Skirts And Converse

I can officially do a summersault now.

Granted, I basically do a 360 in the air and then smack down…. but whatevs.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the changing dynamic between men and women and the prevalence of sexism in today’s society. (Of course, we talked about this in my Coming of Age in Literature class.) I keep tossing around the idea of how far we’ve come exactly and how far we should go in terms of gender equality and I think I’ve reached a verdict.

Sexism still exists, though it’s starting to come from the very people that campaign against it.

I’m talking about the people that bash “stay at home” Moms for “doing nothing” with their lives or their potential. Because we are modern women with rights and options, people feel as though these opportunities are wasted if we just revert to staying at home and taking care of children. Why belittle the women that want to take on the excruciatingly hard task of homemaking? If anything, feminists everywhere should be praising such women! By being disgusted with the girl that only wants to get married, have babies, and stay at home, we are bringing an entirely new and awful type of sexism. That being said, the girl that never wants to get married and become a powerful leader in her profession is just as productive. Feminists cutting down other women just doesn’t make sense to me. 

Of course, the more “traditional” version of sexism is apparent. Men still make more money than women, objectification is rampant, and you still get the occasional jerk with some smart-ass comment. I think the difference is that the majority of people are aware of the unfair assumptions and the “good guys” acknowledge that the stupid comments are wrong. On the flip side, women aren’t the only ones that face sexism. Boys are made fun of for doing “girly” activities and if a guy is too sensitive people wonder if he’s gay or not. That’s not right either, but what do we do about it?

Ideally, it would be lovely if men and women were taken as individuals instead of lumped together into two limiting categories.

Don’t think the stay at home mom is wasting her time. Don’t assume the nice guy is gay. Don’t think that women are better than men or men are better than women or that one should only stick to doing, or not doing, certain things. 

Let’s keep moving forward. 

Alrighty, I’d like to clear some things up.

I’m relatively verbal about the fact that I don’t drink and never plan to start. A lot of you may read this and roll your eyes; it does sound ridiculous, doesn’t it? It doesn’t mean that I don’t “party” and it definitely doesn’t mean that I look down upon people who do drink. 

Let’s say that again.

I do not care if people drink. It doesn’t upset me, it doesn’t bother me, it doesn’t make me uncomfortable, and I don’t think that I’m better than anyone else because I don’t drink. 

I do not give a shit.

Seriously people, it’s a personal decision. I’m psychotic about my thoughts, I overanalyze everything and I don’t like to let that go. It terrifies me. I’m ditzy and free enough without it, why do I need it? I’d be a freaking mess if I drank, and no one needs to see that.

Another myth I’d like to debunk is the idea that I just haven’t been exposed to alcohol enough to know any different. That is a joke.

Alcoholism is rampant in my family. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen family members puking, passing out, being ridiculous, (and absolutely hilarious) or just having a good time while drinking. I was always that one little kid in a mix of drunken adults. As disturbing as it sometimes was, it taught me a lot about myself. I’m just not made for drinking. 

Let me also emphasis that I had access to easy alcohol and it just never interested me. That being said, I don’t think I’m so fantastic because I “avoided temptation” or anything. It doesn’t make me stronger just because I avoided something I never wanted in the first place. Does that make sense? It’s like saying that someone who doesn’t like chocolate is amazing because they never eat it. 

ANYWAY….

 I have gone to parties here (Hahaha, foam party!!!) and I have a really good time! My friends drink and I don’t and it’s fine. No one cares, or random people just automatically assume that I’m drinking anyway. So, for those of you that are worried about being pressured into drinking, stop! It’s not difficult at all to avoid drinking if you want to. 

Going back to an earlier point, I want to stress that I do not put myself on a shining pedestal above the “awful, horrible” people that drink. It makes me upset to think that others have thought that about me, though I can see where people get that impression.

Alrighty…. well, that’s my spiel of the day. 

/End rant.

confidedinmewasyourheart:

