The Lorax

This past Friday was one of the fullest days I have had in a very long time -- and I loved it!

I (like the girl I am) stayed out and partied with a few friends late into the morning on Thursday night/Friday morning. Well, when I was crawling into my bed (around 3am) I remembered something... I had volunteered myself to help out with Jump Rope for Heart at Tyler Elementary School in Hampton - mind you the event started at 8am. I groaned and set my alarm clock. Needless to say, I did not wake up with the alarm - but I made it to Tyler by 9am. I spent about an hour and a half with the students. "Coach," as they so fondly call the P.E. teacher, was a joy to be around. There were different stations for the kids to show off their talents (double-dutch, a trick station, and even an activity room). I liked dancing with the Wii Fit with the music teacher and I played basketball on the black-top -- I know what you're thinking... You played a sport? Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, which is why I did not allow photos to be taken during this phenomenon! I stopped by Ms. Washington's classroom to say hello to Hailey's old classmates and they miss her dearly.


I left from Tyler and headed straight to work (changing my jogging pants and running shoes for a gray skirt and black flats). The day went by rather quickly. The customers were nice; but, I was hungry and I just wanted to get home to make myself some lunch (all I ate that morning was a PB&J). Got off around 3 and headed home. I had a tuna sandwich for lunch - it was yummy. Then I left my house to go pick up Brigid. I think I barely gave her time to breath after she had gotten off the bus from school! We had a nice chat about school and the upcoming Miss VA pageant on our way to pick up my sister (my blood sister), Tanya, from HU. Then we were off to Hailey's house. Scooped up Hailey and headed to the AMC Theatre. I let Hailey choose our seats and she headed for the top of the stairs: she managed to find the "perfect view," she said! (And we were only a few minutes late for the previews - Tanya wanted to see those; Hailey, however, wanted them to hurry up and finish!) 

The Lorax was a good movie (I didn't really expect that I would enjoy it as much as I did). The funny thing was that I think my 20-year-old sister was delighted and humored by the jokes and fascinated by the cartoon characters as much as Hailey was. The movie focused on the environment and conserving what we have. However, there was an even bigger message - we can all make change happen. No matter how old or young you are; no matter how much money you have or don't have - as long as you have a good heart, you can make a difference.


The movie ended with this quote:

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

nothing is going to get better. It's not. 

(I took the girls home - Haily, then Tanya, then Brigid. Spent some time talking to Mrs. Anne, then I drove home. After a really long day, I crawled into my bed and I slept really well that night!)

Am I Good Enough?

Today I listened in on a conference call about raising awareness for the HIV/AIDS in the black community, but it was the closing remarks that have been resonating in my mind for the past few hours. A fellow Hamptonian is part of the pageant committee that hosted the call and in the middle of her closing statement I heard her say, "I wondered 'Am I good enough?'"

My mind instantly heard Kevin Costner's tribute to Whitney Houston, where he so eloquently describe a woman that he clearly loved and admired. He said, "The Whitney I knew, despite her success and worldwide fame, still wondered, ‘Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Will they like me?’ It was the burden that made her great, and the part that caused her to stumble in the end."

We all wonder - at some point in each of our blessed lives, are we good enough. Thinking back over my years, I have wondered that same thing when it comes to school, work, pageants, and, more recently, relationships. But my smallest successes in each of those areas of my life give me hope. They remind that I am good enough - and how do I know this? Because I say so and I won't accept anything less. I truly know that I am good enough because my Heavenly Father says so. And after His approval, I need no one else's.

For those of you who may still doubt if you're good enough. I will simply challenge you to: Know that you are beautiful (tell yourself this every day). Believe in your dreams (because if you don't who will?). And always look forward because you cannot change your past. But the future? That is in your hands.

Safe Sex

This post is both politically and personally motivated. Some may believe that this topic is inappropriate for me to comment on - but, I don't care. It's important that I talk about it (and that's what blogs are for right?).

