10 Things I wish I knew when I turned 18

In honor of my (not so) little cousin turning 18 I put together a list of 10 things I wish I had known on my 18^th birthday. What would you add to it?

 

10. Travel as much as you can

Chances are you aren’t going to have much holding you down once you graduate high school. Sure you might be going off to college, but let’s be honest you’re only going to attend classes when it’s required. Make time to travel.  Take a weekend trip to a neighboring state, save up for a summer trip to Europe, and for the love of Pete go on a spring break! As you get older these opportunities present themselves less and less, make the most of your time and go now.

 9. Karma exists and she’s not always nice

Ever heard the saying ‘What comes around goes around?” Well live by it.  The good that you put out in the world will come back, but beware that so will the bad.  Do everything with integrity and selflessness, don’t have an ulterior motive, and DON’T think you are entitled.  These are the traits that will land you on her bad side.

 

8. It’s never too early to be financially responsible

It’s likely that you haven’t built your credit yet. You might consider getting a credit card to blow money on gas and porn, and that’s cool…but pay your bill! You might not buy a car or a house right now, but someday you will. What you do to your credit now will follow you, make sure you aren’t getting negative marks.  I’m not telling you to start your 401k today, but think about your future a little.

 

7.Do stuff

Don’t be a homebody, find something to do and do it.  At some point in your life you’re going to have a full time job, a family, kids, a house to clean, dinner to cook…..exhausted yet? Well get ready for it because it’s coming for you. Find a hobby, get some friends and go to the mall, make an impulsive decision. … just keep making memories.

 

 

6.Cherish your family

Yes they’re a pain in the butt and yes you’re going to learn things as an adult about your family you might not have wanted to know… but don’t let that come between you.  Always keep your family close; visit and call often. Say ‘I love you’ everyday and don’t ever go to bed mad at them.  Not a single one of us is promised tomorrow so make sure your family knows how much you appreciate them. 

 

5.Don’t expect life to be handed to you

Bill Gates isn’t going to walk up to you one day and hand you an unlimited supply of money.  You’ll need to work for that.  It also means don’t ask mom and dad or grandma for $20 so you can go to the movies with your friends.  Get a j-o-b.  It’s going to be hard, there are going to be days you’ll want to give up…don’t. Working for what you have means YOU get to take the credit and YOU get to be proud of what you’ve earned.

 

4.Be honest

Everyone lies; well Mother Theresa may have been the only exception to this.  You’ll learn though, lying is only going to get you in deeper.  Telling the truth might suck, there might be repercussions, but at least you’ve kept your dignity intact. It’s easier to walk with your head up when you just own up to your mistakes.  I promise you more times than not people are going to respect that you’ve told the truth and the outcome might not be as bad as you think. So don’t be ‘that guy.’

 

3. Take care of yourself

I don’t just mean crawl out of bed and put clean underwear on. I mean focus in on your health and well being and be sure you take time for you.  Stay active, eat healthy (at least most of the time), and don’t lose sight of what it means relax.  College will stress you out, the military will stress you out, work will stress you out… see the pattern?  Life is stressful at times.  Go shopping or go running…just stay going.

 

2.Network

Don’t be shy, make new friends and contacts. Everything you do in life is going to be easier if you have connections. If you’re going to college you’ll want an internship, if you’re starting a business you’ll want clients. So join clubs, be in community organizations, and say hello to strangers on the plane.  Stepping outside of your comfort zone is going to reward you in more ways than you could imagine.

 

1.  Be happy

If climbing the corporate ladder, being a CEO, and making 6 figures a year will make you happy, then go for it! But also be ready to work your ass off to get there. You’ll put in long hours, spend less time with your family, and get a lot less freedom.  It might take you half your life to realize, but at some point you WILL realize it…. Money doesn’t buy you happiness.  It’s important that you enjoy what you do; you have a lot of years left to be working.  Do what you love and the rest will fall into place. 

 

 

Who knew?

I had no idea growing up would be like this. I remember being 15 and thinking, in 10 years I will be 25 and I can’t wait. Someone should have told me it’d be here before I knew it. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t have an issue with being 25…but where did 22, 23, and 24 go? And for that matter, where the hell did 2011 go? Just yesterday I was moving to Cleveland and starting a new job. Well I’ve been here over a year, moved apartments, made some new friends, lost some old ones, and learned more about myself then I ever imagined possible. I just wish time would chill so I can catch my breath and “stop to smell the roses.”

