Homework Playlist

So much studying has been done, and will continue to be done. None of it could be accomplished without God's great mercy and love. Here's the playlist that keeps me typing up vocab review sheets for hours:

I like to keep a mix of fast and slow songs to keep myself alert. I like to listen to Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Fun, Michael Buble, slow One Direction songs, Snow Patrol, and Taylor Swift, especially Red. This is actually a new playlist. I got bored of the old one, and so to inspire myself to work again, I created this one. I have to change it up every once in a while because I am the human version of the dog in Up. Squirrel!

Lots of Love,

sCa

New Lilly!

Okay, I'm really liking the Lilly Resort collection. So much better than the fall collection, which I wouldn't even go see in person, because looking at it in the catalog made me feel ill. But Lilly is back! There are still a few pieces that are like "what were you thinking", but for the most part, this collection is a winner. These are some of my favorite pieces. I picked these over some of the others, because they seemed more "winter" to me, and (unfortunately) I won't actually be heading to a resort and will have no use for sundresses or bikinis. Sigh. But these are fantastic!

How perfect is this? It's great for Texas's mild winters-add tights and scarf when it's icy, flats when it's not. 

A great casual dress-I'm a huge fan of stripes. 

I adore oversize sweaters. This would be adorable with leggings and boots.

Puffy vest! Yay!

Perfect party dress-is that bow not precious?

More bows! 

Are you a fan of Lilly's resort collection? What are your favorite pieces? 

Lots of Love,

sCa

All images courtesy of Lilly Pulitzer. I do not own any of them. 

Late Fall Must Haves

There are certain things which keep me going through late fall. I absotulely adore the cold weather we're having in Houston right now, and I hope it doesn't going away for a long, long, time. These are the things that keep me going strong during these long last two months of the semester. 

Cuddly blankets. I got a monogrammed microfleece blanket in my school's color for graduation, and I love it. 

I love chilly mornings. This is the Houston skyline during winter. 

Highlighters. I'd never have made it through midterms, and certainly won't make it through finals, without them. 

Red by Taylor Swift. Obsessed. It's been on repeat since 8 minutes after it came out (iTunes was being really slow). 

The Perks of Being A Wallflower. Really good so far. It's taking me a long time to read since I'm so busy with school, but I'm really enjoying it. 

Coffee, especially pumpkin lattes. I'd never make it through my 8 am's without coffee, and these warm me right up, while waking me up. 

Leggings! Yay! I love leggings with my brother's oversize sweaters and boots or flats. Looks chic, but is also really comfy, and if I happen to need to fall asleep in the library, I'm not going to have to worry about jeans cutting off the circulation to my legs. 

Please comment if you have any questions or post ideas!

Lots of Love,

sCa

All images courtesy of Google Images. I do not own them. 

Review of Red by Taylor Swift

Okay, since I've been listening to it on repeat pretty much non-stop, I thought I'd do a sort of mini-review of Red! I just love it. 

1) State of Grace
A rockish end of a relationship song. Great lyrics! Favorite line: "I'm walking fast through the traffic lights, Busy streets and busy lives, And all we know is touch and go." Secret Message: I Love You Doesn't Count After Goodbye. Best Guess As To Who It's About: I would think, based on the message, that the same person who "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" is written to, which I believe to be Jake Gyllenhall. 


2) Red
This song compares the different stages of a break up and love to colors. Um, genius. And it's fast and bouncy. Perfect title track. Favorite Line: "Memorizing him was as easy as knowing all the words to your old favorite song, Fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there’s no right answer." Secret Message: SAG. Best Guess As To Who It's About: Internet says Jake Gyllenhall.

3) Treacherous
I can't really decide if this is a sad song or not. The music is definetely sad sounding (very soft and instrumental), but the words are about attraction, albeit a somewhat dangerous or treacherous attraction. I really like it though. Favorite line: "Put your lips close to mine, As long as they don't touch. Out of focus, eye to eye, Till the gravity's too much". Secret Message: Won't Stop Till It's Over. Best Guess As To Who It's About: The Internet has decided that the choice of words for the lyrics are little references to John Mayer songs. Clever, Taylor, very clever. I approve. 

