The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

My life is going to be crazy next semester, but I am looking forward to so many things.

I have a normal class load, and I will be working a few hours at the Watterson front desk (come visit!). I am still doing the RA thing, and I am a lot more comfortable with it now, so I want to do a better job. I like my floor, and I really want to get to know them better. Also, I have some cool programs in mind, so hopefully they happen. PLUS, I am going to be a TA for the History department. I don't know what class or professor I am working with yet, but it should be a really great experience, especially because I want to be a professor. I am so nervous about this because it is new, and I am awkward. I get serious anxiety when I have to speak in front of groups . . . I'm sure it will be fine though. PLUS, I am doing a service project working with the senior citizen program at the Normal Public Library. It is 130 hours of community service, and it is required for my scholarship, but this may be what I am most excited about. I love old people, and I love books!

As far as summer goes, I have some big plans. I want to be an au pair (a live-in nanny) somewhere in Europe. I am leaning toward Ireland, Scotland, or Switzerland. It would be a paid position with room and board included and a couple of free days a week. I really hope it works out, it would be an affordable way to travel, and I would be completely immersed in the culture.

I usually hate titles, because I think they are limiting, but I thought this one was fitting. :)

Quote from Seventeen Magazine, "When you're having a one-on-one conversation, talking into his right ear will help you connect with the side of his brain that controls happiness." This little gem came from an article titled "How to Make Every Guy Want You Bad," which also included tips like showing a little bit of leg and smelling like vanilla or lavender. I'm not sure why finding a boyfriend is the number one goal of most 13-17 year olds, but that is a larger topic for another time. For right now, I'm not convinced that these tips are the way to do it. Encouraging young girls to devote as much time to reading a book or watching the news (or finding a hobby) would help much more in the long run, not just in the big picture but also with finding a guy. Having something interesting to talk about will probably be a lot more effective than making an idiot out of yourself with your attempts to get into position and talk exclusively into his right ear. Also, he probably doesn't care what you smell like as long as you don't smell bad, and if showing a little bit of leg is the only way to get his attention he probably won't make much of a boyfriend.

The right person is going to like you, even if you're still in your fat awkward stage. Even if you are the biggest nerd in the world. Even if you have acne, or couldn't find flattering clothes to save your life. That's what magazines should be telling girls, and boys too. Even more importantly, having a boyfriend or girlfriend isn't really all that important. Find something you are passionate about, find things that make you happy. Learn something new. Do whatever feels right and love yourself. I don't know. Maybe I'm just reading the wrong magazines.