"Guilty Pleasures": A Useless Phrase

I was asked to talk about "Guilty Pleasures"... what are my guilty pleasures?

Here's the thing, I have pleasures that I don't feel guilty about. I actually feel some sort of "pride" or "whatcho gonna do about it?" type of feeling. But other pleasures, I don't feel necessarily "guilty"...I just don't like to make it know. But I have noticed in today's world, people say they have "guilty pleasures" but never are truly guilty about having them. SO why waste your time saying you feel guilty, when you're not? Today's world is definitely weird.

I, Aubri Winsor, declare the phrase "Guilty Pleasure"....USELESS.

So my "Not Feelin' Guilty" Pleasures are:

:: ONE DIRECTION. Yeah, I can name them all, and I dream about converting and marrying Harry Styles in the Temple. SUE ME. They're all absolutely adorable and yes, if I was famous .... I'd be best friends with Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. My mother was SO kind, she recorded their performance on the Today Show for me to watch when I woke up. My mother is better than yours. Do I completely jam out when their songs pop up on my ipod? Um,what kind of question is that.... DUH. My question is, WHO DOESN'T?!
:: BEYONCE. I work what my mother passed down to me when "If I Were A Boy" comes on. I cannot help myself. When I hear her songs, I become a diva....a lip-syncing diva of course. This pleasure has got me thinking, I'm pretty sure I was Sasha Fierce in some sort of past life. AIN'T NO THANG.
:: COWS. In 5th grade, I discovered my obsession. Black spotted, white covered animals who produce milk and are absolutely adorable beyond all GET UP. I love cows, I love petting their soft noses and I don't mind the smell of their feces. Do I like their feces? No, I'm not addicted to cows and you won't find me on "My Strange Addictions."
:: JULIE ANDREWS. If there is ANY celebrity I aspire to be, it's her. Maria, Mary Poppins, The Queen of Genovia?! I mean COME ON. And her voice? Don't even GET me started. Angelic. That's all I can say. I have read her biography, I have every song from The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins memorized and my Aunt Nettie gave me a Mary Poppins snow globe. I feel proud to say, I love Julie Andrews.
:: RAMEN. I don't like to cook, I don't hate it...but if I don't have to do it, I won't. But Ramen? Delicious and Delectable Ramen? FREAK YA MAN! The world is a better place because of Ramen. I mean, I'm pretty sure it has saved MANY MANY college students. Am I right? Or Am I right?
:: NAMING FUTURE CHILDREN. Ok before ALL YA'LL start judging, I don't know who I am going to marry and I'm pretty sure half the names I have chosen won't be used. I definitely want my husband's input since, well, making the child will be a team effort. But I love to think about marriage, especially my own! I love to think of my colors/theme, who will be there, what my dress will look like, who my husband will be..... etc. etc. etc. BUT it's my #1 FEAR not to be married in the Temple.
:: AARON CARTER. When I was 7 or 8 years old during Christmas time, my parents/Santa gave me a VHS of all of Aaron Carter's music videos/behind the scenes. OBSESSED. I'm sorry, he was adorable and his songs were catchy. And being a child, I wanted to marry him. Now he is old and definitely, well, not as cute. But he'll always hold a special spot in my heart.
:: JAY Z, KANYE, ETC. It is easy for me to get the clean version of a rap song and be able to rap along with the song in a matter of a week. Songs like that get me pumped up for the day and wake me up A LOT faster. I like Jay Z and Kanye....so what? I didn't choose the thug life, it DEFINITELY chose me.

So judge me if you want, I don't feel the least bit guilty!

Ch-ch-ch-CHANGES

Okay, I'm exhausted...so we'll see how long I last with this banter.
This banter includes the words/phrases: Puberty, "time of the month", tampons, Acne, Cramps, "Voice Cracking"....

If you don't like these words/phrases, don't continue reading this banter.

Now, back to adulthood.

