Selfless

The other day I was sitting in my institute class when I heard something awesome from a girl a few rows back.

The teacher was talking about the ups and downs of marriage and how it is not always bliss.

A girl raised her hand and this is what she had to say:

"You know, marriage is the one time when you can be truely selfless. You don't need to think about what you need because there is someone who has your back completely. Another person is looking out for what you need and you can focus all of your attention on others. Someone is always there for you and you are always there for them."

Isn't that good? Can you imagine being in such a place where you can be perfectly selfless?

I can't wait to have someone in my life I can depend on so completely.

xoxo,

sam

Bangs

Oops! Just realized the title read "Bongs". Let's change that. No bueno.

Now on to a post all about my bangs!

 

I think a need a  hair intervention! My bangs are at that awkward stage where they are too long to be worn as bangs but to short to blend in with the rest of my hair. See Exibit A:

But they are almost to the point where I can tuck them behind my ear. Exhibit B:

So this is where you all come in. Do I leave my bangs and just let them grow out? Or should I cut them? And how should I cut them?

I could leave them as the classic 'side-swept' bangs or go back to the straight bangs look. Exhibit C:

I am very indecisive about this situation and complain about my bangs nearly everyday to my roommate. And it's getting ridiculous. I just need to make up my mind and do something. I have thought about letting them grow out, but I haven't not had bangs for a really long time. So long that I can't even remember. 

So if you have any ideas for me, please leave them below! Thank you all.

xoxo

Sam

Wednesday's Words 5 1/2

Well it's late and I don't feel very good and I'm stressed about an exam tomorrow. So I just want to leave you with this in place of today's word:

xoxo

Samantha

Wednesday's Words 3

Today's word: Forgiveness

A few months ago something happened with a friend. I was offended and hurt and she was mad. It was a mess and we just stopped talking. But now, it's time I forgive and move on. Whether that means letting her back in my life, I'm not sure. I don't even know if that something she even wants. But what I do know is this: I'm tired of feeling hurt. I don't like being upset with someone and I think it's starting to have negative effects on my life. 

So whether you are trying to forgive someone or just forgive yourself, this post is for you.

 

 

\

 

xoxo

samantha

19 and Single

I am 19 and single. Why am I so love-sick??

It seems like every single time I get on Facebook someone else is engaged or someone else has started a wedding countdown or someone else has just got married. I have been feeling like the ugly duckling this entire time.

But, what I have realized is that there is no reason for me to feel that way!  These people who are getting married at 18 or 19 and right out of high school will probably just add to the statistic of marriages that fail.  Why am I envying this??

I am only 19 years old!  I am a baby in terms of a life span. Yet, I was feeling like I was destined for a life of TV reruns, bad Chinese food, and a collection of cats to keep me company.  I was scared of a life alone.  WHY??  I have my whole life ahead of me!  I am happy and loved by my friends and family and I'm SINGLE!  I can do whatever, whenever, and without having to answer to anyone!

But, instead of embracing my life as it is and loving the people I am surrounded by, I have become cynical and sullen and perpetually lonely.  That stops.  Now.  I am thrilled to say that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will find love, but I am not going to find it sitting on a couch watching chick flicks and hating my single-ness.  I have to go out there and live my single life that way it should be lived- FREE!  And by free, I mean independence.  It's not relying on anyone for anything or being relied on.

There are so many things I want to do.  So many places I want to see.

Here's to the end of the lonely nights, the sad, boring personality, the down trodden face, the love-sick girl that could be found journaling her thoughts with Ben and Jerry.  And here's to the beginning of my new life. A life filled with friends and family and fun and happiness and freedom.

I honestly feel bad for those people that have and/or are about to become tied down with a husband or wife and kids before they can even legally drink. While you have tied your life with responsibilities and commitment at such a young and carefree age; I will be out living mine.  Like I should be.

I will find love one day. But it will be when I have experienced life and am ready to settle down. Until then, I am more than willing to wait with my head held high.

