Classy Takeout

5 Things People SHOULD Be Doing This Summer!

2009-06-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Okay so obviously the world is going broke poor… and doing fun things requires money right? WRONG. Try to do things that require less money or maybe even not a dime, you will be surprised how much more fun you could have and happier you will be.

1. Cooking at home!

This is actually starting to become a new trend! Even your favorite celebrities are cooking more family meals. Although you still need to spend some money grocery shopping, you can buy things in bulk and forget going out to eat and spending twenty dollars on a little tiny steak, that wasn’t even cooked the way you like it! So this summer try some new recipes with your friends and family, maybe have a barbeque, either way put your cooking skills to the test while entertaining your guests!

2. Scrap booking!***

Lets be real now, Facebook is not going to last forever, and if it does, well I am sure you don’t want that to be your only photo album to show your kids when you get older. It might sound lame, but scrap booking can be really fun and cute to look back on when you get older!

3. Get off Facebook! Stop texting! Have more face to face interaction!

This is pretty much common sense, but you would be surprised when you think about how much time you waste on Facebook, or texting when you can simply talk in person and her about that story last night, instead of reading it on your phone. It’s no surprise anymore that people are really loosing social skills because all we do now is stalk people’s lives on Facebook instead of living our own!

4. Go to the park!

I honestly don’t remember the last time I went on the swings, okay well I am almost 20, but still having a picnic with your friends and just hanging out is when you can have the most fun. Even going to central park in the city is such a great idea for a weekend mini trip. Instead of shopping at the mall, or being inside, take advantage of the gorgeous day outside!

5. Do Yoga or Pilates (or hey! even yogalates)!

Yoga and Pilates are workouts that can sculpt and shape your body. While yoga is more of a meditation exercise, uniting the mind, body and spirit, Pilates focuses on concentration, control, and centering and strengthens your powerhouse (abdominal muscles, pelvis, booty, and lower back) At first yoga and Pilates can be a little challenge, but after a few classes, it becomes easier and you will feel great inside and out! (And finally have that longly anticipated “beach bod” )

*** - We even do it! and love it :)

Dear Classy

2009-06-01T17:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Classy,

This really hot guy wants a naked picture of me and i really like him a lot. I'm really uncomfortable sending him a picture... and its not like he's forcing me too. He's actually really nice and I don't want to let him down. But I don't trust him completely either. What should I do?

- Frazzled, 13, NY

Dear Frazzled,

It is never good to exploit yourself and your body, especially to a boy you do not know that well. You never know how he would use those photos, there are plenty of cases where the pictures have been leaked. Which even happened to a boy on Wake Forest University's football team. The pictures can be then sent around to people in your school and the news can even get back to your parents.

You can tell him no in a joking and even flirtatious fashion even. Just tell him, "Pictures don't do me justice ;). The real thing is better and being saved for someone special." And then if he pushes on anything else, it would be best to end communication with him lol. Never let anyone take advantage of you, especially if it is something you are uncomfortable with.

Much Love,

Classy

Boiling Pot of Self-Esteem

2009-05-24T15:47:00.000-07:00

"I hate my..." stop there! Why do we girls obsess over what we hate about ourselves? For example pimples. I don’t know about you…but for me I have my usual jumbo sized breakouts. But what makes us care so much? Maybe it’s the commercials that will have the before shots of a girl with the smallest zits on her face…that makes us feel that it’s not normal or its ugly to have a blemish or two. I’m not saying I don’t walk around my house with zit cream on, because trust me my pajamas and pillows show the stains. However, it’s too bad my face doesn’t always show the miracle that the little bottle of white gunk promised on the label. Makes me think to myself in the morning… “Well aren’t those smiling bitches on the commercials full of shit!” So I continue to apply my cover-up on and even though the zit is still there I don’t care because it doesn’t define me as a person. I let my friendly, funny, slightly sarcastic, bubbly self show throughout the day. There might be some miracle cream out there that improves your skin… but there’s no miracle cream or procedure you can use to improve the great person you are.

