@#$^!*&%

The three things I stress most about:

1) Money.
2) School.
3) The future.

- I don't have a job (yet) and my dad supplies me with money on my debit card. It's sort of like an allowance. It's hard not to spend money especially if you can just simply slide your card in a machine and get anything you want. I feel really bad spending that money though, don't get me wrong. But I will tell you, when I have money... I WILL spend it. I have an addiction. It doesn't help that all of my friends go shopping like twice a week; I have to join them, obviously! I try not to spend a bunch of money on things I don't need. Recently, I over-drafted on my card and my dad told me to stop shopping. I've gone two weeks now without shopping and to be honest, I actually learned the value of a dollar. It's really hard to budget! But it makes me feel a lot better trying to save money rather than blowing it on clothes I don't even need.

- College was a huge wake up call for me. I took my first semester as a joke and now this semester, I am constantly doing homework and studying just fix my grades from the first semester. I didn't realize that college was really important and strict; I was just worried about meeting new friends, partying, and having fun. I realize now that that is the least of my worries. It's really hard to raise your grades! College is definitely not like high school... If I were to give any high school underclassman one advice for college, it would be: DO NOT SLACK OFF. NEVER EVER.

- The future scares me. It doesn't help that I am such a "last minute girl" I always always always do things at the last minute and I never plan anything (one of my biggest flaws). My dad is constantly on my tail about things and that I have to think/plan ahead about the future. I struggle a lot with doing that.

"I like being nice to people."

Over spring break, I went to the Soaring Eagle casino for the first time! I went with my boyfriend, sister, and three of my other guy friends. Overall, it was a blast! Here's why:

1. My sister drove all of us in her BMW X5 - two in front, four of us in the back. We surprisingly all fit in one vehicle. It was night time when we went and it was dark out, obviously. We took a back road (sort of like a private one-lane highway) to get there and we were talking about scary movies which got us all shaken up. Then all of a sudden a gray BAT flew in front of our car coming from out of no where while we were all screaming our heads off. I think my friend Ryan who was riding in shot gun screamed louder than me... and that's saying something. We all laughed it off but then a half hour later, my sister decides to pass TWO really slow drivers who were in front of us... but remember, it's a one lane road. She did it anyway. Everyone was holding their breath from the get-go and as we were passing, cars were coming in the opposite direction and we were all screaming AGAIN but even louder this time because we thought it was going to be the end of all of us. But thankfully, she got back into our lane just in time. We didn't laugh this one off as much...

2. An older man entered in $35 into my slot machine at the casino... I offered it back to him but he said, "No, no doll, it's fine, I like being nice to people" and sat back down in front of his slot machine. I was amazed at how nice that man was. To be honest, after that experience, it made me feel like I need to be nicer to people. It's rare that you find people like him around nowadays... How sad.

April showers bring May flowers

I just want to say that I am BEYOND excited for spring break! No, I am not bummed I am not going anywhere warm and yes, I am glad to be going home. I've been home-sick for a while now! Most of my friends and family aren't going anywhere either so it's all good :) Few reasons why I'm a happy camper:

1. People are bragging that they're going to PCB (Panama City Beach) but they don't know if it's going to be warm or not. It's the beginning of March, of course it's not going to be hot and sunny! Spring's coming baby! I checked the weather for Panama and it looks like they're going to have 60 degree weather and rain showers throughout the week. Must I say, I am glad to see that they are going to have terrible weather (awful of me, I know) but why waste hundreds of dollars going someplace that's just 20 degrees warmer than your hometown? It's not like they're going to get super tan anyway... that's what tanning beds are for, right? :)

2. I get to see all of my friends who go to different colleges because most of them are staying home too! I'm staying with my best friend (friends since 4th grade) at her house and I'm excited because her dad's a chef and I finally get to eat real food instead of crappy college cafeteria food, woohoo!

3. I miss my dog. I get to finally see the little nugget.

4. I live five minutes away from the RiverTown Crossings Mall and it's 100x better than Kalamazoo's Crossroads Mall -- guaranteed. I am going to shop til I drop.

5. I'm getting my hair re-highlighted... MUCH NEEDED!

6. No stress. No school. No problem :)

Peeves.

1) When people don't text you back right away; it takes them hours.

If we're clearly having a legit conversation and you text me back a half hour later, yes, I am going to be mad and yes, I am going to respond with only one word. Don't start up a text convo with me and take forever to respond.

2) Bad breath. Actually, bad hygiene in general.

I hate sitting in small lectures where seats are really close and you get stuck sitting by some Joe-Schmoe you don't know. Especially when the kid has really REALLY bad breath and tries to talk to you all the time. I pretend that I'm listening when really I'm holding my breath for as long as I can. The guy in front of me smells like a trashcan. Do people not take baths nowadays?