Puberty. (I know ya'll are shuddering)

We all go through it. If you are going, "I haven't!", then you must be, like, 6 years old and why are you reading my blog?

Through the beginning of our lives, we learn how to read (well, most of us), run, play, like boys, like girls, etc. Even as adults, we still are learning!! Our brain is AMAZING! So many neurological connections are made in the WOMB and the first few years of our existence here on Earth. But during that time of development, our body is physically changing. This is a very bittersweet thing. Because when our body changes, we either become a HAWT MAMA or DROP DEAD HANDSOME MAN ...

....or (like most of us) we become awkward.

One pimple turns into 1203 zits, and 1203 zits turn into a googleplex amount of blackheads. You're talking to your crush and being SUPER smooth with words, then your voice cracks and they start laughing. Your arms have grown faster than the rest of your body so now you look like a chimpanzee. You learn how babies are made.You feel like you're constipated, but no...Mother Nature decided to falcon punch you in your woman parts and you ruin your pants, you're moody, your parents take you out for breakfast "to celebrate your womanhood" and the waitress asks "What are ya'll celebrating today?" AND you now have to grasp the concept of tampons.

ETC. ETC. ETC.

Puberty, I don't like you!

I was one of those teenagers who COULD NOT SHAKE OFF THE AWKWARD. I'm still convinced I haven't shook it off. And boys? Oh GEEZ. I swear I liked every boy I made eye contact with while I was in Junior High. My body messed me up when I was around boys - I became so SO stupid. 

AND THEN WHEN A BOY LIKED ME BACK....

Insanity. Pure Insanity. I was one of those girls that as soon as a boy liked me and told me, it was rare for me to talk to them. I was perfectly fine with talking to them through IM messaging (I'm so high tech), but in person?!?! Why would I do that?! I would not be awkward anymore if I did THAT!

*HEAVY HEAVY SARCASM*

-Face palm-
It's also hard, as a girl who LOATHES make up and had Trichotillomania, when every boy out there is looking at only girl's who lather their face with make up and had a full head a beautiful locks. I think that's another reason why I was so insane in Junior High. I just wanted to be NOTICED. Puberty screwed me up that bad.
I also think it's hilarious how "LIKE" is Love's awkward cousin.
Oh and then once every month, I get to crawl into fetal position and cry because it's "that time of the month." I don't like my body scheduling me for CRAMPS. I'm grateful they are preparing me for when I'm married and having children. But could my body prepare me by sitting me down, giving me chocolate and a pep talk similar to the ones NFL coaches give to their teams before the Superbowl?
I know boys go through A LOT during puberty, I just haven't been through Sex Ed since 7th grade...so I don't remember SQUAT. (I do remember how babies are made....which is fortunate for my future life)

2nd part of the banter:
Now as some of you may notice, this banter is pretty blunt. Welcome to Adulthood! This is a part of life. Now, should you go up to a girl who is visibly upset and ask if she's on her period? No, because if she is whether or not ...you might get your face ripped off. Just warning you. It just bugs me when I'm taking to one of my girl compadres with a boy in the room and I say "tampon" or "cramps" ... and they give me a look like I just said the F word or they leave the room as if I just offended their whole family tree.
I pray and hope that I'll have a husband who will be calm when I say the word "tampons", a husband who can take my mood changes once every month, etc.

TO EVERY BOY ON THIS PLANET.
If you shudder every time someone says, "Period", "Tampons" "Pads" etc., you need turn into a man quickly because when you're married, you're gonna hear that A LOT. And us, girls, need a man who can walk confidently into a Walmart to buy tampons for their wife because they love their wife and want them to be happy. If you want to be happy, make your wife happy and they'll do all they can to make you happy.

I'm going to bed.
PEACE.

Your Personal Life is Personal For a Reason.

Alright. Here we go again!

People who tell their life story on Facebook.

As humans, we naturally have emotions. We're happy, twitterpatted, frustrated, disappointed, etc. But sometimes, our human emotions tend to make us do irrational things. Ok, lemme just get straight to the point...

