Everybody is free to wear sunscreen

I heard this song on an old CD the other day and thought it would be a great reminder. Everytime I hear it, I think about how true all of this is. Best line: "Don't worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum."

<3 Enjoy <3

Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable then my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice....now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, nevermind, you won't understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded, but trust me in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind: the kind that blindsides you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts; don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive; forget the insults. (if you succeed in doing this, tell me how).

Keep your old love letters; throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives; some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of Calcium. Be kind to your knees -- you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40; maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body: use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it; it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance...even if you have no where to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions (even if you don't follow them).

Do not read beauty magazines; they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents; you never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings: they're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, ,but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps and geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.

Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old; and when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse, but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you are 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia; dispensing it is a way of wishing the past from the disposal--wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

American Idol: New Singers, New Judge, New Rules

So it's my favorite time of the year. Yes, even after all these years I still love watching American Idol. I honestly believe this is one of the only family shows left on T.V. It's something I watch with both my parents and grandparents that we can all enjoy together.

So here are my thoughts on this past weeks opening of the Top 13 finalists and the season in general. Let me start off by saying I hate the fact that there are 4 judges, if I have to hear Kara say "I don't feel your connection to the song" one more time I might scream. I just think why mess with something that was good, and 4 people is just a waste of time. Paula really annoys me as well. You know she is going to give the contestant negative feedback if she starts off by saying "well you look beautiful". It will almost ALWAYS be followed by a BUT. Does she really think by telling a girl she looks pretty that it will make up for the fact that she sucked at singing?

I'm not sure how I feel about the whole "Judges Save" rule. They can save one person who gets the fewest votes at any point now through the top five; but it has to be unanimous. Nobody will be eliminated that week; the next week, two people will get cut and they can only use it one time. If I were a contestant I would rather get kicked off in the later rounds because to be honest American Idol often does a really bad job of marketing the person who wins. So many people who were kicked off in past seasons got their names out there and were able to get great opportunities following the show. I just think it's pointless for the judges to be able to save one person when the whole point of the show is that America get's to vote!

I was so happy when I heard they would be singing Michael Jackson songs, what a way to kick it off. I have never been this impressed by the top finalists! This might just be one of my favorite seasons because there are so many good people. It's actually a lot harder and I think many of these people will go on to do great things even if they don't make it to the end. Usually on the opening night people tend to be really nervous and the majority of them don't really have their finest hour. This is the first time ever where I didn't hear myself say "OMG that was really bad!!". For the most part I think everyone did well but there are defiantly people I'm not to impressed by:



Megan Corkey

I think she kind of has this funky little voice, but nothing that makes me say WOW. Although I though it was cheesy for her to sing Rockin Robin it fit her voice in a weird sort of way. I also serisouly can not stand the way she twists from side to side while singing. Does anyone else notice this or is it just me?

Scott MacIntyre

Scott's story is amazing, but come on guy's...he's really not that great of a singer! He was born blind, started college at 14, and is a talented musician (he's great behind the piano!), I really want to like him, but he just does not do it for me. I hope it's his voice and not his story that keeps getting him along in this (let's all say it together now) singing competition.

Michael Sarver

Another person, with yet another story. I think he did well this week, I just don't think he stands a chance against people like Danny, Matt, and Adam! Oh I will get to them :)

AnoppDog

I love this kid. He's Desi (which I think is awesome lol) has a good voice and is just a likable person. I think the judges were way to hard on him this week. I understand "Beat It" is an untouchable song but I think he did really well with it. Plus if it's so "untouchable" don't put it in the song book!

I have the hotts for Matt Giraud! He honestly reminds me A LOT of JT and every time he sings I'm loving it. I hope he goes far!



Oh boy watch out for Danny Gokey, I knew from the first time I heard him sing that he would do so well. I wont be as bold as Paula and say he's gonna make it to the finals (it's only week one) but he's defiantly a person to look out for!


Adam is great but he's screaming and screeching is not my cup of tea.


