What Happen to Christmas?

As the holiday season comes in full swing, many people get all hyped up for Christmas. Kids are excited about seeing Santa Clause and getting presents. Parents are excited about making their kids happy with lots of toys, along with baking delicious holiday goodies.. Even though Christmas isn't all about getting gifts, numerous people tend to see it that way. I guess the holiday season just isn't what it used to be. 

Presents, presents, and more presents. That's what kids look forward to. Kids don't care about helping others and spending time with family. All they want to do is play with their awesome toys. That's not what Christmas is about and parents nowadays don't even care that this is what they're teaching their kids. Many parents don't make their kids help out in a soup kitchen or donate one of their favorite toys they got to charity anymore. There are people out there that don't have anything, while kids are over here stuffing their face with gingerbread and playing with their new Xbox. I'm not saying that every person is like this however. Many parents still make their kids help out and give to charity, and not just around the holiday season. I applaud these parents because they're teaching their kids good morals, and not that material goods are all you need to be happy. If you have ever seen the look on a kid's face when they know they made someone else happy, you would exactly know what I'm talking about. Organizations such as the Salvation Army need your help and you don't have to donate your precious time by ringing the bell or anything. Something as simple as donating a couple of dollars can go along way, just watch this clip and you will understand.

Years ago, parents would force their kids to give to charity. Kids usually have a sour attitude at first but they eventually warm up to the idea because they know deep down that they're doing something good, which makes them feel good about themselves. If a child is raised in an environment where charity is something you do regularly, they're more likely to help out and give in their adult years. Many parents don't value that concept anymore. They don’t want to help out so why should they make their kids do it too? This kind of attitude is why we have charities and poverty in the world. Selfishness can lead to a chain reaction and doesn't help anyone in the long run. 

Word Count: 421

Christmas Shopping to the Extreme

In today's economy, people tend to have a strict budget with very little money to throw around. Every parent wants their kid to be surprised and ecstatic when they wake up Christmas morning to find that shiny red sports bike under the tree. Guys can't wait to see the thrilled look on their girlfriend's face when they hand them a nicely wrapped diamond necklace straight from Kay's Jewelers. Planning out how to get those sweet deals around the holidays can be both a blessing and a curse. Black Friday shopping and Cyber Monday perusing is one of the many ways to get that special someone the gift at the top of their wish list without spending a bundle. However, you could get those same deals throughout the whole month of December; as long as you can tell the difference between the good deals from the great deals. 

Having a tight budget doesn't make you poor, it just makes you normal. There are very few families out there who are financially set for life and you shouldn't feel ashamed about bringing in a coupon or a gift certificate. If you've ever seen Extreme Couponing, you would know what I'm talking about. They're not afraid to bring in a whole binder full of coupons, which explains why they're on the show Extreme Couponing. That's how businesses make money. On the contrary, you should feel proud when you hand the nice lady at the register the coupon you cut out of the paper. It shows the judgmental people around you that you're a smart shopper and know how to save a few bucks. Plus, you can do a lot with those few dollars you saved. Such as giving the extra money to a homeless shelter or someone in need. That way they can buy presents for their kids on Christmas day, just like you were trying to do. 

Before you go out shopping there are a few essentials you need to have. You need to have a list of things you need to buy; such as a list of presents for each of your friends and family. If you go out without a list in mind, you will end up buying more than you really need. Next, you need to have a clear budget in mind. Know how much you're willing to spend on each person. You don't want to spend twenty dollars on one friend and only ten on another. You should also have a set of stores in mind. No matter how much fun window shopping is, you don't want to buy something you think you really need when you don't all because you're in the shopping mood and have the money on hand.  

The most important thing you need to have before you go anywhere to shop, is some form of payment. Search through the ads in the paper for cut out coupons or any great deals you want to get in on. When you buy an item at a department store, they might staple a coupon to your receipt, in hopes that you return to their store soon. You never know what you'll find when you go through old receipts, so make sure to check there as well. Stores usually have websites where you can print off their coupons or have special deals going on online and in-stores. Many people don't know great deals are just a few clicks away. 

