Macy's College Lifestyle.

Hey fellow bloggers!
I need a huge favor from you guys :) I've entered a scholarship contest. I designed a room (it's called "Iridescent"). It would be awesome if you guys could click the link (Macy's College Lifestyle!) below and "like" my room! Thank you so much!

-AA

Macy's College Lifestyle.

My Summer TV Shows

During the school year, I hardly have time to watch TV. It's all about schoolwork and I can never keep up with episodes. And so one of the things I love to do in the summer...is watch TV. Here, I've compiled a couple of my favorite TV shows for the summer. Have you guys seen any of them? Have any to recommend?

The Bachelorette

This show is most definitely a guilty pleasure! Although the competition is a bit ludicrous (I mean...really? Finding "real love" on television) and the past relationships haven't flourished, it's still a fun show to watch! This year Ashley and the guys traveled around Southeast Asia...and so the setting was so beautiful. Plus, the drama, the men, and the game show setting keeps me watching. It's down to the final four...and although, I like all the guys, my favorite would definitely have to be Ames. I can't wait to see who goes home tonight!

Switched At Birth

This show has such a unique plot that I'm hooked! I love the fact that these girls were switched at birth. I've read stories about this...but watching it in concrete form, is so much better. I love the characters and I feel like I can relate to many of them. It's nice how the producers include so many arguments into the story: the gambling addiction, the low income families, the deaf culture. It's intriguing...and this show has got me wanting to learn sign language even more than usual!

Pretty Little Liars

I've been watching this show for a while now. The first season finished in December and the second season began just a month ago. I've never read the books, but there's something about the TV series that keeps me watching every Tuesday. The mystery (who is A???) is so addicting...I couldn't fathom not knowing who it is. However, the plots are becoming a tiny bit ridiculous and very long...but it's those moments where - like a horror film - I find myself shouting at the TV screen, warning the girls that I know it's worth watching it.

Sacrifice

I peeked out the corner, into the kitchen. Mother was waving her hands in rapid circles, her eyebrows furrowed, her pink, stained lips moving curtly. I stood confused...was she going craz --...and just before I could finish my thought, she turned around and I spotted the black bluetooth perched behind her golden hair. No surprise there. I scowled.
I remembered that as a little kid, I used to marvel at my mom's multi-tasking ability. With her phone positioned between her shoulder and ear, she would cook, watch TV, vacuum, and still find time to play with me. She would call me down from my room and teach me how to cook. She would do the cutting and I would put the tomatoes, the potatoes, the chilis into the pan and mix, my mother's hand on top of mine, guiding me throughout.
I used to love it when I cooked with my mom. I didn't mind the countless times she forgot I had been waiting for an hour to stir the chicken. I didn't mind when she signaled me to come with her hands because her mind and her words were with someone else across the lines. I didn't mind anyone of it because atleast, I was spending time with my mom, even if it was just listening to her voice or watching her work her magic.
Over time, even this little piece of my mother faded away. Business meetings became more important than school graduations; weekends consisted of being locked at daycares instead of playing soccer. And...I believe it was 6th grade, the beginning of middle school, when the threads of our relationship finally broke off. Mother wanted to conquer the world...I, I just wanted to be a teenager, go to the movies, eat out, have some fun. But in any relationship, whether it be husband & wife, brother & sister, or mother & child, one has to sacrifice. This case...it was me.

Why I Won't Die

I'm not afraid to admit I've imagined it. Dying that is. Just thirty minutes ago, I was sitting in the car as my mom drove me, scolding at me relentlessly. I sat silently, watching the mesh of green trees dissolve faster and faster.
In front of me, there was a big, red truck. It moved slowly ensuing ugly words from my mother. It had a lever sticking out of the trunk and every time the truck accelerated after a stop sign or a signal, the lever moved up and down rapidly and ferociously. For the miles we were behind that truck, I quietly wished for the lever to fall off. I imagined it spiraling out of control, hitting our car, breaking the windows, and stabbing right through my body.
I'm not suicidal.
I'm really not,
I promise.
Here's why:
I've imagined the consequences of me dying either from an accident or a disease. My family would be heartbroken, scattered in pieces. I can vision them crying, hovering over my dead body, their arms around my fragile, lifeless face. I can see the words spewing out their mouths. Accusations, blames, curses.
My parents would continue their fights. Countless, endless. My brother and sister would be torn; they would not only be stuck in a household filled with bitterness and remorse, but be inundated with feelings of helplessness, betrayal, anger.
...
I like to imagine, but I'm not quite sure if what I believe would happen would actually happen. I'll even consider myself selfish for thinking that such a response could happen. But I don't care. It's these thoughts, this story...this unforeseeable future that prevents me from taking that knife to my throat.So, does that make me selfless? Selfless en ought to live for the love of my family?

summer in a different form

This weekend, I was surrounded with girls adorning braids. Some had just a few braids with their hair let down whereas others formed a braid bun. I loved it. Braids are such a cute summer hairstyle. They look simple & sweet, but add a touch of class to any outfit and a sense of enigma to any personality. I love the fact that there's so many unique ways to play with braids. However, I am ashamed to say, I suck at doing my hair; I blame it on my genes and my naturally wavy, frizzy hair. So, bloggers out there do you have any advice on how to braid? Do you guys know any good Youtube video tutorials?

what I'd never done...but hope to do soon

I returned from Girls State and am proud to say that it was one of the best experiences of my young life. Not only did I get heavily involved in the governmental process, but I developed indelible friendships and grasped worldly concepts. 

The theme of this year was The Power of One Voice. The governor, lt. governor, attorney general, lawyers, war heroes...they all came to give us speeches and each one got me rethinking the path I was headed. 

I've always wanted to make a difference in the world. Always. When I was 5, I wanted to be a cowgirl with the best horse in the whole, wide world. When I was 9, I wanted to be an artist, my works portrayed in the streets of France. When I was 12, I wanted to lead the army and lead the country to victory. When I was 14, I wanted to become an author who used her earnings to build houses in Africa. When I was 15 and entered I high school...this all changed. My dreams, my aspirations slightly diminished and were taken over by a desire to get the best of all grades and to be the smartest of them all. 

I'm not saying I was completely selfish. I did collect money for charities, wrap presents to be sent to sick children, ran for breast cancer...and all that. However, what I didn't do was step out of my comfort zone and travel places. I didn't go to Africa to teach the young kids to read. I didn't go to Pakistan to help rebuild the houses. I didn't research  to find a possible cure to cancer. I never went passed my limits. Not one bit. 

I'm not a failure. No, I believe I have accomplished a lot and I'm proud of myself. However, I hope that in the future - in college, that is - I take the chance to try something new. Instead of being behind the scenes, I hope one day that I'm the one with the steering wheel, actually doing the works that I am passionate about. 

So, I thank girls state for making me a stronger person. I now know that where there's a will, there's always a way. 

let's get classy

This Sunday I leave for Girls State. It's a one week leadership program (I was nominated by my school & then got accepted with the interview) at a nearby university. I CAN'T WAIT. We'll be meeting governors and politicians, so I'm supposed to bring a lot of business casual clothes and business business clothes. I'm going shopping tomorrow with my mom, but for fun, I just designed a set of the kind of stuff I'm looking for. Hope you like it!

-AA