***FACEBOOK IS NOT YOUR JOURNAL.***

    Posting how "angry you are at your Ex" or how "done you are with your parents even though you're 10 year old" makes you look ridiculous and look like you're seeking for attention - which is EXACTLY what you're doing. Is it bad to feel emotion? No, not at all. But the certain sappy, soap opera-esque events in your personal life should NOT be made public. I have deleted SO many people off of my FB friends list because they are constantly whining about their love life/social life/blah blah blah....it ALL drives me up the wall. We don't need to know your life story.

   And having 50 statuses, all from the same person, in one day sounding like this? 

 "Baby, your eyes make my heart stop because they are like the ocean....but your left arm is shorter than your right arm....it hurts for it to end this way."

I'm sure they are a lovely person in real, human life...but REALLY? Is it a necessity to post this on the WORLD WIDE WEB?

If you are hurting from a break up, don't post it ALL OVER FACEBOOK. It stings, we get it....but there is no need to share how much you hate/miss your EX all over my Facebook wall. Go grab some chocolate, cry for a bit, find some wood, build a bridge, take your chocolate and GET OVER IT. (oohhh, grab some ice for that BURN, don't worry I know I'm not cool.) 

If you are one of those folk who posts a depressing status, someone comments "What's wrong?" and you reply, "Nothing" or "txt me"? PLEASE. Just delete your account from Facebook. I have seen this happen SO. MANY. TIMES. I. COULD. SCREAM. Why? Because if I asked you "Why did you post that?" out of pure curiosity, you wouldn't have a reason. Yes, you may be depressed, I understand...but you wouldn't have any explanation on what your motive was to posting that...

Now let me say again, having emotions/feelings are NOT bad. But your personal life is your personal life and there are things you should NOT post on Facebook. 

Then you have those people who try to sound deep but really, they are just posting One Direction or some unknown Coffee Shop band lyrics... we all know what you're trying to do. We all know that 4 seconds after you post "Baby, you light up my world like nobody else." You'll be on the computer for 5 hours, waiting for your crush/boyfriend/girlfriend to see it and give you SOME SORT of acknowledgement. After my awkward Junior High years I learned that, it never works. Write your own dang lyrics, go up to your lover and tell them to their FACE. I honestly think that in today's society, people think that "Go say it to their face" actually means, "Go post it on their Facebook wall." Pity.

And you get those Facebook posts...

-- "popin' capzz, thug lyfee"

-- "Minecraft errday."

-- "oh my gosshhh, LMS lawlzzzzzz XD"

-- "Hary Styles Notice meeeee...."

--"I'm on the toilet, texttt meee."

My Response...

1) Did you ever go to school?

2)Do you ever go outside?

3) Have you seen the sun?

4) Spell his name right and you don't need that many letters in a 2-letter word.

5) Really? No, seriously. When you're on the toilet doing your humanly business, you think of more ways to receive attention?

Facebook should be used as a communication device, a sharer of celebratory news, and so on. It should not be a place of posting unnecessary news to a PUBLIC INTERNET SITE.
 PLEASE think before you post.
Godspeed my Facebook addicts.

Open up!

Another high school friend who trained me on how to have SWAG helped develop the next banter topic and it kind of goes like this, "Not having ALL LDS friends or all the same friends is NOT a bad thing, it can be a blessing."

Does that mean not to be cautious? No. We should ALWAYS choose our friends very carefully, no matter what their background is. The people we are around the most growing up kind of lay out a floor plan on what the rest of our life will be like. So be cautious, but don't think everyone out in the world is trying to destroy your life. Give people a chance...you'll sometimes end up surprised.

