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Don't Stay Low

By: Alaina K.

Winter days

Wishing for moments that kept me away

Don't stay low, keep trudging up this hill

Shovel snow in the sun

Time to move on, and keep moving on still

Don't stay low

Tilt your head to the sky

Sharpen your smile

Roll up your sleeves, find your spark

Look for the stars in the dark

Don't stay low

Don't say I never told you so

You are entitled to beauty

Your name is on the list-

For a lifetime of love and happiness

Notice when you strum a guitar

When you stop to smell the flowers

It can go sweet,

Or it can go sour

Close your eyes

And picture the rain

Let it wash over you

And face today once again

Don't loiter after hours

Don't skate by on regret

Because the promise of the future

Is a beautiful stranger we haven't met yet

I could freeze the handles of a clock

And stay frozen until the past heats up

But when the truth boils over

Here we stay- and again we simply stay stuck

Leave your mistakes in the doorway

And walk on with purpose in the light

Don't waste 24 hours, or 24 days

Look past the shadows in the stillness at night

Don't stay low

Don't let your own arms keep you down

You're not alone

The sunshine booms good morning and you wear the crown

Don't stay low

Don't stay low

Don't stay low.

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An Open Letter To My 17-Year-Old Self

Dear Alaina, I’m also you, but it’s 10-years-in-the-future you. I live in California now, which you always dreamed of, so hello from Hollywood! It’s 2019 in my world, but it’s 2009 in yours-So, CONGRATS! You are about to graduate from Catalina Foothills High School in the class of ‘09, which is a great first step in life. I know you believe in the importance of education, and I’m happy that you will continue to go down that road. When you have an opportunity to be educated in ANY way, take it! It’s truly a gift.

Graduation Day 2009

Right now, the most important thing to you is your swimming career, which you've been hyper-focused on your whole life. In the years to come, you are going to discover that the water is not the only way to be an athlete. There's a whole different world out there that is less lonely than staring at a black line at the bottom of the pool. I wish I could have warned you about something: NEVER SAY YES IF YOU MEAN NO. (I'm talking about swimming at Arizona State). During this time in your life, you are going to have a tougher time negotiating the path to your own destiny.

But, fortunately, you are going to get better at this as time goes on. You are probably packing for ASU, and in the back of your mind you are regretting your decision. You will turn out to be right. Never make decisions on the premise of trying to please others or trying to live up to others’ expectations. They will understand, and in turn-your life will be your own. There is such a beauty in going after what you truly want in life. Even if others doubt you or question you, it will be better than the latter. After you graduate high school, you will be a Division 1 athlete (expected), but you will transfer and find other things you love (not expected). You will be in a sorority (not at ALL expected), and you will discover that who you thought you should be and who you truly are do not always align.

If I could give you advice, I would say: Don’t let others tell you who you are. It's easy to be stuck on labels in high school. You won't have the luxury of gliding from group to group, seamlessly going from musician, to athlete, to drama club, to student council, and then be crowned prom queen. Actually, nobody will even ask you to Junior-OR Senior prom. I’m glad you didn't give up, because you will find your footing after you leave high school. You will learn that you don’t have to look or act a certain way to get people to like you. You don’t have to say the right things at the right times-sometimes it's better to just be quiet (mom's advice).

It’s been 10 years since you graduated, and your high school reunion is coming up in November! Time away changes things, and softens things. You realize that high school wasn’t THAT terrible. It was only a stepping stone on a path for what’s to come. Simply a moment in time.

Love,

Alaina

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The Candidate

By: Alaina Kirkpatrick

Waving flags Rolling papers Snapping pictures Saving face

Public figure

Public disgrace

Drop out-

Or stay in the race?

A brooding soul, a quiet night

An upper Eastside rise

A recurring fateful decision

Kiss your career good-bye

The air is heavy at home

A couple in the kitchen,

Stirring soup and stirring the pot

Hot with anger and on a mission

One is honest, one is not.

Is this all just a game to you

A ploy for the attention you so desperately crave

Is this all just the same to you

Another lie, a different day

The perfectly crafted apology

A thin vail, a broken work of art

A strategy of 'hellos' and ‘goodbyes’

Searching for someplace to start

An office with supporters and excuses A lonely hallway when 5 PM comes and goes No one wants to work overtime For the candidate that no one really knows

Waving flags

Rolling papers

Snapping pictures

No longer saving face

Public figure

Public disgrace

Drop out-

Or stay in the race?

Grab a cup of hot coffee

Sip a glass of wine

Gulp your water, serve your milk,

Serve your community, save your time

The smartest fools give the best apologies

But telling the truth is more powerful than a powerfully written script

Fool me once, shame on you all

Once, then twice, a time you'll never forget

A family buttoned up

By the shaky image of a perfect union

Another lie, another lead,

Another rose, another weed

In a field of political flowers

What are we supposed to believe?

Birds of a feather flock together

Rally around a shark and you’ll get taken down

Because no matter how well the rehearsal seems

Real life hides in the shadows when the sun goes down

Why don’t you just come clean

Forget the carefully crafted message

Why don't you finally say what you mean

And leave it to the public's digression

In shape, building blocks

Riding bikes and public transportation

Your life hangs in the balance of your power,

Simply a figment of your imagination

What drives you? What damaged you? What’s true and admirable in your life? What broke you? Who manages you? Why the colossal amount of lies?

Why should they trust you now?

A shadow of the perfect candidate

Wave to the crowd, wave good-bye

You lost yourself, and you lost the race.

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The Hills: New Beginnings

The Hills: New Beginnings

Review by Alaina Kirkpatrick

The lyrics to Unwritten, the Natasha Bedingfield song-turned-anthem of MTV’s hit show ‘The Hills,’ proudly declared to the world in 2006 that when it comes to the future, “the rest is still unwritten.”

And it stayed unwritten… until now.

Cue to the June 24th premiere of the hyped ‘Hills’ revival, ‘The Hills: New Beginnings’. The gang is (mostly) back, featuring original cast members Heidi Montag (née Pratt), Spencer Pratt, Brody Jenner, Jason Wahler, Frankie Delgado, Stephanie Pratt, and Audrina Patridge, and introduces newcomers Mischa Barton from ‘The OC,’ and Brandon Lee, the son of rocker Tommy Lee and Baywatch star Pamela Anderson.

To the pulsing beat of La La Land by Bryce Vine, newly reunited cast members Heidi, Audrina and Whitney clink champagne glasses in the backyard patio of Audrina’s new house, a very “LA” moment indeed. 

It’s been an astounding 13 years since the premiere of ‘The Hills’, a spin-off to ‘Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County’, where fans were quickly entranced by the fairytale of LA life. Loyal viewers of ‘Laguna Beach’ were eager to ride shotgun in Lauren Conrad's blue BMW convertible to Los Angeles, where her life forever changed after landing an internship at Teen Vogue. The show ran for five seasons and came to a supposed end in 2009.

