between the ledger lines

RAK Challenge!

2015-06-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

I am going to try to accomplish this list of RAK's this summer. Thought I'd post the list here so I don't lose it.

1. Buy the meal/coffee/movie ticket/sandwich for the person in line behind you.

2. Pick up your friend’s/spouse’s/mom’s favorite local treat and surprise them with it.

3. Compliment a stranger.

4. Give your checkout person the benefit of the doubt on their being a person and actually engage with them for 3 minutes.

5. Send an email/direct message/tweet to someone you’ve been a long time admirer of, telling them you think they’re the bee’s knees and thanking them for what they do.

6. Donate anything to any worthy cause.

7. Leave a handwritten note.

8. Send a handwritten note.

9. Tip like you’re a Rockefeller.

10. Prepare a meal for that one family on your block/in your playgroup/from your office you know is going through a difficult time.

11. Be aware of your words; speak highly of others or not at all.

12. Acknowledge the efforts made by others, not merely the results.

13. Tell the people you love that you value them endlessly.

14. Display patience.

15. Give nice drivers the wave.

16. Give to the homeless: cash, a hot meal, a blanket.

17. Reserve judgment.

18. Introduce yourself to your neighbors, the doorman, the person whom you’ve passed a zillion times without doing so.

19. Thank people sincerely for every small gift of their time or energy.

20. Invite the outsider or newcomer to join your crowd for the evening.

21. Be on time.

22. Do the dreaded task, happily.

23. Notice what others are doing right.

24. Offer to help anyone you see who’s carrying a heavy load: person lugging groceries, housekeeper hauling cleaning supplies, new tenant moving furniture. When they politely say no, they’re fine, say, “are you sure? I really wouldn’t mind. I know what it’s like; I carry xxx all the time.” Reach out your hand to show you’re sincere.

25. Donate an hour of your special brain power to someone who needs it.

26. Thank a great client for their referral with a free hour/haircut/coffee/pedicure.

27. Ask to speak with the manager/business owner and tell them how exceptional your waiter/saleswoman/meal was.

28. Ask a person what their name is. Call them by it.

29. Leave as much room for others as possible when parking.

30. Send your mom a love note/ bouquet of sunflowers/ edible arrangement. Maybe add in “thanks again for birthing me- know that couldn’t have been a picnic.”

31. Send a helpful, non-nagging reminder to your friend or family member who’s always forgetting things like important dates, their cell phone charger, et al.

32. Give an unexpected, non-occasion present (they’re usually the best kind).

33 is all on you…

100 Questions at Midnight

2015-05-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Now that school is out I have so much time and I figured I might as well answer these questions I started about a year ago.

1. What is you middle name? Lee

2. How old are you? 20

3. What is your birthday? August 8

4. What is your zodiac sign? Leo

5. What is your favorite color? Purple

6. What’s your lucky number? Maybe 35?

7. Do you have any pets? Yes! My sweet weimaraner Oliver!

8. Where are you from? Carson City, Nevada and North Salt Lake, Utah in the USA. However, I also have citizenship in Canada.

9. How tall are you? 5'5ish

10. What shoe size are you? 10

11. How many pairs of shoes do you own? Since I've moved maybe 4 or 5.

12. What was your last dream about? My sisters.

13. What talents do you have? I like to accept everyone. I also play flute but I don't know how much of it is hard work vs. talent. I have always enjoyed writing stories, but there are few who I have allowed to read them.

14. Are you psychic in any way? For about a week I swear I was radio psychic and could guess every song that would come on next. I was clearly very knowledgable about what cool on the radio for that time. I might have some twin telepathy going for me too...

15. Favorite song? Mahler Symphony No. 1 movement 4 at the slow gorgeous part or Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 movement 3.

16. Favorite movie? Lord of the Rings trilogy.

17. Who would be your ideal partner? Someone who is funny, caring, and wants to change the world for the better.

18. Do you want children? Yes. (Mostly just to see what they'd come out looking like...jk)

19. Do you want a church wedding? Temple.

20. Are you religious? Yes.

21. Have you ever been to the hospital? Yes.

22. Have you ever got in trouble with the law? I've had a speeding ticket and a parking ticket. Not very hardcore though.

