Month: February 2018

February wrap-up

Published on by Alicia5 Comments

Happy Wednesday everyone! Can you all believe that today is the LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY???? I sure cannot. It felt like February was a week long. Well anyways, I will be on my way home in 1 week for Spring Break and then by the time that is over, March will be half over and then I’ll be almost done with my first year at OU. Time is flying by and it’s so crazy. Well, let’s see how my February went in terms of my goals.

  1. Go to everyone CHAARG event (if my schedule permits)-I  went to every CHAARG event except one and it was because I had a work conflict
  2. Make a list of every assignment I have that’s due before Spring Break  so I can start getting head-I did this and I’ve been slowly but surely making my way down that list of things I have to do before and during Spring Break.
  3. Pick up more shifts at work!- I picked up 1 shift this month. Every single shift that people are asking off for I cannot take it. UGH
  4. Drink 64 oz of water- Same as every other month. Some days I hit it… other day I do not.
  5. KILL my interview I have next week- I think i did pretty well with this goal. I only messed up one question but I was able to recover from it. I still don’t know if i got the position but I will keep everyone updated.
  6. Read one book- Ugh this one didn’t happen but I’m going to try to read 2 books over Spring Break to compensate for this.
  7. Less screen time that isn’t for school!- I’ve been doing better but there isn’t really a way for me to measure this. However, i feel like I’ve improved.
  8. Workout every single day- For almost every day this month I’ve hit my step goal. There are only a few days (usually Sunday) that I’ve been very sedentary but I’ll work towards that this next month!

Well, that was my February… how was yours??

❤ Alicia ❤

Tips for eating vegan in a dorm

Published on by Alicia1 Comment

Hi, all and happy Monday. I have been having a lovely weekend. I got out of my room, worked out, I’ve been drinking water, had classes canceled today (flooding and we are literally next to a river sooooo) and have been getting ahead on school work, writing a lot, and I’m feeling pretty good.

A question I get asked a lot is how I eat vegan in my dorm room. Eating vegan in California is as most people would assume, easy. However, since moving to Ohio, a state where many schools have the first day of hunting season off of school, how is eating vegan possible? Especially living in a dorm.

The answer is sooooo easy. OU is in the top 10 most vegan campuses in the country (this only impacted my decision to go here a smidge) so it’s actually super duper easy to eat vegan on campus, and off campus too!

Here are some tips I have for eating vegan in a dorm (mainly specified to OU but can apply to other universities as well)

  1. Always opt for fruit and veggies- either in markets, dining halls, etc.
  2. Make sure your parents stock your fridge and pantry with vegan snacks (granola bars, fruit, oats, cookies, etc.) when they visit
  3. The salad bar will be your friend- just remember you can add so many things to salads and they don’t have to be just spinach and balsamic!
  4. Find dorm-friendly recipes
    1. Overnight Oats
    2. Gardein meats (microwavable)
  5. Before eating out, make sure there are vegan options where you’re going
  6. Stock your own fridge and pantry with vegan items- I go to Walmart or Kroger every other week to get oatmeal, peanut butter, almond milk, fruits, veggies, granola, cereal fake meat and more so I always have vegan goodies with me
  7. OREOS ARE YOUR FRIEND
  8. Choose the most flexible meal plan- This allows you yo spend your meal plan in the dining hall and markets so that you can still eat even if your dining hall isn’t too vegan in general or isn’t having a very vegan day.
  9. Invest in some kitchenware- Check with your university to see what it legal to have but at least keep Tupperware and bowls, plates, etc. so that you can prep food and then save it for later!
  10. Don’t be afraid to try new things- I’ve  tried curry, so many new vegetables, and soy chicken + ribs and it’s all been so good!

Now that you have these tips… go vegan!!

❤ Alicia ❤

Just kind of… meh

Published on by Alicia6 Comments

Good afternoon, just me again getting back into my old blogging routine. When I did my GearBunch pants review, I never really gave an excuse for being absent. I feel like I typically don’t. Besides the point, I was also thinking about what my self-love post should be for February since I said I wanted to continue writing them since I and all of you loved reading them. This is not necessarily a self-love per say, more like a self-realization post and calling myself out on some things that I do quite often and sort of just getting thoughts out on google docs I suppose.

