[Confidence is Key]

مرحبا بالجميع!

How is everyone doing on this fine morning? (its 2am in Orlando...oops)

Today I had a thought cross my mind. SO.  I was on Pinterest, and looking at the Cosmo magazines laying around my apartment and they all had the same message that was screaming at me.

"HOW TO LOOK HOT FOR BOYS." "THE SEXIEST MARSHMALLOW COAT FOR WINTER."

What. (Although, I do like the shoes.)

I mean... what? Why exactly are girls, ladies, women, whatever we are, striving to look sexy? Yeah, that's the thing at this day and age, especially for the 20-somethings, like me. Look hot. Look sexy. Look perfect.

Man. I hate that word. I loathe it.

Perfect.

I can understand looking good. I love looking pretty and feeling confident. I love putting on make-up, doing my hair, and picking out the cute outfit, that will make me feel confident. But. But I am not doing that for men. Lemme tell ya. I love guys. My best friend is a guy, but they won't give you a second look whether you are in your brand new shirt, or not. Hopefully the guys you spend time with care more for personality.

Sorry. Kind of went on a rant there. Back to what I was saying.

Looking sexy for one person will be different than looking sexy for another. Personally, I think a person looks best when they are comfortable and confident. That's why some girls can pull off skinny jeans, flats, and a nice shirt (not me), rather than running shorts and a crew-neck (me).

No. One. Is. Perfect.

How many times can I scream that at people? I hate hate hate when people say, "Oh. I don't look like her. Man, I'm fugly."

No. Stop.

I find myself slipping into that mindset of..."I'm not pretty. I have a round face. Short limbs. Blah. Blah." I have to mentally slap myself out of it. I'm beautiful. God told me so. (And so did Dove.)

(Have I mentioned that I love the Dove Project?)

I think what most girls don't realize is that they need to feel beautiful, and comfortable...which will equal into confidence. Confidence will find you a guy who will love you for you.

Now, I'm not saying that, if you feel confident, and are dressing for you, and its the typical "sexy" outfit, that its wrong. That's not it. I just want the ladies out there to remember to dress for themselves. Not the guy you want to impress. They will love you, no matter what. Whether you're in sweats, or skinnies.

I hate seeing girls crushed by guys, because they worked so hard to be noticed...then the guy moves on like its nothing. When you're confident you can pull the whole:

Confidence is key.

That's it for the night.

بإخلاص

Shannon

[Bucket List]

Salut tout le monde!

How's everyone doing after Christmas? Hopefully well! I'm jealous, because I was away from home for this Christmas in Florida rather than in Iowa. Either way, I love the holidays so it was still wonderful(:

Anyway. So I was thinking the other day about bucket lists. I've never really made the "traditional" bucket list, but I realized that I've made a very haphazard one in my mind. I figured it was time to sit down and spill it out on paper (so to speak).

Shannon's Bucket List!
(In no particular order)

• Work on the Disney Cruise Line for a summer-
• I went on a Disney cruise years ago, and I loved it! And now that I've spent five months Interning at Disney World, I feel it would be something I would like to do for at least a couple of months. Maybe during the summer when I"m not taking classes. Cross your fingers!

(Photo Credit: disneycruiseline.com)

• Volunteer in a third-world country for a summer, or over the holiday break...or something!
• I learned about this program Me to We, which is based out of Canada, and they go across seas and volunteer everywhere. I would love to do that. Once I find the money, I am going to.

(Photo Credit: metowe.org)

• Earn both degrees-
• You may not know, but I am an Advertising and an English Education major. I know this one isn't as exciting, but I'm ready to graduate. Not because I'm tired of college, but because I'm ready to teach journalism, or work for a magazine's ad department, or teach English. Wherever life takes me.

(Photo Credit: tasseltoppers.com)

• Here's the annoying girl one: I was to marry my best friend-
• I am a hopeless romantic to the roots. I was to meet and marry someone who brings the best out in me, and me in him. Also, he has to be a nerd.

(Photo Credit: huffingtonpost.com)

• I want to travel the world-
• I want to go on adventures! See new places, new people. I want to pack up my apartment and go on a week adventure and just travel around the world. I've already started planning. ;)

(Photo Credit: fineartamerica.com)

• To learn ASL (American Sign Language) as a fluent second language-
• This is going to happen. No doubt. I'm so excited.

(Photo Credit: dailynorthwestern.com)

And that is what I have so far. Who knows. Maybe I'll accomplish all of those, maybe I won't. I have noticed, that I do love adventure. 

That's all for this time!

Sincèrement,

Shannon

[Giving Thanks...1300 Miles Away]

Merhaba Beyler!
(Its in Turkish today...get it? Turkey day...Turkish? ha)

Well, tomorrow is the day! In an hour and a half the day we all fill up on food that will put us into a coma exactly four hours later, will be here. The day that my two Australian, and one Brazilian roommate don't, quite, understand. Its THANKSGIVING.

Now, this year is a little different from past years. One, I won't be going to bed right after our Thanksgiving meal and getting up to put up the doorbusters and advertisements around ShopKo for 14 hours. (Did I mention dealing with insane customers?) Second, I'm in Florida, when the rest of my family and friends are in Iowa and Nebraska. Which, I'm going to be completely honest with you, puts a damper on this holiday. While my family will be gathering, laughing together, playing board games, and eating delish foods, I will be working my normal 5pm-1am shift at Beaches and Cream. Well, damn.

That's my face because I'm not home for the holidays.