23. Have you ever met any celebrities? Yes.

24. Baths or showers? I'm a weirdo...Shower then bathe and then shower again. I have mild OCD and this is one of the annoying quirks.

25. What color socks are you wearing? Not wearing any.

26. Have you ever been famous? Nope. But I'm in a Youtube video with millions of views.

27. Would you like to be a big celebrity? Not for the fame, but for the art. I can imagine the attention would be frustrating but it'd also be pretty cool to easily influence so many people for the good.

28. What type of music do you like? Classical, indie, pop, jazz.

29. Have you ever been skinny dipping? No.

30. How many pillows do you sleep with? Two.

31. What position do you usually sleep in? On my side.

32. How big is your house? On the bigger side...but my apartment looks like a hobbit hole straight out of the shire.

33. What do you typically have for breakfast? A banana with natural peanut butter.

34. Have you ever fired a gun? No.

35. Have you ever tried archery? No.

36. Favorite clean word? Lovely. I overuse it way too much.

37. Favorite swear word? The F-bomb...

38. What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without sleep? 3 days or something.

39. Do you have any scars? Yes.

40. Have you ever had a secret admirer? It must have been pretty secret or no.

41. Are you a good liar? Unfortunately, yes. I try to be very honest though and only use my lying skills for improv acting or joking.

42. Are you a good judge of character? Usually, yes. It does take me a while to concretely decide though. I try to develop my own opinions of people instead of listening to other's (although I do consider it) and it takes me longer to get to know and understand people than most, I think.

43. Can you do any other accents other than your own? Yes. Some different American accents, British, Australian, and sometimes others.

44. Do you have a strong accent? I don't think so. I actually get the question, "What's your accent?" a lot because I had a speech impediment as a kid and naturally talked like a British person. The way I describe how I talk is this: Emma Watson trying to speak with an American accent.

45. What is your favorite accent? Scottish.

46. What is your personality type? INFJ.

47. What is your most expensive piece of clothing? My winter boots that ironically are also the most tattered at this point.

