3 top Under-rated TV Shows

There are some shows on TV that I love and that are very smart, funny, clever, etc., but do not have the same publicity and following as other shows like CSI for example. But these shows are some of the best out there and if you've never heard of them, now is your chance to TiVo and catch up on what you've been missing.

1. Monk
Monk is such a clever show with a great cast. Tony Shalhoub who plays the main character Adrian Monk is a fantastic actor. He has been nominated for many awards from playing Monk but does not get all the praise he should from the general public. He is an obsessive compulsive brilliant detective who tries to not let his compulsions get in the way of solving crimes. Great show, great writing, great acting, just great everything. Watch it on USA Network on Fridays 9/8 Central. New Episodes start on January 9th.

2. Psych
Psych is on right after Monk. Basically two friends who start a phony agency titled "Psych." One the the main characters Shawn Spencer has photographic memory and is good at solving crimes pretends to be psychic and works for the police department. His best friend Gus is always along for the ride although sometimes not willingly. Very funny show and the two main characters have a wonderful relationship on camera and you will laugh at least once while watching this show, promise. Airs on USA Network Fridays at 10/9 central. New episodes begin January 9th.


3. The Closer
Kyra Sedgwick plays Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson who is very good at getting confessions from criminals and interrogating. She has a great southern drawl and is a complex character that drives her finance crazy sometimes. Oh and she loves junk food. The show is very well written and keeps you guessing. The cast is amazing and everyone and everything about the show just clicks. You'll know what i mean when you watch it. It airs on TNT Monday nights 9/8 central. New episodes begin January 26th.


These are all I can't think of right now although I am sure there are many more underrated shows. Don't forget to watch the all time best TV Show The Office! :) What are some shows you think are underrated?

Rockin' Websites

OK so I am a web surfer to the max. There are some amazing websites out there that will make your life so much easier. :) So here is a list of a few you should check out, whether your bored and need something to do or need some help. Here we go:

1.Name: Phonezoo
Website: www.phonezoo.com
Description: Phonezoo is a website that will make you so happy if you like to have songs you love as your cell phone ring tone. Just set up a FREE account and download your favorite songs straight from your computer and even pick your favorite section of the song to set as your ring tone. When your finished just send it to your phone with one click. Its as easy as that.

*If this website for some reason is not compatible with your phone check out www.myxer.com which is essentially the same thing.


2. Name: PostSecret
Website: www.postsecret.blogspot.com
Description: Postsecret is a website that posts peoples secrets. People send in a secret they've never told anyone and make a crafty postcard with their secret written on it and send it to the postsecret main-house in Maryland. There are some touching secrets, disturbing ones, and some perverted ones. So be careful. :) It is quite entertaining though. They post new secrets every Sunday.

3. Name: One Sentence
Website: www.onesentence.org
Description: People tell stories in one sentence. Its kind of like PostSecret but not secrets. Just true stories told in one sentence. Very interesting. They haven't posted any of mine yet tho...

4. Name: Tickle
Website: www.tickle.com
Description: Tickle is a place you can take quizzes online and learn things about yourself. I have always loved taking quizzes like "What is you dream job?" ever since I used to get Seventeen Magazine. So Tickle has just that. Thousands of quizzes you can take for fun :). There are even "PhD approved" ones like "The IQ test", etc. So go quiz yourself away. Warning-could take up a lot of time.

5. Name: Stumbleupon
Website: www.stumbleupon.com
Description: Stumble upon is an add on for Firefox. You mark your interests in your profile and press "stumble" and will be going from random website to random website. Its so much fun and you will find many interesting things!

6. Name: Gifts
Website: www.gifts.com
Description: Lets you pick gifts according to gender, age, and personality. So many gifts to choose from and an easy website to navigate. I have found many great gifts I would not have thought of otherwise through this website!

7. Name: Zappos
Website: www.zappos.com
Description: Find every shoe you could imagine on Zappos! And you will receive FREE shipping both ways. So if they don't fit, send them back. For free! Shop away!

8. Name: MSNBC Weird News section
Website: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4429957
Description: Weird stories from around the globe. So funny.

9. Name: Make Me Babies
Website: www.makemebabies.com
Description: Upload pics of you and someone else, or you and a celeb, or friends, etc. And see what your baby might look like. Its hilarious.

