Birthday Pics

just a hint of all the amazing wonderful fun I had on my birthday. A great group of my friends were there as well but I won't put them on my public blog, although my sister (transitioning almost fully natural && recently graduated!!) is cool. Also check out the series of outfit AND hairstyle changes throughout the day, as in literally 24 hours - started at midnight and kept going straight through til the 18th with only one nap. Looking back I can only say it was definitely one of the best days of my life =D

just waiting for midnight

the morning after ...

lunch at a Mexican restaurant && on [free] tequila shot #2

taking a break before the night, french braid

I GOT ARRESTED !!!!

just kidding !! the cop was totally cool haha

my older sister & me <3 br="br">

getting ready to go out -- bar crawl && clubbing !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Day 3 & 4

Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit s.
-- H. Jackson Browne


Assignment: Today, go out on a limb for something. Pick something sweet

I went out on a limb for my family. We do not live in the same cities and we were able to not only see each other but ending up spending all day together, went shopping etc and spent the night together. Also I big chopped my little sisters hair [post on that coming soon!!]

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The entire world is a mirror. The only thing you can ever experience is yourself. Everything you think, feel, do, and see is you. Your thoughts, feelings, ideas, values, philosophies, and opinions create your world. Everything you experience is as it is becaus that's howo you experience it. We experience the world the way we do because of who we are, not because of how it is.
- from the Key and the Name of the Key Is Willingness

Assignment: Today, without allowing the voices of conditioning any opinion at all, allow yourself to see yourself through the world you are projecting.

This was actually a really interesting assignment. In fact the way I perceive the world was questioned and brought up during a conversation with a guy on the concept of love and relationships. Our conversation made me realize that the thoughts I hold about love and relationships stem not only from my own experiences but from how I experienced my parents relationship. And whereas the situation itself could not be changed in any way the way I perceived it and understood it and lesson learned from it could have been very different if I only thought differently.
Trying to see myself I think I may come across as a bit harsh sometimes, in my words and attitude. However, I am in general a friendly caring person, honest. I also noticed that I come across as sad and ungrateful for my life. I often say things about how awful my life or how life sucks because in the moment all I can feel is the weight of life pressing down on me forcing me to live it - seriously stressful and depressing when I allow my thoughts to negatively spiral out of control. The universe is a never ending cycle of chaos with everyone constantly throwing all their feelings, experiences and energy into the cycle and the universe recycling it all back. Project positivity. If not bringing more positivity back my way, at least it may help change my outlook on the world for the better.
I am who I am. I make no apologies. but I do have goals, ambitions, and dreams. The self I envision is not the person I am now.  However, I think it is long past time for me to share more of my positive self with the rest of the world, projecting my inner warmth and happiness. Because at any point in time on any given day: all I really want: is to be happy.

Protect that Beautiful Skin

it's summer time and skin is IN. however all this exposed skin means awkward tan lines and dry dry dry weird sun-damaged skin. solution: protect your skin
here's what I'm using this summer my exposed skin (ex: I don't put it on my legs if I'm wear jeans only shorts etc). DAILY. not just when I go to the beach.  best of all I can always find these products locally.

face: AMBI even & clear daily moisturizer with SPF 30
fairly light weight, hasn't broken me out, provides a lot of protection from the sun and is moisturizing.

body: Banana Boat ULtra Defense Sheer Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 50
not greasy or heavy or pore-clogging like the rest of sunscreens. and I find that is moisturizing enough that I use it alone in the mornings. also I feel thoroughly protected since it has an SPF of 50. love my beautiful cocoa brown skin just as it is. these help protect me from the harsh elements of summer :)

Day 2

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm
-- Hnry David Thoreau


Assingment: Today, keep company with the enthusiastic youngster inside.

This was a really feel-good day. It was hard to keep enthusiastic when I really had a chill, calm day planned. I decided to clean. I am preparing to move to a new apartment soon (moving is intense). and I did so enthusiastically. It was actually quite refreshing and made the who experience enjoyable. Also, when done cleaning I definitely let loose the youngster that night. I caught up with a good friend, stayed out late and had buckets of chill fun.

Transformation: Day 1

I'll be doing a new series based on this wonderful app I just downloaded from iTunes. It's absolutely free and is called Transform Your Life. it features an inspirational and positive quote each day along with an "assignment" -- I am ready to change my outlook on life; let the transformation begin

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Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem ot be more afraid of life than death
-- James F. Bymes
Assignment: Today, consider if how you live your life indicates a greater fear of death or life.

 I am terrified. of life. I have been living in a perpetual state of stress almost all summer, constantly worried about the future and where my life will go. In fact so much so I feel I don't seem to be living anymore. Instead I am continuously trying to plan out my today in a way to ensure the best possible future. Isn't that what we've all been taught? Study today so you can do well on your test tomorrow. My father is always telling me how there will be plenty of time to live and have fun "later" when I'm older with my degree, house, and secure job. Sacrifice sacrifice sacrifice. But. what about living now? What about my life right now? I am not afraid of death. Death is easy. Yes you have to answer for consequences but that's it, you'll have arrived and no longer have the worries of this world. Now, here, living, is hard. I want to live! I am going to try to actively think about ways I can live my life now and *try* to worry less about the future. I don't want to live in fear any more.

