Summer Research: The Best Summer Job Around

This summer I am working as a student researcher for one of my professors. This is the second summer in a row that I am doing this as a summer job. Because of the project that I am working on, I only have to go meet with my professor once a week, and the rest I can do from home on my own schedule.

I love working as a researcher because it gives me real world experience as well as the freedom to make my own schedule. I get to do actual research while being an undergrad, and this has allowed me to realize what I want to do with my life after graduation.

Relay for Life

This past weekend was Relay for Life in my town. My family participated as a team, and walked in honor of my Aunt who passed away last fall after battling lung cancer.

Technology Addict

Confession: I am addicted to technology. I love anything made by apple. I was an early adopter of the iPod, when my mom and dad bought me one of the first ones that came out way back in middle school. I also had the original iPhone, and iPad. I update my technology every few years in intervals. I try to get every other version of each Apple product, selling off the old model to help finance the new purchase. One time, I actually sold my old iPhone for $10 more than the new model cost me.

This is what my first iPod looked like:

As my life has gotten more hectic, I rely more and more on my technology to keep me going and organized. Each of my devices is synced with one another, so I can get everything done really efficiently.

I have become very dependent on my iPad during school, it is how I do all of my readings for class, and I even take notes on it in some classes too.

It is somewhat sad though, my iPhone is the first thing I touch when I wake up, and usually the last thing I use before I fall asleep. How did I survive before I got my first iPhone in high school?

Brands I love: Neutrogena

I have really frustrating skin, and I can never seem to find something that works for me. I try all the new stuff that comes out, and something always goes wrong. It makes me break out, dries out my skin, or some other annoying side effect. I finally went to the old stand by, Neutrogena, and I’m so glad that I did. No more weird side effects.

Today, I needed a new conditioner. My hair is fine and blonde, so it sucks up all the products that I put in my hair and it becomes greasy and dark looking. I found Neutrogena shampoo today at the pharmacy, and decided to give it a shot, seeing as I have tried all sorts of other things, and I can never find a conditioner that I like that is affordable.

This is what I picked up today:

So far, I can say that I love it! It doesn’t leave my hair feeling gross and greasy. Instead I have lightweight hair that is its actual color! It doesn’t smell half bad either!

Feeling Drained

Have you ever felt completely drained but for no actual reason? This is how I have been lately. I think it is because I haven’t actually been accomplishing anything major lately. I have nothing to think about or do other than just go to work. I need to get back to having goals. Starting tomorrow, my golf game is my focus for the summer, and I will give it my all.

The Great Debate: Comfort v Style

Do you ever find yourself debating an outfit based on comfort and style? Something may look really cute, but you know that by the end of the day your feet will be aching. Then again, a comfortable outfit may not leave the impression that you want on people when they see you.

It's always tough when you have an obligation to get dressed for, but nothing that is within the dress code seems to satisfy you. You want to look cute but you also want to be comfortable if you are going to be doing lots of things throughout the day.

What do you do when you face this dilemma?

I have found some staple pieces that are comfortable but still can be dressed up to be appropriate for more formal occasions. A dark pair of jeans and a staple solid j.crew tee an be paired with a blazer to make a really cute outfit, that is still comfortable to wear.

What are your staple pieces that are just so comfortable to wear?

Getting Organized: Summer Research

I am fortunate to have a research grant again this summer through a program at my school. This meant that I only had about two weeks off after classes ended before I had to be back at work on academic type stuff for the summer.

I love organization, and I love everything to be neat when it comes to my school work. For my research, I have decided to use file folders from Lilly Pulitzer and silver binder clips to keep all of my stuff together. This matched with my Lilly planner (which is basically my life in a little book!).

I’ve never done file folders before as an organizational strategy, so I’m interested to see how this actually works out. If I am successful, maybe I will adopt it for fall semester next year.