Welcome to Finals Week

It's finals week across the country and this is the time when most students, especially those in their first year of college, begin to stress. Students experience high levels of stress during this time because teachers and professors focus on how doing well on your finals is so important. And trust me I'm not saying it isn't but if you prepare the right way you won't feel as overwhelmed when the week nears. What students need to know is that this time doesn't have to be so stressful. Anxiety doesn't have to become overwhelming and there are some tips I've found out there that have helped me! My first and most important tip is to plan ahead! Don't start studying the night before the big exam....if you do a little studying over the entire semester I promise it will make your life that much easier! There are plenty more tips and the list goes on but check out the links I've added for more information.

T-minus 3 months

The word around school within the past two months has been all about spring break. Especially being a senior, figuring out where to go for spring break of our senior year was not easy. However, our decision was made when we were told that Cancun, Mexico was the place to be this year. StudentCity, a company that promotes and handles student spring break trip's, tried promoting Cancun to us seniors and well it worked! Amongst my friends, I know at least 50 people (my peers and friends) going to Cancun. I must say I was hesitant at first because of all the news regarding Mexico and the problems they are facing but the  mission of StudentCity is to provide college students with a fun and safe spring break trip. I am confident that they will do that and from people I know who have used StudentCity in the past, they sound very credible. I specifically choose to blog about this because there are some things to keep in mind when going on spring break and I'd like to offer a few tips that I have researched over the past couple weeks...I can't say it was ALL my research as my parents constantly send me link's and articles about spring break chaos and safety but here is what I have to offer....

TIPS for all you Spring Breakers

• Make sure your family knows where you are going and where you will be staying!
• Have phone numbers of the hotel and your spring break companies in case of an emergency
• Have copies of your passport and all documentation you may need (license etc.)
• Have a map of the local area surrounding your hotel etc. in case of emergency
• Don't bring large bills of money to carry around. Small bills!
• Know the legal drinking age!
• Party with a buddy! AT ALL TIMES
• Eat before and while your drinking! .....Trust me you'll thank me later
• Space and Pace people!! Pace yourselves and space out the drinks...if you drink all day your not making it out that night...party pooper
• Beer before liquor, never been sicker....need I say more
• Watch your drinks!
• Limit the drinking games...you always lose more than you win! 
• Bring your sunscreen...especially the ladies...I'll admit I love being tan but your not going to love sun poisoning while everyone else is party at the pool

Winter Fashion

Winter is in full effect although it is still quite warm out. I expect the snow will be coming any day now as the weather is quite erratic. With winter on the horizon I want to offer a few winter fashions that I have noticed being on campus and in the big cities such as New York and Boston. Of course the popular leather jackets and boots are a must. What's interesting is the current trend of 70's fashion that is still very in. The biker and punk look that's been noticed from the past fall and winter season will most likely continue as well as it has been all the rage. It's interesting how fashions change and how things drop out of style so quickly and easily. This is what makes the fashion world so predictable yet unpredictable at the same time. Designers create their lines in order to what they believe will be the style and looks for the season and they hope that these styles will catch the eye of the public but yet they never really know. Many magazines also provide their suggestions to the public in their "style preview" sections or "style tips" as many of you may see in Cosmopolitan or Lucky.  My recommendation: go out and see what the new looks are! Try them on if they're something you like buy them, if not create your own style. Style yourself and wear what you find most comfortable, it's not always about being a follower. Be a leader!

Blonde Bombshell

This will definitely be one of my favorite blog posts. One of my favorite people of all time, Marilyn Monroe, now has a movie that depicts her life, struggles and relationships titled My Week With Marilyn. IMDB gave it a 7.4 out of 10 which is pretty high in terms of ratings for IMDB but the movie itself has gotten rave reviews. Michelle Williams plays Marilyn Monroe and apparently did a fabulous job. I have yet to see the movie but plan to see it within the next few days. From trailers and ads, Michelle Williams looks just like Marilyn Monroe and from what I've heard played the part perfectly.I look forward to seeing the movie as I admire Marilyn Monroe and have seen many of her films and musical performances...not in person of course, but in film. She is a beautiful woman with such poise and grace and I believe she had a strong influence during her time.

Movie trailer for My Week With Marilyn

...Simply a Gift...

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, home happier, clothes dirty, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for"

