19 lessons learned in 19 years

1.   

     1.  Relationships evolve and transform.-You will cross paths with lots of people from different walks of life. You must learn to accept the fact the some people will leave your life shortly after entering it, some people will stay for years and some will leave and return. 
     2.      Don’t prejudge people.- Everyone has a different story and you shouldn’t judge them only God can do that. I remember in High School meeting the person who is now my best guy friend (he’s like a brother to me!) and thinking that he was a really weird and semi creepy person. Then, I actually took the time to get to know him, understand him, hear his story and I realized we have a lot in common! Now he’s my bestie!

3.      Accept that bad things will happen.- If you grow up in Happy little suburban bubble like I did until about 7^th grade then getting out in the so called “real world” you will be shocked to learn that not everyone you meet has your best interest at heart, not everyone is good ( although I do believe everyone is inherently good), and life is not black and white. Also realize that this ok. From the bad things that happen comes learning and reflecting.
4.      To live and not just exist you need to step outside of your comfort zone.- Going away to a college where I knew absolutely no one was a big deal and really helped me to come to this realization. In the past year I have done more than I ever thought was possible from climbing a huge mountain to making friends with strangers, to trying new things like rock climbing and paint ball. I believe pushing my limits is what has helped me to succeed.
5.      It’s the little things that matter.- Looking back on my childhood I have realized that the moments I am most fond of are the little things like, music trivia with my mom (she’s pretty bad at it but I love her)and Dad (he knows his fare share), My brother Phil playing the piano with me always nearby, or the random sarcasm that bonds me and my brother Greg.
6.      Success is found through passion.- I believe that by doing what you love you will find the most success in your life weather you deem success financially, emotionally, physically or mentally. Knowing what your passion is and then using it to help others is the best way to achieve success in this high demand high stress world.
7.      De clutter/ make things simpler.- Get rid of all the junk in your house and in your life. Focus on fewer but more important things. Give more time and attention to the people you love and hobbies you enjoy. Clear time in your schedule for yourself and your loved ones. Take time to relax and enjoy what you have in your life!
8.      Connect with people from different generations and walks of life/ expand your horizons.- Doing this will allow you to expand the way you think and will show you that there are multiple ways to live life and you might learn something new. For instance this weekend my Mom picked up a hitch hiker and was telling me about this Lady (I could tell she was fascinated by her). The lady was a back packer in her mid to late twenties who was a really religious Jew (even stooped my Mom from talking to do her morning prayers) and a computer programmer. My Mom said her life was so different from her own but not necessarily bad and she said that she learned a lot from this lady.
9.      Accept change.- Nothing can or will stay the same forever. Change is inevitable instead of being scared of change embrace it. If you embrace it life will be a lot smoother.  Change is exiting, fun and sometimes scary so just roll with the punches and trust that the heart of life is good!
10.  Stop stressing/ worrying.- I have never been a person who stresses out but when I do it all explodes at once. I usually have my yearly freak out week other than that I tend not to worry however I have met people who agonize about every detail of their life. Just let go breathe deep trust that everything will be ok. My Mom once told me, “nothing in the world is so bad that it can’t be fixed.”
11.  Live out your wildest dreams.- You have one life and a million different ways to live it. Go after what you want with all your heart. The possibilities are endless and if you truly want something nothing can stop you. In High School I wanted to travel to Africa but I knew my parents wouldn’t support me  financially and I didn’t have enough money for a trip so I worked really hard and found a way to go on an all expense paid philanthropy trip to Ethiopia! Now I’m working on how to get back there!
12.  Perform Random Acts of Kindness.- “Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”- Philo. Being kind just because is the greatest gift you could give another human being. In this age of technology and isolation I believe all people really want is a real human connection. Sometimes just talking to someone or smiling at them will make there day.
13.  You can’t live in the past or the future you have to live for now.-  Reminiscing is great as is dreaming but at some point you have to wake up and live in the moment. Now is the only moment that is guaranteed to you so spend it wisely working towards your goals, sharing love, helping others and doing what is most important you in that moment.
14.  Ask a lot of questions.- Always keep the wheels cranking in your mind. Don’t accept anything for fact. Ask questions and learn. Never stop learning it is one of the most important aspects in life.
15.  Tell people you love them everyday.- My grandpa passed away recently and my great grandma who was a month away from being a hundred passed away a few years back. These deaths gave me the bitter realization that tomorrow is not guaranteed and you should always let people know how important they are to you. Seriously, tell friends, family maybe even strangers you love them all the time!
16.  Do what makes YOU happy.- I spent a lot of years thinking  after high school and then after college I should do what expected instead of what I want. I know when I graduate I am expected to get a 9-5 job, pay bills and get a nice house with a man whom is also settled down but I have decide to do what makes me happy instead. I am going to move to Africa and do anything I can to help! Don’t follow others expectations set your own goals in life and achieve them.
17.  Get involved!- Try to meet new people every day (no matter how awkward it is) and join in on the fun activities that are offered near you who knows you might meet a best friend, a spouse or find a new passion. Open yourself up to new possibilities and adventures.
18.  Take risks/ don’t be afraid of getting hurt.- “Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like on the dance floor.”- The perks of being a wallflower (great book BTW). In my Sophomore- Senior years of High School I let fear hold me back from experiencing life. I was afraid to try new things, make new friends and dare I even say it ask a guy out. College changed everything. I met a guy I liked so I asked him to do things with me like go to the school talent show sadly I was rejected but hey it didn’t hurt as much as you  think and I moved on from it and became less afraid.
19.  Take every opportunity you get.- Every opportunity is a new door to a new room and learning experience. It is a chance to expand your horizons and I don’t know what the opportunity is but unless it contradicts your morals I suggest you take it!

