Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Thank God Yesterday is OVER! & A Gift for You



Firstly, I wanted to share with you the song "Praise You In The Storm" by Casting Crowns.  Although I'm not going to talk about it on my blog, yesterday I had such an emotionally challenging day.  That brought me to consider all of the people who go through things exceedingly more difficult than myself.  I just can't imagine myself in their spots.  Everything I have experienced has taught me about life.  These experiences have one-by-one broken me down or built me up.  This is what life is about.  I sometimes ask myself if I am weird because I cry more than my close friends.  I sometimes ask myself if being weird means something is wrong with me.  I always have to take a moment and consider this question.  Even if somethings about me were weird my two options would be to either change myself or seek help.  

External influences will always challenge you because the world is full of surprises.  As my friend Auqilla told me today, "You don't know what you don't know."  This is why life is so wonderous.  I thank God that I haven't yet faces a challenge that left me feeling completely lost, worthless or hopeless.  I think about myself... the cycle where I run to God then shy away then run back.  I just want to let you know that we all go through hard times.  I see that when I am in a hard time it only gets better with the Lord.  The place I find most comfort in the world is at church. I love walking in and sitting on the alter when no one is around.  In these moments I sing to the Lord.  Something about that place is so different than anywhere else.  Ladies, even when you go through hard times, remember that even if you do something that seems different it isn't always a negative thing.  How does your weakness serve as a strength towards others?

Secondly, let's talk fashion and self-assessment. It's almost silly how our attire partly comprises our self-confidence sometimes.  I believe this is because people take pride in art.  If art is fashion and fashion is what we wear, then how can we present what we wear to the world when it is incomplete or misrepresented?  I'm sitting here in my sweats, because today I feel like lounging about, but I do have many days when I want to create something artsy.  This is where my fashion sense comes in to play. :)  *Side note: the best fashion is ethical and sustainable*



And Finally... today's post is really for all of you vintage lovers!  Do you remember my post with the purple ruffle pleated blazer from eShaki?  Well, I have just received a special something from eShaki to share with all of you!  The great thing about this site is that all of their outfits are cusomizeable, so no matter what size you are, you can have your perfect fit! Guess what?  eShaki created a special discount code just for my followers (that's you)! Don't you feel special? hehe ^_^  Valid through March 10, 2013.  Have fun customizing your order! :) 



Simply type in BEYTFLHPE at the check out to receive 20% off your order.  





Happy it's not yesterday,
Christine







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Sunday, February 24, 2013

To Give Up One Love

I wanted to share with you a hard decision that I made just yesterday.





 (I am aware that this photo looks a bit unpleasant, but I was shivering in the 30 degree weather. Excuse? Yes!)  I wanted to post this picture because I love the luxurious and ethnic look of this new headpiece!

 I am a complete fan of my new black blouse from Sugarlips.  It is my first black blouse, and so I feel like I am finally part of the unofficial black blouse club.  You know that club, where every member loves fashion and owns a black blouses?  It just seems to me like a black blouse has always been a staple item for fashion lovers.  Either way, I feel part of it.  Whether the unofficial members of this unofficial club know it exists is aside from the point, because I have deemed myself as this unofficial club's newest member!  I especially love the golden metal buttons and the lace detailing! ^_^ So cute!

 

 Great Woven Blouse | Sugarlips       Headband, Crops | Free People        Heels | Madden Girl (Marshalls)

Last Sunday I recieved the email that told me I was a Truman Finalist 2013.(See post HERE).  This was such a wonderful thing, and still is.  With this, I am now working hard to prepare for the interveiw all 200 finalists will have to go through to distinguish who the 50 winners of the Truman Scholarship will be.  

In preparation for my interview I am booked every day with readings and meetings and coaching.  Because of this I had to make the saddening decision to let go of row team(women's crew).  My tryouts for women's crew started a little over a week ago.  Waking up at 6am for practice and being exhausted because I pushed myself as hard as I could go was something that I was beginning to love.  I joined the team, well... #1 so that I could make friends.  And I was doing exactly that! So many of the girls were so nice, it was like being part of a big family where everyone had the same goal and interests.  This was the first time I was part of an athletic team... and nothing about crew was wrong.  I loved the mental and physical challenge, and the coaches are so amazing at motivating and pushing the athletes to their goals.  The only problem was that with all the things I already did, adding crew practices left me with 6 hours of sleep at night, and little energy for homework.  Adding practices for the Truman Scholar interview would have left me with 3-4 hours of sleep at night.

