Second Quarter Finals

With two days left in quarter two, units and lessons are ending, and the final tests, quizzes, and assesments are resurfacing. I am not a great test taker, so when up to 50% of my ultimate grade in a class is relying on a final, it can build up some anxiety. I also know that I can't be the only one who does fine in class but struggles when given a sixty-question multiple choice test. I have a hard time believing that a Scantron score can give a full perspective assessment on how much I'm learning or how "smart" I am. I find it sad that a number, like a test score, is what's determining my learning levels, but until they find a better system I'll be up at all hours studying.

Scantron
Photo Courtesy: delmar.edu

Just thinking about how many tests I have the next day gives me that tickle of uneasiness in the pit of my stomach. The stress from it all starts to affect other aspects of my life. I notice that I am more irritable with my friends and family when I am stressed out from school. I get tired more easily and often. I feel so overwhelmed by everything that sometimes I don't have any energy left in me to contain snapping at someone.

Everyone gets stressed out from school, a stress relief can be helpful. Sometimes going for a run with some good music can help me take my mind off of things for things for a little bit, sometimes all I need is a long hot shower. Deep breaths are also important ;). Although it is crucial to have a relief to all of this anxiety, you can't just ignore what you need to do because that will make it worse. You need to make sure you are studying and preparing for your classes because this will make you feel more confident going into your test, and in the process hopefully relieving some of your stress at the source.

Photo Courtesy: mindpostinspiration.com

Good study habits are NEVER a bad thing. The number one thing on my list of bad habits probably has to be procrastination. Take it from someone who puts the "pro" in procrastination, don't do it. If you get what you need to get done before it has to be done it gives you so much more wiggle room for something to go wrong. Turning in your work earlier makes school amazingly easier, and not on time, early. Give yourself more than one night to study for your tests too. It's one way to eliminate majorities of your stress. No one likes a last minute time crunch. Another study deficiency to kick to the curb is your phone. I know it can be harder than it should be sometimes, but if you can keep it in a drawer while you study for half-an-hour or so while you study, you'd be surprised by how much more you retain from your studying just by being completely focussed and immersed in what you're learning. One other thing that can help you if you're going through the same end-of-the-quarter shenanigans that I am: sleep. A full eight hours is a must if you're looking to at least keep your eyes open during your tests. Yes, that is a very hypocritical thing to say on my part, but we all try, right? ;) Keep up good study habits and that will most likely make your week go ten times easier.

Good luck on your finals, god knows I need it.

Freezing Matters

Yesterday started out like any other January morning. At 6:00am sharp my alarm started blaring and with a nauseating feeling in my stomach I knew the morning had started. It took all of my strength to pry my legs from the toasty comfort my bed provides. As I headed out the front door the headlights from my mom's car streaked through the morning fog. A layer of gray covered anything taller than thirty feet high like a blanket of dish-water cotton candy. The ice fought me as I ripped the door to the frozen car open. I slumped into shotgun and fumbled to smash the heat-seat button as soon as I could.

When I found myself sliding out of the car I remembered thinking the fog looked so pretty. The North 40 Field was hiding and the only thing I could make out was the path up to two to three feet in front of me. I love the mornings like this because it makes being inside at school feel so much more cozy. First period consisted of the same weather.

I have second period at the high school, the walk up to my class was comparable to my walk to school in the morning.

Then it happened.

Half way through second period it was as if the Gods above got into a pillow fight and the feathers were plummeting to the ground on Earth. Huge flakes of frozen condensation started ribboning through the sky. The little window looking out of French class in room 142 didn't even do the storm any justice. The walk back to Treasure was the real deal. As I opened the side door out into the snow globe, the nippy air hit me like a wave and I was immersed in the cold. I knew that is was going to be one of the longest five-minute walks of my life. I was right.

By the time I got back to Treasure, I'd never been happier to have reached those front doors going into school. My jacket went from dry to drenched and the fluff was gathered in piles on my shoulders and the top of my backpack. My braided hair had turned into a snow-caked-popcicle, and the mascara on my eyelashes had migrated to dark circles underneath my eyes.

