Call.Me.Ginger

Every day we are forced to make choices that will impact our lives. I’ve always been one to be there for anyone if they ever needed a shoulder to cry on, if they ever needed an ear to listen, or if they needed a mouth for advice. I am far from perfect, but I wouldn’t want to be because it would be extremely hard for me to be something that I’m not. I look at everyone as an equal and that’s how I’ve always been. I don’t care what the color of your skin is, what your religion is, or what your sexual preference is. If you respect me, and you give me something to respect, I’ll respect you. No ifs, and(s), or buts about it. I will love you unconditionally until you give me a reason not to. But, if there comes a day when I reach my breaking point when I’m tired of being run over by you, then I can tell you that you will not have me backing you up, or in your corner anymore. You have lost all privileges until you prove to me that you deserve them again. But above all that, I need to protect myself before I even remotely try to forgive you. You can hurt me a million times, but when I finally get tired of it, you’re going to lose someone that would’ve been your biggest fan. I’ve faced a decision and I’m not really upset about it because the decision I’ve made is for the best and I have to protect myself. My heart is to be protected and when I’ve been hurt by you, it’s up to me whether I drop you or not, and trust me I will if I have to. I may not like it, but if you’ve given me every reason to hate you, the not respect you, and to not trust you, then you can bet I’ll drop you regardless of your feelings. I will take every necessary precaution I can to make sure that I am safe and that I know I will make it to another day on this earth. My life matters just as much as any other persons life. I know there has been a lot of controversy as far as things going on in Columbia, SC and people have said “Black lives matter.” This is my view. ALL lives matter. My life matters, my friends lives matter, my family members lives matter. Everyone’s life matters. It’s not about what skin color I have, or what skin color my best friend  has. If my life matters, then I shouldn’t feel as though I’m being threatened, and that is another choice I make is to remove myself from situations that I am uncomfortable with. Choices are hard, but you have to do what’s right for you.

I've always had those things that I'm extremely good at, and extremely horrible at. I'm freaked out by college. I keep forgetting to read my books, and when I remember, I never have the time because of time between school and work. And that's what happened in High School. I'm worried school might not be for me. I'm worried that I might not accomplish my dreams because of my procrastination or my job. Is that normal? And not only that, I've looked at going into the Army. Not a lot of people know that, but I went to a recruiter last month. They told me how much weight I needed to lose, and that my school would be paid for. I know I want to be a teacher, but I think I might want to go into the Army more. I have told my mom about me going to talk to a recruiter back in January, and I don't think she cared too much for it. I haven't told my dad yet, because it scares me to tell him. I'm worried about a lot of things. My schooling, my grades, whether I'll enlist or go in as an officer, why I am the way I am. I'm a procrastinator, and I want to break that habit, but I don't know how. I'm hoping that with the plan I've figured out, that I can actuallly go through with it and figure out how to go about things with my dad as far as how to approach telling him I'm considering going into the Army. Not only that, I'm worried just about how everyone will react. My friends said they'll support me, and for a long time, my friends that went with me to see the recruiter kept that secret for me until I was able to tell my mom. I just don't exactly know what to do about telling my dad, or how to go about continuing my education of joining the Army is the route I decide to take. Prayers are needed, and much appreciated. Thanks guys!

I went to see the 3D ultrasound of my nephew today. I was so excited, I didn't think the day could get any better because not only was it my dads birthday, but I was seeing my nephew for the first time in person via ultrasound. But, today was also a day of saddening news. I was in Hilton Head most all day today, and I didn't think anything bad could happen. I found out that a girl I've known for 12 years, who moved down the street from me with her parents and brother passed away today. My heart broke as I heard this. I couldn't believe that after having such a great day that this could happen. I'm not including last names so the family can keep their privacy. I found out through a family friend. She was on the phone with my mom earlier and she said "My daughter sent me a snapchat about McKinsey ____. I heard she's passed away. What's going on?" Mom then asked me who her brother's girlfriend was. I proceeded to look on the girls page and found nothing, so I went to McKinsey's page. Turns out, McKinsey had been in a fatal car accident. Her mother tried contacting mine because her mom wanted to know why the police were at her house. Unfortunately, I was in Beaufort with my mom, sister, and her boyfriend, so we weren't able to figure it out until about an hour ago. My heart goes out to the family. I was in utter shock when I found this out. As Jack Dawson said in the movie Titanic, you have to make life count. And that is exactly what McKinsey did. She made it count. I am saddened by the news. Make every second that you can count. It's hard to imagine that life can be so short. Make absolutely every second count. Because your last breath could be tomorrow.

