Xoxo, Gossip Girl

Though I have already seen every episode of Gossip Girl, I am currently re-watching the sixth and final season.  Though it may be considered a "teen drama" it is a story I will always hold close to my heart.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it takes place in New York City on the Upper East Side and all the characters are very much city people.  I am a city girl, so it may resignate with me.  I also have gathered lots of important lessons from the somewhat unrealistic plot line.  I have a composed a list of characters and their traits before I dive into this in depth conversation (I have a passion for Gossip Girl, what can I say?):

Main Characters:

Gossip Girl: The faceless person who runs the website.  The website chronicles all the Upper East Siders and releases all their secrets.  People on the streets simply text or send in tips to Gossip Girl and it is then published on the site.

Serena van der Woodsen: Golden Girl.  One of the most popular girls on the Upper East Side.  She lacks a prominent father figure, so she is always dating and often gets herself into trouble.

Blair Waldorf: Queen B.  Literally, she is the queen of the Upper East Side, and Serena's best friend.  Blair is very ambitious and aspires to be like Audrey Hepburn and other classic icons.

Chuck Bass: Also known as Charles, Chuck is the antihero for the first couple seasons.  He drinks a lot and has many family problems.  He has no mother, but his father owns the Bass Empire (hotels).  Chuck is Blair's love interest for the majority of the show.

Nate Archibald: Good old Nathaniel.  He is Chuck's best friend, and dated both Serena and Blair.  His family is a prominent one of the Upper East Side (especially in politics) and while Nate occasionally gets into trouble, he could be considered a Golden Boy.

Dan Humphrey: The outsider from Brooklyn.  He struggles to fit in, but falls madly in love with Serena and is forced to fit in.  He has a brief relationship with Blair.  Dan is also a writer.

Minor Characters:

Lily van der Woodsen:  Or Humphrey.  Or Bass.  It is hard to tell.  She is Serena's mother and while she is rich and well known, she has been married one too many times.

Dorota: She is the Waldorf's maid and is always assisting Blair in all things.

Jenny Humphrey: Poor Little J.  Dan's younger sister. She tries to fit in with Blair but ultimately fails.  She even has a brief relationship with Nate.  Jenny then finds a love for fashion designing and moves to London in the middle of the series.

Rufus Humphrey: Dan and Jenny's father.  He was apart of a rock band in nineties.  Rufus falls for Lily and they are married for a little bit.

Georgina Sparks: An old "friend" of Serena's.  Hated by many but becomes likable by the end of the series.  She is often stirring up trouble, but also assists the main characters.  Georgina briefly dates Dan.

Eric van der Woodsen: Only on for a few seasons.  Serena's younger brother and Lily's son.  He comes out at the end of the first season and becomes good friends with Jenny.

Vanessa Abrams: One of Dan's best childhood friends.  She dates Dan and even Nate.  She is also an outsider and decides she does not like or belong on the Upper East Side.

Bart Bass: Chuck's billionaire of a father.  Has a poor relationship with his son and is very mysterious. Bart marries Lily after her divorce from Rufus.

Jack Bass: Bart's younger brother and Chuck's "Uncle Jack."  He has a thing for Blair, which upsets Chuck greatly, but he also becomes more likable as the seasons go by.

Eleanor Waldorf: Blair's successful, fashion designer mother.  She created Waldorf Designs, but is often away in Paris.

Cyrus Rose: Eleanor's new husband and Blair's step father.  He is a kind man that treats Blair as if she is his own daughter.

Ivy Dickens: Ultimate antagonist.  Is paid to pretend to be Lola Rhodes, Serena's cousin.  Ivy always causes problems for the Upper East Siders.

There are many other smaller characters, but I did not include them in the list because they only appear in a few episodes.

Blair Waldorf.  She is always dressed impeccably.  I envy her wardrobe like no other. 
A true queen that is able to rule with Chuck.











Serena van der Woodsen.
The blonde socialite.  Almost
always smiling (except when
her life is in shambles, so often).

