Christmas Grinch

Hi, my name is Rebecca but let me change to my alter ego of the Christmas Grinch right quick.
Christmas is definitely one of the greatest holidays when you're little - free stuff wrapped up so that the anticipation of the gift is so great - who doesn't love that?! Legos, blocks, clothes, slippers, beyblades, craft kits.. what else could you want?!
Now, don't get me wrong, Christmas is still great when you're older and start to realize that Christmas is about giving just as much as it is about receiving. I love putting together gifts for my friends and completing random acts of kindness - anything to make someone smile.
But as you get older, you realize that you don't really need anything for Christmas. Because of how our society works, you pretty much already get whatever you want whenever you want it. Instant gratification, because that's what us Americans are about, right?!
Being older, in my first year of college, and depending as most I can on only my money not my parents' money, buying gifts for Christmas gets harder. Also, I feel like last year was a dud. I got ten of my closest friends a little piece of jewelry each, which, by itself doesn't cost that much, but after you buy for ten people....
I couldn't see them that day so I dropped it off at the location they were all at - wrapped and everything - and no one, not one of them, said thank you. I'd like to think that maybe somehow the gifts didn't get to them.. but that's very unlikely. I don't know what happened but it really discouraged me this year when buying presents. I spent all the time in the world personalizing those gifts for them and taking forever to chose between necklaces, bracelets, rings -- sizes, colors, etc...
Anywho. Getting off track.
Now let's get to this Christmas.
I started feeling sick about 3 days ago. I got a cough but didn't think much of it. Two nights ago I tossed and turned ALL DAMN NIGHT and didn't get a wink of sleep. My mom finally gave me pain medicine at 7:30 or 8 in the morning, and I napped the whole day through. If you know anything about me, you know that my least favorite thing is being productive. But it's not like I would have been able to do anything - I had a pinging headache and fever all day and night. So that was that. The day before Christmas Eve wasted but whatever - it's just one day. Yesterday my mom took me to the doctor (which I find almost pointless because they never do anything, anyway) and he told me to take  medicine and drink tea. Thanks, doc, nothing I would have done on my own -_- but my mom made a point, at least he made sure I didn't have strep throat, otherwise he would have given me antibiotics. Then he gave me a recipe for a special type of tea I'm supposed to  make and drink three times a day. My mom made it! For herself. I STRONGLY dislike when she does that. Mom, you're not the one who's sick! If you're going to make some for yourself, at least make some for me, who it was intended for /: grrrr. Then that night I had to go to a family dinner at my grandma's house and listen to how "all of us were raised atheist so this is just a time for thanks" as I sit next to her housekeeper who's wearing a crucifix. Did I mention her housekeeper, my little brother and myself were sitting at the kid's table with 5 kids from ages 4-10? The last thing I wanted to do with my headache. And I felt so bad for her housekeeper - WHAT THE HELL?! It sucks enough for me to be at the kids table but her? Really? Wow. Just wow.
Then last night I had my dad take me to CVS so we could get NyQuil because that's THE LAST thing my mom will get me. C'mon mom, I didn't sleep for 5 seconds yesterday and you'll give me your pain medication.. but not the stuff in the isles at CVS... anyway. Took that. Didn't knock out "right away" but I eventually did fall asleep which was awesome :D ... until I had a dream about peeing in my bed and actually peed in my bed... at 5.. and couldn't fall back asleep /:
Then brunch this morning with my parents. My mom was being immature as usual and walking in the street to avoid walking on the sidewalk next to my dad.. really? Then when we were eating, I'm generally the one to keep the conversation flowing but I just didn't feel like it today because my head was hurting too much (woke up with a 101.4 fever). So THAT was awkwardly silent.. of course.
Then we went to my grandparents' house where my kindergarten and first grade age cousins got ipads for christmas. And I got shampoo and conditioner. Not that I'm complaining - I really didn't need anything this year. But seriously. What are they going to do with iPads?!
Then we went back home and my mom had me take my sheets off my top bunk bed because, of all the things I do for her, she can't help me out when I'm sick and have a huge headache. So after doing that, I decided to write this Grinch-like post about how great these past few days have been.
So now that you know my whole life story... I'm going to nap now because this screen isn't helping my head at all. Sorry this blog isn't thorough and I'm sure it's plentiful with grammatical errors and details, but I can't think right now. Just needed to get that off my mind.
Sorry for the pessimism, but I'm a growing girl growing in my experiences and realizing Christmas can't always be perfect.