I’ve been bad recently. Really bad. Mentally. I’ve been decent physically by working out, eating right (most of the time), drinking water, and otherwise. My sleep schedule not so great but I’m in college what do you expect?

I’m really struggling so much mentally right now and I have no idea who I can talk to about it. Like I feel like none of my friends I’m close enough to say that I’m struggling (or we’re in weird places and I just don’t know yet) and my family doesn’t really care so I’m just putting it all out here.

I don’t want sympathy or pity comments I just don’t know how else to share what I’m feeling other than by writing typing it out.

I’ve been crying a lot recently. A lot. Like every other day. I’ve also been keeping to myself more, seeing fewer people, spending more time in my room, cooped up, etc.

I’m struggling because I can’t tell if I’m unhappy or depressed. Like do I hate OU, do I have no friends, am I struggling to find a purpose? OR are my little brain molecules back to not producing? I  really can’t tell. I think it’s the latter because I have friends, and things I enjoy (not recently) and I love Ohio, but I’m just not sure about anything right now.

I want to go to therapy or something (my roommate and I talked about both of us going but she’s been really different this semester so I don’t know), but therapy doesn’t work for me because I lie and then my therapist thinks I’m fine and then sends me on my merry way.

I just really need someone in my life to be like ‘hey you’re going to be okay, you’ve got this’ but I truly don’t see that happening anytime soon.

So, in advance, if my posting is shitty in the coming weeks, I apologize, but I’m doing my best and right now I’m putting 1000% of my energy to getting out of bed, going to class, and getting work done and when there’s extra energy for seeing my friends, going to the gym, and blogging you’ll have a post.

I hope this all made sense

❤ Alicia ❤

Review: Gearbunch Leggings

Published on by Alicia2 Comments

Happy Friday everyone, sorry about my absence. I’ve been busy with midterms and job applications but here I am. It is currently pouring outside and I have a class in 2 hours. So,  I figured I would write a bit to pass the time.

A few weeks back, I was contacted by the company GearBunch, a company that specializes in custom leggings and other various customized apparel. Their prices range for leggings from about $85- $120. Gearbunch was lovely enough to send me a pair of leggings to review! So, that’s just what I’ll be doing today!

I received the Black and White Mandala leggings from Gearbunch (different from the B&W Mandala leggings which is what I thought I asked for haha), which are white with black print (as opposed to the other which is black with white print with a different design).

P.S. I apologize in advance for not using my own photos. My camera is doing this thing where NONE of the pictures are clear (unless they’re super close up) so bear with me.

 

First, let me say that I am normally an all black leggings kinda gal or like a little bit of mesh on the side and call it a day. These leggings are the complete opposite. With intricate designs (mine were probably one of the most simple designs they had) of all shapes and colors their website just makes you want to get creative. I definitely do like the patterns available and might start branching out and trying other patterned leggings in the future!

Anyway, these leggings are so comfy, sort of squat proof (I did 2 squats, one with black underwear and one with like a light purple and the black ones were a bit visible which was expected since they are white pants but the pair with the purple were not but I never wear black underwear with leggings anyway just in case), and super cute!

The only negative thing I have about these is that the inseam on the legs is done really simply. I always appreciate a sturdy inseam on leggings especially when they’re super expensive because on some of my cheaper leggings they tend to rip at the thighs which is so sad ++ I would HATE for that to happen to some more expensive leggings. Obviously, I can’t say that will happen as I have only worn them twice but it does make me a tad nervous that it might happen in the future.

Note the thin inseam

All in all, I am a huge fan of these leggings! I was a bit hesitant on the white but they have definitely grown on me! I wore them to yoga last week and a lot of people asked where I got them from. So, Gearbunch, hope I got you some new customers and thank you for the leggings!

I would definitely recommend checking them out sometime!

Check out my 3 favorite pairs (1 2 3)

Are you more of a simple leggings person or are you all for designs??

❤ Alicia ❤

A guide to my February horoscope

Published on by Alicia3 Comments

Afternoon everyone, one of my favorite things to do is check my horoscope. I don’t really believe that astrology is a thing but it’s always cool to look at and to see if what the stars predict actually happens. So, let’s take a look at my horoscope for the day, week, month, and year!!