When I made the decision to walk away from row team, I came home and cried.  I suppose this was because I finally found something in college that I was 100% happy with every aspect of, I don't even mind the calluses now on my palms, because I loved crew.  I liked row more than swing dancing at my college, and for those of you who are consistent readers, I really enjoy swing dancing!

A secret was that I didn't think I would make it to be a Truman Finalist because the "government activities" section on my Truman application was blank.  Being that this scholarship is from the government, I assumed that meant I was out of the running.  I suppose I was wrong.  But back to my decision... because I made the decision to give up something that I loved, I made a promise to myself that I will put all of the hard work and determination that I dedicated to row practice every 6:30am- 8:30am and transfer that to my preparation for my Truman Interview.

I am still quite sad when I think that I walked away from row team, but I suppose it was the "smart" thing to do.  Being an adult sucks... I remember the times when I could fill up my activities to the brim because school work wasn't as time demanding.  But then again, without my education, none of these opportunities I'm swimming in right now would even be in my life.

... and that's a thought to ponder on.



Typing away with thoughts to ponder and papers to read,
Christine





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Monday, February 18, 2013

Scholarship Finalist!!!


In a loss of voice, due to screaming, and explosion of energy, expressed with jumping and running around,  I read it:

"2013 New York City Truman Finalist - Respond by February 21"


Unrealistic. The heading of this email seemed unrealistic to me.  I thought to myself, how is this at all possible? I am just Christine.  I am aware that the many things I do make me seem unique.  But I feel like so many people have great ideas and never pursue them... that is the difference.  However, I never thought that I was special enough to be the top 200 finalists. I just thank God every time I think of what happened... that I am now a finalist.  The next step is to go to New York City for an interview! That makes me anxious yet nervous because I need to do a lot of reading to prepare for the questions they will ask me.

My Promise. I told the Lord that if I won this, I would dedicate my career to Him.  As for my graduate school research, and Ph.D. research which is to come... I can't complete this sentence   With this scholarship, it means I will for sure attend the graduate school of my choice, because the money offered to me will not be the first determining factor.  

Next Step. Now that I am a finalist I am going to make sure to stay humble.  This is such an honor. Being a finalist does not mean that I have the scholarship yet.  If the Lord wants it for me, so that I may use my life more for Him, I accept!  I am currently practicing interview questions with my friend, Jas! =D

Who wins?
Well... First, incredible students with a passion for social change competed within their Universities for their University nomination.  Then, these over 600 students competed nationally.  Of those amazing 600 students, 200 were selected as finalists.  Of those 200, 50 students will be selected as recipients of the Truman Scholarship.  

What does this mean?
Scholarship money and perks! If I win this, I will be able to make so many connections to help me help others through:
This weeklong event introduces newly selected Truman Scholars to the Truman community. 

The Truman Scholar Summer Institute is an annual program for Truman Scholars. SI provides the Scholars with internships, graduate level seminars, and a summer of community building in Washington, DC.
The Truman-Albright Fellows Program incorprates public service employment, an educational component, mentoring opportunities, and participation in a community service program. The program is funded through the generosity of the Truman Foundation President, Secretary Madeleine K. Albright. 
All Truman Scholars are members of the Truman Scholars Association (TSA). 


THANK YOU!!! I want to thank all of you readers who have been supporting me the past 6 months when I was going through the application process and felt defeated by all the changes that I had to make!  Your comments were ALL SO ENCOURAGING, and your tweets gave me determination.  I especially want to thank:

Andrea from Shine On By Andrea (Spain)
You encouraged me to keep going and always told me that I could make it! Te quiero mucho!
Tiana from Season Style (Malaysia)
You pushed me academically, so that I never lost sight of school!
Donna from A Not so Secret Life (Philippines)
You helped me get BASI going and made me feel like I have support in everything!
Addy from She Got Her Own (Greece).
You always reminded me that the Lord is my strength and love!

Without the support of you girls, I wouldn't have been able to keep up with blogging, the scholarship, school, and everything else that I do!  You four are all amazing!  I am so glad that God has allowed our paths to cross!  You all inspire me and give me strength to be the best I can be, nd to keep pursuing my dreams, no matter how big!


Thankful and humbled  in Lenten prayer and reverence,
Christine

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Ms.Dressy Coupons!

