Laura Teagan's Blog, page 34

Little Tidbits

1. I've had an obsession with British Royalty. I'm not talking bout Wills and Kate, even though they're super adorable. Nope, I'm talking about people like Henry VIII and his six wives. I could name every single wife, the fate and the years she was so unhappily wed to Henry. This obsession has existed since elementary school and I'm not even sure how it got started.2. Country music - all day, every day. Seriously, the only time I ever listen to anything else is if it happens to be Kelly Clarkson or a few Broadway musicals. There's just something I love about a guitar slick and some country twang. 3. Tattoos scare me - I don't know what it is, but (especially with those sleeve ones!) I get super distracted looking at tattoos. I stare at them thinking to myself, ow much did that needle hurt? It's this weird thing that I just can't shake. I'm okay with little tattoos or ones that aren't so overly ridiculous, but will you ever see ink on me? Nope. There's only one tattoo I could ever think of getting, and even then, I'd cry like a baby. 4. I sang at a recital once (when I was four). Chuck Norris was in the audience. And yet I wonder why I'm not an internationally famous singer? 5. In fifth grade, I won first place for UIL Social Studies. 6. I love pillows. I have seven in my bed. 7. For the longest time ever, I hated wearing glasses (I've got some pretty awesome vision - so they're more like reading glasses), but these new glasses I have now? I forget that they're only reading glasses and wear them all day because I think I look awesome in them.8. Because overachiever ought to be my middle name, I'm graduating a semester early - December 2015.9. I'm left-handed, and I'm not the only one in my family. My dad is, and then on the other side of my family, my uncle and cousin both are.10. I hate odd numbers, even though my birthday is 11/17/1993. This number ten is only here so it's all even. 
What are some quirky things about you? 

Little Tidbits

1. I've had an obsession with British Royalty. I'm not talking bout Wills and Kate, even though they're super adorable. Nope, I'm talking about people like Henry VIII and his six wives. I could name every single wife, the fate and the years she was so unhappily wed to Henry. This obsession has existed since elementary school and I'm not even sure how it got started.

2. Country music - all day, every day. Seriously, the only time I ever listen to anything else is if it happens to be Kelly Clarkson or a few Broadway musicals. There's just something I love about a guitar slick and some country twang. 

3. Tattoos scare me - I don't know what it is, but (especially with those sleeve ones!) I get super distracted looking at tattoos. I stare at them thinking to myself, ow much did that needle hurt? It's this weird thing that I just can't shake. I'm okay with little tattoos or ones that aren't so overly ridiculous, but will you ever see ink on me? Nope. There's only one tattoo I could ever think of getting, and even then, I'd cry like a baby. 

4. I sang at a recital once (when I was four). Chuck Norris was in the audience. And yet I wonder why I'm not an internationally famous singer? 

5. In fifth grade, I won first place for UIL Social Studies. 

6. I love pillows. I have seven in my bed. 

7. For the longest time ever, I hated wearing glasses (I've got some pretty awesome vision - so they're more like reading glasses), but these new glasses I have now? I forget that they're only reading glasses and wear them all day because I think I look awesome in them.

8. Because overachiever ought to be my middle name, I'm graduating a semester early - December 2015.

9. I'm left-handed, and I'm not the only one in my family. My dad is, and then on the other side of my family, my uncle and cousin both are.

10. I hate odd numbers, even though my birthday is 11/17/1993. This number ten is only here so it's all even. 

 

What are some quirky things about you? 

 

Goofball. Still.

Somethings never change. And sometimes, the older and older you get, the more you realize you're becoming your mother, she just doesn't have the pictures for comparison. 

Like this picture, I have absolutely no idea what prompted that reaction, but props to Leslie, my photographer gal, for capturing it perfectly. I really want to know what I was staring at! 

That's my "I'm super irritable because I've been awake for 20 hours" face. Gotta love college. 

Over the past year and a few months, I've really had to go to some deep and dark places to learn to love myself as I am. There's always room for improvement, but I won't be happy with improvement if I can't be happy with who I am now. The pictures of me being an absolute goofball, those are just a little piece of the pie of what I have to love. Sure, you can say all sorts of things about me for putting up less than flattering photos, but you know what? A year ago, I wouldn't have been able to do this. The fact that I can embrace myself when I'm not picture perfect? 