Graduated High School. Kissed someone. Smoked a cigarette. Got so drunk you passed out. Rode every ride at an amusement park. Collected something really stupid. Gone to a rock concert. Helped someone. Gone fishing. Watched four movies in one night. Gone long periods of time with out sleep. Lied to someone. Snorted cocaine. Failed a class. Smoked weed. Dealt drugs. Been in a car accident. Been in a tornado. Done hard drugs (i.e. ecstasy, crack, meth, acid). Watched someone die. Been to a funeral. Burned yourself. Ran a marathon. Cried yourself to sleep. Spent over $200 in one day. Flown on a plane. Cheated on someone. Been cheated on. Written a 10 page letter. Gone skiing. Been sailing. Cut yourself. Had a best friend. Lost someone you loved. Shoplifted something. Been to jail. Dangerously close to being in jail. Had detention. Skipped school. Got in trouble for something you didn’t do. Stolen books from the library. Gone to a different country. Dropped out of school. Been in a mental hospital. Watched the “Harry Potter” movies. Had an online diary. Fired a gun. Gambled in a casino. Had a yard sale. Had a lemonade stand. Actually made money at the lemonade stand. Been in a school play. Been fired from a job. Taken a lie detector test. Swam with dolphins. Gone to sea world. Voted for someone on a reality TV show. Written poetry. Read more than 20 books a year. Gone to Europe. Loved someone you shouldn’t have. Used a coloring book over age 12. Had surgery. Had stitches. Taken a taxi. Seen the Washington Monument. Had more than 5 IM’s/online conversations going at once. Overdosed. Had a drug or alcohol problem. Been in a fist fight. Suffered any form of abuse. Had a hamster. Pet a wild animal. Used a credit card. Gone surfing in California. Did “spirit day” at school. Dyed your hair. Got a tattoo. Had something pierced. Got straight A’s. Been on the Honor Roll. Known someone with HIV or AIDS. Taken pictures with a webcam. Started a fire. Gotten caught having/going to a party while parents were gone.

Yeah, it doesn’t exist.

Yeah, I’m planning on an English Major…

Recently I’ve seen a lot of tumblr posts and reblogs of supposed “nerdfighters”* tearing down other people and their opinions. I found this most recently on a reblog of a video called, “Twilight- Science vs Religion. I then saw posts from other people saying things like, “brb, killing this muggle”, “some people need shooting”, and “I hate this girl so much, she has no valid reasons to support Twilight.”

With comments like those, I expected to click on the video and see some girl screaming erratically at the camera about how Twilight is the best literature she’s ever read and how anyone who thinks otherwise could die in a ditch or something. What I saw instead was a girl expressing her opinions and theories about how Meyer presented an evolutionary version of the vampire and did therefore did not destroy the image of a true vampire. While I think that Twilight is a piece of poop in the world of literature and didn’t agree with the girl’s views at all, I saw where she was coming from. The video didn’t make me want to kill someone or become so enraged to leave nasty comments about how the girl looks like “Forever Alone” (The ugly rock headed guy meme, google it). However, the disgusting comments made me pretty pissed off.

HELLO PEOPLE, nerdfighteria is supposed to be about being awesome. Are you awesome if you’re spending your time tearing down other people’s opinions just because they have to do with a book you don’t like? Behaving like obnoxious idiots over tumblr doesn’t make you a nerdfighter, it makes you just as bad as the people that leave nasty comments on John Green’s videos. Except it makes you worse because you’re supposed to be representing something awesome.

This disappoints me. 

DFTBA people, DFTBA**.

* A nerdfigher is a person made of awesome. They watch the vlogbrothers, Hank and John Green, and enjoy nerdy things like Harry Potter and logic. 

** Don’t forget to be Awesome.

…. It was weird.

Highs

• My Mom came today and brought me a lot of food.
• … She also brought me sunscreen, SPF 50. …. It’s fall….in Michigan, Mom.
• Choir was really awesome.
• The two ballet pieces I’m in are going to be absolutely fantastic!!! I’m so excited!
• I lasted through three hours of rehearsal on pointe because I was freaking determined.
• Usual roommate hyperness at 11:00 onward. 
• Hilary watches the Bachelorette. =D
• My paper is done.
• I get to sleep in tomorrow.
• It’s going to be a fabulous weekend. =)

Lows

• My neck has been killing me since a crazy rehearsal the other day!! I’m in love with the piece, but it’s sad that two aleves, warm compresses, and ice have not helped me. GRR.
• I have a lot to do before Friday!
• My stuff is getting messy. D= 
• I’m not asleep because I’m done.

Yeah.. that’s it. Life is good! =)

• My room smells like Apple Pie and Cider right now.
• My laundry is going to be done soon.
• I don’t have much more homework to do.
• Skyping with Amy at 6:00.
• Chapel tonight at 9:00.
• Ballet auditions tomorrow.
• My room is organized and neat.
• It’s a beautiful day.
• I found out that “Joe’s Place” here sells frozen yogurt. 
• My Mom bought me a lot of Horizon vanilla milk boxes.
• My bed is made and has freshly washed sheets. =)
• I painted my nails yellow today.
• I’m waiting for a call about a writing position for the newspaper here. Too bad I accidentally missed it earlier!
• I’m in a crazy, high-energy jazz piece for Student choreography. I’m freaking pumped!

