Pain Changes People

This year is coming to a quick end and yes I know I said I'd blog more often and with each post I apologize about not blogging more often...

With that said...I'm sorry about not blogging more often. 
I really really do try to whenever I remember but please bear with me. Thinking of topics isn't always the easiest and I try to think of blog topics that won't stir up debates or anger within my readers.

But I feel like this post is long overdue.

I happened to be going through a list of quotes on this social media page I found, and I find three words that I basically have been trying to explain through my words, my music, my advice.

Pain. Changes. People.

It changes our thoughts, our beliefs, our experiences, our outlook, our behavior. Everything. Pain is the one thing that allows us to evaluate ourselves in the worth way possible and believe it to be justified and logical. It makes us focus on the aspects of this that spurred on the source of the pain and then it makes us want to change it. No one wants to feel pain if we can feel other emotions such as happiness and relief. Pain is sometimes ultimately for the better but the process of working through the hurt is sometimes far too long for the end result to be worth it. At times, it's the process itself that twists and mangles the thoughts and beliefs of a person. 

I wish I could say that I don't have a personal experience to back this up, but I do. Since I don't want to delve too much into my past life, I shall briefly describe a scenario that I experienced barely ten minutes ago. 

As you all know, I am currently a sophomore in Highschool. I am taking two college course and while I admit that it is not nearly as stressful as my upcoming years, I still find it to be quite challenging at times. For some or other reason, I thought today was Thursday (not Wednesday) and that my homework for one of my college classes was due this Friday. I have never really made this mistake before, so it came as a shock to me. My first thought was 'oh, that's ok. Finish it and give it to her on Friday(when my next class is)' and then I proceeded to tell my friends why I don't have my binder and homework for that class to get a good laugh out of it. 

Now here's where I have a problem with the way others react. When a friend of yours has obviously made a mistake and is trying to play it off cool, casually laugh along with the person about the situation. Do. Not. Laugh. At. The. Person. 

I don't know if that was my friend's intention, but I was deeply hurt at seeing my friend laugh at me. I don't think that was her intention, but a simple act like that can and will tell your friend that s/he is stupid for making that mistake. 

What this can lead to is your friend feeling insignificant for any amount of time and then not wanting to open up to you about any other mistakes or misunderstandings that s/he has made. Please be careful whenever you say or do something because it can hurt the other person. 

I realize that this has probably turned into a little venting session for me, apologies for that, but I hope my experience has helped you realize how much a simple action can hurt a person. When you close this page and shut off your laptop or switch to another app on your phone, I do wish that my message of this post will stay in your head. 

I Will Burn The Heart Out Of You

Hey guys! Been almost a month since I last blogged and I feel a good way to blog again is give you a small Supernatural ficlet I wrote recently for my school's literary magazine. It's really (really) short but I liked the way it turned out. Leave your suggestions below please? I'm thinking of doing some imagines as well so if you have any ideas for that, I'd love to hear them too :) Meanwhile, enjoy this gif of Castiel that describes my entire existence

I Will Burn The Heart Out Of You

The lights in the motel room flicker on, illuminating the two figures standing in the doorway. The taller of the pair relies heavily on the door frame to keep him upright. His brown hair was matted down in places with swatches of dark red, the same color of the medium that was smeared across the light switch in areas his finger touched. The man next to him, considerably shorter, staggers into the room. The duffel bag in his hand weighs him down. He reaches into his pockets, pulling out a stack of dusty IDs – each decorated with a different name – and throwing them carelessly onto the bedside table. There seemed to be no significant features that would label the two men as brothers except for the same hollow, faint, burning remnants of humanity clouded by the dark that lingers in their eyes.

            “Who’s taking the bathroom first, Sammy?”  The older one grumbles. His fingers fumble with the zipper of the duffle bag, frowning when it gets stuck on a thread.

            “Guess I will…” ‘Sammy’ moves away from the door. Don’t let the nickname fool you. Gordon made that mistake once and almost got his head chopped off. It’s Sam. He would say. Only Dean gets to call me Sammy. But even Sam, as hard as the name is, didn’t begin to convey the monster that he could be. Dean was the soldier, the ruthless brother, the one with the Mark of Cain, but Sam, Sam, he was the reckless one. The one who has everything to lose, nothing to lose, only Dean left to lose. The two combined forms a vicious flame. The constant pulling and pushing and flickering of the fire never leaves them. The fire will not, cannot, exist without the two. As Sam closes the grimy bathroom door behind him, the cheap yellow light decreasing in the room, Dean tugs off his shirt. He grunts, tendrils of cotton tugging painfully at the dried blood that seemed to be burned onto his skin. 

