Times are a Changin'

Because I’m going through a transition time in my life, I’ve decided to discontinue this blog.  I hope to start blogging again soon but possibly on a different platform that will allow me to express who I am more easily! Keep you posted. Thanks for everything guys!

The College Application Tool Kit

Around fall last year I was a snobby little junior in high school that looked down on those group of seniors who still hadn't applied or decided on the colleges they wanted to attend. Fast forward a year and I (that once snobby junior) am now that unsure and confused senior. It's November and I am falling behind on my apply "to do" list.

I'm not the only one right!?! Many of you must be sharing my anxiety right now and I know at least one person feels the need to have a temper tantrum about how "it's all happening so fast." *sob sob*
For my own sanity and for the benefit of yours, I am making this blog post a designated place for all tools that will make this process run smoother as crunch time approaches. If you have any helpful tools I haven't mentioned leave it in comments!!! So here goes...

1. College Application Timeline
Print this out and staple it to your wall, it is your ultimate month by month guide to where you should be in the application process. Click here to get it.

2. Awesome Note
This is the ultimate life organizer. It's a to do, note taking, calendar, reminder, all-in-one app and it's saving my life. Click here to get it.

3. Study Buddies
If you still need to take the SAT the last date for 2014 is December 6th. This gives you only 2 weeks form now to study. My best friend for this process had been Magoosh SAT which is an online service that provides lessons, practice tests, and analyses of how well you are doing. If you are not looking to spend money check out these cool free apps that you can use on the go.

• Root Words
• SAT QOTD
• SAT flashcards  
• Varsity tutors  
• SAT Vocab Mindsnacks  
• SAT UP

4. Suggested Reading
Get these books from your library and page through them quickly, you'll pick up some really good information.

• Get it Together for College by College Board
• B+ Grades A+ Applications by Joie Jager-Hyman
• College Admission by Robin Mamlet

5. Online College Reference

• US News College Rankings - US News offers a college ranking system with easily accessible information about each school at your finger tips.

• Collegeboard.org - an organization that literally has all the information on  SAT, colleges, scholarships, application, and anything college related you can think of!

So that's what I've got! If you have any other tools for this kit leave them in comments! Hope this helps!!!

Smile it's Monday!

www.jasminedowling.com

Smile it's Monday! Is that a weird thing to say? Well...to bad! I'm a morning person, plus there are always reasons you can find to smile. 

Reasons to Smile on Monday: 

1. You are alive! 

2. The sun will rise! 

3. You are 5 days closer to Friday! 

4. Americas Next Top Model is on tonight!

5. In front of you is a new day that never existed until the moment you woke up this morning! 

Call me optimistic, kiss me on the cheek, and make it a wonderful week! 

Wear Sunscreen and Other Tips for Life

I've been thinking about life and how much time we have on this earth and yet how short it can seem. I'm 17 now and for some reason I have it in my head that I must figure it all out right now, as if my life is going to end the second I let go of this notion.  But looking at the bigger picture we have so much time to figure it out and at some point we must accept that we will never figure it out.

For now,  in my young and prime years, I think I'm going to stop trying to move ahead and just enjoy and revel in the current moment. We have all of adult hood to worry, but for now lets just enjoy life  thoroughly :)

Here's a cute but seriously wisdom filled video about life which I heard about in Lupita Nyong'o's interview with People magazine. To sum it up: face your fears, never stop growing, and wear sunscreen!

Good Morning!

Spring break is treating me very well! I've been in Florida relaxing, adventuring, laughing, swimming, playing, and enjoying the very, very, warm weather - I belive all the snow days are behind me now! So yeah, life's been good.

I hope you all are taking time to just relax and flow as well, if not, START NOW! Life's meant to be fun <3 

Video of my Florida adventure COMING SOON!

 

Follow me on instagram @savainfinite 

Looking into the Far off Distance and Other Things

Hi everyone! 

This is just a little status update about what's been going on with me. As you've noticed I've been absent for a while, I promise I haven't abandoned you,  I've just been in extreme focus mode as I make all my dreams a reality (she says looking into the far off distance).  

