Is it nap time yet?

As the day begins to end, I have once again, have never felt so thankful that it is Friday. This past week has been tiring and stressful for not only to me, but for the rest of my peers. The Fall Semester is winding down and that means papers, projects, exams, and presentations are due soon.

For those who are studying abroad like me, we not only have to think about finishing everything, but we also have to deal of moving out from our dorms. Can I just say that moving itself is stressful enough? I'm still thinking how I'm going to take my fridge and microwave out of my dorm. I'm thinking of sugarcoating my male friends or making them feel bad until they help me. One of those has to work, right?

It's going to be non-stop for now on. But although that is the case, I'm still going to need my naps. If I'm going to read pages of my history books and that psychology textbook, then I'm definitely going to need to recharge myself. If not, I'm still going to fall asleep reading halfway into the book and then fall asleep.

The end of a much needed break

It is officially Monday and that means there is at least 3 weeks left of school...well, at least for me. This past week has been nothing but sleep, sleep, and more sleep. I didn't even bother packing homework in my suitcase for my trip back home for Thanksgiving break. Who was I kidding? It was definitely not going to get done. It would have just taken up space. Traveling was already stressful as it was.

And speaking of traveling, can someone tell me why I ALWAYS forget something either at home and at school?. I forgot my planner at home. Do you know how horrible that is?! I sound a bit lame, but I'm sure college students can relate with me

I have no idea if I have meetings to go to today, tomorrow, or next week. Hopefully, I don't have anything important to do until I can get my mom to mail it to me. Yes, I'm serious. I want my planner, damn it!

But enough with the rambling. Thanksgiving is over (unfortunately) and I, along with the rest of my peers, are back at school to catch up on the never ending mountain of work  and trying to figure out what our days consist of for the last 3 weeks of school.

By the way, what kind of professor gives you a quiz the Monday you return from break?...Now that's just rude.

Telemarketers: What do you want from me now?

Lately, I've been getting these annoying calls from telemarketers. I don't know how they got my number, but frankly they need to stop.

What's even more annoying, when you decide to finally pick one up, just to see what the hell they want, there is no answer. It's usually from the same number and if I knew how to, I would definitely have blocked them a long time ago.

I feel like I'm always being harassed by these people and I never know when it's a legitimate phone call or not. (I could be missing a phone call from my future husband!...just saying).

I've looked into it and there's a Do Not Call list that people can sign up for, but I've read the reviews and people have been saying that it's no good.

I don't know, but I'm at the point where I'm going to answer these calls, say "No," and hang up.

That sounds more efficient, right?

Living paycheck to paycheck

Last night, I had the most heart wrenching email I thought I could have at the moment. I got an email saying that I had an outstanding account and if I didn't pay it by November 15, then the school had the right to revoke my study abroad privileges. I knew I had to pay in order to take my finals, but I didn't know I had to pay so soon.

For those few minutes, as I read the email, I couldn't believe that all my hard work was going to be for nothing. I worked for months trying to earn money to pay for airplane tickets, passport fees, visa fees, deposit fees. There were so many times I thought I was not going to study abroad because I didn't have the financial means to afford it. I kept thinking that it wasn't meant for somebody like me. I was already struggling to earn enough to pay for my school bill, what was I doing trying to study abroad? That's only for those who can afford it, right?

At that moment, I realized that although that may be the case, I now know how to live paycheck to paycheck. Literally, everything I earned was sent to pay fees, fees, and more fees. I kept ending up with just $10 every week in my account. Barely enough to do my laundry. If only my school gave more opportunities to work, more hours, more...everything. But the main lesson I learned, am still learning I guess, is that I am definitely ready for the real world. I know how to sacrifice what I want now to what will benefit me in the future. I now know how to be completely independent. To be an adult. And although it may be though, it has definitely made me stronger.

I never realized it either, but there are thousands of students that I never thought of in the same situation. Each one of us have our own stories, but we're all struggling to gain the education that we want and need and we're all struggling to enjoy our youth while being responsible at the same time. It's hard work, a lot of hard work, but we can all persevere.

Fortunately, the school gave me an extension. I should definitely have the money by the deadline they gave me, but it was even a struggle gaining the courage to swallow up my pride and asking for help.

No matter how bad it may seem, it's always good to keep on laughing.

President Obama re-elected for another term

Last night, my campus hosted an election party to watch the count of the votes. I was unable to go it due to work, but my friends posted tons of pictures and videos of everyone at the party.

Needless to say, once the final count was done, s$#t got real (excuse my language). It was such an intense and anxious moment before the announcement. I know for a fact, people around campus were talking left and right about who would win and what that would mean for the next four years of our country.

If Romney won, would he try to help the lower class? Would he focus on the more privilège? Would he actually help our country?

If Obama won, would he do things differently? Is he actually going to solve the employment problem? The war in Iraq? The immigration problems and discriminations?

Whichever side someone was on, tension was high all over campus. Anxiousness and nervousness were at an all time high; especially when the news about Obama losing 600 votes because people were posting pictures of their ballots online. I suggest for new time voters to read the laws of their states. Certain states don't mind, but the ones like Illinois make it illegal to do those types of things. I would suggest that for the next term, to not share anything at all online just to be safe. What good is it trying to make a difference if your right to vote goes to waste because of a foolish mistake?

Either way, it was definitely exciting for me. I have never voted before and I am so glad that I decided to become a part of the political world to make a difference.

It's definitely been an interesting and grateful day.

P.S. It's freezing over here in the east coast. Can someone tell me why the wind has the need to slap you in the face as you're trying to get to classes?

That is all...

Get Out There and Vote

Today marks the day to cast your votes everyone. I have just came back from City Hall to vote for President Obama. Remember, whoever you vote for, make sure you choose someone who you KNOW will hear your voice.

This is the first time that I have ever voted and I have to say it was quite exciting. Also, on a side note, I don't know why I was stressing out when I was filling out my ballot. I think it had to do with the fact that I didn't want to mess things up. I tend to make foolish mistakes if I don't triple check things.

Tomorrow we will see who will be President of the United States. I'm not going to make anyone vote for Obama (even though that would be nice), since you have already been shoved down your throat the pros and cons of which candidate would be best as President.

You have made your decision, now act on it. Educate yourself on your candidates and make the right choice for yourself, your loved ones, and your future.

We have the power. We have a voice. It's our responsibility to use them.

I did.

Did you?

Daylight Savings Time

Today marks the day of daylight savings. I am extremely happy about this, and I'm sure other people are, because that means I get to sleep a whole extra hour!...Well, until next week and then I'll go back to feeling tired all the time.

I still do not know why we move the clock forward in the Spring and then back in the Fall, but it's a nice change (If anyone knows, I would really love to find out!).

You don't understand how excited I was when my phone turned to 1am again instead of 2am....It was nice and, strangely enough, I felt more productive for that short amount of time. Then I went to bed at 3am, with a smile on my face, and thinking that it would have been 4am. I felt like such a fool because of this discovery.

Whatever the case, I am just glad to gain that extra hour and enjoying the comfort of my bed for a little longer.

Enjoy your extra hour of sleep!

That is all.