Being Beautiful

Prinsez's post inspired me. I think i can say most females like to be called BEAUTIFUL over "fine" or "sexy". Thats a given, but what makes someone BEAUTIFUL? Do you agree that some people are actually just "fine" or "sexy"? That besides looks they really don't have much to offer. Why put so much pressure on a guy to tell the truth and than expect him to lie and say your a BEAUTIFUL person when you're not. What really makes someone BEAUTIFUL?????

Teen Pregnancy

Why just me????

Ok, the other day i was in class doing another classes work. Now the teacher walks up to me and makes me put it away and do that classes work. And im like ok ok, i will but why can't you tell the people right next to me to put their stuff away and do the work too? Why would you just pick on me? Why do teachers just pick on one student like that? Like come on, I can see if i was a disruptive student but I'm not. I'm one of the good ones, so why am I the only one who has to do it? I just feel teachers should be fair when they do that and make EVERYBODY do their work and not just pick on one student for no apparent reason. Come on now, just be fair and I'm cool with that, which I'm sure everybody will be. =)

Surfing

One of my favorite things to do all the time is to surf. Surfing is just an amazing sport, the feeling of riding down the line of a wave is just great. I have been surfing for 11 years and I go every time I can. A lot of my friends think im crazy because I go year round no matter what the conditions, ive surfed in hurricanes, snow storms, and lightning storms. Surfing is my life and its a lot of fun. Surfing is an expensive sport but it is well worth the money you spend. I highly recommend everyone to at least try it, I guarantee you will love it. What I want to know is who surfs and what everyone thinks about surfing?

Living among a world of narcissists:

The term narcissism refers to the set of traits that coincide with ‘self-image ego’ and ‘egotism’ as a whole. Healthy and rational narcissism is existent among all individuals; however it is generally used to denote a negative connotation. Facebook as well as other social networking sites have designed themselves to make it more acceptable for our society to become exceedingly narcissistic. Through social networking sites, people have become increasingly consumed with self-importance, vanity, and conceit. Entitlement is prevalent among narcissists, causing them to hold an unreasonable expectation of particularly favorable treatment. ‘Status updates’ portray the desire for automatic compliance among many people because they deem themselves as uniquely special. It’s discouraging how easily lead, ignorant, and self-absorbed the general public has become.

Tattoos

Tattoos to me are a form of artistic expression that people wear with them. Personally I love tattoos and have four of my own and I love tattoos on guys. The pain is worth the ending result and after a while it becomes an addication. I dont have much else to say but I guess im curious to know if others feel the same or if they think that tattoos are a waste of money and unattractive on males or females?

Relaxation

The feeling you get when there is nothing left to do after a long day of work and you have at least three to four hours where you can just chill out and do what ever you want is one of the best feelings one can get. To be able to not have any responsibilities, for even that short amount of time, is what I wait for everyday.

There are points in my everyday life where I am stripped of these few precious hours of peace. These are the days where I have more than one sporting event or have a tremendous amount of homework that must be finished and if I were to take the time to do them I would be up till two in the morning completing the tasks. The following days are always rough due to the lack of sleep, but the only way for them not to be rough is to take that nap and inevitably miss work that you will have to do at the end of that day.

Soon enough the stress will bog me down so much that it is difficult to get up and do even the easiest of tasks. It will last all the way into the weekend where I can finally have time to myself. Relaxation is, what I believe, the key to a long and happy life. However, what time you put into work will always turn into time that you can relax in the future.

Facebook Stalking 101

Let's be honest with ourselves for a minute: You are a facebook stalker. But when it comes to social networks that let you stream your daily occurrences (i.e. status updates) on a News Feed that's visible by you and your 893 friends, who isn't? It's very common. How could it not be when you are exposing yourself to the world? The world being your "friends." All 893 of them.

My fellow facebook creepers, for the sake of not being labeled as a psycho, there is a certain etiquette of stalking one should follow.


Number one: Don't randomly add and/or message people because you "think" you saw them somewhere.


