…there was light…

“Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while… and hope returned to him.
For the thought pierced him that in the end the shadow was only a small and passing thing:
there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach”

~J.R.R. Tolkien
Return of the King

These words of Tolkien are so powerful and especially touching at this moment in time because he reminds us that there is strength in the darkness. Hope is never lost, and there is still so much beauty in the world beyond what we can see right now. Better days will come, and the light will always shine in the end… Never forget that.

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During this time…

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

~Maya Angelou

in the end…

“in the end, she became

more than what she expected.

she became the journey,

and like all journeys,

she did not end, she just

simply changed directions

and kept going.”

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*quote: r.m. drake

*photo: richard jean-louis

Study Tips: Finals

It is finals week!

Before you surround yourself with a monstrosity of textbooks and attempt to recall that lecture back from August, I want to share a few study tips that might be beneficial to you… I have compiled a small list, so I hope this helps!

1) Write with red ink

I have read several articles that the color, red, is most effective for enhancing memory, so I write in red ink when I am studying important concepts or formulas that I need to memorize. I believe it really works!

2) Go to the library

Honestly, it’s really difficult for me to study for a long time at home because I constantly find excuses to get up or become distracted with something else… I am much more productive when I go to the library because I am surrounded by people who are working as well. I get more done, and I am more focused in the end.

3) Keep a paper and reread it constantly

Everyone has their own way of retaining material, but it really helps me to write down all of the concepts that I am struggling on a few sheets of paper, keep them with me, and reread them several times throughout the day. It keeps the material fresh in my head, and I am able to recall it much quicker.

4) Set aside a specific amount of time

We all know the classic excuse: “I ran out of time to study…” That mentality just leads to cramming the night before an exam which is the worst (believe me.) Therefore, I set aside a specific amount of time each day, and I study for that full amount of time even if I don’t do it in one sitting.

I tell myself: “Set a time. Make it a priority. Do it. No excuses.”

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The semester is almost over, and we are right at the finish line… We can do this! I really hope this post was helpful, and please don’t hesitate to share your own study techniques in the comments. Good luck on your exams!!

-shadows-

“Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby.”

Quote: Ruth E. Renkel

Decisions

“Decisions. We can think about things, turn them over in our minds a million times, play out possible scenarios, but really when it comes down to it, you have to go with your heart and move forward. Maybe things will go well. Maybe they’ll turn out poorly. Every decision brings with it some good, some bad, some lessons, and some luck. The only thing that’s for sure is that indecision steals many years from many people who wind up wishing they’d just had the courage to leap.”

~Doe Zantamata

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It can be scary to make a decision especially if it entails major changes in your life. Sometimes, you are put in a situation where you are given two very different options, and you are forced to choose which path to take. You are not sure which one is “right” and you don’t really know where you are meant to go, so you spend time contemplating the alternatives. Days go by, followed by weeks, and even months. Your gut feeling tells you which path to take, but you are too paralyzed to actually make things happen because you worry that you are wrong and fear the pit of regret. However, you cannot spend your entire life dwelling on the unknown because the truth is that you are never going to be 100% sure of every outcome. It is not possible. You are wasting so many opportunities if you let fear take complete control and if you allow other people to sway your direction in life. Do what you want to do, and go where you feel like you should be. Definitely consider the outcomes, but don’t spend your entire life sitting around waiting because you are afraid.

Make a decision. Make it happen.

Reflection from the week…

*Photo Credits: Claire H.

Breathe Easy…

Small problems have a tendency to invade our minds as we obsess, overthink, stress, and worry about them… Over time, it becomes hard to stop these negative thoughts, and the small problems ultimately end up feeling much bigger than they actually are. However, I have realized that most of the things that are stressful right now wont even matter in a few months, and our brain often over-analyzes situations that are actually quite simple. Everything will be sorted out the way it is suppose to with time, so don’t allow these thoughts and situations to create unnecessary chaos in your daily life. Instead, remind yourself that most of the stress that you are feeling right now is simply a cluster of small problems that the brain has manipulated to feel much bigger than they actually are.

“90% of what you are

stressing over today won’t

even be relevant in a year.

Breathe easy.”

~Wesley Snipes

What are your thoughts on this? Was this post helpful to ease some of the tension in your life? How do you deal with stressful situations? Happy Friday!

Dryads & Shades

Excerpts from two beautiful ballets filled the stage last week as dryads instantly transformed into a kingdom of shades.

