I am a bookworm, through and through. There's nothing like picking up a good 'ole book and getting lost in it for the day. Rain, shine, snow, or hail - I'll always have a book with me. Last year, I set a goal on Goodreads to read at least 20 books. Proudly, I read 22. This year, I set a goal of 30, which I just hit. I'm currently reading Rush (Breathless, #1) by Maya Banks, so I might hit 31 books before the year is officially over.
Now, you might be thinking that these goals are nothing. Regardless, I'm proud of myself because of how much I forced myself to read, despite having such a busy schedule. During 2017, I plan to read at least 40 books. While I do have a busy schedule, I do recognize that I find time to watch Netflix and Hulu, so there isn't really an excuse for me to not reach my book goal. So, my goal is to limit my screen time and substitute it for reading time.
Now let's get to it. Here are my favorite (and least favorite) books that I read this year. It's a mix of romance, crime, thriller, erotica, and action. Feel free to follow me on Goodreads.

Most Favorite

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix This book was unbelievably unique and awesome; it kept my attention throughout the entire thing. It's a little bit (ahem -- a lot of bit) crazy, full of suspense, and will really have you anxiously waiting to see what happens next; nevertheless, it's worth it. Do not let the title or cover fool you. This is a book that you definitely will want to read.   The Pact by Jodi Picoult This was another book that will have you anxious to see what happens next. It's a peculiar case of loving someone too much, and Jodi definitely hit it right on the head. It took me forever to finish reading this one, though, but that was my own fault (seriously, guys, college is a *insert profanity here*). Once I finished reading this gem, I fell in love with Jodi's writing and everything about this book. And to think that I randomly chose this book at the thrift store. 
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks  First of all, I absolutely adore Nicholas Sparks and all of his books, no matter how cliche they get. There is something about love and Nicholas' writing that draws me to his books. I got The Guardian from a book-sale at the library, and I immediately wanted to read it because of how enticing it sounded. I never could have imagined how much my heart would swell from reading this. It was a little bit crazy, a little bit adorable, and a little bit heartbreaking. 
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith If you love crime novels, this is a great one to read! I remember when I was about to sign up for a book club, this was the book they were initially going to send me. In the end, I didn't; however, I found this book at Dollar General (really!) for $3, and I was immediately sold. Regardless of the price, though, this book drew me in from the description all the way to the cover. The thing is -- about this book -- you cannot expect it. It was oddly familiar yet new, and this ranged from the setting to the characters to the plot. I absolutely loved it.
After You by Jojo Moyes I wanted to add Me Before You to this list as well, but I technically read that in 2015. But I'm going to speak on both books - FREAKING AMAZING. They make my heart experience all types of emotions and I don't know how to feel about that. In Me Before You, I cried, smiled, laughed, and went through the whole nine. In After You, I think my emotions were trying to get back on my good side because I did not cry, but I did feel hope and love and faith. (And please, please, please do not  base any commentary on MBY on the movie. It was good, but the book was far better.)

Least Favorite

Bared to You by Sylvia Day I overall enjoyed the book, but it there were far too many moments where I wanted to stop reading because of how much it lacked a plot. It was also far too similar to Fifty Shades of Grey; the only difference was the better development and interest of and in the characters, which I greatly appreciated. I will be continuing with the series, nevertheless.
Looking for Alaska by John Green The ending of this book drove me nuts! The premise of this book seemed like it would be good, but I personally feel like it lacked. While I wanted to fall in love with Look for Alaska, the beginning was slow, the middle was blase, and the ending made me want to throw the book out of the window like in Silver Linings Playbook.

Christmas passed by extremely fast. I honestly was not expecting it to come and go so quickly. One moment I was on the plane, flying away from Ames to Detroit, and the next thing I know, gifts have been opened, food has been eaten, and the Christmas music is drifting away. What's next? I suppose my flight back to Ames, which I am bittersweet about. But I'm not going to sit here and dwell on the amount of days I have left here in Michigan, and I don't want you college students to become bummed out about going back to uni. Let's focus on the time you have left at home and what to do with it!

1. Hang out with your hometown friends!

Remember all of those "I miss you"s and "We'll definitely hang out when I get back home!" messages that you and your hometown friends shared when you left for college? Don't let them be in vain. Hit up your friends and seriously hang out with them. Maintaining friendships can be hard when you don't put in the effort. I know that my friend group and I do not always communicate (we have different schedules!), but when we do, it's like we never stopped talking. Now that I am back home for the holidays, I am trying to get around and spend much needed time with my friends. "I miss you" doesn't mean much when you have the chance to hang out with someone, yet don't. Actions speak louder than words, my friend.

2. Spend quality time with your family. (No, saying "hi" and "bye" doesn't count. Get out of your room.)

I  know that I missed my family a lot when I was away at college. As soon as I got home, I hung out with my parents, sister, grandma, aunt, and some cousins. I know that family can get on your nerves in a special kind of way that nobody else can, but it's all out of love. Allow yourself to hang out with them and not just in passing by.

3. Hit up some of your old-time favorite places.

Were there any places that you consistently went to back when you were in high school or middle school? A place that you know like the back of your hand, or that you consider your second home? Make sure you stop there are experience a bit of nostalgia.

4. Grub, grub, grub.

I'm talking homemade food and some city specialties that you won't be able to find back at your university. Before I even flew back to Detroit, I already had a list of foods that I wanted before I returned to college. I'm still waiting to get my favorite Mexican food, but I've been gradually crossing places and foods off my list. Enjoy while you can!

