A Little Help- Same Day, Different Attitude

When things get difficult, where do you look for guidance? Lately, I've been feeling like it just falls into my lap when I need it most. When I'm trying my hardest and I'm fighting through sickness and stress, someone or something will cross my path and make it clear what I need to do.
I think we all need a little help now and then getting through life. So why not share our bits of wisdom?
I think I'm going to make this a recurring blog post. It will enable me to talk about my life, and share the people and places I'm looking to for advice. I'll just do it whenever I feel like I have something to share.
This week, I'm actually going to share something that was directly shared with me in a speech. So I can't really take credit. It just really impacted me, and I think it will impact you.

 Secrets  to Happiness-
This was one of those moments where I truly felt God was reaching down and saying something to me. I   have been very stressed, working very hard, and trying to overcompensate for the fact that I have been very sick. Knowing I needed to fulfill my duty to my chapter, I pulled myself to our Officer Transition Workshop even though I knew it was going to be a long, exhausting day. What I didn't realize is that our speaker was going to completely reenergize me, and give me the hope I needed to continue in a life that I will admit was beating me down. I'm going to share the handout she gave to us, and then explain the point that pretty much knocked me flat.

Please don't steal this image, since it's property of RMH Charlotte and the speaker Mona Johnson-Gibson.  I'm just sharing it with you because I think it's really important! Feel free to save it for yourself, but don't pin it or post it on tumblr! 

Now these secrets may seem pretty standard but I can't communicate the delivery and the most important secret of all--- the one written in the margin.


Same Day, Different Attitude:
Our speaker was talking about seeing the world as a positive place, and how every day we often have a list of things we've GOT TO do. Like here was my GOT TO list for today:

• I've got to get up and get ready before class.
  I've got to get my work done and review before class.
  I've got to get through this class, it's just below my level.
  I've got to get my book and then I've got to go eat before
  I've got to go to Shakespeare class and then
  I've got to pay attention and pass this quiz.
  I've really got to finish this homework.
  I've got to get a latte so I can survive a 3 hour block class at 3pm
  I've got to get through this video, which is making me worry about my future.
  I've got to get dinner after class and then go rest and get homework done because I've just
  GOT SO MUCH TO DO TOMORROW.

Are you as exhausted as I am? That just feels bad typing. It's negative.  It's anxious. 

So how do we fix it? One word.

GET. 

I GET TO.

Let's go through my hectic Monday again with I GET TO.

• I get to get up and get ready for a day of classes that I'm looking forward to!
  I get to eat homemade apple cake that my mom sent with me last night.
  I get to laugh with my friends during class,  because we're all in the same classes.
  I get to have lunch with my sisters and friends, which refreshes me and I get to review during lunch for my next class, which is so helpful!
  I get to enjoy Shakespeare, and my professor is creative and interesting.
  I get to relax between classes.
  I get to enjoy a delicious gingerbread soy latte during my last class.
  I get to take classes in multiple subjects because of my profession.
  I get to have dinner with a great group of sisters and my best friend!
  I get to relax and watch tv and read after dinner and blog!

How do you feel now? That day sounds better, huh? Same day, different attitude. 

Image via Pinterest

What difference can one word make in your life? What difference does perspective make? 

Feel free to share!  Let's all give each other a little help. 

Love,

Hannah 

My Favorite Show- Parenthood

If you listen to any recommendations that I give you (outside of my beauty recommendations, obviously) let it be this one.

Watch Parenthood. 

Pick up the DVDs and watch the first two seasons if you're super eager, but really just get started watching season 3 because it needs viewers and it's an amazing show.
I've never cried so often, laughed so hard or related so much to a show--- and I'm not a parent. If you're a part of a family---big, small, crazy, normal, whatever--- you will get it.
This show is my family, it's your family, it's every family.

The show centers around the boisterous Braverman family, headed by Grandparents Zeke and Camille. Their four children and their children all live in the surrounding area and their lives and personalities mesh in hilarious and heartbreaking ways. For a better synopsis click here.

The writing is beautiful, real and hilarious. The cast is amazing--- if you watched Gilmore Girls you'll recognize Lauren Graham or Lorelei (the reason I got hooked on Parenthood!) Not to mention the rest of the brilliant cast including Mae Whitman, Craig T. Nelson, Erika Cristensen, Dax Shepard, Joy Bryant, Peter Krause, Sarah Ramos, Bonnie Bedelia, and many more!

I find that everyone I know who watches the show will have a character or at least a storyline that they really relate to personally. I find that I'm a mini Julia Braverman-Graham--- type-A personality, rule following and workaholic. My friends and family laugh at how much  I remind them of her!

Erika Christensen explains the Braverman family dynamic with some great Julia Braverman clips from Season 1.

The season premiere was tonight and I'm so excited that it's back! Start watching with me, it's on NBC every Tuesday at 10 pm!

Let me know if you watch, I love talking about it.

Little Favorites

These first few weeks of college have been madness. My old routines have been tossed out and replaced by ones that I could never have expected. I thought I'd share a few of the things that are helping me destress.

Sidenote: Sorry I've been kind of absentee. I'm quite busy, in the best possible way! I start Rush this week and classes have been keeping me busy as well!

Nail Painting always helps me take time out for myself. This is my newest shade- Shopy Til I Drop. It's much more Salmon Pink in person!

