Brighter Days

I wore this outfit on Easter Sunday, and even though it wasn't the most festive outfit, I still liked it. A comfy tee, skinny jeans, minimal jewelry, and sandals were perfect for a sunny stroll at the lake with my friend, Andrea. I was supposed to post this sometime last week, but I never got around to it because it was the hardest and longest week of this program so far! It was the first week of my new placement in a first grade classroom. I didn't think moving down two grade levels would make much of a difference, but let me tell you, it's a whole different world! These first graders are so energetic that I was just so drained physically and emotionally my first week. I miss my third graders. They were my first class and I will never, ever forget them, but I am really trying to make the most out of this experience. I can already see a difference in my abilities and confidence from my first day of my first student teaching placement to my first day at this placement. This week is my students' spring break so I can rest up a bit before resuming student teaching full time. I still have classes though so I'm not completely free, but I'm going to make the most of it. I am determined to purge my closet and to get to the gym at least three times. Summer's quickly approaching and for once, I would like to enjoy going to the beach and pool without feeling self conscious about my body. My friends and I are also planning to go on a trip shortly after my graduation so that's going to be another motivation to get more active and to finish the final stretch of my program.

Until next post,
Jasmine

jacket - gap

t-shirt - stylemint

watch - nordstrom

bracelets - forever 21 and jewelmint

jeans - gap

sandals - target

purse - marc by marc jacobs

photos by andrea

Inventing Shadows

The marathon of all paper writing is finally over. I turned in my monstrous 100-paged, single-spaced paper and 15-minute video on Thursday, and enjoyed what was left of my spring break with (a little too much) retail therapy, movies, and Netflix. I updated my closet with some Spring things like this breezy, bright coral top. My patience paid off and I got these polka dot printed jeans for $25 at Gap! Even though I spent more than I had wanted to, I love everything I hauled recently and I know that I'm going to get a lot of use out of them. I've also been pretty good about cycling through my old clothes. If you had told me a year ago that I would be wearing polka dot jeans, I would have laughed in your face. The next type of denim on my list? Floral printed jeans! My style has changed quite a bit since last year so I'm going to clean out my closet pretty soon. I also bought a top for upcoming job interviews. I can't believe it's that time already where I'm practically done with my graduate program and I'm going to be job hunting.

I wore this outfit to brunch with friends on Saturday, and I'm most likely going to wear it again for fieldwork this week. During brunch, I picked up my old habit of comparing myself to others and what they have. It's hard still being in school and being in a different phase of life than your friends who all have full time jobs. It's weird though, because when I'm not thinking of other people, I'm not bothered by my employment status, rather I'm happy and even proud of where I'm at. The grass always seems greener on the other side, but when I really think about it, I like my side just fine. I just have to keep reminding myself that I truly love what I do and my life right now, and that this poor grad student lifestyle won't last for much longer. Today, I'm starting my new placement with my first grade class. As excited as I am, I can't help but continue to miss my third graders, but at least I can still visit them from time to time.

Until next post,

Jasmine

top - mango

jeans - gap

watch - jewelmint

shoes - reflection

necklace - bcbg via macy's

photos by andrea

Good To Be Alive

I'm pretty sure my friends and you are sick of seeing me in this denim jacket, but I can't help that it goes with everything! I can't help that it was also the perfect outerwear for Sunday's trip to Disneyland. My friend, Andrea, and I found this Wilderness Explorer Park that reminded me of Central Park in the bustling city of New York, because in the midst of all the craziness of Disneyland, you can come here for some peace and quiet. And if I'm lucky, someday I'll get to meet Russell from UP! It's on my Disneyland Bucket List to get a picture with him. While taking these pictures for me, my friend Andrea commented at how confident I seemed while having my pictures taken. This idea of having confidence, and enough of it where it's noticeable, is new to me, and I've been wondering since Sunday if I actually really have it or if I've just become comfortable in front of a camera after blogging for 3+ years. It's probably a little bit of both. Over the weekend, I remembered just how great my life is, and it wasn't just because I was at Disneyland, but it was also because I have so much to look forward to. Because I'm normally a half-empty kinda girl, it's so easy, especially when I'm stressed, to look past the good things that are happening and focus only on the work to be done or the things that aren't happening or should be happening. On Friday, I received the details of my next student teaching placement that begins in April. I'll be at the same school, but I'll be in a first grade classroom! I'm so excited because that means I can still see my third graders and because I love the school I'm at. Friday was also my last official day with my third graders, but I'm going in an extra week because I adore them so much. They surprised me with this huge gift basket, where they donated supplies for my future classroom. I am seriously so blessed. As crazy as this year has been, it has easily been the best year of my life! It's crazy that graduation is in 50-something days.

