Graduation: December 14, 2013!!

I have some great news! Ready? I am a college graduate!! On the morning of December 14, 2013, I walked across that stage and it symbolized that I've earned my degree! Finally!! It feels so good. I'm so glad that I was able to share that day with some of the most important people in my life.

Sometimes it's hard to believe that I'm done with undergrad. I made it! There were so many times when I wasn't sure if I would ever finish. But I made it. I changed my major a bunch of times, wanted to quit, wanted to transfer, and just give up. Some times it was hard to keep going but I knew that there was a finish line and the only way to get to it was to keep on keeping on. I really made it and this was a day I'll never forget.

I chose the quote "Still I Rise" for my graduation quote because I love the poem and I love Maya Angelou. I really wanted my cap to be a representation of myself. That's why I added the bow as well. I love quotes and I wanted to make sure I used a quote that fit how I was feeling. I'm so happy that I chose this one. It means so much to me.

I've grown so much and I've learned so much about myself and about life during my 3.5 years in school. This chapter of my life is over. It's a little scary but it's also exciting. College brought me so much. So many wonderful people have entered my life and my heart. I have memories and moments that no one can take away from me. I've learned how to take care of myself and how to make me happy. Although there were hard times, I've learned to love myself more and more each day. I'm so thankful for everyone who made my time there so special. I'm also thankful for the people who didn't always make me feel the best because often times, they made me realize that self care and my safe spaces are important. Everyone enters your life for a reason! I have no doubts about that.

I can't wait to see what life brings me next!

Happy Love Your Body Day!!

I hope you're having a Happy Love Your Body Day!

I was so excited about it today. I wore yellow for the occasion to symbol sunshine and happiness. It also shows off my beautiful legs and looks great with my new favorite shoes. It's more than just the clothes though...
What's most important is how great I feel! I love it. I love me. I love my body, my smile, my eyes, my everything. This is the only body I'll ever had and I intend to keep loving it.

I hope you're feeling the love! I hope you love your body too. You are a masterpiece. ♥

Our Inspiration #4

A beautiful girl with a beautiful smile and a beautiful voice. Jordin Sparks is absolutely amazing.

She was also on my get up and go playlist that really made my mornings something beautiful. Her song "Faith" really touches my heart. I cry almost every time I hear it. It's really a song that everyone needs to hear at least once. It's important to know your strength and to know that it's important to believe in yourself and to keep carrying on. As if listening to this every morning didn't already brighten my day, her song "One Step At a Time" occasionally came on during lunch and I think I tweeted about it every time they played it during lunch. Some days, I really needed a mid-day boost like that.

We love her because of her incredible and contagious energy. It's really catchy. When she's performing, you can really tell that she's doing something that she loves what she does.

We love her because of her self-love. It inspires us to love ourselves. She rocks out with confidence because she is beautiful....she helps us remember that we're beautiful also.

Jordin Sparks is amazing.

repost Princess♥

By now, I know that life isn't a fairytale but I still like to think of myself as a princess. I think princesses are awesome so I feel special knowing that I'm one too. A princess is a young woman with power and as a young lady, I have a lot of power.

I have the power of love. Love is really powerful. We're loving beings. We're made to love and be loved and having that love in us make us all really powerful. Even though we don't always see the love there, it's there making us stronger. I know a lot of people feel unloved at times or some times all of the time but it's there. It's all around you. you're really not alone. i promise. I really do.

With the power of love. We have the chance to learn. We can accept other cultures and love people for who they are. That's super amazing. We have the power to be open minded and accepting of the world around us. Not everyone uses that power but it's so cool when you do.

Another power that qualifies me for being a princess is the power of hope. I'm all about hope. Hope is believing that what you want can be had. It's believing, it's trusting, it's feeling strongly that something can/will happen. It's really powerful. We have the power to allow hope to come inside our hearts and that's when we start seeing things differently in a more positive light but not unrealistically which is very healthy.

There is also the power of using my own mind. Having opinions and views and sharing them. The power to seek knowledge and go on adventures through reading like my favorite disney princess, Belle. =] People don't always acknowledge the power and importance of knowledge but it really is important. It can take us anywhere and paired with hope, and all the other amazing qualities of a princess, it can help you to become what ever you want to be.

We have to be brave so that we can find the courage to learn about the world around us. To accept new things and to understand them. It takes a lot of courage to step out of your comfort zone but it's possible and with bravery, you can make it happen. I never thought I could do it but it happened and it worked for me.

Princesses are also beautiful and we are all beautiful so that's really the first and easiest qualification.

That's what makes me a princess, strength, love, hope, courage, beauty, bravery, and being myself. Who I am is someone amazing and who you are is someone phenomenal and we make the world a better place just by living in it. We're royalty you know =] ♥

first day of classes...

