Apps that make me productive

I have the attention span of a newborn most of the time thankfully there are other like me and they recommended a bunch of apps to help me be more productive, so now I'm sharing a list of the ones I use the most.

SelfControl

 This OS app block all the websites you tell it to. You can block it from 15 minutes to a day, if you are like me that gets distracted easily you definitely needs this.

Zotero

 This one helps you organize your research, it has saved my life many times when it comes to citing works.

Microsoft Onenote

At first I thought this was an overly complicated version of Microsoft word but it syncs with all your devices plus it's incredibly easy to use.

Lanes

This chrome extension lets you make to do lists, has a clock plus a built in pomodoro timer, it also features pretty backgrounds.

First Trip to a Used Bookshop

When I was a kid my mom had a strict rule against buying used books because apparently paper stores a great deal of bacteria and considering I had a pretty bad dust allergy the rule made sense.

Now that I'm older and my allergy is under control one of my friends convinced me to explore our city a little and during our trip we came across this used bookshop and we decided to check it out.

I liked the overall feel of the store and the way all the books felt so loved but I definitely would like to see a more recent selection, I had a hard time finding something published after 1999.

My Journal Collection

I love pretty journals and k since I was a little girl but most of the time they go unused because I love to just display them or line them up on my bed to take pretty pictures of them. Let me show of off my collection:

1. My zebra Journal cost $11 and I bought in a CVS and I'm currently using it to document my day, or at least I'm trying to since I can't seem to find the time to write in it.

2. My red art journal. I bought this a few year ago in a bookstore and it's sort of a scrapbook for me, the problem with this is journal is that I'm a bit of a perfectionist that is scared to ruin the pretty pages with my horrible ideas.

3. My double decker bus journal. I bought this one during my back to school shopping I honestly have no idea what I'm going to write/do with this one but it's just so pretty.

4. My new year, new me journal. I got this one form my parents during new years eve so I could document my life during 2016 but at the rate I'm going it probably won't be used until 2017

5. Keep calm and Carry on Journal and London underground set. These two came in a little package together and were a total impulse buy from my parents because they are well of my obsession for all things British.

Showing off my text books

I constantly see how Textbooks are super expensive in America and how  many you are asked to buy. Although I've only been in college for two semesters I've only had to buy three textbooks that were pretty reasonably priced.

Wucious Wong Principles of Form and Design listed at $54 on Amazon, I got it for $35 

Kandinsky's Point and line to Plane $10 on Amazon I got it for  $6.50

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association $22 from Amazon got it there $25

Maroon Five Concert!!

So Maroon Five came to Mexico on tour and apparently they are my brother's favorite band and he asked for tickets as a Christmas present. Since he is only 13 my parents asked if I minded going with him, I mean who would mind getting to see Adam Levine? We were also joined by one of my cousins who is pretty awesome.

My cousin on the left, the brother is in the middle  and I'm on the right:)

We were unable to get tickets on the official sales so we were only able to get resale tickets almost at the top of the arena but still worth it.

I had to take a Selfie at the end of the concert just to remember an awesome night. My brothers first concert was amazing the only downside was that I had a 7 a.m. class the next day (but I managed to survive).

First Month of Second Semester of Graphic Design

Last year I went back to college to get a degree in Graphic Design and my second semester started on February 8th. 

I'm definitely in love with my school campus , just look at how bright my classrooms are!

 It's all natural light helped by the white walls giving the room a nice and airy feel so it helps stimulate creativity. The biggest shock has definitely been my nude portrait class but after a few minutes of sketching you definitely forget that your subject is naked.

The workload is definitely getting to me assignments are obviously becoming more complicated so they are taking more brain power and time to do, so stress has definitely been present but it's worth it. I just need to organize my days a little better.

My Note-taking sistem

1. I Personally prefer  to takes notes on paper, I tried to do it on my laptop and it was just a horrible jumbled mess but feel free to use the method that works best for you

2. For class I have a pad or notebook,and I just write notes without caring for any time of order they just need to have the information I need. I like to consider these my first draft.

3. On the weekends I rewrite my notes into a "final version", although I'm  visual learner I prefer my notes to be simple Titles in red, subtitles in blue, overall information in black, additional note doubts I have are written in green

4. When I do revisions I do go all out with different colored pens, mind maps stickers, whatever helps understand the information I'm studying.