Life is only just beginning.

Until next post,
Jasmine

jacket - gap

jeans - gap

shirt - nordstrom

shoes - reflection

necklaces - forever 21

watch - jewelment

photos by andrea

The Best Studying Outfit

This sweater has been my best friend all throughout Winter Quarter. When I felt yucky and didn't want to wear nice clothes, it was there for me. When I ate too much the day before, it was there for me. It is the perfect amount of coziness and slouchiness without being too thick and loose that it could've suffocated or drowned me. It has become especially handy at keeping me company as I'm finishing up this quarter and my Teaching Event project. I've worn this outfit to fieldwork, to class, to many study sessions, and recently to grabbing dinner and shopping with a friend on Friday night. Even though I felt like I was constantly running late yesterday with the time change, when it finally got to 6PM and it was still bright out, I remembered just how much I adore this time of year! I love getting off of class/work and feeling that there's still time to play, and wanting to squeeze out the last bit of sunshine. Spring is pretty much here, and I'm sure you'll be glad to hear this--but I'm finally wearing dresses and skirts (aka looking like a girl) again! I broke my jean binge over the weekend when I celebrated my fieldwork partner's 25th birthday at her tea party. While I'm still not quite sure what my style is, I'm starting to have fun with clothes again, and in turn, I've been more excited to blog. I don't even think I want to ever get to a point where I or my style can be labeled. I never took fashion seriously so why should I start now?

Until next post,
Jasmine

denim jacket - gap

sweater - forever 21

jeans - gap

shoes - aldo

watch - jewelmint

necklace - bcbg

Adventure is out there

After ditching a Friday afternoon class and taking a two-hour long lunch with two friends instead, I got home itching to go to the beach. I was on my bed, five minutes into endlessly scrolling through Tumblr when I just thought to myself--why not? It was a beautiful 85 degree day and I couldn't think of any reasons not to, so I just did. By myself. And it was just what I needed. For an hour and a half, I was in my own little world--no students needing my help, no assignments to worry about, no papers to grade, no one to answer to. It was just little ole me. As soon as my toes touched the sand and my nose filled with the salty air, I could just feel my stress melt away as I got closer and closer to the water. I forgot how small the ocean makes me feel. I'm not even really sure what I thought about. I think my consciousness came in and out like the waves. I probably thought about what a whirlwind the past seven months have been. How everything is happening just like it's supposed to. That this definitely would not be the last beach trip I took by myself. That hopefully in the Fall I'm teaching somewhere where I'm still close to the beach. How my favorite outfit will always be a v-neck t-shirt, skinny jeans, and a hodgepodge of accessories.

And how perspective changes everything. And how some of mine really needed adjusting if I want to be happier. I especially need to break my horrible habit of measuring my self worth by comparing myself to other people and what they have or what they are doing. There will always be someone better than you. All you can really do is focus on yourself and be the best version of yourself. As much as I've embraced change that has come my way this year, I don't think I've actively taken it upon myself to change--to be better, to get back on my weight loss journey, to be less stubborn, to worry less, etc. It's so easy to ride on the high of change, but after a while, the change becomes the new normal. What then? I won't wait for another five year relationship to go awry as my opportunity and catalyst for change. I want to be better and for my own sake, I will be.

Until next post,
Jasmine