Step 1: Ace the SAT to achieve the log term goal of getting into an amazing university! 

I've been studying like a fool, so much so that I've been teased by my own best friends and I've deleted the Instagram app form my phone (which is a huggge deal haha)! But after my test which is this comming wednesday I will be temporarily in relax mode because I'm SPRING BREAKING IN FLORIDA! But of course when I return I have to begin studying for AP exams (she says putting a gun to her head).

Ok guys so what have I missed while I was gone? let me know what you've been up too (I want to know that other people are stressing out too) and if you have a blog leave your link so I can check you out!

*photo graphic creates by me using Over app! Use as you please but please give me credit @savainfinite* 

Ace the SAT: One Month and Counting

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We are approaching testing season.  You  have a couple months, a few weeks, maybe even just two or three days until you will be in solitary confinement taking the five hour SAT exam that could nearly determine the rest of your life or at least your college experience! So, what do you do?

…you thank me because I just found your saving grace in a bottle...well a website, called Magoosh.com. Magoosh is a free online SAT prep site that offers lessons, practice quizzes, and advice on how to ace the test. The beautiful creators of this site even offer a beautiful little page called “SAT Study Plans” which offer  SAT study schedules depending on how long you have until you take the exam. The “One Month Study Schedule” for example, offers a day by day plan of what to study in order to improve your SAT score in a month. It's a miracle right!!!

Like I said, thank me because I'm sacrificing a lot by telling you this, I mean I could have been selfish...the SAT is a form of competition in the end, right?! But I'm doing this because your a loyal reader and I love you and wish you the best.

In my last post, studying for the SAT was my third  March Goal , well thanks to this sight I actually have a chance at success (once again a miracle)!

Here’s  the key -well link- to unlocking your SAT potential >>> SAT Study Plans <<< HAPPY STUDYING!

*** 3/15***

NOTICE: A couple people told me that to use Magoosh you had to buy a plan that cost $100! I was confused because when I signed up I didn't have to pay a cent! Turns out I first signed up through the Magoosh App where there appears to be a fault in their system. So, If you sign up for Magoosh through their app then you GET MAGOOSH FREE! >>> https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/magoosh-sat-prep-math-writing/id598068767?mt=8 

Let me know how the Magoosh method is working for you! And did you hear about the changes coming to the SAT in 2016? Is the SAT even relevant anymore? Let me know what you think.

“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”

The title of this post comes from a quote by writer Truman Capote and it is absolutely perfect because today I’m going to be sharing with you my experiences with failure.

Last weekend I was hanging out at a friends house.  We  were on our computers uploading photos when I decided to take a detour and check my email. In my inbox was an email form the ConnectHer organization I knew instantly it contained the results of the Girls Impact the World Film Completion which I had entered. My friend and I were so excited, I was feeling confident about the results. But the second I opened the email it was as if I had been shot, my excitement and confidence lied dead; my video was not listed as one of the finalists. 

As of today I am not in the running for the $5,000 prize or Harvard red carpet event or the chance to meet with some amazing people in the woman's rights and film industries. I Failed.

My thoughts were: I worked for two months on that film. Woke up at 5am, went to bed at 2am researched, filmed, and edited it all by myself,  when I was done I shared it with everybody – literally - all my Fb, Instagram, phone, and email contacts.  Not only was I letting myself  down but I felt I had failed all the people who believed and supported me as well.

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
   ― Maya Angelou

Failure, losing - not winning,  it’s something I’ve been dealing with a lot recently. At this point in my life I’m trying many  new things, putting myself out there, and yes failing…a lot!  But at a certain point I’ve come to realize that sometimes no matter how much effort we put in, winning is out of our control. My friend said something to me after she watched me cry over the results, she said “your time will come. I promise”,  that simple statement gave me comfort because it  reminded me that sometime we just have to  surrender and  have faith that all is working out for the best.

If I’ve learned anything from loosing , its that every failure is a lesson in success, and by learning from failures when success is achieved it  has soooo much more (as Truman Capote put it) flavor.

