Nija's Thoughts

One of my roommates is pretty "go green", save the earth, eco-friendly and so I started recalling some of the many videos I have seen about clever uses for things or life hacks reusable items. Even without a market where you can bring your own containers, fill them, and pay by weight (bulk bin places) you can still make a few changes. There are other changes that can be made like those reusable menstrual cups for women to reduce waste from tampons or pads but in my opinion, that's not as easy of a change to make. Here are some of the easier ones I've found that require a little effort but will save particularly on plastic, some can even save you money in the long run. Another perk with making your own is that the chemicals used are what you put in them so you can make them more natural if that's also a goal for you. If you are more of a visual person there are links to videos at the bottom. There are so many videos out there but here are a few that I reference. ...

             No matter what your life situation is getting your first apartment or home can be stressful. It’s sometimes hard to remember all the things you need to pack or buy. I have compiled a list and organized the items by room. While this list is extensive it doesn’t have everything you could possibly need and it may have a bunch of stuff you don't but hopefully this puts you off to a good start.  An added practical perk to this list is that... you can print it our on some cardstock (or regular paper, it just won't be as durable), cut it by room and as you pack and check off items and using tape you can use them to label your bins, totes, or boxes. This was you know exactly what's in them and anyone helping you move knows exactly where they go.  Some things to consider for you personally are... There are some appliances that might be provided in your apart or house so I have marked those with an asterisk (*). If they aren...

I'm going to take a break from my college series to talk about holiday work gift exchanges. If you work in education as I now do you will most likely have the opportunity to participate in a "Secret Santa" game. Other professional settings may have that or something similar. Some do a "White Elephant" or "Dirty Santa". Some general rules of thumb are... Keep your setting in mind working in a school for example, while we're all adults we can't exchange alcohol or adult gifts  Keep your potential recipient in mind This gift might not go to your friend that you work with but possibly anyone you work with that may not have the same since of humor or enjoy the same things as you Stick to the price cap You may be tempted to go over but there's a cap for a reason. Other people may not be able to afford to get fancy gifts so not only will people frown upon it because now there gifts don't compare and you look like a jerk, but you ...

       I wasn't a huge social butterfly in college. My roommate and I pretty well stuck together. We had movie nights and scraped together enough change to buy a pizza. We did have a friend that was more into the party scene and in turn that took us to a few. From those experiences comes these words of wisdom. Have a plan before you go out. If there is going to be alcohol and there most likely will be decide who all is going to drink and who is going to stay the sober "mom friend" (if you don't trust your friends enough, be the mom friend). Their job is to keep the intoxicated friends safe and from doing anything they will regret. Decide who is going to be DD (designated driver), which can be but is not necessarily the mom friend, or how else you're getting there and back. Have an idea of how long you want to stay. Have meeting places and times if you are going to separate. Don't assume that you'll figure it out later while you're out and about. Kno...

      Wow... it has been a while. Well since I was last here I have finished college and received my degree. It was not easy but some of it is as hard as you make it. There are definitely tips to get through it. You hear it all the time but like most things in life you don't believe them until you go through it and learn the hard way. Such things like... Stay organized (whatever that means for you...just make sure that it actually works) In lieu of the 1 big binder with dividers for each class that holds everything I would advise separate, smaller binders or folders and notebooks for each course or even binders by day (ex. mon./wed. binder & tues./thurs. binder). No matter how great your memory is keep some sort of a planner. As soon as I got the course schedule I would write out all of my deadlines so I could just look in one place and see everything. Of course they are subject to change but at least that gives an idea. If you're a tech person put it in your ph...

I went to community college for 2 yrs on a scholarship before going away to a state university. In moving in I didn't know quite what to expect or what to bring so here I'm going to talk about that and things to think about before making decisions from my own experience.There will be different instalments to this as there are different things I would like to talk about in no specific order. I'm rooming with my friend (we have our own "best friends" but we are really good friends (like 2nd best if you want a title)) which works out because our schedules are different so we don't see each other 24/7. We have good communication skills with each other, we try to be respectfully open and honest. We also have similar morals and values which is important as you are in fact living with this person but we're not clones of each other either. Our personalities are different so we do clash on some things but so far that hasn't been often because we let things go ...

