In the spirit of Thanksgiving

Well today is Thanksgiving, the one day of the year most people actually stop to think about the things they're thankful for, instead of taking them for granted. Now don't think I'm calling anyone out on this because I definitely can be lumped in that group. It's not like we're bad people, life just happens and sometimes we tend to overlook the simple, little things. Sometimes the seemingly endless list of bad or negative things over shadows everything else. You can't lie and say that it hasn't been somewhat consuming in your life at some point in time.

So today, one of the only days I don't have anything to do (okay I do, I'm just choosing to ignore it) I decided to compile a list of some of the things I'm thankful for.

1. I'm thankful for opportunities.
             This summer I had two opportunities, the chance to spend the summer studying in Salzburg, Austria and the chance to go to Vegas to celebrate my best friends birthday.

              I'm so thankful to have been able to spend a month in Salzburg this summer. Not only did I learn about Austrian culture, I had the chance to learn a lot about myself. On top of all that, I met some wonderful people, people I now consider to be part of my extended family. In just a month I fell in love with that special place and all it had to offer… beautiful sunsets, beautiful sights, beautiful boys, and its ever flowing beer. Never have I had a more peaceful night than our final night there when we broke into the Mirabell Garden to gaze up at a cloudless sky filled with an endless supply of stars. The experience is something I'll never take for granted. I owe my parents the world for letting me see the world.

It seemed like the moment I got back I was on my next adventure…. to VEGAS! There's no other way for Sara to do her 22nd birthday. I can honestly say I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into and if I was at all prepared for it. After a sleepless night before our departure our Friday relaxing at the pool of the hotel was apparently just what we needed to start the weekend off right. Cheers to meeting new friends at the pool... and those friends playing a $400+ bill that night at dinner. Here's to Hyde and free bottle service, to meeting random boys on the floor of the MGM Grand casino leading to a night of burgers and the penthouse. Here's to the late nights that turned into early mornings. Here's to learning that sometimes I need to shut my hectic life off for a weekend and just enjoy life. The possibilities for fun are, apparently, endless. Here's to having the most relaxing yet action packed weekend possible. And finally, here's to realizing Vegas is the worlds happiest place and the ever present itch to go back. 

          

2. I'm thankful for family. 

              Without family where would we be. Okay, just sometimes I could do without the (seemingly) constant nagging (like who is going to be my date to my sisters wedding… thats seven months away… ask me in five), the 950394768350394 questions I get when the answer hasn't changed since the last time I was asked but hey, its out of concern right? If there's one thing I've learned over the years its that when it seems like everyone has walked out on you, no matter what you did, your family won't. Your family is always going to be your biggest supporter and they'll always believe in you even when you don't. They'll be your rock during hard time and will be your biggest cheerleader during a good one. Their love is endless even when you don't deserve it.

3. I'm thankful for friends.

             Like family, friends are my everything. They know my deepest darkest secrets yet refuse to judge me and love me just the same. They give me life advice and aren't afraid to tell me like it is. They are honest when you need it, loving when you need it, and fun when you need it. They almost always know you better than you know yourself and ultimately know whats best for you. They are there for you when you need to cry after a break up, a drink after a long day, or to grab coffee for an all-nighter that could have been avoided. And if you're lucky enough, like me, your friends will turn into family. 

Honestly, I could probably sit here for awhile and say all the things I'm thankful for but I don't have that kind of time and I don't really want to bore you. So I'll leave it at that. Just know that the simple words I use don't accurately describe how I feel about how thankful I really am (I'll never be a Harper Lee or Jane Austen).This holiday season may we continue to realize how blessed we are and learn to never take those things for granted. I know I'm trying to work that into my everyday life and you should too.


PS. I'm thankful for the Christmas tree and glass of wine in front of me…. GOD BLESS.

I have a confession...

I have a confession…. Okay, it’s nothing juicy or really exciting and some of you might all ready know it, so I guess you can’t really call this a confession. Sorry for the let down.

When traveling in a foreign country there are many worries. Worrying about classes, money, how to get around, and plane tickets. I mean I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. To be honest, I wasn’t worried about any of this. It may be because AIFS was the complete right choice but maybe not. My main, and really only concern was I wasn’t going to make any friends and no one was going to like me. I thought I was going to be shipped off to this beautiful foreign country and have no one to share it with besides my Facebook friends (and that’s just depressing). I thought everyone would think I’m the weird girl or the mean one.  I know this is completely ridiculous but still. Don’t take this the wrong way or anything but never have I had a hard time meeting someone or getting along with them, so why would this be any different? Well, it shouldn’t be.

And it wasn’t. In this short time that I’ve spent here I’ve met some pretty incredible people. In fact, I met my second family. I’ve met the greatest people you will ever meet. There is truly no one else I’d rather spend this trip with. These people get me. When I want to get gelato on the way to class or for dinner, you can bet someone else is getting it too. When I want to sing the Sound of Music, someone is singing along. When I want to go to O’Malley’s, you bet I have people in toe.  They make me smile, laugh until I cry, and are there for me no matter what. I can feel their friendship in the bottom of my happy heart (sorry for the cheesiness there).  I can’t speak highly enough of them all because my words just wont do them any justice. I’m truly the lucky one who has been given the opportunity to meet them and call them my friends. I’m so blessed.

