The 10 Worst Things People Do During Finals

By Alicia Thomas, SparkNotes.com

We all have pet peeves. But during Finals Week, our hatred for minor offenses like slow-walking, lip-smacking and vocal fry increases exponentially. Here are a few of the majorly annoying things that people do during finals—think of thy neighbor!




Chewing their gum loudly. I swear on Katniss's bow, if I hear you crack a bubble against the roof of your mouth one more time, I will hurl my pencil at your forehead like it's a target board.
Tapping their toes incessantly. I am not at your fifth grade dance recital, anxiously awaiting your tap routine to "Annie." Either start singing about how the sun will come out tomorrow or keep your feet firmly planted on the ground.

Cracking their knuckles. It starts a chain reaction, you know that, right? First you're doing it, then the guy in the row behind you is doing it, and pretty soon you can't hear yourself think because your ears are ringing with a chorus of tendons snapping over bones. JUST DON'T, OKAY?!

Yawning. We were all awake until 4 a.m. studying for this final. Much like knuckle-cracking, yawning is contagious. But this one is worse because if I catch you yawning, and the next person yawning, and the next and the next and the next, I WILL EVENTUALLY START YAWNING and then my brain will lose oxygen and I'll fail the test and it'll be all your inconsiderate fault. So just stifle it.

Tapping their pencils against their desk. Keep the percussion for the Stomp touring show and/or Anna Kendrick's "Cups."

Not bringing a pencil. Dude. You had ONE job. Bring a #2 pencil to fill in the bubbles and write your essay. Don't spend the five minutes before the exam asking every single person in the room if they have a spare pencil, because we'll all loathe you for your unpreparedness and wish Fs upon you.

Freaking out right before the exam... "Ohmygod, I'm totally going to fail, I definitely didn't study enough, what am I going to do with my life, I don't even know how to flip burgers... " JUST STOP. We're all having the same internal freak-out, but we're polite enough not to verbalize it and get everyone else all worked up. So just bite your nails, stare at the clock, and concoct your backup life plan as a Thai kayak instructor like the rest of us.

... or acting super cool and nonchalant. "Oh, yeah, we have a final today, don't we? I totally didn't study. I haven't studied all year and I've gotten As. I'm sure I'll be fine." GOOD FOR YOU. I'm not sure when outright laziness and academic apathy became a trend, but it's even uglier than Crocs.

Reading the questions to themselves under their breath. Sorry that you're not the greatest at reading, but I don't need to hear Parseltongue while I'm trying to focus. In your head, please.

Finishing in five minutes. This is the mother of all offenses. If you finish a final that takes the rest of us a full hour in just five minutes, you have officially succeeded in making us all look really stupid. Once you skip out the door, keep skipping.

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That last one is my BIGGEST pet peeve!! When someone gets-up and finishes while I'm struggling and barely half way done. UGH! Go be smart somewhere else!
Any who, I hope Ryan and this funny article helped with your finals!
I had 5 finals this time around. Let's just say the odds were def not in my favor.....

BEST OF LUCK!

Stay Classy,
Jayy

Get Glam'd this Season with Sseko Designs + 31 Bits!

'Tis the holiday season with an Ultimate Glam Gift Set from fabulous accessory lines of Sseko and 31 Bits! One lucky lady will receive a 31 Bits Woven Delight necklace & bracelet, Sseko Designs' glam Expresso clutch and Sseko Designs' glam sandal. Only one winner will be chosen and it could be you! Click HERE for the chance to win! Entries will close December 4th at 11:59 PST! 

I did a feature on 31 Bits here where I talked about the organization's passion for fashion along with the passion for empowering women in Uganda to rise above poverty. Sseko has a similar mission- to generate income for high potential, talented women in Uganda to further their future by the girls in their program going to a university. By creating these beautiful accessories, 31 Bits and Sseko Designs are using fashion to provide better opportunities for the women in Africa. 

