JoannaSpeaks

Happy September!
Quite a few things have happened since I last posted. The only things that have changed is that I turned 21 (F I N A L L Y), I went to vacation with some of my friends to Maryland, and Steven came home!


On my 21st (August 17th) most of my friends were working. So my mom, my best friend Teresa and I kicked off the day with a little drink at our local bar. My first legal drink was a malibu bay breeze. So original, right? After that, we all kind of hung around and joked and laughed until Teresa and I head out to a bar a few minutes away from us to meet with my girlfriend Laura. We had a few drinks, I got a free t-shirt which got immediately lost in the bathroom, and then we hopped to the next bar where we unexpectedly ran into our high school friend. We took some shots (naturally) and just caught up. I was slightly disappointed that more of my friends couldn't make it, but I didn't let it ruin my day. Especially on birthdays, I find it ridiculously hard to maintain a positive attitude even when the smallest of problems occur. But I was with my best friend, the cup in my hand was always full, and I had a night full of laughter. There's nothing really to complain about.

We held a small get together the next day for some friends or family that were not able to spend the day with me on my real birthday. Once again, I was slightly disappointed that more of my friends a and family were not able to make it...but once again...my cup was always full, I had my closest friends and a day full of laughter!

Lately, not only has our country been lacking a little love, but our entire planet has been experiencing some negativity. Now a days, the media gets to pick and chose what consumers know and how they think. Unfortunately, the media loves to publish articles and stories based on plain old bad news. While it is important to pay attention to the reality of the world and how cruel it can also be, as humans, we should also pay just as much attention to the positivity and love that the world can bring. Every once in a while, I think I would like to do this, just to give a splash of love in your day.

This post is slightly personal, and not very formal. You've been warned!
I started blogging over a year ago. I've had many other URL's with content that I absolutely hated. I'm currently in school aiming towards a degree in communication. If you were to ask me what track I wanted to take, I wouldn't have a clue. But I knew that advertising and blogging fit somewhere in that mix, so I began a blog. I always liked the idea of sharing my opinions and thoughts with the world and hopefully reaching out to someone and helping them where help is needed. I liked the thought of this so much that I started to blog about what every blogger blogs about.
No more! 
If you're looking for a blog with a lot of fancy HQ photos, giveaways, coupon codes and paid adverts, I can direct you to much more professional bloggers here. Maybe one day my blog will consist of these things, but not today. Today, I am going to work on building my blogs personality by putting my personality into these posts. Please, continue to read on and enjoy if you'd like. If not, I'm sorry I couldn't be any help to you, and I hope you find what you're looking for.
 Until then, enjoy your week.

Xo, Joanna

PHASE ONE COMPLETE!!

Steven has officially completed one out of the three phases to become a US Marine. I can't even explain how proud I am of him! So far, I've gotten 10 letters! Sometimes two sheets came in one envelope. I'm INCREDIBLY lucky to have received so many letters. I've been getting 2-3 letters each week. Some family members and girlfriends have received less than me, which is totally okay! They're probably just using their free time extremely wisely! Steven usually writes me on a Sunday when they have extra free time, waiting for dental or when he is up at early hours of the morning on fire watch. Phase one consisted of getting used to not having Steven around and attempting to learn all of the phrases and abbreviations the USMC has. Luckily, there has been many posts on support groups on Facebook that has helped me tremendously and informed me so much! I met a really sweet girl named Devin on one of those pages, and we've been talking every day! Our boyfriends are in the same platoon and it's so amazing to talk to someone who knows exactly what you're going through!

I know that everyone says that the first few letters and the first few weeks are VERY rough and they get stressed and depressed but it passes. I still didn't believe them! I read Steven's first letter and I felt terrible for him. I thought he was going to be that down for the entire time, but even by the next letter I could sense confidence. He knows how to get through his days and he requested a letter every day to keep him motivated. I've been writing him each night! (Noah must have really loved Allie to write her every day..it's hard! And stamps are expensive!)

 Now that we're almost half way (Half way point is on Monday [!!!!!!!]) Steven's mother and I have been discussing plans and gifts and arrangements for family day. I'm so excited! It's so close. I have to get through the month of April, and then I think that May will fly by so quickly! Then it's off to get my fresh Marine on the 31st! I've been so incredibly busy these past few weeks. I've had so much school work and regular work and I've been working out! It's so awesome to be able to challenge myself with Steven as my #1 motivator. So far, I've been remaining as positive as possible and sending Steven as many encouraging words as I possibly can! That's all for phase one.  Until next time, Semper Fi!

xo,
Joanna

Ah, winter semester. The time of the year when there's not enough chapstick or coffee in the world. As I mentioned before, getting motivated to be productive can be quite the struggle. Last semester, I cleared off my desk and told myself no more homework in bed! My bed is a sacred place made for crucial naps and netflix. Physically sitting myself in my desk means work time. Sitting on my bed automatically switches my brain into relax mode. AKA nothing gets done at all. Here are a few things I keep around my desk to keep me organized and motivated.