Advice to my Future Mini-Me's

Lately, as I attempt to figure out what is is that I am supposed to do with my life or just find that job in my life where I feel fulfilled; I got to thinking about my choices in high school and college.  I didn't want this post to be about my regrets because you know what, you just can’t go back in time.  Unless somebody knows something that I don't.  Instead I want to give my future, non existent kids some advice from what I learned.  

1.  Parents are not the enemy nor are they stupid. I've been where you are, don't forget I was a kid once too.  I know a little more than you think I do.  So if you think you can get away with sneaking out, telling me you're going some place but really going to a frat part, or make some lame excuse as to why you are late for curfew, just don't even think about it.  High school is when you start experimenting, I get it.  If you are honest with me, I'm more understanding.  I promise.  Love your parents and remember that they are growing older too.  I was and am lucky to have a mom that I could/can pretty much tell her anything.  

2. Don't quit.  If you play the piano and love it, or the point guard in basketball, or you're the president of student council, stick with it.  It's good to be part of a team or a group.  Not to mention the many opportunities that can help you not only get into a good school, but also can help you financially.  Don't give up on it.

3.  Unless you knew what you want to do with your life since birth, I suggests going to college undeclared.  Get those regular classes out of the way first.  I can't tell you how many people I know, including myself switching majors a bunch of times and just wasting time and money on classes you don't need.  Take the time to meet with your school counselors, advisers as well as have the time to grow to find your passion. There really is no rush because once college is over the real world hits and its not all roses and geraniums. It's rough out there, especially for the first few years. 

4.  Go to a big college or university.  Now, if you want to go to a smaller school, by all means, fine.  Going to a school with a big school spirit, sports teams, and organization can give you experiences and friends you really will not have the opportunity of becoming part of at a small college.  Spending Sunday's tailgating and cheering on your football ball team while decked out in your school colors, I mean those are the times in college that you remember.  They are traditions you have with new friends you will make. 

5.  Some friends will be your friend for a life time and some friends come and go.  You will have people that let you down, friends that hurt you, friends that will stab you in the back, friends that you just grow apart from and you may even be the one to that damages a friendship.  It hurts.  It's one of those times that you just have to learn from.  Surround yourself around people that are positive, supporting and loving.  You'll eventually learn this, hopefully it's sooner rather than later.  I love the quote “You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with, choose carefully.”

6.  Enjoy yourself.  High school and college will be with you for the rest of your life.  Try new things, spend the night dancing, go to concerts and parties, and just have fun.  You will have these memories forever. 

7.  In number 6 I mentioned have fun but with that remember you have responsibilities. Work hard too.  You aren't just in school to have fun.  Learn to balance your work load with your fun-itivities.  I can't say how important it is to learn.  I hope you find your niche where you actually enjoy your classes.  This could be a stretch but hey I might as well through it out there.  Don’t just study for a test, study for your future.

8.  Be you.  This is maybe one of the most important things I want you to get from this list. Don't try to be someone you're not.  It’s so hard to get sucked into doing things because that’s what the “cool” people are doing.  But there is no need for you to change and act like somebody else.  You will find that people will like you for who you are and staying true to yourself.  It’s okay to be out of the box and quirky I mean just look at me, I’m weird and a little off the beaten path.  And if people aren’t okay with you and say hurtful things then “fuck them,” they aren’t real friends. 

9.  Start paying your college loans while you are in school.  This means you need a job.  So yea it is going to be hard juggling school work, a job, extracurricular activities and your social life.  You need to stay on top of it, you will thank me later.  The earlier you start paying the sooner you will be debt free. 

10.  Value your health.  Make good choices for your body.  Eat well, exercise and keep positive.  As I have grown I can’t express how important exercise is to me.  It’s a way for me to feel good, look good, let out the stress from the day, the opportunity to challenge my body and even has introduced me to knew people. Negativity doesn't get you far either, remember that, see the good in things and look at it from another perspective.  

