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Be careful what you wish for... because you just might get it
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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Plead To The Parents


Why You Should Grant Me The Opportunity to study abroad at the University of Oxford.

            Many people in this world dream about doing something, but never “really “ do it. We want things we will never obtain, and are minds become full of what we call, wishful thinking. My whole life I’ve become victim of this. I don’t know a lot (I may act like I do…but I don’t) the one thing I do know though, is that I’m good at dreaming. I dream and dream about things that usually don’t happen. I’m marvelous at creating stories that hopefully one day will be told. The problem is, most of my work, is all make believe. Once in a blue moon though, when God shines his light on me, I MAKE my dreams come true. You both have raised me to be strong and to never settle. That’s why I’m writing this to you. So to your dismay, you will have to endure it.

            There are multiple reasons I could blabber on about, but I will get straight to the point. Studying abroad for 3 months could be the greatest opportunity ever! Did you know it’s ranked as the number 1 university in all of UK? It even beats out its closest running competitor- Cambridge University. Not only is it the best, but the oldest surviving University in the English-speaking world. The date in which Oxford was found is still unclear, but can be researched back to the 11th century! If that isn’t enough, this historic University, which offers 38 colleges to choose from, consistently ranks in the world’s top 10!

            Just being able to see such a place would be a blessing within itself, but being able to say I actually was educated there, would be a remarkable experience! Having this on my resume, and applications for transfer admissions, would help me tremendously. Not many people can say they have studied abroad at one of the greatest Universities in the WORLD!

            I know what is going through your heads about now. You think all this information I’m sharing with you is great… but not great enough to let your 17-year-old daughter go. My whole life you’ve held on to me so tight, I need to experience something like this to find myself. I need to be able to go and accomplish something great, for me. Not to make someone else happy, but to make myself happy.  I’d love to argue with you about my age, but I hate numbers, so I’ll save your time.  All I will say is that my age has never hindered me before, and it shouldn’t start to now. I chose to graduate 1 year early from High School, please do not hold it against me. I know how much it makes you nervous, but I can tell you to not worry. I never would make a decision that I didn’t think I could handle. I know I can handle this with grace and intelligence. Not only would I be honored if you granted me the opportunity to study abroad, but I would be free! A girl like me wasn’t meant to stay put. 

            There’s only 1 time in your life when you’d be able to pack your bags and flee to another country, the time is now… while I’m young, while I’m free to do so. If I let this pass me by, it will be a huge mistake. I don’t want to be married with kids, wishing I had done something like this. I want to be married with kids, telling them my wonderful stories, just like you do Mom.

I’m used to hearing the words, “I don’t think so, Nicole. No.” They are often the inevitable answer, which concludes most the ideas I create. The only difference is, this isn’t me storytelling, this is something real, very real! So please don’t say no, cause if you turn me down, I don’t think I could just walk away and think, “awe darn, well at least I tried, another time.” There is no other time, because the time is now. We can’t live our lives off assuming, that later on you can do something. We have no idea what God has in store for us, but this wouldn’t have fallen in front of me for no reason. I need this. Please say yes, and support me in my race for higher education. Attending one of the top 10 Universities in the world, is pretty much reaching as high as that latter will climb, mom! I know you’d be proud. So let me go, we both need this, I’ll be ok… because wherever God’s light shines, I’ll be there to follow.


Friday, November 20, 2009

Define Beauty in YOUR terms



Recently I've been on a race to find what it means to be BEAUTIFUL. I'm doing a presentation in my Sociology class about identifying beauty from a cross cultural perspective. Not only has this been an interesting topic to study, but also an eye opening experience. If you ask both men/women in America what they think is a beautiful person... a lot of people start blabbering about ideals. These idealistic characteristics or body traits which seem to pressure our society into thinking that, "blah blah blah" is beautiful. I've come to learn that this constant pressure to "BE" beautiful starts at a very young age. We all are victimized when it comes to being brainwashed within our own heads.

Ever since we hit the age of 3, us little girls adore our Barbies. We look up to them, try to match them, but most of all... want to be just like them! Not only do we want to look like Malibu Barbie, we want to live her too! Now whether we are 3 or 30, we still want to have her legs, or steal that million dollar smile. Along with looks, we wouldn't mind finding our own Ken somewhere in this world!... Unfortunately, things are much harder than the good days in the doll house. Our wishful thinking tends to let us down.

Over time, ideal body image has changed. For example, the marvelous Marilyn Monroe was a (US) size 12. This starlet would be considered "plus size", if she ever tried to break into the beauty biz of Hollywood now days. I think the main problem with all of this, is the fact that we bow down and accept it. By women trying to portray these 5'10'' long legged, big breasted Victoria Secret models, it gives men the opportunity to think that this (airbrushed) picture should be "his" reality. Giving in to this idea not only objectifies us as sex objects even more, but makes us as women, feel the need to be like that photo. By embracing it, we accept it, and that is the sad truth behind the beauty pressure upon us.

I may have a pretty face, but i don't fit into this ideal image. I'm 5'2'' not 5'10'', i would choose a steak over a salad, and rather sleep then burn off the calories. The truth is, no matter how hard anyone tries, NONE OF US will ever be "their" idea of Beautiful. I guess all I'm trying to say is... whether you're 8, 18, or 80 years old, define beauty in your "own" terms, not somebody else's. Know that you are beautiful both in a size 12 or a size 2, and never let the cosmetic, or dieting industries tell you anything different. After all... they are simply expert LIARS. (watch video below)



find the beauty in you

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Would you Change?


You don't get the time to change a persons life, the time changes you.