Ten Things I Wish I Had More Time For...

So this entry is inspired by the latest platica we had in our HAU meeting, so I really wanted to reflect and maybe give myself a little reminder of what I really want to be doing... so here it goes

1. Sleep
Need I say more...14 hour days at school and homework after that doesn't leave room for many ZZZ's

2. Working Out
I was so excited when I bought these dance work out videos I could do in the privacy of my own room but if you revert back to number 1, not too much left for dancing away the pounds...Winter Break here we come!

3. Singing
My new discovery of Glee has reverted me back to my high school days loving show choir and belting it out like the diva that I am, need to find more opportunities to showcase it.

4. Reading for pleasure
So many good books out there that are OUTSIDE of my curriculum.

5. Writing
Updating my blog, poems, lyrics, my upcoming book, pages and pages are just waiting to be released into the world from my mind to paper.

6. Watching Movies
I used to make it a habit of collecting movies, until i realized I had far too many that were still in its original packaging because I hadn't watched them yet. Soon enough I'll continue adding to my stack.

7. Having more lunch dates with friends/ phone dates with long distance friends
I think this whole "being insanely busy thing" has really had me more disconnected with the world than ever, I'm happy when I'm with my friends :)

8. Hanging out with my fam[ily]
My sister, my nieces and nephews, my cousins, my mom...etc. hopefully they can come out to my neck of the woods too...

9. Actually looking up all the words I've highlighted that I don't know
When I read in Spanish I highlight words I don't know the meaning of with the intent of looking them up to increase my vocabulary, I want to make an official list to have to refer back to.

10. Laundry
Self explanatory haha

Thanks for reading :) Feel free to ponder and think of what you feel is missing and make your own list. Comments are always appreciated :)

~Cat

Nothing in Life is Free

I hadn't realized how long it has been since my last posting, not a great start for someone who wants to blog regularly, but I guess life (and by life i mean school) has taken the fast lane, with far and few stops in between.

These past few weeks have been pretty overwhelming with 6 classes, a part time job, being president of 2 organizations (each with its own dynamics and deficiencies, I've been trying really hard to find the balance I need. The motivation that even though I'm exhausted (mentally and physically) to still keep on and finish that reading assignment for the next class that is going to come much too quickly. Slowly but surely it's coming to me, but this final year of undergrad is definitely whipping me into better shape than I intended.

I sometimes find myself pondering why I jump through these hoops and make life a little more complicated, but I know that is the exact thing that is going to make me come out on top and be a better person. I tried the simple route before and all that came of it was a bored and depressed Cathy. So no more limits just reaching for the sky.

So many new doors have opened to ideas that I hadn't totally considered, but are looking more like possible realities. I'm applying to go to Spain as an ambassador for next year then looking for universities to do my Masters Degree there, but if that doesn't work out perhaps I'll go for Teach for America, or something else that has recently more clearly come into my sight is Law School. After a fantabulous banquet/ awesome networking opportunity I went to this is may be a feasible option for me. Not knowing exactly what is going to go on in my life is kind scary but I guess in that lies the adventure.

To those who have judged me and think I'm living the easy life, it may be time to put on your glasses and realize that nothing in life is free, and though I have been fortunate I have earned my place.

Until next time (hopefully sooner than later)...

<3 Cat

~Comments are always appreciated~ :)

I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss...and a prince I'm hoping comes with it...

Hey Everyone!

So I've survived the first week of classes for my last year of undergrad. It's gonna take some getting used to getting up earlier since I'm not living on campus any more, and I have to take the bus, but it's not that bad in time I'll be a pro. I definitely have a full plate this semester, and a few bumps in the road already, but I have to keep my eye on the prize, in May I'll have my B.A. and be ready (or sorta ready) to take on the world!

As far as the title of this blog, it was the inspiration for pretty much the topic of this entry. The past two nights I have succumbed to watching first "The Wedding Date" and then "Enchanted," and although these movies are really cute, I can't help but feel a tinge of sadness at the end when they walk off into the sunset with their happily ever after, cause it reminds me that I'm without a duet.

