A March Recap

Cooling down after a workout with a
quick Yoga class.

            So since I’m like super late updating my blog (I blame school and work and having to “be an adult”) I’ve decided to write this post catching you up on what I’ve been up to this month, instead of on a particular topic. So what have I been up to/ into this month?

A Healthier Lifestyle

So official even got the duffel bag. 

            Recently as some of you may know if you follow me on social media I actually got a gym membership. I know, I know you’re shocked right? And not just that, sit down for this part….I’m actually using it. Feel that? Yup hell definitely just froze over lol. But on a more serious note, I have had various gym memberships in life that I would use occasionally (or when I was forced to) but none of which I was as determined to use as the one that I have now. The fact that this gym offers more than just the typical machine/ weights workouts they also offer classes and other resources that actually motivate me to want to go work out, and so far it’s been working pretty well.

(Left) Coconut Chocolate Chip Almond Cookies
(Right) Dark chocolate baked oatmeal bars and muffins

            Along with actually working out, I’ve also completely changed my eating habits. I think a big factor in this decision is the fact that because I’ve actually been working out I no longer crave sweets like I did before (yup no more munchkins twice a day, everyday) and I’ve gone completely organic. Now don’t get me wrong I’m definitely still a chocaholic, however, I’ve converted to eating dark chocolate and I bake my own sweet treats with ingredients I know will actually be good for me. It’s definitely one of those things where you know you hate it because it takes a lot of time to do but once it’s done you know it was beyond worth it in the long run.

Meanwhile at the Flower Show 

Aside from my whole healthier lifestyle thing I’ve been trying to figure out just what exactly I’m going to do after Temple. I literally just picked my classes for my final fall semester here and I felt like I needed to re-evaluate my life cause I honestly don’t know what to do next. I feel like it’s ridiculous I’m supposed to know what I want to do for the rest of my life at 20, when I don’t even know what I want to eat for lunch two hours from now, the anxiety is real. I’ve been looking into internships within the public relations sphere to see if I can find some path I’d want to go down, but so far no luck. So who knows where that’ll end up but we’ll see.

I also attended my first ever flower show for a huge class project I had for my newswriting class, and although I did enjoy it, it’ll probably be the first and last. The gardens were incredible but personally I’m not too big a fan of flowers and I also hate people suffocated between people, which is exactly what the last day of the flower show experience was, claustrophobia central, but a fun experience nonetheless.

Wrapping up the month I had a huge incident with my mac which taught me that I should probably be backing up all my data, and not leaving it to chance that my hard drive won’t crash/ die on me. After two long ass trips to King of Prussia and a lecture from the dude at the genius bar I definitely learned that back ups are friends and actually went out and bought an external hard drive to avoid any more predicaments, and I recommend anyone who does not have one, get one. That ish is necessary, you don’t want to lose all the valuable files you have stored away.

Despite how hectic of a month March was I wouldn’t have changed one second of it if I could. It was definitely a month full of learning for me from learning new tips with technology to trying to learn more about myself and my wants it was a great experience overall. The best part of the month definitely had to be actually getting to see and spend time with the people I care about who I hardly ever see. I can only hope April will be half as exciting.

And hopefully April will be a month where I'll actually be able to stay up to date! Promise I'll try! 

 ~ Ashley <3 

The Emoji Challenge!

         
                      I know, I know I've been MIA for almost a month and I'm sorryyyy (I know it's just not enough this time) but this cold has been getting to me man. Personally I love the winter, I don't mind the frigid weather (perfect time for cuddling, movies, and hot chocolate--what more could a girl want?!) but this snow has got to go; quite literally the constant snow, and threat of snow has overstayed it's welcome. Now snow isn't the literal reasoning behind why I haven't written a new post, but it has caused me to feel so unmotivated and uninspired a new post just hasn't been possible....but I'm back! So without further ado and no further talk of snow, let's get into what my post today is about.....EMOJIS!

                 You may be like what could this girl possibly have to say about emojis and to be honest not much lol, I'm not really going to talk about all of them...only a select few which you'll find soon, after I explain the motivation behind this post. As many of you know from a previous post I love YouTube, and some specific YouTubers including the amazing Troye Sivan, who recently put up a video called The Emoji Challenge (link below) in which he basically tells up his life story in 5 emojis, that sum up who he is, what he loves, etc. and why those things defined him; I loved it. I think it's amazing that we can share if not all, at least a major chunk of ourselves through only 5 emojis, which is why I figured I would do the challenge myself, to see if I could manage only picking 5. So without further ado, here are the 5 emoji's that most represent me and why.



