One Semester Down Lumberjack

Wow. What can I say? Here I was back in August thinking I'm not good at writing, obviously why am I in this class, this is gonna be so hard for me. Then here I am in December, thinking wow, look at what I can now do and what I've accomplished. So many of my friends in high school ask how I'm doing in college and how it is. I honestly wouldn't have thought I would've been sitting here telling my friends and family that I have an 88% in my English 091 class. 

My approaches to writing was very low. I was so horrible at writing in high school and I knew I why I scored below on the placement test. For my senior paper, I wrote about the themes in Harry Potter series. I thought it was gonna be easy: I've seen every movie ever made 20 times and read every book at least 50. Yet, when I was looking for specific details, it was difficult for me to explain: the same obstacle I had in this class and still do. But I've learned how to express my thoughts and made it a bit easier on my part as a writer. 

If there is anything I would do differently in this class, I would've taken the connect lessons more seriously. Honestly, those things were a pain in the ass, especially if you forgot until the day of to do them, but they had a lot of good lessons that make you a better writer. Also, I would've taken a lot more notes on the essays. We would've had the discussion over the next topic or type of paragraph we were doing whether it was examplification, definition (my personal favorite), cause effect or compare contrast. Honestly, the general learning of how to write the paper was easy: it was finding the interesting details to go with the topic. When we had the pictures or videos we had to watch, those were literally life savers for me. I would've been lost without those resources. Now I wish I used those resources a bit more. 

Honestly, I believed I preformed pretty good in the class for having low standards. I mean I'm passing with an 88. I'm pretty stoked about that! I've never had such high scores on my essay's before even in high school. My highest scores on my papers were 85's and I was OK with that. Now, I'm estatic I'm almost at an A with finals around the corner. I feel awesome for finishing out the semester with this high grade. 

Now that I am no longer a "new" freshmen in college, I'm pretty confident in what I have planned in the future. I'm one step closer to what I deserve in life.

Reach for the Stars

In life you have certain things you have to do in order to be successful. One of those things is to plan and make goals for the future. Of course, you can't just think it's all going to be easy. You have to think short term and long term. Now as I grow up into a young adult now making my own decisions, I realize how important it is to make these goals. 

Short Term Goals:
Now these goals I have planned right now apply for the next two years or so. 

• Pass all classes with 85% or better.
• Earn my Associates in Science.
• Study as much as I can for the next 4 years.
• Graduate in the fall of 2017.
• Enroll in NAU for a Masters in Sports Medicine.

Long Term Goals:
Now these goals, I've been planning them out as I go. But I know what I want in life. 

• Graduate from NAU with my Masters.
• Find a steady job in Flagstaff.
• Find a rancher up north so my grandma can live on our 140 acre ranch. 
• Start a family.
• Work for the NFL or MLB for athletic training.
• Retire on my ranch with 3 loving kids, 4 horses and a bunch of cows.

Now these goals I've planned for myself are what I make achievable. I mean I've learned my lesson in high school to make these goals achievable and reasonable. It seems pretty impossible for me to work either in the NFL or MLB but I feel I have a chance. I have the heart and soul for athletic training. It's my passion. Now the whole marrying a rancher, ehhh that's debatable. haha just going off of what my grandma wants. But I wouldn't mind it. 

Advice of Failure

18 years of my life and I have countless of advice whether it be from mentors, counselors, family or people passing by in my life. And honestly, I can say half of the advice I've been given throughout these years I've never really paid attention to or really cared for this advice. I can't sit here and pick through the countless words of advice given choosing my favorite or the one's that have stuck with me. I think I've listened and taken to heart more advice from outsiders than from my family. Which you'd think me being in high school, only a child, I'd listen to my parents more than most. That definitely was not the case.

My mentor back in high school was the head athletic trainer. He was the only one who really believed in me with what I wanted to do with my life and continue what I believed could be my potential career. He believed I could do it, since me being the top seniors on the sports med team who wanted to continue on with sports medicine. He sat me down and told me out of the 15 kids we had on the team, he saw the passion I had for wanting to learn more and said I should follow my plan and look for colleges out of state that meets my needs for my future. He out of everyone in my life saw the possible potential I had for this career. My parents had no idea what I was doing on the sidelines on those Friday nights. They thought I was just hanging out with a bunch of boys. They didn't see the possible potential career for me like my mentor did. I've never worked so hard then I did in that atheltic training room to prove to everyone I deserved my spot to work Varsity and prove my worthiness to wear that polo. Still to this day, my parents don't understand what athletic training is for me and what it has done for my future. I thank my mentor every time I see him, for pointing me in the right direction and making me proud in what I do. 

