G is for Grandmothers

Pre- Brooklyn Half Marathon Selfies

Meet Jennifer Connor. Jen and I met when she worked with the Souderton Independent and I worked at The Reporter. Two young and broke journalist, we bonded over unusual news assignments and cheap pizza dates to Main Street Pizza. We always gossiped and chatted about life, movies, and music. We were both born to be entertainment and lifestyles reporters. Sadly, myself first and Jen to follow, we both moved away from our journalism careers and Jen has since landed in the Big Apple for the last several years. She moved there taking on the role as the Social Media Program Officer at the Fulbright Student Program Outreach at Institute of International Education. I hope we can put another race on our calendars again! Bring me back to Brooklyn please.



G is for Grandmothers
By Jennifer Connor
Journalistjen.tumblr.com

“This is the story of Joy, as told by her grandmother.”

On an average Wednesday night in New York City, my boyfriend and I sat watching Joy, the recent movie starring Jennifer Lawrence, about Joy Mangano, a young single mother, who attempts to patent and manufacture an innovation on the common mop.

Instantly, this movie resonated with me.

Many who know me from personally to professionally know I have a special relationship with my grandmother. From weekend sleepovers as an elementary school kid, when we would stay up late drinking root beer floats and playing Rummy, to weekend escapes to her house in the beautiful Bucks County from my new home in NYC – we’ve shared many moments together.

After watching Joy, I was curious if there was a reason Joy’s grandmother narrated the story. A few Google searches later the only conclusion I came to was that this character was meant to present the only unconditional love Joy had lifting her up.

There’s something about grandmothers – their comfort, their inspiration, their grit, their love – that brings a sweetness to this world. It’s a love that’s universally understood. In some commentary I found on Joy this was the reason for her grandmother’s narration – a way for those young and old, American or not, to grasp the kind of love that Joy had.

For a 26-year-old, I’ve seen a bit of the world, seeking adventure that may have originated in my Grammy’s inability to have the profession of her dreams as a flight attendant. I believe it was her eyesight that took this dream off the table for her, so she moved on raising two kids and building a home in Bucks County with my grandfather. But, though I’ve gone rather far, I’ve always come back to the comfort of her home, and the oasis I find there.

It’s a house full of love, that while my grandfather was living and my grandmother was more nimble, they poured their sweat and creativity into. From planting dogwood trees in the front yard that continue to bloom to this day to adorning the house with oodles of Christmas decorations to make the holidays magical – it was their home that they shared with all of us.

The past six months have been rough for my grandmother. She can’t catch a break, health-wise, and is restricted from going home. Our family continues to visit her regularly, attempting to keep her spirits up and to navigate the health issues that arise. Through all of this, I’ve done a lot of processing of my relationship with her and it’s moments like those opening lines of Joy that bring it home.

We are blessed to have the relationship we do, through thick and thin, tough love, and even arguments – we’ve been there for one another. Lifting each other up, and reminding the other that with tomorrow comes another day. This unconditional love will carry me through life – giving me strength to continue to chase my dreams, always remembering where that strength comes from.

G is for Grandmothers.

May Challenge: U is for Unconditional Love

So I'm tempted to make this post a huge mush fest, but to not cause a break up or pure embarrassment on his part (because clearly I hold nothing back it's my blog), I've decided not to.

One day I will write a mushy post about Taylor and he will have to deal with it, but for now this song will do because each and every time I listen to it I see his face and my heart fills with warmth and happiness. Thanks for being a part of my life Taylor James. Each and every day is truly a blessing with you in my life. I love you most.

GUEST BLOGGER: May Challenge - O is for Online Dating Horror Stories

Meet Jackie Smith!!!

Over the years, I’ve had countless opportunities to live life and experience all that it has to offer. I can't complain, I’m truly blessed. Like most women my age, I model most of my life choices comparing myself to the girls from Sex and the City. That being said, I know it's not real life, but you have to admit, the show is a real gem and everyone of the episodes relates to a past relationship or current dating situation.

I suppose, if I really followed in Carrie’s footsteps, I would be breaking up with Aiden, and pursuing right?

