Hillary 2016: Build It Up or Tear It Down

It is not a secret that the Clinton family have seen their share of scandal. With the fresh announcement of Hillary gunning for the 2016 nomination, old skeletons will begin to re-surface. It is important that as a candidate, former Secretary of State, Senator and First Lady; that she be examined closely in a political sphere. A win for Hillary could be a large step for women, their advancement and future opportunities. Or it could be disastrous and used to tear down every step that has been built for women in the professional field. 

Hillary has been the top contender for the Democratic nomination, however her stances are not as widely known. It takes a great deal of digging to find her voting record and past statements on important social issues. As previously reported with Rand Paul, I have looked over the list of major social issues that the Presidency faces to see just where Hillary stands. Unfortunately, recent statements are not as widely available as they are prior to 2007. A link below provides the information I came across when searching.

OnTheIssues-Hillary Clinton

Woman In The White House?

Just as the election of President Barack Obama was a milestone for minorities across the country, an elected female president could be the type of milestone our country needs next for progression. At what cost though? Hillary's spotty record could prove to be a barrier hard to overcome and difficult to gain the trust needed for a solid following. Her run could be seen as the lesser of two evils. Democrats have faced difficult waters through Obama's Presidency, especially in approval ratings. Now back at a 50% approval rating[1], the Obama administration saw the loss of 70 House seats total since taking office, 63 of which have been turned over the the GOP.[2] With Hillary being the top contender for the White House, if the Democrats were to get the win again, she may also be appointing 4 new Supreme Court Justices. Two were appointed during the Reagan Administration and two during the first Clinton Administration.[3]

Hillary as President brings about this question: What if it goes badly?
With the recent scandal involving her private email used during her time as Secretary of State, also her involvement with Benghazi and the affairs during her husband's presidency; trust may be hard to come by. If during her time as our next President, such scandals were to erupt again it would most definitely be a set back for women as a whole, being she is the example. She is the rule, not the exception. 

Stepping Out Of The Shadow:
In order to escape the skeleton's of the first Clinton Administration, Hillary must really have something to bring to the table. As a self proclaimed "Feminist and Traditionalist", her ideas towards women's rights as well as civil rights have been unclear and undefined. As of late, she has announced that she had re-evaluated and changed her mind of the idea of gay marriage. As wonderful as that may be, it is also startling to see her history of "changed mind". Prior to exiting the White House, the Clinton's began a large foundation that has been accused of accepting funds from countries that are known to be some of the most oppressive towards their women, and countries that she had criticized prior, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia.[4] This is also a conflict of interest because these funds had been accepted during her time as Secretary of State. This insight is quite troubling. Would Hillary take the easy road, or the "right" road when push comes to shove?

Less Means More:
One of the few issues Hillary has remained clear on is her stance on teen abstinence and abortion rights. When asked her view on the beginning of life, she took a clear stance on the separation of church and state: 

"But for me, it is also not only about a potential life; it is about the other lives involved. And, therefore, I have concluded, after great concern and searching my own mind and heart over many years, that our task should be in this pluralistic, diverse life of ours in this nation that individuals must be entrusted to make this profound decision, because the alternative would be such an intrusion of government authority that it would be very difficult to sustain in our kind of open society. And as some of you’ve heard me discuss before, I think abortion should remain legal, but it needs to be safe and rare."[5]

Although her ideas do not line up 100% with the Democratic party, particularly on conception at fertilization, her choice not to meddle in those waters are admirable.

America Needs A Champion:
One of the slogans that came forth in her announcement today was "America Needs A Champion". She seemed to specifically target the middle class, showing that she wants to be a President for the common people. She seems to have strayed away from the women and minority involvement on her campaign however. Hillary has stated in the past that she is adamant on women and human rights. This is not as transparent in recent years. In 1995, Clinton was quoted at the UN Conference saying:

“We must respect the choices that each women makes for herself and her family. If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights.”

Although her platforms have not been revealed, one can only hope that she will build us up, and give us a road to travel for future endeavors.  

Rand Paul, Libertarian or Tea Party Agenda?

On April 7th, Rand Paul announced his campaign for the United States Presidency. For many, this seems like a victory in the making. His attractive fiscal policies and non-intervention foreign policy seems to be what would make him a good president. The point of contention becomes his stance on controversial topics such as immigration, abortion, and civil liberties. We know the name, we know the affiliation but who is Rand Paul and what kind of president would he be?