Equality

One of my biggest passions is striving to reach equality.

I like to give everything a try. I've played basketball, soccer, softball, water polo, etc. 

I've danced flamenco, Polynesian dance, jazz, tap, ballet, theatrical, etc. 

I've swam, played video games, ping pong, croquet, raced cars, rode dirt bikes, wake boarded, water skied, snow boarded, snow skied, inner tubed in water, inner tubed in snow, sledded, etc. 

I've played poker, texas hold 'em, yahtzee, monopoly, sorry, life, etc. 

I've learned to sew, knitt, crochet, etc. 

I've baked, cooked, diced, chopped, julienned, marinated, peeled, etc. 

I've gone to the gym, lifted weights, done push ups, pull ups, sit ups, crunches, mountain climbers, burpees, etc.

I've gone to church, celebrated Chanukah, ate Brazilian food, had escargot, spoken Spanish, been to Costa Rica, helped Habitat for Humanity, etc. 

I've mowed the lawn, dug holes with shovels, trimmed trees, tilled soil, built a cement wall, chopped wood, hammered nails, screwed screws, used a nail gun, etc. 

I've gone to school, taken advanced classes, created posters, participated in extracurriculars. 

I've volunteered with children, elderly, teenagers, adults, insane asylum patients, Alzheimer patients, etc.

That's only to name a few things I've done.

And still, you think you're my superior. Why?

Because I'm a girl. 

But you know what? I'm just the same as you and you're just the same as me. 

What have I done or not done that makes you any better than me?

What makes you THAT much better than me?

What makes ME unable to do what you do?

What am I missing?

If you think I'm short on determination, think again.
I am a very determined person.

Maybe I'm not as strong as you. Maybe I'm not as smart as you.

But I sure will try my damned hardest to be the best I can be.

Pet Peeve: Lack of Oral Hygiene

I used to think I didn't have any pet peeves.
And then I realized how much little things can annoy me.
So here's to being pessimistic and writing about the things that annoy me! Yay!
I only think of these things as they come up, so they'll probably be just as sporadic as my blog posts.. ahhh I know I'm awful about keeping up with posts, sorry about that/: So let's get started!

Pet Peeve Number One: Oral Hygiene. Rather, lack thereof.
Let me start by explaining my oral hygiene routine to you.
Wake up in the morning.
First thing I do is brush my teeth/retainer.
Morning breath already sucks so much butt, but retainer morning breath sucks even more.
Then I brush my tongue. Most germs populate on your tongue and that's where most of the bad smell comes from. Mostly, I brush my teeth to get rid of plaque and I brush my tongue to get rid of the smell. Of course there's more too it, but that's a nice, easy way of putting it.

Next. Randomly during the day.
Sometimes I'll brush my teeth midday. Mostly I brush my teeth during the day if I have something coming up where I have to talk to someone up close and personal. I have a fear of having bad breath and talking to someone and them having to smell my bad breath.
Eeeep. I'm already getting into why this is my pet peeve. Bad Rebecca. Back to my routine.

Before I go to bed, I floss my teeth. For some time now I've been using flossers. They're pretty convenient and they sell them at the 99 cents store. Yaaay cheapness! I also just think they're easier to use than normal floss. Normal floss is so 2000-laaaaate. Then I brush my teeth and tongue. Love me some tongue brushing. Then I wear my retainer. Some times. I should wear it all the time, but I don't. Just when I feel like it. Or when my mouth isn't cut up from unknown causes. Actually, now that I think about it, it's my retainer that cuts my mouth up. Which is why I don't wear it too often. Just when I feel my teeth are to the point where they're gunna start going cray if I don't retain them.

NOW TO WHY ORAL HYGIENE IS MY PET PEEVE.

Okay so.. this is actually kind of a depressing story. But at least it got me to change my ways.
Let me take you back to 7th grade. I was one of those kids who hated brushing their teeth. I thought it was kind of pointless. As far as I could see, I didn't have any cavities, so all was good. And when I ate my cereal in the morning, I couldn't taste my morning breath afterward. Just the Cinnamon Life Cereal taste remained in my mouth.
Or at least, that's what I thought.
Now let's go to school.
English class with Ms. A.
I still remember exactly where I was sitting when my friend Violet told me straight to my face that my breath smelled and that I should chew on some gum if I had any. I didn't. So the rest of that day was torturous. I think it's probably safe to say that I was scared for the rest of my life.
And now, I'm addicted to gum and good hygiene.. which I can't say is a bad thing.
I love gum. Not even because it can make your breath smell better.
... Okay that was a lie. I chew gum a lot to ensure the freshest of breath.
I also just love chewing gum. And drinking water, which, helps neutralize your breath when it smells bad. Fun fact! So if your breath smells awful and you don't have gum, try to drink lots of water and it could help a little bit. But if you're breath smells really bad, just brush your damn teeth. And your tongue. Never forget to brush your tongue.