                   

       Chuck Bass.  The billionaire, rule setter of
  the UES, and most importantly, Blair's other half.                                                

   Nate Archibald.  The golden boy from
what seems like a golden (in reality 
dysfunctional) family.  A loyal friend.

         Dan Humphrey.  The outsider
from Brooklyn turned successful 
writer and close friend to the other
four.

Lily van der Woodsen

Dorota

     

                                                                      

Rufus Humphrey

Eric van der Woodsen

Vanessa Abrams

               

Bart Bass

Jack Bass

Eleanor Waldorf

Ivy Dickens

Cyrus Rose

Jenny Humphrey  

  

       

Georgina Sparks

Gossip Girl plagues all the characters in the show by reporting rumors (and sometimes harsh truths) about them for all of the Upper East Side to read.  She (or he, who's to know?) watches the socialites every moves and records all their most recents scandals.  Yet, Gossip Girl also aids the characters at some points, since she knows everything about everyone.

Out of every couple on Gossip Girl,  one always triumphs the other and for me that couple would have to be Chuck and Blair.   There  romance is so true and powerful and overall very passionate.  What makes it most amazing is the fact that Blair is a girl who always appears strong and in control   and Chuck seems to be the unemotional, all powerful man.  Yet when they are together, Blair is weak and even Chuck is vulnerable.  It is such a powerful love story even that has touched the 
heart of every fan.  After looking at some of Chair's (their couple name) finest moments, I dare you to say that they are not  perfect together.

Their reaction when you say that they aren't the world's
cutest fictional couple to walk the earth.

 Also, I must admit the strong friendships in the show are something to look up to.  Yes, there may be a little too many fights, but what can you expect amongst the glitz and wealth of the UES?  Sometimes their friendships and relationships may seem to complicated and hard to follow, but overall you can admire this group of friends that has stuck together for years and years and even out of high school.  At the end of it all, the characters have one another's backs.

So yes, I agree Gossip Girl may just be another television show, but it has taught me a lot.  When you look past all the unrealistic drama that occurs, the show does have value to it. 
I learned the value of a strong family bond and how grateful I am to have a good family.  I also saw how not having a family to rely on can truly damage a person.
I learned that friendship is sacred, and that no matter what, it is important to stand by your true friends.  It is also easy to tell who your real friends are, if you pay close attention.
I also learned quite a lot about fashion ;)
But, most importantly, I learned something about myself.  Even when times are tough and the world may seem to be letting you down, you have to stay strong.  You have to believe in yourself.

I know this was a completely random post, but I enjoyed putting it together.  Overall, the show had some powerful messages I gathered.  
I decided to come up with this post because I am watching the show again and got inspired.  It will always be one of my favorite shows.  Maybe I will come up with one for Glee (even though the cast is ridiculously huge!) because it is another one of my all time favorite shows.  It also has many important life lessons, because it deals with real high school and adult world problems (aside from randomly bursting into song multiple times throughout the day).  So, that's all.  Until next time xxx.  (Or should I say, xoxo, Gossip Girl).

The List of Thanks

Finally I have decided to compose a list of things I am thankful for.  It will probably be fairly  long and I have decided to add on to it throughout time whenever I find something else to be thankful for.

Here it goes, in no particular order.  I am thankful for...

1. Books.  The ones with pages, not those fancy electronic reading tablets.  I love the pages and holding a story in my hands.

2. Dance.  It is such a beautiful, fun, expressive form of art.  Music just flows through my veins and out my feet when I dance.

3.  Field Hockey.  I have found a great love for the sport and made so many incredible friends because of it.  I can not wait to continue my journey of playing field hockey.

4.  All my family.  Even if we don't always get along, we will always be family and nothing will change that no matter what.  They have known me my whole life, and there is something pretty special about that.

5. Friends.  Real friends.  The people you can trust and have fun with and enjoy quiet silence with.  Friends are sort of the family you can choose.

6.  Good movies.  I love a movie that I can just get comfortable with and really pull a valuable lesson from.  I think those are genuinely the greatest.

