Life Update

Well hello...very long time, no post.

I've said several times on posts on Instagram that I've been working on a post about my trip to Italy in May of 2018 and that it would up soon. I lied. I just started it...on January 13, 2019.

What can I say? I've been busy.

While I work away on that post, I thought that I would share a quick life update that can fill you in on why I haven't been writing blog posts or posting on Instagram often.

And if you've forgotten what I look like:

I got a job in July of 2018.

I currently work for a medical device company as a hire through a contracting company. This started out as a "work for three months until the contract is over then take the GRE" kind of deal, but then my contract kept getting extended. Low and behold, here I am still working and I still haven't taken the GRE. I have applied to jobs though.

Progress? Maybe.

This is the primary reason of why I haven't been sharing a lot. I never have time to take photos of anything and I stare at a computer all day at work so the last thing that I want to do is go home and write a blog post.

All of my free time is devoted to family, friends, exercise, and reading.

I live in my hometown now. 

Unlike other bloggers, I don't live in a hip city, have a great social life, or a great relationship (I'm very single). I generally believe there is nothing going on in this city that any of you would be interested in learning or seeing. However, let me know if you would actually like to see a post on that.

I live in a town with nothing cool going on that I believe would interest the people that actually still follow me on Instagram. If you still do, thanks for sticking around. I appreciate it.

While I hope to move to a larger town or to a city (Indianapolis, fingers crossed), you're stuck with my ramblings from small town Indiana.

I want to change the blog. 

Ever since I graduate in May, I have wrestled with the idea of ending my blog. Completely. I figured that being a sorority girl at a Big Ten school may have a been a large part of my identity

I am no longer a "college blogger". I graduated in May and I'm still trying to 'find myself' if that's how you want to think about it'.

I haven't been a fashion blogger for long time. Maybe I never was. So that is definitely out. I may still share my current favorites from a brand, but I doubt I will be styling any outfits for Instagram any time soon.

Hoosier State of Prep will now become a lifestyle blog. What I mean by lifestyle is that from now on posts are going to be about travel, books, recipes, health/fitness, and general ramblings about both personal and current events.

(I'm sure that you'll all be thrilled to hear how life is in a small, Indiana town)

There will be a blog name change. 

I haven't dressed 'prep' in awhile. I haven't felt like I identify with my current name and handle for awhile now, so it is time for a change.

I'm not sure what the new name and handle will be, but if you have any ideas please message me on Instagram or comment on this post.

Along with a name change, I want to be able to have my own domain instead of ".blogspot" in my URL, so I need to keep that in mind with my new name.
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That's it for now. You can thank my friend Ashley for inspiring me to finally write a blog post! It's been a year and two days since my last post (yikes).

Believe it or not, I have at least three blog post ideas in my head right now that I will be begin drafting, including the long awaited post on my trip to Italy and London.

I cannot wait for what is to come on Hoosier State of Prep, soon to be something else!

Maui Travel Guide

Excursions

Road to Hana

The Road to Hana is miles of winding road through the rainforest with many one lane bridges. It's an excursion that you only need to do once in your life time and is also an all day excursion. You can go in your rental car or go through a tour group. 

Whale Watching excursion with Pacific Whale Foundation

The Pacific Whale Foundation hosts whale explorations out of Lahaina that lasts for two hours and has drinks available for purchase. Over the two hours you will learn more about the humpback whales that visit Maui from November to March to give birth. I recommend taking a jacket if go on an early morning exertion and make sure to take your camera. Keep in mind that whale sightings are not always going to happen, but always make sure to have your camera ready. 

Before getting on the boat, stop at Bad Ass Coffee for coffee, which is just on the other side of the banyan tree on Front St.

Where to Eat

Note: I highly recommend making reservations for all of these in advance. Especially Mama's Fish House. My mom made that reservation almost a year in advance of our trip to Maui. 

Lahaina

Star Noodle: 4/5

Featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives

While the food was amazing, the service could definitely have been improved. We were very excited to visit the restaurant after seeing it on Food Network. My parents and I shared the Vietnamese Crepe and I had the Hot n Sour noodles for my main course. All of the flavors were  excellent, and the cocktails offered on the menu were also good. Definitely make reservations or you will be waiting for more than an hour for a table.