10. Name: LDS Journal
Website: www.ldsjournal.com
Description: A FREE online journal that is very convenient for those of us that do not like to write/ can't read our handwriting folks. Is very easy to use and I love the set up. It also includes an "About Me" section with hundreds of question about your childhood, likes/dislikes, memories, etc. So you can have a recap of your life essentially if you haven't been keeping a journal or you haven't thought to answer those questions. Also has places to upload photos on your journal entries and to place a mood next to the entry. Love it!

11. Name: GoodSearch
Website: www.goodsearch.com
Description: Web search whatever you need. Like google, but better. Because every time you search, they give money to your favorite charity. You can also do your shopping through Good Search and earn money for your charity through shopping at your favorite stores like eBay, Gap, etc. Do good while searching the Internet!


Well that's all for now, go check these out and maybe I will post more later when I can think. What are some of your favorite websites??

Cocomotion

I am sure many of you have heard of the this fantastic invention from Mr. Coffee...The Cocomotion. I first tried the Cocomotion two years ago during the chilly winter season. At first I thought it was useless and I did not understand why I could not just warm up hot water and add my cocoa with a spoon as I had been doing for years. Little did I know what a great invention lay before me. You will never drink homemade hot chocolate after using your Mr. Coffee Cocomotion. It is so easy, just add water/milk/whatever you want and your choice of cocoa put the lid on and press start. The Cocomotion will mix it all together while heating it up and you will end up with hot coco stirred to perfection. It is a great gift to give to someone who loves hot cocoa! Prices range from $15-$20. Now go grab one or ask Santa and enjoy. Preferably snuggling in a blanket next to a warm fire.

Here are a couple of places you can find the Cocomotion online:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=1894448

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Cocomotion-Chocolate-Maker/dp/B00006IUU0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1228859221&sr=8-1



Hot chocolate mix recommendations:

What you want, baby I got it....R-E-S-P-E-C-T

So today in my English class I remembered how much it bothers me when people are disrespectful to others. Heaven knows we don't live in a perfect world, but if everyone could give a little more respect it would make a world of difference. In a dating violence pamphlet at work it says "GIVE RESPECT. EXPECT RESPECT." I love that!


Anyway the reason it was bugging me in English class and why it does in life sometimes (other than relationships and respect which I won't get into b/c of course you should respect friends, partners, family, etc. and it would take me forever to blog about that) is because I don't think people respect others opinions all the time. We get so blindsided by our own opinions that we discount others.

And I have found that some that profess to be "free thinkers" and believe that everyone should have their own opinion and be "free from society" are some of the worst of the bunch. They are so determined that they are right that they pretty much tell those with different opinions and thoughts that they are stupid because they think differently than them. Well aren't they the ones that are saying we should all have the right to our own opinions? And who says that you are right? It can go both ways, of course very conservative people can be the same way as far as not being willing to listen to the other side. Why can't we all just listen to one another, and even if we disagree, it doesn't mean we have to try and convince one another to agree with our opinions. I wish we could all just have conversations and be willing to listen to and respect one another despite differences of opinions. (I think I have said the word "opinions" a million times.....opinions. A million and one.)


I am not super conservative or super liberal so I can say this.....according to me. (no one reads this anyway so who cares?) It is funny to me that those professing to be the most "accepting" and want equal rights for everyone have many of their own ways of being close minded. (I'm not saying all of them) But they discount what those who are very conservative believe. I think both sides have some good strengths. But, when you can't look past your own beliefs and listen to others for just one second you also become blind. No one should believe that their opinions are the "RIGHT" way. They may be right for you but not for everyone. We should just all "Give respect and expect respect" Respect others opinions and be willing to learn from others. This doesn't mean changing what you believe but don't assume you are right no matter what.



This post is dedicated to a couple students in my English Class.

Love everyone! (But don't trust everyone) :)

The Joy of Giving

It's the time of the year that people think a lot about service. Before I write anything I would like to say of course that hopefully we can look for ways to serve always! I need to remember that and I try to every year, but its easier said than done. Anyways, it is great to see an out-pour of service throughout the holidays. I have been thinking a lot about service this week because I have seen a lot of it at work. Because I work at a non-profit agency we thrive on donations. And here in Cache Valley there are many wonderful people willing to donate so much to us. We have had several people/ organizations donate turkey dinners for Thanksgiving for the families who come through CAPSA. I am one of the lucky ones who gets to give the dinners to the families that come in because I am in the front office. These people are SO grateful and its amazing what the power of serving can do and the changes it can make.


