Wake up and Smell the Roses

The newest season of "The Bachelorette" has begun, and like many others across America, I can't help but tune in every week to watch the sometimes painful and often-times gag-inducing interaction between Ashley and her suitors. Despite the criticism of the show and its participants, it's admittedly addicting to watch. What is it about this show that draws us in? Is it just entertaining reality TV? Or do we maybe relate to Ashley more than we are willing to admit?

We've all had instances of our best girl friends, sisters, and other female acquaintances continuing to see a guy despite the pain said guy may have caused them; admittedly, most of us have been that girl at some point or another. How many of us have comforted a crying friend while telling her she deserves so much better, all the while knowing that within a couple of days you'll watch her fall into the same toxic pattern?

The fact is, we all put ourselves through a lot in the pursuit of love. We've watched the women in our lives do the same. We've all felt humiliated and used at some point by some jerk. Maybe we don't do it in front of a national viewing audience, but my point is we've all done crazy things when it comes to relationships. That being said, it's hard for me to ridicule Ashley Hebert for her choices and actions on the show.

Putting yourself out there on reality television in order to look for love is probably not the best way to find it, but then again neither is what women often put themselves through in the real world. In conclusion, the pursuit of love often results in embarrassing, heartbreaking, tear-inducing moments, but we're willing to go through it in the hopes that in the end it's all worth it.

Feeling the Burn

As part of my "better me" campaign, I decided to rekindle my on-again off-again relationship with....working out! I've gotten into various work out routines over the years, none of which I've stuck with for more than a few months. I guess my main problem with working out is that it just plain sucks. I've never enjoyed sweating it out at the gym, and I envy those that do. Sure I may feel better afterwards, but that's a poor consolation when I'm doubled over with side stitches and counting the minutes until it's acceptable for me to leave. We all know the health benefits of cardio and pumping iron, not to mention that it's supposed to help us sleep better, feel better, etc, etc. I guess I just wish working to have a "slammin' bod" and plaque-free arteries wasn't so miserable in the meantime.

So if anyone knows the secret to looooving your workout, please fill me in :)

Great Expectations

We all have expectations of some sort for our lives. Most of us have thought, at one point or another, "My life will begin when (insert life-beginning event here)." The problem is, nothing ever turns out like we expect it to, despite our best efforts. If you're an obsessive-compulsive control-loving change-hating being like me, this isn't often handled well. Sometimes you have to go back to the drawing board, and throw away the List of things you've counted on for as long as you can remember as the qualifiers for the beginning of your "real" life. Because eventually, you will be faced with an indeterminate future, and no amount of traveling, partying, eating out, cocktail hours, photographs, and fabulous new jobs can distract you from the hard facts forever.

I hope by writing, or rather "blogging" about my new-found experiences and insights (however boring they may be) as an adult (eek!) will help me make sense of the craziness of it all, and be hopeful for a future where a list isn't necessary to remain happy. I've heard it said that we make our own happiness, and I hope this is true, because maybe happiness can be a choice, rather than a dependence on situations and people and money and places and material things.