I'm an 18 year old LDS woman and I LOVE being LDS. I have found a lot of happiness living the Gospel Standards and I can't wait to share my happiness with the people in Aguascalientes. And growing up LDS gave me a lot of LDS friends. Through Primary, Seminary and Institute...I have met A LOT of Mormon folk. But I have noticed that us, Mormons, get a bad stereotype...we're "snobby and selfish." Not all of us are, but unfortunately, this stereotype is being lived up to TODAY. It's sad because we are taught DAILY to be like Christ and love EVERYONE no matter how crazy they make you., what religion they are, what color their skin is, etc. You get my point. But the stereotype is still alive today because there are a lot of LDS Youth who only hang out with ONLY LDS Youth. THIS ISN'T BAD. But it becomes bad when they completely reject those who aren't LDS, when the non-member really just needs a friend. Now the non-member possibly has hard feelings towards LDS members, or whatever the case may be- they just feel even more sad now. We're supposed to be serving and loving others, not tearing them down.

I have made MANY non-member friends and I love them to bits! Would I love them to be apart of this Gospel? Of course, but I'm not going to shove it down their throat. If they are interested in what I know is true, then I'll tell them. I have found many times that when they are interested and I'm teaching them, my testimony grows and grows! Having both LDS & non-member friends is SUCH a blessing. My non-member friends know the standards I live and respect them. They don't invite me to certain parties where there are certain things I shouldn't be around, they watch their language around me, etc. It's phenomenal and I love it! Sometimes, they even start to live the standards and find happiness in that. Also, I feel like my non-member friends have ALWAYS stuck up for me. When someone is trying to drag me down, my friends know what I stand for and remind me by telling me, "Come on, you're seriously going to let THAT get you down? You're better than that." Throughout my high school years, my non-member friends have gotten me through A LOT and I'm so grateful for them. I have also had friends who believe in same sex marriage, and I do not. I am strongly for traditional marriage, but we respect each other. They don't become an alien when they begin believe that, so why should I cut my life off from them? I respect what they believe and love them for who they are... because they are my friends. When they start to cut me down in what I know and they want to constantly debate, then we have problems. But other than that, we have no right (no matter what religion we are) to demean/degrade each other.

I have a friend, while at Westwood, would always support me in singing. He was in Honor Choir with me and helped me build up the courage to sing in the Senior Class Talent Show at the end of the year. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for him. He cheered for me and was always by my side when preparing for the Talent Show. I, now, am able to sing with confidence and truly know that my voice is special... all thanks to him!

SO PEOPLE. OPEN UP, GOSH DANG IT. Don't settle for just LDS or just Christian or just Atheist or just Asian or just Mermaid or just African American or WHATEVER religion/color/animal your friends maybe, because you'll miss out on a LOT of blessing if you don't span out your horizons (However that phrase goes...).

Also to my dear non-member readers -- yes, some LDS people live up to the "snobby" stereotype. But the keyword is "SOME." It's a shame that people happened to create that stereotype, but not everyone of us is a brat. I promise :) Don't be afraid to come up to us! We don't bite....well, with how the human race of today is playing out ...some of us might. But you'll never know until you walk up and talk to us!

PEACE. OUT.

Tongue Twister! Admiral Admirable.

#BanterSWAG
I'm cool now, right?

Another one of my dear friends gave me a late night banter topic - "Qualities of People You Admire."
NOTE: I admire A LOT of people...so I won't be able to get to ALL the admirable people. If certain people aren't mentioned, it doesn't mean I don't think they don't have admirable  traits because everyone does!
Ok, I'm going to try my best with this. I'm going to look at the little things and try to go off that.