4) I Knew You Were Trouble
Such a great song to rock out to! It's very much a "what on earth was I thinking" song. Which, lets face it, we all have those moments. Favorite line: "And I heard you moved on, From whispers on the street, A new notch in your belt Is all I'll ever be". Secret Message: "When You Saw Me Dancing" Best Guess As To Who It's About: John "The Player" Mayer is my best guess, though the internet is saying there's no way to tell. (My opinion is that she should have know better than to date him ever. And that she realized that and wrote this song as a follow up to "Dear John".)

5) All to Well

This seems to be most people's favorite song from Red. I'm waiting for it to become mine. It's really pretty. Very soft. It feels like a soft rainy day, a perfectly worn in grey sweatshirt, and maybe crying. Favorite Line: "Cause there we are again, in the middle of the night, We're dancing around the kitchen in the refrigerator light, Down the stairs, I was there, I remember it all to well." Secret Message: Maple Latte. Best Guess As To Who It's About: The internet has deduced that since she went on so many coffee dates with Jake Gyllenhall, this might be about him. This would fit in well with the line about the sister (Maggie Gyllenhall). 

6) 22
This is my theme song :) It's about be being young, not really knowing what's happening, but having the greatest time of your life just because you're with you're best friends. Favorite Line: "We're happy free confused and lonely in the best way, It's miserable and magical, oh yeah, Tonight's the night when we forget about the heartbreaks, It's time" Secret Message: "Ashley Claire Diana Selena" Best Guess As to Who it's about: Ashley, Claire, Diana, and Selena. I'm a genius, right? Haha they're her best friends who she hangs out with a lot. 

7) I Almost Do
Super sad song that describes everyone's life if you've ever had your heart broken and had to move on when you weren't quite ready. Favorite Line: "And I just want to tell you It takes everything in me not to call you And I wish I could run to you And I hope you know that." Secret Message: Wrote This Instead of Calling. Best Guess As To Who It's About: Taylor Lautner, since it seems she and the guy parted as friends, but sadly. 

8) We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
I love the sarcasm in this song. I completely do not understand the music video, but whatever. I don't think this was the best song to do as the first single, since I think it scared a lot of old fans off. But it is still a great song, especially for singing really loudly with your girlfriends in the car. Favorite Line: "We are never ever getting back together. Like ever." Secret Message: "When I stopped caring what you thought". Best guess as to it's about: Jake Gyllenhall. 

9) Stay Stay Stay
This song is just so cute! It's like lollipops and sundresses and daisies and butterflies. I mean, it has a banjo in it. How could you not love it? It's very bouncy and romantic. Favorite line: "Before you I only dated self indulgent takers who took all of their problems out on me But you carry my groceries and now i'm always laughing" (Because only Taylor can say "self-indulgent" in a song and make it sound good). Secret Message: "Day Dreaming About Real Love". Best guess as to who it's about: Possibly just a daydream, though possibly Cory Monteith or Conor Kennedy. 

10) The Last Time (featuring Gary Lightbody)
The musical arrangement of this song is just to perfect to describe. Their voices work so perfectly together it's just magical. It's a sad one for sure. Favorite line: "When right before your eyes, I’m aching, run fast, Nowhere to hide, Just you and me" Secret Message: "L.A. On your Break". Best Guess As To Who It's About: Eh, not really sure. Rumors put Jake Gyllenhall as the recipient. 

11) Holy Ground
Such a bouncy song! Perfect dance around the room like no one cares kind of tune. Favorite line: "Spinning like a girl in a brand new dress, We had this big wide city all to ourselves". Secret Message: When You Came to the Show in SD. Best Guess As To Who It's About: Everything I've read says if you read her arm messages following the show in San Diego, they're more cheerful. It's possible it's about Joe Jonas (Bleck. Sorry to all Jonas Brothers fans, but I do not feel the love for any of them. Well, maybe Nick a little, but it's very small, and only in comparison to Joe.)

