One Medium Suitcase Please

So, here is the deal, I am being taken away from all of my family, friends, and home, going to some place unknown where there is not technology or power. What would I take with me if all I could take is a medium sized suitcase (24x12x10 inches)? Well here is what I would take:

I would definitely have to pack my running shoes because running is my emotional release whether it is for anger, sadness, or stress. They are important to me, especially if I am leaving all of my friends and family because I will have a lot of emotional ups and downs to get through.

A picture from my wedding day with Kyle and I kissing at midnight so that I can always remember the start of my wonderful life with him. Plus, I want to remember him and what his love felt like; I never want to forget him.

My dad's old wedding ring because it will serve as a constant reminder of the loving and gentle man that raised me. I appreciate all of his love and support over the years and the ring would symbolize his ongoing support even when I am not able to speak with or see him again.

My mom's "key to my heart" necklace that she gave me when I was in middle school and dealing with all kinds of drama. It symbolizes how she pushed me to be the person that I am today and always supported me through all of my decisions, even the not so great ones.

A family photo album so that I may never forget the faces of my family and friends. Those pictures would also serve as a reminder of all the good times we once had together so that I can always remember their faces.

Kyle's sweatshirt because at least for a while it would smell like him and I would be able to wear it as a reminder of him. I would plan to never wash it so that his smell would last as long as possible and could take me back to the time I spent with him.

My grandpa's class ring that he gave me the day of my college graduation. I will never forget how proud he was of me that day and it reminds me of all of my successes.

The piggie corkscrew I use as my wedding ring holder because the story behind it is hilarious and it will be a safe place to keep my wedding ring when I can't wear it. This item came into my life after I was engaged because my parents thought it was funny, there is not way I could ever use it as a corkscrew because it is definitely old school so I recycled it.

My glasses because where ever I go I want to be able to see and if my contacts are worn out I will need my glasses. My glasses aren't something I have to wear all the time but I have to wear them so I can see long distances clearly so they could come in handy.

The final thing I would make sure to grab is my keepsake box, you know those shoe boxes full of old letters, cards, ticket stubs, and pictures. That box is something I enjoy looking through to remember old times now and so I can imagine if I had to pack up and leave everything behind I wouldn't want to leave behind those memories.

Looking Up! 3 People Who Amaze Me

I am an avid runner, I run because it is my stress relief, my “me” time, and it allows me to keep eating the things I love. Many people run for different reasons and a woman that I look up to in the running world is Kathrine Switzer. Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon however at the time women were not allowed to run such long distances and she entered the race as a male. Many of the men in the race were amazed to have a woman running with them however race officials were not very happy with her entry and tried numerous times to literally force her from the race. Kathrine Switzer was a courageous woman not only because she ran a race with a bunch of men but because she defied the odds. She decided one day that she would prove to the running world that women were not “too fragile” to run long distances like 26.2 miles. Kathrine inspires me to become not only a better runner but to become someone that reaches for my dreams and goals even when the odds are stacked against me. As a teacher/counselor I want to inspire others to do the same and I think to do that I must lead by example and show students that if you set your mind to accomplish something or be something you can become the person you have always dreamed of being. Kathrine inspires me to become a better role model for females, to pave the way so that the challenges that lie ahead are not accomplished alone but together.

Switzer, K. The Girl Who Started it All. Runner’s World, 26 March 2007. Web. 19 February 2013. 

Another woman that I am always amazed by is Hillary Clinton. Now, I don't really identify as democrat or republican and if I vote, I vote on the issues, so my amazement with her has nothing to do with her democratic identification but more with her character and leadership. She has gone through the mud and survived on numerous occasions, her husbands alleged affair, her recent defense against some decisions and events that have occurred in the war zone and no matter what she pulls through and does her job. She inspires me because in career dominated by males she has proven to be more successful than many of the men out there. She handles the pressures of the political career with poise and determination; to me it seems she is always focused on doing the right thing even when it is not the most popular. I strive to live my life that way too, doing what is right even if there may be backlash. She inspires me to also become a great leader and positive role model for women, showing them that doing what you are passionate about doesn’t always come easy but if you work hard and love what you are doing it pays off in the long run. Who knows, maybe I will be voting for her in 2016…

News Anchor Anderson Cooper is one of the bravest news anchors in my opinion. Not because he reports while bombs and bullets are flying overhead but because he came out to his viewers this past year, proud to be gay. I admire him for his bravery because he is a very public figure and because of this he received many hateful responses to his openness, responses that he knew would find their way to him and he still chose to be honest with himself and those around him and come out to the nation.  During my school counseling education I took a diversity class that really opened my eyes to the diverse population of the US. As a nation, we classify everyone around us by not only how they dress but how much money they make, the color of their skin, and especially their sexual preference. People in our society pass judgments on others when anothers life is not ours to judge. Anderson Cooper courageously came out to this judgmental society and was proud of it. He set an example for all LGBTQ individuals that says, be proud of whom you are even if the world does not always agree. Every person in our nation should learn from him, I know that from him I take away the power to be myself in a world that is judgmental, as a teacher/counselor I take away strength to help students who are struggling with their sexual preference to be honest with themselves and stand up for their rights.