Just because you've seen this person at the mall or in school, that doesn't mean that they want to be your friend. Especially on facebook. They're only going to see your friend request and say "Who the heck is Mike from x city, New Jersey?" You are a stranger and they don't want to talk to you. Facebook is not an icebreaker; although some of you who have resulted in a relationship because of facebook might disagree. Which further adds to the reason why you are a complete loser.


Example:

The other day, I received this special message from an unfamiliar name:
(Side note: "the other day" really was like 2 months ago in which also counts as "the other day" for Maria.)


Facebook stalker sent you a message.

Subject: Wh4ZZUp M0MMi!?

i tHinK i SAW y0OU aT tHe "x" MALL tHe 0ThER D4Y N i tH0GhT y0U W4S C00oOte! I SAW y0U 0N Mii FRiEND ShAY PAGE N Th0UGHt I Sh0Uld ADd Y0U N SAY WhAtZ GOo0DiE?!


Not only was that excruciatingly painful to read, it was a pure example of idiocy. I don't even know anyone named Shay. However, aside from you being a graduate at "x" high school, you also work at the mall you mentioned in your special note. On top of that, you work at "x" store where I purchased a pair of shoes that I paid with my debit card. You didn't "randomly" come across my page. You jotted my name down and in addition to you freaking me out, you also deterred me from ever going to that store again. Axxhole.

Number two: Don't mention to people that you don't talk to (i.e. acquaintances) that you stalk them on facebook.

The other day, I ran into someone I haven't talked to in a while and we briefly caught up. The conversation went something like this:

Facebook Creeper: Oh hey, Maria! I haven't seen you in 2 years! What's been going on?
Maria: Hey! I been good. School, Crew, and work. Same shxt, different day, you know? I just got hired at "x" place at the mall.
Facebook Creeper: Oh yeah, I saw your status update.

I haven't seen this person in two years.. Don't sneakily add the fact that you are keeping tabs/creeping on me on facebook.

Number three: Stop checking your ex's page!

Leave them alone. There's a reason you're not together! And stop commenting their pictures, activity, or liking their status! You are blatantly pointing out the fact that you are stalking them! Not in the rules of facebook stalking etiquacy.

Number four: You don't know me just because you see me on facebook!

I think people don't realize that they become scarily addicted to reading people's status updates. You don't talk to me in real life, don't comment on my facebook. Just because I was too lazy to block you, doesn't mean I don't think you are a creeper. And just because we like the same things and/or have the same interests, doesn't mean that I am your friend. Get off my page.

Number five: Stop freaking poking me!

I don't even know you, so why are you poking me? It only makes me think about the fact that you went through your list of friends, clicked on my name, possibly checked out my page, and clicked "Poke Maria Guillen" right under my picture. You're scaring me and I am not poking you back.

Number six: Who cares who is dating who?

This is facebook, not a tabloid magazine. Facebook is so popular for displaying broken relationships. And people are so obviously interested in seeing relationships fall apart via status updates. Although it might be a guilty pleasure of yours that no one knows about, you're still a stalker. If you are so interested in whose on-and-off again relationship is rapidly going down the drain, read a tabloid.

I'm obviously ranting.

Discussable question: Are you a facebook stalker? (Don't lie and say you're not. I have already established that we all are.) How so?

And feel free to add more facebook stalking rules! :)

What Is Normal ?

Why do some social groups look at another social group and call them weird? What makes the "jock" group any more normal than the "emo" group. Whats normal to one person could be completly obscene to another. I often ask myself this question. I believe that because of our society we are forced to fit into whats socially accectable. We push ourselves to new limits every day just trying to fit into what we think is normal. We go out and buy the newest clothes and the niceset purse, but do we really need all the labels or are we just trying to fit in. Whats so much better about the 25 dollar billabong shirt than the 7 dollar walmart shirt. Its all about image and what we think we need to do to fit in. I have more respect for the "weird kid" who owns themself and doesn't give a damn about what everyone else thinks than the most popular kid in school who everyone loves because of the image they have. So I ask you again what is normal?