Photo Courtesy: parkcitymountain.com

The worst part is I had to go back to the high school again for fourth period.

At that point the cotton balls had died down to specks of white sprinkles, so the walk there wasn't as bad as my walk back from second period was. The air was still frigid, I could feel my nostrils freeze shut every time I sniffled, but at least I wasn't layered from head to toe in snow.

When school got out, they made an announcement over the intercom that they were canceling all after school activities, including all varsity sports. The roads were so bad that they canceled everything.

I was hoping that maybe all of this would mean a snow day the next day. Unfortunately I had no such luck.

Song of the Week: Sweet Ophelia

2015 Resolutions

With the New Year officially in motion, all I seem to hear is "This year I want to--", "My resolution is--", or some sort of "I want to change ____ this year." I honestly think that the whole idea of having resolutions for the year to come is sad, in a way. It's ridiculous that we need have January 1st every year to reflect and better ourselves. Why should a date determine when you need to "resolute". 

Photo Courtesy: blogs.browardpalmbeach.com

Every year on New Year's Eve, my mom likes to start off our family dinner with the question of "What's your New Years resolution?" Each one of us typically says some cheesy way to refine ourselves in the year to come as we go around the table. This typically irritates me. Why is it on just one night of the year that we decide to take a moment and see what needs improvement in each one of us. Why is it that just on the night before January 1st that we do this. Everyday should be January 1st. Everyday should be a new day to reflect on your life and how you can better yourself as a person.

I don't think it matters who you are are where you came from, I definitely admire the statement "It doesn't matter how far down the wrong road you've driven, you can always turn the car around." You are not your mistakes. If you are unhappy with the decisions, actions, or consequences your life has partaken, than take a better grip on the steering wheel and pull a U-turn.

Photo Courtesy: theguardian.com

So do what you need to motivate yourself. Find what drives you, whether it be a person, place, or thing. Find something that sparks a little flame in you, because you are capable of any "New Year's Resolution" you set your mind to, or any major change in your life for that matter. Motivation can be as easy as an inspirational quote written by a figure you look up to, or it might be as hard as finding something deep and dark inside of yourself to give you the will to change. Look for the things you enjoy and let your interests pilot you in your path towards change. If you find a motivation to succeed than you are more likely to accomplish your goals.

Whether you come from rock bottom or sky high, that can all change. You can change. You have the power invested in yourself, in fact, you are the only person who has the power to improve yourself. Others can surely help and try to impact you, but at the end of the day you are the only person who can change and better yourself. No one else can do that job for you.

If you get anything from this post, have it be the influence to make everyday your January 1st. Every day is an opportunity and every sunrise is the glow of a clean slate, and don't take advantage of that.

My New Year's Resolution is to make a New Year's Resolution every day.

A Not-So-Warm Welcome To Winter

I think that it is safe to say winter has hit Park City. Personally, this time of year has been very frustrating for me; it's cold enough outside to make you want to stay indoors 24/7, the ground is slippery enough to slip and fall every other step, there's enough snow on the ground to get your boots wet and make your feet cold and uncomfortable the rest of the day. Yet, there's not enough snow on the mountain for all of the runs to be open, there aren't any storms to possibly contribute towards a snow day, and none of the holiday cheer has quite kicked in yet. I would like to skip to the part in the season where you feel totally submerged in the winter wonderland.

I love winter. I love the cozy sweaters, I love the warm drinks, I love the roofs blanketed in snow, I love waking up to a blizzard, I love the feeling of fresh powder under my skis, I even love the tourists that come into town for Sundance. I think Park City, having the "best snow on earth", lights up during the Winter when most other places are starting to shut-down, and I enjoy being a part of that.

