February Catch Up

Can you believe we are over half way through February!? It's crazy how long January seems to last and then February is always so short!

So far, the past few weeks had been great! I was working out regularly and was on top of my school work! The weather was amazing and I was way less anxious than I normally am. 

Then, last week something changed. I really don't know what it was... the weather dropping back down to 40-degree temps and rain, perhaps??? It really killed my vibe and I only worked out once the entire week with the exception of two walks around my neighborhood. But I was not myself.

For Valentine's Day, my boyfriend and I went to a restaurant called Maggiano's in Durham at the mall. I have spent an embarrassing amount of time at that mall over the year and I can't believe I had never been before. It was really great and I loved getting to share a dinner with my Valentine!

I have found some more work out classes that I enjoy besides my regular barbell pump from last semester. This semester I have tried out 3-2-1 which is a HIIT class that has intervals of 3 minutes for cardio (my nemesis), 2 minutes of strength (my fav), and 1 minute of abs! It is fast-paced and the classes last only 45 minutes which is a perfect amount of time in my opinion. 

Alpha Chi had a sisterhood event this weekend at a studio called barre(d). I had never taken a barre class until then. It is sooooo different than any workout I had done before. I initially was not a fan mainly because I was in so much pain, but I felt so good afterward and want to go back now that I know what to anticipate. This semester my goal has been to workout at least twice a week and it hasn't been that bad!

Happy Wednesday!

Bailey

A Day in My LIfe

Happy October!

Okay sorry I have been so MIA. School has been going GREAT (knock on wood)! Recruitment was so much fun and kept me super busy which is what I needed. I really developed a routine with my schoolwork and recruitment practice schedule, but of course as soon as I got comfortable in that schedule, bid day rolled around! We seriously had the BEST bid day theme... HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL! Growing up those were my favorite movies and I was insanely obsessed and I will debate you on that if you disagree as I still I have my Barbie Sharpay and her convertible unopened!!!

After bid day, Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina and we were out of school for five days. There was no major damage done in Chapel Hill, thankfully! Because of where Florence was making landfall, I opted to not go home because they were calling for my town to flood and I figured it would be dumb to leave and head towards the storm. Instead, I went to my aunt's house that is two hours west of Chapel Hill. I had a fun time while I was there. I wish I had just been more present while I was there, but I was super on edge wondering when I could go back to school and I missed my boyfriend! 

Last week was our first full week of school this year which is crazy to think. I have finally gotten somewhat of a routine to share with you guys! 

The reason that there are two times for each event is to reflect my schedule. My Tuesday/Thursday times are first because my day begins earlier following my Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule. 

Wake Up// Don't think I get up out of bed an hour before my classes start... This is just when my first alarms go off and I decide to catch up on my social media from the night before. I always check my emails in hopes of a class getting cancelled, but that has yet to happen to me. Sometimes I will shower if I get up early enough and have some remaining homework, I might shower since I have the time. 

Class// On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I only have one class in the mornings at 9:30 and on MWF I have one class at 10 then another at 11:15 until 12:05. Mondays definitely feel like such longer days, but I enjoy those two classes more than my morning TTH class.

Lunch// One thing Alpha Chi at UNC prides itself on is the food. I am not exaggerating, but it is one of my favorite things about my days. They are well balanced and delicious. We get home made cookies everyday for a dessert at lunch as well which I am a sucker for. It is just a nice break from our hectic days to chill for a bit and talk to our sisters. 

Class// It is always so hard for me to go to my last class of the day... especially on MWF when it is economics. I don't understand it and it does not really come easy to me. I should probably devote more time to the class, but it is one of those classes if you aren't interested then it is just not going to happen. 

Relax// Sorry this one is so random, but really every day varies. Some days I will nap, go on a Dunkin' run with my boyfriend, or watch Netflix. It can be hard sometimes to make myself do homework right after class. I have always done my homework after dinner... even when I was in elementary school and was supposed to do my homework at after school care, I would talk and hang out instead. I don't think my mom was a big fan of that, but old habits die hard! But let's be honest that window from 2-5:30 is a great time to dedicate to some self care! 5:30 is when we have dinner together at Alpha Chi. Afterwards, I will come back and force myself to sit down and crank out some reading for my classes and do assignments if need be. 

Happy October!

What does your fall semester look like?

Bailey

Mini Back to School Haul!!!

Hey y'all!!!! Today makes it officially ONE WEEK until I move back to Chapel Hill for the school, even though I've gone at least once a week since I moved back in early July. I am ready to establish an everyday routine tbh. 

Since my junior year of high school, I used an LL Bean Deluxe book bag. Honestly it's still in good condition, but it kind of feels grimy even though I have washed it (I mean four years of using backpack... think of all of the places its been...) so I wanted to change it up for senior year and be a little more sanitary. I really did not want to splurge though. 

