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Thursday, February 7, 2013

It's all about the money, money, money...

Simple Tuition (a great site for college students, prospectives, and even graduates!) uploaded this picture on their facebook.



YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But of course the mainstream media would never do something smart and beneficial like that. 

I'm pretty sure a lot of people would watch a show like this because it's relevant. And I know there are a lot of inspiring stories out there of people going against bad odds and getting an education and a future.   What about the success of "The Blind Side???"  That is a much more common story in our country than most think. 

Why not also discuss ridiculous college expenses and then make it a hotter topic in politics?  As a recent graduate, I know there is something really wrong with our country's stance on education.  We are at the bottom of the list when it comes to funding for education and private colleges?-- good luck trying to not be enslaved into paying those off the rest of your life.

No, the media doesn't think stuff like that will sell... and I don't think they're thinking ethically about how they can actually have a good influence with the power they possess.

It's all about the money.

But actually, it seems like it goes deeper than that, because good stories like this would sell.  So why do they show stories and music videos that promote self-destruction? 

Do they want the world to be sex, drugs, and Jersey Shore?  What does the degradation of our youth do for them?

Something to ponder.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Honey Wag-a-Lot: The Tale of a Four-legged, Secret-genius Snow Queen

A dog who knows her worth.


One day, in a faraway land called Ohio, there lived a very spoiled dog.  She enjoyed listening to her human sister play the piano and her human brother play the guitar-- performances simply and only for her.  She enjoyed curling up on soft beds and couches secretly when her human alpha male was away gathering resources for the pack and licking up the last of the yogurt in the small containers that she held skillfully between her perfectly-groomed, fluffy paws.

Honey never understood why the humans with which she resided enjoyed watching her walk around in a circle, but she did so often because it meant she would receive a very artificial but muzzle-licking-good snack that was entirely too little.  She also never understood why they asked her to "speak" but then when she knew there was a threat to the house, was asked to "be quiet!"  One threat she especially loathed was the population of local squirrels because of their taunting antics.  These bushy-tailed mice knew the exact distance at which they could sit in order to be out of her reach and sat in this region flicking their tail at her often.  There was also one squirrel in particular that scratched out his own eye in order to receive the sympathy of her human grandfather who fed the squirrel instead of Honey on many occasions.

Most of the squirrels in the land in which Honey lived where of brown and gray hues.  Honey's human sister told her stories of the rare black squirrel in a place called Bluffton that made her blood boil.  These squirrels were even more pestering and more EVIL, even breaking into the generators to take the electricity away from the humans off of which they lived.  Honey also hated this place called Bluffton because it was apparently some sort of black hole that caused her human sister to be swept away from the pack for months at a time. 

Honey knew that when her human sister started enslaving the rest of the pack to help her load canvas-wrapped items in the fun transportation machine that she would again be sucked into another alternative universe.  This place was hell-ridden with smart alec black squirrels and a fake beaver that could stand on two legs and wore a purple shirt.  This beaver haunted Honey's thoughts and dreams because of its unfluctuating expression complete with a mad scientist-esque smile that looked much like this. -->  >:)  Please turn your head to the left to get the full effect.

Many nights, Honey's pack witnessed her running from this demonic, bipedal, human-sized rodent in her sleep.  Honey's poor, skinny legs convulsed in the air and she wrinkled her nose, moving her whiskers about in horror.

One outlet that Honey used to cope with such fearsome images was food.  She heard her human alpha male call her a "food maniac," but she did not think of such a term as derogatory.  She went on frequent visits to her alpha male's parents' home which she utilized as her own personal restaurant.  She charmed the elderly couple with her tail-wagging and hand-licking strategies that oddly seemed to please the humans into giving her whatever she wanted.  She even received her own bowl by the warm, slitted wall that contained pristine, purified water refrigerated to the perfect cold temperature and had her own stash of candy that Honey made human grandfather keep guarded next to his own throne.