48. Can you curl your tongue? Yep.

49. Are you an innie or an outie? Innie.

50. Left or right handed? Right.

51. Are you scared of spiders? Yes, but it's getting better as I age.

52. Favorite food? Pizza, but I'm very fond of salads.

53. Favorite foreign food? Mexican food.

54. Are you a clean or messy person? Clean. I think I was my mom's favorite as a kid because I was constantly cleaning.

55. Most used phrase? Sadly, "Just Kidding." It is just a bad habit I've never gotten out of.

56. Most used word? Awesome.

57. How long does it take for you to get ready? 10-20 minutes.

58. Do you have much of an ego? I'm taking this quiz so obviously I think I'm the cat's pajamas. (sarcasm intended)

59. Do you suck or bite lollipops? Both.

60. Do you talk to yourself? Yes.

61. Do you sing to yourself? All the time.

62. Are you a good singer? I'm not the best but I'm also not the worst so...yes?

63. Biggest Fear? My closest relationships falling apart.

64. Are you a gossip? No. I'm much more of a passive listener.

65. Best dramatic movie you’ve seen? The Pianist.

66. Do you like long or short hair? It changes almost every year.

67. Can you name all 50 states of America? Yes.

68. Favorite school subject? History.

69. Extrovert or Introvert? Introvert.

70. Have you ever been scuba diving? No.

71. What makes you nervous? Society.

72. Are you scared of the dark? To a point.

73. Do you correct people when they make mistakes? Sometimes.

74. Are you ticklish? A little.

75. Have you ever started a rumor? Probably.

76. Have you ever been in a position of authority? Yes.

77. Have you ever drank underage? No.

78. Have you ever done drugs? No.

79. Who was your first real crush? Orlando Bloom. 2nd grade. The Two Towers.

80. How many piercings do you have? One in each ear.

81. Can you roll your Rs? I wish.

82. How fast can you type? Over 100 WPM. I spent way too much time on the computer as a kid.

83. How fast can you run? *ahem* run?

84. What color is your hair? My natural color of brown.

85. What color is your eyes? Coca-cola Brown.

86. What are you allergic to? Nothing.

87. Do you keep a journal? Yes.

88. What do your parents do? Nurse and I can't really describe the other one.

89. Do you like your age? Yes. But not as much as I miss my other ages.

90. What makes you angry? Injustice, intolerance, hatred, war, death, rape.

91. Do you like your own name? Yes. I think it fits me well too.

92. Have you already thought of baby names, and if so what are they? Yes, but I don't want anyone to steal them. :D

93. Do you want a boy a girl for a child? Girls would probably be my preference but I'd love any.

94. What are you strengths? Not judging people, listening, organizing, ambition, making life better through humor.

95. What are your weaknesses? Indecisive-ness, maybe too ambitious, sometimes impulsive, shopaholic, not always outgoing to everyone, I don't let people I care about know that I care about them enough, trusting others takes a lot of time for me.

96. How did you get your name? Relative and just a random French name I think.

97. Were your ancestors royalty? Yes, back in the day in England.

98. Where is your favorite place on earth? Anywhere where there are books.

99. Color of your bedspread? White.

100. Color of your room? Currently a pale blue.

Lost Arts Waiting to Be Found Again

2015-02-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

There are many things that are slowly being lost in my generation. It may not seem like a bad thing to some, because substitutes such as the internet, are very productive and quite awesome.

But don't you wish that some things could be the same? I do. So let's change that.

One thing I love is cursive. As a kid, I always enjoyed the fancy handwriting of adults. When I started to learn cursive in school it changed my penmanship forever. I went from being the kid with the worst handwriting in the whole class (true story, my teacher told me this herself), to getting compliments on my penmanship in the future. My mom even made me write a letter to my third grade teacher because she thought that my handwriting had improved so much. Throughout school though I have had several people while doing peer correcting or reading each other's work, tell me that they can't read cursive. I think this is so sad. It is such a beautiful way to express writing. I was also shocked to find out that my younger siblings aren't even learning it in school. I imagine in the future almost everything will be digital. Even now when I exchange agendas with friends, it is almost exclusively on phones or iPads, never on actual paper. How often does someone have a notepad and pen with them when comparing it to just a few years ago? Again, there is nothing wrong with this. I just want to try to take my handwriting and make it an expression and reflection of who I am.

I also love letter writing. Maybe I am somewhat of a romantic sentimentalist, but I find it a refreshing way to contact somebody and really get to know them. And it is so romantic.

Anyway, I began seriously pen palling about a year ago. It was extremely fun and exciting for me to do. I can't think of many things that feel as good as seeing beautiful crafted letters waiting for you in your mailbox. I have met so many friends from all over the world. I think on every continent even. We all have so much in common and although we have such different cultures and lead such varying lifestyles, we could all connect through written word.

Among other things, I wish that dances were more like dances of the past. I haven't actually witnessed first hand what dances of other eras were like other than in stories, pictures, and media, but they look as lovely as ever. I wish to dance with a partner to swing music or to even slow dance to some classical waltzes or to tango in the moonlight. Instead, if I chose to go to a dance, there is just a bunch or rap or hip hop playing and boys who most of the time don't have a clue what to do. It is expensive to buy a dress that you adore, and what fun is it if you aren't going to give it justice by really dancing it it? I hope to someday find someone to dance all of the dances with.

Better Late Than Never: My Favorites of 2014

2015-01-14T08:12:00.002-08:00

I have returned to the blogosphere. What a busy year it has been! Since I last wrote I've:

Taken several college auditions
Recorded a CD with Lyceum Philharmonic (The Master--check it out here)
Gotten sinus/septum surgery
Quit my job at Orange Leaf
Written hundreds of pen pal letters
Had a solo flute recital
Moved to Canada (Montréal, Quebec)
Started university (McGill University's Schulich School of Music)

I'll write more posts on specifics of the things above, but for now, even though it is 2015, I'm going to reflect upon 2014 and make my favorites list. (Or should I write favourites? It's so confusing being a dual citizen.) Please note that these are not necessarily things that just came out this year, only things that I've discovered or enjoyed this year.