Once Accepted into college/ university or trade school there will be a flood of paperwork coming at you. A lot of it will probably be online while other stuff will come in the mail. Do not let it overwhelm you, just stay organized and take things as they come. I suggest a binder with dividers or an expandable wallet, letter (these are water proof and already have gaussets for separation). You can get them at staples or wal mart. Keep records of everything just in case! When you submit something print out the summary pages and the proof of submission pages, you can never be too prepared in college. Print off contracts and invoices from payments. Once I started school I even put school reciepts (like book purchases, returns) in the college binder so if there was any discrepencies I had prove. File all of this stuff. You can organize it however you want. I did it by finances (financial aid, bills, reciepts), housing (contracts, requests, assignments), and acad...

I went to community college for 2 yrs on a scholarship before going away to a state university. In moving in I didn't know quite what to expect or what to bring so here I'm going to talk about that and things to think about before making decisions from my own experience.There will be different instalments to this as there are different things I would like to talk about in order that I came across this stuff in my life. Deciding where to continue my education was a hard decision but I feel like I made the right decision. When I was a senior in high school I was not the person who knew where they wanted to go and was just awaiting my acceptance letter. I was overwhelmed by the whole thought. As a matter of fact I only applied to maybe 4 universities and was rejected by 2. I wasn't the greatest in math so I wasn't the prime student they wanted, especially since I waited so late to apply. So tip 1.)  have some sort of plan and have it early . The truth is, waiting...

I've been so busy with college that I haven't had much time to write tips, how tos, ideas, or anything that comes to mind. I have been on polyvore however, where I've come across a duo that makes sets including great tips. Rach and Randii take requests on anything from acting to writing a paper, check them out:) http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?id=1943119 Peace, Love, & Flowers Nija

I remember the days of being younger & having to bring Valentines for my friends, teachers, and even whole classes. Now I give Valentine's to my parents work, friends, & neighbors. My choice of Valentine's tend to be: Brownies Mini Cupcakes (red velvet w/ home-made cream cheese frosting) -frosting ingregdients: cream cheese, marshmello fluff, powdered sugar [this frosting will harden a little over night, eliminating the frosting mess of stacking cupcakes] Mini Cookies (heart shaped sugar cookies w/ red or pink sprinkles) *I personally like mini foods because you get bite size portions & you can make more out of the same amount of ingredients than regular size portions. Mini Red, Pink, or White Roses (from gas stations) These are all fairly inexspensive and things people tend to enjoy. Another good thing about little gifts is that youa can make gift bags for people filled with different things or for people you don't know that well it's just a li...

This time of year most people are wondering what to get people for christmas, here are some tips to aid in the gift giving 1. Don't wait until the last minute, if you find something you think someone will like in jan get it and save it until christmas 2. Be practical, dont get a gift for someone just to give them something because they typically won't use/ wear it. ex. fill up their gas tank, give them money to pay a bill, take them on a spa day 3. Personalize, no one wants some generic gift that you give to everyone ex. if you're artistic write them a song, or a poem, paint/ draw a picure. Remember their favorite colors & what they like. 4. Don't be so commercial & save a shopping trip by making gifts that people will cherish, they will appreciate that you spent the time ex. pot holders, afghans, quilts, doilies, table cloths, coasters 5. Instead of giving people presents give them your presence, they will find you more valuable than any gift you buy e...

When I hear those words I think tons of food, friends/family, and lots of laughing. The menu this year for us includes a ham, stuffed hen, dressing, mashed patatos & gravy, green bean casserole, rolls and an apple pie. Sometimes it's hard to come up with the perfect menu for you & your guests so here are a few tips that I go by 1. keep in mind any food allergies -http://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com is a great site with recipes and tips 2. remember the number of guests & how many options you want to give them 3. its fall, so think fall flavors (personal culture can influence this) -desserts: pumpkin, apple, sweet patato, berries, nuts -vegitables: corn, green beans, patatos, carrot 4. common meats are turkey, ham, hen, & even German sausages. All of them can be served to give variety or pick what your guests typically have to make them feel more at home -ham glazes: brown sugar, honey bbq, mustard, & smoked (anything fruity is typically Chr...

For those who want to break into the halloween costume do it yourself scene because you're tired of cookie cutter costume ideas or for what ever reason here's some tips to help get you started what you will need -tools scissors, sewing machine, patterns(optional) *Note that some looks can be no sew because your can just drape & tie -various fabrics tulle (can come in different colors, can be found in fabric stores or online), cheese cloth (softer than tulle; can be found at wal mart, craft stores, or online), velvet (thicker & soft; can be found in fabric stores or online), organza ribbons & trims (can be used for ties to hold the costume together or just accents; can be found in fabric stores, wal mart, or online) -Closures/Fastenings velcro (easy to apply, unseen, quick & easy to open & close), zippers, buttons/buckels/claps (easy to to aply, can add visual appeal) With different combinations of the materials above a variety of looks can be achiev...