The favorite sweatshirt. I love this sweatshirt too much. It's become a staple, and I refuse to stop wearing it. It's just ridiculously  comfy and so cute on. Here's a link if you want to check it out!

TEA. This is my go-to when I'm cramming for Latin (my hardest class) and I don't know if I'd be making it through without it!

Legal pads- Yeah, I'm not big on notebooks and last year I discovered legal pads and I have not looked back. These have totally saved my life at college.

My Vera Bradley Lanyard- I would not be able to keep track of my house, dorm and car keys without it.

Anyhow, those are my silly little things that I'm loving. What are you enjoying these days?

Getting Ready For RUSH.

Rush is less than 2 weeks away!
I'm SO EXCITED. Tons of my friends (in real life and via tumblr) have gone Greek and I've loved hearing about your experiences.
If you don't mind helping me out, I'd love it if you could comment and tell me what your RUSH WEEK experience was like, and if you have one or two key tips for rush. Keep in mind I go to a small school, so some things won't apply!

My college has the following sororities in no order:

So please include if you're a member of any of those lovely organizations!

Our Rush Shirts! So cute. I'm a little anxious about the color (mint is not great on my skin, so I'm hoping it's darker in person) but I'm going to rock it no matter what!

Before I go, here are a few things to help anyone else prepare, since I know a lot of my readers are probably getting ready to rush too! 

Elle Fowler's School Glitz: Sorority Rush and Advice!

This is great if you're someone even thinking about rushing in a year or two, or if you're in my boat, about to rush in a week or two. I walked away from this video more confident and ready for Rush week.

Also, we did a little post on Beauty Forum about Sweat Proof Rush Week Makeup! 

Make sure to check it out!!!

Please comment with any and all advice, everyone! 

Dorm Reveal!

I've been moved in for a whole week and I've finally got the room set up! I decided to make use of the extra bed (yes, I have two beds in my single dorm room. I know... I'm spoiled rotten) and turn it into a couch/sitting area with some fun pillows. My college kind of gave me two of everything, so you'll notice that I have a makeup desk, a studying desk, and two wardrobes and dressers. In my defense, one dresser is empty.
I love my dorm room, and I hope you do too!

My two beds. The pink one is where I sleep, the plaid/patchwork one is my couch.

My two desks. The left one is makeup (also food storage) and the right one is for studying. The file cabinet is where I store my makeup!

Close up on my makeup area. It's not the most glamorous, but I love it. It's hard to tell, but it's super functional. I'll film a video sometime showing it in action.

My reading area. I like to curl up with my American Lit textbook here.

Terrible picture. This is the hallway to my door, where my two wardrobes are located. All my hanging clothes are in one, and my shoes and sweaters are in the other. 

Another wonky photo, sorry. I turned my AC unit into my personal photo board.

A shot of the room from my bed. I'm just trying to give you an idea of the size. It's pretty huge. 

 

 

 

This is the only shot I'll give you of my bathroom because it's really not very exciting. I didn't end up needing a shower curtain (glass door on my shower) and it's just a bathroom. Sorry my dish station is on the floor. I meant to take that out of the photo!

So this is my room!

I've absolutely settled in and I adore Queens. I could not be happier here, and that's not just because my dorm room is perfect for me. I love this campus and these people. This is the best place for me and I belong here.

Glee Live 3D Movie Premiere

I've never done a midnight premiere in my life, but you all know I'm a huge Glee fan. So when they announced they were releasing a 3D concert movie, my best friend Jenny and I decided we'd go all out. Midnight premiere, costumes, singing, everything. It was a total blast.
First of all, if you like Glee, you need to see this. It's on in theaters for 2 weeks so go NOW. It's awesome. Part concert, part Glee characters, part documentary about the fans. It's heartwarming and wonderful and reminds you why we all love Glee so much.
It also happened to be my first ever 3D movie, so that was a lot of fun! I loved the 3D aspects and was glad they made it in 3D. Stay after for the credits, by the way!
I dressed up as guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury because I already have red hair and a closet full of cardigans! Jenny dressed up as Quinn complete with Born This Way "Lucy Caboosey" Shirt. So cute. It was fun and silly and slightly ridiculous but a lot of the midnight premiere-goers were dressed up so that was great.
Here are our pictures. We took a lot of them in the car because we were rushed. The car was stopped, and I wasn't driving!!

My Emma Pilsbury Costume.

Emma and Quinn. Or Hannah and Jenny.

In the theater!!

(Tired, happy, excited!) Gleeks!

Overall it was a really great night. We enjoyed the movie and I can't wait to go back with my mom to see it again at a much more normal hour. Go see Glee Live in 3D now!

Hair Help!

I have a dilemma. I like change, but I also love my long hair.
My haircut is this Wednesday and here are the cuts I'm considering:

Shortest:

I love Dianna Agron's short hair. It's gorgeous this length but I'm not sure mine does so well short. Last time I had it this length it was a TOTAL pain.  I do LOVE how versatile this cut is though.

via thegroncylcopedia

Medium:

Jayma Mays looks lovely here, but again I'm not sure my hair does as well this length. I would be losing probably 3-4 inches to get to that length!

I could get bangs again, but I JUST grew them out. Most likely I'll just get this all trimmed and my layers cut... boring. I want your input though!!
This is my current length with my natural texture:

Comment and help me decide what to do!!