I am a new person. I am single and free.  And I will be happy.

I Can't Wait To Meet Her

Jumping head first into the unknown is scary.  And intimidating.  But it's good for us.  It teaches us things about ourselves we never knew before.  Trying new things provides insight into life and it's purpose.  Growing and learning is a natural part to life so it only makes sense that trying new things is essential.  But sometimes, when life gets really scary, we hold back and don't let ourselves push our boundaries.  And that, my friends, is the truly scary part.  Those moments when we are too afraid to allow ourselves to grow and slowly evolve into a new person.  We may be scared for many different reasons.  Maybe you are worried about what others will think.  Or maybe it is something you never believed you would have to face and now it is right there in front of you.  Or maybe it's the uncertainty surrounding the haze of the unknown.  Whatever the reason may be, it is in those moments that we really learn the most about ourselves.  In those moments that we are faced with the decision of pressing through it or finding a different path through life.  But I am certain that the alternate paths will be less rewarding and less satisfying.  Once we start down one of the 'easier' paths, we are forced to life with the regret and all of the "what if's" and unfortunately, there is no rewind button in life.  We are left with no choice but to keep pressing forward on this new path we have chosen.

A new school year is just about to start and I am anxious to see where life will take me in the next twelve months.  I know without a doubt that I will be, in no shape or form, the same person I am today.  Both the good and bad times will re-define me and I only hope that despite all the differences I will emerge a better person.  And I can't wait to meet her.

A Nation of Wimps

Parents are going to ridiculous lengths to make life's journey smooth and easy for their children.  This hyperconcern and micromanaging has devastating effects on kids by making them more fragile and can be the reason for more kids breaking down in record setting numbers.

Even play-time at the park is changing.  More and more, parents are on the all-rubber-cushioned playground right there with their kids.  Few are taking it easy on the benches, as parents used to, letting the kids figure things out for themselves.

Childhood has become overly sanitized, and abhors skinned knees and the occasional C in math class.  Making mistakes, even on the playground, is completely out of style.  Error and experimentation are foundation of success; however, parents are determined to remove failure of any kind from their child's life.  This tends to make them risk-averse and psychologically fragile.  Young kids with severe anxiety are becoming more and more prevalent in elementary schools.  We learn from all experiences, whether good or bad, and it is through failure that we learn to cope.  Children are even sheltered from death and are instead told that their favorite pet 'ran away'.  With few challenges of their own, children are robbed of meaning and a sense of accomplishment.  Whether we realize it or not, we are creating a nation of wimps.

Kids aren't getting the benefits out of childhood that they once did.  Coaches tell them what position to play and where to stand, parents tell them what to eat and wear, and referees tell them who won and what is fair.  Kids are missing out on learning important leadership and problem solving skills.  True play encourages decision making, memory and thinking and it creates an ideal environment for children to develop social skills. These are all being stripped out of a child's play time as parents strive to make sure their child is the best.

Parents are naturally concerned about their children having high self-esteem, and there is nothing wrong with that.  But when it comes to the point when parents are willing to cheat on their child’s behalf to get them ahead of their peers, they have gone too far.  By doing things to make your child 'better' than his friends, you have just told him that he couldn't have done it on his own and shattered any sense of self.  The child begins to believe that if they need to cut corners and take every advantage they can get, then maybe there is something wrong with them.

The fragility factor is easily seen on college campuses across the country.  Psychological distress is quickly increasing; appearing in the forms of anxiety and depression, for example.  Parents are forced to let go of the hand of their adult child when they move out and go to college, but that doesn't stop parents from holding on until the very last good-bye in the student’s new room.  Many parents even go as far as to submit applications for college and scholarships for their teenagers, believe that anything lower than a B is unacceptable (even though a C is average) and believe that any form of failure is a reflection of their parenting.  College students are suddenly thrown into complete independence and are forced to do things they are not prepared for.  I had a roommate who had never down laundry or cleaned a bathroom before because her mom always took care of that.  Even after their child has left the house, parents still look for ways to ease their child's life.  A college administrator told me once about parents who call to protest their student's C in science class because it will damage his shot at grad school.  Well guess what, it was the student's fault and he more than likely earned that grade.

