Growing Up

Buckle up, my friends. This is going to be a rant.


Being 19, I am in what one might call "The Dating Scene."

Being in Utah, I am in an even more annoying dating scene.

First, as a lady, I would like to address the man-folk.

Boys, GROW SOME BALLS. Girls WANT to be asked out. This is not rocket science.

Ask. Us. Out.

On real, actual dates.

So help me, if you keep just "hanging out" with me, or texting me cute stuff, or dropping hints, but NOT DOING ANYTHING, I will assume you've been castrated and aren't man enough to ask me out.

Here's a big secret: We, as women, would very much like to be asked on dates. SURPRISE.

What is the worst that could happen? She says no? MOVE ON, SWEETIE.
If a girl says no, that hasn't changed your situation at all. You didn't have a date with her before, and you don't have a date with her now. The only thing that is different, is that you can go find someone else to ask out. You no longer have to wonder if there's a chance with that particular girl, you can find someone that will work out better. Boom.

Whether we admit it or not, classy girls love (and deserve) chivalry. Open her doors, pay for the date, treat her with respect. Don't over-think everything, just be yourselves.

Don't you dare ask a girl out via text. Texting has been the death of real, honest communication. Ask her with a phone call, or best yet, ask her in person. Don't text her. DON'T DO IT. Spend real, face-to-face time with her. (What do you think marriage is gonna be like? One long text? No.)

Stop hanging out with girls. Just stop it. Go on dates, be assertive, and get yourselves some women! If you're not going to step up and make a clear point of pursuing a girl, then let her go. Let someone else do that. Because THAT guy will end up with her.

If you've manned up and found a girl, do not get so excited that you scare her off. Seduction is a slow-burning technique. It's as if you're throwing a frog in a pot of boiling water. If you blow up her phone, ask to see her every single day ever, mention how many children you want, or how much your mom likes her already, and you have JUST met...that girl (frog) will jump right out of that pot. Take it slow, it's worth it. You do not take a rose petal and throw it in a hole, dump a pitcher of water on it, shove some dirt over it and have a rosebush the next day. It does not happen. Just trust me on this. Don't rush into a relationship, don't rush into marriage, just RELAX. Unless you have a terminal disease, there is time to think these things through. Calm yourself.

If, however, you have been together for quite some time, and you both are set on each other, why would you wait to get married? Nike dude,  just do it.


And as for the ladies, you're not off the hook either.

If that poor boy manned up enough to ask you on a proper date, you better freakin' say yes.

Unless you are already dating someone, are a lesbian, or have proof that he is an actual serial killer/rapist, you say yes to that boy. Just say yes to that first date, the second date is your choice. If he really, genuinely, truly, makes you feel uncomfortable, get some friends to go on a double or triple date with you. Listen to your gut and be safe. (Pepper spray and a knife in your purse.)

If there isn't any hope after the first date, don't lead him. Don't you dare. Let that boy-man find someone else. Do not ever lead a guy on because you can, because you're lonely, because he's too nice to stand up for himself, because whatever. Don't. That is cruel and stupid. You are wasting his time and yours, and you should be slapped.

Just because you are a woman, does not mean that you can treat boys like dirt. Don't do that to anybody, actually. If he is paying for your dinner, your movie, your ticket somewhere, your whatever-you-do-on-your-date, frickin' say thank you. Be polite and sweet, and show him respect.

As for yourselves, have some self-respect. Don't be a big ol' whore just because he paid for your dinner. If he just gets to know your ladycave, he's never going to get to know the rest of you, i.e. your brain, your life, your hopes and dreams, etc. Respect yourself, respect him, and make your momma proud. Classy women are never out of style.


People around the world (but especially here in warped Utah) need to just relax. Get married when you're ready, not when you're horny/lonely. If you're 19 (or 20 something) and you're not married, engaged, or even dating at all, THAT'S OK. You figure out who YOU are, what YOU need, what YOU want in life. The few years between high school and marriage are the blessed few years you have every right to be selfish. In these years you will have to choose a college, a career, a place to live, and a person to spend your life with. All the big decisions of your life are made now. You do what will most benefit you. Have fun, but also get your crap together.