BUT. I need to tell myself to look up and appreciate this new experience. I mean, c'mon. I'm living Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World! This will probably never happen again. Here are my top five blessings. I have so many, but I don't want to bore you too much. :)

1. The Disney College Program-

I'M LIVING AT WALT DISNEY WORLD. Its said that 30,000 college students apply but only 7,000 are accepted. Why wouldn't I be thankful for this? I get incredibly homesick, yes, but I turn around and I see Cinderella's castle at night, and remember why its all worth it. I'm doing this awesome thing that when I look back six months from now, I won't want to change it for anything.

2. Health-

Guys, I feel this is an obvious one. There are so many dangerous crap that can get into your system, and make you sick. You can get hurt in a matter of seconds. You can pass on at any moment.

I'm blessed for my health. I'm blessed, that even though I have tendinitis/carpal-tunnel in both wrists, and I have migraines, that those are the extent of my discomfort. I pray for those who are dealing with much more. I pray for my friends who have a gluten-allergy and have to have a special Thanksgiving, those who are in the hospital during this time. Give thanks, and pray for those who are unable.

3. Our Soldiers-

I'm going to flat out say that I don't like, and don't believe in the war. I absolutely hate it. It makes me sick. But. But, I put full support into our soldiers. I have friends in the military, navy, etc. I get homesick in Florida? What about those who are putting their lives on the line that are in Afghanistan, or Iraq? Now how is that fair? They're putting their lives on line, defending our country, they don't know if they will see their loved ones again, yet they are still giving thanks. So far away.

Screw Superman. These are the gentlemen and ladies that deserve the hero award.
(Credit: Squidoo)

4. Friends-

Never, ever, forget your friends. I have so many. I've made great ones here, and I have my old ones back home. I don't know what kind of person I would be if I didn't have my friends. Really. I would name each and every person, but I can't. Special shout-out to Brittany Rupp, because she's my bestfriend, but I couldn't find a small enough picture. : (

5. Last, but not least: My Family-

I am SO blessed, for these insane people. My mom, dad, and brother. I just...I don't even know how to describe how happy they make me. And how incredibly mad they make me too. They're family. Whatcha going to do? I love each and every one of them, and will be missing them immensely this holiday season.

That's my brother and I. We're extremely hot.

Alright, guys, remember to give thanks. We take shit for granted everyday, but that's because we're human. If  we're given a day to literally, sit, eat, laugh, and give thanks, you better do it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Içtenlikle,

Shannon

[Roommates]

Hola a todos!

How's everyone doing today? I'm great! Thanks for asking!

These past couple of days have just been full of all sorts of roommate things. Good things, don't worry.

Currently, I am living with two girls from Australia, one from Pennsylvania, and one from California. We're a pretty diverse group of girls. Which is fantastic! (:

So yesterday, we (my four other roommates and I) had a stranger knock on our door and say that she was moving in and she had just flown in from Brazil. BRAZIL. I don't know why, but this excited me. She moved into my room and seems extremely sweet.

As I was talking to her, the subject of why exactly I was the one that was living in a room alone, rather than my other roommates. (I live in a three bedroom apartment, with two girls per room). I told her that my other roommate was forced to leave since she was insane (long story). She laughed! I like her already! So, while I'm getting to know the girl I'm going to be living with for the next six weeks, I skyped my future roommates back home in Iowa!

I've been having trouble finding someone to live with in Ames because I'll be going back in the middle of the year. Not many options to chose from. Finally, someone suggested Craigs List. Well, I was skeptical, Craigs List can be kind of sketchy. Turns out, this time it was a good idea!

I found an apartment I should be able to afford (If I can ever get a job in Ames!) with four girls living there now, and about 10 minutes from campus. Perfection. Well, like any normal person they wanted to meet me so we had a skype date tonight. One of the girls is getting married which is why my future room is opening up, but I got to meet her and the other three roommates. One is from Iowa, one Wisconsin, and one from Colorado. I'm pretty pumped. I was afraid it would veryyyy awkward but it was awesome. Continuous laughter from everyone is usually a good sign. (:

I've learned from going through, and meeting, new roommates is that living with someone is a two way street. Don't expect someone to change their life style in two weeks just because YOU want it a certain way. Now, they are going to do stuff that I going to drive. you. up. the. wall. BUT. In order to be a good roommate you need to let it go, and if it gets out of hand communicate. People who don't communicate are just setting themselves up for failure. If you communicate and work things out, you can have a friend AND a roommate.

That's all for me tonight,

Sinceramente,

Shannon

[I'm Here!]

Hey Everyone!

I hope your Monday wasn't too terrible. I tried last semester to start a blog, wrote a few blogs, then it kind of puttered out when I got busy. (Ya know, finals and junk like that). WELL. I would like to try again! This time I'm not going to advertise it until its a habit. ;)

So...Hi! My name is Shannon. I'm from a little big town called Council Bluffs in Iowa, but born in Nebraska. I attend Iowa State University as an English Education and Advertising major. I plan on being a high school journalism teacher after I graduate...maybe. I'm still in the process of figuring that out. Check back later.

Right now, though, I'm living in Orlando, Florida and participating in an internship called the Disney College Program. Basically, I live, eat, and work at Walt Disney World for six months, then go back home in January to go back to school. Sounds pretty cool, huh? I thought so. So I'm enjoying my time here until I have to move all my crap home.

I have a little brother named Russell, a little sister named Bryce, two moms and two dads. Confused yet? Good. I love my two wonderful families to the moon and back. My family I live with in Iowa actually came and visited me two weeks ago here in Florida! Ahh...so good to see them, but you know how after spending too much time with your family, you get sick of them? Well...yeah. That's all I'm going to say about that since my mom will probably be reading this. Love you, guys! 

I'm 5 foot 1 inch, with blond/brunette hair (its weird...) with multiple best friends. I love naps, books, and collect lipstick for some reason.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sincerely,

Shannon