Make reservations on Yelp.

Cost: $

Fleetwood's On Front St. : 4/5

Featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives

Located on Front St. in Lahaina, Fleetwood's On Front Street offers custom cocktails and a menu filled with fresh, locally caught fish as well as other options. I recommend setting up reservations 30 days in advance and try to get in around sunset with a seat on the upper deck for the best view. Meal wise, my parents and I shared the Crab Cake for an appetizer and I had the Ono in the Citrus Beurre Blanc preparation. For a cocktail I had the "Lime in the Coconut drink". If you would rather have wine, Fleetwood's also offers an extensive wine list.

Make reservations.

Cost: $$

Lahaina Fish Company: 4/5

Also located on Front St, Lahaina Fish Company offers an extensive menu with both fresh fish and red meat as well as other options. I recommend making reservations for around sunset because all of the restaurants facing the bay on Front St. are great spots to see the sunset.

Make reservations.

Cost: $$

Maui Brewing Co. Brewpub: 3/5

All ages. Maui Brewing Co. Brewpub features all of the Maui Brewing Co. beers with a menu appetizers and lunch picks.

My Brew Picks:
Coconut Hiwa- Porter
Pineapple Mana- Wheat

No need to make reservations.

Roy's- Kaanapali (5/5)

Located near all of the resorts at Kaanapali, Roys offers dinner from the sea and the land. The best Ahi that I have ever had in my life. If you love Ahi, go to Roy's and order the Ahi. Instead of bread being served at the table, they deliver edamame at the beginning of the meal and you can request refills. Roy's also has a large wine and cocktail menu to choose from.

Cost: $$-$$$

Make reservations.

Wailea

Morimoto Maui: 5/5

One of Iron Chef Morimoto's restaurants that features a unique menu with cold and warm appetizers, sushi, and entrees. I recommend the "ishi yaki buri bop", which is cooked at your table. The yellowtail in the dish was absolutely delicious. 

Cost: $$$

Paia

Cafe Mambo 

A great breakfast spot to stop at before starting the Road to Hana. Has a wide variety of breakfast items and coffee menu. Is also open for lunch, but I have only had breakfast there. 

Cost: $

Mama's Fish House: 5/5

If you decide that you want to have one meal where you can splurge, make it Mama's Fish House. The menu is full of freshly caught fish from that day and the menu says the vessel that the fish was caught on and where the vessel was when the fish were caught. I would recommend making reservations well in advance.

Cost: $$$

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How to Create a Last Minute Costume from Your Closet

Last night I had planned to do a group costume with some friends, but when the other two fell ill, I had to scramble to figure out a last minute costume. I don't have any of my costume things this year because I completely forgot to grab the box from storage when I moved back down to school so I was very limited on what I could do.

I spent the whole drive from Indy to Bloomington thinking of costumes that I could make with the clothes in my closet and in the end I was trying to choose between Bad (without the Boujee) and a disgruntled housewife/suburban mom (aka Karen who asks to see the manager). After asking all of my friends, I decided to do the suburban mom. Also, I was not trying to insult moms in anyway with this costume. Moms (and dads) are amazing and they do so much that we don't appreciate. 

I made my costume by picking a pair a jeans, pairing a tank top, and Converse (complete with tailgate field dirt) with my apron that I got from an art festival this summer. I've linked a cheap option from H&M that could easily be used for a costume and for the kitchen. Another way to do this costume would be to wear sweats or leggings with a robe and maybe hair curlers. I decided to go against doing a legging look because my friends know that I wear leggings daily already.

If I had done the Bad (without the Boujee), I would have worn the same tank with black ripped jeans, a jean jacket, and a bandana around my neck. 

Shop my look:

         

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Smart Study Habits

It's midterm time in college and I'm currently studying up for my second round of exams of senior year. My first round of exams didn't go as well as I hoped, but I'm hoping these exams will go better. Here are some study tips and habits that I swear by.

