The New Year

It is insane to think today is the last official day of 2014. Every year, I always reflect on my year (as I'm sure many of you do, too) and seek improvements or accomplishments I need to achieve. By need, I mean the ones I have said countless times I will try, or do, and never have. My one indefinite goal is to complete a 5K run. Don't even get me started on going back to school again! I can't wait. I'm not sure where my relationships will take me; all I know is I am as open as I have ever been, and am looking forward to the outcome. I need to embrace the unexpected and learn to accept things may not work out as I had planned. Regardless, I hope you have a fantastic ending to 2014. Be safe, drink responsibly, and embrace what is to come in 2015. 

Happy New Year!

If you lost your voice and have a job interview ...

This morning I experienced something new. I woke up today with no voice. I tried to talk, no words or sound came out. I was panicking because I have a job, and a phone interview in 2 hours. I figured I lost my voice because of a cold I got from God only knows who, and now I have to take a day off because I cannot speak, but I need to do this interview. I talked to my mom about it and she encouraged me to go through the interview because I was still able to whisper and may be given bonus points for trying. The reason I am addressing this is because I Googled the question, and there were only a few actual concerned people who needed advice (maybe this isn't as common as I thought). Do I still do the interview? Do I reschedule? It is a phone interview so they cannot see me and I will be judged based off my answers and how I sound. Here is my advice:

1. If you cannot speak, reschedule; If you can speak, try. 

This may sound contradicting however, if you cannot muster a whisper then reschedule your interview. If you want to be genuine then I suggest calling and either have someone talk for you, or prove your voice is actually gone by *trying* to speak. I was able to whisper my answers and even though I was cringing to myself, and it may have been awkward, I still tried. Until then, I am completely cut off from talking or using my voice. 

2. Tell the interviewer you have laryngitis

You lost your voice however, it is much easier to tell the hiring manager you have laryngitis, instead of saying "I lost my voice" Having laryngitis is generally contracted through a cold or flu, and mentioning laryngitis involves less explaining because most people are familiar with laryngitis. If you say you "lost your voice," it could mean you were at a concert the night before, you hurt your vocal cord, or you were screaming ... for some reason. 

3. Have stand-by hot water to hydrate your throat

I never liked or appreciated drinking hot water until now. I always thought the idea of drinking hot water was gross because I had no use for it ... until today. The more hot water you drink, the better your throat will heal and improve. I add lemon so the water has taste. It also helps lemon is an anti-oxidant - +1 for you! 

Now if you decided to do your interview, for the rest of your day; do not speak or whisper. Hydrate yourself on fluids - soup, water, tea, hot water and always try and squeeze in some solid food, too. I wish I could give you a general span of how long my voice will be locked out (fingers crossed it's only today), but only time will tell. Also, if tip number one makes you feel uncomfortable in general, then reschedule completely. You will probably do better if you have your whole voice because you can explain your answers more thoroughly however, it is not impossible to pull through with little voice you have. Good luck!

What I've learned about working 9-5

I recently got my first taste of what it is like working 9-5. Through Monday to Friday I am away from home for 9 hours a day; thankfully having weekends off. This experience has lead me to reflect and realize how difficult it is to work such a long day, and how grateful I am for my circumstance. Now, because I am supposed to be in school, adjusting to work has been some-what difficult because inside I feel I shouldn't be working; I really should be studying. Here are my suggested tips on your first 9-5 working schedule. Things you should consider, shouldn't do, and what I have learned that will help my future. 

1) Pack a healthy lunch and stay hydrated

First, and foremost I have learned the importance of staying healthy. I went from having my meals planned out throughout my day (because I was not working) - to having a "lunch break" and little free time. If you want to remain healthy, pack a lunch and bring water. Nothing gets you through your day as staying hydrated!

2) Get fresh air

If you are lucky enough to have a 1 hour lunch break, go outside. Breathe in fresh and air take in the moment. It is bad enough you are stuck in a building, office, mall, or restaurant for such a long period of your day -- the least you can do to treat yourself is head outside!

3) Realize how lucky you are 

If you are like me, working a seasonal job will not be your actual career. Working so many hours will allow you to realize how lucky you are and thankfully, you are not in a position where you have to work in retail, or a fast-food joint because of education, and experience. 

