Leah of the Pack

At Smart Cow today my sister jokingly made a comment about if there was a "Smart Cow Secret Menu" like the ones that people make for Starbucks. Of course there isn't because you get to make your own each time but it made me wonder if there were "secret combinations" that people make. I think I have one and I'm willing to share it.

I love traveling but I hate packing. I'm packing for a vacation that I have been on a few times but I still struggle with what I want to pack. How am I supposed to know what I want to wear in a week? How do I decide which clothes to leave behind? The packing struggle is very real.

I can't believe a week ago was the first day of Work Week. I had such a wonderful time in the south! My only regret is that I didn't come back with an accent. Here are some pictures from the week.

A common thing most college student hear is that being away at college makes you appreciate home and being home makes you appreciate being away at college. Well, being away at a different college makes you appreciate your college even more. After spending some time on a different college campus I realized even more some of the reasons why I love UW-Green Bay. 

So excited for tomorrow because I leave for UCA Staff Work Week! Sorry for lack of posts for these next few days, hopefully I will have lots to talk about when I get back.

Whether you're cruising around town or laying out soaking up the sun, everyone needs a good summer playlist. Of course there is the usual radio tunes that you'll hear all summer but here is what I'll be listening to! It's kind of a mix of older songs, newer songs, and random song I've discovered through Spotify. Sort of a random mix but they are songs that make me think of summer and good times.

• Don’t stress over everything. It wouldn’t be college if you didn’t have at least three papers and a group project all due within the same week. It’s stressful, there’s no doubt about it. It’s easy to find ourselves crumpled in a ball, lying in our beds, near in tears thinking about all we have to accomplish in such short time. Instead of worrying over everything, it’s best to take a step back, take some deep breaths and focus. Makes lists and you will conquer. Write down all that needs to be done and rank it by order of importance or what is due first. Blare your favorite focus music and just get it done. The less time you spend worrying and the more time you spending doing, the happier you will become.
•  The power of a good workout goes a long way. When you do find yourself stressed to no end, take an hour to go to the gym. Hop on the elliptical or run out your frustrations. With power music blasting through your headphones, only focus on the now. Let your mind and body be encompassed in the workout. When you’re done you will feel dead tired, yet rejuvenated and less stressed out.
• We all make stupid mistake but realize it is ok, it happens. Learn from these mistakes so that they don’t happen again. They can be the most important lessons.
• Surround yourself with the best people for you. If you are a negative person, don’t hang out with people that are only going to bring you down. You need friends that will show you positivity and bring out the best in you.
• Realize you are your own source of happiness. Stop with the negative thoughts. It can be really hard, but a positive outlook goes such a long way. If someone is dragging you down, let go of them. You don’t need negativity in your life.
•  It’s okay to want to drink away your sorrows. Sometimes it feels like the best escape seems to be forgetting the world by sharing more than a few shots with your friends.  It’s ok to escape stress by drinking your problems away with your friends as long you as remain responsible. Don’t be afraid to have fun as long as you know when to quit while you’re ahead.
• Be independent. Go out and join new clubs or activities by yourself. You don’t need to be with your friends 24/7. You would be amazed at all the people you can meet when you’re not constantly with your friends. Don’t be afraid to meet new people. A potential new friend is always near. 

With classes ending for me on Thursday, words cannot explain how much I am looking forward to this summer. I have so many great things planned I just know it will be a summer for the books! Here are a few of the reasons I think of to help me get through finals.

1. UCA Staff Work Week: I leave for work week on Sunday and I am so thrilled and nervous and excited. I'm headed to Mississippi for training and I already can tell it is going to be such a fabulous experience, being surrounded with people who have as big of a passion for cheerleading as I do! Heading to the MidSouth I know the talent at work week is going to be out of this world, I hope I can hold my own and represent Wisconsin well. I've been working hard all month long to get the material down! The only thing I am really unsure about is what to wear for the last night, which has a Kentucky Derby theme, because I know I won't be able to fit an amazing derby hat into my carry on.

2. Cruise #9: Well I think it's my ninth. Cruising is our family's favorite type of vacation, always a Disney Cruise, and this year we are headed back to St. Thomas, St. Maartin, and Disney's private island Castaway Cay. Although I've been to these destinations before I have yet to be on Disney's new ship, Fantasy. This vacation has been booked for a year and a half so I have been anxiously counting down the days for awhile. Soaking up the sun with family is a great way to kick start the summer!

3. UCA Staff: I am pumped to begin my summer teaching cheer camps with UCA! It finally felt real after receiving my box of staff uniforms in the mail and learning all the material. Working for UCA is like dream and is such a wonderful opportunity. I can't even begin to explain how excited I am.