So this song must have been made for me :)

Life is what happens when your too busy making other plans~ John Lennon

Facebook status:

Andrea ✫ Nieto hasn't posted since the 12th but has a ton of drafts. Scribbled notes of things I want to say but can't seem to express there all there if only you could see them you'd understand me better but I wont hit post until there perfect so I guess you'll never see them even if you were to somehow stumble upon my blog in the first place."

Recent happenings in my life (in case you care for some reason):

My good friend from High School who gave us a tour of Boston!

Sand Castle Contest!



• Visted CT and Boston. It was awesome!

"Hole in the wall" CT

I thought this was cool saw it in Boston!

• Learned about geocaching. Went geocaching. Found 5 caches! Next post will be all about geocaching for those who are confused!
• Saw on Facebook how my big College crush was dating someone (figures...)
• Went to the Dragon Boat Festival with a guy friend from college. Got him really lost in Denver. Saw Inception again...
• Chilling with my brothers today and realizing how great the simple things in life are! 

Finding old poems is like finding new treasures!

Reading old poems is like being transported back to when you wrote them. The emotions feel real again and you can remember why you wrote the poem and where you were here are some of my old ones: 

Senior year

Dancing on my bed to the grateful dead

late at night star bright 

on the hood of a car blasting music so far

watch the clouds as they pass laying on the grass

I can see the light almost anywhere far from here

Wanting to be worlds away back in Africa someday

Friday nights with my friends wishing this never ends

Swinging at the park often in the dark

Village Inn pie although I am often shy

Party in the basement I need a replacement 

welcome to my life

BOY

The teenage boy who sits in his room

opens the whisky in the middle of the afternoon

This is how it starts 

A football bully cleans him out 

derogatory words are what he shouts

attempting to break him down 

he is lost never found

He watches at home as his parents fight 

he sees no end, no light 

he can't justify what’s right from wrong

the next day at school he gets in a fight

This is only the beginning 

of a story untold

lets watch it unfold

His parents fight some more

that’s when dad walks out the door

single mother now alone and poor

ridiculed at school 

for being uncool

the boy wishes he was never born

This poem titled Mask's was actually published in a book! 

Masks

The mask we ware.

The secrets we share.

Everyday we leave our house 

paint our face with lies 

Its our fake disguise

I can’t be me 

when I am supposed to be like you

but I don’t really know who you are

when you wear your own disguise

do you know what my life is really like?

When I leave school I take off my mask

un-paint my lies

and wear a new disguise

the only time I’m me 

is when I’m by myself

when I’m with my music

it helps nurse me back to health

it tells a truth like none other

the lyrics touch my soul 

to tell me what is real

that’s the deal

its a Simple Plan , its Sublime, a Journey,

even when I’m in The Darkness 

it makes me feel like the Queen I’m supreme

where would I be without something to depend on 

my Reliant K, without the Nirvana it gives me

without someone waiting for me just 3 Doors Down

and when I need a laugh 

and I see Bare Naked Ladies running down the street

I’m not so beat

how about when a Fast Ball comes your way

Can you solve it with some Guns And Roses?

When you meet a boy as spicy as a Red Hot Chili Pepper

you can cool it off with a little Coldplay.

When you’re having a blue day

add a little Green Day to spice it up.

The mask we ware.

The secrets we share.

Everyday we leave our house 

paint our face with lies 

Its our fake disguise

I can’t be me 

when I’m supposed to be like you

but I don’t really know who you are

when you wear your own disguise

do you know what my life is really like?

When I leave school I take off my mask

unpainted my lies

and wear a new disguise

the only time I’m me 

is when I’m by myself

when I’m with my music

it helps nurse me back to health

it tells a truth like none other

the lyrics touch my soul 

to tell me what is real

that’s the deal

Burb's

Who will save me

Secluded and alone 

is how I feel

claustrophobic suburbia

one day

freedom

New poem/ song or something idk...

How paper thin are these walls that were in?