**At good ol' Chick-fil-a, there are 2 boys that work in the kitchen who happen to be brothers. Over the year working with them, they have become like my older brothers and have helped me find happiness during the times at work when I just want to leave. I can ask them anything and they are willing to listen/give their advice. So if that could fit into a specific quality, I'd say it would be CARING.
** One of my best memories of high school was when I went to Sadie Hawkins. My date was phenomenal and has become one of my dear friends. Why? Because he is ADDICTED TO HAPPINESS. He is ALWAYS smiling, ALWAYS serving others and ALWAYS laughing. He truly finds joy in the journey. He never fails to crack me up and put a smile on my face.
**I have a friend who became ill while on her mission. I see her as my hero and she is an amazing individual. During this journey of healing, she has come face to face with what she has. She KNOWS she has it and she is working her tail off to get better. She doesn't hide what she has and isn't ashamed of the playing cards Heavenly Father has given her. She is so COURAGEOUS, I aspire to be like her.
**I have know this person since Junior High but they were more of an "acquaintance". We also went to Westwood with each other and during my Senior Year, this person was in one of my dual enrollment classes as a junior. They leave for their mission in 2 weeks and randomly last week, we hung out. And I wish we hung out more in the past because this kid is solid. He always has something to say and he is great to talk to! He doesn't care what other people think of him. He stands tall, with a smile and goes on with his day. This kid is definitely CONFIDENT.
**One of my closest friends, who has been on his mission for a year now, is HILARIOUS. Fun Fact: We went to Westwood with each other, and I loathed him. I used to think he was arrogant and selfish. But he graduated and then I graduated...and I found out he is one of the funniest people ever! He asked me on a date 3 months before I graduated, I was shocked. I gave it a shot and the date has been placed in my "Top 3 Best Dates" category. This kid no matter what can make anyone laugh. When you get him talking, you are practically holding your sides because you're laughing WAY too hard.
**This next category applies to A LOT of people. If I'm with a friend in the car and we're able to successfully "jam out to music"? I know I'll get along with them just fine. If a person says "I can't sing", I want to slap them. EVERYONE CAN SING, even if your voice isn't strong enough...don't hide your voice! A quality I love to witness in a successful jam out session is FEARLESSNESS. (which is probably not a word, but you get my point)
** So Math is not one of my strengths. And I have had plenty of Math teachers who would agree with that statement. I had two Math teachers at Westwood, Mrs Galas & Mr. Dominguez, who were the most MOTIVATING/SUPPORTIVE teachers I have EVER had. In both classes I was able to pass with an "A" because the teachers believed in me. They told me that I could do anything, even if I asked questions. They taught me that asking questions isn't bad! Do it as often as you like!
** Another person who I admire has the fine quality of HONESTY. She'll tell you like it is, and sometimes it stings. But I noticed that it has helped me grow. She was the Honor Choir President during my first year in Honor Choir and oh boy, I was SO scared of her. I wanted to be her friend but she was so intimidating. But I soon then realized how caring she is. She took me under her wing during my Junior Year (which was my roughest but BEST year in high school) and made me feel important. She taught me through her honesty to not be scared of anything and to embrace everything.
** Ok, I don't think this is a quality but...OH WELL. I love a person who can give AMAZING HUGS. If you're able to come up to me, embrace me and make me feel loved just through your hug? Kudos to you dude, that's practically a super power.
** A couple friends obtain this: AWESOME LISTENER. As you can tell, I talk a lot. And when I'm upset? I either don't talk at all or talk even more than which is humanly possible. I have had friends who just let me talk about how I feel and don't interrupt. They are there to make me feel loved and let me know that I'm not alone.

There are many other qualities that I see in people I admire, but alas, late night banter has a friend. And it's name is SLEEP. So to conclude, I see day by day people who amaze me with how they live their lives. They seek to make people embrace happiness and I appreciate those people SO much. PEOPLE - I challenge you to make a list of people and find a quality you like in them. Then, make a list of qualities you like about yourself. You'll begin to appreciate these people A LOT more and you'll also begin to be grateful for who you are.

 Because, guess what?

You're pretty sweet.

:)

Some Day My Prince Will Come...

Banter time!

So I asked on the "interwebs" or the "www's" (whatever you desire to call it), what topic should I do for a late night rant/banter? And a dear friend of mine who I aspire to be said, "Waiting For A Missionary."

Ooooooh boy. Hold on to your seats, folks. I have A LOT to say about this.

