Some Say Love...

When it comes to the qualities of love that I want to have in my future relationships, I am very traditional.  I think that both people in a committed relationship need to establish a mutual sense of trust, loyalty, honesty, attraction, and friendship.  On a serious level, I think that the two people need to have similar views on approaching their life goals.  One person cannot be insanely driven and focused while the other is lazy and carefree. Additionally, they don't need to necessarily be in complete agreement with religious and political views, but they have to be willing to compromise or not let opposing views affect their relationship.  However, I also think that some form of a sense of humor is crucial to a lasting relation.  A balanced sense of humor can help people relax and realize that the current issue may not be that important.  A sense of humor can accompany a playfulness and a sense of adventure that make a relationship fun and easy.

I think that the majority of my preferred characteristics are expressed in song lyrics.  First, is "Love Somebody" by Maroon 5.  This song references that hollow feeling that someone who desperately wants to fall in love feels everyday.  It mentions a willingness to fall into a love that you can't turn back from or recover from.  Next is "Fearless" by Taylor Swift.  There is a line that says, "And I don't know why, but with you I'd dance in a storm in my best dress Fearless."  I think that line captures the playfulness and spontaneity that makes love enjoyable, but it also captures to level of trust that makes her blindly follow him into the rain.  "Crash My Party" by Luke Bryan describes the devotion and willingness to drop everything for that boy or girl who might need you at any moment.  One of the lines says, "You can wake me up in the dead of the night; this is a drop everything kind of thing."  Another song by Taylor Swift is "Mine."  This song describes finally finding that perfect person, and how that relationship can withstand anything, because both people refuse to let the other go no matter what kind of fight they experience.  "There is no fear, let go and just be free, I will love you unconditionally," is a lyric from "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry.  I feel like that line just sums up the love that every couple should be reaching for.  Unconditional love applies to God's love for us, a parent's love for a child, and it should apply to every couple.

After reading the assigned article, I realized that I do not completely believe in one specific soul mate for every person.  If someone decides to go on a quest looking specifically for his or her soul mate, that mate may never be found, because the person looking has no idea what his or her soul mate is like.  A perfect spouse is someone who loves you unconditionally and want you to be happy, not necessarily someone who was born as "your other half."  I do believe, however, that a couple can be meant to be.  I believe that some people meet by chance for certain reasons, some long friendships can turn into romances, and some people just click without thinking about it.  I think I believe that love happens when you least expect it.

Gender

     Gender plays a larger role in life than one would imagine.  Throughout my life, I have been taught that it is impolite for "ladies" to act inappropriately, that I should never be the sole supporter of a family if I have a husband who is perfectly fine, and that women are expected to always look put together and socially acceptable.  I have learned many of those things just through observation.  In this class, I have learned some of the harsh realities that include the fact that a woman almost always earns significantly less money than a man in the workforce. However, I have also learned that my gender should not matter; I have been taught specifically by my parents and the Mount to work as hard as I can to push past the boundaries and be treated equally to any man in my profession.

     I have an older brother, so I have noticed some differences in the ways we were raised.  When we were younger, if one of us got injured, Geoffrey was told to "shake it off" or "toughen up" and my injury was usually examined and covered with a band-aid or a kiss.  As we got older, Geoffrey was always expected to "protect me" if the two of us went out together or met with friends.  Geoffrey was given more leniency in high school because he was "a guy" and apparently bad things don't happen to them as often.  Now, when I go out with friends, I experience the lectures that include, "always take a friend to the bathroom," "text me when you get there," and "be home at this time."
     Attending an all girls school like the Mount has taught me two things.  First, gender does have an impact in today's society; second, we (the Mount) are going to provide with the necessary tools and knowledge to change the statement.  The Mount has helped me understand that in addition to very intelligent and powerful men in the world, there are some very intelligent women who deserve the chance to be powerful.  Identifying myself as a woman mean that I am going to face some obstacles and prejudices in the workforce, but it also means that I have an opportunity to make a difference in today's world.  At the Mount, I have been taught to be confident.  I have been taught to set high goals for myself and never stop trying to reach them.  The Mount has impacted me in such a way that no man or any other person, for that matter, can alter.
      In my future romantic relationships, I don't want my husband to be such a traditionalist that he forces me to stay home while he goes to work and supports the family.  I want to be with a man who wants me to be my own person.  I also want him to want to protect me or to bring home flowers or to let me stay at home while our kids our little, but I need him to let me pursue my dreams if I have that opportunity.  If I end up having a higher salary than him, he needs to accept that.  I base these ideals mostly off of my parents.  My mom was a teacher and principle for around thirty years and my dad has always been a CEO.  My mom stopped working when I was in third grade to spend more time with my brother and me.  However, my dad never tells my mom she can't do something.  He just wants her be happy, whether that consists of doing volunteer work for the Mount or getting another teaching job after I graduate from high school.  To me, my parents are an ideal couple.  They don't have traditionalist views, they don't try to one up each other, they just try to make each other happy.

Miss Representation

     After watching MissRepresentation and reading the article about girls being objectified and sexualized at young ages, I have learned about some alarming facts and statistics.  This lesson has given me an opportunity to truly think about the immense effect that today's culture has on how girls view themselves and each other in addition to how boys view them.  65% of girls and women in America have an eating disorder.  The number of cosmetic surgeries performed on girls 18 or younger has tripled from 1997 to 2007.  These two statistics alone are enough to prove that women in American care about they appearance way to much.  The common question is "Why?"
     Girls of all ages constantly feel pressure to look perfect and that image of perfection includes designer clothes, a skinny body, and a flawless face.  As girls strive to create this unreachable image, they develop eating disorders, wear skimpier clothing, and attract the wrong kind of attention from boys.  I agree with the article that parents of this generation need to stop trying to be friends with their kids and start actually parenting them.  Also, when girls hold themselves to that standard, boys start to hold us that standard as well.  During recent political elections or events, candidates like Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin received more attention for what they were wearing or how old they looked instead of the content of their speeches.  MissRepresentation showed a clip of someone asking if Condoleezza Rice would be tough enough to be Commander in Chief in she were to ever be President.  No one has ever questioned if previous candidates were tough enough, because they were men.  In the workforce, men are seen as the stereotypical CEO while women are viewed as a stereotypical secretary or assistant.  Since it was formed, America has been a country ruled and dominated by men.  Now, it is time for men to step aside and allow talented women to step up and take the lead.
     As a Mountie, I have been lucky enough to receive an education that encourages me to be an intelligent and strong young woman.  At the Mount, I have been taught to stand up for what is right and to always let my voice be heard.  I know that the Mount has instilled in me a confidence that will aid me as I go through college and enter the workforce.  Because of the Mount, I know that there is not one good reason for anyone to treat me differently from any man.

My Mission Statement

My mission, as Catholic woman, is to be faithful to God and apply his teachings to my everyday life.  I must strive to be a good person, to do what is right, and to wisely use and discover the many gifts God has given me.  I will use these gifts to help women be seen as equals to men and to help the less fortunate experience the opportunities that I have been given.  I will set high goals for myself and use my gift of determination to achieve them and then set higher ones.  I will grow up to be successful in the vocation about which I am passionate. I have been taught to find the positive in every situation, and I will teach others to do the same. I will spread happiness, laughter, and light to every person I meet. I will work hard, I will never give up, and I will constantly reach for my potential.