Before we understand where Rand Paul stands on current issues that the presidency faces, we must understand him as a person and candidate. Dr. Paul has a religious background as an Episcopalian and grew up in Pennsylvania. Dr. Paul attended Baylor University and Duke University Medical School until graduation in 1988. He pursued a surgical internship and medicine into 1994 when he began his entry into politics. [1] He was no stranger to politics as his father Ron Paul, is a familiar household name. Dr. Paul's official entry into politics came after his involvement with the Tea Party Movement in 2008, and his run for Kentucky U.S. Senator in 2009. One of his key attributes has been his many encounters with controversy, and his history with flip-flopping on his stance.

One of my largest issues with Rand Paul is his identification with the Libertarian party. Libertarians promote maximizing autonomy and freedom of choice. Paul's stance on multiple key issues clash with the very ideals of the true libertarian ideology. His inability to separate his faith from his political platform is alarming.

Listed below is a link to OnTheIssues.com and a compiled list of direct quotes from Rand Paul on his positions. Based on his position towards women in multiple facets, where will he stand for over 160 million of the citizens he will represent?

OnTheIssues-Rand Paul

Civil Rights:

Q: What about the "war for women"?
PAUL: Well, you know, I think we have a lot of debates in Washington that get dumbed down and are used for political purposes. This whole sort of war on women thing, I'm scratching my head because if there was a war on women, I think they won. You know, the women in my family are incredibly successful. I have a niece at Cornell vet school, and 85% of the young people there are women. In law school, 60% are women; in med school, 55%. My younger sister's an ob-gyn with six kids and doing great. You know, I don't see so much that women are downtrodden; I see women rising up and doing great things. And, in fact, I worry about our young men sometimes because I think the women really are out-competing the men in our world. I think the facts show that women are doing very well, have come a long way. So I don't really see this, that there's some sort of war that's, you know, keeping women down. [2]

This is a perturbing statement because it blatantly ignores issues that are currently being addressed in Federal as well as State governments. One of the most publicized problems is the wage gap. By insinuating that women are "out-competing" men, we are ignoring one of the major issues in the work force. Men are still being paid on average 22% more than women. On average, women only make 78% of what a male earns in his salary, performing the same job. This does not account for the larger gap for women of color and minority background either.[3] Dr. Paul's failure to acknowledge that women still face relevant struggles is evidence to show that his presidency will not be used to advance any interests of women in the workforce. The very problem that plagues American is present in the White House as well. There is a 13% gap between male and female earners in the White House.[4] The saying "Not in my back yard" may apply however it's going on in their backyard so why would it cease in ours?

The issue not only becomes fair wage, but the hiring practices of businesses as well. Dr. Paul has also publicly stated his opposition to affirmative action. Without practices in place to protect the hiring interests of minorities, how can we assure a level playing field? 

Violence Against Women Act:
In 2013, Congress sought to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 which included:

Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) to add or expand definitions of several terms used in such Act, including :

1. "culturally specific services" to mean community-based services that offer culturally relevant and linguistically specific services and resources to culturally specific communities;
2. "personally identifying information" with respect to a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
3. "underserved populations" as populations that face barriers in accessing and using victim services because of geographic location, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity; and
4. "youth" to mean a person who is 11 to 24 years old. [5]

Dr. Paul voted "No" on the re-authorization of VAWA. When answering his constituents as to why he voted no, he elaborated that the act included; "legislation would increase benefits available under VAWA to specifically include victims of stalking and “cyberstalking,” as well as same-sex couples, and illegal immigrants who are victims of any sort of violence."

Paul's reasoning behind rejecting VAWA stems from the inclusion of gender non-conforming individuals as well as illegal immigrants. The very same people that he would represent, but do not advance his interests.

Same Sex Marriage:

Paul supports the CC survey question on banning same-sex marriage

The Christian Coalition voter guide [is] one of the most powerful tools Christians have ever had to impact our society during elections. This simple tool has helped educate tens of millions of citizens across this nation as to where candidates for public office stand on key faith and family issues.

The CC survey summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Federal Marriage Amendment to prevent same sex marriage" [6]

Although Dr. Paul has agreed to leave the legislation of same sex marriage up to the states, he has been quoted as saying that same sex marriage “offends myself and a lot of people.” Which begs the question of the protection of the LGBT community. If Dr. Paul is unable to separate his personal feelings towards same sex marriage with the legality behind it, the lines of separation of church and state not only blur, they are erased.