I used to think waiting for a boy was TOTALLY fine. I really didn't have an opinion on it till I was like 16 (maybe that's because boys got super interesting at that age). I'm the type of girl who LOVES boys, but is a "tom boy" herself. I like to be around boys. Does that make me, excuse my French, a "slut" (as some whippersnappers call it these days)? No. Not at all. But I am a girl, I still get twitterpatted and I easily start to like a boy if the opportunity comes up - which, in my opinion, is completely normal when it comes to girls.

As I started going into Seminary, marriage and dating became a BIG topic. One day at the beginning of class during my Junior Year in high school, my friend Jacob Peterson was giving the devotional (which is a mini MINI lesson on a principle/doctrine before the teacher teaches the BIG lesson). He decided to talk about "waiting for missionaries." He told a story of a couple and the boyfriend was about to leave for a mission. The girl promised to wait for him...but she ended up dating and getting engaged to another guy. She "Dear John-ed" the Missionary boyfriend and went on with her life. BUT lo and behold, the marriage was STOPPED and when the Missionary boyfriend got home, they got married! NOW PAY ATTENTION. THIS IS RARE. If you are going to "wait" for someone, don't expect a "happily ever after" with this specific person. (the truth hurts!) It's nice to think of, BUT REMEMBER. It's the Lord's way and that's that. Don't spend the whole 18 months-2 years, being a hermit and not going on dates. You'll be surprised that the person you said you'll "wait for", isn't your eternal companion. It'll also sting more when you and what you thought was your future companion, break up. Yes, "Dear John-ing"/"Dear Jane-ing" is hard to do and even harder to receive. But we're here on this Earth to find out eternal companion, have a celestial marriage so we can receive the bountiful amount of happiness prepared for us in Heaven. Support the missionary by helping focus on his mission. He/She shouldn't be on his mission thinking of holding your hand/kissing you/marrying you. He/She has a HUGE job to do and it's INCREDIBLY important that they focus on:

1) Loving/Serving the People in their area.

2) Being Obedient to the Mission Standards.

3) Having the Spirit with them 24/7. If they don't have the Spirit, they will NOT function.

4) Using the Atonement on a DAILY basis.

If you are writing your missionary and all you can talk about is marrying them? STOP. They are not able to function correctly with a boyfriend/girlfriend on their mind. They only need to be thinking about the people and the work they need to do. And if you don't want to do this, all I can say is, I feel sorry for you.

"Aubri, do you have a missionary?" No, I do not own a missionary. Is there a missionary out there that I'm interested in? Yes. But that is private. :) I have not told him how I feel and I plan to keep it that way until we're both back from our missions/if we're available. I will NEVER forgive myself if I distracted this person while they are on their mission. If he is already married when I get back, I will support him in that as well. Of course, it will sting for a bit but I'm human...and that just means my body is working. It also means there is some hunka hunka BURNIN' love out there for me to find.

 It makes me incredibly sad when I hear of girlfriends who are sending pictures of wedding dresses/colors/decorations to missionaries currently in the field. You are distracting them from the work! YOU ARE. If you can't take the wait and if you cannot be patient, you are going to struggle in any marriage as well and you will live life in regret.

So Sisters, save yourself from the pain and regret. Don't wait for the missionary (unless you know FOR SURE he is the one), support them and love them for what they are doing.

Banter, COMPLETE.

Thanks A LOT.

I know this isn't a "late night banter/rant" but who's gonna stop me?

On Sunday we had our home teachers over and they talked about gratitude. One of the teachers said that one way you can increase your gratitude is when you pray, tell Heavenly Father everything you are grateful for instead of asking for things. After this lesson, my perspective has changed.

I've had trouble with feeling lonely. My whole summer consisted of me staying home and watching my friends leave for their missions. I became depressed and questioned, "What is the point?" I have my mission call but I just became neutral. I wasn't feeling happy but I was losing who I am. I wasn't recognizing all that was being done for me. I lost my socializing abilities and I became ACTUALLY awkward. (Ok, well, I've always been awkward...but you get my point)

Aubri, GET TO THE POINT.