Finals week is officially here! Day one is over (hopefully, unless you have a night final tonight - good luck, then). How are you all keeping up? I can say that I am beat down and ready to go home and sleep my break away. But alas, finals is not over for me and for plenty other students. I realized that I probably should have posted this post about a week ago during Dead Week, but it's better late than never, right? Here are some of the best places to study on campus or near campus when you attend Iowa State!

1. The Library (duh!)

This one is pretty common, as it's a library and libraries are the best place to buckle down and get your head in your books. (Please don't do this literally, as you will most likely fall asleep and defeat the entire purpose of you going to the library.) Park's Library is great to study as there are a bunch of space to study, whether you want a private room, a concealed space, or a large area for a group study session. The only downfall is that everyone is literally thinking the same way as you and like to study in the library, especially during Dead Week. 

2. The Multicultural Center

I love going to the MCC in Memorial Union! It is literally the best place to study because it's rather quiet, there are private cubicles as well as open spaces and rooms to study in. And no, you do not have to be a multicultural student to go there and study. Everyone is welcome!

3. Cafe Diem (Main Street)

This is a cute little cafe that I recently found with a friend. It is literally the most adorable place you might ever go. The decor is cozy; there is free WiFi; and the lattes are amazing! (I am drinking an Eggnog Gingerbread Latte right now. Yum!) It's standard size for a cafe, and it's a semi-popular place, but you most likely will find a spot to study. The later it gets, though, the more crowded it can be.

4. Your Dorm ('s lounge or Mezz)

I like the convenience of study in Larch's lounge. I can literally not change out of my pajamas, yet still get the heck out of my room for the day. 

5. MWL Commons

Can you say food an study sesh? You literally have Season's downstairs (and East Side Market), so if you ever need a break or to grab some food, it's extremely convenient. During Dead Week and Finals' Week, it tends to get pretty crowded the later it gets in the day, so be prepared to have to spread out on the floor (if you don't mind). 

Christmas break is quickly coming up, and as a college student, I am more than ready. College is great, don't get me wrong; it's just exhausting and stressful. I'm not really complaining because it's school, and hello, school is never a walk in the park. However, a break never hurt anybody, so bring it on! 
For those who go to college out-of-state, this post is specifically for you. Having to a catch a flight back home is quick and convenient, but it's really annoying because of our luggage limit (unless you don't mind paying money to check in additional luggage). I'm flying back home to Michigan on the 17th, and I only plan to bring a carry-on and a backpack. Normally, I would be panicking. Three weeks away from my "home" would be a nightmare because of how limited I'd be with my clothes and toiletries. But flying back home from college isn't stressing me out this time - luckily - because I know that if I cannot bring something or happen to forget something, I'm going home. I can just buy it there. While that is typically the truth for wherever you go, I get much more relaxed when I know that I'll be back in my comfort zone and not just anywhere. It makes everything much easier.
I know that everyone isn't like me, and some of you guys are probably stressing out while trying to pack now. I have your back! Follow this list below, and you'll be packed and ready to go in no time!

1. Sweatpants, Yoga Pants, and Leggings

Unless you live on the West Coast or Down South, you definitely want to pack sweatpants and any other type of comfortable, warm pants that you can. Not only will you live in these over break, but you will also appreciate the fact that you brought them when you are freezing or just want to be comfortable. 

2. Sweatshirts and Long-Sleeve Tops

Bring clothes that can easily be layered. This helps to save space because you're not going to be over-packing the heavier items as layers = warmth. 

3. 1 Pair of Boots and 1 Pair of Flats

Most likely, it will be snowing when you return home. Even if it isn't, it'll be cold. You do not need to bring a million pairs of shoes with you. Bring a comfortable pair of boots (matter of fact, wear them on the plane) and stuff a pair of flats in your suitcase. Also, make sure these shoes are something that you can wear with all of your outfits! Versatility is key when it comes to smart packing.

4. Miss Out on the Toiletries 

Toothpaste and toothbrush? Lotion? Any of the things that you can by for cheap when you get back home, don't pack it. This will save you space and the headache of trying to find the right size bottle that can make it past TSA. I guarantee you that your family will not let you walk around with morning breathe and will provide you with what you need. 

5. 1 Nice Dress/Suit

It's the holidays! There will most likely be at least one party that you'll want to attend, and for that, you will need something other than sweatpants and a crew-neck. Take something that can attend any type of party (also, consider what shoes you packed). 

6. Save space for any potential gifts!

Once again, you're going home for Christmas break (unless your religion says otherwise), so you will most likely be getting at least one gift. Just in case this gift is something that you absolutely want to take back to college with you, do not pack your suitcase to the brim. Keep it cut down to the basics! Also, you can stuff any gifts that you are bringing back for your family/friends in this space, and when you give them out, you automatically have saved space!

• ...my family. There is little that I would or could do without my family's support. I value family so much, both immediate and non-immediate. They have been there for me through literally every ordeal that I've had to endure as well as every amazing event. Whenever something happens to me, I automatically want to tell my family. Whenever I want to cry, I know who has my back. 
• ...my health. Health is easily something that is pushed aside until we start to have health problems. I have really started to realize this and put myself in check. (It was actually my stuffed nose a month ago that got me to this point - hehe.) 
• ...my education. Not everyone has the opportunity to get an education, which really makes me sad. Education is something that shouldn't be a privilege; it should be a basic human right. Unfortunately, that is not the reality we live in, so I will forever be grateful for what this privilege. 
• ...my friends. There is nothing like good friends to laugh and spend time with. Over the last year, I have really come to know who I want in my life and who is healthy for my life. I've had to leave some unhealthy relationships behind this year, but I happy now, so I have no regrets. For those who are still with me, I am beyond grateful for them and everything that they do for me, whether that's simply sitting by me when I'm feeling down, sending a silly meme at 5 AM in the morning, or for going on random drives with me 'til 4 in the morning.
• ...books! Books give me the release that I crave so much. There's nothing like a cold day, snuggled up in a blanket with hot cocoa and a good book. But there's also nothing like a gorgeous day outside, when I'm lying on a blanket with a refreshing smoothie and some tunes playing in the background.

