When i was a sophomore in high school some random girl- okay she wasn't totally random, i did know her, we just weren't very close, and it came out of nowhere- came up to me and told me that i needed to stop dressing like a twelve year old. I went home hurt and surprised. Because as far as i was concerned i did not dress like a twelve year old! I didn't exactly start caring about the way i looked until i was a senior in high school, i started wearing dresses and tights, and nice shirts and new pants. When people started "trippin' balls" about what i was wearing (dresses, tights, blazers, etc.) i began to realize what people consider fashion in Bakersfield ( my hometown): short shorts, and a razor back tank top. this is NOT okay.

See, in Bakersfield the girls are what we call "bro hoes" and i say it because they all have razor straight hair, they don't know how to properly apply eyeshadow, and they all have boyfriends who drive lifted trucks "like OMG!" They consider dressing up wearing a brand new tank top. And during summer wearing short shorts and tank tops everyday is perfectly okay. Who wears short shorts? BRO HOES WEAR SHORT SHORTS! Oh, did i mention that they think wearing Juicy track suits with Uggs to be fashionable for winter? 

Now, i'm no fashion guru, but there is no way in hell Vera Wang would approve of this behaviour! 

Here's what bugs me most about the "bro ho" fashion: they try to convert others. I have friends that make fun of the way I dress or they tell me i should wear more tank tops or buy shorter shorts, and to them i have this to say: NEVER.

Sure, i may not wear tank tops, i may not get my entire wardrobe from Forever 21, but i am proud of the way i dress myself. You have made your choice to dress a certain way and i have made mine. If choosing to wear a skirt that's considered long, sundresses that aren't skimpy, or cardigans with practically every short sleeve shirt makes me a prude, then so be it. 

Fox Mulder

Fox Mulder? more like Foxy Mulder. awwwww yeaaaaahhhhhhh

Have you EVER seen X-Files? Goodness Gracious.

(If you're not familiar with X-Files then this blog post is not for you.)

Fox Mulder is probably one of my favorite people because he's not only attractive, but also smart, witty, and a believer in the paranormal. I've recently been watching X Files non stop and i've come to the realization, with the help of my homegirl, Sam, that he's kind of awesome. From the way he looks at Scully to the way he pursues little green men. Mulder knows how to drive a car, handle an interrogation, arrest a suspect, save the day, and wear a suit. He believes in the rights of the people, he fights for the truth of extraterrestrial life and inter-governmental conspiracies to be made known to the public.
Don't you dare try to pin my love for Fox on nerdiness, if you were cool/ born early enough to watch X- Files you would understand. Another great thing about Mulder: he's super dedicated to his family. Look at how he cared for his mom after her heart attack, the guilt he felt after his father's death and his incessant pursuit for his sister. Even YEARS after he's run away from the game he's still capable of catching the bad guy , in the most recent X Files movie he uses that cute little noggin of his to catch the bad Russians, but i'm not going to comment anymore on that because frankly it wasn't my favorite. i was a bit disappointed.
Let's talk about one of my biggest grievances against the great paranormal detective, Fox Mulder. his inability to get with Scully earlier in the series. Yes, the sexual tension drove the show but at the same time... I WAS DYING. I love that he would do practically anything to protect her or to get vengeance for her, and she for him.When they almost kissed in X-Files: Fight the Future my heart literally skipped a beat, orrrr what abut the time when Scully saved him from the alien virus he was exposed to and he told her he loved her? awww man. i died a little bit that day. i love mulder but i just wanted to see him happy... with Scully. Funny sidenote: wanted him and Scully together, right? and when they finally did get together Gator wasn't happy. but yeahhhh.

Fox Mulder and Dana Scully a beautiful partnership, and great at sexual tension.

a thought on Taylor Swift

I have lost the ability to listen to a Taylor Swift song all the way through.

I don't know what happened, but ever since i graduated high school i can't finish a single song.  Every time i hear one, i make it to the chorus but then swiftly -see, what i did there?- change the track.When someone asks if they can change the song we're listening to, and they start playing a TSwift song all i think is, "Should've Said No."

Don't get me wrong, Taylor Swift is great at telling a "Love Story" but she will "Never Grow Up," i respect her ability to write songs, make millions of dollars, and wear sparkly dresses, (all things i am incapable of doing, and i will forever respect her for these things, no sarcasm intended)  i just can't listen to her anymore. It's as if EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HER SONGS is about another dude that broke her heart. Seriously, Taylor, we get it: he's a jerk, you believe in fairy tales yada yada yada.

