Freakin Streaks vs. Gray Hair

     When ever I tell people I have white patches of hair they chuckle and ask if I'm sure it is not gray hair. I have often wondered that myself, however I am quite sure it is pigment challenged hair. I began noticing the spots or areas when I was a teenager. The 'freakin streaks' as I called them showed up along the back right portion of my head, and when I put my very short hair into a pony tail the natural highlights would not make it into the elastic and would display themselves loud and proud.
     As I grew older I started noticing spots on the crown of my head. One time a hairstylist asked me in an accusatory fashion if I had been getting my hair colored. She quickly retracted and decided that no professional stylist would do such a crappy job. I tried not to be too offended by that comment and I instead took it to mean that no stylist would do such an uneven job of coloring.
     Presntely, the white that was once only in the back of my head on the right quadrant has spread all the way forward to my temple. When I wear my hair down it actually looks like I have different shades of blond on each side of my head. When I wear my hair up in a twist it is very noticeable! I asked my current hairstylist what she thought of the white. Did she think it was actually gray hair sprouting up? She said the hair is much too fine to be gray hair. So, I guess I'm stuck... er blessed with freaky hair that I'm too stubborn to get fixed. My philosophy is that people pay good money to get their hair the color of mine (usually not all the colors at once), so why try to change it? The grass is always greener, but in life I try to be good with whatever shade or shape my pasture is in.

Duped by Informercials Again: Hot Booties

     Darned infomercials, they get me every time! In college I was duped into purchasing Snap Hooks, which became a persistent joke between my then-roommates and I. This year I was duped again by Hot Booties from "As Seen on T.V." They are slipper socks that you heat up in the microwave before putting on so that your feet are nice and toasty. The sole contains beads that do the heating and massaging when you roll your feet around on them. The booties that arrived were more like socks than what was advertised and the pink color was much more of a Pepto Bismol color than what was on the promotional picture.

     However, I have to admit, the idea is great and if I was one to squander money on things I don't need (hello regular socks, slippers, and a blanket) I would have kept the things. Oh, and there was one other snag to my warm feet/world domination plan. My microwave bit the dust weeks ago, rendering it impossible for me to make use of the slippers in my current state of oven-only heating. I was not able to test them out, although I do think they would feel miraculous. I decided to gift the booties instead of returning them, as they are heavy and the shipping would have almost cost more than what I would be getting back for the return. So, I sent one pair to the friend who was in on the Snap Hooks deal with me; she loved them and thought it was hilarious that I bought them in the first place. The other pair is going to a friend for a birthday present as part of a spa kit.
     I have to admit, I have the "As Seen on T.V." website bookmarked on my computer. I like to go there to look for gift ideas and to seek out great solutions to my needs. Make fun of me if you want, but there are some great products on there. It is after all where the Snuggie came from, which has been recreated in many different marketplaces. I, by the way, do not own a Snuggie so stiffle your laughter!

Staying Away From Mom Jeans

     Remember those "mom jeans" mocked in comedy sketches everywhere including Saturday Night Live? I'm starting to see the high waisted pants show up in stores again, and I am avoiding them like the plague. I am on a mission to find a pair of jeans that I love. I need a pair that is comfortable, classy, and durable. In the past I have had a brand or two that I would rely on, but those brands have changed their styling and I am in need of a new go-to style. I have tried many cuts and fits, but none that I love. In my closet I have a couple pairs that I like, but they are not the kind of jeans I can wear with anything where ever jeans can be worn. So my quest for denim continues as I feel like a lone paintballer on the battlefield. Hopefully I can make it through the course to the finish line without incident.

Before Spring Winter Must End

     This time of year people like to look toward the coming of spring rather than the existent state of winter. Little signals that warmer weather is on the way fool us. We celebrate the growing of daylight hours, more sunshine, and the beginning of allergy season (no celebration for me on that one) while forgetting that mother nature generally likes to deliver at least one more wallop before spring actually begins. This is why I've seen snow in May and terrible cold snaps in April. Spring Break time in March has always been cold. I remember often trying to figure out how to dress to go to the airport because I wouldn't want to be burdened with my winter coat once I had arrived at my sunny beach destination. I try to remind myself that it isn't over till the fat lady sings and mother nature is the fattest of them all!

