For those of you that don't know, I had my ACL repaired about 3 months ago. During my three month checkup, the doctor noticed a three inch long metal wire that was suspended in my knee. Unfortunately, it needed to come out before any more damage could be done. So, on Thursday I drove the 5 hours home from school in order to get surgery on Friday.
My surgery was scheduled for 7:30am on Friday morning, meaning I had to be at the surgery center at 6:30am. I was told that it would be a quick surgery, only lasting about 45 minutes. Unfortunately, the piece of metal wire had broken in half within my knee. One piece of stuck in bone and the other was lodged in the back of my knee turning a quick surgery into a 6 hour long marathon to extract the wire. I honestly don't remember anything about yesterday as I was really drowsy from medications that I was given.
Th pain is manageable. I am walking around without crutches (thank goodness, I hate crutches). My knee is extremely swollen and the bruising is starting to come in. I have 4 incisions, 2 small ones and two large ones on either side with a total of close to 20 stitches. Right now, I'm trying to take it easy. The stitches come out in 2 weeks and I should be right back to where I was in my recovery.
While getting all these surgeries stinks, it has taught me to be strong and if I push through, I can accomplish anything. Right now I'm just focusing on getting better than I was before my first surgery to hopefully get back out on that rugby pitch one day. I wouldn't consider this a bad thing, I just see it was a learning experience. If I can get through this, I'm sure I can get through anything. (Plus, I kind of like the scars, it makes me look a lot tougher than i actually am haha).
Sad title, I know, but I was unsure of how to phrase exactly what I am currently feeling. Needless to say, I have been in a little bit of a rut lately. It is the beginning of second semester and things are rapidly starting to pick up, mainly in the category of senior seminar. It is no secret on campus that MJD majors have a close to impossible, time suck of a senior seminar. As you may or may not know, I am currently in the process of writing, designing and self publishing a book about the ins and outs of summer camps in the United States. Sounds cool, right? Well it is, except when you noticed that you have just under a month to create the entire thing (procrastination and senioritis is real people).
So basically, I have been a little stressed. I think that in the last few days I have spent about 12 hours in a computer lab along with countless hours in my bed doing research and writing. Trust me people, this is not as easy as it sounds. (J.K Rowling, I give you so much credit.) Unfortunately, this stress has had a negative effect on my mood. I am often pretty cranky, tired and pretty withdrawn from other things. Normally in my free time I would watch some TV, search the web or nap. Recently, free time is filled with eating, showering and more writing.
On April 6th, I will have the opportunity to have a breather. I will be able to sort of sit back and relax (I say sort of because I am still taking global comm and that is one of the hardest classes in the MJD major). As of now, I am not happy in the progress that I have made. It seems that for every page I complete, I find something that I need to fix or change. It changes what was once an hour of editing into 3 hours of extra work on my layout or the actual writing of my chapters. It is difficult in that situation to not get mad or sad. I have found myself far too many times sitting in bed at night and just crying after trying to spend time writing and failing miserably.
One thing that I will say about this book is that it has really helped me to find myself. It has helped me be more independent and goal orientated. I have to be organized enough to force myself to spend time writing or sitting in front of a computer screen working in Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign. I have to set priorities and sometimes, they definitely aren't the right ones, but then it teaches me how to recover. It has helped my mildly introverted self to be more extroverted in the sense that I have to reach out to people that I may have never had the opportunity to interact with. It has helped me to discover more about a topic that I already feel passionate about.
From now until April 6th will be a difficult time for me, I'm not going to lie. There is a lot of stuff to do and little time. Right now, I have a game plan. I know what I need to do and I plan on accomplishing it because I have become so emotionally invested in this project that I think it would pain me more than anything to not follow through with it.
So, I apologize for the lack of posts recently. There has been a lot going on. I think that taking "me time" and blogging might be a good place to put my energy. I will give it a go and let you know what happens!