Now, I know what you're thinking... "You don't need anyone"..."You're still in school, its better that you're single"..."You're young just have fun, don't worry about those things"..and any other phrase in the same vicinity. And the truth is I find myself saying these phrases to myself whenever that shadow of loneliness is following me.

I am aware of the fact that I have so many dreams and aspirations that are yet to be accomplished, and sharing my life with someone may mean a block in the road for those dreams to come to life. I also know that I am super busy and a relationship right now is pretty out of the question because in order for it to have a chance to be successful time needs to be put into that relationship for it to grow.

All of these thoughts are my brain saying "Cathy be logical, now is not the right time for a boyfriend, keep your eye on the prize." My heart seems to have a different plan though, human nature is taking over and making my heart year for companionship, it wants to have someone to call and say goodnight to, to have someone to hold hands with, to have someone and feel a deeper connection.

But alas, here I am alone writing this blog on a Saturday night. For over a year I have not really bothered with any romantic type relationships, but now I think my heart is noticing and really getting to the point where it's sort of like "Cathy you're overdue, time for a date" lol

So I don't know where the next few months (or years) will lead on this subject, I know I have to be patient, and it will come at the time is right, but somebody tell my heart that on those quiet nights... I'm sure I haven't seen my last romantic comedy, but I think maybe next time we'll try to pick something with action.

Thanks for reading, Comments are always appreciated :)

~Cat

Rosemary Clooney- But Not For Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaEICfneRF0

Mi Epiphany :)

Hey hey :)

The school year has started, and I'm back grounded in the 818. As I was getting ready this morning, putting mousse in my much too long (but I want to grow it longer) hair so that it would be more on the "curly" side instead of the "poofy" side, I had an epiphany. I am going to write a book :) I was day dreaming back to when I went to the Latina History Day Conference as a Latina to Watch honoree, and I was thinking of one of the many great women I met that day, Michele Serros. She is a Latina author, who has traveled on many paths of life, but despite all of the people who told her she was crazy with all her big dreams, she's an established author, and wonderful motivational speaker. At that conference I bought her book How to Be A Chicana Role Model (pictured below)





In this book, the stories were so funny I read the book every chance I got (In between all of hard core text books I was reading for school of course ;) ) As I read, I felt that the tone that Michele uses, would be the same way I would tell a story, or react to a certain situation.

So with all of this floating through my mind this morning, it came to me, if Michele Serros can write a book, then so can I, and who knows maybe one day we'll be sharing our books together at some conference.

I've come up with a great title and tag line that I'm going to with hold for now (I know I'm mean, but I'd rather go into it in a little more detail in a later blog), but I'm really excited about this new can of worms I opened up today.

I still plan on being a great inspirational teacher/professor someday, as well as a part time successful stand up comedienne, along with several other aspiration that my heart has called me to.

Well thanks for reading :) Remember comments are always appreciated <3

~Cat

A New Start

Hey Everyone

So it's been a while since I've kept up a blog, so i figure with a new start, it'll motivate me to keep track of everything that goes on. It's the beginning of the end of my undergraduate career at CSUN. I'm President of University Ambassadors and LUCIA(Spanish Club). Double major in Spanish and Liberal Studies (Elementary Education).

So I hope you join me on this journey, with all my thoughts, feelings, opinions, and adventures through this time as I wrap up this chapter and figure out what the next one is.

So as I write this I'm laying on my bed in my room in my APARTMENT (not dorm) just excited for what's to come.

As of this moments I'm going to try my best to leave my insecurities at the door. I know I am a strong gringa-latina woman with an incredible future ahead of me if I so choose for it to be that way.

So look out real world Cathy Smith (yes I'm a latina with THAT last name) is inching closer to taking you over.

Much love
~Cat

P/S: Comments are always greatly appreciated :)