The end has arrived folks. My state of mind is leaving Oregon and moving to California! Goodbye cloudy weather, hello sun.
This last summer has been a blast with friends, family, and random adventures around Portland. I wouldn't change a thing and couldn't ask for a better farewell.
Onward to Fullerton for a short two weeks of SoCal freedom before the official beginning of my next chapter: Optometry School!
As the days and weeks move forward I hope to continue my threads of pre-optometry advice as well as transition into what my days as an optometry student are like. Maybe throw in a few grad student friendly meals along the way?
Showing posts with label about me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label about me. Show all posts
August 2, 2012
July 23, 2012
Salus Optometry School Interview Day
My day at Salus University (Penn. College of Optometry) began by taking a taxi ride from my hotel 2 miles down the road to the school. The taxi driver was actually a really sweet man who lived across the street from the school with his wife. He had shuttled applicants visiting from Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, basically every state in the US. He chatted with me the whole way there, so by the time I paid him a generous tip my nerves had disappeared.
This was my first interview. Therefore, I got to the school at 9am when we weren't suppose to check in until 9:15. I walked around the campus, checked out the blue pond with the fake swans (really cute!), and realized how peaceful the setting was! The building was in an odd location, more suburban, and looked more like a business office than school. However, the pond, gazebo, and fake swans made me feel comfortable. Almost tranquil.
Anyways, around 9:10 I couldn't take it anymore and walked into the main office to check in. I was the second applicant to arrive! There were 4 girls, including myself, and we all were wearing pants. Not really an inside scoop, but an interesting tid bit.
At 9:30 our interviewers picked each of us off and whisked us to a secret location. Mine was a room dedicated to pain and torture, but they referred to it as one of their interview rooms. Hmm, maybe I got that wrong? It was my first interview and I was starting to feel those nerves again.
The woman who interviewed me was really nice and we actually had a great conversation about traveling to other areas around the NE and entertainment in Philly. There was some talk about eyes and how I REALLY like them, but it was a very smooth transition. Apparently we got along really well because by the time I was lead back to the main office it was 10:25! I held up the group by having a long interview (which is a good sign for those of you preparing for interviews...), so we were quickly rushed through the financial aid meeting and our academic file review. The file review was really simple. You basically sit there and confirm what you have completed is correct and if there are any weaknesses in your file this is your moment to explain. After a quick water break, we were introduced to 2 student tour guides who we chatted with about student life over lunch in the cafeteria. I think all 4 of us applicants were starving, so this was great timing! After the lunch break and chats with the students, they took us on a tour around the campus that included the library, eye clinic (yes, it is a 10 minute drive away), the fitness center, student lounge, bookstore, lecture/skills labs rooms, and the cafeteria.
At the end of the tour we were finished! By that point I think it was early afternoon? Maybe 2-3pm? I spent roughly 6 hours at Salus and it was a great way to start off my month of interviews. The nerves were scary, but Salus did a great job of keeping us actively engaged with the experience. We weren't sitting around very much, so there wasn't time to be too concerned about what we had/hadn't said.
However, when I left the school I went right back to the hotel, jumped into comfy jeans and had a mixed drink in the lobby (they had a happy hour in the hotel!!! how awesome is that?)
This was slightly condensed since I can't remember every moment of the interview (it still seems like a blur almost a year later), but hopefully this gives you interviewees another perspective. I should note that this is only what I experienced and may not be what everyone else experiences. This post, along with my future school interview posts, is only here to give my perspective and not a definitive answer to what to expect. Do not limit your expectations of a school from one person's comments or you could end up more confused, disappointed, or frustrated.
With that note, I hope you enjoy! Next interview post will be on ICO!
Until Next Time,
powerkat
This was my first interview. Therefore, I got to the school at 9am when we weren't suppose to check in until 9:15. I walked around the campus, checked out the blue pond with the fake swans (really cute!), and realized how peaceful the setting was! The building was in an odd location, more suburban, and looked more like a business office than school. However, the pond, gazebo, and fake swans made me feel comfortable. Almost tranquil.
