Author: Maria Drew

I was the kid in school who got decent grades, participated in school functions, was always friendly, yet was never recognized or rewarded. I did the best I could and always tried to do better. I wasn't the most popular kid but I was liked by most and had many friends. 

I wasn't the kid in National Honors Society, or the captain of the field hockey team. I wasn't a teacher's pet and I didn't do math team. I didn't get 100% on all my tests. Because I wasn't perfect, I wasn't recognized. 

Throughout grade school and into middle school, I didn't do well in school. I skipped a lot and failed some classes. So in high school when I was doing good, I just really yearned for that attention and rewarding. I wanted my parents to come to all the assemblies and witness me receive awards. But instead I dreaded the assemblies. I dreaded hearing all of the teachers who I tried so hard to impress, give their awards to someone else. Someone better. After a while I guess I sort of just accepted it. 

I did get an award once. In math. Which shocked me because this was the first time in 3 years I even passed a math class. I was so proud and marched up on stage with a smile on my face. But when I walked up to the teacher to get my award, she said, "What, are you really surprised? Don't you remember who else was in your class?". This killed me. She didn't give it to me because I deserved it, she gave it to me because I guess I was the best option in a room filled with idiots to her. 

Anyways, I guess  just slid through high school under the radar. Never being noticed. I wish I would've had that encouragement that I needed. I wish I could've been the popular girl who all the teachers loved and played every sport and received every award. Or the guy who always got above a 90% on every assignment and all the teachers were amazed by. 

But I'm still smart. And I'm still going to college. And I know my worth and know that none of those kids are any better than I am. 

I guess I have to thank all those kids and teachers though. Because without them, I probably wouldn't have tried so hard to be better. Even though in the end, I still wasn't recognized for that. 

 I didn't get any scholarships or awards the night of graduation. That was embarrassing and depressing. During a time where I should've been crying with joy, I was crying out of disappointment in myself. And it's funny because we would all make bets on who would receive the awards because we knew they'd get them, per usual. 

I'm not dissing any of those kids. They're all amazing students with super intelligent minds. I just envy them. 

Sincerely, 

Mediocre me. 

Creating a bucket list is awesome, but creating one full of things to do with your s/o, EVEN MORE AWESOME. Here is the ultimate bucket list full of things to do with the love of your life. 

These are all things that simply need to be done together. 

1. Kiss in the rain. 

2. Build a blanket fort. 

3. Have the typical "dinner and a movie" date. 

4. Go on a double date.

5. Go to a zoo or an aquarium. 

6. See a sports game. 

7. Watch fireworks. 

8. Kiss under the stars. 

9. Build a snowman.

10. Make a gingerbread house. 

11. Go on a road trip. 

12. Have a movie marathon. 

13. Cuddle at a bonfire 

14. Bake something together. 

15. Go to the fair. 

16. Have a tickle fight. 

17. Have a game night. 

18. Go to a family BBQ. 

19. Go to a concert. 

20. See a drive-in movie. 

21. Over-load on snacks and watch a movie on Netflix.

22. Make a bed on the living room floor and watch a scary movie. 

23. Match your Halloween costumes. 

24. Go out to breakfast. 

25. Go to the ocean and collect shells. 

26. Talk about the future. 

27. Go on a random adventure; walk through the woods, hike etc.. 

28. Go camping. 

29. Carve pumpkins together. 

30. Get a pet together. 

31. Become regulars somewhere.

32. Go to a haunted house together. 

33. Decorate a Christmas tree. 

34. Most importantly, just fall in love and grow old together.

Are you a college student flooded with homework? Or maybe a mom of three who also works two jobs? If so, these are some of my personal tips and tricks to help you remain calm and over-all, less stressed. Or even if you're none of the above and just a stressful person, you can benefit from this too. 

Tip #1.) Get a planner. Writing things down into a planner can alleviate stress in many different ways. It helps you figure out what needs to be done, and when. It also increases the chance that you'll actually remember that doctors appointment or essay thats due tomorrow. 

Tip #2.) Shower at night. This is one of my personal favorites. I know some people swear by their morning shower routine and count on it to wake them up, but showering at night can save you a ton of time the next morning. 

Tip #3.) Plan what you're going to wear the night before.  I don't know about you, but I know finding an outfit can be the most stressful thing. If you pick out your outfit the night before, not only will it help with stress, but it also allows you to sleep in an extra 15 minutes! 