Favorite Books:

5. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen: A classic that I've never read until now. I truly adored it! I also enjoyed binge watching several adaptations after I finished the book. Sidenote: Mr. Darcy if you exist, I'm ready for you to come out now and ask me to come to Pemberley.

4. The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy: This book was a pleasant surprise! I had no expectations as I just picked it up at the library randomly one day. Only to find that it was beautifully crafted with stories that mysteries that unravel towards the end into this big powerful ball of humanity. A book that leaves you realizing how much of an impact every war, every action, every human can make on the world and on the future generations. The simple prose was lovely and I had several quotes written by the time I finished.

3. Little Women by Louisa Alcott: A childhood favorite film, I loved the book so much and it filled me with a nostalgic warmth that made me want to cry and read more and cry a little more afterwards. I love the theme of sisterhood and I find it incredibly relatable even though it is in a completely different era than my own. TEDDY 4 EVER. (Okay I wanted to make a point in the era differences there...too far?) I couldn't help but find Jo to resemble so much of myself. In fact, she may even be the literary character most like me. Who knew? (My sisters always said that I was Beth growing up...)

2. Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson: A recommendation from my little sister and a flute friend from orchestra, I devoured this book. Think Pride & Prejudice but perhaps even more feelings. I read this one so quickly and wished that it would never end. It left me feeling so happy and lovey-dovey and also made life in the 1800s seem more flattering than now but then I remembered the internet and anti-biotics and changed my mind. Anyway, GREAT book! And completely clean so youngsters could read it also. (Not that youngsters can't read other books, it's just sometimes I don't think their parents like them too...)

1. My favorite book of this year is *drum roll*...The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: This book was unlike any other book I've ever read. It created an unfamiliar and marvelous world that I loved being in. I would take that circus in my mind any day. The characters were vibrant, the writing was superb and delicious, the setting was magical, and even the format of the book was amazing. Brava Erin Morgenstern! And do write more. Please.

Favorite Movies:

6. What If: This is an indie rom com featuring Harry Potter (I'm sorry, I will never stop thinking of him as Harry Potter...) and a fresh new actress Zoe Kazan. I rented it as part of a new release movie marathon night with the sisters, and it turned out to be a favorite! It was so witty and the characters were absolutely believable. The ending was beautiful and the fool's gold part was a win win for me. So many laughs & oohs and awes. I loved it! I think Daniel Radcliffe did excellent in this and okay, I will start thinking of you as not just Harry Potter. Also, I think I have a major crush on you again.

5. Boyhood: This was an incredibly unique film. It took 12 years to film this one because it told the story of a boys life and used the same actors and actresses throughout the process. It was a really long movie but I didn't even notice because I was so fascinated by it the whole time. I especially enjoyed it because Mason is the same age as me, so many of the generational things felt nostalgic and wonderful.

4. Begin Again: From the same people who brought you Once...and that convinced me enough to see it. I really enjoyed this one. The music was enjoyable. In fact as soon as I got home I bought the soundtrack because I wanted those songs to get stuck in my head again. It is a story of friendship which I appreciate because there are so many love stories out there but this one was more about the love surrounding a good friendship and how you can change each other through caring about each other. The story telling was also unique in the aspect that it went back in time and through different perspectives and then came together. It's hard to explain, but it was a captivating way to do it! Keira Knightley was excellent in it, Mark Ruffalo was very convincing, and Adam Levine was FINE. Even if he was sort of a jerk. It is a beautiful story and you will be singing the songs for days.

3. Stuck In Love: I adored this one. It had many young actors who I adore. Lily Collins, Nat Wolff, and Logan Lerman. Also, who ever did the casting for the family, it was totally believable. Also, what an incredibly attractive family. The story in this movie was so raw, portraying a realistic family in a not so ideal situation. It is full of youth nostalgia, first love, and lessons to be learned. Josh Boone's first film is a must see. And I will see ANYTHING else he ever does because I was so impressed.

