twenty seventeen recap

The hope is that each passing year gets better. That life never slows or loses its ability to excite. This year was no different. It held my biggest life highs and its biggest lows. In honor of discovering happiness amongst the mayhem, here's a few of the things that made this year everything that it was.

I recieved a crown at a masquerade.
I cruised to Mexico.
I drew hearts in the sand.
I played the Baker's Wife.
I snapped photos on the streets of New Orleans.
I stood in front of Miss Robicheaux's Academy.
I delivered a valedictory address.
I loved every minute of HOBY Round 3.
I held a sign that read "Ole Miss Bound."
I learned to love dorm life.
I jumped in a ballpit with strangers.
I cheered on the Rebs.
I improved my Espanol.
I searched for pumpkins on the farm.
I binge watched "Stranger Things."
I sent way too many Spongebob memes.
I wondered through the Trail of Lights.
I ice skated on the roof of Whole Foods.
I ventured into a graffiti park.
I ate tex-mex in Texas.
I survived Atlanta traffic.
I drank tons of hot cocoa.
I wore matching pjs on Christmas.
I mastered the lazy day.

I graduated high school.
I left home.

I started my freshman year of college.

So many changes took place in 2017 that without a doubt it holds some special moments. This year could never be forgotten but it has set the stage for an even brighter year to come.

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summer days drifting away

Have you ever seen a movie in a series where nothing really happens? There's not really any action. The characters seem to be wondering. Maybe they take a long journey. A journey to a critical destination. Or a journey to find themselves.

And you think to yourself "Where's the action? Where's the adventure?"

Nothing special goes on in the drawn out film but when you see the next installment it all makes sense. You couldn't appreciate it then, but you needed this "filler film" to return to the action that takes place just around the bend.

I don't like to think of my life in these term, but if I had to put this summer into words, that's what I would call it. A filler with the next big thing just beyond the horizon.

I've had to come to terms with the fact that life isn't always going to be go, go, go. Though, generally, that is how I like it. This is the first summer in a while where I've been home for its majority, which is something I was pretty bummed about at first.

However, I've used this time to work on myself and prepare for the year to come.

Lazy days.
Summer jobs.
Dorm shopping.
Skylar's personal chauffeur (though she's my personal photographer).
Minimal stress.
Minimal responsibilities.

I haven't kept up with music, or media, or this blog to be quite honest.

And life's been pretty good in this transition from high school life. I've been allowed to simply enjoy just being. And it's a wonderful thing. Though, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready for things to pick up again. That's just who I am. I enjoy being busy. It keeps me sane. 

Anyway, I moved into my college dorm yesterday, which means my "filler summer" is coming to a close. There have been lots of great memories made in summer twenty seventeen but its time for a change.

"Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something." Regina Brett

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Dear Ma,

Dear Ma,

Here's to you.
On your day.
Mother's Day.

Here's to your secret selfies.
Your ever-present sweet tooth.
Your "non-existent" snoring.
Your low ponytails.
Your morning workouts.
Your shoe collection.
Your constant tardiness.

And everything else that makes you, you.

Thanks for the pep talks.
The endless memories.
The selfless sacrifices.

For being my biggest fan.
For rarely saying "I told you so."
For just being "Ma."

But you're more than a mother.

You're a friend.

A shoulder to cry on.
A hand to hold.
A voice of reason.

With you, I rant.
With you, I cry.
With you, I laugh.
With you, I smile.

You're there on the best days and the worst.
You go along with my wild imagination.
You never shut down my dreams.
You allow me to be myself.

You've helped grow me into the best version of myself.

And for that, I'm eternally grateful.

Love you always & forever,

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here comes the sun

Today is the first day of Spring, and as winter melts into sunshine, we are reminded of many things.

For starters, we remember that change can be a good thing because with change comes hope. And we all know how important hope is. For without hope, we would not have purpose. Without purpose, we might as well not exist.

Hope makes us feel as if we can rise from the ashes, start fresh. And we all need that sometimes. I can't help but think of Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise" because it's never to late to change. It's never to late to turn a corner, or to be better than you've been. To be as confident and strong as the speaker in that poem.