Anyways, around 9:10 I couldn't take it anymore and walked into the main office to check in. I was the second applicant to arrive! There were 4 girls, including myself, and we all were wearing pants. Not really an inside scoop, but an interesting tid bit.
At 9:30 our interviewers picked each of us off and whisked us to a secret location. Mine was a room dedicated to pain and torture, but they referred to it as one of their interview rooms. Hmm, maybe I got that wrong? It was my first interview and I was starting to feel those nerves again.
The woman who interviewed me was really nice and we actually had a great conversation about traveling to other areas around the NE and entertainment in Philly. There was some talk about eyes and how I REALLY like them, but it was a very smooth transition. Apparently we got along really well because by the time I was lead back to the main office it was 10:25! I held up the group by having a long interview (which is a good sign for those of you preparing for interviews...), so we were quickly rushed through the financial aid meeting and our academic file review. The file review was really simple. You basically sit there and confirm what you have completed is correct and if there are any weaknesses in your file this is your moment to explain. After a quick water break, we were introduced to 2 student tour guides who we chatted with about student life over lunch in the cafeteria. I think all 4 of us applicants were starving, so this was great timing! After the lunch break and chats with the students, they took us on a tour around the campus that included the library, eye clinic (yes, it is a 10 minute drive away), the fitness center, student lounge, bookstore, lecture/skills labs rooms, and the cafeteria.
At the end of the tour we were finished! By that point I think it was early afternoon? Maybe 2-3pm? I spent roughly 6 hours at Salus and it was a great way to start off my month of interviews. The nerves were scary, but Salus did a great job of keeping us actively engaged with the experience. We weren't sitting around very much, so there wasn't time to be too concerned about what we had/hadn't said.
However, when I left the school I went right back to the hotel, jumped into comfy jeans and had a mixed drink in the lobby (they had a happy hour in the hotel!!! how awesome is that?)
This was slightly condensed since I can't remember every moment of the interview (it still seems like a blur almost a year later), but hopefully this gives you interviewees another perspective. I should note that this is only what I experienced and may not be what everyone else experiences. This post, along with my future school interview posts, is only here to give my perspective and not a definitive answer to what to expect. Do not limit your expectations of a school from one person's comments or you could end up more confused, disappointed, or frustrated.
With that note, I hope you enjoy! Next interview post will be on ICO!
Until Next Time,
powerkat
July 14, 2012
Optometry School Application Process Part II: Submission
Apologies for making you wait forever for Part II to my guide to Optometry School Applications. This past month has been hectic with trying to figure out housing situations and attempting to enjoy summer before classes begin in August. More on those fun topics soon, but for now let's discuss the best part of applying: OptomCAS!
Ok - so if you're a pre-Optometry student and are getting ready to apply, here is my number one tip: Review OptomCAS!!! Make an account as soon as possible. Creating an account before your cycle is the best way to get acclimated to the site and find out how it works. Since the 2013 cycle just began, but you're applying for Fall 2014, create an account! It is 100% free and nothing is official until you hit submit. I did this right before my application cycle began and it helped A LOT. Seriously, I got about half of my questions answered and figured out how OptomCAS functions BEFORE I even created my actual cycle's account. There are many weird details that you won't think about (What can I put in Honors and Activities? Do I just upload my resume? Do I have to create a narrative for every school?), and you need to be informed of how your information needs to be put into the system. This is really important when it comes to confirming transcripts and letters of recommendation. If you input something wrong, it will take longer for OptomCAS to approve your application and get the application sent to your schools.
In theory, for our tech-savvy generation, online application submission should be a breeze. And, in theory it is. However, when you're stressed and want to submit your paperwork ASAP it is very important that you know how the website works so you can quickly get everything done. I should point out that I was wanting to apply and submit my application early (which is what all Optometry websites, schools, and current students will recommend). If you are tech-savvy or are comfortable with applying later when the OptomCAS staff will be busy with the overload of paperwork people have submitted (and therefore will not be as likely to quickly answer your questions), this may not be worth it. But, for me, wanting to be aware of what I was getting myself into was important. Plus, it takes about 2 minutes to create an account. And it's FREE!!!
