I eat way too much candy. I can't help it I guess I have a sweet tooth. I've never gained any weight from it to my knowledge, but I know it isn't healthy to put all those over processed chemicals into my body.
Sometimes my mom hides my candy from me. She says it isn't healthy for me to eat so much sugar. I know she is trying to help me, but I always become livid when she does this. I need to make the decision to not eat as much candy myself. I'm old enough to make my own decisions about what foods I eat and the rebellious part of me tells me to eat more candy because she does this.
This experience is making me understand what my dad goes through when we nag him about eating healthier. I remember him sometimes eating in the closet, because he didn't want us to nag him. He is overweight and we just want him to live longer. But nagging him isn't helping him. He needs to make the decision on his own.
Recently he started eating healthier and was inspired to lose weight, because my uncle died from clogged arteries. He needed something to remind him why it is important for him to do lose weight and than he made up his mind. We couldn't make the decision for him just like my mom can't make the decision for me to eat less candy. Maybe I need an incentive not to each as much candy. Hopefully not as drastic as a family member dieing, but maybe something like finding out candy actually causes pimples.
Have you ever had people nag you about doing something and try to force you do something? Does candy actually cause pimples?
February 11, 2008
February 09, 2008
I'm Too Scared To Drive
I turn sixteen in a few months and I still don't have my permit. Most people my age get their permit the second they turn fifteen, but I've been putting it off. I'm worried I'll regret it when I'm older and wish I'd gotten my license earlier. But I just can't bring myself to get my permit for one reason: I don't want to be responsible for people's lives.
I'm worried that I'll hurt people I care about if I drive. Each time I'm behind the wheel and my friends are with me their lives are in my hands. My mom constantly tells me the story of her friend's daughter who got in a car crash as a teenager and is now a vegetble. In some ways that story is keeping me from driving. What if I were to kill my friend? I don't know if I would be able to live with that pain. Seeing my friend in a wheel chair or in a coma and knowing it was my fault is not something I want to live with.
All the other drivers around me are in danger when I drive. If I make a mistake I could kill an innocent person I never met. One mistake and their life could be over. I can't even think about death that was out of my control let alone one that I caused.
What if one night I made a mistake and had a drink before I got behind the wheel? I know someone who got drunk driving charges and it changed their life. They lost their job and put their marriage in turmoil. Thankfully, no one was injured. But someone easily could have. I'm scared that I'll make that mistake and have to live with for the rest of my life.
This is part of what is keeping me from driving. I don't want to be responsible for other people's lives. I don't want to have to live with the guilt of injuring someone else. Did you have this worry when you started driving? How did you get over it? Any tips or ideas? I know it is good to be aware, but not to the point where you are too fearful to drive.
I'm worried that I'll hurt people I care about if I drive. Each time I'm behind the wheel and my friends are with me their lives are in my hands. My mom constantly tells me the story of her friend's daughter who got in a car crash as a teenager and is now a vegetble. In some ways that story is keeping me from driving. What if I were to kill my friend? I don't know if I would be able to live with that pain. Seeing my friend in a wheel chair or in a coma and knowing it was my fault is not something I want to live with.
All the other drivers around me are in danger when I drive. If I make a mistake I could kill an innocent person I never met. One mistake and their life could be over. I can't even think about death that was out of my control let alone one that I caused.
What if one night I made a mistake and had a drink before I got behind the wheel? I know someone who got drunk driving charges and it changed their life. They lost their job and put their marriage in turmoil. Thankfully, no one was injured. But someone easily could have. I'm scared that I'll make that mistake and have to live with for the rest of my life.
This is part of what is keeping me from driving. I don't want to be responsible for other people's lives. I don't want to have to live with the guilt of injuring someone else. Did you have this worry when you started driving? How did you get over it? Any tips or ideas? I know it is good to be aware, but not to the point where you are too fearful to drive.
February 06, 2008
Methods For Figuring Out If a Guy Is Romantically Interested
Have you ever wondered if someone had a crush on you, but couldn't ask them to their face? This happens to me all the time. The most surefire way to find out is to flat out ask the person. However, I won't ever ask, because I don't want to take the chance of my heart getting broken. I prefer for the guy to make the first move. These are the methods I use to figure out whether or not he is interested.
