Days Like Today: Post Christmas

In the words of my dad,

“I have been called a scrooge; a man with no Christmas Spirit. If this is because I don’t like getting a gift card from you when I gave you a gift card to the same store, so be it. What’s the point? If this is because I don’t like the act of opening presents when everyone knows what they are going to get, so be it. Again, what is the point?”

This man is anything but a scrooge. He helps anyone that needs it, no questions asked. He really made me realize what is wrong with the world. WE are the ones with no “Christmas Spirit.” We are the ones that are wrong when it comes to Christmas. All anyone cares about nowadays is what they are getting, when the whole reason for the season is giving. Sure we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, but aren’t we celebrating more the fact that God gave his only begotten son to save us from our sins?

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”

-Luke 12:48

The holidays are about giving back, we should never forget that.

Also, try to remember all that you have been given and not complain about what you do not have. I am not saying that I don’t complain because that’s just not true. I am a prime example of someone who is seemingly ungrateful when I am actually VERY grateful for everything that I’ve been given.

And again, my dad helped me to this conclusion.

“Before you complain about the food you eat, think of all of the people in the world that do not have any.”

This is also true about many things. I believe that before you complain about how hard your life is, who you have lost, where you are in life, etc., you should think of those people that have it harder, didn’t have as much time with the loved ones that they lost, and the people that don’t have the chances to go as far as you have in life.

Anyways, that’s just my thoughts for the day.

Stay Golden,

Emily.

 

In Light of the Holidays

The holidays are approaching, and whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or just the beauty that is Winter, the holidays should mean more.
More than decorations.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love decorating for the holidays as much as the next girl , but that isn’t what the holidays should be about.

More than recieving gifts.

Now I know that we were all naive children once; I know that we all have wanted gifts more than anything else, but we have to grow up. The holidays are about so much more.

No less than love, giving, and “-ness.”

The holidays should be about spending time with your loved ones, forgiveness, thankfulness, happiness, and giving.

Spend time with your loved ones because you are going to miss it when it’s gone. Time doesn’t last forever, and you should spend it with the people that truly care about you.

Forgiveness. This one is tricky. It’s tricky because as humanity, we have never been good at forgiving. We hold grudges, we place blame, and we don’t forgive. This holiday season lets change that. I’m forgiving the people that have done wrong by me, and I hope that you will find it in your heart to do the same.

Thankfulness. Stop feeling sorry for yourself for your bad grades, hard breakup, lack of money, etc. It makes you miserable. Instead, focus on the good things that you have in your life and how great they are. I’m the worst when it comes to this one. I just went through a pretty bad breakup and I was feeling bad for a long time, but I’m not anymore. I have a great life and I’m so thankful for it.

Happiness. Do what makes you happy! This one is my favorite. If you want to go ice skating over the holidays.. Do that. If you want to lay in bed and watch Hallmark movies… Do that. Do whatever makes you happy this holiday season because you never know when it could be your last. Be adventurous, or don’t.. It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks.

Giving. Always give more than you receive. You have so much to offer the world whether it be money, service, or support. You have the ability to make so many people very happy over the holidays and the rest of the year. DO THAT. Give back to the community, and help in any way that you can. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, buy gifts for needy kids, buy hot chocolate and a blanket for a homeless person, etc. Be the person that you were intended to be and never stop giving back.

And always…

Stay golden,

Emily.

 

Repost: Dear Angel,

littlelionbecca's avatarBecca Tremmel

I know how much pain you’re in. I understand why you’ve made the bathroom floor your home and why you haven’t eaten anything besides cheez-its in over a week. I get it, Angel.

He hurt you.

Angel, I know you don’t want to pick yourself off the ground and limp back to the unforgiving world like nothing ever happened. I know this feels like the end for you.

Or at least you want it to be.

I know you had a panic attack last night that left you screaming and crying while throwing your pillow around the room while his words echoed mercilessly inside your head,

“I don’t love you anymore.”


And I know you’re still in love with him, Angel. I know you thought you were stronger than him.

I know your argument.

“It was 3am and we were laughing harder than my will could take and his…

View original post 391 more words

First Day in My Dorm

College. Whenever I was younger this word terrified me. This word means going away from home and experiencing life without your parents..

Today was my first day moved in to the beautiful campus of High Point University, and tbh it is one of the best days I’ve had in a long time.