“Inside and out!”

That is something we all strive for, to be beautiful inside and out, but really the inner beauty you have shines from within. If people don’t give you the time of day simply because of how you look on the outside, or how you dress, then chances are they aren’t the kind of friend you want anyway. Plus, that person that is judging you is far more lost if all they have are friends that wear pink on Wednesdays with them. It’s hard to be confident not just with how you look and feel, but confident about the choices you make each day. There are so many days where I can say I have been hypocritical to what I stand for, but hey I am only human. I make mistakes, I get pimples, and I am beautiful inside and out because of them!

“Pinky Okay, Barbie No Way!”

There’s no hiding it, I am an extreme “girly” girl. As I was growing up, no one was ever surprised to see my Christmas gifts wrapped in pink. Of course, my birthday parties at home included decorating the entire house in all shades of pink including balloons, marabou, ribbon, and most importantly, glitter. I am sure you could guess that my older brother, Kris, always enjoyed that time of year! Somewhere between the American Girl Dolls I received for Christmas, and the Ballerina Birthday Parties my mom threw for me, my grandpa came up with the nickname “Pinky” for me, to help embrace my “girly” girl style. I didn’t mind the name; I felt special and as a matter of fact, I kind of liked it. It was always obvious that they loved me and were only being playful with me about my obsession with the color pink.

As I began my teenage years, I stopped hearing my familiar and endearing nickname, “Pinky.” I guess my family realized that I was moving on and let it go. To my surprise another nickname started to emerge for me among my peers. In the past, as you can imagine, I had always loved dressing all my dolls in pink, but I never embraced the whole Barbie phase. Therefore, I was truly surprised to hear my new nickname and label, “Barbie.”

High School is one of the most difficult times in a young girl’s life. This is a time when it is so hard to grow up, find the right friends and make the right choices when you have no idea of who you are or who you are suppose to be. The last thing I wanted while I was at my friends’ Sweet Sixteen parties was to hear, “Dayna this is your song!” when Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” played. Although they never meant it to hurt me, and thought for some crazy reason I would enjoy that title, I found it all very insulting. I always considered myself to be a very good sport and would much rather joke around than be serious all the time. Having an older brother, gave me that wonderful insight. Well that said, I found this new nickname hurtful and did not want to be compared to a mindless plastic doll. Since I always had to work extremely hard in school to be successful, the last thing I ever wanted was to be associated with someone who only cares only about themselves and other senseless things.

This was also a time when my friends and I were trying to get decent after school jobs. Two of the best opportunities at that time, were working for Abercrombie Kids or Hollister, since they offered hefty discounts and great working hours. I was extremely fortunate because I was offered two positions, one at Hollister and the other at Libby Lu, a young girl’s party store. Needless to say, all my girlfriends thought I should take the Hollister job. I wasn’t sure so I tried working both jobs for a while, but quickly realized that in my heart, I preferred working with the little girls. I loved the feeling of being able to contribute to a young girl’s special day and building their confidence. When I made this decision, it certainly surprised my friends but I knew I was definitely making the right choice for me. I needed to do more than just stand around a store everyday doing the same thing. Never could I have imagined that when I woke up for work one Saturday morning that I would meet a little girl who would touch my life in such a special way and make me believe that I truly made the right choice and that I was so much more than a “Barbie Girl.”

My Saturdays were usually spent hosting birthday parties for these girls. This involves teaching a song and dance, styling their hair along with helping each girl dress up in their favorite princess costume. However, my main responsibility is making sure each girl feels special. That Saturday, my friend Alanna, and I were a bit overwhelmed with the size of the party we would be hosting. There were fifteen girls and we were the only hosts working that day. As we braced for the worst, we were pleasantly surprised to see a group of excited six year olds walk quietly into the store. Remarkably, they all seemed well behaved.

