10 College and Dorm Necessities

#1. A Laptop - This is essential for any college student! Not only do you use it to take notes and do homework on, but it is your source for research, Netflix, music and just EVERYTHING!!! I cannot tell you how much I am on my laptop (usually typing up homework.)

#2. Lounge Pillow - I love my lounge pillow because if you're tired of sitting at your hard wooden desk, it turns your bed into a comfy chaise. I've even fallen asleep on my lounge pillow a couple of times. Its super comfortable and if you are spending most of your time in your dorm doing homework and studying, why not make it comfortable?

#3. Hot Pot - My aunt bought me the Sunburst Hot Pot at Target and it is a heaven sent! This thing boils water in no time at all. But wait, there's more! Not only does it boil water like your typical electric kettle, but it can be used to heat up soups, ramen, Chef Boyarde, you name it. It is so incredibly useful if you want tea or the cafeteria is closed and you get hungry or just don't want cafeteria food.

#4. Personality/Touch of Home - Whether its memorable pictures, string lights or a stuffed animal that you have had forever, make sure to bring something that reminds you of home and makes you feel comforted when you look at it. Homesickness is the most common affliction that ingoing freshman face. Not only are you adjusting to college life, but you have to do it while living away from home for the first time. So when you are feeling homesick just cuddle up with that stuffed animal or look at your familiar thing and remember that your family is just a phone call away!

#5. Command Hooks - These little buggers are probably the most clever invention ever! They come in all different sizes to hang everything from your keys to your backpack and everything in between!

#6. Planner/Schedule - I cannot stress enough how important it is to stay organized in college. Whether you are using the calendar on your phone or laptop or going old school and writing everything down in a planner, you need to manage your time so that you can balance studying/homework with fun and personal time. Remember, work hard to play hard.

#7. Shower Caddy - Shower caddies are extremely useful because you can keep all your shower stuff in one place. If you have a suit and share a shower with just three other people like I do, I got a shower caddy that hangs on the shower head, this particular one was fairly cheap at Target (about $12.) The alternative, if you have to use public showers (ugh! Shudder!) you can grab a simple caddy that you can put your stuff in and carry to and from the showers. These are usually just small crates with holes to drain water and a handle to carry, there are even caddies that can hang on hand rails.

#8. EmergenC - If you are like me than getting sick is not an option! I hate being sick and when you are in college paying money for every class missing just one class is you loosing money. Seriously! Take five minutes and figure out how much each class costs. You won't want t o be sick either. EmergenC along with daily vitamins will help boost your immunity. EmergenC is basically concentrated vitamins that you just mix with water and drink. Don't worry there are a lot of flavors to pick from!

#9. Fan/Heater - No matter where you go to college you are either going to have to face it being hot or cold. I attend college in Irvine and it gets HOT!!! (The dorms don't have AC) Lately it has been averaging about 85-95 degrees. So a fan was definitely a necessity! I just went to Target and picked up a typical standing fan for about $20 and it makes a world of difference. However, if you are at a college where it snows and you are freezing your butt off, then pick up a heater. There are a lot of different types of heaters and fans so you can pick your poison and make it fit your needs.

#10. Organization Supplies - This is a very broad choice, but no matter whether you go to the Container Store or Bed, Bath and Beyond, be sure to peruse the organization isle because you will need it! There are closet organizers, drawers for your supplies or for under the sink or on your desk. When in a dorm space is limited so you want to be sure o make as much out of the space you have as possible.

Tips That Everyone Should Take 5 Minutes to Read

I saw this on my friend Ashley's Tumblr and felt that I should post this on here as well. Please take just a few moments to read through this:

PLEASE Share this!!!

WRITTEN BY A COP: Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved one’s life. In daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation… This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, & everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do :The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse,
DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you… Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse.
RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy.. The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.
DON’T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head,
and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR ,
LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE..

If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat:
DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A.) Be aware:look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor ,
and in the back seat.
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door.
Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women
are attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and the passenger side.. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN!
The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then,
it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked ‘for help’ into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late
and she thought it was weird.. The police told her ‘Whatever you do, DO NOT
open the door..’ The lady then said that it sounded like the baby
had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, ‘We already have a unit on the way,
whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.’ He told her that they think a serial killer
has a baby’s cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby.. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby’s cries outside their doors when they’re home alone at night.

10. Water scam! If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full blast so that you will go out to investigate and then attack.

Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbors! Please pass this on
This post should probably be taken seriously because the Crying Baby Theory was mentioned on America ‘s Most Wanted when they profiled
the serial killer in Louisiana

I’d like you to forward this to all the women you know.
It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle..
I was going to send this to the ladies only,
but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc.,
you may want to pass it onto them, as well.

Send this to any woman you know that may need
to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it
and it’s better to be safe than sorry..
Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or
a loved one’s life.

I’m putting this to all my followers not just female…

My First Week of College!!!

Hey guys, so I just got done with my first week of college!!! I know, exciting right?

Well it definitely was exciting but it was also very scary. Thankfully I have good teachers and suite mates.