Growing Up!

It is annoying how these people in the world do not know how to act. It is annoying how people in the school hallways that if you bumped into them they expect you to say sorry even though they were the ones who bumped into you. Also they do things like arguing with teachers because they had their phone or iPod out and the teacher caught. There is no use to argue with them because you know it’s wrong. People think they can do whatever they want in the world and think they are unstoppable or invincible. They also think they are always right or thinking this is okay you won’t get in trouble but in the real world no one will take that. If you do one thing wrong they can just fire you just because of your immaturity or you’re not doing what you are being told. Being in the real world isn’t going to be easy but everyone should just act mature or they could end up in the streets selling drugs if they don’t clean their act up and never live their dream of what they want to be. Should people start acting older to survive or should they live their lives the way they want it?

Picture Perfect

As I’m sitting her trying to figure out what to write about my friend just turned off her computer screen to make sure her hair looks ok...Perfect thing to write about. I know I don’t like looking like a mess! If my hair isn’t doing what I want it to do or if my outfit doesn’t look just right, that’s allll I can think about my whole day. People care so much about what they look like. Some girls are not confident in themselves and just cake on the make-up to hide their flaws or wear revealing clothing to draw attention to something that they do like about themselves. Why do you think people care so much what they look like? Do you think it’s wrong of them to be this way?

the way we look

i couldnt think of anything good to bring up in a blog but then today when we read the poem barbie doll it made me think, is life really like that? are we all hung up on image? how others look? how we look? we would all like to think that looks dont matter and its personality that really counts... but in reality i guess it does matter.. a lot. people can act like it doenst bother them but it what others think does get to them... but why does it really matter so much?

Senior Year

My senior year has been a very hectic and busy year but it's definetly not what i expected. It feels really good to know that I'm finally growing up and about to step into the real world. I have had alot of fun throughout high school but I am so anxious to get out of here. I know everyone uses the world "senioritis", but it's definetly true. It's April and we have two more months left of school and we don't wanna do anything but relax and just have fun. I think being a Senior will be the biggest rembrance I've had in High School.

Where'd common sense go?

As i was walking down the hallway, i was stopped by a group of people standing in the middle just chatting away like they have nowhere to go. Common sense tells most people that if they wanna talk to their friends then they should move the conversation elsewhere. But once someone walks into them they freak out and act like your wrong! I'm not going to apologize for something that wasn't my fault. I have enough trouble trying to take small steps then worry about them. Would you let them freak out at you if they stood there like idiots? Common sense doesn't just apply to the way we walk around school, it also has to deal with everything we do. Do you think people don't use their common sense? Do you?

Music

Music is something that pervades every aspect of our lives. Whether we’re driving our cars in the summer with the windows down and the speakers blasting, or sitting on the bus listening to our iPods, or just hearing Cheatham walking through the halls singing the Lion King song, music is all around us. For some, music is their lives. They spend every waking moment singing a song, making a beat, or writing down lyrics. For others, music is an escape. It’s a way to get through the day, to release your emotions by listening to say that seems to know exactly what you’re going through. Whatever your reason for listening to music is, one thing is certain; we all spend quality time doing it, regardless of our preferred genre, artist, or band. So my question is simple; what is your favorite song, and why?

Spoiled

I grew up around kids. I have a big family and a lot of young cousins and nieces. Aside from a few of them they are all pretty obedient. They do what their asked and rarely put up a fight, hardly throw temper tantrums and are relatively smart. When I was little I know i was the same way. I did what my parents asked hardly ever got a temper.
Now when I go out and look around I see and hear kids screaming because they want something but their parents won't buy it. Then just to shut them up their parents give it to them anyway! That is why I think kids are disrespectful, because instead of teaching them they can't have everything, and that life isn't always fair like most of us were taught, their parents just give them what they want so they'll stop crying and leave them alone.
The kids I babysit are the same way. They think they can have everything and if I don't give it to them they scream. The one boy cried for and hour because I didn't stir his macaroni and cheese right, and refused to make an entirly new box just so I can stir it the right way.
They now listen to me more then they listen to their parents.
Do you think this is why kids are how they are? or do you have a different opinion?