Towards the back of the group, I noticed a little girl with beautiful long wavy blonde hair wearing the most adorable pink and white ruffled dress. This resembled a dress my mom would have picked out for me during my “Pinky” days. She was holding her mom’s hand and walking towards me with her head down. Since she was a few steps behind the other girls, I assumed she was just a little shy. As I approached her mom, she introduced me to Emily, the birthday girl. When Emily looked up at me, I realized she had a slight facial deformity. I would not have notice it if I simply passed her on the street, but it was something that became a little more obvious as I spoke with her. I could see she felt self conscious and therefore, I had to wonder why her mom chose Libby Lu for her daughter’s sixth birthday party.

After speaking with Emily, I realized she was quite intelligent. I even detected a sense of humor and a great smile. Although she was excited and seemed to warm up to me after a few minutes, I could still sense a distance between her and her friends. I knew I had to do something to turn this day into one that she would always remember. As the afternoon progressed and the makeovers were in full swing, I paired myself with Emily. While I was fixing her hair, I could see her eyes gaze away from the mirror. This was not how I wanted my birthday girl to feel. I had to do something to break the tension, so I began to sing the song we had just taught the girls earlier in the day. They all began to join in. It wasn’t long before Emily began to sing. At this point, I felt she was finally starting to relax and enjoy her friends and the party. Everyone’s attention was diverted from their appearance to simply having a good time.

Later, Emily was delighted when she looked into the mirror after I placed the birthday tiara on top of her head. She looked beautiful, and I knew she felt even more beautiful. Most importantly, I could also see she gained a sense of confidence that had been missing earlier. I knew her mom saw the transformation also. I was overwhelmed by the connection I made with her. This was a very special day for me. I knew I could never have had such a meaningful experience working at Hollister just standing around for 6 hours. Once the party ended Emily gave me a huge hug and said, “Thank you, I had the best time.” As I agreed with her and told her how much fun I had, I noticed her mom. Her eyes were filling up as she smiled, thanked me and told me they would be back next year. It was only then that I realized why her mom chose to give Emily a Libby Lu Princess Birthday Party.

I consider myself so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work at Libby Lu and meet Emily. My experience with her helped me look at myself in a new way. She was a true example of courage and how stepping out of your comfort zone brings wonderful benefits; we actually both did exactly that. If I had not followed my heart and taken the job at Libby Lu, I would not have gained so much in return. My decision was not the popular choice among my peers, but I am so happy I did what felt right for me. My choice of a job that summer also helped eliminate that dreaded “Barbie” label as people began to take the time to get to know the real me.

High School certainly tested the conviction of my principles, but I am so happy that I was not afraid to stand alone in my beliefs among my friends. I have come to realize that it is more important to follow your heart than simply follow the choices of others. This has helped me develop a greater sense of confidence and self esteem. So in other words, “Pinky, OK…Barbie, No Way!”

Five Reasons to stay in love with... Chocolate.

2009-05-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

1. WE NEED IT!

Women crave chocolate because of its mood-elevating properties. Chocolate contains tryptophan, that affects your mood. Think about it ladies…when do you crave chocolate the most? When you have that monthly awesomeness... When you break up with boyfriend...When there is a major o.m.F.g moment in your life…or all of the above in my case! All of these things cause fluctuations in mood. Chocolate helps to even out these fluctuations chemically.

2. WE HAVENT GOTTEN "ANY" IN... UM FOREVER!

Chemical phenylethylamine in chocolate has even been found to trigger feelings similar to “falling in love” and they say 89% of women actually prefer chocolate to sex. Maybe that’s why at hotels they leave chocolates on the pillows instead of condoms? Who knows…? All I know is that explains why the dove chocolate commercial basically looks like a soft porno… seriously after the girl eats the chocolate she basically looks like she is having an orgasm!

3. GOOD FOR YOUR HEART!

Dark chocolate is good for your heart. A small bar of it every day can help keep your heart and cardiovascular system running well. Two heart health benefits of dark chocolate are low blood sugar and low cholesterol. However… don’t be downing dark chocolate candy bars and telling yourself its okay because you’re doing it to be healthy. Balance the calories out…break the bar in half & have some each day… remember you want help for your heart…but you don’t want help for zipping up those skinny jeans!