There are over 4,000 colleges and universities that a student can choose to attend in the United States. Some are two-year institutions; others are 4-years; there are also public and private institutions to choose from. I happen to attend Iowa State University, a public 4-year institution in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State was not my first choice; it was my second. But if you were to ask me whether I regret choosing ISU (because I did get accepted into my first choice, which was the University of Central Florida), I would say no with no hesitation. I chose my adventure.

1. Majors Galore

When I originally began to look at colleges, I chose Iowa State because of the vast amount of majors and minors available to study. Anybody who knows me (and maybe even those who don't) knows that I am super indecisive. This means that whatever university I ever considered attending needed to give me options as far as what I could study; a few majors that I considered once upon a time include the following: veterinary medicine, graphic design, interior design, architecture, journalism, and criminal justice. Iowa State provides all of the above, plus more. After all, I am currently double majoring in Event and Hospitality Management and considering minoring in Public Relations.

2. Campus Clubs & Student Organizations

Another reason why I ultimately chose Iowa State is the amount of extracurricular activities, clubs and organizations available for me to become involved in. I was not a super involved person in high school, but I knew that I wanted to be once I attended university. Even if I ended up not participating in anything, I wanted it to be because I chose not to - not because I didn't have the chance to. I am a member of the general assembly for the Black Student Alliance, Society for the Advancement of Gender Equity, Womyn of Colour Network, Connect 4, and the Historian for the Freshmen Action Team (umbrella-ed under BSA). I tried out Develop, which is a photo club, and a couple of other clubs; however, my schedule doesn't really permit me to participate in so many.

3. The Campus is Beautiful

Iowa State University's campus is breathtaking. It was actually named the fifth most beautiful campus by Buzzfeed in 2015. Every campus tour that I went on was rainy. RAINY. Yet I still fell in love with the school. Now that I am a student, I have had the opportunity to see the campus in rain and shine (no snow, yet!), and I still cannot believe that my campus is so gorgeous. There are little pathways that boast the beauty of the campus; the architecture makes my heart happy.

4. Iowa Charm

Lastly, the students, faculty, and staff are friendly! I've been told before that what people consider southern charm is how Iowa really is. I am not surprised. While not everyone might be super open, and some may be downright rude, but the majority will make you glad that you chose ISU. 

Guys! I cannot believe that we have less than a month left in 2016. I can still remember ringing in the new year with my friends in Düsseldorf ; we had fireworks, sparklers, wine, and good food. It was amazing. I can also remember the intense emotions of my last night in Germany; how I felt when the plane touched down in the US; and being surprised by my family and friends when I returned home. Everything seems like it just happened. But, in reality, it didn't. All of this will soon be qualified as happening a year ago. That's insane! In less than six weeks, we will no longer be in 2016 - are you guys ready for 2017?
But let me slow down a bit: let's talk about the holidays. It's getting colder; it's beginning to snow in some states; I am simply in the Holiday Spirit. I've already began playing Christmas music, watching Christmas films, and talking Christmas gifts. I fly back to Michigan on December 17th, and I cannot wait to see my family and spend the holidays with them! It is seemingly a family tradition to gather and watch holiday movies together. My favorite film of all time is The Polar Express. I've been addicted to the movie since elementary school. Below I am sharing some great holiday films to get you in the spirit! Share some movies that you enjoy below in the comments.

1. A Madea Christmas

Tyler Perry has so many great movies out. It's hard for me to a choose a favorite general one, but A Madea Christmas is easily my favorite holiday movie of his. While the movie revolves around the holiday, it is great to watch at any time throughout the year; it's main theme is interracial relationships, family, and honesty. It stars Anna Marie Horsford, Tika Sumpter, Eric Lively, and Chad Michael Murray among others. Of course, expect to laugh a lot; after all, it's "MA to the d*mn D-E-A." 

2. The Holiday

I recently watched this movie on Netflix. It stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, and Jude Law. Initially, I did not know how I would feel about the movie. After I finished watching it, though, I loved it! It's such a cozy movie, and it's also hilarious (I tend to find most movies with Cameron in them funny, though). I highly suggest giving this film a try.

3. Love Actually

Do I actually have to explain why you should watch this overly-cliche holiday movie? If you love love, then you'll love Love Actually. This is my go-to feel-good movie. Also, you should watch it because of the catchy song by Billy Mack, "Christmas Is All Around." 

4. This Christmas

I love, love, love this movie! It features Chris Brown, Columbus Short, Lorreta Devine, Lauren London, Idris Elba, Laz Alonzo, Delroy Lindo, and many other awesome actors/actresses. This is a great family movie as it focuses on a family's first Christmas together after a long time. Plus, there's great music and singing, so if the former didn't convince you...

5. The Polar Express

This has been and will always be my favorite holiday movie. It's an animated film, so if you're into that type of thing, this is the movie for you. It focuses on a train-full of children and conductors heading toward the North Pole. The main character doesn't believe in Santa anymore, but by the end of the movie, you'll have to watch it to see yourself. 