Big for the third time while he cheats on his twenty five year old wife. But this is real life, by societal norms, I should be married, with children, but instead, I’m not. I do however, spend most of my spare time on Pinterest planning and plotting away on a wedding board titled “When Shit Gets Real” and that's basically like almost getting married,

Needless to say, we all like to mix things up once in a while, meet new people and get out there and see what's available. In 2014, companionship can be found electronically in what I refer to as the “bowels of the internet”, better known to normal people as online dating. If there is one thing I love, it's telling a truly horrifying real life, ridiculous story. Honored to help my cousin with her A-Z blog challenge I now present you with my real life dating horror stories in hopes it will make you laugh.

As with all horrible things, in the moment they are just that. HORRIBLE. But when the dust settles, they are the best stories, and sometimes the most entertaining.

Horror Stories in Online Dating Part 1: Featuring the Wanna be Undertaker and Lizard Boy

The Wanna Be Undertaker

I had a date on Sunday, seemed innocent enough. I was going to meet a good looking guy for coffee. Worst case, I spend 30 minutes of my life in hell and a few extra minutes at the gym Monday morning working off my latte. I had to reschedule due to a wicked hangover, so we ended up meeting on Halloween a few days later. We kept the venue the same, meeting for coffee at an open public place. The town was cute, on the water and the coffee shop was also adorable. The guy, not so much. 

He met me on the sidewalk, hugged me for longer then needed, then we went inside. He had already ordered (cheap ass) and walked away when I ordered my drink. We sat and chatted for a while, then he wanted to go for a walk. Since it was Halloween, all the kids were out trick or treating and the houses were all decorated with cob webs and spooky music. This was great, however, my date now began aggressively trying to hold my hand and kiss me on every corner. He had the breath of a dragon and kept insisting we walk through the cemetery. After walking around and dodging his kissing assaults for 50 minutes, I was ready to bolt. He continued insisting we go through the cemetery. I couldn't stall him any longer from trying to kiss me nonstop, so my options were kiss dragon breath or die in a cemetery. I chose the cemetery. After a lovely walk among dead bodies, in the rain, we sat outside a church and talked about lord knows what. Soaking wet perhaps in the beginning stages of pneumonia, and possibly harboring a ghost spirit in my purse, we finally left. I never spoke to cemetery boy again.

The Lizard boy from Monsters Inc.

We met for dinner on a Friday night. He refused to eat since he had made waffle fries prior to the date. He also looked nothing like his picture and in fact resembled the lizard creature from Monsters Inc. Charming. He was the most miserable person I have met and I know some pretty miserable people. He told me about his crappy job (which turns out he wasn't in any way an engineer which he claimed to be), his ex gf cheated on him with a surgeon and never looked back to him and his creepy family. He told me his miserable life story and way way too much information. Feeling like a therapist, trapped in a Pixar film, I excused myself to the bathroom and when I came back he conveniently had something to tell me.

I knew this would be good.

My mind wondered to him stating, “ I eat dead bodies” or “Jeffrey Dahmer is my idol” or “I used to cut myself and I take anti-depressants regularly” turns out, the lack luster news was his mom was at the very same bar. Super.

Trying to sneak out wasn't an option, since she was perched on a bar stool at the door. I then spent the next 40 minutes with a woman drunk out of her mind and high on narcotics since she recently had back surgery. Between screaming "whats this girls name again" loud as hell trying to whisper, and falling off her seat, she engaged in a compelling conversation about Chris Daughtry's new album with her semi normal friend. Drunk drugged out mom kept trying to buy me drinks, but after the second one, my penchant for playing nice with lizard boy had worn off. We finally left and lizard asked to see me again. Apparently, this is a normal friday night for him, but in my world, this was anything but normal.


Although, there are plenty of horrible stories to share, these two are my favorites of the worst. There are plenty of weirdos out there, but it should be said that there are also some really nice guys that are anything but losers. For every bad date I went on, I had a great one with someone else. So, if you are looking for love and thinking online dating might be for you, go for it. You have nothing to lose, and just think if you are really lucky, you might have some good stories to share at brunch!


Interested in being a guest blogger for this year's May A-Z Series or know someone you think would be a great addition to this year's posts? Click here to email me asking for more details. Be brave! Take "write a blog" off your bucket list. Share your artwork, write a poem, showcase your photography -- Take Your Pic loves it all!! 

May Challenge: I is for Imagination

Our imaginations -- we discover them as young children and as time builds they continue to grow.

For little kids it's about fighting off Stormtroopers and flying through galaxies (at least that is what goes on in my nephew Jack's head). Or pretending you are battling against a three headed monster through the Forrest of Doom...or playing dress up with your girlfriends as your Barbie dolls have a tea party.