My secrets arn't my secrets any more

Your weighted by the lies in your pockets

Please leave you baggage at the door

What once was my childhood home

I can't seem to find the beauty any more

Your words fly back and fourth

Like bombs through the air

This fighting ain't fair to me

The innocence that used to protect me

has faded into the background

masked behind the lies you wear

like tennis shoes protecting you from the harsh conditions

this fighting aint fair

You attempt to rid me of my adolesent dreams

But I hold on for dear life

I still believe

I still believe that I can make change

I still believe in love

I still believe beauty and maddness

I still belive in me

Even if you've let go

I guess this is growing up

Middle School "Sux"

*Haha I love how this is what comes p when you Google image awkward middle schoolers!

So the other night my Mom and I were driving back from dropping food off at our friends house (she just had surgery and she's like a second Mom to me) when we passed the middle school I used to attend aptly known as, "West Penitentiary". I don't recall exactly what I said but I made a snide comment referencing how much I hated that place. Honestly, those were the worst 3 years of my life.

Middle School is that awkward stage where puberty happens and guys realize girls don't have cooties. There voices get high and crack at in opportune moments, they cant control there hard on's and they start shaving even though most of them don't have facial hair.Girls realize boys are competition, start getting boobs, wear training bras and become more bitchy than usual during that "special time of the month." Hormones are raging, being "cool" is everything and for reasons I will never understand they take 1,000 (give or take) of these "hormone raging, competitive, bitchy kids" and put them in one building together for 8 hours a day.

Yes. Middle School "Sux!"

I remember in eighth grade crying myself to sleep every night because my parents were fighting, I didn't enjoy what I was learning and the kids at school were -well lets just say- not always the nicest (ok some of them were bitches..yea I said it).

I specifically recall in 7th grade a day I have maybe talked about once before now. I remember in middle school AIM was a big thing and who you were IM'ing was important. I was talking over AIM with a friend when a screen name I did not recognize IMed me. This person was saying horrible nasty things to me. In 7th grade I was hanging out with the "goth" clique at school. However, this was around the time that I started to have a falling out with the main leader of that clique. Even though we had been friends for a long time we were changing and going in different directions and that was ok. The person who was IMing me kept telling me how ugly I was, they kept saying that I had no friends and that nobody at school liked me. They even told me, "you might as well just disappear." As I told you I had been growing apart from most of my old friends so the things this person was saying felt true. This moment crushed pretty much any self esteem I had and it held me back from trying to make friends for a long time. You have to remember middle school is all about fitting in and at that moment I had no clique to identify with. Simply put I didn't fit in. I eventually learned who sent the nasty IM and it was a person I had probably only talked to once. I don't even remember if or how I responded to this person all I remember after that is sitting on the couch crying for hours that day and then not telling a single person what happened for 5 years because I was ashamed that these lies were true.

To contrast this my Mom said middle school was the best time of her life (after college of course). She reasoned this by saying she loved all the group activities and how you could date but you weren't pressured to make out. She said high school turned into alcohol parties instead of volley ball parties. And dating was physical instead of fun. (Note: that my Mom grew up in a small Nebraska town and drinking was legal at 18).

So I want to ask anyone who is reading this middle school the best or the worst (excluding college)?

Piano Man

Last night I was sitting on our blue leather couch listening to the baby grand piano that my brother was playing and singing along with him to some of our favorite piano songs.

When my oldest brother Phil graduated high school I was entering high school. He was headed to college at CU Boulder and as his mini side kick I was upset. At the time me and my other brother Greg weren't very close and I was dreading my brothers departure. As a parting gift my brother entrusted me with all of his old CD'S which I spent hours devouring. My brother has, is and will probably always be my greatest musical influence so this gift was like giving me the secret to surviving those last years at home. Eventually me and my other brother that was at home with me became super close as we shared our love of good movies, irony and intense sarcasm.

My brother Phil graduated college the same year I graduated high school and came home for a year to save money. Next fall he will be moving with his girlfriend  to Washington, DC to attend Law School at Georgetown. Although I am super proud of him this just brings about another realization that I am growing up.

My Mom and I were talking about it and she said hearing my brother play the piano and sing made her really emotional. I can tell she is definitely going to miss his beautiful music and beautiful spirit next year. My brother Greg made a valid point saying this summer is probably the last time all three of us will live together. It was a really weird thing to think about. Unlike most siblings I hear about my brothers and I have always been super close but I guess this is growing up.

Even when you gone the music will still be there.

Go!

Todays Facebook status should help explain my writing: I love life right now I really do, I love college, I love learning, I love my family and I love my friends. I love it all but I read stories from friends in Africa, or look at pictures of people I know in India, I see videos of the pyramids and I just want to buy a one way ticket and go, I just want to go see the world and make a difference! It's like this itch that I can't scratch...I can really feel it today!


