Holiday Cheer or Fear?

Happy December,

All in all this semester has been kinda crazy for me, not sure about you but 2014 was definitely the year of change for me. I picked my concentration, decided what I want to study for my Masters program that I will apply to next year, went on an amazing trip, took time for family, made bad decisions, applied for an internship, and made a decision to graduate on a normal four year track. I've become centered in life and in my head, but it took a lot to get there.

I know that not everyone probably had as many ups and downs as I did this semester, but they had their own which were bigger and smaller in their own ways. 

I'll probably write more on several of the things I have above, mainly because I know that two years ago I would have loved to know that someone didn't have a clue what they wanted to do for a career somehow had opportunities fall in their lap because of their classes, and no you didn't read that wrong. 

Right now I know that the holidays always seem to bring high levels of cheer and high levels of anxiety, about bills, presents, grades. But something that no one seems to remember is that we come up on this every year, every year we have to deal with the same stress and anxiety. Sure the year will always make it slightly different, but at its core we deal with the same thing every year, AND WE GET THROUGH IT EVERY YEAR. Seriously just let that sink in. 

Now realize that you know how to deal with this, you know how to budget, you know how to study for finals. The world always feels like its coming to an end right now. Like there is way too much going on and you will never get it, never be able to make the time for everything that has to happen. Seriously there are ugly sweater parties, mixers, socials, study sessions, last minute papers and projects, and can we not even talk about Christmas shopping? Everyone and their dog is worrying about this right now. Slow down breath, realize that you don't have to have everything figured out. 

This is the end of the year and right now we are just wrapping everything up, literally and figuratively. Stick hard to your studies don't let the holidays and the upcoming break get to you. I know you can do it, because I've been able to. 

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year, be extra nice to the grocers, tell your best friend how much you appreciate them, let your family be crazy and revel in the them-ness that you can be overwhelemed by. This is my favorite time of the year and no matter how hard it is I try to always be a glass half full person right now, because so many people need that. Be that person, you never no who's day you end up brightening and I can tell you it will make you happier too.

Fresh Start for Fall

Look at how far we've come! It's already the second day of fall. The leaves have started to turn colors, UW has been in session for three weeks already, tests are beginning to start, football has arrived, and better temperatures are descending. 

Fall also means Bid Day for Fraternity and Sorority Life here at UW! It was the weekend before last and I had the best time! I am so excited with our new Hooties, and I can't wait to see their faces more. Don't you just love how talented and crafty some of my sisters are? 

I love Autumn. It still has the warm days of summer and yet alludes to my favorite season of all, winter. I know I love winter, but I'm not ready for it yet. I however am super excited for the start of autumn. Warm colors come into play, I get to wear some of my favorite clothes, like riding boots and blazers. I get to bask in the sound of rain on the roof, and leaves crunching under my foot. Seriously that is one of the best feelings ever. 

With the start of fall comes the start of tests and presentations. I have a Spanish presentation later today! The most important thing that I have found is study in small increments as soon as you can so you aren't rushing the night before to get oodles of homework done. These weekend are some of the best of the year to go out and do things. Hunting season is upon us, and so descends the copious amounts of camo that is to be worn. 

I say get things done, do them early, so when you get a wake up call saying "hey wanna go paintballing with me and the guys?" You can go and don't have to stay up waaaaay past your bed time like I did last night getting homework done. Also, if you get that invite, totally go. It is so worth it for the spontaneous memories and great times. I ended up going to Saratoga after the football game (I'd never been!) and then paintballing the next morning. In my opinion it was a great weekend.

How was your weekend? Have classes gotten intense all of a sudden for you too?

P.S. Go get the flu shot. Seriously do it. I came down with whatever last week and was basically on my deathbed. My roommates were worried sick. And missing class was awful. You don't want that to happen, and they offer them on campus. My tip of the day!

Move In

After finishing the last two weeks of summer, I was super excited to come back to school. I don't know why but the feeling of how good this semester is going to be just seems to be contagious. It's having a schedule, seeing friends again, seeing Laramie bustling full of students all eager (or maybe not so eager) to start again. 

I had the best Labor Day weekend. It was full of many BBQ's and catching up with old friends. Right now the band is playing outside of my window getting ready for the Air Force game this weekend, and in honor of that it's honoring our military. Very patriotic. I only hope we don't get rained on quite as much as last weekend.