5. At the end of the semester I transfer my notes to Microsoft OneNote so I'll have them with me and the paper version can get recycled so it won't take up space in my room.

School Planner Organization

Like I mentioned in an earlier post I have  school exclusive planner so I won't get other things mixed up. I used to write my homework wherever it occurred to me and until last year I didn't realize how much it affected me, so after a few internet searches I found a system that worked pretty well for me.

1. The first page always includes the Key that explains the color codes, and meaning of the bullets I use in my planner. I tend to have this pretty memorized but it always helps to have it on hand

2. My class schedule. It's always useful for the first few weeks of school when you don't have all your classes memorized.

3. A 24 hour schedule so I can have an idea of how my days work

4. A calendar  of the entire semester.

5. A monthly divider and monthly calendars that includes important dates. Usually tuition due dates, holidays, exam dates etc.

6. Weekly  overview: includes daily due-dates, a habit tracker, space for to do list and a small space for inspirational quotes,

7. My weekly reading chart. So I don't forget what I'm supposed to be reading.

8. A page for each day of the week. On the left side write the assignment and on the right a post it that includes all the details of the assignment

Getting Ready for the Semester

Since my semester just started I decided to share some tips that will make school life a lot easier.

I'm super scattered brained  so if I'm not super organized and color code, write everything down I simply forget about it.

1)Print out your class schedule and assign a specific color to every class. 

My school makes us go to the student services offices and sign a copy that says I agree with how my classes are arranged.  

2) Buy all the supplies you need, each person has different needs but make sure that you have the basics: pens, pencils, a notebook and an eraser.

This is actually my favourite part of the whole back to school process.

3) Get a planner exclusively for homework, unless you have superhuman memory you will probably  forget certain details or due dates  that can affect your grades. 

Like I said at the beginning if I don't write it down chances are that I'll forget to do it.

4) Research different note taking and studying methods, in the world of the internet there are many different resources that will help you understand your classes better, wether it's an app for your phone/tablet ora printable you can write on it doesn't matter as long as it helps you learn. 

Studyblrs are great for this, also the amount of motivation I get from these blogs is amazing

5) Make a small care package for your backpack that includes toilet paper, aspirin, tampons, an umbrella and some loose change.

My number one rule for College is to expect the unexpected, these little packages can save your day,

10 Random Facts About Me

I've been blogging for a little over two years and  looking back on old post I realized that I don't really share a lot about myself other than book related things, so please let me reintroduce myself by sharing 10 random facts about me.

1) I was bored and mostly raised in Mexico City but I lived in Pittsburgh for a few years and I would love to go back there.

2) My mom's side of the family is huge, it includes 6 uncles 5 aunts and 30+ cousins

3) I am born and mostly raised in Mexico City but my family lived in Pittsburgh in the late 90's early 2000's.

4) Originally I enrolled in the my high school's university I ended up dropping out of it and taking a gap year, I did return to college but I enrolled in a different one this time, in February I'm starting my second semester in Graphic Design.

5) If my room was on fire I would grab my phone, my Kindle and my MacBook

6) I hate the physical act of getting to the gym but I love pilates and the treadmill is the best place to read because no one bothers you.

7) My favorite color is and always will be pink, I love Pantone's color of the year.

8)Although I'm 21 due to my height people usually think I'm 16.

9) I'm pretty nervous around dogs because when I was little a dog attacked me so now I just need to be around them for a little bit before I feel safe around them..

10) I can shop till I drop, once I arrived before the mall opened and left when it closed, I get that from my dad.

New Year, New Me

Happy  2016 everyone!!

I can say that I never really care about a new year but 2015 was such a whirlwind in both good and bad ways that I'm genuinely excited for a the idea of a new beginning, I even have resolutions and  goals for 2016!! 

My main goal for 2016 is to take better care of myself because let's face to if I'm not in a good state of mind I won't be ablate tackle all the things I have planned for this year.

Do you have any goals od resolutions for 2016?

Back to School: Supply Haul

Although I started Freshman Orientation on Tuesday  classes won't formally start until next Monday, I already went and bough some supplies I need and some I really don't need but bought anyway.

1) Highlighters

My favorites brand is called Foray, this particular pack had six different colors so they are perfect for color coding.

2) Ballpoint Pens

I'm a sucker for pretty notes and these pens, also by Foray, are perfect for making my titles and subtitles look pretty.