First day of college classes went well. That's right, I survived and now I'm 100% sure that I can keep doing this for 4 years! I feel smarter already. My classes are all huge and I thought that was going to bother me but surprisingly, it didn't. I can see myself enjoying them all...maybe not at all moments because of American History but I'm sure I'll enjoy it most of the time. So basically all went well.

I'm living my life for me and right now, I think I'm doing a pretty okay job.
=]

I hope you remember how beautiful you are. People can say all types of things but just know that you are beautiful and you are loved....amazing amounts!

hey you with the face...

hey you!

Happy Birthday Blog!

One year ago, I started this blog to raise awareness of some topics that I thought were really important and that needed to be shared from a teenager's point of view. I also really wanted to help people who were struggling with the same issues that I was struggling with, like body image, bullying, self, love, etc... It's not perfect, I'm not perfect but I'm really proud of what my blog has become. I like to think that it represents beauty and hope. I'm not sure if it really does or not but in my happy place, I'm sure of it. *insert smile here* I have to thank everyone who has said good things about my blog. It really encourages me to keep posting. I love everyone who reads what I have to say and I really hope that you keep coming back! Happy Birthday Blog. It's a shame that my blog can't eat, I would love to bake it this cake as a birthday gift....

To the person reading this right now, you, I hope you know that you're amazing because you're you. Where ever you are in the world, if I could, I would give you a hug for being so phenomenal!

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!

just a reminder....

You're Beautiful.

Let someone know how beautiful they are. There's a giant facebook event going on called "Tell her She's beautiful." It's from the 11th to the 14th of February. It's a chance to let everyone know how beautiful they are on this weekend filled with love. Of course you can let people know how beautiful they are every single day but this is an amazing facebook event and I really wanted to share. I'll be baking cookies and making little cards that say "you're beautiful" and other little uplifting messages. It's important that people see how beautiful they are. I can see it, I hope you see it too.

because I believe too.

this is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read :)

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON."115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

you define beauty

The video posted above was made by http://www.twitter.com/youdefinebeauty. everything in this video is true. You do define beauty. You're beautiful-- inside and out. You're special and important. Your flaws make you beautiful. Embrace your beauty, it's priceless. You don't have to change yourself to create an image of beauty because you're already beautiful because you're real. Let your beauty shine so that others may see it too.

hope and egibitow

I don't know if you can see it all clearly but I hope you get the general idea. One side says hope and the other side says egibitow. It means every girl is beautiful in their own way. I made that in ceramics. I'll make more things that say egibitow on it now and hopefully they'll be easier to photograph.

I hope that you all know how beautiful you are. Sometimes we don't think so but trust me, it's always true. You are always beautiful, inside and out. :)

Character

It's not what you do once in a while, it's what you do day in and day out that makes the difference.

-- Jenny Craig

guess what....

You Are BEAUTIFUL.

no explanation needed.

You Deserved To Be Loved.

LOVE is a beautiful and amazing thing. It will always be beautiful no matter who is involved. We were all made to love ourselves and one another. No one should ever be judged because of who they love or fall in love with. It's not something that anyone can control. Gay couples, biracial couples, short couples, tall couples, all couples are beautiful. When people love others, it is beautiful. If the love is there, why does it matter? Why should people be judged because they aren't the person that someone else wants them to be. Everybody wants to be loved. Everyone deserves to be loved and no one should ever feel afraid to act on that amazing need...ever.

• I watched Milk last night. It is an amazing movie and story. If you ever get the chance, you should try to watch it....with a box of kleenex and someone you love.

To all girls everywhere,

here are some songs that we should all listen to.
when we feel week or inadequate. when we think that it'll rain on us forever. Here are some songs to remind us how strong, brillant, and beautiful we are.

It can't rain forever.

=)

you are beautiful.

in every single way...

• you are beautiful
• vous êtes beaux
• 您美丽
• u bent mooi
• Sie sind schön
• siete bei
• أنت جميل
• είστε όμορφοι
• 美しいです
• 당신은 아름답습니다
• wy jesteście piękni
• você é bonito
• вы красивейши
• ustedes son hermosos
• du är härliga
• Moc ti to sluší
• Du er smuk
• אתה יפהפה
• เธอสวยจัง
• jy is pragtig
• ikaw ay maganda
• sinä olet kaunis
• se é fermoso
• आप सुंदर हैं
• ön gyönyörű
• þú ert fallegur
• kamu cantik
• tá tú go hálainn
• tu esi daiļa
• tu esi graži
• ти си убава
• and cantik
• inti sabiħ
• du er vakker
• شما در حال زیبا
• eşti frumoasă
• ти си леп / а
• ty si krásna
• lep si
• wewe ni mzuri
• คุณสวย
• ви прекрасні
• bạn thật xinh đẹp
• ydych yn hardd
• أنت جميلة.
• דו ביסט שיין

in 46 different languages. you're beautiful in every part of the world even if they speak a language that isn't posted here. the point is, we were all created beautifully.