Christmas shopping can get pretty intense. All the deals and saving money can put a lot of strain on relationships, along with yourself. Don't let holiday shopping stress you out. No matter what you get your loved ones, they know that you love them. Christmas isn't about the presents, gifts, and money. It's about spending time with the people you love and as long as you try, they will love whatever you get them. 

Word Count: 648 

Santa's Lap Vs. Letter to Santa

Lap versus letter? This is the big question about Santa. As a parent, how would one decided which to go about perusing? Or is both acceptable? I can't speak for all those twenty and thirty something adults who have children around that age group, seeing as I'm still in high school, but I have been pondering this question for quite some time now. I know some parents don't approve of handing over their child to a complete stranger, let alone allowing them to get a picture taken with him. Plus many kids are terrified of the big guy. There are most definitely pros and cons to both; but in the end, which do you prefer? 

Most of the time, the kids get very little say in which way they get in contact with Santa Clause. Many parents like the tradition of getting their picture taken with the Santa in the mall, usually framing it and showing it off to the relatives. On the other hand, some parents don't feel comfortable with the mall Santa and would prefer a more distant relationship between their children and Santa. Another reason for the letters over the picture is because of the child's reaction. Seeing all those funny photos showing off Santa attempting to hold a crying baby may be fun to laugh about years later, but may be traumatizing for the kid. Ellen DeGeneres doesn't hold back when it comes showing off these wonderful screaming kids. On her talk show she does a segment called "Bad Paid For Santa Photos." These photos make some parents just skip the picture all together and stick to the letter. Better be safe than sorry. 

The letter on the other hand, does have it's pros and cons as well. Writing a letter to Santa can be much less of a hassle. You don't have to dress your kids up in those cute little outfits that they will probably hate and through a fit about later.  You don't have to trek all the way to the mall for your kids to scream while a nice lady is attempting to take their picture. You will save yourself from the embarrassment of your child still crying as you walk briskly out of the mall. Why put yourself through all of that when you could give the little guy a piece of paper and a pencil. Plus, if you drop off your letter in the big red mailbox in any Macy's Department Store, Macy's will donate $1 per letter to the Make A Wish Foundation. Knowing that your letter can help save lives in another incentive to write a letter to Santa. On the other hand however, many parents want their kids to face their fears and go see Santa in person instead of hiding behind a letter. It all depends on the family. 

Word Count: 473

Never Too Old for the Big Guy

Taking a picture with Santa Clause is a holiday tradition for many families with both toddlers and college kids. Some parents think as your kids get older, they won't want to do all these corny and childish traditions such as letters to Santa and sitting on his lap in the mall. But boy were they wrong! No one is too old to have their wish list read to the big guy in the red suit. Many parents frown upon this type of behavior when they should be encouraging their kids. Carrying on these traditions with their immediate family will help them start their own traditions with their future family someday.  

Taking pictures with Santa Clause just adds to the Christmas spirit so I don't see why people feel the need to tell their kids that they're too old. When your freshman in college comes home for the holidays after their first semester away from home, they tend to digress to a child like state because they miss being home. They miss being around family and being a kid. Once you're handed all that freedom in college, that's when some college students truly realize that they're pretty much on their own. They're an adult now. Every adult misses being a kid, whether they agree to that statement or not all depends on the person, but adults get to relive some childhood memories through their kids. Most college students don't have children, so they relive them by going home and acting like a kid around the family. It's a defense mechanism, or a way to cope with being away from home for the first time.  

Parents need to encourage this kind of behavior instead of giving them a stern talking to. When college kids come home for the holidays they want to relive all those good childhood memories, not the ones where they were scolded. Hopefully after a couple of years they will feel more comfortable being on their own and won't feel the need to act like a child, especially if they have kids of their own they can relive childhood memories with. Parents, try to encourage your kids as much as possible because hopefully one day they have traditions such as these with their own kids to ensure that they get a great childhood just like they had. 

Word Count: 388 

Who Says Christmas Has To Be Expensive?