But with age, our imaginations are never lost, they get more realistic. We can create characters and their lives for novels; we hear music rhythms and sounds to write compositions; we imagine the day we get to marry the man/woman of our dreams with every vivid detail; we build in our heads the perfect family we want to someday have; we imagine pure bliss.

Whether it is through writing, music, theater or picture taking -- our imaginations are used in full force -- which actually uses many parts of the brain, too much to type about. Yesterday for Mother's Day I was able to use my imagination, along with my mom, as the artistic side was unleashed.

I gave my Marmee a Mother's Day surprise by taking her to Painting With A Twist in Skippack. Both of us have zero artistic ability with a paint brush, so we knew it was going to be an interesting day. The shop is BYOB and bring your own food, what could be better way to celebrate? If you've never been to PWAT, I highly recommend it.

In a huge art studio we were taught step-by-step to produce our own "May Flowers." Our leader Brian was fabulous - entertaining us with jokes, themed music and some amazing dance moves. He introduced us to our three brushes - Bob, Buzz and Tiny Tim.

With a blank white canvas infront of us, it was time to follow Brian and use our imagination to create a replica of the "May Flowers" he had in the front of the room. Stroke by stroke, mom and I added colors, mixing and matching, light strokes and heavy stokes (mostly heavy strokes for heavy-handed Shell hahah) and before we knew it, our paintings were coming to life.

At first, it looked like a hotmess, but as time passed, our paintings were coming together. None of the paintings looked alike -- everyone having their own style and color preference. It was amazing to see the creativity of each individual in that room. My mind wandered the entire time as I made edits frequently, going off track of the normal course Brian was leading us in. My mind was going...going...gone!

So here they are, our masterpieces we created on Mother's Day 2013. We are the next PICasso's! I hope you had a fabulous time, mamabear. You deserve it. Xo

My heart is in Boston

I literally cried my eyes out the whole ride home from work today as my heart aches for all of the runners, spectators and families involved in the Boston Marathon incidents today. Just innocent victims on a day that is suppose to be memorable for 27,000 souls. An event that people train months and months for which some weren't even able to finish because of a selfish act of violence.

The cruelness, hatred and sinful lives some people live blows my mind.

For the amount of races I have participated in, that could have been me, my family or my friends.

My heart is in Boston today as I see the pictures, videos and articles. I am scared now to participate in run in three weeks in Philadelphia-- a race with 30,000+ runners.

Our Memom: In memory of June L. Smith

My Memom passed away two years ago today. 

Here is Memom and I are when I was only a few months old. <3

Not a day goes by where I don't think of her. Her spirit, stories, humor, feistiness and love are in my blood. I know a lot of people don't believe in spirits, but I do. I can feel her and sense her often. We both share a special gift, a sixth sense that even creeps me out!! (I know some of you will not believe me, but I have it. My mom calls me a witch all the time. She has seen it.) Sometimes when I day dream about her I sometimes feel her hand on my shoulder. There is something about her hands that I can invision them perfectly in my mind, as if they were held right in front of my face. I often see Memom in my dreams -- in my dreams she looks happy and healthy, the Memom I like to remember, not her during her final days. Many of the dreams are of me when I was a little girl, sitting on her lap as we rock back-and-forth in her rocking chair. As my head lay on her lap and she uses her hands to tickle my back, we sit there together as one and in unison, we sing together "I love you, a bushel and a peck. A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." 

I got this tattoo in memory of my Memom. It says "I love you. A bushel & a peck" with her initials J.S. at the bottom. 

Of course I have tons of memories of Memom but I thought it would be special to have other family memories express their feelings/memories/thoughts about June Smith; a woman who won over the hearts of many. Here is what they had to say.

Shelley Piccirilli (my mama, Memom's daughter) My mother was my best friend.  We played together and talked about everything.  She taught me to be strong and confident (as well as stubborn and always right).  Strong and confident has served me well.  The stubborn and "know it all" thing tends to make people really mad.  I miss her every day but especially at Christmas.  Growing up, we always had what we needed but not always what we wanted with the exception of Christmas.  Mom loved the holidays and somehow managed to make Christmas special every year.  I just saw an embroidered Winter Wonderland sweatshirt in size small which she would have rocked.  After all, she never wore an extra large!!!  What are you, some kind of a nut?!?! 