My parents always told us growing up that they wanted to be able to take family vacations and go on trips providing us memories that would last us a lifetime. So every couple of years after they had saved up enough money we would take a big trip and the years in between we would take less expensive road trips or just outings to visit family members in near by states. Honestly most of my best memories stem from these trips. 


In 8th grade my family went to England (and France for a day via the chunnel). This was where I first heard my favorite band Queen. It was my introduction to the music that eventually consumed my life. Throughout high school my family took trips to my Aunt and Uncle's time shares in Mexico. Although these trips were more vacation and less of a cultural learning experience I still got to visit the sites and see life from a new and unique perspective. I have visited sacred Mayan temples in Mexico, watched as thousands of turtles roll in from the ocean, sat in my mothers lap in a Mexican cab with my brothers wobbling on the lawn chairs that were sitting in the trunk, and I have been fortunate enough to see the beautiful Mexican sunset. 


I have been on air planes more times than I can count on four hands. My parents have taken us to Disney (world and land), Las Vegas (NM and NV), Washington DC (3 + times), California, Florida, New mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, New York, Chicago, Utah, Canada, Washington, South Dakota, Texas and more that I am probably forgetting. 


Last summer my family spent 10 days in 12 airports and 3 Hawaiian Islands! It is one of my most cherished family memories. The people in Hawaii are as beautiful as the islands. I saw black sand for the first time. Went snorkeling for the first time. Did a kayaking trip for the first time. Went hiking everyday with my family. Stood under a gushing waterfall. I looked out at the ocean the same color as the sky and I couldn't tell where the water ended and the sky began. I saw green sand for the first time (my favorite part of the trip). In order to get to green sands beach you had to park in the middle of no where Hawaii and walk 5(ish) miles to a cove -where you had to climb down the side of the rocks to get to the beach- it seemed that pretty much only locals knew of the spot. It had not been commercialized, there was no water fountains or vendors just God's pure simple beauty and I was encased by it. The waves were higher and more intense then anything I had ever seen before even the locals on there surf boards were cautious so of course my two older brothers decided to go out. I saw them getting thrashed by waves rolled around and they loved it! The feeling of freedom was exiting in that moment. 


When I was a Senior I went on my first trip without my family to Ethiopia, Africa. My parents were scared to death but they knew my heart was in Africa so I prayed a lot and eventually they let me go. Most people don't understand why you would want to go to a place thats often with out any running water, or electricity. They say it's a scary place, you can die there. Theres desies like AIDS and malaria. They don't have what Americans consider "roads" or stop lights or any sort of system to there driving. On one occasion we were driving from Project Mercy to Awassa for the grand opening of a library. It was like a 4 hour drive if I remember correctly. The "roads" were bumpy like a really long roller coaster and we often had to stop suddenly to let animals and people pass. now I am not one to usually get sick however I spent that day completely car sick and sick from my malaria medication. 


I am 19 years old now and I have seen unexplainable, unimaginable beauty and it has ruined any chance I have of seeing this world as normal. Yet of all the places I have traveled I will always feel the need to return to this poverty stricken country. The people who whisper that its not safe there, that I could die if I go back have some truth in these statements. Its Africa its not safe. Its Africa you might not come back. But if your heart is telling you to go.. then go. Come back with an appreciation for the sang "this is Africa." Take safety precautions and pray to God that you can make it back to tell everyone about life beyond there comfort zone. 


Go wherever your calling is and come back with pictures of people who have stolen your heart, come back with stories and memories. Come back and tell others that these pictures and stories of are of real people who just need to be loved like we all do. So leave your expectations and hesitations behind and see what the world has in store for your life. 

Im glad I wrote this I just need too. :)

Dear Grandpa,

I was on Facebook today and on the side it told me to "reconnect with you". I started crying (only a little bit though) It's been 4 months since your passing. It really doesnt feel like 4 months. In fact sometimes it doesnt even feel real. We are all there for Grandma and helping her to get through this rough time. We helped her move out of the house she lived in as a child and the house she then raised a family in with you. Her new house is really nice and it's close to Shawn and Michelles house! In a few weeks my Mom and I are taking Grandma on a trip with us to Conneticut to visit Kenny and Evlyn. I am hoping this will be alot of fun and a good get away for us three girls! My mom and I also plan to go to Boston for a day check out the city and visit my friend from high school. Everyone still misses you a ton but the strangeth you had in life is what is helping us. Pam and the girls organized a book we made about you. It is really great! It has the poem I wrote, the eulogy that Phil read at your funeral, memories that everyone wrote about, photos and quotes. It is truly a treasure. One day I will show it to my children and tell them about what a great man you were. We also have copies of the video Chad and Shawn made in memory of you. You had a strong set of moral values and were often caught performing random acts of kindness and I am hoping to follow in your path. I started a facebook event a little while ago because I wanted to see how far a random act of kindness like the ones you performed daily could go. I asked all my friends to buy coffee for the stranger behind them in line on July 5th. I am hoping this one day event will snowball into everyday acts of kindness! There even going to mention this event on the Grand Junction news! Tomarrow is Independence Day (the 4th of July) you were so patriotic in your service for our nation it truly takes strength, passion and bravery to serve in the marines like you did! So thank you! I just really needed to write this. Grandma told me you wrote poems too so maybe that is where I get my poetic creativeness from! As I wrote in my poem "Our finger prints don't fade from the lives we touch." I miss you like crazy!

