Kelly: The last few weeks I have noticed a change in myself. And no, it's not just the 8 pound weight loss. This again is another change for the better. I have been happier. Much happier than I was this time last year. I remember thinking about this time last year; I was so on edge. About everything! The littlest things set me off and it was because I was just so...burned out, stressed out, worn out, worn down, and exhausted. Getting up at 4AM on Tuesdays was extremely draining and it was just go, go, go 24/7. No rest for the weary. And now? I'm not stressed (as much), I'm not tired, and I can't even remember the last time I had a genuinely bad day. What does that even mean anyway, to have a bad day? It's all relative. Anyway, but everyone keeps asking me what my secret is? How did I lose 8 pounds? Why am I so happy and cheerful?
It's GOD.
It was, it has been and it will be. Every morning when I wake up I consciously think in my mind "God, I'm here now. I want you to shine so brightly through me that people notice. I want to have a smile on my face and pass it on." Those thoughts vary daily, but for the most part I start my days with God just changing and transforming my mind. And let me tell you it is AMAZING how good I feel!!!! I smile more, I laugh more and I think positively more. This is also benefiting me because I have more time to PRAISE instead of PLEAD. Not that pleading to God is bad, but I can think of more times when I've said "Dear God, thank you for now" instead of "Dear God just get me through this!" There have been times when some troubles have come my way but I've learned (and am still learning) to just deal with them as they come. And I pray ALL the time "God have Your way in this situation." I don't ask to take it away because we might miss something if we just lock up all our stresses and worries in boxes and pray that they just disappear. I've EMBRACED those challenges and saddled up the courage to face them. Finally. Now bear in mind, these changes I've made have taken many many months of pre-meditating, thinking and praying. But also these changes have come from inside me as well. I've had to pluck up courage from my strength (which comes from God) to just GO. To just go and live, because it is not God's will for me to live in bondage of all that holds me down. And here's something else; words are just words. Make a plan, pray about it, think about it, and follow through.
Holly: But God...
I am speaking from experience, as well as in concordance with Kelly, but every single word she says is true. This way of thinking has completely revolutionized my day-to-day ways of looking at things, situations, bad drivers, work issues, scary bills, crappy attitudes, cats that won't chill out, etc etc etc...But ever since I've taken the focus off of me and MY schedule, and MY current feelings, and all that I have to do for the day, and turning it into "Hey, God, um, thanks for EVERYTHING, I'm not sure what's going to happen today, but I totally trust You," things have just gotten better. By all rights I should be having a conniption fit. I don't have a job in two months, I have student loans to pay off, we're getting zero help from the college in terms of living expenses next semester...there's just a lot stacked against us. I have hardly zero anxiety. Seriously. Because I rest and stand firm in the simple fact of all that God has brought us through, and I strongly believe He will not have brought us to Berea, to here right now, only to just be like, "Well, just kidding." No. That's not the God I serve and love.
The thing about faith, though, is that even though God has more than enough faith for you and me, sometimes we have to have faith in ourselves. I've had lots of conversations with people about how stressed they are, how they're not sure they're going to make it, and they trust God, I can see that....but maybe it's themselves that they don't trust. Let me tell you: there were plenty of times in my last semester of school where I wasn't sure if I was going to pass this one class. I decided to shift my focus on GOODDD, saying, God, you've brought me through four years of school. I'm giving this class to You! I did that, but I also just kept telling myself, Holly, you're going to make it. You are. You have to! You have so many people rooting for you!!
If you haven't been reading a word of this, please read this: YOU. ARE. NOT. ALONE. Someone out there is rooting for you. Someone has faith in you. Please know this. :)
My challenge is this: just try to shift your perspective, the way you think. It takes time, believe me. But it's worth it, I promise. Let us know if you need encouragement, prayer, etc.
"You have to change the way you THINK in order to change the way you FEEL." -Robin Roberts
Friday, September 28, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
An Open-Ended Letter to BC and MF....ok, and to the rest of Team Sherlock. And the fans too. Wow, this is a long title.