I’ve decided that 2012 is going to be the year of ME. =) Now if you know me, and I mean really know me….then I’m sure you’re asking how it’s going to be different from any other day of my life. I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m a high maintenance, spoiled, and sometimes selfish person. But you also know that I have a habit of putting other people, their feelings, and what people will think of me in front of what I really want. My goal for 2012 is to be able to stop and enjoy the things I want, still keep busy, and not miss out on any opportunities to create memories. Which leads me to my 2012 bucket list. As of Jan 1 we all have 355 days until the end of the world (haha). Better get moving on those New Year’s resolutions. Below you will see my bucket list. Normally I’d tell you not to judge, but the new Mindy wants you to. Judge away. Because this year, the only person I answer to is me.

Beauty and the Bust

Since I was 5 and Beauty and the Beast was released, I’ve been hooked. It’s my all time favorite Disney movie and I have a slight obsession with all things Beauty and the Beast. While I’m not a die hard ‘have a Disney tattoo’ fan, I do have a small little collection. Mostly dolls still in the box, hand carved Belle figures, and the glass collectibles. I’d like to say I’m a pretty big fan. So imagine my eye bulging excitement when I heard the traveling Broadway show would be about an hour away! I had to go. My roomie and I bought tickets and I was like a 10 year old all over again, I couldn’t wait to go!



We got to the show, got our tickets and headed in. I stopped by the merchandise stand to check things out and wanted to pick up a program. Hah. T-shirts, dolls, CD’s…the cheapest thing was a tiny keychain for $10. The program that I thought I’d grab for $5 was….. yeah, $20. But I wasn’t there to buy stuff….

As we take our seats (in the very last row might I add) the lights dim and here we go!
The stage was set beautifully. The characters come out and the show starts. Right away I’m taken to the movie; Belle surrounded by the town people singing ‘Little Town.’ I was most definitely like a 5 year hold smiling and tapping my foot to the beat the entire time. Then out comes Gaston. I hated this guy in the movie…like drove me nuts whenever he was on screen. The actor opens his mouth, sounds just like the movie, and …..I love him. For some reason he had this charisma that was awesome. I loved how he sang, how he walked, loved it all. And Le’fou, hahaha, this guy was great. Hilarious even.



So the show goes on and it’s pretty good. There are parts that aren’t in the movie or are altered (obviously because they have limits to work within). Then the Beast comes out.

Now I know that the beast won’t look as cool as the movie, but the costume was pretty lame. I’m pretty sure I could have sewn a better one up. Next, he opens his mouth and starts to act. OMG.


*Side note* I’m all for women and equality, but I’m not a bra burner feminist (no offense). Just not my thing.

Ok so back to the play.
I’ve never been so offended in my life. I felt like the Beast in the movie would have jumped out and smacked this douche of a beast in the face (not so much the actor, more the creators). He raised his hand as if he were to hit Belle, grabbed her, pushed her, and was just plain a women hating asshole. I was appalled. My jaw dropped, I stared, and kept telling my roommate how annoyed I was. The poor Beast in the movie was NOT being done justice.

As the play continued and it got to where he opens up and isn’t such a jerk, the Beast turned into ..wait for it…. A damn frat boy. It was awful. His conversations made my IQ drop, he jumped around like an idiot… I was seriously waiting for them to roll a keg and pool with muddy half naked girls on stage. I was for sure over the Beast. Bad acting all around.
Finally, I was SOOOO excited to see the end seen where Belle’s in her yellow gown and “a Tale as Old as Time…” is playing. I think I had butterflies I was so excited. Should have known. When she came out, the dress was ok, but nothing like what I expected. It looked like they borrows a dress from 1864. So disappointing.
Overall the play was good, I’m glad I saw it..but I wouldn’t go back and see it with the same cast. Sadly I think Gaston and Le’Fou were the best!

April? April?... Has anyone seen April?

How in the world is it May already?! It was like I blinked and there went April... flying into the pages of history faster than green grass through a goose! (I just heard that and had to use it)


So I'd say that my 'no procrastinating' for lent was a little less then stellar, especially since I didn't write a single blog the entire month. It started fine and then it just seems like life happens, and sometime you need to procrastinate.

So what happened in April?

I turned 25! Wasn't as bad as I thought. I ended up going to Chicago with my sister,roommate, and friend. Minus the bickering, storming off like 6th graders, and hormonal bitching... it was a good time.





