Blonde Story Short

Remember when you went through the DARE program in fifth grade? Do images of bright T-shirts, free donuts and awkward officers flood your mind? One thing an individual can never forget about the DARE program is the phrase "Just Say NO!" We probably should never forget what the acronym stands for either but I found myself asking a nearby colleague (that also grew up in the 90's) just seconds ago...oops. For those of you that are like me and forget pieces of information that don't affect your daily life or well, affect you right NOW...it stands for Drug Awareness and Resistance Education. Don't you feel a little smarter just having read the first quarter of this 101st blog? I don't need to be reminded to say NO to drugs (usually). I could however use a reminder from time to time to say NO to other things...like people. Why is it so hard for some of us to say that tiny two-letter word? I was recently asked the following question: Would you rather have ...

So as I briefly mentioned in my " Tangent Tuesday" stint, some gray area in my life just turned well, a lot less grey. This is all in reference to P4. Here's a little taste of how p4 treats B.S.S ( Blonde Story Short...me, for the slow learners-I always have you in mind as a Special Needs teacher!) Anyway, for productivity's sake, I'll give some examples in list form-my unspoken thoughts in parentheses as usual: Some of my text- tastic treats: " Ur such a sweetheart, I like you " (Ok fine) " That's one of the reasons I like you...you're funny and clever " (Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all night, don't forget to tip your waitress!) " I love your eyes. Seriously I get lost in them, you don't even know the power you have ." (I could really take advantage of that! But I'll try not to) This is the kinda stuff that I've been hearin ' from P4. This paired with consistency, thoughtfulne...

As I've shared before, I love Algebra..in an almost freakish sorta way. I love how predictable it all can be. There's an established rule for everything. I also really like rules....sometimes. It's the teacher in me, sometimes at odds with the hippie in me, balance is the key right? I love how there's only one answer for each problem in Algebra. There's one rule. Sometimes there's an exception to that rule, but once you've experienced and memorized this exception, you're okay...things are back to being predictable. Life lessons on the other hand, are the contrary; unpredictable, full of way more than one exception to the "rule," and even once you've learned the exception, there are many more to come, more to experience and figure out. More that are unknown, unsafe and can even be devastating. You can't predict when or how you will get hurt, who will hurt you, or on an even more terrifying note, who will love you. It's all...

I had a conversation tonight with my incredibly intelligent and insightful roommate. It started out as most of our discussions do, talking about boys. Yes, I'm 24 years old, pay bills like nobody's biz and hold down two jobs...and still have conversations about "boys." Take your judging elsewhere :) Anyway, we were talking about a "third party" gal who has the expectations of Charles Dickens. This gal went over 22 years without dating, simply because no one met her very, very straight and narrow expectations. When the story began with "3rd party" declining dates due to the prospect's lack of asking her father for permission first, I shared my opinion by pretending I was violently throwing up on the couch. Seriously? Live a little girlfriend! Then the convo continued and we decided that it's only logical that if you widen your expectations the quantity (not necessarily quality) of options expands exponentially. We're a house of ma...

So I've been recently working on being ME all the time...one of my many "Self-Improvement in the mid twenties-isms" I'm really good at being ME most of the time, but would LOVE to be one of those extremely confident and secure women who is just herself in every given situation... all instead of most of the time! There are times when I definitely hold back and it's generally because of the company I'm in at that given moment. The funny thing is it's an epic battle internally to hold back because my natural inclination is to give my all, all the time, with relationships especially (By the way, I HATE when people say exspecially, there's no X! Don't mind my tangent) Anyway, I have talked to many wise people, females in particular, who have helped me realize that my normal state and being is very vulnerable and it's a balancing act to be who I naturally am and keep my heart safe. I generally do and say things in a way that make who I am very m...

1. His dog is waiting for him outside the bar, and at times actually joins him in the bar. 2. He has a backpack. 3. When asking for your number he pulls out a non functioning cell phone... typical collecting of random found items. 4. When the cell phone clearly doesn't work, he pulls out a piece of paper and a black sharpie. 5. Instead of calling you, he wants to "come by" later...mostly because of the no phone situation and lack of housing...and money. 6. He wants to come to your house for the following purposes: to use your razor to shave, your shower to bathe and most likely your home for shelter. 7. His "story" leads you to believe he was once rich, handsome and smart. 8. His "friends" and he hang out outside "Stars and Stripes" liquor store drinking 40's, instead of on his "boat" cuz the "owner is cool." 9. Instead of buying you a beer he pulls one out of his shopping cart. 10. He is barefoot....

I read in "US weekly" (a very classy gossip magazine that I indulge in from time to time) that when asked what Kathy Griffin's New Years Resolution was for 2009, she answered "To eat more carbs!" Awesome. Although my normal reaction to "New Years Resolutions" is to roll my eyes (I admit to being an eye-roller sometimes) I do think it's important to know what direction we're going in in the next 12 months. In my world, 2009 will be a year of being  Intentional . 2008 was a HUGE, and very long I might add, time for me. After working two jobs (one of which was extremely trying personally and spiritually), traveling through Europe to find I have ALOT going on in my head and my heart that I didn't even know about, then coming home to figure out what to do and how to deal with those things... I am ready for a new year! So this year is about being intentional. Intentional about even the small things. What I do with my time, how I take...

Making decisions. Actually it's not fun at all. I've been in the process (and when I say process I mean long, DELAYED progression) of making a lot of those lately. The ones that I struggle with the most include dis-pleasing people. Normally I like to please people. However, you come to a point where you realize that it's no longer working for you, okay it's no longer working for ME. When it does work and it is pleasing to others as well as yourself, fantastic. But when it doesn't, another decision needs to be made...what can I do to make this work for me (and hopefully everyone...see my pleasing tendencies) I have made arrangements to see absolutely everyone this Thanksgiving, and I mean EVERYONE! Friends, family including mom's side and dad's side (joys of non-nuclear-ness), and even the nice folks at Southwest Airlines will be graced with my presence during this time of giving thanks. Thus far I'm driving to the OC Wednesday, getting someone'...

I want to love people (somehow)in all circumstances. I've been thinking lately that's the whole reason we're here. God gave us a place to figure out how to do that, to figure out where the balance is in all scenarios concerning relationships... Where's the balance between loving people and setting boundaries for yourself? Being tactful and being truthful? Thinking of your needs and being selfish? Behavior that's healthy and unhealthy? Friendly and overbearing? Extrovert and introvert? Needing people and using people? Making things happen and waiting for things to happen? Flirting and well, too much flirting? Admiration and Jealousy? Being strategic (strategerie if you will, if a President says it, it must be a word) and conniving? Childlike innocence and adulthood? I don't want to focus on these things and being "balanced" so much so that I'm inhibited all the time, but I do think being aware is essential...purposeful even! Something to chew ...

So we've all heard cliches like "Spring has sprung" and "Love is in the air..." Well this past Spring both of these were particularly true! As I was packin it through Europe, THREE of the many amazing women in my life fell in love and basically met...(another cliche is about to come at you) the man of their dreams. I know, some of you are about to go throw up your last meal right now but if I can be totally stoked about this (as a former cynic) you can too :) This particular story (which clearly has something to do with a yoga mat) is about one of these girls. Her and I have spent some years comparing past bf's, sharing stories of ridiculous encounters and sometimes when feeling optimistic, hopes of someday meeting a real man that would actually be legitimate. This friend is unique, smart and beautiful. Because she loves the color green, we'll call her "Miss Green." This is mostly so that you don't have to read the words "my fri...