Inspiration. What is it to you?

One thing you will learn (hopefully) from reading my blog is that I am extremely goal oriented. If I see someonthing I want or something I want to accomplish, I figure out what needs to be done and work my butt off for it. I love working and working hard to have the things I want. For example, most of you know that last October I had wrecked my car. Well, I went the rest of the school year just borrowing my mom's car when necessary. But I realaized that senior year would be crazy and I really needed my own transportation. (I'm also huge on independence.) So I work my part time job and picked up two others as well. (and mono.....all I did this summer was work and sleep.) Even so, my goal was accomplished and I paid for my explorer with cash, all by myself. That was such an awesome accomplishment. Dave Ramsey would be so proud!

The list of things I have done this with goes on very far. From purchases of my new coat to clothes, or experiences such as pageants and prom, all the way down to my current passion. My future. Goals take many things to become accomplished goals. A plan, time, money, dedication, accountability, consistancy, and my personal favorite- inspiration. This could also range from any number of things. Here are the things that inspire me to continue, even on days when it seems impossible. These things are keeping me focused on my future, how to get there, and what I will achieve.

1. My friends and family. I have such an amazing support system. I am constantly encouraged, and told that I can do this. My future (Air Force) may not be easy, but they've got my back. Even down to the weight issue.

2. My church friends/ other young adults around me. There are a few in my life that I look up to that are leading Godly lives with great futures ahead of them within their lives, careers, etc. Those are the people I want to imitate.

3. Music. My loyal readers will also know what a music addict I am. ** Side note! I was helping with a school project today and we had the radio on. The station happen to be in tune with me and playing really great songs. I said "I love this song!" a lot. Eventually someone said, "You've said that about every song!" Sorry, I can't help it!** But really, though. Music says what we cannot. One song in particular that has me going right now is 'Part of me' by Katy Perry. The lyrics are riveting, and it's so powerful. The video shows Katy getting upset at a boy, and recreating her identity through the military. She cuts her hair, and is seen going through boot camo type exercises. She showed strength and beauty all in one. That (even though it was just a music video) is so inspiring to me! I also know that even though she is not a service woman, Katy is one tough gal! You go girl!

4. Nature. Now this is a new one for me. I don't usually go out and "find myself" in the woods or some meadow. However, we are so blessed here in Oklahoma to have beautiful sunrises and sunsets. (And the moon tonight is gorgeous!!) Those beautiful tones of pink, orange, purple, and blue just leave me in awe. They give me hope of a new horizon and future, and the beauty of life that God has in store.

5. Visuals. I made a collage for my room, with pictures of the things I am working for over the next year. I do this because it's a daily reminder to stay focused, but I also just love crafts. (My pinteresting friends will be so proud!) This poster has several things on it.
A. Pictures of cars I like. (My goal is to pay cash for a newer car in one year with part of my Air Force pay)
B. Pictures of Air Force rankings, logos, etc. (By this time next year I will have graduated Basic Military Training, and my specialized tech school.)
C. Pictures of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. (I will be working through the next 7 months to gain lean muscle simply to be my best when enlisting. Then I will go through bootcamp. Those dancers insipire me. I want to be healthy, strong, and beautiful just like them. High kicks, splits, and all!)
   There were several other things among my collage, but these were the main goals. And now I have a visual reminder of what I'm working for.

Inspiration creates drive. Drive creates ethic. Ethic builds character. Character builds integrity. These are things that are getting harder and harder to find. Be the person that stands out and find your own sunrise. Find what inspires you to break the barriers and prove all the stereotypes dead WRONG. And I'll be in the background with my DCC blue pom poms cheering you on.

P.S. With all that being said, know that for the most part, I don't like to blend in. (I don't enjoy going freak status, but I definately don't quite go with the flow.) I like to be a rebel. When I had dyed my hair junior year, apparently that was the trend. So I got out of that real fast. The point was to stand out, not blend in.
My mom suggested when I get my new car, to get a red one. So I also decided that I would order a tage that said "Rebel". Fitting, don't you think?