Gia is now almost 3 months old and it has been a blessing to watch her grow. I try my best to see Gia every week and every time I see her there is something different about her. Her character and being has changed so much from when she was first born. She is already making all kinds of noises, almost trying to talk I would say! Her demeanor has changed too. She is a happy baby and always seems content. She rarely cries, although she has her moments, she is well behaved and always smiling. I truly love Gia and I make it priority to spend as much time with her as I can because I feel it's important that she knows who I am . I also feel that I'm a good role model and although many kids look up to their parents, as I'm sure Gia will do, it is always beneficial to have a role model. In my most recent experiences with Gia I've captured pictures of her smiling (like the one above), yawning, sleeping and eating. I have to admit for a 2 month old baby, Gia eats and sleeps a majority of the time. Boy I wish I could have her life! Gia is also very lucky because her parent's take amazing care of her and attend to all her needs. She is always being held, which the family has already discussed may be a little problem ha, but we just can't let go of her! There's something about Gia that brings so much happiness to those around her. I could be in the worst mood, crying my eyes out and if I go see Gia I'm happy and forget about all my worries. It may just be something that babies give to people but to me it's something specifically about Gia that brings joy to my heart. I don't blog about Gia to brag or sound selfish but rather to teach people a lesson. What Gia has taught me is to be appreciative of what you have. I am lucky to have such a beautiful, healthy baby cousin and I appreciate her more than I appreciate other things that are important. So in my case Gia doesn't just make me happy but has taught me to cherish what I have in my own life, including having her. When I come home after spending the day with Gia I think about how much I miss her but more importantly, think about how she truly is a miracle. 

"Unguarded"...Changing Lives

After viewing an ESPN special on basketball star, Chris Herren, it became apparent how great this documentary would be for a blog post. This story was not only eye-opening but it was a great lesson for young adults struggling with addiction This heroic story of Chris Herren was extremely interesting and enthralling about what it's like to live with a serious addiction problem and how it can affect your life dramatically. Chris Herren was a basketball player from Fall River, Massachusetts who was one of a kind. He played his high school career at Durfee High School in Fall River and continued to attend college at both Boston College and California State University. Unfortunately during his time in college he developed an addiction problem, starting with alcohol, then cocaine and finally heroin. His unsteady lifestyle and habits somehow led him to the NBA and he was drafted in 1999 by the Denver Nuggets. After being with the Nuggets for a year, he was traded to the Boston Celtics which was not only rewarding but exciting as Massachusetts was his home. His year with the Celtics ended abruptly after enduring a serious injury which kept him out of the game for quite some time. Due to his injury, his NBA career ended but Herren didn't give up. He continued to play basketball overseas in hopes that he would be able to return to the NBA after building up his endurance and regaining strength. Unfortunately his addiction to alcohol and cocaine escalated into something bigger than he could ever imagine. His addiction took over his life, his body and his mind and ruined all the opportunity and chances he had at making a name for himself. Being overseas only allowed him to continue with drugs and alcohol but when he returned to the States in 2003 he hit his bottom. It was the day that he was found unconscious in his car with a needle of heroin in his arm that forced him to change his habits and his life. Herren went to rehab and has been drug and alcohol free since 2008. In trying to promote his story and struggle he developed his own basketball development company where he teaches kids how to play and become better basketball players. Off the court he travels and tells young adults about his story and hopes that he will be able to reach those who are struggling with addiction. 

While hearing his story I was amazed at what he went through and how he let himself get to such a dark place. I think that his effort to tell young adults his story is not only incredible but it gives these adults someone they can relate to. There is always someone out there going through something similar if not the same thing that you are and by Chris telling his story he is able to connect with those struggling with addiction as well. I advise everyone to watch this documentary not because it focuses on addiction but teaches some amazing life lessons. It was truly inspiring to me and I'm glad I took the time to watch. 

And 72 Days Later...

If anybody knows me than they would of saw this post coming from miles away. Kim Kardashian did announce her divorce from husband, Kris Humphries on October 31, 2011. It was a bit of a shock to the media obsessed nation but for many of us who are extreme fans we knew this day would come. Many are angry and said it would only be a matter of time but what upsets me is when you really look at it, she's just a human being who is getting a divorce like many other people in this world. Because Kim is always in the public eye it is much bigger deal than other divorce's that occur daily. E! News also made this an extravagant media scheme by creating a two day special of Kim's lavish and ornate "fairytale" wedding. When Kim announced her engagement to Kris Humphries, the world was in awe. They had no idea that the engagement would come so soon but watching Kim on reality television surely gave us the impression that she was in a rush to get married. Kim has wanted to get married for years. Her dream to start her life and be the first of the three sisters to be engaged has been a dream of hers' forever. Unfortunately she wasn't the first to be married but the first to be divorced. As she has entered the spotlight, once again, it makes me feel for such a person like her. Although I know the defense is that she has put herself in this position and has allowed the media to know her every move, I still feel for a woman like her. The reason for such mayhem and chaos is because she is Kim Kardashian, a woman who has created her own empire and branded her name into one of the most popular and largest grossing companies today. Kim Kardashian is the face of Kardashian, even though the family consists of 4 children, she is the one has taken the brand to the next level. Many make the argument that this is due to her extreme beauty and elegance but I don't believe that. I give credit where credit is due and although I believe she is a very beautiful woman I think she has built her own empire from a sense of intelligence and business savvy that has put her in front of the many that are trying to "make a name for themselves." This divorce does set her back a bit because of all the negative publicity she is receiving from it but she is a successful woman who will come out on top once all of this blows over. It will only be a matter of time before everyone is done talking about her divorce and onto something or someone else...it's just media, entertainment and gossip these days. Pick up the latest US Weekly magazine and you'll find something else to talk about for the next few days.