{viva la curious}

Making It Work: The Sequel. Young Women in Military Relationships Share Their Stories!

2012-02-17T17:34:00.000-05:00

Inspired by my recently published article "Making It Work: Young Women in Military Relationships", I decided to write a 'sequel' sharing all the great advice & stories that I regrettably couldn't pack into the originial article. When I put up the inital post on Tumblr asking for research help, I had no idea so many women would respond, and have so much incredible stuff to say!

When you starting dating, (in whichever part of his career) how did that affect your relationship?

Suanny & Ivan
(one of my milso buddies)

Audra (Marines): It definitely made our relationship stronger and we each became stronger as individuals as well during his time in bootcamp. We also have learned not to take a single moment for granted, a mere Skype date means the world to me. I get that about once a week, which is pretty awesome. Before my marine went into the Marines he said he didn't want to get married until after I was out of college, his reason being was that he wanted me to have the most stable life possible and thought I needed to stay put instead of stressing about moving around. However, once he got out of bootcamp he changed his mind and told me he wanted to to get married sooner!

Maggie (Marines): I know that my relationship has grown stronger since he's joined. We have to trust each other with everything. It's a two way street and I know that I'll always be loyal to him and I know that he'll always loyal to me. I also think the fact that he's doing something so honorable makes it stronger. It's his job to be away; he's protecting the nation. I don't feel like there are many advantages to being in a military relationship, it just sucks. But he makes me so proud, which is something I couldn't have said a year ago. I feel more respected because of him. When I picked him up from the airport in his dress blues, people looked at me differently.

<33

Colleen (Marines): We've been married almost 8 months. We've learned how to fight (sounds silly but a good relationship needs a healthy fight every now and then, not screaming and yelling and crying all the time, just a good disagreement, some hurt feelings maybe, and then of course, resolvent.) It wasn't such a lovey dovey kind of relationship anymore, it wasn't that high school dream relationship, never fighting, nothing is ever wrong. It was hard, it hurts at times, still does. But that's what makes you stronger. And everyday I love him more.

What are the hardest challenges you face on a daily basis?

Zeina (Marines): I had classes all day and then I also volunteered, so by the time I was available to talk, he was ready to head to bed since he had to get up so early. Only having about 3 hours a night to talk to someone you're trying to build a relationship with is very hard. Plus the fact that we were long distance and could only see each other on the weekend, and that was if we had enough money. Seeing other girls make spontaneous plans with their boyfriends was hard on me because I couldn't. But I found that by emailing or facebooking him helped pass the time.

Brianna (Marines): For the most part, nights are the worst, and for every one they are. It's when you lay your head down on your pillow at night and begin to realize that the love of your life isn't laying right next to you; and knowing that the next morning he won't be by your side to say "good morning" or "I love you".

Kathryn (Marines): The hardest challenges that my husband and I face is the distance and trying to keep the love alive while being only a face over the computer screen. He's deployed to Japan and he has been there for almost 2 years now. Out of that two years we will have seen each other a month total. In that time we got married at the ages of 18 and 21. We've been married for 6 months now, and we haven't seen each other any of that time. Our whole first year of marriage will be spent apart. The distance and the separation is definitely the biggest obstacle we face.

Alyssa & her man

Mandi (Marines): The hardest challenges we face right now while he is deployed to Afghanistan are distance and communication. Nothing in our hearts have changed, but it is a big adjustment to become accustomed to waiting on a phone call every week or so and it taking over a month to get food and letters to him.

Do you think military relationships are more serious than non-military ones?

Jenn : Each relationship is different. Whether you're dating a soldier, a pilot, or a chef everyone faces their own battles. To say that one relationship is more serious than the other solely due to occupation is unfair. Yes, it's hard and we experience many different things than someone that is dating a school teacher would face, but it doesn't mean ours isn't as serious as theirs.

Micaela (Marines): I think it depends on the people in the relationship, really. For me, I feel like my boyfriend and I are a lot closer than most of the couples I know. Our relationship does not feed off of each other’s physical needs. We don't need that. It's been a year and he still gives me those butterflies, and I still feel like I can to anything when he tells me he loves me, or even touches my hand. I think that because of the 7,000 mile distance and not being able to see each other for a year- and have a love that goes stronger with each passing day regardless of time or distance, I'd call that a serious relationship.

"Olivia": I wouldn't put down other people's relationships but yes. I do think they are much more serious. If you are willing to wait months or even years for someone to be with then, you have to be serious about the person.

Jessa & John

Christina: We feel the pain that most people don't encounter in a lifetime with their partner and it makes us cherish the love and little moments on such a greater scale. Every moment together, every fight, every kiss, every "I love you" means everything because you never know when it could be the last.

Samantha: I feel all relationships are as serious as the couple makes it being in a military relationship does not grant us anything special after all it is another career, women who are with business men go through the distance to. I do feel though we are stronger because we have to go through days of not talking to them and praying they are okay.

I personally thought this “example” Shelby used was pretty clever:

Shelby: A relationship, is a relationship. That is the label. Though under this label there are categories. Military relationships, and Non-Military relationships. They have their differences, but have a thousand more similarities. Kind of like a brand of soup. For example; Ramen Noodle Soup. It's all soup. No matter which flavor, nor which ever packet you pick up, it's all the same. The only difference between each one, is the flavor. And in relationships, the different "flavors" are long distance relationships, and non-ldr's. Military just happens to fall under long distance (most of the time).

What are the advantages of being a military relationship?

Stephanie (Marines): The distance. It’s a double edged sword and a lot of girls complain about it. But when you think about it, where would you guys be if he never left? I know plenty of girls, me included, that their boyfriends leaving for bootcamp, or being away has helped both parties open their eyes and see how much they love the other and want to make it work anyway.

Brian & I

Heather (Air Force): Your man looks great in uniform! That, and being in a military relationship teaches you a lot about waiting, and a lot about what it means to really love someone. It's a lot harder to love someone when they're 3000 miles away, but if you love them, the distance doesn't mean much.

Zeina: I treasured every weekend I had with my husband while he was active, the little things like corny good morning texts made my day versus my friends who just rolled their eyes when their boyfriends did the same thing. I value my husband so much more for what he has done with his life and what he does for me because of the 6months I went through with him during active duty. "Live like he deploys tomorrow" is probably one of the best quotes for a military spouse to have.

Mandi: To be honest, being in a relationship with a person who is generally deployed to a combat zone over 50% of the year is very hard. But with the trials that the military puts forth also brings attributes such as trust, honesty, resilliance, and an inward strength that many couples work years at in order build.

Annie (Marines): Knowing that they love you back just the same, if not even, more. The fact that I know I don't have to worry about him everyday, and know he's going to call me whenever he can, puts my heart at ease and makes me realize "Dang, I am in love."

Logan & Colleen (adorable!)

Caitlin: Being a milso has shown me that I have strength I never knew I had. It's shown me that love isn't about being with someone 24/7, it's about being able to be miles away from each other and still feel the connection you have.

Brianna: Knowing that you can get through your life without him being there should feel like an accomplishment! Most of us are in the end, independent women. We can survive without our men really "being there" but they still are there for us. Trust is also another advantage (if you have that for one another). And then there's the sweet love letters that every girl always talk about that are sooo romantic!

As you can see, regardless of what branch you represent, we “military sweethearts” share a lot in common. It’s important to know you aren’t alone! I know being a military girlfriend has really changed me as a person, for the better. All those lonely nights alone always turn out to be worth it. I hope reading what these ladies graciously shared with me and all the world helps everyone see the amount of utter sacrifice and the extent of loyalty us “milso’s” have for our men.

Stay strong,

How to Survive in College

2011-12-13T13:09:00.007-05:00

College is definitely a lot different than you expect. Whether you're working towards your degree at a community college, a university, or online, there are lots of ways you can be a success and acheive what you want. This semester, I learned some valuable things and I'd like to share my tips on how to survive the ever-present impending social expectations in college-form for us young people...

Tip #1: Stop the media.

It's real easy to get distracted, especially when you're studying an oh-so-boring topic for your next exam. But tuning out the distractions will help you hone your studying skills. Concentration is key. Turn OFF your cell phone. Shut down your laptop. Put some peaceful music in the background, hop on your bed with a glass of something cold, and get down to it. The sooner you tackle your day's worth of reading, the better you'll understand the material you will be later tested on.

Tip #2: Learn to be a scribe.

Scribes, unless they were meant to, never wrote down everything single thing. If you did, you'd just be writing your own personally scribbled copy of your textbook and that's useless. Notes are essential to learning and applying the text you just read, so write down the important parts. What are the important parts? Phrases, things repeated, words in bold, definitions, and anything else that your teacher has hinted will be needed later on.

Tip #3: Learn to say, "Later, man."

Sure, you can't always relive a party. But will that party matter ten years from now? Probably not. This is probably the most hardest thing to say no to, but learning to skip out of parties or dinners or events to study doesn't make you a nerd, it makes you learn. Then, once you've finished your work, then you can better enjoy your time with friends, knowing you've accomplished your homework and are treating yourself for being a better student than most!

Regardless of how well your grades were, there are ways you can improve next semester. There's hope, a little light at the end of the tunnel. Now that finals are over, it's time to turn over a new leaf.

Enjoy your Christmas vacation break everyone!

Week 25: Learn Not to Burn

2011-08-28T10:45:00.001-04:00

One, two, skip a few... and BAM! here we are at the end of week 25 (I actually just guessed...). I'm missing like 5 or so articles, but I have an excuse. I was working on a piece for my new writing freelance job, and it got published!

If you're curious and want to read it, check it out here.

With the summer almost ending, classes starting, and increased work hours, one can easily become discouraged how much energy is sucked out of you on a daily basis. According to the American Psychological Association's 2007 survey of the US, half of Americans say they can't sleep at night due to stress. 30% of Americans also feel like they live under extreme stress on a daily basis. Why so uptight?

The principle is simple: Americans need to learn to slow down, de-stress, and learn to say "no" to over committing and "yes" to taking a little time out of their busy schedules to repair themselves.

Everyone knows if you use your car, and never put anything in it, never do anything to the interior, or the exterior, or take care of it that thing is going to be one sorry piece of junk that won't be going anywhere. So if we take good care of our cars (well, the smart ones among us that is; or else you already have a junker and don't care...still, the poor thing could use some TLC), why don't humans stop and refill up our energy stores alot more often than once or twice a week? A solution de-stressing from a busy schedule is not saying no to everything except doing what it takes to pay the bills. It's the concept of not over committing yourself. Cutting back on unneeded areas in your life that just add more baggage or dead weight. And learning the use of time management is a very necessary tool.

#1 = Start with one hour.

If you have a crammed life, start with just one hour a week. If you think you can manage an hour a day, good. In that hour, pick up a magazine, pour yourself a glass of something cold, and sit down. Yes, please take a seat. See how long you can stay that way within the hour without answering the door, the phone, your recent Facebook notifications (Farmville can seriously wait, I promise), or even the dog. (Unless it's peeing somewhere...) What you are attempting to do right then is called something very weird but wonderful--it's called relaxing. As strange a concept as it seems, simply sitting down and breathing is actually really healthy for you. No TV though. TV can actually raise your blood pressure. (Probably from shows like NCIS or Monk which always keep me on the edge of my seat until I almost fall off.)

Grab your favorite piece of writing, (I would highly suggest "Unfashionable" by Tullian Tchividjian, this month's Lucky magazine, or even a cookbook like Culinaria France...), sip your drink, play some music in the background and repeat this at least three times a week. You'll find yourself not only looking forward to your hour of "me time" and also find yourself de-stressing a fraction more and more every time.

#2 = Learn to say, "No, thanks."

Everything may seem like a good idea, but you're not Superman. So don't "super commit" to even recreational activities. Keep your schedule basic. If you work long hours, don't plan on long nights out or elaborate plans. Even if you feel like time is crucial to keeping your social life interesting, keeping your body going is alot more important. Physical fatigue isn't the only symptom from "stressing too hard." Mental fatigue, which drains you much more than physical, is very demanding on your brain, your body, and your mind. As long as you keep in mind that you can say "no" to friends and still be friends, (unless they are completely lame), you will definitely thank yourself later when you're feet and head are throbbing after work or class.

#3 = Find something that's satisfying.

Americans are restless. We flit like butterflies from place to event to home to games to hobbies in a heartbeat, not realizing it only fuels our impatient fast-paced lifestyle habits all the more. Whatever happened to that relaxation thing I mentioned? Find something simple that you like doing, (such as a simple hobby or exercise) and try your hardest to practice it twice a week. With your "me hours" and your "satisfaction times", you'll need to sift out somethings your life doesn't need. Even if it's volunteer work or going to every single church event (yes, that's admirable but one must be realistic) or volunteering to take another shift when your body is already screaming no, you must let it go. Learn to say no, take some time for yourself, and do something you enjoy.

Life is a beautiful thing. As long as we don't let the clock rule our lives (to a certain extent), it can always stay that way, even through the ups and downs.

For more ideas on how to de-stress, check out these websites I found for reference:

Simple Yoga Poses

How to Relax

For you,

Week 14 & 15: The 5 Basic Steps of Packing (Or, "Packing for Idiots")

2011-07-20T20:54:00.006-04:00

While most of my friends gallop off into the sunset for vacations at the beach, I'll just sit here and type an article on a more easy way to pack neatly. And cry. And watch Mad Men. And wish I was elsewhere....

So! Here we go:

The easy way to packing can artfully be condensed to 5 simple steps.

First you must have clean laundry. Essentially, you want both your whites and darks separated at the beginning of the laundry cycle process so colors won’t run and you have a quicker way of finding just the items you need to pack.

Once your laundry is completed, fold it entirely. Except for socks or panties unless your the Laundry Nazi. Fold shirts, shorts, and pants by folding in half (long ways or short ways depending on the item) and stack in neat piles, preferably on a top of a couch like most Americans do. As long as pets/little kids/dust bunnies keep off, your piles will stay organized. Usually.

Now get out your bag or luggage. Unfold or unzip all compartments. Starting with your clothes, pick out the items you wish to pack. Lay out shirts, pants, underwear, socks, hats, and lastly, shoes. Shoes should be packed in a separate bag than your clothing, due to the fact they might have grass, dirt, or grime on them and unless you want a dirt-mark the size of Wisconsin on your new white shirt, I’d suggest putting your trusty sneakers in their own carrier. Trust me on this.

Next, roll up folded shirts into rolls. This conserves space and doesn’t wrinkle them too bad as long as you unpack them as soon as you get to your destination. Put the rolls of shirts in the bottom of your luggage in neat rows. A normal sized bag can hold two rows of 6 or more shirts if folded properly. Do the same for the pants and place the obviously larger rolls of pantaloons on top of the shirts. Tuck in underwear and socks on the sides of the other clothes in the small spaces on the sides of your suitcase; unless you iron your underwear, no one’s gonna see the wrinkly undies. This method is very efficient so don’t worry.

Lastly, add your shower stuff, shaving kit, bath bags, electronics, swim gear, snacks or anything you wish to take with you on top of your clothes. Your personal items are safely and neatly ready for your journey. Bon voyage! I hate you!

In jest,

Week 13: Fortune Cookie Scriptures

2011-07-06T15:36:00.000-04:00

5 fortune cookie fortunes. 5 or so comparative Scriptures.
Let's see what we find...

Fortune #1: "Trust your intuition."

From a biblical standpoint, we can't trust our "natural" intuition to always line up with what God says. According to 1 Corinthians 2:11, which states:

"For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."

Any God-given understanding is true wisdom. Trusting God's will to direct our lives is the only true intuition we should follow. But you gotta be careful, sometimes that creepy little voice in your head may sound like its right...but you could be having the (cough) privilege of hearing from the Dark Side (no pun intended). Just match up your thoughts to the Bible and you'll find out the true answer to your questions.

Fortune #2: "Take the advice of a faithful friend."

I got this one while I was munching my way through a box of fortune cookies I had bought at the grocery story while watching Nikita. The verse that popped into my head as soon as I got this one was,

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Proverbs 27:17 (NLT).

If you have a "two way street" relationship with a friend, then you can both help, encourage, and strengthen each other. Think opposite of jello. Don't be afraid to speak the truth in love. It's kind of like a metal file...it's irritating for a while, but it slowly smooths out your rough edges if you respond to your friend's Godly advice correctly. No one likes a person that goes around agreeing with every darn thing you say. It's like talking to a parrot or something. Someone who is actively involved in your life and truly cares about your well being is by far a true friend.

Fortune #3: "You will always be prepared for the future, but never forget what you've learned from the past."

If you're smart, you learn from the mistakes you've made in the past. If you're stupid, you keep repeating the same mistakes over and over without learning the reason why you fall for them or why you find yourself repeatedly doing them. Forgetting the pain of the past, but taking it's life lessons with you towards your future is the wise choice. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3
If that isn't a clear message of hope for the future, I don't know what else is!

Fortune #4: "A good evening is one spent with good company."

I'm going to stick my foot in my mouth with this one but it really ought to be said...

Check out these verses:

A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day. Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind or trying to hold something with greased hands.

Proverbs 27:15-16 (New Living Translation)

It is better to live alone in the desert than with a crabby, complaining wife.

Proverbs 21:19 (New Living Translation)

Those are some pretty strong analogies, ladies. A nagging, nit-picky, whiny woman is a very repulsive thing. So take it from one of your own kind, a good evening is one spent without the whiny woman. Wipe that gripe off and get happy! *tries to dodge getting shot*

Fortune #5: "Failure is the Mother of Success."

Nobody truly enjoys failing. If you do, you might want to check yourself into the funny farm. Those who pick themselves back up after failing and press towards their goal are the ones that achieve success. In Proverbs 24:10, it says: "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!" which is true. But David in the Psalms encourages: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26 Only God can truly give you the strength you need to succeed in this world.
So who says you can't be the best person you can be? If you trust God, and keep going even when the times get tough, that my friend is the path to true success.

If you enjoy getting fortune cookies and reading the fortunes (and crunching on that weird yellow cookie material and regularly making a mess of the table like I do), trying cracking the binding of your Bible and tuning into Proverbs. I basically think of Proverbs as the Fortune Cookie Scriptures. Little bits of wisdom in easy, two line verses. Solomon, the wise guy (haha I mean wise man) that wrote these verses, should have started his own fortune cookie company because the advice God gave him to write down is way better than some of the lame cookie fortunes I've gotten (for example, "Photographic memory! Remember to put film. Or is it digital?!" was the lamest so far)
Personally, Proverbs 14-21 are my favorites. I have them all underlined and marked up in my tiny purple Bible by my bed. I dare you to read them and see for yourself!

For you,

Week 11 & 12: Too Much of the Good Stuff

2011-06-28T23:18:00.000-04:00

I won't minch words by making some lame "It's summer, I'm busy!" excuse. Blogging every week was my full intention even in the summer months, but alas after starting my job (and going places with friends, family, and mon cherie), it took a toll on my allotted blogging time.

But enough about me, let's talk about something very controversial, very tasty, and very common. Yep, we're talking about coffee. Coffee consumption isn't a "yes or no" issue--it's not like sushi, you either hate it or you love it. It's not black or white; pun intended. Coffee comes in all sorts of drinks and mixes that the possibilities are endless. Some like it straight up, some like it with tons of cream, some like it cold, some like it hot. Either way you go, coffee is treated as not only a necessity in American life (take the huge franchise Starbucks for instance) but also as an art form around the world for those who grow and roast the coffee beans to perfection. (The beans are roasted at a mere 500 degrees for up to an hour or more.)