You know,  looking back on this experience it was hardly a failure at all. For the first time I created a film, for the first time I used my creativity to make a difference, for the first time I was able to get people to listen, and I loved every moment of it. I may not have won in the way I had imagined but I won in a way that meant so much more.  

xoxo Summer

PS: The amount of support I got on my Girls Impact The World film was just amazing, thank you, thank you, thank you! I encourage you to keep sharing this video so that we can work towards the better representation of women in the media! http://bit.ly/girlsimpact1

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” ― Robert F. Kennedy

“Women in the World of Media” a Documentary

In November I wrote a post  about a little documentary film I was working on, that I would be entering into the Girls Impact the World Film Fest scholarship competition, and now (drum roll please)… I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE the premiere of  my short documentary “Women in the World of Media”!!!

Not only do I hope to win this competition but I also hope that this video has an impact, no matter how modest, in bringing about a change. That is where YOU come in! I NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  Every share makes another aware! So WATCH IT, LIKE, COMMENT and most importantly…SHARE to vote for my video! It’s up to us to be the change!!!

Watch the video below and/or GO TO THIS LINK bit.ly/SHARETWEET to watch and VOTE by sharing and tweeting!

Film Synopsis: The Media influences the way our society views women and how women view themselves. Before starting on this documentary I hadn't been aware of  just how great this  influence was and  I realized that most women are unaware as well. In this documentary I uncover the truth about the portrayal of women in the media,  ask real women how they are affected by this portrayal and, most importantly, reveal how our society can take steps to better represent women as leaders, cultivators, and innovators.  It's up to us  women  to take back control, come forward, and bring about change so that we are being heard and represented honestly. I had a blast making this film! Special thanks to all of those  who participated or contributed something in making it, couldn't have done it without you!!! We are going to make a difference, if you have ant questions or want to know what more you can do to help, leave a comment. xoxo -Summer

Click here to view my previous post on Girls Impact the World.

Girls Impact the World

A few weeks ago I started on a documentary. I am entering it in the Girls Impact the World Film Festival held by an amazing organization called Connecther, which works to raise awareness about issues facing women today such as education, domestic violence, health care, sex trafficking, and many other topics.
 
To be honest, when I started this project I was only thinking about how much fun I would have interviewing and editing. I imagined the cheesy smile I would have on my face when I walked away with the grand cash prize. But as I sat into the project and started researching, I began to see that these issues are real and affect us women everyday more than we are aware. This project became something more.
 
Media: the shows, movies and YouTube videos you watch, music you listen to, games you play, magazines you read; it’s everywhere. If you’re an average person you consume 10hrs of media a day (yeah right, it’s more than that if you carry around your smart phone). In consuming this amount we have come to a time when we are no longer influencing the media, the media is influencing, shaping, and distorting our perceptions of the world.
 
This is when I asked myself – how am I represented in the media, how are women represented in the media? I looked around and absolutely hated what I saw and so my video topic “women and girls in media” was born.
 

“Today 78% of women by the age of 17 are unhappy with their bodies”

Do you realize that 100% of women you see in the media are fake! Look, I am not over exaggerating, if you flip through any magazine the women are stick skinny – but curvy. They are smiling – without smile lines. The only ads I could find that showed untouched/normal looking women were the Dove’s Campaign for Real Women ads and a Clarisonic skin care ad that proudly stated “non-retouched image” at the bottom.
 
As obvious as it may seem that these images are false, in the moment when women are flipping through these magazine pages they can’t help but compare themselves to these images. This is why today 78% of women by the age of 17 are unhappy with their bodies and 90% of all eating disorders are suffered by women. Something needs to change.
 

“The media doesn’t focus on the big speech she gave or the big difference she’s making - oh noooo - they are only concerned about how big her tits looked!”