      1. The airplane emoji
                                                                      To me (like Troye Sivan) this emoji symbolizes my love and want to travel to many distant places, for fun or work, to be honest I don't care. All I know is that my entire being wants to see every place and wonder that is out there, and I will not stop until I have gotten the chance to get to know places far beyond my comfort zone.
2. The Smile/Blush Emoji
                                                                         I used this smile emoji in particular because besides the fact that it's really cute, it to me seems shy at first which is basically me in a nutshell, until I get to know you in which case you'll get to experience the mess that I really am lol. I also used it because I genuinely try to live my life to the most positive extent that I can, and try to maintain a hopeful outlook on the world and the people around me.
          3. The Two Friends Dancing Emoji?
                                                                           Now I'm not sure what the actual title of this emoji is but to me it symbolizes friendship, consistency, loyalty, and dedication; which are all things that I value and try to base my life around. The relationships that I maintain with the people around me, be they romantic with a partner, friendships, or familial are some of the most important parts of who I am, defining the type of person that I am. I also chose this picture vs. the other friendship pictures because I love dancing and watching people dance in general.
       4. The Stack of Books
                                                                               Troye Sivan also chose this emoji for himself because he loves to write which is a major reason why I chose it (no not because of him but because I love to write--hello the whole blog thing duh) but not only do I love to write, I chose it because I also love to read what other people have written. For me getting lost in a book or an article is probably the 8th wonder of the world and one of the things that makes me happiest in life. I love the way that words can be put together so beautifully that they create pictures in their reader's minds and can take you to places that you may have never been, and that may not even exist--yet.


 5. The High Heel
                                                                                      Now yes I did choose the heel, though not because I love shoes so much, but because I love fashion as a whole. Style to me is the basis of a confident individual and I love the fact that everyone can have their own unique style and work pieces in completely different ways while looking not just exceptionally beautiful, but also like their true selves. I love how style is different for each and every person but that we can all come together to agree when something is beautiful as a whole, still remaining true to ourselves, that in itself is art.

         So now that you know the 5 emojis that represent me and my life, wants etc. what are the 5 emojis that represent who you are? Comment below the 5 that you feel make you...you I'd love to read them! And I'll be back next week with a new post <3

                                                           ~Ashley <3

And here is Troye Sivan's Emoji Challenge Link if you're interested in the man behind the challenge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1ty73isOlY

               

On Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day

So to be 100% honest I’m not the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day. Now don’t get me wrong I’m no where near as bad as Jessica Biel in the movie Valentine’s Day, but I’m not really someone who feels the need to celebrate it, celebrate it…make sense? Now don’t get me wrong, obviously I love the romance behind, it and despite all my failures in regards to feelings, I am a girl and I do love flowers and those boxes of chocolates, so that’s not why I’m not really fond of this day; it’s more the expectation that I don’t like about Valentine’s Day.

         I feel like everyone expects some big thing (material item) on Valentine’s Day to show that their significant other cares, and that shouldn’t be the point of today. Today, in my opinion should be about spending quality time with the feel that you love, showing them that yeah shit happens in life, some days are harder than others, but they’re going to get through it because they have you to lean on when they feel like they’ll fall…cause that’s all you can really ask of someone. Personally my favorite gifts from past years have been cards, and not the fancy ones but the really plain ones that instead of being filled with Hallmarks version of feelings, has instead been written in by someone who cared about me so much they felt they wanted to add their own words to express their love for me, and you know what that’s more than I could ever ask for.

         So to all the lovers out there have a Happy Valentine’s Day with your significant other, to all the single people out there enjoy today with your loved ones, you don’t need anyone to show you how special you are, you already know it. As for me I’ll spending today getting work done with a cup of coffee and watching pretty little liars, cause let’s be real that’s all love really is.

                                      ~ <3 Ashley 

On New Semesters

          

         Yeah so I’m definitely one of those nerds that loves the idea of going back to school. That whole New Semester (Year) sort of thing, how you promise yourself that you’re actually going to stay home and study two nights out of the weekend and going to get all A’s….yup that’s me. Like being completely honest besides the Christmas season, that time of the year around mid July to early August when the major stores like Walmat and Target have their back to school savings aisle…yup that aisle was made like specifically for me, you guys just have no idea how obsessed I am with the beginnings of terms.

            I think what I love most about the beginning of semesters is the change that comes with it. Honestly I’m one of those people that not only loves change, I legitimately need change, I crave it. One of the things I hated most in high school was how after Christmas break we would go back to the same classes that we had had before we left, and nooo I can’t do that. I need everything to be new after a long break: New professors, books, classes, classrooms etc. This is pretty bad but to be honest I am that hoarder that has like 20 unused packets of looseleaf and tons of unused pens and index cards stashed in the attic because every time I start a new term I get more, and I know I have the old ones, but I feel like  new ones are necessary…cause ya know it’s a new term obviously (just go with it lol).

            Besides the need for new things, I love the beginning of term because I love getting to have new professors, in new classes, and getting to meet new people. Now the last part of that is tricky because despite how big Temple is as a school I see almost all of the same people in my classes since they’re major classes, but still the electives help provide some variety. The new classes provide the chance to get rid of the bad/ great teachers you had before and get the chance to meet someone new who could possibly give you a different perspective on something you already learned or maybe teach you something completely new. It’s a game of choice, but I think that’s the very best part.

            So to all my fellow college students welcome back to another hectic semester of waking up early, going to sleep late (if you get to sleep at all), 4 cups of coffee days, innumerable hours at the library writing papers, and never ending anxiety. Which despite all that, I wouldn’t wanna have it any other way.  Wishing you nothing but success and a prosperous semester. 