Feb 9, 2018 – Your ability to concentrate will be enhanced today, Gemini. If you have studying or detailed work to tend to, this will be an opportune time to get to it. Hobbies that require a lot of focus may also strike your fancy. Even if a herd of stampeding elephants runs through your space, you aren’t likely to lose your concentration. Pull out your most intensive tasks and have a great day.

This better happen because I have a huge lecture (6 hours) happening later and I need to concentrate as much as I can. I’m also going to try to get some homework and get to the gym after that so let’s hope. Will update later

Feb 5, 2018 – Feb 11, 2018 – Are you looking for adventure? If so, this week’s backdrop could coincide with an encounter with someone who has an engaging idea. They may suggest a trip or an opportunity to explore new ideas or traverse fresh terrain. On another note, getting support from someone for an idea of yours can be crucial to having the confidence to go ahead. Be sure to talk to him or her about it. Finally, as lovely Venus enters Pisces and your career sector on Saturday, you may find that charm is the key to progress.

Well, I applied for 2 jobs this week and interviewed for one so I REALLY hope the job thing is true. Not too many adventures for me though sooooo

February 2018 – This month has no full moon, but February 1 is the day after one and February 28 is the day before one. Expect people to be energized and emotionally engaged at the beginning and end of the month. For the new moon (and solar eclipse) on the fifteenth, your world could get bigger and give you more room to move and breathe. It might be time to finally start something special that you’ve been putting off. It won’t be a matter of money that has been delaying you. You could see a dream come true when Mercury conjoins Neptune on February 25.

I think that’s so cool that February has no full moon. On the 15th I’m actually doing yoga with a group of girls so maybe that will give me even more room to breathe as well.

2018- Welcome to bustling, beautiful 2018, Gemini! You’ll have the chance to connect with more people and engage in more new situations as never before. It’s also a year for you to start many new projects and begin exploring new avenues in life. On the day before the sun enters Gemini, Venus enters charming, popular Cancer. Mars has just entered big-thinking, clear-headed Aquarius, and Uranus has just entered methodical, materialistic Taurus. Expect 2018 to bring you improvements and some changes of direction in your social life and career. You could step into a new world.

I have been excited for 2018 especially considering 2017 was so phenomenal. I’m really hoping there are some great changes for my social life and career. Let’s see and I may update this at the end of the month!!!

Do you guys believe in Astrology? Why or why not???

❤ Alicia ❤

90 self-love quotes

Published on by Alicia2 Comments

Hi all. Just because my challenge is over doesn’t mean my self-love journey is. During my 31 days of self-love challenge, I got numerous emails from people asking if they could also partake in the challenge and other things to do with self-love. One of the emails I got was from a lovely lady named Emma, and it was a link to 90 self-love quotes. I appreciated them so much and I hope that you all do too! Be sure to check out the link for all 90 but here are some of my favorites!

P.S. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page there is a little tidbit on how to practice self-love! So helpful!!

❤ Alicia ❤

February goals

Published on by Alicia6 Comments

Happy February everyone! Crazy that we are already 1/12 of the way through 2018. Anyways, most months I like to start off by sharing a few goals I have, whether that be drinking water or something school related. Here are my goals for February

  1. Go to everyone CHAARG event (if my schedule permits)- 2 times a week is all, it’s just getting the motivation to go!
  2. Make a list of every assignment I have that’s due before Spring Break  so I can start getting head- I did this last semester for the last month of school and it helped so much knowing exactly what I had to do for every class but I think it would be too overwhelming to make one for the rest of the year, so until Spring Break for now
  3. Pick up more shifts at work!- I’m trying to have no shifts during finals and then take off another before Spring break but to do that without getting strikes, I need to pick quite a few shifts.
  4. Drink 64 oz of water- This is on here every month and it’s just a reminder!
  5. KILL my interview I have next week- I applied to be an RA on campus next fall and I got to the interview stage! I have my interview in a week from today so I’m terrified but excited!
  6. Read one book- As mentioned in my 2018 intentions, my intention is to read one book per month!
  7. Less screen time that isn’t for school!- I feel like I’m glued to my phone or computer all the time and I really want that to change
  8. Workout every single day- Whether it’s for CHAARG, yoga, a walk, or the gym, I want to do something

Those are my goals for the month of February. What are yours?

❤ Alicia ❤