Not every gift around the holiday season has to be elaborate and fancy. Many people nowadays actually prefer homemade gifts over high end jewelry, especially if they know it was made with a little TLC. With Pinterest being such a big hit, many people have looked to the internet to find ideas as to what to make, instead of get, for their friends and family this Christmas. There are many stores out there such as Hobby Lobby, which is my personal favorite, where you can buy all the materials you may need for homemade gifts for a very low cost. 

Something as simple as hot chocolate and marshmallows can make someone smile as big as the moon. Instead of handing them a couple of packets of hot chocolate mix, you can make it creative by putting them in a huge coffee mug. Or you can get a Mason Jar, fill it half full of hot chocolate mix, then a layer of or two or marshmallows, then a layer of chocolate chips, and a layer of little peppermint candies to top it off. Make sure you seal the lid so everything doesn't come tumbling out when you hand it to them.  Being creative can turn a simple gift into a smile. 

Something very similar to the hot chocolate in a jar, could be as simple as a jar full of festive candies. It doesn't have to be just festive candies either. It could be someone's favorite type of candy or any kind of candy you think they might enjoy. Fill the Mason Jar full of whatever candy or goody you have decided on, then seal the lid and you can decorate the outside however you would like. You can wrap it in an assortment of ribbons and bows, you can put stickers on it, you can paint it, you could even bedazzle it. As long as you made it yourself, your loved on is going to love it. 

Handmade Christmas ornaments are always a big hit with the grandparents. If you have little kids, or even if you're a college student, no family member can say no to a cute make-it-yourself Christmas tree ornament. You can buy just a plain bulb ornament at Hobby Lobby for a couple of dollars and decorate it with sparkles, paint, ribbon, etc. When it comes to decorating a Christmas gift, the possibilities are endless. 

If you have someone going off to college, their Christmas list might look something like this: décor for the walls, command strips, towels, a shower caddy, lotions, a loofah, a flat screen TV, a microwave, etc. You can buy a lot of these kinds of things at the dollar general store; obviously not the more expensive items, but almost everything else. Buy a couple of these essentials they will need for college and put them in a cute little basket. Slap on a bow and a card and you've got yourself a present.  

For a Secret Santa gift, if you don't know the person all that well, it can be kind of tough. However, if you know a couple of their favorites, it makes things a whole lot easier. Things such as their favorite candy, favorite color, favorite movie, favorite kind of gum, etc. You can easily go out and buy some of their favorites and not have to spend a whole paycheck by going to your local general store; they're bound to have what you're looking for. You can put all these items in a cute little box or bag and viola! You have your Secret Santa gift.

Word Count: 598

Ugly Sweater Contests: New Holiday Traditions

For some odd reason, people find it amusing to host ugly sweater parties around the holiday season. I'm not entirely sure how or where this all got started, but whomever is responsible for this new tradition that has been adopted by many people around the world, definitely has something to cheer about this Christmas. When choosing an ugly sweater you mustn't just pick one at random. There are many different things to consider when choosing which sweater looks worse. 

If you were to wear an ugly sweater out in public about thirty years ago, you would probably get laughed at. Nowadays, people compliment others on their horrible attire and think they're "cool" and "hipster." But who decides what's hipster and what's not? Just because someone calls you hipster doesn't make you one. It's all about opinion. One person may believe you're a hipster and another might think you're trying too hard to be cool. Same goes for an ugly sweater. It's pretty bad and embarrassing if someone comes up to you and compliments you on a sweater they think is cute when you prefer to call it hideous. Or if you compliment someone on having an ugly sweater when they didn't intend on wearing it to be funny or a joke. Just to be safe, if you want to compliment someone on an ugly sweater, you might be better off saying something like, "Nice sweater!" This way they can't tell if you mean it sincerely or if you think it's hipster because it's ugly. 

Styles and fads from twenty to thirty years ago are coming back around and becoming a part of today's culture. The type of sweaters that are considered ugly today were more than likely "in" at one point and seen as fashionable many years ago. These types of attire are coming back into style but not exactly in the best of light. People take pride in wearing these old looking sweaters because people think they're ugly and that's the punchline. Ugly sweaters are meant to be funny. The reason people wear them is to get a reaction from other people and to be noticed.  