It is no secret that college is expensive. It is also no secret that my summer job as a camp counselor does not pay me a fortune (but I would not change that for the world). So often times during the semester, I have to sit myself down and look at my spending. As a senior, I live in a house with my own kitchen, meaning that I have to buy groceries and cook my own food. I also have a car, so that is another added expense. While I do work when I am on campus, I often find myself really having to look at the money that I am earning and what I am spending on. So, here are some tips to manage your money while in college!
ONE// Save on textbooks. Seriously. There is almost no need to spend $200 on a textbook that you will probably only open once. I get the majority of my textbooks used on Amazon. They are so much cheaper and in the end, I am totally ok if it has a few highlights or notes written in. Often times, I would prefer that to a brand new book!
If you cannot find it cheaper on Amazon, the library would be your second best bet. My roommate Candice and I are in a class together and she took out both books that we need from the library. We have been sharing them all semester and it has cost us nothing!
be like Matilda and get your books from the library!
TWO// Pay attention to events on campus. This past weekend we had the Winter Carnival on campus. Along with it being a ton of fun, there was free food! Free food means not having to spend money on something to eat or use groceries for a meal that I could have saved for a different time. These events are not only good for food, but also other things as well! On campus in the next few weeks we are having a used book sale and a clothing sale. These events are great places to go not only if you are looking for something to do, but also if you need a few things!
THREE// Check out some on-campus jobs. On campus we have both work study and non-work study jobs. I personally do not have a work study, but I do have two on campus jobs that are not work study. For me, those jobs are a tour guide and social ambassador. These jobs are super fun and it gives me a little bit of extra cash in my pocket every two weeks! There are also a lot of other jobs on campus that are not work study, such as working in the dining hall. Also, our job link is a great way to find jobs on campus and off!
FOUR// Find forms of payment that work for you. I am a firm believer in using cash whenever possible. That way, I always know just how much I am spending. At this time is not my plan to apply for a credit card, but for those fellows that are interested in this opportunity Credit Card Insider has a Student Credit Card section that could be a good point to start. They lay out the pros and cons of all possible credit cards so that you can see what would work best for you. Eventually a credit card will be in my wallet, but for now I will just stick with cash!
Like Beyonce, I'll stick with cash.
(i also wish i was beyonce)
FIVE// Your I.D. card is everything. Not only is it an important resource while you are on campus (as it controls your meal plan, printing, entry to buildings and laundry) but it is also a great resource off campus. A lot of stores offer discounts to students and they can be anywhere from 10% to 30% off your purchase. There are tons of websites that tell you all the discounts or you can just ask before you check out!
I hope these tips will help you save a little bit of money this semester!
Love,
Susanna
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I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I am pretty good when it comes to cooking. I really enjoy it. Some people are intimidated by the kitchen, but personally, it the place that I feel most at home. Sometimes cooking to me means popping a piece of bread in the toaster and then putting peanut butter on it. Other times it means following a recipe or just whipping together a few things that I have in my fridge. Whatever it may be, its something that doesn't seem daunting to me. It is enjoyable.
I will admit, being in college sometimes makes it difficult to cook. I mean, just think about it. We have a tiny kitchen in our house that 4 people (including me) share. There really isn't all that much space, especially because, for some reason, all of us like to congregate in the kitchen on most occasions. Before moving in, we started thinking up what we could possibly need kitchen utensil wise. Growing up and having a kitchen filled with every gadget you could possibly dream of, I never really thought of the exact tools that I would need to make three square meals a day. So, here is my list for all of you chefs, toast burners and wine pourers.
PREPARE:
Measuring Cups// Kind of goes without saying. These are important, especially if you love to bake as much as I do. When following a recipe, especially if you are making a baked good, it is important to get the measurements just right. I personally just have some plastic ones that were fairly cheap and they do the job just right!
Cutting Boards// We just have a bunch of plastic cutting boards in a drawer in our kitchen. Most people opt for wood boards, but I personally love the plastic ones. They are easy to store and a lot easier to clean. We use them for everything from veggies, fruits and meats.