6. Home Alone (all of them) 

I'm not going to write much here. Home Alone is the traditional holiday movie that anybody who's anybody has seen. 

*Update as of 4/28/2017: I got another internship at Touch of Elegance Events & Design in Detroit for the summer. Instead of pursuing the ACL internship, I went with T&E. This is because I switched my majors from Event Management + Hospitality Management to Event Management and Public Relations. The post is still relevant, however.

Being a college student is great. I mean, you get a lot of free and discounted things, you meet people from literally all over the world, and you have the opportunity to learn so much about yourself, this world, and anything else that interests you. But, like every great thing, there are downfalls: constantly being broke (no, this is not a myth), lacking sleep, the Freshmen 15 (seriously, guys, this is real; there are ways to combat it, though!), and stress. 
I am nearing the end of my first semester as a college student. This week is fall break, and I am beyond ready for this break. These last two weeks have been extremely stressful; it seemed like the tests would never end, post-election made me extremely sad and sick, and simply wanting to go home made the weeks drag by. But because of how trying these couple of weeks were, I learned very quickly how to manage my stress. So this post is for all of you college (and non-college) students! 

1. Take time for yourself every day.

Yes, I said it! Every. Single. Day. Your health - mentally, physically, and emotionally - comes before anything else that you have to deal with. College presents a lot of stress inducers, such as papers, romantic and platonic relationships, and club and organization obligations. One day can be full of a ton of stressors. To combat them, take at minimum 30-minutes of you-time daily. This can simply be you watching your favorite Netflix show, reading a book, going to the gym, or taking a nap.

2. Organize in advance.

It is very easy to get stressed out when you are unorganized. In college, you will have so many assignments, exams, projects, and quizzes for multiple classes, potentially all in the same week. Being organized is the first step to limiting stress. If you do not know when anything is due, what you have to do, or where you can find information, it is super easy to get overwhelmed. Give yourself an advantage and organize however you feel best doing. For me, I use my calendar on my phone (SolCalendar) and input all due dates and to-dos. 

3. Start early.

Try not to wait until the last minute to do your assignments or prepare for tests. The earlier can you can start and finish something, the better. It leaves you with time to relax and you are not stressing out because of a deadline. Sometimes last minute tasks are inevitable; however, 9 times out of 10, everything you will have to do for a class is in your syllabus. Maybe not all of the details of an assignment, paper, or a project will be in it, but you will have an idea of what you'll have to do. 

4. Get in touch with your creative side.

I learned that zoning out and getting connected with my creativity is important for me staying stress-free. Going out an taking photos, painting, writing, sketching - do whatever it is that can help you stay sane. You do not have to do it for a long time; I simply recommend doing it long enough so that you can clear your mind.

This past Friday, I went to the Center Grove Orchard with some of my GWC friends. The day was perfect - the weather was just right, there was so much to do, and I got to eat some delicious Cider Donuts. I also bought a pumpkin! Soon enough, I plan to paint it, so I'm pretty excited about that. 
Some of the awesome activities that we did during the orchard include the following:

1. Picking Pumpkins. I bought one for .78 cents - .78 CENTS. I was expecting it to be more, so when I went to pay, I was all for buying it. My friends and I had a lot of fun trying to find the best pumpkin; the only downfall to searching for them were the vines that were super prickly! Remember to take gloves when going to a Pumpkin Patch! 
2. Hayride. I love hayrides so much! It bummed me out a bit that this hayride was pulled by a tractor instead of a horse, but then again, I'm pretty glad because horses aren't meant to do that type of labor. Horses are meant to roam free, like the wind. On the hayride, we had the opportunity to get off in three areas: the corn maze, the apple orchard, and the pumpkin patch.
3. Corn Maze. It was hilarious trying to get through the maze. We entered in the Adult Maze and exited through the Kid's exit. I still have no idea how that happened, but it was still really fun!
4. Slides. There were so many slides to go down. I did not go down any because I wasn't feeling it, but my friends did! I caught some great photos and some videos that I'll compile later. 
5. Bouncing. There was this awesome bounce type thing there that was super fun! 

Yesterday, I went to the Ames' Farmers' Market with a couple of friends. The booths there were full of diversity - you had flower stalls, Taco trucks, beauty booths, Indian food, lemonade stands, and music artists. I really enjoyed myself! Here are some snapshots that I captured while there. All were taken with my Canon EOS Rebel T5.

I have a question for you all. It's pertaining to a recent experience that I have had (although I have technically been dealing with it for a long time already). The more times I have to deal with the ignorance that I am going to mention in this piece, the more I get bothered and upset. Everyone who really knows me understands how passionate I am about social and racial issues. So for me to have been dealing with this racial and offensive issue for so long, it is odd that it's taken me so long to write about it. But that's what I'm doing now. Share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below! I'd love to connect and discuss with you all.

Before we continue with the bulk of this post, let's define race: race is a social construct that was created by society to create a hierarchy. 

What makes someone a race? Specifically, what makes someone black?