All the service that I see personally and stories I have heard just go to show, people are generally good. It makes me think how much different our world would be if we served just a little more. If everyone served one person a day, and that person served another and so on, the world would be an amazing place! I truly believe that each individual can have a huge impact on the world around them. If we all did what we talk about doing, what we really want to do, serve just a little more, how much better would our corner of the world be? And not only would those around us be happier, but we would be happier. I think the big thing is taking responsibility to ACT and not just stand on the sidelines and wait for others to do the serving.
I hope all of us can be more aware of the ways we can serve, big and small. And not only during Christmas but all year. Each of us has the power to change lives and to make the world a better place.

Self

I was thinking today about self, and what impact that has on each of us. What I mean is that our sense of self and improving of self not only affects us personally but also affects those around us.

I think all of us at times find it much easier to look at others and nit pick all their flaws because looking at our own flaws is no picnic. But instead of focusing on that I want to focus on improving ourselves before we try to improve others. I truly believe that until we have a good sense of self we can not help others to our full capability.

As Aldous Huxley said, "There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self." That is one certainty of improvement. We can only be certain of improving ourselves. Others improving somehow because of us is not something that can be certain, nor should it be. Because the fruit of all change lays within each individual person. Each person holds the key for change within themselves, and though we can help one another along only the individual person has the will and capability to change themselves.


Our sense of self and self-respect is one of the most important things we can have. Because it affects our relationships with everyone we meet. If we do not truly love ourselves can we fully love someone else?

"The capacity for getting along with our neighbor depends to a large extent on the capacity for getting along with ourselves. The self-respecting individual will try to be as tolerant of his neighbor's shortcomings as he is of his own." -Eric Hoffer-


So I just want to end and say love yourself! Take care of yourself! Do things that you enjoy. Sometimes we want to take care of others so much that we in turn neglect ourselves. And when we do that those we are taking care of suffer also. Because they too feel the stress that comes from lack of self nurturing. :) So here are a couple of quotes to close off.

"We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit."
-E.E. Cummings-

"The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself."
-Eleanor Roosevelt-

Non Traditional

So I was pondering last night while watching the food network and decided that when and if I get married I want a non-traditional cake and maybe some other non traditional events in my wedding. But here are a couple of examples the colors would be different. Call me crazy but I like to be unique :)

How we spend our days....

I found this quote and loved it..

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Anne Dillard-

This is so true. Sometimes we think that life is made of a few big moments when in reality it is all the small moments that matter most.

It is so easy to get caught up in life and forget about the things that are most important to us, I need constant reminding and reevaluating. I love this quote because what we do everyday is how we will spend our lives. Good or bad it is up to us. Those small decisions we make everyday and the way we are spending our time is what is going to make the biggest difference in our lives.

So it is important to really think about how we are spending our days and where we are spending our time. For me I probably spend too much time on the Internet doing things like this. Which is OK, but just in moderation. There are better things. Its like Elder Oaks Good, Better, Best principal. There are a lot of "good" things we can be doing but there are also things that are better or best. So enjoy life and make the most of it that you can and spend your days how you want to spend your lives. :)

Politics-love, pain, the whole crazy thing.

Politics are a touchy subject with most people. And I've realized lately that I really don't care too much about what everyone's ideologies are. What I mean by that is that even though some people have a way different view of politics than I do does not mean that I want them to agree with me. But, this is not true in all instances. There are some things I feel very strongly about and think its my job to change some peoples thinking. (its part of a social workers job)

One example of this is rape. There are so many myths about rape that are completely untrue and I feel I need to educate people on it, as does the organization I work for. Anyways I am not going to get all into it but if you want to talk to me about it email me stevi_young@hotmail.com.

So going back to politics (I tend to get a little off subject) it seems like everyone is really having to decide where they stand. Especially with this election. Its been a pretty intense election year and who knows what the next couple of months with bring. I try and not start talking politics with very many people because it gets a little too intense for me. And because no one is going to make me change my mind and I am not going to try and change theirs it becomes moot. Don't get me wrong, I love to hear people's perspectives on things like this because I can start to see the world as they see it and that is always interesting and I learn things.

I am glad everyone is forming their ideas on what they believe politically and such but we all need a little more love with each other. No one is completely correct on everything (that is just my opinion) so lets listen and respect one another! I don't really know where i am going with this blog post but its just a bunch of random tidbits I wanted to say that maybe don't make any sense or really say anything at all. Oh well. I need to write sometimes to free myself of jumbled thought.

