Unique

Everybody wants to be unique. They want to stand out amongst their peers and they want to dazzle everyone with their wit. They want to have their own unique “thing”. Wearing mismatched socks is her “thing”. Oh yeah, he always does that. It’s his “thing”. But in a world with millions of people, how can everybody stand out? We’re all different, but is there an element that somehow makes certain people shine brighter than others? How are some people always the center of attention, and others are always shying away in the corner, awaiting the day that they will get their turn as the star?

I think the answer is in how we view ourselves. I’ve developed my own theory about self image, although I only know from my own experience. I think a lot. When I am looking forward to something, I will plan out the conversation I am going to have. I build it up. Everything is planned. But how can I stick to that plan with all the spontaneous things that tend to happen in everyday life? You can’t.

I realized that the only time I really plan things out, is when I am going to be in a situation with people I don’t know very well. If I knew them, why would I even care? It’s more fun when you don’t know what is going to happen. But when I am with people I don’t know, I am extremely awkward. I used to never be awkward. I was the smiley, bubbly girl who could talk to anyone. But somewhere along the way, I started doubting myself. And that’s when I became awkward. Now when I am put into a difficult situation, I don’t always immediately try to work through it. First I spend a lot of time worrying. Worrying about the outcome, and worrying about what other people will think of me. Oh my God, I got yelled at in Religion class, he’s going to think I’m such an idiot now. But I know that if I were a bystander in that situation, I would not think that about the person in the predicament. I would feel bad for them because it is a situation that anyone could potentially be in. I’m always worrying about what other people will think. And I always think negative things about myself. But when I put myself into another position, the position of the one looking on, I realize I would never think those things. I don’t really know if this makes sense to anyone but me. But I realize that I must view myself as someone completely different from how others view me.

Another thing that inhibits my ability to communicate well with people my age is that I am a pretty good judge of character. I can tell almost right away when I meet someone what social group they’d be in. It’s really easy for me to talk to almost anyone. But if I know someone goes to parties a lot or is really superficial, it is really hard for me to talk to them. I don’t know why. I really prejudge people and I know it’s bad. I don’t know if I think they are superior to me or what, but there is something that I find so difficult to connect with. It’s like a piece of a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit the right way.

I really don’t know if this makes sense to anyone but me. I just ended up rambling on. But somehow I think this describes how people really stand out. I think the people who don’t really care what others think of them can be the most successful because they will spend less time worrying about the impression they are making and more time doing work and being productive so that that the impression is a lot better. My point is that I think people should stop spending time worrying about what others think, and do things for themselves. Maybe I am getting this all wrong, maybe stressing over others thoughts is important. But from my experience it’s best to do things because you want to do them. It does not matter what others are expecting. Do what you are doing for yourself.

Pants on Fire

I just finished reading Meg Cabot’s book, Pants on Fire. As I read the last line of the book, all I could think was, I want a Tommy Sullivan! This is the age-old story of the pretty, popular girl and her best friend who is in love with her, except that in this story, there is a twist. Tommy Sullivan, Katie’s best friend had been run out of town four years earlier for mysterious reasons. Bit by bit, the reader is able to piece together what really happened the night Tommy Sullivan is a Freak was spraypainted onto the middle school’s new gymnasium.

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire. Katie can’t help lying about almost everything in her life. It’s so much easier than telling the truth, but after Tommy Sullivan comes back to town the lies get knotted into a labyrinth that is too big for Katie to get out of. First, Katie is beginning to realize that she might not really love her boyfriend of four years, Seth, the Quahog football star. Second, she can’t let anyone know that she has a secret boyfriend, Eric, the drama club star, who she doesn’t love either. And third, she can’t tell anyone that she has an uncontrollable longing to kiss Tommy Sullivan, the boy that everyone in Eastport, Connecticut hates.

Through the story, Katie learns when it is right to tell the truth, and when the truth should be held back. She learns that although going against town traditions might disappoint her family and her friends, it is not right for some people to get special treatment. The secrets and guilt that she has been hiding for four years must eventually come out, and the return of Tommy Sullivan helps them along. While this story could be viewed as run of the road because of the basic story line, it is made interesting because of the mystery of what happened that night for years ago, and the fact that when nerdy, short, Tommy Sullivan comes back to town, he is ubelieveably HOT. After reading this book, every girl will start looking for their Tommy Sullivan.

Novena to St. Therese

St. Therese is known as the little flower. When my mother was sick, we began praying a novena to her. On the ninth day, you will see a rose somewhere if your prayer has been answered.

St. Therese, the little flower, please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore and tell him each day I will love him more and more.