Tip #4.) Take a nap. (Another one of my favorites). Taking a nap and turning your brain off for a little while, even just thirty minutes can be so relaxing and really change your day around. Sometimes you just need to sleep it out. 

Tip #5.) Go for a walk. Going for a walk (especially during Fall), is one of the best stress relievers, and you can get some steps in while you're at it. The fresh air and change of scenery can be super calming. If you're not into that then hit the gym! Exercising in general is good for both your physical, AND mental health. 

Tip #6.) Blog. Blogs like this, can help you get all that pent-up stress, anger, or whatever else you may be feeling, OUT. You can say whatever you want (for the most part) and nobody will judge you. 

Tip #7.) Cuddle. It's scientifically proven that cuddling relieves stress. So grab onto your significant other tight. Or dog. I prefer dog. 

Tip # 8.) Watch a sad movie. Now this may seem like a bad idea for someone who is stressed, but it works for me. If I'm feeling stressed or overwhelmed, sometimes all I want to do is cry. So I watch sad movies, which results in me crying, which in the end results in a happier me. YAY. 

Tip #9.) Eat your feelings. This is probably a bad tip but I think we've all done it. It's okay to eat your heart out once in a while. So kick back and relax, but on a good chick flick, and grab some ice cream. 

Tip #10.) Give yourself a break. You're probably being too hard on yourself. Don't overload yourself with work. Take a deep breath, do what's absolultey necessary, then save the rest for later. Don't be too hard on yourself. 

I know I do all of the above tips and tricks to lower my stress level, and I hope you guys can benefit from them too! My mom told me a couple days ago, "Just think of the absolutely worst outcome, and as yourself "is it really that bad?" and just know that whatever you thought of, most likely won't happen anyways. You'll be fine". 

Before reading this article, understand that everything in it are based on real events and people. My stepfather was and still is, an awful human being. Thankfully myself, nor anybody else in my family was seriously hurt. 

"Mommy why are you crying?"… I'm just tired.

"Mommy what happened to your windshield?"… A bird flew into it. 

"Mommy why is he yelling at you?"… He's just a little upset, everything is okay. 

I don't understand why Mommy is always so sad. Or why He is always mad at her. I don't understand why He grabs my wrists so hard when He brings me down the hall. Or why I go to bed early for leaving the closet door open just a little. I don't understand why He always smashes our pretty dishes. 

I don't understand. 

Mommy, He isn't very nice. Whenever you leave for work I wish you'd just stay. He makes me clean, or stay in my room. He yells at me really loud. It scares me. 

Mommy where is my daddy? He's so much nicer than Him. Why did you and Daddy get divorced and how come you love Him now? I've seen Him yell at you very loud and that isn't very nice. 

Mom I'm basically a teenager now, I shouldn't have to listen to Him. He isn't even my real dad. Why do you even put up with him? If you makes you so sad why don't you just leave him? My sisters don't deserve a "father" like this either. I'm sick of seeing that scared look on their faces whenever something goes flying across the room or when he shouts at them. They don't know what happens in your room at night. 

He always calls me stupid and I'm beginning to think it's true. 

What is going on? Why is Bubba running to the neighbors house? And why did you shut me in my room? Why are there flashing lights outside my window? He is getting i a cop car now. I don't like Him at all but I still feel sad seeing him leave. I also feel sad seeing my mom so hurt. 

I found out he threatened your life. That night with the lights, and the cop car. Bubba ran across the street to call the cops. Because He had a gun pointed at you. I feel so scared and awful for you. Because I can't imagine what that felt like. To feel like your life could be over so soon. 

I'm glad He is gone. I'm glad he's in jail now. I hate Him for everything He did to us all.  For the cruel things he said, for the things he broke, for the bruises and marks he left on you, Mom. I hate him for being my sisters' dad. They don't deserve that. And one day they'll realize that. 

My message to Him: I call you Him because you don't deserve a name. You don't deserve your beautiful daughters or my strong mother. There is no need for any of us to tell you these things though, I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to realize these things while you're alone in your cell. You'll think back on when you hurt my mom and yelled in our faces. You'll see your children grow up, maybe through pictures and newspaper clippings, but none of their growth, or the amazing things they'll do, will have anything to do with you. 