Contraception

[During an appearance at the College of Charleston], a young woman in the audience asked if Paul, who sponsored an anti-abortion bill in 2013 that defines life as beginning at fertilization, is opposed to Plan B, the emergency contraception commonly known as the morning-after pill.
A number of social conservatives--plenty of them in Iowa--have condemned the morning-after pill as an on-demand abortion drug, sometimes confusing the contraceptive with RU-486, which can be used to induce abortion.
Noticeably uncomfortable with the question, Paul first gave a terse answer: "I am not opposed to birth control," he said. After a pause, he elaborated. "That's basically what Plan B is. Plan B is taking two birth control pills in the morning and two in the evening, and I am not opposed to that." [7]

Dr. Paul voted in support of an anti -abortion law proposed in 2013, that would propose an amendment to what defines "Personhood". If States were to adopt the re-vamped meaning of personhood, access to certain types of birth control such as IUD's would be limited or barred. Personhood measures would ensure that the law interprets life beginning at fertilization therefore deeming the fetus a full-fledged person. 

Abortion:
Attached is a questionnare filled out by Dr. Paul in 2010 when seeking the Senator seat for Kentucky:
Political Action Committee- May 18, 2010

Dr. Paul has made his stance on abortion very clear. Until recently, abortion under all circumstances was considered to be immoral and should be banned when describing himself as "100% pro-life". Since his survey in 2010, he has committed to the stance of leaving abortion to the doctors discretion in medically life threatening cases such as ectopic pregnancy.

Dr. Paul has stated that he would leave the discretion to the doctor, and also in the case of same sex marriage to the discretion of the state. However, in his 2010 survey, his specifically supports the removal of state and local tax funds to the "abortion industry", which would remove funding from all local clinics that provide abortion services. He instead would like to allocate funding to clinics that provide "abortion alternatives" and do not even discuss abortion as an option. Does that sound like freedom of choice or coercion? Local clinics do not only provide abortion services, but a wide range of necessary medical care that would then be denied due to the removal of funding.



Dr. Paul's identification with the libertarian party is misleading and should be a large concern on behalf of women. His platform specifically excludes any resolution to the current issues that women face. As a president, Paul's representation should broaden beyond the christian male, but instead is exclusive to those who are already at an advantage.

Hobby Lobby: The Decision, The Myths, The Implications

Ever since the decision issued on June 30, 2014 for Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, there has been an uproar of backlash and support. The decision comes almost exactly 50 years after Griswold v. Connecticut  ensuring privacy rights upon striking down a Connecticut statute that prohibits any person from using "any drug, medicinal article or instrument for the purpose of preventing conception." As emotions run high, debates ensue and the aftermath of the decision rears its ugly head, many struggle to understand what exactly took place, and the implications thereof. 

1. Corporations Are People With Religious Freedom
After Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010), corporations were granted personhood, therefore recognized as an individual under the eyes of the law. After the decision for Hobby Lobby, they are now recognized as a person with religious freedom. The claims of Hobby Lobby was the denial of coverage of four types of contraception based upon violation of religious belief. The four types of contraception that are being denied are: Plan B, Ella, and two forms of IUDs. 

2. Plan B Does Not Induce An Abortion
Let's revisit health class for a moment. Plan B is an emergency contraception that is offered to be effective for up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. How does it work? It prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterus and also interferes with the fertilization process by preventing the sperm from penetrating the egg. If an egg does not implant into the uterus, you are not pregnant. Also, Plan B will not work if you are already pregnant. 

3. Birth Control Usage is Not Only For Sexual Activity
Contraception of all types are used not only to prevent pregnancy but to treat other ailments as well. What else does birth control do? Lowers the risk of cancer, acne treatment, menstrual cycle regulation, prevention of anemia, ovarian cyst treatment and prevention, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Interstitial Cystitis, Endometriosis, and that is only the tip of the iceberg.[1]

4. The Use of Birth Control Lowers the Abortion Rate
According to Planned Parenthood, after 2008 the use of IUDs has raised 75% and 515,000 unplanned pregnancies were prevented because of birth control services. Abortion services only constituted 3% of the services rendered.[2]

5. The Decision is Taken Out of the Hands of the Woman, and Into the Corporation
Access to all types of birth control is extremely important because it exhibits control over one's body. An employer is now able to dictate what type of medical coverage they will support and this goes beyond birth control. Hobby Lobby is not a small town, local family store. It is a nationwide corporation that employs over 21,000 people, that may or may not share the same faith. Despite what the employee may believe, they must now seek other methods to obtain emergency contraception or an IUD. Not only does this take personal choice and control away, but it touches on other issues such as rape and class.