After saying the prayer, say 5 Our Fathers, 5 Hail Marys, and 5 Glory Be's. On the 5th day, repeat the Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glory Be's so the total is 10 for each. On the ninth day look for a rose somewhere.

the perfect friday night snack

it's friday night... time to relax after a long week at school or work... time to watch your favorite movies and spend time with friends and family... what could be better than making puppy chow with a friend and then enjoying it with some friends!! (human puppy chow of course =])

Recipe:
9 cups of Chex Cereal
2/3 cups of creamy peanut butter
4 tablespoons of butter
1 1/4 cups of chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar

Turn the Stove on low and mix the peanut butter, chocolate chips, and butter. Once it is all melted together, poor some of it onto a few cups of Chex and mix it together. Continue doing this until all the Chex is covered. Then, pour about half of the Chex into a large ziplock bag. Poor powdered sugar into the bag and shake the bag. Add powdered sugar as desired. Repeat with the second bag. Now you are ready for a night in the house with Breakfast at Tiffany's(may be substituted with another movie)and some puppy chow. It tastes best when it's hot!

"the treasure i found on the beach"

Audrey Hepburn's had her first major acting role as the lead in the French author, Colette's, Gigi. Immediately after Gigi closed on Broadway, Audrey began filming her first American movie -- Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck. She went on to star in many more pictures and became a Hollywood icon. After Audrey Hepburn auditioned for Gigi, Colette gave her an autographed picture that read, "To Audrey Hepburn -- the treasure I found on the beach."

Thank goodness that Colette found this treasure because without her, the cinema would have never been lit so brightly by the shining face of this vibrant young actress. The world would not know the terms "charm" or "class" as defined by the elegance and charm of Audrey Hepburn. In a time when the hourglass figure was admired, Audrey Hepburn redefined the standard of beauty. "I never thought I'd land in pictures with a face like mine," Audrey said, but her thin frame and poise graced the set with a manner that Hollywood had never seen before. Audrey was polite, composed, graceful, and undeniably beautiful. She had all the qualities that one should strive to maintain, and she used her fame for the good of others rather than to make life easier for herself. She became very involved with UNICEF because she wanted to help children as she had been helped during the Second World War. Charity, kindness, and a willingness to please all led Audrey to becoming an unforgettable movie star. She will be forever remembered for her many movie roles as well as the roles she played in helping others. Had Colette not found Audrey Hepburn on that beach, the world would have missed knowing a truly remarkable woman.

Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor has an amazing voice and has brought a modern, yet classic edge to music. Her class is displayed in the music video for her song "Fidelity."

I never loved nobody fully... always one foot on the ground.

Exhilarating

Sunday, October 7, 2007

We were up early that morning. It was a four day weekend and every day of it was spent with the Cross Country Team. Waking up at 5:30 that morning, I was expecting get really hot and sweaty, cheer for the runners, and have some fun with my friends. What I got that day was so much better.

We met at the Starbucks on Roosevelt and State and then we walked over to our volunteer position. Pretty soon we had taken off the orange windbreakers we’d been given and we were in our tank tops and shorts. We spent the morning playing cards and talking, taking silly pictures. When the first racers on wheels came by, it got exciting. But soon we were back to sitting on our little corner, playing cards, and waiting for the runners to come. And when they came, it was worth the wait.

We cheered for the runners, who by mile 22 were exhausted. As a Cross Country runner, I knew how much physical and mental pain they must be going through, but I could not imagine the extent of it. It was so hot outside, and there wasn’t enough water for all the runners. People who were willing to run 26 miles deserved to at least get enough water, but at this poorly planned marathon, this wasn’t happening.

The best was when people had their names on their clothes. “Go Meghan! Go Emma!” we’d shout as they passed by, and their grateful but drained faces looked up at us with weak grins. We were there to support all the runners, but one in particular. Our Cross Country coach was running and she’d been there for us through the whole season. Finally, we were there for her.
The new technology was valuable today. We were able to get text messages telling us when our coach passed certain points. We could tell her time, pace, and expected finish time as well, which was awesome. We waited a few hours and finally we knew she would be here soon. Standing at the side of the street, we looked for her. And then we made a decision. We were going to run with her. We were going to be right behind her.

I had extra clothes with me, and I changed into shorts and running shoes so I’d be prepared to go when she got there. We stood by the side of the road for about another half hour or so, and then we saw her and two of our teammates. “Go Yavello!” we shouted, and then I dragged two of my friends into the race with me and we followed our coach.

At this point some people were stopping to walk and it was difficult to get around them, but we kept going. I looked up at my coach in front of me and I could not even process how proud of her I was. She was dripping with sweat and water, she’d gotten sick twice during the race, and she was exhausted beyond any imagination, but as I looked at her, all I could think about was how lucky I was to have such a strong, beautiful, inspirational woman as my coach.

She’d been there with me through my two seasons on Cross Country, always helping me to get through the obstacles I’d been given, and now I had the chance to give something back to her. It was so emotional for me as I ran with her. I was so blessed to be running with her and to know her. That day changed me as a runner. I learned how strong someone can be when they are put up against a challenge. Even if you think you can’t do it, can’t make it, can’t finish, you can. When you have something to work for, you achieve more than you ever thought you could.