Thursday, Friday, & Saturday

Hey y'all, I know it's super late but I just started using my MacBook Air and I'm still getting used to it.

Thursday
 Thankful for all of my opportunities, especially the ability to travel.

Murano, Italy

Friday 
I am so very thankful for my parents and my siblings. Their support and love has got me through a lot. I'm lucky to have a close relationship with my family! I'm very independent, but I still love coming home.

Saturday

Today I am thankful for my sisters! They have allowed me to grow in so many ways! I have become much more confident, as well as happy. They're constant support has been much needed, and I hope that I can help my wonderful sisters as much as they have helped me. I also can't wait for more beautiful sisters to join our sisterhood this Wednesday!

Tonight I will post what I am thankful for today later on tonight, two posts in one day!

Autumn Bucket List: Pumpkins & Sweaters!

I know I'm a horrible blogger, I only blog like once a week. But it has been midterms! Next week will be better, I promise!

As promised I have an update on my Autumn Bucket List!

MB was home for the weekend, so we got to carve pumpkins and visit a pumpkin patch! I also wore sweaters!

Here are just a few pics! MB is the best photographer, he gets exactly what I want and doesn't make me take too many;)

 Our wonderful pumpkin:)

My pants & sweater are from Gap.// Scarf from Spain (it's actually my mom's) // Sperrys

MB & I actually carved pumpkins at our friend BG's house Saturday, but visited the pumpkin patch Sunday!

How has your week been going?
xoxo

Summer Reflection

Even though yesterday was the first day of September, today is the real last day of summer because it's Labor Day! I thought I would reflect on this summer, and everything that has happened. I feel like this summer I grew, and my relationships with some high school friends also deepened. 

1// Working in an office is much different than working at school. I had to prioritize in a different way. Also, I learned that I enjoy being busy. Sitting is not one of my strong suits.

2// Even though friends are miles away, and communicating is never easy some people will always understand you and your relationships. MB and I have an abnormal relationship because we have been long distance all of our relationship. Having good friends such as KG and SB who understand that is a blessing. This summer I grew close to SB and even closer to KG. I don't think I say it enough, but these wonderful ladies are the reason that I am still confident in myself and my dreams. I can't wait to see where they end up, and I only hope I am along for the entire ride!

3// Life is short, you have to let go. I wrote a post about letting go, and I was finally able to do so. I can't wait to see who else is going to be in my life, and how they are going to influence me, motivate me, and help me. I also can't wait to see who I am going to help, motivate and influence.

4// I can do pretty much anything I want to if I set my mind to it. I have never been crafty, but I did an entire post on how to make something for your dorm. I've also never considered myself a journalist, but I will be writing for The Smart Girls Group Loop current affairs. I can do what ever I put my mind to. (Thankfully I won't be putting my mind to anything that require hand-eye coordination).

5// No matter what, family is going to be there for you. It might not be blood, though I am completely blessed with family that is "blood", I am also blessed with people who aren't "blood' that I consider my  family. I realized that the past year has been difficult, but I have added more people to my family, and I am very blessed.

 

Adios Summer. 

What have you learned this summer? How did you grow this summer? 

xoxo
aVe

PS I know this post is me just feeling blessed, but I am!
 

Why You Should Read Lean In: Powerful Woman Series

I am an avid reader, but I don't post about it because I'm really into historical fiction, and most aren't! However I heard about Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg from Levo League, and I am encouraging all of your to read it, regardless of gender, age and position in life. In order to raise a generation of equals, everyone needs to take part. 

Sheryl Sandberg did this Ted Talk which put her on the stage for feminism. Here are reasons why I am glad I read Lean In, and why you should too. 

1. She encourages the idea that females and males are inherently different, but she explains why females in business is a good thing. Females can have a positive impact. 

2. She gets rid of the stereotype of feminism. It's no longer the bra burning movement it once was. Her definition makes me want to be a feminist. 

3. She wants everyone to work together. Not just woman helping woman. She wants men to realize the double standards, and she points out men who realize that and who have helped. 

4. She encourages women to support men in a new role, and to find men who are going to be equal partners. When you have an equal partner, both of you can have successful careers and personal lives. 

5. Women need to take more risks. In the book, Sandberg conveys a statistic that is a little sad. Men will apply for a promotion when they meet 60% of the criteria, while women will when they think they meek 100%. "Owning one's success is key to achieving more success" 

6. She redefines leadership for everybody. "Leadership is about making other better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence".  Honestly, this will be my new mantra this year as I step into new leadership roles. 

7. "I want to do that -- and I'll learn by doing it" She encourages everyone to embrace the ever-changing business culture and learn along the way. 

8. She gives real world business advice to everyone. "An all-business approach is not always good business". She encourages people to look at people as actual humans when they do business. It's bound to make the world a better place. 

9. She encourages everybody to help women. Their parents, grandparents, partners, girlfriends, guy friends, basically everyone needs to pitch in. Her dream, and my goal is that my daughter will have equal opportunities without workplace bias. 

Go get this book on Amazon. Read it. Loan it to your friends. Have them loan it to their friends. Spread the word about this new revolution in the workplace. 

Have you read Lean In? What do you think of it? After reading this will you read Lean In? 

xoxo

aEv

ps. I will be posting about other books I read, either by women or men to make us more powerful women!

Confidence

Confidence. As young women we are told to be confident in ourselves. But there are always people telling us we should be like this, or act like that. Be good at this, and not at that.

I'm not going to lie, I've had confidence issues especially with my body image and even my personality sometimes. With my family, I am extremely outgoing but with new groups I can be a bit awkward and shy because I don't know how much "Ashley" I should let out. But as I slowly started to try new activities, such as debate, Model United Nations and choir I learned where my strengths were. My parents were great and as a child they had me try every sport open to me even ice skating. However I found that I was not the most athletic girl, and my parents still  supported me in everything I did. I have tried just about everything, and I found my niche. This made college easier for me then for others. But I have to tell you that there were a lot of speed bumps on my road to confidence.

Then one day while talking with a friend what I would trade about my personality to be "thin", I realized that there wasn't one part about me I would. Knowing that I am confident in myself not to change anything for the perfect body, made me realize that I can work hard enough to get a body that is strong and healthy. A body that I would be proud of.  I believed in myself enough to start training for a 5k even though I'm not athletic, and to join a sorority where I knew no one.

 I have luckily found confidence because I tried everything and I had a great support system.

I know my strengths and I know my weaknesses. By working on my weaknesses, I realize more of my strengths and become a better person.

Example?

I am a horrible procrastinator, I mean horrible. My goal in college was to have a better GPA then I did in high school, so I needed to start working on planning out my homework more. What did I do? I started to plan out each day what I was going to do. I promised myself that I wouldn't go to sleep until everything was done. For me, sleep is a reward. ( I know it's weird, but I can fall asleep literally anywhere, at anytime. I really love to sleep) It paid off, because I made the dean's list my first semester of college. I'm not saying this to brag, but more to show you that you can do something. Make a list of your goals, and then make a reward for yourself. If I make my GPA goal this semester, I might by myself this Longchamp tote that I've wanted for a year now!

I wish you good luck on your goals, and I hope that you gain confidence from setting realistic goals and reaching them!

If you want any tips, or more examples feel free to comment (I'm not even close to an expert, but I can tell you what I've done!)

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

AV