When you are ready for the official submission process, make sure all of your ducks are in a row for letters of recommendation, personal statement, and the pre-reqs required for each school. OptomCAS does not (nor should they) keep track of each schools requirements. We are applying and entering a professional program and therefore we must be proactively aware of the requirements needed to get it. What made my process easier was printing off a paper copy of my transcripts, personal statement, and pre-req lists for each school. This will come in handy when you are required to manually in-put every course you took in undergrad. Yeah, that's right. EVERY course. Not just pre-reqs. Having a paper copy allows you to visually check off every course you enter. On another note, it helps you determine which schools you really are interested in. Maybe you don't have all the pre-reqs necessary for a certain school. Maybe you do, but realize a particular school has other pre-reqs that you don't want to complete. If you have those types of feelings towards a particular school's pre-reqs, maybe it isn't the right school for you to apply to. By knowing that early, you can save yourself some money. There is a $45 fee to send your application to a school. That adds up quickly, so to save yourself some money and time, consider the schools early on.
So, to sum up, make sure you are prepared for OptomCAS. The submission process is already stressful with the knowledge that what you input could make or break you getting into the school of your dreams. By putting forth a few minutes to create an account, getting questions answered, and printing off a paper copy of your transcripts, you will have more time to relax and enjoy the process. Plus, it will make you that much more prepared for Part III: Interviews!
Ok - so if you're a pre-Optometry student and are getting ready to apply, here is my number one tip: Review OptomCAS!!! Make an account as soon as possible. Creating an account before your cycle is the best way to get acclimated to the site and find out how it works. Since the 2013 cycle just began, but you're applying for Fall 2014, create an account! It is 100% free and nothing is official until you hit submit. I did this right before my application cycle began and it helped A LOT. Seriously, I got about half of my questions answered and figured out how OptomCAS functions BEFORE I even created my actual cycle's account. There are many weird details that you won't think about (What can I put in Honors and Activities? Do I just upload my resume? Do I have to create a narrative for every school?), and you need to be informed of how your information needs to be put into the system. This is really important when it comes to confirming transcripts and letters of recommendation. If you input something wrong, it will take longer for OptomCAS to approve your application and get the application sent to your schools.
In theory, for our tech-savvy generation, online application submission should be a breeze. And, in theory it is. However, when you're stressed and want to submit your paperwork ASAP it is very important that you know how the website works so you can quickly get everything done. I should point out that I was wanting to apply and submit my application early (which is what all Optometry websites, schools, and current students will recommend). If you are tech-savvy or are comfortable with applying later when the OptomCAS staff will be busy with the overload of paperwork people have submitted (and therefore will not be as likely to quickly answer your questions), this may not be worth it. But, for me, wanting to be aware of what I was getting myself into was important. Plus, it takes about 2 minutes to create an account. And it's FREE!!!
When you are ready for the official submission process, make sure all of your ducks are in a row for letters of recommendation, personal statement, and the pre-reqs required for each school. OptomCAS does not (nor should they) keep track of each schools requirements. We are applying and entering a professional program and therefore we must be proactively aware of the requirements needed to get it. What made my process easier was printing off a paper copy of my transcripts, personal statement, and pre-req lists for each school. This will come in handy when you are required to manually in-put every course you took in undergrad. Yeah, that's right. EVERY course. Not just pre-reqs. Having a paper copy allows you to visually check off every course you enter. On another note, it helps you determine which schools you really are interested in. Maybe you don't have all the pre-reqs necessary for a certain school. Maybe you do, but realize a particular school has other pre-reqs that you don't want to complete. If you have those types of feelings towards a particular school's pre-reqs, maybe it isn't the right school for you to apply to. By knowing that early, you can save yourself some money. There is a $45 fee to send your application to a school. That adds up quickly, so to save yourself some money and time, consider the schools early on.
So, to sum up, make sure you are prepared for OptomCAS. The submission process is already stressful with the knowledge that what you input could make or break you getting into the school of your dreams. By putting forth a few minutes to create an account, getting questions answered, and printing off a paper copy of your transcripts, you will have more time to relax and enjoy the process. Plus, it will make you that much more prepared for Part III: Interviews!