This brings me to the alarming revolution of grade inflation.  The bar is being lowered in order to provide students with success.  In my high school, they no longer had a valedictorian at graduation because of the increasing number of students graduating with 4.0 GPAs.  Many of these students were the ones who took the 'easy A' classes and not the ones who enrolled in multiple AP classes, rarely missed a class, and completed all homework on time.  One of those students should receive the honor of being named valedictorian, but because society promotes equality, it would be ludicrous to give that honor to only one person which would suggest that person was 'better' than the rest of the class.

The sheltered life of home has no physical boundaries.  College students are constantly talking to parents through phone calls, texting and Facebook.  When a problem arises and the student needs to make a decision, they immediately consult mom and dad instead of figuring things out for themselves.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with phone calls to parents, in fact I actually encourage it, but when the sole purpose of the phone call is to ask whether going to the lake for the weekend would be a good idea or not, that seems a little excessive.  Perhaps calling afterwards to relate the events of the weekend would be more appropriate.  Students are now adults and making simple decisions are part of the adult life they agreed to when they moved out.

Parents need to realize that although they mean well, their actions can create devastating effects on their child. 

What do you think?  Is our nation raising wimpy children?

Dear Blank

These are so funny.  Thought I would share with you all.  Enjoy! :)

Dear Anne Frank,

     They read mine too!

        Sincerely, wimpy kid.

Dear National Association of Procrastinators,

     That is quite the acronym.

        Sincerely, I think I'll join you.

Dear Dunkin' Donuts,

     Having a slogan like "American runs on Dunkin'" isn't helping our image.

       Sincerely, America.

Dear childhood pop songs,

     When I listen to you now, I realize how many of the lyrics I didn't understand back then.

       Sincerely, can't believe 8-year-old me sang along to that.

Dear Lady GaGa,

     Do you have you on your iPod?

       Sincerely, curious.

Dear calculus,

     Cee Lo Green called, he said "forget you."

       Sincerely, ruined GPA.

Dear mom,

     If you are always saying "You shouldn't care what other people think about you," why do you obsessively clean the house every time we have guests?

       Sincerely, your child.

Dear companies who fire their employees for things posted on their Facebook pages,

     Stop creepin'!

       Sincerely, annoyed.

Dear cake in the fridge labeled "Do not eat me!",

     Don't tell me what to do!

       Sincerely, loved every bite.

Dear America,

     Tomorrow was awesome!

       Sincerely, Australia.

Dear favorite song,

     How is it you never get stuck in my head, but the annoying songs repeat over and over?

       Sincerely, "It's Friday, Friday..."

Dear McDonalds,

     If bars aren't allowed to serve drunk people, surely you shouldn't be allowed to serve fat people.

       Sincerely, makes sense to me.

Dear sneeze,

     Please come out of my nose already.

       Sincerely, my about-to-sneeze face looks weird.

Dear America,

     Please stop assuming that the temperature automatically drops 30 degrees when you cross the border.

       Sincerely, Canada.

Dear sheep,

     Why don't you shrink when it rains?

       Sincerely, cotton.

Dear world,

     I dream of a world where we can cross the road without having our motives questioned.

       Sincerely, chickens.

Dear Taylor Swift,

     We like your ending better.

       Sincerely, Romeo and Juliet.

Dear "my dog ate my homework,"

     You've been replaced.

      Sincerely, "my printer broke."

Dear future self,

     I apologize in advance for all the work.

       Sincerely, procrastinator.

Dear kids trying to grow up too fast,

     Yeah, being older that you is awesome.  I love working to pay for my car, gas, college, books and having no money for fun stuff like eating or laundry.