Something my dad always says is, "Have a good life. If you find someone to share it with, that's great. But don't spend your life waiting for them to appear and make your life." There's no guarantees in life. Not everyone will get married. Not everyone will stay married. Things happen. But who wants to be on their deathbed and think they've spent their whole life waiting?

The point of this post is to just say, get over it. You're gonna die one day, and none of this will matter. So man up, (or wo-man up) and get out there. Make decisions, make mistakes, date people, go on adventures, take trips to Spain on a whim, and most importantly...get the frick out of your comfort zone. Take chances, take risks, and learn from everything.


Oh, and ask girls out on real dates.


Carpe Diem (Or, "YOLO" as the stupid people say),

Meg

Best Friends

There is something oh-so-very-special about a best friend.

I have a tendency to call many people my best friend.

Each person is a best friend for a different reason, not making them more or less of a best friend, just a different best friend.

There are the best friends who are the listening ears, the shoulders to cry on, the sympathetic saviors.

There are the best friends who are the ones that laugh with you, laugh at you, and laugh at all of your jokes, (even the lame ones.)

There are the best friends that are always up for an adventure, that are there when you call them to rescue you, that will drop everything for you.

There are the best friends that help you to be better, that inspire you to be nicer, to learn more, to give more, to BE more.

There are the best friends that always keep you laughing, keep you smiling, keep you sane.

There are the best friends that you can pour out your heart to, swear at/with, and let out your frustrations with.


Then there are what I like to call the "Ultimate Best Friends" aka, the ones who are all of the above and more. These few people that have touched my life are what I should really call my best friends, because they ARE the best friends I have ever had. Sometimes these people stay in my life and sometimes they leave; sometimes we fall out of touch and reconnect later. Whatever happens with each of these indiviuals, they have all been in my life for a reason. I have learned from these people, I have loved these people, and they have influenced my life in so many unique ways.

I wear my heart on my sleeve. I always have, and I always will. At times I have tried to change that, to toughen up, to mask myself and my thoughts, but that's not me. I am not a masker. I am an open book that lets every emotion play across her face. I am so weird. I am kind of insane. I overthink EVERYTHING. I really don't trust people. I have a hard time letting people get to know me, but at the same time I will answer anything they ask me. I'm afraid of commitment. I feel the constant need to move and meet new people, and experience new things, and see new places. I have a hard time with routines. I'm more self-concious than people might think. I love people more than they expect. I'm really intense and sometimes extreme.

But I will always be my favorite. I have accepted myself. I love myself. I love my quirks. I celebrate them!

I need people that understand that. People that understand me and the things I do. People that understand the crazy. I have to have people that push me to be better, but also let me be when I need it. I can't handle friends that pressure me to do things I'm not comfortable with. I have to get comfortable with it, or I'll never do it. I have to move at my own pace, and in my own way. The way I do things is not the way everyone does, and sometimes I just have to do it my way and not care what others think.

I love friends that are just frank with me and that know me better than I know myself sometimes. I need those people that are like everything I listed earlier.

Those people are the kind that really stick with you.

So to those that have been, are now, and will in the future be that kind of friend to me, I say: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for listening to me. Thank you for making me laugh. Thank you for seeing me cry. Thank you for giving me reasons to trust you. Thank you for brightening my life with your existence. Thank you for loving me, especially at times when I don't even love myself. Thank you for your support. Thank you for you. I love you more than you know. Even if I'm not your best friend, please know that you have been mine. I wouldn't trade our time for anything in the world. Our talks, our walks, our laughs, our memories?
I will be more grateful for them than you will ever know. So again, I thank you for being there, I thank you for blessing my life, I thank you for being you.

M.D.

Sadness is a Blessing.

Sometimes you just get in a funk.

Sometimes you feel lost.

Sometimes you try to find a direction.

Sometimes you need someone to correct you.

Sometimes you need someone to just listen.


Life isn't always butterflies and orchids. Life gets hard sometimes. It's what you do when you are having hard times that shows your character. Everything happens for a reason. People are put in your life to change you for good or bad. It's how you react that makes the difference. Learning from every experience is the best thing you can do. Don't be bitter, don't be spiteful, hateful, or petty. Take it a day at a time. We all do.