He gets upset or jealous when you talk about other guys. The guy says things like, "He's not good for you." or "You deserve better." about every guy you say you are interested in. He might be romantically interested in you if he gets quiet when you talk about guys you think are hot if he is characteristically loud.
To experiment: When you are with him casually comment on how another guy is. Gauge his reaction. If he is unfazed he is either not into you or is hiding it. If he doesn't say anything it might be a sign he doesn't know what to say.
He finds any excuse to touch you. I don't mean sexually. It can be anything from examining a cut on your finger to his hands lingering when he passes you a pencil. He might just be a touchy feely person. So, this isn't a definite sign. Just pay attention to how much he touches people you are sure he isn't romantically inclined to and compare that to how he acts around you.
How does he maintain eye contact? This method will only be accurate if you compare how he maintains eye contact with other people. Compare how me maintains eye contact with other girls, because he just may not be comfortable around girls. If he shyly glances away a lot, but looks other girls in the eye than he is probably interested in you. If the two of you maintain an intense eye connection and when he talks to other girls it isn't usually that intense that that may be a sign.
As I said before none of these methods are surefire, but it can help gauge whether or not he interested in you. How do you tell if a guy or girl is interested in you? Do you use other methods? Did these methods work for you?
He gets upset or jealous when you talk about other guys. The guy says things like, "He's not good for you." or "You deserve better." about every guy you say you are interested in. He might be romantically interested in you if he gets quiet when you talk about guys you think are hot if he is characteristically loud.
To experiment: When you are with him casually comment on how another guy is. Gauge his reaction. If he is unfazed he is either not into you or is hiding it. If he doesn't say anything it might be a sign he doesn't know what to say.
He finds any excuse to touch you. I don't mean sexually. It can be anything from examining a cut on your finger to his hands lingering when he passes you a pencil. He might just be a touchy feely person. So, this isn't a definite sign. Just pay attention to how much he touches people you are sure he isn't romantically inclined to and compare that to how he acts around you.
How does he maintain eye contact? This method will only be accurate if you compare how he maintains eye contact with other people. Compare how me maintains eye contact with other girls, because he just may not be comfortable around girls. If he shyly glances away a lot, but looks other girls in the eye than he is probably interested in you. If the two of you maintain an intense eye connection and when he talks to other girls it isn't usually that intense that that may be a sign.
As I said before none of these methods are surefire, but it can help gauge whether or not he interested in you. How do you tell if a guy or girl is interested in you? Do you use other methods? Did these methods work for you?
February 04, 2008
What To Do When The Pain Of Holding Things In Overwhelms You
Sometimes when I'm bottling things up I feel like my body is going to burst from all the pressure. The pain can be from anything. Usually I feel this way, because I'm holding back tears or anger. These are my methods of calming and distracting myself.
Get some exercise. The endorphins make you feel better. I feel better when I'm moving, because I feel like I'm going somewhere instead of being stuck in a rut. It distracts me from my thoughts, because I'm focusing on what is happening physically. Some exercises are soothing, because they have a pattern. Two examples are rowing or yoga. You go through the same exercises over and over.
Listen to music. Its a relief to listen to music that echoes what you are feeling. It reminds me that I am not alone and others are going through this. When I feel like screaming I turn on music that screams, too. I'm not a fan of screamo music, but sometimes I can't scream in the place I'm in. Listening to screamo is the second best thing if you can't scream when you feel like it.
Tell someone how you are feeling. It is hard for me to tell someone when I'm in pain. Most people think I have the perfect life, because I never let anyone know when something is wrong. It's hard to trust people, but it is for the best. It lets you get everything you are feeling off your chest. It is better to share your pain with someone than alone.
Cry. Don't hold in the tears. If you are like me and won't cry in front of people unless you trust them than go in private and cry. Or cry with someone you trust. Someone who will cry with you or comfort you.
Don't continue doing stuff like nothing is wrong when you are upset. Your pain will only grow and you will probably do something you regret like lash out at someone you love.