June 11, 2012
Optometry School Application Process Part I
I was recently asked by someone how the Optometry school application process went so seemingly smooth for me. After being shocked that I somehow effectively covered up my 24/7 stress for 9 months, I sat down and wrote out how I made it work without always being overwhelmed.
I have decided to divide up my process into 3 parts to make it easier to follow along:
I. Preparation
II. Submission
III. Interview
Today I will discuss the "Preparation":
I first started exploring the idea of Optometry in the fall of 2010. A few family friends and co-workers had mentioned the career thinking it would be a good fit for my quiet, but friendly personality. An old family friend was a private practice Optometrist, so I contacted him and asked if I could shadow for a day. After 1 visit I could see why people thought of me when they thought of Optometry, but I still wasn't convinced. I enjoyed how the Optometrist could create a conversation with the patient, analyze the problem, solve it, and improve the person's eyesight within one visit. But, it was sooo routine. My OCD side loved this, but I wondered if I would get bored in the long run. So, I contacted a few other Optometrists in the area, at larger practices and HMOs, to see if I would like a faster pace setting.
Loved it. Specifically, all of the eye diseases I was exposed to in a single day of observation. Not just cataracts, not just astigmatisms, but also detached retinas (post-opt), macular degeneration, and pink eye (last one, not so fun). I was hooked and wanted more. So, I looked into what was necessary to apply to Optometry school. Holy moly, a lot!
Apparently I needed to take an OAT (Optometric Admissions Test)? Three letters of rec, a personal statement, at least 30 hours of observations, and wait... I had to take another psychology course? Yikes. I realized I was not prepared for applying to enter with the Fall 2011 class. So, what did I do? I prepared for Fall 2012. And made a Timeline checklist (these months were during the year of 2011 to enter the following fall):
So, Kaplan course started in January and went through April of 2011. Early on I spent 2-3 days a week studying for a couple hours with the other days either relaxing, working on a very rough draft of my personal statement, and confirming letters of rec. In other words, I multi-tasked like no ones business. I also committed to a test date for mid-May (a few weeks after the course ended). By sticking a proverbial carrot in front of myself, I had more determination to follow through with the late night study sessions as time went on. By April, I left the personal statement alone, ignored everything, and became good friends with the librarians.
After a celebratory drink for completing "the beast", I double checked my pre-req situation and signed up for a summer online psychology course. Since I had given some time in February towards my personal statement, I didn't have to waste extra time figuring out how to start the essay. I was able to look at my rough draft from a new perspective.
Because stress was over taking my life, I logically decided to take a nice break and go to my family reunion in Durango, CO. I didn't think about Optometry, schools, or applications during this week in June. It was a great distraction and because of my preparation in earlier months, I knew I would be ok. If you plan early, breaks are more enjoyable and won't feel like a time waster. And, they are nice goals to look forward to (stick that carrot in front of you)!
After the glorious week off, I got back to work on my personal statement. I actually took longer with this than I initially planned for and didn't complete the statement until mid-July. In the end I spent about a good month editing, re-editing, reviewing, and word crunching to make it "me". This couldn't have happened without many people reading and providing feedback. Other people have great insight about grammar, flow, and oh yeah, cool qualities about you that you sometimes forget!
Once I was done with the statement, did a last confirmation with my LORs, I was ready to submit. And have a good drink.
So, while I was stressed from January until July, I was able to manage my time and multi-task early on in order to make May through July not seem as stressful to me. Next time, the submission process!
Until Next Time,
powerkat
I have decided to divide up my process into 3 parts to make it easier to follow along:
I. Preparation
II. Submission
III. Interview
Today I will discuss the "Preparation":
I first started exploring the idea of Optometry in the fall of 2010. A few family friends and co-workers had mentioned the career thinking it would be a good fit for my quiet, but friendly personality. An old family friend was a private practice Optometrist, so I contacted him and asked if I could shadow for a day. After 1 visit I could see why people thought of me when they thought of Optometry, but I still wasn't convinced. I enjoyed how the Optometrist could create a conversation with the patient, analyze the problem, solve it, and improve the person's eyesight within one visit. But, it was sooo routine. My OCD side loved this, but I wondered if I would get bored in the long run. So, I contacted a few other Optometrists in the area, at larger practices and HMOs, to see if I would like a faster pace setting.