So the point of this post is...how the HECK am I going to get back to the OLD Aubri?!

1) Express all that I'm grateful for in my prayers and in my everyday conversation. LIKE THIS!

**My siblings. They may have chosen different paths, but they are amazing individuals and I love them. They support me and my decision to serve the mission. That's all that I can ask for.

**Modern day technology.  Need I say more?

**My parents. They are an amazing support and they love me for who I am. And they are my best friends.

**This Gospel. A friend and I were taking about going through the temple for the first time. We both agreed that it's impossible the Church isn't true. It's organization is flawless and the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is spreading no matter what. Without this Gospel, I don't know where I would be in my life. It brings me TRUE happiness and I cannot wait to bring happiness to those in Mexico.

**My mission call.

**The friends that have chosen to serve a mission. They are true examples to me. AND I'm grateful for those who decided to stay, because we need that support system.

**The temple. I'm going through soon and I am BEYOND excited.

**The house I live in.

**The ward/stake I'm in.

**MAIL. I LOVE LETTERS.

**Mesa, Arizona. It's like a small town where people know each other and everybody is related, but bigger.

**Seminary & Institute.

**MUSIC. If I didn't have my piano, I would be in a mental institute.

**The Atonement. I'm not perfect and I make mistakes, just like everybody else. But I can be made clean again because of my brother, Jesus Christ, and his love for me & my Heavenly Father.

OK, obviously there is more stuff. But I have a tendency to make lists instead of posts.

2) SOCIAL LIFE POINTS.

Like I stated before, I have been deprived of a social life for way too long. It's been so long that I really struggled to be social again. SO, before I leave for my mission I want to get 200 social life points. But I'm not going to hang out with friends JUST for the points. I want to grow from this experience...and this is my plan.

--Hang out with friends at someone ELSE'S house = 5 points

--Hang out with friends and go somewhere else while bonding = 10 points

--Go out of my way to someone else's house = 15 points

--I'm asked on a date = 25 points

--I ask someone else on a date = 30 points

--I talk to a stranger (say "Hi!" and/or "Have a good day!") = 2 points

So at this point in life, I'm at 54 social life points. I want to be back to my old self before I leave for my mission and dagnabit, it's gonna happen!

        

Banter and Emotions.

4336 miles apart.

    Today, I witnessed my friend be set apart as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was incredibly bittersweet and many MANY tears were shed. Chile is so stinkin' blessed to have my best friend, Lorelei-Marie, in their country. I'm so thankful for her example in my life.

(Ignore my swollen face....yes, I was crying like a child BUT GIVE ME A BREAK.)

Anywho. On to other banter!

    ---So as ya'll know, I work at a place where chicken is the main dish in EVERYTHING. Chick-fil-a. I have been working there since April 2012 and it's been quite a journey full of smiles, tears, anger and frustration. The journey has been one complete roller coaster ride....but on the ride, you're blindfolded. You never know how your day is going to go. Like for example, on Thursday in the the drive thru, a customer pulled up and gave me his number. And of course, I was covered in human made grease and I smelt like rancid chicken...but apparently that didn't stop him! WHY? Because today, Monday/4 days later, HE CAME BACK. Being a girl who doesn't wear makeup/ doesn't like makeup/ is afraid of makeup, LOVES to wear t shirts, hasn't had the greatest self confidence, it was a compliment. But at the same time, he now knows where I work and has no idea I'm leaving for my mission in 79 days. Well, tough.

    --- My father, being the smart man he is, told me this story:

"A business mans hops on a train to work. Across from him is another man with his 5 children who are running around, throwing things, pushing other passengers, etc. They were basically running wild. But the man just sat there. The business man sat there thinking, 'Why doesn't this guy control his kids?! They are being so rude!' Finally after the business man couldn't take it anymore he spoke up and said, 'Sir! Please control your children! They are running wild!' The other man looked up and spoke with a shaky voice, 'I'm so sorry sir, we just got back from the hospital where their mother just passed away...'"