Unfortunately, we have about a week and a half left. I honestly have no clue where the time has gone and I know this last week is going to fly by. I don’t want to think about leaving these people or this place. It’s been a magically last few weeks and this place and my second family will always hold a special place in my heart. So here’s to more family fun, family dinners, and many more nights at O’Malley’s. 

I know there isn't any pictures but blogger is in German currently and I don't know German soooo you get the picture. 

My sex doesn't define who I am and what I do.

WARNING: 

1) I'm about to rant, fair warning. If you don't want to hear my opinion, now would be a good time to click the little x on the top of this page. 

2) I understand you have your own opinions. These are mine and I understand many of you might not agree with them but that doesn't mean attack mine. If you were writing this, I wouldn't do it to you. That being said, I know some of you might voice your opinion that I'm wrong. If you choose to do so, I just ask you do so nicely and realize this is an opinion and everyone is entitled to their own. 

Okay, now here it goes. And I also apologize, I'm kind of bad at words. 

Lately I've seen a lot of articles about how sex defines who we are and feminism and I've started to think. (Anybody who knows me, knows that that could be dangerous). So here are my thoughts.

BEING A FEMALE DOESN'T DEFINE ME.

Yes, I, Paige Nicole Schmit, am a female. That's great, but that's not all I am. I'm more than a set of boobs and a vagina with hair and a pretty face. I have a brain and a great work ethic, along with tons of other great qualities that have nothing to with being female. In fact, those qualities mean a hell of a lot more than my boobs and vagina. SORRY, I'M NOT SORRY.

I constantly see and hear things about how gender equality and guess what?!?!?! I'm ALL for it. I guess you could call me a feminist (I'm cool with that) but I wouldn't say I'm a feminazi. Here's my logic:

I'm a female but I don't have to play by the gender stereotypes or roles.

I have every right to be whatever I want to be. If I want to be a hard-working doctor one day, then HELL, I'M GOING TO DO IT. If I want to work a 60 hour work week, I'm doing it. If I want to put work first and put aside the priority of finding a life partner, yup, you can bet I'm doing it. 

I'm saying this: I'm a female but I'm not going to play the silly role society tells me to. If I want to be a doctor, I'm doing it. Even if society thinks I shouldn't. If I want to sit at home and watch football all day  Saturday and Sunday instead of watching the newest season of The Bachelor (which I'd rather do), then I'm going to do so. AND GUESS WHAT THATS PERFECTLY OKAY.  

Society doesn't have to define women. If you want to be a female engineer, go right ahead. You have my full support. If you want to wear the pants of the family and call the shots, MORE POWER TO YOU. If you want to bring home the most bacon…. YOU EAT UP GIRL, YOU EAT UP.  You deserve it. But hey, if you want to be a stay at home mom, thats cool. YOU MAKE SURE THOSE KIDS ARE WELL FED AND PREPARED FOR SCHOOL. But listen, if you don't want to, you don't/shouldn't have to. Just because you're a female doesn't mean you have to be a stay at home mom. Nor does that mean you're a terrible wife or mother. 

My mother wasn't a stay at home mom, and if I do say so myself, she was a WONDERFUL mom. My sister and I turned out just fine. She dropped us off at school and went to work. When her work day was done, she came home, took care of us and made dinner. She made sure we got where we needed to be, homework was done and that we did everything with her support. She made all of our swim meets and concerts, everything… WHILE WORKING. So yes, it can be done and doesn't make you any less of a woman.

Also I understand a family is about loving and serving but I'm not the only one who can love and serve. 

I'm all about being loving, kind and serving one another (people tell me I've one of the nicest people they know, I beg to differ). When I'm someones wife (we can only hope at this point), you can bet I'll make dinner when I can and I'll help with the laundry and I'll help clean the house. See what I did there. It's a two way street. I'll make dinner and what not, don't get me wrong, but whats so wrong with the man doing it when I can't. Or helping or even doing it when I can. WHAT?!?!!? NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. There should be a balanced give and take. If you want a sandwich and I'm in the kitchen, I'll make you a sandwich. NOT BECAUSE I HAVE TO BUT BECAUSE I WANT TO . AND NEXT TIME YOU'RE IN THE KITCHEN AND I ASK FOR A SANDWICH, YOU BETTER MAKE ME ONE. 

So I guess thats my opinion.. I don't have to be a stay at home mom because society tells me to or you think its best. I'm going to do what I want and I have that right. I'll do "womanly duties" but I don't have to, the man can do it too. MY DAD COOKS AND DOES LAUNDRY AND CAN CLEAN AND THATS FUCKING AWESOME AND MAKES HIM MORE OF A MAN. 

While I'm going to be one hell of a doctor (or nurse, or whatever), I'm also going to be one hell of mom and wife. I'm going to work and so can my husband. I'm fight for equal rights here, not trying to take power away, that just makes me just like the pigs who got us here in the first place (see feminazi comment). 