But just like any great story, the finale was only the illusion of an ending- because the best things never truly end. 

While ‘The Hills: New Beginnings’ show title alone may insinuate drastic new lives for the original cast members, nostalgia lovers are in luck. 

Heidi, Audrina, and Whitney may have experienced motherhood for the first time, but most cast members’ love lives are still up in the air. 

Following a recent painful breakup and impending divorce, Audrina is back on the market (and is flirting with Justin Bobby AGAIN)! But one has to admit, they have an undeniable chemistry that so few people have. While the word “magic” is certainly overreaching, even date night 10 years later for the rock music loving duo offers a foolproof formula:  

Dinner/drinks/music/meaningful stares, and minus any real conversation- equals a just as confusing- and as riveting-relationship storyline. A storyline that in typical MTV style, will bring in (and most likely keep) viewers.

*Photo Credit: MTV

While the spinoff offers familiar characters, it certainly brings new questions for ‘Hills’ fans. Take notorious playboy Brody Jenner, for one. While there may finally be a Mrs. Brody Jenner, some of Brody’s own words about his marriage are worrisome at best. Not to mention longtime pal Spencer Pratt’s offhand comment: “I don’t think married life is good for Brody.”

Married or not, a leopard doesn’t change it’s spots. And what’s more: what was once TV gold doesn’t lose it’s luster during this drama-filled premiere. 

The more things change... the more they stay the same.

Catch The Hills: New Beginnings Mondays at 10 PM on MTV.

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California Diaries

E v e r y t h i n g   C a n   C h a n g e  🌵

Life can change in a single day. It’s barely noon on an unsuspecting Tuesday in the summer of 2015, and my suitcase won’t close.

I’m sitting in my bedroom in Tucson, Arizona, attempting to pack up 20+ years of life into a few bags. Sighing, I crank my portable fan up as high as it will go and pace back and forth. As I frantically flip through my notebook looking for packing tips, I come up empty. Other than a few haphazard chicken-scratch-filled notes, I have little to go on.

“Maybe I should have created a checklist or something.”

Staying true to my personal style, I’m acutely aware that a full psychological makeover is impossible given the limited time. Biting my lip, I do what I so often do: I simply go with the flow and hope for the best.

It’s a sweltering day, much hotter than the average for summertime in the heart of the Southwest desert. It’s the kind of day where the relentless sun beats down on the streaked glass windows until the darkest and loneliest time of night. The kind of day that appeals to cowboys and gypsies just passing through. A beautiful day for the Gila monsters who thrive in the hairdryer heat. A day too hot for the rattlesnakes, and too mind-numbing for civilization. It’s the sort of day where time melts outside like an egg on the sidewalk, and sleep won’t come.

Perhaps it’s the sticky heat-filled day, moving slow like molasses. But just like the snow, it freezes the sharpest of minds. I struggle with my bags, the effort like concrete blocks. My Havaianas flip flops refuse to move as I shuffle towards the door. Fear can paralyze us all.

All of the sudden, my bedroom that looked so ordinary before now resembles the glittering palace of Versailles. My queen-sized bed morphs into an elegant canopy fit for a queen... and my dreams fly quietly out the window, mixing with the desert dust.

Maybe I’m not meant to do this.

The heat surrounds me like quicksand, and I feel myself sinking.

I stare at my prized pair of tan cowgirl boots at the top of my already stuffed suitcase. Will I find a place to wear any of these shoes in California?

Delirious with exhaustion, I close my eyes and succumb to the triple figures of an Arizona summer night.

I attempt to drift off to sleep, and hear the sounds of the ocean waves in the distance. But instead of the glittering Pacific, my portable fan continues to blow hot air in my face, determined to keep me awake.

Frozen with fear in the hottest summer on record, I have one week to get it together and arrive on USC campus for graduate school.

To Be Continued 

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Paper Airplane (new poem)

Paper Airplane

By: Alaina Kirkpatrick

He lived his life in color

Life imitates art

And to brighten is just to know him

He’s reaching just to find the stars

He’s painted by numbers

A single outline, a silver paper crane

Box of crayons just to get here

He flies through life on a paper airplane

The clock ticks to an unfamiliar time

His mind is at ease as he looks to the sunset

If only we can get ahead before we’re left behind

Fear is an emotion we haven’t even felt yet

His tears are dripping on construction scraps

The edges disguised as diamonds of the mind

Can we look ahead while we’re still looking back

Can we make history when we’re falling behind?

He flies through life on his paper airplane

Looks out his window at the world below

He didn’t know it was stormy but was glad that it rained

And I’m looking up at the figures of clouds I hardly even know

Origami, snowflakes, the edges cut in pieces

Ripped paper falling in the snow

He knew the technicolor dulled but he couldn’t believe it

He chose to lie to himself than to ever really grow

He clicked his lighter three times

He didn’t see the ruby slippers in brilliant red

It was a sky filled with darkness, life lacking in purpose

He folded over and flew his paper airplane instead

The edges are flimsy

The foundation is thin

Gone tomorrow, but here today

Perhaps we’re cutting out the pieces from within

And it’ll take more than glue to get them to stay

He stares up at the ceiling at his paper airplanes

The ones that he hadn’t yet flown

He emptied the contents as they swirled down the drain

And buckled up for takeoff as the stars finally shone, and he was finally home

It was an idle Tuesday and he began to fold

The corners creasing as they fit

Despite remembering all that he’d been told

He flew as he promised tomorrow he’d finally quit

He crashed that day on his paper airplane

Crawling through debris in the darkness from the art he was proud to create

And when we fold we must press on from the pain

To avoid an emergency landing that could seal our fate

He flies through life on his paper airplane

Looks out his window at the world below

He didn’t know it was stormy but was glad that it rained

And I’m looking up at the figures of clouds I hardly even know.

Dedication:

RIP to Harley Jackson Lowry, the first person I ever sent a text message to back when I got my first cell phone in the sixth grade. Harley was a wonderful, intelligent, caring and complex individual who sadly passed away from complications from a drug addiction a few years ago. You’re forever missed.

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Can We Overcome a “Basic” Dilemma?

The Basic Solution to a Basic Dilemma

Exploring “Basic,” and why we are all so much more than that.

Preps. Jocks. Musicians. Nerds. Remember those high school stereo types that became the norm with our own self identification? Those labels always frustrate me a bit. If you were an athlete who played music, does that mean you didn’t belong? That you didn’t fit in? Since when do people strive to force themselves to fit into one category when they can be SO many things? I truly believe that we all can be so much more than one label. My personal goal is to encourage people to live such a full and diverse life that they wouldn’t be able to be confined to one category. God made us all unique! (A bit of a cliche, but true. There’s the basic in me).

Basic. It means different things to different people, but the underlying meaning holds steady.