I tried using a North Face backpack last year which ended up being EXTREMELY heavy without anything in it. (I don't remember the style but I know it wasn't the typical Jester or Recon that most people use). I switched back to my trusty LL Bean by the end of my first week. It was great since I lived so far from campus, I could really load up on everything I needed for the day since I would be out of my apartment from 8-6 most days.

This year I am using the Kanken backpack.  I had a gift card to Great Outdoor Provisions since Christmas and decided that after nearly a year later that I should put it to use. I also signed up for their emails and got 10% off my purchase. I definitely got this backpack at a great price. I have been eyeing these for years, but knew they would be too small for all I would need especially during my high school career. This year I am living a BLOCK from campus. Literally will be a 10 minute walk to most of my classes like how insane is that!? I know I will definitely not have to load up everything each day and I am not working on campus so there are not many "What-Ifs". 

The backpack is a lot smaller than what I am used to, but I think it will prevent me from overpacking. Also, one of my MUST-HAVES on backpacks especially as a college student are side compartments to hold water bottles. That was a make-it or break-it deal when I was shopping around.

This year I decided instead of having an individual notebook for every single class that I instead use two 3-subject notebooks. I either have two classes a day or three classes a day so this works perfectly. This should keep my load a little lighter as well. I used a 2-subject notebook this summer for my 2 classes and it honestly just felt more efficient. 

Also, the Kanken has a laptop sleeve (!!!) which I was not expecting or even looking for really but this will be perfect! I know my MacBook Air will fit perfectly because it is so slim. My Lenovo should fit as well, but it is just a little more bulky compared to my Mac. 

My boyfriend gave me Emily Ley's Simplified Planner Daily Edition in the Minted Pineapple print for my birthday. I have ALWAYS loved Emily Ley, but could not let myself spend $60 on a planner. I really didn't know what to ask for this year and I saw this was the last print she had in stock, I had to ask for it. I couldn't deprive myself from Emily's genius any longer!

Last year, I didn't use up that many pens or pencils, but I cannot resist purchasing new ones for the school year. I purchased the Pilot Frixion pens. They are so cool because they erase with a rubbery-plastic end - an eraser that doesn't wear away! I bought this three pack of fancy mechanical pencils called Clearpoint that I have seen people use for ages. I think I used one of my sister's recently and found that they wrote really well! 

Side note: Has anyone else felt like Target's school supply section is super empty this year?? Every time I go, there are a lot of empty shelves. I just can't believe people are buying that much supplies so early. 

In addition to this, I found these supplies at Target. Initially in the school supply section. I had the Frixion pens in red, black, and blue. In the back of my mind I knew I would never use the red, but I wanted the Frixion pens. Secondly, there was a two pack of the same pencils for like a $1.50 more which I thought was ridiculous, but it's the price you pay for quality products but I knew other places had them for a little cheaper. I decided to look in the office supplies section just to double check. I actually found this ALL BLACK set of Frixion pens for $1 cheaper and this THREE set of Clear Point pencils for $1.50 cheaper. 

In short, if you want some of the less basic type of school supplies make sure you aren't getting scammed!!!! I was really proud of myself for finding these bargains. 

What school supplies are you using this year?

Bailey

Dealing with Comparison

For me, my summer's are usually spent traveling to places across the United States whether it be Florida or somewhere out west. I honestly felt like I was extremely cultured compared to people in my small hometown (and I probably still am), but my mindset has completely changed this summer. So many people I have met at college have gone abroad and for some this isn't their first time in the last year! People are not only going to Europe, but to Jerusalem, Australia, and parts of Asia...places I can never imagine going.  I catch myself thinking I will never be able to spend a semester away like that...

This summer I have one vacation planned which I leave for TOMORROW (!!!!) and I am so excited to be headed to Charleston and to be somewhere new. This is rare that I do not really go anywhere until the end of the summer, but this is partially due to me being in summer school. 

But with social media, I feel like my weekend trip does not equate to the dozens of girls who have studied abroad or who have gone to exotic places with their families. I know social media is just a highlight reel of everyone's trips because strangely enough, many people say upon returning from their abroad trips that their time was actually very lonely. And I just sit there like ???? You were on the trip of a lifetime.... (Disclaimer: I am not trying to put down people who went abroad, I have been abroad before for a few days and it was amazing!)

I honestly do not handle jealousy or FOMO very well. I feel like I haven't done enough with what I've been given and this summer I really found myself thinking like this. Inevitably, I have unfollowed the people that I don't really interact with, but are constantly going places this summer. For me, this is a way of me making strides to compare less and enjoy what I've been given more (no matter how harsh people may think I'm being towards others).  I just have to remember that I cannot always sit and be down on myself about my current situation and to instead relish in my slow, easy summer before the school year kicks in because honestly after the school year I had, I really did need time to get myself together mentally more than a trip thousands of miles away. I know that my trip with my mom will be more meaningful to us given the season of life we are in at this very point in time.

For those of you who have spent their summer at home and/or close to home, have you felt like this?

xo,

Bailey