JRN212 FINAL BLOG- Go Green and Cut the Card

Shopping is bittersweet, it consists of a love hate relationship between you and your wallet. Not to mention your credit card being your arch nemesis.

You may feel this way all the time, but lets face it it does take a toll on us during the holidays. We all must be prepared to over these challenges during the holidays. Brace ourselves and control our shopping persona to not go overboard on the merchandise.

As I was reading this article, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/business/10shop.html?hp ( Our Christmas Shopping List, No Credit Slips) it really made me think how much using your credit card during the holidays can really ruin your credit long term. Not just ruining your credit but also putting you in debt.

The article was talking about a woman, Liz Gonzalez,40, who had problems with debt and paying off her credit card bills starting from two christmases ago. She kept charging all the gifts and it escalated into madness where she is currently still paying it off. She went through a divorce which brought more problems financially.

She decided to use cash this year so she can stick to her budget.

This is the time of year where stores and credit card companies are trying twice as hard to issue their credit cards. They are competing with each other and trying to give the consumers the best rewards, better than their opponents.

But the best way to stay clear of debt and ruined credit is to just use cash. The article was saying that cash would be the best way to stay clear of that for many reasons.

One being that you are staying on your budget, you don't have to worry about paying any interest, and of course going into debt and be paying for these gifts two years from now.

So as the holidays come closer, go into it with a specific budget, open an account specifically for those holiday gifts. It will steer you away from any later surprises in the mail.

The most important thing about the holidays isn't the gifts, even though that is what many of us are guilty for thinking about. It is the time to give, not physical gifts but the gift of yourself and your time. That would be the best gift of all.

The Ultimate Beat.

I already love fashion; I love every aspect of it. High fashion, street fashion, the old, the new, I love it all. It is something that if God willing I can further pursue in my career as a journalist. But what really got me thinking was going international. I’ve always wanted to travel, explore the rest of the countries and admire the beauty from a different light. This got me thinking about learning more about the fashion in other countries and how different yet similar it is to America. After getting the chance to interview the girls from different parts of the world, it really made a big impression in my life to really get to know and learn more about different cultures and their fashion. I’ve grown such an appreciation for other cultures that I hope to someday see for myself what they have to offer.

As a fashion guru, or at least hope to someday be, I love following fashion blogs. I realize I can spend hours just looking at pictures and reading about what is the next biggest trend and who wore what. My two favorite blogs would be LookBook http://lookbook.nu/ and Who What Wear http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/home.php?p=1 . Who What Wear has to do more with the celebrity fashion and seeing what is “in” for the season and what is the next big thing. They give you styling tips, and where you can find similar clothes to what the starts are wearing. I love this blog because its just shows you the fast forward of fashion and what is happening in the entertainment industry.

I have to say that LookBook is my favorite, because these are blogs of real people all around the world putting up pictures of their fashion sense and blogging about what they love, and that’s fashion. This is what also inspired me to go forth the whole international aspect of fashion, because you get to see these people of different ages all having the same love for clothes and wanting to show the world how they are different and unique. That is the thing about fashion and clothing that I love, they way you can express yourself, what sets you apart, or what makes you feel comfortable.

I know most people think of fashion as for the high-class snobby rich people or celebrities that can afford everything, but when I think of fashion I think of the way it makes other people feel. The way that one girl can change the way she feels about herself just from putting on a beautiful dress. The way that your self-esteem just boosts up from finding the perfect outfit that fits you and your personality.

Sometimes I feel that my dream of working for a fashion magazine completely out of reach, im 19 years old with no experience, just wants to do something that I love, but who knows if I’m possibly good at.

But if I just leave it in the hands of God, I know he will help me and do what is best for me. For once I don’t want to give up a dream, and especially this that I decided to put what I love and make into a life for myself.

Fashion is more than just a trend for me; it is a way to help people be comfortable in their own skin, giving them a way to express what they can’t say out loud. For me it’s fashion, but for someone else it good be sports, or the news, or big dreams, but I feel that if it is something that you love that you shouldn’t think you can’t do it or that its impossible and out of reach. Just believe in yourself a little and work hard for what you want because at the end of the day nothing in life comes easy, but then you have God to help you along the way.

Just BEAT it.

