Ten things you would tell your 16 year old self if you could.

PROMPT: List ten things you would tell your sixteen year old self if you could.

(Again, this was written while the ship was underway on October 4, 2012.)

1.) Honey, don't rush love. It'll blow your mind when you're ready and when it's right. It'll open your heart only after you've completely divulged into yourself first.

2.) It is OK to cry. It doesn't mean you're weak. It doesn't mean you're inferior. You'll be OK. Just give yourself time to cope before standing back up to kick MAJOR ass.

3.)You are NOT a diva. Don't act stuck up. Don't be selfish. You do not want to grow into being a bitch. In Gone With the Wind, everyone loves, Scarlett, but Melanie is who you should emulate. She is the most kind being.

4.)You are a beautiful girl. You have the prettiest blue eyes. I know you don't see it yet, but God has blessed you with beauty on the outside. He made you this way for a reason, so use your outer beauty with caution and realize, the inside counts too.

 

5.) Money isn't everything. It'll come and go but you'll make it. Be rich in love. Be rich in morals. Rich in family but don't worry about being rich in money. It won't get you where you want to be in life.

6.) Your first boyfried will break your heart. You will think you can't move on. But, baby, you can and you will. In the years after your first love, you will fall in love with your independence and grow as a young woman. There will be more boyfriends along the way.

7.) Be kind to your mom. It's the truest love you'll ever have. You'll learn later in life that she'll be around no matter who walks in and out of your life.

 

8.) Don't change your interests for others. Whether they are your classmates, friends, boyfriends, whatever. Like what you like, no mattter what. I don't care whether its 'cool' or 'in' at the time. You'll figure out that it really doesn't matter.

 

9.) Hoe's before bro's, my dear. Your girlfriends should come first no matter how wrapped up in love you are.

 

10.) Have no fear. Don't worry. Don't plan. Just live and whatever happens, happens. take it one day at a time. Its the only way you'll survive.

What popular notion do you think the world has wrong?

OK, so when the ship is underway there is absolutely no way to update my blog but, sometimes I write down prompts for myself in my journal so I never run out of ideas when a computer isn't accessible. This is a journal entry written on November 5, 2012.

PROMPT: What popular notion do you think the world has wrong?

I'm sorry if you disagree or if I offend anyone who married straight out of college. But, this is my blog, and my opinions.  Read if you want. Or don't.

Every twenty something year old graduating from college thinks that after college, when you reach a certain age and you've dated your significant other for the "appropriate" amount of time that its time to settle down and get married.

WHAAAAT???? This is the popular notion that, in my opinion, society has completely wrong. I understand that a few generations ago, many married young. However, this is 2013, why in the world would it be a good idea to get married straight out of college just because society says, "It's time?"

When did this come about? And who puts the appropriate age on when its time to get married? I think society fuels this from boredom. After college, no one knows what to do... so marriage is, obviously, the right answer, right? It's like society has a timeline mapped out for us.

1.) Elementary school.
2.) Middle school.
3.) High school
4.) College
5.) Get married.

Except number 5 is made up. It doesn't exist. And you can't live life off of an imaginary map anyways. Number 5 should be: Explore the things you love! Focus on you. Date. Date A LOT, but don't settle down yet.

Graduating college is terrible. After four years of doing A LOT of growing up, graduating college is like starting completely over again. You're an adult now. Welcome to the real world! Except, everyone in the real world is wiser than you. All of the jobs you are applying for, require experience. Well tell me, how do you acquire experience if no one ever hires someone straight out of college. Graduating college is terrible.

(I love my boyfriend. I really do. So this rant has nothing to do with him. Remember, I wrote this awhile ago, while we were underway. I am a few years out of college and am currently giving myself all the room to explore I want. So don't think I am unhappily dating or not planning for my future. This was just too funny for me not to post!)

So, I'm twenty four and I'm not married yet. Uh oh!!!! I didn't follow the rules like everyone else! Oh no! I'm not married! What are we going to do? But seriously, why would someone want to settle down as soon as they graduate college? Just so they can't explore the world and learn new things on their own. OK, that sounds fun.