Loved it. Specifically, all of the eye diseases I was exposed to in a single day of observation. Not just cataracts, not just astigmatisms, but also detached retinas (post-opt), macular degeneration, and pink eye (last one, not so fun). I was hooked and wanted more. So, I looked into what was necessary to apply to Optometry school. Holy moly, a lot!
Apparently I needed to take an OAT (Optometric Admissions Test)? Three letters of rec, a personal statement, at least 30 hours of observations, and wait... I had to take another psychology course? Yikes. I realized I was not prepared for applying to enter with the Fall 2011 class. So, what did I do? I prepared for Fall 2012. And made a Timeline checklist (these months were during the year of 2011 to enter the following fall):
- Prepare for OAT and take by end of May
- Find 3 Letters of Recommendation, 1 being an Optometrist by end of February
- Begin rough draft of personal statement in February and refocus attention after OAT exam. Have final draft complete by end of June/early July.
- Double check prerequisites by end of March and take any courses if necessary during summer/fall
- Submit application on OptomCas by end of July
So, Kaplan course started in January and went through April of 2011. Early on I spent 2-3 days a week studying for a couple hours with the other days either relaxing, working on a very rough draft of my personal statement, and confirming letters of rec. In other words, I multi-tasked like no ones business. I also committed to a test date for mid-May (a few weeks after the course ended). By sticking a proverbial carrot in front of myself, I had more determination to follow through with the late night study sessions as time went on. By April, I left the personal statement alone, ignored everything, and became good friends with the librarians.
After a celebratory drink for completing "the beast", I double checked my pre-req situation and signed up for a summer online psychology course. Since I had given some time in February towards my personal statement, I didn't have to waste extra time figuring out how to start the essay. I was able to look at my rough draft from a new perspective.
Because stress was over taking my life, I logically decided to take a nice break and go to my family reunion in Durango, CO. I didn't think about Optometry, schools, or applications during this week in June. It was a great distraction and because of my preparation in earlier months, I knew I would be ok. If you plan early, breaks are more enjoyable and won't feel like a time waster. And, they are nice goals to look forward to (stick that carrot in front of you)!
After the glorious week off, I got back to work on my personal statement. I actually took longer with this than I initially planned for and didn't complete the statement until mid-July. In the end I spent about a good month editing, re-editing, reviewing, and word crunching to make it "me". This couldn't have happened without many people reading and providing feedback. Other people have great insight about grammar, flow, and oh yeah, cool qualities about you that you sometimes forget!
Once I was done with the statement, did a last confirmation with my LORs, I was ready to submit. And have a good drink.
So, while I was stressed from January until July, I was able to manage my time and multi-task early on in order to make May through July not seem as stressful to me. Next time, the submission process!
Until Next Time,
powerkat
February 11, 2012
Romancing the Heart
In the spirit of the celebration of love I thought I would pay homage to my favorite guilty pleasure chick-flick movie - When Harry Met Sally...
Not only are the characters imperfect, but it is about a real partnership that develops between two people.
Most movies that aim for the female demographic create a world-wind romance that is simply unrealistic or too good to be true (The Notebook anyone?), but this movie gets it right. These characters go from random strangers to best friends in a natural setting. No rustic vineyards, beach romps, or passionate kisses in the rain.
Though there is a marvelous scene in a diner. You might have heard about it. Though, while everyone talks about a certain experience Sally fakes I personally love witnessing the easy banter between the two. Even if they can't see it yet there is a natural build-up of trust that will climax (sorry, it was too easy not to make a remark) into a deeper bond.
Our current world is all about instant gratification and love has
unfortunately fallen victim to this monster. So, whenever I get in a
slump about my love life it is so refreshing to pop this movie in, wrap myself in a cozy blanket with a warm cup of tea, and consider a real possibility that might be waiting around the corner.
I just kinda hope it doesn't take another 12 years....