Dear BC and MF,
nah, scratch that:
Dear BC, MF, and Team Sherlock,
.................
one more time:
Dear All who love Sherlock (but mostly to BC and MF because that's why we watched the Emmys last night),
Hi. Guess we gave it away now. So we watched the Emmys last night. We hates them. I mean, don't get us wrong, of course we weren't born under rocks. We're familiar with the big shows that were on: Mad Men, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Homeland, etc etc etc....BUT.
What happened last night is the very reason why we typically don't watch shows like that. Because ONE show usually sweeps all the wins. It's nothing more than a popularity contest. We're not trying to bash television...obviously, because the American people deem the aforementioned shows worthy of such an honor. But SERIOUSLY...
Mad Men had 81 nominations. EIGHTY. ONE?!?!? What the crap? That's insane. Wasn't even aware that you could be nominated for an Emmy in 81 different categories. Jeebus. Despite all of this, despite all of this big-name shows, stars, etc, that's not why we stayed up to watch the Emmys. We had one reason and one reason only:
Team Sherlock.
We waded through TWO HOURS of awards before they finally came to the "Miniseries/Movie" category. Oh, you would not believe the tension and excitement we had. Literally on the edge of our seats. But...no. Nothing.
Should we be surprised? No, I guess not. Because, like I mentioned, it's a glorified popularity contest and not much else. In the grand scheme of things, we're not really sure if you all were bummed, surprised, nonplussed, whatever, that you left empty handed. But then we got to thinking: at least you all were THERE. In LA. Next to big time stars, shows, etc etc. And for a show that has a predominantly British audience that only started a couple of years ago, that is pretty awesome.
But we know that there's more to Sherlock than just Emmy nominations. For us, it's taken us to entertainment in a level that we never knew existed. It's taken us to new places emotionally, physically, we've never related so closely to characters as this. It's more than that. You helped us to believe in true friendship, loyalty, the power of the human mind, the fragility of the human spirit, that even the most stoic and complex of individuals can be shaken to their very core and reach out to their one and only friend in their hour of need. We've laughed, we've cried, we've run down the streets of London and Baker Street right beside y'all. And we, the fans, will wait, eagerly, perhaps even a little frustrated, anxious, angry, and tense, for having to wait a year to see what will happen next. We are waiting. We are Sherlocked.
BC and MF, if there was an Emmy for passion and versatility, then you would win it, hands down, no argument. The obvious passion and versatility for your job and your utter brillance and talent you bring to Sherlock is nothing to be matched to the Emmy speeches we saw last night. If there was an Emmy for Sherlock fans, we would win it, hands down, no argument. The fan base that we see on a regular basis can't top some of the big-time shows and stars we saw last night. Because the two of you are REAL. You're RELATABLE, you're BRILLIANT, you're so GENUINE, it's refreshing to us, us that are so sick and tired of fake, plastic, superficial. So please, please know that we, and so many others, were rooting for the two of you so hard at the Emmys last night. Even though you ultimately didn't win, we are still SO PROUD to continue to root for you, to be your fans, to wait and see whether Sherlock survived the fateful hospital plunge.
Thank you, both of you, for reminding us what true talent and TV is. Oh, and just a warning to the entertainment world:
You's about to get your FACE rocked off. Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo. Baggins. That's all we have to say about that.
Very truly Sherlocked,
Holly and Kelly
nah, scratch that:
Dear BC, MF, and Team Sherlock,
.................
one more time:
Dear All who love Sherlock (but mostly to BC and MF because that's why we watched the Emmys last night),
Hi. Guess we gave it away now. So we watched the Emmys last night. We hates them. I mean, don't get us wrong, of course we weren't born under rocks. We're familiar with the big shows that were on: Mad Men, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Homeland, etc etc etc....BUT.
What happened last night is the very reason why we typically don't watch shows like that. Because ONE show usually sweeps all the wins. It's nothing more than a popularity contest. We're not trying to bash television...obviously, because the American people deem the aforementioned shows worthy of such an honor. But SERIOUSLY...