Shells Guide: Dress It Up with Jewelry

     You can take any drab outfit and make it outstanding by adding some baubles; jewelry will dress up any ensemble. I used to work overnights and wouldn't put much thought into my appearance at work. I saved my efforts for my other life when people would actually see me. However, I have always been a fan of fun accessories. Adding a beaded necklace to a plain t-shirt adds instant pop. I don't know how many times co-workers would comment on how fancy I looked just because of my plain t-shirts, jeans, and brightly colored necklaces or earrings. This also means you do not need to spend a lot of money on your wardrobe. If your closet needs some updating, simply located your staples (white button downs, classic t-shirts, black cardigans, etc.) and purchase some accessories to spruce things up!

Girl Scout Cookie Craze

     The words Girl Scout Cookies set off a pandemonium that can be likened to a child hearing the jingle of the ice cream truck; everyone starts running. This time of year the treats are all the talk around the water cooler as little girls clad in green uniforms do their best to peddle the cookies. Let's face it, they don't have to try too hard. Nowadays, a parent brings in the order form to work and the office goes crazy. It happened in my office, and while I am not cookie crazy, I signed my name on the sheet.
     One can hear of the love for Thin Mints any time of year. Usually on the off months you'll hear people speak of their cravings and their woe at having finished the last of their boxes. People stock up on this cult classic. It's popularity has reached epic proportions. I wonder if this love for the cookie is due to the fact that it is only available for a few months of the year. Kind of like the McRib sandwich, there is a cult following because of its exclusivity.
      I am not addicted to Thin Mints like many others, although I will have one if you thrust the cookie in my face. I have a box of "Thank You Berry Munch" cookies coming to me. I have also enjoyed Dulce de Leche and Carmel deLites. While perusing the Girl Scout cookie website just now I see the girls in green have put an end to a mystery of mine. Growing up, I new of Samoas as Carmel deLites. When I moved to the south I was very confused about the name change. It seemed no one had ever heard of Carmel deLites; they had always known them as Samoas. I asked more and more people, but it seemed no one had ever heard of Carmel deLites. Still to this day, I have a hard time finding someone who knows what I am talking about. However, on the Girl Scout website it lists the cookie as "Samoa/Carmel deLite," acknowledging the fact that it does have another name.
     I have also noticed on the website that there are a few more cookie options that are alien to me. I wonder if they market them regionally, or maybe I just didn't pay enough attention on my order form. Nonetheless, this is a great cause even if you're not a cookie person. Buy a box and help give a little girl life skills. Click here to enter your zip code and find a Girl Scout Cookie seller near you.

The Uknowns of Cruises

     The idea of a voyage on a cruise ship is pleasant and filled with rays of sun, relaxing pool-side naps, and cool ocean breezes. When booking such a vacation you don't think it is going to end in disaster. Usually when booking any vacation one doesn't think it will end in disaster. The passengers of the Carnival Triumph are back on land now and the worst part of their ordeal is over. There has been much talk and much media coverage on their story, including the CNN article "Five Things We've Learned About Cruising."
     The article brings up good points that many vacationers don't think about. The first, emergency systems aren't designed for a pleasant trip. This point addresses the backup generator and that it is not meant to supply enough power to make everyone comfortable. Instead it is designed to supply enough power to get the ship to shore. Second, itineraries can change without notice. A ship can change its course for a multitude of reasons including an engine fire and a passenger agrees to the unexpected changes when they purchase a ticket. Passenger compensation is often not required, which means if you are on a failed cruise you may not get any money reimbursed despite the fact that your trip was no where near what anyone would classify as a relaxing vacation. Cruise ship inspections vary by ship and country. In addition to the rules of the International Maritime Organization, a ship is subject to the rules and laws of the country whose flag it flies. It may also be subject to the laws of the ports it docks in. Finally, passengers may have a legal case. In terms of the passengers of the Carnival Triumph, the contract laid out the particulars of the cruise line not being held liable unless damages were caused by negligence.
     All that said, would I take a cruise? Sure! Bad things can happen on any vacation you take including if you just stay home. It is a risk we take by being alive. Things happen, and how those problems are dealt with vary in every instance. I would like to take a cruise and even if my cruise ended up shipwrecked, or drifting aimlessly and smelling of poo I would look at it as an experience. Yes, things are not pleasant at the time, but afterward you have one heck of a story to tell and nowadays that story could turn into a lucrative book deal! To me, that is a great silver lining and motivation to hold on to hope.