3) When people step on the back of your shoe.

You're obviously walking too close to me. Back off people! Nothing bugs me more than slow walkers and/or close walkers. If you're going to step on my shoe, you are more than welcome to buy me a new pair :)

Wrong side of the bed.

I am having an awful day.

What's on my mind right now? I'm thinkin some people just really need to get punched in the face. We're in college now; it surprises me to know the amount of people who still need some growing up to do. I am so sick and tired of being taken advantage of because I'm too caring and generous. People think they can just disrespect me and be rude just because I'm small and nice. BUT NOT ANYMORE. If you're going to treat me awfully, then don't expect me to be nice back. Where's people's respect these days? None of my friends back at home in Grandville are like this. I think it's just a Kalamazoo thing... I hate Kalamazoo. My roommate's shocked that I've never gotten wasted before....?! Uhm, I'm sorry but I like to keep things classy unlike you? You don't have to act like a child and tell everyone - because actually, people are going to look at you like you're some drunky that gets trashed every weekend. Just some advice. I am so over rude girls and their mentalities.
(I really apologize for venting.)

I'm normally a happy and sweet girl,

but when you push my last button, it's going to get ugly.

What's in your bucket?

Here's MY bucket-list!
(In no specific order)

1. Go horseback riding with my boyfriend/ husband.
2. Have a picnic on a beautiful, green hill.
3. Stand and/ or swim in an ocean. 
4. Be someone's maid-of-honor.
5. Travel to a rain forest.
6. Get a picture with a celebrity. 
7. Work at Victoria's Secret. 
8. Own 100 dresses. 
9. Have at the most two kids.
10. Watch a sunset on the beach.
11. Be an interior designer.
12. Go skinny-dipping.
13. Get my teeth professionally whitened. 
14. Feed the animals at a zoo.
15. Go to Disney World and meet all the princesses.
16. Run through a field of flowers.
17. Get my belly-button pierced. 
18. Be a bartender (part-time job.)
19. Leave the country (other than Canada...)
20. Take a picture in front of the Playboy Mansion.
21. The last one's a secret ;)

Fairytale -

It might seem as if I am always talking about the future, but why not, I mean, life is so wonderful and amazing; I cannot wait to see what's going to happen in five or ten years! Another dream of mine is to have maybe one or two kids (preferably two little girls!) so I can dress them up in cute, little brand-name clothes and spoil them to death and to also be the best mom that I can be. I want my kids to say, "Yup, that's my mom!" ...That's when I'll know I am doing something right.

The other day, I came upon a blog about a mom planning her little daughter's "fairy/ princess" themed birthday party and it inspired me so much that I want to do this for my precious princess someday! Glitter everywhere, pink fabrics and decorations, wings, wands, and tutus, fairy cupcakes -- I am obsessed! I know my daughter is going to love this party (probably when she turns three or four) because I know if my mom threw me a party like that when I was a toddler, I'd be the happiest girl ever. Party planning also interests me. I think it is just so much fun and it will also be heart-warming to see your kid happy and smiling at their party.The pictures below display the party I plan on throwing for my daughter perfectly.

Something old, borrowed, & blue

[ Just a silly, little fantasy ]
Every girl's dream is to get married in a big, beautiful church in June when summer is just arriving with it's warm weather and bright colors. Well, that's my dream at least! I envision my wedding to be the biggest, most beautiful, romantic, and the sassiest. I don't care what my husband says or thinks; I am planning our wedding by myself! No ifs, ands, or buts. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only girl who's crazy about weddings but I do get teary eyed and cheese-bally every time I watch one on television or in movies or even in real life. I've watched Kim Kardashian's wedding on E! about five times and I didn't fail to shed a tear each time (even though my high school relationship was longer than her marriage.) Seeing a couple happy together just melts my heart. If you need a movie about weddings to watch with your best friend/ future maid-of-honor, you should definitely watch Bride Wars! It's hilarious, cute, and heart-warming. My best friend and I watched this in theatres and just about balled our eyes out with laughter and tears. We've been obsessed with this movie ever since! We're actually competing with each other to see who has the biggest, better wedding - I am going to win of course because I'm already starting to plan my own! She's in for a big treat...

J'amore la nourriture!

Want to know what that means? It means "I love food!" I will eat anything and everything (except almonds, I HATE almonds.) My favorite restaurant is Logan's Roadhouse. I order the same thing every time! Italian food is my all-time favorite. You can never go wrong with pizza or pasta. If I were you, I wouldn't want to take me out on a date, because let me tell you, I will order everything!