Famous in a small town

I was listening to the song "Famous in a small town" by Miranda Lambert. And I have liked that song for a long time and have been able to relate to it. So I thought I should post a blog about it. Anyone who is from a small town I think can relate to this song. Because if you live in a small town you are "famous" in a sense and everyone knows everything about you. Here are the lyrics:

"They say life is so much sweeter through the telephoto lens of fame around here you get just as much attention cheerin' at the high school football game

I dreamed of going to Nashville Put my money down and placed my bet But I just got the first buck of the season I made the front page of the Turnertown Gazette

Every last one, route one, rural hearts got a story to tell Every grandma, in law, ex girlfriend Maybe knows it just a little too well Whether you're late for church or you're stuck in jail Hey words gonna get around Everybody dies famous in a small town

Tyler and Casey broke up It ended pretty quietly We heard he was caught red-handed with her mama So that's just what they let us all believe

Every last one, route one, rural hearts got a story to tell Every grandma, in law, ex girlfriend Maybe knows it just a little too well Whether you're late for church or you're stuck in jail Hey words gonna get around Everybody dies famous in a small town

Baby who Needs their faces in a magazine Me and you We've been stars of the town since we were 17

Let's go on down to the quick stop Wear your yellow shades And I'll put on my tight jeans And we'll just spend the weekend burnin' rubber And we'll let em point and stare in disbelief

Every last one, route one, rural hearts got a story to tell Every grandma, in law, ex girlfriend Maybe knows it just a little too well Whether you're late for church or you're stuck in jail Hey words gonna get around Everybody dies famous in a small town."


So I love that song. Just take it all in. It is SO true in small towns. Very stereotypical but I have found most small town jokes to be true. :)

PS The song is on my playlist at the bottom of the page. Listen and enjoy...

Modern world we live in

Most people who know me wouldn't say that I was an old fashioned girl, in fact I know I am made for this time period. But when I look at "the good old days" and some of the customs that were around I can't help but wish that we had more of that now. For example chivalry. It is very hard to find. The world of dating is completely different than it was 20 or 30 years ago. We are living in a world where a lot of guys will ask out girls over a text message. Um...is it really that hard to pick up the phone and call? It seems so simple but guys that will actually call are already earning brownie points. Its the simple things that count like opening the door. Also ask us on real dates. Too many guys just want to "hang out" and we women let them get away with it. We aren't asking for too much just the small things. We don't need an expensive date, we don't even care if its all for free, its the planning and effort that count.

Next what happened to face to face communication? Obviously I am a fan of modern technology but some people are sending hundreds of text messages A DAY and don't know how to talk to someone face to face anymore. I just fear we are slowing losing that. Maybe instead of emailing your coworker who is two doors away from you, get up and go talk to them. Just a thought.

I have already talked about reality TV before but seriously what happened to the good old sitcoms? Like the Cosby Show or I love Lucy? Now its all about reality competitions and wife supernanny. I am just waiting for one that sparks my attention. Now that everybody loves Raymond, and friends are off the air.

What happened to supermodels and celebrity icons having a little shape? Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. The really popular supermodels in the 90's like Cindy Crowford and Tyra Banks had some curve, now we have models looking like they haven't eaten in 10 years. Now more and more women are trying to fit into size 0 jeans and starving themselves. Eat people. Its OK, having a little curve is sexy. And most of us no matter what we do are going to have Heidi Klums body. Just make what you have the best you can make it!

Since when is violence like the biggest thing since sliced bread? I am being a hypocrite saying this but truly. So much of our entertainment is based on violence and we enjoy watching it, listening to it, etc. I myself love such shows as 24, the bourne series, etc. So like I said this goes for me also. But it is kind of disturbing to think that we so casually watch very violent things without even thinking about it.

All in all I really love the world we live in. But sometimes I just wish that things could be more simple. We live in a complex enough world yet we are always creating more stress for ourselves and we spend less time on the things that are most important like family. I am grateful to be living in this time but wish for changes which I am sure everyone throughout history is always hoping for improvements within their day. But I just hope to not lose the goods things of the past, but use them to continue to create a better future.

So on the other hand here are a few things that make the modern world we live in great:

Cell phones

TiVo

Laptops

Assertive women on a larger scale

Better special effects

The Internet

TV shows available on DVDs

More variety in fashion available for more people

More acceptance of differences in people

Tossed salad in U.S.