Honey enjoyed the cooler weather because of her all-natural, luxurious fur coat of which she was in possession since she was born.  With this coat she was able to spend long periods out in the snow that caused her inferior humans to shiver.  Her human sister was especially whiney about the miraculous white material that came from the heavens.  Honey would only pant at her with a smiling, secretly-patronizing expression.    

Honey's humans often attached her to a chain that they thought restricted her to staying within the yard.  What her humans did not know was that Honey knew how to secretly maneuver out of her collar and chain in order to explore the depths of her surroundings.  She was caught doing so once in her earlier years living with the humans but acted terribly frightened as she ran back from the busy road she was actually attempting to take over in order to expand her empire.  In more recent years, Honey slipped off into other territories more inconspicuously.

This chain was also a threat to Honey because when the humans wished her to come back inside they would tug on it, signaling to her that they wished her to grace them with her magnificent presence.  Oftentimes, however, the canine did not feel the need to oblige them and would tighten up her neck and plant herself stubbornly in her snowy throne.  She was a snow goddess and no one was going to reposition her celestial body.  Snow was only another method of charm because when she pranced around in it, ate it, and allowed it to gracefully cover her body as she proudly stuck up her black nose, the humans would oooo and ahhhhh, coming at her with devices that flashed light at her that only annoyed her into moving her head to the other side.  She would not permit the annoying devices to steal views of her hypnotic beauty.

The outside chain was hooked up to a piece of clothing that her humans called her "Menards collar."  They attached little accessories to it that caused Honey to annoyingly jingle as she walked.  Eventually, the canine saw the device as a way to announce her impending presence-- like the trumpets that she so clearly deserved.  Something strange that occurred was when the humans would take off the "Menards collar" and giggle saying that she looked so funny and "naked."  This angered Honey very much because she had spent a lot of money on the fur coat that she wore every day and wondered how the stupid humans did not notice.  She figured that their tastes were far too peasant-like to appreciate such sophistocation.

Honey has also appointed her human subjects to certain tasks.  For instance, the human alpha female is her door opener.  When the canine feels the need to rid herself of waste (or even when she just feels like going outside-- no matter the time of day or inconvenience), she uses her nudging strategies to wake the snoring human mother from her peaceful, slumbering state.  Honey was even know to bark and scratch at the sleeping beauty until she opened the door to the outside wonderland.  Honey loved the outside wonderland and the fun transportation machine so much that sometimes when her humans seemed in a hurry, she would push herself past them when the door was open and fill the outside world with her superior energy.  On one particular occasion, Honey even jumped into the fun transportation machine when her humans were trying to go to the cross-topped place where they would stand, sing, sit, hug, shake hands, and listen.  This place intrigued her because it seemed that the humans performed much of the same strategies here that she did in order to receive something from a host. 

Bow down, humans.  This story is unfortunately not of a fictional nature, but authentic, very real... and current.  There is a fluffy-haired, cold-nosed snow goddess in our midst and she goes by the alias "Honey Wag-a-Lot."  She is able and indeed will use her cuteness and seeminly loving nature to manipulate you into giving her limited treasures such as ear massages and massive amounts of gourmet food.  Do not, I repeat, DO NOT be fooled by her gentle nature and kind, light brown eyes.  I caution you with wide eyes and hysteria produced by my personal experiences with this canine.  Please do not let my testimony fall on deaf ears.  Her intelligence is far superior to ours and she WILL capture your heart AND your resources.  You will gradually begin to regret the subsequent parasitic relationship that will make you settle in to a miserable, permanently-hosting existence.

The End

Sorry about that-- Needed a silly, creative outlet and this is just what happened.  I love my dog and she is the sweetest little canine with no alterior motives-- haha.  So happy we rescued her and I've been able to spend the last ten years of my life with her!  :)

Sunday, December 9, 2012

YAY! I complete my bachelor's degree in one week! Sound the trumpets!

