New Year Resolution: Stop Saying Sorry

Okay I know that doesn't sound like a very good resolution but, stay with me, I promise you'll understand by the end of this post.

Also, I know I'm a few days late on this whole New Year thing but I've been awfully busy in the 4 days of 2015. From caring to my sick boyfriend who caught the flu on New Year's Eve to babysitting to shopping to going to see The Gambler at the movies, I've had a busy couple days.

As I was thinking of what I should resolve to change in 2015 a few things came to mind. The first, being to be healthier. I know that this is probably the most common resolution but I don't expect myself to completely turn my whole entire life around and be a different person. I don't want to be. I want to still enjoy the junk food I enjoy today just in moderation. I hope that this new year will inspire me to eat healthier even if that is having a few less Cool Ranch Doritos in a week. I also hope I find my workout niche and fall in love with exercising, again, in moderation. I don't think I will become the type of person who spends hours and hours at the gym, but I would love to love to make a trip to the gym. This isn't so much a resolution but I've also decided to keep a Mason Jar full of tickets and other little things 2015 sends me so that at the end of the year I'll be able to recap with all of my special things in one place.

The resolution I kept coming back to was to stop saying sorry. Over the summer I was a waitress at a Country Club and I said to my boss Jessica, "You know, I say sorry way to often." She told me that this is common, as she does it to, but the word sorry loses it's value if one uses it too much which led me to think even harder about how I do. Sorry has turned into excuse me as well as many other phrases that would fit better and send individuals apologizing for things that are unnecessary to apologize for. For example, I was picking up Starbucks for my boyfriend and me and on the chocolate smoothie I ordered for him, I asked for whipped cream. The barista didn't put the whipped cream on and I said to her, "I am so sorry to be annoying but do you mind putting whipped cream on that?" There was no need for me to apologize because it was written on the cup and she had simply forgotten but I got an eye roll anyways. I don't think refraining from apologizing should result in rudeness but there are many other ways to get our point across without apologizing for everything. I could have said to the barista, "Do you mind adding whipped cream to this real quick?" and gotten the same point across.

I don't think people should stop apologizing. There are many instances when it is necessary to step back and say "I'm sorry." But if one only says sorry when they truly are apologizing, it will mean a great deal more.

With that being said, my main resolution for 2015 is to stop apologizing for things that do not deserve an apology and find other phrases to kindly and politely get my point across. When I apologize for something, I want the person to know that I truly mean it.

I'm hoping 2015 brings new adventures and happiness.

Love ya mean it,
Bailey
xoxo

Learning the Line

I am not a confrontational person, at all, but I've been a lot better lately at standing up for myself when I need to. But where's the line between standing up for yourself and going too far? There's always that point where things go from being necessary to hurtful but when do you know that you have reached the point when you need to stop? How do you know that before you've gone too far?

I was faced with a situation tonight where I was having a classmate accuse me of not doing my share of the project (which anyone who knows me will know that is unlike me). She claimed that she was doing the whole project for the 4 others of us in the group which was false because we were all doing our fair share. She insulted me a great deal but when she began to insult one of my best friends that is also in the group, I took a stand. Not to say that I began saying hateful things but I was stern and defended my friend and brought light to a great deal of behind the scenes work that made her job easier. But her rude and unnecessary tone infuriated me. I was sitting in the library trying to write this paper with her and I was literally shaking because I was so mad and upset.

I could go into detail but it doesn't really make a difference. I eventually ended up saying some rather unpleasant things. None of which were as bad as one's imagination may carry you to think but I got a little more stern than I would like, odd for my normal kind and playful personality. But at the same time as working on this group paper with her, I was also writing a paper about my personal leadership and what I have learned about it. Which led me to regret my choices of standing up for myself.

But I should regret that. I should be proud that I kept someone from walking over top of me again and using me to their advantage. But where's the line? I ended up texting her and offering to help the girl finish her half because she has a lot going on and I have more free time which led to no reply.

But this is not me. Take me back a few months and I would have done whatever I could to please her and keep her from being angry with me, which also isn't an ideal way to be. This is a line I must discover myself. I must learn where my limit is and stop myself before I regret my words, none of which were hateful but still, not my normal self. I am usually extremely easy to get along with, but how do you approach a situation where a girl invited herself into your group and then gets angry two days before the paper is due because she feels like she was assigned too much?