2. Remembrance: The story in this film is so powerful and beautiful. Don't let the language barrier scare you, it is fantastic. It tells of two young people who were in love while at a concentration camp and their journey through life. He saved her life and yet they were unable to find each other after so long. It is told in the past and the present, which I think is wonderful. It makes your reflect on life and is a very inspiring film.

1. The Fault in Our Stars: My most anticipated movie since early 2012 when I read the book. It was so well done, I could cry. I did cry. A lot. Every time I watch it I cry. A lot. The script was so similar to the book, the movie was better presented than I could even imagine in my head, which was pretty amazing. It was witty and devastating at the same time. A beautifully tragic love story that leaves you with a warm heart. And raccoon eyes.

Favorite TV Shows:

8. The Office: At the beginning of the year I made it a challenge for me to finally finish all of The Office. It took me 5 months, but I finished them all and laughed a lot. It is the perfect show to watch when you need some giggles. It will also raise expectations for future relationships because Jim & Pam. I also thought that this series ended well. What a great ending to wrap up such a beloved show.

7. Orphan Black: This show is super awesome. I think it deserves its own genre because I've never seen anything like it. You are instantly attached to the show as the opening scene shows a girl witness the suicide of another girl that looks exactly like her. She then takes her wallet to try to pretend to be her and to fake her own death since things aren't going great in her own life. But then conflict arises, there are actually many more that look just like her, and someone is trying to kill these clones off. BBC Canada has created one of the most enticing shows I've ever seen mixed with science and intrigue. Also, Tatiana Maslany deserves every best actress award on tv out there right now because she absolutes pulls off these multiple characters and it is incredibly believable.

6. Homeland: I started watching this because it got such good reviews. I didn't actually start getting into it until mid season 1. But after that I was completely hooked. I have yet to see season 4 which I hear is the best yet, but season 3 was excellent! It portrays the CIA very realistically with some horrible secrets and devastating events occurring in the middle east. It also has some emphasis on mental illness as Carrie has bipolar disorder. Claire Danes does a spectacular job in this and the episodes have me on the edge of my chair everytime.

5. Game of Thrones: An incredibly entertaining show. Although I personally skip through some of the more profane scenes, I think the story is very riveting and it shows so much about humanity while also adding a fantasy feel. The acting is so well done. Especially Peter Dinklage. It's like Lord of the Rings but a tv show.

4. Covert Affairs: My current addiction. It's like Legally Blonde but a spy show. It is so entertaining and I have to say I adore Piper's character. Auggie (Christopher Gorham) is a personal favorite. Fantastic blind acting! The stories, although not as intense as Homeland in my opinion, are thrilling, and it seriously makes you want to become a spy. I enjoy feeling like I'm traveling while watching it too as so much travel takes place in it. Season 4 was my favorite after a big twist in the plot and I will keep watching until it's over.

2. Doctor Who: It took me years to finally watch and keep watching Doctor Who. I found it a little hard to get into, but once as I got into it I binge watched several seasons, bought myself a sonic screwdriver, and kept on the lookout for a tardis in real life. British television is so witty and fun, and this one is too. But then there are also so many feelings and sometimes you'll start crying over aliens and planets that don't exist and that is what makes the show so great.

3. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: The funniest show on television hands down. Whenever I'm in the mood to laugh I rewatch episodes. It's so funny. It's a show about a group of friends, some of them related, who are all degenerates and never learn from their mistakes. From episode one the characters are defined and they don't change much throughout the show which makes it hilarious. If you start to rewatch you realize some of the quirks that they stick with after 10 seasons! The situations are so relatable and the way the react to things makes me laugh for hours even just thinking about it.

1. Gilmore Girls: Rory is my spirit animal. We are so similar sometimes it freaks me out. Especially younger Rory. The relationship between Loralei and Rory is so awesome. The script, notorious for being super long due to their fast banter, is so entertaining. So many metaphors, so much sarcasm, and plenty of references to media. The appeal of an ivy league lifestyle is intriguing to me and the relationships were genuine and heartbreaking sometimes. Team Logan. But wait Jess was so awesome. Well, I guess I'll never decide between that one. Hopefully a movie will be made because I cried for over 2 hours after finishing it and I'm slightly still in denial that it's over. So go and watch. It's finally on netflix!