So I was on Facebook the other day and with it being the first week of November, in high school that would mean soccer tryouts the first Monday through Wednesday. The best four weeks on my life was that first week of November. Anyways, on Facebook it has that new feature "On This Day" and it shows you what you posted and who you became friends with last year or however long ago. And one in particular reminded me of so much. 

"Congrats to the girls that made Vasrsity. You deserve it." -November 7th

Junior year I was so sure I was going to make Varsity. I worked my ass off for the past two months to get in shape for these three days. Coach pulled me and another girl that I played JV with since freshmen year off to the side saying we had a high chance of making Varsity. Thursday, I had so many thoughts in my mind thinking I made it. Thanks to my boyfriend at the time, he knew I made it and deserved this spot more than anyone. Walking up to those locker room doors that cold morning, I was shaking with adrenaline. Not seeing my name on the Varsity list I walked away back to my boyfriend. I didn't know what else to do other than cry. That day was the worst I've ever experienced. All I remember was my boyfriend trying to calm me down and cheer me up. I felt so useless knowing I could've done better and I didn't. 

My boyfriend knew what I was going through for he went through the same thing with football the week before. So he just said, "Next year, I'll be right here by your side when you make Varsity but for now, go out there and make Cobos regret not putting you on that roster." And that's exactly what I did. JV didn't have the best record that year but I felt we had the potential. I was awarded captain for the season. At the award ceremony, I was awarded "Offensive MVP". Cobos was surprised seeing the improvement and said she was proud of what I've become. Before every practice and game Junior and Senior year, his words played through my head that made me better, faster and stronger. 

Still to this day, being my ex, he's still one of my good friends. For those saying it's impossible being friends with your ex, it's not. Anyways, the next two years of my soccer career, those words stuck with me and helped me through everything. Now when it came to school, no one warned me for the long nights of studying, the possible chances of getting a scholarship for grades, nothing. I mean I blame myself for that. I didn't ask enough questions. According to the article "Advice for Newer Students From Those Who Know(Older Students)" ask as man questions as you want. Look for the help you need. College provides more than enough resources for you to succeed. The one important piece I took was that you don't need to know everything. Honestly, as a freshmen in college we believe you need to go into the first day of class knowing the entire class objective for the entire semester. If I would've read this article a bit sooner, my life would've been so much easier the first semester. 

These are just two of the numerous advice I've received in the past 18 years. I can sit here and tell you each and every single one but not everyone has the time to read or care. For these two individuals to help me and show me what matters in life and what not means everything to me. I still remember how happy both of them were when I told them I had a potential intership with Arizona United Soccer Club. Devin was so happy for me even though we were trying to work through a breakup together. And Jeff was estatic when I told him I had this chance. It made me work harder and learn from the person I knew best. He was willing to spend his personal time training me for what I had coming ahead of me. I've been impacted by these words and stuck with me through everything. 

From a girl being in love with an occupation and a boy, the advice received over these years have changed my outlook on life and the world. 

Praise To Those Who Don't Try

Kids now a days will listen to anything you say and take it to heart. Sadly, this is the world we live in. Their just gullible mini-me's. In reality, kids are given things they haven't earned and it's all about effort now. I get it, you can't sit there and call a little boy stupid to his face because he colored outside the lines. I would never do that in the first place but, I'm iffy on the whole praising a child for effort. In the article, it gives the example about how soccer coaches stopped counting goals and gave everyone a trophy. In my eyes, this is great, equality for everyone but giving something to a child that didn't earn it is giving them even more false hope. 

When I look back at my childhood, never was I praised for getting a bad grade on a math test and was told "great effort". No I had to work for my grades and achievements. I always had a strong thing for art and drawing. I was never really good but for some odd reason I stuck with it throughout high school. I knew I wasn't the best in the class but my work never showed that. I didn't need the teachers approval and praise in what I did. She would hang up random art works in the back of the classroom from other classes and classmates to give inspiration. More than a few times my work was up on the board and no one gave me praise, yet again no one knew it was mine until my artwork was showcased in the art show. I wanted to be the best and strived to be the best. 

Same concept I had when I was playing soccer. I wasn't the natural born talent one. I had to work to be where I am today. Still my skills aren't the best but I can improve that. The example of the soccer coach counting the goals. I believe in that all the way. I don't want to be handed a trophy when I as a player, didn't improve during that season. It makes me think "alright, cool now next year I don't have to try as hard" when in reality I did. I remember kicking myself junior year for not training harder for my spot on varsity, I was so close and I never got it. I wasn't given that spot because of my effort during tryouts and the off season. I had to work for my spot senior year. I had to work for my spot to wear that #19. I worked my butt off, alongside my teammates, for our shot in the playoffs and that's exactly what we did. But  I was praised for my efforts during the award ceremony which didn't make me feel too good for I put everything out on that field and I wanted to earn my varsity letter, not just have it handed to me.