Mad Men had 81 nominations. EIGHTY. ONE?!?!? What the crap? That's insane. Wasn't even aware that you could be nominated for an Emmy in 81 different categories. Jeebus. Despite all of this, despite all of this big-name shows, stars, etc, that's not why we stayed up to watch the Emmys. We had one reason and one reason only:
Team Sherlock.
We waded through TWO HOURS of awards before they finally came to the "Miniseries/Movie" category. Oh, you would not believe the tension and excitement we had. Literally on the edge of our seats. But...no. Nothing.
Should we be surprised? No, I guess not. Because, like I mentioned, it's a glorified popularity contest and not much else. In the grand scheme of things, we're not really sure if you all were bummed, surprised, nonplussed, whatever, that you left empty handed. But then we got to thinking: at least you all were THERE. In LA. Next to big time stars, shows, etc etc. And for a show that has a predominantly British audience that only started a couple of years ago, that is pretty awesome.
But we know that there's more to Sherlock than just Emmy nominations. For us, it's taken us to entertainment in a level that we never knew existed. It's taken us to new places emotionally, physically, we've never related so closely to characters as this. It's more than that. You helped us to believe in true friendship, loyalty, the power of the human mind, the fragility of the human spirit, that even the most stoic and complex of individuals can be shaken to their very core and reach out to their one and only friend in their hour of need. We've laughed, we've cried, we've run down the streets of London and Baker Street right beside y'all. And we, the fans, will wait, eagerly, perhaps even a little frustrated, anxious, angry, and tense, for having to wait a year to see what will happen next. We are waiting. We are Sherlocked.
BC and MF, if there was an Emmy for passion and versatility, then you would win it, hands down, no argument. The obvious passion and versatility for your job and your utter brillance and talent you bring to Sherlock is nothing to be matched to the Emmy speeches we saw last night. If there was an Emmy for Sherlock fans, we would win it, hands down, no argument. The fan base that we see on a regular basis can't top some of the big-time shows and stars we saw last night. Because the two of you are REAL. You're RELATABLE, you're BRILLIANT, you're so GENUINE, it's refreshing to us, us that are so sick and tired of fake, plastic, superficial. So please, please know that we, and so many others, were rooting for the two of you so hard at the Emmys last night. Even though you ultimately didn't win, we are still SO PROUD to continue to root for you, to be your fans, to wait and see whether Sherlock survived the fateful hospital plunge.
Thank you, both of you, for reminding us what true talent and TV is. Oh, and just a warning to the entertainment world:
You's about to get your FACE rocked off. Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo. Baggins. That's all we have to say about that.
Very truly Sherlocked,
Holly and Kelly
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
"From the smallest beginnings come the greatest legends..."
Holly: If you are a Hobbit/Tolkien fan, watch it. If you aren't....watch it anyway because it's just that AWESOME!
NEW Hobbit Trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, and P.S: To Martin Freeman, I've always liked you, but now I just freaking LOVE you. You are the perfect Bilbo Baggins and I can't wait to see it for myself. :)
NEW Hobbit Trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, and P.S: To Martin Freeman, I've always liked you, but now I just freaking LOVE you. You are the perfect Bilbo Baggins and I can't wait to see it for myself. :)
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
College student confessions; yes, you can do it too!
Kelly: My name is Kelly Korb. I am a fifth year senior. I have never pulled an all nighter and have never skipped a meal. I have also remained relatively low-stress this year. Want to know how I did four years of that as a nursing major? I will tell you.
Set a limit of when to "shut-off": My cut off is midnight. After midnight I stop doing homework and go to bed, even if I still have work to do. Absolutely nobody is forcing you to stay up all night. Your body needs rest and the ability to recharge. You're not doing anybody any favors by overworking yourself. Also, we are not all as busy as we say we are. Are you really doing homework the ENTIRE night you're up? Doubtful. Turn off the computer, the cell phone and SLEEP.
Just EAT. Plain and simple. I hear the excuse "I don't have time to eat." Sure you do. Again, this goes back to the we are not as busy as we say we are. If you can't make it to food service, carry snacks with you to have during the day. Again, speaking from a future health care provider's stand point, your body needs food to keep you going. So like I said, you're not doing yourself any favors by skipping a meal. However, I do know some people who skip lunch just because they can function on two meals a day. Did that a lot in the summer. But if you NORMALLY eat 3 meals a day but find yourself skipping one, two or all 3 periodically, you might want to do some minor adjustments...