Get some exercise. The endorphins make you feel better. I feel better when I'm moving, because I feel like I'm going somewhere instead of being stuck in a rut. It distracts me from my thoughts, because I'm focusing on what is happening physically. Some exercises are soothing, because they have a pattern. Two examples are rowing or yoga. You go through the same exercises over and over.
Listen to music. Its a relief to listen to music that echoes what you are feeling. It reminds me that I am not alone and others are going through this. When I feel like screaming I turn on music that screams, too. I'm not a fan of screamo music, but sometimes I can't scream in the place I'm in. Listening to screamo is the second best thing if you can't scream when you feel like it.
Tell someone how you are feeling. It is hard for me to tell someone when I'm in pain. Most people think I have the perfect life, because I never let anyone know when something is wrong. It's hard to trust people, but it is for the best. It lets you get everything you are feeling off your chest. It is better to share your pain with someone than alone.
Cry. Don't hold in the tears. If you are like me and won't cry in front of people unless you trust them than go in private and cry. Or cry with someone you trust. Someone who will cry with you or comfort you.
Don't continue doing stuff like nothing is wrong when you are upset. Your pain will only grow and you will probably do something you regret like lash out at someone you love.
February 02, 2008
Simultaneously Improve Your Vocabulary and Feed Starving People
The other day I came upon a site called Free Rice. The objective is simple: Play a vocabulary game that helps end world hunger. For every question you answer correctly the site donates 20 grains of rice. When I came upon the site I thought it was a nice idea, but wasn't sure if it was a legitimate. However, after some researched I have learned that the non profit site donates all of the money it receives from advertisers to the United Nations' World Food Programme who use the money to feed starving people rice.
You may be wondering how this affects you. It is a nice cause, but I'm sure you are wondering whether it is worth investing your time in. The answer is yes. As a high school student I am constantly being pressured to improve my vocabulary level by my teachers and principals. My first instinct when some pressures me to do something is to do the opposite, but they actually have a point.
In high school we are constantly remind of the SAT. We need to get decent scores to get into the prestige colleges we are interested in. This site can improve your vocabulary, which will help you with on the critical reading portion. Wouldn't you rather play a game than read a SAT book?
Reading is inevitable in high school. In every subject you need to be able to read from physics to history. You will be able to read faster if you have a larger vocabulary, because your comprehension will be better. Also, you will have better test scores, because you will be able to understand all the words in the questions.
I encourage you to check out the site. To quote the site: "Improving your vocabulary can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself.
You may be wondering how this affects you. It is a nice cause, but I'm sure you are wondering whether it is worth investing your time in. The answer is yes. As a high school student I am constantly being pressured to improve my vocabulary level by my teachers and principals. My first instinct when some pressures me to do something is to do the opposite, but they actually have a point.
In high school we are constantly remind of the SAT. We need to get decent scores to get into the prestige colleges we are interested in. This site can improve your vocabulary, which will help you with on the critical reading portion. Wouldn't you rather play a game than read a SAT book?
Reading is inevitable in high school. In every subject you need to be able to read from physics to history. You will be able to read faster if you have a larger vocabulary, because your comprehension will be better. Also, you will have better test scores, because you will be able to understand all the words in the questions.
I encourage you to check out the site. To quote the site: "Improving your vocabulary can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself.
January 31, 2008
A Thumbnail of January's Posts
I decided to make a monthly archive, so you can easily skim through and read what you are interested in. In the archive I will give brief descriptions and links to each of the posts from the months. Also, at the end of the archive I will write about what has occurred during the blog in the month.
I Have Trust Issues- This was my first post on the blog and it was one where I really expressed all the emotions I've been feeling lately. Maybe you can relate to having trust issues due to betrayals. Or maybe it can help you understand why one of your friends has trouble with trust.
Fashion and I = Oil and Vinegar- This was my friend Isabel's first post who is no longer writing here. She goes into detail about how she feels uncomfortable wearing the latest fashions, because she doesn't believe she has the right body type to wear them. Everyone has something about their body they wish to change no matter how physically attractive they are.