I ask this question because I, apparently, am not black enough. Ever since middle school, I have been called an Oreo, which is a derogatory term used to single out black people for not behaving like a stereotypical black person, or for not liking traditional "black"  things. Now, what are qualities that can get you classified as an Oreo, you ask? Oh - it can be little things, such as listening to Country music, speaking proper English, and dressing "like a white person." Nothing major; it's the simple things in life that can suddenly make you lose your identity.
So, referencing those aforementioned examples, what do you think? Does the way you speak make you black, white, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American? Is the music you listen to the actual identifier? Or what about the clothes you wear or how you wear those clothes? Or, just maybe, it's determined by who you date? Or possibly your friend group - whether it's diverse or not?
It's important for me to know because, honestly, I am exhausted of being told that I am the "whitest black person" that someone has ever met.  Or that I am not "really" black? Or that I'm just not black enough. I cannot even count on two hands how many times those statements have been made to or about me. And to this day, I still do not know what to say back because material things do not identify you. Material things do not make you who you are. Who I am is a black woman in America that would really appreciate it if people would keep their ignorant remarks to themselves. No one will get a rise out of me when they say that I do not act black or that I simply have the wrong skin tone. I will not stop being who I am and enjoying what I do and what I like because someone else wants me to fit into the stereotypical black person identity. 

I identify as black. I love being black. I have always been black. I will forever be black. 

I am not upset and bothered because being called white hurts my feelings. It doesn't. There is nothing wrong with being white. But what does bother and upset me is that white it is not a part of my identity. What bothers and upsets me is being told that I am not enough of a certain way to claim my identity. I've been raised to love myself and who I am. It's been a long road (and I'm only 18) to self-love, but I am finally here and constantly working on myself. Identity is huge to me! My race is one demographic that I use to identify myself. So, for those who think that it's okay to call someone an Oreo or tell them that they do not fit in or that they are not "enough" to claim their identity or that they're not "really" who they identify, it's not okay. It's hurtful. It's upsetting. It's sad. 
And I recognize now that these any friends of mine will not use derogatory terms like Oreo. My friends will not try to make me question any part of my identity. What real friends do is accept one another for who they are, what they like, and other quirks and unique qualities. 
What are your thoughts? Have you ever been told that you are not enough of a certain way so you cannot possibly identify as something? 

On my photography portfolio, I introduce myself as a portrait and pet photographer by day and a wildlife and nature photographer by night. I love each photography genre individually because of the respective characteristics and opportunities brought about. Portraits: seeing a person's or family's personality shine through the camera. Pet: working with animals and letting their personality shine through. Wildlife: the spontaneity of animals in their natural habitat and the awesome feeling I get after getting some good shots. Nature: seeing the earth at its purest and simply being out in the elements make me happy. If I were to rank my preference for these genres today, I do not think that I could do it. I love each one for different reasons, and I think that getting rid of one would make me feel bad. However, I do partake in shooting one genre more than the others. I have been taking more portrait shots lately as I build my portfolio and try to create a side business while I am in university. Wildlife, nature, and pet shots come second, as a more relaxing type of photography for myself.  Below are some articles and blog posts that I have recently read pertaining to portrait photography. Give them a read!

1. How to Find Great Backgrounds for Outdoor Portraits

I prefer taking portrait pictures outside in nature or urban areas. This post by Andrew Gibson, over on Digital Photography School (one of my go-to photography blogs) shares tips on how to find the best places to snap some good portrait shots in the great outdoors. You don't always see picture-perfect spaces upon first glance; sometimes, putting on your photographer's eyes will change a space in a moment. Give this post a read and garner some inspiration!

2. 6 Ways to Take a Candid Portrait of Somebody You Know

3. 5 Tips for Taking Better Portraits in Nature

It's really funny how I tend to go MIA whenever big events occur in my life. It happened when I went to Stanford; it happened after I moved to live with my permanent family in Germany, and it happened again after I recently moved to Iowa. Big events tend to make me want to soak everything in without the pressure of having to blog. Don't get me wrong - I love blogging. Blogging is a really nice way to express myself, share my content (photography), and meet people and join/build communities. Nevertheless, I cannot apologize for going MIA. I cannot even say that I want to be remorseful because I can't. Life happens, and I am at the point in my life where I prefer to experience everything first hand versus having to relive everything through a picture or a blog post.
And while I said all of that, I want to come back to The Burns Effect. I've been thinking more and more about blogging lately, and I think that it's time for me to return to action. (Is that even a saying?? Hahah.) In addition to coming back to the blog, I will also be picking up my camera again. I haven't really taken it out on campus, although Iowa State University has one of the most beautiful campuses in the US. 
Since I have your attention, I might as well catch you up on what has been happening in my life lately. Okay...get ready for a mouthful. (Not really because I am about to break this up in bullet points, because...well...lists.)

• I have joined an infinite amount of clubs and organizations already, despite our ClubFest not having occurred yet. It was technically supposed to be today, but because of an incoming storm, it was pushed back until tomorrow. Some clubs that I have joined are National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH), a photography club, DUB-H (a hip-hop dance team), Black Student Alliance (BSA), Event Management Club, the Ballroom and Swing dance team, and the book club. There are probably a lot more that I am forgetting about, but I am too lazy to track them down to figure out what the are. 
• I won't be staying in all of the aforementioned clubs! I just want to check out what each one is about and see which ones I really enjoy. I am definitely staying in the Black Student Alliance; however, because it is awesome. Even the initial meeting made me feel like that club is going to be very inclusive and fun.
• I am actually a co-founder of a soon-to-be dance team at Iowa State called C-Nettes. It is an all-girls dance/majorette team that encourages body positivity, team endurance, and sisterhood. I'll update you guys on what's happening there! (I am still deciding whether I am going to continue pursuing it because of how I am seeing it's turning out. Meh.)

• I attended the George Washington Carver retreat (for my scholarship), which was boring but helpful in meeting new people. I will be attending the Womyn of Colour retreat next weekend. It will be held in Ogden, Iowa. 

• Next Sunday, I am going to Omaha, Nebraska with some friends to visit the zoo! Apparently, the zoo is one of the best in America (top 5?). 