Love love love (x a million), Andrea

playing for change

I go to the airport

Hop on the first 409

It’s Denver to Dallas

The city’s asleep tonight

I’m buying time

I look out the window

The world at my finger tips

Possibilities endless

I don’t know where to go with this

Guitar on my back

What it’s like to feel young

The freedom is freeing

But the dreams all sound dumb

I don’t want a nine to five

I don’t want to settle down just yet

I don’t want to leave this world with even one regret

I walk the streets

As the people walk to the bars

I am starting to realize this city is ours

I won’t sleep for days

As I watch the kids play

Guitar on my back

What it’s like to feel young

The freedom is freeing

But the dreams all sound dumb

The man on the corner

Holding a sign for change

But he doesn’t want money

Although it might sound strange

He's playing for change

Dear stranger, I'll love you more than you'll ever know!

I just cried when I saw this on www.Postsecret.com/

Frank Warren author of the site posted this: "I haven't heard from the person who mailed this postcard, but I have heard from many others who have felt lifted by this world-wide spontaneous act of kindness."

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He then posted photos of people offering hope:

Frank Warren also noted:
"Thank you for creating the "please don't jump" facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/pleasedonotjumpI am overwhelmed at the response and truly, deeply hope the author of the postcard is as well. Things have been rough for me, and even though the kind words are meant for another suffering soul, I have drawn strength from following these voices too... I wish there were more examples of this kind of love, hope, and support in our world."

PLEASE JOIN!

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Then Frank posted this email message from someone who read the post card:

"I read the Golden Gate Bridge postcard on PostSecret, visited the facebook page, and went to the bridge today [Sunday]. I have lived in San Francisco for 4 years and never once walked across the bridge. Today me and my roommate did for the first time because of this secret and I wanted to share with you my experience.

We walked about 3/4 across the bridge reading ribbons and messages along the way then decided to head back. On our way back I noticed a backpack against the bridge and thinking this was odd kept staring...soon noticing a person on the other side of the bridge. Me and my roommate stopped and stared over at this man sitting on the ledge of the bridge.

My roommate asked him if he was alright, which he replied "not really" but he stood up. She then asked him if he would come back on our side of the bridge. He climbed back over and we all just stood there awhile. He had a big scar down his neck and had also wet himself sometime sitting out on the ledge. I asked him his name and we introduced ourselves. My roommate asked him if she could call anyone for him and he replied no. He then put on his sweatshirt, grabbed his stuff, and walked away. We stood there watching him and the bridge police and security team pulled up and escorted this man into one of the cars.

I have no idea what is going to happen with this man, where he went, if he will try to jump or some other method again. All I know is today was my first day on the bridge, and because of postsecret and the support of all these individuals, we wanted to be a part of that support and through that we were able to be there for someone.

People do make a difference and even if the person who wrote the post secret has no idea of the effect that it has had, today it helped take someone off the Golden Gate Bridge."

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And I cried some more...

 

The best way I can express my feelings is through a song I wrote awhile ago for people I have known that committed suicide, those who have attempted and those I have never met this ones for you:

 

There's better days ahead

when your lying in your bed

the world slows to a crawl

you want to stop it all

but think before you fall

if I knew that you were hurting inside

why wont you confide in me?

I pray that you can make it

through the rain to see the rainbow

I pray for all those struggling

you are not alone

theres better days ahead

why wont the world slow down

shine light on the lost and make them found

one million every year

a cause that I hold dear

you are not alone

there's better days ahead

when your lying in your bed

the world slows to a crawl

you want to stop it all

but think before you fall

You can also check out another blog I wrote sometime ago on the issue: http://drea-heartoflife.blogspot.com/2010/01/so-i-recently-found-out-that-7th-grader.html

and one my friend wrote:

http://kaeklep.blogspot.com/2010/03/now-no-one-cares.html

Thank you,

I didn't really know what to say but I felt I had to say something!

1-800-SUICIDE

Blogs I am currently following...

