I feel like it is my civic duty to inform anyone meandering to the deepest corners of the Internet to read my blog of all of the things that they may not have heard of but really need to try out. Now some of you trend setting hipsters may already be well attuned to some of this...but hopefully some of this may be a delightful tip you thank me for later. So without any further ado, I give you the however long this ends up list, since knowing what I will get to would involve planning what I'm going to say. Which to me, defeats the purpose of blogging.
Oh right. I said without further ado...my bad.
1. Ben Rector and Needtobreathe. First off, if you haven't heard of needtobreathe you are a disgrace to humanity. Haha just kidding, but you really do need to check out their music. My personal favorite of all time is "Girl Named Tennessee" and "A Place Only You Can Go" from their newest album is a very close second. Not only have I enjoyed them for a year or so, but thanks to my liking them I found myself at a concert where I was introduced (sadly not in reality but at least in my head) to Ben Rector himself. He is not a part of needtobreathe, but instead is who opened for them. And he is spectacular. During Ben Rector's performance the band played a version of "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" that is arguably the best version I have heard. YouTube that junk. NOW. You will thank me later. The band is on iTunes. Thank me twice.
2. Chobani Champions Orange Vanilla Greek Yogurt. Get your bum to the nearest Meijer or Target and raid every single store in the area until you find this. It has I believe 8g of protein (I currently have no desire to go look at the official number as my bed is too comfortable) in this tiny little cup of yogurt. And it tastes like real oranges. It's delicious. I don't even like orange juice. But I love this. And am obsessed. Most of the champions flavors are delightful but this one wins hands down. And they are geared toward kids so they are smaller than the usual huge cups of Greek yogurt.
3. Meijer's flavored oils. Use them on pizzas, dip bread in them, do whatever. They are fantastic. They have a garlic, sun dried tomato, and a Tuscan blend. Perfection.
4. Kindle Publishing. Writing a book? Ever wanted to write a book? Look in to Kindle Publishing. It's free, they just get part of the royalties.
5. Mixing cream cheese and pesto. Ok seriously these two were made for each other. Mix a fat free cream cheese with a little bit of pesto and you have an EXCELLENT spread.
6. Plain Greek yogurt dips. I have seen a lot of recipes on pinterest that call for plain yogurt for funfetti dip and things like that- NO! Don't use stupid plain yogurt use Greek. It has protein! I personally plan to use it for ranch dips and stuff like that.
7. Kellogg's FiberPlus chocolate caramel coconut granola bars. If you like girl scout cookies...these taste identical. Get your fix all year round.
8. Fig Bars. Not fig newtons, these are actually Nature's Bakery brand Fig Bars. I have found them at Meijer near the checkout lanes pretty successfully, but other than amazon I haven't looked for them a lot online. But fig newtons WISH they were this good. They blow them out of the water.
9. Moleskin. You can find this stuf near Dr. Scholl's foot inserts and it's great for putting in the back of your heels that rub or under flip flop straps that have scratchy places.
And finally, my personal favorite:
10. Republic of Tea. RUN don't WALK to your nearest Whole Foods or yuppie hub and stand in wonder at the sheer volume of flavors. As an incredibly persnickety human when it comes to hot tea, I have yet to find a flavor that did not blow my mind. I could be bribed in RoT canisters. The Vanilla Almond is quite possibly the most uncanny tastealike to a liquid desert that could ever exist. It's heavenly. I brewed it once with a tornado bearing down on the area just because I love it that much.
Alright fine the tornado wasn't hitting near my house and we didn't realize it was in the area until my sister called.
But you get the point.
So, broaden your horizons and try all these things. You might just be pleasantly surprised!
Pin It Now!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Don't Avoid Confidence.
I actually have to blog this before I even make a title. My brain is going in at least 13 different directions at once and really doesn't want to focus in. Part of it is here at school, part of it is at home, part of it is in DC and part of it is already at Grad School. For a usually focused human, I'm struggling.
I want to first start out with a challenge for the ladies. Many of us doubt ourselves on a consistent basis, don't think we have a lot to offer, or whatever self esteem glitches we tend to have. I want you (actually guys could do this too, as long as you don't get too cocky) to look in the mirror every single morning and think of 5 things you like about yourself, that you bring to a friendship/relationship, or that you are proud of. Some of you could probably use a little extra positive thinking and would be surprised at how much it can improve your overall outlook.
I am not asking you to be conceited. You don't have to stand there and say "I am so hott and every guy on the earth would want me". But hey by all means if you want to go ahead. Just simple things like "My hair looks great today" or "I am good at what I do" or "This color looks good on me" or "I am a smart woman"- anything positive. Just something. But don't so often we start our days like Mia in the Princess Diaries...
"This...is as good as it gets" in a bummed out tone?
The first step to fixing a problem is admitting you have one.
Ever seen the girl that walks into the room and every head turns and you wonder why because she isn't the stereotypical version of hott? Well, she is probably confident. She probably knows that she is great at what she does and she is walking with a purpose. I have always said that the #1 reason I have gotten both my degrees paid for is because I walk in knowing that I am more than qualified in the brains and work ethic departments to be a great addition to any college.
Put me on the dance floor, however, and I will suddenly look completely out of my element. But chalk that up to not enough practice.
The point is, when you have something you are proud of, it helps you in every situation. I do sometimes get nervous when talking to guys but for the most part I can focus on various topics (usually fantasy football) and get in to a conversation long enough to release my tension and mold to the situation. In interviews, having something you can focus on and relate everything back to gives you an instant way to keep the conversation flowing while your brain quickly fires off neurons for a better answer that you can fuse into the end of your statement.
And the sooner you stop putting so much pressure on the situation, you will be able to enjoy it a lot more.
If you spend your entire time worrying about what to say, when to say it, and how it could be perceived, you will never get the full enjoyment that you should out of a relationship. What will happen, will happen. Regardless of whether you try to overanalyze the situation or you just let it be. The Beatles would tell you to just let it be.
I rarely studied for a test. Honest truth. I did a little work before the SAT, barely any before the GRE (except if my mom asked in which case I was studying hard, right?) and I knocked them out of the park. Case in point. Stop worrying. You have natural God-given abilities to get through life and be successful. But to those who sit at the start line and wring their hands wondering just how they should go about the race, it is done before they take their first step.
To those that just run, trusting that instincts will guide them through the trail and around obstacles, those are the people who get the most out of it.
You can worry until the end of time about what will happen, but all you have done is waste the time you could have been using to find out. The Bible says worry not about tomorrow because today has its own issues, and its right. Don't worry about what -might- happen if you say or do this particular thing that really in the grand scheme of things is completely inconsequential and you will never remember it. You only get one chance at life. And if you look back at all the hours you spent worrying about something instead of acting, you might just find yourself with a lot of What-Ifs by the time it is all said and done.
And once you start getting more and more results, you will get more and more confidence to go right along with it.