Learning these lines are difficult. They are a part of being a good leader, much of which I've learned about this semester. I've grown so much as a leader because of my MYMOM program and my leadership class, two things that have made this semester so important, but there are still lessons I need to learn. I understand this is a part of growing up and finding yourself but it's a frustrating journey to take.

As I reflect on this minuscule episode that I have now turned into a novel, I try to go back to what my leadership professor has told us many times, to get rid of stinkin' thinkin' and have a positive attitude. As difficult as it may seem, sometimes it is the best in these situations.

Love ya mean it,
Bailey
xoxo

White Thanksgiving

Where I live in Virginia, a White Christmas is a very rare occurrence. Every year I dream of one but I think we've had one once or twice in my lifetime. But here we are, the day before Christmas, and snow is beginning to cover the ground which brings us to another first for me, a white Thanksgiving.

This snow caught me by surprise because although the weather men have been calling for it, I kinda brushed it off because it was 78 degrees on Monday! In November! But as I'm watching MTV Throwblock (Fresh Prince, am I right????), I'm so thankful that I am able to spend this whole week at home. Nothing makes snow any better than being able to watch it from a cozy couch and I'm thankful to have a lazy day watching TV at home with my brother. As much as I love my school, we all need a break sometimes. So as crazy as the next couple days are gonna be (Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping, and my mom leaving for a cruise), a relaxing day watching the snow is perfect.

As much as I'm dreaming of a White Christmas, I can deal with a White Thanksgiving instead.

Love ya mean it,
Bailey
xoxo

"Your life, no matter how bad you think it is, is someone else's fairytale."

Today has thrown a lot of frustrations my way and I'm at that point in the semester where it's becoming seriously difficult to deal with them all.

For starters, I have a five page paper due in my History class that is due at 9:05AM on Friday that I have been unable to work on because of all of the other little assignments I've had to do. I've been struggling to figure out what to write about and I've finally made headway today by deciding to write about advertising in the 1920s but I still have to write the paper minus the whopping half of a paragraph I actually have. I'm also one of those people who has to have it quiet while working on something of this magnitude and I've found it difficult to find this because of the blaring music and vacuuming that must be happening at this time. I understand that I live with others but I usually assume that locking myself in my room will work. Today it has not. Thank the Lord above for the white noise generator I found online.

I also purchased a voucher on Groupon for a monogrammed vest for $30, awesome deal, but as I'm entering in the discount code to get said vest said vest for $30 instead of $65, my computer jumps ahead and charges me $65. Now I've spent $95 on a vest when I was supposed to spend $30. I emailed the company immediately requesting to have my ordered cancelled but I have still not gained a response. Seriously causing me anxiety right now.

Group projects might be the death of me, with a group test on Monday in Ethics and Law which is going to be a million times harder than it sounds and a group paper that I will be writing almost all of due after Thanksgiving break (but has to be started ASAP).

My history class this semester is one that I have to take (stupid GenEds) and so I'm not extremely enthusiastic about (yes, this the class where my paper is stemmed from). Every Wednesday I have a discussion section for it and I never do the reading because of other assignments I have to do. This week I decided I was going to actually do the reading and be a good student (aka I didn't wanna write my paper). So last night I'm reading about the Zoot Suit riots and I fall asleep in the middle of the reading. So much for being productive.

But now that I'm done venting, I just wanna say that it's 9 days til I go home for Thanksgiving break and I couldn't be more thankful. Even on weeks like this one where I feel like I can't wrap my head around what's going on, I always know I have so many reasons to count my blessings.

Love ya mean it,
Bailey
xoxo

Things to be Thankful For

If you follow me on Twitter (@baileyisgood) you saw that I tweeted some things that I am thankful for last night which led to me thinking, I can do a whole blog post based on that. So here's a list of some things I'm thankful for.

