Ready for the semester to be over. Ready for a little break

As the semester is drawing to an end, that means finals are approaching. But if we can just get past finals that would mean that it is winter break. A break is something that is definitely needed. This semester seems to have just lasted forever but at the same time flown by if that makes any sense. I'm ready for the semester to be done, to have time to dive into one or two good books, but at the same time I'm not ready for the semester to be done either, as I have so much to do that it is crazy.

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The end of the semester is when everything pops up and needs to be done. Things that one may has procrastinated on until well now. Things that could have been done a long time ago but now you are just reading through the assignment. It is not like there is a lot to be done, but just a few things that may take a little longer time than I had thought.

It will be so nice when everything is over and the semester has ended. Then I can enjoy a few weeks of regrouping and being able to dive into the few books that have been sitting on my dresser and collecting dust, waiting to be read.

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Also the semester coming to an end means that it is the holiday seasons, which means family, friends, and holiday cooking and baking. This is a great time of the year when everyone tries to make it home and be together. There are things that need baked and trees that need decorated. It will be wonderful when finals are completed and the semester is over and winter break is here.

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Stress Relieving Ideas as Finals are Approaching

It is that time a year where college students are anxious and cannot wait to get home to enjoy Thanksgiving with their family and not to mention all the delicious home cooked meals and not cafeteria or fast food. Where they are able to spend quality time with their family. But as Thanksgiving is approaching it also means that we are getting closer and closer to finals week. This means that everyone is on edge and their stress levels just keep rising and rising. As we freak out that finals is coming and that we have endless papers due and tests to study for it is important we find something to do to relieve our stress. There are many things that can be done to relieve stress, here are just a few.

1. Find a pet or a friend with a pet: pet therapy is an extremely helpful stress reliever, like who doesn't love puppies and kitties. This is a great way to take a few minutes whether it is during the day or the week and surround yourself with a pet, they will diminish any stress that you have. This is Theodore "Theo" who is my family's dog, he is a great stress reliever.

2. Yoga. Yoga is another great way to relieve stress. It is a calming exercise where you go at your own pace and no one is rushing you. You work on breathing techniques and stretching all of that stress away.


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3. Go for a run. Running is a way that is great for relieving stress. Although it is getting cold out, the fresh air is great for clearing the mind and so is running. These two pair great together.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCJLa-6vunMkCFQx0PgodJyUHBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpastorsponderings.org%2F2015%2F09%2F04%2Frun-from-church%2F&bvm=bv.107763241,d.cWw&psig=AFQjCNHzIyE3gLukipKWraPUkTwDXX0TWQ&ust=1448035384221707

4. Color or paint. Coloring or painting is a great way to relieve stress and one even gets to feel like a kid again.

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5. Have a cup of tea. Tea is a great way to relieve stress. Make a cup of tea and sit where it is quiet and no one is there to bug you, this will help relieve any stress that you may have

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Christmas Goodies to try for the season

It is that time of year where everyone is beginning to prep for the holidays. Whether people are starting on prepping for Thanksgiving or even Christmas. I know my family this weekend is beginning to bake for Christmas, that way we aren’t bombarded the week before Christmas. It is so hard to choose what to make for Christmas goodies as there are so many good things to make out there. I could live on Pinterest, there are so many cute and clever ideas to make for Christmas goodies. However some are really, really cute, but they would take a lot more patience then I have to sit there and decorate a miniscule little goodie only to be eaten, ha. Then everyone also has their traditional goodies that get made during the holiday season. I know our tradition is homemade ice cream, Christmas cookie cutter sugar cookies, hard candy, fudge, pecan delights, and kolaches. However as we stay towards our traditional baked goodies there are a few new things I would like to try out this Christmas season. 

1. Peppermint Bark

This looks like a really fun thing to try that would be great to munch on through the day especially when playing cards. And also something to fix that sweet tooth craving. 

 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159596380520643304/ 

2. Peanut Butter Balls

This is another holiday goodie that I wanted to try making and something that wouldn't be too difficult either. 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159596380520643304/ 

 

3. Chocolate covered stirring spoons

These always look fun to make, I have seen them be given as gifts. You make a variety of flavors and either stir your hot chocolate or coffee with them. 

 

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/104349504/chocolate-covered-spoons-coffee-stir-hot?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share 

4. Eggnog Snickerdoodles

I am a big fan of snickerdoodle cookies, so this was a must try.