I must admit that I cried A LOT this week. I have been so sad and I miss my boyfriend tons! Every time I am on Skype with him I cry because he is on a screen and not next to me.

People have been telling me that it will pass soon and it helps to get involved on campus. However, to be perfectly honest I have mostly been in my dorm because I have either been on Skype or doing homework haha. And believe me there has been a decent amount of homework. Step aside high school because college is INTENSE.

I have five main classes: public speaking, writing and research, intro to psychology, math and philosophy. As well as three others: core which is basically lectures and such, not 100% sure what it is because it doesn't start until the week after next, Freshman seminar and break out which is basically lecture and lab.

My teachers are very nice and interactive. My writing professor is very out there and I like having teachers that are actually engaging compared to boring teachers who just lecture at you all class long.

The next step along your journey....

In life change is inevitable. You change jobs, schools, you move to a new location, start a relationship or maybe end one. It is an inescapable truth that things are always changing, nothing is ever static.

When embarking on the next leg of your journey, the road ahead is full of uncertainties. You are stepping out of your comfort zone and fearlessly entering the unknown.

This journey for me: college.

I must admit that I am very nervous and not 100% sure what to expect. I’m worried that I will mess up or let my procrastination get the best of me. I’m sad about not seeing my boyfriend or family every day. I have been crying on and off for days, usually on Johnny’s (Boyfriend) shoulder.

When making changes in your life you wind up thinking about things that you never have before, “how will I do on my own,” “what will it be like living on my own?” The prospect of living on your own at first seems like a grand idea, freedom to do whatever you want. Suddenly the quote from Spiderman comes to mind: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Living on your own is a true test of going from a kid to an adult. It takes a tremendous amount of accountability and responsibility. You no longer have your parents there to stand over your shoulder and tell you to “do your homework”, “do your laundry” or “go to bed so you can wake up on time.”

Some days I can’t stop thinking about if I’m gonna be ok on my own. I have never had my own bedroom and I’m scared of the dark. I am bi-polar and not the best at handling stress or anger. All these things, all the little things you maybe don’t show to anyone but the people who live with you or take care of you on a daily basis. You think, “how the heck do I handle this on my own, and what the heck will my room mate think if I slip up?” The prospect of this is embarrassing.  And I am honestly horrified of slipping up.

However, despite everything, I am going forth to the next leg of my journey and the next chapter of my story. So I will brace myself for a bumpy ride, but who knows, maybe the skies will suddenly clear. I have faith that I can push through, that I can find my balance and my place.

Wish me luck.

And to all those facing your own journeys in life, I wish you all the luck and happiness in the world.

Scholarships Never End!

So most people think that the only time they can apply for scholarships is during "Scholarship Season" which usually goes along with college applications and runs betweens December to May. But guess what? That is so not true! While the bulk of scholarships are available during that season, you can find them year round! Honestly, scholarships search engines will save you a lot of time and effort. My best friend for scholarships has been FastWeb.com. Like most of these search engines you enter in some of your general iformation and it finds scholarships that you should be elegable for. I have gone through several search engines and they're ok, but just over all, I like the interface and just the set up of FastWeb. Another close second that I use off and on is Cappex.com (which is advertised on Fastweb). So I think I have applied to at least 20 scholarships and I have won two (not including the ones I got from FAFSA and my college.) I have to say I am extremely thankful that I have been able to get as much financial aid as I have. My school's "sticker price" which includes some estimated costs was $40,000, and thanks to financial aid and scholarships aprox. 90% of the cost for my freshman year has been covered. I swear I preach to people to make sure to apply for the FAFSA, Cal Grant, and as many scholarships as you can get your hands on (and make sure to pay attention. You may have to write some essays and It will make your life so much easier, and help you keep your wallet a little happier!

The Beach, the Sun and the Sunburn

 Yesterday I got to go down to San Diego for SCJ League vs. League beach vollyball at Encinitas beach. I do have to say the first half of the driving was very entertaining! Making funny faces at eachother, trying out each persons music and cracking jokes is always fun.

This is me and my friend Elisha (a.k.a Ramona because of her hair + Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) we got crammed into the back of my mustang and pretty much were just chilling and sharing my blanket because the back seat tends to get very chilly!

I was just being silly and taking pictures of everyone in the car, Johnny driving and Benji sitting in the passenger seat.

However, the second half of the drive down did happen to be everyone but Johnny falling asleep! haha it was definetly a good nap!

When we finally got down to the beach, it was absolutely beautiful! The sand, while incredibly hot, was really soft but still dense l

Working at Northrop!

I have to say I am super excited because I just had my first day back at Northrop! I am now, a full time paid intern! Looks like I'm moving up in the world people's! 

The nine hour work days are gonna take some getting used to but I think I can do it :) besides my bosses are hilarious and I have a bunch of great co-workers.

I will be working as a full time adult person thingy until August 15th when I move into college the next day. So unfortunatly not much of a summer for me :/ but oh well, gotta pay for college some how!

Looking forward to some super exciting weeks of working hard and being able to actually pay for myself!