Everybody love everybody,

M.D.

Free Time

Today is one of those days that I just want to spend doing something.

I want to go to a cafe or a bookstore, find some classic literature, and go curl up in a corner and read all day.

I want to curl up with Netflix and watch my British TV shows.

I want to lay in the sun and get tan.

I want to go swimming.

I want to go to the beach.

I want California and Utah to combine.

Basically, I just want SUMMER.


In six days I will be walking at graduation, and I will be finished at LDS Business College.

That's crazy! My life has been LDSBC for the past two years. I've always been at school or waiting to go back. Now I'm done. It's extremely bittersweet for me. I have adored my time here, and I have made more memories than I could imagine. I've grown up here. I've lived here.

When one door closes, another door opens. I'm going to be spending my first summer away from home. I'm working at a great job, and I am in love with it. I've got the greatest summer posse set up, and I've got the best cousins a girl could ask for.

My future is nothing but hope. Hope and a lot of laughter.

God is good. Life is great.

Everybody love everybody,

M.D.


P.S. Tuesday I went to my first concert, and it was none other than YOUNG THE GIANT. Sorry, they just make me really excited. It was phenomenal. I've never had a better time in my life. It was a delicious experience. I can't wait for more concerts! But I'll leave you with some pictures. I got extremely camera-happy, and the pictures are mostly of Sameer Gadhia...but can you blame me? The man is a musical god with a voice of pure joy. That is all.

 This guy is not in the band, he was a sound tech, but with a 'stache like that I'd definitely be his friend.

YTG

I loved the way YTG had their lights set up. 

Sameer!

May or may not be my phone background...

Sameer shakes his butt when he dances.

Freaking favorite voice in the world.

Speaking of butts, I touched his when he crowd-surfed. I am extremely proud of myself for that one.

This was Grouplove, the first band to play. They were awesome too. Super energetic, they can all sing, and they had such a great energy. I loved watching them!

Grouplove again, The lead singer's hair was interesting to watch, because as he got hotter, his hair got bigger. I just want to touch it.

That's all folks! I actually have about 40 more pictures, but I didn't want to bore you all.

Much love.

Highs and Lows?

So basically, around Saturdays I am going to post highlights and low points of my week, summarize, and maybe throw in some fun pictures as well. I don't really know what to call it though. Highs and Lows? Ups and Downs? Yays and Nays? Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down? Really, there's a lot of options at my fingertips. The name will come later.

Low points this week:

Not sleeping enough. 

This happens every week, but especially since I started working. I have school full-time and now work almost full-time too. Plus it's the end of the semester/end of my two year degree/graduation/I-don't-exactly-know-what-I'm-doing-with-my-life time. No big.

Having my best friend roughly 6,000 miles away. 

I'm really supportive of missions. They're great! But for other people. I, am a selfish person. I want my people close by! I am so proud of that poopsicle though. So I guess he can stay for the 98 more weeks. Not that I'm counting or anything. 

Not getting an email from said best friend. NO PRESSURE.

Ok sweetie, I know you're a missionary right now. But I took the precious time to send you an email, niggs, you best respond! You know I can cut you, even if you're in South America, Captain Jazzy.

Not talking to someone in my family for two weeks.

Having really hot guys come in to work.

This is a high and low. High, cuz hello...hot men. There are so many beautiful businessmen and office workers, and gay guys, and well dressed men. But it's a low point, because I don't see a lot of them again. Or they're married. Then it's just like, "Ok. Get your food and leave so I don't have to be jealous of you and your probably equally adorable wife. Waaaaaahhhhhh." It's worse when cute married couples come in, and worst of all when they have disgustingly cute lil chirren and stuffs. Hurts my ovaries.

Stepping on a mayonnaise packet at work and not noticing. Friggin' nasty.

No really. The only reason I realized it was because my coworker told me and then proceeded to wipe it off for me. She's super nice. I like her.

Having your bff put you on blast in front of your co-workers. Thanks, boo.

Issue was resolved, but for a second there...I looked like a fool.

High points this week:

Getting a job!