The thing about coffee that makes it most popular is something within the coffee: caffeine. And as it is mostly known for, caffeine is one of the most abused substances. Known as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, caffiene is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a psychoactive stimulant drug. In other words, it's basically a drug.

According to the National Coffee Association, on average 112 million people (around 54% of people) in the US drink coffee on a daily basis--that's over 336 million cups of caffeine infused beverages being pumped into millions of peoples' bodily systems. The question is, what exactly does coffee do for you and to you?

Now I'm quite sure many of my readers are coffee drinkers. In fact, I could even go so far as to say half of my readers have or do consume coffee. The thing about coffee is it seems harmless. You grab a cup of joe in the morning, hit up Starbucks in the afternoon, and it's no big deal. Or you buy a Monster on your way to work for an extra kick. (Let's not even get into energy drinks...another time, another rant). And by the way, I'm talking regular, non-decaf coffee here. The kind that contains caffeine...[the whole point of this article]...anyways, coffee acts as a ergogenic, increasing a person's mental or physical labor. It gives you a burst of energy, but really all it does is temporarily remove the sensation of being tired. Positive side effects of coffee in a moderate consumption means increased attention and memory performance. Negative sides effects can mean a crash, a headache, or drowsiness and nervousness. In other words, you could easily because a lethargic jerk after you drank alot.

Recently I had the pleasure (sarcasm) of experiencing caffiene overdose. Let me say this: I hate caffiene. Coffee in itself is kinda cool---all those frappa crappa drinks coffee baristas make are pretty legit. Just take out the caffiene dependency, side effects, and utter feeling of grogginess and I'll be fine.

What happened to me was this: I was at a journalism training camp thing and after going for a couple days on little sleep, I didn't think it would hurt if I grabbed a 4-shot expresso latte from the host college's nifty cafe. The first afternoon I had it wasn't so bad. It gave me INSANE energy, so much so that even after like 8 or so games of beastly volleyball, two games of human Dutch Blitz, and two impromptu skits, I was still bouncing off the walls all evening and well into the wee hours of the night. In the morning, I felt completely normal. That afternoon, after arriving back at camp, I needed another pick-me-up. 4 shot latte-- no big deal right? Wrong. Very, very, very wrong. I had the kick, this time ten times stronger (probably adding with the caffeine still left in my tiny 100 pound frame). But after an hour or so, I was nursing a killer headache and jittery limbs. I popped one of my migraine pills, not even thinking---just reasoning it could help. Later, after dinner, I remembered I needed to take my concussion meds as well, and being tired, exhausted, and utterly stupid, I popped my meds and after about an hour, things started really changing.

To put it in plain words, that night, and the whole next day, I thought this girl right here wasn't gonna live to see her next birthday. And folks, when it comes down to it, it ain't worth it. Caffeine intoxication is very serious. I experienced a whole host of the symptoms: restlessness (even though I was completely exhausted), flushing of the face (only my face was completely drained of color), increased urination (but no strength to move), muscle twitching (felt like I was being electrocuted), a rambling flow of thought and speech (My one roomie said I kept repeating things), irregular or rapid heart beat (It felt like I was having a heart attack), and psychomotor agitation. In this case, which was a larger dose, I had disorientation (I was very confused), disinhibition, and delusions (I kept thinking I was on my bed, when at one point my counselor woke me up because she found me on the floor and I had no memory of that).

So ....no fun. No fun at all. The thing is, besides the fact the caffiene mixed with my meds, I hadn't had a large dose of coffee like that in a very very long time--if at all. (4 shots twice is like 10 cups of coffee at once). I had previously stopped drinking it to berid myself of any headache triggers, but obviously had forgotten that coffee and medication do not mix. DO NOT MIX being the key phrase.

In conclusion, studies have shown that a regular routine of coffee consumption, in the same amount, around the same time every day can actually be beneficial. Irregular caffeine consumption is where the danger lies. (It's even worse if you consume energy drinks which are made purely with just the powdery concentrated caffeine substance...) So if you drink coffee, be aware of its effects. Don't overuse it, and you won't lose it like I did. "To everything there must be balance."

For you,

Photo credit to Google Images and WikiCommons. Stats and research thanks to: http://www.coffeeresearch.org/market/usa.htm  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_caffeine_on_memory 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine

{TSSN} Week 10: How To Impress in 4 Steps or Less

2011-06-03T15:00:00.001-04:00

I couldn't resist making a post with a rhyming title. It's kind of fun to be corny once in a while. Did I just rhyme again...?

To start, impressing people has to be done honestly. Impressing people has to be done skillfully. It does not mean being someone you are not, to gain false respect or admiration, at the risk of being found out. Which, in most cases, ends in disaster.
The key is finding the perfect balance between reality and gaining what you want. It's an art. It takes talent, a keen sense of one's audience, and confidence. A person who is impressive is different than a person who impresses. In this case, the former is what you should strive for. We interact with people on a daily basis; it's important to know how to gain favor with everyone you meet. Granted not everyone will love you, but you can at least try, right?

#1 - Engage all your senses.
Are you looking at people's eyes when they talk? Listening intently? Showing the right confidence in your body language? Dressing nicely? Are you walking confidently? Correct posture? Appearances, as much as they are overrated sometimes, are key to impressing people. Our eyes and ears tell us things about the people we interact with. Ever meet someone where it felt like when you were talking to them, you were the only person in the room? That sort of devotion to a conversation says that they are not only a gracious listener, but they are sincere and genuine. But you gotta relax, stay cool, be calm. Trying too hard can come across as creepy. If you have the "good appearances and engaging your senses" part done pat, you're halfway there.

#2 - Have the right motives.
Impressing people shouldn't be to stoke your ego, gain more friends to look good, or to make yourself climb a social ladder. You are who you are, with or without people's opinions or impressions of you. Stop trying so hard. Be yourself. If people don't like that, it's not your problem. Be courteous but genuine. Be aware of how people are responding to you. Dare to do things, to express opinions, to compliment, to care. The effort you put into it depends on your motives.

#3 - Talking and not just blabbing.
(This is where it gets tricky). Ever meet someone where they looked really nice, but as soon as they opened their mouth you really, really suddenly found the lint on their shoulder so much more interesting? Talking is an art too. Find a topic that interests the person or people you are talking to, and ask them about it. If it's something you also know about, brownie points! If not, learning something new and being impressed by their knowledge of a topic will in turn make them impressed by your listening skills. A conversation is both talking intelligently, and listening intently. And half acting like you know what they are talking about too, I will admit. Because honestly there's no way you can know everything. But just don't act like you know all about the rare ant disease the Russian entomologist you are talking with is referring to; you could get yourself into some deep water there. Be realistic, but charming.
Humor, even if it's not your strong point, is also a great way to lighten up a conversation and make people smile. Unless you are at a funeral, mild humor is never a let down.

#4 - Just be you.
Nobody can do it better. Everyone appreciates an honest, consistent, open person. Don't lose your cool in tense situations. Think positively about everyone. Work on having excellent manners. But most importantly, focus on being at ease with everyone. Even people who hate your guts. To put it quite plainly, if someone doesn't like you, it's not your fault. (Unless you are acting like a total jerk, then that's a different story). As long as you are confident, a good listener, and have a clean shirt, you're far above the social norm and well on your way to fame.

P.S. I'm not biting my nails, I drink protein shakes daily, I jog almost every day, and I'm happy. If that's not a form of success I don't know what is. I did realize this week though, that when you're happy, you tend to become a target. It's rather sad, because I wish everyone could be happy. It sounds naive and stupid, but it's true. Who doesn't like happiness? Ah well, I love being happy anyway. Don't you?

Yours Always,

{TSSN} Week 9: Common Myths Now Busted

2011-05-26T19:46:00.015-04:00

Week nine already? Dude where does the time go?! It's like money, it's gone before you know it. No durrr. This week I'm going to bust common myths about, well, myself. Sounds incredibly selfish, I know...but...a writer's gotta write. So, this week is not only Selfish Lizzie week, it's also Bust Some Myths week.

Myth #1: Lizzie shops too much. Therefore, she wastes money.
I've come to the realization people think I shop too much. In my defense, if you take out the "too much" part, the statement is true. The phrase "too much" is well...too much. I shop. I don't shop irresponsibly. Yes, which is actually possible. I may shop often, but it's usually always for a purpose. Or a time killer. Or with friends (and then it doesn't count as a waste, right?) This is probably the most commonly used myth....and probably the one that is closest to being half-true. Believe it or not, I do all kinds of shopping. Just the other day I picked up some things for a friend of mine (who can't drive...) to be nice. Or I got ingredients for lasagna on my way home from dropping off my brother's friend. Or I went out and bought some shoes I needed for a wedding. See? I'm not so terrible after all.

Myth #2: Lizzie is way too skinny. Therefore, she must have a eating disorder and/or be a wimp.
Surprisingly, people assume someone like me who is rather slim to be unhealthy. So kill me because I was born with a high metabolism. Yes, I will not lie and say I haven't struggled with eating, but as of this moment, I'm happy with who I am. Case in point. As for the wimp part, so what if I don't have iron abs or biceps like Arnold Swartz.?!?! That...actually would be rather gross if I did or any female in general did. I exercise regularly, and that's that. Just because I'm slim does not mean I'm more fragile than a china doll. I have it where it counts! ;)

Myth #3: Lizzie is funny, therefore she is stupid and "blonde".
Haha! I don't think I've helped bust this one much. I mean, I am pretty wild. But I've come to the realization that ...
1) if you always act silly, people don't take you seriously (no, like seriously!). Then when you are unusually somber or "normal" they think you're either bi-polar, depressed, or in my case, just plain weird. Or maybe all three?
2) if you act funny, they immediately assume you are stupid and you become the brunt of their jokes (it sucks...). I've had this happen to me many times. And I near about got into a fight (more than once...), but then I realized it wasn't worth it. (Besides, the person was shorter than me and that's not very nice.)
3) and the more nervous or tired am I, the stupider I get. I could name a few times I regret being silly, but ehh why live life with regrets? It's extra (and useless) baggage. Learn from your mistakes, and you'll be better off.

Although some people find hilarious persons to be complete idiots (they need to lighten up a little, turn on a lamp or something), they will think what they will. I love being happy, and so that makes me want to share the happiness. Seeing people smile or laugh in my opinion, is a good thing. Laughing is healthy! Taking life too seriously to an extreme is bad, but definitely being a optimistically realist is best. As for the blonde part, I have, for the last time, reddish brown hair!

Myth #4: Lizzie dresses crazily. Therefore, she is a slut.
Excuse my language, but this has been said directly and indirectly about myself. In recent months I've toned my wardrobe down, and tried going from "freak" to "iconic" (Lady Gaga has yet to figure that out as well) but the one reason I love dressing wildly is...it's fun! That's really my only reason. I don't dress to attract attention, I dress because I like the clothes. Women can easily be attractive without being slutty. Although some people wouldn't agree with my taste or style, as long as I'm happy with it, (and my mother is happy with it) that's all that matters. I won't apologize for not wearing turtlenecks and ankle length skirts all the time. Last time I wore a turtleneck I was 13....sooo yeah, I've moved on from that fad quite awhile ago. Not saying people who do wear stuff like that aren't cool, it's just not for me. Labels on people are overrated.

Until next time,

P.S. My lovely sister-in-law, Autumn, dared me to walk up to a stranger and say, "Antonioooo! I've missed you so much!" (or something to that extent...) which I did, on wing night, but the guy thought I was talking to someone else, and so he ducked away from my air hug and promptly stepped on the waitress's toe (who was carrying a buttload of wings on her tray! ack!) and stumbled off into the crowd. I was rather disappointed.

{TSSN} Week 6, 7, & 8: "Lady, listen to me."

2011-05-15T22:04:00.000-04:00

Three weeks have gone by, and a lot has happened. Although I would love to share with you all the little details of the past 21ish days, I feel like I have more important things to discuss since I am rather behind on moi blogging and I need to spit out something I've been thinking about for a long time.

There's something to be said to women around the world who interact with males on a regular basis. If you don't, you're probably a nun and I admire that and all but...

For the rest of you ladies, LISTEN UP.

You know what our problem is? We're wimps. No, this is not a feminist-equality rant. And no, this is not a anti-sexist article. This is simply a story of how we women could try harder to make things easier for our guys.

First off, stop complicating things. I do believe 3/4 of the time a guy and girl have an argument, it's because the woman assumed something, expected something, or complicated the matter. Men are like train tracks, they keep going or working on one track unless they are (kindly) derailed to a new one, or are gently guided to a new track. We can't expect a train to stop, switch gears, and completely go in a different direction after only being asked once. It takes time for a man to learn to multi-task. And, if that man does forget about something, instead of harrassing or nagging on him, we women should always have a backup plan. It's not that we don't trust our men to remember everything, but rather, being prepared for any situation and not being extra needy or whiny is a lot more appealing. Of course, men can complicate things themselves but being open, un-judging, a good listener, and extra kind (even on bad days) should make the matter less "dramatizing" (drama + traumatizing).

Secondly, stop being so needy. It's not attractive. A girl who is independent but glamorous, who can get on by herself but still care deeply about everyone is a rare find, but truly amazing. Most men do not find a mousey homemaker a thrilling catch, I'm sorry to say. Men want a woman who they can encourage and be proud of, not have to please constantly and do things for. It's a delicate balance indeed, but being approachable but strong is a important goal. If you are, and a man hasn't found you yet, keep busy, laugh alot, and do things that you enjoy. There is someone waiting for you, I promise.

Next, don't be a wimp. Sounds awful, but it's true. I'm not saying you have to climb Mt. Everest or rebuild a car from the chassis up (if you don't know what a chassis is, chances are you need to work on that) but having a cultivated outlook on life is very appealing. Having many interests, a zest for life, and being willing to try anything is not only attractive, it makes you feel great, with or without a man! Don't ever apologize for being yourself; if a man expects you to change for him (in excess, usually) it's not meant to be. And likewise for him. If there are certain habits of his that drive you up the wall, learn to overcome it by focusing on positive qualities and in time I'm quite sure he'll appreciate it. Don't reach for the moon, but don't settle for dirt either.

And lastly, be grateful. That, my dearests, is attractive and always will be. A gracious lover is a patient, kind, and thankful lover. Even on the hard days, remember the good ones, and you'll get through. And if you do, oh darling you are a heroine in my book. Stand by your man, not in front of him or behind him.

For you,

Lizzie

Purses & Ties: Part 2 (For the Ladies)

2011-05-02T18:32:00.009-04:00

Want to get to know your lady better? Take a look at her companion: the purse. Whether she always carries her same favorite one, or sports an entire entourage of different shapes and sizes, you can find out a lot about a woman by her most used and trusted accessory.

Unlike guys, women tend to read into things more, and thus, this article was a bit daunting to write. Not only are there a lot more categories of purses than ties (see Part 1), but status, color, shape, practicality, and size all play an equal part in choosing a handbag. Why we women have to be some complicated, I'll never know....

I think I will break it down to the reasons why ladies have purses and what purses match those reasons.

#1 Status/Wealth/Statement:

The women who carry these purses want to say, "I'm rich and fabulous, be jealous." Whether the bag is flashy, expensive, or bejeweled, the main reason is to appear as a wealthy socialite with style, class, and pomp. Labels mean everything to these ladies. As most women know price and style and think that's a way to make a statement, men tend to notice an organized and complimenting purse over a handbag that was $6,000. My advice? Don't use a purse just because of the label.

#2 Color:

I have seen plenty of women who like to match their outfits with their purses right down to the exact shade. As cute as this seems, it is a bit cliched. It says "I like to be fashionably in control." It's a very studied way of being fashionable, but I wouldn't advise over doing it. Matching your purse to your outfit to a certain extent can have a very stunning effect and I know I do it sometimes. It's more of a "be sure to use a brown purse with brown shoes, and a black purse with black shoes" sort of thing. But don't go the opposite way and use an olive purse with a pink dress just because you like the look of the olive. Coordinate without appearing sterile and stuffy.

#3 Size/Shape:

Size and shape are a dramatic way of catching the eye. A wild creation says, "Notice me! I have amazing taste." A large purse says, "I can handle anything. I came prepared." (Although, it's rather dangerous territory because a 'too stuffed' purse can come across as sloppy, hobo-ish, and messy. A big but mostly empty purse means, "I'm just too cool to carry a small clutch.") While size can play a major part in how useful a handbag is, shape is also key.

Shape adds creativity and uniqueness, but can also be unpractical. A medium-sized bag is good for interviews and errands, but a round or square clutch purse is perfect for evening parties and dinner affairs. The essential thing to keep in mind is how it affects your outfit. If you have a very smooth, polised business attire on, a blingish fuzzy pink purse just won't do. That also applies if you are wearing a white clubbing dress with a huge black plain duffel bag purse ...it will totally ruin your look. Choose a purse that's not only adorable, but can work with many outfits without seeming overused or cliche.

#4 Practicality:

This is the most common reason women have certain purses. Now, don't think weird lumpy brown purses with long straps straight out of the 90s. Older women tend to pick practical over fashionable (especially grandmothers and mothers) and thus us younger generations tend to shy away from a purse if "practical" is mentioned. That is not always the case. The most common purse also conquers the most common problem: not enough pockets. By getting a practically cute purse, it won't turn into a black hole and can look (at least mildly) classy. Perfect for business, work, or school.

So there you have it, ladies. Status, color, size, shape, and practicality. If you can find a purse that fits all of these things perfectly, I can guarantee you are my number one fan of all time! Meanwhile, the rest of us will spend the rest of our lives searching for that one perfect purse...ah, the life of a woman.

For you,

P.S. Part 1 and Part 2 of my Purses + Ties article will count for Week 4 and Week 5 of the TSSN Challenge. I'll be back at writing about killer shoes and sugar headaches while we go on week #6, woot! Only, minus the headache part. :]

Purses and Ties: Part 1 (For the Men)

2011-04-28T17:20:00.000-04:00

If you're a guy, and you wear ties, read on! If you don't wear ties, scroll to the bottom and check out the paragraph that starts with the word "Unfortunately..." x]

This is not, in anyway, a personality quiz to match your mood to your tie. This is for informational purposes only. Enjoy.

What fascinates me the most is no matter what, purses and ties have almost always been around. They are, of course, a lot more played-up than in centuries past, but the need for a fashion statement can always be discovered in one's choice of hand bag or tie. This week we will analyze the meanings of purses and ties to their respective owners.

First, I'll start with the men. Part 1 focuses on ties. I made sure to put the important parts in bold, for those wonderful fellows who never read anything other than stuff in bold. Notice how I put "important parts in bold" ...in bold to get their attention and remind them to read....the, um, important parts in bold. So if you got that, let's hit it!

- Tie Shape -

♦ Thick/Fat: This means you're either self-important, or you really liked that design and just had to have it. Chances are you thought wearing a fat tie would make you look less skinny. Designers are saying fat ties are out, and I have to agree. Fat ties just look...weird, sorry.

♦ Skinny/Long: These ties scream modern, edgy, and classy. Think "Beatles". Extra brownie points if it's black.

♦ Medium/Normal: These are definitely the most common of ties. These say you're confident, but classic. If you own more than ten of these, you either go to church a lot or are involved in law, politics, or business. (duh.)

- Tie Color/Pattern -

♦ Solid: Ties that are one color, and/or made from satin, say sleek, savvy, and neutral. You don't want cliche stripes, but you also shy away from dorky patterns.

