Sunday, September 11, 2011
Busy
I am so addicted to Pinterest. It fuels my OCD and organizational needs very well.
Wine is my new favorite thing, aside from avocados and sushi.
Here is my random post for the quickly ending summer, since I have neglected to post anything since the end of May. I didn't make an outline for this post, nor do I really know what I'm about to ramble about. Be prepared. I am warning you beforehand so you can brace yourself for some strange English coming....:
Life is too crazy. During the past few months my life has been constantly in a number of different transitions. I am honestly exhausted. I like being busy, always keeping my mind active doing something; I feel its not busyness that is making me tired but rather the changes occurring. Maybe I am just exhausted from all the late nights I stay up playing word search. Or maybe its that my body is still adjusting to getting back into a good running routine. Or maybe it is all the stressing I do about life and silly, piddly little things. I don't know, but I need to. I like having a sense of control over situations, knowing what their outcome will be. All these changes and no-changes have made me very nervous of the future. Doors keep closing to opportunities, plans that have been made are suddenly changed, people I thought were supposed to be in my life for a long time are leaving. What the heck is going on? I know God has it in control though, so I need to just chill out.... wait....maybe that is just it: I don't really trust Him. Ah. He may have just gotten me thinking. I have become so consumed with ME and with what I want that I have pushed him out of the picture. Consume, take, want, crave, self, me. These words all go together. I'm so worried about what I want that I have lost sight of what is really important. Things like my family, my relationship with M, my relationship with Christ. I mean, really, I have pushed them away from the top and put myself above all. Its less about my family and their needs; less about serving others, which is sad for a future nurse; less about seeking out Christ and his plan for me; and I really feel like its getting less and less about my gentleman. I think it is time to get things back in order, starting with putting Christ at the top. Le sigh. Bisous, SLR
Wine is my new favorite thing, aside from avocados and sushi.
Here is my random post for the quickly ending summer, since I have neglected to post anything since the end of May. I didn't make an outline for this post, nor do I really know what I'm about to ramble about. Be prepared. I am warning you beforehand so you can brace yourself for some strange English coming....:
Life is too crazy. During the past few months my life has been constantly in a number of different transitions. I am honestly exhausted. I like being busy, always keeping my mind active doing something; I feel its not busyness that is making me tired but rather the changes occurring. Maybe I am just exhausted from all the late nights I stay up playing word search. Or maybe its that my body is still adjusting to getting back into a good running routine. Or maybe it is all the stressing I do about life and silly, piddly little things. I don't know, but I need to. I like having a sense of control over situations, knowing what their outcome will be. All these changes and no-changes have made me very nervous of the future. Doors keep closing to opportunities, plans that have been made are suddenly changed, people I thought were supposed to be in my life for a long time are leaving. What the heck is going on? I know God has it in control though, so I need to just chill out.... wait....maybe that is just it: I don't really trust Him. Ah. He may have just gotten me thinking. I have become so consumed with ME and with what I want that I have pushed him out of the picture. Consume, take, want, crave, self, me. These words all go together. I'm so worried about what I want that I have lost sight of what is really important. Things like my family, my relationship with M, my relationship with Christ. I mean, really, I have pushed them away from the top and put myself above all. Its less about my family and their needs; less about serving others, which is sad for a future nurse; less about seeking out Christ and his plan for me; and I really feel like its getting less and less about my gentleman. I think it is time to get things back in order, starting with putting Christ at the top. Le sigh. Bisous, SLR
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Childhood Obesity
I went swimming at a local city pool this afternoon and had a very eye-opening experience concerning obesity. The number of people I saw today who clearly do not care about their body, nor the shape that it is in, was quite disturbing. It is one thing to be slightly overweight, or curvy (after all, curvy is much more healthy than being stick-thin in my opinion), or have low metabolism that makes staying fit harder, or to have health problems that prevent you from being in shape. However, it is another if you simple do not take care of the one body you have been given, as was clearly seen today. Do most people not understand that you are given ONE body your whole life? You never get a chance to have another one... not even through plastic surgery (which, in my opinion does more damage).
Anyhow, it was not mainly the number of obese people that confounded me, but more specifically the number of obese children. What has gotten into parents heads that its okay to allow your twelve year old daughter to look like she is pregnant, and in a bikini strutting it no less (I saw this several times this afternoon in a matter of minutes)? What parent in their right mind would allow this? Every time I looked up I saw yet another child who was very much so overweight or obese. Georgia (my state) has one of the highest rates for childhood obesity... that fact is terrible. American families need to work together to get rid of the high statistics of childhood obesity and obesity in general.