Ok, so I got the job like two weeks ago. I don't even care, it's awesome. I truly believe it was a God-given job. I got it on the spot and it's one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

My boo came to visit me!!!!

My boo, Shannon. Yes, she has freaking purple in her hair. She's that legit.

We have way too much fun together.

Sometimes we try to be serious. It never lasts long.

I just love this girl. She's my boo. (:

Shannon Michelle Jessie Hardy arrived here um, yesterday, and since then we have had such good times! YEAH! I had to work today, so she was hanging with some other friends while I was there, but then we had custard, adventured in Wal-mart, and honked at some cute guys. We have such good talks, such good laughs, and such good memories. Especially when we listen to heytells and laugh so hard we start sobbing.

Creating a wolfpack at work.

Gotta have one! Wolfpacks are essential! Thankfully, I quickly gained a good pack. Those boys are just great.

Making friends with a seriously epic ginger.

Oh man. It doesn't even feel like work, because I'm laughing so hard. This kid. So funny, so sassy, so fabulous. We call each other boo and babe, and come up with the best funny things. It's a hard life for two pimps like us.

Realizing that I have completed two years of college.

It doesn't seem like much at times, but it's actually a little bit of a big deal. I'm proud of how far I have come since being 16 and nervous about leaving home. I've worked hard to get where I am and I wouldn't change my life for anything.

Being in love with my job.

I'm kind of obsessed. It's pretty much all I have to talk about. I go in even on my days off and I bring all my friends in. My job completes me. I love it.

Having less than two weeks left of school.

Yeah. That's really happening. I have a cap and gown, and I, Megan, am graduating. Like a big kid. With pull-ups and everything. WOAH.

As hard as life is sometimes, with the ups and downs (or super Mormon cliche sounding "blessings and trials") and struggles and stuff, I'm doing good. I'm far more blessed and better off than I think most of the time. Everything happens for a reason. Patience in life is essential, or you'll go crazy. So, I'm praying for patience and I'm going to just keep swimming.

Everybody love everybody,

M.D.

Are Nuns an Option for Mormons?

Ok. This is a ranting post.
Well maybe not ranting. But definitely some self expression will happen.
Prepare yourselves dear readers.


There is something that has been puzzling me for a little while, and lately especially, it has been rampant in my life.

This is not to offend the good guys out there...but keep your effin' hands to yourselves.

Where do men get the idea that just because you know each other, they can touch you? Not men, boys. Boys touch you without waiting for your consent. Boys hug-rape you. Multiple times. Boys rub your back and arms and get wayyyy too far into your bubble.

Now, I know there are a lot of great guys in the world. Some of the best happen to be my friends.

But sweetie, do NOT touch me.


Let's get this straight. I love hugs! I do! I'm a hugger, I hug people. It's what I do. I'm a teddy bear, basically. But I have to be at a certain level of comfortableness with the huggee.

Here are the rules:
If I want a hug, I will initiate it, ask for it (literally), or accept it with a big smile or a squeeze or something. If I like you, we're close friends, we joke around, we tease each other, we've gone out a few times, or you've asked me out (and I've said YES) you can totally initiate the hug. If I initiate conversations with you, or I actually hang out with you, it's all good! I am down for embraces.

But if I only see you once in a while, we don't text, we don't talk, we don't joke around, and we don't really even have mutual friends, then get your paws off me. And you better not force a hug and then LINGER. No. I'm not gonna embarrass you in front of people and shove you away, but it makes me extremely uncomfortable, and frankly, I will start avoiding you. Do not give me multiple hugs. I like hugs, but unless I'm dating you, or you're Ryan Gosling, I don't want to hug you three to five times in less than 10 minutes. If I pull away from a hug really quickly, you best let me go.

Don't come into my class and hug me. Really? I have to say this one?

Also, I am NOT a fan of PDA.

So:
Do. Not. Touch. My. Body.

Yes, I am a cuddly person. I will cuddle up next to my really close guy friends, but they are guys who I know would never do anything to make me uncomfortable. They've never forced me into hugging them and they have proved themselves not creepy.

If you push me into hugging you, it only backfires on you. It literally makes me want to sprint away from you and the whole situation.

