November
is a stressful time of year for those of us studying. It marks the end of
midterm season, most due-dates of major essays and assignments, the eerie knowing
that exam season is just around the corner, and (in the case of 4th years) the
scramble to complete Grad School applications in a timely fashion. As I've
said in a previous post, the unknown of where you will be in under a year is a
nerve-racking thought – though it has been my reality since a young age, I’ve
never fully grown accustomed to the idea.
Unlike
the exciting applications from high school to undergrad (the elevating feeling
of finally becoming ‘somewhat adult), I’ve found applying to a Master’s program
significantly more nerve-wracking. With acceptance rates as little as 2% in
some cases, it has been a tense couple of worry-filled nights and nauseous
hours spent in library corners. Juggling exams, assignments, composition
portfolios, essays, and dreaded personal statements has never sounded remotely enjoyable,
though it’s definitely a lot worse than I ever anticipated. A new unknown, a new uncertainty of what is to
come (both in the next few months and under a year), a new uncertainty of where
I will be (mentally and physically, if you dare), and what grad school will be
like (if you can answer this last question, please do let me know!).
As
I sit on my couch, sick from both stress and a slight cold, looking over photos
from the summer holiday, I do not have a feeling of relaxation in the slightest
(usually something that always happens when going over old shots of pleasant
times). Rather, (during a case of personal-statement-writers-block) I’ve found
they’ve made me feel considerably more erratic than before. My days are planned
out to the last minute, from the moment I wake up to the 20 minute lunch I consume
on the way from class to a library corner, to my evening shower. Yet still, I’ve
found myself wishing there were more hours in a day to finish everything on my
to-do list. I’m dreading December 1st (deadlines) but subsequently exceptionally
cheerful for the idea of both seasonal and accomplished assignments bliss.
Background
on these shots – they were taken at the beautiful “My Little Paris LA” Airbnb
during my road trip. I stayed at this pretty spot for about a week and a half.
The photos truly don’t give the atmosphere and decorations of the Parisian
style spot justice. If you watched my snap chats during the trip (username is
xmouna) you probably also noticed how much I had been eating. Beautiful
breakfasts (sample, sample, and sample), brunches, lunches, and pretty desserts usually consisted of one or
two elements from Bottega Louie – a stunning Italian restaurant and patisserie with treats as beautiful as they are delicious just a few blocks away from my then home (all pretty pastries at this tea party are from there). Also, they have Nutella stuffed beignets. Yah.
And now, back to the grind. Ciao!
Dorothy Perkins Dress | Style&co Heels | Tommy Hilfiger Watch