P.P.S. Just in casse there is any doubt in your mind, pretty girls can be tough too. Don't underestimate us.

Four Seasons

Welcome back to my crazy life. It's been a while since we have spoken, dear readers. I bet right about now you're wondering why this blog post is titled "Four Seasons". Those of you who think like I do may instantly think of an image of a luxurious resort somewhere in India with roaming elephants and pillows like clouds. Snap. Back to reality. (And then you here Eminem singing right?) Okay we are too much alike. Stop day dreaming!

In all reality, the point of that title was the metaphorical comparison to time and life. Each year has four seasons. Although if you live in Oklahoma like me, we really have two seasons: melting and frozen. I beleive that there are chapters and seasons within our lives as well. And I am feeling this all too well. Things are changing around me so quickly! Many of these changes involuntary, many of these decisions I am making on my own.

Where shall I start...the basics. I've changed the group of people I spend my time with. I am thankful for each person God has put in my life, but with the exception of a very small few, they have a season too. I've also been blessed with new friends, and strengthening the family relationships I have at home. But when God closes one door, he opens another. This rings true in friendships as well. I'm thankful for the new friends that have come into my life. (And the old ones that have returned as well!)

Next on the list is school...Senior year. Yes, there are a few things from high school that I will miss. VERY few things. Everyone has told me not to wish my senior year away and that I'll miss it after. Honestly, at this point, I'm ready to take that chance. Even as young adults, there is so much drama. BA is your stereotypical clique filled and drama infested American high school. I finally have a plan for what I'm doing after graduation and I can't wait to get started.

Get started on what you ask? Three words: Future Airman, baby! That's right, yours truly is joining the United States Air Force. Don't panic, I'm not going to be in harm's way. I am joining the Air Guard, and will be training in San Antonio, Texas. Not going to lie, I know it's going to be tough. But the list of benefits out weighed the list of challenges by nearly miles. This will enable me to go to college, replace my car in a year, and hopefully be living on my own soon as well. I will be signing my contract on my 18th birthday next month, and leaving for bootcamp next June. This whole thing is incredibly exciting! I have a lot of work ahead of me to prepare for all of this, but I have a great support system. My family is very supportive of my goals and what I'm doing. My work family also supports me. I also have great support from a friend who is helping me with my "under weight" issue. (Thank you!) This issue almost got me declined from enlisting altogether, but it's an obstacle I know I can overcome. I also have made some really awesome friends from the military, and this journey has only just begun...

Overall, I really would just love a day off more than anything. I forgot what one of those feels like. Although, everything that is keeping me busy is helping me to reach my goals. My goals of independece, financial and job security, self discipline, an education, and direction. This weekend I plan to make a poster with visuals to include all these to help keep me motivated. Until then I rely on the gorgeous Oklahoma sunrises and sunsets, my support system all around me, and Christ to keep me motivated.

Customer Service Review- Forever Young Salon

Ladies, ya feel me when I say, when we go to the salon, we like a little attention. When it's our turn in that comfy stylist chair, we want the stylist to care about what they are doing, and at least care about us.

Yesterday I took advantage of a spa package my mom had purchased, at Forever Young Salon and Spa. Let me just say, I felt rushed, unimportant, and unwelcomed. The salon itself looks fabulous, and the majority of the staff seemed nice. However, the unnamed stylist who cut my hair was not personable at all. This lady didn't try to start any form of conversation or even pretend that she cared. I was not given what I was promised (and what my parents paid for) in the spa package. I did not feel pretty when I left, and had to rush home and get ready for work all over again.

When my mother called to (politely) give our concerns and exoerience, said unnamed stylist was rude, and basically blamed me for my experience.

What.

Needless to say, she will not recieve my business again.