4. WILL NOT LEAD 2 PIMPLES!

Eating chocolate does not cause pimples! Acne is caused by the buildup of dead skin cells within your pores, an excess of skin oil called sebum, and a bunch of other wonderful acne-causing bacteria. Hormonal changes can cause sudden breakouts and of course if it is hereditary. So put on your facemask and dive into those peanut butter M&M’s!

5. Chocolate can’t get you pregnant...and doesn’t cheat on you…Enough said.

Ask Classy

2009-05-04T11:43:00.001-07:00

Dear Classy,

I’ve been dating my boyfriend for over a year and now, and everything is great except for the fact he hates my Mom! I don’t know what to do... I feel like my mom has done nothing wrong, but he just seems to hate her. He says that she’s too overprotective… but I mean she is my mom, and it’s not like I can just get rid of her. I love her and him. What should I do?

- Mama’s Girl, 18, New York

Dear Mama’s Girl,

First of all you are not a “mama’s girl”… you just love your mother and it’s hard for you, or for anyone to hear harsh things about their parents/family. To me, I feel that family comes first. If your boyfriend truly respects you, he should respect your family too. Your mother being too overprotective is not a reason to “hate” someone… either he is lying about the reason why he does not like her or he is just not that right one for you. If you truly feel like you are soul mates, you can try to separate them as much as possible; such as when you are hanging out, you both can go to a private place, where it is just the two of you. You can even check out our “5 Fun & Easy Dates” for some ideas. But he does have to realize that if you two are going to stay together, he will eventually have to be around her. That is on him to try and find a way to control his feelings towards your mom. If you want to continue to make things work and grow closer, this is an issue that will defiantly need to be discussed. You can try to see how the separation goes, and if it just gets worse over time, despite how much you love him; perhaps it is time to move on…

Much Love,

Classy

Five Fun & Easy Summer Date Ideas!

2009-05-01T17:43:00.000-07:00

Whether you are hanging out with your boyfriend, or going on another date with that cute boy you’ve been crushing on, try some new date ideas for the summer! Not only will it be fun to try something new, but also less expensive, which can get you a very happy boy and possibly a second date! I’m not saying to be a cheap date of course, but fun doesn’t have to come along with a big wallet! So instead of responding “I don’t know” when he asks, “what do you want to do today?”, blow him away with some of these ideas that will only make him want to stick around longer.

* Watch a spring training baseball game. Grab some nachos with cheese and hot dogs and you’re good to go! (Watching a sporting event can make your date laid-back and entertaining.)

* Make homemade ice-cream or bake a cake. (When your baking with someone on a date you can learn about your date’s sweet tooth and enjoy some yummy treats too… who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too!)

* Try rollerblading or bike riding. (Rollerblading around the neighborhood is not only free, but your boy can help you up when you’re “free falling” in front of the neighbors, making him think he is so strong… Then show him how it’s done when you beat him while racing on the bikes later!)

* Go for a picnic at the park! (Picnics are great for a short sweet date to enjoy some tasty food and getting to know each other. Maybe tell the guy that each of you has to bring your favorite lunch to share, who knows you could end up trying something new …or they could even end up the same! The park is a smart choice for a first date because you can always people watch during that awkward silence.)

* Make it a group date and play board games. (Might sound cheesy, but it’s actually a cleverly fun idea! Besides having this be a casual dating event, this is also an opportunity to casually ask that guy you have been crushing on out and have fun while doing it. So call up your girlfriends and tell them to bring a date to your house Friday night!)