Me a month ago:

I'm graduating soon.

Psh!  SO WHAT?!
Thank the heavens above it's finally here.

Feels like I should have graduated FIFTY years ago!

Now I'm going to finally be treated like an adult!


Me today:

Welp, I graduate in a week.

Hmmmm, ok. 

That's cool that I won't be stressed over homework and stuff.

I won't have to deal with annoying people.

But I'm really going to miss my friends and my boyfriend.

Yeah, now I have to go get a job.  I have to start paying loan bills.  I have to move back in with my parents.  I have to live far away from friends I used to live in the same building with, and I can't walk to everywhere anymore.

Hmmmm, ok.

I actually really like learning.  I'm going to miss classes and homework and papers.  I'll miss projects and studying and group work.  I'm going to miss intellectual discussion and helpful professors around all the time.

Why did I complain about all this so much?

At least I won't have to live in a crowded, lonely, small, cold, messy room.  Oh wait... that's what my room at home is like.

At least my supportive family and snuggly dog will be there!  But even they get on my nerves sometimes.

At least I can have better food!  But it won't be readily available to me, with lots of variety, cooked, and served to me with a smile at any moment I'd like.

Why must everything have pros and cons?  Or maybe, it should just be my perspectives that shift.  Instead, every time I face change (or dwell in boring familiarity), I always seem to find the cons, and fixate on them.

Maybe, I should just look on the bright side and accept change with the inner strength of a WARRIOR WOMAN ready to prowl for success in any situation she is handed!

But, instead, I always seem to avoid the scariness of life with jokes, food, or even naps.  I like napping.  I like eating.  I like laughing.

IDEAS FOR WHAT TO DO WHEN I GET HOME FROM COLLEGE AND HAVE TO BE AN ADULT:

1)  Create food masterpieces without making the kitchen too much of a mess so I don't have to clean much!  A challenge fit for a high-stakes reality TV show!

2)  Take a bath.  NO.  Take a bubble bath.  I'm also going to play in the water with toys like I did when I was little, giving the toys different voices and epic stories like the Barbie who needed her Ken doll to go to the moon to get a chemical that could cure her ridiculously rare and obscure disease.  (I'm not joking... I remember creating this when I was in elementary.)

3)  Write a song.  Yeah, I've done this sooooo many times, but THIS one will really be good!  And, I won't lose the paper I write it on.  Genius.

4)  Get up to the sun shining.  Do my eyebrows.  Take a long, luxurious shower.  Shave.  Do a face mask.  Lotion entire body.  Practice make up tricks learned on youtube.  Secretly spray oneself with mother's perfume.  Do toenails and fingernails fancily.  Pick out a new outfit combination.  Try to walk in heels.  Do hair laboriously with FIFTY different hair products to protect it until nearly happy with it (I'll never be completely happy with my hair).  Dance around in front of mirror.  Practice British accent.  Reapply makeup as it has probably faded already by now.  Then take it all off, take another shower, and go to sleep because I'm wore out by now.

5)  Write a novel.  About something that makes absolutely no sense.  But I trick everyone into thinking it makes sense.  And THEN, when they try to make a movie of it, everyone realizes just how incredibly ridiculous it is and also, how persuasive words are and how much cooler books are than movies.  MUHAHAHAHAHAHA.

6)  Solve a mystery.  I've always wanted to do this.  Next stop, mysterious woods behind house!  [Looks at creepy woods where I saw blanket and tent at before and heard noises.]  Meh, maybe I'll just watch Sherlock again...

7)  Make some money by creating something!  I've always wanted to make my own livelihood by using my own creativity.  I need to invent something!  Or make some sort of artwork!  Hmmm... I'll take a photography class!  But then, I'd have to go back to school......

8)  Set a world record.  Maybe I could make a name for myself this way!  What about woman with most loan interest?  Or woman who cries herself to sleep the most?  Or, no I've got it!  Woman with most time spent on internet!  [Pathetic violin music.]

