College Adventures

In 7 days, I will start my final semester of college. College has been an absolute roller coaster for me: wonderful and awful all at the same time. I started off my college career at Young Harris College in the tiny mountain town of Young Harris, GA. I was far enough away from home to make up excuses that I couldn't make it home that weekend and close enough that I could meet my parents halfway to eat dinner on a Tuesday night when I was homesick or mad at a boy. 

Freshman year was a mess. I was an 18 year old, slightly sheltered girl who wanted to have the perfect college experience and things didn't always go as planned. I lived with my best friend and our suite mate was one of the greatest girls I've ever known. The three of us are still ridiculously close even though I'm in Boone, Katherine is at Purdue and Bekah stayed at Young Harris. When the three of us were (and are) together it's an absolute blast. 

First night in the dorm

We met a group of guys that we were with all the time. Those guys are some of the best guys in the world and I still think highly of all of them even though we didn't keep in touch too well. 

Halloween

Most of them played tennis and we had a tendency to act like groupies sometimes. But they loved it and it was a blast. For example, we once drove down to Milledgeville, GA about 3 hours away wearing matching outfits and cheered them on in a tournament. 

Then came the boy. Isn't that always the way? Everything is great and then a boy comes along. In short, I acted a fool. I thought he was the greatest guy in the world and for a couple months he acted that way. Turned out, he wasn't such a great guy. And it led to lots of drama and my best friend moving out spring semester (no worries, we're obviously still best friends!). I definitely did not act like myself and I regret the way I treated people but at the same time I learned so much about who I am and what I want from life and a relationship. 

Once I transferred to App State in the fall of 2010, I was ready for a brand new start with new people, places and experiences. I only knew one person, my other best friend Kristin, upon moving to App and she was gracious enough to include me with her friends and through her I met my wonderful boyfriend. As much as I swore that I wanted to "swear off boys" and all that nonsense. I met him and that was that. (Maybe one day I'll venture into our full story...) 

Sometimes I wish I had made a decisions to go somewhere else my freshman year so I could've saved some heartbreak and then sometimes I wish I had stayed there because it was comfortable. But, looking back on my time in college and knowing how much I have grown and all the amazing experiences I have had, I wouldn't take a single thing back. College is for learning and growing and I did just that. And had I made different decisions, I could have missed out on some great friendships and the best guy in the entire world. 

App State best friends!

My Beauty Obsessions!

As a poor college student, I only buy drug store products. As a result, I sometimes struggle to find exactly what I'm looking for. But when I do find something I love, I make sure everyone knows about it! So here are some of my favorite drugstore purchases!

Organix Shampoo & Conditioner

I have oily hair. But, I also perm, dye, highlight, etc.; so, my hair is a very strange texture. I've always used things to dry up my hair but as I've gotten older and done more damage, my hair was showing it. Over the summer, I decided to try this one. I also bought the oil that matches it. In less than a week of using all 3 together, my split ends were much better and my hair was shiny again. Organix has many different types and I definitely recommend checking out the one that would fit your hair type the best, I promise you won't be disappointed!

Clearasil Ultra Overnight Scrub 

I never broke out in high school. Seriously, never. But Freshman year of college rolled around and my face thought it was 14 years old and broke out like crazy. I've tried everything: ProActive, SkinID, and every possible drug store brand. Finally, this one has worked. There is an overnight cream that goes with it as well and after one use, I can see the difference the next day. I use the wash every night but only the cream for a bad breakout. 

Garnier Skin Renew Anti Dark Circle Eye Roller

I've used the traditional roller that's supposed to de-puff and all that, but I have dark under eye circles so I like this one a lot better because it has a tint in it to help lighten under the eye. I like to put about 2 coats on my eyes and blend it in well so you don't have lighter raccoon eyes!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

When BB Creams first came out, I was pretty excited. Granted, our BB creams here in the US aren't "real" BB creams but they are still a great thing to have in your make up bag. I actually bought this one first because it was cheaper than some of the others, but I've tried a couple more since then and this one is still my favorite by far. Ever since my face started breaking out, I've been a little self conscious. But, with this, I will leave the house without foundation on. It's great for mornings when you're running late to your morning class and don't want to scare all your classmates! 

NYC Showtime Glitter Eyeliner 

I'm not really one for eyeliner. I know, people think I'm crazy. But I have big eyes so I don't feel like I need it on a day to day basis. So, when I do wear it, I want it to stand out. Enter: glittery eyeliner. This stuff is awesome and it's also extremely long-wearing (my New Years eve, day and the day after can attest to that fact). 

Honorable mention: Strawberry and Cherry Chapstick. I never go anywhere without Chapstick. There's one in my purse, my book bag, make up bag. 

Anyone else have some drug store finds they swear by?

2013.

2013 has arrived. And it brought with it an awful sickness for me. As much as being sick stinks, I'm very glad it didn't happened a month ago or even a week ago. I finally have time to lay in bed and be sick and that's exactly what Zuko and I are doing today: Netflix, soup, blogging and Pinterest. Now, I have some time to look forward to 2013 and what is in store for me and set some goals for myself.

So, what's coming up for me?

A stressful semester. I'm taking 21 hours for my last semester. (I thought the last semester of college was supposed to be easy?!) I would really like to make Dean's List this semester since I was .03 away from it last semester. I'm hoping to work a lot in order to save money for The Big Move. My job also relates to my future a career so I'm hoping to work more in order to gain another promotion that will look even better on my resume.

Graduation. May 11, 2013. 4pm. The day I'm no longer a college student and am forced to join the real world. I am extremely nervous yet ridiculously excited. The job hunt is officially underway and if I can have a job lined up by this day, I'm pretty sure the nervousness will subside somewhat.

The Big Move. The week after graduation, as long as I have a job lined up, I will be moving to Charlotte, NC. When I transferred to Appalachian State, my goal was to go to law school before moving to Charlotte. Although the law school dream changed, the move did not. And as luck would have it, my boyfriend is also from Charlotte and knowing we'll be in the same town again in approximately 5 months, makes the move even more exciting. Most of my friends moved back home and in with their parents after graduation, so I'm a little nervous about not moving home but I'm way more excited than nervous.

My first grown up apartment. Yes, I've been in an apartment for 3 years now, but the next one is going to be nice. I have a couple of non-negotiables going into the search: pet friendly, a walk in closet and a decent sized kitchen. Apartments in Boone aren't the greatest in the world so I'm ready for a nicer place that I don't have to worry about things falling apart and I can have central heat and air instead of baseboards.

The first job. As of now, I obviously have no idea what that will be yet. But I'm sure you guys will get plenty of updates as I struggle through the job hunt.

Now, I have some goals I'm setting for myself. 

• Eat breakfast. Drink water. Bring healthy-ish lunches to campus. Try to curb my caffeine/Coke addiction.
• Try to go out every other week.
• Dean's list.
• Join a gym or move into a complex with a gym.
• Move into my new apartment by October.
• Read some real books. Not textbooks. 
• Actually use the recipes, apartment ideas, work out tips, etc. that I pin on Pinterest.
• Eat out less. 

For now, though, I'll be spending time in my bed with the kitten, watching How I Met Your Mother and eating chicken soup. Happy New Year :)