I Finally Friggin Did It!

I'm a little shocked to be saying this, but I graduated from college yesterday. It's actually official: I'm done. It may have taken me seven years at two universities, but I did it and I'm proud. I wish I could say that it had been easy, but as much fun as I had in college, getting to graduation was a struggle. I could never have done it alone and am so thankful to have had the support of my parents, family and friends to help me get to where I am. It was a truly amazing feeling to see so many supportive, smiling, familiar faces celebrating with me at my ceremony and Luncheon yesterday. It is thanks in large part to them that I was able to change and grow so much during my time at school. I finally feel ready to grow up and I'm so excited for the next step in my life.

That being said, I'm a little bit totally terrified.  

These next few months hold plenty of adventure...15 days in Israel, 10 in New York and 20 days traveling all over Europe.  I'm extremely excited, but a little nervous to go so far from home for such long periods of time. I hope these trips help me phase out of college and into the real world and continue to grow emotionally and spiritually along the way before I have to move back in with my parents and find a job (hopefully somewhere on the east coast!).

I've always wanted to leave California and I think I finally have the courage to do it, but I'm scared.  Even though I want to leave and try something new, Long Beach has become my home over the five years I've been here and leaving is going to be heart-wrenching. The people I've met and experiences I had here during college have left me with a million memories that I'll never forget!

So thank you Cal State Long Beach for giving me five amazing years, the opportunity to be a college cheerleader for a year, introducing me to my Alpha Phi sisters and the other friends I made here, helping me grow both intellectually and internally and hopefully (fingers crossed!) preparing me for the real world.

If you feel like you're walking in my shoes too right now...

The best advice I can give is don't be afraid to put yourself first.  This is the time to take chances and explore the world (and yourself.)

In the words of Kasey Musgraves "Follow your arrow where ever it points."

Congratulations to the class of 2013! Now here's to moving forward!

5 Things I Learned from Clueless that got me Through College

Clueless is EASILY my favorite movie and it should probably be yours too.  I've seen it so many times that even my dad can quote it.  Not only are the costumes and music fabulously 90s, but Cher Horowitz is one of the most entertaining and educational characters ever created.  The hidden life lessons sprinkled through the movie are what makes it so great so here are a few of my favorites that helped me get through my four seven years in undergrad.

5. "when your allergies act up take out your nose ring!"

•  So I don't actually have a nose ring, but overall this is really good advice that applies to all things fashion.  If your feet hurt, skip the heels or they'll ruin your night.  Looking good isn't worth risking your health.

4."'tis a far far better thing doing stuff for other people."

• college students are notoriously narcissistic.  There's just something about going to school that makes you think you're the most important person on the planet and all of your problems are bigger than everyone else. Take some time to help out others, whether it's something as little as lending someone a pencil or emailing them your notes, or putting the extra time in to getting donations for your sorority's philanthropy event. There's just something about helping other people that makes you feel good.

3."in some parts of the universe, maybe not in contempo-casual, but in some parts, it's considered cool to know what's going on in the world."

• In college it stops being ok to be ignorant about politics, news and current events.  It won't kill you to watch the news and at the very least you can skim newspaper headlines a few times a week.  There are few things more embarrassing then being the only one in a group who has no idea what everyone is talking about and there's really no excuse.

2. "It is one thing to spark up a doobie and get laced at parties, but it is quite another to be fried all day"

• This one is probably the hardest to remember.  Everything is fine in moderation....of course you're going to party.  It's college.  But you also have to go to class and be a functioning member of society.  Keep that in mind next time your day-rage turns into a 3 day binge.

1."Grades are just a jumping off point to start negotiations"

• The most important skill I learned from clueless and the only reason I got through school.  Talk to your teachers!! Show up to office hours a few times, raise your hand during class once in a while and theres pretty much no limit to what you can convince your teachers to do.  

So there you go. 5 little tid bits of advice from the greatest movie ever made!