When I was little I used to pretend that I was adopted. I convinced myself and my friends that I was not really a Graw.

I started doing this after I watched the children’s movie “Annie”. I loved the dramatic story. I wanted to be just like her. I admired the way she sang her way through just about any problem.

And the best part about the movie is that her entire life is made better in an hour and half! I soon grew up and realized that life just does NOT work out like that. Most problems in life last days, weeks and sometimes even years.

Hard Times

A few weeks ago I was not having the best of days. It was just “one of those days”. Nothing seemed to be going right in my life. I am normally a very happy positive person, but on this day in particular I was not feeling like myself. And that’s when I thought of one of my favorite childhood songs!

It’s called tomorrow. My favorite line in particular is,“The sun WILL come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there will be sun.” I started singing that song in my car at the top of my lungs. I continued to sing it at all of the stop lights along the way home. I didn’t care who was watching.

I slowly started feeling better. None of my problems were fixed, but I did realize that like the song said the sun would come out tomorrow and everything really would work out. I figured out that the best thing to do when going through a rough time is to simply KEEP GOING.

So, the next time you are feeling blue, think of one of your favorite childhood songs and play it over and over. And don’t be afraid to sing along. Trust me on this one-it helps!

What do you do when you are having a rough time? Do you have a song that helps boost your mood?

When I look back on my high school years a few words come to mind. The first word I think of is carefree. At the time I certainly did not think so. But, now I realize just how simple life was. The biggest thing I worried about were my plans on Friday night. Things are just a little different now.

So, below is a list of the top 5 things I miss most from high school.

1.Bonfires. I used to have bonfires all the time! I haven’t been to a bonfire in over 5 years! Some of my friends really need to get on this!

2.Dances. This one might surprise some of you, but I loved everything about dances! I would love to get dressed up in a formal gown and go dancing!

3.Awkward dates. I look back on some of the guys I went on dates with in high school and laugh. The dates were so innocent and well, yes awkward.

4.Sleepovers. I had at least 3 or 4 sleepovers a month back in the day. Those nights were the best. I miss sitting around with girlfriends, eating way to much and bitching about guys.

5.Three way conversations on the phone. This may be more of a girl thing but I used to talk to 3 of my girlfriends at a time in high school for hours on end! I wish I had the time to do this!

What do you miss about high school?

Those are just a few of the cities that I have wanted to live in for the past few years. Most twenty-somethings I know have an aching desire to leave their hometown at some point in their lives.

There are many reasons twenty-somethings get the itch to move. Some want a change, others believe that their hometown “sucks” and is boring.

Being from Cleveland I’ve heard more complaints about the city than I care to. A few years ago I was bound and determined to make it to NEW YORK CITY. I thought that all of my wildest dreams would come true if I ventured out to this magical, glamourous place.

And then I graduated with no job and student loans and realized that I was not going to be making it out to NYC anytime soon.

I began exploring my hometown a bit more. I figured I might as well since I would be staying here for awhile. After a lot of exploring I found that I actually liked my hometown. I was no longer one of the many twenty-somethings that needed to “get the hell out”.

My attitude has completely changed about staying home. My friends and family are here. I love the metro parks and Lake Erie. Cleveland is my HOME.

I still have a very deep desire to travel and explore new places. But, for now I am satisfied with staying home.

For years I adhered to this very limited way of thinking. I thought that because I was a Christian I could not believe anything else. And then I grew up and I started to think, and ask questions lots of questions.

I stifled my questions throughout high school because I did not want to stand out. Things changed after I entered college. Things changed even more after I graduated. I started to believe that abortion was a woman’s choice. And that two people who loved each other should be allowed to be married regardless of sexual orientation.

Change:

My questioning and doubts led to the gradual death of my faith. I wasn’t quite sure how I could pray and consider myself a Christian when I believed this way.

I still don’t have the answer to this question. But, as time has passed I have realized that I CAN still believe in God and consider myself a Christian and disagree with these teachings.

My beliefs and views on life have changed drastically throughout my twenties. I’m pretty sure that they will keep changing as I get older.

But, in the meantime I am going to get busy living my life and stop worrying about how other people are living their lives.

But, as of late I have not been able to purchase make-up products like I used to. My make-up routine has become quite simple and some days I go completely without make-up (gasp!)

Not having money to spend on make-up has taught me to become quite creative with my beauty routine! So, if you are like and are running low on cash here are a few tips to help you look and feel like a million bucks without breaking the bank!

1.Self-tanner. I enjoy tanning as much as any other girl but after awhile tanning can get expensive! Recently I have been using Hawaiian Tropic’s self tanner and the best part is its’ only $7 at CVS!

2.Dry Shampoo. This product just might be my favorite. I have been using Tresemme’s dry shampoo. It prevents you from having to wash your hair every day and gives you more time to get ready !

3.Wet n Wild lipstick. I recently bought a tube of lipstick for a $1. I’ve found that a pop of color on your lips makes a world of difference!

4.Cream colored nail polish. I paint my nails every week with Sally Hansen’s nail polish. It gives my nails a nice polished look for under $5!

5.Cute headbands. Lately I have been wearing a headband almost every day with my hair pulled back in a ponytail. It’s cute, easy and cheap!

6.Really cute shoes. During the week I keep what I wear simple. I usually wear a pair of skinny jeans, a t-shirt and a really cute pair of heels! Cute heels have the power to make any outfit look adorable.

Ladies, do you have any suggestions for cheap beauty products? What products do you use that are reasonably priced?

You see, a person does not have to been middle aged to have a crisis. In fact, I’ve heard a rather new term floating around lately and that is the quarter life crisis. The quarter life crisis consists of a lot confusion and frustration. It usually occurs right after a twenty-something graduates from college. Recent grads start asking themselves the bigger questions of life like: Who am I? What am I good at? What job is going to make me happy on a daily basis? And those are just a few! 