Right after floating through the dream scene of Don Quixote, I only had a few seconds to recover before jumping into the first shade variation of La Bayadere. I had performed it before, but I forgot how physically demanding it was especially in addition to the corps de ballet work. It is one of the fastest variations that I have ever done, so maintaining precise execution of each step, despite the fatigue, is an incredibly challenging endeavor. However, the encouraging cheers from the audience gave me so much energy, and I finished stronger than I ever had in rehearsal. When I hit my final pose, I couldn’t hold back the giant smile that radiated from my face… It was a great show!

au revoir

It is so bittersweet to say goodbye to people after graduation and watch as they begin a new chapter in life… My friends have proven to me, time and time again, the true outcome of hard work as they receive job offers, college letters, and other opportunities that lead them to their dreams. I want to congratulate everyone in Class 2019 who has reached this milestone, and I wish you the best of luck as you go off to make a future for yourself.

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~Thanks, Tiff, for inviting me to your graduation party last night. It has been so neat to watch you grow throughout the years, and I wont forget all of the memories that we made. I cannot wait to see what your future holds, and I hope that you have an awesome experience next year. Congrats, and good luck with everything!

au revoir.

Sunshine Blogger Award

“The Sunshine Blogger Award is peer recognition award for bloggers that inspires positivity and joy.”

I am so humbled to have been nominated for this award by one of my awesome followers, rubeenafaisal. I am glad that my blog is viewed in such a positive way, and I hope that my posts continue to inspire my readers. Thank you so much for this recognition! 🙂

Rules:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog so others can find them.
• List the rules and display an award logo on your blog post.
• Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
• Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and notify them by commenting on any of their posts.
• Ask the nominees 11 new questions.

Questions for Me:

1) Name any two qualities a blogger should have according to you?

I think it is important that a blogger is considerate of other readers’ opinions when posting content, and creativity is always a good quality to have.

2) A social incident that shook your head and heart so far?

Honestly, there are a few incidents that would be a great response to this question, but they are quite personal…

3) Name any 2 of your favourite book that you recommend others to read?

I haven’t read many (non-academic) books recently, but I was obsessed with the Harry Potter series last summer. I also loved Almost Home by Joan Bauer because it was so eye opening.

4) if you could change your nationality which one will you select and why?

I have never actually been, but Greece seems like such a beautiful place! The history, artwork, and food is so awesome, so I think it would be pretty neat to be Greek.

5) A place that you’re dieing to visit for a long time?

I would love to cruise through the Bahamas someday.

6) Your favourite spot?

Does my bed count? It is so comfortable, and I could rest my eyes for HOURS if I had the time.

7)watching a movie or reading a book, which one you prefer the most?

Personally, I prefer watching a movie because I have to read so much for school that I have (temporarily) lost the patience/joy of reading a book.

8) Two of your favourite quote?

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work” (Colin Powell).

“She believed she could so she did” (Unknown).

9) An adventurous thing to do in your bucketlist?

I really want to go snorkeling by a coral reef again.

10) Name any two famous personality whom you would like to inspire?

I do not follow celebrity news or entertainment, so I don’t have a famous inspiration unless you are talking about ballet. In that case, I think Sara Mearns has been the most inspirational for me. She is so humble which has really motivated me to keep working for my goals, and her optimistic mentality has really kept me hungry for success.

11) Your favourite cartoon character?

Unfortunately, I do not watch very much t.v, so I don’t know. Sorry!

I nominate…

1. Gayle
2. T.R. Noble
3. fourtysomethingheyhey
4. Hayley
5. Maggie
6. Hannah
7. Rebekah
8. Ariana
9. Girl in the White Shirt
10. Ezra
11. Kaycee

My Questions for Nominees:

1. What is your favorite thing about the summer?
2. Where would your dream vacation be?
3. How long do you spend on your blog/reader each day?
4. Pool or beach?
5. Have you had a particular song on repeat lately? Which one?
6. Lemonade or sweet tea on a hot summer afternoon?
7. What is the latest that you have ever slept in?
8. Do you have a favorite fruit?
9. Where do you go most often when you are with your friends?
10. What was the last book that you read?
11. Do you prefer the coast or the mountains?

Please do not feel obligated to participate, and I completely respect your decision either way. Thanks again,rubeenafaisal, for nominating me!

*** I do not own the rights to this photo, and it was copied directly from Huguette Antoun.