But this issue of Media, it doesn’t just stop at body image. I watched a documentary called Miss Representation and  I was woken up to the fact that the  media really undermines us women. Women are portrayed as the ditz, bombshell, damsel, or bitch. We are sexualized and objectified, and the few times women are the protagonist or leader they are stone hearted and cold. And have you noticed that when a woman becomes a leader in our society, the media doesn’t focus on the big speech she gave or the big difference she’s making - oh noooo - they are only concerned about how big her tits looked, what she is wearing, what her hair is like, and how good her fashion consciousness is. 

How does this affect the everyday woman? Well from an early age we watch things like The Little Mermaid where Ariel, who is really little (probably a size 000) swims around showing her cleavage in her seashell bra. How about Cinderella, she’s a girl that’s chasing her dreams (except her only goal in life to marry the prince). I’m not trying to hate. I love these movies. However, my point is we girls are conditioned from early on to value prettiness, sexiness, and pleasing others over being a leader, being independent, and reaching our own goals.
 

“Media can be an instrument of change”

As a girl who wants to impact the world, through this video competition I will be working to produce a documentary featuring empowering women and discussing how women are misrepresented in the media. But most importantly I want to make people aware of ways in which our society can work to represent women as we truly are! Katie Couric said “media can be an instrument of change” and it can if we take back control and be the change. 

My documentary will be released here in a couple of weeks! When it is, do your part to make a difference by sharing - every share makes another aware! Also what should I title my video? If you have any ideas leave a comment!
 
For more info on this competition and women in media check out:
www.connecther.org
www.film.missrepresentation.org

A Lesson in Flying High

What do you do when someone takes their own life? How do you react when someone who once roamed the same hallways and went through the same day  is no longer there? I didn't know Alexis, but how is it that I was living my life as someone else's life was getting so bad that they went and ended it?

I want to say sorry, I wish so much that I could have been there, I wish I could have held your hand, I wish I could have cried with you through your pain, instead of through your passing.
 
It was all too surreal. Around me people were feeling pain and loss, but I didn't know how to face it. I couldn't feel. I didn't know what to feel. For a couple days I pretended it hadn't happened. But at some point I completely came undone.
 
I learned that the right response isn't to pretend it didn't happen; it is to prevent something like this from happening again. 

A very brave girl I know taught me this. She stood in front of a room full of people and told us Alexis’s story and with strength and courage she told us her own story too. In those five minutes that she spoke she changed me, she made me realize that the kid with the smile isn't  always the happiest. I cried because I wished  I would have known before. Alexis was gone, but the girl who had a similar story was standing before me and changing my life,  and in seeing how far she'd come, I realized that it's never too late.  From now on I'll be there, I'll listen, and I'll hold even the person that appears to be smiling, because you just never know what someone is going through.

If everyone took the time to look beyond themselves and make the life of someone else a little better we could save so many lives.

    Appreciate the people who are in our lives,
    Be there for them not only at their highest points, but also at their lowest times,
    Tell someone who can get them help,
    and Love them even on the days you think they don't deserve it,
    because that day could make all the difference.

These are the lessons I've learned from Alexis.

Loss can sometimes teach us more than life. I've changed and grown through this along with so many others. I would really like to hear what you have to say, share what you’ve learned and  how you’ve changed  by commenting on this post. It's up to each of us as individuals to prevent things like this from happening again.

Thanks and with love, Summer 

October Life

This October I have been on the go non-stop! So, yeah… sorry I haven’t posted in a while! These past few weeks have had me running faster and longer than Forest Gump (!!!), and I’m finally starting to slow down.

This month has been off the charts. I’ve had demands thrown at me from all aspects of my life; school, work, family, and friends. On top of all that, this month was PSAT testing and Homecoming. And I still had to find  time to check my Instagram and watch the latest on Vine (an essential part of the day)!  You must understand I was running on only 5hrs of sleep a night, caffeine was fueling my veins. But I’m sure I was not the only one. This is the average life of a high-schooler, we are the ones that made “the struggle”, “real”. So Moms’ and Dads’ cut us a brake and stop complaining because at least you are bringing back the money after your long day...AM I RIGH!?!?