The air is weighed down with the nightmares they see, thick, choking tension burning their lungs until they fall asleep, until they can fall asleep. And then, and then,  Sam, resting his forehead against the cold tile as red burns the water swirling around at his feet, and Dean, bloodied and burnt and broken and bruised and his jaw set as a needle threads through his skin, know, know, that in their world,

       in humanity, 

                    in the universe, 

                    something

                    must 

                   always 

            B U R N.

You Know Supernatural Changed Your Life When...

This is something I've always wanted to list out. Many of you know the 'You Know Supernatural Changed Your Life When...' Tumblr account and I did get some of these from there but not all =)

And it's November 2, so I want to dedicate this post to Mary Winchester. I truly, honestly liked her character on the show and even though I understand her death was necessary for the plot, I wish we could've seen more of her. 

R.I.P Mary <3

1.You're super careful on Tuesdays. 
2. You always keep salt with you. 
3. You cry on November 2. 

4. You get super hopeful when it starts to thunder and rain. 

5. Leather jackets, plaid shirts, and trench coats aren't just leather jackets, plaid shirts, and trench coats for you. 

6. You see a Supernatural reference in everything. 

7. When you see confetti, you think of Misha going 'Hooray! It's a parade'

8. You about Dean whenever someone mentions pie. 

9. Salting and burning is the answer to everything. 

10. When something weird happens, you start listing off the possible creatures that could be causing it. 

4 Common Misconceptions About High School

Being a Sophomore in high school (that's taking three community college courses this year, mind you!) is very difficult and challenging. I've already had about 10 years of schooling (yes I'm counting Kindergarten) and the difficulty that comes each year with it is relentless. Some classes may be easier than others, but it's been a heck of a rollercoaster for me. There are a lot of things about school I wasted a lot of my time on that I wish I would've known it didn't matter as much as I thought it would. And, of course, being teenagers, many people hold misconceptions about our behavior and that, in turn, affects how people look at high school.




For all of my followers who are going into high school this year or will be going into high school, I really hope that this post will help you understand that high school isn't so bad. *smile*

1. Everyone gets bullied
While I understand that this is legitimately  a concern for many of you (as it was one for me as well), I can assure you that not everyone gets bullied. There is not a 100% change that everyone will hate you. If you join any clubs, there will probably be at least one or two people that share the same interests as you! Maybe you both like reading the same books..maybe both of you like drawing or play the same video games. You never know what could happen. I encourage you to try and join one club this year, even if you already have friends. It's easier to try and branch out if you make a new friends.

2. You won't find a table to sit at for lunch.
This is one of the many fears that newcomers have. Where will I sit? Do I sit with people I met in my class? Will I look like a loner if I sit by myself? Will there be empty tables? How does the lunch line work? While these are valid worries, there is a simple remedy. If you start talking to someone else in one of your classes (even 10 minutes is enough) put out a simple offer to sit together at lunch. If you don't want to sound 'desperate' try something like this: "Hey, I was wondering, want to sit together at lunch? I don't know how many empty tables there will be, so it saves us the trouble of finding extra seats, right?" and grin or laugh lightly to give that 'laid-back' feel to the other person. Try maintaining eye contact if you can.

3. Everyone in high school is most likely on drugs.
This is FALSE. While there are the groups of kids that do make the choice to drink, smoke, etc..there are a lot more who are paying attention to their grades, who care about education, and who are overall very nice people to be around. It just happens that the kids who do drugs are most often the ones who are well known because of their habits and that overshadows the rest of the student body that should be appreciated.

4. High school is like a jail cell
OK, so I understand why people might say this (I've said it a few times myself)  but don't let this saying overshadow your thoughts. The main lobby in my school literally looks like the cement walls in jails BUT I still love it here because of all the fun I have. Yes, it's stressful. Yes, I stay up all night doing my homework. Yes, studying for tests is really hard. No, I don't want to leave. You might not like high school but I guarantee you that you will make close friends and have really amazing memories. Looking past the hard work and determination you will need, high school is a really fun place and there isn't one day that you will not be amused by what's happening in the cafeteria or in the hallways.

Well, that's it folks. The four common misconceptions people have about high school. There are definitely a lot more fake rumors that people believe but sometimes it's more fun to figure out that they're just rumors through your own experience that reading about it in a blog. I wish you the best of luck in the long journey that's called high school.

(But, I mean.....wouldn't it be cooler to go to Hogwarts?)

Clara Oswald: Clingy or Clever?

Cheesy title, I know....I know, but I couldn't think of anything else that summed up the question that has been bugging me since I met her, especially once Capaldi became the Doctor. I do not deny that, as a person, she is very likeable, but as a companion she tends to bother me.

