all for one, and one for all

"Friendship isn't about whom you've known the longest.

It's about who came, and never left your side."

-Anonymous

[the title is a tribute to one of my all-time favorite movies: Now and Then. Now those girls knew a thing or two about friendship]

[shout out to my awesome friends--you know who you are and how much you mean to me]

Warning: this post is not for those who don't want to know how I truly feel about recent events with my oh-so-fabulous besties. (can't say I didn't warn ya)

That said, I always kinda wondered when I'd actually do this (write a post that might offend some people who actually take time out of their day to read what I have to say). I don't want to offend them, but I'm aware that I might. My only defense is that this is my blog. I write about the highs and the lows, and it just so happens that today I don't really have any pithy anecdotes for your entertainment.

I'm struggling with how exactly I want to say what I have weighing on my mind, but here I go anyway....

Ever hear of giving someone the benefit of the doubt? I'm sure you have (because, really, who hasn't?). What everyone fails to mention about this phrase is that it's subjective. Aka- it's not just given to everyone.

What about the song "friends in low places"? It's a Garth Brooks song thats fun to belt immediately following "Callin' Baton Rouge" while frat lapping, but it kinda has a point. I'm not sayin' my friends aren't top of the line; I'm sayin' not everyone gives us the benefit of the doubt.

Why you might ask? Because, in my humble opinion, the benefit of the doubt isn't given to those who 1) are overly visible or involved 2) tend to be loud and semi-obnoxious on a regular basis 3) might have made a few mistakes in the past (no matter if they have cleaned up their act currently or now refer to themselves as "grandmas" regarding their social activities)

[lions travel in "prides." packs known for loyalty and support]

* in media law we learned that pictures can be libelous when taken out of context. I wanted to make perfectly clear that I intend the context these pictures imply. (aka- I'm taking full responsibility for anything a reader would infer from my pictures, all courtesy of pinterest)

There used to be a time when I never doubted anything the people I trusted told me. I am a rule-follower through and through, but I'd be lying if I said I'd never made mistakes in this department (just to be clear...so would everyone else).

My issue today (and for the passed few days) has been the meaning of friendship and loyalty. I've always believed that family(both blood and otherwise) comes second only to God. That's why I'm perplexed as to why some would turn on their own.

"Friends are the family you choose for yourself."

aka-treat them like your family

I'm relatively certain you're getting my point; so, I won't beat a dead horse. SOooO0O00OO0o, I'm using the rest of this post to say why exactly it is that I'll always have my besties' backs. While I may have friends in low places, they're the cream of the crop.

They know the real me, (The one that wears her hair in an "Asian bun", over-sized Tennessee shirt and nike shorts. The one that can quote a song lyric or movie for any situation. The one that hoards nail polish, magazines, and DVDs like their going out of style) and I know them. They'd have my back in a hot-second, and I'd have theirs'.

[Thelma and Louise could teach every gal a thing or two about loyalty]

For better or worse, whether we always agree with each other or not, no matter the scenario, no matter the reason, no matter the outcome--you mess with one girl, you got us all.

[the perfect quote to describe us. senior year and all...]

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times:

I got a million problems, but 99 ain't one.

*as for the rest of 'em... jury's still out...

if i could, bet i would...

okay, okay. I know I'm going to sound like a complete freak of nature, but here I go anyway...

I confess that I'm a full-blown, glasses wearing, list making, literature loving closet nerd. There. I said it. Not that I've ever really tried to hide it.

But when I woke up at the un-Godly hour of 5 a.m. (yes, 5:53 is still not 6) to sign up for classes for the last time I was filled with the oh so bittersweet feeling that I don't want to be done.

I'm hesitant to move on for all the expected reasons: I love my friends, my memories, and my major, and I'm not quite sure I have enough knowledge to take on the big, bad working world after graduation.

That said, I've been thinking about what I would do if, in fact, I actually had endless funds to pay for school and a full lifetime to learn everything I wanted to before applying it. (because I realize more school is outrageously expensive AND I'd be approximately 80 when I completed my studies. Not exactly ideal)

Here they are. The things I still wish I could dabble in before I strut my stuff across that stage with pseudo-diploma in manicured hand:

1) Law

Yes, I realize it'd be hard, time consuming, and tedious, but I just can't help it. I'm beyond fascinated by cases and rules (go figure. all that E! True Hollywood Story nonsense actually sank in.)