4) Work on improvement

I am generally a fast learner but I have noticed areas where I need improvement. For example, I work in a mall and I am faced with dealing with hundreds of customers a day -- each with a different outlook, personality, and mood. I could have a relaxed, happy family one time, but my next customer can be livid, and impatient. Always seek improvement and reflect on the days that left you uninspired and frustrated. 

5) Go to bed early, and leave time to get ready
Whenever I have something planned to do, I wake up either an hour or an hour and a half before the said time; depending on distance, and transportation. I appreciate my mornings more when I wake up early enough where I can have coffee, eat breakfast, and get ready at my own pace. With that being said, it is imperative to stay rested and go to bed at a reasonable time. The last thing you want is to go into work exhausted, barely able to function until after lunch break.

"Me-time" tag!

I found this "Me-time tag" from Weylie on YouTube, and I thought it was unique and creative to try. I will have the entire list of questions posted after my answers so you can join in on the tag. Enjoy x

What do you watch or read during me-time? 

Currently I am reading a book by Nicholas Sparks titled The Longest Ride. During me-time I typically would watch either Friends (go figure) or, a chick flick.

What do you wear during me-time? 

During me-time I wear sweatpants and a comfortable t-shirt. I typically do not wear makeup because I usually plan my day around either not leaving my house, or dressing comfortable enough to leave my house. 

What are your me-time beauty products?

Beauty product wise, I love face masks. Face masks are peaceful and always leave your skin looking rejuvenated. Clay or exfoliant masks are my go-to.

Current favourite nail polish? 

As it is the holiday season, I am obsessing over red nail polish. I have a large collection and I alternate between colours of what I feel I want to wear and I definitely have to say red. Red polish by OPI or Essie. 

What do you eat/drink during me-time? 

I do not change my morning routine (cereal, and coffee) however, I eat lighter than I usually would during "me-time". I'm not sure if it is because I have a day planned surrounding myself or I am a minimalist in terms of food. Other than coffee on a normal day, I have water and tea. 

Current favourite candle? 

I will spare holiday scents because it is something obvious to consider however, my favourite scent at the moment is honey suckle by Bath and Body Works. 

Do you ever have outdoor me-time? 

Depending on the season, yes. During the summer I tan outside or go swimming during me-time and I find it is a treat!

Would you ever go see a movie alone?

If it is a movie I know I will have nobody go with me to see, then yes but I usually don't. 

Favourite online shop? 

I never shop online but when I do it is usually Urban Outfitters.

Anything to add? What else do you do during me-time? 

I guess this can go along with the nail polish question because I love to paint my nails during me-time. I am more concentrated and I feel I do a better job painting!

The questions: 

What do you watch or read during me-time?

What do you wear during me-time?

What are your me-time beauty products?

Current favourite nail polish? 

What do you eat/drink during me-time? 

Current favourite candle?

Do you ever have outdoor me-time? 

Would you ever go see a movie alone? 

Favourite online shop? 

Anything to add? What else do you do during me-time? 

Applying to University for the first time

So you applied to university for the first time. Congratulations! After all of the payments are received you can now officially play the waiting game: e-mails will start rolling in and you will begin to feel popular again. It is a different feeling than most, as you anticipate a response. This response will ultimately determine where you will be next year in September. The worst part? I would say it is submitting all of your documents in a timely manner but in all honesty, it is waiting for their decision. From the time you apply, to the time you submit everything - you are left busy and with always something to do. In that meantime, when everything is said and done, you have nothing to do anymore. All you have to do is, wait. It is a grueling process as you wait because you begin to question and doubt yourself ... it is an unruly cycle that will mandatorily come to an end. It can take up to two months for a university to give you their decision. Is it because they don't want to give you an early acceptance? Maybe. Is it because they are prioritizing amongst the "better" students and feel you deserve to wait? Possibly. Regardless of the reason, you will be given a yes or no answer and here is my advice: 

1) Do submit your documents at once. 

As I said before, this is a tedious process. Depending on your educational experience and what program you are applying to, you will need to submit your high school transcripts and if this isn't your first time, post-secondary transcripts, as well. My best advice is to have everything send at once. This ensures accuracy on your end, and as your documents get sent out to the different cities, it is rest assured the mailman did so in one shipment. 

2) Check your e-mail as often as you can.