Ask Classy

2009-04-26T19:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Classy,
My close group of friends, aka my best friends, isn’t necessarily the “coolest people” but honestly they are really cool! But now because of their rep people are thinking that I’m a dork too… I don’t know what to do.. I can either sit at lunch with my cooler friends or I can just stick with my close friends. What should I do???
- Which Friends?, 15, Pennsylvania

Dear Which Friends?,
Well the best decision for you would be to hang out with the people you are most comfortable with. It sounds like you are more comfortable with your “dorky” friends, but you are also more concerned with what other people think of you. This is a hard time in a girl’s life. You don’t want to be known as a dork, but you also aren’t comfortable with the “cooler people”. You will find later in life that the coolest people you will meet are those that are comfortable with themselves. No one likes a follower or a “wannabe” – just be yourself and everything will be okay! :o) This means that if you enjoy hanging out with the dorky kids, screw everyone else and have a fun time with the people you love!
Much Love,
Classy

Poo Poo Platter

2009-04-21T22:52:00.000-07:00

Being in a relationship and being in love can be such a love/hate time in a girl’s life. I thought before I started writing this that I would have more negative things to say rather than positive. However, being in a relationship that goes downhill doesn’t always have to end by crashing into a brick wall. People change...and it is one of the many hard things in life that you just have to accept. When you are a teenager the person you start dating is most likely eventually going to make new friends, and maybe even start a new style. It only makes sense that with a new wardrobe and posse, along with it will come a new person. Fact is, you can only hope that deep down that person’s morals and values don’t change as well and that they don’t leave you standing there asking yourself where did my other half go?.. Hate to break it to ya sista, but this is why many people “fall out of love.” But in my opinion, I think it is better to fall out of love, rather than never experiencing love at all. And besides, who says you needed that half anyways… when you can be the whole damn thing and be happy! That’s right all my single ladies, just remember you don’t have to lower your standards to match someone else’s. Be strong enough to be your own person. I guess you just gotta learn to smile and walk away and remember the good times… life goes rolling on.

“So Unpredictable.”
Comfort. That’s what happens to most couples after being in a relationship for a long time. The skirt you wore in the beginning turns into jeans, then sweatpants, then eventually you are left there naked… just kidding. But honestly you eventually become so comfortable with that person, hence when people say “I couldn’t imagine you not being in my life!” Its okay to grow closer with the person, but it’s not okay when you become TOO dependent on them. That’s when the unexpected can happen…such as that evil thing called change or maybe even breaking up for one reason or another… either way you don’t want to be left there stripped of your dignity.

How is this a problem?
Well, there isn’t really any problem with growing closer with someone. Not all relationships last forever, you are still young. Being in different relationships can help you learn who you are and what kind of person you are truly meant to be with. Until then, there’s no rush! Just enjoy having fun and if you can find someone to have fun with then, that’s just awesome!

Story Time!
The Egg Drop Soup
The dress, the makeup, the hair all goes into the perfect prom, right? Well…. Not for me.
I guess it all started when my so called, “Prince Charming” dropped me like an egg on a steaming sidewalk, left to be scrambled… okay well maybe it wasn’t that intense, but hey this drop really hurt!
If someone asked me during my freshmen year if I would consider not going to my senior prom, I would say “no way!” Well if that someone was my friend freshmen year, chances are we didn’t stay friends for very long (there were many “Wrapped up Wontons” in my school.) It was nice because my boyfriend and I kind of saw through those types of people, and stayed true to ourselves. However, after two and a half years we broke up. It was in January, about four months before prom. His reasoning was that I was going away to college and I deserve better (aka he wanted to live it up while he could in high school because he wasn’t going away to college.) Well whatever the reason, I knew it was time – we both changed. Sad to say, but when we were breaking up, one of the last comments he said was, “but ill still go to prom with you!” As if it was some favor, more like a pity invite.
This was surprising on many levels because while we were going out he said he didn’t even want to go to prom, but then he had to ask as if he was doing a good deed after the break up. Well, being taken aback from everything, I told him we would talk about it another time. Another time never really came around, and while waiting to hear what was going to happen I overheard everyone else’s plans. While sitting in my least favorite class, math, I listen in on these two girls talking behind me about who was sitting at their prom table. When they said my ex-boyfriend’s name, you could understand my shock, he taking his friend’s younger sister… I wanted to throw my calculator across the room. When I asked him what was going on he said, “well I figured you didn’t want to go with me anyways.” I’m sorry, but who wants to get asked to prom when their getting broken up with?! Was it so much to have wanted him to ask me in a nice, genuine way, the girl he dated for half of high school?
After thinking about it, I realized I didn’t really need to go to my prom. Instead I spent my senior prom night going to see the Sex and the City movie with my mom at midnight. And you know what, I had a great time! While my classmates were probably sneaking in alcohol to prom, I snuck in ice cream and candy bars into the movies. Prom is about being with the friends and people you have fun with, and to be honest the girls at my school were not my idea of fun. To put it in the nicest way possible, they were backstabbing, bitchy, and overall fake. My mom was there for me all of high school, I guess you can say she was my prom date! I don’t regret my choice; and plus the movie was awesome. But anyways, moral of the story is your expectations of how life should turn out, doesn’t often happen. I never expected my prom night, to be sitting in a movie theater with my mom, rather than at a prom table with my friends, or have my hair in a ponytail, rather than an up-do, but you got to laugh.
Life’s not a storybook; I thought certain times of my life were supposed to have the pages written for me. But then I discovered I could become the author, and there’s nothing better than that.