6. Reinforcing Class Structure and Rape Culture
There is an average of  237,868 sexual assaults and rapes that occur per year [3] and according to a study done in 2002, on average 6.4 percent result in pregnancy. [4] Plan B and Ella are emergency contraception methods that can be administered after the occurrence of an assault that can effectively prevent a pregnancy from occurring.  Without insurance coverage, Plan B and Ella can cost upwards of $60. For an employee making only minimum wage, working on average 30 hours a week at Hobby Lobby, that can be a hefty unexpected cost. The burden falls on the shoulders of the victim to come up with the cost and if she is unable, possibly resulting in a pregnancy. It then becomes her responsibility to either terminate the pregnancy, which costs substantially more, or keep the child. Although adoption is an option, a woman who chooses to raise the child is then bearing a heavy cost burden. Economically, the chances of a single woman making minimum wage, supporting a child, and becoming dependent of government assistance is very high. 

The implications of the Hobby Lobby decision do not strictly revolve around birth control. Just as Citizens United laid the foundation for this recent decision, this will only be the beginning for an extension and intrusion into personal choices. 

Why Everyone Should Use the F Word

I want to live in a world where my children, at a young age use the F word. 

It is not secret that I am a feminist. When you believe in something, when you really believe in something, you aren't afraid to shout it from the roof tops. What may come as a surprise is that I haven't always been the
big F. In fact, it wasn't even a part of my vocabulary for many years. I had been exposed to the principles, I'd practiced the ideology but I would never identify as a feminist. My problem was lack of education and lack of direction. Direction I later found in my senior year of college.
I had decided to sign up for a feminist theory course with the idea that I would be ahead of the game because of my opinionated mind and androgynous personality. For years I submersed myself in a male dominated world of firefighting and experienced sexism in every other aspect. My ultimate goal was to infiltrate every orifice of male profession that I could and come out on top. I had no idea that this course would change not only my way of thinking, but my way of life.
Feminism is not a unilateral term that applies only to the rights and advocacy of women, but for all. Hell, my fiance is a self proclaimed feminist. Feminism is not a one dimensional term either that can be applied to one single belief. Fortunately, in my course I was exposed to Rosemarie Tong's Feminist Theory: A More Comprehensive Introduction, and I began to learn that there was feminism for everyone. Every race, every religion or non-religion, every political ideology, every human who believed in equal rights. One of my favorite aspects about ideology is that there is no one right way, only a collection of beliefs that can be combined and analyzed to create a more functional society.
Recently I have read frequently about Shailene Woodly and her outright rejection of feminism (How dare she!) and everyone jumped on the hate train. I couldn't bring myself to hate her, her misconception or what she stood for. I didn't blame her for rejecting the term and I didn't quite understand the backlash. This girl was not EDUCATED on feminism. Her idea of feminism was the very same idea I had approximately four short years ago (Hello, Feminazi anyone?). A bra burning, man hating, OBVIOUSLY lesbian who just wanted to raise hell and gain attention. There is a reason that so many believe that this is a reality. The unfair portrayal of a woman who God forbid advocates for rights and choice, is an absolute threat to the patriarchy and the fight back consists of discrediting the woman, the movement and the label. There is such a stigma attached to feminism because the original Women's Liberation Movement threatened core american principles, awarded women the ability to control their reproductive system, gained them suffrage and gave them a voice after being silenced for so long. The Google definition of Feminism reads as: the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. The key term in that definition is equality. Although we are much closer than our predecessors, we are not there yet. The fear exhibited of using the "F" word shows that we still have a long way to go. Shaming a woman for not being a feminist will not advance us any more than being a man hating, bra burner would be. Education is the weapon that will bring us the furthest. We must continue to educate the general public on what exactly feminism is, why it is not only beneficial to women but society as a whole, and how we can join together and all be able to freely use the F word.

