Pretending To Be Something We Aren't

Pretending to someone we are not just to attract attention from someone we want to notice us. This is something almost everyone struggles with in some form or fashion at one point in their life. In the world wide novel The Great Gatsby, the main character by the name of Jay Gatsby is a prime example of this flaw. The first impression the reader receives of Gatsby is that he is quite wealthy, owns a literal mansion, hosts parties that are to die for, and is always the talk of the town. Later on we find out that he is in fact a very simple minded man at heart, who does not truly desire all of these worldly possessions, but rather he desires the love of his life Daisy, and knows he will never obtain her without these qualities or possessions. Daisy, we find out, can not handle the simplicity of the town which he lives in. I feel as though many people, Americans especially, put on this show of being rich, owning nice homes, or driving nice cars, when inside they are miserable and don't even long for these things. We simply want to be accepted or noticed. Celebrities are also another example of this quality. They come across as living the absolute dream life, that everyone wishes they could have. The truth is many of them probably wish they were normal, everyday people like the rest of us. They do it because they have a platform and expectations to live up to, because of us everyday people who watch them constantly, who are surrounded by their faces while waiting in the check on line at the grocery store. The sad thing is, is that it isn't necessarily a bad thing, until it covers up completely who you really are. When it comes to this point, this is when we begin to deceive not only others, but ourselves as well. This book challenged me to not try and impress people through my possessions and act like I'm someone I'm not. Although this is much easier said than done, it is something that should be applied to our lives and we should all try our bests to achieve it. If the person who we are trying to please truly loves us, they will accept us for who we are, and appreciate our realness and genuine hearts.

Role Models

This week was challenging to think of something to discuss and write about. My sister recently texted me and told me she was coming in this weekend for my cousins surprise birthday party, so i decided to talk about her. Not just her but having an older sibling in general and the progress of our relationship over the years. Hannah, my sister is two years older than me, a sophomore at the university of a&m (not my choice of school, but oh well) is honestly the person I look up to the most for advice, I know that I can go to her about anything, anytime of the day whether its in the middle of the day or 3 in the morning, she is always there. It hasn't always been like this though, I'm sure many of you who have an older sibling or siblings know what I'm talking about. Growing up Hannah has always been near perfect, almost never getting into major trouble, always surrounding herself with good friends, a constant church goer as well. Although I'm not wretchedly bad, I've always felt that Hannah was better than me or pleased my parents more, so I never felt completely comfortable talking to her about my problems because I thought all she would do was laugh at me and say "sucks for you" or judge me. People use to label Hannah as the "perfect angel" and me as "the wild Hardin". Although I never really admitted that this bothered me, it kind of did. It wasn't until Hannah left for college two years ago (my freshman year) that we actually got close. Hannah began to loosen the reigns (not in a bad way) and I began to realize that we actually did have things in common, like when she wasn't there I couldn't vent to her about how annoying our mom and dad were being or how I was having a bad day or the latest drama at school...I wasn't a wildcat then so it was terrible. Now, believe it or not I actually look forward to her coming home or me going to stay with her. Don't get me wrong we still get annoyed with each other and disagree on things but for the most part we laugh hysterically, cry when we need to, talk about old memories and vent to each other. If it wasn't for my older sister I wouldn't have my best friend or my role model. Although you may not relate in anyway, I'm sure most of you have some type of role model in your life, and for me that happens to be my sister!

Desiring What We Can't Have

It seems that in life, especially the stage where most of us are at...teenagers... that we desire, or long for things that are out of reach. These things whether clothes, money, a nicer car, bigger house, a relationship, better grades, or a spiritual need, whatever they may be no matter if we have them or not we seem always be in want of more or the higher level of what we have already achieved. In the Great Gatsby, we see that a prominent character by the name of Daisy secretly loved and desired the mysterious Mr. Gatsby, but rather than pursuing what her heart longed for, she married a man that could provide her with money and stability although she was not truly in love with him at all. From the way we see her, she seems to be putting on this fake attitude of "every thing's okay" when in reality she's suffering from the lack of her hearts true desire. I believe that that this is true, we are never content with what we have, we are always desiring something else, and it is not always necessarily a bad thing. I also believe that it is human nature to never fully be satisfied, we will always be thirsty for more. Although I personally find it annoying that I am constantly wanting something that I can't have or that is not within my reach to retain, I also look at it as a constant adventure that almost everyone has gone through at some point in their life. I have many dreams and goals that are probably way out of my league and may never be achieved but still, there is something within me that desires for more and longs to try new things but I know that I will probably never get them. I often wonder why it is that it seems to always be this way. Why can I never have what I want? Reality is we will always want more, even crave more than is highly possible. Maybe it is because my heart really doesn't believe that I have the resources within me to actually attain these unreachable stars. Do I desire harder to achieve or die not achieving? One thing is for certain, if I give up, these dreams will not ever wake up. For today, in the present, I will try to stay content but not complacent.

Letter to School Faculty

Dear Lake Highlands High School Faculty (some more than others),

I come to you with questions and requests concerning specific dress code for me and my fellow high school peers. It seems that the restrictions have recently been altered and in my opinion not for the better. Towards the beginning of the school year nike shorts (a girls best friend... other than diamonds) as well as wind shorts in general were deemed as inappropriate for school dress. Then, as if that was not bad enough, leggings were also banned a few weeks ago. I admit that i understand why we cannot wear wind shorts because they appear a tad bit short at times, but I honestly do not understand the reasoning behind taking away our privilege of wearing leggings or tights. The only options we are left with are pants, skirts or dresses (which I'm sure we would get in some sort of trouble for them being to short). What I also don't understand is why can some people wear their pants below their waist leaving their t.v. character boxers on display to everyone passing them? Why can some girls have shirts where... ok I'll just say it... their boobs hanging out? I've witnessed kids getting in trouble for the above scenarios but the principles never follow up with further disciplinary action, as far as I can see.

I'm not here simply to complain, but rather ask that those who go against these rules and violate them be inflicted with harsher punishments. I also would like to propose the idea that tights or leggings being allowed might possibly become an option once again. Thank you for your time!!!!