To me, basic means a few things: In touch with trends? Definitely. Predictable? Most likely. Taylor Swift fan? I’m sure. However, one thing that gets lost in the negative connotation of being basic is passion. While it may be a band wagon passion, I see many common “basic” traits as a person who is TRYING to be SOMEBODY. While it may not be who they truly are, and their Starbucks Instagram photos are probably annoying, at least they aren’t jumping on a bandwagon of spreading hate or judgement. In my opinion, being “basic” is like that pink iPhone case in the store. It’s similar to that green juice at Trader Joe’s. It’s that sale poster at a Target. There’s nothing WRONG with being basic. But why just settle for being a basic version of yourself, when God has given us the ability to be SO much more? Like sports if you like sports. Love Beyoncé if you love her. Like Classic Rock if that’s your thing.

I may look fairly blonde and predictable, but I’m not as basic as you may think. My belief is that the term “basic” is a double edged sword. On one end, living the so called “basic” life allows you to care about semi trivial things because you live comfortably. Yay! On the other end, I always want to push back a bit. I don’t want to be like everyone else. Be uniquely you. That being said, basically it’s OK to be basic! My goal of this post is to recognize the basic in you, and own it! But just like that documentary “Supersize Me” where Morgan over indulged on McDonalds, too much basic could be bad for one’s health.

The first step is if you are, admit it! The most basic people are the ones who don’t even realize they are basic. Heck, I love the movie Mean Girls! I say “literally” and “seriously” all of the time. However, I don’t personally enjoy Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber. Or Drake. I have traveled to many countries aside from spring break in Jamaica to see how the other half lives. I value education, I love reading the newspaper, and I have goals and interests aside from hitting a sale at Nordstrom. I show up to football games in a jersey, but I care more about following the actual game than Snapchatting it. So instead of striving to be “basic,” why not strive to be “balanced!” If you went to Starbucks this morning, maybe don’t go to Target tomorrow. Try a new food other than sushi. Talk to somebody that looks like they could use a friend. Life is meant to be enjoyed… but make your mark in this life. It goes by fast!

Reality check: You might be basic if:

1.) You go to Starbucks more than three times a week 2.) You know all of the lines in Mean Girls" 3.) You think Parks and Recreation is edgy and funny 4.) You watch more than one reality TV show 5.) You have a Pinterest account where you pin mainly material things 6.) You use predictable hashtags such as #goals #squad #bae on every social media account 7.) Your favorite “band” is Drake 8.) You follow Ashton Kutcher on Instagram 9.) You watch an entire marathon of Sex and the City 10.) You often have loud conversations on your cell or with your friends in an inappropriate setting (I.E. at a pharmacy, at the gym, in a library) 11.) You have a Live, Laugh, Love poster from Target. 12.) You “love wine” and have “extensive knowledge” about the varieties (There’s the pink one! And the white one! And the red one!) 13.) You LOVE Coldplay, Adele, Taylor Swift and *~NiRvAnA~* 14.) You are a reposter, re Tweeter, re pinner to the core and never come up with original content or posts. 15.) You wear white Addidas or white Converse and you stress over keeping them clean. Or you just buy another pair, since the mall is on the way to Trader Joe’s anyways. 16.) You sometimes feel empty and are afraid to express your own opinion 17.) You feel deep down that you are limiting yourself in some way

I’ve been thinking about the term “basic” a lot lately. Truthfully, it’s because I see quite a bit of basic in myself. But I want to change that. That’s not all that I want the world to see of me. Some people grasp on to an identity… ANYTHING to feel like they belong in some way. Don’t tell me that you didn’t define yourself by some term when you were in high school. Sadly, it’s a way to sort of feel like you fit in. Back then, as a swimmer, I saw myself as an athlete. I hung out with my team mates, I wore athletic clothes a lot, and I usually wore my hair up in what they call a “swimmer bun…” AKA throwing your hair up after being in the water for three hours. I realize now that while I don’t regret swimming, I might have limited myself in some way. I could have unintentionally excluded somebody who wasn’t an athlete, just because I convinced myself we probably wouldn’t mesh. I figured I wouldn’t get invited to things on weekends because I had practice, but looking back years later, I wasn’t asked to those things because I made no effort.

And after being a competitive swimmer, a sorority girl, a Young Life fan, a lover of basic things, complicated things, and things I don’t even have all of the answers to yet, I realize that we shouldn’t limit ourselves to one thing that we think should define us. Next time when somebody asks me… “Who are you?” I’ll say: “I’m on the road to becoming a lot of things.”

Love Always,

Alaina

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Finding Confidence

Finding Confidence

By Alaina K

Self confidence is a funny thing. On one hand, it’s a natural part of life. If you accomplish something, the normal thing to do is congratulate yourself! Pat yourself on the back! Hip, hip, hurray, you did it! Now onto the next goal!

But for the self-doubters and the over-thinkers, it’s often hard to give credit where credit is due.

Self doubt is tough to identify at first. It’s a little voice that seeps into your mind in an attempt to reverse the good that has been done. “I got an A- on my assignment!” “Yeah, but you didn’t get an A+.” “But I did pretty well!” You argue. No, not good enough.

Your self doubt refuses to give you that kind of credit. It’s like a poison, an infectious disease- it spreads like wildfire, and all of the sudden, you’re part of an undeniable blaze. And if unacknowledged, you’ll burn.

I think the root of self doubt comes from living life: It’s a combination of success and failure.

Some people are resilient. They’ll get told “no” a million times, and still go for it.

For example, Meryl Streep, who is considered the “best actress of her generation,” knows what it’s like for somebody to give a low blow. On the Graham Norton Show, Streep described a traumatic experience. When she auditioned for the role of Dwan in “King Kong,” the Director said: “Che Brutta,” which means “Why did you bring me this ugly thing?” Streep spoke Italian, so with grace, she fired back: “I’m sorry that you think I’m too ugly for this role.”

This was way back in 1976, and Meryl Streep has sure made a name for herself since the rejection. She holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations by any actor, a total of 21 times. I personally love her as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. She never gave up, and now she’s the boss.

Can we all be Meryl’s- and Miranda’s? I sure hope so! If we can, watch out! The world will never know what we can do.

I worked for a short time in sales. I didn’t even KNOW it was a sales job when I applied for it- (I guess sales-based companies do that sometimes, which is probably why they are so successful.) I thought I would simply be working in “marketing.” Turns out, I had to sell teeth whitening to strangers at 100% commission. It was terrifying. Every morning, we would have our group huddle, and get sent off to different locations to meet our “quotas.”

We had to approach EVERYONE. At malls, at grocery stores, you name it. Looking back, I know I could have sold more. But I was different from my super-aggressive counterparts. I liked to hang back and observe. While they had no qualms about approaching a mother who had her hands full with two kids and groceries, I didn’t feel that it was right. I remember the girl who I studied under telling me: “Why are you skipping people?!? You’re losing out on all of these sales! Stop being afraid and just sell, sell, sell!”