Also ladies, alarming news has reached my ears. I hear that we are considered "hooked" whenever we spill the beans that we have had a dream about the guy we are talking to.
So, note to you and to self, maybe make 'em wait a while longer before informing them we have had said dream, yes? ;)
Two can play this game! Pin It Now!
I want to first start out with a challenge for the ladies. Many of us doubt ourselves on a consistent basis, don't think we have a lot to offer, or whatever self esteem glitches we tend to have. I want you (actually guys could do this too, as long as you don't get too cocky) to look in the mirror every single morning and think of 5 things you like about yourself, that you bring to a friendship/relationship, or that you are proud of. Some of you could probably use a little extra positive thinking and would be surprised at how much it can improve your overall outlook.
I am not asking you to be conceited. You don't have to stand there and say "I am so hott and every guy on the earth would want me". But hey by all means if you want to go ahead. Just simple things like "My hair looks great today" or "I am good at what I do" or "This color looks good on me" or "I am a smart woman"- anything positive. Just something. But don't so often we start our days like Mia in the Princess Diaries...
"This...is as good as it gets" in a bummed out tone?
The first step to fixing a problem is admitting you have one.
Ever seen the girl that walks into the room and every head turns and you wonder why because she isn't the stereotypical version of hott? Well, she is probably confident. She probably knows that she is great at what she does and she is walking with a purpose. I have always said that the #1 reason I have gotten both my degrees paid for is because I walk in knowing that I am more than qualified in the brains and work ethic departments to be a great addition to any college.
Put me on the dance floor, however, and I will suddenly look completely out of my element. But chalk that up to not enough practice.
The point is, when you have something you are proud of, it helps you in every situation. I do sometimes get nervous when talking to guys but for the most part I can focus on various topics (usually fantasy football) and get in to a conversation long enough to release my tension and mold to the situation. In interviews, having something you can focus on and relate everything back to gives you an instant way to keep the conversation flowing while your brain quickly fires off neurons for a better answer that you can fuse into the end of your statement.
And the sooner you stop putting so much pressure on the situation, you will be able to enjoy it a lot more.
If you spend your entire time worrying about what to say, when to say it, and how it could be perceived, you will never get the full enjoyment that you should out of a relationship. What will happen, will happen. Regardless of whether you try to overanalyze the situation or you just let it be. The Beatles would tell you to just let it be.
I rarely studied for a test. Honest truth. I did a little work before the SAT, barely any before the GRE (except if my mom asked in which case I was studying hard, right?) and I knocked them out of the park. Case in point. Stop worrying. You have natural God-given abilities to get through life and be successful. But to those who sit at the start line and wring their hands wondering just how they should go about the race, it is done before they take their first step.
To those that just run, trusting that instincts will guide them through the trail and around obstacles, those are the people who get the most out of it.
You can worry until the end of time about what will happen, but all you have done is waste the time you could have been using to find out. The Bible says worry not about tomorrow because today has its own issues, and its right. Don't worry about what -might- happen if you say or do this particular thing that really in the grand scheme of things is completely inconsequential and you will never remember it. You only get one chance at life. And if you look back at all the hours you spent worrying about something instead of acting, you might just find yourself with a lot of What-Ifs by the time it is all said and done.
And once you start getting more and more results, you will get more and more confidence to go right along with it.
Also ladies, alarming news has reached my ears. I hear that we are considered "hooked" whenever we spill the beans that we have had a dream about the guy we are talking to.
So, note to you and to self, maybe make 'em wait a while longer before informing them we have had said dream, yes? ;)
Two can play this game! Pin It Now!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Just a Bunch of Perky Puppies and Smitten Kittens. Oh, and some Girl Tips.
My roommate and I really should have been compiling all of the advice, recipes, and shenanigans of this school year because I am fairly certain we could have hit best seller status on the NYT List.
Even though, I would argue, that practically everything hits best seller with New York Times. But that is not the point.
So last night we made up the concepts of smitten kittens and perky puppies. We have been discussing boys a lot lately (duh, we are girls) and somehow these two just came about. We don't really have a move that we are calling the smitten kitten yet, but I can give you the premier definition of the perky puppy move:
You know when you are sitting or lounging around all comfy (and therefore likely slouching in your chair or wherever you may be) and then your phone goes off and you get a text, instantly perking up and diving for your phone? (Alright, that could just be a girl thing, but when we are talking to someone, interested in someone, or have a pretty good friendship developing, we tend to dive for our phones).
Well THAT, my blog friends, is the perky puppy (the perking up, not the diving necessarily). Just like when your cute adorable puppy is sitting all nice and quiet by your leg (does that really happen??) and you get out his favorite toy and suddenly he is on his feet with his tail wagging and looking overjoyed.
Who WOULDN'T want to be compared to that cute little puppy? Let's make him a husky, because that is my favorite. And it's my blog...so I get what I want. :)
This doesn't have to be just a text- pictures, something someone saw when they were out (Jurassic Park Arcade Game- you know who you are), something someone heard that reminded them of you, or really just anything that makes you go from relaxed to super excited in an instant. And it can happen with boyfriends, best friends, regular friends, anyone. I would argue though, the strong the interest/feelings, the more pronouced it is. Ever seen someone surfing the net on their computer and suddenly the sit up way more straight and look excited? Perky Puppy.
Speaking of Jurassic Park and going on my love of random tangents, I had my reoccurring dinosaur nightmare last night where the Spinosaurus Egypticus (shut up I watch Jurassic Park a LOT, and 3 is my second favorite) was stomping over people's houses. Luckily for me I hid in the basement of the one I was in when he crushed it and he didn't see me, but seriously I am a little worried that some day him, the raptors, or T-Rex are going to find me in one of those.
Dear Scientists...please don't clone them if you find the DNA. PLEASE.
Regardless of the dinobullies, I need to come up with something creative that can be the smitten kitten. So far we have also decided that a person can be a perky puppy or smitten kitten in general...
Oh, maybe the smitten kitten thing can be the actual motion of pouncing on your phone when you hear your noise go off. HA, genius.
Now, boys, if you are still reading and haven't overloaded on estrogen yet, I offer you up this tip:
Sometimes, you all have to text us first. My roomie has a friend who is not doing a very good job of this and it made me decide to throw it out there. REGARDLESS of whether you are wanting to just be friends, wanting to be more than friends, or just wanting in a girls pants (in which case you really need to rethink your morals, just sayin)....you have to text us first sometimes.
We girls don't like to have to do all the work. I personally don't like to make the first move in a situation I think that is still something that a guy should do. I like when people offer up ideas for first dates or things like that, and don't discount the normal things like fun at the park or staying in, most of us really don't need elaborate things.
We really just need realistic things.
And actually, now that I am on it, allow me to go ahead and offer up other DON'Ts based on past relationships I have had:
Girls are really not that hard of a code to crack.
Until next rant. ;) Pin It Now!