UPDATES !!!!

I know, I keep taking this long hiatuses. I promise I am still here. and will be better about posting/updating

College Life
I took 7 credits this summer and successfully completed them all finishing with all A's *happy dance* but it was an insane amount of work and stress and I could not be happier to be done with class for the summer. The Fall semester does not start until the late August so I get a little break. I finally traded in all my textbooks (well, all of them they would accept) to Amazon, the process was amazingly simple and easy and I have already gotten Amazon credit for them (I don't mind just getting credit them instead of cash because I get more money for credit than selling them and I'd just use the cash to buy books online at amazon anyway because they're almost always the cheapest) that I will be able to spend on future textbooks instead of spending money on them which makes me super happy

Hair
my hair is growing growing growing thankfully although I have not been the nicest to it, neglecting it for my studies.
I dyed my hair black ! (at the salon, semi-permanent dye) and although I loved my highlights, I could not be happier with the color. it's so vibrant and bold and complimentary to me
and I got a much needed trim [finally!] but I will not be cutting my hair as promised I am trying to grow it out
I have straightened my hair a lot, like, a lot this summer and between the dye and straightening my curl pattern has definitely loosened.
Otherwise I have been wearing it in a twist-out. I do smaller twists and upon taking out I separate each twist so I end up looking like I'm wearing a wash-n-go with all the security, stretchedness, and tangle-freeness of a twist-out. love it.

Technology
I got the iPhone 4s and love her to pieces. the way she can wirelessly sync with my mac through iCloud - genius ! she is my baby. also this will lead to tons more pics because of her incredible camera. speaking of pictures ...
INSTAGRAM ! I have an account. It is fabulous. I update it all the time with pics of my hair and my life. Feel free to follow me -- LovelyHoneyB --

Fashion
I have done "spring" (summer) cleaning and have officially gone through ALL my clothes, shoes, and purses. it was an extraordinary feat that only took 3 days and everything I don't want has gone into big trash bags (4 total) to donate to good will. I have been wearing some amazing outfits (that I should have been taking pictures of, will work on that for the future) and this trend will only continue so hopefully more fashion posts.

the rest of my life
I'm moving into my own apartment ! yay!
I have decided to pick back up my Spanish major and have already singed up for SPA 351 - spanish literature -- which is the last class I need to take before starting 400 level spanish classes. Lord help me but I am excited. I have already started going over some of my notes/textbooks to help me refresh my memory (I have not taken a Spanish class in over a year)
MY BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP -- JULY 17 -- and I will be >>>> 21 <<<< too excited, can't wait

a Healthier, Fitter You

Do NOT set fixed goals. A lot of people fall off because they don't meet their goals of losing 5 lbs in 2 weeks or dropping 2 jeans sizes in a month. Not that goals aren't good but when it comes to your health and looks be more carefree. For instance, I want my jeans to fit better as opposed to dropping a jeans size. Or I want all my curves back or I want to shrink my waist/love-handles rather than lose an inch off my waist every month. Seeing and feeling your body change with your hard work will become the reward and you'll feel good as you accomplish your wants instead of being disappointed by only losing 2 lbs instead of your goal of 5 lbs.

Try on your bikini (or your IT sexy dress, or that one pair of jeans) every morning. It will remind you why you are working out and eating healthier at the start of each day. And as you see it fit better and better it will reenforce your discipline and provide positive self-feedback. Also people tend to look their slimmest in the morning when they first wake up.

Don't set a rigid diet. Make choices to eat healthier without limiting yourself. Switch to whole wheat pasta. Stop getting seconds. Snack less. If you drink whole switch to 2%; if you already drink 2% try 1% or my favorite, skim milk. Eat desert just a smaller portion. You can cut back on red meat and pork without cutting it out completely. These are easy lifestyle choices that will stick with you and help you lead a healthier life in general. Definitely better than a crazy crash diet that while it may work,  two months from now it will be forgotten and any work it did will have been lost. Instead of replacing food (like no pasta, etc) simply add in more healthy food. It's so much easier to maintain the goal of eating a salad every day than completely replacing every lunch with a salad. As you add in more whole grains, fruits and veggies, less healthy foods will be gently pushed out and minimized but you'll still have a good balance of foods you love and foods that are good for you.

Do cardio and strength train. You can run, jog, jump rope, walk the dog or dance, as long as you get your heart beat up. And you don't have to lift weights you can use your own body to help you tone. As long as your goal is not to bulk up (muscle) push-ups can be just as effective as doing bicep curls, and you can do them without having to go to the gym.

Google pictures. I'm not talking about looking at models, I mean everyday normal females who are simply strong and fit through hard work and dedication. Or scroll your facebook for those friends who although don't look like fitness models, have bangin' bodies. Give yourself attainable images for motivation as opposed to staring at Chanel Iman knowing you can never look like her in a healthy way. Or even have an old photo of yourself that will remind you how fantastic you can look.

Get some SUNSHINE. It is summer after all. Don't become a gym rat or a slave to your desk even if it's just eating your lunch outside everyday. Being outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air does the body wonders.