Ellen.

I am not much of a TV watcher, but one show that I record daily is the Ellen Degeneres show. It is hard to think of Ellen and not smile. Her personality itself is what draws so many people to attend and watch her day show. I am in awe of how just by telling jokes and dancing attracts such a huge audience to the show. Ellen has proven to be one of my favorite celebrities simply by doing these three things: making me laugh, helping those in need, and portraying the art of good conversation. It always baffles me how Ellen can take just the simplest, every day topics, and talk about them in a way that has people roaring with laughter. Her jokes referring to Tony the DJ, her staff, and anybody else are always on point. She just has a way of starting her show on a good foot, and continues to produce the awesome energy throughout the entire show. One of my favorite parts is (of course) the dancing. Dancing in its own form evokes good feelings, and I love how she uses that to engage with the audience and set the mood for the show.
       Another huge aspect of this show is the message that it sends: to help those in need, and as Ellen concludes each and every show- "be kind to one another." In almost every show, Ellen finds a deserving audience member or person that has endured some kind of harship, and helps them out with either monetary or material gifts. A lot of these individuals are interviewed by her, and it is truly amazing to see their grateful faces when Ellen surprises them with a gift. It is a moment of pure, genuine love, and so awesome to watch.
       Watching the Ellen show literally lifts my mood. There have been many days where I was feeling down and upset. By choosing to tune into the Ellen show, I get what I like to call an "instant happy". Watching this show makes me feel so much, and that is what I love about it. Being able to laugh, cry, and learn all in one show is truly remarkable. This show has helped me get through rough times, inspired me to be a better person, and entertained me until I was crying from laughing so hard. So here's to Ellen! I am so happy and excited to report that I will be able to attend my very first Ellen show come September!! A friend from work invited me to come with her a month ago, and just found out that we got guaranteed tickets! Excitement is an understatement. :)))

A clip from one of my favorite episodes:

Coffee Shops and Such

If you asked me to write down a list of my favorite things, I can assure you that coffee shops would be on it. Yes, going to coffee shops is an actual favorite pastime of mine. And I'm not just talking about the Starbucks shop down the street, but also quaint and unique ones that you find when you're traveling. One thing that I do miss about living in Chicago is the variety of indie coffee shops that you could find off almost any train stop. There is something about coffee shops that just makes me so happy. Almost always I encounter friendly baristas, delicious lattes, and intriguing books/art to look at.  Coffee shops offer the perfect environment. A perfect balance of peace and chaos. Study time and social time. Drowsiness and alertness. The picture below is a picture of a coffee shop called Metropolis in Chicago (Belmont stop I believe.) I went to this particular shop with my friend Jenna last March when I came to visit for my birthday weekend. Metropolis is a popular chain in Chicago, and let me tell ya, it's some good coffee! Sometimes just having a good friend to talk to, great coffee to sip on, and a lively environment is all you need. And the people watching! That's another aspect that I'm sure not only I enjoy when going out to public places. Watching different people in coffee shops can be pure entertainment, and also motivation! I remember having to write a paper one afternoon last semester, yet I had zero motivation to do it. So I decided to leave my apartment and head to a coffee shop. And sure enough, this place offered the perfect environment for me to wake up, and get to work! COFFEE SHOPS. One of the best things on earth. 

Change Is Good

     Hello all! I have been slacking hardcore on my blog posts as of late, but one of my new year resolutions is to be consistent in my postings! So now that I have it written down, I am going to stick to this promise. The main reasons being that I get so much joy out of writing and sharing my thoughts with you all, and that I actually miss it!
     So today's topic: CHANGE. And how essential it is in our lives.
I've started reading a book that I got for Christmas called "The Happiness Project", by Gretchen Rubin, and let me tell you, I have learned so much about the science behind happiness. For instance, Rubin writes, "my research has revealed that challenge and novelty are key elements to happiness. The brain is stimulated by surprise, and successfully dealing with an unexpected situation gives a powerful sense of satisfaction." She goes on to explain how people that do new things and have new experiences more often are actually happier than those that stick to familiar activities. This explanation made complete sense to me, because I seem to thrive on new experiences and situations...for the most part. I love meeting new people, traveling to new places, and trying something I haven't done before. However, as much as I love new things and adventure, I also have this side of me that is actually a little afraid to change and dare I say it, grow up. Although I have been resisting this aspect of novelty, I have come to realize that it is actually very necessary in life. The whole process of trying new things and embarking on new adventures is really what life is all about. Moving forward and changing along the way is so much better than the opposite.  I have found the thought of remaining the same and not progressing to be quite scary! So I ask you, what kind of changes are you currently making in your life? Are you embracing it? Feeling a little anxious? Just remember, changing means you're growing, and growing brings happiness. Change is good :)