I think that just might be the reason why a lot of people have breath issues. I don't think everyone knows or realizes that your tongue contributes to the smelliness of your mouth. By a lot.

So even if you've brushed your tongue, that probably won't be good enough for me. BRUSH YOUR DAMN TONGUE.

And floss your damn teeth. And when you brush them, actually spend enough time brushing them. Don't leave yellow plaque on your teeth. *cringes*. And brush your gum line to prevent inflammation. I had braces for 7 years, so I know a thing or two about inflamed gums. I also know how much it sucks to not be able to floss easily or brush your teeth well. So now that I don't have braces, flossing and brushing are my favorite things to do! Well maybe not my FAVORITE things to do.. but it's pretty far up there on my "things I love to do" list. Not that I have one.. cuz I actually don't.. awk.. anyway...

I just got super distracted and got up to get some water and came back and now my train of thought is gone. Which is probably fine because, for being a rant on oral hygiene, this is already way too long. And I was probably about to add a lot more. But I think I'm good for now. I got out what I need to say.
So remember, brush your teeth twice and day and remember to floss! And most importantly.. you tongue. Brush it.
And now I'm not sure how to end this post because I'm so frazzled from getting up to get water.
So I'm going to end it really poorly by saying kaythanksbye with a bunch of explanation marks. 
Kaythanksbye!!

Matt McCann

I wonder if Matt will realize I made a new post. 

I'm alive!

Alright so I've really missed my blog and I'm super excited to start writing again :D

I've been in college for about a month now and these are definitely the times I'm going to remember.

Cliche, but college is everything I expected it would be... and more.
My very first night here, I went THE most stereotypical college party. It was pretty much all upperclassmen. My friends and I walked there in the cold, so we were all bundled up in warm clothes. When we stepped inside, it was hot as Hades. Girls were wearing nothing and we were covered head to toe - it was quite funny. Walking through the off-campus house to get to the backyard was pretty impossible and took about 10 minutes to walk the 20 feets worth of crammed together people. After a short while, the majority of my friends left, but I stayed with two of my friends. Eventually the party got busted, so we had to go home... and for some reason, the new group of about 6 people I was with decided that we should be running from the cops... although I'm still not sure why.. the cops didn't care at all - they just wanted us to go home. So my friends and I run around a tennis court back and forth from a cop car for a good amount of time until we finally get away without the cops seeing us - it was quite hilarious since.. well.. I never really take anything seriously. I didn't really care that we could have gotten in trouble since I really didn't think we would - it was just a fun adrenaline rush.
So that was my day one...
The majority of my days now are spent with an awesome group of friends that I've made. We go to the sponsored events, watch movies late at night, make 7/11 and taco bell runs at night, share funny youtube videos like gangnam style... it's just my bucket of fun.
I wish I'd kept a journal for the first week - at least - since there was so much going on. I have the worst memory so I can't recall everything ): Which is why I'm going to try to blog AT LEAST once a week now. Hopefully maybe even every day, if not just for five minutes. Most my posts are going to be like this - posting about my day and randomness. So if you're ever bored and have absolutely nothing to do.. read my posts and you'll probably be pretty entertained if my days keep going like they are.
I also have a possibly "love" interest now, so you get to read all my inner thoughts about relationships yaaayy! ... I'll try not to be too pessimistic (:
Alright well that's it for now. More to come :D

Here's a song for the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcT_jNzUhCs

Career Test

I was accepted into the college I want to go to
for a major in Business.
Because, at the time, I didn't know what I wanted to do.
And business seemed like a safe place to start.
So that's how I applied to colleges.
With a business major.

Later on,
I realize that I really want to be a teacher.
For little kids.
Especially those with learning disabilities/those who need special education.
That what I want to do.

And then I remembered,
when I was younger, I aspired to be a cosmetologist.
But that dream got ruined when I realized I'm not as good as other people at make up.
And I don't have that many make-up brushes.
And my hair bleaching skills aren't as good as I thought they were.
So I gave up my dream.

