smartgrlalyss

01:55 pm: it's been so long!
Heyyyy everyone!! well i hope everyone's new years and holiday breaks were great. I am just finally getting into second semester, and everything is going well. I had my first 2 exams (ugh 2 on the same day) thursday, and they went pretttttty well. I got one of them back, I got a 92%!!! Yayyyy! I'm still waiting on the other one though, but keep your fingers crossed for me. I hope everyone is adjusting back to school, and guess what...now it is FEBRUARY! whoa...time is certainly flying by. In 2 weeks it is Valentine's Day!! I still have to figure out a gift for my boyfriend...hmmm any ideas?? HELP!

There has been some crazy weather here in Michigan. Two days ago it was a snow storm, and we got about 5 or 6 inches of snow, and i just heard that tomorrow it is supposed to be OVER 50degrees!! There is no where in this world that has as crazy weather as Michigan!!

Well tonight is the SUPERBOWL! Is anyone doing anything fun for that? I believe it is the New York Giants vs. the New England Patriots...I dont really have any connection to either team, so whoever wins will be fine with me! I just look forward to the half-time show, and the commercials!! I already previewed a hilarious commercial with Justin Timberlake....keep an eye out for that one--I think it's a pepsi commercial. Really cute...just like him!

Well I hope to hear back from you all soon, sorry this is my first post since break!

Stay warm (to those of you in cold places), and talk to you soon,

Alyss

12:07 pm: I'M DONE WITH FINALS!
Hey everyone, sorry I haven't posted in a little while--but I was extremely busy studying for finals. BUT GUESS WHAT?!?! I finished this morning at 10:00 a.m.! I had my last exam (in sociology) at 8:30, and I AM SOOOOOO HAPPY TO BE DONE. I can't wait to pack up my stuff and head home tomorrow for break. It feels so good once you are in college, because when you go on Winter vacation, you are literally done with first semester classes and second semester hasn't started yet--so you have ZERO work! It is a really great feeling.
So I'm heading home tomorrow, I will relax for about a week, then I head off to Florida to celebrate Christmas with my grandparents! YAYYYYY


Happy Holidays everyone!

xx
alyss

07:51 pm: December
Hey guys,

How is everyone enjoying December? I love December, the holiday spirit, and all the Christmas lights around town. It's hard not to be happy with such a pretty and fun atmosphere, although of course final exams come right in the middle of my favorite month! I need to start studying, and this weather has made it easier not to mind staying inside. Lately it has been snowing/raining/sleeting/etc. The ground is wet and sloshy all the time. Luckily I have a car up at school, so I have been avoiding walking as much as I can.

Anyway, I feel like I have so much to do before finals, including holiday shopping! I don't know what I am going to get anyone! I can't wait for the holidays. I celebrate both Hannukah and Christmas. In a few weeks I am going to Florida to celebrate Christmas with my mom's family. I love going to Florida during the holidays, hopefully this year it will be warm enough to get a little sun!

Anyway, I should get started on my work

xx
alyss

01:15 am: Thanksgiving Break :)
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving break. I know I did! My mom made suchhhhh a delicious meal, I think I am still full! We normally do a big dinner with all of our cousins, but this year we turned down the big dinner, and decided to do it just with my immediate family. By now, my sister lives in Ohio (where she is a resident to be a doctor at the Children's Hospital), my brother is always on the road touring with his band (Tally Hall, check them out!), and I am at school! Soooooo we hardly ever get to all be with eachother, and it was so nice just being together on Thanksgiving. After dinner, we watched old home movies. It was a really fun night. Anyway, other than that I got to see a lot of my friends from High School. Well, now I am back at school where I have to start studying for FINALS soon. Oh man, I don't even want to THINK about that..but as soon as I finish finals, we have DECEMBER BREAK YAYYYY. So I guess there is something positive to look forward to, as a reward for finishing the semester. Wow this year has gone by SOOOOOOO FAST! I cannot believe it is almost 2008!

Anyway, good night everyone.

xoxo
alyss

11:30 pm: Hey guys...SORRY I HAVE BEEN SO BAD ABOUT POSTING!!!!