During a pageant interview a few months ago I was asked, "who's fault is the high obesity rates in children: schools or parents?" My answer? The parents, hands down. It is the parents job to raise their children. It is the parents job to make sure their children are making good choices, or at least train them to make the right choices and when they are old enough pray they do just that. It is the parents duty to make sure their children eat healthy - and not snack on junk food, soda drinks, carb-loaded, high-sugar foods 24/7, or better yet, to not have fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is the parents job to make sure their child is having a lifestyle that promotes being active to stay healthy. It is the parents job, not the government. Sure, school needs to help out by not putting vending machines packed with junk food and sodas in the cafeteria or teaching them of ways to stay healthy, but ultimately mom and dad need to show Tommy and Suzy how to make and live out healthy choices. Unfortunately, Americans have not done a good job with this at all. I love my state, but I am ashamed that it is completely acceptable to be obese... actually, that it is perfectly normal to be obese.
Please keep in mind that I am not seeking to offend anyone by saying all this, although someone will always be offended no matter what I say. I am merely speaking my thoughts (or rather, venting) on a topic that needs to be addressed. It is okay to occasionally enjoy a coke, or to occasionally enjoy a yummy food. While I love eating healthy and trying to stay fit, I will on occasion indulge in dessert or one of those awesome foods you see on Culinary Porn. The key words to the two statements above is occasion. And it is combined with having an active lifestyle. Try walking every day at least. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Park just a little further away from the entrance. You've heard all these simple things for a while.... so put them into action. There is SO much more I could say about this topic but I guess I will end my venting on that note.
xoxo, SLR
Anyhow, it was not mainly the number of obese people that confounded me, but more specifically the number of obese children. What has gotten into parents heads that its okay to allow your twelve year old daughter to look like she is pregnant, and in a bikini strutting it no less (I saw this several times this afternoon in a matter of minutes)? What parent in their right mind would allow this? Every time I looked up I saw yet another child who was very much so overweight or obese. Georgia (my state) has one of the highest rates for childhood obesity... that fact is terrible. American families need to work together to get rid of the high statistics of childhood obesity and obesity in general.
During a pageant interview a few months ago I was asked, "who's fault is the high obesity rates in children: schools or parents?" My answer? The parents, hands down. It is the parents job to raise their children. It is the parents job to make sure their children are making good choices, or at least train them to make the right choices and when they are old enough pray they do just that. It is the parents duty to make sure their children eat healthy - and not snack on junk food, soda drinks, carb-loaded, high-sugar foods 24/7, or better yet, to not have fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is the parents job to make sure their child is having a lifestyle that promotes being active to stay healthy. It is the parents job, not the government. Sure, school needs to help out by not putting vending machines packed with junk food and sodas in the cafeteria or teaching them of ways to stay healthy, but ultimately mom and dad need to show Tommy and Suzy how to make and live out healthy choices. Unfortunately, Americans have not done a good job with this at all. I love my state, but I am ashamed that it is completely acceptable to be obese... actually, that it is perfectly normal to be obese.
Please keep in mind that I am not seeking to offend anyone by saying all this, although someone will always be offended no matter what I say. I am merely speaking my thoughts (or rather, venting) on a topic that needs to be addressed. It is okay to occasionally enjoy a coke, or to occasionally enjoy a yummy food. While I love eating healthy and trying to stay fit, I will on occasion indulge in dessert or one of those awesome foods you see on Culinary Porn. The key words to the two statements above is occasion. And it is combined with having an active lifestyle. Try walking every day at least. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Park just a little further away from the entrance. You've heard all these simple things for a while.... so put them into action. There is SO much more I could say about this topic but I guess I will end my venting on that note.
xoxo, SLR
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Goodbye for now, my friend.
The world was a happier place with you in it.
Always making people laugh. Always putting a smile on someone’s face.
You were greatly loved, and are greatly missed, JB.
Do not keep the alabaster box of your friendship sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier. The kind of things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go.
— George W. Childs
Jonathan’s death has had a HUGE impact on my life. So many lessons have been taught through this traumatic event. The words above have a new meaning. Read them and take them to heart. Don’t take anything, or anyone, for granted. Love is a verb. Put that verb into action. - SLR
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Dream Wedding: an Irish wedding
I am in complete LOVE with this wedding. I love wellies, they will now be used in my wedding. I love the color scheme. The flowers. The dresses. The suits. The beer. All of it. Dream wedding for sure. I used to say I would get married on the beach, but after seeing those pictures, I will either get married in the mountains or in Ireland.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Miss America 2011
Miss America 2011... wow. My adrenaline was going out the roof last night. In case those of you that follow me do not know, I am very involved with pageants, specifically the Miss America Organization. I completely adore the organization and what it does for women/America, as well as how it has made incredible differences in my life.