MOVE IT! Since May, Holly and I have been walking every night, just to do it. Neither one of us need to lose weight, but we were tired of sitting around the apartment all day. Remember hearing those kid commercials "get up and play an hour a day?" Well....do it. Again, I hear the "I don't have time to exercise" or "I can't find something I like to do." WALK. You want to know why walking is easy? Because we do it all the time! I find that ever since I've started walking every night I can't sit for longer than an hour. Nobody's doing anybody any favors by sitting around all the time. I have read study after study after study that says sitting for prolonged periods of time can be detrimental to your health.
Examine your daily schedule...and re examine as needed. This relates to the theme I've been saying. How busy are we really? Think of a typical day for you. How often do you spend doing homework? Or housework? Texting/calling people? Spending time on Facebook? You'll be surprised at what you find when you actually sit and think about it. Yeah, now that you've thought about it, you realize you're not as busy as you say you are. I'm not as busy as I say I am. But like I said: never skipped a meal or pulled an all nighter. Those were a result of choices I made, and I'm not trying to brag. I'm just saying you can make those choices too. Anyone can.
Holly: Hey...is this thing on? Ok, big college-kid lesson:
ABSOLUTELY NO ONE OR NOTHING IS FORCING YOU TO PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER!
You hear me? Need me to spell it out for you? Do an interpretive dance? Ok...good.
So stop it.
Pulling an all-nighter is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. You're screwing with your sleep schedule, you're putting unnecessary stress on your body, and if you're studying, there ain't no way in Hades that you're going to remember everything you studied. Chances are you'll be more concerned about how freaking tired you are. You don't have to. Straight up. I went through four years of Berea and never did. You know why? Because I prioritized. I made a plan of what I needed to do and I did it. Now, that goes without saying that I never didn't just DO it. Of course I procrastinated. But I goofed off when I needed to and I buckled down when I needed to. But I think more often than not, I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.
Sometimes prioritizing includes making sacrifices. That's just the way it goes. You get a text from your bestie asking to go out, but you know that you have a test on Monday and you need to study this weekend. Sometimes you have to be the big responsible grown up kid and say no to fun, your friends, etc. Bottom line: You NEED to say no to your friends sometimes. Contrary to popular belief, school is more important than hanging out with your friends. Yeah, it stinks, but when you get all your stuff done, then reward yourself. Worked wonders for me...sort of like extra incentive to trudge through all the academia.
Another thing: Listen to your body. If you've been working on homework for hours on end and you feel like you can't read another word or keep your eyes open for one more second, put the homework away and go to BED! Don't push yourself. Sometimes being a good student is knowing your limits, knowing when enough is enough. Even if you have to do more work the next day, at least you won't be falling over exhausted. For me, even just doing something small every day was enough. At least it was something!
Hey, sorry to lay on the tough love, but if you want to survive somewhere as tough as Berea, you have to work your @$$ off. Take it from someone who survived: You have to do the work. But I still had plenty of time for fun. It's all about balancing. Or drinking obscene amounts of coffee. Whichever you prefer. :)
P.S. Get some sleep. Just do it.
Set a limit of when to "shut-off": My cut off is midnight. After midnight I stop doing homework and go to bed, even if I still have work to do. Absolutely nobody is forcing you to stay up all night. Your body needs rest and the ability to recharge. You're not doing anybody any favors by overworking yourself. Also, we are not all as busy as we say we are. Are you really doing homework the ENTIRE night you're up? Doubtful. Turn off the computer, the cell phone and SLEEP.
Just EAT. Plain and simple. I hear the excuse "I don't have time to eat." Sure you do. Again, this goes back to the we are not as busy as we say we are. If you can't make it to food service, carry snacks with you to have during the day. Again, speaking from a future health care provider's stand point, your body needs food to keep you going. So like I said, you're not doing yourself any favors by skipping a meal. However, I do know some people who skip lunch just because they can function on two meals a day. Did that a lot in the summer. But if you NORMALLY eat 3 meals a day but find yourself skipping one, two or all 3 periodically, you might want to do some minor adjustments...