7.  Traveling.  I learn so much and see so much.  I have some of my favorite memories from vacations.  Boy, I would give anything to travel

8. Food. I know it seems sort of general but I feel so fortunate just to have food. 

9. Water. Also basic and common, but so many people do not have clean water to drink and I have it at my disposal. 

10. Music. I love classical music (dorky, I know) but I find such simple beauty in it. Also, basically any catchy song with a message I can relate to is beautiful. 

11. My home. It may be just a house, but I love the fact that it is full of love and has withstood so much. 

12. California. My home state. It will forever be home to me because it is where all the family and memories are at. 

13. The beach. I love the beach so much. I feel so free there and I think it is a stunning place. 

14. Paris. I've never been to France, but to see the Eiffel Tower is one of my dreams. 

15. Writing. I love writing with all my heart (hence, this blog). But I also love writing stories. It may be weird but I wish I could live in some of the stories and know some of the characters I have created. 

16. Tea. I'm not a tea fanatic or anything, but curling up with a book and mug of tea to me is perfection. 

17. Meaningful conversations. I love relating to people, helping people, and having people listen to me. 

18. Fashion. Oh clothes. I love them and really have a passion for fashion. 

19. Old Hollywood. God I admire it's glamour. I honestly wish I could have known Marilyn and Audrey and Elvis. Heck even meeting Doris Day, or James Stewart and Cary Grant would have been a dream come true. 

20. Dresses. Simple dresses, and especially fancy dresses. I just love them. 

21. High heels. They are my favorite and I think lots of them are so pretty. 

22. Long, peaceful walks. With my dog, with my friends, with myself. I love breathing on fresh air. 

23. MY DOG. He is like my child and I would die without his fluffy self in my life. 

24. Laying in the sun. While I enjoy tanning, I hate being so hot that I feel like I am entering the gates of hell. I just love feeling some warm sunlight soak into my pores. 

25. Shopping. I don't necessarily have to buy anything, I just enjoy looking in different stores and having fun. 

26. Taking baths. I'm more of a shower sort of person but I enjoy sitting among the bubbles and listening to relaxing music. 

27.  Long car rides. Staring out the window to a nice song, or dancing around to a fun song is just so fun to me. 

28. Christmas. Lordy, Lordy do I love Christmas. It may be unhealthy but it makes me so joyful. 

29. Christmas music. It is completely different than just regular music because it is Christmas. 

30. Sunsets and sunrises. They are breath taking. 

31. Waterfalls. Also very pretty. One day I want to jump off one like they do in the movies. 

32. Full moons. Ahh. They also take my breath away. 

33. Star gazing.  It is so peaceful and mind blowing. On a super clear night, the vastness of space sends shivers up my spine. It is so incredible. 

34. Snow. I rather be at the beach, but fresh snowfall is very quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. 

35. Surprises. I love being surprised and surprising others (especially parties). I love that shocked, overjoyed look. 

36. Laughing. What would life be without laughter? 

37. Smiles from strangers. It is just heart warming to know people still exist In the world that are just kind. 

38. The British Royal Family. Man, do I admire them. I love them all so much and look up to (almost) all of them. 

39. Watermelon. It isn't even one of my favorite fruits, I just can not imagine a summer without it. 

40. Summer nights. They are just so fun. 

41. Tennis. It is super fun and I'm glad I am learning to play properly. 

42. Nice parties or gatherings. I love to socialize. 

43. Disney. Oh gosh, I almost forgot Disney. Well thank you to Disney for being my childhood and continuing to provide me with happy memories. I love you. 

44. Weddings. I've only been to a few because obviously no one my age is getting married(at least I hope not). They are just so pretty and happy. 

45. Babies and young kids. Sure they are annoying but they are so cute and can occasionally be very sweet and are so full of innocence and joy. 

46. Cities. I must see as many major cities in the world as I can. I am a city girl through and through. I'm happiest in a city. 

