live well ★ laugh often

Day 16: Thoughts on mainstream music
Like I said earlier, I am a top 40s girl, but at the same time, I do hate the overplaying of certain songs, esp. if they suck IMO haha. Most of the beats are fine, but is it just me or is quality of songs going down? Like the lyrics just aren't what they used to be I think haha

Day 17: Highs and lows of this year
I think my lows are seeing the terrible number on the scale and finally making a breakthrough in weight loss (65 pounds so far! <-- totally a high), and dealing with stupid issues at work. Please tell me why my administration can't do their job? School starts on WED. and parents are coming TOMORROW and things still aren't ready [like we're freaking setting rules and procedures for the school right now, wtf]. This is the main reason I didn't want to come back this year.
I think my highs are having to do with my friends and coworkers and family just being there for me. There's not a particular one I can think of off the top of my head. OH. My birthday was a pretty fantastic high point - LOVE that the kiddos and my coworker did that for me. Ummm, the kiddos thanking me at the end of school was also pretty great.

Day 13: Somewhere you'd like to move or visit

Australia or New Zealand. sfkljslkfj LOOOOOVE the idea of visiting this gorgeous place. From the accents, to the people, to the scenery, to the TIM TAMs :D

UGH AGAIN. Sorry guys.

First, I made a twitter for J2 Recs (here) please FOLLOW and then tweet your recs there so I can post some. I'll try to tweet my own too! If you don't have twitter, please message me/comment on entries/get in touch in some way to gimme your recs :D :D :D

Day 09: My future
I hope I'm satisfied with my job in the future. Yeah, I'm also hoping for a husband there, but predominately, I'm hoping my family is safe and successful and that I am happy in my position of working. I'm hoping for a Masters too ;)

Day 10: First love and first kiss
I haven't been kissed BUT I was kissed on the cheek by my best friend in high school and I had a major crush on him. I wouldn't call it love, but I loved the idea of him. He was polite, intelligent, hella respectful, and cute haha. I don't think I've been iN love. I've had crushes and infatuations sure but nobody I could go days without thinking about.

Day 6: Write 30 interesting facts about yourself

Umm. Oh man, I am NOT that interesting, but here goes.

1. I was born in Kenya but my ancestors are from India
2. I've been on a safari, but was sick during the best part - LIONS.
3. I have a craft blog and a teacher instagram that I update pretty regularly (this summer esp.)
4. I've known I wanted to be a teacher since I was in 3rd grade, even if I'm up to my neck in doubts right now
5. I've never been kissed
6. I used to pretend to be Zach and my friend as Kelly when we were around 8 or 9. So that's my girl/girl experience lol (no actual kissing etc was done)
7. I graduated number 7 in my class of 850+ in high school
8. I always have to sing along if I hear a song that I know, I can't help it!
9. I used to be obsessed with making friendship bracelets.
10. I don't know how to play with kiddos - I used to babysit, but idk what to do with them!
11. I spend WAY more than I should all the damn time. In my classroom especially *SIGH*
12. I love fandom - and am obsessed with reading fanfic (sometimes more than real fic lol)
13. I love red velvet cupcakes and haven't had one in quite a while!
14. My favorite drink at Starbucks is a marble mocha (half mocha, half white choc) but I haven't had one in MONTHS bc it's calorie laden. It will be my first drink once I reach my goal weight, let me tell you!
15. I can read arabic, even if it's not the most fluid from my lips
16. I love white chocolate - but in small doses
17. I can't stand flavored yogurt - we eat regular with rice, and that's the only way I can eat it. Otherwise, NOPE.
18. I love matching things in my clothes and love getting compliments for it :D (ex: my scarf and my jewelry and my shoes etc)
19. I tried scrapbooking this summer, it's not the prettiest, but it's mine <3
20. Gum should be mint flavored, otherwise don't offer it to me (I'll have citrus from time to time though)
21. Zebra, chevron, and damask are my FAVE patterns (esp. bright colors against black)
22. I get weird feelings in my stomach when I read; I get so involved in it, like it's super real. That's why I adore reading - an escape
23. I've spend 2 summers in Milwaukee with my bestie, but now she moved to NY and is married
24. I've been to Amsterdam on a stopover and was in Holland overnight
25. We traveled by ship from Dover to Holland, but I can't remember it at all.
26. I get easily sea sick - ships/cars should be moving fast - I HATE the rocking sensation
27. I don't ride ferris wheels, see above entry.
28. My parents and I have kind of traveled Europe a little bit, but I was SO YOUNG that I have no clue.
29. My friends and family know about my obsession with Sbux and I got 4 gift cards for my birthday haha
30. My 6th grade students and coworker threw me an Avengers themed surprise birthday party and got me an Iron Man mask!

Day 4: Your views on religion

Okay to put it out there, I'm Muslim. I believe in Allah, I don't believe in Jesus being his son, and I believe in the last prophet being Mohammed (PBUH). That being said, I've learned a LOT this past summer about my religion and what I believe is this: Allah put us on this earth to worship him and he is most forgiving - if you truly repent and try not to sin again. There's a WHOLE lot that comes to mind when you think of Islam and religion in general. I like to believe that Allah knows human fallacies and knows what we truly mean. I like to believe that being a GOOD person and trying your best to DO good means you'll get happiness in this world and the hereafter. I believe in Heaven and Hell. I believe in angels and jinn. I view religion as being something humans cling to in order to feel more in control. I would never force my religion on others, but it's truly freeing to just submit to your Creator and be.

That's a heavy one for me because it's def. been an enlightening experience on this religious journey.

Day 2: Where you'd like to be in 10 years

I think missyjack or dugindeep said this and it rung very true. I'd like to be happy. It's not that I'm unhappy now, but I'm still working on various things. In ten years, I'll be in my mid-thirties and hopefully more comfortable with myself as a person. I'm hoping to have a job I love and a masters degree - to have found something that fits me. I know that I won't be happy forever, you have to have sadness and pain to FEEL the happiness, but I hope I'm content with who I am as a person. That's what's important to me ♥