Needless to say, I’ve moved on since then. However, that job taught me a lot. It’s really difficult to go up to complete strangers and try to convince them to buy something. It’s even MORE difficult when I was doubting myself, and didn’t want to do it in the first place. Can you imagine interrupting someone while they’re working, convince them to sign a form, take down their credit card information , and then skip out into the sunset, given that you met your quota for the day?

It was hands down the hardest job I’ve ever done. The company’s philosophy was “We don’t care who they are, talk to 100 people a day, and you’ll sign up at least 10.” But for me, I was much more cautious. I spoke with maybe 40 people, so my odds weren’t as good.

I just wanted to be respectful. Let me tell you, though- those people who are working at those kiosks in the mall trying to get your attention- man, they have it tough! I used to get nightmares about starting the day all over again. And it wasn’t because I truly doubted myself and my abilities- it was because I wasn’t a hardcore salesperson. I didn’t WANT to get told “no” 90 times and “yes” 10 times. The no’s were all that mattered to me. And that’s okay!

Here’s what I know now. Working in hardcore sales is not for me.

In sales, we were taught that a “no” is just a jumping off point for negotiations. In my mind, a no means no. And even if I was able to convince someone otherwise, I wouldn’t feel right about it. What working in sales DID teach me is that confident energy goes a long way. Have you ever approached a complete stranger trying to sell something, when you weren’t confident in your product?! It’s TOUGH. When someone told me “no,” I’d say “OK!” And I’d be on my way.

For others, they expected the “no.” The early Meryl Streep’s of the world. Perhaps the most successful salespeople in my former company.

Maybe for a time, by saying no, the potential customers took some of my confidence from me. But now, I believe that for me, I just wasn’t selling the right thing. Today, I want to use my voice for animal rights. For anti-bullying. Acts of kindness. The end of school shootings. For prayer. For all of the good that I envision in the world. For a world that I hope to someday see.

Self confidence is a funny thing. For me, it used to be saying “yes” to everything. I said “yes” to a marketing job that I didn’t know the details of. I told myself “yes,” I could be successful in sales- what other choice did I have?!

But in life, as it turns out, we have plenty of options. Say yes, say no, but always stand for something, or you’ll fall for everything. Stand up for what you know is right. Always follow your heart. And if you don’t want to work in sales, quit selling... your true calling is only a self reflection away.

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If My Mom Had Facebook

If My Mom Had Facebook

By: Alaina K

For people that know her, to describe my mom is to say “she’s Janet!” That’s enough to get the full picture. She’s lively, she’s gorgeous, she’s vibrant, she’s talkative, she’s creative, and she is HANDS DOWN the friendliest person you will ever meet.

That’s why I get a little bummed out when I think about the fact that she doesn’t have Facebook!

I moved to Los Angeles from Arizona a few years ago, and I often miss my family who still lives in Arizona. My dad has SLAYED the Facebook game (posting photos and statuses with like 100+ likes, well deserved!) And I can’t help but feel proud of him for being, well, a cool dad! He always has been, and he does a GREAT job of staying in touch via calls and texts. But once and awhile, I’ll go to his Facebook, and see a moment that he had recently, and I’ll be like “this is amazing!” There are only so many hours in the day, so obviously my dad isn’t going to keep me updated about every single second in his life. But I love that his Facebook statuses, combined with our daily convos, mixed in with what I already know to be true about how great he is, make me miss my family a little bit less.

My mom has all but refused to get Facebook. I guess she likes to “stay in her own lane, and not worry about everyone else.” Which is totally okay! I wish I could show her that Facebook is really a great way to express yourself, get in touch with old friends, get your business off the ground, etc. But since I haven’t managed to do that yet, I thought it would be fun to pretend for a second that she had a Facebook!

If she did, I guarantee that you could expect the following if my mom showed up on your newsfeed:

1.) Bible verses

2.) Positive quotes

3.) Happy pictures of flowers and sunsets

4.) Lots of emojis

5.) Gym check in’s

6.) Check in’s with some of her friends

7.) Updates on TV shows like “The Voice,” or on good books she’s read lately.

As shown via the screenshot below, my mom ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️s emojis! 😋

I wishhhh my mom had Facebook! She’s one of the few people I know who can ALWAYS find the good in life. I’ve tested her a few times on it to she how she’ll react. Once I fake complained that I was having a hard time getting my floors 100% clean because of all of the dust build-up. What does she say? “I’ll fly out there and help you!” Or when I (actually) complained that I didn’t have a suitcase big enough to fit all of my stuff to fly back to LA from Tucson. What does she do? She drives to her house, gets me her favorite Calvin Klein suitcase, then proceeds to help me organize all of my things into the new suitcase. All with a huge smile on her face.

Cue the 😁😁😁😁 emoji status.

Sometimes when I miss my family, I go to their Facebook pages if I know they’re sleeping and don’t want to call too late, or if I just want to be reminded (as if I need a reminder), about how truly awesome my family is. I love that my mom sends me encouraging texts, because I never thought she’d even WANT to own a cell phone. I adore that she always leaves me the sweetest voice messages, and makes sure to ask me about my day. But as crazy as it sounds, someday when I get married, and have kids, I don’t want my mom to just see it through her own eyes, because I live in a different state and am not always going to be around.

Growing up, my mom put together dozens of scrapbooks documenting my brother and myself growing up. They are carefully stored in my room in Arizona, because they mean SO much to me. They helped me piece together the magic of my childhood. Without them, I never would have known. I want my mom to understand that my Facebook is similar to a scrapbook. Anything that she wants to know, she can find.

So mom, if you decide to get a Facebook, add me. I love you! 💕❤️

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Coming to Terms: 2018

Happy New Year! I thought a lot today about 2018 and what the new year will bring, based on our own promises. If you ask others what their resolutions are, it’s pretty polarized. They will either say something specific, or they’ll roll their eyes and say they “don’t do resolutions.” I’ve been on both sides. I’ve scoffed at the idea because I found it too predictable, and I’ve also thought long and hard about resolutions in the past. 

This New Year was kind of magical for me. I knew that this year I wanted-and NEEDED to make a resolution, some proposition for positive change. Originally, it was to have a better attitude: To be more present, and to be more attentive to others. As in, don’t get annoyed at slow drivers, smile at strangers more often, etc. I guess a pretty general goal. Aim to put on a good show, smile, and pose for pictures, even throw in a faux “hi!” when you walk past people. But for some reason, last night after the ball dropped, I had a change of heart. My resolution was to be more focused on others, yet my resolution was about myself... again?!

Yesterday I met a personal trainer at the pool, and after talking briefly I asked for general fitness advice. And his answer was profound: “The average human mind is shocked by change. A little bit at a time. If you work out three times a week, shoot for four.”

And that’s when it hit me: I have the perfect New Years resolution. A.LITTLE.BIT.AT.A.TIME. The perfect combination of realistic and goal-oriented.