9)  Go live in a cabin alone in the woods.  This is a recurring theme in literature, so it has to be good!

10)  Do other people's homework for them.  I think this sounds kind of fun.  Kind of immoral, but still kind of fun.  As long as there's money involved.

[By the way, if you could not tell yet, all of these ideas are completely sarcastic.  I know that I will get a job eventually and this next step in my life will go more smoothly than I imagine.  I trust in God and I trust in the hard work I have done myself these past four and a half years.  It's just funny to write in our own moments of fear.  I've found it to be absolutely true that humor is just relating to other people in exagerrated ways.]

Here.  Have a puppy picture.

 
Awwwwwwwwwwwww.  MUST.  CUDDLE.  PUPPY.  >:)
 

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Things I Just Don't Understand

Simply put, these are things I just don't understand. 

Rate or comment!


1)  Why do girls automatically hate any other girl that seems to have a happy moment?  Do we not ever have happy moments ourselves to satisfy us?  Besides, don't we understand that those girls most likely are just as insecure as we are?  Just accept your own happiness.

2)  How does the garbage can get full so quickly?  Seriously.  I buy a larger garbage can but it seems to need taken out even more than the last one.

3)  Why does the "Elmo's World" song get in my head all the time?  I've never even watched that show.

4)  Why are some of the ugliest clothing items the most expensive?  Cream-colored, oversized, camoflauge-lined, scratchy sweater with sequins, buttons, and zippers in impractical places?-- Sure let me get out my credit card so I can buy one for every day of the week.

5)  Why do guys expect girls to get ready as quickly as they do?  We use more shower products, shave more areas, wear more clothing items, we pluck our eyebrows, apply various different types of makeup, and if we have long, naturally curly hair-- there's no way we're going to brush it and go.  Oh, you like what my hair looks like completely natural?  How did you get ahold of my middle school pictures? 
Lord knows my hair hasn't been without products since before I watched "The Princess Diaries."

6)  Along those same lines, hair brushes are not magic.  Eyeliner is not magic.  Every beauty product unfortunately has to be used with another one.  So don't get excited.

7)  Why do I grind my teeth at night?  And don't say stress-- I know fully well that I'm stressed.  But what exactly is going on in my mind that makes it seem like a perfectly great idea to scrape my teeth on each other until it hurts-- and makes that awful noise that makes me want to run my fingers down a chalkboard just for relief?  Anything but that!

8)  Why buy something just because it's cheap?  It's going to end up on the bottom of your closet floor, and you only wear about 15 different outfits over and over anyways.  Bargains are simply awesome... if they happen to be attached to something you need.

9)  Why is cleaning so awful?  It gives me a better environment to live in.  I can be more productive in a clean room.  I absolutely love being in a clean room.  I don't like stealing plastic utensils as gnats cover my used utensils I haven't washed in three weeks. 
Sometimes cleaning is a stress relief, even! 
And why do I only clean when I have to do something else?  Or when someone comes over and is sitting on a clothes-covered dorm chair?  Why is it the seemingly biggest tragedy in the world to put away laundry I just washed?

10)  Why is TV so awful?  I'm not even going to go there.  I could get my Ph.D. in Television Degradation. 

11)  Why do people argue over absolutely EVERYTHING?  Why do we have to have only Republicans and Democrats?  Why does only one view have to be the all-encompassing truth?  What if neither are true?  What if a little bit of both are true?  How the heck will we ever know the absolute truth?  Why do we hate people with other views like its a sport and we're training for the olympic event in that sport?  Why do we not even realize that we are hating?

12)  Why can't I ever get away with a prank or a joke?  I couldn't lie to save my life.  I blush and quiver and smile and giggle.   
Isn't there a story about a president and a tree and the line "I cannot tell a lie"...?  (Wow, A.D.D. moment).