And that concludes this years favorites. Hopefully you will take my advice and check out some of my favorites and share some of yours with me also!

Here's to a happy and healthy 2015!

Introducing Loonies, Toonies, and Foodies!

2015-01-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

I am happy to say that I've paired up with my friend and have started a food blog! It is called Loonies, Toonies, and Foodies and is in both english and french. It will be featuring restaurants in Montreal and recipes by both of us! Check it out! (And hopefully we will actually post on it semi-regularly.)

Graduation!

2014-01-16T20:30:00.002-08:00

I officially graduated from Master Esthetician school! I attended Skin Science Institute of Laser and Esthetics for 8 months and honestly I felt like I lived there because I was there so much. I am thankful to be able to have my license while I go to college so that I can have a way to support myself. Plus, my skin is tremendously improved now.

It was a wonderful learning experience for me in many aspects.

I was forced to socialize with strangers for sometimes 5 hours at a time. (If you know me, you know I am 90% of the time an introvert, so this was quite the challenge.) I actually started to really enjoy learning more about new people and getting to see the diversity from my clients. I had clients from several different countries, and one who had just flown in to Salt Lake City that day and spoke no english. We communicated via Google Translate. Thanks Google. This experience made it so now I can talk to anyone and keep the conversation flowing.

Sometimes people can be difficult. I had a few clients who were furious with their previous appointments from other students because their skin had reacted badly and they had been burned. Trying to calm down these clients and satisfy them was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. The thing to remember is to not let it get to you and remember that it is nothing personal. I usually tried to put myself in their position and look at it from their perspective.

Read contracts before signing them. :)

Here are some pictures of the graduation ceremony.

we are hope concert 2013

2013-12-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

On November 9th I played in a concert hosted by the Muzart Foundation called, "We are Hope". The purpose of the concert was to encourage the addition of music and arts programs in schools.

It was at the LDS Conference Center, which is ENORMOUS! I didn't want to get in trouble for having my phone out and I also was on stage, but these are some pictures posted online of the event.

Some of the guest artists were: Michael Martin Murphy, Jackie Evancho, and Mark Wood. It was fun to collaborate with all of these musicians.

best,

Jacqueline

Whiteheads and Blackheads

2013-10-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what causes those annoying whiteheads and blackheads? Here are some quick facts!

WHITEHEADS:

AKA closed comedones
Very small pore openings so oxygen can't penetrate
Walls of the follicle stretch but the follicle opening doesn't
Easily inflamed because of bacteria increasingly multiplying because of anaerobic activity. The P Acnes bacteria (the bacteria that causing acne) cannot live in the presence of oxygen.
Frequently seen in adult women in the blush line area
They look like small underground bumps
Not easily extracted--it is recommended to use a lancet to extract
When enough bacteria forms and impaction is large enough, a small tear occurs in the follicle wall. The immune system sends white blood cells that arrive via blood vessels causing redness and the pus.

BLACKHEADS:

AKA open comedones
They don't allow bacterial growth because the follicle opening is large enough to expose it to oxygen
The darkening is caused by exposure on the top of comedo to oxygen in the air and by clumps of melanin (skin pigment) present in the dead skin cells in the follicle.
The sebum turns a yellow brown.

Blackheads and whiteheads can be prevented by cleansing and exfoliating the skin on a regular basis. Usually the occur in the T zone (forehead, nose, and chin.) By extracting these areas regularly and using a clay or sulfur based mask to spot treat those areas they can be more regulated.

In Which I Meet Jay Asher

2013-10-02T20:13:00.001-07:00

Last week I had the pleasure to listen to Jay Asher speak at the Salt Lake City Public Library in association with the Utah Book Festival! I was so excited to meet him and here is why:

When I was in 8th grade I never read. I thought that there were no books out there that I felt like reading (at the time) and didn't realize there were even books written for my generation that could relate to me as a 13 year-old girl.

