How I Best Relax

Life was never meant to be rushed through at today's rapid pace. Cell phones, ipods, and laptops have sped up traditional values and replaced them with modern ones. Whereas our parents and grandparents never spoke the word "computer" until at least 1970, their hobbies were often outdoors. Some enjoyed sports such as baseball, hunting and fishing. As the weather turned cold, there was basketball, hockey and board games. Mom and the girls enjoyed their baking all year 'round in addition to their gardening, reading, sowing and jigsaw puzzles. However, this isn't one or two generations ago and when life speeds up I am there along with it. I am a non-traditional college student who is saving to invest in my career. When I'm not working, these are the ways I best relax.

First, I am a believer that music is a powerful source of motivation. It's always on when I'm studying, at my newspaper job, or even dining without my friends around. I believe the messages hidden in the lyrics have the ultimate power to transform lives. Artists who sing the song have the chance to be inspirational role models. The one I have looked up to for a long time is Reba McEntire. The lyrics of her songs speak right to me, and in some instances I have experienced what she's singing about in her songs. If I could not listen to music, most of the things in my life would not be able to be accomplished.

Another hobby of mine is to do origami. This is a form of Japanese paper art, and was first introduced to me when my Aunt Anita did it in my childhood years. Whenever I'm having a stressful day, I pull this out and start making the models. Origami even has models for dollar bills, and my nephew is starting to enjoy it. It makes me happy that I'm able to pass this down to him. I don't get the chance to do this much anymore with everything I have to balance in my day. It's so relaxing to just sit and watch your paper turn into planes, animals and objects. If I did it everyday, I could master all the folds. However, I only still a beginner.

A new hobby of mine is my blog. I began it tonight while at my newspaper job. I began it by introducing about my seizure disorder, especially since I just had a seizure yesterday. I'm not sure what route I'll take with it, but I want to try to blog everyday. I don't want to waste anymore time, and as they say "there's no better time than the present." The present is a gift, and only God knows tomorrow. My seizures are coming closer together, so I think this blog will become beneficial to me as a writer.

I'm definitely hooked onto two shows: "Desperate Housewives" and "John and Kate + 8. " My best friend, I love her dearly, but she got me hooked on DH. I know she means well. Every Sunday we watch it together. She's in Chicago, and I'm 5 hours southeast in Charleston. It's one of our favorite shows, and we do nothing while it's on. On the other hand, I love "John and Kate + 8" and she doesn't care for it. It's all good. I think it's a funny show, and John and Kate must have so much energy for 8 kids! I'm not sure I'd have that much for two kids, but I'm not a parent yet, either.

I love jigsaw puzzles. I often do them on Facebook either in the Puzzlebee or Jigzone applications. When my nieces and nephew are around, we dump the pieces on the table and do the frame first. We got a 100-piece puzzle at Big Lots for a dollar, and it glowed in the dark. All five of us worked together and got it put together before dinner. It really didn't glow that much which was disappointing, but the kids had fun. I grew up loving puzzles, and I plan on passing that tradition on to my kids someday.

When it comes to exercise, I love walking. I really believe it keeps my seizure medicine under control. I just put my ipod in my ears and go for a walk. I haven't gained or lost a pound in a year so I must be where I am supposed to be. I just know I am the correct weight for my height, and that's such a reassuring feeling. I love feeling confident about my weight after I've spent about three years trying to get it under control.

At the end of the day, if the homework and all the household chores are done, sometimes I try to go to bed early. This doesn't seem to happen often, but it's a good thought to look forward to as a reward. I hold two part-time jobs and 5 classes. It's rough, but it's doable. In two years when I graduate, this will all pay off.

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