My note to customers: Please remember that in any retail, sales, or service outlet, you never know what that employee may have going on. They may have had a rough day, something going on in their personal life, or anything at all. No, that doesn't give an excuse for bad service. But they aren't robots that can can flip a switch and become someone they aren't. Be considerate, tip as generously as possible, and be kind even when we aren't.

My note to the business world staff: Step up your game! Believe me I know it's hard to leave your personal life at the door. However, that is something we need to strive to do. To give our customers the best consistancy and experince they can possibly get. No matter what. Customer service is so very important.
And if you get a call with a complaint, apologize and make the customer happy. Admit you are wrong, but just be as civil as possible. Blaming the customer blatantly never ends well.)

Regardless, there is room for improvement on both sides.

My Last

Well, this is the weekend before school starts. Excuse me, before senior year starts. I wish I could lay out my week for you so you could see exactly how crazy it will be. But for general common sense and internet safety, I shall not. I have multiple things scheduled for every single day for the next three weeks straight, maybe even longer than that. I'm trying vigorously not to have a mental break down as I type this. Although I wonder how all the other teens in BA make this lifestyle look so easy....

Oh well, I guess I need to accept the fact that I'm not like every other teen in BA. Which is true in many ways.

I will say, that I am very excited with what the next week will bring. And I am already more than willing to nap at any moment.

So on a less dramatic note, here are some of my back to school "Must Do's"

1. Wash and vaccum car before the first day. (Mine needs it BIG TIME)

2. Memorize your class schedule or make sure it's handy

3. purchase a planner. (I am a complusive list maker.)

4. Hair cut. (Make sure ends and roots all look fresh.)

5. Plan first day outfit (As of right now mine is going to be a comfy striped cotton dress from target, leopard print converse, my lavender coach satchel, some pretty earrings, and some teased hair)

6. Plan lunches, snacks, and have a water bottle handy. (You will eat healthier and cheaper if you plan ahead.)


Other things that are not just for the beginning of the year:

7. Decorate that backpack! Unfortanately very few students know how to do this without ruining a bag and looking tacky. This year I went the Jansport/ Pinterest route. A Jansport backpack will cost you anywhere from $30-$75. Which is expensive, BUT they are very high quality. Then I just took some pinterest inspiration and made it mine. (Lace ribbon from walmart and fabric glue. BOOM. CUTE.)

8. Make a playlist for the year. Mine will have songs like 'Amazing Life' by Britt Nicole, 'My Last' by Big Sean and plenty of others.

9. Back to food. Like I said before, I am extrememly busy. So this year, I'm going to keep a small ice chest in my truck with healthy snacks. I'll have things like fruit, yogurt, cheese sticks, pretzels, egg salad, and celery. I have a very fast metabolism, so I am always hungry!

10. Schedule (and even take) senior pictures early. I am using Brett Birdsong, whom I highly recommend. He is a fantastic professional, and you will have a blast shooting pictures with him! You can find his page on Facebook for more info.

11. A new perspective. This can be applied to anything. Study habits, teachers, the daily grind of high school, and your peers. This is something I'm going to especially going to work on. Yes, I'm going to be smart about who I hang around, and what I say, BUT something we all have to realize is that people change. We have no idea what a person goes through  in their daily life when they aren't at school. The second thing we have to understand is that everyone just wants to feel accepted for who they are. So this year, throw someone you don't like a compliment. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Speak less, listen more.

12. Last, but certainly not least, Switch. Switch is the youth group at LifeChurch for middle school and high school students. High School service starts at 7:15, and you can find more info on the Switch facebook page. It's not a lengthy service, but long enough for fun and some Jesus. My favorite part is the small groups after service. LOVE THEM. I have connected with people so well there. I don't feel judged or scorned but accepted. The leaders are all very welcoming, and the students are there to get plugged in. Now its not perfect ( we still need shirts Matt!!!) but, it's somewhere I finally want to be.

Strictly Opinions.

Let me just warn you, this post is strictly opinions.