4. Social Media Internship: When not busy teaching cheer camps, I'll be back in the bay for my new internship, running the social media for our campus' residence life and housing. I will miss being at home for the summer but I also get to live with one of my very close friends who also has a summer internship in Green Bay. Lots of memories are sure to be made.

Besides these big 4, there are plenty of other reasons to be stoked about the summer!

• Sunshine: Welcome back a nice deep tan, I've missed you! 
• Good weather: Wisconsin has been slacking in the nice temperatures lately, hopefully summer does not disappoint 
• No School: Goodbye homework! 
• Fun with friends
• So many other things! 

Yesterday was a perfect day for a birthday. The sun was shinning,the temperature was nice, which is super rare for Wisconsin right now, and I got to spend it will my wonderful friends. I don't know why but birthdays always make me realize all the special people I have in my life, so to all, thank you for taking the time out of your day to send me a sweet birthday wish and to go out and celebrate with!The best part is my friends made each of us our own cake which is really just the nicest thing ever. t was easily the best part of the day. I am truly lucky to have such great friends. Anyways, here's some pictures just because.

With my birthday being tomorrow I've kinda been doing a lot of thinking about this past year. It really was one fabulous year, many great unforgettable times, awesome new friendships and basically no "ragrets", not even one letter! 19 was a year to remember. But the one things I will change during my year as a 20-year old is to not always feel the need to make other people happy if they don't bring me any happiness in return. I don't mean that in a selfish way. What I do mean is if a person can be counted on to bring more pain than happiness to your life, then they don't deserve a spot in your world. That is what I'm going to focus on in this coming year, because after all we need to create our own happiness and by getting rid of those who don't bring joy then we will be doing so!

Anyways, to commemorate the past year, here are some of my favorite moments of being 19.

 The most amazing trip to Florida with my cousin, aunt and sisters.

So many great things come along with the arrival of spring and one of those are cheerleading tryouts! There is nothing more nerve wracking or exciting as tryout time. I've been to my fair share of tryouts in my current 10 years as a cheerleader and I have picked up many tips along the way. These are in no particular order of importance!

1. Be Outgoing: As a cheerleader, you will be asked to volunteer at many different events, so having a good presence during face to face conversation is important. One way to show that you have a fabulous personality (which you do) is to make friends during tryouts. Don't stand in the corner, go out and get acquainted  with the other girls! Having a few friends during the tryout process will help calm your nerves and it also shows your potential new coach that you are super friendly and are great at getting along with others. And who knows, you might find your potential roommate or future best friend - I did!

2. Look The Part: The coaches and judges are not only judging you on your skills but also taking into consideration how you will reflect the university or school. Make sure to wear your school's colors or school's apparel! When it comes to hair and makeup, don't go overboard with makeup. You want game day makeup: a little mascara, natural eye shadow or a natural smokey eye, a little blush and a touch of lipstick is a must! Nude lip gloss always looks nice but I always get a little added boost of confidence from wearing some pink or sometimes red lipstick.

3. SMILE: A smile goes a very long way. You want to look like you're happy to be there. Always smile, even when just reviewing the material. A good, enthusiastic expression will set you apart from all the other cheer hopefuls. Also, during the actual tryout in front of the judges if you mess up just smile! My freshman year of college cheerleading tryouts I messed up the fight song so badly. I forgot half of it and ended up just standing there, smiling and clapped it out. The smile on my face showed that I was able to stay calm in case I ever messed up in front of a crowd. If anything fails, remember to keep smiling.

4. A Positive Attitude: Tryouts are always stressful because you are learning new material, some of it may be things you have never done before. Remember to stay positive if you find yourself getting frustrated. No one expects you to be perfect when you're learning. And if someone does offer you pointers, always be polite, never snippy!

5. Show That You Are Coach-able: The coaches and judges know that some of this may be new to you but they want to see how you learn the material. Be open to suggestions such as trying a new stunting position. When someone gives you constructive criticism remember they are only saying it to benefit you so reply with respect. Don't have a boatload of excuses such as "but I've always been a top girl" or "I only tumble on a spring floor."

6. Throw Skills You Know You Can Hit: This is so important. Even if every single girl is throwing a standing tuck, but you can only do two standing back handsprings, or a back tuck where you touch down 80% of the time, always throw the skill you can to without error. Now is not the time to throw a skill you just first landed a week ago or to try something new. Throw what you are 100% confident in. Also, whatever skills you demonstrate at tryouts you will be expected to have for the rest of the year. If you don't plan on keeping a skill then it might not be the best idea to showcase it at tryouts.

The main things: be confident, smile and have fun!