Facebook -- Money Hungry

I am so tired of companies and people putting all their energy into making money. When did people stop caring about other people and start caring only about making a pretty penny? It's a total load of crap, I think, when most companies say they are doing things "for the people," or "in the best interest of our customers." I bet my bottom dollar (which after this move, is more like 52 cents) that somewhere in there they are getting a HUGE payday for whatever "good-for-the-people" decision they're making.

Facebook is my prime example. Do you REALLY NEED TO MAKE MORE MONEY!?! Do you really need to provide kids under 13-years old the capability to access all the crap, creeps, and freaks out there more than they already have at their typing little tips!? What happened to the good 'ol Facebook days when it was just for college students, or even when it was for college students and above? Granted, I made my account when I was a senior in high school, but it was because I was going to be going to college in the coming months. Now, my grandmother, pastor, cousins, people's pets, and little kids are running around in this cyber world for adults -- it's insanity!

There is so much crap out there on the Net for people to access, and kids these days have it hard enough growing up with all these societal pressures they're under, does Facebook really need to add to it? An online personality is generally a fake personality. It's a space where you have total control of the content that you put out and that others see about you. You can create yourself however you want to be -- touch up your photos so you look perfect, figure out just what you want to say, and how, so it can be perceived by your readers, and for crying out loud, in the "About Me" section, how often do you read things like, "lazy," "rude," "inconsiderate," or any other negative attribute? We only highlight our benefits, completely ignoring all the shitty things about ourselves.

If Facebook opens up its cyber-doors to under 13's, not only will they have the pressure to conform to all the images that society wants it to, but they will have to worry about their online image as well. That is way too much pressure for someone to deal with, especially someone who has puberty right around the corner -- my goodness, that's pressure enough!

The bottom-line is this: Facebook, you already monopolize the social media world as it is, and just because going public[ly traded] turned out to be a total backfire, doesn't mean that you should try and compensate by opening your distracting service to everyone and their mother (literally, and grandmother, and pets, and dead relatives). Let's take things back to what they're really about, loving one another and taking care of one another, not polluting one another's lives with more garbage than necessary.

Okay? Thanks.

Today's Thought: Is unnecessary considering this whole post was one.

Moving

What a weekend! This weekend was "the big move" and my mind and body sure feel it! 

My mom got into LA about 1:15pm on Saturday with the Budget truck holding "all the contents of my life," and we spent almost two hours unloading it. I must have taken trips up and down the flight of stairs at least 25 times, always with something in my hands. We were up until about 2am working on the place -- going to Bed, Bath & Beyond, Ikea (the first time either of us had ever been), unpacking boxes, building furniture, and getting as much done as we could before our bodies gave out. It was the longest day I've had in a while (#firstworldproblems), but we got a good amount done.

Sunday called for another trip to Bed Bath and Ikea, taking mom to the airport, and putting in another 11 hours of work unpacking, organizing, building, and more! It was so exhausting, but all worth it to look around before going to bed last night and see that I only need to put in another few hours tonight! I still have a lot of things I need to purchase to complete the place, but that will come little by little each month as my checks come in. 

Moving is such a process, it takes a lot of time and money, but when I can look around and know I've built (quite literally) a place for myself to call home, it feels so great. I look forward to the memories I will make in this place, and praise God for the blessings he lays upon me regularly. 

From this. . .

To this. . .

 Turning a studio into a 1br is doable! 

Built this myself, thank you, Ikea!

And now I conclude, because my brain is so tired and doesn't feel like being artistic in a written sort of way, and my lunch period is coming to a close. :) 

Today's Thought: You can do whatever you put your mind to! Don't give up, work hard, and when things seem too tough and overwhelming, take a step back, a deep breath, and tell yourself, "I can do it." Take things step by step, and eventually you'll meet the end of the path!

The Next Chapter Begins Now

As I sit here in my room at my uncles' house surrounded by the rest of my things all packed up, I am struck by such a cocktail of feelings. I have been living here now for *cough cough* three months *cough cough,* and while it is probably at least a month and a half longer than any of us anticipated, it went by faster than a speeding bullet.

I have never lived alone before, and while I am excited about reclaiming my independence and getting back into the world as a strong woman, I am also frightened. I can say without a reasonable doubt that I have taken advantage of my time living here in this paradise, and I am going to miss very much coming home to family and Sunshine (the cutest dog ever). I take comfort in knowing I am a mere five minutes away from them, but I still can't help but wonder if I'm really ready for this next chapter.

Adventures aren't something I run from, so I am prepared to take on this journey full-force, but it's going to be quite a change of pace from being mothered and fathered, to returning to a way of life that requires me to be almost solely dependent on myself. My eyes are starting to glisten as I look around the room I have called mine for so many weeks now, but I also know that I am leaving and heading in the direction I am supposed to.

A moment of clarity came to me yesterday, and a voice inside let me know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. The path I am on will take me to where I want to be in life and what I should be doing, even if I am unaware of where and what that might be at the current time. Since graduating college I've always said, "life's a ride, and I'm along for it." Let the next adventure begin, and let you grow with me as I grow in it.

Today's Thought comes from something that Kate said over the weekend at LiB. She said, "wherever you are, is perfect." Embrace every moment, take what comes, and seize all opportunities, because they don't go away, they just move onto the next person. P&L