Dream: Poem

Have you ever had one of those dreams?

Things seem different but the same.

You can feel your heart pounding and the wind against your face.

Everything feels real.

Everything that happens feels real

You look into someones eyes and you can feel.

You can feel their touch lingering.

They seem so real, they make everything OK.

But you wake up, you wake up.

And you are alone.

Nobody in the bed next to you.

Those types of dreams.

They are just that casual reminder that you are alone.

Always alone.

Driving in the Snow

Hello! So today my town got almost a foot of snow over night. This would be a fun wonderful time for everyone, but it was already a no school day. The only people that would be going out today would be people who really need to. It was nice to stay inside all day but really, would it be worth it to get on the road? My brother was driving only about a mile to pick up his girlfriend and they slid off the road. Just in a few hours, my town has had over 160 crashes. Making me think: what should you consider when you decide whether or not to go out on the road?

1. URGENCY: How urgently do you  need to get where you are going? If it is just running errands or going to spend some time with someone, is it really worth it? Going out in the snow with a vehicle can be life-risking. Save yourself and save your loved ones!
2. TEMPERATURE: Quite an obvious one. However, there are circumstances where it will snow and then the temperature rises to over freezing. In that case, the snow will melt much easier. This will lead to just slushy roads, much less dangerous than icy ones. So if the temperature is freezing or below, think about staying in!
3. WINTER WARNINGS: Have there been any recent weather warnings for winter weather in your area? Sometimes there are just small bursts of snow, making it still mostly safe to drive, so there is no winter warning. If there is one however, pay close attention to it, especially the times of the warning. Also, they may mention things like "stay off the roads". 
4. CAR: What type of car do you have? Is it made to drive during the winter months? For example, four wheel cars typically handle better in icy conditions than two wheel. 

If the situation is urgent and it is very dangerous to be on the roads, put chains on your tires.You will not regret it when it saves your life!

First Car

 Don't be confused by the title, because I still have not gotten my first car, unfortunately! However, today I am going to be talking about the right time to get a car because we all know some kids don't deserve to get a car right away.

I turned 16 five months ago and got my license two months ago. Ever since I got my license I have been begging my parents to help me pay for one. You see, when my brother got his license they refused to buy him a car, but mostly because he was a bit of a pot head. So because I'm the good kid in the family I kinda thought that I would get a car, right?

NO! Right after my brother got a job (2 years after getting his license!) he got a car! Now since I have a job and am a lot more mature about money and such things, I was hoping they would give in to my constant nagging.

My friend got her license a month ago and you know when she got a car? 4 months ago! That's right, she got a car before she got her license.

So I guess what I am trying to say is, there is a right time to get your first car. Here are some things to consider before begging your parents or-for the parents reading this-getting your little baby a car.

1. MONEY! How much money do they have saved up? And how much are you willing to pitch in? Are you going to be making monthly payments or are they? Who is getting the loan? Who is paying for the insurance? Who will pay for gas?
2. MATURITY! How well are they doing in school? Do they have a job? Do they spend their weekends at home studying or out partying? 
3. RESPONSIBILITY! Parents- Are you willing to let them go? Do you think they will be safe being independent on the road? Does it seem like they will be able to car for a car? 

So yes, there are a lot of things to consider! But in the end, it is the parents decision- or I suppose if the kids have enough money on their own. 

Why: Poem

Why is it that when someone compliments more than once it's my instinct to say stop?

It's like no-stop one compliment is all I deserve.

Why do I feel that way, why do I only deserve one compliment?

Why do I feel rude and disrespectful when I say thanks?

Sometimes, I feel like people compliment me because they feel bad

"She doesn't get enough compliments, let's give her one"

"Poor girl, let's tell her we like her shoes"

But why am I the poor girl?

Why is my self-worth measured in the number of times someone tells me I'm pretty?

Why do I go home crying when nobody noticed my new shirt?

Why is the only reason I am still alive because she told me she liked my hair?

Internet Chatting

Happy 14th of December (whoah I almost said July...) Anyways, today I'm going to be talking about chatting online. First I must say that yes, I am currently 16 years old and have been chatting online for about two years now. Nowadays, kids spend so much time on the computer that it's natural that parents are worried about what their kids are doing. Are they giving their private information to 50 year old pedophiles? This post is about answering that question that is going through every parents mind:

Is it safe to be chatting on the internet?

Yes, as in any situation, there are horror stories. There are stories where kids meet up with a "15 year old cute girl" and it turns out she is a 42 year old man. It happens, sure. But instead of telling your kids not to do so, make them aware of what to do if someone asks for personal information or to meet up. It's just like giving your kid the sex talk: you can't tell them not to do it, but you can tell them how to do it safely. 

Justification of online chatting: Not everyone on the internet is going to be lying about who they are. I have met some seriously amazing people that I never would have met if it wasn't for the internet. Kids get lonely! It's nice to have someone there that will talk to you even when you are feeling down or when you're excited. Also, internet friends can be a good way for kids who can't socialize as well in person to have long-lasting friendships. 

Here are some things kids should know about internet chatting:

1. Do not give out personal information. Unless you have absolute proof that the person is who they say they are and is not dangerous in any way, do not give them your address, where you go to school, bank information etc. One exception would be giving out your phone number. If you feel comfortable enough giving your phone number to someone you have talked to for awhile, go ahead! Just be prepared to cut off contact if things get sketchy
2. Be careful when meeting. If you do plan to meet, please tell someone where you are going and the name, number and description of the person you are going to meet. If it works, bring someone. Meet in a safe, public space and never agree to go alone anywhere the first time you meet up. If you are under 16, please bring an adult. 
3. Do not assume that everyone is good. You might talk to someone and because they are nice or funny, ignore the fact that their profile picture is a celebrity and their name is very fake. 
4. Do not lie about yourself. This is pretty obvious, of course. But if you lie even about a small thing, you are doing exactly what you don't want someone to do to you!
5. As mentioned above, don't be afraid to cut off contact if things get a little weird. Don't feel obliged to keep talking to that 42 year old man just because you have been for a month. If things get weird or you feel uncomfortable, don't think you have to tell them. Sure, it's courteous to tell someone how you feel, but if it is unsafe the last thing you should do is make them angry and feel the need to make things more unsafe.

If you're a parent, talk to your kids about this! If they are on the internet at all there is going to be a point where they meet someone! Just let them know how to be safe about it and if things start to feel uncomfortable, to inform you. 

Hugs

Why on earth is hugging so awkward?

1. Everyone has a different way of doing it
2. Not everyone fits with everyone. 

I always screw it up! I mean, there are different types of hugs. You have family hugs you have friend hugs you have romantic hugs. You have tight hugs and light hugs and soft hugs and hard hugs. Casual hugs and serious hugs. Hugs for when you're sad, hugs for when you're happy, hugs for when you're proud. And every single one of these is different.

So here we go lets talk about hugs:

Basic hug: This one is the most common hug you see. If you don't give hugs often, this is the style you want to use. When you're going in for the hug, have your right arm up and your left arm down. The other person sees it and BAM you have a perfect little hug. If the person is very close to you before starting the hug, don't use this one!

Tall v. Short hug: This hug is for people with a large difference in height. Obviously the basic hug isn't going to work between someone who is 6' and someone who is 4'. So what you do is the taller person wraps their arms around the neck and the shorter person wraps their arms around the waist. However, if you are in a romantic relationship, sometimes the roles are switched.

ok ok ok 

that is enough of hugs for today because this is making me sad.