MOVE IT! Since May, Holly and I have been walking every night, just to do it. Neither one of us need to lose weight, but we were tired of sitting around the apartment all day. Remember hearing those kid commercials "get up and play an hour a day?" Well....do it. Again, I hear the "I don't have time to exercise" or "I can't find something I like to do." WALK. You want to know why walking is easy? Because we do it all the time! I find that ever since I've started walking every night I can't sit for longer than an hour. Nobody's doing anybody any favors by sitting around all the time. I have read study after study after study that says sitting for prolonged periods of time can be detrimental to your health.
Examine your daily schedule...and re examine as needed. This relates to the theme I've been saying. How busy are we really? Think of a typical day for you. How often do you spend doing homework? Or housework? Texting/calling people? Spending time on Facebook? You'll be surprised at what you find when you actually sit and think about it. Yeah, now that you've thought about it, you realize you're not as busy as you say you are. I'm not as busy as I say I am. But like I said: never skipped a meal or pulled an all nighter. Those were a result of choices I made, and I'm not trying to brag. I'm just saying you can make those choices too. Anyone can.
Holly: Hey...is this thing on? Ok, big college-kid lesson:
ABSOLUTELY NO ONE OR NOTHING IS FORCING YOU TO PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER!
You hear me? Need me to spell it out for you? Do an interpretive dance? Ok...good.
So stop it.
Pulling an all-nighter is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. You're screwing with your sleep schedule, you're putting unnecessary stress on your body, and if you're studying, there ain't no way in Hades that you're going to remember everything you studied. Chances are you'll be more concerned about how freaking tired you are. You don't have to. Straight up. I went through four years of Berea and never did. You know why? Because I prioritized. I made a plan of what I needed to do and I did it. Now, that goes without saying that I never didn't just DO it. Of course I procrastinated. But I goofed off when I needed to and I buckled down when I needed to. But I think more often than not, I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.
Sometimes prioritizing includes making sacrifices. That's just the way it goes. You get a text from your bestie asking to go out, but you know that you have a test on Monday and you need to study this weekend. Sometimes you have to be the big responsible grown up kid and say no to fun, your friends, etc. Bottom line: You NEED to say no to your friends sometimes. Contrary to popular belief, school is more important than hanging out with your friends. Yeah, it stinks, but when you get all your stuff done, then reward yourself. Worked wonders for me...sort of like extra incentive to trudge through all the academia.
Another thing: Listen to your body. If you've been working on homework for hours on end and you feel like you can't read another word or keep your eyes open for one more second, put the homework away and go to BED! Don't push yourself. Sometimes being a good student is knowing your limits, knowing when enough is enough. Even if you have to do more work the next day, at least you won't be falling over exhausted. For me, even just doing something small every day was enough. At least it was something!
Hey, sorry to lay on the tough love, but if you want to survive somewhere as tough as Berea, you have to work your @$$ off. Take it from someone who survived: You have to do the work. But I still had plenty of time for fun. It's all about balancing. Or drinking obscene amounts of coffee. Whichever you prefer. :)
P.S. Get some sleep. Just do it.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
EtOh....wait?
Kelly: About a week ago, Holly and I were having a talk about...alcohol. What is it about it that attracts people to it? As you all know, we are a year over the legal age in US. I've drank alcohol since I've turned 21 less than a dozen times. Now I'm not trying to brag, but moderation for me is just a preference. When I was in Scotland, my roommates would either go out to clubs/pubs or have alcohol in our apartment. I was a bit shell shocked at first (I refer to such part of the kitchen as "the corner") because in Berea it's a dry campus. You would not believe how many people asked me "how do you survive?" The smart butt in me wanted to say well I'm alive now. But in all honesty being in a dry campus doesn't even phase me.