The Significance of Valentine's Day

     I don't like feeling forced to put any amount of significance on a certain day, especially if I feel it is a day filled with obligatory sentiment and reactionary, fearful action. Let's get this out of the way... Yes, I am talking about Valentine's Day and yes, I do have a boyfriend. I just don't think people should be pushed to buy things just to prove their love. I like to mark the day with thoughtful gestures because love should be celebrated. However, I do not have an affinity for cut flowers, after all they will wilt away and leave decaying petals and soot in just days. I am not a lover of chocolate, even when it comes in a tacky heart shaped box. I despise stuffed animals tied with red and pink ribbon because I am left wondering what the heck I will do with it when I'm done pretending it is the greatest gift ever (actually, I would never fake this sort of approval or acceptance). Why make people feel bad for not buying this meaningless junk?
     For some people, the "junk" of Valentine's Day is treasure. I wonder why the day holds so much importance for them. Do they not feel appreciated the other 364 days of the year? Do they not feel loved? Are they poor decorators and do not know how to fill their lives and homes with adult-appropriate furnishings (yes, I am talking about you teddy bears)? Are they attention deprived and therefore need some big "romantic" gesture at work like a flower delivery to show everyone that they are important? Does a man need to spend a lot of money to prove he loves you?
     We learn our attitudes on Valentine's Day when we are young by watching the actions of adults. By teaching our children the importance of this commercial holiday are we setting them up for rejection and jealousy? I remember filling out valentines required for each person in my elementary school class. I would save my favorite valentines for my favorite people and give the leftovers to the others. I would mess up on some of them and cross things out. When I ran out of "good" valentines, the discarded valentines would go to the less popular kids. Even though this method had its inefficiencies, it is better than the days when a student didn't have to give a valentine to everyone. In those days, some poor kids wouldn't get any cards.
     Perhaps parents and schools should ignore Valentine's Day. Children should learn they don't need a designated date to show their feelings. Lessening the significance of the day could then force society to take a step back, keep their money in their pockets, keep the flowers growing in the ground, and maintain the use of chocolate as a comfort indulgence for depressing days.

Keeping My Resolution All 365 Days

      We're a little more than a month into the new year and my 365 Day Photo resolution is going in full force. This project has been fun and it has reignited my creative side. In the effort to take and post one photo each day I am searching for beauty in ordinary things, I am taking the time to look at things I normally breeze past, and I am redefining what I viewed as picturesque in my community.

     Not only am I just taking one photo a day, but I am trying to vary the images and the photo composition so that my Instagram 365 account isn't a boring and drab look at my life through the seasons of one year. I look forward to seeking out my next photograph and often that is my motivation to stay active. Since it is winter I often have to walk a little farther and explore a little deeper to find an image that is shutter-worthy. I am looking forward to continuing this project and seeing how far my creativity will take me; things might get challenging in the fall when I have used up all of my ideas.

Another Reason to Celebrate: Chinese New Year

    Chinese New Year gives us another reason to celebrate. This will be the year of the Snake and the festival culminates on Feb. 10th. It is the most important and longest holiday in China. It marks the beginning of the new year and the coming of spring. This is always a fun holiday to celebrate anywhere because it reminds us that warmer weather is on the way and as the Chinese lanterns light the sky on the last day of the celebration it brings hope of growth and flourishing opportunities for more than just the trees and flowers that bloom and blossom in the spring. It is also nice to have another celebratory holiday in the midst of a drought of such days. After all, the next holiday on the federal calendar of any kind is Presidents Day on Feb. 18th, which goes mostly unobserved other than in accepting a day off of work or school. Then Americans have to wait until Memorial Day for another chance at revelry. So, celebrate now while you have the chance.

Valentines Day and Finding Love Online

     As Valentines Day draws near it is appropriate to talk about finding love. Online dating is still a stigmatized practice, although the taboo is wearing off. It seems unconventional to many because you're meeting people in a virtual environment instead of at a bar, park, or the supermarket. However, perhaps it is time to drop prejudice and take note of the unconventional dating method, especially if you're still single and moaning about how you never meet nice guys/girls.
     Online dating is a great way to meet people you never would have met through your normal day-to-day activities. You are able to screen your potential matches so you're not investing time with someone only to find out about a deal breaker quality. You don't have to waste time on someone who is really good looking but has the personality of cardboard. You're not stuck on a dinner date with someone you know little about and is terrible with conversation. Instead, you get to choose whether to pursue a "relationship" with someone online after sharing just a few emails and/or looking at their picture and profile, granted this process can be very shallow and arbitrary. When you do go on a date you know enough about the person to be able to carry on a conversation about some of their interests and vice versa.
     I know many couples who are in long-term relationships or are married to a person they met online. The relationships can work. It is dating, so there should be no expectation of meeting Mr. Right/Ms. Right on the first go-round; you'll still meet plenty of jerks and divas. There should be no expectation that things will be perfect and that you don't have to put in the work. A relationship, no matter where you meet, takes a certain amount of nurturing and effort. Online dating is not the key to finding a mate, nor is it a community populated by losers who are on a last ditch effort to find love. Online dating simply expands your universe and introduces you to people you otherwise may have never met.