Life after high school

Many seniors don't know what they want to do after they graduate. It is very typical to be undecided on a major or career path. Others have their whole college career set up from beginning to end. Some decide to take a break after they graduate to reflect on some aspect of their lives, can't move on or are not able to afford college right away. Do you think that is best for the person to take a break in their education or to continue it? Some maybe be afraid to move on because of what the world may have to offer them or the changes that may occur. Do you think it is very difficult to be out on your own coming from high school or is it an easy transition?

disrespect

i don't know if anyone else has noticed but it seems like our generation has a lack of giving respect to other people. generally i see people bad mouthing other peopl especially teacher's. For instance I have this kid in my psychology class who literally just bad mouths the teacher the whole entire time. so the teacher asked him nicely to calm down. of course he doesn't listen and continues. the teacher tries to throw him out and he starts ranting and raving about how he did nothing wrong. are you kidding me? you were being disrespectful to the teacher and now she's telling you to get out because of your rude attitude. you didn't do anything wrong? if just seems like that among the younger crowd this spread of disrespect is contaminating everything like a sickness. I just don't get what's causing this to happen. can't we all just get along lol.

Beautiful vs. Fine

Today i was listening to that new song out by B.O.B called "Nothing on You" and it had me thinking about how much the word "Beautiful" has been some how downgraded to words like "Sexy" and "Fine". No offense, some girls may prefer words like sexy and fine, there's nothing wrong with that. But i think the word beautiful is more genuine, intimate, romantic, and shows that not only is it maybe towards your looks but also can be towards your personality and all around self. Sexy and fine can only pertain to your looks, unless its used like " you got a sexy attitude" lol. They just don't hit all the angles that the word "Beautiful" can in my opinion. And to point out there, lots of music videos out right now just say how she's sexy and fine instead of "Beautiful", which is how this song caught my attention, because of it being so different from most of the others. I genuinely like this song and believes it has a good message. What do you think? Why do most guys use those words like sexy and fine?. Why not use "Beautiful" more often? What do you ladies prefer?

Changes

My little sister got accepted into the NJHS tonight. And as I was sitting and watching her, I remembered myself a few years back being in the same seat as she is in now, and how I am such a different person than I was at that stage in my life. People change so much in the years of middle school and highschool and we're all aware of it. We've gotten new friends, changed our style and image and we've gotten involved in certain clubs and activities. Some people get more socially involved than others by participating in sports, while others would rather keep to themselves and stray away from the school activities. What is it that leads us to who we become or which "group" we are part of in highschool? Is it our choice in friends? Is it peer pressure? Or is it that we follow our true interests and therefore take part in things that we like, such as band, or football?

People suck

Several months ago a friend and I were discussing tattoos, piercings, etc. in the workplace. I'm all for body art and decorating one's body as they please, but when they're working for and representing someone else, it's time to cover up.

I've noticed that a lot of those who modify their bodies do it for vanity reasons- whether they're piercing their face, tattooing their face, or injecting their face, they do it because it's flattering to themselves. Their perception of beauty is different from yours or my perception of beauty. Everyone's free to express themselves, but that doesn't mean everyone else has to be okay with that.

As much as people say they don't judge others, they do to some extent. (If you're at a red light in Atlantic City and some hobo with bloodshot eyes, a busted and dirty face, and wearing clothes as old as he is walks up to about 6 inches from the driver side window asking you to roll down your window because his jaw is broken and he's desperately asking you for money, what's the first thing that comes to your mind? Would you do it? How about if you were on a bus, some man in jeans and a t-shirt is short in some change and he asks you to cover him?) I apologize for being a little off, but my point is is that no matter how nice you are, image is (almost) everything in today's society.

Some people judge. Some people are close minded. Some people just don't care about how that cupcake on your forearm represents your dead grandmother.

