Kelly Rowland feat. Eve - Like This

Kelly Rowland - Rose Colored Glasses

Kelly Rowland - Forever And A Day

Kelly Rowland - Lay It On Me ft. Big Sean

.. all things autumn ..

CHANGES..

Have you noticed that you and your friends seem to be growing in different ways? Suddenly your best friend Tina towers over you, her long legs fitting just perfectly in her new tight jeans? Or maybe your friend Heather has, well, filled out her tank tops, turning boys' heads, while you are still struggling with your girl body image? Jasmine's hair is silky and Ashley's stomach is naturally tanned and flat as a board! Are you feeling like an ugly duckling in a room full of swans? And worse yet, does hanging around your friends suddenly make you feel uncomfortable!

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." These wise, ageless words were spoken by Eleanor Roosevelt, America's astute former First Lady. Mrs. Roosevelt was a tireless advocate for women's rights; not only a woman's right in society, but also a woman's right to feel important, smart and beautiful, in her own way by having a great girl body image. Mrs. Roosevelt's message is straightforward and personal. If your girl body image feels inferior, then others will see you that way. However, if you believe in yourself, in your own style, personality and beauty, then the world will see you the same way. Easier said than done, right?

So how do you go about feeling beautiful when you're surrounded by magazine covers of breathtaking models, sexy movie stars and, of course, those almost perfect-looking girls in gym class? Well, start by taking stock of your girl body image.

What about yourself do you like best? Come on, everyone has something they like! Do you have great hair? Cool, big eyes?Long, thin legs? Accentuate the positive. Choose clothing that shows off your fine points. Spend extra time on your hair. Add a tasteful new eye shadow to your lids. Then stand up tall and strut your stuff to show off your positive girl body image.

Take a good hard look at yourself and be realistic about those features that bother you. Are you suffering from a bit of teen acne? Are you still carrying around some baby fat? Then take action. It may seem effortless, but even the most exquisite models work long and hard on their looks. Curb your snacking or start a skincare routine. You'll see a difference in your looks and you'll feel empowered because you've taken control of a problem and improved your girl body image.

Talk to your mom, a favorite teacher, or a friend. Chances are you'll find that everyone feels inadequate about some aspect of their looks. You're not alone. You'll also be pleasantly surprised to learn that all women go through an awkward girl body image period. Believe in your inner beauty! Oh, it may sound hokey, but it works. Beauty truly is only skin deep. A winning personality, intellect, and kindness add an outer glow to every teen. Let the real you shine through. Not only will you feel beautiful but you'll look better, too.

 

Exercise and watch your diet. A healthy teen is a beautiful teen. Run on the treadmill, join the volleyball team, or just add 50 jumping jacks to your daily regiment. Then, since you are what you eat, eat a balanced diet. Would you rather shine like a delicious red apple or a greasy bag of chips? Exercise and diet make your blood flow and create a healthy, all-American glow to your complexion and girl body image.

No one can make you feel bad, if you don't let them. Right?Stay strong. Believe in yourself and others will follow. If you think you're "all that," then you are!

College Alternatives: Be Successful Without School

Most people would agree that the main value of college is that it teaches us how to think. We've learned life is more interesting and meaningful the more education we acquire. Our brains grow more efficient when we exercise them, so it makes sense that the more opportunities we give ourselves to learn something new, the stronger our brains will become. But does that mean that a four-year college experience is absolutely necessary to be successful rather than college alternatives?

In days gone by, a college education was a luxury, something that made you stand out from the rest of your peers. Today however, there's the feeling that your only college alternatives are a variation of "Do you want fries with that?" While there's no arguing that college graduates earn substantially more money, what many learn in school is that their diploma supplies little more than an essential line on their resumes.

If you are weighing the costs and the time of further education, be aware that there are college alternatives that require training programs and apprenticeships without a four-year commitment. The power to be successful lies upon how passionate you are about what you choose to do. Here are a few career paths leading to good paying jobs that only require college alternatives, with the organizations to contact for further information. 

Are you a people person? If you are a good listener, enjoy resolving conflicts, and get pleasure answering the needs of others, perhaps you should consider these college alternatives:

• Nursing...The American Nurses Association
• Childcare worker...Healthy Child Care America
• Physical therapy aide...American Physical Therapy Association
• Travel agent...American Society of Travel Agents
• Flight attendant...Airlinecareer.com
• Animal caretaker...Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology

Are you a thinker? Do you constantly look for logical answers? Do you enjoy arguing your opinions? If the answer is yes and you pride yourself on working efficiently, consider these college alternatives:

• Dispensing optician...National Pharmacy Technician Association
• Pharmacy technician...National Pharmacy Technician Association
• Mail carrier...United States Postal Service
• Library technician...Council on Library and Media Technicians
• Computer support specialist...The High Tech Institute
• Proofreader...American Copy Editors Society
• Bookkeeper...American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers
• Locksmith...The Associated Locksmiths of America
• Tax preparer...National Tax Training School

Are you a creative soul? Do you have an eye for color and form? Are you good at expressing your emotions? See if any of these college alternatives resonate within.

• Groundskeeper, flower arranger, nursery worker...American Nursery and Landscape Association
• Set designer...Interior Design Schools: Set Design
• Photographer...Professional Photographers of America
• Graphic designer...American Institute of Graphic Arts
• Chef...National Restaurant Associations: Careers and Education
• Jeweler...International Watch and Jewelry Guild
• Camera/video operator...Society of Camera Operators

Are you adventurous? Do you always look on the bright side, tend to act spontaneously, and react well in emergency situations? Check out the following college alternatives.