Park City's Main Street
Photo Courtesy NY Times

As of today, December 10th, there are six of the sixteen chair lifts open at Park City Mountain Resort, if that doesn't give you a rough idea on how much snow we are lacking, maybe if you saw the grassy grounds and blue bird skies that would. Being a skier, I am a little concerned that Park City will be experiencing yet another snow-hungry winter. All I can do at this point is keep my fingers crossed and twin-tips waxed.

Park City Mountain Resort
Photo Courtesy allseasonsresortlodging.com

Until the ski season picks up, I will be content enjoying the sweater weather and Christmas Sales commercials on TV and embracing the holiday season.

Song of the Week: Cigarette Daydreams

Five Exercises To Burn Off Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Now the 27th was Thanksgiving, a time for family, gratitude, and of course loads of food. Don't let that gobble send you for a guilt trip; try these exercises to shed those heaps of creamy mashed potatoes and fattening gravy...


Exercise Number One: Mountain Climbers

First get in a push-up position. Simply tuck your knee to your chest and then back next to your other foot in a swift motion. This counts as one rep. Alternate legs each time. Be sure to tighten your core and keep your back straight during these to avoid any discomfort or injuries. You should feel this exercise mostly in your abdominals, it is also normal to feel your shoulders and arms working.

Photo Courtesy: menshealth.com

Exercise Number Two: Crunches

Crunches are probably one of the oldest ab work outs in the book, but there's a reason for that; crunches are a quick, easy, and effective way of toning your tummy, if you do them right. Start lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground a foot or so away from your butt. The further your feet are from your bottom, the lower the abs that are worked. Knowing this keep your feet close to your bum if your want to work your upper abs, and keep them as far away from your but as possible if you want to work your lower abs. Before you start, make positive that the small of your back is touching the ground, to do this tighten your core and think of squishing a bug with your back. If you have a hard time maintaining this contact, you can try placing a towel under your lower back to compensate. When you have the correct body positioning, raise your head and neck off of the floor and too the sky by contracting your abdominals. Keep your hands tucked behind your ears, try your hardest not to use them, if it helps you you can cross them across your chest. Up and down is one rep, repeat.

Photo Courtesy: womenshealthmag.com

Exercise Number Three: Leg Raises

A leg raise is really simple and will tone your upper thighs, hips, and even strengthen your core. First get into the same starting position as a crunch (make sure your back squishes the floor the same way as well). One leg at a time, point your toes and raise it from the floor to about two feet off the ground, keeping your leg straight the whole time. Your other leg should stay cocked next to it. Alternate legs each time. One up and down motion counts as one rep.

Photo Courtesy: howto-all.com

Exercise Number Four: Pelvis Raises

This exercise may look kind of funny, but your hamstrings and glutes will thank you for it later. Start in the same position as the crunches and leg raises. Once your back is flat, knees are bent, and feet are flat on the floor, you can thrust your pelvis a foot or two off the ground by squeezing your butt and using your leg muscles. Your feet stay on the ground, the only thing that moves is your pelvis, it is also important that you maintain a strong core and flat torso. It may not feel like much at first, but after a while you should start to feel it in your hammies and bum. This is a great tush-toner and should help melt all that extra stuffing you ate right off ;)

Photo Courtesy: shape.com

Exercise Number Five: Bicycle Kicks

Bicycle kicks are a great abdominal, leg, and all around core workout. For this exercise start out on your back with your legs flat on the floor. Lift your legs about six inches off of the ground and lace your fingers behind your neck. Crunch your right knee towards your chest, and touch your left elbow to your right knee (while keeping your fingers laced). Then with out letting your legs touch the floor alternate sides by straightening your right leg back out and rotating your torso back to natural, and crunching your left knee to your chest and touching it with your right elbow in one swift movement. This will count as one rep. As always, make sure you are in good position with the small of your back against the ground at all times. The movement of your legs when alternating sides should resemble a cycling motion.

Photo Courtesy: popworkouts.com

If you have any interests in more exercises, these cites are great: 

• Fitness Magazine
• Muscle and Fitness
• Tone it Up