Life is all about balance--but I believe that you should balance things in your own way.
For instance, I'm not the kind of person who can spend all of my time studying, but I also can't goof around all the time. I can't spend a ton of time with my friends, but I can't be without them for long stretches of time, either. The biggest thing is that I have to be going constantly. I can't "stop and smell the roses." That drives me insane.
So far, I feel like I'm leading a pretty balanced life at college. First and foremost, my diet has certainly become much more balance. I eat a lot more fruits and vegetables, and I almost never eat pizza and other junk foods. I'm making straight A's in all of my classes as well as spending time with my friends and going out a couple nights a week. I've been able to do extracirriculars, too--I'm very involved in fashion board and Delta Zeta. I don't always excercise at the gym, but I do walk most places--I ususally spend an hour or more walking every day.
The only thing that's not very balanced is the amount of sleep I get. I don't always get enough, that's for sure. Red Bull has become my best friend because of my lack of sleep. However, the way I see it, it will all pay off in the end.
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
Friday, October 30, 2009
A 6th grader beat me at checkers...twice.
So far, I've only had two mentoring sessions with my mentee. The first session was just kind of getting to know her, learning names, etc. This second session (the one that just ended less than an hour ago) was the first "real" session so to speak.
Today, we just sat and played checkers in near-silence. It seems to me that Alice just needs someone to hang out with. She's a very motivated young woman--she wants to get and stay organized, and she wants to make good grades. She's taking steps to make that happen. What's nteresting to me is that she seems to be able to force herself to do the work that she doesn't particularly enjoy, like math. She told me multiple times last session that she doesn't like math, but today she told me that she thinks she did well on her math test! The arts seem to be more her thing though--at school, she's involved in art classes and orchestra. Several of her drawings were displayed on the walls at school.
The only thing I think I need as a mentor is a list of discussion questions...I never really know what to talk about!! She's a very sweet girl, but it's hard to get her talking.
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
Today, we just sat and played checkers in near-silence. It seems to me that Alice just needs someone to hang out with. She's a very motivated young woman--she wants to get and stay organized, and she wants to make good grades. She's taking steps to make that happen. What's nteresting to me is that she seems to be able to force herself to do the work that she doesn't particularly enjoy, like math. She told me multiple times last session that she doesn't like math, but today she told me that she thinks she did well on her math test! The arts seem to be more her thing though--at school, she's involved in art classes and orchestra. Several of her drawings were displayed on the walls at school.
The only thing I think I need as a mentor is a list of discussion questions...I never really know what to talk about!! She's a very sweet girl, but it's hard to get her talking.
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
Thursday, October 29, 2009
You know that I could use somebody...
Recently, "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon has become one of my favorite songs. I love the raw power and angst of the song, and the lyrics are beautiful. They sound more like a poem than a song. Obviously, I love the original version of the song, but I've also heard several covers that are AWESOME. Margaret Durante's version is pretty good, but I much prefer the versions by Pixie Lott and Laura Jansen.
Each voice gives the song a different tone--the original version by Kings of Leon has a wonderful roughness to it, as does Pixie Lott's version (though hers is slower and a bit softer). I'm not sure if I like how "pop country" Margaret Durante's version is--the song seems to lose a lot of the angst and pain that make it good in the first place. Laura Jansen's version is the best of the females--it retains the pain and power of the original version while still making the song soft and smooth.
Listen to all of them and let me know what you think!!
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
Each voice gives the song a different tone--the original version by Kings of Leon has a wonderful roughness to it, as does Pixie Lott's version (though hers is slower and a bit softer). I'm not sure if I like how "pop country" Margaret Durante's version is--the song seems to lose a lot of the angst and pain that make it good in the first place. Laura Jansen's version is the best of the females--it retains the pain and power of the original version while still making the song soft and smooth.
Listen to all of them and let me know what you think!!
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
Friday, October 23, 2009
Life is no good without a little spice.