Just be true to who you are as a female. If you want to wear your big ass bows and dresses, you do it. But if I want to wear sweats, I'll do me. Just demand to be equal to men and command the respect you deserve. 

In the wise words of Patrick Swayze, may that beautiful man rest in peace:

"No one puts *females* in the corner"

* future husband I hope you took notes* I do what I want

Where has time gone?

So, apparently 2013 ends tomorrow. WHAT?!?! Seriously, where has time gone? Because I sure don't know. I'm seriously starting to believe everyone is right when they say time goes by faster as you grow up. So like everyone else, I've replayed the last year over and thought about all the things I've learned. While some were great, some were not but hey, thats life. So here are some of the things 2013 taught me. 

1. You can find friends in the most unlikely places. If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that I would become friends with people seven or more years older than me, I would have laughed. Turns out, I have. I couldn't be more thankful for the insight they have brought me, let alone always having time to hear me complain or just vent. They've taught me so much about life and I'm so glad I've met them.
2. You constantly underestimate yourself (At least, I do) I admit I almost always have too much on my plate and when I do, I almost always add more. I get stressed, just like anyone else would. I don't think I can do it anymore, I mentally shutdown, and ultimately breakdown. It isn't until the projects are done or the ridiculously insane two weeks are finished that I realize I didn't really need to stress. I could get it done, without stressing. I've learned this last semester that most of us underestimate ourselves and its ultimately when everything is done that we learn what we are truly capable of.
3. Own up to your mistakes. That's pretty straight forward. Also, own up to them in a timely manner. The faster you recognize you made the mistake and face it, the easier it is to move on and make amends. 
4. Honesty is the best policy. Be honest, don't lie. Nobody likes liars and you only make yourself look like a fool in the end. You burn more bridges lying than you do being honest, so next time think about it. 
5. Actions speak louder than words. See above as it also applies to behavior. Often people think that avoiding a problem or a person fixes things, but it doesn't. Actions are just unspoken words and you're still saying a lot. You're actions also have consequences. So think before you act and think before you speak. It'll have a much better outcome. 
6. Say what you think.  No problem or situation is ever going to get better if you don't voice your true opinion. See 3,4, and 5. While yes, I admit saying what you think is sometimes hard and may not make you the most liked person in the world, you're going to get a lot more fixed and feel better if you do. There is no sense in harboring your feelings if they're only going to come back up again. You'll thank me later. 
7. Letters and notes make the world go round. One thing I've learned over the last year is how great letters and notes are. My sisters in Chi Omega always leave each other little letters or notes and I can't tell you how great that is. I get so much joy writing a little note to a sister, let alone receiving one. Seriously, little notes and letters can truly make someones day. You never know if that person is having a crappy day or is going through something personal and you can easily change that. So go write someone a letter! DO IT NOW!

I think thats all I have for now. 2013 was definitely a year I won't forget. Let's hope that 2014 is even better. So here is to the new year. May it bring only happiness and great adventures. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Feelings.Feels.

Feelings.

Feelings suck. 

You suck.

HTIELSKDHAIGLKSNGLSDJOIADHFLKASNDLFJDSPVJDLKVNSDFLJOFIEJLKAJSDLGHDSOIGJALKSDFNALKSDJFNLKDSNMVLKSDMAJKSEPROWJEOIRJWQLEKFMZPXCJVNKXC,MV.,FPASEIJWEJRLMSDF;OJSDKASMASDFLKASJDLFKANEW,FMASPDOVJEK.

THAT IS ALL.

Cheers to Fall.

F. Scott Fitzgerald said "Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

Personally, I love fall. I love sweater weather, the crisp leaves, the nip in the air, it being perfectly acceptable to always wear boots and have a cup of coffee in hand. Its the greatest time  to grab a blanket, sit outside and watch the leaves change colors and fall to the earth. AND YOU BEST BELIEVE ITS PERFECTLY OKAY TO JUMP IN A PILE OF THEM! :)

Honestly though, this quote is perfect for my life right now. The last two months or so have been rough, physically and mentally. While I don't see them physically getting better soon, mentally is must! I've come to the conclusion I'll never get enough sleep this semester but hey, thats what winter break is for. 

Mentally, as individuals, we beat ourselves up. Cause ourselves so much more pain than we need to. "Why did this happen? Was it my fault, of course it was. Why isn't this working? Why aren't I any better and will I ever get better?" The list goes on. On top of this we stress and have to deal with daily life.  I could say this hasn't caused me a few mental breakdowns already but I'd be lying. So with fall, one of my favorite seasons, comes a new life. Here's to being happy. Here's to doing your best and realizing that that's good enough. Here's to deserving the best and not settling for anything less. Here's to taking breaks for a coffee date or getting ice cream. Here's to positivity and knowing you can do anything. Here's to knowing it could be a lot worse. Here's to finding the blessing in everyday and every experience. Here's to enjoying the adventure life is supposed to be and NOT stressing. 

HERE'S TO FALL AND ITS NEW LIFE. 

*insert cheer over salted caramel mocha here*

A little update. Video style

So I thought I needed to blog. But I'm lazy and didn't really have anything to say so I did a video update. 

Sorry for all the umms… its also weird to hear your own voice. I kind of like it but don't.