47. Laughing at myself. I'm glad I have that ability and am able to shake my embarassments off. 

48. Blankets. I love laying under piles of blankets when it is cold outside and just sort of existing under this pile. 

49.  Relaxation. Peace and quiet. Alone time. However you put it, I'm grateful for it.

50. My life. The ups. The downs. It all makes up the one thing that is my life. I only have one of them so mine as well make it an adventure. 

There was my list!! I will continue to add on to it throughout time. Maybe you should consider making a list of your own; it really brings happiness. I hope you all have a splendid Thanksgiving (here in America). If you're somewhere else in the world, still take the time to be thankful for this day and each day after. Until next time xxx. 

Adventures with A

   Ainsley and I are best friends.  We are not really friends though because typically friends fight and those sorts of things but Ainsley and I do not.  We consider ourselves to be "metaphorical sisters."  We are not real sisters, but sometimes it sort of seems like it.  Even though she has an older sister, Mackenzie (read her blog here), I do not have any sisters.  So it is pretty nice to have Ainsley around.
Anyways, one day, I became obsessed with Gossip Girl.  I'm sure you already knew that, due to my discussion of it in previous posts, but it is an important thing to know.  In Gossip Girl, the two main female roles call one another "B" and "S" since their names are Blair and Serena in the show.  Soon, I began calling Ainsley by "A" because it reminded me of Gossip Girl AND Pretty Little Liars.
That is why I have titled this post "Adventures with A."
If I were to discuss every adventure Ainsley and I have had, I would be better off writing a novel.  Instead, I would like to focus on one specific event that has just occurred.
You see, we have always had this dream to have a YouTube channel.  The two of us were about to create one last year, but we just got so busy and sort of forgot.  This year has been different.  
Ainsley and I took action just a few hours ago by making a Christmas video and creating an account.  I am so glad to start this adventure because it is something I have always been interested in.  I genuinely hope that you all take a look at our channel, Isabel Ainsley.  We intend to create many videos and are even developing a sort of "series" titled The Month of Christmas!  If everyone could check it out, that would be absolutely phenomenal!  I also hope you all have been looking at the fashion blog Kaitlyn and I created (Our Hearts Adore)!  It would mean the world to me :)  
Do not forget to check out Isabel Ainsley on YouTube (click here)!  
It is just another one of my Adventures with A.  Until next time xxx.

Blaze and Storm and Something Sweet

Before I begin, I just want to express my joy in the fact that people all across the world are tuning into this blog.  It makes me so overjoyed and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!  Now, on to the story...

"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you." -Princess Diana of Wales

Think about the quote above.  Yes, it was said by a brilliant woman, but the words are so powerful.  Basically, just be nice to one another and do not expect anything from it, except that maybe one day someone will return your kindness.
I really just love it and it relates to something that occurred within my day this evening.  I was standing outside my house with my friend, Ainsley, when we see to large dogs run across the street and around a yard.  They then bolt back across the street and into a neighbor's backyard.  Ainsley and I, quick to assume they have escaped their home, follow them but stop when the dogs leap over the fence.
They then bold into the open space that overlooks the mountains.  Frantic, Ainsley and I run into the open space (we did not cut through our neighbor's backyard, don't worry).  The dogs are nowhere to be seen.  Defeated, we begin heading back to our homes when a young lady in a car pulls up.  She asks us if we have seen two dogs.  Why yes, we had.  I then offer if she would like our help.  She said she would so Ainsley and I begin on the hunt for these two dogs, Blaze and Storm.  Now it is freezing outside and I, being clueless, am wearing a skirt and sweater.  Yet I am full with so much energy, eager to find these dogs, that I don't even realize my own limbs turning numb!
Ainsley and I continue searching, shouting out, "Blaze!" and "Storm!"
We have no luck and return to the woman, saddened by our failure.
"It's going to be a long night," she says after thanking us.  We begin the slow walk to our neighborhood as the lady goes back to her car.
All of a sudden the woman starts screaming "BLAZE!  STORM!  HERE!!" and runs up the street.  Ainsley and I follow and those two clueless dogs continue running back and forth across the street.  They are sniffing people's grass and not even listening to the woman screaming their names.
Ainsley and I precede to corner one of the dogs while the lady grabs the other by the collar.  Now they're big dogs and this woman is a thin as a rail.  She is on the phone, telling someone what street she is own and where she found these two giant dogs.
She finally grabs onto both their collars and we all sigh with relief.
"These are my Dad's babies.  I was about to be in a load of trouble!"  She continues to thank us as she drags the dogs off to her car.
I do not know what it was, but I felt inclined to help find Blaze and Storm.  Perhaps it was the fact that Ainsley and I had seen them running around.  Maybe it was the excitement of it all.  I suppose I am just grateful the lady was able to find her dad's dogs.  I certainly do not know what I would do if I lost my dog.  If he ran off, my heart would probably break into a million pieces.  That is most likely why I felt the need to help.
I guess, if my dog was lost, I would want people helping me find him.  Strangers helping, even.  That is why I find Princess Diana's quote so true.  We really should do to others as you would have them to do you.
Even though I got no reward or anything, I have the satisfaction in knowing I tried to help, and in knowing that Blaze and Storm are warm inside their homes on this bitter, frosty night.  Until next time xxx.