Photos from Ssekodesigns.com

Go out this Holiday season dressed in chic accessories that are not only stylish, but are also for a extraordinary cause! Check out www.SsekoDesigns.com for more information on their awesome project! Xoxo, Jayy

adidas by Stella McCartney

Designer Stella McCartney introduced her Spring/Summer 2014 collection "adidas", which adds to the Adidas brand female workout gear for the stylish performer. This line includes everything from clothing and swimwear to footwear to fanny-packs (yay!) in solid bright colors and fun, funky prints. 
As an athlete, it is lovely to see a high-fashion designer create a line for the avid woman who workouts and who still wants to be stylish! 

Photos from Nydailynews.com, Refinery29.com, and m.adidas.com 

Representing sports such as tennis, running, yoga, golf, and swimming, McCartney came with her A game to fill a void in the female sport apparel industry. I am looking forward to sporting McCartney's new gear! Hurray for the active, stylish women! Thanks, Stella.

XOXO,

Jayy

Religion and Rhymes: How hip-hop and Christianity are crossing paths

“Pac was like Jesus/ Nas wrote The Bible.” These lyrics by J. Cole from his album “Born Sinner” bring up questions of religion in rap music.

This summer, multiple albums released with elements of lyricism and culture heard over the radio. Hip- hop and Christianity are noted as polar opposites; but, listeners could not avoid the religious references with many of the albums remixing Christian terms and Biblical allusions into their lyrics, bringing to question the motives of many hip-hop artists.

On J. Cole’s “Born Sinner” album released in June, the words "Born sinner, opposite of a winner" echo through the song “Villuminati”. Similarly, rapper Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping track “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” from album “Good Kid M.A.D.D. City” released in 2012.

It rhymes: “I am a sinner, who is probably going to sin again/ Lord forgive me, Lord forgive me things I don’t understand.”

Lyrics, such as these, have raised the question of hip-hop artists using religious contradictions in their songs. One moment they could be praising God and the next using foul and vulgar language. 

Hit single “Amen” from Meek Mill’s album "Dreams and Nightmares" is a perfect example of “religious contradiction”. The song’s hook in itself is said to be mocking the church: “There’s a lot of bad bitches in the building, Amen!”

After the track’s release, Mill responded to much criticism about the song’s crudeness and association with religion. He was even asked to apologize and repent by a Philadelphia pastor. In an interview with BET’s “106 & Park”, a music video show, Mill defended himself against the church.

“No preacher, no church approve of any rap music […] ‘cause rap music period, there’s a lot of bad stuff that’s being said. But at the end of the day, it’s real life,” he said.

G.N.O.

There will be laughs, there will be tears -hopefully only from laughing too hard-, and there will cute outfits indeed: It's Girl's Night Out!
Here are a couple looks that are BOLD, unique, and have confidence as their main accessory.

Date Night! by justjayyl featuring wedding jewelry

I think I am convinced that grey/yellow (or grey/neon) is my new fav color combination! The colors are so opposite, but compliment each other so well. This is a way to spice up a simple dress, by simply adding a pop of color!

Pretty in Pink by justjayyl featuring wedge shoes

Black/White/Hot-pink is a classic combination for the night time. Live it up in this cute black and white dress;I love the black lining on the sides to slim your hips! I imagine this outfit with a high bun hairstyle, anyone else?

XOXO,
Jayy

Back to School, Back to Fashion

It's that time again. Time to start setting our alarm clocks to get up and get dressed for school! Oh yeah, and learn some stuff too...

Red hot fall fashion by justjayyl featuring a long wear lipstick

I love this look! (I have everything shown here in my closet) The pop of red really is the statement and focal point of this outfit. Paired with these Target cheetah flats, it really mixes it up. LOVE!

Minnie Loves you by justjayyl featuring a black purse

Minnie Mouse crew-neck sweatshirt + striped leggings + Converse high-tops + sequence clutch = perfect Fall outfit for class!


Stay classy and stay fashionable this school year!!
XOXO,
Jayy

Free your mind & the rest will Follow

This is the Vanity Fair adaptation of the infamous Proust Questionnaire. These questions originated as a 19th-century parlor game popularized by contemporaries of French essayist and novelist, Marcel Proust, who believed that an individual's answers reveal his or her true nature.

I hope that I can look back on this many, many years later and answer some of these differently after living more, but until then, as a nineteen-year-old, here are my answers today:



What is your idea of perfect happiness? To love and be loved.