 I'm not gonna sit here and say praising kids for their efforts is a horrible thing but it's not so bad when you look at the overall picture. Getting kids to see their efforts getting noticed makes them want to try harder for whatever is next and become better. But I don't think they need to be praised for everything. I get having your kid graduate high school is a big thing, but passing a math class shouldn't require an award such as money or a new car. It's ridiculous! What I'm really trying to say is set the example of not giving up easily and work hard and show your little mini-me what mommy or daddy can really do and what they can do in the future. Don't tear them down, build them up and give them options. If one doesn't work out then they have some other option to turn to. I can't wait to use this on my kids in the future.

Basic White Girl Amber Alert

Social Media...

Honestly, I don't know where I'd be without it. There's so much you can do and discover on these social media pages it's ridiculous! It's amazing Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat, Tumblr and so many more. I'm gonna be honest, I'm addicted to it. I really am. I just had to throw my phone off my bed because I was just on Instagram for the past 20 minutes trying to figure out whose doing what. It's what I use to escape from the real world around me. Besides about 4 soccer balls and a open goal. But these I'm truly addicted to and my phone does not leave my hands.

Facebook. The place where I go to find out about the presidential campaigns and what not. I mean one it's a weird name, haha one day a guy face plants a book and was like wow awesome! I'm gonna share that with my friends, like what? haha but in reality I find everything out on this app. Like I can spend 10 minutes and close it finding out my best friend got married, politician claiming women get pregnant to sell the fetus to planned parenthood, seeing another baseball player using steroids, seeing some funny cat video, some news about rednecks ranting about gun control, some guy dancing to the cha cha slide in the best possible way, who stole someone's man and now talking shit and my favorite bands new album. It's amazing. 

Instagram- My addiction. It's where you share photo's of literally anything and everything. I don't know who would be against it. I have some problems with it. I mean girls are expected to look a certain way in selfies and expect a certain amount of likes to feel pretty. Which I mean, I feel at times but then again who cares about me.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm gonna go out and say it, I'm an Insta whore. I'm that one white girl that takes about 20 selfies but that one makes it to show the world, with the perfect lighting, edited to certain colors with an inspirational quote. It's hilarious to see all the #ManCrushMondays, #WomanCrushWednesdays and whatever else and it just goes to show how single I am. So if you want a  basic white girl seeing how single I am with MCM's of Jason Aldean and Paul Goldschmidt in your feed, or some selfies with band quotes, then please feel free to follow me @Analisee_19. It'll be worth your time I promise.

Pinterest- My personal drug. Not gonna lie, I'm on here 24/7 looking at everything and anything possible until my mom gets irritated after showing her a million and one things about Halloween decorations. (I mean it's my favorite holiday, we gotta have the best costume party with house decorations.) I have to say being a college student sucks at times on pinterest because it shows you everything you can't and don't have. I look at everything from tattoo ideas to new workout clothes to planning my entire wedding in a day. I'm a little crazy with it.

Snapchat- my last and highly addictive drug or social media. The little ghost is just so tempting to press. This is where you can go to see your friends being stupid with fireworks, see your crush with their new haircut and beard line up (just kidding I'm not a stalker) or what's going on in another country. You can either send a super cute selfie to your crush or a very unpleasing selfie to your best friend that thank god only lasts for 4 seconds, until they screenshot. That's how trust is ruined on snapchat. DON'T DO IT! I mean on my snapchat you'll see me posting selfies, pictures of my dutch bros and videos of my friends dancing on a light pole in the middle of Park West parking lot. Which is quite hilarious. My stories usually last about 50 seconds a day if, that. On a good day, they last about 200 seconds. Judge me, I just want people to know what's going on in my life. I live in the moment with my phone. I don't care if you disagree with me or not I could care less about your opinions of me.

Soooo as you can see I'm kind of addicted to my phone and my laptop. There's so many other kinds of social media that I don't personally use but millions of others do. 90% of my battery goes to using these apps. The other 10% is texting. This is my escape and how I spend my down time. It's taken me this long to write this post because of my addictions haha.  

The Redneck with Guns and Freedoms

My freedoms aren't so much my favorite subject to talk about but I guess we all have to do things we don't want to do, right? 

I have my fair share of my favorite rights and others I'm okay with but clearly we all have freedoms stated in The Bill of Rights and The Constitution. Purple, orange, wide, tall, skinny, nerd or jock, we all have these freedoms. And here are some of my favorites..

