Friday Favorites

Hello! Super long week, with bouts of sickness and a math midterm...but I did finally get to see the Hunger Games! (It's official--I am in love with Haymitch).

Anyways, here are just a few things that have been on my mind this week...

1. Taylor Swift's "Ours" - It's not a new song or anything, but I love how timeless and sweet the story is. 
2. I recently bought this shirt in the sales section of Urban. Not my usual style, but I like how the sleeves fall. 
3. Hulu favorites: Community and Dorm Life. Both are quirky-funny and make for awesome study breaks. 
4. SOOO funny. 
5. Em, I'm not entirely sure I agree that synthetic happiness is the same as natural happiness. What do you think?
6. Implicit association tests. They are eye-opening and revealing. Take at your own risk; some people may not like their results. 
7. This weekend I become a full-fledged Kappa owl. Maybe it's time I start investing in some owl-ly accessories?

Have a lovely weekend! xx

World Down Syndrome Day

Hey there! Guess what day it is!

3/21! World Down Syndrome Day!

because individuals with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome--3/21, isn't that clever?

anyway, as a very proud sister to someone with Down syndrome, I thought I'd spread the love. I actually only just heard of World Down Syndrome Day today, from this very cool blog about some very awesome parents and their super adorable baby Noah. check them out!

Happy end-of-Wednesday...only a couple more days until the weekend! (I've only been back at school for a couple of days, and I'm already sleep-deprived...oh well).

xx

Friday Favorites

Happy Weekend! Just couple more days until I have to go back to school. The vacation's been a mix of stressful, relaxing, lazy and busy. I hate to say this but I'm reluctant to leave!

A few of the week's favorites...

• I'm currently trying to build up my shoe collection--particularly heels. Aren't these adorable for the summer? They are simple and the color is lovely. They are a bit out of my price range...but maybe I can find something similar?
• I am super super behind on my reading for school...but I can't get enough of my anthropology book, Righteous Dopefiend by Philippe Bourgois and Jeffrey Schonberg. It documents the lives of homeless drug addicts. It's incredibly eye-opening, and forces the reader to take a step back and not to judge for just a few moments. The photography is also amazing. I highly recommend. 
• Hysteria strikes again! Watching this video put lots of things in perspective for me...for a girl who didn't have a set life plan before, I'm even more unsure of where to go now!  
• Don't you just love it when celebrities show they are real people too? I'm not the biggest Justin Bieber/Selena Gomez/Ashley Tisdale fan, but this video is just so adorable. The song is catchy (I already bought it on iTunes!). This YouTube video went viral a couple weeks ago...and I still can't stop watching! 
• After a few days in Florida, by the beach and the warm wind, I seriously can't wait for summer! I'm also been this close to just packing up my things and finding a place by the water (who needs a college degree anyway?). But since my rational side gets the better of me...I'll just stick to perusing this lovely blog. 
• Birthday cards from little cousins. 
• Hot pink retainer cases. (oh yeah and it's sparkly too).
• The Lily Pulitzer wallet I got for my birthday. 

Hope you have a lovely day, 

Marisol

"The Year of the Girl" and the search for a Sisterhood

The thing about me is that I'm a very sentimental and, yes, emotional person. I like feelings and meanings. If allowed, I'll sit and ponder symbolism in books and plays for hours, and I love those moments in life when I'm like, ohmygod yes there are such things as angels and fate and destiny!

So you can imagine how nostalgic I was when, last week over brunch at my hotel in Florida, I flipped open the newspaper to an article about the Girl Scouts. Yesterday, March 12th, they celebrated their 100th anniversary.

What a milestone. 100 years, over 3 million girls currently in its ranks. The association has proudly proclaimed 2012 the "Year of the Girl."

Now, I'm not a Girl Scout. I started way back when, as a Brownie and only made it through my second or third year as a Junior Girl Scout. I loved every moment of it. I made incredible friends, learned some incredible skills and tapped into my inner entrepreneur when it came time to sell those world-famous cookies.

The time commitment didn't work out for me, unfortunately. My troop--the only troop in the area at the time--met on Saturdays, and around 4th and 5th grade I gained acceptance to another program that, like the Girl Scouts, changed my life and set me on a new path. I don't regret my decision, for without the choices I have made I do not think I would be here today, attending the school I attend. But I still do miss calling myself a Girl Scout. My brief years as a Brownie and a Junior instilled in me the importance of civic duty, awareness of the world around me and inner strength. These foundations helped me through my middle school years, which were particularly tough as a new student (on financial aid) at a private school.

I think back and yes, I can still recite the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

As memories of my Girl Scout days flood my mind, I reckon they can't have come at a better time. The Girl Scouts have left a bigger imprint on me than I realized. I credit my experiences with my troop for my eagerness to bond, to be a part of something bigger than myself and to find a sisterhood. As I prepare to become an active member in my sorority at college (Kappa!) in just a couple weeks, I've come to realize, yes, this is why I'm doing this and this is why I feel so good about it.

Have a lovely day.
Marisol

Birthday!

Hello everyone!

Just thought I'd pop in and say today is my 19th birthday! I am excited to take on my last year as a teenager (could this be true?!) and am incredibly thankful for all the beautiful, loving and exciting things in my life already.

I had hoped to spend my birthday in Florida catching up with grandparents I don't get to see often, but unforeseen circumstances brought us back to New York, but I still had a lovely lovely day.

I recently joined Pinterest, and I'd love it if you'd check out my latest board, my birthday wishlist. It was fun to create and I'm constantly pinning away!

xx

Bucket List #4

The warmer weather of Florida has definitely been uplifting. I'm in a happier mood and looking forward to the long summer days ahead. What a difference a few degrees makes! My family's been going to Florida for a log time... I've figured early on I definitely would love to live in a warmer climate. I love New York and can't get enough of white winters, but for a couple years of my life maybe I'll live just a few degrees south!

Here's the view from the balcony. It's been a bit windy these past couple days, but it's sure nice to feel the sunshine.

Bloglovin'

Hello everyone!

Sorry for the neglect again...it seems like the first two months of the year have not been particularly fun and as stress-less as I had hoped they be! But spring break is finally here...two beautiful weeks to relax, sleep, (blog!) and catch up on the mountains of reading I have to do!

...but on the bright side I figured out my summer plans, so that is one thing I don't have to worry about!!

I'm definitely posting more later...but for now I'd like to mention I just joined Bloglovin' so if you'd like to follow me there I'd really appreciate it. I love it so far! I read so many blogs, and this site really helps me keep up with them all!

Follow my blog with bloglovin

hope you are having a lovely Sunday...