Pomp & Circumstance

My high school career (and possibly my childhood) came to a bittersweet close last night, as I finally graduated and kissed thirteen years of education goodbye.

Well actually, those thirteen years were much, much more than just simple mathematics and textbooks. I have befriended some of the most amazing people in the world (a couple of them I've known for over ten years!). And although I may have lost touch with a few of those people along the way, my memories of them will forever live in my heart. I've learned so much, both in and out of the classroom. I've faced the evils of failure and heartbreak, I've cried tears of sadness and joy. I have thought too much and then I've also thought too little. I've made mistakes, I've made good decisions.

For a good week, I had been rather...mopey about graduating. Not necessarily because I was sad to let go of my "ivory tower" life here in suburban Pennsylvania, but rather that I felt so "unfulfilled" by my high school experience. Too many regrets and "what ifs" plagued my mind and I didn't know how to feel about leaving. It wasn't until the day before graduation, when I read a little note I wrote to myself in sophomore year about what I THOUGHT high school would be like, that my thoughts changed a bit. And I smiled as I read it, since it was drenched in cynic and apathy, and I realized how my high school experience was SO much more than what I thought it would be when I was a sophomore. So now I can look back with a sly smile on my face and I'll be able to move on with ease.

I know that if I really did care about the people I'm leaving behind, I'd find a way to see them often during college. A big handful of my friends are going to school in the city with me, so pub meet-ups are definitely in the works.

My summer will be rather quiet this year, but I'll definitely keep myself occupied by doing the things I love (which I have time for now) and also preparing to move into my dorm. So long, childhood! The real world better watch out for this little girl right here.

Music Monday: Old Favorites and Fran Healy's melodic voice

Happy Monday, everyone! Unfortunately, I am sick on this sunny (albeit cold!) day, but that won't stop me from listening to some feel-good music to drown out my coughs.



An old song yes, but quite frankly, Enrique never gets old.




I love, love, love this song. It's probably one of my favorite songs ever, though that might be because I have a nostalgic, emotional tie to this song. It's a hidden song in their most recent album, and it's just such a sweet little surprise at the end of the album. You just can't help but smile after hearing it.

Seeing the world through new lenses

To my dismay, my eyesight has worsened since the last time I've visited the optometrist. My left eye is getting progressively worse and my chance to get my driver's permit will be prolonged for just a couple of weeks longer.

On the bright side, I am getting new glasses for a brand new prescription. As much as I love my old glasses, I think that a new chapter in my life calls for a new pair of glasses. After all, they can figuratively allow me to see life in a different light!

I finally decided on cute specs very similar to these. I suppose that I'm no different than an older lady in that I'm a sucker for bejeweled things.

Since I will be needing my glasses while I drive, I figured that I'd get prescription sunglasses, so I could shade my eyes on those ultrabright days. Of course, I decided on a classic pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers. I've always wanted a real pair, so needing a prescription pair of sunglasses was just the convenient occasion!

I should be getting both pairs within a couple of weeks. Hopefully sooner, since I want to be hitting the road ASAP!

Hoot hoot!

 

The decision was far from easy, but after a deep discussion with my mom, We had both agreed that I would be a Temple Owl next year! I'm more than excited for college next year, even though it wasn't my (and also my mom's) top choice. As much as we both wanted me to go to Fordham, money made it next to impossible, and so ultimately Temple's modest tuition won in the end.

I can't help but laugh at the terrible irony of this whole situation. I used to detest the whole idea of ever going to Temple. But now that I'm fully committed, I couldn't be happier. Sure, I loved Fordham and its metropolitan allure and boundless internship opportunities, but I have a little inkling that my time at Temple would be more than eye-opening as well. My parents would allow me to transfer to Fordham after two years at Temple, but who knows, maybe I'll love Temple more than I'll ever know.

Life's a funny thing, isn't it? Regardless of how everything turned out, I am so excited for what college has to offer.

Well, except for the actual work itself...

Where do/did you guys go to school? How is/was your experience?  Any advice for an upcoming freshmeat such as me?

Homeward Bound?

Instead of studying for the AP exams coming up in less than two weeks, I am currently stressing out over what college to attend next year. The clock is ticking; I only have a couple of days to decide. Housing is extremely limited in one of my schools (and their Housing office won't answer my phonecalls!), and the other school is a little bit of a financial reach.

I haven't even made a decision yet, but I am already dreading the idea of post-college debt. My mind says one school, but my heart says another. What's a girl to do?

With any hope, I will have a decision made by the end of the week. Until then, perhaps the chance of having a lovely bedroom such as this in my post-college future is still a few student loans away.

[[photo from Decor Pad]]

Come On & Brogue

For quite some time now, I have yearned for a pair of nifty, androgynous brogues. Mixing the vintage-style shoes with my frilly dresses would downplay my usual girlyness just a tad, yet still allow me to keep a certain whimsical charm.

The problem? I can't ever find a perfect pair. And the perfect pair needs to come with the perfect price tag as well. While flipping through last month's issue of Vogue I noticed an ad for Aldo that had these adorable black and white brogues fit for a Fred Astaire-esque tap dancer. They are still a bit pricey for my liking, though with any luck, they will be on sale after a couple week's worth of pay.

Aldo has other brogues available at lower prices, although even those prices are still making my pennies sweat. Like show business, my search for the perfect pair of brogues must go on.

Style Crush: Zooey Deschanel

A few weeks ago, I bought 500 Days of Summer on a whim (partially because it was on sale for $9) and I only recently found time to watch it. To my surprise, it wasn't totally "cutesy, lovey-dovey" as I had expected. But perhaps that is why I liked it. It was a more realistic recollection of love and relationships, and there is no harm in some realism when it comes to love, right?

What I really loved, though, was the retro style Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) had throughout the whole movie. And come to think of it, Zooey's style in real life is very similar to Summer's, from the hair bows to the summery frocks. Not to mention, Zooey is so adorable and being the other half of the indie folk group She & Him isn't so bad either. She's definitely not your average "manic pixie dream girl."

I will admit, I watch her commercial for Cotton with envious eyes. Just look at the gorgeous clothes she wears! I could only dream of having a closet half as decent as hers.