 We wonder why people shy away from resolutions. It’s because we over promise and under deliver. We strive to lose 20 pounds and only lose 10. We vow to be the perfect girlfriend, boyfriend, wife or husband, yet we slip up from time to time. And when we do, we associate resolutions with negativity. “Why would I set a goal if I’m only going to fail?!” We wonder. But here’s the profound part. If you really think about it, We DIDN’T fail. 

10 pounds lighter is still lighter, isn’t it? Cooking for your significant other is still better than signing the check for pizza, isn’t it? It requires more work, more dedication, and in turn... more love. It’s the little things. They are taken for granted all of the time. Those extra five minutes at the gym. Ten minutes at work. An hour reading your bible. Three minutes returning a text. Two seconds to change your attitude if something doesn’t go your way. Time: The one thing that seems guaranteed. But it’s as fickle as the mood you’re in. As uncertain as the numbers on a lottery ticket. As scary as a murder mystery. And as wonderful as the sunshine after a snowstorm. Time can be seen in many forms: on a watch, a phone, on a clock, a moment after it’s gone. It’s the little things. And after a wish is gone when the clock changes from 11:11 to 11:12, we realize how little time we truly have.

2018: The Little Things. Go to bed 10 minutes earlier. Text back three minutes sooner. Give three more dollars to a delivery driver. Smile two seconds longer.

2018 2+0+1+8. 365 more days dedicated to change. We will all be better once we first strive towards the little things.

[millenniumplus12]

Here’s the 4-11 on LA Life

So today I wanted to cover a topic that I feel very confident talking about. It’s called “Living In Los Angeles Full Time.” But before I get started, let me be real with you guys. I am completely aware of the fact that I have only a few more seconds to sell you on this post.

 How do I know this? 

I write for a living. I get paid to communicate, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted. I take great pride in my work, but I don’t take work home with me. How do you know this about me? Because after work, I still text like this: “How r u doing 2 day? sry was @ work what r u up 2?” Why? Because that’s how I used to type in middle school, and it’s easy to fall back on. Maybe it’s who I am in a sense. And it allows me to not take myself too seriously for a bit. In other words, if this post has some grammatical errors, it’s because I’m off the clock. 

So enough with the intro. I have 16,000 views on my blog. I know people read it. Let’s get right to the point. Right now, I am listening to house music by Robert Miles, folding clothes, and rebuffing my nails. My alarm is set for 7:32 AM, and I have an English muffin on standby for the morning. Shoot... does that mean I am officially ready to live in Santa Monica full time? Let’s find out.

Everyone has their life story. My story started with where I came from. It’s a state that has been in the news a lot lately because of the heat wave. I’ll give you a hint: It rhymes with Merizona. 

When I attended graduate school at USC last year (oh my gosh, I can NOT believe it’s only been a year since I lived in South Central-does that make me Cali basic)?! I always identified myself as “Alaina from Arizona.” But now that I’ve been living here awhile, I’ll say: “Alaina from Venice.” Or “Alaina from North Hollywood.” Or whatever I feel like saying, because the truth is-I’ve lived in a LOT of places in LA. But on Monday, I’m moving to Santa Monica for an ENTIRE YEAR. Because I have a great job, and I’m ready to see what it’s really like to be a full time LA resident. If you live here already and can relate, or if you are interested in moving here- Here’s what I know so far.

1.) Traffic is pretty bad

I’m not going to sugarcoat it. There are certain life adjustments that one needs to make in order to work with the LA freeways. If you’ve lived here long enough, you’re smart enough to know not to get on the 101 or 405 at 5 pm, no matter what direction you’re going. You know that traveling 20 miles will take roughly an hour and twenty minutes, and driving a minuscule five miles will take around twenty-five minutes. While embarking on this frusterating commute, you realize that most people are just as stressed as you are about timing, so they are not purposely slowing you down. It’s just a “traffic jam.” In other words-everyone has found the gold rush. Los Angeles is a beautiful place, a lot of people want to live here-and the freeways just aren’t quite built for the amount of people trying to drive.

2.) Dating is not a nightmare 

I have read numerous websites about single women complaining that they cannot meet somebody in LA because “everyone is a player,” and there is “too much competition.” I don’t agree. I think that dating is a mindset, and I firmly believe there are plenty of great men out there who are just looking for the right person. Don’t let LA intimidate you. Like Gretzky says, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. So say “hi” to someone at Runyon Canyon, maybe it will pay off!

3.) The stereotypes are somewhat true

Now, just like any stereotype, I am in no way trying to say that every assumption applies to every person. I will say my own personal opinion, since I’ve lived in a lot of places here. 1.) I think that the Beverly Hills area is overrated. 2.) I believe that the Bel Air/Westwood area is extremely overrated (I went to USC, so I could be a bit biased on this category). 3.) The Valley is hotter than the areas located around the ocean, and can make your commute a LOT longer. But I’ve met some of the greatest people in the Valley. 4.) I personally like Venice, but it’s kind of true to its yoga/Whole Foods/hippie stereotype. Oh, and most people in Venice like the beach, own a dog, and like to frequent vegan cafes. Which, don’t get me wrong-is totally fine! I like the beach. I don��t own a dog, and I would maybe go to a vegan cafe-so since I’m only one for three, maybe I’m better off in Santa Monica.

4.) Cher’s dad is wrong-not everywhere in LA takes twenty minutes

Remember that scene in Clueless when Cher lies to her dad and says she is on her way home? Her lawyer dad hollers at her: “SEE YOU IN TWENTY MINUTES-EVERYWHERE IN LA TAKES TWENTY MINUTES!” I get where the saying originated from-LA is LA, and the valley is the valley. But let’s be clear-It’s always a smart idea to give yourself more time if you are going ANYWHERE. Because in LA, “Sorry I got stuck in traffic” is a lame excuse. It’s like saying “Sorry, I was breathing.” So standard. 

5.) Be prepared to shell out more money in California

Compared to Arizona, and 90% of the US, things in California are just more expensive. You will pay more in taxes. You will shell out more dough for fuel. Food will be pricier. Stay away from clothing boutiques if you are on a budget. Certain gas stations will charge $1.50 more per gallon, so be wary of where you are getting gas from. Be aware of which grocery store you are shopping at. (Hint: Gelsons is much more expensive than Vons or Ralphs, Vons is more expensive than Ralphs-always go to Ralphs). 

6.) Yes it’s a scary change at first

When I first moved to LA for graduate school, I cried every night for the first week, because it was SUCH a big change from the city I grew up in. You will not have people knocking on your door giving you banana bread. If you ask someone for directions, not everyone will help you. You will have a few cranky salespeople, a few professors that you don’t see eye to eye with-and even sadder still: friends who you grow apart from, and relationships that just don’t work out. But... isn’t that everywhere? What I have finally come to understand about Los Angeles is that you are not ENTITLED to anything when you move here. Just like the most popular person in school, you have to EARN their respect. Because LA has a lot of potential suiters-it doesn’t want to settle for the faint hearted. 

