One Day

...when it's all said and done, I'm going to look back on these days and:

laugh--I'm going to laugh at all the late night "study" sessions in the library with good friends. I'm going to laugh at the fights, arguments, and time spent feeling aggravated. I see myself laughing at the mundane job I had, and my (sometimes) materialistic tendencies. I'm going to laugh at the love interests that never panned out (heck, they never even started).

smile--I'm going to smile at all the sweet time spent serving others and all the discomfort I felt when I received an act of service. I'm going to smile at the friendships that seemed to spring from nowhere, and other relationships that gracefully danced their way out of my life.

feel blessed--Southern Utah University has filled my life with opportunity, education, and experience. I will leave this incredible place with a Bachelor's and a beefy resume. I will feel blessed and grateful each time I have an interview based on a SUU contact or find other Thunderbirds who have also left this nest.

Although it continues, this chapter of my book of life is bursting at the seams with memories, knowledge, and experiences.

xoxo,

Miss Jones

This one's for the girls:

Okay, not like the country song.

I feel like there are a lot contradictions and expectations that women are expected to live up to. Please realize I understand that there are issues males have to deal with as well, but I am not a male, so I cannot write regarding these issues.

Strength: Women, be strong. Have the house clean, look beautiful, and have dinner on the table when your man gets home, but be careful to not make him feel less manly. Let him open the jar of pickles and use the screwdriver. 

Beauty: Women, use all these beauty products to make yourselves appear as beautiful as possible, but realize that if you go one step too far, you'll be seen as vain.

Money: Women, make enough money to support yourself, and possibly a family, but don't pay for your man or make him feel like less than the sole bread winner. It is also necessary for you to feel embarrassed if you make more than your man, so be shy about your success and lie about your salary.

Dating: Women, do enough eye-batting, touching, and flirting to let him know you're interested, but don't be too forward. Let the man make the first move. 

Independence: Be a strong, independent, self sufficient woman, but don't express your opinions in a robust way as to intimidate the men around you.

Well, I'm calling it. This is B.S.

I've had enough. Women get critiqued for being too independent or strong, but the media encourages it. Does the strong woman exist? Is there such a thing as a strong woman who can work, be successful, and happily in love? I would like to believe that it's not, but I've learned differently lately, and I'm frustrated by it. Things I value about myself and others are seen with such distaste, and I don't get it.

Help a sister out.

xoxo,

Miss Jones

Vulnerable

I allowed myself to be vulnerable.

Now what?