You will be getting many, many e-mails. From welcomes to "Your Next Steps", e-mails are your friend. Sometimes too if you are lucky, the university may e-mail you to notify a change on your account and to check immediately because it could have to do with an admission decision, or letter. Make sure the e-mail you choose is an active account with a clean and updated inbox.

3) If you have questions, ask.

I am a big motivator when it comes to having questions and wanting answers. Questions from did you receive my application? to my account is not working properly and even to I am very eager and interested in this program, is there anyway to determine when I will receive a decision?. I find the best way to ask your question is again, through e-mail because it is personalized and if asked properly, there will be few miscommunications. Again, this can give you a +1 for the admissions advisor because they see your interest and desire -- I highly recommend!

4) Choose your university wisely.

The ultimate question is this: Why do you want to go there? Is it because of the campus? The social life? or Academics? Whatever your reason is, please be assured this will affect your experience if you do get accepted. And yes, distance matters. It sounds amazing going to a school that is a few hours away from home, but until life happens and your away to school, things can change. Choose a university that fits your lifestyle, and make sure you are comfortable with your decision because you are paying money just to get in. 

5) Read admission criteria carefully. 

So you like this program ... but little do you know this program requires a grade 12 math requirement you don't have. What do you do? Some universities have leeway when it comes to small requirements to their program. But please, do not oversee this fact because you will eventually need that grade 12 math requirement. Make sure the program you choose is in your interest, skill, and something in which you excel in and not because the program title makes you sound smart. 

I hope my tips are helpful and if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section. If you are one of the students awaiting a response, or you are just beginning to apply; good luck and relax. You will find the process easier than then anticipation itself and if a university happens to deny your application please do not take it to heart as there will be other opportunities to come within your lifetime. 

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

My gingerbread cookie making was a success. I refrigerated the dough for around 5 hours, and the consistency held up though for some reason, parts of the dough became crumbly. The taste of the cookie outweighs the process and I had to share with you lovelies! Hope you enjoy. 

Ingredients:

3 cups of all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

t tablespoon ground ginger

1 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup molasses

2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 deg. Prepare baking sheets by lining with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.
3. In a large bowl (KitchenAid's great for this) beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.
4. Add molasses, vanilla, and lemon zest and continue to mix until well blended.
5. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.
6. Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
7. (Dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but in this case it should be refrigerated. Return to room temp before using.) Preheat oven to 375°.
8. Grease or line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
9. Place 1 portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface.
10. Sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin.
11. Roll dough to a scant 1/4-inch thick.
12. Space cookies 1 1/2-inches apart.
13. Bake 1 sheet at a time for 7-10 minutes

Finished product: 

Link to original recipe

How fast time flies (It's November!)

To think we are in the month of November, and the year is almost to an end. It is amazing how fast time flies and while I know everyone says this, I can't believe it. The essence of time is something to cherish and always keep sacred. Never take a moment for granted, live to the day, and accomplish your dreams. I am a lover of Christmas, and you will be seeing festive and Holiday posts that inspire me. 

Thanks for reading, and here's to November.

My skin care routine, and why less is more

I vividly remember times of when I had flawless skin. I was a lucky teenager and never suffered from horrible or serious acne, only the casual pimple yet I still had the urge to wear foundation. Now ladies, you know where I'm going with this. We are grown to see these actresses on screen and assume either a) they were born with God-sent skin or b) their foundation is magic. Regardless if our skin is indeed, flawless; we are our own worst critic. I am a firm believer foundation did in some way alter my skin and if I honestly knew the ingredients in my foundation it would somehow be easy to figure out what my skin reacted to. If you are curious, I use Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultra 24H foundation. I swear by it, it's that good. I even went as far as finishing an entire bottle which in essence took me more than 2 years to do and repurchased. 

I started my "official" skin care routine when I was 17 or 18 because it was a time where I started to notice small things, and slowly introduce myself to the massive world of skin care. I was subtly brainwashed (or brainwashed myself) into the regimen of skin care: cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize. It was something I thought I knew clearly, and my skin needed most but in reality it wasn't. I have used products not limited to Spectro Jel, Morning Burst, Neutrogrena Makeup Remover wipes (it burns!), and St. Ives to expensive creams such as, Estee Lauder. 