 

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5. Oven Baked Carmel Corn

Carmel corn is always good and something that everyone can munch on throughout the day.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/144044888057715390/ 

 

 

Winter Reading List

Seeing that Christmas is coming up and as a senior finishing up schooling that means winter break. Although there still will be work, that may give me a little more free time with no school. That means that I could read the books that I thought sound interesting and have been on my list for quite some time, well since summer. With working 30-40 hours and a full time college student well there hasn’t been much time for reading, unless it’s homework. How does one find the time to read? When is the best time to read? I find that the best time for me to read is before bed, when everything is finished work is done and so is homework. When I have the time I can read a book in two days, but balancing work and school it seems to take nearly a month. Here is my list of books I would like to attempt during winter break.

 

1.       The Help

a.       Kathryn Stockett

                                                               i.     This is the story told from women Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter. Each have various roles in Jackson, Missippi. One of the girls begins talking to and getting to know the African American maids and realizes what they all go through. As a journalist she wants people to know the real truth of what the maids go through and how differently they are treated. This story tells the lives of the three women and their different roles they play between being considered privileged and the help. I have seen the movie, but really want to read the book.

                   b.

                                                               i.      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thehelpbookcover.jpg

2.       My Sister’s Keeper

a.       Jodi Picoult

                                                               i.      In the book My Sister’s Keeper, a young preteen has taken it into her own hands to sue her parents to the right to her own body. She was what they call a designer baby. She was made specifically designed to be the perfect organ match for her sister, who is dying from Leukemia. But what happens when she doesn’t have a say in this if she doesn’t want to give up her own organs, as that might means side effects, and even not be able to become pregnant ever when older. But what if also her older sister knows she is dying and that nothing will help but will her parents listen to them. I have read this book but it is one that I can read over and over.

              b.

                                                               i.      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sisterskeeper.jpg

3.       Gone Girl

a.       Gillian Flynn

                                                               i.      When Nick’s wife goes missing all eyes are on him as the prime suspect. She disappeared on their wedding anniversary, leaving clues for him to try and find her. They each have different views on how their marriage is going. Different things and events make Nick look even more promising to be the suspect, but is he just in the wrong spot at the right time, or did he actually have something to do with it. I haven’t read this book yet but I have seen the movie.

             b.

                                                               i.      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gone_Girl_(Flynn_novel).jpg

4.       The Longest Ride

a.       Nicholas Sparks

                                                               i.      A college girl who has a love for art attends a rodeo where she watches Luke who is a bull rider. She meets him and they begin falling for him. When an elderly man becomes in an accident Luke is there to save the day. However what they don’t know is how this old man can bring Luke and Sophia together.

                 b.

                                                               i.      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Longest_Ride_(Sparks_novel).jpg

5.       Plain Truth

a.       Jodi Picoult

                                                               i.      In the book Plain Truth it is about Amish life in which isn’t hardly observed by the outsiders. A teenage becomes pregnant and hides her pregnancy. Soon she becomes on trial after the baby’s body is found. When a lawyer decides to defend her she is in the middle of everything. She is in the middle of the law, their culture, and how things should be treated and dealt with. I thought that this sounded like an interesting read.

                   b.

                                                               i.      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plain_Truth.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Now What Was I Saying...

Sometimes it is difficult to think of what to write about and blog. Some days the topic comes right to mind. There are so many topics out there but at the same time I cannot think of anything to write about. Sometimes I think that I start off with such a great topic and then it dries up so fast and don’t have as much to say about it than I thought. Instead of trying to think of something to blog about I was going to create a list of blog ideas to help me when I can’t think of any topics and help others too. There are so many topics out there it is hard to decide what to blog about, or sometimes it is hard to find one that pertains to the individual.

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• ·                Favorite Coffee Shop
• ·                Favorite coffee drink                            
• ·                Coffee vs. Tea
• ·                Create a bucket list
• ·                The best vacationing spot
• ·                Midterms
• ·                Finals
• ·                Balancing work and school
• ·                Why or how you started your blog
• ·                A vacation that went wrong
• ·                Write a letter to yourself addressed to the future you
• ·                Favorite book or movie
• ·                Favorite place to dine
• ·                A survival list of tips and tricks for the freshman you in college, you would have wanted
• ·                The best place you’ve ate at during a vacation



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• ·                A spring break experience 

• 

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