Even though, I would argue, that practically everything hits best seller with New York Times. But that is not the point.
So last night we made up the concepts of smitten kittens and perky puppies. We have been discussing boys a lot lately (duh, we are girls) and somehow these two just came about. We don't really have a move that we are calling the smitten kitten yet, but I can give you the premier definition of the perky puppy move:
You know when you are sitting or lounging around all comfy (and therefore likely slouching in your chair or wherever you may be) and then your phone goes off and you get a text, instantly perking up and diving for your phone? (Alright, that could just be a girl thing, but when we are talking to someone, interested in someone, or have a pretty good friendship developing, we tend to dive for our phones).
Well THAT, my blog friends, is the perky puppy (the perking up, not the diving necessarily). Just like when your cute adorable puppy is sitting all nice and quiet by your leg (does that really happen??) and you get out his favorite toy and suddenly he is on his feet with his tail wagging and looking overjoyed.
Who WOULDN'T want to be compared to that cute little puppy? Let's make him a husky, because that is my favorite. And it's my blog...so I get what I want. :)
This doesn't have to be just a text- pictures, something someone saw when they were out (Jurassic Park Arcade Game- you know who you are), something someone heard that reminded them of you, or really just anything that makes you go from relaxed to super excited in an instant. And it can happen with boyfriends, best friends, regular friends, anyone. I would argue though, the strong the interest/feelings, the more pronouced it is. Ever seen someone surfing the net on their computer and suddenly the sit up way more straight and look excited? Perky Puppy.
Speaking of Jurassic Park and going on my love of random tangents, I had my reoccurring dinosaur nightmare last night where the Spinosaurus Egypticus (shut up I watch Jurassic Park a LOT, and 3 is my second favorite) was stomping over people's houses. Luckily for me I hid in the basement of the one I was in when he crushed it and he didn't see me, but seriously I am a little worried that some day him, the raptors, or T-Rex are going to find me in one of those.
Dear Scientists...please don't clone them if you find the DNA. PLEASE.
Regardless of the dinobullies, I need to come up with something creative that can be the smitten kitten. So far we have also decided that a person can be a perky puppy or smitten kitten in general...
Oh, maybe the smitten kitten thing can be the actual motion of pouncing on your phone when you hear your noise go off. HA, genius.
Now, boys, if you are still reading and haven't overloaded on estrogen yet, I offer you up this tip:
Sometimes, you all have to text us first. My roomie has a friend who is not doing a very good job of this and it made me decide to throw it out there. REGARDLESS of whether you are wanting to just be friends, wanting to be more than friends, or just wanting in a girls pants (in which case you really need to rethink your morals, just sayin)....you have to text us first sometimes.
We girls don't like to have to do all the work. I personally don't like to make the first move in a situation I think that is still something that a guy should do. I like when people offer up ideas for first dates or things like that, and don't discount the normal things like fun at the park or staying in, most of us really don't need elaborate things.
We really just need realistic things.
And actually, now that I am on it, allow me to go ahead and offer up other DON'Ts based on past relationships I have had:
- DO NOT ask a girl to go out to dinner with you at iHOP at midnight...only to then invite your whole entire family of brothers and cousins (some who are super young) and then inform her that she can meet you there...This will not end well. I can assure you she will creatively come up with an sudden crappy attitude and reason she cannot attend and you will be nearly dead by the next time she sees you.
- DO NOT tell her what you pick as a first dance to "your wedding"...if you have only been dating her a month. Not smart. In fact, quite scary. Can you say, obsessive??
- DO NOT and I have to repeat this DO NOT EVER tell her not to worry about this other friend you have because that other friend is "way out of" your league. She will stare through your soul. Or slap you in the face. All that makes it sound like is you think the other girl is way hotter. And maybe she is, but you are an idiot if you say it.
- DO NOT take your mother out using the giftcard your girlfriend bought you for Christmas. Really...we buy them to give you an excuse to take us out. That should be inherently obvious. We are smart like that.
- DO NOT ask her if she would ever consider adopting your relatives kids...especially if there are five of them. No, those kids have parents, and quite frankly are hellians from questionable raising. So no, she won't want to.
- DO NOT tell a girl that you are done with drinking and partying with your friends and then go out the next weekend and post all over facebook how drunk you are. And then do it again the next weekend...and the next....
- IN FACT don't just tell us what we want to hear. Your actions will rat you out. Just be honest with us and don't waste both of our time by lying.
- DO NOT try to get sexual with a girl when you haven't even kissed her. This will royally backfire, I can assure you.
- DO NOT go on and on about how you don't want a serious relationship. Clearly this will end it. Why would I waste my time if that is all you can talk about. Oh, and when you get in a relationship a month later and are posting all kinds of lovey-dovey BS...don't sit there wondering why I don't want to be your facebook friend, genius.
- And finally, DO NOT spend your entire conversation talking about someone else. In my case, the guy talked about a kid all the time. All. The. Time. But the thing is, whoever you are talking to your best friend about the entire time, that's the person you love. And if you are talking to your girlfriend about someone else a whole lot, eventually we are going to determine that it is them that you love and not us. And obviously you wouldn't talk about us necessarily to our face all the time and gush about how much you love spending time with us, we don't expect that. But it stands to reason you would be asking about stuff in our life or talking about various common interests or planning things...and not saying how much you think you would die if that other person was not in your life.
Girls are really not that hard of a code to crack.
Until next rant. ;) Pin It Now!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I May Have Already Showered, but it's NEVER Too Late for a Soapbox.
Clever title was it not?
I am going to go ahead and warn any readers out there that if you are not interested in reading a highly opinionated blog post, you might want to just skip over this one. I don't always get on a rant, but when I do it's usually pretty heated.
Politicians drive me bananas (B-A-N-A-N-A-S, you're welcome for getting that song stuck in your head). As far as I am concerned, this entire political stage for the 2012 elections is a complete and utter sham. I mean really, we have spent the first couple of months and debates talking about birth control of all things? I personally think that this was brought to the forefront to keep people's attention off of other things. I am not touting a conspiracy theory, I am touting well-deployed spin.
Why in the world are we even having this debate? Birth control? Really? I mean first off, if it did go through where everyone had to offer it, it is not saying that everyone has to USE it. Your insurance right now might cover an abortion and it doesn't mean you are going out and having one daily. I am sure my insurance covers a lot of things that I would never use and probably don't support. But if you don't want it don't use it.
I don't support abortion, but I could see cases in which a person would have serious issues with going through with the pregnancy. I am not here to tell people what they can and cannot do. So if my insurance company covered it, that's fine I just wouldn't use it. But there again, I do suppose that you could argue that freedom of choice should allow the insurance companies to pick what they cover. Really, I think you can argue either way here.
But the point is, it isn't even something we should be arguing about. This should not be the main focus of this election. We have MUCH bigger issues than who gets the pill for free, don't you think? Forget the abortion issue for a moment, make the pill OTC for about 10 or 15 bucks, and start focusing on things that matter.