Solid ties' meanings:
black- elegant, rich, sleek
gray- vintage, classy, dashing
blue- stability, serene, collected
red- powerful, confident, dynamic
green- aware, lively, receptive
gold- wise, contemplative or flashy
pink or purple- friendly, up beat, urban

♦ Stripes: Thin stripes are classic, wide stripes send a bold messages, and a mix of the two says active, lively, and dashing. It looks especially dashing if you have brightly colored stripes.

♦ Patterns: Tiny print patterns are stuffy and sterile, large prints are daring, and a mix of patterns and stripes tell the wearer is very vogue. Pastels are soft, unassuming, and say "quietly serious".

♦ Designs: This means you not only have a good sense of humor, but it also means you're most likely a tie connoisseur. Congratulations.

Unfortunately, if you don't wear ties or even own one, that says you are probably 1) young [or retired and living in the Bahamas], 2) extremely casual, or 3) you hate ties or never learned how to tie one. Why own something if you never wear it I suppose is your reason for this? But dahling, ties can make even a casual pinstriped collared shirt look classy! So, keep in mind it's best to own at least two ties: one for special occasions (I'd recommend a black or gunmetal shiny satin, it's very sexy) and a friendly one (medium-width stripes or a bright solid color. No hot pink, please. That belongs on your girlfriend, not you.)

Good luck, chaps!
For you,

{TSSN} Week 3: 6 Dares, 6 Days

2011-04-22T22:42:00.000-04:00

week number three!

I needed something a little more exciting to blog about than pore strips or sugar consumption, yo. So let's try doing 6 dares in 6 days. Bring it onnnnn!

Dare 1: Wear heels for 6 hours.
Me being tall already, I don't usually wear heels for an extended time unless it's to a party or ceremony and I'm forced. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE shoes. But I've pretty much come to the conclusion, I love....looking at them in my tidy closet and not on my feet. So I thought I would try wearing them for a full period just to see what it was like.

ENTER PAIN.
Just call heels "foot hell", especially if they aren't high quality. But mine were. Well, sort of. Apt 9 shoes are gorgeous (usually) and run around for $30. So give or take, to me at least, they are nice shoes.

Not after 6 hours. By the 6th hour I was limping, and my big toes had turned blue. My calves ached and I could no longer feel my feet. And yes, they were the correct size. So, if you see me wearing heels, BE THANKFUL. I'm going through alot of pain for you. xD Lesson learned? I now have extreme admiration for the ladies that wear heels all day, everyday. More power to ya.

Dare 2: Break a habit: stop biting my nails.
Ever since 6th grade I've struggled with this. When my other fellow girl classmates did it constantly, I instantly picked up the habit. It feels so strange having a habit like that for so long and not even realizing it. A new manicure, while out "birthdaying it up" for a girlfriend of mine, has helped me make a new start. So, from now on, no nail biting!

Dare 3: Start and keep an exercise goal.
I figure I will start small and work up, since I don't exactly want to end up in the hospital after trying to work out. And if you know me, that could happen. (I sprained my wrist one time while cleaning my room. Stupid vacuum. One of my bestie's won't ever let me live that down. End of story.)
So here's the plan for every day: 25 sit-ups, 10 push-ups, (Don't knock, okay? Have you SEEN my arms?) and a 1/2 mile run every morning. So far....I completed the sit up part and have come to the conclusion that I am wayyyy out of shape. Working towards goals like this is good though! So I'm a bit excited. Ha, let's see how long that lasts.

Dare 4: Paint a pair of shoes.
I saw an artist on tumblr do this and I was really inspired to try it. Since I hate my Apt 9 shoes now anyway, I'm going to paint those. Photos on my tumblr: here.

Dare 5: Do something manly.
How about changing the oil in my car all by myself? Seems like a feat.
Heck, it was. It took me over an hour to just locate the oil plug....after locating the oil plug, I had to wait for my mother to return from town with my oil filter....because apparently, despite what they told me in this "DYI Chick Manual" you have to change the oil and the filter at the same time. Then my dad stood next to my car, looked through the engine down at me, and stated I needed an oil filter wrench. There's a specific wrench for that?! Quelle ughhh. So after dirtying up my hands, flicking rust in my ears, dribbling oil down my elbows and fingers, and generally making a mess, I successfully changed the oil. ^_^

I hope Bu (my car, it's a Malibu; stop laughing) is happy now!

Dare 6: Cook a special dinner for someone.
My friend's mom was celebrating her 50th birthday.... time to break out the aprons and grill tongs, people!! We made grilled chicken (Italian dressing on it made it SO DARN GOOD), roasted potatoes (healthy, because we put olive oil instead of butter on it), green beans ('nuff said) and oozy delicious chocolate cake. (which me & Stash ate outside while watching the sun set. It was awesome. And delicious.) Strangely, cooking is something I'm pretty good at and I enjoy it. And doing it for someone else was a double win-win.

So, I survived this week without ripping my nose off or drooling at the sugar bowl. Challenging, but loads of fun!

Got any dares for me?
Hit me up: lizhott63@gmail.com

------------------------
For you,

{TSSN} Week 2: Hold the Hail, please.

2011-04-13T14:33:00.006-04:00

So, after pore strips, I was ready to conquer something more. Everyone knows less sugar in your life, the better it is for you. Er...right.

I suffer from migraines, so I figured it might prove healthy to try being off sugar for one week and see how it felt.

HA HA FAIL.

Before the week started, on Sunday, I made a big batch of peanut butter brownies (I ate 4...) and drank lots of raspberry lemonade. (The raspberry was actually coffee syrup, which proved to be...rather eccentric in lemonade). I figured if I was going off sugar I might as well LIVE IT UP! Which only resulted in a headache that night and regrets about that fourth brownie. Darn.

Monday, I woke up refreshed (strangely) and ready to tackle my work schedule. Needless to say, the day went horribly... sugar-wise. I succumbed to two more brownies, some leftover lemonade and, horror of horrors, I found a twizzler to devour. Insert tears and another headache and I flunked the first day off sugar. >.<

Tuesday was definitely a better day. But only because I skipped breakfast and just had green tea with my Japanese cuisine for lunch. I managed to only put one packet in the two cups of tea I drank. A feat since green tea is of course, rather bitter. Wednesday I tried oatmeal without brown sugar, and drank lots of water and ate sugar-free jello. Thursday told me that the jello wasn't sugar free and I got a headache, and today, Friday, was strangely uneventful. I still had a headache, but I figured it was from my awesome sparkly silver headband.

Experience: No sugar for....6-ish days.

Lesson Learned: If there's one thing I've learned, it's....AH, FORGET IT. Considering the fact I'm already completely off all--and any--forms of dairy and shellfish, adding sugar on top of that was literally wayyyy too much.

Conclusion: I resolve to work on downsizing my sugar intake; but not completely eliminating it. Otherwise, I'll just be eating carrots, whole bread, and water for the rest of my life.

For you,

{The Start of Something New} Week 1: Ow, that pore strip hurt.

2011-04-09T20:02:00.000-04:00

Very-very-late New Year resolutions....turning over a new leaf...self-recreation...learning new life habits...whatever you want to call it, this is the start of something new. Here begins my quest to be a lady. 52 weeks after this post, I will have completed a year at (hopefully) successfully becoming a better lady. Granted, it will not be easy. In fact, it might even be boring. But I'm taking the plunge and pursuing this with as much gusto as a hurricane in Florida.

You know how in movies they show fashionable girls at the end of the day with pore strips on their tiny noses? Add fuzzy pink slippers, baggy (but somehow still glamorous) flannel pj's and BINGO! Stereo-typical glam girls. For years I thought that that was a way of showing they were, indeed, glamorous. They used pore strips on their noses which miraculously gave them perfect skin...all over their face. The fact that they never show the before and after parts should have forewarned me.

Curse my luck.

I bought a box of Biore pore strips, with a coupon (I wouldn't of bothered without a coupon, being so lazy), and resolved to use them once a week. I tried my first one a few nights ago. Now, granted, I don't even think my nose is "excessively dirty with build-up" considering I already use Biore for face wash anyway. But heck, it's supposed to be glamorous right?

My foot.

I swear by bagels I used the product properly...isn't reading (and then following through) the directions carefully twice, enough? I suppose not. The deep-cleaning strip of pore-hell I had stuck on my unsuspecting nose turned out to be nothing but trouble. The instructions told me to "wait until the strip is hard, like paper mache (RED FLAG HERE!) before removing this invigorating strip from your le nez." I waited exactly 15 minutes (as instructed on the box), tapped my nose to make sure it was indeed like paper mache, and tugged at the corner.

Quelle ouch.

I nearly cried. The strip covered not only my poor nose, but was also dangerously close to the thin, soft skin near my eyes. After bawling my eyes out trying to rip it off slowly on the left side as I was told to do, I resolved to forcefully remove this strip with a little more gusto. Insert more tears, and perhaps some expletives in French, here. After finally removing the stupid strip, I glanced in the mirror and really started crying. Now I did realize the pore strip would make my nose red, but I wasn't expecting the bloody-red color of my le nez as it was right then. I wiped my eyes with a tissue, cursing my luck, and sat down on my bed.

That's when the itchy feelings started. It felt like someone had surgically placed red fire ants (which I've encountered before! What a nightmare!) under my nose's skin. Rubbing my nose, with or without lotion proved useless. Granted, I found this sadistically funny as I fitfully tried getting to sleep later. I mean, who would have thought a tiny little white tape would cause so much trouble?

If only I had read this lady's similar experience....before buying.

Experience: Using a pore strip for the first time.

Lesson Learned: NEVER EVER AGAIN. Apparently, avid pore strip ladies only leave them on for 5 minutes, instead of the horrifically proposed 10-15 minutes. I might try them again IF I gather enough guts.

Conclusion: Must be a stupid "girl thing." Ce n'est rien!
_____________

Bonne chance,

Dirty Roses

2011-02-14T22:07:00.001-05:00

Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated with special evenings out, boxes of delicious chocolates and bouquets of seductively sweet roses. But people rarely realize that our romanticized day of love isn't as untainted as it seems.

I've tried, I really have, but I can't seem to completely stop buying things at Wal-Mart. I mean, for crying out loud, sometimes they are the only people who sell an item I need without paying an arm and a leg for it. I don't shop there exclusively, but I do find myself visiting our local Wal-Mart frequently even though I hate it. Some people have tried boycotting Wal-Mart because of their policies for supporting gay rights in recent years. Personally, after shopping last Thursday at my local Wal-Mart, the gay rights issue seemed really small...when you compared it to a $2.50 single cut rose.

My friend and I were in Wal-Mart last week when I happened to see several boxes of single roses (ironic, really) for sale, displayed right out in the center aisle, tempting you with their cheap price tags. Selecting a cream rose with pink tipped petals, I stuck it under my arm to carry and finished my shopping. After purchasing the rose, throwing the bag in my car, we set off to do other things. Normal scenario, right? Wrong. When I got home, I stuck the rose in a vase, hid it in my closet to give to my sister for her birthday later, and checked my email. I get a daily "dose of good" by the Good people, a subscription for a website that reports "good" or interesting news and I subscribed to their feed. Surprisingly, I received an article from them talking about violent labor abuse in the flower industry in Ecuador and Colombia. Interested, I clicked on the link and read the article. Immediately, my journalist’s curiosity got the best of me, and I started researching. I glanced at the rose I bought, and the tag said it was from Ecuador. Somehow, I knew, this rose had a story to tell.

Ecuador is one of the largest exporters of flowers. Mainly, hothouse roses are distributed to larger nations like the US during holidays or to mass retailers like Wal-Mart. 84.5% of school age children in Ecuador work jobs in the flower industry. Some children work in exchange for a lunch and their shifts can be several hours long. The safety and health conditions of the flower factories are deficient, causing more risk for health problems in the young workers. It is estimated that 80% of the flower industry work force consists of minors, largely being younger than 18 years of age. In a report on the conditions of child labor in Ecuador by the UN, "Ecuadorian legislation states that fifteen years old is the legal age for a teenager to start working for a maximum of six hours a day ...but this is far from the reality of the labor market."

The fact that there are thousands of kids working these dangerous jobs is disturbing as it is. But it's also very disturbing that many of the young female workers are being sexually exploited as well. Forced prostitution is a serious problem in Ecuador. The government is trying to crack down on factories and industry tycoons to eliminate forced prostitution and improve working conditions but Ecuador's shattered economy is what is forcing the minors to work...just to stay alive. A report analysis by International Confederation of Free Trade Unions stated that,
“Child labor is widespread in Ecuador, with estimates of half of the children between 10 and 17 being employed. Many of the children work in agriculture, including for exports, whereas many others are involved in domestic work, work in family businesses and in commercial

activities such as vending. The worst forms of child labor are also prevalent including begging

and child prostitution.”

So, when I looked at the rose I bought, something stirred inside me. Flowers are one of the most beautiful things on earth; they are like little rays of sunshine given to people to signify affection and love. And yet here they are being grown and cut by little kids not much older than my younger brother and sold in a Wal-Mart, the very image of how little we realize, as Americans, that we are so fortunate to live as prosperously as we do. But my question is how unsighted has America become? So blind that we don't even care where our products come from or how they got there, but just that they have the cheap enough price for us? Are we sacrificing frugality over ethics? I will never look at hothouse flowers the same, ever again. True, this doesn’t just happen with flowers. Even the clothes on my back could have been made in a sweatshop; but flowers? Ross Wehner of the Organic Consumers Association wrote, “Although the symbol of romance for Valentine's Day is the rose, Ecuadorans say it is their source of misery and illness. Behind the beauty of the estimated 110 million roses that Americans will give their loved ones [are] flower workers who suffer serious health problems from pesticide poisoning, according to local doctors and the United Nations.”

The very symbol of beauty and affection propagated by such pitiful—and often devastating—means is something too heartbreaking to ignore. I literally lost sleep after finding out about Ecuador’s flower industry. But all I can do is save the rose’s petals as a reminder that sometimes the cheapest bargain may not be the best bargain. To hold that rose, and know that some little enslaved kid held it, even just for a moment, really changes your worldview. I hope this article has touched you in some way, because even though I’ve tried, words cannot amply describe my grief for buying that rose, and the very high possibility of it coming from a factory with thousands of impoverished children working there. I can’t explain why the rose made my heart saddened. I can only tell others the roses’ heartrending origins.

To avoid this problem in the future, look for flowers that are “fair-trade certified” such as One World Flowers, World Flowers, or the Inbloom Group.

If you would like to learn more about products sold around the world made by forced/child labor, I highly recommend visiting this website.

Always for you,

What They Don't Tell You Before You Grow Up

2011-01-27T16:16:00.001-05:00

{This is dedicated to my brother, Jon, for his thirteenth birthday.}

They won't tell you that you must cherish these moments, because you'll never get them back.

They won't tell you growing up happens way too fast. But it's fun while it lasts.

They won't tell you you're lucky to be your age right now... to be big enough to order off both kids and regular menus. ;)

They won't tell you from here on out, the work will just get tougher, but you'll get stronger.

They won't tell you that sometimes, you'll look in the mirror and want to rip your face off, but you must remember, you're beautiful inside and out. And you always will be, to me.

They won't tell you school will be boring as as watching paint peel, they'll just tell you that you have to do it. Do it, but learn to love it.

They won't tell you your parents may seem like they don't understand you, but that's only because you must try to understand them better and why they care about you so much.

They won't tell you your friends will make fun of you, but that's because they envy your confidence, your looks, your height, your laugh, the list goes on. Reach out to them, and tell them what you like about them and see what it does.

They won't tell you the habits you form now, can stay with you for the rest of your life. Choose wisely.

They won't tell you that between you were born and when you turn 18, your parents will have bought you over 10,000 different clothes on average. Be thankful for their caring love for you.

They won't tell you that what you can dream, you can become. These years are a springboard to the rest of your life. How high will you go?

They won't tell you that these years can be a turning point in your life. Will you choose to live selfishly? Or strive for goodness always?

They won't tell you, but I will.
Stay strong, always.

For you,

Some {Important} Things Guys Should Know About Girls

2011-01-25T18:22:00.002-05:00

{A big thank you goes out to all the ladies that helped contribute to this!}

Easy Read for Men: The important parts are in bold.


"Please?"

Everyone knows there's a big difference between waffles and spaghetti. And everyone knows the major differences between female and male humans. But just how big are we talking?

Thanks to some (female) friends, I've collected some heartfelt information directed towards our male acquaintances that could very well make guys better understand females, or not. Best of luck at trying to figure us out, bub! But seriously. Being completely ignorant of how women work will just lead to further pain and mortifying embarrassment. Well, not really, but you get the point.

So, let's get to it!

" 'I don't wanna talk about it', means we do want to talk about it."

Ladies are complex creatures, obviously. Heck, I'm female and I will gladly tell y'all that first off! Everyone should know that females generally like to converse in words more than men do. So, when the girl says she doesn't want to continue talking about a certain issue, what she's really saying is, "Prove to me you care by getting me to open up. That shows me you care about my feelings, and that you want to help me."
But remember, don't push her, encourage her. And if she throws a book at you after you've asked several times if she wants to talk about it, let her cool down a bit before expressing your concern again. Remember, we're complex, but completely lovable. ;)

"When a female has a problem and tells you about it, she just wants you to listen to her and pray for her. She does not want you, the male, to express your opinion on how to fix the situation. She knows how to fix the situation. She just wants your sympathy, an open ear, and encouragement. Males skip the listening part a lot of times. They should learn to just listen."

This is also very true. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION HERE! Yes, getting her to open up by expressing an interest is very good but don't immediately jump into a "Problem Solving" mode. This just makes her feel less worthy, like the problem takes more importance than she does. It's like telling someone who's depressed to snap out of it, or telling a rape victim that oh, it happens to a lot of people. And yes, sometimes it is that serious to us more so-called "delicate" females.

"Guys should know it's kind of hard for us to know what's going on inside their heads/hearts if they don't say anything!"

luv ♥

It baffled me how each one of these things that our ladies expressed all went hand in hand. Guys, make the effort to not just get her to talk, and to listen, but to also share your own feelings, which is what a woman really needs. She needs acceptance, understanding, and more importantly love. And nothing says "I love you" more than risking your reputation/ego/pride/etc by opening your own heart to her. I think a big reason why people have communication problems is because men won't open up, and women assume things because of the lack of input. Make it your goal to listen and share, and it will help bridge the gender-gap that so many of us have a hard time understanding.

"My eyes are literally up here dude! I think all chicks hate it when that happens."

Visual. Yes, we know y'all are visual. But guys, c'mon. Man up and start respecting the ladies. Sometimes I just wanna smack some of you, because even though you were created for...well, sex, it's not that hard to make the effort to respect a woman. Look her in the eye. If you strive to be respected by the ladies, do the same for them. Be careful of her feelings, share your thoughts when she's talking seriously, admit it when you're wrong, and above all, love her. That doesn't mean just saying it, it means being it. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to prove you love her, you've already done that if she wants to be with you. You just have to be there for her. Show her that she means so much more than anything else in the world to you. It isn't weakness, it's love.

Lastly, I would like to share something a dear friend of mine wrote:

Except her, love her, want her, exactly the way she is.

Girls are not all alike. Some see things from a completely different viewpoint than others and react in equally unique ways. For instance, I do not tend to know how to "fix" a certain situation; therefore, my goal in explaining it to someone else (male or female) may be seeking wisdom or suggestions from them. I don't always just want someone to listen to me, I tend to want some type of input. I agree that there are times when I really don't want anything other than encouragement and prayer. I think that's probably true for most people, including guys, but I wouldn't really know, would I? ;)

Personally, I enjoy the opportunity to be the one who listens and know that a guy friend has enough trust/confidence in you that they want to talk you.