My Mask of Serenity- Have you ever felt like you have a wall hiding your emotions? I feel this way every day when I'm at school. When I get home all my pent up emotions I ignored burst out of me. I know this isn't the right way to deal with my emotions, but I don't know any other way. Any ideas on how I could stop being this way or do you experience the same thing?
Exams- This is the final post by Isabel. She wrote about concerned about her grades, because there is a correlation between good grades and a good paying job. Have you ever felt the stress to get good grades?
Why Freshmen Shouldn't Date Upper Classmen- I'm always revolted when I find out there is a male upper classman and a female freshman going out. I feel pity for the freshman, because she is inevitably going to get her heart broken. The two of them are on two completely different levels and it just isn't fair to either of them.
Why Going Outside Your Comfort Zone Is Worthwhile- Whenever I go outside my comfort zone I am terrified. However, I go through with it, because I remind myself of these listed reasons. Whenever you feel nervous about going outside your comfort zone you can remind yourself why it is worth it.
Isabel Is No Longer a Writer For This Blog- I began this blog with two authors and now at the end of month I am the only one remaining. To have a blog you need passion and time. Isabel had neither of those. I also wrote some changes the blog would have. Have you ever parted ways with a business partner or blog contributor? Did things turn out the way it did for me and Isabel.
Three Reasons I'll Never Use Myspace Again- I was an avid Myspace user twice. Each time after deleting my accounts I promised myself to never use it again. I'm glad I kept my promise the second time. It hurts me to remember how I petty I was when I used Myspace. I had internet fights over that I posted in bulletins for the entire world to see. It was immature of me and I'm glad I'm no longer using it. An Unsuspecting Notebook linked to this post and expanded on it. Check out the post on their blog if you want a good companion article to this.
A Letter From A Child I've Never Met Is Making Me Appreciate Life- One day I got home and received a letter. This letter was from a girl I sponsor that I’ve never met or even wrote to once. She drew me a picture and took the time out of her day to write to me with love and kindness. Her selflessness made me realize how much I could learn from an elementary school student who doesn't even speak the same language as me.
I can't believe this blog was created less than a month ago! This blog has gone through so many changes. I began this blog with two authors, but now there is only one left. I began this blog on wordpress.com, but decided to move it to blogger. I did this, because wordpress wouldn't allow me to utilize entrecard. The blog has gone through numerous changes, but as the month comes to a close I am content with the posts and the blog in general.
I wrote about some changes in the post talking about why Isabel is leaving. However, I have one more I want to add. I want to get my own domain name. This goal doesn't have a time limit, but eventually I want to reach this goal. I want to recoup the costs of my blog, so I need some advice. Should I go for it now and take a loss, or wait until I'll be able recoup the costs?
I Have Trust Issues- This was my first post on the blog and it was one where I really expressed all the emotions I've been feeling lately. Maybe you can relate to having trust issues due to betrayals. Or maybe it can help you understand why one of your friends has trouble with trust.
Fashion and I = Oil and Vinegar- This was my friend Isabel's first post who is no longer writing here. She goes into detail about how she feels uncomfortable wearing the latest fashions, because she doesn't believe she has the right body type to wear them. Everyone has something about their body they wish to change no matter how physically attractive they are.
My Mask of Serenity- Have you ever felt like you have a wall hiding your emotions? I feel this way every day when I'm at school. When I get home all my pent up emotions I ignored burst out of me. I know this isn't the right way to deal with my emotions, but I don't know any other way. Any ideas on how I could stop being this way or do you experience the same thing?
Exams- This is the final post by Isabel. She wrote about concerned about her grades, because there is a correlation between good grades and a good paying job. Have you ever felt the stress to get good grades?
Why Freshmen Shouldn't Date Upper Classmen- I'm always revolted when I find out there is a male upper classman and a female freshman going out. I feel pity for the freshman, because she is inevitably going to get her heart broken. The two of them are on two completely different levels and it just isn't fair to either of them.
Why Going Outside Your Comfort Zone Is Worthwhile- Whenever I go outside my comfort zone I am terrified. However, I go through with it, because I remind myself of these listed reasons. Whenever you feel nervous about going outside your comfort zone you can remind yourself why it is worth it.