When I realized nothing helped my poor skin, I stuck to a very simple regimen. I instantly cut out toners, and cleansers and stuck to baby wipes. O. m. g. Words cannot express this little discovery made for little people I needed to get the word out. I use Huggies Soft Skin with Shea Butter. The wipes are thick, and moisturizing that cleans the skin very well. I use the wipes once in the morning, and night though in the summer I squeeze in more time because Canadian summers are unforgiving with heat, and skin. In addition to this, I use Bioderma to remove eye or face makeup and Clean and Clear's Persa Gel 5 spot treatment very sporadically. This little regimen has helped my skin and saved me tons of money. The most expensive product I use on my face is Bioderma which is retailed at 22$ CAN and it lasts you months. If you're wondering what I use to moisturize my skin, I don't. I only moisturize my eyes with POND's before makeup application, and I lightly mix it in with my foundation to lighten the coverage. POND's is a very hydrating moisturizing cream dedicated to dry skin and is only needed lightly if you have normal to combination skin. When I say "less is more", I mean it. I am all for your own personal skin care routine, however, with so many years of trying and figuring I realized it wasn't fair to myself, my skin, and wallet to constantly buy new products because none worked. I treat my skin to weekly or bi-weekly face masks as well to refresh myself. Back in my glory high school days, I discovered Montagne Jeunesse. They are a natural, and animal-cruelty free company and their face masks are SO good! I have literally been buying these hidden beauties for more than six, seven years. I find treating my skin with a face mask, adds onto a healthy and soft look. 

If you are at all curious or interested in any of the products listed above, I will share the link.

Huggies Soft Skin with Shea Butter
Bioderma for Sensitive Skin
Clean & Clear Persagel 5
POND's Dry Skin Cream
Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks

Delicious Coconut Macaroon Recipe

Hello my lovely readers! This past weekend I felt spontaneous and baked coconut macaroons. Needless to say they were delicious and thankfully I was able to make around two dozen with the recipe below! Enjoy x
note: the photo is the finished product and was taken after many, many dessert enthusiasts decided to eat the macaroons!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon flour

1 1/2 bag of coconut

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup granulated sugar

5 egg whites

To do:

Set oven to 400 degrees. On the stove top, use a heated double boiler and combine 5 egg whites to granulated sugar, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and pour egg and sugar mixture into separate bowl to mix up to the point of the consistency of a thick meringue. Combine coconut and flour and pour into egg white mixture. Stir ingredients together until you create a strong batter to place on a non-stick baking sheet - I personally used parchment paper. 

IMPORTANT TIPS:

The recipe I used said to bake for 10-15 minutes. I found 8 minutes to be enough because the macaroons turned golden brown. If you want your macaroons to be lightly done, I suggest baking for 6 or 7 minutes maximum.

If you love coconut but find the amount of coconut to be much, melt dark chocolate in a double boiler and drizzle onto the macaroons. I find this cuts the sweetness and adds a beautiful touch. 

Another useful tip is to store in a dry place. I refrigerated mine though I found the macaroons to sit better wen they are at room temperature. Store in an oven, or container. 

Thank you

Thank you to anyone and everyone who has viewed, read, or lurked my blog. It means a lot and I thoroughly enjoy creating blog posts for you to read xx 

A recipe to share: Carrot cake

As Autumn is officially here, I have a delicious recipe to share: carrot cake. 

I vividly remember my first impression of carrot cake; I thought it was supposed to taste like carrot hence why I opted majority of the time to not try. FYI there is no carrot taste in the cake, rather, it is a wonderful concoction of cinnamon, nutmeg, and spice. It is delicious. Enjoy.

2 cups all-purpose flour
                         2 teaspoons baking powder


2 teaspoons cinnamon
                           1 teaspoon baking soda


½ teaspoon nutmeg
                                ¾ cup granulated sugar
           

¾ cup brown sugar
                                 3 eggs
                                                           

¾ cup vegetable oil                                  1 teaspoon vanilla
                                   

2 cups grated carrots
                               1 cup drained crushed canned pineapple


ICING

1 pkg cream cheese, softened
                  1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, softened


1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
                                    1 cup (250 mL) icing sugar

Grease and flour a 13x9 inch metal cake pan; set aside.

In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and nutmeg. In separate bowl, beat together granulated and brown sugars, eggs, oil and vanilla until smooth; pour over flour mixture and stir just until moistened. Stir in carrots, pineapple and pecans. Spread in prepared pan.

Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven for 40 minutes.

In bowl, beat cream cheese with butter until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Beat in icing sugar, one-third at a time, until smooth. Spread over top of cake. (Make-ahead: Cover loosely and refrigerate for up to I day.)

When cakes emerge from the oven, their structure is set, but the set is still fragile. Let cakes stand in pans on rack for time specified in each recipe, 15 to 20 minutes. Run knife around edge of cake, then place rack over pan and invert cake onto rack to cool completely.

The Most Delicious Pumpkin Cookies

Hello! 

In lieu of Autumn, and it's wonderful presence; I thought it be appropriate to share and love my pumpkin cookie recipe, and show you the post-product of deliciousness. 

Pumpkin Cookies

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour                                  1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda                                     2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg                               ½ teaspoon ground cloves

½ teaspoon salt                                                      ½ cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar                                        1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 egg                                                                          1 teaspoon vanilla extract

ICING

2 cups confectioners' sugar                                3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon melted butter                                 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour, baking powder baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the ½ cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork. 

School Supply Essentials #BackToSchool

The dreaded Back to School advertising. Honestly, after many years of spotting the advertisements, Back to School has to be one of the most creative and capturing, considering it is only temporary. Here are school supply essentials I feel is necessary for the school year - this can be applied to high school and university or college students. 

1) Pens and Highlighters 

This may seem obvious, but it can easily be overlooked. Buying good quality pens and highlighters are essential for high school and post secondary. The typical array of pens you should try and stick to are blue, black and red - I only recommend coloured pens [i.e. pink, blue, yellow, purple] for studying and note taking, not for assignments as I assure you, your professor or teacher will not accept. Highlighters are great for studying and in class note-taking. The beauty of highlighters is you can pick whichever highlighted colour sticks to you best. Personally, I prefer neon orange, green, yellow and purple for studying because it is an indictor of important concepts. 

2) Computer paper

This, especially for post secondary is key. You need computer paper and you will soon realize how life becomes more of a struggle without it. Stores such as Staples, Walmart, and Target sell computer paper though I suggest looking for the better deal because for some reason, computer paper is costly. Nearing the end of summer, to the first week of September be on the look out for great computer paper deals.

3) Lined paper

What is computer paper without lined paper? If you carry around a notebook or two, you may think having loose lined paper is not necessary (untrue!) Being in high school you probably will carry two or three binders (oh the days) thus having lined paper to be mandatory. However, if you are in post secondary you will have one binder, and more notebooks. Either way, you will use lined paper regardless of your schooling and it makes life a lot easier having extra. Again, look go for the deals! 

4) 1.5 or 2.5 inch binder(s)

Binders are very subjective to the individual. Depending on your courses, and level of education you are in, binders may or may not be required. I remember in high school I felt it was necessary to carry 5 binders with me per class because I could not fathom one large binder. Being in post secondary I usually have only one binder just in case, if I use it great, if not, I always have another reason or year to utilize a binder. I recommend Avery D-ring binders more than anything because of the durability and the rings almost never break on me. 

5) Pencils

Again, dependent on your studies: pencils. If you are in a math or art course, and your high school teacher does not allow pens, opt for pencils. I prefer the old fashion sharpen yourself pencil instead of the push pencil at the eraser. When you are in post secondary, pencils are mandatory for completing midterms and exams so be wary on having extras - I also (and it is) recommended to use HB pencils for grading. 

6) Notebooks

Out of everything I have listed, notebooks to this day are the most tedious to buy. I always shift back to the basics and opt for a 3 chapter, 250-300 page notebook. These are fantastic in that you only need to buy a few because there is so much paper. I have used many high end to low end brands and always fall back on the cheapest, with the most paper. 

7) Durable school bag

It is easy to fall back on a cute school bag because how can you resist? But through many trials, I have learned again, it is better to pick the durable, less-girly option. It was not until my last year of college I had enough and surrendered to buy a plain black, with light blue lining backpack by DKNY. It has lasted me years and I hope many more as I only resist the back-pack-shopping days, again.  

Do not be afraid of change

Apologies for the lack of posts since the beginning of August. I have recently made decisions that affect my future, and what is to come next. In the midst of this, I had my birthday (yay!) and while it could have been better, I am grateful to be alive and with my family. 

