My Last First Day: Senior Semester Goals

I can't believe I'm writing this, but today is my last first day as a full-time student.

The wave of emotions that have been coming over me the past week have been a little rough, I'm not going to lie. Senior year means a lot of lasts, but the possibility of so many amazing firsts afterwards. I've decided that this semester is going to consist of good-times, late nights, job applications, laughs, caffeine and amazing friends.

Keeping that in mind, here are my goals for my senior semester:

Health
- Find 6 healthy, easy dinners I love to eat
-Continue to prioritize yoga/cardio/strength training
-Continue to snack "smart"
-Start to meal plan

Social
-Say yes to going out more than I say no
-Take lots of photos

Academic
-End my undergraduate career strong, with a 3.8

Career
- Continue to put 110% into my internships
-Connect with 3 more people in Boston
-Spend at least 15 minutes a day networking
-Perfect my resume & cover letter
-Have a job before I graduate
-Create a career manifesto
-Look into freelancing

Financial
-Save $3,500 by December
-Follow a strict budget

Extra:
-Plan Mr & Miss Phoenix really well, and increase attendance and funds!
-Collaborate more on my blog


I know that there are a lot of goals on here, but I know that I can do it. Maybe I am setting myself up for failure, but if I reach 10 of these goals I'll call it a success!


What are you goals? How do you set goals? What do you consider a success? Any advice on these goals?

xoxo

Favorite Healthy Meals & Snacks!

Since summer started I've really been focusing on what I'm putting into my body, and have had a lot more energy! Here are some of my favorite meals and snacks so far.

Eggs, Fruit & Yogurt: Most weekday mornings I fry two eggs (sunny side up) while making myself a "second breakfast" consisting of one cup of Chobani greek yogurt, a couple of cut of strawberries and a handful of blueberries. I've cut my coffee intake down to a cup a day, and find it's easier to eat healthy through out the day when it starts with lots of protein and something a little sweet.

 Cucumbers, Carrots & Dip: In order to get my veggie fix, I cut up an entire cucumber, and two or three regular sized carrots (not the baby ones) to snack on. I also make a delcious dip out of Greek yogurt and Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch which is low in calories and adds a little punch to my veggies!

Lettuce Tacos: I love Tex-Mex, so I've tried to find a way to make my favorite food healthier. Instead of a bread shell, I use a large lettuce leaf. I use the leanest ground beef I can find, and I also make sure to really drain the grease out of the meat after I brown it.Look for low-sodium taco packets to make them a little healthier as well. I cut up tomatoes, add low-fat cheese and some low fat sour cream. Add as many veggies as you want, and then load it into a larger lettuce leaf! It's actually really good, and healthy!

Grilled Peaches: I have a huge sweet tooth, and grilled peaches help satsify that. While there is more sugar involved, my roommate and I really enjoy a grilled peach with some brown sugar on top! We've also grilled pineapple and grapefruit!

Apples & Peanut Butter: So peanut butter isn't actually that good for you, but I love some natural peanut butter (without all the added sugar and oils) with a cut up apple! It's a perfect snack, and I tend to eat it after a run!

Baked Potato:  I put a little bit of olive oil, lemon pepper & low-fat sour cream on a baked potato. It's great dinner, and I also eat some fruit with it!


What are some of your favorite healthy snacks and meals?  Anyone of these you're looking to try?


xoxo

Healthy Lifestyle

I confess. I fell off the bandwagon when it comes to working out and eating healthy. Don't worry, I've paid for it. But now that the winter blues are going away and my schedule has calmed down I've re-committed myself to a healthy lifestyle.

This past Sunday I update my healthy lifestyle board, which was actually really fun. I printed out a compilation of motivating quotes to push me towards eating healthy and working out.

I've decided that I'm not on a diet, I'm going to be watching my calories but there will be no obsessive counting. I've made small, doable goals that I plan on crossing off as I go!

Over my spring break I went and bought weights so that I can do quick workouts at home when I don't have time to make it to the gym. Since my tennis shoes are over two years old (thanks Timehop) I also bought a new pair of tennis shoes that make me feel pretty cool.

Here are some of my favorite quotes, workouts & tips!

Great tip on how to drink more water from Carly at College Prepster!



Slowly building my activewear collection thanks to Emily from Ivory Lane!

Great moves to sculpt your arms!


I just may start making a smoothie for dinner on the go!

A great graphic of what to order when you get a drink, which normally have lots of calories!

A favorite graphic designer and blogger of mine, Breckenridge Charapich, has an amazing and inspirational Instagram, you should follow her!