The Repair.
Make choices and decisions that are best for you; that way when you look back you can say you wouldn’t have done it any other way… or maybe it was a bad decision and you can learn from it, either way it was YOUR choice. Point is being in a relationship can influence you to change along with your partner, just make sure that’s what you want too. As we have said many times you can’t go wrong with staying true to yourself!

Ask Classy

2009-04-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Classy,
I don’t know what to do. I’ve had this best friend for 2 years now, and I love her but she is kind of boy crazy. So recently she started dating this boy who is also friends with my older brother. Since her mother doesn’t like him, she comes to my house so the two of them can hang out. But recently it feels like she’s using more than anything else, she always asks to come over… but with him. I confronted her about and she said that “I’m just jealous because I don’t have a boyfriend”. And I don’t know, maybe I am… but I also feel like she’s wrong. Do you think that she’s being a good friend? Is it worth to have this friendship when I feel so used? PLEASE HELP ME!
- Frustrated Friend, 16, New York

Dear Frustrated Friend,
A true friend likes you for you, and not for what you can give them. This sounds like a Wrapped up Wonton, she only focuses on her wants and needs, and when you try to confront her she blames for the problem, when really she should be focusing on what really is the problem. It is hard to balance friendships and boyfriends, especially at the start of a relationship. But that is something she needs to work on – not you. What I think is that you need to tell her you no longer feel comfortable having them both over at the same time, and even talk to your brother about it. Maybe he feels the same way too. Then tell her that she is your best friend and you still want to hang out, but with just the two of you. Give it some time and see what happens, let her be the one to call you. Then if she never responds, perhaps it’s time for you to move on, and see what other friends are out there. In fact, this could be an opportunity for you to find a friend that you connect with even better. She may be doing you a favor, to find someone who is more like yourself and a true best friend.
Much Love,
Classy

"SONOTME" Chicken

2009-04-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

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. :)

HAPPY EASTER!

2009-04-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to everyone! Go spend time and have fun with the people you love and who love you back, and remember to keep it classy :)

Fried Up Friends

2009-04-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

Dealing with a friend whose morals and values are different than your own can be a major challenge, but it can also be handled in different ways that could, in time, make you grow as a person. There is probably going to be one or more friends in your life that are just never going to understand your point of view or the advice that you give. Everyone has differences, but depending on those differences, you should either keep holding on, or let go of that friendship. Just because you may have different interests, hobbies, or even dress differently, if you both accept each other for who you are, it is worth the friendship and can add a little spice to the relationship. We’re not saying if you’re the head cheerleader tomorrow you should go ahead and be best friend’s with the crackhead standing at the locker next to you… but there’s nothing wrong with saying “hello”. You have a choice, you can accept a friend for who they are or try and make a clean breakaway. You shouldn’t have to lower your standards for any friendship.