• I have met some really nice friends. I have no idea why I was so concerned about meeting friends, but it was not that hard. All you have to do is be yourself and be open to meeting new people. Be random. Put yourself out there. I'll write an entire post about this later.

• I toured Jack Trice Stadium the first week that I was on campus. My Destination Iowa group and I volunteered to pick up trash around the stadium, and then afterward, we were able to tour the inside (and write thank you letters to the Athletics). It was cool. I find it pretty humorous that I have tour two football stadiums already, despite the fact that I am not an avid football fan. Hah!
• My classes are going well. I pretty much enjoy them all; however, math will forever be my worst subject, but I'll get through it. (Optimism is key, no?)

I would like to note that I am writing this little (albeit long) post during an unexpected break in my schedule. Apparently, my AESHM 113E class was not scheduled for today because the other sections didn't have it on Monday, Labor Day. Soooo, some other people and I showed up in class, and we would've been oblivious for a while unless my friend came in and told us. It was really funny. That shows that we definitely need to read our syllabi more. #collegelessons 

Anyway, I said all of that to say that I doubt that I am going to have a set blogging schedule. My days are so unpredictable and my friends and I enjoy being super spontaneous. I'll post whenever I get the urge and chance to. That may be five times a week or three or maybe one or maybe one time a month. I don't know. But I just thought I'd let you guys know!

Have a good rest of the week. :)

Leaving your family and moving away for college is naturally an emotional event. No matter what experiences or opportunities you have ever embarked upon, going away for college is an entirely new ballgame. I can attest to that. Leaving to go to Iowa State was a sad ordeal for me, despite having flown across the U.S. to California when I was only 15 and flowing across the world to Germany at 17. I felt like I could not feel sad or nervous or anxious because I have already experienced so much! But honestly - every experience is a new and different experience, and it is okay to feel emotional during each one. 
There is no right or wrong way to feel. Personally, I hate feeling emotions, and I try to keep them to myself until I can no longer do so. However, preparing to leave for college taught me or simply reaffirmed many lessons: 1) crying is honestly good for the soul; it's freeing, 2) missing your friends, family, and hometown is warranted; you are leaving people and places that you know and are completely at ease with to go to a new place and meet new people, and 3) feeling emotional does not mean that you have any regrets or are afraid; it can just mean that you are a normal person who has feelings, but is nevertheless excited for the future.
It has taken me a bit of time to come to terms with moving away from Michigan and my family; however, I have no regrets for choosing a college out-of-state. I love Iowa State University, and I am excited for all of the possibilities that I have here! You, too, should not have any regrets. Growing up and moving away (even if it's only an hour from home) is a big deal and a stepping stone in life. No prior experience that you may have had (studying abroad or going to camp or going on vacation without your family) should stop you from feeling the way that you do. If you do not feel sad or anxious or nervous, great! If you do, great! Nobody is the same. We all experience and come to conclusions differently. 
But I want to let you know that it's okay. Cry, smile, laugh, rant. Do you.   

Michigan, oh Michigan, how I love thee. As I get closer and closer to moving away from my home state, my love for it continues to grow. Once upon a time, if you would have asked me where I would prefer to live, my answer would've been, "Anywhere but Michigan." But now my answer would completely change. The mitten state is not only where I was born and raised, it is also where I have learned more about myself and my history, where I have met some of the greatest people, and where I will always have roots. This state is beautiful. We have The Great Lakes, Mackinaw Island, the city that embodies Christmas year round, and delicious cherries! 
Yes, Michigan's weather is confusing (what do you want? two or four seasons, man, make up your mind already!). Yes, there are things about Michigan that I'd change if I could. But there is nothing that makes me happier than saying that I am a Michigander (and better yet, a Detroiter). I'll say it loud and proud.  
There are a lot of itineraries floating around when it comes to visiting cities in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula (UP). You'll find some for Munising, Grand Rapids, Mackinaw, and Houghton. I highly recommend that you check those cities out; you'll find amazing waterfalls, historical sites, camping sites, lighthouses, and more. It's a real sight to see. But there is another side of the state that is commonly forgotten about when writing about places to visit during a trip to Michigan (unless you're a huge sports fan). I'm talking about cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Royal Oak, Farmington, Frankenmuth, and Lansing. So, because of the lack of guides for places such as these, I figured I would share with you all where I would take you if you were to visit Michigan. Here's my guide for Detroit, which was named #9 on the New York Times' list of places to visit in 2017. (Watch out for future guides for Metro Detroit cities!) 

Detroit Riverwalk  

I would take you to the Riverwalk in Downtown Detroit. It provides the perfect view of Windsor, Ontario; during the summer months, you will see a carnival, fireworks at times, and a beautiful skyline, which is pretty nice. I mean, how many other places in America can you see what's happening over in Canada while still in the US? Very few. Aside from the gorgeous view of Canada and the Detroit River, there are tons of shops, restaurants, bars, and museums nearby. The Renaissance Center (General Motor's headquarter) is also right behind the boardwalk, so it's very convenient if you have to use the restroom, are hungry (there is an entire food court available as well as some more expensive dining choices), or want to meet with Santa during the holiday season.   There are also a ton of festivals and events going on at the Riverwalk. It's really fun! There is always live music, the Detroit Princess to ride, water jetting out of the sidewalk, sometimes booths (like during a culture festival), and during RiverDays, there are boats to climb on, carnival rides, fireworks, and Husky dogs (Winter Blast). Depending on what time of year it is, Downtown Detroit provides an abundance of activities to participate in. So, if you are planning on coming to Michigan, do some research and take your pick! 