11.  Girls:  Do not waste your time with guys who do not treat you right or just treat you ordinary.  You are better than that and deserve better.  Heck you are my (future) daughter and you are freaking special.  Crying over a dude toolbag because he won’t commit to you just isn’t worth it.  He isn’t going to change so don’t think that you can try.  Move on to the next and just consider that one a guy of the past.  Just always be upfront about what it is you are looking for and let them work for it.  I’ve never been one for the whole play games thing.  If I like you I’m going to tell you so don’t worry you don’t need to read some complicated map thing to figure out if I like you or not.  Boys:  Treat ladies with respect and be a gentlemen.  Be the kind of guy your little brother or sister can look up to.  Open the doors, kiss on the first date but leave it at that, take her out on mini-golf dates, leave cute stick-it notes and most importantly stay true to your values and beliefs. 

12.  Take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you.  Study abroad, go on a service trip, or be a foreign exchange student!   Don’t be afraid to leave because you feel like you might miss out on something or will miss your friends.  I can promise you the experience of studying in another country will be one of your fondest memories.  The people you meet, the connections you will make and the places you will see will be life changing.  Even if you have the opportunity to live abroad or go on spring break trips do it.  I mean seriously your 20’s are the best times for this.  Don’t wait for later, live for now.  

What advice did you give your kids or want to give based on your own experiences?

Because You Can't Just Have One

For as long as I can remember, I have loved tattoo's.  I think they are a great outlet for expression.  They tell stories about peoples lives or reminders to keep going.  They're inspiring.  They're beautiful. They're conversation starters. They're art.  

At 20 I got inked for the first time.  The best part was getting to do it with my best friend and pledge sister, Tori.  Who needs best friend bracelets when you can get matching tattoos?  Tori and I met freshman year and instantly clicked.  We pledged a sorority together and the symbol of our sorority is an anchor.  At the end of my sophomore year I decided to transfer to another college in New York.  So we chose the anchor as a symbol to be forever connected.  But my tattoo actually has duel meanings.  My father is a Tugboat Captain, so was my grandfather and my uncle.  My dad and three brothers all have anchor tattoos.  So it also represents family.  It's a very special tattoo to me and I'm in love with it.  

Tattoos are no joke though.  They hurt.  I don't know if you can tell by the picture. I also could look like I'm having trouble on the toilet.  Haha but no worries, it's just me getting a tattoo. 

At 22 I got inked for the second time.  I fell in love with the quote "Without struggle there is no progress."  Things have never come easy for me.  I've encountered many bumps in the road but it's part of who I am today and has made me a stronger person.  

I didn't have as much success with this tattoo and I was not pleased with the outcome. It straight up looks like crap.  It's so hard to read and it's not in the writing I wanted at all.   Here's my advice, research your tattoo artist and be super picky.  This is on you for life.  Once I get some money saved up, I'm going to meet with a new tattoo artist to see what they can do to fix it.  Cross your fingers that there's hope!

 

Below are the tattoos that I am crazy about. 

1 - Dream catchers are a symbol of unity and for children is used to catch the bad dreams and thoughts.  Growing up I always had a dream catcher hanging by my bed.  It reminds me of my childhood.  To me I also relate it to keeping happy thoughts and not focusing on the negative.  
2 - The Elephant represent a lot for me.  For one thing, my blog is Chasing Elephants. It means to follow my dreams, not give up and to remember what it is that I love.  It means strength, peace and family.  Elephants with their trunk up is good luck.  
3,4, 5 & 6 - I could sit outside for hours just looking at nature like things and have a big old dorky smile on my face.  Just ask my IRL best friend Erin.  My degree is in Outdoor Recreation and so obviously I like outdoor things.  I love hiking, backpacking, canoeing, skiing and just being outside in general.  Lately I haven't been enjoying the outdoors like I should/want to.  I can't forget to keep enjoying the things that I love.

7 & 8 - If you can't tell, I love to travel and it's the thing in life that makes me feel so alive and gives me that rush.  It reminds me how much beauty there is on this earth.  It's what I am most passionate about, besides family of course.  I think it somewhat defines me even.  Compasses also means protection and guidance.  

9 - "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward, so when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it is going to launch you into something great.  So just focus, and keep aiming."  I found this on Pinterest somewhere and it just sums up the arrow so perfectly.  