Bottom line: Unless you're working at Hot Topic, in the art industry or somewhere that allows you to freely express yourself, or you have enough money to never work a day in your life, visible body modifications are just a bit unprofessional.

Any opinions?

Pass the beer?

Hey, I think this is a good thing to discuss; underage drinking.

Let's be honest, that's pretty widespread in Oakcrest. Hell, I think that's pretty widespread among pretty much almost every high school, but if you think about it hard enough, why is it like that?

What is it about alcohol that makes us teenagers go crazy? Is it because it's fun? You get together with a bunch of friends, throw back a few beers and before you know it you're streaking down main street and the next day you wake up with a fake tattoo of a pirate on your neck and some guy named Ben wrote his name all over your arms and legs. (true story)

Why is it, we teenagers can't seem to wait until we're 21 to get drunk? It's legal then. There aren't any repercussions age wise and we'll be able to get into bars and clubs without having to use our older siblings fake ID's.

Is it because it's cool? Are we really all so lame that we fall under the influence of peer pressure and images? I like to think my fellow teenagers are a little better than that, but I can't help but think underage drinking is all about the image after seeing some sophomore girl upload twelve pictures, all of them with her and a red cup.

Personally, I'm not really one to talk. I'll be the first to admit I've engaged in under aged drinking. Why did I do it though? Yeah, sure, it's fun and I do have a few stories that would be fun to tell in class, but I really couldn't wait until I was old enough and maybe a little more mature?

I'm not victim to image, trust me. Anything I do, I could care less how it makes me look. I don't drink because I think it makes me cool. In fact, if someone's taking a picture of me and I have a beer in my hand I make sure it's out of frame 'cause I got my dad added on Facebook and he don't need to see those things, you know?

I can't really say I do it for fun. Sure, there is a certain sense of entertainment in drinking with your friends, but the hangover the day after really isn't even worth it.

Is it a social sort of thing? I meet people via parties, so maybe that's it.

I guess my question would be; Why do you think teenagers drink as much as they do?

Dash

This past week we read a poem called " The Dash" by Linda Ellis. It was by far one of the best poems i have ever read. It honestly makes you think about how your living your life,what your doing and if your doing it right. This poem has showed me that the two numbers means the birth and death but the dash has a history,memories,happiness and tears behind it. I personally have a connection with this poem because of a loved one i lost a year ago it makes me think like i shouldn't have been grieving over the death so much but appreciating the "dash"we had together. That our memories hold so much value and we should make the best out of every day and shouldn't take life for granite. You only have one life to live you should live it make the best out of it because for all you know "your dash could be at mid-range". Overall i think this poem has a lot of meaning and passion to reach out to all kinds of people in different situation.

The High School Expereince

Some people say that high school is the best years of your life, well they were the best years of my life, so far. High school is the stage in someones life when they're considered an adult, but don't necessarily have to act like one. For instance, a high school student can go out and have fun with their friends, therefore being trusted by his/her parents, but don't have to pay any bills or go to work, in most cases. My life right now is probaby the most stress free it will become, in the grand scheme atleast. That's from my perspective though, however, some people just hate high school. I hear people all the time complain about that there's so much drama, the work is too hard, and they don't feel like coming. In reality, you choose to involve yourself in "drama", make your school work difficult, and even convince yourself that high school is pointless. All throughout my high school career, I've been involved in the school. I chose to become involed and the result was that I became involved in the student body too. Being involved is probably one of the most important aspects of having an enjoyable high school career. If you're not involved, you don't feel a part of the school, but that's just my opinion atleast.