Don't give up. Don't give in. Don't look back.

And be the person you were meant to be.

This new season also reassures me that with all the upcoming change taking place in my life as I enter the last nine weeks of Senior Year, it doesn't have to be a bad thing. Change doesn't have to be this scary monster that people make it out to be.

Change can be exciting, and exhilarating, and promising. Change can be exactly what we need.

So always look ahead because just like the sun,

We rise.
We rise.
We rise.

"Here comes the sun, and I say, it's all right" The Beatles

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seventeen things i learned at seventeen

I'm 18! Can you believe it? Haha neither can I. While it's only a fraction of some people's life, I feel like it's a big mile stone. Because honestly, it is!

I mean, I'm kind of an adult now....

Anyway, while I still have a lot to learn, here are some of the things that I either learned or had a "gentle" reminder of this year.

1. Speak positivity. 
If you speak positive things into the world, positive things will happen to you in return. If you want something to happen, say it out loud, scream it from the roof tops. Set goals, believe in them, then make them happen.

2. It's okay to step out of your comfort zone.
Actually, it's encouraged.

3. Learn to be a social butterfly.
It helps in life, especially when meeting new people. Be the first to say hello. I usually tell myself, "Channel your inner Metri."

4. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
I'd rather feel stupid asking a question than look stupid doing things wrong.

5. Stress less.
You can make it through anything. Just try to enjoy the ride. There will be more good days than bad. Remember, "God is within her, she will not fall."

6. Workout more, nap less.
I don' think this one needs any explanation.

7. You have to be self-motivated.
No one is going to hold your hand through life. You have to know what you want and do what it takes to get it.

8. Decide to make everyday a great day.
Don't let other people's moods and crap affect you. If you want to smile, smile. Do things for yourself, I don't mean be selfish. But keep your best interest in mind always, because at the end of the day, you're only responsible for your own happiness not others'.

9. Treat yourself (every once in a while).
Whether it's sleeping ten minutes extra in the morning, buying yourself a new dress, or going out to Mexican (my favorite), you deserve it! Fill life up with the things that make you happy. Don't spend all your time doing schoolwork. It'll still be there when you finish, just don't miss any deadlines!

10. Don't skip out on washing your face before bed.
This is a must! And this goes hand in hand with not waiting until you're on your last uniform shirt to wash your dirty clothes. Don't judge... we all have our lazy days.

11. Your planner is your best friend.
I definitely need to keep this one in mind. But generally besides filling out my planner, I make a lot of to-do lists and other random notes. This keeps my brain from getting cluttered.

12. It cost zero cents to be a kind person.
Just remember to be nice to people, okay? Okay.

13. Keep your faith close to your heart.
It's the best way to live. And you never know when you'll need it most.

14. Productivity is the key to life.
Stop being lazy! Everyday is a chance to get one step closer to any goal. Don't waste it. You feel so much better when you've had a productive day.

15. Write more.
A worthwhile hobby, I know. But hey, to each their own, right?

16. Enjoy the now.
The moment will fade, and the memories are simply the next best thing, so enjoy each and every day. Don't sleepwalk through life. Live a life that makes you feel something.

17. You still have a lot to learn, my friend.
Just try to learn something new everyday. And remember to stay open-minded.

If you read this all the way through, thank you so much! I'm so blessed to see another year, and I frequently remind myself not to take anything for granted.

I wonder what this next year of my life will bring?

Whatever it is, I'll cherish the memories, live in the moment, and look forward to the future.

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stressed, and well... stressed

What actually is stress? I mean honestly.

Is it the feeling of a weigh on your shoulders? A drowning feeling, like you're gasping for air? A mess of commitments and responsibilities? A warning before you explode?

Or is the answer simply all of the above?

Well, this post is for all the people who get it. The ones who know stress all too well, and the ones who are just beginning to encounter it. Maybe, it's even for the ones who haven't yet... because you'll need all the help you can get.

It's something we all have to deal with sooner or later. Later is preferable. But we all know that life doesn't care about our preferences.