There's something about arguing that just never gets old to me (again, go figure. I'm not naive enough to think it's not obvious that I'm a semi- passively aggressive, sarcastic individual who enjoys being right by way of factual evidence. I'd LOVE to be a prosecuting attorney or an adoption lawyer. No shady defense for me. As much as I like to argue, I still have a conscience.

And I won't lie...there's some sort of pride I'd have just by saying I did it. To get through law school and, Lord-willing, pass the Bar would be pretty ballin' if I do say so myself.

2) Film Production

My love of movies is not just surface level. I love to watch them, quote them, and I'd love to make them. Granted I had my shot in a JMC class, but most know just how well that went. Nevertheless, I'm still fascinated.

It's just interesting to me all the aspects that go into getting the perfect shot. To imagine something and have the ability or means to make it a reality.

3) PR/ the PR Practicum

[ahahahaha love this]

If I'd had more time, I would have loved to do the print AND PR track at Samford. I think it's interesting and would make me more marketable.

4) Beauty School

Okay, don't laugh. I've always wanted to go to beauty school. Sephora and Ulta are my happy places (besides book stores). But in all seriousness...I'd love to just know how to color my own hair.

5) Politics/ Political Science

My one Intro class was enough to let me know that I'm not politically inclined. I wish I was, though. Maybe it goes back to law (see #1) or maybe it has nothing to do with it. Either way, I wish I was more informed and educated in the ways of our government. I used to want to do political PR. I love D.C. and desire to know the inner workings of the power players, but I guess I'll just have to settle for the news... yikes.

6) Jewelry

This is just an interest of mine, but what makes someone qualified to work in a jewelry store? Sales? Knowledge of gemstones? I haven't the slightest idea, but always intrigued me.

7) Teaching

It's no secret that'd I'd LOVE to be a high school American English teacher. Maybe I will someday. I have no clue, but time will tell..

8) Sociology

I'm in a sociology of contemporary social problems class now and LOVE it. Fascinating to learn about how social settings affect things and debate the nature v. nurture stuff. I particularly like the topics of deviance, crime, and medicine.

9) Wedding Planning

Again I say, don't laugh. Planning Emily's (my older sister) wedding I secretly loved combing the bridal magazines to find specifics. I realize I'm not the most warm and fuzzy person in the world, but I also think I'm organized and driven enough to meticulously make something happen. I'm also a sucker for wedding blogs--they're one of my guilty pleasures.

10) Culinary School

I'd love to know how to whip up even just 1/4 of the things I see on pinterest and want to make.

Alas... if only I had all the money in the world and all the time...

'cause you best believe I'd be in that classroom

soakin' in all in.

a new frontier

[Ree Drummond doing what she loves as seen on her website]

You're well aware at this point that I'm an over-analytical, stream-of-consciousness, print loving, OPI/Essie wearing, E! News watching, painfully honest belle of the South. Well... I've officially found my career mentor. (No, I'm not giving up my career-lust of Giuliana Rancic, but it's time I dug up some down-home role models of my own too)

That, my faithful followers, has lead me to the ever-fabulous celeb blogger/mother of 4/wife of a cowboy/author and all around powerhouse of an individual known as The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.

I stumbled upon her blog this summer and have been obsessed ever since. Okay, obsessed is a mild understatement. I wouldn't hate spending a day (or week or month) with her soaking up all of her knowledge. She's quirky, funny, career and family oriented, and she managed to make her passions into a fruitful career all while homeschooling her kids on a working cattle ranch. YOWZA. talk about having it all...

[this is my latest find that I will be purchasing and reading. (in all my spare time...so probably over Christmas break) PS Sony purchased the rights to make this a movie-possibly with Reese Witherspoon..umm YES, PLEASE]

[yes, she's also mastered the divine art of cooking]

[and the Food Network]

[and did I mention she home-schools her 4 kids?!]

so in case my subtle tribute to her isn't clear-- I'd love Love LOVE to make this (southern farm life paired with celeb status in the media for simply doin' my thing) my reality

Just South of the Mason/Dixon Line

"Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them."