She met the Matt Smith as the Doctor and even though she might deny it, she fell in love with the Impossible Hero and she was the Impossible Girl. Sure she might have been "born to save the Doctor" but she isn't the only important companion. There was Donna, Martha, and Amy; all of them taught the Doctor the importance of family.

With all of his previous companions, there was never the obvious question of "Will a relationship between them become canon?" Even with Rose, canon suggests that the 10th Doctor might've had feelings for Rose and we all know that Rose did grow to love the Doctor but she understood the consequences of traveling with him. She knew the consequences of falling in love with him.

Martha had that school girl crush on the Doctor but quickly overcame that (Was it because of Captain Jack Harper?). She was loyal to the Doctor and knew that he would not be able to return her feelings so she took the small part of the Doctor that she could - a friend.

The Ponds were family to the Doctor. Amy and Rory. The Girl Who Waited and The Plastic Centenarian. Many people say that all Amy and Rory did was follow the Doctor's orders....but that's because they trusted him. They trusted him to know what he was doing or to follow his instincts. In the end, they became his family.

She is taking the Doctor for granted and wasn't ready to accept the 12th Doctor because he wasn't "young looking".

Is it just me or is Clara just really annoying?

Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's End

Right now in my life, there are a lot of things that are changing, that are ending, that are starting a new chapter.

School started about a week ago for me, and even though it's only been 5 days of actual school (we didn't do anything the first day), I can already sense the pressure building. Being in my sophomore year and having a college-course class is tough but I know I can make it. If something is beginning and I know that I'm going to have to buckle up and get ready for the ride that's starting, it's always important for me to know that there are things out there that are beginning as well.

I'm getting ready for the school year; I'm organized, I'm taking down notes, keeping my planner updated every day, making sure I'm not procrastinating. I still feel as if I'm going to be drowning in homework and studying till midnight.

 With all of this, though, I'm keeping myself grounded by the things I love. I've listed a few things below that are going to start or have recently started that is helping me stay sane!

1. Fall Out Boy recently released their song Centuries . I absolutely love this song! It's new, it's catchy, it's different, and it will definitely bring about a slight change in the fan-base and in the band that I think everyone will be happy with.
2. Black Veil Brides have released two singles from their yet-to-be-released self-titled album called Heart of Fire and Faithless.Their new album (BVB IV) will be released in October and I just can't wait!
3. Season 10 of Supernatural will premiere on Tuesday, October 7 at 9/8c. If you guys don't know yet, I am a major fan of the TV Series called Supernatural on the CW network. I have watch seasons 1-6 and overall know what happens in Seasons 7-9 (yes I have seen the season 9 finale), so even though I haven't watched the last three seasons, I am very excited for Season 10!
4. Peter Capaldi, as the 12th Doctor in Doctor Who, has already shot two episodes which have aired. The new season for Doctor Who (BBC) has already started, but is only a few episodes in, so I'm looking forward to seeing Capaldi play the new Doctor. In my opinion, Capaldi will bring a new side of the Doctor out - the side that genuinely realizes the cost of his actions and wants to set out to rectify them. I will definitely root for him!

I know that as the year passes by, I will have less and less time to root for and support the bands and TV series that I love because I will be extremely busy. Even though I won't be able to publicly show my love and support for everyone that is starting a new chapter of their lives, I will definitely keep them in my heart and wish them luck along the way.

I would like to do that to all of my readers as well. You guys are so amazing and you might be started or have already started something new and unique in your life. It may be out of your comfort zone and you may not be used to it and there probably will be some aspects that you completely despise, but I'm here every step of the way. I get the discomfort, I get the nerves and the uneasiness and I want you to know that you are strong and independent; you have the courage and strength to finish this new chapter and begin another one later. Just get through the first few pages, you never know what you will find. 

Twist and Shout

I realize that I haven't blogged anything in a long while and for the past few weeks - even though I've been telling myself that I should start again - I couldn't find it in me to get up and actually start typing about things it seemed I don't really care about. I just felt that there wasn't a reason to talk about them. There's nothing special about the cute dress that I'd seen two weeks ago when I went shopping. There's nothing special about the really nice guy I'd seen at the library but was too shy to strike up a conversation with. There's nothing special about a Led Zeppelin song that I fell in love with. Well that's how it seemed at the time. I never bothered about the tiny little things that we fall in love with everyday. I never bothered about how we think everything will turn out okay but 20 years in the future, our lives could be crumbling apart.

So what spurred this change?

It was, ladies and gentlemen, in fact, a fanfiction. Yes, this whole inspiring change was brought upon me through a fanfiction. 