Having to chose a beat isn't always that easy, especially for me. I have so many things that i enjoy and have a passion for, i love music, reading, entertainment, and more. But one thing that will always be on of my passions is fashion! I love everything about it, high fashion, street fashion, everything. I find it so interesting what is in style and what is going to be the next big trend, even if some thing are so outrageous. What is fun about fashion, it is a way you can express yourself through what you where. Everyone has their own fashion sense, and everyone is unique. I think what got me love writing about fashion is Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. Not only is it one of my favorite shows, but the amazing fashion on the show and all the columns that she writes about inspires me in every episode, because it's real life and she talks about real women issues and that is what I love. Also another inspiration is Louise Roe, a television presenter and fashion journalist and stylist. Her career is everything i hope my career to be, she started as an intern for Elle magazine in the UK then worked with E entertainment, and recently had her own show called Plain Jane, which is a show great for women's courage and self esteem.

I have a passion for fashion, but also a passion for women issues and that is what I hope to some day write about in a magazine someday, just like Carrie Bradshaw and Louise Roe.

Sorry blog for neglecting you!

IM SORRY!

Poor blog has not been written on in ages! sooooo i'm in my room looking at my messy floor piled with clothes ( as i'm supposed to be packing at this very moment) and I much rather write a little update of whats going on.

So i'm leaving in less than 10 hours to D.C. and my suitcase is still empty lol.

I am going for National Police Week and its going to be soooo awesome! I've been going for 11 years and have made the best of friends! National Police Week is where they honor all

the fallen police officers that have died in the line of duty. They specifically honor those who died the previous year, with ceremonies throughout the week and seminars. Sounds kind of sad I know, I lost my father in 1998 and have been a part of Concerns of Police Survivors ever since

So I have gone to many of these occasions and it helps the grieving process but it has also brought me the best of friends! I don't see it has a sad time, but a time to all come together and have a good time and enjoying everyone's company. I'm so blessed to be part of such a great organization. I am now a C.O.P.S. mentor, and i mentor kids from the ages of 6-8 ( the same age I was when my dad died) and I love getting to spend time with these kids, and not only is it fun but I feel that I am able to help these kids because I was in their shows and I have experience things that they will experience. So even though I lost my father, I have gained a wonder family, a C.O.P.S. family.

It's not how these officers died that made them hereos, it's how they lived.

...Comming to an End

Wow to believe that this school year has come to an end, and in a short amount of days we will soon be juniors is mind bobbling

I remember the countdown we had of how many days ‘til move in day! The excitement that my best friends and I were going to be living together in the cottages made us want to go back to school. That is a scary thought.

So much has happened this school year that it saddens me that it is now over. The new friendships I made, the new experiences I’ve had, and all the events along the way have made this year epic.

I’ve changed my major twice this year, started new great friendships, ended some unnecessary friendships, and have gone through an emotional rollercoaster along the way. But never would I change how this year has gone. Maybe for it to be a little longer, but it has been one great year.

This was definitely a challenging year to say the least, and I am nerves to see what junior year has in store. I’m excited yet scared to think our college years are soon coming to an end. Having to go in the real world and look for a job… wooo tooo scary to think about right now.

Having to leave my best friends for the summer will be the hardest, not being able to see them everyday, not being able to share the bathroom in the morning, or going to the caf for lunch and dinner. Especially now that we won’t be living all together next school year is the worst, I know it must happen at some point, but I don’t think I am ready for it. Some of us will be in UP and the others will be in Lancer Arms, yah I think a bike will be necessary for next year.

But that won’t stop us from seeing each other, our friendship isn’t something that will just be thrown away or lost. All these girls have a special place in my heart and I expect each and every one of them to be at my wedding.

I will have to say, this school year has given me remarkable memories that I will definitely have stories to share in the long road. Can’t wait to see what the next year has in store.

Snip Snip- JRN212

When you see an old t-shirt you have tucked way deep in your drawer that you will never use, what do you do with it? Do you just throw it away, or do what my mom does and use it to clean the car?

I prefer the better solution and cut it. There are so many different ways of cutting a shirt that you can make the simplest t-shirt into a trendy new look. There are many different cutting styles you may do, from the short and simple off the shoulder to the razor back cut. When you see all those new off-the-shoulder shirts that are becoming popular these days, why guy it when you can just make your own. Same goes for the razor back shirts, so many girls love using these shirts to work out in or just to have a more edgy look to them. Basically, all you need is a pair of scissors and of course a t-shirt that you don’t mind cutting up. The easiest t-shirt to cut would be the off-the-shoulder style, which would only take minutes to see the final product.

First, make sure that the T-shirt is lying on an even surface, do not want any crooked edges. Next you cut off the collar, this area is where the off-the-shoulder look will come into play. Fold your t-shirt in half so you will get an exact line, then cut where the collar was and go as deep as you want depending on how drastic you want it falling off your shoulder; you should be cutting in a half moon shaped. Finally, put the shirt on and see if that’s the way you want it and presto you’re done, quick and easy, plus very stylish. This is one of the easiest forms of cutting a shirt, but with the cutest outcome.