3) Gel Pens

I'm not sure for what I'm going to use these but they reminded me of when I was in elementary school and used the for everything.

4) Colored Pens

I'm using these Papermate pens for my blog planner.

These four Bic. pens are another impulsive purchase but I'm sure I'll find a use for them.

5) Pencil cases

The blue plaid one will store all of my colorful pens plus scissors and glue stick; the British inspired one will take care of my basic writing tools.

6) Binder and Planner

A binder for all my notes and a DIY planned, I saw the cover and knew it was for me.

7) Markers

Because my life needs all the color it can get.

Getting Over A Reading Slump

I spent the majority of 2014 in a reading slump, I can count with the fingers in my hands the books that stood out to me,  I think that the main reason of this slump was because 2011,2012 and 2013 were great years for YA books so many great series were written in these years so I went into 2014 with incredibly high standards. 2015 started out great but at the end of April I hit my first slump of the year so here are some things I try to get out of these slumps.

Take a break

As bloggers we sometimes feel pressured to read all the books that are released or that we are given by authors and publishers, this sometimes makes reading seem more like an obligation instead of something that you enjoy. It took me a while to realize that the world won't end if I don't read anything some days.

Read something outside of your comfort zone

 We all have that type of books for my it's YA Dystopias but sometimes too much of a good thing can make you sick, this also applies to books. Sometimes you just need something new.

Stop reading books you don't like

I was the type of reader that couldn't leave books unfinished and I wasted many hours reading things I didn't enjoy and forcing myself to continue, this is another thing that made reading a chore. If you still feel uncomfortable by leaving a book unfinished just promise yourself you'll read it another time.

Read children's versions of the Classics

Classic books can sometimes be confusing and heavy reads so it always helps me reading children's versions since they are watered down but retain the main purpose of the book

Ask people for recommendations

This is an excellent way to find new authors you might enjoy.

Back to Basics

There are reasons why certain books are your favorites, try reading them again so you can remember why you love reading

Image Credit Here

My Journal Collection

If there is something I love as much as books it's journals, I love the pretty covers, the different types of paper and the thinking of all the things I'm going to fill it up with although I must admit that most of the time they sit on my shelf brand new for a long time because I'm scared to ruin them.

Here are my favorites:

1)My Art Journal: I use this one when I need to relax and unleash some creativity.

2) My "Keep Calm and Carry On" and my London Underground Map Journals: I got these for Christmas two years ago and I still haven't used them but I have plans to.

3)Two Parisian themed Journals that I got in the dollar section of my supermarket

My Everyday Journal is the notebook I use to document the events of my day and the thoughts I've had.

2)My blogging journal is used for any ideas I may have for my blog.

IF I COULD GO ANYWHERE....

I've been having a little bit of wanderlust since I came back from my vacation from Pittsburgh, the thing is I'm no longer happy living in México City , it no longer fits the person that I am today or the person I want to be. Being in Pittsburgh it was so nice to be able to cross the street with being worried about some idiot running a red light and hitting me or not having to watch out for dog poop as I walk, so my new goal is to somehow move permanently to Pittsburgh, so I now have a long term goal!!

But before moving to Pittsburgh there is another place I want to visit.

Image taken from Pinterest

This picture describes perfectly how I feel right now, ever since I saw a documentary on Buckingham Palace when I was four it's been my dream to go to London so I either have to win the lottery or work my butt of so I can move to my dream home and visit my dream City

Visiting Home

This Holiday season my wonderful parents decided to take me and my brother to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. About ten years ago my dad moved me and my mom from México City to Pittsburgh so he could stars he doctoral thesis, although it was hard moving to another country I don't regret the experience but I do regret having to leave Pittsburgh; since my brother wasn't born yet and is a Steelers fan mom and dad decided to take us there for a family holiday!

At Heinz Field for the Steelers vs. Bengals game 

The Steelers won this game which was good for my dad and brother since they are huge Steeler fans,  for me it was a bit awkward since I'm a Patriots fan but it was still fun

Since there was no snow in the city we had to go to Hidden Vally Resort. We snow tubed for about two hours and had a blast!

Visiting my dad's school The University of Pittsburgh, I would love to study here and be a Panther like him but sadly Pitt doesn't offer any major I'm interested in still Hail to Pitt!