Like maybe the economy.
Or the education system. I cannot fathom why politicians think it is best to cut funding on education. Education is what keeps the VAST majority of our (and every other country's) population out of poverty. Ever noticed that some of the best economies sport the best education systems? Hmm, wonder why that is...
Maybe it is the ability to innovate, which is best done by knowing the principles of various sciences, having the ability to problem solve, and knowing math that is more complex than 2+2.
Technology is king in this day and age. We have gotten ourselves addicted to it and there will be no going back. But our country needs to be pumping money in to education to make sure that it is OUR PEOPLE who our innovating, creating, designing, etc. Why are we spending exhorbitant amounts to have someone else do it for us? Have we really become that complacent and out of touch? Now is not the time to be getting comfy on the couch, now is the time to be kicking butt and taking technological names. And of course it should still involve globalization principles and give and take with other country, but right now there is no buy and sell going on for us...it's mostly just buy.
We are like a teenage girl with her daddy's credit card. Not that I ever got to experience that.
Why don't we cut back in programs that maybe people aren't as interested in right now? Why not cut back in nuclear study funding, since most people are a little hesitant after the Japan mishap. I don't know all the programs and I don't know where the most money is spent.
Which brings me to another opinion- I think the government budget down to the PENNY should be public and more easily accessed. And maybe it is and I just don't know about it. I might have to google that here in a bit.
Personally I think some programs need to be reformed, such as welfare. First off, there is absolutely no reason that people should be having multiple babies and "not" knowing who the father is. If you can't remember who all you slept with, I really don't think I should have to support you and your questionable way of living. And if you are lying just to get the benefits, I really don't think I should have to support you. And if you are living multiple welfare families in the same house and driving a Cadillac, I DEFINITELY don't feel like I owe you anything.
Why is it that the people who manipulate the system get away with stuff like that?
I think welfare should have limits. Limits like, fine we will fund the first illegitimate baby, but the second will be only half as much, and if you go past two you are not getting funding for them. Come on people, we can allll figure out how to not have random babies for the most part. Or limits that are like unemployment, where it only goes so long, you have to be looking for a job, but they offer you training in various things. There could be daycares that are government funded to watch the babies while these women get back in the work force. And yes, I VERY MUCH support drug testing for welfare recipients. In fact, I support drug testing for pretty much everything. I really don't mind if I have to pee in a cup, and would argue that the only people that do mind are the ones shooting up. But forgive me if I don't think we should support drug abuse and that I don't think you have the constitutional right to be a complete idiot.
How dare me.
AND FINALLY, I am super annoyed at young ladies these days. Give me a break, why are they all getting knocked up at 16 (partially blaming MTV for rewarding them with TV shows). Ladies, its a dog eat dog world out there and the job market is getting more and more competitive. Now our gentlemen friends, they don't have quite as hard of a time as they can easily go military, construction, state road crew, etc. and find a job. But ladies, we are just not always that fortunate. Sure there's secretarial positions...but there's also ever smarter phone answering systems and call centers in the Middle East. So why on earth are you having babies, not going to college, and working at Burger King....WHY IS THAT OK?! Burger King is a great summer job or second job or part time job...but do really want it to be your entire life's job...
I'll be the first to admit that grad school isn't for everyone and maybe college isn't always either. But it really is somewhat necessary to be a successful female. I am not saying we are disadvantaged by any means but we sell ourselves short. So many have it in their head that they have to have a baby the second a guy says they love him or they have to get married the second they are out of school and I just want to scream "WHY?!" Is it that tragic of a thought to you to be alone? To be successful in your own right? To know you could make it solo if you had to?
I'm gonna get a bit morbid and Debbie-downer here for a sec. What if your husband dies? What if he dies and it is just you, on your own, trying to make it with your minimum wage job? Don't you imagine that might be hard? Or what if the economy crashes again but worse (God forbid). And sure...a $30,000 salary added to a $40,000 salary is great and all...but how much more could you do if one was a $70,000?
Every single state should encourage more people to get degrees. And more specialized ones. Country needs more engineers? Offer incentives (as if you need an incentive to be an engineer). Education is the fastest way out of poverty, its hugely integral to a working economy, and it's important to life in general. But there's no reason the government couldn't offer incentives to get people to do what they want. Bribery always works for me on choosing colleges :).
Teach people how to think. Teach them how to support themselves. It is like that give a dude a fish and he is happy for dinner but will come back and mooch off you again later whereas you teach a dude to fish and he will leave you alone because he no longer needs you...give or take a few liberal changes to the real saying. Good grief teach people TO THINK (as in before they hop in to bed with every guy they see and then wonder how the baby happened). We suck information in like sponges and half of us are not equipt to sift through real versus exaggerated and come to our own conclusions.
And if I see one more person acting like tanning is the highlight of their day I am going to snap. If tan is the only way you like how you look, might I suggest a shrink?
Other countries used to experience Brain Drain because their best and brightest were coming to America to get degrees and education and then were staying here for the opportunities. And they STILL ARE...but the problem is our own people aren't always using the same resources. This is something that would be a debate far better spent than fighting over birth control.
I feel much better after getting all of that out. If any of this rubbed you the wrong way, deal with it. I will HAPPILY rant about this notion of "politically correct" some other day. Blame it on the red in my hair ;). Pin It Now!
I am going to go ahead and warn any readers out there that if you are not interested in reading a highly opinionated blog post, you might want to just skip over this one. I don't always get on a rant, but when I do it's usually pretty heated.
Politicians drive me bananas (B-A-N-A-N-A-S, you're welcome for getting that song stuck in your head). As far as I am concerned, this entire political stage for the 2012 elections is a complete and utter sham. I mean really, we have spent the first couple of months and debates talking about birth control of all things? I personally think that this was brought to the forefront to keep people's attention off of other things. I am not touting a conspiracy theory, I am touting well-deployed spin.
Why in the world are we even having this debate? Birth control? Really? I mean first off, if it did go through where everyone had to offer it, it is not saying that everyone has to USE it. Your insurance right now might cover an abortion and it doesn't mean you are going out and having one daily. I am sure my insurance covers a lot of things that I would never use and probably don't support. But if you don't want it don't use it.
I don't support abortion, but I could see cases in which a person would have serious issues with going through with the pregnancy. I am not here to tell people what they can and cannot do. So if my insurance company covered it, that's fine I just wouldn't use it. But there again, I do suppose that you could argue that freedom of choice should allow the insurance companies to pick what they cover. Really, I think you can argue either way here.
But the point is, it isn't even something we should be arguing about. This should not be the main focus of this election. We have MUCH bigger issues than who gets the pill for free, don't you think? Forget the abortion issue for a moment, make the pill OTC for about 10 or 15 bucks, and start focusing on things that matter.
Like maybe the economy.
