancy school isn't worth the student loans. I can't tell you how many people told me this but I didn't listen. I NEEDED to be at OSU! For one year of school I took out enough money in student loans (AFTER scholarships) to pay for almost 2 full years at my current university. And to be honest, I like my less fancy, less expensive school better!

2. Cherish all your time with family. I have always loved spending time with my family but after moving three hours away from home my appreciation for those things has only grown stronger. Now, when I go home to visit for a weekend, I want to spend every waking minute with my parents and grandparents. You can't fully understand how important they are in your life until you are away from them.

3. It is OK to feel lost!  You might feel lost in your new town, at your new school, and around all the new people. It is ok to have no idea what your life after graduation will look like or to be confused about your major. NEWS FLASH! almost Everyone around you is feeling the same way! IT WILL BE OK!

I am so excited to start my SENIOR year of college...It doesn't seem possible!

Good Luck to everyone starting a new school year. Enjoy it because it goes by FAST!

Happy Friday #8 // Finals Week Essentials

I know I talked about finals earlier this week (here) but they are consuming my life right now...only 4 more days!!

Over the last several years of taking finals I have come up with a few things that are absolutely necessary in order to make this week as smooth as possible. I hope these tips help you if you are taking finals in the next few weeks!

Be sure to keep healthy snacks. There is something about studying that gives me the munchies. I have been known to eat an entire bag of gold fish in a single day of studying for finals. Now, when finals week roles around I make an extra special effort to have healthy snacks. A few of my favorites are grapes, blueberries, and granola.

Make a schedule. When you know you are going to spend the entire day studying, write out a schedule the night before. When making the schedule, don't forget about breaks and lunch! Here is my schedule for today (looks like fun doesn't it?)

Take breaks. It is almost impossible for me to sit and study for hours straight. I must have breaks! Even if they are only 15 minutes long. My favorite thing to do during a break is to go for a short walk outside (if the weather is nice). If I can't go outside I may read a blog post, check social media, or even lay down and close my eyes for a few minutes (always set an alarm!).

Get out of the house. I seem to study best when I'm anywhere but home. I love to go to Panara to eat breakfast and study for a few hours. The library, Starbucks, and the park are great study places too.

Finally, RELAX,  SLEEP, and know that the semester is ALMOST OVER!

Good luck to all of you taking tests soon! Let me know what your finals week essentials are.

20 Things I Would Rather be Doing than Studying for Finals

So how many of you have finals coming up in a few weeks? If you are in college, you have probably already started preparing, I know I have. My first final is on Wednesday and I think there about 500 things I would rather be doing right now than studying, here are a few of them.

1. Sleeping
2. Watching Glee
3. Riding my bike
4. Laying on the beach
5. Sleeping
6. Watching paint dry
7. Getting a massage
8. Painting my nails
9. Mowing the grass
10. Cleaning my apartment
11. Did I mention sleeping?
12. Eating all the Cherry Garcia ice cream
13. Going for a walk
14. Reading a good book
15. Riding roller coasters
16. Swimming with sharks
17. Anything outside
18. Running in cirlces
19. Volunteering at the animal shelter
20. Watching a movie with a huge cup of tea
 

Basically, just about anything besides studying would be fine. What about you? What are some things you would rather be doing right now?

College Tips // 3 Ways to Cope with Being Homesick

Moving away from home can be exciting, overwhelming, scary, and at times lonely. When I was 18, I moved three hours away from my hometown, my parents, grandparents, friends, and everything I had ever known. I cried for days after my parents and grandparents dropped me off at college. Over the past few years I have figured out a few things that help me from being so homesick.

Call Home (a lot). This may seem simple but talking to people at home, people who know everything about you will often make you feel less isolated. Call home everyday, twice a day if that's what it takes to make you feel more comfortable.

Make Your Living Space Comfortable. Whether you live with roommates, alone, in a dorm or apartment make it comfortable. Put up of pictures of your family and friends from home. If you can, spend the extra money to have decorations and furniture that you enjoy. Liking the place you live makes it feel more like home.

Stay Busy. Whether you are busy with school, work, new friends, or a hobby you will be distracted and less likely to feel homesick.

I have learned that even though moving away for school is heartbreaking at times, it is one of the best things I have every done for myself. If you are struggling with being homesick, just know that it will get easier. The place you are at will start to feel more like home.

How do you cope with being  homesick? I'd love to know your tips.