Pretty Little Postcards

Documenting the life and times of Mia Powell, one little postcard at a time.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Home for Winter Break

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I'm home for the holiday weekend! I know that this blog has been collecting dust, but I aim to change that come the New Year. I apologize.
It's kind of weird being in my room after living in a dorm room for four months. I almost forgot what my room looked like. When I walked in, it felt like I was at a sleepover almost. It was pretty surreal.
Of course, I'm really glad to be home. I missed my family so much, and it was kind of hard to adjust to not hugging them or sitting at dinner together. 
The first quarter of my time at the United World College is over. How do I feel? Devastated. I didn't expect to fall in love with the experience the way that I did. There is very, very little to complain about. I love the campus, the people, the classes, and the extracurricular activities. I love the campus, the trips, my dorm room. There is not an aspect of my school that I do not currently miss.
I'll do an update on what's been happening for the last couple of months within the next couple of days. 

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Pre Move-In Day.

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I'm leaving.
There's five days left until I'm on a plane to my new home, my new school, my new life. Honestly, I'm feeling anxious. This is a blank, clean slate. I have the opportunity to succeed and thrive. I have the chance to experience something new and beautiful. How does one begin?

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It's one in the morning and I leave in about ten hours. I have a headache from all the emotions I feel right now. I'm overwhelmed. So much packed, so much anxiety, so much rushing. I don't know how to feel. On the one hand, I'm ecstatic. Few get this opportunity. I've truly been blessed. On the other hand, I'm leaving home for two years. That's overwhelming. That's scary. I've been gone all summer, so I've barely gotten to spend quality time with my family and friends.... And now my time is up.  


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It's the night before I move in. I don't know how to really feel, you know? I have all these secret concerns and fears and hopes and wishes for the next two years... Hell, for the rest of my life. What can I do but to keep moving forward and working hard? That's all I know. Wish me luck. I can't wait. 

Thursday, August 7, 2014

The Mia Experiment

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change (v): to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of something different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone

I think that, now that I'm going on a few adventures, it is time to decide who I am.
I am only sixteen, yes, but I have an idea of who I want to be. I want to reinvent myself, I suppose. I firmly believe that change calls reinvention, and I am in for a lot of change in the near future. Change excites the soul and frightens the body, and I am ready for it. I want to take control of who I am and who I will become. I want to make myself who I've always wanted to be. I want to find myself, and be that, whatever and whoever that is. I have a feeling that the best way to find out who you are is to be someplace where you don't have to be anyone else, and that's exactly where I'm going. At the end of my journey, it will be myself who I find, and the sooner I accept her for who she is, the better off I will be. 

In truth, I am simply striving to be more than I have ever been. I want to be better, brighter, bolder. I think that I am capable of surprising myself. 

Don't misunderstand. I am content with who I am now. My intentions are not to completely change my personality, dye my hair purple, and change my name (although there is nothing wrong with those things). I simply want to discover my best self. I don't think that's selfish of me. Rather, I think it's necessary to love myself and make my happiness a priority. Sometimes, your only mode of transportation is a leap of faith, and I plan on building my wings on the way down.

Not everyone will understand my journey. I understand that. I'm okay with that. It's not for everyone to understand; it's for me to make sense of, all on my own. 

Here's to obtaining that vision one day.


Reinvent Yourself.This is what I’m thinking about tonight. So I thought I’d share and try to make it pretty. Typography practice for a beginner. Night exercises.  

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Journey vs. Destination

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Journey (n): a traveling from one place to another; passage or progress from one stage to another 


This quote, “It’s about the journey as much as the outcome,” just about sums up my life in the near future. I am going on three major adventures: attending Governor’s School, going on an Educational Tour in Europe, and attending UWC-USA for the next two years.

Never before have I looked forward to the future like I look forward to it now. I cannot even begin to express my excitement. While, yes, I’m sure the end result of all of this will be beautiful, but what I look forward to the most is the journey. Making new friends, seeing the world, travelling, surrounding myself with positivity, expanding my knowledge… It’s more than I ever could have hoped for. I already know that the times I will have at each step in the adventure will be some of the most memorable moments of my life. I’m forever grateful to have been presented this opportunity. I can’t wait for my adventures to begin.

Click on a logo to find out more about the programs I am participating in!
 

Saturday, June 28, 2014

10 Books You Should Read This Summer

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bookworm (n): someone who enjoys reading books and spends a lot of time doing it

I have to say, I've lost much of my touch. I used to be such an avid reader. There was a time where I regularly read eight hundred page books in a single night. There was a time where my parents refused to buy me more books because it was "no use" when libraries existed. There was a time... *wistful sigh*


Then junior year of high school rolled around. I have read very few books during this school year, sadly. So busy. Much sadness. Such cry. 


And, I don't know if I'll be able to step up my game anytime soon, what with Governor's School, my Europe trip, and UWC. So much has happened, is happening, will happen, that reading more books seems like something unobtainable. 


However, I have read some good books in my day. To make me feel better about this little reading hiatus that I'm apparently on, I composed a list of some of the better reads out of books I've recently read. Hopefully, you find the time to read a few. Maybe you'll even enjoy them! ;)


In no particular order:


1.The Selection by Kiera Cass

 

2. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto


3. Ann Aguirre


4. A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies


5. The Fallen by Thomas E. Sniegoski


6. Under the Never Sky by Vernoica Rossi


7. Camille by Tess Oliver


8. Entwined by Heather Dixon


9. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han


10. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Opening Day at GSW

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Governor's School West. Hmmm....
Okay, so the day started with me waking up at six in the morning to finish packing (it isn't even like I was procrastinating (it was just a lot to pack (c'mon, it's five and a half weeks long))). Anyway, I finished packing and we were out of the house between eight thirty and nine, regardless of the fact that my mother wanted to leave by eight. My family is slow.


The ride was painless. It's in Winston-Salem at Salem college, which is about an hour and seventeen minutes from my house. I slept, literally, the whole time.



We got there a little before ten, which is when people were supposed to start arriving. We had to wait a little bit though, and so we unloaded the car that was practically filled to the brim with my things. When we were able to go in, I got my key, some paperwork, and went directly to my dorm room.


  The campus is beautiful, despite the buildings being somewhat old and decrepit. This is Clewell Dormitory, where I'm staying.
This is the long, creepy, sometimes dark, always ominous hallway I am forced to walk down every time I want to get to my room.
This is my actual dorm room. 



It wasn't much to look at, and even now, with me being unpacked and organized, it still isn't anything to really admire. I arrived before my roommate, and so I got to pick out which bed I wanted, which was nice. Apparently I made the wrong choice though, according to my sister and mother. For starters, my roommate can look directly out the window and see the goings-ons outside. Also, my bed blocks a door that leads to our neighbors' room, which is apparently scary. Despite these two things, I slept like a baby last night (maybe I slept too well, since I woke up later than I had wanted)...
My sister and I also explored a lot, after getting me situated while my parent's went to a parent meeting. 
I took lots of pictures for you!








The campus is quite beautiful, but that isn't the best part about being here. Being here, I have made numerous friends (even if I am extremely bad at remembering their names and faces) who are all so special and different, yet all have a certain air about them. Everyone is polite, honest, intelligent and open. It is truly a unique experience like none other. I am not only extremely honored, but also so grateful to have been selected to be a part of this amazing program. Already, my experience here will be remembered for the rest of my life.