I get so caught up in my school work I forget to write, which doesn't make any sense at all- because I have found that posting online really helps me to deal with all my stress! So I am very sorry if you felt I abandoned you guys...i am definitely still here.

Also- it helps when you guys comment on my posts, because it reminds me that people are listening!! so thanks to both of you for the last two responses...


Anyway, in response to the college comment:
Julliard is an amazing school!! I don't know much about Maryland School of Arts, but I am sure it is really good as well. What art or music are you interested in? Do you play an instrument? Sing? Dance? Act? I think it is so cool when people really specialize in talent, good luck...but if you want some advice, definitely make an appointment with both your high school college advisor (or regular counselor will do) and also, make special trips to visit the schools. You need to see the campus in person before you make any decisions. Other than that kind of stuff, try your best in school. Gradepoint is important, but it's not the only thing. Also, if you can get your hands on any prep books for the SATS/ACTS (maybe check out your local library?), those can be really helpful in providing practice exams. Take them seriously!!!! Anyway if you have more questions let me know!

anyway...happy early thanksgiving!!

xoxo alyss

10:55 am: Homegirl...
Hey guys, just wanted to tell you all (as you are probably beginning to fight with your parents and dreaming of the day you can move out) I came home last night for NO REASON. I just wanted to sleep in my own bed, have a good meal, and relax. So, when you guys are getting really antsy at home, and just want to LEAVE already...remember that even though college is so much fun, sometimes you will miss your good ol' home! So enjoy all the nice things like home-cooked meals, family time, etc. while you can! Anyway, I'm going back up to school tonight, but the break was certainly a good one.

Love,

Alyss

09:35 pm: happy halloween!!
Hey everyone! This week has been a much better one! If you guys think Halloween is a fun holiday in middle and high school, just wait until you get to college. Apparently it is a week-long holiday! I have had a lot of work, so I haven't been able to dress up and go out until tonight (the real Halloween), but I have seen kids all over campus dressed up since last Thursday! Today walking around the diag and all around campus was so fun, because there would be random people in a Spiderman costume, or Witch outfit, etc. I love holidays, they really add so much spirit to my day.

Another aspect I like about Halloween is that it is the beginning of a string of great holidays. Next comes Thanksgiving, which, as a college student, is especially important because it is the first real time all of your out-of-town friends come home. Last year for Thanksgiving, all of my high school friends got together and it was so nice finally getting back in touch with everyone and seeing how school had been going so far.

Anyway, tonight I am dressing up as a butterfly. I am wearing a green dress and butterfly wings, an antenna, and a face full of green make up! I hope it works out well...the only thing I am nervous about is that it has gotten really cold lately. I hope I can stay warm!

Well, I need to go, I see other girls in my house are starting to put on their costumes. My roommate is going as an Eskimo. She is wearing big furry boots, a sweater-material skirt, a vest with fur, and one of those big winter hats (the kind with the dog-like ears drooping down). Okay everyone, hope you had a great Halloween.
BooooOOOOOOooooooOOOOOoooooo!


Talk to you soon,

Alyss

09:11 pm: sad week :(
Last Saturday night, the brother of a good friend of mine passed away. It was really sad and unexpected, but what was hardest was being away from a lot of my high school friends. Once you graduate high school and go to college, it becomes really hard to keep in touch with EVERYONE that you used to be close with. Last night, however, a lot of out of town friends flew in for the funeral. It was a really bittersweet reunion. It was hard to see friends who I haven't seen in a long time without being able to act happy and excited. Overall, the family seems to be doing well but it is such a horrible situation.

Anyway, in the middle of all this sad news, I have been studying for my last midterm in psych. I took it yesterday afternoon, and I think it went pretty well. It is almost Thursday, which means it is finally almost the WEEKEND to a very stressful/bad week. I can't wait for this week to be over!!!!

I am excited because this Saturday is finally a home football game again. The football games at University of Michigan are really fun, I just hope it isn't too cold. It has already been getting really chilly around here, and I am dreading the Winter. I would just really like to see some sunshine on Saturday...fingers crossed.