In no specific order...

www.1000awsomethings.com/

• 
  
   1000 Awesome Things is just a time-ticking countdown of 1000 awesome things. Launched June, 2008 and updated every weekday. Published as The Book of Awesome in April, 2010.

 www.adayinthelife.com/

• 
  
  A photo blog with a photo a day from around the world.

www.amtrekker.com/

• Follows a vegabond attempting to cross every item off his "bucket list"
www.saidthegramophone.com/
 

• 
  
   Started by 3 Canadians this is one of the first ever MP3 Blogs. Each week they post a new song for download and then take it off seven days later. The songs can be hit and miss but overall impressive.

www.detentionslip.org/

• 
  
  A satirical look by teachers for teachers on Americas education system. Often funny headlines, frequently sad/ disturbing. Teachers say they enjoy it because it makes them feel better about how they are handling there class rooms.

www.postsecret.com/

• 
  
  One of the most popular websites and blogs was the vision of Frank Warren who asked people to anonymously send in there secrets on post cards. Since the beginning over 3 books have been published and he has toured around the world sharing his phenomenon with others. My personal favorite. It's updated every Sunday and I always check!

www.theseventeenmagazineproject.com/

• 
  
  In her last semester of High School she decided to follow only the advice offered in Seventeen Magazine to show what it would look like if a person lived there life by a magazines advice. Often witty, satirical, funny and ridiculous the blog before you cchronicles this journey from a (yes biased) sociological perspective. Highly entertaining and addictive.

More, more, more

The biggest and the best

Latest, greatest, most famous

Most for the least

Price tag on world peace

Faster, master, disaster

Advertising blaster

Stuff, fluff

Bang for your buck

New, shiny

Always whiny

Lies, Best buys

Mega-malls

Barbie dolls

Shopping

Multi-million dollar flopping

Stock market rocking

Most shocking

Hi-tech

What the heck

Skateboard deck

Car go zoom

Computer boom

Up, Down

All around

Lost and found

Changing

Moving Always schmoozing

Wine, dine

Fine, fine, fine

Diamonds, gold

Trying to fit the mold

Hold the phone

Texting drone

All alone.

21. The numbers game

21. 
$420million- Total prize money avaliable in the U.S during the tounament.
2.1million- The total number of reported crimes from 2008-2009 in S. Africa.
41,000- The number of police officers who will be deployed specifically for the world cup.
330,000- number of visitors expected to travel to S.Africa during the world cup.
204- the number of teams that attempted to qualify for one of the 31 seats avaliable at the world cup. The host nation automatically qualified.
91- Nelson Mandela's age during the 2010 world cup.
28- Number of countries that are providing referee's.
18- The number of previous world cups.
10- The number of stadium's in South Africa that will host matches during the tournament.
5- The number of African nations that bid to host the world cup: South Africa, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco.

22. Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm, is a retired American soccer player. Hamm played many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team and was a founding member of the Washington Freedom. Hamm has scored more international goals in her career than any other player, male or female, in the history of soccer (158).She is the second most capped female player in history.

Hamm was named the women's FIFA World Player of the Year the first two times that award was given (in 2001 and 2002), and is listed as one of FIFA's 125 best living players (as chosen by Pelé). Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon called Hamm, "Perhaps the most important athlete of the last 15 years."



She retired from the sport in 2004, when she played her last game in the 2004 Fan Celebration Tour to commemorate the U.S. women's national team's victory in the 2004 Olympics. In 2007, her first year of eligibility, she was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame by having 137 votes of the 141 ballots cast. Women's Professional Soccer, a professional soccer league that launched in 2009, features Hamm's silhouette in its logo.

23 days untill the World Cup begins!

So beginning today I will post a random FIFA World Cup fact and a soccer picture every day so stay tuned!

23. Random Fact Of The Day FIFA- Brazil is the first team to ever win a World Cup outside of there continent. This was in 1958 when they beat Sweden at Stockholm.

Sex, sex, sex, puopularity

An essay I wote for my 112 class! Check it!

Sex, sex, sex, puopularity

When you turn on the television and flip to any channel with a commercial playing I bet you their advertising will be based on either the theory that sex sells or that everyone else is doing it so therefore, you should too. I remember growing up, all the “cool kids’ shopped at Abercrombie. My mom refused to let me shop there arguing that not only were the clothes over priced but that there advertising was crude. Go look at an Abercrombie ad and the models that are supposedly advertising for a clothing company are half naked. At the time I was furious at my mother for not letting me shop there but in retrospect I am grateful to have such an honorable mother.

When reviewing the ad “Virgin Atlantic 25 Years- Love At First Flight” I noticed it was based off of the two theories I mentioned above. The first theory sex sells is very prevalent in this commercial. First thing you see is an average Joe stepping out of a taxi into a crowded airport. All the people including the average Joe are faded by the dull, washed and dirty looking colors. The next thing you see is clips of bright red outfits and pumps that contrast against the otherwise dull setting. As the pieces come together you realize these vibrant colors are worn only by the most beautiful women who walk confidently towards the screen in a mob like fashion. As they walk everyone takes notice dropping cell phones, staring and even rushing towards them. Recent slogans from the Virgin Atlantic company that produced this commercial include; "More experience than the name suggests," "Virgin, seeks travel companion," "You never forget your first time," "Extra inches where it counts," "Fly a younger fleet," "One call does it all," "Hello gorgeous", and "We're better by four". Maybe it’s just me but I think all these slogans are suggesting one thing. Do I have to spell it out? S-E-X!