We're All in This Together

Hello blog followers! It's been a while since my last post, but I guess that's because I have been having quite a busy summer. My apologies! With work, trying to figure out what I'm doing next semester school-wise, and visiting old friends, I haven't gotten around to posting each month. But I have definitely missed sharing my inspiring thoughts with y'all! So with that said, as I was coming back from visiting my sister in Arizona last weekend, I had time to reflect on the last few months and things that I have learned thus far. And the theme for this entry? Drum roll please.... PEOPLE.
      Yes- it's you, me, and everyone else that lives and breathes on this beautiful planet. I am truly fascinated by people, and I think that this is one of the reasons I love to travel so much. Meeting new people, hearing their stories, and learning from them is something I just can't get enough of. In addition to admiring people and what they're all about, I can't help but to share the importance that we have on each others' lives. Think about it... What is usually the answer when someone is asked about what they value? The answer almost always has to do with people- aka their family and friends. And why is this? It's because these people/our loved ones, have been our support system, our rocks through certain hardships, and they have taught us so much not only about the world but about ourselves as well. There is so much we can learn from those around us, and because of this I think having a role model in your life can be a great way to be influenced by another person in a positive way. The person that has particular qualities that you admire can serve as a guide and even challenge you to become the best person that you can be. Think about the people that have had a true impact on your life... whether it be a relative, teacher, coach, or counselor, there is a person that has taught you something valuable, and perhaps has even changed your perspective about something. By being blessed by such influential people in our lives, we are given the opportunity to become the best versions of ourselves, and I think this is one of the best gifts we can receive. Thinking about my college experience so far, I have learned that it is one thing to be independent, but it really is not possible to be where you want to be or even become who you want to become without the support of someone else. This is also apparent in the career world, which requires collaboration and teamwork of different people with different talents. It is truly what makes the world go round...TOGETHER we definitely achieve more. We are all trying to find our way in this world, so why not make the process a little easier and be completely open to receiving that bit of advice or guidance from someone that has been in your shoes? It could just possibly open the door for you to achieve your own dreams, and become that person you've always wanted to be.

quote by Mother Teresa...so true!

On Your Time

So it being the last day of March, I figured it's about time to make another entry! This month has been quite the adventure. With spring break, my birthday, and a whole lot of nursing classes/struggles, I have come to realize that I want to make a difference, yet be passionate about what I choose to do for the rest of my life. With that being said, I have been looking into switching my major to exercise science. Although it may be challenging since it is a new major being offered at Loyola, I feel that it is something that I am more passionate about, since it is still in the health field, yet deals with exercise/therapy rather than clinical aspects. A good friend of mine helped me put things into perspective when she told me that there is a difference between understanding something, and being passionate about something. So I ask whoever is reading this blog this question...does your major/job make you excited to to go to class/work everyday? Is it something that you practice or think about each day and have a talent for? If so, then make THAT your work and contribution in life. As the quote goes... "Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Finding what it is I really want to do in the future has seemed to be a theme for this month. Last night, I went out with a group of friends to the Gym Class Heroes concert, and the last song they sang was called on "On My Own Time." And before they started the song, Travie told the crowd: "Whatever it is y'all are studying here at college, make sure it is something you want to do on your own time. Make sure it is something you're doing for you, and nobody else." And with those words, I end this entry. So don't be afraid by what other people are convincing you to become, but just go and do what makes you happy...for if you do that, you will be successful no matter what.

Spring Break: T&R (travel and relax)

It's here!! Well spring break that is... Tomorrow I will be flying back to my beloved California for a week of relaxation in that Cali sun. What's on my to-do list? Well, glad you asked :) BEACH, BEACH, and more BEACH. This is definitely what I miss the most when I am away at school, and each time I'm home I make sure that I get my beachy fix. My friend Elise will also be staying with me for a couple of days which I am also extremely excited for. I visited her last year in her hometown of New Orleans, and we had a blast. I think travel is one of the greatest things you can do, because it allows you to get out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and try things you have never done before. It is so liberating and allows you to grow, and that is why I do it as much as possible. In the words of Saint Augustine, "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." So get out there! Since I will be going back to the west coast, I am still going to try to go somewhere new! My friend Jenna and I have decided that we are going to take the Pacific Surfliner (train) up to Santa Barbara. I. am. stoked. Another important aspect of spring break: relaxation. Do something that will let you take a load off! Whether it be a day at the beach, a massage (which is something else I'm planning on doing), or better yet NOTHING at all, make sure that you find peace and joy in whatever it may be. This will allow you to temporarily forget about school/work, and help you recharge and refocus so that later you can start anew! I hope that you all have a fun and relaxing break. Safe travels!! :)

Passion is Key

Welcome to my blog! My name is Yana Cheatham, I am 19 years old and from southern California. I am currently living in Chicago, Illinois where I am attending Loyola University of Chicago as a nursing major. This is my first official post, and I am pretty excited about it. My main motive behind starting this blog is to share and inspire others with my love for things such as health, fashion, travel, and beauty in general. I have found that the more I am focused on one aspect of my life such as school or work (example: nursing school), the more I yearn to balance it out with other things that I am passionate about. Variety is so important to me, and the more diversity I have around me, the happier I am. I hope that with this blog, I will be able to use my creativity to express my interests and share them with others. I believe that living a life of passion is the greatest way to live, so whether it be through a way to improve your health or even a new place to explore, make sure that it is something that lights you up with excitement! So come follow me and start living your life with some SPICE! :)