I'm a firm believer in learning about other cultures. I believe it makes us question our own world view and makes us better people. Which is why I'm a huge fan of diversity.
Prior to coming to Carolina, I thought of diversity on more of a world scale--I thought of "diversity" in terms of countries--Japanese people, Chinese people, Hispanic people...it wasn't really I saw in my own backyard. Since coming here, I see it more and more in my everyday life--people can be diverse in terms of their talents and interests, not just the color of their skin or what holidays they celebrate.
Take, for instance, the girls in my sorority. Outwardly, I suppose, we look similar. However, once you get to know everyone, you know that we're all different--some of us like Twilight, others like to read case studies. Some are pre-med, some are pre-law, and some are fashion. Some people are better leaders and some are better followers. Some eat only salad and others eat like 15-year old boys. Some are athletic, some are artsy.
I see it in terms of the other students here on campus, too--there are Greeks, non-Greeks, those who are involved and those who are not, the introverts and the extroverts, the northerners and southerners, the haves and have-nots.
I haven't really been at Hand Middle long enough to see how diverse the school really is, but these are my observations so far: my mentee, let's call her Alice, is hispanic. She's certainly not the only Hispanic child there--there are white children and African-American children as well. It's a very well-balanced school in terms of ethnicity. In addition, Alice has a talent for the arts, not so much for math and science (very similar to me). Other kids at the school are more athletic, while some are more academically-oriented.
Basically, diversity is not just about the color of your skin--it's about who you are and the way you live. Where do you see diversity in your life?
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
Prior to coming to Carolina, I thought of diversity on more of a world scale--I thought of "diversity" in terms of countries--Japanese people, Chinese people, Hispanic people...it wasn't really I saw in my own backyard. Since coming here, I see it more and more in my everyday life--people can be diverse in terms of their talents and interests, not just the color of their skin or what holidays they celebrate.
Take, for instance, the girls in my sorority. Outwardly, I suppose, we look similar. However, once you get to know everyone, you know that we're all different--some of us like Twilight, others like to read case studies. Some are pre-med, some are pre-law, and some are fashion. Some people are better leaders and some are better followers. Some eat only salad and others eat like 15-year old boys. Some are athletic, some are artsy.
I see it in terms of the other students here on campus, too--there are Greeks, non-Greeks, those who are involved and those who are not, the introverts and the extroverts, the northerners and southerners, the haves and have-nots.
I haven't really been at Hand Middle long enough to see how diverse the school really is, but these are my observations so far: my mentee, let's call her Alice, is hispanic. She's certainly not the only Hispanic child there--there are white children and African-American children as well. It's a very well-balanced school in terms of ethnicity. In addition, Alice has a talent for the arts, not so much for math and science (very similar to me). Other kids at the school are more athletic, while some are more academically-oriented.
Basically, diversity is not just about the color of your skin--it's about who you are and the way you live. Where do you see diversity in your life?
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The original is always better.
I've loved indie music since I was a freshman in high school, and one of my favorite indie songs (well, indie when I first heard it) is "The Mixed Tape" by Jack's Mannequin.
It is an absolutely beautiful song, and, initially, it had an awesome animated music video, which I felt captured to essence of the song perfectly. However, the music video was soon replaced with a live-action version not nearly as good as the first.
This evening, thanks to the miracle of YouTube, I found the original animated version. And it was just as epic as I remembered.
Enjoy. :)
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
It is an absolutely beautiful song, and, initially, it had an awesome animated music video, which I felt captured to essence of the song perfectly. However, the music video was soon replaced with a live-action version not nearly as good as the first.
This evening, thanks to the miracle of YouTube, I found the original animated version. And it was just as epic as I remembered.
Enjoy. :)
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
Friday, October 16, 2009
In need of a change.
I hate structure. I really do. The structure I need is a lack of structure. When things get too structured or boring, I have to change it up.
Usually I do that via my hair.