Until next time,
powerkat
Not only are the characters imperfect, but it is about a real partnership that develops between two people.
Most movies that aim for the female demographic create a world-wind romance that is simply unrealistic or too good to be true (The Notebook anyone?), but this movie gets it right. These characters go from random strangers to best friends in a natural setting. No rustic vineyards, beach romps, or passionate kisses in the rain.
Though there is a marvelous scene in a diner. You might have heard about it. Though, while everyone talks about a certain experience Sally fakes I personally love witnessing the easy banter between the two. Even if they can't see it yet there is a natural build-up of trust that will climax (sorry, it was too easy not to make a remark) into a deeper bond.
I just kinda hope it doesn't take another 12 years....
Until next time,
powerkat
February 10, 2012
Pandora's Box
Have you ever been asked a question, thought you only had one response, but before you open your mouth you suddenly realize that you actually have too emotions to make anything but "blah..meh...um... how about you"?
This is what I've repeatedly experienced someone asks how I am doing with moving to California to start Optometry school in the fall. My gut wants to say that I'm doing amazing and envisioning a new adventure that can't come soon enough. Then, as I'm about to tell them just that, my mind goes blank, I break out into a cold sweat, and start thinking of all the things I have to do before I move down there. These thoughts rapidly progress to an all-out panic attack of 'AM I EVEN READY FOR THIS?!' Which, of course I am. 100%. Not freaked out at all.
So, if you ask me how I am feeling I'll say it feels surreal, but I'm ready. Which is true if I dig under all of that anxiety.
Are there topics that make you have too many emotions to process? How do you handle them?
My solution? Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, ice cream, and a good movie. Works for a lonely Valentine's Day too!
January 24, 2010
In the Beginning
I usually don't last long on these blogging sites. Either I get bored with the concept or forget that I even created a site. Both occurrences are common in my life. If I get bored, lose interest, or forget something that once held meaning I usually drop whatever it was that I "gave up on" and move on to something else. This isn't to say that I don't follow through on things or make accomplishments. I do, but usually it takes longer than I originally anticipated.
Maybe this lack of commitment stems from the ideal of perfectionism and wanting to be the best at something. I am of a smaller stature and very petite, so most of my life I have had to defend my capabilities to the rest of the world. But, can't everyone find some part of their life that holds them back? Don't most people find excuses for not making the cut in whatever they were pursuing? So, why is it that some people, like myself, use this hinderence as a crutch and a reason for not completing their goals?
I am, by no means, someone with a special gift. You could say that I am intelligent and I am. You could say I am athletic and enjoy being active, which is true. You could even say that I am an artist, though inexperienced in instruction, and I could show you my few pieces of work. However, nothing makes me stand out from the crowd. And there is nothing wrong with that because most, if not all of us, will never amount to more than an average person living an average life while influencing a few people around us before leaving this earth (to where, you decide). Enter the blog site to fulfill the need to be more.
A blog allows someone to reach beyond their setbacks and connect or influence people further than they might have if they were limited to their physical surroundings. Blogs are a portal to the rest of the world and can be used as tools for personal enlightenment. This is why blogs can be both therapeutic and detrimental to an individual.
I often find that most people I know who do use blogs have a common trait. The desire to be liked by many. While they may not outwardly express the need to be warmly welcomed and accepted by their peers, they pursue interests or careers where they can easily influence others. In high school they were the high school cheerleader or the person who ran the theater production. Maybe they even ran for a student body government position. Without a doubt, people looked at them with a sense of, "They are important. They have an edge. They are different, but in a good way." And, these people fed off of these comments. So, what better way to continue that trend by adding a unique perspective on life by starting a blog and, of course, letting everyone they know about it? Hell, isn't that how people become known? A person who has a small, ordinary life, but because of how they spin their story, have a completely unique outlook on life.