He wished he could dream of some other memory. It used to be his favorite one. The seaside and Cas in his windbreaker, the feeling of their hands sliding over each other, the emptiness of the world. Cas’ hair touching his chin as they watched the water, his laughter when he grabbed him by the middle and picked him up, the way they’d tossed bread to the gulls and talked about flying and boats. About dreams and houses on islands. Now there was only silence, the endless void of a movie camera, the idle way Cas walked by the water, stooping to stare at crabs or watch for little fish, trapped there, in that moment. He felt so far away, and with every step Cas took the distance kept growing and he didn’t know how to make it stop. -- Twist and Shout

Many of you might be thinking "What sort of fanfiction can affect someone this much?". Well, I've copied one of my favorite passages from the fic Twist and Shout (Link is at the bottom). The one thing I love most about this fanfiction is that you learn about the hardships that two people involved in any kind of relationship (couples, best friends, family, etc) could go through. This one focuses on Dean and Castiel, who live during the Vietnam War. You have two completely different people who are drawn to each other merely by their existence. You never know exactly what it is that attracts the other in the relationship - it just does. You learn about the difficulties of having a relationship with the other (since homosexuality was heavily frowned upon in those days). Throughout the chapters, you are introduced with small moments that Dean and Cas (Castiel) spend together and at first, we think nothing of it. As you continue reading, however, we realize how much these moments had truly meant to the two. Nostalgia and a heavy sense of longing was present in both characters and while the writer was describing a fictional character's feelings, I couldn't help but start to tear up.

Just having a glimpse into how the characters felt - albeit not being real - nearly broke me. It's even worse if you are a Supernatural (the TV show) fan since Dean and Castiel are two characters on that show (granted you support Dean & Cas together). Of course, I will never understand the depth of pain that they went through in this fanfic or how deep their scars went, but I definitely understood the importance of cherishing the moments that I have the good fortune to come across - it may dwindle down to nothing as time passes.

Even though I have yet to experience everything life has to offer, I will not let opportunities pass me by just because "I don't have time". I need to take chances and learn to appreciate what I have each moment. I never know when it will be whisked away from me...

Click to read "Twist and Shout"
**Warning: Contains homosexual relationship**

Summer Days drifted away to the Summer Night

Well it's been at least 5 months since I've last posted and I want to apologize profusely to those of you who have been reading all of my posts since I've started. What with my finals and summer homework and summer classes I'd totally forgotten about this blog. I'm terribly sorry.

But the past is the past and I want to start a new leaf with this year's summer. I've fallen behind on many of my Blogger Challenge posts and I promise I will make up for it over the course of the next 2 months.
Now let's get on to the main post shall we?

I actually really wanted to dedicate this post to the almost-over summer and talk about what I did over the two month break. I should have been studying for the SATs and trying to get ahead of the next school year's syllabus but I wanted to recharge this summer. I joined the Supernatural and Sherlock fandom! Yes...I'm a SuperWhoLockian now :) I also started watching Criminal Minds and CSI. With all of these TV marathons over the summer, I needed to balance out the fun with the work.

I thought more about what I'd want to be  when I go into college and how I can improve my life in order to get there.
(I.E. First step: Be Organized! School is about to start and I bought new binders and notebooks for each class. )
As I continued catching up on the SuperWhoLock episodes, I got ready for my new school year and even started studying for the SATs towards the end of summer! I know, crazy right?

I also went to Montreal and Quebec in Canada. It was beautiful there, especially Quebec. I found it so interesting because of all the culture that's been embedded in the walls of the city, It's colorful and entertaining and informative. I found that going there definitely helped me end my summer in a positive note because of all the things I decided I wanted to know more about. And what better way of doing that than going back to school and paying attention in History Class!?

School starts tomorrow for me, and even though I'm excited for a new year of learning, I also don't want to forget all the fandoms I've joined and the friends that came along with it. I've decided to decorate my notebooks with quotes from the SuperWhoLock Fandom.

• Supernatural quotes are on my English notebook
• Doctor Who quotes are on my History notebook
• Sherlock quotes are on my Cultural Anthropology (Semester 1) and Intro to Human Origins (Semester 2) notebook

This way, I remember the fun I've had over the summer while reminding myself that fun and education can go hand in hand.

My English Notebook =)

That's the thing with music...it demands to be felt

What's up guys? It's Ash here and fair warning you might see a hint of fangirling here and there because this post is

ALL.
ABOUT.
MUSIC.

DUN DUN DUN

Annnnddddd..................if any of you know me in real life or have talked to be before, music is a big big big big BIG part of my life. I love singing and I love playing the piano and most of all I love listening to music so today I'm going to be talking about the top three of my favorite bands and why I like them.

