JANUARY

ON THE MOVE

I'm plugging along with my college classes, and so far I'm loving them. I have lots of homework, though I seem to be handling it just fine. I've only attending a few chapels this month, so I need to get myself in gear because I don't have long to obtain 30!

I've had so much fun being with my friends, especially after that long month break for the holiday's. Exploring Newport Beach bit by bit is my main focus this semester at Vanguard!! Late night spicy Uno games in the dorms, acai bowl runs with my roommate, and sunsets on the beach are simply the best moments yet here at college.

The 365 project on Instagram is so fun. If you follow me on my insta account, then you will already have seen my new challenge that started on January 1st. If your new to this, it's taking and posting one photo everyday for one whole year. I don't know if I'll obtain this challenge all the way through, but I was feeling defeated amongst other creators. I stopped taking photos because they never were perfect enough for me to enjoy. Tossing that mindset out and using this challenge as a way to remember simple moments day to day.

My health has been a struggle. I want to go in depth more later, but lately no matter what I eat (besides fruit and veggies) my stomach will hurt so bad. The patterns are strange, and I never know will it begin again. Hence my acai bowl addiction on Instagram, haha, because it's about the only thing that won't upset me.

I joined my University's student lead Newspaper. Guys, it's the best! Secretly, inside I feel like Andy Anderson the How-To-Girl (How-To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, anyone?) and nothing feels more fulfilling. It's so neat being able to know the inside scoop on everything that is happening at Vanguard.

                            

I have stayed strong on my 31 days of no sugar challenge. This was necessarily a challenge, but a conscious health choice on my end. Over the years my sweet tooth has become really bad. So with the new year, and my health I almost didn't have a choice. It's something I had to do. I can't wait to include this on a separate post because I have learned so much, so stay tuned.

Choir this semester was able to be apart of a project that allowed us to record. It was so exhausting, but an amazing experience. Hours and hours of rehearsal took place, but learning music is such a joy for me. I'm able to escape everything, and just praise God through worship.

On the blog, I'm going to be more personal. Like I mentioned above about my health, no sugar diet, and everything I'm exploring as a college student, my hope is to share my thoughts on everything in it's own post. I never want my content to exclude the important pieces of my life, and right now it hasn't been easy. But through it all, I hope to connect with you and in turn hear your stories!

The Heart Of It | Criticism

JUST SWALLOW

Criticism is the worst part of trying something new. Feedback is a tough thing to swallow because to me it means failure. That my capabilities or work isn't enough. Perhaps criticism has been aimed towards your personality. Gosh can that make you feel low. I know it has for me. 

Certain criticism needs to be shut down immediately. At times it isn't all true or right for you to hear. But, if you are a college student like me trying to figure out where all the pieces fit, than you've probably received a lot of criticism too. 

I've learned that criticism doesn't always mean you are wrong. Sometimes it means you are on the right track. It simply means you are worth critiquing. I just absolutely loved hearing that from one of my dear professors. It has helped me so much to overcome this feeling I have had for so long. I've carried around this pressure to be perfect in order to never receive comments that suggested otherwise, but that isn't the point. 

At the end of the day, I cannot please everybody. I will never be perfect. Honestly, that is okay. Providing a filter towards the harsh criticism that comes my way though is healthy. Instead of letting it eat at me, I can absorb the comments and discern which to listen to. 

For me though, it runs deeper than just accepting my imperfections compared to others. It has to do with holding onto every praise from others. Just as we shouldn't become obsessed with criticism, I should be with people's compliments either. If I live for one's approval, I will die of their criticism. 

I hope my thoughts can help you in anyway possible. I began to type and the words kept flowing. As I was told, "You can be the juiciest peach, and someone will hate peaches." 

GIRLS DAY IN NEWPORT BEACH

LIDO MARINA VILLAGE 

Over my holiday weekend, my girlfriends and I decided to escape from our college bubble and explore Orange County! My plan was to try a new coffee shop, Honor Coffee Roasters, yet not one table was open for us to take photos or order coffee. Once I began to walk through this little street, I was thankful it was too busy because I wouldn't have had enough time to find these cute little resting corners. 

First can I just say how much I love Newport Beach? I know I'm only three miles down the road from my college, but if I could live here I would in a heartbeat. This cute little row of shops and coffee houses were so much fun to browse through. I found an adorable little stationary shop that I must hit up on my next visit.

So blessed to have such sweet friends from college. If you are a blogger like me, find friends who don't mind taking your photo's for you! Haha. Being at Vanguard has been such a neat environment for me to grow in because everyone is connected through blogging in some way. So, my embarrassment of telling people about my side hustle has left completely, and I love it. These gals are so supportive of my passion here on the blog, and it couldn't have been a better start to my long week!

ALWAYS BE KIND

DO I LOOK SHORTER? 

...because I feel shorter.

Unfortunately, words have the power to either build up, or completely shatter someone. Words are real and somethings they truly never leave our mind. They cut deep and know exactly where to leave a sting. 

Last semester, I was approached by someone who proudly wore a smirky grin and used a defensive tone of voice while spilling out accusations against my character and personality. I left that moment shaking. I couldn't remove the sick and uneasy feeling that lived inside of me.  

I left wondering how someone could walk away feeling so empowered in a moment that crushed someone else's soul. How could this person fail to recognize any type of emotion or understanding for others?

I've also had to encounter silence. Pure silence. No harsh words were spoken, but I could hang up the phone feeling as though there were. 

For days I allowed this conversation, and people to put me on edge because it's hurtful. Yet, I have the choice to either walk away and let such an encounter strengthen me, or allow it to change me and become the type of human being these people were to me. These experiences showed me that not every one cares, or knows how to be kind. It takes effort and practice. It isn't easy because kindness requires one to be genuine. 

It's okay to be angry but never to be cruel. So for 2018, my word is to be kind. I desire to be somebody everyone can admire and look up to. This year I wish to value feelings and unique features of others. Because when I truly am kind, I know that I am fulfilling the best part of who I am suppose to be. Kindness can be found in all shapes - spoken words, body language, or even silence. I know that I will find joy by being kind to others, even when they don't deserve it.