I feel as though I must thank you though. Thank you for opening my eyes to what an abusive relationship looks like, so that when I'm older, I'll find a real man who will treat me right. Thank you for pulling that gun on my mother. Because even though that was traumatizing, it finally broke the tie you had so tightly on my mother and us kids. If that night would've never happened, you may still be in my life. And that thought is even more traumatizing. And lastly, thank you for being the way you are, which led to you leaving, which gave my sisters the chance to grow into amazing girls. Girls who didn't have to experience the things that my brother and I did. 

*I wrote this article, in hopes that maybe other people who experienced similar events or people, will feel like their not alone when reading this. Also I want them to know it gets better. The "man" in this story did some time in jail and some alcohol counseling and has been out for a while now. These events took place many years ago. He is still on probation and sees my sisters during supervised visits. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, get help, or seek help for those being abused. And remember, abuse isn't always just physical.

Summer and Winter have nothin’ on Fall. Us Fall lovers wait all year long for September 22, and when it finally comes around… we’re in heaven. Some of the reasons why Fall is superior to the other irrelevant seasons… 

1. The Perfect Temperature, (FINALLY)… In the summer months, it’s nearly impossible to go outside without sweating. We could spend hours on our hair and makeup and as soon as we step outside… RUINED. 

In the winter, you can’t leave the house without bundling yourself up in a million layers of clothing and jackets, and 9/10 you’ll still come home wet and shivering. Snow can also screw up your hair like crazy. And don’t even get me started on dry skin and stuffy noses. 

2. Fall clothes are cute AF… Who doesn’t love wearing comfy sweaters, leggings, and a cute pair of booties? 

Unlike summer, you don’t need to wear uncomfortable and annoying straps. You also don’t have to wear a huge marshmallow jacket (that probably makes you feel like an elephant) or loud winter boots that sound like bricks when you walk. 

3. The leaves change color… Fall is the most beautiful time of the year. Not only is the air crisp and fresh, but everywhere you look you’ll see the leaves turning beautiful colors. 

4. Pumpkins… Pumpkin carving, pumpkin picking, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie. Need I say more?

5. THANKSGIVING… I’m sure we could all agree on this one. Sure, Thanksgiving is a time to spend time with family and be thankful for all the things in your life, but it’s also a time to pig out. 

Thanksgiving dinner is the best meal. Period. And even the leftovers are delicious. 

6. Your favorite TV shows are coming back… I live for Fall premiers. Grey’s Anatomy, American Horror Story, and many, many more shows come back into our lives and save us from whatever shitty things are happening at the moment. 

Also, let’s not forget about all the scary movies that are on TV during the Fall. 

7. Haunted walks… Who doesn’t love a good haunted walk or corn maze? They’re super fun and a great excuse to get out of the house and do something exciting with your friends. 

Also, most places have food and refreshments at the end and who doesn’t love food and refreshments? 

If I haven’t persuaded you yet into agreeing that Fall is the best, you must just be one of those crazy people who loves skiing, or walking around barefoot. I have no hope for you guys. 

“She probably just hates the way she looks so she covers her face in makeup.” 

“Boys like natural girls.”

“This is why you should take girls swimming on the first date.” 

Let me just start by saying this; Save your breath. We probably don’t care about what you have to say. You’re just mad cause your brows aren’t on fleek. 

Who are you to say what boys “like”? Sure, some boys may say they prefer a more natural face, but then they drool over the models who wear a full face of makeup. Boys go after girls who are just pretty to them in general, regardless if they’re wearing makeup or not. 

What really chaps my ass, is when I see the side-by-side pictures on Facebook of  girls with, and then without makeup on. 

I spend an ungodly amount of money on makeup, why would I want to look the same as before I put it on?! 

Girls are still beautiful without makeup. By the way, try me. I’ll submerge my ass in water for hours and you bet your bottom dollar my makeup is still on point.

I don’t do my makeup to impress anyone. “Why did you do your makeup just to go to the grocery store?” 

I did my makeup because it’s fun. I did it because it makes me happy and makes me feel good. I did my makeup because it’s how I express myself. No, I don’t need it to feel pretty. 

I will often times leave the house without makeup and still be content with the way I look. I don’t do my makeup in the morning and think “I wonder how many boys I will impress today with my forty dollar foundation”. 

Makeup is a hobby. I don’t play sports, or knit, or go hiking or mountain climbing. That’s just not me. I’m not in any clubs, dance teams, bands. I express myself through art. Through writing, through painting, singing, and doing my makeup. 

