5 Simple Rules Everyone Should Live By!

Hey Guys So I know I haven't written in a long time but things have been sooo crazy! I finally can walk again and I'm on the road to recovery! So in the time I had off I had a lot of time to reflect on my life and what I want to do with  it. This is what I came up with, 5 simple rules that every person should live by.

1. Do NOT settle, no matter what the situation is.
What I mean by that is life is way to short to not spend everyday doing something you love. I know that in this job market, anyone should be grateful to have a job but I still don't think you should settle. A wise professor once told me "Money isn't everything. If you love what you are doing, eventually the money will come." And I whole heartily believe that. No job will be a 100% perfect but if you love what you are doing it is worth the bad you have to deal with, so never settle for anything less then what makes you happy.



2. Life is way to short to sweat the small stuff.
This pretty much explains itself. Life is way to short to deal with people's bullshit. Be with the people that bring out the best in you. Spend time with the people with your friends and family and don't waste your time on stupid drama that won't matter in the long run.



3. Travel.
Everyone should travel. Whether it be to another state or another country, I believe that it is important for everyone to experience different cultures. By doing this you grow as a person and get to see how other people live! So grab some friends, pack a bag and take a trip!



 

 



4. Look at the glass half full, not half empty.
Everyone experiences hard time in their lives. But from what I've learned so far in my life is that at the end of every storm their is a rainbow. Yes, does it suck to have your heart broken...of course! But isn't it amazing that you were one of the lucky people to experience love? And yeah does it suck to be yelled at, at work.. yeah I mean who likes that! But you learned how to take criticism and how to deal with people! So yeah not all experiences are fun but they help you grow as a person! So take the positive out of every experience and I'm telling you, your life will change.

 

 



5. Live everyday like it was your last.
You never know when its your time or someone else's.  Were so young, we never consider that their won't be tomorrow but unfortunately that's life. So that is why it is so important to live everyday as if it was your last. Don't put off doing something you always wanted to do or telling someone how you feel because their might not be a tomorrow. Get out there and do something crazy, travel the world, stay out a little bit later, and most importantly spend time with the people you love because life is to short to b anything but happy.

 

 

 

 

 



So are we Hooking Up? Today's Dating Norms



Are you guys hooking up? Are you talking? Those questions every college student doesn't really know how to answer. Today, society's view on love has completely changed. Yes, deep down everyone wants that special someone but today's dating norms have completely taken the "magic" out of dating.

Today's generation, especially college students have set the norm for a "hook up" culture instead of old fashion romance. What happened to getting to know someone before sleeping with him or her? What happened to taking girls on dates and opening the car door for them? or Just talking instead of jumping straight to ripping each other's clothes off? The dating "norm" for today is casual. Casual everything. Casual hook up's, casual sex, no strings attached bullshit. People feel that it is easier to not  involve feelings and just have fun. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with a casual fling here are there but if you want the real deal, your not going to find it by just sleeping with each other.

Today, people just want to have fun but later on they don't want to be with someone who has slept with a lot of people. Guys want to have sex with certain girls but don't want to date them because they slept with them and girls say they want to be treated with respect and be with a nice guy but continue to sleep with assholes. So we set these "norms" and then we don't even like them...that makes sense right? Wrong. People today are so wrapped up in having fun that they have forgotten what relationships and romance are supposed to be about.

Relationships aren't easy, don't get me wrong they are a lot of hard work but that's the point. Why would you want to put all this effort, time and money into someone who is a waste of your time? Relationships mean a lot more then just hanging out and spending time together. It means being there for one another when you need them most and supporting each other through the good and the bad, finding someone who is not only the person you are dating but your best friend. Relationships aren't easy but they are worth it.... when you find the right person. But how are you supposed to know if you found "the one," if all you do is sleep together and never bother to get to know each other? So next time you meet someone you like, think twice before keeping things casual. Challenge yourself to put your heart on the line and actually get to know someone and let someone get to know you. The best feeling is when you found someone who you can confide in and someone who genuinely cares about you.  People don't realize everything they are missing out on... I mean why do you think there have been epic novels and movies written about love? Trust me casual hook up's get old, and at the end of the day you are going to want to know, that no matter what life throws your way you have someone you can always rely on.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Lauren Ashley Photography

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I couldn't agree more. They document every milestone and accomplishment a person's ever had. They capture everything from a little kid losing their first tooth to that bad hair cut you had in middle school. They make you laugh and cry all at the same time. So to be honest I think a picture is worth more than a thousand words! It is something that preserves time and takes you back to that family party, that day at the beach with all your friends or the day that your high school won the big game! Pictures freeze time...even if its just for a moment.