12) Sad Beautiful Tragic
This is my new cry my eyes out song. The lyrics are tragic. The instruments are just perfect, quiet and peaceful. Favorite line: "In dreams, I meet you in long conversation We both wake in lonely beds, and different cities, And time is taking its sweet time erasing you." Secret Message: While You Were On A Train. Best Guess As To Who It's About: The Internet says Taylor Lautner, but I disagree and say John Mayer. The tragic/fighting/heartbreak theme is more characteristics of songs about that relationship than those about Taylor Lautner, who she tends to be more apologetic/romantic towards. 

13) The Lucky One
Someone please tell me that I was not the only one who was positive that this was going to be the confession that she and Zac Efron dated at some point? It's not though. But it is gorgeous! It's really beautifully arranged, and the music is just ethereal. I kind of just feel like floating and crying and laughing all at the same time when I hear it because it's so good. Favorite line: "You had it figured out since you were in school. Everybody loves pretty, everybody loves cool. So overnight you look like a sixties’ queen." Secret Message: Wouldn't You Like To Know. (Answer being HECK YES I WOULD) Best Guess As To Who It's About: The Internet says possibly Joni Mitchell (who Taylor will play in an upcoming movie) or a Kennedy, who she obviously admires. 

14) Everything Has Changed (featuring Ed Sheeran)
She featured my British Lepracaun. Good job Taylor. Love this song. Favorite Line: "And all I've seen since 18 hours ago is green eyes and freckles and your smile in the back of my mind making me feel right." Secret Message: Hyannis Port. Best Guess As To Who It's About: Conor Kennedy, obviously. No question about it. 

15) Starlight
This is probably going to end up being my favorite fast song off the album. It appealed to me right off, and I've had it stuck in my head nonstop since I heard it the first time. It's simply brilliant. Favorite Line:  "I said oh my, what a marvellous tune, It was the best night, never would forget how we, moved, The whole place was dressed to the nines, and we were dancing, dancing, Like we're made of starlight." Secret Message: "For Ethel" Best Guess As To Who It's About: Ethel and Robert Kennedy's romance. It's super sweet. Taylor has always been a fan of the Kennedys, and so this song is about the romance that they had. 

16) Begin Again
When this single came out, I literally did not take it off repeat for two weeks. I now go to Java City every Wednesday wearing a dress and a Taylor Swift-like cardigan in the hopes of meeting my own Conor Kennedy (Java City is the closest thing to a cafe at school). It's the perfect new beginnings, autumn song. Favorite Line: "Walked in expecting you'd be late, But you got here early and you stand and wave I walk to you. You pull my chair out and help me in, And you don't know how nice that is." Secret Message: I Wear Heels Now. Best Guess As To Who It's About: Jake Gyllenhall to fill the bad guy role, Conor Kennedy as the new man who is polite and sweet. 

Have you bought and listened to Red yet? Do you love it?

Please comment if you have any questions or post ideas!

Lots of Love,

sCa

Date Ideas

Okay, so I don't have a boyfriend. I don't even really like anyone right now. But I happen to love planning dates :) I think it's just think it's super fun. So be prepared for this to be a ridiculously cute, romantic post.

Okay, so idea number one is the county fair. I really like this outfit for it:

Fairs are really fun and romantic dates. Hand holding on rides is practically mandatory, there's lots of twinkly lights, great music, and yummy food. (Image courtesy of Pinterest)

Idea number two is a drive through the country, windows down, radio up. Perfect outfit:

I'm partial to country music, so I got this idea from the Luke Bryan song "I Don't Want This Night To End". LOVE THAT SONG. This really is my ideal date. And it's super inexpensive, since all you're spending money on is gas and maybe some bottles of lemonade or root beer. Although if you were driving to a cute little picnic spot, maybe some fruit and sandwiches could be involved. (Image courtesy of Pinterest)

Idea number three is a movie/tv show marathon on a Saturday. This is great for rainy days. Perfect outfit:

If my (imaginary) boyfriend were to show up with a huge box of Sour Patch Kids and popcorn and was willing to watch every episode of Dr.Who that is on Netflix with me while curled up under my favorite blanket, I'd be the happiest girl in the world. I might even be talked into watching Lord of the Rings in return (I've never seen it. I told a friend of the family that she should start shopping for an outfit to wear to my wedding when I agree to watch Lord of the Rings, because that's true love). (Image courtesy of Polyvore)