I love that Taylor Swift reminds girls about being a princess and valuing themselves and what not but at the same time i feel like this: she's 21 going on 22 years old, she should stop singing like she's 14.

A lot of you may be reading this -hi mom!- and thinking, "man, this chick is collldddddd. brrrr."  and you sir, would be correct. But i guess i'm just "Fearless" and will "Forever and Always" be expressing my thoughts on topics, I don't mean to be "Mean" but sometimes i just have to "Speak Now." alright, enough with the song references, in short i respect Ms. Swift i just find her music unappealing and intolerable now.

I feel as though now is the time to "Change."But who cares what i think? It's not like i'm forced to listen to her music, it's just a few thoughts.  As for all three of my readers out there: "Stay Beautiful."

Obama

To those of you who have a problem with Obama, claim to be Christian, and won't stop complaining about him every chance you get: please stop.

I find an amazing disconnect between calling oneself a Christian and then turning around and talking crap about Obama, there's a difference between critiquing, and building someone up, and complaining about the President and trash talking. I don't like Taylor Swift but i still respect her. (it may not seem like it on this blog, but i do.)

Here's the thing: the Bible itself says that there is no government that God himself has placed there. How about instead of trying to tear down the government and it's programs why don't you try praying for the government? or why don't you try to help solve the issues that the government has started the programs to solve. instead of complaining about your taxes going to welfare why don't you try to help the homeless? Why don't you encourage your church to do something to stop poverty or to help people get back on their feet? (if you don't think i have biblical references, i do. so there.)

i understand that some of you might already be doing this, in which case, i applaud you, at least you're complaining and trying to do something to change the problem; some people complain and won't do anything to solve the problem.

I personally don't think anything we have is truly ours anyway, i think everything that we have is Christ's and that we need to use what he's blessed us with to the best of our ability. In all that we do we should be glorifying Christ, not ourselves.

Look, if you're claiming to be a Christ follower: step up to the plate and love your neighbors like Christ did. One of the reasons the state picked up taking care of the poor is because the church wasn't doing it's job, the church should be taking care of the widowed and the orphaned, but i think we're too busy taking care of ourselves and telling people "Go, be filled." but we're not doing anything to help! Do you know how terrible it looks (and is) to tell someone to go be happy but you're not actually doing anything to help them? let me tell you: PRETTY FLIPPIN' TERRIBLE.

a thought on being weird.

Dr. Seuss once said, ""We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."


Since the start of my time here i've noticed that most people comment on me "being weird." Some seem to think that if they tell me i "have nice hair" somehow i'll forget that i'm weird. And honestly i don't know what it is that makes me weird. Maybe it's my bad habit of breaking into show tunes at random moments, or maybe it's my vast knowledge of pop culture. Actually, i know what it is, it MUST be the outburst i had over being sorted into the Hufflepuff house when i took the "What Harry Potter House Do You Belong In?" quiz online... No, that can't be it. 


Dictionary.com defines "weird" as "involving or suggesting the supernatural; unearthly or uncanny: fantastic; bizarre." So apparently my personality involves witches.... ANYWHO, we need to start to appreciate weirdness. Frankly, i think it makes the world go round, not really, but it does make the turning of the world far more interesting, far more "fantastic". Imagine a world in which everyone was normal (if that was even possible)  it wouldn't be nearly as entertaining.


Now, i'm just as annoyed as everyone else out there by people who are WAY too proud about being weird there are times when it is appropriate to be weird and other times when it is not so appropriate. I'm talking about the people that are in your face about being weird. We all know that person whether it be the weird guy in your class that has the obnoxious laugh, and rolls his eyes whenever you talk to him, or it just might be your brother. Either way there about as annoying as a bro. So control your weirdness, at least a little bit, because there reaches a point where Gator has had enough, a'ight?


I do realize the implications of this: we not only accept the people who are weird in a funny, quirky, and cool way - like me- but also people who are weird in a socially handicapped, never seen a PG13 movie, doesn't know how the human body functions way-homeschoolers- but i mean, hey, they're cool too, right?.... right?!  [side note: i was home schooled.... soooooo been there done that.]


long live weirdness! 

Honesty

I've come to the conclusion that I love honesty. 