…. That is all. ^.^

Basically no one needs to know this unless you’re a creeper, but it’s so convenient for me to just leave it up here. 

ANYWAY….

This is my schedule… it is chaotic.  

MONDAY

8:30-9:20: German I

9:30-10:20: College Rhetoric

10:30-11:20: Modern Dance

11:30-12:30: The Making of America

1:30-2:20: Choir. =)

3:30-5:00: Advanced Ballet

??? Ballet Rehearsal/Maybe Jazz

TUESDAY

10:00-11:20: Coming of Age in Literature

12:30-1:20: German Lab

3:30-5:00: Intermediate Ballet

5:00-6:00: Pointe and Variations

7:00-9:00: Modern Rehearsal

9:00-10:00: Student Choreography #1

10:00-11:00: Student Choreography #2

WEDNESDAY

8:30-9:20: German I

9:30-10:20: College Rhetoric

10:30-11:20: Modern Dance

11:30-12:30: The Making of America

1:30-2:20: Choir. =)

3:30-5:00: Advanced Ballet

??? Ballet Rehearsal/Maybe Jazz

THURSDAY

10:00-11:20: Coming of Age in Literature

3:30-5:00: Intermediate Ballet

5:00-6:00: Pointe and Variations

7:00-9:00: Modern Rehearsal

9:00-10:00: Student Choreography #3

FRIDAY

8:30-9:20: German I

9:30-10:20: College Rhetoric

10:30-11:20: Modern Dance

11:30-12:30: The Making of America

1:30-2:20: Choir. =)

3:30-5:00: Advanced Ballet

5:00-6:00: Production Number Rehearsal 

I am very excited. =) 

Invictus

By William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

Last day of the tumblr challenge! =)

Here is one confession.

1. I rely on humorous honesty to hide my faults. If I admit that I did something wrong then everything is fine. If I use humor to convey that I’m upset then I can vent without being taken too seriously. I can get away with saying, “I totally knew it was wrong too, but whatever!” and have everyone laughing instead of focusing on my mistakes. It’s kind of bad, but it isn’t changing anytime soon. 

That last sentence is just another example. 

Here are two smiley faces that describe my life right now.

1. =) <—- Uh… when does this not describe my life? I’m a fortunate person, I don’t have much to complain about! Or if I do, I don’t tell anyone anyways. =O* But siriusly folks, life is good.
2. xD <—- The other smiley face that I use EXCESSIVELY. I don’t even know how to describe this one other than it just always seems to suit me. 

*Btw… this was very hard for me to write without going completely overboard with more smileys. I had to toss at least one extra in there. :) 

Reasons why these next few weeks will be awesome:

• I had my first ballet class today and it was aaaaweeesome! It’s exactly the kind of training that I’m used to, so I can’t wait to see how it all goes!
• Student Choreography auditions are on Thursday after our first Company meeting! I’m pretty pumped!
• Auditions for the ballets (Two Neoclassical pieces set to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and a piece by Mendelssohn)
• A fantastic Apple Orchard trip this weekend with my roommate and whoever else wants to come!! 
• Choir is starting tomorrow!! I’ve missed singing.
• In variations we’re doing stuff from Bayadere! Even though I know the Bayadere variations, I still love them!
• I’m still making friends!! Woohoo!
• It’s becoming Fall…. enough said. =)

Here are three turn ons. =)

1. Intelligence. I can’t help being attracted to someone with extensive knowledge in something. That is very vague, but true! You don’t have to be a math nerd or a literature buff, but if you can tell me something I don’t know I will be very happy.
2. Expressive/Interesting Eyes.  I look in people’s eyes when I talk to them, so I’m drawn to “pretty” eyes and the smile that reaches them! =)
3. Kindness. Okay, so this is pretty obvious! If you smile at me and are a nice person…. that is good. 

YAY. 

That is all.

Her username is aspitz.

Here are four turn-offs…

1. Close-mindedness. One of the most obnoxious things to me is someone that won’t listen to me. If we disagree, that’s fine! At least acknowledge that you can see where I’m coming from or that you understand what I’m saying, but feel differently. This goes for trying new things as well.
2. Stupid people. Yes, stupid people. This is pretty subjective, but if you can’t hold your own in a conversation or can’t debate your way out of a cardboard box, chances are I will be very annoyed.
3. An unkempt appearance. A little shallow, but please shower occasionally. 
4. Overblown “obsessions.” I’m the first one to say that  can be completely focused on a lot of things, but don’t overdo it. If you can’t go without turning every conversation into a tirade about the worst videogames or your love for football, it’s problematic. 