I also decided that I was going to buy myself a nice present...so I got a car. In all fairness, I think I deserved a new car. For the last couple of years I've driven a 1994 Ford Taurus and a 2000 Ford Escort. I think this beauty is a little bit of an upgrade :)


Hmm...what else:

I went and watched Fast Five! Loved it... I think the best one yet. I say yet, because there are 2 more still to come. (I didn't ruin the movie, it's common knowledge, Bing it). Just make sure if you do go watch it, you stay until after the credits ;)

Now that I've started writing my mind is word vomiting all over the computer. I think I'll spare you and pick up with another post very soon. A month is far too long to go without sharing my brilliant opinions and life story with the world. =) (that was a joke)

North Carolina, C'mon and raise up...

Petey Pablo may be pumped about North Carolina...but there are some parts of the state that I'm a little less then enthusiastic to see again.

My sister and I recently made a trip down to Hoke county for a teacher job fair. I got online to book a hotel...and in my defense, I was at work and it was a little last minute. Anyways, I found a Days Inn with a continental breakfast (b/c that is a must on a trip!) and booked it. After a 10 hour drive I wanted nothing more than to check in and get a good nights sleep.

WRONG!

When we pulled up it turns out this was a MOtel, not a HOtel. I checked in (thank you to the lady in sweats) and headed to the room. The first thing I was greeted by was the dusty covered door and some sort of green nastiness on the handle.




Moving into the room, everything was covered in a layer of dust, dirt, and God knows what. My sister wanted to shower and get to bed. Not only was the tub HORRIBLE, there was hardly any hot water and it made an awful high pitch squeal the entire time the water was on. While she was in the shower I decided to get into bed. HAH!
The sheets were stained a yellow and the pillows looked like they had dried boogers. I literally took sanitizing wipes to the bed :(



Long story (kinda) short, the heater sounded like a hamster on a wheel, weird noises came out of the bathroom at night, and the TV was from 1953. Needless to say I called and canceled our second night. And thanks to Days Inn "happy customer, satisfaction guaranteed" crap, I wrote an email and am awaiting a response and refund.

So what should you take out of this... READ REVIEWS!! Even if 1 person says it's 'ok'...the other 5 that say it sucks, they are probably right!!!

Try to keep Up

Ok, so I really don't have one thing to talk about. More like this is going to be a rambling post..for sure. And yes, I really do talk like this :)

First, it was my first St.Patty's day in Cleveland... and I was the DD. No biggie though.. I'm not a big drinker. Plus I love to watch all the drunk idiots be just that. Speaking of, does anyone else love the pick up lines guys use? Hello creeper creeperton, it's not cool to start a conversation off about your penis. Thanks, but keep walking.






My quarter life crisis is approaching. I turn 25 in like 3 weeks, and I'm slightly freaking out. Age really is just a number, but I feel like there's so much I still want to do before I have a family. (Which is weird to even say) So I've decided to at least celebrate it...so I need ideas. I want to go on a mini vaca. Somewhere that 3 days is enough time to see a lot. Ideas?


I found a new website that I love. www.shopfreebies.com (no they didn't pay me to say that). Who doesn't love free stuff...and they find it and out it all in one place for you. I've even signed up for their emails so I can be on top of it! Let's just say my mail man is going to hate me in 5-8 weeks.

OK! So this is my biggest rant of the night. Trashy people. Is it wrong of me to go through my friends list on Facebook and look at people that I consider trashy- just so I feel better about myself. I love it when girls are posing half naked and calling themselves classy in the same photo...really? Or holding a cigarette in one hand and a bottle of Jack in the other..all while falling off the sidewalk. I'm up for a good time and going out.. but I like to think I do it with style and class.


Anyone a make-up expert? I spent a semi pretty penny on some Smashbox foundation primer; I've used it for a few days now and don't see a difference in anything. Is there a trick or secret to it? or is this something that is really a rip off?



I'm a little late, but minor movie review. I just FINALLY got to see Social Network. I love, love, loved it. I think it portrayed Mark Z as an arrogant asshole, and I wish he was my friend! Smart people always amuse me and I'm always up for an intellectually stimulating conversation. I do think that the movie was a little over the top in some parts, but that's exactly how I would imagine these peoples lives to be.


I love reading and writing...always have. I have so many ideas I'd love to put down on paper. So I've made a new, new years resolution. I want to finish my first book (even if it sucks ass) by the end of the year. Hopefully much sooner, but we'll see.




Ok, for now, I'm done. Next post, I'll try to have a point...promise.

T-Shirt Give Away!!

As the posting below described...my sister and I are doing the Susan G Komen 3 Day here in Cleveland. To help raise the $4600 we committed to, we are selling t-shirts. Please go to our Ebay to purchase them.


If you are in Cleveland and would like to pick them up message me :)

WANT TO WIN ONE?!?

Go to Facebook and like Sisters4aCure. When we get to 200 'Likes' we will be giving a t-shirt away!