"The Rush."
Let’s face it, making friends isn’t always easy. When starting anything new, the pressure to make friends can be almost overwhelming. No one in life wants to be alone. Sometimes the thought can cause you to start a friendship with someone who isn’t the perfect match. Last thing you want is to destroy yourself to become something you’re not.

How is this a problem?
People see who you are friends with, and yes, if people don’t know you, they judge you based off your friends. If others see you with someone who is involved in drugs and alcohol, most likely they are going to assume you are too. This means you can be missing out on the people that are more your type because you were in a rush to start a friendship with someone not of the same interests and values as your own.

Story Time!
Yeung Ho I
When I started high school, I was terrified I would think about juvenile things like "What would people think of me?" ... "Would I have as good as a group of friends like I did in middle school?" and ... "Would it be easy to make friends?" But really the question I should have been asking myself was, "Would I find a true friend?" Instead I was in such a rush to just be comfortablee with someone and not feel alone.

I made a quick friend and although we connected and enjoyed each other’s company, I wasn’t staying true to myself. Our fun, the majority of the time, went against my better judgment, and of course my mother’s rules. Being freshmen in high school I did things I never would of when I was younger, like drinking on a golf course with two boys, we both didn’t know. (Now I know I know, that’s nothing compared to other girls, but honestly that’s not the point.) It’s not that I think drinking on the golf course is so bad ass; the point is that it’s not me.
Golfing was never my idea of fun…and neither was drinking, I knew I was doing things I didn’t want to do just to fit in (corny I know). The next morning my mother was furious. I was so drunk my brother said he thought I was high because I was sitting in my kitchen laughing my ass off at the computer screen... but nothing was on the screen. Even though that’s pretty funny, it’s also pretty scary that I didn't even remember being in my kitchen that night. I had to ask my friend what happened between me and one of the guys; I was so scared and ashamed about everything I did.
I knew my mom was let down, but more importantly I let myself down. Luckily, I didn’t do anything stupid with one of the guys, but the next day he texted asked if all four of us can hang out again. When I asked what he had in mind he said "the beach at night". I figured why not, it sounded like a cute idea and I could let him see the real me -- not the drunk skanky me. The plans slowly started to change.
Alcohol was brought up and sleeping out. Once I asked how we could even sleep on the beach because it closes at 8:00, he said it was no big deal and we could just sleep in the woods. The scary part was my friend was ok with it. Not only did I realize we didn’t know these guys well enough to do that, but the last thing I wanted my mother to watch on her Sunday morning news was a picture of my precious face and a reporter saying how "I slept in the woods with two boys, and after they had their fun with me, they threw my body into the ocean"
…okay maybe that’s an extreme thought, but c'mon, who would want to sleep in the woods anyways? I told my friend she was crazy and it was strange how our romantic plans quickly changed. We weren’t going to be cuddling on the beach watching a sunset with pinacoltas... let’s get real the guys wanted some ass.
I sometimes wonder what would have happened if my friend didn’t have me there to spell it out for her. I spent most of my time in our friendship spelling things out for her... I thought I could change her, and thought maybe her morals and values could change to match mine... when really all I should have done was change my friends. I learned the hard way that you can’t change anyone if they don’t truly want to change themselves. I’m not saying you can’t have a friend with differences, but don’t lower your standards for a good friend to just have a lousy friend. Stay true to you, and making friends will happen naturally.

The Repair.
Remember when you are true to yourself; you are naturally happy no matter what. When you’re happy, others see that happiness and positive attitude, and want to be a part of that... which can start a real friendship.

What's On the Menu?

2009-04-06T11:55:00.000-07:00

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Don't get caught up looking in that mirror for too long!

Let us help burn away those pimples!

THE TASTELESS

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Self-serving, crisped and flakey.

THE FORTUNATE COOKIES

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