Use Pocket Points to stay off of your phone 

Pocket Points is an app available on iPhone and Android that you can use as motivation to not look at your phone while you're on campus. When you're on campus, simply open up the app to the home screen, and then close your phone. When you open your phone back up, you'll earn points. When those points begin to rack up, you can use them to get coupon codes for local restaurants, stores, and online shops. I personally use my points for food coupons. I've used Pocket Points since sophomore year and I've racked up 8424 points and I'm ranked 47th on IU's campus. 

Make a to-do list 

I always make a to-do list before I go study so that I know what all I need to get done that day and I will not go home until I finish it all. 

Study somewhere other than your room

I cannot focus in my room. When I need to study for a long period of time, I will go to a local coffee shop, Barnes and Noble, or the library. My room holds way too many distractions and I find myself going to the kitchen for snacks too often. 

Color code your agenda 

I color code each of my classes, clubs, and my sorority events. It helps me keep track of everything that I need to get done and it helps me not mix any due dates up. 

Study with or without music

I personally study with classical music most of the time just so that I have something in the background to block out talking. I also frequently listen to rain or rainforest noises, but it's important to figure out what you can study with. 

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Easy Lunches for College Students

100% honesty: What I pack for lunch now is what my mom packed for me when I was little because those lunches are easy to make and don't take up too much space. I'm sharing two of my favorite pinwheel wraps and some of the snacks I take to class because let me be honest, I take A LOT of snacks to class.

Note: Lighting in my kitchen is horrible so I apologize for the picture quality. This post also contains affiliate links. 

My go-to lunch: Pinwheel Wraps

Turkey + Veggie Dip + Shredded Cheese

Turkey + Dijonaise + Shredded Lettuce + Shredded Cheese

These are my favorite wraps, but you can seriously make them with anything. I buy cheese by the block from the deli and shred it at home and I also buy the turkey from the deli. I really try to avoid prepackaged deli meats and cheeses. The veggie dip I use is a family recipe, but you can use any kind of condiment that you want. 

Roll the wrap and then roll it into the Press n' Seal. 

Refrigerate overnight and cut into pinwheels the next morning.

Breakfast + Lunch today: 

muffin, clementines, pinwheels, grapes, applesauce, and SkinnyPop (Sea Salt and Pepper)

Lastly, don't forget to clean up the counter. 

I also pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and leftovers are also a great idea. The IU Union has a microwave in the eating area so that students can heat up food, so I'll take leftovers when I want something more than wrap or a sandwich. If you're not sure if your school has microwave for student use, try to look around your union eating hall because most schools should try to accommodate students that live off campus and that do not have meal points anymore. 

My go-to snacks:

SkinnyPop

Grapes

Trail mix 

Veggies + Dip 

Fruit (Clementines + Bananas)

Hummus + Crackers

Brie spread + Crackers 

Applesauce

Although I have braces back on, I love to pack SkinnyPop in my lunch as a quick, salty snack that also isn't as messy has other salty snacks. I switch between purchasing the Sea Salt and Pepper flavor (which is also my favorite kettle chip seasoning) and the Original. While I was shopping the other day I noticed that SkinnyPop now has Popcorn Cakes and microwave popcorn. I think the popcorn cakes would be a good snack to bring on campus because they're more compact and you could maybe even top with hummus or whatever spread to want. I'm also interested in trying their sea salt microwavable popcorn for a snack at home. I normally eat butter popcorn, but lately I've been wanting to switch it up without eating kettle corn. 

My go-to fruit choices for campus: grapes. Super easy to throw into a Ziplock bag and into my lunch bag.  I was so excited to see Cotton Candy grapes at the store today when I went to get groceries. They are so good and the season is close to its end, which also means that there are less grapes in the bag than usual. *Cue tears*. I also love to grab clementines and bananas because they're easy to peel and then just throw away instead of having to bring the trash back home. 

My favorite trail mix has white chocolate chips, Craisins, and peanuts. My nana started making this for me this summer and I made some for myself for a quick snack. Just add each ingredient to your liking and save it however you would like.

I've attached a general shopping list of things that I purchase to make lunches that can be taken to campus. All of these items can be used for dinner as well. Don't forget that you can make extra grains or pasta for dinner and use it for lunch the next day!

Shop my picks for lunch boxes and lunch storage: