I would have to say I came to ISU already pretty independent, but living without my parents has taught me even more responsibility and independence. Also, I know that I am in the right place and I have grown because ISU feels like home. This semester has been one of the most a growing and learning experiences I have had thus far and I look forward to next semester (especially because ECON 101 will be over with).
Growing and learning go hand in hand so I would have to say as I am learning all about what Iowa State offers and how I can get involved in groups and clubs, I am building my character to grow to be the person I hope to be. Since I have been here, it has helped me plan my future for the next four years and because I am one who constantly has the future on my mind, it's a good relief. One of the biggest things I have learned is what classes I will need in order to become a high end fashion director/coordinator or even a merchandise buyer with my own store. All I can say is bring on the challenge because I am ready for it and cannot wait to be working in some place like New York.
Another great aspect that I have learned is making great friends. I feel I have a solid group of friends here who are my own little ISU family. We are helping each other grow in many ways as well. Overall my first semester at ISU has been fabulous and I cannot wait for more!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
What it means to be a Hixson
It is a wonderful feeling to be known as a student who received a Hixson award. I remember the day I opened the envelope notifying me about the scholarship I had just received. I was ecstatic! It was the first one I had officially received and it was right at a time where I was beginning to feel like all the scholarships I was or did apply for were a big waste of time. The Hixson award gave me great hope and more ambition to fill out more scholarships. Also, the next day at school my guidance counselor was so excited to talk to me about it and then at awards day it was such an amazing feeling to be recognized.
This was how I felt when I had first received the scholarship and now that I am at ISU participating in Hixson activities I am even more honored and proud to take part in the Hixson award. I have enjoyed the opportunity it has brought me to enroll at ISU and not have to worry as much about my financial status. Also, it has been a great way to meet new people and has taught me a lot about what ISU has to offer. The recitation groups are great because they allow you to learn more about other Hixsons and build friendships. And not to mention that the Hixson building offers a great environment to study and who could deny free printing?
Overall, the Hixson award means a lot to me because I probably would not be here without and when I go back to my high school to talk about college I will have a lot to say about the Hixson scholarship and ensure people to apply for it if they are certain ISU is where they want to be next year or in a couple of years.
This was how I felt when I had first received the scholarship and now that I am at ISU participating in Hixson activities I am even more honored and proud to take part in the Hixson award. I have enjoyed the opportunity it has brought me to enroll at ISU and not have to worry as much about my financial status. Also, it has been a great way to meet new people and has taught me a lot about what ISU has to offer. The recitation groups are great because they allow you to learn more about other Hixsons and build friendships. And not to mention that the Hixson building offers a great environment to study and who could deny free printing?
Overall, the Hixson award means a lot to me because I probably would not be here without and when I go back to my high school to talk about college I will have a lot to say about the Hixson scholarship and ensure people to apply for it if they are certain ISU is where they want to be next year or in a couple of years.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Facebook Social Media!
The social media I chose was facebook because it is the one I use most often. Since I chose this one, I was supposed to "like" ten companies who were related to my major (Apparel, Merchandising, and Design). After liking their pages I was then supposed to re-post ten posts to help promote the companies.
Some of the companies I chose were TOMS, Free People, Urban Outfitters, Express, ModCloth, Vogue, and Anthropologie. It was really simple to re-post their posts because they were featured on my news feed. Since there were a lot to choose from, I mainly chose the ones that were promoting a sale coming up or an informational post about the company.
By taking a part in social media week, I now have easier access to learn about companies related to my major. It also allows me to get the low down on what sales are going on. It is also a good way to spread the word about smaller companies/boutiques. My friends on facebook were able to learn about the companies as well and the sales that were going on if they were interested. One of my friends who is interested in fashion merchandising commented on a few of my posts and later she told me that she appreciated me re-posting the posts.
Overall, social media week was interesting but I really did not learn too much for it. I feel if we did more than just re-post posts it might have been more affective. At the end of social media week, I would say it just made my wall look like an advertisement from a magazine.
Some of the companies I chose were TOMS, Free People, Urban Outfitters, Express, ModCloth, Vogue, and Anthropologie. It was really simple to re-post their posts because they were featured on my news feed. Since there were a lot to choose from, I mainly chose the ones that were promoting a sale coming up or an informational post about the company.
By taking a part in social media week, I now have easier access to learn about companies related to my major. It also allows me to get the low down on what sales are going on. It is also a good way to spread the word about smaller companies/boutiques. My friends on facebook were able to learn about the companies as well and the sales that were going on if they were interested. One of my friends who is interested in fashion merchandising commented on a few of my posts and later she told me that she appreciated me re-posting the posts.
Overall, social media week was interesting but I really did not learn too much for it. I feel if we did more than just re-post posts it might have been more affective. At the end of social media week, I would say it just made my wall look like an advertisement from a magazine.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Introverted Intuition is Strong with This One
Generally the MBTI is a good reference for people who are interested in learning more about themselves, but it could change, especially if taken as a young adult. As young adults mature over the years so will their brains; therefore, they may learn to think and analyze things in a different manor than before. The overall purpose of an MBTI is to give suggestions on how a person perceives things and to give a foundation for them to build off of.
After taking the MBTI, I can clearly see how I typically go about noticing and thinking about things as well as how I interact with others around me and the world. My MBTI came out to be an INTJ and I am not at all surprised by this. When reading about the category I fall into the first sentence says, "Logical, critical, decisive innovators of ideas; serious, intent, very independent, concerned with organization; determined, often stubborn." This describes me exactly as I have been told I can be too independent. Also, a good friend once told me I seem like a person who is always in search for having a great time but never quite reaches the fun I hoped for. This has stuck with me for months as I have come to realize it is true. I believe it has to do with my seriousness and my nonemotional tough-mindedness. I can have a lot of fun hanging out with family and friends but I am still in a constant search. Things always tend to lean towards mediocre.
As an INTJ I value to improve things by finding flaws, pursue a vision, see complexities and hidden meanings, originality, critical analysis, and probing new possibilities. The most interesting fact I have learned from the MBTI is when I am at my best. I tend to be at my best when inspiration turns insights into ideas and plans for improving human knowledge and systems which is why I think I value an organized outer life and a spontaneous, intuitive inner life.
After taking the MBTI, I can clearly see how I typically go about noticing and thinking about things as well as how I interact with others around me and the world. My MBTI came out to be an INTJ and I am not at all surprised by this. When reading about the category I fall into the first sentence says, "Logical, critical, decisive innovators of ideas; serious, intent, very independent, concerned with organization; determined, often stubborn." This describes me exactly as I have been told I can be too independent. Also, a good friend once told me I seem like a person who is always in search for having a great time but never quite reaches the fun I hoped for. This has stuck with me for months as I have come to realize it is true. I believe it has to do with my seriousness and my nonemotional tough-mindedness. I can have a lot of fun hanging out with family and friends but I am still in a constant search. Things always tend to lean towards mediocre.
As an INTJ I value to improve things by finding flaws, pursue a vision, see complexities and hidden meanings, originality, critical analysis, and probing new possibilities. The most interesting fact I have learned from the MBTI is when I am at my best. I tend to be at my best when inspiration turns insights into ideas and plans for improving human knowledge and systems which is why I think I value an organized outer life and a spontaneous, intuitive inner life.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Mystical Arts of Tibet
On Wednesday, September 21 I chose to go to The Mystical Arts of Tibet: The Symbolism of the Sand Mandala for a diversity event. Different cultures are very intriguing and I love learning about them; therefore, I chose this one because I thought it would be interesting to learn about Tibetan culture. There were five monks who came from the Drepung Loseling Monastery. They came to Iowa State University and worked for four days to create a mandala sand painting in the lobby of the Memorial Union. The mandala is an important symbol in their culture and is why they had a whole presentation on it. The mandala is approximately five feet by five feet in size and is made up of many geometric shapes and spiritual symbols which all represent a specific element. In their culture the mandala represents the eleven levels/stages to enlightenment.
The seminar started with an introduction to the five monks and then they presented a chant to the audience. During the chant there was one monk who would start it and then the others would follow. It was interesting to hear what their chants were like. They are in a low key range and are somewhat soothing. Once the chanting was done the lead monk went on to discuss they symbolism within each layer of the mandala. Since there are eleven layers to it I will only give a brief description of the important ones.
Starting at the center is something that is called the crossed vajra and it resembles the four elements: fire, water, earth, and wind. The symbolism of the elements shows that the mandala comes from a strong, stable, and indestructible foundation. The next level is one similar to a flower. It consists of a middle with eight pedals or channels coming off of it. This level is to represent the five family Buddhas and it does so by having the lead Buddha represent the middle of the flower and the others surround it. The other four Buddhas represent north, south, east, and west and as for the remaining four pedals sitting in between the four family Buddhas were not explained.
Another principle described was about the colors used within the mandala. There are five specific ones and they include: white, green, red, yellow, and blue. These colors signify the five family Buddhas' reflections on emotions such as ignorance, attachment, hatred/anger, and pride. Along with the five colors are the five walls which represent the five wisdoms.
Lastly, there is four imaginables one reaches before enlightenment. They must go through joyfulness, compassion, love, and equality which are represented by four corners in the mandala. Once, someone has passed this point they enter the t-shape where negative energy is released and continue on to the three rings of the enlightenment path.
Overall, the mandala is an important artifact in the Tibetan culture. It is all about re-consecrating the earth and its people. One finds happiness through enlightenment.
The seminar started with an introduction to the five monks and then they presented a chant to the audience. During the chant there was one monk who would start it and then the others would follow. It was interesting to hear what their chants were like. They are in a low key range and are somewhat soothing. Once the chanting was done the lead monk went on to discuss they symbolism within each layer of the mandala. Since there are eleven layers to it I will only give a brief description of the important ones.
Starting at the center is something that is called the crossed vajra and it resembles the four elements: fire, water, earth, and wind. The symbolism of the elements shows that the mandala comes from a strong, stable, and indestructible foundation. The next level is one similar to a flower. It consists of a middle with eight pedals or channels coming off of it. This level is to represent the five family Buddhas and it does so by having the lead Buddha represent the middle of the flower and the others surround it. The other four Buddhas represent north, south, east, and west and as for the remaining four pedals sitting in between the four family Buddhas were not explained.
Another principle described was about the colors used within the mandala. There are five specific ones and they include: white, green, red, yellow, and blue. These colors signify the five family Buddhas' reflections on emotions such as ignorance, attachment, hatred/anger, and pride. Along with the five colors are the five walls which represent the five wisdoms.
Lastly, there is four imaginables one reaches before enlightenment. They must go through joyfulness, compassion, love, and equality which are represented by four corners in the mandala. Once, someone has passed this point they enter the t-shape where negative energy is released and continue on to the three rings of the enlightenment path.
Overall, the mandala is an important artifact in the Tibetan culture. It is all about re-consecrating the earth and its people. One finds happiness through enlightenment.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
My Bucket List Grows
The world is massive and there are so many things out there. I have yet to learn and experience so much; therefore, my bucket list will continue to grow as I do. As for now, I have a list of 41 things I would love to check off. It may seem like an odd number to stop at but there are no limits on how long or short it has to be.
So here it goes...
1. Graduate from ISU with a 3.5 GPA or above
2. Complete 2 internships before I graduate
3. Study Abroad
4. Travel all of Europe
5. Travel to Iceland
6. Travel to India
7. Travel to Ireland
8. Live in another country for at least 6 months
9. Live in New York
10. Go deep sea fishing
11. See wild horses
12. Eat chocolate covered insects
13. Go sailing
14. Swim with whales
15. Go skydiving
16. Go cliff diving
17. Ride on a hot air balloon
18. Do karaoke
19. Learn to play the guitar
20. Have a song written for me
21. Own all Tom Hanks movies
22. Go to a circus
23. Go to a ballet or opera
24. Ballroom dance in the middle of the street
25. Take a dance class
26. Take a photography class
27. Be featured in the blog The Sartorialist
28. Work at fashion photo-shoots
29. Work at runway shows
30. Work for Chanel or a haute couture line
31. Attend Fashion's night out
32. Be apart of Fashion Week
33. Attend a red carpet event
34. Own my own store with a fashion designer
35. Own the cutest mutt puppy
36. Write a book
37. Be on the Today Show
38. Never stop laughing
39. Conquer my fear of love
40. Eventually own a cottage with a cow, goat, and horse
41. Find that certain someone and grow old together
I am sure tomorrow I will think of many other things to add to the list but that is what makes a bucket list never-ending. Hope you all are able to accomplish what is on your bucket lists'!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Add Some Coco to Your Life
"Success is most often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable." ~ Coco Chanel
"If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing." ~ Coco Chanel
"I invented my life by taking for granted that everything I did not like would have an opposite, which I would like." ~ Coco Chanel
One of my biggest inspirations is Coco Chanel. She has not always been and in fact she was recently added to my list of people who inspire me. It happened after I watched the movie Coco Before Chanel. I absolutely fell in love with the story and began looking up her biography online. In a lot of ways she reminded me of myself which is more than likely why I have taken such interest in Chanel.
It was always the Chanel pages I would stop and examine in fashion magazines. I love the play of texture and architecture. It has a way of keeping your eyes moving through all the shapes and lines adding great proportions to the model's body. Also, I am a big sucker for black and white which are the foundations of Chanel. In fact, another one of Coco's quotes is "Women think of all colors except the absence of color. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony." Black and white is simple and keeps people looking classy and fabulous. It is what most of my wardrobe consists of with a few pops of color.
In a way, I guess you could say Chanel has been inspiring me ever since I began looking through the pages of Vogue and glueing pictures to my school notebooks. It would be my dream to one day work for Chanel; therefore, to follow in what Coco said, it is time to sprout my wings at Iowa State University and see where I end up.
P.S. I suggest to all of you to watch the movie even if fashion is not something that interests you because the story within is inspirational.
"If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing." ~ Coco Chanel
"I invented my life by taking for granted that everything I did not like would have an opposite, which I would like." ~ Coco Chanel
One of my biggest inspirations is Coco Chanel. She has not always been and in fact she was recently added to my list of people who inspire me. It happened after I watched the movie Coco Before Chanel. I absolutely fell in love with the story and began looking up her biography online. In a lot of ways she reminded me of myself which is more than likely why I have taken such interest in Chanel.
It was always the Chanel pages I would stop and examine in fashion magazines. I love the play of texture and architecture. It has a way of keeping your eyes moving through all the shapes and lines adding great proportions to the model's body. Also, I am a big sucker for black and white which are the foundations of Chanel. In fact, another one of Coco's quotes is "Women think of all colors except the absence of color. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony." Black and white is simple and keeps people looking classy and fabulous. It is what most of my wardrobe consists of with a few pops of color.
In a way, I guess you could say Chanel has been inspiring me ever since I began looking through the pages of Vogue and glueing pictures to my school notebooks. It would be my dream to one day work for Chanel; therefore, to follow in what Coco said, it is time to sprout my wings at Iowa State University and see where I end up.
P.S. I suggest to all of you to watch the movie even if fashion is not something that interests you because the story within is inspirational.
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