P.S.  I swear by Thanksgiving I will have up that list.. I just really loved this story.  Do something sweet for someone today, or tomorrow, or even the day after that :)

A Collection of Quotes

I love quotes.  I suppose everything out of our own mouths could be considered a "quote" but I love the meaningful ones.  The quotes that really stir our brains and touch our hearts are just beautiful.  So here I have gathered an (almost) complete collection of some of my favorite quotes.

~I saw that you were perfect so I loved you.  Then I saw that you were not perfect so I loved you even more.
~Be the heroine of your life, not the victim.
~She had blue skin, and so did he.  He kept it hid, and so did she.  They searched for blue their whole life through.  They passed right by- and never knew.
~Her heart was a secret garden and the walls were very high.
~These violent delights have violent ends, and in their triumph die.
~You only live once, but if you do it right once is enough.
~The expert in anything was once a beginner.
~The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.
~All you must do is love yourself.  The rest comes rather simply.
~Our lives are defined by opportunities.  Even the ones we miss.
~Give me my Romeo, and when he shall die take him, and cut him out into the little stars, and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night.
~Let no one pull you low enough to hate them.
~Comparison is the thief of joy.
~Remember that "dog" is "God" spelled backwards.
~I don't want to earn my living; I want to live.
~In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.
~If life becomes too hard to stand, kneel.
~The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones that do.
~The sun loved the moon so much, he died every night to let her breathe.
~Don't waste time on what could have been.
~Do not be pushed by your problems.  Be led by your dreams.
~Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones.
~If you don't imagine, nothing ever happens at all
~Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.
~What Susie says of Sally says more of Susie than of Sally.
~Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.
~The only person needed to change your life is you.
~Keep smiling because life is a beautiful thing and there is so much to smile about.
~You are more than the mistakes you have made.
~Sometimes the most ordinary things are made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people.
~Today is a perfect day to start living your dreams.
~I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.
~Blessed are those who see beautiful things in humble places where others see nothing.
~One day, there will not be a "tomorrow" so just live life the way you please.
~You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you.
~Don't forget to pray today, because God didn't forget to wake you up this morning.
~You can never be overdressed or overeducated.
~Start each day with a grateful heart.
~Before Alice could go to Wonderland she had to fall pretty hard.
~Anything can happen in just one day.
~Eventually all the pieces fall into place.

I know this may have been completely random, but I love the simplicity in quotes.  Though they are just words, they come together like magic.  I swear I will compose a Thankful post.  I am just unsure of what to include because there are so many things I am thankful for.  I may just include everything.  Prepare yourselves.  Until next time xxx.

P.S.   I hope you enjoy these pretty flowers (I found them on Pinterest :)).

Exciting News!