As I watched and tried to analyze the commercial I noticed that peer pressure or the “cool factor” was used as an advertising method. The ad tried to convince me that if these beautiful and cool women were associated with Virgin Atlantic everyone else including me would want to be a part of that phenomenon. It showed people literally running after to join in on the fun. It even showed a little girl leaving her family behind to skip after and follow these beautiful flight attendances. The music was very techno and retro sounding and helped to add to the allure of these mysterious women.

Much to my dismay, I do think these forms of advertising are effective on Americans especially my generation and younger. Come on, public school is all about fitting in, being a part of something “cool” and following the newest trends! Now I can look back on the Abercrombie incidents and laugh and I can laugh at people who take this commercial seriously but, at the end of the day I will admit there was a point in my life where this commercial would have made want to fly with Virgin Atlantic.

A funny postsecret on college!

Today I have been feeling reminiscent and I have been reflecting on my first year at college. College to say the least is a constant up and down battle filled with moments of stress, moments of freedom. In  short some of the greatest yet most challenging moments of your life. To all future Freshman good luck to all my friends thank you for making this a year to remember!

8.15.09

First day of college and dorm stuff. I had a mini panic attack as soon as my family left. I am way to shy and hate meeting new people so I got the number of a girl I went to Creek with and we hung out together. We even went salsa dancing with her older cusion. It was suprisingly fun! My roomate seems cool but I havent seen her yet. Please let me fit in here! Please! I really want to wait need to like it here! No song that describes my experience thus far! -Peace

This is straight from my hand journal and is exactlly how I remember feeling at the time. As for the girl from Creek our close friendship didnt last super long but I still think she is a great person and I do appriciate the friendship we had at the time. I think it saved me. In the end we were different people and we drifted apart and made different friends. It happens. Im just happy that we both found our own place here at Mesa. It's easy to go to college and get lost!

8.17.09

I followed a strangers advice. I sat down in my first class turned to the person next to me said "Hi im Andrea and Im a Freshman! How about you?" And thus I met someone cool in my theatre class (Shana). We had dinner together and watched almost famous in her hall! Sweet!

I am happy to say Shana is still one of my really good friends even though we don't see eachother or hang out as much! She has really been there for me and is officially my friend since I got her into Freaks and Geeks! This proves that confidence, openess and friendliness will help you to spread your wings in college!

8.25.09

My new friend Josh remindes me of my friend Ian from high school. He is religious and keeps inviting me to a Christian group on campus. I am so un sure what I believe these days! College is amazing so far! I seem to talk about Ethiopia alot because I miss it there so much. I feel like college is already changing me but in a good way. I need to find a cherity organization to join on campus!

My friend Josh is actually someone I met through Kat my Creek friend and I am glad I did. He has turned out to be one of my truest friends and I am sad that he is leaving next year. Who will take me on epic Walmart adventures at 1am? Or laugh with me for 20 minutes straight? He has also encouraged me to join TNL a Christian group on campus that has helped change my life! I grew so much in my faith during my first year at college. I also did find cheritys to help with The Humanitarian Club and cooking food at the Homeward Bound Homeless Shelter!

8.26.09

I decided to join RHC. Tonight me and Josh played ping pong with some random people from my hall. Classes are going pretty good. Math SUCKS! I need to get a tutor like now! My nose still hurts :( but thats ok everyone keeps laughing at me... Peace!

This post just shows how ADD I am. First off joining RHC was the best thing I have done. I have made some awsome friends and had some awsome experiences. I orig. joined RHC because Coop told me I could win a free fish. I didn't win! To sound sappy ill just say I won much more than a free fish! lol. Second, Math did/ still does suck! I never got a tutor and some how passed that class. Still not sure how! Now to explain why my noes hurt its because I broke it. I was hanging out with Josh in his deadly room in Pinon. He told me to "run outside and look at something." To this day I sware I could feel a breeze from outside. It quickly turned into one of those Windex commercials and I was the bird. I ran at full speed only to crash head first into a closed glass door. I then bounced onto and off of his mini fridge causing the stuff on top to fly across the room. Next some kid down the hall said, "what was that?" And then came the laughing for a good 20 minutes. Lastly came the doctor!

10.19.09

Last writing feels so loooong ago! Oh how things have changed! I love being in my friend Stephanies room with her roomates and all the random people who crash there! Epic uno games are kinda my thing!

