You Should Never Stop...Taking Long Sunday Drives by Yourself.

After a long week of work, school, and whatever else goes on in our busy lives, it is nice to take a break from everything and have a little ME time. One of the best ways to accomplish this type of serenity, I believe, is simply by going for a drive by yourself. You’ve got to admit that there is something peaceful about sitting behind the wheel with nowhere to go. Just you and the road. As much fun as being productive and having a social life is, sometimes taking a drive up the canyon is just what the doctor ordered! Now some of you probably appreciate the sound of silence on these lazy Sunday drives; however, I value music too much for it to go unheard. I am someone who believes there is a song out there for every situation or mood possible and it is nice to hear that someone might be relating to how you feel in particular moments in life. For those of you who share this value for music, make a playlist especially for long drives and get lost in the road and the melody.

You Should Never Stop...Splurging on too Many Items just because they are on Sale.

Alright, girls I know that you have to understand this one. I can’t think of any one of my friends who would pass up a good deal. This thought came to me this summer when I was as broke as ever. First off, a recap of my summer: 2 speeding tickets and 1 ridiculous fine for climbing a water tower. The outcome turns out to be me owing close to $800 in tickets. So…in an attempt to be a responsible, money-saving adult, I went shopping with a friend and, in order to refrain from buying anything, left my wallet in the car. Little did I know that this particular store was having a shoe sale…and not just any shoe sale, but a real money saver.  So what did I do? Ran back outside to grab my wallet and bought not one, but THREE pairs of shoes. Looking back, I probably should have just gone home BUT it was okay because they were on sale!!!

The same can go for furniture. Us girls, we like to decorate. And a decorator’s best friend/sworn enemy is a little store you guys may have heard of: IKEA. It is impossible to walk in and not go crazy! And it feels like everything is a good deal so you fill up your cart but when we don’t stop to realize that it all adds up. But, nonetheless, all great purchases. J  

And all you guys out there, don’t be afraid to admit you do this too. My dad is not much of a shopper but when there is a sale on tools at Home Depot, you better believe he’s there buying things he probably doesn’t need, and does he ever feel guilty? No.

The point I am trying to make is, yeah, we all go a little crazy and spend too much money from time to time but doesn’t it feel good to at least think you were being frugal? I think so.

You Should Never Stop...Having All-Day Marathons of Your Favorite TV Shows

Everybody says that when you have a day off you should take advantage of it and go do something crazy. And yes, I agree with this. But there are SOME occasions when you don’t feel like doing anything at all. And for these days, I would suggest tuning in to watch your favorite show for the majority of your Saturday. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately but I have seemed to waste two of the last seven days watching marathons of Pretty Little Liars and The Bad Girls Club. Now, I can’t say that this is the healthiest activity and I may be going a little overboard but sometimes IT IS OKAY!!!

Better yet, make it a group activity and invite your girlfriends over in their sweats for popcorn and junk food. My old roommate and I once spent an entire Saturday and Sunday watching The Hills in our living room, while making caramel popcorn. Ha Ha wow I just realized that saying it out loud makes me sound like I have no life. But as you guys should know by now, I believe, that without these stupid little things, there is no life at all.

Take a day off. To do absolutely nothing. :)

You Should Never Stop...Pretending to be Someone Else on Vacations

Yes, yes, we know that lying is wrong and shouldn’t be done. HOWEVER, vacations are the one time that we meet people we will probably never see again so what is the harm of making your life seem a little bit more interesting than it really is? Maybe I am wrong but I just assume that the people I meet in San Diego won’t be too thrilled to hear about how I am a full-time college student who has spent the majority of her summer doing homework. Instead, I get the feeling that they would be much more intrigued to meet someone with an exciting story. Now, don’t go overboard with this. The beauty of it is that the most subtle of things is just enough. For example, a simple “white lie” of where you are from is plenty, but choose somewhere people want to hear about! …I have had friends who are able to hold a whole conversation in a British accent. Of course, the fact that she is "from somewhere exciting," allows for a great conversation starter.  

There is also the opportunity to make up something that is so unbelievably untrue but you are curious to see what people will buy. For instance, on an all-girls’ Vegas trip last summer, we were able to convince other tourists that two of us were lovers, celebrating an anniversary in Sin City. Not necessarily the image I am trying to achieve but was it funny? Damn right it was.  And wherever they are, they are still out there thinking they met two lesbians in love. 

And yes, there is the risk that you might slip up and blow the whole thing by saying something that doesn’t fit but then you just walk away and can count on probably never seeing that person again.  So I suggest to all of you reading this that on your next friend getaway, think of an entertaining story to tell others about. Perhaps you guys are an aspiring band trying to make it big, maybe you have just been through a divorce, or it could be that you are going to be on the next Bachelor… I don’t know. Be creative. Ha ha ha.

You Should Never Stop...Busting Out a Rhyme

Now, a little background of my closest friends: Blonde. White. Preppy. Utahans. What do all of these things have in common with Rap? That’s right, nothing. But we do it anyways.  Nobody said anything about it having to be any good, and trust me; the majority of mine are not. I have been known to rap about guys, school, and Hanukah… You heard right, Hanukah.  It starts out with just a couple lines and before you know it you have the lyrics to full song.  To celebrate this week’s blog, I am including an original rap. Like I said before, I’m not a professional. I just do it for fun so use your imagination people. 

Check it.

Well it started back in my earlier days

Me and Kat used to sit and brainstorm new ways

New ways to rap and bust it out

It started out rough but there aint no doubt

We soon got better and we didn’t give up

Then came Ciera who showed us whassup

We welcomed her with open arms

She laid it down and brought gangsta charm

Amie came along and spit out a few

And Now I’m rappin with the baddest crew

Not my best… But I hope it inspired you to make your own :)

Minus Ciera L

You Should Never Stop...Calling Just to Say Hi

In this day and age, it is a rare thing to have a phone call that lasts more than a couple minutes. With the fast paced world that we live in and technology growing, we don’t spend any more time than we have to conversing on the phone. If we feel the need to catch up, we prefer to send the ever popular “what’s up” text. As convenient as texting is, I am always more excited to hear my phone ring with an actual phone call. And to top that off, I am even MORE excited when I find out someone is calling me for no reason at all. I know this gesture is becoming…uh…outdated, but I think everyone could agree that it is always nice to hear from an old friend who is just looking to catch up in a genuine way.  

You Should Never Stop...Faking Fights in Stores to See How People React

We have all done it. It’s a Friday night with nothing to do when you and a couple of friends take a pointless trip to Wal-Mart and someone has the bright idea to fake an argument. It all begins with a simple raise of the voice and before you know it you guys are accusing each other of cheating with someone’s boyfriend. With each insult, it gets harder and harder to keep from laughing but you know you can’t be the one to break down in front of the shoppers who are in no attempt to hide their eavesdropping. As stupid as the whole thing is, it never seems to get old. I had my first “grocery store quarrel” in high school and still to this day find it hilarious. It makes me wonder how many times I see couples arguing in shopping aisles…is this the real deal or are they just trying to get a reaction out of me? I know it seems immature but this little stunt can provide a night full of laughter at any age.

TIP: If you find yourself too “advanced” for department stores and supermarkets, another interesting place to try this out is in the drive-thru at fast food restaurants…Even though you can’t quite see their reaction; you know they can’t be comfortable with the fact that two people are screaming at each other while they are forced to listen through the intercom.