Oh, absolutely never corner me in an elevator, I most likely will "accidentally" swift-kick you in the cajones.

Don't stroke my arm, don't try to hold my hand, don't play with my hair. I am not a doll, I am not a toy, I will cut you. Don't stand there and rub my back. Don't even stand that close to me. It's called a bubble, I have one. Get out of it.

Also, I still don't understand this situation:

Don't hit on me over Facebook. You really think I want a guy that's not man enough to talk to me in person? If we're friends on FB it's cuz you know me in real life, and you should know I give everyone a chance at friendship or whatever. If I don't have an interest in you, I'm not gonna lead you on. But don't resort to vague and slightly creepy messages or comments on my page. Trick, I will block your sorry behind. If I don't respond? Let it go. If you make me uncomfortable, you best believe I'm not gonna respond and encourage you.

Lastly, if you're over 30? GTFO. That is highly inappropriate. I'm sorry, but that will never happen. I'm 19.

Oh yeah, and my eyes are up here. ('.')


If I could be a nun, I think I would be. Not forever, but it would be nice to get away from boys that don't get the hint that it ain't gon' happen.

On the other hand, there are some truly incredible guys out there in the world. To those MEN I say, keep on keepin' on. Be men. Ask girls out on DATES. Don't hang out, ya wimps. If the girl says no, move on. Don't get butthurt, there's millions of women in the world and in the end, it just takes one. Keep your chins up, fellas.
Shower, brush your teeth, and wear deodorant. This is simple stuff, but you'd be surprised how many don't do this basic stuff. If you wear a little bit of cologne (actual cologne, Axe does not count) the ladies will plotz for you. Don't bathe in it though, we don't need our eyes watering.

Treat girls how you would want your future daughter to be treated. Tease us, we love a sense of humor. Make us laugh. Be kind. Be yourselves!!! If you're a dork, be one. Ladies is dorks too.

Most of all? Don't stress over it. Dating should be fun. Have fun! If you're 22 and you don't feel ready to be married, that's okay! Don't lead girls on, and always be a gentleman when you do date.

I don't know how this became a dating advice blog post, but I can't stop my inner matchmaking Jewish grandma from taking over once in a while.

Since I'm a granny, I will end this post and go to bed now.


Everybody love everybody,

M.D.


P.S. Never tell a girl her hair is frizzy. (Especially when it's not.) You will definitely lose some major points. Rude.

Goodbyes.

I cried today. I cried Sunday. I cried Saturday. Needless to say, I cried a lot this weekend.

I have a tendency to get very attached to my friends.

This weekend I had to say goodbye to two of my favorite people on the planet. Rachel, because she is moving to Hawaii for school, and Ryan, because he is going to Brazil for two years to serve an LDS mission.

I woke up early Saturday, went to Rachel's room which is/was directly above mine, and laid on her bed with her and just talked. Then we got up and she started packing, I played some of our favorite music and we just kept talking. We didn't really bring up her leaving or why she was packing or the fact that we don't really know when we'll see each other again. We just sat in that moment and enjoyed it.We laughed and reminisced and sang oldies. I helped her pack her things into her sister's car, and took home a few things she didn't want anymore.

Then it was time, we had everything done, everything out of the room and in the car, and it was time for goodbyes.

I had been so strong, but the tears hit and hit hard. I cried as I hugged her goodbye and watched her get in the car. I then proceeded to try and find a place to quietly let out my tears. My roommate was home and I felt awkward crying in front of her, so I went down to the basement of the building I live in, to the laundry room, to this sketchy, ghetto, kinda nasty little bathroom, and I sat on the floor and just cried and cried.

And then I just I started laughing.

I mean, come on. I'm sitting on the floor of a gross little secluded bathroom stall, I'm practically folded into myself because its maybe two feet across and I'm 5'11, and I'm crying hysterically, trying to wipe my eyes with this insanely scratchy toilet paper, and then as I'm sitting there, these girls come into the laundry room and proceed to talk about better ways to clean and dry their bras. They couldn't see me, and considering I didn't want to awkwardly come out of the stall with puffy red eyes, I just stayed there, trapped into hearing their inane conversation, until they left 15 minutes later.