My favorite girls by far are Alexis and Allison...I hope there are many more weeks of them to come! Oh ya, Lil has a good voice but I think she has to grow on me. Plus I feel like she comes off as if she already knows she's great and I don't like that.



I was soooooooooooooo happy to say goodbye to Jasmine last night, I don't think she should have ever made it through in the first place. I felt bad for Jorge, but it's a tough competition and you have to bring it every week.

I'm so excited to see how things play out throughout the season. I'm sure I'll keep my thoughts posted!

I'm off to NYC this weekend. I talked to an old friend this week and decided to go on a whim. I'm really excited to get out of D.C for a little while...I need this!

Sarah Out :P


P.S I also really enjoy Kris, but I'm gonna have to say he's forgettable since I didn't even think to include him!

Back To Reality

I feel like I'm being much too lazy these days, and I'm determined to snap out of it! I should be taking serious advantage of my much needed time off, but I feel like I have not been as productive as I truly should be. My new goal is to sleep earlier, wake up earlier, work out more often (I SERIOUSLY NEED TO GET BACK ON THIS), eat better, read more book, watch less T.V, blog when I can, and look for jobs (which I have already been doing!). Am I aiming to high? I would like to think not. I just have to be serious about getting on a better schedule. I honestly didn't think I would go this long without a job. I have truly enjoyed the last two months of pretty much doing NOTHING, but I think it's time to get back on the right track.

So every year we all think of things we need to work on. I gave up on new years resolutions a long time ago, because I was always disappointed when I never truly stuck to it. I feel like it's time to bring it back. I know I can do anything if I really want to; I just have to put my best foot forward and work hard...even if it kills me.

I'm only going to start with three; anymore then that and I know I will fall short. Start small and work your way up, it's the only way for me at least.

Stay Organized: In general I'm a pretty organized person, but I know I can do better. If I prioritization my time and come up with a good schedule/routine I know I can accomplish so much more. I bought myself a planner and have really been using it...but I guess that's not such a big deal since I don't exactly have a ton going on right now. I carry it in my purse, and surprisingly I find myself wondering "why have I never done this before". It's nice to be able to look through and see: I have an interview on Monday, dinner date on Wednesday, and I better not forget to wish my friend a Happy Birthday on Friday.

Work Out: I have a love hate relationship with the gym. I love going, every time I get on a treadmill/elliptical I feel like I could go on for hours. When I walk out of the gym I feel so refreshed and can't wait to come back. So then what's the big deal? Getting there! I always say "I'm going to go to the gym today" and then I some how always find a way out of it. Last summer I was working out with a trainer two times a week, going to the gym on my own once a week, and taking a belly dancing class once a week. I had not felt so good since my softball days when skipping a workout was never even a thought. Unemployment does not help my situation, but I have to stop using that as an excuse, I didn't buy those Biggest Loser workout DVD's for nothing (believe it or not, it really is a killer workout). I have to find ways to be creative and get back in shape...I know I'll feel so much more energized and that's just what I need right about now.

Patience: It's funny that I come to this last, because it by far needs to be at the top of my list. We all have something we know about ourselves that we truly must work on but always find a way of saying "this is who I am". Innallaha-maa-as-Sabereen, God is with those who have patience. I feel like I need to walk around saying that until I live it and breathe it. It upsets me to know that the best of people are those who have patience and it's something I severely lack. When I want something I want it then and there, and I’m bad at taking “no” for an answer. I know better then anyone else that life does not work out that way, but still I must remind myself "BE PATIENT". I face things in my everyday life that force to me learn how to be more patient I almost feel like it's God's way of telling me "I'm going to make you to learn this trait if you like it or not". This is just another reminder of how blessed I really am. As much as I don’t believe I have any of this beautiful thing in me, I know it’s not fully the case. I have dealt with many things in life where I proved to myself and many others that I have what it takes. I just need to find a way to bring it out on my own and not only when I’m “forced”. I have just realized how much this effects not only myself but the people around me. I know this will benefit me in the best of ways and I hope the people closest to me will bare this in mind and always be willing to provide me with a nice reminder.

So I'm going to work hard on these three things. If I put my mind to it I know it will happen.

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.....