UTENSILS:
Knives and Knife Sharpener// Again, important. Even more important- make sure they are sharp. I promise you it will make your life so much easier. The sharper the knife, the easier it is to cut things and it also makes it a lot less painful if you do happen to cut yourself in the process. Also, look up a few techniques on basic knife skills and how to cut certain items. It makes prep work a lot easier and safer for those that don't feel as comfortable in the kitchen.
Tongs// For me, I probably wouldn't have thought to bring them. For me, I only think of using tongs when grilling, which I do not do while I'm at school. But honestly, I find myself reaching for these more often than I thought. I use them mainly for cooking meats and roasting different vegetables. They are also useful when plating different meals.
Wooden Spoon// I use a wooden spoon for everything. I think I mainly gravitate towards it because I am forever scared that when I am cooking and using a plastic spoon, it will melt into my food. Unrealistic fear? Probably, but it still worries me! I use a wooden spoon for all of my mixing needs.
BIGGER ITEMS:
Cookie sheets// I use these all the time from actually making cookies, scones, pork chops, chicken and roasting vegetables. I easily use a cookie sheet twice a week if not more!
Saucepan and Frying Pan// Everyone in our house uses these multiple times a day. We use them to make eggs, any kind of meet and vegetables. They really come in handy all the time!
Glass Baking Dish// I love the one that we have here. I use it to make pasta bakes or my homemade mac and cheese! It is the perfect size and it everything cooks evenly!
As for cooking, I hope to do a little bit more of it this semester. I have a little more free time than I usually do, so I am really looking forward to testing out new things in the kitchen. I think Friday will be my day for trying something new, seeing as I do not have classes on Friday. For today, I currently have beets, butternut squash and broccoli in the oven roasting. On them I made a quick sauce of olive oil, garlic and balsamic vinegar. Once they come out of the oven I plan to put a little goat cheese on top and enjoy. The whole house currently smells heavenly!
the final product!
Love,
Susanna
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As the title says, yes, I am on crutches. You're probably thinking, how did that possibly happen? Well, if you have been up to date with the posts, in early October I tore my ACL playing rugby. I knew that if I ever wanted to play sport again or do anything remotely active, I would need to get it fixed. So on Tuesday, Santa, I mean, the doctor, gave me the great present of a new ACL. Now let me tell ya, I seem happy and cheery now, but if you saw me yesterday, you probably thought I was going to die. Well, it sure felt like it. Essentially, in the type of ACL reconstruction that I had, they took out a piece of my patella and tibia with a piece of tendon attached. They drilled holes in both my femur and tibia and then threaded the piece they had taken out to reconstruct my ACL. Thankfully, everything else looked good so all they had to do was give me a new ACL.
But, it isn't just a quick surgery. The full recovery for this surgery is 9-12 months and even then, it may take longer for my knee to actually feel like my knee. It will take a lot of time to rehab it and get it back to working condition. Right now, I have started to put weight on it, but I am not allowed to bend my knee yet. The past few days have consisted of a lot of sleeping and watching TV. The medicine that I was on made me really sick, so today is the first day that I have actually been able to eat something and keep it down. I start PT on Monday, so hopefully it won't be too bad. I plan on updating you all about how this is going, just because when I was planning the surgery, I wanted to know more about what to expect.
As for the rest of my winter break, I plan on resting a lot and getting my knee in good condition. My hope for when it comes times to go back to school is that I can walk with crutches comfortably and that I can make it up stairs! I think its a pretty achievable goal!
Wish me luck!
Love,
Susanna
Questions? Comments? Just wanna say hey?
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What am I listening to?
(I know, its weird that I am not posting a what I am listening to, mainly because I have not been listening to much music. Instead, I leave you with a what I have been watching. I highly suggest you watch the show Limitless. I have watched the whole season already!)