Or the education system. I cannot fathom why politicians think it is best to cut funding on education. Education is what keeps the VAST majority of our (and every other country's) population out of poverty. Ever noticed that some of the best economies sport the best education systems? Hmm, wonder why that is...
Maybe it is the ability to innovate, which is best done by knowing the principles of various sciences, having the ability to problem solve, and knowing math that is more complex than 2+2.
Technology is king in this day and age. We have gotten ourselves addicted to it and there will be no going back. But our country needs to be pumping money in to education to make sure that it is OUR PEOPLE who our innovating, creating, designing, etc. Why are we spending exhorbitant amounts to have someone else do it for us? Have we really become that complacent and out of touch? Now is not the time to be getting comfy on the couch, now is the time to be kicking butt and taking technological names. And of course it should still involve globalization principles and give and take with other country, but right now there is no buy and sell going on for us...it's mostly just buy.
We are like a teenage girl with her daddy's credit card. Not that I ever got to experience that.
Why don't we cut back in programs that maybe people aren't as interested in right now? Why not cut back in nuclear study funding, since most people are a little hesitant after the Japan mishap. I don't know all the programs and I don't know where the most money is spent.
Which brings me to another opinion- I think the government budget down to the PENNY should be public and more easily accessed. And maybe it is and I just don't know about it. I might have to google that here in a bit.
Personally I think some programs need to be reformed, such as welfare. First off, there is absolutely no reason that people should be having multiple babies and "not" knowing who the father is. If you can't remember who all you slept with, I really don't think I should have to support you and your questionable way of living. And if you are lying just to get the benefits, I really don't think I should have to support you. And if you are living multiple welfare families in the same house and driving a Cadillac, I DEFINITELY don't feel like I owe you anything.
Why is it that the people who manipulate the system get away with stuff like that?
I think welfare should have limits. Limits like, fine we will fund the first illegitimate baby, but the second will be only half as much, and if you go past two you are not getting funding for them. Come on people, we can allll figure out how to not have random babies for the most part. Or limits that are like unemployment, where it only goes so long, you have to be looking for a job, but they offer you training in various things. There could be daycares that are government funded to watch the babies while these women get back in the work force. And yes, I VERY MUCH support drug testing for welfare recipients. In fact, I support drug testing for pretty much everything. I really don't mind if I have to pee in a cup, and would argue that the only people that do mind are the ones shooting up. But forgive me if I don't think we should support drug abuse and that I don't think you have the constitutional right to be a complete idiot.
How dare me.
AND FINALLY, I am super annoyed at young ladies these days. Give me a break, why are they all getting knocked up at 16 (partially blaming MTV for rewarding them with TV shows). Ladies, its a dog eat dog world out there and the job market is getting more and more competitive. Now our gentlemen friends, they don't have quite as hard of a time as they can easily go military, construction, state road crew, etc. and find a job. But ladies, we are just not always that fortunate. Sure there's secretarial positions...but there's also ever smarter phone answering systems and call centers in the Middle East. So why on earth are you having babies, not going to college, and working at Burger King....WHY IS THAT OK?! Burger King is a great summer job or second job or part time job...but do really want it to be your entire life's job...
I'll be the first to admit that grad school isn't for everyone and maybe college isn't always either. But it really is somewhat necessary to be a successful female. I am not saying we are disadvantaged by any means but we sell ourselves short. So many have it in their head that they have to have a baby the second a guy says they love him or they have to get married the second they are out of school and I just want to scream "WHY?!" Is it that tragic of a thought to you to be alone? To be successful in your own right? To know you could make it solo if you had to?
I'm gonna get a bit morbid and Debbie-downer here for a sec. What if your husband dies? What if he dies and it is just you, on your own, trying to make it with your minimum wage job? Don't you imagine that might be hard? Or what if the economy crashes again but worse (God forbid). And sure...a $30,000 salary added to a $40,000 salary is great and all...but how much more could you do if one was a $70,000?
Every single state should encourage more people to get degrees. And more specialized ones. Country needs more engineers? Offer incentives (as if you need an incentive to be an engineer). Education is the fastest way out of poverty, its hugely integral to a working economy, and it's important to life in general. But there's no reason the government couldn't offer incentives to get people to do what they want. Bribery always works for me on choosing colleges :).
Teach people how to think. Teach them how to support themselves. It is like that give a dude a fish and he is happy for dinner but will come back and mooch off you again later whereas you teach a dude to fish and he will leave you alone because he no longer needs you...give or take a few liberal changes to the real saying. Good grief teach people TO THINK (as in before they hop in to bed with every guy they see and then wonder how the baby happened). We suck information in like sponges and half of us are not equipt to sift through real versus exaggerated and come to our own conclusions.
And if I see one more person acting like tanning is the highlight of their day I am going to snap. If tan is the only way you like how you look, might I suggest a shrink?
Other countries used to experience Brain Drain because their best and brightest were coming to America to get degrees and education and then were staying here for the opportunities. And they STILL ARE...but the problem is our own people aren't always using the same resources. This is something that would be a debate far better spent than fighting over birth control.
I feel much better after getting all of that out. If any of this rubbed you the wrong way, deal with it. I will HAPPILY rant about this notion of "politically correct" some other day. Blame it on the red in my hair ;). Pin It Now!
Monday, April 2, 2012
It's Meatless, Not Tasteless, Monday.
Some of you have probably heard about the movement of Meatless Monday, where you (just like it sounds) don't eat meat in your Monday meals. This seems to be one of those things where you either love the idea or hate it, with most of the males I know hating it. However, when you really think about it, there are a lot of things you can make that don't involve meat. The point of the movement is to get people to realize that if we just cut down a bit on our meat consumption we could do a lot for the environment. It takes a lot of water to produce a single pound a beef, a lot of resources to raise the staggering number of cows and livestock we consume, and a lot of space. So if everyone, for just one day a week, ate fettucini tossed with veggies instead of burgers and fries, or for breakfast left out the sausage patty (again just one day out of the week) we could really take a lot of the pressure off some of our most valuable resources. And potentially be much healthier with the added veggie intake.
I really don't feel like looking up the stats on the gallons of water that go in to production, but your computer has the internet and the internet has google and google has everything...so get on it.
So, in honor of Meatless Monday I present to you....
Ingredients:
Cream Cheese, Pesto, 1 small tomato (think Roma, or anything between golf ball and racquetball), craisins (or finely chopped pistachio, you want something with a different texture), a handful of mozzarella, honey wheat bread (I picked up mine at panera, really any good bread is acceptable), butter
Directions:
It is simple as any grilled cheese. I started with a thin layer of cream cheese, then a thin layer of pesto, about 4 slices of a tomato, enough to cover the sandwich with one layer, and added a few craisins and the cheese, buttered both sides, and toasted until it became a golden brown bubbly cheese perfection.
I paired this little guy with some strawberries and some Girl Scout cookies (guilty!). I think it would also be really good with some sort of soup like a tomato soup, a small salad, greek yogurt, pretty much whatever floats your boat.
