Lifestyle
For the lives that we love, and everything that comes with it.
Being Grateful
I cannot tell you how great it feels to hit that “Write” button after so many months of having a mental creativity block. Recently I was inspired to recreate the look of my blog and, when I did, I remember how I felt when I first created it…optimistic and motivated. Writing again, I feel as if I am in my comfort zone, sitting in front of my brightly lit computer screen at roughly 3 AM, listening to the clicking and typing of my keyboard, pouring out all my thoughts and feelings that have been kept inside of me for these past four months and, let me tell you, it feels amazing. As I am sitting here, trying to think about what I could possibly write about next, one thing in particular hits me, it was a conversation I had today with my mom and little brother. See let me start from the beginning. Growing up, I was extremely outgoing, friendly, and not one shy trait in me, basically carefree, but as I got older I became more conservative and really cared about what people thought of me. See growing up in Rosedale is pretty difficult, because a majority of my friends lived in large homes, had extraordinary birthday parties, and had a large selection of material objects you wish you could have, but realistically you know you cannot, so you say and do things to help you fit in. I was one of those children. See in fourth grade, I had a crazy, active, creative imagination. I kept my parents away from the school because little did they know, I was living a double life during school hours. I wasted a school year telling my friends I had my own Build-A-Bear workshop, McDonalds, and ferris wheel all in my larger than a millionaire's house backyard. Everyday during groups, everyone would lean in close to hear my stories about how I got to travel and I made so many friends…. I was the center of attention. Then, one day, my mom showed up at the school to surprise me and well, you can probably guess what happened… “Oh my gosh, are you Amanda’s mom? Can we go to your house? I want to build a bear! I want chicken nuggets! I want to ride the ferris wheel!” and let me tell you, I will never forget the look on my mom's face. As a child, you don’t know any better than just wanting to make friends and wanting to fit in, but that look on my mom's face made me feel ashamed and I knew exactly what I did was wrong. As you get older, you just stop caring about what people think and you start living your life, because, in reality, people are going to reject you no matter the choices you make. Looking back, I didn’t have to lie, we lived in a beautiful gated community with a home that my parents built together from scratch. We take these things for granted and we don’t realize we have these things until they are gone. It’s sad how society can turn an 8-year-old girl insecure about things she already has, but doesn’t realize it. I now see this happening in my youngest brother who is 12. Although, I started lying at a younger age, I can tell he doesn’t want us around as much as he used to. The idea of my parents and I coming to his school events makes him cringe and he slowly slips away. He stops giving us the school event papers and he doesn’t get excited for future days like his 6th grade party, Bulldog day, and graduation. He could still be lying and embarrassed, kind of like I was when I was younger, but that might not be the case here. I guess his friends at school believe it's uncool and weird to bring your family to family events like open house and things like that, and it’s sad, ya know? Society ruining my little brother's head like that… he is the last baby in the family, the last child for my parents to watch grow up. You may not believe me when I say his friends say these things, but we’ve been attending this elementary school for 15 years and the attendance rate for tonight’s open house was the lowest my mom and I have ever seen… and we’ve been to every single one, since 2002. Going back to the conversation that influenced me to write today, I found myself holding back tears as I explained to my brother that my biggest regret was not appreciating my parents being as involved in my life as they were. My parents showed up to every school event, or at least tried to, to the best of their ability, and now here I am, going to be 20-years-old next year, wondering where time went and realizing the only family event I get to look forward to is my college graduation. I no longer get to walk my parents around campus to show them my classrooms, my handmade art projects my teacher hung on the walls, my own desk I kept so clean with my FREE educational books. I no longer get to show them my Valentine’s day boxes, my AR reading goals, or take them to my Honor Roll Banquets. I am still a child to those who are older than me, but in reality, I am not. I just hope he and other kids realize… time flies. Don’t be ashamed of yourself or your family. You can feed into the ways of society and your friends, but remember this… “Friends come and go, but family is forever.”
By Amanda Ante7 years ago in Families
A Pet Owner's Journey (Pt. 10)
When you get a dog, you usually look into what kind of breed you are getting so that you can learn a little bit more about what to expect from the pet joining your life. Or, at least, you should do this. It is essential to choose a pet that fits your lifestyle.
By Samantha Reid7 years ago in Petlife
The Worst Day of My Life
When I was 20 years old, I needed to figure out what the fuck I was doing with my life, or so my mother said. I was perfectly fine wasting away, with my shitbag boyfriend, Luke, wasting days to countless different types of uppers and some downers. I weighed a grand total of 95 pounds, soaking wet, and was barely eating. I would live my life around being fucking traumatized by being fucking raped that eating seemed like such a fucking trivial activity.
By Mickie Hoffman7 years ago in Families
Pregnancy is 'Beautiful'
As a recently pregnant woman, I'm here to tell you the ten truths about being pregnant. Because once you've made that big announcement to friends and family, they will all tell you how great it all is. Well, I'm here to tell you a few truths about being pregnant.
By Faith Porter7 years ago in Families
Judge Dismisses 'Modern Family' Star Sofia Vergara's Frozen Embryos Lawsuit
After over two years of litigation and a battle that began in May 2014, a Louisiana judge has dismissed the case between Modern Family actress, Sofia Vergara, and her ex-fiancé, Nick Loeb. The former couple have been battling over the fate of two female embryos created during in IVF procedure while they were still together. According to documents obtained by TMZ, the judge indicated that the Louisiana court had no jurisdiction over citizens not residents of the state (the judge referred to the embryos as "citizens of California"). If Loeb decides to continue the battle, he would need to file suit in California, where he and Vergara are currently residents.
By Rachel Carrington7 years ago in Viva
Pig Hops and Pet Shops
Popcorning is the term given to when a young guinea pig does a little electrified hop with excitement and happiness. It's intense, adorable, and a great way to know you're doing a good job as pig parent. If your pig suddenly stops popping for his favourite things, you know something's very wrong.
By Hazel Chapman7 years ago in Petlife
How a Craigslist Puppy Changed My World
In the summer of 2016, one week away from my twenty-second birthday I was prematurely going through my mid-life crisis. On the outside looking in, everything was good. A newly purchased home, a career with opportunities for advancement. On my own, I thought I could conquer the world. But in truth anxiety was beginning to creep in and destroy my confidence. I was lonely, my only friend was about to move to Scotland. My family lived thousands of miles away, and my social life revolved around going to work. One day on lunch I began perusing the local Craigslist for the area where I lived. An ad for free puppies caught my attention. They were four months old, hound-mixes, needing good homes ASAP. I began evaluating my abilities to care for a dog. I lived alone in the middle of the country, with a large fenced in yard. My job was Monday through Friday and allowed me weekends and evenings at home. As an animal lover since childhood I immediately called the number without a second thought.
By Jenae Perry7 years ago in Petlife