Also, speaking for myself and perhaps not all girls, I do not like classification. When a guy dismisses something that I say, merely because they feel that I, as a girl, don't understand, I am not amused. Not to say there aren't boundaries...because it's true, I won't understand certain things due to my gender. ["You didn't like that hopelessly romantic MOVIE?!?!??!? WHAT?!"] It's a FACT that women think almost entirely different than men. I suppose that's like guys and their egos, many girls have a certain amount of pride....pride that can be hurt. Even when it is said in fun or joking, most girls that I know do not like to hear themselves classified or (do I dare say it) stereotyped ; whether it's "blonde," "preppy," "know-it-all," "sensitive," etc etc. Granted, we shouldn't act in a way that would cause anyone to give us those labels, but sometimes we slip up, and it happens.

Last thing, again speaking mainly for myself, girls(this one, at least) have a very hard time "summing-up" or explaining anything in a small amount of words. Thus, we tend to be confusing/boring/ "wait, what? you were still talking... oh...." There are few things I appreciate more than for another individual (again, guy or girl) to actually take the time and consideration to everything that I said and give me input. Few things hurt more than to find out they really weren't listening or just pretended to be interested.

On the that note, guys stop being sarcastic. It's not appealing. Girls are hurt many times by unknowing males simply because they were sarcastic in conversation. Don't treat your girl friends like your guy friends. They deserve a much higher level of treatment. There is a place and time for sarcasm, but use it minimally. Trust me on this.

Well mon amies, that about sums it up. I have a feeling the "Some {Important} Things Girls Should Know About Guys" is going to be much shorter. ;) If any of you gentlemen read through this, it must be because you either like my blog way too much, or you're actually interested in being a better man when it comes to interacting with us conniving women. x]
Remember, the more you are actively involved in a woman's life, the more it requires you to love and respect her. And she then will respect you, because you respected her first.

For you,

How to Be Hot in the Winter: For Guys

2011-01-12T14:45:00.001-05:00

As promised, here's Part Two of the Hot series....this time, for all your gents! C'mon, you know you want to read this and find out how to look your hottest and NOT freeze your butt off. I will assure you, even though I am female, I did make sure all of these suggestions were as manly as possible. ;)

Head ♦

Solid or patched, like above^

Okay, before you shoot me, hear me out completely. You can wear hats and not look like an idiot or a 8 year old. The hats that are truly in fashion are the cap-like plaid hats, which not only keep your head warm, but you also don't have to worry about your hair that day. Not that you would, but ehh, it makes dressing in the morning a lot quicker. So, even if you aren't Welsh or British, a plaid hat paired with a sexy leather jacket has a really "dapper" look to it (dapper, by the way, means classy). Only a man truly confident can rock a hat. And by definition, I'm talking about this kind of cap not those plaid baseball-style hats (plaid? Seriously? NO), or the engineer caps. (Those are for girls).

Hats to avoid are those gangster pin-striped hats and the Mad Bomber hats. They are way too overrated and actually make you look like a dork. And the bomber hats are for when you're skiing only. Just do not tie the flaps under your chin!
Also, just as a side note, beanies are cool. They really really mess up your hair, but for hunting, snowboarding, etc, they're a win-win. Plus, the ruffled hair makes you look cute. Just don't wear them inside, please. No one wants a reminder that it's 15 degrees outside.
Other things to avoid: Ear puffs, muffs, warmers, etc. Unless they are a sleek black "wrap around the back of the head" kind. Otherwise, ditch it.

Neck ♦

"Once-around" tied scarf

Scarf. Ah, a dreaded word. I don't know why though, because scarves aren't always as girly as most guys make them out to be. As long as you have the right make/kind of scarf and you know how to tie it properly, you are still quite a man. Scarves can keep your neck from the biting wind, and also add a snazzy element to your winter outfit. (Not that you would really care, but let's not go there).
First, what kind of scarf? Preferably, a thick cotton one is ideal. Sorry, no Grandma knits in blaring stripes. Ick. It should be a cream, black, slate gray or brown scarf of medium length and width (remember, the thinner the girlier, the thicker the manlier but within reason) and no gaudy fringe. Simplistic and sleek is best.
Next, you need to know that flopping one side of the scarf over your shoulder like a Peanuts character is not hot. Learn to tie it correctly and handsomely. The key is making you look hotter not weirder. Here's a link for two acceptably hot styles of scarf-tying. (With that link I only like the first two, the last two are too girly)
AND REMEMBER: It is not completely gay to wear a scarf. (No offense to anyone gay, of course) It keeps a part of you warmer, (by preventing chilly air from going down into your coat. Oo la la) and is essential for you looking like a sexy guy who has it all together. Think "different and daring" because that's what it is.

Hands/Feet ♦

Non-bulky & sleek

The one thing that guys can get away with is wearing thick warm gloves alot. For some reason, women have a hard time finding gloves that are both warm and cute. For guys, your choices are endless and alot easier. In fact, sometimes I wish I had the guts enough to wear guys' gloves, because they are so much better than their female counterparts! Stay away from leather gloves with "knit" side expanders, because they look dorky. A classic, sleek black glove is always hot. Mittens are a no-go, obviously. Stick with having at least two pairs of gloves; one acceptably hot to wear to a wedding or formal (sleeker the better), and one for keeping your doigts toasty (bulky or whatever you need to stay warm/get the job done). The glove should reach just beyond your wrist but not any longer. And make sure you're wearing gloves that fit your hands. Tight fingered gloves are gross. But floppy gloves don't do their job either. When you put on a glove, clench your fist. If there is too much pressure on the creases of your fingers, get larger gloves.

STOMP POWAH

Okay, feet. Boots in style for guys this winter season are military style commando snow boots, and logger boots. There should be no fur, fluff, or frizz on your boots. That's reserved for girls. Find me a furry boot that looks manly, and I'll take it back. But I haven't been convinced yet. And probably won't, ever.
Good traction is key, and a steel toe option also is good for added "toe security." Also, if it's snowing outside, don't wear Etnies okay? What if your car breaks down and you have to walk ten miles to the nearest gas station? Your ankles by the time you get there will be blue and frozen = totally not good. Finding a non-clompy boot for everyday stuff is essential. And don't forget to wear sweat-resistant socks like SmartWool socks inside your boots. You'll be glad you did. :)

Outfit Inspirations ♦
I'm not going to say alot for this, because mainly, this is wear my female-ness has to draw the line. I would like to just say something about coats/etc, though. The huge, bulky, pillow vests some guys wear are 1) not attractive and 2) they don't even keep you warm! If you wear it over a long sleeve and the armholes are as big as Kansas, how is that keeping the cold out? Ditch it, yo.

Coats. Leather ones are hot, but have them lined with flannel, down, etc. By themselves, leather isn't really that warm (even though it is pretty wind resistant), but do not bulk up on layers to compensate. A pea coat, military-style jacket, a trench coat, anything like that is more warmer.

So, there you go guys. :] Best of luck on staying warm and being "hot" this winter!
For you,

How to Be Hot in the Winter

2011-01-09T17:48:00.001-05:00

{Hot as in fashionable, chic, cool, snazzy. Just to clarify.}
The winter months are usually the hardest to maintain one's elite hotness. You don't want to freeze your butt off, but you also don't want to look like a fuzzy marshmallow with boots for legs. I've put together some helpful hints and wardrobe essentials to get you through this season with style. But remember, the happiest people are the prettiest.

Face ♥
Think "Friendly Ice Princess" this winter. Creamy, frosted eyeshadow in light pink, light lavender, light cream. No bold colors, they're a little too shocking. Save those for summer. The point of make-up, remember, is not to cover up your face, but to bring out your most beautiful features. And besides, the less the better. That's why frosty eyeshadow is a must! Stay away from charcoal gray, shiny silver, yellow, or green; for most skin types it's not attractive.

$50, yes, but you get the idea

Wear magenta lips when feeling frisky, deep red lipstick for evening parties (actress glam look), and peach lips for shopping or meeting for coffee. When doing you up, remember to focus on either your eyes or your lips, never both. Lip color that "pops" should accompany a very light frosted eyeshadow for the most complimentary look. My favorite combo is light pink eyeshadow with a deep raspberry lipgloss. Feminine but sultry.

Feet ♥
Boots are in, of course. This season it's the sleek kind....or with buckles, fur tipped, or heeled. NO UGG BOOTS okay? Don't fool yourself, they aren't worth the wearing. Try a heeled fur boot to be more classy and yet still keep your toes from frostbite. Another thing, if it's 20 degrees, do not wear flats outside! Wear boots in your car or outside, then slip on a pair of flats when you reach your destination or party. Much more warmer that way.

only $22. I'd rather it be hot pink.

Purse ♥
But where to keep those back up flats? In a big, bulky, cute purse! Big purses are all the rage, and as long as you keep all the "little" items in a make-up bag like lipstick (try lip stain! it's so innovative!), fingernail clippers and gum, your big bag will stay quite organized. Also a good place to store mittens, scarves, etc, when you're not wearing them inside. Or a water bottle, to keep hydrated through out the day! It's definitely a fashion win-win. The bigger the bag, the bigger the statement. Just don't go around carrying a suitcase, please.

Outfit Inspirations ♥
Most people complain that in the winter, everyone only wears dark colors. Why is that? Probably because warmer clothes really only come in those colors usually. But not to be defeated, I've come up with some great ways to in-cooperate color into anyone's winter wardrobe.

over-the-knee boots! ^_^

First, start with a cute, colorful skirt. It can be mini or knee length. Anything else longer will really detract from the maximum fashion statement. Wear shorts underneath for extra warmth. Pair with a sexy leather legging with another warmer legging underneath. Think "double layers" but without the bulk. (Also wearing leggings under jeans or pants keep you alot warmer, and since leggings are thin, they won't make your thighs look any bigger) Wear a white or colored top to match the skirt, and a black cardie. Wear some sleek black boots and you have just vamped up the winter-hotness meter!

Another great thing is wearing a huge furry fluffy coat (not the Michellin man coats, but like fur coats or fur-lined hoodies or even cute black pea coats), with a shiny, sparkly top underneath, jeans with leggings underneath, bangles, and ankle boots (or over-the-knee boots for true awesomeness!). This is so your upper half doesn't freeze, but your legs and feet still look great. Be sure to add a structured bag with this or a glitzy clutch.

So, there you have it! Some easy, quick ways to refresh yourself wardrobe but still keep toasty :) Happy winter, mon amies! ♥

Always for you,

Aliens....Way Overboard

2010-12-12T16:43:00.006-05:00

I seriously don’t think you can go through life without hearing something said about aliens....about a million times. TV and magazines—past and present—are plastered with movies and articles by thousands of people exploring aliens’ existence and theories containing just where and how we can find them.

Frankly, it’s quite ridiculous. Who really cares if they exist or not? We humans have enough problems on our hands that need to be addressed let alone wasting brain power and money trying to find “other life.” Scientists and small-town joes alike who spend their entire lives searching and contemplating if other life forms are “out there” really in the truest sense are missing the big picture.

Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, poverty, epidemics, Obama, recessions and depressions, car bombings, starvation, overzealous politicians, and heck, even small-town controversies are far more important than discovering some ice on a distant star or planet as evidence that we aren’t *gasp* alone. We need to start focusing on the here and now, and not if’s and could be’s of something else being out “there”.

Our media selections contain countless “encounters with the third kind” and even more books, papers, articles talking and discussing their existence it's enough to make you go crazy. No thanks to popular TV shows and movie series, the media’s probably convinced almost all Americans—and perhaps the world—that there is a possibility we aren’t alone.

Yep, we’re not. We have each other, and most times we can’t even get along. Heck, we’ve been around for how long and STILL can’t get a grip on peace?! Oy vey.

So how could an alien encounter help us any? News flash, it wouldn’t.

Personally, if everyone is so convinced they exist, why haven’t they come around earlier? Apparently, most people believe we’ve been around for millions of years, so wouldn’t in that past we at least once “see” the so called creatures from outer space? Hmmm, guess not.

For the record, it's not being snobbish or unfair if we say we just might be the only ones, it's completely practical.

Let’s get real, people. Forget the “might be out there” aliens and let’s tackle some close-to-home issues like jump starting our economies or getting our politicians to represent us correctly or feeding starving babies and leave those so-called green men to themselves.

For you,

P. S. Men in Black is the lamest, stupidest, more disgustingly cliche movie ever.
That's sorta...kinda...what sparked this. xD

Digital Destruction: Are We Becoming Technology Zombies?

2010-11-23T17:04:00.000-05:00

The people at GoodCulture beat me to it: they asked their Facebook and Twitter followers how technology affects human relationships in this day and age. The answers, varied but mostly all relevant, reflect our digital era’s outlook on today’s society.

In the article's comment section, I like what the reader "sz91370" said:

"Technology is wonderful and makes getting things done easier….yet at the same time it has caused 'relationship ADHD'. People do not have the same level of commitment or attention span for relationships as ten years ago because it is so much easier to just move on to a new one, whether in friendships, familial, or romantic. Patience has waned as the "next" and "delete" buttons [have become] so accessible."

Technology has enhanced our society's interactions to a more efficient level. But it also has created a sense of urgency and impatience when things aren't as quick as we're used to...or want them to be. High speed internet aids in the quick retrieval of information, texting makes contacting a person faster than ever before, and the list goes on. As Facebook user Michelle Werner puts it, "Technology feeds the desire for instant gratification..."

Technology Zombies

Back in the 1800s, a letter that was sent two weeks beforehand was entirely normal. But today, letter writing is nearly obsolete. Why write a letter when you can text the person within seconds or write them an email within minutes? Technology has made it easier to keep in contact with people, but it's also nearly destroyed basic relationship courtesies that were once accepted and expected to be kept. In fact, the digital age has almost made us too social. We're constantly updating, searching, reading, responding, linking, sharing, connecting, and texting; it's basically made us technology zombies. Outside our screens of social networking, the effort for real conversation and real interaction with other humans face-to-face is becoming scarce, even for people who claim they aren't technology savvy.

Technology used to be just a “bridge” to gap the space of distance and time between people, to simply make it easier to keep in touch. For instance, an email instead of a letter was a more rapid way to let your daughter know Christmas was going to be at Uncle Mick’s house, instead of Gram’s. A text to someone’s mobile phone has become an even quicker way for people to communicate without long telephone conversations. The “unnecessary” step of calling them directly is eliminated. Technology in this age has not only become the bridge, but also the “final destination” as well. In reality, you can virtually talk to someone on a daily basis without actually seeing their face or hearing their voice. This can be very useful in some aspects, but it has also stunted our knowledge of relationship commitment, patience, and social obligation as a whole. Tweeter PopSciGuy said, “Technology minimizes distance on a macro level, but creates space on a micro level.”

Being a “technology zombie” is indeed regrettable. But technology has in fact helped us in many ways. We’re a more advanced and connected society thanks to all the digital gadgets most, if not all of us, now possess. But what do we do to keep our daily lives on a more “real” level, rather than virtual? Living totally without technology, as least for Americans, is not an option. But making efforts to keep our lives on a face-to-face, voice-to-voice level will prove to be beneficial. Yes, it’s good to keep in contact with family and friends. Yes, it’s great that we use computers and technology to enhance our work output potential. Yes, technology has helped us. But if we don’t make the effort to keep everything in balance, by either limiting our virtual interaction or monitoring the time/exertion we put it to it, technology could very well destroy the positive elements we share as a society and keep us malnourished from the real, literal interactions that we need with our fellow humans in order to thrive.

So what about you? Will you take the challenge to make an effort to keep your social internet life based on a more realistic level? It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. I like the way Facebook user David Heyburn put it:

“When we become overly dependent on technology, I believe it is detrimental to…human relationships. If we can keep in mind the…essence of what the technology is trying to do, [by helping us achieve efficiency, not replacing], we will be better off.”

For you,

Exposing Pre-Bulimia

2010-11-13T18:48:00.009-05:00

For the purpose of this article, whatever is said about bulimics is also very true about people who suffer from anorexia nervosa. My focus for this article however will be mostly on bulimia.

Bulimia isn't as common as the media makes it out to be. But there is a two percent of all adolescents and young women that are suffering from bulimia in a severe way. Bulimia is a eating disorder where a person will binge on large amounts of food, feel guilty about it, and use methods of removing the consumed food by either vomiting or using laxatives. It's a severe nutritional and psychological disorder that, if left undetected, can potentially destroy you.

Most people who are not bulimic are repelled by people who are clearly (and unnaturally) skinny, and will easily snub a hurting person, that only longs for love and acceptance. Without that, a teen can easily be persuaded to starve themselves in order to fit in or feel loved; they believe a lie that if they only lose a certain number of pounds, a guy will love them more, their friends will accept them, they can look in the mirror and feel "healthy", etc

That is where it all starts. The mind.

Nearly 64% of bulimics are near normal body weight, so for months family members and friends can be completely oblivious to the victim's pain and hurtful eating habits. It's actually quite easy to hide it. 70% of the girls/adolescents are also depressed [either mildly or severely]. Depression is one of the symptoms of the condition, and can be one of the earliest detected symptoms, if you're paying attention.

But there is something much more common than bulimia...and just as deadly. It's what I'm calling "pre-bulimia." It all starts in the mind, and directly affects the person's self-confidence. Once the attack on the person's mind is completed, or their self-esteem is depleted, the condition becomes one of the reasons why the person wants to earn acceptance or love from a loved one. They will start to experiment with forced vomiting, long fasting, and excuses that "I'm just not hungry, okay?" Pounds start to drop, energy loss sets in, and before long, that person can be headed towards a serious case of bulimia or anorexia.

But why do they do this, you ask. Why would they purposely harm themselves? Why do people do anything that harms them? They want to earn something. Acceptance. Love. Trust. Beauty.

Pre-Bulimics are all around us. The "normal" sized friend that feels fat around slimmer girls and stops eating snacks/food with excessive calories, and cuts down dramatically on her food intake for weeks, then looses the steel and binges on ice cream and chips, harmfully confusing her malnourished body. Or maybe it's that stunning girl that you see in class, that secretly starves herself in hopes of keeping her football star boyfriend but occasionally eats large amounts of food around her friends and family as to not worry them. Or the girl that's less pretty than the "popular" girls and was told so by a loved one, a parent, or a friend, and the writhing thought that she's fat creeps into her sub-conscious and "pre-bulimia" scores another hit.

Prevention for this condition is not just helping the ones around you that are clearly in desperation. Some people just need support and someone to come along, give them a hug, and whisper in their ear, "You are beautiful just the way you are." But it's also about encouraging the others, the quiet ones, the already "beautiful" ones, the perceived "normal" ones. They all need to know that they are amazing, unique, and gorgeous; That they are good enough, and that they should never let anyone define who they are. You must stick with them, even if it's extremely tough. It might feel like you're talking to a brick wall, but keep cheering them on.

All it takes is someone to say, "You're beautiful, inside and out, and you should never do anything harmful to yourself because you don't feel loved or accepted. You are loved. You are accepted."

Don't let anyone ever tell you anything different. ♥

For you,

The Rise of Young Politicians

2010-11-04T16:17:00.003-04:00

Who really likes being uninformed? I'll tell you who: no one. No one likes feeling left out, clueless, or ignorant, and yet so many people of today's younger generation are just that---ignorant. Nevertheless, there are those who refuse to take on that label. There are those who are making a difference in their towns and states by not accepting the "norm" attitudes of apathy and challenging others to do the same. There are those who take pride in being politically active, learning from their experiences, and maturing in areas far beyond that of their peers. I interviewed a young politician as a part of research for this article, and I'd like to share what he said.