This will be my second year at Broken Arrow High School, so I know what to expect for the most part, anyway. For those of you who don't know...a lot of things are different this year.

First of all, the senior high campus is under a huge renovation thanks to the bonds we recieved back in 2009. From what I have been told, we will now have an additional gym, more classrooms, and another drama room. I've also heard rumor of another library. The sketches and plans do look quite fabulous, If I must say. However, I'm not looking forard to spending my glorious senior year in the site of the apocolypse. I'm going to be extremely careful so my car doesn't suffer any damages from the construction. (Parking lot B is closed this year. Arrive early if you want a spot.)

Another big change this year- no schedule pick up. That Stinks. Just Saying.

Schedule Pick up is not only a highly informative event, but also a social event. Students are able to pick up class schedules, senior shirts, parking permit, other school clothes, athletic passes, order yearbooks and much more. This year, they mailed out schedules and campus maps. Which I think makes it a bit more nerve racking. Even for a senior...

Administration has also made it very clear that they are not allowing schedule changes this year. I understand that some students take advantage of the two week window, but really. The juniors are going to have a heart attack. I'm simply saying the senior high needs to be ready for a mob of moms who won't take "No" for an answer.

One chunk of good news for senior high goers, the cafeteria will be serving some basic SUBWAY sandwiches this year. Which is definately a great alternative to the lard they normally serve. Also just saying. I hardly ever eat cafeteria food. I will gladly post a list of easy, healthy lunches within the next week.

Seniors- get ready. Less than two weeks away and our time to shine begins.

Juniors- good luck.

TGIF

As most of you know, I'm a hard worker. (Or I like to think that I am.) If I decide that I want something and it's out of reach, by golly, I'm gonna work for it. Typically to reach a sense of accomplishment, but that is really the icing on the cake.

Over the summer I've been working 3 jobs to pay for my wants/needs. Now granted, I still live at home and don't have a list of bills. My parents take good care of me and help me when I need it. (Like yesterday's mall trip for school clothes.) BUT, I bought my car, and everything that comes with that. I help pay for my car insurance each time I get paid as well. I pay for most of the things I want and need beyond that. Within the next week I will have my truck paid off, and tags on it as well. That is an awesome sense of accomplishment. How many of the kids at BA senior high can say that? Very few, I'm sure!

So with that said, if any little teen that just got their license hits MY truck in the school parking lot, you better believe the fight is on. Just sayin. (And this is where I play the clip of Melissa Peterman saying "And that is what they call, A THREAT!" in the second episode of Baby Daddy on ABC Family.)

I also have recently had a young man give me grief about how much I work. He's always saying things like "You need a life!", or "Don't work too hard!". But meaning them more than the normal person might. Then he goes on to tell me that his parents (he is a 23 year old grown man/ college student) bought his car and still pay for most his sh**,(his words, not mine) and he would rather sit at home and do nothing than work. Wow. That's super grown up and mature. I nicely replied that I like having my own check to pay for my own things. I'm still honestly just shocked at how dependent and even arrogant that sounds.

One thing that I want to accomplish within myself is a sense of indepence. I'm almost there, but still have some growing up to do. And especially before I get married and commit my life to someone, I need to know that I can stand on my own two feet first. Financially, mentally, and in many other ways. I want to know that I can take care of myself. Then when the time is right, I'll learn how to depend on someone and have them depend on me. It's all a process, really.

P.S. Yes, I am glad it's Friday! Just like anyone else!  But like I told Ben, (We will rename the 23 yr old above Ben. You're welcome.) my weekend is very very busy and full. But in the end, it will all be worth it! And I think I just might reward myself w Happy Hour at Sonic after work! Yes sir!

One Direction...Well, Not Really.

I'd like to say that my blog has "One Direction", but not only is there no boy band associated with my banter, but my blog is also more like a rabbit trail. And that is perfectly okay with me. My Monday has been a roller coaster from marvelous to leave-me-alone!