I will post my mini healthy inspiration board soon, and I really hope that this has helped you change your lifestyle!

Do you have any blog posts regarding healthy lifestyles? Favorite fitness blogger? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @ash_vickneyPR!


xoxo

2015 Goals: Healthy Lifestyle

I have to admit, this has been a really difficult for me because of all of the food I missed eating last semester. My weird weakness? Cereal. So I've pretty much been on track. Here's my weekly workout schedule.

-I like to switch things up between elliptical and walking on the treadmill because I get less bored with constantly doing the same cardio. If I have a friend with me we will walk around the track with them and just talk for 45 minutes!

-While free weights are really nice, for now I am going to stick with the machines at the student fitness center on campus.

-In order not to get too bored I bring a book with me on the elliptical and treadmill. At my school we get wifi at the fitness center, so I also bring my iPad with and watch Netflix!

What do you do to work out? Where's your favorite place to work out?

xoxo

2015 Goals: Volunteering

This is the first one of my goals posts for 2015! I wanted to start with my volunteering goal of 100 hours because it's probably my loftiest goal. Here are some of the places I will be looking to volunteer!

Greek Life// This may not seem like a common place, but there are more than just social fraternities. There are also charitable fraternities whose main goal is volunteering. I plan on volunteering as much as I can with my sisters in order to help reach my goal!

Habitat for Humanity// This is a great resource if you like to travel and volunteer. A lot of campuses have their own clubs that fundraise to go to different parts of the country and even the world to build houses. A lot of clubs also help build in their own towns and states.

Performing Arts Centers// This may be surprising, but theaters are great places to volunteer. You might be able to watch shows for free, but most importantly you help keep costs low so everyone can enjoy the arts.

Local Soup Kitchen// This is pretty self explanatory, but it's a great way to give back! They normally have a regular hours, so it's an easy way to give back weekly.

Shelters// This could be a battered women shelter or an animal shelter. Sometimes you need special training, but it's a great way to give back.

Church// If you go to church, see if you can't volunteer in the office or with the youth group. It can be really rewarding!

"We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone"

-Ronal Reagan 

Where do you volunteer? What's your favorite part about volunteering?

Fall Semester Goals: Studying Abroad

I'm on my third day of classes and am really enjoying how much stronger my Spanish language skills are. I'm still having an inner debate with how this semester is going to go. Part of me wants to have a crazy semester abroad, while the other part of me wants to focus on my Spanish skills, the culture and enjoying myself in Spain.

I came to the realization while discussing expectations with other students, that a crazy, party-filled semester abroad would just not be me. I enjoy going out with friends, but I don't enjoy 4 am nights and hungover Saturdays. I've decided I want to experience one or two of those nights but it won't be a habitual weekend for me.

The first night of classes I went out with some other students for drinks and pinochos (almost like tapas in basque country) and I really enjoyed it. It was nice to meet other students with the same expectations as me, as well as worries. I could definitely get used to that kind of night out.


Now that I'm done explaining my current mindset, here are some goals I've set for myself this semester.

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1. Get out of my schoolwork: I have a tendency to retreat behind work when I feel uncomfortable, so this semester I want to stop doing that and just take a leap of faith.

2. Improve all aspects of my Spanish: I want to improve my writing, speaking, reading and cultural literacy of all things Spanish. That's part of the reason that I'm over here in Europe!

3.Do things that scare me: This can mean paddle board (I have no balance), conversing with a stranger in Spanish or traveling by myself to a European city. The point of this trip is to be outside my comfort zone.

4. Take a break from ambitions: I've decided not to do too many things internship or career related until the middle of October. A small break from a year of intense pressure that I put on myself can only be good.

5. Get good grades: This is every semester's goal, but I want to remember that I'm here at school and do my homework, study and write my essays really well!



What are your semester goals?

xoxo

Goals Check In- May 2014

Here is my monthly goals check in! You can find my original goals in this post here.

{one} Eat healthier and Work out. I'm doing really well on this one! I joined the local YMCA with my family for the summer and have been packing a lunch everyday for work! I hope to try a cleanse, or at least eat clean for a week or two! 

{two} Live in the Moment: This is actually happening when it comes to weekly planning. MB is making me a little crazy since we don't make plans until two or three hours before. But I'm learning to go with the glow more so maybe this is better anyway!

{three} Work on Blogging Skills: I hope to blog three to four times a week this summer! Building content and working on my surprise for August! 