Well, I need to catch up on a lot of other homework I've missed this week. Talk to you soon,

xx
Alyss

05:32 pm: gossip girls
Okay so I've just caught up watching all the episodes (so far) of the new TV show, Gossip Girls. For those of you that don't watch, it's on the CW, and you can watch it for free online. Anyway after getting to know you guys through your letters to SmartGirl, I realized that the entire theme of the show is a BIG deal for you guys right now too. Gossip is fun, funny, interesting, irresistible....and also HURTFUL. Have you ever had the painful experience of seeing a group of girls whispering from far across the room, and then see them all look at you? That sinking feeling to think they are gossiping about you (even if they really aren't talking about you, or even if it's not bad)--that is the WORST . It happens to everyone...and it really sucks when it happens to you. But do you want to know WHY it happens to everyone? Because we all KEEP gossiping. It doesn't make much sense to me that even after going through that gut-wrenching situation multiple times, I am still guilty of the occasional who-did-what gossip. BUT- here is my new theory. Maybe by watching Gossip Girls, we can get out all of our gossip needs and cravings, and in real life, try to gossip less. That is my goal. Besides, when seeing how mean Blair is to Serina, I start to realize how mean gossip can actually be...and I don't want to have any part in that mess. Talk to you all soon,

xoxo
Alyss

01:46 am: FALL BREAK!!!
Hey everyone, sorry I haven't updated since last week, but my life has been really crazy! I had my big economics exam tonight at 8:00 p.m. I really hated how late the test was, because when I woke up this morning I knew it was the day of the exam, but I had ALL DAY to be nervous! It was hard going through my classes and concentrating on anything other than the butterflies in my stomach. Anyway, if I did well, I'll let you guys know :)

So finally, after tomorrow I am DONE with classes until next Wednesday!! In college, you get a Fall Break to study for your midterm exams. Lucky me, though, I only have one more test after the break, so I am planning on catching up on: Gossip Girls (is anyone else watching this new show? I watched the pilot episode and it was so good; I am so excited for the rest of the season!!!) and Grey's Anatomy. I also really want to see that new movie, "Across the Universe." I have heard it is a really different, awesome movie. I guess the writers took a lot of Beatles songs and made a plot around them! That should be pretty fun to watch! Has anyone seen it yet?

Other than catching up on movies and TV shows, I plan on SLEEPING. A Lot. I really have been so stressed out with school and exams lately, that I cannot wait to just relax for the next five days. I am going home on Friday, and I am excited to see my parents. My mom and I got in a little fight last night, but we made up today and I am excited to hang out with her this weekend. She told me she has something fun planned for us for Saturday. I hope part of it includes shopping! That's what moms are great for :)

Anyway guys, I am truly exhausted..it has been quite a long two weeks. GOODNIGHT!

<3,

Alyss

05:47 pm: MIDTERMS!!!
Hi everyone :) I am really excited to be a mentor this year for SmartGirl.org. I've never kept an online journal before, so bear with me...

Well, right now I am pretty stressed because Fall Break is next weekend, so teachers are cramming in exams before we leave. I had one exam yesterday in Sociology..it went pretty well but there were FIVE pages of WRITING, so my hand was killing afterwards. Today I had to turn in a six-page essay on the book Girl, Interrupted (the movie with Angelina Jolie and Wynona Ryder was based off this book--it's a little mature and about girls with mental disorders, but I really recommend it for the future!). I also had a quiz in Psychopathology after we turned in the papers (as if finishing the six page paper wasn't enough work!!). Finally, I have a little break, which brings me to where I am right now! I am in this place called the "fishbowl." It's in one of the buildings here on campus, and it's a huge room with tons of computers, and all the walls around it are glass- so people can look in at you like your a fish in a fishbowl! Clever, right?

Uh oh, its almost 6:00, and that's when my next class is. Yes, I know...class from 6-7:30 p.m. SO LATE!!! I'm pretty tired too, since I have been at back-to-back classes from 10:00a.m. until now!

Anyway, I'll write again soon, but until then everyone else who is currently stressed...STOP, DROP AND BREATHE (I am mostly telling you this so I remember to do so also)...

with <3,

alyss