Thomas first became involved in politics at a young age in 2004, the year George W. Bush ran for re-election. A few days ago, a Representative in Thomas' area won the re-election campaign and offered Thomas a position as an intern in his office since Thomas had worked as a grassroots volunteer for the candidate’s campaign. It had all originally started out as simply a request for a yard sign that blossomed into a friendship and finally the position for Thomas. His volunteer work had paid off in a satisfying way, and just because he wrote a two sentence email to request the candidate's yard sign.

“I believe it is important to be politically active because you get to learn so much about politics from so many perspectives (i.e. liberal, moderate, and conservative),” Thomas said. Being politically active from his point of view means you are able to meet many politicians and grasp a well-rounded view of the political arena.

“In my own life, [being a young politician] has done things I could have never imagined,” Thomas said, “I have become friends with many politicians. I believe this is important so that you know how government works, what different people believe, and what you believe.” Thomas encouraged young people who are interested in being more active in politics, to join a campaign. He warned though, that you “must be willing to say ‘no’ to some politicians who have totally different political views than you.” You must decide what morals you stand on before volunteering for a candidate or becoming involved in a campaign.

Thomas is just one of the many young people who are raising the bar of socially acceptable behavior for young adults. He, like many others, represent the rise of America’s young politicians who are taking a stand on issues, making a difference, and actively causing their voice to be heard as informed individuals of the next generation. ♦

Printer Crazy, Stuffing, Tofu, and Cardigans

2010-10-07T19:40:00.001-04:00

When you're crazy about something, you tend to go crazy when you find an fascinating website dedicated to what you're crazy about. Craziness, here, is defined as obsession, life calling, life goal, et cetra. :] I mean, if bagels were your obsession, there's a site for you. Or how about shoes? (#2 ranked of mine ;) They got a site for that too. Pizza? Crickets? Rugs? Pick-pocketing? Microwaving things? Endless possibilities when it comes to people's hobbies, obsessions or life goals. And oh, by the way, you guys should really look at the links. C'mon, they're hilarious! xD Okay, sooo...wait, where was I going with this? ROFL! I typed all this and I don't even remem---wait, "Printer crazy"? Ohhh. Heh. :] Okay, so I found an extensive jounrnalism website by this famous journalist...it's all about being a better reporter, and it's so totally fab! I mean, informative, interesting, and fascinating. :) One of my guyfriends and I were talking recently and when he was trying to describe something I butted in and said, "That is soooo totally fab!" He paused for a moment then said, "Noooo. I'm a guy, I don't say fab." and I just laughed :]
Sooo, back to this website. It's called newscollege.com and it's so amazing for reporters needing coaching, refreshing, or for those seeking advice, tips, techniques, or even for rookie non-brainers like me :] I mean, I'm not entirely a rookie, I do write on here and I think I'm doing okay, (right?) but I haven't ever had anything published anything in a paper. That leads us to the question, okay is paper newspaper a waste? Or do people still actually prefer paper? What about college papers? Or people, like me, who go crazy and use the internet to PRINT out their own news? Personally, I don't think we should get rid of newspapers. But...reality seats itself and says, "However, Liz, people are accessing the news through their iTouch's and iPhone's within seconds...they don't have to flip through cumbersome pages, or waste paper in general. News is easier to view on the web, easier to find, easier to share." The classic newspaper reporter is slowly dying. So now what? Online reporting? From the comfort of your couch with your Macbook and strong Starbucks? Sounds good to me. What are you dear people's thoughts? Paper or ePaper? :]

STUFFING! I've recently renewed my affair with this tasty, yummy, warm side dish ^_^ It's ahhhhmazing! Why do people only eat it on Thanksgiving? That's crazy! I'd eat it everyday if I could. I loveeee the Turkey (obviously) flavor the best. And yes, I do think Stove Top tastes better lol :] You should try it! It's really good with any kind of meat (even tofu! Blah! lol jk) or by itself for a lunch snack. Not very nutritious I do admit, but tasty and yummy on a chilly fall day when you have no clue what else to eat. And believe me, the mean food reds just get to you...so who you call? STUFFING! To a bland dinner's rescue :]

T-t-t-t-tofu. Most guys abhor it. Unless of course you're gay. (I don't mean that in a derogatory way). Or you have very refined tastes. Personally, it's gross unless it's in a Thai soup, or battered and fried as an appetizer. Of course, ANYTHING battered & fried is good, right? Dude I want a shirt that says that!! Wait, that so totally sounded manly. Hmm, alright, that's soooo the kind a shirt one of my guys should wear! Much better. So...tofu, unless it's in the above to conditions, or you're a vegetarian, I rest my case.

Cardigans? Oh yes. This fall they are making a huge hit in Old Navy, Forever 21, and Target. I just recently received a whole pack of them cardies for my birthday, and boy they are sooooo cute! Old Navy is the BOMB (second to Forever 21, my Old Navy is closer in distance) when it comes to long sleeves, v-neck sweaters and of course, cardies. I would not recommend them to my male friends, *cough* Mr. Rogers *cough* but girls, man up and buy some cardigans this fall! They go excellently fabulous with those cute t-shirts you purchased back in August but feel bad putting them away already...best bet is a charcoal gray cardie and a brightly colored top and BAM! Cute college-girl look in seconds. Plus, you're warm. How cool is that?

Love always, Lizzie ♥

Shopping, Cinnamon Vanilla Chais, Crickets, and Sweaters

2010-09-20T15:16:00.003-04:00

Okay, it's official. Lizzie is a shopaholic. *sighs* I never thought I'd actually admit it, let alone on my own blog, but it's about time I finally admitted it. And I know exactly what to blame. Well, besides my brain which is determined to make me go bankrupt over the next pair of shoes, I hereby blame it on my little plastic magic named Master Card.

Innocence lost.

Ever think about just how easy it is to spend money with a card and not actually realize what's going on when you hand "Lois" the cashier with too much eyeliner you're plastic cash card? *waves hand* That would be me. It's really easy to just think, "Oh, heck, it's only $20...$30....$50...$2.5 million for this pair of shoes, I'm good." HA! No way in Haiti does that mean you're safe from spending too much. By belittling your spending, you justify your guilty conscience of the unnecessary purchase, thus plunging yourself into deeper realms of "I'm good" reasoning...then leading you to a place which is called the "D" word...the place every shopaholic finds herself if she isn't dragged out of her dark money hole and flashed a torchlight in her face first.

Two Ways to Cut Back on Spending:
1) Don't spend obliviously. Unless it's food, gas, etc, don't buy it. If you have to, budget & saveeeeeee.
And 2) KEEP TRACK OF YOUR ACCOUNTS!
I know, I know, it sounds like a no-brainer, but heh....if you spend alot, you gotta track it like a wolf tracks a bleeding rabbit at the dead of night in the middle of the winter. I am that serious. And mostly, I'm talking to myself, haha. Let's just say I've had a near encounter on a cliff ledge of the "D" word and vow never to go cliff diving off into it ever, ever, ever again.

So! Cinnamon Vanilla Chai's, anyone? All this budgeting talk is making me sick....I'm a tragic shopping heroine in need of refreshment. If you'd like to join me, here's my secret recipe...but remember, "Mum's the word," lovies. *winks*

Mmmm, froth is the best, yo.

Lizzie's Fantabulous ICED Cinnamon Vanilla Chai Recipe:
Mum's the word, remember comrades.
Mix together the following: iced chai tea, (Yogi is good), a dash of cinnamon, a teaspoon or two or vanilla, some ice cubes, and coconut milk, (not cream of coconut, it's disgusting if you do), and sugar (as needed). Bon appetite, mon amies! See, isn't it lovely? Gosh, I could drink it all day if I could, and it's probably less than US-$2 a serving! Bravah! (: If you don't like mine, you can be snubbish and mean and try this chaiiiii. ;) jk

EVIL in bug-form

Okay so, seriously? If there's one thing I'd mark on my "Comments & Suggestions" card when I get to Heaven, it'll be, "WHY WHY WHY did You, dear Lord, create crickets?!?!" Grrr. I don't hold it against anyone, but seriously? Man alive, I hate those things. They are bad enough outside, but when they creep into the corners of one's basement flat and chirp the snot out of you, it's time to declare war. So far, this fall, it's been 21ish, Lizzie, Crickets, 0. *grins* But seriously, gosh I hate them crickets with avengance! (however you spell that blasted word.) I mean, the whole chirp-chirp thing is getting OLD. Crickets should try online dating services and leave the rest of us to sleep IN PEACE. I'd even offer to manage their accounts if they would just shut up! Haha! I'm getting pretty good at tracking and assassinating the little buggers, but I suppose that's not much a talent, aye? Hahaha. Pssshh, crickets. *sighs* I just wish they'd go away and NOT come back some other day.

Last, but certainly not least, I'm happy to report this year's fall fashions for sweaters is looking bright. Old Navy is featuring countless cardigans, sweaters, and vest with poppish tones meaning to please many a busy woman, Rue 21 is featuring large-print sweater coats in bold patterns, AEO is featuring the same lame kind of sweaters they've been selling since the 80s, Maurices is into purple and blue this year, Aeropostale...no comment, Dress Barn is displaying sweater jackets in orange and 'kelly' blue, Target's Mossimo (whatever the spelling) is going all out 70s here, Kohl's is featuring hot rocker chic Candy jackets, and Mr. Walmart....is well, really pushing his LEI puffy vests and plaid shirts...again. I think I'll stick to my new "baby"...a teal, tiny ribbed sweater V-neck from ON....just a heads up, girls, for some fall looks you don't want to miss.

Oh gosh, I did buy that sweater, didn't I? So much for reform... *throws up hands* -.-

Love always, Lizzie ♥

Parking Citations, Hair Burners, Popsicles, and Spainish Green Pants

2010-09-08T18:51:00.000-04:00

(And yes, I spelled Spainish wrong on purpose, read below) ♥

My first post for September! Yeehaw! Last month I was doing some video-shooting involving parking citations. I would of posted about it then, but I was sort of laying and waiting for anyone to come out and sue for giving them out. So, it was a matter of legal life and death....shh, don’t tell anyone. :]

Let me explain...I was at Pier One Imports (FAVE STORE IN THE WORLD besides the grocery store!) the other day, shopping with my bestie, (we found 50¢ rings there!) and I happened upon a little green pad of ...you guessed it, parking citations. I'm posting a pic of them along with this post :) They are completely fake of course, but extremely hilarious and anonymously convincing. I loved them so much, me and my other bestest friend MC (which stands for Mad Catter because she's crazy like me only she's not a Mad Hatter, but better because a Mad Catter is more awesome than a Mad Hatter and...haha um nevermind :) Anyways, she and I hatched this plan to video record us giving them out in a baseball game parking lot and then posting it on our shared YouTube. The reasons listed on the gree slips range from "Occupying a space forever" to "Owning a Hummer" to "Using a compact space for a car or SUV" and it goes on :) Just the sort of thing to slip under someone's in-violation car and walk away laughing. At least, we were. I don't know about the poor 5 or 6 souls we gave PC's too, lol. To watch the video, click here.It's our one and only best vid up yet, all the others are crappy and I HIGHLY recommend not watching anything other than the Parking Citations one. So how about you? Would you give random people parking citations? Ohhh you know you want to...for that jerk at work who always uses the Handicap spot for his Mazda and all he has is a sprained ankle...or that lady that idles in the only parking spot in the whole world for an hour to load and re-load, and load again her groceries... (yes, I've seen it) ....or that lovely person who thinks it's park ON the lines not between them? *laughs*

Hair straighteners are death traps for hands. I'll just state that right now, out in the open. They are CRUEL. They are EVIL. They are HOT. (understatement) ...Yes, they may get the job done but WOAH talk about an evil clamp of heated doom! I can't even count on my fingers, toes, and pens in my pencil drawer how many times I've burnt my fingers on that thing. I've recently taken up using it again...sigh...now I know why I gave up using...so that I could still have un-scotched fingers! Alas, what a price to pay! Perfectly straight hair....or not-so-red-burning-fingers-with-tears-in-your-eyes fingers? Eeek, my fingers are starting to hurt just thinking about it. It reminds of the saying, "No pain, no gain." ...and "Beauty hurts." and the ever popular, "Lizzie's hair straightener is evil." Definitely an understatement right thar, folks.

Popsicles. Every color shape and size. Why is it that I find a dairy-free, naturally flavored, delicious popsicle brand at the END of the summer? It's almost not fair. You can't imagine how hard it is to suck on a coconut lime pop in the dead of winter until you can't feel your lips. And yet, every year without fail…. I do it. What's your favorite popsicle flavor? Do you think it should be spelled POPSICLE or POPCICLE? xD

Hey I just noticed something...if it's Spain, why don't we say Spainish? But noooo someone didn't like that extra "-i" and now it Spanish. Sounds like Panish. I say we revolt and say Spainish. It definitely sounds cooler. Anyways, I don't remember how I got them, but some how I acquired this adorable slim lime green corduroy pants. I wore them out on the town yesterday and woot-woot, got alot of looks and compliments for them. *laughs and blushes* (Well, most people liked my tweed hat more, but hey, the green pants seemed to rock too) Apparently, people seem to think I look good in green pants. Normally, I'm the pink-red-blue sporty, crazy, cute clothing type of girl. But matching those green pants with my tweed hat, tweed shoes, pin striped vest, and rufflely magenta satin top, I was ready and rawring to go :) I love creating cool outfits...especially with green pants! I have a friend who has fuzzy green pants, but I was pretty sure they were for sledding/snow wear. Mine aren't fuzzy (thank heavens, I abhor fuzz), and flair out at the bottom and would probably suck alot if I went snowtubing in them, haha.

Love always, Lizzie ♥

Whigs, Canada, Skin Organs, and Flying Fish Whisks!

2010-08-24T15:24:00.001-04:00

(Actually a T-shirt design) ^

Great Britain’s equivalent of Democrats and Republicans are referred to as Whigs and Tories. Yeah, I know. The British are really imaginative. (Kinda like their design for the 2012 London Olympics mascots? It gave me nightmares of the ‘Telly-tubby’ like creatures drowning me in rainbows! No offense to any Brits that might see this, but man-oh-man, seriously?) But in my American Government studies, it appears that the Whig Party was actually originally started…here. Yep, in the good ol’ US of A. In fact, thanks to Martin van Buren and the Whigs, we have national conventions, party delegates, a spoils systems, and complicated political campaigns. That’s right! Ol’ Hickory started it all when he made his triumph in 1828 and the subsequent era after that he domineered lead to the rise of political campaigns. Now back to the Whigs…they were a party that originally organized themselves against Van Buren when he came back for a second round as incumbent (no, that’s not some sort of fancy belt you wear with a tux, it’s a fancy name for the previous victor). They studied General Andrew Jackson’s flashy “campaign” to success years before and came up with their own ‘military general genius’ for themselves: which lead to William Henry Harrison’s victory and presidency. And oh thank heavens for the Whigs, who started this whole “the bigger the better” style of flashy promotion for presidential candidates that still goes on today. And yeah, I’m being just a wee bit sarcastic right now.

Oh, Canadaaaa...

You know, it’s really not fair. I’ve wanted to go to Canada ALLLL my life and now just suddenly, all these friends of mine are just popping up on Facebook saying they’re in MY dream country! *laughs* Actually, I will get my chance. This coming summer I’m planning a huge 2-week trip to Montreal (and surrounding mall areas, lol) because I think I’ve waited long enough to see ol’ Canada once and for all. And I’m coming prepared too! I read somewhere that the younger generation of Quebecians (Quebecii’s? Quebecs?) cuss. So I’ve memorized all the needed French swear words so I know what they’ll be saying. No, I’m not being dirty, or naughty, or wicked, I’m merely being prepared. *laughs* The one thing that I’ve especially looking forward to is actually using my 3 years of French. That should get interesting. But hey, if you can read the street signs, order a decent meal, and say hey to someone in a different language than your own, that’s pretty awesome no matter who you are or how long (UGH) you’ve studied a language! C’est bon!

Ewwwww.

Have you ever grossed yourself out? Just by thinking about something? I have and did recently. It wasn’t my fault, it was the health book’s fault. I mean, seriously, do you realize how gross it is to read about your skin being an actual ORGAN and then looking down at your arm and the truth really sinking in? I almost presented my breakfast again. Sure, yes, it’s awesome. God’s design for our bodies is really fantabulous! But I guess I never thought of my skin, that covers my ENTIRE structure…as a specialized organ. Eww, see? I just shivered again. I bet you did too. I just always thought noggins, guts, and eyeballs as organs, not my skin. Interesting nonetheless. What I also learned is that the coverings of our bodies, [skin, duh], is made up of specialized cells called “epitheal tissues.” That’s a pretty cool term huh? Although it sort of sounds creepy. Guess who won’t be a skin doctor someday? *waves hand* Another interesting thing is that while, yes, the skin on our bodies is an organ, that also means if it’s sick then the rest of the body will have some trouble too. See, ALL of our organs have to be in top condition in order for us to be completely ready to rip roaring and go. So if you happen to scald your back really bad thanks to Mr. Sunshine at the plage, (beach in French), you might find yourself with a headache, or a tummy ache because the rest of your body depends upon your skin to protect your guts. Make sense? Absolutely. Oh wait, I just answered myself.

Thee fish whisks!

I gotta say right now I just ADORE Pier 1 Imports stores. I would live in a Pier 1 store if they’d let me. But of course they wouldn’t want me sleeping on their zebra print chairs or inhaling their candles for more than a couple hours let alone LIVING in the store! But you know what’s even cuter than the wingback chairs they have or the scented candles? The flying fish whisks! I am not kidding! These little whisker-babies are a part of their animal-kitchen accessories line and are absolutely adorable. And they kinda look like an adjustable rake because they are, in fact, adjustable in which you make the whisk larger or smaller! TALK ABOUT AWESOME!!! My kitchen is now adorned with a new flying fish whisk and I just had to share with you on here. Go out and get one yourself, they are only $6 (on SALE, ladies!) and will definitely come in handy, if only for an interesting conversation starter on the joys of having Pier 1 kitchen items…

Love always, Lizzie ♥

P.S. I must remember to say Mr. Kossack...not Mr. Kodak.

P.P.S I updated my About Me page....go see :)

Dumster Bags, Petrified Roosters, My Music Slump, and Rubix Cubes

2010-08-16T17:34:00.001-04:00

Just throw it in the Bag...

You have to hand it the eco-friendly people, they are pretty creative. Finding ways to use less or re-use, or use up what you have to me seems like it would be tricky, but worth it. Recently at Lowe's I noticed a new eco-item for construction projects. Dumpster bags! You just fill the green (of course) large recyclable Bagster© by Waster Management with your construction leftovers and the company comes and takes it away for a reasonable collection fee (compared to the price of renting and using a regular dumpster). It's made out of canvas that's completely reusable and is large enough to accommodate a small dumpster size's worth of trash, or around 3,300 lbs of debris.You can fill it concrete, or landscaping scraps, or whatever other construction type of trash you'd wish to throw away. Talk about cool :] The two only problems I could find with this method of eco-trash removal is that the Bagster© is not waterproof and the collection fee in some rural areas can be up to $129. Other than that, I'd say it's a pretty nifty idea...

Ewwww.