 I really applaud UW for the pep rally. Craig Morgan was amazing and he really catered to the crowd. I didn't realize that his whole band was full of local Wyomingites... and one Coloradan. Highlight of that was probably one of the girls I was with, a Chi Omega Sister, was pulled up on stage with him!

This weekend is also looking great. At 8:30 Thursday night the Country Swing Club is meeting upstairs in the Union, probably my favorite event all week. Lots of people just getting together to learn how to swing dance and a couple of line dances. Seriously makes my day. I also love going to the Cowboy for their 18+ Swing dance night on Wednesdays, however the first two to three weeks it's always so packed that barely any dancing happens, I end up waiting a few weeks to have a much better time. 

Friday Night Fever Kicks off the start of school with their weekly movie, this time it's going to be Captain America: The Winter Soldier. They are holding the annual Casino Night in the Union. My freshmen year I was a little too gun shy to actually enjoy it. I am taking full advantage of the free entertainment this year and I will be one of the dealers at the tables. 

Volleyball has a packed weekend and I hope to catch one of their three matches this weekend. Friday at 12pm and 7pm, and Saturday at 12pm. Football will be amazing, I hope we are as packed as last weekend was, check out the UW picture to the right! Kickoff against Air Force is at 8:15 and  a little birdie told me that the band has a special surprise planned!

Now I need to finish organizing my closet... I swear I just find more things that magically appear each time I move! Hope move in went well for everyone this past weekend!

Toxic Friendships

I'm going to jump right in, you know how sometimes you have one of those friends? Like the one who seems to constantly put your friendship down, or don't fit in with anybody you hang out with? Or maybe they just lead a different lifestyle that you aren't comfortable with anymore. Those friends are what I look at as toxic friendships. 

This is particularly easy to fall into when you are in college. Between trying to find what you want to do in life, participating in extra-curricular's, jobs, and having fun you end up meeting a lot of people. However, not all of the people we meet bring great meaning to our lives, and not all of them need to. Everyone should bring something to the friendship though, something positive. A great sense of humor, someone to talk about the deep things with, someone to go to lunch with, someone to make you remember to lighten up. These are great people in our lives, and we all have them, but we also have toxic friendships.

My toxic friendship is a really close friend actually. It's super sad because I know that she could be a great person one day and do things. Right now she's realizing that college is hard. Goodness is it, it doesn't come easy to everyone, and it is nothing like high school. Balancing being an adult, learning how to study, be somewhat responisble, and still knowing how to have fun? Its crazy. She hasn't learned how to balance that yet. Too much fun not enough study has lead to a really hard time, but no matter what she does she doesn't think any of it is her fault. Like any of it. She always has an excuse for why it turned out the way it did.

Now, I know that I've done that a bit but at some point you have to own up to your mistakes. The worst part? That isn't the worst part. She constantly tries to one up everyone around her, acts like she is better than everyone else, and she can be down right mean. I have one of my oldest friends who will come over to see me, and my toxic friend is often there (toxic friends seem to have a sticky tendency don't they?), and one day she confessed how often my toxic friend will act condescending to her. That isn't the only friend who has said something, and when it hurts people I care about it hurts me. 

I know that I need to distance myself from her, and I have. It's okay to have a toxic friendship, as long as you don't let it become toxic to you. You may be the only good friend in their life, but if they aren't good for you please don't keep them around. It'll only end up hurting you in the end. Eventually they will realize how they've been acting, and I hope they change. More often than not they fall into the same old patterns. The best thing is to be honest, and if that means they don't appreciate it in the end, it't their loss. 

My friends that I met through our toxic friend have all been saying the same thing lately. I go out to lunch with my guy friend, I'm babysitting our other friends cat soon, and today I went to the gym and lunch with a different friend from my toxic friend's group. We have great times together, and we are all so different it allows us to broaden each others horizons, I am so lucky to have them as friends. College is all about figuring out what we are doing with our lives, that includes who we want to keep in our lives. So, while toxic friends can be a drain sometimes they lead to other things like new friends, or wisdom on how to handle that situation. It's all a learning curve. 

Are there toxic friends you have had? Or do have? Situations they've put you into? I'd love to talk about it!

Summer Weddings

Is it just me or has this been the summer for weddings? I went to a few, and I know a ton more that have happened. It makes me just love love.