Now the razorback can be a little bit tricky, first do the same thing by cutting off the collar and also cut of the sleeves starting from were the outline is. The back is the most difficult part and would be better if you outlined it with a pencil. Draw a line from the shoulder to the underarm creating a half circle shaped on both sides of the shirt. Depending on how thick you want the back to be you can make it more or less hallow. With the front of the shirt you will cut around the neckline going down to the chest area or however high or low you prefer it. Make sure you try it on and cut any un even sections of the shirt, and then there you go, finished.

The biggest tip is that it is better to cut less then to cut more your first time around, because you can always put on the shirt and see how much more you want to cut off. These little easy steps can help you make a shirt from blah to bam! So rather than paying $25 for an off the shoulder shirt just find an old shirt you have, cut it up and go for the vintage look.

Here are some links to different styles of cutting your T-shirt.

My Plea..Inspired by 1 Cor. 13

Love is patient, love is kind

Why does this love feel so rare?

When will I meet this love of mine?

Will God ever answer my prayer?

Love does not envy, Love does not boast,

These things cause us pain,

So why do we do them the most?

Can someone please explain?

As a child this was my fear,

As a woman this is my plea

Hope to never shed another tear.

And God answered my prayer and told me,

Love never fails,

this will soon be my tale.

To Blog or Not to Blog

Blogging, well when you hear someone say “This is going on my blog.” or something to that sense, it just seemed so cool to me. I feel like it is a new trend that is starting to arise; it’s a Twitter to the max. Blogging is another technological form of expressing yourself by writing down your thoughts, your feelings, or whatever your heart desires. It's like keeping a journal online, more convenient I would like to add, no need for paper and a pen. You can just log on to your profile and just add a new blog, even put pictures for your readers’ enjoyment. I definitely think that having a blog is a great way to not only just to express your emotions, but also to put the news out there and sell yourself. It is a good form of networking and putting yourself out there. For me, blogging is like a stress reliever; just saying whatever I’m feeling or whatever comes to mind. I love being creative with it because it is a way of expressing who you are and what you want to share with people. I love all this electronic ways of writing, when I don’t write in my journal I rather blog it.

I do follow Kim Kardashian’s blog and what is really neat about her’s is that you find so much stuff out that is not really out in media. For instance, I found out that the Kardashian women started their own brand of cupcakes and have two shops in Southern California. So obviously I had to check it out for myself and I loved it! Also Kim has her own line of perfume that I also found out through her blog, and she was going to different Sephora makeup stores where she was signing and meeting her fans. I wish I could’ve gone to the one in LA but didn’t get the chance to.

Finally after snooping around I stumbled on Enoc Kim’s blog, I don’t know him, but I’ve heard he takes amazing pictures, and his blog absolutely shows it! His blog is filled with pictures of different people and sceneries and it definitely shows his talents and what he can do. He is a gifted guy and his blog is a great form of networking his work.

So if you are thinking should i try this new blog thing, do it! It is fun, easy, and a great to just be creative and expressive.

JRN212 #3 Dream turned to Story

It all started freshmen year of college, where I met this boy named Lucas during the first week of school. Nervous as I was, already for being in this new world of college life, he had something about him that was mysterious and just drew me to him.

I’m walking to class when I feel someone walking behind me, I turn around and it is him. Do I say something or just keep walking? “Hi, I’m Makenna!” I say with a little too much excitement. “Hey, my name is Lucas. You are in my next class aren’t you?” “Yes I am, I’m going there right now.” We then started talking and walking to class together. Lucas was a very down to earth, funny, and easy to talk with. I caught myself falling for him more and more. Every time I would see him, my heart would just skip a beat. But I had no idea if he felt the same way about me? So eventually I just moved on and started to talk to this other boy named Stephen. He was an adventurous boy that kept me at my feet, but I had a feeling he was one of those guys that was up to know good. From then on it was a back and forth battle for me, do I still have feelings for Lucas or should I still talk to Stephen. Little did I know Lucas and Stephen were very close friends. I know I was going to be getting myself in trouble for liking both of these boys. But all along I know down in my heart I had feelings for Lucas. Stephen was just a boy that I tried to use to block out the feelings I had for Lucas.

Later in the year I found out of that Lucas really did have feeling for me, but was I too late? Once he found out that I was talking to Stephen it all changed, he moved on and I know I should too. I made a mistake and should have said something when I had the chance and not ruin it by talking to someone else. It was so difficult because I know I had to move on and I would find someone who would give me a second chance.