Well, that's simply perfect to me. 

Financial Aid

Disclaimer: I do not claim to be an expert on this subject as far as economics go, but I have been in college for two years, so I think I have some wiggle room to talk about this. 

Financial aid. It's the only way many kids can afford college nowadays. And for a kid like myself, the only aid I get is in the form of loans. Loans. Lots of loans. I've been in college for four semesters now and I'm $12,000 in debt. That's not including the out of pocket costs I could afford to pay at the time. No, the $12,000 is just what I owe the government. 

My sophomore year in high school, I remember my English teacher, talking about college tuition. When she went to the University of Texas in the 80's, classes were only $45 an hour's credit because the success of the oil fields allowed the state to put a cap on the amount the students spent. 

Nowadays, that's not the case. It's a vicious cycle. The federal government has decided to get involved, giving huge incentives to those colleges them deem to need it. With more money to give to students, colleges hike up tuition and fees, and students are forced to take out loans or simply not go.

What happened to responsibility? The universities are looking just to make a break. What happened to actually putting time and love and effort into giving kids education? Now, it's simply more about recruiting and more about the money. 

For instance, last year, Sam Houston State University had a referendum to raise fees on the students in exchange for expanding the student center. Our student center is rather small and kind of pathetic and needs to be redone and expanded. While many students (including myself) weren't sold on the bill, but it passed anyways. 

Earlier this year, the expansion was postponed. Why? Too many kids had fees waved, and now, there weren't enough fees to pay for the expansion. The university should have done the math before hand to know whether or not this was a possibility. That was an awful call on the university's part. 

I'm sure this isn't the only instance of stupid planning with money from a university in the country. 

I understand that the university has a lot of expenses, from paychecks for staff and faculty (and student workers) to electricity bills and publicity. But with almost 20,000 paying about $17,000 a year, that means SHSU gets about $340,000,000. Now this is a rough estimate, but still, you're telling me you can't afford to cover the costs of a freaking expansion? Shame on you, SHSU.

And as far as financial aid goes: I'll be close to $20,000 in debt (with loans) from school when I graduate - and I'm graduating a semester early. I don't know the best way to fix this, I don't know if there really is a way to fix this, but there's a few people who I think need to think about it.

Governor Perry and the Texas legislature. You brag about Texas being a great place to live, and I truly believe it is, but how am I supposed to enjoy my livelihood after college if all my spare money goes to pay off three and a half years of college. I don't mind having loans, it's the way of life. What I do mind is that no one seems to really want to have a good, solid fix. 

Our whole country relies on people spending and moving money around. My generation is so buried down in loans, we'll have to pay those and there won't be money to move around. On top of a huge debt in our country, I feel like my generation is already doomed by that. 

Also, President Obama and the United States Congress. I know none of these people will ever see this post, but I hope someone grabs their ears and tells them how much this sucks. Trust me, the future of the country is riding on my generation and peers. You've already made a mess of it for us with financial aid (among other things), now it's time to do something right67 and stop this awful circle of madness. 

Rediscovering Me

Life is about moving, constantly striving to be a better person, at least for me it is. Sometimes, though, I forget about some of the simple things - like, I love pretty planners and I have an obsession with my purple Essie nail polish. Little quirks that make me - me. 

And sometimes, I need to go back to the basics and remember the things that I love. One thing I don't love? Wasting time on unnecessary things. Like two sets of social media accounts. For the longest time, I've had two twitter accounts, two websites and two Facebook pages. One for the blog and one for my writing career. The idea was that the blog was the goofier, "I really am a 20 year old!" Side of me, while the writing accounts were there to portray a more "professional" side.

Well, screw professionalism. Well, okay, don't screw it, but ya know what? I'm only twenty. A year and a half from now, I'll have graduated college and I'll have to be professional all day long. This is one of the last times in my life I shouldn't have to worry about it! 

So, in order to make things a bit easier on me, I decided to just combine everything. So now, there's one twitter account, one Facebook page, one website. And then I changed my social media names. 

Wanna find me online? I'm "limitlesslaurat" which is a nod to another aspect of my life. My Mary Kay team is the "Limitless Ladies" and the Laura T. part is kind of obvious, I hope. It's also a reminder that I can set my mind to anything and accomplish it, another little belief of mine. 