Not everyone can easily manipulate their lives into something more substantial than every day happenings such as going to the grocery store, spending time with friends and family, and walking the dog. I know I can't. I get up, go to work, come home, have dinner, maybe walk the dog on the weekends, spend time with friends, sleep, and repeat until a vacation. However, a blog is a way for even the ordinary person to become extraordinary. And there is nothing wrong with that. I guess I just don't care if people read my thoughts on my life or deem my "adventures" to be interesting. I find my life to be perfectly enjoyable, but why try to make others feel the same? In the end, it won't matter what others think of my life. How I view my life will be the only important opinion when I face my final reckoning. A blog is not the end all to deeming a life worthy of excellence.
Sure, I might be thinking too deeply into why I don't stick with a blog site. After all, the purpose for most blog sites is to just let people express their thoughts about life while also becoming an instant autobiographical author. In short, blogs feed off of an individuals desire to feel special and important. In this day in age with all of the reality tv shows, we could probably use less of that, but at the same time... if it makes you happy, why the hell not?
This is where my story begins. I am just an average girl leading an average life trying to make the most of it. If you have thoughts feel free to add them, but be warned: this may not last that long and I just might forget about this site all together. Why? Hopefully because I will be living my life beyond the world wide web and participating in my physical surroundings. Maybe I should hope that this won't last long. :)
Maybe this lack of commitment stems from the ideal of perfectionism and wanting to be the best at something. I am of a smaller stature and very petite, so most of my life I have had to defend my capabilities to the rest of the world. But, can't everyone find some part of their life that holds them back? Don't most people find excuses for not making the cut in whatever they were pursuing? So, why is it that some people, like myself, use this hinderence as a crutch and a reason for not completing their goals?
I am, by no means, someone with a special gift. You could say that I am intelligent and I am. You could say I am athletic and enjoy being active, which is true. You could even say that I am an artist, though inexperienced in instruction, and I could show you my few pieces of work. However, nothing makes me stand out from the crowd. And there is nothing wrong with that because most, if not all of us, will never amount to more than an average person living an average life while influencing a few people around us before leaving this earth (to where, you decide). Enter the blog site to fulfill the need to be more.
A blog allows someone to reach beyond their setbacks and connect or influence people further than they might have if they were limited to their physical surroundings. Blogs are a portal to the rest of the world and can be used as tools for personal enlightenment. This is why blogs can be both therapeutic and detrimental to an individual.
I often find that most people I know who do use blogs have a common trait. The desire to be liked by many. While they may not outwardly express the need to be warmly welcomed and accepted by their peers, they pursue interests or careers where they can easily influence others. In high school they were the high school cheerleader or the person who ran the theater production. Maybe they even ran for a student body government position. Without a doubt, people looked at them with a sense of, "They are important. They have an edge. They are different, but in a good way." And, these people fed off of these comments. So, what better way to continue that trend by adding a unique perspective on life by starting a blog and, of course, letting everyone they know about it? Hell, isn't that how people become known? A person who has a small, ordinary life, but because of how they spin their story, have a completely unique outlook on life.
Not everyone can easily manipulate their lives into something more substantial than every day happenings such as going to the grocery store, spending time with friends and family, and walking the dog. I know I can't. I get up, go to work, come home, have dinner, maybe walk the dog on the weekends, spend time with friends, sleep, and repeat until a vacation. However, a blog is a way for even the ordinary person to become extraordinary. And there is nothing wrong with that. I guess I just don't care if people read my thoughts on my life or deem my "adventures" to be interesting. I find my life to be perfectly enjoyable, but why try to make others feel the same? In the end, it won't matter what others think of my life. How I view my life will be the only important opinion when I face my final reckoning. A blog is not the end all to deeming a life worthy of excellence.
Sure, I might be thinking too deeply into why I don't stick with a blog site. After all, the purpose for most blog sites is to just let people express their thoughts about life while also becoming an instant autobiographical author. In short, blogs feed off of an individuals desire to feel special and important. In this day in age with all of the reality tv shows, we could probably use less of that, but at the same time... if it makes you happy, why the hell not?
This is where my story begins. I am just an average girl leading an average life trying to make the most of it. If you have thoughts feel free to add them, but be warned: this may not last that long and I just might forget about this site all together. Why? Hopefully because I will be living my life beyond the world wide web and participating in my physical surroundings. Maybe I should hope that this won't last long. :)
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