Meatless Monday does not have to be salads or tofu, flavorless or sad...it can be delicious! You could have french toast and eggs for breakfast (I don't include eggs in the meat category personally), this awesome grilled cheese for lunch, and fettucini for dinner with a big ol' Olive Garden style salad, some breadsticks...or you could have cheese pizza, veggie pizza, cheese lasagna, portobella mushroom burgers, eggplant parmesan- there are tons of dishes that you could enjoy. And some of these you eat in your regular diet already, so it wouldn't be that hard to meal plan and devote an entire day to a cause like this.
Heck, devote two days if you are really feeling revolutionary, or maybe every lunch.
I try to participate in Meatless Monday as much as I can. I am probably going to blow it at dinner though, since I really want a huge salad with a grilled chicken strip on it, but when that happens I try to make up for it some other time in the week. I have said it before and I'll say it again, you would be surprised at how much less meat you really need in dishes to get the same effect. So that is how I try to help out the planet a little, by cutting chicken breasts in half and trying to use only around 1/8th of a pound or so of ground beef in meals that I am just making for myself.
Now, if you have read this whole thing and have no desire to eat less meat, that is fine- I am not here to judge you. But do realize that this grilled cheese is valid in its own right, incredibly delicious, and would be equally devine with some honey ham on it. This all began with a cheeseball I made once, but that is a different recipe for a different day.
Or maybe a cookbook.
Pin It Now!
I really don't feel like looking up the stats on the gallons of water that go in to production, but your computer has the internet and the internet has google and google has everything...so get on it.
So, in honor of Meatless Monday I present to you....
THE INSANELY AWESOME GRILLED CHEESE OF DELICIOUSNESS
[I'm just sayin', with the right marketing, Meatless Monday will sound impressive ;)]
Cream Cheese, Pesto, 1 small tomato (think Roma, or anything between golf ball and racquetball), craisins (or finely chopped pistachio, you want something with a different texture), a handful of mozzarella, honey wheat bread (I picked up mine at panera, really any good bread is acceptable), butter
Directions:
It is simple as any grilled cheese. I started with a thin layer of cream cheese, then a thin layer of pesto, about 4 slices of a tomato, enough to cover the sandwich with one layer, and added a few craisins and the cheese, buttered both sides, and toasted until it became a golden brown bubbly cheese perfection.
I paired this little guy with some strawberries and some Girl Scout cookies (guilty!). I think it would also be really good with some sort of soup like a tomato soup, a small salad, greek yogurt, pretty much whatever floats your boat.
Meatless Monday does not have to be salads or tofu, flavorless or sad...it can be delicious! You could have french toast and eggs for breakfast (I don't include eggs in the meat category personally), this awesome grilled cheese for lunch, and fettucini for dinner with a big ol' Olive Garden style salad, some breadsticks...or you could have cheese pizza, veggie pizza, cheese lasagna, portobella mushroom burgers, eggplant parmesan- there are tons of dishes that you could enjoy. And some of these you eat in your regular diet already, so it wouldn't be that hard to meal plan and devote an entire day to a cause like this.
Heck, devote two days if you are really feeling revolutionary, or maybe every lunch.
I try to participate in Meatless Monday as much as I can. I am probably going to blow it at dinner though, since I really want a huge salad with a grilled chicken strip on it, but when that happens I try to make up for it some other time in the week. I have said it before and I'll say it again, you would be surprised at how much less meat you really need in dishes to get the same effect. So that is how I try to help out the planet a little, by cutting chicken breasts in half and trying to use only around 1/8th of a pound or so of ground beef in meals that I am just making for myself.
Now, if you have read this whole thing and have no desire to eat less meat, that is fine- I am not here to judge you. But do realize that this grilled cheese is valid in its own right, incredibly delicious, and would be equally devine with some honey ham on it. This all began with a cheeseball I made once, but that is a different recipe for a different day.
Or maybe a cookbook.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
If there was a replay button...
Everyone thought my class in high school would lose someone before graduation. There were a lot of people who didn't always do things the safest way and it hadn't happened to a class in a while. Seems like those kind of things happen every so many years doesn't it? We made it through high school graduation without a scrape, but sadly would not make it to the typical college graduation. Recently, one of my classmates died.
Again, it's not my story to tell and I'm not going in to the details, I wasn't close to the girl and it's just not my place. But it did get me thinking again about how none of us are guaranteed a certain life span. And what we are given goes by all too quickly.
But what if someday we sat down with God for a cup of coffee. Or Republic of Tea in my case. What if he gave us the chance to watch our life played back to us?
If you had to sit there and watch your life on replay, would you be happy with how you spent your time? Would you find it interesting? Would you see meaning in it?
I've come to the conclusion that the people who enjoy their lives the most are those who do things for others. They make things for others or volunteer to help others or are the best friends imaginable to others. It never seems like the people who make billions and drive fancy cars and live in huge houses and never share their resources are happy. It doesn't seem like the most powerful people are happy.
If you watched your life on replay, would you regret the time spent getting drunk? Sleeping off a hangover? Maybe this happened while someone you know was going through a really rough time and could have used a friend. Who knows. I'm not saying partying is inherently wrong but there are those who do it every weekend or more and I feel like personally in the long run I'd feel like I wasted time.
I already feel like I waste time.
I sometimes feel like I have done nothing big or meaningful. I did help out at a mission once but I rarely even do stuff like that because I can never make myself go alone. It's pretty lame and I get pretty annoyed with myself sometimes. I have donated money to various relief efforts and programs but it just seems so minuscule. It really gets under my skin.
I think what I really want is to feel like I'm making a difference. Feel like I have made a positive influence on someone's life. And I don't always feel that way. I really feel selfish with my time and money and things like that.
And so I wonder what I'd feel like if I had to watch my life on replay. I'm not so sure I'd be proud. I am not sure I'd want to finish watching it.
It's sad that it takes a death for people to look around and reevaluate their lives. But if I am sitting here contemplating all of this I can only imagine what her friends are going through.
Live a life that makes a difference to someone other than you. Be the best friend you can be, help people when they need it, follow through on what you say, and don't begrudge people for things they can't change. I know, sounds a little disgustingly optimistic. But no one is happy when all their energy is poured inward. Make someone smile. It will make you smile. Make someone hurt and you will hurt too.
You get back in life what you give, and I hope we all can manage to give it all we have. Just like Donald Miller, we need to live a better story. Pin It Now!
Again, it's not my story to tell and I'm not going in to the details, I wasn't close to the girl and it's just not my place. But it did get me thinking again about how none of us are guaranteed a certain life span. And what we are given goes by all too quickly.
But what if someday we sat down with God for a cup of coffee. Or Republic of Tea in my case. What if he gave us the chance to watch our life played back to us?
If you had to sit there and watch your life on replay, would you be happy with how you spent your time? Would you find it interesting? Would you see meaning in it?
