Anorexia

I'm pretty sure that we all know what anorexia means, but for those of you who don't, it basically means severely starving yourself. Girls, many of you may turn to starving yourself for weight loss, but trust me, it is NOT worth it. This may be the cause of many other health problems such as:
1. Heart problems
2. Osteoporosis (thinning of bone tissue)
3. Mental health issues
4. Slowing of the heart rate
5. Low blood pressure
6. Irregular heart rhythms
7. Heart failure
8. Death

Signs of anorexia may include:
1. Eating only safe foods usually very low in calories and fat
2. Doing wierd things such as cutting food into little pieces
3. Spending more time playing with it than eating it
4. Cooking meals for others but not eating
5. Compulsive exercsing
6. Dressing in layers to hide weight loss
7. Becoming isolated from friends and family
Horrible right?
-Ashlyn

"Cool."

Is it just me or is being 'cool' just overrated? You know, in my opinion, being cool is like being a follower. You do what everyone else is doing, Being cool defines you. So, you're cool if you smoke and drink, or say you do, if boys wear their long socks, and girls are wearing the cool shirt that practically cuts their circulation off because it's soo tight. You're cool if you talk how people want you to, act like the 'cool' crowd, and you're just not your own person.
No, your PERSONALITY defines whether or not you 'cool.' But in the long run, who cares if people think you're cool?? Does it really matter? Why get accepted by the cool people if it means throwing yourself away and acting like everyone else? For me, I was always the type of person to worry about what people thought about me. I wore way too much makeup, I wore things that everyone else was wearing, and I even talked the way everyone else did. But that all changed once I got a glimpse at reality. None of that matters anymore. I got my own daring hairstyle, I wear whatever I want and just not care, I talk how I want to, and I act like myself. I barely wear any makeup anymore. I am finally realizing that it shouldn't take me hours in the morning to make sure I look perfect. Was all that time for wasted for me? Nooo, I wasted that time for everyone else. I shouldn't have to do all these things to impress my peers and the guys that I like me. They all should like me for ME and not the little show I put on for them. This is hard to get across to a lot of people, but I guess just take the time and think about who you're doing it for. Yourself..Or everyone but you.
-Ashlyn

Teen Suicide.

Sorry I haven't been on here for a while..I didn't know what to write about until yesterdayy. So, a freshman at my school passed away on Tuesday. Rumors are flying around, and a lot of them are that he committed suicide. It's truly a tragedy. But I just want to give some advice and let everyone know that there is NEVER one option. What most people don't realize is that this doesn't just affect your parents or family. It affects your school, your friends,  even your whole town. I didn't know this boy personally, but I feel absolutely horrible for his family. So may you rest in peace Devin.
Okay so here are some facts about teen suicide. Some things that could cause it are..:
1. Divorced parents
2. Violence in the home
3. Not being able to find success in school
4. Being bullied
5. Feelings of worthlessness
6. Rejection
7. Substance abuse
8. Death of someone close

Hints of someone considering suicide:
1. Talks about death or suicide, even if it's jokingly. Either way, it's extremely serious
2. Plans ways to kill his or herself
3. Expresses worries that no one cares
4. Has attempted suicide in the past
5. Dramatic changes in personality and behavior
6. Withdraws from friends and family
7. Shows signs of depression
8. Shows signs of substance abuse problem
9. Acts recklessly
10. Begins to give away sentimental possessions

This is a huge issue that needs to be addressed. So if you notice ANY of these signs, please tell someone. Don't think about whether or not that person will hate you or whatever, just do the right thing. You could possibly save someones life. In school, there are usually counselors there all the time. Go talk to one if you know someone who acts like this. They might be able to help. After a counselor speaks with him or her, they would decide if they need further help and from there, they would probably go get better help or even be put in some type of facility. These people need help and it seems like no one is willing to step up. Put others before yourself in these types of situations..
-Ashlyn

REQUEST: When does wanting to get to know a guy turn into stalking??