10 Reasons I look Forward to Graduating College

1) I have time to read books. The ones I didn't have to pay $100 to be the best damn paperweight ever. I actually saved a few books from courses that I realllllly enjoyed. I can now go back and comb through my Feminist Theory text and approach it with a different appreciation and understanding. I always think reading a book is better the second time around anyways.

2) I gained point of view and can now apply it to real life situations. Remember in High School when we said "when are we ever going to use that?" Now I can apply what I have spent all my time and dimes learning. 

3) I have the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom. I am planning to take some sort of road trip this summer. Where to? I don't quite know yet but I do know that I want to experience history beyond the textbook. I want to be in the presence of something greater than myself, and have the instagram photos to prove it.

4) Personal hygiene goes back on to the list of priorities. Oh please, like you didn't skip a shower or two because of the ever-growing assignments. Febreeze showers can become a thing of the past. 

5) Netflix is no longer a guilty pleasure. I can now go watch Mad Men from start to finish without thinking "Oh shit, my assignment is due at 11:59" because why the hell is an assignment ever due at 11:59 anyways?

6) Joining a club turns into joining an activist group or not-for-profit organization. Community involvement doesn't end at the perimeters of the campus. Getting involved in other organizations is now a plausible option because I am not working and taking 18 credit hours at the same time. 

7) I am still cultivating myself. Who made the rule that you only have the 4 years of undergrad to experiment and try new things? I veto this and will continue to expand my horizons, and you should too. 

8) I am no longer student but "entry level". It's time to get my foot in the door and start building my resume with things other than bill paying jobs.

9) I don't have to take gym class. Yes, you read that correct. I am not limited to the liberal education requirements that take away from my ability to take (more enjoyable) classes. 

10) Life is just beginning. Although I admit, I did have some anxiety about my impending graduation; I am more so looking forward to the adventure. Because you don't have to have it all figured out, you just have to know you want to end up somewhere. And you know, be willing to work to get there. In the end, it's all about being happy with yourself.

Hello My Name is...Not Interstitial Cystitis

Lately I have been making a great deal of changes in my life. Positive changes I would like to think. In a short amount of time I will be graduating from college, will have a degree and have to be a big person. Nothing about that sounded like a good time to me. A year ago I thought I had it all figured out, that I would be moved out, going to Albany Law in August and all of the plans were going to come together. A year ago I was also extremely sick. I saw nothing that was coming my way. But let me rewind so that this can make a little more sense.

July 2012 I was plagued with terrible side pain that landed me in the ER. I was misdiagnosed 3 times prior to October 2012 when I underwent a cystoscopy and was discovered to have some big word called Interstitial Cystitis. Now you may that think a diagnosis would bring relief, but it brought the opposite. You see, there is no known cure or one treatment for IC. Instead, it is a series of trial and error treatments and medications. I was on a string of pills and therapies for such a long time. I always felt tired, strung out and was ALWAYS in pain. Finally in June of 2013 I visited a different Urologist who finally began to understand what I was dealing with in my everyday life. It is hard to explain to people the way I constantly felt. I wasn't sleeping well at night so I was always tired and cranky. And the pain would strike at any moment and last for upwards of two weeks. But all many saw was me, complaining, irritated and difficult to be around. I hated the way I was living. I hated the medications I was on, I hated the weight I was gaining and I hated the control this disease had over me. You may find yourself asking what exactly is IC? It is the deterioration of the lining in the bladder to be exact. So when I have a bladder with fluid in it, when it stretches out, my nerves are exposed directly to that fluid and it causes inflammation and spasms. I also have BPS on top of that. Bladder. Pain. Syndrome. And it is exactly like it sounds. Pain. All the time. Last spring, I was determined to overcome this "disability". I ran a 5k in May, but then very shortly after, I tore my Achilles tendon. I was in a cast and crutches for a few weeks and it took me about a year to recover. I became very tired of these limitations because anyone who knows me knows I like to push the limits. 