This post is a makeshift response to a post by Danielle Marie Carolan titled "Stressed, But Well Dressed." And ya'll, this girl gets me! She knows my struggle...haha. And if a high school senior all the way in Florida can relate, there must be much more reliability to this topic. 

No, but really if I didn't believe it when they said Senior Year is no joke, I believe it now (which I feel like I've said a hundred times, but it genuinely keep smacking me in the face). And of course, I'm one of those people who brings these extra commitments upon myself. But, this semester has been like no other! Especially this past week because our school play (Into the Woods) opened this weekend, talk about a time commitment.

But I'm not complaining... I'll throw in a positive twist momentarily;)

School is a lot in itself, but adding extracurriculars on top of that can sometimes seem impossible. But hey, that's life! It's all about balance.

There will be plenty of tough times, you just have to be tougher. No wait, you are tougher, as Danielle would say.

One things for sure though, while I understand the stress part, where does the well dressed part come in, because I dress like a hobo half the time. I guess I'll have to work on that!

Which brings me to my next point. I want to start adding some different lifestyle elements to this platform. Change is coming!! So definitely, definitely, stay tuned.

Now, what I can't understand is why I'm still awake at 11PM typing up this post when I have tons of homework left to finish.... I guess I should add procrastination to the list of things I haven't quite mastered. Oh well, everything comes with time.

"Sometimes you need those bad days to help you appreciate the good ones."

Danielle's Post: "Stressed, But Well Dressed" 

Check her out. I really love her content!

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why not?

Why do I have to try so hard?

Why is there so much to do?

What am I doing all of this for?

These are the everyday questions that plague our minds constantly, and with senior year in full swing, I'd be lying if I said these things haven't come to my mind once or twice.

But if you think about it, there are so many more reasons why you should try than why you shouldn't.

Why not take the harder class?
Why not go the extra mile?

Honestly, what do you have to lose?

Why not fly when you have wings?
Why not jump, if you know someone will catch you if you fall?

Why not ask until you get a yes?

Why not swim if you can see the shore?

But what if there's not a parachute or a safety net?

What if no one's there to catch you?? So what?

What is life without a little risk?

What is anything worth if you didn't work hard for it?

Take a chance, sing in the rain.
Life’s too short to play it safe.
Life won't wait for you to catch up.

So... RUN!

Take the leap of faith, climb the mountain, and reach for the stars.

Never say never. And never give in.

Always dream bigger. Worker harder. Want it more. Be better.

Your light is as bright as you make it.

Why not blind them?


"The happiest people do not have the best of everything. They make the best of everything they have."

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twenty sixteen recap

I made really great memories last year.

I met some amazing people.

I made some amazing friends.

And I did some amazing things.

I went to prom (twice).

I played guitar on a stage.

I won a talent competition.

I coached a girls soccer team.

I laughed on the steps of the U. S. Capitol.

I saw the Phantom of the Opera at the Kennedy Center.

I went to a professional baseball game.

I sang constantly that "I'm almost there."

I overused the phrase "like a dog."

I experienced the craziest penalty shot out of SJS soccer history.  
I cheered our boys on to the third round of playoffs.
I screamed UCA! UCA! at the top of my lungs.
I greeted a room with "HI HOBY."
I learned that sometimes it's okay to be P-E- to the T-T-Y.
I took naps on the softest dorm room bed ever.
I pretended I was a college freshman all July.
I followed the craziest U. S. election of all time.
I danced to juju on that beat.

I slept in.

I stayed up late.

I binge watched "Are You the One?"

I cheered in the rain.
I overate on holidays.

I wore a pumpkin shirt on Halloween.

I sang carols on Christmas Eve.

I grew in my faith.

I decided to become a Rebel.

I started a blog.

Time is precious. Time is not guaranteed  or promised.

These memories are priceless.
These memories are mine.

Goodbye 2016, you've been good to me.

2017, you've got a lot to live up to.

I'm unbelievably excited for what you have in store.

