Re-Defined

I always believe that when things change for me it means that it is another step in trying to redefine myself. I don't mean recreate a new persona, just to improve myself. I have moved around alot and each place presents a new environment, new people, a new start. So what perfect opportunity is there but to learn from personal mistakes in the past and build on a foundation that I already know works for me?

So, I know from living at home that I am definately not the same person who had left it four years ago. This means that within the two years I did live at home I have learned what my values and dreams for the future are.

Things like this can be a bit fuzzy sometimes, but I believe after 2 solid years of outside experience and 2 solid friends (one of which is missing....where the hell are you???) I know that if I fall down there is somebody to buffer my fall.

I think this post might be turning into what I have learned in four years at college. So why not? Here I go, the top 5 things I've learned that I'm willing to say in public:

1. Join me if you care enough, but don't drag me behind.
I have learned that as long as I keep the vision of who I want to be in the future, what I want from myself, and work life around those goals, there will be nobody who will be able to deter me from it.
That horrible piece of advise everybody loves to give, but is the hardest one to follow...you know, "be yourself"...it can only work if that person really wants it. You can't be yourself if you aren't first comfortable with yourself, then like yourself, and finally love yourself. When it finally comes to loving yourself comfortably, then it's much easier laugh at yourself if you make a mistake.

2. Lethal Weapon
I love to advocate the fact that academia is the lethal weapon of choice in most advanced societies, but I must say one thing. I have bought and used my textbooks more often to smack annoying bugs than actually reading anything. Lesson learned? Study from lecture, don't read the book unless you want to entertain yourself with the pictures. (This applies to Bio majors...anything said here needs to be taken with a grain of salt!)

3. Closet Nerd No More
Yes, I used to always deny it and now I don't mind it. Oh wow, that rhymed. (I'm also a closet loser but I haven't come out yet). My best undergrad year was at Hollins University when I had the opportunity to attend film festivals, off-topic lectures, documentary showings, political discussions left and right. It just opened my eyes and stomach for more...I just couldn't get enough. It was there I learned that I can be a powerful person as long as I want to be. If I don't, well then it won't happen. Simple. And I don't have to have a one-track life. I can do a million things, there are so many possiblities. But anyway, since that day I have never stopped trying to learn, following current events (ok, only when I get extremely annoyed and upset...but it doesn't last long!), and just plain absorbing ideas different from mine.

4. Move over bitch, that spot's mine!
It is what races through my mind whenever I am up at 8:45 a.m. in the WSU parking lot trying to find a space for my car. It was at that point I realized that I actually have learned to be aggressive. Or at least have the potential to road rage.

5. Feminism lives
Yes, I thought it was dead before I started college. I have no idea why when I was in it everyday of my life. There probably wasn't a word for me to describe back then the injustices that I experienced. But now I understand it better and know what to look out for. I am a strong believer now about pushing people's limits (and my own) about what is expected from women. And don't get me started on why I shouldn't be able to do things because of religion....that's just plain wrong. There's a fine line between religion and culture, and I have drawn mine nicely thank you. And no, I'm not a man hater...

Honestly, there is so much more that I have learned (if this was it, that would be pretty pathetic) but these are some of the things that are pretty important to me as of now.