Makeup is a form of art. It accentuates and highlights certain features that we are born with. It’s something to collect, and something to do when you’re bored. It can even be a career! 

Before you go on and post a Facebook status or a tweet about how Becky only wears makeup to cover up her ugly or impress Johnny, think deeper about why makeup is used and what it means when people wear it. Maybe dabble into it yourself. You know what they say, “don’t knock it till’ you try it!”.

Some girls are completely confident, and thats totally cool! Unfortunately, the majority of us have suffered with low self-esteem issues, especially with our bodies. 

If you've ever struggled with low self-esteem and felt like you just aren't good enough, you probably know the following things all to well. 

1.) You avoid mirrors. Whether your home or in stores, you avoid looking into mirrors. You know that looking into the mirror will only ruin your day and make you feel worse about yourself, so you just avoid them altogether. 

2.)You hate shopping. Girls love shopping, right?! Wrong. Some of us avoid shopping because we know in order to buy clothes we will have to try them on, which will make us want to cry. It's an awful feeling when you see clothing you love, but don't love it on your body. 

3.) You probably hate summer. Summer requires shorts and tank tops and worst of all… Bathing suits. If you're like me, you probably like showing the least amount of skin possible. This can be hard during the hotter months. You may just completely avoid going outside. You may feel sad or conflicted when your friends ask you to go to the beach or hang at the pool, because you know they'll probably look better than you in their bikinis. 

4.) Your low self-esteem has complicated friendships and relationships. Boys like girls with confidence. If you don't have confidence, you can become less attractive. This can also cause issues in the bedroom. Many girls refuse to take their shirts off, or have the lights on during sex because they don't want to draw attention to the things they hate most about themselves. Girls may often avoid going on dates because we're afraid you'll think we look different than our online profile picture and don't want to be rejected. 

5.) You feel uncomfortable in heath classes. During those lessons in health classes where you talk about obesity you may feel embarrassed or like everyone is looking at you. 

6.) Going to parties may not be as fun. One of the most common things girls wear to parties is the dreaded crop top. Of course if you have self-esteem issues, you're not going to want to rock the crop top in fears of exposing the muffin top. 

7.) When ordering out, you sometimes don't order what you truly want. You know that if you order a burger and fries, people are going to think "that must be why she looks like that", so you may opt for a salad and ice water instead. 

It is important for people who maybe don't have these issues, but have a friend or family member who does, to understand these things. 

It may seem like we don't want to hangout or do anything fun, but truth is, we just don't want to wear a bikini or try on clothes.

Dogs are God’s greatest gifts. 

I tend to believe that we us humans often times don’t deserve the love that dogs give us. The joy they fill our hearts with. 

The warm kisses they lap our faces with. Here are some things you should definitely thank your fur baby for. 

1.) Thank you for your protection. Thank you for having my back no matter what. Thank you for snuggling me during thunderstorms or after a scary movie. Or being ready to defend me when there’s an unexpected knock on the door. 

Thank you for scoping out the situation when I hear a funny noise in the kitchen at night. 

2.) Thank you for listening. Thank you for always listening to me. You listen to me laugh, yell, and cry. You listen to me not only because well, let’s face it, you have no choice; but because you want to comfort me. You always seem to know when something is wrong and know how to make me feel better. 

3.) Thank you for being silly. Thank you for running into the glass doors, for digging under the couch when you think your ball is under it, for running laps around the house when I get you all riled up, and for getting your upper lip stuck in your teeth so that it looks like you’re smiling. 

4.) Thank you for always being so excited to see me. Thank you for your warm, and sometimes chaotic, welcomes every time I come through the door after being gone a while. 

Thank you for jumping up on me and kissing my face as if you haven’t seen me in days, even if it’s only been ten minutes. Thank you for following me around to every room of the house and busting through doors trying to get to me. Thank you for jumping up into bed with me and laying by my side all night. 

5.)Thank you for always being up for anything. Whether I want to walk to the park, go for a ride, or hangout at home at watch movies, you’re always there by my side and ready for anything.

6.) Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for letting me vent to you, for lapping up my tears, for the long walks, for playing fetch with me, for always sharing my food with me, for the copious amounts of love and affection you give me, and for loving me no matter what. 

Dogs are unforgiving and their love is unconditional. So hey, maybe toss your dog a bone here and there, they deserve it.