I've come to the conclusion that the people who enjoy their lives the most are those who do things for others. They make things for others or volunteer to help others or are the best friends imaginable to others. It never seems like the people who make billions and drive fancy cars and live in huge houses and never share their resources are happy. It doesn't seem like the most powerful people are happy.
If you watched your life on replay, would you regret the time spent getting drunk? Sleeping off a hangover? Maybe this happened while someone you know was going through a really rough time and could have used a friend. Who knows. I'm not saying partying is inherently wrong but there are those who do it every weekend or more and I feel like personally in the long run I'd feel like I wasted time.
I already feel like I waste time.
I sometimes feel like I have done nothing big or meaningful. I did help out at a mission once but I rarely even do stuff like that because I can never make myself go alone. It's pretty lame and I get pretty annoyed with myself sometimes. I have donated money to various relief efforts and programs but it just seems so minuscule. It really gets under my skin.
I think what I really want is to feel like I'm making a difference. Feel like I have made a positive influence on someone's life. And I don't always feel that way. I really feel selfish with my time and money and things like that.
And so I wonder what I'd feel like if I had to watch my life on replay. I'm not so sure I'd be proud. I am not sure I'd want to finish watching it.
It's sad that it takes a death for people to look around and reevaluate their lives. But if I am sitting here contemplating all of this I can only imagine what her friends are going through.
Live a life that makes a difference to someone other than you. Be the best friend you can be, help people when they need it, follow through on what you say, and don't begrudge people for things they can't change. I know, sounds a little disgustingly optimistic. But no one is happy when all their energy is poured inward. Make someone smile. It will make you smile. Make someone hurt and you will hurt too.
You get back in life what you give, and I hope we all can manage to give it all we have. Just like Donald Miller, we need to live a better story. Pin It Now!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Inner Workings of a Female Mind
Well sadly it was brought to my attention that maybe my freezer was not the most interesting topic by a friend of mine (I'll get him back for that later, mwahahaha). It was only a matter of time before I was going to blog about females anyway, so why not right now. Everything from here on out is merely my opinion as it follows my own personal experiences either with myself or other females. First, a little what we mean versus what we say:
What the girl over there says:
"I told my roommate nutella will make her fat. Most of the meals I eat are under 200 calories."
Decoded:
"I am super insecure about my weight, am somewhat hoping you will answer back with some comment on how I look good or something along those lines, and possibly am somewhat jealous of my roommate."
This seems to be pretty consistent amongst girls- most times if we are saying something derogatory about another girl, it is related to something we are insecure about. We comment on how hoochie that girl looks in her bikini, while really wishing we were secure enough to wear one or had the "bikini bod". We don't like to come out and just say what is on our mind, but we do end up doing it in a roundabout way.
Girls (though not only girls) are often under a lot of self-made pressure. We see stars like Megan Fox, or Angelina, and naturally assume that every guy wants us to look just like them or we don't have a chance. So we do dumb things- we bake in tanning beds, we buy shorter shorts, we dye our hair- some of us basically try to look like the Playboy Bunnies because we think that is the kind of girl that every guy is looking for. I am not saying that we never think we are good enough for someone, but we do get a little high strung in the looks department from time to time. Not every boy is looking for a centerfold, but there are just times where we have a hard time believing that. We go through crazy workouts and treatments to get that illusive bikini body that we always see or we try to alter something on us thinking that it is what will make all the difference.
Some girls (you know some like this I'd bet) do this so much that they completely ignore their individuality and personality. We have idolized images like the classic blonde valley girl, without every really finding out if the opposite sex is truly attracted to that. For instance, I was walking by a group of guys today and one of them mentioned how this girl said "like" every other word and it was driving him insane. So while these girls were all trying to pull the ditzy "like" valley "like" girl "and whatever", the boys were wanting a normal girl.
What we sometimes fail to realize is that the boys don't always want to bring home a centerfold to their momma. Now they may still want to get with them, but that's not pertinent to this blog.
You know those bombshell girls who date those loser dudes? Ever wonder what in the heck is going on with that? I propose that there are a couple different possibilities:
Another thing that is very common to many girls: At almost all times during the day we are sizing someone up and comparing ourselves to them.
This can take a variety of forms depending on our mood, but we are either looking at a girl running in her sports bra thinking about how we need to work out more, or we are looking at that girl and really not liking her at the moment because she looks really good and fit in that stupid sports bra. We can think we are fat or not good looking enough just because we see those Victoria's Secret models and don't quite compare. Sometimes, we just can't help seeing all the girls on TV or the ones in the magazines and wondering if that is what we are supposed to be looking like.
On the other hand, if we are the girl being stared at, we automatically assume that something is wrong with how we look (oh dear God are my jeans unzipped?!?!) or basically trying to figure out what is making someone stare. Some of us will divert to the nearest mirror or window just to make sure that we don't have something on our face, no wardrobe malfunctions, etc. The more people staring, the more strange we feel.
(You know the song "She Don't Know She's Beautiful"...that applies to so many of us.)
I think most of this goes for single girls. Society sometimes makes us feel like we HAVE to have a guy at all times or we are somehow a failure, so girls with boyfriends probably aren't so insecure. But I have seen some of the prettiest girls question whether or not they are homely or ugly after long periods of not having a guy. It is really somewhat scary how much society can get under our skins. We feel like there is so much at stake when it comes to finding someone, or that we are going to blow it somehow.
I don't think guys are exempt from this either. Society teaches them that they all need to have ripped muscles and 6packs and super hot girlfriends.
Here are things that I think are excellent ways to get in good with a female in the current day:
Basically, the inner workings of the female mind are constantly telling us to be more impressive, do things that make us stand out, to hide our flaws, and to look "perfect" (or whatever we believe that is, which tends to be counterproductive to standing out {sea of orange and platinum blonde}). Then someone comes along, tells us we are absolutely perfect just the way we are, and next thing you know we are giggling like a third grade girl and texting our best female friend about it (who, if single, is hating us at that exact moment, which you knew if you learned anything from this blog). When we feel like we are pretty high on the boy's most important things list, we thrive.
So there you go boys. Stop acting like jerks, stop acting like you are too hott in your plaid shirts and Bieber hair, and start doing what works for the long term.
No really. Enough with the Bieber hair. Pin It Now!
What the girl over there says:
"I told my roommate nutella will make her fat. Most of the meals I eat are under 200 calories."
Decoded:
"I am super insecure about my weight, am somewhat hoping you will answer back with some comment on how I look good or something along those lines, and possibly am somewhat jealous of my roommate."
This seems to be pretty consistent amongst girls- most times if we are saying something derogatory about another girl, it is related to something we are insecure about. We comment on how hoochie that girl looks in her bikini, while really wishing we were secure enough to wear one or had the "bikini bod". We don't like to come out and just say what is on our mind, but we do end up doing it in a roundabout way.