Missy Piccirilli (my sister) I think I miss Memom the most around Christmas. I loved how excited she would get about decorating. I loved looking at her mini Christmas tree ornaments. When I was a kid, I liked pulling the string on the big gold bell hanging in her dining room to make it play music. I miss her teaching me how to play Christmas songs on the organ and singing along with me. I miss her turkey cooked on the stovetop and crazy green stuffing at Christmas dinner, and her ridiculous excitement over pumpkin pie and my mom's sweetheart salad. My mom would make a huge gallon vat of sweetheart salad just for Memom, and she would eat it for days. My funniest Memom at Christmas memory is the year she wanted a leather jacket for Christmas. My mom bought her this really nice leather jacket, but it was a size or two too small. Memom loved this jacket and was going to make it fit. She went in to her bedroom to try it on, and when she came out wearing it, we realized that she had nothing on but a bra underneath. She was pissed when we told her that was really inappropriate for a woman in her late 70s to be wearing to the grocery store. My oldest son had the pleasure of knowing how awesome Memom was, and I am sad that my youngest two won't get to know her. Her spirit is still alive, though, and I am thankful for that. Her 1960's Elf on the Shelf is on my mantle right now, and I don't think a week goes by at my house without a Memom story or two. I miss her every day, but I feel like she's with me. I feel her spirit, her love, and her feistiness. And I hope my kids inherit some of her spirit too.

Jackie Smith (my cousin) Memories of Memom lead me back to some of the best times I can remember. Growing up, friends would brag about their mom mom, grandmom, nana or a nona. I remember always thinking that they were all the same, but I was special, because nobody had a Memom. All grandmothers are caring, nurturing and loving. Memom was all these things to me, but she was never like any other grandmothers that I knew. June was a rare breed, but she was also a Smith. Everyone knows that Smith's by nature have a penchant for entertainment and humor, and entertain she did. Everything Memom did or said was a grand story to retell or a memory being made. For example, even the most mundane things were made awesome just by her being her. The grocery store, boring to most, was exciting to us as kids. She would drive us to Genuardi's pretending to lose control of the car, and we would laugh and scream. We would scoot through the aisles while she gave the produce guy a  hard time for crappy tomatoes or a bad eggplant. She would spoil us with trips to Bradlees, Ports Of the World and the Mecca to all children under 12 Kiddie City. She would buy us Barbies, dolls and whatever else we had to have that week. During Summer she would skim the pool in her bathing suit, taking care not to get wet. We swam in the pool, but never made waves, we played outside and often tried to beat rampage on rainy days. Magic fries and diet Pepsi were a few of our favorite things.  I vividly remember learning how to tie my shoes while watching action news at 5pm- She taught me that. I still watch action news every morning and night, because my love of Jim Gardner was instilled at a young age. (Thank you Memom) I loved to watch her dance and sing around the house. She would tell stories and make up her own songs. She would let us sit on her lap, and watch General Hospital until we fell asleep. She was a comfort in my life growing up and could always make us smile. I inherited her wacky spirit as well as her humor and dare I say, shopping problem :) Her spirit is alive in all of us, and her presence was a staple growing up. There will never be another like her. Anyone who knew June, loved her. To all  those who didn't have the pleasure of knowing her, all I can say is "What are you, some kind of a nut?". 

Kathy Smith (my aunt) I guess it will have been 35 years or so that I first met this women.  Had to admit it was a little bit scary.  My husband Mark (her son) took me to meet his parents for the first time and we were getting married in a month’s time.  Why?  I tell you I still have no idea.  It could be because he had been engaged twice before… or maybe he was afraid of how I was going to react to a loud family!  LOL June was in the kitchen in her infamous (MOO MOO) puttering around.  Her husband Ken was in and out yelling at her (as he typically does) JUNE blah blah blah… JUNE…. God damnit June ..too funny but to me I was like what did I get myself into. Years later and after many family dinners, functions etc. I came to realize that this woman who is overbearing and hard to get to know was a wonderful woman.  Sure it took time but the time put in was worth it. To know her is to LOVE her.  She was funny, smart and always willing to do anything you needed.  Whether it was cosmetics, sweaters, books or toys for our kids.  All you had to do was visit. You never went home empty handed.  She always found the toys that the kids wanted at Christmas and the stores would never have by the time we got around to it.  And then she would say…. Here take this put it under your tree.  These grandkids of hers they had it made. I guess towards the end after Ken died she went a little wacky.  She was still a pistol and very funny.  One time Tyler (my son) had to use her car and took his friend with him to ask her. She told her daughter (Shelley) afterwards that Tyler came to visit with his friend and took her car away! She didn’t know who he was at first and her brother Bob had to keep telling her.  It’s your grandson June, Tyler!  We were very surprised she let him take the car. There are a ton of stories and all are full of fond memories and laughter.  I miss you June!  You were always good to me.