Idea number four is a picnic. I actually did this with my girlfriends today! It's so much fun. Perfect outfit:

Go to the store and get cheese cubes, crackers, lemonade, apple slices, berries, things like that. Pack napkins and glasses, a huge blanket, and your camera. Take LOTS of pictures. Adorable pictures, silly pictures, pictures of food, pictures of feet, whatever. (Image courtesy of Pinterest)

Idea number five is dance lessons under the stars. A lot of town centers and community centers do this for free. Perfect outfit:

Grab your guy and sway the night away to Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble. Maybe treat yourselves to ice cream or coffee afterwards. Lots of fun, super romantic, and a great excuse to dress up a bit! (Image courtesy of Pinterest).

For all you lucky ladies with boyfriends, I hope you have fun maybe trying out some of these date ideas and enjoying this gorgeous weather!

Please comment if you have any questions or post ideas!

Lots of Love,

sCa

Life Decisions

I've been having a bit of a tough time the last few days. I've really been stressed and tired, and today was the straw that broke the camel's back. As you might have guessed from my blog and twitter names,  I'm premed at Houston Baptist University. I've been questioning why since about the third week of school. It's not HBU that's the problem (I simply adore my fabulous school), it's me. I frankly suck at all things science and math. So, why, you might be asking, am I premed? Allow me to explain. When I was 14, I decided I need to pick a career so I could start planning for college. I thought I was way behind on the whole game because at 14, I had not yet taken the PSAT or SAT. I was insane. But that's beside the point. I decided that I would be a doctor (specifically an obstetrician-gynecologist), for a few reasons:

1) It was a job where I could help people every day.

2) I wouldn't be sitting at a desk all the time.

3) I would get to interact with people.

4) It was a financially stable job

5) It sounded really smart

Yes, the fifth one is a lame reason. But do you know what kind of looks people give a fourteen year old when she says she has a 35 year plan and knows exactly what she's going to do with her life? Very impressed. So I went with it. I decided to major in biology because I was getting an A in it in high school, and I thought surely in college we wouldn't bother with plants and cells, we'd jump straight to diseases and anatomy.

Reality check four years later: I hate science. 

Further reality check: I really hate plants.

I'm pulling low A's and B's in biology, and low A's in precal. But I'm not interested in anything that's happening. I go to pre-health meetings, and I'm bored. My fear of cutting open a cadaver grows worse. In one of those pre-health meetings, we are told a story of a girl whose reasons to be a doctor were eerily similar to mine. She walked into her first cadaver class in medical school and fainted. A week later, she dropped out of medical school.

I don't want to be that person. I don't think I would actually make it that far any way. So I've decided to pursue a different path.

I'm going to change my major to Business Management and Political Science. My goal is to begin my career by working on political campaigns, before running for office myself. Eventually, I hope to achieve a high office, such as Governor of Texas or President. 

I'm going to pray about it more, but I believe this is what God is calling me to do. He has put so many great opportunities in my life that point towards the political/business field. For instance, I have interned at my uncle's law office for a total of six months. I participated in Youth and Government, where I was blessed enough to be placed in the Senate my senior year. I have taken three government courses now. In one of these courses, I learned how to write a thesis-based argument paper, where I argued that the decision in Roe vs. Wade was incorrect legally and constitutionally. I was able to for free participate in speech and debate programs throughout high school, where I learned the skills necessary for a career in a political/legal/business field. 

Also, I believe that God is telling me that I was not meant to be a doctor. I've been having nightmares about things such as cadaver dissection and the possibility of being legally forced to perform an abortion. In my biology test today, even though I studied a total of about 48 hours for it, I was unable to answer with confidence almost half of the questions. Science is clearly not one of my gifts. However, I have been told that I am a gifted public speaker, and that I have a talent for organization. I would really like to use these gifts to glorify God. 