Even though I can't simply cook cookies without burning them, I still love learning how to cook and trying new recipes out. I pretty much watch the Food Network everyday, all day... my roommate thinks I'm weird and would rather watch Teen Mom but I fight for the remote. My favorite shows to watch are: Chopped, Diners Drive-ins and Dives, Cupcake Wars, and Top Iron Chef. They are all just so educational and fun to watch! My logic is - I'm going to have to learn how to cook sooner or later for myself and also my family in the future so why not start now. I enjoy watching people cook, I don't know why, I just do! I hope one day, I'm able to just whip out some ingredients and make a successful meal. As boys would say, it's our job to put food on the table and slave away in the kitchen... I want to make my future hubby proud :)

 

Perfectionist

I am an organized freak.

 

 The picture above is my ideal "arts and crafts" room for my future home. I started my arts and crafts obsession when I was about 15 years old. I would always beg my dad to take me to Michaels and I would spend just hours and hours, row by row just searching for cute, cheap things that I could potentially need for all of my hand-made projects. I was known for making the best projects in my art and graphic design classes - I guess that boosted my confidence in taking my artistic abilities to the next level. On another note, I like to buy containers and shelves that hold all of my materials in an organized manner. If one thing is out of place, I go nuts! I always make hand-made gifts for my friends, family, and boyfriend. I think it is way more fun making presents rather than going out and just buying them! Going to Michaels and buying things I don't even need at the moment doesn't really bother me because I know for sure, in the long run, I am going to need them later :) My dream is to make the mini collection of arts and crafts I have right now into the size of the collection in the picture above. Wish me luck! 

[ Like I said in one of my previous blogs, I definitely get all of my inspiration and photos from Pinterest. It's an amazing site for blogs, ideas, and inspiration! ]

11

You know you're addicted to shopping when: (for me at least...)

1. It's all you can think about.
2. You want to spend your whole paycheck right away on just clothes.
3. You go to the mall at least 3 days a week.
4. You crave for new and more things you don't have.
5. You spend an hour/ more in each store. 
6. Your closet is overflowing with clothes.
7. You forget about some of the clothes you do have because you have so many.
8. You have more receipts than your mother.
9. Your debit card loses ten lbs every week, but not because of Jenny Craig...
10. You feel satisfied after buying something even if it's just something little.
11. Your wallet is always empty.

I'm actually going shopping today -

I NEED HELP!

x o x o .

If anyone asks me what my favorite holiday is, I would probably respond with Valentine's Day. I think it is so much fun to celebrate regardless if you have a significant other or not! Valentine's Day is for everybody. I just love all the pinks, and reds, and the hearts, and the chocolates, and the warm feelings this holiday brings us! This weekend, I actually made some gifts for my boyfriend that I've been dating for a year and a half now. I'm an arts and crafts freak so I didn't mind spending about ten hours on his perfected presents! It was kind of hard scraping the glue and glitter off my hands, I must admit. Shopping for Valentine's Day is the best part! Getting all the materials you need to make fabulous, hand-made cards, seeing rows and rows of chocolate and balloons at the store, the colors red and pink everywhere - It makes my wallet lighter and lighter everyday! Everything is just too cute so I feel obligated to buy the whole store! Not only did I make gifts for my boyfriend but for my family as well. They mean the world to me. I think the most important part about Valentine's Day is to just reassure the people you care most about that you really DO love them; I mean, I feel like you should do this everyday and not just once a year but Valentine's Day is just an adorable day to show your love :)

P.S. If you need cute ideas for presents/ arts and crafts, go to pinterest.com! That's where I get all of my inspiration from. They have amazing photos and blogs on their site and most of the projects on there are easy to do and costs very little to make! Enjoy!

Girl From Pennsylvania

I write Jennifer on my papers but people call me Jen.

I did not attend the first week of class because I just signed up for it! I didn't get a chance to meet any of my classmates so here's a little bit about me :)

I was born and raised in Penn State. However, I moved a lot because of my dad's job so I got into the habit of making new friends every time I moved into a new home/ town. It did not bother me because I love meeting new people! People tell me I am very sweet, caring, and down to earth. I hate disappointing people so I try my best not to. I came to Western to major in graphic design/ interior design. So far, my college experience is amazing. I've met so many wonderful and amazing people here! My roommate turned out to be awesome as well; We share so many similarities! And we also have the same clothing size haha! I have a boyfriend and he goes here too. It's so nice to have someone you can count on to always be there for you, and he does just that :) My interests/ hobbies are shopping (of course, what girl doesn't love to shop!!), art and crafts, watching sports, organizing (don't ask), and just hanging out and having a good time with friends. Currently loving life right now and I couldn't ask for more.

I am looking forward to meeting all of you soon and having a good semester with y'all!