                                                   ~Ashley 

A Floridian Affair

            So to be fair this post is kind of late, seeing how I actually went to Florida two weeks ago and I’m just posting this now….but I felt that it’s acceptable since it’s relevant to one of my goals for the New Year.  The time that I spent in Florida this Christmas was extra special, because along with getting to see my dad (who I missed dearly), this trip was nothing like the previous trips that I had taken.  Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I had a bad time on this trip, the exact opposite in fact, it was the best trip yet! And why? Because this was the first time that I went on vacation and didn’t really do the touristy stuff, I actually did the local attractions and actually got to cross some items off of my bucket list. So just what did I do?

-            Finally getting to go to a gun range.  Holy scary, yet best experience of Florida! Now okay don’t get me wrong I’m not pro or con guns, but I’ve always wanted to go to a legit gun range and see how shooting felt, and let me just tell you, I plan on going back…I think that speaks for itself.

-            Getting the chance to get over my fear of the sea with a Christmas light viewing cruise. Now before going to Florida this year, I had a deadly fear of being on the ocean in a ship (hello did you see what happened in Titanic? Or Poseidon?) But the ship that we were on this time around was just so nice and the experience was so great that those fears were just non-existent, and who knows maybe I’ll actually get on a real cruise one of these days…. (or nah)….we’ll see

-            And the greatest part, along with seeing my dad of course, was getting the chance to get to know myself a little more, and to embrace new experiences, whether they be in regards to food, adventures, or even people with an open mind (something I hate to admit I struggled with).

 I guess you can tell the trip was definitely one of the highlights of my year and I wouldn’t change one second of it if I could. It was one of those trips that doesn’t change you as a person, but instead helps you embrace the person you always knew inside of you, you were. I hope your holidays were filled with lots of love and happiness, as mine were and here are some pictures (and videos) of my trip this December. And yes you do actually see me shoot in this video.

                                       ~Ashley <3 

A Big Thank You!

    Honestly, no lie I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for each and every one of you who take the time to read my blog. I started writing it, because honestly I really do enjoy writing, it is one of the things in life that I am most passionate about, and it is something that comes easy for me. I know I have been absolutely terrible and being consistent with my blog posts (but that will not be the case anymore since I'm sticking to my 2015 goals!) I did want to write a quick little post, just to express how grateful I am for all my readers. To be honest nothing makes me happier than when someone sends me a message or leaves a comment under the link to a post I wrote letting me know that they enjoyed the post or that they thought it was good. That literally makes my entire night! So again I want to thank everyone who has remained a reader and I hope that you continue to enjoy the blog posts that I put up (they'll be much more frequent I promise!) and if there is any post you'd like to see me write don't hesitate to leave it in a comment!
                                                                    ~Ashley <3

2k14 Thats a Wrap

   So I was debating whether I wanted to make this blog post that cliché super nostalgic post about all of the amazing experiences I was blessed with in 2014 and the resolutions that I had going into 2015 or not. I chose not. To be completely frank I’m really not into the idea of New Year’s resolutions, I think that they’re a nice idea but that we become so enamored with the idea of a new beginning we make lists of things we’re “going to definitely do” and then when it actually comes time to doing them, we just don’t…because “there’s always next year.” So this year I’m doing something different. No Resolutions, just goals. Goals that I’m making my personal mission to see done before New Year’s Eve 2016. And to keep me honest I’m making it a public blog so you guys can call me out on it if you see me slacking. Without further ado here are the goals I plan on getting done before January 1^st, 2016.

1.   Get the tattoo I’ve had picked for the past 6 months yet have not had the courage to get.

2.   Go away for a semester (preferably abroad)

3.   Decide what I’m going to do with my life after I graduate Temple next May.

4.   SKY DIVING

5.   Say yes to new experiences (whether that means trying new foods, going to unknown new places, or getting involved in new activities.)

6.   Actually writing at least one blog post a week, so altogether 52 for this year.

And finally

7.   Letting go of all the troubles, grudges, pain, and conflict that 2014 brought with it.

I know I say this every year but 2014, by far has been one of the greatest years of my life. It has been a year of lessons and realizations for me; between figuring out who I am as a person, woman, friend, and figuring out what makes me happy, and where I fit in. I have realized the value of true friendship, of just how important family is, and I have come to terms with my own mortality, and how because of this every single moment you have with the people that you love is both invaluable and extremely precious, for that moment will never exist again. I have learned that remaining angry with people is a waste of energy and time, something which we already do not have much of and ultimately only harms you. And finally I have learned that I can’t do it all on my own despite how badly I may want to, and you know what? That’s okay because I don’t have to. I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am for the amazing people I have in my life from my parents, to my family, to the incredible friends I have been blessed with who have not only stuck by my side through this roller coaster ride of a year, but have made it the unforgettably amazing year that it was. I hope that each and every one of you has an incredible New Years Eve and that 2015 brings you health, happiness, and many blessings!