Don't be ashamed.

I saw a girl earlier today who had a very cute tote bag that had a picture of what is most likely her favorite band on the front of the bag. What made me upset though, was the fact that she hid the side of her bag that had the picture. I thought the bag was cute and I want one just like it but I also know that people probably made fun of her for having it because they don't approve. How sad is that? Why do people have to be ashamed to wear or use the things they like just because their afraid of what other people will say? I don't like lime green pants but I'm not going to tease someone if they choose to wear them. It makes no sense!

No one should have to live their life according to other people's views!

We don't have to agree on everything and we don't all have to like the same things but we do not have to tease others for liking something that we think is "uncool." Not everyone handles that well and why would you want to make anyone cry? Why would you ever try to hurt someone for having views that are different from yours? It is just stupid!

We need to make progress! We need to find a way to make sure that no one gets hurt for wanting to live their own life and not the life that has been set as the "cool way" by others. To everyone who has every felt that they couldn't be who they really are because they were afraid of what others would think, live the life you think is "cool." Be the person that makes you happy and not the you that others think you should be. You are important. Your thoughts and views are important. Be a reflection of the the most beautiful and special person you could ever be, yourself!

Taking the world by storm, obviously.

Have you seen it yourself yet? Have you witnessed the storm of people and organizations who want to let the whole world know that they are beautiful. There are so many people doing everything they can to let the people everywhere know that you matter, we all matter.

There are so many people that feel so alone, in fear that they are not enough. What we don't realize sometimes is that there are a bunch of place where you can receivve support. I know that this is identical to my last post but between then and now, I've stumbled on a lot of support places and it hit me that the world isn't filled with heartless people despite what so many of us have thought for so long. It turns out that there are many people who have hearts big enough to love themselves, the people close to them, and, saving the best for last, complete strangers!

I'm thankful for each and everyone of them. Although I see all these people with big hearts spreading their love everywhere, I know that there are still people who will judge and disrespect others and they probably always will. It still gives me hope that so many people try each day. Thank you so much beautiful people!!!


PS.

• did you see #egibitow trending on twitter? , it means every girl is beautiful in their own way. it was started by http://twitter.com/davidegib


• have you checked out http://twitter.com/projectbeauty or http://twitter.com/girls_with_guts ?


• visit http://operationbeautiful.com/


• and http://myspace.com/_youarebeautiful


• and http://twitter.com/uarebeautiful


• and http://twitter.com/beautifulnotes


• this is wonderful too: http://dove.us/


• this: http://project-beauty.webs.com/


• http://christablack.blogspot.com :) amazing story!


• http://girlswithguts.com. =)
  

there are so many others and if I missed one, you're very welcome to tell me about it and I'll add it.

girls with guts :)

A 12 year old girl who was sick of the bullying at her school created a website that could serve as a safe place for girls to gain confidence or talk to someone when they feel alone. Her courage and willingness to help really inspires me and gives me hope. We need more girls who are brave enough to stand strong for what they believe in despite what others will say. At 12 years old, I probably would have just dealt with low confidnece by crying in my room or ripping up a lot of paper. I'm glad that she started this website. She knew she wasn't alone and felt the need to help the other girls who were probably in the same situations. I don't know her, I just saw her story on the news one morning but I am SO proud of this girl! She is helping so many people. Check it out! http://girlswithguts.org/


this would be her awesome Mission Statement:

"Girls with Guts is an empowerment website to give all females, regardless of age, the confidence to stand up for themselves NO MATTER WHAT!!

This website will be a place where females nationwide can come to relate with others about problems they may be having in school, work or at home. It is Girls with Guts mission to help instill the confidence a female may need to overcome bullying, peer pressure or violence.

Confidence comes with self-worth. When a female knows in her heart that she has value and that she means something she can overcome any problem life may throw her way. At Girls with Guts we know that sometimes it is easier said than done, but when you come to this website know you are not alone. You may be having a problem that someone 1800 miles away is also having. We can get through anything TOGETHER!

For those situations that can't be fixed with a pep talk or advice we can refer you to someone that can help if you want us to. This website will always give you the option to maintain your anonymity.Lastly Girls with Guts will be a place to make true friends...the type of friends that help you get through the hard times and celebrate with you in the good times!

~Shandon Mark age 12, Founder of Girls with Guts.org"


here are some other cool places to find advice or a friendly confidence boost.
- http://operationbeautiful.com/ (beautiful notes and stories)
- http://twitter.com/projectbeauty (positive tweets, the best tweets.)
- http://girlswithguts.org/ (see above=])
- http://dove.us/ (Dove's Self-Esteem Fund)
- http://twitter.com/girls_with_guts