More people going to college


And I could go on forever. There is A LOT to be thankful for.


Peace

20 Years

So today is my birthday so I thought I would do a little reflecting of some of things I have learned, especially in the last year, So here it goes....

1. You have to work hard (really hard) to accomplish the things you most want. And it makes it that much more special when you get it.
2. Organizing your schedule will make a world of difference
3. Leave room for spontaneity
4. Always take time for yourself, you have to take care of yourself before you can truly take care of others
5. There are little blessings and sometimes big ones every single day
6. Think things through before you say them
7. Age doesn't always determine maturity
8. First impressions aren't always right
9. Give people a chance to change your opinion about them
10. Utah women are much to young to feel this damn old and think they should be married by age 20 (guess i'm offically old now)
11. Even though the world seems like a horrible place right now there are still a lot of wonderful people in it
12. Look on the bright side of things and be positive
13. Try and see others perpectives in every situation and be willing to admit when your wrong
14. Always stand up for what you believe
15. Respect everyone
16. Don't try and force others to agree with you, its OK to agree to disagree
17. Celebrate the differences between people
18. DREAM BIG! You can do anything you set your mind to
19. Never forget where you came from and always remember how important your family is!!
20. Be the friend to others that you want
21. Spend less time worrying and more time doing
22. Never give up
23. There is a calm after the storm
24. Keep in touch with old friends
25. Don't compare yourself with others, we all have different strengths and we can't all be the same, thank goodness
26. Love people even if you don't agree with what they are doing. Just being there will help
27. Its never too late to live happily ever after
28. Friends are some of the most amazing blessings!
29. Some people come into your life at just the right time
30. There is still a lot to learn
31. Serving others brings the best kind of happiness
32. Don't take anything for granted
33. Make every moment count. Live for today!
34. Enjoy the journey
35. Laugh every single day, its therapeutic
36. Dating is not all its cracked up to be
37. Explore your skills and take chances
38. Trust your instincts
39. Take time to do what you love and don't get too caught up in the regular everyday stuff (i.e. work, school, etc)
40. Being happy is much funner than being anything else
41. Found this and thought it was good:

Dream what you want to dream;Go where you want to go;Be what you want to be,Because you have only one life And one chance to do all the things You want to do.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,Enough trials to make you strong,Enough sorrow to keep you human and Enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily Have the best of everything;They just make the most of Everything that comes along their way.
The brightest future will always Be based on a forgotten past;You can't go forward in life until You let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying And everyone around you was smiling Live your life so at the end You're the one who is smiling and everyone Around you is crying.
- Anonymous

Vision-Self Image

I was talking to my co-workers today about dreams and goals. We are all making vision boards at work. It's where you make a whole board filled with pictures, quotes, drawings, or anything that inspires you and that shows the things you currently want to accomplish in life. For example, places you want to visit, a car you want, etc. The sky is the limit.
Making the vision board has been a great. And has all of us excited to think about all that we want to accomplish and helps us to dream big and think positively.
There are some words that came with our packet for our vision boards, and one says "I love my body." This is my favorite one! Because most people would not say that. No matter how beautiful and perfect some people look to others I have generally found that they too are just as self-conscious as everyone else.


We spend so much time and energy wishing we had so & so's legs or arms or butt or whatever when we should be learning to love what we have. I think it is important to be the best you that you can be with realizing that you can't have the same figure as another person. Your body is what it is, and even when your in the best shape ever, your not necessarily going to look like Heidi Klum.


Appreciate what you have, make it the best you can, but love your body no matter what condition it is in. All different shapes and sizes are beautiful in their own unique way.
We all need to stop feeling so bad about our figures and start being positive. There is enough pressure from so many other things, you shouldn't be constantly criticizing yourself. Love yourself!! :)


Also I would encourage everyone to make a vision board and keep it current with new goals and checking off what you accomplish! Be creative and Dream big!

Why books are always better than the movies

Anyone that knows me at all knows that I love movies. But, I do not love movies that are made based on my favorite books. It ruins the book for me a little. There are a few exceptions, i.e., Gone with the Wind, which is in fact my all time favorite book and the movie is good also just not as good as the book.

The reason the movies ruin it for me is that it takes away my personal interpretation and picture of what I think the scene, characters, and everything else looks like. Its nice to get another persons interpretation, I just never thinks it's as good as mine. :) Plus using your imagination is good for you.

