To Be Single or Not to Be Single?

 I read Jane Eyre last semester and a statement that my teacher said has been weighing on my mind lately: In the 18^th century, it was better to be married than single, even if the marriage was violent. I have been thinking of this subject a lot lately, especially while watching Sex and the City, and I have come to the conclusion that you could edit that declaration into “In the 21^st century, it is better to be in a relationship than single, even if the relationship is violent.”

Ok, the divorce rate now is 50% and people are waiting till their 30s or 40s to get married, which was not even thinkable in Charlotte Brontë’s time. But think about the times we live in where “in an open relationship” and “it’s complicated” are valid choices for a relationship on Facebook and in society. The term “sex buddies” or “f*ck buddies” are common terminologies for society.

With the terms “sex buddies,” “in an open relationship,” and “it’s complicated” being the norm, the definitions that go with them are pretty much self explanatory—it’s a relationship without the committed. As common as the terminology is the repercussions of a non-committed relationship: someone always gets hurt. Someone always feels a connection with the other person and thinks that if he or she stays with the other person, then there will magically be a happily ever after with a relationship. However, deep down inside, that someone knows that the non-committed relationship will end in tragedy.

The question I am presenting today is, if someone knows he or she will be hurt, then why go through it? Is a non-committed relationship really better than being single? It seems to me that people are trying to escape from being alone, even if he or she knows that the relationship can’t end well. Is being single that scary that one is willing to hurt him or herself?

Jane Eyre still applies to today. Being in sex buddies, it’s complicated or in an open relationship with seems like a luxury, but this will only end in Titanic tragedy.

Senior vs. Senior

While I was home during winter break, I saw my little brother, Kevin, who is a senior in high school, doing things that made me remember my senior year of high school. I wouldn’t say I was nostalgic for high school, but I was reminded of what I used to do compared to my senior year in college now. And let me tell you, senior year of high school was a trip to Disney World compared to senior year in college. (And I’m not saying this because I actually did go on a trip to Disney World in senior year of high school).

When I was a senior in high school, everyone told you your options for the future. In my high school, everyone went to college. Whether they stayed in college was a different topic that was unspoken of. The SATs were something everyone knew about. The guidance counselor would help you with the application process and it only cost 50¢ to send a transcript. Now, senior year in college, no one tells you about the GREs, the general entrance exam to get into grad school. In fact, no one really tells you about the process of getting into grad school, transcripts cost $10, and, to get a job, you need to go searching for someone to help you.

Also, when I was a senior in high school, there was little or no homework. Thus, I could work and I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. During senior year of college, the idea of “free time” doesn’t really exist. I find myself working till 11pm and waking up at 6am in order to just get my homework done for one class the next day.

Another thing about being a senior in high school that was so great was the fun of it being the last year of high school. There was yearbook, superlatives, prom, semis, getting out of school early and more. There was a lot more things to look forward to and to have fun. In college, you work non-stop until graduation and, as soon as that is over, you need to get a job or get into grad school, because you are on your own afterward.

The immense amount of responsibilities associated with senior year in college is directly linked with getting older. Senior year of high school, I was 17 years old. Senior year of college, I am 21 years old. There are certain things that come with being 21 that you didn’t have to worry about when you were 17. But these responsibilities are just a pre-test for the real world, which is 4 months away.  My advice to seniors in high school—enjoy it while you can.

Lies Google and My Vet Told Me

 Recently, the love of my life, my puppy Romeo was neutered. And, as a concerned mommy, I googled on how he would feel after the surgery. The back story to this being that I have had fluffy white little girl dogs my entire life and, although I had been old enough to understand their surgeries, I was totally clueless when it comes to male dogs. I went on several websites and they all seemed to say the same things, and so did my vet, so I believed them. And, as I found out when Romeo came home, it was all LIES. Here are some of the misconceptions I discovered:

Your dog will be lethargic, due to the atheistic, after the surgery for a few days.

Let me tell you, I absolutely love Romeo, but I was excited about this news. Every time I turn around, he is in the garbage, peeing, or battling Carlie. I was ecstatic about Romeo maybe taking a little nap. I even set up a little comfortable bed for him where I could keep an eye on him and he could relax. But this, of course, was a lie. As soon as I put Romeo down on the floor at home, he started running around, chasing Carlie and playing with his toys.

Your dog may have a loss of appetite, so make him food that is soft and appealing.

I was planning ahead of time, freaking out that I didn’t have any hamburger, like the website suggested, to feed him. After his surgery, I gave Romeo his normal dinner and he ate it all. The only special circumstances I had to perform for Romeo with food was to put his bowl on a carpet, so he could sit comfortably and eat.

Your dog may be aggressive towards other pets.

This was probably the worst news I heard, because, obviously, we have two dogs in my household. I thought Carlie and Romeo would need to be separated until Romeo healed, which could be anywhere between two days and two weeks. But, of course, this was a lie. Carlie was the one growling and barking at Romeo, because of his “cone of shame.” And Romeo, being the sweetheart as he is, tried to give Carlie kisses.

So, this may not all be lies. Romeo is probably a freak and is immune to all the expectations after his surgery. The morale of this story is though not to always trust what you read on the internet or what your doctor tells you, (as yes, this applies to Webmd because it’s a combination of both and it will always tell you that you are pregnant) because every case is different and you may be that one special freak that is immune.

Birthday Double Dippers

With the holidays over and everyone is, hopefully, making a full recovery. However, during this time of party, recuperating, party, recuperating, there are a few people celebrating birthdays, like my mom. These are people who have definitely earned the title of “birthday double dippers.”

           

Sure, people who have birthdays a week before, the week during, or the week after Christmas do complain about their birthdays being so close to Christmas: “I only get gifts one time of year.” “It’s stressful before/after the holidays.” But what about their loved ones who have to trek out and get them yet another present, even after all the Christmas presents are bought?

It is not easy to shop for some people. Getting them one gift seems like a Herculean task by itself without having to do it again. But, surprise, you have to search your brain to come up with another great idea.

Then there is the issue of wrapping paper. About 99% of the wrapping paper in the stores are holiday themed during the month of December. So then you have to search the store for any little scrap of birthday or even a nicely colored wrapping paper sans trees, reindeer, or Santas.

I can find one pro to having a birthday double dipper in your life. You can always switch around the gifts, granted you use neutral wrapping paper. When you don’t think a gift is right for the moment, you can change the birthday and holiday present without the birthday double dipper even knowing. However, this one pro does not outnumber the multiple cons for the family members, he husbands, the wives and the friends, not the double dippers.

So, here’s to the birthday double dippers. Happy Holidays/ New Year’s/ Birthday! P.S. we’re on to you.