Seeing as ugly sweaters have become such a popular style, many department stores are selling them at higher and higher prices every year around the holidays. Some sweaters go for thirty to forty dollars at certain stores. However, what most people don't know is that you can buy an authentic ugly sweater at consignment stores such as Goodwill and Stuff Etc. Ugly sweaters look better if they're worn out because it shows that someone did wear it as a fashionable outfit at one point. Knowing that someone wore a sweater so ugly and thought it was cute just adds to the comicalness of the sweater. 

Word Count: 464

Black Friday Shopping

Black Friday shopping has become somewhat of a big deal now a days. It used to be where stores would open their doors at five or six in the morning on the day after Thanksgiving to allow people get a head start on their Christmas shopping. Now, stores are advertising that they will be opening at midnight and eleven P.M. on Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is a time for family to be together and be thankful for what they have, not a time to trample over people and fight over who saw it first.  

Thanksgiving is a time for showing people how much you appreciate them and a time to give thanks for everything you have been blessed with. People in society have turned a day of thanks into a day of competition and greed. To beat out other stores, many department stores have advertised they’re opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day as early as five P.M. Because of the new opening times, some people decide to spend their Thanksgiving Day standing in line, in freezing cold weather, instead of inside a warm house with their family, eating turkey and gravy like most people.  

Greed tends to take over most people on the day after Thanksgiving; even on the day of Thanksgiving. Black Friday shopping brings out the evil in most people. All they care about it getting what they want at the lowest price possible. Even the most unselfish people can turn on you while shopping at three in the morning; it may also have something to do with sleep deprivation. People will stand in line for hours on end on Thanksgiving Day and don’t find time to sleep. Energy drinks and coffee tend to be people’s main source of energy.  

Black Friday shopping isn't all bad though. Many people take advantage of the lower prices to get Christmas gifts for their loved ones at prices they can afford. 

Word Count: 320

Thankful Holidays

The actual holiday of Thanksgiving may be towards the end of the month, but the whole month of November is a time to give thanks. Give thanks to your friends and family, to your pets, a time to be thankful for good health and good fortune. If you’re a little down on your luck, it’s a time to be thankful for what you do have, instead of dwelling on things you don’t have. However in reality, you really should be thankful all year round, not just in the month of November and December. Here’s my list of things I’m thankful for this year, and hopefully yours is very similar.
I’m thankful for my family. Family does a lot for you, whether you see it or not. It may not always be in the physical sense but in the mental mind set of life too. They are there for you during the tough times by holding your hand through it all and helping you understand why things happened the way they did, even when they can’t be explained. Your family is there for support, even when they’re the problem. Yes, I know families fight and can be dysfunctional. At the end of the day though, they’re family and will love you no matter what.
I’m thankful for good health. If you know me personally, then you know that I have a lot of health issues. So for me to say I’m thankful for good health might be a little strange. If this situation is similar to your life, take a good look at these past couple of months. If your life is full of doctor appointments and medical bills like mine, try looking at the bright side of things. Your health issues could be much worse than they really are. If you’re drowning in medical bills as if there’s no tomorrow, just think of what it’s like for families with a child with cancer. If you or someone in your family has cancer or an incurable disease, just think of what it would be like without them entirely. Your current situation could always be much worse than it really is so always be thankful for the fact that it’s not worse.
I’m thankful for my friends. A girl’s best friend is basically like family. They consult them before making a big life changing decision, they go to their friends for advice on just about everything. No girl should have to go through life without a best friend, or even multiple best friends. Some people need to realize that friends are precious. You could wake up one morning and find out that they’re not there anymore; therefore you shouldn't take them for granted. Be thankful they’re in your life and don’t be afraid to tell them that.
word Count: 465

Once in a Blue Mooncake

Many ladies, both teenagers and grown women, worry about their weight. Girls are beautiful no matter the shape or size and they shouldn't have to starve themselves for society to accept them, but it's a bad thing by any means for women to watch what they eat. You shouldn't eat junk food for every meal. Plus, what you consider junk food and what health experts consider junk food may be two completely different things. Having a cookie or a cupcake every now and then isn't such a bad thing, as long as it’s in moderation.  