If you haven't noticed already, there's a list of my favorite musicians on the top left of my blog. (P.s. It's not in the order of most to least favorite).

The number one musician/band just has to be Black Veil Brides. I admit that I don't listen to them daily and/or 24/7, but that band really just has been there for me and helped me through a really rough patch in my life which I don't think I would ever be able to repay them for. I find them to be a really inspiring group of people who look out for each of their fans and love their fan base. The way they talk about their fans, it really awes me because of how much passion they have for their music and their love for every single person who they've helped through their music. If I'd continue, my post on Black Veil Brides would take up the entire page, so I'll just leave it at this: It's because of them I am where I am today. I owe everything to them.

My second favorite musician/band usually varies since I listen to a widespread area of genres, so I'll go with Pierce the Veil. To be honest, I just really love their songs and how, at first glance, it sounds like its just a catchy song with nothing more to it, but then when you really listen to it, it has a much deeper meaning. Both the band and the listeners have that kind of connection to each song and it's that bond that makes Pierce the Veil so special. Even if I don't listen to one of their songs for months, I will still be able to come back to that song and enjoy it as much as I did when I first heard it; that's something I really like because then it's like you'll never grow too old for that band. It's always there for you.

My third favorite musician/band (again it varies) is Ed Sheeran. With Ed Sheeran, there's always a nostalgic quality that I like listening to in his songs. The way he's able to pour his feelings out into each song and make it something that we all can relate to is amazing. I also love the fact that most of his slow are on the quieter side (even if he does rap in them). Ed and his songs are a great inspiration when I want to write something meaningful and I almost always end up daydreaming whenever I listen to his songs. They just bring out that dreamer in all of us.

There you have it folks! My top three musicians/bands. Like I said before, I listen to a wide variety of genres so if you have a band that you like or think I should check out, leave it in the comments below! I'd be thrilled to find new music to listen to and if you want to listen to some of my favorite musicians/bands I'd be more that happy!!

She's like cold coffee in the morning...

Hey guys! It's me Ash here with a Cold Coffee Recipe. It's just getting warm outside and there's nothing better than kicking back with a glass of cold coffee to pass the day away, so I have my favorite cold coffee recipe that I'd love to share with you guys!

Ingrediants

For coffee:

4 1/2 ounces coarsely ground coffee (about 1 3/4 cups)
3 1/2 cups cold water

For Serving:

milk, half-and-half,or water

Simple Syrup

Ice

Procedure:

1. Place the coffee grounds in a 2-quart pitcher, add the water, and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let sleep at room temperature for 12-24 hours.
2. Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth or coffee filter and fit it over a cup/mug. Working in batches, slowly pour the coffee into the filter until all of the liquid has passed through the strainer. Stop when you reach the solids at the bottom of the pitcher. Take a spoon and gently push the solids so the rest of the liquids will seep through. Discard the grounds and the contents of the strainer.
3. Wash and dry the pitcher. Transfer the strained coffee into the pitcher. Cover and refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 2 hours or up to 5 days.
4. For each cup of iced coffee, dilute the concentrate with an equal portion of milk, half-and-half, or water. Sweeten with simple syrup if desired and top with ice.

So there you have it folks! A recipe for the perfect cup of cold coffee. As I said before, this is one of my absolute favorites and feel free to mess around with the recipe to fit your needs!

Which new nail style will you try today?

Now a lot of people over look the whole "nail" thing while others take it a little too far. What I like to do is take my nails seriously but still maintain the whole "subtle look" (a.k.a french nails, plain nude, or a light pastel color that won't draw attention).

That was before.

Today I'm going to look at some mani-pedi combos I found online that I want to share with you guys. It's sparkly, glittery, and a pop of colors which I cannot wait to try! You can get the entire list of 10 mani-pedi combos on Seventeen and pictures of how the nail polish looks like. I didn't include every single picture since I figured it'd take up a lot of space

Leggo!
 