I am going to think and pray about this a lot more before I make my final decision. I'm going to schedule a meeting with my Freshman Year Seminar professor (who is also a business professor, and the pre-law advisor, if I decide to go that route) and discuss it with him. I will also meet with my biology advisor, and explain my fears to her. Also, I'm going to talk it over with my parents, priest, and godparents. My brother's godfather has offered to give me a tour of his ob/gyn offices, so I'll do that before I make my decision. 

So, if next week there's a mass change of my internet user names, don't say you weren't warned :)

Lots of Love and please keep me in your prayers,

sCa

How I Study For Exams

So, since I have a bio exam coming up on Thursday (eek!),  I'd thought I'd share how I study for my exams.

To start, I make a study plan, which looks something like this. I tend to do this two weeks in advance, get unmotivated and not follow it, and have to redo it for a week's worth of studying....oops....

Then I start reviewing my lecture notes, which I print off of Blackboard. I highlight all the vocabulary and the headings while we cover it in class. Then, I go through and make flashcards for all the terms. Each chapter gets a different color highlighter for it's flashcards, which corresponds to the color I'll use on the study guide sheet she gives us. Here's what my notes and cards look like:

Then I read through my lecture notes again obsessively. I underline as I read to keep myself from just skimming. This helps me stay focused. I do each read through with a different colored pen, so it ends up looking like a rainbow. An example:

That's my third read through of those notes. I doubt you can tell because of my lousy phone camera, but there is blue, lime green, and purple underlining on this one so far. 

Then I go to my class notes. I highlight terms and headings, redraw all the diagrams on clean sheets of paper, and summarize each chapter's notes onto a single piece of notebook paper so I have all the concepts easily at hand. Here's the notes after the first go round:

A Redrawn diagram of the the reproductive cycles of Zygomycota and Ascomycota (we're studying fungus and plants right now. Bleck):

And my summary of the notes:

I do this chapter by chapter (each test covers 4 chapters). My professor takes her test questions directly from her lecture and class notes, so I don't really have to worry about what was in the textbook, but I'll go over any diagrams in there that she's referenced in class.

This leaves me feeling well prepared for each exam. I hope this helped some of you, and thank you for reading! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for post topics, please leave me a comment below! I love reading them :)

Have a blessed and wonderful rest of Monday (please pray for my exam on Thursday!),




sCa

What I'm Craving From Vineyard Vines Right Now

So I'm really regretting being a broke college student right now, because Vineyard Vines has some super cute stuff for fall! Here's what's on my wish list:

This skirt is absolutely darling. I love the print, and it's the perfect length-easy to sit down/stand up in, but not so long it looks stuffy.

I bought an umbrella during orientation (cause it was pouring), but my brother managed to lose it. I think this would be the perfect replacement....

I know this is a guy's shirt. But really. I just love oversize t-shirts. 

Eeeeeee Shep Shirt! I love this style. I'm in a debate over the white or navy (purely mental, since I have no money for coffee, much less clothes)

These look beyond comfy. And they're so precious! Can you say late night study session wear?

It rains a ridiculous amount these days, and I'm constantly getting soaked cause of the lost umbrella. I don't have room in my tote bag/backpack for my raincoat.....but this one stuffs into it's own pocket! So it becomes super small, and ultra convenient for carrying around. 

I love khaki skirts, and courdouray just screams fall to me. What's not to love?

I'm a coffee addict. My mom figured out that with all the money I've spent on coffee at Starbucks/Java City since January, I could have bought TWO coffee makers at William Sonoma, with money left over. Maybe if I'd had this, I'd have realized that sooner....

Whale sticker set! For my laptop, my planner, my car, my homework notebook.....so many uses!

This dress is adorable! And so multi-purpose! Date worthy (if I could find a boyfriend), throw on a sweater and it's perfect for church, add a jean jacket and it's ready for tailgating. I could even wear it to class with a sweater and my sperrys. 

So that's what I'm pining for-what are y'all liking from Vineyard Vines right now? Comment and let me know! 

Also, if you have ANY ideas for posts, please tell me! I'd really like to start posting on here more often,  eventually daily. So anything you're curious about, just tell me!

All photo credit to Vineyard Vines.