Jay Donis (my second cousin, he's in the camo shirt) One summer, Chris and I were hanging out in the backyard when we noticed a bee's nest on a tree in Auntie June's yard. Like normal kids (though I think I was over 20 years old by this point), we started throwing baseballs, softballs, and soccer balls at it. The bees did not like this turn of events and when we hit pieces of the nest they would fly around it, obviously agitated. We did not knock it down, but all of the balls we had ended up under the tree precariously close to the nest. While Chris and I decided what to do next, Auntie June just strolled out there under the tree and tossed all the balls back to us like it was nothing. She didn't even get stung. I think it showed what kind of person she was, she tried to help us, did her own thing whether it was the smartest decisions or not, and liked to be involved in what happened around the neighborhood. Oh, and with the balls back in our arsenal we did eventually knock the nest down.

Tunes Tuesday: A New Found Glory in an old love

Being a writer I feel as though I am strong at expressing things: emotions, thoughts, dreams, goals, whatever it may be. But there is one thing in life that for some reason words can not do justice; for some reason the feelings and passion that sits within my soul, my body, MY BONES, can not be expressed. And that is through music. Is anyone else like this? Can you simply not put in to words how much songs and lyrics mean to you? I find myself muted, unable to dialect what I am feeling as guitar rifts and drum fills fill my ear drums. But I am completely ok with that because my heart bursts and my body feels completely whole at the sounds of some songs and certain bands. It's my euphoria. 

On Sunday I had the chance to see one of my all time favorite bands, New Found Glory, at the TLA with my awesome cousin, Tyler. (Well, I kinda made him come with me because no one else was interested, but whether he was in or not I was either riding solo or he was going to be my partner in crime. He got a free ticket and cheesesteak!) 

Most people will read this and say to themselves, "Christ, these guys are still around?" Simple answer, YUP. I first got into NFG in 9th grade when my friend Kimberlee introduced me to these guys and I have been hooked for nearly 15 years. While I have been to over 10 New Found Glory shows this one on Sunday was super special because it was their Sticks and Stones 10th Anniversary Tour, so all they did was play songs from that album (and about eight others which were all classics!!) 

Instagram @ampiccirilli

Instagram @ampiccirilli

Instagram @ampiccirilli

Instagram @ampiccirilli

They played the album in its entirety, in the order it is on the record. Song after song they brought back so many memories: like my high school boyfriend and now good friend Mike and how we would write school notes to each other and include song lyrics, and like the time Mike, Aaron, Ashlee and I snuck down to the city on the train to see a show, and how these lyrics relate to current issues/relationships in my life yet the songs had different meaning to be 10 years ago. It's nuts!! 

Hahah this was from about 10 years ago where we snuck on the train to the concert, meet the entire band after the show and everyone signed my shirt. That is actually a LIGHT grey t-shirt which turned into heather grey from sweat. Cant believe I use to crowd surf and get in the pit. NUTS!!

Some of you may not give two shits about today's post but I can't help but have some much love for this post. For the album, for it's lyrics and so many emotions that are dear to my heart. So here is the album, check it out on iTunes or Spotify. There are definitely some songs you all know, always good to listen to an old throw back. I'm also including some of my favorite lyrics incase anyone is looking for a lyric to through in your Facebook status or Twitter feed, because lets be honest, we use social media as a way to express ourselves to make people think they know what is going on with you without you really having to tell them. 

Sticks and Stones (2002)

Track 1: Understatement "don't worry your pictures are already burned"

Track 2: My Friends over You <--- classic you alllll know

Track 3: Sonny "Every breath that you remember. Pictures fade away, but memories last forever."

Track 4: Something I Call Personality "Before you jump to conclusions about all the friends I have. Just remember they were born that way." 

Track 5: Head On Collision "And it feels like I'm at an all time low. Slightly bruised and broken from our head on collision." 