Being conscious of what you let enter your body is different from counting how many calories you eat at every meal and making sure you don't exceed a certain amount. Girls who are obsessed with their weight do the counting while girls who don't want to end up being obese do the thinking about food quality. It's understandable to watch and monitor your weight so you don't become obese; however if you find yourself constantly enduring the pressure of a weight scale, then it's become more than just watching your weight. It's become a real problem that you should really consider reevaluating.  

If you've never given much thought to what kind of food you're eating, there's no better time to start than the present. Think about what foods you have eaten within the past three or four meals. If most of it is processed foods or foods that consist of all carbs, then you might want to think about what you're doing to your body. You may think that by eating a cracker instead or an Oreo, you're choosing the healthy option. Yes crackers are healthier than Oreos, but they both consist of all carbs. Processed foods are very similar. Even though some processed foods are not that bad for your body, you shouldn't overload your system with foods that are not natural. Instead try fresh produce like carrots or celery. If you have the available space, try growing a garden even. I know you can't grow a garden in the dead of winter in most places, but your local grocery store has fresh produce all year round.  

Everyone has a weakness when it comes to junk food. Whether it be Scratch Cupcakes, cheesecake or even homemade apple pie. It's ok to enjoy your favorite sweet every so often. Just make sure it's in moderation. Not every day or even every other day. Try going a week or two without sugary treats. If you combine this type of diet with a little exercise every day, you should hopefully see a noticeable difference. 

Word Count: 437

Smart Lunch Review

I’m a senior at Kennedy High School and we are one of the first high schools in our area to try a new system called Smart Lunch. We’re the guinea pigs for this new type of schedule so we’re still working out all the bugs in the system. Considering I’m a senior, this doesn’t affect me as much as it does for the under classman; but it’s definitely a nice change from the previous years.

It’s called Smart Lunch because instead of having thirty minutes for lunch like before, now we have eighty minutes and the school is released for lunch all at the same time. At first I was very skeptical because I attend a school with over a thousand students and the hallways and cafeteria were crowded to begin with. Instead of limiting the students to just the cafeteria, they’ve opened up the majority of the school. There are several hallways you’re not allowed to eat in, for obvious reasons, but there are various other places in the school you can chose to eat. Many teachers have also opened their rooms for kids to eat in, and is definitely a plus if they let you watch Netflix.

The eighty minute lunch periods were not given to use just for the fun of having eighty minutes. Teachers recommend you go to at least four tutorials for every class per term. There’s tutorial A and B every day, both consisting of forty minutes each. However it is recommended, but not always required. If you are failing a class then yes you are required to attend tutorials, which I think is very fare. At the beginning of the school year I wasn’t planning on going to any tutorials unless mandatory, however my view on that has changed ever so slightly. I don’t mind going to tutorials because they’re pretty easy. I attend one or two language arts tutorials a week, normally just working in the computer lab on AP Lang. Those still count as going to a tutorial. I will also say that they are very helpful and encourage everyone to go to at least one or two a week because it’s not overly hard and it does actually help. Just having a conversation with the teacher about something you don’t understand can make a huge difference.

Freedom is one of the biggest things I like about Smart Lunch. Seeing as I’m an upperclassman, I can leave campus for lunch and even though I don’t very often, it’s nice to know that I can if I wanted to. I probably go out to eat with friends once a week, or a go home for lunch which is not bad because it sort of breaks the day in half so I’m not at school for eight straight hours. However, on most days I spend the majority of the time working on homework in the library or getting help in a class. I pack my own lunch from home and usually eat in my 5^th hour class because I’m not that hunger around noon, but that’s just me.

I feel like some kids tend to use these eighty minutes wisely by getting stuff done, while others waste their life away. People would be more interested in tutorials if they had more engaging topics, such as the brain lady that came in during October to show us real brains. I understand that it’s a new thing and you have to have strict rules in order for people to follow them, but having teachers in every hallway asking people where they’re going is a little extreme. I get it if they’re messing around, but most teachers can distinguish between the good kids and the bad kids, it’s unnecessary to be harsh kids who are following the rules.