I’m just glad to say I have  made it through this month alive.  As this October comes to an end, I am kicking it back , eating lots Halloween candy, and just having fun. And here’ s how…

7 Things to do this Halloween Season!

1. Cuddle up in front of a bonfire with the best. (Don't  forget marshmallows)

 @12katelyn1

2. Go to a party and dance like no one is watching

@dizzyizzy1

3. Support your schools football team go full out! (paint your face, make shirts, sit in the crazy part of the stands) 

@kimbaaaa__

4. Make a Halloween costume and trick-or-treat (your never to old)

@helenahjoerringgaard

5. Host a Scary movie marathon!!!

6. Go out and listen to a local band

@xozoeraexo

7. Scream your way through a haunted house (don’t be stupid and drop your phone in there…like I did)

@maddiegriffin101010

…

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! XOXO

The Unplugged Life

 

                                                                                                        Photo By Nyoin

                                            

Since Friday I've been unplugged. NO PHONE, NO COMPUTER,  NO BLOGGING, Nada. According to my mom I had become a little obsessed with the whole blogging thing, I was going to bed at 1 o'clock at the earliest, and I was becoming crabby. So, she made me quite cold turkey, told me to “relax”!
 
My time is over (I now have my phone and computer back) and I am glad to announce I have survived!
 
And not only did I survive, I feel good, rested, refreshed, centered. I have a new perspective on things. Next time I might even do the complete unplugged detoxification. By complete I mean no TV (I was "relaxing" by watching Netflix) and no cheats (I used the house phone to make calls)hehe!
 
For those of you reading this, you should try it before summer ends! You may find yourself connected in a whole other way ;)

In That Moment…

 

SHOW SOME LOVE!

It’s Ok…

I am a person that is driven. There are things I want to do, places I want to go. I have this apt sense of the future, it’s what I live for, to reach my goals and dreams.

But there is a part of me, a gray area, an inner critic, the ego. I am my worst enemy, always telling me what to do, what not to say, telling me that I'm not doing enough, judging, comparing, and devouring the full potential that is me.

They say identifying your problem is the first step to recovery, which means I've started the processes of getting rid of this critic. It’s one of the main things that I've been working on in my life. Sometimes just as I feel like I'm growing and becoming more centered, I find myself thrown into a new situation where I am swallowed up, chewed and spit out – “two steps back” as they say.

This aspect that I'm trying to get rid of can be described and seen in so many ways. It’s the thing that keeps me from expressing, asking for what I want, loving another, saying what I need to say; it makes me self conscious, it causes fear,  it tells me I’m limited even though I know I’m infinite, it controls me.

But every time I have an experience where I am able to take control and silence my critic, I know that growth is happening. I build strength, confidence, like an immunity. Even writing this post proves to myself that I'm getting somewhere. I’ve had beautiful people in my life be my teachers; my parents, uncles and aunts, siblings, and friends. And I know with out a doubt I’ll be completely free to be fully me, in time.

I guess I'm just telling myself as well as others that may be going through this too, its ok. It takes time to fully understand yourself,  and find your own way, but know that in this moment you are what you are, and that ok.

 

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The Light

   

In the beginning there was simply I

I was a light, a light so bright, and so vibrant, so unexplainable, that it couldn’t even be recognized

This light was placed among those that would not, could not distinguish it

And so the light itself forgot that it was a light

In this limiting belief its light began to dim

The light restricted and constrained itself to the area of the conformed, square, box of those around it

The light continued this way through life

But every once in a while it would find itself, sparking, igniting

And the light knew, somehow, it was more…

Everything the light did, every person the light encountered, every experience the light had, would make the light more conscious to its true state

Positive events caused the light to radiate and negative events would cast a shadow causing the light to glow

You see, the things that happened, good and bad; they all had one purpose, and that was to allow the light shine

The light continued this way through life

And the more it became aware, the more it had the ability to spark the light in others

And all around, more and more, conformity was broken down, boxes were no more, and everywhere there was light

I realized and understood it was indefinable, limitless

I was once again pure light

And the world was boundless.

 

Written By: Summer O.