Change is a part of growth, and required if you need to move forward in an area in your life. I, shy away from change because it generally starts with making a decision (a tedious task, I prefer not to do). Realize if, in your gut you are not happy and you want a change, do it. As long as you have a small idea as to where all of "this" will get you, and it will make you happy, it may be the change you need! 

Happy August!

I just wanted to take the time and thank the readers of my blog. It is greatly appreciated and I cannot believe we are starting a new month. I find myself reflecting every month and I am excited to see what is in store! It is so crazy to think we will be entering a new year in a little over four months. I hope everyone is having a memorable summer and remember to keep reading. 

1000 Squat Challenge by Cassey from Blogilates

You read the title correctly: 1000 Squat Challenge. If you are not familiar who Cassey is, she is an exercise instructor and owner/creator of Blogilates. I am a dedicated fan to her videos and have utilized her regimen for a while now. She is known and famous for her Squat Challenge which has racked up 4.5 million views, respectfully. Now you are probably wondering why I brought up her recent challenge of 1000 squats. It is because I am in the process of doing that exactly, 1000 squats. Call me crazy, but it is worth a try though urging with caution. It is abnormal to do that amount of squats to your legs, glutes, quads, and calves which is why Cassey put up a disclaimer and warning, as I am too. Before writing this post, I just completed a little over 300 squats -- the peak of which I started to sweat. Now, I am pretty proud of myself because achieving a little over 300 squats while just starting to sweat is impressive in my opinion. Read further for updates on my goal to achieve 1000 squats.

Update: I just reached 550 squats and break. Physically I am fine, the increased heart rate is a little much considering I only reached a little over the half way mark. I am accompanied with a cup of water, and I cannot WAIT to hop in the shower though I feel invigorated and a little too sweaty. 

Update II: I reached a total of 800 squats. My legs feel like jello and I can only imagine how they will feel as I finish. I only have 200 more squats to go until I reach 1000 - words I never though I'd say because I never imagined doing 100 squats, let alone 1000. The next update may be my final update as I [hopefully] have reached 1000. If not, read along for my next update, and the update after that!

Update III: Very much back with my final update of 1000 squats. I did it thanks to the help of Cassey, my cats (will fill you in later), and water! I cannot tell you how I will feel tomorrow ... presumably sore and stiff, but I don't care. The 1000 squat challenge is a long-term achievement, the side effects are short. The final stretch of 1000 was fairly easy, I had to resort in using my carpet floor (sorry, tailbone) because my yoga mat is not with me at the moment. My joy with the carpet comes along with my cats. I was in my hallway, and they were watching me like I was a maniac, if you make it to 900 (congrats!), you will understand. 

Nonetheless, I learned the journey matters more than the number itself. Yes, I have completed 1000 squats but the journey in reaching 1000, is greater. I took breaks when needed, drank water, and stretched. I have no idea how Cassey did the challenge with no breaks, but regardless of this we were in it together. If you managed to do 100, 200, or even 50 - congratulations. Do not be hard on yourself because that is more than an average amount of people can do! If you are struggling, take breaks as long as you finish satisfied and remember to not focus on the number, rather the journey it took to reach your personal goal. 

Wisdom tooth extraction experience (to ease your nerves)

Hello, hello! Earlier today, I was reminiscing on the time I had my wisdom teeth removed, and how curious and nervous I was for that day to come. Now imagine, you are the first sibling in your family to undergo this procedure and the only sufficient person you know who can relate, is your father. Fantastic right? Only it would be if he remembered every detail. 

I understand how you are feeling: nervous, anxious, curious, and wondering if you're going to say ridiculous things as you are under anesthesia. Now I have no idea how these patients come up with what they say while medicated, but the nurse I had said it won't happen to me. She was right - I didn't say anything embarrassing, in fact the only thing I said was "I feel fantastic" after the Doctor asked how I was feeling as he filled my IV.  Here's my story I hope will help you, and ease your nerves before you experience one of the best decisions you'll make as a late teen. You will be rid of the pain of your wisdom teeth growing, and be that much wiser. (now you know why babies sob when they are teething!) 

