This probably won't be the last time I blog about this

I have been reading some of E.F Fitness's blogs on sports lately. In one blog she talks about how stressful competitive sports have become for our generation. When I read this I thought about how true this is for me and people I know, especially in high school when sports like football and basketball become a huge deal. Even people who don't compete get extremely enthusiatic and almost overboard competitive about who wins and who loses. Even the school staff get involved.
Of course this isn't necesarily a bad thing. I mean encouraging the kids at school to go to the basketball game to support their peer's team is great. It creates a sense of school spirit and unity for all the students, even those who don't compete. Everyone goes, we all have a good time it's great... unless we lose.
Losing in this sense meaning scoring less points than the opposing school, failing to get the big "W". But did we really lose?
These days, competing just isn't enough for some people, and maybe it's been this way for so long none of us really notice it's happening. We grow up in this ruthlessly competitive world where you either have to be the best at something or not be it at all. We forget that as a school we can compete and "win", without winning, without beating the other team. Working together as a team and scoring a goal, making a basket, giving eachother a highfive after a great play.. all "wins".
Something that happened to me the other day that really rubbed me the wrong way was when my tennis coach started a conversation about pro tennis players who spend their whole lives perfecting the sport. First he started with how hard it was to go pro, all the time and devotion needed to excel, how much money the pros actaully make, etc. But then the conversation took a turn. It was somehow now about me, and how since I only play once a week in the off season for an hour, I'm really not in the running to become a pro player.
Of course I'm not going to drop out of school and spend 6 hours a day practicing, playing matches.. But he made me feel like because I wasn't willing to do that, that somehow I was less of a tennis player than people who spend their lives devoted to going pro. That I wasn't ever going to be at the level I could be at, that I wasn't being competitive enough.
I didn't say anything, but I wanted to.
Why am I so limited because I chose not to be competitive in the way other people are?
Why can't I just play a sport for fun anymore? Is that not a good enough reason to do something you love, just because you love it. Why do I have to play to win, instead of just playing to play once and a while?
Think about that.

Word count: 500

Packing for travel

I recently returned from a 3 day excursion to Disney world in Orlando. Normally when I go to pack I pull out the big rolling suitcase paired with my duffle bag that barely fits beneath the seat in front of me on the airplane. This time the only price of luggage I brought was one regular old backpack. I decided to do this for many reasons. One was because the trip was only three days and I didn't like the idea of carrying large amounts of unnecessary baggage around the airport for such a short trip. The other was that when I restrict myself to such a small bag, it really allows me to minimize the crap I bring that I don't need because I have to think carefully about what's really important, and what can be left behind. Normally I severely overpack for trips like these when it comes to clothing, but this trip I only packed the bare essentials. 2 pair of walking shoes, one that can be worn with socks, is all I needed. I can wear them more than once and I chose a pair that could go with every outfit I packed. Two pairs of nice looking casual shorts and one pair of athletic shorts, good for walking around the park when it gets warm. For layering I packed two pair of neutral sweatpants that I could wear on top of one another and two layerable sweatshirts, one long sleeve T- shirt and one short sleeve T-shirt and I was covered. All of these articles of clothing could be folded carefully to find in my backpack (minus what I wore to the airport) and leave enough room for my liquids bag and makeup bag. 

I found that when I added up all the extra things I needed to throw in to "survive" the next few days, I still have plenty of wiggle room. My sister on the other hand lugged her giant suitcase and and extra bag with her and still managed to forget things along the way. She also didn't pack the most effective clothing for the weather. (Heads up, even Florida can get kind of chilly in December, so bring sweat pants, always.) Each of my family members packing the same way as my sister made getting on and off of the plane quickly to catch a plane during a short layover almost impossible and I ended up lugging my dad's giant suitcase around the airport half the time because I had nothing else to carry. 

Bonus travel tip: if you are traveling with other people, save space in your liquids/toiletries bag by sharing things such as toothpaste, floss, a hairbrush, contact solution, and lotion. I learned this during this trip.

After the trip was over, all of my family members concluded that packing light was definitely the way to go, especially after I only took a few minutes to get my things together at the hotel before being ready to head out the door. Not to mention how easy it is to walk around and get food/ go to the bathroom or whatever you need to get done while carrying your luggage with you if you can just strap it onto your back.

Hopefully next time you travel you will remember to pack light to make your trip more enjoyable.

WC: 557

Fashion advice for a day in the amusement park

When it comes to walking around an amusement park, you need just the right mix of style and versatility so you don't look obnoxious, but also don't wish you would have worn something more comfortable or appropriate. This weekend while I was in Orlando, we did a whole lot of walking around the parks at Disney World. Luckily I packed well because even in Florida during the winter, temps can hover in the low 40's until about 11am, so you can't just walk outside in shorts and a T-shirt and expect to not get cold. My parents warned me about this so I made sure to pack layerable clothing. This means not just shorts and I big puffy coat, but chosing many smaller clothing items to "stack" if you get cold and peel off if you get warm. For example, if it's a cool morning and you won't be back to the room to change but you know it will be warmer later in the day, try something like a long sleeve T-shirt, a pullover, shorts and sweatpants. You can take off the pullover and sweatpants when the temp rises and throw them in a backpack with all of your other stuff. Plus, they make great spur of the moment things to sit on when you can find a chair and want to sit on the ground. 

Next, good walking shoes are a must, there are no exceptions. It doesn't matter how cute your new heels are that's a 'NO'. Shoes that can be worn with socks a better because you can avoid blisters. You'll thank yourself for this later. Chose a pair that you know you've spent a good deal of time walking in already so you're not trying to break in a new pair the day of your vacation. I wore birks with socks for 90% or my trip because they are the most comfortable shoes I own.

And of course, if you check the for art and it says sunny, bring a hat, sunglasses and some good sunscreen that can be used on the face. If you stare in the sun all day you'll only end up with a killer headache so don't go there. Just save yourself from having to take the pain pills and put on the shades. 

Ok! Now you're an expert and ready to take on the amusement park in style and comfort!

Word Count: 401