Track 6: It's Been A Summer "It's burning up in here, even though the bed is cold on your side. I'd rather die than spend this night here without you." [possibly my favorite song/lyrics from the entire album]

Track 7: Forget My Name 

Track 8: Never Give Up "Don't back down. I don't really care about before, before you met me."

Track 9: The Great Houdini 

Track 10: Singled Out

Track 11: Belated

Track 12: The Story So Far  "I can't remember the time or place, or what you were wearing. It's unclear about how we meet. All I know it was the best conversation that I've ever had. To this day I've never found someone, with eyes as wide as yours. I've been searching up and down this coast. Overlooking what I need the most." 

Hey YOU!! Love your 20s

My friends and I were chatting the other day about how Dec. 21 is suppose to be the end of the world while we were at a happy hour. Someone asked, "If this really is the end of life, would you be satisfied with what you have done with your life?" I was quick to jump at the gun and I said no. But you know, after sitting on it and looking at the past 25 years of my life, maybe I should have said yes. Or maybe I was right. 

Yes -- I've accomplished some pretty cool things that some people don't have checked off their list [played a Division I sport in college, was a collegiate  coach, ran a marathon, had a byline, been a maid of honor TWICE,  I'm an aunt.] But to be honest, I can't help but have this dark cloud over my head -- a feeling that there is lots I have not accomplished [I still live at home, no where close to being in a committed relationship, never been on a cruise, cant' pay my car insurance without help.]

I doubt I'm the only 25 year old doing this, but I'm often comparing my life to other people. I can't help but be a negative Nancy sometimes, filled with jealousy of how happy many of my friends are and envious that they get to go to THEIR home with their partner at their side each night.  I know I should not compare and I'm working on it -- but being in your 20s is tough. Who else is with me??!!??

One of my best friends, my ride or die girl, is my biggest cheerleader in life. She sees things in me that I don't even see in myself. (oh what I would do to see myself in her eyes for one day. Maybe that would give me a wake up call to life.) But anyway, she sent me this article by Shelley Armenta called '20 Things That Will Make Your 20s Even Better.' The article was featured on the website LOVE TWENTY. 

So for my fellow 20-something friends who should look on the brighter side a little more, here is a killer list to tackle. 

1. Step away from the computer long enough to get some fresh air.

2. Acknowledge moments of happiness and be grateful for them.

3. Invest in a good camera (or even a phone with a good camera) and take more pictures than you know what to do with. (I'm getting one for Christmas, woo hoo!!)

4. Pack a bag and get out of town. Travel as often as you can to wherever you can.

5. Make a point to spend more time with your friends and family in person. Texting, Facebook, and Skype are great, but nothing can beat sharing the same air with those you love.

6. Don’t let your mood or your self-worth be directly tied to your bank account balance. Money is important, but it is not everything.

7. Don’t let your mood or self-worth be tied to anyone else’s mood or self-worth. There will always be people who try to bring you down, but do not let them.

8. Never forget that while you are getting older your parents are, too. Spend time with them and always say “I love you.”

9. Spend less money on clothes and makeup and more money on experiences like concerts, trips, baseball games and dinners with friends.

10. Get a library card and use it. Time spent nourishing your mind and soul is never time wasted.

11. Find an activity you love to do that is good for your body. Dancing, running, yoga, kick boxing, cross training, roller derby and paddle boarding are some workouts that kick your ass but that you will have fun with, too. Win win? Win win.

12. Learn to accept yourself for who you are and what you have done in your life. Made some mistakes? Good. Learn from them and don’t look back.

13. Get some friends together and take a cooking class. Learning to cook well for yourself and others is a skill that all of us should have tucked away.

14. Educate yourself in politics. You don’t need to be an expert if you don’t want to, but you should know how you feel about big issues.

15. Start a gratitude journal. Spend a few moments every morning jotting down a few things that you are grateful for. Having a visual of all the good in your life will be an amazing thing to have when you are having a bad day.

16. Don’t be scared to fall in love, but remember to fall in love with yourself first. (been trying to work on this one for years!)

17. Learn to defend yourself intelligently. Fighting gets you nowhere. Name calling makes you look like a child. Whooping someone’s ass mentally is the way to go.

18. Walk away from relationships where you are treated like an option and not a priority.

19. Always be kinder than you feel like being. You never know what other people are going through.

20. Let go of the need to rush through life. When we are young, all we want is to be older. Pretty soon, we’re going to be wishing to be young again.