What is your greatest fear? Death before fulfilling all that I want to do in this life.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Oprah, does that count?

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Over-thinking.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Ignorance.

What is your greatest extravagance? Shoes and clothes.

What is your favorite journey? My journey for the pursuit of happiness.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Fame.

On what occasion do you lie? About boys...to myself and to others.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I've been saying "dope" a lot lately.

What do you dislike most about your appearance? As a young girl, I would've said my skin color; today, I would probably say my nose...but who am I to judge God's work of art?

What or who is the greatest love of your life? My family and basketball--both have taught me so many things that make me who I am today.

When and where were you happiest? When all of my family comes together, there's no feeling like it.

Which talent would you most like to have? To be able to play the piano.

What is your current state of mind? Confusion and wonder.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? Nothing at all.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being a student-athlete at a great university.

Where would you like to live? Somewhere that I can prosper and progress...in a downtown loft.

What is the quality you most like in a man? Loyalty.

What is the quality you most like in a woman? Strength.

What do you most value in your friends? Honesty.

Who are your favorite heroes of fiction? Jean Louise Finch and Batman.

Who are your heroes in real life? My father, my grandmother Gigi, and Oprah.

How would you like to die? Painless.

What is your motto? "Everything happens for a reason."

Epiphany

 

Photos By: Liz Maniulit (@ebmaniulit)

Make-up by: Leticia Campaz (@lusciosletty_)

Styled by: Me! (@justjayyl)

Model: Erica Foster (@crazyfoya)

This photo shoot was so much fun to do! The photos turned out beautiful! Simply wonderful people to work with.

After this shoot, it really opened my eyes on how much I have a passion for styling and everything fashion. My adrenalin was high the whole time! I truly love this and now I think it's certain that this is what I want to do for my career.

Have a great rest of your Sunday!

XOXO,

Jayy

After a while...

Photo by: Riley Fields

"After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises, 

And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child, 

And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight. 

After a while you learn…
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. 

And you learn that you really can endure…
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth…
And you learn and learn…
With every good-bye you learn."

          -Veronica A. Shoffstall

XOXO,
Jay

Dove's Real Beauty Campaign.

I know I am a little late on this, but I still love this campaign so much.

See a difference? LOVE THE SKIN YOU'RE IN!

Did anyone tell you you were beautiful today? No? You're beautiful just the way God made you! Always remember that :)

Xoxo,
Jayy

Night Owls

Photos By: LIZ; follow her on Instagram!

What's summer without spontaneous midnight photo shoots with some of your best friends and ending the night with pancakes from Denny's!? My good friends since high school, Liz and David, have made my summer so eventful thus far with these adventures that consists of laughter, smiles, and deep talks. Love them with all my heart...

*Forever21 leggings* *Thrifted crewneck sweatshirt* *Converse shoes*

What adventures have you been on this summer? Are you creating memories that will last a lifetime? WELL, START! 

xoxo,

Jayy

A Couple of Forevers

Look, I don't know why exactly I've been avoiding writing. It is apart of me that I cannot shake, no matter how hard I try. I think the fear lies in what I'd actually write about; trying to avoid writing is my mind trying to avoid feelings. My emotions have strapped in the front-row seat of a roller-coaster; who knows how I'm feeling... (I'll give you a hint, I have no clue.)

Look, I'm just this one girl who is boppin' around not knowing which way is up, trying to live life to its fullest. I've come to realize that I am so young, yet too old for f[l]ake friends and wishing on 11:11. However, never ever too old for Spongebob and various other cartoons that I watch on a daily basis...moving on... feelings get my mind wondering off into "ain't nevah gunna happen" land and it takes forever & a day to get back from there. That's why I tend to block them out, which blocks out writing, which makes me miss writing, which makes my feelings overload and makes me write a rant (like this).

Look, all I'm saying is...well, what I'm trying to say here is...Ok OK the point of this blog post is...hmmmm, I'm not entirely sure. Shoot, I'm entirely sure about anything. So like, will I ever know anything? The question that will forever remain unanswered...

XOXO,
Jayy

Never Forget that Midnight in Paris.