Little Lady Moments

This post is sponsored by Ubykotex, but all thoughts are my own. 

That lovely time of the month. Every woman goes through it several times in her life. I could write a book on the horrors of PMS (maybe I will) and why that one week of the month is absolutely awful. 

We all have our little tricks and goodies we treat ourselves to during that week as we just about die inside. For me? I'm a sucker for chocolate. Only that time of the month and I mean, I eat (almost) the whole bag of Hershey's kisses. I also usually slack on a lot of school work and sleep a lot. Actually, I slack on a lot of things those first couple days, only to panic after I feel better because I can't slack.

But one thing I don't have to worry about? Icky underwear. Okay, I know, it's weird that I'm writing about this, but underwear can be like that perfect fitting bra - you just feel good knowing you've got nice, clean stuff on. No one wants to be dying on the inside knowing that she's ruined yet another pair. 

So, U by Kotex is on a mission to save the undies! Which, as a girl who has lost many pairs to Mother Nature, I'm totally on board with! To help save the undies, Kotex is giving away some free samples? And who doesn't like free? As a college kid, free is my favorite price! 

To get your free samples, click here! What's your secret trick to saving the undies and making sure that time of the month isn't a total bummer? 

TIGF

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Linking up with Ashley every week. 

This week, I'm grateful for simplifying. For a long time I've had two separate Facebook pages, two twitter accounts, two websites: one for blogging and one for writing and my book. Late last night, I decided to simplify everything and combine accounts. Not much will change, maybe the name, probably the design will, and there may be a few vlogs involved with all of this. 

I'm grateful for phone calls with my mom, even when they're less than ten minutes. There's just something nice about talking to someone that isn't on the TV. Someone who responds to what you say.

I'm also grateful for being strong. Monday night, I had a bad depression relapse. I laid in bed and cried myself to sleep for no good reason. I skipped one of my classes Tuesday because I just couldn't focus and felt like crap. But, Tuesday afternoon, I had some strange turn around and picked myself up and got back up. A year ago, I would have never been able to do that myself. 

What are some things are you thankful for this week? 

 

Currently

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Disclaimer: This post features affiliate links.

Shout out to Chrissy at The Pearl Blog for giving me this idea! 

reading: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Writing: The Assassin and this post
Playing: Platinum
by Miranda Lambert
Watching: 19 Kids and Counting - My old roommate got me hooked on this show!
Trying: Not to let myself get into that depression rut again
cooking: lots of chicken nuggets
Drinking: Lots of dr pepper and water
Eating: homemade chocolate chip cookies that my mom made me
Calling: My Sales Director. A lot.
Pinning: lots of blogging ideas, bridal and wedding pictures, and some silly stuff to put a smile on your face.
tweeting: lots of nonsense about Houston weather and hurricanes. I've never lived this close to the coast during hurricane season and the weather nerd in me is a little bit excited.
doing: lots of laying around
Loving: the warm weather after being cooped up in a cold classroom all day
hating: the fact that it's summer and I'm class all day
re-discovering: the basics of my Mary Kay business. Sometimes it's easy to get overwhelmed in the big picture.
enjoying: being done with defensive driving - that stuff was obnoxious
thinking: about everything that needs to be done that's not getting done
Feeling: lonely and excited at the same time. Yes, it's possible.
Missing: Home
hoping for: feeling better today, I've been a bit under the weather this week
Celebrating: well, nothing at the moment
smelling: freshly watched hair
thanking: God for having a good plan about what I want in the next few years
considering: a lot of things?
starting: to think about moving out

back story, pt 5

Three weeks ago, we were finally up to the point where HarperCollins had emailed me telling me my review was on inkpop.  I made my mom read the review before I could, but I was sitting at the computer with her and couldn't wait for her to finish.

 

I was shocked. There were comments about things I hadn't expected - funny how people pick up different things. Granted, there was no offer for publication, but at that point, I didn't think there would be.

 

Overall, I was happy with the review. My parents were too, in fact, for Christmas, they gave me a framed copy of the review and it still hangs on my wall.