Then,
art. Art is like perfection that threw up everywhere.
There are so many options in art. You can be yourself in art.
Everything is art. Even bad art is art. I wish I were good at art.
Because then I'd do art.

So today,
I took a career test.
And I realized...
All I really want to do,
is cook. And bake. And chop and dice and ice and blanch and mince and roll and boil.
I really want to be a chef. A pastry chef. A restaurant chef. A cake designer.
God, I'd do anything to be a chef.
And go to culinary school.
But here I am.
Stuck with business.
I don't like business.
There are fifty things I like more than business.

It's a good thing I'm young.

Like, love

I liked you when you held me.
And then it started to seem like you liked me too,
because you liked to hold me how I liked to be held.
And then I got scared.
I don't want you to hold me anymore.
Because you might like me.
And that's a scary thought.

Hearts A Mess

Heart's A Mess - Gotye 


Lyrics

This is what my relationship with my mom feels like right now.

Pre-face to Love

I've noticed that my highest viewed blog post has to do with love.
So be expecting a post about love soon! (:

Karma

You might never admit it, but...

Even if only for a day or two,
you now know EXACTLY how I felt this time last year.

It hurt, didn't it?

Breakup

Half the reason I broke up with you:
I can't stand you.
The other half:
I was scared that I might fall in love with you.

Picture Perfect - Strawberry Whiplash

I'm posting these lyrics because it took me FOREVER to find them and it made me very frustrated. Luckily, I finally found them! Hopefully this will be helpful if you're also looking for the lyrics.
This is an amazing song and it's my newest addiction.
I hope you like it too.
(:

Picture Perfect - Strawberry Whiplash

I love it when you're doing your thing
You're pulling my heart on a string
You're putting me on every day
How you do it, I couldn't say

But you know that I don't mind
And I know well, you're not the cruel kind
Hey, I don't mind, I don't mind

Together alone, when we meet
This town is full of empty streets
A picture perfect postcard place
Hey, I love your face

And you know that I don't mind...

SOLO

I love it when you're doing your thing...

But you know that I don't mind...

OUTRO

You know, yeah you know,
You know, yeah you know, I don't mind

Raising Money the Hard Way

Raising money is never easy

Today, I learned what it’s like to try and raise money. Why am I trying to raise money? I’m going to Tuscaloosa Alabama this spring vacation with a few of my classmates and it costs each person $1,100 to participate. Through Habitat for Humanity, we are going to be helping those who suffered the effects of the natural disasters that have been happening there recently by building homes. In an effort to lower this cost, we are trying to fundraise money for the trip. Our first effort to raise money was a jog-a-thon. We asked for people to sponsor us while we ran laps for an hour straight. However, I don’t really like asking people for their money, so I only got two sponsors – my grandpa and my aunt. Some of my friends said that they would sponsor me, but none of them actually did, which is fine. 

So anyway, today we stood outside of Whole Foods with an informational booth explaining our mission. We also passed out flyers with information regarding our trip, earthquake preparedness fliers, and a flyer saying that if you go to California Pizza Kitchen (with the flier) on March 12^th, 20% of your purchase will go to the funding of our trip. 

There were lots of people who walked right by us when we tried to talk to them, pretending like we weren’t even there. There were also those who politely said “No, thank you” and walked on… along with those who said it not-so-politely. However, we did get a few people to donate which made us feel accomplished. And for those who didn’t have the time or money to donate, we gave them our fliers (if they didn’t turn them down). 

This experience of trying to represent our cause helped me to understand what it’s like to stand outside a store for a few hours, trying to get people’s attention. Usually if I see people in front of a store, and I’m with my parents, I just walk away because I know my parents don’t like me “talking to strangers”. However, when I’m by myself or with friends, I do make an effort to talk to these people. They’re putting their time and effort into informing the public and asking for donations, so I feel it’s nice to give them my time as well. 

The most entertaining part was to see how people react when someone is trying to talk to them.  

Florence Lyrics

Sometimes I wish for falling
Wish for the release
Wish for falling through the air
To give me some relief
Because falling's not the problem
When I'm falling I'm in peace
It's only when I hit the ground
It causes all the grief

^ ACCURATE. 

Food Journal!

Please check out my first post on my new blog about becoming vegetarian/vegan.
Most posts on this blog to come :D

http://theveghouse.blogspot.com/2012/01/vegetarian-going-vegan.html