Positivity Over Negativity for Forty Days

Lent is upon us. For those unfamiliar with lent, it is practiced by many different branches of Christianity and it involves preparing for Easter. Lent is 40-46 days (There's a lot of calculations and rules that go along with it, as there is with many other religious holidays) before Easter and begins on Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent.

Personally, Lent is the act of giving up one thing. Something that has an impact on my life. Last year I gave up soda. Doesn't seem like a major thing, does it? For me it was. I drank at least 4 or 5 sodas a day, and had this addiction to Cherry Pepsi. Giving up soda was about trying to be healthier and lent was a great reason to do it. I went about 4 months without any soda which was great because I drank a ton of water and we were in the hottest part of the year here. So many benefits came from one little act.

It might seem like Lent is just a religious form of a New Year resolution, but there's more to it. You can do more than give up soda, you can replace it with something like drinking more water, walking more, praying more, etc. Lent isn't just about giving up a habit or vice, it can also be about picking up a healthier or more spiritual habit or vice.

This year I considered giving up fast food. That will not be what I do for Lent, though I will be cutting back a lot. Instead I am choosing to take up a practice instead of giving one up. This year I will work on being more positive and more grateful.

Positivity is not a trait I am known for. Unfortunately, I have a tendency towards negativity or pessimism. My goal is to try and remain positive as well as be grateful for what I have been blessed with. I'm going to post a Daily Gratitude on Twitter and Facebook, as well as keep a physical journal with those Daily Gratitudes. Some days I may be grateful for many things, other days I may not feel grateful for anything other than being alive.

Here's What I'm Giving Up

1. Late night runs for snacks or food

2. Lower my fast food runs to less than 6 times a week. 

3. Give up negativity

What I'm Taking On

1. Daily Gratitude

2. Positivity

3. Adding more excercise to my weekly routine.

Happy Lent! Let's prepare for Easter! 

2015 Goals and To-Do Lists

It's a new year and it seems like for some reason everyone is more excited about 2015. I'm feeling that excitement too. This year I will finish out my junior year of college and begin my senior year. There's so much pressure and excitement, there's also this seemingly never-ending To-Do list.

Here's just a peek at some of the things topping the various To-Do lists I have.

BLOGGING TO-DO

• Rebrand my blog, which is a HUGE process. 
• Set a schedule and write more!
• Find my niche and a tribe. 

WORK TO-DO

• Improve my department. I made so many changes last year and this year I have a few more changes I want to implement to make it the smoothest year we've had! 
• Keep up with the changes I've made. 
• Find a balance between my work life and school life. 

SCHOOL TO-DO

• Set up a spring and summer internship, possibly a fall internship.
• Get a 3.0 GPA! (Sooo close!)
• Get more involved around campus. 
• Start getting serious about Graduate school. 

LIFE TO-DO

• Exercise more and try to skate more!
• Read 50 books. 
• Watch at least 50 movies and complete 6 different TV shows. 
• Complete the remaining seasons of a few shows I started last year. 
• Keep up with a day planner. 
• Try to do devotionals or bible reading every day. 
• Write more and finish Southern Charm! 

#YALLFest2014 - Recap

It's been two weeks since YALLFest. I meant to post this sooner, but two weeks turned out to be perfect. So here is my post about my experience at YALLFest.



Friday after my French class I headed over to Blue Bicycle Books. There was a buzz already in that area. The store was so full and busy, but it was neat to see! I felt into the hustle and bustle and started helping with set up. The most exciting part was that I escorted Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) and her family to the library where she was going to be signing.

When I returned, I had a little bit of a break so I went down to the train museum to get Sarah Dessen to sign my copy of Truth About Forever. I did get it signed and my life was so perfect at that moment!

Afterwards, I went back to the bookstore and there I helped set up books for authors to sign. I helped Morgan Rhodes, Ally Condie and Lauren Myracle. Morgan Rhodes travelled all the way from Canada, Ally Condie was super sweet and has a beautiful signature, and Lauren Myracle is the craziest and has this energy that surrounds her! After I helped the authors, I helped prepare for the panels the next day.

The most exciting part of the evening was going to a beautiful, old Charleston house for a party. All the authors were there! It's every reader's dream to be in a room with their favorite authors! My goal for the weekend was to get Sarah Dessen's autograph and a picture with her. That dream came true! My life was so complete that night!

Saturday came around and it was busy! I worked the merchandise and information table during the morning and we were constantly busy! There were so many people and everyone had stacks of books. It was so cool to see. When I was done at the table I moved on to the Charleston Music Hall where some of the panels were being held. I spent the rest of the evening helping out there. I was able to listen to some really interesting and hilarious panels!  My favorite panels were the Incurable Romantics and Hollywood Stories.

I saw the closing keynote and the YA Smackdown Feat. Tiger Beat. It was an amazing experience and I hope to do it all again next year! I'm not sure whether I'll be interning, volunteering or just enjoying it as a reader.

#YALLFEST2014

Today is the first day of YALLFEST 2014 and I'm excited! Check out my awesome swag! I hope to gain more before the end of the weekend!

My YALLFEST Swag

You may be wondering what YALLFEST is. YALLFEST is a Young Adult literary festival held in Charleston, SC. This year we have 60 amazing authors and twenty different panels, plus book signings! This weekend will be so much fun! I'm excited to see many of my favorite YA authors. Here are my top choices: 

1. Sarah Dessen

2. Stephanie Perkins 

3. Gayle Foreman

4. Veronica Roth

5. Jennifer E. Smith

Check out my Twitter and Instagram for highlights from this weekend! Don't forget to follow YALLFEST as well! 