 

So, here's the review:

 

You’ve devised a thrilling premise here—the dual lives that Cassie leads, the intrigue of her past, the excitement and daring involved in her profession as a teenage assassin (not to mention that she’s a female assassin!)—all of these elements grab the reader immediately. I think Cassie’s spunky personality and bravado are truly appealing—she is a relatable heroine that the reader will root for, especially considering her checkered past, the misfortune of her parents, her calling to become an assassin as her father was before her, and a destiny that could not be denied. That she is a seemingly everyday teen with boy troubles, mean girl confrontations, cafeteria showdowns, history projects and homework adds to the allure of her secret life. You’ve set this up beautifully and the juxtaposition between Cassie-by-day and her nighttime missions makes for great reading. 

 

The prologue is chilling and a wonderful set-up as you thrust the reader into the action right away, and we witness the gruesome murder of Cassie’s mother by her father. Cassie’s mother’s premonition that her baby is destined to outshine her father in her abilities is one that is haunting. What will become of this poor abandoned child? Flash forward to an outwardly normal high school life, and we learn how Cassie has come to reconcile the person she was meant to be. Her skill in killing, the signature knife through the heart, the suspicions and fame surrounding the identity of The Assassin—all of this allows for action-packed and alluring scenes. Where I would like to see more development is in Cassie’s understanding of her role as assassin—how did she first learn that this was her calling? Was she trained somehow or did it come to her naturally? She has such tremendous confidence in her skills that I think it would help for the reader to better understand how Cassie first learned of and grappled with her fate. It can’t be easy to find out that you were meant to be a killer. Also, in her murder scenes she appears to have no remorse—I understand that each of these intended victims are wrongdoers in some capacity or another, and that she must be professional and detached in order to execute her assassination, but she seems almost too cavalier and relaxed. Also, there seems to be a Robin Hood aspect with respect to her targets—this is interesting, especially in opposition to her evil father and his cruel and unusual work as an assassin. I think this could definitely be developed and fleshed out further.

 

The romance with Seth Edwards delivers palpable chemistry and sexy banter—the way in which she rejects him in spite of herself allows us to see the vulnerable side of Cassie and helps to round out your heroine. I think you could do further work on Seth—why is it that he’s so intent on charming Cassie? His motives, beyond a basic crush, seem unclear. What is the source of Seth’s feelings, and why is he drawn to Cassie in such an intense way?

 

I’m eager to see where Cassie’s hunt for Joe will lead her and how the showdown with her criminal father will play out—all these details allow for a climactic denouement and a captivating conclusion. Bravo for crafting a terrific plot and delivering a gripping story arc!

June Goals

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Summer time is here. Well, not really for me. Summer vacation was May. I'm firmly back in Huntsville for the next month as I work on my classes. July will also have summer classes, but I'll be back at home enjoying the digital side of online classes.

This month, we're on track to finish up our beta work on The Assassin. Yay!! After we finish that, we'll send it off to my lovely editor friend and I'll start it all over again. We're getting so close! It's actually a lot of fun to work with people on my book - to have them invested in it.

I'm also still full speed ahead to head toward DIQ. It'll happen this summer, y'all, I can feel it in my bones. My little Limitless Ladies team will be a strong unit by the end of the year!

June is shaping up to be a BIG BIG month and I'm excited for everything that'll happen.

May Goals:

Kick some booty on my finals


Photoshop Final Projects>


Creative Writing Workshop


D-I-freaking-Q


Post about DIQ


Blog post about financial aide


Blog post about making a book cover


Book Cover


Skin care party for my aunt


Go to Austin


Do ten career phone calls


Keep editing The Assassin


finish The Assassin


Send The Assassin to editor


Cry in anticipation


Begin summer classes


Last student mass


Seminar Registration


Celebrate my brother's 18th birthday!


Really get a hold on my blogging and finding a system that works

June Goals

finish The Assassin

survive ASL four

DIQ blog post

Financial aide blog post

blog post about "The Laura Way"

Become a Start Consultant

Send The Assassin off to the editor

plan out my five year plan and my five year back up plan

pack and move back to Dallas for two months

DIQ, it needs to happen

Drool over that gorgeous director's suit I'm going to be wearing in just a few short months

begin working on a new book while I wait for editor notes, whether it's a totally new idea or the sequel to The Assassin