Ok, now back to moderation. I think that drinking alcohol should be for social events in MODERATION, not a contest or spectator sport. And someone PLEASE explain to me what the deal is with turning 21 and boozing? That just doesn't sound fun to me. At all. It seems in today's culture that's the default thing to do when someone crosses the hump. I think that's why I loved my 21st birthday so much. We were all sober and had the best time. A friend of ours was going to bring a bit of booze but we politely declined and said that at our 21st birthday that wasn't going to happen. Now I'm not totally 100% against alcohol, however I am against drinking just to get drunk and completely losing control. Mostly because me knowing me I am a person that has to be in control. At all times. Now...having said that, Friday night my parents were here and we went to O'Charley's. And yes, I had a margarita. It was quite tasty, but I was in a controlled environment with people that I trust.
This brings me to my last point. A while ago in Sunday School we did a series called "Guardrails" by Andy Stanley. Long story short, but as a Christian I have established a set of guardrails for myself; and yes one of them involves alcohol. Ironically this study was done shortly after I got back from Scotland. While I was there, there were a few situations where I wanted to "fit in" with my roommates. And that would have involved doing things/drinking things I normally don't. But I didn't. I realize now that one of my guardrails is simply avoiding situations in which I might lose control. And I don't regret it. At all. Now if you get something out of this, it's just maybe I don't understand. I really don't understand the point of getting completely out of control with yourself...just to drink and "have fun." I'm serious...WHAT is the appeal?
Holly: Here's my stance on the issue. I am not against alcohol. Period. I think it is a very enjoyable, social, and relaxing thing....when used responsibly. If you want to go home after a long day of work and plop down on the couch with a glass of vino, go for it. If you and some friends want to get together and shoot the breeze over a pitcher of margaritas, have fun. But what I don't understand is what is so appealing about drinking to the point of blacking out, acting like a blubbering fool, and not remembering a single friggin' thing of what went on. On more than one occasion I've had friends tell me "oh one night I'm just going to get totally s***-faced" and I just ask WHY???? Why do you want to risk harming yourself, others, your body, etc?? Not to mention just how quickly things can go south if you aren't in control. Which you aren't, p.s. And I'm with Kelly on this: if you are into that kind of thing and you want to tell me the appeal to it all, please feel free to do so. You will be welcomed with unbiased ears.
Personally, I enjoy a ridiculously fruity margarita every now and then (much like the one I had on Friday). At our apartment we'll have some Smirnoff ices in our fridge once in a while. I think drinking in moderation is totally ok. Not to brag, but I can count on one hand the number of times I've had a drink (an ENTIRE one) since being of legal age. And I'm not saying this to be a stuck-up snob, saying "Oh, well she's too good for alcohol." No. That isn't it. I'm just saying I've made a choice to moderation, which has kept me on track for choosing moderation in other food choices in my life (which must mean I'm doing something right: down 8 lbs since April, w00t). But anyway, next time you call me up and ask "Hey, let's go have dinner and I'll buy you a drink," just say when and where. But if you call me up and say "Hey, let's just go totally lose our )*(^*%&^*&^*&^*^&#*&$^@ and get schnockered and what not", I'm going to have to politely decline.
Ok, now back to moderation. I think that drinking alcohol should be for social events in MODERATION, not a contest or spectator sport. And someone PLEASE explain to me what the deal is with turning 21 and boozing? That just doesn't sound fun to me. At all. It seems in today's culture that's the default thing to do when someone crosses the hump. I think that's why I loved my 21st birthday so much. We were all sober and had the best time. A friend of ours was going to bring a bit of booze but we politely declined and said that at our 21st birthday that wasn't going to happen. Now I'm not totally 100% against alcohol, however I am against drinking just to get drunk and completely losing control. Mostly because me knowing me I am a person that has to be in control. At all times. Now...having said that, Friday night my parents were here and we went to O'Charley's. And yes, I had a margarita. It was quite tasty, but I was in a controlled environment with people that I trust.
