The Top Ten of January

So last night, as I was waiting for the bus to pick me up from the library, I was told that someone enjoyed my Top Ten blog posts. They had a brilliant idea for me to do one every month, and I loved it so here is January’s! I also know that many of you are just dying to get me valentines day gifts, so now is your chance!

10. My Windows

So I am not quite sure what was going through my head last semester, but I never realized I could open my bedroom window blinds in my apartment until January. Before you all question me - it is because I first tried it with my broken blind and it fell on top of me and I guess I was too nervous to try it again. Don’t worry because I got over that fear and managed to open the other two blinds (I did very much also try the defective one again, and it did fall on me once again). Although I have one of the most mundane views you could imagine, it brings some light into my room (and exclusives into my neighbor’s kitchens if I look for long enough lol).

9. Lemonade + Oatmeal Pie Ice Cream from Ben And Jerry’s Prudential Center

I am someone that absolutely loves running errands on my own and exploring the city by myself. I find it entertaining and peaceful. During the last weekend of January, I had to replenish some essentials because they had run out from the semester prior. I asked around to see if anyone was free which, unfortunately, no one was, and went to the city! After I was done, I found this little Ben and Jerry’s cart that I was dying to try a week before, but it was closed. Without trying any of these flavors, I chose these two and sat by myself at a table surrounded by people with their friends and family around me. It might be weird to some to sit and eat ice cream alone, but my mouse moment was a lovely experience. I encourage everyone to go and eat their favorite dessert by themselves.

8. My Mocktails

Now that I know I have the capabilities to be an excellent bartender, you best believe that I will be bringing these drinks out at every party going forward. I feel like drinking is the epitome of fun in college, and I really wanted people to enjoy my place while still staying true to who I am. Not to toot my own horn, but I got a lot of great feedback on it, so let me know if you want my recipes. The drinks included were a: Mint Mojito, Yellow Pecker, and a Cranberry Sangria. Yum. Did have some help tho - Thanks, Tara <3.

7. Vegamour Scalp Detoxifying Serum

I usually am good with saying no to sales associates when they are persistent I buy something I know I do not need. Imagine this, I am at Sephora browsing through the different shampoos and conditioners to find the one I want to try when I overhear a woman saying her partnership with this brand called Vegamour. Instantly I am like I will not trust her if she tries to sell me any product from them. Conventinelty, she taps me on the shoulder and asks me if I need any help. I know I could have said no, but I asked her about the Oaui dandruff shampoo because of my psoriasis, and needed to know if it was a good purchase. Of course, she pulled me away from that and put this (vegamour) serum in my hand to try. As I was about to put it away she was very insistent on why I needed to buy it and even gave me a free bamboo comb to incentivize my purchase. At this point, I am like you know what I will just browse around with it and give it to the cashier to put it away. Good plan - except I forgot and only noticed when I got home. The moral of the story, I ended up trying it and absolutely love it so kudos to the Sephora worker that helped.

6. Lafco Candles

Like most of you (I hope), I love candles! It is because of my appreciation for them that I can confidently say that every candle is not the same. Earlier this year, I tried this candle company sourced from New York City. I do not know what they put into it, but it has become my favorite candle shop ever. Their scents are heavenly and unique. If it were not for the price I would gladly purchase hundreds! If you are ever in the area, you should really check them out and get me one too :)

5. My Nails

I usually only get my nails done for important occasions. I knew my birthday was coming up and I wanted to try something new, so I tried the almond shape acrylic nail. Despite being really late to the whole trend, I really like how they look and their durability. I have had these on for probably three weeks now and they are just now starting to grow out. I have another occasion coming up so I will indeed be going back to the nail salon and getting these touched up! Consider me addicted.

4. Terra

If you enjoy going to restaurants with a beautiful ambiance then I think you would really like this place. There really is not much to do in Boston, so I love trying new restaurants around the city. While I would not say that this is my favorite restaurant in Boston ever, it has a great atmosphere that almost everyone could enjoy. The food was also high quality and different. I had never tasted anything like the pasta I had there, which usually is a bad thing but here it was pretty good! The only way I could possibly describe it was like eating olive-flavored pasta. Up to you to try it for yourself!

3. SASA Dance Practice

When I was younger, I always wanted to be put into dance. Instead of telling my mom, I would wait until she left the house, put dynamite on youtube, and dance my little heart out. I am sure I could find some of those photos, but those will probably never be shared on the internet. Anyways, Culture Show is always an exciting time and I love seeing everyone’s faces at the end of the day. The show is on Feb 24th so mark your calendars now to see all the hard work all our members have put in.

2. Birthday Roses From Mom

For those who do not know, I am indeed a Capricorn and my birthday is in January. Fun fact, I always desired to be born in the summer or spring because I thought those months were more remarkable, but you know January has never brought me anything but joy. Each year, my mother always managed to get me the one thing I did not even know I needed. I once wrote about how meaningful it was to have flowers in my home and seeing those in my apartment from someone that means the world to me made me smile every day. Now, they are unfortunately dead, but their photo remains to be a prized possession until then.

1.Genuine Kindness

Kindness can come in two forms: genuine and ingenuine. I have become pretty good at determining which is which. It is not always about what they say but how they say it. There have been multiple instances where I have had the opportunity to experience both. When it is genuine you will most often be able to have that feeling for a while. I stay true to always showing people the utmost kindness until they cross an unforgivable boundary, and I hope you do too!

With Love, Fiza Usman