The perfect example of a series of movies I do not like compared to the books are the Harry Potter movies. I am a huge fan of the books, read them several times, but the movies just don't do it for me (besides staring at Rupert Grint, that is a good time.) The worst part is all that has to get left out of the movies. With all that is in the books it seems so sad to leave a good chunk of it out. Although I understand that if you tried and put most of the book in the movie, it would be 6 hours long which wouldn't fly with the general public. Also I do not like that Ron and Hermione get so little screen time. Even though the books are called "Harry Potter" his two best friends play major roles in them, but in the movies you mostly only see Harry Potter. I don't think the movies are horrible by any means, I just think you get much more out of it by reading them.
One of the best parts of reading the books is that you get to read what the main characters are thinking and get inside information that they don't normally put onscreen. It gives you a deeper insight that you don't get in movies.


I love the twilight series and the movie is coming out this fall. I do not think I can see it. I just don't think they can possibly recreate Edward and my picture of him and the whole book. I saw the previews and just kept thinking "no, no, no." It looks more like an action packed freaky movie, it is a love story people. Yes, there are vampires and parts are scary Edward is not as creepy as they are making him look, not to me anyways....and remember I am always right haha. (ok maybe not always.) I am thinking I will not see it and save myself the anger that comes from watching movies ruin the books I enjoy. Or I may see it just to see it, only time will tell.


I think its fun to watch the movies but read the books also because they are so much better! And I will try and be more open-minded concerning others views of the book and let myself enjoy the movies.

Reality TV

We are living in a society where reality TV is all around us. No matter what channel we flip through or what water cooler are at there is reality TV commercials and discussions. I am not innocent in any of this because I too watch it and discuss it. But I am becoming more and more skeptical of the whole idea. I mean why is it that America loves reality TV. What happened to the good old days where sitcoms ruled the tube? Now we have shows like supernanny, and wife swap and don't even get me started on all the MTV reality stuff, didn't they used to play music?? I've forgotten...


What is this world coming to??? I started to ponder where the reality TV craze started. So I googled it of course and there was no precise answer. So I say that the Real World was the first popular reality show (but don't quote me on that I just made it up.) But then about 8 years ago it seems reality TV skyrocketed. Then everyone tuned it to see people eat live bugs and jump off bridges on fear factor and people trying to survive in the wilderness while voting each other off of the island. Now with shows like that not doing as well people want to watch love affairs and wife swapping (sorry can't get over that its just creepy.)


I feel like reality TV that used to be good is now in the dumps. For example, one of my all time favorite shows American Idol is now not as it used to be. Don't get me wrong there is still amazing talent but how many times can we watch the same show over and over (and over.) There is new people every year (I think) but its the same charade each time. And now American has become more of a beauty contest than a singing competition. I listen to people talk about the show and so many of them comment on the looks of the contestants saying things like "She ugly" "She's fat". Ok people I thought American Idol was about singing and not about modeling like Americans next top model (love that show.) Enough about that. All I really want to say is that maybe we should start watching better shows on TV and not stupid reality TV, or even better, watch less TV and explore reality for ourselves.

Faith in Humanity

So I was just sitting here talking to two of my favorite people Catherine and Anna. We were discussing our society and the problems with it. We started to disagree on one thing and that is that most people in our society are greedy and selfish. I politely disagreed with them and said that I do not think that most people fall under that category. I tend to be more optimistic when it comes to people. I have a grounded faith in people and truly believe that most people are good. I know there is plenty of evidence pointing the opposite direction, but I refuse to change my mind.

Even though I am a social work major and can be a little jaded I never want to lose the part of me that has faith in humanity. I know there is a lot of crap in this world and we see people doing unspeakable things for money and other crazy things, but I think that people just get lost in this world. I think they just lose themselves and maybe they do lose a lot of their goodness but I believe most of them somewhere insides themselves want to change or at least know what they are doing is wrong.

I think that the "good" I am talking about in people manifests itself in many ways. We all have different strengths and different ideas of what is good or not. So if you really dig deep you can find something good about everyone. It may not appear at first but I assure you if you look it is there. Many people would disagree with me but that's your problem not mine. :) I think we would all be better off if we believed people could change and help one another out no matter what may be in our pasts. That goes without saying, you cannot trust everyone. I think that there is some good in everyone but would I trust most people?? No.There is always hope for everyone.