So, I should have someone hold me back from all my hopes and dreams? Well that's dumb. Life gives me enough problems holding me back as it is, without another person dragging me down. I'm not saying marriage holds you back and drags you down sounds really harsh. But, going straight from high school to college to getting married gives you no time to be yourself and live on your own. Do you know how much changing you do after college. A LOT! In my mind, I put a great deal of importance on putting me first. If you're married straight out of college, you can't always put yourself first. You can't plan for one. You can never just hop on a plane to India. You can't discover all of the things you love. You have to make plans. Yes, dating requires plans too. And it's wonderful planning for two, don't get me wrong but after college, everyone deserves a bit of time for just themselves, so that when they do get ready, they're ready. Does that make sense?

Also, by getting married straight out of college, when you have kids what will you tell them? Will you have all the answers? Will you be able to say, back when I was twenty something, in whatever place, with elephants, and fishing, and whatever else. Or will you say, yeah after college?

My goals in life may be different than others but I want to be able to have all the wisdom and knowledge in the world to tell my kids. I want to be able to answer with fascinating stories of books, and places all over the world. I just need to be me. I need to accomplish my dreams. I need to live for myself. I deserve to dig deeper and truly become Danielle. Rather than become  Mrs. Danielle ______, ya know?

I'm happy for all of my girlfriend's and family, currently engaged straight out of college but me,....  I disagree. I'm destined for greatness. I'll get married when I'm ready, rather than when society says it's "time".

 

 

    

Recieving mail

The constant act of my pen curling into cursive letters onto my paper is a baptism; a sort of, personal renewal that is ever praised and appreciated. I never feel more myself as when my pen is scribbling the blank page of my journal, a napkin or skin, or anything I can get my hands on. It's something I do for me. It's ever constant and never disappoints. Even after writing pages of thoughts with no solution to my issues, I still feel at peace and realize that everything will be OK at the end. As much as writing is an exercise and focus for my spiritual self its also an act that affects many.

Do you remember having a pen pal  as a kid? Were you ever a pen pal for someone else? I don't think I ever had a pen pal. I always wanted one. I probably lied about having one when I was a kid so I could feel cooler. I wasn't cool as a kid. I was weird. I still am, I guess.

I am a pen pal to many, living in Japan. None of my friends here really write home like I do. A couple of people have caught on, by borrowing cards or postcards from me. I never mind sharing. I believe there is greatness regarding  to personal thoughts on paper sent to others.

Dude, the world is changing. People rarely talk to each other face to face. People rely on phones, texting and other pieces of technology to interact with each other. Honestly, it's depressing. Kids now a days do not know how to interact with elders, their parents or even kids their age. They think their phone is an extension of themselves. Being without it, could be compared to being naked in a world of clothed people. Literally that is how uncomfortable they are without their phones. Thank god, I was not born in that generation. The lack of respect shown is ridiculous.

Anyways, if I can be the one person that ensures the mailman will always have a job. I want to be that person for as long as I can. I wrote countless letters to many different people while the ship was underway last year. My friends range  wide in age, anywhere from 7 to 92, so letter mail is the only way to reach absolutely everyone. Email is an option that we have underway, but how impersonal is that? Not to mention, how are my elderly pen pals going to work email? Email takes precedent for many of the people I work with, but not for me. If we had a contest underway of who received the most letter mail, I guarantee that I would have won it.

To receive a large quantity of letter mail, you must send a large quantity as well. I am a huge fan of postcards. In each port I bought close to 15 or 20 postcards each and sent them out all over the United States. My friend, Caroline, has an entire wall devoted to postcards from me. They not only send my love but also act as a chain to keep us connected, when miles apart makes it so hard.

I'm getting bored. This is unfinished but my thoughts are drifting. Maybe I'll fix this later but for now, try not to lose the magic of sending letters in the mail. Just go do it. I guarantee the person who receives your letter will appreciate it!

DG