Essentially you are indicated by the nurse, to not eat or drink 24 hours before your surgery. Mine was appointed in the morning, I do not remember a specific time, but it was before 11AM. The day before, I gave myself the "last" of everything: the last time I eat breakfast, the last supper, and the last time I'll be able to actually take care of myself - for now, at least. Insert tip one: drink water. I don't mean the minimum of what you're supposed to consume in a day -- I mean drink SO much water, you're sick of it. It is very important to remain and stay hydrated before your appointment. Something I failed to do prior. 

It is the morning of my appointment, and I'm feeling okay. I remember my appointment was made in August, which happens to also be my birthday month. I check in, fill out papers, and sign a release form; which by the way freaked me out but is required. Now remember, I was 19 [turning 20] at the time, and I can say I was pretty open minded. I had made it my plan to bring my iPod (go figure) for the procedure. As soon as the nurse saw my beloved iPod, she said "No, no we cannot allow you to listen to music while put under because we want your brain to 'relax'." Basically, if I listen to music being sedated, I will technically still be awake, and my brain will be active. Now I opted for sedation - no gas mask. I will be conscious, not put under but I will have no memory of the surgery. In addition to this, I will be able to answer the Doctor as I am sedated ... How crazy is that?! 

I sit myself in the chair with my dad and mom (who didn't last long). The nurse puts an oxygen mask on my face, and preps the IV while the Doctor finally comes in, and assists the nurse with medication and his utensils. As this is happening, the nurse is jotting my information such as my weight, height and age. They use this to determine how much medication they need to use in accordance to your size. The nurse brings over the needle and the first thing I said to her was "please don't hurt me" - she assured me she would not. The IV was a breeze, didn't feel a thing and I felt pumped. Now as this is happening, the Doctor is making me feel comfortable by engaging in small talk, while he works with the nurse to fill my IV bag. As I mentioned earlier in this post, the Doctor asks "how are you feeling?" and I say: "I feel fantastic!" - a great indicator that the medicine is working. Before I become sedated, I remember vividly sitting in the chair, the room is spinning, everything becomes blurry, eventually black. 

Literally what felt like 20 minutes, was more than an hour of surgery and I am awake. The nurse wastes no time in waking me up, pretending as if nothing happened. I get up by myself and finally meet my dad and brother in recovery. The nurse tells my dad care instructions, questions he may have, all the information needed to take care of me for the next week. I get up and my nurse helps me into the truck and finally I am on my way home. The car ride home felt like 5 minutes (it wasn't, it was a good 25), but I remember sitting in the truck beside my brother and I wanted to text my sister. I have no idea what I said to her, or how I was able to function a phone, but I did text her and it was gibberish. 

I am home. I open the door and my mom is anxiously waiting expecting me to be incoherent and not able to move on my own. Her maternal instincts are in full gear, she greets me, and the first thing I do is run to the living room saying to my mom "I am okay". Now I cannot describe to you the dizzyness I felt after my surgery and for the rest of the week which is why I ran to my couch and laid there all day. My mom went to the pharmacy to fill my prescription and came home. The first few hours post-op was my dad changing my gauze full of blood every half hour of so. Super gross, not fun, or cute. Finally after the bleeding stops I lay down, and relax. It sucks because you cannot eat. No straws, no solid foods, no cold or hot drinks, nothing. My diet for the week consisted of protein shakes used for hospital patients because it was all I could consume as I was incapable of chewing. 

Me being the superhero I am, I didn't use my prescription. The next morning after my surgery I felt fantastic. I had no pain, and I felt good - but still dizzy. My entire week consisted of me laying down on the couch, only getting up to rinse my mouth, and take care of myself. It sucked but it was my temporary reality. 

Overall, everything went okay. Recovery was ironically better than the surgery itself but nonetheless I came out and made it alive. Everyone reacts differently to surgery, and while I was able to survive mine post-op without my prescription, you may be opposite. Don't get me wrong, there was discomfort, but nothing to the extent of needing medication. 

How to PREVENT dry socket: One of the frequent correlations to having your wisdom teeth removed is the chance of getting dry socket. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot in your gum prematurely falls out, causing the wound to be exposed to air, and particles. You do not want this to happen and I was thankfully able to avoid this completely. I was SO paranoid of getting dry socket, I diligently cleaned my four wounds every hour with salt water. There was a point when a blood clot did fall out a few days later and I'm not gonna lie: I freaked out but it was natural in a way it did not affect healing. I urge you to clean your wounds and make sure your mouth is in perfect oral hygiene. If you do get dry socket it extends your healing to another week or two, depending on the severity and you need a prescription from your Doctor to aid in healing the infection. 

