Crack the spine.

I say I love books, but I think all of our stories are extraordinarily interesting. They are real, and they are special, we just don’t realize it because we get to experience it every single day.

I absolutely love reading. It's such a great escape, so enlightening, and so magical! I had the chance to read a few books over winter break. I think it's so cool how each book I read I learn a lesson from. I read The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing and I didn't learn to hunt, nor did I learn about fishing, instead I learned about the pursuit of love, and always being yourself even when you feel like you need to be so utterly cool and flawless to make a guy like you. I also read Betty White's book, If You Ask Me... and of Course You Won't and laughed and learned. There's so much to life, she's ninety and still having a ball! I still have 70 more years to live this joyous life.. how awesome is that?! I'm pretty excited for it, or happy with it because it's happening right now!

Any ways, I'm reading The Hunger Games right now. I'm stalling on the last few pages because I haven't gotten the sequel yet. It's so good and so different than anything I would have chosen myself, thanks so all the popularity I got branch out and totally escape into this whole new world of the book. That sounds completely nerdy, oh well! Read it if you haven't yet, and don't spoil it for me if you have!



Grab a good book (not a textbook for a class!) and start a good book this week!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!
Alex

Dig it.

So my friends and I in my entrepreneurship class are figuring out ways to build community and give back. We've had tons of ideas come and go, and some still lingering. One idea that has stuck with me is the idea of a community garden. We have an urban garden here in Tempe, but it isn't open to the public. How great would it be to have an open space for people to come, be connected to each other and the earth, interact and relax. I think my group is on to something, and it's really exciting.


Image via WeHeartIt.

Do you have any community gardens near you? Would you benefit from one, or like to go to one to get your hands dirty, have some fresh food, or even just hang out in a cool setting? Let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

That's all for now, on to another late night Thursday meeting. Oh joy!

Happy Groundhog's Day!
Alex

Lunar New Year

After putting off my 2012 new years resolutions, here are my resolutions for the beginning of the lunar new year. Here they are!

1. Discover new books and read more often
2. Travel out of the country
3. Check things off of my bucket list; milk a cow, skydive, hike the Grand Canyon
4. Volunteer at least once a month
5. Visit Penn State
6. Make post-grad decisions; grad school, career choices, oh my!
7. Work on an organic farm
8. Cook more - healthy dinners at least twice a week
9. Take more pictures, not just on holidays!
10. Less wanting, more living

There is nothing too outrageous, except maybe travel outside of the country, but if nothing else, Mexico can count! Also, I'm planning my WWOOF trip to work on an organic farm over the summer. Visit their website to find out more, it's so interesting and exciting!




That's NYE with Kathy & Heather in from Penn State, and the fam!

I had a huge catch-up day yesterday, and it felt wonderful to get caught up on homework, hit the gym, do some reading, and watch a couple episodes of One Tree Hill! Hopefully I can get my schedule under control with my new job and classes and start blogging more, it's gotten away from me (Umm, three months, say whatttt?!).

So here's to all my resolutions and another fabulous year to discover myself and enjoy every minute of it.

xox,
Alex

Crazy Week.

As I sit in the library, close to midnight, studying and lack there of, I was looking for a little inspiration. Where better than blogs?! So here's some word of wisdom from my dear sister, PhoenixisHaute.

In the midst of one of the most hectic weeks of the semester, two midterms, HOMECOMING, float building, and all around craziness, I have been surprisingly calm. Besides a slight panic attack on Sunday about how in world I was going to get it all done, I have been serene and realized all the cliche things like life goes on, don't sweat the small stuff, everything will turn out just how it's meant to, have all been running through my head.
So here's to living life for the people around you, the beautiful sights that surround you and the moments that create life. Like friends and family, Harry Potter parties, ice cream sandwiches dripping down your hands, and laughter bouncing around the shoulders of the people you couldn't be more happier to be around.


Image Via: WeHeartIt

Words of wisdom from the sis:
It makes me realize however busy you are caught up in life's madness -work, school, or other "must-do's"on your plate you NEED to make time for what is most important- the people in your life who make you who you are. Friends and family and loved ones are the most incredible gift we have in this crazy life! :)

PS: Just got my dream internship! In heaven, hoping it goes well and I find a way to get there and back!!

Enjoy the last days of October(what?! unbelievable), and help me wish upon cooler weather here in AZ!
Alex

beYOUtifu

I dress weird, I'm different and I am accepting that because even though I'm unhappy being alone, I'll be even worse off not even having myself. So whether anyone likes it, or not, it's me.

I tried to be like everyone else, go out, dress like the other girls, look at all the people around me and I've decided I'm not like that and I really don't want to be.



"You know me, oh you think you do, you just don't seem to see I've been waiting all this time to be something I can't define.
You know the night life is just not for me, 'cause all you really need are a few good friends."


You can be you, or you can be what everyone else is expecting you to be.
beYOUtiful. Be you. Be beautiful. Be REAL.
Alex

WIWW

Here it goes, even though it's a little late. I couldn't miss two Wednesdays in a row. Especially when I have no excuse of a test or tons of homework, this week anyways!



V-neck: VS Pink
Shorts: Pink House Treasures
Headband: Topshop

I really need a haircut, but don't know where to go! Maybe the beauty school, just something that won't cost an arm and a leg! Anyways, I've had the most relaxed week and it has been great. Catching up on me time, watching Glee, cooking, and enjoying the beautiful weather that is gracing Arizona right now. It is October and the plans of pumpkin carving, Halloween parties, and trips to the State Fair are making me ecstatic. So glad it's finally here, and for now I'm going stop worrying about my life plan for the next three years and focus on the important things in life, like pumpkin spice candles and baking brownies!

Here's to soaking in the best month of the year,
Alex

Freedom.

Three events over, two tests completed and my week is over... at least the hard part! One more class and one more meeting and then it's freedom and San Diego for the weekend with my favorite people- my sisters and brother! Going to see Two Door Cinema Club, The Lonely Forest and Grouplove! It's going to be amazing and I can't wait!
Here's what I've worn the past week!

Top: Estate
Bottoms: Thrifted and cut
Watch: Macy's

Even if I didn't do that well on my test, which I made over 200 notecards for and studied in every waking moment that wasn't dedicated to a program or class I'll accept it because for now I did what I could. I'll take what I know now and use it to study for the next one, don't sweat the small stuff. Get a Chai Tea Latte and let life go on. It's the last day of summer, no reason to not enjoy it!
So go have the last bit of summer fun!
Alex