A 60 second, abbreviated guide to: getting what you want

In getting what you want, or at least what I've figured out so far, it all boils down to a few simple things:
1. Figure out what you want.
Do you really want it? Or do you want it because other people want it? It's a heck of a lot easier putting yourself into something, and actually doing it because you want to, then doing something halfheartedly that you don't really want.
2. Get ballsy.
Go out and do it. Be impulsive. Do something crazy once a day. Think a guy's cute? Go for it. Send him a message. It won't work out every time, but going for it will get you a lot farther than just sitting there stewing over it.
3. Work. A lot. And hard.
Procrastination? Absolutely not. Go and do what you need to do before you have time to complain about it. Procrastinating will just make you more stressed in the long run then, you know, actually folding your clothes and putting them in your closet before you have the clothing equivalent to quicksand on your floor. If you have an assignment, tackle it. If you can think about something that you need to do, then go and do it.
4. Stay busy.
This is definitely true for me, and it may be true for you, but the busier I am, the more stuff I get done. Stay working! And this is especially true for running, one of my passions: you only feel how fast your running when you stop and everything starts to hurt. Just keep running, and you won't feel the pain! Stay consumed, and you'll get a lot done; I quit napping, and now my grades are up way more than last year. Don't be afraid prioritize!

Good luck! Go do!
L. 

Here's to a new year!

So this is major late. Like major, major, major late.

No way to apologize, I get it, but really: things have been swamped. I'm way more involved than I was last year, in pretty much everything, and sophomore year academics at Westover are incredibly... stressful? Is that a fitting adjective?

Anyways, as soon as I stepped on campus on September 4th, the ball was rolling and I was incredibly busy. My school revamped their carpeting, and it wasn't done until after I was supposed to move in, so I was getting back from preseason sports camp, unpacking, and trying to make sense of all the exciting new students (freshmen, and super awesome sophomores) all at once.

Over the course of the four days of preseason sports camp, I ran over 25 miles with cross country - which, even if you're a runner, or maybe if you're not, is a lot if you haven't been keeping up with it over the summer. My excuse was that I was scared of environmental pollution in Korea. Maybe it's a good one. We'll never know.

We had a day off, and then classes started - and bam! It's always a surprise how much homework they can pack in the first few days. I still haven't decided if the workload decreases, or I actually get used to it. And before you know it, it's the fourth week of school and we're approaching our first long weekend.

So, here are some smidgeons of my first month as a sophomore, and some cool new things I'm doing mixed in. Cheers!

This is my new roommate B! She's from the New Haven area and our room is bright and super organized so far. She's what one would call a dream roommate.

A group of my friends and me at a local apple picking festival in our small town in Connecticut. Fried apple fritters, anyone?

- Taking art history for the first time, and man is it a doozy! I'm writing a formal analysis paper right now on this painting: 

It's called the Arrival of Marie de Medici at Marseilles and it's by Peter Paul Rubens. The class is super cool so far, and I can definitely see myself taking AP Art History at some point. 

- Taking Honors Precalc Calc and Honors Chem! Loads of work. Hopefully I won't be drowning, but no promises made.

- Switched from Latin to French II. It's really, really awesome how the class is immersion - my speaking skills are improving so much. 

- Being yearbook editor! So much work, but it's nice being in control for something that I care loads about. 

- PRd (personal record-ed) for cross country the first meet of the year. I've really been putting in my all for practices, and it's so rewarding seeing it pay off. I'm thrilled for the rest of the term and to see what kind of time I can drop.

- Started a club called Alternative Eating; it's for those of us who are vegetarian, vegan, allergic to nuts or have restrictions based on religion. Or those who just like food! We've got a decent amount of members so far, and I'm really excited for all the things we have planned for the rest of the year. 

That's all for now! I'll be posting pictures of my and B's room.

 xo

L. 

Do Good, Feel Good Phenomenon

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how impatient, frustrated and basically bitchy I can be. 