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$20. $30 and $50 can be used many times. $20, $30 can be used no matter how much you spend on our website. $50 can be used if  total price is up to $300.
Orders after Jan. 20th will be shipped after Feb.26th.
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Sunday, February 10, 2013

Week of International Beauty Giveaways

This week I wanted to take the opportunity to share with you wonderful international giveaways which I have already entered this week. Each of them run through the end of the week, at least. Who doesn't like winning free stuff from a fellow blogger from around the world?  Let me know what you think of the selection below and leave me a comment letting me know which you are going to enter!!!
I entered all of them. hehee ^_^

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Coming to you from Portugal!
Giveaway from Blasphemmes.  I love this giveaway, this is by far the most excited I have been about a giveaway! I have always wanted to try caviar nails, and UK's Ciate is so beautiful!  So many entries already... but why not try? 
  

Coming to your from England! 
 Giveaway from TheLoveCatsInc.  Who doesn't love Naked makeup?  


Coming to you from Estonia!
 Giveaway from Beauty from Liz.  She is celebrating 2 years of blogging! Let's face it, neutral colored makeup is always the best kind.


Coming to you from the Philippines!
Giveaway from A Not So Secret Life.  Donna is actually one of my closest blogger friends!  If you like pink- you should enter! 


Coming to you from Canada! 
Giveaway from Fantasia.  This giveaway is for anyone who knows the "it" beauty and skin care products!  What blogger isn't a fan of Lush and Sephora? I can't think of one! 



And last but not least, I wanted to share with you a blog page which is a new concept! Giveaway Route is a blog which is for promotion of blog giveaways! I am already following them on Facebook. Basically because I like winning free stuff, and I like finding fun new blogs. Click HERE to check out this new platform.


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This concludes my favorite giveaways of the week. I have been so busy this week that I am behind on school.  
What is the reason for this?  I have spent an extended amount of hours organizing and giving direction for a FREEDOM WALK I am organizing with the committee team I put together.  Although it is for a good cause, I truly need to get to the 200 pages of reading which I left off until today. I also have 2 exams this week.
What is a Freedom Walk? It's a walk to raise awareness on human trafficking.  There are going to be speakers and an art exhibit.  There is going to be more too, but those details are still to come. Lovely, lovely people are helping me put it together. The problem with depending on people... do you ever think about this?  Well, I am learning to have patience when things don't go as planned.  I am very much a follow-through person, and when people I depend on do not follow through, as expected, it puts the entire plan on hold.  Kind of like when a rock is shoved into the gears of a clock and the entire clock stops moving.  But hey, the planning is coming along. :)
My inspiration? The Freedom Walk I attended with Bloggers Against Social Injustice!  If you aren't a part of this amazing, incredible group of bloggers, you should join!  You can join by simply adding a badge to your page and sharing our articles on human trafficking and advocacy via twitter and Facebook.  If you want to join Bloggers Against Social Injustice, follow their steps HERE. I am on the committee by the way!



Tired and ready to become academic(how attractive),
Christine





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Sunday, February 3, 2013

Contagious Summer Love

La la la... it's a summer love.










I don't know how many of you are in love with the summer season, but I for one am! Although, I am learning to enjoy the freezing cold of winter time, I miss laying in the grass and skipping under the trees.  I found these pictures which had been sitting in my draft folder since August and decided to give everyone a taste of summer warmth, even if there is currently snow on the ground. 
I am an addict to dance.  Just yesterday I was in the studio taking a dance class and teaching a contemporary class.  Standing at the barre with my arms in port de bras was so fulfilling.   I am in love with classical ballet.  The movements are overwhelmingly filled with beauty and care.  I was taken back to another world.  Although I lost about 40% of my skill, I am determined to work back up.  Although I will not be able to win back all my skill from ballet, I know I can reach my previous level and even go beyond when it comes to contemporary! 
Oh that scholarship!  If you are a reader of this here bloggie I edit, you may be aware of a crazy scholarship I have been working on since September.  I am relieved to share that it has been submitted.  All I can do now is pray that the winners chosen are deserving, and that the hearts of the scholarship committee will see my application for all that it is.  I know that I want my life now and in the future to be for God, and if this scholarship will help me reach out to more people in Graduate School academia, then AMEN!
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20“My prayer is not for them alone.
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that
they may be one as we are one:
23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete
 unity to let the world know that you sent me and
have loved them even as you have loved me.
24“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am,
 and to see my glory, the glory you have given me 
because you loved me before the creation of the world.  
1 John 20-24

Basking in Fulfillment,
Christine



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