Five years later, I was walking to the local coffee shop where I ran into Lucas completely out of the blue. “O my gosh, Makenna is that you? How have you been? It’s been so long!” “Lucas, it has been too long. How is life going for you?” We started catching up and we both knew the sparks were still there. Then I realized it wasn’t over between us. It was not too late.

God, can you hear me?

“Please God tell me what to do.” “I need your guidance, give me a sign.” Don’t we at some point ask this question in our lives? How do we hear what God wants us to do? Yes, we know that we won’t hear a manly voice coming from the Heavens, but in what was can we listen to what God has to say to us?

Praying is the best form of conversation, you are talking to God, you can talk to Him about anything and everything and He will listen without any judgment. God is speaking to us through prayer, through conversations we have with people, even through circumstances that occur. Every time we pray, God is listening. He will always answer our prayers; just remember what are you asking God. If you are asking Him to get you that Prada bag that you’ve been wanting, then well you probably need to think more about others and not the necessities that you want.

You may hear God speak to you through the Bible; He has given us the Bible as a guide. A way of learning and a way of knowledge so that we may hear what God is speaking to us. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was the God, and the Word was God.” It is there set in stone, when we just need a boost of inspiration, or when we are feeling down, just read a passage and God is responding to us.

Listen to Him through the song that He sings. Through the songs that we praise him and worship his name, he is speaking to us. When we sing in chapel or at church we are worshipping God and we are talking to him, either through asking us for forgiveness or thanking Him for being an awesome God.

If you are ready to hear what God has to stay, then just stop and listen to him. Open your hears and listen to what he has to say. If it is through being more involved in your church or participating in other activities, God does put it out their and once He does than you are the one that has to do something about it.

A Day of Love

Valentine’s Day, a single day filled with hearts, roses, candy, gifts, and most importantly love. Or it could also be known Single Awareness Day for those who are anti celebrating this day of love. I prefer Valentine’s Day, a day full with romance, a day to show the people you love how much you really care about them. Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays and I enjoying decorating everything with red, pink, hearts, candles, and whatever else that just makes you feel all loving. To me it doesn’t matter if your single or taken you can still enjoy this holiday. You don’t need to have that special someone to enjoy it with, I mean yes this holiday can feel

a little more extraordinary when you do have a valentine, but really just being with the people I care about the most is enough for me. I love how it’s a day that makes you happy and giddy inside, and just being affectionate. I love the fairy tale, the hopelessly romantic, so this holiday is perfect for me. Celebrating this day by watching chick flick romance movies, bake decadent goodies in the kitchen, listening to charming love songs, or reading a fine romance novel, preferably Nicholas Sparks or Twilight, is what I call an amorous day.But if I had to imagine the perfect date on Valentine’s Day it would be the typical romantic dates you read in books or see in movies. But like I said I like the fairy tale and the romance, now this holiday has been taken likely and isn’t as special to some people. But for me I will always love the smell of flowers, the Valentine’s Day cards, or even the yummy candy that I may get on this day. But the most important is the love you have for the people you care about.

In reality, there isn’t the perfect date, and especially on Valentine’s day the one’s that are in a relationship think of this holiday as overrated or pressured; whereas the people who are single either love it or hate it. This is just a simple holiday, hate it or love it, just enjoy it with the people you love. You don’t have to do something extraordinary just giving your time with those special people is good enough.

There shouldn’t just be one day to show someone how much they mean to you. If you have that significant other than it should be shown everyday, February 14^th is just a reminder, one special day to devout time for each other. LOVE this day LOVE everyday.

Testimony-JRN212

When it comes to sharing your testimony, it can be a little intimidating. Getting the feeling that someone is judging you, or that maybe it that there are some things that shouldn’t be said. Some people have those very dramatic testimonies and others are simpler and consistent. Mine is kind of the median. Best of both worlds I can say, but my world hasn’t always been the best. Yes, I had a great family that loved me, and a normal childhood, until my father passed away when I was seven. My life wasn’t consistent anymore; I didn’t know how it felt to have a dad or to have that male role model in my life. Growing up with just my mom and I, I did believe in Jesus Christ and we both regularly attended church. I loved God, but I didn’t further love for Him then I should have, I just settled. Just settled for the basic minimum, me thinking “this will be enough to get me to Heaven.” I was baptized and did my First Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic Church when I was about 10 years old. I went to private schools all my life, which at times I took it for granted. While some kids at public schools are not afraid to show their love for Christ and stand out, I rather not say anything and just go with the flow. My love was always strong for Christ, but I was like a seesaw when it came to actually practicing it and being able to not be afraid to show my faith.