7.) But if you can pull through, the possibilities are endless

I moved to Los Angeles with a dream, just like everybody else did. My goal wasn’t necessarily to be to famous. I had no plans on becoming a singer, or a dancer, or an actress. I moved here for my education. I think that people who don’t understand think that going to USC is an easy thing. It’s really not. It’s not a safe area. The university has done a phenomenal job of keeping its students safe, but it was a huge shock to me. Academically, it’s EXTREMELY difficult. It took 100% of my focus, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And that brings me to my final comment about living in Los Angeles.

You can live on the coast, but you can never coast.

I made that saying up on the spot, and I rather like it. Maybe I’ll get it patented, because, #wheninLA.

But honestly-believe in yourself. have faith in God, lean on your family and friends, be grateful, and love every day that you’re in LA. If you have any questions, message me. #wheninLA

XOXO,

ALAINA

[millenniumplus12]

On the Horizon: The Unexpected New Sport of 2018

By: Alaina Kirkpatrick

Move over, Tom Brady! Mark Zuckerberg is your newest rival heading into the 2018 season. 

Ask 100 people if they watched the 2017 Super Bowl, and the responses will vary. 

“YES! TOM BRADY WAS SO CLUTCH!” “I had it on in the background.” “I watched the halftime show.” “No, I didn’t watch it on my TV, but I found out the winner on Facebook.” 

Ask 100 people if they looked at their Facebook feed today, and 97% will say yes. 

Survey 100 people and inquire if they logged onto Facebook as a means of “keeping it in the background without actually looking at it,” 100% will say no. 

Today, yesterday, and every day, these users are athletes (sort of). They clicked, they “liked,” they scrolled, and most importantly they ENGAGED.

 In 2017, daily Facebooking is no lazy Super Bowl watching. It requires action. 

Could it be…Is social media the new sport?! 

With around 3 billion active users, social media is now the fire that never fades.

From ages 7-70+, social has invigorated the world at a staggering speed. Like an F5 tornado, a 9.5 magnitude earthquake, or a level 5 hurricane hitting at speeds of over 120 MPH, social media is coming… and it’ll be on the next flight. So be prepared.

Remember when people were worried about Africa and their lack of television and running water? Not saying we shouldn’t help those in need. *WE SHOULD*, but Africa is even finding a way to log on! See article here: 

http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2010/social-media-boom-begins-africa

The bad news is that there are still billions living in extreme poverty. The good news is that in part of the wide influence of social media, between 1990 and 2016, the number of people in extreme poverty fell by more than a billion. Let’s make it a goal to decrease poverty even more in the upcoming years.

Back to Social/Sports: If Facebook was the Super Bowl, imagine how many attendees there would be. 

111 million viewers tuned in to the game against the Falcons and Patriots last February. The Super Bowl is arguably the most watched segment on national television. Once a year, the network that airs the segment has hundreds of millions of viewers’ undivided attention. HUGE.

But get this: There is something bigger than the Super Bowl. MUCH bigger. 

It’s a little thing called social media. If the NFL is a millionaire, FACEBOOK is a billionaire. If the NFL is Venus Williams, Facebook is Serena. WHY? Because more people are RSVPing yes. Why throw a great party if nobody shows up? 175 million people log onto Facebook EACH DAY! Can we take a second to reflect? Do you know how huge that is? 

Social media is the newest sport. If you practice hard, do your research, and spend the time and effort… you could be the gold medalist in the biggest sport to ever exist.

THINK ABOUT IT.

Remember when you were a kid and your parents signed you up for a million activities to see which one stuck? As a kid growing up in the late ‘90s, I remember soccer games on Saturdays, swim practice Monday-Friday, gymnastics on Sundays (ugh I really wanted to be a gymnast, too bad I was like 5’7” by the time I was 12). After experimenting with numerous activities and sports, I learned A LOT about myself:

1.) Kicking the ball in the wrong goal during a soccer game tipped my parents off to the fact that I certainly had athletic abilities, but I was lacking interest in the particular sport. They dropped my soccer games and focused on swimming instead (it’s hard to start swimming in someone else’s lane unless you try REALLY hard to go under the lane line).

2.) I like the “idea” of art. I really do. My mom is a very creative person. She has created countless scrapbooks, made hundreds of signs for our sports games and meets, and likes to paint, draw, and design. I am atrocious at art. When I was in third grade, my art teacher had us design clay handprints that we would create for the soldiers oversees. For some reason, I was rolling out the clay too thin, and it would keep breaking whenever it was fired in the kiln. My teacher would present each finished handprint to the class, and mine continued to come back a cracked, disastrous mess. Finally my teacher told the class that I was “disrespecting the country” because my handprint kept breaking. Pretty mean, right?! I attributed it to her having issues, and decided art wasn’t for me. In the future, I completed required art credits via music and theater. I suck at making clay pots… who cares? I can sing. 

3.) From the age of three, I wanted to be a gymnast.

I remember watching the Magnificent Seven at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and I was in awe of them. I took many gymnastics classes, my dad got us a trampoline and a diving board, and I tried to emulate what I saw on TV. Watching my brother effortlessly doing tricks on the trampoline, I tried everything I saw. One day, I tried to do a double flip, and since our net wasn’t set up yet, I over-rotated and landed in a cactus. Since I was getting more comfortable with the water at the time, I decided to be a diver if I wasn’t going to be a gymnast. I attempted a back flip off the diving board and ended up diving WAAAAY too short. I cracked my head on the diving board. The point of the above is the ties that bind. Social media is similar to a sport, because one has to be strategic, smart, and active in order to be successful.

To date, I have been an athlete, and I have been an “athlete.” I have worked for numerous companies managing their social media accounts, the concept of trial and error has been helpful for me (just like realizing I suck at art, am naturally talented at swimming, and am too tall to be a gymnast.) 

When I worked at a social media company where we had to specifically recommend certain platforms for companies, many would call us with a specific request in mind. 

“We are a real estate company. We want to pay for you to manage two platforms. I am positive I want those platforms to be Twitter and Snapchat.” 

One of the requirements on our part was to accommodate the client, but not to lead them in the wrong (clueless) direction. 

So while I am carefully listening to the requests, I politely interject: “Of course we can accommodate the requests. I just wanted to make a suggestion. Facebook is the largest platform, and would be great for showcasing different listings. We can also run a web ad campaign that takes users right to your website. We can post a diversification of content in order to engage users and keep them intrigued. Snapchat dissapears after a few seconds, so unless users take a screenshot, people are going to miss your beautiful listings!”Sometimes people would listen to my advice, sometimes they wouldn’t. Even though they were the same price to mange, some clients were so intent on us managing their Snapchat account because “their son or daughter said it was the best” or because “they heard it was the right way to go.” 

Those clients are like me in the art room. Or on a trampoline. Or a balance beam.

