School Series: What's in my P.E. Bag

 Hello!

 

  One of the most notoriously-dreaded things of all time is P.E. in high school. I mean, how many TV shows and movies have you seen that have an embarrassing gym scene? Too many, probably. Personally, I don't think the media can overdo such a humiliating rite of passage. It's basically where the athletes shine and the non-athletes burst into flames. There are two good things about it, though: you get a whole 45-minutes in stretchy pants, and you get time afterward to re-pretty yourself! Holla! Honestly, I focus more after P.E. than during, and here's what I use when doing so. :)

What's in my P.E. Bag

 

1) The bag. I actually got this at Goodwill; there was like forty thousand so I grabbed it without knowing what I'd do with it yet. You know. Thrift life.

 

2) Miscellaneous hair things. I've got a sport headband (never used) and barrettes for putting my bangs up/hair emergencies.

 

3) Lady things.

 

4) Lotion. I've never used it, but I just think every girl should have lotion in her gym bag.

 

5) Mirror.

 

6) Mini Deodorant. I use this everyday; the deo I apply at home always wears off by P.E. And oh my god, if you carry this, pretend you don't. I've already had FOUR DIFFERENT GIRLS use this, two w/o asking. It's disgusting. So the one pictured has been thrown away for a while now.

 

7) Hair ties. Another used-daily product.

 

8) Blotting papers. Use them everyday, lifesavers.

 

9) Face powder. Blotting papers remove the shine, face powder makes sure the shine stays away.

 

10) Comb. I mostly used the brush in my backpack, but this is for re-doing my part.

  I know, I know, it seems like waaay too many things, but they're necessary, I promise. Well, maybe not the lotion. But everything else. Well, mostly.

  What do you have in your P.E. bag or after-workout bag?

  xoxo,
  Zoe

School Series: What All Middle-Schoolers Should Know About High School (But Probably Don't)

  Hey!

 

   Like I said last time, I'm not sure how many in-school readers I have. Especially middle-school readers, if any. However, I want this to be on the Internet, somewhere, in hopes of one day some small middle-schooler will read it and learn something. So, if you're not a middle-schooler (and maybe high-schooler, too), this definitely doesn't apply to you. If you are, read and take notes! :)

  When I was in middle-school, all I cared about was making straight-A's. This did not matter at my school. It didn't change any of your classes or make you eligible for anything special; there was no incentive. In my 8th grade year, I thought making straight-A's was more important than it had been in the years previous, for it qualified me for honors classes the next year, in high school. I was wrong: my grades didn't matter; the only resource used for honors-classes placement was an exam we took in December. So getting straight-A's during my entire middle-school career, on "principal's list", was pointless. It won't matter in high school, nor on a college application.
  Why am I reflecting on this? Why is the mood about to get all sorts of melancholy? Because, dear youth, I was only concerned with straight A's-- I wouldn't join clubs because I didn't want any distractions. More importantly (and my main point): I didn't join Spectrum or Algebra 1 because I didn't want to ruin my nonexistent GPA. This is a major regret I have. Spectrum was an advanced reading/language class taught by a grammar Gremlin of a teacher that would've expanded my grammar knowledge exponentially; it would've helped me in my Advanced Honors English class, therefore helping me by leaps and bounds maintain a 4.0 GPA, the only GPA that matters. Algebra 1 was a step-above the pre-algebra class I was assigned to in 8th grade; it was so difficult, half the kids originally enrolled in it had failed out of it by the end of the year. Why do I regret not joining? Math is my worst subject, yet I know that if I had taken that class, I might've failed it, but I would've learned a lot more. Maybe if I had learned a lot more, my Honors Algebra 1 class in the ninth grade would've been a lot easier.

  That's my key point. A couple more things about high school a middle-schooler should know, but might already? Your GPA matters immediately in high school; work hard your ninth grade year so 1) sophomore year will be cake 2) you don't have to spend hours on hours getting up your GPA all those coming semesters, when you still won't be able to get a 4.0 anyway. Also, be ready: your freshman year (9th) and junior year (11th) are supposed to be the toughest ones. And look for scholarships now! You really can never be too early here. And finally: My 8th grade history teacher's girlfriend was on the admission board of my dream school Vanderbilt, which is a very, very nice college in Nashville, and you know what she said? They got tons of applications last year. 20,000+ applications they viewed all had 4.0 GPA's, as well as all the volunteer service and club work, and only about 1,800 of those perfect applications were admitted. Applications for school, not applications for scholarships. I'm not saying all schools are like that, but the majority of the good ones probably are.


  I know that's a lot to take in, but thanks for staying with me!

   xoxo,
      Zoe

School Series: What's in My Jansport Pocket & Must-Haves for Yours

  Hello!

   Back to school is upon us (or behind us, if you're like me), so I figured I'd launch a new featurette: School Series! I don't know how many in-school readers I have, but for whoever this applies to: School Series is a mini-feature where I post things relating to school. Who would've guessed? :)
   Today I'm going to show you the part of my backpack that's not stuffed with folders and gum wrappers: the front pocket!  I have a Jansport SuperBreak backpack; I chose gray so it would match all my outfits. There's only one pocket, so here's what's inside!

 

1) My Mini-Emergency Kit: THIS. Last year, this is all I had, not school-related, in my bag; in theory, it's all you need! It's got SIXTEEN different little things (eighteen if you include the glasses repair kit and mini pack of Tylenol I stuffed in there) inside! SIXFREAKINGTEEN YOU GUYS. I got it at Sephora, and they sell them online, too.

 

2) Permit, School I.D., and Cash: I've got two dollars right now. I know, I know, taking so much cash to school is just asking to get robbed.

 

3) Gum

 

4) Emergency Pencil: For emergencies.

 

5) Cosmetics...: Look below for what's inside!

The Minimergency kit already has a few of these things, but I use those so often, I figured I can never have too many!

 

Now that I've shared everything important in my school bag homework? pshhh., I have a few tips on what you should put in yours.

 

// Tips //

 

1) Cash: Like I said, I've only got two dollars in there, but that two dollars can do everything from saving me from starvation (hey, vending machine, how you doin'?) to being the library's favorite again ("Zoe, it's just a fifty-cent fine, what's taking you so long?").

 

2) Lipgloss in a good color: be sure the color isn't a crimson or purple; it should go with anything that you're wearing. If you're not a glossy kind of girl, try lip tint. It works wonders.

 

3) Greasy skin, meet blotting papers: I've got the greasiest forehead of all time. It's gross, but there's a cure: blotting papers! My E.L.F. ones were just a buck, and they do the trick just fine. If it fits in your bag, throw in some powder-- it "soaks up" the grease and removes/prevents shine. It's a must for your after-gym bag; I'll give a peek into mine soon.

 

4) Collapsable brush thing: I really never thought brushing my hair midday was important, then I looked into the mirror -- my hair was a rat's nest compared to the girl's next to me, and all she did was sweep a brush through. It's crazy what a massive improvement it gives. I got mine at Ulta for about two dollars, but I've seen them at the travel-beauty section at Target.

 

5) If you can swing the $13, I really, really suggest getting that Minimergency kit. It's helped me so many times, man.

 

 

  What's/what will be in your backpack pockets?

 

   xoxo,

  Zoe