Coping with Stress

With final papers, projects, and exams adding so much extra stress to our college lives with the semester coming to a close, I wanted to share just 3 tips I use to cope with stress. Many of you may have jobs along with school or personal relationships that take up a lot of time and energy that make it difficult to juggle everything at once. I hope this helps at least one of you in some tiny way!





#1 -- SLEEP is proven to decrease the stress hormone, cortisol. With more sleep, your brain functions better, your hormones are more balanced so you are happier and less moody, and you have the energy to tackle your day!

    It is so easy to stay up late when you're stressed out, but the truth is it is a vicious cycle. You stay up late from stress, then don't get enough sleep, can't wake up in the morning, and start your day STRESSED again because you are not prepared for your day and have to rush! If you get a nice full night of sleep, whatever it is you were worried about the day before will be much easier to accomplish. I promise.





#2 -- Stay ORGANIZED. Write in a planner, and check it throughout the day. Writing in your planner is like setting goals for yourself each day, and checking items off feels so good! You may feel overwhelmed with all the tasks at hand, but seeing them written down, make it a lot more approachable and realistic. We tend to exaggerate the amount of work we have to do when we let it fester in our minds without looking at the tasks realistically.


I find it helpful to also think about how much time each task might take, so that you can strategically plan when to work on which tasks to get them all done by their deadline. When you do this, you give yourself time to ask teachers for help if you need it, work with peers, and be able to focus on one task at a time with your full attention.

Don't forget... Staying organized includes your room, car, and school bag, too! Even if your brain (and hair) is a MESS, having a clean environment around you will lessen the amount of stress in your life.



#3 -- Find time to RELAX, and do what makes you happy in the midst of all the stress! You may have heard the phrase, "the journey is the destination"... and that is absolutely true! Each day you will be faced with different tasks and responsibilities that pose stress in your life, and it is up to you to find a way to balance it all so that you enjoy your every day life. Take time out to do what makes you happy whether it be watching a movie with your bestie at the theatre, having a glass on wine at sunset, or if you're like me, sitting on the shore line watching the ocean!

After taking time out for yourself to do what makes you happy, you will be in a much happier mindset/mood to  then take on the tasks ahead of you one at a time.

BOOK REVIEW: The Marketing Blueprint

A friend of mine who works with a very successful marketing team in Las Vegas recently gifted me a book that he said would be extremely helpful. I have just completed this paradigm shifting short read called The Marketing Blueprint: Lessons to Market & Sell Anything by Jules Marcoux, and yes indeed, it has proven to be extremely helpful already. Marcoux, just 21 years old at the time he wrote the blueprint, is a young French entrepreneurial businessman whose common sense and logic has gotten him very far.  Without ever getting a college degree, Marcoux explains the most important marketing concepts in plain English with real life situations, that I would argue turned out better than a text book.

Marcoux discusses marketing and selling techniques and tips from improving your simple selling sales to being able to effectively market and brand yourself  as an individual. Marcoux takes an alternate route to sharing the lessons he has learned than other overwhelming, academic textbooks. Instead, the author takes what he has learned and  gives practical explanations of what works and what doesn't.

Jules Marcoux makes the business world sound attractive and approachable. It puts you in an optimistic, growth mindset to conquer anything you want. The Marketing Blueprint lives up to its title -- a simple draw up of the keys to marketing and sell anything.

Pau Hana Mules

After a long week of work and school, my best friend and I enjoyed Pau Hana drinks at home with reality TV... what could be better?! Here is our super simple and fun HOW TO:

What you need:

-Vodka

-Ginger Beer

-Lime Juice

-Ice

-Super cute copper mule mugs

How to:

1. Measure 2 shots (2 oz.) of vodka into mule mug with 3 large ice cubes

2. Squeeze in 1/2 a lime or 1/2 oz. of lime juice

3. Fill mug with ginger beer

4. Stir

+ Add a lime wedge and stirring rod for show

+ take a cute pic with your cheersing partner! :) 

+ ENJOY 

Radiate Love

With all of the negative energy that came about from this year's election... I felt impelled to write a blog post on positive perspective. What's done is done. It is impossible for an entire nation to agree on everything, but if we can agree to do our best with what we have, where we are... then maybe things wouldn't be so terrifying.

Beyond all uncertainty and sadness that exists because of this year's election, we must face reality and do our best to make America great through each individual if it cannot be done at an executive level. We must take it upon ourselves to smile, and give love to all human beings no matter the color of her skin, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, social class, or political view. We must douse this country in so much love and positivity to keep us going.

For the country that praises the Kardashians (I'm guilty of following them too) and lives on reality TV drama, Donald Trump even making it to the final election should finally be a wake up call. We need to take the blame and become better people for our country and ourselves. We must remember what is important -- equality, love, honesty, integrity, RESPECT. No amount of money matters without these core values.