One day in math class we were told to read and I didn't have a book. I looked under my desk and found one. It was called, "13 Reasons Why".

I picked it up and started reading.

And I put it down when I was finished.

I remember bringing the book to my mom's birthday dinner and reading the whole time.

The book is wonderful! I think it is amazing to bring up something that has such a stigma to it. Suicide is a topic that is very touchy for many and for whatever reason is avoided in discussion. I think it is good to bring awareness and help reach out to those who may be having a hard time.

The discussion Jay had with the audience was inspiring. I enjoy his humor very much and also loved his thoughts on suicide awareness and prevention.

I was taken aback by what he signed on the books.

"Everything affects everything!"

best,

Jacqueline

The Grades of Acne

2013-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my first post in a series about skincare. I am currently in school for my master esthetician license and I would like to shed some light about a topic that is unfortunately not cared about until people start noticing the scars when they are older and it is too late.

Today I am going to be talking about the grades acne.

GRADE 1: Mild Acne

Open and closed comedones (whiteheads & blackheads)
The occasional pimple (red pimple)
Typical for teenagers at the beginning of puberty
Also seen in acne prone adult skin

GRADE 2: Moderate Acne

Large number of closed comedones
Redness
Occasional pustules (inflamed papule with a white/yellow pus in the center) and papules
Can be caused by comedogenic products and cosmetics (products that block the pores)

GRADE 3: Severe Acne

Thought of as "typical teen acne"
Very inflamed and red
Large number of open (whiteheads) and closed (blackheads) comedones
Many papules and pustules
Risk of scarring and pitting

GRADE 4: Most Severe Acne

AKA Cystic acne
Large risk of scar formation and pitting
Has numerous papules, pustules, nodules, and deep cysts
Causes great pain
Severely inflamed

It is important to talk to an esthetician or dermatologist about your acne concerns. There can be many causes for acne, which I will discuss in a further post. It is crucial, especially to prevent and helping get rid of acne, as soon as you can because acne can lead to scarring that can last forever.

Here is a visual of what the grades are. Look at them and try to see what you are if you have acne. It can save you a lot of grief by going the extra mile to get on the right track of skincare. It can help not only appearances, but help get rid of the awful pain that accompanies it.

XOXO,

jacqueline

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

2013-09-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

This week I would like to talk about one of my favorite books by an extraordinary author.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This was my favorite book of 2012! I was blown away by the powerful story and read it all night very teary eyed. Yes, there was a tissue box next to me. Yes, I liked it.

I already knew John Green was amazing, but this just pushed that ranking even farther.

As if that was possible.

Anyway, here is the book blurb:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

And here are John's Youtube channels, along with his brother Hank. I have spent countless hours watching them. Do enjoy!

And if you haven't already heard: TFIOS is being made into a movie starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort (both also starring in Divergent!) Check out updates from John's twitter page! I'm so excited!

Best,

jacqueline

days of '47 concert 2013

2013-08-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

In late July I played in the annual Days of '47 Concert at Abravanel Hall with the Lyceum Philharmonic.

Some of the guests included Jenny Oaks Baker, George Dyer, and the Sterling Singers. It was a fun concert and nearly a full house!

christmas in canada 2012

2013-01-09T19:39:00.000-08:00

We drove up to Canada to visit our family there for Christmas. We had done this about 6 years ago and it was one of my favorite Christmas' to date.

This year we drove up with our adorable weimaraner, Oliver. It was entertaining as he thought it was a fun car ride and then 5 hours later was probably wondering when we were going to stop. It was fun to bring him and he got to play with his doggy cousin, Porter.

We visited the Fernhouts and our Noel grandparents.

It was a very fun holiday and I wish that it lasted longer.

We also ate a lot of brunch and pavlova.

Bonjour!

2013-01-01T09:57:00.000-08:00

Bonjour!

After almost two years, I am back in the blogging world!

My hope for this blog is to share my thoughts on books, movies, music, and skin care.

Here is a little bit about me:

I am an aspiring flutist.
I am officially a bookworm.
I go on Pinterest a little too much.
I have an adorable Weimaraner named Oliver.

XOXO,

jacqueline