First of all at the gym today, it was a typical monday. Not a whole lot of gym goers, but lots of phone calls, cleaning, and snack breaks! But like I've said before, I love my gym family! I also had fun surprising my boss with some grub later in the afternoon. Then I went back to my Steve Martin clone, I mean um...pediatrician. He really is a great guy! But then he sent me to have more bloodwork done. Then he wasn't so great. Thankfully that didn't last long. Now most of my readers, know me personally. Thus you know I've been dealing with mono.

SIDE NOTE---> Just in case you haven't done your WebMD research, you can get mono from any transfer of salive. Ex. sharing cups, sharing eating utensils, and yes- kissing. But how I actually got it, I don't know. Also, people don't realize how long mono can actually last. In some cases students have missed an entire semester of school. One of the main symptoms is fatigue. Mono can really take a toll on a person. The other main concern is the potential of the spleen to swell. This can put athletes on the bench for months. Kids or adults who have mono and a swollen spleen are at risk to rupture their spleen during laborious activities and cause internal bleeding. This could in turn become deadly. So it's important to be careful.

Now with my case. I have done lots of sleeping, and lots of couch potato-ing. Although my doctor was not so excited with how busy I've been with my 3 jobs. Oops...well I guess I'll have to give "taking it easy" some more effort. So come on people cut me just a wee bit of slack! I have more on my metaphoric plate of life than a girl with menstral cramps has on her dinner plate. (And let me tell you that is a lot!) Although, on the flip side of that, everything I have on this plate really excites me! I crave to put more on it and accomplish more but I have know I have to open up some space on my plate first.

I'm also currently watching a show on the CW about modeling. I believe it's called "Remodeled", I'll have to do some research on that. The show is partly about an up and coming model and also about Paul, the owner of The Network. Paul wanted to connect all the small town agencies and find the raw talent we have!  But every time I watch a show about modeling and fashion and the industry with attitude, it reminds me of the hidden passion I have to be that girl. I've done a few auditions in my day, and I love it. Even the little auditions I've done have been exciting. I have recieved call backs almost each time. However, the cost of the initial walk in the door was not feesable for the day. But seriously how fun is that?! I love the idea of being a runway model! I love photo shoots, I love pictures, I love glam! I don't know if my life will take me in this path or even the professional version of that path. But it's still a possibility! And even if I don't hit the runway for Andy Hilfiger, or IMTA, or even John Casablancas, I know there are things I can do to feel like a supermodel. Here is my super model 101 tips for the day:

1. Keep up with the trends, but don't be a sheep. Incorporate the hot styles, but be unique. Check my blog each season for my newest trend loves!

2. Be kind to your skin! This is a huge umbrella of tips and tricks. One of the most important is don't go to sleep with your makeup on. I personally use baby wipes to take my makeup off at night. I also don't wear all of my makeup every day. Typically I just use bas, blush, and mascara. Classic and pretty. Just make sure those eyelashes are visible!

3. Don't be afraid to try new styles with your hair. Watch YouTube videos, let wet hair dry in curlers (way cooler than blow drying), or copy cat a celeb style.

4. Accessorize! I cannot emphasize this enough! One day try one statement piece, the next day try a matching set.  Break out those statement sunglasses, and those sassy shoes. I'm also quite obsessed with DIY fashion!

5. Use skin renewal techniques, looks, and fashion that makes you feel confident. That is the most important thing of all!

And this is only the tip of the iceberg. I could literally write a novel on random tips and tricks for being the best you ! As for right now, I'm gonna enjoy some more of  "Remodeled" on the CW.

Kisses!

P.S. (last note, I swear!) Don't let those rich girls in the hallway make you lose your confidence. They may look like they have it all, but they don't. Also remember though, as much as some girls seem like plastic barbies, they are people too. So kill em with kindness! And listen about how they whisper about your fantastic confidence and style (;