{four} Give 100%. I am putting everything into my internship! It's hard because I can't go over a a certain amount of hours each week, so I make sure that I'm there early, and stay as long as I can. I am also giving a lot of time to my family and MB since I won't be able to in a couple of months! (90 days until Spain!)

How are your goals coming along? Please comment with your posts about your goals, I want to see how you're doing! 

xoxo

My Semester

Let's just say that after this semester/year, the next year and a half should be pretty easy. I definitely over did it a little this semester, but I came out relatively unscathed.

 It was the longest time to date MB & I have gone without seeing each other. I had the biggest course load to date as well, and definitely gave everything to Zeta Omega Tau and the PRSSA. Working as an RA and at the library added even more to my plate.

 However all of the people I was working for and with made this semester a lot easier. I was only sick  a couple of times and was able to come out with a semi-decent GPA.

 I just have to say I am very lucky to have the support system that I do. I am able to kind of relax this week before I start my summer internship thankfully.

I've learned a couple of things this semester that I thought I would share:

1. You find time for the people that matter. This semester I was always doing something, had somewhere to be or had something to be done. I found out which people in my life I was willing to set down my todo list for. I also found people who would make the effort to ask me to do things, and those people I've grown even closer to this semester.

2. You figure out your priorities. I realized that certain items on my todo list always got prioritized and that is where my passions lie. The sorority, my communications classes, PRSSA and blogging always managed to get done before other items on my list. While I still love Spanish and other projects I have, public relations, blogging and my sorority have been my true passions in college.

3. You can plan all you want, but life will always have other plans. Cue the fact that I spent all semester applying for internships, while other people in my life spent all school year, and I got an offer for a position the last day of spring semester. I also planned for a lot of other things to happen that didn't. But I'm learning that while I can plan, I need to be a little more flexible dealing with life's plans.

4.Give 100% regardless of the recognition. I am really weird with recognition, I like to receive it but I don't always think I deserve it. MB has been teaching me to brag a little about what I've accomplished. But I've also realized that people don't always know how much work you've actually put in, and that's okay. I have started to look for satisfaction in my work from how well the organization is doing. As long as the organization I love is benefiting from my work, I am trying to be happy and satisfied with it.

What have you learned this semester?

xoxo

Goals Check-In # 4

Is it really the end of April? I know I say that every month, but this spring semester seems to have flew by. It's been quite the whirlwind!

Here is my goal check-in!

Eat Healthier & Work Out: This is going great! I am actually working out six days a week! My diet isn't too bad, I just need to stop stress eating! I'm even thinking of doing the cleanse that one of my blogger buddies Rachael did! Check out her post here.

Live in the Moment: I've actually been doing this semi-well! Whenever I have errands to run, or am just staying in I invite a sister to go with me! It's been keeping my life pretty light right now! This summer hopefully I'll be more spontaneous! 

Work on Blogging Skills: I think my blogging skills are pretty good right now. I have a fun announcement this Friday! I hope to focus more on the blog this summer, with a fun change coming at the end of August! 

Give 100%: Talk about a hard life lesson. I'm learning that life is about 90% hard work and getting yourself there, while the other 10% seems to be circumstance or even luck. This goal wasn't just 100% for school work, Zeta Omega Tau or the PRSSA, but instead to only commit to things that I will give 100% to. I've been applying for internships for the entire semester, and yet haven't had an interview offer. With that in mind, I have had a couple of really big moments of panic and frustration. I don't beat myself up about these moments because what defines you is what you do after these moments. Instead of stopping applications or not sending anymore resumes, I continue to search, apply and follow up. Don't let a little disappointment discourage you. 

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How have your goals for this coming along? Favorite quotes that get you through? 

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!
 

Pinterest Picks for March 6th!

What? It's March 6th? Here are some of my picks of the week. 

(Yes there are a lot of inspirational quotes.. I have 9 days until break so I need a little extra motivation)

1. You are behind yourself: No one is going to hand you anything, but if you make the effort a lot of people are willing to help you. If you don't ask, the answer is always no!

2. Black pumps:How perfect are these? I am most definitely putting these on my want list! They would be perfect for my internship this summer. 

3. As spring break approaches: "When we release our attachment to perceived complications, complications let go of their attachment to us. Let go and experience simplicity in a whole new way." 

As spring break approaches for most of us, here is a little thought to mediate on to experience real relaxation. 

4.Picture Frame Project: If I had time to do this, I totally would. It would be a perfect frame for an apartment or your dorm room! You can even pick one up at Goodwill or St. Johns. 

Have a wonderful rest of your week!

xoxo

AV

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