 For a really long time the idea of marriage made me cringe. I've seen so many fail, but I'd never met anyone our age that I really had faith in. That is until my sophomore year of college. Its probably because we are getting older and more mature. My favorite love story is probably my freshmen year RA and her now husband. They are absolutely amazing together, best friends who really do help each other in ways I can't even explain. They met in acting class and knew the instant they were paired together. You can see it in both. She adores him like the moon, and he worships the ground she walks on. They don't let the other go overboard either. Its beautiful, and she was always my friend but as the wedding got closer so did my relationship with him. I count both as friends now and I am so excited that they are finding jobs and living together now, starting their journey of married life. 

One of my biggest problems was trying to find something appropriate to wear, and a wedding present that I can still afford as a broke college kid. Summer weddings are so fun as they allow a bit more of a relaxed feel and you have more options. 

For clothes the most important thing to know is venue, don't wear overly dark clothes if you are going to be out in the sun for the wedding. Also if you know where it will take place you can also gauge what to wear. For instance you may not be religious, but if its a church wedding, having wider straps or even covering your shoulders is respectful, especially to some of the older family members who are coming. Here are some of my favorite picks: 

I went for two ends of the spectrum on price but they both give a wonderful example. 

The light blue can be dressed up with a cute hair do and some jewelry or left beautifully bare. Right now it's a steal for only $23.99!

The dark blue is also very light for a summer wedding, but the lace gives the appearance of sleeves maybe a bit more modest or elegant. This is very like my dress that I wore to a wedding this summer, however mine is several years old and I can't remember where I got if from, this is from J.Crew and is priced at $275.00 but would work well for many occasions. 

As for wedding gifts, I tend to go to places like Hobby Lobby or Michael which tend to have cute cheap crafts, or even pre-made if you're in a crunch! Also something for their new home is always welcome, you can find some great things in department stores. Here are two ideas that I used this year. 

The pillow is from Hobby Lobby, and towels are from Kohl's. I found some other his and hers for less at Kohl's but they weren't pictured together. I hope that this helps with summer weddings! I know of several more to come for August!

Did you have any great wedding outfit/gift ideas this summer?

Splurging, when it's worth it

This summer I have been all to reminded the the old college title 'broke college student' really does apply. Some times its so hard to remember that even if it isn't a normal semester, we still need to budget. I have been particularly bad about this. Bath and Body Works semi-annual sale killed me. It seems like such a good price! But those good prices add up. 

I think my favorite thing about growing up and becoming an adult is the clothes. I don't mean that I just love to go shopping for adult clothes (because I mean I totally do, half my wardrobe is ready for an office), but that now we don't always need a whole new wardrobe for the incoming school year. New tennis shoes if the old ones wear out, and maybe one or two statement pieces. However school supplies always seem to disappear, I swear my mechanical pencils just run away!

Trying to keep in mind a summer budget, and the fact that I don't actually need to go out and buy clothes I gave in to a small splurge. It wasn't bad and unlike after the whole Bath and Body Works shopping spree I didn't have any guilt. My splurge? A Lilly Pulitzer Agenda. The 18 month agenda is literally going to be my lifeblood, especially if I do end up going to Spain in the spring! Normally I get the cheap flimsy school planners, which end up falling apart about halfway through the year. Which. I. Hate.

I ordered through Pea Pod Paper and Gifts, simply because they are amazing and I love their products. I was so excited to finally be able to order something from them after drooling for the last year or so. The monogram was only an extra seven dollars I believe, which I debated on but I just love it and it makes it a bit more personal. I can't tell you how excited I was to start using it this week! The larger size is wonderful, and I just love the print, which reminds me of my Chi Omega house flower. 

This was probably the last splurge I'm going to do for a while. With me trying to keep my grades up (straight A's hopefully I'm crossing my fingers!), I'm probably not going to be working this fall which I'm coming to terms with it being okay. The fact is we have to realize what is going to be an investment and will be worth the splurge, and what is just a here and now want that wont end up helping in the long run. 

What was your latest splurge? Do you have great budget tips? 

Summer Classes

Hey y'all,

I'm just finishing up my last summer class, successfully I am excited to say. I was warned that summer classes took up a lot of time and that they were harder than normal. Those statements only rang too true. I have to say while I was extremely busy, it was totally worth it. I can't tell you how nice it was to be able to cruise through these classes in 4-8 weeks instead of the regular semester schedule. It also meant that I got to enjoy Laramie in the summer (which makes it so worth the freezing winters!) and basically live off of McAlister's Sweet Tea. 

 I had one class that I just adored, I learned so much, I enjoyed our discussions, I made a good friend and I still want to learn more about the topic. That class easily could have gone on all summer or for the whole semester in the fall easily, the fun part was I saw my classmates every day and it was a small class so we grew to learn a lot about each other and grew closer together. 