What I love about tattoos is the meaning behind them.  Every tattoo is a story. And every one has a story to tell.  Each of these tattoos would remind me to keep going, enjoy life and to stay true to myself.  Not to mention I think they are sexy.  As you can see it is going to be hard to pick my next tattoo.  What are your favorites?

Purdue Weekend Recap

Last weekend I partied like I was in college.  Well, kinda sorta.  I should say I tried to party like I was in college.  Key word being TRIED.  The bf and I headed down to Purdue University, which is where he went to college, to get together with friends for a football tailgate.  

So here’s how the weekend went.  On Friday I worked through lunch so I could get out at 4, which would get me home at 5.  I still needed to finish making my dad’s famous macaroni salad and pack for the weekend.  I was a total spaz trying to get everything done thankfully my bf had cleaned up the house and put the Peanut Butter Cookie Cheesecake bars in the oven.   I really don’t know how l lucked out with such an amazing man. Feel free to barf here.

Anyways the bf and I  packed up the car and headed down to Lafayette early so he could show me around his ol’ stomping grounds or as I mentioned on twitter ol’ stopping grounds, which Erin had of course corrected me.  I never seem to get those saying’s right.  It was cute to see how excited he was to show me all the places he hung out and lived. 

All the driving around had me starving so we went to this Irish Bar to get some food and drinks.  We happened to get a seat right in front of the Irish/Scottish band that was about to start. Score!  My roots are Irish so I felt right at home.  We were enjoying ourselves so much.  I almost even got up and did the Irish Jig, which I "think" I can do but I think it might I've been the beer increasing my confidence.  Anyways I didn't end up doing the Irish Jig but the bf and I did hope on the dance train for a song that had something to do with riding horses and the devil. Haha who knows.  Since we were having so much fun we decided to stay till two of our friends got into town.  

Of course by the time they showed up we had been there for 3ish hours and were several beers deep. I was at the point where I was basically screaming.  I talk loud to begin with and add a few drinks in me and I'm 20x louder.  Yea I am that girl.  I've learned to embrace it although everyone around me hasn't quite got used to it yet.  I blame it on the fact that I'm from New York.  

We stayed there till the band ended and they wanted to take me to one of the bars they used to hang out at called "Harry's."  I managed to get 2 free drinks.  Yes, I still got it!  Okay so maybe the guy was like 60 but still free drinks are a win in my book.  Phil even showed me the table that he engraved his name in.  We didn't stay there for too long because we realized that we were old and it was time to eat again and get to sleep. 

We hit up a street vendor favorite of Philly and his friends.  I got something called a Fat Girl, which I don't even recall what was in it but i'm sure it was all bad stuff that was not on my eat healthy plan.  Anyways I couldn't wait to get to bed because A. I was drunk and B. I had a food Baby.  

The rest of the group drove up early on Saturday to meet us for the tailgate.  To my surprise and to everyone else's, I was rather chipper for the morning.  I am not a morning person at all and plus I had a few too many beers the night before and I was just as shocked that I didn't feel like garbage.  

There was lots of eating including Chili, chicken wings, pork burgers, Marconi salad, buffalo dip, peanut butter cookie cheesecake bars, hot cocoa, and i'm sure i'm forgetting something.  

Photo Highlights from the Tailgate! 

We didn't even go into the game.  I'm pretty sure the final score of the game was Purdue 0 Ohio State 56. Yea I would say that Purdue does not excel in the football department.  I had an amazing time till I lost my wristlet for like the second time this month.  Pissed.  I'm pretty sure I left it in a porta potty.  Is that how you spell that?  I was mad at myself more than anything because I lose crap all the time.  I swear I would lose my head if it was attached.  

Anyways after an hour I got over it and figured that wristlet was just cursed and it was time for something that actually strapped on to myself.  I may even go with a fanny pack.  Don't judge. Desperate times call for desperate measures my friends.  

All in all it was a fantastico weekend with great friends!  It was so special to get to see part of Phil's college days.  And i'm sure you know I heard tons of stories from his college days from all of his friends.  And you bet I did absolutely nothing on Sunday but throw some ingredients in a crock pot and sit my ass on the couch all damn day! 

I leave you with this....