Truly, I do. 
Every time I listen to Bob Dylan's, "It Ain't Me, Babe" it happens to be one of my favorites, I'm practically brought to tears by how honest he is. Here in this song, he's straight up telling this girl that everything she wants and expects from him he can't be.

Or what about in the song, "Nothing Better" by the Postal Service? Probably one of the best duets i've ever heard! I love the contrast in perspective. In this case, he wants to be everything he can possibly be for her. She tells him, "...let me help you remember. I've made charts and graphs that should finally make it clear. I've prepared a lecture on why i have to leave."

I just wish that people were more honest with each other more often. I say this because do you know how much easier it would be if everyone just said it how it is? Sure, perhaps some feelings would get hurt but everything would be a lot clearer to understand and situations wouldn't be nearly as confusing as they need to be.

I'm not advocating that one stop being thoughtful in the words that they choose to speak truth, but rather to not be afraid to speak the truth. So, speak the truth, but do so in love.

College

The time of your life, after high school, of course. Everyone just LOVES high school..... not really.

No one really tells you how awesome college is, they tell you, but they don't really TELL you. College is you basically living with all of your friends and having no one to really answer to. I'm not saying that there aren't any rules, because there are rules. But it's cool because there isn't anyone to worry about except for yourself. Your time is pretty much your own and how you spend your time is up to you and you alone. For example, last night i went out with a friend and didn't come back 'till around 2. and guess what? NO ONE QUESTIONED ME ABOUT IT. whoa. what is this, gypsy magic?

It's not like being in college gets rid of responsibility, it actually dumps all of the responsibility on you, the student. But having responsibility isn't all that bad. It's actually kind of awesome.

Twitter

I recently got a Twitter account, actually, someone made the account for me. Why? I couldn't honestly tell you why. They were -and still are- under the delusion that i'm funny.

ANYWHO! I've decided that Twitter isn't bad if you're following someone funny, for example, Conan O' Brien, but when you're following someone that isn't really very funny it can be quite the annoyance. All they do is complain. seriously? grow some balls and do something about your problems. I don't need an update everytime something goes wrong in your life.

Another thing that cracks me up about Twitter is how original and cool people think they are on there. Like, oh hey, we're too cool for school blah blah blah. No. if you feel the need to update someone about practically anything and everything you have a problem. NO! YOU LOSE, SIR!

Basically, don't have a Twitter unless you have a funny joke, have a show coming up, or are Joseph Gordon Levitt, he could tweet about ANYTHING and i'd be happy.

follow me: HaveMyChildren

thoughts on being a speech geek

4 rounds. 7 speakers in each round. today was a great day. I was in my element, everytime i compete i am reminded of how much i actually enjoy speech, it may be a little bit tiring but nothing beats walking out of a room at the end of a round knowing i did my best. I love that there is a mutual respect among speech kids, we all want the other to succeed, just as long as they don't get in our way. The opportunity i have here in Dallas is to take part in a community of people who carry the same convictions and passions as myself. As i prepare for the last 2 rounds tomorrow i realize that what it comes down to with everyone here is that we all long to bring awareness about our topics. Whether it be self esteem, gay rights, or child abuse. We all want our voices to be heard. we want people to realize just how crappy the status quo is. We long to make a difference in this world. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what separates speech and debate kids from everyone else. We sacrifice everything for a chance to be heard.

Dallas. Day 1

Texas pretty much rocks my socks. We arrived yesterday, today and marks our first full day in Dallas, Texas. So far i'm really liking this state, in spite of the fact that i woke up at 1:00 PM today. the flight was interesting to say the least, being a first time flier, i expected flying to be a lot easier than it really was. the guy behind me wouldn't let me recline my seat and the ladies in the rows next to my mother and I kept glaring at us.
So far, a lot of the people that we have come into contact with have been nothing but sweet and nice. I'm liking the feel of Texas because everything's at a slower pace, people aren't rushing around the place freaking out over something, people aren't rushing other people. it's nice. I actually like Texas. i never thought i would like Texas only because 1) i don't like horses. 2) never been a fan of cowboys and 3) it always seemed like a barren state. WELL BAM SARAH. i really like Texas. have i said that already? well if i havent I SHALL REPEAT MYSELF. i really like Texas. anyway i suppose i shall get ready for the afternoon and go explore the hotel so i don't get lost during rounds tomorrow. oh side note: the waiter at Chipotle last night. was really cute.

Labels

Labels.


to me they are unneccessary, and i'm not taking about the labels on cans of food because those labels are very useful, VERY useful. i'm talking about the label we put on ourselves, our relationships and our peers.