I am so excited to share some very fun news with you all!  My friend, Kaitlyn, and I have decided to create a blog together that will strictly focus on fashion.  It is called Our Hearts Adore (ourheartsadore.blogspot.com).  There should be a post up by tonight.  I really hope you will find time to check it out later and let me know what you think.  Kaitlyn and I both have a strong love for fashion, so it should be an interesting blog.  Again, I am hoping that we will have a post up by this evening! :)  I believe my next topic on here will center on Thanksgiving and overall things I am beyond grateful for.  Until next time xxx.

Midnight in Paris

If you have an obsession with Paris, France like I do, you have most likely seen the movie Midnight in Paris.  It's a Woody Allen film starring Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, and Rachel McAdams.  I absolutely fell in love with the plot, and while I'm not going to review it or anything like that, I would like to discuss the message the movie delivers.  
In Midnight in Paris, Owen Wilson is a man named Gil who would prefer to live in another time period.  He is tired of the "dull" present day and would rather find himself in the Roaring 20s.  When he visits Paris with his fiancee (Rachel McAdams) and her parents, he slips into something magical.  When the clock strikes midnight in Paris, an old car drives up to Gil.  He gets into the back seat and the driver takes him back in time (literally).  He is transported to Paris in the 1920s where he meets F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein.  He even begins to fall in love with a mysterious woman named Adriana , who ends up confessing that she much rather live in the late 1800s.  That was the time to live in.  Gil protests saying how, no, Paris in the 20s is the most wonderful time.  Adriana and Gil and transported even further into the past all the way to the 1890s.  Adriana loves it.  The men they meet say no!  The 1500s was the time to live in!  Gil still thinks the 20s is the time of perfection.  Adriana believes the 1890s are where it's at.  The men they meet in the bar continuously stick with the 1500s.
So that is what I learned.  Everything is relative.  There is no "right time" to live in.  The time is now.  
See, I always wanted to live in the 1950s (I still kind of do).  My second choice would be the 1920s, like Gil.  Then maybe the 1940s, the 80s, and then in Europe during the mid 1500s.  I'm not sure why, it just seems very fancy.  I suppose I find the 50s to be a classic time where people dressed impeccably and people like Marilyn Monroe and James Stewart existed.  The 2os was all about fun and freedom (I'm thinking Gatsby-ish).  The 40s came with film and Audrey Hepburn.  The 80s was all about music and the King of Pop.  Then in the 1500s-1700s I suppose everyone wore fancy gowns and life was much simpler. 
Yet, after discussing the film with my father, we both agreed that the only time to live in is now.  Do you really think the flappers of the Jazz Age thought anything special about the time they were living in?  Did people really find Elvis and Lucille Ball to be so fascinating in the 50s?  Most likely not.  That was just the norm.
One day, in say, 70 years, some people will say "Dang!  I wish I lived in the early 2000s!  It was so cool back then!"
But here we all sit.  Dreaming of a far off time, deciding that that would be a better time to live during.  Midnight in Paris taught me just that.  Why not just enjoy the period we live during?  One day, it will be apart of history.  

Midnight in Paris 

Paris in the morning is beautiful.  Paris in the afternoon is charming.  Paris in the evening is enchanting.  But Paris after midnight is magic.  

Until next time xxx.

EAT. (It's Not About Food).

Everyday we hear and see tragedies all across the world. From wars, to bullying, natural disasters to terrorism- terrible events occur. While often times (in cases of war and bullying for example) people hurt others, we never really think about who else is vulnerable. We never stop to think that sometimes the person who can hurt us the worst is ourselves 

Tonight, my school put on a production of the play, "EAT. (It's not about food)."  I attended because I have to write a paper on it. It was an impactful play that focused on eating disorders affecting people of all ages and genders.

Typically, food is taken for granted. For many, it is accessible at all times. For others, the blessing of a meal is only a far off dream. People, like myself even, who are granted food to nourish and strengthen our bodies, forget that others are no where near as fortunate. 