1. Silver Glitter and Hot Pink
++Milani Jewel FX Nail Lacquer in Silver ($4.55)
++Pixi Nail Color in Summer Pink ($8)
 
2. Black and Red
++CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Black Diamond ($4.99)
++Formula X For Sephora in Pyrotechnic ($10.50)
 
3.Gray and Radiant Orchid
++e.l.f Essential Nail Polish in Misty Haze ($2)
++Butter LONDON Molly Coddled Nail Lacquer ($15)
 
4. Chocolate and Rose
++Zoya Nail Polish in Louise ($9)
++Maybelline Color Show Nail Polish in Pink & Proper ($2.99)
 
5. Nude and Cobalt
++March Jacobs beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer ($18)
++Fuse Gelnamel Gel Plolish ($6.39)
 
6.Raspberry and Magenta Glitter
++L'Oreal Colour Riche Nail Trend Setter in Crazy For Chic ($4.99)
++Blackheart Magenta Glitter Nail Polish ($3.75)
 
7. White Texture and Creamy Beige
++China Glaze Sand Dolla Make You Holla ($6.99)
++Sonia Kashuk Nail Color in Nudist($4.75)
 
8. Peach and Dark Purple
++Color Club Nail-Robi ($8)
++eddie Resort Fling ($8.50)
 
9. Gunmetal and Hot Purple
++NYC New York Color Long Wearing Nail Enamel in Rock The Party! ($0.93)
++Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Grab ($17)
 
10. Bright and Yellow Pink
++OPI I Just Can't Cope-acabana ($9)
++Nicole by OPI Selena Gomez Collection Nail Polish in Naturally ($7.04)

Well there you have it, 10 Perfect Combos to try when you get your mani-pedi done! I'm definitely going to try one of these out!!

My Favorite: High-Street Brands

Like almost every other girl, I have those shopping spree moments (#guiltypleasure) even though I'd hate to admit it. Every time I go to the mall, there's always that one store (or stores) that I just need to go to.
They have the cutest clothes with prices no one can argue with.

O1. dELiA*s

+Delia's is a pretty known store around the east coast, not exactly sure if its out there in the west, but what's shipping for right? This store has possibly the cutest outfits ever for Spring, especially if you're a teenager. They just got 250 new spring dresses and swimsuits start at $19.99! They also have 2 for $10, 2 for $20, and 2 for $25 deals with the most adorable tees. what's not to love?

 

O2. Forever 21

+ I don't know a single girl who hasn't shopped at Forever21 yet. They've got a sale going on at all times and have about 1,400 new arrivals right now. Forever21 has extended it's inventory to include outfits and accessories to include men, women, and girls of all sizes! They're stocked with the most chic styles.

 

O3. Lucky Brand

+Now this is one I haven't heard of before and by skimming their website I'm getting a good feeling. They're got one of those hipster looks about them that I feel will definitely help you bring out your inner style!

 

O4. Nordstrom

+Yes, I have included Nordstrom on here. Yes, I know it's expensive, but its Spring. So treat yourself for making it through the winter! The Junior's section has these amazing tops and fabulous dresses. They're definitely an eye-catcher. Who says you can't be unique AND fashionable at the same time?

 

O5. Zumiez

+Zumiez is definitely a to-go. They hold the latest trends for teens and they're super comfortable. From crop tops and high-waist skirts to hoodies and jeans, this store will be able to fit your style. If you want to switch up your look for Spring, Zumiez will be perfect for you!

 

Spring shopping should never be something dreadful that we just can't decide on what to buy! Choosing the right stores will help you save money and save time while still making the right choices! What could be better than that?

My Opinions...

   Ok, I feel after certain events in my life I feel the need to get this off of my chest. I would like to apologize in advance if this post offends any of you in any way, but this is just my opinion.

   Just about five minutes ago I was watching funny videos of Pierce the Veil on YouTube. I'm not a huge fan of them, but I do like their music, and I respect them greatly as people. I believe that anyone who looks at their life story can draw great inspiration from them.

   Anyways, I was showing my Grammy the video because I didn't spend much time with her lately and I thought that it would be fun to show her. My cousin walks up beside her and watches the video too. I was OK with that, because I couldn't blame him for watching a video I was showing my Grammy even though he didn't like the band. ( I will post the video in the bottom of this post )

   About five minutes into the video, he starts calling them 'gay' because of Vic Fuentes' long hair, or the shirts they were wearing. This really annoys me because when I asked him why he thinks they're gay, he replies, "Because they look so gay! They have long hair and wear pink shirts (this was during a BryanStarz Interview) and they just look gay. That's so gross. Ew." Now please excuse me if this wasn't an appropriate reaction from me in your eyes, but I was really mad at him for saying that. I was thoroughly annoyed and angry that he was immature enough to believe that you can tell a person is "gay" by looking at them. He believes that the gay stereotype is OK to use in public.

   While I admit there are some things that are associated with a male person with homosexual tendencies, I do not believe it's OK to label people as gay because of their looks or actions. They are people, not cans of soup. Do. Not. Label. People. Moreover, I am a strong supporter of homosexual rights, and when people just call people gay like calling them a boy or girl, it's really frustrating.