 I can want to succeed so badly at a certain sport, but if it’s not meant to be… it won’t be. 

And the success of any company now largely depends on their strategy when it comes to social media. It costs about the same for gymnastics and swim team. My parents’ money was better spent on swimming. Just like certain businesses would be a LOT better off if they strategize about which “sports” (platforms) to be “active on.” 

My general advice? GO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE! 

Facebook has the most users. Facebook has the most features. Facebook (when studied carefully and executed properly) can return a HUGE number on new customers, clicks to a website, and on producing new leads.) 

SPORTS. It’s a broad term with so many interpretations. Ask people if they think bowling is a sport (I think it is). Is chess a sport? Is football a sport? Is gymnastics? Is social media? 

Stay tuned. Orange is the New Black, sure. But only 6.7 viewers know that. 

Now Facebook?! 2 billion people are showing up. Let’s play to win.

[millenniumplus12]

Basically... Be You.

The Basic Solution to a Basic Dilemma

Exploring “Basic,” and why we are all so much more than that.

By: Alaina K

Preps. Jocks. Musicians. Nerds.

Remember those high school stereotypes that became the norm with our own self identification? Those labels always frustrate me a bit. If you were an athlete who played music, does that mean you didn’t belong? That you didn’t fit in? Since when do people strive to force themselves to fit into one category when they can be SO many things? I truly believe that we all can be so much more than one label.

My personal goal is to encourage people to live such a full and diverse life that they wouldn’t be able to be confined to one category. God made us all unique! (A bit of a cliche, but true. There’s the basic in me).

Basic. It means different things to different people, but the underlying meaning holds steady.

To me, basic means a few things.

In touch with trends? Definitely. Predictable? Most likely. Taylor Swift fan? I’m sure. However, one thing that gets lost in the negative connotation of being basic is passion.

While it may be a bandwagon passion, I see many common “basic” traits as a person who is TRYING to be SOMEBODY. While it may not be who they truly are, and their Starbucks Instagram photos are probably annoying, at least they aren’t jumping on a bandwagon of spreading hate or judgement. In my opinion, being “basic” is like that pink iPhone case in the store. It’s similar to that green juice at Trader Joe’s. It’s that sale poster at a Target.

There’s nothing WRONG with being basic. But why just settle for being a basic version of yourself, when God has given us the ability to be SO much more? Like sports if you like sports. Love Beyoncé if you love her. Like Classic Rock if that’s your thing.

I may look fairly blonde and one might assume I have a One Direction background on my computer, but I’m not as basic as you may think.

My belief is that the term “basic” is a double edged sword. On one end, living the so called “basic” life allows you to care about semi trivial things because you live comfortably. Yay! On the other end, I always want to push back a bit.

I don’t want to be like everyone else. Be uniquely you. That being said, basically it’s OK to be basic! My goal of this post is to recognize the basic in you, and own it! But just like that documentary “Supersize Me” where Morgan over indulged on McDonalds, too much basic could be bad for one’s health.

The first step is if you are, admit it! The most basic people are the ones who don’t even realize they are basic. Heck, I love the movie Mean Girls! I say “literally” and “seriously” all of the time.

However, I don’t personally enjoy Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber. Or Drake. I have traveled to many countries aside from spring break in Jamaica to see how the other half lives. I value education, I love reading the newspaper, and I have goals and interests aside from hitting a sale at Nordstrom. I show up to football games in a jersey, but I care more about following the actual game than Snapchatting it. So instead of striving to be “basic", why not strive to be “balanced?"

If you went to Starbucks this morning, maybe don’t go to Target tomorrow. Try a new food other than sushi. Talk to somebody that looks like they could use a friend.

Life is meant to be enjoyed… but make your mark in this life. It goes by fast!

Reality check: You might be basic if:

1.) You go to Starbucks more than three times a week

2.) You know all of the lines to Mean Girls"

3.) You think Parks and Recreation is edgy and funny

4.) You watch more than one reality TV show

5.) You have a Pinterest account where you pin mainly material things

6.) You use predictable hashtags such as #goals #squad #bae on every social media account

7.) Your favorite “band” is Drake

8.) You follow Ashton Kutcher on Instagram

9.) You like to watch an entire marathon of Sex and the City

10.) You often have loud conversations on your cell or with your friends in an inappropriate setting (I.E. at a pharmacy, at the gym, in a library)

11.) You have a Live, Laugh, Love poster from Target.

12.) You are a reposter, retweeter, repinner to the core, and never come up with original content or posts.

13.) You wear white Adidas or white Converse, and you stress over keeping them clean. Or you just buy another pair, since the mall is on the way to Trader Joe’s anyways.

14.) You sometimes feel empty and are afraid to express your own opinion

15.) You feel deep down that you are limiting yourself in some way

I’ve been thinking about the term “basic” a lot lately. Truthfully, it’s because I see quite a bit of basic in myself.

But I want to change that. That’s not all that I want the world to see of me. Some people grasp on to an identity… ANYTHING to feel like they belong in some way. Don’t tell me that you didn’t define yourself by some term when you were in high school. Sadly, it’s a way to sort of feel like you fit in.

Back then, as a swimmer, I saw myself as an athlete. I hung out with my teammates, I wore athletic clothes a lot, and I usually wore my hair up in what they call a “swimmer bun…” AKA throwing your hair up after being in the water for three hours.

I realize now that while I don’t regret swimming, I might have limited myself in some way. I could have unintentionally excluded somebody who wasn’t an athlete, just because I convinced myself we probably wouldn’t mesh. I figured I wouldn’t get invited to things on weekends because I had practice, but looking back years later, I wasn’t asked to those things because I made no effort.

And after being a competitive swimmer, a sorority girl, a Young Life fan, a lover of basic things, complicated things, and things I don’t even have all of the answers to yet, I realize that we shouldn’t limit ourselves to one thing that we think should define us. Next time when somebody asks me… “Who are you?” I’ll say: “I’m on the road to becoming a lot of things.”

Love Always,

Alaina

[millenniumplus12]

Social Media 101

Social 101: Mistakes that many companies, as well as everyday people, make on social media... and why they’re hurting you or your business. 

S O C I A L  M E D I A: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, Periscope, Tumblr... the list goes on and on. Everyone does it... but not everyone does it RIGHT.

I’ve been active on social media since middle school. I do consider AIM and Myspace to be social media. You’re interacting, right?! Long gone are the days of away messages, LiveJournal, and the passive aggressive demotion of your friends on your Myspace Top 8. 

Social media is the yellow pages of the new millennium: You can find friends, catch up with former classmates, and if you’re a business: You can find new clients. After specializing in social media for the past few years with the companies that I’ve worked for, as well as earning my masters degree in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Southern California, here are a few social media mistakes that we all make-and why they are hurting you in the long run.