My best friend Lauren, is an amazing up and coming photographer. She has shot Sweet 16's, family parties, maternity photos and head shots for clients of all ages. She gives her clients a fun and creative experience all while making them feel comfortable! She has this amazing knack for capturing the most beautiful moments. Not only is Lauren an amazing photographer but she is also an incredible person. She gives off the most positive energy and is truly passionate about what she does. I mean what  21 year old girl sits at home on a Friday night to edit the photos instead of going out?! Lauren strives to make every customer happy even if that means missing out on the weekends.

Lauren has recently redone her website so you should check it out and like her at Lauren Ashley Photography on Facebook!
http://www.laurenashleysphotography.com/?page/125589/home

If you want a creative, fun and amazing photographer that captures the magic in every moment than call Lauren Ashley Photography and  I promise you wont be disappointed!

Here is some of Lauren's Work:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The 12 Components Every Relatioship Should Have.

Remember when you first started dating someone and you would get butterflies in your stomach. You couldn't stop thinking about her/ him and you smiled every time you talked about them? Well that should never fade! Yes, relationships obviously have rough patches and the feelings change but at the end of the day you should fall for that person every time you're with them! I may not be an expert, but here are a list of things that you should have in a relationship:

1. Relationships should be more than just physical!

Yes you should be both physically and sexually attracted to your significant other but that is not all the relationship should be based on.

2. You should support one another in everything that you do.

 

No matter what life throws our way you should support one another.

 

3. They should be the first person you tell everything to whether it is good or bad.



 No matter what the news is you should always want to share it with the person your dating!

 

 

4. You should both do things just because







 

It's the little things that keep a relationship going!

 

5. You should encourage each other to pursue each other's dreams.

 



In any relationship you both should encourage each other to make your dreams come true.

 

6. You both should fight for each other.

 

If the relationship isn't worth fighting for then why are you in it?

 

7. In any relationship, you should want to put the other person's needs before your own.

 

If you truly love someone you will do anything to make them happy.

 

 

8. Your partner should love you, despite your flaws.

 





 If you can't accept each other for the good and the bad then you probably won't last to long.

 

9. You should be able to be yourself around them.

 



 

Even if that means making a complete fool of yourself.

 

10. You should be each other's lovers and best friends.

 

That's why the best relationships come from friendships.

 

11. You should fall even more in love with each other everyday.



 

This is key in any relationship!

 

and most importantly ....

 

12. If it's not crazy, out of this world, grow old together kind of love then don't waste your time.

 

 













 

 

 

You only get one life. So don't waste it on someone who isn't worth your time. 

The Best Four Years of my life.

Sorry I haven't written in a while! Everything has been crazy getting back to school and working two jobs so I haven't had much time to write. But in honor of my final semester of college beginning I am going to write about the last and best four years of my life.

College has been a crazy, exciting, roller coaster of an experience. From teaching me some of life's most valuable lesson both in and out of the classroom to making some of the best friends I could have ever asked for. College has by far been the best four years of my life and I'm not sure if I'm ready for it to end.

Will I miss all of the cramming for exams and long nights writing papers on things I might never see again in my life? No. Actually hell no. But I will miss the late runs to the diner at 2 am for a study break. I will miss sitting around with my roommates being absolutely ridiculous and not caring at all what people think. I will miss being able to take a nap or skipping class because I want to cuddle up and watch friends re runs. I will miss my friends randomly showing up at my dorm whether it be to pull a prank, or just to hang out because we hadn't seen each other in a few hours.

The best part about college is discovering who you are and who you want to be. I know I changed my major three times and by the grace of God I am still graduating on time. But I will be the fist person to tell you that I always said I can't wait to graduate and start my career  and make real money. Now that I am here and it is soon to be a reality it was frightening and scary. You begin to realize how much your life is going to change and you hope to God that you are ready to face the "real world."

But then I realized that yes my life is going to change but it may be for the better. And no matter what happens I will still have my friends there to support me ... they won't be knocking at my dorm room but they will be a phone call away. I can still be absolutely ridiculous with my roommates just over Skype or every weekend. Will I miss college yes, of course I will. There is no doubt about that! But I believe that college has prepared me for whatever life throws my way. Whether positive or negative I believe that I can do anything.