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

a job where I could do something I'm passionate about wouldn't be work.

As it is my senior year--I'm constantly caught up in the ever-present fear of what my life will be like after graduation (aka where my current life plan trails off). Ergo, I've focused my mind long enough to compile a few of my magazine addictions/loves that I'd love to parlay into a career of sorts. And, not surprisingly, they are all located in the South and deal with some of my favorite things: lifestyle, food, and beauty products all with a little southern twang.

Here they are ladies and gents--in no particular order:

"The artist doesn't have time to listen to the critics. The ones who want to be writers read the reviews, the ones who want to write don't have the time to read reviews." ~ William Faulkner

If anyone has any suggestions as to how to make my dreams a reality/career feel beyond free to help a sista' out. 'Til then--I'll be dreamin'.

free to be me, right?

"My chains are gone; I've been set free."

Yesterday at chapter, our chaplain brought up the topic of beauty. Not just any kind of beauty, but "Biblical Beauty"--the kinda that radiates from within instead of just sitting on the surface.

She cited numerous passages highlighting the precision of how uniquely specific God created females.

One passage that stood out to be above all the rest was one I've heard too many times to even think about-- Proverbs 31: 30- "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." She went on to say that the Hebrew word for "charm" literally means "bodily form"--powerful stuff, amiright? SooO00o: bodily form is deceptive and beauty is fleeting. [I don't think God could've made it any more clear- we, ladies, have got to let it go.]

Believe me, I'm not always the picture of perfection in this department. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm horrible but I also don't think I'm God's gift to the world, if ya catch my drift. I consider my self pretty "middle-of-the-road." Strong in some areas, weaker in others. Like everyone, right? WRONG-O(said in Grinch voice).

God designed each and every single one of us gals with intention (yes, I used the word I loathe, but I attempted to put it in context). Every one of us from bodacious babes and luscious ladies to the fearless females and brainy bombshells and every crevice in between. Wanna know the catch? We just have to recognize it.

Everyone's beauty comes in different shapes and sizes-much like their clothing. It makes no difference how many heads turn when you walk in a room (although I'll admit I wouldn't hate it)--it's about your inner beauty.

I've always believed this quote by Jacqueline Bisset to be true:

"Character contributes to beauty."

Proverbs 31: 10-31 paints a pretty impressive picture of a woman of noble character. My favorite passages are 15-18 (which I use as an example for my career-minded, goal oriented side) and 25-26 (which I believe to be a clever little rhyme to remind me how much integrity is valued).

I'm trying to make a conscious effort to recognize that I don't have to be a slave to oh so glamorous world of physical beauty-I still love nail polish, make-up, sparkles, ruffles, and all things magazine and sephora related-but I know where my value comes from, and I'm thankful God has set me free from a lifetime of attempting flawless perfection.

Side note: Listen to "Free to be Me" by Francesca Battistelli or "In This Skin" by J. Simp if you're ever looking for a lil girl power on the body image home front.

One of those days...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5 and 6

Yea, not to be a debbie-downer, but today has been one of those days. You know the ones I'm talking about: the physically, emotionally, spiritually, can't seem to do anything right kinda days. One of those kind where it seems like everything in the world has to be decided today or else the rest of your hypothetical life will completely fall to pieces...

Soo I'm attempting to follow my mama's advice and essentially pull myself up by my boot straps and keep chuggin along. BUT there's no way I can do it alone. Why you might ask? Because I'm too much of a scaredy cat. It sounds beyond pathetic, I know, but it's the truth. Ask anyone that knows me; I'm obsessed with all things freaky. NOT because I'm brave or courageous (although I wish that were the case); it's 'cause I think that if I fill my brain with everything that could ever possibly happen then I'll be prepared/ready to avoid it.(including details from every major missing child story of our lifetime and CSI:Miami and Criminal Minds like it's my job). (insert buzzer noise here) Wrong. Soo wrong.

[this was the theme verse for Blume 2011-- ok, ok God, I get it..]

I've just got to :

by remembering this verse ....

and by getting in the word, daily....

And when all else fails, as it sometimes does, I have to have faith that God is guiding my heart and mind. That every "gut feeling" or "intuition" I have about my life is God-given.

The always-classy words of a former first lady say it best.....