Word Count: 632

Being Thankful

The actual holiday of Thanksgiving may be towards the end of the month, but the whole month of November is a time to give thanks. Give thanks to your friends and family, to your pets, a time to be thankful for good health and good fortune. If you’re a little down on your luck, it’s a time to be thankful for what you do have, instead of dwelling on things you don’t have. However in reality, you really should be thankful all year round, not just in the month of November and December. Here’s my list of things I’m thankful for this year, and hopefully yours is very similar.

I’m thankful for my family. Family does a lot for you, whether you see it or not. It may not always be in the physical sense but in the mental mind set of life as well. They’re there for you during the tough times by holding your hand through it all and helping you understand why things happened the way they did, even when they can’t be explained. Your family is there for support, even when they’re the problem. Yes, I know families fight and can be dysfunctional. At the end of the day though, they’re family and will love you no matter what.

I’m thankful for good health. If you know me personally, then you know that I have a lot of health issues. So for me to say I’m thankful for good health might seem a little strange. If this situation is similar to your life, take a good look at these past couple of months. If your life is full of doctor appointments and medical bills like mine, try looking at the bright side of things. Your health issues could be much worse than they really are. If you’re drowning in medical bills as if there’s no tomorrow, just think of what it’s like for families with a child with cancer. If you or someone in your family has cancer or an incurable disease, just think of what it would be like without them entirely. Your current situation could always be much worse than it really is so always be thankful for the fact that it’s not worse.

I’m thankful for my friends. A girl’s best friend is basically like family. They consult them before making a big life changing decision, they go to their friends for advice on just about everything. No girl should have to go through life without a best friend, or even multiple best friends. Some people need to realize that friends are precious. You could wake up one morning and find out that they’re not there anymore; therefore you shouldn’t take them for granted. Be thankful they’re in your life and don’t be afraid to tell them that.

Word Count: 465

Dating in High School

Many people think dating in high school is bad because you don’t know what you want and you almost always end up getting hurt. These may be true but that doesn't mean that it’s wrong to date in high school. Having a high school sweet heart can help those four long years go by pretty quickly. Not to mention that it helps you with your social skills with the opposite sex.

Dating and having an actual relationship with someone is a new thing for freshman and even sophomores; it can seem kind of scary at times. Once you get experience talking to the other sex it becomes easier. However, freshman tend to think that having a boyfriend is more important than other things such as school, family, and even your best friends. If your best friend is obsessed with their boyfriend and refuses to spend time with you, just let nature take its course. When they eventually break up, she’ll come around. Boyfriends will come and go but best friends are for life. A girls’ first boyfriend is very important to her; she’s never felt this way before and he makes her feel special. She wants it to last forever. But unfortunately they don’t and once you've had a few relationships, you’ll begin to realize that yes it’s a big deal to have a boyfriend, but not something that should control your whole life.

If you’re one of those fortunate people to have a long lasting relationship, consider yourself lucky. Many high school relationships don’t last more than a few months, if that. It’s mostly because when you find someone that catches your eye, you flirt with them for a while and if they respond, they’ll hopefully ask you out. When you agree to go on a date with them, you don’t entirely know the person. You know them in a classroom or practice, not in a restaurant or public place. You don’t know their background or how much experience they have had in life. The first date is for getting to know the other person. However on most first dates, you’re awkward and shy. You don’t know how to act around someone you like in public and you spend more time worrying about what he thinks about you than getting to know him as a person. After dating for a week or two, you begin to realize he’s not everything you expected him to be. Don’t feel bad if this is you; it’s totally normal. Just make an effort to get to know him before you commit to anything.

Dating in high school proves to help kids with their social skills, especially with the opposite sex. It makes them more aware of what they’re saying and more confident in their actions and speaking. It’s natural for girls to feel shy around boys, but hopefully with a little practice that awkwardness will fade away. It also prepares you for a relationship in the real world after high school. If someone has no social contact with the opposite sex, they will have a hard time keeping a girlfriend or boyfriend. Those types of people are going through the awkward and shy stage later in life, while other people have had a head start because they've already went through that stage in high school.