I kept my relationship with God to my self and it wasn’t until the beginning of college where I found out that my faith was going to be tested. I made the greatest friends, but some weren’t all that fantastic. I started talking to the wrong people and getting involved in the wrong things, never would I thought I would get myself in that kind of position. I wasn’t naïve in knowing what I was doing, but I just didn’t care anymore. I was carless with my faith, which gave me more heartache down the road. Luckily with the grace of God and realized what I was doing and stopped things before it got way out of hand. I recommitted my life to Christ last year, I gained that love for Christ that I thought I forgotten, and I wasn’t afraid to show people how much I love Jesus Christ. Having Jesus on my side, I was at peace with myself and I knew that God had forgiven me for all the sins I’ve committed. Life with out Christ is unthinkable to me now; He is my first, my foremost, my everything. You should never try to take control in your own hands, if you give all your problems and needs to God he will provide and give you healing. My faith is Jesus Christ is unconditional; I am so blessed with my family, friends, school, everything possible. Life is better when living through Jesus Christ.

Hope Healing Haiti

Hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, and mudslides, so many natural disasters occur in our world that affect so many people around us. With the recent disaster in Haiti many people lost their families and many people even lost their lives. This is a terrifying event that occurred that will go down into history and keeps us wondering what is going to happen next? Is there going to be an earthquake closer to home next time? There is so much worry when these disasters occur and through the media we can see all of it. There are over 300 journalists in Haiti covering what has occurred and the aftermath of it all. 300 journalists, that seems like one to many to be in Haiti at this crucial time, especially when they are all covering the same stories. It seems redundant that there has to be that many journalist that are being well kept when the Haitians that now have no homes and are going through food and water shortages. I do agree that the news must come out and we should know what is going, for the sake of our knowledge and giving us a chance to give back and help the less fortunate. These tragedies affect us is some form or another and this is a time where we all need to be together and help others. The Hope for Haiti telethon, hosted by George Clooney, helped raise more than $70 million dollars in a short period of time. The charity had famous celebrities from Stevie Wonder and Madonna to Taylor Swift and Shakira help raise money for the poor country. Having these famous celebrities work with the Hope for Haiti really gets people motivated to help as well, people admire celebrities so when you see them do a good deed it makes you want to do something good as well. But celebrities or no celebrities you should give back and help the families that lost loved ones, the children that are now orphans, the people that lost their homes. We all can make a difference, even if its by the simpliest thing, anything can make a difference in someone’s life. Mother Teresa once said, "We ourselves feel that we are doing is just a drop in the ocena. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." Yes we might just be giving our spare change or the clothes. We never wear to a charity helping Haiti, but all these little things that we don't see as making a hufe really in fact does.

Bright Lights, Big City

I woke up thinking, "Am I really going to be by myself today?". It was New Year's Eve, my mom and cousin was going to spend it with my family in the Bay Area. But when waking up that morning I got a burst of doubt, " Should I really stay here and hangout with my friends tonight or should I go up north and be bored?" Hmm… for some reason it was a tough decision. But I know my friends, and while I was still in bed, the "flakiness" began. I was getting text messages off the roof saying that everyone was going to do there own thing for New Years. So the light bulb turned on in my head and I remember that today was my sister's birthday. It was a given that my decision was to go up to San Francisco and spend it with my sister. I called Nichole and woke her up by saying, " Change of plans lets go to San Francisco!" So in two hours we had our bags packed, posted my farewell tweet, got comfy in our seats, and couldn't forget the dog of course for this long eight hour drive. During the trip, we were at the edge of our seats while watching Carrie Bradshaw's love triangle with Mr. Big and Aidan. As Carrie Bradshaw tearfully pleaded for forgiveness of her shameful love affair, the worst possible thing could happen; the screen went black, yes that’s right my laptop died.

We finally arrived to my aunt’s house, it was 8pm and we were down to the wire, this is what felt to be the beginning of a great adventure. Nichole and I got ready in 30 minutes and were on our way to the Bart station, where the final destination would be San Francisco. We had our duffle bags with us and were finishing getting all dolled up while we were sitting in Bart squished together like sardines as everyone was heading to the big city. Nichole and I finally arrived in San Francisco were it felt like we were gallivanting our way through the city.

Ten minutes left and finally my sister, Nami and her husband pick us up we went to her friends studio apartment. We got there just in time to celebrate the New Year on top of the roof viewing the life and the city lights that was in front of us. The view was impeccable, it has always been a dream of mine to live in this beautiful city and just being there with my sister, I felt that my dreams would come true. I believe I made the best decision spending New Years with my sister and my roommate; the trip was unforgettable and made the best memories. Without a doubt it was the best way to start of the New Year, can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store.