Life's Responsibility

Lately in class we have been talking about life and how we should live it to the fullest. One of the students in class said *how do you do that*, and as I thought about it I thought the same thing. In life you have alot of things to do, other then all the other things you WANT to do. Then you have people saying that you have responsibility because you're growing up. And then you have others saying you're young and you need to spend your time now to be free and live your life. As much as I want to be free and live my life doing my own thing, I have responsibilities. Then I look at it as if im wasting stupid time being an adult too early. But then if I do LIVE MY LIFE, and dont pay so much attention to my responsibilities, then I wont be looked at as a young adult. Do you think it's possible to live your life now and do what your mind puts infront of you, and be responsible.

keep your laws off my guns

Thanks to Anti gun lobbys, gun rationing has now become a state law and the anti gun Politicians dont plan on stopping until the right to bear arms is removed. They are working hard to put more and more regulations on firearms and prevent U.S citizens from being able to buy or even posess firearms. This would be an unfare and unsafe thing to do. many people have fire arms for basic self defense and many others use firearms for hunting(an american heritage)and for other recreational uses such as trap shooting. I think that anti gun politicians are nuts for trying to put so many regulations on fire arms. they should take a day to go trap shooting and see just how much fun they have. Yes fluffy animals are pretty cute but they are even more delicious than cute. Lastly when someone is breaking into your home threatening the lives of your family what are you going to count on? The gun in your closet or the police force that is gunna show up ten minutes to late(who carry guns)?

Chicken or the Egg

This question has been asked over and over since before we were all born. No one is really sure which came first, one can only assume. I am a catholic, but I'm not too sure on what a catholic's answer should be. Personally I think that the egg came first. Without the egg there is no chicken. You could argue this many different ways, but that is what I think, the egg came first. What do you think came first, the chicken or the egg?

Laws Limiting Abortions

In Nebraska, Governor Dave Heineman has decided to pass two laws on abortion. His laws state that "anti-abortion measures that proponents say protects women and their viable fetuses but opponents charge are aimed at halting abortions altogether." The nation has decided that you cannot have an abortion after 20 weeks because the baby can feel pain. Personally, i believe the laws should not come into full effect. Every situation is different. Do you think he is justified to make decisions as drastic as this?

"Struggle"

Being able to over the heartaches of the inner city ghetto's was a blessing to me.. Don't get me wrong i loved my neighbor hood and where i came from ..i would never look down upon them .. even though i don't live there anymore .. However, with being able to move and live in a nice house and a pretty OK in the suburbs many of my old friends and also family members... think that my family and i are NOT overly rich or anything like that ,but that we always to seem to have extra $$..Which is so not true.. I still undergo my old struggles its just that its more comfortable now..I guess what I'm trying to get too is that evening though you move up in society or anything doesn't neccersarily mean you have to forget who you are and where you came from..So it doesn't mean just because you live in the inner city doest mean your the only one struggle or have problems "everyone" does..Do you think this is true

Our Generation!

So I was sitting in the car waiting for my brother to come from in the mall. He came back and was laughing (to me for no apperent reason, I just thought he was being stupid). So I asked him, why are you laughing, and he said "your generation is wack". I said that your generation is not that far from ours. He said "true, but the clothes that is being worn is not the same that we use to wear before". I agreeded, but thats the new generation.
The whole conversation was about a boy that he saw in the mall with the tightest straight-leged pants on. Now I can understand why he laughed, because sometimes they do look alittle extra with the stuff they wear. Then again it can look nice also. The whole point is that the clothes that we wear today is completly different then what we use to wear around my freshman year. Do we get influenced by what we see on tv, in the music videos, what we see other people wear. Or do we just follow our own thing and wear what we want and not just what we see?

Engagement Ring Etiquette

I read an article today about a couple who was once engaged. They broke up because the groom-to- be allegedly cheated. They called off the wedding and then went to court. Why? Well, apparently, the bride didn’t feel like returning the engagement ring (valued at $9,000). My automatic response was to say good for you, sister. I mean he cheated on her, right? And, it was a gift. Not to mention that the whole concept of engagement jewelry originated as a gesture of good faith between potential suitors. Back in the old days, when women were viewed as property, a suitor would provide her with a token promising the family that he would take her off their hands, if he failed to do so the token was theirs to keep.
Well, clearly things have changed. Women are not property, but we do have a timeline for being marketable. Young women have a better chance of getting married off when their still fertile and still pretty, so if a man takes her “off the market” for any reasonable amount of time, the ring should serve as compensation, no?
Well, the judge didn’t agree with me. On March 30, Justice F. Dana Winslow ruled that the bride had to return the ring, saying state law allows a person to get property back that was given “in contemplation of marriage” and that “fault in the breakup of an engagement is irrelevant.” What do you think? Do you agree with the judge’s decision?