Here are “five” people that mean a lot to me. =) 

1. My rufflebutts!! <3 I love them so much! It’s so sad that we’re all splitting up, but I know that we’ll always be as close! We always have so much fun together and I couldn’t imagine not knowing either of them. =)
2. The sleepover group!!! We get each other and I love it! Margery keeps the peace, Hannah is always mature about everything, Meng Meng is adorable, Brianna and I are basically the same person, and Lauren always has sound advice. =) I miss you all!!! We need to actually have a sleepover at some point!
3. The “theatre” group. Whether it’s running around playing “zombies” or freaking out over one more game of bananagram, I’m always entertained! xD Goooooood times right there.  
4. Andrea! I swear, I’m going to make that State trip soon!
5. My family. We fight a lot, but college makes me realize how much I want them to be proud of me. When we aren’t fighting, they’re pretty darn hilarious.

There are a lot more people that I care about, but it would take me days to list and talk about all of them. =)

Here are six things that I wish I’d never done.

1. All the cringe worthy moments of my life. Like, just saying something stupid or missing a point. A lot of them haven’t really taught me much and they’re too minute to count too much!
2. Got in stupid fights with my parents. So, this one has shaped me…. but still! If I could cut out about half the fights I get into with my parents, I think I’d still be the same person.
3. Killed a moth. =( I accidentally stuffed a moth in my barbie elevator and it died. D=
4.  Made stupid purchases. Stuff I buy and have nothing to wear with.
5. Made up lies so I could get out of ballet back when I started. If only I’d had motivation from the beginning!
6.  Wasted time on things I’d rather not do and on people who weren’t as good for me as I thought they were. 

Here are seven things that cross my mind a lot.

1. My friends!! People are always crossing into my mind. =)
2. The highlight(s) of the day! I always replay my favorite moments in my head before I go to sleep. =)
3. One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is the fine line between pre-determined destiny and free will. It’s interesting how no matter how long you think about something like that, you never get any closer to the answer.
4. How knowledge is such a burden, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
5. My future.
6. Balletballetballet. Also, how excited I am for ballet to start here!!!
7. Things I have to get done are always pressing on me, especially now that I really want to do well with school stuff. I like being motivated. =)

Here are eight ways to win earn my heart. (How cheesy is that??)

1. First things first, let me know if you like me! If I have no idea how you feel or can’t figure you out, I won’t make too much of an effort or let myself be too attached. It’s all protection for me, and I’m really good at it. Secret admirers are no good! Just talk to me and you might be surprised. =) 
2. I love a good sense of humor. =D I also love making people laugh! So, don’t feel bad for laughing at whatever I do! I’ll most likely enjoy it. 
3. Like many others have said, let me know that you are interested! But that being said…. don’t smother me! I will probably just freak out.
4. Initiate things sometimes! Don’t sit around and just wait for me to come up with something to do, have your own ideas and communicate them to me! 
5. Be spontaneous. =) I like to be silly and sometimes planned events are a little awkward for me. (I’m just weird…)
6. Appreciate the arts or have an open mind! I don’t think I could live without dancing or singing or any of that, so whatever you do… don’t bash it!! Things will not end well!
7. Engage in interesting conversation! Want to debate something? Go for it! Want to know something that you think I won’t answer? Go for it!! I’m very open and I love to talk about anything that holds my attention. =)
8. Be confident!! I’m relatively confident in myself, so hold your own as well!! Otherwise I’ll feel really awkward or like I have to protect you all the time. Remember, confidence is key! =D*

-End the corniest thing ever-*

Here are nine things about myself. =)

1. I have many realizations and epiphanies throughout the day and I always have. I’m very comfortable in my own mind and I’ve always been the type to dwell on random things. It’s funny, because no matter how much I think about some things, I never get anywhere solid.
2. I’m sneaky. I understand people and I know when and how to talk to them. I also keep a lot of observations to myself as a way of protection. If you don’t like me, I’m bound to get that feeling. 
3. That being said, I am a ridiculous people pleaser. I live off of flattery and off of people liking me. It’s probably bad, but that’s okay. Even if I don’t like you, I’ll hold it in and hope you like me anyway. It makes no sense!
4. My favorite book is She’s Come Undone and my favorite movie is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. They’re very good. 
5. I fake charisma and high self-confidence. I’m really awkward.
6. I don’t cry. I usually feel like a robot because I just can’t get myself to cry, no matter how I feel. I miss it.
7. I like my friends. =)
8. My favorite thing to do in the winter is piling on a billion dance clothes to go to class. It usually is something like: tights, leotard, shorts, legwarmers/body suit, t-shirt, sweater, socks, yoga pants. =)
9. The best nap I ever had was at Interlochen when it was pouring rain outside. =)