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The Bachelor: Past Two Weeks in Review
The only thing I watch on TV is reality based programs. Why? I am a sucker for competition, as it is the one human emotion that brings out one’s true personality. That aside, I have been watching a lot of The Bachelor lately. It is a show that really displays female competitiveness to the extreme. This season has got to be one of the most crazy and insane episodes of The Bachelor that I have ever witnessed, as they are fighting over a man they barely know for the chance to marry him. Seriously, whatever happened to taking your time and meeting that special someone?
Case in point, look at the actual Bachelor himself: Jake, who is extremely good looking. Jake seems like a nice guy, but I am not certain if he is the man that I could imagine introducing to my parents. Imagine my father talking football with this pretty boy, and he would probably oust him to the corner (my guess is that he’s a Cowboys fan…this would not set well with my Redskins rabid father). The first episode really confirmed my suspicions we were really looking at a guy, who probably could not impress my athletic family. For the full disclosure, you are about to witness a guy, who really should not say that he even played football. Also, I think it is quite impossible to play football in evening gowns (though I have to admit it would be fun).
Source: ABC Network
This is just one example of craziness that keeps me coming back to watch week after week. I could personally throw a football better than that guy, as I grew up around male cousins. This taught me the value of fighting for what you want.
The girls are another level of insanity. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. The competitiveness is at an all time high. The first episode saw some of the crazy ones eliminated, including a girl who made a joke about the landing strip. Just recently, we saw the elimination of Roslyn, the first female contestant who was eliminated for messing around with a staffer from the show.
It brings me to make a real good point about reality TV though. If you are crazy enough for putting yourself out there like these girls (and yes, even the Bachelor himself), then prepare for some of the jokes. All in all, I will keep you updated with some of the humorous events from the show. In the meantime, I wonder if they realize that they are making fools of themselves without the opportunity to become the Bachelorette (which is another reality TV show that I am hopelessly addicted to).
The Things We Do for Fashion, Etc.
I know this may seem trivial, but there’s a point to this story…bear with me. Today, I was in a mad search for a pair of stilettos. I left my pair back at the underground bunker and was too close to my destination to turn around for them. Of course, I panicked. I panicked over thoughts of not being able to find the right pair of size 5 heels for an event. I panicked over the thoughts of not being able to look beautiful tonight, which brought me to this post about the things women do for fashion.
For starters, I am not what most would consider to be the queen of fashion. Being petite and wearing a small shoe size, I kinda get depressed during shopping. After all, I am most happiest in a pair of skinny jeans, a tank top, little to no makeup, and a pair of flip flops. If given the option to wear this uniform every day, I would gladly accept it.
However, this is not the case, and thus, we are slaves to the fashion industry. From every cover of a fashion magazine, Cosmo, Glamour, Vogue…you name it, we are surrounded by images of gorgeous shoes, amazing handbags, and ah yes, the little black dress (a personal weakness, as it is the one dress that looks wonderful on me). As women, we are expected to follow these expectations set by our culture to look like we stepped off the pages of these publications. It is no wonder why young women always feel like they need to be on a diet to conform ourselves to look like a stick figure in a pair of Jimmy Choo heels and forget about inner beauty, which is supposed to be one of the major components a member of the opposite sex looks at…right guys??
So, in my search, I almost broke down sobbing thinking about why I pursue a perfect pair of heels all in the sake of beauty, when real beauty is beneath the skin. God made us to love what he has blessed us with, like a wonderful, caring spirit or a fiercely strong athlete. I know I have some outer imperfections (don’t we all?!?), but I am perfect in someone’s eyes and those imperfections do not matter at the end of the day.
From that moment on, I placed a smile on my face feeling much better and nabbed a perfect pair of bronze stilettos in my size at Nine West. In fact, my stilettos look just like the Christian Loubautin heels I saw mentioned on American Princess. As I sit here waiting in my precious 4 inch heels, I feel beautiful inside and out in my lacy gold blouse and black skirt. It’s those things we do for fashion that sometimes has an impact on our hearts and minds.
Looking Back: Five Years Ago
Five years ago today, I was donning a cap and gown, sitting for four hours in Gill Learning Center at McDaniel College with the aspirations of making a difference in the world. While it may not be much to some, I was the first woman and first member of my family to receive a bachelor’s degree. I wasn’t expected to graduate college, and in fact, many of my former teachers throughout school might be surprised that the chief disruption of the classroom made it to this point (How many times did I sit in the Principal’s office? I had reserved seating all throughout Elementary and Middle School…quite proud of this 
). In fact, I can’t believe how far I have come and how much I have learned along the way. This weekend was my reunion, and while I did not trek back to “The Hill,” I reflected on this moment and the memories from my undergraduate career.
So, I figured now is the time to share my advice with the graduating Class of 2009, as they approach this moment of leaving college off to the working world, grad school, or traveling the world for a year, as they find themselves. While many Commencement speakers might be more eloquent, I figured that a victim of reality might be a better speaker. In fact, I wished the speaker at my Commencement shared these remarks with the graduates of the Class of 2004.
First and foremost, life after college is not easy. This is a no duh moment, as you are living at home with Mom and Dad, or in a studio apartment staring at your student loan statement wondering how in the hell did you get to this point. Don’t worry, five years later, I still sit here in a state of shock, figuring out how I am going to make ends meet each month. You live and learn from these moments. While there are budgets, rent payments, student loan payments, and credit card payments, you will learn that there are relationships made that will strengthen and provide challenges.
Second, your path changes course…better seek out a navigational beacon. Trust me, I thought I would save the world and strike gold ($$) within five years. I did not strike gold (if you know where I can do this, please let me know), and I don’t know what difference I am making, though I think my writing is contributing to something. I changed my career destination. Originally, I thought I would become a successful lawyer, living in New York City, and married with two children. Haha…this did not happen. Along the way, I changed course towards politics, and I am still looking for my Prince Charming. These things happen, so be prepared for some disappointments, along with the joys that come from these changes. It’s all a part of the ebb and flow of life.
Third, I would always suggest this one. “Don’t take life too seriously, you’ll never get out alive.” National Lampoon’s Van Wilder was right about this one. You need to laugh, have fun, and enjoy everything (even the bad times). I know I have not always taken this advice, but looking back at these past five years, I have to laugh at some of my stupid mistakes, the bad times, and most importantly, the good times. I know that stupid mistakes will be made, smart decisions will be made, and each will offer a valuable lesson. This also applies to relationships. Some of the strongest relationships come after you receive your degree. I can attest to this, as I have made some close friendships over the past five years that will last a lifetime.
Congratulations to the Class of 2009…YOU DID IT!! (Elle Woods from Legally Blonde is right about this one.) Have a drink of virtual Champagne on me!