Mexican Town

I love Mexican Town! This area is full of delicious food and an entirely different culture than the one found primarily in Detroit and its metropolitan areas. The part that I'd like to dwell on is the food, though. Trust. Me. If you come to Michigan, please do yourself a favor and visit Mexican Town. When you go there, I highly recommend Xochimilco as your first restaurant to eat at. It is my favorite restaurant, and I am putting it against all other restaurants, whether it's American, Chinese, Italian, or Greek. I highly recommend that you eat a bunch of their free chips and spicy salsa, and then buy the beef burritos with cheese on top and double rice. As for drinks, because I am a minor I stick to the Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri, which I absolutely love.
After you leave Xochimilco, make your way down one block (by foot) and taste your way through La Gloria Bakery. They have delicious bread and little treats that you do not want to miss out on. Yum. Then, and I apologize for having you walk so much, walk back down a block and to the antique shop next to Xochi's (Xochi's Mexican Imports). GO IN THERE.  You will be able to find some really cute and unique Mexican antiques.
Now - and this is if you would like the genuine Mexican and not Americanized food that Mexican Town can provide - drive to Mexican Town bakery on Vernor's Hwy (a street over from Xochi's) and eat one of their sweets. You'll thank me. I ordered my cake from them for my 16th birthday, and I honestly had never had a cake so delicious. And if you get hungry again, try one of the most authentic and delicious Mexican restaurants down there: Taqueria El Rey. Their chicken tacos are a God-send! Plus, their tacos start at only $1.50 (corn shell - highly recommended over flour); however, they are cash-only! 

Greek Town

While you are here, you definitely need to go to Astoria Pastry Shop (also available in Royal Oak, but this one is the first and best) and Pizza Papalis. They are both on the same block, so it'll be really easy to hop from one to the other (NO EXCUSES). The best order is probably Pizza Papalis and then Astoria's because the latter is a desert shop. At Pizza Papalis, I always order their lasagna with extra cheese and sauce; my sister orders their pizza, which, I cannot deny, is mouthwateringly delicious.
After you leave Pizza Papalis, head on over to your right and into the doors of Astoria, a Michigan-based pastry shop. They sell treats like Baklava, Macaroons, Danishes, Cupcakes, Cannolis, and Cookies. (Menu - note that not everything is available) Whenever I go, I head straight towards the Nutella Macaroons. Oh god. Imagine taking a bite and having your eyes roll to the back of your head from the savory taste. I'm telling you, buy that darn macaroon. You can thank me later.

The DeQuindre Cut

If you are into photography like me, then this will be your urban heaven! The DeQuindre Cut is a 1.15-mile area that is popular among photographers in the city. There are walls full of graffiti, bicycle paths, and space for the casual jogger/pedestrian. You will also find little work-out areas throughout the cut as well as some lovely greenery.

Prioritizing and keeping myself focused and on track used to be one of the most challenging things for me to do. I would get distracted by social media, television, blogs, music, and pretty much anything else. But sometime over the last two years, something in me changed. I began to organize my tasks and schedule better; I began to keep track of the most important dates and events. Instead of feeling like every little thing was attacking me at once, I began to feel like my life was in order. 
Obviously, in order for all of this to happen, I had to make some changes in my life and daily schedule. I started to implement activities and organization tactics to aid me in staying organized. Below, I am sharing some of the best ways that I have prioritized certain happenings in my life and stayed focused. What are some of the best ways that you keep your life in order?

Use A Calendar

While I am more into having a calendar that is easily accessible on all of my technology, I cannot deny the great pleasure of physical calendars. I used one while I was in Germany, and I recently purchased a new one from Five Below that I am super excited to use during the school year! But since I am only now getting into using a physical calendar, let me focus on what I am a pro at using: online and mobile calendars! One of the first ones that I have ever loved was Sunrise. It was easy to integrate my Google, iTunes, and any additional accounts into one, large calendar. All of my events, deadlines, and reminders were able to sync up. One of the main attractions to this calendar was the fact that I could sync this one calendar across my Windows laptop, iPad Mini, and Android smartphone. 
That attraction was, however, lost with my calendar update to SolCalendar, which is only available on android devices. Not all is lost, though! The newest calendar that I use allows me to use cute marks (from a plane to food to an A+ for school to a simple highlight) as well as color-coding for any and all events or to-dos. You can also invite others to your event as well as state whether you are available, maybe available, or not available for a certain time-frame. 
In my calendar, I plan blog posts, add important information (for example, flight itineraries), and make note of tests, assignments, and upcoming breaks. . I like to have a full calendar as it makes me feel as if I am organized and know what's happening in my life.
If you are more interested in a desktop calendar, then you should download **Rainlendar. It is perfect! I actually used this religiously before I downloaded Sunrise. I still do use it, but not as frequently because it's purely desktop and I prefer one that syncs across all of my electronics. It allows for customization of your calendar as well as color coding, icons, and to-do lists! 