My roommate and I actually get along really well, my boyfriend is going to the same school, and I can just tell this campus is going to mean a lot to me.

It’s honestly been a great day, but as I lay here in my bed awaiting sleep I cannot help but cry. I’m sad because I miss my parents and I am scared of what is to come.

I’m so happy in my relationship and I’m terrified something is going to mess it up. I’m so happy with my life right now, and I’m scared that my grades are going to be less that ideal and I’m going to want to go home. I’m scared that I’ll get too stressed and want to quit..

I know it’s part of the transition that everyone feels, but it stinks.

All in all, great first day and I hope there are many more.

Stay golden,

Emily

An Open Letter to High School Seniors

To those of you starting senior year, make this year count.

It goes by so fast that you almost can’t even believe it. You will be busier than you have ever been… with all of the college applications and everything. Don’t waste the time because you never get it back.

Relationships:

I haven’t ever heard of anybody telling you to keep your high school relationship going through college, but I am. There’s so much pressure to break up before heading off to college, and if you really want to stay together you’ll make it work. It’s not going to be easy, but you can make it work. Senior year is your last chance. It’s your last chance to tell your secret crush that you like them, it’s your last chance to tell that boy/girl you love them before you may never see them again.

“Enemies”:

We all have those girls/guys that we just absolutely can’t stand. Maybe they bullied us, or they’re just really mean to everyone. Try your hardest not to leave high school without making up with these people. Trust me, it makes a world of difference. There’s this one girl that was in my senior class, and she was very mean to me all throughout high school. After about 3 weeks of our Leadership class together, we actually bonded and became sort of friends. I don’t think that I left high school without making amends with the people that I was on the outs with, and it feels really good knowing that.

Being Shy:

Don’t.  I was shy for pretty much my whole life, but before the start of senior year I promised myself that I would try my best to put myself out there and really start talking to people. This helped me a ton because as I’m about to go off to college, I’ve already met several amazing people that are going to be going there as well. Just try it, you may find out that you have been shy all of your life for no reason.

Grades:

This year is the most important year in terms of grades that you have had up until this point. You’ll feel the sting of senioritis setting on you, but you have to push through. The worst thing you can do is let the seniority consume you. Even after you get into the college of your dreams, remember that you still have to get the grades. The school will ask to receive a final transcript from your school.

Friends:

Make the most of your time with your friends. In not too long y’all will be going separate ways and that’s okay. That is life. Don’t spend your whole senior year missing them when they aren’t even gone yet. Make time for them; do something crazy that you have never done before. Go on a trip to the beach, take a road trip, etc. You’re gonna miss it when they’re gone.

Family:

Make time for your parents. To them, this time is crucial. Their little baby bird is seconds away from flying away from the nest. They’re scared that you’re never coming back. Make them understand that you will always need them there for you even when it may not be in the same way. My hardest part about this is getting lectured about stuff I already feel like I understand. Let them lecture. Let them suffocate you a little bit with love before you go off to college. It means the world to them. Just have fun with the 2 most important people in your life (and siblings, pets, etc.) while you can.

Teachers:

Make sure to thank all of your teachers, coaches, and counselors. These people have been a huge part of your life, and you need to make sure that they know that. Make them feel like they have not wasted their time and energy on a hopeless and ungrateful person. Tell them about your decisions for the future and how they impacted those very decisions.

All In All:

Make the most of your senior year. You only get it once. Go to senior prom even if you have to go without a date. (Thats what I did.. #7thWheel) Go to as many sporting events at your school as you can. Go out and have fun, but remember that grades are very important. You’ll love senior year, and no matter how much you “hate” your school, this is the one year that you will miss.

Stay golden,

Emily

Parents and College

If you have a close relationship with your parents and are going off to college, here are a few key things for you to remember as you embark on your new journey.

They are used to spending a lot of time with you.

This being said.. in the few months (or weeks) before you go off to college, things can get pretty tense. You’re trying to get in as much time as possible hanging out with your high school best friends or your high school sweetheart, and your parents are trying to keep you all to themselves. They will do this. You will get really upset with them from time to time, but you have to realize how this transition is affecting them. They have been really close with you for 17+ years now, and they just aren’t ready to give you up just yet.

Skype, Facetime, Talk on the phone.