Dating in high school is not for everyone. It protects your heart from getting hurt, it keeps your mind focused and it doesn't necessarily mean you don’t know how to talk to boys. Some of your best friends may be boys and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Word Count: 599

Kiddy Crush

If you have ever worked with kids, you know that kids can say the sweetest things. When I say “little kids” I don’t necessarily mean toddlers and elementary school aged students. Anyone younger than you can be considered a child. A lot of people admire someone who’s older than them, someone who has more experience and has lived life longer. There are many different ways to go about handling a kid who has a crush on you. If you don’t take precautions, you may traumatize them for the rest of their life.

There’s nothing wrong with dating younger guys, but there are always those guys that you automatically send right to the friend zone; especially if they’re more than five years younger than you. Normally if a kid has a crush on you, it’s just a phase and should pass. However if it doesn't seem like a phase, don’t let it go on for too long. You don’t want it to seem as if you’re leading him on; even if you have no intentions on doing so. Leading him on will make it harder for him to hear the word no when you tell him you just want to be friends.

Try letting him down easy. Don’t just come out and say it. Try pulling him aside as well. This way he’s not embarrassed in front of all his friends. Tell him gently that you guys are just friends. Try avoiding the words “I don't like you.” No matter the age, no one wants to hear someone else say they don’t like them. Even if you sounded kind, he will more than likely be upset, so try to help him find someone else to like; preferably someone his own age. Give him encouragement and suggests on how to go about perusing this other girl. This way he’s not left with nothing and he’s not interested in you anymore.

Word Count: 318

Perfection Does Not Exist

Girls look at the pretty lady on the cover of magazines and want to be them. They want her long blond hair, her size zero waist, her thirty two D bra size, her flat stomach, even her lips and her eyes. Young girls look at these women and see nothing but their flawless features. This is the goal they have set for themselves; perfection. Those women you see on the cover of magazines such as Seventeen or Vogue, are nothing more than a digital artist’s great Photoshop masterpiece. Girls of all ages, even as young as three years old, have been worrying about their body image. Young ladies need to know its ok to look different; that’s what makes you, you.

            A friend of mine took a Woman’s Studies course in college and her final term project was to make a PSA about body image. Click here to view her project.

            Body image is not something teenage girls deal with alone. Girls as young as three years of age know what it means to be considered fat. They think they will get teased at school if they have a little extra body mass compared to other kids. However the sad part is, that statement it very much true. Young girls compare themselves to others and feel the need to compete to be the skinniest girl in the room. Kids worry about becoming fat and they can tell when someone needs to lose a little weight. A little girl will say whatever is on her mind and she’s not afraid to tell someone they need to lose some weight. When the topic of making yourself look beautiful is on a child’s mind, just imagine what they’ll be like when they enter their teen years.

            Every week, girls spend an average of three and a half hours in front of the mirror. They look in the mirror and all they see are their flaws. They see giant thighs, big nose, too much fat around their stomach; the list goes on and on. If they were to spend half that time admiring how beautiful they are, their self-esteem could easily be ten times better. We are our worse critics and we focus primarily on our flaws, not our best features.

            Media portrays stunning women as being tall, thin, and big boobs. You see it everywhere you look. From models, to advertisement, to actresses, and even in toy dolls such as Barbie. This is one of the main stream ways for the media to corrupt female children into thinking they are not good enough to be beautiful. If they do not look like Barbie, then they’re not considered pretty. Barbie wears dresses, so little five year olds think they have to wear dresses to be pretty. Barbie has big boobs and a tiny waist. If your waist is bigger than your chest then you’re considered fat. Many public figures say we need to take care of our youth because they make up the future. If people truly believe this, then why are they telling little girls they need to look a certain way? By implanting that idea in the minds of children, it continues to grow into their adult years; which makes the future look pretty scary.

            Ladies need to know its ok to be different. Why would you want to look like someone who starves themselves and has bones popping out of their skin anyways? In reality, the models and actresses people perceive as being perfect are constantly being judged by how they look and act. Perfection is a nonexistent perception and girls need to realize they are perfect just the way they are.

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