Although I have only lived in close proximity to Burlington for the past 4 years, it has really become home to me. I have probably said it before, but my mom hates it when I refer to college as home. But its the truth, both Saint Michael's and the surrounding area really do feel like home to me. It is no secret that Burlington is a great place. It has been voted one of the best college towns in the country and its food has been gaining great reviews over the past couple of years. Unlike its counterparts of Los Angeles, Manhattan and Boston, Burlington is a place to live and explore without breaking the bank. Trust me, I know. I'm a college kid after all. So, if you are a college kid living here or are just looking for some great places to explore, here are my top choices for things to eat and places to see in Burlington on a budget.
Let's start the morning right. Everyone knows that the best way to start the day is with a great breakfast. What's better than some good food? Good food that won't break the bank. Assuming that you were a little slow moving in the morning, I would suggestHandy's Lunch. Handy's is a super old school place with only counter seating, so it approximately only seats 25-30 people. This often means that there can be a wait, but I mean, the longer the line the better the food, right? The people that work there are great. Earl, one of the owners, is really friendly and will do everything he can to make you feel nice and welcome. The food is great and it is really inexpensive considering how full you feel after. It is definitely one of my go to spots for breakfast!
After breakfast you are probably going to have to walk off all of the calories that you just consumed. One of my favorite places to do that is at Lake Champlain Waterfront. Perks of this? It's absolutely free to walk around and the view is fabulous. You can always see people riding bikes, cute dogs and who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of our lake monster, Champ. One of the cool places to visit at the waterfront is the ECHO Center. The ECHO Center is a non-profit organization that hopes to educate people about the ecology and history of Lake Champlain. It is an awesome place to visit for people of all ages. Tickets are fairly inexpensive as far as museums and aquariums go, and they often have ticket deals. Here you have the opportunity to watch them feed animals, meet some baby animals and learn about all of the things that go into making Lake Champlain great!
Wow, all that walking must have started to make you a little hungry. Just a short walk away from the Echo Center is Church Street Marketplace. It is arguably one of my favorite spots in all of Burlington. Here, you have the choice of dozens of restaurants, shops and bars to choose from. For lunch, my favorite place would have to be the Red Onion. If you want to enjoy the best sandwich of your life, then look no further. My favorite sandwich to get is the Red Onion. I mean, if they name their restaurant after it, it has to be good. This sandwich has turkey, bacon, red onion (duh) and garlic mayo on your choice of fresh made bread. Delicious, right? A typically sandwich will cost you about $10 here, but it is more than enough for 2 people to split. Also, try one of their cookies. They are one of my favorites and I really don't like cookies that much.
After lunch, I would say that it would be in your best interest to just take the time to walk around Church Street Marketplace. As I said earlier, it is a long pedestrian street where there are tons of shops, restaurants and bars to visit. In my opinion it is honestly one of the best places to window shop. It's a great place on a budget because you don't actually have to buy anything. But, if you were so inclined to spend a little money, you could to to places like Tradewinds, Earth Bound and Homeport, which are some of my favorites.
After all that (window) shopping you are probably hungry again, right? I thought so. One of my favorite places is American Flatbread. I promise you will love this place the minute you walk in the door. Only a quick walk from Church Street, the rustic inside and the no cell phone sign really makes you feel at ease. On busy nights, like Friday's an Saturday's, there will normally be a wait. My suggestion is during the wait you should step up to the bar and try one of the local brews that they have on tap. Almost all of the ingredients used are local, free-range and organic, which makes eating pizza healthy, right? Any pizza you get here is good, but my personal favorite would be the buffalo chicken with blue cheese pizza. I like it because it has super thin crust and the sauce is super flavorful.
Finally, its time for dessert. Take your full belly and walk back up to Church Street and then one block past it to My Little Cupcake. This place is hands down my favorite place for something edible near Church Street. I cannot remember how my friends and I stumbled upon it but I am really happy we did. We make it our tradition now. Every time we go to Church Street we have to stop at My Little Cupcake to get a quick snack. They have both mini and regular sized cupcakes, along with cake pops, gluten free and vegan cupcakes. There is something for everyone! My personal favorites are the salted caramel and the red velvet. One of the cool things that they do for the 21+ crowd is every Friday night they have a pairing night, where you get 3 types of alcoholic beverages and 3 desserts for a flat price. They also have one of my favorite drool worthy accounts on Instagram!
