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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

A Bag o' Success


Snow Day 

It's a beautiful day outside! Kansas is officially in a "white out" as inches and inches of enthusiastic snow falls to the ground. School's out all across the state and I'm just relaxing in our apartment, enjoying a cup of chai tea and mesmerized by this view....




I was thinking ahead yesterday and did as much homework as I could knowing that today I would be stuck inside and wanting to just relax. The Education Program at Wichita State is full of amazing professors and great knowledge. I'm really enjoying myself! But there are days when I just want to have nothing to do, like today!

So in honor of my lazy day, I thought I would share some essential items I have to have in my book bag.

Here is my sweet little Vera Bradley book bag... yellow & black to represent my shockers (who are 23-0 by the way)! 



What's great about this bag is that I can actually fit a lot in it. Here are the things I cannot live without + some great tips for a successful semester.




1. LARGE BINDER
This is the holy grail of my bag... It's a 3" binder with a tab for every class. Any piece of paper I may receive goes here and I put a little colored tab on each class's syllabus so it can be easily retrieved. It's such a great and organized idea for any college student.  My teaching program is 4 semesters long, so I will end up with 4 organized binders for each semester when I graduate. I have two so far! I also like to include items that make me smile, goals, a calendar, and encouraging quotes in my binder. 

"The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately"



2. IDEAS GROW HERE
I am very excited about the purpose of this little notebook. I've turned this into a pre-teacher journal. Anything I experience or learn or important information I need for my future I write in this journal. It's a great idea for any college student who knows what they want to do and are on that path. This will be such fun to look back on but also a great place to find tools and information I may need to succeed once I am a teacher.  

3. TO-DO NOTEBOOK 
This notebook has been a life saver for me. I started this last semester and it has really worked for me as a student. Any time I am assigned something, I write it in this notebook with a empty box next to it so that when I am done with that task I can check it off and see what all I have done. I do have a planner, but this is just a much more organized and laid out option as to seeing what needs to be done.



4. POCKET ITEMS
These are items I always have in the front pocket of my book bag. They are easy to grab and I use them everyday. I always carry bars with me (my purse is also stocked full). They are the perfect snack to top me off, especially because I am usually at school all day. The two I have in my bag now are Kashi Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt (one of my favorite brands of bars) and a MediFast bar (such a great diet, check it out if you are looking to loose weight!). I also have chapstick which is essential for this time of year. My lips get chapped so easily when it's cold out. This is an EOS Ball and it is lemon scented. I also need a little perfume everyday, because like I said I am at school all day long. This roll on from Mary Kay is great when you are on the go. Lastly, I have some antibacterial wipes that I stole in handfuls from my doctors office! I'm a little bit of a germ freak and my hands feel dirty to me easily so these are nice to have. 

5. PLANNER
This is my planner and organizer for last semester and this semester. I pictured it open because of two reasons. Mainly because I never have it closed, this reminds me to always check what may be coming up for me. And two I do not like the outside pattern (I'm a little picky about that!) During syllabus week, my #1 personal homework item is to go through every class calendar and record every assignment in my planner; that way I always know what is coming up and assignments can be easily changed if the professor changes their mind. 

6. PENCIL POUCH
My pencil pouch is something I use everyday, I think it is important to color-code your notes while you are taking them. My pencil pouch is full of highlighters  different kinds of pens, pencils, an eraser, and sticky tabs. So it really shouldn't be called a pencil pouch... Anyways, here are the brands of some of my must haves -- Paper Mate Flair pens, BiC ecolutions pencils, Sharpie Accent highlighters, BiC Mark It Fine Point Permanent Markers, and Paper Mate Ink Joy pens.


7. STICKY NOTES
I use these a lot to organize, make reminders, and to draw attention to important things. They are such a great tool for college students. Sometimes I use them to write down my 3 daily goals as mentioned in my previous post, I use them in my planner, in my textbooks, for studying, and reminders. Sometimes if I need to remember something I will write in on a sticky note and put it in my car so I can read it while I drive to school. I use them everywhere!

8. MINI VERA
This little guy is so handy for me during the school year. I'm not a big fan of carrying a purse AND a book bag... thats just too much! In this I include my student ID, credit card, USD 259 ID, drivers license and change for the vending machines. The size of this makes it easy to just put in my wallet if I am carrying my purse and then take it out and slip in my book bag for school days. That way I always have what I need on me.

9. MAKE-UP BAG
Even though this is a make-up bag, I don't have much make-up in there. This bag is for little things I may need during the day. Inside there is advil, my WSU name tag, girl items, kleenex's, mascara, hand lotion, and more chapstick. This has most certainly come in handy for those minor emergencies through out the day. It is nice to also have it all in one place, that way I am not digging for it in the middle of class.


I hope these tips can inspire you to be a better student, good luck this semester :)

"Doubt kills more dreams then failure ever will."
-Karim Seddiki
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Monday, January 20, 2014

"I Have a Dream..."

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everybody!

I hope everyone is enjoying their day off.... This is my last free day until the Spring Semester begins so I am doing a few things of self enjoyment today! I slept in, did a little shopping, dyed my hair, painted my nails, and baked - my idea of a fantastic day.



In the spirit of things, I wanted to encourage my readers to follow AND achieve their dreams. Dreams are made up of a bunch of little achievements along the way and that's a big stepping stone that a lot of people do not see. Everyday should include goals, goals lead to dreams. 

Here are a few tips to getting things accomplished, day by day.

1. Set 3 goals per day
Yep, just 3! Make that list and carry it around with you until you complete it. Draw boxes by each goal so you can officially check each goal off, feeling accomplished. After you complete three, make three more. 