Even if they don’t ask you to do these things, you should. It’ll make their day to see your face or hear your voice. You don’t have to do it every day, but try not to forget about them. All of these resources are great ways to show them how much you care and miss them.

Make sure to visit.

Now I understand that this isn’t a viable option for people that have homes many miles away from their college campus, but for the students that aren’t far away it is a perfect option. Plan to go home once a month or once every few months to spend time with your parents. It doesn’t have to be a surprise, but its more exciting that way.

Colleges have “Family Weekends”.

Make sure your parents know when the family weekends are at your university so that they can come visit you. They would just love to be shown around your campus and all of the spots you enjoy going during your free time.

And Finally… Just remember to drop in a text even if you are too busy for the other stuff.

Simple texts like “Hey mom, I was thinking about you today and wanted to tell you I love and miss you” mean the world to them. Even if you don’t have time to have a full conversation with them, at least drop in with a text once in a while to let them know you think about them.

Stay Golden,

Emily

Relationships.. The Truth

I’ve done a lot of thinking…

Dating is all just a big ball of risks and rewards and no matter how hard we try to ignore it, our past changes everything.

I mean how can we possibly take the risk of ever falling in love again if our past leads us to heartbreak after heartbreak and cheaters after cheaters? This is a major risk. The reward of opening your heart again could be the best relationship you have ever had.

I don’t understand people. I really don’t. How could you possibly cheat on someone who gives you the world?

Apparently its simple for most… You just do. You do it because its the easy way out. It’s the way to avoid fighting for the one you are dating. It’s the way to make yourself completely unstoppable. I mean how can you get your own heart broken if you are the one doing the breaking?

Now that being said, I have never cheated on anyone before, and I do not plan to. I have been cheated on and it’s an awful experience.

It’s kinda funny actually how cruel it is for someone to cheat. Not only are you ruining the person you are in a relationship with, but you are making it so difficult for them to see the rewards over the risk of being hurt again.

If all you have ever experienced is hurt, why would you risk it for the girl/guy you like? Why would they be any different? This is a risk that you are scared to face again. Scared to be broken once more in fear you cannot be fixed. But… what if this person is the one that will truly do anything for you?

That’s where the reward comes in. If you do let this person in, it could be great. You could fall head over heels in love, and they could do the same. You could get married and have a wonderful life together.

My advice to you is that you give it your all no matter what. If it feels like it’s “too good to be true” don’t be scared to try. Sure you could get hurt, but how can you experience the love of your life if you aren’t willing to risk that.

Stay Golden,

Emily

Days Like Today: The “What Ifs” of Starting New

I just finished up the bulk of my training for my new job. Although this is very exciting, I am also very scared to start my first day.

There are so many “What Ifs” about the first day/week of a new job. 

“What if I mess up?”

“What if they hate me?”

“What if I don’t know what to do?”

We have all gone through the process of doubting ourselves.

Actually, I’m going through this process right now. I am so scared about starting my job that I cry. I’m afraid of messing up and looking like an idiot. I feel as if I have to know everything before setting foot in the building.

Thus just isn’t the case.

Everyone is telling me that it will be perfectly fine, but it’s still very hard for me to get the negatives out of my head. I guess we all have to just remember that “the new chick cannot fly immediately.” This concept really hits home when you think about how much you know and how much you have left to learn.

If you ever feel like you are going to fail at something new, remember that you are not alone.

Stay Golden,

Emily

As H.S. Graduation Approaches…

I am very aware of how close my graduation is, and honestly I can’t wait. Sure I’ll miss my wonderful friends, but I can’t wait to leave the one place that has caused me the most heartache in my life.

BULLIES.

Throughout my high school career I was bullied. For the first 3 years people would make comments about how skinny I am. They would tell me that I need to gain weight as if I could actually help the fact that I have a high metabolism. They would be really cruel.

Also, Sophomore year I was bullied the worst by people I considered my friends. They made a fake YouTube account and made really mean comments about me on my channel. We found out who it was and I was so hurt. I even considered moving schools.

CLASSES

My classes were crazy hard. Granted, I put the stress on myself by taking AP and Honors classes, but my classes were not what I expected in H.S.

I expected to have classes that prepared me for College. Most of my college didn’t prepare me. Also, I had endless homework because I tried really hard to get my GPA.

I ended up being 10th in my class, but I still hated high school. I cannot wait to get out, but my friends will be missed.

Stay golden,

Emily