After all that I'm assuming that you are totally stuffed and exhausted. It must be time to head home to get some sleep! See, doing things during the day can be really fun and inexpensive.
Winter months, especially January, is a time when many people start thinking about budgeting money. One of the places that I have recently discovered to help me do this is Personal Capital. They have awesome free financial tools that people what don't really know where to start can check out.
Love,
Susanna
Questions? Comments? Just wanna say hey?
Email Me HERE
Tweet tweet @shigosusanna
Instagram @shigosusanna
or leave a comment down below!
So that time is year is upon us. Sadly, that time of year is not too fun, instead it is probably one of the most frustrating times of the year. Yes, I mean finals. It is really weird to me to think that this is the second to last time that I will have to experience finals. Weird, I know. I have written a lot about prepping for finals. I think I post one almost every year or so. This post will kind of be a recap of everything we have discussed. I would say that this is my "holy grail" of studying hacks for finals. This list of things has helped me to survive numerous finals weeks and would ya look at me, I think i turned out ok. So, here we go!
ONE// Think about how much you have to do and how much time each task will take. I know, this is one of the most daunting tasks. It can be really frightening to actually visualize all the tasks that you have to accomplish. It is even scarier when you have to actually think of how long it will take you to accomplish these tasks. We all know that writing "read chapters 12-16" in your planner realistically gets you no where. Put a time on it. Say "read chapters 12-16 from 6-8pm". Then you will be more likely to do it.
TWO// When you are scheduling, add in a relaxing time. This sounds pretty weird to some people, but I promise you, it helps. Also, when adding it in, make it a non-negotiable. You should never feel guilty for taking time for yourself. This is something that is hard for me at times. When I have a lot of stuff to accomplish, I often feel like it is difficult to take time for myself. Adding it o your schedule forces you to take the time to refresh yourself. This also helps you to be more focused when studying.
THREE// Schedule in times to check social media. Whether you add this in on your "me-time', schedule time to check social media. I know that this is a problem for me. I am addicted to social media and I often get really distracted by it. When I set certain times to check it, it helps me to focus more on my work.
FOUR// Get everything together ahead of time. I am notorious for walking downstairs in my house or to the academic buildings, sitting down and then noticing that I do not have one of the things that I need to study. Then, I get completely out of the zone and have to get my head back into it. This goes for finding all the supplies you need, prepping playlists and making sure your computer is charged. Also, food and drinks is a big one for me. If I am hungry to thirsty while studying, I would put money on it that I will most likely get nothing done.
FIVE// Get some positive vibes circulating your space. Change the background on your computer. Write little notes in your planner. Do whatever you have to do to get you psyched and hyped to study. When you feel positive and happy studying will feel so much easier. The easiest way to do this you may ask? Smile.
SIX// Don't just write down one major task, instead, split it up into small groups. When I have a huge paper to write, I will instead split it up into small things, such as write thesis, do research, write body paragraphs or collect quotes. It makes a huge task become smaller and easier to accomplish.
SEVEN// Remember that finals is not a time to get everything absolutely perfect. At times it is hard to accept that you won't be perfect. But during finals, you have to understand that you cannot always achieve perfection. With a long to-do list, you won't be able to accomplish everything to your exact specifications. That is ok. Do everything to the best of your ability and you will be fine. Just remember, you do you and as long as you do your best, you're fabulous.
THREE// Do not pull all nighters. This isn't a problem for me. I love my sleep and I always will. I do have some friends that would prefer to stay up all night to study for an exam, but personally for me, I set a time for myself and if I don't finish everything by 11:30pm, I accept the fact that it probably won't get finished or that I need to wake up earlier to finish studying.
Well, that's all folks. I hope finals goes well for all of you. Remember, you can do it. In the end it is only a grade. Just work your hardest and you will be fine.