The First Amendment- Freedom of Speech
Since the first amendment comes with freedom of press, religion, assembly and petition, freedom of speech is most important to me. We have the right to speak our mind. Just like Malala did. She spoke her mind but sadly there were consequences for what she had done. Except our limitations are in school and work place. We have the right to sit down and have a conversation on the opinions of the president or the opinions on potatoes. Yes, I've had a conversation about potatoes, don't know why but things happen. haha but besides the point.. We all have our opinions so why not share them as I am now with you. 

The Second Amendment- The Right to Bear Arms
Yes, I understand this was put in place for the militia's but that can't stop me from owning and using a gun. I'm not the type to use it for stupidity, I am a hunter and go shooting from time to time. I grew up around them. From an accident a few years back with a gun, I've wanted to learn how they work and why I got injured the way I did. No one is gonna stop me from going hunting with my gun in my name, no one is taking that away from me. Me being a redneck, no one has the power to take away my right

The Ninth Amendment-  Unenumerated Rights
We all have rights that no government can take away from you. These rights aren't stated in the Bill of Rights and Constitution but that does not mean you don't have them. Which in my perspective, you have the right to your own happiness. You have the right to go to college. No one is going to make you, it's your choice. I have the choice whether to be happy and to hell if anyone says I can't be happy. I choose to be because it's my choice. We all have choices, you just have to make the right one for you.

Then all the frat kids favorite... 
The Twenty-First Amendment- The Right to Consume Alcoholic Beverages
haha yes I'll admit I'm underage to say this but it's my blog so I don't really give a damn what others think. FREEDOM OF SPEECH! See Mr. Hill, your government class came in handy after all (even though I slept through some lectures, I still passed). People have the right to have a good time with what they do and what they drink. But I draw the line with drinking and driving. Personally, I've had my share of being around drunk people. Not gonna lie, it's pretty funny. But drinking and driving is a definite no. Yes, I believe people should be aloud to drink and have a good time at the legal age with a designated driver. 

So those are my thoughts and opinions on my favorite rights. I mean there are so much more that I believe make me as a person (except that last one haha) but I have so little time in this world to express how I feel.

Judge me as you will

Impressions of me.

Yes, first impressions are good but that doesn't always defy who a person is. I understand it may make or break your career, I haven't had much luck with it because just like in the article "something didn't feel right."http://blog.crew.co/weird-science-first-impressions/. But that doesn't always mean that the judgement they made were right. I'll admit it; I judge people. I do it all the time but 95% of the time my judgement is wrong about that person because they turn out to be either a really nice, caring person or they could be the total opposite. I judge people to only be judged back. And to be honest, I don't like the answers I've heard when people first judge me. Yes, I am very shy and keep quiet to myself when I don't know very many people but once you get it know me, boy there's a whole nother ballpark you don't know about. And here it is...

 

Who am I? Well for one I am Analise. No, I didn't get my unusual name from my grandma or great grandmother. My mother heard my soon to be name on a soap opera and loved it. So yeah it's unique because I never knew my name would be from so many cultures such as Hebrew and German. Which I am neither but that is whole nother story. But unique enough just like me. Like I said before, about how there's a few sides to me. Well to tell you the truth there is. Which I believe makes me the special person I am today.

As unique as I am, I'm unbelievably shy when I first meet people, which shocks a lot of people. But once you get to know me, I'm very loud and annoying. I just like to have fun in every possible way. I'm a very understanding person, which can be taken advantage of easily. 

As I've been called before and live up to, I'm the average basic white girl, as they call it these days. Into the hipster bands, Twenty One Pilots, Fall Out Boy, All Time Low, etc. Starbucks and Dutch Brothers all day long. Then there's the side that is a redneck. I'd rather be somewhere up north in the backwoods, shooting at cans singing along to George Strait, dancing in the tailgate of my truck in my boots. I'm not afraid to be one of the guys. I'll show you up and might lose but I won't back down. In school, I was referenced as either the "football girl" or the "baseball girl". I was the one during Friday night games surrounded by sweaty, smelly guys giving them water in a polo shirt and khaki pants or shorts. I was one of the boys out on the field. Just got a lot more respect then most of the boys haha. In other words, I was the girl who was protected by the entire baseball and football team.

I'm the type of girl to tell you as it is. No beating around the bush. Family is the most important thing to me. Without them, I honestly don't know where I'd be. And same goes for my friends. Yet the most important thing would have to be my dog. Mess with her and I will make you wish you never touched her.

I won't lie when I say I fear judgement and rejection. But yet, at the same time I just don't give a damn. So go ahead and judge me as you will.