Baby Shoes

I guess you could say I live in a bad neighborhood. Or at least, it has all the signs of a bad neighborhood. There are dilapidated cars in the parking lot. And kids who run around all winter without a coat on. And at least one drug dealer per five hundred yards. I’m not ashamed of my neighborhood, though. I mean, I don’t think it says a whole lot about me as a person. If this were a perfect world, obviously, it wouldn’t be my first choice of residences, but it’s not a perfect world. I have no job for one thing. And my husband is in medical school for another. So we’re pretty much poor, and we will be for about two more years.
Another reason I’m not too torn up about living in my bad neighborhood is because I’m not a mother. I’d be a little upset if I had to bring up my children there. Obviously, my future child’s safety would be foremost in my mind. But I’d also be disappointed that I could not provide a more picturesque environment for my child’s upbringing. I had a yard to play in as a little girl, and a swing set, and a pool and a playhouse. I think I would feel guilty about denying my child the opportunity to have those things. But obviously, sometimes, it can’t be helped.
The other day, when I was lugging my groceries up the three flights of stairs to our apartment, I happened to pause on the second floor, a little out of breath. I noticed one of my neighbors letting herself into her apartment, flanked by her two little kids. The two little kids, who were one and two years old, or there about, were waiting patiently to go inside. I don’t know why I noticed, because I never usually look very hard at little kids, but it occurred to me that both her children were wearing UGGs. My first thought was “Oh, I didn’t know that they made UGG’s for babies.” But my next thought was somewhat more judgmental. “ I would never spend THAT much money on shoes for a baby. “ I said to myself. I mean really, how much walking do they really do?
It seemed really crazy to me, but I wasn’t offended right away. It’s a free, Capitalistic country after all, people can spend their money on whatever they want. But, out of curiosity I looked online to see how much a pair of baby UGG’s would set me back. The UGG booties (for tiny babies) cost about forty-four dollars, but the bigger ones (for toddlers) were closer to sixty-five dollars. One hundred and thirty dollars total for two pair of shoes that your kids will probably grow out of by next winter. Like I said, it seemed crazy to me, but what really seemed crazy is spending that kind of money on a little kid’s shoes when those little kids are stuck living in a crappy neighborhood. Great they have nice shoes, but how much use will they get out of them since they can never go outside? Call me crazy, but I like to think that I would manage my money a little differently if I had a child to consider. Something tells me my two year old won’t mind if I get him a thirteen dollar pair of shoes from Kids “R” Us. My question for you though is this: Is there a right way to be poor? And if there is, do most people do it right?

The Many Facets of our Personality.

In an effort to set the tone for this blog, I thought I'd begin with a rather casual thought I had while trying to fall asleep the other night. I had just finished watching " The Soup" a show on the E channel that is mainly devoted to making fun of all the idiots on television, (particularly the idiots on popular reality shows) when I began wondering how accurately the characters/people on those shows are represented. I mean, they are subject to the mercy of the editors, right? And the editors job is to create a storyline (or a conflict) AND to create recognizable character types (archetypes). So then I begin to wonder, if I were the member of a cast in a reality show, which facets of my personality would end up getting the most air time? Obviously, I'm a multi-dimensional person, but the editors of the show aren't getting paid to portray me with any depth. They'd most likely choose a role for me and only use the material that was most in sync with that role. Suddenly, I was fearful of what role would be assigned to me. Would I be the token diva? (Doubtful) The bookworm? (Possibly) The prodigal daughter (Hmmm?) So my question is this: If you were a cast member of a reality show, how would your personality determine the role you would play? In other words, do you have an aspect of your personality that is dominant over all others? What is it? Do you think the role would be flattering?