Only the female half of humanity was seen to have the magical ability to bleed profusely and still rise phoenix-like each month...

Weird quote by Estelle Ramey.

This episode of That Time of the Month has come complete with wicked cramps, bloating, plummeting self-esteem, increased skin "issues," and overall irritability. Yayyyy womanhood. I have an aunt that calls it "the blessing" in direct contradiction to everyone else who calls it "the curse." I get what she means, but talk about feeling six shades of miserable! And reading into things that don't exist... And taking things personally that have nothing to do with me... Bah. I read a book once called The Red Tent and the part that sticks out in my mind the most is that the women all bonded during their periods (of course, they were all on it at the same time) and got to hang out in a neato red tent relaxing and eating exotic foods while waiting for the process to be over and done with. I don't really remember it exactly like that, but how fun if for the time that you're on your period you and your girlfriends could go to a spa or eat at fabulous restaurants (or have the fabulous restaurants come to you if you're too bloated to wear anything besides sweatpants) or really do anything you want to do that's fun and relaxing and allows you to feel the best you can! Let's figure out how to make that happen!

It is better to be beautiful than to be good, but it is better to be good than to be ugly

Quote by Oscar Wilde.

As I type this, I have green goop on my face in hopes of extracting the dozens of little blackheads that occasionally plauge my existence. Yes, my alarm will go off in seven short hours, yes, I could use a lot more sleep than that tonight, and yes, I'm somewhat impatiently waiting during the 15 minutes before I can wash my face. However, it's either this or claw my face off by trying to pick each individual one out of my skin. Here's a question: after all the advice we read, horror stories we hear, and dozens of bottles in our bathroom cupboards, are we really doing anything other than stressing ourselves out so much that we break out anyway?! Is it worth all the effort? I, like most women, enjoy feeling attractive and pursue feeling that way. From makeup to lotion (with SPF!) to spending time doing the hair you spend money on to ripping out the hair you don't want... "Growing up" has sure rolled in with a lot of extra requirements! I guess the goal should be to feel good about how you look, and focus on looking good for yourself. I think that the attention from others when your confidence makes you glow will be the icing on the cake!

The joy of life is made up of obscure and seemingly mundane victories that gives us our own small satisfactions

12 days since my last post! Apparently I've been busy! Or lazy... Nothing extraordinarily interesting to report, just work and school as usual except for one thing. That thing is an event that I'm definitely excited for hosted by the salon where I work. It's called Cuts for Mutts and it's on June 8th. The stylists will be cutting hair and the proceeds will go to an organization in the area called Precious Pets Adoption League. I've been working with two women there named Gina and Shawn who are truly amazing people with huge hearts. Their hard work and passion for what they do is inspiring. Speaking of that, I should really write them a thank you note when all this is over! Yeah, I know they're getting a donation, but I think it's nice to know you're appreciated too. So planning for that is keeping me busy but things are falling together really smoothly and I think it will be a success!

Otherwise, I'm enjoying life as an independent woman trying to make the most of everything! Meanwhile, I can't wait for my May 31st plans to go see Sex and the City: The Movie with Lauryn complete with pre-movie cosmos and a post-movie visit to Fuse! Yeah, I know it's two weeks away still but I'm really learning to value close female friendships and that show (and hopefully movie) definitely captured those relationships.

Oh yeah, quote by Billy Joel. Oh, Piano Man.

Finally 21, and legally able to do everything I've been doing since 15

Well, not really. That quote was by an anonymous person and was the only 21st birthday quote I could find. What a great couple of days! I'm so lucky to have wonderful friends to share my birthday with and loved all the fun and fancy drinks I got to try. And yesterday was the first day I got to go to a 21 and up bar so that was fun too! I'm finally part of the club! It's great to grow up and try new things and have a good time but still be young enough to be carefree and not too worried about the consequences of every action. Certainly a unique time in life that sometimes is less than ideal but definitely has its benefits!