Post-op: A misconception with this surgery is after one week, you are free. Not true. When your mouth is healed entirely, you literally have only just begun. It takes an extra four to six weeks for the wounds to close if your Doctor did not surgically stitch them, and even if your gum is stitched, you still need to be careful. Before and after you eat MAKE SURE your gums are clean of food in the sockets. It's tedious, and gross but it has to be done. 

Kim Kardashian Hollywood tips

I'm not a huge game fan on my iPhone 5, but once in a while I come across a game I genuinely like. The Kim Kardashian Hollywood app is an app I never though I'd play for longer than a week. The game objective is, your newly moved into Los Angeles, and you happen to be friends with Kim Kardashian. She utilizes her fame to allow you to grow as a future celebrity. One of the first tasks is to work at her store, earn money, energy, and attention. As time goes on, you move onto working in small photo shoots, to national spreads, and even interviews. I am now a B-list "celebrity" and I am working the tedious task of runways. As the game progresses, you get perks to flying to different states such as New York City, and Las Vegas; and countries around the world. Essentially the more connections you have, the more you become noticed. In addition, it is imperative to speak only positively amongst other people in the industry as your fame can dwindle down rapidly. Here are some key tips, and tricks you can utilize in the Kim Kardashian Hollywood app.



1) Save your energy
This is a large complaint if you search the reviews on this game; energy. Essentially, you're given energy appearing as lightning bolts, set with a limit of 24. This energy is used to complete tasks within the project you accept and dwindles down fairly quickly. If you use all of your energy, you will have to wait  30 minutes to 2 hours before being able to complete another task. It is time consuming; use your energy wisely and pay attention to how long your project will take. If you have 1 hour left on the project, use some; but if you are down to minutes - save!

2) Be picky on the tasks you choose
In the beginning of the game you will be assigned a manger, his name is Simon. After you progress, you will be assigned a second manager named Maria. Both are vital in this game, however Simon is your go-to. He will call you to set up projects to complete such as national photo shoot spreads, to low profile photo shoot spreads. There is a difference, so pick wisely. In addition, you will be able to complete appearances, and interviews all within a time frame. If you feel you can and will benefit from your project to increase fame, then I suggest in doing so.

3) Meet people
I wish I had noticed this sooner .... meeting people allows you to gain connection. You can call someone in the business while you are on a project; for example, if you are famous enough to participate in a runway show, you can call a friend who is in the industry (i.e. model) to join you. This will give you a chance to earn more stars on your performance. 

4) Memorize locations and cities
Early in the game you are given basic cities within California to travel to. As you gain fame, you are able to travel to NYC, Las Vegas, and tropical places. Eventually when you progress, your manager assumes you know where said location is and won't tell you the location, only the name of the building. To save travel costs (because it's not free,) memorize where you have to go.

5) Invest in nice clothes
It is humorous reading the comments you receive from other famous people in the game. You will be faced with insults on your outfit but don't feel bad, you are not alone. I suggest saving money and splurging a little. Buy nice dresses and outfits that correspond to the event you need to attend. 

6) Be careful with gossip
I was so close to becoming a C list celebrity - like literally, I was shy away from one positive feedback and boom, I would have been that more famous. But no, you see. I had an 'interview', and he asked my relationship with Willow Page (you will meet her in the game) and I clicked "no comment", as in I have nothing to say but it doesn't really give you an answer to your question. He interpreted it negatively, and essentially blasted me on social media thus I lost 100,000 fans. I was devastated.


7) Aim for four stars
Try to aim for four stars while completing projects. This will ensure your fame, money, and fans (sounds cruel, right?). Majority of your projects take 2 hours, unless you're on a date or interview - make notice to time, energy, and how much energy a task will take because this effects performance. If you choose to use your energy on a task that takes away 1 energy, you will earn one star - if you choose a task that takes away 8 energy bolts, you will earn eight stars. 

8) Save your money! 

Save your money! You can buy multiple properties within the game - this is also suggested to boost fame and fortune. Be aware of what you are spending and how much. I was able to buy So Chic boutique, and a condo in Hollywood through being frugal and sacrificing energy for opportunities I knew will benefit long-term.