It's dark now, but it's lightening up again (thanks to months of bleaching it beyond belief). I need a change. I was thinking dark blonde (like Jennifer Aniston), or even light brown with blonde highlights (like Mischa Barton when she was on The O.C.), and maybe some bangs. (The bangs are a big maybe).
Option 1...
Option 2...
Let me know!
xoxo, Laura
Usually I do that via my hair.
It's dark now, but it's lightening up again (thanks to months of bleaching it beyond belief). I need a change. I was thinking dark blonde (like Jennifer Aniston), or even light brown with blonde highlights (like Mischa Barton when she was on The O.C.), and maybe some bangs. (The bangs are a big maybe).
Option 1...
Option 2...
Let me know!xoxo, Laura
The big picture.
I've said it more than once--fashion is my life.
Thus, it only made sense for me to come to Carolina and major and fashion merchandising (if you want to get technical, my major is actually retailing with an emphasis in fashion merchandising). My family was very supportive--they know I'm good at what I do--but other people don't really get it. They say to me, "Fashion merchandising? What kind of major is that? What are you going to do with the rest of your life? SHOP?"
In a word, yes. Sort of.
Throughout my undergrad years, I want to study abroad in London and Paris. I would also like to do something in Los Angeles and New York. For my major, we actually have to do an intership one semester--I'm planning on doing mine in Paris and simultaneously studying at the Paris Fashion Institute. Hopefully that will be the second time that I will be working there!
Once I graduate, I want to work for a big designer like Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, or Yves Saint Laurent. I would like to work in styling and public relations. Another option is styling for a magazine like Elle, Vogue, or W. A third option is becoming a buyer for a large department store such as Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman. No matter how it all works out, I'm sure I will be very happy--as long as I'm in fashion, I'm good!
Even if money and education weren't factors, this is what I would want to be doing. It's not a glamorous lifestyle--there's long hours, endless travel, and an exhausting amount of work involved. It's not like what you see on TV on shows like The Hills and The City. The thing is, though, when I think about working in such an intense environment, I get excited. I WANT to work those long hours, I WANT to live out of a suitcase, and I WANT to feel like I'm going to drop dead at any moment from exhaustion. I want to run on coffee and red bull and fruit salad, deal with jet lag, and work until 2 AM...it sounds crazy, but it really is my dream. For me, working in fashion is not an option--it is something that is GOING to happen.
What's your dream?
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
Thus, it only made sense for me to come to Carolina and major and fashion merchandising (if you want to get technical, my major is actually retailing with an emphasis in fashion merchandising). My family was very supportive--they know I'm good at what I do--but other people don't really get it. They say to me, "Fashion merchandising? What kind of major is that? What are you going to do with the rest of your life? SHOP?"
In a word, yes. Sort of.
Throughout my undergrad years, I want to study abroad in London and Paris. I would also like to do something in Los Angeles and New York. For my major, we actually have to do an intership one semester--I'm planning on doing mine in Paris and simultaneously studying at the Paris Fashion Institute. Hopefully that will be the second time that I will be working there!
Once I graduate, I want to work for a big designer like Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, or Yves Saint Laurent. I would like to work in styling and public relations. Another option is styling for a magazine like Elle, Vogue, or W. A third option is becoming a buyer for a large department store such as Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman. No matter how it all works out, I'm sure I will be very happy--as long as I'm in fashion, I'm good!
Even if money and education weren't factors, this is what I would want to be doing. It's not a glamorous lifestyle--there's long hours, endless travel, and an exhausting amount of work involved. It's not like what you see on TV on shows like The Hills and The City. The thing is, though, when I think about working in such an intense environment, I get excited. I WANT to work those long hours, I WANT to live out of a suitcase, and I WANT to feel like I'm going to drop dead at any moment from exhaustion. I want to run on coffee and red bull and fruit salad, deal with jet lag, and work until 2 AM...it sounds crazy, but it really is my dream. For me, working in fashion is not an option--it is something that is GOING to happen.
What's your dream?
Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura
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