Chickens. Blah. Don't get me wrong, I adore a chicken in the form of edible food, but not in "real life." I can take Gen Tso's Chicken, chicken strips, Arroz con Pollo, cold chicken salad. Just not, for the love of bagels, a real live Americana hen! I think it's the chicken doo, squawking, and yellow beady eyes that get to me. Urgh, those eyes! It's like they can SEE into my soul. Hideous things, but fascinating when around little kids. My parents' neighbors down the lane recently adopted two Ukrainian brothers, ages being about 3 and 5, and they stopped over on one hot afternoon as the family was out of a lark of walk. A hot one, but they are avid walkers! At the house my mother has a few mobile pens with various breeds of chickens. Young chicks, year-old roosters, mother hens and the top rooster, stray roosters, the Big Huge Ugly laying hens, and more. The little boys were extremely fascinated with the roosters--namely, gently tormenting them in a young child-like fashion. Alexsander, the younger one, immediately ran over to the young roosters pen squealing in delight about the chickens in a language I assume was Ukraine. He poked his little fingers through the pen and that near about did for the frisky rooster boys. POW- SQUAWK- FLOOF! The roosters exploded into a pile of feathers, running to the other side of the pen for their dear skinny-necked lives, screaming protests. They were more skiddish than a pair of little girls finding a snake! Quickly rebuked for scaring the chickens, Alexsander was swooshed back into his mother's arms, but he craned his neck to watch and laugh at the roosters, who were squealing their protests and fluffing their rusty feathers in annoyance. I stood a few feet away, grinning, as I watched the whole scene play out. I have an idea me and Alex are going to be real, real good friends.

Hilariously idiotic? Heck yes.

What is it with music these days? I wish we could all go back to the days where songs were complicated stories. All these modern boppy tunes of repeated choruses with alotta bass seem to be geared toward teenage audiences that are assumed idiots with no musical taste whatsoever. Just whatever is catchy and fast, cool and fun sounding right? Who cares about the lyrics, the distasteful use of explicit words, and ridiculous beating background noise? Or worse, the trashy lives of the singers. Well, I'll admit it, pop songs, soft rock, techno, punk etc...I do enjoy it when I'm out driving with the sun shining and the world is moving fast. Heck, even the beat goes with the road bumps sometimes! But try listening to Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, Timbaland's If We Ever Meet Again, or Mike Posner's Cooler than Me while trying to read a book...nearly impossible. But what's the solution? Beethoven? Hymn songs? Folk lore strumming? Or worse, ethereal notes of New Age? No thanks. There just doesn't seem to be a neutral area. Either it's too plunky, too poppy, too rockish, too classical for my taste. I guess I shall dub this condition I have a ''Music Slump''.

WOWzers. DA-Huuuude. Geewilikers.

4x4 Rubix Cube

I met this 12 year old kid at a neuro clinic today that could solve a 5x5 Rubix cube in less than 5 minutes. You could hear the rattling of the cube as he worked it with his slim agile fingers all the way across from the room, where his mother sat unfazed. She calmly explained to me that he could do a 3x3 Rubix in less than 30 seconds....I probably couldn't even solve one in 30 years. He showed me all his other ones that he had toted along in a reusable grocery bag (6x6, 5x5, 7x7, and a 9x9) and commented on who he hasn't quite figured out a 7x7 since he just got it yesterday for his birthday. The boy then carefully explained that the key is practice, but also a high quality Rubix that can shift easily, aiding in quick time to solve the cube. He looked like a nerdy genius and man, he sure could solve that cube fast! The things you learn while waiting in a reception lobby...

Sincerely Yours, Lizzie ♥

Crapple Pies, Bruises, and Paper Wasps

2010-08-01T20:55:00.001-04:00

Alright, I promised my friend Candi I'd blog about them...so here goes :) You know, McDonald's right? Heck who doesn't. Well, through careful observation, taste-testing, and studious thought, I think I'm finally ready to write to McDonald's and suggest a unique and wonderfully descriptive name for their so-called "apple pies". Call 'em Crapple Pies! LOL! Yeah? Oh c'mon, you know I'm right. It's a disgrace to even say they're pies at all. Have you ever compared those squared stamps molten hot with foreign objects in them thingys to the REAL thing? You'd probably get a taste score of negative -50. I do admit, I used to eat them alot...late night, pick up a small fry, a coke, and pie right? Wrong. No more. Nuh-uh. Not doing that anymore. Bleah, the last one I had was a partially burnt one in a remote Oregon town that I ate anyway because I was so starved. (It was like 10:30pm at night, you see.) It not only burnt my tongue into oblivion, but it also lost my appreciation for McD's tasty CRAPPLE pies. So, I abstain from them....unfortunately, I'm too much of a good person to actually go and do suggest the name Crapple Pies to the McDonald's Admissions Office (or whatever fancy name they call it) so just be satisified about laughing at it here.
Wait, why am I frequently mentioning McDonald's in my posts?! This is sick. I hate McDonalds. Oh heck, who doesn't.

Bruises. Funny, weird marks on your body that show up in the most annoying places with no memory usually of where they came from. Hunh. I'm pretty sure they've ended up on my Nature's Mysteries list by now. recently I walked into my mom's kitchen, looking for a snack to pass me off til she finished dinner, and all of a sudden she cried out, "Woah! What is THAT?" and pointed at my leg. Innocently, I looked down at the spot whilst she was pointing, and cried out, "Woah-h-h-h! What is that?" Strangest bruise mark I've ever seen. Usually when I get bruise its a small, darkish red spotch. This one was a perfectly and brilliantly blue SPOT. No kidding. I do not remember backing up into a metal pipe, or knocking a hammer smack-dab (cool term, eh?) on my leg so this was all very strange. I gingerly touched the area and WOOOOO man, it hurt. Normally bruises for me just have that achy sensation, never the big, honking neon sign saying "OUCH" type of pain, lol. After that little bit, I finished scrounging for my snack and basically forgot about it. Later, while I was on a camping trip with my friend Kate and her grandparents, I noticed it again.

A week had gone by and the bruise had now turned into a dark purple ring. Funny thing was that were was in the dead center of the bruise ring, a freckle! Katie and I laughed at the weirdness of it and then went body surfing in the river, at which I hit a huge sharp rock dead on my butt and have a large butt bruise from it. Anyway, on the ride homewards, a 5 hour drive, Gramma noticed me looking at the back of my leg and asked me what I was doing. I showed her the bruise and she said, "Oh my! Look at that mole in the middle of it! I think you better get that checked out." And went on for another 15 minutes or so talking about various nephews or nieces that had had cancer in different areas. Katie and I looked at each other and burst into silent laughter. The very thought of my little bruise and freckle being cancer drove us over the edge. We were sitting there laughing without making any noise, and I still laugh at remembering Gramma saying, "Look at that MOLE!" lol :) The bruise is gone now, and I still have a freckle....and yes, my butt still hurts too. But body surfing is SOOOOO worth it!!!

So...paper wasps. While taking a jolly ride around the yard in Karl, my sister's ex-car, I noticed a HUGE honking paper wasp nest in one of our planted cypress trees. I think maybe I'll go check it out tomorrow. JUST KIDDING. lol :) I know better than that, despite the rumors of me being blonde. There IS a difference between dumb and blonde, right? Right? lol :)

Sincerely, Lizzie ♥

Ticked off Models, Colored Eyebrows, and Starbursts

2010-07-25T13:03:00.001-04:00

Is it just me or am I the only one that has a terrified face when flipping through fashion magazines filled with strange outfits (that no one in their right mind would wear in public) worn by models with seething, ready-to-kill faces? Why the murderous looks, Vogue? Happy, fresh looking girls not an option anymore? Quelle scary.

Of course I’m not saying the cheesy grins of models from yesteryear are any better than the sultry, pouting ones of today’s fashion runways (As in RUN AWAY!). But seriously, it’s scary. I’d rather read a magazine showing models with happy faces…or contented faces…or ones that don’t look like they’ve walked through all hell and are trying to be so convincing as a drop dead (literally?) gorgeous model that they across as seriously ticked off about something, or in two seconds they’re going to jump you and kill you off with a pair of ridiculously spiky stilettos. Like I said, quelle scary.

But despite my ardent aversion of said modeled faces, I did manage to find something scarier: colored eyebrows. No, I’m not kidding. Vogue has been featuring dazzling pictures of girls with hideous blue and orange eyebrows as a part of their fall 2010 fashion guide. What, do they want us all to look like aliens now? Sure, we all know it’s okay to have ice-blue eyebrows on the runway to match your ice-blue lipstick and stringy ice-blue dress (if you can call it that), but try walking around downtown DC with those babies and you’ll get the kind of attention that isn’t necessarily flattering. I mean its one thing to shave your eyebrows off and pencil them on, or even tattoo them on *shudders*, or do it just for a Halloween gig, but to shave them off and paint them on blue as a part of your daily makeup? Now that’s where I draw the line. And so should those crazy fashion designers.

Starbursts are a wonderful invention. They come in 5 flavors (well, the original kind do anyway), they are sweet, they are sticky, and most importantly, they are cheap. If you have a bag of Starbursts, magically everyone becomes your best friend; and it’s entertaining to pick out your fave flavor and chew them in sticky sweet bliss. However, wonderful as they are, Starbursts come with two problems. Problem-o number one is…they don’t go with anything. I mean, try to eat Starbursts with crackers…or Coke…or a sandwich…or popcorn, and you will find out fast that Starbursts suck with any other kind of edible food out there. I’m been eating Starbursts (well, not like all the time) for years, and I still haven’t found a food that “goes” with Starbursts, so I usually eat them alone…and man oh man it’s very tempting to eat the whole packet or bag, kinda like a bag of potato chips. That presents problem number two: they are really sugary. Sugar wrecks havoc in your mouth, and also in your brain. So, since Starbursts are practically all sugar, consuming a large quantity of them (especially if eaten alone) leaves you with cavities and headaches. Nice. Who would have thought such an adorable thing as a paper wrapped, brightly colored piece of Strawberry candy could be so evil? :)

Sincerely Yours, Lizzie ♥

P.S. I tried adding a new Reaction Label (besides the weird, funny, interesting ones) called "Yeah, that's definitely Lizzie." but it wouldn't let me. Hmph.

California, Post #2, Part 1

2010-07-07T21:37:00.000-04:00

Here you'll see my raw, uncut scribblings transcribed onto to this post from my Reporter's Notebook. I wrote these "observances & observations" as I called them while travelling...I included some pictures from the beloved California coast area for you :)

footsies on the San Francisco beach :)

Denver, CO Flying to Oakland, CA

A young boy walking alone playing a harmonica, and attracting attention from people waiting (poking their noses in papers/books)...where's his parents?!
African-American lady dressed in disco attire with a black sequin skirt, big earrings, and up-do heavily hair sprayed. [Hope no one lights a match.]
Young families going home from vacation, considering the dad’s worn out Hawaiian short, sun burnt faces, and them appearing tired and worn out with overstuffed luggage.
I swear I’m the only person in this Denver Airport wearing cowboy boots! and Oakland…and Portland…and Dulles...and LA... o_O
lady’s earrings [on plane] were made into roses from zippers! Really cool, gotta make some for myself.

In the picture below, words spelling "South San Francisco, the Industrial City" could be seen from the highway leading to downtown.

San Francisco, CA

Countryside is a mix of tree-ish hilly PA and brown, flat West—lots of hills with little townhouses w/ rows of tiny streets filled with drivers who are suicidal maniacs.
Drivers are usually not friendly—quick to honk.
Hardly any out of state license plates, all Californian
Lots of roads going everywhere!
Trees downtown (strange sight for a Easterner), lots of huge stores, no sign of down economy though.
Gas is around $3.12 - $3.45 (back East it's about $2.65)
In downtown San Francisco, the stoplights are on the sides of the intersections.
Tons of stop signs, like ever 50ft
In ritzy San Fran houses have locked entryways and expensive landscaping, but burnt grass all the same.
Palm trees a common sight (:
4-6 lane roads, but not even highways...
on Route 280--- 8 lanes, each side!
Fog common---from mountains and settles in the city between the Bay. Yesterday (Tuesday, June 22^nd) fog covered Golden Gate bridge [almost completely.]
Mototcyclists drive between cars at lights and scoot up to the front of the line.
trolley tracks still present on some roads. Today’s trollies are buses (electric) that connect to the wires
road signs are old style w/ the glow dots, white/green
Wonder where the crookiest street is from where I am? Never had the chance to see it.
Plastic bags? nope. it’s paper or the reusable bags.
A lot of cars have scratches, dents, etc...evidence for their crazy driving!
Seagulls are huge here
Speed bumps are called “speeding humps”
Alcatraz prison visible from the Golden Gate, East side.
Tunnels boring thru the many hills, mountains of San Fran...
VW’s (Bugs) perfect for small, curvy roads gracing through the neighborhoods.

^ Street view (above) of a section of San Francisco we travelled through. Looked like a ton of fun to drive on, with all the many slanted and inclined roads :)

North of San Francisco

Eucalyptus trees everywhere
In the Muir Woods – roads is super curvy and the landscape would be great for a foggy scene in a movie.
Hardly any wildflife anywhere (except for road kill of course, haha)
More north = more pines, sorta like the Norway pines we have back home, only such trees are, and will always remain to the West Coaster's as "FIRS" not PINES.
Mom thinks she knows why CA is bankrupt from: maintaining all their roads!
Area doesn’t appear unstable economy-wise but deli owner where we ate lunch (coleslaw on pulled pork sandwiches) said it’s getting hard on the small businesses.
Frequent find—rainbows/rainbow flags. :P

Near the Golden Gate bridge, there was a really cool place called the Cliff House, which overlooks the above view. Back in the 1800s, this was a popular bathing spot because it had heated pools that were legended to be good for one's health. ^

Santa Rosa (Near San Francisco)

wide white line of crosswalks like the Abbey Road
some lady changed her boy’s diaper while standing on the sidewalk! uck! must be forgein.
quite a few palm readers/fortune tellers here
overnight shootings in Oakland, CA recently…lots of graffiti, evidence of gangs?
Chevron is a commonly seen gas station
No vanity plates seen in CA.
Grass is brown, no matter where, even on ritzy people's lawns.
Some lady in a junky car was smoking dope from a bong ON THE HIGHWAY while driving!!
Only Home Depots, no Lowes
98.9 degrees F in Cloverdale, CA. Not too bad...
Turkey Hills (gas stations) known as “Loaf & Jugs” or “Quickstops”
“American Recovery & Reimbursement Act” (highway road construction sponsper...interesting...)
Dirt is black/dark gray...unlike the East's red or tan clay dirt.

^ The disappointing view of the Bridge from the beach. We drove along it (and had to pay a $8 fare to get back to the other side) and saw more of the bridge upclose, which was satisfying. Second time I've seen this amazing structure, and it's truly awesome to see in person.

Spooky view of the Bridge. Totally worth the $8 fare, even if it was extremely foggy.

Surf & Skate shop in Santa Rosa. Not sure what exactly "Skate" meant, lol. Animal or rollerblade?

The next post will be on Central/Northen California...with pictures of the Pacific, harbors, import beer, and sea animals! :)

Sincerely, Lizzie ♥

Colorado & Casper [Post 1 of West Coast Trip]

2010-07-02T15:55:00.000-04:00

No, I didn't die. Or forget I had a blog. And no, I wasn't ignoring you. I went on vacation...and that's why I'm typing here a relaxed, happy person instead of a crazy psycho writing about food on my ceiling and living on whatever little nerves I had left. Noooo, things have changed. :] I'm content, focused, and wonderfully relieved that I'm back East. Yahoo. :]

Over the course of my two-week trip to the West & West Coast of the US of A, I wrote down observations of things I saw in my handy-dandy official Reporter's Notebook (published by Evidence, they are SO neat to write in, I'm all spoony for them) and thought I'd share my Denver Colorado quotes (with other Colorado-in-general) along with some corresponding pictures....(this will be a continuing series of posts :D)

At the Denver Airport. The AeroTrain behind me makes a "Yeehaw!" sound when it takes off, plays music when its approaching the next stop, and is chilled like a freezer while the rest of the Airport is sorta stuffy. o_o

Wide, open spaces of Wyoming! Very spacious, although boring to locals...but for a cooped-up Easterner, it was refreshing to look at the thousands of open plains on my way to Casper, Wyoming. From Denver to Casper it's about a 5.5 hour drive, but it goes by quickly if you have a iPod playing "Good Life" by One Republic and lots of fruit gummies like I did :)

I parcoured up the Amphitheater for a better view. This was the place where the wedding that I attended was at...(only not on the...um...place where I was standing in this picture lol!)

Independence Rock, where pioneers carved their names in while passing along the Oregon Trail. It was pretty awesome to climb (or attempt) the rock and see the view. Very impressive and there's plenty of space for people to climb up, as there are no designated trails to on the Rock, which makes it adventurous.

Casper's really pretty and really windy, so I wasn't surprised when I saw a dozen or more new wind-mills put up on the Eastern side of town. Great way to power their many huge stores like IKEA and Walmart, one of the largest in the nation.

WCNR! Expert barrel racers...uber fun to watch! The announcer was funny, engaging, and the rodeo clown wasn't trashy, which was nice. There was quite a lot of folks there, I went the first night, and the french fry/ cold beer vendors were swamped with orders. It lasted for about 2 hours, with awesome sound effects, modern timing score boards, and lots of contestants!

The guy in the cowboy hat seemed pretty excited for this contestant in the bull-riding! lol! The bull-riding was epic fun, but it was over way too fast :[ lol. The overhead speaker guy was hilarious, and despite the population mainly consisting of middle-aged beer drinkers and rodeo slut-like 20-something girls, I had alot of fun along with the rest of the gang of our family that went!

They have the antique-Arby's signs out West. So cute. It's pretty cool to point out the differences between the West and the East...mainly in the geological aspect of the East having hills and trees, and the West having plains and far-off mountains. Also, it's pretty windy out there lol! Casper is a large metropolitian area and very interesting to cruise around. It's also good for some laughs too; the dry cleaners on the West side proudly displays it's sign "Drop Your Pants Here" and recently a new child care center opened up. The name? "Love 'em and Leave 'em Daycare."

Me, far right. The wedding in Casper was gorgeous and tons of fun!

After a wonderful time in Wyoming, we all headed south and flew out of Denver again...only this time to San Francisco, California! Post #2, Part 1 on California coming soon :]

Sincerely, Lizzie ♥

My Moon Chair Must Have a Magnet, My Brain Must Have a Leak

2010-06-15T20:08:00.002-04:00

My feet tingled, alerting me I had been sitting too long. It was the evening before D-Day, Destination Day. The next morning I would leave early to fly Westward and be gone for two whole weeks, folicly in vacational bliss.

My tummy suddenly growled. My mind began to wonder about various snack arrangements as I lay sprawled on my moon chair. I had eaten all the ice cream cones (without the ice cream, of course). My beloved gummies were safely packed in my luggage that threaten to burst at any given time. The candy stash had been pocketed by my sister, never to return. The stairs leading to the kitchen seemed a lifetime away as I lazily considered possible eating choices from my round, fluffy chair. Hunger was calling my stomach, yet I stayed as my brain began to mess with my eyes—obviously blinded by the hunger my stomach was announcing.

My ceiling transformed into strands of Twizzlers. My carpet became a sea of gummies, the red heart kind too, my uber favorite. Soon all my furniture was turning into my most-craved snack foods and I laid there amusedly, as I imagined my bed being cinnamon toast with marshmallow pillows. Clocks became pizzas, lamps became exotic popsicles, collectibles became Chinese donuts or roasted coconuts, dresser drawers turned into whole sheets of Belgium chocolate laced with Mandarin oranges, (which, by the way, is so good it’s to die for).

