Off I Go!

Unlike most people, I actually really enjoy packing. I am a very organized person so getting everything together in an organized manner like packing not only pleases me but also makes me more excited for my trip! I usually wait as long as possible because once I'm done packing, I'm ready to go and if I do it days ahead of time it's torture to see that packed bag but be unable to leave yet! I got all of my laundry done and made a checklist of what I needed to do before I left but didn't put all of my stuff in my duffel until this morning, just a few hours before I would leave :)

I lay out all of my stuff on my bed in categories. Hair appliances, shorts, pants, dresses, nice tops, casual tops (such as t-shirts), sweatshirts, shoes and leggings/socks/miscellaneous. Once they're all organized, I can place them in my duffel right where they belong :) Everything consolidated to only two bags -- you have no idea, this is a record of some sort for me, I usually have three or four bags even for a weekend trip!

Everything consolidated... like my Zeta pin? :)

My duffel bag is the Vera Bradley large duffel in "Totally Turq" (a Spring 2010 color), and my purse is a Longchamp Le Pliage tote. Both are perfect for traveling as they're both carry-on size and especially for its weight, the duffel is really easy to carry!

Once I finished all of my packing, I got myself ready. I decided to go with curls and tried something that is a little new to me: curling my hair with a straightener. It took a lot of practice and I think I burnt almost every single one of my fingers but I think I'm getting the hang of it! I used part of the large balance on my two Amazon giftcards to buy a very inexpensive but professional straightener, a 1.25 inch Cortex Professional Collection Black Tourmaline straightener which usually retails for $130 or so for only $30.00! Awesome deal from a wholesale retailer.

I already had a FHI straightener but it is a 2" straightening iron and too thick to do curls. This new one works great though! I learned from a YouTube video and tried it out earlier this week. Today's curls turned out tight so that they would fall into the right place by the time I get to DC.

Front view

I did larger curls so it would look more volumtuous

So far, six hours later, they're still in and just a little bit looser. I'm definitely a fan of the straightener over the curling iron! My curling iron curls usually fall in about an hour so I'm extremely impressed!

I'm obviously a little bored waiting for my plane...

Currently, I'm sitting at the terminal waiting for my flight! My plane takes off at 6:40 and I'll be in Washington at about 8:30. That's assuming I survive the landing.. I hate landings!  Wish me luck! :)

Bridging the Gap (part one)

In case you weren't already aware, I have a boyfriend of one year named Devon.

Us at senior prom

Unfortunately, however, he goes to school at Georgetown University super super far away from me. He's on the football team and is studying Physics and Economics (we're quite the geeky pair).

Over summer right before he left for football camp

I am blessed because I do get to see him about every four weeks or so (sometimes shorter intervals, sometimes longer intervals), but I still miss him a whole lot!

Me ambushing him at my sorority's formal

Being far apart is definitely not easy. We use Skype (if you are in a long distance relationship/friendship/whatever.. get this immediately!) and talk on the phone/ e-mail / chat everyday but not actually seeing him in person is not replaceable. We're both getting used to it even though leaving is still difficult and not getting to go to school with him and run track with him like I did in high school is becoming more of a reality. We are lucky enough to have almost all of the same breaks and the fiscal and temporal ability to see each other every few weeks, thankfully!!

At the Tampa Bay Lightning game

It gets especially difficult because we are both busy people... me with Zeta, The Odyssey, and school (particularly the latter!) and Devon with football, work, school, and his various groups. Lately we've had more trouble than usual trying to figure out times that both of us are free to be able to take a while to just chat with each other without the distractions of everything else going on in our lives. Because of this, I suggested we send each other our weekly schedules on Sunday nights or Monday mornings in order to kind of adjust anything moveable to talk to each other for a little while each day. Being the smartypants he is, Devon merged our two calendars together on Google calendars.

Seriously, what can't Google do?

We can differentiate each other's schedule's by colors. We see where our schedules overlap with activities and where each of us have free time. That way, we can find the perfect times for both of us to talk! Also, it's nice to know if one of us isn't answering (ahem, Dev...) their phone, that they're not ignoring but actually in class! (Hehe) :) I'm definitely loving this new addition. Makes bridging the gap between our two seperate lives much easier... almost like we're in the same place. It also includes any flight information for both of us to refer to when the other is visiting, for example my flight next Friday to Washington!

Even if you don't have a boyfriend far away, maybe coordinating times to talk to a friend (I see you Weenz!) or family members would also be very easy with this simple tool.  Yay for organization!

Productivity

Today I was extremely proud of myself because I was super productive the entire day! Can you say unheard of? Finished my to-do list and then some!

• 9:00-10:00 AM: Four-mile run, striders and abdominal workout
• 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Study for physics quiz, watch Financial Accounting lecture and reply to e-mails
• 1:55-2:45 PM: CLASS
• 3:00-4:45 PM: Financial Accounting homework
• 5:00-5:45: DINNER
• 6:00-10:30 PM CAD Homework & read ahead for Physics

What a day! So in honor of productivity and making the most of my time, tonight's post is dedicated to those things that are the most time-efficient.

The Kettlebell

This great addition to a workout burns 300 calories in 15 minutes. Yes, I just said that. Why? Its weight is centered below its handle therefore it takes nearly every muscle in your body to oppose its momentum (I see you smiling physics nerds) when swung. After some research, I found this great circuit that you only need to do three times in order to achieve some great calorie burn.  

Work it out

If you want some more information, check out the Women's Health Magazine website for the complete description. The kettlebell comes in weights from 10 pounds all the way up to over 100 pounds.