2. Stay off social media
Now, I am not at all saying I am a rockstar at these tips. In fact this one happens to be a big weakness of mine yet a long-term goal for 2014. Social media has a way of sucking the life right out of you. It is, in my opinion, the biggest distraction for getting things accomplished. Place your phone on its charger, in a separate room, out of your sight, and on silent.

3. Schedule brain breaks
This is a new one for me but it really works. Set your timer for 25-30 minutes and focus only on a specific task, this really helps the brain focus and be present. Then take a 10 minute break as a reward for hard work. Be productive during your breaks as well - not just checking your phone. Do some yoga, organize your desk, or paint your nails. 

4.Reward yourself
Rewards are not just for kids! Everyone is well deserving. PLUS it's a good system to keep yourself motivated. If you complete all your goals for that day, go get a smoothie, set on your back porch, or get crafty. Rewards can come big or small.

5. Know yourself
You have all your goals written down, right? Go back and admire your accomplishments, big and small. Being able to look back and actually see the work you have done is a reward within itself. 


I think the biggest step to reaching your dreams is recognizing the true possibility of anything being achievable. Once you realize anything is possible, that's when dreams are achieved. 

I'll leave you with a wonderful quote by the inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. himself...


"If you can't fly, then run;
If you can't run, then walk;
If you can't walk, then crawl;
but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward"

-MLK jr.

Nail Color: Maybelline NY "Green With Envy" #320
Hair Color: John Frieda 3VR, Deep Cherry Brown
Recipe: Banana Bread, Pioneer Woman
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/08/just-a-recipe-banana-bread/ 


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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Big Girl Panties

{BIG GIRL PANTIES}



I most certainly tried on a 
comfortable
exciting, heartwarming
& driven 
pair of big girl panties today... 

I started my job as an intern at a charming little Elementary School here in sunny & beautiful Kansas. Becoming a teacher was not always my initial plan for life... I knew how wonderfully I connected with children but I never thought of putting a passion + an career together, seems like common sense right?? -- which, if that is not what you are doing with your future you should be reconsidering.

I started the teaching program in the fall and I absolutely fell in love with EVERYTHING about it. Now that I actually work in an Elementary School, my love for teaching has grown even more than I ever expected possible. 

Thank you God for putting me in such a place of peace, strength, & success 



My first day jitters for anything always goes something like this...

What am I wearing??
What not to wear? What to wear?
Is this too dressy?

First impressions are over-exaggerated in my head 99% of the time, I still don't know if that is a good thing or not!

Needless to say, I drove my husband insane. 

I do, however, like any woman out there, enjoy dressing up & adding my own flare to things. There is a special confidence boost that you can only receive from a cute outfit and special jewelry pieces. 
So here is what I came up with... 

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Yep.. olive skinnies, a grey cardigan with bows, riding boots, and quirky jewelry most certainly got me through my first day. I just love that teacher vibe.

Also -- cannot point out how in love I am with my typewriter ring.The kids loved it! They kept saying.. "ahHA! 'R' for Miss. Roxanne!" They were blown away. When I told them it was from a typewriter they looked at me like I was from a different planet... ohh the innocence of children and how much joy that brings me. 

I am so lucky & blessed that a big juicy cup of OJ will be enjoyed daily through my job at an Elementary School.

<as usual>
find joy in the ordinary! 

Olive Skinnies: Apricot Lane, Wichita
Boots: Marshalls
Cardigan: Target
Beaded Necklace: Forever 21
Bow Necklace: drawing a blank... I've had it forever
Typewriter Ring: Hand made by a sweet little lady here in Wichita (found at the Holliday Galleria @ Century II) and I am so sad that I don't remember the name of her company. 

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Friday, January 17, 2014

Oh Happy Day

.N E W L Y    W E D S.


August 3rd 2013 was quite the cup of OJ... more like overloaded joy

Just wanted to share these precious moments in my life. 
ANYONE who is getting married knows how stressful it is, how impatient you become, how minor details are inexistent, and  how crazy you are. But please, take it from someone who has been married for 6 months now (whaat?) -- enjoy. every. bitty. bit.

THE...
good + bad
stressful + fun
wrong + right

Every love story is going to be naturally beautiful.
BUT Mr. Murillo's & mine just happens to be my favorite one 


It's all worth it in the end and it's going to be even better than you can ever imagine  

"Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is YOU."
-The Beatles


Dress: Vera Wang
Headpiece: Handmade by yours truly :)
Bridesmaid dresses: David's Bridal (CORAL)
Groom's Vest: Men's Warehouse
Tuxes: Jos. A. Banks

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDITS/RECOMMENDATION: LolaJo Photography -- Amy
http://www.lolajo.com 

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

JOY


{A CUP OF OJ}
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Yes... orange juice is a wonderful thing; nutritious, refreshing, smooth, and provides such a radiant color to our world. Yet the OJ I'm talking about is ORDINARY JOY. 

Or --

         "Finding joy in the ordinary" 

This is a quote I have discovered and what I have been practicing lately in life. 

>> JOY: /joi/ noun. the emotion of great delight

Finding joy and delight in the ordinary moments of life is something we all take for granted. Joy is a portable aspect -- it is everywhere. Here is what a cup of OJ looks like for me...


- the natural light through my windows
- the way my husband smells
- buying school supplies & getting organized
- the Kansas breeze
- homemade tortillas
- flowers of all shapes, sizes, and colors
- small town memories
- smiling strangers
- the children I work with




JOY is my word for 2014... through this blog I want to share the little sparkles of joy that may cross my wandering path whether that be personal stories, Pinterest findings, advice, favorite things, or just beautiful pictures of my day - I want my joy to inspire others.

My name is Roxanne and I am searching, finding, posting, and blooming in JOY 

** please browse&enjoy my blog tab, upper left **