I am in love with the newly crowned Miss America, Teresa Scanlan. Watching her last night, I didn't have her picked out as the winner. Sure, she had an awesome talent (she won talent preliminary earlier in the week - go pianist!), her SS was good, OSQ was outstanding, EG was great, and she was gorgeous. Compared to the other top 5 competitors, however, I had her as 3rd runner up (course, what do I know?!). Yet after reading her blog this afternoon I found out why she was clearly the next Miss America... She has a heart of gold. And the judges did see this.
The interview portion of pageants is the hardest. This is where you make it or you break it. While in the MAO, talent scores higher than interview, the interview is where you make your impression on the judges. If they don't like you in there, you can pretty much guess that they will not look at you very much the rest of the night. Only the judges and the contest know what goes on in the interview. You, as a contestant, want to try your best to share your passion and platform during interview. You want to show the judges why you should be the next Miss so-and-so, leading up to being the next Miss America. You want to let them know why and how you are different than the rest of the girls, and why you would be the best at the job you are interviewing for (keep in mind that Miss America, Miss state, Miss local are all first and foremost a JOB). After ending the night with a crown on her head, sash on her chest, and the title of Miss America 2011 now next to her name, Teresa showed the judges that she was indeed different than the other 52 contestants, and she did have what it take to become the next MA.
After reading her blog, as I said above, I am in love with this young lady. Teresa Scanlan is loving life. She has integrity, passion, and passion. Her platform is incredible; being in the pageant world myself, I know it is an issue that needs to be addressed. She is a wonderful example of what a role model really is. She is an amazing definition of what the MAO is all about.
Anyways, with all that being said, my best wishes, prayers, and blessings are with Teresa. I am excited for her year as MA2011. I am excited about the many lives she will be impacting for the good. She has some amazingggg opportunities and experiences ahead of her :-) Check her blog out.... it is certainly worth looking at! http://teresastravelsandtidbits.blogspot.com
xoxo, SLR
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thoughts on Chivalry
Someone recently asked me, “where did chivalry go? Is it lost?.” While at the time I quickly answered with a confident “yes!! -We need to do something about it!” it really got me thinking; is chivalry really lost? After dwelling upon the thought for a while I’ve come to the realization that I indeed was wrong. Chivalry is not lost, but rather a large percentage of men seem to be hiding it. Yes, I did say hiding it. I honestly believe it is still in them, unfortunately they’ve had to put it away. From my point of view this can be attributed to a large percentage of women who look at chivalry with their noses in the air, laughing at such behaviors, saying “I am independent - I don’t need man - I am just as highly important as you are.” This is quite a sad thing. Because of such attitudes (dare I say bitterness or jealousy?) men put away chivalry to please them. Ladies, you are indeed important, but how is a man to do his duty with us women snorting at their acts of respects?
Do not get me wrong, men or women: I most certainly do know males in my life that are truly men of high character and class that treats ladies with huge respect. They are the exception to the above. I also know women in my life who greatly appreciate men of chivalry. They too are the exception. But those I know from both genders are in the minority. To the gentlemen that are gentlemen of chivalry, I thank you and greatly appreciate you. To you ladies that appreciate the character and respect gentlemen show you, don’t be afraid to show them or tell them that you appreciate them… and never forget to show respect back! (Sidenote: From the two boyfriends I have ever had my twenty-something years on the earth, I’ve at least come to realize that men desire respect, as women desire love. If you want the love, show the respect.)
Anyways, just some of my thoughts. Please do correct me if you think I am wrong on where I stand with this.
A Bientôt mes partisans, SLR
Do not get me wrong, men or women: I most certainly do know males in my life that are truly men of high character and class that treats ladies with huge respect. They are the exception to the above. I also know women in my life who greatly appreciate men of chivalry. They too are the exception. But those I know from both genders are in the minority. To the gentlemen that are gentlemen of chivalry, I thank you and greatly appreciate you. To you ladies that appreciate the character and respect gentlemen show you, don’t be afraid to show them or tell them that you appreciate them… and never forget to show respect back! (Sidenote: From the two boyfriends I have ever had my twenty-something years on the earth, I’ve at least come to realize that men desire respect, as women desire love. If you want the love, show the respect.)
Anyways, just some of my thoughts. Please do correct me if you think I am wrong on where I stand with this.
A Bientôt mes partisans, SLR
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