This brings me to my last point. A while ago in Sunday School we did a series called "Guardrails" by Andy Stanley. Long story short, but as a Christian I have established a set of guardrails for myself; and yes one of them involves alcohol. Ironically this study was done shortly after I got back from Scotland. While I was there, there were a few situations where I wanted to "fit in" with my roommates. And that would have involved doing things/drinking things I normally don't. But I didn't. I realize now that one of my guardrails is simply avoiding situations in which I might lose control. And I don't regret it. At all. Now if you get something out of this, it's just maybe I don't understand. I really don't understand the point of getting completely out of control with yourself...just to drink and "have fun." I'm serious...WHAT is the appeal?
Holly: Here's my stance on the issue. I am not against alcohol. Period. I think it is a very enjoyable, social, and relaxing thing....when used responsibly. If you want to go home after a long day of work and plop down on the couch with a glass of vino, go for it. If you and some friends want to get together and shoot the breeze over a pitcher of margaritas, have fun. But what I don't understand is what is so appealing about drinking to the point of blacking out, acting like a blubbering fool, and not remembering a single friggin' thing of what went on. On more than one occasion I've had friends tell me "oh one night I'm just going to get totally s***-faced" and I just ask WHY???? Why do you want to risk harming yourself, others, your body, etc?? Not to mention just how quickly things can go south if you aren't in control. Which you aren't, p.s. And I'm with Kelly on this: if you are into that kind of thing and you want to tell me the appeal to it all, please feel free to do so. You will be welcomed with unbiased ears.
Personally, I enjoy a ridiculously fruity margarita every now and then (much like the one I had on Friday). At our apartment we'll have some Smirnoff ices in our fridge once in a while. I think drinking in moderation is totally ok. Not to brag, but I can count on one hand the number of times I've had a drink (an ENTIRE one) since being of legal age. And I'm not saying this to be a stuck-up snob, saying "Oh, well she's too good for alcohol." No. That isn't it. I'm just saying I've made a choice to moderation, which has kept me on track for choosing moderation in other food choices in my life (which must mean I'm doing something right: down 8 lbs since April, w00t). But anyway, next time you call me up and ask "Hey, let's go have dinner and I'll buy you a drink," just say when and where. But if you call me up and say "Hey, let's just go totally lose our )*(^*%&^*&^*&^*^&#*&$^@ and get schnockered and what not", I'm going to have to politely decline.
Friday, September 7, 2012
A Love Letter to College Freshmen
Holly and Kelly: This started circulating on Facebook earlier this afternoon....wow. Hits it right on the money. So poignant, funny, true, lovely...please take the time to read it. You will be inspired. :)
http://www.moreloveletters.com/2012/08/25/a-love-letter-to-college-freshmen/
http://www.moreloveletters.com/2012/08/25/a-love-letter-to-college-freshmen/
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Miss Independent?
Kelly: On Thursday, as on typical Berea Thursdays, I attended the opening convocation of the semester. As a tradition, the President opens. Well, ever since July, the college has had a new President. Dr. Roelof's convo was AWESOME. It was simply titled "Why Berea?" As I was listening and after it was over, it gave me the opportunity to reflect on why I went to Berea. I would need like a zillion blog posts to answer that question, but for the content of tonight's blog I'm going to focus on one key part of why I went to Berea. Simple; when I first thought about coming all I wanted to do was be more independent. I WANTED to be away from home, just to experience it. And it did. Berea has taught me independence and then some. Ever since May, I have really had to hone in on those independence skills.
As you all know, Holly and I have had our own place since May. The wonderful times have lapped the somewhat stressful, but at times it has not been easy. We have had our share of struggles and have wondered how we're going to make it till next month at times. But for the most part, things have been really good. Only by the grace of God in my opinion. Anyway, Berea basically gave me a job and my own dorm and said "here's a roof over your head. Here's a job. Here's a full course load. Manage your time, manage your money and don't get kicked out. And we'll give you a good education." Wow. Honestly, a pretty good trade off if you ask me. And ever since we've had issues around our place, we've been the ones to take care of them, well, because we have to. Otherwise they won't get resolved. Yeah being on my own has been awesome but there is no more hand holding. So I will close with this; to those of you who are thinking about moving out and being on your own...think about it at first. REALLY think about it. Where Holly and I are now took MONTHS of careful planning. Also, be willing to make those financial sacrifices, because my goodness they WILL happen. And don't rush! It may sound like a good idea in your head, but don't wait until it's too late before you realize that you're not going to be able to handle it. But remember; decisions like this are never easy. And Holly and I realize we are not alone, which has made this so much more easier to handle.
