Midterms Strike Again

 I hope this week is treating everyone well!  It sure has been nice to me.  I've been getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night, which has basically turned me into a schoolwork machine.  Tonight, I am studying for a test that isn't until Friday.  That may not seem like a huge amount of time to all of you, but for procrastinators like myself, it sure is a step in the right direction.  I actually had time to apply a face mask AND nap today.  Ahh, sweet relaxation!  But of course, there is never a two week period of relaxation in college.  For every one week of calm, there are usually two weeks of storm to follow (the storm in this case is endless amounts of papers and exams).  Midterms are approaching quickly, next week to be exact, but I am taking the optimistic approach.  I will welcome midterms with open arms.  How can I not be optimistic with Spring Break being so close?  I'm sipping on a 3 shot caramel macchiato right now and creating a little list in my head of things I plan on doing and/or buying over break.

1)  Get a haircut:  I love my hairdresser  (big shout out to Whitney at Natural Essence Salon in Alexandria, KY) and going there every few months is such a treat.  The atmosphere is great.  Plus, I am so terrible about getting my hair cut that when I finally go, it is a huge weight off my shoulders...literally.  Ideally, the haircut I get might allow me to purchase and utilize Bumble & Bumble's new SemiSumo, which smells delicious and gives hair a shiny-tousled-sexy look.  I need that.

2) Search for a new foundation:  The current contenders are...

  *Photo Credits: Sephora

I am in the midst of a sample session for these two, so once one has been purchased, prepare for the full review!

3) Blog better and more often:  It's no secret that my blogger enthusiasm has been lacking lately.  Spring Break free time should allow me to come up with some creative articles and good pics!

4) Invest in an eye cream:  I am going to take the plunge!  I am turning 20 on Tuesday and fine lines don't rest.  It's time to start the anti-aging routine.  Call me over-dramatic, but I think it's better to be over prepared than to one day wake up looking like the Wicked Witch of the West and wishing I had done something to prevent it.  I am always looking for suggestions in this area, so if you have a cream you are crazy about, let me know in the comments section!  

5) Finish a book:  Have you all seen "Lawless"?  It's Such a great movie and Shia LaBeouf looks mighty fine in it.  I started this book (which "Lawless" is based on) over Christmas break, but due to my lack of free time, I don't think I've made it past Chapter 5.  I plan on changing that.

6.  Brush up on my medical Spanish:  This summer I am going on a medical brigade to Ecuador as a translator.  I am so excited, but a bit nervous at the same time.  While we will obviously have supervisors, I think us Spanish students will be heavily relied on as part of the brigade.  That's a lot of pressure.  My grandma gave me a medical Spanish terms book that I haven't had much time to look over.  Spring Break will be the perfect time to browse through it.

That is pretty much my Spring Break To Do List, y'all!

Surviving "Blue Monday"

    Let me just start this post off with a quick congrats!  If you are reading this, you have survived "Blue Monday".  Apparently Blue Monday is a yearly phenomenon that occurs in January when everyone is coming down from their Holiday High.  Pants are a little tighter and wallets are a little slimmer.  Combine these factors with the dreary weather and you've got yourself the most depressing day of the year!  Read about it here on Wikipedia for a more in depth explanation.  While it would be easy to sit here and discuss all of the bummer days I've had over the past year or so, I would much rather share a list of things that make me thankful for this post-Christmas, should-be-depressing time period.

 

Books

 I am currently in the middle of reading both Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James and The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant.  I know we've all heard of Christian Grey and his kinkiness, and though I am not absolutely enamored with this book as most people seem to be, I feel like I've got to finish it to see what all of the fuss is about!  The Wettest County in the World is a historical novel based on a true story about moon shining in Franklin County, Virginia.  Actually, Shia LaBeouf's recent "Lawless" was based on this novel (and he looked daaaang FINE in it, if I do say so myself).  I'm not too far into the book yet, but if it's anything like the movie I'm going to love it!  

 

Cozy Socks 

The picture above shows only a tiny sampling of my sock collection.  Admittedly, I am a sock junkie.  This cold weather gives me an excuse to bring out the dorkiest, wooliest, thickest socks I own!

 Tea and Coffee

What more can I say?  Ever since I had my first cup of Earl Grey and my sister bought me a French press, my coffee cup has been constantly filled with one hot beverage or another. I prefer black or white teas and bold coffees, but I can be persuaded to drink a sugary Starbucks drink every now and then!  I've got a couple different tea diffusers which I left behind at my house, but I'm sure they will be making an appearance here soon as well.  

What are some things you used to stave off the Blue Monday blues (or just the plain ol' winter blues)?