I've recently taken a trip to Rincon, Georgia. I've spent time with my Uncle Billy, Uncle Fred and Aunt Diane, and my cousins William and Frederick. I took this trip because it was something I wanted--and needed--to do. I turned eighteen a few months ago, and I've gotten my license, too. I've been driving since August. I won't say that I'm the perfect driver by any means, but I do know that I got down here safe, so I must be a good enough driver to get down here in one piece. This trip has helped me learn so much. Family is important is one thing I've noticed. I always knew that, but, again, I haven't seen my cousins since my sweet grandmother passed away back in 2009. So it will have been six years in January that I hadn't seen my cousins. I came down to Georgia to, in a sense, grow up. I've made my first trip by myself, and it's definitely one I will never forget. I've spent time with my Uncle Billy, going to Fort Pulaski, going to Tybee Island, going out to lunch, and sometimes supper together. It's been an experience. I've spent time with Frederick, watching him play a video game that was quite enjoyable, staying up late talking until midnight, sometimes after, going shopping for Christmas, an it was enjoyable. I spent time with William, shopping four days before Christmas for presents. I also went shopping with Uncle Fred, so all three of them and me, it was definitely an experience. I also had lunch with my Aunt Diane. It was great, we visited for about four hours. Unfortunately, I leave today. I go back to Columbia, and say goodbye to a place that has my heart. I love Columbia, I do, but there will always be this special place in my heart that says Rincon, Georgia, and Savannah, Georgia. It makes me sad to think that it takes two hours to drive to this part of Georgia to visit family. I wish they lived closer to Columbia, or vice versa. Georgia is just special. I love going to Savannah, of course not by myself, but it's a great city. It is touristy, but it's still beautiful, and it still has it's charm, with all of the old houses, and the trees covered in Spanish Moss. It's just wonderful. You can take me out of Georgia, but you will never be able to take Georgia out of me. Georgia is beautiful, and I have enjoyed being down here every minute of it. I was here for almost a week. It's been the best week of my life. I am strongly considering moving to Rincon, as I get older, and get a job, and it's something to consider. I'm not saying I won't live in Columbia for a bit, to pay back things for school, but if the chance ever arises, I want to move to Rincon, or some part of Georgia that I am familiar with. It's bittersweet that I'll be going home in a few short hours. I've loved being here. I've loved spending time with my cousins. I've loved spending time with my aunt and uncles. It's just one of those things that I will always treasure, and if I move here, I know where my parents will be, but I also know where my aunt and uncles will be, maybe even my cousins. My heart is saying that I'm thinking about doing the right thing. Follow your heart. Follow it before you regret anything.

What people seem to forget that violence is violence regardless of how it comes off as. If it's a playful smack between you and a friend, fine, that's between you and your friend, but that doesn't mean someone else thinks that way. I've never personally been in a physically abusive relationship, I've never had a man hit me ever. But, that doesn't mean that I won't be in one at some point in my life. Although that is unknown to me of what my future relationships will be like, it doesn't matter. Abuse, violence, or any form of pain caused to another person is wrong. Domestic violence is a huge issue, that no one seems to really discuss unless the police are called. Let's break it down. The man, or woman, is just trying to gain power, and they do so by hitting, manipulating, condescending, or breaking down their partner. All of which is wrong. And, I hope, and pray to God, that I will never ever be in a relationship that causes me pain like that. Domestic violence starts with the small things, a slap here and there. But it progressively gets worse. People seem to have the mindset "It doesn't happen to me, so why should I care?" What people also think is that men don't get physically abused like women. On the website, http://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/sep/05/men-victims-domestic-violence, two in every five domestic violence victims are men. Now, I'm not saying that men are the main topic of this, but women are not the only ones who get abused. So that means the other three are women. Domestic violence is never alright. Violence in general is horribly wrong. It's wrong on so many levels. You don't break down the person you love, no matter how mad they make you, or how irritating they might be. If you love them you don't break them down. You don't allow yourself to get so angry that you feel the need to harm them. So think about this before you hit someone you love, or get physical with anyone you know: Would I want my children to see this? Would I want my children to experience this? Will my children pick up this habit from me? In College Skills 105 at the college I am at, my professor said that more times than not, you'll pick up habits from your parents, grandparents, or any influential person in your life. You'll learn your behaviors from someone who is of significant importance to you. So take that into consideration, you could be influencing your children. Don't do it.