Alturism-unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others.

Hardly.

The feeling you get when you do the right thing, or do something just to be kind can boost your mood drastically.

It's not selfless at all, it gives you a great feeling.

Make it a bit selfish. 

Being happy and feeling good is not just handed to you.

I hope that makes sense?

Just recently I was on vacation with my family. 

One afternoon I ran into a convenience store to get a drink. 

Maybe I have $1.35 with me? 

I was in line waiting to check out.

In front of me was a woman struggling with her baby in her arms, credit card in one hand and completely frazzled buying her groceries.

Typical Annie would be SO annoyed.

-I hate children.

-I hate waiting.

-I hate convenience stores?

But for some reason I smiled at the baby, picked up the bottle and toys she kept repeatedly dropping. 

The woman apologized 100 times. 

I simply said, "Don't worry about it!"

This alone made me feel great.

It was my turn to check out.

The man scans my drink and I didn't have enough money.

I put my drink back and headed toward the door.

Turns out the woman heard that I didn't have enough $.

She handed me a dollar and said,

"Thank you." 

Do good for others and good things will come your way.

Little things.

A.

Autumn Changes.

Each and every year I have looked forward to going back to school.

Sure, summers a ball. But after I get my share of the sun-I'm basically over it.

I love being on a schedule and getting involved. 

Keeping organized, taking notes and picking out supplies gets my so giddy. It's almost weird? 

This is my brother, Will.

He the youngest of the bunch and he started Middle School today!

So exciting, nerveracking, bittersweet and a new turning point in his life.

He's growing up. I'm growing up.

Things are changing. 

But in my opinion, good change.

"Without change, there is no opportunity for new greatness."  

Tim Jahrling 

This was once said to me when I made my transition into a new high school.

It changed my outlook completely.

I left my graduating class of 50 behind and shuffled in with 500 other students at the public high school in my town.

Basically, I was given lemons.

But I made lemonade.

;)

 To fellow student bloggers, it's a new year. 

Time to make things count.

A.

Favorites: L - Upbeat Music

Some of my favorite songs to listen to when I'm in a good mood.
I fly back to the US on Tuesday evening; it's a big landmark: I've turned 15, and so I can fly alone! I'm really happy about it.
Some updates soon on my sickness, my birthday celebration (or lack thereof) and some things I've bought to get ready for school. 

Cheers on the dregs of summer!
L

Favorites: L - Lush shampoo and conditioner!

As a burgeoning vegan, I've been on the hunt for cosmetics and beauty supplies that don't test on animals, and, incidentally, are vegan. And I ran into Lush! Lush and I first began our amorous love affair in June of 2010; I was in Santa Monica on the West Coast, and as I was walking around the promenade I walked into Lush because it looked so hip and cool!

The first thing I bought was the honeycomb bar soap, called honey waffle. It smells really, really nice, and you have to follow up with a moisturizer after, as with most natural soaps, but the smell is to die for.

Then, this year, I started getting on with Lush, again, as they have a small counter here in Shinsegae, the big, big department store here in Seoul. I fell in love with two products:

American Cream conditioner. Not vegan, unfortunately (even though Lush swears that they don't test on animals, so it's one small sacrifice I'm willing to make), but by golly, the smell! Vanilla, strawberries, honey... And it makes my hair super, super soft. 

AND

Rehab shampoo. It's fruity and it cleans my hair like none other - not going to lie, I have some pretty bad hair after a few days without washing. It smells like, obviously, papaya and kiwi, but also some surprising other factors: jojoba and olive oil for conditioning. AND, it's 100% vegan. So much love! 

Look into more of Lush's amazing products - the bath bombs are to die for, the moisturizing bars are lovely, and this bottled body wash called flying fox is perfect for fall and winter. I'm also dying to try their face masks - tell me if anyone gets the pleasure! :) 

xo

L

Favorites

Music

Certainly, you may find a few randoms in this mix. But good randoms. 

Rock on.

a.