A Lovely New Year's Sentiment: Magic, Dreams, and Good Madness

 

May you meet all of your goals in the upcoming year, and may all of your dreams come true. Dare to dream, and see where your heart takes you. And, most importantly, surprise yourself. We often limit ourselves, reduce ourselves to timidity when, in reality, we are perfectly capable of having our aspirations become our reality. The truth is the story we tell ourselves. It's the background noise amidst our daily comings and goings. Sure, we all want to bend to the pressure, but if we remain calm and confident, we'll make it through. We'll find something bright and beautiful - a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Farewell, December!

Oh, what a month - and a year - it has been! I turned 18. I got into my top-choice college. And I had many laughs with my friends, of course! So, here are some photos from the past few months, to commemorate the transition from childhood to adult, from fall to winter, and from this year into the next. Here's to 2012.

Holly Golightly for Halloween!

I saw Mandy Patinkin and Patti Lupone on Broadway and had tea at the Plaza to celebrate a friend's birthday!

My birthday dessert...the main course was Japanese!

Rockefeller tree during the day...went back to the city for a French trip!

Hanukkah with friends!

Had a photo shoot at a local park!

It's Time for...A Happiness List!

Considering that Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought I'd compile another list of things I'm lovin', because the moments at which you are happy should be treasured. As the adage goes, happiness is not a place - it's a journey. It comes and goes fleetingly, and it is not someplace you reside. I'm definitely thankful for all the little things in my life that bring me happiness.

Sweet Treats:

Dark Chocolate Hershey's Kisses!

Java Chip Frappuchinos!

 Baking:

...For National French Week!

...For the holidays!

Cheesy Goodness:

Panera Mac and Cheese!

Feta...great in salads!

YA Romance/Dystopian Novels:

Intrigue, romance, and a dystopian society...aboard a spaceship!

A sweet romance with a likable, film-savvy protagonist and a hot French/American love interest!

Some Thoughts on Being True to Yourself

Though in many ways, each year - each moment of our lives, really - has a profound impact on who we are, there is always that essential aspect of ourselves that never changes. For example, we may have the inclination to be as kind as possible to others, or to have an overall optimistic outlook. Personally, I know that I have become more competitive over the past few years in high school. It's almost inevitable when the importance of scores, grades, and whatnot gets drilled into your head. As a result, I developed the tendency to doubt myself, for fear of messing up, and to constantly compare my abilities to the abilities of others. As my mom recently told me, I used to be spunkier and much more sure of my self. No, I haven't lost sight of who I am. I'm perpetually changing, just as everyone around me is, affected by the experiences, extraordinary and mundane, that shape who I am. However, I need to trust myself more, especially as I make the transition to adulthood. Though I've matured, I've lost confidence. However, the non-material things that make me who I am, such as my passion for writing, will never vanish. Beneath the trials and tribulations of a teenage girl about to embark on an adventurous new stage of life, there exists an open mind, as well as a strong heart and an indelible soul. Ultimately, I know who I am, and I have to make an effort to embrace that essential, precious "me"-ness and not suppress it.

Always find a reason to smile...

...even when you are completely bogged down by stress (either of your own accord or inflicted upon you by others). It gets better. The moment is only for now. Still, you shouldn't live your life for the future. Find joy, even when you just want to pull at your hair, bite your nails, scream. We're all human. While life is what we make it, life is generally not a string of perfect days. There is good with the bad and bad with the good. Sometimes we just need to focus a little more on the good.

More Autumnal Happiness!

While I have been super-busy with school work, I've still had several opportunities to enjoy all that this time of year has to offer. Lately I've been paying attention to the moments that bring me happiness, regardless of how "big" these moments may be in the long run. Fall of senior year in high school is a stressful time, between the pressure of having to fill out college applications, to the self-inflicted pressure of doing the best that I can on each assignment. Therefore, I'm vowing not to let my level of stress inhibit me from finding happiness on a daily basis. Some joyful moments from the weekend:

Spending some quality time outdoors at my friend's birthday party - in a park!

Finding my favorite bands' albums at the library.

Going to the local Greek Agora Festival and having tasty ethnic food.

Finding great clearance buys at Urban Outfitters.

Soft-serve ice cream with sprinkles one last time.

Listening to Sirius XM satellite radio in the car - especially the showtunes station.

 

The sunny Indian Summer weather.

It's A New Month...And A New Year

October is here, and the chilly weather has finally made its entrance. It's time to don a rainbow of sweaters once again, settle down with a piping hot cup of hot chocolate, and appreciate the differences, great and minute, that separate one season from the next. As for the second part of this post's title, it's also the new year on the Jewish calendar. Last week, I celebrated Rosh Hashanah by having lovely dinners with family and friends, attending my synagogue, and eating the customary apples and honey (to symbolize hopes for a sweet year). Thus, in light of all this newness, I've decided to compile a happiness list.

Cozy autumn outfits!

Delicious food, such as homemade fajitas...I cook a variation, by using tofu instead of chicken or beef!

Having a good book to read...right now I'm reading The History of Love by Nicole Krauss!

Playing my flute in Wind Ensemble and Pep Band!

Having the new issue of Glamour arrive in the mail!

10 Ways to Keep Stress Under Control

I've only been in school for two weeks, and my life is hectic once again! There are piles of homework, on top of the college app process, as well as extracurriculars (Pep Band and Newspaper). I can't believe how quickly my level of stress has increased since summer vacation ended. This post is as much a reminder to me is it is to you! So, here's a little guide to coping with stress, taking a deep breath, and relaxing, despite the pressure. Life is all about balance, about "learning to dance in the rain." While we all have obligations, we all need a little down time now and then. So...

...Brew a cup of your favorite flavor of tea, or a flavor known to be relaxing, like chamomile.

...Take a break from studying by listening to your favorite songs, or play music quietly while you work.

...Stay organized! Keep your workspace clean, and keep track of important dates, etc.

...Spend some time with a good book. While required reading can be interesting, reading for pleasure shouldn't be forgotten.

...Be efficient. Complete assignments, or start them, at least, as soon as you get them. This way, you won't constantly be scrambling to finish something.

...Take a salt bath. Morton Salt works just as well as the fancier scented varieties.

...Make time for friends. You are not alone, not matter how overwhelming life can seem. We all have to deal with the journey, and the ups and downs.

...Doodle. Or freewrite. Make lists, and illustrate them. Let your artistic spirit soar.

...Take time to cook - or bake - something yummy for the people you care about.

...Make sure to get enough sleep. We all function better when we're well-rested. While it can be hard for students, due to a heavy workload, we all should get as much sleep as possible.

By Request... A recipe follow-up!

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake (Cupcake Variation)

1/4 lb butter
1/2 lb cream cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs, unbeaten
2 cups sifted flour, less a tbsp.
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 bag chocolate chips (12 oz.) - You could also use miniature chocolate  chips, considering how small the cupcakes are.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Cream butter and cream cheese. Add remaining ingredients, except chocolate chips. Mix well. Sprinkle chocolate chips with tbsp. of flour and stir into batter. Line mini cupcake tin with cupcake liners (my tin made 24 cupcakes). Note: The batter yields 48 cupcakes (well, more or less, depending on how it is distributed - I made it work for the tin that I owned). Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This time is an approximation; the original recipe called for a 1 hour bake time. Let the cupcakes cool, and enjoy!

I baked... Mini chocolate chip cupcakes!

Adapted from a loaf cake recipe. 

It was a cream cheese pound cake recipe.

Yum!