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Kirstysara
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Name: Kirstyn
Interests: Music, Reading, Talking, Friendship, Movies, Guitar, Clarinet, Singing, Boy Meets World DVDs
Expertise: um... I'm studying Spanish... but I am by NO means an expert
Occupation: Student
Message: message me
Member Since:
10/7/2004
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| It has recently occurred to me that I am annoyed (and sometimes infuriated) by indirect and direct hate posts online. I guess the guise of the internet makes us think we can somehow disconnect from the reality of being hateful. Whether it's said online, on the phone, or to your face, it's uncalled for.
What makes us feel so big and bad about being able to write posts online? Write these things on paper and have someone read them back to you before you post them. Do they really need to go online? Is that the best judgement call? How old would a stranger think you are if they read this? If the answer is quite a bit younger than you are, it may be time to reconsider your online posting habits.
Don't get me wrong, here. Social media has it's perks. I enjoy it, honestly. It allows me to communicate with lots of friends in one place. They could be next door or across the globe. It's awesome.
I don't know, maybe I'm just a dreaming optimist.
But I think the internet makes us feel invincible. We're not. Behind the keyboard and screen is a person. A person with a life, dreams, goals, a family...
There's a difference between confrontation and hatred.
There's a difference between guarding your heart and being bitter.
There's a difference between what's appropriate to say and what anger wants to say
Practice self control.
I challenge you (and myself) to be encouraging, especially when you want to be hateful. It's good for your heart.
Eph 4:29 "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." (NLT)
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| For most college students, a hoodie and jeans is acceptable attire to class. On hot days, I usually sport shorts and a t-shirt. However, this semester is quite different for me. I have to look "professional."
I used to believe that dressing up for class was ridiculous. I'm a college student, who cares? In fact, I questioned what girl in her right mind would wear heels to class.
The tables have turned. I'm now that girl who's dressed up Monday-Thursday.
It wasn't so much a choice, but a necessity. You see, I teach elementary school children (for a Spanish internship) on Mondays and Wednesdays. My advisor said to "look like a teacher." Tuesdays I observe in secondary classrooms. I am forbidden to wear jeans (even if my teacher wears them daily). Thursdays I take ring orders at high schools with my job. It's hard to distinguish myself as not being a student. I don't look 20. I mean, even I forget I'm 20 sometimes. I got stopped in the hall of my younger brothers' school and asked if I had permission from my teacher to be in the hallway. I was in a junior high school. It's necessary to dress appropriately to present myself as a teacher or professional.
And you know what? People react to me very differently than before.
I get more respect from students at my work. I am taken seriously as a teacher by the employees of the school for which I intern. I get more compliments on my appearance and second glances from the opposite sex (there have been two wolf whistles, but those I can blame mostly on acquaintances).
Let's be real. I'm a confident young lady. It doesn't show when I dress like a "college student." Dressing professionally better represents who I am. It also adds to my confidence. When you look good, you feel good.
So, in short (because I am short... heels rock), I'm now one of "those girls" who dress up every day... and it's growing on me!
Smile. You're beautiful (: | | |
| Well, since the last time I delved into this blogging world, a lot has happened in my young life. I don't know where to begin. I guess the specific subject I wanted to discuss is change. I've recently moved into a new apartment (from home), ended one job, started another, discussed two potential other jobs (more on that in another entry), prepared for another semester, and worked on a few new recipes. Let's begin. I live in my own apartment now. Insane? Why yes, yes it is. I have bills and buy groceries. I cook my own dinner every night and decide when I want to clean my kitchen. It's a great feeling of accomplishment to be here. I love it. Ended one job... My summer internship at the church ended last week. It was a crazy summer, but it was incredible. Toughest week was at the end, but the Lord carried our entire group through to a strong finish. Subway again... it's fun stuff ;) The other jobs we'll hit later School starts on Monday. I'm excited to get another semester under way. I'm super pumped about the end of the semester, though. You can take whatever you will from that. Oh, and I just finished dinner. It's this citrus teriyaki pork over rice I've been working on. Sometimes I really outdo myself. I'm excited to see what this semester holds. Opportunites await... Oh, and I tried to stop smiling yesterday... it didn't work. I came close to crying happy tears... Hello, cloud... it's nice to see you haha I don't know where I was going with this thing... oh well. | | |
| So, I'm not called to be constantly going. In fact, I'm told to find rest in Christ.
Sometimes I forget this entirely. This leads to the sign of a burnt out extrovert: becoming suddenly introverted. I decline offers to hang out. I don't check social media. I sleep a lot. I have to find physical rest before I can find mental rest. Once my body is rested, I can sort out the insanity running through my head. I think my life is backwards in this sense. I feel as though I should have to set my mind at ease before physically relaxing.
I've realized that sometimes I must force myself to be alone. In this sense, I'm not sure if I'm truly extroverted. I can recharge with my friends... but occasionally I just wanna be alone. This isn't really a personality struggle, but it's an interesting concept to not really be able to decide which I am.
With all that said, I feel like I'm rambling... and I guess I am. I'm tired. I'm weary. I wanna play music with my friends and chill. I am refusing to sweat the small stuff. In fact, I found myself laughing at a friend who lost it over a little issue earlier... I catch myself doing that a lot.
But really, why waste time being angry? What does it profit me?
Find rest. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Yet another subject: we are subtle because we don't want to get hurt. Yep. You're jealous that I said that first. You were thinking it. I understand. This week I've decided that sometimes being straightforward is the best policy. I don't like games. Sometimes I try to guard myself by being subtle. Sometimes those walls must be broken down to find understanding.
"What's really on your mind?"
"You don't know, or you don't wanna say?"
"I need to clarify"
So, I dare you to be a little bold. Good things can come from it. Relationships are strengthened when we are truly authentic with one another.
Oooh, authenticity... I write like a criss-crossed flow chart. I love authenticity. It's led me to become close to some incredible people. It's tough sometimes, but it's so worth it.
I think that's about all for now. Shine your light. Invest in someone today. You're beautiful. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. How's that for fitting all of my last words into a non sequential paragraph?
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| So... if you haven't yet heard: I didn't get the job in Spain. And oddly, I'm okay with that. I get to:
1. go to Key Largo with my family for Christmas
2. see my little sister graduate
3. go to NYC again
4. get my own apartment
5. grow closer to friends
6. work on my degree
7. see certain people sooner rather than later
8. etc... I finally know what my next year looks like! I even looked at apartments with my new roommate today. I'm so excited to see where my journey goes this year. I plan on investing in the lives of others, being joyful, and maybe even taking a chance on love... Who knows? In the last months, I've embraced who I am more than ever. I'm singing at random, dancing around, skipping with friends, blowing bubbles, smiling, encouraging my loved ones... living it up. I have decided that I'm beautiful no matter what I look like that day. It's a wonderful way to wake up each morning. And as far as "new chapter" goes, I have a lot of exciting things ahead of me. I mean, I'm going on two vacations in the next year, living on my own again, and a plethora of other things... If you're part of my life, prepare your heart. Things are about to get crazy. I may write something a little deeper later. But for now, join with me in my excitement for life. Peace be with you, beloved friend. | | |
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