My List

Recently I have been trying to figure out what to do with my life. What to major in, what career I want to have, who I want to be, etc. So, I was thinking back on my life and decided to come up with a list of ideals I have taken to heart. Ways of thinking or ideas that have made me who I am. Here is what I've come up with. A list of things I have accumulated in my 19 years of life--some relevant and some not, but all, nonetheless, things that I hold true.

1) If someone calls you a name (be it stupid, ugly, etc) you need to ask yourself if you are that name. Are you stupid or ugly? If not, then why be upset? Clearly they are wrong so who cares? A name means nothing unless you give it a meaning.

2) Stand up for yourself. If you believe in something then really believe in it. Don't compromise your beliefs if others around you don't agree. Be vocal and share your opinion. Maybe I take this a bit too far sometimes when I feel it necessary to let everyone know my view, but I still think it's important. I definitely got in trouble a lot because of this one. When I was a kid if I didn't agree with a teacher I would let them know. And if they were not being fair, I would let them know. Lets just say that there were a few teachers who didn't quite love me.

3) Kids vs Teachers. This was a big one. In my head, all growing up, I had this idea that kids needed to band together against the teacher. Or siblings needed to be one vs parents. I am not sure where or when this idea came about, but it holds true. What it means is that if one student did something bad and the teacher asked who did it, it was the moral responsibility of every student to protect the wrong-doer. You were NOT to rat out the kid. If you did it was bad news. It was also bad if you were the kid who told on another kid to your parent. Apparently I just have never really liked authority.

4) Don't sass talk the police. I learned this the unfortunate way. My mentality of kids vs teachers came into play when I encountered police for the first time. I was none too happy when my friend was pulled over because we were waving our arms out the windows to dance. He, on the other hand, was none too happy when I told him that "uhhh noo we are not drunk or high and are just trying to dance here". Or when I told him that it was fine that we had four people in the back because we were all in seat belts and double-buckles are not illegal.

5) Never take yourself too seriously. Laughing at myself is what makes everything okay. Sometimes I do stupid things or say embarrassing things but I just have to laugh it off. It makes life fun. It is the worst when you think you are amazing and are too embarrassed or proud to admit to your mistakes and laugh them away.

6) Try new things--especially food. There are some delicious things out there in the world and you will never know about them unless you try everything (the weird things included).

7) Everything is better with salt. This is true. And luckily I can get away with this because of my salt deficiency.

8) Drinking a large cup of ice water solves all problems. My friend Charly told me this one and I am not yet sure if I really believe it but here it is.

9) There is no such thing as the "best" country. Every country and every place has its pros and cons. There is beauty in other cultures and in other histories. I love to travel and am so grateful that I have been able to discover this myself. All peoples and all places have things worth seeing and knowing.

10) Makeup makes a day better. If your makeup looks good, you feel good. Also it is important to look the way you want others to see you. If you want to be seen as a lazy hobo, dress like one. If you want to be seen as smart, hard-working, and put together--dress like it. It's important because as much as we all wish it wasn't true, people judge you on your looks.

11) Work hard. No matter what job you are given, do your best. My dad would always tell me that. He would repeat over and over that you need to try your hardest and do your best. You want to be the best at whatever you do and the only way to do that is to work hard.