    What would you do in that situation? Maybe help the other man? Instead of sitting and judging the man/his children, we should constantly look for ways to love others...even if we don't know their background. The rest of the story, the business man stands up and sits next to the other man trying to help him with his children. If you feel as if you're looking at others thinking they're rude or annoying, WHATEVER THE CASE MAYBE, try not to feel offended from their actions. They aren't giving you offense, it's impossible to give. The only way you can be offended is if you take it. You are taking the offense and deciding to be hurt from their actions. You can either choose to be offended or you can choose to love them, serve them in some way, ignore the things that bug you & smile no matter what.

   Well, that's it for tonight's banter..... if you want me to banter on a specific topic, tell me & I'll do my best. :)
Godspeed.
 

Shaking Silly People.

    Many times in my life I have had friends tell me about certain frustrating situations in their lives and how they are just unhappy. I give them relatively easy advice, "Just do this....just do that....just break up with her/him....blah blah blah..." But they do the whole "smile and nod, but absolutely do not suck in any advice I just gave them" attitude. 

I JUST WANT TO GRAB THESE PEOPLE BY THE SHOULDERS & SHAKE THEM.

   It gets me SO frustrated. They are obviously unhappy and are aware of their unhappiness, but they aren't doing SQUAT about it. Of course you have the classic situations where it's like,

 "Hey you should obviously break up with that person if they're making your life poopy..." 

"Oh but Aubri, we're living together."

  Ok yeah, I get how that can be difficult to deal with. BUT that could have been somewhat avoided, but I'm not judging. "But we're in LOOOOVE." I get it - it's your life, do what you please. BUT MAKE HAPPY DECISIONS, GOSH DANG IT. Like I said before, it can be difficult with this situation, but life is difficult! That is how we become who we are.  You go through the rough patches to get to the gold at the end.

    It makes me want to scream when I watch my friends be controlled by other people. (I can say this because I once was controlled by others and learned my lesson.) You see your friend who is happy, funny, *insert any awesome characteristic about your friend here*...you get my point. You love being around them and you consider each other close friends. But over a period of time, you feel like you are being expected to hang out with this friend where everything else in your life becomes "second priority" without your consent. If you don't follow up to par with this friend, you get somewhat "punished" (humiliation, a guilt trip, etc.).

*** If you are going through this now,

GET. OUT. NOW.

  It's YOUR life. Yeah, friends are great! I'm not saying "Be a HERMIT!" But be OH so very careful with friends. This person maybe a great person who has cured AIDS and has adopted 2 starving African children, for all I care. If they are expecting too much out of you and you feel like you need to meet up to this person's needs to feel accomplished in life, THEY AREN'T WORTH YOUR ENERGY. Be who you want to be and do what you want to do. Yeah, sometimes plans don't line up....but I stated before - That is LIFE. Toughen up, rub some dirt in it. Besides the good thing about life is, it has a lot of days! Pick one and see if it works out. But with this certain "controlling" person, try to pick a few days every so often. I tried to do this and yeah, it was awkward. I probably shouldn't have cold turkey-ed it. But I'm happier now and feel more free with what I can do with my life. But that may not feel comfortable to you, so here is SOLUTION #2 : Talk to them about it. I'm not a great talker ... but see what you can muster out to your friend. Be calm when you say how you feel and if they react angrily/negatively,  1)  they are obviously not a true friend, and 2) be grateful you spoke your mind. But if I see someone attached to another person's hip, and I tell them to "Get out!" and they reply, "I have no one else."  Once again, I'm gonna shake them.

  

   I could have named this post "Shaking Stupid People." But honestly, we all have some sort of 'stupid' in our system and "silly" is a nicer word that rolls off the tongue.

I consider this late night rant, COMPLETE.