       Sincerely, seriously, just enjoy your childhood while you still can.

Dear full closet,

     How come I have nothing to wear?!

       Sincerely, girls everywhere.

Dear boy,

     Please note that you are about to be Facebook stalked for approval.

       Sincerely, your new girlfriend's best friend.

Looking In The Mirror

When you look in the mirror, who do you see?  A person with confidence?  Goals?  Compassion?  A future?  Every day of our lives, we make choices.  And these choices define who we are.  They show everyone what kind of person you are.  What your values and goals are.  Where are you going in life.  

So next time you look in the mirror, next an extra minute to really look.  Is the person staring back someone you like and are proud to be?  If yes, great!  Keep doing what you are doing.  If not, then perhaps consider what you could change.

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find me, unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. By William Ernest Henley

Help, Please :)

Okay everyone.  I want some feedback about an idea.  Because my major is now public relations, that means I am in for a lot of writing.  So.  My dad suggested I create a new blog to write in regularly about 'important' things.  Not that this blog isn't important, it's just a little more personal and less formal.  I want to create something that I can display my work in, sort of like an online portfolio.  And by the time I graduate, I will have multiple years worth of writing that I can use when trying to get a job.  Plus, I will be continually improving my writing skills.  I will definitely keep writing in this blog as a fun project and to let people know what I've been up to.  But I need help about what to put in this new and 'important' blog.  Any suggestions?  What would be interesting to readers?  Any thoughts?

The ABC Guide to Surving USU

A-Always wear a coat!  Coats are a must for the Logan sub-arctic temperatures.  This is global warming at its best!
B-Basketball at the spectrum.  You will just have to experience yourself.
C-Classes.  Just go.  It will (usually) be worth it in the end.
D-Dating.  Before you know it, everyone will be engaged.
E-Exercise.  Don't forget to stay fit.  And you can always check out the eye candy while you're at the gym!
F-Fluffy white stuff.  Don't be surprised when it is April and the grass is white instead of green.
G-Graduation.  Time flies by faster than you think.  I can't believe how fast it has gone.
H-Homesickness.  It's a very common disease, and everyone gets it at one time or another.
I-Ice Cream.  Okay, three words: Aggie Ice Cream.  Get some!
J-Journal.  Write everything down somewhere.
K-Keys.  You will realize the importance of checking to make sure you have keys BEFORE  you leave after you get locked out once or twice.
L-Library.  The library is actually a cool place to be, believe it or not.  It's a great place to sleep, catch up with friends, eat, or maybe even get some studying done!
M-Marketplace Food Poisoning.  It really does exist.  Just letting you know.
N-Needle.  I helps to be able to use a needle and thread.  It takes too long to wait for your mom to sew things for you.
O-Old Main Hill.  You have to go down that hill on something.  At least once.  There are multiple options: sleds, mattresses, shopping carts, longboards, pretty much anything!
P-PDA.  Expect to see some things you wished you hadn't.
Q-Quarters.  Every penny, nickel, and quarter is important.  And so are dimes!  Spend money wisely.
R-Roommates are pretty much the best!  Take the time to get to know them.
S-Sleep.  Just say your good-byes now.
T-True Aggie.  Got some chapstick?  It's always best to be prepared.
U-Undergraduate Research...  If I had a quarter for every time I heard that phrase I would be one rich girl!
V-Variety.  There is definitely no lack in variety among individuals.  If you want to meet a lot of different people then you will.
W-Walmart Runs.  Always better after dark.  Go between 11 pm and 1 am for the most enjoyment.
X-X-Boyfriends/Girlfriends.  Just know that the most awkward of awkward run-ins with your ex will occur when you least expect it.
Y-Young.  Have fun while you're young!  Before you get old and boring...
Z-Zombies.  Once a semester the Zombies come out to play.  People chasing each other with nerf guns is the norm.