But my advice to everyone still in college is to enjoy every minute of it! Go to every sporting event, do something that you would have never done before. Take that vacation with your best friends that you always wanted to go on... push your self both beyond your limits both socially and academically and I promise that you will see the results. These are the best four years of your life so cherish every moment and take every opportunity that is presented to you because you y never know what you might discover about others or yourself!

My last four years in a nutshell !

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



    

The Fault in My Stars

So I just finished reading this amazing novel called The Fault In Our Stars ,by John Green. It touched me so much I felt the need to write about it and share it with all of you!

It is a beautiful love story about two cancer patients, Hazel and Augustus who learn from each other through the love that they share. They learn to open up, to not be afraid of death and most importantly how to leave their "mark" on the world. They saved each other in more ways then they could have ever dreamed. This is book is raw and fearless. Green, makes his readers feel as if they know the characters. He makes you fall in love with them and literally breaks your heart at the same time.

This story is one of the best novels I have read...and trust me I've read a lot. You could even call me a book worm! But the reason I loved this book so much was because it reminded me what is important in life. I once had a cancer scare when I was 18 years old. I was a freshmen in college and my gastroenterologists told me that he thought he saw a tumor in the lining of my intestines. And let me tell you was I hit with reality! Weeks of tests and blood work followed to thankfully find out that everything was normal.

But my life over those few weeks was anything but tragic. I lived everyday as if it could be my last. I spent time with the people I loved. I challenged myself to doing things I was afraid of. I opened up my heart to someone new (which I swore I would never do). I always pretended to be the tough, but when this happened I knew I had to let the people I loved help me. And it made me realize how truly blessed I am. Those few weeks taught me what was important.

What's important is to surround yourself with the people you love and support you even when you cannot support yourself. To surround yourself with things that make you happy... always radiate positivity. To do things even if there is a risk of failure because you do not want to wonder, what if? But the most important thing I've learned was to always challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone because you never know where you will discover your true happiness.

So next time you are feeling down or feel like you just want to give up... remember that you are lucky to alive.

More Than Your Typical Sorority Girl

By participating in my last event as an active sister of  the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority yesterday, I felt it was only appropriate to dedicate my first post to them!



When I first entered college I swore that I would never be a sorority girl. Because well let's be real, sorority girls do not have the best reputations. I thought all they did was drink, party, sleep around  and pay for their friends and who would want to be apart of that? ...Not the kind of girls I want to hang out with! BUT I was completely wrong.

When I first walked into the gym at Meet the Greeks (an event where students meet all the Greek organizations on campus). I knew that the sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon were different. They were women who not only had a great reputation but just talking to these girls I could tell that they had a life long bond and stood for something bigger then their organization.

Now lets fast forward four years later...to yesterday afternoon. When it suddenly hit me that I was leaving this chapter of my life behind. I realized that in just a few short months that I would be graduating from college and beginning a new journey. One with new challenges and obstacles to face. Adulthood can be very scary, but I knew that being apart of this sisterhood has helped me develop the skills necessary to succeed no matter what life throws my way. 

I know you are probably all wondering how did a sorority help me for "real life", well I'll tell you. Being apart of a large organization I began to not only think about myself but what was best for my organization. I learned to put my feelings aside and do what was best for everyone. It has taught how to handle multiple personalities. Because lets be honest... 60 girls are not all going to be the same. Girls do have their disagreements and everyone does have a different opinion. Just because your in a sisterhood doesn't mean you are all going to agree 100%  of the time.  But I've learned how to deal with confrontation in a mature fashion.

As Vice President of Recruitment, I've learned to take the role as a leader as well as how to work effectively with a team. I learned how to delegate tasks and listen to what my organization wants. But my favorite part about being apart of this organization is community service. As a sister, I've learned to be more humble and aware of the issues that can occur around me. Whether it is someone you know personally or a complete stranger, always be kind because you never know what battle they are fighting.

But the best thing I've learned is that no matter how silly I act or how many mistakes I make that there will always be people to accept and love me for who I am. No matter how bad my hair looks or how not so funny my jokes are, I have a group of women there to support me. So in reality I'm never alone. Even though the world may say to behave a certain way these group of women encouraged me to be myself no matter what. They taught be that being different is what makes me unique, and with the help of this amazing organization I've developed into the person I am today.

So the next time you see a group of sorority girls you should not think about the stereotypes that are associated with us. You should look at these women and see future leaders, humble women and most importantly women who accept each other no matter how different they are. Women who support each other through the roughest of times. And with them by my side I know I can do anything life throws my way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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