1. The pumpkin chocolate chips cookies Tasia and Kara baked this weekend
2. The movie Tommy Boy
3. The fact that I get to live with my best friends
4. My class getting cancelled this morning so I got to sleep in
5. Veteran's Day, for many reasons, but mainly because that means Trevor doesn't have work so I get a quick 24 hour visit from him
6. Bojangles - I had my first trip to Bojangles last night and I'm slightly obsessed
7. Bob Evans microwavable mashed potatoes
8. Wood wick candles - they literally sound just like a fireplace and I love it
9. Thanksgiving is 17 days away (thank you Lord)
10. With that being said, Christmas is 45 days away and I can't wait
11. The fact that there are still crunchy leaves to run and step on (fall isn't gone yet!!)
12. Cuddles from our cats
13. I actually had time to read this weekend (which is rare)
14. Steph's happiness this weekend - my roommate Steph turned 21 yesterday and she had such a great weekend and birthday which made me so happy to see!

What are you thankful for today?

Love ya mean it,
Bailey
xoxo

(Six?) Friday Favorites

My blogging hiatus has been caused by many things, none of which I'm using as an excuse. I've been struggling a lot with life and stress which is extremely frustrating in 1,000 different ways but I hope I can find a way to channel it through my writing instead of getting a writer's block. But here are 5 of my favorites this fine Friday for you to enjoy!

1. Winter at Starbz
Working at Starbucks has it's perks during fall and winter because I get to sample all of the new drinks! Peppermint Mocha is my absolute favorite with Eggnog following closely behind. Don't like coffee? Try Peppermint Hot Chocolate (my all time winter favorite)!

2. Magic, Madness, Heaven Sent
Taylor Swift's new song Blank Space is forever stuck in my head cause it's so catchy and it's what's always bumping in my car. Also check out I Wish You Would and All You Had to do was Stay, two catchy tunes with an Indie feel!

P.S. Go buy the deluxe album at Target for 3 extra songs and polaroids of Taylor!

3. Old Navy, Baby
A couple weeks ago my mom and cousin Kate came to shop with me in Harrisonburg and we had to stop by Old Navy before the day was over. I'm absolutely obsessed with this Women's Boyfriend Cardigan and it's so hard for me to not wear it every single day because it's extremely comfy and matches everything! Check it out and buy one (it comes in 7 colors)!

4. Kitty Love
This picture of my roommate's cats Tigger and Callie holding hands is actually the cutest.

5. Van Gogh doe
I found this quote on Tumblr and it really spoke to me.

“Vincent Van Gogh used to eat yellow paint because he thought it would get the happiness inside him. Many people thought he was mad and stupid for doing so because the paint was toxic, never mind that it was obvious that eating paint couldn’t possible have any direct correlation to one’s happiness, but I never saw that. If you were so unhappy that even the maddest ideas could possible work, like painting the walls of your internal organs yellow, than you are going to do it. It’s really no different than falling in love or taking drugs. There is a greater risk of getting your heart broken or overdosing, but people still do it everyday because there was always that chance it could make things better. Everyone has their yellow paint.”

6. I had a super hard test yesterday and got a 92% on it!

Can't wait to enjoy this lazy weekend and a special shout out to my roommate Steph who turns 21 on Sunday! Love ya roomie!

P.S. 48 days 'til Christmas!!

Love ya mean it,

Bailey

xoxo

Why Acoustic Songs and Sunday Mornings are a Match Made in Heaven

I was the first one up this morning in my apartment so after Trevor parted to go home, I enjoyed the peace and quiet in the living room with the cats and my laptop but when the I was done with quiet time, I still wanted gentle music to go with the calm Sunday morning. That's when I realized acoustic music hits the spot on Sunday mornings so here's my list of the songs you should enjoy on a lovely Sunday morning with your coffee and cat friend.

1. All Too Well (Acoustic) by Taylor Swift
2. Boyfriend (Acoustic Version) by Justin Bieber
3. Valerie (Acoustic Audio) by Amy Winehouse
4. Back Home (Acoustic) by Andy Grammer
5. Then (Acoustic) by Brad Paisley
6. Haunted (Acoustic) by Taylor Swift

Also check out Country Roads (Remix) by John Denver and Pretty Lights (not acoustic but I'm obsessed currently).

Love ya mean it,
Bailey
xoxo