Girls (though not only girls) are often under a lot of self-made pressure. We see stars like Megan Fox, or Angelina, and naturally assume that every guy wants us to look just like them or we don't have a chance. So we do dumb things- we bake in tanning beds, we buy shorter shorts, we dye our hair- some of us basically try to look like the Playboy Bunnies because we think that is the kind of girl that every guy is looking for. I am not saying that we never think we are good enough for someone, but we do get a little high strung in the looks department from time to time. Not every boy is looking for a centerfold, but there are just times where we have a hard time believing that. We go through crazy workouts and treatments to get that illusive bikini body that we always see or we try to alter something on us thinking that it is what will make all the difference.
Some girls (you know some like this I'd bet) do this so much that they completely ignore their individuality and personality. We have idolized images like the classic blonde valley girl, without every really finding out if the opposite sex is truly attracted to that. For instance, I was walking by a group of guys today and one of them mentioned how this girl said "like" every other word and it was driving him insane. So while these girls were all trying to pull the ditzy "like" valley "like" girl "and whatever", the boys were wanting a normal girl.
What we sometimes fail to realize is that the boys don't always want to bring home a centerfold to their momma. Now they may still want to get with them, but that's not pertinent to this blog.
You know those bombshell girls who date those loser dudes? Ever wonder what in the heck is going on with that? I propose that there are a couple different possibilities:
- That boy is incredibly sweet, very attentive, and looks at her like nothing else in the world exists when she walks in the room. I find this to be somewhat rare, as I dated guys who were arguably below what I should have been looking for (mainly hugely lacking in personality and any romantic ability including having the guts to kiss me first). But there really are occasions where guys will manage to get in good with a gorgeous girl and they really go the extra mile for her. If you can deliver the look that says "You are everything to me" instead of "Get in to bed with me", you can do pretty well (although we like the latter look now and then, for the record).
- She thinks she can't do better. Sometimes, for whatever reason, we really undershoot what we deserve (guilty) and tell ourselves that whatever jerk/loser we are with is as good as we can do (recovering from being guilty, haha). We let people treat us bad, ignore us (very guilty), things like that, because we get in this mindset. I'm not always sure how this comes about, sometimes we are insecure after previous breakups I believe, maybe something happened in our life, or someone may have said something to us that really dug in deep. It can take a good while to come out of this mentality and go for a guy who isn't a loser. Not to mention we hate admitting that they were a loser and we were wrong in the first place. And every now and then we just do it because we are afraid of ending up alone forever.
- One of them is a complete jerk. Maybe she is, and he is so happy to be with a girl that looks like that that he would put up with it to the ends of the earth. Or maybe he is and just like the second scenario she thinks she deserves it. Or, maybe he has the cash and support to back it up. I am not saying that every pretty girl is shallow and is all about money, but it happens now and then. Some girls are really weird, and just seem to like jerks. I personally can't explain the money or the liking complete tools one, as I don't understand it.
Another thing that is very common to many girls: At almost all times during the day we are sizing someone up and comparing ourselves to them.
This can take a variety of forms depending on our mood, but we are either looking at a girl running in her sports bra thinking about how we need to work out more, or we are looking at that girl and really not liking her at the moment because she looks really good and fit in that stupid sports bra. We can think we are fat or not good looking enough just because we see those Victoria's Secret models and don't quite compare. Sometimes, we just can't help seeing all the girls on TV or the ones in the magazines and wondering if that is what we are supposed to be looking like.
On the other hand, if we are the girl being stared at, we automatically assume that something is wrong with how we look (oh dear God are my jeans unzipped?!?!) or basically trying to figure out what is making someone stare. Some of us will divert to the nearest mirror or window just to make sure that we don't have something on our face, no wardrobe malfunctions, etc. The more people staring, the more strange we feel.
(You know the song "She Don't Know She's Beautiful"...that applies to so many of us.)
I think most of this goes for single girls. Society sometimes makes us feel like we HAVE to have a guy at all times or we are somehow a failure, so girls with boyfriends probably aren't so insecure. But I have seen some of the prettiest girls question whether or not they are homely or ugly after long periods of not having a guy. It is really somewhat scary how much society can get under our skins. We feel like there is so much at stake when it comes to finding someone, or that we are going to blow it somehow.
I don't think guys are exempt from this either. Society teaches them that they all need to have ripped muscles and 6packs and super hot girlfriends.
Here are things that I think are excellent ways to get in good with a female in the current day:
- Become her friend. This is risky, it can land you in the friend zone but if it does you weren't gonna have a chance with her anyway. I speak from experience when I say that my relationships happened because I was comfortable with someone. Almost all my relationships were with someone that I considered to be my best friend at the time. All of them were with friends. I may not be the average case, but when I am used to hanging out with someone and they have been there to see my highs and my lows already, I am much more secure about dating and handing over my emotional ties to that person then I would be with a random guy. You develop so many memories and bonds, and you really know how you and that person work on a personal level.
- Get creative. You want to meet females? Go play on their turf. Yoga class, zumba, if you are secure enough with your man card, find a friend who can be your wing girl and GO. Or fly solo, which I think is more high risk- high reward. I might at first question whether a guy in a yoga class was straight, but let's say he is in there to train for football or MMA or something like that, and I am going to be really interested. AND I will be even more interested because I am in a class with mostly females and therefore the stakes are high that I need to get to you first. Plus, you have little to no competition in there, which helps your case in all circumstances. I also wouldn't go with a wing man really, because that I think puts you at a higher risk of seeming anything but straight.
- Don't let the first thing you say to her be a pickup line. That is old. Try some interesting small talk instead. This is probably obvious...but still. I would personally rather hear someone say "This weather is awesome, I've been going insane couped up at work" or something like that instead of some cheesy line or comment about how hot I look. I'd look for the nearest exit after the "hott" line, but I would get in to a conversation about this amazing sunshine and how it makes me want to go to a park or something. (In which case you could mention walking your dog at the park yesterday, and I would be sold)....(although you may have to borrow someone's dog).
- In fact, don't call a girl hot before you call her beautiful. It just sounds like you want in her pants. Which maybe you do. But many of us are suckers for the words "beautiful" and "gorgeous". Hot registers deep in our brains as cheap. And we don't want to feel cheap.
Basically, the inner workings of the female mind are constantly telling us to be more impressive, do things that make us stand out, to hide our flaws, and to look "perfect" (or whatever we believe that is, which tends to be counterproductive to standing out {sea of orange and platinum blonde}). Then someone comes along, tells us we are absolutely perfect just the way we are, and next thing you know we are giggling like a third grade girl and texting our best female friend about it (who, if single, is hating us at that exact moment, which you knew if you learned anything from this blog). When we feel like we are pretty high on the boy's most important things list, we thrive.
So there you go boys. Stop acting like jerks, stop acting like you are too hott in your plaid shirts and Bieber hair, and start doing what works for the long term.
No really. Enough with the Bieber hair. Pin It Now!
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