"But Paris was a very old city and we were young and nothing was simple there, not even poverty, nor sudden money, nor the moonlight, nor right and wrong nor the breathing of someone who lay beside you in the moonlight.” - Ernest Hemingway

I swear it, the best/life-changing movies I watch by myself late at night. Anyone else? Just me? Ok...

My first week of summer vacation included a late night movie sesh--a double feature! Paris has been on my mind, as I hope to be there this time next summer. Then, as I am flipping through the channels, I see Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris. It was mesmerizing. Allen captured everything about Paris that makes it beautiful, unique, artsy, and the city to find love. The tactic to have the characters go back in time was just fascinating--I didn't want it to end!! But, it had to. Nevertheless, I fell even more in love with the idea of myself in Paris. "The countdown has begun!" I whispered to myself, with eyes glued to the TV. As the romantic music played as the credits rolled, I just knew I will be there next summer.

THEN, something even more remarkable happened: Forget Paris was coming on next. Billy Crystal's 1995 Rom-Com began to play and there she was again; The beautiful city that I had fell in love with just an hour earlier, I was falling in love with again! Paris, love, basketball, and Billy Crystal's impeccable comedic timing all wrap into on of my new favorite films. Ahhh, I love the love in that movie.

No More Tears.

" Maybe you're only alloted a certain amount of tears per man; and I've used mine up." -Carrie Bradshaw, Sex in the City

I have to keep telling myself the following: You're strong, you're courageous, & you're right.
These words aren't easy to utter; nevertheless, they need to be said, repeated, and believed. I have come a long way, you know. I not to sure how December Jordan could've handled this, but May Jordan is doing great-- I'm so proud of her.

Follow me on Twitter: @JustJayyL

I've heard people tell me that I am wise beyond my years. I agree, yet I will only get wiser with time. I am growing into a more realistic person rather than living in a fantasy as I used to be.
LIFE IS HARD. There is no reset buttons, no extra lives, no re-dos, or no easy buttons. BUT what I have also learned is that there is still so much more ahead of me: the good, the bad, and the unfortunate ugly---It all lies ahead. Not saying that what is happening in the present isn't worthy, but will it be this big of a deal in five years? one year? next week? tomorrow?

Love yourself, value yourself, and trust yourself and all that you stand for, the rest will all work itself out.

xoxo,
Jayy

Vera Wang Bridal: Spring 2013

I love everything about this collection--the non-traditional silhouettes to the fact that not one of this a shade of white. Vera Wang's boldness is so inspiring to me..I'm in love.

 

        

"The key is falling in love with something, anything. If your heart's attached to it, then your mind will be attached to it. When you have a passion for something then you tend not only to be better at it, but you work harder at it too." -Vera Wang

This, I Believe.

On a Mission to Pursue Happiness

   I believe that happiness comes from within. Some may argue that they have not found happiness yet or are in continual search. Some say that happiness is a choice and it could come at any given time. Happiness is a nine-letter epithet that tends to be reconciled with smiling and laughter. However, happiness can be merely pure contentment with one’s self and one’s life. Having my brother and sister home for Christmas after foregoing a long time away seemed as close to happiness as one could get. Surrounding each other as a family—a whole family— just seemed right. As if that light that was happiness seemed to dim as each of them began to board that plane doubt then crept within. Doubt of the fact that happiness isn’t here to stay; doubt that despite all the troubles I am going through, that sheer moment of content will never come again; doubt that maybe happiness isn’t meant for me.

            The simplicity of it all is that happiness is destined to be continual and that we are all destined for happiness. Each night that I poured out my feeling onto my journal’s lined pages, I sometimes end in the wee hours of the morning with tears rolling down my face, sometimes a smile, or sometimes a yawn. However,every single time I write in that journal, ever since I received it as a gift three years ago, I sign, “love always, Jordan Ligons…On a mission to pursue happiness”. Despite the fact that some nights I despise myself for accumulating the words on the paper because “happiness” seemed unattainable but I knew, for a cold hard fact, that one day, one day I would be happy; content;peaceful; satisfied; no one to compare myself to and nothing more to need. Happiness. Real happiness. Happiness is purely a journey, not a destination. Each journey starts with a single step and continues one step at a time. This, I truly believe.         

xoxo,
Jayy