I won't go on too much about how some politicians are overly concerned about the vagina of today's women or about this recent movement to force women to have an ultrasound before making the decision to have an abortion or not. Now, before I go much further I will preface this post by saying that I am a Christian woman. I do believe in the sanctity of life. I do not like abortions. And I do volunteer with a center that works to provide mothers-to-be with an alternative to abortion. But, I also believe that I have no right to force my beliefs onto others. I believe that people should consider their actions (and that includes the likely consequences) and be willing to live with the decision that they have made. With that being said...

Contraceptives are your friend. Use them. I don't care if Mr. So-and-So says it's "immoral" or if the church has decided it shouldn't be used. Get with the times, folks - young people are having sex at younger and younger ages every single year. Telling young people to wait until marriage is a great idea (I myself am on that path); but, abstinence-only education is a ridiculous notion. Sometimes telling a young person not to do something is just like telling them to do something...So? Arm them with the facts. I believe that schools (and parents) need to teach young people about sex: what it is; when it's appropriate; and, how to protect themselves (before, during, and after). Then young people need to use those contraceptives. Why do I say this? It's simple: we don't need children raising children. Education is empowering; but knowledge applied - that is real power.

Change for a Dollar Movie

Change For A Dollar Movie: (< click title to view movie) Is he asking for Change, or is he asking for CHANGE? Follow a man as he affects multiple peoples' lives with just one dollar, proving that it doesn't take much to be the change in someone's life. Written and directed by Sharon Wright.

In the end, this video reminded me that we are all merely visitors here on this Earth. We are borrowers of what many of us think we own. God has blessed us with tangibles and intangibles...we pass them along to others or hoard them and keep them for our own self-gratification. In this video, the homeless man gives selflessly to others and you see how many lives he was able to impact? Through it all you see that the man's kindness comes back to him (yay! for all you karma lovers); that kindness came back to him because the little boy realized it (his lucky penny) was not his to hold on to, but something to pass along. So, do not hoard up your gifts, your talents, your love, your time, or even your spare change...share them with others in hopes that their lives will be enriched (and maybe, just maybe, your own life will see a little blessing, as well).

The Super Bowl of Pageants

My big brother and I spoke shortly after the Miss America pageant and he laughed and told me that this was like my Super Bowl. I couldn't have agreed more! I was logged on to Twitter and Facebook "reporting" and reading others' comments about the events that were unfolding before me on the television screen. I won't use this entry to rant about the values of the Miss America ("Miss A") system and how I believe that every female should participate in at least one pageant in her lifetime...but I want to take this time to take a look at the questions that were posed to the top 5 finalists. Before I get to the questions, I have one other issue to address... Some people posted saying that "didn't get it" when it came to why Kris Jenner was appointed as a judge - what's there not to get? She's a celebrity, one whose opinion is important (to some extent) in the world of popular culture. Miss A wants to expand her brand - and I would be surprised if some little girl didn't tune in to the show just to see Kris; I think appointing her as a judge was no mistake at all.

Q: Should Miss A be able to declare her political views...
Miss Wisconsin didn't really answer this question (and I get it). 
A: I do believe that we are all entitled to our own opinions (which are generally formed from our life experiences and expectations) - so when put in a situation in which you may be asked to declare where you stand exactly, I simply believe you must be able to back up your stance. So, in a nutshell: yes, I think she should be able to declare her political views.

Q: What should be the extent of the government's involvement concerning obesity in children...
I loved Miss Oklahoma's answer! 
A: I firmly believe that so many problems start in the home; but, with the same token, good values and standards can be taught in the same place. It should be a parent's responsibility to provide for their children what is right and healthy.

Q: Is it right for those in the public eye to use their celebrity to promote their faith (i.e. T. Tebow)...
Miss Arizona nailed this one as well. 
A: I believe that those in the public's eye use their celebrity to promote less important things, like movies, sports drinks, clothes, and smell-goods; so, why not use that same status to promote your religion? But, I am also convicted in knowing that there's a difference when it comes to sharing your faith and shoving it down someone's throat. One thing I probably would not have considered (but Miss AZ was smart enough to comment on) is that we often not only represent ourselves but a bigger body: Tim Tebow represents the NFL and Miss A represents the entire country, so those in such positions must be extra mindful of the messages that they share.

