I feel bad enough about myself...

Hello ladies and gentlemen!  Yep, it is once again that time where I impart my glorious wisdom to the universe.  You can all stop gagging now.  :)  It is fall and yep, it is almost time to let those pretty painted toenails go into hiding.  But don't forget about your tootsies in the winter, ladies AND gentlemen (especially you GUYS), they still need pedis and love during the winter months.  So we have had a rash of fabulous weather here in Chicago, so everyone is loving life right about now.

This past weekend I had an opportunity to visit a Gamma Phi collegiate chapter in Northern California.  The population of this particular campus is pretty diverse, think lots of Black, Asian and Indian decent (and plain white people like me ;) ladies on campus and who are equally represented in our chapter.  And I am talking some DROP DEAD gorgeous ladies.  And I have to tell you that I was SO disheartened to hear from these ladies and the other fraternity men and sorority women on that campus thought they were the "ugly" chapter...why?  Because they don't fit the stereotype of the blonde California girl.  Seriously...ladies and gentlemen, racism is alive and well all over the country (I know you know this but it really upsets me when it is hurting the self esteem of young beautiful college women).

As my other sorority sisters and I were discussing this issue (and of course other issues like...UM...men), a very wise sister said this..."I can make myself feel bad enough on any given day, I don't need someone else who does it for me"  Couldn't have said it better myself.  So ladies and gentlemen, here it is, DO NOT waste your time spending time with people that make you feel bad.  This goes for friends, acquaintances, boyfriends, girlfriends and FAMILY.  Life is too short.  DO NOT let others define how you feel about yourself.

It just lead me back to thinking about the gorgeous ladies in our chapter who think they are ugly because others say you are.  NOPE...I don't care where you come from, your interests, your intelligence, your body type...everyone has something to contribute.  BE proud, follow the simply ladiesseriously.com rules on dressing for your body type and your age and you are golden.  I wish I could wave my magic wand on these college ladies and give them all confidence and self esteem.

So here is the deal, surrounding yourself with people that make you feel good about your self is the classy way to live your life.  So examine those relationships and groups of people ladies and gentlemen seriously!

Happy FALL!

....Keep your chin, heels and standards high....
BONSOIR, CHEERS AND CIAO BELLAS!

THINK Before you Speak!

Hello ladies and gentlemen.  Happy September.  I trust that you are all enjoying being in the full swing of football season (whether you like football on Saturday or Sunday...me personally, I like football on Saturday, Go Big Red).  And that you are having fun, dressing appropriately and keeping it classy.

So this week, a sorority sister of mine posted a link about things not to say to a childfree woman (thanks Melanie).  And it got me to thinking about what people say to other people about children.  Ladies and gentlemen seriously, children are a VERY personal choice and it is not our place to pass judgment on anyone regarding those choices.  For example...

If you are a couple or a woman that has no children, that is your choice.  Perhaps medically you are not able to have children and have decided that adoption or surrogacy is not for you.  OR you just don't want them.  Having someone say things to you like when are you having children is probably pretty insensitive or none of their business.

If you are a married couple with adopted children or a single parent with adopted children (or a gay couple that can't be called married (that is a topic for another blog post) with adopted children)...it is NOT ok for people to say why don't you just have kids of your own.  Really?  what makes the adopted children not their OWN.  Crazy I know.

If you are a couple or a single woman who chooses to use fertility treatments to have children, that is your choice.  And it is simply NOT OK for people say things like I don't understand why you don't try harder.  GEEZ.

Ladies and gentlemen seriously, no matter what your opinion or religious belief is regarding children, having them, adopting them or not having them, it NOT classy for you to say RUDE things to them or be insensitive.  It is NONE of your business.  Support your friends and family in whatever decision they make, as it was the right one for them.  So the bottom line is watch what you say.

Everything is status quo here with JZZRGRL...still teaching class, loving my job, living with RCH Jr, volunteering for Gamma Phi Beta.  My awesome parents are coming into town at the end of September.  And I think I told you all this, I am heading to Tahiti in October.

That's all for today.  ....keep your chin, standards and heels high...

BONSOIR, CHEERS AND CIAO BELLAS!