How They Fry Chicken

Working in a deli at a downtown grocery mart is quite an interesting job at times. Most days I feel like a hamster running back and forth with no real purpose in life (i.e. "I have to slice four more pounds of turkey ham again?!"), other times I meet so many new people, and learn new things, and it's generally a good day. Except when I almost slice my finger off and it gushes blood like it thinks it's the newest Niagara Falls. Eh, that I could definitely live without.


The one thing I've noticed over the course of working here, is how different the fried chicken we sell turns out after each person has "dropped" it in the fryers, as we call it.

I then started to theorize and over think it, as always, and decided to put it down on paper.

With my various co workers, [names changed] some have tough exteriors and others you can tell have the softest hearts. Learning from them and getting to know what goes on in their lives is really an amazing thing. Meeting new people, especially the ones you work with, can be eye opening on just how unique each and every one of us are. While it sounds completely lame, the more I noticed how the chicken turned out, the more I noticed how on point it was to each of the cooks.

Sammy, the head cook is a sweet lady with a wild side. She's a bar tender when she isn't working at the deli, and I can imagine her kicking out a few people for not taking any bullcrap. She'll be cracking hilarious jokes behind the counter making it hard for the rest of us to keep face. When she fries chicken, it comes out looking like classic KFC chicken: She's all about being feisty  getting her work done, and making sure everyone is happy. So with her fried chicken, there has never once been a complaint.

Bonnie, the assistant cook, is this tiny short skinny lady that always looks forward to lunch to see the "Marlboro Man." (a smoke break) At first glance, she's distant and cold at times, but deep down she's a Woo-girl at heart. (Meaning every time she accomplishes something, we say, "Woohoooo!" really loud.) I help her lift heavy things and stuff on high shelves, and she's generally a nice lady. Her chicken is nearly perfect, except for the random bare patches with no breading. Sort of like her: you see what she allows you to see of her, but occasionally lets down her walls and you can see the real Bonnie, outside of the deli.

Arty, the sandwich maker, will sometime throw a batch together when we need it. She's an older lady with short hair and her presence is all about business. She was intimidating at first when I met her, but now she'll giggle at my side jokes and is usually in an all around good mood. Her batches come out very neat and thorough looking, much like her.

Tara, my fellow night shift deli girl, is an extremely energetic and sassy sort of young lady. Closest in age, we usually have a lot of fun working together. Her chicken comes out messy, but it's only because she is usually busy doing most of the dishes and night cleaning, which I am always grateful for. So if her chicken isn't perfect, the rest of the deli usually is.

Now I realize this is an entirely odd blog post, but it made sense to me while I was thinking about it, coincidentally while frying chicken.

What does my fried chicken look like when it comes out, you ask?

Absolutely stunning. But it soon falls apart and I'll never understand why I'm the only person that fries chicken so beautiful only to have the skin slink off later. Not sure what that says about me, though.

All around, I love working this job. It's exhausting and I'm constantly running somewhere and my back, feet, legs, thumbs, and arms all ache when I get off, but it's satisfying work that I think is a great learning experience.

Deli tip: Always ask to have your deli selections sliced for you. While we put in a lot of work to make the case look fluffy and nice, I'd never eat out of it unless it was fresh.

Ciao,

How to Survive in College

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 achieve 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.

Good luck,

Week 13: Fortune Cookie Scriptures

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,

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

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,

Some {Important} Things Guys Should Know About Girls

 {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

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

{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

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?

  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

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 two percent of all adolescents and young women 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 kill 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 young 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.

What people don't realize is it starts in 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."

Once you decide to believe that one day you will believe that, you are already one step closer to truly being the person you are meant to be.

Don't let anyone ever tell you anything different. You are beautiful. You are good enough. You will never be worthless.

For you,

Crapple Pies, Bruises, and Paper Wasps

    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

 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.

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

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 ♥

10 of the World's Stupidest Phrases

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 :)