What's In A Name...

Read me:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pamela-redmond-satran/baby-name-rules_b_1456854.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=HuffPostBlog


Most of yall know how I feel about names, especially common ones and those representative of our birth year (Brittany, Lauren, Emily, Amanda...). My mom swears there were NO Brittanys when she chose the name, however my Kindergarten class had FOUR: Brittany Y, Brittany C, Brittany M, and Brittany D. All spelled the same way. Which is one of the reasons I chose to go by Britt when I moved out here.

I think names should have meaning and substance and history. My first name means "From Britain" (no joke) but my middle name is Carolyn, after my grandmother, which I think is very special.  Plus, it isnt common for our generation.

I really like #1, #9, and #19.

#1: No unique spellings. Think of all the ways to spell Brittany: Britney, Brittney, Brittaney, Britni, Brittni, Britnee,Britknee....enough said.

#9: Think about nicknames. I love the name Davidson (my mother's maiden name) but don't like the name David, so unfortunately that is out, unless it is a middle name.  We all go by nicknames; some are better than others.

#19: Dont make your child have to spell and pronounce their name every time they say it. When thinking about a name, think about your child on the first day of school.  Do you want your child to have to say "It is pronounced Lah-dash-ee-ah" (or whatever) for the next 12 years of school? And then have the teacher write it out on the roll in phonics so she can remember it?? No.

Let me add something to the list. #22: Dont name the child after the place she/he was conceived. It's cliche. London, Paris, Cheyenne, Georgia...just...dont.

So, choose wisely my friends.  Checking out the top 20 baby names may not be the way to go, unless, of course, you want to add to the statistics or are really uncreative.

High School Flashback

Today I got to be a guest speaker at the local high school, Poudre High (pronounced Pooooder) in their Sociology of Relationships class. First off, how cool that they offer that class! Second, how cool that I got to be a guest speaker.

I had never been to PHS, so I was a little unsure what to expect.  It is a huge school and very nice inside.  As soon as I walked through those doors, however, I had an immediate flashback to high school.  There were posters on the walls advertising various clubs, teams, and candidates for class elections.  Students were standing around in clumps talking. Lockers were banging shut. Students in the attendance office making excuses.

It got me thinking about my time at Walton.  I really enjoyed high school--I made great friends that I am still close with 8 (!) years later, got the grades to get into UGA, and generally fared pretty well. I work a lot  with high school students and I know that I was probably one of the lucky ones.  High school can be brutal. Kids can be so cruel and hurtful and the impact can last a long, long time.

Was I ever cruel and hurtful? Did I say anything to anyone that will last a long, long time?  I am sure at one point I did, as did probably most of us, unaware at that age of the power of words. Somewhere in the last 8 years I have become more open-minded and accepting, but before that?  Im not sure.

Realizations

Most of yall know that I have been doing bootcamp (45 minutes of cardio, strength, and resistance torture..I mean...training) 3-4 days a week for the past three months.  Recently, on days off, I have been running or walking and mixing in a few random forms of exercise here and there: sand volleyball, capture the flag, and football. I have really upped my working out, but unfortunately havent seen the results I expected or hoped to see at this point.

I guess I need to define "results." I do not want to, and will not ever, be a super skinny girl. I am 100% ok with this.  Fortunately or unfortunately, this butt is probably not going anywhere.  I do not want to look like a 12-year old boy or a rail-thin celeb, which is good, because it's just not in the cards for me. The result I do want is to be healthy, toned, and comfortable in my body.  I also want to be able to wear anything I want and feel good in it.

Though I have been struggling with this for a long time, (think undergrad) I think I am finally realizing that this is going to be a lifelong journey (which scares the hell out of me).  I am not going to be the kind of girl who can eat whatever I want and get away with minimal exercise.  I am going to have to make a lifestyle change and commitment to being healthy, and as I am beginning to see, it isnt going to be an easy, quick fix. It also isn't going to be perfect all the time.  I am going to have days where I dont want to work out, or want to eat a whole pizza, and I will have to learn to be ok with that.

Thank you to all who have listened to me bitch about this and have given me tips on healthier eating, motivation, and exercise. On that note, I am off for a run.

I mean....

Saw this on a friend's facebook--read first.

http://adultingblog.com/post/20260016876

I am definitely guilty sometimes of the "round-about request" or the "subtle, hidden request." I think, like the author, that it stems from growing up in the south, and the (ancient) idea that women should be polite, gentle, and non-invasive.  Here is an example:

Me:(I really want Mexican) "Where do you want to go to dinner?"

Friend: "I dont know, what are you in the mood for?"

Me: "Well..."(Mexican)"... anything really...."

Friend: "Like, Italian, Mexican, American?"

Me: (I want Mexican). "I mean, I could definitely go for Mexican, but if you would rather do something else, that's fine, too."

Friend: "Ok, let's do that then."

Me: (YES!) "Are you sure?"

Friend: "Ok, cool."

Me: "Yeah, sounds good."

Why couldn't I have just said, "Im in the mood for Mexican food, want to get that?" instead of this silly conversation??  It is even worse over text messaging. Getting to that conclusion can easily take 10 minutes. Why do we, especially women, think we cant, or shouldn't,  say what we mean from the beginning? I know that getting to the point is appreciated by men and women alike, not to mention bosses, coworkers, servers, telemarketing folks, and everyone else we come in contact with. What if we did that when ordering food at a restaurant?

Me: "I was thinking I'd have a chicken caesar salad, please."
Server: "Ok."
Me: "Or...wait.  What do you think? Is it good?"
Server: "Yes, it is good."
Me: "Ok, perfect." (pause) "Or, do I really want a burger? I mean, that is what I was kind of leaning towards."
Server: cricket cricket
Me: "No, no.  I'll go with the salad.  I mean, that is better right? Ok, start with her and then I will be ready."

 Come on. Is it too late to make a resolution to try to stop doing this??