In the past view days I have seen more posts about radiating love and taking it upon ourselves as Americans to make a positive change in this country. Changing the president does not technically change what we do everyday right away...but in this case, I think it should change peoples' everyday actions immediately. It should wake us up and show us what is important and what kind of people we really want to be to make this world a better place.

So let's make the world a better place one heart at a time... starting with ourselves.

Another Trip 'Round the Sun!

Last week... I waited allll week for Sunday as it was my special day. I wanted to wait to post last week's blog post today so I could share photos about my day. I feel like this is a great topic to use as focus on gratitude. Though every culture may not celebrate birthdays like lavish Americans... I think it is a beautiful ritual. As long you do not focus on the materialistic things, birthdays remind you of all of the blessings in your life. It is truly your day to acknowledge everything and everyone you love and loves you right back. It's a moment to truly stop and smell the roses... a day to look forward to doing something out of the ordinary and breathing in all that this life has to offer.

With this in mind, I had no expectations for my day besides spending it with the two people closest to my heart besides my blood family -- my best friend and my boyfriend. And that's exactly what I did. I woke up to flowers and coffee and loving arms. I spent most of my day on the porch of a beach front house overlooking the North Shore waves, enjoying the luxury of doing absolutely nothing yet feeling it all. I ended my day at 53 by the Sea, eating amazing food, with a beautiful view of Ala Moana and Waikiki ocean.

The best part of it all was being able to share it with my best friends... with not a worry in the world. Simply being in each others company, feeling appreciated and loved. THAT is the biggest blessing of all. Paying gratitude to the universe for living another year filled with ups and downs that brought me to this very moment...

Halloweeeeeen

Halloween is basically my favorite Holliday. I LOVE people watching, and Halloween festivities are the absolute best time to people watch. I love seeing people's creativity and individuality come out in their costumes. I love the idea of everyone becoming an actor just for a night, taking on a different character and playing the part.

This year, I dressed up and had fun a few nights before Halloween because on the actually day of Halloween (tomorrow) I will be working a Halloween event. I went to "Art After Dark" at the Honolulu Museum of Art with my best friend, her dad, and his girlfriend. My best friend and I dressed up as Harley Quinn and The Joker, as portrayed in Suicide Squad. We threw our costumes together totally last minute but it turned out amazing and we had a blast. 

After the party, we grabbed some Pizza at J.J. Dolan's in China Town, and if you haven't tried it, I 100% recommend it - best pizza on the Island HANDS DOWN (if you're into thin crust). Overall a great night with great people, surrounded by so much creativity!

PEAKY BLINDERS

My all-time favorite TV show this past year has been the Netflix Original Series PEAKY BLINDERS starring Cillian Murphy. I finished seasoned 3 (like a marathon) a few months ago and I'm dying for the next season to come out. t's an incredibly intellectually stimulating and subtly educational series revolved around a gangster family doing what they gotta' do to make their way out of hard times in Birmingham, England.


The setting is post First World War, filled with poverty and political corruption. The lead character (my personal heart throb) Thomas Shelby played by Cillian Murphy, drags his brothers and aunt through life threatening situations in order to build themselves up in the business world and make a name for themselves.




Through romantic side stories and deep European History, Peaky Blinders takes you to another world of culture. I feel so stimulated when watching it because it isn't the easiest story to follow and you have to pay close attention to the details and foreshadowing to understand it.

I recommend this show to everyone I know, almost as a challenge, to see if they can follow along and appreciate the amazing plot that unfolds as the gang The Peaky Blinders make their way through the cold world.

Sundays

Having school and work 5 days a week, Saturdays and Sundays are where I can enjoy the luxury of doing nothing. Going out to eat at my favorite spots, lounging on the beach, or reading a good book... that's how I like my weekends to be. Here are a few photos I took today enjoying the North Shore, sunshine, my favorite healthy cafe, and lots of laughs with my bestie.

Pupukea

beach things

my favorite bite to eat on north shore

NorCal

Having grown up in Hawaii, the "mainland" can seem like a big blur. I have always generalized California. I have spent a lot of time in Southern California, and assumed that the rest of the state would be similar. Over the past couple weeks, I have been pleasantly surprised to find out that California is NOT all the same! Visiting Northern California opened my eyes to what else is out there.

I flew into San Francisco to visit my sister who recently moved up there for the semester. We drove further North to her friend's family farm, and took a trip further North to camp on the Coast. I had an amazing time soaking in a nature setting so different from Hawaii yet still so beautiful. I took lots and lots of photos, but I've just shared a few of my favorites with you here.

First morning in Norther California. Cuppa coffee in hand, of course.

Fresh off the farm

A glance at the farm

A swim by the river before heading out.

Our ride up the coast.

Views from the plane

Nature's wood works

Hot tub time on the cool coast

My tour guide, best friend, and sister...

Back in SF before my flight home. Bitter Sweet Good Byes!

See you soon, California!