I also had one class I loathed. Seriously even when I was in Chemistry my freshmen year I don't think I hated the class so much, (and we really did hate each other Chem and I, it was a mutual understanding and a huge sign in my life that medicine was not for me). I learned a ton in the class, and broadened my horizons. It was an online class so that might have been part of it because we didn't have actual discussions. While I didn't enjoy the class, disagreed with the authors we read, and became frustrated at times, it was also so intensive that I really had to think about what was going on. That class really showed me that hard work even if its not enjoyable, really does pay off.

Looking back I'd probably only take one or two classes instead of three and have a bit more free time to work or go enjoy myself. Not saying that I didn't, but I was really busy and didn't knock off everything on my summer bucket list. The great news is that there is still a whole month left of summer to do all the things I wanted, now lets see if I keep up the motivation to accomplish everything.

I understand that summer classes may not be for everyone, however I really enjoyed the experience and will probably end up taking more. 

Would you ever take summer classes or have you?

Downton Abbey

I know that I binge watching TV shows is about the only way I do it any more. After moving into the new house for the summer, the fact that classes haven't started, and still being on a job hunt, I've had a lot of free time in the evenings. Downton Abbey is probably the most addicting show I've seen in a very long time. 

I have a strange collection of shows that I like to watch, mostly a lot of BBC, hence why I stumbled upon Downton. I was turned on to it by a friend who watched all three seasons that were out when she was sick one week. That level of binge watching is pretty impressive, but oh so deserved with this show.

It follows a royal family back in the nineteen teen's, and their servants, who lead almost more interesting lives than the elites. It has everything you need good guys, bad guys, lovers, family feuds, a snarky grandmother (played by Maggie Smith no less), charming young men, debutantes, and a dog. The level of plots and subplots going on is astounding, but I guess it's needed with over 15 main characters. 

The best part? They seem to end every single episode with some kind of plot twist that makes you jump straight to the next episode without even allowing yourself to go get another cup of tea. I think that has to be one of my favorite things, no matter what is going on, someone has something that you can't wait to find out what's going to happen. I know that once I'm finally caught up, waiting a whole week for the next episode might kill me.

Are there any TV shows that you just can't stop watching recently?

Life in Fast Forward

I know I've been offline for the last three months or so, I let life catch up and overwhelm me. The best news if have right now is that I have just one more final! It's tomorrow, and I still have to study, but the freedom is so close I can taste it. We had our first rain here in Laramie and it has made me so ready for the fresh beginnings. 

I've started packing my room up because in the sorority house we change rooms every semester and aren't allowed to leave our belongings there. For the first time I am going to be staying in Laramie for the summer, and I can't be more excited. Cleaning and throwing 

After this semester with two jobs, seventeen credit hours, and a position in my house I filled up all my time and left none for fun. Something I seriously regret. It was a life experience I've had before, but not on this level. College as I've been reminded is an experience to enjoy. 

It's getting to be summer, it's getting to be time for sun, and it's getting time to enjoy being a twenty-something(as I will officially at the end of this month). 

Are you having fun plans for the summer? Was this semester crazy for everyone else? 

Snowy Range

In the dreary month of February it seems like there isn't much to do, and other than Valentines day it is a pretty boring month. This doesn't mean that its a total drag however. I have friends who just can't wait for spring and summer. They long for the sun and the warm weather. I'll admit I do miss it a bit, however as I realized right around Thanksgiving, my favorite season has to be winter.

I know that is slightly crazy, however growing up in Wyoming has helped in some ways. Another thing that makes me love winter (beside good food, comfy clothes, and hot chocolate) is the snow. I will take it in any way possible. If that means as big flakes we catch on our noses, or maybe snowmen, or snowball fights! It's the best.

The thing that takes the cake for me? The fact that this is the only time of the year when I get to go out and ski. Strapping those two pieces of wood (or more accurately fiberglass) to my feet and flying down the face of a mountain is a beautiful exhilarating feeling. I was an alpine racer for five years, all throughout middle school. I quit because I just didn't weigh enough to compete in my age group, hitting puberty late isn't always a blessing in disguise.

The last few years have been hard to go out and hit the slopes. I feel like I'm constantly busy, but this last weekend was beautiful. I was able to grab my friends and go out to the mountain. I can't tell you how much I missed those awful boots. Or the bulky clothes. It was a total powder day, I helped a friend learn to ski for the first time, so we didn't go on too many challenging runs, but by the end of the day she was doing amazing and I had the best time!