Use a To-Do List

This is a recent addition to my organization schedule. I categorize items into Home, School, and Blog. That helps keep me more organized as everything is under their respective categories, so I know what needs to get done and for what. On those to-do lists, I add quite a bit at once (with their due dates scheduled and any additional notes), so that once I see the scratch of completion, I feel much more accomplished. (Yes! I wasn't such a lazy bum today! *fist pump*) 

Schedule Posts

If you are a blogger, then you most likely understand how much time and effort it takes to write a blog post. Not multiple blog posts - just one. Yeah; it is insane. But since I do love blogging, that is just one sacrifice I have to make. Nevertheless, I can still try to make my blog preparation more efficient and be time conscious. In order to do that, I use my spare time (usually during the weekend I have hours to kill) and knock out some posts. If I realize that I do not have "spare time," I then try my best to shuffle my schedule around and schedule in time for blog things. By scheduling posts for the upcoming week (and sometimes two), I feel more organized and like I have my life on a smooth road to success. A happy blog is a happy me, right? Right? *nudges with an awkward grin*

Do The Smaller Tasks First

This goes hand-and-hand with my to-do list. I like to complete the smaller, therefore easier, tasks first.  One, this allows me to quickly get them out of the way. And two, once I an finished with them, the scratch of completion motivates me to continue handling business. If I can get some of the minuscule tasks over and done with, then when it comes time to complete the larger tasks, my list will not make me feel as if I got absolutely nothing done that day.

Take Mini-Breaks

Although taking breaks every ten minutes will hardly allow you to complete tasks, a fifteen minute break every hour and a half is decent. (Or simply after you finish an entire task, if it doesn't take up that much time.) It allows you time to relax and to not stress out. I know that once I get into a task, project, or assignment, I do not want to quit until I am finished. Sometimes that is fine! Other times, it stresses me out so badly that I end up quitting for the rest of the day. What's the use of that? It does not allow progress to get done, which means I'll be stuck doing it again the next day. Nein danke. So, what I do is give myself tiny breaks to grab a snack, send a few text messages, check social media, or simply catch some brief zzzz's.   

Get Rid of Distractions

Distractions are the vice of pretty much everyone. They can keep you from doing what is really important. My distractions are social media, good music, and books/blogs. To keep from being distracted by these things, I (1) tell myself that I can check social media during a break or that it will be my reward when I am finished with the task, (2) put on music that does not have any lyrics to it, and (3) don't start reading any books, which is how I can easily fall into the procrastination trap of "only one more chapter!" Whatever your distractions are, try to minimize them whenever you can! Trust me, your productivity will thank you! 

Before I went to Stanford's Summer College in 2014, I never really had a roommate. But, I guess, that's only if you do not count the time my sister and I had to share a room when we were young. Unfortunately, my first roommate situation was not the best, but it also was not the worst. It was simply...okay. Which is fine! There is nothing wrong with not being best friends with your roommate. My experience this year (2016-2017), was pretty great, though! I loved my roommate. While we did have some issues, we were able to quickly work them out. Because I want you all to have as good of an experience as you can with sharing your dorm room with someone, I have some tips for how to get along with your roommate! 
Roommates are a tricky thing. You will either get one that you love, one that you hate, or one that is simply "meh." Luckily, while at Stanford, I got one that I "liked." I do not absolutely adore her because, hey, we are all different. BUT, I was able to tolerate her enough to the point of actually having decent conversations. My roommate at Iowa State is one that I love. I hope that these eight tips help your year go by a lot smoother! 
1. Talk to each other online, over the phone, or by e-mail before move-in day. Unless you have the disadvantage of not knowing who your roommate is beforehand (which is what happened to me the year that I went to Stanford), you should talk to your roommate before y'all meet face-to-face. Doing this will not only create a rapport with one another that'll hopefully make your actual meet day less awkward, but it will also allow you to get to know one another. Simple things such as introductions beforehand can make the world of a difference!
2. Create a roommate contract. This can include things such as what can and cannot be done between your designated study times. Anything from sexiling (kicking your roommate out to have sex) to times that the blinds can be open to when and how loud music can be played can be included. This contract will be the base for conflicts. Instead of fighting about whatever is bothering one roommate, you can just pull out the contract and point out specifically, "Well, here, we agreed on...yada yada yada." 
Note: Be realistic.
3. Assign certain tasks to each other. For instance, a pair of my friends decided who would take out the trash and who would vacuum. It helps everyone feel as if they are doing something, and if that something does not get done, it is not a debate about who was supposed to do what. Feel free to add the task assignments to the contract! However, please realize that sometimes, time is limited and certain tasks may be pushed back by a day or so. (If more, feel free to bring it up.) 
4. Be considerate. I tend to listen to my music loudly, which can easily be heard even when I am wearing earphones. At night, I really do try to turn my music down so that I cannot hear the music from my earphones when I have it out of my ear. I try to be considerate (although it slowly kills me, haha). If my music is still too loud (which it might be some days, oops), then I have no problem with my roommate asking me to turn it down a bit. I appreciate the open communication! Talking about things and being considerate is a major rule for when you have a roommate. 
5. Do not touch or take what is not yours unless it is offered or decided upon. This includes food and clothing!  Always, always ask.
6. Be mindful of each other's schedules. This helps to eliminate any problems with friends coming over, music, studying, etc. I know that my roommate at Stanford studied a lot throughout the week, so I never invited my friends into my dorm room then. And my roommate was not obnoxiously loud when she returned from being out at night because I tended to be trying to sleep. Now, at Iowa State, we pretty much know one another's schedules, so the morning time isn't a problem. We always ask about having company over, so that pretty much eliminates any problems with having people over at night.
7. Communicate! There is nothing more awkward than having to live with someone, yet never speaking to them. Conversations help. Joke, laugh, enjoy! You'll be living with that person for a year; you want to feel comfortable in your room, not like you cannot breathe. I have friends who never talk to their roommate, which I find to be unfortunate. 
8. Invite each other places. Even if you two do not hang out with the same group of friends, if your roommate complains about being bored or something of that nature and you're going out, invite them! Even if they decline, it's better to know that you extended the offer. (Remember that you should only invite them if it is not a private event that is not open for others, or where it'd be super awkward for them to come.)