What I Learned in High School

For those of you reading this who haven't attended Chaparral High School, I am sorry. You missed out. Not on football games, or lunch room gossip, or even prom. You missed out on passion.For those of you who have attended Chap, then you will know exactly what I mean. And the best part is that I only have to say a name...

Mr.Larson.

Students would literally fight (aka have their parents complain to the principle) to get into his class. He is one of the best teachers in the world, ask anyone. I unfortunately never had the pleasure of being one of his students. However, during the end of Parent Teacher Conferences, when things had quieted down I went up to him and told him how I had heard nothing but good things about him and how I would be honored to learn something from him before I graduated. This sounds absurd, and I was saying it, I couldn't help but laugh because it seemed like such an odd request.

How abruptly stopped me and said "That. Keep laughing. It's the best thing you can do and the best thing I could possibly teach you."

I still haven't forgotten.

Laughing Out Loud,

~S

Kermit the Fraud

Please be warned! This friendly looking amphibian is a liar who is infecting the minds of today's youth!! Kermit has been recently quoted saying "It's not easy being green..."

FALSE!!!

Let me do some explaining here. I decided to be a vegetarian in October just to try and be a little healthier. I did it for two weeks and felt great! So I decided to push myself and see if I could do it through the rest of the month. After success, I pushed myself to take it to the end of the year! AND I DID IT! It just goes to show you can do anything you set your mind to. :)

However, my mother was more apprehensive than I was. She was always concerned I wasn't getting enough nutrients, proteins or other necessary ingredients for a healthy life. I then decided to try adding white meat back into my diet. I've been doing it for the past six weeks. This past weekend, I was reading a blog called Sexy Food Therapy. It was all about this 28 Day Raw Food cleanse and eating healthy foods that make you feel good. That's when it hit me...I don't want to eat meat anymore!!



I woke up this morning and gulped down this liquid gold. I felt amazing all day!! Seriously, you have to try this. I have felt energized and refreshed all day. Just because of some water out of a coconut. Crazy, huh? This got me motivated to share some tips with you about how I completely changed my life around. When I came to college I was nervous about my future, I was completely stressed and tense. Now I look like a hippie to those normal people. But I highly suggest taking baby steps.

Step 1:


This is a day planner called Plenty of Time. It's not about where you have to be, but who you have to be. Even if you don't want to be a vegetarian this book will change your life. If you follow me on Facebook I post a quote from this book almost everyday. Not only do you get a motivational quote, but there is a little box at the bottom to fill out a daily question. It makes you re-examine everything in your life. It has seriously decreased my level of stress, it reminds me of priorities, and reminds me off all of the awesome things going on in my life. It's by Terces Engelhart and you can get it at http://www.cafegratitude.com/plentyoftime

Step 2:

Read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It is an amazing book. We only use 10% of our brains, imagine how amazing life would be if we used all of it. It starts by believing in yourself. This book can teach you how to find your feet. You can make anything happen! If you don't believe me, give me just a couple years and I will prove it to you ;) You have to keep the glass half full when it looks half empty. Remind yourself daily of all of the amazing things you do and how worthy you are of great things. You deserve the future you want and you have to start believing in yourself.

Step 3:

Do the easiest things to be green. Recycle, buy local, turn off the lights, unplug cords, etc. All of this knowledge is found all around you. Literally. Going green is the coolest revolution out there (besides the love revolution of course). It feels so awesome when you save the Earth. Plus, I love Earth, It's my home. And if you don't want to do it for yourself and your future generations then do it for me. I want to stick around for awhile. Please and thank you.

Step 4:

This one is not for the faint of heart. No, do not drink people's blood, but be like Edward! Go vegetarian! It feels so good when you know all of the healthy, natural, good yummy foods you are putting into your body. And, if you are up to it, lets do a raw cleanse together! Don't freak out though, I want to wait until the summer. I have to bolster up the courage to do it. Are you up for the challenge? :)

And lastly, to the most beautiful person I know, my cousin Katie, I loved your blog today! And although I am the only one technically following your blog, just know that your happiness is a virus that is infecting millions of people. I hope you had as great of a day as I had. Keep staying positive darling. Your light is brighter than the sun!

Being Love,
~Steffanie

Walking A Mile In Your Shoes...Or Lack Thereof...

As many of you lovely people know, yesterday was National Barefoot Day!!



It was unbelievably thrilling walking around without shoes on. At first it felt really weird. Especially when I walked onto the bus that goes across campus and I was the only one not wearing shoes. I did have to put on shoes for fifteen minutes though. I had a meeting with my academic advisor and thought it would be a tad unprofessional if I walked in without shoes. But I took them off right afterwards. Scout's honor.



I felt like such a hippie! It was amazing! The sun was shining, I was wearing shorts, I had my purple water bottle with me, my hair was a little crazy, and I was barefoot. I wish that everyday was barefoot day. I felt so at ease, and so relaxed all day. Which, in turn, made my day twenty times better! Minus the splinter in my left heel of course. And how ironic is it that when I put my shoes on my day wasn't as great?

My roommate Malaya, Cody, and I went to Olive Garden last night to have dinner with our good friend (and Cody's roommate) Alex. UNC is not where he is supposed to be right now, and since he is headed home we decided to go out. We may not want him to leave but I am confident that he knows what is best for him. I am so excited to see all of the great things he does!

I propose we do this again. This whole no shoe thing. Are you free 364 days from now? It's a date.




~Steffanie, Barefooted in the Park