Celebrating our troops, veterans, and serving at the Carolina Game. Thank you for taking the oath to protect our home from all enemies, foreign and domestic!

My view of the Carolina game.

Me and the best friend :)

Druscilla "Dolly" Ann Vornsand Greene. WWII Vet. Married to William "Bill" Fossin Greene, Sr. Women's Air Corp.

PaaPaa William "Bill" Fossin Greene, Sr. Sharp Shooter. WWII Vet. Married to Druscilla "Dolly" Ann Vornsand Greene, also a WWII Vet. Proud Granddaughter of two WWII Vets

Grandma Druscilla "Dolly" Ann Vornsand Greene. World War 2 Veteran. Women's Air Corp. Thanks, Grandma! Remembering you on this special day, dedicated to you and every other veteran out there! I miss you!

"Do not regret growing older, it is a privilege denied to many."

"Well I never saw it coming, I should've started running a long, long time ago. And I never thought I'd doubt you, I'm better off without you. More than you, more than you know. I'm slowly getting closure, I guess it's really over, I'm finally getting better. And now I'm picking up the pieces. I'm spending all of these years putting my heart back together. Cause the day I thought I'd never get through, I got over you." -Daughtry

I, for one, can only speak for myself when I say that I have more guy friends than I do girls. I do have close girl friends, but not as close as some of the guys I hung out with. I tend to go to my guy friends for advice more than I do for my girl friends. I typically just go to my girl friends and vent to them if I'm angry or hurt or upset. But at what point does cheating become an issue if you mainly have friends of the opposite sex? I do not believe that talking to your friends of the opposite sex is cheating. I believe that when you go into the relationship, and your significant other knows that you have friends that are mainly the opposite sex, that they should tell you who they are and aren't comfortable with you being around. I think that talking to people of the opposite sex, friends at least, is typical for many people. So at what point is any kind of contact with the opposite sex cheating? I think that if you're sneaking around with the person, and not being honest with your significant other, then I would think it was cheating because it's not fair to the significant other if you're lying and going behind their back. So, as far as my personal beliefs, I do think that sneaking around could be thought of as cheating, regardless of the meaning behind you sneaking around. Do you think that telling your best friend of the opposite sex your problems is cheating? Or hanging out with them? At what point is it considered cheating when you're around people of the opposite sex? What do you think is cheating? And why? Does having friends of the opposite sex change the relationship? Do you think having friends of the opposite sex in general is cheating? At what point does having friends of the opposite sex go into cheating?

It bugs me to no end when people protest wars. I understand why you do, but in the long run, our President, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Military, felt that this country was being threatened and sent our troops overseas to protect not only this country, but our rights as citizens. Another thing that bugs me is that people say that men and women who decided to go into the military didn't know what they wanted to do, or they were not smart enough for college. It's not that they aren't smart enough for college, or that they don't know what they want to do. They already decided that their place was in the military, not in college. So before you say that they are just being brainwashed, or that the wars are pointless, remember this, the men and women who serve this country are risking their lives for you and me every day 24/7. They are risking their lives for me to be able to type this, to be able to listen to music, to be able walk around without feeling as if I would be harmed, to wear what I want, say what I want, do what I want, lay down in my house, in my bed at night, and not have to worry about who was watching me. What soldiers don't tell you, is that the things they see over where they are stationed is horrific. I can't say that anyone I know has told me what they have seen, but what they go through is real. They see things that will scar them for life. What the also don't tell you, is that even though they are just regular people, they are doing a job, nonetheless, and that they do appreciate when you take time out of your day to say Thank You. Those two simple words may seem like nothing to you, but to them, it probably means the world. Just the other day, I was in a local restaurant, D's Wings, and two servicemen walked in, wearing their uniforms, so right before I left, I went up to them and told them "Thank you, I appreciate your service, and I hope you have a wonderful day. I hope I didn't interrupt your conversation, but again, thank you for everything you do." Their reply was what got me. They said "No, thank you, we appreciate you telling us that. You're welcome, but thank you for telling us that, we don't mind you telling us that at all." So remember, small words such as 'Thank you', or 'I appreciate what you're doing', make a difference to them. They, regardless of being normal people, are defending this country for you to be able to do what you want. So I do think that servicemen and women are completely overlooked. They fight for your life, as well as their own, and for our freedom, and their own. So they get overlooked. So I challenge anyone who reads this to thank anyone they see that is a veteran, or is serving now. Because, even if they don't say it, you saying thank you means the world to them. Saying thank you shows them that you do notice what they do, and you do understand that THEY are doing it FOR YOU. 

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