Have a great weekend! 

Now Listening: #TS1989

Today is the release of Taylor Swift's fifth album 1989! 

I headed over to Target to pick up the Deluxe edition as soon as possible! 

They also had these adorable cards. *HINT - I want a Taylor Swift Birthday Card- HINT*

*Cue Crazy Dancing*



Here are all my feels from the first listen and the secret messages:

• “Welcome to New York”: We begin our story in New York. SHE'S LIVING THE DREAM! It has a cute 1980s beat. 
• “Blank Space”: There once was a girl known by everyone and no one. I like the beat to this song. It's a relatable song. The relationship is a high, but they still go through with it. 
• “Style”: Her heart belonged to someone who couldn’t stay. Another relationship that you just can't say no to. Catchy. 
• “Out of the Woods”: They loved each other recklessly. This whole section is a crazy, whirlwind relationship. 
• “All You Had to Do Was Stay”: They paid the price. It's simple, he just had to stay. Almost everyone has felt this way, wishing it has worked out. 
• “Shake It Off”: She danced to forget him. This is totally going to become the anthem to 2014. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Taylor!! 
• “I Wish You Would”: He drove past her street each night. This is kinda upbeat for a remorseful song. That's what makes it amazing. We all regret and wish for another chance. Sometimes we get it. 
• “Bad Blood”: She made friends and enemies. ROAR! Cat fight. Heavy beat and I like it. Totally about a girlfriend/best friend, but it could also be about a boyfriend too. 
• “Wildest Dreams”: He only saw her in his dreams. Totally having enchanted flashbacks, but more urgent and older. LOVE IT! "He's so tall and handsome as hell". Totally one of my top faves, I already have it memorized. 
• “How You Get the Girl”: Then one day he came back. This is upbeat. I'm having Disney flashbacks. I love a cute simple love song like Kiss The Girl, Beauty and the Beast or I Won't Say I'm In Love. This is like that, but a little more real. 
• “This Love”: Timing is a funny thing. This is the only song written solely by Taylor on the album. All I think of is the old quote "If you love something let it go. If it comes back to you then it's yours". 
• “I Know Places”: And everyone was watching. Co-wrote with Ryan Tedder. It has his feel. Love the rushed feel of the song. It's an US against THEM song. Good choice.
• “Clean”: She lost him but she found herself and somehow that was everything. The hardest part is feeling like you're fully washed from a previous relationship. It takes a good rain to wash away the overwhelming part. 

This GIF sums up my feelings so well.

Now Watching: Fall Hits

Today is October 2nd! The best part is that it's closer to truly feeling like fall here in Charleston! This also means that almost every new or returning show has had their premiere. Here is a list of my top hits!

New Favorites: 

How To Get Away With Murder (ABC) - Thursday, Sep. 25 at 10/9c
This show was pretty good! A little bit more intense than I thought, but still good. It's more a mix of Scandal and Castle. Scandal's intense stories and intrigue and Castle's murders. 

The Mysteries of Laura (NBC) - Wednesday, Sep. 17 at 10/9c
Great show! Murder and comedy! Plus is has Debra Messing and Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama Hottie!) leading the cast. 

Old Favorites:

Bones (Fox) - Thursday, Sep. 25 at 8/7c
Bones and Booth are back together! The opening episode of Season 10 was as crazy as the Season 9 finale was. We lost a beloved member of the team. This season will be intense. 

Castle (ABC) - Monday, Sep. 29 at 10/9c
Like Bones, Castle started out by picking up quickly from the end of last season. Since we finally tied up the loose ends with the murder of Beckett's mother, it made sense that we needed a deeper storyline to hold up this season. We also have the hope of a marriage! Bones is proof that the main characters can be in love, married and have kids while still solving murders and catching criminals.

Nashville (ABC) - Wednesday, Sep. 24 at 10/9c
Love this show! I binge-watched the second half of season 1 and season 2 in about a week. Country music, soap opera-esque story lines and characters you love or love to hate!

Soon To Be Favorites (Haven't Watched or Haven't Premired): 

A-Z (NBC) - Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c
This show is supposed to be similar to How I Met Your Mother and also stars the Mother, Cristin Milioti. It will follow the love story of Andrew and Zelda (Now the title gained about 10 more cute points)!

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) - Tuesday, Sep. 23 at 9/8c
I know, I know. I'm late to this party, but I'm trying to catch up on the 1st season. I really don't think it'll matter since I saw Captain America 2 and Hydra has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. I figure I'll just jump into season 2 and go from there.  

Forever (ABC) - Monday, Sep. 22 at 10/9c
My mom has watched this show and she said it was good. I have it on my list to check out this weekend! 

Gotham (Fox) - Monday, Sep. 22 at 8/7c
My dad texted me to tell me I had to watch this one. I knew I would, as Batman has always been one of my top superheroes. I also love backstories! 

Gracepoint (Fox) - Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c
Totally psyched about it! I love miniseries. Harper's Island was a fave of mine. I think Gracepoint will be great and hopefully without the serial killer angle. 

Reign (CW) - Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c
I really wanted to watched the first season, but I never got to and Hulu only has a few of the end episodes. I'm just gonna jump into season 2. I love historical story lines.