This post says so much in such little words! Stephanie another GREAT friend who I am going to miss next year. Who will I "walk it out at Walmart" with? Go to the gym with? and laugh with? So the roomates and random people I reference above are now my best friends at Mesa and some of my future roomates! I think these people know who they are! I don't feel like listing...

10.30.09

Feel the rhythm

feel the rhym

come on Tolman

its bob sleighed time

This is referencing Tolman RHC's Homecomming Jamaica themed hall of epic awsomeness! umm yea!

11.7.09

Yesterday was a wierd day death seemed to be in the air. I woke up and for some reason had the urge to work on my bucket list. I have 43 items on the list and it keeps growing! Then in my Phsyc. class we learned about this girl who died of Alchohol posioning in California. It was really sad and for some reason really effected me. The crazy part was that 3 months before she died she said she had a preminition that she was going to die soon. So she wrote this goodbye letter to all her friends and family. You can read it online its really very sad.The parents found it in her room not long after she died. I can't decide weather a letter would make the situation better or worse. It's wierd to me that it wasnt a suicide.

I remember this as being a wierd day. That is all.

11.21.09

Wow a year ago to day I was in Ethiopia- thats crazy!

11.25.09

I miss Ethiopia so much! I miss Project Mercy, Mother Teresas, Dinner at Rick Hodes house and my friend Lem Lem. It has been one year and I have changed so much! As thanks giving rolls around I am more thankfull than ever!

3.31.10

My grandpa passed away Monday morning. :'(

This was probably the hardest thing I had to deal with during my Freshman year. It was even  harder being 5 hours away from my family when this happened and 8 hours away from my Grandma! I remember sitting in my dorm room crying my eyes out that day. I still cry when I think about my Grandpa. Everyones Freshman experience is different but I don't doubt that everone will hit some hard times!

4.8.10

This week I was honored with the job as RHA Executive Board President!!!!! I am super exited but also nervous as hell! IT WILL BE GREAT! I WILL BE GREAT!

As I mentioned before joining RHC was HUGE during my first year of college RHA is what oversee's RHC. I applied had an interview and eventually got elected president for next year. This means a scholarship but mostly I am truly exited for the job and am exited for the people I will be working with! Sierra and Autumn! Were gonna rock it! (But it wont be easy!)

4.11.10

As I recently learned "don't worry about tommarrows problems today!" I think this is something I can take away and apply to real life. I need to especially next year when I will add a time consuming job to my crazy shedule. I am rooming with Brittany next year and i am exited! My suitemates are Sarah and Kristen! Should be great! Gandhi said, "anything you do in life will be insignificant but its very important that you do it!" More and more I am starting to believe this is true. I want to always remmbder the every day moments for these will define you! These are the important things the little things! I hope and pray I never forget this and never lose my spirit for life. I want to remember the time I laughed with my best friend, cried over a boy who wasnt worth my time, sat in class bored to tears and did a happy dance or a "go team!" I want to remember this and that is why I write! I am here REMEMBER ME!

Nuff said...

These are just some random highlights from my Freshman year. I left out alot of my more personal writings including those on crushes and boys, some self image issues I have had this year and other ones that are best left a secret only to be read upon my death. I also didnt post any of my poems because I am very self concious of my writings!

Love, Dandy Andy

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."- Ferris Buller

*Not all Journal post are on this post I kinda skipped around!

My only friend

In 7th grade your words hung around me like a noose strangling my individuality

I came to beLIEve every lie all the propaganda that came in one ear and never out the other.

And you were my only friend.

The night I sat there crying as the red and blue lights flashed shadows on the stairs above me.
Listening as the cops lectured you.
The look of failure in my mother’s eyes.
And you were my only friend.
The day you left beginning the rest of your life without me as your mini side kick.
This classic rite of passage left a hole burning in my heart.
Your phone calls every few weeks and trips home did not satisfy this emptiness.
And you were my only friend.
I remember the first time we kissed beneath the stars like diamonds in the sky like the dimond I pictured you someday bowing on one knee and placing on my finger
and a few months later when you almost died.
The scar you left across my heart will never fade away like you did when you chose drugs over me.
 And you were my only friend.
Then sophomore year when the only guy to ever call me beautiful ran away never to be seen again.
Looking in the mirrors I did not feel beautiful, I felt damaged and alone.
And you were my only friend.
The last day of high school, first day of college. I sat alone in "my" new room too nervous to talk to anyone I cried because I was terrified because I was all alone.
And you were my only friend.
When my Grandfather passed away tears streaming down my face.
Recollections of him laughing only a few months earlier.
The plans we had made to go to Mexico for a family reunion that he wouldn't be able to attend.
And you were my only friend.
Your lyrics wrap around me on cold, dark days and encourage me to keep going.
They pump me up for my soccer games when its nice out.
You are the only one who has been there through it all.

Music my best friend.