Q: Do the "Occupy Wall Street" protesters have a point and what should be done about it?
I appreciated Miss New York's answer. 
A: I think the protesters have a point - there is a lopsidedness present in America when it comes to wealth, power, and influence. What should be done about it? Politicians need to be reminded that they are the voices of their constituents - they are public servants; they need to listen to what their people are telling them and act. The rules need to be changed on Capital Hill; the American people need to come first.

Q: Do reality shows like "Teen Mom" glorify teenage pregnancy...
Miss California confused me with her answer as she claimed to "support" those shows but agreed it did "glorify" teenage pregnancies, and she said something about feeding the "appetite" for reality programming...
A: My answer? No young woman who: 1) does not like drama 2) desires financial freedom 3) wants to fully enjoy college and/or "just be a teen" would desire to live the life of young girls like Chelsea or Jenelle... But heck! These girls have their nails done, hair died, and skin-tanned -- that's more than some of us without babies can say! So, sure there's a glorification - get pregnant, get a spot on a television show, get thousands of random people to watch you and talk about your drama. You become a mini-celebrity overnight, now who doesn't want that?

Food Fears

Style
Okay, so time and time again I've heard that "body image" is believed to be one of "the biggest issues facing young people today." Though this would likely never be my answer when asked by a panel of judges, many of my friends (most of which I have posed this question to are not in the pageant circle) have told me that this is what they believe. I have been slender my entire life - I've got a little food baby every now and again, but I've grown to appreciate it - so weight has never been a problem for me. This may make me seem ...I don't know, somewhat distant, or like I don't have the ability to empathize, but I've never felt like I've had a serious complex with my body and neither have many of my closest friends.

Body image and body complexes have only recently become an issue for me as I toy with the idea of "dieting" in preparation for Miss Virginia. My mother, a registered nurse, has always told me (somewhat jokingly) that a diet is what you eat - not what you don't eat. I don't actually desire to lose any weight between now and June: between zero and five pounds and I wouldn't freak out, anything more than that and I think I'd have issues. I'll work on toning up and making better heath choices (the idea of a "diet" has had me stuffing my face with cinnamon buns, gummi bears, and dark chocolate, as of late).

Maybe it's the fear that my body could actually look a few times better than it does now, if only I made a concentrated effort to eliminate some things and incorporate a few, menial changes. This is something to think about. I'm off to Google about "healthy foods" that help your tummy stay flat (Dr. Oz said almonds and olives are good for that); I'll probably text my friend Daniel who rowed at UMW about work out plans; and, I'll bug Roosevelt one more time about going to the gym during this break.

Disclaimer: In no way do I not believe that weight, health decisions, and body image are not important issues that young people deal with. I believe that as a society when need to encourage healthy decisions (not just concerning food), balanced meals (my mother believes that if your plate has a lot of color on it you're heading in the right direction), and a better appreciation of self and self-worth. We are not all built to be a size 0 - men would be bored if we all were: embrace your body - love it and take care of it.

My love of food is documented below for your viewing pleasure:

Cookie platter for our IB Senior Party in '07

Salad with Ashley at McDonald's in '08

Funnel cake (my fav) at Disney in '09

SUSHI! in NY, '10

A Philly Cheesesteak in Philly, '10

I had this for dessert a few hours ago :)
Yo Gala in the Mall = AWEsome

Sisterly Love

Today is a special day - no, not because it's Christmas - it's my sister's birthday. She was born today, 20 years ago. I am blessed to have a best friend who is as:

 talented, creative, funny, loving, sarcastic, emotional, smart, and unique as she is. She is my queen today.

Happy Birthday, Baby Sis!

When I asked my mother if she wanted a picture, too, she laughed and told me, "No, I'm a queen without a crown." So, to every girl out there - be like my mother: proud of what you have to offer, crown or not.