I rustled in my moon chair and surveyed my tasty surroundings. Like any good writer would, I reached over on my shelf and grabbed a notebook (which had miraculously remained inedible) and instead of ceasing my cravings for all things delectable, wrote down my happenings as inspiration had finally hit me. After all, everyone knows that the pen (when written in earnest) is always before the pizza, if you ever want anything published, even if it's from a moon chair.

I think I’ll go get a snack now. ^_^

P.S. Although on second thought-- if you have a freshly delivered pizza, eat that first, write later. Cold pizza sucks. What also sucks is I can’t even eat pizza anyway. Grrr.

Sincerely, Lizzie ♥

The Art of Failing At....Volleyball.

2010-06-08T18:55:00.002-04:00

Volleyball. Most definitely.

And that’s being completely honest.

Once in a great while I’ll get lucky and punt a good one.

But that’s if I’m lucky. And usually, good ol’ me, I’m not lucky. That doesn’t stop me from trying. Or not trying, depending on the case. And that’s when I usually get into trouble. You see, when your playing with friends, volleyball can be a very entertaining sport. That is, of course, if you pay attention; which I usually don’t, and thus ended up making hilariously retarded miscalculations and also getting bruises on very strange parts of my body. (Jaw, elbow, shoulder, foot, butt etc.)

And then I never get around to actually hitting the ball. There’s just so much more to a volleyball game then just hitting the ball. It takes team work, support, and most of all---concentration. Something, regrettably, I’m not originally born with. The thing I just enjoy the most of about volley---okay this might sound weird, but the stinging pain you get on your wrists and thumbs when you punt that good one long and hard and earn the passing “Nice!” comment from those on your team.

But like I said, I almost never get around to actually hitting one out of the park (but hopefully within bounds, mind you.) But hey—the more you try, the better you get. I guess in the mean time I’ll serve (haha get it? Serve?) as an amusing, scatterbrained example (aka, loser) that hurts herself just by laughing really hard. No one ever said I couldn't. :)

Sincerely, Lizzie ♥

Messing with Tailgaters

2010-05-17T21:44:00.002-04:00

Perhaps one day I’ll wake up and see how lame it was of me to blog about driving experiences. However, since I have not yet come to such a conclusion, I’ll continue on until someone—if anyone—complains.

Recently, my good ol’ Dad and I were driving (well, it was just me doing the driving) home from the hardware store in town. We’d just successfully picked up some parts to fix the plowing tractor (the wheel had completely fell off during a plowing romp in the garden), and I’d found a new “Soft Spike” volleyball to bring to the park the next night.

Heading out of town, the sun was shining and there wasn’t very much traffic—or police officers prowling the roads. With the instruction of my Dad, we decided we’d take the scenic route home and I excitedly put on my spiffy sunglasses to enjoy the drive. “I’d like to take a slow, scenic ride with my lovely daughter today and relax,” Dad had said. In other words, Lizzie, please slow down. As I was clocking 15 mph over the limit, I slowed down some so that Dad wasn’t gripping the arm rests so hard.

After blissfully making it across town without bringing any bodily harm to anyone and successfully avoiding any tickets, I happened to glance in the rearview mirror and all I could see out the back window was some person’s front bumper. Another Ford. This time it was a new black Expedition driven by a mean-looking thirty-ish lady texting on the phone and chewing a big wad of gum. (I had to duck and squint just to see her) We’re talking SERIOUS tailgating-potential here. I was already going about 15mph over the limit anyway (old habits die hard), so I just decided to speed up a little and take one of the other back roads homeward. The lady pursued us as if her life depended on it. I mean, seriously, what is it with people and keeping only 18 inches between them and the next car? It was a lovely day with no other cars about on a late Saturday afternoon, and here I have some impatient lady tailing my butt. Dad seemed completely oblivious to my annoyance of the car behind us, and was clearly enjoying the ride—although keeping an eye on my odometer just for safety’s sake. Ten more minutes of windy country roads and my new tailgater friend wasn’t easing up. Knowing that a straight stretch (with a passing lane opportunity) was coming, I thought I’d mix things up a bit.

Bad idea.

Some of you may know I have had lots of tailgating experiences---with me on the receiving end. There just must be an abundance of impatient, speeding people around here and I just so happen to be the rare breed of drivers who drive at the speed limit—and thus get tailgated by the more common species of faster drivers with cellphones and wads of gum. So, as I’ve kind of come up with some methods to try and tell the tailgaters to get off my bumper, I’d thought I’d try some of them on this lady.

Again, bad idea. In the sense of bad being HILARIOUS.

I find humor in the strangest things…

With the straight stretch approaching, I stomped on the gas and put about 10 feet between me and the lady. By now, I was beginning to enjoy this little escapade. She looked up several times from her texting—at last realizing, that “hey, maybe this person in front of me can go over 45!” To my displeasure, she also speeded up, making the gap between our cars’ bumpers back to a smaller distance.

Now for Plan B. I gunned the engine and started a very calculated mini-swerving technique as we finally approached the straight stretch. By now the lady had clamped on some big brown sunglasses and had put down her phone. Perceptibly, she wanted to concentrate. By swerving in very small degrees, it freaks tailgaters out because they really don’t want the possibility of being run off the road as they are trying to pass the slower car in front of them. This time, it worked. Sort of. The lady’s plans of passing me were foiled, I managed a safer distance between her and my car without arousing any suspicion from Dad and naturally, she was ticked. I looked in the rearview mirror again and for some reason, couldn’t help but grin. Victory.

That’s when she flipped me the finger for a good 15 seconds, swerved in her own hot headed fashion onto another road, and sped off into the dust. I just laughed to myself and felt a bit smug.

So kids! Take it from me, if you got a tailgater, consider it play time.

Sincerely, Lizzie ♥

Lil' Bro Gets Grilled

2010-05-12T18:49:00.002-04:00

My quest today was to find someone who hadn’t yet read the book ‘Do Hard Things’ (by Alex and Brett Harris), explain to them what the book was about, interview them, and record what they said. Off the top of my head, guess who I picked. My oh-so-lucky younger brother! He’s only twelve, not—thankfully—a teen yet, but since he’s conveniently available just down the hall, I grabbed my reporter’s notebook and went to find my victim—I mean, my interviewee. Halfway there I realized, “Wait, how am I going to describe the book to him?” So I went back to the computer –which strangely I always seem to originally start from—and typed out a short review of the book:

“Basically, this book is encouraging teens to step out of their comfort zones and virtual worlds and start being more responsible. That’s the main message that I got out of it. You read in the book about historical, biblical, and modern examples of young people who did great things because they weren’t held down by social norms, peer pressure, or apathy and instead lived to glorify God. The book goes on to explain five “hard” things to work on in order to start living in faith: things that take you out of your comfort zone, that go beyond what’s expected or required, that are too hard to do alone, that don’t pay off right away, and things that go against the crowd. The book then explains ways to apply this to your life and shares stories of teens that did so and reaped the benefits of becoming more Godly and responsible by stepping out of their comfort zones.”

Now I had my little review on the book. I wrote some questions to ask Jon down on my pad, and went to go interview him.

My first question was “What are some ways that you think you could step out of you comfort zone?”

Jon looked at me sort of funny—as if this wasn’t the first time his older sister didn’t have a trick question for him—and said quite a few “Uh’s” before telling me this:

“Um…go to another country and be part of a missionary trip I guess; that would REALLY get me out of my comfort zone.” Hmmm, not bad!

Then I asked: “What are some things that don’t pay off right away?”

“Work that involves steps, takes a longtime, requires teamwork.”

Is it worth it then?

“I guess.” I didn’t press him for more details. Get it? Press? Hahaha..ha…ha.

My third question: “Why do you think the authors of this book encourage teens to go against ‘the crowd’?”

His answer was almost automatic: “To be different. I mean, to stand up and stuff because if you meld with the crowd and you’re a Christian, then people will be like, ‘THAT’S a Christian?!” And yes, he really did use the word “meld.” Impressive.

After scribbling that down hurriedly, I offhandedly asked him if he would read the book now that we’d talked about it.

He looked at me suspiciously and thought about it a while.

“I guess—wait, no. No.” I looked at him in shock.

WHY NOT, MISTER?

“Because why would I read a book about one topic that’s 200 pages long when I already know what it’s about!?”

I guess I’m going to have to talk to him about not being apathetic next.

Sincerely, Lizzie ♥

French for Dummies, Obama Zombies & Trucks

2010-05-09T21:45:00.002-04:00

I love catchy titles. *cheesy grin* But seriously, today's post is going to be on some pretty darn interesting topics. I hope you enjoy it, [insert a lot of blah-blah-blahs] and thanks for reading this ...which means read the whole thing :]

First off, my dad recently bought me a French self-help guide...you know, the "Such and Such...for Dummies" guides. Apparently, he thought it would be a wonderful reference. I don't know if I should be insulted or amused... I'm on my second year now, (half way through it too *buffs collar* --I'm actually also 6 months behind-- *starts to moan*) and I promised I would read the guide, despite it hurting my pride. French in general has a ticklishly romantic tone, and I personally could never grow tired of hearing it! (Unless of course you try Rosetta Stone French for 4 freaking hours straight...only THEN such a case is not true.) The nifty thing of this French Dummy guide is they have periodical boxes filled with handy words and phrases, complete with pronunciation...so I went around saying, "I bought ski equipment" and "Where are the bathrooms?" alot. See? Very handy phrases to know.
What always fascinates me, no matter what language you're learning, (well actually this really only applies to Romance languages) the similarities between your mother language (English, for me) and your second language (French, proudly). It's also fun to compare Spanish to French...we French speakers always say, "Only smart people take French...all others choose Spanish." but of course we mean that in jest...yes, in jest...heh...*laughs* Riiiight. :]

So, Obama Zombies eh? Why am I not surprised... I think Jason Mattera has really struck upon something here in his book titled exactly that: "Obama Zombies." I'm ordering a copy of it and plan to review it later on. But the book is already a New York Times best seller, and even Ann Couter is giving it high esteem:

“Jason Mattera is a national treasure. You’ve seen him ambush interview and demolish some of liberalism’s biggest names. Now he’s served our nation yet again by exposing the liberal lunatics who gave us President Obama. Piercing, eye-opening, and deliciously witty, Obama Zombies is required reading for an entire generation who have been sold liberal lies.”

-- Ann Coulter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Guilty: Liberal “Victims” and Their Assault on America

Although I noticed on the book's own publisher's website, the review they gave for it was simply put:

"Conservatives have no talent for being funny or original. Book is just cynical, bitter and dull. Watch SNL instead."

And three people found such a review helpful. So I think I may have to add my own POSITIVE review of it to the jumble just to shake things up. *grins*

I like trucks. I really do. It just always seem that when I'm not driving a truck, I get trucks driving on me.

So I'm minding my own business, waiting for the light to turn while driving our new Saturn Ion ('06, but very nice. You should see the paint color, it's like green but blue but gold but green again), and of course there's the "Right turn on Red after Stop" sign up by the light. So I glide to the white painted line, check traffic flow and calculate any approaching cars' speeds (that's Calculus, kids!), and safely preform my right hand turn...only to be suddenly and narrowly-escaping death-by-collision with a shiny black jacked Ford truck driven by a springy 20-year-old girl obviously enjoying her little trick by the expression of jest on her face.

What always bothers me in such situations is I always forget to HONK THE CRAP OUT OF THEM. But then my Dad reminds me that such a habit CAN get you into trouble. Hahaha I can just imagine the conversation now:

Dad: (on phone): Hello?
Me: Hi Dad.
Dad: What's wrong?
Me: I got a ticket today.
Dad: (pause) Oh did you?
Me: For excessive honking.
Dad: (silence on the line) For WHAT?
Me: (sobbing) I know, I know!

I'll end with the beautiful French phrase:
La vie est belle quand tu ris de vous-même.
Life is beautiful when you laugh at yourself. :]

Bubblelicious, Stephen King, and Vampire-glasses

2010-04-27T20:47:00.000-04:00

If the government ever takes over the supply of gum, (God forbid!) only then would I riot. I cannot imagine life without the constant companionship from those lovely, helpful, delicious pieces of elastic. Some flavors of gum (like Bubblelicious) are nauseating to some people. It's really too bad, because Bubblelicious is really fun to blow, well, bubbles with! The first time in a long time and unfortunately the last time I ate Bubblelicious I had to spit it out because I apparently gave the person sitting next to me on our airplane flight a migraine when she inhaled the wonderful smell of watermelon gum. Again lady, I apologize, but you have got to at least try it! I can't say that I have just ONE gum I like the most, but the new REACT 5 is pretty awesome. The whole turning-black-in-your-mouth thing though is just a bit creepy however. The worst flavor I've had recently is Dentyte's Arctic Chill (it's also black, the wrapper I mean). It tastes worse than a licorice-peppermint hybrid, sooo unless you like that kind of stuff, I'd suggest staying away haha. Trident's Strawberry Lime is pretty cool, I like biting halfway into it and squeezing the green goo out and licking it. Yeah I know, I'm strange. But it's funny! Seriously!

Names, especially ones that are similar sounding to each other, can be wayyyy too confusing. (Well, remember this is Lizzie saying this) When I was a kid, for some reason I thought Stephen King and Stephen Hawkins were the same person. Imagine a kid seeing a handicapped genius and thinking, "Wow, HE writes those all horror/thriller books? No wonder the poor fellow's in a wheelchair!" Not that I would actually think that sort of a thing, but I do remember referring to the two as one, lol. I mean no disrespect to either of those famous men, but it's sort of comical. Stephen King's writings are pretty interesting. I've never read them, but I'm sure they are. To Stephen Hawkins, I must say this: For a guy as smart as thee, WHY WHY WHY aliens of all things?

Okay so on a whim, I snuck into my dad's office...looking for a book actually so don't freak out lol, and came across an AWESOME pair of sunglasses. I mean, I'm not a Twilighter, but behold I found a pair of dark vampire rims just like the ones Edward wore in the movies. (I think the fact that he was very, very pale made them look extremely stark against his "skin") They are creepy cool...I put them on and had to take them off because it gave me the chills! I'll spare you a picture of myself in them...I look like a freak. But wow, I could hardly even see out of them anyway. Perfect for a undercover job, you know? Oops, I didn't just say that. Love you Jamie :D

Pockets, Fries, and Politics

2010-04-20T17:45:00.002-04:00

So I was sitting at a conference recently, (on critical thinking and science, that kind of stuff), and I happened to notice a certain young man sitting in front of me, two rows up, six chairs down. (I’m very observant…) Nothing was extraordinary about him, until break time came, and he stood up.

My eyes practically bulged out when I looked at his pants. Now before you go thinking I’m some sort of crude person, hear me out. I was specifically looking at his back pant pockets. They were bigger than my purse (shocker…), and practically large enough to fit my HEAD in them! Talk about a oh-my-gosh-look-at-those-pockets moment! Seriously, whose idea was it to create jeans/pants pockets so that you could fit a textbook in them…or sixteen wallets…or a small toy dog in them?

Top-up the fellow at the conference looked fine. (except the fact he was wearing map-size pockets with his jeans while the rest of us were wearing slacks and dress pants, but hey, no biggie) Top down, I nearly lost it as I tried discreetly (fail…) absorbing the size of this guy’s pants. And thank God he was wearing a BELT! It would have horrifying if he had been one of those homey-joes you see in the Ghetto, with their butt clothes tied to their ankles practically, and you have to virtually walk around blind to avoid seeing the exact pattern of their underwear, which they brandish quite proudly. Talk about a MAJOR turn-off, bub. I still can’t get over the size of those pockets though….puh-lease…and if he ever sees this, all I gotta say is : “What the heck were you doing at that conference with pockets the size of my HEAD?”

Normally I’m not a big fast-food fan…growing up, it was a total treat to even order off the dollar menu at MickyD’s, if ever. But since my family and I have been sort of on the go for the past few weeks, we’ve sort of slipped into grabbing a Medium Fry (or is it Frie?) on the way to archery lessons or youth group (or after classes when you need some comfort food), with a couple of cherry pies to boot and maybe even a Sweet Tea if ol’ Mama is in the mood. So yeah, I’ve probably eaten about 5 pounds or more of McD’s fries in the past week or two. I’d like to express a MAJOR thanks to the Big Guy upstairs for creating me a slim woman. (Otherwise…) LOL! French fries have been popular since the day they were created, I don’t know when that was, but I am quite sure they were a major hit whenever they were made, like in France sometime (Viva la France!).

Did you know it’s considered an insult in France if you ask for ketchup for your fries? They take big pride in their everything-but-tomato-ketchup sauces and stuff, so take the tip so you won’t get thrown into the Rhine or something. My favorite kind of fries aren’t exactly your McDonald’s kind (although very good, but Burger King definitely beats them in that category, in my humble opinion), but more of the homemade-diner style fries that have a special dip on them or something that makes them lightly crisp and crunchy. And with ice cold ketchup…ohhhh MMMMmMMMM! (Man, I’m starting to drool on my keyboard). On average, Americans eat 30 pounds of fries each year. Talk about ALOTTA FRIES! And it’s no wonder that French fries are just as common as chocolate chip cookies in American households. I don’t know about you, but seriously, if the world was going to end, I’d stock up on French fries…

This is the paragraph on politics. Obama…is…our…president…whether we like it or not. So I came up with a GOP (kinda sounds like goop, don't it?) catch phrase (ITS COPYRIGHTED, China!) for y’all: “We made a mistake in 2008, make it well in 2012!” Something like that, haha.

“I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator.” - Obama

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I wonder if he pronounced that correctly…or let alone got around to swallowing it. :D

10 of the World's Stupidest Phrases

2010-03-28T17:06:00.002-04:00

When I work on Polyvore.com, a online collage-making site, I come across a lot of phrases and quotes, that are either really good, corny, or just plain stupid. I thought I'd share the stupid ones.... (:

10. You think I'm bulletproof, but I'm not.
Pure genius, Einstein...

9. I've learned that even though it's greener on the other side, it's still green here.
Oh, wow this has got to be the world's biggest understatement of the year!!

8. Someday, we'll know, if love can move a mountain.
I can tell ya right now it won't. It's actually faith. Big diff.

7. When I say I'm fine, look me in the eyes and say, "Tell the truth."
Then why do you say you're fine in the first place?!?!

6. Love is all you need.
No, last time I checked a meal, some sleep, and a restroom were.

5. Love is like a virus that spreads and affects people.
Wrong mental image, here!

4. She says she's no good with words, but I'm worse.
And the point of this is....?

3. Everyday people ask if we're a couple, and you don't realize how painful it is to say we're just friends.
Deal with it honey.

2. I loathe love and love lust.
C'mon, seriously? Like that's going to get you a girl, moron.

1. "Painting all my dreams the color of your smile."
Let's hope their teeth are white!

Don't get me wrong, they are nice phrases. Extremely sentimental and sappy, but nice. Personally I'm all for these kinds of phrases:

Enjoy your day :)

Conquered are the Voices of Doubt

2010-01-25T18:37:00.000-05:00

Strides of long steps

Winds blowing on my face

Stepping out, flying high

At home in the place

Where daring eagles fly

Taking many chances

Feeling the wearisome risks

Moving always onward

Without hurried backward glances

And stuttering, mumbled lisps

Walking solemnly about

Watching the windows of the souls

As they move around sadly

My calling is only to the ones

That need some sunshine badly

Whispers of Doubt, the voices can’t touch me

They are ignored, dismissed; no dark clouds

To deepen their steely gazes of glee

The cold depression darkens this place

My only battle is to boldly face my fate

Triumph is victory’s sweet, savory taste

To conquer, to win, to be full of vibrancy

To laugh and enjoy life without making haste

The shadows are gone, with them lively music is replaced

Spirits soar as apathy is doomed, and true living overcomes hate.

