colle – Living off Leesh

Quick College Update post

Published on October 9, 2016May 27, 2018 by AliciaLeave a comment

Hi everyone. So, a couple posts ago, I mentioned that I had absolutely zero clue where i wanted to transfer to next fall. Well this is still the case, but I have a little bit more figured out.

For starters, college. I have been looking into schools for about a month, picking ones with a variety of majors, extracurriculars and good financial aid packages. I had written a list of maybe 15 colleges down that had all of these. Upon further investigation, hearing from other students, etc, I have narrowed my list down to 7, and here’s why.

DePaul University- Lincoln Park, Il: DePaul is a great school that is close to almost everything in Chicago. With a wide variety of extracurriculars. Sports, and majors, it’s basically perfect. The only con is that because of the proximity to my house, my parents are urging me to live at home while I attend. I get saving $15000 and potential loans in ideal, but at what cost?
Ohio University- Athens, Ohio: This is newer on the list so I don’t have an insane amount of reasons why it’s there. The school is great, they have everything I need and more, plus I Wouldn’t have to live at home…
Xavier University- Cincinnati Ohio: Xavier is still high on my list because it was my second option for schooling the first time around. It’s a beautiful quaint campus with an impressive track record on all things academic. My only issue is it doesn’t have a huge variety of majors so if I want to switch (again) I may be out of luck.
The University of Findlay- Findlay, Ohio: These last 4 are on the list because they have everything I need, some even more. I really want to attend one of the top 3, but if somehow that can’t happen, one of these four will be just as great.
Otterbein University- Westerville, Ohio: These last 4 are on the list because they have everything I need, some even more. I really want to attend one of the top 3, but if somehow that can’t happen, one of these four will be just as great.
Winona State University- Winona Minnesota: These last 4 are on the list because they have everything I need, some even more. I really want to attend one of the top 3, but if somehow that can’t happen, one of these four will be just as great.
Clarke University- Dubuque Iowa: These last 4 are on the list because they have everything I need, some even more. I really want to attend one of the top 3, but if somehow that can’t happen, one of these four will be just as great.

I have asked my dad to let me visit Xavier and University of Ohio soon so that I Can gauge if I want/still want to attend either. I have visited DePaul, however I have not taken an official tour. I want to do and get a bit more information to make a truly educated decision.

Alicia

The Top 100 Inspirational Weight Loss Bloggers

Published on May 17, 2016June 25, 2016 by AliciaLeave a comment

Hi, everyone. Look at me double posting. My life update post will be up in the next few days, however, I was checking my stats page this morning and saw that I had a lot of viewers that were referred to my blog by DietToGo.

Curious as to how that was, I clicked the link in my stats and was brought here

I immediately noticed that the post was entitled “The Top 100 Inspirational Weight Loss Bloggers You’ve Probably Never Heard Of (Until Now)” and got super stoked because people have noticed I exist and they think I’m decently cool.

Your girl (me) was lucky enough to score spot #13 on that list (happens to be my favorite number too) and I’m just so happy/stoked/honored to be put on this list with so many other amazing bloggers.

So, I recommend everyone check out DietToGo’s post and check out all of the other amazing bloggers who are also featured on the list. I know I did!

Anyway, I want to say again how excited I am that I was featured and want to thank Caitlin (author of the post) for taking the time to hand select my blog and to read some of my posts. It means so much

Talk to you all soon,

Alicia

home again home again jiggity jig

Published on January 21, 2016May 27, 2018 by AliciaLeave a comment

Long time no blog. This post is a few days overdue but here it is. I am back in San Diego and very happy about that. It’s weird though. Both times I have left Chicago for San Diego, I have gotten a weird feeling the night before and the entire morning up until getting on the plane. I can’t quite explain what that exact feeling is. Perhaps not one, but a mixture. Perhaps this swirl of emotions is a combination of excitement, anxiety, fear, anticipation, exhaustion, and confusion. Of course I’m excited to be back in San digeo, my new home because of the people and things to do/ see. I’m anxious that I could have possibly forgotten something at home or forgot to see someone. I’m fearful that I did these as well and fear that I could miss my flight or my friends wouldn’t return 2nd semester. Anticipation to be back in my comfy cozy dorm, exhaustion because I got a solid 2 hours of sleep the night before I left due to all of these emotions, and finally confusion. Confusion because of these emotions and why the mere sight of my dog that morning caused me to cry.

Leaving home, my solace throughout the last 10 years is weird. Not bad weird, because leaving is a sign of moving on… but good weird. Weird isn’t the proper term. Surreal is. Going to school and then having a tease of a month that seems like you never left in the first place. Surreal is the only way to describe. Waking up in my dorm this morning with my roommate getting ready for the gym was surreal. The fact that I can’t wake up at 11 or 2 and then just lay around my house with my dog all day. Surreal. All of it. Leaving my dog, sister, friends, and family.I don’t mind it. I’ll be back in the groove of things within a week and it’ll seem as though break and never happened.