Halloween is coming up soon and I had some ideas for costumes if you waited until the last minute & cant find a costume, or simply want a played down/ modern version of a costume. All you need for these are everyday clothes (& remember what you don't have in your closet a thrift store might) Disney Princess: Cinderella - blue headband, blue ribbon for choker, white shoes or those clear gel shoes, light blue dress, blue elbow length gloves(opt), hair in high messy bun Snow White - blue sweater (or jacket), yellow cami & skirt (or dress), red head band, fold hair under & pinn in if its too long to look shoulder length Peter Pan: Peter Pan - green dress (or long coat), dark green leggings(or tights), green slouch hat(or beanie), red feather to put in hat, brown belt, light brown ankle boots Tinker Bell - sleeveless green shirt & green shorts (or sleeveless green dress), green ballet flats(or converse), put hair in bun & tie w/ yarn, body glitter would be ...

Acne *vitamin A & vitamine E- once daily *brown sugar- in face wash *Grated cucumber- apply over the face, eyes, and neck for fifteen to twenty minutes eating right & exercising- three meals a day, lots of water, avoid sugar, strong tea or coffee, condiments, soft drinks, candies, ice cream, refined & processed foods *Hot Epsome Salt Bath- 2x a week, add 1 ½ kg (about 3 1/2 lbs, 6C) of Epsom salts to 60 L (16 gal) of water having a temperature of about 37°C (about 97°F). remain in the bath tub for 25-35 mins till sweating freely. After the bath, cool off gradually Menstral Cramps *hot compress- Soak a towel in warm water, wring it out, & apply to lower abdomen *drink a lot of warm liquids- chamomile tea & honey, gingerroot tea, nettle tea Sunburn *aloe vera or vinegar- it will stop inflammation & pain *mustard oil- rub on the affected skin & allow to it dry, this will take out the heat from the skin *Baking Powder Bath w/ a few drops pf Lavend...

I saw an AARP Bulletin and it mentioned something about Harry Potter being banned on the cover so I looked at it & found a list of books that at one point were banned or had attempted to be by American schools & libraries. They include many classics like the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn for its adultuary theme, The Grapes of Wrath by John Stienbeck for it's language, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe for being too political, I Know Why the Cage the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelo for too much sex. Remember these; The Adventures of Huckelberry Fin, Gone With the Wind, Of Mice and Men, The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mocking Bird, One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest, In Cold Blood, The Color Purple, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl? Well they were all banned at some time for being socially offensive. The American Library Association annually sponsors (in part) a banned books week from Sept. 25- Oct. 2 that celebrates the first amendment draws attent...

I graduated from high school on May 21 and I feel no different. Some part of me feels like in the fall I will see all my friends again walking the halls that we didn't really act like we owned even if we were the "big dogs on campus". Highschool was always interesting to say the least; other peoples drama, friends parting, and relationships. Being involved with the arts in school made it that much harder to part with but surprisingly I didn't find myself in tears as I walked across that stage & saw the friends I was leaving behind with the impressions we made upon eachother but smiling and happy. Now I'm still not sad but I am going to miss everyone as we move on to bigger and better things. Good thing there is always facebook:) peace, love, & flowers

I feel old when I get up in the morning to see dora & diego, handy manny, and ni hao kai-lan. Those are just some of the shows where you actually learn something instead of the more mind numbing stuff that allows parents to let the tv babysit there children. When I was little there was the flintstones, the jetsons, scoobey doo, & tom and jerry. We learned sharing from barney, seaseme street and blues clues, quality shows. Does anyone remember Madaline? that was the cloesest we had to a language learning show & I loved that show as a little girl. Kids now are deprived of such good shows that were nice & simple but didnt talk to us like we were hard of learning. I remember lamb chop, mr roger's neighborhood, gullah gullah island, & wishbone as most people around my age do. Where are shows like that now? They still show some of they good ones like auther and clifford but children arent watching them as much:( peace, love, & flowers nija

This is my first blog post & this was what came to mind. First I think that the taylors should have gotten best kiss. I love twilight & am a avid fan but their face sucking was epic lol. Second what was going on with Jacob's hair in the preview clip? it was like that guy from grease. I love grease but I don't think it's a becoming look for jacob. I'm still very excited for eclipse to come into theaters. I feel like the movies are just getting better but I wish the characters looks would stop changing so drastically. I understand that in movies the characters looks tend to evolv with the story but I dont think the twilight characters make overs fit the small time span that the story seems to take place over. peace, love, & flowers Nija