1.) An overwhelming amount of content on one platform:

I have learned this the hard way in my personal life. Taking selfies are fun and easy to do, and it’s tempting to post numerous photos to see which ones get the best reactions. But guess what? You could be the most beautiful woman in the world (Selena Gomez, in my opinion) or you could have the best product ever invented (Pizza Hut, Domino's, I love you)... But if it always centers back to YOU, people will tire of it really quickly. There’s a term called diversification of content. It means posting relevant material on social media without it being a picture of your face... ‘Cause you know... even school pictures back in the day had like twelve wallet-sized photos.

2.) Posting on numerous platforms because you feel that you have to:

Certain social media platforms are beneficial for specific types of businesses.

 For example, Instagram has a demographic consisting of younger people who are visually inclined. Instagram is great for sharing photos... but in reality, that’s all that Instagram can really do. Unlike other social media outlets, Instagram does not allow a direct link to an outside website via a photograph. That’s great for Instagram! If somebody is on Instagram, they really have no option but to stay there. However, I see this time and time again, and have certainly made this mistake myself. Instagram is quickly turning into quality over quantity. So many companies post on Instagram because they “hear” it’s popular. But if they have blurry photos, or are trying to take customers to their website... What are they doing on Instagram? Heads up: Pinterest is an excellent avenue for e-commerce and fashion brands. Pinterest can send users directly from a pin to an actual website. Do you want an increase in sales? PINTEREST. Do you have excellent photos? INSTAGRAM.

3.) Generally posting too often:

Ask yourself what your favorite brand is. Who your favorite movie star is. I would say that one of my favorite brands is... ironically... Facebook. It’s a website I can freely visit without feeling overwhelmed by ads (even though Facebook DOES have ads if you are careful enough to spot them).

And that’s magical! The brilliant thing that Facebook does SO WELL is that I don’t even realize that I’m on Facebook! So many companies use these generously nonchalant and laid back platforms, and try to reach people in the wrong way.

It’s similar to when you walk in a store and a salesperson immediately hunts you down. You want space to just check out what the store has to offer before you make any sort of big decision. In other words, you can be the salesperson at Victoria’s Secret on Facebook who posts five times a day. “Can I help you with something?” “Just to let you know, sweatshirts are 50% off!” “Can I start you a fitting room?”

 No. You can start by giving me space. If you truly believe in yourself, or your product, a little nudge in the right direction is good. But trust that somebody who is the half bit interested knows where to go to find you, if you have made yourself visible. An overwhelming amount of content is a no-no in Social Media 101.

4.) The misuse of hashtags:

I’ll tell you. People or companies who don’t understand the appropriate use of hashtags are really putting themselves at a disadvantage. 

Ever since the word “hashtag” was introduced via Twitter, people think that they should hashtag everything... on every social media outlet. This function was created on Twitter, and allows people to easily follow topics they are interested in. Instagram is also a great platform for hashtags. The more related hashtags you use for a photograph, the higher likelihood of visibility. However, one of my biggest pet peeves is when people misuse hashtags.

Dozens of hashtags on Facebook really irk me. It shows that a person or a company have no idea how hashtags work.  As of 2017, Facebook is the mother of all social media platforms. It has the most users (over 1 billion) and their sophistication with demographic research (as well as the recent addition of boosted posts and boosted likes) shows that they are far and away the best platform for individuals AND businesses... if it’s used CORRECTLY.

First and foremost, hashtags are of no use on Facebook. 

Facebook determines it’s algorithms in a much more complex way... by using at minimum a method called “re-targeting.” Ever noticed that you Google “Pizza Hut” and then all of the sudden you see an ad for pizza on Facebook? That’s NOT a coincidence. Facebook is starting to know people better than they know themselves. And by hash tagging anything on Facebook, you’re not hurting anyone... but you’re basically saying that as far as Facebook is concerned, you’re #clueless. 

Social media is continuing to grow in terms of options. But strategically, it’s more important now than EVER to use it correctly. What we say about ourselves or our brands online not only speaks in our absence, it shows the world WHO WE ARE. Not only is it vital to not post idiotic content online... 

It’s important to represent the person that we want the world to see. 

Tune in for new tips next week.

To the social (media) conscious

<3,

Alaina 

(I can post ONE selfie) :)

[millenniumplus12]

Priorities

10 Things I Don’t Care About

Life:

It’s beautiful, complicated, and sometimes overwhelming. With the abundance of news, and online information being thrown our way during this day and age, it’s important to prioritize. I truly believe that finding the things you don’t care about can be the gateway to understanding what you DO care about. 

What are the things in life that you do or don’t care about? #conversation #thelittlethings #priorities. Here are 10 of mine:

1.) Whether Jennifer Lopez and Drake are dating. Guess what? It's a PUBLIC RELATIONS SPIN. Oh and like... Drake's songs are unbearable to listen to.

2.) If someone says sorry, but doesn't offer a solution. Yeah, great, thanks for the apology... what are you going to do to fix it?

3.) Most vegetables. I like celery, carrots and brussel sprouts... that's about it.

4.) Grammar. I am extremely well educated and I do care about grammar. But ever since I can remember, I've written in shorthand when it comes to my own social media accounts. If it's not an English paper, WhO CaRezzz? ~~

5.) Daytime naps. I don't like them. I have 24 hours in a day, and I want to like... be awake during daytime hours?! Besides, can't I just go to sleep at night?!

6.) Desserts. Some people give up sweets and desserts for lent, or whatever... I don't like chocolate, I don't like sugar. I don't care about desserts. Keep 'em.

7.) People who don't care. If you don't care about me, I'm not going to care about you. 

8.) How many Twitter followers I have. I like to Tweet because I enjoy voicing my opinion. I keep my Twitter profile private, and I have maybe 150 followers. However, a reality star recently requested to follow me, and sent me a message. My response? Great! Now I have 151 followers.

9.) What's "In" and what's "Out." If I want to wear a pink shirt, I'll wear a pink shirt. If I want to wear a necklace with stars on it, I'll wear that. Be who you are!

10.) Flavored water. I pride myself in drinking 11 glasses of water a day. Flavored water is like hot sauce paired with vegetables. It's a nice idea, but doesn't do anything THAT beneficial.

Stay tuned! Next time, 10 things I definitely do care about. And here’s a preview: I TOTALLY appreciate the 13,000+ views I’ve gotten since starting this blog! You are all the BEST! :-) 

~ Alaina

[millenniumplus12]

Song of the Week: Every week, I’ll post a video that inspires me. This week is “Something Just Like This.” Take a listen, and let me know your thoughts! :) 

I've been reading books of old The legends and the myths

Achilles and his gold Hercules and his gifts Spiderman's control And Batman with his fists And clearly I don't see myself upon that list

She said: Where'd you wanna go? How much you wanna risk? I'm not looking for somebody With some superhuman gifts Some superhero Some fairytale bliss Just something I can turn to Somebody I can kiss.

I want something just like this.

[millenniumplus12]

Coolness... Or Lack Thereof.