Labels are a sad thing to use, here's why: because we begin to put people into a box and stereotype them all according to their mannerisms, decisions, whatever. and it reaches the point where it becomes almost impossible for these people to break free from the boxes that we've stuck them in. and honestly i'm just as guilty of this as the next person, and i find it ironic because it seems as though a large portion of our life is spent breaking free from the system and learning to break away from the boxes. our culture at it's core reminds us that we cannot be defined. that we are, essentially, unique and no person is exactly like each and everyone of us. and yet so easily we label someone as a "whore" or a "nerd" or a "jock" or an "emo"


Now you may be asking "oh wonderful Sarah, why do we do this?" to which i answer the fact that i think that we do this simply because we are comforted by knowing what someone is and what to expect from this person because of what we've defined them as. we call people we're dating boyfriend or girlfriend because it implies that it is exclusive and that the relationship is between the two of you and no one else.

We're comfortable with labels because with labels. we know who we are. where we stand. what we stand for. with labels there is no question. And we've reached the point where we're comfortable labeling others because when we've defined someone we know what to expect from that person. hey. i'm game for like labeling relationships thats cool. whatever floats your boat. but come on. leave a little wiggle room.

My Grammar

my grammar. it sucks. i rest my case.

FACEBOOK

facebook. the social network. yes, we're all facebook addicts in some form or another, some of us have to be on constantly updating the newsfeed, just to see what's new, others have to check at least once, maybe twice a day. but we're all either friends with, or are the addicts that constantly update their status about the dumbest things.

i used to always get into fights with people over facebook. do you know how much work that is? a lot. a lot of work. it's like oh let me right like a 300 word comment, post, and then wait for a response you end up spending an hour more than necessary on facebook, all over a simple ignorant statement. it was pointless haha i was recently watching some girls going at it, via facebook, mind you, and then bragging about their conquest and to see who could outcomment the other. yeah. trust me. it was dumb. it was just two girls sitting there going blah this and blah that. like in all honesty, you're not going to change someone's mind by simply insulting them, let alone over a facebook post. stay classy. i don't really see the point in attempting to fight with someone over a serious topic over a social network. come on. Facebook = Home of The Mundane, it's like when people correct you for grammar over facebook (another thing i used to do) like honestly. just leave me alone, i'm not trying to enter a flippin essay contest here i'm just trying to tell you about my "boy" or "my totally awesome day with my totally awesome bffs" i'm also just trying to annoy you with my excessive use of hearts. there's essentially no point in continuing to fight with someone on facebook because 1) everyone can see it, and that's just not cool bro. 2) it takes an amazing amount of time and 3) no one really wants to see you fight with someone over ex boyfriends or some other stupid reason.

Okay people who argue over facebook aren't nearly as annoying as those who post every freaking hour telling me about things i truly don't care about such as their boyfriend / girlfriend or what a great day their having. i suppose i should care considering these people are my "friends" but honestly how many of these people do i actually talk to? i honestly couldn't tell you. i want to say more than 300 less than the 614 that are currently on my list. and yes it is a social network but ihonestly don't care that much and yes, that's sad but seriously i don't get the need to tell us how awesome your bf/ gf is. cool they rock your world. and your love must be real if you guys are all over my flipping news feed! GET OFF MY NEWSFEED so i can read something that doesn't pertain to you as a couple. some couples don't suffer with this others, however, have an extreme facebook disorder. seom are super subtle while others are flipping over the top. you know the couple where it's like every other post is either about the significant other or from the significant other? the couple that makes you want to gouge your eyes out and delete your facebook yeah these people. if you're one of them, guess what? NO ONE CARES. i don't care that you and your boo went to dinner or that you guys had a great day or that you both know how to make a <3 emoticon. trust me it doesn't benefit me, nor does it benefit you. it honestly just looks like your raping the other's wall.

okay next. all of the apps that everyone's a part of like Mafia Wars or Farmville. yeah. if i don't play and have never sent you a request. STOP SENDING ME REQUESTS.

checking in. basically this is a stalker's wildest dream come true. fantastic. i don't know i think checking in cool i guess but it's unnecessary especially when people check in at like Starbucks or something idk. or at their bed. it's just like okay. cool story bro.

facebook's awesome but the people using it. not all. most. but not all. annoy me. i will admit i probably post some annoying stuff as well but then again that's what the "hide" button's for.