Here we are above ready to head out for the day!

After living on a hill every weekend from September to March for five years, and then not being able to actually ski for the last two it has killed me. I will definitely be going out to Snowy Range again. They had really reasonable lift prices, and the renting for my two friends wasn't bad at all. I liked how the lodge was set up too, it reminded me of my little one chair ski hill I learned on.

If you want to go find a great place nearby I can't recommend it more!! It honestly is one of my favorite sports of all time. The fact that I get to watch my team on the TV skiing my favorite events makes this February even better.

Loves
WyoBelle

P.S. The 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City? Yep, I grew up 2 hours away from there. Went to a few events, and when I raced I was on the Snowbasin Alpine Team. In otherwords where the men's/women's downhill events took place!

Spring Recruitment

Hey all, this last month has gotten beyond busy. I feel like every time I'm ready to catch my breath life gets in the way. Does this happen you?

Any who, this week and next week are Spring Recruitment for the sororities! It's a great time. Having gone through spring recruitment myself I can tell you it is a very different critter from fall. Much more relaxed, events at different houses and you get to pick and choose which one matches up best with your schedule. You also get the chance to go over to lunch or dinner at the houses. Basically its an open house and you are welcome whenever. I love this time.

Last week I tabled for Greek Life and they have the best flyers this year.  However I think that my favorite picture that perfectly summarizes up the next week is the one below.

If you or anyone you know wants to find out more about UW Greek Life you can find out more here. I hope everyone is having a great week!

Loves

WyoBelle

P.S. Don't forget there is a Poetry Slam happening at the Union at eight o'clock!!

Getting back into the swing of things

Alright I'm staring week two back at UW. And can I just say I am already exhausted?

I thought that a new semester would be easing back in, especially since I am officially moved into the Chi O house. That was the only new thing I had, back to class, back to work. That first week was beyond crazy however, I had so much going on. First off we at the paper were preparing for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, also known as equality day here in the Equality State. And secondly I got initiated this weekend! I am officially a full Chi Omega.

Now that the whirlwind week has died down I'm falling back into the swing of things. Study habits have reared their ugly head telling me that I am trying to go for all A's this semester, and that means putting time in. This has reaffirmed by love in Spotify! I just love it, especially when looking up movie scores to study to. I have been way way to addicted to all things Frozen lately. It is simply the cutest movie! I love that Disney has been stressing the importance of family love before anything else. It makes me super happy.

Hope you all have had a great first week back at classes, can't wait to see what this semester has in store! Check out the Days of Dialogue on campus there is a lot of really inspiring stuff going on! Remember that there is a basketball game tonight in the AA and this Friday at seven in the Feildhouse there is a wrestling tournament, and it's a Greek competition to see which house can get the most people there!

Check out the schedule of events here!

How was your first classes? Anything special happen to you in this first week back? 

Love
WyoBelle

Happy New Year

It's been eons, and I feel awful. For the last week I kept getting the nagging feeling that I should just log on and explain.

After midterms I got extremely busy, classes got harder and work was beyond crazy. Every time I thought about going to write, I wanted to fall asleep instead. Right before thanksgiving I got bad news. I had a death in the family someone I was very close to. I threw me way way off kilter.  Since then all I wanted to do was see family. We had the funeral this last Saturday and I'm finally starting to feel back to normal, I've mourned and I know that I need to get back on track. I didn't do as hot in my finals as I should have. I put the hours in before but right around finals week I just couldn't concentrate.

But it's a new year and I really want to start fresh. I've been looking at some really inspirational posts, pictures, and ideas for the new year. My favorite thing would have to be have a jar for all the moments you want to remember, just stick a note in and at the new year read through them all.

I just feel like this is going to be a good year, and I really am excited. I want to make this year one with no regrets, and to go after what I want. I feel like TV can suck us in and we obsess over the characters more than our own lives. I can say that I definetly fan girl over somethings, but I am also going to be active in my own life. You know Nike's phrase Just Do It? I totally agree with that, I don't mean just physical stuff, but everything. I want to go out and do whatever I want, staying grounded and getting what needs to be done done and then pursuing my life.

So go out pursue what you believe in and make 2014 an amazing year, because life truly is what you make it. You'll be hearing from me lots more, and I hope to hear from some of you.

How was your 2013? What are you planning on doing in 2014? 

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season, happy New Year!
-Wyobelle