It's the Little Things.

I believe that life is all about your attitude, but I know being happy isn't always that easy.

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

30. A Beautiful Day

Today's weather was typical New England, USA, in the sense that it was a randomly gorgeous day in a week full of snow and rain and cold.  My intentions for the day were to do most of my homework, and do some fun things at night.  Then my best friend texted me and asked if I wanted to take a trip into the city for the day. I contemplated staying and doing work, but honestly it was SO beautiful out, I couldn't get myself to stay in all day (that's what Sunday's are for right?). I had an amazing day and (so far) don't regret it :)

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

29. Witnessing others' growth and success

This weekend, the little freshmen I helped coach in original oratory starting 3 years ago (writing and presenting an original piece) is now a senior competing in her last Harvard tournament--the largest national tournament of the year. She's been extremely talented and hard working, seeing that yesterday we even worked in between competition rounds.  Today, we found out she placed 1st in every preliminary round she competed in...putting her tied for 1st place among the other 400 competitors in the tournament. She's now in "out rounds," which are the final rounds leading up to THE final round.  Crossing my fingers she makes it to finals and blows that out of the water too, but I'm just so incredibly proud at what she's already accomplished. Mex <3

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

28. Just go for it

Get an opportunity to check something off your bucket list? Take a chance and do it.

I think some of us say "one day I want to..." way too often. Yes, don't do too many crazy things at once (keeping a budget is still important), but if you have a chance to actually go and do whatever it is, don't wait. Life doesn't wait for anyone anyway.

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

27. Being organized

I don't know where my time has gone lately, and it's evident by the state of my desk.  And I'm one of those people who feel stressed if I see clutter, so just clearing off my desk as best as possible is always a way to calm down, and get organized :)

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

26. A little change

Sometimes, it's good to add a little something different to your environment. My little change is that I got a new fish :) So this semester's going to be very busy, but I'm glad I made the fun little addition to my room!

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

25. Fleece and Fuzzy Socks

Another week has gone by, and I'm back to the crazy busy schedule that is college.

Thanks to the weather lately (that little polar vortex thing), I've been FREEZING. So every day that the temp has been in the teens or below,  I have had either fleece or fuzzy socks as a part of my wardrobe (sometimes both)!! So thank you articles of clothing, for keeping me warm and sane.

Tips for the ladies: Fuzzy socks + Uggs = <3 warmest and coziest your feet will ever feel. (I guess it would work with man Uggs, but alas, I have no first hand experience)

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

24. Awesome strangers

Oops, sorry it's been a week!!!!!

Anyway, loved this article, "Dear 'Daddy' in Seat 16C" from the Huffington Post. :) There are definitely still awesome, friendly people out there!

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

Watched this video this morning, and it was an amazing start to my day.

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

22. A good book

I've mentioned before that Harry Potter has always served as an escape from reality for me. While I spend every summer rereading that series, I try to read new books whenever I can. My new series: Game of the Thrones!  I realize books provide that sweet escape (for me, fictional usually is best... anything but textbooks of course). Whether it's because I'm stressed out, in a bummed mood, or I'm just spending the day inside as the snow falls outside, if it's a good book, time will guaranteed escape me.

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

21. “Doing lunch”

Of course this past weekend was a large event for many families including my own (Christmas), but that’s not what I’m going to have this post about!

My boyfriend always playfully makes fun of how girls will say “let’s do lunch” but I think “doing lunch” is really something awesome! Today I caught up with two of my high school friends I’m still close with and it was great! Since we don’t get to see each other too often, we usually spend hours and hours catching up. We even stopped making our lunch dates to actual restaurants and just have them at our houses so we can talk even longer. Anyway, getting lunch with old friends is always a sure way to brighten a day, or even your week. So send that group text, or better…pick up the phone, and set up a time to catch up with those friends you don’t get to see often :)

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

20. Telling stories

once I get home, one of the first things I do is try to catch up with my little cousin so we can update each other on our lives.  Whether they be really stressful situations that ended up okay...or didn't...or those funny stories that you can't even finish because you're laughing so hard, getting together with someone and just talking lets you keep those connections with people you may not see often enough.  

and usually story telling leads to laughing, and again, who doesn't need a good laugh these days? :)

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

19. Your favorite pair of pajamas

Just got home for winter break, took a hot shower, and immediately changed into my super comfy one-sie pajamas. I will now do nothing but watch TV, eat everything in sight, and snuggle up with my Mom. Nothing too deep about this post...so just put on your softest pajamas pants, biggest t-shirt, and relax.

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

18. Having Options

I'm an incredibly lucky person in that I have always had an option in what I wanted to do.  

What college did I want to chose between? Which event on campus could I go to to hang out, or just learn something useful for my career? What career do I want to go into? What outfit should I wear today? Who should I get dinner with? What hours do I want to work? Should I go to bed early? Should I sleep in? What can I eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Should I go for this new opportunity? 

The fact of being able to have options and not being forced into a situation is not something everyone has.  Take a second and think about how many choices you get to make in one day.  I bet there are hundreds of thousands of people who don't have nearly as many options as you.

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

17. Laughing!

Yes, yes this is very cliche.  But the facts still lie that laughing can really boost your mood on a bad day.  What I started doing, and had some of my residents do also, is keep a journal of just funny memories that happen in our daily lives.  My latest entry was this story:

A couple of nights ago, a bunch of my friends and I were doing homework late at night in one of the lounges.  People were either working on papers, doing research, or studying for tests.  One of my friends though yelled out excitedly "Yes! I'm done with my outline!" and did a happy dance.  He had been working on this outline for about 30 minutes, so I was expecting some hardcore outline for this paper.

He turns his laptop around, and there it is. 5 lines. 5 lines with probably 7 words each line. 30 minutes of work, 35 words, and a happy dance.

I still keep giggling at that

[anonycost]

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

16. Friends

Obviously I have been CRAZY busy since I haven't posted in over a week. I'm so sorry, even if I only have 3 followers!!!

This one is kind of a repeat. However, each one of these on the list are inspired by my life right now, so since these people played a huge part in my last two weeks in staying positive, they deserve the repeat.

---

Staying up with me at least until 6am during my all-nighter for "moral support," volunteering to drive around with me to random civil war monuments for my history final for hours so I wasn't lonely, or supporting the event I pulled together that benefits disaster victims in my family's country-- if it wasn't for these people, I don't know where I'd be. I don't know who I'd be. I'm so lucky to have the people in my life that I do, and the fast approach of saying bye to some of them (whether it be for semester abroad, graduation, or transferring schools) made me realize how valuable they are.  I love my friends, and I truly believe they were brought into my life to help me grow.

So let's be thankful for the people who do little things for us. Because even though they themselves aren't necessarily a "little thing," our life would SUCK without our friends.

[littlethingsbyjms-blog]

15. Home Cooked Dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yet again it's been awhile since I've posted. Busy busy busy bee is me. Anyway, Here's the little thing that absolutely brings any college kid happiness, and is also totally appropriate with Thanksgiving this Thursdsay:

Food.

but not just any food...

Home Cooked Dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!