The play was very interesting and eye-opening. Sometimes, it can be nearly impossible to tell is someone has an eating disorder. I'm sure I am surrounded by it in my one school and don't even realize it. Tabloids, celebrities, models, and society overall has taken control of people's minds. They are made to believe that looking a certain way is the only way. If you are not perfect, you are nothing. If your thighs touch, or your collarbones don't jut out, you are fat. If you aren't tall and lean you are unworthy. If your hair doesn't sway and long and perfect and if your nose doesn't slope the right way, no one will ever like you. For boys, they have to meet up to all the other boys' standards. If they are too skinny, they are criticized. If they aren't skinny enough they are criticized. 

The most impactful scene in the entire play was when it was dark. The entire auditorium was pitch black. All that could be heard, loud and prominent, was the erratic heart beeping on a monitor. It was a irregular beating that lasted for almost a minute before... Flatlined. The steady beep of nothing. Of a life lost. It was one of the teenage girls who passed away. Her own demons consumed her. 

People constantly strive for perfection and criticize their own selves hardest of all. I know I struggle personally with body image issues. Sometimes I feel alone, but then I remember so many others struggle, too. I find so many imperfections with my appearance it sickens me. 

We are told that inner beauty is what really matters, but our outward appearance is what is always judged. It is what makes or breaks you it seems, especially in good, old high school. 

So many people can not handle their own looks. The solution seems simple: eat healthier.  Exercise... Skip a meal... Throw it up. Slowly our minds shift from what is right and what makes us feel powerful. Binge eating or being an anorexic leaves a feeling of power because one is control of what enters and leaves their body. 

I honestly found the play to be heartbreaking. These sorts of things are happening in my school, to maybe people I know, and within my community. Within this society to people just like you and me. 

It is often forgotten that everyone is perfect in their own way. I strongly believe this. You do not need to look like a model or professional athlete to be attractive and wholesome. You're perfect. Everyone is. 

The one thing I pulled from the play was that we are our own worst enemy, but we do not have to let it be that way. Do not take food for granted. Appreciate the the things you are able to eat and dog abuse them. 

Eat to help your body. Eat to live a long, healthy, and happy life. 

And next time you look in the mirror, smile at how lovely you are. Don't let the world change your opinion on yourself. 

Around The World in 80 Years

My life goal is to travel the entire would before I die (I am hoping I have around 80 years left, but who knows).  I find that traveling is the one thing you spend money on that actually makes you a better person.  It leaves you with a collection of memories and experiences.  I hope that if one day I could travel the globe, I would go to places in South America, to Europe, and Africa.  I have learned that places within in the United States are different, so I can not even fathom how different the rest of the world is.  It is interesting to look at photographs and read articles about different places, but nothing is as real as seeing it with your own eyes.
I believe that traveling is one thing I would want to do forever.  It is something I actually love.  Some people are more of homebodies, and that is completely okay.  Yet I can not stand being in one place for too long.  It becomes boring and repetitive.  I have grown tired of seeing the same scenery and people day after day.  How is life ever supposed to be exciting if nothing really changes?  
That is one of my constant struggles.  If my life was a word in the dictionary, it's definition would be boring.  Traveling is probably the most exciting thing there is, in my opinion.  There are so many parts to the world and I long to visit them all.  Not only the major cities (though that is one of my goals), but I honestly hope to visit small villages in foreign countrysides as well.
I also love meeting different and new people.  While I (sometimes) love my friends and family, I see them all day everyday.  It would be so nice to escape that and to meet new, interesting people from all over the world.  I think a lot can be learned from people who come from different backgrounds, and I also think that strong friendships can form between people who share the love of traveling.
Spectacular, and sometimes bizarre, foods are another bonus to traveling.  Though some foreign foods may seem odd, they can also be considered delicacies.  I think it would be an experience unlike any other to sample foods from around the world.  I genuinely hope to one day go around the world in 80  days  years.  Here are some destinations I would love to see:

Paris, France

Santorini, Greece

Munich, Germany 

Oslo, Norway 

London, England

Florence, Italy 

Santiago, Chile 

Rabat, Morocco 

Sydney, Australia 

Mexico City, Mexico 

Madrid, Spain 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  

Cape Town, South Africa 

Athens, Greece