just alyssa

Sometimes I feel like a mime, trapped in some invisible box that I can’t seem to get out of. I try to scream for help, but there is no sound. The only sound that comes is the sound of a tree falling in an empty forest with no people around to hear it. Does it make a sound? Am I really asking for someone to hear me or did I say anything at all? Some days I’m plagued by the blunt truth and the nature of a harsh reality. Life isn’t always easy and things don’t just fall into place. I have never given much thought to how hard I have to work to achieve things. I’ve always just done them and then admired my accomplishments later with a brief smile before moving on to the next thing. But the truth is, I work hard. I work REALLY hard. Life is different for everyone and the experiences we have while we’re young can teach us to appreciate everything we have along the way. I am far beyond appreciation. My parents are wonderful, hardworking, and loving people who have never strived for a...

Most girls grow up dreaming of a fairytale wedding with their perfect prince charming and my childhood was no different. My dad always looked out for my sister and I and taught my brother to be very protective. I learned the right guys from the wrong just by the things my dad would say. Once I hit Junior High the boy idea started to roll in and I had various "guy friends" who were happy to be "more than a friend". For me, a boyfriend was the guy who carried your books home from school and called you at night. That was the typical Junior High boyfriend and I was happy with that. I pretty much dated the same guy off and on throughout Junior High. He walked me to and from school everyday. That was all him and I needed and we were perfectly happy with that. When we reached High School I decided it was time to end our little charade. I wasn't ready for a mature "High School" relationship so to speak. It seemed like a wise decision.  I grew up in an ...

Well the time has come. For some reason I thought I had more time than this, but apparently life comes faster than you think. I guess I should stop eluding the point and let you know what the heck I am referring to......OR....I could just keep rattling on about nothing just to see how far you will go, desperately seeking the point (IF I even have one). The topic is: The Wedding, or rather the Marriage of my one and only sister. I'm sitting here trying to write a speech that will blow everyone away. A speech that will be funny, charming, and romantic. A speech that briefly describes the last 20 years with my sister. How do you put into words the love and admiration that you have for someone? How does one say, "I love you and I'm happy for you" creatively? Typically, writing is not a struggle for me (obviously). I'm a speech writer, it's what I do. I don't discuss a lot of emotions face to face, but I'm great at putting them to paper. Only this time, the...

I may not date, but I that doesn't mean I don't have stalkers. Alright, so I may throw the word "stalker" around a lot and I admit I do use the term rather loosely. So let's define it.  Criminology would classify stalking as someone harassing you by phone or email or following you on numerous occasions all of which lasts a duration a minimum of 2 weeks or longer. However, MY definition is less wordy and far more clear stated if you ask me. It goes as follows: Stalker: one who creeps you out on more than one occasion; one who stands too close for comfort every time you enter the room; one who repeatedly enters your personal space while your face is signifying that you are uncomfortable, or one that repeatedly follows you around trying to strike up a conversation while you're clearing doing your best to avoid them. Pretty clear, right? I thought so. Now back to my story. In my life I have had numerous "stalkers". I'm not saying that to...

Soo I finally decided to quit procrastinating and renew my driver's license today, since it expires tomorrow. Nothing like a little procrastination. =) I got up at the bright hour of 9 am (we all know after the week I had, I could have slept until noon). I took a shower, did my hair, picked out a cute outfit, fixed my makeup, and made my way to the DMV. I was NOT going to have a picture like the last one. You know the, "eh I'll wear sweatpants and a t-shirt-, barely touch my hair, and slap on a little makeup" look that seems to happen to everyone when they're 16, excited about getting a license, and don't think about the fact that they're going to be carrying this hideous picture in their wallet for the next 5 years. Anyway, that was NOT going to be me....again. I arrived at the DMV and much to my surprise, I did not have to wait in a huge line. I jumped right up there, filled out the proper paperwork, and made my way to the camera. Now this is the...

What if you could travel anywhere you wanted? Like you could grab a map, pick a country, and just go.... Being from a small town, I've always dreamed of moving away and traveling, even living somewhere over seas. For most people from little old Albion, they just dream of going off to school and most of them end up coming back eventually. "Traveling" is a different meaning for them. Traveling means moving a state away and going to school, maybe getting a job a few hours from home. However, I am the opposite.  Every time I see a movie and people travel, I get excited. It makes my heart race. When I watch Under the Tuscan Sun I get the urge to pack a bag and run off to Italy. I want so badly to live in a foreign country for at least a few years. I don't care if I have to learn a different language or if I have to sacrifice what I would call a more "hygienic" living. I would do it. Most of all if I were to travel, the main thing on my mind is Greece. Ever sin...

I LOVE DORKS! Enough said. I've loved to dance since forever. Whether I was dancing around in gymnastics, doing a routine as a cheerleader, doing formal moves in dinner theater, or popping it on the gym floor with the dance team I've always loved it. My theory is that you don't have to be a good dancer, you just have to be entertaining. In high school we went to the UDA dance camp in Charleston  and we learned that it was all about the face . It didn't matter how bad you messed up or if you forgot the moves because your face made the show. If you smiled and had fun, people didn't care if you looked like a fool. I always thought being a dancing fool was kinda fun. I never enjoyed the more "riskay" kind of dancing that took place at school, I was more likely to bust out the "chicken wing" or some other ridiculous and embarrassing maneuver. The point wasn't to follow the crowd or to look good, it was to have fun. That's F-U-N ! Now back...