October 2013 the love of my life went overseas. I was dealing with a whole different slew of medical issues at that time and it made my situation even more challenging. At the time, my mother told me that Devin and I would be changing as individuals over the course of the next year. I didn't believe her though. Not for a second. Because I was basically the same person I had been the year prior. But it is now March, and my mom was right. I am a different individual. How? I am in full remission from IC, medication free and 3 jean sizes smaller. I transitioned to an organic diet a month ago and am in the current transition to a plant based, animal product free diet. I am a firm believer that my remission is because of my diet and will to be free of this auto-immune disease. I receive criticism for choosing to gravitate towards a vegan lifestyle, but I understand that many do not understand my situation. No I will not give up meat completely. I am anemic and need iron in my diet, and I also need protein because I lose a great deal of it. My kidney's do not process it correctly and I need to compensate. However, I only allow myself meat once a week now. I am not doing this for moral reasons, or to stand out. I am doing this because for the first time in years, I feel whole again. Interstitial Cystitis is a term I never came across until October 2012. It is understudied, and there are no awareness days or months for it. But it is real. It is real and it is hard to live with. My goal is to raise awareness and to tell people that you do not have to suffer. My fiance stuck by me through my suffering. Held heating pads on my kidneys, applied my lidocain patches on my stomach, accompanied me to my radiation induced testing, held my hair while I vomited, and was the reason I am where I am. Healthy.

Yes we are changing as individuals, but we are changing together. I have his full support in my new journey and I couldn't be more grateful. Here's to a healthy diet, life style, and continued happiness. Because I won't let my name be IC. 

Letter to 17 Year Old Me

Dear 17 Year Old Kim,

Right now you are coming to the end of your senior year in high school. You believe that everything you have planned will work out, and that everything will be exactly the way you envision it. I have some news for you, you couldn't be more wrong.
Sitting in front of you is a stack of acceptance letters you are receiving from the colleges you applied to. The most exciting time in your life is coming. You received an acceptance to Niagara University, and a hefty scholarship to go with it. I am telling you right now, this is your best chance at being debt free. Do not be afraid to leave home. Do not stay around for a boyfriend that will put a plastic cubic zirconia ring on your finger and break your heart. GO SEE THE WORLD. Your life is about way more than settling down to be someone's wife and pop out some kids. You aren't ready to be anyone's wife. You need to be Kim first.

Bringing me to my next topic. When you are 19, you are going to meet a man that will change your life. This is the man you are going to marry. He is going to give you all of the feelings you have tried to find with the ones before him, but he is the one who awakens your soul. The one that everyone will tell you that you don't have. He is kind, sweet, gentle, giving and most importantly he treats you with respect. You have never loved a man before him, I promise. He will make mistakes, he will hurt you sometimes, he will make you cry, but he will never break you down. He will build you up, rather. Learn to forgive, because it will make everything much better. Before you meet him, you will think you have found "the one", about seven times. But I promise you this, beer goggles can make tin foil look like shining armor. Don't fall for it.

Some pretty bad shit is going to happen to you kid. But guess what, such is life. It will thicken your skin and prepare you for all of the things to come. Take every experience as a lesson. You have a lot of potential to be something great so don't let mistakes and "life lessons" weigh you down. Don't sweat the small stuff because in the end, it's only a speck in the many events that will make you. Never make excuses, always work hard because you don't DESERVE anything. Do not follow the crowd and develop a sense of entitlement. I can say from your future perspective, you do not. You have a tendency to work too hard on things that aren't part of the big picture. Make sure you pick where to focus and what it will get you in the long run.

Things won't always work out the way you expect, but breathe and remember, they are working out the way they are supposed to instead. Give in to your spontaneity and impulses. You are only this age once. Because someday, life happens and you won't have as much time to do the things you love as you expected. You want to eat a roll of cookie dough? DO IT UP GURL. But one more thing, your metabolism is your best friend right now. You are in great shape, so appreciate it. In a few years metabolism takes a vacation and you need to put a little more work into fitting those denim jeans. That brings me to this point. The media is going to wear you down. Your self esteem isn't going to build itself. The pictures you see, they are not a real representation of a woman. So stop trying to be a size 4. You love cheese fries (and soon beer), so indulge! Everything is okay in moderation, just try to develop some healthy eating habits too. It's not about how you look. Looks will not last you your whole life. They will transform and eventually you will look like Grandma. (Try to remember people's names though). What will ALWAYS last you is your education. No one can take knowledge away from you. Read as much as you can get your hands on. A kind and giving heart will also last you. The man you will meet will bring that quality out in you. He will show you how selfish and stubborn you are. He will unintentionally change that about you. He will change you for the better.

Your life is going to be an adventure. Do not be afraid of the unknown. Take the first step and let the path reveal itself. See you on the way.

-21 year old Kim