Weight Loss and Drinking Water

     Drinking water is a great aid in weight loss, but it is often hard to reach daily goals for intake. Liquid can make you feel more full without needing to fill up on calories. A previous blog, FitBit Obsession, introduced you to the FitBit health and fitness tracker. The device includes a water intake goal among the many daily goals it sets up for you. My goal is 48 ounces, and you are right if you think that sounds like a lot. I am an avid water drinker, but even with my imbibing prowess I am not able to make my goal. I often come close, but usually I am about two thirds of the way there. I guess that's why it is called a goal, right? It is attainable but not easy to do. I believe my efforts are made easier by the fact that I don't generally drink other substances throughout the day, aside from a glass of orange juice once in a while. As a result, I am able to count almost all things gulped into my water tabulations. This goal isn't just to aid in weight loss, it also has the great benefit of improving health and appearance. The additional hydration helps my skin feel less tight and fragile, especially during the dry winter months. Attempting to reach my water goal is worth the effort, so I will continue my attempts to quench this goal.

Super Bowl Commercials

     I don't just watch the Super Bowl for the commercials, but I do enjoy them. There are so many of the advertisement breaks in the big game it would be a crime to not try to enjoy the time. It would actually be a very costly crime since according to Forbes.com a 30-second commercial during the 2013 Super Bowl cost $4 million dollars. That is a lot of wasted money of the advertisers miss their mark, which they sometimes do. Every year though, advertisers leave us with one, if not two, very memorable commercials. Who can forget the little Darth Vader in the Volkswagen ad or the Doritos dog that gets its revenge or even the Budweiser Clydesdales. The buzz that can be created by an ad in the Super Bowl gives an enormous competitive advantage to the lucky company that pulls it off.
     This year, you can expect to see Budweiser with some spots. According to Bleacher Report, they'll be installments of the popular "Superstition" campaign. WWE's The Rock is rumored to be in a "Got Milk" ad. It is also likely that you'll see a trailer for the new Star Trek movie. While these commercial concepts do not appeal or no longer appeal to me, I will be dutifully watching for the next best thing.

My Grad Degree Was Worth It

     So many people think going back to school is the sole answer to their career trouble. It is seen as a solution for those who are unemployed, looking to get ahead, looking for a career change, or have just completed undergraduate and are having trouble finding a job. There have been many news articles recently featuring people who believe their advanced degrees are not worth the trouble and debt. "My Masters Wasn't Worth It" on CNNMoney.com features many of those stories. Post graduation, the students do not have better career prospects and are often in massive amounts ofdebt. The decisions they made were based on the idea that an education cures all, and that is a faulty philosophy.
     I am a large proponent of furthering education. I recently completed my Masters degree in Political Science and it was worth my effort for numerous reasons. First, I had always planned to go back to school for an advanced degree. I love learning and I saw it as a good way to diversify my experiences even though I knew it wouldn't necessarily turn into resume gold. Second, I was in a position where I was able to get reimbursed for part of my tuition expenses. My former employer paid for some of my classes as long as they directly related to my job; the connection between my Political Science courses and broadcast news wasn't too hard to prove. Third, grad school opened up  new networking opportunities and the ability to earn internship opportunities. I just started a paid, part-time public relations/alumni relations internship. I believe my internship will lead to permanent opportunities.
     An education alone will not necessarily move your resume to the top of the pile. There are many candidates looking for jobs and many either have more on the job experience or are younger and just out of school and therefore willing to work for less. Many typical colleges and universities do not address the needs of employers and when the students enter the workforce they are unprepared and inexperienced. I feel the internship I am completing is the key to my future. Not only am I educated and experienced in communications, but I have targeted experience in public relations and marketing. That experience is something that will standout to hiring managers. I have to be patient and hopefully I will still be this optimistic in several months. Only time will tell, but I do believe I made the right choice to go back to school for myself and not under a false understanding that my education alone will open employment doors.