13)  Why do we kiss?  I mean, have you ever thought of the first kiss moment... how did they figure that out?  Oh, well we eat with our mouths and talk with mouths, so we might as well slap them together and see what other great things can come about!

14)  Was Black Friday created so people would be out and about all sweaty, nervous, competitive, and physical in order to cancel out their Thanksgiving Day weight gain?  Hmmmmmm.

15)  Why are conspiracy theories so cool?

16)  Why are murder mysteries so cool?

17)  Why was every single thing in the entire world so scary when I was little?

18)  Why is every single thing in the entire world so scary now?

19)  Wherefore art Shakespeare teacheth so often in adolescent education?  I may be an English teacher or professor someday but so help me God, I do not want to teach Shakespeare.

20)  Why do so many girls love cheesy romantic comedies?  There's so much I could say.  Maybe I'll leave that for another blog.

21)  Why do restaurants give you so much ice?  I want to taste my drink, not a watered down version of my drink.  I also would rather not have ice come up and smack me in the face.

22)  Why do guys think aggression makes them masculine and showing emotions makes them feminine?

23)  Why are muffins so bad for you?  They taste like the healthier version of a cupcake, but they aren't.  Muffins are deceptive liars!  Well, that was redundantly repetitive.  ;)

24)  Why do I always seem to think that there are more than 24 hours in a day that day?

25)  Why do I think I can change the outcome in a movie if I pay attention really well and hope that the character doesn't make the wrong choice that they made the last time I watched it.

26)  Why do we take pictures of absolutely everything?  I am so guilty of this.  Sometimes I miss real life moments on a trip because I am looking at the LCD screen of the camera.

27)  Why does it feel like a threat to our survival when we talk to someone and they don't hear us and answer?  Everyone around you has had that happen to them, too!  They don't want to kill you and take off with your liver just because you were accidentally ignored.

28)  Why do people take out their anger on their most precious items?  Darn you, game!  It's your fault that I lost this round even though you are completely unbiased and I just didn't do well because I've been playing this game for six hours and I'm tired.  I will throw this controller against the wall and then jump on it until it is in 374 pieces.  That'll teach you to think twice about hurting my pride!  Oh wait.

29)  Why am I writing this?

30)  Why is the word "why" spelled w-h-y?

Hope you enjoyed.  :)  Give me ideas for another blog!!!

Friday, November 16, 2012

What the World Needs Now

What the world really needs is more selflessness.

More people who find it difficult to stand up for themselves, even.

Because then, there would be no NEED for justification, defensiveness, or putting your guard up to make sure you're not hurt or walked on.

There would be no need for lawyers, and therefore there would be less of the crooked lawyers out there.

There would be less need for counseling.

There would be less need out there in general.


What the world needs is a shift from the "what can the world do for me" to the "what can I do for the world."

This attitude of perceived need is often justified, but sometimes, we have to just pick up our brokennes, realize it could be worse, and do what we have to to make things better.  Even if it was not our fault. 

But ESPECIALLY if it was our fault.


Self pity is a disease.

It sinks in under clever disguises.

It can hide under jargon.

Sometimes it feels like depression.

Self pity is chronic alright, but we can treat it ourselves.

Its loyalty and usefulness can seem so real and tangible, but truly, it is a pest.  A downfall of humanity.  A disease that you pass on to your children and your children's children.


What the world needs is more keep on keeping on.  We let consequences hold us back, when sometimes consequences are there in order to teach us.  A lot of times they teach us that avoidance feels safe but is our enemy.  A lot of times they teach us (even if they are not our fault) to push forward and learn from it, becoming stronger, wiser, more resilient, and emotionally stable than before.

Oftentimes, the world is enabled in its avoidance.  This can be as emotionally detrimental as drug use.  Enablers are selfless, loyal loved ones- the way the world should be.


But then there would be a perfect world...

And who wants that?

____________________________________


Thank goodness I am in this world but not of it.