I can certainly say that I have gone through the quarter life crisis. So, to help myself navigate through this tricky time I consulted one of my favorite bloggers. Her name is Lauren. She recently just wrote about the quarter life crisis in the blog below! 

I Think I’m Having a Quarterlife Crisis.

I asked Lauren if I could interview her and she most graciously agreed! Here are the answers Lauren gave me to the questions I asked. I hope you enjoy! 

Christina: You graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism what was your plan for after graduation? 

Lauren:I knew even before graduation that I didn’t want to be a reporter, even though that was what I learned how to do in school. I was hoping to use my skills either in another aspect of TV (more entertainment-based work) or in a behind-the-scenes capacity. I didn’t even think about writing at all, that came about roughly a year or so after graduation. I firmly believe that you should never think that you’re “stuck” in one career path. A lot of the people I admire most have had several different “mini careers” throughout their lives, and I hope I can do that too. I think in college we’re taught that you have to pick a major and stick with it, but real life doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes you start a job, find out you’re interested in something else, and shift career goals entirely.

C: When you were little what was your dream job?

L:When I was little I loved performing and writing. I was always writing little stories and putting on shows. For a while I wanted to be a pop star/music video director (quite the combo). Then I realized I had no real vocal talent, so I decided to focus my energy elsewhere!

C:Where do you get the inspiration for your blogs?

L:I try to be really honest and open in my blogs, so the inspiration comes from things I’m experiencing in my own life. If I’m dealing with a career crisis or a relationship/friendship issue, I’ll talk about that. I try not to reveal every gory detail, but I think it’s important to be truthful. I’ve found that the posts I’m most honest about are the ones that get the best response from people. Chances are, if I’m thinking it then someone else is too. That’s why I love blogging so much. It’s great to interact with other people and exchange ideas. I’ll also base some of my writing off of what I talk about with my friends. If I come across an interesting article during my daily Internet travels then I’ll link to that. I always write down ideas in my phone, because I’ll get inspired at random times. I’m a big fan of e-mailing myself too. You can’t let a good idea go to waste because you forgot what it was two hours later!

C:Describe yourself in three words.

L:Three words to describe me: driven, empathetic, imaginative. I can pick all positive traits, right? =)

You can check out more of Lauren’s awesome blog posts at:lifewithlauren.com!

I Think I’m Having a Quarterlife Crisis.

Click the link above! This is such an interesting read! It looks like I have a lot to accomplish before I turn 30! I have to get to work!

Everyone I interviewed was so nice and extremely excited to be at the event.Since graduating I have not had many opportunities to get out and report. Being at this fashion show and talking to new people gave me such a rush. I still do not have a job as a reporter but, this night reminded me just how much I love reporting.

After this event I was reminded of the quote that says,”Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I believe that I have found that job for myself. I may not be making any money at the moment blogging or reporting but I do have the satisfaction however of knowing what I want to be  when I grow-up.

As a female in a very happy relationship I am here to help males understand us strange females a bit better. Listed below are just a few tips to keeping the woman in your life happy.

1.Call or text when you say you will. I cannot tell you how much this means to a girl. Girls love to know that you are thinking about them. That said guys text your girl throughout the day even if just to say, “I love you.”

2.Don’t forget to ask your girl how her day was. Females love to talk, that’s how we truly connect with you. So,if you want a happy girlfriend ask about her day and truly LISTEN.

3.Watch her favorite chick flick. It’s pretty obvious that girls and guys have different tastes in what they watch. Most girls enjoy a good chick flick. But, they would enjoy it even more if their guy watched it with them-without complaining.

4.Take her out at least once a month. Girls love to get dressed up and go out. Even if you’ve been dating for years remember to ask your girl out on a date every once and awhile.

5.Listen to her friend drama. This may sound like I am asking a lot, but it’s really important. Most girls have some kind of drama occurring in their life. And sometimes the best solution to that drama is venting it to their boyfriend.

6.Cuddle without expecting anything else. (This one is pretty self explanatory.)

7.Take an interest in her passions. Even if your girl is into something you would never take an interest in it’s important for you to pay attention to her passions. Just simply listening to her talk about her interests makes a world of difference.

8.Be sensitive. If your girl is having a rough day or going through a difficult time don’t joke around. Be mature and be there for her.

Not much has changed in the last 20 years. I still get a thrill from walking up to complete strangers and enthusisastically sticking my hand out and saying, “Hello! My name is Christina Graw what is yours?”

I had no problem making friends in high school or college. In fact, I’m still close to many of the people in my past. But, as life goes on people grow up, get married and move away.

Now most of my friends are scattered across different states and cities making it difficult to see them on a regular basis. In high school you see your friends everyday in class and in college all of your friends live within walking distance. After college things start to change.

Instead of weekly hangouts with my friends I am lucky if I get to see them once a month. Part of me misses having the conveinence of seeing a friend on a daily basis.

New Friends:

A few weeks ago I met a really awesome girl my age. We struck up a conversation quickly and found ourselves sharing intimate details about our lives together. I realized that I really like this girl and wanted to see her again.

I met her in a professional setting and was not able to get her number. I left that day thinking about how much I wished I could see her again. Then it hit me! I was trying to make a new friend.

I hadn’t done this in at least 3 or 4 years. I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. I wanted to ask her to hangout but was afraid she wouldn’t want to.

I couldn’t believe it! I was feeling insecure about making a new friend. I’m hoping to see her again soon. I am also hoping that I can get her number.

I never thought I would see the day I would be awkward about making a new friend. I guess life has a funny way of changing.

How should I go about asking my new “friend” to hang out?