Isabel Is No Longer a Writer For This Blog- I began this blog with two authors and now at the end of month I am the only one remaining. To have a blog you need passion and time. Isabel had neither of those. I also wrote some changes the blog would have. Have you ever parted ways with a business partner or blog contributor? Did things turn out the way it did for me and Isabel.
Three Reasons I'll Never Use Myspace Again- I was an avid Myspace user twice. Each time after deleting my accounts I promised myself to never use it again. I'm glad I kept my promise the second time. It hurts me to remember how I petty I was when I used Myspace. I had internet fights over that I posted in bulletins for the entire world to see. It was immature of me and I'm glad I'm no longer using it. An Unsuspecting Notebook linked to this post and expanded on it. Check out the post on their blog if you want a good companion article to this.
A Letter From A Child I've Never Met Is Making Me Appreciate Life- One day I got home and received a letter. This letter was from a girl I sponsor that I’ve never met or even wrote to once. She drew me a picture and took the time out of her day to write to me with love and kindness. Her selflessness made me realize how much I could learn from an elementary school student who doesn't even speak the same language as me.
I can't believe this blog was created less than a month ago! This blog has gone through so many changes. I began this blog with two authors, but now there is only one left. I began this blog on wordpress.com, but decided to move it to blogger. I did this, because wordpress wouldn't allow me to utilize entrecard. The blog has gone through numerous changes, but as the month comes to a close I am content with the posts and the blog in general.
I wrote about some changes in the post talking about why Isabel is leaving. However, I have one more I want to add. I want to get my own domain name. This goal doesn't have a time limit, but eventually I want to reach this goal. I want to recoup the costs of my blog, so I need some advice. Should I go for it now and take a loss, or wait until I'll be able recoup the costs?
January 29, 2008
A Letter From A Child I've Never Met Is Making Me Appreciate Life
Yesterday I received a letter that made my day. It was from the impoverished child in Thailand who I had chosen to sponsor. When I first began sponsoring her I was supposed to write a letter introducing myself. Sadly, I never got around to it.
Yesterday I was really sore from crew and all I could think about was taking a nice long shower and going on the computer. When I opened the letter the first thing I saw was a hand drawn picture. I felt a sense of awe as a gazed at the picture of three girls colored in crayons. I just couldn't get over the fact that someone had taken time out of their day to draw a picture for me. Someone they never met. Someone who hadn't taken the time to even write to them.
I realized how consumed I had become in my own personal issues. All I was able to see was high school and my after school activities. I realized how much I took for granted: my computer, the mall, cars, ect. I had so much and yet I didn't even fully appreciate it. I have a feeling this child doesn't even know what a computer is let alone a blog.
This elementary student reminded me what a magnificent thing love is and that we don't need all these material items to be happy. She was ecstatic that I had chosen to sponsor her. But as I read the letter I felt was the lucky one. This fourth grader could teach me so much about life.
If you are interested in also sponsoring a child please go to the Compassion website. You can choose from a variety of children and it may change your life. Helping someone is the best feeling in world. Even if you can't sponsor a child than try to go out of your way today to help someone. You won't regret it.
Yesterday I was really sore from crew and all I could think about was taking a nice long shower and going on the computer. When I opened the letter the first thing I saw was a hand drawn picture. I felt a sense of awe as a gazed at the picture of three girls colored in crayons. I just couldn't get over the fact that someone had taken time out of their day to draw a picture for me. Someone they never met. Someone who hadn't taken the time to even write to them.
I realized how consumed I had become in my own personal issues. All I was able to see was high school and my after school activities. I realized how much I took for granted: my computer, the mall, cars, ect. I had so much and yet I didn't even fully appreciate it. I have a feeling this child doesn't even know what a computer is let alone a blog.
This elementary student reminded me what a magnificent thing love is and that we don't need all these material items to be happy. She was ecstatic that I had chosen to sponsor her. But as I read the letter I felt was the lucky one. This fourth grader could teach me so much about life.
If you are interested in also sponsoring a child please go to the Compassion website. You can choose from a variety of children and it may change your life. Helping someone is the best feeling in world. Even if you can't sponsor a child than try to go out of your way today to help someone. You won't regret it.
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