• Fire fighter...International Association of Fire Fighters
• Court recorder...Criminal Justice Degrees
• Private detective...World Association of Professional Investigators
• Police officer...National Association of Police Organizations

What is Addiction....?

"I'm addicted to chocolate," we say as we open our seventh Hershey's kiss. Or "I'm addicted to the Internet," we laugh as we notice 300 minutes have gone by since we logged on. There's no doubt the word "addiction" is one we kind of throw around lightly. As with so many other terms (like tragedy), we tend to apply the word frivolously. If we can do without an eighth piece of chocolate, why can't that person give up cigarettes or alcohol, or something else? If it's true that two-thirds of Americans drink, what makes one out of 13 become an alcoholic?

Controversy constantly swirls around what is addiction and what is a lack of will power and motivation. Perhaps the word "dependence," rather than addiction best describes the meaning of this slippery term. Why do people quit again and again, subjecting themselves to a period of agonizing withdrawal? How come they don't learn from experience that this habit invades, undermines, and destroys everything meaningful in life?

What is addiction?

An addiction can be described as the physiological inability to say no, a loss of control over your intake of a substance, or the practicing of a habit. Areas of the brain that regulate pleasure and motivation are damaged by drug use and there's no evidence that this damage can be repaired. Once drugs are in your brain, they behave like a computer virus, reprogramming and remodeling the circuits. Unfortunately unlike your computer, you can't replace your hard drive. Doctors say that's why drug abusers find it difficult to overcome their addictions.

 

The alcohol, the cigarette, the drug is not the primary cause of addiction.

Would you be surprised to know that the taking of a drug does not cause addiction? It is the relationship of the addicted person with the object of his or her excessive behavior that defines addiction. It is a mix of psychological, social and biological forces that determines addiction. It is each person's individual experience and genetic heritage that shapes our brain's reaction to an addictive substance or habit.

Are people who abuse drugs and alcohol just weaker than the rest of us?

How many times have you heard it said, "Didn't he know what would happen? Couldn't he control himself? How could he do that? Where was his willpower? Researchers now know that addicts don't suffer from a failure of willpower; they suffer from a chronic disease with a physical, emotional and spiritual component. Telling an anorexic to eat or a heroin addict to get clean will not work. People in the grip of an addiction can't hear what other people are saying. This disease doesn't render them blameless, but it does defy reason. In recent years we have found miraculous cures for some physical illnesses, but addiction is still looked upon with ignorance. 

The task then is not to condemn those dependent on drugs or alcohol. Instead of feeling superior or getting angry, we should view them with the same compassion we would any sick person. And we must learn, as we observe, that the price of an initial bit of pleasure from any of these seductive activities is way too high.

Breast Exam

Yay! You finally have breasts. Life is great.. lol

Now you need to learn how to take care of them!

Breast health is more than anxiety over cancer. It's rare for young girls to develop breast cancer, but there are other reasons why a girl needs to know how to care for her breasts and identify changes. One of those reasons is called fibroadenoma (fybro-add-anoma). A fibroadenoma is a benign cyst or tumor, and is common in women under 30. A cyst is a sac that may contain air, fluid, or semi-solid material. But a lump is a lump and causes stress...so that's why it's important for you to start caring for your breasts now!

How to breast exam may feel strange or uncomfortable at first, but you should get to know your breasts. Then, if there ever is anything abnormal about them, you'll know!

• You should plan to examine your breasts once a month, at the same time each month.
• During your menstrual cycle your breast tissue might change...so the best time to perform a breast self-examination is right after your period ends.

Get to know how your breasts look too. Stand in front of a mirror and check to see if the skin of your breasts dimples or looks strange in any way. Notice how your nipples look. Change the positions of your arms by raising them above your head, putting your hands at your hips, and placing your arms at your sides. Take notice of how your breasts look.

Don't worry if your breasts aren't symmetrical. This is usually normal. No two breasts are exactly alike! But if you're worried about how they look, talk to your mom or healthcare provider.

I feel the easiest way to perform a breast self-exam is lying on a bed, but other women feel the shower is a more convenient place. In the shower, the soap and water make it a little easier to navigate the curves of your breast. You can adapt the technique described below to a standing version.

If you do it on your bed, lay flat on your back. If you start with your right breast, lift your right arm up and put your right hand underneath your head. Move your fingers in a spiral motion from the outside of your breast towards your nipple. Use different types of pressure light, medium, and firm. Use the middle three fingers...not just the fingertips. Check for lumps near your armpits, too. Then switch to the left breast by putting your left arm behind your head. If you have large breasts, also lay on either side, checking the sides of your breasts.

Your breasts may feel lumpy or bumpy, which is normal. If one breast feels different from the other, or you're not sure if your breasts feel normal, go to your healthcare provider. S/he will be able to explain any questions you may have. Don't feel embarrassed! Doctors deal with lots of people everyday that think they're asking embarrassing questions. You can be sure your doctor has heard it all! So ask any and all of your questions—you'll feel a lot better afterwards!

FYI: If you're sexually active or at the age to see a gynecologist, your gyno will give you a breast exam once a year when you go to get your yearly pap smear. You can ask your gynecologist to walk you through a breast self-examination.

It's still important to take responsibility for your own body. Perform breast self-examinations once a month. You'll feel better about yourself and catch anything that you and your doctor should be concerned about!