Holly: Yeah...the months of planning, that's not an exaggeration, either. I think it was back in November of 2011 that we started looking at places. We were calling places by February. In making a big step such as moving out of your parent's house, if you want it, you have to want it bad enough to take the initiative and put in the work and effort. Going back on the subject of Berea, I also learned that if you want to leave something there, if you want to make something of yourself there, you also have to do just that: take the initiative and put in the work and effort.
Dr. Roelof's convo, in the grand scheme of things, honestly really didn't apply to me, but I walked away inspired and challenged as well. What Berea taught me in terms of being independent and having pride in my work has really shaped me into propelling forward as an adult. There really is no room for hand holding. If things go screwy, Mommy and Daddy can't bail you out. Sometimes I still struggle with that. But at the same time, Mommy and Daddy aren't watching your every move. If you want to go on a shopping spree, then by all means. If you want to sleep until noon every day, more power to you. If you want to go 3 weeks without doing laundry........well, ok? Anyway, being on your own literally means being on your own. You have the power to make decisions...
But I must also add, being on your own does give you the power to make decisions, but please exercise caution, because it is a GREAT deal of power and responsibility. Proceed with caution. It can be toxic, and a lot of things can go wrong very quickly. You are responsible for you now. Remember that if you're borderlining about taking the leap into independence.
As you all know, Holly and I have had our own place since May. The wonderful times have lapped the somewhat stressful, but at times it has not been easy. We have had our share of struggles and have wondered how we're going to make it till next month at times. But for the most part, things have been really good. Only by the grace of God in my opinion. Anyway, Berea basically gave me a job and my own dorm and said "here's a roof over your head. Here's a job. Here's a full course load. Manage your time, manage your money and don't get kicked out. And we'll give you a good education." Wow. Honestly, a pretty good trade off if you ask me. And ever since we've had issues around our place, we've been the ones to take care of them, well, because we have to. Otherwise they won't get resolved. Yeah being on my own has been awesome but there is no more hand holding. So I will close with this; to those of you who are thinking about moving out and being on your own...think about it at first. REALLY think about it. Where Holly and I are now took MONTHS of careful planning. Also, be willing to make those financial sacrifices, because my goodness they WILL happen. And don't rush! It may sound like a good idea in your head, but don't wait until it's too late before you realize that you're not going to be able to handle it. But remember; decisions like this are never easy. And Holly and I realize we are not alone, which has made this so much more easier to handle.
Holly: Yeah...the months of planning, that's not an exaggeration, either. I think it was back in November of 2011 that we started looking at places. We were calling places by February. In making a big step such as moving out of your parent's house, if you want it, you have to want it bad enough to take the initiative and put in the work and effort. Going back on the subject of Berea, I also learned that if you want to leave something there, if you want to make something of yourself there, you also have to do just that: take the initiative and put in the work and effort.
Dr. Roelof's convo, in the grand scheme of things, honestly really didn't apply to me, but I walked away inspired and challenged as well. What Berea taught me in terms of being independent and having pride in my work has really shaped me into propelling forward as an adult. There really is no room for hand holding. If things go screwy, Mommy and Daddy can't bail you out. Sometimes I still struggle with that. But at the same time, Mommy and Daddy aren't watching your every move. If you want to go on a shopping spree, then by all means. If you want to sleep until noon every day, more power to you. If you want to go 3 weeks without doing laundry........well, ok? Anyway, being on your own literally means being on your own. You have the power to make decisions...
But I must also add, being on your own does give you the power to make decisions, but please exercise caution, because it is a GREAT deal of power and responsibility. Proceed with caution. It can be toxic, and a lot of things can go wrong very quickly. You are responsible for you now. Remember that if you're borderlining about taking the leap into independence.
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