Going to college 2500 miles from home and only being able to go home a select number of times throughout the year has taught my many times. One, that time goes by fast and these breaks while they seem as though they never happened, will give me everlasting memories and that I must appreciate the time I have with them. From Christmas festivities, New Years Parties, late night Denny’s run, or even just dinner with my grandparents. I have learned to appreciate time and that I won’t remember every little detail of break or use my time wisely every day (staying up until 6am and waking up at 3pm) I have learned to appreciate time because I won’t always be living in Chicago. As much as I love it there and the people and everything to do I would prefer to not be a human popsicle in the winter.

Anyway, back to this surreal feeling. Besides the mix of emotions, it may also be a feeling of growing up, or maybe leaving a place where I hated initially but have grown to love, or maybe leaving the familiarity of a place. Despite it, it completely disappears when I sit down at my gate alone at the airport.

Then comes excitement. The excitement that I can leave my house with wet hair and not become a walking icicle, Excitement about 2nd semester, and seeing my roommate, and all of my friends, and just being able to explore a new place again (Just because I can tell you every coffee shop in a 20 mile radius doesn’t mean I know San Diego completely haha).

After getting off of the plane I get a feeling of relief. Relief that the guy next to me on the plane was hot, didn’t smell, and talked to me abut his life and asked me about mine for a good portion of the flight. Relief that I didn’t die on the plane. Relief that soon my backpack and luggage that is crammed full with books, clothes, food, etc., made it to San Diego safely, and that it didn’t burst despite all of my thoughts and that I made my sister sit on both of my suitcases so I could zip them. Relief that after a short uber ride I would be in my dorm and would be able to relax, unpack, and wait for the arrival of my roommate

Upon arriving to my dorm, exhaustion hits. It’s only 1 San Diego time but I woke up at 330 in the morning San Diego time. And after only 2 hours of sleep and a series o short naps on the plane, exhaustion probably isn’t a harsh enough word. Exhaustion from lugging my bags all over the place and my back hurting from all of the textbooks in it. Exhaustion from traveling and being yelled at by TSA people and just exhaustion from being uncomfortable on the plane. All I want to do is sleep but my 2 suitcases that are bursting at the seams are crying out, “Alicia, unpack us please” I know I have to do so much but my bed looks so comfortable. I push forth and unpack my bags. Once all of my things have been put away neatly, and my suitcases are back under my bed awaiting for spring break, content is the only thing I feel. I’m content that I am in San Diego. Content with my neat room and that I have nothing left to pack. Content that I can sprawl out in my bed and not me crammed in a plane. Content that the only thing on my agenda is telling people I made it to the dorm safely. I am content with me. I am content. I am content with being content.

Talk to you all soon

Alicia

That crazy blonde man with the flow

Published on January 6, 2016May 27, 2018 by AliciaLeave a comment

Hi everyone, with the Iowa caucus in a little less than a month, I just decided that I would rant a bit about a fellow who is somehow leading the republican race. Now, before I begin I would like to point out a few things before you trumpers begin to tear this post apart. Yes I am a very left wing Democrat. I am pro-choice, pro gun control, feminist, and pro obamacare (not that it doesn’t have its flaws… what doesn’t) and most importantly anti racism, and anti removal of all Muslims.

Wow, some of you may be thinking. This girl has no idea what she is talking about and just wants Bernie to win the presidential election just like all other teenagers and people in their early to mid 20s. Well, for your information, you’re wrong. I started caring about politics when politics started affecting my life. yes, obviously it has always affected my life, however when I’m terrified of walking down the street because I don’t know who might have a conceal and carry weapon with them and could possibly kill me with the slightest flick of their finger,that’s an issue to me. When old crotchety men have more of a say about my body and every other women’ body than we do, there is an issue. When we blame every single Muslim individual for the actions of a mere few thousand of them but can’t blame every gun owner for the same number of violent killers, there is a problem. When all people want to do is protect the 2nd amendment right that was written over 200 years ago, there is an issue. When the 3rd amendment is no longer necessary, doesn’t that mean that other amendments (cough having a gun wherever you go) could also be voided. Or is some random teenager who actually is educated and knows what she is talking about just as clueless as Donald Trump?

No, a Republican candidate is not the ideal presidential candidate for me personally, I would pick any Republican candidate over Donald Trump any day. ANY DAY. Yet, somehow, Donald Trump is in the lead. We can spend millions of dollars building a wall at the US and Mexico border, get rid of 12 million Mexican immigrants, ban every Muslim individual from entering the United states, and became the epitome of racism, but a woman who was raped, can’t afford a child, etc. can’t get an abortion… Children can’t get a proper education and elderly people and impoverished people can’t get sufficient health care? Since when did “And freedom and justice for all” a phrase uttered by millions of children in public schools across the country every day at 8am become “and freedom and justice for those who can afford it?”

Rant over. That’s all.

Talk to you all soon

Alicia 🙂

P.S. If you have an questions about my views or Donald Trump, don’t be afraid to comment or as me on my tumblr