JUNIOR LESSONS

Hello there!  I'm back after taking a much longer break than I'd intended.  I dearly missed writing for this little corner of the Internet and sincerely hope that a six-month absence will never again be necessary. More on that subject will come at a later time, but for now, let's focus on two of my favorite topics: school and life lessons.

The American high school experience teaches many things besides the obvious STEM and humanities concepts.  After my completion of each year, I've reflected upon the broader life lessons that were highlighted during my academic experiences.  It took me quite a while to ponder my "Junior Lessons" because my junior year was the most difficult--and most rewarding--year yet.

1. Happiness is a choice, not a random event.
Ever heard the mantra, "You must choose your own happiness"?  It sounds idealistic, but it's true.  Each morning, you have to be bold enough to decide whether your day is going to be a happy one;  you cannot sit idly by and wait for happiness to drop in your lap.

2. Time management is the key to productivity.
Whether you are a student or a graduate, this much is true:  learn to manage your time effectively, and you've overcome an obstacle standing in the way of future productivity and success.

BEING A PREP FOR A WEEK: 1/15/17 -- 1/21/17

Hello, lovely readers!  I apologize for my absence over the past week;  even though Monday was a holiday, the following week days still managed to be a little hectic.  My days have been full of reading (Into the Wild has been pretty good so far), studying (for the ACT, AP exams, a healthcare competition...), and watching various medical procedures (at least I'll know what to expect if I need to have a colonoscopy).  However, I always anticipate turning back to blogging, as it is my favorite creative pastime. Nothing quite compares to a good dose of HTML coding and link gathering!  Speaking of links...

Now, on to some of my favorite links from the past week:
As someone who has always wanted a white kitchen, I loved this video about alternatives to that beautiful (although somewhat impractical) strain of marble that has gained so much popularity...
Five females from history that should have their own miniseries--now that's an idea to pitch to BBS!

THE FIVE BEST EATS AT DISNEY WORLD

What better way to start off a new blogging year than to write a post about two of my favorite nouns: food and Disney World!  It's easy to think that Disney is just like any other amusement park franchise in the food category;  however, you can find so much more than just run-of-the-mill hamburgers and popcorn in all of the parks.

On our recent Disney trip, my family and I made a point to try some of the most interesting snacks available in the four parks--needless to say, we weren't disappointed (although we may have felt a little bloated). Without further ado, here's a roundup of the best and most unique snacks we tried during our stay, sans popcorn and hamburgers.

1. Macarons

Where:  Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, Epcot's France Pavilion

Beautiful packaging aside, these classic macarons were a tasty treat and (an added bonus) easy to carry throughout the park.  Plus, if you're a blogger, it's pretty difficult to resist colorful cookies prepped for a photo opportunity.

BEING A PREP FOR A WEEK: 1/1/17 -- 1/7/17

Well, the first complete week of January has already produced a little chaos--but I suppose it just wouldn't be the same without a hint of life's surprises.  I'm relieved to be back in school after a long break.  There isn't anything quite like getting back into a routine and getting things accomplished (thrilling, I know).  If this week is any indication of the rest of the year, moreover, I think I'm pretty excited about 2017.

Now, on to some of my favorite links from the past week:
One of the best articles I've read this week is all about being beautifully human in the new year;  number one is my absolute favorite!
Anxiously awaiting the arrival of this lace-up top and this v-neck sweater (each is under twenty dollars!)...

2017 RESOLUTIONS

It's that time of year again.  On the threshold of one year closing and another opening, we observe our past actions in order to form blueprints for our future selves to follow. Not everyone is a fan of making resolutions, but I've always thought that making them allowed me to engage my brain and gave me a new set of goals to aspire to.  In that light, I've rounded up a few resolutions that can be broadly applied to anyone's daily life in the hopes that you can reflect upon your hopes and desires for the new year; perhaps they can even help you create your own.

Personally, I'd like to focus on numbers three, six, and eleven during 2017.  Hopefully doing so will make my daily life run a bit more smoothly than it did this year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Hello, all!  Today I'm going to take a short and sweet opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous New Year, and Happy Holiday Season.  I hope that this time of year allows you to focus on what is truly important:  loved ones, unforgettable moments, a sense of community.  Embrace your traditions, and look forward to the dawning year with anticipation.

A BRIEF HIATUS

Hello, lovely readers!  This post is going to be rather short and, as you might have guessed, will explain why I'm going to be taking a very brief break from publishing posts here on Prep For A Day.

This week I have my midterm exams;  as always, education is my top priority, so the majority of my time will be devoted to studying and (hopefully) making top scores on all of those exams.  Infinitely more exciting than finishing up the semester is the fact that I'll be embarking on a little vacation right after my last midterm:  this blogger is heading to Disney World!

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