Soft Shirts and Other Monday Thoughts

-Soft Shirts-
Have you ever just found something that made you so immensely happy that may seem trivial to others but it just brings you joy? Okay so I've found these shirts and they make me so happy. They are from the brand PIKO and they are made from Bamboo and they are SO SOFT. They come in all these really soothing and earth toned colors and it's safe to say that I am absolutely obsessed. Just wearing it makes me feel like I am surrounded by comfort and wonderfulness.

I guess its just those little things that can brighten up your day.

-First Week of School-
So if you have been reading my new series "So You're Moving?", you will know that I started yet ANOTHER new school this year. People have been so loving and welcoming and I have started to really warm up to the school. I can now semi-successfully navigate myself around without a map! I mean I might have gotten lost today... but no one has to know that....except for you because I just told you.... moving on!

I really haven't vocalized this a lot on this blog but I struggle with Anxiety and Panic Attacks so first weeks are really hard for me. Near the end of this summer and that first week of school, anxiety was hitting me really hard. But I kept in touch with friends from back home and God was truly by my side helping me through that first week and I conquered it.

I've already met some really great people who have really gone out of their way to include me and make me feel conformable and get me involved.

The one thing new I've discovered is it is becomingly increasingly harder for me to keep giving my very best to each place I move. When pieces of your heart are in so many different places and with so many different people- sometimes it feels as if there is nothing else left for you to give. But if you give yourself time, if I give myself time, I might find that a piece of my heart will lie here- at this new place.


- A Message To You-
I hope you have an absolutely incredible week. At least in the US a majority of us have started school. But whether you are in school tackling the early mornings and piles of homework or you are still enjoying those last bits of summer, I hope that this week you are able to put aside any stress you are feeling or conflicts that are arising. Remind yourself everyday to smile more, laugh often, and make someone else's day.

and never forget to
<3 Stay Fabulous <3

"So You're Moving"- The Importance of a Phone Call

In this age we are slowly stripping the emotion out of communicating with people. I'm not saying texting and instant this and that isn't a tremendous accomplishment in the world of connecting with people. However I'm telling you that the best way to stay connected with friends and loved ones after you move is by calling them. To be completely honest I had terrible phone anxiety for the longest time, which I'm still working through- but hearing that familiar voice helps so much. That is the one thing you miss when you text someone- their voice. I don't know how to explain it but hearing something or someone familiar enables you to take control of your situation-introducing the familiar into a whirlwind of the unfamiliar.

Even better if you have the ability to FaceTime or Skype do so. It's so important to stay connected. Make sure to keep up communication throughout the school year too. Even if you are both super swamped with work and life- if you want to keep that person in your life you have to schedule in that time.

<3 Stay Fabulous <3

PS Got through my first day of school today!

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Photo: Phone by Moyan Brenn is licensed under CC by 4.0

" So You're Moving" - 5 Tips for New Students

Moving schools is definitely one of the scariest parts of moving. It's an entirely new environment. New people, new teachers, new hallways- new new new! I remember the first week walking through my new school last year. It was huge and I was very not used to that. I went from a school that had 200 people to almost 3000. My hands were shaking, by mind was a buzz, and I couldn't seem to look anyone in the eye because I was just so nervous. But I found my footing and remembered who I was and I found ways to get through that first week.

1. Get Involved
Everyone says this, not only because it's an obvious way to meet people, but because it's valid. Getting involved works. I'm very passionate about music, specifically chorus and theater. Joining the women's choir at my school was one way I found people to befriend. These people shared my passion and determination and I clicked really well with them. Not only that but the first week of school, auditions were held for their One Act fall musical. It seems extremely early ( which it was ), but auditioning for that musical was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It was made up of an ensemble of 12 people, and I was a swing. That meant that I had to learn every part in the cast in order to fill in for one of them if someone dropped out and fill in during rehearsals and take notes. I proved my work ethic and talent to some very influential and key people in the department and because of that not only did I make friends but I gained a lot of respect. I even went on for a girl our closing night.

Being in these two departments absolutely shaped the course of my year there. Find something you are passionate about or interested in and get in there!

2. Learn how to Learn Names
This is a key skill in life, but it is especially essential when moving to a new place. Everyone has their own tricks. One trick I use is after they tell me their name I will repeat it out loud as well as in my head multiple times during the conversation. I also try to picture the first letter of their name over their face or notice a special feature about their appearance. Also don't be afraid to ask for their name again, they understand you are new and you have SO MANY NAMES to learn.

3.  Use Social Media to Your Advantage
Social Media is THE WAY to get connected with people in this generation. I always go and follow people on Instagram after I meet them- If they are unprivated. Then I usually follow this up by looking through their page and seeing what they are interested in. If they are privated I usually get to know the person a little better before following them because I realize that they only use their account for people they know personally.

Also question for thought: #InstagramStories ? How do we feel about this? As an avid Snapchat user I feel personally... well a little creeped out. Like Instagram stay in your own lane. I could see if Snapchat and them partnered up but I don't like it.

4.  Speak Up in Class
If you need to ask a question, ask it. If you want to throw in your input do it. Be an active member of the discussion. People will notice you being engaged and will want to know more about the person behind the answers.

5. Transcript Changes are the Worst- but it will all work out!
I've had some really bad encounters with switching over my credits and classes while enrolling in school. It may seem like the end of the world when things don't switch over correctly or you lose some really nice quality points because the new school you are going to doesn't offer the course, but in the long run it's going to be okay. Just Breathe and it will be okay. Make sure to look online for your school Course Handbook so you can come into your counseling session prepared.

<3 Stay Fabulous<3

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When you are bored during a standardized test this can happen by Benjamin Chun is licensed under CC by 4.0 and modified by
Paige Terch with Befunky
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