I have faith in humanity and I will not compromise that thought no matter what may prove me wrong. I'll be keepin the faith going strong. And Anne Frank, who knew more than many people the evils of the world said it well when she said, "In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death."

Stress

Stress, it is an essential part of life I guess, but why do we do it so much?? Maybe your one of the few people that never worries too much about anything, I envy you.... But for the most part we all stress daily. I guess stress does serve many purposes. If we didn't stress about things not much would get done.

But what I am talking about is the kind of stress that makes you literally sick. I have learned from years of stressing out major that we all could benefit from "taking a chill pill" so to say. When we get to that point of stressing so much we wanna yell we are not being very productive. My thoughts here are that we need stress to push us to do things but don't let it get you down.

Take a few deep breaths and get organized. If you have a million things to do and not enough hours in the day plan it out! Somehow it will get done if you set your mind to it and be positive. I know it won't always be that easy but its helped me this past insane semester. There is a way to get things done without wanted to punch something. Be happy :). Life is too short to be anything but happy! Believe in yourself and be productive. Worrying never accomplishes much. If you want to get something done, do it! Don't sit and talk about it and how busy you are all the time, get it done (you should still vent just don't do that and nothing else.)

One of my favorite quotes from Anatole France says "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."So again believe in yourselves and your capabilities! I know you can do it (whatever "it" may be.) But you have to act... And don't worry, be happy :).

-Dedicated to all those freaking out during finals week-

Taking chances

Anne Dillard said, "If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be too cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down."

Although it is scary to take risks and "jump" how can we live a full life without doing so? Believe me I need this advice more than anyone that is why I am saying it. Although I have taken many risks in my life there have been many times where I have not. And it only leaves me wondering what could have been.

Like Mark Twain said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Its so true, looking back on your life I bet you too can think of many things that you wished you would have done. It is not good to dwell on things of the past and what could have been, but instead to press forward to a better future; One where you will take more chances and do that which you think you cannot do. Taking risks is really what life is all about. Trusting your gut and going for it!!! Don't forget to think somethings through though, its good to take risks, not so good to always be impulsive (trust me on that one). But tell that person you like them or ask them out! Take that trip you've been dreaming about. Go for the job or scholarship you think you won't get. Change your major if you've realized you hate it, even if you are two years in (life's too short to be unhappy). Do whatever it is that you are scared of (that's plausible) and TAKE CHANCES!

The truth about happily ever after

From the time we are young children we are brainwashed into thinking that fairy tales truly exist. I am not a pessimist, merely a realist from experience. Girls can relate to this a little better. We watch Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty and dress up like them and dream of becoming a princess until real life sets in and we realize that fairy tales are just that, tales, not real life.

I myself was tricked into thinking that someday I would go to a ball and perhaps lose a slipper and have Mr. Prince Charming himself come sweep me off my feet. But from experience I have learned to accept the fact that the fairy tale dream I had does not exist.

I still do believe in true love and finding someone that you want to be with forever, I just see it in a different way. I think when you find that person they in no way will be perfect, or prince charming. but they will be perfect for you in a sense. They will in no doubt do things to drive you crazy, but I think thats how it should be. Makes everything more real, if there wasn't down times we wouldn't have good ones. Its in the scriptures, look it up. So all in all, still dream of good things but don't be fooled by the perfect image that is out there. It doesn't exist. Live in real life it is good!!!!

Life is full of surprises

Today I got to thinking how life is full of surprises. It may sound cliche but its true! For example today I am at work looking at msnbc.com as I usually do and there are three stories in a row about people overcoming overwhelming odds.

A young man that was declared dead and brain dead turned out to be alive. The organ donation team was coming to get his organs and unplug him from the machine, and it turns out he was alive. And another women who was shot between the eyes and walked into the hospital conscious and is fine. I don't think either one of these people could imagine that happening to them but yet here they are on national television and Internet. Don't believe me?? check it out for yourself http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23914454/. There is also good surprises!! Like finding $20 dollars in a jacket your haven't worn for a month. I love the unpredictability's of life. Isn't it great???!!!

Anyways that is really random but my mind is all over the place today and that is what your suppose to do on a blog right? I don't know its new to me. :)

First

So this is my first blog and my friends decided I needed one seeing as I love talking and writing so much and have opionions on pretty much everything. So read on and enjoy. :)