"SONOTME" Chicken

For most teenagers, the most important thing is going out with your friends on the weekends, and then spending all week in school talking about the drama that happened that weekend. Passing notes in class, sending texts, and quick secrets in the hall ,right before the bell rings. You’ll be laughing about inside jokes on the phone around your house, and when your mother asks what’s so funny, you give her that nastyass look of death, thinking “why is this crazy lady bothering me again!” Well truth is that crazy lady might just turn out to be your best friend… even if her texting skills aren’t so great. Some teens will do anything to get out of that family event, because god forbid you miss the next scandalous hookup! Fact is, we are brainwashed to think nowadays that if you’re not out drinking, or partying you’re not cool. But when you think back to that party you HAD to go to, did it really mean more then let’s just say your grandmothers birthday, or your cousins graduation?...Sometimes you have to think what is more important, getting shitfaced with your friends... or getting a face full of cake and bonding time with your family!

"The cool thing to do."
So let them think what they want, let them judge, easier said than done, right? It might not be so cool to tell your friends… “Actually guys I think I am going to hang out with my mom instead.” So what’s a teenager supposed to do, you don’t want to lose your friends, but you want to do what is right for you.How is this a problem?People end up doing things they don’t want to because of peer pressure, but really they are only pressuring themselves. No one is taking you by the hand and dragging you to make the choices you make. Teenagers are programmed to believe that every Friday and Saturday should be crazy, and if you’re not out doing something “cool” you’re a dork. Well, look you don’t have to give anyone an excuse, or reason for why you can’t hang out. If you don’t feel comfortable with plans your friends are making, it’s okay to stay in, who know maybe some friends will choose to stay in with you too. Follow your gut and do what makes you happy. When it comes down to it would you rather be called a dork... or a follower?

Story Time!
Spring Rolling Around
You know the saying, April showers bring May flowers… well this shower washed away more then just earth dirt. It was starting to get warmer outside, and my crazy 72 year old grandparents opened their pool yet once again. Now that they are getting older, all they look forward to is having their family come over and lie outside, and spend some time together. However, being 16 what would you really want to choose to do on your Saturday night?
While driving in the car with my mom looking for yet another dress to wear to yet another sweet 16, one of the “Yeung Hos” called to hang out. She said the girls were getting together to go out to eat and then movies. Well… to be quite frank I think that, that idea was a load of crap. Maybe she had good intentions... and was trying to reach out to me, after hurting me one too many times. But for some reason our “girl’s” nights never just stayed us girls. Guys and alcohol were constantly invited to these get togethers. It’s not that I am a prude, or wouldn’t drink, but seriously can’t a girl just get some ice cream…chill…and keep her clothes on! It was just starting to get old, they always wanted to be around guys and drink, while I would have been just as happy watching chick flicks, eating chips and dip and flipping through a Cosmo... I know I’m a great multi-tasker.
Those girls made me cry countless times, and the only ones there to wipe away my tears, were my family. I will never forget that day, because it was the time in my life when I really blossomed, and realized that my family was more important. I called them back and told them I wouldn’t be able to make it because I was going to my grandparent’s house instead.
It turns out that I wasn’t doing my grandparents any favors, in fact they did me one, I needed them more than they needed me. They saved me from spending one more day, a day that could result in bad consequences, with a person who kept stabbing me in the back…and of course they saved me the calories from eating the same repetitive meal at Applebee’s.
When I told the one “ho” I was going to my grandparents instead, I could tell by her voice that she knew I was drifting away, but I didn’t care. When I really thought about it, I realized I would much rather spend time with people I love, and whom would always be there for me… even if it’s not the “cool thing” to do on a Saturday. In my opinion, a real friend is someone who I look forward to spending time with, and if that means my grandma, then so be it!

The Repair.
Instead of going to that rager down the block, grab Mean Girls, popcorn, margarita glasses, your best friends, and make a night out of it! If you can make a great night out of nothing, other people will become jealous and start to question their own plans. Now, instead of waiting around for people to call you, you can call the shots. That’s when the real fun begins. :)