   I understand that some people are uncomfortable with seeing bxb or gxg couples showing PDA. I get it, but please don't think that being a homosexual is something a person does by "choice". A person gets as much choice in his/her homosexuality as he/she gets in his/her gender. It is already decided for you. Studies prove that these people have higher levels of certain hormones than they should, therefore determinating their sexuality. Read more here. So obviously, one cannot just "choose" to be gay.

   Extending this topic, please do not call people gay because they "look like they are". Some may be radiating their homosexuality because they simple do not care if people know. Others are scared of how the public will treat them, so they hide it from others, or as most people say "they're in the closet". Also, it isn't right to discriminate against them. It doesn't make sense. What have they done to deserve that? Nothing.

   If you bring up the Bible, that is not a good back up either. One of my very good friends, who is a Christian, told me today that there is a story about a gay couple in the Bible. Now, I don't know to what extent this is true since I don't follow the Bible, but obviously it isn't "God's will" to discriminate against people of the same-sex tendencies. The Bible also says many things that we humans do today. It just doesn't make sense to treat them differently. A person said that people shouldn't be gay or lesbian because it decreases the world's population. What? The last I heard, the increasing population has been becoming a major problem in terms of having enough resources to feed the kids, so homosexuals are doing us a favor.

   I am not asking you to change your opinions. I respect them as much as I do mine. Nor am I intending to start one of those heterosexual vs. homosexual arguments. I would like for anyone reading this to just think about what it would feel like if you were discriminated that way. Try to refrain from using any stereotypes or discriminating anyone. It hurts.

   It really doesn't matter if they are now does it? How are they affecting your life? If you don't like the homosexual PDAs, calmly tell them about it. Screaming and discriminating and bullying them will only make matters worse.

   Again, excuse me if this post has offended you in anyway. I needed to let this off my chest and calmly tell people how I feel (the post has turned out calmer than I expected seeing that I was about to punch my cousin earlier).


What if being straight was frowned upon instead?

  ^^The video that I was showing my Grammy and cousin.^^

*reposted*

Skincare

Hair/Skincare

The second topic of the 2014 Blogger Challenge in skincare. I'm not much of a person who focuses a ton on skincare, but doing this post helped me look into a lot of easy and natural ways to improve your skin which I may end up trying!

1.  Java Lip Exfoliator 

   Ingredients:
   1/2 teaspoon of moisturizing lotion (such as Olay’s Active Hydrating Body Fluid)
   1/4 teaspoon fresh coffee grounds
   1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
   
   Directions:
   Mix well in a bowl. Apply to entire mouth area and massage around for five minutes. Wipe clean with a warm wet washcloth.
   
   I haven't tried this yet. I usually use Burt's Bee's Natural Lip Balm to moisturize my lips. It works great in the winter! I have a habit of licking my lips often, and in the winter it leaves my lips cracked with  a slight red irritation under my lips. Using the lip balm  easily gets rid of the cracks and irritation.

2. Shea Butter:

   High in fatty acids, shea butter is an emollient — meaning it provides a layer of oil on top of the surface of a hair strand, significantly reducing the amount of moisture (water) lost
   
   
   I don't use Shea Butter, but it has been recommended to me before by my aunt, not for my hair though. If you shave your legs and start getting dark spots on your legs, (I will make a post later explaining why) Shea butter can help clear those up. I believe you can find some in Victoria's Secret.

3. Coconut Oil:

   Many natural hair products contain coconut oil, another emollient perfect for sealing moisture into the hair. Coconut oil provides both shine and strength to locks, making it a popular ingredient for naturals.
   Coconut oil can also be used as a leave-in conditioner for for thicker textured hair. Because the natural hair oils have difficulty sliding down the curls, you'll need to use an abundant amount of coconut oil.
   
   
   This is one that I currently use. The one thing I don't like is the scent it leaves, so I suggest massaging it onto your hair on a Friday or Saturday night, and wash it off the next morning so you have the oil in your hair now and the scent is gone too  

4. Dry Brushing

   Dry brushing improves circulation in your skin, which is necessary because your skin is the largest organ there is! It removes dead skin, eliminates clogged pores (i.e. the red dots on your legs after shaving) and cellulite (a condition in which the skin appears to have areas with underlying fat deposits, giving it a dimpled, lumpy appearance. It is most noticeable on the buttocks and thighs, and usually occurs after puberty. Read more)
   The directions copied from Mind Body Green:
   
   1.} Start on dry skin before bathing & work in gentle circular, upward motions, then longer, smoother strokes. You can use an exfoliate too ( I like this one ).
   2.} Always begin at the ankles in upwards movements towards the heart – the lymphatic fluid flows through the body towards the heart, so it’s important that you brush in the same direction.
   3.} Your back is the only exception to the preceding rule; brush from the neck down to the lower back.
   4.} After you’ve finished with the ankles, move up to the lower legs, thighs, stomach, back and arms. Be cautious of softer and sensitive skin around the chest & breasts, and never brush over inflamed skin, sores, sun-burnt skin, or skin cancer. ( Also: ensure you shower to wash away the dead skin cells and impurities ).
   Tip: alternating temperatures in the shower from hot to cold will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation, bring more blood to the outer layers of the skin.
   Then follow it up with a slick moisturizer to nourish the skin— coconut oil works great!
   