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oh, so very thankful

November is coming to a close. Matter of fact, this year is coming to a close. It's usually this time of year that people look back on the things they've done, regret the things they didn't do, and make plans for the year to come. We vow to be better, do more, and live fully. Because "where has the time gone!"

Spring. Summer. Autumn. They have all come and gone, and despite the twinge of sorry we feel for the passing days, or about getting older, we are still excited because we hope there is more to come. We are grateful for what we have and who we are. We are always looking ahead.

Grateful, grateful, grateful. Really, I'm trying to say that we shouldn't rely on the holidays, the turkey and the dressing, the constantly ticking clock, or the man in the big red suit to remind us to be grateful for all the things that God has blessed us with. We shouldn't wait until the end of the year to look back and remember the good times.

We should always remember the good. We should always strive for better. We should never take for granted what we have or what's in front of us.    

Always be thankful, thankful, thankful.

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love your life, love yourself.

How to love yourself:

1. Believe in yourself.
Know that you can be or do anything you set your mind to. Nothing is impossible!

2. Be Kind.
You always feel good about yourself when you do something nice for others. It doesn't cost you anything to give someone a compliment. It won't hurt you to smile. I know you've heard about the "scientific study" that proves smiling makes you live longer... while I don't know if that is true or not, it is still a good thought. So volunteer in your community, be positive toward others, and give rather than receive. An outward smile can quickly become an inward one.

3. Accept who you are.
Sometimes you have to come to terms with the fact that you are limited as a human being. You will never be perfect. You cannot always be the star of the show, but if you try your best that's all you can really ask of yourself.

4. Stop caring what other people think.
This is probably one of my biggest pet peeves. I hate it when people care too much about what others think of them. So what if Jane doesn't like your outfit? Like, you do you girl! A long as you are happy with what you do and say then it doesn't matter how other people feel about it. Be the person that makes you happy. Sometimes, you have to be your own biggest fan, but if you stay true to who you are, the people in your life that truly care about you will stick around.

How to love your life:

1. Surround yourself with people that make you happy.
Really this goes back to loving yourself. Care enough about yourself to not surround yourself with negative people. You don't deserve to be around people who pressure you to make bad decisions or treat you badly. Fill your life with people who love and support you-- people who want to see you succeed and lift you up, not people who want to tear you down.

2. Do things that make you happy.
We all have talents and passions. Try to participate in the things that relax you or bring you joy regularly. Life is short, and every moment not doing something you are passionate about is a wasted moment.

3. Have faith in the future.
You know they say live everyday like it's your last, well that doesn't mean that you can't dream about tomorrow. Have hope that tomorrow will be better than today. Everything you are doing is not for nothing. Whether its school or work, remember to keep in mind the big picture, and know that you can get there. Because what's the point of living if you don't have anything to live for.

"Positive mind. Positive vibes. Positive life."

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intro.



Hey world, it's me Asia.

As far as intros go, I think that one is pretty solid. But really, hello everyone! Thank you for reading my blog! It's kinda weird saying that I have a blog. Anyway, a little about me: I'm a senior in high school, a cheerleader and soccer player, I read when I can, I'd like to think that I can sing, and I like to write, thus this blog.

 So why would I start a blog you may ask, I mean who reads blogs anymore?

Well that is a good point, and one that I have come across many times in my effort to scrabble up enough bravery to start this blog.

And the honest answer that I've come up with is that firstly, I've learned that life is a whole lot better when you do things for yourself, instead of for other people. I mean, don't get me wrong, I hope anyone viewing my content gets something out of it. Whether it be that I made them see something in a different way or they learned something new. That's awesome, and when you're viewing someone's work, that's all they can ever hope for.

But first, I have to create content and posts that make me happy. My goal is to create an outlet for myself to untangle my thoughts, and maybe connect with people on the way.

Secondly, despite popular belief, I still believe that there are people who read something, besides a text message every once in a while. And these are the people I hope to share my thoughts with. And frankly, you must be one of those people, or you wouldn't be reading this right now.

It is not staying in our own heads that help us grow, but trying to grasps how others chose to live.

I hope my way of life helps you grow, and I hope writing about it helps me grow as well.

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