Kettlebell family

The best news of all about the kettlebell is that you probably don't even have to spend the money on them! Most standard gyms have them so if you have gym access, definitely incorporate these into your next workout!

Fast Relief

With Japan in disarray from the recent catastrophic earthquake and resulting tsunamis, many organizations are reaching out to help Japan get back on its feet again. If you're saying "I'm so busy I don't even have ten minutes to shower" (which by the way, ew), then many of these groups are making it easy for you to donate to the cause. The simplest way to find an organization you're most comfortable donating to is Charity Navigator. They post safe, legitimate groups to donate to. The one I chose to donate to was the Lady Gaga "We Pray For Japan" Prayer Bracelet which is kind of kitschy and all the proceeds go to Japan relief. 

Cute for a Cause

I will definitely be sporting this once I get it in the mail. 

>> On a note about Japan, please keep my Physics TA in your prayers as he lost his brother and best friend. :( <<

So here's to productivity! As the famous "My Push-Up Bra Will Help Me Get My Man" Tracy Tina says peace and blessings!

Lenten Lists

I imagine Heaven with lots of Lilly

Yes, that is a Lilly Pulitzer cross. And it is in honor of Lent. Though I am five days late from the kickoff of Lent on Ash Wednesday, I am discovering the difficulties associated with Lenten promises. Though I started with different intentions for my sacrifice, I am giving up bad words (I'm unfortunately a sucker for the slip of a curse every so often, and every time I slip now, I read a Bible verse), negative attitude (any body image comments, etc..) and chocolate. I did come across something that was super applicable and honestly very true that some of my best friends - you know who you are - should maybe consider.  Thanks to College Candy, I have revamped my thoughts on Lenten sacrifices.

9 Things Every College Girl Should Give Up for Lent

1. Ex-freak outs. He's not going to call, he's not going to apologize and he's certainly  not going to become Prince Charming. This is a great time to move on where the grass is definitely greener
2. Hating people in relationships. (I see you Francesca...) If you're finding yourself bitter over others who have a boyfriend, just think... you have a lot of perks as well. You can chat it up with any guy(s) you want and have a sustained independence. Although I am the textbook definition of a relationship girl, you can have a lot of fun while you're single and hating others (besides on February 14) in relationships won't do anything.
3. Hating your body. I am 100% guilty of this, but after reading this, I'm going to give this one a go. No more "Yuck I look fat" or "Wow I'd kill to be her" 's will be coming out of my mouth. Start a good habit of being more confident (or at least not thinking or verbalizing your discontent) for a healthier, happier outlook
4. Facebook stalking people you don't know. / have a major crush on. This will prevent so many bad things from happening such as the ever dreaded slipping-something-you-only-know-because-you-Facebook-stalked-and-really-have-no-other-way-of-knowing blunder. I.e. "I am so so jealous that you are going to the Bahamas for Spring Break, that sounds awesome!" Ummm... awkward. Tone that stalking down and focus on your own life with your closer friends :)
5. Late night snacking. If you need a reminder from my last post on remembering that it's not all about SB'11 and soon Summer '11 will be coming around in around six weeks, this will definitely help you out with keeping to your beloved flat tummy and shoo away the muffin top. You will gain that weight and you can bet you will be regretting that order of Midnight Cookies or bag of chips in the morning.
6. Smack-talk. Okay, thinking before you speak is a concept that is a little difficult for me, but honestly maybe it would be a nice break for forty days of having nice, positive conversations instead of judgement city. Maybe focus all of that energy towards going to a BodyPump class?
7. Late night texting. What you think might be a super good idea at two in the morning while you're sleep deprived studying for your physics exam the next morning to text your friend that after testing both of the genders on makemybaby.com, you two would have adorable babies of either sex... is actually not. You will regret that in the morning and they will forever judge you after that move.
8. All nighters. While we're on the subject of sleep-deprivation, stop watching the same episode of the Real Housewives of Miami for the tenth time on their fifteenth marathon of the series on Bravo and get to work! That work won't do itself and staying up so late is definitely not condusive to information retention. Get those 8 hours!
9. Blacking out. I considered leaving this one out but it just has to be said. Alright, I am definitely no expert in the party department since I am an engineering major and have zero time to party in addition to not drinking even if I do BUT keeping it classy is what it's about. Waking up the next morning with a chainsaw-sawing-your-head-open headache from your hangover, having about ten texts saying "You and rage are now synonyms" from your friend or "Can I get some more of that?" from the awkward, cocky jerk who stares at you all through chemistry class but who you'd rather eat your own fist before hooking up with, and without any dignity is zero percent fun. Just be a little more responsible and at least remember everything you did?

So true, right? Little scandalous and a little harsh, but I all humor aside, those are some pretty good sacrifices :)

Another one of my Lenten promises is not a sacrifice, but a new habit. I have a thing for making To-Do lists already, but I sometimes slack on it. Since this semester began, my usually perfectly color-coded organized planner has fallen out of order and it's time to take back control of my OCD organized lifestyle! My friend Joe thinks it's absurd and thinks that

Joe's advice

is the only solution to my disorganization and to just spend that time to actually do something. I, however, get a lot more done with them. If I make time tables then it actually gets me more motivated to get things done. For example

Can I accomplish it all?

 will keep me busy for the next few days... (notice that blogging is not on there.. guess I'm already going against my list)  So new to-do:  Actually follow the schedule on the to-do list. I'm also going to get my super cute planner that my boyfriend Devon gave me for Christmas in order.

How could something this cute go unused?

This lent, I'm determined to make some organizational and attitude changes. Maybe I can fully live up to my high school superlative "Most Likely to Make Everyday a Sunny Day"? Happy Lent!