Glitter Text Generator

What Lies in the Shadows? a poetry by e....

2010-01-19T20:02:00.000-05:00

In the night
I hear the whispers
They hide in the shadows
They tickle me ear
Cause reckless tears
And show no faces
To my anxious waiting eyes

In the silence
It comforts not
It shows my amble fear
Leaving sentences broken
And finding wails of jeer
My minds snaps to attention
My ears burn with sensation
I'm watching, I'm waiting
But nothing can I hear

Here lies the truth
In the night, when alone
Nothing is exposed
For lack of ample light
But the terror is so real
It just drones and drones
Taking rest, finding prey
In the next hopelessly sad heart
It's next hearty meal

Glitter Text Generator

Food Review: Triscuit’s Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil Crackers

2009-12-29T13:32:00.002-05:00

Since New Year’s is approaching,

I’d like to introduce you to a great party/snack food that’s both tasty and healthy. Triscuit’s new Crack Pepper & Olive Oil crackers are naturally flavored and a versatile snack food that can be eaten alone (the seasonings, such as onion powder, pepper, salt, garlic, and olive oil, make it very addictive!) or with cream cheese and slices of tomatoes for a chic, no-mess appetizer under $15. (If the cream cheese is ~$4, cherry tomatoes ~$4, Triscuits ~$3, etc)

Packed with fiber, low in sodium, and made with “readable” ingredients, Kraft’s finally got it right these yummy, crunchy, heart-healthy crackers!

Sincerely,

Glitter Text Generator

30 More Things We Have Learned From The Movies

2009-10-24T21:38:00.000-04:00

thanks to my friend Janel. :)

1.All grocery shopping bags contain at least one stick of French Bread.

2.Once applied, lipstick will never rub off—even while scuba diving.

3.The ventilation system of any building is the perfect hiding place. No one will ever think of looking for you in there and you can travel to any other part of the building you want without difficulty.

4.If you need to reload your gun, you will always have more ammunition—even if you haven’t been carrying any before now.

5.You’re very likely to survive any battle in any war unless you make the mistake of showing someone a picture of your sweetheart back home.

6.Should you wish to pass yourself off as a German officer, it will not be necessary to speak the language. A German accent will do.

7.If your town is threatened by an imminent natural disaster or killer beast, the mayor’s first concern will be the tourist trade or his forthcoming art exhibition.

8.The Eiffel Tower can be seen from any window in Paris.

9.If a large pane of glass is visible, someone will be thrown through it before long.

10.If being chased through town, you can usually take cover in a passing St. Patrick’s Day parade—at any time of the year.

11.When paying for a taxi, don’t look at your wallet as you take out a bill—just grab one at random and hand it over. It will always be the exact fare.

12.Kitchens don’t have light switches. When entering a kitchen at night, you should open the fridge door and use that light instead.

13.If staying in a haunted house, women will investigate any strange noises in their most revealing underwear.

14.Word processors never display a cursor on screen but will always say: Enter Password Now.

15.Mothers routinely cook eggs, bacon and waffles for their family every morning even though their husband and children never have time to eat it.

16.Cars that crash will almost always burst into flames.

17.The Chief of Police will always suspend his star detective—or give him 48 hours to finish the job.

18.A single match will be sufficient to light up a room the size of Wembley Stadium.

19.Medieval peasants had perfect teeth.

20.Although in the 20th century it is possible to fire weapons at an object out of our visual range, people of the 23rd century will have lost this technology.

21.Any person waking from a nightmare will sit bolt upright and pant.

22.It is not necessary to say “hello” or “goodbye” when beginning or ending phone conversations.

23.All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red readouts so you know exactly when they’re going to go off.

24.It is always possible to park directly outside the building you are visiting.

25.When a person is knocked unconscious by a blow to the head, they will never suffer a concussion or brain damage.

26.No one involved in a car chase, hijacking, explosion, volcanic eruption, or alien invasion will ever go into shock.

27.You can always find a chainsaw when you need one.

28.Any lock can be picked by a credit card or a paper clip in seconds—unless it’s the door to a burning building with a child trapped inside.

29.An electric fence, powerful enough to kill a dinosaur will cause no lasting damage to an eight year old child.

30.Television news bulletins usually contain a story that affects you personally at that precise moment.

31.Spacecraft in outer space will make a great racket and explode with a bang, vacuum or no vacuum.

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: "Interior Bedroom Design"

2009-10-16T17:18:00.004-04:00

My sister bought me the white shelves, we got the 4 piggies and the stripes are adhesive paper I got for my birthday :] the result is absolutely awesome :)

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: Flowers

2009-10-13T19:58:00.002-04:00

Peonies, Asters, and Zinnias brought to you by Crush, my camera :D

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: "CA & CC"

2009-10-11T13:00:00.002-04:00

I have a strange habit...sometimes I quench it's thrist, other times I ignore the urge............to make arrangments with a store's items or mess with the mannuquins....:]

This time, I just couldn't resist...

candle arrangements and collar cuffs:

so much more "buy appeal" don't you think?

"see this is how you use them people!"

The collar on this guy looked so bland so I pulled it up and bam! Ten times more hot...gangsta style! :]

Living and Loving It - Lizzie

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: "In Excess"

2009-10-09T17:19:00.006-04:00

On a whim, while shopping, [of course], I decided to take pictures of things ''in excess'' for an interesting blog post....I'm using my new Fujifilm "Z" camera :]

^^ silly string!!! this stuff should be restricted for maniacs like me that loveee it :]]

^^ hey wait i thought there was only ONE santa!

^^ shades B-)

^^ for halloween fans...i call them "skullcandy" jars :]

^^ rolls of cellophane...<---isn't that a cool word???

^^ plastic gourds :]]

^^ mentos!!! "box of fresh breath enhancers"

-Lizzie

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: "Road Trip"

2009-10-05T15:38:00.006-04:00

"power lines"

"no crossing"

"antique columns & porch light"

"studded"

"open sign"

"Lunge road sign"

Toasty Apple Drink recipe

2009-09-21T14:55:00.002-04:00

Gather:
1 gallon of apple juice or cider
2 cinnamon sticks (or more, if you really like cinnamon like me)
1 jar (large) of applesauce
1 tablespoon or teaspoon (your preference) of cinnamon

Do:
1. Heat apple juice with cinnamon stix in it until hot.
2. Add applesauce and cinnamon and heat, do not boil.
3. Remove from heat, serve, and enjoy :]

recipe provided by myself. and yes, it has been tested. its good with cookies ;]

poof poof poof

2009-09-20T03:00:00.000-04:00

Fireworks :] enjoy the video i took! -Lizzie

for today...

2009-09-19T11:00:00.003-04:00

link of the day:

click me<<<

picture of the day:

quote of the day:

"'Live Your Life'... or what? Die? Clever." - facebook flair :]

Summer Again [lyrics] by the Afters

2009-09-11T17:36:00.000-04:00

I'm watching the green give into gold
As summer becomes October's cold
Gravity begs
For one final kiss
She drops it to him, as she gives in

Traces of light, linger around
As laces of white fall to the ground
The softest of sounds for the heaviest things
And the pain that it brings

As she falls I try to catch her
For one last touch of warmth from summer
As one thing leaves to becomes another again
I remember when

Don't remember the day, she started to fade
The ground felt a chill as she gave it away
A whisper - a sigh, for the time that she passed
But this winter won't last

As she falls I try to catch her
For one last touch of warmth from summer
As one thing leaves to becomes another again
I remember when
Oh to be with summer again

The days were warm and we wore them like skin
Now I feel the effects of October again

As she falls I try to catch her
For one last touch of warmth from summer
As one thing leaves to becomes another again
I remember when
Oh to be with summer again

I'm watching the green give in to gold
As summer becomes Octobers cold

<3 I love this song :]

09/09/09!

2009-09-09T09:09:00.000-04:00

It's 9:09am on 09/09/09!

Quote of the Day

2009-09-02T12:21:00.001-04:00

"I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter."
-- Sir Winston Churchill

from JokeoftheDay.com

Struck Down

2009-08-29T19:11:00.002-04:00

I wouldn’t of noticed it if it hadn’t of been for Jade. She was the one that glanced down the other hallway while we went to find the restrooms. I just needed to go after all that punch, and could have cared less. I had been walking behind Jade cautiously, studying her new flip-flops when I abruptly bumped into her as she hissed,

“Kara, who was that?”

We peered down the hallway carefully, but we were too late to see much. Whoever it was that dipped quickly into one of the doors and disappeared without a sound. How could they be so quiet? I had thought. Jade flashed a look of curiosity and concern my way and I gulped. Strangely, all was silent in Wing B, as if nothing had ever been there, as if the high school wasn’t even having a large party in the gym several halls down. But who was that mystifying character that had leaped into oblivion when Jade and I passed rather loudly? You could probably hear our feet miles away. Why had they waited to duck into the closet when we had stopped walking suddenly? Were they watching us?

“Maybe we should go get Mr. Marls,” I whispered shakily, not being an adventurous person. Jade scowled and stuck her head around the corner and peered down the other hallway again.

“That’s weird, isn’t it? Maybe it’s someone playing a trick?”

Or stealing something from the school? I thought to myself silently. Jade chewed on her lip and I twisted my hands into knots while waiting in suspense for Jade to make her next move; the eerie silence was killing me. Knowing Jade, we wouldn’t just walk on. When Jade was curious, there was no stopping her. If I only I had had the power to drag her from that spot and run. Then none of this would have happened. But alas, I was just as powerless to move Jade as I was clueless to what our doomed future would hold.

“I’ll go see who it is. Maybe they got lost and they’re too embarrassed to ask someone for directions.” Jade whispered back to me, looking concerned. I nearly bit my finger off in anguish. Jade was always too trusting; she never thought evil of anyone. But up until then, I had never either. I was the shy, trusting, observing, timid one. Jade was the brave, curious, kind one. But once she said those words, my stomach lurked.

“Wait! Jade, how about we just go to the bathroom and forget whatever’s down there. We’re the new freshmen here, we can’t go showing people around because we don’t even know our way around!”

“Oh, hush Kara, yes we do,” replied Jade, “They went into the art classroom. I’ll be right back. Then we can find the bathrooms.”

I clutched the corner of the wall as I watched my friend tip-toe silently down the hall. The door we saw the shadow dive into was about 5 doors down on the left. I watched breathlessly as Jade approached the doorway cautiously, and then disappeared, like the mysterious character, into the classroom. Sweat formed on my brow. I didn’t know what I was afraid of more, Jade getting caught sneaking around the corridors of the school while she should have been either in the gym or the restrooms, or Jade finding out who the mysterious person was and getting hurt maybe.

The hall was quiet. No sounds, no voices, no lights on, no hints to what had happened in that classroom or who was in it still. I shivered and continued to watch for Jade, and whoever it was, to come out. The many glasses of punch I had drank weren’t helping me any. I bit on my lip hard and scanned the halls. No one was there. Just me, alone in Wing A, watching for my friend committing a illegal scope out in Wing B, and needing to relieve myself quickly. Hurry up Jade, I can’t wait any longer! I screamed silently, nearly clawing the wall and straining to hear any sounds. What’s taking her so long?

As I looked around the corner again, my eyes strained to see through the darkness. The moon was shining dimly through the exit door many yards down the hall, revealing only the blank white walls and tile floor very slightly. Still no Jade.

Then I heard a thump. Was that my heart beating suddenly or...?

My vigil on keeping an eye out for Jade had distracted my from sensing anyone behind me. Then suddenly, I felt a warm hand clamp over my mouth and I nearly screamed, twisting around to face my silencer, who had his hand firmly on my mouth and a finger brought to his lips to hint that I not scream. Help! Do I kick him in the shin or stomp on his toes first? His eyes twinkled in the dim light--no noticeable evil glint-- that was cast on his face from the red light-piercing “EXIT” sign above our heads and my eyes focused on his face. I was shaking because I didn’t know who this was.

Am I being kidnapped?!

Then I recognized my captor. Oh, what was his stupid name? He was in my Advanced Algebra class, and always followed me around. He liked me for some strange reason, and even though I was shy and quiet, I hated his guts and told him so often. He didn’t ever seem to mind. Why would a junior like a freshman anyway? And why didn’t I think about looking behind me?!

“Hey Kara, what are you doing? Jade forget her homework?” He whispered a smile in his words though I could not see his mouth to confirm it. All I could feel was his balmly warm breath that mingled with cologne...Then I remembered his name. I tore away his warm palm from my mouth and was very close to kicking him anyway; even though I knew he’d never hurt me. Or would he?

“Connor Blake, leave me alone!” I hissed in a threateningly tone (that came out as terribly frightened), forgetting about Jade momentarily and finally finding my voice, shaky as it was. He loved it when I was mad, or tried to be, which was only when I was around him (or vice versa), and he seemed to enjoy this hushed exchange in the dark halls of Wing A. Gulp.
Connor chuckled, quietly, and turned serious suddenly.

“What are you guys doing lurking around here? It’s against school policy.”

Oh, like he knew anything about school policy! I practically memorized the school handbook, and he was constantly breaking the student regulations and going to Mr. Marls office, half to see his uncle, and half to be in trouble. Surprisingly, and thanks to Connor’s insistent chatter to me during study hall or lunch, I knew quite about this guy. I glared at him anyway and replied, trying not to sound scared,

“No, we saw someone else lurking in the hall and Jade went to go see who it was.”

Poor brave Jade. Where on earth was she?

Despite the poor light, I could see Connor’s eyebrow that rose, as if curiously suspicious, and he slunk around me and stuck his head adown Wing B. I got a whiff of his cologne again and nearly gagged. My nose was always so sensitive to highly concentrated smells, like his. Bleah. But I had to admit, it smelled pretty interesting...

Oh what am I saying?! Gotta look for Jade!

We both peered around the corner and looked for any signs of Jade. It had been nearly five minute since she had gone after the shadow. Had she got lost? I thought nervously. All was still deathly quiet…..

Where the heck was Jade?!

to be continued…

COPYRIGHT 2009 by L. Hott.

Hey How's Life?

2009-08-12T11:35:00.005-04:00

From the Desk of Lizzie....

Dear Readers, how's your day going? It's been busy here but what's new to that? :] I've been reading a really cool book called "The Sister Circle" if you're female, you'd enjoy it :] I have the "You're As Cold As Ice" song stuck in my head and I'm wearing a new gray sweater in my chilly computer spot as I write this...so yeah, I'm as cold as ice here :] don't go getting all emotional on me, haha--I know I don't usually write stuff like this. Just thought I'd say something other than "I haven't been on here for awhile" or some quote lol :]

Love, Lizzie

my quotes...

2009-08-10T10:28:00.004-04:00

live life with no regrets...

learn from the past, while living in the present, to look forward to the future...

Re-do a T for Free

2009-08-06T10:00:00.001-04:00

I had a blank white long sleeve from Walmart lying around not being worn, so I thought modify it and turn it into a summer shirt.....

The finished product!

I stamped the black heart with acrylic paint before I chopped the sleeves, and the result is pretty nice. Just my way of being thrifty and eco-friendly :] Try it!

New designs :]

2009-08-05T19:29:00.001-04:00

I hope you like my new background, banner, and matching blinkie for this blog. It was too adorable to pass up. :] I don't like to change everything often, but this was a excellent choice. Makes the blogspot look more "professional" even though it's not really. :]
~Lizzie

Wordle Creations!

2009-08-04T14:19:00.002-04:00

[click to enlarge them!]

By friends' suggestions, I went to wordle.net and created a word thing (or two :D) for my blog. The top is for the content of my posts, the bottom one is from my profile. it's addicting indeed! -Lizzie

blowing in the wind...

2009-08-04T14:09:00.002-04:00

picture from this site. i love her outfit. :]

ATTENTION ALL! Blogger Award!

2009-08-04T13:38:00.004-04:00

I want to award Kayluray from this blog, and Hannah from this blog with a special blogger award for independent thinking! Congrats! Copy and paste and of course, enjoy--be sure to pass it along to other bloggers!

-Lizz

iProduct

2009-07-30T17:12:00.003-04:00

from CHRISTA-TAYLOR.com

Cable Knit Cardigan

$32.00 ~~$53.00~~

In the most delicate Lambs wool our quintessential three button cardigan has it all. Mix and matchable, soft and packable it will features a lovely drape to the waist. Cable knit near the neck brings the attention to the face. Cable weave at cuffs and hem. Long Sleeve. Import. Hand wash. Cream.

To get this, go to www.christa-taylor.com and click on Mark Downs.

{viva la curious}

Making It Work: The Sequel. Young Women in Military Relationships Share Their Stories!

How to Survive in College

Week 25: Learn Not to Burn

Week 14 & 15: The 5 Basic Steps of Packing (Or, "Packing for Idiots")

Week 13: Fortune Cookie Scriptures

Week 11 & 12: Too Much of the Good Stuff

{TSSN} Week 10: How To Impress in 4 Steps or Less

{TSSN} Week 9: Common Myths Now Busted

{TSSN} Week 6, 7, & 8: "Lady, listen to me."

Purses & Ties: Part 2 (For the Ladies)

Purses and Ties: Part 1 (For the Men)

{TSSN} Week 3: 6 Dares, 6 Days

{TSSN} Week 2: Hold the Hail, please.

{The Start of Something New} Week 1: Ow, that pore strip hurt.

Dirty Roses

What They Don't Tell You Before You Grow Up

Some {Important} Things Guys Should Know About Girls

How to Be Hot in the Winter: For Guys

How to Be Hot in the Winter

Aliens....Way Overboard

Digital Destruction: Are We Becoming Technology Zombies?

Exposing Pre-Bulimia

The Rise of Young Politicians

Printer Crazy, Stuffing, Tofu, and Cardigans

Shopping, Cinnamon Vanilla Chais, Crickets, and Sweaters

Parking Citations, Hair Burners, Popsicles, and Spainish Green Pants

Whigs, Canada, Skin Organs, and Flying Fish Whisks!

Dumster Bags, Petrified Roosters, My Music Slump, and Rubix Cubes

Crapple Pies, Bruises, and Paper Wasps

Ticked off Models, Colored Eyebrows, and Starbursts

California, Post #2, Part 1

Colorado & Casper [Post 1 of West Coast Trip]

My Moon Chair Must Have a Magnet, My Brain Must Have a Leak

The Art of Failing At....Volleyball.

Messing with Tailgaters

Lil' Bro Gets Grilled

French for Dummies, Obama Zombies & Trucks

Bubblelicious, Stephen King, and Vampire-glasses

Pockets, Fries, and Politics

10 of the World's Stupidest Phrases

Conquered are the Voices of Doubt

What Lies in the Shadows? a poetry by e....

Food Review: Triscuit’s Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil Crackers

30 More Things We Have Learned From The Movies

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: "Interior Bedroom Design"

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: Flowers

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: "CA & CC"

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: "In Excess"

One Day in the Life of Lizzie: "Road Trip"

Toasty Apple Drink recipe

*poof poof poof*

for today...

Summer Again [lyrics] by the Afters

09/09/09!

Quote of the Day

Struck Down

Hey How's Life?

my quotes...

Re-do a T for Free

New designs :]

Wordle Creations!

blowing in the wind...

ATTENTION ALL! Blogger Award!

iProduct

Cable Knit Cardigan

poof poof poof