This 3rd semester has taken me for quite the ride. Which is partly why Houston and red candles burning and the 567,998 Christmas decorations my mother puts up were especially appreciated this holiday season. Now kiddos, I know sophomore year has been eternally labeled as the "meh" year. In high school, all I remember (mostly because I've blocked the rest of it out of my mind forever) is countless hours spent reading Beowulf, BS-ing my way through world history, and pulling my hair out for signing up for the advanced level of French 3.
Alessandra. What is wrong with you.
I was afraid that I would meet the same fate when starting off my second year in college. Would I like my new roommate? Would I meet someone new? Would I finally wake up early enough to have a decent breakfast AND a decent lunch at their respective hours? Nerve-wracking as it all seems, one must always be hopeful. Looking back on it all, this semester was rougher than the past. But now that it's all finally over (and my lecture notes are all burnt to a crisp), I'm wanting to focus less on the nights I spent crying over Pride and Prejudice and more on the important lessons I've learned (either by choice or by force). And they are as follows:
- Allow yourself to make mistakes. Seriously-- you're only human. It's always good to keep yourself in check, but honestly, life is too short to pine over the mistakes of the past. Look forward and understand that this crazy whirlwind is entirely a learning process. Learn as you go. Lessons 'round the clock. Consider why we look up to those we call "geniuses." Those people got learnt.
- Nothing beats smelling good (yourself and your apartment). Okay, please, let's be real here. Sometimes the shower is too far away and the you're only on the 8th episode of Gossip Girl and you've been in bed all day and GOD FORBID YOU FALL ASLEEP WITHOUT HAVING WASHED YOUR HAIR. We all skip a day. Let's be honest. But sometimes, taking a long, warm shower and making use of all those raspberry-grapefruit-pine-cotton scented products from Bath and Body Works you got that one Christmas is just what you need to make your day better. Same goes for candles. My roommate introduced me to the power of incense and warm candlelight, even if you are only scarfing down a pizza while home, date-less. Candles create ambiance and can really mellow you out.
- On that note, being alone is OKAY. I'm the first one to tell you that I have lone-issues. I'd rather have the house constantly filled with people than the other way around. But living in a 2x2 with a pre-med roommate (whom, have I mentioned, I adore to pieces?), has forced me to understand that alone-time is a good thing. And necessary.
- Whataburger can cure a distraught mind. It has been not-so-scientifically proven that Whataburger can mend anything from a hangover to an empty stomach. But this semester, I have learned that one of its key advantages is the power to cure a worn-out brain. This year, it got me through my last final and a tough day of interviews and headline hunting. (#journieprobs anyone?) Continuous efforts to prove that Whataburger can in fact, be the cure to all things are still a GO. Beyoncé as well.
- Lastly, sometimes you need to endure a social reboot. This year has been filled with a bit more drama than most. Maybe I was well-practiced in middle school. But in high school, my 3 friends and I were proud of our isolationist tactics for staying out of the gossip circles and spent most of our days making videos in funny accents or reading whale novels at the local coffeeshop. But this semester, I was reminded of how close to starting over I really was, and that not everyone is necessarily looking out for my best interest. Vacation is a great time to step back, reevaluate, and ask yourself if you think you're receiving the respect you deserve from those around you. Sounds harsh, but still oh-so-important.
And that's all I have for you this fine December afternoon! Resolutions for 2015 to come (and YES they do include blogging more frequently, pinky promise)! Now go downstairs and bake some cookies.
And then bring me some.
Happy Holidays!
Ale