At that point I truly lost it. I started giggling so bad, but while still slightly crying. I soon left the bathroom floor and took a much needed nap.

I can't write these situations, they just happen to me.

I miss Rachel so bad. She's one of my best friends on every level. I don't think we've ever disagreed on anything, and she has opened my eyes to so many fantastic things. So many movies and artists and music, I can't begin to describe. She is a phenomenal human being, and I am so grateful and proud to call her my friend. I'm so excited for her to go to Hawaii and get tan and be warm and have a great time at school, she deserves the best.
Rach, you've always been there for me, you're always there when I have stories to tell, and you never fail with good advice or a sympathetic ear. You're gorgeous inside and out, and you best bring me a sunset boy when we visit each other. We'll make it work. Someday we'll get a bookstore and run it together and live in an apartment on top of it. Siempre solo, but together. We'll watch cat videos and buy some cute birds and train them to do cool stuff. It's not goodbye, it's just see you later. I love you, crazy girl. I don't have anyone else in the world to make pterodactyl noises and motions with. Hahaha. If you don't like Hawaii, you can always come back.



I've known Ryan since we were probably thirteen-years-old, and we hated each other. Haha.
He was such a brat through high school, Mr. Football-playing-buttfaced-miscreant. I was just uncomfortable in my own skin and very socially awkward. We had mutual friends (kind of), and we saw each other at church activities and some school football games and such, but even though we weren't outright mean to each other, we were definitely not friends.

I went away to school, Ryan graduated, and we both grew up a bit. It really wasn't until this summer that we realized that we had the same sense of humour, and that we've been missing out on this friendship for years.

Timing is a funny thing that way. We had half our short lives to be friends, and it wasn't until about six or so months before I was leaving for school and he was leaving for his mission that we really became close.

This poor kid. He has had to deal with my batch of crazy texts and phone calls and stories of creepers and clumsy moments. He's kind of like the long lost brother/cousin person I've never had. That's what I love best about guy friends, is that once they learn that I can take a joke and dish it right back, we're bros from then on. Even though it hasn't been a long time of actual friendship, I'm so grateful for becoming friends with Ryan and all the inside jokes and good times we had before I left and then he left.
Ryan, you're awesome. You are gonna be one super missionary. I can't believe you've already been set apart and you're leaving in the morning. That means you probably won't read this for another two years, unless I copy and paste it in an email to you. I'm not sure what I'll do. I'm still working on The Letter, and it's gonna make you pee your pants from the sheer hilarity and jokes. That's right. I'm gonna embarrass you from an entire different continent. WHAT NOW? Haha. I'm glad you got all the N's out of your system before you were set apart. I have that text saved, and I will keep it to remind you of how awesome your vocabulary is. Godspeed, brother. You know I love you. Don't forget to hit up Rachel when you get back, cuz I want you two to get married and name a kid after me. It's not a lot to ask for! Anyway, I'll see you in two years, and you best believe I'ma spam you all the time.

After I was said goodbye to Ryan, I ended up calling my mom and crying, because even though I know it's not forever, and I know I will be able to contact them both, it's still a goodbye for me for now, and I hate it. I want all of my loved ones near me all the time. Plus, this weekend wasn't really fair with the two of them leaving me at the same time. My poor heart has a hard time handling these things. Time is going to fly, it really is. But it's ok to be a little bit sad right now.

Appreciate the people in your life that you love. Treat others as you want to be treated, and don't take people's crap. Doesn't matter who they are, stranger, acquaintance, friend, best friend, or family; there's a line of what you have to take from people. Take care of yourselves first, then take care of others. Listen to God, pray, keep close to Him, and He will take care of you. If something goes wrong, cry about it and then forget about it and move on. Life isn't worth wasting. You are worth more than wasting your tears on people or things that don't matter.

Do what you love, make yourself happy, and be kind.

Always be kind.

Everybody love everybody,
M.D.

Side Note: I was trying to add pictures of Hawaii and Brazil when my computer crashed (I really really need a new one) and so I am extremely grateful that blogger saves things automatically. So, no pictures this post. I'll catch y'all next time.