Haha this is a funny request. I think everyone kinda gets into stalker mode when they really like someone but they like never talked to them before (well..I guess this would just be a crush.). So my advice is to know when you've gone too far. If you know nothing about this guy, then ask some of your friends if they know his name and what grade he's in or something. At this point, all you know is his name. Then I'm assuming you'll hit up facebook and spend hours looking through his pictures and profile. No. Haha go up to him!! Orrr add him on facebook and talk to him on there for the first time if you're too shy. Just message him if he happens to be online then just say "Hey." If he responds, just say something along the lines like, "I've seen you around school and I just wanted to introduce myself.." That would be a pretty good start. And if you're not so shy, go up to him, introduce yourself and start talking. Be casual though. You don't wanna creep him out :)
DO NOT:
-Follow him around all the time (and if you do, don't be obvious about it)
-Don't stare and make it obvious
-Don't be asking everyone you know if they know things about him, that's creepy
-If you happen to get info on him, don't change yourself so he'll notice you. He'll probably notice the change more than anything and think whats going on with you all of a sudden
-When he passes, don't drool and stare haha
-Don't get all giggly around him, wait till he passes
-Don't be stalking his profile daily
Haha I think this is all I have to say about thatt. Hope it helps!
-Ashlyn

REQUEST: Friends vs. boyfriend

So I've been getting requests which is FABULOUS. The first request is basically asking me how to keep guys as friends and nothing else. This is hard to give any advice on, because everyone knows that whenever a guy and a girl get close, something else ends up happening. So I guess all I can say is know what you want. Know what type of guy you're into, know what you want his personality to be like, etc. Also, if you have an awesome guy friend and you think to yourself, "Do I like him?," don't risk that whole friendship for something you have no idea if it will work out or not. If you're not the problem, and he's the one who is into you, then keep your distance or talk to him about it. You don't have to be mean about it, just nicely say that it would be best for the both of you if you stayed just good friends. I hope this helps, and I'm sorry if it doesn't!!
-Ashlyn

Drugs.Drugs.Drugs..

"Hey, wanna go get high after school?" This is something I hear every single day. Everyone seems to do it, so it's the new cool thing to do, right? Wrong. Almost all teenagers do drugs because they think that it will make them happy, make them lose weight, they see no risk in it, or it will make them feel good. I did my research and found out some things that I doubt anyone my age knows.

METHAMPHETAMINE (METH)
1. It rots your teeth.
2. Permanently damages blood vessels in the brain
3. Users are prone to extreme anorexia
4. Strokes
5. Heart attacks
6. Tremors and convulsions
7. Lung, liver, and kidney damage
8.  Promotes risky behavior (violence, sexual, crime, etc.)
9. Extreme body temperatures, which can cause brain damage
10. Breaks down body tissue which has a result of your body not being able to repare itself.

COCAINE (crack)

1. Hyperactivity

2. Increased blood pressure

3. Depression

4. Paranoia

5. Itching

6. Hallucinations

7. Paranoid delusions

8. Respiratory failure

9. Stroke

10. Heart failure

11. Seizures

12. Kidney failure

13. Coma

14. Death.

METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE (Ecstasy, E)

1. Depression

2. Hallucinations

3. Paranoia

4. Memory loss

5. Damaged and dead brain cells

6. Seizures

7. High anxiety

8. Muscle cramping

9. Involuntary teeth grinding and eye movement

10. Kidney failure

11. Muscle breakdown

12. Heart problems such as skipped beats, extreme rates, and failure

HEROIN

1. Damage to the nervous system

2. Harm to the respiratory and cardiovacular systems

3. Infection of the heart lining

4. Liver disease

5. Kidney disease

6. Skin infections and abscesses

7. Increased risk of getting HIV

Hope this is enough to scare you..

-Ashlyn

Underage Drinking.

You know, there's nothing that annoys me more than underage drinking. There is an age limit for a reason. That reason is strictly because your brain hasn't fully developed yet. Therefore, consuming alcohol can interfere with brain activity along with growth. Here's some things I learned on my quest to try to prevent underage drinking:
You are more likely to experience--
1. School problems (failing grades, more absences), social problems (fights) legal issues (arrests), and physical problems (illnesses, hangovers).
2. Unwanted, unplanned, and unprotected sex
3. Disruption of normal growth
4. Physical and sexual assault
5. Higher risk of suicide and homicide
6. Injuries! (car related, fights, etc.)
7. Memory problems
8. Abuse of other drugs
9. Changes in branin development that may have life-long effects
10. DEATH
I am NOT a fan of drinkers period. Whether you're drinking at the legal age or not, it can create binge drinking, alcoholism, poisoning, unwanted behavior, dangerous outbursts, and sooo much more. Doesn't sound too fun right?
-Ashlyn