   
   
   So there you have it folks, my top four recommendations for Hair/Skincare. I hope you liked this short tip. Sorry about the short descriptions, but I found one website very helpful in learning about new ways to take care of your skin: The Skinny Confidential. Take a look at the site to look at more in depth explanations. 

*Quick Note*
I found another great post on Mind Body Green on Why Everyone Should Get To Know Ghee. I want all of you to know this because my family's been using ghee ever since I can remember! (I am Indian, so it would make sense!) The article is completely true and I suggest giving it a once-over.

Whew! Ok, this has been my longest post yet. Thanks for reading this far! ^.^
Have a great fantastic naturally beautiful day <3
*Muah*

TAG | "My First Time"

I saw this tag on +Daniela Vasco 's Blog and thought that it'd be a pretty cool thing to do since I haven't blogged in a while. So here you go! =)

This tag consists in several questions, regarding different topics, about your first time. Let's

1. FIRST YouTube video you ever watched?

   I don't think I remember exactly the first video I watched, but it was probably some kind of lyric video. #sorrynotsorry

2. FIRST person you subscribed on YouTube?

   The first person I subscribed to was Superwoman. I love her videos! They're fun and totally relatable. For anyone who has not seen her videos, desi or not, I recommend watching it! You'll spend hours laughing at her videos.

3. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
   Hmm, no I guess, since I haven't really 'loved' anyone like that yet...

4. FIRST kiss?
   Haha, nope! Nada. Question invalid. Haven't had my first kiss yet people ;D

5. FIRST soft drink?
   Well, for starters, I had to tone down this question so it's suitable for me to answer, haha. Secondly,

6. FIRST car?
   Hmm, not old enough to drive yet, BUT I would absolutely love to have a black 1969 Mustang Fastback:

7. FIRST job?
   Hmm, again. Not old enough for a job. But I'm hoping to become a BioMed Engineer OR a singer =)

8. FIRST pet?
   I've never had pets, but I want a cat, or a small dog.

9. FIRST celebrity crush?
  David Henry. Guys. Can we talk about him for a moment? He be so perfect.

 10. FIRST real boyfriend?
   Umm, lol, I shoudn't be doing this tag if most of my answers are no. Never had a legit boyfriend.
  11. Who was your FIRST person to text you today?
   I actually didn't text anyone today, but the last person to text me was my friend Christina.

12. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
   I believe her name was Ms. Rebolt or something XD

13. Where was your FIRST sleepover?
   Actually at my old house with my neighbor. Lol, he was only a few years younger than me, but we were really good friends, and our parents were good friends. So why not right?

14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
   I checked the time to see how long I could take a shower without being late to my bus. Which ended up being 7 minutes. Not too bad.

15. FIRST concert you ever went to?
   An A.R. Rahman concert when I was pretty small with my mom and dad. It was pretty cool, although I started crying because it was too loud! haha.
 

16. FIRST broken bone?
   Nopeeee....Never broken a bone. Almost sprained my finger in gym though.

17. FIRST movie you remember seeing?
    Is this possible to answer? It's probably a movie called Hum Tum. It's a hindi movie that I absolutely LOVED as a kid, and I still love it now.

18. FIRST sport you were involved in?
   Uhh, swimming I believe. I love to swim, but my skin gets really realllyyyy dark and ugly because of the chlorine or whatever, so I had to quit *sad face*

19. FIRST tweet?
   Oooohh, don't have a Twitter, but if I had one, it'd probably be something like "Rocking out my band shirt and leggings with a cup of hot cocoa by the window" or something haha. But my birthday was a month ago, and my friend photoshopped this tweet:
I got so happy!!

20. FIRST Facebook profile picture?
   I don't like posting pictures of myself on the internet, haha. Most of these questions were invalid for me. Why am I even doing this tag? XD

21. FIRST piercing?
   I got my ears pierced as a baby (the normal ones). I want a lip ring though, or maybe one snakebite. =)

Because I thought this was such a nice tag, I would like to thank Barbs for tagging me, and I would like to tag anyone who sees this and wants to do it. =)