A Tissue For Your Issues

So, I decided that I really happen to like this whole blogging thing and that I'm going to continue it. I've also realized that there are a lot of people in the world and they have a lot of issues. These issues come from just about anything-school, parents, friends, and even from yourself. I know I have my own issues and that's a lot to handle; especially when some of these issues are personal problems that can't always be resolved by other people. Sometimes it seems like we're all alone with our problems and there's no way out or nobody there to help us. However, I've found that the small things shouldn't really matter. I mean, sure, at first it may seem like the end of the world, but soon you'll find that they're only speed bumps along the way. Although some things can be brushed aside, there are other things in life that make it a little more complicated and painful. People get sick, hearts get broken, you don't like what you see in the mirror, or people just aren't who you thought they were. We all start to lose faith in times like these, but when this happens, we have to remember that God will bring us through it. At times, prayer is the most powerful thing we have and sometimes, it just doesn't feel like enough. We long to help those in need, but it seems like there's nothing we can do about it. It doesn't seem like handing our problems over to God will do anything for us because we still constantly worry about everything. We're only human, and worrying is in our nature; however, with faith come answers. Maybe they're not the answers we're looking for all the time, but it's easier to cope with the answers and know that things won't change instead of fretting and worrying about any possible outcomes. Even though it doesn't always seem like a lot, prayer is sometimes the most powerful and helpful thing we can offer. After all, if He brings you to it, He'll bring you through it.

The Word, The Dream, and The Becoming

Two of the most amazing girls I've ever met

My parents; without them, I'd be nothing.

     So, as the first semester of my college experience comes quickly to a close, I've realized that I indeed have changed since I first came to Converse. My hometown is a very small one that hardly has anything. I mean, we have things, like buildings and such, but there's really nothing to do...well, unless you enjoy eating a lot. Nobody knows where the town of Loris is and the most exciting thing to ever happen was about five or six years ago when McDonald's was built. Yes, it's that sad. My hometown had one thing that I wouldn't trade for the world, though, and that one thing was Southside Dance Center. It was at Southside that I was first introduced to the stage and the world of performing. I've been dancing for fourteen years now, and it's really something I love. I think this is where my love of being on stage first began. After I realized that the stage is one of the places in which I feel most comfortable, I also realized that I want to spend the rest of my life performing. Everything about the stage was spellbinding to me-the music, the dancing, the costumes, the sets-absolutely everything. Although I was completely comfortable performing on stage in front of people, my confidence didn't usually show up in person. Throughout high school all I wanted was to fit in so I could make friends. Since I attended a private school, you might think that not almost everybody would drive trucks and wear camouflage. Well, you'd be wrong. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with that, however, it's really not my style. At all. Anyway, try as I might, I was always a little different than most students. I wasn't up to date on the Top 40 Hits of the week and was usually the last to hear anything. I listened to music most other students didn't care for and knew about dance and theatre. I had dreams to move to New York and become a star, not just take over the family business. Thankfully, I met a couple of friends who didn't have the whole "country" state of mind, either. One has been an amazing friend of mine since first grade and the other has been with me since about freshman year. These two girls, my family, and my church family were the ones who encouraged me and really pushed me to go for my dreams.

A bit of the wonderful insanity that occurs at college.

I'm no longer afraid to act completely insane!

     Even though I have this amazing support system, I still doubt myself sometimes. There was a time in the recent past where I didn't believe in myself. I know that confidence in yourself is the biggest key to success, but sometimes it's a really difficult situation. I felt like New York was just a dream that couldn't be reached. It seemed like such a long shot for a small-town girl to make it in such a big city. I felt like I was almost alone in my dreaming. It wasn't that I felt no one believed in me, it was just that I had almost no faith in myself. However, I soon realized that there was a place where I could be myself and could become successful. What is this place, you may ask? Converse, of course! When I first came to Converse, I wasn't really sure of what to expect. I'd heard great things about college, but still wasn't sure how to make a smooth transition from living a life in a place where I was so different than everyone else to a place where I belonged and there were people who had interests similar to mine. I realized that I didn't have to hide who I am from the people here. They are all completely accepting of other people as individuals! With this in mind, I re-gained my self-confidence and realized that Converse really is a place that will help you follow your dreams, no matter how big. With my confidence restored, I plan on continuing my intended plan of moving to New York and performing on Broadway, and nothing is going to stand in my way.

Tradition has to start somewhere!

     So, like many other schools, Converse is one with a lot of traditions. Some traditions are almost as old as Converse itself and others are rather new. Traditions are celebrations of a certain thing we all have in common. Along with being Converse students, which is celebrated during 1889 week, and pink panthers, which is celebrated during Big Sis/Little Sis week, Converse girls have another thing in common. We all suffer from stress. No matter if we're music students, biology majors, political science majors, or theatre majors, our work can sometimes get the best of us and can seem endless. In order to reduce the insane amount of stress, I think a new tradition should be established. I find music to be an excellent stress reliever, so I think a whole weekend devoted to music would be amazing. The students could compile song lists and vote on submissions. The songs chosen could be played through speakers outside on the quad. Students could stay outside for the weekend, weather permitting, and sleep under the stars. I suppose you could say it's a little like Woodstock minus the hippies! :)